Caryocar brasiliense peel ethanolic extract has neuroprotective potential and reduces the activation of ERK1/2 in the ischemia and reperfusion brain acute phase in the rat.

Oxidative stress induced by ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury results in cell death by necrosis or apoptosis and triggers the activation of different intracellular pathways, such as mitogen-activated protein activated kinases. Pequi (Caryocar brasiliense) peel, residue of a fruit from Brazilian savannah-like vegetation, has phenolic compounds that have been demonstrated to have antioxidant effects in vitro. The present study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of C. brasiliense peel ethanolic extract (CBPE) against transient global I/R injury in the rat brain. Global ischemia for 5, 20, and 45 min followed by 2 h of reperfusion caused a significant time-dependent increase in the number of ischemic neurons (p ≤ 0.05); increased immunoreactivity of cleaved caspase-3 (CASP3); and activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2. Pretreatment with CBPE (600 mg/kg, oral) or vitamin E (0.6 mg, oral) for 30 days showed significant protection against acute brain injury induced by 20 and 45 min or 5 min of ischemia, respectively, by reducing the cortical ischemic neuron count (p ≤ 0.05) and p-ERK1/2 immunoreactivity. In addition, active c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) immunoreactivity was reduced in animals not subjected to ischemia. Therefore, we suggest an association between vitamin E and CBPE, which may generate a better neuroprotective response. Interestingly, mainly in the hippocampus and oligodendrocytes, high dose CBPE increase the number of isquemic neurons and of CASP3 immunoreactive cells in animals subjected or not to ischemia, which was not verified in the vitamin E group. Therefore, additional studies are recommended to verify the safety of the continuous use of CBPE.

Correlação entre o desempenho no Teste do Progresso e a aprovação na residência médica / Correlation between performance in the Progress Test and approval in medical residency

Resumo: Introdução: O Teste do Progresso (TP) permite uma avaliação acadêmica seriada com diversos benefícios para o aluno e a instituição de ensino. Trata-se de uma ferramenta complementar de avaliação. Tem-se tentado cada vez mais associar os resultados no TP com aqueles obtidos no processo seletivo da residência médica (RM), em razão de ambos medirem competências cognitivas. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo correlacionar o desempenho no TP de egressos do curso de Medicina com o resultado obtido por eles no processo seletivo para admissão na RM. Método: Trata-se de estudo transversal, quantitativo, realizado no período de julho de 2021 a março de 2022 com 143 alunos do curso de Medicina da Universidade de Fortaleza, que realizaram anualmente o TP no período da sua graduação e participaram do Processo de Seleção Unificada para Residência Médica do estado do Ceará. Resultado: Foi encontrada uma correlação significativa positiva (ρ = 0,257**; p < 0,001) entre a média de pontuação de todos os anos do TP e a aprovação na primeira fase da residência, bem como entre as notas do TP do sexto ano com a aprovação na primeira fase da residência (ρ = 0,354**; p < 0,001). Também houve correlação positiva entre as médias do TP e as notas do TP do sexto ano com a aprovação na segunda e última fase da RM (ρ = 0,226**; p < 0,001 e ρ = 0,265**; p < 0,001, respectivamente). Conclusão: Como o TP mostrou ser um excelente preditor de resultados em exames somativos de ampla concorrência, ele pode ser considerado uma ferramenta importante para o sucesso nas seleções de RM. Por conta disso, sugere-se que o TP seja cada vez mais valorizado tanto pelos alunos quanto pelas instituições que o aplicam.

Abstract: Introduction: Considered a complementary assessment tool, the Progress Test (PT) allows for a serial academic evaluation, which benefits both the student and educational institution in several ways. There has been an increasing effort to ascertain a link between the PT and the results of medical residency (MR), as both are measurements of cognitive competences. Objective: To correlate medical students' performance in the PT with MR admissions. Method: Cross-sectional study conducted between November 2018 and March 2021 involving 143 students from the Universidade de Fortaleza medicine course who underwent the PT and unified MR selection process in the state. Result: A significant positive correlation (ρ = 0,257**; p < 0,001) was found between the average score for all years of the PT and passing the first phase of the MR, as well as between the PT scores achieved in the sixth year and passing the first phase of MR (ρ = 0,354**; p < 0,001). There was also a positive correlation found between the average and sixth year PT scores and passing the second and final phase of MR (ρ = 0,226**; p < 0,001 and ρ = 0,265**; p < 0,001). Conclusion: The PT proved to be an excellent predictor of results in summative exams with broad participation and can be considered and important tool for success in medical residency selection, suggesting that it should be increasingly valued, both by students and by the institutions that apply it.

Canine papillomavirus type 16 associated to squamous cell carcinoma in a dog: virological and pathological findings.

Papillomaviruses (PVs) are circular double-stranded DNA virus belonging to Papillomaviridae family. During the infection cycle, PVs translate proteins that can influence cell growth and differentiation, leading to epidermal hyperplasia and papillomas (warts) or malignant neoplasms. Canis familiaris papillomaviruses (CPVs) have been associated with different lesions, such as oral and cutaneous papillomatosis, pigmented plaques, and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Here, we report a clinical case of a mixed bred female dog with pigmented plaques induced by CPV16 (Chipapillomavirus 2) that progressed to in situ and invasive SCCs. Gross and histological findings were characterized, and the lesions were mainly observed in ventral abdominal region and medial face of the limbs. In situ hybridization (ISH) revealed strong nuclear hybridization signals in the neoplastic epithelial cells, as well as in the keratinocytes and koilocytes of the pigmented viral plaques. The full genome of the CPV16 recovered directly from the lesions was characterized, and the phylogenetic relationships were determined. The identification of oncoprotein genes (E5, E6, and E7) by high throughput sequencing (HTS) and their expected domains are suggestive of the malignant transformation by CPV16.

Craniometry in Cerdocyon thous (Carnivora, Canidae) / Craneometría en Cerdocyon thous (Carnivora, Canidae)

The objective of this study was to obtain data on craniometric parameters in the crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) and to define the general skull type of this species, analysing whether the craniometric classification of domestic dogs can be applied. Eleven skulls of C. thous were included in the analysis, irrespective of age and sex. The location of nine craniometric points established for craniometry in domestic dogs was determined and based on the distances between these points, 17 craniometric parameters were measured. Those parameters were used to calculate the following six craniometric indices: 53.17 ± 2.54 mm skull index, 2.33 ± 0.08 mm craniofacial index, 59.17 ± 3.57 mm neurocranial index, 125.58 ± 6.63 mm facial index, 37.52 ± 2.65 mm basal index and the index of the foramen magnum 54.47 ± 3.48 mm. According to the analysed indices, the skull shape in C. thous can be classified as mesaticephalic.

El objetivo de este estudio fue obtener datos sobre los parámetros craneométricos del zorro cangrejero (Cerdocyon thous) y definir el tipo general de cráneo de esta especie, analizando si se puede aplicar la clasificación craneométrica de los perros domésticos. Once cráneos de C. thous fueron incluidos en el análisis, independientemente de la edad y el sexo. Se determinó la ubicación de nueve puntos craneométricos establecidos para la craneometría en perros domésticos y, en función de las distancias entre estos puntos, se midieron 17 parámetros craneométricos. Esos parámetros se usaron para calcular los siguientes índices craneométricos: índice craneal de 53,17 ± 2,54 mm, índice craneofacial de 2,33 ± 0,08 mm, índice neurocraneal de 59,17 ± 3,57 mm, índice facial de 125,58 ± 6,63 mm, índice basal de 37,52 ± 2,65 mm y el índice del foramen magnum 54,47 ± 3,48 mm. Según los índices analizados, la forma del cráneo en C. thous se puede clasificar como mesaticefálica.

Biopolymers recovery: dynamics and characterization of alginate-like exopolymers in an aerobic granular sludge system treating municipal wastewater without sludge inoculum.

Alginate-like exopolymers (ALE) are present in the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of biological sludge such as aerobic granular sludge (AGS). The recovery of ALE from excess sludge produced by wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) is a relevant approach for the recovery of valuable products of industrial interest. However, little is known about dynamics of ALE content in sludge and associated factors. Thus, this study aimed at assessing the dynamics of EPS and ALE in terms of content, some chemical properties and influencing environmental factors along granulation in a sequencing batch reactor treating municipal wastewater. Results indicated that the EPS content was not correlated with the development of AGS, while the ALE content was higher, more stable and steadily increased after granulation achievement. Overall, 236 ± 27 mg VSALE/g VSsludge was recovered from AGS and 187 ± 94 mg VSALE/g VSsludge from flocs. However, the lower ALE content in flocs may be compensated by the higher sludge production rate in activated sludge systems. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that ALE content positively correlates with the nutrient and organic substrate conversion, and with the fraction of large AGS. Microbial analyses indicated that a stable microbial community composition was associated with a higher and more stable ALE content. ALE recovered from both flocs and AGS was endowed with hydrogel property, and no clear difference in their elemental composition and functional groups was observed. Therefore, our study provides insights about quantitative and qualitative aspects of ALE which are helpful for the improvement of waste biological sludge valorization.

Elucidating performance failures in use of granular sludge for nutrient removal from domestic wastewater in a warm coastal climate region.

The effects of domestic wastewater and a coastal warm climate on granular sludge and biological nutrient removal were evaluated using a pilot-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR). The reactor operation employed two different operational strategies (OS) based on up-flow feeding regimes, defined as fast (OS1, flow rate = 18.0 L min-1 and flow velocity = 22.0 m h-1) and slow (OS2, flow rate = 3.5 L min-1 and flow velocity = 4.3 m h-1). Under slow feeding, larger (OS1: 290 µm; OS2: 450 µm) and faster settling granules were obtained (OS1: 109; OS2: 74 mL g-1 TSS). The slow feeding regime was also advantageous for the hydrolysis of particulate organic matter (OS1: 1.3; OS2: 3.1 g CODtot g-1 VSS d-1) and for phosphorus removal (OS1: <33%; OS2: >97.5%). Neither strategy resulted in substantial biomass accumulation in the reactor (OS1: 0.7; OS2: 1.5 g VSS L-1), and high concentrations of nitrite were observed in the effluent (9-27 mg [Formula: see text] L-1). Ordinary heterotrophic organisms dominated the granular sludge developed under both feeding regimes (OS1: 30% of Thauera; OS2: 56% of Comamonas), while polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs) were only detected during OS2 (2.3-3.4% of total bacteria). A successful granular sludge process should be able to cope with high fluctuations in wastewater loads caused by rain events (82-182 mm month-1 in Florianopolis, Brazil). In order to achieve higher water quality, strategies identified for an efficient granular sludge SBR operation included (i) management of an anaerobic phase for PAO selection, and (ii) aeration control for successful nitrification/denitrification.

Granulação natural em reator operado em bateladas sequenciais: características dos grânulos e desempenho no tratamento de esgoto sanitário / Natural granulation in sequencing batch reactor: granules characteristics and performance for domestic wastewater treatment

RESUMO Os reatores operados em bateladas sequenciais (RBS) com biomassa granular aeróbia são uma tecnologia compacta e promissora no tratamento de águas residuárias. Porém, sua utilização com esgoto sanitário ainda é um desafio, devido à instabilidade e desintegração dos agregados. O presente trabalho avaliou a granulação da biomassa em um RBS em escala piloto, sem a adição de inóculo, para o tratamento de esgoto sanitário. O estudo foi dividido em três estratégias operacionais com ciclos compostos pelas fases: enchimento, anóxica, aeróbia, sedimentação, descarte e repouso. Trabalhou-se com variações no tempo dos ciclos, 4 horas (estratégias I e II) e 6 horas (estratégia III), e na fase anóxica, 13, 30 e 90 minutos nas estratégias I, II e III, respectivamente. O desenvolvimento dos grânulos ocorreu de forma natural, sem inoculação, e o reator tratou o esgoto sanitário atendendo às exigências nacionais de padrões de lançamento de efluentes. As características do lodo granular aeróbio e o desempenho do reator no tratamento de esgoto melhoraram com o aumento da fase anóxica. Grânulos (200 a 400 µm) compreenderam mais de 80% da biomassa com boas características de sedimentabilidade (a razão entre os índices volumétricos de lodo após 30 e 10 minutos de sedimentação - IVL30/IVL10 - esteve entre 0,7 e 1,0) na estratégia III. As variáveis de maior relevância no processo foram a razão IVL30/IVL10 e a razão entre a demanda química de oxigênio solúvel do efluente e do anóxico (DQOS efluente/DQOS anóxico), polissacarídeos e temperatura, indicando a importância desses parâmetros para a manutenção da estabilidade operacional de um RBS com grânulos.

ABSTRACT Sequencing batch reactor (SBR) with aerobic granular biomass is a compact and promising technology in wastewater treatment. However, its use for sanitary sewage is still a challenge due to the instability and disintegration of the aggregates. The present work evaluated the biomass granulation in a pilot SBR, without addition of inoculum, for sanitary sewage treatment. The study was divided into three operational strategies with cycles composed by the phases of: filling, anoxic, aerobic, settling, effluent withdrawal and idle. The variations in the operational cycle time were: 4 hours (strategies I and II) and 6 hours (strategy III); and anoxic phase of 13, 30 and 90 minutes in strategies I, II and III, respectively. The granules development occurred in a natural way, without inoculation, and the reactor treated the sanitary wastewater meeting the national requirements of effluent discharge standards. The characteristics of the aerobic granular sludge and the reactor's performance improved with the anoxic phase increase. Granules (200-400 µm) were more than 80% of the biomass with good sedimentation characteristics (SVI30/SVI10 ratio between 0.7-1.0), in strategy III. The greatest relevance variables for the process were SVI30/SVI10 and COD Effluent/CODS Anoxic ratios, polysaccharides and temperature, indicating the importance of these parameters for the maintenance of the operational stability of granular SBR.

Fruits of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest: allying biodiversity conservation and food security.

Supplying food to growing human populations without depleting natural resources is a challenge for modern human societies. Considering this, the present study has addressed the use of native arboreal species as sources of food for rural populations in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The aim was to reveal species composition of edible plants, as well as to evaluate the practices used to manage and conserve them. Ethnobotanical indices show the importance of many native trees as local sources of fruits while highlighting the preponderance of the Myrtaceae family. Conservation analysis allowed to identify Campomanesia hirsuta Gardner and Plinia edulis (Vell.) Sobral as being of high Biological Value and Conservation Priority. In spite of that, the local management practices of native fruits appear to be sustainable and contribute to the maintenance and dissemination of valuable species. These results suggest a number of recommended future conservation actions and show the potential of Myrtaceae species for future agronomical development in Neotropical regions.

Identification of bluetongue virus serotypes 1, 4, and 17 co-infections in sheep flocks during outbreaks in Brazil.

Bluetongue (BT) is a vector-borne viral disease caused by the Bluetongue virus (BTV), an Orbivirus from the Reoviridae family, affecting domestic and wild ruminants. BTV circulation in Brazil was first reported in 1978, and several serological surveys indicate that the virus is widespread, although with varied prevalence. In 2014, BT outbreaks affected sheep flocks in Rio Grande do Sul state, causing significant mortality (18.4%; 91/495) in BTV-infected sheep. In total, seven farms were monitored, and one or two sheep from each farm that died due to clinical signs of BT were necropsied. Apathy, pyrexia, anorexia, tachycardia, respiratory, and digestive disorders were noted. Additionally, an abortion was recorded in one of the monitored farms. The main gross lesions observed were pulmonary edema, anterior-ventral pulmonary consolidation, muscular necrosis in the esophagus and in the ventral serratus muscle, and hemorrhagic lesions in the heart. The blood and tissue samples were tested for BTV RNA detection by RT-qPCR targeting the segment 10. Positive samples were used for viral isolation. The isolated BTVs were typed by conventional RT-PCR targeting the segment 2 of the 26 BTV serotypes, followed by sequencing analysis. BTV-1, BTV-4 and BTV-17 were identified in the analyzed samples. Double or triple BTV co-infections with these serotypes were detected. We report the occurrence of BT outbreaks related to BTV-1, BTV-4 and BTV-17 infections and co-infections causing clinical signs in sheep flocks in Southern Brazil, with significant mortality and lethality rates.

Surto de leptospirose em bezerros criados em resteva de arroz / Leptospirosis outbreak in calves maintained in a rice stubble field

A leptospirose é uma doença infecciosa causada por bactérias do gênero Leptospira, que afeta animais domésticos, selvagens e também humanos. De outubro a novembro de 2014, numa propriedade rural localizada em Glorinha, RS, em que bovinos eram mantidos em resteva de arroz, 13 bezerros manifestaram hemoglobinúria e apatia, nove dos quais morreram em menos de 24 horas após o início dos sinais clínicos. Foram necropsiados quatro bezerros (A, B, C e D). Fragmentos de tecido foram fixados em formalina a 10%. Amostras de rim, fígado e pulmão dos Bezerros B, C e D foram enviadas para análise de PCR para RNA ribossômico 16S e a proteína Lip 32 de Leptospira. No exame macroscópico foram observados mucosas e tecido subcutâneo amarelados, fígado alaranjado, pulmões com múltiplas petéquias, predominantemente nos lóbulos craniais. A cavidade torácica do Bezerro A estava repleta de um líquido vermelho-escuro. À avaliação microscópica foi observada hemorragia acentuada nos pulmões; no fígado havia necrose e vacuolização hepatocelular centrolobular difusa moderada, além de infiltrado linfocítico periportal discreto. Nos rins observou-se nefrite intersticial linfoplasmocítica discreta multifocal. A análise por PCR teve resultado positivo para os Bezerros B e D. O diagnóstico de leptospirose nos bezerros foi baseado nos achados epidemiológicos, clínicos e patológicos, associados ao resultado positivo na PCR. Este estudo demonstra a importância da investigação da doença quando animais jovens são criados em áreas inundadas e têm manifestações clínicas de doença septicêmica aguda.(AU)

Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira, which affect domestic and wild animals, and also humans. From October to November 2014, in a rural property located in Glorinha, RS, where cattle were kept in the rice stubble, thirteen calves presented hemoglobinuria and apathy, nine of which died within less than 24 hours after the onset of clinical signs. Four calves were necropsied (A, B, C and D). Tissue samples were collected in 10% formalin. Samples of kidney, liver and lung from calves B, C and D were sent for PCR analysis for 16S ribosomal RNA and the protein Lip 32 genes of Leptospira. At macroscopic examination jaundiced mucosae and subcutaneous tissue, orange liver, and lungs with multiple petechiae, predominantly in cranial lobes, were observed. The thoracic cavity of calf A was filled with a reddish fluid. At microscopic examination, severe hemorrhage was observed in the lungs; in the liver there was moderate diffuse centrilobular hepatocellular necrosis and vacuolization, in addition to discrete periportal lymphocytic infiltrate. Discrete multifocal lymphoplasmocytic interstitial nephritis was observed in the kidneys. PCR analyzis resulted positive for calves B and D. The diagnosis of leptospirosis in the calves was based on epidemiological, clinical and pathological findings associated with positive PCR analysis. This study demonstrates the importance of investigation of the disease when young bovids are raised in flooded areas and have clinical signs of an acute septicemic disease.(AU)

Feasibility of thermophilic anaerobic processes for treating waste activated sludge under low HRT and intermittent mixing.

Thermophilic anaerobic digestion (AD) arises as an optimized solution for the waste activated sludge (WAS) management. However, there are few feasibility studies using low solids content typically found in the WAS, and that consider uncommon operational conditions such as intermittent mixing and low hydraulic retention time (HRT). In this investigation, a single-stage pilot reactor was used to treat WAS at low HRT (13, 9, 6 and 5 days) and intermittent mixing (withholding mixing 2 h prior feeding). Thermophilic anaerobic digestion (55 °C) was initiated from a mesophilic digester (35 °C) by the one-step startup strategy. Although instabilities on partial alkalinity (1245-3000 mgCaCO3/L), volatile fatty acids (1774-6421 mg/L acetic acid) and biogas production (0.21-0.09 m3/m3reactor.d) were observed, methanogenesis started to recover in 18 days. The thermophilic treatment of WAS at 13 and 9 days HRT efficiently converted VS into biogas (22 and 21%, respectively) and achieved high biogas yield (0.24 and 0.22 m3/kgVSfed, respectively). Intermittent mixing improved the retention of methanogens inside the reactor and reduced the washout effect even at low HRT (<9 days). The negative thermal balance found was influenced by the low solids content in the WAS (2.1% TS) and by the heat losses from the digester walls. The energy balance and economic analyses demonstrated the feasibility of thermophilic AD of WAS in a hypothetical full-scale system, when the heat energy could be recovered from methane in a scenario of higher solids concentration in the substrate (>5% TS).

Neoplasmas bovinos diagnosticados no Setor de Patologia Veterinária da UFRGS, Porto Alegre (2005-2014) / Bovine neoplasms diagnosed in the Sector of Veterinary Pathology of UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil (2005-2014)

Realizou-se um estudo retrospectivo com o objetivo de determinar os tipos de neoplasmas em bovinos e a sua frequência. Foram analisados os casos de necropsias e biopsias de bovinos com diagnóstico de neoplasia, submetidos ao Setor de Patologia Veterinária da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (SPV-UFRGS), entre janeiro de 2005 e dezembro de 2014. De um total de 4.188 exames realizados em bovinos, 154 foram diagnosticados como neoplasmas. Destes, 100 casos foram a causa da morte, 41 foram achados de frigorífico e 13 casos eram biopsias de cirurgias realizadas por veterinários de campo. Os neoplasmas ocorreram com maior frequência em bovinos adultos (96/154), fêmeas (125/154) e a raça mais acometida foi a Holandesa (79/154). Os neoplasmas mais frequentes foram linfoma (73/154), carcinoma de células escamosas (28/154), papiloma (9/154), melanoma (6/154) e feocromocitoma (6/154). Os sistemas mais acometidos foram o hemopoiético (75/154) e tegumentar (25/154). Conclui-se que o linfoma e o carcinoma de células escamosas são os neoplasmas mais frequentes em bovinos diagnosticados no SPV-UFRGS, Brasil.(AU)

A retrospective study has been conducted with the objective of determining the types of bovine neoplasms and their frequency. Necropsy and biopsy cases with diagnosis of neoplasm in cattle submitted to the Setor de Patologia Veterinária of Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (SPV-UFRGS) from January 2005 to December 2014 were analyzed. A total of 4,188 exams were performed in cattle, and 154 were diagnosed as neoplasm. From these 154 occurrences, 100 cases of neoplasm were the cause of death, 41 were collected from cattle in slaughter house and 13 were biopsies sent by field veterinarians. Neoplasms occurred more frequently in adult cattle (96/154), females (125/154) and the most affected breed was Holstein-Friesian (79/154). The most common neoplasms were lymphoma (73/154), squamous cell carcinoma (28/154), papilloma (9/154), melanoma (6/154) and pheochromocytoma (6/154). The most affected systems were hemopoietic (75/154) and integumentary (25/154). We concluded that lymphoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the most common neoplasms in cattle diagnosed in SPV-UFRGS, Brazil.(AU)

Anestesia para craniotomia em paciente acordado

No início do século XX, a craniotomia no paciente acordado foi introduzida como alternativa cirúrgica para o tratamento de epilepsia refratária a abordagem clínica e posteriormente utilizada em pacientes com tumores supratentorias, malformação arteriovenosa, aneurismas micóticos próximos a regiões críticas do cérebro e estimulação cerebral profunda no tratamento da doença de Parkinson e transtornos obsessivos compulsivos. Esta abordagem visa maximizar, de forma precisa, a ressecção da lesão, evitando regiões importantes como as áreas motoras, somatossensoriais e linguísticas.

Genome Sequence of Bluetongue virus Serotype 17 Isolated in Brazil in 2014.

The complete genome sequence of Bluetongue virus (BTV) serotype 17 strain 17/BRA/2014/73, isolated from a sheep in Brazil in 2014, is reported here. All segments clustered with western topotype strains and indicated reassortment events with other BTV from the Americas. The strain 17/BRA/2014/73 represents a novel reference strain for BTV-17 from South America.

Novel Bovine Papillomavirus Type Discovered by Rolling-Circle Amplification Coupled with Next-Generation Sequencing.

Currently, fifteen bovine papillomavirus (BPV) types have been identified and classified into four genera: Deltapapillomavirus, Epsilonpapillomavirus, Dyoxipapillomavirus, and Xipapillomavirus. Here, the complete genome sequence of a new BPV type (BPV 04AC14) recovered from a papillomatous lesion is reported. The genome is 7,282 bp in length and exhibits the classic genetic organization and motifs of the members of Papillomaviridae. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses revealed that BPV 04AC14 clusters with members of the Xipapillomavirus genus. The nucleotide sequence of the L1 capsid protein of the novel BPV is closely related to its counterpart, BPV3, with which it shares 79% similarity. These findings suggest that this virus is a new BPV type of the Xipapillomavirus genus.

Análise comparativa dos efeitos da carga orgânica e do tempo de detenção hidráulica na digestão anaeróbia mesofílica de lodo adensado de estação de tratamento de esgoto / Comparison of organic loading rate and hydraulic retention time effects on the mesophilic anaerobic digestion of thickened waste activated sludge

RESUMO Esta pesquisa comparou o desempenho de um digestor anaeróbio de lodo sob diferentes estratégias operacionais. Foi avaliada a influência do aumento da carga orgânica volumétrica (COV) (OP I) e o efeito da redução do tempo de detenção hidráulica (TDH) (OP II e OP III) no processo anaeróbio. As cargas aplicadas variaram entre 0,5 e 4,5 kgSV.m-3.d-1 e o TDH foi reduzido de 15 a 5 dias. Produção de gás metano, degradação do material orgânico e a diversidade microbiana foram utilizadas para medição e comparação do desempenho do processo. Foram necessários períodos de aclimatação a cada nova COV aplicada o que levou às instabilidades na remoção de SV e DQO do lodo. A operação com TDH entre 7 e 5 dias apresentou as maiores eficiências de remoção de SV, superiores a 70%, o que influenciou positivamente na estabilidade do processo. As COV aplicadas de 2,5 e 3,5 kgSV.m-3.d-1 resultaram nas maiores produções de metano durante a OP I. Para TDH inferiores a sete dias a produção de CH4 foi prejudicada apesar da existência de microorganismos metanogênicos atuantes no digestor. Comparativamente, a estratégia de redução do TDH resultou em um melhor desempenho do sistema que a fixação da COV. Quanto menor o TDH aplicado, melhor os resultados obtidos na operação do digestor, sugerindo que a eficiência do processo é otimizada em sistemas de alta carga com operação em baixos tempos de detenção hidráulica.

ABSTRACT This study compared the performance of a pilot anaerobic sludge digester under different operating strategies. The influence of increasing organic loading rate - OLR (OP I) and the effect of hydraulic retention time - HRT reduction (OP II and OP III) in anaerobic process were evaluated. The applied loads ranged between 0.5 and 4.5 kgSV.m-3.d-1; HRT was reduced from 15 to 5 days. Production of methane, organic matter degradation and microbial diversity were used to measure and compare the system´s performance. Acclimation periods were taken for each new OLR applied, leading to instabilities in sludge VS and COD removals. The experimental time with HRT between 7 and 5 days showed the highest VS efficiency removals (higher than 70%), which positively influenced process stability. The applied OLR of 2.5 and 3.5 kgVS.m-3.d-1 resulted in higher yields of methane during OP I. CH4 production showed impaired with HRT lower than 7 days, although it was observed active methanogenic microorganisms in the digester. Comparatively, HRT reduction resulted in a better system performance than the increasing OLR approach. The lower HRT applied, the better the results obtained in the operation of the digester, suggesting that the process efficiency is optimized with high load operation at low hydraulic retention times.

Neoplasmas oculares e de anexos em cães e gatos no Rio Grande do Sul: 265 casos (2009 -2014) / Ocular and annexes neoplasms in dogs and cats in Rio Grande do Sul: cases 265 (2009-2014)

Neoplasias oculares causam desconforto, problemas de visão e podem refletir doenças sistêmicas. Um estudo retrospectivo foi realizado para identificar e analisar neoplasmas oculares e de anexos obtidos por biópsias enviadas ao Setor de Patologia Veterinária (SPV) da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). Durante o período de janeiro de 2009 a dezembro de 2014 realizou-se 265 diagnósticos de neoplasmas oculares e de anexos, destes 87,5% na espécie canina e em 12,5% na espécie felina. As neoplasias ocorreram mais em animais com idade superior a 12 meses e idosos, e os cães (52/232) e gatos (21/33) sem raça definida foram os mais acometidos. A pálpebra foi o local mais acometido na espécie canina (164/232) e felina (20/33), seguida pela terceira pálpebra em cães (20/232) e órbita nos felinos (5/33). O tumor mais diagnosticado nos cães foi o adenoma meibomiano (82/232) e nos gatos o carcinoma de células escamosas (10/33), ambos em pálpebras. Foram identificados nos cães 24 tipos tumorais e nos gatos 16. Em caninos as neoplasias benignas representaram o maior número de diagnósticos (56%) sendo que em felinos o maior número de casos foi de neoplasias malignas (75,8%)...

Ocular neoplasms cause discomfort, loss of vision or may also reflect systemic diseases. A retrospective study has been performed to identify and analyze ocular and annexes neoplasms obtained by biopsies sent to the Sector of Veterinary Pathology at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (SPV/ UFRGS). 265 diagnoses of ocular and annexes neoplasms, 87.5% in canine species and 12.5% in feline species, were made from January 2009 to December 2014. Neoplasms occurred more in animals over the age of 12 months and animals of old age, dogs (52/232) and cats (21/33) mixed breed were the most affected. The eyelid was most commonly affected in dogs (164/232) and feline (20/33), followed by the third eyelid in dogs (20/232) and eye orbit in cats (5/33). The most common tumor diagnosed was meibomian adenoma in dogs (82/232) and squamous cell carcinoma in cats (10/33) both in the eyelids. Twenty four tumor types have been identified in dogs and 16 in cats. Benign neoplasms in dogs represented the largest number of diagnosis (56%) whereas in cats, there were more cases of malignant neoplasms (75.8%)...

Achados patológicos em caninos com displasia renal no Sul do Brasil / Pathological findings in dogs with renal dysplasia in Southern Brazil

Renal dysplasia results from a disturbance which occurs during nephrogenesis. The disease may be unilateral or bilateral, and leads to abnormal kidney differentiation leading to renal failure in young dogs. Several agents, including viruses, can cause the dysplasia till three months after birth, when the early nephron formation of the developing kidney is completed. Eleven renal dysplasia cases were diagnosed in 186 dogs with renal failure of 5,846 dogs necropsied in the Veterinary Pathology Sector, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, in the period 2002-2013. Tissue samples collected during necropsy were fixed in 10% formaldehyde and stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson’s trichrome protocol. Upon necropsy, kidneys were pale, smaller than normal, irregular and firm, and presented lower cortex diameter. Some exhibited cysts and whitish, parallel radially arranged striae in the medulla. Primary and secondary renal lesions were observed during histological examination. Primary lesions included fetal glomeruli and tubules, quantitative reduction in glomeruli, adenomatous tubules, and persistence of metanephric ducts. As for secondary lesions, Masson trichrome staining revealed intense interstitial fibrosis in all cases; furthermore, dilation of tubules and of Bowman’s capsules, glomerular atrophy, and glomerulosclerosis were observed. Even though most cases were associated with breed, the results obtained indicate high prevalence of renal dysplasia in mixed-breed dogs, possibly because they were the majority of animals referred for necropsy. Although primary lesions were easily identified using HE, Masson’s trichrome protocol is useful to characterize the extent of fibrosis.

A displasia renal resulta de um distúrbio na nefrogênese, com diferenciação anormal dos rins, podendo ser unilateral ou bilateral, e causa insuficiência renal em cães jovens. Qualquer agente agressor, incluindo vírus, pode causar a lesão até três meses após o nascimento, quando encerra o desenvolvimento embrionário do néfron. Foram diagnosticados 11 casos de displasia renal dentre 186 casos de cães com insuficiência renal de um total de 5.846 cães submetidos à necropsia no Setor de Patologia Veterinária da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul no período 2002-2013. Amostras teciduais coletadas na necropsia foram fixadas em 10% de formol e coradas com hematoxilina e eosina (HE) e tricrômico de Masson. Na necropsia, os rins estavam pálidos, diminuídos de tamanho, irregulares e firmes, com diâmetro da cortical diminuído. Alguns ainda eram císticos e apresentavam estriações brancacentas paralelas dispostas radialmente na medular. Ao exame histológico os rins exibiam lesões primárias e secundárias. As lesões primárias identificadas foram glomérulos e túbulos fetais, diminuição quantitativa de glomérulos, túbulos adenomatosos e persistência de ductos metanéfricos. Dentre as lesões secundárias, a coloração de tricrômico de Masson evidenciou intensa fibrose intersticial em todos os casos. Além disso, foram observadas dilatação de túbulos e da cápsula de Bowman, atrofia glomerular e glomeruloesclerose. Ainda que a maioria dos casos tenha sido relacionada com linhagens raciais, esse trabalho demonstra uma alta frequência de diagnóstico de displasia renal em cães sem raça definida, possivelmente devido ao fato de que estes representam a maioria dos cães encaminhados ao laboratório. Apesar das lesões primárias serem facilmente identificadas pela coloração de hematoxilina eosina, a coloração de tricrômico de Masson auxilia na identificação da extensão da fibrose.

Achados patológicos em caninos com displasia renal no Sul do Brasil / Pathological findings in dogs with renal dysplasia in Southern Brazil

Renal dysplasia results from a disturbance which occurs during nephrogenesis. The disease may be unilateral or bilateral, and leads to abnormal kidney differentiation leading to renal failure in young dogs. Several agents, including viruses, can cause the dysplasia till three months after birth, when the early nephron formation of the developing kidney is completed. Eleven renal dysplasia cases were diagnosed in 186 dogs with renal failure of 5,846 dogs necropsied in the Veterinary Pathology Sector, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, in the period 2002-2013. Tissue samples collected during necropsy were fixed in 10% formaldehyde and stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson’s trichrome protocol. Upon necropsy, kidneys were pale, smaller than normal, irregular and firm, and presented lower cortex diameter. Some exhibited cysts and whitish, parallel radially arranged striae in the medulla. Primary and secondary renal lesions were observed during histological examination. Primary lesions included fetal glomeruli and tubules, quantitative reduction in glomeruli, adenomatous tubules, and persistence of metanephric ducts. As for secondary lesions, Masson trichrome staining revealed intense interstitial fibrosis in all cases; furthermore, dilation of tubules and of Bowman’s capsules, glomerular atrophy, and glomerulosclerosis were observed. Even though most cases were associated with breed, the results obtained indicate high prevalence of renal dysplasia in mixed-breed dogs, possibly because they were the majority of animals referred for necropsy. Although primary lesions were easily identified using HE, Masson’s trichrome protocol is useful to characterize the extent of fibrosis.

A displasia renal resulta de um distúrbio na nefrogênese, com diferenciação anormal dos rins, podendo ser unilateral ou bilateral, e causa insuficiência renal em cães jovens. Qualquer agente agressor, incluindo vírus, pode causar a lesão até três meses após o nascimento, quando encerra o desenvolvimento embrionário do néfron. Foram diagnosticados 11 casos de displasia renal dentre 186 casos de cães com insuficiência renal de um total de 5.846 cães submetidos à necropsia no Setor de Patologia Veterinária da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul no período 2002-2013. Amostras teciduais coletadas na necropsia foram fixadas em 10% de formol e coradas com hematoxilina e eosina (HE) e tricrômico de Masson. Na necropsia, os rins estavam pálidos, diminuídos de tamanho, irregulares e firmes, com diâmetro da cortical diminuído. Alguns ainda eram císticos e apresentavam estriações brancacentas paralelas dispostas radialmente na medular. Ao exame histológico os rins exibiam lesões primárias e secundárias. As lesões primárias identificadas foram glomérulos e túbulos fetais, diminuição quantitativa de glomérulos, túbulos adenomatosos e persistência de ductos metanéfricos. Dentre as lesões secundárias, a coloração de tricrômico de Masson evidenciou intensa fibrose intersticial em todos os casos. Além disso, foram observadas dilatação de túbulos e da cápsula de Bowman, atrofia glomerular e glomeruloesclerose. Ainda que a maioria dos casos tenha sido relacionada com linhagens raciais, esse trabalho demonstra uma alta frequência de diagnóstico de displasia renal em cães sem raça definida, possivelmente devido ao fato de que estes representam a maioria dos cães encaminhados ao laboratório. Apesar das lesões primárias serem facilmente identificadas pela coloração de hematoxilina eosina, a coloração de tricrômico de Masson auxilia na identificação da extensão da fibrose.

Prevalence of goiter and thyroid nodular disease in patients with class III obesity.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of goiter and nodular disease in patients with class III obesity, and to correlate results with serum leptin levels and insulin resistance (IR) parameters. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed to assess thyroid ultrasound (US) patterns, HOMA-IR, serum leptin, and TSH levels in obese patients and controls. RESULTS: Thyroid volume was positively correlated with body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.240, p = 0.039) and with HOMA-IR (r = 0.329; p < 0.01). Thyroid US patterns were similar between groups. However, when data from the male group was considered, greater thyroid volume was detected in the obese group compared with controls (10.8 vs. 8.5 cm³; p = 0.04). Also, nodules were more frequently detected (67% vs. 18%), as were nodules requiring FNAB (33.3% vs. 0%, p ≥ 0.05-0.09), in this group. CONCLUSION: Although IR did not correlate directly with the presence of nodules, the results support the hypothesis of a direct association between insulin resistance and thyroid volume.