Non-malignant silica-related diseases in a specialized outpatient clinic.

BACKGROUND: Uncontrolled occupational exposure to silica is still frequent in Brazil, with several recent records in the state of Minas Gerais. However, few national studies have addressed silica-related diseases other than silicosis. AIMS: To describe the occurrence of the main non-malignant silica-related diseases: silicosis, tuberculosis (TB), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and autoimmune diseases in a specialized outpatient clinic. METHODS: Case series study of 1525 patients exposed to silica, seen between 1984 and 2021, with descriptive findings of clinical and occupational data from the first medical evaluation. RESULTS: Medians of age and exposure time were 47 and 15 years, respectively, and 97% of patients were male. The prevalence of silicosis was 44%, of which 27% had large opacities. The main occupational sectors were underground gold mining (28%), precious and semi-precious stone work (20%), and artisanal mining (9%). Spirometries were abnormal in 55%, with obstructive disorder being the most common finding. COPD (25%), active TB or sequelae (12%), and connective tissue diseases (6%) were diagnosed in patients with and without silicosis. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of silicosis appears to be alarming, even considering the biases of selective referrals. The patients were relatively young and already had a functional impact, caused not only by silicosis but by one or more silica-related diseases. COPD, TB, and connective tissue diseases proved to be frequent, leading to the need for specifics protocols to investigate them in individuals exposed to silica. By adopting strategies to combat silicosis, the prevention of other silica-related diseases is concomitantly promoted.

Acute hepatic porphyria: when to perform liver transplantation?

. (AU)Acute hepatic porphyrias (AHPs) are inborn errors of hemebiosynthesis and its most common and severe type is the acute intermittent porphyria (AIP). AIP is an hereditary autosomal dominant disease caused by accumulated porphobilinogen deaminase (PBG) and delta aminolevulin acid (ALA) products. The main symptoms are severe abdominal pain, neuromuscular and psychiatric disturbances, nausea, vomiting, encephalopathy, tachycardia, seizures, tremors and hypertension, that usually are manifested by acute crises. The treatment is based on clinical management and in cases which the patient's quality of life is affected liver transplantation (LT) may be an alternative choice. We report the case of a patient with AHP presenting recurrent crisis leading to chronic symptoms occurrence and poor quality of life with progressive unresponsiveness to hemin treatment. Patient was submitted to LT as curative therapy proposal, but patient still presents some clinical manifestations that may indicate the possibility of a secondary cause to explain persistence of her symptoms despite of biochemical normalization of ALA and PBG. (AU)

As porfirias hepáticas agudas (PHA) compreendem um grupo de porfirias que apresentam erros inatos na biossíntese do grupo heme, sendo a mais severa e o tipo mais comum da PHA, a porfiria aguda intermitente (PAI). A PAI é uma doença autossômica dominante causada pelo acúmulo dos produtos porfobilinogênio deaminase (PBG) e ácido delta-aminolevulínico (ALA). Os principais sintomas são dor abdominal intensa, distúrbios neuromusculares e psiquiátricos, náuseas, vômitos, encefalopatia, taquicardia, febre, tremores e hipertensão, os quais normalmente são manifestados durante as crises agudas. O tratamento é baseado no manejo clínico de todos pacientes durante a crise. Para os casos em que a qualidade de vida do paciente é afetada negativamente, a terapêutica de transplante hepático poderá ser indicada. O objetivo do relato de caso é introduzir o tratamento de uma paciente com recorrentes crises agudas de porfiria e danos em sua qualidade de vida. Uma vez que a paciente não apresentou melhora após tratamento com hematina, foi submetida ao transplante hepático visando a cura da doença. Após o transplante, a paciente ainda apresentou alguns sintomas clínicos, necessitando reformular uma segunda hipótese para explicar a persistência de tais sintomas apesar da normalização dos níveis de ALA e PBG. (AU)

Ferroelectret-based Hydrophone Employed in Oil Identification-A Machine Learning Approach.

This work focuses on acoustic analysis as a way of discriminating mineral oil, providing a robust technique, immune to electromagnetic noise, and in some cases, depending on the applied sensor, a low-cost technique. Thus, we propose a new method for the diagnosis of the quality of mineral oil used in electrical transformers, integrating a ferroelectric-based hydrophone and an acoustic transducer. Our classification solution is based on a supervised machine learning technique applied to the signals generated by an in-home built hydrophone. A total of three statistical datasets entries were collected during the acoustic experiments on four types of oils. The first, the second, and third datasets contain 180, 240, and 420 entries, respectively. Eighty-four features were considered from each dataset to apply to two classification approaches. The first classification approach is able to distinguish the oils from the four possible classes with a classification error less than 2%, while the second approach is able to successfully classify the oils without errors (e.g., with a score of 100%).

How pollinator visits are affected by flower damage and ants presence in Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa (Martius and Choise) (Convolvulaceae)? / Como as visitas de polinizadores são afetadas por dano as flores e presença de formigas em Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa (Martius e Choise) (Convolvulaceae)?

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of florivory and of the patrolling ants associated to EFNs-extrafloral nectaries, on the frequency of floral visitors, using the specie Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa (Martius and Choise) in Caatinga area. The floral attributes of the species were characterized. The effect of florivoria on the frequency of visitors and the influence of the presence of ants associated with the NEFs on the pollinator visit rate were evaluated. The rate of natural florivoria was recorded and collected floral visitors and ants over eight months. The damage on floral structure and the presence of ants foraging in the flowers causes a decrease in the number of total visits. The results may be justified by the fact that the floral damage consisted in the loss of important floral attributes. These effects for Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa can affect reproductive success, since it is a self-incompatible species and depends on the activity of the pollinators for their fertilization to occur.(AU)

Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito da florivoria e do patrulhamento de formigas nos NEFs - nectários extraflorais sobre a frequência dos visitantes florais, utilizando a espécie Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa (Martius e Choise), em uma área de Caatinga. Os atributos florais da espécie foram caracterizados. Foram avaliados o efeito da florivoria sobre a frequência dos visitantes e a influência da presença de formigas associadas aos NEFs sobre a taxa de visita de polinizadores. Ao longo de oito meses foram registrados a taxa de florivoria natural foi registrada e realizada a coleta de visitantes florais e formigas. Os danos na estrutura floral e presença de formigas forrageando nas flores provocam decréscimo no número de visitas totais. Os resultados podem ser justificado pelo fato de que o dano floral consistiu na perda de atributos florais importantes. Estes efeitos para Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa podem afetar o sucesso reprodutivo, uma vez que é uma espécie autoincompatível e depende da atividade dos polinizadores para que a sua fecundação ocorra.(AU)

How pollinator visits are affected by flower damage and ants presence in Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa (Martius and Choise) (Convolvulaceae)? / Como as visitas de polinizadores são afetadas por dano as flores e presença de formigas em Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa (Martius e Choise) (Convolvulaceae)?

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effects of florivory and of the patrolling ants associated to EFNs-extrafloral nectaries, on the frequency of floral visitors, using the specie Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa (Martius and Choise) in Caatinga area. The floral attributes of the species were characterized. The effect of florivoria on the frequency of visitors and the influence of the presence of ants associated with the NEFs on the pollinator visit rate were evaluated. The rate of natural florivoria was recorded and collected floral visitors and ants over eight months. The damage on floral structure and the presence of ants foraging in the flowers causes a decrease in the number of total visits. The results may be justified by the fact that the floral damage consisted in the loss of important floral attributes. These effects for Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa can affect reproductive success, since it is a self-incompatible species and depends on the activity of the pollinators for their fertilization to occur.

Resumo Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito da florivoria e do patrulhamento de formigas nos NEFs - nectários extraflorais sobre a frequência dos visitantes florais, utilizando a espécie Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa (Martius e Choise), em uma área de Caatinga. Os atributos florais da espécie foram caracterizados. Foram avaliados o efeito da florivoria sobre a frequência dos visitantes e a influência da presença de formigas associadas aos NEFs sobre a taxa de visita de polinizadores. Ao longo de oito meses foram registrados a taxa de florivoria natural foi registrada e realizada a coleta de visitantes florais e formigas. Os danos na estrutura floral e presença de formigas forrageando nas flores provocam decréscimo no número de visitas totais. Os resultados podem ser justificado pelo fato de que o dano floral consistiu na perda de atributos florais importantes. Estes efeitos para Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa podem afetar o sucesso reprodutivo, uma vez que é uma espécie autoincompatível e depende da atividade dos polinizadores para que a sua fecundação ocorra.

How pollinator visits are affected by flower damage and ants presence in Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa (Martius and Choise) (Convolvulaceae)?

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of florivory and of the patrolling ants associated to EFNs-extrafloral nectaries, on the frequency of floral visitors, using the specie Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa (Martius and Choise) in Caatinga area. The floral attributes of the species were characterized. The effect of florivoria on the frequency of visitors and the influence of the presence of ants associated with the NEFs on the pollinator visit rate were evaluated. The rate of natural florivoria was recorded and collected floral visitors and ants over eight months. The damage on floral structure and the presence of ants foraging in the flowers causes a decrease in the number of total visits. The results may be justified by the fact that the floral damage consisted in the loss of important floral attributes. These effects for Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa can affect reproductive success, since it is a self-incompatible species and depends on the activity of the pollinators for their fertilization to occur.

Avaliação de dois testes sorológicos comerciais para diagnóstico das infecções pelo FIV e pelo FeLV / Evaluation of two point-of-care tests to diagnosis of FIV and FeLV infections

FIV e FeLV são retrovírus associados principalmente com neoplasias. Dois testes rápidos são disponibilizados no Brasil para o diagnóstico dessas infecções: um kit de imunocromatografia de fluxo bidirecional (SNAP® Combo IDEXX) e um kit de imunocromatografia de fluxo lateral unidirecional (ALERE/BIONOTE Anigen Rapid). O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar o teste SNAP® com o teste ALERE. Amostras de sangue de 178 gatos foram testadas utilizando-se ambos os kits. A reação em cadeia de polimerase em tempo real (qPCR) foi empregada como método confirmatório para todos os resultados. O teste SNAP® apresentou sensibilidade e especificidade de 100% para FIV; a sensibilidade e a especificidade do teste ALERE foram de 96,15% e 98,68%, respectivamente. A sensibilidade e a especificidade para o FeLV foram de 93,02% e 96,30% para o teste SNAP® e de 90,70% e 97,78% para o teste ALERE. Ainda em relação ao FeLV, três amostras com resultado positivo na qPCR obtiveram resultado falso-negativo em ambos os testes. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os métodos. Considerando a qPCR como padrão-ouro, o teste SNAP® apresentou maior sensibilidade e especificidade para o FIV, e o teste ALERE apresentou maior especificidade para o FeLV. Os resultados mostraram uma boa correlação entre os testes.(AU)

FIV and FeLV are Retrovirus associated mainly with feline neoplasms. Two point-of-care tests are commercially available in Brazil for diagnosis of these infections: a bidirectional flow immunochromatography kit (IDEXX SNAP ® Combo) and a lateral unidirectional flow immunochromatography kit (ALERE/BIONOTE Anigen Rapid). The aim of this study was to compare SNAP ® and ALERE tests. Blood samples obtained from 178 cats were evaluated using both tests. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used as confirmatory test for all samples. The sensitivity and specificity of SNAP ® test was 100% for FIV, and for ALERE test was 96.15% and 98.68%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for FeLV was 93.02% and 96.30% for SNAP ® test and 90.70% and 97.78% for ALERE test. Three samples with a qPCR positive result for FeLV obtained a false negative result in both SNAP ® and ALERE tests. There was no statistically significant difference between the two methods. Considering qPCR as gold standard method, the SNAP® test showed higher sensitivity and specificity for FIV, and the ALERE test presented higher specificity for FeLV. The results showed good agreement among the tests.(AU)

Avaliação de dois testes sorológicos comerciais para diagnóstico das infecções pelo FIV e pelo FeLV / Evaluation of two point-of-care tests to diagnosis of FIV and FeLV infections

FIV e FeLV são retrovírus associados principalmente com neoplasias. Dois testes rápidos são disponibilizados no Brasil para o diagnóstico dessas infecções: um kit de imunocromatografia de fluxo bidirecional (SNAP® Combo IDEXX) e um kit de imunocromatografia de fluxo lateral unidirecional (ALERE/BIONOTE Anigen Rapid). O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar o teste SNAP® com o teste ALERE. Amostras de sangue de 178 gatos foram testadas utilizando-se ambos os kits. A reação em cadeia de polimerase em tempo real (qPCR) foi empregada como método confirmatório para todos os resultados. O teste SNAP® apresentou sensibilidade e especificidade de 100% para FIV; a sensibilidade e a especificidade do teste ALERE foram de 96,15% e 98,68%, respectivamente. A sensibilidade e a especificidade para o FeLV foram de 93,02% e 96,30% para o teste SNAP® e de 90,70% e 97,78% para o teste ALERE. Ainda em relação ao FeLV, três amostras com resultado positivo na qPCR obtiveram resultado falso-negativo em ambos os testes. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os métodos. Considerando a qPCR como padrão-ouro, o teste SNAP® apresentou maior sensibilidade e especificidade para o FIV, e o teste ALERE apresentou maior especificidade para o FeLV. Os resultados mostraram uma boa correlação entre os testes.(AU)

FIV and FeLV are Retrovirus associated mainly with feline neoplasms. Two point-of-care tests are commercially available in Brazil for diagnosis of these infections: a bidirectional flow immunochromatography kit (IDEXX SNAP ® Combo) and a lateral unidirectional flow immunochromatography kit (ALERE/BIONOTE Anigen Rapid). The aim of this study was to compare SNAP ® and ALERE tests. Blood samples obtained from 178 cats were evaluated using both tests. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used as confirmatory test for all samples. The sensitivity and specificity of SNAP ® test was 100% for FIV, and for ALERE test was 96.15% and 98.68%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for FeLV was 93.02% and 96.30% for SNAP ® test and 90.70% and 97.78% for ALERE test. Three samples with a qPCR positive result for FeLV obtained a false negative result in both SNAP ® and ALERE tests. There was no statistically significant difference between the two methods. Considering qPCR as gold standard method, the SNAP® test showed higher sensitivity and specificity for FIV, and the ALERE test presented higher specificity for FeLV. The results showed good agreement among the tests.(AU)

How pollinator visits are affected by flower damage and ants presence in Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa (Martius and Choise) (Convolvulaceae)?

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effects of florivory and of the patrolling ants associated to EFNs-extrafloral nectaries, on the frequency of floral visitors, using the specie Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa (Martius and Choise) in Caatinga area. The floral attributes of the species were characterized. The effect of florivoria on the frequency of visitors and the influence of the presence of ants associated with the NEFs on the pollinator visit rate were evaluated. The rate of natural florivoria was recorded and collected floral visitors and ants over eight months. The damage on floral structure and the presence of ants foraging in the flowers causes a decrease in the number of total visits. The results may be justified by the fact that the floral damage consisted in the loss of important floral attributes. These effects for Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa can affect reproductive success, since it is a self-incompatible species and depends on the activity of the pollinators for their fertilization to occur.

Resumo Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito da florivoria e do patrulhamento de formigas nos NEFs - nectários extraflorais sobre a frequência dos visitantes florais, utilizando a espécie Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa (Martius e Choise), em uma área de Caatinga. Os atributos florais da espécie foram caracterizados. Foram avaliados o efeito da florivoria sobre a frequência dos visitantes e a influência da presença de formigas associadas aos NEFs sobre a taxa de visita de polinizadores. Ao longo de oito meses foram registrados a taxa de florivoria natural foi registrada e realizada a coleta de visitantes florais e formigas. Os danos na estrutura floral e presença de formigas forrageando nas flores provocam decréscimo no número de visitas totais. Os resultados podem ser justificado pelo fato de que o dano floral consistiu na perda de atributos florais importantes. Estes efeitos para Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa podem afetar o sucesso reprodutivo, uma vez que é uma espécie autoincompatível e depende da atividade dos polinizadores para que a sua fecundação ocorra.

Cetuximab has an inhibitory effect on cell motility in SCC-4 oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line.

Cetuximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that acts as a competitive antagonist, by binding to EGFR. This cell signalling pathways regulates tumor progression. The oral squamous cell carcinoma undergoes to regional spreading and distant metastasis. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of treatment with Cetuximab on cell migration and invasion in OSCC cells, by using the SCC-4 cell line. Cell migration and cell invasion assay were performed and actin cytoskeleton of control and treated with Cetuximab cells were evaluated. Differences were considered significant when p<0.05.Cetuximab inhibited the migration of SCC-4 cells at three concentrations: 1 µg/mL, 50 µg/mL and 100 µg/mL (p<0.0001) in a dose-dependent manner. The number of SCC-4 treated cells with 1 µg/mL that migrated through the membrane was statistically different from 50 µg/mL (p<0.001) and 100 µg/mL (p<0.0001), and between 50 µg/mL and 100 µg/mL (p<0.01). Cetuximab 50 µg/mL inhibited cell invasion through the MatrigelTM compared with SCC-4 control cells (p<0.01). Cetuximab 50 µg/mL affected the organization of the actin cytoskeleton. Cetuximab has an inhibitory effect on actin cytoskeleton organization, cell migration and invasion, suggesting that Cetuximab treatment can be important to avoid oral squamous cell carcinoma metastasis.

Higher number of transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy cores is associated with higher blood loss and perioperative complications in robot assisted radical prostatectomy. / Un mayor número de cilindros de biopsia transrectal de próstata guiada por ultrasonido se asocia con una mayor pérdida de sangre y complicaciones perioperatorias en la prostatectomía radical asistida por robot.

INTRODUCTION: The local inflammatory process after prostate biopsies can have a negative impact on functional outcomes of radical prostatectomy. There is no evidence in literature demonstrating its impact on radical prostatectomy. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of the number of TRUS core biopsies in the surgical morbidity and rate of positive margin on robot assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospectively maintained database of 2,054 RARPs in a single institution. Patients were further grouped into 2 groups based on the number of TRUS biopsy cores (G1≤12 cores; G2>12 cores). Multivariable logistic regression model was applied to analyze the impact of number of cores on complications. RESULTS: A total number of 1,042 patients in the group 1 (≤12 cores) and 1,012 patients in the group 2 (>12 cores) were included. The rate of perioperative complications increased with higher number of biopsies (G1 6.4 vs. G2 8.5%; P=.03), but high grade complication (Clavien 3-4) were similar (G1 1.4 vs. G2 2.2%; P=.16). Positive surgical margin rates were similar in both groups (G1 11.8 vs. 9.98%; P=.2). At the multivariable logistic regression analysis shown that G2 had a 39% (OR 0.645) higher rate to experience perioperative complications during RARP. CONCLUSION: Higher number of TRUS biopsy cores (>12) is associated to higher blood loss and perioperative complications during RARP. Careful preoperative evaluation for those patients underwent multiple biopsies or saturation protocols is mandatory. Application of longer intervals (>6 weeks) between biopsy and surgery may be advisable to minimize potential risks of surgical complications in patients may benefit from RARP. Further studies are still necessary to confirm these results.

How pollinator visits are affected by flower damage and ants presence in Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa (Martius and Choise) (Convolvulaceae)?

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effects of florivory and of the patrolling ants associated to EFNs-extrafloral nectaries, on the frequency of floral visitors, using the specie Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa (Martius and Choise) in Caatinga area. The floral attributes of the species were characterized. The effect of florivoria on the frequency of visitors and the influence of the presence of ants associated with the NEFs on the pollinator visit rate were evaluated. The rate of natural florivoria was recorded and collected floral visitors and ants over eight months. The damage on floral structure and the presence of ants foraging in the flowers causes a decrease in the number of total visits. The results may be justified by the fact that the floral damage consisted in the loss of important floral attributes. These effects for Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa can affect reproductive success, since it is a self-incompatible species and depends on the activity of the pollinators for their fertilization to occur.

Resumo Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito da florivoria e do patrulhamento de formigas nos NEFs - nectários extraflorais sobre a frequência dos visitantes florais, utilizando a espécie Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa (Martius e Choise), em uma área de Caatinga. Os atributos florais da espécie foram caracterizados. Foram avaliados o efeito da florivoria sobre a frequência dos visitantes e a influência da presença de formigas associadas aos NEFs sobre a taxa de visita de polinizadores. Ao longo de oito meses foram registrados a taxa de florivoria natural foi registrada e realizada a coleta de visitantes florais e formigas. Os danos na estrutura floral e presença de formigas forrageando nas flores provocam decréscimo no número de visitas totais. Os resultados podem ser justificado pelo fato de que o dano floral consistiu na perda de atributos florais importantes. Estes efeitos para Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa podem afetar o sucesso reprodutivo, uma vez que é uma espécie autoincompatível e depende da atividade dos polinizadores para que a sua fecundação ocorra.

Pitfall Traps and Mini-Winkler Extractor as Complementary Methods to Sample Soil Coleoptera.

We compared abundance, species richness, and capture efficiency with pitfall traps and mini-Winkler extractors to examine their use as complementary methods for sampling soil Coleoptera during dry (2010) and high water seasons (2011) in three areas, including inundated and non-inundated regions, in the Pantanal of Poconé, Mato Grosso, Brazil. We paired treatments with two 10 × 10 m plots in inundated and non-inundated locations that were repeated three times in each location for a total of 18 plots. In each plot, we used nine pitfall traps and collected 2 m(2) of leaf litter and surface soil samples with mini-Winkler extractors. We collected a total of 4260 adult beetles comprising 36 families, 113 genera, and 505 species. Most were caught in pitfalls (69%) and the remainder in the mini-Winkler extractors (31%). Each method provided distinct information about the beetle community: 252 species were captured only in pitfall traps, 147 using only the mini-Winkler extractors, and these methods shared another 106 species. Pitfall and mini-Winkler contribute in different ways for the sampling of the soil beetle community, and so they should be considered complementary for a more thorough assessment of community diversity.

Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii Directly from Human and Animal Biological Samples: From Partial Genotypes to a New Genotype.

Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii is traditionally performed using DNA obtained from tachyzoites after isolation by bioassay in mice. In this study, genotyping of T. gondii was performed by multiplex nested polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (Mn-PCR-RFLP) in DNA obtained from the lungs of experimentally infected mice, the hearts of naturally infected free-range chickens, and human blood samples of newborns with congenital toxoplasmosis. The efficiency of Mn-PCR varied according to the marker. We obtained complete genotypes of all of the mice lung samples. In chickens, total or partial genotyping was performed on all of the 15 samples. Two complete genotypes were obtained, including one identified for the first time, and another previously described in different hosts including dogs, cats, and humans. In blood from infants, partial genotypes were obtained in 8 of the 12 samples. Mouse bioassay is the most efficient method to obtain DNA from T. gondii , but direct tissue genotyping enhances the likelihood of obtaining molecular information on T. gondii and is an effective tool as a complement to isolation in mice. In this study, we genotyped Toxoplasma gondii directly from human (blood samples of newborns with congenital toxoplasmosis) and free-range chickens (hearts) by Mn-PCR-RFLP. We present partial and complete genotypes and provide technical and scientific information about T. gondii genotyping methods.

Co-ocurrence of an osteogenesis imperfecta-like phenotype and congenital diaphragmatic hernia in a kitten

A rare case of the co-occurrence of an osteogenesis imperfecta-like phenotype and congenital diaphragmatic hernia is reported in a male, mixed-breed kitten with a clinical history of dyspnea, dehydration, sternal recumbency and stupor. The animal presented moderate bone deformity of the fore and hind limbs, muscle atrophy, and cervical and thoracic lordosis. The radiological examination and necropsy revealed diffuse and intense radiolucency throughout the skeleton, curved or fractured bones, very thin cortical long bones, an intensely extended medullary canal and left diaphragmatic hernia with an aperture without bleeding or scarring. Microscopically, some long bones and vertebral bodies had less-differentiated cartilaginous epiphysis, predominantly attached to the epiphyseal plate and with absence of secondary ossification centers or incipient formation. The trabeculae were thin, few, surrounded by abundant cartilaginous tissue and coated with a layer of bulky cuboidal osteoblasts. The cortical long bones, vertebrae, skull and ribs were thin and discontinuous. Based on the clinical, radiological, macroscopic and microscopic findings, a diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta and congenital diaphragmatic hernia was confirmed. To the best of our knowledge, this report is the first case of OI associated with congenital diaphragmatic hernia in an animal.(AU)

Co-ocurrence of an osteogenesis imperfecta-like phenotype and congenital diaphragmatic hernia in a kitten

A rare case of the co-occurrence of an osteogenesis imperfecta-like phenotype and congenital diaphragmatic hernia is reported in a male, mixed-breed kitten with a clinical history of dyspnea, dehydration, sternal recumbency and stupor. The animal presented moderate bone deformity of the fore and hind limbs, muscle atrophy, and cervical and thoracic lordosis. The radiological examination and necropsy revealed diffuse and intense radiolucency throughout the skeleton, curved or fractured bones, very thin cortical long bones, an intensely extended medullary canal and left diaphragmatic hernia with an aperture without bleeding or scarring. Microscopically, some long bones and vertebral bodies had less-differentiated cartilaginous epiphysis, predominantly attached to the epiphyseal plate and with absence of secondary ossification centers or incipient formation. The trabeculae were thin, few, surrounded by abundant cartilaginous tissue and coated with a layer of bulky cuboidal osteoblasts. The cortical long bones, vertebrae, skull and ribs were thin and discontinuous. Based on the clinical, radiological, macroscopic and microscopic findings, a diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta and congenital diaphragmatic hernia was confirmed. To the best of our knowledge, this report is the first case of OI associated with congenital diaphragmatic hernia in an animal.

Genetic evaluation of milk yield in Alpine goats for the first four lactations using random regression models.

Random regression models have been used in evaluating test-day milk yield, providing accurate estimates of genetic values in animals. However, herd evaluation with only information from the first lactation may not be the best option from an economic perspective. Other factors should be taken into account, particularly other lactations. Our objective in this study was to analyze the genetic divergence between the first four lactations of Alpine goats. The RENPED software was used to perform descriptive statistics, check for errors in pedigree, recode the data, and for Pearson's and Spearman's correlations. The WOMBAT software was used to estimate the variance components and predict the breeding values. The CALC software was adopted to calculate the percentage of coincidence between the ranking of the animals and the animals kept in common at each lactation evaluation. The results show that selection using only the first lactation in small herds with a low degree of technology can be employed as a palliative measure, in view of the difficulty in evaluating all lactations. However, the selection of breeding goats and the production of catalogues should not be based only on the first lactation, because the results demonstrate inversions in the classification of the best breeders when other lactations are analyzed.

A putative OTU domain-containing protein 1 deubiquitinating enzyme is differentially expressed in thyroid cancer and identifies less-aggressive tumours.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify novel biomarkers for thyroid carcinoma diagnosis and prognosis. METHODS: We have constructed a human single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody library that was selected against tumour thyroid cells using the BRASIL method (biopanning and rapid analysis of selective interactive ligands) and phage display technology. RESULTS: One highly reactive clone, scFv-C1, with specific binding to papillary thyroid tumour proteins was confirmed by ELISA, which was further tested against a tissue microarray that comprised of 229 thyroid tissues, including: 110 carcinomas (38 papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs), 42 follicular carcinomas, 30 follicular variants of PTC), 18 normal thyroid tissues, 49 nodular goitres (NG) and 52 follicular adenomas. The scFv-C1 was able to distinguish carcinomas from benign lesions (P=0.0001) and reacted preferentially against T1 and T2 tumour stages (P=0.0108). We have further identified an OTU domain-containing protein 1, DUBA-7 deubiquitinating enzyme as the scFv-binding antigen using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. CONCLUSIONS: The strategy of screening and identifying a cell-surface-binding antibody against thyroid tissues was highly effective and resulted in a useful biomarker that recognises malignancy among thyroid nodules and may help identify lower-risk cases that can benefit from less-aggressive management.

Talcosis in soapstone artisans: high-resolution CT findings in 12 patients.

AIM: To describe the high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) features of pneumoconiosis observed in soapstone artisans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study included 12 soapstone artisans with chest radiography abnormalities consistent with the diagnosis of pneumoconiosis, in accordance with the International Labour Office classification. All patients had undergone HRCT, and the images were retrospectively analysed by two chest radiologists, who reached decisions in consensus. RESULTS: All patients presented with interlobular septal thickening. Small centrilobular nodules (75%) and ground-glass opacities (67%) were also common findings. The distributions of abnormalities were predominantly diffuse. No pleural abnormality was found. CONCLUSION: The HRCT abnormalities observed in this group of soapstone artisans are similar to those of pure talc pneumoconiosis.