Omentum as non-strangled inguino scrotal hernia content in stallion: case report / [Omento como conteúdo de hérnia inguino-escrotal não estrangulada em garanhão: relato de caso]

Non-strangulated acquired hernias in stallions are rare, especially when the herniated content is not intestinal loops. Thus, the aim of the current study is to describe a case of acquired non-strangulated inguinoscrotal hernia in a stallion, whose herniated content was the omentum. The patient was a Criollo stallion with history of rhabdomyolysis, laminitis and bilateral scrotal volume increase observed in the left scrotal region. The animal presented pain in both thoracic limbs, abnormal blood test, especially hypoproteinemia, and mild pain during palpation in the left inguinal ring region. Hydrocele secondary to hypoproteinemia was suspected. After admission, the animal showed signs of acute abdomen, which were clinically reversed. With this, the animal was subjected to ultrasound examination of the scrotal region, whose findings suggested non-strangulated inguinal hernia, although the content could not be identified. Surgical treatment was chosen in order to identify the herniated content and remove the left testicle. Access to the affected scrotum was performed, in which the presence of fluid and a portion of the omentum was observed surrounding the testis and adhering to it. The animal was discharged after he recovered from the surgery and from laminitis. During the breeding season, the stallion remained with a herd of mares for natural mating. After 15 months of surgery, the animal was reassessed and showed no active signs of inflammatory and degenerative processes in the remaining testis. On this occasion, a pregnancy diagnosis was also performed, and all the mares were pregnant. It is concluded that the presence of omentum as a herniated content does not represent a surgical emergency but can make the reproductive prognosis reserved. In addition, removal of the affected testicle can benefit the spermatogenesis of the remaining testicle.(AU)

As hérnias adquiridas não estranguladas em garanhões são raras, principalmente quando o conteúdo herniado não é de alças intestinais. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever um caso de hérnia inguino escrotal adquirida e não estrangulada em garanhão, cujo conteúdo herniado era composto pelo omento. Foi atendido um garanhão da raça Crioula com histórico de rabdomiólise, laminite e aumento de volume escrotal bilateral, evidenciado na região escrotal esquerda. O animal apresentava dor nos membros torácicos, alterações na avaliação sanguínea, destacando-se a hipoproteinemia, e demonstrava dor leve à palpação na região do anel inguinal esquerdo. Suspeitou-se de hidrocele secundária a hipoproteinemia. Após a internação, o animal apresentou sinais de abdômen agudo, revertidos clinicamente. Com isso, realizou-se ultrassonografia da região escrotal, cujos achados sugeriram hérnia inguinal não estrangulada, sem que o conteúdo pudesse ser identificado. Optou-se pelo tratamento cirúrgico, com o intuito de identificação do conteúdo herniado e remoção do testículo esquerdo. Foi realizado acesso à bolsa escrotal afetada, na qual se observou presença de líquido e de uma porção do omento envolvendo o testículo e aderido a ele. O animal recebeu alta após restabelecimento da cirurgia e da laminite. Na propriedade, durante temporada reprodutiva, o garanhão permaneceu com uma manada de éguas para realização de monta natural. Passados 15 meses da cirurgia, o animal foi reavaliado e não demonstrou sinais ativos de processo inflamatório e degenerativos no testículo remanescente. Nessa ocasião, também foi realizado diagnóstico de gestação e todas as éguas encontravam-se prenhes. Conclui-se que a presença de omento como conteúdo herniado não representa uma emergência cirúrgica, mas pode tornar o prognóstico reprodutivo reservado. Ainda, a remoção do testículo afetado pode trazer benefícios à espermatogênese do remanescente.(AU)

Ropivacaína isolada ou associada à metadona ou à morfina, pela via epidural, em cadelas submetidas à ovário-histerectomia / Ropivacaine sole or associated to methadone or morphine, by epidural route, in bitches undergoing ovariohysterectomy

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos fisiológicos, sedativos e analgésicos da administração peridural de ropivacaína isolada ou associada à morfina ou à metadona. Para tal, 24 cadelas submetidas à ovário-histerectomia receberam acepromazina, e a anestesia foi induzida e mantida com propofol e isoflurano (FiO2 = 1,0), respectivamente. De acordo com o protocolo peridural, formaram-se três grupos de igual número: GR (ropivacaína - 2,0mg/kg); GRMETA (ropivacaína - 2,0mg/kg e metadona - 0,3mg/kg) e GRMORF (ropivacaína - 2,0mg/kg e morfina - 0,1mg/kg). Registraram-se os parâmetros fisiológicos intraoperatórios e os graus de sedação e analgesia pós-operatórios. No GR constataram-se maiores médias de pressões arteriais 30 minutos após a anestesia epidural em relação ao GRMETA (sistólica e média) e ao final do procedimento cirúrgico comparativamente ao GRMORF (sistólica, diastólica e média). Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os grupos relativamente à analgesia e ao grau de sedação pós-operatórios. A administração epidural de ropivacaína é segura e eficaz e proporciona boa analgesia, independentemente da sua associação com morfina ou metadona.(AU)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological, sedative and analgesic effects of epidural administration of ropivacaine sole or associated to morphine or methadone. Twenty-four bitches were submitted to ovariohysterectomy and received acepromazine and after, propofol and isoflurane (FiO 2 = 1.0) for anesthesia induction and maintenance, respectively. Based on established epidural protocol (L7-S1), three groups were formed: GR (ropivacaine - 2.0mg/kg); GRMETA (ropivacaine - 2.0mg/kg and methadone - 0.3mg/kg) and GRMORF (ropivacaine - 2.0mg/kg and morphine - 0.1mg/kg). Intraoperative physiological parameters and degrees of postoperative sedation and analgesia were recorded. In the GR, the means of arterial pressures, 30 minutes after epidural anesthesia, were higher compared with GRMETA (systolic and mean) and, at the end of the clinical procedure, compared to GRMORF (systolic, diastolic and mean). Differences between groups were not observed for postoperative analgesia and degree of sedation. Epidural administration of ropivacaine is safe and effective and provides good analgesia regardless of its association with morphine or methadone.(AU)

Response of three digital anesthetic technics in horses with forelimb hoof lameness / Resposta de três técnicas anestésicas digitais em equinos com claudicação dos membros anteriores ligada ao casco

The presented study aimed to assess objectively the response of distal interphalangeal joint (DIJ), navicular bursa (NB) and deep digital flexor tendon sheath (DDFTS) anesthesia in horses with forelimb hoof lameness; and evaluate if the presence of radiographic abnormalities on navicular bone could interfere on blocks' results. Fifteen horses with lameness improvement above 70% after palmar digital nerve (PDN) block were selected for this study. Blocks were assessed separately on five consecutive trials at seven different time-points. The fifth trial was performed to evaluate the influence of exercise on preexisting lameness. Most of horses (73.33%) presented pain related to the podotrochlear apparatus based on clinical and lameness exam and blocks' responses. NB and DIJ anesthesia differed on the frequency of horses with lameness improvement above 70% only at 10min (p=0.03), and both differed from DDFTS block until 30'(p<0.05). The blocks' response was variable along the time and the highest means for NB, DIJ and DDFTS were observed at 5-10 minutes ('), 15-20' and 10-15' respectively.Exercise had low interference on lameness intensity since no improvement above 50% was observed and an increase on lameness intensity over time was identified in seven horses. Variable grades of navicular bone radiographic lesions were observed in 14 horses, although these lesions had no interference on blocks' response (p>0.05). The NB and DIJ blocks had similar responses and both were superior to DDFTS anesthesia, coincident with a major prevalence of podotroclear apparatus abnormalities in this equine population.(AU)

O presente estudo avaliou, de forma objetiva, as respostas do bloqueio da articulação interfalangeana distal (AID), da bursa do navicular (BN) e da bainha do tendão flexor digital profundo (BTFDP) em equinos com claudicação ligada ao casco nos membros torácicos; além de analisar a influência das alterações radiográficas do osso navicular no resultado dos bloqueios. Quinze cavalos, que apresentaram uma melhora da claudicação acima de 70% após o bloqueio do nervo digital palmar, foram selecionados para este estudo. Os bloqueios foram avaliados separadamente em cinco turnos consecutivos e em sete tempos diferentes. O quinto turno foi utilizado para analisar a influência do exercício sobre a claudicação preexistente. A maioria dos cavalos (73,33%) apresentou dor relacionada à porção palmar do casco, com base nos achados do exame clínico em movimento e nas respostas dos bloqueios. As anestesias da BN e da AID apresentaram diferença quanto à frequência de cavalos com melhora da claudicação acima de 70% apenas aos 10min (p=0.03), e ambos diferiram do bloqueio da BTFDP até os 30min (p<0.05). A resposta dos bloqueios foi variada ao longo do tempo, e as maiores médias de melhora da claudicação para os bloqueios BN, AID e BTFDP foram observadas aos 5-10min, 15-20min e 10-15min, respectivamente. O exercício teve pequena interferência na intensidade da claudicação, uma vez que nenhuma melhora acima de 50% foi observada e sete cavalos aumentaram a intensidade da claudicação ao longo do tempo. A presença de diferentes graus de lesão radiográfica do osso navicular foi observada em 14 cavalos, porém essas lesões não interferiram na resposta dos bloqueios (p>0,05). Os bloqueios da BN e da AID apresentaram respostas semelhantes, e ambos foram superiores ao bloqueio da BTFDP, coincidindo com uma marcada prevalência de doença do aparato podotroclear nesta população de equinos.(AU)

Impact or push-off lameness presentation is not altered by the type of track surface where horses are trotted / Claudicação de impacto ou elevação não é alterada pelo tipo de superfície onde os cavalos são troteados

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the track surface on which horses are examined, regarding the phase of lameness presentation. Ten horses with lameness in at least one limb were evaluated with wireless inertial sensors on three track surfaces (concrete, loose sand and grass). Six crossover track sequences were established. The variables vector sum, maximum and minimum height of the head and pelvis, variation coefficient of the maximum and minimum height of the head and pelvis were analyzed using ANOVA, followed by Tukey test to compare means between track surface and sequence, at 5% significance level. The lameness phase (impact or pushoff) was analyzed considering the proportion of affected animals. There were no differences on vector sum, maximum and minimum height or variation coefficient of head and pelvis. Difference was observed on the number of strides registered on sand compared to grass and concrete (p <0.0001) for fore and hindlimbs. Impact lameness on forelimbs was presented by a larger number of animals on the concrete surface; pushoff lameness was more evident on the grass surface. In the hindlimbs, impact lameness was more evident on the grass surface, while pushoff lameness was in greater number of animals on concrete surfaces. The track sequence on which horses were trotted during evaluation does not seem to be a factor, but the number of lame horses and the phase of lameness manifestation can vary between track surfaces, as some horses showed impact lameness on soft ground and elevation lameness on hard ground.

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a influência do tipo de superfície em que os cavalos são examinados em relação à fase de apresentação da claudicação. Dez cavalos com claudicação em pelo menos um dos membros foram avaliados com sensores inerciais sem fio em três tipos de superfície (concreto, areia e grama). Seis sequências de cruzamento de tipo de superfície foram estabelecidas. As variáveis soma vetorial, altura máxima e mínima da cabeça e da pélvis, o coeficiente de variação da altura máxima e mínima da cabeça e da pélvis foram analisadas utilizando uma Análise de Variância, seguida do teste de Tukey para comparação das médias entre tipos de superfície e sequências, a um nível de significância de 5%. A fase da claudicação (impacto ou elevação) foi analisada considerando a proporção de animais afetados. Não houve diferença na soma vetorial, altura máxima ou mínima e coeficiente de variação da altura máxima e mínima da cabeça e pélvis. Foi observada diferença no número de passos registrados na areia em comparação com grama e concreto (p <0,0001) para membros torácicos e pélvicos. Claudicação de impacto nos membros torácicos foi apresentada em um número maior de animais na superfície de concreto, já claudicação de elevação foi mais evidente na superfície de grama. Em membros pélvicos, a claudicação de impacto foi mais evidente na superfície de grama, enquanto claudicação de elevação esteve em maior número de animais na superfície de concreto. A sequência de superfícies em que os cavalos foram troteados durante a avaliação não foi um fator importante na manifestação da claudicação, mas o número de cavalos claudicantes e a fase de manifestação da claudicação podem variar entre as superfícies, visto que alguns cavalos mostraram claudicação de impacto em solo macio e claudicação de elevação em solo duro.

Possible benefit of consolidation therapy with high-dose cytarabine on overall survival of adults with non-promyelocytic acute myeloid leukemia

In adults with non-promyelocytic acute myeloid leukemia (AML), high-dose cytarabine consolidation therapy has been shown to influence survival in selected patients, although the appropriate doses and schemes have not been defined. We evaluated survival after calculating the actual dose of cytarabine that patients received for consolidation therapy and divided them into 3 groups according to dose. We conducted a single-center, retrospective study involving 311 non-promyelocytic AML patients with a median age of 36 years (16-79 years) who received curative treatment between 1978 and 2007. The 131 patients who received cytarabine consolidation were assigned to study groups by their cytarabine dose protocol. Group 1 (n=69) received <1.5 g/m2 every 12 h on 3 alternate days for up to 4 cycles. The remaining patients received high-dose cytarabine (≥1.5 g/m2 every 12 h on 3 alternate days for up to 4 cycles). The actual dose received during the entire consolidation period in these patients was calculated, allowing us to divide these patients into 2 additional groups. Group 2 (n=27) received an intermediate-high-dose (<27 g/m2), and group 3 (n=35) received a very-high-dose (≥27 g/m2). Among the 311 patients receiving curative treatment, the 5-year survival rate was 20.2% (63 patients). The cytarabine consolidation dose was an independent determinant of survival in multivariate analysis; age, karyotype, induction protocol, French-American-British classification, and de novo leukemia were not. Comparisons showed that the risk of death was higher in the intermediate-high-dose group 2 (hazard ratio [HR]=4.51; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.81-11.21) and the low-dose group 1 (HR=4.43; 95% CI: 1.97-9.96) than in the very-high-dose group 3, with no significant difference between those two groups. Our findings indicated that very-high-dose cytarabine during consolidation in adults with non-promyelocytic AML may improve survival.

Produção de biomassa aérea, teor e rendimento de extrato das folhas de crajiru [ Arrabidaea chica (Bonpl. ) B. Verl. ] em função de adubação orgânica em Manaus, estado do Amazonas, Brasil / Aerial biomass production, content and yield of crajiru leaf extract [Arrabidaea chica (Bonpl. ) B. Verl. ] as a function of organic fertilizer in Manaus, state of Amazonas, Brazil

RESUMO A espécie Arrabidaea chica pertencente à família Bignoniaceae é também conhecida popularmente como crajiru. É Utilizada tradicionalmente no tratamento de enfermidades da pele, inflamações, infecções, dentre outros. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produção de biomassa aérea, teor e rendimento de extrato de crajiru em função de diferentes fontes de adubo orgânico em Manaus, AM. As mudas foram formadas através de estacas e mantidas por 60 dias em casa de vegetação. O experimento foi conduzido em esquema fatorial 5x3 com delineamento em blocos casualizados onde os níveis dos fatores foram as diferentes fontes de adubo orgânico: composto (5,0 kg/m2), esterco de aves (3,0 kg/m2), casca de guaraná (4,0 kg/m2), esterco de gado (4,0 kg/m2) e controle (ausência), e os três morfotipos de crajiru. Obedeceu-se o espaçamento de 1,0x1,0 m entre planta e 2,0 m entre blocos. Após 240 dias foram avaliadas a produção de folhas e caules, relação folha/caule, teor de extratos hexânico concentrado em evaporador rotativo obtido pela fórmula: (massa do extrato/massa da amostra total)x100; e o rendimento de extrato estimado pela equação: (%extrato x massa seca total das folhas)/100. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias ao Teste de Tukey (p<0,05). As fontes de adubo orgânico promoveram melhor desenvolvimento das plantas de, exceto para o morfotipo 1. O esterco de aves proporcionou maior produção de biomassa, teor e rendimento de extratos. Dessa forma, sugere-se que a adubação orgânica propicia maior produção de biomassa, teor e rendimento de extratos de A. chica.

ABSTRACT The Arrabidaea chicaspecies belongs to the Bignoniaceae family and is also popularly known as crajiru. It is traditionally used to treat skin diseases, inflammations and infections. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biomass production, the content and the yield of crajiru extract in face of different sources of organic fertilizer in Manaus, AM. The seedlings were formed by cuttings and kept for 60 days in a greenhouse. The trial was conducted in a 5x3 factorial design with randomized block organization where the factor levels were different sources of organic fertilizer: compound (5.0 kg / m 2), chicken manure (3.0 kg / m 2), bark guarana (4.0 kg / m2), cattle manure (4.0 kg / m 2) and control (absence), and the three morphotypes of crajiru. It was obeyed the spacing between the plants (1,0 x1,0m) and the blocks (2,0m) . After 240 days it were evaluated the production of leaves and stems, the leaf / stem ratio, and the content of hexane extracts concentrated by rotary evaporation obtained by the following formula: (mass of extract / mass of total sample) x100; and the yield estimated by the equation extract: (% extract x total dry mass of leaves) / 100. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and means to the Tukey"s test (p <0.05). The sources of organic fertilizer promoted better development of plants, except for the morphotype 1. The poultry manure provided higher biomass, content and yield of extracts. Thus, it is suggested that the organic fertilizer provides greater biomass production, content and yield of A. chica extracts.

Perfil do conhecimento de cuidadores de pacientes pediátricos sobre medicamentos prescritos / Profile of the knowledge of pediatric patient caregivers about prescribed medicines

O raro contato entre os profissionais de saúde e o cuidador do paciente pediátrico, associado ao pouco tempo disponibilizado pelo profissional farmacêutico durante a dispensação, não são suficientes para a geração de informações significativas, podendo acarretar falhas no fluxo de informação e não adesão involuntária do paciente ao tratamento. O objetivo do trabalho foi coletar dados sobre o perfil do conhecimento dos cuidadores de pacientes pediátricos a respeito de medicamentos dispensados na Farmácia Ambulatorial do Hospital Infantil Albert Sabin (HIAS), com enfoque para os medicamentos do Componente Especializado da Assistência Farmacêutica nas especialidades de Neurologia e Pneumologia. Trata-se de um estudo prospectivo. A coleta de dados ocorreu entre novembro de 2007 e maio de 2008, utilizando-se um questionário semiestruturado. De acordo com os dados coletados, 87,7% (n=50) eram do gênero feminino; o grau de escolaridade, predominante, foi o ensino médio completo; a renda média familiar ficou compreendida entre um e dois salários mínimos, equivalente a 63,1% dos casos. As questões sobre informações sobre os medicamentos dispensados configuraram-se dessa forma: 12% desconhecem o nome do medicamento prescrito; 14% desconhecem a indicação do medicamento; 7% desconhecem como administrá-lo; 29,8% desconhecem o tempo de tratamento; 82,5% desconhecem o que é reação adversa a medicamento. Foram consideradas como respostas insatisfatórias aquelas que não foram condizentes com as informações contidas nas bulas e/ou receituários médicos dos medicamentos. A análise dos dados permitiu verificar que há, em relação à falta de informação dos entrevistados, dados significantes que podem comprometer a terapia, prejudicando a saúde do paciente.

The rare contacts between health professionals and adult caregivers of pediatric patients in a hospital outpatient pharmacy, together with the short time available during the dispensing, are insufficient to generate a meaningful flow of information, and can lead to an unintentional lack of patient compliance to the treatment. The objective of the study was to collect data on the profile of knowledge of pediatric patient caregivers, regarding medicines dispensed in the outpatient pharmacy at the Hospital Infantil Albert Sabin (a childrens hospital), focusing on those who obtain medicines from the Specialized Pharmaceutical Care component of the Public Health Service, in the specialties of Neurology and Pulmonology. This prospective study was based on data collected from November 2007 to May 2008, using a semi-structured questionnaire. According to the results, 87.7% of the caregivers (n = 50) were female; they were predominantly educated to high school level; the median family income was between one and two times the ?minimum wage? (inflation-adjusted official subsistence wage), 63.1% of incomes falling within this range(?). Questions of fact about the medication dispensed elicited the following profile of respondents? knowledge: 12% did not know the name of the drug, 14% the reason for taking the drug, 7% how to administer the medicine, 29.8% the treatment time and 82.5% did not know about adverse reactions to the medication. Answers considered unsatisfactory were those that were inconsistent with the information contained in the package inserts and / or medical prescriptions of the drugs. Data analysis showed that there was a significant lack of information among the respondents that could impair the adherence to drug therapy and affect patient health.

Diabetic retinopathy is associated with early autonomic dysfunction assessed by exercise-related heart rate changes

Diabetic retinopathy has been associated with cardiac autonomic dysfunction in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. Heart rate (HR) changes during exercise testing indicate early alterations in autonomous tonus. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of diabetic retinopathy with exercise-related HR changes. A cross-sectional study was performed on 72 type 2 and 40 type 1 DM patients. Autonomic dysfunction was assessed by exercise-related HR changes (Bruce protocol). The maximum HR increase, defined as the difference between the peak exercise rate and the resting rate at baseline, and HR recovery, defined as the reduction in HR from the peak exercise to the HR at 1, 2, and 4 min after the cessation of the exercise, were determined. In type 2 DM patients, lower maximum HR increase (OR = 1.62, 95 percentCI = 1.03-2.54; P = 0.036), lower HR recovery at 2 (OR = 2.04, 95 percentCI = 1.16-3.57; P = 0.012) and 4 min (OR = 2.67, 95 percentCI = 1.37-5.20; P = 0.004) were associated with diabetic retinopathy, adjusted for confounding factors. In type 1 DM, the absence of an increase in HR at intervals of 10 bpm each during exercise added 100 percent to the odds for diabetic retinopathy (OR = 2.01, 95 percentCI = 1.1-3.69; P = 0.02) when adjusted for DM duration, A1c test and diastolic blood pressure. In conclusion, early autonomic dysfunction was associated with diabetic retinopathy. The recognition of HR changes during exercise can be used to identify a high-risk group for diabetic retinopathy.

Spawning season, recruitment and early life distribution of Anchoa tricolor (Spix and Agassiz, 1829) in a tropical bay in southeastern Brazil / Período de reprodução, recrutamento e distribuição de jovens de Anchoa tricolor (Spix and Agassiz, 1829) em uma baía tropical do sudeste do Brasil

The pattern of the use of the Sepetiba Bay, a semi-closed 450 km² area in southeastern Brazil, by Anchoa tricolor was investigated to assess spawning period, recruitment and to detect spatial-temporal patterns of this major fishery resource. Fishes were sampled by seine nets, from spring, 1998 to winter, 1999 and by beach seine, from spring, 1998 to winter, 2000. Reproductive season, measured in terms of GSI, gonad development and appearance of recruits, indicate that reproduction occurs from August to March, when they reach the best condition. Recruitment peaks in winter/spring at sandy beaches where they stay until late summer, moving toward deeper bay areas during autumn. After that, they join adults and perform movements between the bay and the adjacent continental shelf to reproduce.

O padrão de uso da Baía de Sepetiba, uma área semifechada no Sudeste do Brasil, por Anchoa tricolor foi estudado visando determinar o período reprodutivo, recrutamento e detectar padrões de distribuição espacial e temporal. As amostras foram realizadas por rede de cerco, entre a primavera de 1998 e o inverno de 1999, e por arrasto de praia, da primavera de 1998 ao inverno de 2000. O período reprodutivo, estimado com base no índice gonadossomático, desenvolvimento gonadal e aparecimento de recrutas, ocorre de agosto a março, quando é atingida a melhor condição dos adultos. O recrutamento ocorre principalmente no inverno/primavera nas praias arenosas onde eles permanecem até fins do verão, movendo-se para áreas mais fundas da baia durante o outono. Depois disto eles se juntam aos adultos e fazem movimentos entre a baia e a plataforma costeira adjacente para reproduzir.

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy is associated with microalbuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of blindness in working-age individuals. Diabetic patients with proteinuria or those on dialysis usually present severe forms of diabetic retinopathy, but the association of diabetic retinopathy with early stages of diabetic nephropathy has not been entirely established. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1214 type 2 diabetic patients to determine whether microalbuminuria is associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy in these patients. Patients were evaluated by direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy and grouped according to the presence or absence of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The agreement of diabetic retinopathy classification performed by ophthalmoscopy and by stereoscopic color fundus photographs was 95.1 percent (kappa = 0.735; P < 0.001). Demographic information, smoking history, anthropometric and blood pressure measurements, glycemic and lipid profile, and urinary albumin were evaluated. On multiple regression analysis, diabetic nephropathy (OR = 5.18, 95 percent CI = 2.91-9.22, P < 0.001), insulin use (OR = 2.52, 95 percent CI = 1.47-4.31, P = 0.001) and diabetes duration (OR = 1.04, 95 percent CI = 1.01-1.07, P = 0.011) were positively associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and body mass index (OR = 0.90, 95 percent CI = 0.86-0.96, P < 0.001) was negatively associated with it. When patients with macroalbuminuria and on dialysis were excluded, microalbuminuria (OR = 3.3, 95 percent CI = 1.56-6.98, P = 0.002) remained associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Therefore, type 2 diabetic patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy more often presented renal involvement, including urinary albumin excretion within the microalbuminuria range. Therefore, all patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy should undergo an evaluation of renal function including urinary albumin measurements.

Atividade antinociceptiva do extrato etanólico do fruto de Solanum acanthodes Hook.f. em camundongos

Solallum acanthodes. popularmente conhecido como "jurubeba", foi estudada com o objetivo de avaliar suas propriedades antinocicept i vas nos modelos de nociccpção induzida pela I'ormalina e glutamato. Para isto foi utilizado o extrato elanólico dos frutos (EES) da planta. Os resultados apresentaram altos níveis de significância, demonstrando o potencial analgésico de S. acanthodes.

Solanum acanthodes, popularly known as "jurubcba", was studied with the objective to evaluatc its antinocíccptivc propcrties In lhe models aI' fonnalin-induced nociceptive and glutamate. For this lhe cthanolic extract of lhe fruits (E.ES) of the plant was used. The results had prescnlcd high lcvcls 01' significance, demonstrating lhe analgesic potcntial of S. acanthodes.

Comparative sequence analysis of the P-, M- and L-coding region of the measles virus CAM-70 live attenuated vaccine strain

Measles virus is a highly contagious agent which causes a major health problem in developing countries. The viral genomic RNA is single-stranded, nonsegmented and of negative polarity. Many live attenuated vaccines for measles virus have been developed using either the prototype Edmonston strain or other locally isolated measles strains. Despite the diverse geographic origins of the vaccine viruses and the different attenuation methods used, there was remarkable sequence similarity of H, F and N genes among all vaccine strains. CAM-70 is a Japanese measles attenuated vaccine strain widely used in Brazilian children and produced by Bio-Manguinhos since 1982. Previous studies have characterized this vaccine biologically and genomically. Nevertheless, only the F, H and N genes have been sequenced. In the present study we have sequenced the remaining P, M and L genes (approximately 1.6, 1.4 and 6.5 kb, respectively) to complete the genomic characterization of CAM-70 and to assess the extent of genetic relationship between CAM-70 and other current vaccines. These genes were amplified using long-range or standard RT-PCR techniques, and the cDNA was cloned and automatically sequenced using the dideoxy chain-termination method. The sequence analysis comparing previously sequenced genotype A strains with the CAM-70 Bio-Manguinhos strain showed a low divergence among them. However, the CAM-70 strains (CAM-70 Bio-Manguinhos and a recently sequenced CAM-70 submaster seed strain) were assigned to a specific group by phylogenetic analysis using the neighbor-joining method. Information about our product at the genomic level is important for monitoring vaccination campaigns and for future studies of measles virus attenuation.

Comparative cytogenetic studies of Bufo ictericus, B. paracnemis (Amphibia, Anura) and an intermediate form in sympatry

Specimens of Bufo ictericus, Bufo paracnemis and a third type, considered an intermediate subgroup between these species, were cytogenetically studied by conventional Giemsa staining, C-banding and staining of the nucleolus organizer region (NOR). The nuclear DNA content and seroproteins were also analyzed to characterize these species, and verify the possibility of hybridization between them. Karyotypes and cytogenetic markers were essentially equal on the basis of the methods used. The DNA nuclear content found was 6.25 ± 0.30 pg/DNA in Bufo ictericus; 7.57 ± 0.40 pg/DNA in Bufo paracnemis and 7.04 ± 0.29 pg/DNA in the intermediate subgroup. Eletrophoresis of total blood serum in Bufo ictericus, Bufo paracnemis and the intermediate specimens revealed a remarkable difference in the patterns of the protein bands whose molecular weight corresponded to that of albumin. While the parental species presented two different bands, the intermediate form presented 4. However, only three of these bands were seen in each specimen. The results obtained pointed to a high probability for natural hybridization between Bufo ictericus and Bufo paracnemis in the site and specimens studied

Genotyping of group A rotavirus samples from Brazilian children by probe hybridization

The G genotyping of 74 group A rotavirus samples was done by RNA-DNA hybridization (dot-blot) using oligonucleotide probes for the VP7 gene region of the human rotavirus serotypes/genotypes 1, 2, 3 and 4. Thirty-one samples could be genotyped by dot-blot showing the following results: G1 = 16, G4 = 6, G3 = 5, and G2 = 4. The data show circulation of genotypes G1-G4 and the predominance of G1. The knowledge of genotypes provides important information concerning rotavirus circulation in Central Brazil

Serotypes and subgroups of rotavirus isolated from children in central Brazil.

Group A rotavirus, obtained from children of Goiânia, Brazil, during 1987-1994, were analyzed for subgroup and G serotype by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with monoclonal antibodies. The index of serotyping obtained was 61.4% with the following proportions: G1--19.7%, G2--28.0%, G3--9.8%, G4--1.5%, and G5--2.3%. It was observed that G1 occurred from 1987 to 1989 and from 1993 to 1994, and G2 from 1990 to 1993. About 94% of the samples (85/90) could be subgrouped with the following results: 55.5% for SG II, 7.8% SG I, and 31.1% for SG non-I-non-II. Unusual relationship patterns were also detected among serotypes, subgroups, and profiles of electropherotypes in 57.0% of the samples: 20 of them were G2/SG II/"long" profile. The results suggest that variation in temporal and regional characteristics should be considered in the development of rotavirus vaccine.

Curso: Tópicos de Medicina Interna: Hemorragia digestiva alta não-varicosa: avaliação da gravidade e conduta terapêutica / Course: Internal Medicine topics: Nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding: Gravity evaluation and therapeutical approach

A hemorragia digestiva alta (HDA) continua sendo uma das principais causas de atendimento hospitalar emergencial

Seleçäo de fungos predadores do gênero Arthrobotrys para passar através do trato gastrintestinal de bezerros / Screening parasitic nematode-trapping fungi Arthrobotrys for passage through the gastrointestinal tract of calves

Experimentos "in vivo" foram realizados para selecionar três isolados de fungos predadores de nematódeos, um isolado de Arthrobotrys musiformis e dois isolados de A. robusta, para passar através do trato gastrintestinal de bezerros sem perda de viabilidade para predar larvas infectantes de Haemonchus placei. Após a administraçäo de 20 x 10 elevado à sexta potência conídios divididos em quatro doses de 5 x 10 elevado à sexta potência de três em três horas por via oral aos bezerros, somente um isolado de A. robusta cumpriu este objetivo ao ser coletado de amostras fecais e, posteriormente, conseguir predar as larvas infectantes de H. placei, enquanto que nos demais isolados a passagem pelo trato gastrintestinal dos bezerros näo foi evidenciada. Este isolamento das fezes ocorreu entre 24 a 48 horas após a primeira administraçäo de conídios e de 15 a 39 horas após a última