Hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia in three related Quarter horses in Brazil

Hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia belongs to a group of inherited, congenital connective tissue dysplasias usually described as hyperelastosis cutis, cutaneous asthenia, dermatosparaxis, or Ehlers-Danlos-like syndrome. This report presents the clinical and histological features of three related Quarter horses affected with regional dermal asthenia. These horses had bilateral asymmetric lesions of the trunk and lumbar regions, where the skin was hyperextensible. Handling of the skin elicited a painful response and superficial trauma led to skin wounds. The skin was thinner than normal in the affected areas, with thickened borders and harder fibrotic masses (pseudotumours). The histopathological findings included thinner and smaller collagen fibrils, and a loose arrangement of collagen fibres in the middle, adventitial and deep dermis. Masson's trichrome and Calleja stains did not reveal any abnormality of collagen and elastic fibres. Electron microscopy showed no abnormalities. As in human patients, pseudotumour histopathological findings included fibroplasia and neovascularization. The pedigree chart of these animals supports an autosomal recessive type of inheritance, which has been suggested by other studies. This is the first report of this disease in Brazil. Its clinical and histological features resemble those described in horses affected with this condition in the United States.

Association of 3D Reconstruction and Conventional Radiography for the Description of the Appendicular Skeleton of Chelonoidis carbonaria (Spix, 1824)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Evaluation of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis exoantigen in the detection of delayed dermal hypersensitivity in experimental and human paracoccidioidomycosis

The exoantigen of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis standardized by Camargo et al. [1] (AgR) was used to evaluate the in vivo and in vitro cell immune response of experimental animals and of patients with paracoccidioidomycosis (PBM). Fava Netto antigen (AgF) was tested in parallel as a control antigen. The study was conducted with mice and guinea pigs infected with P. brasiliensis or immunized with its fungal antigens, on patients with PBM and on their respective control groups. The cell immune response was analysed by skin tests, and by the macrophage and leucocyte migration inhibition tests (MMIT and LMIT) in the animals and in the patients, respectively. The skin test with AgR as paracoccidioidin was positive in infected or immunized mice and guinea pigs and negative in control animals. The skin tests with AgR (24 h) showed 96.7% positivity in patients with PBM and were negative in control individuals. Histopathological study of the in vivo tests in the different experimental models was consistent with a delayed hypersensitivity response (DHR). Immunohistochemical study of the skin tests of PBM patients demonstrated a predominance of T lymphocytes, confirming the nature of a DHR to the fungal antigens. The in vitro cell immune response showed variable results for the various experimental models, i.e. significant rates of MMIT in immunized mice, a tendency to positivity in infected guinea pigs, and the absence of migration inhibition in PBM patients. Taken together, the data indicate that the AgR is efficient as paracoccidioidin in the evaluation of DHR in PBM, with an optimum time of reading the test of 24 h.

A program for terpenoid skeleton prediction based on botanical information

This paper describes a new program developed to the SISTEMAT expert system, the SISOCBOT program. This program employs the botanical data analysis and predicts, at the end of analysis, the probable skeleton of a compound based on the input of family or genus names. The SISOCBOT program was tested with 78 samples involving 302 substances, pertaining to 38 carbon skeletons, and showed a high hit index on skeleton prediction, thus emphasizing the potential importance of these data for structural determination of natural products. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Acellular dermal tissue study: an ultrastructural evaluation of human and porcine derived tissues in a rat model

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the host response of a human and a porcine derived acellular dermal tissue (ADT) implanted in the subcutaneous tissue of a rat model. Two subcutaneous pockets were surgically created along the dorsal midline of 25 rats (5 rats/group). The human ADT was placed superiorly and the porcine ADT, inferiorly. The animals were sacrificed at 07, 15, 30, 60 and 180 postoperative days (PO) and the ADTs and surrounding soft tissues were assessed for ultrastructural evaluation by transmission electron microscopy. The ultrastructural findings were similar in both materials. Normal collagen and elastic fibers bundles were observed during all experimental moments, as well as macrophages presenting cytoplasmic enlargements digesting cellular portions after 15 PO. From 30 until 180 PO, vacuolar structures filled with an amorphous, electron-transparent substance, were present inside and outside the fibroblasts. Both human and porcine ADT showed similar pattern of ultrastructural response when implanted in the subcutaneous tissue of rats. The porcine ADT appears as a good alternative to be used as a biomaterial.

A comparison of human and porcine acellular dermal tissues in the subcutaneous space of a rat model

The study compared the host response to a human and a porcine acellular dermal tissue implanted in the subcutaneous space of a rat model. The human and porcine acellular grafts were surgically implanted in the subcutaneous tissue of rats (5 rats/group) and the materials were evaluated at 7, 15, 30, 60 and 180 postoperative days (PO). The histological immune response was quantified using a digital image analysis system, which evaluated the number of vessels present in the implants and in the surrounding soft tissue, the area of inflammatory cell infiltration in the grafts, the width of the capsular formation present around the tissues and the area of implants absorbed. The data were submitted to statistical analysis. Light microscopy showed mononuclear cellular infiltration, the presence of a capsular formation surrounding the grafts and the presence of vacuolar structures (optically empty spaces) inside the implants. The image analysis comparing both materials showed significant inflammatory cells in the human graft at 15 and 30 PO, thicker capsular formation in the porcine tissue at 60 PO, increased number of vessels inside the implants and in the surrounding tissues in the porcine graft and a similar absorption pattern in both materials at 180 PO. The histological findings showed that both tissues were well-tolerated when implanted in the subcutaneous tissue of rats, allowing us to consider the porcine acellular dermal graft as a provisional alternative material for reconstructive plastic surgery. Copyright © 2005 Taylor & Francis LLC.

Anatomical investigation of the slender catshark Schroederichthys tenuis Springer, 1966, with notes on intrageneric relationships (Chondrichthyes: Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae)

The slender catshark Schroedericthys tenuis Springer, 1966, originally described from two immature males, is redescribed on the basis of 12 specimens of both sexes, juveniles and adults (as well as the holotype and paratype). The supplementary specimens were collected off the northern coast of Brazil between Amapá and Pará states. Aspects of its external morphology, color pattern, dermal denticles, dentition, vertebral counts, and the cephalic, clasper and pectoral fin skeleton are described in detail and fully illustrated. These features are compared with those of congeneric species. Our observations support preliminary results of work in progress that S. maculatus Springer, 1966, S. tenuis and S. saurisqualus Soto, 2003 form a monophyletic group, mostly on the basis of neurocranial morphology, and that S. bivius (Smith, 1838) and S. chilensis (Guichenot, 1848) should be removed from Schroederichthys. Copyright © 2006 Magnolia Press.

Biocompatibility of acellular dermal matrix graft evaluated in culture of murine macrophages

The acellular dermal matrix allograft has been used as an alternative to autogenous palatal mucosal graft. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the biocompatibility of an acellular dermal matrix (AlloDerm®) in culture of macrophages. For hydrogen peroxidase determination we used the method of Pick & Kesari, and the Griess method for nitric oxide determination,. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference (p ≤ 0,05) in the release of nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide by the macrophages exposed to acellular dermal matrix and the negative control. The results suggest that acellular dermal matrix did not activate the cell inflammatory response.

Comparative study of the healing process when using Vicryl®, Vicryl Rapid®, Vicryl Plus®, and Monocryl® sutures in the rat dermal tissue

Introduction: Various types of sutures are available in the market with different constitutions. However, there is a lack of research to assess and quantify the behavior of these materials. Resources and materials: This study comes benchmark wires polyglactin 910 (Vicryl ®), irradiated polyglactin 910 (Vicryl Rapid ®), polyglactin 910 treated with triclosan (Vicryl Plus ®), and poliglecaprone 25 (Monocryl ®). For this, we used 40 rats that were divided into two groups, underwent two skin incisions longitudinal 2-cm long. In Group A, simple interrupted sutures using irradiated polyglactin 910 on the right and left side of polyglactin 910, and in group B, polyglactin 910 with triclosan on the right and the left poliglecaprone 25 were made. At 2, 7, 14, and 28 days after surgery, the ten animals were killed per period, and the samples were processed for histomorphologic and histometric analysis. Conclusions: The results demonstrated that the wire poliglecaprone 25 showed better biological response, with less inflammatory infiltrates and rapid organization of connective tissue. © 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Marjolin's ulcer in two horses with hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia

Two Quarter Horse mares with hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia (HERDA) were diagnosed with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) associated with chronic nonhealing wounds. The lesions were similar to the development of SCC from chronic nonhealing ulcers, known as Marjolin's ulcers in humans. The horses showed recurrent skin wounds in the saddle and paralumbar regions and were confirmed by molecular techniques as having HERDA. Both horses were maintained as research animals for prolonged periods and received regular veterinary care and wound treatment. Both horses were ultimately euthanized because of their chronic progressive wounds, coupled with declining health. At necropsy, the nonhealing wounds were found to be complicated by infiltrative SCC; both horses had metastasis to lungs. Chronically inflamed, recurrent skin wounds that heal slowly and incompletely as a consequence of HERDA are proposed as a major pathogenetic factor in tumorigenesis. Consistent findings with respect to proliferation index (Ki-67) and mutations of p53 tumor suppressor gene were confirmed by immunohistochemistry in one horse. SCC consistent with Marjolin's ulcer has been previously suggested in association with chronic ulcers or burn scars in horses, but this is the first report of an association with chronic poor healing wounds in HERDA horses. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.

Uranium deposition in bones of wistar rats associated with skeleton development

Sixty female Wistar rats were submitted to a daily intake of ration doped with uranium from weaning to adulthood. Uranium in bone was quantified by the SSNTD (solid state nuclear track detection) technique, and bone mineral density (BMD) analysis performed. Uranium concentration as a function of age exhibited a sharp rise during the first week of the experiment and a drastic drop of 70% in the following weeks. Data interpretation indicates that uranium mimics calcium. Results from BMD suggest that radiation emitted by the incorporated Uranium could induce death of bone cells. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Allele frequency of hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia in American Quarter horses in Brazil determined by quantitative real-time PCR with high resolution melting analysis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Dermatological and morphological findings in quarter horses with hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Ocular dimensions, corneal thickness, and corneal curvature in quarter horses with hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Acellular dermal matrix graft with or without enamel matrix derivative for root coverage in smokers: a randomized clinical study

Aim: The aim of this randomized controlled clinical study was to compare the use of an acellular dermal matrix graft (ADMG) with or without the enamel matrix derivative (EMD) in smokers to evaluate which procedure would provide better root coverage. Material and Methods: Nineteen smokers with bilateral Miller Class I or II gingival recessions >= 3 mm were selected. The test group was treated with an association of ADMG and EMD, and the control group with ADMG alone. Probing depth, relative clinical attachment level, gingival recession height, gingival recession width, keratinized tissue width and keratinized tissue thickness were evaluated before the surgeries and after 6 months. Wilcoxon test was used for the statistical analysis at significance level of 5%. Results: No significant differences were found between groups in all parameters at baseline. The mean gain recession height between baseline and 6 months and the complete root coverage favored the test group (p = 0.042, p = 0.019 respectively). Conclusion: Smoking may negatively affect the results achieved through periodontal plastic procedures; however, the association of ADMG and EMD is beneficial in the root coverage of gingival recessions in smokers, 6 months after the surgery.