Phalangeal and metatarsal bone destruction by subungual squamous cell carcinoma complicated by Peptostreptococcus sp. infection in a dog – importance of histopathological diagnosis.

The present article reports the case and complications of a canine with a subungual squamous cell carcinoma infected with Peptostreptococcus sp. whose initial diagnosis was erroneously considered as osteomyelitis, highlighting the importance of histopathological evaluation in digital lesions. A six-year-old female Rottweiler dog presented radiographic right metatarsal bone lysis after amputation of digit II phalanges due to a nonhealing ulcerated lesion. Amputated phalanges were fixed in formalin, but no histopathological evaluation was performed on that occasion. Osteomyelitis was suspected and clindamycin was prescribed. Bone lysis progressed up to tarsal bones even under antibiotic therapy, and due to its progression and severity, limb amputation was performed. Microbiological and histopathological evaluation of the limb respectively revealed Peptostreptococcus sp. and squamous cell carcinoma, the last one invading metatarsal bone, the same diagnosis later found in previously amputated phalanges. As shown on histopathological results, subungual squamous cell carcinoma advanced adjacent tissues and Peptostreptococcus sp. was considered an opportunistic agent. The patient recovered well and was healthy, with no evidence of metastasis a year and a half after amputation. The present case demonstrates the importance of histopathological evaluation to elucidate bone lesions and avoid complications, especially when digits are concerned

Dermatitis Associated with the Intake of Defatted Rice Bran by Cattle in the Southern Region of the State of Rio Grande do Sul

Background: Dermatitis associated with defatted rice bran (DRB) seems to be an underdiagnosed disease in Brazilian confined herds, characterized by localized skin lesions that develop mainly on hind limbs, and can affect any animal category. In this context, the goal of the present study was to describe an outbreak of dermatitis associated with the consumption of defatted rice bran on a property in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, demonstrating the clinical, hematological and epidemiological characteristics of the animals, as well as alternatives for the definitive diagnosis.Cases: Clinical and epidemiological data were obtained by anamnesis with the technician responsible for the property. Aberdeen Angus and crossbred males, with 24 to 36 months of age, with an average of 413 kg, from a property in the interior of the state of Rio Grande do Sul were analyzed. From a batch of 45 cattle, from 24 to 36 months of age, 20 presented lesions on hind limbs 8-17 days after supplementation of a commercial feed containing defatted rice bran. To assist in the diagnosis, blood samples were drawn into vacuum tubes with 10% EDTA, for a complete blood count with the investigation of hemoparasites, and without anticoagulant, for liver function tests. In addition, lesion tissue samples were also collected for bacteriological, mycological and histopathological examination and the ration offered to the animals, for intradermal tests. There were no significant hematological and biochemical changes in animals that developed DRB dermatitis, except when they have an associated secondary infection. The fungal research was negative. The bacterial culture revealed a growth of Staphylococcus aureus, possibly due to secondary infection resulting from the lesions. In histopathological examination, lesions were characterized by areas of alopecia, thickening of the epidermis, forming dry, thick crusts, and some ulcerative and serosanguineous lesions. Histologically, lesions were characterized by marked hyperkeratosis, ulceration, and in the superficial dermis, intense inflammatory infiltrate of eosinophils and lymphocytes.Histologic changes, although not pathognomonic, are typically described in this disease. The intradermal test was performed to contribute to the diagnosis of the disease, where a significant increase in volume was found between measurements on animals that developed the disease. It is believed that the disease is produced due to a food hypersensitivity as a consequence of the high protein level in DRB. The results of the intradermal test indicate that the animals developed hypersensitivity and reaction to proteins, and further research is required to determine the protein fraction leading to hypersensitivity reactions.Discussion: In the present study, acute lesions in hind limbs in a significant number of animals of the same batch in a short period of time after supplementation with a diet containing defatted rice bran, enabled a clinical diagnosis suggestive of dermatitis associated with DRB consumption. Through epidemiological data, reactive intradermal test, associated with the findings of the histopathological exam, which showed characteristic lesions of the disease (alopecia, erythema, epidermis thickening, with the formation of thick crusts, usually on hind limbs in the region of the hoof coronary band, progressing to pastern and fetlock), it was possible to establish the clinical-pathological diagnosis of dermatitis associated with the consumption of defatted rice bran. Keywords: dermatitis, cattle, supplementation, defatted rice bran.Descritores: dermatite, bovinos, suplementação, farelo de arroz desengordurado.Título: Dermatite associada ao consumo de farelo de arroz desengorduradoem bovinos na região sul do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul.

A CONVIVÊNCIA ENTRE ESTUDANTES COTISTAS E NÃO COTISTAS NA UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DA BAHIA

Desde 2003, as universidades brasileiras têm aderido a políticas de ação afirmativa. Apesar da inserção assegurada pelo vestibular e das propostas iniciais de programas de apoio à permanência do aluno cotista, o processo de inclusão dos cotistas ainda está por acontecer. Estudos têm demonstrado reduzida interação entre estudantes cotistas e não cotistas na universidade. Este estudo objetiva identificar as percepções de estudantes sobre as cotas na UFBA e suas implicações para a convivência no contexto universitário. Participaram do estudo 27 estudantes de um curso de humanas de alta concorrência. Foram realizados três grupos focais, um com alunos cotistas, outro com não cotistas e um terceiro misto. A discussão sobre as cotas foi orientada por três pontos centrais: as cotas na UFBA, no curso e na turma. Os estudantes abordaram o tema refletindo sobre os aspectos que justificam a existência das cotas; características de operacionalização da política; possíveis efeitos da interação entre grupos distintos na universidade; e a relação que a própria universidade estabelece institucionalmente com os cotistas. Os estudantes percebem a baixa interação entre os dois grupos e buscam explica-la pelas semelhanças de background social e por percepções de injustiça

Impact of soil moisture on crop yields over Brazilian semiarid

The objective of this work was to investigate the relationship between soil water content and rainfall with rice, beans, cassava and corn yields in the semiarid region of Northeast Brazil. Precipitation and modeled soil water content were compared to yields recorded at the county levels in this region. The results were also integrated over the area of the nine States that lie within the officially recognized region of semiarid climate in Brazil. The influence of water balance components was quantified by calculating their correlation coefficient with yields of the different crop species over the municipalities of the region. It was found that rainfall had higher correlation to crop yields over most of the region, while soil water content had lower values of correlation. This result is consistent with the fact that average root depth is 40 cm, lower than the layer of soil used in the model used to estimate soil water content (100 cm). Plants respond better to the precipitation in the top layers of soil, while the water storage in the deep layer of soil might be important only in other temporal and spatial scales of the hydrological cycle.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Ovarian Reserve Assessment for Infertility Investigation

The current trends to postpone motherhood and the increase in demand for assistance in reproductive medicine highlight the need for seeking guidelines for the establishment of individualized treatment protocols. Currently available ovarian reserve tests do not provide sufficient evidence to be solely considered ideal, but they may occupy important place in initial counseling, predicting unsatisfactory results that could be improved by individualized induction schemes and reducing excessive psychological and financial burdens, and adverse effects. In this paper, we revise the role of hormonal basal and dynamic tests, as well as ultrasonographic markers, as ovarian reserve markers, in order to provide embasement for propaedeutic strategies and their interpretation in order to have reproductive success

Milk production and feeding behavior of lactating cows supplemented with a dry fungus fermentation product that expresses residual fibrolytic enzyme activity / Produção de leite e comportamento alimentar de vacas em lactação suplementadas com um produto de fermentação de fungo seco que expressa atividade de enzima fibrolítica residual

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation with a product of fermentation of dry fungi expressing residual enzymatic fibrolytic activity on the productive and behavioral performance of lactating cows. The study was carried out on a commercial dairy farm. 36 Holstein cows divided into two groups (control and supplemented) were evaluated for 23 days. The product came from a commercial source MAXFIBER® (Provita Supplements, Pinneberg / Germany) and was supplied in the amount of 10g / animal / day. The total digestibility of the mixed feed, the individual milk production, the feeding behavior in intelligent feeders (Intergado®), and the behavior of the animals were verified using cowMed animal monitoring collars (ChipInside® Technology / Santa Maria / RS / Brazil). Supplementation affected the animals' behavior, with an increase in activity time (P = 0.002) and a tendency to decrease in rumination time (P = 0.08). There was an increase in the frequency of ingestion (P = 0.001) and the duration of the meal (P = 0.001). Milk production was higher in the supplemented group (P = 0.05). The use of this additive alters the animals' behavior, reflecting an increase in milk production.

Use of the Rumination Profile Through Collar Sensors for Mastitis Diagnosis in Dairy Cows

Background: Mastitis is an inflammatory disease of the mammary gland, mostly associated with bacterial infections. It is responsible for great economic losses due to decreased milk yield, discarded milk, milk composition alterations and treatment costs, besides it impairs the animal health and welfare. The rumination time is an important behavioral marker and its assessment can be used as an early diagnosis tool, which can improve cure rate. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the sensitivity of behavior monitoring system collars in the diagnosis of mastitis and the average rumination time (RT) of Holstein cows during the healthy period and affected by the disease.Materials, Methods & Results: The study was conducted on a commercial property located in the municipality of Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The RT data from 39 multiparous Holstein cows with an average milk yield of 38.4 L/day was collected. RT monitoring was performed using C-Tech1 collars combined with CowMed® software, which assess behavior data from the animals and emits warning signals when it finds abnormalities in any parameter. In order to verify whether the animals were determined correlated with diseases, the sensitivity of the data was evaluated, when the system had given the alert to animals considered ill, they underwent to a further clinical evaluation performed by a veterinarian to confirm the diagnosis. From the diagnosis, the cows were divided into subclinical mastitis (SM) and clinical mastitis (CM) groups. SM was detected by the Californian Mastitis Test (CMT) and cows that were graded 1 (++), 2 (++) or 3 (+++) without the presence of any other clinical sign were assigned to the SM group. CM was assessed by observation of abnormalities in milk such as changes in color and consistency, as well as the presence of lumps, clots or blood; and clinical examination of the udder was performed for detection of hot, hard, swollen or painful quarters. Thereafter, variations in the mean RT between the healthy (15 days) and sick periods (days when there was an alert) were evaluated. For the identification of the etiological agents involved in the cases of CM, microbiological cultures were performed on Accumast® plates with milk samples, which were incubated at a temperature of 37°C and the diagnosis of the pathogens were performed after16 h of incubation. During the study, 57 cases of mastitis were observed, 42 were SM and 15 were CM. The sensitivity of the system, which is the ability to detect positive cases of the disease, was 73.8% for SM and 73.3% for MC. The RT of the animals were compared individually during the healthy period with the sick period and it was observed that SM reduced the RT by 5.33% whereas MC reduced the RT by 14.9%.Discussion: The maximum RT values were lower during the disease period in relation to the period in which the animals were healthy, for both SM and CM, which is due to the fact that the disease is responsible for causing inappetence in animals, among other clinical signs, therefore, reducing feed consumption. The lowest variation in RT, between the healthy and sick period, was observed in cases of SM, which was already expected, since the clinical form tends to cause more discomfort to the animals. As for the main etiological agents involved in the clinical condition, Streptococcus agalactiae and S. uberis were detected. In view of the above, the evaluation of the mean RT of multiparous dairy cows was efficient in the predictive diagnosis of SM and CM up to 2 days before the onset of the disease. In addition, the variability of this result demonstrated that animals with subclinical cases presented less fluctuation in RT

Utilização de sulfonamidas para o tratamento de diarreia neonatal bovina: parâmetros clínicos e zootécnicos

Este estudo foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar parâmetros clínicos, hematológicos e zootécnicos de bezerras acometidas por diarreia provocada pelo agente bacteriano Escherichia coli, tratadas com três diferentes protocolos contendo sulfonamidas. Quatorze bezerras da raça Holandês foram monitoradas do nascimento até os 60 dias de vida e divididas em 3 grupos: Grupo 1 (n=5), animais tratados com a dose de 80g de Kaopek®, Ibasa, Brasil, por via oral (VO), dissolvido em 160ml de água a cada 24 horas; Grupo 2 (n=4) receberam sulfadiazina e trimetropim (Ibatrim®, Ibasa, Brasil), na dose de 16mg/Kg de peso vivo, por dia, por via intramuscular (IM); Grupo 3 (n=5) 80g de Kaopek®, Ibasa, Brasil, por VO dissolvido em 160ml de água, a cada 24 horas e com 16mg/Kg de peso vivo, por dia, de sulfadiazina e trimetoprim (Ibatrim®, Ibasa, Brasil), por via IM. Durante o estudo, os animais foram avaliados clinicamente e a partir do diagnóstico de diarreia foram coletadas amostras de fezes para a identificação do agente bacteriano, antibiograma, reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) e exames coproparasitológicos. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas para avaliação do perfil hematológico e o perfil zootécnico foi acompanhado semanalmente. No exame clínico, todas as bezerras apresentaram redução na temperatura corporal (<39,2°C) e melhora na hidratação após o período de tratamento (p=0,31), porém o grupo 2 obteve maior concentração de linfócitos e PPT em relação aos demais, assim como melhor desempenho zootécnico, além disso em 100% das amostras de fezes foi detectado E. coli. Sendo assim, os protocolos terapêuticos com sulfonamidas utilizados para o tratamento da diarreia neonatal bovina foram eficazes na melhora clínica dos animais. Porém, o protocolo com terapia sistêmica com sulfadiazina e trimetoprim (Ibatrim®, Ibasa, Brasil) por via intramuscular proporcionou um melhor desempenho zootécnico, com melhor ganho de peso e desenvolvimento corporal dos animais.This study was developed to evaluate the clinical, hematological, and performance parameters of calves affected by diarrhea caused by the bacterial enteric pathogen Escherichia coli, treated with three different protocols containing sulfonamides. Fourteen Holstein calves were monitored from birth to 60 days of age, and divided into 3 groups. Group 1 (n=5) animals were treated with 80 g of Kaopek®, Ibasa, Brazil, administered orally (BM), dissolved in 160 ml of water every 24 h; Group 2 (n=4) received IM sulfadiazine and trimethoprim (Ibatrim®, Ibasa, Brazil), and Group 3 (n=5) animals were treated with 80 g of Kaopek®, Ibasa, Brazil, which is made up of 16 g of phthalylsulfathiazole, associated with 2.28 g neomycin sulfate, 1.6 g of pectin, and 80 g of kaolin, dissolved in 160 ml of water and administered every 24 h by mouth, in addition to sulfadiazine and trimethoprim (Ibatrim®, Ibasa, Brazil), at a daily dose of 16 mg/kg live weight, through IM injection. During the study, the animals were clinically evaluated, and once they were diagnosed with diarrhea, feces samples were collected to identify the bacterial enteric pathogen, antibiogram, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and coproparasitological exams. Blood samples were collected to evaluate the hematological profile, and the performance profile was monitored weekly. In the clinical examination, all calves presented a reduction in body temperature (<39.2°C) and some improvement in hydration after treatment (p=0,31). However, group 2 had a better concentration of lymphocytes and TP concerning the other animals, as well as better performance. Besides, E.coli was detected in 100% of feces samples. Thus, the therapeutic protocols with sulfonamides used to treat bovine neonatal diarrhea were effective in the clinical improvement of the animals. Nonetheless, the protocol with systemic therapy using sulfadiazine and trimethoprim (Ibatrim®, Ibasa, Brazil) intramuscularly, provided better performance, with better weight gain, and body development of the animals.