Lung consolidation caused by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae has a negative effect on productive performance and economic revenue in finishing pigs.

This study aimed to measure the impact of productivity and the consequent economic losses related to lung lesions caused by M. hyopneumoniae. Five-hundred 75 days-old pigs were selected and weighed at the beginning and at the end of the finishing phase to assess the average daily gain (ADG). These animals were evaluated at the slaughter, and samples were collected for laboratory analysis to confirm the presence of M. hyopneumoniae DNA. The lungs of each pig were examined and classified into groups based on the extension of macroscopic lung lesions. Four-hundred eighty-six lungs were examined and 68.5% (n = 333) had macroscopic lung lesions. All pigs with lesions were positive for M. hyopneumoniae in qPCR. Linear mixed regression models (proc Glimmix) were performed on SAS to estimate the effect of macroscopic lung lesion scores on the ADG of finishing pigs. All pairwise comparisons among lesion score groups were performed using p < 0.05. For each increase of one percent in the lesion area, there was a decrease of 1.8 g in the daily weight gain. All the groups had a numerically lower ADG when compared to Group 1 (no lesions). The economic analysis was performed by simulation on Excel to estimate and compare the financial performance of the different lung lesion score groups. The negative correlation found between the group with no lung lesions and the group with more than 15.1% of lesions, showed a statistical difference in ADG, which could mean an opportunity to gain up to $ 6.55 per pig at slaughter. The presence of lesions causes the animals to decrease their productive potential, causing financial loss and generating impacts on the production system.

Motor neuron disease associated with non-fluent rapidly progressive aphasia: case report and review of the literature.

The superimposed clinical features of motor neuron disease (MND) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) comprise a rare neurological overlap syndrome that represents a diagnostic challenge to neurologists. Currently, FTLD-MND is considered a distinct entity and its clinicopathological basis has recently been reviewed. Our aim is to present a patient with MND and non-fluent rapidly progressive aphasia with clinical, imaging and histopathological correlation, as well as a brief review of the literature. We demonstrated the selective corticospinal tract (CST) and temporal lobe involvement using T1 spin-echo with an additional magnetization transfer contrast pulse on resonance (T1 SE/MTC) and FLAIR MR sequences in our patient, with further clinical and histopathological correlation. To the best of our knowledge, there is no description about the use of these particular MR sequences in the evaluation of FTLD-MND patients.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Brazil: 1998 national survey.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the epidemiologic characteristics of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in Brazil in 1998. METHOD: Structured Clinical Report Forms (CRFs) sent to 2,505 Brazilian neurologists from January to September 1998 to be filled with demographic and clinical data regarding any ALS patient seen at any time during that year. RESULTS: Five hundred and forty CRFs were returned by 168 neurologists. Data on 443 patients meeting the criteria of probable or definite ALS according to El Escorial definition were analysed: 63 probable (14.2%) and 380 definite (85. 8%). Two hundred and fifty-nine (58.5%) of the patients were male, mean age of onset was 52. Spinal onset occurred in 306 patients (69%); bulbar onset in 82 (18.5%), and both in 52 (11.7%). Twenty-six (5.9%) had a family history of ALS. Two hundred and fifty-nine (58.6%) were seen by private practitioners, and 178 (40. 2%) at a hospital clinic. Age-ajusted incidence shows a peak incidence at the 65-74 years old range. CONCLUSIONS: The disease's characteristics are similar to those described in international studies, except for age of onset (Brazilian patients are younger). This difference is not confirmed when figures are age-adjusted.

Townes-Brocks syndrome. Report of a case and review of the literature.

The authors report a new case of Townes-Brocks syndrome with cardiac defect, ossicular anomalies and dominant transmission. The intrafamilial variability of the phenotype and the difficulty of diagnosis in isolated cases are underlined.

Type IIa hyperlipoproteinemia and HLA-A and B antigens: no association.

One hundred unrelated patients with type IIa hyperlipoproteinemia have been investigated for their HLA-A and B antigens and compared to 171 normal controls. This study does not support the significant increase of HLA-B17 and Bw35 previously reported by others.