Can the exposure system adopted influence the results of the atrazine toxicity in hepatic tissue of fish?

The widespread use of atrazine, a herbicide used to control weeds, has contributed to the increased contamination of aquatic environments. To assess the toxicological effects of a xenobiotic on a nontarget organism in the laboratory, different models of toxicological exposure systems have been widely used. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the action of sublethal concentrations of atrazine on the hepatic histology of Oreochromis niloticus, considering two models of exposure: static (where atrazine was only added once) and semi-static (where atrazine was periodically renewed). Fish were exposed to a concentration of 2 ppm atrazine for 15 days, which was verified by high-performance liquid chromatography. The livers were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and histopathological data were collected. In addition, they were submitted to immunohistochemistry for inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). A maximum variation of 45% (static) and 12.5% (semi-static) was observed between the observed and nominal atrazine concentration. Nuclear and cytoplasmic changes were observed in both experimental models. Hepatocytes from the livers of the static system showed a degenerative appearance, while in the semi-static system, intense cytoplasmic vacuolization and necrosis were observed. iNOS positive cells were identified only in macrophages in the hepatocytes of fish in the semi-static system. These results directly showed how the choice of exposure system can influence the results of toxicological tests. However, future analysis investigating the by-products and nitrogen products should be carried out since the histopathological findings revealed the possibility of these compounds serving as secondary contamination routes.

Antioxidant and Polyphenol-Rich Ethanolic Extract of Rubia tinctorum L. Prevents Urolithiasis in an Ethylene Glycol Experimental Model in Rats.

Treatment of kidney stones is based on symptomatic medications which are associated with side effects such as gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting) and hepatotoxicity. The search for effective plant extracts without the above side effects has demonstrated the involvement of antioxidants in the treatment of kidney stones. A local survey in Morocco has previously revealed the frequent use of Rubia tinctorum L. (RT) for the treatment of kidney stones. In this study, we first explored whether RT ethanolic (E-RT) and ethyl acetate (EA-RT) extracts of Rubia tinctorum L. could prevent the occurrence of urolithiasis in an experimental 0.75% ethylene glycol (EG) and 2% ammonium chloride (AC)-induced rat model. Secondly, we determined the potential antioxidant potency as well as the polyphenol composition of these extracts. An EG/AC regimen for 10 days induced the formation of bipyramid-shaped calcium oxalate crystals in the urine. Concomitantly, serum and urinary creatinine, urea, uric acid, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, potassium, and chloride were altered. The co-administration of both RT extracts prevented alterations in all these parameters. In the EG/AC-induced rat model, the antioxidants- and polyphenols-rich E-RT and EA-RT extracts significantly reduced the presence of calcium oxalate in the urine, and prevented serum and urinary biochemical alterations together with kidney tissue damage associated with urolithiasis. Moreover, we demonstrated that the beneficial preventive effects of E-RT co-administration were more pronounced than those obtained with EA-RT. The superiority of E-RT was associated with its more potent antioxidant effect, due to its high content in polyphenols.

Large intra-abdominal mucinous cystic adenoma: is it of ovarian or mesenteric origin.

A 54-year-old female presented with a six year history of increasing abdominal swelling and discomfort and two months of intermittent constipation and difficulty with micturition. She was referred from the gynecological service having been investigated for a pelvic pathology without any positive findings. Her medical history was otherwise unremarkable. Physical examination revealed a non-tender intra-abdominal mass extending from epigastrium to the pelvis with a smooth surface. A large intra-abdominal multi-loculated cyst, separate from the ovaries, was seen on imaging. At laparotomy, the cystic tumour was discovered to arise from the mesentery of the terminal ileum and was resected en bloc. Histopathology revealed the tumour to be a benign mucinous cystadenoma, possibly of ovarian origin. This report aims to raise awareness of the difficulty of distinguishing ovarian from extra-ovarian mucinous cystadenomas on histopathological examination alone.

Characterization of Resistance to Major Tropical Root-Knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) in Solanum sisymbriifolium.

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are important contributors to yield reduction in tomato. Though resistant cultivars to common species (Meloidogyne arenaria, M. incognita, and M. javanica) are available, they are not effective against other major species of root-knot nematodes. Cultivars or lines of Solanum sisymbriifolium were examined to assess the presence and level of resistance to five major species: M. arenaria race 1, M. incognita race 3, M. haplanaria, M. javanica, and M. enterolobii. Differences in S. sisymbriifolium response to the nematode infection were apparent when susceptibility or resistance was classified by the egg counts per gram fresh weight of root and the multiplication rate of the nematodes. The cultivar Diamond was highly susceptible, Quattro and White Star were susceptible, while Sis Syn II was resistant to M. arenaria. Quattro, White Star, and Sis Syn II exhibited a moderate to high level of resistance to M. incognita but the nematode increased 2.5-fold from the initial population of the M. incognita on Diamond. All S. sisymbriifolium cultivars were highly resistant to both M. haplanaria and M. enterolobii, while highly susceptible to M. javanica. A microplot study under field conditions using Sis Syn II confirmed that M. arenaria, M. incognita, and M. haplanaria were not pathogenic on the plant. Likewise, an examination on cross-sections of galled root tissues confirmed the susceptibility and resistance of S. sisymbriifolium lines to Meloidogyne spp. Using S. sisymbriifolium as a resistant rootstock or a new source of resistance may result in the development of nonchemical and sustainable management strategies to protect the tomato crop.

Performance, serologic and tracheal responses of laying hens exposed to F strain of Mycoplasma gallisepticum / Desempenho, sorologia e respostas traqueias de galinhas poedeiras expostas a cepa F de Mycoplasma gallisepticum

The F strain of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG-F) protects chickens against mycoplasma infections, in which monitoring is made by serology and histopathology of trachea. This trial used 90 chickens, being 30 unvaccinated (G1 group), 30 eye-drop vaccinated at 8 weeks of age with MG-F (Ceva Animal Health, São Paulo, SP, Brazil) (G2), and 30 immunized at 8 and 11 weeks of age (G3). Samples were obtained from chickens on the 8, 12, 15, 18, 20 and 24th weeks of age for the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. Tracheal fragments were collected after necropsies on the 15 and 24th weeks of age. Up to 12 weeks, the ELISA reactions in optical density (OD) were 0.165 (G1), 0.151 (G2) and 0.151(G3), all below 0.20 and with no significant difference among groups (p > 0.05). After the 15th week, the ELISA reactions rose, yielding the following group averages by collecting dates: G1 (0.18, 0.19, 0.18, and 0.16), G2 (0.36, 0.49, 0.47, and 0.44) and G3 (0.41, 0.52, 0.59, 0.60), being the means in G2 and G3 not significantly different between than, but significantly different from G1. The initial weight (592.71, 621.33, and 594.40), the final weight (1,932.58, 1,987.59, and 1,875.20) and the weekly weight gain (11.65, 11.90, and 11.14) were not significantly different among groups. At necropsy the gross tracheal score means by group and dates were: 15th week (0.25, 0.61, and 0.54) and 24th week (0.54, 0.58, and 0.67), being these difference not significantly (p > 0.05). On microscopy, the tracheal score averages by groups G1, G2 and G3, respectively, were: 15th week (0.25, 0.32, and 0.47) and 24th week (0.07, 0.75, and 0.08). G2 yielded higher score average than G1 and G3 on the 24th week. Higher tracheal changes for G2 and G3 as compared to G1 could be ascribed to MG-F infection. There were no evident prejudicial effects on live weight, weight gain and tissue changes by applying one or two vaccination doses.(AU)

A cepa F de Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG-F) protege as galinhas de micoplasmose, e sua monitorização é feita por sorologia e histopatologia de traqueia. Este estudo utilizou 90 frangos, sendo 30 não vacinados (grupo G1); 30 vacinados via gota ocular a 8 semanas de idade com MG-F (Ceva Saúde Animal, São Paulo, SP, Brasil) (G2); e 30 imunizados em 8 e 11 semanas de idade (G3). As amostras foram obtidas nas 8ª, 12ª, 15ª, 18ª, 20ª e 24ª semanas para ensaio de imunoabsorção enzimática (ELISA). Fragmentos traqueais foram coletados após necropsias nas 15ª e 24ª semanas. Até a 12ª semana, as reações de ELISA em densidade óptica (DO) foram 0,165 (G1), 0,151 (G2) e 0,151 (G3), todas abaixo de 0,20, e não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos (p > 0,05). Após a 15ª semana , a reação de ELISA subiu, produzindo as seguintes médias dos grupos por datas de coleta: G1 (0,18, 0,19, 0,18 e 0,16), G2 (0,36, 0,49, 0,47 e 0,44) e G3 (0,41, 0,52, 0,59, 0,60), sendo as médias de G2 e G3 não significativamente diferentes entre si, mas significativamente diferentes da de G1. O peso inicial (592,71, 621,33, 594,40), o peso final (1.932,58, 1.987,59, 1.875,20) e o ganho de peso semanal (11,65, 11,90, 11,14) não foram significativamente diferentes entre os grupos. Na necropsia, as médias do escore da macroscopia de traqueia por grupo e data foram: 15ª semana (0,25, 0,61 e 0,54) e 24ª semana (0,54, 0,58 e 0,67), e não se apresentou diferença significativa (p > 0,05). Na microscopia, a média de escores de traqueia por grupos G1, G2 e G3, respectivamente, foram: 15ª semana (0,25, 0,32 e 0,47) e 24ª semana (0,07, 0,75 e 0,08). G2 apresentou maior média de escore do que G1 e G3 na 24ª semana. Alterações traqueais mais elevadas para G2 e G3 em relação a G1 poderiam ser atribuídas à vacinação por MG-F. Não houve efeitos prejudiciais evidentes no peso vivo nem no ganho de peso, tampouco alterações teciduais na aplicação de uma ou duas doses de vacinação.(AU)

Transmission, serologic and tissue responses in chickens vaccinated with Mycoplasma gallisepticum F strain (MG-F) / Transmissão, resposta sorológica e tecidual de poedeiras vacinadas com Mycoplasma gallisepticum cepa F

MG-F protects chickens from MG Mycoplasmosis and monitoring is done by serology (SAR and ELISA) and PCR. Histopathology is used to evaluate bird response to MG. This study evaluated MG-F profile vaccination in SPF chicken. This trial used 100 chickens, being 40 unvaccinated (G1), 40 eye-drop vaccinated at 8 weeks of age with MG-F ( Ceva Animal Health , São Paulo , SP , Brazil ) (G2) and 20 immunized by contact (G3) . Samples were obtained on the 8th, 12th, 15th, 18th, 20th and 24th week for SAR, ELISA and PCR. Fragments of trachea and air sac, for microscopy, were got after necropsies on the 15th and 24th week. Up to 12 weeks there was no significant difference among groups by SAR. SAR reactions appeared from the 15th week with these averages: G1 (1.7, 1.76 , 0.1, 0.15) , G2 (7.81, 7.65, 8.25, 6.29) and G3 (8.1, 8.5, 9.5, 6.16), while by ELISA it occurred after the 18th week with optical densities averages: G1 (0.19, 0.14, 0.16) , G2 (0.47, 0.45, 0.41) and G3 (0.55, 0.51, 0.51) . Positivity in G3 by PCR occurred seven weeks after exposure. At the 15th week the air sac score means were 0.20, 0.55, and 0.32 and 24th week were 0.15, 0.80 and 0.66 (p>0.05). For trachea, G2 (0.48) yielded higher score average than G1 (0.10) and G3 (0.00) on the 15th week. Changes in G3 were seen only at 24th week, being this average (1.00) significantly different (p<0,05) from G1 (0.08) and G2 (0.46). SAR and PCR detected MG-F in G3 earlier than ELISA...

Mycoplasma gallisepticum cepa F (MG-F) é altamente utilizada em vacinação de poedeiras. MG-F confere bons níveis de proteção às galinhas, deslocando MG de campo ou diminuindo o número deles no trato respiratório. Soroaglutinação Rápida (SAR), ELISA e PCR são testes no monitoramento da micoplasmose, enquanto a histopatologia, mesmo não sendo rotineira, é usada para avaliar a resposta das aves à infecção por MG. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a transmissibilidade, soroconversão e alterações teciduais de MG-F em galinhas. Um total de 100 galinhas SPF foi utilizado, sendo 40 delas não vacinadas (G1), 40 vacinadas na 8ª semana de idade com MG-F (Ceva Saúde Animal, São Paulo/SP, Brasil) (G2) e 20 imunizadas por contato com aves do G2 (G3). Soros e suabes traqueais foram obtidos na 8ª, 12ª, 15ª, 18ª, 20ª, 24ª semana para monitoramento por SAR, ELISA e PCR. Fragmentos de traqueia e saco aéreo, para microscopia, foram feitas após necropsias na 15ª e 24ª semana. Até a 12ª semana não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos pela SAR. Houve reação a SAR a partir da 15ª semana com as seguintes médias: G1 (1,7; 1,76; 0,1; 0,15), G2 (7,81; 7,65; 8,25; 6,29) e G3 (8,1; 8,5; 9,5; 6,16), enquanto por ELISA a soroconversão ocorreu a partir da 18ª semana com médias de densidades óticas de G1 (0,19; 0,14; 0,16), G2 (0,47; 0,45; 0,41) e G3 (0,55; 0,51; 0,51). Todas as aves do G3 apresentaram positividade pela PCR sete semanas após exposição. Não houve diferença significativa entre as medias dos escores de saco aéreo entre os grupos, na 15ª semana (0,20; 0,55; 0,32) e 24ª semana (0,15; 0,80 e 0,66). Em relação à traqueia, G2 apresentou média maior na 15ª semana (0,48) que G3 (0,00) e G1 (0,10). Alterações em G3 foram observadas somente na 24ª semana onde as médias foram de 0,08(G1); 0,46 (G2) e 1,00 (G3), havendo significância (p<0,05) entre G1 e G3. SAR e PCR foram capazes de detectar a transmissão de MG-F de forma precoce em relação ao ELISA...

Burn injury induces histopathological changes and cell proliferation in liver of rats.

AIM: To investigate effects of severe burn injury (BI) in rat liver through the histopathological and inflammatory markers analysis. METHODS: Forty-two male Wistar rats were distributed into two groups, control (C) and subjected to scald BI (SBI). The animals were euthanized one, four and 14 d post sham or 45% of the total body surface BI. Liver fragments were submitted to histopathological, morphoquantitative (hepatocyte area and cell density), ciclooxigenase-2 (COX-2) immunoexpression, and gene expression [real-time polymerase chain reaction for tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and caspase-3] methods. RESULTS: Histopathological findings showed inflammatory process in all periods investigated and hepatocyte degeneration added to increased amount of connective tissue 14 d post injury. Hepatocyte area, the density of binucleated hepatocytes and density of sinusoidal cells of SBI groups were increased when compared with control. COX-2 immunoexpression was stronger in SBI groups. No differences were found in TNF-α, iNOS and caspase-3 gene expression. CONCLUSION: BI induces histopathological changes, upregulation of COX-2 immunoexpression, and cell proliferation in liver of rats.

Histopathology and Histochemistry in Cutaneous Fungal Infections / 대한의진균학회지

Dermatomycosis refers to any fungal infection of the skin and may be caused by dermatophytes, yeast, or other fungi, including those that do not usually cause cutaneous disease. Clinical diagnosis of a dermatomycosis can be confirmed by microscopic detection of fungal elements, by identification of the species through culture, or by histologic evidence of the presence of fungal material in the tissue. In superficial mycoses, direct smear with KOH and fungal culture are the most valuable and useful diagnostic methods. For this reason, skin biopsy is not often employed in the workup of dermatophytosis or other superficial mycoses. But it is useful in diagnosis of deep fungal infections and some lesions in which KOH examination of scale is negative. This review article aims to provide insights on the histopathology and various special stains in diagnosing dermatomycosis.

Tumores de cães e gatos diagnosticados no semiárido da Paraíba / Tumors in dogs and cats diagnosed in semiarid of Paraíba, Brazil

Objetivou-se com este estudo determinar a frequência dos tumores diagnosticados em cães e gatos no Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Patos, Paraíba, Brasil, entre os anos de 2003 a 2010. Foram revisados todos os protocolos de necropsias e biópsias realizadas no Laboratório de Patologia Animal da referida instituição, e computados os dados referentes aos animais afetados. Os tumores mais frequentes em cães ocorreram na pele e anexos (46,7%), seguido da glândula mamária (24%), sistema genital (10,3%) e sistema digestório (6,5%). Os tumores malignos foram mais frequentes que os benignos (p=0,001), representando 78% e 22% respectivamente. Em gatos, as frequências de neoplasmas de pele e glândula mamária foram idênticas (39,4% cada), seguidas das do sistema digestório (8,5%) e fígado (5,7%). Os tumores malignos representaram 95,8% dos tumores diagnosticados nesta espécie. Cães sem raça definida tiveram menor frequência (16%) de tumores do que animais de diferentes raças (37,2%) (p<0,0001). A ampla variedade de neoplasmas que acomete cães e gatos dificulta ao veterinário o diagnóstico clínico e o tratamento das mesmas, sendo recomendável o diagnóstico histológico sistemático de todas as lesões suspeitas de serem neoplasias. Além disso, são necessários estudos que determinem os fatores epidemiológicos envolvidos no desenvolvimento dos tumores que acometem os cães e gatos, nas diferentes regiões, a fim de serem tomadas medidas para diminuir sua ocorrência e letalidade.

This paper reports the frequency of tumors diagnosed in dogs and cats at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Campina Grande in Patos, northeastern Brazil, between 2003 and 2010. All necropsy and biopsy protocols from the Pathology Laboratory were revised and data related to the tumors were analyzed. In dogs, tumors of the skin and anexa were the most frequently diagnosed (46.7%), followed by tumors of the mammary gland (24%), genital system (10,3%), and alimentary system (6.5%). Malignant tumors (78%) were more frequent than bening tumors (22%) (p=0.001). In cats the frequency of skin and mammary gland tumors was the same (39.4%), followed by tumors of the digestive system (8.5%) and liver (5.7%). In cats, 95.8% of the tumors were malignant. Due to the diversity of the tumors observed in dogs and cats it is difficult for the practitioner to diagnose and treat tumors in these species. As a result, the systematic histologic diagnosis and the determination of the epidemiology of the tumors, in the different regions, are necessary to decrease tumor mortality.

Modificaciones estructurales en el estómago y el hígado de Paralabrax maculatofasciatus (Steindacher, 1868) ante situaciones de estrés crónico / Structural modifications in the stomach and liver of Paralabrax maculatofasciatus (Steindacher, 1868) under chronic stress conditions

Para determinar el efecto del estrés a nivel del aparato digestivo, organismos de la especie Paralabrax maculatofasciatus fueron sometidos a dos modelos de estrés: el primero por descenso en el nivel del agua (n=84) por 30 y 60 minutos diariamente, y el segundo por cultivo a altas densidades (n=96) de 1,6 y 3,2 kg/100 1. Se tomaron muestras de estómago e hígado y se fijaron en formol al 10%. Los tejidos fueron incluidos en parafina, realizándose cortes de 6 um que se tiñeron con H-E. En ambas condiciones de estrés el estómago presentó cambios morfológicos importantes tales como hipertrofia y atrofia en la capa mucosa. En el hígado se observaron cambios de coloración y textura, así como hemolisis, inflamación y necrosis. Por descenso en el nivel del agua el estómago presentó diferencias morfométricas significativas (P<0,05), entre los diferentes tiempos de exposición al estrés y/o entre los días de muestreo en algunos de los parámetros medidos. Por cultivo a altas densidades, se observaron diferencias significativas en algunos parámetros, 4 de ellos presentaron interacción densidad-muestreo y el resto presentaron diferencias significativas sin interacción. El hígado presentó diferencias significativas (P<0,05) en el perímetro nuclear entre los diferentes días de muestreo. El estrés provocado por alta densidad de cultivo resultó ser el factor que provocó daños tisulares más severos en los órganos estudiados, de ahí la importancia de mantener las condiciones adecuadas en los cultivos, como son el nivel de agua y el número de organismos por estanque.

To determine stress effects at histological level in the digestive system, organisms of Paralabrax maculatofasciatus were submitted to 2 stress models. One of decreasing the water level (n=84) for 30 and 60 min daily, and another at high density cultures (n=96) of 1.6 and 3.2 Kg/1001. Stomach and the liver samples were fixed in 10% formalin, embedded in paraffin wax, sectioned at 6 urn and stained with haematoxylin-eosin. In both stress conditions, the stomach showed important morphological changes in the mucosa layer, such as hypertrophy and atrophy. In the liver, coloration and texture changes were observed as well as haemolisis, inflammation and necrosis. In the water decrease model, the mucosa layer of stomach showed significant morphometric differences (P<0.05), between different times of stress exposure and/or between different days, in some of the measured parameters. In the high-density model, significant differences in the stomach mucosa showed a sampling-density interaction in 4 parameters and 6 other parameters showed differences with no interaction. Liver showed significant differences in nuclear perimeter between sampling-days. Stress caused by high-density culture proved to be the factor that caused the most serious tissue damage.

Histopatologia do saco herniário das hérnias inguinais: a importância do conhecimento morfológico sacular

The hernial sac contents was always motive of concern by part of the surgeons, although still be little studied and known the structure of its wall. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the influences on the inguinal hernial sac of sex, color, age, region of hernial sac, hernia side, width, length, thickness in the presence of smooth muscle fibers (SMF). Also, it is intended to describe the structure of the hernial sacs studied and to present some theories on the SMF source, besides to emphasize the possible significance of knowledge on sacs structure to the hiden pathological condition, identification and the use of the sac itself as a reinforcement instrument on surgical corrections. Samples of 252 hernial sacs obtained during operative therapy of indirects, directs, relapsings, incarcerated inguinal hernias were sent to histopathological study when the samples were stained by Hematoxilin-Eosin (HE) and Gomori trichrome for SMF identification. These were present in 67,9% of the samples and they occurred significantly on indirects and relapsings when were compared to the directs and encarcerateds. With reference to the studied variables, the patients who presented SMF did not difer significantly from those in which the SMF were not found. When the SMF were present, it was often associated to thick blood vessels, suggesting its source from medial layer of vascular wall and might mean a tissue strength as response either to mechanical trauma or other factors of the hernia pathogenesis. It was observed, also, that the hernial sac may host many pathological processes which reach the parietal peritonium, as endometriosis, specific inflamations and hiperplasic processes or even neoplasics, including being able to constitute, in some instances, the first evidence of neoplasm.

O conteúdo do saco herniário sempre foi motivo de preocupação por parte do cirurgião, embora a estrutura de sua parede seja ainda pouco estudada e conhecida. O objetivo do trabalho é avaliar a influência de sexo, cor, idade, região do saco herniário, lado da hérnia, largura, comprimento e espessura da amostra peritoneal na presença de fibras musculares lisas (FML) na parede do saco herniário inguinal. Pretende-se também descrever a histologia dos sacos herniários e apresentar algumas teorias sobre a origem das FML, além de destacar a importância do conhecimento da estrutura sacular na identificação de condições patológicas encobertas e certificar o uso do próprio saco como instrumento de reforço nas correções cirúrgicas. Amostras de 252 sacos herniários obtidos no tratamento operatório de hérnias inguinais indiretas, diretas, recidivadas e encarceradas foram encaminhadas para o estudo histopatológico, e foram coradas por Hematoxilina-Eosina (HE) e tricrômico de Gomori para a identificação de FML. Estas estiveram presentes em 67,9% das amostras, e ocorreram de modo significativo nas hérnias indiretas e recidivadas, quando comparadas com as diretas e encarceradas. Em relação às variáveis estudadas, os pacientes que apresentaram FML não diferiram significativamente daqueles em que as mesmas não foram observadas. Quando presentes, as FML muitas vezes estavam associadas com vasos sangüíneos espessos, sugerindo a origem à partir da camada média do vaso e podem representar um reforço tecidual em resposta ao trauma mecânico ou a outros fatores da patogênese da hérnia. Foi observado também que o saco herniário pode sediar vários processos patológicos que atingem o peritônio parietal, como a endometriose, inflamações específicas e processos hiperplásicos ou mesmo neoplásicos, inclusive podendo constituir, em alguns casos, a primeira evidência de neoplasias.