Cutaneous mast cell tumor in a captive Bush dog (Speothos venaticus): pathological and immunophenotypical aspects - case report / Mastocitoma cutâneo em um cachorro-do-mato vinagre (Speothos venaticus) de cativeiro: aspectos patológicos e imunofenotípicos - relato de caso

A senile male captive bush dog (Speothos venaticus) presented a small perianal cutaneous nodule. Histologically, there was an ulcerated round cell tumor composed of well differentiated mast cells with abundant intracytoplasmic purple Giemsa-positive granules, with a diffuse eosinophilic infiltrate. Immunohistochemistry revealed that 30% of the neoplastic cells were positive for Kit in the cytoplasm and cell membrane, and all neoplastic cells were negative for MAC and CD3. Less than 10% of the neoplastic cells were positive for Ki67. At necropsy other primary tumors were identified in this animal, including an intestinal adenoma, an adrenal cortex adenoma and a testicular interstitial cell tumor.(AU)

Um cachorro-vinagre (Speothos venaticus) apresentou um nódulo cutâneo pequeno na região perianal. Histologicamente havia neoplasia cutânea de células redondas e ulcerada, constituída por mastócitos bem diferenciados, com abundantes grânulos citoplasmáticos metacromáticos na coloração de Giemsa e infiltrado eosinofílico difuso. A imuno-histoquímica demonstrou que 30% das células neoplásicas eram positivas para a proteína Kit no citoplasma e na membrana celular. As células foram negativas para MAC e CD3. Menos de 10% das células neoplásicas foram positivas para Ki67. Durante a necropsia, foram identificados outros tumores primários, como adenoma intestinal, adenoma cortical da adrenal e tumor de células intersticiais do testículo.(AU)

Cutaneous metastatic melanoma in a Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) - case report / Melanoma cutâneo metastático em um tigre-siberiano (Panthera tigris altaica) - relato de caso

A male 15-year-old captive Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) developed pelvic limb hypermetry over the past 10 years. Recently, an ulcerated black nodule located caudally to the right ear was observed. The animal was submitted to surgery for removing the tumor, but died during anesthetic recovery. At necropsy, another infiltrative nodule was observed caudally to the right ear. Histologically, both nodules corresponded to melanocytic neoplasia, varying from heavily pigmented to amelanotic, with metastasis to mediastinal lymph nodes, spleen and lung. Lipofuscinosis and corpora amylacea were histologically observed in the central nervous system. Macroscopic and histologic findings confirmed the diagnosis of skin metastatic melanoma in a captive adult Siberian tiger.(AU)

Um tigre-siberiano (Panthera tigris altaica) de cativeiro, macho, de 15 anos de idade, apresentou hipermetria dos membros pélvicos nos últimos 10 anos, e recentemente, foi observado um nódulo preto e ulcerado caudalmente à orelha direita. O animal foi submetido à cirurgia para remoção do nódulo e morreu durante a recuperação anestésica. À necropsia, outro nódulo infiltrativo, foi detectado caudalmente a orelha direita. Histologicamente, ambos os nódulos correspondiam à neoplasia melanocítica, com células variando de fortemente pigmentadas a amelanóticas, com metástase para linfonodos mediastinais, baço e pulmão. Havia lipofucsinose e corpora amilácea no sistema nervoso central. Os achados macroscópicos e histológicos confirmam o diagnóstico de melanoma cutâneo metastático em um tigre-siberiano adulto de cativeiro.(AU)

ADAPT(tm) trocar use for laparoscopic procedures in equidea / Utilização do trocater AdaptTM para procedimentos laparoscópicos em equídeos

O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever o uso do trocater modelo Adapt(tm) no acesso laparoscópico em animais da família dos equídeos. O procedimento cirúrgico foi realizado em 15 equídeos (quatro jumentas, seis cavalos e cinco éguas), com peso médio de 320kg (290kg e 450kg, pesos máximo e mínimo, respectivamente). Os pacientes foram mantidos em posição quadrupedal, sob sedação e bloqueio local. Primeiramente, realizou-se o preparo asséptico, e o acesso foi feito pelo flanco direito ou pelo esquerdo, dependendo da estrutura a ser visualizada. Em todos os procedimentos, foi utilizado o trocater modelo Seal AdaptTM Ports (Teleflex Medical Introduces TautTM, USA), com diâmetro de 12mm. Inicialmente se fez uma incisão de pele de aproximadamente 15mm para inserção da ponta do trocater. Este foi inserido na ferida cirúrgica, realizando-se movimentos de 180º em sentido horário e anti-horário, até atingir a cavidade abdominal. Após esta etapa, o obturador do trocater foi retirado, e a ótica inserida para confirmar o acesso à cavidade abdominal. A síntese das camadas superficiais da muscular foi realizada com fio nylon nº 0, em um padrão Sultan, e posteriormente a dermorrafia, também com nylon nº 0, no padrão de Wolf. O equipamento apresentou eficiência nos procedimentos de dissecação das camadas subcutânea, musculares e peritônio, não ocorrendo significativa hemorragia nessas camadas. Em um paciente muar, ocorreu afastamento do peritônio parietal, e em alguns casos (40%) ocorreu pequeno enfisema subcutâneo no pós-cirúrgico. Todos os pacientes apresentaram boa cicatrização da ferida cirúrgica. O trocater modelo AdaptTM mostrou-se eficiente na abordagem laparoscópica em equinos, apresentando segurança em se estabelecer o acesso e versatilidade no emprego de diversos instrumentais.(AU)

Characterization of the microbial community in a lotic environment to assess the effect of pollution on nitrifying and potentially pathogenic bacteria.

This study aimed to investigate microbes involved in the nitrogen cycle and potentially pathogenic bacteria from urban and rural sites of the São Pedro stream. Water samples were collected from two sites. A seasonal survey of bacterial abundance was conducted. The dissolved nutrient content was analysed. PCR and FISH analysis were performed to identify and quantify microbes involved in the nitrogen cycle and potentially pathogenic bacteria. The seasonal survey revealed that the bacterial abundance was similar along the year on the rural area but varied on the urban site. Higher concentration of dissolved nutrients in the urban area indicated a eutrophic system. Considering the nitrifying microbes, the genus Nitrobacter was found, especially in the urban area, and may act as the principal bacteria in converting nitrite into nitrate at this site. The molecular markers napA, amoA, and nfrA were more accumulated at the urban site, justifying the higher content of nutrients metabolised by these enzymes. Finally, high intensity of amplicons from Enterococcus, Streptococcus, Bacteroides/Prevotella/Porphyromonas, Salmonella, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and the diarrheagenic lineages of E. coli were observed at the urban site. These results indicate a change in the structure of the microbial community imposed by anthrophic actions. The incidence of pathogenic bacteria in aquatic environments is of particular importance to public health, emphasising the need for sewage treatment to minimise the environmental impacts associated with urbanisation.

Horner-s Syndrome following common carotid artery translocation in a horse: case report / Síndrome de Horner após transposição de carótida em equino: relato de caso

Horner's syndrome (HS) is a sympathetic dysfunction caused by injuries to the sympathetic pathway. A clinical case of HS following common carotid artery transposition and catheterization in a horse is described. The animal presented head and neck sweating with focal skin temperature elevation, facial paralysis and ptosis. Most clinical signs were transient and persisted for two hours following percutaneous catheter removal. Recurrence of clinical signs was observed at subsequent catheterizations. Ptosis endured for 10 months as a consequence of the first catheter placement which demonstrates the importance of careful manipulation of the anatomical structures of the neck when performing any surgical manipulation in this area...

A síndrome de Horner é uma disfunção do sistema nervoso autônomo simpático, decorrente de qualquer injúria a essa via de transmissão nervosa. Este artigo descreve um caso da síndrome após cirurgia para a transposição da artéria carótida comum. Os sinais clínicos observados foram sudorese de face e pescoço, com hipertermia localizada, paralisia facial e ptose palpebral. A maioria dos sinais foi transitória e se manifestou por até duas horas após a remoção do cateter percutâneo, introduzido na artéria transposta. Como essa manifestação foi recorrente nas venóclises subsequentes e a ptose palpebral perdurou por 10 meses, desde a primeira punção arterial, ressalta-se a importância e o critério quando da necessidade de manipulação cirúrgica dessa região anatômica...

Integrated control of penicillium digitatum by the predacious yeast Saccharomycopsis crataegensis and sodium bicarbonate on oranges

Our investigation of integrated biological control (IBC) started with an assay testing activity of the predacious yeast Saccharomycopsis crataegensis UFMG-DC19.2 against Penicillium digitatum LCP 4354, a very aggressive fungus that causes postharvest decay in oranges. Under unfavourable environmental conditions, the yeast showed a high potential for control (39.9 percent disease severity reduction) of this fungus. This result was decisive for the next step, in which S. crataegensis was tested in association with sodium bicarbonate salt, a generally regarded as safe (GRAS) substance. The yeast was able to survive at different concentrations of the salt (1 percent, 2 percent and 5 percent), and continued to grow for a week at the wound site, remaining viable at high population for 14 days on the fruit surface. The yeast alone reduced the severity of decay by 41.7 percent and sodium bicarbonate alone reduced severity of decay by 19.8 percent, whereas the application of both led to a delay in the development of symptoms from 2 to 10 days. Ingredients of the formulations were not aggressive to fruits since no lesions were produced in control experiments.

Integrated control of Penicillium digitatum by the predacious yeast Saccharomycopsis crataegensis and sodium bicarbonate on oranges.

Our investigation of integrated biological control (IBC) started with an assay testing activity of the predacious yeast Saccharomycopsis crataegensis UFMG-DC19.2 against Penicillium digitatum LCP 4354, a very aggressive fungus that causes postharvest decay in oranges. Under unfavourable environmental conditions, the yeast showed a high potential for control (39.9% disease severity reduction) of this fungus. This result was decisive for the next step, in which S. crataegensis was tested in association with sodium bicarbonate salt, a generally regarded as safe (GRAS) substance. The yeast was able to survive at different concentrations of the salt (1%, 2% and 5%), and continued to grow for a week at the wound site, remaining viable at high population for 14 days on the fruit surface. The yeast alone reduced the severity of decay by 41.7% and sodium bicarbonate alone reduced severity of decay by 19.8%, whereas the application of both led to a delay in the development of symptoms from 2 to 10 days. Ingredients of the formulations were not aggressive to fruits since no lesions were produced in control experiments.

Denture-related oral mucosal lesions in a Brazilian school of dentistry.

The purpose of this study was to survey the frequency of denture-related lesions of the oral mucosa in patients treated at a Brazilian dental school and to determine if the oral lesions were related to age, sex, denture type, length of denture use and denture cleaning methods. The denture-related lesions observed in this study were chronic atrophic candidiasis, chronic hyperplastic candidiasis, denture-induced fibrous inflammatory hyperplasia (FIH), traumatic ulcer, angular cheilitis and flabby ridge. The most frequent lesion, chronic atrophic candidiasis, occurred more frequently in females, in complete maxillary denture wearers, with denture use for 16-20 years. The most common method of cleaning dentures was a toothbrush and toothpaste. These results suggest that dentures can cause a wide range of lesions of the oral mucosa, that could be prevented with follow-up to evaluate dentures and provide instructions on how to maintain oral tissues healthy.

Investigating the hows and whys of DNA endoreduplication.

Endoreduplication is a form of nuclear polyploidization that results in multiple, uniform copies of chromosomes. This process is common in plants and animals, especially in tissues with high metabolic activity, and it generally occurs in cells that are terminally differentiated. In plants, endoreduplication is well documented in the endosperm and cotyledons of developing seeds, but it also occurs in many tissues throughout the plant. It is thought that endoreduplication provides a mechanism to increase the level of gene expression, but the function of this process has not been thoroughly investigated. Numerous observations have been made of endoreduplication, or at least extra cycles of S-phase, as a consequence of mutations in genes controlling several aspects of cell cycle regulation. However, until recently there were few studies directed at the molecular mechanisms responsible for this specialized cell cycle. It is suggested that endoreduplication requires nothing more elaborate than a loss of M-phase cyclin-dependent kinase activity and oscillations in the activity of S-phase cyclin-dependent kinase.

Do growth and cell division rates determine cell size in multicellular organisms?

Studies in yeast have provided some clues to how cell size might be determined in unicellular eukaryotes; yet little attention has been paid to this issue in multicellular organisms. Reproducible cell sizes might be achieved in the dividing cells of multicellular organisms by the coordination of growth with cell division. Recently, mutations in genes encoding homologues of components of the mammalian insulin/phosphoinositide 3-kinase signalling pathway have been shown to affect organ growth and cell size during Drosophila melanogaster imaginal disc development. The data suggest that signalling through this pathway alters cell size because it primarily affects the growth of these organs (i.e. their increase in mass) and does not have a proportional impact on cell division. These observations are in keeping with the hypothesis that growth and cell division are regulated independently, and that cell size is just a consequence of the rate at which tissues grow and the cells within them divide. However, signalling through this pathway can affect cell cycle phasing and at least influence cell division. These interactions may provide a means of coordinating growth and cell division, such that cells divide only when they are above a minimum size.

Clinical and histological evaluation of granuloma gravidarum: case report.

Granuloma gravidarum is a benign lesion of the oral mucosa which occurs during pregnancy. This case report presents the clinical and histological evaluation and treatment of a granuloma gravidarum in a patient in the 9th month of pregnancy.

Denture-induced fibrous inflammatory hyperplasia: a retrospective study in a school of dentistry.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the denture-induced fibrous inflammatory hyperplasia (FIH) that occurs around the borders of an ill-fitting denture, in relation to frequency of the lesion, age and sex distribution, length of denture use, and frequency of dysplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive review of FIH diagnosed in patients wearing dentures by the oral pathology diagnostic service at the University of São Paulo over 26 years (1971 to 1996) was undertaken, based on retrospective analysis of the oral histopathologic files. RESULTS: The frequency of FIH was 15% of the total number of pathologies diagnosed at the service of oral pathology in that period. The disorder occurred predominantly in the fifth and sixth decades of life and more often among females, at a proportion of 5:1. The frequency of FIH was higher for a length of denture use of between 1 and 10 years. Dysplasia was found in 4% of cases. CONCLUSION: The knowledge of some aspects of FIH, especially the possible histologic alteration of dysplasia, supports the importance of the diagnosis and treatment of the lesion and suggests that any excised tissue should be submitted to histopathologic evaluation. Education and regular review of patients who have worn dentures are essential if the development of FIH is to be prevented.

Proliferative activity of denture-induced fibrous inflammatory hyperplasia analyzed by proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling index.

PURPOSE: Denture-induced fibrous inflammatory hyperplasia (FIH) occurs around the borders of an ill-fitting denture. There has been no report in the literature concerning epithelial proliferative activity in FIH. The purpose of this study was to observe the labeling of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and evaluate its clinicopathologic results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The labeling index (LI) was assessed by using the PCNA, a nuclear protein synthesized mainly in the G1-S stages of the cell cycle that could be detected immunohistochemically by the monoclonal antibody PC10. The PCNA LI was assessed in FIH specimens, in clinically normal specimens 1 cm from the FIH margin (adjacent group), and in clinically normal specimens located at least 2 cm from the adjacent group; the last were considered the control group. RESULTS: The mean PCNA LI values in the basal, parabasal, and overall epithelial layers were similar in FIH and in the adjacent group and were significantly higher than in the control group. CONCLUSION: These data support the importance of the surgical treatment of FIH with wide excision (about 1 cm) since the clinically normal tissue around the lesion could be histologically altered.

Tensile bond strength of a resinous cement to a nickel-chromium alloy modified with five surface treatments.

A problem associated with resin-bonded fixed partial dentures is inadvertent dislodgment at the metal/cement interface. It has been suggested that Panavia Ex resinous cement requires only air abrasion of the alloy with 50 microns aluminum oxide particles to record reliable bond strength values. The purpose of this study was to discuss the consequences of changes in the type of air abrasion and surface oxidation of the alloy. Fifty pairs of disks of a Ni-Cr alloy were treated by five methods: (1) air abrasion with 50 microns aluminum oxide (control), (2) air abrasion with 50 microns glass beads, (3) air abrasion with a mixture of aluminum oxide and glass beads (ratio 1:1), (4) air abrasion with aluminum oxide and immersion in acid solution of potassium permanganate, and (5) air abrasion with aluminum oxide and immersion in aqueous solution of potassium permanganate. The disks were cemented to each other with Panavia Ex composite resinous cement and tensile tests were conducted at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/ minute. No statistically significant differences were recorded among the treatments for the alloys used in this study except air abrasion with glass beads, which exhibited the lowest bond strength values.

Tensile bone strength of Panavia Ex to a Ni-Cr alloy using different surface treatments.

Panavia Ex resin has been claimed to require only air abrasion of the alloy with 50 micrometers aluminum oxide particles to reach acceptable bond strength values. This study discusses the consequences of changes in the type of air abrasion and surface oxidation of the alloy. Thirty pairs of discs of a Ni-Cr alloy were treated by three methods: 1) air abrasion with 50 micrometers aluminum oxide (control); 2) air abrasion with glass beads; 3) air abrasion with a mixture of aluminum oxide and glass beads (ratio 1:1). The Tukey test showed statistical differences only for air abrasion with glass beads.

A propagation of error analysis of the enzyme activity expression. A model for determining the total system random error of a kinetic enzyme analyzer.

We present a total system error evaluation of random error, based on a propagation of error analysis of the expression for the calculation of enzyme activity. A simple expression is derived that contains terms for photometric error, timing uncertainty, temperature-control error, sample and reagent volume errors, and pathlength error. This error expression was developed in general to provide a simple means of evaluating the magnitude of random error in an analytical system and in particular to provide an error evaluation protocol for the assessment of the error components in a prototype Miniature Centrifugal Analyzer system. Individual system components of error are measured. These measured error components are combined in the error expressiion to predict performance. Enzyme activity measurements are made to correlate with the projected error data. In conclusion, it is demonstrated that this is one method for permitting the clinical chemist and the instrument manufacturer to establish reasonable error limits.