ABSTRACT Cryptococcosis is an important systemic mycosis with worldwide distribution that affects men and also domestic and wild animals. The infection is acquired by inhalation of the fungus or basidiospores present in the environment and may manifest as localized nasal or ocular injury, pulmonary illness or, less commonly, as meningoencephalomyelitis. Long-term treatment is necessary, and the prognosis is reserved. This paper aims to report a case of invasive cryptococcosis in a domestic cat that was presented with neurological signs. It is intended to emphasize the systemic nature of the infection and its possible routes of infection, reinforcing the importance of investigating this disease as a differential diagnosis of clinical manifestations with neurological involvement in cats. animals injury commonly meningoencephalomyelitis Longterm Long term necessary reserved signs cats

RESUMO A criptococose é uma importante micose sistêmica de distribuição mundial, que acomete homens, animais domésticos e silvestres. A infecção é adquirida pela inalação do fungo ou de basidiósporos presentes no ambiente e pode manifestar-se por lesão nasal ou ocular localizada, por comprometimento pulmonar, ou, menos comumente, como meningoencefalomielite. O diagnóstico definitivo nos casos neurológicos é desafiador, assim como seu tratamento. Este trabalho tem como objetivo relatar um caso de meningoencefalomielite e pneumonia por criptococose diagnosticado por meio de histopatologia, em um felino doméstico. Pretende-se enfatizar o caráter sistêmico da infecção e suas possíveis vias de infecção, reforçando a importância da investigação dessa doença como diagnóstico diferencial de manifestações clínicas com envolvimento neurológico em gatos. mundial homens silvestres manifestarse manifestar se localizada pulmonar comumente desafiador tratamento histopatologia doméstico Pretendese Pretende gatos

Abstract Solid state fermentation is a promising technology largely used in biotechnology process and is a suitable strategy for producing low-cost enzymatic products. At the present study, a novel enzyme obtained through solid state fermentation using Aspergillus sydowii was herein purified and characterized. The fermentations used coffee ground residue as substrate and the crude enzyme was submitted through further purification steps of: acetonic precipitation, DEAE-Sephadex and Superdex G-75 column. Both crude and purified enzymes were submitted to biochemical characterization of their thermostability, optimal temperature and pH, effects of inhibitors and metal ions. A purified protease was obtained with yield of 5.9-fold and 53% recovery, with maximal proteolytic activity of 352.0 U/mL. SDS-PAGE revealed a band of protein at 47.0 kDa. The enzyme activity was abolished in the presence of phenyl-methyl sulfonyl fluoride and partially inhibited against Triton X-100 (78.0%). The optimal activity was found in pH 8.0 at 45°C of temperature. Besides, the enzyme showed stability between 35°C and 50°C. It was possible to determine appropriate conditions to the obtainment of thermostable proteases with biotechnological interest associated with a method that concomitantly shows excellent production levels and recovery waste raw material in a very profitable process.

ABSTRACT With the aim to determine the prevalence and mean parasite intensity in Oncorhynchus mykiss, 120 specimens were analyzed between April and September 2018. The cavity analysis was done by visual inspection, scraping of mucus, and extraction of the branchial arches. In the evisceration process, the intestine, the liver, and the kidney were separated, while the musculature was analyzed using the “candling table” method. All the collected material was preserved in 10% buffered formaldehyde and sent to the Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, of the Center for Agroveterinary Sciences (CAV) of the University of the State of Santa Catarina (UDESC) for making the slides and identifying the parasites. Parasites were detected only in the analysis of the scraping of body mucus. Only specimens of the genus Trichodina were identified, in 34 of the 120 fish analyzed, in two collections, resulting in a prevalence of 28.33%. In total, 144 specimens of Trichodina were observed. The overall mean intensity was of 4.24 parasites in each fish analyzed. Characteristic lesions of infection by protozoa were not identified. This is the first report of the occurrence of Trichodina spp. in O. mykiss bred in an intensive system in Brazil, with low rates of parasitic infection in the mountain region of Santa Catarina.

The control of dyslipidemia using plants is an important subject of studies since it has numerous benefits in cardiovascular protection. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of three Camellia sinensis L. teas (green, red, and white) on left ventricular hypertrophy and insulin resistance in low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLr-/-) mice fed a high-fat diet. The LDLr-/- mice were divided into four experimental groups: Group C: standard feed; Group CT: standard feed and three teas, Group HL: high-fat feed; HLT Group: high-fat feed and three teas. The three types of tea (green, red, and white) originated from different processing of the Camellia sinensis L. plant, and were administered associated once a day at a dose of 25 mg/kg by gavage for 60 days. The teas partially prevented hyperlipidemia, the decrease of the serum levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL), insulin resistance, and increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and completely prevented left ventricular hypertrophy in LDLr -/- mice of the HLT group. In conclusion, the three Camellia sinensis L. teas used to control genetic dyslipidemia associated with a high-fat diet can be used as an auxiliary treatment associated with the control of lipid intake, thus promoting cardiac protection against hyperlipidemia.

Resumo Setenta e três suínos adultos de criação extensiva, abatidos em Teresina, no estado do Piauí e Timon, no estado do Maranhão, constituíram o grupo de estudo. O diagnóstico da leptospirose foi realizado utilizando a técnica de soroaglutinação microscópica (MAT), auxiliada por imunoistoquímica e reação em cadeia pela polimerase. A SAM registrou a ocorrência de anticorpos anti-leptospiras em 10,96% (8/73) dos suínos. A imunoistoquímica permitiu a visualização de antígenos de Leptospira spp. em pulmões de 87,67% (64/73) dos suínos. Havia hiperplasia do tecido linfoide associado ao brônquio e alterações circulatórias como, congestão do septo alveolar, hemorragia parenquimatosa e edema no interior de alvéolos. Os focos de inflamações pulmonares eram mais numerosos (p=0,0312) nos animais infectados, bem como o espessamento do septo alveolar (p=0,0006). A quantificação de células alveolares tipo II marcadas pelo anticorpo anti-TTF-1 (Thyroid Transcription Factor-1) mostrou que existia mais células imunocoradas em suínos não infectados (53,8%) comparados aos infectados (46,2%) e uma correlação inversa em relação ao infiltrado inflamatório. Não houve amplificação de DNA de Leptospira spp. em amostras de tecido pulmonar, no entanto DNA leptospiral foi observado em rim. Os resultados deste estudo mostraram que existe uma relação entre a diminuição das células alveolares tipo II e a infecção por leptospiras. Dessa forma, este trabalho aponta para a importância do estudo dessas células, como um provável marcador da modulação da resposta imune inata do pulmão na leptospirose em suínos.

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate a possible relationship between alveolar type II cells and the inflammatory response to infection with Leptospira spp., and thus comprise a further element that can be involved in the pathogenesis of lung injury in naturally infected pigs. The study group consisted of 73 adult pigs that were extensively reared and slaughtered in Teresina, Piauí state, and Timon, Maranhão state, Brazil. The diagnosis of leptospirosis was made using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) aided by immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction. The MAT registered the occurrence of anti-Leptospira antibodies in 10.96% (8/73) of the pigs. Immunohistochemistry allowed for the visualization of the Leptospira spp. antigen in the lungs of 87.67% (64/73) of the pigs. There was hyperplasia of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue and circulatory changes, such as congestion of alveolar septa, parenchymal hemorrhage and edema within the alveoli. Lung inflammation was more intense (p = 0.0312) in infected animals, which also showed increased thickening of the alveolar septa (p = 0.0006). Evaluation of alveolar type II (ATII) cells using an anti-TTF-1 (Thyroid Transcription Factor-1) antibody showed that there were more immunostained cells in the non-infected pigs (53.8%) than in the infected animals (46.2%) and that there was an inverse correlation between TTF-1 positive cells and the inflammatory infiltrate. There was no amplification of Leptospira DNA in the lung samples, but leptospiral DNA amplification was observed in the kidneys. The results of this study showed that a relationship exists between a decrease in alveolar type II cells and a leptospire infection. Thus, this work points to the importance of studying the ATII cells as a potential marker of the level of lung innate immune response during leptospirosis in pigs.

A produção de etanol a partir de biomassa lignocelulósica é referida como uma segunda geração de biocombustíveis, sendo que este processo é uma das mais promissoras tecnologias em fase de desenvolvimento. Poucas são as pesquisas disponíveis sobre o uso de enzimas produzidas por fungos como ativos para biodegradação de biomassa lignocelulósica. No entanto, a enzima manganês peroxidase (MnP) apresenta alto potencial para degradar a lignina e os fungos basidiomicetos são os principais produtores desta oxidase. Portanto, esse estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a capacidade dos fungos Lentinula edodes e Lentinula boryana em produzir essa enzima quando cultivados em fermentação em sistema submerso (FSS) e também em fermentação em sistema sólido (FES) contendo serragem de Eucalyptus benthamii suplementada ou não com farelo de sabugo de milho. Na FSS, a maior expressão de MnP ocorreu no 25° dia de cultivo, sendo 70 UI.L–1 para L. boryana e 20 UI.L–1 para L. edodes. Na FES, os melhores resultados foram obtidos no 10° dia para L. edodes, enquanto que para L. boryana foram entre o 20° e o 25° dia, apesar de ambas as espécies terem apresentado valores próximos a 110 UI.L–1. Portanto, os resultados indicaram que os fungos estudados expressam a enzima de interesse e que a sua produção é otimizada quando cultivados em sistema sólido.

The production of ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass is referred as a second generation biofuel, whose processing is one of the most promising technologies under development. There are few available studies on the use of enzymes produced by fungi as active for the biodegradation of lignocellulosic biomass. However, the manganese peroxidase (MnP) enzyme presents high potential to degrade lignin and the basidiomycetes are the major producers of this oxidase. Thus, this study aimed at evaluating the ability of fungi Lentinula edodes and Lentinula boryana to produce this enzyme when cultivated in submerged fermentation system (SS) and also in solid-state fermentation system (SSF) containing Eucalyptus benthamii sawdust with or without corn cob meal. In the SS the greatest MnP expression occurred on the 25th day, being of 70 UI.L–1 for L. boryana and of 20 UI.L–1 for L. edodes. In the SSF, the best results were obtained on the 10th day for L. edodes, while for L. boryana it happened between the 20th and the 25th days, despite both species presented values close to 110 UI.L–1. Therefore, the results indicated that the studied fungi express the enzyme of interest and that its production is enhanced when cultivated in solid system.

Soro e rim de 75 suínos mestiços sem raça definida, criados em sistema extensivo e abatidos em Timon (MA) e Teresina (Piauí), Brasil, duas cidades separadas pelo Rio Parnaíba e 75 suínos mestiços de um sistema de criação em confinamento, filhos de Landrace, Large White e/ou Duroc foram utilizados neste estudo. Das 150 amostras analisadas pela prova de Soroaglutinação Microscópica (SAM), sete foram reagentes e o sorovar Icterohaemorrhagiae (42,86%) foi o mais frequente. Uma comparação entre os dois sistemas para examinar uma predisposição para infecção para Leptospira spp. mostrou que a suscetibilidade foi maior nos animais criados extensivamente do que naqueles criados em confinamento (teste χ2, p<0,05). A presença de infiltrado inflamatório foi significantemente maior nos animais soropositivos comparados aos soronegativos (p<0,05, Teste U de Mann-Whitney). A análise morfométrica mostrou Leptospira spp. e o antígeno de leptospira apenas nos animais soropositivos (p<0,05, teste de U de Mann-Whitney). Apoptose em células epiteliais tubulares foi significantemente mais evidente nos animais infectados comparados aos não infectados (p<0,05, Teste U de Mann-Whitney). Uma eventual associação de antígeno de Leptospira e células epiteliais em apoptose sugere um provável mecanismo de lesão renal na leptospirose suína.

Serum and kidney of 75 mixed bred swine (no definite breed) reared in an extensive system and slaughtered in Timon (state of Maranhão) and Teresina (state of Piauí), Brazil, two cities separated from each other by the Parnaiba River, and 75 crossbred swine from a confinement rearing system, sired by Landrace, Large White and/or Duroc, were used in this study. From the 150 analyzed samples for the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), seven were reagents and the serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae (42.86%) was the most frequent. A comparison between both systems to verify a predisposition to Leptospira spp. infection showed that susceptibility was greater in extensively reared animals than in those bred in confinement (χ2 test, p<0.05). Inflammatory infiltrates covered an average area larger in the seropositive revealing a significant difference for the seronegative animals (p<0.05, Mann-Whitney U-Test). Morphometric analysis showed Leptospira spp. and antigen labeling in seropositive animals only (p<0.05, Mann-Whitney U-test). Apoptosis in tubular epithelial cells was significantly more evident in the infected animals compared to uninfected. The rearing system and environment conditions are an important factor in the susceptibility of swine to Leptospira spp. infection. An eventual association of leptospira antigen and apoptotic cells suggests a probable mechanism of renal injury at leptospirosis.

Foram utilizados 12 pares de úmeros obtidos de bezerros machos da raça Holandesa, com idades entre 15 e 30 dias. Os úmeros esquerdos foram mantidos íntegros, e os direitos foram fraturados de forma oblíqua em sua diáfise, na transição entre os terços médio e proximal. A redução da fratura foi feita pela aplicação intramedular de haste de polipropileno, bloqueada por dois parafusos corticais de aço inoxidável, dispostos transversalmente em cada fragmento ósseo. Seis pares de ossos foram submetidos ao teste de compressão, e seis ao teste de flexão, utilizando-se uma máquina universal de ensaios. Nos testes de compressão, as cargas médias de ruptura foram 738,3N e 473,3N, e nos testes de flexão 322,4N e 117,9N, para os ossos íntegros e fraturados, respectivamente. Comparando-se o grupo de ossos fraturados com o grupo de ossos íntegros, verificou-se que o sistema proposto foi capaz de resistir a 66,4% das cargas médias quando submetido à compressão, e a 36,6% quando submetido à flexão. Úmeros fraturados e tratados com haste intramedular de polipropileno apresentaram resistência limitada se comparados aos ossos íntegros.

A total of 12 pairs of humeri from male calves 15 to 30 days old were used. The left humeri remained unchanged and the right ones were fractured in the diaphysis between proximal and middle thirds. The fracture was fixed with a polypropylene intramedullary nail interlocked with two steel bone screws crossed along each segment. Six pairs of bones were subjected to a compression test and the others to a flexural test using a universal testing machine. In the compression tests, the mean rupture loads were 738,3N and 473,3N, and in the flexural tests they were 322,4N and 117,9N for the intact and fractured bones respectively. Fractured bones fixed with the proposed model were able to resist 66.4% of the load during compression and 36.6% during bending when in comparison to intact bones. Fractured humeri treated with polypropylene intramedullary nail showed limited resistance compared to intact ones.

INTRODUÇÃO: Até o presente momento, não se tem confirmação da presença de alterações neuropsicológicas em pacientes com hipotireoidismo subclínico (HS). O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar essas alterações. MÉTODO: Estudo seccional comparando os achados neuropsicológicos de 65 pacientes com HS e 31 indivíduos eutireoidianos. HS foi confirmado por duas dosagens plasmáticas elevadas de TSH (> 4 µUI/ml) associadas com dosagem sérica de T4L na faixa da normalidade (0,9-1,8 ng/dl). Para avaliação neuropsicológica, foram utilizados o procedimento de Buschke, a figura de Rey-Osterrieth, o reconhecimento de palavras e faces de Warrington e o subteste Vocabulário do WAIS-R. RESULTADOS: Os grupos foram similares quanto a idade, sexo e nível de escolaridade. Não encontramos alterações neuropsicológicas nos pacientes com HS em comparação ao grupo eutireoidiano. CONCLUSÃO: Não foi encontrada nenhuma diferença nos resultados dos testes neuropsicológicos entre os dois grupos em relação às funções estudadas.

INTRODUCTION: Neuropsychological changes are still controversial in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SH). The objective of this study is to assess these changes. METHOD: Cross-sectional study comparing the results of the neurocognitive evaluation of 65 SH patients and 31 individuals without thyroid disease. Subclinical hypothyroidism was defined as at least two elevated serum TSH levels (> 4 µUI/ml) with normal serum free T4 levels (0.9-1.8 ng/dl). The participants underwent the following neuropsychological assessment: Buschke’s Selective Reminding Procedure, Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test, Warrington’s Recognition Memory Test for Words and Faces, and the Vocabulary subtest of the WAIS-R. RESULTS: The groups were similar in regard to mean age, sex and educational level. No neuropsychological change was found in patients with SH when compared with euthyroid individuals. CONCLUSION: No difference was observed in the performance of the neuropsychological tests between both groups in regard to the functions studied.

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi inventariar as espécies de parasitóides associadas à mosca-do-figo Zaprionus indianus Gupta, 1970 (Dip.: Drosophilidae) em cultivos de goiabeira. Frutos atacados foram depositados em recipientes plásticos, sobre uma camada de areia fina com 5 cm de espessura, a qual serviu como substrato para a fase pupal. Os pupários foram separados do substrato pelo método de flutuação, sendo individualizados em cápsulas de gelatina onde permaneceram até a emergência das moscas adultas ou de seus parasitóides Nesse estudo foi registrada a ocorrência do parasitóide Pachycrepoideus vindemiae (Rondani, 1875) (Hym.: Pteromalidae), em pupários de Z. indianus. A prevalência de parasitismo observada foi de 3,5%. moscadofigo mosca figo Gupta 197 Dip. Dip (Dip. Drosophilidae goiabeira plásticos espessura pupal flutuação Rondani, Rondani (Rondani 1875 Hym. Hym (Hym. Pteromalidae, Pteromalidae , Pteromalidae) Z 35 3 3,5% 19 (Dip 187 (Hym 3,5 1 18 3,

ABSTRACT The main objective of this study was to register the parasitoid species associated to Zaprionus indianus Gupta, 1970 (Dip.: Drosophilidae) pupae on guajava crops. Fruits with signs of infestation, e.g., oviposition punctures, were picked and placed in plastic containers, over a 5-cm layer of thin sand, which was utilized as substrate for the pupal phase. The pupae were individualized in gelatin capsules where they remained until the fruit flies or the emergence of their parasitoids. This study registered the occurrence of Pachycrepoideus vindemiae (Rondani, 1875) (Hym.: Pteromalidae) on Z. indianus pupae. The prevalence of parasitism observed was 3.5%. Gupta 197 Dip. Dip (Dip. Drosophilidae crops infestation eg e g e.g. punctures containers 5cm cm 5 sand phase parasitoids Rondani, Rondani (Rondani 1875 Hym. Hym (Hym. Pteromalidae Z 35 3 3.5% 19 (Dip e.g 187 (Hym 3.5 1 18 3.

Several genes that influence the development and function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal-axis (HPG) have been identified. These genes encode an array of transcription factors, matrix proteins, hormones, receptors, and enzymes that are expressed at multiple levels of the HPG. We report the experience of a single Endocrinology Unit in the identification and characterization of naturally occurring mutations in families affected by HPG disorders, including forms of precocious puberty, hypogonadism and abnormal sexual development due to impaired gonadotropin function. Eight distinct genes implicated in HPG function were studied: KAL, SF1, DAX1, GnRH, GnRHR, FSHß, FSHR, and LHR. Most mutations identified in our cohort are described for the first time in literature. New mutations in SF1, DAX1 and GnRHR genes were identified in three Brazilian patients with hypogonadism. Eight boys with luteinizing hormone- (LH) independent precocious puberty due to testotoxicosis were studied, and all have their LH receptor (LHR) defects elucidated. Among the identified LHR molecular defects, three were new activating mutations. In addition, these mutations were frequently associated with new clinical and hormonal aspects, contributing significantly to the knowledge of the molecular basis of reproductive disorders. In conclusion, the naturally occurring genetic mutations described in the Brazilian families studied provide important insights into the regulation of the HPG.