T-cell lymphoma in the tongue of a dog with cutaneous and striated forelimb muscle involvement

Background: Primary tongue tumors rarely affect dogs and correspond to 4% of tumors involving the oropharynx. Until now, primary tongue lymphoma had not been reported. However, lymphoma involvement in the skeletal muscle, although quite unusual, was described in the literature in four cases. Cutaneous lymphoma is another rare extranodal manifestation. The objective of this report is to describe a case of T immunophenotype lymphoma occurrence, whose manifestation is atypical, not only because it is situated in the tongue muscle but also because of the subsequent involvement of the striated musculature of the left forelimb and the skin, which showed unfavorable evolution. Case: A female seven-year-old mongrel was seen showing a regular lump in the base of the tongue, 3 cm in diameter, not ulcerated and of fi rm consistency, with halitosis as the only clinical sign of the disease. Incisional biopsy of the lump was performed and histopathology verifi ed that it was large cell lymphoma. The material was sent for immunohistochemical evaluation and was characterized as T immunophenotype lymphoma by positive CD3 and negative CD79a marking. The CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone) chemotherapy protocol was established as treatment and after the fi rst chemotherapy session there was partial remission of the mass, measuring 2 cm in diameter. The lump, however, remained stable in the following sessions. Thirty days after the diagnosis of lymphoma, the animal began to show lameness of the left forelimb and swelling near the head of the left humerus. A muscle mass, fi rm in consistency, progressing fast, presented a signifi cant increase, just three weeks after its appearance. Two skin lesions, arcuate, erythematous and pruritic also appeared in the dorsocervical and ventral-abdominal region. Incisional biopsy of these lesions was performed and the histopathological diagnosis confi rmed muscle and cutaneous large cell lymphoma and immunophenotype compatible with T cells (positive CD3 and negative CD79a). Due to disease advance, even during chemotherapy, a rescue protocol of L-asparaginase administration followed by lomustine and prednisone was proposed. Even with the rescue protocol there was no remission of the tumors and the case was classifi ed as progressive. The animal of this report died after completing the fi rst cycle of chemotherapy protocol, with a survival of 92 days. Discussion: Despite the fact that clinical behavior of primary lymphoma in dogs’ skeletal muscle is unknown, it is believed that, as in humans, it can be associated with chronic infl ammation or neoplastic cell invasion by proximity of the tumor or metastasis, which could justify the dissemination of the lymphoma reported here from the tongue to other tissues. However, appearance of concurrent independent lymphomas cannot be ruled out. As observed in the three cases of primary muscular lymphoma, the dog of this report had low response to therapy and short survival. This report presents the fi rst case of lymphoma in tongue with subsequent skin and left forelimb skeletal muscle involvement described in the literature. The clinical outcome corroborates the aggressiveness of muscular lymphoma observed in the other reports and also suggests that both tongue and other skeletal muscle tumors should be included in the differential diagnosis of canine lymphoma.

Design do vestuário infantil: as texturas como experiência tátil para crianças deficientes visuais

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Increasing Teacher Involvement with Other Teachers Through Reflective Interaction

In this action research study of a district’s mathematics teachers, the researcher investigated how teachers interact with other teachers in their building and throughout the district. The researcher wanted to know how deeply teachers thought about teaching mathematics, and if they use other teachers in the district as a resource to help with unknown math problems. The researcher discovered that some teachers are willing to interact with others, but would like to have time supplied to them during the school year’s staff development meetings. The teachers involved were able to observe each other teaching and take valuable strategies back to their own classrooms. As a result of this research, the researcher would like to see this study continued next year during staff development time. The support of the district and staff development are key to the success of this study.

A Silent Enzootic of an Orthopoxvirus in Ghana, West Africa: Evidence for Multi-Species Involvement in the Absence of Widespread Human Disease

Human monkeypox has never been reported in Ghana, but rodents captured in forested areas of southern Ghana were the source of the monkeypox virus introduced into the United States in 2003. Subsequent to the outbreak in the United States, 204 animals were collected from two commercial trapping sites in Ghana. Animal tissues were examined for the presence of orthopoxvirus (OPXV) DNA using a real-time polymerase chain reaction, and sera were assayed for antibodies against OPXV. Animals from five genera (Cricetomys , Graphiurus , Funiscirus, and Heliosciurus ) had antibodies against OPXV, and three genera (Cricetomys , Graphiurus , and Xerus) had evidence of OPXV DNA in tissues. Additionally, 172 persons living near the trapping sites were interviewed regarding risk factors for OPXV exposure, and their sera were analyzed. Fifty-three percent had IgG against OPXV; none had IgM. Our findings suggest that several species of forest-dwelling rodents from Ghana are susceptible to naturally occurring OPXV infection, and that persons living near forests may have low-level or indirect exposure to OPXV-infected animals, possibly resulting in sub-clinical infections.

Development of an interview version of the Native American Cultural Involvement and Detachment Anxiety Questionnaire

The present study sought to develop and validate an interview version of the Native American Cultural Involvement and Detachment Anxiety Questionnaire (CIDAQ; McNeil, Porter, Zvolensky, Chaney, & Kee, 2000) in an effort to construct a more culturally appropriate means of obtaining anxiety-related information from a tribally homogenous sample of Native Americans. Five pilot subjects (60% women; M age = 35.8 years) and 50 Native American participants (46% women; M age = 40.32 years) residing on a Northern Plains reservation were administered the CIDAQ - Interview, designed specifically for this study, the Worry Domains Questionnaire (WDQ; Tallis, Eysenck, & Mathews, 1992), a measure of non-pathological worry, the CIDAQ (McNeil et al., 2000), a self-report measure of culturally-related anxiety, and a demographics form. Using a mixed design method of analysis, interviews were audio taped and data was both qualitatively and quantitatively compared for convergence and discrepancies across measures. As hypothesized, CIDAQ-Interview subscales corresponded with subscales from the CIDAQ self-report and included worries and anxiety in three content areas: (1) social involvement with Native Americans and cultural knowledge, (2) economic issues, and (3) social involvement with the majority culture. Results further revealed similarities between CIDAQ-Interview items and those on the CIDAQ self-report, indicating reliability for the Interview. Findings also confirmed the Interview's validity (r 's range = .349-.754), as well as a high level of internal consistency for the CIDAQ self-report (Cronbach alpha = .931). Data suggest the CIDAQ-Interview is a more culturally appropriate method of assessment and may be capable of assessing anxiety at a higher level of specificity then the self-report version. Results of the study are discussed in relation to the assessment of anxiety for homogenous reservation Native Americans, study limitations and directions for future research with the CIDAQ-Interview are also discussed.

The involvement of the spleen during chronic phase of Schistosoma mansoni infection in galectin-3(-/-) mice

Schistosoma mansoni synthesizes glycoconjugates which interact with galectin-3, eliciting an intense humoral immune response. Moreover, it was demonstrated that galectin-3 regulates B cell differentiation into plasma cells. Splenomegaly is a hallmark event characterized by polyclonal B cell activation and enhancement of antibody production. Here, we investigated whether galectin-3 interferes with spleen organization and B cell compartment during chronic schistosomiasis, using wild type (WT) and galectin-3(-/-) mice. In chronically-infected galectin-3(-/-) mice the histological architecture of the spleen, including white and red pulps, was disturbed with heterogeneous lymphoid follicles, an increased number of plasma cells (CD19(-)B220(-/low)CD138(+)) and a reduced number of macrophages (CD19(-)B220(-)Mac-1(+)CD138(-)) and B lymphocytes (CD19(+)B220(+/high)CD138(-)), compared with the WT infected mice. In the absence of galectin-3 there was an increase of annexin-V+PI- cells and a major presence of apoptotic cells in spleen compared with WT infected mice. In spleen of WT infected mice galectin-3 was largely expressed in lymphoid follicles and extrafollicular sites. Thus, we propose that galectin-3 plays a role in splenic architecture, controlling distinct events such as apoptosis, macrophage activity, B cell differentiation and plasmacytogenesis in the course of S. mansoni infection.

Involvement and emancipation of the worker. Action research in a university hospital

The present action research article is linked to an ergonomics project in a university hospital. The author's proposal is to focus action on the effective worker involvement required for the creation of spaces / mechanisms within organizations where people can enhance cooperation and deliberation on matters relating to work. For this purpose, a committee was introduced to assist in finding problems and solutions directly in work situations, so that workers could experience relative autonomy allowing them to develop procedures and choose tools appropriate to their own real needs. Based on this organizational implementation and on subsequent interviews, the practical results are analyzed and related to employee involvement. One can conclude that workers in all areas of the organization can be active elements for improving working conditions and productivity in companies.

Gastrin-Releasing Peptide Receptor Antagonism Induces Protection from Lethal Sepsis: Involvement of Toll-like Receptor 4 Signaling

In sepsis, toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 modulates the migration of neutrophils to infectious foci, favoring bacteremia and mortality. In experimental sepsis, organ dysfunction and cytokines released by activated macrophages can be reduced by gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) receptor (GRPR) antagonist RC-3095. Here we report a link between GRPR and TLR-4 in experimental models and in sepsis patients. RAW 264.7 culture cells were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and RC-3095 (10 ng/mL), Male Wistar rats were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), and RC-3095 was administered (3 mg/kg, subcutaneously); after 6 h, we removed the blood, bronchoalveolar lavage, peritoneal lavage and lung. Human patients with a clinical diagnosis of sepsis received a continuous infusion with RC-3095 (3 mg/kg, intravenous) over a period of 12 h, and plasma was collected before and after RC-3095 administration and, in a different set of patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or sepsis. GRP plasma levels were determined. RC-3095 inhibited TLR-4, extracellular-signal-related kinase (ERK)-1/2, Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and Akt and decreased activation of activator protein 1 (AP-1), nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B and interleukin (IL)-6 in macrophages stimulated by LPS. It also decreased IL-6 release from macrophages stimulated by TNF-alpha. RC-3095 treatment in CLP rats decreased lung TLR-4, reduced the migration of cells to the lung and reduced systemic cytokines and bacterial dissemination. Patients with sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome have elevated plasma levels of GRP which associates with clinical outcome in the sepsis patients. These findings highlight the role of GRPR signaling in sepsis outcome and the beneficial action of GRPR antagonists in controlling the inflammatory response in sepsis through a mechanism involving at least inhibition of TLR-4 signaling. Online address: http://www.molmed.org doi: 10.2119/molmed.2012.00083

Intrahippocampal injection of brain-derived neurotrophic factor increases anxiety-related, but not panic-related defensive responses: involvement of serotonin

Changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)mediated signaling in the hippocampus have been implicated in the etiology of depression and in the mode of action of antidepressant drugs. There is also evidence from animal studies to suggest that BDNF-induced changes in the hippocampus may play a role in another stress-related pathology: anxiety. However, it is still unknown whether this neurotrophin plays a differential role in defensive responses associated with distinguished subtypes of anxiety disorders found in the clinic, such as generalized anxiety and panic disorder. In the present study, we investigated the effect of an acute BDNF injection into the rat dorsal hippocampus (DH) on inhibitory avoidance acquisition and escape expression measured in the elevated T-maze (ETM). We also assessed whether serotonergic neurotransmission may account for such effects. Intra-DH BDNF injection (200 pg) facilitated inhibitory avoidance in ETM. BDNF was equally anxiogenic in the light/dark transition test. Preadministration of the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY-100635 fully counteracted the anxiogenic effect of BDNF in both tests. Intra-DH midazolam administration (10 nmol) impaired avoidance acquisition in ETM, suggesting an anxiolytic effect. Therefore, in the DH, facilitation of BDNF signaling seems to enhance 5-HT1A receptor-mediated neurotransmission to exert an anxiogenic effect associated with generalized anxiety. Behavioural Pharmacology 23:80-88 (C) 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Detection of simulated incipient furcation involvement by CBCT: an in vitro study using pig mandibles

The aim of the present study was to test the reproducibility, sensitivity, and specificity of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in detecting incipient furcation involvement. Fifteen macerated pig mandibles, with intact second molar teeth and preserved adjacent cortical areas, were used. Simulated lesions were created in the furcation region of these teeth by applying 70% perchloric acid in up to four possible buccal/lingual sites in the right/left sides of each mandible. The mandibles were then submitted to a CBCT scan. Two blinded and calibrated experienced oral and maxillofacial radiologists interpreted the exams. Furcation involvement was also assessed in the regions without simulated lesions. CBCT showed high levels of accuracy, ranging from 78% to 88%. The variations in Kappa values for intra- and inter-observer agreement (0.41-0.59) were considered moderate. CBCT can be considered a reliable and accurate method for detecting incipient furcation involvement.

A transcriptional study in mice with different ethanol-drinking profiles: Possible involvement of the GABA(B) receptor

Previous studies have suggested that gamma-aminobutyric acid-B (GABA(B)) receptor agonists effectively reduce ethanol intake. The quantification using real-time polymerase chain reaction of Gabbr1 and Gabbr2 mRNA from the prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and striatum in mice exposed to an animal model of the addiction developed in our laboratory was performed to evaluate the involvement of the GABAB receptor in ethanol consumption. We used outbred, Swiss mice exposed to a three-bottle free-choice model (water, 5% v/v ethanol, and 10% v/v ethanol) that consisted of four phases: acquisition (AC), withdrawal (W), reexposure (RE), and quinine-adulteration (AD). Based on individual ethanol intake, the mice were classified into three groups: "addicted" (A group; preference for ethanol and persistent consumption during all phases), "heavy" (H group; preference for ethanol and a reduction in ethanol intake in the AD phase compared to AC phase), and "light" (L group; preference for water during all phases). In the prefrontal cortex in the A group, we found high Gabbr1 and Gabbr2 transcription levels, with significantly higher Gabbr1 transcription levels compared with the C (ethanol-naive control mice). L, and H groups. In the hippocampus in the A group, Gabbr2 mRNA levels were significantly lower compared with the C, L, and H groups. In the striatum, we found a significant increase in Gabbr1 transcription levels compared with the C, L, and H groups. No differences in Gabbr1 or Gabbr2 transcription levels were observed in the hypothalamus among groups. In summary, Gabbr1 and Gabbr2 transcription levels were altered in cerebral areas related to drug taking only in mice behaviorally classified as "addicted" drinkers, suggesting that these genes may contribute to high and persistent ethanol consumption. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

DIFFERENTIAL INVOLVEMENT OF DORSAL RAPHE SUBNUCLEI IN THE REGULATION OF ANXIETY- AND PANIC-RELATED DEFENSIVE BEHAVIORS

A wealth of evidence indicates that the dorsal raphe nucleus (DR) is not a homogenous structure, but an aggregate of distinctive populations of neurons that may differ anatomically, neurochemically and functionally. Other findings suggest that serotonergic neurons within the mid-caudal and caudal part of the DR are involved in anxiety processing while those within the lateral wings (IwDR) and ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vIPAG) are responsive to panic-evoking stimuli/situations. However, no study to date has directly compared the activity of 5-HT and non-5HT neurons within different subnuclei of the DR following the expression of anxiety- and panic-related defensive responses. In the present investigation, the number of doubly immunostained cells for Fos protein and tryptophan hydroxylase, a marker of serotonergic neurons, was assessed within the rat DR, median raphe nucleus (MRN) and PAG following inhibitory avoidance and escape performance in the elevated T-maze, behaviors associated with anxiety and panic, respectively. Inhibitory avoidance, but not escape, significantly increased the number of Fos-expressing serotonergic neurons within the mid-caudal part of the dorsal subnucleus, caudal and interfascicular subnuclei of the DR and in the MRN. Escape, on the other hand, caused a marked increase in the activity of non-5HT cells within the IwDR, vIPAG, dorsolateral and dorsomedial columns of the PAG. These results strongly corroborate the view that different subsets of neurons in the DR are activated by anxiety- and panic-relevant stimuli/situations, with important implications for the understanding of the pathophysiology of generalized anxiety and panic disorders. (C) 2012 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Major involvement of mTOR in the PPAR gamma-induced stimulation of adipose tissue lipid uptake and fat accretion

Evidence points to a role of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway as a regulator of adiposity, yet its involvement as a mediator of the positive actions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)gamma agonism on lipemia, fat accretion, lipid uptake, and its major determinant lipoprotein lipase (LPL) remains to be elucidated. Herein we evaluated the plasma lipid profile, triacylglycerol (TAG) secretion rates, and adipose tissue LPL-dependent lipid uptake, LPL expression/activity, and expression profile of other lipid metabolism genes in rats treated with the PPAR gamma agonist rosiglitazone (15 mg/kg/day) in combination or not with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin (2 mg/kg/day) for 15 days. Rosiglitazone stimulated adipose tissue mTOR complex 1 and AMPK and induced TAG-derived lipid uptake (136%), LPL mRNA/activity (2- to 6-fold), and fat accretion in subcutaneous (but not visceral) white adipose tissue (WAT; 50%) and in brown adipose tissue (BAT; 266%). Chronic mTOR inhibition attenuated the upregulation of lipid uptake, LPL expression/activity, and fat accretion induced by PPAR gamma activation in both subcutaneous WAT and BAT, which resulted in hyperlipidemia. In contrast, rapamycin did not affect most of the other WAT lipogenic genes upregulated by rosiglitazone. Together these findings demonstrate that mTOR is a major regulator of adipose tissue LPL-mediated lipid uptake and a critical mediator of the hypolipidemic and lipogenic actions of PPAR gamma activation.-Blanchard, P-G., W. T. Festuccia, V. P. Houde, P. St-Pierre, S. Brule, V. Turcotte, M. Cote, K. Bellmann, A. Marette, and Y. Deshaies. Major involvement of mTOR in the PPAR gamma-induced stimulation of adipose tissue lipid uptake and fat accretion. J. Lipid Res. 2012. 53: 1117-1125.

Time course involvement of matrix metalloproteinases in the vascular alterations of renovascular hypertension

Increased vascular matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) levels play a role in late phases of hypertensive vascular remodeling. However, no previous study has examined the time course of MMPs in the various phases of two-kidney, one-clip hypertension (2K1C). We examined structural vascular changes, collagen and elastin content, vascular oxidative stress, and MMPs levels/activities during the development of 2K1C hypertension. Plasma angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity was measured to assess renin-angiotensin system activation. Sham or 2K1C hypertensive rats were studied after 2, 4, 6, and 10 weeks of hypertension. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was monitored weekly. Morphometry of structural changes in the aortic wall was studied in hematoxylin/eosin, orcein and picrosirius red sections. Aortic NADPH activity and superoxide production was evaluated. Aortic gelatinolytic activity was determined by in situ zymography, and MMP-2, MMP-14, and tissue inhibitor of MMPs (TIMP)-2 levels were determined by gelatin zymography, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. 2K1C hypertension was associated with increased ACE activity, which decreased to normal after 10 weeks. We found increased aortic collagen and elastin content in the early phase of hypertension, which were associated with vascular hypertrophy, increased vascular MMP-2 and MMP-14 (but not TIMP-2) levels, and increased gelatinolytic activity, possibly as a result of increased vascular NADPH oxidase activity and oxidative stress. These results indicate that vascular remodeling of renovascular hypertension is an early process associated with early increases in MMPs activities, enhanced matrix deposition and oxidative stress. Using antioxidants or MMPs inhibitors in the early phase of hypertension may prevent the vascular alterations of hypertension. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.