Urothelial carcinoma in a mule.

Equine bladder neoplasms are rare. This report aimed to describe the clinical signs and treatment of urothelial carcinoma (UC) in a mule. Cystoscopy of a 20-year-old female mule with a one-week history of hematuria and anemia revealed vascular congestion in the mucosa and an intraluminal, pedunculated mass in the dorsal bladder region. Histopathological examination revealed UC. Initial therapy consisted of four weekly cystoscopic guided injections of fluorouracil. At the fourth chemotherapy session, a paler and more friable tumor mass was observed. Consequently, we opted to surgically remove it during cystoscopy. Following mass excision, patient comfort, gross appearance of urine, and the hematocrit returned to normal. Repeat cystoscopy examinations revealed no gross appearance of tumor recurrence 18 months after treatment. Bladder neoplasms clinically resemble urolithiasis and cystitis and should be considered a differential diagnosis in cases of anemia and hematuria.

Role of ultrasound in detection of lymph-node metastasis in gynecological cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic performance of transvaginal sonography (TVS) for the preoperative evaluation of lymph-node metastasis in gynecological cancer. METHODS: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published between January 1990 and May 2023 evaluating the role of ultrasound in detecting pelvic lymph-node metastasis (index test) in gynecological cancer, using histopathological analysis as the reference standard. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. Pooled sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio were estimated. RESULTS: The literature search identified 2638 citations. Eight studies reporting on a total of 967 women were included. The mean prevalence of pelvic lymph-node metastasis was 24.2% (range, 14.0-65.6%). The risk of bias was low for most domains assessed. Pooled sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio of TVS were 41% (95% CI, 26-58%), 98% (95% CI, 93-99%) and 32 (95% CI, 14-72), respectively. High heterogeneity was found between studies for both sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSION: TVS showed a high pooled specificity for the detection of pelvic lymph-node metastasis in gynecological cancer, but pooled sensitivity was low. © 2024 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Allele frequency of muscular genetic disorders in bull-catching (vaquejada) quarter horses.

Quarter horses (QH), a prominent athletic breed in Brazil, are affected by muscular genetic disorders such as myosin-heavy chain myopathy (MYHM), polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM1), hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HyPP), and malignant hyperthermia (MH). Bull-catching (vaquejada), primarily involving QH, is a significant equestrian sport in Brazil. Since the allele frequencies (AF) of MYHM, PSSM1, HyPP, and MH in vaquejada QH remain unknown, this study evaluated the AF in 129 QH vaquejada athletes, specifically from the Brazilian Northeast. These variants were exclusively observed in heterozygosity. The MYHM exhibited the highest AF (0.04 ±0.01), followed by PSSM1 (0.01 ±0.01) and the HyPP variant (0.004 ±0.01), while the MH variant was not identified in this study. This study represents the first identification of these variants in vaquejada QH, emphasizing the need to implement measures to prevent the transmission of pathogenic alleles and reduce the occurrence of clinical cases of these genetic diseases.

Prospective external validation of IOTA methods for classifying adnexal masses and retrospective assessment of two-step strategy using benign descriptors and ADNEX: a Portuguese multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to externally and prospectively validate the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) Simple Rules (SRs), Logistic Regression model 2 (LR2) and Assessment of Different NEoplasias in the adneXa (ADNEX) in a Portuguese population, comparing them with operator subjective assessment (SA), Risk-of-Malignancy Index (RMI), as well as with each other. This study also aimed to retrospectively validate IOTA two-step strategy, using modified benign descriptors (MBDs) followed by the application of ADNEX in cases where MBDs were not applicable (MBDs + ADNEX). METHODS: In this multicenter diagnostic accuracy study, conducted between January 2016 and December 2021, three tertiary referral centers prospectively included consecutive patients with ultrasound diagnosis of at least one adnexal tumor who underwent surgery. All ultrasound assessments were performed by level II or III sonologists with IOTA certification. Patient clinical data and serum cancer antigen (CA125) levels were collected from the hospital databases. Each adnexal mass was classified as benign or malignant using SA, RMI, IOTA SRs, LR2 and ADNEX (with and without CA125). The reference standard was histopathological diagnosis. In the second phase, all adnexal tumors were retrospectively classified using the two-step strategy (MBDs + ADNEX). The sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV), positive (LR+) and negative likelihood ratio (LR-) as well as overall accuracy were determined for SA, RMI, IOTA SRs, LR2, ADNEX and two-step strategy (MBDs + ADNEX). Receiver-operator characteristic curves were constructed and corresponding areas under the curve (AUC) determined for RMI, LR2 and ADNEX and two-step strategy (MBDs + ADNEX). The ADNEX calibration plots were constructed and estimated by LOESS smoother. RESULTS: Of the 571 included patients, 428 had benign disease, 42 borderline ovarian tumors, 93 primary invasive adnexal cancers and 8 metastatic tumors in adnexa (malignancy prevalence: 25.0%). The operator SA had an overall sensitivity of 97.9% and a specificity of 83.6% for distinguishing between benign and malignant lesions. RMI showed high specificity (95.6%) but very low sensitivity (58.7%), with an AUC of 0.913. The IOTA SRs were applicable in 80.0% of patients, with a sensitivity of 94.8% and a specificity of 98.6%. LR2 revealed a sensitivity of 84.6%, a specificity of 86.9% and an AUC of 0.939, at the malignancy risk cut-off of 10%. At the same cut-off, ADNEX with and without CA125 had a sensitivity of 95.8% and 98.6%, respectively, and a specificity of 82.5% and 79.7%, respectively. The AUC of ADNEX with vs. without CA125 was 0.962 vs. 0.960. The ADNEX model provided heterogeneous results in distinguishing between benign and different subtypes of malignancy, with the highest AUC (0.991) for discriminating benign masses from primary adnexal cancer stage II-IV, and the lowest AUC (0.696) for distinguishing primary adnexal cancer stage I and metastatic lesion in adnexa. The ADNEX calibration plots suggested an underestimation of the predicted risk in relation with the observed proportion of malignancies. The MBDs were applicable in 26.3% of cases (150/571 tumors, none of which were malignant). Similar to the ADNEX model applied in all patients, the two-step strategy using ADNEX in the second step only, with and without CA125, had an AUC of 0.964 and 0.961, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed a good to excellent performance of the IOTA methods in the studied Portuguese population, outperforming RMI. ADNEX was superior in accuracy, but interpretation of its ability to distinguish malignant subtypes was fundamentally limited not only by sample size but also by large differences in the prevalence of tumor subtypes. The IOTA MBDs have been shown to be reliable in identifying benign disease. The two-step strategy based on the application of MBDs, followed by the ADNEX model if MBDs are not applicable, has proven to be suitable for daily practice circumventing the need to use electronic support in all patients. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Seasonal and spatial variations of greenhouse gas (CO2, CH4 and N2O) emissions from urban ponds in Brussels.

Freshwaters have been recognized as important sources of greenhouse gases (GHG) to the atmosphere. However, urban ponds have received little attention even though their number is increasing due to expanding urbanisation globally. Ponds are frequently associated to urban green spaces that provide several ecosystemic services such as cooling local climate, regulating the water cycle, and acting as small carbon sinks This study aims to identify and understand the processes producing GHGs (CO2, CH4, and N2O) in the urban ponds of the temperate European city of Brussels in Belgium. 22 relatively small ponds (0.1-4.6 ha) surrounded by contrasted landscape (strictly urban, bordered by cropland or by forest), were sampled during four seasons in 2021-2022. The mean ± standard deviation was 3,667 ± 2,904 ppm for the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2), 2,833 ± 4,178 nmol L-1 for CH4, and 273 ± 662% for N2O saturation level (%N2O). Relationships of GHGs with oxygen and water temperature suggest that biological processes controlled pCO2, CH4 concentration and%N2O. However, pCO2 was also controlled by external inputs as indicated by the higher values of pCO2 in the smaller ponds, more subject to external inputs than larger ones. The opposite was observed for CH4 concentration that was higher in larger ponds, closer to the forest in the city periphery, and with higher macrophyte cover. N2O concentrations, as well as dissolved inorganic nitrogen, were higher closer to the city center, where atmospheric nitrogen deposition was potentially higher. The total GHG emissions from the Brussels ponds were estimated to 1kT CO2-eq per year and were equivalent to the carbon sink of urban green spaces.

The combined effects of binder addition and different sintering methods on the mechanical properties of bovine hydroxyapatite.

Hydroxyapatite (HA) from bovine bones has been used as a biomaterial in dentistry due to its biocompatibility and bioactivity. However, dense HA bioceramics still present inadequate properties for applications that require high mechanical performance, such as infrastructure. Microstructural reinforcements and control of ceramic processing steps are methods to improve these shortcomings. The present study assessed the effects of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) addition in combination with two sintering methodologies (2-step and conventional), on the mechanical properties of polycrystalline bovine HA bioceramics. The samples were divided into four groups (with 15 samples per group): conventional sintering with binder (HBC) and without binder (HWC) and 2-step sintering with (HB2) and without binder (HW2). HA was extracted from bovine bones, turned into nanoparticles in a ball mill, and subjected to uniaxial and isostatic pressing into discs, according to ISO 6872 standards. All groups were characterized by x-ray diffractometry (XRD), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and relative density. Besides, mechanical analyses (biaxial flexural strength (BFS) and modulus of elasticity) were also performed. The characterization results demonstrated that adding agglutinants or the sintering method did not affect HA's chemical and structural characteristics. Even so, the HWC group showed the highest mechanical values for BFS and modulus of elasticity being 109.0 (98.0; 117.0) MPa and 105.17 ± 14.65 GPa, respectively. The HA ceramics submitted to conventional sintering and without the addition of binders achieved better mechanical properties than the other groups. The impacts of each variable were discussed and correlated to the final microstructures and mechanical properties.

Effect of whitening products on sound enamel and on artificial caries lesions during a cariogenic challenge.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of fluoride-containing whitening products on sound enamel and on artificial caries lesions during a cariogenic challenge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bovine enamel specimens (n = 120) with three areas [non-treated sound enamel (NSE), treated sound enamel (TSE), and treated artificial caries lesion (TACL)] were randomly assigned to the four groups: whitening mouthrinse (WM: 2.5% hydrogen peroxide-100 ppm F-), placebo mouthrinse (PM: 0% hydrogen peroxide-100 ppm F-), whitening gel (WG: 10% carbamide peroxide-1130 ppm F-), and deionized water (negative control; NC). The treatments (2 min for WM, PM, and NC, and 2 h for WG) were carried out during a 28-day pH-cycling model (6 × 60 min demineralization/day). Relative surface reflection intensity (rSRI) and transversal microradiography (TMR) analyses were performed. Fluoride uptake (surface and subsurface) was measured in additional enamel specimens. RESULTS: For TSE, a higher value of rSRI was observed in WM (89.99% ± 6.94), and a greater decrease in rSRI was observed for WG and NC, and no sign of mineral loss was verified for all groups (p > 0.05). For TACL, rSRI significantly decreased after pH-cycling for all experimental groups with no difference between them (p < 0.05). Higher amounts of fluoride were found in WG. WG and WM exhibited intermediate values of mineral loss, similar to PM. CONCLUSIONS: The whitening products did not potentialize the enamel demineralization under a severe cariogenic challenge, and they did not exacerbate mineral loss of the artificial caries lesions. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Low concentrated hydrogen peroxide whitening gel and mouthrinse containing fluoride do not intensify the progression of caries lesions.

Optical Property Stability of Light-Cured versus Precured CAD-CAM Composites.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the optical property changes after staining of precured (PC) and light-cured (LC) composites. Materials and Methods: Specimens were prepared using different LC composites (GrandioSO-Voco, Filtek Z350-3M/ESPE, Opallis-FGM, and Kalore-GC) and four PC blocks (Grandio Blocs-Voco, Lava Ultimate-3M ESPE, Brava Block-FGM, and Cerasmart-GC) from the same manufacturers (n = 20). Baseline color, gloss, translucency, and fluorescence were evaluated. The staining protocol was performed for 15 days, and the final optical properties were reevaluated. Results: The changes in each property were calculated (ΔGloss, ΔTranslucency, ΔFluorescency, ΔE ∗ 00). Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 5%). Changes in all properties were observed after staining for all materials, with darkening and reduction of gloss, fluorescence, and translucency. Nonsignificant differences were observed between the light-cured and precured materials of the same manufacturer for ΔG and ΔT, but significant differences existed for ΔF and ΔE ∗ 00. For ΔF, the only significant differences were observed between Brava Block and Opallis (smaller). For ΔE ∗ 00, only the light-cured composites GrandioSO and Z350 showed significantly less change than the corresponding blocks. Precured composites were affected the same way as light-cured ones by the staining in relation to the reduction of gloss and translucency. Conclusion: A higher reduction in fluorescence was observed for only one brand of block and was similar for the others. The two brands of light-cured materials showed less staining, while for the others, the staining was similar. The effects of staining vary according to the composite formulation.

Biofilm formation under high shear stress increases resilience to chemical and mechanical challenges.

The effect that the hydrodynamic conditions under which biofilms are formed has on their persistence is still unknown. This study assessed the behaviour of Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilms, formed on stainless steel under different shear stress (τw) conditions (1, 2 and 4 Pa), to chemical (benzalkonium chloride - BAC, glutaraldehyde - GLUT and sodium hypochlorite - SHC) and mechanical (20 Pa) treatments (alone and combined). The biofilms formed under different τw  showed different structural characteristics. Those formed under a higher τw were invariably more tolerant to chemical and mechanical stresses. SHC was the biocide which caused the highest biofilm killing and removal, followed by BAC. The sequential exposure to biocides and mechanical stress was found to be insufficient for effective biofilm control. A basal layer containing biofilm cells mostly in a viable state remained on the surface of the cylinders, particularly for the 2 and 4 Pa-generated biofilms.

Multiple metals and agricultural use affects oxidative stress biomarkers in freshwater Aegla crabs / Presença de múltiplos metais e agricultura afetam biomarcadores de estresse oxidativo em caranguejos de água doce (Aegla)

Metals and agrochemicals are among the main aquatic contaminants, being able to trigger oxidative stress in exposed organisms. The objective of this work was to evaluate the correlation between the level of oxidative stress biomarkers in Aegla crabs (Crustacea, Anomura) with (i) the set of metals present in the streams sediment and (ii) with land uses of three hydrographic basins. The study was carried out in streams (≤ 2nd order) of hydrographic basins in southern Brazil (Basins of Rio Suzana, Rio Ligeirinho-Leãozinho and Rio Dourado). In these streams were quantified the land uses and Cu, Cr, Cd, Fe, Mn and Zn concentrations in the sediment. The enzymes Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione Reductase (GR), as well as the level of membrane lipid peroxidation (TBARS), were analyzed in adult females. The PCA analysis showed that the distribution of metals was different between the basins. Cd, Cr and Fe were correlated positively with CAT and negatively with TBARS and GR. The Dourado basin had the lowest concentrations of these three metals and the highest levels of TBARS. However, in Dourado basin there is predominance of agriculture land use, and TBARS was positively correlated with agricultural land use. Besides in Dourado basin, GR activity was higher than in the others basins, indicating a compensatory response in relation to CAT inhibition. The basins of Suzana and Ligeirinho-Leãozinho rivers had lower TBARS values, which may be due to the induction of CAT in response to metals accumulated in sediment. In summary, this work indicates that in the basins with a higher concentration of toxic metals there is an adaptive response of CAT induction, which reduces TBARS in Aegla. On the other hand, in the basin with lower metallic contamination, TBARS occurrence was primarily influenced by agricultural land use.

Os metais e agroquímicos estão entre os principais contaminantes aquáticos, podendo desencadear estresse oxidativo em organismos expostos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar uma possível correlação entre o nível de biomarcadores de estresse oxidativo em Aegla (Crustacea, Anomura) com (i) o conjunto de metais presentes no sedimento e (ii) com os usos da terra, em três bacias hidrográficas distintas. O estudo foi realizado em riachos (≤ 2ª ordem) de bacias hidrográficas do Sul do Brasil (Bacias do Rio Suzana, do Rio Ligeirinho-Leãozinho e do Rio Dourado), as quais foram caracterizadas em função do percentual de usos da terra e do nível de Cu, Cr, Cd, Fe, Mn e Zn no sedimento. As enzimas Catalase (CAT) e Glutationa Redutase (GR), bem como o nível de peroxidação lipídica das membranas (TBARS), foram analisadas em fêmeas adultas. Uma análise de PCA mostrou que a distribuição de metais foi distinta entre as bacias. Cd, Cr e Fe no sedimento correlacionaram positivamente com a CAT e negativamente com TBARS e GR. Entretanto, a bacia do Dourado apresentou os menores níveis destes três metais e os maiores níveis de TBARS, o que pode ser justificado pelo predomínio da agricultura nesta bacia, já que o TBARS correlacionou positivamente com o percentual de uso agrícola. Nesta bacia, a atividade da GR foi mais alta do que nas outras, indicando uma resposta compensatória em relação a inibição da CAT. As bacias do rio Suzana e rio Ligeirinho-Leãozinho apresentaram valores menores de TBARS, o que pode decorrer da indução da CAT em função dos metais acumulados no sedimento. Em síntese, este trabalho indica que nas bacias com maior concentração de metais tóxicos ocorre uma resposta adaptativa de indução da CAT, o que reduz os níveis de TBARS em Aegla. Por outro lado, na bacia com menor contaminação metálica os níveis de TBARS foram primariamente influenciados pelo uso agrícola.

Multiple metals and agricultural use affects oxidative stress biomarkers in freshwater Aegla crabs / Presença de múltiplos metais e agricultura afetam biomarcadores de estresse oxidativo em caranguejos de água doce (Aegla)

Metals and agrochemicals are among the main aquatic contaminants, being able to trigger oxidative stress in exposed organisms. The objective of this work was to evaluate the correlation between the level of oxidative stress biomarkers in Aegla crabs (Crustacea, Anomura) with (i) the set of metals present in the streams sediment and (ii) with land uses of three hydrographic basins. The study was carried out in streams (≤ 2nd order) of hydrographic basins in southern Brazil (Basins of Rio Suzana, Rio Ligeirinho-Leãozinho and Rio Dourado). In these streams were quantified the land uses and Cu, Cr, Cd, Fe, Mn and Zn concentrations in the sediment. The enzymes Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione Reductase (GR), as well as the level of membrane lipid peroxidation (TBARS), were analyzed in adult females. The PCA analysis showed that the distribution of metals was different between the basins. Cd, Cr and Fe were correlated positively with CAT and negatively with TBARS and GR. The Dourado basin had the lowest concentrations of these three metals and the highest levels of TBARS. However, in Dourado basin there is predominance of agriculture land use, and TBARS was positively correlated with agricultural land use. Besides in Dourado basin, GR activity was higher than in the others basins, indicating a compensatory response in relation to CAT inhibition. The basins of Suzana and Ligeirinho-Leãozinho rivers had lower TBARS values, which may be due to the induction of CAT in response to metals accumulated in sediment. In summary, this work indicates that in the basins with a higher concentration of toxic metals there is an adaptive response of CAT induction, which reduces TBARS in Aegla. On the other hand, in the basin with lower metallic contamination, TBARS occurrence was primarily influenced by agricultural land use.

Os metais e agroquímicos estão entre os principais contaminantes aquáticos, podendo desencadear estresse oxidativo em organismos expostos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar uma possível correlação entre o nível de biomarcadores de estresse oxidativo em Aegla (Crustacea, Anomura) com (i) o conjunto de metais presentes no sedimento e (ii) com os usos da terra, em três bacias hidrográficas distintas. O estudo foi realizado em riachos(≤ 2ª ordem) de bacias hidrográficas do Sul do Brasil (Bacias do Rio Suzana, do Rio Ligeirinho-Leãozinho e do Rio Dourado), as quais foram caracterizadas em função do percentual de usos da terra e do nível de Cu, Cr, Cd, Fe, Mn e Zn no sedimento. As enzimas Catalase (CAT) e Glutationa Redutase (GR), bem como o nível de peroxidação lipídicadas membranas (TBARS), foram analisadas em fêmeas adultas. Uma análise de PCA mostrou que a distribuição de metais foi distinta entre as bacias. Cd, Cr e Fe no sedimento correlacionaram positivamente com a CAT e negativamente com TBARS e GR. Entretanto, a bacia do Dourado apresentou os menores níveis destes três metais e os maiores níveis de TBARS, o que pode ser justificado pelo predomínio da agricultura nesta bacia, já que o TBARS correlacionou positivamente com o percentual de uso agrícola. Nesta bacia, a atividade da GR foi mais alta do que nas outras, indicando uma resposta compensatória em relação a inibição da CAT. As bacias do rio Suzana e rio Ligeirinho-Leãozinho apresentaram valores menores de TBARS, o que pode decorrer da indução da CAT em função dos metais acumulados no sedimento. Em síntese, este trabalho indica que nas bacias com maior concentração de metais tóxicos ocorre uma resposta adaptativa de indução da CAT, o que reduz os níveis de TBARS em Aegla. Por outro lado, na bacia com menor contaminação metálica os níveis de TBARS foram primariamente influenciados pelo uso agrícola.

Multiple metals and agricultural use affects oxidative stress biomarkers in freshwater Aegla crabs

Abstract Metals and agrochemicals are among the main aquatic contaminants, being able to trigger oxidative stress in exposed organisms. The objective of this work was to evaluate the correlation between the level of oxidative stress biomarkers in Aegla crabs (Crustacea, Anomura) with (i) the set of metals present in the streams sediment and (ii) with land uses of three hydrographic basins. The study was carried out in streams ( 2nd order) of hydrographic basins in southern Brazil (Basins of Rio Suzana, Rio Ligeirinho-Leãozinho and Rio Dourado). In these streams were quantified the land uses and Cu, Cr, Cd, Fe, Mn and Zn concentrations in the sediment. The enzymes Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione Reductase (GR), as well as the level of membrane lipid peroxidation (TBARS), were analyzed in adult females. The PCA analysis showed that the distribution of metals was different between the basins. Cd, Cr and Fe were correlated positively with CAT and negatively with TBARS and GR. The Dourado basin had the lowest concentrations of these three metals and the highest levels of TBARS. However, in Dourado basin there is predominance of agriculture land use, and TBARS was positively correlated with agricultural land use. Besides in Dourado basin, GR activity was higher than in the others basins, indicating a compensatory response in relation to CAT inhibition. The basins of Suzana and Ligeirinho-Leãozinho rivers had lower TBARS values, which may be due to the induction of CAT in response to metals accumulated in sediment. In summary, this work indicates that in the basins with a higher concentration of toxic metals there is an adaptive response of CAT induction, which reduces TBARS in Aegla. On the other hand, in the basin with lower metallic contamination, TBARS occurrence was primarily influenced by agricultural land use.

Resumo Os metais e agroquímicos estão entre os principais contaminantes aquáticos, podendo desencadear estresse oxidativo em organismos expostos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar uma possível correlação entre o nível de biomarcadores de estresse oxidativo em Aegla (Crustacea, Anomura) com (i) o conjunto de metais presentes no sedimento e (ii) com os usos da terra, em três bacias hidrográficas distintas. O estudo foi realizado em riachos ( 2ª ordem) de bacias hidrográficas do Sul do Brasil (Bacias do Rio Suzana, do Rio Ligeirinho-Leãozinho e do Rio Dourado), as quais foram caracterizadas em função do percentual de usos da terra e do nível de Cu, Cr, Cd, Fe, Mn e Zn no sedimento. As enzimas Catalase (CAT) e Glutationa Redutase (GR), bem como o nível de peroxidação lipídica das membranas (TBARS), foram analisadas em fêmeas adultas. Uma análise de PCA mostrou que a distribuição de metais foi distinta entre as bacias. Cd, Cr e Fe no sedimento correlacionaram positivamente com a CAT e negativamente com TBARS e GR. Entretanto, a bacia do Dourado apresentou os menores níveis destes três metais e os maiores níveis de TBARS, o que pode ser justificado pelo predomínio da agricultura nesta bacia, já que o TBARS correlacionou positivamente com o percentual de uso agrícola. Nesta bacia, a atividade da GR foi mais alta do que nas outras, indicando uma resposta compensatória em relação a inibição da CAT. As bacias do rio Suzana e rio Ligeirinho-Leãozinho apresentaram valores menores de TBARS, o que pode decorrer da indução da CAT em função dos metais acumulados no sedimento. Em síntese, este trabalho indica que nas bacias com maior concentração de metais tóxicos ocorre uma resposta adaptativa de indução da CAT, o que reduz os níveis de TBARS em Aegla. Por outro lado, na bacia com menor contaminação metálica os níveis de TBARS foram primariamente influenciados pelo uso agrícola.

Glass Ionomer Versus Self-adhesive Cement and the Clinical Performance of Zirconia Coping/Press-on Porcelain Crowns.

OBJECTIVE: This split-mouth clinical study investigated the effect of luting cement on the performance of veneered yttrium-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) zirconia crowns. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 60 crowns prepared with Y-TZP coping and press-on porcelain were made with a split-mouth design in 30 participants. The crowns were cemented either with glass ionomer cement (GIC) (Meron, Voco) or with self-adhesive resin cement (Bifix-SE, Voco). The restorations were assessed immediately after treatment and after 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 months using the modified United States Public Health Service criteria. The parameters analyzed were retention, color stability, marginal discoloration, marginal adaptation, surface roughness, anatomic form, and secondary caries. The differences between the groups were analyzed by the Fisher exact test in each period of evaluation. The survival rate was analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier and log-rank test (α=0.05). RESULTS: After 48 months, 20 participants attended the recall. During the period of evaluation, 1 crown cemented with glass ionomer cement and 1 crown cemented with resin cement lost retention. Color match, marginal discoloration and adaptation, surface roughness, and anatomic form did not change in any of the periods evaluated, and no secondary caries was observed. No significant differences were found between the 2 luting cements for any of the clinical parameters analyzed, nor for the survival rates during the study. CONCLUSIONS: The type of cement did not influence the performance of the crowns after 48 months of clinical use. Both cements resulted in adequate retention rates, aesthetic and functional outcomes, and biological response.

Morphometry of bovine blastocysts produced in vitro in culture media with antioxidants cysteamine or oily extract of Lippia origanoides / [Morfometria de blastocistos bovinos produzidos in vitro em meio de cultura com antioxidantes cisteamina ou extrato oleoso de Lippia origanoides]

This study aimed to evaluate the ultrastructural morphometry of bovine embryos produced in vitro grown at different concentrations of antioxidants. After in vitro maturation and fertilization, the presumptive zygotes were assigned into five treatments. T1) without the addition of any antioxidants (negative control); T2) addition of 50µM/mL cysteamine; and T3, T4 and T5) adding 2.5µg/mL, 5.0µg/mL or 10.0µg/mL of the antioxidants derived from the oily extract from Lippia origanoides, respectively. On D7 of culture, the embryos in the blastocyst stage were fixed and prepared for electron transmission microscopy. These were evaluated for the proportion of cytoplasm-to-nucleus, cytoplasm-to-mitochondria, cytoplasm-to-vacuoles, cytoplasm-to-autophagic vacuoles and cytoplasm-to-lipid droplets. Blastocysts cultured in media containing oily extract of Lippia origanoides presented morphological characteristics such as high cell:mitochondria ratio and low cell:vacuoles and cell:autophagic vacuole ratio, possibly been morphological indicators of embryonic quality. Inner cell mass (ICM) from blastocysts cultured in media without any antioxidants had the highest cell:vacuole ratio. Similar results were found in the trophectoderm (TE) cells of blastocysts from treatment 2. Embryo culture media supplemented with antioxidants derived from Lippia origanoides oil produced embryos with a higher cytoplasmic proportion of organelles, such as mitochondria. Also, treatments without any antioxidants or with the addition of cysteamine presented cytoplasmic vacuolization, a characteristic related to production of poor-quality embryos.(AU)

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a morfometria ultraestrutural de embriões bovinos produzidos in vitro e cultivados em diferentes concentrações de antioxidantes. Após a maturação e a fertilização in vitro, os possíveis zigotos foram divididos em cinco tratamentos: T1) sem adição de antioxidantes (controle negativo); T2) adição de 50µM/mL de cisteamina; e T3, T4 e T5) adição de 2,5µg/mL, 5,0µg/mL ou 10,0µg/mL dos antioxidantes derivados do extrato oleoso de Lippia origanoides, respectivamente. No D7 de cultivo, os embriões em estágio de blastocisto foram fixados e preparados para microscopia eletrônica de transmissão. Estes foram avaliados para a proporção entre citoplasma e núcleo, citoplasma e mitocôndria, citoplasma e vacúolos, citoplasma e vacúolos autofágicos e citoplasma e gotículas lipídicas. Blastocistos cultivados em meio contendo extrato oleoso de Lippia origanoides apresentaram características morfológicas como alta relação célula:mitocôndria e baixa relação célula:vacúolos e célula:vacúolo autofágico, possíveis indicadores morfológicos de qualidade embrionária. A massa celular interna (MCI) de blastocistos cultivados em meio sem quaisquer antioxidantes teve a maior razão célula:vacúolo. Resultados semelhantes foram encontrados nas células do trofectoderma (TE) de blastocistos do tratamento 2. Portanto, o meio de cultivo embrionário suplementado com antioxidantes derivados do óleo de Lippia origanoides produziu embriões com maior proporção citoplasmática de organelas, como mitocôndrias. Além disso, tratamentos sem antioxidantes ou com adição de cisteamina apresentaram vacuolização citoplasmática, característica relacionada à produção de embriões de baixa qualidade.(AU)

Efficacy and Safety of Bleaching Gels According to Application Protocol.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated bleaching efficacy, enamel microhardness, and roughness of highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide (HP) gels (35%-40%) using different application protocols. Gel decomposition and pH alteration were also analyzed. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Bovine enamel/dentin specimens were divided into groups according to the bleaching gel-Pola Office Plus (POP-SDI, 37.5% HP), Opalescence Boost (OPB-Ultradent, 40% HP), Whiteness HP (WHP-FGM, 35% HP)-and application protocol-single application (SA) and multiple application (MA) during the in-office session. Deionized water was used in control group (no bleaching). Thus, seven final groups were obtained (n=15/group). Color (CIE L*a*b*), surface microhardness (SMH), and roughness (Ra) were assessed before/after treatments. The pH of gels was measured, and HP concentration was determined with potassium permanganate titration method in different times. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and Tukey tests (5%). RESULTS: All gels presented similar and clinically acceptable bleaching efficacy (ΔE>2.7) for both SA and MA, as well as no significant differences for SMH and Ra comparing the two protocols in the same gel. Peroxide decomposition significantly increased with time, but final gel concentrations were still high after 45 minutes (32.29% POP; 38.45% OPB; and 32.74% WHP). The pH decreased over time (initial - after 45 min) for WHP (6.83±0.07 - 5.81±0.06), but minimal alterations were observed for POP (8.09±0.09 - 7.88±0.07) and OPB (7.82±0.11 - 7.87±0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Peroxide decomposition was very low for all gels tested, and pH remained stable for POP and OPB gels. Bleaching protocol did not influence whitening efficacy and hazardous effects over enamel, thus potentially there was no clinical significance. Therefore, for the products tested, there is no evidence for recommending the gel change during the bleaching session.

Squamous metaplasia of the rete ovarii do not suppress ovarian cyclicity and pregnancy in cattle: case report / [Metaplasia escamosa da rete ovarii não interrompe a ciclicidade ovariana e a gestação em bovinos: relato de caso]

Squamous metaplasia of the rete ovarii is an ovarian pathologic change characterized by replacement of the normal single layered cuboidal epithelium of the rete ovarii by a stratified squamous keratinized epithelium. Uterus and ovaries from a local slaughterhouse pregnant crossbreed cow were evaluated through ultrasound, macroscopically and histologically. Grossly, there were multiple cysts in both ovaries, which were histologically characterized as rete ovarii cysts with squamous metaplasia and intraluminal accumulation of keratinized material. Squamous metaplasia of the rete ovarii has been previously reported in cows, however this is the first report of this condition in a pregnant animal, demonstrating that this ovarian change is compatible with pregnancy.(AU)

A metaplasia escamosa da rete ovarii é uma patologia ovariana caracterizada pela substituição do epitélio simples cuboidal normal da rete ovarii por um epitélio estratificado escamoso queratinizado. Útero e ovários de uma vaca mestiça gestante, proveniente de abatedouro, foram avaliados por ultrassonografia, macroscopia e histologia. Verificaram-se vários cistos em ambos os ovários, histologicamente caracterizados como cistos de rete ovarii com metaplasia escamosa, com acúmulo intraluminal de material queratinizado. Metaplasia escamosa da rete ovarii foi relatada anteriormente em vacas, porém este é o primeiro relato em que essa alteração ovariana é compatível com manutenção da ciclicidde ovariana e gestação na vaca.(AU)

Failure probability and stress distribution of milled porcelain-zirconia crowns with bioinspired/traditional design and graded interface.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the failure probability and stress distribution of traditional and bioinspired porcelain-zirconia milled crowns, with and without silica infiltration (graded zirconia). METHODS: Traditional crown design had a zirconia infrastructure veneered with porcelain; Bioinspired, had a porcelain infrastructure with translucent-zirconia veneer; Graded and Graded Bioinspired crowns had their zirconia layer infiltrated by silica (n = 25). The cameo surface of each crown (porcelain or zirconia) was glazed. The restoration layers were fused by a vitreous connector and the crowns were adhesively cemented to dies. The specimens were then mechanically cycled in a sliding machine using 100 N load at 4 Hz. The specimens were tested until 2 × 106 cycles, and every 0.5 × 106 cycles the crowns were evaluated under stereomicroscopy for the presence of failures. The stress distribution was inspected with Finite Element Analyses. RESULTS: The predominant failure modes for the Traditional and Graded crowns were delamination and cracking, respectively. The Weibull parameters beta and eta were, respectively: Traditional 1.30 and 2.3 × 106 cycles, and Graded 1.95 and 2.3 × 106 cycles. Thus, the Traditional and Graded crowns presented greater susceptibility to failure due to fatigue, while the Bioinspired and Graded Bioinspired crowns showed no fatigue effect using 100N load, showing beta = 1 and eta of approximately 17 × 106 cycles. Also, through finite element analyses, it was verified that the Bioinspired and Graded Bioinspired crowns presented the best stress distribution on both crowns and dental structures. SIGNIFICANCE: Bioinspired and Graded Bioinspired crowns had the lowest failure probability and better stress distribution and may be considered robust long lasting restorations.

Multiple metals and agricultural use affects oxidative stress biomarkers in freshwater Aegla crabs.

Metals and agrochemicals are among the main aquatic contaminants, being able to trigger oxidative stress in exposed organisms. The objective of this work was to evaluate the correlation between the level of oxidative stress biomarkers in Aegla crabs (Crustacea, Anomura) with (i) the set of metals present in the streams sediment and (ii) with land uses of three hydrographic basins. The study was carried out in streams (≤ 2nd order) of hydrographic basins in southern Brazil (Basins of Rio Suzana, Rio Ligeirinho-Leãozinho and Rio Dourado). In these streams were quantified the land uses and Cu, Cr, Cd, Fe, Mn and Zn concentrations in the sediment. The enzymes Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione Reductase (GR), as well as the level of membrane lipid peroxidation (TBARS), were analyzed in adult females. The PCA analysis showed that the distribution of metals was different between the basins. Cd, Cr and Fe were correlated positively with CAT and negatively with TBARS and GR. The Dourado basin had the lowest concentrations of these three metals and the highest levels of TBARS. However, in Dourado basin there is predominance of agriculture land use, and TBARS was positively correlated with agricultural land use. Besides in Dourado basin, GR activity was higher than in the others basins, indicating a compensatory response in relation to CAT inhibition. The basins of Suzana and Ligeirinho-Leãozinho rivers had lower TBARS values, which may be due to the induction of CAT in response to metals accumulated in sediment. In summary, this work indicates that in the basins with a higher concentration of toxic metals there is an adaptive response of CAT induction, which reduces TBARS in Aegla. On the other hand, in the basin with lower metallic contamination, TBARS occurrence was primarily influenced by agricultural land use.

The interactive effect of anxiety sensitivity and negative smoking cessation cognitions on reductions in cigarette consumption during acute cessation.

INTRODUCTION: Anxiety sensitivity (AS) as well as negative cognitions about one's ability to quit smoking represent cognitive-affective vulnerabilities implicated in smoking cessation success. However, the extent to which one's perceived sensitivity to anxiety and cessation-related cognitions uniquely and interactively affect acute abstinence outcomes has not been examined. The current study examined the interactive effects of AS and cessation cognitions on percent reductions in cigarettes smoked during the first 24-h of a quit attempt. METHODS: Adult cessation-motivated smokers (n = 64; Mage = 34.21, SD = 11.49) completed a planned quit attempt. AS and cessation cognitions were evaluated prior to quit day. Percent cigarette reduction was assessed by number of cigarettes smoked the day before and during the first 24 h of the quit attempt. RESULTS: Significant interactive effects between AS and cessation cognitions (i.e., expectation of success in quitting, intolerance of withdrawal symptoms, and lack of cognitive coping) were observed. Consistent with hypotheses, individuals reporting higher AS and a greater perceived ability to tolerate withdrawal as well as a greater expectation of success reported larger reductions in cigarettes post quit compared to those who did not endorse these beliefs. Unexpectedly, individuals reporting lower AS who did not endorse the belief that they should be able to tolerate withdrawal discomfort, or a lack of cognitive coping, reported larger reductions compared to those who did endorse this belief. CONCLUSION: AS may interact with specific cessation cognitions. Pre-cessation beliefs that individuals will be successful and be able to tolerate withdrawal symptoms may support cessation efforts.

Release-Recapture Test of Dispersal and Survival of Sterile Males of Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae).

The sterile insect technique is used around the world to suppress or eradicate populations of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) with successful results. It consists of inundative releases of sterile insects into a wide area to reduce reproduction in a field population of the same species. It is necessary to know the dispersion of the sterile males in the field in order to define the maximum distance between the release points that ensures the distribution of the sterile flies in the entire target area. The release methods may vary depending on the area to be covered and the resources available. Manual ground release requires less technology. The aim of this research was to estimate the ability of sterile males to survive and disperse in the field, in the two main areas of citrus production in Uruguay. A release of 20,000 sterile males of C. capitata TslV8 (-inv D53) was performed at the central point of each area defined for the trials. Around these points, a network of 54 Jackson traps baited with trimedlure was installed forming five concentric rings, which were placed on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 after the release and were removed at 24 h in all cases. The emergence rate, flight ability, dispersion, and longevity were estimated. The standard distances obtained by the regression models were 127 m and 131 m for Salto and San José respectively. In Salto, the traps had catches until the eighth day, and in San José, there were no catches after the sixth day.