The control of arthropod vectors of pathogens that affect human and animal health is important for the eradication of vector-borne diseases. The ortholog of the tick-protective antigen, subolesin, was identified in Aedes albopictus and found to have conserved epitopes in ticks and mosquitoes. RNA interference with the tick and mosquito double-stranded RNA in three tick species resulted in significant gene knockdown and decreased tick weight and/or survival. Feeding Anopheles atroparvus, Aedes caspius, and Culex pipiens female mosquitoes on an A. albopictus subolesin hyperimmune serum resulted in 11 +/- 5% to 29 +/- 6% survival inhibition when compared to controls fed on preimmune serum. Feeding sand flies, Phlebotomus perniciosus, on antimosquito subolesin ortholog protein antibodies inhibited female survival and the number of larvae and adults obtained after hatching by 28 +/- 22% and 16 +/- 3%, respectively, when compared to controls. Vaccination with tick and mosquito subolesin ortholog proteins significantly reduced Ixodes scapularis tick infestation and weight in a similar way. However, vaccination with the recombinant mosquito subolesin ortholog antigen did not protect against Amblyomma americanum and Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick infestations. Collectively, these preliminary results provided the first evidence that development of vaccines may be possible for control of multiple arthropod vectors using subolesin orthologs but suggested that multiple antigens may be required to produce an effective vaccine.

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ResumoA bioquímica sérica permite estabelecer valores de referência utilizados na avaliação clínica e metabólica de bezerros, reduzindo as perdas na criação bovina. Neste contexto, objetivou-se avaliar o perfil bioquímico sérico e a influência do fator etário em bezerros da raça Senepol, do nascimento até 120 dias de idade. O experimento foi realizado no município de Uberlândia-MG, Brasil, em quatro momentos após o nascimento (0 -15º, 30º, 60º e 120º dia de vida). As amostras de sangue foram obtidas por venopunção da jugular para determinação das concentrações séricas de proteínas totais, albumina, globulina, triglicerídeos, colesterol, AST, GGT, FA, cálcio, fósforo, magnésio, creatinina e uréia. O colesterol manteve-se abaixo ou nos valores mínimos de referência em todos os momentos. Os animais aos 30 dias apresentaram os valores mais baixos do proteinograma, minerais e triglicerídeos que se normalizaram aos 60 dias de vida, exceto a albumina que apresentou recuperação mais lenta. Concluiuse que há influência da faixa etária no comportamento dos constituintes bioquímicos analisados e que há diferenças quando comparados a outras raças. Palavras-chave: Bezerros, bioquímica sérica, colesterol, Bos taurus abstract The serum biochemical values allow to establish reference used in metabolic and clinical evaluations of calves, reducing losses in cattle breeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of age on serum biochemical profile in Senepol calves, at the first 120 days of age. The experiment was conducted in the city of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in four periods after birth (0-15, 30, 60 and 120 days of age). Blood samples were obtained by jugular venipuncture for determination of serum total protein, albumin, globulin, triglycerides, cholesterol, AST, GGT, FA, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, creatinine and urea. Cholesterol remained at minimum reference values or below throughout the experiment. Animals at 30 days showed the lowest values of protein concentrations, minerals and triglycerides that normalized up to 60 days of life, except to albumin that slower recovery was showed. Our data showed that the serum biochemical profile in Senepol is influenced by age up to 120 days of age; moreover there are differences with other breeds.

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An evaluation of the electrocardiographic profile of 50 clinically healthy Quarter Horses, with ages ranging from six months to 28 years old, 34 females and 16 males, was performed. Heart rate has not decreased with age, and duration of the QRS complex increased with the growth of the animal. The amplitude of the S and T1 waves were higher in male subjects than in female Quarter Horses.Keywords: arrhythmias, equine, electrocardiogram, heart diseases, cardiovascular function RESUMO Avaliou-se o perfil eletrocardiográfico de 50 equinos da raça Quarto de Milha, clinicamente sadios, com idades variando de seis meses a 28 anos, sendo 34 fêmeas e 16 machos. A frequência cardíaca não diminuiu com a idade, e a duração do complexo QRS aumentou ao longo do crescimento do animal. A amplitude das ondas S e T 1 foram maiores nos indivíduos machos do que nas fêmeas da raça Quarto deMilha. Palavras-chave: arritmias, equinos, eletrocardiograma, doenças cardíacas, função cardiovascular

Diseases of the reproductive system are common in both sexes in the most varied of species. In female dog, these diseases produce different degrees of morbidity and mortality and are influenced by environmental conditions, reproductive history, and previous drug treatments. Reproductive disease may have different consequences, ranging from the absence of clinical signs to the impairment of fertility. The objective of this study was to determine the causes of reproductive diseases in female dogs admitted to the Veterinary Hospital, Federal University of Uberlândia, during a six-year period (2012-2017) and to identify the most frequently occurring diseases. Information relative to the species, age, breed, and sex of 32,944 were obtained for animals. Of these, 16,480 were female dogs and 1,185 were diagnosed with alterations to the reproductive system. The animals were divided into four groups according to age (puppies, young adults, adults, and old) and disease of the reproductive system (Group 1 - vaginal and vulvar alterations; Group 2 - alterations to the estrous cycle, ovary, and uterus; Group 3 - alterations to the gestational period and parturition). The highest occurrence of diagnoses (47%) was recorded in young adult female dogs (1 to 5 years old). The most frequent alterations in female dogs were pyometra (48.8%), dystocia (13.6%), and transmissible venereal tumor (TVT) (12.6%). Crossbred dogs were the most affected with alterations to the reproductive system, representing 60% of all the female dogs diagnosed with any pathologic alteration. In conclusion, a 7.2% occurrence of reproductive disorders shows the relevance of these diseases in small animals and suggests that new methods are needed for the prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of these disorders.

Rhipicephalus sanguineus is believed to be the most widespread tick species of the world and its dissemination seems to rely on the diffusion of its main host, the dog. Empirical observations indicate that several bird species in urban areas regularly steal dog food. Such circumstances create a chance for R. sanguineus ticks to climb on birds and carry ticks to another site. In this work we evaluated experimentally the likelihood of birds (chicks) to either feed and/or carry R. sanguineus ticks from an infested site to another and to infest a host (rabbit) in the new location. Chicks were not suitable hosts for R. sanguineus ticks. Not a single adult tick engorged on chicks, yield as well as weight of engorged larvae and nymphs were very low and feeding period of these ticks was very long. However, a few larvae and, chiefly, nymphs were delivered to a new location either mechanically or after attachment and engorging total or partially on chicks. A few of these ticks fed successfully on rabbits. Further evidence on the capacity of birds to introduce R. sanguineus into non-infested dog settings should be provided by systematic examination of birds from urban areas, close to tick infested households.