Abstract Aiming to compare and update the sand fly fauna of São José farm, Carmo District, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, and considering the environmental changes occurred, the biology and ecology of the local sandfly species were examined twelve years later as a complementary study carried. Captures were made in the intra, peridomicile and in the woods, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. 1210 sandflies of fifteen species of the Lutzomyia were captured: L. intermedia, L. whitmani, L. lenti, L. aragaoi, L. cortelezzii, L. quinquefer, L. carrerai carrerai, L. davisi, L. lanei, L. fischeri, L. monticola, L. ayrozai, L. sordellii, L. lutziana, L. sp and two species of the Brumptomyia Kind: B. brumpti and B. cardosoi. In 1994 and 1995 were collected 4603 samples from six species of the former genus and three of the second. Lutzomyia intermedia was predominant, in the intra and in the peridomicile, in both periods. B. bumpti, collected only in the recent prevailed i n the woods. Six species implicated as vector of Leishmania: L. intermedia, L. whitmani, L. ayrozai, L. fischeri, L. davisi, L. carrerai carrerai and L. migonei have been collected in the area, however, this last only in the previous study.

RESUMO: Milhares de famílias vivem nos assentamentos da reforma agrária, criados no Brasil desde a década de 1980. Fatores como aglomerações de famílias convivendo no mesmo ambiente de produção de animais domésticos podem favorecer a transmissão e manutenção de zoonoses nessas áreas. A epidemiologia e distribuição geográfica das doenças zoonóticas nas comunidades assentadas precisam ser destacadas. Neste sentido, o presente estudo objetivou investigar a prevalência, fatores de risco e distribuição espacial do complexo teníase-cisticercose nos assentamentos rurais da reforma agrária no estado de Minas Gerais. Um total de 497 propriedades da agricultura familiar, distribuídas em 52 assentamentos, foram selecionadas e amostradas aleatoriamente. Amostras biológicas de humanos, bovinos e suínos foram coletadas e processadas. Questionários epidemiológicos foram aplicados em cada propriedade para a coleta de dados sobre a produção animal, condições sanitárias, higiênicas e sociais de cada família. Amostras fecais humanas foram analisadas para detecção de infecção por teníase, e amostras de sangue de animais foram coletadas e submetidas a testes sorológicos para detecção de infecção por cisticercose. Foram encontrados três (0,35%) casos positivos para teníase humana, 64 (4,2%) para cisticercose bovina e 17 (3,3%) para cisticercose suína. A prevalência por unidade de agricultura familiar foi de 0,6% (3/497) para teníase por exame fecal, 5,8% (17/294) para cisticercose suína e 11,1% (52/469) para cisticercose bovina. O perfil espacial da teníase humana e da cisticercose suína agrupou-se em duas regiões distintas, enquanto a cisticercose bovina apresentou distribuição geográfica dispersa. Dois fatores de risco estiveram associados à ocorrência de cisticercose bovina: riacho como fonte de água (p=0,009) e meio ambiente como destino de esgoto (p=0,031), enquanto a queima de lixo mostrou-se um fator de proteção significativo (p<0,001). O fator de risco para cisticercose suína foi associado à presença de suínos caipira (p=0,008) e ao meio ambiente como destino do esgoto (p≤0,024). Estas doenças zoonóticas representam um risco significativo para a saúde pública devido à sua ocorrência em rebanhos que são produzidos tanto para consumo de carne quanto para comercialização. Neste estudo os assentamentos analisados se configuram em áreas endêmicas no estado de Minas Gerais, e esses achados sugerem a importância de maiores investimentos na educação em saúde pública, melhoria das instalações sanitárias dos assentamentos como fonte e tratamento de água e destinação adequada de esgoto. São necessárias ações integradas entre os setores de saúde humana, animal e ambiental, em âmbito local e regional, visando a adoção de políticas públicas efetivas de controle e erradicação do complexo teníase-cisticercose onde estiver presente.

ABSTRACT: Thousands of families live in agrarian reform rural settlements, these existing in Brazil since the 1980s. Factors such as agglomerations of families living in the same environment and the production of domestic animals can promote the transmission and maintenance of zoonosis in these areas. The epidemiology and geographic distribution of zoonotic diseases in settlement communities need to be highlighted. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence, risk factors and spatial distribution of the teniasis-cysticercosis complex in the agrarian reform rural settlements in the state of Minas Gerais. A total of 497 family farming properties, distributed in 52 settlements, were randomly selected and sampled. Biological samples of humans, cattle and pigs were collected and processed. Survey questionnaires were applied in each family farming property to collect data on animal production as well as sanitary, hygienic and social conditions of each family. Human fecal samples were analyzed for detection of teniasis infection, while animal blood samples were collected and subjected to serological testing to detect the cysticercosis infection. A total of three (0.35%) positive cases of human teniasis were identified, 64 (4.2%) of bovine cysticercosis and 17 (3.3%) of swine cysticercosis. Prevalence per family farming unit was 0.6% (3/497) of taeniasis through fecal test, 5.8% (17/294) for swine cysticercosis and 11.1% (52/469) for bovine cysticercosis. The spatial profile for human teniasis and swine cysticercosis were clustered in two different regions, while bovine cysticercosis showed a dispersed geographical distribution. Two risk factors were associated with the occurrence of bovine cysticercosis: stream as source of water (p=0.009) and the environment as destination of sewage (p=0.031), while burning of garbage was shown to be a significant protective factor (p<0.001). Risk factor for swine cysticercosis was associated with the presence of free range pigs (p=0.008) and the environment as the destination of sewage (p≤0.024). The low number of positive human taeniasis did not allow statistical analysis. These zoonotic diseases represent a significant risk to public health because of their occurrence in livestock which are produced for both beef consumption and for commercialization. Significant endemic areas in the state of Minas Gerais have been determined in this study, and these discoverments suggest the importance of further investment in public health education about teniasis-cysticercosis transmission, the improvement of sanitary facilities for the settlements such as source and treatment of water and adequate destination of sewage. Integrated actions between the human, animal and environmental health sectors, at local and regional levels are needed, aiming at the adoption of effective public policies for the control and eradication of the teniasis-cysticercosis complex where the disease occurs.

Abstract Regular exercise is beneficial to health. This study evaluated the effects of moderate and intense physical exercise modalities on intradermal infection by Staphylococcus aureus in a murine model. Mice that practiced moderate exercise had lower bacterial load on lymph nodes and less inflammatory infiltrate in dermis. They presented greater weight, however, less amount of epididymal fat: the weight was increased while they had fat diminished. A positive correlation was observed between lipid content and bacterial load in mice trained at moderate intensity. Animals that were under high intensity exercises presented superior bacterial load on the lymph nodes, increased neutrophil count and circulating lymphocytes, and had leukocyte recruitment to the dermis augmented, when compared to the ones in moderate exercise. These findings suggest that moderate physical activity modulates the immune response in dermal infection caused by S. aureus in a murine model.

Abstract Angiogenesis (budding of new blood vessels) is involved in several processes, including the development of embryos and growth of tumors. Schinus terebinthifolia leaves express an antitumor lectin (SteLL). This work hypothesized that SteLL can interfere with the formation of a vascular network from preexisting vessels. To test this hypothesis, the effect of SteLL on the angiogenesis process was assessed using an in vivo model of yolk sac membrane of Coturnix japonica embryos. SteLL was isolated with purification factor of 46.6. As expected, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) for native basic proteins confirmed the homogeneity and PAGE in presence of dodecyl sodium sulphate revealed a single 14-kDa polypeptide band. The fractal analysis by box counting and information dimension measurements indicated that SteLL at 1.35 mg/mL significantly decreased by ca. 12% the angiogenesis within the C. japonica yolk sac membrane regarding the control. The inhibition of the vascular network formation in the yolk sac membrane resulted in decreased blood supply to the embryos. Consequently, the area of embryos was significantly reduced by 9.2% regarding the control, which corroborated with the antiangiogenic activity of SteLL. The findings implicate SteLL as an antiangiogenic agent and add to the panel of biological activities of this lectin.

RESUMO A radiologia é uma importante ferramenta complementar para o diagnóstico de diversas afecções em diferentes espécies. O uso de exames complementares na medicina de animais silvestres, em especial o exame de imagem, traz inúmeras informações acerca do paciente. Este trabalho apresenta os dados obtidos por meio de um levantamento dos exames radiográficos realizados em animais silvestres entre os anos de 2017 e 2020, no Laboratório de Diagnóstico de Imagem e Cardiologia (LADIC), do Hospital de Clínicas Veterinárias da Universidade Federal de Pelotas (HCV/UFPel). Ao todo, foram avaliados 464 prontuários, sendo 293 (63,1%) de aves, 135 (29,1%) de mamíferos e 36 (7,8%) de répteis. As alterações mais encontradas nos exames radiológicos foram fratura de membros torácicos para as duas primeiras classes, e pneumonia para a última.

Resumo Teve-se por objetivo no presente trabalho verificar a magnitude e tendência da evapotranspiração de referência horária (EToh), bem como associar e analisar as séries diárias de ETo (ETod) e a soma da ETo horária (ETo24h) em 24 h, estimada pelo modelo Penman-Monteith ASCE para o Estado do Paraná (tipos climáticos Cfa e Cfb). Dados de umidade relativa (UR), temperatura (T), radiação solar (Rs) e velocidade do vento (u2) foram obtidos de 25 estações meteorológicas do Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia, entre 01/12/2016 e 08/11/2018. As análises foram realizadas por meio de regressão linear e associações considerando a raiz quadrada do erro quadrado médio, coeficiente de correlação e índice de concordância. A tendência da EToh teve distribuição gaussiana, com valores mais altos entre as 12:00 e 14:00 h, com média máxima de 0.44 mm h−1 (para o clima Cfa) e 0.5 mm h−1 (em clima Cfb). A diferença média entre os valores de ETo24h e ETod foi pequena (5.1% para Cfa e 7.4% para Cfb), resultando em estreitas associações lineares. Os resultados obtidos indicam que a EToh tem bom potencial para ser utilizada no planejamento e manejo na área de engenharia de água e solo, no Estado do Paraná.

Abstract The objective of this study was to verify the magnitude and trend of hourly reference evapotranspiration (EToh), as well as associate and analyze daily ETo (ETod) series and the sum of hourly ETo (ETo24h) in 24 h, estimated with the Penman-Monteith ASCE model for Paraná State (Cfa and Cfb climate type). Relative humidity (RH), temperature (T), solar radiation (Rs) and wind speed (u2) data were obtained from 25 meteorological stations from the National Meteorological Institute (INMET), between December 1, 2016 to November 8, 2018. The analyzes were performed by linear regression and associations considering the root mean square error, correlation coefficient and index of agreement. The EToh trend has a Gaussian distribution, with the highest values between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., with the maximum average being 0.44 mm h−1 (Cfa climate type) and 0.35 mm h−1 (Cfb climate type). The average difference between the ETo24h and ETod values was small (5.1% for Cfa and 7.4% for Cfb), resulting in close linear associations. The results obtained indicate that EToh has good potential to be used in planning and management in the field of soil and water engineering, in Paraná State.

Abstract There is little known about the bats of the Brazilian restinga as most studies have concentrated on the country’s south and southeast regions. In Sergipe, Northeastern Brazil, the only study previously carried out registered 17 species in different restinga habitats. Thus, this study aimed to characterize the bat community in a restinga area in Sergipe and update the list of species that occur in the area. The study was carried out in the Caju Private Natural Heritage Reserve, on the south coast of the state of Sergipe. Monthly campaigns were carried out from October 2016 to September 2017 over two consecutive nights and alternating between two sites to capture the bats. We captured Bats using 10 mist nets that remained open between 6:00 p.m. and 12:00 p.m. We determined the abundance and trophic guilds of the captured species. In addition, we obtained the occurrence frequency degree through the Constancy Index. We captured 457 individuals distributed over 13 species and two families, where three species represented a new record for the locality. The family Phyllostomidae was the richest and most abundant. Most species were frugivorous (61.5%). According to the Constancy Index, only four species were considered common. Using Jackknife 1 estimator, we estimated 14.83 species for the area, indicating that the richness obtained in this study corresponds to 87.6% of this estimate. This study resulted in an 17.6% increase in bat richness known for the area. The high representativeness of the Phyllostomidae family may be related to the capture method used. The predominance of frugivores bats in this study may be associated with the presence of many fruit trees in the area. The low occurrence of species considered common is often reported and can be explained by the species’ trophic specializations and by the sampling methods. Considering the scarcity of studies in restinga areas in Northeastern Brazil, this work becomes important for the knowledge of the bats in this environment, especially for Sergipe.

Abstract This study evaluated the ability of resistance training (RT) of moderate intensity to promote vascular changes in insulin-induced vasodilation in healthy animals. Wistar rats were divided into two groups: control (CON) and trained (eight weeks of training, performing 3 sets with 10 repetitions at 60% of maximum intensity). Forty-eight hours after the last session of the RT, the animals were sacrificed and vascular reactivity to insulin in the absence and presence of LY294002 (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitors (PI3K), L-NAME (nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors) and BQ123 (endothelin A antagonist (ET-A) receptor). In addition, phenylephrine (Phe)-induced vasoconstriction in the absence and presence of L-NAME was also evaluated. The RT group showed greater vasodilation in maximal response compared to the CON group. After PI3K inhibition, vasodilation was reduced in both groups. However, when the NOS participation was evaluated, the RT group showed contraction in relation to the CON group, which was abolished by BQ123. In addition, the RT group had an increase in nitrite levels compared to the CON group. When the Phe response was evaluated, there was a reduction in tension in the RT group compared to the CON group. The results suggest that RT improves vascular reactivity.

Abstract This study evaluated whether resistance training (RT) could prevent glucocorticoid-induced vascular changes. Wistar rats were divided into groups: control (CO), dexamethasone (DEX), and Dexamethasone+RT (DEX+RT). On the eighth week, dexamethasone was administered in the DEX and DEX+RT groups. Thereafter, the animals were sacrificed and blood samples were used to assess the lipid profile, glucose and insulin. Vascular reactivity to insulin and phenylephrine (Phe) were evaluated. The DEX+RT group presented an improvement in the lipid profile, fasting glucose, and insulin levels compared to the DEX group. In addition, vasodilation was reduced in the DEX group compared to the CO group, and was increased in the DEX+RT group. After inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, DEX group showed contraction, in which it was in the DEX + RT group. When nitric oxide synthase (NOS) participation was evaluated, the DEX group presented a contraction compared to the CO group, with no contractile effect in the DEX+RT group. Moreover, vasoconstriction caused by NOS inhibition was abolished by BQ123 (endothelin receptor antagonist). In respect Phe response, there was an increase in tension in the DEX group compared to the CO group, being reduced in the DEX+RT group. The results suggest that RT prevented damage to vascular reactivity.

ABSTRACT Caddisflies are a highly diverse group of aquatic insects, particularly in the Neotropical region where there is a high number of endemic taxa. Based on taxonomic contributions published until August 2019, a total of 796 caddisfly species have been recorded from Brazil. Taxonomic data about Brazilian caddisflies are currently open access at the “Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil” website (CTFB), an on-line database with taxonomic information on the animal species occurring in Brazil. The order Trichoptera at CTFB includes a catalog of species recorded for the country, with synonymic lists, distribution throughout six biomes, 12 hydrographic regions, and 27 political states (including Federal District) from Brazil. The database is constantly updated to include newly published data. In this study, we reviewed the taxonomic effort on Brazilian caddisflies based on data currently in CTFB database. The accumulation curve of species described or recorded from the country, by year, shows a strong upward trend in last 25 years, indicating that it is possible that there are many more species to be described. Based on presence/absence of caddisfly species at three geographic levels (biomes, hydrographic regions, and states), second order Jackknife estimated at least 1,586 species occurring in Brazil (with hydrographic regions as unities), indicating we currently know about 50% of the Brazilian caddisfly fauna. Species distribution by Brazilian biomes reveals that the Atlantic Forest is the most diverse, with 490 species (298 endemic), followed by the Amazon Forest, with 255 species (101 endemic). Even though these numbers may be biased because there has been more intense collecting in these two biomes, the percentage of endemic caddisfly species in the Atlantic Forest is remarkable. Considering the distribution throughout hydrographic regions, clustering analyses (UPGMA) based on incidence data reveals two groups: northwestern basins and southeastern. Although these groups have weak bootstrap support and low similarity in species composition, this division of Brazilian caddisfly fauna could be related to Amazon-Atlantic Forest disjunction, with the South American dry diagonal acting as a potential barrier throughout evolutionary time.

Recent evidence suggests that aerobic physical training may attenuate the deleterious effects of cancer risk factors, including smoking. We investigated the effects of cigarette smoke inhalation and aerobic physical training on the expression of steroid receptors and inflammatory and apoptotic proteins in the prostate. Forty male Wistar rats were distributed in four groups: control (CO), exercise (EXE), cigarette smoke exposure (CS), and cigarette smoke exposure with exercise (CS+EXE). For eight weeks, animals were repeatedly exposed to cigarette smoke for 30 min or performed aerobic physical training either with or without the cigarette smoke inhalation protocol. Following these experiments, we analyzed prostate epithelial morphology and prostatic expression of androgen (AR) and glucocorticoid receptors (GR), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2), BCL-2-associated X protein (BAX), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) via immunohistochemistry. Cigarette smoke exposure stimulated the expression of AR, IGF-1, BCL-2, and NF-κB while downregulating BAX, IL-6, and TNF-α labeling in the prostate. In contrast, aerobic physical training attenuated cigarette smoke-induced changes in AR, GR, IGF-1, BCL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, and NF-κB. This suggests that cigarette smoke stimulates inflammation and reduces apoptosis, culminating in increased prostatic epithelial and extracellular matrices, whereas physical training promoted beneficial effects towards maintaining normal prostate morphology and protein levels.

Nitric oxide (NO) inhibition by high-dose NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) is associated with several detrimental effects on the cardiovascular system. However, low-dose L-NAME increases NO synthesis, which in turn induces physiological cardiovascular benefits, probably by activating a protective negative feedback mechanism. Aerobic exercise, likewise, improves several cardiovascular functions in healthy hearts, but its effects are not known when chronically associated with low-dose L-NAME. Thus, we tested whether the association between low-dose L-NAME administration and chronic aerobic exercise promotes beneficial effects to the cardiovascular system, evaluating the cardiac remodeling process. Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control (C), L-NAME (L), chronic aerobic exercise (Ex), and chronic aerobic exercise associated to L-NAME (ExL). Aerobic training was performed with progressive intensity for 12 weeks; L-NAME (1.5 mg·kg-1·day-1) was administered by orogastric gavage. Low-dose L-NAME alone did not change systolic blood pressure (SBP), but ExL significantly increased SBP at week 8 with normalization after 12 weeks. Furthermore, ExL promoted the elevation of left ventricle (LV) end-diastolic pressure without the presence of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. Time to 50% shortening and relaxation were reduced in ExL, suggesting a cardiomyocyte contractile improvement. In addition, the time to 50% Ca2+ peak was increased without alterations in Ca2+ amplitude and time to 50% Ca2+ decay. In conclusion, the association of chronic aerobic exercise and low-dose L-NAME prevented cardiac pathological remodeling and induced cardiomyocyte contractile function improvement; however, it did not alter myocyte affinity and sensitivity to intracellular Ca2+ handling.

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de diferentes doses de dois bioestimulantes sobre a produtividade e a estrutura do dossel do capim Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu na fase de estabelecimento. O estudo foi realizado na Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia, Parauapebas, Pará, Brasil. Um módulo de 35 parcelas de 25m² foi estabelecido. Utilizou-se delineamento experimental inteiramente ao acaso, composto de sete tratamentos e cinco repetições cada. Os tratamentos incluídos no controle foram: 0,5, 1 e 2kg/ha de bioestimulante A (BIOST.A); 0,25; 0,5 e 1L/ha de bioestimulante B (BIOST.B). Foram realizadas três coletas. Os dados para a aplicação dos dois bioestimulantes foram analisados separadamente, utilizando-se organização por método variável Dummy e análise de regressão. A aplicação de 2kg/ha BIOST.A resultou em incrementos de 842kg/ha na massa de forragem. A aplicação do BIOST.B na grama marandu resultou em aumento linear na produção de massa do caule. A aplicação de 2kg/ha BIOST.A no estabelecimento de erva de marandu resultou em maiores taxas de crescimento, acumulação de forragem e proporção de caule no dossel.

ABSTRACT The aim was to evaluate the effect of different doses of two biostimulants on the productivity and canopy structure of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu grass in the establishment fase. The study was conducted in Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia, Parauapebas, Pará, Brazil. One module of 35 plots of 25m² were established. A completely randomized experimental design was used, with seven treatments and five replicates. The treatments included a control, 0.5, 1, and 2kg/ha of biostimulant A (BIOST.A); and 0.25, 0.5, and 1L/ha of biostimulant B (BIOST.B). Three collections were performed. The data for application of the two biostimulants were analyzed separately, using the Dummy variable method and regression analysis. The application of 2kg/ha BIOST.A resulted in increases of 842kg/ha in the forage mass. The application of BIOST.B on Marandu grass resulted in a linear increase in stem mass. The application of 2kg/ha BIOST.A in the establishment of Marandu grass result in higher growth rates, forage accumulation, and stem proportion in the canopy.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to characterize the displacement patterns of Nellore cattle in areas of crop livestock and crop livestock forest integration systems with density of 196 and 448 eucalyptus ha-1. Paddock maps were drawn from satellite images of the experimental area. In each evaluated system there was one trained observer, that on the paddock map recorded the place the animals stayed every 10 minutes. The exploration of the area by the animals was observed for 12 hours, starting at 6 a.m. and ending at 6 p.m. The displacement of the animals in the ILP system during the evaluation was bigger than the ILPFs systems, resulting in greater exploration of the area, this fact was due the presence of trees that, for the animals resembled fences, limiting the exploration of the paddock in ILPFs. In the ILPF with higher density of trees, this behavior was more evident. In the period from 10:10 a.m. to 14:00 p.m. the displacement of the animals was decrease by the high temperatures in all systems, although it was more effective in the ILP system. It is concluded that the displacement of cattle is influenced by the presence and density of arboreal component integrated crop livestock system.

The heptapeptide Bj-PRO-7a, isolated and identified from Bothrops jararaca (Bj) venom, produces antihypertensive and other cardiovascular effects that are independent on angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition, possibly relying on cholinergic muscarinic receptors subtype 1 (M1R). However, whether Bj-PRO-7a acts upon the central nervous system and modifies behavior is yet to be determined. Therefore, the aims of this study were: i) to assess the effects of acute administration of Bj-PRO-7a upon behavior; ii) to reveal mechanisms involved in the effects of Bj-PRO-7a upon locomotion/exploration, anxiety, and depression-like behaviors. For this purpose, adult male Wistar (WT, wild type) and spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) received intraperitoneal injections of vehicle (0.9% NaCl), diazepam (2 mg/kg), imipramine (15 mg/kg), Bj-PRO-7a (71, 213 or 426 nmol/kg), pirenzepine (852 nmol/kg), α-methyl-DL-tyrosine (200 mg/kg), or chlorpromazine (2 mg/kg), and underwent elevated plus maze, open field, and forced swimming tests. The heptapeptide promoted anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects and increased locomotion/exploration. These effects of Bj-PRO-7a seem to be dependent on M1R activation and dopaminergic receptors and rely on catecholaminergic pathways.