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Gas gangrene is a necrotizing infection of subcutaneous tissue and muscle that affects mainly ruminants and horses, but also other domestic and wild mammals. Clostridium chauvoei, C. septicum, C. novyi type A, C. perfringens type A, and C. sordellii are the etiologic agents of this disease, acting singly or in combination. Although a presumptive diagnosis of gas gangrene can be established based on clinical history, clinical signs, and gross and microscopic changes, identification of the clostridia involved is required for confirmatory diagnosis. Gross and microscopic lesions are, however, highly suggestive of the disease. Although the disease has a worldwide distribution and can cause significant economic losses, the literature is limited mostly to case reports. Thus, we have reviewed the current knowledge of gas gangrene in mammals.

The aim of this study was to examine the incidence of Clostridioides (previously Clostridium) difficile and Clostridium perfringens in the feces of diarrheic and non-diarrheic dogs. Also, the presence of other common canine enteropathogens was examined. Toxigenic C. difficile and C. perfringens positive for the NetF-encoding gene (netF) were detected in 11 (11.9%) and seven (7.6%) diarrheic dogs, respectively. Three dogs were diagnosed simultaneously with toxigenic C. difficile and netF-positive C. perfringens. Among other enteropathogens, Giardia sp. was the most common agent detected in dogs positive for toxigenic C. difficile or netF-positive C. perfringens. The results suggest that C. difficile and C. perfringens occur more frequently as a primary cause of diarrhea.

Clostridium perfringens is a gram-positive

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This paper explored the effect of adding organic fibers from either bamboo or sugarcane on the mechanical properties of concrete. Cylindrical and prismatic specimens were made containing 2% and 5% v/w (volume to weight) of vegetable fibers to concrete. Following 28 days of curing period, the samples were evaluated for compressive strength, tensile strength using diametric compression, tensile strength during bending and static modulus. It was discovered that all concretes produced met the minimum strength of 20 MPa recommended by NBR 6118 for structural purposes, and it was observed an increase of the compressive strength on the specimens with addition of organic fibers. Moreover, an increase in the compressive strength was observed in the specimens with fiber addition, although no significant variation of water absorption was noticed when compared with the standard concrete. In conclusion, the concrete containing 2% v/w of bamboo fibers showed better mechanical strength and static modulus of elasticity when compared to both concrete with sugar cane fibers addition and the concrete without any additional fibers.

True laryngeal adenomas are considered extremely rare and some doubt their existence. Laryngeal lesions having oncocytes as the predominant cell type have been described in the literature under a variety of different names: oncocytoma, oncocytic papillary cystadenoma, papillary cystadenoma, oxyphilic granular cells adenoma, etc. The oncocytes originate from changes in normal acinic and ductal cells. The significance of these changes is controversial. Whether the oncocytic laryngeal lesions represent true neoplasms or are degenerative in nature remains to be determined. We present clinical and histopathological details of four cases of oncocytic lesions of the larynx and compare their histology with microscopic findings in 30 cases filed as laryngeal cysts at the Minneapolis V.A. and University of Minnesota Hospitals. While the controversy regarding the neoplastic versus degenerative etiology of these lesions could not be resolved from a histopathological standpoint, their clinical behavior is that of a benign neoplasm. We review the literature on the subject and suggest a course of treatment for these lesions.

Pneumolabyrinth is a condition in which air is present in the vestibule and/or in the cochlea. Air inside the inner ear structures is uncommon, and is not detected even in otic capsule-violating fractures or in transverse fractures of the temporal bone. It is rarely described in the literature. We present a longitudinal computed tomography (CT) study of a significant pneumolabyrinth due to temporal bone trauma in a 31-year-old man. Routine CT of the cranium performed 3 hours after the accident showed air inside the vestibule (pneumolabyrinth). Two days later, a new CT study was performed. The air in the vestibule was partially resorbed. There was opacity over the oval window niche and the promontory. Thirteen months after the initial head trauma, another CT examination showed a fracture line running from the vestibule to the posterior wall of the petrous bone. The patient had profound sensorineural hearing loss after the trauma, and the pneumolabyrinth cleared over a few months. Surgical treatment was not indicated.