Abstract In sports, training needs to be done according to various training patterns to optimize performance. However, this has been a major challenge to athletes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, therefore describing the impacts of lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on the athlete’s training routine is necessary. 52 Brazilian athletes (Age: 31.5±10.3 years; Body Mass Index: 23.9±3.5 kg/m²), Olympic and Paralympic sports practitioners (professional and recreational) answered an online questionnaire [frequency, duration and intensity (subjective perception of effort) of training sessions], before and during lockdown (July to November/2020). The weekly training frequency (sessions/week) reduced by 48.1% (n=25) and was significantly higher among those who performed more than eight sessions before the pandemic (75% of them, p<0.000). The duration of the sessions (hours/day) decreased by 55.8% (n=29) and was significantly higher in athletes who performed training lasting more than one hour/day [75.9% of them (n=22)] and 24.1% (n= 7) performed training for more than two hours/day (p=0.132). The subjective perception of effort significantly decreased by 56%, from 8.4±1.2 to 5.5±1.7 (p=0.001). Because of the lockdown, athletes have suffered a reduction in the frequency, volume and intensity of their training sessions, but only in those with higher pre-pandemic training loads.

RESUMO Mastites bovinas causadas por Mycoplasma spp., independentemente da espécie causadora, são consideradas de alta contagiosidade e geralmente não responsivas à terapia antimicrobiana. Cinco propriedades leiteiras foram utilizadas neste estudo, totalizando 489 animais e 1956 quartos mamários. As amostras de leite foram obtidas de tanques de expansão e submetidas à reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) para pesquisa de Mollicutes, Mycoplasma spp. e Mycoplasma bovis. Apenas um tanque de uma propriedade foi positivo na PCR para a classe Mollicutes. Amostras individuais de casos de mastite subclínica provenientes de propriedade com tanque positivo também foram submetidas à análise molecular; dessas, duas delas (2,08%) foram positivas para a classe Mollicutes e para o gênero Mycoplasma, entretanto nenhuma foi positiva para a espécie Mycoplasma bovis. Isso sugere que a PCR de tanques de expansão de propriedades leiteiras demonstra ser uma ferramenta viável no monitoramento e na prevenção de infecções por Mycoplasma spp.

ABSTRACT Mastitis caused by Mycoplasma spp., regardless of species, are considered highly contagious pathogens and, usually was not responsive to antimicrobial therapy. Five dairy herds, comprising 489 animals and 1,956 mammary glands, were used in this study. Milk samples were obtained from bulk tanks and subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the identification of Mollicutes, Mycoplasma spp., and Mycoplasma bovis. Moreover, individual samples from cases of clinical and subclinical mastitis in quarters of the dairy herds’ animals that yielded a positive PCR upon bulk tank analysis were subjected to molecular analysis. Only one bulk tank was positive for class Mollicutes by PCR. All positive samples classified as mastitis teats had their DNA extracted and tested by PCR for both class Mollicutes and M. bovis. Of these, two (2.08%) were positive for Mycoplasma genus, although none was positive for M. bovis. This result suggests that the PCR of bulk tanks is a viable tool in monitoring and preventing mastitis infections caused by Mycoplasma spp.

This paper presents an up-to-date review of the evidence indicating that atypical neurotransmitters such as nitric oxide (NO) and endocannabinoids (eCBs) play an important role in the regulation of aversive responses in the periaqueductal gray (PAG). Among the results supporting this role, several studies have shown that inhibitors of neuronal NO synthase or cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) receptor agonists cause clear anxiolytic responses when injected into this region. The nitrergic and eCB systems can regulate the activity of classical neurotransmitters such as glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) that control PAG activity. We propose that they exert a ‘fine-tuning’ regulatory control of defensive responses in this area. This control, however, is probably complex, which may explain the usually bell-shaped dose-response curves observed with drugs that act on NO- or CB1-mediated neurotransmission. Even if the mechanisms responsible for this complex interaction are still poorly understood, they are beginning to be recognized. For example, activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 channel (TRPV1) receptors by anandamide seems to counteract the anxiolytic effects induced by CB1 receptor activation caused by this compound. Further studies, however, are needed to identify other mechanisms responsible for this fine-tuning effect.

Plectranthus sp. pertence à família Lamiaceae e inclui cerca de 300 espécies. Duas delas, P. barbatus (PB) e P. ornatus (PO) destacam-se pelo interesse medicinal. As principais substâncias encontradas em Plectranthus sp. são os diterpenóides, óleos essenciais e compostos fenólicos. A melhor forma de utilizar as folhas de PB e PO é a fresco; porém, na comercialização há necessidade de recorrer a processos de secagem. Entretanto, isto pode interferir no princípio ativo, desta forma, estudos para determinar o melhor método gravimétrico são importantes. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar qual o melhor método de secagem, onde haja maior perda de água possível, e calcular os rendimentos dos extratos visando avaliar se o método gravimétrico interfere na quantidade de extrato produzido. Desta forma, utilizou-se quatro métodos de secagem e após evaporação do solvente, fez-se o cálculo do rendimento dos extratos secos. O percentual de água foi superior em PB e PO (média geral de 90,12±8,22%). Dentre as secagens, em estufa de ventilação forçada (EVF) foi mais eficiente em PB (88,87%) e em estufa convencional (ECO) foi melhor em PO (95,13%). O maior rendimento do extrato seco em PB foi na secagem em camada delgada (CD) (20,96%), enquanto que em PO foi ECO (41,34%). Não houve correlação entre o método de secagem e o rendimento de extrato obtido.

Plectranthus sp. belongs to the family Lamiaceae and includes about 300 species. Two of them, P. barbatus (PB) and P. ornatus (PO), have medicinal interest. The main substances found in Plectranthus sp. are the diterpenoids, essential oils and phenolic compounds. The best way to use the leaves of PB and PO is cool; but for marketing there is a need of resort to drying processes. However, this may interfere on the values of active principle; thus, studies to determine the best gravimetric methods are important. The objective of this study was to evaluate the best method of drying, where there the greater loss of water possible, and calculate the percentage of the extracts to assess whether the gravimetric method interferes with the amount of extract produced. To this was done by drying four different methods ventilated dry (EVF), conventional drying (ECO), microwave (MCO) and layer thing (CD) and after evaporation of the solvent, was made the calculation the percentage of the dried extract. The water content was higher in PB and PO (overall average of 90.12±8.22%). Among the drying, EVF was more efficient for PB (88.87%) and ECO was better for PO (95.13%). The highest content of dry extract was for PB in to CD (20.96%), whereas for PO was in to ECO (41.34%). There is no relationship between the drying method and in the quantity of extract obtained.

Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) S.F. Blake é uma espécie nativa da Floresta Atlântica, cujos indivíduos arbóreos desapareceram devido a um episódio de mortalidade na Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro. Neste trabalho, os anéis de crescimento foram investigados com o objetivo de determinar a idade das árvores mortas, a relação da largura desses anéis com os índices pluviométricos locais e a possível relação do episódio de mortalidade com a estrutura etária da população ou com processos sucessionais. Os resultados demonstraram que os indivíduos morreram com diferentes idades e que a largura dos anéis de crescimento foi significativamente correlacionada com a precipitação anual no período investigado. A possibilidade do episódio de mortalidade refletir um processo de sucessão natural ou um evento particular de uma população senescente foi descartada e é provável que as anomalias climáticas ocorridas entre os anos de 1997 e 2001 tenham contribuído para a mortalidade das árvores.

Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) S.F. Blake is a native species of the Atlantic rain forest which trees disappeared from Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro, due to a mortality episode. In this study, the growth-rings were investigated with the objective of determining the age of the dead trees, the relationship between growth-ring width and local precipitation, and the possible relationship between mortality episode and the population age structure or successional processes. The results showed that dead individuals had different ages and that growth-rings width was significantly correlated with the annual precipitation in the period investigated. The possibility of the death episode being part of a natural succession process or a particular event of a senescent population was discarded and it is suggested that climatic anomalies that occurred between the years 1997 and 2001 have probably contributed to tree mortality.

Foram utilizadas 28 aves adultas, separadas aleatoriamente em quatro grupos. Os pombos foram anestesiados com isoflurano para a realização da osteotomia diafisária transversa do úmero direito. No grupo I, a osteossíntese foi realizada associando-se dois pinos de Kirschner e polimetilmetacrilato, intramedulares; no grupo II, os pinos de Kirschner foram substituídos por pinos de Schanz; no grupo III, foram utilizados apenas dois pinos de Kirschner; e, no grupo IV, apenas dois pinos de Shanz. Os tempos médios para a consolidação óssea foram de 29±4,04 dias no grupo I; 24±5,29 dias no grupo II; 33±3,74 dias no grupo III; e 32,9±5,21 dias no grupo IV. Foi observada migração dos pinos em 42,9% dos animais do grupo I, em 0% nos do grupo II, em 85,7% nos do grupo III, e em 28,6% nos do grupo IV. Em duas aves dos grupos I, III e IV notou-se incapacidade de voar. Os resultados demonstram que a associação de dois pinos de Schanz e polimetilmetacrilato, ambos intramedulares, é um método efetivo para osteossíntese de úmero em pombos domésticos (Columba livia), proporcionando rápida consolidação óssea e mínimas complicações.

Twenty-eight adult domestic pigeons (Columba livia) were randomly divided into four groups of seven birds each. Anesthesia was performed with isoflurane and oxygen, and an osteotomy of the right humerus midshaft was performed with an electric cutter. On the sequence, one of the following treatments was chosen: group I, two Kirschner pins and polymethylmethacrylate intramedullary; group II, two Schanz pins and polymethylmethacrylate intramedullary; group III, two Kirschner pins only; and group IV, two Schanz pins only. The mean time ± standard deviation for fracture healing was 29±4.04 days in group I; 24±5.29 days in group II; 33±3.74 days in group III; 32.9±5.21 days in group IV. Pin migration was observed in 42.9% of the group I animals, 0% of group II, 85.7% of group III, and 28.6% of group IV. Two pigeons of groups I, III, and IV presented flight incapability. The results suggest that two Schanz pins and polymethylmethacrylate intramedullary are an effective method of humeral ostheosynthesis in domestic pigeons (Columba livia), resulting in faster fracture healing with minimal complications.