Ohmic heating treatment in high-protein vanilla flavored milk: Quality, processing factors, and biological activity.

The processing of high-protein vanilla-flavored milk was performed under different electric field strengths of ohmic heating (5.22 V/cm, OH6; 6.96 V/cm, OH8; 8.70 V/cm, OH10; 10.43 V/cm, OH12) to evaluate the energy consumption, processing parameters, and microbiological, rheological, and biological aspects, compared with the sample submitted to conventional pasteurization (PAST, 72 °C/15 s). All samples showed higher than 12 g/100 mL of protein, consisting of high-protein content products. In addition, Ohmic Heating (OH) generated lower energy expenditure and more significant microbial inactivation of lactic acid bacteria, molds and yeasts, total mesophiles, and psychotropics. Furthermore, OH at lower electric field strengths, mainly OH8, improved anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, and anti-hypertensive activities and rheological properties, and resulted in lower hydroxymethylfurfural contents, and higher whey protein nitrogen index. The results suggest that OH is a technology that can be used in flavored milk with high-protein content, being recommended an electric field strength of 6.96 V/cm. However, more studies are necessary to evaluate the effect of OH on high-protein dairy products, mainly by studying other OH processing parameters.

Lyophilized Symbiotic Mitigates Mucositis Induced by 5-Fluorouracil.

Mucositis is an adverse effect of cancer chemotherapies using 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). It is characterized by mucosal inflammation, pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. Some studies reported promising healing effects of probiotic strains, when associated with prebiotics, as adjuvant treatment of mucositis. We developed a lyophilized symbiotic product, containing skimmed milk, supplemented with whey protein isolate (WPI) and with fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and fermented by Lactobacillus casei BL23, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum B7, and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus B1. In a mice 5-FU mucositis model, this symbiotic lyophilized formulation was able to reduce weight loss and intestinal permeability. This last was determined in vivo by quantifying blood radioactivity after oral administration of 99mTc-DTPA. Finally, histological damages caused by 5-FU-induced mucositis were monitored. Consumption of the symbiotic formulation caused a reduced score of inflammation in the duodenum, ileum, and colon. In addition, it decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-17, and TNF-α in the mice ileum. The symbiotic product developed in this work thus represents a promising adjuvant treatment of mucositis.

A self-control training app to increase self-control and reduce aggression - A full factorial design.

BACKGROUND: Research has shown that self-control training (SCT) is an effective intervention to increase self-control and behaviour driven by self-control, such as reactive aggression. We developed an app that offers SCT by asking users to use their non-dominant hand for daily tasks, and aimed to examine whether participants that received SCT via app or e-mail, and received either one daily task or five tasks at once, improved more in self-control and decreased in aggression compared to each other and a control group. METHODS: The design of this study was based on a pilot study in which a first version of the SCT app was developed and tested with students via a pretest-posttest design. Based on the outcomes of the pilot study, a 2 × 2 full factorial design (N = 204) with control group (n = 69) was used, with delivery via e-mail versus app and receiving one daily task versus five at once as factors. During four measuring points, self-control was assessed via the Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS) and the Go/No-Go task, aggression was assessed using the Brief Aggression Questionnaire (BAQ). In the final questionnaire, open-ended questions were asked to gain insight into the app's points of improvement. Quantitative data were analysed using repeated measures linear mixed models, qualitative data were analysed via inductive coding. RESULTS: While no interaction effects were found, analyses showed that only the BSCS-scores of participants that used the app significantly improved over time (F[3, 196.315] = 4.090, p = .008), no improvements were observed in the e-mail and control condition. No meaningful differences in aggression, the Go/No-Go task, and between the one- and five-task conditions and control groups were found. Qualitative data showed that while the opinions on SCT-tasks differed, participants were overall satisfied with the intervention, but wanted more reminders. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that an SCT app has the potential to bolster self-control. No convincing effects on aggression were found in this student sample, which might be explained by the relatively low levels of aggression in this target group. Consequently, the app should also be investigated in populations with aggression regulation problems. Future research might also focus on the use of SCT to improve other types of behaviour driven by self-control, such as physical activity or smoking. Finally, a more personalized version of the app, in which users can select the number and types of SCT-tasks, should be developed and evaluated.

Antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of probiotic whey dairy beverages in human prostate cell lines.

The present study aimed to evaluate the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of probiotic whey dairy beverages in human prostate cancer cell lines (PC-3 and DU-145). Five different whey beverages were manufactured: conventional whey beverage (without addition of probiotic strain, CTL); and whey beverages containing Lactobacillus acidophilus La-05, Lactobacillus acidophilus La-03, Lactobacillus casei-01, and Bifidobacterium animalis Bb-12. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay and cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis by flow cytometry. All the samples presented cytotoxic activities against both cell lines. A decrease in the percentage of PC-3 cells in G0/G1 and S, followed by an increase in G2/M phase were observed with L. casei-01, Bb-12 and La-05 beverages (50.0 and 100.0 µg/mL). The extracts of the whey beverages caused extensive apoptosis induction in both cells' lines, regardless of the probiotic strain. However, the whey beverage added with L. casei-01 might be a better candidate against prostate cancer cells.

Probiotic Prato cheese attenuates cigarette smoke-induced injuries in mice.

The efficacy of probiotic Prato cheese against the inflammatory and oxidative damage in mice organs induced by cigarette smoke exposure was investigated. Forty C57BL/6 male mice were assigned to four groups: (CS) exposed to cigarette smoke and fed regular chow; (CS + C) exposed to cigarette smoke and fed daily conventional cheese ad libitum; (CS + PC) exposed to cigarette smoke and fed daily probiotic (Lactobacillus casei-01) cheese ad libitum; and a control group (C) exposed to ambient smoke-free air and fed regular chow. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), blood, gut and liver homogenates were used for biochemical assays. The (CS + PC) group exhibited fewer BAL leukocytes, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and BAL and gut lipid peroxidation than the (CS) and (CS + C) groups, which had findings similar to the (C) group. Probiotic cheese consumption did not change the red blood cell count, but lower lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in plasma, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and peroxynitrite expression were observed compared to the (CS) and (CS + C) groups, with findings similar to the (C) group. These results suggest that probiotic Prato cheese consumption reduced oxidative stress in the lungs, gut, and liver.

Whey acerola-flavoured drink submitted Ohmic Heating: Bioactive compounds, antioxidant capacity, thermal behavior, water mobility, fatty acid profile and volatile compounds.

Whey acerola-flavoured drink was subjected to Ohmic Heating (OH) under different operational conditions (45, 60, 80 V at 60 Hz and 10, 100, 1000 Hz with 25 V, 65 °C/30 min) and conventional pasteurization (65 °C/30 min). Bioactive compounds (total phenolics, DPPH, FRAP, ACE levels), fatty acid profile, volatile compounds (CG-MS), thermal behaviors (DSC) and water mobility (TD-NMR) were performed. Reduction of frequency (1000-10 Hz) resulted in a lower bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of the samples, except for the DPPH values. Concerning the thermal behaviors, fatty acids profile and volatile compounds, different findings were observed as a function of the parameters used (voltage and frequency). In respect of TD-NMR parameters, OH led to a slightly reduction of the relaxation time when compared to the conventional treatment, suggesting more viscous beverages. Overall, OH may be interesting option to whey acerola-flavoured drink processing.

Graduação histológica e aspectos clínico-patológicos relacionados em 22 meningiomas de cães / Histological grading and related clinical and pathological aspects of 22 canine meningioma

Vinte e dois casos de meningiomas em cães, diagnosticados num período de aproximadamente 18 anos, foram revisados. Os neoplasmas foram graduados e classificados histologicamente de acordo com os critérios da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS de 2007) para meningiomas em humanos adaptados para cães, em Grau I (G-I; benignos), Grau II (G-II; atípicos) e Grau III (G-III; anaplásico ou maligno). Dos protocolos de necropsias foram retiradas adicionalmente informações referentes ao sexo, idade, raça, evolução clínica, sinais clínicos, localização anatômica e achados macroscópicos. Os meningiomas intracranianos supratentoriais foram os mais frequentes em relação às demais localizações intracranianas ou intraespinhais. Os intracranianos caracterizaram-se principalmente por sinais clínicos de alteração tálamo-cortical. Os intraespinhais caracterizaram-se principalmente por causarem ataxia. Meningiomas G-I foram os mais frequentes (63,6%) nos 22 cães, seguidos pelos G-III (22,7%) e G-II (13,6%). Os G-I caracterizaram-se por ter o subtipo psammomatoso como o mais frequente, mais de um padrão morfológico em um mesmo tumor, e um terço deles apresentando áreas de invasão do tecido nervoso, 71,4% dos casos acometendo fêmeas, uma média de idade de 11 anos, cães com raça definida como os mais acometidos e por ter o maior tempo de sobrevivência após a manifestação dos sinais clínicos. Os meningiomas G-II caracterizaram-se por ter o subtipo cordoide como o mais frequente, invasão do tecido nervoso em um terço dos casos, somente fêmeas acometidas, uma média de idade de 12 anos, dois terços dos cães acometidos sem raça definida e o tempo máximo de sobrevivência de 20 dias. Os meningiomas G-III caracterizaram-se por ter o subtipo papilar como o mais frequente, invasão do tecido nervoso em 80% dos casos, 60% dos casos acometendo fêmeas, uma média de idade de 8 anos, 80% dos cães acometidos da raça Boxer e o tempo máximo de sobrevivência de 90 dias. Este estudo permitiu estabelecer uma relação entre os três graus histológicos observados em 22 casos de meningiomas em cães com vários parâmetros clínico-epidemiológicos e patológicos, fornecendo informações úteis para um melhor conhecimento da correlação entre a graduação histológica e a evolução clínica desses neoplasmas.(AU)

Twenty two cases of meningiomas in dogs, diagnosed in about 18 years, were analyzed. The neoplasms were histologicaly classified and graded according to the World and Health Organization (WHO of 2007) for human meningiomas, adapted for dogs, in Grade I (G-I; benign), Grade II (G-II; atypical), and Grade III (G-III; anaplastic or malignant). Additional data about gender, age, breed, skull conformation, clinical course and signs, anatomic localization, gross and histological findings were obtained from the necropsy reports. Intracranial and supratentorial meningiomas were the most frequent in relation to the other intracranial or intraspinal sites. The intracranial ones were characterized mainly by clinical signs of thalamic-cortical alteration. Intraspinal ones were mainly characterized by ataxia. G-I meningiomas were the most frequent (63.6%) in dogs, followed by G-III (22.7%) and G-II (13.6%). GI were characterized by having the psammomatous subtype as the most frequent, more than one morphological pattern in the same tumor, one third presenting areas of invasion of nervous tissue, 71.4% of cases involving females, a mean age of 11 years, pure breed dogs as the most affected ones and for having the longest survival time after the manifestation of clinical signs. G-II meningiomas were characterized by having the chordoid subtype as the most frequent, invasion of nervous tissue in one third of cases, only females affected, a mean age of 12 years, two-thirds of the dogs affected were mongrels and the maximum survival time of 20 days. The G-III meningiomas were characterized by having the papillary subtype as the most frequent, invasion of the nervous tissue in 80% of the cases, 60% of the cases involving females, a mean age of 8 years, 80% of dogs affected were Boxers and the maximum survival time of 90 days. In conclusion, this study allowed to establish a relationship between the three histological grades observed in 22 cases of meningiomas in dogs with various clinical-epidemiological and pathological parameters, providing useful information for a better understanding of the correlation between the histological grading and the clinical evolution of these neoplasms.(AU)

Epidemiological, clinical and pathological features of canine parvovirus 2c infection in dogs from southern Brazil / Aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos e patológicos da infecção pelo parvovirus canino 2c em cães do Sul do Brasil

Canine parvovirus type 2c (CPV-2c) emerged in Europe in the early 2000's and rapidly spread out worldwide. Clinical and molecular data have demonstrated its circulation in Brazilian dogs, yet detailed descriptions of cases are still lacking. This article describes the epidemiological, clinical and pathological features of 24 cases of CPV-2c-associated disease in dogs submitted to veterinary clinics and laboratory diagnosis in southern Brazil (2014-2016). Most affected dogs presented signs/lesions suggestive of parvovirus enteritis: diarrhea, vomiting, hyperemia and hemorrhage of the serous membrane of the small intestine, diffuse segmental granulation, atrophy of the villi, necrosis and fusion of crypts, squamous metaplasia and epithelial syncytia. A number of cases presented features divergent from the classical presentations, including a wide variation in the color of feces (reddish and/or yellowish, light-brownish, orange-brown and brownish), involvement of adults (4/24) and vaccinated dogs (12/24), extensive involvement of the small intestine (8/20) and the presence of pulmonary edema (7/24) and convulsions (3/24). Feces and intestinal fragments submitted to PCR for the CPV-2 VP2 gene and to virus isolation in cell culture yielded positive results in 100% and 58.3% (14/24) of the cases, respectively. Nucleotide sequencing revealed a high nucleotide identity in VP2 (99.4 to 100%) and a consistent mutation at amino acid 426 (asparagine to glutamic acid), considered a signature of CPV-2c. These results confirm the involvement of CPV-2c in the described cases and demonstrate the importance of CPV-2c infection among Brazilian dogs, calling attention of veterinarians to correctly diagnose the disease, mainly considering the frequent atypical presentations.(AU)

O parvovírus canino tipo 2c (CPV-2c) surgiu na Europa no início do ano 2000 e rapidamente se espalhou pelas populações de cães ao redor do mundo. Dados clínicos e moleculares demonstraram a sua circulação em cães brasileiros, porém descrições detalhadas desses casos ainda são escassas. Este artigo descreve os aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos e patológicos de 24 casos de doença gastroentérica associada com a infecção pelo CPV-2c em cães atendidos em clínicas veterinárias e submetidos ao diagnóstico laboratorial no Sul do Brasil (2014-2016). A maioria dos cães afetados apresentaram sinais e/ou lesões sugestivas de enterite por parvovírus: diarreia, vômitos, hiperemia e hemorragia na membrana serosa do intestino delgado, granulação segmentar difusa, atrofia das vilosidades, necrose e fusão de criptas, metaplasia escamosa e sincícios epiteliais. Alguns casos apresentaram características divergentes das apresentações clássicas, incluindo uma grande variação na cor das fezes (avermelhada e/ou amarelada, marrom-claro, marrom-alaranjada ou amarronzada), a participação dos adultos (4/24) e cães vacinados (12/24), um amplo envolvimento do intestino delgado (8/20), a presença de edema pulmonar (7/24) e convulsões (3/24). As fezes e fragmentos intestinais foram submetidos ao teste de PCR para o gene VP2 do CPV-2, e ao isolamento do vírus em cultura de células produziram resultados positivos em 100% e 58,3% (14/24) dos casos, respectivamente. O sequenciamento dos nucleótidos revelou uma alta identidade de nucleótidos na VP2 (99,4-100%) e uma mutação no aminoácido 426 (asparagina para ácido glutâmico), considerada uma assinatura de CPV-2c. Estes resultados confirmam o envolvimento do CPV-2c nos casos descritos e demonstra a importância da infecção pelo CPV-2c entre os cães do Brasil, chamando a atenção de veterinários para diagnosticar corretamente a doença, principalmente considerando-se as apresentações atípicas frequentes.(AU)

Nem tudo que parece ser, é lesão: aspectos anatômicos, não lesões, artefatos, lesões sem significado clínico e alterações post mortem encontrados na necropsia de suínos domésticos e selvagens (Sus scrofa) / Not everything is an important lesion: anatomical structures, non-lesions, artifacts, lesions without clinical significance, and postmortem findings in domestic and feral pigs (Sus scrofa)

A interpretação das alterações encontradas na necropsia é uma etapa importante para o sucesso do diagnóstico final. Este trabalho tem como objetivo descrever e ilustrar os aspectos anatômicos, não lesões, artefatos, lesões sem significado clínico e alterações post mortem encontradas em suínos domésticos e selvagens. Além disso, também se recomenda técnicas de colheita de tecidos para o diagnóstico de doenças que acometem essa espécie. Os principais aspectos anatômicos e não lesões descritos são fímbrias linguais, quadrilátero esofágico, toro pilórico e demarcação do padrão lobular do fígado (sistema gastrintestinal); tonsilas do palato mole, tecido linfoide associado ao estômago, placas de Peyer do intestino delgado e dobras da margem do baço (sistema hematopoiético); mediastino proeminente do testículo e aréolas da placenta (sistema reprodutor); atelectasia pulmonar e apêndice decidual (feto); e glândulas carpais (sistema tegumentar). Os artefatos de eutanásia abordados são petéquias na superfície do pulmão e rim, falsa anemia por sangria, hemorragia subdural por concussão cerebral, pseudo-infartos do baço e aspecto cerebriforme do intestino delgado. As lesões de pouco significado clínico descritas são cistos renais, linfonodos com pigmento de ferro, papilomas e hemangiomas no escroto, ossos no mesentério e hiperemia da mucosa gástrica. As alterações post mortem comumente encontradas são livor mortis, músculos pálidos, pseudomelanose e líquido serosanguinolento nas cavidades torácica e abdominal em fetos.

The interpretation of the changes observed at necropsy is an important step for the success of the final diagnosis. This article aims to describe and illustrate the anatomical structures, non-lesions, artifacts, lesions without clinical significance and postmortem changes observed in domestic and wild pigs. Moreover, the article also recommends collection techniques of organs or structures for the diagnosis of diseases affecting this species. The main anatomical structures and non-lesions described are marginal lingual papillae, pars oesophagea of the stomach, torus pyloricus, and well demarcated lobular pattern of the liver (gastrointestinal system); tonsils of the soft palate, gastric lymphoid tissue, Peyer's patches of the small intestine, marginal folds of the spleen (hematopoietic system); prominent mediastinum testis and placental areolae (reproductive system); pulmonary atelectasis and periople (fetus); and carpal glands (integumentary system). The discussed artifacts related to euthanasia are petechiae on the surface of the lung and kidney, false anemia due to exsanguination, subdural hemorrhage due to cerebral concussion, pseudoinfarcts of the spleen, and cerebriform appearance of the small intestine. Lesions without clinical significance described are renal cysts, lymph nodes with iron pigment, papillomas and hemangiomas on the scrotum, osseous metaplasia in the mesentery, and hyperemia of the gastric mucosa. Commonly found postmortem changes are livor mortis, pale muscles, pseudomelanosis, and serosanguinous fluid in the thoracic and abdominal cavities of fetuses.

Orientações para o diagnóstico de influenza em suínos / Guidelines for diagnosis of swine influenza

Este trabalho descreve a colheita adequada de amostras, as técnicas/procedimentos disponíveis para o diagnóstico de influenza A em suínos, assim como os resultados e suas respectivas interpretações, para auxiliar médicos veterinários de campo na identificação dessa doença. Em suínos vivos, as amostras adequadas são: secreção nasal, fluido oral e sangue (soro). Para suínos mortos, colher preferencialmente amostras de pulmão com consolidação cranioventral. Secreção nasal e fragmentos de pulmão refrigerado são utilizados para detectar partícula viral viável (isolamento viral - IV) ou ácido nucleico viral (RT-PCR convencional e RT-PCR em tempo real). As amostras não devem ser congeladas, pois o vírus é inativado a -20°C. A caracterização molecular dos isolados é feita pela análise filogenética obtida pelo sequenciamento de DNA. O soro é utilizado para a detecção de anticorpos (Acs) por meio do teste da inibição da hemaglutinação e ELISA. O fluido oral pode ser utilizado para detecção de anticorpo (ELISA) ou de vírus. Fragmentos de pulmão fixados em formol a 10% são examinados microscopicamente para identificar pneumonia broncointersticial e para detecção de antígeno viral pela imuno-histoquímica (IHQ). Para o sucesso do diagnóstico, as amostras devem ser colhidas de suínos que estão preferencialmente na fase aguda da doença, para aumentar as chances de detecção viral. As melhores opções para o diagnóstico de influenza A em suínos vivos são RT-PCR e isolamento viral de amostras de swab nasal ou fluido oral. Pulmão para análise por RT-PCR, isolamento viral ou IHQ é a amostra de escolha em suínos mortos. Testes sorológicos têm valor diagnóstico limitado e são utilizados apenas para determinar o estado imune do rebanho, não indicando doença clínica, pois os Acs são detectados 7-10 dias pós-infecção (fase subaguda). O diagnóstico de influenza é importante para avaliar o envolvimento desse agente no complexo de doença respiratória suína. Além disso, o isolamento do vírus influenza é essencial para o monitoramento dos principais subtipos circulantes em uma determinada região ou país, assim como para a detecção de novos rearranjos virais, já que influenza é considerada uma zoonose.

This article is intended to describe the adequate sample collection, the laboratory procedures/techniques, the expected results and their interpretation for diagnosis of influenza infection in swine, serving as a support for field veterinarians. In live pigs, the samples to be taken are nasal secretions, oral fluids and blood. For dead pigs, preference should be given to samples of cranioventral lung consolidation. Nasal discharge and chilled lung fragments are used for detection of virus (virus isolation - VI) or viral nucleic acids (conventional RT-PCR and real-time RT-PCR). Samples should not be frozen, because the virus is inactivated at -20°C. Molecular characterization of isolates is performed by phylogenetic analysis of gene sequences obtained by DNA sequencing. Serum is used for the detection of antibodies using hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test and ELISA. Oral fluid may be used for either antibody (ELISA) or viral detection. Fragments of lung fixed in 10% formaldehyde are used for histopathological analysis to identify bronchointerstitial pneumonia, and for immunohistochemistry (IHC) for antigens. For a successful diagnosis, sampling should be preferably performed in the acute phase of the disease to improve chances of virus detection. The best options to perform the diagnosis of influenza A in a swine herd are RT-PCR and VI from nasal swabs or oral fluid in live pigs and/or lung tissue for RT-PCR, VI or IHC in dead pigs. Serological tests are of very limited diagnostic value and are useful only to determine the immune status of the herd, not indicating clinical disease, because antibodies are detected after 7-10 days post infection (subacute phase). The diagnosis of influenza is important to evaluate the involvement of this agent in the complex of respiratory diseases in pigs. Furthermore, the isolation of influenza virus is essential for monitoring the main subtypes circulating in a given region or country, as well as for the detection of potential new viral reassortants, because influenza is considered a zoonosis.

Neuropatologia da cinomose canina: 70 casos (2005-2008) / Neuropathology of canine distemper: 70 cases (2005-2008)

Este estudo teve como objetivo realizar uma investigação anátomo-patológica detalhada das lesões e sua distribuição no sistema nervoso central (SNC) de cães com cinomose. Foram avaliadas secções padronizadas do encéfalo e da medula espinhal de 70 cães. Os casos foram agrupados de acordo com a idade dos cães e classificados conforme a evolução das lesões. Os resultados permitem concluir que: (1) encefalomielite induzida pelo vírus da cinomose canina é mais prevalente em filhotes e adultos; (2) lesões macroscópicas no SNC ocorrem com baixa freqüência; (3) o encéfalo é mais acometido do que a medula espinhal; (4) as cinco regiões anatômicas mais afetadas do encéfalo são, em ordem decrescente de freqüência, o cerebelo, o diencéfalo, o lobo frontal, a ponte e o mesencéfalo; (5) a região anatômica mais afetada da medula espinhal é o segmento cervical cranial (C1-C5); (6) lesões subagudas e crônicas são mais comuns do que lesões agudas; (7) desmielinização é a lesão mais prevalente e ocorre principalmente no cerebelo, na ponte e no diencéfalo, quase sempre acompanhada de astrogliose e inflamação não-supurativa; (8) na maior parte dos casos em que há astrogliose, observam-se astrócitos gemistocíticos, freqüentemente com formação de sincícios; (9) leptomeningite não-supurativa, malacia e necrose cortical laminar são lesões relativamente freqüentes no encéfalo, mas não na medula espinhal; (10) corpúsculos de inclusão no encéfalo são muito comuns, ocorrem principalmente em astrócitos e com freqüência menor em neurônios; no entanto, independentemente da célula afetada, são vistos predominantemente no núcleo; (11) uma classificação da encefalite na cinomose com base em síndromes clínicas relacionadas com a idade do cão é imprecisa.

The current study was performed to determine the pathology and distribution of lesions in the central nervous system (CNS) of 70 dogs naturally affected by canine distemper. Cases were grouped according to the age of the dogs and classified according to the evolution of the lesions. It was possibly to conclude that: (1) the encephalomyelitis induced by canine distemper virus is more prevalent in puppies and adults; (2) gross lesions in the CNS occur infrequently; (3) the brain is more frequently affected than the spinal cord; (4) the five anatomical sites of the rain more frequently affected are, in decreasing order of frequency, cerebellum, diencephalon, frontal lobe of telencephalon, pons and mesencephalon; (5) the anatomical site more frequently affected in the spinal cord is the cervical (C1-C5) segment; (6) subacute and chronic lesions are more common than acute ones; (7) demyelization is the more prevalent lesion and occur mainly in the cerebellum, pons and diencephalons, usually associated with astrogliosis and non-suppurative inflammation; (8) in most cases with astrogliosis, gemistocytic astrocytes are observed, frequently with syncitia formation; (9) non-suppurative leptomeningitis, malacia and cortical neuronal necrosis are moderately frequent in the brain and less so in the spinal cord; (10) inclusion bodies are frequent in the brain; occur mainly in astrocytes and less frequently in neurons, however independently of the affected cell they occur mainly in the nucleus; (11) a classification of canine distemper encephalitis based in age-related clinical syndromes it is not accurate.

Causas de morte e razões para eutanásia de cães da Mesorregião do Centro Ocidental Rio-Grandense (1965-2004) / Causes of death and reasons for euthanasia in dogs from the midland region of the Midwest of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil (1965-2004)

Este estudo teve como objetivo principal determinar a prevalência das doenças que culminam em morte ou que fazem com que os cães da Mesorregião do Centro Ocidental Rio-Grandense sejam submetidos à eutanásia. Para isso, foram revisados todos os protocolos de necropsia de cães, arquivados no Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária (LPV) da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), realizadas entre janeiro de 1965 e dezembro de 2004. Nos arquivos do LPV-UFSM foram encontrados 4.844 protocolos de necropsia de cães. A distribuição dos casos em relação às categorias de doenças diagnosticadas foi a seguinte: doenças infecciosas e parasitárias (1.693 [35,0 por cento]), neoplasmas (378 [7,8 por cento]), distúrbios causados por agentes físicos (369 [7,6 por cento]), doenças degenerativas (342 [7,1 por cento]), intoxicações e toxiinfecções (112 [2,3 por cento]), eutanásia por conveniência (101 [2,1 por cento]), doenças metabólicas e endocrinológicas (97 [2,0 por cento]), distúrbios iatrogênicos (83 [1,7 por cento]), distúrbios do desenvolvimento (25 [0,5 por cento]), doenças imunomediadas (10 [0,2 por cento]) e doenças nutricionais (6 [0,1 por cento]). Outros distúrbios, que incluem doenças multifatoriais ou idiopáticas, contribuíram com 80 (1,6 por cento) casos. Dos 4.844 casos, em 1.548 (32,0 por cento) não foi possível estabelecer a causa da morte ou a razão para a eutanásia. Doenças infecciosas e parasitárias (principalmente cinomose, parvovirose e verminose intestinal), neoplasmas (principalmente neoplasmas mamários e linfoma), distúrbios causados por agentes físicos (principalmente atropelamento por veículos automotivos) e doenças degenerativas (principalmente insuficiência renal crônica, cirrose e insuficiência cardíaca congestiva) foram as principais categorias de doenças relacionadas com morte ou eutanásia de cães dessa mesorregião. Entretanto, quando os cães são avaliados de acordo com suas idades, tais categorias possuem prevalências...

The main objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of diseases culminating with death or motivating euthanasia of dogs from the midland region of the Midwest of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The necropsy files of the Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária (LPV) of the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM) were accessed and necropsy protocols of dogs necropsied between January 1965 and December 2004 were reviewed. During this period 4,844 reports of canine necropsies were filed at the LPV-UFSM. The case distribution in relation to the disease categories diagnosed was as follows: infectious and parasitic diseases (1,693 [35.0 percent]); neoplasms (378 [7.8 percent]); disorders caused by physical agents (369 [7.6 percent]); degenerative diseases (342 [7.1 percent]); poisonings and toxinfections (112 [2.3 percent]); euthanasia due to convenience (101 [2.1 percent]); metabolic and endocrinological diseases (97 [2.0 percent]); iatrogenic disorders (83 [1.7 percent]); developmental disorders (25 [0.5 percent]); immune mediate diseases (10 [0.2 percent]); and nutritional disorders (6 [0.1 percent]). Other disorders, including multifactorial or idiopathic diseases contributed 80 (1.6 percent) cases. In 1,548 (32.0 percent) out of the 4,844 cases it was not possible to establish either cause of death or reason for euthanasia. Infectious and parasitic diseases (mainly canine distemper, parvoviral enteritis and intestinal parasitism), neoplasia (mainly mammary neoplasms and lymphoma), disorders caused by physical agents (mainly accidents caused by automotive vehicles) and degenerative diseases (mainly chronic renal failure, cirrhosis, and congestive heart failure) were the main disease categories causing death or motivating euthanasia in dogs of this midland region. However, when cases were evaluated in relation with the age of the dog, the disease prevalence differed. The main causes of death in puppies were infectious and...

Does the choice of surgical approach to insert an intratumoral catheter influence the results of intratumoral cystic treatment?

BACKGROUND: In the literature, only a few articles are related to the surgical approach for insertion of an intratumoral catheter. No one has evaluated the complications related to the different surgical techniques for the treatment of pediatric cystic craniopharyngiomas. METHODS: A cooperative, multicenter (France and Brazil) study was carried out and included 50 patients (aged between 9 months and 21 years) diagnosed as having cystic craniopharyngioma treated between 1990 and 2000. Forty-nine children were available for the final analysis. The patients were divided into 3 groups: group I, 24 children who underwent a craniotomy and catheter placement under direct vision using a surgical microscope; group II, 14 children who were submitted to a stereotactic approach for the placement of the intratumoral catheter; and group III, 11 children whose catheters were placed by a freehand approach through a burr hole. RESULTS: Eight children (16.3%) presented complications related to the placement of the catheter, namely, misplacement or leakage. The rate of the complications did not appear to be related to one specific modality of the catheter insertion. CONCLUSION: Intracystic antiblastic drug injection is one available option in the treatment of cystic craniopharyngiomas. Because of the toxic effect of these drugs on the brain, determination of the exact placement to avoid leakage is mandatory for correct treatment. However, the results of the present study appear to indicate an excessively high incidence of complications whichever technique is used.

Cirrose hepática em cães: 80 casos (1965-2003) / Hepatic cirrhosis in dogs: 80 cases (1965-2003)

Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo de 80 casos de cirrose em cães no Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul. Dos cães em que o sexo e a idade constavam dos protocolos de necropsia, 53,8 por cento eram machos e 46,2 por cento eram fêmeas; 50,0 por cento foram incluídos como idosos, 48,6 por cento como adultos e 1,4 por cento como filhote. Os principais sinais clínicos observados incluíram: ascite (39/80 [48,8 por cento]), icterícia (19/80 [23,8 por cento]), anorexia (13/80 [16,2 por cento]), distúrbios neurológicos (12/80 [15,0 por cento]), dispnéia (12/80 [15,0 por cento]) e edema subcutâneo (10/80 [12,5 por cento]). Dos 63 cães em que a descrição macroscópica constava dos protocolos de necropsia, 76,2 por cento tinham cirrose macronodular e 23,8 por cento tinham cirrose micronodular. Nos 14 cães em que as lesões histológicas foram revistas pode-se observar diferentes graus de fibrose (leve [57,2 por cento], moderada [21,4 por cento] ou acentuada [21,4 por cento]) e nenhuma relação entre as intensidades da fibrose e das outras lesões histológicas observadas (degeneração gordurosa, proliferação de ductos biliares, inflamação, bilestase, hemossiderose e necrose aleatória de hepatócitos). As alterações macro e microscópicas extra-hepáticas incluíram: ascite (39/63 [61,9 por cento]), icterícia (19/63 [30,2 por cento]), status spongiosus (15/63 [23,8 por cento]), hidrotórax (12/63 [19,0 por cento]), edema subcutâneo (10/63 [15,9 por cento]), derivações portossistêmicas (11/63 [17,5 por cento]), úlceras gástricas ou duodenais (11/63 [17,5 por cento]) e nefrose colêmica (4/63 [6,3 por cento]).

A retrospective study in 80 cases of canine hepatic cirrhosis was carried out at the Veterinary Pathology Laboratory of the Federal University of Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Considering those cases in which the sex and age of the dogs were informed in the necropsy reports, males comprised 53.8 percent of the cases and 46.2 percent were females; while 50.0 percent of these dogs were aged, 48.6 percent were adults and 1.4 percent were puppies. The main observed clinical signs include ascites (39/80 [48.8 percent]), icterus (19/80 [23.8 percent]), anorexia (13/80 [16.2 percent]), neurological disturbances (12/80 [15.0 percent]), dyspnea (12/80 [15.0 percent]) and subcutaneous edema (10/80 [12.5 percent]). In 63 dogs for which there was a description of gross morphology in the necropsy reports, 76.2 percent had macronodular and 23.8 percent had micronodular cirrhosis. In 14 cases in which the histopathology of the liver was reviewed different degrees of fibrosis were observed: mild in 57.2 percent, moderate in 21.4 percent, or marked in 21.4 percent; in these cases there were no correlation with the degree of fibrosis and other associated histological changes such as lipidosis, biliary ducts hyperplasia, inflammation, bilestasis, hemosiderosis and random hepatocellular necrosis. Extra hepatic changes included ascites (39/63 [61.9 percent]), icterus (19/63 [30.2 percent]), status spongiosus (15/63 [23.8 percent]), hydrothorax (12/63 [19.0 percent]), subcutaneous edema (10/63 [15.9 percent]), portosystemic shunts (11/63 [17.5 percent]), gastric our duodenal ulceration (11/63 [17.5 percent]) and cholemic nephrosis (4/63 [6.3 percent]).

Aspectos clinicopatológicos de 620 casos neurológicos de cinomose em cães / : Clinicopathological features in 620 neurological cases of canine distemper

Os protocolos de 5.361 necropsias de cães realizadas no Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria de 1965 a 2006 foram revisados à procura de casos de cinomose. Seiscentos e oitenta e três casos (12,7 por cento) da doença foram encontrados, dos quais 620 apresentavam sinais neurológicos. Desses 620, os seguintes dados foram recuperados para cada caso: idade, sinais clínicos, achados histopatológicos e presença ou não de doença concomitante. Faixas etárias foram classificadas como filhotes (até 1 ano), adultos (de 1 a 9 anos) e idosos (10 anos de idade ou mais). Lesões histológicas foram observadas em 565 (91,1 por cento) dos 620 casos com sinais neurológicos de cinomose e em 554 desses casos a idade foi registrada no protocolo com a seguinte distribuição por faixa etária: 45,9 por cento de filhotes, 51,4 por cento de adultos e 2,7 por cento de idosos. Os sinais neurológicos compreendiam um largo espectro de distúrbios motores, posturais e do comportamento, que podiam ocorrer juntos ou individualmente. Os sinais clínicos mais freqüentes foram mioclonia (38,4 por cento), incooordenação motora (25,0 por cento), convulsões (18,5 por cento) e paraplegia (13,4 por cento). Em 98,4 por cento dos 565 cães com alterações histopatológicas no encéfalo, foram observadas desmielinização, encefalite não-supurativa ou uma combinação dessas duas lesões. Corpúsculos de inclusão foram observados em diferentes células de 343 dos 565 cães com alterações histopatológicas no encéfalo. Em 170 (49,6 por cento) o tipo celular com inclusão não foi mencionado no protocolo; nos restantes, as inclusões foram vistas em astrócitos (94,8 por cento dos casos), neurônios (3,5 por cento), oligodendrócitos (1,1 por cento) e células do epêndima (0,6 por cento). Levando em consideração o tipo de lesões e as faixas etárias, casos com desmielinização e encefalite não-supurativa ocorreram em 40,0 por cento dos filhotes, 51,2 por cento dos adultos...

The files of 5,361 necropsies performed in dogs in the Veterinary Pathology Laboratory of the Federal University of Santa Maria during 1965-2006 were reviewed in search of cases of canine distemper. Six hundred and eighty three cases (12.7 percent) of the disease were found, 620 of which had neurological signs. From those 620, the following data on each case were retrieved: age, clinical signs, histopathology and concomitance or not of another disease. Age groups were classified as puppies (up to 1 year of age), adults (from 1 to 9 years) and aged (from 10 years on). In 565 out of the 620 (91.1 percent) neurological cases of canine distemper, histopathological brain changes were observed and in 554 of those 565 the age was registered in the files with following age group distribution: 45.9 percent of puppies, 51.4 percent of adults, and 2.7 percent of aged dogs. Neurological clinical signs encompassed a large spectrum of motor, postural and behavioral disturbances which could occur together or individually. Most frequent clinical signs were myoclonus (38.4 percent), motor incoordination (25.0 percent), seizures (18.5 percent), and paraplegia (13.4 percent). In 98.4 percent of the 565 dogs with histopathological changes in the brain demyelination, non-suppurative encephalitis or a combination of these two were found. Intranuclear eosinophilic inclusion bodies were observed in different brain cells of 343 of the 565 dogs with histopathological changes. In 170 (49.6 percent) the cellular type bearing the inclusions was not mentioned in the file and in the remaining cases the inclusions were seen in astrocytes (94.8 percent of the cases), neurons (3.5 percent), oligodendrocytes (1.1 percent), and ependyma cells (0.6 percent). Taking in consideration the type of lesions and the age groups, cases with combined demyelination and non-suppurative encephalitis occurred in 40.0 percent of the puppies, 51.2 percent of the adult dogs and 72.7 percent...

Aspectos clinicopatológicos de 620 casos neurológicos de cinomose em cães: Clinicopathological features in 620 neurological cases of canine distemper / x

Os protocolos de 5.361 necropsias de cães realizadas no Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria de 1965 a 2006 foram revisados à procura de casos de cinomose. Seiscentos e oitenta e três casos (12,7 por cento) da doença foram encontrados, dos quais 620 apresentavam sinais neurológicos. Desses 620, os seguintes dados foram recuperados para cada caso: idade, sinais clínicos, achados histopatológicos e presença ou não de doença concomitante. Faixas etárias foram classificadas como filhotes (até 1 ano), adultos (de 1 a 9 anos) e idosos (10 anos de idade ou mais). Lesões histológicas foram observadas em 565 (91,1 por cento) dos 620 casos com sinais neurológicos de cinomose e em 554 desses casos a idade foi registrada no protocolo com a seguinte distribuição por faixa etária: 45,9 por cento de filhotes, 51,4 por cento de adultos e 2,7 por cento de idosos. Os sinais neurológicos compreendiam um largo espectro de distúrbios motores, posturais e do comportamento, que podiam ocorrer juntos ou individualmente. Os sinais clínicos mais freqüentes foram mioclonia (38,4 por cento), incooordenação motora (25,0 por cento), convulsões (18,5 por cento) e paraplegia (13,4 por cento). Em 98,4 por cento dos 565 cães com alterações histopatológicas no encéfalo, foram observadas desmielinização, encefalite não-supurativa ou uma combinação dessas duas lesões. Corpúsculos de inclusão foram observados em diferentes células de 343 dos 565 cães com alterações histopatológicas no encéfalo. Em 170 (49,6 por cento) o tipo celular com inclusão não foi mencionado no protocolo; nos restantes, as inclusões foram vistas em astrócitos (94,8 por cento dos casos), neurônios (3,5 por cento), oligodendrócitos (1,1 por cento) e células do epêndima (0,6 por cento). Levando em consideração o tipo de lesões e as faixas etárias, casos com desmielinização e encefalite não-supurativa ocorreram em 40,0 por cento dos filhotes, 51,2 por cento dos adultos...

The files of 5,361 necropsies performed in dogs in the Veterinary Pathology Laboratory of the Federal University of Santa Maria during 1965-2006 were reviewed in search of cases of canine distemper. Six hundred and eighty three cases (12.7 percent) of the disease were found, 620 of which had neurological signs. From those 620, the following data on each case were retrieved: age, clinical signs, histopathology and concomitance or not of another disease. Age groups were classified as puppies (up to 1 year of age), adults (from 1 to 9 years) and aged (from 10 years on). In 565 out of the 620 (91.1 percent) neurological cases of canine distemper, histopathological brain changes were observed and in 554 of those 565 the age was registered in the files with following age group distribution: 45.9 percent of puppies, 51.4 percent of adults, and 2.7 percent of aged dogs. Neurological clinical signs encompassed a large spectrum of motor, postural and behavioral disturbances which could occur together or individually. Most frequent clinical signs were myoclonus (38.4 percent), motor incoordination (25.0 percent), seizures (18.5 percent), and paraplegia (13.4 percent). In 98.4 percent of the 565 dogs with histopathological changes in the brain demyelination, non-suppurative encephalitis or a combination of these two were found. Intranuclear eosinophilic inclusion bodies were observed in different brain cells of 343 of the 565 dogs with histopathological changes. In 170 (49.6 percent) the cellular type bearing the inclusions was not mentioned in the file and in the remaining cases the inclusions were seen in astrocytes (94.8 percent of the cases), neurons (3.5 percent), oligodendrocytes (1.1 percent), and ependyma cells (0.6 percent). Taking in consideration the type of lesions and the age groups, cases with combined demyelination and non-suppurative encephalitis occurred in 40.0 percent of the puppies, 51.2 percent of the adult dogs and 72.7 percent...

Histomorfologia do gânglio de Gasser, da rete mirabile carotídea e da hipófise de bovinos: estudo de 199 casos / Histomorphology of the Gasserian ganglion, carotid rete mirabile and pituitary gland in cattle: a study of 199 cases

O complexo heterogêneo de tecidos formado pelo gânglio de Gasser, rete mirabile carotídea e hipófise (GRH) de 199 bovinos foram macro e microscopicamente avaliados. Vinte e um GRH eram de casos confirmados de raiva, 19 com diagnóstico de meningoencefalite por herpesvírus bovino-5 (BoHV-5), 11 casos de febre catarral maligna (FCM), 7 tinham abscesso de pituitária, 17 apresentaram lesões de encefalopatia hepática (status spongiosus) atribuído à fibrose crônica por intoxicação por Senecio sp; e os 124 GRH restantes eram provenientes de bovinos que não apresentaram sinais neurológicos e que morreram ou foram eutanasiados por causas diversas. Nenhuma alteração histológica significativa foi observada no GRH dos 124 bovinos que não tinham sinais neurológicos, nos 17 bovinos com encefalopatia hepática, nem nos 19 bovinos afetados por meningoencefalite por BoHV-5. Alterações inflamatórias foram encontradas em 20 dos 21 casos de raiva e consistiam de proliferação de células satélites, nódulos gliais e infiltrado linfo-plasmocitário; alterações degenerativas incluíam cromatólise central, vacuolização neuronal e necrose neuronal com neuronofagia. Corpúsculos de inclusão eosinofílicos intracitoplasmáticos (de Negri) foram encontrados em 19 dos 21 casos de raiva; neurite do nervo trigêmeo em 11 casos e neuroipofisite em 4 casos. O complexo GRH de 9 de 11 casos de FCM apresentava arterite necrosante, que afetava as artérias da rete mirabile carotídea. Em 7 dos 199 GRH examinados havia abscessos de pituitária caracterizados por agregados de neutrófilos e detritos celulares circundados por infiltrado mononuclear e cápsula fibrosa. Vários achados incidentais foram observados nos 199 GRH examinados histologicamente e não foram correlacionados com alterações ligadas a doenças. Estes incluíam cistos na cavidade hipofisária, agregados de fibrina e neutrófilos no seio cavernoso da rete mirabile carotídea, leve aumento do número de células satélites ao redor dos neurônios ...

The complex of heterogenous tissues formed by the Gasserian ganglia, carotid rete mirabile and pituitary gland (GRH) from 199 cattle were grossly and histologically evaluated. Twenty one of the GRH were from comfirmed cases of rabies, 19 were diagnosed as cases of meningoencephalitis caused by bovine herpesvirus-5 (BoHV-5), 11 were confirmed cases of malignant catarrhal fever (MCF), 7 had pituitary abscesses, 17 had lesions of hepatic encephalopathy (status spongiosus) attributable to chronic liver failure due to Senecio sp poisoning; and the remaining 124 GRH were from cattle which did not present neurological signs and died or were euthanatized due to various causes. No significant histologic changes were observed in the GRH from the 124 cattle which did not present neurological signs, in the GRH of the 17 cattle that had hepatic encephalopathy neither in the GRH of the 19 cattle diagnosed with BoHV-5 meningoencephalitis. Inflammatory changes were found in the Gasserian ganglia of 20 out of 21 cases of rabies and consisted of proliferation of sattelite cells, glial nodules and lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate; degenerative changes included central chromatolysis, neuronal vacuolation, and neuronal death with neuronophagia. Characteristic eosinophilic intracytoplasmatic inclusion (Negri) bodies were found in 19 out of 21 cases of rabies, neuritis of the fifth nerve in 11, and neurohypophysitis in 4 cases. The GRH from nine of the eleven cases of MCF had characteristic necrotizing arteritis affecting the arteries of the carotid rete mirabile. In seven cases pituitary abscesses were found; they were characterized by large aggregates of neutrophils admixed with cellular debris and surrounded by mononuclear cells and were walled by a fibrous capsule. Several incidental findings were observed equally in the 199 histologically examined GRH and consequently were non specific for any disease entity. These include cysts in the pituitary cleft, fibrin and neutrophilic ...

Molecular differentiation of Angiostrongylus costaricensis, A. cantonensis, and A. vasorum by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism

Angiostrongylus cantonensis, A. costaricensis, and A. vasorum are etiologic agents of human parasitic diseases. Their identification, at present, is only possible by examining the adult worm after a 40-day period following infection of vertebrate hosts with the third-stage larvae. In order to obtain a diagnostic tool to differentiate larvae and adult worm from the three referred species, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was carried out. The rDNA second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) and mtDNA cytochrome oxidase I regions were amplified, followed by digestion of fragments with the restriction enzymes RsaI, HapII, AluI, HaeIII, DdeI and ClaI. The enzymes RsaI and ClaI exhibited the most discriminating profiles for the differentiation of the regions COI of mtDNA and ITS2 of rDNA respectively. The methodology using such regions proved to be efficient for the specific differentiation of the three species of Angiostrongylus under study.

Characterization of Biomphalaria orbignyi, Biomphalaria peregrina and Biomphalaria oligoza by polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme digestion of the internal transcribed spacer region of the RNA ribosomal gene

The correct identification of Biomphalaria oligoza, B. orbignyi and B. peregrina species is difficult due to the morphological similarities among them. B. peregrina is widely distributed in South America and is considered a potential intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni. We have reported the use of the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region of the ribosomal DNA for the molecular identification of these snails. The snails were obtained from different localities of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. The restriction patterns obtained with MvaI enzyme presented the best profile to identify the three species. The profiles obtained with all enzymes were used to estimate genetic similarities among B. oligoza, B. peregrina and B. orbignyi. This is also the first report of B. orbignyi in Uruguay