Can a Sacrococcygeal Epidural of 0.25% Bupivacaine Prevent the Activation of the Sympathetic Nervous System during Feline Ovariectomy?

The ovariectomy (OVE) procedure can trigger somatosensory and visceral peritoneal nociception. Sacrococcygeal epidural (ScE) anesthesia may complement or replace systemic analgesia used for feline OVE, reducing opioid consumption and their related undesirable adverse effects and consequently reducing or completely blocking the sympathetic nervous system activation during this procedure. The present study aimed to evaluate the activation of the sympathetic nervous system resulting from adding an ScE injection of bupivacaine 0.25% (0.3 mL kg-1) in feline OVE and identify whether this translates to hemodynamic variables stability. A Parasympathetic Tone Activity (PTA) monitor was applied given that it performs analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) detecting changes in sympathetic and parasympathetic tone, making it a good tool for detecting activation of the sympathetic nervous system during the study. Two groups of animals were evaluated in five perioperative times, namely, the control group (CG) (n = 18) with systemic analgesia alone and the sacrococcygeal epidural group (ScEG) (n = 20) with 0.25% bupivacaine combined with systemic analgesia. Thirty-eight female cats were selected. All animals assigned to CG and ScEG were premedicated with dexmedetomidine (20 µg kg-1 IM) and methadone (0.2 mg kg-1 IM). General anesthesia was induced with propofol IV ad effectum and maintained with isoflurane in 100% oxygen. Heart rate, non-invasive systolic and median blood pressure, respiratory rate, and instantaneous parasympathetic tone activity were recorded. Compared to systemic analgesia alone (CG), sacrococcygeal epidural (ScEG) reduced the rise of common hemodynamic variables but did not prevent sympathetic nervous system activation.

Explainable artificial intelligence (xAI) in neuromarketing/consumer neuroscience: an fMRI study on brand perception.

Introduction: The research in consumer neuroscience has identified computational methods, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, as a significant frontier for advancement. Previously, we utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) to model brain processes related to brand preferences in a paradigm exempted from motor actions. In the current study, we revisit this data, introducing recent advancements in explainable artificial intelligence (xAI) to gain insights into this domain. By integrating fMRI data analysis, machine learning, and xAI, our study aims to search for functional brain networks that support brand perception and, ultimately, search for brain networks that disentangle between preferred and indifferent brands, focusing on the early processing stages. Methods: We applied independent component analysis (ICA) to overcome the expected fMRI data's high dimensionality, which raises hurdles in AI applications. We extracted pertinent features from the returned ICs. An ANN is then trained on this data, followed by pruning and retraining processes. We then apply explanation techniques, based on path-weights and Shapley values, to make the network more transparent, explainable, and interpretable, and to obtain insights into the underlying brain processes. Results: The fully connected ANN model obtained an accuracy of 54.6%, which dropped to 50.4% after pruning. However, the retraining process allowed it to surpass the fully connected network, achieving an accuracy of 55.9%. The path-weights and Shapley-based analysis concludes that, regarding brand perception, the expected initial participation of the primary visual system is followed. Other brain areas participate in early processing and discriminate between preferred and indifferent brands, such as the cuneal and the lateral occipital cortices. Discussion: The most important finding is that a split between processing brands|preferred from brands|indifferent may occur during early processing stages, still in the visual system. However, we found no evidence of a "decision pipeline" that would yield if a brand is preferred or indifferent. The results suggest the existence of a "tagging"-like process in parallel flows in the extrastriate. Network training dynamics aggregate specific processes within the hidden nodes by analyzing the model's hidden layer. This yielded that some nodes contribute to both global brand appraisal and specific brand category classification, shedding light on the neural substrates of decision-making in response to brand stimuli.

The Performance of Using the Parasympathetic Tone Activity (PTA) Index to Assess Intraoperative Nociception in Cats.

BACKGROUND: The monitoring of nociception/antinociception poses a significant challenge during anesthesia, making the incorporation of new tools like the Parasympathetic Tone Activity (PTA) monitor an added value in feline anesthesia. OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness and speed of PTA monitoring when compared to heart rate (HR) in detecting surgical stimuli (SS) during the intraoperative period in 49 female cats undergoing ovariectomy (OV). METHODS: Instantaneous Parasympathetic Tone Activity (PTAi) values, HR, fR, and non-invasive SAP and MAP were continuously monitored and systematically assessed. The time required for HR (HR time) and PTAi (PTAi time) to reach their minimum peak values following each surgical stimulus was collected at five points for each anaesthetized cat. Each collected surgical stimulus was categorized into 3 groups for statistical analysis: no nociception detection, no hemodynamic reaction and a PTAi > 50 (Nhre); no hemodynamic reaction and a PTAi < 50 (Nhre < 50); and hemodynamic reaction and PTAi < 50 (Hre < 50). RESULTS: PTAi response demonstrated effectiveness in detecting nociception compared to HR. The SS were categorized as 36.1% in the Nhre group, 50% in the Nhre < 50 group, and only 13.9% in the Hre < 50 group. In the Hre < 50 group, PTAi time and HR time had similar speeds in detecting the SS (p = 0.821); however, PTA time was significantly slower in the Nhre < 50 group when compared to the Hre < 50 group (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: PTA monitoring may be a useful tool to complement HR monitoring for detecting nociception. PTA monitoring demonstrated a superior diagnostic value compared to HR for detecting nociception in cats undergoing OV and a similar speed to HR in detecting SS when HR increases above 20%. Future studies are needed to understand in a clinical setting the meaning of sympathetic activation/nociception detected using the PTA monitor when the HR increase is not clinically relevant.

Comparison between Bilateral Ultrasound-Guided Quadratus Lumborum Block and Sacrococcygeal Epidural in Cats Undergoing Ovariectomy.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block (QLB) and sacrococcygeal epidural anaesthesia (ScE) have been used for neutering cats, providing effective pain relief. OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of the QLB with those of ScE in cats undergoing ovariectomies. METHODS: Feral cats undergoing ovariectomy were premedicated with dexmedetomidine (20 µg kg-1) and methadone (0.2 mg kg-1) intramuscularly. Anaesthesia was induced with 2-4 mg kg-1 of propofol intravenously and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. The cats were randomly allocated to the groups QLB (bilateral QLB with 0.4 mL kg-1 of 0.25% bupivacaine) and ScE (0.3 mL kg-1 of 0.25% bupivacaine). Hemodynamic data and analgesia rescue were collected at four intraoperative periods. The pain scale and motor block were assessed in both groups during the postoperative period. RESULTS: The ScE results in increased hypotension, prolonged extubation time, and higher postoperative motor block than the QLB (p < 0.05). The QLB and ScE groups required a similar number of intraoperative rescues and presented the same postoperative pain scale classification. CONCLUSIONS: The QLB with 0.25% bupivacaine is a potential alternative to ScE with 0.25% bupivacaine in perioperative pain management in elective cat ovariectomy. The QLB promoted less hypotension and postoperative motor block when compared with the ScE group.

Microbacterium memoriense sp. nov., a member of the Actinomycetota from marine beach sediment of the north coast of Portugal.

The oceans harbour a myriad of unknown micro-organisms that remain unstudied because of a failure to establish the right growth conditions under laboratory conditions. To overcome this limitation, an isolation effort inspired by the iChip was performed using marine sediments from Memória beach, Portugal. A novel strain, PMIC_1C1BT, was obtained and subjected to a polyphasic study. Cells of strain PMIC_1C1BT were Gram-positive, rod-shaped, divided by binary fission and formed colonies that were shiny light-yellow. Based on its full 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain PMIC_1C1BT was phylogenetically associated to the genus Microbacterium and its closest relatives were Microbacterium aurum KACC 15219T (98.55 %), Microbacterium diaminobutyricum RZ63T (98.48 %) and Microbacterium hatanonis JCM 14558T (98.13 %). Strain PMIC_1C1BT had a genome size of 2 761 607 bp with 67.71 mol% of G+C content and 2582 coding sequences, which is lower than the genus average. Strain PMIC_1C1BT grew from 15 to 30 °C, optimally at 25 °C, at pH 6.0 to 11.0, optimally between pH 6.0 and 8.0, and from 0 to 5 % (w/v) NaCl, optimally between 2.0 and 3.0 %. It grew with casamino acids, glutamine, methionine, N-acetylglucosamine, sodium nitrate, tryptophan, urea and valine as sole nitrogen sources, and arabinose and cellobiose as sole carbon sources. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0. Genome mining revealed the presence of four biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) with low similarities to other known BCGs. Based on the polyphasic data, strain PMIC_1C1BT is proposed to represent a novel species, for which the name Microbacterium memoriense sp. nov. (=CECT 30366T=LMG 32350T) is proposed.

Unveiling the bioactive potential of Actinomycetota from the Tagus River estuary.

The increase in global travel and the incorrect and excessive use of antibiotics has led to an unprecedented rise in antibiotic resistance in bacterial and fungal populations. To overcome these problems, novel bioactive natural products must be discovered, which may be found in underexplored environments, such as estuarine habitats. In the present work, estuarine actinomycetotal strains were isolated with conventional and iChip techniques from the Tagus estuary in Alcochete, Portugal, and analysed for different antimicrobial bioactivities. Extracts were produced from the isolated cultures and tested for bioactivity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Aspergillus fumigatus ATCC 240305, Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and Trichophyton rubrum FF5. Furthermore, bioactive extracts were subjected to dereplication by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) to putatively identify their chemical components. In total, 105 isolates belonging to 3 genera were obtained. One which was isolated, MTZ3.1 T, represents a described novel taxon for which the name Streptomyces meridianus was proposed. Regarding the bioactivity testing, extracts from 12 strains proved to be active against S. aureus, 2 against E. coli, 4 against A. fumigatus, 3 against C. albicans and 10 against T. rubrum. Dereplication of bioactive extracts showed the presence of 28 known bioactive molecules, 35 hits have one or more possible matches in the DNP and 18 undescribed ones. These results showed that the isolated bacteria might be the source of new bioactive natural products.

Stieleria tagensis sp. nov., a novel member of the phylum Planctomycetota isolated from Tagus River in Portugal.

A bacterial strain was isolated from a brackish water sample of Tagus river, Alcochete, Portugal and was designated TO1_6T. It forms light pink colonies on M13 medium supplemented with N-acetylglucosamine. Cells are pear-shaped to spherical, form rosettes and divide by budding. Strain TO1_6T presents a mesophilic and neutrophilic profile, with optimum growth at 20 to 25 °C and pH 7.0 to 7.5, and vitamin supplementation is not required to promote its growth. The genome of the novel isolate is 7.77 Mbp in size and has a DNA G + C content of 56.3%. Based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence, this strain is affiliated with the phylum Planctomycetota. Further taxonomic characterization using additional phylogenetic markers, namely rpoB gene sequence (encoding the ß-subunit of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase), as well as Percentage of conserved proteins, average nucleotide identity and average amino acid identity, suggest the affiliation of strain TO1_6T to the genus Stieleria, a recently described taxon in the family Pirellulaceae, order Pirellulales and class Planctomycetia. Based on the genotypic, phylogenetic and physiological characterization, we here describe a new species represented by the type strain TO1_6T (= CECT 30432T, = LMG 32465T), for which the name Stieleria tagensis sp. nov. is proposed.

Streptomyces meridianus sp. nov. isolated from brackish water of the Tagus estuary in Alcochete, Portugal.

An isolation effort focused on sporogenous Actinomycetota from the Tagus estuary in Alcochete, Portugal, yielded a novel actinomycetal strain, designated MTZ3.1T, which was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. MTZ3.1T is characterised by morphology typical of members of the genus Streptomyces, with light beige coloured substrate mycelium, which does not release pigments to the culture medium and with helicoidal aerial hyphae that differentiate into spores with a light-grey colour. The phylogeny of MTZ3.1T, based on the full 16S rRNA gene sequence, indicated that its closest relatives were Streptomyces alkaliterrae OF1T (98.48 %), Streptomyces chumphonensis KK1-2T (98.41 %), Streptomyces albofaciens JCM 4342T (98.34 %), Streoptomyces paromomycinus NBRC 15454T (98.34 %) and Streptomyces chrestomyceticus NRBC 13444T (98.34 %). Moreover, average nucleotide identity (ANI), average amino acid identity (AAI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridisation (dDDH) are below the species cutoff values (ANI 67.70 and 68.35 %, AAI 77.06 and 76.71 % and dDDH 22.10 and 21.50 % for S. alkaliterrae OF1T and S. chumphonensis KK1-2T, respectively). Whole genome sequencing revealed that MTZ3.1T has a genome of 5 644 485 bp with a DNA G+C content of 71.29 mol% and 5044 coding sequences. Physiologically, MTZ3.1T is strictly aerobic, able to grow at 15-37 °C, optimally at 25 °C and between pH5 and 8 and showed high salinity tolerance, growing with 0-10 %(w/v) NaCl. Major cellular fatty acids are C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. Furthermore, it was able to utilise a variety of nitrogen and carbon sources. Antimicrobial screening indicated that MTZ3.1T has potent anti-Staphylococcus aureus activity. On the basis of the polyphasic data, MTZ3.1T is proposed to represent a novel species, Streptomyces meridianus sp. nov. (= CECT 30416T = DSM 114037T=LMG 32463T).

Streptomyces marispadix sp. nov., isolated from marine beach sediment.

A novel actinomycetal strain, designated M600PL45_2T, was isolated from marine sediments obtained from Ingleses beach, Porto, on the Northern Coast of Portugal and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic characterisation study. The here described Gram-reaction-positive strain is characterised by the production of a brown pigment in both solid and liquid medium and forms typical helical hyphae that differentiate into smooth spores. The results of a phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that M600PL45_2T has a high similarity to two members of the genus Streptomyces, Streptomyces bathyalis ASO4wetT (98.51 %) and Streptomyces daqingensis NEAU ZJC8T (98.44 %). The genome of M600PL45_2T has a size of 6 695 159 bp, a DNA G+C content of 70.71 mol% and 5538 coding sequences. M600PL45_2T grows at 15-37 °C and with a maximal growth rate between 25 °C and 30 °C. Growth at pH 6.0 to 9.0 with the optimal range between 6.0 and 7.5 was observed. M600PL45_2T showed a high salinity tolerance, growing with 0-10 % (w/v) NaCl, with best growth with 1-3% (w/v) NaCl. Major cellular fatty acids are iso-C15:0 (25.03 %), anteiso-C15:0 (17.70) and iso-C16:0 (26.90 %). The novel isolate was able to grow in media containing a variety of nitrogen and carbon sources. An antimicrobial activity screening indicated that an extract of M600PL45_2T has inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus. On the basis of the polyphasic data, M600PL45_2T (= CECT 30365T = DSM 114036T) is introduced as the type strain of a novel species, that we named Streptomyces marispadix sp. nov.

iChip-Inspired Isolation, Bioactivities and Dereplication of Actinomycetota from Portuguese Beach Sediments.

Oceans hold a stunning number of unique microorganisms, which remain unstudied by culture-dependent methods due to failures in establishing the right conditions for these organisms to grow. In this work, an isolation effort inspired by the iChip was performed using marine sediments from Memoria beach, Portugal. The isolates obtained were identified by 16S rRNA gene analysis, fingerprinted using BOX-PCR and ERIC-PCR, searched for the putative presence of secondary metabolism genes associated with polyketide synthase I (PKS-I) and non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS), screened for antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, and had bioactive extracts dereplicated by LC/HRMS. Of the 158 isolated strains, 96 were affiliated with the phylum Actinomycetota, PKS-I and NRPS genes were detected in 53 actinomycetotal strains, and 11 proved to be bioactive (10 against E. coli, 1 against S. aureus and 1 against both pathogens). Further bioactivities were explored using an "one strain many compounds" approach, with six strains showing continued bioactivity and one showing a novel one. Extract dereplication showed the presence of several known bioactive molecules and potential novel ones in the bioactive extracts. These results indicate the use of the bacteria isolated here as sources of new bioactive natural products.

Comparison of dorsoventral and ventrodorsal approaches for ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block in cats: a cadaver study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of an ultrasound (US)-guided quadratus lumborum (QL)-psoas muscle (Pm) interfascial plane injection using a dorsoventral (DV) approach, and to compare needle visualization and distribution pattern between DV and ventrodorsal (VD) approaches. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental anatomical study. ANIMALS: A total of 14 cat cadavers. METHODS: Bilateral in-plane US-guided injections in the QL-Pm plane were performed at the level of the second lumbar (L2) transverse process. A spinal needle was inserted using either a VD or DV approach. A total volume of 0.4 mL kg-1 of a solution of ropivacaine 0.18%, tissue dye and iohexol (350 mg mL-1), in a proportion of 3:1:1, respectively, was injected bilaterally. Spread of injectate was compared and evaluated using US, computed tomography (CT) scanning and anatomical dissection. Presence of dye on the sympathetic trunk was compared between methods using Kappa (κ) coefficient of agreement. RESULTS: The QL-Pm plane was visualized, and dye was present in the target plane using both approaches. Needle visualization in the VD approach was enhanced compared with the DV approach (p = 0.0005). Mean distribution along the sympathetic trunk was 4.8 and 4.1 segments in the VD and DV approaches, respectively, showing non-statistical differences. The ventral branches of L1, L2 and L3 were successfully stained in 11/14 and 6/14 using the VD and DV approaches, respectively. Substantial agreement (κ = 0.61) of sympathetic trunk staining was observed between CT scan and anatomical dissection. Dye was observed cranial to the diaphragm in 7/8 cases on CT with both approaches. Epidural and abdominal cavity dye distribution was not observed. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The DV approach to the QL-Pm plane could be an alternative to the VD approach. Both approaches seem capable of reaching the spinal nerves, the sympathetic trunk and both splanchnic and coeliac nerves in feline cadavers.

Novel and Conventional Isolation Techniques to Obtain Planctomycetes from Marine Environments.

Bacteria from the distinctive Planctomycetes phylum are well spread around the globe; they are capable of colonizing many habitats, including marine, freshwater, terrestrial, and even extreme habitats such as hydrothermal vents and hot springs. They can also be found living in association with other organisms, such as macroalgae, plants, and invertebrates. While ubiquitous, only a small fraction of the known diversity includes axenic cultures. In this study, we aimed to apply conventional techniques to isolate, in diverse culture media, planctomycetes from two beaches of the Portuguese north-coast by using sediments, red, green, and brown macroalgae, the shell of the mussel Mytilus edulis, an anemone belonging to the species Actinia equina, and seawater as sources. With this approach, thirty-seven isolates closely related to seven species from the families Planctomycetaceae and Pirellulaceae (class Planctomycetia) were brought into pure culture. Moreover, we applied an iChip inspired in-situ culturing technique to successfully retrieve planctomycetes from marine sediments, which resulted in the isolation of three additional strains, two affiliated to the species Novipirellula caenicola and one to a putative novel Rubinisphaera. This work enlarges the number of isolated planctomycetal strains and shows the adequacy of a novel methodology for planctomycetes isolation.

A description of an ultrasound-guided technique for a quadratus lumborum block in the cat: a cadaver study.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the ultrasonographic (US) anatomy of the sublumbar region at the level of second lumbar vertebra (L2), to assess the feasibility of US-guided quadratus lumborum (QL) injections and to evaluate the dye distribution pattern in feline cadavers. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive feline cadaver study. ANIMALS: A total of eight cat cadavers. METHODS: Using a linear probe (6-14 MHz), with the cadavers in lateral recumbency, the QL and psoas muscles (Pm) were identified at the level of L2 and landmarks recorded. Using an in-plane technique, a spinal needle was inserted in a ventrodorsal direction to reach the interfascial plane between the QL and Pm. Using a ropivacaine, dye and iohexol solution, a total volume of 0.4 mL kg-1 was injected. Computed tomography (CT) scanning and anatomic dissection were performed to evaluate the spread of injectate. Presence of dye on the sympathetic trunk was compared between assessment methods using kappa coefficient of agreement (κ). RESULTS: Using US guidance, the QL-Pm interfascial plane was identified and dye solution was present in the target fascial plane in all animals. Injectate was distributed on the ventral roots of the spinal nerves between the first and third lumbar vertebrae in 6/8 cats, and on the sympathetic trunk from the thirteenth thoracic to the third lumbar vertebrae in 7/8. Dye was found on the major splanchnic nerve in 7/8 cats and on the minor splanchnic nerve and coeliac ganglion pathways in all animals. Agreement between dissection and CT images dye distribution on the sympathetic trunk was κ = 0.72. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The US-guided QL injection was feasible and injectate was present in the QL-Pm interfascial plane in all feline cadavers. In vivo studies are warranted to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of this technique for abdominal surgical procedures.

From Ocean to Medicine: Pharmaceutical Applications of Metabolites from Marine Bacteria.

Oceans cover seventy percent of the planet's surface and besides being an immense reservoir of biological life, they serve as vital sources for human sustenance, tourism, transport and commerce. Yet, it is estimated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that eighty percent of the oceans remain unexplored. The untapped biological resources present in oceans may be fundamental in solving several of the world's public health crises of the 21st century, which span from the rise of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, pathogenic fungi and parasites, to the rise of cancer incidence and viral infection outbreaks. In this review, health risks as well as how marine bacterial derived natural products may be tools to fight them will be discussed. Moreover, an overview will be made of the research pipeline of novel molecules, from identification of bioactive bacterial crude extracts to the isolation and chemical characterization of the molecules within the framework of the One Health approach. This review highlights information that has been published since 2014, showing the current relevance of marine bacteria for the discovery of novel natural products.

Diketopiperazines and other bioactive compounds from bacterial symbionts of marine sponges.

Humanity faces great challenges, such as the rise of bacterial antibiotic resistance and cancer incidence. Thus, the discovery of novel therapeutics from underexplored environments, such as marine habitats, is fundamental. In this study, twelve strains from the phylum Firmicutes and thirty-four strains from the phylum Proteobacteria, isolated from marine sponges of the Erylus genus, collected in Portuguese waters, were tested for bioactivities and the secondary metabolites were characterised. Bioactivity screenings comprised antimicrobial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic and anti-cancer assays. Selected bioactive extracts were further analysed for already described molecules through high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Several bioactivities were observed against the fungus Aspergillusfumigatus, the bacteria (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli), the human liver cancer cell line HepG2 and the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Medium scale-up volume extracts confirmed anti-fungal activity by strains Proteus mirabilis #118_13 and Proteus sp. (JX006497) strain #118_20. Anti-parasitic activity was also confirmed in Enterococcus faecalis strain #118_3. Moreover, P. mirabilis #118_13 showed bioactivity in human melanoma cell line A2058 and the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2. The dereplication of bioactive extracts showed the existence of a variety of secondary metabolites, with some unidentifiable molecules. This work shows that bacterial communities of sponges are indeed good candidates for drug discovery and, as far as we know, we describe anti-parasitic activity of a strain of E. faecalis and the presence of diketopiperazines in Proteus genus for the first time.

Relation between periodontal disease and systemic diseases in dogs.

Periodontal disease (PD) is one of the most frequent and widespread inflammatory diseases in dogs. The onset of PD pathogenesis is prompted by the dental microbial biofilm combined with the animal immune-inflammatory response. Along with local effects, systemic consequences can occur secondary to dental plaque-associated bacteraemia, affecting distant tissues and organs. The main goal of this retrospective study was to access and evaluate the association between PD and systemic consequences (renal, hepatic and cardiac) in a group of 136 dogs. Clinical records of all animals were assessed for general and systemic information, further analysed by general linear model and Odds-Ratio. Animals were organized in two groups, PD group and control group, formed by animals without PD. In this population, increasing age was proven to be a risk factor (OR = 1.04, p < .01) for PD establishment. Small breeds (<10 Kg) were the most prevalent in the PD group, being more susceptible to this disease. On the other hand, no influence of gender or reproductive status in PD progression was observed. Regarding systemic diseases, a statistically significant association (p = .026) was obtained between PD and cardiac disease. Results show that PD can have a significant adverse impact on animals' health, being related with systemic consequences, which may increase morbidity and mortality rates of these animals. PD prevention, with focus on owner's information about this disease and its management, are essential points for an active PD control program.

Qualidade de vida dos professores de academia de ginástica da cidade de Olinda-Pernambuco / Quality of life of gym teachers in the city of Olinda-Pernambuco State

O objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar e comparar a qualidade de vida (QV) dos professores de educação física que atuam em academias de ginástica da cidade de Olinda-Pernambuco, de acordo com características sociodemográficas, econômicas e profissionais. Participaram do estudo 62 profissionais, sendo 58,1% homens. Os instrumentos de coleta de dados foram um questionário com questões sociodemográficas, comportamentais e econômicas, o Whoqol-Bref e o IPAQ. Foram encontradas diferenças significativas no domínio físico na faixa etária (p= 0,04) e nos ciclos de desenvolvimento profissional (p= 0,04); no domínio psicológico nas atividades exercidas na academia (p= 0,03); e no domínio ambiental no nível de atividade física no lazer (p= 0,01). Percebe-se que os professores de educação física de academias de ginástica apresentam uma QV relativamente boa, tendo em vista os elevados valores para os domínios da QV.

The aim of the present study was to identify and compare the quality of life (QoL) of physical education teachers who work in gyms in the city of Olinda, Pernambuco State, according to socio-demographic, economic and professional characteristics. This study included 62 professionals, 58.1% were men. Data collection instruments were a questionnaire addressing socio-demographic, behavioral and economic issues; the Whoqol-Bref and the IPAQ. Significant differences were detected: in the physical domain, in the age range (p= 0.04) and professional development cycles (p= 0.04); in the psychological domain, in the activities performed in the gym (p= 0.03); and in the environmental domain, at the level of the leisure physical activity (p= 0.01). The results suggested that physical education teachers of fitness centers in Olinda have a high quality of life, as seen by the elevated values of QoL domains.