Toxoplasma gondii genotyping in a dog co-infected with distemper virus and ehrlichiosis rickettsia

This paper reports a toxoplasmosis, erhlichiosis and distemper co-infection in a dog with an exuberant neuropathological clinical picture. Primary involvement was discussed based on information collected in the analysis of the clinical case, such as neurological impairment, epidemiological data, poor immunoprophylactic scheme of the dog affected and the role of these diseases on immunosuppression. Canine distemper and ehrlichiosis were diagnosed based on epidemiologic data, clinical signs, hematological and cytological evaluation. Toxoplasma gondii was isolated and genetically characterized as Type I using restriction analysis (RFLP) with SAG-2 genes. Immunosuppression features of both dogs and human beings are discussed, as well as implications on animal and public health. This is the first report on toxoplasmosis, ehrlichiosis and distemper co-infection in a dog in Brazil, associated with genotyping determination of the T. gondii strain involved.

Mandible protrusion and decrease of TMJ sounds: An electrovibratographic examination

This study quantified by, electrovibratography, the amount of mandible protrusion required to decrease significantly temporomandibular joint (TMJ) vibratory energy as an aid in the diagnosis of the recapture of anteriorly displaced disk. Eighteen patients diagnosed as having anterior disk displacement with reduction and TMJ clicking were submitted to electrovibratographic examination at the first appointment and treated with a stabilizing appliance and anterior positioning appliance with 1 to 5 mm protrusion. Vibratory energy was checked in each of these positions. Baseline data were used as control. At the first appointment, the patients had vibrations with more elevated intensities at the middle and late phases of the mouth opening cycle. At only one clinical step, mandible protrusion was obtained with the anterior repositioning appliance, ranging from 1 to 5 mm protusion. At each new position, a new electrovibratographic exam was made. After the 5-mm mandibular projection, only 2 patients presented vibration, with means between 0.6 and 2.8 Hz. Data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). The outcomes of this study indicate that 3 mm is the minimum amount of mandible protrusion to significantly decrease the TMJ vibratory energy and to recapture the displaced articular disk.

Exercise programs improve mobility and balance in people with Parkinson's disease

Compromised balance and loss of mobility are among the major consequences of Parkinson's disease (PD). The literature documents numerous effective interventions for improving balance and mobility. The purpose of this study was to verify the effectiveness of two exercise programs on balance and mobility in people with idiopathic PD. Thirty-four participants, with idiopathic PD that ranged from Stage I to Stage III on the Hoehn & Yahr (H&Y) scale, were assigned to two groups. Group 1 (n = 21; 67±9 years old) was engaged in an intensive exercise program (aerobic capacity, flexibility, strength, motor coordination and balance) for 6 months: 72 sessions, 3 times a week, 60 minutes per session; while Group 2 (n = 13; 69±8 years old) participated in an adaptive program (flexibility, strength, motor coordination and balance) for 6 months: 24 sessions, once a week, 60 minutes per session. Balance and basic functional mobility were assessed in pre- and post-tests by means of the Berg Balance Scale and the Timed Up and Go Test. Before and after the interventions, groups were similar in clinical conditions (H&Y, UPDRS, and Mini-Mental). A MANOVA 2 (programs) by 2 (moments) revealed that both groups were affected by the exercise intervention. Univariate analyses showed that participants improved their mobility and balance from pre- to post-test. There were no differences between groups in either mobility or balance results. Both the intensive and adaptive exercise programs improved balance and mobility in patients with PD. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Incontinentia pigmenti presenting as hypodontia in a 3-year-old girl: A case report

Introduction. Incontinentia pigmenti or Bloch-Sulzberger syndrome is a rare X-linked dominant disease that mainly affects the skin, eyes, hair, central nervous system and teeth. The disease is predominant among women. Although dermatologic manifestations are among the most important aspects for the diagnosis of the syndrome, they are less damaging to the patient and do not require treatment. However, oral involvement characterized by hypodontia of deciduous and permanent teeth is important for the diagnosis and treatment of the patient. Case presentation. We report the case of a 3-year-old girl with ophthalmologic and neurologic disturbances, cutaneous manifestations and hypodontia. Since the patient did not present more damaging manifestations such as neurologic and/or ophthalmologic problems, her most severe complications were related to dental anomalies. The importance of integrated dental treatment, which combines pediatric dentistry, orthodontics and conventional prosthesis, is emphasized. Conclusion. Hypodontia is a frequent finding in incontinentia pigmenti, and dentists should be aware of this condition in order to help with the diagnosis. © 2009 Kitakawa et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Sociodemographic vulnerability in the Caribbean: an examination of the social and demographic impediments to equitable development with participatory citizenship in the Caribbean at the dawn of the twenty-first century

Includes bibliography

An examination of the Chile-Mexico agreement: a viable form of integration?

Includes bibliography

Estudo da imunopatogenia das lesões no sistema nervoso central de cães naturalmente acometidos por leishmaniose visceral

Visceral leishmaniasis in dogs is described as a chronic disease whose main symptoms are progressive weigth loss, cachexy and dermatologic lesions. Recently, the disease has been associated to neurologic disorders. A total of 40 dogs with visceral leishmaniasis were divided into two groups. The first composed of dogs without neurological signs (n=30) and the second by dogs with neurological disorders (n=10). Brain samples were collected, stored in 10% buffered formalin and subjected to immunohistochemical examination for amastigotes forms of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi, CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes and macrophages. Imunnohistochemistry evaluation revealed no amastigote forms of the parasite. CD3+ T lymphocytes were present in 24/30 (80%) dogs without neurological signs and in all dogs from the second group (p=0.0011). CD4+ and CD8+ were rarely observed, with CD4+ immunostaining in 10/40 (25%) dogs, from which half of them had neurological disease (p=0.0090). The presence of CD8+ was detected only in 4/10 (40%) dogs from neurological group (p=0.0021). Macrophages were detected in 38/40 (95%) dogs, without significant differences between groups (p=0.7664).

Bovine herpesvirus-5 infection in a rabbit experimental model: Immunohistochemical study of the cellular response in the CNS

Since little information is available regarding cellular antigen mapping and the involvement of non-neuronal cells in the pathogenesis of bovine herpesvirus type 5 (BHV-5) infection, it were determined the BHV-5 distribution, the astrocytic reactivity, the involvement of lymphocytes and the presence of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 in the brain of rabbits experimentally infected with BHV-5. Twelve New Zealand rabbits that were seronegative for BHV-5 were used for virus inoculation, and five rabbits were used as mock-infected controls. The rabbits were kept in separate areas and were inoculated intranasally with 500 μl of virus suspension (EVI 88 Brazilian isolate) into each nostril (virus titer, 107.5 TCID50). Control rabbits were inoculated with the same volume of minimum essential medium. Five days before virus inoculation, the rabbits were submitted to daily administration of dexamethasone. After virus inoculation, the rabbits were monitored clinically on a daily basis. Seven rabbits showed respiratory symptoms and four animals exhibited neurological symptoms. Tissue sections were collected for histological examination and immunohistochemistry to examine BHV-5 antigens, astrocytes, T and B lymphocytes and MMP-9. By means of immunohistochemical and PCR methods, BHV-5 was detected in the entire brain of the animals which presented with neurological symptoms, especially in the trigeminal ganglion and cerebral cortices. Furthermore, BHV-5 antigens were detected in neurons and/or other non-neural cells. In addition to the neurons, most infiltrating CD3 T lymphocytes observed in these areas were positive for MMP-9 and also for BHV-5 antigen. These infected cells might contribute to the spread of the virus to the rabbit brain along the trigeminal ganglia and olfactory nerve pathways. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Caribbean Council for Social and Economic Development: report on visits to some CDCC member countries and examination of issues relating to the establishment of COSED

Includes bibliography

Genetic parameters for scrotal circumference, breeding soundness examination and sperm defects in young Nellore bulls

A total of 51,161 records of scrotal circumference measurements at 18 mo of age (SCI 8) and 17,648 records of sperm defects and breeding soundness of Nellore bulls (mean age of 22.5 mo), raised under extensive conditions, were analyzed to estimate coefficients of heritability and genetic correlations of morphological semen traits by Bayesian inference. The observed semen traits were classified as minor (MID). major (MAD), and total sperm defects (TD). The animals were classified according to breeding soundness as satisfactory and unsatisfactory potential breeders. The (co)variance components and breeding values were estimated by Gibbs sampling using the GIBBS2F90 program under an animal model that included contemporary group as fixed effect, age of animal as linear covariate, and direct additive genetic effects as random effects. Heritabilities of 0.40 ± 0.02, 0.16 ± 0.02, 0.04 ± 0.01, 0.15 ± 0.01, and 0.10 ± 0.01 were obtained for SCI8, MID, MAD, TD, and breeding soundness, respectively. The SC18 showed a positive and moderate correlation with breeding soundness (0.56 ± 0.04) and a negative and low correlation with MID (-0.23 ± 0.03), MAD (-0.16 ± 0.02), and TD (-0.24 ± 0.02). In conclusion, scrotal circumference showed the best response to selection among the traits studied and was favorably correlated with breeding soundness and sperm morphology in young Nellore bulls. © 2013 American Society of Animal Science. All rights reserved.

Preliminary examination of possibilities for increased trade between CARICOM and non-CARICOM CDCC countries: draft

Includes bibliography

Structural adjustment and privatization: an examination of their relationship in four Caribbean countries

Includes bibliography

Challenges in meeting the monitoring requirements of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs): an examination of selected social statistics for four Caribbean small island developing states

Includes bibliography

Contribuição ao estudo da patogenia das lesões no encéfalo de cães naturalmente acometidos por Leishmaniose visceral

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)