Estabilização vertebral segmentar modificada no tratamento de trauma medular em ouriço-cacheiro (Coendou spinosus): relato de caso / Modified segmental vertebral stabilization in the treatment of spinal cord trauma in a Paraguaian hairy dwarf porcupine (Coendou spinosus): case report

Uma fêmea, adulta, de ouriço-cacheiro (Coendou spinosus, F. Cuvier, 1823), foi atendida com histórico de trauma medular. No exame neurológico, foi constatada paraplegia com nocicepção preservada e sinais compatíveis com choque espinhal. Exame radiográfico e mielografia apontaram presença de fratura e luxação vertebral torácica entre T10-11. O paciente foi submetido à técnica de estabilização vertebral segmentar modificada, com pinos de Steinmann e fios de cerclagem. A técnica utilizada mostrou-se eficaz na estabilização da fratura/luxação vertebral e na recuperação dos sinais neurológicos. O paciente apresentou recuperação progressiva da deambulação. Para o conhecimento dos autores, este é o primeiro relato utilizando estabilização vertebral segmentar modificada para o tratamento de fratura/luxação vertebral torácica em Coendou spinosus.(AU)

An female, adult Paraguayan hairy dwarf porcupine (Coendou spinosus, F. Cuvier, 1823) was referred to the Veterinary Hospital with clinical history of spinal cord injury. In the neurological examination, paraplegia with preserved nociception compatible with signs of spinal shock were observed. Radiographic and myelographic examinations showed evidence of a vertebral dislocation and fracture between the 10th and 11th thoracic vertebrae. The patient underwent surgical stabilization of the lesion using the modified segmental vertebral stabilization technique with Steinmann pins and cerclage wires. Under the conditions reported in this case, the technique was effective in stabilizing vertebral fracture/dislocation and in recovering neurological functions. The patient presented progressive recovery from ambulation. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report that performed modified segment stabilization for thoracic vertebral fracture/luxation treatment in Coendou spinosus.(AU)

Estabilização vertebral segmentar modificada no tratamento de trauma medular em ouriço-cacheiro (Coendou spinosus): relato de caso / Modified segmental vertebral stabilization in the treatment of spinal cord trauma in a Paraguaian hairy dwarf porcupine (Coendou spinosus): case report

Uma fêmea, adulta, de ouriço-cacheiro (Coendou spinosus, F. Cuvier, 1823), foi atendida com histórico de trauma medular. No exame neurológico, foi constatada paraplegia com nocicepção preservada e sinais compatíveis com choque espinhal. Exame radiográfico e mielografia apontaram presença de fratura e luxação vertebral torácica entre T10-11. O paciente foi submetido à técnica de estabilização vertebral segmentar modificada, com pinos de Steinmann e fios de cerclagem. A técnica utilizada mostrou-se eficaz na estabilização da fratura/luxação vertebral e na recuperação dos sinais neurológicos. O paciente apresentou recuperação progressiva da deambulação. Para o conhecimento dos autores, este é o primeiro relato utilizando estabilização vertebral segmentar modificada para o tratamento de fratura/luxação vertebral torácica em Coendou spinosus.(AU)

An female, adult Paraguayan hairy dwarf porcupine (Coendou spinosus, F. Cuvier, 1823) was referred to the Veterinary Hospital with clinical history of spinal cord injury. In the neurological examination, paraplegia with preserved nociception compatible with signs of spinal shock were observed. Radiographic and myelographic examinations showed evidence of a vertebral dislocation and fracture between the 10th and 11th thoracic vertebrae. The patient underwent surgical stabilization of the lesion using the modified segmental vertebral stabilization technique with Steinmann pins and cerclage wires. Under the conditions reported in this case, the technique was effective in stabilizing vertebral fracture/dislocation and in recovering neurological functions. The patient presented progressive recovery from ambulation. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report that performed modified segment stabilization for thoracic vertebral fracture/luxation treatment in Coendou spinosus.(AU)

Hipospadia perineal em um cão: relato de caso / Perineal hypospadias in a dog: case report

A hipospadia é uma anomalia congênita da genitália externa, na qual a uretra peniana termina ventral e caudalmente à sua abertura normal. Pode ser classificada, com base na localização da abertura uretral, como glandular, peniana, escrotal, perineal e anal. O objetivo deste trabalho é relatar um caso raro de hipospadia perineal, em que são abordados seus aspectos clínicos e terapêuticos, em um cão macho, sem raça definida, com seis meses de idade. Um canino com histórico de suspeita de hermafroditismo e presença de um orifício, logo abaixo do ânus, pelo qual urinava foi atendido no Hospital de Clínicas Veterinárias da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). Durante o exame físico, foi observado o meato uretral localizado ventralmente ao ânus, além de alterações no prepúcio, pênis e escroto. Foram realizados exames de triagem, tais como: hemograma completo, urinálise, ecografia abdominal e uretrocistografia. O cão foi encaminhado para a cirurgia, quando foi submetido à amputação peniana e prepucial total e também à orquiectomia. O canino recebeu antibioticoterapia, analgésicos, anti-inflamatório e limpezas diárias dos pontos e da região perineal e apresentou excelente recuperação pós-operatória. Após 30 dias da cirurgia, o paciente retornou ao hospital, e foi verificada completa cicatrização da ferida cirúrgica, sem sinais de infecção urinária e inflamação ou assaduras na região perineal. A hipospadia perineal é um caso raro de anomalia uretral congênita, ainda pouco documentada em medicina veterinária. O procedimento cirúrgico realizado demonstrou ser importante, uma vez que removeu toda a genitália externa defeituosa, onde, futuramente, poderiam desenvolver-se infecções e/ou inflamações. Com isso, minimizou as complicações dessa doença e melhorou a qualidade de vida do paciente.(AU)

Hypospadias is a congenital anomaly of the external genitalia, where the penile urethra finishes its normal opening ventrally and caudally. It can be classified based on the location of the urethral opening as glandular, penile, scrotal, perineal and anal. The aim of this work was report an uncommon case of perineal hypospadias, working on the clinical and therapeutic aspects in a six-month-old male dog of undefined race. A dog with a history of suspected hermaphroditism and presenting a hole below the anus by which it urinated, was rescued at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). During the physical exam, it was observed that the urethral meatus was situated ventrally to the anus. Foreskin, penis and scrotum alterations were also seen on the dog. Screening exams such as complete blood count, urinalysis, abdominal ultrasound and cystourethrography were done. The dog went straight to surgery, where it had total penile and total preputial amputation and also orchiectomy. The canine showed excellent postoperative recovery, receiving antibiotic therapy, analgesics, anti-inflammatories and daily cleaning on stitches and the perineal region. Thirty days after surgery the patient went back to the Hospital presenting a complete healing of the surgical wound, without reporting signs of urinary infection and inflammation or rashes on the perineal region. The perineal hypospadias is a rare case of urethral congenital anomaly, still not well documented by veterinary medicine. The surgical procedure done demonstrated to be important, since there was the removal of all of the defective external genitalia where, in the future, inflammation and infection could develop, decreasing the complications of this disease and improving this patient's quality of life.(AU)

Hipospadia perineal em um cão: relato de caso / Perineal hypospadias in a dog: case report

A hipospadia é uma anomalia congênita da genitália externa, na qual a uretra peniana termina ventral e caudalmente à sua abertura normal. Pode ser classificada, com base na localização da abertura uretral, como glandular, peniana, escrotal, perineal e anal. O objetivo deste trabalho é relatar um caso raro de hipospadia perineal, em que são abordados seus aspectos clínicos e terapêuticos, em um cão macho, sem raça definida, com seis meses de idade. Um canino com histórico de suspeita de hermafroditismo e presença de um orifício, logo abaixo do ânus, pelo qual urinava foi atendido no Hospital de Clínicas Veterinárias da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). Durante o exame físico, foi observado o meato uretral localizado ventralmente ao ânus, além de alterações no prepúcio, pênis e escroto. Foram realizados exames de triagem, tais como: hemograma completo, urinálise, ecografia abdominal e uretrocistografia. O cão foi encaminhado para a cirurgia, quando foi submetido à amputação peniana e prepucial total e também à orquiectomia. O canino recebeu antibioticoterapia, analgésicos, anti-inflamatório e limpezas diárias dos pontos e da região perineal e apresentou excelente recuperação pós-operatória. Após 30 dias da cirurgia, o paciente retornou ao hospital, e foi verificada completa cicatrização da ferida cirúrgica, sem sinais de infecção urinária e inflamação ou assaduras na região perineal. A hipospadia perineal é um caso raro de anomalia uretral congênita, ainda pouco documentada em medicina veterinária. O procedimento cirúrgico realizado demonstrou ser importante, uma vez que removeu toda a genitália externa defeituosa, onde, futuramente, poderiam desenvolver-se infecções e/ou inflamações. Com isso, minimizou as complicações dessa doença e melhorou a qualidade de vida do paciente...

Hypospadias is a congenital anomaly of the external genitalia, where the penile urethra finishes its normal opening ventrally and caudally. It can be classified based on the location of the urethral opening as glandular, penile, scrotal, perineal and anal. The aim of this work was report an uncommon case of perineal hypospadias, working on the clinical and therapeutic aspects in a six-month-old male dog of undefined race. A dog with a history of suspected hermaphroditism and presenting a hole below the anus by which it urinated, was rescued at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). During the physical exam, it was observed that the urethral meatus was situated ventrally to the anus. Foreskin, penis and scrotum alterations were also seen on the dog. Screening exams such as complete blood count, urinalysis, abdominal ultrasound and cystourethrography were done. The dog went straight to surgery, where it had total penile and total preputial amputation and also orchiectomy. The canine showed excellent postoperative recovery, receiving antibiotic therapy, analgesics, anti-inflammatories and daily cleaning on stitches and the perineal region. Thirty days after surgery the patient went back to the Hospital presenting a complete healing of the surgical wound, without reporting signs of urinary infection and inflammation or rashes on the perineal region. The perineal hypospadias is a rare case of urethral congenital anomaly, still not well documented by veterinary medicine. The surgical procedure done demonstrated to be important, since there was the removal of all of the defective external genitalia where, in the future, inflammation and infection could develop, decreasing the complications of this disease and improving this patient's quality of life...

Osteossíntese de mandíbula e maxila em equinos adultos: relato de quatro casos / Mandibular and maxillary osteosynthesis in adult horses: a report of four cases

Fraturas da mandíbula secundárias a trauma externo não são raras em equinos, sendo este o osso mais comumente fraturado quando o trauma é na região da cabeça. Na maioria dos casos, são abertas e com dano aos tecidos moles adjacentes. Como os ossos da cabeça não são submetidos às forças de carga do apoio, a exigência para fixação da fratura é menos desafiadora. O presente trabalho descreve o tratamento cirúrgico de quatro fraturas de mandíbula em equinos, sendo que, em um caso, havia também fratura de maxila. Quatro cavalos adultos com histórico de traumatismo na região da cabeça foram atendidos, avaliados clinicamente, radiografados e, após diagnóstico, submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico. No primeiro caso, o equino apresentava fratura rostral da mandíbula, sendo esta tratada com cerclagens. Além disso, o animal apresentava fratura múltipla de maxila, que foi corrigida com uma cerclagem próxima aos dentes incisivos, uma placa com parafusos e duas hemicerclagens na região entre os dentes incisivos e pré-molares. O segundo animal apresentava fratura múltipla dos ramos horizontal e vertical direito da mandíbula e foi tratado com uso de cinco placas de reconstrução e parafusos. No terceiro paciente foi diagnosticada fratura simples no ramo horizontal da mandíbula esquerda, que foi estabilizada com uma placa e parafusos. O quarto paciente apresentava fratura rostral de mandíbula, com avulsão de quatro dentes incisivos, sendo realizada a extração dos dentes incisivos e sutura da mucosa labial. Todos os animais obtiveram consolidação das fraturas em diferentes períodos de pós-operatório, o que permitiu melhora na qualidade de vida.

Secondary mandible fracture due to external trauma is not uncommon in horses, that being the most commonly fractured bone when the injure is on the animal´s head. In most cases, the injuries are open and damaging to surrounding soft tissues. As the bones of the head are not subjected to load forces, the support requirements for fracture fixation are less challenging. This paper describes the surgical treatment of four mandible fractures in horses, and, in one case, the animal had also suffered a fractured jaw. Four horses with a history of trauma to the head region have been examined, clinically and radiographically evaluated, and after being diagnosed, each of them was submitted to surgical treatment. In the first case, the horse showed rostral fracture of the jaw, thus being treated with cerclage. Moreover, the animal had multiple jaw fractures that were fixed with a cerclage next to the incisors, with a plate and two screws and cerclage in the region between the incisors and the premolars. The second animal had multiple fractures of the horizontal and vertical branches of the right jaw and was treated with the use of five reconstruction plates and screws. The third patient was diagnosed with a simple horizontal branch fracture of the left mandible that was stabilized with a plate and screws. The fourth patient had a fracture of the rostral mandible with avulsion of four incisors, and received the extraction of incisors and labial mucosa suture. All animals received fracture treatment in different post surgical periods, allowing improved quality of life.

Osteossíntese de mandíbula e maxila em equinos adultos: relato de quatro casos / Mandibular and maxillary osteosynthesis in adult horses: a report of four cases

Fraturas da mandíbula secundárias a trauma externo não são raras em equinos, sendo este o osso mais comumente fraturado quando o trauma é na região da cabeça. Na maioria dos casos, são abertas e com dano aos tecidos moles adjacentes. Como os ossos da cabeça não são submetidos às forças de carga do apoio, a exigência para fixação da fratura é menos desafiadora. O presente trabalho descreve o tratamento cirúrgico de quatro fraturas de mandíbula em equinos, sendo que, em um caso, havia também fratura de maxila. Quatro cavalos adultos com histórico de traumatismo na região da cabeça foram atendidos, avaliados clinicamente, radiografados e, após diagnóstico, submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico. No primeiro caso, o equino apresentava fratura rostral da mandíbula, sendo esta tratada com cerclagens. Além disso, o animal apresentava fratura múltipla de maxila, que foi corrigida com uma cerclagem próxima aos dentes incisivos, uma placa com parafusos e duas hemicerclagens na região entre os dentes incisivos e pré-molares. O segundo animal apresentava fratura múltipla dos ramos horizontal e vertical direito da mandíbula e foi tratado com uso de cinco placas de reconstrução e parafusos. No terceiro paciente foi diagnosticada fratura simples no ramo horizontal da mandíbula esquerda, que foi estabilizada com uma placa e parafusos. O quarto paciente apresentava fratura rostral de mandíbula, com avulsão de quatro dentes incisivos, sendo realizada a extração dos dentes incisivos e sutura da mucosa labial. Todos os animais obtiveram consolidação das fraturas em diferentes períodos de pós-operatório, o que permitiu melhora na qualidade de vida.(AU)

Secondary mandible fracture due to external trauma is not uncommon in horses, that being the most commonly fractured bone when the injure is on the animal´s head. In most cases, the injuries are open and damaging to surrounding soft tissues. As the bones of the head are not subjected to load forces, the support requirements for fracture fixation are less challenging. This paper describes the surgical treatment of four mandible fractures in horses, and, in one case, the animal had also suffered a fractured jaw. Four horses with a history of trauma to the head region have been examined, clinically and radiographically evaluated, and after being diagnosed, each of them was submitted to surgical treatment. In the first case, the horse showed rostral fracture of the jaw, thus being treated with cerclage. Moreover, the animal had multiple jaw fractures that were fixed with a cerclage next to the incisors, with a plate and two screws and cerclage in the region between the incisors and the premolars. The second animal had multiple fractures of the horizontal and vertical branches of the right jaw and was treated with the use of five reconstruction plates and screws. The third patient was diagnosed with a simple horizontal branch fracture of the left mandible that was stabilized with a plate and screws. The fourth patient had a fracture of the rostral mandible with avulsion of four incisors, and received the extraction of incisors and labial mucosa suture. All animals received fracture treatment in different post surgical periods, allowing improved quality of life.(AU)

Corpo estranho traqueal em cão / Tracheal foreign body in dog

The occurrence of a tracheal foreign body in a three-month-old male Poodle referred to a Teaching Veterinary Hospital due to acute coughing, gagging and nausea is reported. A bronchoscopy under general anesthesia was performed in order to obtain a diagnose. During the bronchoscopy a foreign body (maize popcorn) was observed in the intrathoracic trachea. The surgeon attempted to remove it by endoscopy, but no success was achieved. Therefore, an open procedure was performed and the foreign body removed. The patient progressed satisfactorily after the thoracotomy.(AU)

Corpo estranho traqueal em cão / Tracheal foreign body in dog

The occurrence of a tracheal foreign body in a three-month-old male Poodle referred to a Teaching Veterinary Hospital due to acute coughing, gagging and nausea is reported. A bronchoscopy under general anesthesia was performed in order to obtain a diagnose. During the bronchoscopy a foreign body (maize popcorn) was observed in the intrathoracic trachea. The surgeon attempted to remove it by endoscopy, but no success was achieved. Therefore, an open procedure was performed and the foreign body removed. The patient progressed satisfactorily after the thoracotomy.

Comparison of lyophilization, and freezing in honey as techniques to preserve cortical bone allografts used to repair experimental femoral defects in domestic adult cats / Comparação de enxerto ósseo cortical autógeno e implante ósseo cortical alógeno conservados no mel, congelados ou liofilizados na substituição de segmento diafisário do fêmur de gatos domésticos

Cats with orthopedic conditions are a prominent part of the clinical work of veterinary. Conditions such as comminuted fractures, bone tumors and non-unions are often difficult to repair and may require the use of bone grafts for treatment. This study evaluated cortical bone allografts preserved in honey, frozen or lyophilized for correcting long bone defects created in the diaphysis of the right femur of domestic cats (n=24). In the control group (n=6), the defect was repaired using autogenous cortical bone graft. In the remaining animals (n=6/group), the defect was repaired with cortical bone allografts preserved in honey, frozen or lyophilized. Success of graft incorporation and length of time for consolidation were assessed through clinical, radiographic and histological evaluations performed up to 180 days. In the control, frozen, honey and lyophylized groups, respectively, success of graft incorporation was 91.6%, 83.3%, 75%, and 25%, with corresponding mean length of time for consolidation of 83.1, 78, 105 and 120 days. Incorporation percentage in the lyophilized group was significantly lower than in the frozen and control groups. In conclusion, bone grafts preserved in honey or frozen were effective for repairing cortical defects in the femurs of cats as compared to autogenous cortical bone grafts.

Afecções ortopédicas em gatos são frequentes, podendo-se encontrar fraturas cominutivas, neoplasias ósseas ou não-uniões de fraturas. Uma opção para o tratamento dessas afecções é a utilização de enxerto ou implante ósseo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar implantes ósseos corticais alógenos conservados em mel, congelados ou liofilizados na substituição de segmento diafisário do fêmur de felinos. Foi confeccionada uma falha óssea na diáfise do fêmur de 24 felinos. Em seis felinos a falha foi preenchida com o próprio osso removido e nos outros 18 animais, com implantes ósseos corticais alógenos conservados em mel, congelados ou liofilizados. Os animais foram avaliados clínica, radiográfica e histologicamente durante 180 dias. A incorporação foi de 91,6% no grupo controle, com tempo médio para consolidação de 83,1 dias; no mel foi de 75%, com tempo médio de 105 dias; no congelado foi de 83,3% com tempo médio de 78 dias e no liofilizado foi de 25%, com tempo médio de 120 dias. A porcentagem de consolidação foi significativamente menor no grupo liofilizado em relação aos grupos congelado e controle. É possível concluir que os implantes ósseos autógenos e os conservados no mel e congelados são eficazes no preenchimento de defeito cortical em fêmur de felinos.

Comparison of lyophilization, and freezing in honey as techniques to preserve cortical bone allografts used to repair experimental femoral defects in domestic adult cats / Comparação de enxerto ósseo cortical autógeno e implante ósseo cortical alógeno conservados no mel, congelados ou liofilizados na substituição de segmento diafisário do fêmur de gatos domésticos

Cats with orthopedic conditions are a prominent part of the clinical work of veterinary. Conditions such as comminuted fractures, bone tumors and non-unions are often difficult to repair and may require the use of bone grafts for treatment. This study evaluated cortical bone allografts preserved in honey, frozen or lyophilized for correcting long bone defects created in the diaphysis of the right femur of domestic cats (n=24). In the control group (n=6), the defect was repaired using autogenous cortical bone graft. In the remaining animals (n=6/group), the defect was repaired with cortical bone allografts preserved in honey, frozen or lyophilized. Success of graft incorporation and length of time for consolidation were assessed through clinical, radiographic and histological evaluations performed up to 180 days. In the control, frozen, honey and lyophylized groups, respectively, success of graft incorporation was 91.6%, 83.3%, 75%, and 25%, with corresponding mean length of time for consolidation of 83.1, 78, 105 and 120 days. Incorporation percentage in the lyophilized group was significantly lower than in the frozen and control groups. In conclusion, bone grafts preserved in honey or frozen were effective for repairing cortical defects in the femurs of cats as compared to autogenous cortical bone grafts.(AU)

Afecções ortopédicas em gatos são frequentes, podendo-se encontrar fraturas cominutivas, neoplasias ósseas ou não-uniões de fraturas. Uma opção para o tratamento dessas afecções é a utilização de enxerto ou implante ósseo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar implantes ósseos corticais alógenos conservados em mel, congelados ou liofilizados na substituição de segmento diafisário do fêmur de felinos. Foi confeccionada uma falha óssea na diáfise do fêmur de 24 felinos. Em seis felinos a falha foi preenchida com o próprio osso removido e nos outros 18 animais, com implantes ósseos corticais alógenos conservados em mel, congelados ou liofilizados. Os animais foram avaliados clínica, radiográfica e histologicamente durante 180 dias. A incorporação foi de 91,6% no grupo controle, com tempo médio para consolidação de 83,1 dias; no mel foi de 75%, com tempo médio de 105 dias; no congelado foi de 83,3% com tempo médio de 78 dias e no liofilizado foi de 25%, com tempo médio de 120 dias. A porcentagem de consolidação foi significativamente menor no grupo liofilizado em relação aos grupos congelado e controle. É possível concluir que os implantes ósseos autógenos e os conservados no mel e congelados são eficazes no preenchimento de defeito cortical em fêmur de felinos.(AU)

Policosanol modulates HMG-CoA reductase activity in cultured fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND: Cholesterol biosynthesis is strictly controlled by 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl Coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. METHODS: Transfer of cultured fibroblasts to a lipid-depleted medium (LDM) up-regulates the enzyme levels. This, in turn, is followed by an accelerated biosynthesis of cholesterol. RESULTS: Exposure of Vero fibroblasts to LDM and policosanol (0.5-50 microg/mL), a new cholesterol-lowering drug purified from sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) wax, decreased in a dose-dependent manner cholesterol biosynthesis from [14C]-acetate and 3H-water, but not from [14C]-mevalonate. CONCLUSIONS: This suggests an effect on HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-controlling enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis. When enzyme activity was measured in the presence of various concentrations of policosanol (0.5-50 microg/mL), reductase was not suppressed. Therefore, there was no evidence for a competitive or noncompetitive inhibition of enzyme activity. However, after treatment of intact cells with policosanol (50 microg/mL) in the presence of LDM, a suppressive effect on enzyme activity was observed, suggesting a modulatory effect of policosanol on reductase activity. The previous inhibition of enzyme up-regulation by policosanol suggests to date a depression of de novo synthesis of HMG-CoA reductase and/or stimulation of its degradation. However, the exact mechanism by which policosanol inhibits the activity of HMG-CoA reductase still remains unclear. Further studies are needed to clarify the precise mechanism of its inhibitory action on cholesterol biosynthesis.

Analytical procedure for the determination of 1-octacosanol in plasma by solvent extraction and capillary gas chromatography.

A simple and rapid method for the determination of 1-octacosanol in plasma, based on an improved Folch extraction technique and capillary gas chromatography, has been developed taking into account the analytical criteria for the pharmacokinetic studies. The procedure was validated in the range of 50-2000 ng/ml. Despite the complexity of the obtained fingerprints, the efficiency and the separation power of GC allowed the determination of 1-octacosanol in plasma samples. The high recoveries (94.5-98.7%) and precision (1.8-5.8%) obtained are in accordance with the established validation criteria. The validity of this method for pharmacokinetic purposes was shown using an endovenous experiment in animals.

Enzyme activities and substrate degradation during white rot fungi growth on sugar-cane straw in a solid state fermentation.

Two strains of Pleurotus spp., grown in solid state fermentation on sugar-cane straw, degraded the dry matter by 50% after 60 days. The rate of substrate consumption and the dry weight of fruiting bodies decreased in consecutive flushings. Both strains vigorously attacked hemicellulose (80% of total degradation) and lignin (70%). Fruiting bodies were rich in protein and lipids, and had a low content of carbohydrates and ash.

Quantitative culture of bronchoalveolar lavage from patients with anaerobic lung abscesses.

The study of anaerobic infections of the lung is usually limited to the use of invasive techniques such as transtracheal aspiration (TTA) to avoid contamination by oral flora. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) has been used successfully in the study of the etiology of pneumonia in immunocompromised patients. This study evaluated the role of the quantitative culture of BAL in the diagnosis of lung abscess. Four episodes of lung abscess in three patients were studied, and the results of quantitative culture of BAL were compared with those of the standard technique of TTA. Nineteen anaerobic bacterial species were recovered from the BAL fluid, all but one at concentrations greater than 10(3) cfu/ml. Culture of BAL fluid yielded 18 of 22 of the isolates cultured from TTA, including 12 of 16 of the anaerobic bacteria. This study suggests that quantitative culture of BAL fluid may be useful in the bronchoscopic evaluation of lung abscess.

Ability of Staphylococcus aureus Cells to Bind Normal Human Immunoglobulin G.

Staphylococcus aureus cells suspended in a human immunoglobulin G (IgG) solution adsorbed nearly 90% of the IgG; electron micrographs showed the cells enclosed in a thick, dense envelope of IgG.