This study had the objective of assessing the genetic divergence in giant missionary grass (Axonopus jesuiticus x A. scoparius) germplasm based on morphological and agronomic traits. Five accessions were evaluated in the field: V14337, V14403, V14404, V14405 and V14406. Three contrasting groups were formed using the UPGMA clustering method: V14337 and V14404 formed one group, V14403 and V14405 formed another, and V14406 was isolated from the other accessions. The most striking traits for the identification of the accessions were the height of the plant and the change color of the leaf. Only V14406 accession had purplish green leaves. The other four accessions differed with regards to plant height and dry matter production, with superiority of V14337 and V14404 accessions. The high similarity, as assessed by the mean Euclidean distance, suggests that V14337 and V14404 share the same genotype. The genotypic variability among accessions indicates their potential use in breeding programs.

A 64-year-old man was referred to internal medicine consultation with a 6-month history of anorexia, weight loss (22 % of body weight) and progressive pain in the abdomen radiating to the lower back. He had a past strong medical history of cardiovascular disease with systemic hypertension, coronary disease and open surgical repair of a ruptured ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm 4 years before. Relevant medical background also included two episodes of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in the last year. On physical examination there was an abdominal pulsatile mass. Initial laboratory findings showed microcytic anemia (8.9 g/dL; N 12-13 g/dL), elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (133mm 1st hour; N<20mm 1st hour) and C-reactive protein (13 mg/dL; N<5 mg/L), and renal dysfunction (creatinine 2.8 mg/dL; N<1 mg/dL) without proteinuria or red blood cells casts. The serum proteinogram showed polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia with raised level of IgG (1945 mg/dl) but normal serum IgG4 concentrations. Serological testing for EBV, CMV, HSV, parvovirus B19, HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis and tuberculosis skin testing were negative. Immunological studies revealed persistent high levels of IgM anticardiolipin (aCL) antibody (159.5 MPL, positive >11) and IgM β2-glycoprotein (B2G) antibody (168 U/mL, positive >11), with negative lupus anticoagulant, measured on two occasions 4 months apart. Workup for other autoimmune disorders was unremarkable, including negative anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies and antinuclear antibody panel. A thoracoabdominal computed tomography (CT) scan was made and showed an aneurysm of the infrarenal abdominal aorta with 4.1 cm in diameter and bilateral hydronephrosis ( figure 1 -C). In addition, there was a 'sleeve' of abnormal material of soft tissue density surrounding the right brachiocephalic trunk, aortic arch, descending aorta, abdominal aorta and common iliac arteries (Figure 1 -A and 1-B AbstractChronic periaortitis (CP) is a rare fibro-inflammatory disease characterized by periaortic fibrosis and/or aortic aneurysms formation, mostly localized in retroperitoneum and occasionally in the mediastinum. Recent studies have shown its common association with autoimmune diseases, therefore autoimmunity has been proposed as a contributing factor. Herein, we describe the second case in the literature of CP associated with antiphospholipid syndrome. A 64-year-old man with history of open surgery for inflammatory thoracic aortic aneurysm and recurrent deep vein thrombosis was referred for abdominal pain and weight loss in the last 6 months. Further investigation revealed elevated acute-phase reactant levels, positive antiphospholipid autoantibodies, radiological and histological evidence of periaortic fibrosis and inflammation causing abdominal aortic aneurysm and ureteral obstruction. Diagnosis of CP and antiphospholipid syndrome were made and steroid therapy was implemented with clinical and radiological improvement. The present report further supports the potentially immune-mediated origin of ...

Background: hypothyroidism is a disease of clinical importance that causes multisystem disorders, which can be confused with other endocrinopathies. Rapid and accurate diagnosis is necessary in order to avoid worsening of the clinical manifestation. The use of drugs in a wrong way can directly imply the difficulty of the diagnostic approach, since they may causechanges in the biochemical profiles, which are of great importance as markers in diseases of animals with low thyroid function.Case: The case reports a German Spitz male, one year old and six months old, neutered, who presented bilateral do not cause itching alopecia, being treated by another professional for endocrine and fungal affections. In this same medical appointment were neglected biochemical and hematological profile exams. The exams that had been performed were skin scrapings,which showed growth of fungi and bacteria, besides the measurement of thyroid hormones as TSH, T4L (T4 free) e T3, and also the low-dose dexamethasone suppression test. Based on the findings the therapy instituted by such professional was the administration of itraconazole (ITL®), levothyroxine sodium (compounded drugs) and trilostane (compounded drugs). With absence of clinical improvement, the guardian came to the hospital veterinary, in search of a second diagnostic opinion, where during the collection of information at the time of the anamnesis the patient presented lethargy, drowsiness and absence of hair on both sides. During the clinical examination, the animal presented mild bradycardia and a slightly diminished rectal temperature; in the dermatological evaluation the presence of pup pelt, cutaneous hyperpigmentation and hair thinning in the abdominal area were noted. From this evaluation, hematological exams were requested, which had altered the presence of lymphocytosis, and biochemical tests, where changes in the cholesterol and triglyceride levels were expected, but they were within the normal range. Hormone measurement showed decreased TSH and T4L levels within the reference range. Thyroid ultrasonography demonstrated a hypoplastic gland, while the assessment of abdominal organs were preserved. Based on this, the new therapy instituted was the increase of levothyroxine sodium (Puran®) dose with the withdrawal of other drugs that were being administered to the patient. Over the course of five months, the tutor returned because of lack of improvement in the condition, where he returned to present symptoms such as drowsiness, apathy and indisposition. Thus, a new battery of tests was requested, where the biochemical and hormonal parameters were within the normal range. Due to TSH being within normal, it was decided to change the medication for another version of human levothyroxine sodium (Synthroid®), which has been presenting satisfactory results so far.Discussion: In cases of patients, even when young, when they present bilateral symmetrical alopecia, complementary exams such as scraping of the skin and hair, trichrome and fungal culture, together with hemogram and biochemical profile, are necessary for discarding of endocrinopathies other than hypothyroidism. Treatments instituted with drugs such as trilostan cause changes in laboratory tests, which may make diagnosis difficult. Treatment with levothyroxine sodium expected in patients with hypothyroidism, and serum TSH and T4L levels should be monitored for evaluation of treatment efficacy. The present study demonstrated that the inadequate treatment made diagnosis difficult due to hematological andbiochemical alterations.Keywords: alopecia, dog, endocrine dermatopathy, hypothyroidism, levothyroxine, trilostane.