Effect of fluconazole and terbinafine nanoparticles on the treatment of dermatophytosis induced by Trichophyton mentagrophytes in guinea pig

Background and Objectives: Dermatophytosis induced by Trichophyton mentagrophytes is a major human and animal fun- gal contamination. Antifungals like terbinafine and fluconazole are widely used to treat dermatophytosis; nevertheless, the prevalence of drug resistance has increased. Hence, novel curative strategies are needed. In the present study, we compared the efficacies of conventional and nanoform of antifungals agents in guinea pig model of dermatophytosis. Materials and Methods: Guinea pigs (n=36) were injected (the posterior dorsal portion) with Trichophyton mentagrophytes conidia. The guinea pigs were divided into 6 groups (positive control, negative control, fluconazole 0.5% treated group, na- no-fluconazole treated group, terbinafine 1% treated group, and nano-terbinafine treated group), then were scored both clin- ically (redness and lesion intensity) and mycologically (microscopy and culture) until day 40 of inoculation. The treatment started 5 days after the inoculation and continued until day 40 of inoculation. Results: Assessment of the mean score of clinical lesions in groups treated with nano-drug forms of fluconazole and terbin- afine on the first day of treatment showed a score of 3 (significant redness with large scaling) and for the conventional form of terbinafine and fluconazole had a score of 4 (ulcer and scar). The decrease in lesion score in nano-drug treated groups was observed between days 15 and 20 and continued until day 40. On day 40, all groups had zero scores except the positive control group. Conclusion: This study indicated that nano-drugs are more suitable for the treatment of dermatophytosis and could be con- sidered as future alternatives for the treatment of dermatophytosis.

Jurassic brachyurans of the genus Bucculentum

The genus Bucculentum Schweitzer & Feldmann, 2009 is exceptional among the brachyuran decapods in having the augenrest dorsally inclined. Hitherto, the genus comprised two species, both from European Upper Jurassic localities; here, further two species are described, Bucculentum horstkuscheli, n. sp. and B. plettenbergense, n. sp., which differ in their proportions of the carapace regions and especially in their shapes of the augenrest. A newly described feature shared by all congeneric species is the groove extending from the centre of the dorsal portion of the augenrest and terminating towards the cervical groove. The function of this groove could have been to lead the water stream out from the augenrest to cleanse impurities from the muddy sea bottom, where these crabs are supposed to have lived.

Urinary incontinence secondary to a suspected congenital urethral deformity in a kitten

Case summary A 5-month-old entire male domestic shorthair kitten was referred for investigation of a month-long history of urinary incontinence. Clinical examination, baseline blood work and imaging (plain radiography and ultrasonography) were unremarkable. Urinalysis documented a urinary tract infection and a retrograde urethrocystogram revealed an outpouching of the pelvic urethra. Surgical exploration revealed the absence of the dorsal portion of the urethral wall in this section of pelvic urethra, replaced by an epithelial lined expanded ‘pouch’. The ventral aspect of the urethra appeared grossly normal. A modified perineal urethrostomy was performed to create an anastomosis of the urethral pouch to the skin of the perineum alongside conventional castration. The kitten made a full recovery and the incontinence resolved within 48 h. A congenital urethral diverticulum and secondary urinary tract infection were deemed the most likely aetiology in this case. Relevance and novel information Urethral diverticuli are a rare condition in veterinary medicine. To our knowledge, it has only been reported in two dogs and presumptively in one cat, all of which made a complete recovery after surgical intervention. The present case reports an unusual urethral deformity as a potential differential diagnosis for lower urinary tract signs in a young cat.

Identification of bipotent progenitors that give rise to myogenic and connective tissues in mouse

How distinct cell fates are manifested by direct lineage ancestry from bipotent progenitors, or by specification of individual cell types within a field of cells is a key question for understanding the emergence of tissues. The interplay between skeletal muscle progenitors and associated connective tissues cells provides a model for examining how muscle functional units are established. Most craniofacial structures originate from the vertebrate-specific neural crest cells except in the dorsal portion of the head, where they arise from cranial mesoderm. Here, using multiple lineage-traced single cell RNAseq, advanced computational methods and in situ analyses, we identify Myf5+ bipotent progenitors that give rise to both muscle and juxtaposed connective tissue. Following this bifurcation, muscle and connective tissue cells retain complementary signalling features and maintain spatial proximity. Interruption of upstream myogenic identity shifts muscle progenitors to a connective tissue fate. Interestingly, Myf5-derived connective tissue cells, which adopt a novel regulatory signature, were not observed in ventral craniofacial structures that are colonised by neural crest cells. Therefore, we propose that an ancestral program gives rise to bifated muscle and connective tissue cells in skeletal muscles that are deprived of neural crest.

Integrative descriptions of two new species of Dugesia from Hainan Island, China (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Dugesiidae)

Two new species of the genus Dugesia (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Dugesiidae) from Hainan Island of China are described on the basis of morphological, karyological and molecular data. Dugesia semiglobosa Chen & Dong, sp. nov. is mainly characterized by a hemispherical, asymmetrical penis papilla with ventrally displaced ejaculatory duct opening terminally at tip of penis papilla; vasa deferentia separately opening into mid-dorsal portion of intrabulbar seminal vesicle; two diaphragms in the ejaculatory duct; copulatory bursa formed by expansion of bursal canal, lined with complex stratified epithelium, which projects through opening in bursa towards intestine, without having open communication with the gut; mixoploid chromosome complement diploid (2n = 16) and triploid (3n = 24), with metacentric chromosomes. Dugesia majuscula Chen & Dong, sp. nov. is mainly characterized by oviducts opening asymmetrically into female reproductive system; hyperplasic ovaries; expanded posterior section of bursal canal; vasa deferentia separately opening into mid-dorsal portion of seminal vesicle; asymmetrical penis papilla due to ventral course of ejaculatory duct, which has subterminal and dorsal opening at tip papilla; mixoploid chromosome complement diploid (2n = 16) and triploid (3n = 24); chromosomes metacentric. Apart from their anatomy, separate species status of the two new species is supported also by their genetic distances and by their positions in the phylogenetic tree. The sexualization process may have been induced by the lower temperatures, in comparison with their natural habitat, under which the worms were cultured in the laboratory.

Domestic Pig Germplasms of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Andaman and Nicobar Islands are endowed with immaculate flora and fauna biodiversity. Among the indigenous livestock species, pig occupies 27.26%. Andaman and Nicobar Islands have three different categories of domestic pig groups/breeds. Andaman Local pig is prevalent in Andaman group of Islands (South, Middle and North Andaman); Nicobari pig is in Nicobar group of Islands and long snouted Little Andaman wild pig (Schedule II animal under Forest Act, India). Other than the indigenous pigs, pure and crossbreds of Large White Yorkshire are available in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Nicobari Pigs are reared exclusively by Nicobari tribes in Nicobar group of islands and create a well defined socio-economic-ecological status of their tribal society. Nicobari pig occupies a prominent place in custom, festivals and socio-economic status of Nicobari tribes. These Andaman local and Nicobari pigs are reared for meat purpose under free range or semi-intensive system. Nicobari pig is appeared as short, black/brownish in colour and living as a family. Andaman local pig is available in Andaman group of islands and body colour differs from rusty grey to black and brown. Neck and dorsal portion hair are long and thick whereas flank and sides hairs are shorter and thinner. Wild pig of Andaman (Sus scrofa andamanensis) is a most endangered porcine species of Andaman and Nicobar islands. Jarawa tribes in Andaman Islands prefer this wild pig as a good protein source. It is black in colour, short legged, small to medium sized and a prolific breeder. Litter size varies from 4 to 7 numbers. Another pig group is crossbred, cross between Large White Yorkshire and Andaman local or Nicobari pig. Crossbred pigs are light brown to complete white with different lines of blackish colour. This breed exhibits early maturity, high growth rate and fecundity. The Nicobari pig has high prolificacy as litter size is ranging from 8 to 10 numbers with good mothering ability and body weight of matured pig differs from 115 to 130 kg. Moreover, this crossbred is adapted highly to the local tropical humid environmental conditions and also can adjust with locally available feed resources on the different agricultural produces. This is highly suitable for commercial production of pork in this Andaman and Nicobar islands. However, the domestic pig breeds need to be protected and be conserved in this Andaman and Nicobar group of Islands.

Nasal and Laryngeal Rhinosporidiosis in Horses Treated with Electrocautery

Background: Rhinosporidiosis is considered an endemic disease in some countries and can affect several species of animals, among them, also equines. In this specie, although the nasal cavity is the most common site of infection, in some cases, it could also be spotted in the larynx region. The present study had as an objective to describe two cases of rhinosporidiosis in horses, one of them nasal and the other in the laryngeal area.Cases: Horse 1. A 12-year-old male Standardbred was sent to the veterinary hospital for the resection of the formation presented in the mucocutaneous junction of the left nostril. During the physical exam, a red mass of a moderately consistency, with an irregular, verrucous, pedunculated and ulcerated surface was observed, measuring approximately 2 centimeters in diameter. The surgical procedure for the resection of the mass was done through the use of the electrocautery technique, with the animal sedated with a romifidine dose of 0.08 mg/kg, a butorphanol dose of 0.04 mg/kg and a local anesthesia of 2% lidocaine. Eight months after the surgical procedure, the animal returned to the hospital and the presence of three new masses was noted in the same nostril, around the region where the extracted mass used to be found and they resembled the previous lesions. The horse’s owner didn’t authorize a new surgery or a new histopathological exam of the lesions. Horse 2. The other case refers to an asymptomatic 15-year-old male mixed breed. During a routine gastroscopic exam, the presence of several reddish coloration nodular and polypoid formations of irregular surface was observed in the larynx. Only one formation in the dorsal portion of the pharynx was observed. During the macroscopic exam, it was observed heterogeneously formation with a grayish-white color and soft consistency aspect. The surgical procedure for the resection of the mass, also through electrocautery, was performed with the animal, previously sedated with a detomidine dose of 0.01 mg/kg and a butorphanol dose of 0.02 mg/kg through intravenous. The contact plate of the electrocautery was fixed to the left side of the animal's neck. After the introduction of the endoscope through the nostril and advancing to the pharynx and larynx, lidocaine 2% without a vasoconstrictor was sprayed in the region. The polyps were individually wrapped by the polypectomy loop, passed through the endoscope operational channel and, at this time, the electrocautery was activated. After the treatment, periodical return appointments were made for the next two months. During the fourth appointment, the animal presented, in the endoscopy, a relapse of a few formations which were, again, removed with electrocautery. The histopathological exam in both cases was characterized by the presence of sporangia that was distributed homogeneously across the submucosal blade interspersed with mild to moderate mixed inflammatory infiltration composed predominantly of lymphoplasmic cells, followed by neutrophils and macrophages, as well as some hemorrhage area and the presence of macrophages with hemosiderin. These histopathological findings were consistent with rhinosporidiosis.Discussion: Rhinosporidiosis in horses, although rare, must be considered not only in cases of nasal formations, their most common form, but also in laryngeal cases, while the use of electrocautery is an efficient technique in the removal of the lesions, allowing for a good tissue healing and no postoperative complications. Nevertheless, follow-ups after treatment is always recommended to identify possible relapses.

speck, First Identified in Drosophila melanogaster in 1910, Is Encoded by the Arylalkalamine N-Acetyltransferase (AANAT1) Gene

The pigmentation mutation speck is a commonly used recombination marker characterized by a darkly pigmented region at the wing hinge. Identified in 1910 by Thomas Hunt Morgan, speck was characterized by Sturtevant as the most “workable” mutant in the rightmost region of the second chromosome and eventually localized to 2-107.0 and 60C1-2. Though the first speck mutation was isolated over 110 years ago, speck is still not associated with any gene. Here, as part of an undergraduate-led research effort, we show that speck is encoded by the Arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 (AANAT1) gene. Both alleles from the Morgan lab contain a retrotransposon in exon 1 of the RB transcript of the AANAT1 gene. We have also identified a new insertion allele and generated multiple deletion alleles in AANAT1 that all give a strong speck phenotype. In addition, expression of AANAT1 RNAi constructs either ubiquitously or in the dorsal portion of the developing wing generates a similar speck phenotype. We find that speck alleles have additional phenotypes, including ectopic pigmentation in the posterior pupal case, leg joints, cuticular sutures and overall body color. We propose that the acetylated dopamine generated by AANAT1 decreases the dopamine pool available for melanin production. When AANAT1 function is decreased, the excess dopamine enters the melanin pathway to generate the speck phenotype.

Fratura do osso navicular – relato de caso diagnosticado pela ressonância magnética com radiografia normal / Navicular bone fracture – a case report diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging with normal radiography

Introdução: O osso navicular é um dos ossos do tarso que mais raramente sofre uma fratura. Com o formato de um barco e posicionado entre a cabeça do tálus e dos três cuneiformes, desempenha um papel importante na sustentação da coluna medial do pé. Uma vez fraturado, pode ter seu diagnóstico feito através da radiografia, tomografia computadorizada, ressonância magnética ou ainda por cintilografia óssea. Objetivo: Relatar um caso incomum de fratura do osso navicular, diagnosticado apenas pela ressonância magnética. Relato do Caso: Mulher de 41 anos que após uma queda referiu dor em seu pé direito com piora ao caminhar. Apresentava dor à palpação na porção medial e dorsal do mediopé e edema. Radiografia do pé normal. A ressonância magnética apresentou traço de fratura na porção medial do osso navicular. Conclusão: Apesar de incomum, as fraturas do mediopé devem ser pesquisadas com métodos de imagem e, mesmo quando a radiografia seja normal, na continuação da sintomatologia do paciente, exames de maior acurácia devem ser realizados, tais como a TC e a RM.Palavras chave: Ossos do tarso, Fraturas ósseas, Imagem por ressonância magnéticaABSTRACT:Introduction: The navicular bone is one of the tarsal bones that most rarely suffers a fracture. Shaped like a boat and positioned between the head of the talus and the three cuneiforms, it plays an important role in supporting the medial column of the foot. Once fractured, the diagnosis can be made through radiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or even bone scintigraphy. Objective: To report an unusual case of fracture of the navicular bone, diagnosed only by magnetic resonance imaging. Case Report: A 41-year-old woman who, after a fall, reported pain in her right foot, which worsened when walking. He had pain on palpation in the medial and dorsal portion of the midfoot and edema. The radiograph of the foot is normal. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a fracture in the medial portion of the navicular bone. Conclusion: In spite of being uncommon, midfoot fractures should be investigated with imaging methods and, even when the radiograph is normal, in the continuation of the patient’s symptoms, more accurate tests should be performed, such as CT and MRI. Keywords: Tarsal bones, Bone fractures, Magnetic resonance imaging

Advancement in Neuromodulation Technology with the Innovation of Design-Specific Peripheral Nerve Stimulators: Sural Nerve Stimulation for Radiculopathy

Background Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is a form of neuromodulation that is used to treat chronic and refractory neuropathic pain. Peripheral nerve stimulation was first described in the early 1960s when Shelden implanted a PNS device for trigeminal neuralgia. Despite PNS being known since the 1960s, technology designed specifically for PNS was lacking. Within the past few years, design-specific PNS devices have become widely available, with favorable efficacy and safety profiles. Here we report a case of design-specific PNS that provided two years of pain relief in a patient with lower extremity neuropathic pain. Case Presentation A 53-year-old female with a history of congenital lumbar meningocele status post–L4-L5 laminectomy presented to the Mayo Clinic for treatment of foot pain that began three days after her laminectomy. She experienced a 6/10 burning, tingling sensation in the lateral dorsal portion of her right foot and posterolateral calf in addition to allodynia that prevented her from wearing shoes. She failed gabapentin, amitriptyline, cannabis, transforaminal epidural steroid injections, and two spinal cord stimulator trials. The patient ultimately underwent implantation of a right sural nerve stimulator, resulting in a 50% improvement in pain and functionality at two-year follow-up. Conclusions This report emphasizes the recent development of design-specific PNS devices and their successful use in this patient. Peripheral nerve stimulation technology and applications have diminished the role of spinal cord stimulation devices used for the periphery. Peripheral nerve stimulation should be considered for patients with isolated extremity pain, especially in those with spinal abnormalities (e.g., arachnoid cyst).