ABSTRACT
A laminite endocrinopática tem acometido um número crescente de equinos com sinais de obesidade. Em um estudo recente com fêmeas jovens (até cinco anos) da raça Campolina, demonstraram-se indícios de alterações no dígito, ainda discretas, aparentemente associadas ao aumento da adiposidade. Com a hipótese de que essa associação é mais evidente em animais em faixa etária superior, o objetivo do presente estudo foi estudar éguas adultas (acima de cinco anos) da raça Campolina com e sem obesidade, avaliando-se radiograficamente a relação espacial entre estojo córneo e falange distal. Foram utilizadas 27 éguas entre seis e 14 anos de idade, sendo analisadas variáveis de adiposidade e medidas radiográficas dos cascos dos membros torácicos de equinos com escore corporal de 5 a 7/9 (grupo controle) e de 8 a 9 (grupo obeso). Foram feitas comparações entre os grupos e correlacionaram-se as variáveis de adiposidade com variáveis casco. A distância de afundamento da falange distal foi cerca de 20% superior nas éguas obesas (12,3±2,5 contra 10,2±2,2mm no grupo controle). Esse parâmetro também correlacionou (P<0,01) com vários parâmetros de adiposidade, com destaque para o escore de condição corporal (r=0,47) e a circunferência de pescoço a 75% (r=0,42). Os resultados corroboram estudos prévios que demonstraram associação entre obesidade e indícios de separação entre falange distal e estojo córneo em equinos de raças nacionais, comprovando, assim, a utilidade da avaliação radiográfica nesses animais. Em conclusão, éguas da raça Campolina com obesidade possuem alterações evidentes na relação espacial entre estojo córneo e falange distal, que se intensificam com o aumento da idade e da adiposidade.(AU)
In a recent study with young females (up to 5 years old) of the Campolina breed, there were discrete indications of alterations in the digit, apparently associated to the increase in adiposity. With the hypothesis that this association is more evident in horses in the upper age group, the objective was to study Campolina adult mares (above 5 years) with and without obesity, evaluating radiographically the spatial relationship between the horn and distal phalanx. Eighteen mares between six and fourteen years and with a body score of 5 to 7/9 (Control Group) and 8 to 9 (Obeso Group) were used. Adiposity and radiographic measurements from the forelimbs were analyzed. Comparisons were made between groups and adiposity variables were correlated with hoof variables. The sinking distance of the distal phalanx was about 20% higher in obese mares (12.3±2.5 versus 10.2±2.2mm). This parameter also correlated (P< 0.01) with several adiposity parameters, with emphasis on body score condition (r= 0.47) and neck circumference at 75% (r= 0.42). In conclusion, Campolina mares with obesity have obvious alterations in the spatial relation between the corneal and the distal phalanx, which get intense according to increases in age and adiposity.(AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Body Weights and Measures/veterinary , Toe Phalanges/anatomy & histology , Hoof and Claw/anatomy & histology , Horses/anatomy & histologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the renal function measured with either 99mTc-DTPA or 99mTc-EC dynamic scintigraphies with that measured using 99mTc-DMSA static scintigraphy. METHODS: the values of relative renal function measured in 111 renal dynamic scintigraphies performed either with 99mTc-DTPA (55 studies) or with 99mTc-EC (56 studies) were compared with the relative function measured using 99mTc-DMSA static scintigraphy performed within a 1-month period. The comparisons were performed using Wilcoxon signed rank test. The number of 99mTc-DTPA and 99mTc-EC studies that presented relative renal function different by more than 5 percent from that measured with 99mTc-DMSA, using chi square test were also compared. RESULTS: the relative renal function measured with 99mTc-EC is not statistically different from that measured with 99mTc-DMSA (p = 0.97). The relative renal function measured with 99mTc-DTPA was statistically different from that measured using 99mTc-DMSA, but with a borderline statistical significance (p = 0.05). The number of studies with relative renal function different by more than 5 percent from that measured with 99mTc-DMSA is higher for the 99mTc-DTPA scintigraphy (p = 0.04) than for 99mTc-EC. CONCLUSION: the relative renal function measured with 99mTc-EC dynamic scintigraphy is comparable with that measured with 99mTc-DMSA static scintigraphy, while the relative renal function measured with 99mTc-DTPA dynamic scintigraphy presents a significant statistical difference from that measured with 99mTc-DMSA static scintigraphy.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Middle Aged , Radiopharmaceuticals , Renal Artery Obstruction , Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted , Kidney Function Tests/methods , Reproducibility of Results , Radiopharmaceuticals/pharmacokinetics , /pharmacokinetics , /pharmacokineticsABSTRACT
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a worldwide leading cause of death. The standard method for evaluating critical partial occlusions is coronary arteriography, a catheterization technique which is invasive, time consuming, and costly. There are noninvasive approaches for the early detection of CAD. The basis for the noninvasive diagnosis of CAD has been laid in a sequential analysis of the risk factors, and the results of the treadmill test and myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS). Many investigators have demonstrated that the diagnostic applications of MPS are appropriate for patients who have an intermediate likelihood of disease. Although this information is useful, it is only partially utilized in clinical practice due to the difficulty to properly classify the patients. Since the seminal work of Lotfi Zadeh, fuzzy logic has been applied in numerous areas. In the present study, we proposed and tested a model to select patients for MPS based on fuzzy sets theory. A group of 1053 patients was used to develop the model and another group of 1045 patients was used to test it. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to compare the performance of the fuzzy model against expert physician opinions, and showed that the performance of the fuzzy model was equal or superior to that of the physicians. Therefore, we conclude that the fuzzy model could be a useful tool to assist the general practitioner in the selection of patients for MPS.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Coronary Artery Disease , Exercise Test , Fuzzy Logic , Patient Selection , Coronary Artery Disease/classification , Follow-Up Studies , Models, Theoretical , Perfusion , Risk Factors , Sensitivity and Specificity , Severity of Illness IndexABSTRACT
The objective of the present study was to translate the Kidney Disease Quality of Life - Short Form (KDQOL-SFÕ1.3) questionnaire into Portuguese to adapt it culturally and validate it for the Brazilian population. The KDQOL-SF was translated into Portuguese and back-translated twice into English. Patient difficulties in understanding the questionnaire were evaluated by a panel of experts and solved. Measurement properties such as reliability and validity were determined by applying the questionnaire to 94 end-stage renal disease patients on chronic dialysis. The Nottingham Health Profile Questionnaire, the Karnofsky Performance Scale and the Kidney Disease Questionnaire were administered to test validity. Some activities included in the original instrument were considered to be incompatible with the activities usually performed by the Brazilian population and were replaced. The mean scores for the 19 components of the KDQOL-SF questionnaire in Portuguese ranged from 22 to 91. The components "Social support" and "Dialysis staff encouragement" had the highest scores (86.7 and 90.8, respectively). The test-retest reliability and the inter-observer reliability of the instrument were evaluated by the intraclass correlation coefficient. The coefficients for both reliability tests were statistically significant for all scales of the KDQOL-SF (P < 0.001), ranging from 0.492 to 0.936 for test-retest reliability and from 0.337 to 0.994 for inter-observer reliability. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was higher than 0.80 for most of components. The Portuguese version of the KDQOL-SF questionnaire proved to be valid and reliable for the evaluation of quality of life of Brazilian patients with end-stage renal disease on chronic dialysis.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Kidney Failure, Chronic/psychology , Quality of Life , Surveys and Questionnaires/standards , Translating , Brazil , Cultural Characteristics , Kidney Failure, Chronic/therapy , Renal Dialysis , Reproducibility of ResultsABSTRACT
The extensor digitorum brevis manus is one of the rare anatomic variations which occur on the dorsum of the hand. Only some 295 articles were found worldwide in an extensive bibliographic review carried out in 2003. This muscle was dissected bilaterally on a male corpse at the Human Anatomy Laboratory of the Morphophysiological Department of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of Minas Gerais. It is an elongated, small muscle, originating at the carpal bones and at the extensor retinaculum and inserting into one of the tendons of the fingers extensor muscle. Even though it does not present an essential function in the movement of the fingers nor the hand, it can lead to pain when hypertrophied, creating the need for clinical or even surgical treatment.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Back , Back/physiology , Hand/anatomy & histology , Hand/pathology , Muscles/anatomy & histology , Cadaver , Diagnosis, Differential , DissectionABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Tibolone has estrogenic, androgenic and progestational effects and is used in post menopausal women. It apparently has weaker effects on endometrial proliferation and mammary stimulation than conventional hormone replacement therapy. AIM: To compare the metabolic effects of tibolone (5 mg/day) and continuous combined conjugated estrogens/medroxyprogesterone acetate in postmenopausal women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Postmenopausal women, aged 45 to 60 years old, receiving estradiol valerate and medroxyprogesterone were included in the study. After a two months wash out period, in a double blind fashion, they were randomly assigned to oral tibolone 5 mg/day or equine conjugated estrogens 0.625 mg + medroxiprogesterone acetate 2.5 mg/day (ECE/MPA). At baseline, 30 and 45 days of treatment, fasting serum osteocalcin, somatomedin C (IGF-1, insulin-like growth factor 1), growth hormone (GH), and follicle stimulating hormone and first morning urine calcium and creatinine were measured. RESULTS: Thirty women were studied. There was more than 50 per cent fall in urine calcium with either tibolone or ECE/MPA, while fasting GH or osteocalcin did not show significant changes. Serum IGF-1 increased significantly with tibolone at basal, 30 (+109 per cent) and 45 days of treatment and did not change in the ECE/MPA group. CONCLUSIONS: Tibolone (5 mg/day) and ECE/MPA induced a similar reduction in urinary calcium. Tibolone increased serum IGF-1 levels. This may be due to undetected increment of overall GH secretion or to a specific action or IGF-1 generation from the liver and appears to be a novel differential effect of tibolone.