We aimed to evaluate whether the administration of riboflavin to septic animals reduces inflammation, oxidative stress, organ dysfunction, and mortality. C57BL/6 mice, 6-8 weeks old, were allocated to the study group (polymicrobial sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) + antibiotic + iv riboflavin), control (CLP + antibiotic + iv saline), or naïve (non-operated controls). Serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), urea, and creatinine, and markers of inflammation [interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC), and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2)], and oxidative stress (malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured 12 h after the experiment. Animal survival rates were calculated after 7 days. Means between groups were compared using linear regression models adjusted under the Bayesian approach. No significant difference was observed between control and study groups in serum concentrations of IL-6 (95% credible interval) (-0.35 to 0.44), TNF-α (-15.7 to 99.1), KC (-0.13 to 0.05), MIP-2 (-0.84 to 0.06), MDA (-1.25 to 2.53), or ALT (-6.6 to 11.5). Serum concentrations of CK-MB (-145.1 to -30.1), urea (-114.7 to -15.1), and creatinine (-1.14 to -0.01) were higher in the study group. Survival was similar in both groups (P=0.8). Therefore, the use of riboflavin in mice undergoing sepsis induced by CLP did not reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, organ dysfunction, or mortality compared with placebo.

Episodic angioedema with eosinophilia (EAE) is a rare condition characterized by recurrent attacks of angioedema and urticaria accompanied by a marked elevation of peripheral eosinophil count. We report the case of a young female patient diagnosed with EAE associated with urticarial vasculitis. A 40-year-old female patient was admitted to our institution due to recurrent episodes of cheek and eyelid angioedema in the previous year. Episodes of facial angioedema lasted for two months with spontaneous remission afterwards. In addition, she presented pruritic and painful skin eruptions of erythematous circles, which persisted for longer than 24 h, that were palpable, somewhat purplish, and more pronounced on the face, arms, and trunk. Laboratory investigation showed a sustained elevation of white cell counts with marked eosinophilia. Serum IgM, IgE, and IgA were normal; IgG was slightly elevated. C1-esterase inhibitor and tryptase test were normal. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was performed for detection of FIP1L1-PDGFRA and BCR-ABL rearrangements. None of these alterations were found. Skin biopsies were suggestive of urticarial vasculitis. The patient was submitted to esophagogastroduodenoscopy, which showed mild chronic gastritis, with no eosinophilic infiltration. Cardiac dimensions and function were normal. Abdominal ultrasound and total body CT-scan failed to show lymphadenopathy, organomegaly, and tumors. We report the first case of association between episodic angioedema with eosinophilia and urticarial vasculitis. It is possible that both conditions share a physiopathological mechanism, suggesting that it is not just a chance association.

RESUMO O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do óleo essencial (OE) de tomilho nos parâmetros ruminais, na digestibilidade e no balanço de nitrogênio em borregos alimentados com elevado teor de concentrado. Vinte borregos providos de cânulas ruminais foram blocados de acordo com o peso corporal (PC=64,0±2,1kg) e receberam um dos tratamentos: 25mg de monensina/kg de matéria seca (MS; MON) ou doses de OE de tomilho (1,25; 2,50 ou 3,75g/kg de MS). A dieta foi composta por 90% de concentrado. A composição do OE de tomilho foi principalmente timol (46,6% da MS) e p-cimeno (38,9% da MS). A ingestão e a digestibilidade dos nutrientes foram semelhantes entre os tratamentos. A inclusão de 3,75g de OE de tomilho tendeu (P=0,07) a aumentar o butirato em relação aos tratamentos MON e 1,25OE. Os borregos alimentados com 1,25g de OE tenderam (P=0,07) a apresentar menor pH ruminal no 14º dia comparado a MON. No entanto, os tratamentos não afetaram a relação acetato:propionato, concentração total de ácidos graxos de cadeia curta e retenção de nitrogênio. Os resultados sugerem que a adição de OE de tomilho em dietas com elevado teor de concentrado pode ser uma alternativa à monensina como aditivo alimentar para cordeiros em confinamento.

ABSTRACT This trial aimed to evaluate the effects of thyme essential oils (EO) on rumen parameters, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance in wethers fed with high-concentrate diet. Twenty rumen-cannulated wethers were blocked according to body weight (BW= 64.0±2.1kg), and received one of the following treatments: 25mg of monensin/kg of dry matter (DM; MON) or doses of thyme EO (1.25, 2.50 or 3.75g/kg of DM). The diet was composed of 90% concentrate. Thyme EO was composed mainly by thymol (46.6% of DM) and p-cymene (38.9% of DM). The nutrient intake and apparent digestibility were similar among treatments. The inclusion of 3.75g of thyme EO tended (P= 0.07) to increase butyrate compared to MON and 1.25OE and wethers fed with 1.25g of thyme EO tended (P= 0.07) to decrease ruminal pH on the 14th day compared to MON. The treatments did not affect acetate:propionate ratio, total short chain fatty acids (SCFA) and nitrogen retention. Results from this study suggest that adding thyme EO to high-concentrate diets may be used as an alternative to monensin as feed additive in feedlot lambs.

Abstract Several countries included the assessment of environmental drift contamination risk for the registration of pesticides. This practice is not yet totality effective in Brazil; however, due to the large number of pesticides in use, it is important to identify the real contamination risk during pesticide spraying. Therefore, this study determined the indices of environmental risks for exposure to drift from terrestrial applications of fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides that are used in soybean crops under Brazilian climate conditions and established buffer zones for the application of these products. Based on the three prediction drift models for soybeans in Brazil, risk indices were computed for aquatic organisms and terrestrial organisms according to the modelling procedures proposed by the POCER (Pesticide Occupation and Environmental Risk) and HAIR (Harmonized Environmental Indicators for Pesticide Risk) methodologies. In general, aquatic organisms are the most sensitive to drift contamination, being chlorothalonil, trifluralin and chlorpyrifos the ones that presented the higher risk indexes. No risk was found for earthworms; in contrast, the insecticides chlorpyrifos, spinosad and thiamethoxam presented risks to bees regardless of the nozzle (droplet size) used for the determination of the drift curve, resulting in the demand for different buffer zones.

Abstract Background: The use of electrostatic spray has the potential to optimize pesticide applications; however, further studies are required to verify its effectiveness. Objective: The objective of this work was to evaluate the electrostatic application system for the chemical control of weeds with glyphosate and adjuvant in different carrier volumes. Methods: The physicochemical properties of the spray solution, charge/mass relations, spray deposition on weeds, losses to the soil, effectiveness of weed control, and spray drift were evaluated. The field experiment was designed to have randomized blocks with four replications in a 2x2x2+2 factorial: the presence or not of electrostatic spray; with and without adjuvant (soybean lecithin + propionic acid); two carrier volumes (50 and 90 L ha-1); a control without applications and a conventional spray rate (150 L ha-1) for additional treatments. The study was performed in duplicate. Results: The electrostatic system energized the droplets during the application of glyphosate and adjuvant; however, this did not influence the deposition on the weeds, the losses to the soil, and the drift. The adjuvant improved the effectiveness of weed control in various situations, changed the spray solution properties, and reduced the losses due to drift. Conclusions: The adjuvant used proved to be an important tool in application technology. The effectiveness of weed control, in general, was not influenced by the electrostatic system.

RESUMO Este relato de caso descreve atresia anal, alteração anatômica da uretra (inserida caudalmente ao úbere), articulações espessadas e alterações na pelve em um neonato bovino da raça Holandesa. A visualização da porção final do reto não foi possível pelo acesso perineal, e laparotomia através do flanco direito foi feita para exploração abdominal e realização da colostomia. Durante o procedimento cirúrgico, foram observadas ruptura visceral e malformações incompatíveis com a vida, então os cirurgiões optaram pela eutanásia e necropsia. Alterações foram confirmadas nos tratos geniturinário e gastrointestinal. A não formação do ânus causou dilatação da porção distal do reto com retenção fecal, desviando ao corpo do útero, o qual possibilitou a entrada de mecônio nesse compartimento, além de outras alterações devido à ingestão e alteração no trânsito gastrointestinal. Essa quantidade de alterações anatômicas e clínicas foi diagnosticada como artrogripose congênita múltipla.

ABSTRACT This report describes an anal atresia, anatomical urethra alteration (slightly caudal to the udder), thickened joints, and changes in the pelvis in a newborn Holstein cow. Visualization of the final portion of the rectum was not possible by perineal access and laparotomy through the right flank was performed in order for abdominal exploration and colostomy attempt. During the surgical procedure visceral rupture and malformations incompatible with life were observed, so surgeons opted for euthanasia and necropsy. Alterations were confirmed in the genitourinary and gastrointestinal tract. The non-formation of the anus caused dilation of the distal portion of the rectum with fecal content retention, which was drained to the body of the uterus, with the presence of meconium. This amount of anatomical and clinical changes were diagnosed as congenital multiple arthrogryposis.

RESUMO Celtis iguanaea (Jacq.) Sargent é uma planta usada popularmente para tratar infecções do trato urinário, rim, mama, dores no corpo, reumatismo, asma, cólicas, má digestão e também é usada como diurético. Este trabalho objetivou determinar a toxicidade aguda do extrato aquoso de folhas de Celtis iguanaea (Jacq.) Sargent em roedores. Após os processos de coleta, identificação, secagem e moagem, o pó liofilizado das folhas da planta foi utilizado para produzir o seu extrato aquoso por infusão e então dissolvido em solução salina a 0.9 %. A administração foi feita por gavagem na dose de 2000 mg kg-1 em ratos e camundongos de ambos os sexos. A toxicidade oral foi determinada de acordo com o guia 423 da OECD. Sinais de toxicidade foram observados por 15 dias e tabulados de 0 a 4, respectivamente, como ausentes, raros, leves, moderados e graves. Foi acompanhado o peso dos animais e parâmetros fisiológicos tais como alimentação e excreções. Amostras do tecido de todo o animal foram coletadas para análise histológica. A toxicidade encontrada para o extrato foi incluída na classe 5 (substâncias com DL50 superior a 2000 mg kg-1 e menor que 5000 mg kg-1) sendo considerada baixa, porém, as observações histopatológicas sugerem nefrotoxicidade e cardiotoxicidade. O peso absoluto dos rins e coração de ratos e camundongos machos aumentou, porém, não houve aumento significativo no peso relativo dos órgãos dos animais.

RESUMO Celtis iguanaea (Jacq.) Sargent is popularly used to treat urinary infections, kidneys, breast, body aches, rheumatism, asthma, cramps, poor digestion and as a diuretic medicine. This study aims to determine the acute toxicity of the aqueous leaf extract of Celtis iguanaea (Jacq.) Sargent in rodents. After the collection processes, identification, drying and grinding, the lyophilized powder of the leaves produced, by infusion, the aqueous extract and it was dissolved in saline 0.9%. The administration was made by gavage at a dose of 2000 mg kg-1to rats and mice of both genders. The oral toxicity was determined according to the OECD 423 guide. Signs of toxicity were observed for 15 days and classified from 0 to 4 respectively as missing, rare, mild, moderate and severe. The weight of the animals and the physiological parameters such as food intake and excrements production were observed. All animal tissue samples were collected for histological analysis. The extract was included in Type 5 (substance with LD50 higher than 2000 mg kg-1 and less than 5000 mg kg-1), being considered of low toxicity, but the histopathologycal findings suggested nephrotoxicity and cardiotoxicity. The absolute weight of the kidneys and the heart of the male rats and mice increased, but there was no significant raise in the relative weight of the animals’ organs.

Novos métodos são necessários para detectar de forma rápida a contaminação do leite UAT, entre eles, a técnica de ATP-Bioluminescência. Portanto, objetivou-se comparar os resultados de métodos de cultura tradicionais com os resultados de ATP-Bioluminescência de 102 amostras de leite UAT integral incubadas por 48, 72 e 168 horas. Os leites UAT foram analisados quanto à presença de micro-organismos aeróbicos mesófilos e psicrotróficos usando os ágares PCA, BHI e placas PetrifilmTM AC. A técnica de ATP-Bioluminescência foi aplicada por meio do sistema Microbial Luminescent Screening (MLS). Significantes correlações foram obtidas entre as contagens de micro-organismos mesófilos aeróbios em PCA, PetrifilmTM AC, BHI e os resultados da técnica de ATP-Bioluminescência (p<0,05). A técnica de ATP-Bioluminescência tem maior correlação com o método de contagem em meio PCA que BHI. Quando valores limites de Unidades Relativas de Luz (60, 50, 45 e 40 RLU) foram menores, o número de amostras identificadas como positivas aumentou e concordou estatisticamente com a contagem de micro-organismos mesófilos aeróbios (P>0,05). Para as indústrias de laticínios, a técnica de ATP-Bioluminescência pode se tornar uma ferramenta auxiliar aos métodos oficiais para o monitoramento rápido da qualidade microbiológica do leite UAT, desde que sejam utilizados limites abaixo de 150 RLU.

New approaches are needed to quickly indicate possible contamination of UHT milk, among them the technique of ATP-Bioluminescence. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the results of culture methods with the results of ATP-Bioluminescence technique of 102 UHT whole milk samples incubated at 48, 72, and 168 hours. UHT milk samples were analyzed for the presence of mesophilic and psychrotrophic aerobic microorganisms using Plate Count Agar (PCA), Brain-Heart Infusion (BHI) media and PetrifilmTM Aerobic Count (AC) plates. The ATP-Bioluminescence technique was applied through the Microbial Luminescent Screening (MLS) system. Significant correlations were found between counts of aerobic mesophilic microorganisms on PCA, PetrifilmTM AC, BHI and results of ATP bioluminescence technique (P≤0.05). The ATP-Bioluminescence technique had higher correlation with counting method in PCA than BHI media. At lower pass/fail limits of Relative Light Units (60, 50, 45 and 40 RLU), the number of samples identified as positive increased and statistically agreed with aerobic mesophilic microorganism counts (P>0.05). For the dairy industry, the ATP-Bioluminescence technique may become an important tool that assists the official methods to quickly monitor the microbiological quality of UHT milk though this will likely require a threshold below 150 RLU.

No presente trabalho, tratamos de um problema vindo das ciências aplicadas, a potencialização da extração petrolífera, com o objetivo de destacar seu caráter interdisciplinar. Acompanhamos as principais etapas da determinação de parâmetros petrofísicos de rochas via simulação de fenômenos físicos. Intentamos a exposição dos conceitos pertinentes e nos referimos à literatura para detalhes técnicos específicos. A importância dos ensaios experimentais no desenvolvimento de algoritmos simulatórios, assim como a relevância da colaboração de profissionais de diferentes áreas para uma pesquisa científica abrangente são abordados em uma breve discussão no final do texto. A intenção é mostrar a amplitude das aplicações da física, discutindo as aproximações e limitações da descrição do problema em questão.

In this paper, we study the problem of oil extraction from a perspective of the applied sciences with the aim to highlight the interdisciplinarity of this subject. We follow the main stages of the determination of petrophysical rock parameters via simulation of physical phenomena. We restrict the presentation of relevant concepts and refer to the literature for specific technical details. The importance of experimental trials in developing simulations, as well as the importance of the collaboration of professionals from different areas for a comprehensive scientific research are addressed in a brief discussion at the end of the text. The intention is to show the breadth of applications of physics, discussing the approximations and limitations of the description of the discussed problem.

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a pharmacogenetic disease triggered by volatile anesthetics and succinylcholine. Deaths due to MH have been reported in Brazil. The first Malignant Hyperthermia Diagnostic and Research Center in Latin America was inaugurated in 1993 at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The center followed the diagnostic protocols of the North America MH Group, in which the contractures of biopsies from the vastus lateralis muscle are analyzed after exposure to caffeine and halothane (CHCT). CHCT was performed in individuals who survived, their relatives and those with signs/symptoms somewhat related to MH susceptibility (MHS). Here, we report data from 194 patients collected over 16 years. The Southeast (N = 110) and South (N = 71) represented the majority of patients. Median age was 25 (4-70) years, with similar numbers of males (104) and females (90). MHS was found in 90 patients and 104 patients were normal. Abnormal responses to both caffeine and halothane were observed in 59 patients and to caffeine or halothane in 20 and 11 patients, respectively. The contracture of biopsies from MHS exposed to caffeine and halothane was 1.027 ± 0.075 g (N = 285) and 4.021 ± 0.255 g (N = 226), respectively. MHS was found in patients with either low or high blood creatine kinase and also, with a low score on the clinical grading scale. Thus, these parameters cannot be used with certainty to predict MHS. We conclude that the CHCT protocol described by the North America MH Group contributed to identification of MHS in suspected individuals at an MH center in Brazil with 100% sensitivity and 65.7% specificity.

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a pharmacogenetic disease triggered in susceptible individuals by the administration of volatile halogenated anesthetics and/or succinylcholine, leading to the development of a hypermetabolic crisis, which is caused by abnormal release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, through the Ca2+ release channel ryanodine receptor 1 (RyR1). Mutations in the RYR1 gene are associated with MH in the majority of susceptible families. Genetic screening of a 5-generation Brazilian family with a history of MH-related deaths and a previous MH diagnosis by the caffeine halothane contracture test (CHCT) in some individuals was performed using restriction and sequencing analysis. A novel missense mutation, Gly4935Ser, was found in an important functional and conserved locus of this gene, the transmembrane region of RyR1. In this family, 2 MH-susceptible individuals previously diagnosed with CHCT carry this novel mutation and another 24 not previously diagnosed members also carry it. However, this same mutation was not found in another MH-susceptible individual whose CHCT was positive to the test with caffeine but not to the test with halothane. None of the 5 MH normal individuals of the family, previously diagnosed by CHCT, carry this mutation, nor do 100 controls from control Brazilian and USA populations. The Gly4932Ser variant is a candidate mutation for MH, based on its co-segregation with disease phenotype, absence among controls and its location within the protein.