Cutaneous myxoma in broiler chicken detected during slaughtering

Background: A cutaneous or superficial myxoma is a benign neoplasm of dermal or subcutaneous fibroblast origin. Although rare, it has been previously described in several species, including poultry. It presents as a single node or soft mass with a gelatinous cut surface. Histopathological analysis is essential for diagnosis and to differentiate it from other mesenchymal neoplasms and inflammatory or degenerative processes. Microscopically, it consists of dermal or subcutaneous lobules of plump, stellate, or spindle-shaped, bland-looking cells embedded in a basophilic myxoid matrix. This report describes the pathological findings in a rare case of cutaneous myxoma in a 42-day-old broiler flock. Cases: During ante mortem inspection of a 42-day-old broiler flock at a slaughterhouse under the authority of the Federal Inspection Service (southern Brazil), nodular lesions or encrusted areas with yellow and black areas were observed in the head skin of less than 1% of animals. These lesions, approximately 0.5 cm in diameter, were observed on the comb, in the periocular skin region, and close to the animals' nostrils. During the breeding period, no health or epidemiological events were observed. Fragments of the lesions in the comb and periocular skin were collected and fixed in buffered 10% formalin. The samples were sent to the laboratory, routinely processed, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Alcian blue. Microscopically, the lesions consisted of irregular multifocal proliferation of connective tissue showing spindle cells with poorly demarcated borders and scarce cytoplasm in a slightly basophilic myxoid aspect matrix. The adjacent epidermis is compressed due to neoplastic proliferation. No areas of epithelial hyperplasia or inclusion bodies were observed. According to the pathologic description and considering its descriptive epidemiology, our main clinical suspicion was cutaneous fowl pox, a pathology characterized by the appearance of nodules in regions devoid of feathers. However, the microscopic changes observed were compatible with those described for cutaneous myxomas. In addition, the extracellular matrix was positive for Alcian Blue staining, which is an indicator of myxoma. In the present case, the SIF did not report the same macroscopic lesions in other flocks of the same origin. Discussion: Connective tissue tumors, including myxomas, occur considerably less frequently under field conditions. In addition, these neoplasms are more frequent in mature birds and are not usually described in broilers, as observed in this report. The cutaneous myxoma described in broilers is usually a sporadic neoplasm that does not cause zootechnical losses, as observed in the case report. Its etiology is unknown and has been associated with various factors, such as local trauma and foreign bodies. Some fragments of plant material from the breeding environment were microscopically detected in the encrusted areas, which may indicate previous trauma or a foreign body. Myxoma has been associated with avian leukosis virus (ALV) subgroup A, but SIF did not report the same macroscopic lesions in other flocks of the same breeder hen's origin in the present case. Furthermore, sporadic connective tissue tumors associated with the virus occur in mature chickens but not in broilers. Myxoma lesions should be considered in the differential diagnosis of other connective tissue tumors and infectious agents that cause lesions in the skin and subcutaneous tissue.

Gender, lineage, and age on muscle morphometry traits and meat tenderness of free-range chickens / Associação de fatores de produção e de morfometria muscular sobre a maciez da carne de frangos caipiras

This study assessed whether the meat tenderness of broilers raised in a free-range system varies by sex, lineage, and age at the time of slaughter. Physicochemical parameters were measured to adequately assess breast and thigh muscle morphometry, including shear force (SF), muscle fibre diameter (MD), histological connective tissue (HCT) content, and total and soluble collagen contents (TCC and SCC, respectively). The experiment was conducted with a completely randomized design using two lineages (Pescoço Pelado and Paraíso Pedrês), with specimens of both sexes raised in a free-range system. Randomly selected broilers were slaughtered at 65, 75, 85, and 95 days old. A total of 192 birds were analysed. SF values correlated positively with age. The highest SF values were measured in thighs of the Pescoço Pelado lineage. Age also showed a positive correlation with MD and HCT content of the breast regardless of lineage. Gender did not have any significant correlation with physical parameters; although, higher values were measured in thighs of the Paraíso Pedrês than in those of the Pescoço Pelado lineage. There were no significant differences among treatments regarding the SCC and TCC of thighs and breasts. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed relationships between SF and the rest of the measured attributes. PCA showed that age was positively correlated with the SF, MD, and HCT content of thighs and breasts. In contrast, SCC and TCC had negative correlations. The greatest breast and thigh MD values were associated with the least tender meat. Thus, age at the time of slaughter proved to be the most significant parameter impacting the physical characteristics of muscle morphometry and meat tenderness of breasts and thighs of broilers raised in a free-range system.

Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar os fatores relacionados a maciez da carne de frangos criados em sistema alternativo. Para o experimento foi avaliado a força de cisalhamento, diâmetro das fibras musculares do peito e da coxa, conteúdo de tecido conjuntivo através de histologia e teor de colágeno solúvel e total. O experimento foi executado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado (DIC) com uso de duas linhagens (Pescoço Pelado e Paraíso Pedrês) de ambos os sexos (macho e fêmea) e abatidos em quatro idades (65, 75, 85 e 95 dias), criados em sistema alternativo, sendo utilizado um total de 192 aves. Para força de cisalhamento (FC), ocorreu aumento nos valores em ambos os cortes em função da idade de abate e houve interação entre linhagem e sexo, com as maiores médias para os machos da linhagem Pescoço Pelado e diferença entre sexo para Paraíso Pedrês. A idade de abate influenciou o diâmetro das fibras musculares e o conteúdo de tecido conjuntivo do peito e da coxa, havendo aumento linear destes parâmetros em função da idade ao abate. O sexo não afetou o diâmetro das fibras musculares da coxa, enquanto na linhagem Paraíso Pedrês foram verificadas maiores médias em relação à Pescoço Pelado. A análise de componentes principais demonstrou a relação entre a força de cisalhamento e as demais variáveis analisadas. Assim, o aumento do diâmetro das fibras musculares do peito e da coxa também está relacionado à redução da maciez da carne de frangos caipiras, conjuntamente com o aumento da quantidade de tecido conjuntivo, teor de colágeno total e redução de sua solubilidade.

Roles of the ERK1/2 and PI3K/PKB signaling pathways in regulating the expression of extracellular matrix genes in rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells

Purpose: To investigate the mechanisms by which PD98059 and LY294002 interfere with the abnormal deposition of extracellular matrix regulated by connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) of rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Methods: Rat PASMCs were cultured and separated into a control group. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was performed to detect the expression of collagen III and fibronectin mRNA. Immunohistochemistry and western blot analyses were performed to detect the expression of collagen III protein. Results: The expression of collagen III and fibronectin mRNA was greater in PASMCs stimulated with CTGF for 48 h, than in the control group. After 72h of stimulation, the expression of collagen III protein in the PASMCs was greater than in the control. The equivalent gene and protein expression of the CPL group were much more significant. Conclusions: CTGF can stimulate the gene expression of collagen III and fibronectin in PASMCs, which may be one of the factors that promote pulmonary vascular remodeling (PVR) under the conditions of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PD98059 and LY294002 can inhibit the ERK1/2 and PI3K/PKB signaling pathways, respectively, thus interfering with the biological effects of CTGF. This may be a new way to reduce PAH-PVR.(AU)

Structural changes of dilated pelvic ureters in adults

To perform a quantitative assessment of different types of pelvic ureter tissues with chronic dilation in adults, using stereological methods. We analyzed fragments of dilated pelvic ureters obtained from 6 patients aged between 35 and 67 years (mean, 46 years) who underwent ureteral reimplantation surgery for different reasons. The obstruction duration ranged from 27 to 180 days (mean, 93 days). The control group included fragments of normal pelvic ureters obtained during nephrectomy in 7 kidney transplant donors (age: range, 25-51 years; mean, 36 years). The volumetric density of collagen in the ureter, elastic fibers, and smooth muscle fibers was assessed. The volumetric density (Vv) of collagen showed no significant difference between the two groups (control: 45.3 ± 6.1; dilated: 40.8 ± 6.9; P = 0.23). A statistically significant increase in Vv of elastic fibers was observed in the dilated ureters (control: 18.4 ± 1.2; dilated: 24.6 ± 5.4; P = 0.03). A statistically significant increase in the Vv of smooth muscle fibers was observed in the dilated ureter (control: 42.0 ± 6.0; dilated: 56.2 ± 6.1; P = 0.001). The chronically dilated pelvic ureters had significantly more elastin and smooth muscle contents than the controls.(AU)

FREQUÊNCIA ALÉLICA DO POLIMORFISMO DE NUCLEOTÍDEO ÚNICO c.2032G>A NO GENE PLOD1, RESPONSÁVEL PELA SÍNDROME DA FRAGILIDADE CUTÂNEA EQUINA

A síndrome da fragilidade cutânea equina, conhecida como warmblood fragile foal syndrome (WFFS), é uma enfermidade do tecido conjuntivo de caráter autossômico recessivo e é caracterizada clinicamente por lesões cutâneas e mucosa da cavidade oral, articulações hiperextensíveis e abortamento. Tais características são incompatíveis com o desenvolvimento dos animais afetados. O polimorfismo de nucleotídeo único (SNP) c.2032G>A no gene PLOD1 (procollagen-lysine, 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 1) em homozigose é responsável pela enfermidade em equinos de raças com aptidão para esportes equestres olímpicos. Existe apenas um caso publicado de um potro afetado com a confirmação da mutação, na Suíça, e apenas dois estudos de prevalência do SNP causador da doença, na Alemanha e nos Estados Unidos. Casos descritos com sinais clínicos compatíveis com a enfermidade e descritos antes da mutação ser descoberta estão presentes na literatura. Atualmente as associações de equinos na Europa tem dado grande atenção para esta enfermidade em equinos warmblood. A escassez de estudos e de informações sobre a existência da enfermidade no Brasil e no mundo leva-nos a acreditar que a mesma possa ser subdiagnosticada em nosso e nos outros países. O objetivo desse estudo foi estimar a frequência alélica do SNP c.2032G>A no gene PLOD1 em equinos da raça BH no Brasil, utilizando a reação em cadeia de polimerase e o sequenciamento direto da região do SNP como metodologia diagnóstica. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue e de bulbo piloso de 374 animais para extração de DNA, posterior amplificação da região desejada e, por fim, sequenciamento gênico. Nesse estudo, encontrou-se frequência alélica de 5,48%, inferindo que é necessária maior atenção por parte dos criadores para prevenir a propagação da doença nos animais.

Warmblood fragile foal syndrome (WFFS), is a connective tissue disease that presents an autosomal recessive character and is clinically characterized by cutaneous lesions, lesions in the gums and mucosa of the oral cavity, hyperextensible joints and abortions. Such characteristics are incompatible with the development of the affected animals. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) c.2032G> A in the PLOD1 gene (procollagen-lysine, 2-oxoglutarate 5- dioxygenase 1) in homozygosis is responsible for the disease. There is only one report, describing an affected foal and the mutation in Switzerland and there are two studies of prevalence of the causative SNP of the disease (one in Germany and the other in the United States). Cases report presenting clinical signs compatible with the disease and described before the mutation was discovered are present in the literature. Currently the equine associations in Europe are giving great attention to this disease in warmblood horses. The scarcity of studies and information about the existence of the disease in Brazil and in the world leads us to believe that it can be underdiagnosed in our and in other countries. The objective of this study was to estimate the allelic frequency of c.2032G>A SNP in the PLOD1 gene in Brazilian Sport Horses in Brazil, using the polymerase chain reaction and the direct sequencing of the SNP region as a diagnostic tool. Blood and hair bulb samples were collected from 374 animals for DNA extraction, subsequent amplification of the desired region and, finally, Sanger sequencing. In this study, the allelic frequency was 5.48%, what infers that more attention is needed from the breeders and, also, control measures to prevent the spread of the disease in Brazilian animals must be adopted.

Morphological changes in distant muscle fibers following thermal injury in Wistar rats / Alterações morfológicas das fibras musculares de um músculo distante da lesão térmica em ratos Wistar

PURPOSE: Thermal injury causes catabolic processes as the body attempts to repair the damaged area. This study evaluated the effects of a scald injury on the morphology of muscle fibers belonging to a muscle distant from the lesion. METHODS: Thirty Wistar rats were divided into control (C) and scalded (S) groups. Group S was scalded over 45 percent of the body surface, standardized by body weight. Rats in both groups were euthanized at four, seven and 14 days following the injury. The middle portions of the medial gastrocnemius muscles were sectioned, stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Picrosirius, and submitted to histological analysis. RESULTS: Control group sections exhibited equidistantly distributed polygonal muscle fibers with peripheral nuclei, characteristic of normal muscle. The injured group sections did not consistently show these characteristics; many fibers in these sections exhibited a rounded contour, variable stain intensities, and greater interfiber distances. A substantially increased amount of connective tissue was also observed on the injured group sections. CONCLUSION: This experimental model found a morphological change in muscle distant from the site of thermal injury covering 45 percent of the body surface.(AU)

OBJETIVO: A lesão térmica conduz o organismo a processos catabólicos a fim de reparar a área lesada. O propósito do presente estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da lesão térmica por escaldadura na morfologia das fibras musculares de um músculo distante da lesão. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 30 ratos Wistar, divididos em: Grupo submetido à lesão térmica por escaldadura (S) e Grupo Controle (C). A escaldadura foi provocada em 45 por cento da superfície corporal dos animais e padronizada pelo peso corpóreo. A eutanásia ocorreu nos períodos pós-lesão de quatro, sete e 14 dias. Retirou-se a parte média dos músculos gastrocnêmio medial os quais foram submetidos à técnica histológica de Hematoxilina-Eosina e Picrosírius. RESULTADOS: O aspecto poligonal das fibras musculares, com núcleos periféricos, bem como a distribuição eqüidistante das mesmas, característico das descrições da musculatura normal, verificado nos animais do grupo C não foi uma constante nas fibras do músculo dos animais do grupo S. Nestes, muitas fibras exibiram contorno arredondado, diferentes intensidades de marcação bem como maior distanciamento entre as mesmas. Observou-se ainda aumento substancial da quantidade de tecido conjuntivo no grupo S. CONCLUSÃO: Houve alteração da morfologia do músculo distante da lesão como resposta à lesão térmica de 45 por cento em modelo experimental.(AU)

Avaliacao Temporal dos Componentes Cardiacos Danio rerio.

O Danio rerio é amplamente utilizado em estudos relacionados ao coração e por isso torna-se importante o conhecimento a respeito da morfologia desse órgão nestes peixes. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as densidades numérica e volumétrica de cardiomiócitos (Nv(c) e Vv(c), respectivamente), densidade volumétrica de interstício(Vv(i)), além das quantidades e distribuições de tecido conjuntivo e vasos no miocárdio em diferentes idades. Para isto, foram analisados 65 peixes, machos e fêmeas, com idades entre 12-18 meses, durante treze semanas. Houve a partir da semana VIII uma diminuição significativa na densidade numérica de cardiomiócitos e na quantidade de vasos, com aumento na quantidade de tecido conjuntivo, além de um aumento significativo na densidade volumétrica de interstício entre as duas primeiras e duas últimas semanas. Comparando os animais da semana I com os da semana XIII, observou-se uma diminuição significativa de 20,7% na densidade numérica de cardiomiócitos e de 13,6% nos vasos, enquanto ocorreu um aumento significativo no conjuntivo de 17,8% e 12% na densidade volumétrica de interstício. Foi verificado que ao longo da idade estudada que não houve alteração significativa na densidade volumétrica de cardiomiócitos. Os resultados deste estudo proporcionam a descrição de componentes do coração do Danio rerio ao longo do tempo, estabelecendo parâmetros quantitativos que podem auxiliar no entendimento dos mecanismos morfofuncionais atuantes nesse órgão.

The zebrafish is widely used in studies related to the heart and therefore becomes important to know about the morphology of this organ in this fish. This study aimed to evaluate the numerical and volumetric densities of cardiomyocytes (Nv(c) and Vv(c), respectively), the volumetric density of interstitium (Vv(i)), besides of amounts and distribution of connective tissue and vessels in the myocardium at different ages. Sixty five fishes, males and females, aged 12-18 months were analyzed for thirteen weeks. There was a significant decrease in the numerical density of cardiomyocytes and vessels, with increased amount of connective tissue from week VIII, and a significant increase in volume density of interstitium between the first two and last two weeks. Comparing the animals of week I with the week XIII, there was a significant decrease of 20.7% in the numerical density of cardiomyocytes and 13.6% in the vessels, whereas there was a significant increase of 17.8% in connective tissue and 12% in volume density of interstitium. It was verified that throughout studied age no significant change in the volume density of cardiomyocytes. The results of this study provide a description of the components of the Danio rerio heart establishing quantitative parameters that can help understand the morphological and functional mechanisms that operate in this organ.

Efeito do resfriamento sobre a textura post-mortem da carne do peixe matrinxã Brycon cephalus / Chilling effect on the post-mortem texture of the matrinxã fish muscle Brycon cephalus

Os mecanismos que causam o amolecimento e a perda na textura post-mortem da carne de matrinxã foram determinados por meio das mudanças na microestrutura do músculo, imediatamente após a morte e depois de 12 horas de estocagem a -3ºC. As observações na microestrutura, realizadas com microscópio eletrônico de transmissão, foram semelhantes aos resultados obtidos na força de ruptura do músculo medidos com o texturômetro. Os valores da força da ruptura foram menores para a carne após o resfriamento. Observou-se que as fibras do colágeno do tecido conectivo pericelular se desintegraram e que as do colágeno do tecido conectivo do miocommata conservaram sua arquitetura e integridade. Houve pouca degradação da linha Z. Isso sugere que o amolecimento post-mortem da carne de mantrinxã, durante a estocagem a -3ºC, é causado pela degradação do tecido conectivo pericelular(AU)

In order to determine the mechanisms that cause the post mortem muscle softness of the matrinxã Brycon cephalus, changes in the micro structure of the muscle were observed immediately after death and after 12 hours of storage at -3º C, measuring the firmness of the flesh with test instruments. Observations by the transmission electron microscope were similar to the results obtained in the breaking strength of the muscle measured with a texturometer. The values of the breaking strength of the fish muscle were smaller after chilling. At the same time, it was observed that the collagen fibers of the pericellular connective tissue had disintegrated, while the collagen fibers of the miocommata connective tissue maintained their organization and integrity. No evident breakdown of Z-discs was observed. It is suggested that the post-mortem tenderization of the matrinxã muscle during chilled storage was due to the disintegration of the collagen fibers in the pericellular connective tissue and, in a smaller extent, to the weakening of Z-disk(AU)

Morfometria do tecido conjuntivo do coração de equinos PSI / Morphometry of connective tissue in equine heart

Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, estudar a proporção de tecido conjuntivo existente na fração ventricular direita e esquerda do músculo cardíaco de eqüinos da raça puro sangue inglês, buscando, através da morfometria, dados referentes à inter-relação entre o tecido conjuntivo e o tecido muscular cardíaco. Utilizaram-se corações eqüinos, machos, com idade entre 20 e 120 meses, sem alterações cardíacas. Preparou-se o material oriundo da região média do terço médio dos ventrículos, tanto da face direita quanto da esquerda, segundo as técnicas histológicas convencionais e corados com Picrosirius red, Fucsina-Paraldeido associada ao Tricromo de Gomori e Tricromo de Masson, para evidenciação das fibras conjuntivas. As lâminas foram analisadas com auxílio do Axioscópio Zeiss® acoplado ao programa de análise de imagens KS-400 Zeiss. A quantidade de tecido conjuntivo no Ventrículo Esquerdo variou de 0,008 a 24,695 por cento; no Ventrículo Direito variou de 0,029 a 20,921 por cento; nos corações de eqüinos da raça puro sangue inglês. Os resultados obtidos mostram que há uma complexa rede de fibras conjuntivas envolvendo as fibras do tecido muscular cardíaco e que sua quantidade e disposição é muito variada, dependendo da região estudada, animais mais jovens exibem baixa quantidade de tecido conjuntivo, também dependendo de sua atividade física. (AU)

This work aimed to study the proportion of connective tissue in the fraction right and left of the ventricular heart muscle of equine PSI, searching, through of the morphometry, data in the interrelation between the connective tissue and the muscular tissue, for the knowledge of the functional relationships of the heart structure. It was used equine hearts, males, between 20 and 120 old months, without heart alterations. The material originated from of the medial portion of the ventricle from both the right face and the left, according to the conventional techniques and stained with Picrosirius red, Fucsina-Paraldeido associated to Gomori's Tricrome and Masson's Tricrome, to show of the connective fibers. The sheets were analised using Axioscópio Zeiss® coupled to the program of analysis of images KS-400 Zeiss®. The amount of connective tissue in the left ventricle varied from 0,008 to 24,695%; in the right ventricle it varied from 0,029 to 20,921%; in the hearts of equine PSI. The obtained results show that there is a complex net of connective fibers involving the fibers of muscle tissue of the heart and that their amount and disposition is very varied, depending on the studied area, younger animals exhibit low amount of connective tissue, also depending on their physical activity. (AU)

Avaliação da concentração das fibras do tecido conjuntivo quando da associação de poliglactina 910 e silicone: estudo experimental em ratos

It is an important area of investigation the choice of an adequate substance for the fixation of silicon prosthesis without generating a lot of fibrotic tissue reaction. We have studied the tissue reaction after the implantation of silicon prosthesis with polyglactin 910 threads. Silicon grids measuring 1,5 x 1,5cm and thickness of 0,7mm were implanted under the subcutaneous tissue of rats. The animals were studied 30, 60 and 90 days after implantation. Then they were sacrificed. The grids and the adjacent tissue were excised. The time did not interfere with the number of colagen fibers in sub-groups. Quantity of colagen fibers were not different amoung the sub-groups of 30, 60 and 90 days. With or without poliglactin 910. In the group of pure silicon grids we have found a significant difference among the reticular fibers. The great number was observed in the 30 and 60 days groups if compared with the group of 90 days. The polyglactin 910 with the silicon grid not change the amount of connective tissue fibers in the grid¢s fenestrations.

Neste estudo observamos a reação tecidual após implantação de próteses de silicone associadas à poliglactina 910. Telas de borracha de silicone com 1,5 x 1,5cm de diâmetro e 0,7mm de espessura, polifenestradas, foram implantadas no subcutâneo do dorso de ratos.Dois grupos foram observados, no primeiro apenas telas fenestradas eram implantadas, no segundo as fenestrações das telas eram preenchidas com fios de poliglactina 910. Os animais foram observados por 30, 60 e 90 dias quando eram sacrificados e as telas mais o tecido adjacente ressecados. Não se observou diferenças na quantidade de fibras colágenas entre os subgrupos de um mesmo grupo e ou quando comparados com os subgrupos do grupo em estudo. No grupo controle, onde se usou apenas as telas fenestradas de silicone houve uma diferença significante entre as fibras reticulares, em maior número nos grupos de 30 e 60 dias de observação, quando comparadas ao grupo de 90 dias. A poliglactina 910 associada ao silicone não alterou o número de fibras do tecido conjuntivo, contadas nas fenestrações das telas.