Topographic laparoscopy for buffaloes in the quadruped position.

This study aimed to describe the anatomical topography of the abdominal cavity of buffaloes in the quadruped position to establish the best endosurgical access and vantage points and identify possible limitations. Laparoscopies were performed on 10 healthy female buffaloes obtained from the Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia to explore possible access points to the abdomen. Techniques for assessing and possibly observing certain organs and structures through the left and right flanks of 10 animals have been described. In five animals, access was created through the right side of the last intercostal space to allow more cranial access to the abdominal cavity. Despite the presence of the rumen, access through the left flank allowed the visualization of the structures of the gastrointestinal tract and the genitourinary system. With access through the right flank, however, imaging was hampered by the presence of the greater omentum and its deep and superficial walls, which prevented the progression of the endoscope. Access through the last right intercostal space allowed the visualization of the cranial structures of the abdominal cavity, such as the caudate process, right lobe of the liver, right kidney, and pancreas. Laparoscopic access through the left flank and the last intercostal space in healthy buffaloes in the quadruped position is feasible, and it is promising for the exploration, diagnosis, and treatment of various disorders in buffaloes.

Impact of prenatal lipopolysaccharide exposure on the development of rats.

The intrauterine environment is infl uenced by several factors, genetic or environmental, which are essential in understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of some diseases. In this study, the aim was to investigate the impact of prenatal lipopolysaccharide exposure on the development of rats. Fifty pregnant rats received intraperitoneal administration of lipopolysaccharide (100 µg/kg), or saline at the same dose, on the 9.5th day of pregnancy. The offspring of these rats were analyzed for indicators of brain and somatic development and maturation of physical characteristics. Refl ex ontogenesis was also analyzed by vibrissae placement, negative geotaxis, palmar grasp, precipice aversion, decubitus recovery and acceleration reaction. Administration of lipopolysaccharide on the 9.5th gestational day caused delayed opening of the auditory pavilion, reduction in the length of the tail, body, cranial axes, and body weight. Thus, maternal infections can interfere in the intrauterine environment, impairing functional and structural aspects of the central nervous system, as well as the maturation of physical characteristics.

Valorization of Sour Milk to Form Bioplastics: Friend or Foe?

A demonstration was developed to introduce students to waste valorization in order to form bioplastics. Waste valorization is the process of reusing, recycling, or composting, from waste, useful products or sources of energy. In this demonstration, waste valorization is introduced by converting sour milk into a bioplastic via the addition of lemon juice upon heating. Utilizing lemon juice to perform the acidification offers a greener procedure than the traditional formaldehyde (used commercially to make galalith) and enhances the transferability in remote locations such as the Amazon Rainforest in comparison to vinegar. Students can establish connections to relevant United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) by adopting a systems thinking approach. However, through this, it is noteworthy that this process is also used (particularly in the Indian subcontinent) to make paneer, a farmer cheese. While this also enables students to make a link to additional UN SDGs pertaining to "zero hunger", there is an ethical discussion to be had as to whether such a process that is utilized to feed malnourished citizens should be used to make a decorative bioplastic. As such, despite this demonstration being transferrable, instructors may consider carefully whether to utilize this resource, and, if so, to use this as an opportunity to teach the importance of ethics in science.