Effect of 20 mg fluorogestone acetate (FGA) sponges on reproductive parameters of dairy ovine breeds in Southern Italy

Background: Intravaginal devices containing progestins are widely used for oestrus synchronization in sheep. Progestins give economic benefits to farmers but may have some limitations and the efficacy strictly depends on farm management. There are different devices, with different molecules (progesterone, medroxyprogesterone acetate, fluorogestone acetate), different dosages and long (12-14 days) and short-term (5-7 days) protocols. Experimental studies often include a limited number of animals and are held at different latitudes and with different system of management. To our knowledge, there are few reports in the literature on field application of the recently licensed 20 mg fluorogestone acetate (FGA) sponges in large ewe flocks, excluding the registration trials. Materials, Methods & Results: This study was designed to evaluate oestrous synchronization in 2 different breeds. A total of 1100 Lacaune (L) and 618 Sarda (S) were assigned to 8 groups, comparing multiparous (M) and nulliparous (N) and those synchronized in November (n) and May (m). The groups were: LMm (n. 556), LNm (n. 180), SMm (n. 70), SNm (n. 32), LMn (n. 242), LNn (n. 222), SMn (n. 440) e SNn (n. 76). The intravaginal sponge was inserted for 14 days. At sponge withdrawal, eCG (400 IU, IM) was injected, and rams were joined into flocks 30 h later with a male/female ratio of 1:8. Transrectal ultrasonography was performed for pregnancy diagnosis after 30 days. Fertility parameters such as oestrus (OR), pregnancy (PR), lambing rates (LR) and prolificacy were calculated. Fisher exact test was used to compare parameters of each group with the corresponding and significance was set at P < 0.01. The use of intravaginal sponges in this study was easily performed in all animals. In nulliparous groups, digital insertion of the sponge, instead of the applicator, was preferred to avoid discomfort. Sponge loss was observed in 2% of treated ewes. At the removal of the sponge, mild vaginal contamination was observed in 90% of the ewes. Ultrasound finding of embryo resorption, pseudopregnancy and pyometra were found in rates under 2%. The loss of pregnancy ranged from 0 to 3.6% without significant differences among groups. The SMn group showed the best performances (0.91 OR, 0.88 PR, 0.85 LR), significantly higher than the other groups. Prolificacy was maximum in the LMn (1.68) and minimum in the SNm group (1.06), without significant differences among groups. Discussion: The 14-day regimen based on 20 mg FGA-releasing intravaginal devices is an easy and satisfactory synchronization regimen to improve the productivity and the fertility of sheep farm, and this can be managed and optimized in different breeding conditions. In this study, Sarda breed shows a good adaption to the environment with adult ewes giving the best results in reproductive season. However young Sarda ewes were less productive especially in non-breading season. Lacaune showed good reproductive potential, young and adult ewes responded to progestins in reproductive and non-reproductive season. It was confirmed that the reproductive performance is affected by season, age, and breed. This study encourages the breeding of indigenous breeds by implementing the management with modern technologies. The imported highly productive breeds, if well managed, can give a production less influenced by seasonal variables and age.

A utilidade da microscopia confocal nas lesões de lentigo maligno / The utility of confocal microscopy in lentigo maligna lesions

O diagnóstico das lesões pigmentadas da face é considerado desafiador uma vez que lesões benignas e malignas podem compartilhar características clínicas e dermatoscópicas semelhantes, principalmente em lesões iniciais, sendo muitas vezes difícil de identificar as lesões de lentigo maligno da face. Assim, a microscopia confocal de reflectância pode se tornar uma ferramenta útil no diagnóstico dos lentigos malignos bem como para o seu planejamento cirúrgico.

The diagnosis of pigmented facial lesions is considered challenging since benign and malignant lesions might have similar clinical and dermoscopic features ­ especially in the early stages of the lesion ­ entailing that it is often difficult to identify lentigo maligna lesions in the face. In this way, confocal reflectance microscopy has the potential to become a useful tool both in the diagnosis and surgical planning of lentigo maligna.

Lentigo maligno na face: um desafio na conduta / Lentigo maligna on the face: a challenging conduct

Resumo O lentigo maligno é um melanoma in situ, de crescimento radial e lento, que acomete áreas fotoexpostas principalmente em idosos. Quando acomete a pálpebra, devido à proximidade a um órgão nobre, a conduta é controversa, porém a cirurgia é o método mais usado, com margens que variam de acordo com a referência utilizada. Terapias conservadoras são descritas, como o imiquimode 5% e a radioterapia. O presente relato tem como objetivo demonstrar a escassez de estudos sobre a margem cirúrgica e citar opções de tratamentos não cirúrgicos para o lentigo maligno da face.

Abstract Lentigo maligna is a melanoma in situ, of slow radial growth, which affects sun-exposed areas, especially in the elderly. When it affects the eyelid, due to the proximity to a noble organ, the conduct is controversial, but surgery is the method most commonly used, with with margins varying according to the reference used. Conservative treatments are described, such as imiquimod 5% and radiotherapy. This report aims to demonstrate the lack of studies on the surgical margin, and to name nonsurgical treatment options for lentigo maligna of the face.

Caracterización del ciclo de desarrollo embrionario y larval de sarda chiliensis chiliensis (Alva, 1987) en un sistema acuícola de recirculación (SAR) / Characterization of the stages in the cycle of embryo development sarda chiliensis chiliensis (Alva, 1987) in an aquatic re-circulation system (SAR)

Los sistemas acuícolas de recirculación (SAR) son utilizados cada vez más en la acuicultura, especialmente en el norte de Chile en donde las condiciones ambientales son propicias para el cultivo de especies nativas como el bonito (Sarda chiliensis chiliensis), del cual se desconoce su desarrollo embrionario y larval, lo que complica evaluar la factibilidad técnica y económica de desarrollar su cultivo en SAR. Por ello se determinó las bases para su cultivo a partir de enero de 2013, durante 45 días. Los periodos embrionarios caracterizados fueron 31 en 71,83 horas, definidos en 5 estadios: Mórula, Blástula, Gástrula, Neurulación y Metamería. Del desarrollo larval se observaron 35 periodos en 519 horas, un estadio prejuvenil observado a las 591 horas y uno juvenil. Los huevos fueron translúcidos de tipo telolecítico de crecimiento lento en relación a Sarda sarda y Sarda ch. lineolata (especies con las que fue comparada), ya que le tomó casi 3 días eclosionar. Las tasas de sobrevivencia y eclosión fueron altas (86,316% ±9,808 y 89,596% ±11,683 respectivamente), por esto las condiciones serían propicias para su desarrollo. Las larvas en tanto, presentaron más semejanzas con Sarda sarda, en los primeros periodos de desarrollo. El periodo crucial fue entre las 81 a 89 horas de vida, cuando se reabsorbió la gota oleosa; ésta además fue un carácter diferenciador con las otras 2 especies, ya que fue la única que presentó 1 gota oleosa en el periodo larval. Se infiere la factibilidad de un hatchery de Sarda ch. chilensis, debido a las semejanzas con Sarda sarda, y dado el éxito obtenido de ésta en cultivo. De los caracteres morfométricos se sugiere monitorear en el futuro, los que representan las mayores variabilidades dentro de los estadios de desarrollo, que fueron longitud y alto de cabeza y longitud y alto de ojo.

Aquatic re-circulation systems (SAR) are being used more and more in agriculture, especially in the north of Chile where the environment conditions are suitable for breeding in SAR (aquatic re-circulation system) of species such as Bonito (Sarda chiliensis chiliensis), whose embryo or larvae origins are unknown, which complicates the evaluation of a technical and economical possibility of developing its breeding in SAR. Due to this, bases for its breeding were determined in January 2013, for 45 days. The characterized embryo periods were 31 in 71, 83 hours, defined in 5 stages: Morula, Blastula, Gastrula, Neurulation and Metamery. From the larvae development 35 periods in 519 hours were observed, a pre-juvenile stage observed at 591 hours and a juvenile one. The eggs were translucent of a telolecitic type of a slow growing in relation to Sarda sarda and Sarda ch. lineolata, since it took them almost three days to hatch. The surviving and hatching rates were high (86,316±9,808% and 89,596±11,683% respectively), so the conditions for their development would be appropriate. Meanwhile, the larvae presented more similarities with Sarda sarda in the first periods of development. The crucial period was between the 81 and 89 hours of life, when the oily drop was re-absorbed; besides, this was a distinguishing feature with the other two species because it was the only one that presented just one oily drop in the larvae period. The possibility of a Sarda ch. chiliensis hatchery is inferred, due to the similarities with Sarda sarda, and because of the success obtained in this breeding. From the morphometric characters, future monitoring is suggested, the ones that represent the most variables in the stages of development such as length and height of the head, and length and height of the eye.

Melanoma lentiginoso acral com sinal de Hutchinson: relato de caso / Acral lentiginous melanoma with Hutchinson's sign: case report

Contexto: O sinal de Hutchinson é o derrame de pigmento melânico periungueal no melanoma ungueal e indica a propagação superficial do tumor. Descrição do caso: Descrevemos o caso de uma paciente negra, de 54 anos, com lesão ungueal há dois anos. Relatou trauma importante nessa região há 40 anos e, posteriormente, há 27 anos. Ao exame dermatológico, foi detectada a presença de unha distrófica com melanoníquia extensa e derrame pigmentar na região subungueal distal. O diagnóstico histológico revelou melanoma lentiginoso acral. Em relação ao diagnóstico do melanoma do aparelho ungueal, Levit e cols. propuseram um sistema para sua detecção, priorizando algumas características, as quais foram agrupadas segundo as letras do alfabeto A, B, C, D, E, F: A (age) - idade, B (nailband) - faixa, C (change) - mudança, D (digit involved) - local envolvido, E (extension) - sinal de Hutchinson e F (family) - história familiar. No caso relatado, cinco letras estavam presentes, o que sugeriu o diagnóstico de melanoma, visto que a precisão diagnóstica é maior quanto maior a somatória de letras. Conclusões: O melanoma lentiginoso acral é um tipo raro de neoplasia maligna, muitas vezes não diagnosticado. O diagnóstico precoce é de grande importância para o tratamento, e, consequentemente, para a sobrevida do paciente.

Dermatoscopia das lesões pigmentadas na face: um desafio diagnóstico / Dermoscopy of pigmented lesions of the face: a diagnostic challenge

A dermatoscopia do lentigo maligno na face tem parâmetros confiáveis e bem testados para sua diagnose. Algumas lesões benignas, como as queratoses actínicas pigmentadas, apresentam, contudo, aspectos dermatoscópicos comuns aos lentigos malignos, dificultando a correta diagnose. Isso muitas vezes leva a excisões desnecessárias de lesões benignas. Este artigo discute esses parâmetros morfológicos no escopo de analisar os pontos em comum entre lentigo maligno e queratose actínica pigmentada com a dermatoscopia, assim como coteja os aspectos já descritos para a diagnose das queratoses actínicas pigmentadas.

Dermoscopy of lentigo maligna on the face has reliable and well-tested parameters for its diagnosis. However, some benign lesions such as pigmented actinic keratoses have dermoscopic aspects that are common in malignant lentigo, making the correct diagnosis difficult. This fact often leads to unnecessary excisions of benign lesions. The present article discusses these morphological parameters in light of the dermoscopic analysis of the commonalities between lentigo maligna and pigmented actinic keratosis, also touching upon the aspects already described for the diagnosis of pigmented actinic keratoses.

Remissão de lentigo maligno extenso após tratamento com imiquimod / Remission of extensive lentigo maligna after treatment with imiquimod

Lentigo maligno é um melanoma in situ que mais comumente surge em áreas expostas à radiação ultravioleta, nos pacientes idosos. O tratamento é realizado, principalmente, para minimizar o risco de progressão para lentigo maligno melanoma. O presente relato se refere a uma paciente idosa com lesões recorrentes de lentigo maligno na face, tratada com sucesso com imiquimod tópico, mostrando que este pode ser um tratamento útil, em determinados casos da doença.

Lentigno maligna is a melanoma in situ that most commonly appears on areas exposed to ultraviolet radiation, in elderly patients. Treatment is required mainly to minimize the risk of progression to lentigo maligna melanoma. The present report refers to an elderly patient with recurrent lesions of lentigo maligna in her face, who was successfully treated with topical imiquimod, which showed to be a useful therapy for some cases of the disease.