Effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids on the development of pig oocytes in vitro following parthenogenetic activation and on the lipid content of oocytes and embryos.

As oocytes and embryos of pigs have greater lipid content in the cytoplasm than those of other species, supplementation of the medium for in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) may help to improve embryo development. This study was conducted to evaluate effects of the inclusion of the docosaexaenoic (DHA) and of the eicosapentaenoic acids (EPA) in the IVM medium on the development of pig oocytes and on the lipid content of oocytes and embryos. In all experiments, control media consisted of porcine follicular fluid and oocytes were activated through parthenogenesis. In Experiment 1, there were four treatments for each PUFA: one control; and three treatments including EPA or DHA in the IVM medium at 12.5 µM, 25.0 µM and 50.0 µM). In Experiment 2, inclusion of 50 µM DHA was compared against the control. Cleavage rates in the IVM medium including 12.5 µM EPA and blastocyst development rates in media at any EPA concentration were less than for the control in Experiment 1 (P < 0.05). Compared to the control, inclusion of 50 µM DHA in the IVM medium was related to greater cleavage rates and greater number of embryo cells, in Experiment 1, and lesser lipid content in oocytes after 22 and 44 h and in embryos after 7 days, in Experiment 2 (both P < 0.05). Addition of DHA in the IVM medium may benefit the development of pig oocytes, but EPA appears to be cytotoxic.

Ophthalmic presentation of giant cell arteritis in African-Americans.

PurposeTo determine the differences in the presentation of ophthalmic giant cell arteritis between African-Americans and Caucasians.MethodsThis was a multicenter retrospective case series comparing African-American patients with ophthalmic GCA to a previously published Caucasian cohort. Neuro-ophthalmic centers across the United States were contacted to provide data on African-American patients with biopsy-proven ophthalmic giant cell arteritis. The differences between African-American and Caucasian patients with respect to multiple variables, including age, sex, systemic and ophthalmic signs and symptoms, ocular ischemic lesions, and laboratory results were studied.ResultsThe Caucasian cohort was slightly older (mean=76.1 years) than the African-American cohort (mean=72.6 years, P=0.03), and there was no difference in sex distribution between the two cohorts. Headache, neck pain, and anemia were more frequent, while jaw claudication was less frequent in African-Americans (P<0.01, <0.001, 0.02, and 0.03 respectively). Acute vision loss was the most common presentation of giant cell arteritis in both groups, though it was less common in African-Americans (78 vs 98% of Caucasians, P<0.001). Eye pain was more common in African-Americans (28 vs 8% of Caucasians, P<0.01).ConclusionsThe presenting features of ophthalmic giant cell arteritis in African-Americans and Caucasians are not markedly different, although a few significant differences exist, including higher rates of headache, neck pain, anemia, and eye pain, and lower rates of jaw claudication and acute vision loss in African-Americans. Persons presenting with suspicious signs and symptoms should undergo evaluation for giant cell arteritis regardless of race.

Grb14 mRNA levels during follicular deviation in cattle are higher in granulosa cells of subordinate compared to dominant follicles.

The growth factor receptor-bound protein 14 (Grb14) is a cellular adapter protein belonging to the Grb7 family of proteins. Studies with human and rodent cells have demonstrated that Grb14 acts as a negative regulator of tyrosine kinase receptor signalling through the MAPK and PI3K pathways. In cattle, tyrosine kinase receptors are activated during follicular development but the role of Grb14 in this process has not yet been investigated. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to characterize Grb14 mRNA expression in ovarian somatic cells during follicular growth and deviation in cattle. We found Grb14 mRNA expressed in both granulosa and theca cells derived from follicles at different stages of development (3-5 , 6-8, >8 mm in diameter). The abundance of mRNA for Grb14 was higher in granulosa cells of subordinate compared with those from dominant follicles at days 3 and 4 of the follicular wave (p < 0.05). Further, there was a negative correlation between the abundance of mRNA for Grb14 and P450Arom in granulosa cells (R(2)  = 0.367; p < 0.05) and between the abundance of mRNA for Grb14 in granulosa cells and concentration of oestradiol in follicular fluid (R(2)  = 0.545; p < 0.05). In theca cells, the expression of Grb14 mRNA did not differ between dominant and subordinate follicles (p > 0.05). These findings suggest that Grb14 may play a regulatory role in granulosa cells during follicular deviation in cattle.

Degeneração Walleriana de origem vascular em ressonância magnética de paciente com paralisia supranuclear progressiva provável: fator etiológico ou associação fortuita? / Vascular Wallerian degeneration on magnetic resonance in a patient with probable progressive supranuclear palsy: aetiology or casual link?

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is one of the most important causes of parkinsonism non responsive to therapy. Vascular parkinsonism is not uncommon. However, the cause-effect relationship between them is uncertain. We report on a 65 year old man with probable PSP who developed the clinical features of the disease after a ischaemic stroke. Magnetic resonance imaging disclosed a corticospinal tract Wallerian degeneration. There is not such an observation in the literature about this possible correlation.

Paralisia supranuclear progressiva (PSP) é uma das principais causas de parkinsonismo-plus não responsivo a terapia. A ocorrência de doença cerebrovascular associada a parkinsonismo não é infreqüente, no entanto é difícil estabelecer a relação causa-efeito entre ambas. Relatamos o caso de um paciente de 65 anos com PSP provável iniciada após infarto cerebral, em que a imagem por ressonância magnética evidenciou sinais de degeneração walleriana do trato córtico-espinhal. Não há relato na literatura pesquisada sobre esta possível correlação.

Plastica reconstrutiva de los cantos palperables. / Reconstructive surgery of the eyelids

Se presentan dos casos de reconstruccion quirurgica de los cantos palpebrales. Se analizan brevemente las caracteristicas generales de los colgajos y sus inconvenientes

Pseudodiverticulo faringo-esofagico traumatico de recem-nascido. Relato de um caso com revisao da literatura. / Traumatic pharyngo-esophageal pseudodiverticulum in a newborn infant. Report of a case and review of the literature

Os autores relatam um caso de perfuracao faringo-esofagica em recem-nascido decorrente de tentativa de homicidio pela introducao de algodao na sua orofaringe. O quadro clinico e radiologico simulou o de um diverticulo faringeo congenito. A revisao da literatura demonstrou 30 casos similares resultantes de acidentes iatrogenicos ocorridos durante manobras neonatais de aspiracao e intubacao. Sao revistos quadro clinico, diagnostico e as condutas terapeuticas dessas lesoes

Plastica reconstrutiva de los cantos palperables. / Reconstructive surgery of the eyelids

Se presentan dos casos de reconstruccion quirurgica de los cantos palpebrales. Se analizan brevemente las caracteristicas generales de los colgajos y sus inconvenientes