Avaliação psicométrica em português do indicador de dor crônica de Helsinki em cães com sinais crônicos de osteoartrite / Psychometric testing in Portuguese of Helsinki's chronic pain index for dogs with chronic signs of osteoarthritis

Objetivou-se determinar a validade, a confiabilidade e a sensibilidade do indicador de dor crônica de Helsinki (IDCH) em português, além de estabelecer correlação entre a plataforma de pressão em cães com displasia coxofemoral (DCF). O questionário foi preenchido por tutores de 40 animais com DCF e por 16 tutores de cães saudáveis. Os animais com DCF foram tratados com carprofeno 4,4mg/kg (GT= 21) ou placebo (GP= 19), administrados uma vez ao dia, durante quatro semanas. A avaliação consistiu no preenchimento do questionário (IDCH), na escala analógica visual de dor (EAVdor) e na escala analógica visual de locomoção (EAVloc) com duas semanas (A1) e imediatamente antes do tratamento (A2), duas (S2) e quatro (S4) semanas de tratamento e após duas semanas do término do tratamento (S6). A consistência interna dos dados foi considerada excelente (alfa de Cronbach = 0,89). Houve correlação moderada entre o IDCH e a EAVdor e boa entre o IDCH e a EAVloc, porém não houve diferença entre o grupo tratado com carprofeno e placebo no IDCH. Não houve correlação entre os dados da plataforma de pressão e o IDCH. O questionário apresentou validade de constructo, critério e fidedignidade e pode-se empregá-lo em países de língua portuguesa em cães com osteoartrite.(AU)

We aimed to determine validity, reliability, and sensitivity of Helsinki's chronic pain index (HCPI) and stablish a correlation between HCPI in dogs with hip dysplasia (HD) using pressure sensitive walkway. Forty-owners of dogs with HD and 16 owners of health dogs filled a questionnaire. Dogs with HD were treated with carprofen 4.4mg/kg (GT n= 21) or with placebo (GP n= 19), both were administered once a day for 4 weeks. Evaluation was performed by the owners using the questionnaire (HCPI), the Visual Analogue Scale for pain (VASpain) and the VAS for locomotion (VASloc). The evaluation was performed 2 weeks before the treatment began (A1), immediately after treatment (A2), two (S2), four (S4) and two weeks after the end of treatment (S6) and the lameness was evaluated by pressure sensitive walkway. The internal consistency of the data was considered excellent (Cronbach´α coefficient= 0.89). There was a moderate correlation between the HCPI and VASpain. For VASloc the correlation was good. However, there was no difference between treatments, indicating low sensibility. No correlation was observed between pressure sensitive walkway and HCPI. We concluded that the questionnaire has construct and criterion validity, reliability and can be applied in dogs with osteoarthritis in Portuguese-speaking countries.(AU)

Evaluation of the cryosurgery for treatment of squamous cell carcinoma in cats / Avaliação da criocirurgia no tratamento do carcinoma de células escamosas em gatos

The cryosurgery is a very useful therapy for the treatment of a variety of neoplastic and non-neoplastic processes. Nevertheless, it is still poorly described as an option for the treatment of specific cutaneous neoplasms, such as squamous cell carcinoma. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the clinical response of cryosurgery for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma in cats. For this 13 squamous cell carcinoma lesions were selected in 11 cats, diagnosed through citopathological and/or histopathological examinations. The lesions were frozen using liquid nitrogen spray, and the evaluations were performed in the moment of freeze and approximately every 15 days until the wound was completely healed. The response of cryosurgery was considered complete with tumoral remission on 38.5% of the cats, and partial on 46.1%. The main complications included crusting and nostril stenosis. The presented results suggested that cryosurgery is effective and may be a viable option for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma in cats. The effectiveness of the therapy; however, depends on the correct selection of the candidates for cryosurgery based on the lesion size, and the attendance to some criteria, such as the freezing time and post-operative care.(AU)

A criocirurgia tem se mostrado uma terapia de grande auxílio no tratamento de uma variedade de processos neoplásicos e não neoplásicos. Apesar disso, ainda é pouco descrita a utilização da criocirurgia como opção de tratamento de neoplasias cutâneas específicas, como o carcinoma de células escamosas. Objetivou-se com o presente estudo analisar a resposta clínica da criocirurgia para o tratamento do carcinoma de células escamosas em gatos. Para isso, foram selecionadas 13 lesões do tipo carcinoma de células escamosas em 11 gatos, diagnosticadas por meio de análise citopatológica e/ou histopatológica. As lesões foram congeladas por meio de nitrogênio líquido na forma de spray, e as avaliações realizadas no momento do congelamento e aproximadamente a cada 15 dias, até a completa cicatrização da ferida. A resposta da criocirurgia foi considerada completa, com remissão tumoral em 38,5% dos gatos e parcial em 46,1% destes. As principais complicações verificadas incluíram a formação de crostas e estenose de narina. Os resultados apresentados no presente estudo sugerem que a criocirurgia é efetiva e pode ser uma opção viável para o tratamento do carcinoma de células escamosas em gatos. O sucesso do tratamento, entretanto, depende da correta seleção dos candidatos à técnica quanto ao tamanho da lesão, e do atendimento a alguns critérios, como o tempo de congelamento e os cuidados pós-operatórios.(AU)

Diastolic function is associated with quality of life and exercise capacity in stable heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction

Exercise capacity and quality of life (QOL) are important outcome predictors in patients with systolic heart failure (HF), independent of left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF). LV diastolic function has been shown to be a better predictor of aerobic exercise capacity in patients with systolic dysfunction and a New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification ≥II. We hypothesized that the currently used index of diastolic function E/e' is associated with exercise capacity and QOL, even in optimally treated HF patients with reduced LVEF. This prospective study included 44 consecutive patients aged 55±11 years (27 men and 17 women), with LVEF<0.50 and NYHA functional class I-III, receiving optimal pharmacological treatment and in a stable clinical condition, as shown by the absence of dyspnea exacerbation for at least 3 months. All patients had conventional transthoracic echocardiography and answered the Minnesota Living with HF Questionnaire, followed by the 6-min walk test (6MWT). In a multivariable model with 6MWT as the dependent variable, age and E/e' explained 27% of the walked distance in 6MWT (P=0.002; multivariate regression analysis). No association was found between walk distance and LVEF or mitral annulus systolic velocity. Only normalized left atrium volume, a sensitive index of diastolic function, was associated with decreased QOL. Despite the small number of patients included, this study offers evidence that diastolic function is associated with physical capacity and QOL and should be considered along with ejection fraction in patients with compensated systolic HF.

Confiabilidade e pontuação mínima relacionada à intervenção analgésica de uma escala multidimensional para avaliação de dor pós-operatória em gatos / Reliability and cut-off point related to the analgesic intervention of a multidimensional composite scale to assess postoperative pain in cats

Avaliou-se a confiabilidade e determinou-se a pontuação mínima relacionada à necessidade de intervenção analgésica de uma escala multidimensional para avaliação de dor pós-operatória em gatas submetidas à ovário-histerectomia. Trinta gatas foram filmadas em quatro momentos predeterminados: pré-operatório, pós-operatório antes e depois da analgesia de resgate e às 24 horas após a cirurgia. Quatro observadores, não cientes dos momentos de avaliação, e um observador, considerado padrão-ouro - pesquisador que desenvolveu a escala - , avaliaram os vídeos em ordem aleatória, a partir da aplicação da escala, e determinaram a suficiência ou não de analgesia, baseando-se na experiência clínica. Os vídeos foram reavaliados dois meses após a primeira análise. O grau de concordância entre as avaliações dos diferentes observadores e das avaliações feitas pelo mesmo observador em diferentes ocasiões foi verificado pelo coeficiente de correlação intraclasse, que variou entre bom e muito bom para todos os itens da escala, exceto atividade, atitude e miscelânea de comportamentos que apresentaram confiabilidade moderada. O ponto de corte ótimo (> 7) foi selecionado pela análise descritiva e da curva Receiver Operating Characteristic. Os resultados suportam a confiabilidade em termos de reprodutibilidade e estabilidade e indicam que a terapia analgésica deve ser considerada em pontuações >8.

The aim with this study was to evaluate the reliability, and to establish the minimum score relating to the analgesic intervention of a multidimensional scale for use in assessing postoperative pain in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Thirty cats were video recorded at 4 predetermined moments: prior to surgery, before and after rescue analgesia postoperatively, and 24 hours after surgery. Four observers blind to the times of assessment, and a gold standard observer (researcher who developed the scale) evaluated the video segments in random order using the scale, and determined the adequacy or not of analgesia based on clinical experience. The videos were reassessed two months after the first analysis. The agreement between the assessment of different observers, and the assessment made by the same observer on different occasions has been verified by the intra-class correlation coefficient that ranged from good to very good for all scale items, except activity, attitude and miscellaneous behaviors, which showed moderate reliability. The optimal cutoff point (> 7) was selected based on descriptive analysis and Receiver Operating Characteristic curve. The findings support the reliability in terms of reproducibility and stability, and indicate that analgesic therapy should be considered in scores >8.

Validade e responsividade de uma escala multidimensional para avaliação de dor pós-operatória em gatos / Validity and responsiveness of a multidimensional composite scale to assess postoperative pain in cats

O manejo adequado da dor depende de métodos de avaliação acurados. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a validade e a responsividade de uma escala multidimensional para avaliação de dor pós-operatória em gatas submetidas à ovário-histerectomia. Trinta gatas foram filmadas no período perioperatório em quatro momentos predeterminados: pré-operatório, pós-operatório antes e depois da analgesia de resgate e às 24 horas após o término da cirurgia. Cinco observadores não cientes dos momentos de avaliação e um observador considerado padrão-ouro (pesquisador que desenvolveu a escala) avaliaram os vídeos em ordem aleatória e determinaram os escores de dor dos animais, utilizando a escala a ser validada. A responsividade e a validade de conteúdo e constructo foram estabelecidas pelo aumento e pela redução significativa nos escores de dor, em resposta ao procedimento cirúrgico e à administração de analgesia de resgate, respectivamente, avaliados pelo teste de Wilcoxon (P<0,001). A validade de critério foi atestada pela concordância alta entre as avaliações do padrão-ouro com os demais observadores, analisada pela porcentagem de absoluta concordância e coeficiente Kappa ponderado. Os resultados suportam a validade e a responsividade de uma escala multidimensional para avaliação de dor aguda pós-operatória em gatas submetidas à ovário-histerectomia, quando utilizada por veterinários formados e com experiência clínica.

Adequate pain management depends on accurate assessment methods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity and responsiveness of a multidimensional composite scale for use in assessing postoperative pain in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Thirty cats were video recorded in four predetermined moments during the perioperative period: prior to surgery, before and after rescue analgesia postoperatively, and 24 hours after the end of surgery. Five observers blind to the times of assessment, and a gold standard observer (researcher who developed the scale) viewed the video segments in a random order, and the cat's pain scores were registered using the scale to be validated. The content and construct validity, and the responsiveness were established based on significant increase and reduction in the pain scores, in response to surgery and analgesics administration, respectively (Wilcoxon signed rank test, P<0.001). Criterion validity was determined by high agreement between the evaluations of the gold standard with the other observers, assessed by the percentage of absolute agreement and weighted Kappa coefficient. The findings support the validity and the responsiveness of a multidimensional composite scale to assess postoperative acute pain in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy, when used by veterinarians with clinical experience.

Anestesia peribulbar com ropivacaína como alternativa ao bloqueio neuromuscular para facectomia em cães / Peribulbar anesthesia with ropivacaine as an alternative to neuromuscular blocking agents for cataract surgery in dogs

Desenvolveu-se uma técnica de bloqueio peribulbar comparando-a à técnica de anestesia oftálmica com bloqueio neuromuscular parcial em cães submetidos à facectomia extracapsular. Doze cães, de diferentes raças, foram alocados em dois grupos (G1 e G2) e anestesiados com acepromazina (0,05mg/kg, IV) e propofol (5mg/kg, IV) e mantidos com isofluorano sob ventilação espontânea. Os cães do G1 receberam o bloqueio peribulbar com ropivacaína 0,75 por cento, e os do G2 o bloqueio neuromuscular parcial com brometo de pancurônio (0,01mg/kg, IV). Utilizaram-se, como parâmetros comparativos, escores de posicionamento do globo ocular, controle do reflexo oculocardíaco e pressão intraocular (mmHg). Foi possível propor uma técnica eficaz para cães baseando-se na técnica de bloqueio peribulbar posterior realizada no homem. Em ambos os grupos, o globo ocular permaneceu centralizado. Não ocorreram alterações eletrocardiográficas atribuídas ao reflexo oculocardíaco. Houve redução significativa da pressão intraocular em G1 após o bloqueio (10,7±0,6 e 14,7±0,6). Conclui-se que o bloqueio peribulbar proporcionou condições cirúrgicas apropriadas para a realização da facectomia, com a vantagem de promover bloqueio sensitivo do olho.

A peribulbar block technique was developed and its clinical efficacy was compared with neuromuscular blockade in dogs undergoing cataract surgery. Twelve dogs of different breeds were randomly and equally allocated in two groups. After given acepromazine (0.05mg/kg, IV), anesthesia was induced with propofol (5mg/kg, IV) and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen during spontaneous breathing. A peribulbar block with 0.75 percent ropivacaine was performed in G1 dogs while partial neuromuscular blockade with pancuronium (0.01mg/kg IV) was provided in G2 dogs. Globe position scores, oculocardiac reflex, and intra-ocular pressure (mmHg) were evaluated at pre-defined intervals during surgery. Peribulbar blocks were successful performed according to posterior peribulbar block described in humans. In both groups, the globe was centralized and globe position scores did not differ between groups. The intra-ocular pressure was significantly lower in G1 after the block (10.7±0.6 vs 14.7±0.6). There were no electrocardiographycal changes attributed to the oculocardiac reflex. In conclusion, satisfactory surgical conditions were provided by the peribulbar block. This technique can be used as an alternative to the use of neuromuscular blocking agents in dogs undergoing cataract surgery, with the advantage of providing analgesia of the eye.

Effect of felodipine on myocardial and renal injury induced by aldosterone-high salt hypertension in uninephrectomized rats

It has been recently shown that calcium channel blockers might have a protective effect on cardiac fibrogenesis induced by aldosterone. The objective of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of felodipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, against heart and kidney damage caused by aldosterone-high sodium intake in uninephrectomized rats. Wistar rats were divided into three groups: CNEP (uninephrectomized + 1 percent NaCl in the drinking water, N = 9); ALDO (same as CNEP group plus continuous infusion of 0.75 µg/h aldosterone, N = 12); ALDOF (same as ALDO group plus 30 mg·kg-1·day-1 felodipine in the drinking water, N = 10). All results were compared with those of age-matched, untreated rats (CTL group, N = 10). After 6 weeks, tail cuff blood pressure was recorded and the rats were killed for histological analysis. Blood pressure (mmHg) was significantly elevated (P < 0.05) in ALDO (180 ± 20) and ALDOF (168 ± 13) compared to CTL (123 ± 12) and CNEP (134 ± 13). Heart damage (lesion scores - median and interquartile range) was 7.0 (5.5-8.0) in ALDO and was fully prevented in ALDOF (1.5; 1.0-2.0). Also, left ventricular collagen volume fraction ( percent) in ALDOF (2.9 ± 0.5) was similar to CTL (2.9 ± 0.5) and CNEP (3.4 ± 0.4) and decreased compared to ALDO (5.1 ± 1.6). Felodipine partially prevented kidney injury since the damage score for ALDOF (2.0; 2.0-3.0) was significantly decreased compared to ALDO (7.5; 4.0-10.5), although higher than CTL (null score). Felodipine has a protective effect on the myocardium and kidney as evidenced by decreased perivascular inflammation, myocardial necrosis and fibrosis.

Efeito do sevofluorano sobre a freqüência cardíaca fetal no terço final de gestação de cadelas / Effect of sevoflurane on fetal heart rate in last third pregnant bitches

Estudaram-se os efeitos do sevofluorano sobre a freqüência cardíaca nos fetos de cadelas no terço final de gestação, mediante a mensuração da freqüência cardíaca fetal com a utilização do ultra-som. Nove cadelas, sem raça definida, entre um e cinco anos de idade, com aproximadamente 45 dias de gestação, foram anestesiadas com acepromazina (0,05mg/kg, IV), propofol (5mg/kg, IV) e sevofluorano. O monitoramento da freqüência cardíaca fetal foi realizado antes da medicação pré-anestésica (M0), 15 minutos após a intubação traqueal (M1), aos 30 minutos (M2) e 60 minutos (M3) do período de manutenção anestésica. A pressão arterial sistólica (PAS), média (PAM) e diastólica (PAD) foram obtidas pelo método não invasivo, sendo a PAM avaliada também pelo método invasivo. Por meio do monitoramento da freqüência cardíaca fetal média não se observou diferença significativa entre M0, M1 e M2, e verificou-se elevação apenas aos 60 minutos da manutenção anestésica (M3) em relação ao M0, porém sem significado clínico. O protocolo anestésico provocou diminuição significativa da pressão sangüínea arterial materna sem alterar, porém a freqüência cardíaca dos fetos.

The effect of sevoflurane on fetal heart rate of 45-day fetuses was investigated through monitoring fetal heart rate by ultrasonographic evaluation in nine adult bitches aging from 1 to 5-year-old. After sedation with acepromazine (0.05mg/kg, IV), the anesthetic induction was accomplished using propofol (5mg/kg, IV) and the maintenance was kept with sevoflurane. The fetal heart rate was measured before sedation (M0), 15 minutes after endotracheal intubation (M1), at 30 (M2) and 60 minutes (M3) from the beginning of general anesthesia. The systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressures were obtained by indirect techniques, while mean blood pressure were also obtained by direct technique. The measure of fetal heart rate did not show any difference between M0, M1 and M2, but there was a remarkable increase in the last moment of the study (M3) comparing to M0, however without clinical relevance. The anesthetic protocol employing acepromazine, propofol and sevoflurane in 45-day pregnancy bitches decreased their arterial blood pressure without affecting the fetal heart rate.

Myocardial contractility of the isovolumetrically beating isolated rat heart

Several indexes of myocardial contractility have been proposed to assess ventricular function in the isovolumetrically beating isolated heart. However, the conclusions reached on the basis of these indexes may be influenced by ventricular geometry rather than contractility itself. The objective of the present study was to assess the performance of widely used contractility indexes in the isovolumetrically beating isolated heart in two experimental models of hypertrophy, the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and infrarenal aortocava fistula. Compared to normotensive controls (N = 8), SHRs with concentric hypertrophy (N = 10) presented increased maximum rate of ventricular pressure rise (3875 ± 526 vs 2555 ± 359 mmHg/s, P < 0.05) and peak of isovolumetric pressure (187 ± 11 vs 152 ± 11 mmHg, P < 0.05), and decreased developed stress (123 ± 20 vs 152 ± 26 g/cm², P < 0.05) and slope of stress-strain relationship (4.9 ± 0.42 vs 6.6 ± 0.77 g/cm²/ percent). Compared with controls (N = 11), rats with volume overload-induced eccentric hypertrophy (N = 16) presented increased developed stress (157 ± 38 vs 124 ± 22 g/cm², P < 0.05) and slope of stress-strain relationship (9 ± 2 vs 7 ± 1 g/cm²/ percent, P < 0.05), and decreased maximum rate of ventricular pressure rise(2746 ± 382 vs 3319 ± 352 mmHg, P < 0.05) and peak of isovolumetric pressure (115 ± 14 vs 165 ± 13 mmHg/s, P < 0.05). The results suggested that indexes of myocardial contractility used in experimental studies may present opposite results in the same heart and may be influenced by ventricular geometry. We concluded that several indexes should be taken into account for proper evaluation of contractile state, in the isovolumetrically beating isolated heart.

Food restriction induces in vivo ventricular dysfunction in spontaneously hypertensive rats without impairment of in vitro myocardial contractility

Cardiac structures, function, and myocardial contractility are affected by food restriction (FR). There are few experiments associating undernutrition with hypertension. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of FR on the cardiac response to hypertension in a genetic model of hypertension, the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). Five-month-old SHR were fed a control or a calorie-restricted diet for 90 days. Global left ventricle (LV) systolic function was evaluated in vivo by transthoracic echocardiogram and myocardial contractility and diastolic function were assessed in vitro in an isovolumetrically beating isolated heart (Langendorff preparation). FR reduced LV systolic function (control (mean ± SD): 58.9 ± 8.2; FR: 50.8 ± 4.8 percent, N = 14, P < 0.05). Myocardial contractility was preserved when assessed by the +dP/dt (control: 3493 ± 379; FR: 3555 ± 211 mmHg/s, P > 0.05), and developed pressure (in vitro) at diastolic pressure of zero (control: 152 ± 16; FR: 149 ± 15 mmHg, N = 9, P > 0.05) and 25 mmHg (control: 155 ± 9; FR: 150 ± 10 mmHg, N = 9, P > 0.05). FR also induced eccentric ventricular remodeling, and reduced myocardial elasticity (control: 10.9 ± 1.6; FR: 9.2 ± 0.9 percent, N = 9, P < 0.05) and LV compliance (control: 82.6 ± 16.5; FR: 68.2 ± 9.1 percent, N = 9, P < 0.05). We conclude that FR causes systolic ventricular dysfunction without in vitro change in myocardial contractility and diastolic dysfunction probably due to a reduction in myocardial elasticity.

Avaliação dos efeitos do sulfato de atropina em filhotes de cães

O artigo não apresenta resumo.

Lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes and glutathione levels in human erythrocytes exposed to colloidal iron hydroxide in vitro

The free form of the iron ion is one of the strongest oxidizing agents in the cellular environment. The effect of iron at different concentrations (0, 1, 5, 10, 50, and 100 µM Fe3+) on the normal human red blood cell (RBC) antioxidant system was evaluated in vitro by measuring total (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione levels, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and reductase (GSH-Rd) activities. Membrane lipid peroxidation was assessed by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS). The RBC were incubated with colloidal iron hydroxide and phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.45, at 37oC, for 60 min. For each assay, the results for the control group were: a) GSH = 3.52 + ou - 0.27 µM/g Hb; b) GSSG = 0.17 + ou - 0.03 µM/g Hb; c) GSH-Px = 19.60 + ou - 1.96 IU/g Hb; d) GSH-Rd = 3.13 + ou - 0.17 IU/g Hb; e) catalase = 394.9 + ou - 22.8 IU/g Hb; f) SOD = 5981 + ou - 375 IU/g Hb. The addition of 1 to 100 µM Fe3+ had no effect on the parameters analyzed. No change in TBARS levels was detected at any of the iron concentrations studied. Oxidative stress, measured by GSH kinetics over time, occurs when the RBC are incubated with colloidal iron hydroxide at concentrations higher than 10 µM of Fe3+. Overall, these results show that the intact human RBC is prone to oxidative stress when exposed to Fe3+ and that the RBC has a potent antioxidant system that can minimize the potential damage caused by acute exposure to a colloidal iron hydroxide in vitro.

Tratamento de ratos, experimentalmente infectados pelo Strongyloides venezuelensis, através da ivermectina administrada por via oral / The treatment of rats experimentally infected with Strongyloides venezuelensis by orally administered ivermectin

Em modelo experimental, baseado na infecção de ratos pelo Strongyloides venezuelensis, foi avaliada a atividade terapêutica de duas preparações de ivermectina, para usos veterinário e humano. Houve interesse em verificar a efetividade em relação a vermes adultos e formas larvárias. A administração dos fármacos ocorreu sempre por via oral e a posologia correspondeu à dose única de 0,2mg/kg. Considerados os vermes adultos e as formas larvárias, o produto para emprego veterinário propiciou eliminações expressas pelas porcentagens de 98,0% e 84,2%; quanto à outra preparação, as taxas situaram-se em 59,3% e 73,0%, respectivamente. O estudo revelou, então, utilidade do anti-helmíntico quando usada a via oral e, também, mostrou significativa ação sobre as formas larvárias, certamente valiosa quando vigente a modalidade disseminada da estrongiloidíase.

Strongyloides venezuelensis experimental infection in rats was treated by two different oral preparations of ivermectin, 0.2 mg/kg. One was a human formula used by WHO in the treatment of onchocerciasis; the other was a veterinary preparation. Adult worms and larvae were evaluated. The human formulation cleared both forms in 59.3% (adult worms) and 73.0% (larvae), whereas the veterinary one cleared 98.0% and 84.2%, respectively. The antilarval action is very useful when treating systemic strongyloidiasis.

Disfunção arterial como possível mecanismo de agressão cardíaca empacientes com Diabetes Mellitus tipo II: estudo doppler-ecocardiográfico / Arterial dysfunction as a possible mechanism od cardiac injury in type II Diabetic Patients: a doppler-echocardiography study

Objetivo - Avaliar a estrutura e função do ventrículo esquerdo (VE) e a rigidez arterial em portadores de diabetes mellitus tipo II. Métodos - Foram estudados 13 doentes diabéticos de ambos os sexox (55 "mais ou menos" 8 anos) sem outras doenças. A estrutura e funçäo do VE foram avaliadas por meio de ecodopplercardiografia associada à monitorizaçäo näo invasiva da pressäo arterial (PA). Os resultados foram comparados aos obtidos em grupo de indivíduos normais de mesma idade (n=12). Resultados - Näo houve diferenças entre os grupos quanto a PA diastólica, dimensöes das câmaras esquerdas e índices de funçäo sistólica e diastólica. Os pacientes diabéticos apresentaram índice de massa do VE (101 "mais ou menos" 10 vs 80 "mais ou menos" 14 g/m2; p "menor" 0,001) e índice de rigidez arterial sistêmica ( 0,86 "mais ou menos" 0,26 vs 0,69 "mais ou menos" 0,19 mmHg/mL; P "menor" 0,05) significantemente maiores que os controles. Conclusäo - O diabets mellitus está associado a aumento da rigidez arterial sistêmica e esse fator poderia contribuir para seus efeitos adversos sobre o VE.

Myocyte necrosis is the basis for fibrosis in renovascular hypertensive rats

The pathogenesis of fibrosis and the functional features of pressure overload myocardial hypertrophy are still controversial. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the function and morphology of the hypertrophied myocardium in renovascular hypertensive (RHT) rats. Male Wistar rats were sacrificed at week 4 (RHT 4) and 8 (RHT8) after unilateral renal ischemia (Goldblatt II hypertension model). Normotensive rats were used as controls. Myocardial function was analyzed in isolated papillary muscle preparations, morphological features were defined by light microscopy, and myocardial hydroxyproline concentration (HOP) was determined by spectrophotometry. Renal artery clipping resulted in elevated systolic arterial pressure (RHT4: 178 + 19 mmHg and RHT8: 194 + 24 mmHg, P<0.05 vs control: 123 + 7 mmHg). Myocardial hypertrophy was observed in both renovascular hypertensive groups. The myocardial HOP concentration was increased in the RHT8 group (control: 2.93 + 0.38 mug/mg; RHT4: 3,02 + 0.40 mug/mg; RHT8: 3,44 + 0.45 mug/mg of dry tissue, P<0.05 vs control and RHT4 groups). The morphological study demonstrated myocyte necrosis, vascular damage and cellular inflammatory response throughout the experimental period. The increased cellularity was more intense in the adventitia of the arterioles. As a consequence of myocyte necrosis, there was an early, local conjunctive stroma collapse with disarray and thickening of the argyrophilic interstitial fibers, followed scarring. The functional data showed an increased passive myocardial stiffness in the RHT4 group. We conclude that renovascular hypertension induces myocyte and arteriole necrosis. Reparative fibrosis occurred as a consequence of the inflammatory response to necrosis. The mechanical behavior of the isolated papillary muscle was normal, except for an early increased myocardial passive stiffness.

Influence of diabetes mellitus on the glutathione redox system of human red blood cells

Several components of the erythrocyte-dependent glutathione redox system (reduced glutathione, GSH; oxidized glutathione, GSSG; glutathione peroxidase, GSH-Px; glutathione reductase, GSH-Red) were determined in patients with types I and II diabetes mellitus (DM). All groups studied were male subjects: G1, 200 young healthy individuals (aged 23.7 ñ 4.2 years); G2, 15 young insulin-treated type I DM patients; G3, 20 older older insulin-treated type II DM patiens; G4, 21 older oral hypoglycemic agent-treated type II DM patients; G5, 28 aged healthy individuals (aged 68.9 ñ 11.5 years). There were no differences between G1 and G3 or G4 regarding erythrocyte GSH, GSSG, and GSH-Red (without FAD) levels. GSH-Px activity was significantly lower in G2 when compared to G1 (15.2 ñ 4.9 vs 20.6 ñ 6.6 IU/g Hb). The GSH-Red and GSH-Px activities and GSH levels were significantly higher in G3 (4.6 ñ 1.7 IU/g Hb, 20.2 ñ 8.7 IU/g Hb and 3.5 ñ 1.3 uM/g Hb) and G4 (5.0 ñ 2.2 IU/g Hb, 16.9 ñ 6.1 IU/g Hb and 5.0 ñ 2.3 uM/g Hb) when compared to G5 (3.4 ñ 0.9 IU/g Hb, 12.0 ñ 3.6 IU/g Hb and 2.3 ñ 0.9 uM/g Hb). The findings suggest that treatment of DM can stimulate the redox activity of red blood cells in aged subjects

Tentativas de criacao de triatomineos em laboratorio por meio de alimentacao "in vitro" / Attempts for cultivation of triatominae in laboratory through \"in vitro\" feeding

Para simplificar a criacao de triatomineos em laboratorio, necessaria, por exemplo, a execucao do xenodiagnostico e em estudos de carater biologico, foi tentada alimentacao "in vitro", mediante emprego de sangue, citratado ou desfibrinado, de galinhas abatidas em matadouro avicola. Para avaliacao da eficacia desse proposito, observacoes de duas naturezas, com Triatoma infestans, tiveram lugar, atraves das seguintes medidas; a) analise do encadeamento de estadios nifais sucessivos e da exequibilidade de satisfatorios acasalamentos, oviposicao fertil e adequada reproducao; b) apreciacao da infectividade e da viabilidade do Trypanosoma cruzi nos insetos. Como conclusao, ficou evidente que, a despeito da facilitacao operacional, o intuito nao conduziu ao exito desejado, ja que o procedimento classico, usado como controle, mostrou-se sempre superior.

Age-related changes of glutathione content, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase activity of human erythrocytes

In order to investigate the effect of aging on the erythrocyte glutathione system, total glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GSH-red) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) levels were measured in erythrocyte from 33 young (mean age=30.5ñ9.7 years) and 28 aged (mean age+68.9ñ11.4 years) healthy individuals. GSH was 3.5ñ1.8 *M/g Hb for the young group, a value significantly greater (P<0.01) than 2.3ñ0.9 *M/g Hb found for the aged group. Similary, GSH-red activity, 5.5ñ1.8 IU/g Hb, was higher (P,0.05) for the young group than 3.4ñ0.9 IU/g Hb found for the aged group. The GSH-px activity levels for the young group, 21.1ñ5.9 IU/g Hb, were significantly greater (P<0.01) than 12.0ñ3.3 IU/g Hb for the age group. The lower activity detected in the aged group for all of these parameters of the glutathione redox system was not related to low levels of hematocrit or hemoglobin. There was no statistical difference in the activation coefficient (AC) of reductase (+FAD/-FAD) between groups, which seems to indicate that the lower activity of glutathione reductase observed in the aged group was not due to riboflavin deficiency. Additional information is required to determine the mechanisms controlling the glutathione redox system and its role in the aging process

Estudo de hemoglobinopatia S em portadores de doenca de Chagas. / Hemoglobinopathy S in patients with Chagas' disease

Reacao de Machado-Guerreiro (MG) e eletroforesse de hemoglobina, para deteccao de hemoglobinopatia S, foram realizadas em amostras de sangue de 384 individuos residentes em Bambui (MG), regiao endemica de doenca de Chagas. Observou-se prevalencia de 73,9% de MG positivo e 3,l% de hemoglobinopatia S na amostra analisada. Nao se verificou nenhuma relacao entre presenca de hemoglobina S e reacao de Machado-Guerreiro, tampouco influencia do sexo nas prevalencias de Machado-Guerreiro e hemoglobinopatia S. A prevalencia de MachadoGuerreiro positivo foi maior nas faixas etarias mais avancadas e diminuiu acentuadamente na faixa mais jovem. Os autores sugerem que houve diminuicao da incidencia de doenca de Chagas na populacao, atribuida a melhoria das condicoes socio-economicas e vigilancia epidemiologica local, e que os portadores de hemoglobina S nao sao diferentemente susceptiveis a infestacao pelo Trypanosoma cruzi que a populacao normal