Ursolic acid increases strength in mdx mice model and may decrease fibrosis deposition by tgf-ß downregulation / El ácido ursólico aumenta la resistencia en el modelo de ratones mdx y podría disminuir la deposición de fibrosis mediante la regulación decreciente de tgf-ß

SUMMARY: Dystrophin disfunction results in sarcolemma destabilization, leading muscle cell damage by continuous degeneration cycles and limited regeneration. In muscle dystrophy, caused by dystrophin dysfunction, inflammation, necrosis and fibrosis are pathophysiological muscle function loss characteristics. As a genetic disease, this muscle dystrophy has no cure, however, advances in drug therapy using glucocorticoids can decrease the disease progression. Subsequently, alternative therapies were studied, such as ursolic acid (UA), that inhibits muscle atrophy and increases muscle mass and strength. Herein, we used 10 mg/kg daily supplementation in mdx mice for 4 weeks to evaluate serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK), muscle strength (Kondziela test), muscular organization (histology) and expression of fibrosis related genes (TGF-ß, TNF-α, mstn and ostn). UA supplementation increased muscle morphological organization, motor strength and decreased muscular TGF-ß expression. Altogether, the gene expression profile, histological organization and strength could suggest that UA treatment did not stop the fibrogenesis but decreased its progress.

RESUMEN: La disfunción de la distrofina resulta en la desestabilización del sarcolema, llevando al daño de las células musculares por ciclos continuos de degeneración y regeneración limitada. En la distrofia muscular, debido a la disfunción de la distrofina, la inflamación, la necrosis y la fibrosis, son características fisiopatológicas de la pérdida de la función muscular. Como enfermedad genetica no es possible remediar esta distrofia muscular, sin embargo, los avances en la terapia de medicamentos con glucocorticoides pueden disminuir la progresión de la enfermedad. Se estudiaron terapias alternativas, como el ácido ursólico (UA), que inhibe la atrofia muscular y aumenta la masa y la fuerza muscular. En este estudio, utilizamos una suplementación diaria de 10 mg / kg en ratones mdx durante 4 semanas para evaluar la creatina fosfoquinasa (CPK) sérica, la fuerza muscular (prueba de Kondziela), la organización muscular (histología) y la expresión de genes relacionados con la fibrosis (TGF-ß, TNF- α, mstn y ostn). La suplementación con AU aumentó la organización morfológica muscular, la fuerza motora y la disminución de la expresión muscular de TGF-ß. El perfil de expresión génica, la organización histológica y la fuerza simultáneamente podrían sugerir que el tratamiento con AU no detuvo la fibrogénesis sino que disminuyó su progreso.

The Tumor Microenvironment: Focus on Extracellular Matrix.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) regulates the development and maintains tissue homeostasis. The ECM is composed of a complex network of molecules presenting distinct biochemical properties to regulate cell growth, survival, motility, and differentiation. Among their components, proteoglycans (PGs) are considered one of the main components of ECM. Its composition, biomechanics, and anisotropy are exquisitely tuned to reflect the physiological state of the tissue. The loss of ECM's homeostasis is seen as one of the hallmarks of cancer and, typically, defines transitional events in tumor progression and metastasis. In this chapter, we discuss the types of proteoglycans and their roles in cancer. It has been observed that the amount of some ECM components is increased, while others are decreased, depending on the type of tumor. However, both conditions corroborate with tumor progression and malignancy. Therefore, ECM components have an increasingly important role in carcinogenesis and this leads us to believe that their understanding may be a key in the discovery of new anti-tumor therapies. In this book, the main ECM components will be discussed in more detail in each chapter.

Typology of beef production systems according to bioeconomic efficiency in the south of Brazil / Tipologia de sistemas de produção de carne bovina de acordo com a eficiência bioeconômica no sul do Brasil

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate the bioeconomic efficiency of beef cattle production systems in the south of Brazil. A survey was conducted with 33 beef cattle farmers operating with complete cycle production systems in areas larger or equal to 900 ha. Answers were classified in two drivers, technology (TEC) and management (MAN), which were separated into subfactors with their respective components. Multiple correspondence analysis, Tukey test, cluster analysis, and Pearson correlation were the statistics procedures. The TEC components were above normal for Brazilian farmers, but the gross margin is still lower than that needed to generate financial resources for a proper remuneration of cattle farmer. Farmers were classified into three clusters according to bioeconomic efficiency: low (LEL), intermediate (IEL), or high-efficiency level (HEL). The TEC driver differentiated the LEL x HEL clusters and the MAN, mainly expressed in costs, the IEL x HEL. Positive correlation between age at first mating and age at slaughter in the HEL cluster explains the higher costs when compared to IEL because of the use of differentiated feed resources. Investments in technologies related to herd feeding in HEL cluster improved the productivity by only 20% and the cost per hectare by 95 USD ha-1 in comparison to IEL cluster. The main differences between farmers are because of the use of technologies related to feeding and cost management. Therefore, before implementing a new technology, an economic evaluation is necessary.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficiência bioeconômica em sistemas de produção de bovinos de corte no sul do Brasil. A pesquisa foi realizada com 33 pecuaristas que operam com sistemas de produção baseado em ciclo completo, em áreas maiores ou iguais a 900 hectares. As respostas foram classificadas em dois fatores: tecnologia (TEC) e gestão (GES), os quais foram separados em subfatores com seus respectivos componentes. A análise de correspondência múltipla, teste de Tukey, análise de cluster e correlação de Pearson foram os procedimentos estatísticos. Os componentes do TEC estavam acima do normal para os pecuaristas brasileiros, mas a margem bruta ainda é menor do que a necessária para gerar recursos financeiros para uma remuneração adequada ao pecuarista. Os pecuaristas foram classificados em três grupos de acordo com a eficiência bioeconômica: baixo (BNE), intermediário (INE) ou alto nível de eficiência (ANE). O driver TEC diferenciou os clusters BNE x ANE e o GES, expresso principalmente em custos, o INE x ANE. A correlação positiva entre a idade no primeiro acasalamento e a idade ao abate no agrupamento ANE explica os custos mais elevados quando comparados aos INE, devido ao uso de recursos alimentares diferenciados. Os investimentos em tecnologias relacionadas à alimentação de rebanho no agrupamento ANE melhoraram a produtividade em apenas 20% e o custo por hectare em 95 USD ha-1 em comparação ao cluster INE. As principais diferenças entre os pecuaristas se devem ao uso de tecnologias relacionadas à alimentação e ao gerenciamento de custos. Portanto, antes de implementar uma nova tecnologia, uma avaliação econômica é necessária.

Tear ferning test in horses and its correlation with ocular surface evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the tear ferning test (TFT) in healthy horses and its correlation with other parameters for evaluating the ocular surface. ANIMALS STUDIED: Thirty male and female adult healthy horses (60 eyes), of no defined breed. PROCEDURES: Tear sample was collected with a microcapillary tube, placed on the surface of a glass slide, and allowed to dry at room temperature. The crystallization pattern was classified according to Rolando (Chibret International Journal Ophthamology, 1984; 2, 32). The program STEPanizer(©) stereology tool, version 1.0, was utilized for counting points on the digitally captured crystallization image. A conjunctival biopsy was performed. RESULTS: Tear ferning test was classified as Type I in 18 eyes (30%), Type II in 31 eyes (51.7%), and Type III in 11 eyes (18.3%), at a mean temperature of 27.3 ± 1.5 °C and relative humidity of 61.5 ± 5.7%. In the Type I crystallization, the count varied between 27 and 36 points (mean: 33.27 ± 2.40), in Type II between 22 and 31 points (25.42 ± 1.95), and in Type III between 13 and 25 points (16.82 ± 3.76). There was no statistical difference or correlation between the right and left eyes, nor was there a statistically significant influence (P < 0.05) on TFT by the factors evaluated. The mean goblet cells values were 50 ± 11.4 cells/field. All samples showed the presence of lymphocytes, plasmocytes, and eosinophils. CONCLUSION: Tear ferning test is easy to perform, without risks to the patient. Once standardized for horses, associated or not with the program STEPanizer(©) stereology tool, it is an additional method for evaluating the ocular surface.

The uses of infrared thermography to evaluate the effects of climatic variables in bull's reproduction.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the seasonal effects of the environment on sperm quality in subtropical region determined by temperature and humidity index (THI). We used 20 Brangus bulls (5/8 Angus × 3/8 Nellore) aged approximately 24 months at the beginning of the study. Semen evaluations were performed twice per season during 1 year. Climate THI data were collected from an automatic weather station from the National Institute of Meteorology. Infrared thermography images were used to determine the temperature of the proximal and distal poles of the testis to assess the testicular temperature gradient (TG). The seasonal effects on seminal and climatic variables were analyzed with ANOVA using MIXED procedure of SAS. Sperm motility in spring (60.1%), summer (57.6%), and autumn (64.5%) showed difference compared to winter (73.0%; P < 0.01). TG was negatively correlated with THI at 18 days (spermiogenesis) (-0.76; P < 0.05) and at 12 days (epididymal transit) (-0.85; P < 0.01). Ocular temperature (OcT) had a positive correlation with THI at 18 days (0.78; P < 0.05) and at 12 days (0.84; P < 0.01). Motility showed a negative correlation with THI only at 18 days (-0.79; P < 0.05). During spermiogenesis, the TG had higher negative correlation compared to OcT (-0.97; P < 0.01) and rectal temperature (-0.72; P < 0.05). Spermatozoa with distal midpiece reflex were correlated with THI during transit epididymis (0.72; P < 0.05). Seminal parameters are not affected when THI reaches 93.0 (spermiogenesis) and 88.0 (epididymal transit). We concluded that infrared thermography can be adopted as an indirect method in order to assess the effect of environmental changes in TG and OcT of Brangus bulls.

Factor analysis of linear type traits and their relation with longevity in brazilian holstein cattle.

In this study we aimed to evaluate the reduction in dimensionality of 20 linear type traits and more final score in 14,943 Holstein cows in Brazil using factor analysis, and indicate their relationship with longevity and 305 d first lactation milk production. Low partial correlations (-0.19 to 0.38), the medium to high Kaiser sampling mean (0.79) and the significance of the Bartlett sphericity test (p<0.001), indicated correlations between type traits and the suitability of these data for a factor analysis, after the elimination of seven traits. Two factors had autovalues greater than one. The first included width and height of posterior udder, udder texture, udder cleft, loin strength, bone quality and final score. The second included stature, top line, chest width, body depth, fore udder attachment, angularity and final score. The linear regression of the factors on several measures of longevity and 305 d milk production showed that selection considering only the first factor should lead to improvements in longevity and 305 milk production.

Heritability estimates for body weight and height at withers in Brazilian army horses / Estimativas de herdabilidade para peso corporal e altura de cernelha de equinos do Exército Brasileiro

The aim of this study was to estimate the heritability for weight and height at withers of 260-780 days of age No Defined Breed (NDB) horses, at intervals of 40 days, which belong to the Brazilian Army cavalry. Thus, the model considered the direct genetic effects as random ones, as fixed, the effects of sex and year of birth and the linear effects of height at withers and age, as covariates for the analysis of body weight, whereas for the analysis of height, the linear effect of weight was included as a covariate. For the complete data, the estimated heritability coefficients were 0.40±0.034 and 0.70±0.019 for weight and height at withers, respectively, indicating that individual selection for these traits may be effective. On the other hand, for the data subdivided into age classes, the heritability coefficients ranged between 0.04 and 0.77 for weight, with the highest estimation for the class between 440 and 480 days of age, which indicates a higher possibility of weight selection during this period. For height, the heritability values ranged between 0.08 and 0.98, being the highest estimate found between 300 and 340 days of age, corroborating, thus, to the selection of the trait at this age.

Objetivou-se estimar a herdabilidade para peso e altura de cernelha de equinos sem raça definida (SRD), pertencentes à cavalaria do Exército brasileiro, com idades entre 260 e 780 dias, em intervalos de 40 dias. Assim, o modelo utilizado considerou os efeitos genéticos aditivos diretos como aleatórios, os efeitos de sexo e ano de nascimento como fixos e os efeitos lineares de altura de cernelha e idade do animal, como covariáveis para análise do peso corporal, sendo que, para análise da altura, o efeito linear do peso foi incluído como covariável. Para o arquivo completo, os coeficientes de herdabilidade estimados foram 0,40±0,034 e 0,70±0,019, para peso e altura de cernelha, respectivamente, indicando que a seleção individual para essas características pode ser eficiente. Entretanto, para os arquivos subdivididos em classes de idade, os coeficientes de herdabilidade variam entre 0,04 e 0,77 para peso, sendo a maior estimativa obtida para a classe entre 440 e 480 dias de idade, o que indica maior possibilidade de seleção para peso nesse período. Para altura, as herdabilidades oscilaram entre 0,08 e 0,98, sendo a maior estimativa encontrada entre 300 e 340 dias de idade, corroborando a seleção da característica nesta idade.

Análise microbiológica da placa bacteriana da doença periodontal em cães e o efeito da antibioticoterapia sobre ela / Microbiological analysis of bacterial plaque of periodontal disease on dogs and effects of antibioticotherapy on it

Objetivou-se determinar a microbiota da placa bacteriana subgengival de cães com doença periodontal (DP) e estabelecer o efeito da antibioticoterapia. Avaliaram-se 20 cães com graus variados de DP e coletaram-se amostras da placa bacteriana subgengival antes e após antibioticoterapia. Preconizou-se antibioticoterapia distinta em dois grupos, com 10 animais cada: clindamicina (G1) e metronidazol + espiramicina (G2). Observou-se crescimento bacteriano subgengival na maioria dos cães com DP e correlação entre a severidade da DP e a idade dos animais. Houve redução significativa no crescimento bacteriano após a antibioticoterapia e o antibiograma demonstrou maior sensibilidade à clindamicina, seguido da espiramicina; todos os microrganismos foram resistentes ao metronidazol.

The objective was to determine microbiote of the subgingival bacterial plaque of dogs with periodontal disease (PD) and establish the effect of antibioticotherapy on its reduction. Twenty dogs with varied stages of PD were evaluated and samples of their subgingival bacterial plaque were collected. Distinct antibiotic protocols were used in two groups with ten animals each: clindamycin (G1) and metronidazole + espiramycin (G2). New subgingival samples were collected 15 days after antibiotic therapy started. There were observed subgingival bacterial culture on most dogs with PD and correlation between severity of PD and age. There was reduction of bacterial growth in 20 percent of the samples after treatment and antibiogram showed higher sensibility to clindamycin, followed by espiramycin - all microorganisms were resistant to metronidazole.

Causes of condemnation of carcasses from poultry in slaughterhouses located in State of Goiás, Brazil / Causas de condenação de carcaças de aves em abatedouros localizados no Estado de Goiás, Brasil

The aim of this research was to detect the principal reasons for condemnation of poultry carcasses in two slaughterhouses (A and B); located in the southeastern region of the State of Goiás, Brazil. The data were collected by the federal veterinary inspection services of the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture between January and April 2007. The principal causes of condemnation observed in both industries were cellulite, contusion/ fractures and bruises, as well as contamination due to gut severance at evisceration. The three main values observed for each of the causes were different between the slaughter houses. In A, cellulite was the main cause of condemnation with 51.20% of all condemnations, followed by 5.67% for contusion/ fractures and bruising and 33.61% for contamination by evisceration. In B, the major cause of condemnation was 28.90% due to fractures/ contusion and bruising, followed by 25.27% for cellulite and 22.50% for contamination. Other causes of condemnation were observed, however in minute quantities in both industries (<10% to A and <23% to B). The high cellulite occurrence in A was due to the high density of the poultry in sheds (17 or 18 chickens m-2). The greater value for fractures/ contusion and bruising verified in B was due to the inefficiency during capture in the sheds and putting on hooks in the slaughterhouse. Carcass lesions were also caused by insensitization because of non-uniformity in the poultry groups. Contamination by residues due to gut severance, mainly intestines, was attributed to problems in adjustment of machinery and non- uniformity of lots in industry A. In industry B the value detected within an acceptable level of failure in evisceration for machine, according to the manufacturer. All problems observed suggest a failure in handling, cellulite and mainly failures in pre slaughter and slaughter procedure to prevent contusions, fractures and bruising.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi observar as principais causas de condenações de aves, em dois abatedouros frigoríficos (A e B), localizados na região Sudeste do Estado de Goiás, Brasil. Os dados foram obtidos junto ao serviço de inspeção veterinária federal do Ministério da Agricultura, entre o período de janeiro e abril de 2007. As três principais causas de condenações observadas em ambas as indústrias foram celulite, contusão/fratura e hematomas e contaminação devido à ruptura de vísceras no momento da evisceração. Entretanto, os valores observados, para cada uma das causas, foram diferentes entre os frigoríficos A e B. Em A, verificou-se que a celulite foi a maior causa de condenação, com 51,20 % do total de condenações, seguido por 5,67% de contusão/fratura e hematomas e 33,61% de contaminação na evisceração. Em B, a maior causa foi 28,90% para fraturas/ contusões e hematomas, seguido de 25,27% para celulite e 22,50% para contaminação. Outras causas de condenação também foram observadas, porém em pequenas percentagens para ambas as indústrias. Observou-se que, em A, a celulite estava relacionada à alta densidade de aves/m² nos galpões (17 a 18 aves m-2). O maior índice para fratura/contusões e hematomas observados em B foi relacionado à ineficiência na apanha e no enganchamento, bem como a traumas no momento da insensibilização devido à desuniformidade das aves. Para a contaminação por resíduos de rompimento de vísceras, principalmente alças intestinais, foi atribuído, para A, problemas na regulagem da máquina e desuniformidade do lote e, para B, o valor detectado estava dentro da margem aceitável de falhas na evisceração para a máquina evisceradora, segundo o fabricante. Os problemas verificados ainda sugerem falhas no manejo, no que se refere às celulites, e principalmente falhas nas operações de pré-abate e abate para os índices de contusões, fratura e hematomas.