DESCRIÇÃO DE TRÊS CASOS DE CRIPTORQUIDISMO EM EQUINOS DE RAÇA QUARTO DE MILHA EM PORTUGAL

O criptorquidismo consiste na não-descida dos testículos para o escroto, podendo ser uni ou bilateral. Cerca de 10% dos casos são de criptorquidismo bilateral e as situações unilaterais ocorrem frequentemente do lado esquerdo. Os testículos podem localizar-se na cavidade abdominal, no canal inguinal ou no tecido subcutâneo junto ao anel inguinal externo. As características das lesões macro e microscópicas do(s) testículo(s) dependem da idade do cavalo e da localização do testículo. Normalmente a observação macroscópica revela atrofia pronunciada e aumento da consistência. No exame histopatológico observa-se hipoplasia das células da linha germinativa e, em cavalos idosos, fibrose ao nível das túnicas. Os cavalos com criptorquidismo bilateral são estéreis mas, mantendo-se a produção de testosterona pelas células de Leydig, o comportamento sexual masculino não é alterado, apresentando-se, por vezes, estes animais mais agressivos que os não-criptorquídeos. Em equinos é considerado uma situação hereditária com carácter dominante, que ocorre com prevalência elevada em determinadas raças nomeadamente no American Quarter Horse (Quarto de Milha). Assim, mesmo os cavalos com criptorquidismo unilateral, que ainda apresentam de sémen, não devem ser utilizados para a reprodução devendo ser recomendada a sua castração. A castração pode ser efectuada por acesso inguinal, parainguinal, suprapúbico paramediano ou no flanco. Recentemente tem-se desenvolvido a castração por laparoscopia com o cavalo em estação ou em decúbito. O presente trabalho refere três casos de critptorquidismo esquerdo, em cavalos Quarto de Milha, castrados no Hospital Veterinário da Universidade de Évora (HVUE), com 2 1/2, 3 ½ e 6 anos de idade. Os testículos ectópicos localizavam-se, respectivamente, no anel inguinal, no tecido sub-cutâneo e na cavidade abdominal. A castração do cavalo cujo testículo se encontrava sub-cutâneo, junto ao anel inguinal externo, realizou-se por acesso inguinal, com o cavalo sedado e em estação. As outras duas cirurgias realizaram-se sob anestesia geral (por via inalatória) com os cavalos em decúbito dorsal sendo ambas iniciadas por acesso inguinal. O testículo de localização abdominal, teve que ser extraído por acesso parainguinal, dada a impossibilidade de exteriorização pelo anel inguinal. Ao exame macroscópico os testículos ectópicos encontravam-se atrofiados. O testículo com localização subcutânea apresentava forma irregular e os de localização no anel inguinal e na cavidade abdominal apresentavam, respectivamente, aumento da consistência e diminuição da mesma. Ao exame histopatológico observou-se, em todas as amostras, hipoplasia e degenerescência testicular severa sobretudo das células da linha germinativa, sendo que o testículo com localização abdominal apresentava ausência quase total destas células e também alterações degenerativas das células de Sertoli.#The cryptorchidism refers to the retention of one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) testicles and its absence in the scrotum. 10% of the cases of cryptorchidism are bilateral and the unilateral cases are frequently observed on the left side. The ectopic testicles can be located in the abdominal cavity, the inguinal ring or the sub-cutaneous tissue near the external inguinal ring. The macroscopic and microscopic lesions observed in the testicles depend both from the animal’s age as well as from the testicles’s location. More often the macroscopic examination reveals a marked atrophic testicle and a harder consistency of it. On the hystopathological exam we observe hypoplasia of the cells of the germinative pathway and in older horses a pronounced fibrosis in the area of the tunics. Horses with bilateral cryptorchidism suffer from sterility, however since the Leydig cells still produce testosterone, the mating behaviour and secondary sexual characteristics suffer no changes, horses are sometimes even more aggressive than non-cryptorchids horses. Cryptorchidism in horses is considered a hereditary situation with dominant character and has a high prevalence in some horse breeds like the American Quarter Horse. Concerning this fact, horses with this pathology, even if is unilateral and even with production of semen, should not be used as stallions and its castration should be recommended. The castration can be performed by several “traditional” approaches but presently some surgeons prefer the laparoscopic approach with the horse standing or in dorsal recumbency. The present work refers to three cases of left side cryptorchidism (unilateral) in American Quarter Horse that were castrated in the Hospital Veterinário da Universidade de Évora (HVUE). The three horses were 2 1/2, 3½ and 6 years old. The ectopic testicles were located in the inguinal ring (the 2 ½ years old horse), sub-cutaneous tissue (the 3½ years old horse) and in the abdominal cavity (the 6 years old horse). The surgery performed for the testicle located in the subcutaneous tissue was performed by inguinal approach with the animal standing and sedated. The other two surgeries were both performed with general inhalant anaesthesia with the animal in dorsal recumbency. Both surgeries were initially done by inguinal approach being the inguinal testicle well exteriorized by this approach. The intra abdominal testicle was impossible to remove through the inguinal ring so the para inguinal approach was used to exteriorize it. In the macroscopic examination all ectopic testicles were severely atrophic. The testicle removed from the subcutaneous tissue presented an irregular shape and the other testicles presented changes in consistency with higher consistency for the inguinal ring testicle and decreased consistency for the intra abdominal one. In the hystopathological examination, hypoplasia and severe testicular degenerative changes were observed in all samples especially in the germinative cells. In intra abdominal testicle these cells are almost absent and the Sertoli cells had marked degenerative changes

Vancomycin-Loaded, Nanohydroxyapatite-Based Scaffold for Osteomyelitis Treatment: In Vivo Rabbit Toxicological Tests and In Vivo Efficacy Tests in a Sheep Model

The treatment for osteomyelitis consists of surgical debridement, filling of the dead space, soft tissue coverage, and intravenous administration of antimicrobial (AM) agents for long periods. Biomaterials for local delivery of AM agents, while providing controllable antibiotic release rates and simultaneously acting as a bone scaffold, may be a valuable alternative; thus, avoiding systemic AM side effects. V-HEPHAPC is a heparinized nanohydroxyapatite (nHA)/collagen biocomposite loaded with vancomycin that has been previously studied and tested in vitro. It enables a vancomycin-releasing profile with an intense initial burst, followed by a sustained release with concentrations above the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) for MRSA. In vitro results have also shown that cellular viability is not compromised, suggesting that V-HEPHAPC granules may be a promising alternative device for the treatment of osteomyelitis. In the present study, V-HEPHAPC (HEPHAPC with vancomycin) granules were used as a vancomycin carrier to treat MRSA osteomyelitis. First, in vivo Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) toxicological tests were performed in a rabbit model, assuring that HEPHAPC and V-HEPHAPC have no relevant side effects. Second, V-HEPHAPC proved to be an efficient drug carrier and bone substitute to control MRSA infection and simultaneously reconstruct the bone cavity in a sheep model.This work was financed by FEDER-Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional funds through the COMPETE 2020-Operacional Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation (POCI), Portugal 2020; by Portuguese funds through FCT/MCTES in the framework of the project institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007274); by the Project Biotherapies (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000012); and by the project HEPHAPC Program RESOLVE, Norte 2020 (NORTE-01-0246-FEDER-000018). The authors would also like to acknowledge the technical support for histology and histochemical studies of Rui Fernandes and Rossana Correia and all the staff from HEMS/i3S, as well as the support of all the staff and students at the Hospital Veterinario-Universidade de Evora

Isolation of Chitinolytic Bacteria from European Sea Bass Gut Microbiota Fed Diets with Distinct Insect Meals

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The ever-growing human population is increasingly demanding more fish. As a response, aquaculture has become the fastest growing industry in its sector. Alternatives to fish meal, an unsustainable commodity used as the main protein source for carnivorous species, are urgently needed in aquafeeds. Recently, in Europe, seven insect species have been approved as potential ingredients for animal feeds, including fish feed. However, chitin, one of the components of an insect’s exoskeleton, is indigestible for several economically valuable fish species, decreasing fish performance upon inclusion. This work aimed to isolate, from the European sea bass gastrointestinal tract, probiotic bacteria capable of producing chitinases to improve the use of diets containing high levels of insect meal. Based on the enhanced adaptability of gut microbial communities and the selective pressure of chitin-enriched diets on fish gut microbiota, bacteria were first isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of European sea bass fed chitin-enriched diets. Isolates were then comprehensively screened in vitro for important traits such as their ability to utilize chitin, gut-survival aptitude, and biosafety-related issues required to be considered eligible as probiotics by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). ABSTRACT: Insect meal (IM), recently authorized for use in aquafeeds, positions itself as a promising commodity for aquafeed inclusion. However, insects are also rich in chitin, a structural polysaccharide present in the exoskeleton, which is not digested by fish, resulting in lower fish performance. Through the application of a dietary pressure, this study aimed to modulate European sea bass gut microbiota towards the enrichment of chitinolytic bacteria to allow the isolation of novel probiotics capable of improving the use of IM-containing diets, overcoming chitin drawbacks. Five isoproteic (44%) and isolipidic (18%) diets were used: a fish meal (FM)-based diet (diet CTR), a chitin-supplemented diet (diet CHIT5), and three diets with either 25% of Hermetia illucens and Tenebrio molitor larvae meals (HM25 and TM25, respectively) or H. illucens exuviae meal (diet HEM25) as partial FM substitutes. After an 8-week feeding trial, the results showed a clear modulatory effect towards spore-forming bacteria by HM25 and HEM25 diets, with the latter being responsible for the majority of the chitinolytic fish isolates (FIs) obtained. Sequential evaluation of the FI hemolytic activity, antibiotic resistance, total chitinolytic activity, sporulation, and survival in gastrointestinal-like conditions identified FI645 and FI658 as the most promising chitinolytic probiotics for in vivo application

Vancomycin-Loaded, Nanohydroxyapatite-Based Scaffold for Osteomyelitis Treatment: In Vivo Rabbit Toxicological Tests and In Vivo Efficacy Tests in a Sheep Model

The treatment for osteomyelitis consists of surgical debridement, filling of the dead space, soft tissue coverage, and intravenous administration of antimicrobial (AM) agents for long periods. Biomaterials for local delivery of AM agents, while providing controllable antibiotic release rates and simultaneously acting as a bone scaffold, may be a valuable alternative; thus, avoiding systemic AM side effects. V-HEPHAPC is a heparinized nanohydroxyapatite (nHA)/collagen biocomposite loaded with vancomycin that has been previously studied and tested in vitro. It enables a vancomycin-releasing profile with an intense initial burst, followed by a sustained release with concentrations above the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) for MRSA. In vitro results have also shown that cellular viability is not compromised, suggesting that V-HEPHAPC granules may be a promising alternative device for the treatment of osteomyelitis. In the present study, V-HEPHAPC (HEPHAPC with vancomycin) granules were used as a vancomycin carrier to treat MRSA osteomyelitis. First, in vivo Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) toxicological tests were performed in a rabbit model, assuring that HEPHAPC and V-HEPHAPC have no relevant side effects. Second, V-HEPHAPC proved to be an efficient drug carrier and bone substitute to control MRSA infection and simultaneously reconstruct the bone cavity in a sheep model

Morbidity study of the orthopedic unit

Modelo de estudo: Estudo retrospectivo e descritivo. Objetivo: Descrever a clientela hospitalizada na Unidade de Internação de Ortopedia do HCRP, segundo as variáveis do diagnóstico principal, idade e sexo. Metodologia: Foram analisadas as saídas hospitalares codificadas pela Classificação Internacional de Doenças, 9ª revisão, 1975, ocorridas no período de 1992 a 1996. Os dados foram obtidos através do Serviço de Arquivo Médico (SAME) da instituição, a partir de programa de registro de altas da Companhia de Processamento de Dados do Estado de São Paulo- PRODESP e decodificados a partir da elaboração especial de um programa de computador desenvolvido em linguagem C++. Resultados: Encontram-se 5819 saídas hospitalares, sendo o Capítulo XVII – Lesões e Envenenamentos – responsável pelo maior número,correspondendo a 2.345 saídas (40,30%). Em seguida, o Capítulo XIII – Doenças do Sistema Osteomuscular e do Tecido Conjuntivo - foi o responsável por 1.904 saídas (32,72%). O Capítulo VI – Doenças do Sistema Nervoso e dos Órgãos dos Sentidos - foi responsável por 433 saídas (7,44%). Especificamente, o diagnóstico de Síndrome do Túnel do Carpo representou 310 casos. O Capítulo II – Neoplasma - foi o responsável por 479 saídas (8,23). O Capítulo XIV – Anomalias Congênitas foi o responsável por 333 saídas (5,72%). Os demais capítulos apresentaram freqüência menor de saídas. Em todos os capítulos notou-se distribuição nas diversas faixas etárias, predominando a de 20 a 49 anos de idade (48,44%). Considerações: Acredita-se que o conhecimento da morbidade hospitalar, pelos enfermeiros, possa orientar o uso de recursos dos serviços de saúde, de modo a garantir a qualidade da assistência prestada.Study Design: Retrospective and descriptive research. Objective: the purpose of this study is to describe the clientele hospitalized at the Orthopedic Unit of the University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto Faculty of Medicine Hospital, according to variables such as the main diagnosis, age and sex. Method: Authors analyzed hospital discharge codified by the International Classification of Diseases, 9th review, 1975, occurred from 1992 to 1996. Data were collected through the Service of Medical Files of the Institution, through a program of registries of discharges from Data Process Company of São Paulo (PRODESP) and coded from a special software developed ein C++. Results: The authors found 5819 hospital discharge and the Chapter XVII - Lesions and poisoning was the responsible for the highest number of hospital discharge, corresponding to 2.345 (40.30%). Following, the Chapter XIII - Diseases of the osteomuscular and conjunctive tissue was responsible for 1.904 hospital discharge (32.72%). The Chapter VI - Diseases of the nervous system was the responsible for 433 hospital discharge (7.44%). In specific, the diagnostic of Carpal tunnel syndrome represented 310 cases. The Chapter II - Neoplasm was responsible for 479 hospital discharge (8.23). Chapter XIV - Congenital anomalies was responsible for 333 hospital discharge (5.72%). The other chapters presented a lower frequency. In all chapters, authors found a distribution of several age groups, mainly from 20 to 49 years of age (48.44%). Final Considerations: They believe that knowledge on hospital morbidity will orient the use of health services resources, in order to garantee the quality of care

Spinal myxomas: review of a rare entity.

Intramuscular myxomas are rare, benign mesenchymal tumours, occurring predominantly in large skeletal muscles as large, slow-growing and painless masses. Spinal occurrence is rare, and may present incidentally, or diagnosed via localized symptoms secondary to local infiltration of surrounding structures. Differential diagnosis based on imaging includes sarcomas, meningiomas and lipomas. We discuss two contrasting cases presenting with well-circumscribed cystic paraspinal lesions indicative of an infiltrative tumour and discuss the radiological and histological differences that distinguish myxomas from similar tumours. Surgical resection of the tumour was performed in both cases, however one patient required surgical fixation due to bony erosion secondary to tumour infiltration. Immuno-histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of a cellular myxoma. Follow up imaging at 6 months confirmed no symptomatic or tumour recurrence in both cases. Histological analysis is the definitive means for diagnosis to differentiate myxomas from other tumours. Recurrence is rare if full resection is achieved

Evaluation of the Potential of Marine Algae Extracts as a Source of Functional Ingredients Using Zebrafish as Animal Model for Aquaculture

Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA)Research on immunotherapeutic agents has become a focus for the treatment of fish diseases. The ability of algae to produce secondary metabolites of potential interest as immunotherapeutics has been documented. The present research intended to assess antiviral and antibacterial activities of macro- and microalgae extracts against viral and bacterial pathogens and explore their immunomodulatory potential using zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae as a model organism. The cytotoxicity and antiviral activity of eight methanolic and ethanolic extracts from two macroalgae (Fucus vesiculosus, Ulva rigida) and two microalgae (Nannochloropsis gaditana, Chlorella sp.) were analyzed in established fish cell lines. Six extracts were selected to evaluate antibacterial activity by disk diffusion and growth inhibition assays. The three most promising extracts were characterized in terms of fatty acid composition, incorporated at 1% into a plant-based diet, and evaluated their effect on zebrafish immune response and intestinal morphology in a short-term feeding trial. All extracts exhibited in vitro antiviral activity against viral hemorrhagic septicemia and/or infectious pancreatic necrosis viruses. Methanolic extracts from F. vesiculosus and U. rigida were richer in saturated fatty acids and exhibited in vitro antibacterial action against several bacteria. Most promising results were obtained in vivo with F. vesiculosus methanol extract, which exerted an anti-inflammatory action when incorporated alone into diets and induced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, when combined with the other extracts. Moreover, dietary inclusion of the extracts improved intestinal morphology. In summary, the results obtained in this study support the potential of algae as natural sources of bioactive compounds for the aquaculture industry.M. Monteiro, A. S. Lavrador, R. A. Santos, and F. Rangel were supported by grants SFRH/BD/114995/2016, ZEBRALGRE_BM_2019-003, SFRH/BD/131069/2017, and SFRH/BD/138375/2018, respectively, from FCT — Foundation for Science and Technology, under the POCI program. A. Couto C. Serra and P. Enes have a scientific employment contract supported by national funds through FCT. E. da Costa and M. R. Domingues are financially supported by FCT/MCTES (Portugal) through CESAM (UIDB/50017/2020 + UIDP/50017/2020), QOPNA (FCT UID/QUI/00062/2019), LAQV/REQUIMTE (UIDB/50006/2020), and RNEM (LISBOA-01–0145-FEDER-402–022125). This research was partially supported by the Strategic Funding to UID/Multi/04423/2019 (POCI-01–0145-FEDER-007621) through national funds provided by FCT under the project PTDC/CVT-WEL/5207/2014.Peer reviewe

Cell surface engineering tools for programming living assemblies

Breakthroughs in precision cell surface engineering tools are supporting the rapid development of programmable living assemblies with valuable features for tackling complex biological problems. Herein, the authors overview the most recent technological advances in chemically- and biologically-driven toolboxes for engineering mammalian cell surfaces and triggering their assembly into living architectures. A particular focus is given to surface engineering technologies for enabling biomimetic cell–cell social interactions and multicellular cell-sorting events. Further advancements in cell surface modification technologies may expand the currently available bioengineering toolset and unlock a new generation of personalized cell therapeutics with clinically relevant biofunctionalities. The combination of state-of-the-art cell surface modifications with advanced biofabrication technologies is envisioned to contribute toward generating living materials with increasing tissue/organ-mimetic bioactivities and therapeutic potential.publishe