Fraud-proof methylcellulose-based fish freshness indicator: Reversibility in halochromic sensing of basic volatiles is tailored by ionic strength.

Food from animal sources (e.g., fish) represents the food group most likely to disseminate diseases to humans. To prevent food contamination and foodborne illnesses, intelligent packaging has been developed to monitor fish freshness by real-time tracking their physicochemical attributes and informing consumers about their conservation state. In this context, we investigated the influence of ionic strength (IS) provided by CaCl2 on the chromatic response of anthocyanin açai extracts incorporated into methylcellulose (MC) within hydrocolloid-based colorimetric sensors for monitoring the freshness of Lambari fish. The color sensitivity of the sensors was modulated by IS in the presence of NH3 volatile and/or TVB-N. Increasing IS led to a plasticizing effect in the MC matrix, which influenced the chromatic properties of anthocyanin in the presence of NH3 and/or TVB-N. The perception of distinct colors by untrained eyes improved from 10 min with the control sensor to 2.5 min for sensors with IS >50 mM. Adjusting the IS to 500 mM with LiCl, CaCl2, or MgCl2 resulted in gray-green, blue, or moss-green colors, respectively, diverging from the control sensor's color (pink and gray) after 10 min of ammonia exposure, confirming salt-induced copigmentation. Color irreversibility in the sensors was achieved when the IS exceeded 250 mM. Through principal component analysis, we statistically validate the efficacy of the sensor in assessing the freshness of Lambari fish. The sensor maintained its color-change capability even after 60 d of storage and was able to classify Lambari fish freshness according to Brazilian and European standards. This study elucidates the interrelation between the structures and properties of natural compounds such as MC, anthocyanin, and CaCl2, providing a method to control the chromatic properties of sensors intended to monitor food quality, safety, and shelf-life.

Average spectral power changes at the hippocampal electroencephalogram in schizophrenia model induced by ketamine.

The use of ketamine (Ket) as a pharmacological model of schizophrenia is an important tool for understanding the main mechanisms of glutamatergic regulated neural oscillations. Thus, the aim of the current study was to evaluate Ket-induced changes in the average spectral power using the hippocampal quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG). To this end, male Wistar rats were submitted to a stereotactic surgery for the implantation of an electrode in the right hippocampus. After three days, the animals were divided into four groups that were treated for 10 consecutive days with Ket (10, 50, or 100 mg/kg). Brainwaves were captured on the 1st or 10th day, respectively, to acute or repeated treatments. The administration of Ket (10, 50, or 100 mg/kg), compared with controls, induced changes in the hippocampal average spectral power of delta, theta, alpha, gamma low or high waves, after acute or repeated treatments. Therefore, based on the alterations in the average spectral power of hippocampal waves induced by Ket, our findings might provide a basis for the use of hippocampal QEEG in animal models of schizophrenia.

Development and validation of an endoscopic activity score for canine inflammatory bowel disease.

The aim of this study was to develop and prospectively validate a simple endoscopic score of disease activity for dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Archived endoscopic still images and video recordings of gastric, duodenal, and colonic endoscopic examinations were displayed to novice and experienced endoscopists for assessment of inflammatory activity using established descriptions. The mucosal appearances evaluated were normal tissue, erosions, friability, increased granularity, lymphangiectasia (duodenum), and mass (colon). Fleiss and Cohen's Kappa statistics were used to estimate the inter-observer agreement of the index. For duodenal assessment, there were statistically significant (P <0.05) differences in inter-observer agreement, with experienced endoscopists performing better than novice endoscopists in the accurate identification of mucosal appearance of the duodenum. In contrast, there was no significant difference between novice and experienced endoscopists in their interpretation of gastric (P = 0.10) and colonic (P = 1.0) mucosal appearances. Validation studies using endoscopic video clips to assess the same endoscopic parameters by quantitative (lesion number and severity) and qualitative (presence of mucosal lesions) methods showed moderate-to-substantial agreement between experienced endoscopists. Based on the observations that the quantitative and qualitative scores of mucosal appearances are virtually identical, and that qualitative assessment was performed more quickly and objectively than quantitative assessment, we propose a simple endoscopic activity score based on qualitative criteria alone in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease.

Endoscopic assessment of the duodenum in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopy is performed for direct inspection of the mucosa and acquisition of biopsies in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). AIM: To evaluate the interobserver agreement in the endoscopic assessment of duodenal mucosa in dogs with IBD. METHODS: Thirty-five archived endoscopic images of grossly normal (n = 6) and inflamed (n = 29) duodenal mucosa were displayed to 3 expert and 5 trainee endoscopists. Each image was assessed independently by endoscopists for mucosal abnormalities using established indices (of hyperemia, granularity, friability, lymphatic dilatation, and erosions) or interpreted as normal mucosa (trial 1). A repeated trial (trial 2) was performed with the same images presented in random order 1 month later, and accompanied by a visual template. RESULTS: There was slight interobserver agreement in initial mucosal assessment for expert and trainee endoscopists in trial 1 (kappa ≤ 0.02, P > .05). Interobserver agreement improved in trial 2 for both expert and trainee endoscopists (kappa = 0.2, P > .05) for experts and (P < .05) for trainees. There was a significant (P < .01) improvement in trainee endoscopy scores of lesions from trial 1 to trial 2. Regression analysis showed a significant (P < .01) difference between expert versus trainee endoscopy scores in trial 1. Repeat lesion assessment aided by use of a visual template (trial 2) improved the overall scores of trainee endoscopists to near that of expert endoscopists (P = .06). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Interobserver agreement of IBD mucosal appearance from endoscopic findings benefitted from operator experience.

[Antidepressant drugs]. / Drogas antidepressivas.

Depression is a disorder of mood that causes strong impact on the patient and his family's quality of life. The increasing number of cases and its social consequences have made depression a great public health problem. Some depressant patients develop suicide thoughts and may try suicide later. The disease occurs in all ages and its prevalence is of 7.4%. Women aged 15 to 29 are more likely to be affected, whereas people aged 50 or older are less affected. The presence of depression worsens the prognostic of other clinical conditions when compared to not depressant patients. This paper describes the main drugs used in the treatment of depression and correlates the drug with the neurobiology of the disease. Aiming the study of the pharmacologic and therapeutic characteristics of antidepressant drugs, a literature review was performed using electronic databases (Pubmed and Lilacs), papers and books related to the theme. The main antidepressant drugs are classified according to their chemical structure or their action on neurotransmitters. An important point in the therapy is the understanding of the pharmacokinetics of the drugs. The choice of the drug must consider the symptoms, the patient's age, other drugs in use, the history of pharmacological treatments and so forth. No drug is significantly better than the other in the treatment of depression. The important thing in choosing a drug is to have the best therapeutic response, the reduction of symptoms, a good adherence to therapy, few side effects and secure drug interaction. By understanding the use of these drugs, it will be possible to give the patient and his family a better quality of life.

Luxação de patela em cães: estudo retrospectivo / Patellar luxation in dogs: a retrospective study

A five-year retrospective study of dogs with patellar luxation was performed. A total of 75 dogs (n=122limbs) were studied: 82.7% (n=62) had medial luxation, 14.6% (n=11) had lateral luxation, and 2.7%(n=2) had both luxations in same stifle joint. Considering the dogs with medial patellar luxation, 6.7%(n=5) were mixed-breed and 76% (n=57) were purebred, with high prevalence in Poodles (n=27; 35.6%),Pinschers (n=13; 17.3%), and Yorkshires (n=4; 5.3%). Of the dogs with lateral patellar luxation, one(1.3%) was mixed-breed and 13.3% were purebred, with high prevalence in Poodles (n=6; 8%) andPinschers (n=2; 2.7%). Regarding the 62 dogs with medial patellar luxation, 20 were unilateral and 42bilateral. Of the 11 dogs with lateral patellar luxation, five were unilateral and six bilateral. Statistically,females were more affected than males by both medial and lateral patellar luxations. The grade II (25;33.3%) of patellar luxation was the most often in medial luxation followed by grades III (20; 26.7%), IV(11; 14.7%), and I (16; 7.9%). The grade II (5; 6.7%) was the most often in lateral luxation followed bygrade I (4; 5.3%), and simultaneously grades III (1.3%) and IV (1.3%). The surgical treatment wasperformed in 64 dogs and the others were submitted a conservative management. It was possible toconclude that among the dogs with patellar luxation evaluated in this study, the most affected were toyand miniature breeds and female dogs with medial patellar luxation.

Synthesis Pengo System plates for the treatment of long-bone diaphyseal fractures in dogs.

A Brazilian orthopaedic company designed a stainless steel plate called Synthesis Pengo System (S.P.S.), which has one fixed and one changeable extremity. According to the assembly of the changeable extremity, it is possible to obtain dynamization or neutralization of the fracture site. Since the S.P.S. plate was developed for use in human patients, the aim of this study was to evaluate this system in long-bone diaphyseal fractures in dogs. Eight dogs with closed diaphyseal fractures of the femur (n= 1), radius and ulna (n=5), and tibia (n=2) were used. Patients were aged seven months to three years and weighed 18 to 31.2 kg. The S.P.S. plate was assembled with one fixed extremity and one changeable extremity in dynamization mode. The trail bar was positioned for synthesis modules with holes for cortical screws. The modules were positioned close to one another in two fractures and far away from the fracture site in the others. The bone healing occurred by external callus. Since motion at the fracture site determines the amount of callus required, the secondary bone healing that was observed in all of the cases indicated less rigid fixation of this system. A potential benefit of this system was a lesser interface contact with the bone since it was only done by trail bar. The major disadvantage was the prominence of the implant. It was possible to conclude that the S.P.S. plate appears to be a suitable method for the treatment of diaphyseal fractures in dogs.

Motor neuron diseases in the University Hospital of Fortaleza (Northeastern Brazil): a clinico-demographic analysis of 87 cases

In this retrospective (1980-1998) study, we have analyzed clinico-demographically, from the records of the University Hospital of Fortaleza (Brazil), a group of 87 patients showing signs and symptoms of motor neuron diseases (MNDs). Their diagnosis was determined clinically and laboratorially. The WFN criteria were used for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis. The clinico-demographic analysis of the 87 cases of MNDs showed that 4 were diagnosed as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), 5 cases as ALS subsets: 2 as progressive bulbar paralysis (PBP), 2 as progressive muscular atrophy (PMA) and 1 as monomelic amyotrophy (MA), and 78 cases of ALS. The latter comprised 51 males and 27 females, with a mean age of 42.02 years. They were sub-divided into 4 groups according to age: from 15 to 29 years (n= 17), 30 to 39 years (n= 18), 40 to 69 years (n= 39) and 70 to 78 years (n= 4). From the 78 ALS patients, 76 were of the classic sporadic form whilst only 2 were of the familial form. The analysis of the 87 patients with MNDs from the University Hospital of Fortaleza showed a predominance of ALS patients, with a high number of cases of juvenile and early onset adult sporadic ALS

Epilepsia partialis continua (Koshevnikov): a preliminary case report

We report on the preliminary clinical and electrophysiological aspects of an in-patient possibly presenting epilepsia partialis continua (Koshevnikov). We discuss the different etiologies and emphasize on the possible idiopathic form in this case

Tropical spastic paraparesis in Northeastern Brazil

Os autores apresentam 10 casos de provável paraparesia espástica tropical (PET) oriundos do Nordeste do Brasil (Hospital das Clínicas - Universidade Federal do Ceará). Os sintomas consistem de fraqueza dos membros inferiores, marcha espástica hiperreflexia, disfunçäo esfincteriana e sinais variados de distúrbio proprioceptivo. Outras etiologias de mielopatias foram excluídas pelos exames complementares. A idade dos pacientes ia de 21 a 59 anos, todos eram da raça negra e havia discreto predomínio de mulheres. Recentemente, tem-se atribuído ao retrovírus HTLV-I a etiologia da PET. Por falta de condiçöes técncias ainda näo pudemos determiná-la em nossos pacientes

A propósito de um caso de associaçäo de polimiosite com miastenia gravis tardia

Os autores relatam um caso clínico de associaçäo de polimiosite com miastenia gravis, dissertando sobre as características específicas de cada patologia assim como a possibilidade e significado etiopatológico da associaçäo das duas. Enfatizam as medidas terapêuticas tomadas e seus resultados, e a forma rara de polimiosite seguida posteriormente de miastenia

A proposito de um caso de associacao de polimiosite com miastenia gravis tardia

Os autores relatam um caso clinico de associacao de polimiosite com miastenia gravis, dissertando sobre as caracteristicas especificas de cada patologia assim como a possibilidade e significado etiopatologico da associacao das duas. Enfatizam as medidas terapeuticas tomadas e seus resultados, e a forma rara de polimiosite seguida posteriormente de miastenia.