Influence of breed and parasite challenge on the immune response to naturally acquired intestinal nematode infection in sheep.

Natural infection by intestinal nematodes was assessed in Santa Ines and Ile de France sheep breeds, over a five-month grazing period, with emphasis on the development of the immune response in lambs under two anthelmintic treatment regimens. Nineteen Santa Ines and 19 Ile de France male lambs were allocated into two treatment groups: animals under suppressive treatment with anthelmintics; and animals under targeted selective treatment (TST). The nematodes Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Strongyloides papillosus showed the highest infection intensity in the TST animals in both breeds. Parasite-specific immunoglobulin G levels were significantly higher and more rapidly induced in Santa Ines lambs. Additionally, these lambs had higher levels of parasite-specific immunoglobulin A in intestinal mucus. Animals under TST had higher means of mast cells and globule leukocytes in the intestinal mucosa due to longer and greater parasite challenge in comparison with the suppressive group. A breed effect (P < 0.05) was recorded for mast cells, with Santa Ines lambs presenting the highest counts. Although Santa Ines lambs had lower intestinal nematode counts than Ile de France lambs, they had shown a large variation in T. colubriformis burden, with most of them presenting a marked worm burden, despite showing an earlier and more intense immune response to intestinal nematode infection.

Effect of Quercetin Rich Onion Extracts on Bacterial Quorum Sensing.

Quorum sensing (QS) regulates bacterial gene expression and studies suggest quercetin, a flavonol found in onion, as a QS inhibitor. There are no studies showing the anti-QS activity of plants containing quercetin in its native glycosylated forms. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial and anti-QS potential of organic extracts of onion varieties and its representative phenolic compounds quercetin aglycone and quercetin 3-ß-D-glucoside in the QS model bacteria Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12472, Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, and Serratia marcescens MG1. Three phenolic extracts were obtained: red onion extract in methanol acidified with 2.5% acetic acid (RO-1), white onion extract in methanol (WO-1) and white onion extract in methanol ammonium (WO-2). Quercetin 4-O-glucoside and quercetin 3,4-O-diglucoside were identified as the predominant compounds in both onion varieties using HPLC-DAD and LC-ESI-MS/MS. However, quercetin aglycone, cyanidin 3-O-glucoside and quercetin glycoside were identified only in RO-1. The three extracts showed minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values equal to or above 125 µg/ml of dried extract. Violacein production was significantly reduced by RO-1 and quercetin aglycone, but not by quercetin 3-ß-D-glucoside. Motility in P. aeruginosa PAO1 was inhibited by RO-1, while WO-2 inhibited S. marcescens MG1 motility only in high concentration. Quercetin aglycone and quercetin 3-ß-D-glucoside were effective at inhibiting motility in P. aeruginosa PAO1 and S. marcescens MG1. Surprisingly, biofilm formation was not affected by any extracts or the quercetins tested at sub-MIC concentrations. In silico studies suggested a better interaction and placement of quercetin aglycone in the structures of the CviR protein of C. violaceum ATCC 12472 than the glycosylated compound which corroborates the better inhibitory effect of the former over violacein production. On the other hand, the two quercetins were well placed in the AHLs binding pockets of the LasR protein of P. aeruginosa PAO1. Overall onion extracts and quercetin presented antimicrobial activity, and interference on QS regulated production of violacein and swarming motility.

Trials with the Haemonchus vaccine, Barbervax®, in ewes and lambs in a tropical environment: Nutrient supplementation improves protection in periparturient ewes.

Haemonchus contortus is an economic problem in sheep farms worldwide, mainly in the tropics and subtropics. A vaccine against haemonchosis, called Barbervax®, was evaluated in ewes under two nutritional status, naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes. Ewes were divided into four groups: Supplemented Diet - Vaccine; Supplemented Diet - No vaccine; Basal Diet - Vaccine and Basal Diet - No vaccine. Their lambs were divided in Vaccinated and No vaccine. Ewes were immunised six times starting about 1 month of pregnancy with the first three doses at 3 week intervals and the last three shots at 4 week intervals. Supplemented ewes had higher body weight, body score and packed cell volume compared with those fed a basal diet. Both groups of vaccinated ewes showed a similar response in circulating anti-vaccine antibodies but the vaccine had no discernible effect on either body weight, body score and packed cell volume. There was a marked group difference in the number of ewes that received precautionary treatments with anthelmintic. All 14 Basal Diet - No vaccine ewes required treatment. In contrast only 7 ewes, in the Supplemented Diet - Vaccine group required anthelmintic treatment. In the Basal Diet - Vaccine and in the Supplemented Diet - No Vaccine groups, 12 and 13 ewes needed anthelmintic treatment, respectively. Vaccinated lambs showed much higher antibody titres resulting in 80% less Haemonchus spp. egg counts comparing with no vaccine lambs. Taken together these results clearly suggest that in pregnant and lactating ewes a combined protective effect between vaccination and improved nutrition resulted in fewer precautionary anthelmintic treatments. Thus, it was possible to achieve a more sustainable level of control of the haemonchosis, less dependent on anthelmintic drugs.

Productive response of hair ewes crossed with Damara and Dorper and growth of their lambs / Resposta produtiva de ovelhas de cabelo cruzado com Damara e Dorper e crescimento de seus cordeiros

Profitability of sheep production depends on the reproductive response of ewes and growth of their lambs, which can be improved through the ram genotype. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive response of Blackbelly (Bb), Pelibuey (Pb), Katahdin (Kat) and Dorper (Dor) ewes crossed with Damara (Dam) and Dor rams and the growth of their offspring. To measure percentage of single and multiple lambings (MLP), 234 Bb, Pb, Kat and Dor ewes were used. To measure lamb growth, the offspring of 86 Bb x Pb (BbPb) ewes and 73 Kat x Dor (KatDOR) ewes were used. Four Dor x BbPb, six Dam x BbPb and six Dam x KatDor lambs were slaughtered for carcass assessment. MLP was analyzed with the CATMOD procedure considering the factors age and breed. Lamb growth data were analyzed with the MIXED procedure, and those of carcass characteristics with the GLM procedure of SAS, using weight at slaughter as covariable. MLP was higher (P0.05) by effect of ram breed. It is concluded that Bb ewes are more prolific than Dor ewes; male lambs of Dam rams had post-weaning growth response and carcass yield similar to those of Dor rams, although the female lambs of Dor rams were heavier than those of Dam rams.

Rentabilidade da produção de ovinos depende da resposta reprodutiva de ovelhas e do crescimento de seus cordeiros, o que pode ser melhorado por meio do genótipo masculino. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o desempenho reprodutivo de ovinos Blackbelly (Bb), Pelibuey (Pb), Katadin (Kat) e Dorper (Dor) e o crescimento de cordeiros com carneiros Damara (Dam) e Dor. Para medir a porcentagem de partos simples e múltiplas (MLP), foram utilizados 234 ovelhas Bb, PB, Kat e Dor. Para medir o crescimento dos cordeiros, foram utilizadas 86 ovelhas Bb x Pb (BbPb) e 73 Kat x Dor (KatDOR). Quatro cordeiros Dor x BbPb, seis Dam x BbPb e seis Dam x KatDor foram sacrificados para avaliação de carcaça. MLP foi analisada com o procedimento CATMOD, considerando-se fatores como idade e raça. Dados de crescimento do cordeiro foram analisados com o procedimento MIXED, e as de características de carcaça com o procedimento GLM do SAS, utilizando-se peso ao sacrifício como covariável. MLP foi maior (P<0.05) em Bb do que em Dor. Os cordeiros Dor x BbPb foram mais pesados (P<0.05) no nascimento do que Dam x BbPb. Em partos simples e múltiplos, os cordeiros de ovelhas KatDor foram mais pesados (P<0.05) no momento do nascimento de cordeiros BbPb. As cordeiras de carneiros Dor apresentaram maior (P<0.05) ganho de peso após o desmame do que as de carneiros Dam. O rendimento de carcaça, a espessura da gordura subcutânea e o rendimento de corte primal não foram diferentes por efeito da raça de carneiro. Conclui-se que as ovelhas Bb são mais prolíficas do que as ovelhas Dor; cordeiros de carneiros Damara tiveram resposta de crescimento pós-desmame e rendimento de carcaça semelhantes aos dos carneiros Dor, embora Dorper cordeiras fossem mais pesadas do que as de Damara.

Productive response of hair ewes crossed with Damara and Dorper and growth of their lambs / Resposta produtiva de ovelhas de cabelo cruzado com Damara e Dorper e crescimento de seus cordeiros

Profitability of sheep production depends on the reproductive response of ewes and growth of their lambs, which can be improved through the ram genotype. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive response of Blackbelly (Bb), Pelibuey (Pb), Katahdin (Kat) and Dorper (Dor) ewes crossed with Damara (Dam) and Dor rams and the growth of their offspring. To measure percentage of single and multiple lambings (MLP), 234 Bb, Pb, Kat and Dor ewes were used. To measure lamb growth, the offspring of 86 Bb x Pb (BbPb) ewes and 73 Kat x Dor (KatDOR) ewes were used. Four Dor x BbPb, six Dam x BbPb and six Dam x KatDor lambs were slaughtered for carcass assessment. MLP was analyzed with the CATMOD procedure considering the factors age and breed. Lamb growth data were analyzed with the MIXED procedure, and those of carcass characteristics with the GLM procedure of SAS, using weight at slaughter as covariable. MLP was higher (P<0.05) in Bb than in Dor. The Dor x BbPb lambs were heavier (P<0.05) at birth than Dam x BbPb. Of the lambs from single and multiple births, the KatDor lambs were heavier (P<0.05) at birth than BbPb lambs. The female lambs of Dor rams had higher (P<0.05) weight gain after weaning than those of Dam rams. Carcass dressing, subcutaneous fat, and primal cut yield were not different (P>0.05) by effect of ram breed. It is concluded that Bb ewes are more prolific than Dor ewes; male lambs of Dam rams had post-weaning growth response and carcass yield similar to those of Dor rams, although the female lambs of Dor rams were heavier than those of Dam rams.(AU)

Rentabilidade da produção de ovinos depende da resposta reprodutiva de ovelhas e do crescimento de seus cordeiros, o que pode ser melhorado por meio do genótipo masculino. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o desempenho reprodutivo de ovinos Blackbelly (Bb), Pelibuey (Pb), Katadin (Kat) e Dorper (Dor) e o crescimento de cordeiros com carneiros Damara (Dam) e Dor. Para medir a porcentagem de partos simples e múltiplas (MLP), foram utilizados 234 ovelhas Bb, PB, Kat e Dor. Para medir o crescimento dos cordeiros, foram utilizadas 86 ovelhas Bb x Pb (BbPb) e 73 Kat x Dor (KatDOR). Quatro cordeiros Dor x BbPb, seis Dam x BbPb e seis Dam x KatDor foram sacrificados para avaliação de carcaça. MLP foi analisada com o procedimento CATMOD, considerando-se fatores como idade e raça. Dados de crescimento do cordeiro foram analisados com o procedimento MIXED, e as de características de carcaça com o procedimento GLM do SAS, utilizando-se peso ao sacrifício como covariável. MLP foi maior (P<0.05) em Bb do que em Dor. Os cordeiros Dor x BbPb foram mais pesados (P<0.05) no nascimento do que Dam x BbPb. Em partos simples e múltiplos, os cordeiros de ovelhas KatDor foram mais pesados (P<0.05) no momento do nascimento de cordeiros BbPb. As cordeiras de carneiros Dor apresentaram maior (P<0.05) ganho de peso após o desmame do que as de carneiros Dam. O rendimento de carcaça, a espessura da gordura subcutânea e o rendimento de corte primal não foram diferentes por efeito da raça de carneiro. Conclui-se que as ovelhas Bb são mais prolíficas do que as ovelhas Dor; cordeiros de carneiros Damara tiveram resposta de crescimento pós-desmame e rendimento de carcaça semelhantes aos dos carneiros Dor, embora Dorper cordeiras fossem mais pesadas do que as de Damara.(AU)

Association of SNPs in dopamine and serotonin pathway genes and their interacting genes with temperament traits in Charolais cows.

Cattle temperament is a complex trait, and molecular studies aimed at defining this trait are scarce. We used an interaction networks approach to identify new genes (interacting genes) and to estimate their effects and those of 19 dopamine- and serotonin-related genes on the temperament traits of Charolais cattle. The genes proopiomelanocortin (POMC), neuropeptide Y (NPY), solute carrier family 18, member 2 (SLC18A2) and FBJ murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homologue (FOSFBJ) were identified as new candidates. Their potential to be associated with temperament was estimated according to their reported biological activities, which included interactions with neural activity, receptor function, targeting or synthesis of neurotransmitters and association with behaviour. Pen score (PS) and exit velocity (EV) measures were determined from 412 Charolais cows to calculate their temperament score (TS). Based on the TS, calm (n = 55; TS, 1.09 ± 0.33) and temperamental (n = 58; TS, 2.27 ± 0.639) cows were selected and genotyped using a 248 single-nucleotide variation (SNV) panel. Of the 248 variations in the panel, only 151 were confirmed to be polymorphic (single-nucleotide polymorphisms; SNPs) in the tested population. Single-marker association analyses between genotypes and temperament measures (EV, PS and/or TS) indicated significant associations of six SNPs from four candidate genes. The markers rs109576799 and rs43696138, located in the DRD3 and HTR2A genes, respectively, were significantly associated with both EV and TS traits. Four markers, rs110365063 and rs137756569 from the POMC gene and rs110365063 and rs135155082 located in SLC18A2 and DRD2, respectively, were associated with PS. The variant rs110365063 located in bovine SLC18A2 causes a change in the amino acid sequence from Ala to Thr. Further studies are needed to confirm the association of genetic profile with cattle temperament; however, our study represents important progress in understanding the regulation of cattle temperament by different genes with divergent functions.

Avaliação do modelo de produção e da inclusão de gordura nos parâmetros qualitativos e sensoriais do hambúrguer ovino / Evaluation of the production model and fat inclusion in qualitative and sensorial parameters of the sheep hamburgers

Carnes de 48 cordeiros Ile de France criados nos modelos orgânico e convencional, provenientes da dissecação da paleta foram submetidas à elaboração de hambúrguer, com fonte de gordura adicionada, nas proporções de 20 e 30%. Os modelos de produção (P<0,01) e o teor de gordura (P<0,01) influenciaram o pH dos hambúrgueres, entretanto apenas os modelos de produção afetaram a luminosidade (P<0,05) e o teor de vermelho (P<0,01), mas não influenciaram a capacidade de retenção de água, a perda de peso ao cozimento e o número de ácido 2-tiobarbitúrico (TBARS) dos hambúrgueres, com valores de 62,8%, 24,6% e 1,81mg malonaldeído/kg de amostra, respectivamente. No hambúrguer orgânico, houve menor força de cisalhamento (0,68kgf/cm²) em relação ao convencional (0,97kgf/cm²). Os teores de gordura afetaram a capacidade de retenção de água (P<0,05). Para perda de peso ao cozimento, força de cisalhamento e número de TBARS, os valores foram de 24,65%, 0,82kgf/cm² e 1,81mg malonaldeído/kg de amostra, respectivamente. Os modelos de produção e os teores de gordura não influenciaram a cor, o sabor, a maciez e a aceitação global dos hambúrgueres. Os modelos de produção e os teores de gordura não influenciaram a atividade de água na temperatura de 20,55ºC, no entanto, em temperaturas mais baixas, os hambúrgueres orgânicos tiveram maior atividade de água em relação aos convencionais.

The dissection of the pallete of 48 Ile de France lambs submitted to the organic and conventional production models was used for hamburger elaboration, with 20 and 30% fat. The production models (P<0,01) and the fat tenor (P<0,01) influenced the hamburgers' pH, the production models affected only the lightness (P<0,05) and the redness (P<0,01), and didn't influence, however, water holding capacity, cooking loss and 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances of hamburgers, with 62,8%, 24,6% and 1,81mg of malonaldehyde/1000g meat, respectively. In organic hamburgers, smaller shear force (0,68kgf/cm²) was observed in relation to conventional (0,97kgf/cm²). The fat tenors affected water holding capacity (P<0,05), however, they didn't influence cooking loss, shear force and 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. The production models and fat tenors didn't influence color, flavor, tenderness and global acceptance of the hamburgers. The production models and fat tenors didn't influence water activity of 20,55ºC, however, in lower temperatures, organic hamburgers had higher water activity in relation to conventional hamburgers.

Systemic FasL neutralization increases eosinophilic inflammation in a mouse model of asthma.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophils and lymphocytes are pathogenically important in allergic inflammation and sensitive to Fas-mediated apoptosis. Fas ligand (FasL) activity therefore should play a role in regulating the allergic immune response. We aimed to characterize the role of FasL expression in airway eosinophilia in Aspergillus fumigatus (Af)-induced sensitization and to determine whether FasL neutralization alters the inflammatory response. METHODS: Sensitized Balb/c mice were killed before (day 0) and 1, 7 and 10 days after a single intranasal challenge with Af. Animals received either neutralizing antibody to FasL (clone MFL4) or irrelevant hamster IgG via intraperitoneal injection on days -1 and 5. FasL expression, BAL and tissue inflammatory cell and cytokine profile, and apoptosis were assessed. RESULTS: Postchallenge FasL gene expression in BAL cells and TUNEL positivity in the airways coincided with the height of inflammatory cell influx on day 1, while soluble FasL protein was released on day 7, preceding resolution of the inflammatory changes. Although eosinophil numbers showed a negative correlation with soluble FasL levels in the airways, MBP(+) eosinophils remained TUNEL negative in the submucosal tissue, throughout the 10-day period after Af challenge. Systemic FasL neutralization significantly enhanced BAL and tissue eosinophil counts. This effect was associated with increased activation of T cells and release of IL-5, IL-9, and GM-CSF in the BAL fluid of mice, indicating an involvement of pro-eosinophilic survival pathways. CONCLUSIONS: FasL activity may play an active role in resolving eosinophilic inflammation through regulating T cells and pro-eosinophilic cytokine release during the allergic airway response.

Influence of protein supplementation during late pregnancy and lactation on the resistance of Santa Ines and Ile de France ewes to Haemonchus contortus.

This experiment aimed to evaluate the effect of periparturient metabolizable protein (MP) nutrition on resistance to Haemonchus contortus in single rearing Ile de France and Santa Ines ewes. The restriction-fed iso-energetic diet was calculated to provide either 0.8 (low MP diet) or 1.3 (high MP diet) times MP, from three weeks before parturition until eight weeks into lactation. The ewes were experimentally infected with 1000 H. contortus infective larvae (L3) three times a week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), starting five weeks before the predicted date for parturition until a total of 15,000 L3 had been administered. While both breeds showed elevated fecal egg counts (FEC), these values were significantly lower for Santa Ines ewes than Ile de France ewes, but were independent of level of MP feeding. The latter also did not affect lamb weight gain and ewe body weight variation in each breed. Packed cell volume and total plasma protein for Santa Ines in all periods were significantly higher than those for Ile de France ewes (P<0.01) but were not affected by nutrition. In contrast, levels of serum IgG and IgA antibodies against somatic H. contortus infective larvae and adult antigens were similar between breeds but higher in animals that received high MP diets (P<0.05). The reduced body score of ewes at the beginning of the experiment probably influenced their high susceptibility to incoming larvae. Since, unexpectedly, MP scarcity was not achieved in this experiment, our data support the view that Santa Ines ewes are more resistant to H. contortus than Ile de France ewes.

Video. One-stage laparoscopic bisegmentectomy 7-8 and bisegmentectomy 2-3 for bilateral colorectal liver metastases.

BACKGROUND: Bisegmentectomy 7-8 is feasible even in the absence of a large inferior right hepatic vein. To our knowledge, this operation has never been performed by laparoscopy. This study was designed to present video of pure laparoscopic bisegmentectomy 7-8 and bisegmentectomy 2-3 in one-stage operation for bilateral liver metastasis. METHODS: A 67-year-old man with metachronous bilobar colorectal liver metastasis was referred for surgical treatment after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. CT scan disclosed two liver metastases: one located between segments 7 and 8 and another one in segment 2. At liver examination, another metastasis was found on segment 3. We decided to perform a bisegmentectomy 7-8 along with bisegmentectomy 2-3 in a single procedure. The operation began with mobilization of the right liver with complete dissection of retrohepatic vena cava. Inferior right hepatic vein was absent. Right hepatic vein was dissected and encircled. Upper part of right liver, containing segment 7 and 8, was marked with cautery. Selective hemi-Pringle maneuver was performed and right hepatic vein was divided with stapler. At this point, liver rotation to the left allowed direct view and access to the superior aspect of the right liver. Liver transection was accomplished with harmonic scalpel and endoscopic stapling device. Bisegmentectomy 2-3 was performed using the intrahepatic Glissonian approach. The specimens were extracted through a suprapubic incision. Liver raw surfaces were reviewed for bleeding and bile leaks. RESULTS: Operative time was 240 minutes with no need for transfusion. Recovery was uneventful. Patient was discharged on the fifth postoperative day. Patient is well with no evidence of disease 14 months after liver resection. Tumor markers are within normal range. CONCLUSIONS: Bisegmentectomy 7-8 may increase resectability rate in patients with bilateral lesions. This operation can be performed safely by laparoscopy. Preservation of segments 5 and 6 permitted simultaneous resection of segments 2 and 3 with adequate liver remnant.

Multiple resistance to anthelmintics by Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis in sheep in Brazil.

The objective of this study was to determine the level of resistance of Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis in sheep to levamisole, albendazole, ivermectin, moxidectin, closantel and trichlorfon. The parasites were isolated from sheep naturally infected by gastrointestinal nematodes and were then kept in monospecifically-infected lambs for production of infective larvae (L3) of both species. Forty-two lambs, at three months of age, were simultaneously artificially infected with 4000 L3 of H. contortus and 4000 L3 of T. colubriformis. The animals were allocated into seven groups with six animals each that received one of the following treatments: Group 1--control, no treatment; Group 2--moxidectin (0.2mg/kg body weight (BW)); Group 3--closantel (10mg/kg BW); Group 4--trichlorfon (100mg/kg BW); Group 5--levamisole phosphate (4.7 mg/kg BW); Group 6--albendazole (5.0mg/kg BW); and Group 7--ivermectin (0.2mg/kg BW). Nematode fecal egg counts (FEC) were carried out on the day of treatment and again at 3, 7, 10 and 14 days post-treatment. On the same occasions, composite fecal cultures were prepared for each group for production of L3, which were identified into genus. The animals were sacrificed for worm counts at 14 days after treatment. The efficacy of each treatment was calculated from the arithmetic mean of the FEC or worm burden of the treated group, compared with the values of the control group. Only trichlorfon and moxidectin treatments resulted in a significant reduction of H. contortus recorded at necropsy (73% and 45% respectively). Moxidectin reduced T. colubriformis worm burdens by 82% and albendazole by 19%. All other anthelmintics resulted in no significant reduction in the numbers of worms found at necropsy. In conclusion, the isolates of H. contortus and T. colubriformis showed multiple resistance to all groups of anthelmintics tested. This is the first report, based on the controlled efficacy test, to show resistance of T. colubriformis to macrocyclic lactones in Brazil.

Prevalence of acquired melanocytic naevi in Brazilian schoolchildren.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of acquired melanocytic naevi (AMN) is one of the most important known risk factors for malignant melanoma (MM) in homogeneous white populations. However, there are few studies on AMN in heterogeneous populations. Insight into the causes of AMN in heterogeneous populations in a country with intense ultraviolet radiation should lead to successful strategies in the prevention of MM. AIM: To evaluate the frequency and anatomical distribution of AMN and to observe the influence of environmental and constitutional variables. METHODS: A cross-sectional study on the prevalence of AMN was performed on 1279 Brazilian schoolchildren, aged 2-8 years, according to an international protocol. RESULTS: Both girls and boys had the same number of AMN. The number of AMN was higher on sun-exposed body sites, such as shoulders, thorax/upper abdomen, face/ears and back. A high number of AMN was associated with lighter skin type, greater sun exposure, age, number of sunburns and presence of freckles. CONCLUSIONS: In genetically predisposed people, the body-site distribution of AMN in a heterogeneous population (mixed ethnic backgrounds) is similar to that in a homogeneous population and has the same tendency toward potential proliferation of melanocytes in the presence of ultraviolet radiation. Strategies to reduce the incidence of MM should start at an early age. We believe that these findings will have a direct effect on concepts for preventive strategies. Studies in different populations may serve as a starting point for research into the mechanism underlying increasing rates of AMN.

The haemodynamic, renal excretory and hormonal changes induced by resting in the left lateral position in normal pregnant women during late gestation.

OBJECTIVE: To characterise the haemodynamic, renal-electrolyte and hormonal parameters in normal near-term pregnancy. DESIGN: Observational prospective case-series study. SETTING AND POPULATION: Eleven women with normal pregnancies at 35-39 weeks gestation. METHODS: Following baseline laboratory assessments and placement of a right-atrial catheter, serial measurements were obtained for 2 hours in the supine position (SP) followed by a change to the (LLP) and subsequent observations for 2 hours. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Blood pressure (BP), central venous pressure (CVP), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma aldosterone (ALDO), diuresis, creatinine clearance, sodium and potassium excretion. RESULTS: In the SP, the subjects' BP remained stable while their CVP decreased. In the LLP, the subjects' systolic and diastolic BP consistently decreased by about 15 mmHg and their CVP increased within the first 60 minutes. ANP levels doubled in the subjects while they rested in the LLP, whereas the subjects' PRA and ALDO levels decreased by half compared with when they rested in the SP. In the LLP, the subjects' creatinine clearance significantly increased by 12% and their sodium excretion and diuresis increased by 38% and 59% respectively. CONCLUSION: Rest in the LLP induces systemic and intra-renal haemodynamic and hormonal changes that may play a central physiological role in the renal excretory response to restore excessive sodium/water retention in late pregnancy.

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma with HTLV-I infection: clinical overlap with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma.

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a malignant proliferation of mature helper T lymphocytes,(1) and is caused by human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I);(2) an HTLV-I infection endemic in the Caribbean, south-western Japan, South America and Africa.(3,4) Seroepidemiological studies suggest that it is also endemic in Brazil.(5) Although carriers of HTLV-I show polyclonal integration of virus in T lymphocytes, only patients with ATLL of various subtypes show monoclonal integration of HTLV-I in tumor cells.(6,7) Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) are a group of primary cutaneous lymphoproliferative diseases(8) with unknown etiology.(9) The two most common presentations of CTCL are mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS).(10-13) However, both CTCL categories can easily resemble ATLL. Therefore, in HTLV-I endemic areas, differentiation between ATLL and CTCL must be performed, as they have different prognoses and treatment approaches.(14).

The impact of lupus erythematosus cutaneous on the Quality of life: the Brazilian-Portuguese version of DLQI.

OBJECTIVE: To translate into Brazilian-Portuguese, culturally adapt and validate the DLQI. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The DLQI was translated into Brazilian-Portuguese and cultural adaptation was performed following the methodology proposed by Falcão. Inter-observer reliability and validity were assessed. Seventy-one patients with lupus erythematosus with cutaneous lesions selected from the outpatient dermatology clinic had their quality of life assessed by DLQI and SF-36. The validity of the Brazilian-Portuguese version of the DLQI was evaluated by the correlation of DLQI scores with SF-36 component scores and other outcome measures. RESULTS: In the translation and cultural adaptation process the basic structure of DLQI was kept. Very few questions have very slightly modifications. Of the 71 patients, 83% were women and the median (SD) age was 38 (12) years. The patients had a mean (SD) disease duration of 8(6) years. There were 46 patients with active cutaneous lesions and 37 patients with alopecia. The DLQI inter-observer reliability coefficient was 0.96 (p<0.001). The DLQI mean (SD) score was 6.5 (5.6) and most of the SF-36 domains were between 60 and 70. The domains that had the lowest scores were 'general health' (62) and 'mental health' (62). The Pearson correlation coefficient between DLQI and each SF-36 component score were highly statistically significant (p<0.001), despite of being only moderate. As expected there was no correlation between DLQI or each one of the SF-36 components and age, disease duration or number of ACR criteria. Patients with active cutaneous lesions presented statistically significant lower scores of DLQI and SF-36 when compared to patients without active cutaneous lesions. Patients with alopecia presented a statistically significant lower score in DLQI when compared to patients without alopecia. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the Brazilian-Portuguese version of the DLQI is a reliable and valid outcome measure to be used in LE clinical studies.

Dermoscopic examination of the nail bed and matrix.

Abstract Background Dermoscopy has furthered advances in the differential diagnosis of longitudinal melanonychia; however, fewer details observed in the nail, as compared to skin lesions, make interpretation difficult. Methods Ten cases of longitudinal melancholia, from several etiologies, were submitted to direct dermoscopic examination of the nail bed and matrix. Results We observed the presence of globules, streaks, and pigment network in the nail bed and matrix, which are dermoscopic features not seen in the nail plate. Conclusions This procedure enables visualization of dermascopic features not seen in the nail plate, making the diagnosis of melanocytic lesions easier.

Is intra-operative gamma probe detection really necessary for inguinal sentinel lymph node biopsy?

CONTEXT: Sentinel node (SN) biopsy has changed the surgical treatment of malignant melanoma. The literature has emphasized the importance of gamma probe detection (GPD) of the SN. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of patent blue dye (PBD) and GPD for SN biopsy in different lymphatic basins. DESIGN: Patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma in stages I and II were submitted to biopsy of the SN, identified by PBD and GPD, as part of a research project. SETTING: Patients were seen at Hospital São Paulo by a multidisciplinary group (Plastic Surgery Tumor Branch, Nuclear Medicine and Pathology). PATIENTS: 64 patients with localized malignant melanoma were studied. The median age was 46.5 years. The primary tumor was located in the neck, trunk or extremities. INTERVENTIONS: Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy, lymphatic mapping with PBD and intraoperative GPD was performed on all patients. The SN was examined by conventional and immunohistochemical staining. If the SN was not found or contained micrometastases, only complete lymphadenectomy was performed. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: The SN was identified by PBD if it was blue-stained, and by GPD if demonstrated activity five times greater than the adipose tissue of the neighborhood. RESULTS: Seventy lymphatic basins were explored. Lymphoscintigraphy showed ambiguous drainage in 7 patients. GPD identified the SN in 68 basins (97%) and PBD in 53 (76%). PBD and GPD identified SN in 100% of the inguinal basins. For the remaining basins both techniques were complementary. A metastatic SN was found in 10 basins. Three patients with negative SN had recurrence (median follow-up = 11 months). CONCLUSION: Although both GPD and PBD are useful and complementary, PBD alone identified the SN in 100% of the inguinal lymphatic basins.