Differential susceptibility of BALB/c, C57BL/6N, and CF1 mice to photoperiod changes

Objective:Circadian disturbances common to modern lifestyles have been associated with mood disorders. Animal models that mimic such rhythm disturbances are useful in translational research to explore factors contributing to depressive disorders. This study aimed to verify the susceptibility of BALB/c, C57BL/6N, and CF1 mice to photoperiod changes.Methods:Thermochron iButtons implanted in the mouse abdomen were used to characterize temperature rhythms. Mice were maintained under a 12:12 h light-dark (LD) cycle for 15 days, followed by a 10:10 h LD cycle for 10 days. Cosinor analysis, Rayleigh z test, periodograms, and Fourier analysis were used to analyze rhythm parameters. Paired Student's t test was used to compare temperature amplitude, period, and power of the first harmonic between normal and shortened cycles.Results:The shortened LD cycle significantly changed temperature acrophases and rhythm amplitude in all mouse strains, but only BALB/c showed altered period.Conclusion:These findings suggest that BALB/c, the preferred strain for stress-induced models of depression, should also be favored for exploring the relationship between circadian rhythms and mood. Temperature rhythm proved to be a useful parameter for characterizing rhythm disruption in mice. Although disruption of temperature rhythm has been successfully documented in untethered mice, an evaluation of desynchronization of other rhythms is warranted.

Mesotelioma pleural sarcomatoide, con diseminación masiva a peritoneo y pericardio. Un caso de autopsia / Malignant pleural mesothelioma, with generalized dissemination to peritoneum and pericardium: a descriptive autopsy report

El mesotelioma maligno es una neoplasia originada a partir de las células mesoteliales de las membranas serosas (pleura, peritoneo, pericardio y otros). Es 5 veces más frecuente en la cavidad pleural que en la peritoneal, y puede observarse en ambas por extensión directa a través del diafragma(1). Se presenta el caso de autopsia en una mujer de 83 años, sin antecedentes de exposición al asbesto, oligosintomática, con mesotelioma pleural maligno tipo sarcomatoide, en estadio avanzado (Estadio IV). El mesotelioma es una neoplasia letal, su diagnóstico a veces resulta dificultoso debido al crecimiento lento, las manifestaciones clínicas tardías y el diagnóstico en estadios avanzados. En primer lugar debe descartarse secundarismo y ante clínica e imágenes compatibles debe plantearse su diagnóstico.

Malignant mesotheliomas are tumors derived from mesothelial cells that form the serous membranes. The incidence of mesotheliomas show a rate 5 times greater in the pleural cavity than in the peritoneum; but they can be detected in both, as a result of direct invasion through the diaphragm. A case out from an autopsy is reported, of a 83 years old female patient, with no previous history of exposure to asbestos, oligosymptomatic, with malignant pleural mesothelioma of sarcomatoideal type, at an advanced stage (Stage IV). Malignant mesotheliomas are relatively rare being a highly lethal neoplasia its diagnosis is sometimes difficult because the have a gradual development and growth, with late clinical manifestions, and with diagnosis at an advanced evolutive stages. First of all, secondarism must be discarged, and in presence of compatibles images, its diagnosis must be hypothesized.

Desenvolvimento da versão breve da Escala de Ritmo Social / Development of brief version of the Social Rhythm Metric

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste trabalho é o estabelecimento de uma versão abreviada da Escala de Ritmo Social, com vistas à aplicação em pesquisa. MÉTODOS: Tomando como padrão-ouro a Escala de Ritmo Social de 17 itens, estabelecidas três versões breves a partir de três critérios diferentes. Comparados escores de regularidade e quantidade de atividades desenvolvidas em um período de uma semana de 167 sujeitos saudáveis, 25 portadores de epilepsia mioclônica juvenil e 16 portadores de transtorno depressivo. RESULTADOS: A versão breve de seis itens mostrou melhor concordância com relação ao padrão-ouro k = 0,51; p < 0,001. A análise bivariada demonstrou significativa correlação entre a versão breve-6 e o padrão-ouro: (r = 0,87; p < 0,001). Houve correlação com idade na versão breve-6 (r = 0,2; p < 0,001), ainda mais significativa do que no padrão-ouro (r = 0,2; P < 0,01). Na análise ANOVA, o grupo saudável apresentou escores mais altos de regularidade em ambas as escalas. Com relação à quantidade de atividades, o grupo saudável assemelhou-se ao dos portadores de epilepsia e o dos portadores de depressão apresentou médias mais baixas. CONCLUSÃO: A simplificação da escala diminui a porcentagem de itens não preenchidos e custo em material impresso e facilita a padronização. O processo envolveu cuidadosa análise da adequação do instrumento à cultura-alvo.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this work was to establish a brief version of the Social Rhythm Metric, aimed at applying it in research. METHODS: Taking the 17-item Social Rhythm Metric as the gold standard, three brief versions were created based on three different criteria. compared the scores of the regularity and quantity of activities carried out in a week for 167 healthy subjects and 25 individuals with juvenile myoclonic epilepy and 16 with depressive disturbance. RESULTS: The brief version of 6 items showed better concordance in relation to the gold standard; k = 0.51, p < 0.001. Bivariate analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between the brief version 6 and the gold standard (r = 0.87; p < 0.001). There was a correlation with age in the brief 6 version (r = 0.2; p < 0.001), even more significant than in the gold standard (r = 0.2; P < 0.01). ANOVA showed higher scores for regularity in the healthy using both scales. However, in relation to the quantity of activities, the healthy group resembled the epilepsy group, and the individuals with depression showed lower means. CONCLUSION: The simplification of the Social Rhythm Metric decreased the percenta-ge of items not filled in and the cost of printed matter and facilitate the standardization. The process involved a careful analysis of suitability of the instrument for the target culture.

Estudo de confiabilidade da aplicação da escala de Fugl-Meyer no Brasil / Reliability study on the application of the Fugl-Meyer scale in Brazil

OBJETIVOS: Os objetivos do estudo foram realizar uma versão brasileira da escala original de Fugl-Meyer e verificar a confiabilidade da aplicação inter e intra-observador desta versão em pacientes crônicos pós AVC. MÉTODO: Participaram do estudo 50 pacientes portadores de hemiparesia, os quais foram submetidos a duas avaliações (confiabilidade intra-observador), realizadas por três fisioterapeutas (confiabilidade interobservador), procedentes de três centros de reabilitação. RESULTADOS: Os resultados demonstraram alta confiabilidade inter e intra-observador da EFM total (IC = 0,99 e 0,98; respectivamente), assim como para todas as subescalas (interobservador IC = 0,99 a 0,94; intra-observador IC = 0,98 a 0,87). CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se neste artigo que não foi verificado conflitos de interpretação na versão brasileira da escala de Fugl-Meyer. Obtivemos alto índice de confiabilidade, tanto intra como interobservador, permitindo assim seu uso como instrumento de avaliação clínica e de pesquisa no Brasil.

Pseudo-obstrucción intestinal por miopatía visceral esporádica / Intestinal pseudo-obstruction due to sporadic visceral myopathy

We report an unusual case of a patient with sporadic visceral myopathy and involvement of the entire gastrointestinal and urinary tract. Visceral myopathy is a form of chronic idiophatic intestinal pseudo-obstruction characterized by vacuolar degeneration, atrophy and fibrosis of the intestinal propia muscle layer without inflammatory cells. It can be found in childhood and adolescence affecting the gastrointestinal and urinary visceral muscle. The familial occurrence can be found in about 30% of cases and the mode of transmission is autosomal recessive in most families. It is crucial to exclude secondary forms of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction and to obtain full thickness intestinal biopsy for the diagnosis. Surgical treatment is only beneficial in cases with isolated segmental involvement of the gastrointestinal tract.

Se presenta el caso infrecuente de un paciente con miopatía visceral esporádica y afectación de la totalidad del tracto gastrointestinal y de la vía urinaria. La miopatía visceral es una forma de pseudo-obstrucción intestinal crónica idiopática caracterizada por degeneración vacuolar, atrofia y fibrosis de la capa muscular propia de la pared intestinal, sin células inflamatorias. Se puede presentar en niños y adolescentesafectando la musculatura visceral digestiva y urinaria. La manifestación familiar se encuentra en aproximadamente el 30% de los casos y se transmite de forma autosómica recesiva en la mayoría de las familias. Esfundamental descartar causas secundarias de pseudo-obstrucción intestinal crónica y la realización de biopsia de todo el espesor de la pared gastrointestinal para poder arribar al diagnóstico. El tratamiento quirúrgico sólo es eficaz en los que tienen afectación de porciones aisladas del tubo digestivo.

Pruebas de visión potencial en pacientes cataratosos: Hospital Universitario de Caracas enero-agosto 2005 / Test of visual potential in patients cataracts: Hospital Universitario de Caracas january-august 2005

El PAM test, test de Lotmar y diversos interferómetros son los más utilizados para pruebas subjetivas de potencial de visión, por lo que evaluamos la utilidad del PAM en la evaluación preoperatoria de pacientes con cataratas, mediante la recopilación de la AV posoperatoria. Se valoraron 320 ojos de 300 pacientes, entre 40 a 60 años, que acudieron a la consulta de catarata del Hospital Universitario de Caracas, enero - agosto de 2005. El 59,38 por ciento correspondió al sexo masculino. La AV de ingreso preoperatorio fue -0,6 a -0,7 con 62,50 por ciento. El PAM de estos pacientes con 31,25 por ciento fue de -0,50. El 68,75 por ciento mejoraron 3 o más renglones de la cartilla de Snellen. El 62,50 por ciento de los pacientes a los tres meses cursaban con agudeza visual de 0,00, y un 1,56 por ciento presentó una agudeza visual de -0,70. Las pruebas de PAM predicen la agudeza visual posoperatoria en pacientes con grados leves de cataratas

Educación médica por computadora / Medical education by computer

Contenido: Introducción. 1) Generalidades. 2) El proceso cognitivo. 3) Metacognición y estrategias de aprendizaje. 4) Preferencias de aprendizaje y modalidades pedagógicas. 5) Presentación electrónica de informacióny el medio virtual. 6) Aprendizaje basado en problemas. 7) Medicina basada en evidencias. 8) Recursos pedagógicos en internet. 9) Educación a distancia, telemedicina e internet2. Glosario

Trasplante de membrana amniótica o auto injerto conjuntival en pterigión nasal recidivantes Hospital Universitario de Caracas enero-junio 2004 / Amniotic membrane graft or conjunctival autograft in recurrent nasal pterygium Hospital Universitario de Caracas january-june 2004

Investigar la eficacia del injerto de membrana amniótica como una terapia complementaria tras la remoción del pterigion recidivante comparando el resultado clínico con el auto injerto. 60 ojos de pacientes, a los cuales se les practicó excisión quirúrgica de la hiperplasia fibrovascular nasal recidivante, seleccionados por azar simple, 30 ojos fueron sometidos a remoción de pterigión con técnica de injerto de membrana amniótica, y 30 ojos auto injerto de conjuntiva. Al quinto mes postoperatorio, se evidenció 3 casos (10 por ciento) de recurrencia en el grupo de injerto de membrana amniótica (3/30) y un caso (3 por ciento) de recurrencia en el grupo de auto injerto conjuntival (1/30). No ocurrió ninguna complicación en ambos grupos. La menor recurrencia de pterigión en nuestros casos, fueron observados en aquellos ojos en los cuales se realizó la técnica de autoinjerto en contraste con autores quienes refieren que la membrana amniótica tiene efectos antinflamatorios, anticicatrizal y antineovascular y mejor evolución postquirúrgica. Aunque también habría que considerar en estudios siguientes la influencia de varios factores como lo son: actividad laboral de los pacientes, factor de error de cirujano, otras

Effect of 17á-estradiol or alendronate on the bone densitometry, bone histomorphometry and bone metabolism of ovariectomized rats

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of 17á-estradiol or alendronate in preventing bone loss in 3-month-old ovariectomized Wistar rats. One group underwent sham ovariectomy (control, N = 10), and the remaining three underwent double ovariectomy. One ovariectomized group did not receive any treatment (OVX, N = 12). A second received subcutaneous 17á-estradiol at a dose of 30 æg/kg for 6 weeks (OVX-E, N = 11) and a third, subcutaneous alendronate at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg for 6 weeks (OVX-A, N = 8). Histomorphometry, densitometry, osteocalcin and deoxypyridinoline measurements were applied to all groups. After 6 weeks there was a significant decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) at the trabecular site (distal femur) in OVX rats. Both alendronate and 17á-estradiol increased the BMD of ovariectomized rats, with the BMD of the OVX-A group being higher than that of the OVX-E group. Histomorphometry of the distal femur showed a decrease in trabecular volume in the untreated group (OVX), and an increase in the two treated groups, principally in the alendronate group. In OVX-A there was a greater increase in trabecular number. An increase in trabecular thickness, however, was seen only in the OVX-E group. There was also a decrease in bone turnover in both OVX-E and OVX-A. The osteocalcin and deoxypyridinoline levels were decreased in both treated groups, mainly in OVX-A. Although both drugs were effective in inhibiting bone loss, alendronate proved to be more effective than estradiol at the doses used in increasing bone mass

The influence of the American occupation on the life span of the Filipino and on the incidence of degenerative diseases

The first census taken in the Philippines was in 1903, a couple of years after American occupation. The population of the Philippines was then about 7,000,000. The average expectation of life for both sexes was 17.91 yearsThe second census was taken in 1918; the population of the Philippines was then 9,500,000. The average life expectancy for both sexes was 26.59 years. There was an improvement of 8.68 or approximately 9 years. In an unpublished paper which was destroyed in the battle of liberation of Manila, Sison and Lara recall that life expectancy in the Philippines corresponding to 1938 was about 46 years. In other words, from 1918 to 1938 , there was gain of 1 year per year. Based on that average, the life expectancy in 1948 should be about 46 years. In the last census taken in 1948, the population of the Philippines was 19,500,000Incidence of malignant newgrowth from 1908 to 1917 was 2.2 per cent; the incidence in 1938 to 1948 was 5.4 per centIncidence of essential hypertension from 1908 to 1917 was 0.467 per cent; in 1938 to 1948 it was 2.637 per cent.(author)

Incidencia de ocorrencias diversas na Maternidade Prof. Monteiro de Moraes no ano de 1979. / Incidence of various occurences at the Maternity Prof Monteiro de Moraes in the year 1979

Houve 8.172 internamentos na Maternidade Prof. Monteiro de Moraes no ano de 1979.Destes, 6305 foram partos, dos quais, 935 cesareas. Houve 1.230 abortamentos correspondendo tal cifra a 19,5% do numero total de partos. Nos 6.305 partos havidos foram identificadas as seguintes ocorrencias obstetricas com os respectivos percentuais gravidez serotina 464 (7,4%); macrossomia fetal 364 (5,8%); eclampsia 33 (0,5%); apresentacao pelvica 202 (3,2%); descolamento prematuro da placenta normalmente inserida 53 (0,8%); placenta previa 43 (0,7%); rotura de utero 6 (0,09%); infeccao puerperal 113 (1,8%); parto gemelar 63 (1,0%) e 16 casos de prenhez ectopica representando 0,2% do total de gravidezes. O obituario materno foi de 14,87% e o perinatal 40%