Species of Valeriana show sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, antidepressant and anti-inflammatory properties, which are associated with valepotriates. However, data about toxicity and safety of these compounds are still limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the toxicity of a valepotriate-enriched fraction (VAL) from Valeriana glechomifolia Meyer based on the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guidelines 423 and 407. In the acute study, CF1 mice were treated with a single dose of VAL (2000 mg/kg, p.o.) and observed for 14 days. In the repeated dose study, CF1 mice received single daily doses of VAL (30, 150 or 300 mg/kg, p.o.) or vehicle for 28 days. These doses were chosen based on previous results by our group and according to Guideline 407- OECD. Acute study allowed to classify VAL in the hazard category 5. Repeat-dose study has shown that VAL 300 mg/kg delayed weight gain and reduced food consumption in the first week, probably due to transient sedative effects. The other doses had no effect on animals' ponderal evolution. At the end of the treatment, all groups had equal body weight and food consumption. None of doses altered any behavioral, urinary, biochemical, hematological, anatomic or histological parameters. In conclusion, a valepotriate-enriched fraction from Valeriana glechomifolia presents relative low oral acute toxicity and does not induce evident toxicity after oral repeated treatment (at least up to 300 mg/kg) in mice.

Background: Two classifications are used to categorize cavitary effusions using total nucleated cell count (TNCC): protein concentration and pathophysiology of its formation. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the correlation between the TNCC values of cavitary effusions obtained in the automatic and the manual method, and also evaluating the classification methodology. Materials, Methods & Results: Cavitary effusions were analyzed for physical, chemical and cytological aspects, as well as manual and automatic cell counts for the correlation between the traditional methods and those suggested by Stockham & Scott. Bland-Altman regression and Spearman correlation analysis were performed. Of the total, 44 were abdominal effusions (73.3%), 15 thoracic (25%) and 1 pericardial (1.7%). According to the traditional classification, most of the effusions were classified as modified transudates (40%) and according to the classification of Stockham and Scott, as transudates poor in protein (31.7%). The correlation between cell counting techniques between pure, modified and exudate transudates was 0.94, 0.97 and 0.94, respectively, indicating an excellent correlation between the parameters (p = 0.95%).Discussion: Considering the concentration of proteins and CCNT, the effusions classified as modified transudate were mainly caused by neoplastic processes (carcinomas/adenocarcinomas), since there are several mechanisms of their formation, such as large variation of protein concentration. According to the Stockham & Scott classification a unique classification is considered for exfoliative neoplastic effusions, the variation of the protein concentration of the effusion does not alter its classification. In neoplastic effusions, classified as exudates, lymphomas were the most prevalent, and hypercellularity (approximately 150,000 cells / μL) allowed this classification. When considering low-protein transudates, the findings related to low concentrations did not differ much from the traditional classification. In the ruptures of viscera and vessels, the hemorrhagic ones were the most frequent, thus, the cytological diagnosis is essential, since it can give information about the contamination with blood during the collection. Most of these were due to neoplasia as the underlying cause. A case of chylotorax was diagnosed by comparing cholesterol and triglyceride values of effusion and serum. In cases of uroperitoneum, the presence of urine in the abdominal cavity promotes the dilution of the fluid from the cavity, being initially classified as pure transudate and, with its permanence in the cavity, increasing the CCNT, becomes an exudate. As in cases of exfoliative neoplastic effusions, the classification of the uroperitoneum, according to Stockham & Scott, is classified directly into effusion due to rupture of the viscera, giving a quick and clear diagnosis. According to Stockham & Scott, cases classified as nonseptic exudates (n = 3), two of which resulted from feline infectious peritonitis (PIF). The effusive form of PIF presents with accumulations of fluid in the abdomen, having an inflammatory character, but according to the traditional classification, they enter the category of modified transudates, because, despite containing protein concentrations close to or above the serum level, they present a CCNT lower than an exudate. Cavitary effusions were classified as septic exudates when intracellular bacteria were present and in the present study, two effusions were classified as such in two patients, one with septic peritonitis and in the other the final diagnosis was not found. The high values of Spearman correlation coefficients found when comparing the automatic counts with the manual demonstrate that there is an excellent correlation between the methods and, the Bland-Altman test showed significant agreement between them.

Using portable blood glucose meters (PBGMs) to measure blood glucose (BG) concentration is a common procedure in veterinary practice. Our objective was to evaluate the analytical and clinical accuracy of a human PBGM (Accu-Chek Performa®), (AC) and a veterinary PBGM (GlucoCalea®), (GC) in feline patients. Central venous blood samples were collected from 48 cats at a Brazilian Veterinary teaching hospital. Two devices from each model were used and compared to a reference method (RM). Analytical accuracy was assessed according to ISO 15197:2013 requirements for human PBGMs. Data were compared using Wilcoxon’s nonparametric test and represented by Bland-Altman plots. Hematocrit’s effect on BG measurements was evaluated by the Spearman correlation coefficient. Clinical accuracy was determined using error grid analysis (EGA). Values of BG were significantly higher in all PBGMs compared to the RM. Although ISO’s analytical accuracy requirements could not be met by any of the devices, AC meters were more accurate than GC meters. All AC measurements - but not GC ones - were within zones A and B of the EGA, meeting ISO requirements for clinical accuracy. Significant hematocrit interference was observed in all devices. Therefore, AC showed greater accuracy compared to GC using feline whole blood samples.