Orientation in the diagnosis of intraocular neoplasia, through intraocular fine needle aspiration (IFNA)

IFNA is a safe diagnostic technique that allows diagnostic of neoplastic and inflammatory processes of the eye1. In cats melanoma is common in the eye, skin and oral cavity2. In the eyep, local infiltration to systemic metastases may occur2. Being, the IFNA a method that assists in the diagnosis and therapeutics1,3,4,5. An european female cat, seven years old, was presented to consultation with brown patches of progressive growth in the right iris for four months. The pupillary light reflex, dazzle and menace response were present, and the ocular echography showed an area with iris thickening and with hyperechogenicity1. Due to clinical suspicion of iris melanoma, it was requested radiographic examination of the thorax, abdominal ultrasonography, hematological and biochemical blood analysis1,2, revealing no alterations. The IFNA was performed under general anesthesia introducing the a 26 gauge needle near the limbus and directed to the iris lesion with the bevel facing the surface of the mass3,4. The technique was performed without complications. The cytology using hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed moderate cellularity composed of rounded cells with moderate nuclear pleomorphism, bulky, pale cytoplasm1. The atypical round cells were suggestive of round cell amelanotic melanoma. Due to the cytological orientation, the enucleation of right eye was advised to the owner, which was declined.The diagnosis of ocular melanoma can be directed on clinical grounds and confirmed by anatomopathological exams2. IFNA is a practical, method in aiding the differentiation of neoplastic from non-neoplastic processes. It also helps guiding the surgical procedure and establishing prognosis1,3,4,5

Molecular characterization of Portuguese populations of the pinewood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus using cytochrome b and cellulase genes

Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is the causal agent of pine wilt disease and a worldwide pest with high economic impact. Since its first diagnosis in Portugal in 1999, it has been subjected to quarantine measures with impact on forest health and ecosystem stability, significantly affecting international trade of wood products. The disease was detected in the north and centre of continental Portugal and, since 2008, the whole country has been considered an affected area. Recently, it was detected in Madeira Island. In order to avoid new outbreaks, it has become of major importance to understand the patterns of spread, introduction points and to characterize the new populations from continental Portugal and Madeira Island. Mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) and parasitic cellulase gene sequences were used to evaluate the genetic relationships among isolates that could indicate possible origins of the new outbreaks. Portuguese isolates were compared with isolates from USA, China, Japan and South Korea, in order to investigate possible infection pathways and disease spread patterns in Portugal. Phylogenetic trees based on both genes show that Portuguese isolates group with Asian isolates. Isolates from USA are in a separate position in both gene trees. However, the phylogenetic tree based on the cellulase gene sequences shows higher differentiation among Portuguese isolates than that of cytb. These results agree with those previously obtained using inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR). This was the first study to use cytb and cellulase genes to characterize pinewood nematode (PWN) populations. This study suggests that cellulase is a better marker than cytb to study genetic diversity in B. xylophilus

LAMELAR CORNEAL TRANSPLANTATION IN A DOG FOR SURGICAL TREATMENT OF CORNEA DEEP ULCER WITH DESCEMETOCELE.

Corneal transplantation is a procedure indicated for surgical treatment of several corneal diseases, requiring replacement of the affected tissues1,2,3,4. A dog of undefined breed, 5 years old, revealed on ocular examination, a deep corneal ulcer and a Descemet\'s membrane (DM) exposure. Aiming at corneal repair, the surgical technique of lamellar corneal transplantation was used. The perimeter of the transplant was defined with the help of a biopsy punch. With a 1 ml syringe and a 26 G” needle, air was injected into the deep corneal stroma in order to separate DM from stroma1,2. Subsequently paracentesis was performed to reduce ocular pressure and a small air bubble was added in order to help the corneal depthness perspective. With a crescent knife, excision of the compromised tissue was performed1,3. The DM was covered using cryopreserved canine cornea4 at -20°C in 3mg/ml tobramycin solution and thawed at room temperature it was also molded obtaining the appropriate sized tissue for the recoil1. The corneal suture was made using simple isolated points with 8-0 polyglactin and for corneal protection a third eyelid flap was performed1,3. Topical moxifloxacin, tropicamide, EDTA and autologous serum were used in post-surgical treatment3. The third eyelid flap was removed at 15 days post-surgery and a complete corneal repair was observed with total incorporation in the recipient cornea. Lamellar corneal transplantation employing cryopreserved cornea in tobramycin solution has been shown to be effective in the surgical treatment of descemetocele when related to other techniques1,3,4

Mujer y mercado de trabajo en Castilla y León

Análisis teórico y empírico en relación al mundo laboral de las mujeres en Castilla y León durante el periodo 2004-2014. Estudio de las tasas de actividad, de empleo, paro y tasas de salarios y tipos de contratos. Comparación de la situación de la mujer de Castilla y León con el hombre castellano-leones y comparación de la situación de la mujeer de Castilla y León con la mujer en España y en Europa ( 28 paises ).Departamento de Fundamentos del Análisis Económico e Historia e Instituciones EconómicasGrado en Administración y Dirección de Empresa

Epidemiology, impact and control of bovine cysticercosis in Europe : a systematic review

Background: Bovine cysticercosis in Europe has been known for centuries but the data showing the occurrence of this zoonosis are scarce. The aim of this paper is to review and present the current knowledge on bovine cysticercosis in Europe. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of studies published between 1990 and November 2014. Qualitative and quantitative data on prevalence, risk factors, burden and interventions were extracted and analysed. Results: Reports on prevalence were available for 23 European countries, mostly from western and central Europe; for a few of these only data before 1990 were available. Prevalence based on meat inspection was generally low (below 6.2 % in 95 % of the records) and varied between and within countries. Serology and detailed meat inspection provided a higher prevalence range (0.41–14 %). Only few studies analysing risk factors were identified. Reported factors related to access to pastures and risky waters, dairy production and uncontrolled human defecation in the proximity of the farm among others. Only one estimate of the economic impact of the disease could be identified. Recommended interventions were focused on increasing diagnostic tests sensitivity or the application of risk based surveillance strategies. Conclusions: There is a lack of complete and updated data on most countries, especially in eastern Europe. Further risk factor studies might be needed together with estimates on the burden of the disease in all European countries. Risk-based interventions are being encouraged but current data are limited to guide this approach

Mise en relation des données de géolocalisation lors de procédures pénales

Ce travail traite le thème de la géolocalisation La première partie présente ce qu’est la géolocalisation et l’histoire de celle-ci à travers le temps, tout en mettant en avant quelques faits historiquement marquants. Puis, quelques techniques utilisées à des fins de géolocalisation sont détaillées, pour finir avec le Wardriving. La deuxième partie, quant à elle, parle plus précisément du smartphone et des emplacements internes qui sont susceptibles de contenir des informations de localisation. Le but étant de réussir à extraire des coordonnées GPS depuis plusieurs sources telles que les photos ou encore les fichiers systèmes d’un téléphone intelligent. La troisième et dernière partie concerne la pratique du projet. Les divers choix technologiques sont abordés, ainsi que la structure de la base de données, tout en passant par les aspects importants de la programmation. Le but de ce projet est d’une part de sensibiliser le lecteur à la géolocalisation. D’autre part, de fournir un outil capable d’acquérir, stocker et afficher des données d’emplacements géographiques extraits de téléphones intelligents

Rhizobial Strain Improvement: Genetic Analysis and Modification

Plant genetic engineering has revolutionized our ability to produce genetically improved plant varieties. A large portion of our major crops have undergone genetic improvement through the use of recombinant DNA techniques in which microorganisms play a vital role. The cross-kingdom transfer of genes to incorporate novel phenotypes into plants has utilized microbes at every step-from cloning and characterization of a gene to the production of a genetically engineered plant. This book covers the important aspects of Microbial Biotechnology in Agriculture and Aquaculture with and aim to improve crop yield

Sedação Consciente em Medicina Dentária

Projeto de Pós-Graduação/Dissertação apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Medicina DentáriaIntrodução: Embora atualmente haja uma maior preocupação pela procura do médico dentista, Portugal ainda é dos países da Europa com pior saúde oral. A dor é o principal motivo de procura de tratamentos odontológicos sendo contrariada pelo medo, ansiedade e falta de recursos. Devido à infeliz realidade atual, há necessidade de mudar os métodos de tratamento: recorre-se à sedação consciente. Objetivos: O objetivo deste trabalho é fazer uma revisão sobre o uso de sedação consciente em medicina dentaria, procurando a que melhor se adequa ao sucesso de um tratamento dentário. Materiais e Métodos: Foi realizada uma revisão Bibliografia, baseada na informação obtida por pesquisa manual e on-line, no “Google Scholar”, “MEDLINE/PubMed”, “Science Direct”. As palavras-chave foram “Anxiety”, “Pain”, “Pain assessnet”, “Fear”, “Analgesia”, “Sedation”, “Conscious Sedation”, “Nitrous Oxide”. Resultados: Não foram definidos limites temporais, no entanto foram favorecidos os estudos e artigos datados entre 2000 e 2012, publicados em revistas indexadas. Por fim obtiveram-se 73 artigos que respeitam estes critérios de inclusão. Conclusão: Nos últimos anos, houve um crescente desenvolvimento cientifico e tecnológico na sedação, sendo a sedação consciente a que mais evoluiu. A introdução da sedação consciente em medicina dentária, aumentou os índices de sucesso e conforto antes, durante e após os tratamentos odontológicos. Em relação aos materiais utilizados na sedação foram descritos, óxido nitroso, oxigénio, diazepam, midazolam. Desta revisão conclui-se que a mistura de óxido nitroso e oxigénio procedendo de benzodiazepinas, é a mistura que reúne os melhores resultados, físicos, psico-emocionais além de reduzir o tempo de atendimento e aumento de produtividade durante o procedimento odontológico, sendo viável, eficaz, diminuindo o desgaste físico, mental do médico dentista, levando ao conforto e tranquilidade dos pacientes. Introduction: Although, actually, there is a bigger concern to find the dentist doctor, Portugal is still one of Europe’s country with the worst dental health. Pain is the main issue to find dental treatments, being “fear”, anxiety and lack of resources even more important than the first. Due to the unfortunate reality that we live in, there is a need to change the methods of the treatment, so actually some use the “conscious sedation”. Objectives: The purpose of this work is to review the use of “conscious sedation” in dental medicine, searching the best one to the success of dental treatment. Methods and Materials: It was performed a literature review, based on the information obtained by manual search and on-line search, on “Google Scholar”, “ MEDLINE/PubMed”, “Science Direct”. The Key words were “ Anxiety”, “Pain”, “Pain Assessment”, “ Fear”, “ Analgesia”, “ Sedation”, “ Conscious Sedation”, “Nitrous oxide”. Results: There was no time limits defined, however, some issues and articles dated between 2000 and 2013, published in refereed journals, were favored. Finally 73 articles witch meet the criteria of inclusion were obtained. Conclusion: Over the past years, there has been a growing scientific and technology development on sedation, been the “conscious sedation” the one that most evolve. The introduction of “conscious sedation” ins dental medicine, increased the levels of success and comfort before, during and after dental treatments. Regarding the materials used in this method, there is nitrous oxide, oxygen , diazepam and midazolam. This review concludes that the mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen, from benzodiazepines, is the one with the best physical and psycho emotional results, besides decreasing the time in attending and increasing productivity during the dental procedure, being viable, effective, decreasing the physical and mental effort of the medical dentist, taking the patient to a high level of comfort and tranquility

Genes commonly involved in acid tolerance are not overexpressed in the plant microsymbiont Mesorhizobium loti MAFF303099 upon acidic shock

Rhizobia are legume bacterial symbionts that fix nitrogen in the root nodules of plants. The aim of the present study was to investigate the global transcriptional response of rhizobia upon an acidic shock. Changes in the transcriptome of cells of Mesorhizobium loti strain MAFF303099 upon an acidic shock at pH 3 for 30 min were analysed. From a total of 7,231 protein-coding genes, 433 were found to be differentially expressed upon acidic shock, of which 322 were overexpressed. Although most of the overexpressed genes encode hypothetical proteins, the two most represented Cluster of Orthologous Group (COG) categories are ‘defence mechanisms’ and ‘transcription’. Differentially expressed genes are dispersed throughout the chromosome, with the exception of the symbiosis island, where most genes remain unchanged. A significant number of transcriptional regulators and ABC transporter genes are overexpressed. No overexpression of genes typically associated to acid tolerance in rhizobia, such as act and exo genes, was detected. Overall, this study suggests a transcriptional response to acidic shock of M. loti distinct from other rhizobia. Additional studies are in course to explore the role of some of the highly overexpressed genes and to further elucidate the molecular bases of acid stress response

Role of Starter Cultures on the safety of fermented meat products

Starters are microbial cultures used to promote and conduct the fermentation of meat products. Bacteria, particularly lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), as well as yeasts and molds, may be used as starters. They can increase the safety of fermented meat products by means of rapid matrix acidification or due to the production of antimicrobial substances, such as bacteriocins. Besides, starters may help to standardize product properties and shorten ripening times. Safety of fermented meat products may be jeopardized by microbiological, namely foodborne pathogens (Salmonella spp., Listeria spp., etc), and chemical hazards, particularly biogenic amines, nitrosamines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and mycotoxins. Biogenic amines (BA) are potentially unsafe nitrogenous compounds that result from the decarboxylation of some amino acids. Some microorganisms may be responsible for their formation. Starters can cause a fast pH decrease, inhibiting the development of microorganisms with amino acid decarboxylative ability, thus preventing the accumulation of BA in fermented meat products. Besides, starters can compete with the autochthonous, non-starter microbiota throughout ripening and storage, thus reducing BA production. Some strains of Lactobacillus sakei and Lactobacillus plantarum have been shown to reduce the formation/accumulation of BA. On the other hand, Staphylococcus xylosus and Debaryomyces hansenii strains have been reported to degrade BA in food. PAH are organic compounds containing multiple aromatic rings and produced by the incomplete combustion of organic matter, such as the wood used for smoking meat. Mixed starters containing Lactobacillus spp., Gram-positive catalase-positive cocci and yeasts have been used in the manufacturing of traditional meat sausages. However, the effect of starters on reducing the accumulation of PAH is poorly understood. Starters may also be engaged in competitive exclusion, outcompeting the spoiling or deteriorating autochthonous microbiota. For example, Pediococcus acidilactici has been shown to inhibit Listeria monocytogenes in meat products. Additionally, the role of molds, such as Penicillium nalgiovense in the competitive exclusion of undesired filamentous fungi, has also been demonstrated. Most of these undesired fungi produce mycotoxins, secondary metabolites capable of causing disease. The current review addresses the role of starters on the microbiological and chemical safety of fermented meat products