Cutaneous mast cell tumor in a captive Bush dog (Speothos venaticus): pathological and immunophenotypical aspects - case report / Mastocitoma cutâneo em um cachorro-do-mato vinagre (Speothos venaticus) de cativeiro: aspectos patológicos e imunofenotípicos - relato de caso

A senile male captive bush dog (Speothos venaticus) presented a small perianal cutaneous nodule. Histologically, there was an ulcerated round cell tumor composed of well differentiated mast cells with abundant intracytoplasmic purple Giemsa-positive granules, with a diffuse eosinophilic infiltrate. Immunohistochemistry revealed that 30% of the neoplastic cells were positive for Kit in the cytoplasm and cell membrane, and all neoplastic cells were negative for MAC and CD3. Less than 10% of the neoplastic cells were positive for Ki67. At necropsy other primary tumors were identified in this animal, including an intestinal adenoma, an adrenal cortex adenoma and a testicular interstitial cell tumor.(AU)

Um cachorro-vinagre (Speothos venaticus) apresentou um nódulo cutâneo pequeno na região perianal. Histologicamente havia neoplasia cutânea de células redondas e ulcerada, constituída por mastócitos bem diferenciados, com abundantes grânulos citoplasmáticos metacromáticos na coloração de Giemsa e infiltrado eosinofílico difuso. A imuno-histoquímica demonstrou que 30% das células neoplásicas eram positivas para a proteína Kit no citoplasma e na membrana celular. As células foram negativas para MAC e CD3. Menos de 10% das células neoplásicas foram positivas para Ki67. Durante a necropsia, foram identificados outros tumores primários, como adenoma intestinal, adenoma cortical da adrenal e tumor de células intersticiais do testículo.(AU)

Lead acetate ecotoxicity in tropical soils.

Lead acetate (AcPb) is an important raw material used in chemical industries worldwide. The potential toxicity of AcPb is generally attributed to the presence of Pb. However, the effect of AcPb on the environment as a whole is still poorly known. This study aimed to evaluate AcPb toxicity on three standard species of soil invertebrates and two plant species using ecotoxicology tests. Three tropical soils (Oxisol, Inceptisol, and Tropical Artificial Soil (TAS)) were contaminated with different concentrations of AcPb and one dose of K-acetate (positive control). These soils were used in tests with Eisenia andrei (earthworm), Folsomia candida (springtail), Enchytraeus crypticus (enchytraeid), Zea mays (maize), and Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean). Dose-response curves obtained in the laboratory tests were used to estimate the EC50 values for each species. Among invertebrates, the highest sensitivity to AcPb was observed for E. crypticus in the TAS (EC50 = 29.8 mg AcPb kg-1), whereas for E. andrei and F. candida the highest sensitivity was observed in the Oxisol (EC50 = 141.9 and 1835 mg AcPb kg-1, respectively). Folsomia candida was the least sensitive invertebrate species to AcPb in all soils. Among plant species, Z. mays was less sensitive (EC50 = 1527.5 mg AcPb kg-1) than P. vulgaris (EC50 = 560.5 mg AcPb kg-1) in the Oxisol. The present study evidenced that the toxicity of AcPb should not be attributed uniquely to the presence of Pb, as the treatment containing uniquely Ac provoked the same toxicity as the highest dose of AcPb.

Meta-analysis and systematic review of ADGRL3 (LPHN3) polymorphisms in ADHD susceptibility.

The gene encoding adhesion G protein-coupled receptor L3 (ADGRL3, also referred to as latrophilin 3 or LPHN3) has been associated with ADHD susceptibility in independent ADHD samples. We conducted a systematic review and a comprehensive meta-analysis to summarize the associations between the most studied ADGRL3 polymorphisms (rs6551665, rs1947274, rs1947275, and rs2345039) and both childhood and adulthood ADHD. Eight association studies (seven published and one unpublished) fulfilled criteria for inclusion in our meta-analysis. We also incorporated GWAS data for ADGRL3. In order to avoid overlapping samples, we started with summary statistics from GWAS samples and then added data from gene association studies. The results of our meta-analysis suggest an effect of ADGRL3 variants on ADHD susceptibility in children (n = 8724/14,644 cases/controls and 1893 families): rs6551665 A allele (Z score = -2.701; p = 0.0069); rs1947274 A allele (Z score = -2.033; p = 0.0421); rs1947275 T allele (Z score = 2.339; p = 0.0978); and rs2345039 C allele (Z score = 3.806; p = 0.0026). Heterogeneity was found in analyses for three SNPs (rs6551665, rs1947274, and rs2345039). In adults, results were not significant (n = 6532 cases/15,874 controls): rs6551665 A allele (Z score = 2.005; p = 0.0450); rs1947274 A allele (Z score = 2.179; p = 0.0293); rs1947275 T allele (Z score = -0.822; p = 0.4109); and rs2345039 C allele (Z score = -1.544; p = 0.1226). Heterogeneity was found just for rs6551665. In addition, funnel plots did not suggest publication biases. Consistent with ADGRL3's role in early neurodevelopment, our findings suggest that the gene is predominantly associated with childhood ADHD.

Critical mercury concentration in tropical soils: Impact on plants and soil biological attributes.

Mercury is a toxic element that becomes a problem when present at high concentrations in soils. Mercury toxicity in soils varies depending on chemical species, concentration, exposure routes, and organism vulnerability. There is little information regarding the toxicity of Hg in tropical soils, especially for establishing safe levels of this pollutant. The purpose of this study was to investigate Hg concentrations in two tropical soils and their effect on oats and common beans, as well as on soil biological attributes. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, following ISO 11.269-2 and OECD-208 guidelines. Oat and common bean were cultivated in a Typic Hapludox (TyHpx) and Rhodic Acrudox (RhAcx) contaminated with HgCl2 at the following concentrations: 0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0, 40.0, and 80.0 mg of Hg kg-1 of dry soil. The biological variables analyzed were seedling emergence, vegetative growth, chlorophyll content (SPAD index), gas exchange (photosynthetic rate, internal CO2 concentration, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance), and Hg concentration and accumulation in shoot dry matter. Microbial biomass carbon, soil basal respiration, and metabolic quotient (qCO2) were also analyzed. Due to the sorptive characteristics of TyHpx, it had higher Hg concentrations than RhAcx. Mercury showed toxic effects on both oat and common bean species. However, common bean was affected only at concentrations higher than 20 mg kg-1. The microbial community showed high sensitivity to soil Hg concentrations, but external factors, such as the plant species cultivated, influenced the sensitivity of the community. The microbiota was most sensitive in pots with common bean, and this effect was more pronounced at low clay and low organic matter contents (TyHpx). In this study, the concentration of 0.36 mg kg-1 was critical for Hg in these soils, based on its deleterious effects on oat and common bean and on biological soil attributes.

Why is there selective subcortical vulnerability in ADHD? Clues from postmortem brain gene expression data.

Sub-cortical volumetric differences were associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in a recent multi-site, mega-analysis of 1713 ADHD persons and 1529 controls. As there was a wide range of effect sizes among the sub-cortical volumes, it is possible that selective neuronal vulnerability has a role in these volumetric losses. To address this possibility, we used data from Allen Brain Atlas to investigate variability in gene expression profiles between subcortical regions of typically developing brains. We tested the hypothesis that the expression of genes in a set of curated ADHD candidate genes and five a priori selected, biological pathways would be associated with the Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) findings. Across the subcortical regions studied by ENIGMA, gene expression profiles for three pathways were significantly correlated with ADHD-associated volumetric reductions: apoptosis, oxidative stress and autophagy. These correlations were strong and significant for children with ADHD, but not for adults. Although preliminary, these data suggest that variability of structural brain anomalies in ADHD can be explained, in part, by the differential vulnerability of these regions to mechanisms mediating apoptosis, oxidative stress and autophagy.

LPHN3 and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a susceptibility and pharmacogenetic study.

Latrophilin 3 (LPHN3) is a brain-specific member of the G-protein coupled receptor family associated to both attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) genetic susceptibility and methylphenidate (MPH) pharmacogenetics. Interactions of LPHN3 variants with variants harbored in the 11q chromosome improve the prediction of ADHD development and medication response. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of LPHN3 variants in childhood ADHD susceptibility and treatment response in a naturalistic clinical cohort. The association between LPHN3 and ADHD was evaluated in 523 children and adolescents with ADHD and 132 controls. In the pharmacogenetic study, 172 children with ADHD were investigated. The primary outcome measure was the parent-rated Swanson, Nolan and Pelham Scale - version IV applied at baseline, first and third months of treatment with MPH. The results reported herein suggest the CGC haplotype derived from single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs6813183, rs1355368 and rs734644 as an ADHD risk haplotype (P = 0.02, OR = 1.46). Although non-significant after multiple testing correction, its interaction with the 11q chromosome SNP rs965560 slightly increases risk (P = 0.03, OR = 1.55). Homozygous individuals for the CGC haplotype showed faster response to MPH treatment as a significant interaction effect between CGC haplotype and treatment over time was observed (P < 0.001). Homozygous individuals for the GT haplotype derived from SNPs rs6551665 and rs1947275 showed a nominally significant interaction with treatment over time (P = 0.04). Our findings replicate previous findings reporting that LPHN3 confers ADHD susceptibility, and moderates MPH treatment response in children and adolescents with ADHD.

Key-Gaskell syndrome in Brazil: first case report / Síndrome de Key-Gaskell: primeiro relato de caso no Brasil

Feline dysautonomia is a devastating disease characterized by neuronal degeneration in autonomic ganglia that results in clinical signs related to dysfunction of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The cause is unknown and this disease has a poor prognosis and no definitive treatment. Most reports have been described in few countries around the world, but the prevalence may be underestimated in countries like Brazil. This study describes the progression and clinicopathological changes of dysautonomia in a 17-month-old female Brazilian shorthair cat...

Disautonomia felina é uma doença devastadora, caracterizada por degeneração neuronal em gânglios autonômicos, a qual resulta em sinais clínicos relacionados à disfunção dos sistemas simpático e parassimpático. Sua causa é desconhecida, o prognóstico desfavorável e não há tratamento definitivo disponível. A maioria dos relatos foi descrita em países ao redor do mundo, mas sua prevalência pode estar subestimada em países como o Brasil. Este estudo descreve a progressão e as alterações clínico-patológicas da disautonomia em um gato de pelo curto brasileiro, do sexo feminino, de 17 meses de idade...

Efficacy of and effect on tooth sensitivity of in-office bleaching gel concentrations: a randomized clinical trial.

With the aim of reducing the side effects of in-office bleaching agents, less-concentrated hydrogen peroxide (HP) gels have been released by manufacturers. We evaluated the tooth sensitivity (TS) and bleaching efficacy (BE) of two HP concentrations in this study. Gels containing 35% and 20% HP (HP35 and HP20, respectively) were applied on teeth of 60 caries-free patients. Color was recorded at baseline and one week after the first and second bleaching sessions using the Vita Classical shade guide. TS was recorded on a 0-4 scale. BE at each weekly recall was evaluated by Kruskall-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (α=0.05). Absolute risk of TS and its intensity was evaluated by Fisher exact and Mann-Whitney tests, respectively (α=0.05). After two bleaching sessions, color change of approximately eight tabs was obtained with HP35; whereas, with HP20 it was six tabs (p<0.05). Only 26.7% (HP35) and 16.7% (HP20) of the participants reported TS, and no statistical differences were detected among them. Both in-office bleaching gels showed similar TS intensity, but the 35% HP agent produced faster bleaching.

Effect of water storage on resin-dentin bond strengths formed by different bonding approaches.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of water storage on resin-dentin bond strengths [microTBS] using different adhesive bonding approaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Flat superficial dentin surfaces of 24 extracted human third molars were exposed and polished to create a standardized smear layer. The teeth were randomly distributed into four different groups: Three-step etch-and-rinse (Adper Scotchbond Multi-Purpose, 3M ESPE-SBMP), two-step etch-and-rinse (Adper Single Bond 2, 3 M ESPE-SB); two-step self-etch (AdheSE, Ivoclar/Vivadent-AD); and self-etch 1 step (Adper Prompt L-Pop, 3M ESPE-LP). Following the adhesive application (n = 6), resin composite was incrementally applied (Filtek Supreme XT-3 M ESPE) in order to obtain bonded sticks, with a cross-sectioned area of 0.81 mm2. The bonded sticks were randomly divided and assigned to be tested after one day [OD] (n 30) or six months [6 M] of water storage [6 M] (n = 30). RESULTS: Two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test showed that none of the adhesives showed degradation after 6 M. SB achieved the highest microTBS both in the [OD] (49.13 MPa) and [6M] (40.27 MPa). Despite the highest values in both time evaluations, the microTBS of SB significantly reduced after 6M. LP showed the lowest microTBS in both periods of evaluation (18.35 and 18.34 MPa). CONCLUSIONS: Although a significant degradation was only observed for SB, this was the adhesive that showed the highest microTBS after 6 M of water storage.

[Influence of nutrition on hormone secretion. II. Study in Ribeirão, Pernambuco, Brazil (author's transl)]. / Influência da nutrição sobre a secreção hormonal. II Estudo em Ribeirão, Pernambuco, Brasil

1. Ten children from Ribeirão of both sexes, aged 1 to 6 years, suffering from 2nd and 3rd degree malnutrition were studied. The mean circulating growth hormone levels were significantly higher in both groups before dietary therapy, but the highest values were found in children with 3rd degree malnutrition. It was demonstrated that serum growth hormone levels were significantly related to the severity of malnutrition. A positive correlation was found between the nutritional status and the growth hormone levels. 2. The mean circulating insulin levels were lower before dietary therapy, but a significant correlation was not noted between the nutritional status and the insulin levels. 3. After the dietary therapy the hormone levels progressively returned to normal. These children showed a better recovery than those of the previous study, Agua Preta. This observation may be due to the active participation of the mothers in the nutritional recuperation of their children.

[Influence of nutrition on hormone secretion. I. Study in Agua Preta (author's transl)]. / Influência da nutricão sobre a secrecão hormonal. I. Eistudo em Agua Preta

A positive correlation between the circulating growth hormone levels and the nutritional status was reported in 9 children of both sexes, aged 1 to 6 years, suffering from 2nd degree malnutrition. The mean serum insulin levels, the mean urinary 17-KS and 17-OHCS levels were low before the dietary therapy. No significant correlation between the levels of these hormones and the nutritional status was found. The hormone levels gradually returned to normal after the dietary therapy and the nutritional status of the children improved, according to the observed biochemical, clinical and anthropometric data.