Nas últimas décadas, foi possível observar grandes avanços tecnológicos no que se refere às novas técnicas de exames por meio de imagens, que se tornou um componente importante e imprescindível no processo de tomada de decisão frente ao diagnóstico de diversas alterações em pacientes veterinários. Tais exames, cada um com sua especificidade, requerem análise cuidadosa por parte do avaliador e, evidentemente, um bom período de treinamento com o propósito de se extrair o máximo de informação possível que o exame possa oferecer. Mesmo assim, costumam ocorrer situações que geram dúvidas e equívocos, resultando em erros de interpretação. São, na verdade, armadilhas resultantes das próprias limitações da técnica ou da produção dos chamados artefatos, capazes de gerar dúvidas e erros de interpretação, muitas vezes comprometendo a formulação do diagnóstico. Diante do exposto, procurou-se, com este estudo, chamar a atenção dos envolvidos com diagnóstico por imagem em veterinária quanto aos riscos de interpretação, em particular na radiologia e na ultrassonografia, duas técnicas distintas e amplamente usadas na medicina veterinária. Foram selecionadas imagens radiográficas e ultrassonográficas obtidas da rotina de atendimento a pequenos animais do Hospital Veterinário da Escola de Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) que pudessem exemplificar as mais frequentes dúvidas no momento da interpretação e que poderiam induzir a erros.

Central nervous system (CNS) is the main site for encystment of Neospora caninum in different animal species. In this tissue, glial cells (astrocytes and microglia) modulate responses to aggression in order to preserve home-ostasis and neuronal function. Previous data showed that when primary cultures of glial cells are infected with N. caninum, they develop gliosis and the immune response is characterized by the release of TNF and IL-10, followed by the control of parasite proliferation. In order to elucidate this control, three enzymatic systems involved in parasite-versus-host interactions were observed on a model of neuron/glia co/cultures obtained from rat brains. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) responsible for the catabolism of tryptophan and arginine, respectively, and cycloxigenase (COX) were studied comparing their modulation by respective inhibitors with the number of tachyzoites or the immune response measured by the release of IL-10 and TNF. Cells were treated with the inhibitors of iNOS (1.5 mM L-NAME), IDO (1 mM 1-methyl tryptophan), COX-1 (1 mu M indomethacin) and COX-2 (1 mu M nimesulide) before infection with tachyzoites of N. caninum (1:1 cell: parasite). After 72 h of infection, immunocytochemistry showed astrogliosis and a significant increase in the number and length of neurites, compared with uninfected co-cultures, while an increase of IL-10 and TNF was verified. N. caninum did not change iNOS activity, but the inhibition of the basal levels of this enzyme stimulated parasite proliferation. Additionally, a significant increase of about 40% was verified in the IDO activity, whose inhibition caused 1.2-fold increase in parasitic growth. For COX-2 activity, infection of cultures stimulated a significant increase in release of PGE(2) and its inhibition by nimesulide allowed the parasitic growth. These data indicate that iNOS, IDO and COX-2 control the proliferation of N. caninum in this in vitro model. On the other hand, the release of IL-10 by glia besides modulating the inflammation also allow the continuity of parasitism.

The peanut plant has high plasticity and great adaptability to adverse conditions, including drought.To mitigate the negative effects of drought on legumes, nitrogen-fixing microorganisms have been investigated in some plant species, such as soybeans and beans.We analyzed the role Bradyrhizobium strains in peanut genotypes subjected to water deficit by means of plant growth, physiological and gene expression analysis.The research was conducted under greenhouse conditions with the runner peanut genotypes (IAC Runner 886, 2012-33 and 2012-47) and two Bradyrhizobium strains (ESA 123 and SEMIA 6144).After 20 days of germination, the water supply was completely interrupted and gas exchange analysis were carried out using an infrared gas analyzer, up to the 10 th day of stress.Leaves were collected for the analysis of proline content and the expression of NCED and ERF8 genes.Analyses of plant height (PH), shoot dry mass (SDM), root dry mass (RDM), number of nodules (NN) and nodule weight (NW) also were S.L. Brito et al. 2 performed.The peanut shoots inoculated with the Bradyrhizobium strains obtained the best results.The genotypes inoculated with the ESA 123 strain obtained superior responses compared to the nonstressed treatment inoculated with the same bacteria and the stressed control without bacterial inoculation.In the ESA 123 inoculated treatments, the water stressed plants had higher RDM (28.5% higher, on average), NN (two fold higher), and gene expression (approximately six and three-fold higher for ERF8 and NCED genes, respectively).The increase in the expression of NCED and ERF8 genes, in the three genotypes inoculated with ESA 123, suggests a key role of this inoculant in the activation of metabolic cascades for plant protection under water deficit.

The peanut plant has high plasticity and great adaptability to adverse conditions, including drought. To mitigate the negative effects of drought on legumes, nitrogen-fixing microorganisms have been investigated in some plant species, such as soybeans and beans. We analyzed the role Bradyrhizobium strains in peanut genotypes subjected to water deficit by means of plant growth, physiological and gene expression analysis. The research was conducted under greenhouse conditions with the runner peanut genotypes (IAC Runner 886, 2012-33 and 2012-47) and two Bradyrhizobium strains (ESA 123 and SEMIA 6144). After 20 days of germination, the water supply was completely interrupted and gas exchange analysis were carried out using an infrared gas analyzer, up to the 10th day of stress. Leaves were collected for the analysis of proline content and the expression of NCED and ERF8 genes. Analyses of plant height (PH), shoot dry mass (SDM), root dry mass (RDM), number of nodules (NN) and nodule weight (NW) also were performed. The peanut shoots inoculated with the Bradyrhizobium strains obtained the best results. The genotypes inoculated with the ESA 123 strain obtained superior responses compared to the non-stressed treatment inoculated with the same bacteria and the stressed control without bacterial inoculation. In the ESA 123 inoculated treatments, the water stressed plants had higher RDM (28.5% higher, on average), NN (two fold higher), and gene expression (approximately six and three-fold higher for ERF8 and NCED genes, respectively). The increase in the expression of NCED and ERF8 genes, in the three genotypes inoculated with ESA 123, suggests a key role of this inoculant in the activation of metabolic cascades for plant protection under water deficit.

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho bioeconômico de bezerros, nos primeiros 60 dias de vida, submetidos a três sistemas de aleitamento. Foram utilizados 24 bezerros (Holandês x Guzerá), sendo 12 machos e 12 fêmeas, com peso inicial de 32,25±4,8kg para as fêmeas e 36,92±6,8kg para os machos. Os animais foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, em esquema fatorial (3 x 2). Os bezerros receberam água à vontade e seis litros de sucedâneo lácteo por dia, durante 60 dias, em três estratégias diferentes, denominadas sistema de aleitamento (SA30: 3 litros de sucedâneo lácteo, duas vezes ao dia, até 30 dias de idade; SA45: 3 litros de sucedâneo lácteo, duas vezes ao dia, até 45 dias de idade; SA49: 3 litros de sucedâneo lácteo, duas vezes ao dia, até 49 dias de idade). Os sistemas de aleitamento estudados não apresentaram diferença estatística (P>0,05) para o consumo e a digestibilidade de nutrientes, com exceção para o consumo de matéria orgânica (MO) e extrato etéreo (EE). Verificou-se interação (P<0,05) entre o sistema de aleitamento e a classe sexual para os consumos de MO e EE, bem como para o ganho médio diário, em que os machos do SA 49 apresentaram maiores médias em relação ao SA 30. O desempenho bioeconômico de bezerros machos do sistema de aleitamento 49 foi superior e apresentou a melhor relação custo-benefício entre os sistemas estudados.

A total of 256 pigs (Line 600 × 241, DNA Columbus, NE) were used in a 72-d trial to determine the effect of dietary chromium (chromium propionate; Kemin Industries, Des Moines, IA) and space allowance on performance and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs. Pens were blocked by initial weight and randomly assigned to treatments with 8 pigs per pen and 8 pens per treatment. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial with main effects of diet (control or added chromium, 200 ppb) and 2 space allowances (9.8 ft2 normal and 6.8 ft2 – restricted). Adding chromium to the diet decreased (P = 0.044) ADG from d 56 to 72 and resulted in poorer (P = 0.021) F/G for the overall period. Space restriction decreased (P < 0.001) ADG and ADFI for all periods within the study and final BW, and HCW, but increased (P = 0.009) carcass yield and decreased (P = 0.003) backfat depth. These results indicate that chromium propionate did not improve performance when pigs were restricted in space.

Neospora caninum causes abortion in cattle and neurological disorders in dogs. The immunological response to this parasite has been described as predominantly of the Th1 type. However, infected primary glial cell cultures release IL-10 and IL-6 but not IFN-γ. This suggests a rather protective response of the glia to avoid inflammatory damage of the nervous tissue. In this study, we investigated the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines in primary mixed cultures of rat astrocytes and microglia infected with N. caninum. The cells were treated with either IFN-γ, TNF-α, anti-IL-10 or anti-TGF-β antibodies and were infected with parasite tachyzoites 24h later. Trypan Blue exclusion and MTT assays were performed to test cell viability. It was observed that cytokines, antibody treatment and in vitro infection did not reveal significant cell death in the various culture conditions. Treatment with 50, 150 and 300 IU/mL of either IFN-γ or TNF-α reduced tachyzoites numbers in cultures by 36.7%, 54.8% and 63.8% for IFN-γ and by 27.6%, 38.4% and 29.7% for TNF-α, respectively. In the absence of IL-10 and TGF-β, tachyzoite numbers were reduced by 52.8% and 41.5%, respectively. While IFN-γ (150 and 300 IU/mL) increased the nitrite levels in uninfected cells, parasite infection seemed to reduce the nitrite levels, and this reduction was more expressive in IFN-γ-infected cells, thereby suggesting an inhibitory effect on its production. However, TNF-α, IL-10 and TGF-β did not affect the nitrite levels. Basal PGE(2) levels also increased by 17% and 25%; 78% and 13% in uninfected and infected cells treated with IFN-γ or anti-TGF-β, respectively. Nevertheless, the antibody neutralization of IL-10 reduced PGE(2) release significantly. These results highlight the possibility of a combined effect between the IFN-γ and parasite evasion strategies and show that the IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10 and TGF-β cytokines participate in parasite proliferation control mechanisms.

Neospora caninum causes abortion in cattle and neurological disorders in dogs. The immunological response to this parasite has been described as predominantly Th1-type; however, glial cells in infected primary cultures release IL-10 and IL-6 but tiol IFN-gamma. This suggests a protective response of glia to avoid inflammatory damage of nervous tissues. This study investigated the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines in primary cell co-cultures of rat astrocytes and microglia infected with N. caninum. Cells were treated with IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha and 24 h after, infected with parasite tachyzoites. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, measured to indicate cell viability, was increased following TNF-alpha treatment. Infected cultures also increase LDII activity 72 h post-infection. Treatment with 50, 150 and 320 IU/ml of IFN-gamma orTNF-A reduced tachyzoitcs in cultures by 41.5, 54.9 and 61.5%, and by 30.2, 38.8 and 31.7%, respectively. These results suggest that IFN-gamma may act synergistically with the parasite in its immune evasion mechanisms and both cytokines can reduce parasite proliferation, but they may also be toxic to infected glial cells.

The purpose of this study was to compare the electrical activity of the knee stabilizers, in patients with ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstructed and uninjured individuals during different balance board stimuli. Eleven post-surgery individuals and eleven uninjured controls participated in the study. The muscular activity of the vastus medialis obliquus, vastus lateralis, semitendinosus, biceps femoris and gastrocnemius medial were analyzed by surface electromyography during the execution of six different balance board activities. All electromyographic data were reported as percentage of RMS mean values obtained in maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) for each muscle. When comparing the individuals with ACL reconstructed and uninjured controls, minor electromyographic activity was observed (MVIC %) for all the muscles in the surgery group (P < 0.05), however, when comparing each exercise between the groups, a statistically significant difference for vastus lateralis was demonstrated in the floor exercise (P = 0.02) and for gastrocnemius on the round board (P = 0.04). Individuals ACL reconstructed presented a decrease in muscular activity during different balance board stimuli, which suggests that compensatory alterations after ACL may still exist even after a surgery to repair an ACL rupture.

The purpose of this study was to point out the effectiveness of prolonged video EEG monitoring (PVEM) in the diagnosis of nonepileptic seizures (NES) as well as to estimate its prevalence in a reference center of epilepsy (EP). A sample of 47 patients with the diagnosis of NES with spontaneous or provoked seizures was observed. A protocol with the clinical history and semiology of seizures was analyzed; Fisher's exact test and cluster analysis were used for statistical observation. The results showed a prevalence of 10% of NES; more prevalence in females (63.8%); the crises were spontaneous in 57% of the patients. The mean age was 32.5 +/- 11 years and the most frequent semiological sign was apparent sleep (82.2%). Either EP or NES was observed in 9% of the patients. There were three groups according to the cluster analysis: hypermotor NES of the extremities with tonus alteration; NES with automatism; and axial NES with eye movements. In conclusion, the study of clinical semiology of NES during the PVEM provides both this nosological entity and the differential EP diagnoses while the provocative test helps to obtain the seizures.