We aimed at evaluating the anti-asthmatic effect of cis-[Ru(bpy)₂(2-MIM)(NO)](PF₆)₃ (FOR811A), a nitrosyl-ruthenium compound, in a murine model of allergic asthma. The anti-asthmatic effects were analyzed by measuring the mechanical lung and morphometrical parameters in female Swiss mice allocated in the following groups: untreated control (Ctl+Sal) and control treated with FOR811A (Ctl+FOR), along asthmatic groups untreated (Ast+Sal) and treated with FOR811A (Ast+FOR). The drug-protein interaction was evaluated by in-silico assay using molecular docking. The results showed that the use of FOR811A in experimental asthma (Ast+FOR) decreased the pressure-volume curve, hysteresis, tissue elastance, tissue resistance, and airway resistance, similar to the control groups (Ctl+Sal; Ctl+FOR). However, it differed from the untreated asthmatic group (Ast+Sal, p<0.05), indicating that FOR811A corrected the lung parenchyma and relaxed the smooth muscles of the bronchi. Similar to control groups (Ctl+Sal; Ctl+FOR), FOR811A increased the inspiratory capacity and static compliance in asthmatic animals (Ast+Sal, p<0.05), showing that this metallodrug improved the capacity of inspiration during asthma. The morphometric parameters showed that FOR811A decreased the alveolar collapse and kept the bronchoconstriction during asthma. Beyond that, the molecular docking using FOR811A showed a strong interaction in the distal portion of the heme group of the soluble guanylate cyclase, particularly with cysteine residue (Cys141). In summary, FOR811A relaxed bronchial smooth muscles and improved respiratory mechanics during asthma, providing a protective effect and promising use for the development of an anti-asthmatic drug.

Background: In recent decades the demand for unconventional pets has been relatively increasing, a situation that increasingly causes veterinarians to encounter these animals in medical and surgical practice. Of these animals, the birds stand out. Animals of the order Psittaciform are known as very curious and active creatures that have the tendency to chew objectsin their environment. Among the several occurrences that lead this animal to attend the veterinary clinic, we highlight the poisoning by heavy metals, especially lead poisoning (Pb) and zinc (Zn). The objective of this work was to report a case of heavy metal intoxication in cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus).Case: A cockatiel was taken to the veterinarian with a history of apathy, motor incoordination, exacerbated water consumption and regurgitation. Complete anamnesis was instrumental in directing suspected heavy metal intoxication. Radiopaque particles were visualized through radiographic examination, suggesting heavy metal intoxication. The diagnosis wasconcluded through complementary examinations since the clinical symptoms are nonspecific. The treatment was intended to provide emergency intervention, avoid further absorption, use of antidotes, provide supportive measures and provide guidance to the owner. It can be concluded that the diagnosis and treatment were successful.Discussion: Metal poisoning can kill birds. The veterinarian should always seek the literature in order to perform the best support and treatment. For this, detailed history and detailed medical history must be taken into account, since the time of ingestion and the type of metal interfere with the therapeutic conduct. The use of imaging tests such as x-rays andultrasound are essential to assist the clinician, especially in cases where the tutor does not know whether or not the animal has ingested an object. In the radiographic examination, the heavy metal has the characteristic of having high radiopacity, which was evidenced in the case in question. Radiographic positions should be considered in order to avoid false negatives. In the literature, the treatment of chelation therapy is prioritized to remove the circulating heavy metal and thus act on the cause of the problem. In the case in question calcium EDTA was used intramuscularly, which showed clinical improvement in the animal after the second application. Calcium EDTA binds to metals and facilitates their transport and excretion. The use of fluid therapy is necessary as a supportive treatment to prevent kidney damage, since heavy metals are highlyharmful to nephrons. Especially in cases where the animal stops feeding and ingesting water. The use of antibiotics is essential because in many cases the animal, in addition to not feeding, becomes prone to infections due to metal toxicity, therefore, prophylactic use is essential for a better prognosis. In the case in question, the use of enrofloxacin was effective,as reported in the literature. It is recommended that the diagnosis of serum lead and zinc dosage should be made, however, due to the difficulties of obtaining the samples, and since other metals may also cause intoxication, in the case in question the treatment was started without these results. According to the results obtained in this work, the treatment described in the literature is effective and can be performed immediately to save animal life without subsequent sequelae.Keywords: bird, lead, zinc, calcium EDTA.

This study aimed to compare the results of a conservative method and the Sleeve Gastrectomy procedure for weight loss on the cognitive-emotional performance of severely obese women assessed for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome. Two samples consisting of females, approved for Sleeve Gastrectomy (n = 21) and Conservative Treatment (n = 21) underwent night polysomnography and completed a battery of neuropsychological and emotional tests before and 6 months after the interventions. We compared intra- and inter-sample results, post interventions result to controls, and treated patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome. Anthropometry, immediate memory, attention, executive functions, and emotional maladjustment improved after the interventions. The conservative method showed better results for inhibitory control, and surgery showed better results for cognitive flexibility, speed of information processing and general cognitive and emotional performance for women with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome. Learning decreased following both interventions. Memory and cognitive flexibility were lower in the comparison group than in control groups. Treatments impacted different cognitive domains with probable influence on the objectives achieved. Lower middle pressure for behaviour modification may have reduced learning after interventions. The reduction of depression/anxiety in women with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea may result from the improvement of the social effects of both conditions. Although with better results for the surgical method, anthropometric reductions in both methods, positively influenced the cognitive/emotional domains. The maintenance of cognitive weaknesses implies longer and more focused interventions to avoid the regression of results like the worsening of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome.

Alpinia zerumbet is a plant popularly used to treat hypertension and anxiety. Studies with Alpinia zerumbet demonstrate antihypertensive and vasodilator effects, among others. The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of essential oil of Alpinia zerumbet (EOAz) on cardiovascular and autonomic function in rats with isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction. Male Wistar rats (n=32) were equally allocated into four groups: Control, ISO (150mg/kg, subcutaneous), EOAz (100mg/kg by gavage), ISO+EOAz. The rats were evaluated for cardiovascular and, autonomic parameters, electrocardiogram, and infarct size. EOAz was not able to reduce the electrocardiographic variations induced by ISO. Heart rate variability showed a decrease in sympathetic modulation on the heart in the groups treated with EOAz. The cardiopulmonary reflex induced by serotonin invoked a superior blood pressure variation at the 2 µg/kg dose in the EOAz treated groups, while the heart rate variation was significantly higher at the 16 µg/kg dose, when compared to other doses, in all groups, except EOAz+ISO. The sympathetic vagal index was higher in ISO group than in control. EOAz did not reduce the infarct size. We conclude that pretreatment with EOAz does not reverse the hemodynamic and electrocardiographic damage caused by isoproterenol but does reduce sympathetic modulation.

The aims of the current study are to build an equation to predict gestational age (GA) and to compare ultrasound parameters indicative of delivery in healthy English Bulldog bitches subjected to elective cesarean section. Sixteen pregnant female dogs were included in the study. Inner chorionic cavity (ICCDD) and biparietal (BPD) diameters were measured at 30 and 50 days after artificial insemination, respectively, to estimate GA at embryonic and fetal stages. BPD, heart rate (HR), and intestinal peristalsis were measured at 48 h, 24 h, and 6 hours before delivery to compare fetal development. ICCD and BPD values were subjected to linear regression and parameters predictive of elective cesarean section were compared through Student’s t-test before delivery. The number of conceptuses did not influence pregnancy duration. Both ICCD and BPD were significantly correlated to GA; their formulas presented accuracy of ± 1 and ± 2 days, respectively, in comparison to that of progesterone dosage. Based on the comparative ultrasound assessment, BPD has significantly increased from 48 h to 6 h before delivery (≥3 cm), regardless of the number of pups, whereas HR has significantly decreased within 6 h before delivery (HR <200 bpm). There was not statistically significant difference in parameter “intestinal peristalsis” among measurement times. The current study is pioneer in highlighting that measuring ICCD and BPD in the formula is a useful tool to predict GA in the herein investigated breed and that fetal parameters such as BPD and HR are fetal maturity predictors.