RESUMO As preguiças são mamíferos arborícolas, bem específicos quanto aos hábitos e à morfofisiologia. Essa condição faz delas ainda mais vulneráveis aos impactos ambientais. Com o objetivo de fornecer informações que auxiliem na clínica médico-cirúrgica desses Xenarthras, realizou-se um estudo do arco aórtico e da artéria aorta torácica, a fim de se identificarem seus principais ramos. Foram utilizados 10 animais da espécie Bradypus variegatus, sendo uma fêmea e três machos submetidos a dissecação, por meio da qual foram obtidas medidas de diâmetro e comprimento dos vasos, enquanto três fêmeas e três machos destinaram-se à técnica de radiografia digital com contraste. Constatou-se uma sintopia uniforme do arco, bem como da porção descendente da artéria aorta no tórax. No entanto, a topografia difere consideravelmente. Com base nos ramos, percebeu-se, independentemente do sexo, uma maior variação naqueles originados do arco e dos que emergem da artéria aorta torácica e irrigam estruturas medianas e do antímero direito do tórax. Foram obtidos valores maiores para o diâmetro das artérias na fêmea do que nos machos e, para o comprimento da artéria aorta torácica, foram encontrados valores correspondentes em ambos. Toda essa variação dos bradipodídeos apresenta diferenças em relação a outros mamíferos.

Background: The chemodectoma is a rare neoplasm that originates from chemoreceptors located mainly in the aortic body, and carotid body and sinus, and responsible for detecting variations in blood pH, oxygen pressure and carbon dioxide. Dogs of brachiocephalic breeds and aged between 7 and 15 years have greater propensity. A neoplasm involves infiltrative growth in the vessels at the heart base, which leads to Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). The definitive diagnosis is performed by histopathological and/or immunohistochemical examination. The aim was to report a case of chemiodectoma in a dog, showed the disease clinical characteristics.Case: A 13-year-old male undefined breed dog was examinated in the medical clinic of small animal of Veterinary Hospital, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE) with respiratory effort, hyporexia, and edema in face, cervical, ventral thorax and thoracic limbs, with thirty days evoluted. About physical examination, we observed cachexia, orthopneic position, cyanosis and edema with a positive Godet sign, as well as 8% dehydration degree. Thoracic auscultation presented mixed dyspnea and muffled heart sounds. Chest radiography detected an radiopacity increase in pulmonary section and metastatic neoplastic process associated with pleural and pericardial effusion. Fluid therapy with lactated ringer and posterior thoracentesis in the right hemithorax region was performed for greater respiratory comfort for the patient. Hematological count and biochemical profiles stated normochromic normocytic anemia, relative and absolute lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, as well as increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The patient died after 12 hours when was submitted to necroscopic examination and histopathological evaluation. An infiltrative tumor of cardiac base was observed invading the light of the right atrium, obstructing the venous return, as well as a large thrombus located in the left ventricle and diffuse nodules in the lungs. Hydrothorax and hydroperitoneum were observed with serous fluid, with hepatic, renal and brain congestion, and duodenum hemorrhage. Histologically, the tumor was characterized as a chemodectoma with pulmonary metastasis.Discussion: Cardiac tumors are uncommon for canine population. A study sampled 729,265 dogs with observed incidence reaching 0.19%. The most common type is hemangiosarcoma with 69%, followed by chemiodectoma and lymphoma. Authors describe predisposed brachycephalic breeds such as Boxer, Boston Terrier and French Bulldog. In our case, the patient had elongated snout and undefined breed. Deregulation of chemoreceptors, which detect changes in pH and partial oxygen and carbon dioxide pressures, can result in hyperpnea and dyspnoea. Edema represents a deficit in venous return from the cranial and cervical regions, with consequent increase in hydrostatic pressure and liquid leakage into the thoracic cavity and subcutaneous tissue, thus inferring the Caudal Vena Cava Syndrome (CVCS). Tumors from the cardiac base, integrated with the large arteries insertion and adjacent to the atria, can cause pericardial effusion observed in this case. Chemodectomas are described as essentially benign tumors with low metastatic potential. In this case, pulmonary metastasis was detected. Surgical treatment is recommended when feasible. In this case, the patient had late veterinary care, in addition to the contraindication for surgery by the lung metastasis presence.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical-chemical properties and microbiological quality of Ultra-high temperature (UHT) whole milk marketed in Pernambuco state, Brazil. In total, 390 samples of UHT whole milk were purchased from commercial establishments located in the mesoregions of Pernambuco, and transported to the Laboratory of Meat and Milk Inspection at the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco. The physical-chemical analyses and the microbiological evaluations were carried out in order to meet specific legislative mandates. All 13 brands tested met the determined physical-chemical standards. However, it was found that 105 (26.9%) samples did not meet microbiological standards. It is important to highlight the need for further development of integrated actions involving the inspection bodies and the processing plants, in order to adjust the product to the quality standards established in the legislation, respecting the rights and health of consumers.