A comprehensive survey of Aeromonas sp. and Vibrio sp. in seabirds from southeastern Brazil: outcomes for public health.

AIMS: To perform a microbiological survey regarding the presence, prevalence and characterization of Aeromonas sp. and Vibrio sp. in debilitated wrecked marine birds recovered from the centre-north coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. METHODS AND RESULTS: Swabs obtained from 116 alive and debilitated wrecked marine birds, comprising 19 species, from the study area were evaluated by biochemical methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests and pathogenicity gene screening were performed for bacterial strains of public health importance. Vibrio sp. and Aeromonas sp. were identified, as well as certain pathogenic genes and resistance to selected antimicrobials. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the identified bacteria, mainly Vibrio sp., are fairly prevalent and widespread among several species of seabirds and highlights the importance of migratory birds in bacterial dispersion. In addition, it demonstrates the importance of the bacterial strains regarding their pathogenic potential. Therefore, seabirds can act as bacterial reservoirs, and their monitoring is of the utmost importance in a public health context. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The study comprehensively evaluates the importance of seabirds as bacteria of public health importance reservoirs, since birds comprising several pathogenic bacterial species were evaluated.

Postnatal Msx1 expression pattern in craniofacial, axial, and appendicular skeleton of transgenic mice from the first week until the second year.

Phenotypes associated with Msx1 mutations have established the prominent role of this divergent homeogene in skeletal patterning. Previous studies have been achieved during antenatal development in relation with the early death of null mutant mice. Therefore, the present study is devoted to Msx1 homeogene in the postnatal craniofacial, axial, and appendicular skeleton. A knock-in transgenic mouse line was studied from the first postnatal week until 15 months. Whole-mount beta-galactosidase enzymology identified Msx1 protein expression pattern. Maintained expression of Msx1 was observed in growing and adult mice, specifically in the sites where Msx1 plays an early morphogenetic role during initial skeletal patterning. These included the craniofacial sutures, autopodium, mandible, and alveolar bone. Furthermore, active membranous and endochondral bone formation involved Msx1 in the entire skeleton. Histologic sections showed that progenitor as well as differentiating and differentiated cells of all the bone cell lineages could express the Msx1 protein (chondrocytes, osteoblasts, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase positive osteoclasts and chondroclasts). Recent developments in the genetic and developmental biology of skeletal morphogenesis demonstrate that genes critical for development are jointly expressed in discrete embryonic signalling and growth centers, the enamel knot in teeth, the cranial suture in skull morphogenesis, and the progress zone in the limb buds. The present study suggests that these signalling pathways are jointly important throughout the entire lifetime with an exquisite site-specificity spatially related to early patterning.

[Intracranial chondrosarcoma: report of a case]. / Condrossarcoma intracraniano: relato de um caso.

A case of intracranial chondrosarcoma is reported. Its diagnosis can be suspected through the findings of a paraselar avascular tumor, sometimes with in specific calcifications, visualized as a isodense and contrast-enhancing mass by computed tomography, as observed in the case. Differential diagnosis may be difficult with chondromas and meningiomas. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice, with good results.