A vertical force distribution pattern was observed on the pads of the German Shepherd dogs. These data are important for improving the understanding of vertical force distribution during gait and to assess orthopaedic conditions.

Objectives Changes in the intestinal microbiota have been associated with the pathogenesis of SSc. Probiotics act by modulating the microbiome and the immune response. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of probiotics on gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and immune responses in SSc patients. Methods Patients with SSc with a moderate–severe total score on the University of California Los Angeles Scleroderma Clinical Trials Consortium Gastrointestinal Tract 2.0 (UCLA GIT 2.0) instrument were randomly assigned to receive a daily dose of probiotics (Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophillus and Bifidobacterium lactis, 109 colony-forming units per capsule) or placebo for 8 weeks. The primary endpoint was improvement in the UCLA GIT 2.0 total score after 8 weeks. Secondary outcomes included changes in Th1, Th2, Th17 and regulatory T cell circulating levels and in the HAQ Disability Index (HAQ-DI) score. Parameters were assessed at baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. Results A total of 73 patients were randomized to receive probiotics (n = 37) or placebo (n = 36). After 8 weeks, there was no difference in the UCLA GIT 2.0 score between the two groups. At week 8, the probiotic group showed a significant decrease in the proportion of Th17 cells compared with placebo (P = 0.003). There was no difference in the proportion of Th1, Th2 and regulatory T cells or in the HAQ-DI score between the groups. Conclusion Probiotics did not improve GI symptoms in SSc patients. The reduction in Th17 cell levels suggests an immunomodulatory effect of probiotics on SSc. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (http://clinicaltrials.gov), NCT 02302352.

Mean peak vertical force was lower in dogs with severe hip dysplasia compared with mildly dysplastic dogs. These results suggest that hip dysplasia degree can affect lameness severity.

ObjectiveTo compare autoantibody features in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and individuals presenting antimitochondria antibodies (AMAs) but no clinical or biochemical evidence of disease.MethodsA total of 212 AMA-positive serum samples were classified into four groups: PBC (definite PBC, n = 93); PBC/autoimmune disease (AID; PBC plus other AID, n = 37); biochemically normal (BN) individuals (n = 61); and BN/AID (BN plus other AID, n = 21). Samples were tested by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on rat kidney (IIF-AMA) and ELISA [antibodies to pyruvate dehydrogenase E2-complex (PDC-E2), gp-210, Sp-100, and CENP-A/B]. AMA isotype was determined by IIF-AMA. Affinity of anti-PDC-E2 IgG was determined by 8 M urea-modified ELISA.ResultsHigh-titer IIF-AMA was more frequent in PBC and PBC/AID (57 and 70 %) than in BN and BN/AID samples (23 and 19 %) (p < 0.001). Triple isotype IIF-AMA (IgA/IgM/IgG) was more frequent in PBC and PBC/AID samples (35 and 43 %) than in BN sample (18 %; p = 0.008; p = 0.013, respectively). Anti-PDC-E2 levels were higher in PBC (mean 3.82; 95 % CI 3.36–4.29) and PBC/AID samples (3.89; 3.15–4.63) than in BN (2.43; 1.92–2.94) and BN/AID samples (2.52; 1.54–3.50) (p < 0.001). Anti-PDC-E2 avidity was higher in PBC (mean 64.5 %; 95 % CI 57.5–71.5 %) and PBC/AID samples (66.1 %; 54.4–77.8 %) than in BN samples (39.2 %; 30.9–37.5 %) (p < 0.001). PBC and PBC/AID recognized more cell domains (mitochondria, nuclear envelope, PML/sp-100 bodies, centromere) than BN (p = 0.008) and BN/AID samples (p = 0.002). Three variables were independently associated with established PBC: high-avidity anti-PDC-E2 (OR 4.121; 95 % CI 2.118–8.019); high-titer IIF-AMA (OR 4.890; 2.319–10.314); antibodies to three or more antigenic cell domains (OR 9.414; 1.924–46.060).ConclusionThe autoantibody profile was quantitatively and qualitatively more robust in definite PBC as compared with AMA-positive biochemically normal individuals.

This study aimed to determine the occurrence of Mannheimiahaemolytica, Pasteurella multocida and Mycoplasma spp., in relation to clinical signs of respiratory disease. Tracheobronchial lavage samples were collected from 96 (healthy and unhealthy) cattle in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Mycoplasma spp. (12.5 %) and Pasteurellamultocida (15.50 %) were the most prevalent species. Bacillus sp., Staphylococcus sp., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae were also isolated. Mollicutes (70.83 %), Mycoplasmabovis (2.94 %) and Mycoplasma dispar (38.23 %) were identified using conventional PCR. Submassive sound on acoustic percussion of the thorax was associated with the absence of Mollicutes (P=0.025). Whistling (P=0.076) and coarse crackle (P=0.046) were associated with the absence of Mycoplasma dispar. Clear sound on acoustic percussion of the thorax was associated with the absence of Mycoplasmabovis (P=0.007). Coughing was associated with the presence of Pasteurellamultocida [P=0.035; confidence interval (CI), 1.12-26.89], but its absence was associated with mucopurulent (P=0.0215; CI, 1.55-34.5) and mucoid nasal discharge (P=0.068; CI, 19-28.5), submassive sound (P=0.031; CI, 1.23-75.5), fine crackle (P=0.058; CI, 1.23-20.1) and coarse crackle (P=0.046; CI, 2.38-70.8). The high prevalence of Pasteurella multocida and Mycoplasma spp. in unhealthy calves increases the importance of these micro-organisms in the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases. This study increases the information about the role of Mycoplasma dispar in respiratory diseases. Differences in some species in relation to clinical signs can be applied as a presumptive diagnosis.

A ggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is associated with periodontal disease, especially localized aggressive periodontitis, produces a potent leukotoxin and its distribution is influenced by ethnic characteristics of the population.Objective:Using culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques, this study evaluated the occurrence of this microorganism and the distribution of leukotoxic strains isolated from Indians belonging to the Umutima Reservation, Mato Grosso, Brazil.Material and Methods:Forty-eight native Brazilians with gingivitis and 38 with chronic periodontitis, belonging to Umutina, Paresi, Bororo, Bakairi, Kayabi, Irantxe, Nambikwara and Terena ethnicities, were studied. Subgingival, supragingival and saliva samples of each patient were collected and transferred to VMGA III medium and to ultra pure Milli Q water. Bacteria were grown on TSBV agar and incubated in anaerobiosis (90% N2 + 10% CO2) at 37°C for 72 h. The presence of the ltx promoter was determined by PCR, and a 530 bp deletion in the promoter was evaluated by using specific primers.Results: A. actinomycetemcomitans was isolated from 8.33% of saliva, supragingival and subgingival samples from patients with gingivitis and from 18.42% of saliva and supragingival biofilm, and 26.32% subgingival biofilm from patients with chronic periodontitis. By PCR, the bacterial DNA was detected in 8.33% of saliva, supragingival and subgingival biofilms from patients with gingivitis and from 23.68% of saliva, 28.95% supragingival biofilm and 34.21% subgingival biofilm from patients with periodontitis. All strains were grouped as non-JP2 clones based on the absence of deletion in the leukotoxin promoter. Differences among the microbial and clinical parameters in patients were analyzed by using the Mann-Whitney, Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests.Conclusions:The present results suggest that A. actinomycetemcomitans can be related to the attachment loss in this population, but the presence of minimally leukotoxic strains, as well as its role in the pathogenesis of the periodontitis in these native Brazilians need to be further investigated.

Objective: To assess knowledge on fibromyalgia in a sample of patients, their families, and professionals interested on the theme from some Brazilian states. Methods: Analysis of the results of an electronic fibromyalgia knowledge questionnaire completed by 362 adults who had access to the the support group for fibromyalgia site (www.unifesp. br/grupos/fibromialgia). The answers were grouped according to age, sex, years of schooling, and type of interest in the condition. Results: 92% of the responders were women and 62% had higher educational level. The worst results were observed in the "joint protection and energy conservation" domain, followed by the "medication in fibromyalgia" domain. The best results were recorded in the "exercises in fibromyalgia" domain. The answers differed significantly between sexes, and women achieved a higher percentage of correct answers. The female sex accounted for a statistically superior result in five statistical analyses (four questions and one domain). Conclusions: The study suggests the need for a strategic planning for an educational approach to fibromyalgia in Brazil.

Background: It has long been established that obesity plays a positive role against osteoporosis (OP) and lowimpact fractures (Fx). However, more recent data has shown higher fracture risk in obese individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between BMI, particularly obesity, OP and low-impact Fx in Brazilian women, as well as to evaluate the SAPORI (Sao Paulo Osteoporosis Risk Index) tool performance to identify low BMD according BMI category. Methods: A total of 6182 women aged over 40 years were included in this cross-sectional analysis using data from two large Brazilian studies. All participants performed hip and spine bone mineral density (BMD) measurements and answered a detailed questionnaire about the presence of clinical risk factors (CRFs) related to low BMD and risk fractures. The World Health Organization (WHO) criteria were used to define obesity. Results: Age-adjusted osteoporosis prevalence was 20.8, 33.6, 47 and 67.1% in obese, overweight, normal and underweight category, respectively. Obesity was present in 29,6% (1.830 women) in the study population and the likelihood of osteoporosis and low-impact Fx compared to a normal BMI in this subgroup was of 0.24 (95% CI 0.20-0.28; p < 0.001) and of 1.68 (95% CI 1.35-2.11; p < 0.001), respectively. However, the hip Fx likelihood was lower in obese compared with non-obese women (OR = 0.44; 95% CI 0.20-0.97). Using an originally validated cutoff , the SAPORI tool sensitivity was significantly hampered in overweight and obese women although the accuracy had remained suitable because of increasing in specificity. Conclusions: The osteoporosis prevalence reduced as BMI increased and obesity was associated with low-impact Fx, regardless of the BMD measurements. Moreover, the SAPORI performance was impaired in obese women.