The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the entire world, and patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have been particularly affected. We aimed to evaluate predictors of mortality during the first 30 days of hospitalization in critically ill patients with COVID-19 and comorbid DM. This prospective study included 110 critically ill patients admitted with COVID-19 infection. Thirty-two (29%) patients had a previous diagnosis of DM. Clinical variables, laboratory tests, and vascular biomarkers, such as VCAM-1, syndecan-1, ICAM-1, angiopoietin-1, and angiopoeitin-2, were evaluated after intensive care unit (ICU) admission. A comparison was made between patients with and without DM. No difference in mortality was observed between the groups (48.7 vs 46.9%, P=0.861). In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, VCAM-1 levels at ICU admission (HR: 1 [1-1.001], P<0.006) were associated with death in patients with DM. Among patients with DM, advanced age (HR 1.063 [1.031-1.096], P<0.001), increased Ang-2/Ang-1 ratio (HR: 4.515 [1.803-11.308] P=0.001), and need for dialysis (HR: 3.489 [1.409-8.642], P=0.007) were independent predictors of death. Higher levels of VCAM-1 in patients with DM was better at predicting death of patients with severe COVID-19 and comorbid DM, and their cut-off values were useful for stratifying patients with a worse prognosis. Vascular biomarkers VCAM-1 and Ang-2/Ang-1 ratio were predictors of death in patients with severe COVID-19 and comorbid DM and those without DM. Additionally, kidney injury was associated with an increased risk of death.

RESUMO: O plasma rico em plaquetas (PRP) é uma alternativa terapêutica promissora, pois as plaquetas são ricas em fatores de crescimento com ação na regeneração de tecidos. No entanto, o PRP fresco não pode ser armazenado por longos períodos. Esse trabalho teve como objetivo desenvolver um protocolo de obtenção de PRP liofilizado canino capaz de manter a viabilidade pós reconstituição. Portanto, foram testados diversos protocolos de extração e liofilização. Para validação do PRP canino liofilizado foi analisada a concentração dos fatores de crescimento VEGF e TGF-β antes e após o processo de liofilização, a estrutura tridimensional do PRP liofilizado reconstituído em forma de gel por microscopia eletrônica e seu efeito in vitro na proliferação de células-tronco mesenquimais. Os resultados demonstraram que o PRP liofilizado apresentou concentrações terapêuticas adequadas dos fatores de crescimento VEGF e TGF- β (9,1pg/ml e 6161,6pg/ml, respectivamente). O gel de PRP reconstituído após liofilização apresentou uma durabilidade in vitro de 10 dias, sua estrutura tridimensional mostrou-se semelhante ao PRP fresco e proporcionou intensa proliferação de células-tronco mesenquimais durante o cultivo. O teste de imunogenicidade não demonstrou evidências de reação imune. Os achados foram promissores, sugerindo a possibilidade de uso de PRP canino liofilizado para o mercado. Novos estudos in vivo e in vitro deverão ser conduzidos para comprovação terapêutica.

ABSTRACT: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been considered a promising therapeutic alternative, since platelets are rich in growth factors that are used in the Regenerative Medicine field. However, fresh PRP cannot be stored for long periods. This study aimed to develop a protocol for obtaining lyophilized canine PRP capable of maintaining viability after its reconstitution. For that purpose, canine PRP extraction and lyophilization protocols were initially tested. Subsequently, assays were carried out to quantify the growth factors VEGF and TGF-β, before and after the lyophilization process, gelation test and the three-dimensional gel structure analysis of the reconstituted lyophilized PRP by electron microscopy, as well as in vitro cell proliferation test in lyophilized PRP gel. Additionally, the immunogenicity test was performed, using allogeneic samples of lyophilized PRP. The results showed that the lyophilized PRP had adequate therapeutic concentrations of growth factors VEGF and TGF-β (9.1pg/mL and 6161.6pg/mL, respectively). The reconstituted PRP gel after lyophilization showed an in vitro durability of 10 days. Its electron microscopy structure was similar to that of fresh PRP. In the cell proliferation test, an intense division process was verified in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) through the three-dimensional mesh structure of the lyophilized PRP gel. The immunogenicity test showed no evidence of an immune reaction. The findings were promising, suggesting the possibility of having a lyophilized canine PRP that can be marketed. New in vivo and in vitro studies must be carried out for therapeutic confirmation.

RESUMO: Cobre é um micromineral essencial, que quando em excesso induz necrose hepática, crise hemolítica, nefrose hemoglobínurica e morte em bovinos. As intoxicações, apesar de incomuns nessa espécie, ocorrem devido a suplementação exacerbada de cobre, pela deficiência de microminerais antagonistas ou secundária a lesão hepática prévia. Relata-se um surto de intoxicação crônica por cobre em bovinos semiconfinados após suplementação com 50mg/kg de cobre em matéria seca. Os bovinos manifestaram sinais clínicos caracterizados por anorexia, incoordenação motora, perda de equilíbrio, icterícia, urina acastanhada ou negra, diarreia e morte ou foram encontrados mortos, após 10 a 302 dias do início de consumo. De 35 bovinos que morreram 20 foram submetidos à necropsia sendo achada frequente icterícia, fígado aumentado e com padrão lobular evidente, rins pretos e bexiga urinária repleta de conteúdo acastanhado a enegrecida. Microscopicamente, no fígado havia degeneração vacuolar e ou necrose coagulativa hepatocelular zonal, centrolobular ou paracentral, além de degeneração vacuolar com corpúsculos de Councilman, colestase, fibrose periascinar leve, e inflamação de discreta a moderada. Nos rins havia degeneração e necrose do epitélio tubular assim como cilindros de hemoglobina intratubulares. Os níveis de cobre no fígado e rim foram de 5.901,24 a 28.373,14μmol/kg e 303,72 a 14.021μmol/kg respectivamente. A suplementação nutricional excessiva com cobre pode causar doença hemolítica com icterícia, hemoglobinúria e morte de bovinos mantidos em sistema de semiconfinamento.

ABSTRACT: Copper is an essential micromineral in animal feed; however, when consumed in excess, it can cause liver necrosis, hemolytic crisis, hemoglobinuric nephrosis and death in cattle. Although uncommon in this species, copper poisoning occurs as a result of exacerbated supplementation, deficiency of antagonist microminerals, or previous liver lesions. An outbreak of chronic copper poisoning is reported in semi-confined cattle after supplementation with 50 mg/Kg of dry matter copper. The cattle showed clinical signs characterized by anorexia, motor incoordination, loss of balance, jaundice, brownish or black urine, diarrhea and death, or were found dead, 10 to 302 days after consumption. Of the 35 cattle that died, 20 underwent necropsy, whose frequent findings were jaundice, enlarged liver with evident lobular pattern, black kidneys, and urinary bladder with brownish to blackish content. Microscopically, the liver showed vacuolar degeneration and/or zonal hepatocellular centrilobular or paracentral coagulative necrosis, in addition to cholestasis, mild periacinal fibrosis, apoptotic bodies, and mild to moderate mononuclear inflammation. Degeneration and necrosis of the tubular epithelium and intratubular hemoglobin cylinders were observed in the kidneys. Copper levels in the liver and kidneys ranged from 5,901.24 to 28,373.14 μmol/kg and from 303.72 to 14,021 μmol/kg, respectively. In conclusion, copper poisoning due to excessive nutritional supplementation is an important cause of jaundice, hemoglobinuria, and death in semi-confined cattle.

RESUMO A criação de equinos brasileira movimenta anualmente cerca de R$ 16,15 bilhões e impulsiona o setor econômico primário do país. O mercado de animais da raça Crioula vem se expandindo devido ao seu alto potencial zootécnico. No Rio Grande do Sul, a criação é tipicamente extensiva, aliada, muitas vezes, à alta densidade animal, o que favorece as constantes infecções por diversos parasitos. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar retrospectivamente a frequência de parasitos gastrointestinais em cavalos da raça Crioula naturalmente infectados na região sul do Rio Grande do Sul. Foram utilizadas 585 amostras de fezes de equinos da raça Crioula, adultos, de ambos os sexos, recebidas de criatórios e centros reprodutivos localizados na região. Do total de amostras, 89,74% (525/585) foram positivas para algum helminto. Em 57,60% (337/585) das amostras, observaram-se somente ovos da família Strongylidae. Infecções por Parascaris spp. e Strongyloides sp., apresentaram frequências de 2,22% (13/585) e 1,53% (9/585), respectivamente. Assim, pode-se concluir que os parasitos mais frequentes na população equina da região sul do RS pertencem à família Strongylidae.

RESUMO A resistência bacteriana aos antibióticos é uma realidade, tanto na saúde humana quanto veterinária, limita o arsenal terapêutico e eleva os custos relacionados ao tratamento do paciente. Um cão, com sinais de cistite, recebeu tratamento com enrofloxacina, na dose de 5mg/kg, em três momentos seguidos, com baixa efetividade. Identificou-se presença de urólitos uretrais e foi feita uro-hidropropulsão. O animal apresentou nova obstrução, para a qual foi realizada uma cistotomia, mas continuou com sinais de infecção. Realizou-se, então, urocultura e teste de antibiograma. Foi identificada Escherichia coli, que se mostrou resistente a 13 antibióticos, sendo sensível somente à piperacilina-tazobactam e amicacina. No teste de triagem para β-lactamase, detectou-se a produção de ESβL. A qPCR indicou presença dos genes blaCTXm, blaDHA, blaOXA, blaIMP, blaTEM, blaGIM, blaSIM, blaSPM e blaSME, que podem conduzir um perfil fenotípico de resistência para ampicilina, amoxicilina-ácido clavulânico, aztreonam, cefepima, cefoxitina, cefuroxima, ceftazidima, ceftriaxona, imipenem, piperacilina-tazobactam. Este caso reafirma o valor que a análise laboratorial agrega ao diagnóstico e tratamento da cistite e da urolitíase, podendo definir o sentido de evolução do prognóstico e a velocidade em que a saúde do paciente será restabelecia.

ABSTRACT Bacterial resistance is a reality in both human and veterinary health, it limits the therapeutic arsenal and raises the costs of the patient’s treatment. A dog with signs of cystitis received treatment with 5mg/kg enrofloxacin at three consecutive times, with low effectiveness. The presence of urethral uroliths was identified and urohydropulsion was done. The animal presented a new obstruction, for which a cystotomy was performed, but continued with signs of infection. Uroculture and antimicrobial susceptibility test were then performed. Escherichia coli was identified, which was resistant to 13 antibiotics, being sensitive only to piperacillin-tazobactam and amikacin. In the screening test for β-lactamase, the production of ESβL was detected. The qPCR indicated the presence of the bla CTXm, bla DHA, bla OXA, bla IMP, bla TEM, bla GIM, bla SIM, bla SPM and bla SME genes, which may lead to a phenotypic resistance profile for ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, aztreonam, cefepime cefoxitin, cefuroxime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, imipenem, and piperacillin-tazobactam. This case reaffirms the value that laboratory analysis adds to the diagnosis and treatment of cystitis and urolithiasis, which can define the direction of evolution of the prognosis and the speed at which the patient's health will be restored.

ABSTRACT The family Cactaceae possesses considerable floral diversity and is exclusively zoophilic. Cipocereus crassisepalus is an endangered species of columnar cactus, whose floral characteristics fit the chiropterophily syndrome. This study aimed to assess the correspondence between floral traits and pollinators and whether the pollination system of C. crassisepalus is specialized, as suggested by the hypothesis of geographical dichotomy. Hand pollination treatments demonstrated that C. crassisepalus depends on cross-pollen flow mediated by pollinators to set fruit and seeds. Nocturnal film recordings, diurnal observations, analyses of pollen loads of flower visitors and visitor exclusion experiments provided strong evidence that bats are the sole pollinators of this cactus. During two flowering seasons, pollen grains of C. crassisepalus were found only on the bodies of the bat Anoura caudifer. Cipocereus crassisepalus possesses a pollination system specialized on nectar-feeding bats, which corroborates the geographical dichotomy hypothesis.

Resumen Introducción: La disnea es el síntoma más común en la insuficiencia cardíaca. En los ancianos es común en la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica y la depresión. Objetivo: Estimar la prevalencia de disnea de esfuerzo, ortopnea y disnea paroxística nocturna y su asociación con enfermedades crónicas en la atención primaria. Métodos: Estudio transversal, parte del estudio Digitalis, que incluyó a 633 individuos, entre 45 y 99 años de edad, registrados en un programa de atención primaria en Niterói, Brasil. Todos los participantes se sometieron a evaluaciones clínicas, recolección de sangre y orina, y respondieron a un cuestionario en un solo día. Se usaron autorrelatos para el diagnóstico de las enfermedades. Resultados: De los 633 individuos, el 30% presentó disnea. En el análisis crudo la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica mostró las asociaciones más fuertes con los tres tipos de disnea, seguidos por la depresión y la insuficiencia cardíaca. La enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica, evaluada de forma aislada, no presentó ningún caso de disnea paroxística nocturna, y la insuficiencia cardíaca por sí sola mostró una relación muy fuerte con este tipo de disnea. Conclusiones: El comportamiento diferente de las asociaciones de los tipos de disnea con las principales enfermedades crónicas en pacientes en atención primaria puede ayudar a una mejor caracterización de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca.

Abstract Background: Dyspnea is the most common symptom in heart failure. In the elderly, it is common in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and depression. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of dyspnea on exertion, orthopnea and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea and its association with chronic diseases in primary care. Methods: A cross-sectional study, part of the Digitalis Study, including 633 individuals, between 45 to 99 years old, registered in a primary care program in Niteroi, Brazil. All participants underwent clinical evaluations, blood and urine collection, and responded to a questionnaire in a single day. Self-reports were used for the diagnosis of diseases. Results: Of the 633 individuals, 30% had dyspnea. In the crude analysis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease showed the strongest associations with the three types of dyspnea, followed by depression and heart failure. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease alone did not present any cases of paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and heart failure alone showed a very strong relationship with this type of dyspnea. Conclusions: The different behavior of the associations of the types of dyspnea with major chronic diseases in patients in primary care can help in the better characterization of patients with heart failure.

RESUMO: O déficit hídrico pode afetar a expressão de proteínas que promovem o controle de lepidópteras no algodoeiro. Entretanto, não é conhecida a resposta de cultivares de algodão Bt e convencionais ao déficit hídrico, o que poderia afetar o potencial de competição com plantas daninhas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a resposta de cultivares de algodão Bt e suas isolinhas ao déficit hídrico. Foi conduzido um experimento em casa de vegetação, onde os cultivares de algodão FMT 705, FMT 709 e IMACD 8276, com e sem o gene Bt, se desenvolveram sob dois regimes hídricos: 100% e 50% (déficit hídrico moderado) de água disponível no solo. A fenologia do algodoeiro foi severamente afetada pelo déficit hídrico moderado, com redução da produção de matéria seca de raiz e parte aérea, comprimento e diâmetro de raiz, massa de planta e área foliar. Não foi observado efeito do gene Bt. Déficit hídrico durante o florescimento do algodoeiro resulta em diminuição da condutância estomática, assimilação líquida de CO2 e taxa de transpiração. O potencial hídrico foliar é menor em plantas expostas ao déficit hídrico moderado, em comparação a plantas não estressadas. Contudo, a introgressão do gene Bt não modifica a resposta fisiológica e fenotípica do algodoeiro sob déficit hídrico.

ABSTRACT: Water deficit may affect the expression of lepidoptera-controlling proteins in cotton. However, it is unknown if there is a differential response of conventional and Bt cotton cultivars to water deficit, what could potentially affect the plant competition with weeds. The objective of this work was to investigate the response of Bt cotton cultivars to water deficit compared with their conventional near-isolines. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, where the cotton cultivars FMT 705, FMT 709 and IMACD 8276, with and without the Bt gene, were grown under two water regimens: 100% and 50% (moderate water deficit) of available soil water. Cotton phenology was severely affected by moderate water deficit, with a reduction in shoot and root dry matter production, root length and diameter, plant height and leaf area. No effect of the Bt gene was observed. Water deficit during cotton flowering decrease stomatal conductance, net assimilation of CO2 and transpiration rates. The leaf water potential is lower in plants exposed to a moderate water deficit compared with non-stressed plants. However, the introgression of the Bt gene does not modify cotton physiological and phenotypic response to water deficit.

Abstract This study investigated the effects of the ethanolic extract from the bark of Combretum leprosum (ECL) on intestinal transit and castor-oil induced diarrhea in mice. The oral administration of ECL (750 and 1000 mg/kg) slowed intestinal transit (ID50 of 455 mg/kg). The ECL (250-1000 mg/kg) reduced castor-oil induced diarrhea, in a time- and dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). To determine if antidiarrheal effect of ECL involves α2-adrenergic or opioid receptor activation, the mice were pretreated with antagonists of these receptors, yohimbine or naloxone respectively. None of these drugs inhibited the antidiarrheal effect of ECL. To test if antidiarrheal effect of ECL is due to an antisecretory action, we realized the enteropooling assay on rats. The ECL increased bowel content and did not inhibit intestinal fluid secretion increase induced by misoprostol (100 µg/kg, s.c.). To determine if antimotility effect of ECL is due to a reduction on gastric motility, we realized the organ bath assay in the rat fundus stomach. Isotonic recordings show that the carbachol /KCl - induced contraction was not reversed by the addition of ECL. In conclusion, our results suggest that ECL contains antidiarrheal compounds and these compounds could induce a reduction of intestinal tract motility.

ABSTRACT Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease of the joints, which causes joint pain and disability. Anaemia is a frequent extra-articular manifestation in rheumatoid arthritis, affecting 30-70% of the patients; presenting a negative impact on patient´s quality of life. Some of the drugs used in rheumatoid arthritis treatment improve anaemia; but little is known on the beneficial effects of the anti-rheumatic leflunomide or the anti-TNFα adalimumab, in this parameter. We investigated the incidence of anaemia in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated or not with leflunomide or adalimumab. We also assessed whether anaemia correlates with disease activity. Anaemia was present in patients who had just been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and had never taken disease modifying agents or biologicals (non-specific therapy group), but not in those taking either leflunomide or adalimumab. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was increased in patients with non-specific therapy in comparison with those taking either leflunomide or adalimumab. Anaemia correlated with increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate. We suggest that leflunomide and adalimumab may be useful in treating anaemia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

RESUMO: Os carrapatos, juntamente com as pulgas, são considerados, no Brasil, como os principais ectoparasitas do cão. A literatura é rica em relatos considerando a ocorrência de carrapatos, que são vetores de doenças para cães e humanos. O estudo da epidemiologia de artrópodes é um dado importante que pode ajudar a controlar a infestação em áreas domiciliadas com a presença de cães. Nesse sentido, o estudo de sua ocorrência em áreas urbanas e ou mesmo em serviços médicos veterinários é importante. O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar a ocorrência de carrapatos em cães em uma população hospitalar do estado de Espírito Santo, Brasil. Durante um ano (julho de 2012 a julho de 2013), foram examinados 1483 cães atendidos em serviços hospitalares no sudeste do Brasil. Entre os cães examinados, 8,97% apresentaram infestação de carrapatos, sendo 100% deles identificados como Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Uma vez que se trata de uma espécie de carrapato que atua como vetor de doenças, é importante que os serviços oficiais de saúde mantenham um monitoramento da ocorrência de infestação tanto em cães como em humanos, a fim de identificar doenças transmitidas por esses carrapatos nesta região.

ABSTRACT: Ticks, along with fleas, are considered the main ectoparasites affecting dogs in Brazil. The literature is rich in reports on the occurrence of ticks, which are vectors of diseases in both dogs and humans. The study of the epidemiology of these arthropods provides important data that can help control the infestation in residential areas where dogs are present. Thus, the study of their occurrence in urban areas and veterinary services is very important. The aim of the present study was to determine the occurrence of ticks in dogs in a veterinary hospital population in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Over a one-year period (July 2012 to July 2013), 1483 dogs brought to veterinary services in south-eastern Brazil were examined. Among the dogs examined, 8.97% presented tick infestation, of which 100% were identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Given that this species of tick acts as a vector for diseases, it is important that the official health services monitor the occurrence of infestation in dogs and humans, in order to identify diseases transmitted by these ticks in this region.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a coexistência de Urochloa decumbens (capim-braquiária) e Synedrellopsis grisebachii (agriãozinho) num modelo de experimento substitutivo. Para determinação da população crítica, foram plantadas nas proporções de 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24 e 32 plantas por vaso e colhidas as partes aéreas, secadas e pesadas, para serem analisadas através de análise de regressão. O experimento substitutivo teve como proporções porcentuais de capim-braquiária e agriãozinho, respectivamente, 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 e 0:100. Foram colhidas as partes aéreas, que foram analisadas através dos métodos qualitativos e quantitativos. Foram necessárias 16 plantas para a população crítica do capim-braquiária. A análise qualitativa indica que as duas espécies têm decréscimo na produção de massa em coexistência. A análise quantitativa indica que o agriãozinho possui maior competitividade que o capim-braquiária.

ABSTRACT: The aim in this work was to evaluate the coexistence of Urochloa decumbens (signal grass) and Synedrellopsis grisebachii (Cinderella weed) in a replacement series experiment. To find the critical population density, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24 and 32 plants were planted in the same box, harvested after 40 days, dried and weighted, and analyzed through regression analysis. The replacement series experiment used density percentages for signal grass and Cinderella weed of 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100. The aboveground parts were harvested, dried and analyzed through qualitative and quantitative measures. Sixteen plants per box were needed for the signal grass to achieve the critical population. Qualitative analysis showed mutual harm to the dry matter allocation of both species. Quantitative analysis showed Cinderella weed to be a better competitor than signal grass.

RESUMO Este estudo teve por objetivo determinar os períodos de interferência e índices fitossociológicos da comunidade infestante da cultura do sorgo-sacarino, híbrido CVSW 80007, cultivado em duas épocas do ano. Os tratamentos consistiram de períodos crescentes de presença ou ausência da comunidade infestante (0, 4, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 56 e 68 dias após a emergência da cultura na safra de verão e 0, 4, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63 e 100 dias após a emergência da cultura na safra de outono). A comunidade infestante foi avaliada por meio do número de indivíduos e da massa seca de cada população de planta daninha em cada período, na presença dessas plantas na safra de verão e na presença e ausência na safra de outono. Com esses dados, foram determinados os índices de densidade, dominância e importância relativa das populações, assim como a diversidade e equitatividade da comunidade. As principais plantas daninhas encontradas foram Cyperus rotundus, Alternanthera tenella, Indigofera hirsuta, Amaranthus sp., Digitaria nuda e Portulaca oleracea. A densidade das plantas daninhas foi o fator determinante para a importância delas dentro da comunidade infestante, uma vez que o desenvolvimento e acúmulo de biomassa foram suprimidos pela competição estabelecida pelo sorgo-sacarino. O híbrido de sorgo-sacarino mostrou-se altamente competitivo; nas condições agroecológicas dos experimentos, a interferência exercida pelas populações de plantas daninhas presentes não acarretou redução da produtividade da cultura.

ABSTRACT This research was carried out to evaluate the interference periods and phytosociological indexes of the weed community on sweet sorghum, hybrid CVSW 80007, cultivated for two seasons in a year. The treatments were based on an increased duration of weed presence and weed absence after sowing (0, 4, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 56 and 68 days after crop emergence for the summer season and 0, 4, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63 and 100 days for the fall season). The weed community was evaluated based on the number of weeds and the dry mass of each weed population in each period of weed control in the summer season and each period of no weed control and weed control in the autumn season. These data were used to determine the relative indexes of density, dominance and importance, and the weed community indexes of diversity and equitability. The main weeds comprising the community were Cyperus rotundus, Alternanthera tenella, Indigofera hirsuta, Amaranthus sp., Digitaria nuda, and Portulaca oleracea. The weed density was found to be the primary factor for the importance of weeds in the community, once their development and biomass accumulation were suppressed by the sweet sorghum competition. The sweet sorghum hybrid proved highly competitive and, in the agro-ecological conditions of the trials, weed interference did not reduce crop yield.

Neurocognitive impairment (NCI) is frequently observed in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and results from the compromise of subcortical brain structures by the virus. The manifestations of NCI range from asymptomatic impairment to dementia. In addition to cognitive impairment resulting from HIV infection, other factors such as depression are associated with the loss of cognitive functions. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of NCI in HIV-positive patients in a city in southern Brazil and to establish possible associations for the prevalence of NCI with HIV-related and other risk factors. This cross-sectional study of HIV-positive outpatients was conducted in a specialized care service in the city of Pelotas in Southern Brazil. Sociodemographic data and HIV-related information were collected, and all patients underwent psychiatric and neurocognitive evaluations. The prevalence of NCI among the 392 patients was 54.1% when tracked using the IHDS (International HIV Dementia Scale) and 36.2% when the IHDS was associated with a battery of complementary tests. A bivariate analysis suggested an association of NCI with gender, age, educational level, depression, current CD4 count and lowest CD4 count. The association of NCI with depression remained in the Poisson regression (PR=1.96, 95%CI=1.12-3.42). The prevalence of cognitive impairment in HIV-positive patients estimated in this study is in accordance with international and Brazilian data. Of the factors analyzed, depression showed the greatest evidence of association with neurocognitive loss. Based on our findings, the inclusion of instruments to evaluate depression in our services for patients with HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is recommended.

Estudou-se o efeito da categoria reprodutiva sobre a fertilidade de éguas inseminadas com sêmen asinino diluído, resfriado e armazenado. Os ciclos foram acompanhados por palpação retal e rufiação, sendo as inseminações realizadas às terças, quintas e sábados, a partir da detecção de um folículo de 3,0 a 3,5cm de diâmetro, em um dos ovários, até a ovulação. O sêmen de cinco jumentos da raça Pêga foi diluído nos diluidores de leite em pó desnatado-glicose ou glicina-gema de ovo, resfriado a 5ºC e armazenado por 12 horas, sendo a dose inseminante de 400 x 106espermatozoides móveis (no momento da diluição final, pré-resfriamento) depositada no corpo do útero. O diagnóstico de gestação foi realizado por meio de palpação transretal, rufiação e ultrassonografia, realizada a cada 14 dias. Os resultados de 195 ciclos, referentes a 141 éguas, foram agrupados de acordo com a categoria reprodutiva a que pertenciam: potra, égua solteira, égua parida e no "cio do potro". As taxas de concepção, ao primeiro ciclo, foram de 60,00%, 48,28%, 75,00% e 47,17% e, após quatro ciclos, de 61,54%, 47,13%, 54,76% e 47,17%, na mesma ordem para as categorias descritas anteriormente. A categoria reprodutiva não teve efeito (P>0,05) sobre a fertilidade das éguas inseminadas com sêmen asinino resfriado, sendo as potras, éguas solteiras, éguas paridas e no "cio do potro" igualmente eficientes para o uso na reprodução.

The effect of the mare status on fertility of mares inseminated with diluted, cooled and stored jackass semen, was studied. The cycles were controlled by transrectal palpation and teasing, and mares were inseminated every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, from the detection of a follicle with 3.0 to 3.5cm diameter in one of the ovaries until ovulation. The semen of five Pêga jackasses was diluted in skim milk-glucose or in egg yolk-glycine extender and cooled at 5ºC for 12 hours, with the inseminate dose of 400 x 106motile spermatozoa (at the moment of the final dilution, before cooling). The inseminations were carried out in the uterine body. Pregnancy was detected using transrectal palpation, teasing and ultrasound exams every 14 days. The results of 195 cycles of 141 mares were grouped according to the mare status: maiden, barren, lactation or in foal heat. Pregnancy rates for the first cycle were 60.00%, 48.28%, 75.00% and 47.17%, and after four cycles, the pregnancy rates/cycle were 61.54%, 47.13%, 54.76% and 47.17%, respectively for maiden, barren, lactation and in foal heat mares (P>0,05). The mare status did not affect pregnancy rates of mares inseminated with diluted and cooled jackass semen and were efficient to use on reproduction.