Losses of Brazilian bees: an overview of factors that may affect these pollinators

The Neotropical region to which Brazil belongs, has a great and rich diversity of natives bees, up to a total of 3.000 species including the allochtone genus Apis that by natural crossing among European and African races produced a hybrid called Africanized honeybee. In this way, beekeeping enjoys a spectacular moment with good production mainly of honey and propolis from Apis mellifera, causing Brazil to be recognized around the world as a country with great potential. Brazilian bee losses nevertheless remain a question, compared with countries of the northern hemisphere where several reports show that the vanishing of honeybees is associated with diseases caused by Varroa, Nosema, virus or pesticides. We can suggest different issues in the Brazilian situation that are directly influencing the honeybee population. Given the extension of the territory and rich flora, all possible food resources and nest sites for the good development of bees may be considered present. However, we verified that annual bee losses in the Southeast can reach 20-30%, mainly due the genetic mechanisms of swarming (nest abandon). Many times the major factor leading to nest abandon is lack of food, often taken mistakenly by the untrained beekeeper as death of the hive caused by diseases or pesticides. Although in Brazil diseases do not represent an important problem for Africanized honeybees, some cases of presence of Nosema ceranae and Varroa destructor led the specialists to precaution and monitoring the colonies. In spite of this, the Brazilian beekeeping is managed without use of any acaricide or antibiotic, producing contaminant-free products. As to pesticides, Brazil has a particular climatic and soil condition that might differently affect the risk of exposure of bees to xenobiotics. For example, comparing the dynamics of carbamate pesticides in soil between Brazil and Europe, it was found that in our condition ten-fold more time is needed to obtain the metabolites sulfone and sulfoxide, both more soluble and toxic than it precursor. Comparing the pesticides consumption, currently Brazil has become the world leader followed by USA, with a total spending of 44.9% herbicide, 28.5% insecticide and 22.1% fungicide. Even with this consumption Brazil still belongs to the group that uses a relatively small amount of active ingredient per hectare, less than Japan and France. However cultures like tomato, potato, citrus, cotton and coffee that are often visited by bees during bloom, are also those where the use of pesticides is needed for the pest control. Thus, little is known yet about pesticide losses of the Brazilian bees! What are real effects of pesticides, toxic plants, diseases, genetic improvement, beekeeping management, starvation or interactions among these? Therefore, our local group on ecotoxicological assessment is trying to increase the knowledge on the pesticides hazard to bees (Apis and non-Apis) in order to protect these. Keywords: Brazilian bees, overview, pesticide, diseases, environment, protection

Evaluation of cell proliferation and apoptosis markers as predictive factors for electrochemotherapy in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of cats

ABSTRACT: Determining cell proliferation rates and tumor apoptosis through immunohistochemistry allows the evaluation of the biological behavior of the tumor, optimizing the patient’s clinical course. This study aimed to analyze the immunohistochemical expression of Ki-67, COX-2 and caspase-3 and correlate them with the type of response to ECT in feline cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), thus determining the predictive potential of these variables. For this, 13 samples of feline cutaneous SCC were evaluated before ECT, and statistical analyses of the correlation intensity between the variables were performed using the Spearman correlation coefficient, with a significance level of 95%. The results indicate a significant negative correlation between histopathological grade and response to ECT (ρ=-0.6; p=0.03); there was no significant correlation between Ki-67, COX-2 and caspase-3 immunoexpression with the response to ECT (ρ=-0.18; p=0.54/ρ=-0.23; p=0.44/ρ=-0.12; p=0.69, respectively). Therefore, the study shows that the histopathological grade, tumor size and staging, degree of cellular pleomorphism and degree of inflammatory infiltrate can be considered negative prognostic factors for cutaneous SCC and negative predictors for response to ECT. However, the markers Ki-67, COX-2 and caspase-3 are not considered predictive factors for the type of response to ECT. In addition, no relationship between these immunoexpressions and greater tumor aggressiveness was observed. The SCCs evaluated in this study showed significant COX-2 labeling, indicating a potential therapeutic target. ECT has been shown to be safe and effective for local control of feline cutaneous SCC but with reduced effectiveness in larger and invasive lesions

Linfoma cutáneo tarsal en gato – estudio de caso

Lymphoma is the most common lymphoproliferative disorder in cats. Cutaneous lymphoma, however, is a rare form of extranodal lymphoma. Recently, several cutaneous lymphomas at the tarsal region have been reported in cats. As it differs clinically and histopathologically from the common cutaneous lymphoma, it was denominated cutaneous tarsal lymphoma. The present study describes the case of a 13-year-old male domestic longhair cat that presented with a subcutaneous mass, of 30-days evolution, at the tarsal region of the right pelvic limb. Histopathology analysis showed malignant neoplasia of round cells, morphologically suggestive of large cell lymphoma. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of B-immunoblastic lymphoma. Patient was treated with lomustine, and prednisolone with an overall survival time of 2.1 months. The aggressiveness of this feline lymphoma reinforces the need for further studies to understand better the disease progression and to establish improved therapeutic protocols that can increase survival time and improve quality of life of these patients.El linfoma representa la enfermedad linfoproliferativa más frecuente en gatos. Sin embargo, el linfoma cutáneo es una rara forma de linfoma extranodal. Recientemente, el linfoma cutáneo se reportó localizado en el tarso. Tanto clínica como histopatologicamente, esta forma difiere de la forma cutánea típica, y se denominó linfoma tarsal felino. Este estudio describe el caso de un gato, doméstico de pelo largo, 13 años de edad con una masa subcutánea, de 30 días de evolución en la región tarsal del miembro pélvico derecho. La histopatologia reveló neoplasia de células redondas, sugestiva de linfoma de células grandes. La inmunohistoquímica confirmó el diagnóstico de linfoma imunoblástico de células B. El tratamiento realizado fue lomustina y prednisolona con tiempo de sobrevida de 2,1 meses. La agresividad de este linfoma, refuerza la necesidad de estudios para entender su curso y mejorar protocolos terapéuticos que incrementen tanto la sobrevida como la calidad de vida para estos pacientes

Retalho de padrão axial ilíaco circunflexo empregado após ressecção de hemangiopericitoma em cão - relato de caso

Os hemangiopericitomas fazem parte dos sarcomas de tecido mole, e correspondem a 14% das neoplasias mesenquimais em cães e gatos. Apresenta etiologia desconhecida, crescimento lento, aspecto infiltrativo e não metastático. Acometem principalmente animais de raças grandes, de meia idade a idosos e não apresenta predileção por raça e sexo. Os tratamentos mais indicados são a amputação, ressecção local associada à radioterapia e cirurgias reconstrutivas. O uso de técnicas cirúrgicas reconstrutivas, permite que o animal retorne sua rotina normal com maior rapidez e com resultados estéticos satisfatórios. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo relatar o emprego de retalho de padrão axial da artéria ilíaca circunflexa profunda após a ressecção de hemangiopericitoma em região de membro pélvico esquerdo de um cão. Esta modalidade de tratamento empregada no presente relato, juntamente com quimioterapia mostraram resultados satisfatórios, mantendo a funcionalidade do membro e qualidade de vida da paciente. Palavras-chave: cirurgia reconstrutiva, neoplasia, quimioterapia, canino

Canine cutaneous mast cell tumors: retrospective study of cases attended by the oncology service at the Veterinary Hospital of FCAV-Unesp, Jaboticabal, from 2005 to 2015

Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar os casos de mastocitomas cutâneos em cães atendidos no Hospital Veterinário Governador Laudo Natel da Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV) Unesp Câmpus Jaboticabal, no período de 2005 a 2015, além de avaliar a ocorrência dessa neoplasia em relação à raça, sexo e idade; determinar as regiões corpóreas mais acometidas e as características neoplásicas observadas, assim como, os métodos de diagnóstico mais utilizados no setor, estabelecer os principais graus histológicos diagnosticados e os tratamentos preconizados, verificar alterações de tamanho em relação aos linfonodos, à taxa de recidiva, metástase e possíveis associações entre as variáveis consideradas. Foram avaliados 192 prontuários clínicos de pacientes e observou-se que os cães sem raça definida (SRD) (n=46, 23,96%) foram os mais acometidos, seguidos por cães da raça Boxer (n=40, 20,83%) e Pit bull (n=27, 14,06%). A maioria dos cães eram fêmeas (n=107, 55,7%), e com idade de 7 a 11 anos (n=120, 62,5%). Do total, 32 pacientes apresentaram (16,7%) tumores localizados em membro pélvico, seguidos por nódulos em membro torácico (10,4%, n=20). Sessenta e cinco animais possuíam nódulos ulcerados (33,9%), sendo 96 nódulos de consistência firme (50%). Setenta e seis animais apresentavam múltiplos nódulos (39,6%) e aqueles acima de três centímetros perfaziam 39,1% da amostra (n=75). O método mais utilizado para o diagnóstico foi a punção aspirativa por agulha fina associado à histopatologia (HT), totalizando 39,8% dos nódulos (n=66), seguido pela HT com 37,3% (n=62). Em relação às variáveis histológicas, 18 pacientes apresentaram grau I (11,8%), 112 com grau II (73,7%) e 22 com grau III (14,5%) de acordo com Patnaik et al. (1984). Segundo a classificação de Kiupel et al. (2011), 37 casos foram classificados como de alto grau (35,2%) e 68 como sendo de baixo grau (64,8%). Foi observada associação estatística quando se avaliou a presença de nódulos solitários/múltiplos e o grau histológico, segundo Patnaik et al. (1984) (p=0,008) e Kiupel et al. (2011) (p=0,004), sendo que nódulos com piores características prognósticas eram mais frequentes nos animais diagnosticados com múltiplos nódulos, independente da classificação histológica empregada. Também foi observada a associação entre a presença de nódulos múltiplos com estadio II ou IV (p<0,001) e com a presença de recidiva (p=0,001). Em relação à classificação histológica de Kiupel et al. (2011) foi possível observar associação estatística entre o grau histológico e o tamanho do tumor (p=0,001), a consistência (p=0,028) e a velocidade de crescimento do nódulo (p<0,001); aumento de linfonodo (p<0,001) e o tratamento empregado (p=0,002). Nódulos com tamanho superior a três centímetros (56,8%, n=21) e de crescimento rápido (52,9%, n=36%), eram mais frequentes nos tumores de alto grau. Aumento de linfonodo (80,6%, n=25) e tratamento quimioterápico (83,3%, n=5) também estavam associados a pacientes com alto grau histológico. Em relação à classificação de Patnaik et al. (1984), as variáveis raça e sexo diferiram proporcionalmente entre os grupos histológicos (p=0,008 e 0,040 respectivamente), sendo que o aumento do linfonodo e o crescimento rápido do tumor também tiveram associação com o grau histológico (p=0,002 e 0,001). Quase a metade dos pacientes (47,4%) foi submetidas ao tratamento cirúrgico e quimioterápico (n=91), sendo que em 31,3% (n=60) dos pacientes realizou-se apenas o procedimento cirúrgico. Sessenta e um animais (31,8%) apresentaram aumento de tamanho em linfonodos regionais (31,8%), sendo que 71,9% dos nódulos avaliados tiveram crescimento rápido. O tempo de evolução clínica do tumor foi menor ou igual a um ano, em 158 pacientes (82,3%), seguido por 25 pacientes (13%) com evolução de 1 a 2 anos. Foram observados 66 casos (40,5%) de recidiva e 16 (8,3%) de metástase à distância. Com este estudo, pode-se concluir que cães sem raça definida são os mais acometidos pelo mastocitoma cutâneo, na região de Jaboticabal, seguido por cães da raça Boxer, com idade variando entre 7 e 11 anos, não sendo observada predileção sexual; os nódulos encontrados eram predominantemente não ulcerados, solitários e menores que três centímetros; a maioria dos pacientes apresentou mastocitoma grau II, segundo Patnaik et al. (1984) e baixo grau segundo Kiupel et al. (2011); não se observou recidiva, em sua maioria, nem metástase em linfonodos e/ou a distância; o diagnóstico mais utilizado foi a punção aspirativa por agulha fina associada à histopatologia; a localização dos nódulos era mais prevalente nos membros pélvicos e torácicos, seguido por cabeça e pescoço. A consistência dos nódulos era de apresentação firme ou macia; e a metade dos pacientes foi submetida ao procedimento cirúrgico associado à quimioterapia antineoplásica.This study analyzed the cases of cutaneous mastocytomas in dogs seen at the Governador Laudo Natel Veterinary Hospital of the College of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences (FCAV), Unesp, in Jaboticabal, from 2005 to 2015. The objective was to determine the occurrence of this neoplasm regarding breed, sex, and age, the most affected body parts and observed neoplastic characteristics; the most widely used diagnosis methods, the main histological grades and recommended treatments, to evaluate size changes in relation to lymph nodes, recurrence rate, metastasis and to verify possible associations between the evaluated variables. The clinical files of 192 patients were evaluated. The most affected dogs were of mixed breed (n=46, 23.96%), followed by Boxer (n=40, 20.83%) and Pitbull (n=27, 14.06%). Most of the dogs were females (n=107, 55.7%), aged between 7 and 11 years old (n=120, 62.5%). Thirty-two patients had (16.7%) tumors located in the pelvic limb, followed by thoracic limbs (10.4% n=20). Sixty-five animals had ulcerated nodules (33.9%), of which 96 had firm consistency (50%). Seventy-six animals had multiple nodules (39.6%), and 39.1% of the sample (n=75) had nodules larger than three centimeters. The most used diagnosis method was fine needle aspiration together with histopathology (HT), totaling 39.8% of nodules (n=66), followed by HT in 37.3% of the patients (n=62). Regarding the histological variables, 18 patients had grade I (11.8%), 112 grade II (73.7%), and 22 grade III (14.5%) classified according to Patnaik et al. (1984). According to the classification of Kiupel et al. (2011) 37 cases were classified as high grade (35.2%) and 68 as low grade (64.8%). Statistical association was observed when the presence of solitary/multiple nodules and the histological grade were evaluated according to Patnaik et al. (1984) (P=0.008) and Kiupel et al. (2011) (P=0.004). The nodules with worse prognostic feature were more frequent in animals diagnosed with multiple nodules, regardless of the histological classification used. The presence of multiple nodules in stage II or IV (p<0.001) and recurrence of the disease (p=0.001) was also observed. Regarding the histological classification of Kiupel et al. (2011), there was a statistical association between histological grade and tumor size (p=0.001), consistency (p=0.028) and nodule growth rate (p<0.001), lymph node enlargement (p<0.001) and the treatment used (p=0.002). Nodules larger than three centimeters (56.8% n=21) and fast growing (52.9% n=36%) were more frequent in high-grade tumors. Lymph node enlargement (80.6% n=25) and chemotherapeutic treatment (83.3% n=5) were also associated with patients with this histological grade. According to the classification of Patnaik et al. (1984), breed and sex differed proportionally between the histological groups (p=0.008 and 0.040 respectively), and lymph node enlargement and rapid tumor growth were also associated with histological grade (p=0.002 and 0.001). Almost half of the patients (47.4%) underwent surgical and chemotherapeutic treatment (n=91) while only surgical procedure was performed in 31.3% (n=60) of the patients. Sixty-one animals (31.8%) had enlarged regional lymph nodes (31.8%), and 71.9% of the nodes evaluated had rapid growth. The clinical evolution time of the tumor was less than or equal to one year in 158 patients (82.3%), followed by 1 to 2 years in 25 patients (13%). There were 66 cases (40.5%) of recurrence and 16 (8.3%) of distant metastasis. With this study, it can be concluded that dogs with mixed breed are the most affected by cutaneous mastocytoma in Jaboticabal city, followed by Boxer dogs, with ages varying between 7 and 11 years, with no sexual predisposition observed. It was also concluded that nodules were predominantly non-ulcerated, solitary and smaller than 3 centimeters, that the majority of patients presented grade II mastocytoma according to Patnaik et al. (1984) and low grade according to Kiupel et al. (2011), not being observed in most of them recurrence, lymph node or distance metastasis. The most commonly used diagnosis was fine-needle aspiration associated with histopathology, and in relation to location, nodules were found predominantly in pelvic and thoracic limbs, followed by head and neck. The consistency of the nodules was both firm and soft, and half of the patients underwent the associated surgical procedure of antineoplastic chemotherapy