Uterine Adenocarcinoma with Pulmonary, Liver and Mesentery Metastasis in a Holstein Cow

The clinical and pathology features of a cow with uterine adenocarcinoma and multiple metastasis are described. Weight loss, inappetence, mild respiratory signs, and reduced milk yield were evident on clinical examination. Grossly deformed uterus, enlarged iliac lymph nodes, and rosary arranged nodules in the mesentery were felt by rectal palpation. Right side laparotomy revealed numerous small masses covering the omentum, and mesentery. Euthanasia was performed. Necropsy and histopathology exam revealed a uterine adenocarcinoma with multiple pulmonary, liver and mesentery metastasis. Uterine adenocarcinoma with metastasis should be included in the differential diagnosis of cows showing weight loss and mild respiratory distress and palpation of numerous firm nodules in the mesentery should be suggestive of neoplasias' metastasis

Modifiable factors and esophageal cancer: a systematic review of published meta-analyses.

There are marked differences in the etiology of the major histological types of esophageal cancer (EC)—squamous cell carcinomas (ESCC) and adenocarcinomas (EAC). This study aimed to summarize the current scientific knowledge on modifiable risk factors for EC, by histological type, through a systematic review of meta-analyses referenced in PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge. We identified 100 meta-analyses on risk factors for ESCC (n = 54), EAC (n = 43), or EC (n = 51). ESCC risk significantly increased with alcohol and maté drinking, smoking, red and processed meat consumption and human papillomavirus infection, while it was negatively associated with body mass index and consumption of fruit, vegetables, white meat, folate, and some carotenoids. Cessation of drinking and smoking significantly reduced ESCC risk. For EAC, an increased risk was reported for smoking, body mass index, and red and processed meat consumption, while risk decreased with Helicobacter pylori infection, low/moderate alcohol drinking, physical activity, and consumption of fruit, vegetables, folate, fiber, beta-carotene, and vitamin C. Differences in results between meta-analyses and mechanisms underlying some of the associations found are discussed. This work reinforces the importance of a separate assessment of EC subtypes to allow for a proper evaluation of incidence trends and planning of prevention/control interventions.This work was supported by FEDER funds through the Operational Competitiveness Programme and by national funding from the Foundation for Science and Technology–FCT (Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education) (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-021181), under the project “Determinants of gastric and esophageal cancers incidence in the north of Portugal” (PTDC/SAU-EPI/122460/2010), and the Unidade de Investigação em Epidemiologia - Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto (EPIUnit) (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006862; UID/DTP/04750/2013). An individual Postdoc grant attributed to BP (SFRH/BPD/75918/2011) was co-funded by the FCT and the "Programa Operacional Capital Humano" (POCH/FSE)

Influence of temperature and humidity manipulation on chicken embryonic development

BACKGROUND: Temperature and relative humidity (RH) are very important factors affecting embryo development, hatchability, and posthatch performance. This study aimed at characterizing embryonic metabolic and behavioural response to a harsh incubation environment generated by manipulations (elevations and drops) in these two key factors. This study was aimed at establishing patterns of metabolic and behavioural response, as well as mortality and the development of malformations, all of which can potentially be used in monitoring incubating operations and diagnosing problems with faulty equipment. RESULTS: Of all the parameters monitored throughout embryonic development the ones shown to be most affected were: albumen-weight to egg-weight ratio (AR); yolk-weight to egg-weight ratio (YR); embryo-weight to egg-weight ratio (ER); heart rate (HR); voluntary movements per minute (VMM); mortality rates; malformation prevalence and type. The most significant changes in the evolution of AR and YR throughout incubation involved delay and reduction in the amplitude of the expected drop in albumen and yolk levels, reflecting lower nutrient consumption by the embryo. ER tended to grow more slowly and remain lower than the established normal, especially in embryos challenged with temperature treatments. HR and VMM were considered to be strong indicators of embryonic stress, as all treatments applied resulted in elevated heart rate and decreased embryo movement. Mortality rates for both temperature-related treatments were higher during the first four days of incubation. Changes in relative humidity have produced less radical effects on mortality. Malformation rates were higher for embryos subjected to high incubation temperatures and were most prominently related to the abdominal wall, head, skull and limbs. Overall, manipulations in environmental (incubator) temperature during incubation produced more drastic changes in embryo development than humidity-related manipulations, especially where mortality and malformation rates were concerned. CONCLUSIONS: This paper describes changes in embryonic metabolism and behaviour, as well as in mortality and malformation rates, in response to manipulations in environmental temperature and relative humidity. Together with further studies, these patterns may prove helpful in the diagnosis of equipment malfunctions relating to temperature or relative humidity

Immunohistochemistry studies on bovine squamous cell carcinoma morphological characterization of epidermal cell proliferation and differentiation markers and characterization of cytokeratins

Bovine Ocular Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is a general designation for a group of primary neoplasias of keratinocytes arising from ocular tissues, especially the lids and particularly the third eye lid. OSCC has been diagnosed all over the world with high prevalence, being the most common bovine tumour and the one causing the most significant economic losses (Hamir & Parry, 1980; Dennis et al., 1985, Heeney & Valli, 1985; Wilcock, 1993). In Portugal, the frequency of these tumours is particularly high in the Azores, where in S. Miguel Island a large number of cattle affected with OSCC is rejected for consumption at slaughter. OSCC is the second most frequent neoplasia after urinary bladder tumours, representing 21% of all cases of rejection due to neoplasia (Pinto et al, 1996). Several reasons have been advanced to explain this situation namely the fact that animals stay in pasture all year around, with a prolonged exposition to day light and benefiting from few shelters. The ingestion of toxic plants present the pasture could also give rise to photosensitazation problems, either primary or due to hepatic toxicity, that could generate predisposing conditions to the development of OSCC

Simple and efficient furfural production from xylose in media containing 1-Butyl-3-Methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate

The acidic 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate ([bmim][HSO4]) ionic liquid was explored as both a reaction medium and a catalyst in the furfural production from xylose. Preliminary experiments were carried out at 100–140 °C for 15–480 min in systems containing just xylose dissolved in [bmim][HSO4] in the absence of externally added catalysts. More than 95% xylose conversion was achieved when operating at 120 or 140 °C for 300 and 90 min, respectively; but just 36.7% of the initial xylose was converted to furfural. Operation in biphasic reaction systems (in the presence of toluene, methyl-isobutyl ketone or dioxane as extraction solvents) at 140 °C under selected conditions resulted in improved furfural production (73.8%, 80.3%, and 82.2% xylose conversion to furfural for the cited extraction solvents, respectively)

Sensitivity is not an intrinsic property of a diagnostic test: empirical evidence from histological diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We aimed to provide empirical evidence of how spectrum effects can affect the sensitivity of histological assessment of <it>Helicobacter pylori </it>infection, which may contribute to explain the heterogeneity in prevalence estimates across populations with expectedly similar prevalence.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Cross-sectional evaluation of dyspeptic subjects undergoing upper digestive endoscopy, including collection of biopsy specimens from the greater curvature of the antrum for assessment of <it>H. pylori </it>infection by histopathological study and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), from Portugal (n = 106) and Mozambique (n = 102) following the same standardized protocol.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the Portuguese sample the prevalence of infection was 95.3% by histological assessment and 98.1% by PCR. In the Mozambican sample the prevalence was 63.7% and 93.1%, respectively. Among those classified as infected by PCR, the sensitivity of histological assessment was 96.2% among the Portuguese and 66.3% among the Mozambican. Among those testing positive by both methods, 5.0% of the Portuguese and 20.6% of the Mozambican had mild density of colonization.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study shows a lower sensitivity of histological assessment of <it>H. pylori </it>infection in Mozambican dyspeptic patients compared to the Portuguese, which may be explained by differences in the density of colonization, and may contribute to explain the heterogeneity in prevalence estimates across African settings.</p

Morphological and cytochemical studies on the skin of rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, Richardson

A series of studies concerning the structure and ultrastructure of the skin of rainbow trout was carried out, especially associated with growth and sexual maturation. An increase in the thickness of the dermis and epidermis and a decrease in the number of mucous cells were noted in the males, together with an infiltration of mononucleated cells in both sexes during sexual maturation. The structure of the gills and thymus was also examined. In the ultrastructural studies special attention was paid to lymphocyte-like and macrophage-like cells, which were interpreted as infiltrating elements. Presumed macrophages, with or without melanin granules, were seen crossing the basement membrane, which reinforced the idea of a dermal-epidermal traffic. Phosphotungstic-acid staining was applied to ultrathin sections of the epidermis to evaluate the distribution of complex carbohydrates. Among other localizations, positive staining was observed in mucous cells and in the membrane of large vesicular bodies in macrophages and filament-containing cells. The possibility of such structures being lysosomes is discussed. Immunoglobulin-containing cells were located in the skin through immunocytochemical methods. PAP and immunogold labelling, in semithin and ultrathin sections. Rabbit serum anti-trout Ig was used and the details of its production are given. In the epidermis, lymphocyte-like cells showed a degree of intracytoplasmic labelling, but this was not sufficient to draw conclusions as to whether these cells were antibody-producing or not. Some mucous cells stained positively. To evaluate how bath vaccination influenced the production of antibody in the skin, a group of juvenile fish were vaccinated inti-Vibrio anguillarum. Immunocytochemical studies were undertaken, using an immuno-sandwich technique, to locate specific antibody anti-Vibrio anguillarum. Finally, a discussion is presented of the involvement of the skin in specific immune reactions. It seems to be a tissue fully equipped for antigen-trapping, where mucous cells could be responsible for the transport, or even the synthesis, of antibody into the skin surface, to be incorporated into the mucus. The lack of protection shown by the skin of sexually mature males of certain salmonid species is considered and thought possibly due to the decrease in mucus production under hormonal influence and thereby a decrease in available immunoglobulins at the body surface

The Effect of Physical Activity Interventions on Glycosylated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) in Non-diabetic Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Introduction Epidemiological evidence suggests that physical activity has a positive effect on reducing glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels not only in diabetics, but also in healthy subjects. Moreover, a positive association of HbA1c levels with cardiovascular disease and mortality in non-diabetic populations has recently been reported. This is a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis aiming to estimate the effects of physical activity on glycaemic control measured by HbA1c levels in non-diabetic populations; and to determine which type of physical activity has a greater influence on glycaemic control. Methods and analysis The search will be conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases from inception to mid-2017. Randomised controlled trials, non-randomised experimental studies and controlled pre–post studies written in English, Portuguese, French or Spanish will be included. The Cochrane Collaboration’s tool and The Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies will be used to assess the risk of bias for studies included in the systematic review. Standardised pre–post intervention mean differences of HbA1c will be calculated as the primary outcome. Subgroup analyses will be performed based on the characteristics of physical activity intervention and population included in the studies. Ethics and dissemination This systematic review will synthesise evidence on the association of physical activity and HbA1c in non-diabetic populations. This study is important from the clinical and public health point because it will estimate the effect of physical activity on the glycemic control, and it will also examine which is the type of physical activity that should be recommended for preventing type 2 diabetes and its complications. The results will be disseminated by publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Ethical approval will not be required because the data used for this systematic review will be obtained from published studies and there will be no concerns about privacy

The effects of physical activity interventions on glycated haemoglobin A1c in non-diabetic populations: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction Epidemiological evidence suggests that physical activity has a positive effect on reducing glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels not only in diabetics, but also in healthy subjects. Moreover, a positive association of HbA1c levels with cardiovascular disease and mortality in non-diabetic populations has recently been reported. This is a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis aiming to estimate the effects of physical activity on glycaemic control measured by HbA1c levels in non-diabetic populations; and to determine which type of physical activity has a greater influence on glycaemic control. Methods and analysis The search will be conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases from inception to mid-2017. Randomised controlled trials, non-randomised experimental studies and controlled pre–post studies written in English, Portuguese, French or Spanish will be included. The Cochrane Collaboration’s tool and The Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies will be used to assess the risk of bias for studies included in the systematic review. Standardised pre–post intervention mean differences of HbA1c will be calculated as the primary outcome. Subgroup analyses will be performed based on the characteristics of physical activity intervention and population included in the studies.This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not for profit sectors. IC-R is supported by a grant from the Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (FPU13/01582). BP is supported by a grant from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (SFRH/BPD/108751/2015). CA-B and MG-M are supported by a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (FPU13/03137 and FPU15/03847, respectively)

Emerging Cooperation in N-Person Iterated Prisoner's Dilemma over Dynamic Complex Networks

The N-Person Iterated Prisoner's Dilemma (NIPD) is an interesting game that has proved to be very useful to explore the emergence of cooperation in multi-player scenarios. Within this game, the way that agents are interconnected is a key element that influences cooperation. In this context, complex networks provide a realistic model of the topological features found in Nature and in many social and technological networks. Considering these networks, it is interesting to study the network evolution, given the possibility that agents can change their neighbors (dynamic rewire), when non-cooperative behaviors are detected. In this paper, we present a model of the NIPD game where a population of genetically-coded agents compete altogether. We analyze how different game parameters, and the network topology, affect the emergence of cooperation in static complex networks. Based on that, we present the main contribution of the paper that concerns the influence of dynamic rewiring in the emergence of cooperation over the NIPD