Follicular dynamics, luteal characteristics, and progesterone concentrations in synchronized lactating Holstein cows with high and low antral follicle counts.

We performed two experiments in high milk-producing Holstein cows. First, we evaluated the repeatability of the antral follicle count (AFC) - where all follicles were ≥2 mm in diameter - during the days of the ovulation synchronization protocol for timed artificial insemination (TAI) in dairy cows (n = 20). In the second study we investigated the follicular dynamics and Doppler ultrasonography in cows with low (≤15 follicles, n = 9) and high (≥25 follicles, n = 9) AFC, and measured progesterone (P4) concentrations during CL evaluation. In addition, the diameter of the preovulatory follicle, area of blood flow of the preovulatory follicle, CL area, and CL blood flow were compared between groups with high and low AFC. Ultrasound examinations were performed during the days of the protocol and 10 days after ovulation to assess the CL. The constancy of the AFC was analyzed by calculating the repeatability. Parametric variables were analyzed using the t-test, and nonparametric variables were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test (P ≤ 0.05). The repeatability of the AFC on different days of the protocol was 0.98. Cows with low AFC showed a greater diameter of the preovulatory follicle (16 ± 0.3 vs. 15 ± 0.4 mm), blood flow area of the preovulatory follicle (17.3 ± 2.3 vs. 8.1 ± 3.2 mm2), CL area (579.1 ± 16.9 vs. 405.8 ± 21.2 mm2), area of CL perfusion (97.1 ± 9.4 vs. 68.3 ± 5.2 mm2), as well as higher P4 levels (3.1 ± 0.2 vs. 2.2 ± 0.2 ng/mL). In high milk-producing Holstein cows, the AFC has high repeatability on different days of the TAI protocol, and cows with a low AFC show larger preovulatory follicles and CLs with greater perfusion, in addition to greater P4 concentrations in comparison to those cows with a high AFC.

Congenital multiple arthrogryposis in bovine / Artrogripose congênita múltipla em bovino

This report describes an anal atresia, anatomical urethra alteration (slightly caudal to the udder), thickened joints, and changes in the pelvis in a newborn Holstein cow. Visualization of the final portion of the rectum was not possible by perineal access and laparotomy through the right flank was performed in order for abdominal exploration and colostomy attempt. During the surgical procedure visceral rupture and malformations incompatible with life were observed, so surgeons opted for euthanasia and necropsy. Alterations were confirmed in the genitourinary and gastrointestinal tract. The non-formation of the anus caused dilation of the distal portion of the rectum with fecal content retention, which was drained to the body of the uterus, with the presence of meconium. This amount of anatomical and clinical changes were diagnosed as congenital multiple arthrogryposis.(AU)

Este relato de caso descreve atresia anal, alteração anatômica da uretra (inserida caudalmente ao úbere), articulações espessadas e alterações na pelve em um neonato bovino da raça Holandesa. A visualização da porção final do reto não foi possível pelo acesso perineal, e laparotomia através do flanco direito foi feita para exploração abdominal e realização da colostomia. Durante o procedimento cirúrgico, foram observadas ruptura visceral e malformações incompatíveis com a vida, então os cirurgiões optaram pela eutanásia e necropsia. Alterações foram confirmadas nos tratos geniturinário e gastrointestinal. A não formação do ânus causou dilatação da porção distal do reto com retenção fecal, desviando ao corpo do útero, o qual possibilitou a entrada de mecônio nesse compartimento, além de outras alterações devido à ingestão e alteração no trânsito gastrointestinal. Essa quantidade de alterações anatômicas e clínicas foi diagnosticada como artrogripose congênita múltipla.(AU)

ADAPT(tm) trocar use for laparoscopic procedures in equidea / Utilização do trocater AdaptTM para procedimentos laparoscópicos em equídeos

O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever o uso do trocater modelo Adapt(tm) no acesso laparoscópico em animais da família dos equídeos. O procedimento cirúrgico foi realizado em 15 equídeos (quatro jumentas, seis cavalos e cinco éguas), com peso médio de 320kg (290kg e 450kg, pesos máximo e mínimo, respectivamente). Os pacientes foram mantidos em posição quadrupedal, sob sedação e bloqueio local. Primeiramente, realizou-se o preparo asséptico, e o acesso foi feito pelo flanco direito ou pelo esquerdo, dependendo da estrutura a ser visualizada. Em todos os procedimentos, foi utilizado o trocater modelo Seal AdaptTM Ports (Teleflex Medical Introduces TautTM, USA), com diâmetro de 12mm. Inicialmente se fez uma incisão de pele de aproximadamente 15mm para inserção da ponta do trocater. Este foi inserido na ferida cirúrgica, realizando-se movimentos de 180º em sentido horário e anti-horário, até atingir a cavidade abdominal. Após esta etapa, o obturador do trocater foi retirado, e a ótica inserida para confirmar o acesso à cavidade abdominal. A síntese das camadas superficiais da muscular foi realizada com fio nylon nº 0, em um padrão Sultan, e posteriormente a dermorrafia, também com nylon nº 0, no padrão de Wolf. O equipamento apresentou eficiência nos procedimentos de dissecação das camadas subcutânea, musculares e peritônio, não ocorrendo significativa hemorragia nessas camadas. Em um paciente muar, ocorreu afastamento do peritônio parietal, e em alguns casos (40%) ocorreu pequeno enfisema subcutâneo no pós-cirúrgico. Todos os pacientes apresentaram boa cicatrização da ferida cirúrgica. O trocater modelo AdaptTM mostrou-se eficiente na abordagem laparoscópica em equinos, apresentando segurança em se estabelecer o acesso e versatilidade no emprego de diversos instrumentais.(AU)

Mycobacterium kubicae sp. nov., a slowly growing, scotochromogenic Mycobacterium.

A previously uncharacterized, slowly growing, scotochromogenic Mycobacterium species was detected by HPLC analysis of the cell-wall-bound mycolic acids. The mycolic acid pattern standard was shown to be a late-eluting, contiguous peak cluster occurring at approximately 8-9 min. The mycolic acid pattern was noted to be most similar in number of peaks and range of elution to that reported previously for Mycobacterium asiaticum. However, the relative distribution of peaks within the elution range demonstrated a pattern with prominent peaks that started to emerge later than the characteristic M. asiaticum pattern. Standard biochemical identification test results were similar to those of the photochromogenic species M. asiaticum. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis confirmed the genetic uniqueness of the strains and demonstrated the unclassified mycobacteria to be in a unique, intermediate position between slow and rapid growers in the phylogenetic tree of Mycobacterium. The name Mycobacterium kubicae sp. nov. is proposed for this taxon. The type strain is CDC 941078T (= ATCC 700732T = CIP 106428T).

Multicenter laboratory validation of susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis against classical second-line and newer antimicrobial drugs by using the radiometric BACTEC 460 technique and the proportion method with solid media.

In a large multicenter study involving six major study sites in the United States, Canada, and Europe, the susceptibilities of 272 Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains to classical second-line antituberculosis (anti-TB) drugs (capreomycin, cycloserine, ethionamide, and kanamycin) and newer compounds (amikacin, clofazimine, ofloxacin, and rifabutin) were determined by the radiometric BACTEC 460 procedure and the conventional proportion method on Middlebrook 7H10 agar. Previously established critical concentrations for classical second-line anti-TB drugs were compared with several concentrations in liquid medium to establish equivalence. MICs of newer compounds determined in liquid medium were either the same or up to four times lower than those determined in agar medium. After establishing critical concentrations (breakpoints) in the extended testing of clinical isolates, we obtained an excellent overall correlation between the two systems, with no errors with amikacin, kanamycin, and ofloxacin and very few major or very major errors with the other drugs; however, for cycloserine, no breakpoint concentration could be recommended due to repeatedly inconsistent results by both methods. Based on these data we conclude that the BACTEC 460 procedure is a simple and rapid method requiring 4 to 8 days on average to generate accurate antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) results for eight anti-TB drugs other than those considered primary ones. These data not only fill a major gap of knowledge regarding the critical test concentrations of secondary anti-TB drugs but also provide a baseline for future evaluations of M. tuberculosis AST with the more recently developed, nonradiometric broth-based culture systems.

[Infertility caused by subclinical infection of the male genital system. Evaluation of the effectiveness of norfloxacin]. / Infertilità da infezione subclinica dell'apparato genitale maschile. Valutazione della efficacia della norfloxacina.

Married couple infertility can be defined as a condition of lack of children after two years of marriage, accompanied by a seminal picture with one or more anomalies. A certain number of forms of infertility are successfully treatable, including bacterial conditions of the male genital apparatus which, however, require the availability of antibiotics capable of attaining therapeutic concentrations in the seminal plasma and, in general, in the genital apparatus. Norfloxacin in a personal series proceed++ to be highly effective from this point of view and led to cure of the infection and a statistically significant increase in sperm motility without the onset of unwanted side-effects.

The utility of the MCMI as a DSM-III Axis I diagnostic tool.

The present study examined the utility of the MCMI as a provider of DSM-III Axis I diagnostic hypotheses with a heterogeneous psychiatric inpatient population. Participants represented 31 consecutive referrals made to the psychology department for a clinical and/or diagnostic assessment from a psychiatric rehabilitation unit. Three independent diagnoses derived from the MCMI, a structured interview (DIS), and an unstructured psychiatric interview were obtained for each participant. The percentage agreement between the two criterion diagnoses was 54.8%. Agreement between the MCMI and criterion diagnoses was, at best, 15% for those cases that had an Axis I diagnosis. These findings are in keeping with past research and support the contention that the MCMI is not a useful tool in generating clinically correct or meaningful DSM-III Axis I diagnostic hypotheses.

Body image measurement in eating disorders.

The current paper reviews the methods used for assessing body image in anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. A major concern in the assessment of body image in the area of eating disorders has been the apparent failure to recognize the complexity of the body image construct. The development of a range of standardized measures of body image has been an important advancement in recent years; however, it would be premature to assume that any of these methods assesses body image in its entirety. Rather, each provides an operational index of one aspect of this multidimensional construct. The relationship between different dimensions of body image and their respective operational measures remains a potentially valuable area for investigation. Few studies have employed multiple measurement techniques and it is recommended that future investigations incorporate convergent measures which tap perceptual, affective and cognitive elements of the broad body image construct. Factors such as reliability and validity of the different measures of body image must be considered in planning studies with eating disorder patients. Reliability is particularly important because it sets an upper limit on validity. Most studies may be criticized for not addressing the validity of measures employed. Concurrent, convergent, discriminant and predictive validity should be demonstrated for existing as well as new methods. The issue of construct validity which remains a more general concern in the area of body image applies to the investigation of eating disorders. There is the danger that 'body image disturbances' become reified based upon group differences on a particular operational measure. Therefore, conclusions must be cautious even when inferences are drawn from measures which appear to have 'face validity'. The literature on body image in eating disorders has expanded rapidly during the past several years. Generally, it has confirmed the clinical impression that these patients display serious distortions in the feelings, attitudes and perceptions related to their bodies. Hopefully, future research will clarify the mechanisms of action of these body image disturbances and provide insights which will lead to improved treatment.

Delay of gratification in obese children.

Obese (n = 20) and normal weight (n = 20) children (8-11 years) were compared using the delay of gratification paradigm. All children were asked to choose between an immediate reward or a larger delayed (one day) reward. Half the children were offered an edible incentive and half a non-edible incentive. Results showed that the obese choose immediate rewards more often than normals only when the incentive was edible. This suggests that deficits in delay of gratification shown by obese children are not generalized dispositions but are specific to food. A second aspect of the study examined preference for food vs non-food items and activities. Normals showed a much stronger preference for non-food items, nutritious foods and non-food related activities than the obese. This suggests that the deficits in delay of gratification shown by the obese children for food related items may be due to the stronger incentive value of these items for them.

Diagnostic value and biological significance of antibody-coated bacteria in urine.

The incidence of antibody-coated bacteria (ACB) in the urinary sediments as an indication of the site of urinary tract infections (UTI) was investigated in 103 adult subjects with persistent bacteriuria by means of a direct immunofluorescence technique.ACB were found in 49 of 58 (84.5%) subjects with long-standing upper urinary tract obstruction and in 5 of 45 (11.1%) with lower UTI; this difference was statistically significant (X(2) = 51.79; P<0.001). The group with upper UTI was further subdivided according to renal function (patients with renal insufficiency had both bilateral obstruction and bilateral renal damage); 21 positive results were obtained in 27 (77.8%) patients with normal renal function, whereas 28 positive cases were observed among 31 (90.3%) patients with chronic renal insufficiency. Thus the degree of renal involvement also seemed to influence the outcome of the test. Within the group of lower UTI, a higher rate of ;false-positive' results was obtained in 14 patients with symptomatic long-standing infection (21.4%) than in 31 subjects with asymptomatic bacteriuria (6.4%). The three major immunoglobulin classes and the secretory component were studied in 42 cases. Of these, 29 were found to be positive for ACB. The constant presence of IgA and secretory component on the surface of ACB suggests that the secretory immune system plays an important role in UTI.

[Results of the use of a new aminoglycoside antibiotic, sisomicin, in gram negative bacterial respiratory infections]. / Risultati dell'impiego di un nuovo antibiotico aminoglicosidico, la sisomicina, nella infezioni respiratorie da batteri gram-negativi.

Clinical efficacy of a new aminoglycoside antibiotic, sisomicin, was evaluated in 14 patients with acute chest infections (12 cases with pneumonia and 2 with bronchitis). They were selected taking into account the isolation of sisomicin-sensitive Gram-negative bacilli in a sputum specimen collected prior to therapy. Local predisposing factors were present in 4 patients whereas general predisposing factors were present in 4 patients whereas general predisposing factors were recognizable in 9. Klebsiella was isolated in 5 cases, E. coli in 5 cases, Proteus in 4 cases, P. aeruginosa in 2 cases, Ct-trobacter and Providencia each in one. In all patients the bacteriological finding was negative after the cycle of therapy; clinical outcome was uniformly favourable (11 patients healed, 3 got better). No significant adverse effects due to the antibiotic was noted.