Angiostrongilíase abdominal: relato de dois casos com diferentes apresentações clínicas

Abdominal angiostrongyliasis is a sporadic infectious disease caused by the nematode Angiostrongylus costaricensis. It usually presents as acute abdomen, secondary to mesenteric ischemia, and pronounced eosinophilia. In some cases its course is insidious and transient, and the diagnosis is suspicious. The disease is confirmed by the detection of A. costaricensis elements in surgical specimen. The treatment is supportive, with avoidance of antihelminthic administration due to a possible erratic migration followed by worsening of the disease. We report two cases, both with intense eosinophilia and serum IgG-ELISA positive to A. costaricensis. The first case presented ileal perforation and was surgically treated. The second one showed hepatic nodules at ultrasound and was only symptomatically treated, evolving to an apparent protracted resolution. These two cases exemplify different clinical forms of the disease, one of them with liver involvement.A angiostrongilíase abdominal é doença esporádica decorrente da infecção pelo nematódeo Angiostrongylus costaricensis. Costuma manifestar-se como abdome agudo secundário a isquemia mesentérica, além de marcada eosinofilia. Pode também apresentar-se de forma insidiosa e transitória, exigindo alta suspeita clínica para o diagnóstico. A doença é confirmada pela identificação de elementos do A. costaricensis em peças cirúrgicas. O tratamento é apenas de suporte, devendo-se evitar o uso de anti-helmínticos pela possibilidade de migração errática do verme com piora do quadro. Aqui foram apresentados dois casos, ambos com acentuada eosinofilia e ELISA-IgG sérico positivo para A. costaricencis. O primeiro caso cursou com perfuração ileal e foi tratado cirurgicamente. O segundo caso apresentou nódulos hepáticos ao ultrassom e foi tratado sintomaticamente, evoluindo para lenta resolução. Estes dois casos exemplificam diferentes formas de apresentação clínica da doença, uma delas com envolvimento hepático

Is there a relationship between the expression of β-catenin and Ki-67 in canine melanocytic neoplasms? Existe relação entre a expressão de β-catenina e Ki-67 em neoplasias melanocíticas caninas?

An immunohistochemical evaluation of 26 cutaneous and oral benign and malignant canine melanocytic neoplasms was performed to identify a possible relationship between the expression of the β-catenin molecule with cell proliferation using Ki-67 expression. This molecule is a component of the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway, which causes a cascade of intracellular events that activate transduction genes and nuclear transcription. The microscopic evaluation was performed considering the β-catenin labelling site (cytoplasmic, nuclear or mixed). The mitotic index was evaluated by the expression of Ki-67 in 10 high power fields (HPF) (400x). Statistically significant difference was neither detected between the β-catenin labelling sites and the various neoplasms, nor a correlation between the β-catenin molecule and the cell proliferation marker Ki-67 in the oral or cutaneous, benign or malignant neoplasms. Our study brings interesting findings and points to future research on this topic, especially with established variables in the clinical, pathological and immunohistochemical fields

Cambios históricos en el aporte terrígeno de la cuenca del Río de la Plata sobre la plataforma interna Uruguaya

El Río de la Plata (RdlP) presenta significativas variaciones naturales (hidrodinámicas y oceanográficas) asociadas a diferentes condiciones climáticas. El propósito de este trabajo es inferir los cambios de aportes continentales de sedimentos y su relación con las variaciones hidrológicas del Río de la Plata, a través del análisis de proxies sedimentológicos y geoquímicos en testigos de sedimentos de la plataforma interna uruguaya que registran los últimos 100 años, aproximadamente. A partir de ladatación por 210Pb de dos testigos de sedimentos (GeoB 13813-4 y BAR1) se reconstruyó la geocronología del ambiente, y se relacionó con datos de las forzantes climáticas Pacific Decadal Oscillation, El Niño/La Niña Southern Oscillation, Atlantic MultidecadalOscillation, y las anomalías hidrológicas de los ríos Paraná y Uruguay. Los valores máspositivos y estables del Southern Oscillation Index, los cuales corresponden a fases La Niña,se observan en el periodo correspondiente entre 1910-1970, respecto al resto de la serie,donde se aprecia una mayor variabilidad y una tendencia hacia valores más negativos(eventos El Niño). Se hicieron dendrogramas (clustering) jerárquicos para ambos testigos. Para el testigo GeoB 13813-4, se utilizó la relación Ca/Ti y la granulometría, mientras que para BAR1 se recurrió a variables granulométricas y la tasa de sedimentación. El mayoraporte continental hacia la región de la plataforma adyacente al Río de la Plata registrado a partir del año 1970, podría ser el factor principal de los agrupamientos observados en los clusters para ambos testigos. Las agrupaciones mostraron una diferenciación en la década de 1970 lo que estaría asociado al aumento de los caudales de los ríos Paraná y Uruguay, durante las últimas tres décadas del siglo XX. Por otra parte se observa que la granulometría del testigo BAR1 presentó un mayor tamaño de grano y más variabilidad que en el caso del testigo GeoB 13813-4. También se determinó una mayor acumulación de sedimentos a través del tiempo en el cinturón de barro del Río de la Plata (plataforma continental adyacente), comparado con aquel registrado en la Barra del Indio (límite entre zona intermedia y externa del estuario). Estas diferencias podrían estar relacionadas con la influencia del Río de la Plata la cual genera un ambiente altamente dinámico sobre la Barra del Indio y un ambiente más estable sobre el cinturón de barro en la plataforma continental.Fil: Marrero, Analía. Universidad de la República. Facultad de Ciencias; UruguayFil: Tudurí, Adriana. Universidad de la República. Facultad de Ciencias; UruguayFil: Perez, Laura. Universidad de la República. Facultad de Ciencias; UruguayFil: Cuña Rodriguez, Carolina Celeste. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra; ArgentinaFil: Muniz, Pablo. Universidad de la República. Facultad de Ciencias; UruguayFil: Lopes Figueira, Rubens C.. Instituto Oceanografico; BrasilFil: Michcelovitch de Mahiques, Michel. Instituto Oceanografico; BrasilFil: Alves de Lima Ferreira, Paulo. Instituto Oceanografico; BrasilFil: Pittauerová, Daniela. Center For Marine Environmental Sciences, Marum; AlemaniaFil: Hanebuth, Till. Center For Marine Environmental Sciences, Marum; AlemaniaFil: Garcia Rodriguez, Felipe. Universidad de la República. Facultad de Ciencias; Urugua

Pylorectomy and Gastroduodenostomy (Billroth I Procedure) for Obstructive Antrum Pyloric Leiomyoma in a Bitch

Background: Gastric neoplasms are uncommon in dogs, especially those affecting smooth muscle layers. Leiomyoma is a smooth muscle benign neoplasm, which requires surgical resection. Pylorectomy and gastroduodenostomy (Billroth I procedure) is the most indicated technique in cases not affecting the biliary and pancreatic tracts. Thus, the purpose of this study was to report a successful case of Billroth I procedure in a bitch presenting antrum pyloric obstructive leiomyoma. Case: A 12-year-old, non-spayed, Cocker Spaniel bitch was admitted presenting depression, hyporexia, postprandial vomiting and sparse episodes of hematemesis, for 30 days. Clinical suspicion on obstructive gastric outflow disease was established. Bloodwork (complete blood count, BUN, albumin, ALP and ALT), abdominal ultrasound and thoracic radiographs were assessed. The patient undergone upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. On endoscopic evaluation, small hemorrhagic mucosa ulcers were visualized on the gastric body, antrum and pylorus. Moreover, a sessile, ulcerated, round-shape and infiltrated antral-pyloric mass was seen. The mass was 1.5-2.0 cm in diameter and apparently involved the smooth muscle layer, causing severe pyloric obstruction. However, endoscopic evaluation of the duodenum was possible. Several biopsy samples were taken from the neoplasm and sent for histopathologic assessment. The result was not conclusive due to low quality samples. The patient had progressive worsening of obstruction episodes and required surgery. A wide-margin pylorectomy and gastroduodenostomy (Billroth I procedure) was carried out. The retrieved specimen was sent to histopathological and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assessment. Positive staining for actin and desmin confirmed smooth muscle origin of the mass and histopathological assessment confirmed leiomyoma. The patient underwent regular periodic postoperative assessments, revealing progressive clinical improvement and normal weight gain. Control upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed. Gastric ulcers were completely healed and gastroduodenal anastomosis was functional. The anastomotic scar tissue was sampled and revealed chronic and normal healing process. Complete healing was confirmed and the patient was discharged. Discussion: Gastric neoplasms are not common in dogs. However, severe obstruction of gastric outflow is a potential risk for complications in those cases. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopic assessment is important not only for diagnosis, but also for surgery decision making. In the current study, gastroscopy provided accurate preoperative evaluation of severity of pyloric obstruction and diagnosis of secondary gastric ulcers. Direct visualization of lesions and multiple biopsy sampling were performed. The presence of neoplasms over 2-cm in diameter indicates need for complete laparoscopic or conventional surgical resection. In this case report, open resection was carried out due to prohibitive cost of laparoscopic approach, mass dimensions and probable involvement of deeper tissue layers. In conclusion, pylorectomy and gastroduodenostomy (Billroth I procedure) was curative and provided good prognosis following resection of an antrum pyloric obstructive leiomyoma. Endoscopy was critical for both diagnosis and decision-making towards surgery for gastric outflow obstruction due to an antrum pyloric neoplasm. Histopathological and immunohistochemistry assessment confirmed neoplasm type and assured oncological safety of resection with wide margins. Keywords: gastric neoplasms, smooth muscle tumor, endoscopy, dog

Immunophenotypic characterization of lymphocytic infiltration in canine melanocytic tumors / Caracterização imunofenotípica da infiltração linfocítica em tumores melanocíticos caninos

Melanocytic tumors correspond to approximately for 4 to 7% of tumors in dogs and up to 7% of malignant tumours. Melanomas generally exhibit aggressive biological behavior. In humans, abundant tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) can be considered a good prognostic factor. Research on TIL in canine melanomas is scarce, and to date, there are no studies to verify its association with established prognostic factors. Our study aimed to evaluate the lymphocyte population in canine melanocytic tumors using immunohistochemical markers, and to relate this to pre-established clinicopathological prognostic variables and cell proliferation index (Ki-67). An exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted with 21 cases in 19 dogs, of which 71.5% were melanotic melanomas, 19% were melanocytomas and 9.5% were amelanotic melanomas. Ki-67 expression was elevated in amelanotic melanomas, indicating aggressive tumor behavior. We detected lymphocytes T and B through CD3 and CD20 markers, respectively, and found that 86.7% of the melanotic melanomas were positive for CD3, whereas 73.3% were negative for CD20. TIL showed a strong association with malignant tumors, as well as a correlation with other pre-established prognostic factors, such as necrosis, ulceration, and nuclear atypia. TIL need to be further investigated to verify its inclusion as a prognostic factor for canine melanomas

Neuroprotective effect of mild hypothermia in patients undergoing coronary artery surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass: Five-year follow-up of a randomized trial

ObjectiveIn a randomized trial of 223 patients undergoing coronary artery surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, we have reported a neuroprotective effect of mild hypothermia. To determine whether the beneficial effect of mild hypothermia was long-lasting, we repeated the psychometric tests in 131 patients after 5 years.MethodsPatients were cooled to 32°C during aortic crossclamping and then randomized to rewarming to either 34°C or 37°C, with no further rewarming until arrival in intensive care unit. Cognitive function was measured preoperatively and 1 week and 5 years postoperatively with a battery of 11 psychometric tests interrogating verbal memory, attention, and psychomotor speed and dexterity.ResultsPatients who had greater cognitive decline 1 week after surgery showed poorer performance 5 years later. The magnitude of cognitive decline over 5 years was modest. The incidence of deficits defined as a 1 standard deviation [SD] decline in at least 1 of 3 factors was not different between temperature groups. Fewer patients in the hypothermic group had deficits that persisted over the 5 years, but this difference did not attain statistical significance (RR = 0.64, P = .16).ConclusionsThe effect of surgery on cognitive function observed early after surgery is an important predictor of cognitive performance 5 years later. Although there was evidence of a neuroprotective effect of mild hypothermia early after surgery in the original cohort, the results after 5 years were inconclusive. In general, the magnitude of cognitive changes over 5 years was modest. We believe that further trials investigating the efficacy of mild hypothermia in patients having cardiac surgery are warranted

Osteoblastic Nasal Osteosarcoma in a Wagyu Bovine

Background: Osteosarcoma is a malignant mesenchymal tumor with a wide variety of histological patterns. It is the primary bone neoplasia diagnosed in most domestic animal clinic, but rare in farm animals. The tumor develops both the appendicular skeleton as the axial skeleton, the latter being less affected. Generally it has a fast, painful and infiltrative grow, being observed metastasis. This study aims to report a case of metastatic osteoblastic osteosarcoma in the nasal bone of a bovine, diagnosed at the Animal Pathology Laboratory at the University of Passo Fundo (UPF), featuring its pathological and immunohistochemical aspects.Case: A 5 year old Wagyu female beef cattle, was treated at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Passo Fundo. The animal had swelling in the left nasal plan, dyspnoea and anorexia. It was held cytology and biopsy which revealed malignant mesenchymal neoplasm compatible with osteosarcoma. The clinical picture has worsened and the animal died. At necropsy, the left nasal plane, had ulcerated tumor mass measuring 15x12.5x7.5 cm, hard and firm consistency with whitish color that seeped up to the turbinates and sinuses. In the lung, there were numerous nodules of tumor appearance, adhered to the parietal pleura, similar to bone tissue. In the histopathological analysis, proliferation of neoplastic cells located in the deep dermis was observed, cell thick, well-defined and infiltrative, arranged in bundles, loosely grouped with rounded shape, sometimes oval, with distinct boundaries. There were areas with formation of osteoid matrix calcification and tumor necrosis. It was observed lung and regional lymph nodes metastasis. Tissue samples were subjected to immunohistochemistry (IHC), was performed using the polymer method with horseradish peroxidase (HRP), with positive control, using a panel of antibodies. Neoplastic cells were immunoreactive for vimentin and negative for other antibodies. Thus, confirmed the case of mesenchymal origin and bone tumor.Discussion: Osteosarcoma developing in the axial skeleton, more precisely in the nasal bone, in animals of this age group, is not found frequently in the literature. However, when they occur, they have unilateral injury, remarkable facial deformities, dyspnea and infiltration of adjacent tissues. During necropsy there was observed a mass of hard consistency suggesting bone tissue in the nasal plane, there was also observed whitish spots on the lung and lymph nodes. Through microscopic analysis was obtained the classification of osteoblastic osteosarcoma. Being a malignant tumor it has a fast and infiltrative growth, there was visualized metastasis in lung and mediastinal lymph nodes. The samples submitted to immunohistochemistry were positive for vimentin and negative for other antibodies. No treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgical intervention to remove the tumor was possible to be performed. Due to the severity of the clinical condition, the mass location, which couldn’t be obtained a safe surgical margin and it was financially unviable. The presumptive diagnosis of osteosarcoma was based on clinical history, anamnesis and cytological examination. However, the histopathological examination was essential to confirm the diagnosis. Through immunohistochemical examination, it was found the histogenesis, allowing to exclude other neoplasias. This technic was essential to characterize osteosarcoma due to the shortage reports of this neoplasia in farm animals, therefore, very important in veterinary medicine diagnosis.Keywords: neoplasia, bone, axial skeleton, ruminant, immunohistochemical and anatomopathological aspects

Study of reactions induced by 6He on 9Be

We present the results of experiments using a 6He beam on a 9Be target at\ud energies 7 − 9 times the Coulomb barrier. Angular distributions of the elastic, inelastic\ud scattering (target breakup) and the -particle production in the 6He+9Be collision have\ud been analysed. Total reaction cross sections were obtained from the elastic scattering\ud analyses and a considerable enhancement has been observed by comparing to stable systems.FAPESPFundação Araucári