Neurological diseases are responsible for approximately 6.8 million deaths every year. They affect up to 1 billion people worldwide and cause significant disability and reduced quality of life. In most neurological disorders, the diagnosis can be challenging; it frequently requires long-term investigation. Thus, the discovery of better diagnostic methods to help in the accurate and fast diagnosis of neurological disorders is crucial. Circulating nucleic acids (CNAs) are defined as any type of DNA or RNA that is present in body biofluids. They can be found within extracellular vesicles or as cell-free DNA and RNA. Currently, CNAs are being explored as potential biomarkers for diseases because they can be obtained using non-invasive methods and may reflect unique characteristics of the biological processes involved in several diseases. CNAs can be especially useful as biomarkers for conditions that involve organs or structures that are difficult to assess, such as the central nervous system. This review presents a critical assessment of the most current literature about the use of plasma and serum CNAs as biomarkers for several aspects of neurological disorders: defining a diagnosis, establishing a prognosis, and monitoring the disease progression and response to therapy. We explored the biological origin, types, and general mechanisms involved in the generation of CNAs in physiological and pathological processes, with specific attention to neurological disorders. In addition, we present some of the future applications of CNAs as non-invasive biomarkers for these diseases.

Abstract The reward sensation after food intake may be different between individuals and variants in genes related to the dopaminergic system may indicate a different response in people exposed to the same environmental factors. This study investigated the association of TaqIA (rs1800497) and -141C InsDel (rs1799732) variants in DRD2/ANKK1 gene with food intake and adiposity parameters in a cohort of children. The sample consisted of 270 children followed until 7 to 8 years old. DNA was extracted from blood and polymorphisms were detected by PCR-RFLP analysis. Food intake and nutritional status were compared among individuals with different SNP genotypes. Children carrying the A1 allele (TaqIA) had higher energy of lipid dense foods (LDF) when compared with A2/A2 homozygous children at 7 to 8 years old (GLM p=0.004; Mann Whitney p=0.005). No association was detected with -141C Ins/Del polymorphism. To our knowledge, this is the first association study of the DRD2 TaqIA and -141C Ins/Del polymorphism with food intake and anthropometric parameters in children. DRD2 TaqIA polymorphism has been associated with a reduction in D2 dopamine receptor availability. Therefore, the differences observed in LDF intake in our sample may occur as an effort to compensate the hypodopaminergic functioning.

Abstract Taste perception plays a key role in determining individual food preferences and dietary habits and may influence nutritional status. This study aimed to investigate the association of TAS1R2 (Ile191Val - rs35874116) and TAS1R3 (-1266 C/T - rs35744813) variants with food intake and nutritional status in children followed from birth until 7.7 years old. The nutritional status and food intake data of 312 children were collected at three developmental stages (1, 3.9 and 7.7 years old). DNA was extracted from blood samples and the polymorphisms were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reactions (qPCR) using hydrolysis probes as the detection method. Food intake and nutritional status were compared among individuals with different single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes. At 3.9 years old, children homozygous (Val/Val) for the TAS1R2 Ile191Val polymorphism ingested less sugar and sugar-dense foods than children who were *Ile carriers. This finding demonstrated that a genetic variant of the T1R2 taste receptor is associated with the intake of different amounts of high sugar-content foods in childhood. This association may provide new perspectives for studying dietary patterns and nutritional status in childhood.

RESUMO O plasmocitoma extramedular (PEM) não cutâneo é um distúrbio mieloproliferativo de plasmócitos que raramente acomete felinos. Este trabalho descreve um caso de PEM no músculo esquelético de um gato, macho, sem raça definida, de oito meses de idade, que apresentava um aumento de volume no membro pélvico esquerdo. A citologia aspirativa por agulha fina (CAAF) da massa revelou tratar-se de PEM. O teste imunoenzimático rápido confirmou a presença do vírus da leucemia felina (FeLV). Na necropsia do animal, macroscopicamente, percebeu-se que o nódulo era originário do músculo semimembranoso. O exame histopatológico ratificou os achados citológicos. Desta forma, alerta-se para a existência de plasmocitoma com localização em músculo esquelético na espécie felina, sendo a CAAF um método alternativo rápido e eficaz para o seu diagnóstico.

ABSTRACT Extramedullary noncutaneous plasmacytoma (ENP) is a myeloproliferative disorder of plasma cells that rarely affects cats. This paper describes an ENP case revealed by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the mass in the skeletal muscle of an 8-month-old, male, mixed breed cat, which had a nodule in the left hind limb. The rapid immunoassay test confirmed the presence of feline leukemia virus (FeLV). The animal necropsy macroscopically showed the nodule came from the semimembranosus muscle. Histopathological examination ratified the cytological findings. Thus, this paper alerts to the existence of plasmacytoma located in the skeletal muscle of feline species. FNAC is a quick and efficient method for diagnosis of ENP.

Objetivou-se com este estudo investigar a ocorrência de Mycoplasma spp., Mycoplasma galissepticum (MG) e Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) em psitacídeos de cativeiro localizado no estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. Foram estudadas 85 aves provenientes do Parque Estadual Dois Irmãos, localizado no estado do Pernambuco, Brasil. De cada psitacídeo analisado foram obtidas três amostras por meio de swabs da cloaca, palato e conjuntiva totalizando 255 amostras. As amostras coletadas foram submetidas à extração de DNA e à reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR), sendo as positivas submetidas ao isolamento em ágar Frey. O DNA de Mycoplasma spp. foi detectado em 16,47% (14/85) dos psitacídeos estudados. Das 255 amostras analisadas, 6,66% (17/255) foram positivas para a presença de Mycoplasma spp., sendo 41,18% (7/17) provenientes da conjuntiva, 35,29% (6/17) do palato e 23,53% (4/17) da cloaca. Nenhuma amostra foi positiva para MG ou MS na PCR. Os resultados obtidos permitem confirmar a presença do DNA de Mycoplasma spp. em conjuntiva, palato e cloaca nas aves estudadas. Foram detectadas colônias semelhantes a membros da classe Mollicutes em 17,64% das amostras (3/17). Esse é o primeiro relato da presença de Mycoplasma spp. em psitacídeos de cativeiro no Nordeste do Brasil.

The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of Mycoplasma spp., Mycoplasma galissepticum (MG) and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) in captive psittacines. Eighty-five wild birds from Parque Estadual Dois Irmãos, Pernambuco state, northeastern Brazil, were used. From each psittacid analyzed three samples were obtained through cloaca, palate and conjunctiva swabs, totaling 255 samples. Samples collected were submitted to DNA extraction and Polimerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Mycoplasma spp. DNA was detected in 16.47% (14/85) of psittacines studied. From 255 samples, 6.66% (17/255) were positive for Mycoplasma spp.: 41.18% (7/17) of positivity in conjunctiva, 35.29% (6/17) in palate and 23.53% (4/17) in cloaca. There was no positive sample for MG or MS in PCR. Similar colonies were found for members of the Mollicutes Class in 17.64% of the samples (3/17). The results confirmed Mycoplasma spp. DNA in conjunctiva, palate and cloaca from the wild birds analyzed. This is the first record of Mycoplasma spp. in captive psittacines from northeastern Brazil.

In this work, 25,806 potentially amplifiable microsatellite loci (PAL) were identified in pejerrey, (Odontesthes humensis), with 21% of dinucleotide, 22% trinucleotide, 37% tetranucleotide, 13% pentanucleotide and 7% hexanucleotide. Of the total loci, 167 were classified as "Best PAL", more likely to be variables in populations. The results show that with a small coverage of the genome it was possible to identify a large number of microsatellite loci.

O propósito deste estudo foi mapear a região de "deleção comum" no mtDNA e investigar os níveis desta deleção no coração irradiado. Os ensaios foram desenvolvidos em ratos Wistar machos que foram irradiados com três diferentes doses únicas (5, 10 ou 15 Gy), direcionadas ao coração, e as análises foram realizadas em diferentes tempos após irradiação (3, 15 ou 120 dias). A região de "deleção comum" foi sequenciada e esta deleção foi quantificada através de PCR em tempo real. Nosso estudo mostrou que os níveis da "deleção comum" foram reduzidos progressivamente do 3º até o 15º dia após irradiação, e então aumentaram após este período. Adicionalmente, foi observado que os níveis da "deleção comum" são diferentemente modulados de acordo com as diferentes categorias de doses (moderada ou alta). Este estudo mostrou que há uma resposta imediata a radiação ionizante, mensurada através da presença de mutações na área de "deleção comum" e do decréscimo nos níveis desta deleção.

The purpose of this study was to map the common deletion (CD) area in mtDNA and investigate the levels of this deletion in irradiated heart. The assays were developed in male Wistar rats that were irradiated with three different single doses (5, 10 or 15 Gy) delivered directly to the heart and the analyses were performed at various times post-irradiation (3, 15 or 120 days). The CDs area were sequenced and the CD quantified by real-time PCR. Our study demonstrated that the CD levels progressively decreased from the 3rduntil the 15th day after irradiation, and then increased thereafter. Additionally, it was observed that the levels of CD are modulated differently according to the different categories of doses (moderate and high). This study demonstrated an immediate response to ionizing radiation, measured by the presence of mutations in the CD area and a decrease in the CD levels.

Few studies have reported the molecular epidemiological characterization of HIV-1 in the Northern region of Brazil. The present study reports the molecular and epidemiological characterization of 31 HIV-1 isolates from blood donors from the State of Amazonas who donated blood between April 2006 and March 2007. Serum/plasma samples from all donors were screened for HIV antibodies by ELISA and the results confirmed by Western blot analysis. Genomic DNA was extracted from the buffy coat using the Super Quik-Gene-DNA Isolation kit. Nested PCR was performed on the env, gag, and pol regions of HIV-1 using the Gene Amp PCR System 9700. Sequencing reactions were performed using the inner PCR primers and the DYEnamic™ ET Dye Terminator Kit, and phylogenetic analysis was performed using the gag, pol, and env gene sequences. We collected samples from 31 blood donors who tested positive for HIV-1 in confirmatory experiments. The male:female ratio of blood donors was 3.4:1, and the mean age was 32.4 years (range: 19 to 61 years). Phylogenetic analysis showed that subtype B is the most prevalent among Northern Brazilian HIV-1-seropositive blood donors. One HIV-1 subtype C and one circulating recombinant form (CRF_BF) of HIV-1 were identified in the State of Amazonas. This is the first study showing the occurrence of a possible "homogenous" subtype C in this region of Brazil. This finding could contribute to a better characterization of the HIV-1 strains that circulate in the country.

The purpose of this work was to evaluate several acidifier blens as alternatives to antimicrobial growth promoters of weanling pigs. A 34-d randomized complete block design experiment was carried out to compare five treatments using one hundred and sixty Topigs 24d-weaned pigs, with 6.69±1.82 kg live weight. For 1-14 d experimental period (24 to 38 days old), the treatments were: Am - pre-starter diet with 0.004% of colistin sulfate; A1 - pre-starter diet with 0.5% of blend 1 (containing formic acid, 145000 ppm; phosphoric acid, 85000 ppm); A2 - pre-starter diet with 0.15% of blend 2 (butyric acid, 64000 ppm) and 0.4% of blend 3 (lactic acid, 620000 ppm; formic acid, 40 000 ppm); A3 - pre-starter diet with 0.8% of blend 4 (propionic acid, 198000 ppm; acetic acid, 196000 ppm; formic acid, 196000 ppm; phosphoric acid, 21000 ppm; citric acid, 8500 ppm); and A4 - pre-starter diet with 0.6% of blend 4 and 0.15% of blend 5 (benzoic acid, 590000 ppm; formic acid, 70000 ppm; phosphoric acid, 50000 ppm; citric acid, 40000 ppm). For 1434 d experimental period, the treatments were: Am - starter diet with 0.004% of colistin sulfate; A1 starter diet with 0.3% of blend 1; A2 - starter diet with 0.1% of blend 2 and 0.3% of blend 3; A3 starter diet with 0.6% of blend 4; and A4 - starter diet with 0.5% of blend 4 and 0.1% of blend 5. The pigs were allotted to 20 suspended pens, with four pigs per experimental unit. For 1-14 d experimental period, treatment A2 gave better body weight at 14th day (BW14) and average daily gain (ADG) than A3, and better feed conversion (FC) than Am. For total experimental period (1-34 d), A4 gave better FC than Am. Treatments did not affect diarrhea frequency and stomach pH. Treatment A4 gave lower pH value than Am. For intestinal morphology, A2 provided smaller jejunum crypt depth (CD) than A3 and Am, and bigger ratio of jejunum villus height:crypt depth than A1 and A3. The acidifiers are a potential alternative to antimicrobial growth promoter for weanling piglets.

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar combinações de acidificantes como alternativas aos antimicrobianos melhoradores do desempenho de leitões na fase de creche. O experimento foi em blocos casualizados, com 34 dias de duração e cinco tratamentos. Foram utilizados 160 leitões Topigs recém-desmamados, em torno de 24 dias e peso inicial de 6,69±1,82 kg. Para o período de 1 a 14 dias de experimento (24 a 38 dias de idade), os tratamentos foram: Am - dieta pré-inicial com 0,004% de sulfato de colistina; A1 - pré-inicial com 0,5% do mistura 1 (contendo ácido fórmico, 145000 ppm; ácido fosfórico, 85 000 ppm); A2 - pré-inicial com 0,15% do mistura 2 (butirato de sódio, 64 000 ppm) e 0,4% do mistura 3 (ácido láctico, 620000 ppm; ácido fórmico, 40000 ppm); A3 - pré-inicial com 0,8% do mistura 4 (ácido propiônico, 198000 ppm; ácido acético, 196000 ppm; ácido fórmico, 196000 ppm; ácido fosfórico, 21000 ppm; ácido cítrico, 8500 ppm); A4 - dieta basal com 0,6% do mistura 4 e 0,15% do mistura 5 (ácido benzóico, 590000 ppm; ácido fórmico, 70000 ppm; ácido fosfórico, 50000 ppm; ácido cítrico, 40000 ppm). Para o período de 14 a 34 dias, os tratamentos foram: Am - dieta inicial com 0,004% de sulfato de colistina; A1 - inicial com 0,3% do mistura 1; A2 inicial com 0,1% do mistura 2 e 0,3% do mistura 3; A3 - inicial com 0,6% do mistura 4; A4 - inicial com 0,5% do mistura 4 e 0,1% do mistura 5. Foram alocados quatro leitões por unidade experimental. Na fase pré-inicial, o tratamento A2 proporcionou melhor peso aos 14 dias (P14) e ganho diário de peso (GDP) que o A3, e melhor conversão alimentar (CA) que o Am. Para o período total, o A4 determinou melhor CA que o Am. Os tratamentos não afetaram a freqüência de diarréia e o pH estomacal. O A4 resultou em menor valor de pH cecal que o Am. Para morfologia intestinal o A2 proporcionou menores valores de profundidade de cripta (PC) do jejuno que o A3 e o Am e maior relação altura de vilosidade:profundidade de cripta do jejuno que o A1 e o A3. Os acidificantes são uma alternativa promissora aos antimicrobianos promotores do crescimento de leitões na fase de creche.

The purpose of this work was to evaluate phytobiotic additives and sodium butirate as alternatives to antimicrobial growth promoters based on performance, digestibility, digesta pH and diarrhea incidence of weanling pigs. A 34-d randomized complete block design experiment, two replicates in the time, was carried out to compare five treatments: control (T1) basal diet; antimicrobial (T2) basal diet with 40 ppm of colistin sulfate; phytobiotic (T3) basal diet with 500 ppm of microencapsulated natural phytobiotics; sodium butyrate (T4) basal diet with 1500 ppm of sodium butyrate; and phytobiotic + sodium butyrate (T5) basal diet with 500 ppm of natural ptytobiotics + 1500 ppm of sodium butyrate. One hundred and twenty piglets, eight replications per treatment, and three animals per experimental unit were used for performance data and diarrhea incidence. For digestibility assay, 60 piglets of first four replications were considered, using chromium oxide as fed marker. At the end of experimental period, an animal per pen of first four replications was slaughtered for digesta pH measurements. Specific contrasts of practical importance were tested. No differences were found in performance data (p>0.05), however numerically sodium butyrate (T4) showed the best results in both periods. The treatments did not show any effect (p>0.05) on diarrhea incidence and on digesta pH. Energy digestibility coefficient average of phytobiotic additives (T3) and sodium butyrate (T4) was higher (p= 0.07) than that of phytobiotic + sodium butyrate (T5). Therefore, in the experimental nursery condition, there was no evidence of natural phytobiotic and sodium butyrate as growth promoters of weanling pigs fed complex diet with high digestibility raised.

O objetivo do trabalho foi estudar os efeitos de aditivos fitogênicos e butirato de sódio como alternativas aos antimicrobianos promotores de crescimento sobre o desempenho, digestibilidade, pH do conteúdo digestório e frequência de diarréia de leitões recém-desmamados. Um experimento em blocos casualizados completos, com duas repetições no tempo e 34 dias de duração cada, foi realizado para testar cinco tratamentos: controle (T1) dieta basal; antimicrobiano (T2) basal com 40 ppm de sulfato de colistina; fitogênico (T3) dieta basal com 500 ppm de aditivos fitogênicos microencapsulados; butirato de sódio (T4) dieta basal com 1500 ppm de butirato de sódio; fitogênico + butirato de sódio (T5) dieta basal com 500 ppm de aditivos fitogênicos + 1500 ppm de butirato de sódio. Para o desempenho e a frequência de diarréia, foram utilizados 120 leitões, oito repetições por tratamento e três animais por unidade experimental. A digestibilidade foi determinada em 60 leitões das quatro primeiras repetições, utilizan-do-se o método da coleta parcial de fezes e o óxido de cromo como marcador. Ao final do período experimental, um animal de cada baia, das quatro primeiros repetições, foi abatido para mensuração do pH do duodeno, jejuno e ceco. Foram testados contrastes específicos de importância prática. Embora, o desempenho dos leitões não tenha sido influenciado pelos tratamentos (p>0,05), o tratamento butirato de sódio (T4) apresentou os melhores resultados numéricos em ambos os períodos analisados. Também não houve diferença (p>0,05) entre os tratamentos para a frequência de diarréia e para o pH da digesta. Os leitões dos tratamentos fitogênico (T3) e butirato de sódio (T4) apresentaram a média de coeficiente de digestibilidade aparente da energia superior (p=0,07) ao dos leitões do tratamento fitogênico + butirato de sódio (T5). Assim, em condições de creche experimental, não ficou evidenciado qualquer efeito dos aditivos fitogênicos e do butirato de sódio como promotores de crescimento de leitões recém-desmamados alimentados com dietas complexas e altamente digestíveis.

A atividade de água constitui um fator importante no processo de fermentação semi-sólida, haja vista sua relação com a quantidade de água disponível ao microrganismo responsável pelo metabolismo do produto, sendo necessário à obtenção de isotermas de sorção para caracterização do substrato. Ante o exposto, objetivou-se a construção das isotermas de adsorção do pedúnculo seco do caju (Anacardium occidentale L.) nas temperaturas usuais de fermentação (25, 30, 35 e 40 ºC). Ajustaram-se as isotermas com os modelos de BET, GAB, Oswin, Henderson e Smith. Observou-se que o modelo de GAB apresentou melhor ajuste, de vez que, na faixa de atividade de água que maximiza a biossíntese do microrganismo, para produção de pectinases por Aspergillus niger, a umidade do substrato deve estar acima de 35% b.s.

Water activity is a very important factor in a solid state fermentation process due to its relation with the water quantity available to the microorganism that will synthesize the product. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain the sorption isotherms for the characterization of the substrate. The objective of this study is to obtain adsorption isotherms of the dry cashew apple (Anacardium occidentale L.) at normal temperatures of fermentation process (25, 30, 35 e 40 ºC). Five mathematical models were fitted to the experimental data: BET, GAB, Oswin, Henderson e Smith. The GAB model was better fitted to the product. The isotherms allowed the determination of the appropriate moisture content to obtain the water activities that maximize the biosynthesis of the microorganism for the pectin production by solid state fermentation process. The moisture content of the substrate should be above 35% d.b.

It was studied whether vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) colonize poultry raised without receiving antimicrobial growth promoters (AGP), in non-intensive production systems. A total of 200 cloacal swabs were colleted in farms (n=40) of eight different regions of the Distrito Federal. After selective isolation, the typical enterococcal colonies were submitted to the multiplex PCR to identify enterococcal species (E. faecalis, E. faecium, E. gallinarum, and E. casseliflavus), and genes coding for high-level vancomycin resistance phenotypes. No VRE were found in the examined samples. The prevalence rates were higher for E. gallinarum (n=26; 13.0%) and E. casseliflavus (n=11; 5.5%). It was found remarkable differences in the prevalence of E. gallinarum and E. casseliflavus among the poultry farms and studied regions, and it seems that poultry raised in non-intensive production systems in the Distrito Federal of Brazil are not reservoirs of VRE.

A utilização terapêutica de doses elevadas de imunossupressores pode promover diversas complicações, principalmente infecciosas. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar as complicações secundárias ao uso de corticóide e ciclofosfamida em portadores de nefropatias. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados retrospectivamente 76 pacientes atendidos no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu -- UNESP, sendo divididos em três grupos: G1= Lúpus Eritematoso Sistêmico sem lesão renal (n=15); G2= nefrite lúpica (n=33) e G3= síndrome nefrótica por glomerulopatia idiopática (n=28). RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença em relação ao tempo de acompanhamento (G1= 42,4 ± 51, G2= 52,3 ± 51, G3= 41,8 ± 47,8 meses), dose total de corticóide utilizada (G1= 20, G2= 28, G3= 16 gramas) e tempo de uso da droga (G1= 20, G2= 26, G3= 14,5 meses). Quanto ao uso de ciclofosfamida, não houve diferença na percentagem de pacientes que a utilizaram (13% no G1, 51% no G2, 28% no G3), porém pacientes do G1 receberam dose total menor que G2 (mediana de zero e um grama, respectivamente -- p<0.05). Aspecto cushingóide, manifestações gástricas, distúrbios comportamentais, diabetes mellitus e alterações oculares ocorreram nos três grupos, sem diferença estatística. Quanto às complicações infecciosas, aquelas consideradas clinicamente mais graves, foram mais freqüentes no G2 (G1= 6%, G2= 15%, G3= 0% - p<0.05), o mesmo ocorrendo em relação aos óbitos (7% no G1, 30% no G2, 0% no G3 -- p<0.05). CONCLUSÕES: Pacientes portadores de nefrite lúpica apresentaram maior freqüência de complicações infecciosas decorrentes da imunossupressão prolongada, o que pode representar um marcador de gravidade deste tipo de lesão.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the therapeutic complications due to the use of immunosupressors in patients with nephropathy. METHODOS: 76 patients who had used steroids and cyclophosphamide were retrospectively studied. The cases were divided into three groups: G1= 15 patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus without renal lesion; G2= 33 patients with lupus nephritis and G3= 28 patients with nephrotic syndrome owing to idiopathic glomerulopathy. RESULTS: There were no differences related to time of follow up (G1= 42.4 ± 51, G2= 52.3 ± 51, G3= 41.8 ± 47.8 months), total used dosage of steroids (G1= 20, G2= 28, G3= 16 grams) and time of drug use (G1= 20, G2= 26, G3= 14.5 months). About cyclophosphamide use, there was no difference in the percentage of patients who used it (13% in G1, 51% in G2, 28% in G3), but the patients from G1 received lower total dosage than those from G2 (p<0.05). Cushingoid appearance, epigastric distress, psychiatric disorders, diabetes mellitus and ocular alterations occurred in all the three groups, with no statistically significant differences. The infections complications, those considered more severe clinically, were more frequent in G2 (G1= 6%, G2= 15%, G3= 0% - p<0.05), the same occurring with the deaths (7% in G1, 30% in G2, 0% in G3 -- p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In patients with lupus nephritis there were more infections complications owing to prolonged immunosuppresion what may indicate a severity marker of this type of lesion.