Tessie Beck Martins

Pre-treatment with ebselen and vitamin E modulate acetylcholinesterase activity: interaction with demyelinating agents

The ethidium bromide (EB) demyelinating model was associated with vitamin E (Vit E) and ebselen (Ebs) treatment to evaluate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the striatum (ST), hippocampus (HP), cerebral cortex (CC) and erythrocytes. Rats were divided into seven groups: I—Control (saline), II—(canola); III—(Ebs), IV—(Vit E); V—(EB); VI—(EB + Ebs) and VII—(EB + Vit E). At 3 days after the EB injection, AChE activity in the CC and HC was significantly reduced in groups III, IV, V, VI and VII (p < 0.05) and in the ST it was reduced in groups III and V (p < 0.05) when compared to the control group. At 21 days after the EB injection, AChE activity in the CC was significantly reduced in groups III, IV and V, while in groups VI and VII a significant increase was observed when compared to the control group. In the HC and ST, AChE activity was significantly reduced in groups V, VI and VII when compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In the erythrocytes, at 3 days after the EB injection, AChE activity was significantly reduced in groups III, IV, V, VI and VII and at 21 days there was a significant reduction only in groups VI and VII (p < 0.05) when compared to the control group. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that Ebs and Vit E interfere with the cholinergic neurotransmission by altering AChE activity in the different brain regions and in the erythrocytes. Furthermore, treatment with Vit E and Ebs protected against the demyelination lesion caused by EB. In this context, we can suggest that ebselen and Vit E should be considered potential therapeutics and scientific tools to be investigated in brain disorders associated with demyelinating events.

Morphological Factors as Indicators of Malignancy of Squamous Cell Carcinomas in Cattle Exposed Naturally to Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum)

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the upper digestive tract (UDT) of cattle have been associated with chronic bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) toxicity and infection with bovine papillomavirus type-4. These tumours share some morphological similarities with human head and neck SCCs. In this study, morphological changes were correlated with the biological behaviour of 40 alimentary SCCs in cattle grazing on pastures with high bracken content. The majority of SCCs were localized to the cranial and caudal regions of the UDT (almost 45% each). More than 60% of the tumours were well differentiated and were found mostly in the cranial region. Metastasis occurred in 58% of the cases, mostly to regional lymph nodes. All poorly differentiated SCCs had evidence of metastasis. Morphological patterns characterized by islands and ribbons of neoplastic keratinocytes were more prominent in well differentiated SCCs. These patterns varied greatly in moderately differentiated SCCs. Poorly differentiated tumours were characterized by the presence of cellular aggregates and individual cells and these tumours had more marked desmoplasia. A significant positive association was established between lymphoplasmacytic inflammatory infiltration and tumour-associated tissue eosinophilia. Evaluation of argyrophylic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) revealed higher proliferation indices in poorly differentiated tumours than in moderately or well differentiated lesions. There was significant correlation between the AgNOR index and histological grading. The morphological factors analyzed were all related to histological grading, which is the major factor predicting the biological behaviour of SCCs in cattle naturally exposed to bracken fern.

A Comparative Study of the Histopathology and Immunohistochemistry of Pythiosis in Horses, Dogs and Cattle

Twenty-one cases of pythiosis in horses (n = 10), dogs (n = 9) and cattle (n = 2) were investigated. The aetiology in all cases was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Data related to the clinical course and outcome and localization of the lesions were obtained from pathology reports. The equine lesions consisted of fibrotic tissue with multiple, often coalescing, areas of immature granulation tissue encircling eosinophilic cores. Affected dogs had gastrointestinal and/or cutaneous lesions with either or both of a granulomatous/pyogranulomatous or necrotizing eosinophilic inflammatory reaction. In cattle, cutaneous lesions were characterized by multifocal to coalescing granulomas with surrounding fibrosis. The number of intralesional hyphae, the distribution of hyphae, the presence of angioinvasion and the nature of the local inflammatory reactions were associated with the different types of lesions observed.

Estimulação elétrica neuromuscular de média freqüência (russa) em cães com atrofia muscular induzida

The medium frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) (Russa) or Kotz is designed for recuperation of muscle mass in dogs with muscular atrophy in disuse. This study aims to utilize medium frequency NMES on the femoral quadriceps of dogs with induced muscular atrophy and evaluate the occurrence of gain in mass. Eight dogs in two groups denominated GI, or control, and GII, or treated were used. For the induction of muscular atrophy, the left femoral-tibial-patellar joint was immobilized for 30 days. NMES treatment began 48 hours after the removal of the immobilization device on dogs from group II and was carried out three times per week, with an interval of 48 hours between each session, during 60 days. The following parameters were measured: thigh perimeter, goniometry of the knee, creatine kinase (CK) enzymes and morphometry of the muscular fibers in transversal cuts of the vastus lateralis muscle, collected through a muscular biopsy. EENM was utilized on the femoral quadriceps at a frequency of 2500 Hz, with pulse duration of 50%, and the time on/off was at a proportion of 1:2. There was no significant difference between the thigh perimeter and the activity of enzyme CK between groups I and II. As for the goniometry a significant increase (P<0,05) was observed among 0 and 30 days after the immobilization in group II. As for the morphometry of the fibers of the vastus lateralis, a significant increase (P<0,05) was observed in the transversal area of the treated group on the 90th day when compared with that observed at the time of immobilization and among the groups, group II presented a greater transversal area (P<0.05) on the 90th day. The medium frequency NMES brings about a hypertrophy of the vastus lateralis muscle in dogs after induced muscular atrophy.A estimulacao eletrica neuromuscular (EENM) de media frequencia (Russa) ou de Kotz pode ser empregada para a recuperacao de massa muscular em animais apresentando atrofia muscular por desuso. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi empregar a EENM de media frequencia no quadriceps femoral de caes com atrofia muscular induzida, avaliando-se a ocorrencia de ganho de massa. Foram utilizados oito caes em dois grupos denominados de GI ou controle e de GII ou tratado. Para a inducao da atrofia muscular, a articulacao femoro-tibio-patelar esquerda foi imobilizada por 30 dias. Apos 48 horas da remocao, foi realizada a EENM nos caes do grupo II, tres vezes por semana, com intervalo de 48 horas cada sessao, pelo periodo de 60 dias. Foram avaliadas a mensuracao da perimetria da coxa, da goniometria do joelho, as enzimas creatina-quinase (CK) e morfometria das fibras musculares em cortes transversais do musculo vasto lateral, colhido mediante a biopsia muscular. A EENM foi empregada no musculo quadriceps femoral numa frequencia de 2.500Hz, largura de pulso de 50% e relacao de tempo on/off de 1:2. Nao houve diferenca significativa quanto aos valores de perimetria da coxa e a atividade da enzima CK entre os grupos I e II. Na goniometria, houve diminuicao significativa (P<0,05) da amplitude articular apos a remocao do aparelho de fixacao externa somente nos animais do grupo II, em comparacao a com tempo zero. Quanto a morfometria das fibras do musculo vasto lateral, foram notados valores maiores de area das fibras no grupo Tratado, em relacao ao Controle (P<0,05), no dia 90, e, no grupo Tratado, entre os dias zero e 90. A EENM de media frequencia ocasiona hipertrofia do musculo vasto lateral em caes apos a atrofia muscular induzida.

Prevalência das dermatopatias não-tumorais em cães do município de Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul (2005-2008)

The current study was aimed at determine the prevalence of non-tumorous canine dermatopathies affecting dogs from the municipality of Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. From March 2005 to June de 2008, the authors followed-up canine dermatological cases from two sources: those referred to the Dermatology Sector of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria and those from a private practice. During this period 480 dogs with dermatological problems were examined; in 393 (81.9%) it was possible to establish a definitive diagnosis and in 87 (18.1%) the diagnosis was inconclusive. Four hundred and twenty four primary diagnosis and 78 secondary diagnosis were performed in the 393 dogs with conclusive diagnosis, totaling 502 diagnosis. The distribution of the diagnosis according to the categories of diagnosed dermatopathies was as follows: Allergic (190/502 [37.8%]), bacterial (103/502 [20.5%]), parasitic (97/502 [19.3%]), environmental (28/502 [5,6%]), mycotic (20/502 [4.0%]), endocrine (13/502 [2.6%]), keratinization disturbances (11/502 [2.2%]), psychogenic (9/502 [1.8%]), acquired alopecias (6/502 [1.2%]), autoimmune (6/502 [1.2%]), inherited (6/502 [1.2%]), pigmentary disturbances (1/502 [0.2%], nutritional (1/502 [0.2%]), and sundry conditions (11/502 [2.2%]). In general, the ten most frequently diagnosed non-tumorous dermatopathies in decreasing order of frequency were: Atopy, flea bite allergic dermatitis, bacterial folliculitis, demodectic mange, deep bacterial folliculitis/furunculosis, sarcoptic mange, myiasis, food allergy, traumatic pyoderma, and Malassezia dermatitis. These 10 conditions together made up approximately for three quarters of all canine skin diseases diagnosed in the current study.

Aspectos clínico-hematológicos e lesões vesicais na intoxicação crônica espontânea por Pteridium aquilinum em bovinos

Spontaneous cases of chronic poisoning by Pteridium aquilinum in cattle were studied. The clinical forms of the disease were squamous cell carcinoma (SCCs) of the upper digestive tract (UDT) and bovine enzootic hematuria (BEH). The cases were from the midland Region of the Midwest of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, and were submitted to the Laboratorio de Patologia Veterinaria of the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. Clinical signs and blood work were evaluated at terminal phase of disease. Cattle with UDT SCCs had progressive weigth loss, ruminal atony, cough, dysphagia, bloating, and regurgitation. In cattle with BEH, hematuria was observed in all cases, followed by progressive weight loss. Non-regenerative anemia was detected in 33.33% of the cattle with UDT SCCs form and in 66.66% of the cattle with BEH form. Changes in white blood count occurred in some cases but drop in lymphocyte numbers was uncommon in both forms of disease. For the morphological study, urinary bladders from 46 cattle with UDT SCCs and 11 cattle with BEH were analyzed. Grossly, 16/46 bladders from the UDT SCCs form had gross lesions (red or pale vesical nodules, hemorrhages, and papilomas; red urine was detected at necropsy of only three cases). In BEH form, the bladder had nodules, large neoplastic masses, red urine, papilomas, and hemorrhages. Pyelonephritis and hydronephrosis were seen in a few cases. Microscopically, in the UDT SCCs form, 44/46 (95.65%) bladders had 22 different types of morphological changes, characterized by neoplastic lesions (5/22) and non-neoplastic lesions (17/22); the latter were subdivided in non-neoplastic epithelial changes (6/17), general changes of the lamina propria (6/17), and inflammatory changes (5/17). The bladder changes in BEH form were of 19 different types, characterized by neoplastic lesions (5/19) and non-neoplastic lesions (14/19), which were subdivided in non-neoplastic epitelial changes (9/14), general changes of the lamina propria (3/14), and inflammatory changes (2/14). In BEH, mesenchymal neoplasms were more observed than epithelial ones, and most of them were malignant. Immunohistochemistry was utilized to characterize the histogenesis of poorly differentiated neoplasms. In conclusion, the morphological study demonstrated that urinary bladder lesions identical to the those seen in cattle with BEH, are very often present in cattle with the UDT SCCs form.Spontaneous cases of chronic poisoning by Pteridium aquilinum in cattle were studied. The clinical forms of the disease were squamous cell carcinoma (SCCs) of the upper digestive tract (UDT) and bovine enzootic hematuria (BEH). The cases were from the midland Region of the Midwest of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, and were submitted to the Laboratorio de Patologia Veterinaria of the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. Clinical signs and blood work were evaluated at terminal phase of disease. Cattle with UDT SCCs had progressive weigth loss, ruminal atony, cough, dysphagia, bloating, and regurgitation. In cattle with BEH, hematuria was observed in all cases, followed by progressive weight loss. Non-regenerative anemia was detected in 33.33% of the cattle with UDT SCCs form and in 66.66% of the cattle with BEH form. Changes in white blood count occurred in some cases but drop in lymphocyte numbers was uncommon in both forms of disease. For the morphological study, urinary bladders from 46 cattle with UDT SCCs and 11 cattle with BEH were analyzed. Grossly, 16/46 bladders from the UDT SCCs form had gross lesions (red or pale vesical nodules, hemorrhages, and papilomas; red urine was detected at necropsy of only three cases). In BEH form, the bladder had nodules, large neoplastic masses, red urine, papilomas, and hemorrhages. Pyelonephritis and hydronephrosis were seen in a few cases. Microscopically, in the UDT SCCs form, 44/46 (95.65%) bladders had 22 different types of morphological changes, characterized by neoplastic lesions (5/22) and non-neoplastic lesions (17/22); the latter were subdivided in non-neoplastic epithelial changes (6/17), general changes of the lamina propria (6/17), and inflammatory changes (5/17). The bladder changes in BEH form were of 19 different types, characterized by neoplastic lesions (5/19) and non-neoplastic lesions (14/19), which were subdivided in non-neoplastic epitelial changes (9/14), general changes of the lamina propria (3/14), and inflammatory changes (2/14). In BEH, mesenchymal neoplasms were more observed than epithelial ones, and most of them were malignant. Immunohistochemistry was utilized to characterize the histogenesis of poorly differentiated neoplasms. In conclusion, the morphological study demonstrated that urinary bladder lesions identical to the those seen in cattle with BEH, are very often present in cattle with the UDT SCCs form.

Morphometric parameters comparisons of the digestive tract of four teleosts with different feeding habits

The present study compared some morphometric parameters of the digestive tract of four teleosts with different feeding habits: traira (Hoplias malabaricus, carnivore), silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen, omnivore), hassar (Hoplosternum littorale, omnivore), and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella, herbivore). The digestive tract was removed from fish collected from nature and fixed for some morphometric analyses, such as: intestinal quotient, intestinal area quotient, vilosity height, digestive somatic index, and hepatosomatic index. Grass carp showed the highest values of intestinal quotient and height vilosity. On the other hand, the intestinal area quotient was higher in traira than in the other species. The intestinal quotient can be used to estimate the feeding habit, and the intestinal area quotient, vilosity height and the relationships between digestive tract length and fish weight or digestive tract weight can provide important additional information to analyze the feeding habits.

Fifty years in the blink of an eye: a retrospective study of ocular and periocular lesions in domestic animals

A survey was undertaken aiming to obtain an overview of ocular and periocular lesions diagnosed in domestic mammals over a period of 50 years in a veterinary pathology diagnostic laboratory in the Central Region of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. In this lab, 33,075 histophatological exams had been performed over the period surveyed, of which 540 (1.6%) concerned ocular and periocular lesions. For various reasons ninety specimens were excluded from the study and the remaining 450 consisted of samples from dogs (53.5%), cattle (28.2%), cats (11.1%), horses (5.1%) sheep (1.3%), rabbits (0.4%), and pig (0.2%). The eyelids were the most prevalent (248/450) site of lesions in each of the species studied, followed by third eyelid (73/450), and conjunctiva (27/450). In dogs (241 samples) lesions in sebaceous glands (including Meibomian glands) were the most common findings (75/241), followed by melanocytic tumors (52/241) and nonspecific conjunctivitis (13/241). Squamous cell neoplasms, both benign and malignant, were relatively common. In cattle, anatomical sites affected by ocular and periocular lesions, in decreasing order of frequency, were eyelid, cornea and third eyelid. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) alone accounted for 80.3% of all diagnoses, while all neoplastic lesions made up for 85.0% of the lesions diagnosed in cattle. Neoplasia accounted for most of the lesions diagnosed in cats (39/50 cases); all of these were malignant, and SCC, hemangiosarcoma and fibrosarcoma were the most common types diagnosed. In horses, 19 out of 23 submissions were neoplasms and most were sarcoid (8/23) and SCC (8/23). There were six submissions from sheep with unpigmented skin, all of which represented SCC of the eyelids (5) and third eyelid (1).

Carcinossarcoma tireoidiano em um cão

A two year-old female mongrel dog was presented with dysphagia and focal swelling at the thyroid region. Two masses were surgically removed from that site. The dog died a few days after surgery and it was not submitted to necropsy. The diagnosis of thyroid carcinosarcoma was based on malignant epithelial and mesenchymal cell components of the neoplasm and confirmed by immunohistochemistry for cytokeratin and vimentin, respectively. The thyroid origin was confirmed based on the positive immunostaining for thyroglobulin on the follicular epithelial cells and colloid. This is a neoplasm rarely diagnosed in dogs.

Eosinophilic granulocytic sarcoma in a pig

A case of granulocytic sarcoma originating from an eosinophilic lineage is described in a 5-year-old, mixed-breed, female pig. The pig had been originally sent to slaughter in a good plane of nutrition and without displaying clinical disease. At gross examination, green masses were observed in several bones, especially vertebrae, sternum, pelvis, and long bones such as femur and humerus. Similar masses were seen in skeletal muscles, lymph nodes, and kidneys. Cytology revealed large numbers of round cells with round nuclei and scant cytoplasm (myelocytes); some of these cells had a fine eosinophilic granularity to their cytoplasm (eosinophil myelocytes). Histologically, the neoplastic cells formed sheets that completely obliterated the normal architecture of subperiosteal bone marrow. The cytoplasm of the neoplastic cells stained strongly by Sirius red stain of eosinophil and was positively marked by immunohistochemistry using an anti-myeloperoxidase antibody. The association of gross examination, cytology, histology, histochemistry, and immunohistochemistry findings is consistent with a diagnosis of eosinophilic granulocytic sarcoma.