Small-cell carcinoma of the lung resembling a brachial plexus tumour

A small-cell carcinoma of the lung was identified in a six-year-old female German shepherd dog with a history of chronic lameness of the left forelimb, Horner's syndrome and sensory deficits on the caudal portion of the left forelimb below the elbow. A mass, the exact location of which was difficult to ascertain, was identified during radiographic examination of the thorax. It was easily identified, using magnetic resonance imaging, as an apical tumour of the left lung with dorsal extension and involvement of paraspinal structures, such as spinal nerve roots C8 to T1 and the sympathetic trunk. Postmortem examination confirmed a mass in the left apical lobe of the lung, compatible with a diagnosis of small-cell carcinoma by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. This clinical presentation is similar to Pancoast syndrome described in humans.     

Antileishmanial antibody profile in dogs naturally infected with Leishmania chagasi

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) presents vigorous Th2 immune response, which is mainly characterized in human by augmented expression of Il-4, polyclonal B cell activation, intense hypergammaglobulinemia and production of antileishmanial IgE antibodies. However, few aspects of this type of immune response have been demonstrated in studies of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL). This work investigated by ELISA and western immunoblotting the production of antileishmanial IgE antibodies (IgE Ab) in symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs naturally infected by Leishmania chagasi, and also compared this IgE immune response with those of IgG, IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies. Three groups of dogs were evaluated: 12 VL dogs with positive Leishmania biopsies (GI), 44 dogs with a positive leishmanial indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), 30 of them presenting clinical signs of VL and 14 asymptomatic (GII) and 21 healthy dogs living in kennels located in leishmaniasis endemic areas (GIII), which were seronegative in the IFAT. Eighteen dogs from an area free of CVL were used as controls (GIV). Antileishmanial IgE antibodies were detected in 4 of 12 VL dogs from group I (33%) and 14 of 30 symptomatic dogs from group II (47%). While all asymptomatic dogs from group II (100%) were seronegative for antileishmanial IgE Ab, 7 of 21 healthy animals from group III (33%) had these immunoglobulins. A strong correlation was verified between antileishmanial IgG and IgG2 antibody titers in all symptomatic dogs, but only 15 of these 42 animals (36%) produced simultaneously IgE, IgG, IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies to Leishmania. IgE antibodies recognized leishmanial antigens of 12, 36, 61, 81 and 118 KDD, while a more complex pattern of immunoblotting was verified mainly for IgG and IgG2 antibodies from symptomatic animals. IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies shared the recognition of L. chagasi polypeptides of 118, 81, 61, 36, 18, 14 and 12 KDD, being more intense the immune reactions between IgG1 Ab and the leishmanial polypeptides of 61 and 36 KDD, and also between IgG2 antibodies and the antigens of 26, 21, 18, 14 and 12 KDD. Our results suggest that the polyclonal production of antileishmanial antibodies that includes IgE Ab could characterize a Th2 immune response in CVL and can help the laboratory diagnosis of this disease.     

Clinical and serological aspects of visceral leishmaniasis in northeast Brazilian dogs naturally infected with Leishmania chagasi

Human visceral leishmaniasis is endemic in the northeast of Brazil, where the domestic dog is an important parasite reservoir in the infectious cycle of Leishmania chagasi. In this study, we evaluated the clinical signs of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL), serum protein profile and the antileishmanial IgG antibody production in 86 dogs living in northeast endemic areas of leishmaniasis. Thirty dogs from a leishmaniasis-free area were used as a control group. The major clinical signs of CVL seen were emaciation and skin ulcers (80%), followed by onychogryphosis and conjunctivitis (73%). Depilation was observed in 60% of animals while lymphadenomegaly, splenomegaly, liver enlargement or kidney involvement was less frequent (< or =20%). VL seropositive dogs presented with serum hyperproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypergammaglobulinemia and decreased albumin/globulin ratio. A lower sensitivity and higher specificity was observed for promastigote indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) (83 and 100%, respectively) compared with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (94 and 90%), which uses a crude extract of Leishmania. There was a positive correlation between IFAT and ELISA titers of antileishmanial IgG antibodies (Spearman test, P < 0.05), which was augmented in CVL dogs. This study found that the determination of serum protein, A/G ratio and the use of two different leishmanial serological tests like IFAT and ELISA are essential in CVL screening.     

Cytological and microbiological findings in guttural pouch lavages of clinically normal horses with head restraint

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cytological and microbiological contents of guttural pouch washes of ten randomly selected horses restrained so as to prevent them lowering their heads, and to assess the possible effects on the guttural pouch environment in these horses. PROCEDURE: Cytological and microbiological studies were performed on guttural pouch washes of ten clinically normal horses restrained in a standing position so as to prevent them from lowering their heads below normal, as would happen during transportation on long journeys. They were restrained for 12 or 24 h and cytological, bacteriological and mycological findings in guttural pouch washes were recorded. RESULTS: The cytological gradings and neutrophil concentrations of guttural pouch washings were higher in horses that had their heads restrained for a longer period. Washings from these horses were more likely to contain cultivable bacteria and were the only washes yielding potentially pathogenic bacterial species. CONCLUSION: Variation in the cytological differential counts and bacterial cultures of guttural pouch lavages may be found in clinically normal horses which have had their heads restrained in an elevated position for periods from 12 to 24 h. This should be considered when examining this site and care must be taken when interpreting cytology of guttural pouch lavages in samples taken after transportation for more than 12 h. Restriction of head movement could also affect the normal pouch enviroment and predispose it to disease.     

Relationships Between Angular Leaf Spot, Healthy Leaf Area, Effective Leaf Area and Yield of Phaseolus vulgaris

Three field experiments were carried out with the bean cultivar Carioca Comum to investigate the relationships among visual and virtual severity of angular leaf spot (caused by Phaeoisariopsis griseola), area under visual and virtual disease progress curves (AUDPC), healthy leaf area index on any given day (HLAI), healthy leaf area duration (HAD), healthy leaf area absorption (HAA), effective leaf area duration (ELAD), effective leaf area absorption (ELAA) and yield of Phaseolus vulgaris. To obtain a wide range of disease severities, the plots were sprayed with fungicide at different stages of plant growth (before, during and after flowering). Visual and virtual severity and AUDPC showed no significant correlation with yield. However, HAD, HAA, ELAD and ELAA were significantly correlated with yield. Variables that considered the effective leaf area (ELAD and ELAA) provided similar or better coefficients of determination (R²) than those that considered the remaining green leaf area only (HAD and HAA). Single-point models with HLAI, effective leaf area index (ELAI), intercepted radiation by healthy leaf area (HRI) and intercepted radiation by effective leaf area (EHRI) to estimate yield at various times during the crop season were developed. The slope of the relationship between yield and HLAI, ELAI, HRI and EHRI proved to be stable, regardless of planting date and bean growth stage (from R6 to R8).     

Growth performance, survival and maturation of Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) in an inland CRS with no water reposition

Closed recirculation systems (CRS) present an alternative for providing organisms to the aquaculture. A CRS with zero water exchange was used in the present study; the CRS consisted of a culture and maturation facility, biofilter system and reservoirs tanks. During two consecutive trials, the CRS efficiency was evaluated by assessing the growth, survival and maturation of juveniles into adults Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone). Throughout the study, water quality parameters (temperature, pH, salinity, NH₃, NO₂ and NO₃) and ion concentration were monitored. Most parameters showed fluctuations without significant differences. However, a decrease in pH was observed during the maturation phase, and an increase in phosphorus was detected, in both the trials, compared with that in initial seawater. Growth and survival for juvenile and pre-adult shrimps presented similar variations without significant differences. Female gonadal maturation and spawning rate were not significantly different between trials. Unfortunately, shrimp eggs underwent lysis 6 h after spawning. These results show that the growth, survival and maturation obtained under CRS conditions are reproducible, and suggest the possibility of using these systems for biosecure shrimp culture, protected against eventual diseases outbreaks. The results of this study also suggest the importance of future studies addressing ion concentration changes in a CRS with zero water exchange.     

Understanding fishing and conservation of the Pacific seahorse (Hippocampus ingens) in Sinaloa,Mexico, through local ecological knowledge

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LAPAROSCOPIC SONOGRAPHY IN THE URINARY SYSTEM

This work reports the use of laparoscopic-transducer sonography for the examination of the urinary system in a swine model. Animals underwent a two-phase study. In the first phase, the urinary system was examined using laparoscopic sonography. In the second a partial ureteral obstruction was induced, and sonographic changes were recorded and evaluated. Sonography was used to evaluate kidneys, ureters, and bladder. Anatomic structures were evaluated and the following pathological findings were identified: renal cysts, one polycystic kidney, dilation of the renal pelvis, hydronephrosis, and one perirenal pseudocyst. Where necessary, contrast digital fluoroscopy (excretory urography and retrograde ureteropyelography) was also performed. Laparoscopic sonography mainly is used for evaluation prior to laparoscopic surgery to guide decisions relating to surgery. The quality of the images obtained laparoscopically is superior to that of percutaneous or transabdominal images, because artifacts are reduced and the contact surface of the transducer is placed directly over the study area. Laparoscopic sonography proved highly effective for studying renal and ureteral disorders prior to minimally invasive surgery.