A novel orchiectomy surgical procedure in donkeys ( Equus asinus africanus) with parascrotal access.

Donkeys are a public health concern in the Northeast region of Brazil, with thousands of stray animals. Orchiectomy is an important population control measure; however, the long postoperative period with daily treatment of open wounds in the scrotum makes it difficult to perform a large number of castrations in sheltering centers. We evaluate a novel surgical procedure for orchiectomy in donkeys using parascrotal access. Twelve donkeys were used, divided into two groups: I - submitted to orchiectomy through parascrotal surgical access (novel procedure), and II - submitted to orchiectomy through scrotal access (conventional). Postoperative evaluations consisted of a macroscopic evaluation of the surgical wound (bleeding and intensity of edema), hematological parameters, and peritoneal fluid, which occurred in both groups at the moments (M): M0 - before the surgical procedure. The others moments occurred after surgery: M12 (twelve hours); M24 (twenty-four hours); M48 (forty-eight hours); M72 (seventy-two hours); M8D (eight days); and M16D (sixteen days). The surgical techniques did not generate an important systemic inflammatory response to the point detected by the leukogram, fibrinogen dosage, and peritoneal fluid. The parascrotal technique required long surgery but promoted less bleeding, less edema, and faster healing. The techniques used did not promote sufficient systemic inflammation to alter the number of leukocytes and the fibrinogen concentration; however, evaluation of the peritoneal fluid proved to be important for evaluating inflammatory processes involving the scrotum and inguinal canal. We describe a novel surgical procedure for orchiectomy in Donkeys using a parascrotal access that promoted less risk of bleeding, shorter period of edema, and healing time, but required longer surgery time.

Genotoxicity and morphological changes induced by the alkaloid monocrotaline, extracted from Crotalaria retusa, in a model of glial cells.

Plants of Crotalaria genus (Leguminosae) present large amounts of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid monocrotaline (MCT) and cause intoxication to animals and humans. Therefore, we investigated the MCT-induced cytotoxicity, morphological changes, and oxidative and genotoxic damages to glial cells, using the human glioblastoma cell line GL-15 as a model. The comet test showed that 24h exposure to 1-500microM MCT and 500microM dehydromonocrotaline (DHMC) caused significant increases in cell DNA damage index, which reached 42-64% and 53%, respectively. Cells exposed to 100-500microM MCT also featured a contracted cytoplasm presenting thin cellular processes and vimentin destabilisation. Conversely, exposure of GL-15 cells to low concentrations of MCT (1-10microM) clearly induced megalocytosis. Moreover, MCT also induced down regulation of MAPs, especially at the lower concentrations adopted (1-10microM). Apoptosis was also evidenced in cells treated with 100-500microM MCT, and a later cytotoxicity was only observed after 6 days of exposure to 500microM MCT. The data obtained provide support for heterogenic and multipotential effects of MCT on GL-15 cells, either interfering on cell growth and cytoskeletal protein expression, or inducing DNA damage and apoptosis and suggest that the response of glial cells to this alkaloid might be related to the neurological signs observed after Crotalaria intoxication.

Monocrotaline pyrrol is cytotoxic and alters the patterns of GFAP expression on astrocyte primary cultures.

Dehydromonocrotaline (DHMC) is the main monocrotaline active cytochrome P450's metabolite, and has already been assessed in the CNS of experimentally intoxicated rats. DHMC effects were here investigated toward rat astroglial primary cultures regarding cytotoxicity, morphological changes and regulation of GFAP expression. Cells, grown in DMEM supplemented medium, were treated with 0.1-500 microM DHMC, during 24- and 72-h. According to MTT and LDH tests, DHMC was toxic to astrocytes after 24-h exposure at 1 microM, and induced membrane damages at 500 microM. Rosenfeld dying showed hypertrophic astrocytes after 72-h exposure to 0.1-1 microM DHMC. GFAP immunocytochemistry and western immunoblot revealed an increase of GFAP labelling and expression, suggesting an astrogliotic reaction to low concentrations of DHMC. At higher concentrations (10-500 microM), astrocytes shrank their bodies and retracted their processes, presenting a more polygonal phenotype and a weaker expression on GFAP labelling Nuclear chromatin staining by Hoechst-33258 dye, revealed condensed and fragmented chromatin in an important proportion (+/-30%) of the astrocytes exposed to 100-500 microM DHMC, suggesting signs of apoptosis. Our results confirm a cytotoxic and dose-dependent effect of DHMC on cultures of rat cortical astrocytes, leading to apoptotic figures. These effects might be related to the neurological damages and clinical signs observed in animals intoxicated by Crotalaria.

[Functional method in nursing practice approached through group dynamics: our experience]. / O método funcional na prática da enfermagem abordado através da dinâmica de grupo: relato de uma experiência.

This study discusses the functional method applied to Nursing, approached through a group dynamics developed with three groups of Master students from the University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing. After the dynamics, the subjects answered a questionnaire with four questions. The responses of the first group showed the limitations of the functional model that interfere in the work such as: impersonal relationships, fragmentation of tasks, centralization of decisions causing the workers' dissatisfaction. The groups II and III pointed out some advantages when the work is based on a team, such as the exchange of experiences, participant planning and shared decisions, resulting in satisfaction at work.

[Mibelli's porokeratosis and basaloid epithelioma]. / Poroceratose de Mibelli e epitelioma basalióide.

A case of basal cell epithelioma associated with porokeratosis is reported. The existence of others publications about porokeratosis and cutaneous cancer confirms the malignant potential of this genodermatosis . The danger of radiotherapy and overexposure to sunlight in this condition is emphasized.

Evaluacion de piroxicam en pacientes con gonartrosis. / Evaluation of piroxicam in patients with gonarthrosis

Se evaluo la actividad analgesica y antiinflamatoria del piroxicam en 21 pacientes femeninos, con diagnostico clinico y radiologico de osteoartritis de rodilla. La edad media de las pacientes fue de 63.l anos (51 a 79 anos). Se administro piroxicam en dosis unica de 20 mg/dia durante 90 dias. Los pacientes fueron evaluados cada dos semanas en este periodo. Al finalizar el tratamiento con piroxicam, la intensidad del dolor disminuyo en 58.4% (p< 0.001), la rigidez articular se redujo en 65% (p<0.001). Los pacientes fueron autoevaluados en diferentes escalas para dolor y rigidez articular. El dolor asi evaluado disminuyo en 61% y 70% (p < 0.001); respectivamente. La rigidez articular descendio en 59% (p< 0.001); 9 pacientes manifestaron efectos secundarios durante el tratamiento con piroxicam; los mas frecuentes fueron dolor epigastrico, acidez estomacal y meteorismo, que obligaron a discontinuar el tratamiento en tres pacientes. La rspuesta clinica fue excelente y/o buena en 86% de los casos tratados, y la tolerancia fue excelente y/o buena en 77%. Piroxicam es un nuevo agente antiinflamatorio no esteroideo eficaz en el tratamiento sintomatico de la gonartrosis