Lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of cell surface receptors and cell activation of neutrophils and monocytes in whole human blood

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activates neutrophils and monocytes, inducing a wide array of biological activities. LPS rough (R) and smooth (S) forms signal through Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), but differ in their requirement for CD14. Since the R-form LPS can interact with TLR4 independent of CD14 and the differential expression of CD14 on neutrophils and monocytes, we used the S-form LPS from Salmonella abortus equi and the R-form LPS from Salmonella minnesota mutants to evaluate LPS-induced activation of human neutrophils and monocytes in whole blood from healthy volunteers. Expression of cell surface receptors and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) generation were measured by flow cytometry in whole blood monocytes and neutrophils. The oxidative burst was quantified by measuring the oxidation of 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate and the NO production was quantified by measuring the oxidation of 4-amino-5-methylamino-2',7'-difluorofluorescein diacetate. A small increase of TLR4 expression by monocytes was observed after 6 h of LPS stimulation. Monocyte CD14 modulation by LPS was biphasic, with an initial 30 percent increase followed by a 40 percent decrease in expression after 6 h of incubation. Expression of CD11b was rapidly up-regulated, doubling after 5 min on monocytes, while down-regulation of CXCR2 was observed on neutrophils, reaching a 50 percent reduction after 6 h. LPS induced low production of ROS and NO. This study shows a complex LPS-induced cell surface receptor modulation on human monocytes and neutrophils, with up- and down-regulation depending on the receptor. R- and S-form LPS activate human neutrophils similarly, despite the low CD14 expression, if the stimulation occurs in whole blood.

Efeitos da idade da matriz leve e do período de armazenamento de ovos incubáveis no rendimento de incubação / Effects of ages of light breeder hens and storage period of hatchable eggs on the incubation efficiency

Avaliaram-se os efeitos da idade das matrizes leves e do período de armazenamento dos ovos sobre o rendimento de incubação. Foram utilizados 7.224 ovos da linhagem Dekalb, distribuídos de acordo com delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, sendo a altura de bandeja uma covariável. Os tratamentos foram definidos pelas idades das matrizes (32 e 57 semanas de idade) e o período de armazenamento dos ovos (três, cinco e sete dias), totalizando seis tratamentos com 14 repetições. A idade das aves influenciou o peso do ovo. Houve aumento na perda de peso dos ovos das matrizes de 32 e 57 semanas de idade, durante o armazenamento (10,48 e 14,16 por cento, respectivamente) e na transferência (10,40 e 12,07 por cento, respectivamente). Verificou-se maior taxa de eclosão (86,90 por cento) em ovos produzidos pelas matrizes novas. Independentemente da idade da matriz, à medida que aumentou o período de armazenamento, houve diminuição na taxa de eclosão dos ovos férteis (86,06 e 82,39 por cento, para as matrizes de 32 e 57 semanas de idade, respectivamente). As matrizes com 57 semanas de idade produziram pintos mais pesados e com menor relação peso do pinto/peso do ovo.

The effects of ages of light breeder hens and storage period of hatchabe eggs on the incubation efficiency were evaluated. A total of 7,224 Dekalb hatching eggs were assigned according to the sample random design, and the hatching tray height was considered a co-variable. The treatments were defined according to the breeder hens ages (32 and 57-week-old) and the period of storage of eggs (three, five, and seven days), with 14 replications. The age of the hen affected the weight of the eggs. There was loss of weight of the eggs of 32 and 57-week-old breeder hens during storage (10.48 and 14.16 percent, respectively) and transference (10.40 and 12.07 percent, respectively) according to the aging of the breeder hen. Eggs produced by the younger breeder hens had a higher hatching rate; however, no matter the age of the breeder hen, there was a decrease of the hatching rate of fertile eggs (86.06 and 82.39 percent, for the 32 and 57-week-old breeder hens, respectively) whenever the storage period was increased. The 57-weekold breeder hens produced heavier chicks and lower chick/egg weight coefficient.

Gastrostomía endoscópica percutánea (GEP): Dispositivo diseñado reutilizable (NAGEP) en técnica endoscópica de un tiempo. Estudio experimental en perros / Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (GEP): designed reusable device (NAGEP) for one time endoscopic technique. Experimental study in dogs

INTRODUCTION: This aim of our experimental study was to demonstrate the versatility of our designed reusable decive for PEG and its future application in humans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 mongrel dogs received enteral nutrition by a Foley tube placed by a single endoscopic technique using a reusable stainless steel designed decive, three reusable stainless steel designed decive, three reusable stainless steel dilators, an Olympus XQ20 video gastrointestinal endoscope, basic surgical equipment and surgical material. RESULTS: The procedure was successfully performed in all dogs under general anaesthesia. The duration of the whole procedure ranged from 10 to 18 min. The complications regardless by the PEG procedure were minimal. The Foley tube was retained by 15 days. CONCLUSIONS: The application of the stainless steel reusable designed decive for the PEG is safe, and presents several advantages. This technique for PEG placement could be used in the future due the characteristics of the designed device: durable and reusable for unlimited number of procedures.

Biliary sludge: a well defined sonographic entity

Objetives: Identify the present of biliary sludge (BS) in our patients, since different authors have concluded that this entity may be an etiologic agent of biliary colic, gallbladder stones and some complications such as acute pancreatitis and acalculous cholecystitis. Methods: We reviewed retrospectively the abdominal sonographic reports of 2802 patients of our gastroenterologic unit, with an average age of 40.5 years. The variables of the protocol were: gallbladder stones, BS and acute and chronic gallbladder inflammation. Results: Considering the mentioned criteria, we entered to the study 2682 patients. 17.8 per cent (n=479) had lithiasis, 13.2 per cent (n=356) had BS, 2 per cent (n=54) had acute gallbladder inflammation and 2.3 per cent (n=64) had chronic gallbladder inflammation. Of the group of patients with BS 42.7 per cent (n=152) were female and 57.3 per cent (n=204) were males. 52 per cent of the patients with BS were between the ages of 26 to 45 years. Conclusions: In our study we found an important prevalence of BS that was over 13 per cent which is higher than the results reported by additional series. Its early sonographic detection, follow-up, removal of precipitating factors and treatment are all adequate measures in order to achieve its elimination.

Meningoencefalite tuberculosa: avaliação de 231 casos / Tubercular meningoencephalitis: evaluation of 231 cases

This study assessed 231 cases of tuberculous meningitis of which 62 (26.8%) had diagnostic confirmation against 169 (73.2%) with only clinical picture and laboratorial indication for this diagnosis. Fifty-five percent of the sample was male; ages ranged from one month to 68 years, 42% comprising children below four years. Clinical, demographic and liquoric characteristics were investigated and compared amongst those with likely and confirmed diagnosis. In conclusion, attention is drawn to the severity of this disease with high rates of lethality mainly within the age-range of 0-4 years, and to the possibility of misdiagnosis in the presentation of acute forms and predominance of neutrophils in the liquor.

Neste estudo foram avaliados 231 pacientes com meningoencefalite tuberculosa, sendo que 62 casos tiveram diagnóstico comprovado e 169 apresentavam quadro clínico e laboratorial compatíveis com este diagnóstico. Foram 127 (55%) pacientes do sexo masculino, a idade variou de 1 mês a 68 anos, com 97 (42%) na faixa etária igual ou inferior a um ano. As características clínicas, demográficas e liquóricas foram estudadas e comparadas entre os casos confirmados e os de diagnóstico provável. Em conclusão reafirmamos a gravidade desta doença, com altas taxas de letalidade principalmente na faixa etária de zero a quatro anos e a possibilidade de erros diagnósticos nas apresentações com formas agudas e predominância de neutrófilos no líquor.

Uso del agente espamolitico otilonio bromuro (spamonen) en endoscopia digestiva: estudio prospectivo en 63 pacientes / Use of spasmolytic agent otilonium bromide in digestive endoscopy: a prospective study in 63 patients

El otilonio bromuro es un antagonista del calcio con un efecto miolítico directo, el cual está indicado en estados espásticos y disguinesias funcionales del aparato gastroentérico (sindrome del intestino irritable) y como premedicación para procedimientos endoscópicos gastrointestinales. El presente estudio evaluó el otilonio bromuro 40 mg PO la noche anterior y 40 mg PO la mañana de 49 fibroscopías bajas en 63 pacientes, para determinar la presencia o ausencia de peristalsis y relajación del píloro. No se observaron efectos colaterales debido a la medicación. En 46 (93.8 por ciento) endoscopías altas se observó marcada relajación del tracto gastrointestinal y del píloro. En 13 (92.8 por ciento) endoscopías bajas también se observó marcada relajación del tracto colónico. Todos los pacientes toleraron bien las endoscopías. El otilonio bromuro fue útil como premedicación para facilitar las exploraciones endoscópicas altas y bajas, debido a su efecto espasmolítico.

Papiloma escamoso de esofago (PEE): reporte de un caso y revision de literatura / Esophageal squamous papilloma: a case report and literature revision

Se relata un caso de Papiloma Escamoso de Esófago (PEE) en una paciente de 90 años. Esta patología es de carácter benigno y por lo general es un hallazgo endoscópico. Sólo existen 150 casos relatados en la literaura médica mundial. Su tratamiento consiste en resección endoscópica con asa diatérmica o un tratamiento conservador de observación más control endoscópico periódico de acuerdo al tipo de paciente.

Aspectos físicos e morfológicos e pH do sêmen de reprodutores bubalinos / Physical and morphological aspects and pH of semen of buffalo bulls

Foram estudados 22 búfalos Murrah e seus mestiços com idade entre quatro e oito anos, clinicamente sadios, criados extensivamente nos Estados de Minas Gerais e Bahia. Amostras de sêmen foram obtidas por meio de vagina artificial utilizando-se fêmeas bubalinas em estro natural ou induzido. Os valores médios do volume, motilidade, concentraçäo e pH do sêmen foram: 4,32 mais ou menos 0,34 ml, 78,63 mais ou menos 5,60 por cento, 116,63 mais ou menos 17,52 x 10 elevado à sétima potência sptz/ml e 6,86 mais ou menos 0,35, com 7,05 mais ou menos 3,63 por cento de defeitos maiores e 6,09 mais ou menos 2,58 por cento de defeitos menores num total de 13,14 mais ou menos 5,18 por cento de anormalidades

Generalized fibrous osteodystrophy in weaned pigs

Descreve-se a ocorrência de osteodistrofia fibrosa generalizada em leitös desmamados, de duas granjas comerciais. Na granja A, foram afetados 26 animais e na B, 240. A idade dos leitös variava entre 45 e 65 dias, todos tinham sido alimentados por um período de, aproximadamente, 35 dias, com raçäo pré-inicial e inicial, cujos níveis de Ca e P estavam muito abaixo dos recomendados. Ao exame clínico, quase todos os animais apresentaram dificuldades de locomoçäo, deformidades diversas do esqueleto e, em alguns, paralisia posterior. A necropsia, observaram-se aumento näo inflamatório das articulaçöes, fraturas de costelas e vértebras, bem como excessiva diminuiçäo da resistência revelou excesso de reabsorçäo óssea com proliferaçäo de tecido conjuntivo na epífise-metáfise e no córtex. Havia osteoclasia evidente

Adenocarcinoma pulmonar em lobo-guará (Chrysocyon brachyurus) / Pulmonary adenocarcinoma in Maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)

Descreve-se uma neoplasia pulmonar em um lobo-guará, fêmea, com nove anos de idade, procedente do Jardim Zoológico de Belo Horizonte. Após acompanhamento clínico revelando dispnéia, anorexia, prostraçäo e claudicaçäo do membro anterior direito e diarréia hemorrágica, sacrificou-se o animal. A necrópsia observou-se no lobo pulmonar direito formaçöes nodulares com diâmetro variando de 1 a 5 cm, de consistência firme, distribuídos pelo parênquima pulmonar, pleura parietal e linfonodos. O exame microscópico revelou tratar-se de uma neoplasia classificada como adenocarcinoma tipo bronquíolo alveolar