PANVASCULITE SEPTICÊMICA EM BOVINO JOVEM: ACHADOS IMAGIOLÓGICOS, CLÍNICO-PATOLÓGICOS E MICROBIOLÓGICOS – RELATO DE CASO Amabile

Umbilical disorders affect young calves varying from 28% to 42.2% in Brazilian livestock properties. This paper describes the imagiological, clinicopathological, and microbiological aspects presented by a calf affected by septicemic panvasculitis. A 2-month-old calf conceived by natural means was attended at the Veterinary Hospital (HV) of the Federal University of Paraiba (UFPB), presenting pelvic limb joints swelling. Physical examination revealed tarsus and stifle joint swelling with presence of a fistulated wound. Bimanual palpation of abdomen revealed umbilical region swelling, with purulent discharge, pain sensitivity and thickening of veins and umbilical arteries. The patient was hospitalized and a conservative treatment was preconized. Complementary examinations were made. Ultrasonographic examination of the abdominal cavity revealed alterations in the umbilical vein: hyperechoic lumen and a thickened, hypoechoic with hyperechoic sites in vessel wall. Liver showed multifocal hyperechoic structures. Hemogram showed no significant alterations and the microbiological culture did not grow. Due to sonographic alterations in the liver and umbilical vein, in addition to the presence of polyarthritis, euthanasia was chosen after 11 days of treatment. Necropsy showed thickening and presence of exudate in allantoic duct and umbilical vein; bladder with granulomatous exudate; abscesses in liver, pleura, bone marrow, omentum, spleen and joints. Histopathological findings revealed mixed infiltrates in mesenteric lymph nodes, spleen, pleura, intestine, esophagus, liver, bladder, kidneys, bone and nervous system. Microbiological isolation identified P. mirabilis as the cause of the infection, which showed multiple resistance to ampicillin, amoxicillin clavulanate, gentamicin, sulfazotrim, cephalothin, and tetracycline in the In vitro bacterial susceptibility test. It was concluded that ultrasonographic examination was indispensable to reach the prognosis of the clinical case, besides showing more information related to the involvement of the umbilical vessels, allowing visualization and measurement of lumen and vascular wall.Afecções umbilicais são responsáveis por acometer bezerros jovens tendo prevalência de 28% a 42,2% nas propriedades de gado do Brasil. Assim, objetiva-se descrever os aspectos clínico-patológicos, imagiológicos e microbiológicos em um bezerro acometido por panvasculite septicêmica. Um bezerro com 2 meses de idade, concebido por meio natural, foi atendido no Hospital Veterinário (HV) da Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), apresentando aumento das articulações dos membros pélvicos. No exame físico foi visto aumento de volume em articulações e ferida fistulada. O exame bimanual do abdômen mostrou presença de secreção purulenta, sensibilidade e espessamento de veias e artérias umbilicais. Tratamento conservativo foi preconizado e exames complementares foram feitos. Exame ultrassonográfico revelou veia umbilical com parede espessada, hipoecóica com pontos hiperecóicos, lúmen hiperecóico e áreas hiperecóicas multifocais em fígado. O hemograma não mostrou alterações significativas e a cultura microbiológica não cresceu. Devido às alterações ultrassonográficos vitas em fígado e veia umbilical, além da poliartrite, optou-se pela eutanásia 11 dias após início de tratamento. Na necropsia foi visto espessamento e presença de exsudato em ducto alantóide e veia umbilical; bexiga com exsudato granulomatoso; abscessos em fígado, pleura, medula óssea, omento, baço e articulações. Achados histopatológicos revelaram infiltrados mistos em linfonodos mesentéricos, baço, pleura, intestino, esôfago, fígado, bexiga, rins, osso e sistema nervoso. O isolamento microbiológico identificou P. mirabilis como causador da infecção, o qual mostrou múltipla resistência a ampicilina, amoxicilina clavulanato, gentamicina, sulfazotrim, cefalotina, e tetraciclina. Conclui-se que o exame ultrassonográfico foi indispensável para se chegar ao prognóstico do caso clínico, além de mostrar mais informações relacionadas ao acometimento dos vasos umbilicais, permitindo visualização e mensuração de lúmen e parede vascular

Radiographic, Citomorphological, and Histochemical Characterization of the Skin Mixosarcoma in a Bitch

Background: Myxosarcoma is a malignant mesenchymal tumor that arises from fibroblasts and is characterized by a low frequency of metastases, which in turn are highly invasive locally. Even though this type of tumor is relatively well documented, its radiographic and cytomorphological aspects are rarely described. The present report describes a case of cutaneous myxosarcoma in a female dog, and highlights radiographic, cytological, and histopathological findings.Case: An 11-year-old female mongrel dog was examined at the Veterinary Hospital of Federal University of Paraíba. The patient exhibited a firm 20 cm-wide mass covered by skin in the left abdominal wall, a lesion that had been developing for approximately five months. During the clinical examination, the patient demonstrated apathy and difficulty to stand. Initially, exams requested included radiography, ultrasonography, and cytological analysis of biopsy material obtained by fine needle aspiration (FNA). Radiography and ultrasonography were used to investigate the extent of the tumor, as well as invasion of other organs. Radiography revealed that the tumor was radiopaque, homogeneous, and restricted to the skin and subcutaneous tissue; no metastases were observed.  Cytological examination allowed observation of a hypocellular sample predominantly composed of isolated pleomorphic fusiform cells embedded in a discrete homogeneous eosinophilic material. These cells exhibited a moderate, well delimited cytoplasm with multiple vacuoles; the end opposed to the nucleus was slender.  Their nuclei were eccentric, with punctate chromatin and inconspicuous nucleoli.  The patient was subjected to complete surgical excision of the tumor, and the surgical piece was submitted to histopathological examination. The mass was described as single and firm; its dimensions were 20 cm x 16 cm x 15 cm, and its weight was 2.5 kg.  Fragments were processed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) or alcian blue (AB) for evaluation by optical microscopy. Histopathology revealed an infiltrative, expansive, non-encapsulated mass characterized by mesenchymal cells ranging from elongated to stellate. These cells were well individualized, had a scant to moderate cytoplasm, indistinct and slightly eosinophilic borders, and a nucleus that varied from oval to stellate in shape, with highly condensed chromatin and inconspicuous nucleoli. AB-stained specimens exhibited an extensive myxomatous matrix stained in blue, which was intertwined with neoplastic cells. Therefore, the diagnosis of cutaneous myxosarcoma was confirmed.Discussion: The diagnosis of myxosarcoma was established on the basis of radiographic and cytological findings, and it was confirmed by histopathological examination, which sped up decision-making and completion of the case.  Tumors of this group are not accompanied by paraneoplastic syndromes; however, given the size and weight of the mass under study, pain may have been the triggering factor of the apathy and difficulty to stand observed here. The age of the patient and the occurrence of the tumor in the skin are in agreement with the literature; however, presence of the tumor in the abdominal skin is uncommon, and this fact prevented definition of a clinical suspicion prior to cytopathological examination. Radiographic examination confirmed the dimensions and extent of the mass; additionally, it allowed exclusion of occurrence of metastatic foci. Cytologically, the material analyzed was consistent with literature findings for canine myxosarcoma samples, so that cytopathological examination already suggested occurrence of such condition in this case. Histopathological evaluation was indispensable for establishment of the diagnosis as well as AB staining, which highlighted high amounts of glycosaminoglycans among the neoplastic cells, which led to confirmation of the diagnosis

UTILIZAÇÃO DE PLANTAS NA VETERINÁRIA POPULAR NO SEMIÁRIDO DA PARAÍBA, NORDESTE DO BRASIL

O tratamento de animais doentes com utilização de remédios tradicionais no semiárido nordestino é uma prática antiga e bem difundida nas comunidades rurais do Nordeste. Nesse contexto, esse estudo teve como objetivo registrar o conhecimento e uso de plantas da Caatinga para fins veterinários em duas comunidades rurais nos municípios de Remígio e Solânea, Curimataú da Paraíba (Nordeste, Brasil). Foram realizadas entrevistas semi-estruturadas, e assinatura do termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido (TCLE), exigido pelo comitê de ética em pesquisa (CEP/HULW nº 297/11). Um total de 73 pessoas citaram o uso de plantas para cura de animais, onde 40 eram homens e 33 mulheres. Na análise dos dados coletados fizemos uma correlação entre gêneros e entre os VU (Valor de Uso) calculados com o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson. O valor de uso foi calculado por meio dos cálculos: VUatual/VUpotencial/VUgeral. Foram registradas 16 espécies, 15 gêneros e 11 famílias, 26 indicações terapêuticas e 110 citações de uso. A parte da planta mais usada nas comunidades foi a casca. O uso terapêutico mais indicado foi para lavagem uterina pós-parto em Remígio, e gogo de galinha em Solânea. A espécie de maior VUgeral/VUatual/VUpotencial foi Cynophalla flexuosa (L.) J. Prese. Os VU nas duas comunidades apresentaram correlações significativas (p<0,0001), não sendo encontrada entre os gêneros (p>0,05) em Remígio. Já em Solânea houve correlação entre VUpotencial/VUatual (p<0,0001). A principal geração de conhecimento foi vertical com 56% em Solânea e 65% em Remígio. 45% das pessoas em Remígio e em Solânea não ensinam seu saber. Conclui-se que se faz necessário a realização de estudos para comprovar cientificamente o potencial médico dessas espécies em laboratório, já que as mesmas são constantemente utilizadas na zona rural do semiárido brasileiro. Palavras Chave: Etnoveterinária, Semiárido, Populações Tradicionai

Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor and Hypertrophic Osteopathy in a Bitch

Background: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are rare, aggressive, relapsing, metastatic cutaneous neoplasms of mesenchymal origin. So far, no account on the association of this disease with hypertrophic osteopathy (HO) in dogs is available in the literature. Current theories on the possible causes of HO suggest that this disease may be triggered by a primary neoplasm as well as by its metastasis. The objective of this work is to report the clinical, cytological, radiographic, histopathological, and immunohistochemical aspects of a dog affected by MPNST and HO.Case: A 13-year-old female mongrel dog was presented with a history of ulcerated nodular lesion on the skin of the flank. Several ulcerated and non-ulcerated tumors were observed on the thorax, neck, and head at the physical exam. Cytological examination of the nodules revealed presence of mesenchymal cells with a malignant aspect. Complete blood count revealed anemia. There were no alterations in the biochemical tests performed. Thoracic radiographs showed presence of a nodular interstitial pattern in the cranial, medial, and caudal lobes of the lungs. To improve quality of life of the patient, the veterinary team opted for surgical excision of the tumoral ulcerations. Slight claudication in the pelvic limbs was noticed prior to the surgery. Histopathological analyses of the excised nodules verified the existence of malignant mesenchymal neoplasia, which was categorized as peripheral nerve sheath tumor after immunohistochemical examination. Additional cutaneous tumors emerged after surgical excision, along with increased claudication, edema, and pain in the legs. Complete blood count revealed persistent anemia, lymphopenia, monocytosis, and neutrophilia. Radiographs showed an increase in the number and size of the nodules. Radiography of the limbs showed presence of palisading periosteal reaction, and increased radiopacity and volume in the adjacent soft tissues. Doxorubicin and vincristine were administered, but the patient died one week after commencement of the treatment.Discussion: Cytology suggested presence of a malignant neoplasm of mesenchymal origin, and the histopathological and immunohistochemical exams substantiated the diagnosis of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. Macroscopic and histopathological examinations revealed characteristics similar to those described for MPNST in the literature. Positive immunohistochemical reactions for the markers NSE and CD56 determined the diagnosis of MPNST in spite of being negative for S-100, which could represent a consequence of variability in expression and cell differentiation. MPNST exhibits a variable distribution among breeds; it is more predominant in male and elder dogs. Animals exhibiting neoplastic lesions in the thorax, abdomen, head and neck show a high incidence of metastasis after surgical removal of these lesions. The clinical signs of MPNST were unspecific; the alterations observed in the four limbs were observed concomitantly with the diagnosis of hypertrophic osteopathy (HO), and could be due to this condition rather than MPNSC. Histopathological analysis of the pulmonary neoplasms was not possible. However, there is strong suspicion that the pulmonary lesions were a consequence of MPNSC metastasis, which could be the underlying cause of the reemergence of the cutaneous nodules. We believe that HO was caused by the thoracic tumors because the clinical signs became more intense after the increase in the nodules found in the lungs. The difficult diagnosis of MPNSC could be the reason for this type of tumor is rarely identified.  MPNSC should always be included in the differential diagnosis for cutaneous tumors, and the possibility that HO represents a consequence of these tumors should be considered

Carcinoma of Pulmonary Squamous Cells with Small Intestine Metastasis in a Cat

Background: Primary lung tumors in cats are mainly classified into adenocarcinoma arising from peripheral pulmonary epithelium and, in a smaller number of cases, into adenosquamous or squamous carcinoma, bronchioloalveolar carcinoma, and carcinoid tumor. There are few reports in the international literature describing lung cancer metastasis to visceral organs in cats, especially with regard to squamous tumors. This report describes the clinical pathological, histological, and immunohistochemical findings of lung squamous cell carcinoma with metastasis to small intestine in a cat.Case:A female, Siamese, unneutered, adult cat presented with an unhealed ulcerative crusted lesion on the left ear, previously diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Six months later, the cat returned presenting with increased volume in the left pelvic limb and claudication due to severe osteolysis in metatarsal and tarsal bones, as shown in radiographic examinations. The limb was amputated forty day later, but it did not undergo histological examination. The cat died fourteen days after amputation and underwent necropsy. Macroscopically, significant changes were observed in the small intestine, including serous segmental necrotizing and hemorrhagic lesion with luminal stenosis and corrugation of mucous surface, which was covered with a fibrinopurulent pseudomembrane. Palpation of lung parenchyma showed small firm nodules. There was an ulcerative crusted lesion on the left ear. Histopatological examination revealed infiltration of pleomorphic neoplastic epithelial cells disrupting the architecture of small intestine and lung, with pronounced anisocyitosis and anisokaryosis. The neoplastic cells had indistinct borders; their cytoplasm was eosinophilic and pleomorphic and varied from moderate to abundant in amount; and their nuclei were markedly pleomorphic and large, with up to two evident nucleoli and salt-and-paper chromatin. Additionally, numerous keratin pearls and remarkable squamous differentiation were observed. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed with the streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase method using anti-pan-cytokeratin and antivimentin antibodies. Neoplastic cells exhibited strong and uniform cytoplasmatic immunoreactivity for pan-cyitokeratin. Vimentin expression was absent in neoplastic cells but present in the connective tissue associated with the neoplasm. Discussion: Although there are some studies on primary lung squamous cell carcinoma, to the authors’ knowledge, this is the second report describing the metastasis of this tumor to small intestine in a cat. The diagnosis of lung SCC in a cat with metastasis to small intestine was confirmed by histopathological assessment and IHC. Although the amputated limb had not undergone histopathological examination, osteolytic lesions in metatarsal and tarsal bones suggested metastasis from primary lung tumors. The lack of involvement of head lymph nodes shows that cutaneous SCC was not related to lung tumors, because metastasis of this carcinoma always involves regional lymph nodes. Paleness of oral and ocular mucosae suggested anemia or paraneoplastic syndrome, which could not be confirmed because the animal was debilitated at presentation and eventually died. IHC confirmed the epithelial origin of the tumor, as evidenced by the presence of epithelial cells and keratin pearls in the small intestine, thus proving the existence of metastasis.

Criatividade no contexto educacional: análise de publicações periódicas e trabalhos de pós-graduação na área da psicologia

Atualmente, o número de estudos sobre criatividade desenvolvidos no contexto educacional vem-se ampliando, dada a constatação de sua importância tanto para os avanços almejados na educação, quanto para o desenvolvimento do estudante. Nesse sentido, o presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar a produção científica sobre criatividade no contexto educacional dos últimos quinze anos (1995-2009), por meio da análise de publicações periódicas e trabalhos de pós-graduação na área da psicologia. Após consulta a quatro bancos de dados, 82 trabalhos foram analisados em relação ao ano de publicação, à região do país a que pertence o pesquisador, ao nível do trabalho, à temática abordada e ao tipo de pesquisa, de amostra e de instrumentos utilizados. Os resultados mostraram, de maneira geral, um crescimento no número de publicações a partir do ano 2000. A maior parte dos trabalhos vem sendo desenvolvida por pesquisadores das regiões Sudeste e Centro-Oeste; a maioria deles é de cunho empírico, com foco de investigação, em primeiro lugar, na população adulta e, em segundo, na população infantil, envolvendo principalmente professores de ensino fundamental e seus alunos. Dentre os instrumentos que têm sido empregados para avaliação da criatividade no contexto educacional destacam-se o Inventário de barreiras à criatividade pessoal, os Testes de Pensamento Criativo de Torrance e a Checklist de barreiras à promoção da criatividade em sala de aula. A análise demonstrou que, embora se possa notar um aumento no número de trabalhos desenvolvidos no ambiente escolar, lacunas ainda existem em relação a estudos que investiguem essa característica em amostras minoritárias (alunos com deficiência, alunos com altas habilidades, idosos em universidades de terceira idade, espaços não formais de aprendizagem).Currently, the number of studies on creativity implemented in the educational context is increasing, as more and more its importance is highlighted for both the advancements intended for education and for the student's development. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the scientific production on creativity in the educational context along the last fifteen years (1995-2009), by analyzing periodical publications and graduate works in the field of psychology. After consulting four databases, 82 works were analyzed in relation to their year of publication, the area of Brazil the researchers is located in, the level of the work, the subject it deals with and the type of research, sample and tools utilized. The results showed that, in general, the number of publications increased after 2000. Most works have been developed by researchers in the Southeast and Center-West regions; most of them if of empirical nature, with an investigation focus firstly on adult population and, secondly, on the infantile population, involving mainly high-school teachers and their students. Among the tools that have been employed for assessment of creativity in the educational context, the following are the highlights: Inventory of barriers to personal creativity, Creating Thinking Tests by Torrance and the Checklist of barriers to the promotion of creativity in the classroom. The analysis has shown that, although an increase can be noticed in the number of works implemented in the school environment, gaps still exist in relation to studies investigating this characteristic in minority samples (disabled students, students with high skills, the elderly in universities for senior citizens, non formal learning spaces)

Criatividade na educação superior: fatores inibidores Creativity in higher education: inhibiting factors

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar elementos percebidos por professores da educação superior como inibidores à promoção de condições adequadas ao desenvolvimento e expressão da criatividade de seus alunos. Trezentos e trinta e oito professores de instituições públicas e particulares de ensino superior responderam a uma checklist de barreiras à promoção de condições favoráveis à criatividade em sala de aula. Alunos com dificuldades de aprendizagem em sala de aula, desinteresse do aluno pelo conteúdo ministrado, poucas oportunidades para discutir e trocar ideias com colegas de trabalho sobre estratégias instrucionais e elevado número de alunos em sala de aula foram os itens com maior percentual de respostas. Alguns elementos cerceadores foram mais indicados por docentes de instituições públicas e outros por docentes de instituições particulares. Ademais, maior percentual de docentes do gênero feminino, comparativamente ao do gênero masculino, apontou cobrança de aulas expositivas pelos alunos e extensão do programa das disciplinas.<br>The purpose of this study was to investigate the perception of higher education professors regarding inhibiting elements to the promotion of adequate conditions for the development and expression of students' creativity in the classroom. The participants were 338 professors from public and private higher education institutions, who completed a checklist of obstacles to the promotion of creativity in the classroom. Students with learning difficulties, students' lack of interest in the content taught, few opportunities to discuss and exchange ideas with colleagues about instructional strategies and large number of students in the classroom were the items with greater number of responses. Significant differences were observed among professors from public and private institutions of higher education in several items. Furthermore, a greater percentage of female, comparatively to male professors, pointed out the pressure to lecture classes on the part of the students and the extent of the course content to be covered during the semester