Eficácia do glyphosate e 2,4-d no controle de commelina villosa

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of glyphosate and 2,4-D alone and in combination, in the control of Commelina villosa. We studied two methodologies for evaluating herbicide absorption in eight time intervals for washing (simulating rainfall after application) and cutting of leaves (simulating abortion as a defense strategy): 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 and 48 hours after herbicide application, and a treatment without washing or cutting the leaves in a completely randomized design with four replications in a 3 x 7 + 1 factorial design (three herbicides x seven periods – hours after application). Herbicides and doses tested were: glyphosate (1,440 g ha-1), 2,4-D (720 g ha-1) and a mixture of glyphosate + 2,4-D (1,080 + 720 g ha-1). The simulation of rain interfered negatively in the plant control with glyphosate. The control with the herbicide 2,4-D was affected only for the period of 2 hours. Periods of rain simulation did not influence the control of plants with a mixture of glyphosate + 2,4-D. For the study with the cutting of treated leaves, all treatments regardless of the period of cutting the leaves were influenced negatively in terms of plant control, the plants showing regrowth when treated with 2,4-D alone.

Apoptose em placentônios bovinos de gestações de conceptos naturais e de transgênicos clonados

Pós-graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia Animal - FEIS

Soroprevalência, isolamento e diagnóstico molecular para leptospirose em bovinos de fazendas de cria e de centrais de receptoras de embrião da região de Bauru- SP: Diagnóstico de leptospirose bovina em Bauru - SP

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

THE GLYCOPROTEINS OF PORCINE REPRODUCTIVE AND RESPIRATORY SYNDROME VIRUS AND THEIR ROLE IN INFECTION AND IMMUNITY

The porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is an economically important pathogen of swine and is known to cause abortion and infertility in pregnant sows and respiratory distress in piglets. PRRSV contains a major glycoprotein (GP5) and three minor glycoproteins (GP2a, GP3, and GP4) on the virion envelope, all of which are required for infectious virus production. To study their interactions amongst each other and with a cellular receptor for PRRSV, CD163, I cloned each of the viral glycoproteins and CD163 in various expression vectors. My studies have shown that while the GP2a, GP3, and GP4 are co-translationally glycosylated, the GP5 is post-translationally glycosylated. By using co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) assays, strong interaction was demonstrated between GP4 and GP5 proteins, although weak interactions among the other envelope glycoproteins were also detected. Further, GP4 was found to mediate interactions leading to formation of multiprotein glycoprotein complex. My results also show that GP2a and GP4 proteins are the only two GPs that specifically interact with the CD163 molecule and that glycosylation of these GPs is required for efficient interaction. Based on these studies, I have developed an interactome map of the viral GPs and CD163 and have proposed a model of the viral glycoprotein complex and its interaction with CD163. Studies reported here also show that glycan addition at residue 184 (N184) of GP2a, and residues N42, N50, and N131 of GP3 is essential for recovery of infectious virus. Although single site glycosylation mutants of GP4 had no effect on infectious virus production, introduction of double mutations was lethal. The loss of glycan moieties of GP2a, GP3, and GP4 proteins had no effect on host neutralizing antibody production. Overall, I conclude that the PRRSV glycoproteins are co-translationally and post-translationally glycosylated, the GP4 protein is central to mediating interglycoprotein interactions, and along with GP2a, serves as the viral attachment protein that is responsible for interactions with the viral receptor, CD163. Further, glycosylation of GP2a, GP3, and GP4 proteins is required for infectious virus production, efficient interaction with CD163, but does not play any role in neutralizing antibody response in infected animals.

Detection of porcine circovirus genotypes 2a and 2b in aborted foetuses from infected swine herds in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Background: Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) has been associated with several disease complexes, including reproductive failure. The aim of this study was to identify the subtypes of PCV2 that are associated with reproductive failure in pigs from the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil and to investigate co-infections with other infectious organisms. Findings: Samples of 168 aborted foetuses or mummified foetuses from five farrow-to-finish swine farms known to be infected with PCV2 and located in the State of Sao Paulo were tested for PCV2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Positive samples were additionally tested for porcine parvovirus (PPV), Leptospira spp. and Brucella spp. by PCR. PCV2 was detected in 18 of the samples (10.7%). PPV, Brucella spp. and Leptospira spp were found in 2, 10 and 0 cases, respectively. Eleven PCV2 strains were sequenced and determined to be either genotype 2a (n = 1) or 2b (n = 10). Conclusions: The findings indicate that the frequency of PCV2 infections in aborted porcine foetuses from the State of Sao Paulo is rather low (10.7%) and that co-infection with other pathogens is common and may be involved in PCV2 associated reproductive failure. No repeatable, characteristic amino acid motifs for regions of the PCV2 capsid protein seemed to be associated with abortion in sows.

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Chlamydophila abortus infection in dairy goats in the Northeast of Brazil

Santos C.S.A.B., Piatti R.M., Azevedo S.S., Alves C.J., Higino S.S.S., Silva M.L.C.R., Brasil A.W.L. & Gennari S.M. 2012. Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Chlamydophila abortus infection in dairy goats in the Northeast of Brazil. Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira 32(11):1082-1086. Unidade Academica de Medicina Veterinaria, Centro de Sa de e Tecnologia Rural, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, Av. Universitaria s/n, Bairro Santa Cecilia, Patos, PB 58700-970, Brazil. E-mail: sergio.azevedo@pq.cnpq.br Few data are available on the prevalence and risk factors of Chlamydophila abortus infection in goats in Brazil. A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the flock-level prevalence of C. abortus infection in goats from the semiarid region of the Paraiba State, Northeast region of Brazil, as well as to identify risk factors associated with the infection. Flocks were randomly selected and a pre-established number of female goats >= 12 mo old were sampled in each of these flocks. A total of 975 serum samples from 110 flocks were collected, and structured questionnaire focusing on risk factors for C. abortus infection was given to each farmer at the time of blood collection. For the serological diagnosis the complement fixation test (CFT) using C. abortus S26/3 strain as antigen was performed. The flock-level factors for C. abortus prevalence were tested using multivariate logistic regression model. Fifty-five flocks out of 110 presented at least one seropositive animal with an overall prevalence of 50.0% (95%; CI: 40.3%, 59.7%). Ninety-one out of 975 dairy goats examined were seropositive with titers >= 32, resulting in a frequency of 9.3%. Lend buck for breeding (odds ratio = 2.35; 95% CI: 1.04-5.33) and history of abortions (odds ratio = 3.06; 95% CI: 1.37-6.80) were associated with increased flock prevalence.

Análise dos resultados maternos e fetais dos procedimentos invasivos genéticos fetais: um estudo exploratório em Hospital Universitário

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar as indicações das gestantes que procuraram o serviço de Medicina Fetal do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo para realização de procedimentos invasivos diagnósticos e avaliar os resultados dos cariótipos fetais e de suas gestações. MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional retrospectivo das gestantes que realizaram biópsia de vilo corial (BVC), amniocentese e cordocentese no período de fevereiro de 2005 a dezembro de 2009. Não foram incluídos outros procedimentos diagnósticos ou procedimentos terapêuticos. O resultado da gestação foi obtido através de consulta de prontuário eletrônico e/ou físico e/ou contato telefônico. RESULTADOS: Foram realizados 713 procedimentos (113 BVC, 340 amniocenteses e 260 cordocenteses). A principal indicação para a realização dos procedimentos invasivos foi a presença de alterações estruturais nos fetos, seguido por valores aumentados da translucência nucal e pela idade materna avançada. O cariótipo fetal esteve alterado em 186 casos (26,1%). A trissomia do cromossomo 18 foi a aneuploidia mais comum, seguida pela trissomia do 21, a monossomia do X e a trissomia do cromossomo 13. Ocorreram 4,9% de abortamento, 25,7% de natimortos e 13% de neomortos. Oito gestantes optaram pela interrupção judicial, e 99% das gestantes cujos fetos não apresentavam malformação e que apresentavam cariótipo fetal normal tiveram nativivos.

Materno-infantilism, feminism and maternal health policy in Brazil

In the last days of 2011, President of Brazil Dilma Rousseff issued a provisional measure (or draft law) entitled "National Surveillance and Monitoring Registration System for the Prevention of Maternal Mortality" (MP 557), as part of a new maternal health programme. It was supposed to address the pressing issue of maternal morbidity and mortality in Brazil, but instead it caused an explosive controversy because it used terms such as nascituro (unborn child) and proposed the compulsory registration of every pregnancy. After intense protests by feminist and human rights groups that this law was unconstitutional, violated women's right to privacy and threatened our already limited reproductive rights, the measure was revised in January 2012, omitting "the unborn child" but not the mandatory registration of pregnancy. Unfortunately, neither version of the draft law addresses the two main problems with maternal health in Brazil: the over-medicalisation of childbirth and its adverse effects, and the need for safe, legal abortion. The content of this measure itself reflects the conflictive nature of public policies on reproductive health in Brazil and how they are shaped by close links between different levels of government and political parties, and religious and professional sectors. (C) 2012 Reproductive Health Matters

Understanding male sterility in Miconia species (Melastomataceae): a morphological approach

Pollen abortion occurs in virtually all species and often does not prejudice reproductive success. However, large numbers of abnormal pollen grains are characteristic of some groups. Among them is Miconia, in which partial and complete male sterility is often related to apomixis. In this study, we compared the morphology of pollen grains over several developmental stages in Miconia species with different rates of male sterility. Our aim was to improve the knowledge of mechanisms that lead to male sterility in this ecologically important tropical group. Routine techniques for microscopy were used to examine anthers in several developmental stages collected from the apomictic species Miconia albicans and M. stenostachya. Both species are completely male sterile since even the pollen grains with apparently normal cytoplasm were not able to develop a pollen tube. Meiosis is a rare event in M. albicans anthers and happens in an irregular way in M. stenostachya, leading to the pollen abortion. M. albicans has more severe abnormalities than M. stenostachya since even the microspores and pollen grain walls were affected. Moreover, in M. stenostachya, most mitosis occurring during microgametogenesis was also abnormal, leading to the formation of bicellular pollen grains with two similar cells, in addition to the formation of pollen grains of different sizes. Notably, abnormalities in both species did not reach the production of Ubisch bodies, suggesting little or no tapetum involvement in male sterility in these two species.

First report of Trypanosoma vivax outbreak in dairy cattle in Sao Paulo state, Brazil

This is the first description of a trypanosoma vivax outbreak in the state of Sao Paulo (municipality of Lins). Fever, jaundice, decreased milk production, weight loss, profuse diarrhea, abortion, anemia, leukocytosis and hyperfibrinogenemia were observed in the affected animals. Thirty-one cows and calves died out of a total of 1080 in the herd. Three cows showed neurological symptoms like dysmetria, ataxia, muscle weakness, ptyalism, lymph node enlargement and submandibular edema. Flagellated hemoparasites were observed in blood smears. The species was diagnosed as T vivax by means of PCR. This T vivax strain showed resistance to diaminazene aceturate and the infection spread quickly at the herd. From the ELISA test, 599 serum samples (98.36%) were positive for anti-T. vivax IgG antibodies. This outbreak occurred during a very dry period, which indicates that other factors were involved in the outbreak, such as absence of tabanids and large populations of Haematobia irritans and Stomoxys calcitrans. The increases in these populations may have been due to the use of biosolid waste from sugar and ethanol plants in the sugarcane plantations surrounding the dairy farm.

Feelings of women regarding end-of-life decision making after ultrasound diagnosis of a lethal fetal malformation

Objective: this study investigated the feelings of women regarding end-of-life decision making after ultrasound diagnosis of a lethal fetal malformation. The aim of this study was to present the decision making process of women that chose for pregnancy termination and to present selected speeches of women about their feelings. Design: open psychological interviews conducted by a psychologist immediately after the diagnosis of fetal malformation by ultrasound. Analysis of the results was performed through a content analysis technique. Setting: the study was carried out at a public university hospital in Brazil. Participants: 249 pregnant women who had received the diagnosis of a severe lethal fetal malformation. Findings: fetal anencephaly was the most frequent anomaly detected in 135 cases (54.3%). Termination of pregnancy was decided by 172 (69.1%) patients and legally authorised by the judiciary (66%). The reason for asking for termination was to reduce suffering in all of them. In the 77 women who chose not to terminate pregnancy (30.9%), the reasons were related to feelings of guilt (74%). Key conclusions: the results support the importance of psychological counselling for couples when lethal fetal malformation is diagnosed. The act of reviewing moral and cultural values and elements of the unconscious provides assurance in the decision-making process and mitigates the risk of emotional trauma and guilt that can continue long after the pregnancy is terminated. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A longitudinal study of Neospora caninum infection on three dairy farms in Brazil

Neospora caninum is an apicomplexan protozoan parasite that is one of the most important infectious causes of abortion in both dairy and beef cattle in many countries. The objectives of this longitudinal study were to determine the prevalence, rates of vertical and horizontal transmission of N. caninum and hazard for culling of N. caninum-seropositive animals in three Brazilian dairy herds. Blood samples from all animals were collected nine times at each of the three farms over a two-year period. Serum was tested for antibodies against N. caninum using the indirect fluorescent antibody test with a cutoff value of 1:100. The percentage of N. caninum-positive samples at each sampling time ranged at Farm 1 from 3.32% to 11.71%, at Farm 11 from 3.90% to 22.06% and at Farm III from 3.90% to 22.06%. The number of positive serological reactions varied in relation to the number of repeated samples taken from individual animals at each farm. In all herds, there was a high degree (P < 0.05) of association between the N. caninum serological status of dams and daughters. The seropositive conversion rate was estimated as 0.37%, 3.00% and 6.94% per 100 cow-years at Farms I, II and III, respectively. The seronegative conversion rate was estimated as 31.58% and 11.11% per 100 cow-years at Farms 1 and III, respectively. In all herds, there was no difference (P > 0.05) in the culling rate between the cattle that were seropositive cattle and seronegative for N. caninum infection. The results from this study confirm the importance of vertical transmission in the epidemiology of N. caninum. Although a few positive seroconversions indicated horizontal transmission, it does not appear to be the major route of infection for N. caninum. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Coping Style and Depressive Symptomatology during Pregnancy in a Private Setting Sample

Aim: to evaluate the association of antenatal depressive symptomatology (AD) with life events and coping styles, the hypothesis was that certain coping strategies are associated to depressive symptomatology. Methods: we performed a cross sectional study of 312 women attending a private clinic in the city of Osasco, Sao Paulo from 27/05/1998 to 13/05/2002. The following instruments were used: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Holmes and Rahe Schedule of Recent Events (SSRS), Folkman and Lazarus Ways of Coping Questionnaire and questionnaire with social-demographic and obstetric data. Inclusion criteria: women with 110 past history of depression, psychiatric treatment, alcohol or drug abuse and no clinical-obstetrical complications. Odds ratios and 95% CI were used to examine the association between AD (according to BDI) and exposures variables. Hypothesis testing was done with chi(2) tests and a p value < .05. Results: AD occurred in 21.1% of pregnant women. By the univariate analyses, education, number of pregnancies, previous abortion, husband income, situation of marriage and score of SSRS were associated with AD. All coping styles were associated with AD, except seeking support and positive reappraisal. By the multivariate analyses, four coping styles were kept in the final model: confront (p = .039), accepting responsibility (p < .001), escape-avoidance (p = .002), problem-solving (p = .005). Conclusions: AD was highly prevalent and was associated with maladaptive coping styles.

Sinais clínicos e ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Chlamydophila abortus em ovinos de São Paulo e Minas Gerais

A Chlamydophila abortusi, anteriormente conhecida como Chlamydia psittaci sovovar 1, é uma bactéria Gram negativa, intracelular obrigatória. Esse micro-organismo é frequentemente encontrado em distúrbios reprodutivos em ovinos, bovinos e caprinos, sendo o aborto epizoótico dos bovinos e o aborto enzoótico dos ovinos e caprinos as manifestações mais importantes. Considerando-se o pouco material literário a respeito da clamidofilose no Brasil, a pesquisa teve como objetivo determinar a presença de anticorpos fixadores de complemento anti-Chlamydophila abortusi, correlacionando os resultados obtidos com achados no exame clínico e histórico dos animais, além de alterações nos índices zootécnicos, em especial na esfera reprodutiva, tais como alto índice de repetição de cio, número elevado de abortamentos, elevado número de natimortos, entre outros. Foram testadas para prova de fixação do complemento 220 amostras de soro de ovinos, de 26 propriedades, distribuídas em 19 municípios, com relato de manifestação reprodutiva, obtendo-se 19,55% (43/220) de testes positivos para Chlamydophila abortusi, com ocorrência de foco constatada de 61,53%. No geral, a titulação de anticorpos encontrada foi baixa, com título não superior a 64. A frequência de manifestação reprodutiva mais observada foi o aborto, representando 65,12% (28/43) do número total de animais soropositivos, seguido de repetição de cio juntamente com nascimento de cordeiro fraco, com frequência de 6,98% (3/43) e, por fim, morte neonatal com 4,65% (2/43), sendo que não houve associação significativa entre animais que foram positivos ao teste e a esses fatores.

Patterns of cell proliferation and apoptosis by topographic region in normal Bos taurus vs. Bos indicus crossbreeds bovine placentae during pregnancy

Background: Placental and fetal growth requires high rates of cellular turnover and differentiation, which contributes to conceptus development. The trophoblast has unique properties and a wide range of metabolic, endocrine and angiogenic functions, but the proliferative profile of the bovine placenta characterized by flow cytometry analysis and its role in fetal development are currently uncharacterized. Complete understanding of placental apoptotic and proliferative rates may be relevant to development, especially if related to the pathogenesis of pregnancy losses and placental abnormalities. Methods: In this study, the proliferation activity and apoptosis in different regions of normal bovine placenta (central and boundary regions of placentomes, placentomal fusion, microplacentomes, and interplacentomal regions), from distinct gestation periods (Days 70 to 290 of pregnancy), were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: Our results indicated that microplacentomes presented a lower number of apoptotic cells throughout pregnancy, with a higher proliferative activity by the end of gestation, suggesting that such structures do not contribute significantly to normal of placental functions and conceptus development during pregnancy. The placentome edges revealed a higher number of apoptotic cells from Day 170 on, which suggests that placentome detachment may well initiate in this region. Conclusion: Variations involving proliferation and apoptotic rates may influence placental maturation and detachment, compromising placental functions and leading to fetal stress, abnormalities in development and abortion, as frequently seen in bovine pregnancies from in vitro fertilization and cloning procedures. Our findings describing the pattern of cell proliferation and apoptosis in normal bovine pregnancies may be useful for unraveling some of the developmental deviations seen in nature and after in vitro embryo manipulations.