ABSTRACT The use of endo-exo prosthesis is an alternative to improve the quality of life of amputees, allowing correct distribution of body weight, reducing skin problems and pain related to the implant, and reducing lameness. The aim of this paper is to report the use of a fixed bilateral endo-exo femur prostheses in a cat with amputation prior to treatment. The endoprostheses were made with titanium and the exoprostheses were made with 3D printing technology. A longitudinal craniolateral surgical approach was used and the skin incision was made over the knee-joint, then fascia lata incision, followed by biceps femoris and vastus lateralis muscles retraction, incision through the joint capsule to expose the tibiofemoral joint, disarticulation, and tibia and fibula removal. Afterwards, a femoral leveling osteotomy and insertion of the implant in the medullary canal were performed, being attached in the cis and trans cortical bone. The patient was evaluated in the immediate post-operative and periodically thereafter, showing satisfactory results, without macroscopic signs of rejection, wound dehiscence or infection, fracture, or injury of limbs, and presented adapted walking. Furthermore, it was observed the return to common behaviors for the species.

RESUMO O uso de endoexoprótese é uma alternativa para melhoria na qualidade de vida de pacientes amputados, permitindo distribuição correta do peso corporal, redução de problemas de pele e dor ligadas ao implante e redução da claudicação. Este trabalho objetivou relatar a utilização de endoexoprótese bilateral fixa em fêmur em felino com amputação prévia ao atendimento. Foram modeladas endopróteses em titânio e exopróteses projetadas e impressas em 3D. O acesso cirúrgico, em ambos os membros, foi realizado por incisão craniolateral transarticular da pele, incisão da fáscia lata, rebatimento dos músculos bíceps femoral e vasto lateral, incisão da cápsula articular para exposição da articulação femorotibial, desarticulação e remoção cirúrgica da tíbia e da fíbula. Em seguida, realizou-se osteotomia niveladora femoral e inserção do implante no canal medular, sendo esse fixo nas corticais cis e trans. O paciente foi avaliado no pós-cirúrgico imediato e posteriormente de forma periódica, demonstrando resultados satisfatórios, sem sinais macroscópicos de rejeição, deiscência ou infecção da ferida cirúrgica, fratura ou lesão de membros, e apresentava deambulação adaptada. Além disso, foi observado o retorno de comportamentos comuns da espécie.

RESUMO A maioria dos solos arenosos tem baixa fertilidade natural e baixos teores de matéria orgânica, tornando a adubação com nitrogênio (N) essencial. Assim, foram aplicadas cinco doses de N (0, 75, 125, 175 e 225mg dm-³) em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, para se avaliarem os efeitos da adubação com nitrogênio nas características morfogênicas, estruturais e produtivas da Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, em um Neossolo Quartzarênico. As doses de N não afetaram a altura do dossel. A taxa de alongamento foliar, o comprimento final da folha e o número de folhas vivas aumentaram linearmente em função das doses de N. A taxa de aparecimento de folhas, a taxa de alongamento do caule, o tempo de vida da folha, o filocrono, a taxa de senescência foliar e a densidade de perfilhos apresentaram resposta quadrática às doses de N. A massa da forragem, a massa foliar e a massa do caule aumentaram linearmente. Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu cultivada em Neossolo Quartzarênico requer maiores doses de N, 175 e 225mg dm-³. Nessas condições, são observados aumentos em suas características morfogenéticas, estruturais e produtivas. Esses achados podem não se repetir nos solos mais férteis e com maior capacidade de suprir N.

ABSTRACT Most sandy soils have low natural fertility and low levels of organic matter, making nitrogen (N) fertilization essential. Thus, five doses of N were applied (0, 75, 125, 175 and 225mg dm-³) in a randomized block design to evaluate the effects of nitrogen fertilization on the morphogenetic, structural and production characteristics of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu in a Quartzarenic neosoil. The doses of N did not affect the height of the canopy. The leaf elongation rate, final leaf length and number of live leaves increased linearly at the doses of N. Leaf appearance rate, stem elongation rate, leaf lifespan, phyllochron, leaf senescence rate and tiller density showed a quadratic response to the rates There was also an effect of N rates in herbage mass, leaf mass, stem mass, which increased linearly. Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu cultivated in Quartzarenic neosoil requires higher doses of N, 175 and 225mg dm-³. Under these conditions, increases in its morphogenetic, structural and productive characteristics are observed. These findings may not be repeated in the most fertile soils with the greatest capacity to supply N.

The low quality of tropical grasses in the dry season justifies the use of dietary supplements to meet the nutritional needs of sheep. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation with high-protein feed on mutton sheep performance and yield in Massai grass pastures during the dry season. The treatments corresponded to four supplements, namely Leucaena leucocephala leaf hay, Gliricidia sepium leaf hay, soybean meal, and a treatment that received only multiple mixture (protein salt) ad libitum. The pasture was evaluated for canopy height, forage supply, and chemical composition of leaf blade, stem and dead material. Average daily gain, weight gain per area, and the stocking rate were also evaluated. There were four grazing cycles because the grazing method was rotational stocking with seven days of occupation and 35 days of rest. The interaction between supplements and grazing cycles was not significant, and no effects of the supplements were found for any of the variables. The highest forage and leaf blade offerings were observed in the first grazing cycle. The highest levels of crude protein and lower neutral detergent fibre and lignin of pasture components were observed in cycles 3 and 4. The highest average daily gains per animal and per area were observed in cycles 1 and 2. Protein supplementation of sheep in Massai grass pastures promotes satisfactory gains during the dry season, and Leucaena and Gliricidia hays can be used as protein sources instead of soybean meal.

RESUMO: A quitosana tem sido utilizada, com sucesso, como biomaterial para diversas espécies e finalidades. Neste estudo foi avaliada a confecção de membranas de quitosana, produzidas a partir de seis tipos de materiais diferentes e foi estudado seu comportamento quando implantadas no tecido subcutâneo do flanco de doze equinos sadios. Foram avaliadas membranas de quitosana obtidas de quitosana comercial, impregnadas ou não com nanopartículas de prata, esterilizadas com óxido de etileno (QCOE, n=3; QCNPOE, n=3) ou por radiação ultravioleta (QCRU, n=3; QCNPRU, n=3) e membranas de quitosana obtidas do gládio de lula, esterilizadas com óxido de etileno (GLOE, n=6) ou por radiação ultravioleta (GLRU, n=6). Os mesmos animais foram utilizados em dois grupos experimentais, de forma aleatória, com um intervalo mínimo de sessenta dias entre os procedimentos, respeitando-se o fato de apenas um lado do flanco, esquerdo ou direito, estar em avaliação por período experimental. Após preparo das membranas e implantação no tecido subcutâneo do flanco dos equinos, foram realizadas avaliações macroscópicas e ultrassonográficas das regiões de implante, além de exames físicos, hemogramas e fibrinogênio. Não foram observadas alterações clínicas e laboratoriais. Todos os animais que receberam membranas de quitosana comercial, independente da técnica de preparo, demonstraram rejeição dos biomateriais, uma vez que 100% das feridas cirúrgicas apresentaram deiscência da sutura e expulsão dos implantes. Os animais que receberam as membranas de quitosana de gladio de lula demonstraram sucesso no tratamento, com cicatrização das feridas cirúrgicas por primeira intenção. Conclui-se que membranas de quitosana de gládio de lula são biocompatíveis e biodegradáveis, quando implantadas no tecido subcutâneo do flanco de equinos sadios.

ABSTRACT Chitosan has been successfully used as a biomaterial with several purposes in many species. In this study, chitosan membranes were produced with six different types of materials, and their behavior were evaluated upon implantation in the subcutaneous tissue of the flank of twelve healthy horses. We assessed chitosan membranes obtained from commercial chitosan, impregnated or not with silver nanoparticles, sterilized with ethylene oxide (CCEO, n=3; CCSNEO, n=3) or by ultraviolet radiation (CCUR, n=3; CCSNUR, n=3), and chitosan membranes obtained from squid gladius, sterilized with ethylene oxide (SCEO, n=6) or by ultraviolet radiation (SCUR, n=6). The same animals were randomly used in two experimental groups, with a minimum interval of 60 days between procedures, respecting the fact of only one flank side, left or right, be under evaluation by experimental period. After preparation of the membranes and implantation in the flank subcutaneous tissue of the horses, macroscopic and ultrasonographic evaluations of the implant regions were performed, as well as physical examination, blood count and fibrinogen measurement. No clinical or laboratory abnormalities were observed. All animals that received commercial chitosan membranes, regardless of the preparation technique, showed rejection to the biomaterials, considering that 100% of the surgical wounds presented dehiscence of suture and expulsion of the implants. The animals that received squid gladius chitosan membranes showed success in the treatment, with healing by primary intention of the surgical wound. We conclude that squid gladius chitosan membranes are biocompatible and biodegradable when implanted in the subcutaneous tissue of the flank of healthy horses.

RESUMO O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o enraizamento e alguns caracteres fisiológicos em estacas de Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) em diferentes concentrações de ácido indolbutírico (AIB) e sua associa- ção com os fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMA) Claroideoglomus etunicatum (W.N. Becker & Gerd.) C. Walker & A. Schüssler e Gigaspora albida N.C. Schenck & G.S. Sm. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 3 × 3 com três repetições, sendo o primeiro fator composto pelos FMA e o segundo fator pelas doses de AIB (0; 1,0 e 1,5 mg.mL-1). Os resultados mostraram que a presença de FMA no substrato, assim como o AIB, isolados ou de forma interativa estimulam o enraizamento e alguns caracteres fisiológicos de estacas de L. camara.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the rooting and some physiological characteristics of Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) stakes in different concentrations of indolebutyric acid (IBA) and its association with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Claroideoglomus etunicatum (W.N. Becker & Gerd.) C. Walker & A. Schüssler e Gigaspora albida N.C. Schenck & G.S. Sm. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 3x3 factorial scheme with three replicates, where the first factor was the AMF and the second factor by doses of IBA (0; 1.0 and 1.5 mg .mL-1). The results showed that the presence of AMF in the substrate, as well as the IBA, isolated or in association stimulates the rooting and some physiological characters of L. camara cuttings.

A biosimilar is a biologic product that is similar to a reference biopharmaceutical product, the manufacturing process of which hinders the ability to identically replicate the structure of the original product, and therefore, it cannot be described as an absolute equivalent of the original medication. The currently available technology does not allow for an accurate copy of complex molecules, but it does allow the replication of similar molecules with the same activity. As biosimilars are about to be introduced in oncology practice, these must be evaluated through evidence-based medicine. This manuscript is a position paper, where the Brazilian Society of Clinical Oncology (SBOC) aims to describe pertinent issues regarding the approval and use of biosimilars in oncology. As a working group on behalf of SBOC, we discuss aspects related to definition, labeling/nomenclature, extrapolation, interchangeability, switching, automatic substitution, clinical standards on safety and efficacy, and the potential impact on financial burden in healthcare. We take a stand in favor of the introduction of biosimilars, as they offer a viable, safe, and cost-effective alternative to the biopharmaceutical products currently used in cancer. We hope this document can provide valuable information to support therapeutic decisions that maximize the clinical benefit for the thousands of cancer patients in Brazil and can contribute to expedite the introduction of this new drug class in clinical practice. We expect the conveyed information to serve as a basis for further discussion in Latin America, this being the first position paper issued by a Latin American Oncology Society.

Cyclosporin-A (CsA) is an immunosuppressant associated with acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. Nephrotoxicity associated with CsA involves the increase in afferent and efferent arteriole resistance, decreased renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Endothelin-1 (ET-1) receptor blockade with bosentan (BOS) and macitentan (MAC) antagonists on altered renal function induced by CsA in normotensive and hypertensive animals. Wistar and genetically hypertensive rats (SHR) were separated into control group, CsA group that received intraperitoneal injections of CsA (40 mg/kg) for 15 days, CsA+BOS and CsA+MAC that received CsA and BOS (5 mg/kg) or MAC (25 mg/kg) by gavage for 15 days. Plasma creatinine and urea, mean arterial pressure (MAP), RBF and renal vascular resistance (RVR), and immunohistochemistry for ET-1 in the kidney cortex were measured. CsA decreased renal function, as shown by increased creatinine and urea. There was a decrease in RBF and an increase in MAP and RVR in normotensive and hypertensive animals. These effects were partially reversed by ET-1 antagonists, especially in SHR where increased ET-1 production was observed in the kidney. Most MAC effects were similar to BOS, but BOS seemed to be better at reversing cyclosporine-induced changes in renal function in hypertensive animals. The results of this work suggested the direct participation of ET-1 in renal hemodynamics changes induced by cyclosporin in normotensive and hypertensive rats. The antagonists of ET-1 MAC and BOS reversed part of these effects.

A bactéria Streptococcus agalactiae é um potente agente causador de surtos por doenças bacterianas em peixes. O estresse provocado pelo manejo zootécnico e pela má qualidade ambiental torna a tilápia susceptível às infecções por essa bactéria. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a resistência de tilápias-do-nilo imunizadas com soro hiperimune anti-S. agalactiae, posteriormente desafiadas com cepa homóloga da mesma bactéria. Após determinação da DL 50 de S. agalactiae, 36 tilápias foram distribuídas em quatro aquários, dois para o grupo controle e dois para inoculação celomática para produção de anticorpos anti-S. agalactiae. No 21° e 28° dias, foi coletado sangue para obtenção de soro hiperimune utilizado na transferência passiva. Em seguida, 30 tilápias foram distribuídas em três aquários e submetidas a três tratamentos: GI: controle; GII: imunizadas com o soro inativado; GIII: imunizadas com soro ativo. Após 48 horas e sete, 14, 21, 28 e 35 dias, foram realizadas coletas de sangue para titulação de anticorpos anti-S. agalactiae utilizando-se o teste de aglutinação direta. Para avaliar a taxa de sobrevivência, outras 30 tilápias foram distribuídas em três aquários e submetidas a três tratamentos (GI: controle; GII: imunizadas com soro inativado; GIII: imunizadas com soro ativo). Após 48 horas da imunização, as tilápias foram desafiadas via celomática com 100µL de S. agalactiae e avaliadas duas vezes ao dia, pelo período de 35 dias. Os resultados dos títulos séricos de anticorpos foram detectados pela aglutinação direta até o 21° dia pós-transferência passiva, e, no mesmo período, houve proteção de 80% entre os grupos imunizados com soro inativado e soro ativo contendo anticorpos anti-S. agalactiae. Ao final, os grupos soro inativado e soro ativo apresentaram 60 e 80% de proteção, respectivamente, enquanto no grupo controle 100% dos peixes adoeceram, apresentando sinais graves da infecção, e foram eutanasiados. Não houve diferença estatística significativa na taxa de proteção entre os grupos imunizados.

The Streptococcus agalactiae bacteria is a potent agent which causes outbreaks of bacterial diseases in fish. The stress caused by management and poor environmental quality makes tilapia susceptible to infections, including by bacterium. The aim of this study was to evaluate the resistance of the Nile tilapia immunized with hyperimmune serum against S. agalactiae subsequently challenged with homologous strain of the same bacteria. After determining the DL 50 of S. agalactiae, 36 tilapias were distributed in 4 aquariums, 2 for the control group and 2 for the group via coelomic, inoculated with the DL 50 for anti-S. agalactiae antibodies production. On the 21st and 28th day blood was collected for the obtainment of hiperimmune serum used in passive transference. Then, 30 tilapias were distributed in 3 aquariums submitted to 3 treatments (GI: control; GII: immunized with inactivated-serum; GIII: immunized with non-inactivated serum). After 48 hours, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days blood collections were done for anti-S. agalactiae antibodies titration using the direct agglutination test. For survival evaluation 30 tilapias were distributed in 3 aquariums and submitted to 3 treatments (GI: control; GII: immunized with inactivated-serum; GIII: immunized with non-inactivated serum). After 48 hours of inoculation tilapias were challenged with 100µL of S. agalactiae and monitored twice a day for 35 days. The results showed that titers of antibodies were detected by direct agglutination until the 21st day after passive transference and during the same period the protection between the groups immunized with inactivated serum and non-inactivated serum contending anti-S. agalactiae antibodies was of 80% after challenge with S. agalactiae. In the end, the serum-inactivated serum and active groups had 60 and 80% protection, respectively, while 100% of the fish in the control group developed severe signs of infection and were euthanized. There was no statistical difference in the survival rate between the immunized groups.

Dynamic gesture recognition has been studied actually for it big application in several areas such as virtual reality, games and sign language. But some problems have to be solved in computer applications, such as response time and classification rate, which directly affect the real-time usage. This paper proposes a novel algorithm called Convex Invariant Position Based on Ransac which improved the good results in dynamic gesture recognition problem. The proposed method is combined with a adapted PSO variation to reduce features and a HMM and three DTW variations as classifiers.

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus representa um grande problema na bovinocultura e o uso de acaricidas é a medida de controle profilático e terapêutico mais comum contra esses ectoparasitos. Os principais problemas relacionados com essa prática dizem respeito ao desenvolvimento de linhagens resistentes de carrapatos. Assim, objetivou-se determinar o efeito de extratos da casca de Anadenanthera macrocarpa sobre as larvas de R. (B.) microplus, obtidas de um pool de ovos, acondicionadas em tubo de polietileno. De acordo com os resultados, o extrato aquoso na concentração de 8,26mg.mL-1 causou 85% de mortalidade nas primeiras 12 horas. Quanto ao extrato etanólico, observou-se maior mortalidade nas concentrações 12,5; 6,25 e 1,56mg.mL-1, em torno de 84%, percentuais semelhantes ao amitraz. Os controles negativos não apresentaram mortalidade durante o experimento. Assim, tanto o extrato aquoso como o extrato etanólico apresentaram efeito larvicida, embora o extrato etanólico tenha sido mais eficiente para a espécie, podendo ser uma alternativa no controle desse ectoparasito.

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus represents a major problem in cattle breeding and the use of acaricides is the most common prophylactic and therapeutic control measure against these ectoparasites. The main problems with this practice relate to the development of resistant strains of ticks. Thus, the objective was to determine the effect of bark extracts from Anadenanthera macrocarpa on the larvae of R.(B.) microplus, obtained from a pool of eggs packed in a polyethylene tube. According to the results, the aqueous extract at a concentration of 8.26mg.mL-1caused 85% mortality in the first 12 hours. As for the ethanolic extract, higher mortality of about 84%, a percentage similar to amitraz, was observed at concentrations of 12.5mg.mL-1, 6.25mg.mL-1 and 1.56mg.mL-1. The negative controls showed no mortality during the experiment. Thus, both the aqueous and ethanolic extracts showed larvicidal activity, although the ethanolic extract has been more efficient and could be an alternative to control this ectoparasite.

A leishmaniose visceral (LV) é uma zoonose causada pelo protozoário Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi. A leishmaniose visceral canina (LVC) é a doença de maior relevância zoonótica. Usualmente, a infecção ocorre entre um hospedeiro invertebrado para um hospedeiro vertebrado, entretanto, a transmissão na ausência do vetor já é conhecida. O objetivo principal deste estudo foi identificar a presença de formas amastigotas, quantificar as células leucocitárias, estimar o risco relativo da presença de formas amastigotas no aparelho reprodutivo de cães sorologicamente positivos com e sem sinais clínicos. Para isso, foram utilizados cães sem raça definida, sexualmente maduros e testados sorologicamente para LVC (com sinais clínicos, n=25; sem sinais clínicos, n=25), que após eutanásia, tiveram fragmentos de testículo, epidídimo (cabeça, corpo e cauda) e glândula prostática (selecionados ao acaso) impressos em lâminas. Um grupo de 20 cãs sorologicamente negativos e sem sinais clínicos foi usado como controle. Amostras do baço foram incluídas como controle parasitológico positivo. O percentual de linfócitos foi superior (P<0,05) no corpo e cauda do epidídimo, assim como no testículo. Macrófagos foram superiores (P<0,05) apenas nas regiões do corpo e cauda epididimais. A presença de amastigotas correlacionou-se entre as distintas regiões do aparelho reprodutivo. Nos sintomáticos variaram entre 0,50 a 0,80 e entre 0,79 a 0,95 nos assintomáticos. A presença de amastigotas no testículo dos cães sintomáticos foi 6,5 vezes superior aos cães assintomáticos. Os resultados obtidos demonstram o potencial epidemiológico da transmissão venérea da doença, principalmente em áreas onde os programas de controle da LVC não consideram esta forma de transmissão, que pode ser importante em populações caninas não esterilizadas.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a zoonosis caused by Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi. Canine visceral leishmaniasis (VLC) is most important. The infection occurs usually between the invertebrate host and vertebrate host; however, transmission in the absence of the vector has been reported. The aim of this study was to identify the presence of amastigote forms, quantify the leucocyte cells and to estimate the presence (odds ratio) of the amastigotes in the reproductive tract of dogs serologically positive with and without clinical signs. Sexually mature Mongrel dogs, serologically tested to VLC (symptomatic, n=25; asymptomatic, n=25), were used. After euthanasia, testes, epidydimal (caput, corpus and cauda) and prostate gland fragments (randomized) were recovered and impressed on slides. Twenty animals serologically negative and asymptomatic were used as control group. Samples of spleen were included as parasitological positive controls. Lymphocyte percentages were higher (P<0.05) in the corpus and caudal region of epididymis, similar to the testes in the symptomatic group. Macrophage percentage was higher (P<0.05) in the corpus and caudal epididymis regions. The presence of amastigote forms was associated with different regions of the reproductive tract. In the symptomatic group, the variation was between 0.50 and 0.80, and in the symptomatic between 0.79 and 0.95. The odds ratio for amastigote forms in the testicle of the symptomatic dogs was 6.5 in relation to asymptomatic dogs. The results demonstrate the epidemic potential of venereal transmission of the disease, specifically in areas where control programs of VLC do not consider this transmission route.