An endogenous DNA virus in an amphibian-killing fungus associated with pathogen genotype and virulence.

The global panzootic lineage (GPL) of the pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has caused severe amphibian population declines, yet the drivers underlying the high frequency of GPL in regions of amphibian decline are unclear. Using publicly available Bd genome sequences, we identified multiple non-GPL Bd isolates that contain a circular Rep-encoding single-stranded (CRESS)-like DNA virus, which we named Bd DNA virus 1 (BdDV-1). We further sequenced and constructed genome assemblies with long read sequences to find that the virus is integrated into the nuclear genome in some strains. Attempts to cure virus-positive isolates were unsuccessful; however, phenotypic differences between naturally virus-positive and virus-negative Bd isolates suggested that BdDV-1 decreases the growth of its host in vitro but increases the virulence of its host in vivo. BdDV-1 is the first-described CRESS DNA mycovirus of zoosporic true fungi, with a distribution inversely associated with the emergence of the panzootic lineage.

Coevolution of a generalist pathogen with many hosts: the case of the amphibian chytrid Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.

Generalist pathogens maintain infectivity in numerous hosts; how this broad ecological niche impacts host-pathogen coevolution remains to be widely explored. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is a highly generalist pathogenic fungus that has caused devastating declines in hundreds of amphibian species worldwide. This review examines amphibian chytridiomycosis host-pathogen interactions and available evidence for coevolution between Bd and its numerous hosts. We summarize recent evidence showing that Bd genotypes vary in geographic distribution and virulence, and that amphibian species also vary in Bd susceptibility according to their geographic distribution. How much variation can be explained by phenotypic plasticity or genetic differences remains uncertain. Recent research suggests that Bd genotypes display preferences for specific hosts and that some hosts are undergoing evolution as populations rebound from Bd outbreaks. Taken together, these findings suggest the potential for coevolution to occur and illuminate a path for addressing open questions through integrating historical and contemporary genetic data.

Intra-myocardial dissecting hematoma: late complication of cocaine-induced myocardial infarction

Intra-myocardial dissecting hematoma (IDH) is a rare and unusual form of myocardial rupture that can be secondary to complicate acute myocardail infarction (MI). It is usually caused by a hemorrhagic dissection between the layers of myocardial fibers that can occur during the acute injury or the remodeling process. This case demonstrates a patient with a history of cocaine-induced ischemic cardiomyopathy complicated with an extensive IDH. Case description A 38-year-old man with a past medical history of hypertension, heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), and cocaine abuse disorder, presents to the emergency department complaining of worsening shortness of breath. Six months before the current hospitalization, the patient had been diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction, left heart Cath showed a severe three-vessel coronary artery disease, but it was non-suitable for revascularization. The transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed significant left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 28% and a thrombus in the left ventricle. Four days before the current admission, the patient started complaining of worsening exertional dyspnea, orthopnea, and peripheral edema. His vital signs were BP 90 x 62mmhg, HR 104 bpm, SatO2 90% and afebrile. His physical examination revealed an increased jugular venous pressure, significant symmetric peripheral edema (3+/4), and cold extremities. Cardiac auscultation revealed a regular rhythm, S3, without murmrs. A pulmonary exam revealed bilateral crackles on the inferior 1/3 of the lungs. EKG showed sinus tachycardia and prior inferior necrosis. Renal function was normal, but lactate acid was elevated (2.6mg/dL). The patient was started with noninvasive ventilation, along with IV diuretic therapy, vasopressor, and inotropic support (dobutamine). A TTE was performed which showed an intra-myocardial dissecting hematoma in the inferior left ventricle (LV) wall, along with a large thrombus in the LV chamber and severe biventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction was 23%). Our patient responded well to the medical treatment. Due to his severely reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), the IDH was managed conservatively. He was discharged on standard medication for HFrEF and oral anticoagulation. Discussion this case demonstrates IDH as a late complication following a cocaine-induced MI. Two-dimensional echocardiography is useful in the diagnosis of IDH as well as in ruling out potential differential diagnoses. Conservative treatment is a viable option, especially for those patients not suitable for cardiac revascularization with severely reduced left ventricular ejection.

Avaliação de dor torácica na unidade de emergência ­ é possível associar os escores de risco cardiovascualr (TIMI, HEART E GRACE) e a presença de placa obstrutiva na angiotomografia de coronárias? / Assessment of chest pain in the emergency unit ­ is it possible to associate cardiovascular risk scores (TIMI, HEART AND GRACE) and the presence of obstructive plaque on coronary computed tomography angiography?

INTRODUÇÃO: Estima-se que quatro milhões de pacientes sejam atendidos anualmente em serviços de emergência do Brasil com a queixa de dor torácica, dos quais apenas 10% serão diagnosticados com síndrome coronariana aguda. Nesse contexto, escores de risco cardiovascular, como TIMI, HEART e GRACE, são utilizados como ferramenta para avaliar a possibilidade de doença arterial coronária (DAC). Inicialmente validados para estimar risco de eventos cardíacos intra-hospitalares, a sua associação com a presença de placa obstrutiva é pouco conhecida. OBJETIVO: Correlacionar os achados na Angiotomografia de Coronárias (Angio-TC) e os escores de risco cardiovascular, nos pacientes atendidos com dor torácica no pronto-socorro de hospital terciário. METODOLOGIA: Estudo observacional retrospectivo, baseado na análise de prontuários, no período de janeiro de 2019 a dezembro de 2021. Foram incluídos pacientes atendidos em pronto-atendimento de hospital terciário com a queixa principal de dor torácica aguda com valores de troponina negativos e ECG sem achados isquêmicos, submetidos a Angio-TC. Lesões coronárias ateroscleróticas foram quantificadas quanto à proporção de estenose luminal, sendo consideradas significativas aquelas com estenose ≥ 50% da luz do vaso em ≥ 1 artéria epicárdica relevante. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 350 pacientes com idade média de 52,6±11,9 anos, sendo 50% mulheres (Tabela 1). Desses pacientes, 72 (20,6%) apresentaram lesão aterosclerótica significativa em Angio-TC. Sexo masculino (OR: 1,87; IC 95%: 1,08 ­ 3,26), idade > 52 anos (OR: 2,85; CI 95%: 1,6 ­ 5,07), diagnóstico de Diabetes Mellitus (OR 2,17; IC 95%: 1,12 ­ 4,2) e relato de angina típica (OR 2,17; IC 95%: 1,12 ­ 4,2) estiveram associados de forma independente à presença de placa obstrutiva. Mais de 90% dos pacientes com lesão significativa na Angio-TC, apresentavam escore GRACE e TIMI de baixo risco. O escore HEART < 4 foi calculado em 23,6% dos pacientes com placa obstrutiva (Figura 1). CONCLUSÕES: A avaliação baseada em características clínicas e nos escores de risco cardiovascular de forma isolada não se mostrou suficiente para excluir de forma segura o diagnóstico de doença arterial coronária. Dessa forma, a Angio-TC é ferramenta complementar importante para o diagnóstico de coronariopatia nos pacientes com dor torácica aguda, possibilitando o início precoce de terapêutica adequada para a prevenção de novos eventos cardiovasculares.

Neuroaxonal Dystrophy in a mule: first case reported / Distrofia neuroaxonal em muar: primeiro relato de caso

A 12-month-old mule (sterile hybrid equine species) presented unspecific neurological changes (symmetric ataxia, dysmetria, conscious proprioceptive deficit and weakness). Due to poor prognosis and to the fact that a sibling from the previous generation exhibited similar clinical signs that were not definitively diagnosed, the animal was euthanized. Diagnosis of neuroaxonal dystrophy was confirmed by anatomohistopathological analysis. This is the first clinical case of neuronal dystrophy in a mule reported in the world. The clinical and histopathological characteristics of this disease were very similar to those reported for several equine breeds. Therefore, the disease should also be considered in the diagnosis of neurological conditions in mules and donkeys.(AU)

Relata-se o caso de uma mula de 12 meses que apresentou alterações neurológicas inespecíficas (ataxia simétrica, dismetria, déficit proprioceptivo consciente e fraqueza). Devido ao mau prognóstico e ao fato de um irmão da geração anterior apresentar sinais clínicos similares sem diagnóstico conclusivo, o animal foi eutanasiado. O diagnóstico de distrofia neuroaxonal foi confirmado por análise anátomo-histopatológica. Esse é o primeiro caso clínico de distrofia neuroaxonal em muar relatado no mundo. As características clínicas e histopatológicas dessa doença foram muito semelhantes às relatadas em várias raças de equinos. Portanto, a doença também deve ser considerada no diagnóstico de condições neurológicas em muares e asininos.(AU)

Somatotipo y dermatoglifia dactilar en futbolistas mexicanos / Somatotype and digital dermatoglyphic in mexican football players

La valoración de la forma corporal y de las capacidades físicas es una necesidad para la selección, clasificación y entrenamiento de los jugadores de futbol. El presente estudio examinó en futbolistas profesionales mexicanos (N = 49) la relación entre clases de somatotipo y clases de capacidades físicas de acuerdo a dermatoglifia dactilar. Las frecuencias de clases de somatotipo y clases de capacidad física fueron comparadas entre subgrupos de futbolistas. Una mayor proporción de futbolistas se caracterizó por somatotipo mesomorfo balanceado con dermatoglifia tipo 2 y 3 correspondiente a fuerza, fuerza explosiva y velocidad. Esto es consistente con hallazgos previos en futbolistas chilenos y brasileños, extendiendo por tanto la evidencia disponible acerca de somatotipo y dermatoglifia en futbolistas latinoamericanos

Evaluating body shape and capacities is needed for selection, classification and training of football players. The present study examined in Mexican male football players (N = 49) the relationship between types of somatotype and types of physical capacities according to digital dermatoglyphics. The frequencies of types of somatotype and of physical capacities were compared between football players subgroups. A higher proportion of football players was characterised by a balanced mesomorph somatotype with dermatoglyphic type 2 and 3 corresponding to strength, explosive strength and velocity. This is consistent with previous findings in Chilenean and Brazilian footballers, Therefore extending the available evidence of somatotype and dermatoglyphics in Latin American football players

Estadificación mediante tomografía computarizada del carcinoma de páncreas / Staging pancreatic carcinoma by computed tomography

El carcinoma de páncreas es una neoplasia cada vez más frecuente en nuestro medio, y su elevada tasa de mortalidad apenas ha variado en las dos últimas décadas. Un diagnóstico inicial precoz y una estadificación precisa son primordiales para desarrollar una correcta actitud terapéutica, con el fin de mejorar la supervivencia en aquellos pacientes en los que la resección completa es posible y minimizar la morbimortalidad quirúrgica en pacientes con alto riesgo de enfermedad residual tras la intervención. Existen diversas técnicas de imagen implicadas en la estadificación tumoral: la tomografía computarizada multidetector, la resonancia magnética, la PET-TC, la ecoendoscopia y la laparoscopia diagnóstica. Actualmente, la tomografía computarizada multidetector es la técnica de elección para el estudio de este tipo de neoplasias. Por ello, el propósito de este artículo es revisar el estado actual de la estadificación del adenocarcinoma de páncreas, basándose principalmente en las aplicaciones y limitaciones de esta técnica (AU)

Pancreatic carcinoma is becoming more common in our environment; the mortality rate for this tumor has barely changed over the last 20 years. Early diagnosis and accurate staging are crucial to ensure an appropriate therapeutic approach, which should aim to improve survival in patients in whom complete resection is possible and to minimize surgical morbidity and mortality in those with a high risk of residual disease after the intervention. Various imaging techniques are used for tumor staging: multidetector computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography (PET)-CT, endoscopic ultrasound, and diagnostic laparoscopy. Currently, multidetector CT is the technique of choice for the study of pancreatic tumors; thus, this article aims to review the state of the art in staging adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, focusing mainly on the applications and limitations of this technique (AU)

Cistoscopia virtual, urografía por tomografía computarizada y uretrocistoscopia óptica en el diagnóstico y el seguimiento del cáncer de vejiga / Virtual cystoscopy, computed tomography urography and optical cystoscopy for the detection and follow-up for bladder cancer

Objetivos. Evaluar la utilidad de la cistoscopia virtual (CV) realizada junto con la urografía por tomografía computarizada (URO-TC) en pacientes en estudio por hematuria macroscópica o en seguimiento por antecedente de cáncer de vejiga tratado, y comparar los resultados con los obtenidos con la técnica de referencia (uretrocistoscopia óptica [UCO]). Material y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo de 117 pacientes derivados para realización de CV y URO-TC desde el Departamento de Urología entre mayo de 2014 y mayo de 2015. Dichos pacientes presentaban hematuria macroscópica o habían sido tratados previamente por cáncer de vejiga y estaban bajo seguimiento periódico. Fueron sometidos a CV tras la distensión de la vejiga con aire. Los resultados obtenidos fueron comparados con los de la UCO realizada no más de una semana después. Resultados. La sensibilidad y la especificidad global de la CV fueron del 81,8% y el 92,1%, respectivamente. La tasa de hallazgos críticos (que comprometían la vida del paciente) detectados en la URO-TC realizada junto a la CV fue del 12%, similar a la de otros estudios. Conclusión. La CV es una técnica útil en el diagnóstico y el seguimiento del cáncer de vejiga, con buena correlación con la UCO. Sus principales limitaciones son la imposibilidad de toma de biopsia y la capacidad para detectar lesiones eritematosas de mucosa. El empleo concomitante de la URO-TC aporta hallazgos incidentales críticos, pero el incremento en la dosis de radiación no justifica el empleo combinado de ambas (AU)

Objectives. To evaluate the utility of virtual cystoscopy (VC) performed with CT urography in patients being studied under gross hematuria or patients being followed-up after a previous bladder cancer and compare the results with those obtained with gold standard technique (optical cystoscopy). Methods. Retrospective study of 117 patients who were referred for VC by the Urology Department between May 2014 and May 2015. Those patients presented with gross hematuria or they were previously treated patients from bladder cancer being followed up. These patients were evaluated with MDCT and virtual cystoscopy after distending the bladder with air. The results were compared with those obtained with optical cystoscopy which was performed no more than a week after. Results. The global sensitivity and specificity of VC were 81,8 and 92,1%. Aditional findings detected in CT urography were an aortic dissection, urinary lithiasis and colonic metastasis. Conclusion. VC seems an useful technique in the diagnosis and follow-up for bladder cancer with a good correlation with OC. The main limitations are the impossibility of biopsy during the procedure and the detection of erythematous lesions. Collateral findings can be detected performed with CT urography although the high radiation exposure does not recommend their combined use (AU)

Clones de leveduras patogênicas em água de consumo humano

A garantia da saúde humana está relacionada a diversos fatores, entre eles à qualidade da água, que para estar em condições ideais, tanto para o consumo humano quanto no preparo de alimentos, deve atender os padrões microbiológicos. A genética molecular tem sido utilizada para identificação de clones destes micro-organismos. Neste sentido, destacam-se a técnica de RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) e PFGE (Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis) para detecção de correlações genéticas entre organismos da mesma espécie.