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Abstract The global demand for milk and dairy products is rising, with cow's milk dominating production. However, goat dairy products have gained attention due to their nutritional value and bioactive components. Goat milk, in particular, is priced attractively, leading to increased interest from producers and investors. Goat milk-based products like yogurt, cheese, and fermented milk are available in the market and prepared using advanced processing technologies. Goat milk's exceptional quality, nutritional composition, and adaptability make it a superior choice, containing essential minerals and vitamins. The gourmet market has elevated goat cheese to a refined culinary delight. Therefore, this systematic review aims to summarize the state of successful research on goat milk cheese production from 2013 to 2023. The bibliographic search was carried out in September 2023 in electronic databases of scientific journals, namely Google Scholar, Science Direct, PUBMED, SCIELO, and Web of Science. Twenty (20) articles were included to discuss results that addressed the research question, meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The content presented provides a comprehensive overview of the cheese manufacturing process, encompassing stages such as filtration, pasteurization, addition of lactic cultures, coagulation (using various methods such as enzymatic, rennet, charcoal, or enzymes), cutting the curd, molding, salting, and maturation. The inclusion of bibliographic references further enhances understanding, highlighting the evolution of practices over time. These contributions are essential for improving the quality and efficiency of goat milk cheese production, offering valuable insights for researchers, producers, and industry enthusiasts.

To assist the reproductive management of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) males in laboratory and commercial fish farming, a linear regression model was obtained from concentration curves using the spectrophotometric method. Twenty-two tambaqui males with an average age of three years old were selected and divided into two groups containing 11 animals each. Both groups alternately received a single dose of carp pituitary extract (CPE; 2.0 mg/kg body weight, intracoelomic). Sperm was collected 14 h after hormonal treatment and diluted (1:4000; sperm:formaldehyde saline). The concentration was estimated by counting spermatozoa in a Neubauer chamber and by using a spectrophotometer (λ=540 nm). Individual sperm concentration ranged from 11.40 to 71.13 × 109 sperm/mL. The degree of transmittance ranged from 62.1% to 95.0%. There was a significant correlation (r2 = 0.966; p < 0.0001) between sperm concentration analyzed in a Neubauer chamber and transmittance at 540 nm. Analysis by spectrophotometry and the prediction provided by the equation Y=100.293 – 0.509X proved to be an efficient and fast method for estimating sperm concentration in tambaqui and can be used in routine procedures in artificial fish reproduction laboratories. Keywords: fish; reproduction; semen.

The quality of post-thawing goat sperm is critical to the success of artificial insemination protocols and may be influenced by extenders, cryoprotectants, and antioxidant substances. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the antioxidant anethole on goat sperm diluted in preservation medium based on powdered coconut water (ACP-101c) and frozen. For that, each ejaculate was submitted to the following treatments: ACP-101c (control); control plus supplementation with 30, 300, or 2000 µg/mL anethole. The samples were thawed and evaluated for morphology, kinetics, membrane integrity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The addition of anethole increased morphological abnormalities (P < 0.05), however, it did not affect sperm kinetics. Flow cytometry analysis showed that sperm cells cryopreserved with 300 µg/mL anethole had lower acrosome integrity than those cryopreserved in other treatments. Evaluation of oxidative stress revealed that cells stored in the presence of 2000 µg/mL anethole had small amounts of ROS when compared to those preserved in the control medium alone or supplemented with 300 µg/mL anethole (P < 0.05). After cryopreservation of sperm with 2000 µg/mL anethole, the highest percentage of viable sperm without ROS was observed (P < 0.05). In conclusion, despite reducing ROS levels, the supplementation of anethole in ACP-101c did not affect sperm kinetics or membrane integrity post-thawing, however, it did cause morphological damage to sperm.

A degeneração testicular é altamente prevalente em ruminantes criados em clima tropical no Brasil. Portanto, é necessário avaliar a qualidade do sêmen periodicamente nesses animais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi definir imagens-padrão (termogramas) usando termografia por infravermelho (TIV), associada à avaliação seminal computadorizada (CASA) de maneira não invasiva, para diagnóstico de alterações testiculares. Para tanto, 10 machos caprinos foram selecionados e seus testículos insulados para avaliar a qualidade seminal e as temperaturas retal e testicular superficial, registradas em quatro momentos diferentes: antes, durante e cedo e tarde após a insulação. As coletas de sêmen e as temperaturas retal e testicular superficial pela TIV foram avaliadas por 60 dias após a insulação. Os dados foram expressos em média e erro padrão e submetido à análise de variância (ANOVA) com comparação entre os momentos pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade. As mudanças na qualidade seminal seguiram o mesmo padrão das mudanças na temperatura da TS, sem influência do último na temperatura retal. A temperatura testicular média aumentou mais de 2 graus acima da temperatura média normal do testículo (p < 0,05) durante a insulação, em relação aos momentos antes e após a insulação, e concomitantemente redução nos parâmetros seminais com retorno a quase normalidade aos 60 dias após a insulação. Essas mudanças nas temperaturas da superfície do testículo associadas à análise do sêmen permitiram obter imagens padrões de degeneração testicular, possibilitando prever, por TIV, alterações testiculares para posterior avaliação da qualidade seminal.

The objective of the current study was to observe the performance kinetics (motilities and velocities) of the spermatozoa from Prochilodus brevis (curimatã), Colossoma macropomum (tambaqui) and Piaractus brachypomus (pirapitinga) species in different times post-activation. The sperm of P. brevis, C. macropomum and P. brachypomus species were collected after hormonal induction with carp pituitary extract. The samples with not contamination with water, urine or feces had motility subjective, morphology, osmolality and concentration analyzed. The samples selected were analyzed with Sperm Class Analyzer. Spermatozoa motility and velocities were captured at 10, 30, 60 and 120 s post-activation. No significant differences in total motility of P. brevis spermatozoa were observed between 10 s and 30 s post-activation. However, significant reduction was observed in 60 s. This reduction was more accentuated after 120 s. The same pattern of spermatozoa motility decline happened for C. macropomum and P. brachypomus. Velocities also followed the same pattern for the three species. There was significant reduction in velocities after 30 s; this reduction was more significant after 60 s. There was no significance difference between 60 s and 120 s post-activation. Sperm of C. macropomum and P. brachypomus show satisfactory sperm quality up to 60 s after activation. On the other hand, sperm of P. brevis up to 120 s after activation. These findings show that the rate of sperm motility in different times post activation is change for each species tested.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ACP-102c extender in the cryopreservation of ram semen compared to tris-glucose-egg yolk (TRIS) extender and fresh semen. Forty-eight ejaculates were collected from four rams and two aliquots per ejaculate were taken for dilution and cryopreservation in ACP-102c or TRIS and a third aliquot used for the fresh semen analysis. Either the fresh semen and cryopreserved in both extenders were evaluated for viability, integrity of plasma and acrosomal membrane, hypoosmotic swelling test, DNA fragmentation and sperm motility. The extenders did not differ for sperm viability, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity, DNA fragmentation and quantitative and qualitative parameters of sperm velocity after thawing, but differed in hypoosmotic swelling test, total and progressive motility and lateral extent of the head as well as in all motility parameters evaluated (except linearity and straightness) after two hours of incubation at 37 oC. There was variability among rams in total and progressive motility of semen cryopreserved in ACP-102c after thawing. The ACP-102c extender showed less protection in the cryopreservation of ram sperm when compared to TRIS, but the improvement in its formulation and freezing protocols may make it an alternative to freezing ram semen.

Visando avaliar o efeito da adição de glutationa reduzida (GSH) ao diluente de congelação de sêmen caprino à base de leite desnatado, utilizou-se sêmen de cinco reprodutores Boer. Após colheita e avaliação, procedeu-se à formação do pool dos ejaculados e diluição em leite desnatado e glicerol 7%, acrescido de antioxidantes: G1) Controle; G2) GSH 2mM mL-1; G3) GSH 5mM mL-1 e G4) GSH 7mM mL-1. As amostras foram congeladas em palhetas (0,25mL) e armazenadas a -196°C. Após descongelação, avaliou-se a integridade de membrana plasmática (iMP) e acrossomal (iAc), potencial de membrana mitocondrial (PMM), cinética e ultraestrutura. Os grupos Controle e GSH (2, 5 e 7mM mL-1) não diferiram (P>0,05) em iMP, iAc, PMM e cinética. Na análise ultraestrutural, os porcentuais de membrana plasmática (cabeça e cauda) e acrossoma íntegros não diferiram (P>0,05) entre grupos. Todavia, o grupo Controle apresentou maior porcentual (PAiming to evaluate in vitro effect of different concentrations of glutathione reduced (GSH) in skimmed-milk and glycerol 7% it was used semen from five Boer bucks. After collect and evaluation, a pool of samples was diluted in skimmed-milk and glycerol 7% plus antioxidant: G1) Control; G2) GSH 2mM mL-1; G3) GSH 5mM mL-1 and G4) GSH 7mM mL-1. Samples were frozen in straws (0.25mL) and stored at -196°C. After thawing, samples were subjected to integrity of the plasma membrane (iMP) and acrosomal (iAc), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), kinematic and ultrastructure analysis. Control and GSH (2, 5 and 7mM mL-1) groups did no differ (P>0.05) in iMP, iAc, PMM and kinematic parameters. In the ultrastructural analysis, percentages of acrosome and plasma membrane (tail and head region) intact did not differ (P>0.05) between groups. However, Control group had higher percentage (P

This aims of the work were: to evaluate in vitro the goat semen frozen in diluents media based on powder coconut water (PCW-101) and TRIS and, compare the bromophenol blue stain efficiency with the eosin-nigrosin stain. The ejaculateds were divided and diluted into PCW-101 and TRIS, frozed and thawed after 30 days. Spermatic morphology was evaluated, through semen smears stained by eosin-nigrosin (EN) and bromophenol blue (BB). The morphologic parameters evaluated were: normal spermatozoa (N), head alteration (HA), intermediary piece alteration (IPA), tail alteration (TA), proximal citoplasmic drop (PCD), distal citoplasmic drop (DCD), and detached head (DH). There wasn’t significant difference in the observation of N between media, staining and their interactions after 5 minutes of thermo resistance test. After 120, the N was significantly influenced by media, where the TRIS presented better results. The incubation period of 120 minutes at 37ºC affect the spermatic morphology, increasing the HA percentages. The media based on TRIS promoted better protection from the cryoinjuries on frozen goat spermatozoa. BB staining was efficient on the fresh and post-thaw goat semen evaluation.KEY WORDS: Bromophenol blue, goat, powder coconut water; TRIS, spermatozoa. Este trabalho teve como objetivos avaliar a morfologia de espermatozoides caprinos frescos e congelados em meios à base de água de coco em pó (ACP-101) e TRIS, bem como comparar a eficiência dos corantes azul de bromofenol (AB) e eosina-nigrosina (EN). Cada ejaculado foi dividido, diluído em ACP-101 e TRIS, congelado e, após trinta dias, descongelado. Analisou-se a morfologia espermática por esfregaços corados por EN e AB. Os parâmetros morfológicos foram: espermatozoides normais (N), alterações de cabeça (AC), de peça intermediária (API), de flagelo (AF), gotas citoplasmáticas proximal (GCP) e distal (GCD) e cabeça destacada (CD). Não se verificou diferença de N entre tratamentos após cinco minutos do teste de termorresistência. Após 120 minutos, a quantificação de N foi influenciada pelo diluente, tendo o TRIS resultados superiores. O período de incubação afetou a morfologia espermática, aumentando as porcentagens de AC. Conclui-se que o meio à base de TRIS promoveu maior proteção quanto às crioinjúrias em espermatozoides caprinos. O corante AB demonstrou ser mais eficiente na avaliação do sêmen caprino fresco e pós-descongelação.PALAVRAS-CHAVES: Água de coco em pó, azul de bromofenol, caprinos, espermatozoides, TRIS.

Con el propósito de evaluar tanto “in Vitro” como “in vivo” la eficiencia del agua de coco como dilutor del semen caprino, fueron colectados con vagina artificial cinco reproductores de la raza Saanen. La prueba “in vitro” consistió en la división del semen en dos alícuotas, una se diluyó en leche glucosada y otra en agua de coco, que se evaluaron por termorresistencia a 37°C. Después de 180 minutos de incubación el semen diluido en leche y en agua de coco presentaron 30% y 1.5 y 45% y 3.0 de espermios vivos y motilidad respectivamente. La evaluación ";;in vivo";; fue realizada a través de la sincronización del ciclo estrual de 380 cabras, de las cuales 220 fueron inseminadas artificialmente con semen diluido en agua de coco estabilizada y esterilizada en ampollas, y 160 cabras fueron inseminadas con semen diluido en leche. Se observaron efectos (P0.05) para la tasa de parición y prolificidad (60% y 1.1 Vs 68% y 1.8) para el semen diluido en leche y en agua de coco respectivamente. El Porcentaje de crías hembras nacidas de cabras inseminadas con semen diluido en agua de coco fue mayor al de las inseminadas con semen diluido en leche (72 Vs 43). El agua de coco como dilutor del semen caprino podría constituirse en una opción para el procesamiento del semen caprino en la inseminación artificial, a la vez que hace más accesible la técnica para los productores.

Este trabajo busca conocer el efecto de la adición de citoquininas en el agua de coco utilizada como dilutor del semen caprino. Se evaluó “in Vitro” el comportamiento de los espermatozoides colectados con vagina artificial de cuatro machos caprinos, diluidos en agua de coco “in natura” integral y adicionada con 5 o 100 µg de zeatina, una citoquinina natural. Se aplicó una prueba de termorrestistencia, incubando los espermatozoides a 37°C entre 0 y 120 minutos. Se observó un considerable incremento de la motilidad individual progresiva y del porcentaje de los espermatozoides mótiles a los 60 minutos, especialmente con la menor dilución. Estos resultados deberán ser correlacionados con la fertilidad “in vivo” luego de la inseminación artificial. Â

Este trabalho teve como objetivos avaliar a morfologia de espermatozoides caprinos frescos e congelados em meios à base de água de coco em pó (ACP-101) e TRIS, bem como comparar a eficiência dos corantes azul de bromofenol (AB) e eosina-nigrosina (EN). Cada ejaculado foi dividido, diluído em ACP-101 e TRIS, congelado e, após trinta dias, descongelado. Analisou-se a morfologia espermática por esfregaços corados por EN e AB. Os parâmetros morfológicos foram: espermatozoides normais (N), alterações de cabeça (AC), de peça intermediária (API), de flagelo (AF), gotas citoplasmáticas proximal (GCP) e distal (GCD) e cabeça destacada (CD). Não se verificou diferença de N entre tratamentos após cinco minutos do teste de termorresistência. Após 120 minutos, a quantificação de N foi influenciada pelo diluente, tendo o TRIS resultados superiores. O período de incubação afetou a morfologia espermática, aumentando as porcentagens de AC. Conclui-se que o meio à base de TRIS promoveu maior proteção quanto às crioinjúrias em espermatozoides caprinos. O corante AB demonstrou ser mais eficiente na avaliação do sêmen caprino fresco e pós-descongelação. PALAVRAS-CHAVES: Água de coco em pó, azul de bromofenol, caprinos, espermatozoides, TRIS.

The in vitro efficiency of powdered coconut water (ACP®) as storage medium for fresh, cooled guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) sperm at 4 or 15ºC compared to a commercially available medium (DC) of poultry semen was evaluated. Sperm concentration, percentage of motile spermatozoa, vigor, and morphology at baseline (T0), 2h (T2) and 24h (T24) were recorded. Average pool concentration was of 4.88±0.17 x 109 sptz/mL in the sperm and 600 x 106 sptz/mL in the final aliquots. The number of spermatozoa in the pool averaged 11.4±0.95 x109sptz/ejaculate. No treatment effect (P>0.05) on any parameter (motility, vigor and viable spermatozoa percentage) at baseline was detected between four groups (4 and 15ºC in ACP® and DC). After two hours (T2), only the spermatozoa in ACP® at 4ºC was always higher than the acceptable values: motility 88%, vigor 8.9 and viable spermatozoa concentration of 10.01x109 sptz/mL (PAvaliou-se a eficiência in vitro do diluidor água de coco em pó (ACP®) em sêmen recém-colhido e resfriado de capotes (Numida meleagris), a 4 ou 15ºC, em comparação ao diluidor comercial (DC) de sêmen de aves. Registraram-se a concentração espermática, a motilidade, o vigor e as alterações morfológicas nos tempos 0 hora (T0), 2 horas (T2) e 24 horas (T24). A média dos pools foi de 4,88±0,17 x109 sptz/mL e a concentração final das alíquotas colhidas, de 600x106sptz/mL. A média/ejaculado do pool foi de 11,4 ± 0,95 x 109 sptz/ejaculado. Os quatro tratamentos (4 e 15°C em ACP® ou DC) não ocasionaram diferenças estatísticas (P>0,05) em nenhum dos parâmetros avaliados (motilidade, vigor e sptz viáveis) no tempo zero (T0). Após 2 horas, apenas os espermatozóides diluídos com ACP® a 4ºC mantiveram-se acima dos valores aceitáveis: motilidade 88%, vigor 8,9 e concentração de espermatozóides viáveis de 10,01 x109 sptz/mL (P

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a taxa de prenhez em ovelhas utilizando diluidores à base de água de coco (in natura: ACN ou em pó: ACP-102®) após inseminação artificial intra-cervical (Experimento 1) ou laparoscópica intra-uterina (Experimento 2). Experimento 1. Sêmen de 4 carneiros Santa Inês foi coletado, diluído a 37°C (T1: ACN; T2: ACP-102®) e resfriado á 4°C. 56 ovelhas Santa Inês foram inseminadas cervicalmente após a sincronização, 31 utilizando o diluidor ACN e 25 o diluidor ACP-102®. Experimento 2. Sêmen de 5 carneiros adultos (Santa Inês: n=04; Dorper n=01) foi coletado e processado de acordo com o descrito. 64 ovelhas SRD foram inseminadas intra-uterina por laparoscopia após a sincronização do estro, 37 utilizando o diluidor ACN e 27 o diluidor ACP-102®. O diagnóstico de gestação foi realizado por ultra-sonografia. A taxa de prenhez entre os tratamentos, dentro de cada método de inseminação, entre cada diluidor para ambos métodos de inseminação foi analisada pelo teste do Qui-quadrado (p

Este trabalho teve por objetivo comparar a morfometria do trato genital masculino caprino entre a época seca e chuvosa. Foram coletados 46 e 52 genitais de machos caprinos na época seca e chuvosa, respectivamente. Testículos foram identificados em direito ou esquerdo, mensurados quanto ao comprimento, espessura e diâmetro. Os epidídimos foram pesados. Ductos deferentes e o pênis foram mensurados quanto ao comprimento. As vesículas seminais foram identificadas em direita ou esquerda, pesadas individualmente, e mensuradas quanto ao comprimento, largura e espessura. Os parâmetros de peso, largura, espessura e comprimento das diferentes estruturas foram submetidos ao teste t de Student a 5,00% de probabilidade. Os resultados demonstraram que houve diferença significativa entre os parâmetros mensurados no período seco e chuvoso (P

ABSTRACT Objective: To review the pathological diagnosis of possible cases and/or hidden cases of malignant mesothelioma (MM) between 2000 and 2012 using the Hospital-Based Cancer Registry database in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: Possible cases were retrieved by assessing the database. Inclusion criteria were being older than 30 years of age and having ICD-O-3 topography and morphology codes related to MM. A board of expert pathologists reviewed the pathology reports and requested paraffin blocks in cases that demanded revision. After staining with calretinin, D2-40, WT-1 (as positive MM markers) and Ber-EP4 and MOC31 (as negative MM markers), cases were divided and studied independently by a pair of pathologists to confirm or discard the diagnosis of MM. Results: Our sample comprised 482 cases from 25 hospitals, and 130 needed further histological revision. We received 73 paraffin blocks with adequate material. After board analysis, there were 9 cases with a definitive diagnosis of MM, improving the diagnostic rate in 12%. Two cases of previously diagnosed MM were discarded by review. Conclusions: Our results confirm that part of MM underdiagnosis and underreporting in Brazil is due to incomplete or mistaken pathological diagnosis.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex chronic autoimmune disease characterized by tissue damage and widespread inflammation in response to environmental challenges. Deposition of immune complexes in kidneys glomeruli are associated with lupus nephritis, determining SLE diagnosis. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by clinical attachment and bone loss, caused by a microbial challenge – host response interaction. Deposition of immune complex at gingival tissues is a common finding in the course of the disease. Considering that, the primary aim of this study is to investigate the deposition of immune complexes at gingival tissues of SLE patients compared to systemically healthy ones, correlating it to periodontal and systemic parameters. Twenty-five women diagnosed with SLE (SLE+) and 25 age-matched systemically healthy (SLE–) women were included in the study. Detailed information on overall patient's health were obtained from file records. Participants were screened for probing depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), gingival recession (REC), full-mouth bleeding score (FMBS) and plaque scores (FMPS). Bone loss was determined at panoramic X-ray images as the distance from cementenamel junction to alveolar crest (CEJ-AC). Gingival biopsies were obtained from the first 15 patients submitted to surgical periodontal therapy of each group, and were analyzed by optical microscopy and direct immunofluorescence to investigate the deposition of antigen-antibody complexes. Eleven (44%) patients were diagnosed with active SLE (SLE-A) and 14 (56%) with inactive SLE (LES-I). Mean PD, CAL and FMBS were significantly lower in SLE+ than SLE–(p < 0.05; Mann Whitney). The chronic use of low doses of immunosuppressants was associated with lower prevalence of CAL >3 mm. Immunofluorescence staining of markers of lupus nephritis and/or proteinuria was significantly increased in SLE+ compared to SLE–, even in the presence of periodontitis. These findings suggest that immunomodulatory drugs in SLE improves periodontal parameters. The greater deposition of antigen-antibody complexes in the gingival tissues of patients diagnosed with SLE may be a marker of disease activity, possibly complementing their diagnosis.

ABSTRACT Background: KRAS mutations are important events in colorectal carcinogenesis, as well as negative predictors of response to EGFR inhibitors treatment. Aim: To investigate the association of clinical-pathological features with KRAS mutations in colorectal cancer patients treated. Methods: Data from 69 patients with colorectal cancer either metastatic at diagnosis or later, were retrospectively analyzed. The direct sequencing and pyrosequencing techniques were related to KRAS exon 2. The mutation diagnosis and its type were determined. Results: KRAS mutation was identified in 43.4% of patients. The most common was c.35G>T (p.G12V), c.35G>A (p.G12D) and c.38G>A (p.G13D). No correlation was found between KRAS mutation and age (p=0.646) or gender (p=0.815). However, mutated group had higher CEA levels at admission (p=0.048) and codon 13 mutation was associated with involvement of more than one metastatic site in disease progression (p=0.029). Although there was no association between primary tumor site and mutation diagnosis (p=0.568), primary colon was associated with worse overall survival (p=0.009). Conclusion: The KRAS mutation was identified in almost half of patients. Mutated KRAS group had higher levels of CEA at admission and the mutation at codon 13 was associated with involvement of more than one metastatic site in the course of the disease. Colon disease was associated with the worst overall survival.

Abstract: Pigmented purpuric dermatoses (PPD) include a spectrum of diseases with different clinical aspects, but with similar histopathological features. Specific clinical findings allow the division of PPD in variants. Schamberg's disease is the most common. Treatment is sometimes ineffective and recurrences are common. There are reports of patients who responded well to the use of colchicine. We report the case of a 32-year-old woman, previously healthy, with a history of onset of asymptomatic lesions in legs. She presented purpuric skin eruptions and brownish stains diffusely distributed in the lower limbs. Biopsy was compatible with PPD. We decided for the introduction of colchicine, with good clinical response. The patient has been followed on outpatient basis for ten months without recurrence.

SUMMARY The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the protein-calorie malnutrition in BALB/c isogenic mice infected with Lacazia loboi, employing nutritional and histopathological parameters. Four groups were composed: G1: inoculated with restricted diet, G2: not inoculated with restricted diet, G3: inoculated with regular diet, G4: not inoculated with regular diet. Once malnutrition had been imposed, the animals were inoculated intradermally in the footpad and after four months, were sacrificed for the excision of the footpad, liver and spleen. The infection did not exert great influence on the body weight of the mice. The weight of the liver and spleen showed reduction in the undernourished groups when compared to the nourished groups. The macroscopic lesions, viability index and total number of fungi found in the footpads of the infected mice were increased in G3 when compared to G1. Regarding the histopathological analysis of the footpad, a global cellularity increase in the composition of the granuloma was observed in G3 when compared to G1, with large numbers of macrophages and multinucleated giant cells, discrete numbers of lymphocytes were present in G3 and an increase was observed in G1. The results suggest that there is considerable interaction between Jorge Lobo's disease and nutrition.

Abstract: A 54 year-old woman with a 3-year history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) consulted us because of weight loss, fever and skin eruption. On physical examination, erythematous plaques with a pseudo-vesicular appearance were seen on the back of both shoulders. Histological examination was consistent with rheumatoid neutrophilic dermatosis (RND). After three days of prednisone treatment, the skin eruption resolved. RND is a rare cutaneous manifestation of seropositive RA, characterized by asymptomatic, symmetrical erythematous plaques with a pseudo-vesicular appearance. Histology characteristically reveals a dense, neutrophilic infiltrate with leucocitoclasis but without other signs of vasculitis. Lesions may resolve spontaneously or with RA treatment. This case illustrates an uncommon skin manifestation of active rheumatoid arthritis.

The graft-versus-host disease is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients who have undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Aiming at contributing to the understanding of the role of myeloid and plasmacytoid dendritic cells, and natural killer cells in chronic graft-versus-host disease, we examined biopsies of jugal mucosa of 26 patients with acute myeloid leukemia who had undergone allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Half of these patients developed oral chronic graft-versus-host disease. Microscopic sections were immunohistochemically stained for anti-CD1a, anti-CD123 and anti-CD56. We calculated the number of immunostained cells in the corium per square millimeter and applied the Mann-Whitney test. Results showed a statistically significant increase of myeloid dendritic cells (CD1a+; p=0,02) and natural killer cells (CD56; p=0,04) in patients with oral chronic graft-versus-host disease. CD123 immunostaining showed no statistical difference between groups. It was concluded that myeloid dendritic cells and natural killer cells participate in the development of oral chronic graft-versus-host disease.