Statistical evaluation of the Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Pathology The first two years

The Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Pathology (BJVP) is the official electronic periodical of the Brazilian Association of Veterinary Pathology. The purpose of the BJVP is to publish original full papers, short communications, case reports, letters, reviews (by invited experts) and abstracts of scientific meetings in the fields of natural and experimental pathology, directed to the national and international scientific community. The present communication provides information regarding some of the BJVP numeric details, its target audience and statistical data of worldwide readers access in these first two years of publication, in order to better inform interested authors and readers regarding the Journals scope and range.

Gap junctions and communication within the nervous system

Gap junctions are sites on the cellular membrane with intercellular channels build up by twelve protein subunits called connexins. Each connected cell contributes with a hemichannel made up by six connexins subunits. This kind of connection represents and efficient way of intercellular communication in most tissues, including the nervous system. It works as a passage for ions, secondary messenger and metabolites exchange between the cells. In a complex tissue like the nervous tissue they are particularly important because they connect the various cellular types composing a panglial syncytium that performs neuronal protection and tissue homeostasis. The expression of connexins and the intercellular communication through gap junctions are crucial to regulate vital functions as cellular motility, proliferations and survival; changes in the conformational expression of connexins may be involved in diseases as Alzheimer´s disease, neoplasms, bacterial and parasitic infections, or even affect cellular groups when they occur as genetic mutations leading to functional defects of the nervous system as demyelination in the PNS (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease), hereditary epilepsy, nonsyndromic deafness and senile cataract.

Effects of deletion of the connexin 32 gene on pro and anti-inflammatories aspects in the ethidium bromide toxic demyelination model

Gap junctions are cellular structures that allow transit of molecules between cells, allowing intercellular signaling and transportation. They are formed by proteins denominated connexins and represent key structures in highly complex and integrated tissues, such as the central nervous system (CNS). The present study evaluates the effects of connexin 32 (Cx32) deletion upon CNS inflammation and regeneration/repair after 1, 3, 7, 10 and 20 days after intracerebral injection of ethidium bromide in Cx32 Knock Out and normal mice. To accomplish so, Real Time PCR gene expression quantification was performed upon Tumour Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFa), Transforming Growth Factor beta 1 (TGFb1), Metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3), Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP1) genes. Results indicate varying differences in the expression pattern, including difference in expression of all evaluated genes in the 3 days post injection period, apex of the acute inflammation mechanisms. These results suggest that Cx32 may perform important functions on molecular, inflammatory and regenerative/repair signalling in the CNS.

Clinical features of indurative mastitis caused by caprine arthritis encephalitis virus

Forty seven mammary glands affected by indurative mastitis were analyzed in order to study parenchyma alterations caused by caprine arthritis encephalitis virus. The study was based on physical examination of the animals and physical-chemical characteristics of the milk. Diagnosis was based on physical examination, serological results, PCR of the milk and histopathology from the mammary tissue. Physical examination showed that indurative process affected the parenchyma of all animals. In many cases, there were nodules of different sizes. PCR detected the virus in the parenchyma and milk of many animals showing that mastitis was caused by a virus. Only 2.35% (47/2000) of the glands evaluated showed consistency alterations related to the virus. pH, chloride content and electroconductivity, as well as somatic cells counts, were greater in animals infected by CAE virus. Alterations in the consistency of the mammary parenchyma were observed in the 25 animals infected. Diameter of the nodules in the parenchyma of eight glands ranged from 1 to 3 cm.  Retromammary lymphnodes were enlarged in 4 of 47 glands (8.5%). No clumps were observed in milk samples, but secretion had an aqueous appearance. From the 34 milk samples analyzed, 18/34 (52.9%) showed normal physical-chemical parameters; 9 showed one two abnormal parameters, and 7 showed 3 or more abnormal parameters.