Osteosarcoma of the hard palate in a dog - case report / [Osteossarcoma em palato duro de cão - relato de caso]

The osteosarcoma (OSA) is the most diagnosed primary bone cancer in canine patients. This work reports a case of a canine, six years old, mongrel, female, intact, with an OSA in the hard palate. Physical examination detected a firm mass in the palate. Thoracic radiographs, hematological and biochemical exams, histopathological exams and computed tomography were requested. A chondroblastic OSA was diagnosed and the tumor was characterized by immunohistochemistry. There was never evidence of metastasis in this case. The treatment consisted of the combination of conventional chemotherapy, metronomic chemotherapy, and palliative care, aiming at greater survival and well-being of the patient since surgical excision was not possible due to the location and extension of the tumor. Osteogenic sarcomas of the hard palate are rarely seen and described in the literature. In this article we present a characterization of the osteosarcoma with uncommon localization in the hard palate.(AU)

O osteossarcoma (OSA) é a neoplasia óssea primária mais diagnosticada em pacientes caninos. Este trabalho relata o caso de um canino, com seis anos de idade, sem raça definida, fêmea, não castrado, apresentando OSA em região de palato duro. Ao exame clínico, constatou-se uma massa de consistência firme em região palatina. Além do exame clínico, foram solicitadas radiografias torácicas, exames hematológicos e bioquímicos, exames histopatológicos e tomografia computadorizada. Fora então dado o diagnóstico de OSA condroblástico, e o tumor foi caracterizado pela imuno-histoquímica. Não foram observadas evidências de metástases nesse caso. O tratamento instituído consistiu na combinação de quimioterapia convencional, quimioterapia metronômica e cuidados paliativos, almejando maior sobrevida e bem-estar do paciente, uma vez que a excisão cirúrgica não foi possível devido à localização e à extensão do tumor. Neste artigo, apresentou-se uma caracterização do osteossarcoma com localização incomum no palato duro.(AU)

Descripción Anatómica de Bradypus variegatus en la Amazonia Colombiana (Estudio Preliminar) / Anatomical Description of Bradypus variegatus in the Colombian Amazonia (Preliminary Study)

En la Universidad de la Amazonia, en Florencia, Caquetá - Colombia, se llevó a cabo la descripción anatómica detallada del espécimen adulto de la especie Bradypus variegatus, a través de la cual se abordan aspectos clave de la osamenta, correspondientes al esqueleto apendicular, conformado por los huesos del miembro torácico (escápula, húmero, radio, ulna, carpos, metacarpos y falanges) y pelviano (pelvis, sacro, fémur, rótula, tibia, peroné, tarso, metatarso y falanges). Asimismo, se describe el esqueleto axial que corresponde a la línea media del esqueleto, formando el eje del cuerpo a través de los huesos del cráneo, columna vertebral, costillas y esternón. La descripción se desarrolló teniendo en cuenta metodologías previas y considerando datos de descripciones anteriores llevadas a cabo por otros autores, en algunas estructuras. Los resultados se consideran un precepto en el conocimiento del área quirúrgica como pieza fundamental en el desarrollo de la veterinaria en especies de fauna silvestre.

At the University of Amazonia, in Florencia, Caqueta - Colombia, a detailed osteological description of adult specimen of the species brown-throated sloth developed or Bradypus variegatus, through which key skeleton aspects are addressed, for the skeleton apendicular, comprising the forelimb bones (scapula, humerus, radius, ulna, carpal bones, metacarpals and phalanges) and pelvic (pelvis, sacrum, femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsus, metatarsus and phalanges). Also, the axial skeleton corresponding to the middle line of the skeleton, forming the body axis through the skull bones, spine, ribs and sternum described. The description was developed considering previous methodologies and data considering previous descriptions carried out by other authors in some structures. The results are considered a precept knowledge of the surgical area as a cornerstone in the development of veterinary species of wildlife.

Efecto de la administración de ácido retinoico sobre el desarrollo del esqueleto axial en embriones de ratón Mus musculus / Effect of administration of retinoic acid on the development of the axial skeleton in mouse embryos Mus musculus

El déficit y exceso de vitamina A provoca malformaciones congénitas que afectan distintos órganos y sistemas. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el efecto que causa la administración de ácido retinoico a distintas dosis sobre la morfogénesis ósea del esqueleto axial en embriones de ratón Mus musculus. Mediante aleatorización simple se distribuyeron hembras recién preñadas en 4 categorías: A, B, C y D. El día 8 post fecundación (p.f), se administró 40 mg/kg de peso de ácido retinoico al grupo A, 20 mg/kg de peso de esta solución al grupo B, 1 ml/kg de peso de dimetil sulfóxido al grupo C, y el grupo D es grupo control. El día 17 de la gestación las hembras y sus fetos fueron anestesiadas y eutanasiadas con sobredosis de pentotal sódico intraperitoneal. Los fetos de cada camada fueron procesados mediante diafanización y tinción con azul de Alcian para destacar cartílago hialino y alizarina para observar tejido óseo. Los resultados se expresaron en porcentajes de malformaciones en los siguientes tres segmentos: 1) cráneo-columna cervical, 2) segmento torácico y abdominal y 3) cintura pélvica, considerándose un 100% cuando la totalidad de los elementos óseos se encontraban comprometidos. Se utilizó la prueba de Fisher para la comparación de frecuencias de malformaciones y se consideró estadísticamente significativo cuando p<0,05. En el grupo A se evidenciaron malformaciones mayores como ausencia de huesos frontales y parietales, exencefalia, defectos en el número de vértebras, y fusiones de costillas; y en el grupo B se observaron malformaciones menores como alteraciones numéricas y fusiones de costillas, existiendo diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos. En los grupos C y D no se consignaron malformaciones. El ácido retinoico administrado intraperitonealmente el dìa 8 p.f en dosis de 40 y 20 mg/kg de peso se comporta como un teratógeno en los embriones de ratón, existiendo además diferencias significativas entre las malformaciones generadas por ambas dosis de ácido retinoico. La primera concentración afecta los huesos de los tres segmentos estudiados (cráneo-cervical, toracoabdominal, y pélvico) y la segunda concentración sólo afecta a dos segmentos (cráneo-cervical y toracoabdominal). Ambos tratamientos afectan los segmentos en una gradiente céfalo caudal, independiente del origen embrionario de las estructuras. Esto se debería a que los cambios en las gradientes de ácido retinoico alteran el comportamiento de células de la cresta neural craneal y el orden de la expresión de genes Hox.

The deficit and excess of vitamin A causes birth defects affecting different organ systems. The objectives of this study are to determine the effect caused by the administration of different doses of retinoic acid on bone morphogenesis of the axial skeleton in embryonic mouse Mus musculus. By simple randomization newly pregnant females were distributed into 4 categories: A, B, C and D. On day 8 post fertilization, 40 mg/kg was administered by weight of retinoic acid to the group A, 20 mg/kg body weight of the group B solution 1 ml/kg body weight of dimethyl sulfoxide and group C. Group D is the control group. On day 17 of gestation the females and their fetuses were anesthetized and euthanized with an overdose of intraperitoneal sodium pentothal. Fetuses from each litter were processed using diaphanization and Alcian blue staining to hyaline cartilage and alizarin to observe bone tissue. The results are expressed as percentages of malformations in the following three segments: 1) cranio-cervical spine, 2) thoracic and abdominal segment and 3) pelvic segment, considering 100% when all the bony elements were compromised. Fisher's exact test for comparison of frequencies of malformations was used and considered statistically significant when p<0.05. In group A, major malformations and defects were evident in the indemnity of the cranial vault, exencephaly, defects in the number of vertebrae, and fusion of ribs. In group B minor malformations as numerical alterations and rib fusions were observed. Significant differences were found between both groups. In groups C and D no malformations were recorded. Retinoic acid administered intraperitoneally at doses of 40 and 20 mg/kg acts as a teratogen in mouse embryos. There are significant differences between the defects induced by concentrations of 40 mg/k and 20 mg/k of retinoic acid. Both concentrations affect the bones of the three segments studied (cranio cervical, thoraco-abdominal and pelvic) in a cephalo caudal gradient, independent of the embryonic origin of the structures. Changes in retinoic acid concentration alter the behavior of cranial neural crest and changing the order of the HOX gene expression in the axial skeleton.

Shape Variation and Allometry in the Precloacal Vertebral Series of the Snake Daboia russelli (Viperidae) / Variación Morfológica y Alometría de las Vértebras Precloacales en el Ofidio Daboia russelli (Viperidae)

Understanding the variation of the ophidian vertebral morphology is an essential tool in snake paleobiology, but so far this field remains hardly investigated. A major problematic is the still scarce knowledge about the basis of homogeneity of intracolumnar shape variation along the vertebrae of the precloacal region in these animals. For instance, this variation can be overwhelmingly low in cases such as in vipers, for which it seems almost impossible to describe a concrete regionalization of the precloacal region without ambiguity. This study has applied geometric morphometrics to analyze if the shape variation of the vertebrae of the precloacal vertebrae of an adult specimen of Daboia russelli allows differentiating any sort of parcellation within the column of this organism. We have also explored if size is associated with the organization of vertebral shape along the axial skeleton. The multivariate analyses showed that the main pattern of vertebral shape variation in D. russelli concerns the neural spine and the hypapophysis, whereas the shape of the vertebral centrum appears to be nearly invariant along the series. Our analysis also showed that the precloacal region can be sudivided into two portions that merge in a transitional boundary of largest vertebrae in the middle of the column. From this middle region towards the distal ends of the column vertebrae become smaller changing their shapes in two antithetical ways.

Entender la variación en la morfología vertebral de los ofidios es crucial para la paleobiología del grupo pero, hasta ahora, este campo está poco investigado. Uno de los principales problemas es el escaso conocimiento sobre las bases de la homogeneidad en la variación de la forma a lo largo de la región precloacal en estos animales. Por ejemplo, en el caso de las víboras, dicha variación puede ser muy pequeña lo cual hace casi imposible la descripción de una regionalización precisa sin ambigüedad. En este estudio se ha aplicado morfometría geométrica para analizar si la variación de la forma vertebral de un individuo adulto de la especie Daboia russelli permite subdividir la región precloacal. Además, hemos explorado si el tamaño está asociado con la organización vertebral a lo largo del esqueleto axial. Los análisis multivariantes han demostrado que el patrón principal de la variación de la forma vertebral está determinado por la espina neural y la hipapofisis, mientras que el centro vertebral varía poco a lo largo de la serie. Nuestro análisis ha mostrado que la región precloacal puede ser dividida en dos series cuya separación está marcada por las vértebras más grandes, posicionadas aproximadamente en la mitad de la columna. Tomando como referencia la mitad de la columna, hacia los extremos distales, las vértebras tienden a ser más pequeñas cambiando su forma de modo antitético.

Anatomo-radiographic description of the axial skeleton of the crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) / Descrição anátomo-radiográfica do esqueleto axial do cachorro-do-mato (Cerdocyon thous)

The aim of this study was to describe the axial skeleton of a wild Brazilian carnivorous, the crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous). Five specimens of crab-eating fox were previously unfrozen for radiographic exams and their bones went through dissection and chemical maceration. This animal presents seven cervical vertebrae, and from the third on, they become shorter and wider than the other ones e the spinous process was makeable from the fifth cervical vertebrae on. There are thirteen thoracic vertebrae and the spinous process of the lumbar vertebrae, which are seven, decreases from the fifth on. The sacrum is formed by two vertebrae and there are twenty or twenty one caudal vertebrae. It can be concluded that the crab-eating fox axial skeleton is similar to that of the domestic dog.(AU)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever o esqueleto axial de um carnívoro selvagem brasileiro, o cachorro-do-mato (Cerdocyon thous). Cinco animais foram previamente descongelados para exames radiográficos e posteriormente submetidos a dissecação óssea e maceração química. Os animais apresentavam sete vértebras cervicais e, à partir da terceira, eram mais curtas e largas e o processo espinhoso mais evidente a partir da quinta vértebra cervical. Há treze vértebras torácicas e o processo espinhoso das vértebras lombares, que são sete, diminui partir da quinta vértebra. O sacro é constituído por duas vértebras fundidas e há 20 ou 21 vértebras caudais. Pode-se concluir que o esqueleto axial do cachorro-do-mato se assemelha ao do cão doméstico.(AU)

Notes on the axial skeleton of the titanosaur Bonitasaura salgadoi (Dinosauria-Sauropoda)

Sauropod axial anatomy is particularly important in understanding morphological features and phylogenetic analyses. Spatial arrangement of zygapophyses and rib articulations, as well as their complex laminar development, help to recognize the relative position of isolated vertebral elements. The presence of anterior, mid and posterior elements along the cervical, dorsal and caudal series in Bonitasaura salgadoi allows the analysis of several anatomical characteristics. These include the pattern of neurocentral closure with unfused, partially fused and completely fused elements in a peculiar temporal sequence, as well as several neural spine modifications and the laminar arrangement. The variations in neural spine morphology include a lateral expansion of the distal tip in cervico-dorsal region, different lateral constituents of these lateral expansions, and a marked deviation in spine angulation. The spinal inclination allows the division into three easily recognizable vertebral regions separated by two landmarks, which adds support in the determination of an accurate vertebral position for isolated elements. Finally, an analysis of the vertebral laminae reveals the importance of examining vertebral series in order to recognize laminar homologies and developmental series. Two vertebral laminae are analyzed here.

A anatomia axial dos saurópodes compõe um conjunto dedados fundamentais para a caracterização morfológica dostáxons, bem como para a determinação de suas relações filogenéticas. A disposição espacial das zigapófises e articulações das costelas, assim como de seu complexo de lâminas acessórias, auxiliam no reconhecimento da posição relativa de elementos vertebrais isolados. A preservação de vértebras anteriores, médias e posteriores nas séries cervical, dorsal e caudal de Bonitasaura salgadoi permite a análise de características adicionais diagnósticas observadas ao longo das séries vertebrais. Estas incluem o grau de fusão da sutura neurocentral,havendo elementos livres, parcialmente fundidos a completamente fundidos em uma sequência temporal peculiar, assim como a presença de diversas modificações do espinho neural e a disposição laminar. As variações na morfologia do espinho neural incluem uma expansão lateral em seu ápice distal na região cervico-dorsal, outros componentes laterais distintos destas expansões, e um desvio crânio-caudal marcado pela angulação do espinho neural. A inclinação espinal permite a divisão em três segmentos vertebrais reconhecíveis separados por duas linhas de transição. Finalmente, a análise das lâminas vertebrais revela a importância de examinar a série vertebral a fim de reconhecer homologias nas lâminas e nas séries de desenvolvimento. Neste trabalho são analisadas duas lâminas vertebrais.

Morphological variation in the seahorse vertebral system / Variaciones morfológicas en el sistema vertebral del caballo de mar

The vertebral system in Hippocampus hippocampus is highly specialised because of the vertical locomotion and tail prehensility. The vertebral elements represent a special case of morphological changes, being the metameric structures organised along a natural functional series. We investigated the shape changes along the vertebral spine in H. hippocampus through geometric morphometrics, in order to describe functional and structural patterns. Actually, the dorso-ventral tail bending ability in the genus Hippocampus is one of the most impressive morphological modifications in the evolutionary history of fishes. Vertebrae were analysed using a 2D configuration from the left lateral view. The variation along the vertebral series suggests the identification of cervical, abdominal, dorsal, and caudal groups. The first three (cervical) elements and the lOth (supra-dorsal) structure show peculiar morphologies and local adaptations, associated with neck angulation and dorsal fin muscles, respectively. The vertebral size decreases from the anteriormost element backward, with some local variation at the dorsal area. Major changes are related to allometric variation at the neural región. The caudal elements are characterised by a marked size decrease, with consequent allometric shape changes involving the rotation of the posterior vertebral opening. This allometric trajectory leads to a natural ventral bending of the tail, promoting its prehensile function. This morphological survey suggests an interesting structural network between posture, locomotion, and vertebral anatomy, underlying the main functional changes in the Hippocampus biomechanics. Geometric morphometrics is rather suitable to approach metameric studies in terms of serial variation and functional adaptations.

El sistema vertebral en Hippocampus hippocampus es altamente especializado, debido a la locomoción vertical y la cola prehensible. Los elementos vertebrales representan un caso especial de cambios morfológicos, siendo estructuras metaméricas organizadas a lo largo de una serie funcional natural. Se investigaron los cambios en la forma, a lo largo de la columna vertebral en H. hippocampus a través de morfometría geométrica, con el fin de describir sus patrones funcionales y estructurales. Actualmente, la capacidad de flexión dorso-ventral de la cola en el género Hippocampus es una de las más impresionantes modificaciones morfológicas en la historia evolutiva de los peces. Las vértebras se analizaron mediante una configuración 2D de la vista lateral izquierda. La variación a lo largo de la serie vertebral sugiere la identificación de grupos cervicales, abdominales, dorsales, caudales. Los tres primeros elementos (cervicales) y la 10ª (supra-dorsal) muestran una estructura morfológica peculiar y adaptaciones locales, asociadas con la angulación del cuello y los músculos de la aleta dorsal, respectivamente. El tamaño vertebral disminuye desde elemento más anterior hacia atrás, con algunas variaciones locales en la zona dorsal. Los principales cambios están relacionados con la variación alométrica en la región neural. Los elementos caudales se caracterizan por una marcada disminución de tamaño, con los consiguientes cambios en la formas aloméricas de rotación de la abertura vertebral posterior. Esta trayectoria alométrica conduce a una flexión ventral natural de la cola, promoviendo su función prensil. Este estudio morfológico sugiere una interesante red estructural entre postura, locomoción y la anatomía vertebral junto a los principales cambios funcionales en la biomecánica de Hippocampus. La morfometría geométrica es bastante adecuada para los estudios con enfoques metaméricos, en términos de variación de serie y adaptaciones funcionales.