Sf9 Cell Metabolism Throughout the Recombinant Baculovirus and Rabies Virus-Like Particles Production in Two Culture Systems.

This work aimed to assess the Sf9 cell metabolism during growth, and infection steps with recombinant baculovirus bearing rabies virus proteins, to finally obtain rabies VLP in two culture systems: Schott flask (SF) and stirred tank reactor (STR). Eight assays were performed in SF and STR (four assays in each system) using serum-free SF900 III culture medium. Two non-infection growth kinetics assays and six recombinant baculovirus infection assays. The infection runs were carried out at 0.1 pfu/cell multiplicity of infection (MOI) for single baculovirus bearing rabies glycoprotein (BVG) and matrix protein (BVM) and a coinfection with both baculoviruses at MOI of 3 and 2 pfu/cell for BVG and BVM, respectively. The SF assays were done in triplicate. The glucose, glutamine, glutamate, lactate, and ammonium uptake or release specific rates were quantified over the exponential growth phase and infection stage. The highest uptake specific rate was observed for glucose (42.5 × 10-12 mmol cell/h) in SF and for glutamine (30.8 × 10-12 mmol/cell/h) in STR, in the exponential growth phases. A wave pattern was observed for assessed analytes throughout the infection phase and the glucose had the highest wave amplitude within the 10-10 mmol cell/h order. This alternative uptake and release behavior is in harmony with the lytic cycle of baculovirus in insect cells. The virus propagation and VLP generation were not limited by glucose, glutamine, and glutamate, neither by the toxicity of lactate nor ammonium under the conditions appraised in this work. The findings from this work can be useful to set baculovirus infection processes at high cell density to improve rabies VLP yield, purity, and productivity.

Identifying the most important, frequent, and physically demanding tasks of Brazilian firefighters.

This study aimed to identify the most important, frequently performed, and physically demanding tasks performed by Brazilian firefighters and to identify tasks that could be used to assess physical fitness. A subjective task analysis was conducted. Five hundred twenty-four firefighters (84% male; 16% females) responded to an online survey and rated 37 tasks across three domains (most important, most frequent, and most physically demanding). A dichotomous decision analysis was used to inform the proposed physical fitness tests. Wildland firefighting tasks presented the highest overall mean rate. Traffic control was considered the most important and frequently performed task. Lifeguard rescue was considered the most physically demanding task. The dichotomous analysis identified 14 essential tasks (seven structural firefighting and seven automobile accidents). The tasks identified may be helpful in developing criterion physical fitness tests and training programs related to firefighters' demands.Practitioner summary: The unpredictability, variability, and dangerousness of firefighting make it challenging to observe the physical demands imposed on firefighters. A subjective task analysis was conducted to identify essential tasks performed by Brazilian firefighters. Wildland firefighting, lifeguard rescue, automobile accidents, and structural firefighting tasks were the most important, frequent, and physically demanding.

A case-control study of atypical guttural pouch empyema in Arabian foals.

BACKGROUND: Upper respiratory disease was reported over many seasons in Arabian foals on a single stud farm in the Middle East. Affected foals were noted to have mucopurulent nasal discharge, cough, fever and tachypnea. All affected foals had been empirically treated with a macrolide and rifampicin, by the referring veterinarian without improvement. On endoscopic examination, all affected foals had significant guttural pouch empyema (GPE). OBJECTIVES: (1) To document a previously unreported presentation of guttural pouch empyema (GPE) in a family of juvenile Arabian foals; (2) To document the cytological and microbial composition of the empyema; (3) To identify clinical signs significantly correlated with the presence of GPE, as predictors for the need for guttural pouch (GP) endoscopy; (4) To demonstrate successful resolution of the identified syndrome with mechanical GP lavage and evidence based antimicrobial use, improving antibiotic stewardship and the one-health approach to respiratory disease in this demographic of foals. METHODS: Evaluation and scoring of clinical signs, upper airway endoscopy and thoracic ultrasound were performed in 14 affected foals and 10 age-matched controls, followed by comparative tracheal and guttural pouch sputum culture and cytological evaluation. Therapeutic GP lavage was performed and response to therapy monitored. RESULTS: GPE, cranioventrally distributed ultrasonographic lesions and opportunistic pathogen infection suggested a primary lesion of GPE with aspiration of GP discharge into the lungs. GP lavage resolved the empyema and associated clinical signs in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Cytological examination of tracheal and guttural pouch aspirates revealed a neutrophilic exudate with lipid-laden phagocytes, suggestive of engulfed milk. Bacteriology revealed a high prevalence of Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus admixed with other opportunistic pathogens. Streptococcus equi ssp. equi was not isolated in any case.

Biochemical monitoring throughout all stages of rabies virus-like particles production by Raman spectroscopy using global models.

This work aimed to quantify growth and biochemical parameters (viable cell density, Xv; cell viability, CV; glucose, lactate, glutamine, glutamate, ammonium, and potassium concentrations) in upstream stages to obtain rabies virus-like particles (rabies VLP) from insect cell-baculovirus system using on-line and off-line Raman spectra to calibrate global models with minimal experimental data. Five cultivations in bioreactor were performed. The first one comprised the growth of uninfected Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells, the second and third runs to obtain recombinant baculovirus (rBV) bearing Rabies G glycoprotein and matrix protein, respectively. The fourth one involved the generation of rabies VLP from rBVs and the last one was a repetition of the third one with cell inoculum infected by rBV. The spectra were acquired through a Raman spectrometer with a 785-nm laser source. The fitted Partial Least Square models for nutrients and metabolites were comparable with those previously reported for mammalian cell lines (Relative error < 15 %). However, the use of this chemometrics approach for Xv and CV was not as accurate as it was for other parameters. The findings from this work established the basis for bioprocess Raman spectroscopical monitoring using insect cells for VLP manufacturing, which are gaining ground in the pharmaceutical industry.

Sf9 cell metabolism throughout the recombinant Baculovirus and rabies virus-like particles production in two culture systems

This work aimed to assess the Sf9 cell metabolism during growth, and infection steps with recombinant baculovirus bearing rabies virus proteins, to fnally obtain rabies VLP in two culture systems: Schott fask (SF) and stirred tank reactor (STR). Eight assays were performed in SF and STR (four assays in each system) using serum-free SF900 III culture medium. Two non-infection growth kinetics assays and six recombinant baculovirus infection assays. The infection runs were carried out at 0.1 pfu/cell multiplicity of infection (MOI) for single baculovirus bearing rabies glycoprotein (BVG) and matrix protein (BVM) and a coinfection with both baculoviruses at MOI of 3 and 2 pfu/cell for BVG and BVM, respectively. The SF assays were done in triplicate. The glucose, glutamine, glutamate, lactate, and ammonium uptake or release specifc rates were quantifed over the exponential growth phase and infection stage. The highest uptake specifc rate was observed for glucose (42.5× 10–12 mmol cell/h) in SF and for glutamine (30.8× 10–12 mmol/cell/h) in STR, in the exponential growth phases. A wave pattern was observed for assessed analytes throughout the infection phase and the glucose had the highest wave amplitude within the 10–10 mmol cell/h order. This alternative uptake and release behavior is in harmony with the lytic cycle of baculovirus in insect cells. The virus propagation and VLP generation were not limited by glucose, glutamine, and glutamate, neither by the toxicity of lactate nor ammonium under the conditions appraised in this work. The fndings from this work can be useful to set baculovirus infection processes at high cell density to improve rabies VLP yield, purity, and productivity.

Biochemical monitoring throughout all stages of rabies virus-like particles production by Raman spectroscopy using global models

This work aimed to quantify growth and biochemical parameters (viable cell density, Xv; cell viability, CV; glucose, lactate, glutamine, glutamate, ammonium, and potassium concentrations) in upstream stages to obtain rabies virus-like particles (rabies VLP) from insect cell-baculovirus system using on-line and off-line Raman spectra to calibrate global models with minimal experimental data. Five cultivations in bioreactor were performed. The first one comprised the growth of uninfected Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells, the second and third runs to obtain recombinant baculovirus (rBV) bearing Rabies G glycoprotein and matrix protein, respectively. The fourth one involved the generation of rabies VLP from rBVs and the last one was a repetition of the third one with cell inoculum infected by rBV. The spectra were acquired through a Raman spectrometer with a 785-nm laser source. The fitted Partial Least Square models for nutrients and metabolites were comparable with those previously reported for mammalian cell lines (Relative error < 15 %). However, the use of this chemometrics approach for Xv and CV was not as accurate as it was for other parameters. The findings from this work established the basis for bioprocess Raman spectroscopical monitoring using insect cells for VLP manufacturing, which are gaining ground in the pharmaceutical industry.

Performance comparison of recombinant Baculovirus and rabies virus-like particles production using two culture platforms

This work aimed to assess, following upstream optimization in Schott flasks, the scalability from this culture platform to a stirred-tank bioreactor in order to yield rabies-recombinant baculovirus, bearing genes of G (BVG) and M (BVM) proteins, and to obtain rabies virus-like particles (VLP) from them, using Sf9 insect cells as a host. Equivalent assays in Schott flasks and a bioreactor were performed to compare both systems and a multivariate statistical approach was also carried out to maximize VLP production as a function of BVG and BVM’s multiplicity of infection (MOI) and harvest time (HT). Viable cell density, cell viability, virus titer, BVG and BVM quantification by dot-blot, and BVG quantification by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) were monitored throughout the assays. Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy was used to characterize rabies VLP. The optimal combination for maximum VLP expression was BVG and BVM MOI of 2.3 pfu/cell and 5.1 pfu/cell, respectively, and 108 h of harvest time. The current study confirmed that the utilization of Schott flasks and a benchtop bioreactor under the conditions applied herein are equivalent regarding the cell death kinetics corresponding to the recombinant baculovirus infection process in Sf9 cells. According to the results, the hydrodynamic and chemical differences in both systems seem to greatly affect the virus and VLP integrity after release.

Oxygen uptake and transfer rates throughout production of recombinant baculovirus and rabies virus-like particles

The technologies used in rabies vaccines manufacturing for human use are based on the inactivated virus platform. An alternative to traditional vaccines is virus-like particles (VLPs). This work aimed to characterize the oxygen uptake and transfer rate parameters throughout recombinant baculovirus (rBV) and rabies VLPs production using Sf9 cells in stirred tank bioreactor (STB) for a better bioprocess understanding and scalability. Four runs in a bench STB were performed: cell culture without infection; cells infected singly with rBV bearing rabies virus glycoprotein (rBVG, multiplicity of infection, MOI=0.1 pfu/cell) and matrix protein (rBVM, MOI=0.1 pfu/cell), and coinfected with BVG and BVM at MOI of 3 and 2 pfu/cell, respectively. The specific oxygen uptake rate () and volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient () were monitored throughout the reactions, as well as viable cell concentration, viability, rBV titers, and protein concentration. According to the results herein, the aeration and agitation systems in a bioreactor at a higher scale could be designed using the criterium for scale-up of constant , without oxygen facilities. Besides, rabies VLPs volumetric yield of 2.8 mg/L with a typical size (55–68 nm) was obtained. These findings suggest a promising bioprocess for rabies VLPs at a commercial scale.

Equine Infectious Anemia Virus (EIAV): Evidence of Circulation in Donkeys from the Brazilian Northeast Region.

Equine infectious anemia (EIA) is listed by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) as one of the equine diseases that must be notified. No effective treatment or vaccine is available. EIA control is based on segregation and euthanasia of positive equids. The disease is caused by the equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV), a member of the genus Lentivirus of the Retroviridae family. Despite the importance of this disease in equids, EIA has been poorly studied in donkeys (Equus asinus). We evaluate the sanitary conditions related to EIAV in donkeys from a shelter of abandoned animals captured on the roads of the Ceará. A total of 124 donkeys were randomly selected, and three horses lived at the same shelter. The animals were clinically evaluated, and a group of the 20 animals was submitted to hematological tests. Three diagnostic tests for EIA were used, agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using EIAV recombinant protein gp90 (rgp90) and recombinant protein p26 (rp26) ELISA, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of the EIAV tat-gag gene. From the donkeys, only 1 animal was positive using AGID 0.81% (1/124), compared to 21.8% (27/124) in the rgp90 and 10.5% (13/124) in the rp26 ELISA. Proviral DNA was detected by PCR tat-gag in 8.8% (11/124), and phylogenetic analysis confirms that the EIAV sequences of donkeys from the Brazilian Northeast grouped with Pantanal Brazilian sequences. Thus, in light of the results, we conclude that donkeys are carriers of EIAV and could be sources of infection.

Performance Comparison of Recombinant Baculovirus and Rabies Virus-like Particles production Using Two Culture Platforms.

This work aimed to assess, following upstream optimization in Schott flasks, the scalability from this culture platform to a stirred-tank bioreactor in order to yield rabies-recombinant baculovirus, bearing genes of G (BVG) and M (BVM) proteins, and to obtain rabies virus-like particles (VLP) from them, using Sf9 insect cells as a host. Equivalent assays in Schott flasks and a bioreactor were performed to compare both systems and a multivariate statistical approach was also carried out to maximize VLP production as a function of BVG and BVM's multiplicity of infection (MOI) and harvest time (HT). Viable cell density, cell viability, virus titer, BVG and BVM quantification by dot-blot, and BVG quantification by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) were monitored throughout the assays. Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy was used to characterize rabies VLP. The optimal combination for maximum VLP expression was BVG and BVM MOI of 2.3 pfu/cell and 5.1 pfu/cell, respectively, and 108 h of harvest time. The current study confirmed that the utilization of Schott flasks and a benchtop bioreactor under the conditions applied herein are equivalent regarding the cell death kinetics corresponding to the recombinant baculovirus infection process in Sf9 cells. According to the results, the hydrodynamic and chemical differences in both systems seem to greatly affect the virus and VLP integrity after release.

Arthroscopic removal of a solitary osteochondroma interfering with the podotrochlear apparatus in a foal.

OBJECTIVE: To report the diagnostics, surgical treatment, and outcome of a juvenile foal with solitary osteochondroma (SO) interfering with the podotrochlear apparatus. STUDY DESIGN: Case report ANIMAL: One 36-day-old Arabian colt. METHODS: Clinical, radiographic, ultrasonographic, computed tomographic, and histopathologic examinations were required to characterize and treat an SO located at the palmar aspect of the diaphysis of the second phalanx of the left forelimb. This SO caused severe distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) inflammation, marked interference with the podotrochlear apparatus, and associated lameness. RESULTS: Despite the small size of the foal's foot, complete resection of the SO was possible via palmar DIPJ arthroscopy by using motorized equipment. Full resolution of the lameness was achieved within 3 months of surgery. CONCLUSION: Atypical SO located on the palmar aspect of the second phalanx can cause marked nonseptic inflammation of the DIPJ and interference with the podotrochlear apparatus and should be considered among the differential diagnoses for severe lameness in juvenile foals. Arthroscopic resection of the SO led to an excellent outcome.

Enquadramento e avaliação do índice de qualidade da água dos igarapés Rabo de Porco e Precuá, localizados na área da Refinaria Premium I, município de Bacabeira (MA) / Ordination and evaluation of the water quality index for the creeks Rabo de Porco and Precuá, located in the Premium I Refinery area, municipality of Bacabeira (MA), Brazil

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar um diagnóstico da qualidade das águas dos igarapés Rabo de Porco e Precuá, localizados na área de implantação da Refinaria Premium I, no município de Bacabeira, Maranhão. Foram avaliadas as características físico-químicas e microbiológicas da água em pontos a montante e a jusante de cada corpo d'água, confrontando os resultados com a Resolução CONAMA nº 357/2005 e com o índice de qualidade da água (IQA). No período de maio a agosto de 2012, foram efetuadas amostragens mensais dos seguintes parâmetros físicos e químicos da água: temperatura, turbidez, pH, sólidos totais (ST), oxigênio dissolvido (OD), demanda bioquímica de oxigênio (DBO5), nitrogênio total, fósforo total (PT) e coliformes fecais. Os resultados mostraram diferenças significantes dos parâmetros entre os pontos a montante e a jusante apenas para as variáveis ST e turbidez, especialmente no Precuá. A análise dos componentes principais (PCA) revelou uma correlação moderada entre as variáveis. Os resultados obtidos enquadraram as águas da maioria dos pontos amostrados predominantemente na classe 3, seguida da classe 2 da Resolução CONAMA nº 357/2005. O IQA evidenciou ligeiras diferenças espaciais e temporais entre os corpos d'água investigados: o igarapé do Rabo de Porco registrou o melhor IQA, enquanto o pior IQA ocorreu na coleta de maio no ponto amostral Precuá a jusante. As informações levantadas servirão de base para avaliações de mudanças nas características e na qualidade dos corpos d'água estudados no decorrer da implantação e operação do empreendimento.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to assess the water quality for the creeks Rabo de Porco and Precuá, located in the area of deployment of the Premium I refinery in the municipality of Bacabeira, Maranhão, Brazil. The physico-chemical and microbiological characteristics of the water at points upstream and downstream of each water body were evaluated, comparing the results with the CONAMA Resolution 357/2005 and the water quality index (WQI). In the period from May to August 2012, monthly samples of the following physical and chemical parameters of water were made: temperature, turbidity, pH, total solids, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and fecal coliforms. The results showed significant differences in the parameters between upstream and downstream points, only for the parameters total solids and turbidity, especially for the Precuá creek. The principal component analysis revealed a moderate correlation between the parameters. The data indicated that water from most of the points can be classified in the class 3, followed by the class 2 of the CONAMA Resolution 357/2005. The WQI showed slight spatial and temporal differences between the water bodies investigated: Rabo de Porco creek registered the best WQI, while the worst one occurred in sampling at the downstream Precuá point in May. The information registered will be used as a basis for changes evaluation in characteristics and quality of water bodies studied during the deployment and operation of the enterprise.

Julgamento na auditoria: um estudo das características das pesquisas científicas / Judgment in auditing: a study of the profile of scientific research

Este estudo tem como objetivo principal delinear um perfil das pesquisas científicas que versam sobre o julgamento da auditoria. Para isso, foi realizado um estudo descritivo, tendo-se como instrumento de coleta dos dados artigos selecionados em periódicos via portal de periódicos da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES). Para aseleção dos artigos, foram utilizadas as palavras-chaves:audit, judgement, behavior, accounting e bias. Como técnica de coleta de dados foi realizada análise do artigo, identificando:temática, objetivo, número de autores, tipo de pesquisa e instrumento estatístico utilizado na análise dos resultados. Nos resultados foram identificadas publicações com a existência de coautores, com predominância do tipo de pesquisa experimental e empírico-analítico, sendo as análises de regressão e fatorial os instrumentos mais utilizados. Os estudos revelam preocupação dos autores em verificar a relação do julgamento na auditoria e seus efeitos em questões como o gerenciamento de resultados e relacionadas ao padrão ético, bem como ao grau de independência, confiabilidade, materialidade e, principalmente,de influências comportamentais, tais como o excesso de confiança e alcances no resultado final dos serviços prestados (AU)

This study aims at sketching out a profile of scientific papers dealing with judgments in the auditing. A descriptive study was carried out with data gathered from articles in journals found on the CAPES (government agency for higher education training) website. The keywords audit,judgment, behavior, accounting and bias were used for the selection of the articles. As a data collection technique, the articles were scanned for theme, aim, number of authors, type of research and statistical instrument used in the analysis of the results. Results showed the existence ofco-authored publications; most of them were based on experimental and empirical-analytic research; regression and factor analyses were the instruments most used. The studies show a concern by the authors in verifying the relationships between judgments in the auditing and their effects on issues such as results management,issues related to their ethical standards as well as the degree of independence, reliability and materiality, and especially that of behavioral influences such as overconfidence and the scope of the final results of the services provided (AU)

Occurrence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and its isolation and genotyping in donkeys, mules, and horses in Brazil.

The occurrence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii was determined in donkeys, mules, and horses from different regions of Brazil. Serum samples from 304 donkeys (67.11%), 118 horses (26.05%), and 31 mules (6.84%) were analyzed by means of the indirect fluorescent antibody test (cutoff=64). Antibodies against T. gondii were detected in 129 equids (28.47%) (82 donkeys, 32 horses, and 15 mules). Tissue samples from 19 seropositive and 50 seronegative animals were obtained in order to isolate the parasite by means of mouse bioassay, and T. gondii was isolated from a donkey. Through genotypic characterization of the isolate, by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) using 11 genotypic markers, the genotype #163 (TgCkBr220), which has already been described in chickens in Brazil, was identified.

Julgamento na auditoria: um estudo das características das pesquisas científicas / Judgment in auditing: a study of the profile of scientific research

Este estudo tem como objetivo principal delinear um perfil das pesquisas científicas que versam sobre o julgamento da auditoria. Para isso, foi realizado um estudo descritivo, tendo-se como instrumento de coleta dos dados artigos selecionados em periódicos via portal de periódicos da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES). Para a seleção dos artigos, foram utilizadas as palavras-chaves: audit, judgement, behavior, accounting e bias. Como técnica de coleta de dados foi realizada análise do artigo, identificando:temática, objetivo, número de autores, tipo de pesquisa e instrumento estatístico utilizado na análise dos resultados. Nos resultados foram identificadas publicações com a existência de coautores, com predominância do tipo de pesquisa experimental e empírico-analítico, sendo as análises de regressão e fatorial os instrumentos mais utilizados. Os estudos revelam preocupação dos autores em verificar a relação do julgamento na auditoria e seus efeitos em questões como o gerenciamento de resultados e relacionadas ao padrão ético, bem como ao grau de independência, confiabilidade, materialidade e, principalmente,de influências comportamentais, tais como o excesso de confiança e alcances no resultado final dos serviços prestados

This study aims at sketching out a profile of scientific papers dealing with judgments in the auditing. A descriptive study was carried out with data gathered from articles in journals found on the CAPES (government agency for higher education training) website. The keywords audit,judgment, behavior, accounting and bias were used for the selection of the articles. As a data collection technique, the articles were scanned for theme, aim, number of authors, type of research and statistical instrument used in the analysis of the results. Results showed the existence ofco-authored publications; most of them were based on experimental and empirical-analytic research; regression and factor analyses were the instruments most used. The studies show a concern by the authors in verifying the relationships between judgments in the auditing and their effects on issues such as results management,issues related to their ethical standards as well as the degree of independence, reliability and materiality, and especially that of behavioral influences such as overconfidence and the scope of the final results of the services provided

Avaliação de cinco casos de abortamento associado à leptospirose em éguas no Rio Grande do Norte / Five cases of miscarriage associated with leptospirosis assessment mares in Rio Grande do Norte

Este estudo teve como objetivo descrever casos de abortamento por leptospirose em éguas, ocorrido no município de Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte. Cinco éguas com histórico de abortamento foram submetidas a exames clínicos, hematológico e pesquisa de aglutininas anti-Leptospira para 22 diferentes sorovares, pelo Teste de Soroaglutinação Microscópica (SAM). Foi realizado exame anatomopatológico da placenta e de um feto equino abortado com 9 meses de idade. A infecção por Leptospira sp. ocorreu em três éguas que abortaram, sendo uma positiva para o sorovar Pomona, título 800; uma para o sorovar Hardjo, título 400; uma para o sorovar Icterohaemorrhagiae, título 400. No exame anatomopatológico da placenta foram observados cotilédones edemaciados de coloração vermelho escuro, com áreas focais enegrecidas, friáveis e necróticos. No exame necroscópico do feto observou-se icterícia, presença de líquido sero-sanguinolento na cavidade abdominal, torácica e saco pericárdico, áreas multifocais de hemorragia no fígado, coração e pulmão, rins de consistência friável e áreas multifocais branco amareladas. Histologicamente, verificou-se necrose e inflamação do epitélio placentário coriônico; necrose difusa de hepatócitos e hepatite mononuclear; acentuada hemorragia no interstício do córtex renal, degeneração hidrópica e necrose das células do epitélio tubular e presença de cilindros hemáticos intratubular; além de nefrite intersticial mononuclear e pneumonia intersticial mononuclear difusa acentuada. Os resultados deste estudo demonstraram títulos elevados de aglutininas anti-Leptospira em éguas e a presença de lesões histológicas nos órgãos fetais e placenta, confirmando a importância da Leptospira como agente causador de abortamento

This study aimed to describe cases of leptospirosis abortions in horses, which occurred in the city of Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte. Five mares with abortion history, were submitted to clinical, hematological and detection of specific anti-Leptospira agglutinins facing 22 different serotypes, by Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT). It was performed a pathological examination of the placenta and an equine aborted fetus with 9 months old. The Leptospira sp. infection occurred in three mares that aborted. One was positive for Pomona, title 800; one for the Hardjo serovar, title 400 and one for Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar, title 400. In examination of the placenta were observed swollen cotyledons, dark red color with blackened focal areas, friable and necrotic. In the fetus's autopsy was observed icterus, serous-sanguineous fluid in the abdominal cavity, chest and pericardium, multifocal areas of hemorrhage in the liver, heart, lungs, and friable multifocal yellowish white areas in the kidney. Histologically, it was found necrosis and inflammation of the placental chorionic epithelium; diffuse necrosis hepatocyte and mononuclear hepatitis; severe hemorrhage in the interstitium of the renal cortex, hydropic degeneration and necrosis of the tubular epithelial cells and the presence of haematic intratubular cylinders; mononuclear interstitial nephritis and a severe diffuse interstitial mononuclear pneumonia. The results showed high levels of anti-Leptospira agglutinins in mares and presence of histological lesions in the placenta and fetal organs, confirming the importance of Leptospira as abortion-causing agent.

[Evaluation of fluoride levels in the public water supply in São Luis Island, Maranhão State, Brazil]. / Avaliação da fluoretação da água do sistema de abastecimento público na Ilha de São Luís, Maranhão, Brasil.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the fluoride levels in public water supply in São Luís island, Maranhão State, Brazil, during the month of October of 2006. A stratification sampling was applied, considering the water treatment station (06) and the different districts (46). For fluoride analysis it was used a specific ion electrode. The fluoride concentration varied for 0.05 to 0.84 ppm. Only one water treatment station (Italuís) presented an ideal concentration of fluoride. It was concluded that the fluoride levels need adjustments, evidencing that it is essential an external control for monitoring of those levels in public water supply of São Luis.

Avaliação da fluoretação da água do sistema de abastecimento público na Ilha de São Luís, Maranhão, Brasil / Evaluation of fluoride levels in the public water supply in São Luis Island, Maranhão State, Brazil

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os níveis de flúor na água de abastecimento público da Ilha de São Luís (MA). Aplicou-se uma amostragem estratificada, considerando-se as estações de tratamento de água (06) e os bairros abastecidos (46). A análise dos teores de flúor na água foi feita através de um eletrodo específico. A concentração nas amostras variou de 0,05 a 0,84 ppm de flúor. Apenas uma estação de tratamento (Italuís) apresentou-se dentro do limite aceitável de fluoretação. A fluoretação da água de abastecimento público na Ilha de São Luís necessita de ajustes para se obter prevenção da cárie, evidenciando a importância de um controle externo para avaliação dos teores de flúor.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the fluoride levels in public water supply in São Luís island, Maranhão State, Brazil, during the month of October of 2006. A stratification sampling was applied, considering the water treatment station (06) and the different districts (46). For fluoride analysis it was used a specific ion electrode. The fluoride concentration varied for 0.05 to 0.84 ppm. Only one water treatment station (Italuís) presented an ideal concentration of fluoride. It was concluded that the fluoride levels need adjustments, evidencing that it is essential an external control for monitoring of those levels in public water supply of São Luis.

Fluoride oral retention after professional topical application in children with caries activity: effect of the immediate water consumption.

PURPOSE: Since there is no agreement about the time patients must refrain from drinking or eating after a professional application of acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF), the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of water consumption on fluoride in saliva. METHODS: This blind randomized crossover in vivo study involved children who received a professional APF gel application followed by either drinking a glass of water (experimental group) or without rinsing, drinking, or eating (control group) for 2 hours. The nonstimulated saliva was collected at 0, 5, 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes following the professional APF application. After a 7-day washout period, the control and treatment groups were switched. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in the fluoride retention between groups in the times 0 to 5 minutes (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that the recommendation of asking patients to refrain from drinking water for 30 minutes following the professional APF application is excessive and can be reduced to 15 minutes.

Retenção oral do flúor em crianças com diferentes experiências da doença cárie após escovação com um dentifrício de baixa concentração / Fluoride oral retention in children with different caries experience after tooth brushing with a low F dentifrice

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a retenção oral do fluoreto em crianças com e sem experiência da doença cárie após a escovação com um dentifrício de baixa concentração de fluoreto. O estudo clínico foi randomizado e cego, que avaliou a retenção de flúor em 18 crianças, sendo 9 "livres de cárie" e 9 com atividade da doença, após a escovação com um dentifrício de 500 ppm F, tendo como controle um dentifrício de 1100 ppm F. As amostras de saliva foram coletadas, sem estimulação salivar no tempo O (baseline) e em 1, 15, 30, 60, 90 e 120 min após a escovação e analisadas por um eletrodo específico de flúor. Os resultados mostraram que dentifrícios com maior concentração de flúor tiveram maior retenção de flúor oral (p<0,05), e que a experiência de cárie da criança não interferiu na incorporação de flúor na saliva (p>0,05). Os resultados desse estudo indicam que a retenção de flúor na saliva foi maior com o aumento da concentração de flúor do dentifrício utilizado e que a atividade de cárie na criança não parece ter influência na retenção salivar de fluoreto.