Preservation of preantral follicles becomes very important to ensure follicle quality at the onset of cryopreservation or in vitro culture. However, for domestic animals, the ovarian donor of preantral follicles for in vitro studies is commonly encountered far away from reproduction laboratories. We investigated the effectiveness of coconut water and Braun-Collins solutions on the preservation of goat preantral follicles. At the slaughterhouse, the ovarian pair of each animal was divided into 19 fragments. One ovarian fragment was immediately fixed (Control - Time 0). The other 18 fragments were randomly distributed into tubes containing 2 mL of coconut water or Braun-Collins solution at 4 degrees, 20 degrees or 39 degrees C and then stored for 4, 12 or 24 h. Histological analysis showed that the storage of ovarian fragments in coconut water and Braun-Collins solutions at 20 degrees or 39 degrees C for 12 or 24 h significantly reduced (P < 0.05) the percentage of morphologically normal preantral follicles when compared with the control. However, storage in coconut water at 20 degrees C for 4 h and in both solutions at 4 degrees C kept the percentage at control values. Ultrastructural analysis of follicles exposed to the stated conditions confirmed the integrity of preantral follicles stored at 4 degrees C in Braun-Collins and coconut water solutions for up to 12 and 24 h, respectively. Reduced cellular metabolism at 4 degrees C may explain why the best preservation of preantral follicles was at 4 degrees C, which may suggest a useful method for ovary transport in the future.

Streptococcus agalactiae (Sta) of Lancefield group B is the primary etiological agent of bacterial meningitis in Nile tilapia and newborn humans. Thus, the study of this disease is of fundamental importance for aquaculture and human medicine. Additionally, elucidation of the mechanisms involved in the host–pathogenic response is important for the success of new therapies. In the present study, we elucidated important aspects of the innate immune response in the brain tissue of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) infected by Sta. The neuroinflammatory process in the meninges started with the migration of MHC class II and CD68 + cells, production of TNF-alpha, and the effective immune response to Sta was mediated by the increased iNOs+. In conclusion, the present study brings a partial understanding of the pathophysiological and neuroinflammatory mechanisms in meningitis in Sta infected tilapia, enabling important advances in the therapy of this disease as well as the possibility of using this biological model to understand human meningitis.

Background: Tungiasis is a neglected disease caused by Tunga penetrans that can be complicated by secondary infections and local tissue destruction. Adequate treatment is important, especially in vulnerable populations; potential treatment options proposed range from surgical extraction to the use of oral and topical medications. We aimed to perform a systematic review to assess the efficacy of topical, oral and surgical interventions for the treatment of tungiasis. Methodology/Principal findings: The present review is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021234741). On September 1, 2020, we searched PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, Scielo and LILACS BVS. We included clinical trials and longitudinal observational studies that evaluated any topical, systemic or mechanical treatment for tungiasis. We used the Revised Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB) Tool for Randomized Trials for clinical trial analysis. Qualitative and quantitative descriptive syntheses were performed. Our search strategy resulted in 3376 references. Subsequently, 2568 titles/abstracts and 114 full texts were screened. We finally included 19 articles; 9 were classified as clinical trials. Two and 3 articles presented low and some RoB, respectively, according to the tool. Only two articles tested the efficacy of oral medications (niridazole, ivermectin), with discouraging results. Six clinical trials evaluated topical products for the treatment of tungiasis; 2 evaluated dimeticone-based compounds and reported positive results in lesion reduction and cure. None reported significant adverse reactions. Surgical extraction was evaluated only in observational studies. Conclusions/Significance: We conclude that, although surgical extraction is the most commonly used treatment, there is sufficient evidence supporting the use of occlusive agents, especially manufactured dimeticone-based products.