Abstract It is described for the first time the synthesis and characterization of NiMn2O4 employing the Mn ores from the Amazon Region as starting material, instead of using commercial reagents as normally occurs in its synthesis process. Initially, an Mn ore was transformed into a single product, the octahedral layer (OL) manganese oxide with Ni2+ ions interlayer (Ni-OL-2), which was used as a matrix to obtain NiMn2O4 by thermal decomposition. The following techniques were used for characterization: X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal analysis (TG-DTA), scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopies. The results revealed that Mn oxide ore composed of nsutite mineral transformed into a well-ordered crystalline Ni-OL-2 phase, after the hydrothermal and cation exchange process. The thermal decomposition of Ni-OL-2 produced the nickel manganite phase at 850 °C with spherical ball morphology and crystal sizes in the range of 200-300 nm.

Resumo As restrições, decorrentes da pandemia de coronavírus de 2019, estabeleceram um contexto prolongado de implementação forçada do teletrabalho em diversas organizações e instituições. O presente estudo analisa o impacto exercido pela intensidade na adoção do referido regime laboral na satisfação dos colaboradores do setor do ensino superior. Para isso, foi aplicado um instrumento transversal a uma amostra de 154 colaboradores de uma universidade colombiana, cujos dados foram analisados por meio de modelagem de equações estruturais. Os resultados obtidos sugerem a existência de associação significativa entre as variáveis em questão. Observa-se também que tanto os indivíduos com mais de 40 anos quanto os que possuem um local isolado para o teletrabalho tendem a favorecer essa relação.

Abstract The restrictions derived from the pandemic by the coronavirus 2019 created a prolonged context of forced implementations of telework in several organizations and institutions. This study examines the impact exerted by the intensity of the adoption of this work scheme on the satisfaction of employees in the higher education sector. To do this, the study applies a cross-sectional instrument to a sample of 154 employees of a Colombian university, and the data obtained was subsequently analyzed by structural equation modeling. Results suggest the existence of a significant association between the variables in question. It is also observed that both individuals over 40 years of age and those who have an isolated place to telework tend to favor this relationship.

Resumen Las restricciones derivadas de la pandemia por el coronavirus 2019 instauraron un contexto prolongado de implementación forzosa de teletrabajo en diversas organizaciones e instituciones. El presente estudio examina el impacto ejercido por la intensidad en la adopción de dicho esquema laboral sobre la satisfacción de los colaboradores del sector de la educación superior. Para ello, se aplicó un instrumento transversal sobre una muestra de 154 colaboradores de una universidad colombiana, cuyos datos fueron analizados mediante un modelamiento de ecuaciones estructurales. Los resultados obtenidos sugieren la existencia de una asociación significativa entre las variables en cuestión. Se observa además que tanto los individuos mayores de 40 años como aquellos que cuentan con un lugar aislado para teletrabajar tienden a favorecer dicha relación. Clasificación JEL: J28.

Resumen Realizamos un estudio comparativo de los patrones de actividad del jaguar y el puma dentro de un mosaico de áreas protegidas (AMR) y en un rancho ganadero (CR) en Pantanal, Brasil, para comprender mejor sus patrones de actividad en estos paisajes. Presumimos que los patrones de actividad del jaguar y el puma estarían sesgados al período nocturno en la ganadería, pero no en las áreas protegidas. Utilizamos datos de cámaras trampa analizados a través de un enfoque de densidad kernel no paramétrico para explorar las relaciones temporales interespecíficas e intraespecíficas entre estas especies en ambos sitios. Obtuvimos 71 registros independientes de jaguar y 29 de puma en AMR, y 85 registros independientes de jaguar y 26 de puma en CR. Los patrones de actividad de jaguares y pumas difirieron entre sitios, siendo ambos catemerales en AMR, pero nocturnos en CR con superposiciones de moderadas a altas, de acuerdo con nuestra hipótesis. En general, nuestros datos sugieren que la ganadería no es incompatible con la existencia de jaguares y pumas, sino que moldea su patrón de actividades.

Abstract We conducted a comparative study of jaguar and puma activity patterns within a mosaic of protected areas (AMR) and on a cattle ranch (CR) in Pantanal, Brazil, to better understand their activity patterns in these landscapes. We hypothesized that the activity patterns of the jaguar and puma would be biased to the nocturnal period within the cattle ranch but not in the protected areas. We used data from camera traps analyzed through a non-parametric kernel density approach to explore interspecific and intraspecific temporal relationships between these species at both sites. We obtained 71 jaguar and 29 puma independent records at AMR, and 85 jaguar and 26 puma independent records at CR. Activity patterns of jaguars and pumas differed between sites, both being cathemeral in AMR, but nocturnal at CR with moderate to high overlaps, concordant with our hypothesis. Overall, our data suggest that the cattle ranching is not incompatible with the existence of jaguars and pumas but does shape their pattern of activities.

ABSTRACT The elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum L.) was introduced in Cuba, but it is not known who brought it. It is adapted to production and climatic conditions in the western part of the country, between October and February. With low inputs, it is resistant to diseases and reaches yields higher than 24.89 t ha-1 when planting is done mechanized and the "seed" is planted at 0.70 m of row, two rows and 0.07 m between plants, with which it reached between 15.10-15.0 t ha-1. This new garlic species has good post-harvest quality and adaptability in the areas studied.

RESUMEN El ajo elefante (Allium ampeloprasum L.) fue introducido en Cuba, pero no se conoce quién lo introdujo. Se adapta a las condiciones de producción y climatológicas en la zona occidental del país, entre los meses de octubre a febrero. Con bajos insumos, es resistente a enfermedades y alcanza rendimientos superiores a las 24,89 t ha-1 cuando la plantación se realiza de forma mecanizada y la "semilla" se planta a 0,70 m de camellón, a dos hileras y 0,07 m entre plantas, con el que se alcanzó entre 15,10-15,(0 t ha-1. Esta nueva especie de ajo, presenta buena calidad postcosecha y adaptabilidad en las zonas estudiadas.

AZO thin films (around 200 nm thick) were grown on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) at room temperature. The plasma was activated using a 13.56 MHz (RF) or a 15 kHz pulsed (PMS) source at a power of 60 W. Optical reflection and transmittance were measured using a UV-Vis-NIR spectrometer over the wavelengths from 190 nm to 2500 nm. All samples show average transmittances greater than 83% in the visible region. The electrical resistivity was measured by the linear four-point probe method to be around 0.001 Ωcm for 200 nm-thick AZO films grown by PMS. XRD results indicated that the films had a hexagonal wurtzite structure and were preferentially oriented in the (002) plane. The surface morphology of the AZO thin films was characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM); film chemical composition was studied using Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). For this, an EDS coupled to the Scanning Electron Microscope was used. Only for films grown by PMS were no cracks observed.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da adição de ácido clorogênico (ChA) antes do resfriamento e sua combinação com cafeína adicionada durante o reaquecimento sobre a qualidade do sêmen suíno resfriado. Dez ejaculados foram diluídos em diluidor comercial com adição ou não de 4,5mg/mL de ChA e armazenados a 15°C. Após zero, 24 e 72 horas de armazenamento, 10mL foram retirados e incubados a 37°C na presença ou ausência de 8,0mM de cafeína. A qualidade seminal foi avaliada após 10 e 120 minutos de incubação. O ChA aumentou (P<0,01) a motilidade, a viabilidade, a integridade acrosomal e a porcentagem de espermatozoides com alta atividade mitocondrial (PMHA), entretanto diminuiu (P<0,01) a concentração de malondialdeído (MDA). A cafeína aumentou (P<0,05) a motilidade, a viabilidade, a PMHA e a concentração de MDA e reduziu a integridade acrossomal. Quando associados (ChA+cafeína), houve aumento (P<0,05) na motilidade, na PMHA, na viabilidade e na integridade acrossomal. Conclui-se que a adição de ChA ao meio de diluição melhora a qualidade das doses inseminantes de suínos. A adição de cafeína durante o reaquecimento só é recomendada ao sêmen adicionado de ChA quando esse for armazenado por períodos prolongados (72h), devendo a dose inseminante ser utilizada imediatamente após sua adição.

ABSTRACT A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of chlorogenic acid (ChA) added pre-cooling and its combination with caffeine added during warming on cooled-stored boar semen parameters. Ten ejaculates were diluted in commercial extender with or without 4.5mg/ml ChA and stored at 15°C. After 0, 24 and 72 hours of storage, aliquots of these doses were taken and incubated at 37°C in the presence or absence of 8.0mM caffeine. Semen quality was evaluated after 10 and 120 minutes of incubation. The ChA increased (P <0.01) the sperm motility, viability, acrosomal integrity and the percentage of spermatozoa with high mitochondrial activity (PMHA), however, decreased (P <0.01) the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. Caffeine increased (P<0.05) the sperm motility, viability, PMHA and the MDA concentration and reduced (P <0.05) the acrosome integrity. When associated (ChA+caffeine), there was an increase (P <0.05) in sperm motility and viability, PMHA and acrosome integrity. The addition of ChA to the dilution medium improves the quality of the swine inseminating doses. The addition of caffeine during re-warming is only recommended when the semen is stored for prolonged periods (72h), and the inseminating dose should be used immediately after its addition.

Abstract: Eugenia dysenterica is a Brazilian tree investigated for its properties and bioactive compounds, which are believed to have both pharmacological and phytochemical therapeutic effects. The leaves of this tree contain tannins, flavonoids, terpenes, and saponins, with reportedly beneficial effects to the human body. Despite these therapeutic applications, its effects have never been tested on oral tissues. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the cytotoxic and antioxidant effects and the anti-inflammatory and repair properties of the acetone fraction of E. dysenterica on primary culture of human gingival fibroblasts and on the immortalized murine macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7). For this purpose, a metabolic activity assay, a wound healing assay, a nitric oxide assay, and RT-qPCR were performed. The assays revealed a cytoprotective effect of this plant, suggested by the increase in the expression of SOD1 and NRF2. An antioxidant potential effect was observed in the DPPH• assay. However, the fraction of E. dysenterica did not show anti-inflammatory activity. In conclusion, Eugenia dysenterica may promote cytoprotection when associated with chlorhexidine digluconate because of its antioxidant effect. However, additional studies are necessary on other human dental tissues using other parts of the plant in order to develop a possible mouthwash to assist patients with oral disorders.

RESUMO: Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo de doenças neurológicas de bovinos no estado de Goiás durante o período de março de 2010 a agosto de 2017, analisando amostras de três laboratórios de diagnóstico veterinário. De 407 bovinos que apresentaram sinais clínicos neurológicos, o diagnóstico foi estabelecido em 170 casos. Desses casos, foram pesquisadas nas fichas as características epidemiológicas, clínicas e anatomopatológicas. As principais doenças diagnosticadas foram causadas por vírus (raiva 29,41%, meningoencefalite por herpesvírus bovino 15,88% e febre catarral maligna 1,76%), de origem metabólica (polioencefalomalacia 17,06%), por bactérias (botulismo 5,88%, meningite supurativa 3,53%, abscessos encefálicos 2,94%, listeriose 1,76% e meningoencefalite trombótica 1,76%), sem causa definida (meningoencefalite linfoplasmocítica 11,18%, hemorragias traumáticas 3,53% e malacia multifocal com gliose 1,18%), congênitas (hidrocefalia 1,18% e malformações múltiplas 0,59%), tóxicas (intoxicação por ureia 1,18% e intoxicação por inseticida 0,59%), e parasitária (meningoencefalite associada à infecção por Trypanosoma sp. 0,59%).

ABSTRACT: A retrospective study was conducted on neurological diseases of cattle in the state of Goiás, Brazil, from March 2010 to August 2017. Samples of three veterinary diagnostic laboratories were analyzed. Diagnosis was established in 170 out of 407 cattle with neurological signs. Epidemiological, clinical, and anatomic pathology features of each case were researched in the files. Main disorders included diseases caused by viruses (rabies 29.41%, meningoencephalitis by bovine herpesvirus 15.88%, and malignant catarrhal fever 1.76%), by bacteria (botulism 5.88%, suppurative meningitis 3.53%, encephalic abscesses 2.94%, listeriosis 1.76%, and thrombotic meningoencephalitis 1.76%), of metabolic origin (polioencephalomalacia 17.06%), of indefinite cause (lymphoplasmacytic meningoencephalitis 11.18%, traumatic hemorrhages 3.53%, and multifocal malacia with gliosis 1.18%), congenital (hydrocephaly 1.18% and multiple malformations 0.59%), toxic (urea poisoning 1.18% and insecticide poisoning 0.59%), and parasitic (meningoencephalitis associated with infection by Trypanosoma sp. 0.59%).

RESUMO: Foram estudados 26 casos de meningoencefalite por herpesvírus bovino (BoHV) diagnosticados entre 2010-2016, no Estado de Goiás (GO). A doença acometeu principalmente bovinos jovens, entre 60 dias a 18 meses de idade. Não houve associação entre os casos e o sexo dos bovinos e a sazonalidade. A doença foi observada em todas as cinco Mesorregiões do Estado, com uma frequência maior nas Mesorregiões Sul e Centro. Os sinais clínicos mais frequentemente observados incluíram cegueira, incoordenação, sialorreia e ataxia. As principais alterações macroscópicas observadas incluíram congestão com tumefação e achatamento das circunvoluções, amolecimento e amarelamento do córtex telencefálico e focos de hemorragia. Em cinco encéfalos, não foram observadas alterações macroscópicas e em quatro as alterações não foram informadas. As principais alterações histológicas ocorreram no córtex telencefálico, principalmente o córtex frontal e parietal, mas em alguns casos, lesões de menor intensidade foram também observadas no tálamo, núcleos basais, mesencéfalo, ponte, bulbo, cerebelo e hipocampo. Todos os casos apresentaram meningoencefalite linfoplasmocítica e corpúsculos de inclusão intranucleares basofílicos em astrócitos e, eventualmente, em neurônios. Outras lesões frequentes incluíram necrose neuronal laminar segmentar (neurônio vermelho), espongiose, tumefação do núcleo das células endoteliais, gliose focal ou difusa, hipertrofia de astrócitos, infiltração por células gitter, congestão e hemorragia. Lesões menos comuns incluíram astrócitos Alzheimer tipo II, lesão residual e neuronofagia. A necrose neuronal e o edema (espongiose) foram mais acentuados nas camadas granular externa, molecular, de células piramidais e granular interna dos telencéfalos. Tanto os giros quanto os sulcos foram afetados igualmente. Dos 26 casos, o DNA de BoHV-5 foi amplificado em dois (7,69%) casos, enquanto que o de BoHV-1 foi identificado em um caso (3,84%). Nos casos positivos para BoHV-5 foram usadas amostras fixadas em formol a 10% e incluídas em parafina e amostras congeladas foram utilizadas no caso positivo para BoHV-1.

ABSTRACT: Twenty six cases of bovine herpetic meningoencephalitis diagnosed from 2010-2016 in Goiás state, Brazil, were studied. Affected cattle were mainly 60-day to 18-month-old. There was no association of the disease with sex and seasonality. The disease was found in all five mesoregions with a higher prevalence in southern and central state of Goiás. Clinical signs more frequently observed included blindness, incoordination, circling, excessive salivation, and ataxia. Main gross findings in the brain were congestion with swelling and flattening of gyri, softening and yellow discoloration of cerebral cortex and hemorrhagic foci. In five cases no gross changes were observed in the brain and in four cases there is no information. The main histopathological changes were in the cortex of telencephalic lobes, especially the frontal and parietal; however less prominent and less frequently found lesions occurred in the thalamus, basal nuclei, midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata, cerebellum, and hippocampus. All cases presented lymphoplasmocytic meningoencephalitis and intranuclear basophilic inclusion bodies in astrocytes, less commonly in neurons. Other frequent lesions included segmental laminar neuronal necrosis (red neurons), spongiosis, swollen vascular endothelial nuclei, gliosis (focal and diffuse), hypertrophy of astrocytes, infiltration of gitter cells, congestion, and hemorrhage. Lesions less frequently observed were Alzheimer type II astrocytes, residual lesion and neuronophagia. The most frequently affected cortical layers by neuronal necrosis and edema were external and internal granular, molecular, and pyramidal cell layers. Gyri and sulci were equally affected. Of the 26 cases, in 2 (7.69%) the DNA of BoHV-5 was amplified with samples fixed in 10% formalin and paraffin-embedded. DNA of BoHV-1 was identified in another case (3.84%) where, positive to BoHV-1, fresh samples were used.

SUMMARY: This study aimed to evaluate the microstructure of the buffalo’s hoof capsule using hystomorphometry and computerized light microscopy. The length, thickness, gap and number of epidermal papillae and the morphology of the corneal tubules of the hoof were described in this paper. This study used 56 hoof capsules from hooves of 14 adults - age ranging from 24 to 60 months old - female buffaloes of the Jafarabadi breed; weighing around 650 kg. Fifty-six samples, 28 from thoracic limb and 28 from pelvic limbs, were analyzed, resulting in a total of 112 digits. Clinical specimens were collected at the coronary corium, laminar corium of the abaxial wall and pre-bulbar soles. The study concluded that the microstructure of the hoof capsule of buffalo hooves are made of epidermal papillae measuring 1,721.59 mm of length, 62.94 mm of thickness and 49.02 mm of gap between the papillae. This study determines that the coronary corium has more epidermal papillae than the laminar corium of the abaxial wall and pre-bulbar soles. The corneal tubules of the hoof capsules exhibit helical fashion and points to the possibility of applying this feature to the hooves of the biungulate species as well. In this research, we have been able to determine morphological parameters not yet described in scientific literature. These findings can be used in future comparative studies of healthy cattle and buffaloes and speculate evidence about the hooves’ vulnerability facing different hoof diseases.

RESUMEN: El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la microestructura de la cápsula del casco del búfalo mediante histomorfometría y microscopía óptica computarizada. Se describe la longitud, el espesor, el espacio y el número de papilas epidérmicas y la morfología de los túbulos corneales del casco. Utilizamos 56 cápsulas de cascos de 14 hembras adultas entre 24 a 60 meses de edad de la raza Jafarabadi, cuyo peso aproximado era de 650 kg. Analizamos 56 cascos, 28 del miembro torácico y 28 del miembro pélvico, con un total de 112 dedos. Se recogieron especímenes clínicos en el corion coronario, corion laminar de la pared abaxial y suelas pre-bulbares. Concluimos que la microestructura de la cápsula de los cascos de los búfalos está formada por papilas epidérmicas de 1.721,59 mm de longitud, 62,94 mm de espesor y 49,02 mm de espacio entre papilas. Se determinó que el corion coronario tiene más papilas epidérmicas que el corion laminar de la pared axial y las suelas pre-bulbares. Los túbulos córneos de las cápsulas de casco presentan una forma helicoidal y existe la posibilidad de que esta característica también se aplique a las pezuñas de otras especies de animales biungulados. También se determinaron algunos parámetros morfológicos no descritos en la literatura científica. Estos hallazgos pueden ser útiles en estudios comparativos de ganado bovino y bubalino saludable y en consideración de la ‘vulnerabilidad’ frente a diferentes enfermedades del casco.

O estudo morfométrico dos dígitos de bovinos e bubalinos pode colaborar para o entendimento da etiopatogenia das enfermidades podais. Este estudo objetivou descrever as características morfométricas dos dígitos de bovinos das raças Curraleira (Bos taurus), Pantaneira (Bos taurus), Nelore (Bos indicus) e de bubalinos (Bubalus bubalis) da raça Murrah e estabelecer possível relação entre tais medidas e a ocorrência de enfermidades digitais. Na pesquisa foram utilizados dez animais, saudáveis, de cada raça e espécie. Foram avaliados dois membros de cada animal, sendo um torácico e outro pélvico, totalizando 80 extremidades distais. As medidas morfométricas foram obtidas com auxílio de um paquímetro mecânico graduado e os ângulos das pinças conferidos por meio de transferidor metálico. Os principais parâmetros digitais avaliados foram o ângulo dorsal do casco (A), comprimento da parede dorsal (B), altura do talão (C), altura da pinça (D), comprimento do casco (E), comprimento diagonal do casco (F), largura do dígito lateral (G), largura do dígito medial (H), comprimento do dígito lateral (I) e comprimento do dígito medial (J). Para a comparação de médias dos resultados obtidos entre as raças foi utilizado o teste de Tukey (p<0,05). A análise multivariada para as representações gráficas das variáveis canônicas foi empregada para expressar a similaridade das medidas estudadas entre os grupos, no qual se utilizou o software R. Os resultados revelaram que os bubalinos apresentam as maiores medidas morfométricas para as variáveis B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I e J e apenas na variável A apresentaram medidas inferiores entre as diferentes raças de bovinos estudadas. Existe similaridade entre as três raças de bovinos estudadas em relação às variáveis, altura da pinça (D), largura do dígito lateral (G) e largura do dígito medial (H) as quais se distanciam dos valores encontrados para essas variáveis nos bubalinos, Concluiu que a morfometria digital pode influenciar na ocorrência de enfermidades digitais, mas não age como fator isolado, necessitando da interação com outros fatores estruturais, ambientais e de manejo para a manifestação dessas doenças.

Morfometric studies of bovine and buffalo digits can help to understand the etiopathogeny of digital diseases. This study described morphometric characteristics of digits of Curraleira (Bos taurus), Pantaneira (Bos taurus) Nelore (Bos indicus) breeds of cattle and Murrah buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and stablish possible relation among the parameters and digital infirmities. Were used ten animals of each breed and specie. Two limbs were evaluated, a toracic and a pelvic, in a total of 80 distal limbs. Morphometric measurements were obtained using a graduated paquimeter and angles using a metallic protactor. The main parameters evaluated were hoof dorsal angle (A), dorsal wall length (B), heel height (C), toe height (D), hoof length (E), hoof diagonal hoof (F), lateral digit width (H), medial digit width (I) and medial digit length (J). For results averages comparison among breeds were used Tukey test (p<0,05). Multivariate analysys for graphic representations of canonic variables was used to express similarity of measures studied among groups, using R software. Results shows tha bubaline present higher morphometric measures for the variables B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I and J, only for variable A presented lower measures comparing the bovine breeds studied. There is similarity between the three breeds of cattle studied about toe height (D), lateral digit width (G) and medial digit width (H), which differed of values observed in buffalo. It was concluded that digital morphometry can influence the occurence of digital infirmities, but doesn´t act as an isolated factor, needing interaction of other structural, environmental and management factors for its occurence.

A indústria cerâmica tem grande papel ambiental quando o assunto é reciclagem de rejeitos. A grande produção industrial que vem se desenvolvendo na Região Norte do país abre espaço para utilização de rejeitos como substituto de matéria-prima na produção de cerâmicas. Esta substituição, além da vantagem ambiental, também confere vantagens às características físicas da cerâmica produzida. O presente trabalho visou estudar os efeitos causados pela incorporação de rejeito de minério de manganês em formulações de cerâmica argilosa, para avaliar até que ponto é possível incorporar o referido rejeito sem que haja prejuízo das propriedades dos produtos. Foram propostas algumas formulações contendo quantidades variadas de rejeito. Os corpos-de-prova obtidos por prensagem foram sinterizados de 1000 ºC a 1200 ºC por 2 h. Os resultados mostraram que o rejeito atua como fundente, melhorando propriedades do material, diminuindo a porosidade e absorção de água e aumentando a resistência mecânica das peças cerâmicas.

The ceramic industry has a great environmental role when it comes to recycling waste. The industrial production that has been developed in the Northern Region of Brazil makes room for use of waste as a substitute raw material in the production of ceramics. This substitution in addition to the environmental advantage also provides interesting physical characteristics in the ceramics produced. This work aimed to study the effects caused by the incorporation of manganese ore tailings in formulations of ceramic clay, to examine the extent to which it is possible to incorporate this waste without prejudice to the product properties. It was proposed some formulations containing varying amounts of tailings. The ceramic bodies were shaped and sintered at 1000 ºC to 1200ºC for 2 h. Results demonstrated that the material showed a decreasing in the porosity and water absorption, and an increasing in the bending strength as a result of the densification promoted by the tailing incorporation which acts as fluxing agent.

The Port Complex of Maranhão (PCM) is the second largest port complex in Brazil, receiving ships with large volumes of ballast water. To evaluate the microbiological quality of its waters, physicochemical parameters (pH and salinity), the number of coliforms (thermotolerants and totals), and the presence of enterobacterias and diarrheagenic Escherichia coli strains were analyzed. In order to identify the presence of E. coli virulence genes target regions of the stx, elt, est, aggR, CVD432, ipaH and eae nucleotide sequences were studied. The presence of totals and thermotolerants coliforms were positive. Analyzing the salinity parameter, a significant increase in total coliforms was observed during the rainy season. We identified the species Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Citrobacter freundii, Proteus vulgaris, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella ozaenae, Morganella morganii, Enterobacter cloacae and Edwardsiella tarda. Out of the 51 E. coli isolated, two were positive for the elt gene and one was positive for the CVD432 sequence, features of enterotoxigenic and enteroaggregative strains, respectively. This study reveals that the PCM is contaminated by enterobacteria and diarrheagenic E.coli thus providing evidence regarding the risk of these bacteria being carried by ships to other countries, and draws attention to the input of fecal bacteria brought by ships in the port waters of Maranhão.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Citrus limonum and Citrus aurantium essential oils (EOs) compared to 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) and 1% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) on multi-species biofilms formed by Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli. The biofilms were grown in acrylic disks immersed in broth, inoculated with microbial suspension (106 cells/mL) and incubated at 37°C / 48 h. After the biofilms were formed, they were exposed for 5 minutes to the solutions (n = 10): C. aurantium EO, C. limonum EO, 0.2% CHX, 1% NaOCl or sterile saline solution [0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl)]. Next, the discs were placed in sterile 0.9% NaCl and sonicated to disperse the biofilms. Tenfold serial dilutions were performed and the aliquots were seeded onto selective agar and incubated at 37°C / 48 h. Next, the number of colony-forming units per milliliter was counted and analyzed statistically (Tukey test, p ≤ 0.05). C. aurantium EO and NaOCl inhibited the growth of all microorganisms in multi-species biofilms. C. limonum EO promoted a 100% reduction of C. albicans and E. coli, and 49.3% of E. faecalis. CHX was less effective against C. albicans and E. coli, yielding a reduction of 68.8% and 86.7%, respectively. However, the reduction of E. faecalis using CHX (81.7%) was greater than that obtained using C. limonum EO. Both Citrus limonum and Citrus aurantium EOs are effective in controlling multi-species biofilms; the microbial reductions achieved by EOs were not only similar to those of NaOCl, but even higher than those achieved by CHX, in some cases.

Casos de doença vesicular e exantemática associados ao Vaccinia virus (VACV) têm sido descritos em rebanhos leiteiros em diversas regiões do Brasil, ocasionalmente afetando também os ordenhadores. Este artigo descreve oito surtos de doença vesicular associados ao VACV ocorridos em rebanhos leiteiros de seis municípios do estado de Goiás (2010-2012), com o envolvimento de 122 vacas em lactação, de 12 bezerros e de 11 pessoas. Vacas em lactação (3-9 anos de idade) foram afetadas em todos os casos. Em cinco rebanhos, bezerros de 2-9 meses apresentaram lesões orais. A morbidade nos rebanhos variou entre oito e 100% (vacas) e entre 1,5 e 31% (bezerros). As lesões iniciavam como vesículas (2-7mm) ou pápulas doloridas e coalescentes (3-8mm), que progrediam para úlceras (5-25mm) e crostas, localizadas principalmente nas tetas e, eventualmente, no focinho das vacas. O curso clínico variou entre 16 e 26 dias. Histopatologia de amostras de pele coletadas de bovinos revelou dermatite perivascular superficial com infiltrado de linfócitos, neutrófilos, plasmócitos e macrófagos, além de áreas multifocais de acantose, espongiose, hipergranulose e hiperceratose ortoceratótica ou paraceratótica com úlceras focalmente extensas. No citoplasma dos ceratinócitos adjacentes às úlceras, observaram-se numerosos corpúsculos de inclusão eosinofílicos. Em todos os surtos, amostras de lesões cutâneas dos bovinos foram positivas para o gene vgf dos Orthopoxvirus por PCR, e em alguns casos, a identificação do VACV foi confirmada por sequenciamento de nucleotídeos dos amplicons. O vírus foi detectado por isolamento em cultivo celular em um dos surtos e, pelo menos 2 a 3 vacas por rebanho, apresentaram sorologia positiva para Orthopoxvirus pelos testes de ELISA (surtos 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 e 7) e soroneutralização (surto 6). No surto 6, os títulos de anticorpos neutralizantes variaram de 8 a 64. O diagnóstico da infecção pelo VACV, inicialmente suspeito com base nos achados clínicos e patológicos, foi confirmado em todos os surtos por exames laboratoriais. Em todos os surtos, pelo menos um ordenhador que teve contato com os bovinos afetados apresentou mal-estar geral, febre alta, dor de cabeça e lesões vesiculo-pustulosas doloridas, principalmente nas mãos, mas também no pescoço e nariz. Esses resultados confirmam a circulação do VACV no rebanho bovino da região centro-oeste, alertando para necessidade de diagnóstico correto e adoção de medidas profiláticas e de controle.

Cases of vesicular and exanthematic disease by Vaccinia virus (VACV) have been reported in dairy herds of several Brazilian regions, occasionally also affecting humans. The present article describes eight outbreaks of vesicular disease caused by VACV in dairy herds of six counties of Goiás state, Midwestern Brazil (2010-2012), involving a total of 122 cows, 12 calves and 11 people. Dairy cows (3 to 9 years old) were affected in all cases and calves (2 to 9 months old) were affected in five outbreaks, presenting oral lesions. The morbidity ranged between 8 and 100% in cows, and 1.5 to 31% in calves. In the cows, the clinical signs started with vesicles (2-7mm), painful and coalescent papules (3-8 mm), which resulted in ulcers (5-25mm) and scabs in teats, and, occasionally, in the muzzle. The clinical course lasted from 16 to 26 days. The histopathology of bovine skin samples revealed superficial perivascular inflammatory infiltrate of lymphocytes, plasma cells, neutrophils, macrophages and multifocal areas of acanthosis, spongiosis, hipergranulosis and parakeratotic or orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis with adjacent focally extensive ulcers. Eosinophilic inclusion bodies were noted in the cytoplasm of the keratinocytes. PCR to vgf gene of Orthopoxvirus was positive in samples collected from all outbreaks, and in some cases, genomic VACV sequences were identified by nucleotide sequencing of the PCR amplicons. Infectious virus was isolated in cell culture from scabs from one outbreak. Antibodies to Orthopoxvirus were detected in at least 3 or 4 animals in most outbreaks, by ELISA (outbreaks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7) or virus-neutralization (outbreak 6). Neutralizing titers ranging from 8 to 64 in outbreak 6. In all outbreaks, VACV infection was suspected based on the clinical and pathological findings and it was confirmed by laboratory tests. Upon the etiological confirmation, other agents associated with vesicular disease were discarded. In all outbreaks, at least one milker who handled the affected cows developed malaise, headache, fever, painful vesico-pustular lesions mainly in the hands, but also in the neck and nose. These results confirm the circulation of VACV in the region and call attention for a correct diagnosis and the adoption of prophylactic and control measures.