Musladin-Lueke Syndrome in a Dog: Case Report.

The aim of this study is to report the case of a 4-month-old Beagle dog diagnosed with Musladin-Lueke syndrome. The dog appeared to walk on the digits ("tiptoes") with all limbs during ambulation and rigid extension of the carpus, elbow, tarsus, and knee joints during ambulation. Thickening of the fur and auricular cartilage, reduction in radiocarpal, and tibiotarsal joint amplitude, macrocephaly, and lateralized eyes were noticed on physical examination. Echocardiography showed reduced mobility and altered (tortuous) valve morphology. Bilateral abdominal cryptorchidism was confirmed by ultrasonography. Musladin-Lueke syndrome was the presumptive diagnosis, based on the clinical signs presented. The diagnosis was confirmed after DNA testing performed by serial collection of saliva. This is the first paper that describes unprecedented cardiac and reproductive changes of Musladin-Lueke syndrome in which the dog was followed for 2 years, presenting a good quality of life.

Children's behavioral problems, screen time, and sleep problems' association with negative and positive parenting strategies during the COVID-19 outbreak in Brazil.

Families' health, safety, and economic stability were jeopardized during the pandemic. Parental stress is a risk factor for hostile and less supportive parenting. Parenting styles are a set of attitudes, feelings and behaviors related to parenting that modulate the child's psychosocial functioning and might impact on the adaptability to a stressful time. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the group differences among children raised by negative and positive parenting families during COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We have done an online survey with 329 parents. Parents answer about parenting strategies and styles, children's behavior, Covid related questions, socio-economic information, sleep and gaming disorders. RESULTS: Parents' frequent use of negative strategies were a risk factor to have a negative outcome related to mental health, games, sleep, and children behavior. DISCUSSION: Parenting strategies are some targets pointed in this study for intervention. Parents' styles and strategies training to better manage children might be even more important to avoid negative consequences for children in stressful times.

A non-toxigenic Aspergillus flavus strain prevents the spreading of Fusarium verticillioides and fumonisins in maize.

We evaluated Fusarium verticillioides and fumonisin contamination in maize samples after application of a non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus strain in the field. The sampling was performed 150 days after planting. The results showed a reduction in F. verticillioides frequency, as well as in fumonisin levels when samples were obtained from field areas treated with non-aflatoxigenic A. flavus strain. These results suggested a competition for substrate or space between fungi reducing the frequency of F. verticillioides and, consequently, fumonisin production.

Mycobiota and mycotoxins in Brazil nut samples from different states of the Brazilian Amazon region.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of fungi and mycotoxins (aflatoxins and cyclopiazonic acid) in Brazil nut samples collected in different states of the Brazilian Amazon region: Acre, Amazonas, Amapá, and Pará. A total of 200 husk samples and 200 almond samples were inoculated onto Aspergillus flavus-parasiticus agar for the detection of fungi. Mycotoxins were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The mycobiota comprised the following fungi, in decreasing order of frequency: almonds - Phialemonium spp. (54%), Penicillium spp. (16%), Fusarium spp. (13%), Phaeoacremonium spp. (11%), and Aspergillus spp. (4%), husks - Phialemonium spp. (62%), Phaeoacremonium spp. (11%), Penicillium spp. (10%), Fusarium spp. (9%), and Aspergillus spp. A polyphasic approach was used for identification of Aspergillus species. Aflatoxins were detected in 22 (11%) of the 200 almond samples, with 21 samples presenting aflatoxin B(1) levels above 8µg/kg, the limit established by the European Commission for Brazil nuts for further processing. Nineteen (9.5%) of the 200 husk samples contained aflatoxins, but at levels lower than those seen in almonds. Cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) was detected in 44 (22%) almond samples, with levels ranging from 98.65 to 161.2µg/kg. Aspergillus nomius and A. flavus were the most frequent Aspergillus species. The presence of fungi does not necessarily imply mycotoxin contamination, but almonds of the Brazil nut seem to be a good substrate for fungal growth.

Intracranial abscesses in infancy and childhood: report of 40 cases.

Forty cases of brain abscesses in patients under 15 years of age observed between 1960 and 1982 are reported in this study. There has been a progressive decrease in the number of admissions due to that disease. The typical clinical picture was subacute and characterized by intracranial hypertension, fever, alterations in the level of consciousness, seizures and signs of localization in a decreasing order of frequency. Otites and sinusites predominated as primary foci and the most common localizations were frontal and parietal. Electroencephalogram and examination of the cerebrospinal fluid were useful. Currently, computerized tomography is indicated as the test of choice. Thirty-four patients underwent surgeries and the mortality rate was 35.2%.

Intracranial abscesses in infancy and childhood. Report of 40 cases.

Sao relatados 40 casos de abscessos intracranianos em pacientes abaixo de 15 anos de idade, observados de 1960 a 1982.Houve decrescimo progressivo no numero de internacoes por esta patologia. O quadro clinico tipico foi subagudo e caracterizou-se por hipertensao intracraniana, febre, alteracoes do nivel de consciencia, convulsoes e sinais de localizacao, em ordem decrescente de frequencia. Otites e sinusites predominavam como focos primarios e as localizacoes mais comuns foram frontais e parietais. Eletrencefalograma e liquido cefalorraquidiano revelaram-se uteis. Atualmente, a tomografia computadorizada e indicada como exame de primeira escolha. Trinta e quatro pacientes foram submetidos a cirurgia, tendo sido a mortalidade de 35,2%