Effects of equine chorionic gonadotropin dosage and its splitting in different days on reproductive performance of Nellore cows synchronized for timed-artificial insemination.

This study evaluated the effects of dose of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and its splitting in different days of the synchronization protocol on reproductive performance of primiparous and multiparous Nellore cows. In the present study, 2,536 Nellore cows (1,634 primiparous and 902 multiparous) were assigned to receive in a 2 × 2 factorial design 1) an intravaginal progesterone (P4) device and 2.0 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB) on day -11, 12.5 mg (i.m.) of dinoprost tromethamine (PGF), 300 IU (i.m.) of eCG, 0.6 mg (i.m.) of estradiol cypionate (ECP), and P4 device withdrawal on day -2, followed by TAI on day 0 (n = 632 cows, being 409 primiparous and 223 multiparous; 300-2), 2) 300 IU (i.m) of eCG administered on days -4 and -2 (150 IU of eCG/day; n = 637 cows, being 412 primiparous and 225 multiparous; 300-4-2), 3) 400 IU (i.m.) of eCG administered on day -2 (n = 633 cows, being 406 primiparous and 227 multiparous; 400-2), and 4) 400 IU (i.m) of eCG administered on days -4 and -2 (200 IU of eCG/day; n = 634 cows, being 407 primiparous and 227 multiparous; 400-4-2). Individual cow BCS was assessed on days -11, 0 (timed-AI), and 31 of the study. Body condition score of the animals was classified into LOW or HIGH using the threshold of 2.75 (≤2.75 = LOW; >2.75 = HIGH). For primiparous cows, an eCG splitting effect was observed on follicle size, as cows receiving eCG on days -4 and -2 of the synchronization protocol had a larger follicle than cows administered eCG only on day -2. For day 31 P/AI, primiparous cows receiving 400-4-2, regardless of BCS, had a greater P/AI than cows from other treatments. Administering 400-4-2 to LOW BCS cows also resulted in greater P/AI than all other treatments assigned to LOW BCS cows. For multiparous cows, no treatment effect was observed for follicle size, estrus expression, and day 31 P/AI (P ≥ 0.21). In summary, increasing the dose and splitting the dose of eCG positively impacted the pregnancy rates of primiparous cows under a BCS ≤2.75, but no effects were detected on multiparous cows.

Marine collagen scaffolds and photobiomodulation on bone healing process in a model of calvaria defects.

INTRODUCTION: Collagen from marine esponges has been used as a promising material for tissue engineering proposals. Similarly, photobiomodulation (PBM) is able of modulating inflammatory processes after an injury, accelerating soft and hard tissue healing and stimulating neoangiogenesis. However, the effects of the associated treatments on bone tissue healing have not been studied yet. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the biological temporal modifications (using two experimental periods) of marine sponge collagen or sponging (SPG) based scaffold and PBM on newly formed bone using a calvaria bone defect model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Wistar rats were distributed into two groups: SPG or SPG/PBM and euthanized into two different experimental periods (15 and 45 days post-surgery). A cranial critical bone defect was used to evaluate the effects of the treatments. Histology, histomorfometry and immunohistological analysis were performed. RESULTS: Histological findings demonstrated that SPG/PBM-treated animals, 45 days post-surgery, demonstrated a higher amount of connective and newly formed bone tissue at the region of the defect compared to CG. Notwithstanding, no difference among groups were observed in the histomorphometry. Interestingly, for both anti-transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) immunostaining, higher values for SPG/PBM, at 45 days post-surgery could be observed. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the associated treatment can be considered as a promising therapeutical intervention.

Erosion of the long process of the incus with incomplete ossicular discontinuity in simple chronic otitis media: Should we reconstruct or leave it be?

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether patients with simple chronic otitis media and incomplete ossicular discontinuity should undergo ossicular reconstruction. DESIGN: Prospective, randomised surgical trial comparing no intervention with incus interposition over a 5-year period. SETTING: Tertiary referral hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-six participants with simple chronic otitis media and erosion of the long process of the incus but apparent good transmission throughout the ossicular chain as tested intra-operatively. Forty-four patients had partial erosion of the incus but still bony contact with the stapes head (Group A-Type I), and 32 had mainly connective tissue binding the incus and stapes (Group B-Type II). Each of these groups was randomised to either leaving the ossicular chain as it was (A1 and B1) or performing an incus interposition (A2 and B2). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Average postoperative air-bone gap and the degree of ABG closure. A postoperative air-bone gap under 20 dB was considered a successful result. RESULTS: In group A, there was no significant difference between no intervention and incus interposition. In group B, patients in the no reconstruction subgroup had a significantly worse hearing result than the incus interposition subgroup (postoperative air-bone gap of 27.5 dB and 31% closure within 20 dB vs 15 dB and 75% closure). CONCLUSIONS: For Type I patients, the postoperative hearing results were similar for the reconstruction and no reconstruction groups. For Type II patients, the results clearly favour reconstruction.

Down-Klinefelter syndrome (48,XXY,+21) in a neonate associated with congenital heart disease.

Double aneuploidy is considered a rare phenomenon. Herein, we describe a case of double aneuploidy 48,XXY,+21 in a neonate with congenital heart defects. The 28-day-old neonate male (23-year-old mother and 24-year-old father) was admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit owing to congenital heart disease. Echocardiography showed a complete atrioventricular septal defect with Rastelli type B and significant left ventricular failure, moderate atrioventricular valve regurgitation, right-sided heart failure, and preserved systolic function. Cytogenetic analysis of the newborn showed double aneuploidy 48,XXY,+21. The maternal karyotype was 46,XX,inv(9)(p11q13) and the paternal was 46,XY. Characteristics associated with Down syndrome are observed in newborns; on the other hand, children under 10 months of age and neonates may show little or no signs of the Klinefelter syndrome. According to this study, there seem to be differences between the frequency of congenital heart disease among patients with Down-Klinefelter and Down syndrome. At about 11 months of age, the child died after undergoing heart surgeries. The early cytogenetic study is important for better diagnosis and management of the disease.

CASE-REPORT Low-level trisomy 14 mosaicism in a male newborn with ectrodactyly.

Complete trisomy 14 mosaicism is a rare chromosome disorder and was first reported in 1970. We describe a case of a male neonate who presented complete trisomy 14 mosaicism in only 4% of the cells from peripheral blood. A nineteen-day-old male neonate was born as result of the second pregnancy. The infant was delivered by cesarean section due to gestational hypertension and chronic fetal distress. The length of the term pregnancy was 37 weeks, the birth weight was 3.105 g, the length was 48 cm, and the head circumference was 35.5 cm. The baby remained hospitalized for 19 days in the neonatal intensive care unit due to respiratory distress syndrome and congenital malformations. Physical examination revealed a toned and normal activity, followed by phenotypic changes such as a broader forehead, formation of a cleft palate, hypertelorism, low-set ears, bilateral cryptorchidism, absence of the second toe of the left foot (ectrodactyly), and fusion of third and fourth toes in the right foot (bilateral syndactyly). Cytogenetic analysis was performed on peripheral blood cultures after hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit. Analysis of 200 G-banded metaphases showed that 192 (96%) had normal karyotype 46,XY and only 8 (4%) presented trisomy 47,XY,+14. It was not possible to perform cytogenetic analysis on the patient's parents. Our patient represents the first case of trisomy 14 disorder to present ectrodactyly.