Are dogs not susceptible to retroviral infections?

Retroviruses have been proven to cause infections and diseases in a series of mammalian hosts but not in dogs.Then,this letter discussed the dog susceptibility to retrovirus infection,encompassing arguments to understand why dogs may have not been infected by retroviruses thus far.The potential resistance of retrovirus in dogs enables this provocative short communication to discuss this question,looking at some evolutive aspects.The lineage of canids has shown,throughout its evolutionary history,a smaller accumulation of retroviruses in canid genomes,classifed as endogenous retroviruses.In this context,the genomes of canids seem to ofer obstacles,which have been evolutionarily conserved,in the face of retroviral infection.

Infliximab to treat severe ulcerative colitis

A 48-year-old female with severe ulcerative colitis refractory to conventional therapy was referred to our facility for management. The patient showed extensive ulcerative colitis since the age of 20 years and had failed therapy with 5-aminosalicylic acid agents and azathioprine. The disease remained active despite treatment with steroids and cyclosporine. The clinical and endoscopic parameters were consistent with severe disease. Infectious precipitants were ruled out. Given the severity of the disease and in order to avoid a colectomy, we started the patient on infliximab therapy. A dramatic clinical and endoscopic response was observed and she remained in remission at the end of a 1-year follow-up period. We discuss findings in the literature regarding the use ofinfliximab therapy in patients with ulcerative colitis who have failed steroids and cyclosporine.

Prediction of SARS-CoV-2 hosts among Brazilian mammals and new coronavirus transmission chain using evolutionary bioinformatics

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus(SARS-CoV)and SARS-CoV-2 are thought to transmit to humans via wild mammals,especially bats.However,evidence for direct bat-to-human transmission is lacking.Involvement of intermediate hosts is considered a reason for SARS-CoV-2 transmission to humans and emergence of outbreak.Large biodiversity is found in tropical territories,such as Brazil.On the similar line,this study aimed to predict potential coronavirus hosts among Brazilian wild mammals based on angiotensin-converting enzyme 2(ACE2)sequences using evolutionary bioinformatics.Cougar,maned wolf,and bush dogs were predicted as potential hosts for coronavirus.These indigenous carnivores are philogenetically closer to the known SARS-CoV/SARS-CoV-2 hosts and presented low ACE2 divergence.A new coronavirus transmission chain was developed in which white-tailed deer,a susceptible SARS-CoV-2 host,have the central position.Cougar play an important role because of its low divergent ACE2 level in deer and humans.The discovery of these potential coronavirus hosts will be useful for epidemiological surveillance and discovery of interventions that can contribute to break the transmission chain.

Late onset acute Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndromechallenges on the way

Dear Editor,We would like to share some clinical cases of late onset acute Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome （VKH）, a rare diagnosis in this age range.

High- and Low-Rearing Rats Differ in the Brain Excitability Controlled by the Allosteric Benzodiazepine Site in the GABA_(A) Receptor

Rearing is an exploratory behavior induced by novelty, such as exposure to an open field. Stimulation of certain brain regions, including the hippocampus, induces both rearing and clonic convulsions. Brain excitability is controlled by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) inhibitory neurotransmission through its ionotropic GABAA/allosteric benzodiazepine site. Drugs that decrease GABAA receptor fast inhibitory neurotransmission induce clonic convulsions and rearing when injected into the hippocampus. Therefore, individual differences in rearing behavior may be related to the susceptibility to clonic convulsions, which could involve differences in brain excitability controlled by GABAA/allosteric benzodiazepine site receptors. Adult, male Wistar rats were divided into high- (HR) and low-rearing (LR) groups based on the number of rearings in the open field test. Groups of HR and LR rats were challenged with convulsant drugs that antagonize GABA neurotransmission via different mechanisms of action (3-mercaptopropionic acid, a glutamate decarboxilase inhibitor;bicuculline, a GABAA receptor antagonist;pentylenetetrazol and picrotoxin, both GABAA receptor chloride channel blockers and DMCM, a benzodiazepine inverse agonist). The convulsant doses that induced 50% of clonic convulsions were determined for each drug. The LR rats had a higher susceptibility (a lower convulsant dose 50%) to clonic convulsions induced by DMCM than the HR rats, but there were no differences between the groups in the susceptibility to tonic convulsions induced by the same drug. There were no significant differences in the convulsant dose 50% for clonic convulsions between the groups for all other drugs injected. In another experiment, additional HR and LR rats were injected with a sedative-hypnotic dose of diazepam, which caused a significantly higher hypnotic effect (sleeping-time) in the LR rats than in the HR rats. The LR group was also shown to have a significantly lower density of [3H]-Flunitrazepam bound to the GABAA receptor in hippocampal membranes. Our data suggest that inter-individual differences in rearing are related, at least in part, to the GABA inhibitory neurotransmission controlled by the benzodiazepine allosteric site in the GABAA receptor.

伴HTLV-I感染的皮肤T细胞淋巴瘤:临床表现与成人T细胞性白血病/淋巴瘤重叠

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a malignant proliferation of mature helper T lymphocytes, and is caused by human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I); an HTLV-I infection endemic in the Caribbean, south-western Japan, South America and Africa. Seroepidemiological studies suggest that it is also endemic in Brazil. Although carriers of HTLV-I show polyclonal integration of virus in T lymphocytes, only patients with ATLL of various subtypes show monoclonal integration of HTLV-I in tumor cells. Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) are a group of primary cutaneous lymphoproliferative diseases unknown etiology. The two most common presentations of CTCL are mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS). However, both CTCL categories can easily resemble ATLL. Therefore, in HTLV-I endemic areas, differentiation between ATLL and CTCL must be performed, as they have different prognoses and treatment approaches.

小梁切除术后青光眼的各项解剖及功能评价指标无变化

Purpose:To assess the influence of glaucoma filtration surgery on anatomical and functional tests for glaucoma evaluation.Methods:Twenty-five eyes(25 patients)with primary openangle glaucoma were evaluated,prospectively.Data were collected on vision acuity,intraocular pressure,standard automated perimetry,frequency doubling technology perimetry,scanning laser polarimetry(GDx)and confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy(HRT II)before and 3-6 months after surgery.Results:Mean(± SD)pre-and postoperative visual acuities(logMAR)were 0.28(± 0.18)and 0.30(± 0.17),respectively(P=0.346).In a mean time of 4.5(± 1.1)months after surgery,the mean preoperative intraocular pressure of 20.7(± 5.4)mmHg decreased to 11.04(± 2.52)mmHg(P < 0.001).The results of the standard automated perimetry,frequency doubling technology perimetry,scanning laser polarimetry and confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy diagnostic methods revealed no significant difference(P > 0.162)between pre and postoperative values and no significant correlation(P > 0.296)between intraocular pressure reduction and value changes.Conclusion:No significant change on any test variable was detected after glaucoma filtration surgery.Trabeculectomy does not appear to influence standard automated perimetry,frequency doubling technology perimetry,scanning laser polarimetry and confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy(HRT II)results after a 4.5-month period of surgery in early to moderate glaucoma.

视盘单侧缺损性陷凹和继发性视网膜劈裂的STRATUS光学相干断层扫描研究

Purpose: To report the STRATUS optical coherence tomography (STRATUS OCT) findings in a patient with unilateral coloboma-like excavation of the optic disc without pit but secondary retinoschisis, as well as to discuss the possible involved pathophysiologic mechanisms. Methods: Observational case report. STRATUSOCT findings in a 66- year-old woman with a coloboma-like excavation of the optic disc without pit but secondary retinoschisis encompassing the macular region, along with evidence of a mild epiretinalmembrane superonasal to the disc were evaluated. Results: STRATUSOCT showed signs of a connection between the perineural space and the inner retinal layers on the temporal optic disc border, as well as schisis-like changes extending from the disc to the macula, with cystoid degeneration and two lamellar holes in their nasal portion. Conclusion: The use of third generationOCT afforded an enhanced visualization of retinal structures, revealing signs of fluid at several distinct levels, as well as deep and superficial inner breaks apart from the schisis cavity. We are unaware of such previous reports, and could find no reference to them in a computerized search using MEDLINE. In addition, our study supports a common pathomechanism for the development of macular complications in optic pits and colobomas.

青少年颈部弹性真皮1例

Elastoderma is an exceedingly rare condition characterized clinically as an acquired localized laxity of skin and, histologically, as an excessive accumulation of pleomorphic elastic structures within the dermis. We report the case of a 16-year-old white man with a 2-year history of progressive laxity, extensibility, and wrinkling of the skin localized to the anterior aspect of the neck. Histologic examination of specimens from the affected area showed dense aggregates of eosinophilic material present within the dermis. Transmission and scanning electron microscopic examination demonstrated apposition of abnormal elastic structures at the periphery of elastic tissue fibers, with grapelike globular structures. To our knowledge, we report the third case of elastoderma.

小瞳孔下虹膜辅助缝线的超声乳化术:能否成为一种新术式

A case is presented in which an alternative surgical method for managing poorl y dilating pupils preoperatively or intraoperatively was employed. The technique uses iris sutures, is simple, safe, easily reproducible, and reversible, and do es not require new devices for pupil enlargement. This new surgical method is ap propriate for extracapsular cataract extraction and phacoemulsification or poste rior segment surgeries, and maintains pupillary appearance and function postoper atively. Although other techniques are generally available, this technique may b e useful in unique situations where other pupil devices or methods are not avail able.

眼睑盘状红斑狼疮并发接触性皮炎1例报道

We report a patient with discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE)-and associated allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in the eyelids. In women, ACD caused by nail varnish is frequent and often seen in the eyelids. ACD caused by drugs (e.g. neomycin) is also frequent in this region. However, DLE with periorbital presentation without evidence of systemic or other cutaneous involvement is rare.

Transcriptomic analysis reveals that NIBAN1 overexpression is associated with BRAF^(V600E)mutation and increases the aggressiveness of thyroid cancer

NIBAN1 overexpression has been reported in a widerange of thyroid carcinoma subtypes,and in other cancers,while it is not expressed in thyroid benign lesions and normal thy-roid.1-3 However,the mechanism associated with its expression and prognostic value remains unclear.In this study,six independent cohorts were enrolled,in which NIBAN1 expression was evaluated.A total of 583patients with thyroid tumors,326 patients with skin cancers,293 patients with colorectal carcinoma,and 189 patients with lung carcinoma were analyzed.