The Journal Semina: Ciências Agrárias (Semina: Cien. Agrar.) is a continuous publication journal promoting Science and Technology and is associated with the State University of Londrina. It publishes original articles, reviews and communications in the field of Agricultural Sciences, Animal Science, Food Sciences and Veterinary Medicine.
Semina: Ciências Agrárias adopts the CC-BY-NC license for its publications, the copyright being held by the author, in cases of republication we recommend that authors indicate first publication in this journal. This license allows you to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format, remix, transform and develop the material, as long as it is not for commercial purposes. And due credit must be given to the creator. The opinions expressed by the authors of the articles are their sole responsibility. The magazine reserves the right to make normative, orthographic and grammatical changes to the originals in order to maintain the cultured standard of the language and the credibility of the vehicle. However, it will respect the writing style of the authors. Changes, corrections or suggestions of a conceptual nature will be sent to the authors when necessary.
Effect of mare body condition on passive immunity transfer and morphometric evaluation of Mangalarga Marchador foals from birth to weaning
This study aimed to determine whether body condition score (BCS), mare weight and age, and foal sex influence passive immunity transfer and the productive performance of foals from birth to weaning. The experiment was conducted at a commercial stud farm in northern Minas Gerais, Brazil, using 34 Mangalarga Marchador mares and their respective foals. The experimental design was completely randomized. The mares were observed on the day of foaling to record the foals' birth, assess colostrum intake and quality, and measure weight using a tape measure, as well as to evaluate physiological parameters in the newborns. Passive immunity transfer from mare to foal was analyzed using the rapid “IgG Check” test. Foals were assessed monthly for weight and morphometric measurements during the first five months of life. Data were subjected to ANOVA, and means were compared using the F test or regression analysis, with adjustments to linear and quadratic models (P<0.05). All analyses were performed using SAS software at a 5% probability level. No effect (P≥0.05) of the evaluated parameters was observed on passive immunity transfer or physiological parameters of foals at birth. However, mare BCS affected (P<0.05) height at the withers and rump length at birth. Mare BCS did not influence (P≥0.05) morphometric measurements of foals at weaning. Foal sex affected height at the withers, shoulder length, and rump length at weaning. It was concluded that the evaluated factors did not influence passive immunity transfer; however, foal sex and mare BCS influenced foal growth up to five months of age.
Copyright (c) 2026 Isadora Leite e Lopes, Lívia Vieira de Barros, Letícia Ferrari Crocomo, Felipe Gomes da Silva, Daniel Ananias de Assis Pires , Viviane Cristine Leite Gomes, Raphael Colombo Gaspar, Ana Ariela Gusmão Versiani, Lucas Edinan Viveiros Vieira, Mariana Rabelo Madureira https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Ultrasonography of the penile urethra of healthy Dorper × Santa Ines lambs between 2 and 5 months of age
The objectives of this study were to establish, by ultrasonography, values of the width of the penile urethral lumen of Dorper × Santa Ines lambs, verify the effects of age and Dorper cross degree, and compare two types of linear probes. Forty healthy, uncastrated lambs (18 ½ Dorper and 22 ¾ Dorper) kept confined for fattening were studied. Ultrasonographic examinations were performed at 60 (beginning of confinement period), 120, and 150 days of age (end of confinement period). The penile urethra was examined at four sites: the proximal urethra (perineal region), sigmoid flexure (caudal aspect of the base of the scrotum), distal to the sigmoid flexure (cranial aspect of the base of the scrotum), and distal urethra (half the distance between the glans and the base of the scrotum). Images were acquired in B-mode with transcutaneous cross sections using two types of linear probes: for external use (13 MHz) and for transrectal use in large animals (10 MHz). The urethral lumen width was measured at each anatomical site. Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA. Genetic factors did not influence the results. The image definition was lower for the probe for rectal use. The urethra was identified as a circular or elliptical structure with an anechoic lumen and slightly hyperechoic wall. Urethral width increased with age in the proximal urethra (P = 0.038), distal to the sigmoid flexure (P = 0.013), and in the distal urethra (P < 0.001), but not in the sigmoid flexure (P = 0.056). The effect of the type of probe used was confirmed at the four anatomical sites examined (P < 0.001), with higher values measured using the probe for rectal use. With the probe for external use, the lumen width ranged 0.5‒2.0 mm in the proximal urethra, 0.6‒1.9 mm in the sigmoid flexure, 0.7‒2.0 mm distal to the sigmoid flexure, and 0.7‒2.1 mm in the distal urethra. With the probe for rectal use, the values were 0.6‒2.3, 0.8‒2.2, 0.7‒2.1, and 0.8‒2.5 mm, respectively. Ultrasound examination of the penile urethra of Dorper × Santa Ines lambs is feasible, and the values obtained for lumen width can be accepted as a parameter for comparison. This examination can be performed using a linear probe for rectal use in large animals.
Copyright (c) 2026 Marina Franco, Lisandra de Camargo Campos, Mayara Cardoso dos Anjos , Clara Saad Arruda, Tuany de Souza Ferreira , Gustavo Rodrigues Queiroz , Priscilla Fajardo Valente Pereira, Julio Augusto Naylor Lisbôa https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Seroprevalence of feline immunodeficiency virus and frequency of feline leukemia virus antigenemia in domestic cats of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) are retroviruses that affect domestic cats (Felis catus) worldwide and are associated with diseases such as lymphoma and leukemia and immunosuppression, potentially compromising both the quality of life and life expectancy of these animals. A total of 463 serum samples from domestic cats, collected between 2022 and 2024 from veterinary hospitals and clinics in the city of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil, were subjected to lateral flow immunochromatographic testing for the detection of antibodies against FIV and FeLV antigens (p27). The seroprevalence of FIV and frequency of FeLV antigenemia in the evaluated population were 6.91% (32/463) and 21.38% (99/463), respectively. For FIV, the only statistically significant association was with sex, as males were 2.83 times more likely to be infected than females, and coinfection with FIV and FeLV was predominantly observed in males, who accounted for 78.95% (13/17) of the coinfected animals, suggesting a greater susceptibility of males to multiple infections. Mixed-breed cats had higher infection rates, highlighting the influence of environmental and management factors. FIV was more prevalent in older cats, whereas FeLV was predominant in younger and adult cats. The occurrence of FIV infection was lower than that reported in previous studies conducted in other regions of Brazil, whereas the prevalence of FeLV infection was consistent with the findings in the scientific literature, reinforcing the high rate of FeLV infection among domestic cats in Brazil. The accurate identification of infected animals enables epidemiological assessment to support the development of control and prevention strategies for viral dissemination.
Copyright (c) 2026 Felipe Álvaro de Aguiar Chaves, Ana Regina Tavares Cairo de Azevêdo, Rafaela Vilela Vasconcelos, Bruna Pereira Gold, João Helder Frederico de Faria Naves, Rafael Romero Nicolino, Jenner Karlisson Pimenta dos Rei https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Sensitivity of soybean cultivars to the herbicide metribuzin
Weed resistance to herbicides, especially glyphosate, has made their management difficult in soybean crops. One alternative is the use of pre-emergent herbicides. However, even when recommended for the crop, selectivity depends on several factors, including the soybean cultivar. In this sense, the objective of this work was to evaluate the sensitivity of different soybean cultivars to the herbicide metribuzin. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse in a completely randomized design with four replications, in a 19 x 3 factorial arrangement. Factor A consisted of 19 soybean cultivars. Factor B consisted of three doses of metribuzin; zero, 480 g a.i. ha-1, and 960 g a.i. ha-1. The variables evaluated were: phytotoxicity, quantum efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm), effective efficiency of PSII (YII), relative electron transport rate (rETR), plant height, and shoot dry mass (SDM). Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) (p < 0.05) and means were compared using the Scott-Knott test (p < 0.05). A significant interaction was observed between the factors soybean cultivar and metribuzin dose. The herbicide metribuzin caused negative alterations in the physiological and growth characteristics of the plants, demonstrating the phytotoxicity of the herbicide in some soybean cultivars, especially at the highest dose evaluated. The cultivars M 5917, M 6130 I2X, M 6301 I2X, and NS 5252 I2X showed greater tolerance to metribuzin.
Copyright (c) 2026 Edson Araujo de Amorim, Jose Flavio Firmani, Giliardi Dalazen https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Agronomic efficiency of foliar nanozinc applied at reproductive stages of soybean
Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient in plant metabolism and is involved in the enzyme activation and synthesis of growth hormones such as indole-3-acetic acid. Although required in small amounts, the low availability of Zn in Brazilian soils limits soybean productivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different foliar Zn doses (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 L ha⁻¹) applied at two reproductive stages (R1 and R5.1) on morpho-agronomic traits, yield components, and grain yield of soybean. Experiments were conducted during two growing seasons (2022/23 and 2024/25) using a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The evaluated variables included the number of pods (NP), number of grains per plant (NG), thousand-grain weight (TGW), and grain yield (YLD). Significant effects of various Zn doses were observed for NG, TGW, and YLD, with quadratic responses indicating an optimal range of 0.75–1.06 L ha⁻¹ for yield maximization. Although application timing alone was not statistically significant, foliar Zn application at the R5.1 stage showed greater biological responsiveness than at R1, likely because of higher Zn demand and utilization during grain filling. Correlation analysis revealed that in the 2022/23 season, yield was strongly associated with NP and NG (r > 0.85), whereas in 2024/25, TGW contributed more to yield formation. These findings highlight the importance of foliar Zn application during advanced reproductive stages, particularly R5.1, as a strategy to optimize Zn-use efficiency and enhance soybean yield in high-performance production systems.
Copyright (c) 2026 João Pedro Chacon Pereira, Letícia Elisiane Beluzzo, Mateus Gava Pinheiro , Felipe Augusto Vacario, Gabriela Machineski da Silva, Luiz Henrique Campos de Almeida, Inês Cristina de Batista Fonseca https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Predicting body weight in fat-type pigs using morphometric measurements
This study aimed to develop predictive equations for body weight (BW) in fat-type (lard-type) pigs raised under extensive or semi-extensive systems, and to determine the most significant morphometric predictors. Data were collected from 240 pigs (122 males and 118 females) on smallholder farms, with BW ranging from 4.7 to 68.0 kg. The following traits were recorded: body weight (BW), carcass length (CL), thoracic circumference (TC), hip circumference (HC), withers height (WH), and hip height (HH). Descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, coefficients of variation, and maximum values) were calculated separately for each sex. Pearson’s correlation coefficients indicated that all morphometric measurements were strongly correlated with BW (r ≥ 0.90) in both sexes. Data were tested for normality (Cramer–von Mises), and male and female datasets were analyzed separately using stepwise multiple linear regression. The resulting sex-specific equations were compared using an F test, with no differences detected between males and females (P = 0.376) Therefore, a single pooled equation was considered sufficient to explain BW variation in both sexes: BW = -35.51 + 0.80 × CT + 0.11 × CC (R2 = 0.93; P<0.0001). To assess practical applicability, the general equation was validated using CL and TC data from an independent set of 53 pigs (BW = 6.5–42.8 kg) not included in model development. Predicted and observed values were highly correlated (r = 0.96), indicating strong predictive performance. These findings demonstrate that CL and TC are sufficient to accurately predict BW in fat-type pigs, providing a practical tool for small-scale producers who lack access to weighing scales.
Copyright (c) 2026 Claudia Cristina Paiva Coutinho, Marcos Antonio Delmondes Bomfim, Felipe Barbosa Ribeiro, Daphinne Cardoso Nagib do Nascimento, Yasmim Loiola Franca, Jefferson Costa de Siqueira https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Availability, nutritional quality, and ecological labeling of animal-based products and plant-based analogues in Brazil
This study assessed the availability, nutritional quality, and economic accessibility of eco-labeled animal-based products and plant-based analogues within the urban food environment. A cross-sectional audit of 149 retail establishments in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was conducted between July 2022 and June 2023, stratified by the Social Progress Index (Índice de Progresso Social - IPS). In total, 1,643 eco-labeled protein-rich foods (animal-based products and plant-based analogues) were evaluated for availability, price, and macronutrient composition. Multivariate factor analysis (MFA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to examine the relationships between product availability, geographic regions, and IPS levels, while chi-square and G tests compared product categories (p ≤ 0.05). The results indicated that IPS accounted for 86.8% of the variance in product availability, suggesting that socio-spatial segregation is strongly associated with differences in access to sustainable protein-rich foods. Plant-based products were on average 71% more expensive than their animal-based counterparts. Among plant-based products, burgers emerged as the most prevalent item in the segment, whereas certified chicken was the most prevalent within the animal-based category. The nutritional composition of plant-based products showed advantages, including higher dietary fiber content, absence of cholesterol, and a more favorable lipid profile, but also limitations, such as lower protein content and elevated sodium levels. The unequal concentration of eco-labeled protein-rich foods reinforces disparities in access to innovative and sustainable foods. The protein transition in Brazil is unlikely to occur solely through market forces; targeted public policies will be necessary to overcome structural barriers related to price, distribution, and consumer information within sustainable food systems.
Copyright (c) 2026 Eliana de Souza Marques dos Santos, Davy William Hildalgo Chávez, Ellen Mayra Menezes Ayres https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Seroprevalence of IgG anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum in goats from northern Paraná, Brazil
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite that can infect mammals and birds, posing a risk to human health. It can cause reproductive disorders in small ruminants. Neospora caninum affects ruminants, especially cattle, and causes abortions; however, studies have also reported reproductive alterations in sheep and goats. The aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence and epidemiological aspects of infection by T. gondii and N. caninum in goats in northern Paraná, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 321 animals on eight goat farms in northern Paraná. IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies were analyzed using an indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFA), with cutoff points of 64 for T. gondii and 50 for N. caninum. Of the 321 animals analyzed, 110 (34.3%) were seropositive for T. gondii and 33 (10.3%) were seropositive for N. caninum. Eight farms (100%) were seropositive for T. gondii and seven (87.5%) were seropositive for N. caninum. Statistically significant associations were observed between seropositivity for T. gondii and a history of abortions and the presence of cats on the property. Investigation of the seroprevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum is essential for implementing measures to control and prevent toxoplasmosis and neosporosis in Northern Paraná.
Copyright (c) 2026 Fernando ´Pietrini Soufen, Jorgeana Guadanhini Negrizolli, Amanda Filus Marchese, Mateus Siqueira Pyles, Amanda Fonseca Zangirolamo, Rafaela Maria Boson Jurkevicz, Ana Carolina Cavallieri, João Pedro Sasse, Fernando de Souza Rodrigues, João Luis Garcia https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Uneven seedling emergence affects growth and yield in corn
The timing of planting is important, as it defines the productive potential of a crop. Among planting-related factors, delayed emergence has received less attention compared with stand loss and seed spatial distribution. Some studies suggest that temporal unevenness in emergence may be more detrimental than spatial unevenness. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of delayed emergence on delayed and adjacent plants. Two experiments, arranged in randomized blocks, were conducted in a commercial area in 2018 and 2019, with one third of the plants (33%) sown with delays of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 days. Delayed and adjacent plants were evaluated separately. In both years, delayed plants showed etiolation, characterized by increased ear insertion height and reduced stem diameter. Adjacent plants exhibited an increase in stem diameter but no change in ear insertion height. Delayed plants demonstrated a linear reduction in all yield components in both years, resulting in a 6.6% (2018) and 8.1% (2019) reduction in yield for each day of delayed emergence. Adjacent plants showed a compensatory response only in 2019, with a linear increase of 1.7% in yield for each day of delayed emergence. In both years, tolerance of up to two days of delayed emergence was observed; beyond this point, the reduction in average yield becomes linear, ranging from 1.6% to 2.1% for each additional day of delay.
Copyright (c) 2026 Laerte Gustavo Pivetta, Camila de Aquino Tomaz, Laércio Augusto Pivetta, Rafael Caciolatto, Renata Vacaro Moura Alves, Dácio Olibone, Ana Paula Encide-Olibone, Gabriel Missio de Moura https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Bioactive peptides from bovine cartilage and intestinal mucosa as a replacement for spray-dried bovine plasma in nursery piglet diets
Soluble peptides derived from bovine cartilage and intestinal mucosa (Peptipro®) are obtained through enzymatic hydrolysis as byproducts of heparin and chondroitin extraction. This hydrolysis releases bioactive compounds and results in a highly digestible product. This study aimed to identify the bioactive peptides present in Peptipro® and evaluate the effects of its dietary inclusion on the growth performance and intestinal health of weaned piglets, compared with diets containing spray-dried bovine plasma (BP) used in nursery feeding. Peptipro® was subjected to peptide sequencing using mass spectrometry. The performance trial was conducted in a randomized block design with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement and ten replicates. The factors included diet and sex of the piglets, while blocks were defined based on their initial body weight (BW). The experimental diets were as follows: BP: 6% and 3% spray-dried BP in Pre-initial I (first week) and II (second week) phases, respectively; Partial replacement of BP with Peptipro® (BP–Pep): 3% spray-dried BP and 3% Peptipro® in Pre-initial I phase, and 1.5% of each in Pre-initial II phase; and Peptipro®: 3% and 1.5% Peptipro® in Pre-initial I and II phases, respectively. During Initial I (third week) and Initial II (last 18 days) phases, all experimental groups received the same diet. A total of 120 piglets (6.92 ± 0.77 kg BW), comprising 60 immunocastrated males and 60 females, were distributed in 30 pens with four animals per pen and fed ad libitum for 39 days. In total, 176 peptides were identified in Peptipro®, of which 71 exhibited bioactive functions related to energy metabolism regulation (74.6%), blood pressure regulation (63.4%), and antioxidative activity (8.4%), immunomodulation (2.8%), and other metabolic processes (4.2%). Intestinal permeability, assessed using fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-dextran), was not affected by diet (P = 0.308). In the Pre-initial II phase, Peptipro® diet increased the average daily gain by 12.8% compared with the BP–Pep diet (0.397 vs. 0.352 kg animal−1 day−1; P = 0.044), without affecting feed intake (0.444 kg animal−1 day−1, on average; P = 0.198), resulting in a better feed conversion ratio (1.08 vs. 1.25 kg feed kg−1 gain; P = 0.001). Fecal score was not influenced by diet, sex, or their interactions (P > 0.05), with mean relative frequencies of 51.5, 35.5, and 13.0% for normal, pasty, and liquid feces, respectively. Owing to its favorable amino acid profile, the presence of broad spectrum of bioactive peptides, and its positive effects on animal performance, Peptipro® can replace spray-dried BP in pre-starter diets for nursery piglets.
Copyright (c) 2026 Geraldo Camilo Alberton, José Luciano Andriguetto, Eduardo César Meurer, Sergio Rodrigo Fernandes, Gizele Fonseca Silva, Marcio Paschoalloto, Álvaro Henrique Rocha, Marcos Paulo Beuron, Évelin Lemos Oliveira, Anderson Ferreira Cunha https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Serological survey of Bovine leukemia virus infection in dairy cattle herds in the Central-Eastern mesoregion of Paraná state, southern Brazil
Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is an oncogenic retrovirus belonging to the subfamily Orthoretrovirinae and genus Deltaretrovirus. It is the etiological agent of enzootic bovine leukosis, an infectious disease that affects cow longevity and milk production, potentially leading to economic losses. Serological surveys provide valuable information on BLV circulation in dairy cattle herds. This study evaluated the serological profile of BLV infection in high-yield dairy cattle herds in the Central-Eastern mesoregion of Paraná State, Southern Brazil. Whole-blood samples were collected from 628 lactating cows in 43 dairy cattle herds between October 2019 and January 2020. Serum samples were stored at –80 °C until processing. Serological tests were performed using a commercially available ELISA kit to detect antibodies against glycoprotein 51 (gp51) in the BLV envelope. Herds were considered positive when at least one cow tested positive for anti-gp51 antibodies. The data obtained were categorized by type of management (intensive and semi-intensive) and the number of lactating cows per herd (<100, 100–200, and >200) and subjected to statistical analyses using chi-square and odds ratio tests at a 95% confidence level. Notably, all 43 (100.0%) evaluated herds were seropositive for BLV, with 10 herds (23.3%) showing 100% positivity in the evaluated cows. Of the sampled cows, 82% (515/628) were seropositive for BLV. The results of the statistical analyses for both factors were compared with the frequency of seropositive cows. Herds with 100–200 lactating cows exhibited a higher chance of being positive than those with <100 or >200 lactating cows. Moreover, herds under intensive management practices showed a 1.87-times greater chance of becoming infected with BLV than those under semi-intensive management. The serological survey results indicated that BLV infection is endemic in the Central-Eastern mesoregion of Paraná State. Enzootic bovine leukosis is a clinically silent retroviral disease, with overt clinical manifestations occurring only sporadically. Nevertheless, BLV infection is associated with reduced animal productivity and significant economic losses. Therefore, only coordinated actions to raise awareness among all stakeholders in the dairy production chain regarding the epidemiological importance of BLV and its routes of transmission will help to reduce the prevalence of seropositive animals and herds in endemic regions.
Copyright (c) 2026 Juliana Torres Tomazi Fritzen, Caio Cabrera Antunes dos Santos, Geovana Depieri Yoshitani, Beatriz Martins Machado, Stefany Lia Oliveira Camilo, Júlio Augusto Naylor Lisbôa, Alice Fernandes Alfieri, Amauri Alcindo Alfieri https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Retrospective study of brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis occurrence in São João do Itaperiú, Santa Catarina, Brazil (2013–2022)
Brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis are zoonoses of significant sanitary and economic relevance, making their control a priority within animal health and epidemiological surveillance frameworks. This study aimed to analyze the influence of inter- and intra-municipal cattle transit on the occurrence of these diseases in the municipality of São João do Itaperiú, Santa Catarina, Brazil, between 2013 and 2022. The research was based on official data extracted from the Santa Catarina Agricultural Defense Management System (SIGEN+) and the Brazilian System for Veterinary Surveillance and Emergencies (SISBRAVET), including records of animal movement, diagnostic tests, slaughter, and notifications of positive cases. A total of 1,026 cattle had a length of stay exceeding the average age at slaughter, suggesting their use for reproduction. Of these, 834 had not undergone mandatory sanitary examinations. Among the 157 cattle that tested positive, 135 were diagnosed with brucellosis and 22 with tuberculosis; of these, 131 (83.4%) had entered the municipality without prior testing. Animals without prior testing had a 17.83-fold higher risk of testing positive for brucellosis than previously tested animals. For tuberculosis, animals intended for fattening also showed an increased risk, with an approximately 2.57-fold higher likelihood of testing positive. An incongruity was found between the purpose declared in the Animal Transit Guide (GTA) and the actual use of the animals, revealing regulatory gaps and failures in enforcement. It is recommended that the criteria for issuing GTAs be reassessed, including the requirement for diagnostic testing of uncastrated males and improved monitoring of animals’ residence time on properties. The results reinforce the importance of integrated sanitary policies focused on prevention, traceability, and sanitary education to mitigate the risk of zoonotic disease transmission.
Copyright (c) 2026 Simone Brito Senger, Elizabeth Schwegler, Juliano Santos Gueretz https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Molecular detection of dengue virus RNA in dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) situated in an important tri-border municipality (Brazil x Argentina x Paraguay)
Although the role of humans as the main host that maintains the epidemic cycles of some arboviruses is clarified, there is no consensus that dengue virus (DENV) can be maintained in endemic regions in an enzootic cycle. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the molecular detection of DENV serotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4 RNA in semi-domiciled dogs from urban areas of Foz do Iguaçu, a dengue-endemic municipality located in a tri-border region between Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. A total of 100 blood samples were collected from dogs residing in two human dengue hotspots. Samples were analyzed by qRT-PCR using a commercial assay originally developed for human diagnostics. The endogenous 18S rRNA internal control amplified in all samples, confirming RNA integrity and absence of detectable PCR inhibition in the canine matrix under the experimental conditions applied. It was possible to identify the presence of DENV-4 RNA signal in six (6%) of the animals, a value considered epidemiologically high. In a region of Triple Frontier, with fluctuating population, great social inequality and different legislative norms between countries, the inclusion of sentinel animals for dengue in epidemiological surveillance programs is in line with PAHO recommendations. The results found provide molecular evidence of DENV RNA detection in dogs from endemic urban areas and raise important questions regarding the potential epidemiological relevance of dogs in dengue-endemic urban environments.
Copyright (c) 2026 Robson Michael Delai , André de Souza Leandro, Caroline Amaral Martins, Andressa Faria Rahyn Fitz, Aline Cristiane Cechinel Assing Batista, Leonardo Ferreira, Isabela Carvalho dos Santos, Ulisses de Pádua Pereira, Daniela Dib Gonçalves https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Salt and nutritional stress on the physiological characteristics and productivity of the peanut crop
Peanut production has been highlighted in the Northeast region of Brazil; however, salinity in irrigation water negatively affects the agronomic performance of crops. Potassium fertilization, in turn, may mitigate salt stress and enhance the agronomic performance of peanut plants. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of potassium fertilization as a strategy to mitigate salt stress on peanut agronomic performance. The experiment was conducted in the experimental area of the Auroras Seedling Production Unit, belonging to the Universidade da Integração Internacional da Lusofonia Afro-Brasileira, in Redenção, state of Ceará. A completely randomized design in a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement, with five replications, was adopted. The first factor consisted of five potassium rates (0, 12.5, 25, 37.5, and 50 kg ha⁻1, corresponding to 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of the recommended rate), and the second factor consisted of two irrigation water salinity levels (0.8 and 4.0 dS m⁻1). Potassium fertilization, combined with irrigation using moderately saline water, led to increases in pod diameter, pod length, and pod number in peanut plants. However, higher salinity significantly reduced these variables. On the other hand, when applied in isolation, brackish water negatively affected pod weight, yield, and water use efficiency.
Copyright (c) 2026 Marcio Colombo Viriato Domingos, Geocleber Gomes de Sousa, Francisco Barroso da Silva Junior, Jonnathan Richeds da Silva Sales, José Thomas Machado de Sousa, Andreza de Melo Mendonça, Geovana Ferreira Goes, Fernando Bezerra Lopes, Fred Denilson Barbosa da Silva, Carlos Newdmar Vieira Fernandes https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Physicochemical and colorimetric characterization of cryoconcentrated grape juices and their impact on Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation
Cryoconcentration increases sugar concentration in grape juice, influencing alcoholic fermentation. Thus, physicochemical and colorimetric parameters of cryoconcentrated grape juices and their impact on alcoholic fermentation were evaluated. Five treatments, each with a volume of 1.5 L, were prepared. Treatments received 0.05 g L-1 potassium metabisulfite and 0.60 g L-1 Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Subsequently, treatments were incubated at 25.0 °C ± 2.0 °C and remained under these conditions until alcoholic fermentation was completed after 10 days (treatment 1), 18 days (treatments 2, 3, and 5), and 26 days (treatment 4). Alcoholic degree and residual reducing sugar levels were 10.56% ± 0.01% and 4.22 ± 0.42 g L-1 (treatment 1), 14.58% ± 0.03% and 34.53 ± 0.20 g L-1 (treatment 2), 14.91% ± 0.03% and 35.88 ± 0.56 g L-1 (treatment 3), 10.37% ± 0.03% and 76.03 ± 1.55 g L-1 (treatment 4), and 5.26% ± 0.02% and 208.50 ± 5.57 g L-1 (treatment 5), respectively. Total polyphenol content and total titratable acidity increased with higher volumes of cryoconcentrate in treatments. However, pH, volatile acidity, and phenolic profile did not show the same behavior. Cryoconcentration did not affect blue color or hue, but increased color intensity while reducing luminosity and red coloration. High concentrations of total soluble solids reduced the fermentative capacity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in treatments 2, 3, 4, and 5, delaying fermentation and resulting in high residual sugar levels.
Copyright (c) 2026 Fábio Martins Campos, Valter de Oliveira Souto, Gabriela Sperotto, Juliane Barreto de Oliveira, Celso Guarani Ruiz de Oliveira, Juliana Fronza, Giuliano Elias Pereira, Marcelo Lazzarotto https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Global prevalence of pathogens isolated from butter and cream samples derived from milk - a systematic review with meta-analysis
Microbiological contamination occurring in the milk production chain represents a significant challenge for public health, especially in dairy products such as butter and cream. In this context, and considering the socioeconomic and nutritional relevance of these foods, it is essential to understand the risks involved and to seek effective control strategies. This study is a systematic review with meta-analysis aimed at evaluating the prevalence of pathogenic microorganisms in butter and cream. The research involved five bibliographic databases and initially included 1,275 articles. After applying the exclusion criteria, 21 articles from countries such as Brazil, India, Egypt, Ireland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and Sweden were included, encompassing regions in Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. The PRISMA guidelines were used for data selection and analysis. The results highlighted the presence of Escherichia coli and species of Listeria, Staphylococcus, and Pseudomonas in both types of samples, in addition to specific isolates such as Klebsiella spp. in cream and Salmonella spp. in butter. Variability in isolation and confirmation methods was identified. The research showed that hygienic failures and inadequacies in transport and storage are critical factors associated with contamination. The findings reinforce the need for standardization of microbiological analysis methods and for more efficient surveillance strategies. The low representation of continents such as North America and Oceania points to important gaps in the literature. Thus, the implementation of public policies to minimize health risks is necessary, promoting the safety of widely consumed dairy products.
Carolina de Sousa Américo Batista Santos
Copyright (c) 2026 Giliel Rodrigues Leandro, Fernanda Augusta de Andrade Medeiros Araújo, Mikaely Giordanno Medeiros de Araújo, Clécio Henrique Limeira, Mônica Adriana Araújo de Souza, Rosália Severo de Medeiros, Sergio Santos Azevedo, Carolina de Sousa Américo Batista Santos https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Induction of resistance to Phakopsora pachyrhizi in soybean using proteins from Pycnoporus sanguineus
Asian soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) is an important disease, and the induction of resistance is a promising alternative method for its control. The objective was to evaluate proteins isolated from the Basidiomycota Pycnoporus sanguineus to control soybean rust. The treatments consisted of three proteins (III, IV, and V), a non-fractionated extract (crude extract - CE) of P. sanguineus, the fungicide tebuconazole, and water. The proteins did not show any inhibition of spore germination. Protein III and the CE reduced the number of lesions only on treated leaves. Thus, P. sanguineus contains non-fungitoxic protein capable of locally inducing resistance in soybean against P. pachyrhizi.
Copyright (c) 2026 Luciana Iurkiv, Thaisa Muriel Mioranza, Camila Hendges, José Renato Stangarlin https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Population pharmacokinetic modeling of gentamicin in dogs
This study used population pharmacokinetic (popPK) modeling to predict therapeutic efficacy and assess nephrotoxicity risk associated with gentamicin administration in dogs. The model was developed in Monolix 2024 R1 (Lixoft SAS, Simulations Plus Company) using plasma concentrationtime data obtained from the literature. Monte Carlo simulations were subsequently performed in Simulx 2024 (Lixoft SAS, Simulations Plus Company) for gentamicin doses of 2, 4, 6, and 8 mg kg-1 to evaluate therapeutic target attainment and exposure associated with nephrotoxicity risk. The model that best described the observed data was a two-compartment model with linear elimination. Predicted therapeutic efficacy was assessed using the Probability of Target Attainment (PTA) based on the PK/PD target fCmax/MIC ≥ 10 across a range of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Nephrotoxicity risk was evaluated according to the duration for which plasma gentamicin concentrations remained above the primary nephrotoxicity-risk threshold of 2 μg mL-1. The 8 mg kg-1 regimen achieved PTA values ≥ 90% for pathogens with MIC ≤ 2.0 μg mL-1 and represented the highest-performing simulated regimen among those evaluated. For this regimen, the mean time above the 2 μg mL-1 nephrotoxicity-risk threshold ranged from 4 to 8 hours. These findings support the use of gentamicin against pathogens with MICs ≤ 2 μg mL-1 when administered using extended dosing intervals. However, dose and interval adjustments may be required in critically ill patients. Overall, the popPK approach provides a useful framework for precision dosing, supporting improved predicted efficacy and safety across different dosing regimens.
Copyright (c) 2026 Kevellyn Silveira Gomes Martins, Larissa Alexandra Félix, Lucas Wamser Fonseca Gonzaga, Karina Krauss Ferraz Vasconcelos, Diego Díaz, João Vitor Fernandes Cotrim de Almeida, Aline Carvalho Pereira, Marcos Ferrante, Nelsa Widerhon https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Effects of protein supplementation on metabolism and performance of grazing Nellore cows under different parity orders
The objective was to evaluate the interaction between the response to supplementation of multiparous and primiparous beef cows on pasture on performance and blood metabolism. Forty Nellore cows were used. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, where two parity orders were evaluated: primiparous (P1) and multiparous (P2), and two postpartum supplementation strategies, as follows: unsupplemented (N), and supplemented (S). Overall, supplementation trend increased weight gain of cows (P < 0.09), regardless of parity order, but did not alter body condition score (BCS) (P > 0.20). In addition, supplementation increased calf weight at 42 days of age (P < 0.01), and milk protein and lactose concentrations (P < 0.03) On the other hand, multiparous cows had higher milk production (P < 0.01), and their calves had higher average dairy gain (ADG) (P < 0.04). There was interaction between postpartum day and parity order (P < 0.03), in which multiparous cows had higher non-sterified fatty acid (NEFA) in blood at calving. There was an interaction between calving order and supplementation on blood albumin (P < 0.05), with lower values for non-supplemented primiparous cows. In addition, supplementation increased insulin like growth factor (IGF-1) in the animal’s blood (P < 0.01). Postpartum supplementation improves the productive performance of cows. In addition, multiparous cows have greater body mobilization at calving and non-supplemented primiparous cows have the worst blood protein status.
Copyright (c) 2026 Camila Andressa Silva de Oliveira, Gabriel Santos Souza David, Michele Cíntia Silva, Juarez Junior da Silva Paiva, Kamilla Gonçalves Faria, Biana Morais Horta, Marcelo da Silva Rodrigues, Luciana da Cunha Arruda, Luciana Navajas Rennó, Mário Fonseca Paulino https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0