Scleroderma and dental implications: a case series

Systemic sclerosis (SSC) is a rare, systemic autoimmune disease of unknown etiology, which is characterized by fibrosis of visceral organs, skin and blood vessels. This disorder can be localized or systemic. It is more common in women with estimated prevalence is 250 cases in a million. Oral manifestations include xerostomia, periodontitis, decayed tooth etc. Radiographically generalized loss of bone with resorption of the mandibular angle and coronoid process can be evident in patients with scleroderma. Pressure of fibrous mucocutaneous tissues is thought to be the cause of the resorption. Decreased number of wrinkles due to sclerosis and distinct facial features because of the atrophy of ala nasi are among common clinical characteristics of this condition. The aim of this case series is to present two female patients with scleroderma who presented with signs of oral manifestations along with resorption at the angle of mandible, as well as widening of the periodontal space.

Biometria e parâmetros hematológicos em tartarugas da Amazônia de um criatório comercial de Rio Branco/AC / Biometric and haematological indices in turtles from the Amazon farm in Rio Branco/AC

Com o objetivo de definir os valores biométricos e quantificar parâmetros hematológicos como hematócrito, concentração de proteínas plasmáticas totais e leucócitos totais de tartarugas da espécie Podocnemis expansa, coletou-se um mililitro de sangue da veia femoral de 60 exemplares aparentemente saudáveis. Os animais obtidos do criatório particular, Estância Terra, localizado no estado do Acre, foram classificados em seis grupos de pesos diferentes. Durante a biometria, foram tomadas medidas de peso, comprimento e largura da carapaça e do plastrão, para as análises da correlação dos parâmetros de tamanho e massa corporal entre os indivíduos do mesmo grupo. Os valores observados indicaram que o grupo 06, que inclui os animais com massa acima de 26 kg, apresentou melhor correlação entre as massas individuais de cada animal (r = 0,97) Enquanto que, o grupo 02 (massa entre 21 e 25 kg) apresentou a pior correlação entre as massas (r = 0,34). O resultado da média total de hematócrito de todos os animais deste experimento foi de 10,56%. A concentração das proteínas plasmáticas totais foi de 3,69g dL-1, e a média de leucócitos totais foi de 51466,66µL. Estes parâmetros são considerados fora do padrão quando comparados com os valores encontrados em animais saudáveis da mesma espécie. Assim, este trabalho pode contribuir com informações sobre os dados biométricos e parâmetros hematológicos de P. expansa de cativeiro e demonstra a importância do monitoramento da sanidade dos animais em cativeiro, prevenindo manifestação de enfermidades que poderão pôr em risco a saúde de todo o plantel.(AU)

The aim of this study was defined the biometric values and quantify hematological parameters such as hematocrit, concentration of total plasma proteins and total leukocytes for Podocnemis expansa, we collect one milliliter of blood from the femoral vein of 60 specimens apparently healthy. The animals were collected from a private farm, Estancia Terra, located in Rio Branco in the state of Acre, and were classified into six groups of different weights. During the collection of biometric data, weight measurements were taken, and length and width of the carapace and plastron, for the analysis of correlation between the size parameters and body mass between individuals of the same group. The values observed indicate that the group 06, which includes animals with mass above 26kg, showed the best correlation between the individual masses of each animal (R = 0.97), while the group 02 (weight 21 to 25kg) showed the worst correlation between the mass (r = 0.34). The result of the overall average hematocrit of all animals of this experiment was 10.56%. The concentration of total plasma proteins was 3,69g DL-1 and the average total number of leukocytes was 51466,66µL. These parameters are considered abnormal when compared to the values found in healthy animals of the same species. This work contributes with information about biometric data and hematological parameters of P. expansa captivity and demonstrates the importance of monitoring health, preventing diseases that may endanger the health of all animals in the farm.(AU)

Suplementação de colina em dietas para frangos de corte machos em fase de crescimento / Choline supplementation in diets for male broilers in the growing phase

Avaliaram-se os efeitos dos níveis de suplementação de colina em dietas para frangos de corte, de 22 a 40 dias de idade, sobre o desempenho, a composição de carcaças e fígados, bem como as características macroscópicas e histopatológicas dos fígados. O período de criação foi de um a 40 dias de idade, sendo que o período experimental foi de 22 a 40 dias de idade. Até o 21º dia de idade, todas as aves receberam a mesma ração à qual foram adicionados 400mg colina/kg. No 22º dia, os frangos foram distribuídos em cinco tratamentos, nos quais os níveis testados de suplementação de colina foram: zero, 400, 800, 1.200 e 1.600mg/kg, com seis repetições de 30 aves cada. As rações experimentais, formuladas à base de milho, farelo de soja e farinha de carne/ossos, foram isonutritivas, com exceção dos níveis de colina. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente ao acaso, e a estimativa da suplementação de colina foi avaliada pelos modelos de regressão. Os níveis de suplementação de colina apresentaram efeito linear pelo teste F (P<0,05) para o consumo de ração. Os demais parâmetros avaliados não sofreram influência da suplementação (P>0,05). O nível de 1.600mg colina/kg de ração resulta em maior consumo de ração de frangos de corte aos 40 dias de idade.

The effects of choline supplemental levels were evaluated in diets for broilers on performance, carcass and liver composition and liver histopathology characteristics from 22 to 40 days-old. The period of creation was one to 40 days of age, and the experimental period was 22 to 40 days-old. Until 21 days of age all birds received the same diet added to 400mg choline/kg. On day 22, broilers were allotted to five treatments (zero, 400, 800, 1200 and 1600 mg/kg), with six repetitions of 30 birds each. The experimental diets formulated based on corn, soybean meal and meat/bones meal were isonutritive, except for the choline levels. The experimental design was completely randomized and the estimation of choline supplementation was evaluated by regression models. The levels of choline supplementation showed a significant linear effect for the F test (P<0.05) for feed intake. The other evaluated parameters were not influenced by supplementation (P>0.05). The supplementation of 1600mg choline/kg in the diet results in higher feed intake of broilers at 40 days old.

Efeitos do horário de postura de matrizes pesadas sobre o rendimento de incubação / Effects of oviposition time from broiler breeders on the incubation yield

The effects of oviposition time, which represents different positions of the follicles in a sequence of posture, were studied on egg weight, chick weight, egg weight loss during incubation, hatchability, embryo mortality and infertility . A total of 19, 820 eggs, layed on the same day, from Cobb® broiler breeders aging 46-week-old were used. The eggs were classified according to the oviposition time posture (corresponding to the time of collection) from 8:30 am, 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 14:30 pm and 16:30 pm, which represented the folowing treatments: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th collects, respectively. The experimental design was completely randomized with five treatments and 36 repetitions, and each tray of 96 eggs was considered a repetition. The normal and homogeneous data were submitted to analysis of variance and means compared by Tukey test. The non-normal and non-homogeneous averages were compared by Kruskal-Wallis test. It is concluded that the time of egg laying has influence on egg weight and chick weight, but does not affect hatchability, fertility and embryonic development.

Efeito do armazenamento e da cantaxantina dietética sobre a qualidade do ovo fértil e o desenvolvimento embrionário / The effect of storage and dietary canthaxanthin on fertile egg quality and embryonic development

O presente experimento foi conduzido em lote de matrizes Cobb desde 46 até 60 semanas de idade. Os tratamentos foram definidos pelas dietas (com e sem adição de 6ppm de cantaxantina na dieta das matrizes) e pelos períodos de armazenamento dos ovos (três e sete dias), em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, em arranjo fatorial 2x2 (duas dietas x dois períodos de armazenamento). A cantaxantina dietética elevou o escore de cor da gema de sete para 14. O armazenamento dos ovos por sete dias prejudicou a qualidade dos ovos, promoveu oxidação de ácidos graxos da gema e retardou o desenvolvimento embrionário.

This trial was done with Cobb broiler breeders. Treatments were defined by the diets (with and without 6ppm canthaxanthin added to broiler breeder diets) and periods of egg storage (three and seven days) in a completely randomized factorial 2 x 2 design (two diets x two periods of egg storage). The dietary canthaxanthin increased the yolk color score from 7 to 14. Egg storage for seven days reduced egg quality, promoted oxidation of yolk fatty acids and delayed embryonic development.

Neoplasias espontâneas em camundongos de um centro de criação de animais de laboratório / Spontaneous neoplasms in mice from a center of a laboratory animal breeding

Verificaram-se a prevalência e as características anatomopatológicas de neoplasias espontâneas encontradas em camundongos, provenientes de biotério. Foram necropsiados 9.219 camundongos pertencentes a 13 linhagens, entre agosto de 2002 e janeiro de 2007, para monitoramento sanitário. Amostras de tecidos foram colhidas, fixadas em formol tamponado a 10 por cento e processadas pelas técnicas habituais para inclusão em parafina. Foram realizados 84 diagnósticos de neoplasmas, sendo acometidos 82 camundongos (0,9 por cento). As principais neoplasias diagnosticadas com as respectivas ocorrências foram: carcinoma mamário, 27,4 por cento; linfoma, 19,0 por cento; adenocarcinoma papilífero pulmonar primário, 17,9 por cento; carcinoma epidermoide, 8,3 por cento; osteossarcoma osteoblástico, 4,8 por cento; e outros com menor porcentagem de ocorrência. Houve predomínio de tumores malignos, sendo mais frequentes os carcinomas mamários. A linhagem BALB/c An foi a que apresentou a maior variedade de tipos de neoplasias, seguida das linhagens outbred Swiss Webster e NIH. Fibrossarcoma em camundongos C57BL/10 ScSn-Dmd mdx/J e carcinoma mamário na linhagem NOD foram relatados pela primeira vez.

The prevalence and the pathologic features of spontaneous neoplasms found in mice from a breeding colony were verified. Nine thousand two hundred and nineteen mice belonging to 13 strains were submitted to necropsy from August 2002 to January 2007 for health monitoring. Tissue samples were collected, fixed in 10 percent buffered formalin, and processed by the usual techniques for inclusion in paraffin. Eighty-four neoplasms were diagnosed and 82 mice had tumors (0.9 percent). The main neoplasms were diagnosed with the following occurrences: mammary carcinoma, 27.4 percent; lymphoma, 19.0 percent; primary papillary pulmonary adenocarcinoma, 17.9 percent; squamous carcinoma, 8.3 percent; osteoblastic osteosarcoma, 4.8 percent; and others with a lower percentage of occurrence. The malignant tumors predominated and the most common tumor was the mammary carcinoma. The wider variety of neoplasm types was found in the BALB/c An strain, followed by the outbred strains Swiss Webster and NIH. The fibrossarcoma in C57BL/10 ScSn-Dmd mdx/J mice and mammary carcinoma in NOD mice were reported for the first time.

Concentration of uranium levels in groundwater

The uranium isotopes during their course of their disintegration decay into other radioactive elements and eventually decay into stable lead isotopes. The cause of environmental concern is the emanation of beta and gamma radiation during disintegration. The present study tends to estimate uranium in groundwater trapped in granite and gneiss rocks. Besides, the study aims at estimating the radiation during natural disintegration process. The water samples were collected and analyzed following inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric technique while water sample collection was given to the regions of Kolar District, South India, due to the representation. The significant finding was the observation of very high levels of uranium in groundwater compared to similar assays reported at other nearby districts. Also, the levels were considerable to those compared to groundwater levels of uranium reported by other scientists. On the basis of this study, it was inferred that the origin of uranium was from granite strata and there was a trend of diffusion observed in the course of flow-path of water in the region

Comparison of escitalopram a new SSRI with TCA, clomipramine in major depressive disorder: a double blind study

To compare efficacy and side effects of a new Selective Serotonin re-uptake inhibitor antidepressant Escitalopram with Tricyclic antidepressants; Clomipramine in-patients suffering from major depressive illness. Design: A prospective longitudinal study. Setting: Outpatient Psychiatric Cinic at Services Hospital, Lahore. Patients and Method: Patients between the age range of twenty to fifty five years suffering from Major depressive illness according to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria were included in the study. Ten patients receiving escitalopram were matched with ten patients from a larger sample of Clomipramine treated patients in regard to age, sex and diagnosis to create clinically comparable groups. Montgomery Asberg Depression rating scale and Demographic Performa on the formatted patterns were applied for assessing depression and other details. The raters who were from other group were blind to the patient's medication status. The efficacy of both the drugs is comparable. The onset of action was earlier in escitalopram group. The side effects of a newer drug were much less than the older Tricyclic antidepressant NSSRI. The new drug Escitalopram is better tolerated and has a rapid onset of action. The older TCA Clomipramine showed the same response if the patients tolerate side effects but it had relatively delayed onset of action

Serum lipid profile in patients of acute and transient psychotic disorders

Forty subjects, aged 15-45 years were randomly selected. Subjects were separated age wise into 1st group [15-30 years] and 2nd group [31-45 years]. They were divided into groups A and C. Group A included twenty patients of acute and transient psychiatric disorder while group C includes 20 age and sex matched normal controls. Serum total cholesterol [TC], Serum triglyceride [TG], Serum HDL-c and Serum phospholipid were done by using colorimetric methods. Serum LDL-c was calculated by Friedwald equation. Results obtained were analyzed by using students 't' test and level of significance was done. Altered lipid metabolism was found in patients of acute and transient psychotic disorders with decreased Serum TC, LDL-c and phospholipids

Avaliação da qualidade de drogas vegetais comercializadas em São Luís/Maranhão

Análise da qualidade de plantas comercializadas para fins terapêuticos em mercados públicos de São Luís/MA. Realizou-se pesquisa de elementos estranhos, avaliação das características macroscópicas, determinação do teor de umidade e pesquisa de contaminantes microbiológicos, comprovandose a má qualidade do material vegetal disponibilizado à população maranhense, expondo ao risco real de aquisição e utilização de produto impróprio para consumo.

Qualitative analysis of plants commercialized for medical purposes in public markets in São Luís/MA. It's made a research on strange materials, evaluation of macroscopic characteristics, determination of humidity level and research on microbiological contamination, this way proving the bad quality of vegetable material available for the population in Maranhão state.

Biflagellate spermatozoon structure of the hermaphrodite fish Satanoperca jurupari (Heckel, 1840) (Teleostei, Cichlidae) from the Amazon River

The ultrastructural features of the sperm were studied in the hermaphroditic teleost Satanoperca jurupari HECKEL, 1840 from Amazon River. Spermatocytes, spermatids and sperm develop in the testicular cysts among the different oocyte stages. Different stages of early spermatocyte development, mainly the ones with synaptonemal complexes were often observed. The mature spermatozoa belong to the introsperm type, with a short head (aproximadamente 3 mm long and 1.3 mum wide) without acrosome, short midpiece (aproximadamente 1.2 mum long and 1.8 mum wide) containing several mitochondria surrounding two centrioles and forming a mitochondrial collar...

Biochemical changes in uterine flushings of repeat-breeder buffaloes

This study was conducted to determine some biochemical alterations of uterine flushings in relation to uterine condition. For this reason, uterine flushings from 50 repeat-breeder buffalo-cows and 10 apparently normal buffalo-cows [control] were collected via Foley's balloon catheter using 40 ml sterile normal saline. Total protein concentration [T.P.], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and alanine arnino transferase [ALT] activities of the collected uterine flushings were determined. The mean values of T.P., ALP, LDH, AST and ALT of uterine flushings collected from repeat-breeder buffalo-cows were significantly higher than those of apparently normal buffalo-cows. This study indicates that the biochemical alterations [total protein and enzymatic activities] of uterine flushings can be used for diagnosis of endometritis along with microbiological isolations

Studies on relationship between some blood constituents and overian hypofunction in buffaloes

A total of 120 female buffaloes 2-5 years of age were used in the present study. First group of 60 buffalo-cows represent the control group. Second group of 60 buffalo-cows diagnosed as to have inactive ovaries. Blood samples were taken at time of rectal palpation and examined for vitamin A, B. carotene, Cu, Zn, ALT and AST. The present study revealed that normal cyclic buffalo-cows had significant higher level of vitamin A and B-carotene [46.21 +/- 2.5 I.U. / 100 ml and 137.6 +/- 3.2 mg /100 ml] compared with [32.18 +/- 1.5 I.U. / 100 ml and 121.3 +/- 2,8 mg / 100 ml] of buffalo-cows suffered from inactive ovaries. Determination of trace elements levels revealed higher Cu and Zn level in blood sera of normal cyclic buffalo-cows [92.5 +/- 2.5 micro.g /100 ml and 136 +/- 5,17 mg /100 ml] than those had inactive ovaries [78.3 +/- 4.3 micro g /100 ml and 121 +/- 4.15 mg /100 ml] respectively. ALT and AST were markedly increased in buffalo-cows suffered from ovarian inactivity [42.10 +/- 3.16 U / L and 16.95 +/- 4.27 U/L] compared with normal cyclic buffalo-cows [33.12 +/- 3.17 U/L and 11.17 +/- 3.2 U / L] respectively