Abstract Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is considered one of the most common autosomal recessive disorders, with an estimated incidence of 1 in 10,000 live births. Testing for SMA has been recommended for inclusion in neonatal screening (NBS) panels since there are several therapies available and there is evidence of greater efficacy when introduced in the pre/early symptomatic phases. In Brazil, the National Neonatal Screening Program tests for six diseases, with a new law issued in 2021 stating that it should incorporate more diseases, including SMA. In the present study, dried blood spot (DBS) samples collected by the Reference Services of Neonatal Screening of RS and SP, to perform the conventional test were also screened for SMA, using real-time PCR, with SALSA MC002 technique. A total of 40,000 samples were analyzed, enabling the identification of four positive cases of SMA, that were confirmed by MLPA. Considering our sampling, Brazil seems to have an incidence comparable to the described in other regions. This work demonstrated that the use of the MC002 technique in samples routinely collected for the conventional NBS program is suitable to screen for SMA in our conditions and can be included in the expansion of the neonatal screening programs.

RESUMO A leishmaniose cutânea é uma doença causada por protozoários do gênero Leishmania e, atualmente, o tratamento de primeira escolha é o antimoniato de meglumina. Porém, devido à sua eficácia limitada e alta toxicidade, é necessário buscar novos princípios ativos para o tratamento da leishmaniose. Os complexos metálicos vêm ganhando importância devido à sua eficácia e baixa toxicidade. Nesse contexto, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a atividade leishmanicida in vitro e in vivo do complexo hipotóxico de cobre(I) [HB(pz)3]Cu(PCN). Quatro espécies dermotrópicas de Leishmania foram testadas com o complexo metálico e sua eficácia foi determinada através da viabilidade parasitária e taxa de infectividade, e a citotoxicidade foi determinada com um corante redox (resazurina). Para os testes in vivo, hamsters foram infectados e as lesões foram tratadas com uma pomada formulada contendo o complexo. A eficácia foi avaliada medindo o diâmetro do inóculo/focinho e determinando a carga parasitária. Os resultados demonstraram toxicidade moderada em macrófagos murinos e monócitos humanos e melhor eficácia em Leishmania (V.) braziliensis quando comparada às demais espécies testadas, com redução de 50% na viabilidade das formas promastigotas e amastigotas (in vitro). Os dados gerais do tratamento tópico diário por até 30 dias mostraram baixa eficácia na redução das lesões, e nenhuma cura clínica e parasitológica foi observada nos animais experimentais. Portanto, o complexo [HB(pz)3]Cu(PCN) mostrou-se promissor em estudos in vitro contra L. (V.) braziliensis, devendo ser empregado em novas formulações e novos esquemas de tratamento experimental.

ABSTRACT Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania and, currently, the treatment of first choice is meglumine antimoniate. However, due to its limited effectiveness and high toxicity, it is necessary to seek new active principles for leishmaniasis treatment. Metal complexes are gaining importance due to their effectiveness and low toxicity. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antileishmanial activity of the hypotoxic copper(I) complex [HB(pz)3]Cu(PCN). Four dermotropic species of Leishmania were tested with the metal complex and its effectiveness was determined through parasitic viability and infectivity rate, and cytotoxicity was determined using a redox dye (resazurin). For the in vivo tests, hamsters were infected and the lesions treated with a formulated ointment containing the complex, the effectiveness of which was assessed by measuring the diameter of the inoculum/snout location and determining the parasitic load. The results demonstrated moderate toxicity in murine macrophages and human monocytes and better efficacy in Leishmania (V.) braziliensis when compared to the other species tested, with a 50% reduction in the viability of promastigote and amastigote forms (in vitro). General data from daily topical treatment for up to 30 days showed low efficacy for reducing lesions, and no clinical and parasitological cure was observed in the experimental animals. Thus, the [HB(pz)3]Cu(PCN) complex proved to be promising in in vitro studies against L. (V.) braziliensis, and should be further tested in new formulations and new experimental treatment schemes.

RESUMO: Bacillus toyonensis é um micro-organismo probiótico que há décadas é utilizado na nutrição animal em todo o mundo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito imunomodulador da suplementação oral de B. toyonensis em cães vacinados contra o parvovírus canino. Os filhotes foram selecionados aleatoriamente e divididos em dois grupos, um recebeu B. toyonensis na concentração de 2 × 108 esporos viáveis por dia e outro grupo sem suplementação como controle. Os filhotes foram vacinados contra o parvovírus canino tipo 2. A suplementação com B. toyonensis foi eficiente em estimular IgG específica para parvovírus com títulos de 2, 3 e 2,5 vezes maior que os controles aos 7, 21 e 35 dias pós-vacinação, respectivamente. Células mononucleares do sangue periférico (PBMCs) de cães foram cultivadas e estimuladas com DNA de B. toyonensis, células vegetativas e esporos. A transcrição do mRNA das citocinas IL-4, IL-17 e IFN-γ foi modulada pelos estímulos. Assim, concluímos neste estudo que a suplementação com B. toyonensis pode amplificar a resposta imune da vacina contra o parvovírus canino.

ABSTRACT: Bacillus toyonensis is a probiotic microorganism that for decades has been used in animal nutrition around the world. The objective of this work was to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of oral B. toyonensis supplementation in dogs vaccinated against canine parvovirus. Puppies were randomly selected and divided in two groups, one received B. toyonensis at a concentration of 2x108 viable spores per day and another group without supplementation was left as control. The puppies were vaccinated against canine parvovirus type 2. B. toyonensis supplementation was efficient in stimulating specific IgG for parvovirus with titers of 2, 3, and 2.5-fold higher than controls at 7, 21, and 35 pos-vaccination days respectively. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from dogs were cultured and stimulated with B. toyonensis DNA, vegetative cell and spores. The mRNA transcription of cytokines IL-4, IL-17, and IFN-γ up modulated by the stimuli. Thus, we conclude in this study that B. toyonensis supplementation may amplify the vaccine immune response against canine parvovirus.

Abstract Genetic resistance to Potato Leafroll Virus (PLRV) is polygenic, which hinders the obtainment of resistant cultivars. However, works carried out at the International Potato Center have identified an andigena accession, LOP-868, with high resistance level and low accumulation of PLRV due to the gene of major effect Rladg. We verify the transfer of the Rladg allele to clones of the cross between LOP-868 and UFLA clones, by using the SCAR RGASC850 molecular marker; to evaluate the reaction of these clones to PLRV by inoculating the virus using aphids; and to analyze their agronomic performance of clones. Among the clones inoculated with viruliferous aphids, 49.3% were negative to the serological test, indicating possible resistance. Clones containing the Rladg allele were identified by the RGASC850 molecular marker, which demonstrates the possibility of transferring the Rladg allele of resistance to PLRV from LOP-868 to Solanum tuberosum. Some clones that presented the Rladg allele are also promising for agronomic performance.

A seleção de famílias é um método que possibilita maior eficiência nos programas de melhoramento, já que as famílias inferiores são descartadas e concentram-se os recursos nas famílias mais promissoras. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficiência da seleção de famílias para os caracteres de aparência e de produção de tubérculos em condições de calor e temperatura amenas. Utilizaram-se neste estudo famílias geradas do cruzamento biparental entre clones tolerantes ao calor e cultivares de boa aparência dos tubérculos. Foram avaliados caracteres de aparência, produtividade e peso específico de tubérculos na geração seedling, primeira e segunda geração clonal. Para os caracteres de aparência dos tubérculos, algumas famílias se destacaram na geração seedling por apresentarem maior frequência de clones superiores. Na primeira e segunda geração clonal identificaram-se famílias tolerantes ao calor e responsivas para melhorias, nas condições de temperatura amena, em produtividade e peso específico dos tubérculos. Concluiu-se que a seleção de famílias para produtividade e peso específico dos tubérculos foi eficiente e que a seleção de famílias para o conjunto de caracteres de aparência dos tubérculos se mostrou menos eficiente.

Family selection is a method which allows a greater efficiency in breeding programs, since the lower performance families are discarded and focuses are thrown on those most promising families. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of family selection for traits of tuber appearance and tuber yield under warm and mild temperatures. In this study families were generated by biparental crosses between heat tolerant clones and commercial cultivars with and good tuber appearance. Traits of tuber appearance, tuber yield and tuber specific gravity were evaluated in the seedling, first and second clonal generations. Regarding the traits of tuber appearance some families presented higher frequency of superior clones in the seedling generation. In the first and second generations heat tolerant families were identified which showed positive responsiveness to mild temperatures for tuber yield and tuber specific gravity. It was concluded that family selection for tuber yield and tuber specific gravity was efficient, but family selection for all traits related to tuber appearance was less effective.

A síntese e a estrutura cristalina por difração de raios-X de dois análogos de neolignanas, 2-(4-clorofenil)-1-feniletanona (20) e 2-[tio(4-clorofenil)]-1-(3,4-dimetoxifenil)propan-1-ona (12) são descritas. O composto 12 apresenta atividade intracelular contra Leishmania donovani e Leishmania amazonensis de amastigotas que causam a leishmaniose tegumentar e visceral. Além disso, a teoria do funcional de densidade (DFT) com o funcional híbrido B3LYP foi empregado para calcular um conjunto de descritores moleculares para dezenove análogos sintéticos de neolignanas com atividades antileishmaniose. Posteriormente, a análise discriminante stepwise foi realizada para investigar possíveis relações entre a estrutura molecular e atividades biológicas. Por meio dessa análise os compostos foram classificados em dois grupos ativos e inativos de acordo com seu grau de atividade biológica, e as propriedades mais importantes foram as cargas de alguns átomos, a afinidade eletrônica e o ClogP.

The synthesis and X-ray crystal diffraction structure of two analogues of neolignans, 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-phenylethanone (20) and 2-[(4-chlorophenyl)thio]-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)propan-1-one (12) is described. The compound 12 presents activity against intracellular Leishmania donovani and Leishmania amazonensis amastigotes that cause cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis. In addition, the density functional theory (DFT) with the B3LYP hybrid functional was employed to calculate a set of molecular descriptors for nineteen synthetic analogues of neolignans with antileishmanial activities. Afterwards, the stepwise discriminant analysis was performed to investigate possible relationship between the molecular descriptors and biological activities. Through this analysis the compounds were classified into two groups active and inactive according to their degree of biological activities, and the more important properties were charges on some key atoms, electronic affinity and ClogP.