Linfoma leucemizado em felino coinfectado com os vírus da imunodeficiência felina e da leucemia felina: relato de caso / Lymphoma in leukemic phase in feline coinfected with feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus: case report

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo relatar um caso de linfoma leucemizado em um felino coinfectado com os vírus da imunodeficiência felina (FIV) e o da leucemia felina (FeLV). Foram realizados exames de hemograma, contagem de reticulócitos, mielograma, bioquímica, teste de imunocromatografia para FIV e FeLV, imunofluorescência indireta (IFA) para FeLV, radiografia torácica e citologia renal. Esse último exame revelou um linfoma extranodal. Foi determinante para a conclusão diagnóstica a associação dos sinais clínicos corroborados com a infiltração de elevada quantidade de células linfoblásticas na medula óssea, exibindo critérios citomorfológicos de malignidade, como mitoses atípicas, relacionadas à presença de corpúsculos linfoglandulares e material hematopoiético inter-relacionado. O linfoma é uma neoplasia relativamente comum em felinos, entretanto, a apresentação leucemizada é rara, podendo representar um desafio diagnóstico clínico, o que torna fundamental a inclusão da citologia medular na prática clínica dessa espécie.(AU)

The present study aimed to report a case of lymphoma in leukemic phase in feline coinfected with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV). Blood counts, reticulocyte counts, bone marrow avaluation, biochemistry, immunochromatography assay for FIV and FeLV, indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) for FeLV, thoracic radiography and renal citology were performed. This last examination revealed extranodal lymphoma. The association of the clinical signs with the infiltration of a high number of lymphoblastic cells in the bone marrow with cytomorphological criteria of malignancy, atypical mitoses, lymphoglandular corpuscles and hematopoietic material were determinant for the diagnostic conclusion. Lymphoma is a relatively common neoplasm in felines, however the leukemic phase is rare and may represent a clinical diagnostic challenge, making it essential to include bone marrow cytology in the clinical practice of this species.(AU)

Síndrome de Eisenmenger em um gato / Eisenmenger syndrome in cat

A 6-month-old female, 1.0kg, uncastrated female Persian cat was brought to the Veterinary Hospital at State University of Ceara, with a history of dyspnea, prostration, hyporexia and progressive weight loss for a month. On physical examination, systolic cardiac murmur, cyanosis and dyspnea were detected. Unfortunately, the cat died during oxygen therapy. Necropsy examination revealed an increase in cardiac silhouette and ventricular septal defect of 2cm in diameter. Macroscopically the lungs were collapsed, with absent and diffusely reddish blackish crepitus, and the liver with blackish red coalescent multifocal areas, interspersed with lighter areas and lobular pattern with irregular brownish multifocal areas intercepted by brownish areas. Thus, the necropsy results together with the history and physical examination of the animal confirmed the diagnosis of Eisenmenger Syndrome, becoming the report of the first case, in a cat, in Brazil.(AU)

Estimation of genetic diversity in a natural population of cambui tree (Myrciaria tenella O. Berg) using ISSR markers.

Cambui (Myrciaria tenella O. Berg) is a native species from Brazil, which belongs to the family Myrtaceae. Molecular characterization is one of the most used tools for the study of the biotechnological potential of species because the diversity level between individuals can be inferred. Analysis of genetic diversity is fundamental to the direction of the strategies necessary to form and maintain a germplasm. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity in a natural population of cambui using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) molecular markers. The natural population, which provided the plant material, is found at the Private Reserve of Natural Heritage of Caju, which belongs to the experimental field of Embrapa Tabuleiros Costeiros, in the municipality of Itaporanga d'Ajuda, SE, Brazil. Young leaves of each individual were collected for DNA extraction and analysis of PCR-ISSR. Thirty primers were tested and the top 10 were selected. The use of these primers resulted in 71 fragments with 98.3% polymorphism. Similarity of individuals ranged between 0.30 and 0.92. The most similar individuals were C13 and C17 and the most distant were C1 and C41. Through UPGMA, six distinct groups were identified. This information may be used for conservation of these genetic resources, germplasm exchange, creation of germplasm bank and in future studies with this species.

Systemic immunosuppression by methylprednisolone and pregnancy rates in goats undergoing the transfer of cloned embryos.

The presence of the zona pellucida has been perceived as a requirement for the oviductal transfer of cloned embryos at early stages of development while protecting the embryo from an immune system response. We hypothesized that steroid hormone therapy could reduce a potential cellular immune response after the transfer of zona-free cloned embryos into the oviduct of recipient female goats. In Experiment 1, seven does were used to study the systemic immunosuppressant effect of the methylprednisolone administration (for 3 days) on blood cell counts. Whole blood was collected prior to treatment with methyprednisolone and then on Days 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 14, 21 and 28 after the first dose of methylprednisolone for the analysis of haematological parameters. Methylprednisolone treatment significantly reduced circulating white blood cells and neutrophils in comparison with pre-treatment levels, demonstrating a systemic immunosuppressant effect. In Experiment 2, a group of 58 does were used as recipient females to study the effect of administration of methylprednisolone for 3 days on the establishment of pregnancies after the transfer of zona-free cloned embryos into the oviducts. No effects on pregnancy rates on Day 30 were observed regarding the distinct treatment groups (control vs. methylprednisolone), the source of oocytes (in vivo- vs in vitro-matured) or the presence or absence of the zona pellucida in embryos. In summary, methylprednisolone was effective at inducing a systemic immunosuppressed state in goats, but the treatment prior to embryo transfer did not affect pregnancy rates. Moreover, pregnancy rates were similar between zona-free and zona-intact goat cloned embryos.

Foxp3 expression and nitric oxide production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of communicants with pulmonary tuberculosis.

The understanding of the mechanisms involved in the immune response is of significant relevance to the control of tuberculosis (TB), especially in individuals living with patients with TB. To characterize the nitric oxide (NO) production and the Foxp3 marker expression in this population, peripheral blood mononuclear cells of intradomiciliary contacts of individuals with pulmonary tuberculosis with (CTb, susceptible) and without (STb, resistant) previous history of active infection were stimulated in vitro with Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen (TbAg) and with the mitogen Concanavalin A for 24 and 48 h. The groups analysed did not present significant difference in the Foxp3 mRNA expression nor in the NO production. Negative correlation (P = 0.09) between NO and Foxp3 after a 48-h stimulation with TbAg was observed in the STb group. In this group, after a 24-h culture stimulated with TbAg (P = 0.03), this same correlation was observed. In comparison with the cytokines previously studied by our group (Cavalcanti et al., 2009), a positive correlation was observed between IL-10 and Foxp3 after a 48-h culture of cells from communicants susceptible to tuberculosis (STb) stimulated with TbAg (P = 0.04). Evaluating the entire population, a positive correlation was observed between the cytokine TNF-α and the Foxp3 marker in the cultures stimulated for 24 (P = 0.03) and 48 (P = 0.02) hours with TbAg. Therefore, considering the similarity in the exposure and the individual capacity of responding to the contact with M. tuberculosis, the present study contributes to the comprehension of the immune regulation in individuals living with patients with TB.

Asymmetries of the Left and Right Temporal Lobes / Asimetría de los Lóbulos Temporales Izquierdo y Derecho

Anatomical brain asymmetries are subtle and still little studied in humans. Among all the animals, humans have the most asymmetric brains Crow (2004). The language faculty and handedness are localized on the left side. The objective this paper is to verify whether the temporal lobes are anatomically different. Our sample was composed of 40 post mortem adult brains of both sexes, which were investigated at the Human Anatomy Laboratory of the Nove de Julho University Center in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The brains were fixed in a solution of 5% paraformaldehyde. Three different measurements were taken using a pachimeter (Mitutoyo) and a goniometer (Card) on both hemispheres: Ml - the length of the lateral sulcus; M2 - the distance from the lateral sulcus to the inferior margin of the inferior temporal gyrus, and M3 - the angle formed between the lines of the collateral sulcus and the inferior margin of the inferior temporal gyrus. Results were submitted to a statistical analysis (ANOVA) and demonstrated that Ml was larger in the left hemisphere, by contrast with the data obtained for M2 and M3, which were larger in the right hemisphere. The measurements taken showed differences between the right and left temporal lobes.

Las asimetrías anatómicas del cerebro humano son sutiles y aún poco estudiadas. Entre todos los animales, el Hombre es el que presenta el cerebro más asimétrico (Crow, 2004). En el lado izquierdo del cerebro se localiza la facultad del lenguaje, como también de la lateralidad manual. El objetivo del trabajo fue verificar si los lóbulos temporales son anatómicamente diferentes. La muestra estuvo compuesta de 40 encéfalos adultos, post mortem, de ambos sexos, del Laboratorio de Anatomía del Centro Universitario Nove de Julho, en Sao Paulo, SP, Brasil. Los encéfalos fueron fijados en solución de formalina al 5%. Fueron realizadas 3 medidas diferentes utilizando un pié de metro Mitutoyo y goniómetro (Carci), en ambos hemisferios: medida MI, largo del surco lateral; medida M2 distancia del surco lateral hasta el margen inferior del giro temporal inferior y la medida M3 el ángulo formado entre las líneas del surco colateral y margen inferior del giro temporal inferior. Los resultados se sometieron a análisis estadístico y mostraron que MI era mayor en el hemisferio izquierdo, en contraposición a los datos obtenidos en M2 y M3, que fueron mayores en el hemisferio derecho. Las medidas realizadas presentaron diferencias entre los lóbulos temporales derecho e izquierdo.

Cytogenetics of the Brazilian whiptail lizard Cnemidophorus littoralis (Teiidae) from a restinga area (Barra de Maricá) in Southeastern Brazil.

Chromosomes of Cnemidophorus littoralis, a new species of teiid lizard recently described, were studied. The animals are from a restinga area in Barra de Maricá, RJ. The karyotype presents a diploid number of 2n = 46 chromosomes and a chromosomal sex determination mechanism of the type XX:XY. Nucleolar organizer regions, Ag-NORs, are at the sixth pair of chromosomes; there is variability of size and number of the Ag-stained nucleoli on the 50 interphase nuclei for each specimen analyzed. These nucleoli are related to NOR patterns that also demonstrated variability in size and number. This paper presents the first description of the karyotype of Cnemidophorus littoralis and of a chromosomal sex determination mechanism of the XX:XY type in the genus Cnemidophorus from Southeastern Brazil.

Cytogenetics of the Brazilian whiptail lizard Cnemidophorus littoralis (Teiidae) from a restinga area (Barra de Maricá) in Southeastern Brazil

Estudamos os cromossomos de Cnemidophorus littoralis, uma nova espécie de lagarto recentemente descrita, pertencente à família Teiidae. Os animais são oriundos de uma população de restinga na Barra de Maricá, RJ. O cariótipo apresenta número diplóide 2n = 46 cromossomos, com mecanismo cromossômico de determinação do sexo do tipo XX:XY. As regiões organizadoras do nucléolo, Ag-RONs, estão no sexto par de cromossomos. Analisamos 50 núcleos interfásicos corados pela prata para cada exemplar e observamos variação quanto ao número e ao tamanho de nucléolos; estes estão relacionados aos padrões RONs, que também apresentaram variação quanto ao tamanho e ao número. Este trabalho também descreve pela primeira vez a presença de um mecanismo de determinação cromossômica do sexo para o gênero Cnemidophorus do Sudeste do Brasil.

[Spiritual surgery: an investigation]. / Cirurgia espiritual: uma investigação.

BACKGROUND: A very popular modality with the media is psychic surgery which has received little scientific evaluation though. Such phenomena always raise the issues of fakery and deceit. Research has been scarce. METHODS: We report an investigation on one of the most famous psychic surgeons in Brazil, João Teixeira de Farias. 30 surgical interventions with cutting were studied, 6 patients undergoing history-taking, physical examination and analysis of the materials supposedly extracted from them. RESULTS: We were struck by the fact that the surgeon really incisions skin or ocular epithelium in addition to scraping the cornea without identified anaesthetics or antiseptics being used. Just one woman complained of pain as she had her breast incised. Longer follow up of patients failed to notice any infection in the surgical sites. Histopathology found the specimens to be compatible with their site of origin and, apart from a 210g. lipoma, were healthy tissues without discernible pathology. CONCLUSIONS: The surgerical procedures are real but we couldn't evaluate the efficacy. It didn't appear to have any specific effect. Our findings are undoubtedly more of an exploratory kind than conclusive ones. Further studies are clearly necessary to cast light on this unorthodox treatment.

Cirurgia espiritual: uma investigaçäo / Spiritual surgery: an investigation

OBJETIVO: Uma modalidade de tratamento que capta muito a atençao da mídia é a cirurgia espiritual, que, entretanto, tem sido pouco estudada cientificamente. Uma questao que se impoe é sobre a veracidade ou nao de tais fenômenos, porém pesquisas nesse sentido sao escassas. MÉTODO: Apresentamos o relato de uma investigaçao sobre um dos mais famosos cirurgioes espirituais do Brasil, o Sr. Joao Teixeira de Farias. Foram acompanhadas por volta de 30 "cirurgias", sendo que em seis dos pacientes foram realizados a anamnese, o exame físico e coletados os tecidos extraídos para exames anatomo-patológicos. RESULTADOS: O "cirurgiao" verdadeiramente incisa a pele ou o epitélio ocular, além de realizar raspados corneanos sem nenhuma técnica anestésica ou antisséptica identificável. Apesar disso, apenas um paciente queixou-se de dor moderada quando teve a mama incisada. Os pacientes foram examinados até três dias depois da cirurgia sem nenhum sinal de infecçao, bem como os relatos posteriores dos pacientes nao continham informaçoes de infecçao. O exame histopatológico evidenciou que os tecidos extraídos eram compatíveis com o local de origem e, com exceçao de um lipoma de 210 gramas, eram tecidos normais, sem particularidades patológicas. Foi realizada revisao da literatura e discussao do efeito placebo. CONCLUSOES: As cirurgias sao reais, mas, apesar de nao ter sido possível avaliar a eficácia do procedimento, aparentemente nao teriam efeito específico na cura dos pacientes. Sem dúvida, nossos achados sao mais exploratórios que conclusivos. Sao necessários posteriores estudos para lançar luz sobre esse heterodoxo tratamento

Erradicaçäo e virulência da amostra de vírus da doença de Aujeszky subclínica em criaçäo de suínos das raças nativas / Eradication and virulence of subclinical Aujeszky's disease virus strain in a native swine breed

Estudou-se um foco subclínico da doença de Aujeszky (DA) em uma criaçäo extensiva de suínos pertencente a um projeto de preservaçäo genética de raças nativas em Minas Gerais. Foi utilizado o método de soroneutralizaçäo (SN) e eliminaçäo dos animais positivos, visando a erradicaçäo do foco. A SN foi realizada com intervalos de dois meses, num total de nove testes, apresentando as seguintes porcentagens de animais reagentes: primeiro teste 18,2; segundo, 0; terceiro, 0,7; quarto, 0; quinto, 0; sexto, 1,39; sétimo, 0,83; oitavo, 0,88; nono, 0. Os títulos de SN variaram de 1:2 a 1:64, tendo sido eliminados um total de 63 animais. O vírus da DA foi isolado da amígdala e de pulmäo de suínos Piaus, sorologicamente positivos, após duas-quatro passagens em células PK-15. Os inóculos originais näo se mostraram patogênicos para coelhos, via intramuscular, e camundongos, via intracerebral. Após o isolamento em células, a amostra mostrou-se igualmente patogênica, por via intranasal, para leitöes Piaus, sorologicamente negativos, provenientes do mesmo rebanho do foco subclínico original e para leitöes Landrace-Large White, obtidos por desmama precoce medicada. Quadro clínico experimental idêntico foi reproduzido nas duas raças inoculadas com a amostra de referência