Accumulation and decomposition of cultural residues of Theobroma grandiflorum, Paullinia cupana, Bixa orellana and forest in the southern region of Amazonas.

The litter deposited on the soil surface at various stages of decomposition is important for primary productivity that impacts the microbial communities and soil carbon storage. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accumulation and decomposition of cultural residues of Theobroma grandiflorum (Willd. ex. Spreng) Schum, Paullinia cupana (Mart.) Ducke, Bixa orellana L., and forest in the Amazon region. The study was carried out in the São Francisco settlement, Canutama in the south of Amazonas, in a randomized block experimental design, and the treatments consisted of four areas with different crops: 1 - P. cupana; 2 - T. grandiflorum; 3 - B. orellana; 4 - Native woodland area (forest), in time subdivided plots: 7, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270, 300, and 330 days after the distribution of the bags in the field, all with four repetitions. To evaluate the contribution and fractions of litter, conical collectors were used in each area, and collections were performed monthly in the period from March 2020 to February 2021. The estimate of the decomposition rate of the litter was done by quantifying the loss of mass, using litter bags, which allow for a direct analysis of the rate of decay over time. The forest and P. cupana environments presented the highest litter production, and greater deposition when compared to environments cultivated with T. grandiflorum and B. orellana. The forest and B. orellana areas showed the highest speed of decomposition, while the opposite situation occurred under T. grandiflorum and P. cupana cultivation.

Detection of Salmonella spp. in wild and domestic birds in an anthropized ecotone between the Cerrado and the Amazon Forest in Brazil.

Emergence of zoonotic infectious diseases represent one of the main threats to people worldwide. To properly understand and prevent zoonoses is fundamental to study their epidemiology and the possibility of spillover events, especially for commercially intensive domestic animals and humans. Here, we studied 210 wild birds from the "Ipucas" region, which consists of fragments of the Amazon Forest interspersed with fragments of the "Cerrado" that is subject to seasonal flooding and 75 domestic birds from neighboring poultry farming. Then, we molecularly diagnosed Salmonella and Chlamydia from wild birds and poultry. Among the wild birds, four were diagnosed with Chlamydia psittaci and 23 with Salmonella spp., while we detected 15 poultry infected by Salmonella spp. and no poultry with C. psittaci. We highlighted the common infections of wild and domestic birds in an anthropologically modified environment and potential spillover of Salmonella pathogens among wild and livestock birds. Those infections can harm the health of native and domestic species.

Trypanosoma cruzi infection changes the chromatin proteome profile of infected human cells.

Chagas disease is endemic in 22 Latin American countries, with approximately 8 million individuals infected worldwide and 10,000 deaths yearly. Trypanosoma cruzi presents an intracellular life cycle in mammalian hosts to sustain infection. Parasite infection activates host cell responses, promoting an unbalance in reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the intracellular environment inducing genomic DNA lesions in the host cell during infection. To further understand changes in host cell chromatin induced by parasite infection, we investigated alterations in chromatin caused by infection by performing quantitative proteomic analysis. DNA Damage Repair proteins, such as Poly-ADP-ribose Polymerase 1 (PARP-1) and X-Ray Repair Cross Complementing 6 (XRRC6), were recruited to the chromatin during infection. Also, changes in chromatin remodeling enzymes suggest that parasite infection may shape the epigenome of the host cells. Interestingly, the abundance of oxidative phosphorylation mitochondrial and vesicle-mediated transport proteins increased in the host chromatin at the final stages of infection. In addition, Apoptosis-inducing Factor (AIF) is translocated to the host cell nucleus upon infection, suggesting that cells enter parthanatos type of death. Altogether, this study reveals how parasites interfere with the host cells' responses at the chromatin level leading to significant crosstalk that support and disseminate infection. SIGNIFICANCE: The present study provides novel insights into the effects of Trypanosoma cruzi on the chromatin from the host cell. This manuscript investigated proteomic alterations in chromatin caused by parasite infection at early and late infection phases by performing a quantitative proteomic analysis. In this study, we revealed that parasites interfere with DNA metabolism in the early and late stages of infection. We identified that proteins related to DNA damage repair, oxidative phosphorylation, and vesicle-mediated transport have increased abundance at the host chromatin. Additionally, we have observed that Apoptosis-inducing Factor is translocated to the host cell nucleus upon infection, suggesting that the parasites could lead the cells to enter Parthanatos as a form of programmed cell death. The findings improve our understanding on how the parasites modulate the host cell chromatin to disseminate infection. In this study, we suggest a mechanistic parasite action towards host nucleus that could be used to indicate targets for future treatments.

Accumulation and decomposition of cultural residues of Theobroma grandiflorum, Paullinia cupana, Bixa orellana and forest in the southern region of Amazonas / Acúmulo e decomposição dos resíduos culturais de cupuaçu, guaraná, urucum e floresta na região sul do Amazonas

The litter deposited on the soil surface at various stages of decomposition is important for primary productivity that impacts the microbial communities and soil carbon storage. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accumulation and decomposition of cultural residues of Theobroma grandiflorum (Willd. ex. Spreng) Schum, Paullinia cupana (Mart.) Ducke, Bixa orellana L., and forest in the Amazon region. The study was carried out in the São Francisco settlement, Canutama in the south of Amazonas, in a randomized block experimental design, and the treatments consisted of four areas with different crops: 1 - P. cupana; 2 - T. grandiflorum; 3 - B. orellana; 4 - Native woodland area (forest), in time subdivided plots: 7, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270, 300, and 330 days after the distribution of the bags in the field, all with four repetitions. To evaluate the contribution and fractions of litter, conical collectors were used in each area, and collections were performed monthly in the period from March 2020 to February 2021. The estimate of the decomposition rate of the litter was done by quantifying the loss of mass, using litter bags, which allow for a direct analysis of the rate of decay over time. The forest and P. cupana environments presented the highest litter production, and greater deposition when compared to environments cultivated with T. grandiflorum and B. orellana. The forest and B. orellana areas showed the highest speed of decomposition, while the opposite situation occurred under T. grandiflorum and P. cupana cultivation.

A serrapilheira depositada na superfície do solo, em vários estágios de decomposição tem importância na produtividade primária que impacta nas comunidades microbianas e estocagem de carbono no solo. Objetivouse neste trabalho avaliar o acúmulo e decomposição dos resíduos culturais de cupuaçu, guaraná, urucum e floresta na região do Amazonas. O estudo foi realizado no assentamento São Francisco, Canutama no Sul do Amazonas, em delineamento experimental de blocos casualisados, sendo que os tratamentos constaram de quatro áreas com diferentes culturas: 1- Guaraná; 2 ­ Cupuaçu; 3 ­ Urucum; 4 ­ Área de mata nativa (floresta), em parcelas subdivididas no tempo: 07, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270 e 300, 330 dias após a distribuição das sacolas no campo, todas com 04 repetições. Para avaliar o aporte e frações dá serapilheira, foram utilizados coletores cônicos em cada área, sendo as coletas realizadas mensalmente no período de março de 2020 a fevereiro de 2021. A estimativa da taxa de decomposição da serrapilheira foi realizada pela quantificação da perda de massa, utilizando-se litter bags, os quais permitem analisar de forma direta a taxa de decaimento ao longo do tempo. Os ambientes de floresta e guaraná apresentaram as maiores produções de serapilheira, e maior deposição quando comparados aos ambientes cultivados com cupuaçu e urucum. As áreas de floresta e urucum apresentaram a maior velocidade de decomposição, já a situação inversa ocorreu sob o cultivo do cupuaçu e guaraná.

Peripheral ossifying fibroma: A 20-year retrospective study with focus on clinical and morphological features.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral Ossifying Fibroma (POF) is a reactive hyperplastic lesion that exclusively occurs in the gingiva and is characterized by the deposition of dystrophic calcification, cementum-like tissue, and immature and mature bone within the connective tissue. The objective of the present study was to perform a retrospective analysis of clinicopathologic features of POF. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical and histopathological data were obtained from biopsy records and histopathological reports from a Brazilian reference service in Oral Pathology (1999 - 2020). Morphological analysis was performed to evaluate features related to the mesenchymal component, inflammatory infiltrate, ulceration, and mineralized tissue. RESULTS: A total of 270 POFs were diagnosed during the study period. A higher frequency was observed in females (71.9%) between the third (22.9%) and fourth (23.3%) decades of life. The anterior upper gingiva (29.1%) was the most affected region. Mature (86.7%) and immature (52.6%) bone tissue were the most frequent. There was a significant association between immature bone deposition and lesions with size ≤ 1.7 cm (p = 0.041); immature bone and cement-like tissue deposition with an evolution time ≤ 16 months (p < 0.001); deposition of immature bone and mesenchymal hypercellularization (p < 0.001); deposition of dystrophic calcification and the presence of ulceration (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The clinical characteristics corroborate the findings in the literature. The heterogeneous distribution and quantity of mineralized tissues found in the analyzed cases support the theory that the different mineralized tissues constitute a spectrum of clinical maturation of POF.

Angina bullosa haemorrhagica: A 14-year multi-institutional retrospective study from Brazil and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Angina bullosa haemorrhagica (ABH) is characterized by the recurrent appearance of blood blisters on the oral mucosa, mainly in adults' soft palate. In general, the blisters rupture spontaneously, lacking the necessity for biopsy. We report the clinical features of 23 ABH cases, emphasizing the clinical behavior and the management of these conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was performed. A total of 12,727 clinical records of oral and maxillofacial lesions from four dental services in Brazil were analyzed. Clinical data were collected from the clinical records and evaluated. RESULTS: The series comprised 12 males (52.2%) and 11 females (47.8%), with a mean age of 56.8 ± 14.6 years (ranging: 24-82 years) and a 1.1:1 male-to-female ratio. Most of the lesions affected the soft palate (n = 15, 65.2%). Clinically, the lesions presented mainly as an asymptomatic (n = 17, 73.9%) blood-filled blister that ruptured after a few minutes or hours, leaving an erosion. The masticatory trauma was the most frequent triggering event. No patient had coagulation disorders. A biopsy was performed in only four cases (17.4%). Treatment was symptomatic with a favorable outcome. CONCLUSIONS: ABH is still poorly documented in the literature, and its etiology remains uncertain. ABH mainly affects the soft palate of elderly adults and has a favorable evolution in a few days. The therapeutic approach is often focused only on the relief of symptoms. However, it can share some clinical features with more serious diseases. Therefore, clinicians must recognize these lesions to avoid misdiagnosis.

PI3K-AKT, JAK2-STAT3 pathways and cell-cell contact regulate maspin subcellular localization.

BACKGROUND: Maspin (SERPINB5) is a potential tumor suppressor gene with pleiotropic biological activities, including regulation of cell proliferation, death, adhesion, migration and gene expression. Several studies indicate that nuclear localization is essential for maspin tumor suppression activity. We have previously shown that the EGFR activation leads to maspin nuclear localization in MCF-10A cells. The present study investigated which EGFR downstream signaling molecules are involved in maspin nuclear localization and explored a possible role of cell-cell contact in this process. METHODS: MCF-10A cells were treated with pharmacological inhibitors against EGFR downstream pathways followed by EGF treatment. Maspin subcellular localization was determined by immunofluorescence. Proteomic and interactome analyses were conducted to identify maspin-binding proteins in EGF-treated cells only. To investigate the role of cell-cell contact these cells were either treated with chelating agents or plated on different cell densities. Maspin and E-cadherin subcellular localization was determined by immunofluorescence. RESULTS: We found that PI3K-Akt and JAK2-STAT3, but not MAP kinase pathway, regulate EGF-induced maspin nuclear accumulation in MCF-10A cells. We observed that maspin is predominantly nuclear in sparse cell culture, but it is redistributed to the cytoplasm in confluent cells even in the presence of EGF. Proteomic and interactome results suggest a role of maspin on post-transcriptional and translation regulation, protein folding and cell-cell adhesion. CONCLUSIONS: Maspin nuclear accumulation is determined by an interplay between EGFR (via PI3K-Akt and JAK2-STAT3 pathways) and cell-cell contact. Video Abstract.

Clinicopathologic features of nasopalatine duct cysts: A retrospective study in two Brazilian oral and maxillofacial pathology referral centers.

BACKGROUND: Nasopalatine duct cyst (NDC) is the most common non-odontogenic cyst in the oral cavity. Clinically it is not difficult to suspect these lesions based on clinical and radiographic appearance. However, the histopathological diagnosis may be difficult due to the broad morphological diversity of these lesions. The objective was to analyze the clinicopathological features of NDCs diagnosed in two oral and maxillofacial pathology services in the Brazilian northeast. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective clinicopathologic study was performed. A total of 18,121 clinical records of oral lesions from two oral and maxillofacial pathology services in Brazil were analyzed (2000-2020). All NDCs cases were revised and demographic, clinical, radiographic, and histopathological data were collected. RESULTS: Among 18,121 diagnoses in the oral pathology services, 45 (0.2%) were NDCs. The series comprises 24 males (53.3%) and 21 females (46.7%), with a mean age of 43.2 years-old. Most lesions were asymptomatic (n = 27, 60%) with an mean size of 2.1 cm. Microscopically, the non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium was the most common (66.7%). However, in 88.9% of cases, the epithelial lining was varied and composed of two or more types of epithelium. There was no significant association between the type of epithelium and the size of the cysts (p = 0.389). Nerve, blood vessels, hemorrhage, and chronic inflammatory infiltrate were commonly observed. In contrast, there was a low frequency of mucous glands, sebaceous glands, cholesterol clefts, and multinucleated giant cells. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical, radiographic, and microscopic findings observed in this study are similar to those reported in the literature. Due to the morphological diversity of NDC, it is needed to correlate its histopathological features with the clinical and radiographic findings to establish a correct diagnosis.

Effects of canola oil and antioxidants on performance, serum parameters, carcass traits, and rumen fermentation patterns of Nellore cattle.

Several nutritional strategies have been used in beef cattle production in order to increase animal performance and profitability. However, in the past two decades, the increase of consumer preference for functional foods has driven the investigation for improving food via adding functional substances to animal diets. We evaluated the effect of canola oil supplementation associated with vitamin E and selenium on performance, rumen metabolism, carcass traits, meat tenderness, and serum, liver, and meat status of antioxidants in finishing Nellore males. Animals were fed for 106 days in a feedlot and were randomly distributed in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: two levels of oil in the diet (no inclusion and 3% canola oil, defined as diet without oil inclusion (NO) and effect of oil (OIL), respectively) and two levels of antioxidants in the diet (no inclusion and 2.5 mg of Se/kg of DM + 500 UI of vitamin E/kg of DM, defined as diet without antioxidant inclusion (NA) and effect of the antioxidants (ANT), respectively). DM intake (kg/day) was evaluated daily; performance and serum were analysed at the beginning of the feedlot and every 28 days. Animals were slaughtered and hot carcass weight (kg) was recorded; ruminal fluid and liver samples were collected. At 24 h postmortem, carcass pH was recorded and the Longissimus thoracis was sampled. There was no significant effect of the OIL*ANT interaction (P > 0.05) for any trait evaluated. Bulls fed OIL presented greater final BW (P < 0.01), average daily gain (kg/day; P < 0.01), feed efficiency (P < 0.01), rump fat thickness (P8RF; P < 0.05), and greater tenderness; the ANT diet increased P8RF (P < 0.05). The levels of selenium and vitamin E in serum, liver, and meat were increased (P < 0.01) with the inclusion of ANT. ANT did not change triiodothyronine (T3, ng/mL) and thyroxine (T4, µg/gL) serum concentrations but decreased serum glucose levels. The treatments did not affect (P > 0.05) ruminal parameters or the protozoa population. Our results showed that the inclusion of 3% canola oil in the diet DM increased performance, feed efficiency, carcass fat deposition, and tenderness, with no effect on rumen fermentation and protozoa population of Nellore cattle in a feedlot system. The inclusion of ANT in the cattle diet did not affect performance or rumen parameters. However, the levels of ANT were increased in the serum, liver, and meat, enriching the final product with these compounds.

Oral pigmented lesions: a retrospective analysis from Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Pigmented lesions are uncommon in the oral mucosa, and studies investigating the incidence and types of these lesions are desired to improve the diagnostic knowledge of clinicians. The aim of this study was to analyze the distribution of oral pigmented lesions in a Brazilian population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was performed. Oral pigmented lesions were retrieved from the files of two oral and maxillofacial pathology services from Brazil over a 45-year period (1974-2019). The clinical data and the diagnoses of each case were retrieved and included in a Microsoft Excel® database. RESULTS: From 77.074 lesions diagnosed in this period, 761 (0.99%) represented pigmented lesions of the oral mucosa, including 351 (46.1%) melanocytic and 410 (53.9%) non-melanocytic lesions, with a higher incidence in females (73.2%) between the fourth and seventh decades of life. Amalgam tattoo (53.6%) represented the most common lesion, followed by melanotic macule (18.3%) and racial pigmentation (10.8%). Other pigmented lesions included nevus (9.9%), post-inflammatory pigmentation (3%), melanoma (2.1%), melanoacanthoma (1.4%), smoker's melanosis (0.4%), drug-induced pigmentation (0.3%), and melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy (0.1%). The buccal mucosa was the most commonly affected site (25.2%), followed by the alveolar ridge (14.5%), and gingiva (11.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The current findings were similar to previous studies with minor differences due methodology and characteristics of the services from where lesions were retrieved. The knowledge of these data may contribute to a better understanding of oral pigmented lesions and assist clinicians to better recognize and manage them.

Primary melanoma of the oral cavity: A multi-institutional retrospective analysis in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Melanoma is an aggressive malignant tumor, rarely observed in the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to describe the clinicopathologic features of a series of oral melanomas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was performed. A total of 15,482 biopsy records from two oral and maxillofacial pathology services in Brazil were analyzed. All cases of oral melanomas were reviewed, and clinical, demographic, histopathological data, treatment, and follow-up status were collected. In addition, immunohistochemistry stains (pan-cytokeratin AE1/AE3, vimentin, α-SMA, CD45, S-100 protein, HMB-45, Melan A, and Ki-67) were performed. RESULTS: The series comprised of 5 males (71.4%) and 2 females (28.6%), with a mean age of 58.0 ± 9.2 years (range: 45-69 years) and a 2.5:1 male-to-female ratio. The gingiva (n = 3, 42.8%) and hard palate (n = 2, 28.6%) were the most common affected sites, presenting clinically as ulcerated swellings with a brown to black color. Cervical lymph node metastasis was detected in three patients during the first examination. Microscopically, 6 cases (85.7%) were melanotic, and one (14.3%) was amelanotic. Most cases (n = 4, 57.1%) presented a predominance of epithelioid cells. S-100 and HMB-45 were positive in all cases (n = 7, 100.0%). In contrast, only 4 cases (57.1%) were positive for Melan-A. The proliferative index with Ki-67 was high, with labeling index ranging from 70.0% to more than 90% of positive cells. Five patients died from complications of the tumors after a mean follow-up period of 7.8 months. CONCLUSIONS: Melanoma is an aggressive malignant tumor that rarely occurs in the oral cavity. It occurs mainly in adult and elderly patients and often is diagnosed in advanced stages. The current findings were similar to previous studies and reflected the characteristics of the services from where lesions were retrieved.

Epidemiologic analysis of salivary gland tumors over a 10-years period diagnosed in a northeast Brazilian population.

BACKGROUND: Salivary gland tumors (SGT) correspond to a heterogeneous group of lesions with variable biological behavior. The present study aimed to determine the distribution and demographic findings of salivary gland neoplasms in a northeast Brazilian population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was performed. A total of 588 cases of SGT were diagnosed between 2006 and 2016 of 4 pathology services in the state of Sergipe, Brazil. All cases were reviewed, and data such as sex, age, anatomical location, and histopathological diagnosis were collected. RESULTS: A total of 470 (79.9%) tumors were benign and 118 (20.1%) were malignant. The majority of the patients were females (n=328, 55.8%) with an overall female:male ratio of 1.2:1. The major salivary glands were affected more than the minor glands (69.5% vs. 30.5%). Pleomorphic adenoma (n=419, 71.3%) and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (n=29, 4.9%) were the most frequent benign and malignant tumors, respectively. In addition, both benign and malignant tumors occurred more frequently in the parotid gland (n=300, 51%, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiologic profile and clinical characteristics of SGT were similar to those described in other countries and other regions of Brazil. Epidemiological studies of SGT help to understand their clinical and pathological features and are essential to establish the proper management and prognosis.

Acute antinociceptive effect of fish oil or its major compounds, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids on diabetic neuropathic pain depends on opioid system activation.

Diabetic neuropathic pain is one of the most common and debilitating complications of diabetes whose available treatments are poorly effective. Currently, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) have been widely studied as a treatment of many types of pain, including inflammatory, spontaneous and neuropathic pain. However, little is known about the potential antinociceptive effect of ω-3 PUFAs (fish oil; FO or its major fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic -EPA and docosahexaenoic acids-DHA), in diabetic neuropathic pain as well as the mechanisms involved. To test, streptozotocin (STZ) -induced diabetic male Wistar rats were submitted to acute treatment with FO, EPA or DHA at the second and fourth weeks after diabetes induction (at the beginning and peak of development of mechanical allodynia, respectively). The cumulative effect of these compounds after a sub-chronic treatment for two weeks was also evaluated as well as the role of central µ-opioid receptors. It was observed that acute oral treatment with FO (0.5, 1 or 3 g/kg), EPA or DHA (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg) at the 2nd or at the 4th week after STZ significantly reverted the mechanical allodynia of diabetic animals, without altering the hyperglycemia or reduced weight gain. Moreover, the sub-chronic treatment with FO, EPA or DHA induced a sustained antinociceptive effect in diabetic animals. Intriguingly, the intrathecal treatment with a µ-opioid receptor antagonist (CTOP; 10 µg/rat) completely prevented the acute effect of FO, EPA or DHA. Taken together, our data suggest that ω-3 PUFAs may represent a promising therapeutic outcome for diabetic neuropathic pain, probably acting through the opioid system activation.

One for all and all for one: retention of colour-unchanged old flowers increases pollinator attraction in a hermaphroditic plant.

Long-lived flowers increase pollen transfer rates, but these entail high water and carbon maintenance costs. The retention of pollinated and reward-free old flowers enhances pollinator visitation to young receptive flowers by increasing floral display size. This mechanism is associated with acropetal inflorescences or changes in flower colour and openness, but the retention of unchanging solitary flowers remains overlooked. We examined pollination-dependent variation in floral longevity and determined stigmatic receptivity, pollen viability and pollen removal rates among flower ages in Kielmeyera regalis, a Neotropical savanna shrub. We also evaluated the effects of floral display size on pollinator visitation rates. Lastly, we determined whether old flowers are unvisited and exclusively increase pollinator attraction to young flowers through flower removal experiments. Regardless of pollination treatment, flowers lasted fully open with no detectable physical changes for 3 days. Over time, stigmas remained receptive but >95% of pollen was removed. Pollinator visitation significantly increased with floral display size and intermediate percentages (15-30%) of newly opened flowers. Accordingly, the retention of reward-free and unvisited old flowers increased young flower-pollinator interaction. Our results reveal the importance of a prolonged floral longevity in increasing pollinator attraction toward newly opened receptive flowers without changes in flower colour and form. We conclude that the retention of pollinated, reward-free and unvisited colour-unchanged old flowers in K. regalis is a strategy that counteracts the water use costs associated with the maintenance of large flowers with increased mate opportunities in a pollen-limited scenario.

The effects of essential oils and their major compounds on fish bacterial pathogens - a review.

The increased resistance of fish pathogens to conventional treatments has lead researchers to investigate the antibacterial properties of natural resources, such as essential oils (EOs) of plants, in an effort to find products that are less harmful to the environment. The objective of this review is to provide an overview of the studies, in vivo and in vitro, that addressed the use of EOs and their major compounds as antimicrobial agents in fish, to identify the best EOs and compounds to investigate considering feasibility of application and suggest possible future studies. To date, studies suggest that the use of EOs in the prevention and/or treatment of infectious diseases in fish may be a promising strategy to reduce the use of conventional antibiotics in aquaculture, since several EOs effectively reduce or avoid the effects of bacterial infections in fish. The use of EOs through nanotechnology delivery systems, especially in dietary supplementation experiments, is promising. This form of application of the EOs allows a potentiation and targeting of the desired effect of the EOs and also allows the protection of EOs active constituents against enzymatic hydrolysis, deserving further study.

Mechanical Ventilation and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation as a Bridging Strategy to Lung Transplantation: Significant Gains in Survival.

Mechanical ventilation (MV) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are increasingly used to bridge patients to lung transplantation. We investigated the impact of using MV, with or without ECMO, before lung transplantation on survival after transplantation by performing a retrospective analysis of 826 patients who underwent transplantation at our high-volume center. Recipient characteristics and posttransplant outcomes were analyzed. Most lung transplant recipients (729 patients) did not require bridging; 194 of these patients were propensity matched with patients who were bridged using MV alone (48 patients) or MV and ECMO (49 patients). There was no difference in overall survival between the MV and MV+ECMO groups (p = 0.07). The MV+ECMO group had significantly higher survival conditioned on surviving to 1 year (median 1,811 days ([MV] vs. not reached ([MV+ECMO], p = 0.01). Recipients in the MV+ECMO group, however, were more likely to require ECMO after lung transplantation (16.7% MV vs. 57.1% MV+ECMO, p < 0.001). There were no differences in duration of postoperative MV, hospital stay, graft survival, or the incidence of acute rejection, renal failure, bleeding requiring reoperation, or airway complications. In this contemporary series, the combination of MV and ECMO was a viable bridging strategy to lung transplantation that led to acceptable patient outcomes.

Dactylogyrids (Platyhelminthes, Monogenoidea) from the gills of Hoplias malabaricus (Characiformes: Erythrinidae) from coastal rivers of the Oriental Amazon Basin: species of Urocleidoides and Constrictoanchoratus n. gen.

Five species of Urocleidoides (one new) and two new species of Constrictoanchoratus n. gen. are described in this study. All were collected from the gills of Hoplias malabaricus (Characiformes: Erythrinidae) captured in six localities of coastal rivers of the north-eastern sector the State of Pará (Oriental Amazon): Urocleidoides brasiliensis Rosim, Mendoza-Franco & Luque, 2011; Urocleidoides bulbophallus n. sp.; Urocleidoides cuiabai Rosim, Mendoza-Franco & Luque, 2011; Urocleidoides eremitus Kritsky, Thatcher & Boeger, 1986; Urocleidoides malabaricusi Rosim, Mendoza-Franco & Luque, 2011; Constrictoanchoratus lemmyi n. gen. n. sp.; and Constrictoanchoratus ptilonophallus n. gen. n. sp. This is the first reported occurrence of the four previously described species of Urocleidoides parasitizing H. malabaricus from streams in the Oriental Amazon Basin. The analysis of voucher specimens of U. eremitus parasitizing the gills of H. malabaricus from the Upper Paraná River floodplain in the limits of States of Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, indicates that these specimens are members of a new species of Urocleidoides, described here as Urocleidoides paranae n. sp. Constrictoanchoratus n. gen. is proposed for the species with a male copulatory organ sclerotized, coiled, clockwise; ventral anchor with elongate superficial root, inconspicuous deep root; dorsal anchor with inconspicuous roots, and a constriction at the intersection between the shaft and the point. The host-parasite diversity scenario and host specificity of the species of Constrictoanchoratus n. gen. and Urocleidoides from the gills of H. malabaricus are also discussed in this study.

Monoterpenoids (thymol, carvacrol and S-(+)-linalool) with anesthetic activity in silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen): evaluation of acetylcholinesterase and GABAergic activity.

This study evaluated the anesthetic potential of thymol and carvacrol, and their influence on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the muscle and brain of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen). The AChE activity of S-(+)-linalool was also evaluated. We subsequently assessed the effects of thymol and S-(+)-linalool on the GABAergic system. Fish were exposed to thymol and carvacrol (25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/L) to evaluate time for anesthesia and recovery. Both compounds induced sedation at 25 mg/L and anesthesia with 50-100 mg/L. However, fish exposed to carvacrol presented strong muscle contractions and mortality. AChE activity was increased in the brain of fish at 50 mg/L carvacrol and 100 mg/L thymol, and decreased in the muscle at 100 mg/L carvacrol. S-(+)-linalool did not alter AChE activity. Anesthesia with thymol was reversed by exposure to picrotoxin (GABAA antagonist), similar to the positive control propofol, but was not reversed by flumazenil (antagonist of benzodiazepine binding site), as observed for the positive control diazepam. Picrotoxin did not reverse the effect of S-(+)-linalool. Thymol exposure at 50 mg/L is more suitable than carvacrol for anesthesia in silver catfish, because this concentration did not cause any mortality or interference with AChE activity. Thymol interacted with GABAA receptors, but not with the GABAA/benzodiazepine site. In contrast, S-(+)-linalool did not act in GABAA receptors in silver catfish.

Forage structure and performance of sheep raised on massai grass during the dry season in response to wet season management / Estrutura do pasto e desempenho de ovinos em capim-massai na época seca em resposta ao manejo do período das águas

The objective of this study was to evaluate the canopy structure and performance of sheep raised on massai grass during the dry season in response to the management adopted during the wet season. The treatments consisted of two targets of light interception (90 and 95%) and two post-grazing heights (15 and 25 cm) in a 2 x 2 factorial scheme. Pastures were managed during the wet season, while continuous stocking was used during the dry season. The following pasture characteristics were evaluated: canopy height, forage mass, leaf blade, stem and dead matter mass, leaf blade:stem ratio, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and acid detergent lignin content, and dead matter of morphological components. Sixteen sheep with an initial body weight of 19 ± 4.7 kg were used and average daily gain, weight gain per hectare and stocking rate were evaluated. The interactions between sources of variation were not significant for any of the variables. Post-grazing heights modified total forage and dead matter mass in the dry season, with the highest values of 2912.5 and 1840.9 kg/ha of dry matter, respectively, being observed when the pastures were managed at 25 cm during the wet season. There was no effect of the management adopted during the wet season on the chemical composition of leaf blades during the dry season...(AU)

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a estrutura do dossel e o desempenho de ovinos durante a estação seca em resposta ao manejo adotado nas águas em pastos de capim-massai. Os tratamentos consistiram do arranjo fatorial 2 x 2, duas metas de interceptação de luz (90% e 95%) e duas alturas de pós-pastejo (15 e 25 cm). Os manejos foram realizados no período chuvoso enquanto que no período seco o pasto foi manejado sob lotação contínua. No pasto foi avaliada a altura do dossel, massa de forragem, massa de lâmina foliar, massa de colmo, massa de material morto, relação lâmina foliar:colmo, os teores de proteína bruta, fibra em detergente neutro, fibra em detergente ácido, lignina em detergente ácido dos componentes morfológicos. Foram utilizados 16 ovinos com peso corporal inicial de 19 ± 4,7 kg, e avaliado o ganho de peso médio diário, o ganho de peso por hectare e a taxa de lotação. As interações entre as fontes de variações não foram significativas para nenhuma das variáveis. As alturas de pós-pastejo modificaram as massas de forragem total e de material morto na época de seca, quando manejados nas águas a 25 cm foram observados os maiores valores de 2912,5 e 1840,9 kg/ha de matéria seca, respectivamente. Não houve efeito dos manejos adotados no período das águas na composição química das lâminas foliares no período seco...(AU)

Forage structure and performance of sheep raised on massai grass during the dry season in response to wet season management / Estrutura do pasto e desempenho de ovinos em capim-massai na época seca em resposta ao manejo do período das águas

The objective of this study was to evaluate the canopy structure and performance of sheep raised on massai grass during the dry season in response to the management adopted during the wet season. The treatments consisted of two targets of light interception (90 and 95%) and two post-grazing heights (15 and 25 cm) in a 2 x 2 factorial scheme. Pastures were managed during the wet season, while continuous stocking was used during the dry season. The following pasture characteristics were evaluated: canopy height, forage mass, leaf blade, stem and dead matter mass, leaf blade:stem ratio, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and acid detergent lignin content, and dead matter of morphological components. Sixteen sheep with an initial body weight of 19 ± 4.7 kg were used and average daily gain, weight gain per hectare and stocking rate were evaluated. The interactions between sources of variation were not significant for any of the variables. Post-grazing heights modified total forage and dead matter mass in the dry season, with the highest values of 2912.5 and 1840.9 kg/ha of dry matter, respectively, being observed when the pastures were managed at 25 cm during the wet season. There was no effect of the management adopted during the wet season on the chemical composition of leaf blades during the dry season...

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a estrutura do dossel e o desempenho de ovinos durante a estação seca em resposta ao manejo adotado nas águas em pastos de capim-massai. Os tratamentos consistiram do arranjo fatorial 2 x 2, duas metas de interceptação de luz (90% e 95%) e duas alturas de pós-pastejo (15 e 25 cm). Os manejos foram realizados no período chuvoso enquanto que no período seco o pasto foi manejado sob lotação contínua. No pasto foi avaliada a altura do dossel, massa de forragem, massa de lâmina foliar, massa de colmo, massa de material morto, relação lâmina foliar:colmo, os teores de proteína bruta, fibra em detergente neutro, fibra em detergente ácido, lignina em detergente ácido dos componentes morfológicos. Foram utilizados 16 ovinos com peso corporal inicial de 19 ± 4,7 kg, e avaliado o ganho de peso médio diário, o ganho de peso por hectare e a taxa de lotação. As interações entre as fontes de variações não foram significativas para nenhuma das variáveis. As alturas de pós-pastejo modificaram as massas de forragem total e de material morto na época de seca, quando manejados nas águas a 25 cm foram observados os maiores valores de 2912,5 e 1840,9 kg/ha de matéria seca, respectivamente. Não houve efeito dos manejos adotados no período das águas na composição química das lâminas foliares no período seco...