Effects of ozone therapy on hematological, biochemical, and oxidative stress parameters of vaquejada athlete horses / Efeitos da ozonioterapia sobre os parâmetros hematológicos, bioquímicos e estresse oxidativo de cavalos atletas de vaquejada

Ozone therapy is a technique used in several specialties of equine medicine; however, there are few studies on its use in vaquejada (cowboy competition) athlete horses. This study aims to evaluate the potential effect of ozone gas administered by two different routes on hematological and biochemical values and the oxidative stress marker in vaquejada athlete horses. For this, nine healthy equines that followed a training protocol and underwent two treatments were used with an 8-day wash-out between them. The major ozonated autohemotherapy (MOA) treatment group received a volume of 600ml of the 02-03 mixture at a concentration of 60 µg/mL, and the rectal insufflation (RI) treatment group received 5mL of gas per kg of body weight at a concentration of 15µg/kg performed every 24h on three consecutive days. Results were significant for RBC, hematocrit, and hemoglobin in the hematological variables, and AST and lactate for biochemical and malondialdehyde variables. No statistically significant differences were found in comparisons between treatment groups. Thus, we can conclude that there is no difference between the two therapies, indicating that the two techniques are effective for the application of ozone therapy in horses competing for vaquejada.

A ozonioterapia é uma técnica utilizada em diversas especialidades da medicina equina, contudo, são escassos os estudos de sua utilização em cavalos atletas de vaquejada. O presente estudo tem por objetivo avaliar o potencial efeito do gás ozônio administrado por duas diferentes vias sobre os valores hematológicos, bioquímicos e no marcador de estresse oxidativo em cavalos atletas de vaquejada. Para isso, foram utilizados 9 equinos hígidos que seguiram um protocolo de treinamento e foram submetidos a dois tratamentos, com um wash-out de 8 dias entre eles. O grupo de tratamento auto-hemoterapia maior ozonizada (AHTMO) recebeu um volume de 600ml da mistura 02-03 na concentração de 60 µg/mL e o grupo de tratamento insuflação retal (IR) recebeu 5mL de gás por kg de peso vivo, na concentração de 15µg/kg, realizado a cada 24h em três dias consecutivos. Os resultados demonstraram-se significativos para hemácias, hematocrito e hemoglobina nas variáveis hematológicas, AST e lactato para as variáveis bioquímicas e para o malondialdeido. Não foram encontradas diferenças estatísticas significativas nas comparações entre grupos de tratamento. Assim, pode-se concluir que não há diferença entre as duas terapias, indicando que as duas técnicas são eficazes para a aplicação da ozonioterapia em cavalos competidores de vaquejada.

Ultrastructural and metabolic disorders induced by short-term cadmium exposure in Avicennia schaueriana plants and its excretion through leaf salt glands.

Environmental cadmium (Cd) sources have increased in mangrove sediments in recent decades, inducing cellular damage to many plants. Avicennia schaueriana is abundant in mangrove sites and has been subject to Cd contamination. The possible effects of Cd toxicity and the structural and physiological disturbances to this plant were studied. Can this plant express early cellular tolerance mechanisms to such metal contamination? Seedlings of A. schaueriana were collected from sites of their natural occurrence, placed in plastic pots containing nutrient solution for 60 days, and subsequently exposed to increasing Cd concentrations for 5 days under experimental conditions. The anatomical, ultrastructural and physiological changes induced by Cd were analysed. Cd accumulated mainly in the root system and in pneumatophores, stems and leaves, induced differential accumulation of mineral nutrients, but did not induce necrosis or changes in leaf anatomy. However, there was a decrease in starch grains and an increase in deposited electron-dense material in the cortex and vascular bundles. Cd induced both increases in calcium (Ca) content in shoots and Ca oxalate crystal precipitation in leaf mesophyll and was detected in crystals and in the secretion of salt glands. Our observations and experimental results provide evidence of Cd tolerance in A. schaueriana. As a new feature, despite the clear cellular physiological disorders, this plant is able to eliminate Cd through leaf salt glands and immobilise it in Ca crystals, representing fast mechanisms for Cd exclusion and complexation in leaves in heavy metal coastal polluted marine ecosystems.

Moving beyond classical markers of water quality: detection of enteric viruses and genotoxicity in water of the Sinos River.

It is well recognized that the classical biological and chemical markers of environmental pollution do not necessarily indicate the presence or absence of emerging threats to public health, such as waterborne viruses and genotoxicants. The purpose of this preliminary study was to evaluate the presence of material of enteroviruses (EV), rotavirus (RV) and adenovirus (AdV) and genotoxicity in water samples from points of routine monitoring of water quality in the main course of the Sinos River. The points are classified into different levels of pollution in accordance to the Brazilian federal regulations. Viral genomes from EV, AdV were detected in two of the 4 collection points regardless of the level of urbanisation of the surrounding areas. In contrast, genotoxicity was not observed in piava (Leporinus obtusidens) fingerlings cultivated on these same water samples. Results were compared with classical physical, chemical and microbiological parameters. There was no clear evidence of association between any of the classical markers and the presence of viral genomes in the water samples tested.

Moving beyond classical markers of water quality: detection of enteric viruses and genotoxicity in water of the Sinos River / Indo além dos marcadores clássicos de qualidade da água: detecção de vírus entéricos e genotoxicidade na água do Rio dos Sinos

It is well recognized that the classical biological and chemical markers of environmental pollution do not necessarily indicate the presence or absence of emerging threats to public health, such as waterborne viruses and genotoxicants. The purpose of this preliminary study was to evaluate the presence of material of enteroviruses (EV), rotavirus (RV) and adenovirus (AdV) and genotoxicity in water samples from points of routine monitoring of water quality in the main course of the Sinos River. The points are classified into different levels of pollution in accordance to the Brazilian federal regulations. Viral genomes from EV, AdV were detected in two of the 4 collection points regardless of the level of urbanisation of the surrounding areas. In contrast, genotoxicity was not observed in piava (Leporinus obtusidens) fingerlings cultivated on these same water samples. Results were compared with classical physical, chemical and microbiological parameters. There was no clear evidence of association between any of the classical markers and the presence of viral genomes in the water samples tested.(AU)

É amplamente reconhecido que os marcadores biológicos e químicos clássicos para a poluição ambiental não necessariamente indicam a presença ou ausência de ameaças emergentes à saúde pública, tais como vírus transmitidos pela água e genotoxicantes. Este estudo preliminar teve por objetivo detectar material genético de enterovírus (EV), rotavírus (RV) e adenovírus (AdV) e genotoxicidade em amostras de água de pontos de monitoramento de rotina da qualidade da água no curso principal do rio dos Sinos. Os pontos são classificados em níveis diferentes de poluição, de acordo com as normativas federais brasileiras. Genomas virais de EV, RV e RV foram detectados em dois dos quatro pontos de coleta, independente do nível de urbanização das áreas adjacentes. Por outro lado, não foi observada genotoxicidade em alevinos de piava (Leporinus obtusidens) cultivados nestas mesmas amostras de água. Os resultados são comparados com marcadores físicos, químicos e microbiológicos clássicos, não há nenhuma evidência clara da associação entre qualquer um dos marcadores clássicos e da presença de genomas virais nas amostras de água testadas.(AU)

Human adenovirus (HAdV), human enterovirus (hEV), and genogroup A rotavirus (GARV) in tap water in southern Brazil.

The effects of viral gastroenteritis are more devastating in children than in any other age category. Thus, children exposed to the consumption of low quality water are at an increased risk of infection, especially in regions where sanitation is inadequate. The present study aimed to provide a survey of the occurrence of representative enteric viruses: human adenovirus (HAdV), human enteroviruses (hEV), and genogroup A rotavirus (GARV) in tap water samples collected in public schools located at six municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. Seventy-three schools were included in the study and tap water samples were analyzed by conventional PCR for the presence of HAdV, hEV, and GARV genomes. hEV showed the highest detection rate (27.4%), followed by HAdV (23.3%), and GARV (16.4%). New approaches to water monitoring should be considered to promote a better water quality and reduce the risk of waterborne diseases, especially considering drinking water to be served to vulnerable individuals.

First description of Adenovirus, Enterovirus, Rotavirus and Torque teno virus in water samples collected from the Arroio Dilúvio, Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Adenovirus (AdV), enterovirus (EV), genogroup A rotaviruses (GARV) and Torque teno virus (TTV) are non-enveloped viral agents excreted in feces and so may contaminate water bodies. In the present study, the molecular detection of these viruses was performed in samples of surface water collected from the Arroio Dilúvio, a waterstream that crosses the city of Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, receiving great volumes of non-treated sewage from a large urban area. Sampling was performed during 2009, in three different occasions (January, April and September). The highest detection rate was observed for EV (64.28%), followed by TTV (28.57%) and AdV (21.43%). Rotaviruses were not detected. More than on kind of tested virus was detected in five (35. 71%) of 14 samples. January was the month with the highest viral detection rate, being all samples, collected in this month, positive for at least one group of tested virus. The correlation between the detection of these different viral agents and environmental factors is discussed. To the knowledge of the authors, this is the first description of viral genomes in water samples taken from the Arroio Dilúvio, Porto Alegre (Brazil).

Assessment of enteric viruses in a sewage treatment plant located in Porto Alegre, southern Brazil.

In order to verify the microbial quality of the influents and effluents of one STP from southern Brazil, an eight-month survey was conducted to examine the presence of total and fecal coliforms and of adenovirus (HAdV), enterovirus (EV), genogroup A rotaviruses (GARV) and Torque teno virus (TTV), in treated effluent samples from São João/Navegantes STP, Porto Alegre (Brazil). A total of 16 samples were collected, eight of influent (raw sewage, prior to treatment), and the other eight of the effluent (post-treatment sewage). Total and fecal coliform levels ranging from 3.6 × 10(4) to 4.4 × 10(7) MPN/100 mL and 2.9 × 10(3) to 1.7 × 10(7) MPN/100 mL, were detected in all samples. In raw sewage, HAdV (25%) and GARV (28.6%) viral genomes were detected. The analysis of effluent samples revealed the presence of HAdV (50%), EV (37.5%), and TTV (12.5%) genomic fragments. All samples, regardless of the month analysed, presented detection of a least one virus genus, except for in April. Higher virus detection rates were observed in treated sewage samples (62.5%), and in 80% of them (effluent positive samples) HAdV was detected. Results showed that improvements in sewage monitoring and treatment processes are necessary to reduce the viral and bacterial load on the environment in southern Brazil. To the knowledge of the authors, this is the first study showing the monitoring of viral genomes in influent and effluent samples from a STP located in Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil), southern Brazil.