A comparison of virulence patterns and in vivo fitness between hospital- and community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus related to the USA400 clone.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates genetically related to the CA-MRSA clone MW2/USA400 (ST1-SCCmecIV lineage) from the United States have emerged in hospitals in Rio de Janeiro and are associated with nosocomial bloodstream infections. To understand the virulence mechanisms involved in the adaptability of ST1 isolates as a hospital pathogen in Rio de Janeiro, we compared the virulence traits and fitness properties of the Brazilian isolates with those displayed by the CA-MRSA isolates from the United States. Similar to the USA400 from the United States, all the Brazilian isolates tested carried the genes encoding SEH and LukDE. In contrast, none of the Brazilian isolates carried the lukSF PVL, sea, sec, and sek genes. Competition experiments in mice demonstrated a significant increase in the fitness for the CA-MRSA isolates MW2 and USA400-0051 from the United States compared to other isolates. In the foreign body animal model, 83 % more North-American bacterial cells were recovered compared to the Brazilian ST1 isolates. Differences in gene expression of important virulence factors were detected. Transcription of rnaIII and psmα3 was increased about two-fold in the isolates from the United States, and sasG about two-fold in the Brazilian isolates. Thus, it is possible that the virulence attenuation observed among the Brazilian hospital isolates, associated with the acquisition of multiple resistant determinants, are consequences of microevolutionary events that contributed to the necessary fitness adjustment of this lineage, allowing a typically community-acquired MRSA (MW2/USA400) to emerge as a successful hospital pathogen (Brazilian ST1-SCCmecIV).

Frequency of endometriosis and adenomyosis in patients with leiomyomas, gynecologic premalignant, and malignant neoplasias.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the association between gynecological neoplasms, endometriosis, and adenomyosis in women who underwent surgical treatment for gynecological cancer and uterine leiomyoma during reproductive years or after menopause. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Information was collected from patient records from the Hospital's database from 1985 to 2007. The study included 502 women, of which 375 were premenopausal and 132 were postmenopausal. RESULTS: A significant association was observed between the occurrence of adenomyosis in cancer in women with four or more pregnancies, and in women aged over 40 years (p < 0.0001). The frequency of adenomyosis was significantly higher than the frequency of endometriosis for cancer in two sites (p = 0.0419) or for leiomyomas (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Therefore adenomyosis is more frequently found than endometriosis in women with leiomyomas or cancer in two sites in premenopausal women, and clinicians need to be aware of patients with adenomyosis and the risk of cancer.

Short-term urea feeding decreases in vitro hatching of bovine blastocysts.

Cows fed high-protein diets may have impaired reproductive performance. Although the pathogenesis has not been completely elucidated, it appears that not only the uterus, but also the follicle and oocyte, are affected by excessive plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) concentrations. Thus, the objective was to determine the effects of short-term urea feeding on the competence of bovine oocytes. Forty crossbred heifers (Bos indicus vs Bos taurus) were allocated to two groups, namely CONTROL (maintenance diet) and UREA (maintenance diet supplemented with 75 g of urea/day), following a cross-over design. Heifers received their respective diets for 6 d (without adaptation). On the sixth day, blood samples were harvested both before and 3 h after feeding, and cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected by ovum pick-up. Although PUN concentrations were higher in UREA than CONTROL heifers (31.31 mg/dL ± 1.13 vs 22.12 mg/dL ± 0.86; mean ± SEM), neither the number of COCs recovered (8.8 ± 1.0 vs 9.2 ± 0.8, UREA vs CONTROL, respectively) nor their quality (based on morphology) differed significantly between groups. Next, oocytes were fertilized and cultured in vitro to assess developmental rates. There was an absence of significant differences between groups for rates of cleavage (Day 3) or blastocyst formation (Days 6, 7 and 9), but the hatched blastocyst rate on Day 11 after fertilization was lower (P < 0.05) in the UREA than the CONTROL groups (64.3 vs 83.5%). Therefore, we inferred that the effects of urea were only manifest later in development. In conclusion, high PUN concentrations decreased oocyte competence in heifers, reinforcing the hypothesis that poor reproductive performance in cows with high PUN was due, at least in part, to a deleterious effect on oocytes.

Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) on dogs from Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Uberlândia in Minas Gerais State, southeastern Brazil, has 622 000 inhabitants and is located in the Cerrado biome, the South American savannah. The city dog population is estimated at 82 000 and identification of tick species and infestation prevalence on this host has not been determined. A major infectious disease of dogs in the city, canine ehrlichiosis, is transmitted by Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks. At the same time, autochthonous leishmaniosis has been recently described in the city and a role for dog ticks in the disease transmission has been supposed in Brazil. In this work, we present general information on dog ticks in Uberlândia municipality and region. Dogs from 33 farms and 31 districts were examined for ticks from July 2007 to February 2009. On the whole, 413 dogs were examined, 311 (75.3%) from the city and 102 (24.6%) from rural area. Overall infestation rate of dogs from Uberlândia was 37.3% and the mean infestation intensity was 3.25 parasites per dog. In the urban area, 100 dogs (32.2%) had ticks whereas 54 dogs (52.9%) from rural areas were infested. Four tick species were found: Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Amblyomma cajennense, Amblyomma ovale and Boophilus microplus. In the city, only R. sanguineus and one A. cajennense was found on dogs and R. sanguineus and A. ovale were the main dog ticks in rural areas.

Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation in a human immunodeficiency virus-positive recipient: a case report.

BACKGROUND: After the development of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), there has been increased interest in organ transplantation for this selected population. There is a lack of reports about pancreas transplant in HIV+ recipients. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 43-year-old HIV+ man who presented with type 1 diabetes for 25 years and end-stage-renal disease. He underwent dialysis therapy for the prior 3 years. His CD4 count was 830 cells/mL and a negative viral load was achieved after 3 months of antiretroviral therapy. His nutritional status was favorable; no opportunistic infections had occurred. A simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPKT) was performed from a 19-year-old deceased trauma victim. Pancreas implantation was enteric-portal drainage. No induction immunosuppression was used, but rather tacrolimus, sodium mycophenolate, and steroids. In the postoperative period, there was a delayed kidney graft function requiring hemodialysis for 14 days. On postoperative day 11, a kidney biopsy specimen showed mild rejection, which was successfully treated with steroids. The patient was discharged after 22 days; he was normoglycemic and insulin-independent with a serum creatinine value of 1.9 mg/dL. Currently, his outcome has been uneventful, without a readmission or opportunistic infections. After 5 months postoperation, the viral load is negative and the CD4 count is 460 cells/mL. The current serum creatinine level is 1.1 mg/dL; no insulin has been required. COMMENT: HIV has been considered to be an absolute contraindication to organ transplantation, because of the infection risk due to severe immunosuppression, to interactions between antiretroviral and immunosuppressive drugs, and to reluctance to offer an organ to a terminal patient. However, transplants in HIV+ patients have shown good results, when a patient has an acceptable CD4 level, a low viral load, and minimal antiretroviral therapy.

Aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos e hematológicos de 251 cães portadores de mórula de Ehrlichia spp. naturalmente infectados / Epidemiological, clinical, and hematological aspects of 251 dogs naturally infected with Ehrlichia spp. morulae

Realizou-se um estudo retrospectivo dos aspectos epidemiológicos, sinais clínicos, dados de exame físico e alterações hematológicas da erliquiose em 251 cães naturalmente infectados por Ehrlichia spp. Dos 4407 casos atendidos em hospital veterinário no período de janeiro de 2002 a dezembro de 2003, verificou-se que 251 cães eram portadores de mórula de Ehrlichia spp. em leucócitos de sangue periférico. Destes, 48 foram eliminados das avaliações por apresentarem patologias concomitantes. Nos 203 cães restantes, verificou-se que houve maior ocorrência em fêmeas (61,1 por cento) e que a doença manteve-se constante durante todo o período avaliado. Observou-se que 38 por cento encontravam-se na faixa etária entre um e 23 meses e 58,6 por cento eram de raça definida. As principais alterações clínicas observadas foram apatia, anorexia/hiporexia, vômito, secreção oculonasal e esplenomegalia. Cento e cinco cães apresentaram temperatura retal entre 38 e 39,5ºC. As alterações observadas com maior frequência no hemograma foram anemia, predominando o tipo normocítica normocrômica (58,2 por cento); desvio nuclear de neutrófilos para a esquerda (67 por cento) e eosinopenia (58,1 por cento).

A study of epidemiological and clinical aspects, alterations of physical exams, and hematological changes of canine ehrlichiosis was performed. A retrospective study was performed in 4,407 dogs referred to a Veterinary Hospital from January 2002 to December 2003. Of all cases, 251 dogs showed Ehrlichia spp. morulae. Among these, 48 were excluded from the study due to other co-infection by other pathologies. In the other 203 evaluated dogs, females (61.1 percent) were more infected than males. The dogs aged from one to 23 months (68.6 percent) and 58.6 percent were definite breed. Emesis, apathy, anorexia/hypoxeria, spleenomegaly, and nasal discharge were the most common signs presented. Rectal temperature was 38 - 39.5ÚC in 105 dogs. The most usual changes seen during the hematological tests were normochromic and normocitic anemia (58.2 percent), a left shift of the neuthrophils (67 percent), and eosinopenia (58.1 percent).

Leaf anatomy and morphometry in three eucalypt clones treated with glyphosate.

This work aimed to evaluate the effects of simulated drift of glyphosate on the morphoanatomy of three eucalypt clones and to correlate the intoxication symptoms on a microscopic scale with those observed in this visual analysis. The effects of glyphosate drift were proportional to the five doses tested, with Eucalyptus urophylla being more tolerant to the herbicide than E. grandis and urograndis hybrid. The symptoms of intoxication which were similar for the different clones at 7 and 15 days after application were characterized by leaf wilting, chlorosis and curling and, at the highest rates, by necrosis, leaf senescence and death. Anatomically glyphosate doses higher than 86.4 g.ha-1 caused cellular plasmolysis, hypertrophy and hyperplasia, formation of the cicatrization tissue and dead cells on the adaxial epidermis. The spongy parenchyma had a decrease, and the palisade parenchyma and leaf blade thickness had an increase. The increased thickness in leaf blade and palisade parenchyma may be related to the plant response to glyphosate action, as a form of recovering the photosynthetically active area reduced by necroses and leaf senescence caused by the herbicide.

Leaf anatomy and morphometry in three eucalypt clones treated with glyphosate / Anatomia e morfometria foliar em clones de eucalipto tratados com glyphosate

This work aimed to evaluate the effects of simulated drift of glyphosate on the morphoanatomy of three eucalypt clones and to correlate the intoxication symptoms on a microscopic scale with those observed in this visual analysis. The effects of glyphosate drift were proportional to the five doses tested, with Eucalyptus urophylla being more tolerant to the herbicide than E. grandis and urograndis hybrid. The symptoms of intoxication which were similar for the different clones at 7 and 15 days after application were characterized by leaf wilting, chlorosis and curling and, at the highest rates, by necrosis, leaf senescence and death. Anatomically glyphosate doses higher than 86.4 g.ha-1 caused cellular plasmolysis, hypertrophy and hyperplasia, formation of the cicatrization tissue and dead cells on the adaxial epidermis. The spongy parenchyma had a decrease, and the palisade parenchyma and leaf blade thickness had an increase. The increased thickness in leaf blade and palisade parenchyma may be related to the plant response to glyphosate action, as a form of recovering the photosynthetically active area reduced by necroses and leaf senescence caused by the herbicide.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos da deriva simulada de glyphosate na morfoanatomia de três clones de eucalipto e correlacionar os sintomas de intoxicação em escala microscópica com aqueles observados à vista desarmada. Os efeitos da deriva do glyphosate foram proporcionais às doses testadas, sendo Eucalyptus urophylla mais tolerante ao herbicida que E. grandis e o híbrido urograndis. Os sintomas de intoxicação foram semelhantes para os diferentes clones testados, tanto aos 7 quanto aos 15 dias após a aplicação, sendo caracterizados, morfologicamente, por murcha, clorose e enrolamento foliar e, no caso das maiores doses, por necrose, senescência foliar e morte das plantas de eucalipto. Anatomicamente, doses de glyphosate superiores a 86,4 g.ha-1 provocaram plasmólise, hipertrofia e hiperplasia celular, formação de tecido de cicatrização e morte das células da face adaxial da epiderme. Observou-se diminuição na espessura do parênquima lacunoso e aumento na espessura do parênquima paliçádico e da lâmina foliar. O aumento na espessura da folha e do parênquima paliçádico podem estar relacionados à resposta das plantas ao glyphosate, como forma de compensar a área fotossinteticamente reduzida pelas necroses e senescência causadas pelo herbicida.

Ovarian clear cell carcinoma associated with endometriosis: a case report with immunohistochemical study.

Endometriosis is a frequent benign gynecological disease; nonetheless, it can demonstrate some aspects that resemble malignant disease. Malignant transformation of endometriosis occurs mainly in the ovary. A rare case of transition between typical endometriosis and clear cell carcinoma with immunohistochemical study is presented. The patient, a 30-year-old Caucasian woman (para 0), was diagnosed with endometriosis ten years before. Six months later she developed a left cystic ovarian tumor (58 cm3) that persisted after two ultrasounds in a four-month period. Tumor markers were normal (CA125, CA 15.3, CA 19.9, alpha-fetoprotein, carcinoembrionary antigen A1). There was no ascites. The left ovarian mass was removed by laparotomy and endometriosis in continuity with carcinoma positive for cytokeratin 7 and estrogen receptor was revealed. CD10 was positive in the stromal cells of the endometriosis. Clear cell carcinoma grade 3 was diagnosed. In conclusion, although a rare event, the association of typical endometriosis and clear cell carcinoma of the ovary should be kept in mind, mainly in patients with a persistent ovarian cyst.

[Power-arm adaptation in canine bonded brackets]. / Adaptação de braço de alavanca (power-arm) em braquetes de caninos para colagem.

The author develops a method of Power-Arm adaptation in canine bonding brackets. Technical steps and its clinical use are described in the present report.