Abstract Palmitic acid, the main saturated fatty acid, is related with a wide range of metabolic disorders such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It is known that palmitic acid disturbs the expression of some important proteins for cell homeostasis such as SERCA and RGS2, however, the role of this lipid at the molecular level in these disorders is not completely elucidated. Thus, our aim was to determinate the effect of palmitic acid in a relevant cell process as it is cell migration and the participation of SERCA and RGS2 in this response. We found that palmitic acid reduces cell migration (determined by the Boyden chamber method) in an epithelial cell line (HEK293) and this effect is modulated by SERCA and RGS2 differential protein expression (measured by western blot). Also, overexpression of individual proteins, RGS2 and SERCA, produced a decrease and an increase on cell migration, respectively. Taken together, these data suggest that the expression of regulatory proteins is affected by high concentrations of saturated fatty acids and in consequence cell migration is diminished in epithelial cells.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an important zoonosis in Brazil. Previous identification of parasitized dogs can also help prevent the disease in humans, even in non-endemic areas of the country. The Brazilian Ministry of Health recommends diagnosis in dogs using a DPP® (rapid test) as a screening test and an immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA) as a confirmatory test (DPP®+ELISA), and culling infected dogs as a legal control measure. However, the accuracy of these serological tests has been questioned. METHODS: VL in dogs was investigated in a non-endemic area of the São Paulo state for three consecutive years, and the performances of different diagnostic tests were compared. RESULTS: A total of 331 dog samples were collected in 2015, 373 in 2016, and 347 in 2017. The seroprevalence by DPP®+ELISA was 3.3, 3.2, and 0.3%, respectively, and by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), it was 3.0, 5.6, and 5.5%, respectively. ELISA confirmed 18.4% of DPP® positive samples. The concordance between the IFA and DPP® was 83.9%. The concordance between IFA and DPP®+ELISA was 92.9%. A molecular diagnostic test (PCR) was performed in 63.2% of the seropositive samples, all of which were negative. CONCLUSIONS: In non-endemic areas, diagnostic tests in dogs should be carefully evaluated to avoid false results.

RESUMO: A leptospirose é uma zoonose causada pelo agente etiológico Leptospira. Cães domésticos atuam como hospedeiro de diversos sorovares deste agente. Com intuito de analisar a dinâmica da leptospirose em uma população canina, com e sem imunização, um estudo longitudinal foi realizado avaliando a resposta sorológica destes animais e identificando seus sorovares. Foram coletadas amostras de 331, 373 e 347 cães em três anos consecutivos (2015 a 2017). As soroprevalências foram de 11%, 7% e 14%, respectivamente, e a incidência em 2016 foi de 5% e em 2017 de 14%. Os sorovares mais frequentes foram Cynopteri e Butembo em 2015, Cynopteri, Butembo e Hardjoprajitno em 2016, e Canicola e Butembo em 2017. Estes cães estão atuando como bio-indicadores da presença de Leptospira na região do estudo, incluindo sorovares zoonóticos, e contribuindo com a sua manutenção no ambiente. A soropositividade para sorovares protegidos pela vacina foi mais alta do que nos anos anteriores à imunização, enquanto para os sorovares não protegidos pela vacina diminuiu, demonstrando a importância da imunização para essa população de cães. Medidas de prevenção e controle para a leptospirose, como imunização e controle populacional canino, são recomendadas no local para inibir a transmissão do agente entre as populações de cães e humanos envolvidas.

ABSTRACT: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira and domestic dogs can act as host of some serovars. In order to analyze the transmission dynamics in a dog population, with and without immunization, a longitudinal study was carried out with a focus to evaluate antibody response and to identify serovars. Blood samples were collected in three consecutive years (2015 to 2017) from 331, 373 and 347 dogs respectively. The dog seroprevalence in each year was 11%, 7% and 14%, respectively, and the incidence in 2016 was 5% and in 2017, 14%. The most frequent serovars were Cynopteri and Butembo in 2015, Cynopteri, Butembo and Hardjoprajitno in 2016, and Canicola and Butembo in 2017. Dogs can play a role as sentinel animals and hosts of Leptospira serovars. The percentage of seropositive dogs due to vaccination was higher than the previous years without immunization and lower than in previous years for other serovars, which we interpret as evidence for the importance of immunization. These parameters associated with active canine population control are important for prevention and control of leptospirosis not only in dogs but alsoto inhibit the transmission between dogs and humans.

Resumo Os cães são hospedeiros dos protozoários Toxoplasma gondii, que causam uma importante doença para a saúde pública, e Neospora caninum. Estudos que avaliam a toxoplasmose e a neosporose por períodos prolongados em populações caninas são raros. Foi analisada a infecção por esses dois parasitas em uma população de cães domésticos e domiciliados por três anos consecutivos, no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Nos 1º, 2º e 3º anos de coletas, 181, 193 e 172 domicílios foram visitados, nos quais foram coletadas amostras de sangue de 331, 371 e 348 cães para sorologia, respectivamente. A soroprevalência de T. gondii em cada ano foi de 27,2%, 22,5% e 43,9%, respectivamente; e a de N. caninum foi de 7,8%, 4,8% e 6,8%, respectivamente. As taxas de incidência para T. gondii, nas 2ª e 3ª coletas, foram de 13,2% e 30,0%, respectivamente; e para N. caninum, 3,3% e 4,4%, respectivamente. As conversões sorológicas positivas e negativas para ambos os agentes ocorreram em alta frequência durante o período analisado. Este estudo revela o perfil sorológico da população canina e demonstra sua constante exposição aos patógenos investigados, o que requer medidas de prevenção e controle na região.

Abstract Dogs are hosts of the protozoans Toxoplasma gondii, which causes an important public health disease, and Neospora caninum. Studies that have evaluated toxoplasmosis and neosporosis for prolonged periods in dog populations are rare. We analyzed infection by both parasites in a domestic dog population over three consecutive years in São Paulo state, Brazil. In the 1st, 2nd and 3rd years of collection, 181, 193 and 172 domiciles were visited, and blood samples of 331, 371 and 348 dogs were collected for antibody serology, respectively. The seroprevalence of T. gondii in each year was 27.2%, 22.5% and 43.9%, respectively, and that of N. caninum was 7.8%, 4.8% and 6.8%, respectively. The incidence rates for T. gondii in the 2nd and 3rd collections were 13.2% and 30.0%, and those for N. caninum were 3.3% and 4.4%, respectively. Positive and negative serological conversions for both agents occurred at high frequencies during the study period. This study reveals the canine population’s serological profile and demonstrates the constant exposure of dogs to the investigated pathogens, indicating the need for prevention and control measures in the region.

Resumo Espécies de Rickettsia têm sido responsáveis por doenças transmitidas por carrapatos no mundo, a maioria mantida por hospedeiros amplificadores, como as capivaras em áreas endêmicas no Brasil. A Universidade de São Paulo, em Piracicaba, no sudeste do Brasil, é uma área endêmica para a Febre Maculosa Brasileira (FMB), com alta densidade de capivaras e Amblyomma spp., e com casos humanos confirmados. Além de capivaras, a universidade também possui gatos em um abrigo e de vida livre. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a prevalência e as características associadas com exposição à Rickettsia rickettsii, Rickettsia parkeri e Rickettsia felis em gatos de área endêmica para a FMB. Dos 51 gatos amostrados, 23/35 (65,7%) do abrigo e 5/16 (31,2%) de vida livre foram positivos (títulos ≥ 64) para pelo menos uma Rickettsia spp. Carrapatos estiveram presentes em 3/16 (18,8%) gatos de vida livre, representados por Amblyomma spp., ninfas de Amblyomma sculptum e adultos de Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Apesar de compartilharem o ambiente com capivaras, os gatos amostrados foram igualmente ou menos expostos à infecção riquetsial do que os gatos com proprietário em outras áreas endêmicas, podendo ser usados como sentinelas para exposição humana à riquétsias nessas áreas.

Abstract Rickettsia spp. bacteria are responsible for tick-borne diseases worldwide, mostly maintained by rickettsial amplifiers capybaras in Brazilian endemic areas. The campus of the University of São Paulo, in southeastern Brazil, is an area endemic for Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), with high density of capybaras and Amblyomma spp., along with confirmed human cases. Besides capybaras, the university has also an in-campus high population of sheltered and free-roaming cats. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics associated with Rickettsia rickettsii, Rickettsia parkeri and Rickettsia felis exposure among cats in a BSF-endemic area. Out of 51 cats sampled, 23/35 shelter (65.7%) and 5/16 free-roaming (31.2%) were positive (titers ≥ 64) for at least one Rickettsia species. Ticks species were present in 3/16 free-roaming cats (18.8%), consisting of Amblyomma spp., nymphs of Amblyomma sculptum and adult Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Despite sharing the capybaras environment, the seropositivity among the free-roaming and shelter cats was lower than owned cats in other endemic areas. Whether equally or less exposed to rickettsial infection, compared with owned cats in endemic areas, free-roaming and shelter cats may be used as environmental sentinels for human exposure to rickettsiae in such areas.

Abstract: It is estimated that around 63000 - 64000 kg / year of oily bases used in Ecuador enter various sectors of the national economy, obtaining a collection of used lubricating oil of 61 736 kg / year, where 16% are treated by authorized operators, what represents an inadequate technological and environmental management. The objective of this research is to assess the characteristics of the energy potential of this hazardous waste for use as fuel in cement kilns, for which 12 mixtures were analyzed combined between used oil and a fuel of fossil origin collected by the industry and automotive sources from the city of Riobamba; the heat capacity for fuels determined, was compared with international regulation requirements. The analysis of mixtures was treated in a statistical way under the method of ANOVA and DUNNET comparison, giving a high calorific value, superior to 9300 kcal / kg, and an optimum characteristic for energy use for thermal combustion systems in the cement industry. The analysis of mixtures was treated in a statistical way under the method of ANOVA and comparison DUNNET, the same ones that have a high calorific value, higher than 9500 kcal / kg, an optimal characteristic for the use of energy for the thermal combustion systems of the Ecuadorian cement industry. The results show that the lubricating oils used are suitable as part of the fuel in cement kilns, due to their heat capacity; becoming an alternative for the solution to the problem of final disposal, as well as protection of the environment; all regulated under the international agreement of Basel and accompanied by national policies for the management and reduction of hazardous waste through energy recovery.

Resumen: Se estima que en Ecuador ingresan alrededor de 63 000-64 000 kg/año de bases aceitosas utilizados en diversos sectores de la economía nacional, obteniéndose una recolección de aceite lubricante usado de 61 736 kg / año, donde el 16% son tratados por gestores autorizados, lo que representa una inadecuada gestión tecnológica y ambiental. El objetivo de esta investigación es valorar las características del potencial energético de este desecho peligroso para su uso como combustible en hornos cementeros, para lo cual se analizaron 12 mezclas combinadas entre el aceite usado y un combustible de origen fósil recolectado por la industria y fuentes automotrices de la ciudad de Riobamba; se determina la capacidad calorífica para combustibles, comparándose con lo exigido bajo normativa internacional. El análisis de mezclas fue tratado de forma estadística bajo el método de ANOVA y comparación DUNNET, las mismas que poseen un elevado poder calorífico, superior a 9500 kcal/kg, característica óptima al aprovechamiento energético para los sistemas térmicos de combustión del sector industrial cementero ecuatoriano. Los resultados demuestran que los aceites lubricantes usados son aptos como parte del combustible en hornos cementeros, por su capacidad calorífica; convirtiéndose en alternativa para la solución al problema de disposición final, así como protección del medio ambiente; todo ello regulado bajo el convenio internacional de Basilea y aparado con políticas nacionales de manejo y disminución de desechos peligrosos mediante una valorización energética.