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Demyelinating leucoencephalomyelitis (DLEM) is one of the pathological presentations of canine distemper, but its histological characteristics and topographical distribution of spinal cord injuries have been poorly explored. Seventeen dogs submitted for necropsy to a veterinary pathology service (2006-2008) and diagnosed with distemper-associated DLEM were investigated. Seventy-two of 231 spinal cord sections from these animals had histological lesions, which consistently affected the white matter. The lumbosacral region was mostly affected (13/17), followed by the thoracolumbar (11/17), cervical (9/17) and cervicothoracic (9/17) regions. Among the 72 affected cord sections, lesions in the lateral (42/72) and dorsal funiculi (31/72) were the most common. Demyelination (17/17), astrocytosis (17/17), microgliosis (17/17), gemistocytes (11/17) and non-suppurative inflammation (10/17) were frequently seen in the white matter. Grey matter changes were less common, and included gliosis (8/17), non-suppurative inflammation (7/17) and malacia (5/17). Acute lesions were most prevalent (13/17) but it was common (10/17) for the same dog to have lesions at different stages of evolution in distinct spinal cord regions. Pathological changes in several spinal cords did not correlate with the reported clinical signs and some dogs did not present with spinal cord-related clinical signs. Our results highlight important aspects of the distribution and morphology of spinal cord lesions in dogs with distemper-associated DLEM, and may assist clinicians and pathologists in the diagnosis of spontaneous cases of this important infectious disease and contribute to further studies concerning distemper pathogenesis.

The Single Prolonged Stress protocol is considered a model for PTSD, as it induces long lasting changes in rat behaviour and endocrine regulation. Previous work demonstrated that some of these changes can be prevented by treatment with the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU486, administered a week after the stressor. The current study evaluated the effects of an earlier intervention with RU486, as evaluated 1 week after SPS-exposure. Most RU486 effects occurred independent of prior stress, except for the reversal of a stress-induced increase in locomotor behaviour. The accompanying changes in gene expression depended on gene, brain region, and time. DNA methylation of the robustly down-regulated Fkbp5 gene was dissociated of changes in mRNA expression. The findings reinforce the long term effects of GR antagonist treatment, but also emphasize the need to evaluate changes over time to allow the identification of robust correlates between gene expression and behavioural/endocrine outcome of stressful experiences.

Background Stressors activate a wide spectrum of interacting hormonal and neuronal systems resulting in behavioral and physiological responses, with consequences for the development of psychopathology. Several recent studies demonstrated that treatment with the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist RU486 during adulthood normalized effects of early life stress. We aimed to evaluate the potential of RU486 to reverse stress-induced changes in an animal model of adult stress. Method We employed the single-prolonged stress (SPS) model as a multimodal stress exposure protocol in male rats. SPS rats and unstressed controls were treated with RU486 on days 8, 9, 10 after stress exposure and the effects of treatment were evaluated after another 4 days. We determined body weight gain, corticosterone levels, behavioral reactivity in anxiety tests, and brain gene expression of c-fos, corticosteroid receptors, drivers of the stress response and genes (epi-)genitally linked to PTSD. Results RU486 affected body weight gain, corticosterone levels and open field behavior only in SPS rats. RU486 had history-independent effects in reducing fear in the elevated plus maze and fear conditioning behavior. Gene expression analysis showed a diversity of in- and interdependent effects of stress and RU486. Conclusion The effects of RU486 applied 1 week after stress and measured 4 days after treatment demonstrate that in the state of post-SPS the GR-dependence of homeostatic processes has changed. This suggests that GR-mediated processes are part of allostatic regulation after adult stress. The normalization of a number of SPS-effects after RU486 treatment reinforces the potential of targeting GR for treatment of stress-related psychopathologies.

Oral lesions are common problems in feline medicine worldwide, and may be associated with different causes, such as infectious agents. There are only a few studies reporting the chief oral diseases and the results for retrovirus tests in shelter cats in Brazil, especially in the South region. This study aimed to identify the main inflammatory oral lesions in shelter cats and verify the test results for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infections. Forty-three felines from private shelters in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul state (RS) that presented clinically evident oral lesions, regardless of age, breed, sex, and neuter status, were used in this survey. Serological tests for FIV and FeLV were performed in all cats, and data regarding the rearing system were collected. Sixteen cats (37.2%) were reared in a free system, whereas 27 (62.8%) were kept under a restrict system. Of the 43 cats with oral lesions, 29 (67.44%) presented only one type of lesion, characterized as periodontitis (n=22, 51.16%), followed by gingivitis (n=6, 13.95%), and stomatitis (n=1, 2.32%). Concomitant stomatitis and periodontitis were found in the 14 remaining cats (100%). With respect to the test results for retrovirus infections, nine (20.93%) of the 43 felines were positive for FIV alone. Co-infection with both viruses was observed in seven cats (16.28%). No cat was seropositive for FeLV valone. None of the six cats that presented gingivitis was positive for FIV and FeLV; one cat with stomatitis was positive for FIV and FeLV; of the 22 cats with periodontitis, six (27.27%) were FIV positive and two (9.09%) were FIV/FeLV positive; and of the 14 cats that presented stomatitis and periodontitis, three (21.43%) were FIV positive and four (28.57%) were FIV/FeLV positive. As for diagnosis, 28 cats (65.1%) presented solely periodontal disease (PD), one cat (2.32%) had feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCG) alone, and 14 (32.5%) had both PD and FCG. The results obtained show that the main oral lesions found in shelter cats in the central region of RS were gingivitis, stomatitis, and periodontitis. Periodontitis, in association or not with stomatitis, was the most frequently observed oral cavity lesion in FIV- and/or FeLV-positive cats. Other factors may contribute to installation of inflammatory oral diseases in shelter cats because most cats with oral cavity lesions tested negative for retrovirus infections. RESUMO: As afecções orais são problemas comuns em medicina felina em diferentes locais do mundo e podem estar relacionadas a diferentes causas, como agentes infecciosos. Poucos estudos foram encontrados no Brasil sobre o levantamento das principais doenças orais e dos resultados de testes para retrovírus em gatos de abrigos, principalmente na região Sul. Diante disso, o objetivo deste artigo foi identificar as principais afecções orais inflamatórias em gatos de abrigos e verificar os resultados dos testes para o vírus da imunodeficiência felina (FIV) e o vírus da leucemia felina (FeLV). Foram incluídos 43 felinos provenientes de abrigos privados localizados na região central do Rio Grande do Sul (RS) que apresentavam lesões orais clinicamente evidentes, independente de idade, raça, gênero e estado reprodutivo. Em todos os gatos foram realizados testes sorológicos para FIV e FeLV e obtidas informações referentes ao sistema de criação. Em 16 gatos (37,2%), o sistema de criação era livre, enquanto em 27 (62,8%) era restrito. Dos 43 gatos com lesões orais, em 29 (67,44%) foi verificado somente um tipo de lesão, caracterizado como periodontite (n=22, 51,16%), seguido de gengivite (n=6, 13,95%) e estomatite (n=1, 2,32%). Lesões concomitantes de estomatite e periodontite foram encontradas nos 14 gatos (100%) restantes. Quanto aos resultados dos testes para retrovírus, nove (20,93%) dos 43 felinos testados, foram positivos somente para FIV. Em sete gatos (16,28%) foi observada coinfecção pelos dois vírus. Em nenhum gato foi observado soropositividade somente para FeLV. Dos seis gatos com gengivite, nenhum foi positivo para FIV e FeLV; um gato com estomatite foi positivo para FIV e FeLV; dos 22 gatos com periodontite, seis (27,27%) foram FIV positivos e dois (9,09%) FIV/FeLV positivos; e dos 14 com estomatite e periodontite, três (21,43%) foram FIV positivos e quatro (28,57%) FIV/FeLV positivos. Quanto ao diagnóstico, em 28 gatos (65,1%) foi observada somente doença periodontal (DP), em um (2,32%) somente gengivoestomatite crônica felina (GECF) e em 14 gatos (32,5%) DP e GECF. Diante dos resultados obtidos, pode-se concluir que as principais lesões orais encontradas em gatos de abrigos da região central do RS foram gengivite, estomatite e periodontite; a periodontite associada ou não a estomatite foi a lesão oral mais frequente nos gatos positivos para FIV e/ou FeLV. Acredita-se que outros fatores possam contribuir na instalação de doenças orais em gatos de abrigos, já que houve predomínio de gatos com resultados negativos nos testes para os retrovírus.

Early life stress (ELS) is associated with a higher risk of psychopathologies in adulthood, such as depression, which may be related to persistent changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ELS on the functioning of the HPA axis in clinical and experimental situations. Clinically, patients with current depressive episodes, with and without ELS, and healthy controls, composed the sample. Subjects took a capsule containing placebo, fludrocortisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone or spironolactone followed by an assessment of plasma cortisol the morning after. Experimentally, male Wistar rats were submitted to ELS protocol based on variable, unpredictable stressors from postnatal day (P) 1 to P21. On P65 animals were behaviorally evaluated through the forced swimming test (FST). At P68, pharmacological challenges started, using mifepristone, dexamethasone, spironolactone or fludrocortisone, and corticosterone levels were determined 3 hours after injections. Cortisol response of the patients did not differ significantly from healthy subjects, regardless of their ELS history, and it was lower after fludrocortisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone compared to placebo, indicating the suppression of plasma cortisol by all these treatments. Animals exposed to ELS presented altered phenotype as indicated by an increased immobility time in the FST when compared to control, but no significant long-lasting effects of ELS were observed on the HPA axis response. Limitations on the way the volunteers were sampled may have contributed to the lack of ELS effects on the HPA axis, pointing out the need for further research to understand these complex phenomena Significance statement Early life stress (ELS) is associated with a higher risk of psychopathologies in adulthood, including depression, which seems related to persistent changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. We evaluated the effects of ELS on the functioning of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis combining clinical and experimental approaches, challenging GR and MR receptors with agonists and antagonists. Cortisol response of depressive patients did not differ from healthy subjects, regardless of their ELS history. Animals submitted to ELS presented altered behavior, as increased immobility time in the forced-swimming test, but no effects were observed in response to GR and MR challenges. It provides insights into the complexity of HPA axis-related mechanisms involved in the long-lasting consequences of ELS in both experimental animals and humans.

In this paper we established a distinction between the various terms used to characterize clusters of firms. Once in the literature, we identified that the terms, Local Productive Arrangements (LPA) and Local Production Systems (LPS) are used interchangeably. However, these terminologies refer to different stages of development of territorial agglomerations of firms. In the same way, the agglomeration of businesses belonging to a same production chain in a particular region would not necessarily characterize an LPA or LPS. The aim of this paper was to demonstrate the need to combine methods and variables to draw a more accurate and comprehensive territorial productive situation allowing the classification of clusters according to their stage of development and institutional structure. For that purpose, the strength of cooperation between local professionals was considered as a major factor, which creates a competitive advantage that requires exogenous interests to make use of the endogenous capabilities strategically developed and cultivated.

O presente artigo foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de verificar se órgãos reguladores de atividades de transporte público podem induzir processos de inovação. Para tanto, foi analisada a criação, desenvolvimento e implantação do sistema de bilhetagem eletrônica em três cidades e uma região metropolitana do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. A pesquisa de campo compreendeu entrevistas com gestores das empresas de transporte, associações de transportadores e representantes do Poder Concedente e análise documental para levantamento histórico do setor e da legislação específica para a bilhetagem eletrônica. A pesquisa de campo resultou em dados de natureza qualitativa que foram analisados com a aplicação da análise de conteúdo. As considerações finais apontam que o sistema de bilhetagem possui características inovadoras pelas melhorias e novas combinações proporcionadas pelo mesmo, além do Poder Concedente constituir-se como agente indutor de inovação.

Resumo: Considerando-se o aumento da complexidade no cenario competitivo, a palavra-chave da era pos-industrial e inovacao que, para ser alcancada, exige novas estrategias, capacidades e competencias. Diante deste cenario, o presente estudo compreendeu a analise das melhorias obtidas com a implementacao do sistema de bilhetagem na Regiao Metropolitana de Porto Alegre no intuito de verificar se as melhorias proporcionadas pela bilhetagem eletronica possuem caracteristicas que a definam como uma inovacao. Foram coletados dados de natureza qualitativa por entrevistas e analise documental, referentes a fatores circunstanciados em processos eletronicos de controle de passagens de transporte coletivo urbano nas cidades abrangidas pela pesquisa. A pesquisa baseou-se no modelo teorico sobre inovacao de forma a nortear as atividades de investigacao descritas. Constatou-se que os efeitos caracteristicos de uma inovacao estao em consonância com os resultados da bilhetagem nos casos analisados, fazendo deste sistema uma forma de se alcancar a inovacao. Seguindo os preceitos escolhidos para este trabalho, e pertinente reforcar que foram considerados inovadores os efeitos causados pela bilhetagem e nao o sistema em si, pois a bilhetagem e um meio para se alcancar a inovacao e nao uma inovacao per se . Palavras-chave: inovacao em servicos;bilhetagem eletronica; transporte publico.

In this paper we established a distinction between the various terms used to characterize clusters of firms. Once in the literature, we identified that the terms, Local Productive Arrangements (LPA) and Local Production Systems (LPS) are used interchangeably. However, these terminologies refer to different stages of development of territorial agglomerations of firms. In the same way, the agglomeration of businesses belonging to a same production chain in a particular region would not necessarily characterize an LPA or LPS. The aim of this paper was to demonstrate the need to combine methods and variables to draw a more accurate and comprehensive territorial productive situation allowing the classification of clusters according to their stage of development and institutional structure. For that purpose, the strength of cooperation between local professionals was considered as a major factor, which creates a competitive advantage that requires exogenous interests to make use of the endogenous capabilities strategically developed and cultivated. En este artículo, fue establecida una diferenciación entre los términos más utilizados para caracterizar las aglomeraciones de empresas. Es posible identificar en la literatura la utilizacióndelos términosCluster, Arreglo Productivo Local (APL) y Sistemas Locales de Producción e Innovación (SLPIs) como similares, sin embargo, talesnomenclaturas se refieren a diferentes etapas de desarrollo de las aglomeraciones territoriales de empresas, resaltando, incluso, que la sencilla aglomeración de empresas de una misma cadena productiva en una región determinada, no necesariamente caracteriza un APL o SLPI. El objetivo de este trabajo fue demostrar la necesidad de conjugar métodos y variables para trazar un cuadro más preciso de la situación productiva territorial, permitiendo la clasificación de los aglomerados de empresas de acuerdo a la etapa de desarrollo. Se observó, como factor preponderante, la fuerza de la cooperación entre los actores locales como formadora de una ventaja competitiva que imponea los intereses exógenos el aprovechamiento de las potencialidades endógenas desarrolladas y estratégicamente cultivadas en aglomeraciones en etapas más desarrolladas. Nesse artigo, foi estabelecida uma diferenciação entre os termos mais utilizados para caracterizar as aglomerações de empresas. É possível identificar na literatura a utilização dos termos Cluster, Arranjo Produtivo Local (APL) e Sistemas Locais de Produção e Inovação (SLPIs) como similares, no entanto, tais nomenclaturas referem-se a diferentes estágios de desenvolvimento das aglomerações territoriais de empresas, ressaltando, inclusive, que a simples aglomeração de empresas de uma mesma cadeia produtiva em uma determinada região não necessariamente caracteriza um APL ou SLPI. O objetivo desse artigo foi demonstrar a necessidade de conjugar métodos e variáveis para traçar um quadro mais preciso da situação produtiva territorial, permitindo a classificação dos aglomerados de empresas em acordo estágio de desenvolvimento. Observou-se, como fator preponderante, a força da cooperação entre os atores locais como formadora de uma vantagem competitiva que impõe aos interesses exógenos o aproveitamento das potencialidades endógenas desenvolvidas e estrategicamente cultivadas em aglomerações em estágios mais desenvolvidos.DOI:10.5585/riae.v11i1.1745