Hematological and immunological development from birth to six months of age in Holstein calves / Desenvolvimento hematológico e imunológico em bezerros Holandeses do nascimento aos seis meses de idade

The hematological and immunological development of calves from birth to 6 months of age was performed by hemogram and cellular phenotype. Ten male Holstein calves were assessed in 13 moments: before colostrum intake (D0), every 2 days until the 10th day of life (D2 to D10), at the 15th day after birth (D15), and then monthly up to 6 months (D180). Calves presented hemoconcentration on day (D) 0 and showed a gradual decrease in hematimetric rates until D180. The inversion of the neutrophilic for lymphocytic profile was observed on D4. The percentage of CD3+ cells on D10 was higher than D30 up to D180. The number of CD4+ and CD8+ cells did not change between time points. The number of CD21+ lymphocytes was significantly higher at early time points of D0 up to D15, compared on D30 until D150. In conclusion, the neonatal period was marked by stress leukogram in the first 4 days, and low number of B lymphocytes. These might be risk factors for bacterial infections responsible for navel inflammation and diarrhea. The increase in the number of B cells from 30 days of age demonstrated that the calves were functional and able to generate an immune response.(AU)

O desenvolvimento hematológico e o imunológico de bezerros do nascimento aos seis meses de idade foram avaliados por meio hemograma e imunofenotipagem dos linfócitos. Para tanto, 10 bezerros machos Holandeses foram avaliados em 13 momentos: antes da ingestão do colostro (D0), a cada dois dias até o 10º dia (D2 a D10), 15º dia (D15) e, em seguida, mensalmente até seis meses de idade (D180). Os bezerros apresentaram hemoconcentração em D0 e decréscimo gradual dos índices hematimétricos até D180. A inversão do perfil neutrofílico para linfocítico foi observada em D4. Os valores de CD3+ (%) em D10 foram maiores que aqueles observados em D30 até D180. CD4+ e CD8+ não apresentaram alterações entre os momentos. Os linfócitos B CD21+ aumentaram significativamente a partir dos primeiros momentos D0 até D15, em comparação com os momentos subsequentes D30 até D150. Em conclusão, o período neonatal foi caracterizado pelo leucograma de estresse nos primeiros quatro dias e o baixo número de linfócitos B. Esses fatos podem ser considerados como fatores de risco para infecções bacterianas responsáveis pelas inflamações umbilicais e pela diarreia. Por outro lado, o aumento de células B após os 30 dias de vida demonstrou que os bezerros foram capazes de gerar uma resposta imune.(AU)

Hematological and immunological development from birth to six months of age in Holstein calves / Desenvolvimento hematológico e imunológico em bezerros Holandeses do nascimento aos seis meses de idade

The hematological and immunological development of calves from birth to 6 months of age was performed by hemogram and cellular phenotype. Ten male Holstein calves were assessed in 13 moments: before colostrum intake (D0), every 2 days until the 10th day of life (D2 to D10), at the 15th day after birth (D15), and then monthly up to 6 months (D180). Calves presented hemoconcentration on day (D) 0 and showed a gradual decrease in hematimetric rates until D180. The inversion of the neutrophilic for lymphocytic profile was observed on D4. The percentage of CD3+ cells on D10 was higher than D30 up to D180. The number of CD4+ and CD8+ cells did not change between time points. The number of CD21+ lymphocytes was significantly higher at early time points of D0 up to D15, compared on D30 until D150. In conclusion, the neonatal period was marked by stress leukogram in the first 4 days, and low number of B lymphocytes. These might be risk factors for bacterial infections responsible for navel inflammation and diarrhea. The increase in the number of B cells from 30 days of age demonstrated that the calves were functional and able to generate an immune response.(AU)

O desenvolvimento hematológico e o imunológico de bezerros do nascimento aos seis meses de idade foram avaliados por meio hemograma e imunofenotipagem dos linfócitos. Para tanto, 10 bezerros machos Holandeses foram avaliados em 13 momentos: antes da ingestão do colostro (D0), a cada dois dias até o 10º dia (D2 a D10), 15º dia (D15) e, em seguida, mensalmente até seis meses de idade (D180). Os bezerros apresentaram hemoconcentração em D0 e decréscimo gradual dos índices hematimétricos até D180. A inversão do perfil neutrofílico para linfocítico foi observada em D4. Os valores de CD3+ (%) em D10 foram maiores que aqueles observados em D30 até D180. CD4+ e CD8+ não apresentaram alterações entre os momentos. Os linfócitos B CD21+ aumentaram significativamente a partir dos primeiros momentos D0 até D15, em comparação com os momentos subsequentes D30 até D150. Em conclusão, o período neonatal foi caracterizado pelo leucograma de estresse nos primeiros quatro dias e o baixo número de linfócitos B. Esses fatos podem ser considerados como fatores de risco para infecções bacterianas responsáveis pelas inflamações umbilicais e pela diarreia. Por outro lado, o aumento de células B após os 30 dias de vida demonstrou que os bezerros foram capazes de gerar uma resposta imune.(AU)

Bovine papillomavirus in Brazil: detection of coinfection of unusual types by a PCR-RFLP method.

Bovine papillomavirus (BPV) is recognized as a causal agent of benign and malignant tumors in cattle. Thirteen types of BPV are currently characterized and classified into three distinct genera, associated with different pathological outcomes. The described BPV types as well as other putative ones have been demonstrated by molecular biology methods, mainly by the employment of degenerated PCR primers. Specifically, divergences in the nucleotide sequence of the L1 gene are useful for the identification and classification of new papillomavirus types. On the present work, a method based on the PCR-RFLP technique and DNA sequencing was evaluated as a screening tool, allowing for the detection of two relatively rare types of BPV in lesions samples from a six-year-old Holstein dairy cow, chronically affected with cutaneous papillomatosis. These findings point to the dissemination of BPVs with unclear pathogenic potential, since two relatively rare, new described BPV types, which were first characterized in Japan, were also detected in Brazil.

Excretion of Brucella abortus vaccine B19 strain during a reproductive cycle in dairy cows

This paper aimed to determine the excretion period of B19 vaccine strain during a complete reproductive cycle (from estrus synchronization, artificial insemination, pregnancy and until 30 days after parturition) of dairy cows from 3 to 9 years old that were previously vaccinated from 3 to 8 months. Three groups were monitored with monthly milk and urine collection during 12 months: G1 with seven cows from 3 to 4 years old; G2 with three cows from 5 to 6 years old; and G3 with four cows from 7 to 9 years old. Urine and milk samples were submitted to bacteriological culture and urine and PCR reactions for detection of Brucella spp. and PCR-multiplex for B19 strain identification. Ring test (RT) was also performed in the milk samples, and serum samples were tested by buffered acidified plate antigen test (BAPA). All animals were serologically negative at BAPA and Brucella spp. was not isolated from both urine and milk samples. RT revealed 13/210 (6.2%) positive milk samples. PCR reactions detected DNA of Brucella spp. in 86/420 (20.5%) samples. In urine it was found a significantly higher frequency (35.2%; 74/210) than in milk (5.7%; 12/210), more frequently from the estrus to 150 days of pregnancy and after parturition (6.7%; 10/150), and from 150 days of pregnancy to parturition (3.4%; 2/60), and they were all identified as B19 strain. In three groups, intermittent excretion of B19 strain was detected mainly in urine samples, which confirmed its multiplication and persistence in cows for until 9 years.

Excretion of Brucella abortus vaccine B19 strain during a reproductive cycle in dairy cows.

This paper aimed to determine the excretion period of B19 vaccine strain during a complete reproductive cycle (from estrus synchronization, artificial insemination, pregnancy and until 30 days after parturition) of dairy cows from 3 to 9 years old that were previously vaccinated from 3 to 8 months. Three groups were monitored with monthly milk and urine collection during 12 months: G1 with seven cows from 3 to 4 years old; G2 with three cows from 5 to 6 years old; and G3 with four cows from 7 to 9 years old. Urine and milk samples were submitted to bacteriological culture and urine and PCR reactions for detection of Brucella spp. and PCR-multiplex for B19 strain identification. Ring test (RT) was also performed in the milk samples, and serum samples were tested by buffered acidified plate antigen test (BAPA). All animals were serologically negative at BAPA and Brucella spp. was not isolated from both urine and milk samples. RT revealed 13/210 (6.2%) positive milk samples. PCR reactions detected DNA of Brucella spp. in 86/420 (20.5%) samples. In urine it was found a significantly higher frequency (35.2%; 74/210) than in milk (5.7%; 12/210), more frequently from the estrus to 150 days of pregnancy and after parturition (6.7%; 10/150), and from 150 days of pregnancy to parturition (3.4%; 2/60), and they were all identified as B19 strain. In three groups, intermittent excretion of B19 strain was detected mainly in urine samples, which confirmed its multiplication and persistence in cows for until 9 years.

Excretion of Brucella abortus vaccine B19 strain during a reproductive cycle in dairy cows

This paper aimed to determine the excretion period of B19 vaccine strain during a complete reproductive cycle (from estrus synchronization, artificial insemination, pregnancy and until 30 days after parturition) of dairy cows from 3 to 9 years old that were previously vaccinated from 3 to 8 months. Three groups were monitored with monthly milk and urine collection during 12 months: G1 with seven cows from 3 to 4 years old; G2 with three cows from 5 to 6 years old; and G3 with four cows from 7 to 9 years old. Urine and milk samples were submitted to bacteriological culture and urine and PCR reactions for detection of Brucella spp. and PCR-multiplex for B19 strain identification. Ring test (RT) was also performed in the milk samples, and serum samples were tested by buffered acidified plate antigen test (BAPA). All animals were serologically negative at BAPA and Brucella spp. was not isolated from both urine and milk samples. RT revealed 13/210 (6.2%) positive milk samples. PCR reactions detected DNA of Brucella spp. in 86/420 (20.5%) samples. In urine it was found a significantly higher frequency (35.2%; 74/210) than in milk (5.7%; 12/210), more frequently from the estrus to 150 days of pregnancy and after parturition (6.7%; 10/150), and from 150 days of pregnancy to parturition (3.4%; 2/60), and they were all identified as B19 strain. In three groups, intermittent excretion of B19 strain was detected mainly in urine samples, which confirmed its multiplication and persistence in cows for until 9 years.

Conformational preference of chlorothioformate species: molecular structure of ethyl chlorothioformate, ClC(O)SCH2CH3, in the solid phase and NBO analysis.

The molecular structure of ethyl chlorothioformate, ClC(O)SCH(2)CH(3), has been investigated in the solid phase by X-ray diffraction analysis at low temperature using a miniature zone-melting procedure and IR laser radiation. The crystalline solid consists exclusively of molecules with the synperiplanar conformation with respect to the C=O double bond and the S-C single bond, and gauche orientation of the ethyl group (syn-gauche). These results coincide with previous studies devoted to gas-phase conformational properties. The conformational preference for the ClC(O)SY (Y = Cl, CF(3), CH(3) and CH(2)CH(3)) series of molecules was rationalized using the natural bond orbital (NBO) scheme. It was found that both resonance (mesomeric) and anomeric (hyperconjugation) intermolecular charge-transfer interactions are important for describing the syn ↔ anti equilibrium, also illustrating the effect of electronegativity of the substituent in the conformation preference of the ClC(O)S- moiety. On the basis of the atoms in molecules (AIM) theory, intermolecular interactions have been characterized in the B3LYP/6-31G** periodic boundary electron density.

On the electron density topology and electrostatic properties of nitroanilines. A theoretical investigation on m-nitroaniline and 2-methyl-5-nitroaniline crystals.

On the basis of the AIM theory, intermolecular interactions have been characterized in the B3LYP/6-31G** periodic electron density of the title compounds. Although the set of bond paths identified in each system is not fully equivalent to its experimental counterpart, agreement is reasonable with regard to the nature and relative importance of the intermolecular interactions at play. Within the AIM partition scheme, the molecular dipole moment of the in-crystal molecule was determined for the title compounds and the two closely related crystals of 2-methyl-4-nitroaniline and p-nitroaniline. Using a method that relies only on molecular calculations and a mean electric field approximation, it was possible to reproduce within 6% the values of the molecular dipole moment modulus obtained directly from the periodic electron densities. This result reveals that, for this kind of molecular crystal, enhancement of the dipole moment in going from the isolated molecule to the in-crystal one is an almost exclusively inductive effect.

Effects of gamma-radiation on the fungus Alternaria alternata in artificially inoculated cereal samples.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different gamma-radiation doses on the growth of Alternaria alternata in artificially inoculated cereal samples. Seeds and grains were divided into four groups: Control Group (not irradiated), and Groups 1, 2 and 3, inoculated with an A. alternata spore suspension (1 x 10(6) spores/mL) and exposed to 2, 5 and 10 kGy, respectively. Serial dilutions of the samples were prepared and seeded on DRBC (dichloran rose bengal chloramphenicol agar) and DCMA (dichloran chloramphenicol malt extract agar) media, after which the number of colony-forming units per gram was determined in each group. In addition, fungal morphology after irradiation was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that ionizing radiation at a dose of 5 kGy was effective in reducing the growth of A. alternata. However, a dose of 10 kGy was necessary to inhibit fungal growth completely. SEM made it possible to visualize structural alterations induced by the different gamma-radiation doses used.

Leptospirosis outbreak in dairy cattle due to leptospira spp. serovar canicola: reproductive rates and serological profile after treatment with streptomycin sulfate

ABSTRACT The objectives of the present trial were to evaluate the reproductive parameters in a Holstein bovine herd affected by leptospirosis during the outbreak of abortion and stillborn fetus and treated with streptomycin sulfate. Animals were divided in 2 groups of 10 cows each: G1, treated with streptomycin sulfate 25 mg/kg/lw for 3 days by IM route; and; G2, untreated control. Serum samples were collected on the onset of abortions and after that every 15 or 30 days until completing 270 days. Samples were analyzed by means of MAT microscopic agglutination test that showed sera conversion to serovar Canicola with titers ranging from 100 to 51,200; 7/20 of the urine samples were positive for Leptospira spp. by PCR After streptomycin sulfate therapy, the outbreak ended and urine samples also got negative to PCR and no fetus samples were positive in either techniques. However, it did not influence the evolution in antibody titers of serological profiles in both groups, which got negative after around 200 days of the onset of symptoms. Although there was no significant difference of the frequency of pregnancy/AI and calving/pregnancy rates between treated and untreated groups (p > 0.05), reproductive rates were lower in the untreated group.

RESUMO O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar o efeito do tratamento com sulfato de estreptomicina sobre o perfil sorológico de um rebanho bovino acometido de um surto de leptospirose pelo sorovar Canicola e avaliar os parâmetros reprodutivos no ciclo reprodutivo subseqüente. Foram formados 2 grupos de 10 fêmeas bovinas: G1-tratado com sulfato de estreptomicina, 25 mg/kg/pv por 3 dias, via IM; G2 sem tratamento. Amostras de soro foram colhidas no início dos abortamentos e posteriormente a cada 15 ou 30 dias num total de 270 dias e examinadas pela reação de soroaglutinação microscópica-SAM. Vinte amostras de urina colhidas no início dos sintomas e 10 -15 dias após tratamento e seis fetos abortados (rins, fígado, pulmão e conteúdo abomasal) foram submetidos ao exame bacteriológico para pesquisa de bactérias causadoras de abortamento e à técnica de PCR para Leptospira spp. Ocorreu soroconversão predominante para Leptospira spp. sorovar Canicola (títulos: 100 a 51.200); 7/20 amostras de urina foram positivas para Leptospira spp. na PCR, sendo todas negativas no exame bacteriológico e nenhuma amostra fetal foi positiva em ambas as técnicas. Os abortamentos cessaram após a antibioticoterapia, e as amostras de urina negativaram-se na PCR. O sulfato de estreptomicina foi eficaz na eliminação da doença, entretanto, não influenciou a evolução dos títulos de anticorpos no perfil sorológico quando comparado ao grupo controle, ambos negativando-se ao redor de 200 dias após o início dos sintomas. Embora não houvesse diferença estatística entre as taxas de prenhez/IA e parto/prenhez do grupo tratado em relação ao não tratado (p > 0,05), talvez devido ao baixo número amostrado, as taxas reprodutivas foram menores no grupo não tratado.

Effects of prolonged oral administration of fumonisin B1 and aflatoxin B1 in rats.

The effects of prolonged oral administration (21 days) of fumonisin B1 (FB1) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) were evaluated on male Wistar rats. The animals were housed in individual metabolic cages and submitted to the following treatments: 1-0 microg AFB1 + 0 mg FB1/100g bw.; 2-72 microg AFB1+ 0 mg FB1/100 g bw; 3-0 microg AFB1 + 0.5 mg FB1 g bw; 4-0 microg AFB1 + 1.5 mg FB1/100 g bw; 5-72 microg AFB1 + 0.5 mg FB1/100g bw; 6-72 microgAFB1 + 1.5 mg FB1/100g bw. On day 21, the rats were sacrificed for evaluation. The results showed that treated animals presented differences in body weight and absolute/relative weights of liver and kidney as well as altered hepatic function and cholesterol blood levels. Rats fed with the greatest doses of AFB1 and FB1 gained less weight (2.79 g/day) at the end of the experimental period; their blood concentrations of liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) were above control levels (130.35 micro/l and 471.00 micro/l, respectively). Blood cholesterol increased in the groups treated with the highest dose of FB1 or FB1 associated with AFB1. Histopathology revealed the occurrence of apoptosis in the liver of rats exposed to FB1. The association of aflatoxin B1 with fumonisin B1 at higher dose probably potentiated the effects of the higher dose of fumonisin B1 acting singly.

Mycoflora and occurrence of aflatoxin B(1) and fumonisin B(1) during storage of Brazilian sorghum.

The present study is a 1-year follow up of the mycoflora of 140 samples of Brazilian freshly harvested (10) and stored (130) sorghum, the levels of aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination detected in the grains, and the prevailing abiotic factors (grain moisture content, water activity, temperature, relative humidity, and mean rainfall) at the time of sampling. The results show a predominance of the genera Phoma (57.1%), Aspergillus (42.7%), Fusarium (25.0%), and Rhizopus (21.4%) and the presence of nine other filamentous fungi. Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium, the three most important genera in terms of toxicity, presented numbers of colony forming units per gram of sorghum (CFU/g) that varied from 1 x 10(3) to 36 x 10(3), from 1 x 10(3) to 295 x 10(3), and from 1 x 10(3) to 20 x 10(3) CFU/g, respectively. The species most frequently found were Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium moniliforme. Of the total samples analyzed, 12.8% were contaminated with aflatoxin B(1) (concentration mean = 7-33 microg/kg) and 74.2% with fumonisin B(1) (concentration mean = 0.11-0.15 microg/g). This paper is the first report of the natural occurrence of aflatoxins and fumonisins in sorghum grain from Brazil.

Postharvest and stored corn in Brazil: mycoflora interaction, abiotic factors and mycotoxin occurrence.

The mycoflora of 130 samples of postharvest and stored corn was analysed throughout one year. The sample originated from Riberirão Preto, State of São Paulo, Brazil. The influences of abiotic factors (moisture content, relative humidity, temperature, rainfall) and mycotoxin occurrence were also verified. The isolation of the fungi was performed with Potato Dextrose Agar. Fungi were identified by using standard techniques. The determination of mycotoxins (aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, sterigmatocystin, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol and fumonisin B1) was carried out by thin-layer chromatography. The Fusarium spp. was the most dominant fungi (83.8%) followed by Penicillium spp. (55.3%), Aspergillus spp. (40.7%) and 11 other filamentous fungi. All of these were isolated from grains with moisture contents of 12.3-17.8%, an average temperature of 18.4-24.1 degrees C, a relative humidity between 64.0 and 97.5% and rainfall of up to 337 mm. With regard to the number of colony forming units (cfu), Fusarium spp. was the main contaminant, varying from 545 x 10(3) to 1.5 x 10(3). The Simple linear correlation analysis showed significant positive correlation of the Fusarium genus with moisture content of grains, and a significant negative correlation in relation to the minimum and medium temperatures, rainfall and relative humidity. The linear correlation of the Penicillium and Aspergillus genera with the abiotic factors was not significant. In the samples analysed only one contained aflatoxin B1.

Mycoflora of the toxic feeds associated with equine leukoencephalomalacia (ELEM) outbreaks in Brazil.

The mycoflora of 39 feed samples associated with 29 Equine Leukoencephalomalacia (ELEM) outbreaks was studied from 1988 to 1990, in Brazil. Microbiological examination indicated Fusarium spp. as the most frequent mold which occurred in 97.4% of samples followed by Penicillium spp. in 61.5% and Aspergillus spp. in 35.9%. The moisture content of feed implicated in death of horses was above 15% which can favor the development of Fusarium spp. From the genus, F. moniliforme was the predominant species with an occurrence of 82.0%. Two additional species, not commonly associated with animal toxicosis, were isolated in low frequency, F. proliferatum (12.8%) and F. subglutinans (2.6%). It is important to emphasize that the isolation of F. proliferatum and F. subglutinans from feed obtained from the epizootic areas has not been documented previously in Brazil.

Epilepsia em um hospital psiquiatrico / Epilepsy in a psychiatric hospital

Recenseamento de pacientes com epilepsia, realizado no Hospital Colonia Sant'Ana, a maior instituicao psiquiatrica do estado de Santa Catarina,mantido pela Secretaria de Saude do Estado. Foram identificados 171 pacientes com epilepsia de um total de 1126 internos, dando a alta prevalencia de 152/1000. A utilizacao exagerada de medicacao sedante e a convivencia forcada com psicoticos poderiam ser responsabilizadas nao somente pela persistencia das crises, mas tambem pelas alteracoes cognitivas e comportamentais observadas em grande parte dos pacientes. A criacao de ambulatorios para uma abordagem multidisciplinar parece ser a unica alternativa frente a essas concepcoes equivocadas que transformam o geralmente benigno sintoma epilepsia em uma devastadora doenca mental

[Epilepsy at a psychiatric hospital]. / Epilepsia em um hospital psiquiátrico.

Epilepsy was surveyed in the largest psychiatric hospital in the Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil. This establishment was designed for one thousand long-term beds but at the time of the survey there were 1126 inpatients. Diagnosis ranged from anxiety neurosis to schizophrenia although patients with epilepsy, with or without psychiatric symptoms were also admitted. The following aspects were analyzed: prevalence of epilepsy, seizure types, antiepileptic drug treatment and psychiatric diagnosis. 171 patients with epilepsy were identified (prevalence 152/1000), generalized tonic clonic attacks were the commonest seizure type and polytherapy was the standard treatment. In at least 85 of the epileptic patients there was no reason for prolonged institutionalization in a psychiatric environment. Moreover, most of the sample were prescribed large amounts of sedative drugs. A multidisciplinary approach and outpatients services are urgently required to improve the prognosis and well-being of patients with epilepsy who are referred to psychiatric care.

Epilepsia em um hospital psiquiátrico / Epilepsy in a psychiatric hospital

Um recenseamento de epilepsia foi realizado no Hospital Colônia Sant'Ana, a maior instituiçäo psiquiátrica do Estado de Santa Catarina. Este estabelecimento é mantido pela Secretaria de Saúde do Estado e usualmente encontra-se em regime de superlotaçä, aceitando pacientes sofredores dos mais diferentes tipos de transtornos mentais e provenientes de todas as partes do Estado. Pacientes com epilepsia, apresentando ou näo manifestaçäoes psiquiátricas, säo também freqüentemente internados. Foram identificados 171 pacientes com epilepsia de um total de 1126 internados, dando a alta prevalência de 152/1000. Além destes foram encontrados mais 23 pacientes em uso de drogas anti-epilépticas sem entretanto, terem epilepsia. Polifarmácia sedante era o esquema terapêutico adotado na maioria dos pacientes e nomenclatura bizarra era utilizada para definiçäo das crises. Ao menos 85 dos pacientes com eplepsia näo apresentavam qualquer justificativa médica para seu confinamento em ambiente psiquiátrico. A utilizaçäo exagerada de medicaçäo sedante das crises mas, também, pelas alteraçöes cognitivas e comportamentais observadas em grande parte dos pacientes. Paradoxal e surrealmente tais