Early career achievement award: supplementing omega-6 fatty acids to enhance early embryonic development and pregnancy establishment in Bos indicus and B. taurus beef cows.

Our research group investigated the impacts of supplementing Ca salts of soybean oil (CSSO), a source of omega-6 fatty acids (FAs), on reproductive performance of beef cows. Initial studies were conducted with Nelore (Bos indicus) cows grazing tropical pastures. Cows were assigned to fixed-time artificial insemination (AI) and supplemented or not with 100 g/d (as-fed basis) of CSSO, and supplementation regimens ranged from days -11 to 28 relative to AI.

Semisynthetic Derivative of Artemisia annua-Loaded Transdermal Bioadhesive for the Treatment of Uncomplicated Malaria Caused by Plasmodium falciparum in Children.

According to the most recent World Health Organization statistics, malaria infected approximately 219 million people in 2017, with an estimate of 435,000 deaths (World Health Organization, 2018). Communities isolated from cities are the most deprived of access to the necessary hospital facilities. Herein we report the development of a transdermal bioadhesive containing artemether (ART), an alternative, potentially lifesaving, treatment regimen for malaria in low-resource settings.

Monotherapy laser photocoagulation for diabetic macular oedema.

Background: Diabetic macular oedema (DMO) is a complication of diabetic retinopathy and one of the most common causes of visual impairment in people with diabetes. Clinically significant macular oedema (CSMO) is the most severe form of DMO. Intravitreal antiangiogenic therapy is now the standard treatment for DMO involving the centre of the macula, but laser photocoagulation is still used in milder or non-central DMO.

Stimuli-responsive Drug Delivery Nanocarriers in the Treatment of Breast Cancer.

Stimuli-responsive drug-delivery nanocarriers (DDNs) have been increasingly reported in the literature as an alternative for breast cancer therapy. Stimuli-responsive DDNs are developed with materials that present a drastic change in response to intrinsic/chemical stimuli (pH, redox and enzyme) and extrinsic/physical stimuli (ultrasound, Near-infrared (NIR) light, magnetic field and electric current). In addition, they can be developed using different strategies, such as functionalization with signaling molecules, leading to several advantages, such as (a) improved pharmaceutical properties of liposoluble drugs, (b) selectivity with the tumor tissue decreasing systemic toxic effects, (c) controlled release upon different stimuli, which are all fundamental to improving the therapeutic effectiveness of breast cancer treatment.

Infection by Histoplasma capsulatum, Cryptococcus spp. and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in bats collected in urban areas.

Epidemiological studies on endemic mycosis can be improved using molecular biology techniques to elucidate the role of bats as reservoirs and vectors of pathogenic fungi for infection of other animals and humans. The objective of this study was to explore the presence of Histoplasma capsulatum, Cryptococcus spp. and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in insectivorous, frugivorous and nectarivorous bats collected in urban areas.

Galleria mellonella experimental model for bat fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans and human fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus pannorum.

Laboratory investigations of the pathogenesis of Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the fungal causal agent of bat White Nose Syndrome (WNS), presents unique challenges due to its growth requirements (4°-15°C) and a lack of infectivity in the current disease models. Pseudogymnoascus pannorum is the nearest fungal relative of P. destructans with wider psychrophilic - physiological growth range, and ability to cause rare skin infections in humans.

Comprehensive inventory of true flies (Diptera) at a tropical site.

Estimations of tropical insect diversity generally suffer from lack of known groups or faunas against which extrapolations can be made, and have seriously underestimated the diversity of some taxa. Here we report the intensive inventory of a four-hectare tropical cloud forest in Costa Rica for one year, which yielded 4332 species of Diptera, providing the first verifiable basis for diversity of a major group of insects at a single site in the tropics. In total 73 families were present, all of which were studied to the species level, providing potentially complete coverage of all families of the order likely to be present at the site.

Molecular characterization and identification of Hepatozoon species Miller, 1908 (Apicomplexa: Adeleina: Hepatozoidae) in captive snakes from Brazil.

Species of Hepatozoon are parasites frequently recorded in snakes. The species identification of this genus was based mostly on the gametocyte morphology and morphometric calculations. For more reliable results, molecular characterization, an initial step for the correct identification of Hepatozoon species, has been used.

Influence of Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus sanguinis on virulence of Candida albicans: in vitro and in vivo studies.

The aim was to evaluate in vitro possible interactions, gene expression, and biofilm formation in species of Candida albicans, Streptococcus mitis, and Streptococcus sanguinis and their in vivo pathogenicity. The in vitro analysis evaluated the effects of S. mitis and S.

Streptozotocin-induced leukocyte DNA damage in rats.

Although several studies using peripheral blood samples suggest that DNA damage is caused by streptozotocin (STZ) , our hypothesis is that DNA damage is caused by STZ-induced glycemic changes. Thus, we aimed at evaluating DNA damage levels in peripheral blood samples from rats at different time points within the first 24 h after a single intravenous dose of STZ. Female Wistar rats (control,  = 8; STZ,  = 7) were administered a single STZ intravenous injection (40 mg/kg body weight).

Efficacy of essential oils from plants cultivated in the Amazonian Biome against gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep.

The excessive use of anthelmintics to control nematodes has resulted in anthelminthic resistance. Essential oils (EOs) are a rich source of bioactive molecules that can be assessed for their ability to control resistant parasite populations. The aims of this study were to screen EOs from 10 plant species in vitro for anthelmintic activity against , evaluate the cytotoxicity of those EOs in a human immortalized keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT), and test the most promising EO candidate in vivo in Santa Inês sheep.

Is it time to revise the diagnostic criteria for apathy in brain disorders? The 2018 international consensus group.

Background: Apathy is a very common behavioural and psychological symptom across brain disorders. In the last decade, there have been considerable advances in research on apathy and motivation. It is thus important to revise the apathy diagnostic criteria published in 2009.

Genetic association between HLA-G 14-bp polymorphism and diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: HLA-G is an immune checkpoint molecule. Since a differential molecule expression has been reported even for healthy individuals, many studies have focused on polymorphisms at HLA-G regulatory regions, particularly the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR). The presence/absence of a 14-bp sequence was the first polymorphism described and it is the most studied in association between HLA-G and disorders.

Integrative transcriptome and microRNome analysis identifies dysregulated pathways in human Sertoli cells exposed to TCDD.

Male fertility and spermatogenesis are directly linked to the Sertoli cell's ability to produce factors associated with germ cell development. Sertoli cells express receptors for FSH and testosterone, and are the major regulators of spermatogenesis. Recent studies report that regulatory RNA molecules, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), are able to modulate testicular function during spermatogenesis and that their altered expression may be involved in male infertility.

Validation of high-resolution melting analysis as a diagnostic tool for endothelin receptor B mutation in American Paint horses and allele frequency estimation.

Overo lethal white foal syndrome (OLWFS) is a genetic disorder caused by a dinucleotide mutation in the endothelin receptor type B (EDNRB) gene leading to the death of affected foals shortly after birth. The use of rapid and reliable genetic testing is imperative for the early diagnosis of the mutation avoiding, therefore, either additional suffering or the production of affected animals. In the present study, we developed and validated a high-resolution melting (HRM) genotyping assay to detect the OLWFS causative mutation, and we also determined the frequency of heterozygotes among American Paint horses in Brazil.

Behavioural repertoire of termites in corpse management: A comparison between one-piece and multiple-pieces nesting termite species.

Corpse disposal is an essential adaptation to social life. This behaviour promotes nest hygiene and prevents the spread of pathogens in the colony of social insects. The current study verified the corpse management in two termite families towards cadavers of different origins.

Does virginiamycin supplementation affect the metabolism and performance of Nellore bulls grazing under low and high gain rates?

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of virginiamycin on the metabolism and performance of growing Nellore bulls under low and high gain rates on pasture. In experiment 1, 80 Nellore bulls (age = 12 ± 2 months, body weight = 258 ± 15 kg) were assigned to 16 paddocks in a 2 × 2 randomized block factorial arrangement. In experiment 2, 12 cannulated Nellore bulls were assigned to three 4 × 4 balanced Latin squares.

Is the risk of low birth weight or preterm labor greater when maternal stress is experienced during pregnancy? A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.

Antenatal stress is linked to fetal risks that increase the chances of neonatal complications and reduction of child cognitive ability. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate if maternal stress affects fetal, neonatal or child development. The following databases were searched: MEDLINE (1966 to May 2016), Embase (1980 to May 2016), LILACS (1982 to May 2016) and CENTRAL (1972 to May 2016).

Peptidylarginine deiminase 4 concentration, but not PADI4 polymorphisms, is associated with ICU mortality in septic shock patients.

The objective of our study was to evaluate the association between peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) concentration and its polymorphisms with mortality in patients with septic shock. We prospectively evaluated 175 patients aged over 18 years with septic shock upon intensive care unit (ICU) admission. However, 48 patients were excluded.

Current Advances in Immunological Studies on the Vespidae Venom Antigen 5: Therapeutic and Prophylaxis to Hypersensitivity Responses.

Although systemic reactions caused by allergenic proteins present in venoms affect a small part of the world population, Hymenoptera stings are among the main causes of immediate hypersensitivity responses, with risk of anaphylactic shock. In the attempt to obtain therapeutic treatments and prophylaxis to hypersensitivity responses, interest in the molecular characterization of these allergens has grown in the scientific community due to the promising results obtained in immunological and clinical studies. The present review provides an update on the knowledge regarding the immune response and the therapeutic potential of Antigen 5 derived from Hymenoptera venom.

Influence of chronic alcoholism and estrogen deficiency on the immunohistochemical expression of regulatory proteins of the bone resorption process in the periodontium of Wistar rats.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate possible changes in immunohistochemical expression of proteins regulating the bone resorption process in the periodontium of rats subjected to alcoholism and/or estrogen deficiency. The investigated proteins were receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa β ligand (RANKL), a protein that stimulates bone resorption, and osteoprotegerin (OPG), a protein that inhibits bone resorption. At the molecular level, decreased OPG expression and/or increased RANKL expression are consistent with a greater predisposition to bone resorption.

Implications on the Pb bioaccumulation and metallothionein levels due to dietary and waterborne exposures: The Callinectes danae case.

This study aimed to assess the bioaccumulation of Pb and induction of metallothionein-like proteins (MT) in Callinectes danae through single and combined dietary and waterborne exposures. Male C. danae individuals were collected in the south area of the Cananéia-Iguape-Peruíbe Protected Area (APA-CIP), in São Paulo State, Brazil.