Pediculectomy and fenestration for spinal cord decompression of the lumbar spine of a bush dog (Speothos venaticus) - case report / [Pediculectomia e fenestração para descompressão medular da coluna lombar em um cachorro-vinagre (Speothos venaticus) - relato de caso]

A captive adult male bush dog (Speothos venaticus) was referred to our Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital from a local zoo due to a two-week history of progressive hind limb gait impairment and ataxia, non-responsive to clinical management. Computed tomography revealed decreased disc space at L3 - L4 level, with probable disc extrusion narrowing the right side of the spinal canal, compressing the spinal cord. We opted to surgically remove the disc material using both fenestration and right lateral pediculectomy (mini-hemilaminectomy) techniques. Twelve days after surgery there was mild residual proprioceptive ataxia. Gait was fully regained with remission of the neurological deficits around the 30th postoperative day. This is - to the best of our knowledge - the first successful report of a lumbar intervertebral disc extrusion in a bush dog (Speothos venaticus) surgically treated by pediculectomy and disc fenestration.(AU)

Um cachorro-vinagre (Speothos venaticus), macho, adulto, mantido em cativeiro, foi encaminhado ao Hospital Veterinário Universitário pelo zoológico local com histórico de duas semanas de comprometimento progressivo da marcha dos membros posteriores e ataxia, que não responderam ao tratamento clínico. Tomografia computadorizada revelou diminuição do espaço em disco no nível L3 - L4, com provável extrusão de disco estreitando o lado direito do canal vertebral, comprimindo a medula espinhal. Optamos por remover cirurgicamente esse material do disco usando técnicas de fenestração e pediculectomia lateral direita (mini-hemilaminectomia). Doze dias após a cirurgia, houve melhora na deambulação, com ataxia proprioceptiva residual leve. A marcha foi totalmente recuperada com remissão dos déficits neurológicos por volta do trigésimo dia de pós-operatório. Este é - até onde sabemos - o primeiro relato bem-sucedido de uma extrusão de disco intervertebral lombar em um cachorro-vinagre (Speothos venaticus) tratado cirurgicamente por pediculectomia e fenestração de disco.(AU)

3,5-Dimethyl-1-thiocarbamoylpyrazole and its Pd(II) complexes: synthesis, spectral studies and antitumor activity.

Complexes of the type [PdX2(tdmPz)] {X=Cl-(1), Br-(2); I-(3); SCN-(4); tdmPz=1-thiocarbamoyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazole} have been synthesized and characterized. Compound 1 was formed from the reaction between [PdCl2(CH3CN)2] and 1-thiocarbamoyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazole. Complexes 2, 3 and 4 were obtained by metathesis of the chloro groups from 1 by bromide, iodide and thiocyanate ions, respectively. All the compounds and cisplatin have been tested in vitro by MTT assay for their cytotoxicity against three murine cancer cell lines: mammary adenocarcinoma (LM3 and LMM3) and lung adenocarcinoma (LP07) as well towards normal murine peritoneal exudate cells (PEC). Promising cytotoxic effect against LM3 has been found for 3 showing IC50 equal to 24.5 microM which is comparable to the value obtained for cisplatin (30.3 microM).

Experimental model for study of anorectal sphincter musculature by manometry and computerized tomography in piglets.

There seems to be controversy on the anorectal sphincter presentation and anatomical division, as well as on its functional representation. Evaluation of the anorectal sphincter musculature has been achieved through several methods, including anorectal manometry and computerized tomography, but to date there is no experimental model allowing a detailed manometric study of this muscle complex. In this work, we have developed such a model, which should enable the manometric and radiographic study of the anatomical features and functional mechanisms of sphincteric injuries, as well as the assessment of drug effects on the anorectal musculature upon incontinence and constipation. Twenty-two piglets (aged 25-30 days, weighing 5-7 kg) were studied by anorectal manometry (rectoanal inhibitory reflex and vector volume) and computerized tomography (anorectal angle and anal canal length). The data obtained for the rectoanal inhibitory reflex, represented here as the average and standard deviation, were the following: relaxation duration = 14.75 +/- 3.62 s, sphincter basal pressure = 41.58 +/- 8.20 mmHg, relaxation index = 87.26 +/- 11.52%, speed of relaxation = 5.90 +/- 2.10 mm/s, and speed of relaxation recovery = 4.03 +/- 1.78 mm/s. As for the vector volume, results were as follows: vector volume = 2692.32 +/- 1298.12 mm Hg2 cm, sphincter length = 11.82 +/- 2.74 mm, high pressure zone length = 5.09 +/- 1.34 mm, maximum pressure = 61.50 +/- 20.58 mmHg, and asymmetry index = 43.50 +/- 10.03%. Radiographic evaluation led to the following results: anal canal length = 9.61 +/- 2.14 mm and anorectal angle = 137.91 +/- 7.75 degrees . The experimental model designed here allows both anorectal manometry and computerized tomography to be carried out in the same way it is performed in human beings, as long as animal sedation is strictly controlled.

Hypertrichosis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

We describe a 14-year-old female with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) involving the skin, joints and central nervous system who developed hypertrichosis of the upper eyelashes. This clinical finding has been observed in immunocompromised patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), malnutrition, cancer or kala-azar. Although the pathogenic mechanism for this type of hypertrichosis is unknown, we believe the immunological defects seen in SLE may be responsible for such manifestation in our patient.

Effect of thyroparathyroidectomy on urinary acidification in diabetic rats.

In previous studies we have shown stimulation of renal acid excretion in the proximal tubules of rats with diabetes of short duration, with no important alterations in glomerular hemodynamics; on the other hand, in thyroparathyroidectomized rats (TPTX model), a significant decrease in renal acid excretion, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal plasma flow (RPF) was detected. Since important changes in the parathyroid hormone-vitamin D-Ca axis are observed in the diabetic state, the present study was undertaken to investigate the renal repercussions of thyroparathyroidectomy in rats previously made diabetic by streptozotocin (45 mg/kg). Four to 6 days after the induction of diabetes (DM), a group of rats were thyroparathyroidectomized (DM + TPTX). Renal functional parameters were evaluated by measuring the inulin and sodium para-aminohippurate clearance on the tenth day. The decrease in the GFR and RPF observed in TPTX was not reversed by diabetes since the same alterations were observed in DM + TPTX. Net acid (NA) excretion was unchanged in DM (6.19 +/- 0.54), decreased in TPTX (3.76 +/- 0.25) and returned to normal levels in DM + TPTX (5.54 +/- 0.72) when compared to the control group (6.34 +/- 0.14 mumol min-1 kg-1). The results suggest that PTH plays an important vasodilator role regarding glomerular hemodynamics, since in its absence the impairment in GFR and RPF was not reversed by the diabetic state. However, with respect to acid excretion, the presence of diabetes was able to overcome the negative stimulus represented by TPTX.

Effect of thyroparathyroidectomy on urinary acidification in diabetic rats

In previous studies we have shown stimulation of renal acid excretion in the proximal tubules of rats with diabetes of short duration, with no important alterations in glomerular hemodynamics; on the other hand, in thyroparathyroidectomized rats (TPTX model), a significant decrease in renal acid excretion, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal plasma flow (RPF) was detected. Since important changes in the parathyroid hormone-vitamin D-Ca axis are observed in the diabetic state, the present study was undertaken to investigate the renal repercussions of thyroparathyroidectomy in rats previously made diabetic by streptozotocin (45 mg/kg). Four to 6 days after the induction of diabetes (DM), a group of rats were thyroparathyroidectomized (DM + TPTX). Renal functional parameters were evaluated by measuring the inulin and sodium para-aminohippurate clearance on the tenth day. The decrease in the GFR and RPF observed in TPTX was not reversed by diabetes since the same alterations were observed in DM + TPTX. Net acid (NA) excretion was unchanged in DM (6.19 ± 0.54), decreased in TPTX (3.76 ± 0.25) and returned to normal levels in DM + TPTX (5.54 ± 0.72) when compared to the control group (6.34 ± 0.14 µmol min-1 kg-1). The results suggest that PTH plays an important vasodilator role regarding glomerular hemodynamics, since in its absence the impairment in GFR and RPF was not reversed by the diabetic state. However, with respect to acid excretion, the presence of diabetes was able to overcome the negative stimulus represented by TPTX

[Early exercise test after acute myocardial infarction]. / Teste de esforço precoce pós-infarto agudo do miocárdio.

PURPOSE: To study the predischarge exercise testing importance in determining prognosis after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Treadmill exercise testing was performed in 50 stable and without complications patients with AMI, just before hospital discharge; there were 43 men and 7 women, mean age of 53.6 +/- 9.3 years. It was used the modified Naughton protocol and there were no casualties during the exercise testing. Patients were followed up for a mean period of 22.2 +/- 7.7 months. RESULTS: The test was positive in 32% of the patients, abnormal (inadequate blood pressure, heart rate response or arrhythmia) in 36% and normal in 42%. During the first year of follow-up, eleven patients presented with a serious cardiac event. There was one cardiovascular death, 6 patients with unstable angina, 2 reinfarctions and 7 patients had a coronary bypass revascularization. The cumulative risk for these events at one year after myocardial infarction was 50% in patients with a positive exercise test, and 5% in those with a normal exercise test (p less than 0.005). CONCLUSION: The predischarge exercise testing proved to be a simple and safe method to determine prognosis after acute myocardial infarction, identifying a high risk group early after the acute event.

Isolation and characterization of a thrombin-like enzyme from the venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus.

A thrombin-like enzyme was isolated in 6% yield from the venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus by ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by gel filtration on Sephadex G-75 and finally affinity chromatography on Sepharose-1,4-butanediol-diglycyl-p-aminobenzamide eluted with 0.15 M benzamidine. The enzyme behaved like a single component on SDS-PAGE corresponding to a molecular weight of 34 kDa. The specific activity of the enzyme toward bovine fibrinogen was 71 NIH U/mg protein. The pH optimum for the coagulation of human fibrinogen was 8.0. The enzyme hydrolyzes the alpha-chain of fibrinogen, has amidase activity on L-arginine-p-nitroanilide and L-arginine-7-amido-4-methyl-coumarin amino terminal blocked peptides and presents esterolytic activity on N-alpha-tosyl-L-arginine-methylester.

Effect of insulin on the synthesis of rat liver ribosomal and endoplasmic reticulum proteins.

There was reduction in the levels of some liver endoplasmic reticulum proteins from streptozotocin-treated rats compared to those of normal rats as detected by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. When insulin was administered 24 h before streptozotocin, the protein patterns were the same as that obtained for normal rats. The comparison of the rate of synthesis of some endoplasmic proteins by streptozotocin-treated rats with that of streptozotocin-treated rats which received insulin 4 h prior to the experiment by the double-labelling technique indicated that insulin increased the rate of synthesis of some liver endoplasmic reticulum proteins. The rates of synthesis of some liver ribosomal proteins from streptozotocin-treated rats were increased and others were decreased when the animals were compared with streptozotocin-treated rats pretreated with insulin 4 h earlier. These results suggest that the generalized decrease of the rate of protein synthesis which has been reported in diabetes is due to a decrease of the rate of synthesis of some ribosomal proteins that may act in chain initiation or have a regulatory function.

Metabolic activity of deciduous porcine dental pulp in different phases of root development.

The present investigation examined the activities of various enzymes associated with the carbohydrate metabolism in different phases of root development of swine deciduous dental pulps. The data showed that the potential carbohydrate metabolizing capacity of pulpal tissue was greatest in the root forming phase (two months). However, when compared with samples taken from the fully formed root (six months), a higher activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase was found in samples taken from the root resorption phase (nine months).

Enzymes of the carbohydrate metabolism in salivary glands from rats submitted to excess of vitamin A.

Male albino rats of the Wistar strain were submitted to daily doses of 15 000 I.U. of vitamin A. Enzymes of the carbohydrate metabolism were assayed in the salivary glands after 1,2, 3 and 4 doses. Phosphofructokinase showed decreased activity in the submandibular gland while it was not affected in the parotid. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity was higher in the submandibular glands of all experimental groups and only in the group of 1 dose for the parotid gland. Hexokinase activity did not alter in the submandibular gland while for parotid it showed higher activity only in the group of 1 dose. Pyruvate kinase activity was different only in the group of 3 doses for both glands.