Subsistence swine farming: seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Lawsonia intracellularis infection in the state of Minas Gerais Brazil in 2016.

Although it is considered an economically relevant and prevalent disease, little information is available on the epidemiology and risk factors of porcine proliferative enteropathy (PPE) in commercial pigs, and no publication is available on subsistence pig farming. The objectives of this study were to estimate the seroprevalence of L. intracellularis and identify associated risk factors in backyard pigs in the 12 mesoregions of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Blood from pigs between 2 months and 6 years of age were sampled; an epidemiological questionnaire was applied to 288 properties investigated in 2016. Serum samples were tested for the presence of anti-L. intracellularis antibodies using an immunoperoxidase monolayer assay. The seroprevalence of L. intracellularis was 97.7% (CI 95%: 96.7-98.4), and there was no statistical difference among the prevalence of the sampled mesoregions. Only 3 of the 12 risk factors were significant when samples were analyzed from strongly seropositive animals (≥ 1:120) in a Poisson multivariate regression model. There was an interaction between properties in peri-urban areas and extensive production systems. This interaction demonstrated an increase in prevalence rates by 3.7 times (95%CI: 2.4-5.8). Properties close to dumps demonstrated an increase in prevalence rates by 2.2 times (95%CI: 0.99-4.8). In conclusion, anti-L. intracellularis antibodies were widely dispersed in subsistence pig farming's in Minas Gerais, indicating a wide circulation of the agent in this type of production system. The interactions of animals raised close to peri-urban areas, extensively, and close to landfills are risk factors for spread of PPE.

Clinical and biochemical studies in mucopolysaccharidosis type II carriers.

The aim of the study was to characterize clinically and biochemically mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II) heterozygotes. Fifty-two women at risk to be a carrier, with a mean age of 34.1 years (range 16-57 years), were evaluated through pedigree analysis, medical history, physical examination, measurement of iduronate sulfatase (IDS) activities in plasma and in leukocytes, quantification of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in urine, and analysis of the IDS gene. Eligibility criteria for the study also included being 16 years of age or older and being enrolled in a genetic counselling programme. The pedigree and DNA analyses allowed the identification of 40/52 carriers and 12/52 non-carriers. All women evaluated were clinically healthy, and their levels of urinary GAGs were within normal limits. Median plasma and leukocyte IDS activities found among carriers were significantly lower than the values found for non-carriers; there was, however, an overlap between carriers' and non-carriers' values. Our data suggests that MPS II carriers show lower plasma and leukocyte IDS activities but that this reduction is generally associated neither with changes in levels of urinary GAGs nor with the occurrence of clinical manifestations.

Snake venom derived fibrin adhesive in dog uterine healing. Biomechanical study

Healing is a complex process with many interfering factors. The objective of this work was to evaluate regeneration strenght of non-pregnant adult dog uterus when snake venom derived fibrin adhesive is used to reinforce hysterorrhaphy. Maximum limit and rigidity were analyzed. Twenty uterine horns from 10 dogs were hysterotomized and distributed into 2 groups. Hysterorrhaphy was performed using the Shimieden-Cushing double layer suture. In one group, animals received snake venom derived fibirn adhesive as reinforcement. Although neither variable was significantly different, our results showed higher rigidity values in the adhesive group. This can be attributed to the adhesive's effect on organ elasticity or to more granulation tissue formed in the uterine scar

Snake venom derived fibrin adhesive in dog uterine healing: biomechanical study

Healing is a complex process with many interfering factors. The objective of this work was to evaluate regeneration strength of non-pregnant adult dog uterus when snake venom derived fibrin adhesive is used to reinforce hysterorrhaphy. Maximum limit and rigidity were analyzed. Twenty uterine horns from 10 dogs were hysterotomized and distributed into 2 equal groups. Hysterorrhaphy was performed using the Shimieden-Cushing double layer suture. In one group, animals received snake venom derived fibrin adhesive as reinforcement. Although neither variable was significantly different, our results showed higher rigidity values in the adhesive group. This can be attributed to the adhesives effect on organ elasticity or to more granulation tissue formed in the uterine scar.

Experimental use of fibrin glue derived from snake venom in non-pregnant canine uterus

This study evaluated the use of fibrin glue derived from snake venom in the healing process after canine histerorrhaphy. Three groups of four animals were submitted to uterine hysterotomy followed by wound closure. In Group 1, double-layer suture was used, the first with Schimieden pattern, the second with Cushing pattern; in Group 2, only fibrin glue; and in Group 3, the same as for Group 1 but with fibrin glue as suture reinforcement. Results indicated that fibrin glue produced less inflammation in the exudative phase, and exacerbated deposition of connective tissue and angiogenesis in the proliferative and maturation phases of the healing process, favoring its evolution.

Experimental use of fibrin glue derived from snake venom in non-pregnant canine uterus

This study evaluated the use of fibrin glue derived from snake venom in the healing process after canine hysterorrhaphy. Three groups of four animals were submitted to uterine hysterotomy followed by wound closure. In Group 1, double-layer suture was used, the first with Schimieden pattern, the second with Cushing pattern; in Group 2, only fibrin glue; and in Group 3, the same as for Group 1 but with fibrin glue as suture reinforcement. Results indicated that fibrin glue produced less inflammation in the exudative phase, and exacerbated deposition of connective tissue and angiogenesis in the proliferative and maturation phases of the healing process, favoring its evolution.

Influência da temperatura de manutenção da fase não-parasitária sobre a fase parasitária de Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius, 1787) (Acari: Ixodidae) / Influence of the maintenance temperature, of the non parasitic phase, on the parasitic phase, of Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius, 1787 Acari: Ixodidae)

Com o propósito de avaliar os efeitos de diferentes temperaturas de manutenção da fase não-parasitária sobre a fase parasitária de Amblyomma cajennense, ovos, larvas e ninfas foram mantidos em temperaturas constantes de 18, 27 e 32 graus C, umidade relativa de 80 ± 10 porcento e escotofase. Não houve desenvolvimento embrionário na temperatura de 32 graus C, enquanto que, a 18 graus C, o percentual de eclosão foi de apenas 3 porcento. Após as mudas das larvas e ninfas mantidas nas três temperaturas, os ínstares subseqüentes foram transferidos para coelhos domésticos e eqüinos, respectivamente. O ciclo de vida do carrapato foi influenciado pela temperatura de manutenção dos ínstares, sendo que a temperatura de 18 graus C prolongou o período parasitário das ninfas e fêmeas quando comparada às temperaturas de 27 e 32 graus C (p<0,05). Na temperatura de 32 graus C, o período ninfal foi aumentado significativamente (p<0,05) em relação à de 27 graus C, enquanto as fêmeas apresentaram período parasitário inferior, porém não significativo (p>0,05). O percentual de recuperação das ninfas ingurgitadas não sofreu influência da temperatura de procedência dos exemplares ao nível de 5 porcento de significância. O peso, tanto de ninfas quanto de fêmeas, foi influenciado pela temperatura de procedência destes ínstares anteriores, sendo que a temperatura de 32 graus C foi a que mais afetou (p<0,05) o peso, já que ínstares procedentes desta temperatura apresentaram as menores médias de peso. A temperatura de 27 graus C foi considerada a mais eficiente para a manutenção da fase não-parasitária. A temperatura de 18 graus C mostrou-se adequada para retardar o ciclo biológico de A. cajennense, a partir do estágio larval, porém não permite manter uma colônia permanentemente, já que o percentual de desenvolvimento embrionário é muito reduzido. A temperatura de 32 graus C foi considerada a mais deletéria para o ciclo de A. cajennense.

Influência da temperatura de manutenção da fase não-parasitária sobre a fase parasitária de Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius, 1787) (Acari: lxodidae)

Com o propósito de avaliar os efeitos de diferentes temperaturas de manutenção da fase não-parasitária sobre a faseparasitária de Amblyomma cajennense, ovos, larvas e ninfas foram mantidos em temperaturas constantes de 18, 27 e 32C,umidade relativa de 80 ± 1 O% e escotofase. Não houve desenvolvimento embrionário na temperatura de 32C, enquanto que,a 18C, o percentual de eclosão foi de apenas 3%. Após as mudas das larvas e ninfas mantidas nas três temperaturas, osínstares subseqüentes foram transferidos para coelhos domésticos e eqüinos, respectivamente. O ciclo de vida do carrapatofoi influenciado pela temperatura de manutenção dos ínstares, sendo que a temperatura de 18C prolongou o período parasitáriodas ninfas e fêmeas quando comparada às temperaturas de 27 e 32C (p 0,05). Na temperatura de 32C, o período ninfa!foi aumentado significativamente (p 0,05) em relação à de 27"C, enquanto as fêmeas apresentaram período parasitárioinferior, porém não significativo (p>0,05). O percentual de recuperação das ninfas ingurgitadas não sofreu influência datemperatura de procedência dos exemplares ao nível de 5% de significância. O peso, tanto de ninfas quanto de fêmeas, foiinfluenciado pela temperatura de procedência destes ínstares anteriores, sendo que a temperatura de 32C foi a que maisafetou (p 0,05) o peso, já que ínstares procedentes desta temperatura apresentaram

[Fragile X syndrome confirmed by molecular analysis: a case-control study with pre and post-puberal patients]. / Síndrome do X frágil: estudo caso-controle envolvendo pacientes pré e pós-puberais com diagnóstico confirmado por análise molecular.

The fragile X syndrome (FRAXA) is the most common cause of inherited mental retardation. However, it has been frequently underdiagnosed in pediatric population. The characterization of the most significant pre and post-puberal clinical features observed among patients that are positive for the FMR-1 mutation, is useful as a screening tool for ordering the DNA test. Therefore, a screening program for FRAXA has been conducted in a sample of 104 mentally retarded individuals (92 males and 12 females), comprehending familial history and physical examination in order to determine the clinical characteristics. The molecular test for the disease was performed in all individuals. Seventeen patients (14 males) were positive for the FMR-1 mutation. Familial mental retardation and poor eye contact were the most common clinical findings with statistical significance (p<0.05) in FRAXA pre and post-puberal patients. The post-puberal patients presented, as opposed to the control group, large ears, broad forehead and macroorchidism.

Cystic fibrosis: low frequency of DF508 mutation in 2 population samples from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Blood samples from 44 unrelated cystic fibrosis (CF) patients from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were analyzed for the 8 European CF mutations. Six homozygous and 15 heterozygous carriers of the DF508 mutation were found, corresponding to 47.7% of CF patients (allele frequency 0.3068). The G542X and G551D mutations were also observed with allele frequencies of 0.0227 and 0.0114, respectively. An analysis of the DF508 mutation in 291 randomly chosen, healthy individuals was performed, and only 3 heterozygous carriers were identified. These results show that the frequency of the DF508 allele in Rio de Janeiro is much lower than the world average; this may be due to the extremely heterogeneous ethnic admixture of the study population. By combining the results of these 2 different samples (CF patients and random population) and admixture data from Rio de Janeiro, we can estimate the CF incidence in this population to be 1:3542 individuals. However, taking into account the Rio de Janeiro ethnic admixture, we can find an estimate of 1:6902 individuals.