Impact of susceptibility-induced distortion correction on perfusion imaging by pCASL with a segmented 3D GRASE readout

Purpose: The consensus for the clinical implementation of arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion imaging recommends a segmented 3D Gradient and Spin-Echo (GRASE) readout for optimal signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR). The correction of the associated susceptibility-induced geometric distortions has been shown to improve diagnostic precision, but its impact on ASL data has not been systematically assessed and it is not consistently part of pre-processing pipelines. Here, we investigate the effects of susceptibility-induced distortion correction on perfusion imaging by pseudo-continuous ASL (pCASL) with a segmented 3D GRASE readout. Methods: Data acquired from 28 women using pCASL with 3D GRASE at 3T was analyzed using three pre-processing options: without distortion correction, with distortion correction, and with spatial smoothing (without distortion correction) matched to control for blurring effects induced by distortion correction. Maps of temporal SNR (tSNR) and relative perfusion were analyzed in eight regions-of-interest (ROIs) across the brain. Results: Distortion correction significantly affected tSNR and relative perfusion across the brain. Increases in tSNR were like those produced by matched spatial smoothing in most ROIs, indicating that they were likely due to blurring effects. However, that was not the case in the frontal and temporal lobes, where we also found increased relative perfusion with distortion correction even compared with matched spatial smoothing. These effects were found in both controls and patients, with no interactions with the participant group. Conclusion: Correction of susceptibility-induced distortions significantly impacts ASL perfusion imaging using a segmented 3D GRASE readout, and this step should therefore be considered in ASL pre-processing pipelines. This is of special importance in clinical studies, reporting perfusion across ROIs defined on relatively undistorted images and when conducting group analyses requiring the alignment of images across different subjects.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Estudo do complexo valvar atrioventricular cardíaco esquerdo em búfalos (Bubalus bubalis) da raça Jafarabadi

Atrioventricular valve complex of 30 Jafarabadi water buffaloes, adult males were studied in this research with no heart diseases. The animals were obtained from a slaughterhouse in Brazilian State of Parana. The hearts were opened at the third portion affording access to the valve complex. The complexes had its area, number and type of tendinous cords submitted to analysis. The results showed that the complex is composed by two cusps and four accessory cusps, two or three papillary muscles in which 10-25 tendinous cords fix on the cusps that face the ventricle wall. The total area of the complex was on average 38.56cm², with a minimum of 24.96cm² and a maximum of 55.54cm². Statistically, no relation between the number of cords and the cusps' area where they are inserted or with the number of papillary muscle where they originated from was observed.Foram estudados os complexos valvares atrioventricular esquerdo de 30 búfalos da raça Jafarabadi, machos e adultos, sem alterações cardíacas, provenientes de abatedouros do Estado do Paraná. Os corações foram examinados em seu terço médio para acesso ao complexo valvar, que foi submetido a estudos de área, número e tipificação de cordas tendíneas. Os resultados demonstram que este complexo é formado por duas cúspides principais e quatro cúspides acessórias, apresentam em sua formação de 2-3 músculos papilares, nos quais se inserem de 10-25 cordas tendíneas, que se fixam em cúspides voltadas para a parede do ventrículo. A área total deste complexo apresenta uma média de 38,56cm² com um mínimo de 24,96cm² e um máximo de 55,54cm². Estatisticamente não há relação entre número de cordas e a área da cúspide onde estas estão inseridas, nem com o número de músculos papilares dos quais elas provem

A 2-Year Longitudinal Seroepidemiological Evaluation of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in a Cohort of Autochthonous Sheep from Central Portugal

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an important zoonosis and one of the major causes of abortion in sheep worldwide. (2) Methods: We performed a 2-year longitudinal serological antiT. gondii IgG screening on a cohort of a spatially confined population of a Portuguese autochthonous sheep breed in central Portugal. (3) Results: From the screening of the 2015 and 2016 sera, an increase of seroprevalence was observed (57.7% (95% CI: 49.9–65.3%) versus 69.1% (95% CI: 61.5–75.9), from 2015 and 2016, respectively) (p = 0.031). (4) Conclusions The present study is the first to provide prospective data on the anti-T. gondii serological status of a sheep cohort in Portugal, showing an increase in the occurrence of T. gondii. There is a need to provide a clearer understanding of T. gondii epidemiology in Portugal, ideally by implementing monitoring programs on sentinel herds, not only due to the high impact of T. gondii on animal health but also for it being a zoonosis.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Para que servem os inventários de fauna?

Inventários de fauna acessam diretamente a diversidade de uma localidade, em um determinado espaço e tempo. Os dados primários gerados pelos inventários compõem uma das ferramentas mais importantes na tomada de decisões a respeito do manejo de áreas naturais. Entretanto, vários problemas têm sido observados em diversos níveis relacionados aos inventários de fauna no Brasil e vão desde a formação de recursos humanos até a ausência de padronização, de desenho experimental e de seleção de métodos inadequados. São apresentados estudos de caso com mamíferos, répteis, anfíbios e peixes, nos quais são discutidos problemas como variabilidade temporal e métodos para detecção de fauna terrestre, sugerindo que tanto os inventários quanto os programas de monitoramento devam se estender por prazos maiores e que os inventários devem incluir diferentes metodologias para que os seus objetivos sejam plenamente alcançados.Inventories of fauna directly access the diversity of a locality in a certain period of time. The primary data generated by these inventories comprise one of the most important steps in decisions making regarding the management of natural areas. However, several problems have been observed at different levels related to inventories of fauna in Brazil, and range from the training of humans to the lack of standardization of experimental design and selection of inappropriate methods. We present case studies of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fishes, where they discussed issues such temporal variability and methods for detection of terrestrial fauna, suggesting that both inventories and monitoring programs should be extended for longer terms and that inventories should include different methodologies to ensure that their goals are fully achieved

The germline mutational landscape of BRCA1 and BRCA2 in Brazil

The detection of germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 is essential to the formulation of clinical management strategies, and in Brazil, there is limited access to these services, mainly due to the costs/availability of genetic testing. Aiming at the identification of recurrent mutations that could be included in a low-cost mutation panel, used as a first screening approach, we compiled the testing reports of 649 probands with pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants referred to 28 public and private health care centers distributed across 11 Brazilian States. Overall, 126 and 103 distinct mutations were identified in BRCA1 and BRCA2, respectively. Twenty-six novel variants were reported from both genes, and BRCA2 showed higher mutational heterogeneity. Some recurrent mutations were reported exclusively in certain geographic regions, suggesting a founder effect. Our findings confirm that there is significant molecular heterogeneity in these genes among Brazilian carriers, while also suggesting that this heterogeneity precludes the use of screening protocols that include recurrent mutation testing only. This is the first study to show that profiles of recurrent mutations may be unique to different Brazilian regions. These data should be explored in larger regional cohorts to determine if screening with a panel of recurrent mutations would be effective.This work was supported in part by grants from Barretos Cancer Hospital (FINEP - CT-INFRA, 02/2010), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP, 2013/24633-2 and 2103/23277-8), Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa do Rio Grande do Norte (FAPERN), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (FAPERGS), Ministério da Saúde, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (Avon grant #02-2013-044) and National Institute of Health/National Cancer Institute (grant #RC4 CA153828-01) for the Clinical Cancer Genomics Community Research Network. Support in part was provided by grants from Fundo de Incentivo a Pesquisa e Eventos (FIPE) from Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES, BioComputacional 3381/2013, Rede de Pesquisa em Genômica Populacional Humana), Secretaria da Saúde do Estado da Bahia (SESAB), Laboratório de Imunologia e Biologia Molecular (UFBA), INCT pra Controle do Câncer and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq). RMR and PAP are recipients of CNPq Productivity Grants, and Bárbara Alemar received a grant from the same agencyinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Behcet's disease in childhood

Objective: to make Pediatricians aware of the fact that they must investigate Behcet's disease while performing differential diagnosis of recurrent aphthous stomatitis, even though it is a vasculitis of rare occurrence in early life. Methods: between June 1996 and December 2000, we retrospectively evaluated seven patients of our Pediatric Rheumatology Unit. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data as well as data regarding treatment and follow-up were presented.Results: five out of seven patients were female (71.4%), four were non-Caucasian (57.1%), the mean age at onset was 8 years and 11 months (variation of 6 months to 13 years and 8 months), the mean period until diagnosis was 2 years and 3 months (variation of 2 months to 8 years) and the mean follow-up period was 4 years and 2 months (three patients without follow-up). The major criteria of diagnosis were: oral ulcers in seven patients (100%), genital ulcers in three patients (42.8%), ophthalmic alterations in four patients (57.1%) cutaneous vasculitis in one patient (14.2%) and positive pathergy test in one patient (14.2%). The minor criteria were: arthralgia/arthritis in five patients (71.4%), family history in two patients (28.5%), and sagittal sinus thrombosis in one patient (14.2%). The initial symptoms included recurrent aphthous stomatitis (more than three painful aphthous ulcers episodes in the period of 1 year), genital ulcers, arthralgia, fever and weight loss. The laboratory findings were: mild anemia in 1/6 patients, ESR>25 in 3/6 patients, increased serum gammaglobulin level in 2/4 patients, B5 histocompatibility antigen in 2/7 patients. The treatment included corticosteroids for 5/7 patients (4 oral, 1 intravenous and one local use), thalidomide for 4/7 patients, colchicine for 2/7 patients and dapsone for 1/7 patient. The outcome was favorable in 4/6, and 3/6 patients presented relapse.Conclusion: our results confirm the importance of considering the diagnosis of Behcet's disease in patients with recurrent oral and genital ulcers.Objetivo: conscientizar os pediatras sobre o fato de que, mesmo sendo uma vascullite de ocorrência rara na infância, a Doença de Behçet deve ser lembrada no diagnóstico diferencial de estomatites recorrentes. Casuística e método: foram avaliados, retrospectivamente, os prontuários de 7 pacientes atendidos no ambulatório de Reumatologia Pediátrica da UNIFESP-EPM, no período de junho de 1996 a dezembro de 2000. Foram estudados os dados epidemiológicos, clínicos, laboratoriais, de evolução e de tratamento.Resultados: dos 7 pacientes, 5 eram do sexo feminino (71,4%), 4 da raça não caucasóide (57,1%), com idade média de início de doença de 8 anos e 11 meses (variação de 6 meses a 13 anos e 8 meses), tempo médio de diagnóstico de 2 anos e 3 meses (variação de 2 meses a 8 anos) e tempo médio de evolução de 4 anos e 2 meses (3 pacientes sem seguimento). Os critérios maiores de diagnóstico foram: úlceras orais em 7 pacientes (100%), úlceras genitais em 3 pacientes (42,8%), alterações oftalmológicas em 4 pacientes (57,1%), vasculite cutânea em 1 paciente (14,2%) e teste de patergia positivo em 1 paciente (14,2%). Os critérios menores de diagnóstico foram: artralgia/artrite em 5 pacientes (71,4%), história familiar em 2 pacientes (28,5%) e trombose do seio sagital em 1 paciente (14,2%). Os sintomas iniciais incluíram estomatites recorrentes (mais de 3 episódios de aftas dolorosas no período de 1 ano), úlceras genitais, artralgias, febre e perda de peso. Os achados laboratoriais mostraram discreta anemia em 1/6 pacientes, VHS>25 em 3/6 pacientes, hipergamaglobulina em 2/4 pacientes, presença do antígeno de histocompatibilidade B5 em apenas 2/7 pacientes. O tratamento constou de corticoesteróides em 5/7 pacientes (4 VO, 1 EV e 1 uso tópico), talidomida em 4/7 pacientes, colchicina em 2/7 pacientes e dapsona em 1/7 pacientes. A resposta foi favorável em 4/6, porém recorrente em 3/6 pacientes.Conclusão: nossos resultados confirmam a importância de considerar o diagnóstico de doença de Behçet em regiões com úlceras orais e genitais, especialmente úlceras orais recorrentes.Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de PediatriaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de PediatriaSciEL

Chronic splenic lesions in surviving pigs from outbreaks of gastric disorders

The gastric problems in pigs acquired the new expression as intensive practices currently adoptes. The authors document, using macro and microscopic figures, a case of high mortality rate in a sow breeding stock in an indoor farm, aiming to discuss the best resolution to adopt. A breeding stock with 500 sows and high animal welfare standards, presented outbreaks of sudden death, in 2014 and 2016, that led to nutritional management changes. Several sows were necropsied and samples fixed in 10% neutral-buffered formalin and processed for routine histopathological diagnosis. Macroscopic exam, realized during outbreaks, revealed severe gastric ulcers and/or torsions. During the present year, cases of death, due to different etiologies, were necropsied and also showed splenic atrophy, irregularities and thickening at the capsule level. Microscopic exam revealed hypertrophy of smooth muscle of the capsule and splenic trabeculae, with presence of siderocalcary and hemorrhagic nodules. The authors suggest the diagnosis of postprandial gastric dilatation in animals surviving the outbreaks reported, with severe spleen repercussions that are still observed on the farm.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Electrochemical activity of cytochrome P450 1A2: the relevance of O2 control and the natural electron donor

The direct electrochemical response of membrane-bound human cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) was studied on pyrolytic graphite electrodes, while encapsulated in a sol-gel matrix. The enzymatic reduction of O2 was evaluated in the presence and absence of its electron donor partner, cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (CPR). When used without CPR, CYP1A2 was shown to be highly sensitive to O2 even in the presence of residual amounts. Under aerobic conditions (air-saturated solutions), the catalytic signal attributed to the reaction with O2 was lost, suggesting the enzyme was inactivated. In contrast, the CYP1A2/CPR complex retained O2 reductase activity with high O2 concentration in solution. The results demonstrated a crucial role of CPR in stabilizing the immobilized CYP1A2 enzyme and in the preservation of O2 electrocatalysis, when using this electrochemical set-up. Though the enzyme's monooxygenase activity towards caffeine was not detected, this study highlights the complexity of coupling CYP1A2 reduction currents with substrate turnover, owing to the simultaneous electrochemical measurement of the O2 reduction reaction