Infections caused by uncommon and resistant pathogens in unusual sites have been increasingly reported in medical literature. We describe four cases of rare cytological findings and clinical impact for patients. In the first case, Aspergillus sp and Pneumocystis jirovecii were observed in the bronchoalveolar lavage of a patient with severe systemic lupus. In the second and third cases, we describe the presence of Trichomonas sp and Strongyloides sp larvae in samples of pleural and peritoneal fluid, respectively. The fourth report is about a patient with a wrist subcutaneous nodule whose synovial aspiration and cytology revealed the presence of brown septate hyphae. The early identification of the infectious agent in the cytological examination was essential for the introduction and/or re-adaptation of therapy in the four cases described. Patients in this report were immunocompromised with severe comorbidities, conditions often associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes.

Abstract In aquatic habitats, metal contamination from natural and anthropogenic sources continues to pose a concern for human and environmental health. Thus, it is important to complete monitoring studies to assess patterns and the extent of metal contamination in these ecosystems. The purpose of this work was to determine the concentrations of 31 chemical elements and water quality parameters of the Todos os Santos River located in the Mucuri Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil. A multivariate statistical analysis was used to determine any seasonal and spatial patterns from the data. Results demonstrated that metals including Al, Fe, and Ni exceeded Brazilian and international guidelines nutrients as P also exceed water quality standards. Principal components analysis indicated distinct geographical and seasonal patterns for multiple elements with hierarchical cluster analysis confirming the observed spatial patterns of contamination in the Todos os Santos River.

Cofilin-1 (CFL1), a small protein of 18 kDa, has been studied as a biomarker due to its involvement in tumor cell migration and invasion. Our aim was to evaluate CFL1 as an indicator of malignancy and aggressiveness in sputum samples. CFL1 was analyzed by ELISA immunoassay in the sputum of 73 lung cancer patients, 13 cancer-free patients, and 6 healthy volunteers. Statistical analyses included ANOVA, ROC curves, Spearman correlation, and logistic regression. Sputum CFL1 levels were increased in cancer patients compared to cancer-free patients and volunteers (P<0.05). High expression of sputum CFL1 was correlated to T4 stage (P=0.01) and N stage (P=0.03), tobacco history (P=0.01), and squamous cell carcinoma histologic type (P=0.04). The accuracy of sputum CFL1 in discriminating cancer patients from cancer-free patients and healthy volunteers were 0.78 and 0.69, respectively. CFL1 at a cut-off value of 415.25 pg/mL showed sensitivity/specificity of 0.80/0.70 in differentiating between healthy volunteers and cancer patients. Sputum CFL1 was also able to identify cancer-free patients from patients with lung cancer. The AUC was 0.70 and, at a cut-off point ≥662.63 pg/mL, we obtained 60% sensitivity and 54% specificity. Logistic regression analysis controlled for tobacco history, histologic types, and N stage showed that cancer cell-associated CFL1 was an independent predictor of death. Smoker patients with squamous cell carcinoma, lymph node metastasis and sputum CFL1>1.475 pg/mL showed augmented chance of death, suggesting lung cancer aggressiveness. CFL1 presented diagnostic value in detecting lung cancer and was associated to tumor aggressiveness.

As neoplasias mamárias são as mais comuns em cadelas e geralmente acometem fêmeas de meia-idade a idosas, não castradas ou que foram submetidas ao procedimento de ovario-histerectomia tardiamente. A principal forma de tratamento é a excisão cirúrgica, sendo a ressecção unilateral das glândulas mamárias o procedimento mais realizado na prática veterinária. O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar a dor pós-operatória em cadelas submetidas ao procedimento de mastectomia unilateral sob efeito das técnicas anestésicas de tumescência ou convencional. Foram utilizadas 20 cadelas, divididas em dois grupos: um grupo recebeu apenas a anestesia geral inalatória (grupo convencional), e o outro recebeu adicionalmente a anestesia infiltrativa por tumescência (grupo tumescência). Elas foram avaliadas nas primeiras 24 horas do período pós-operatório, e o processo álgico foi avaliado pela escala de dor da Universidade de Melbourne. As médias dos escores obtidos ao longo do tempo foram submetidas ao teste de Tukey a um nível de 5% de significância (p<0,05). Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os grupos com relação à dor pós-operatória. A técnica anestésica infiltrativa por tumescência apresentou a vantagem da redução do sangramento transoperatório e mostrou-se exequível em pequenos animais, entretanto seu uso está relacionado à experiência e à preferência do cirurgião e do anestesista.

Mammary tumors are the most common neoplasm in bitches. Intact, mild to advanced aged female dogs are generally more affected. The main treatment is surgical excision and unilateral mastectomy is the most performed procedure in veterinary practice. The aim of this study was to compare the postoperative pain in dogs which underwent unilateral mastectomy and were anesthetized with tumescence and conventional anesthesia. Twenty bitches were randomly divided into two groups: Conventional Group (GC), which received only general inhalational anesthesia and Tumescence Group (GT), which also received tumescence anesthesia. All dogs were evaluated during the first 24 hours postoperatively. The scale of Pain from the University of Melbourne was used for the evaluation. The tukey test at a 5% level of significance (p <0.05) was used. There were no significant differences between groups related to postoperative pain. The technique of tumescent anesthesia reduced bleeding during surgery and is feasible in dogs. Its use is related to the surgeon and anesthesiologist's experience and preferences.

Caesalpinia ferrea Mart (Leguminosae) é uma planta medicinal utilizada principalmente no tratamento do diabetes, dentre outras propriedades terapêuticas, mas que também apresenta relatos de hepatotóxicos. Embora apresente em sua constituição substâncias capazes de interferirem na fertilidade, como flavonóides e cumarina, nenhum estudo foi ainda realizado para avaliar os efeitos adversos dessa planta no funcionamento do sistema reprodutor após tratamento de longa duração. Portanto, este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar a utilização segura e os efeitos de C. ferrea nos órgãos vitais, no sistema reprodutor e na produção de espermatozóides de ratos Wistar submetidos a tratamento crônico. Animais imaturos e adultos foram tratados com o extrato aquoso de C. ferrea na dose de 300 mg/kg de peso corporal, administrado durante um ou dois ciclos espermatogênicos dessa espécie. Os órgãos reprodutores e vitais foram analisados e os espermatozóides foram coletados na secreção epididimária proveniente da cauda do epidídimo direito. A administração crônica de C. ferrea não alterou significativamente o peso corporal e nem o peso dos órgãos reprodutores e vitais. A produção de gametas também não foi afetada. Os dados sugerem que a utilização crônica de C. ferrea não interfere com o funcionamento normal do sistema reprodutor do rato Wistar.

Caesalpinia ferrea Mart (Leguminosae) is a medicinal plant used to treat diabetes, among other therapeutic properties, but which is also reported to have hepatotoxic effects. Although it contains substances such as flavonoids and coumarin, which are known to have antifertility activity, no studies have apparently been conducted to evaluate the potential adverse side effects of this plant on the function of the reproductive system after a chronic treatment. Therefore, this investigation was carried out to evaluate the effect and safety of the long-term exposure to C. ferrea on male Wistar rats' vital organs, reproductive system and sperm production. Adult and immature male rats were treated with an aqueous extract of C. ferrea at a dose level of 300 mg/kg of body weight, administered during one or two spermatogenic cycles of this species. The reproductive and vital organs were analyzed, and sperm was collected from the epididymal secretion of the right epididymis cauda. The long-term administration of C. ferrea did not significantly alter the body, vital and reproductive organs weights. Gamete production was not affected either. The chronic assessment of C. ferrea suggests that this plant does not affect the normal functioning of the Wistar rat reproductive system.

Os autores apresentam os casos de três irmãos com diagnóstico de aneurisma sacular intracraniano, fazendo breve revisão da literatura enfocando possíveis aspectos etiopatogênicos implicados.

The authors report the cases of three patients from the same family, all with intracranial saccular aneurysm (left carotid artery, anterior communicating artery, and middle cerebral artery). All three patients were operated on with good recovery and no complications. The authors call attention for some etipathogenic aspects of familial saccular aneurysms.