Interictal cardiac autonomic nervous system disturbances in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy.

Autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity in the interictal period (InIp) in dogs with presumed idiopathic epilepsy (pIE) was assessed using heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. The HRVs obtained from 28 pIE dogs with interictal epileptic discharges (InIEd; 11 with treatment and 17 without treatment) detected on electroencephalography (EEG) were compared with those obtained from 13 healthy dogs. On electrocardiographic (ECG) study, the P wave dispersion (PWD; P<0.001), P max (P=0.004) and corrected QT interval (QTc; P=0.025) were significantly increased in the pIE group. On the basis of HRV analysis, the pIE dogs had an increased activity of the parasympathetic component of the ANS, including the percentage of R-R interval (pNN50%) that differs more than 50ms (P=0.011) and high frequency band (HF; P=0.041). Administration of phenobarbitone had no influence on the ANS pattern when pIE subgroups were compared (P>0.05). In InIp, dogs elicited specific conductibility delays of the electrical impulses (increased PWD and QTc interval); these delays are considered to be risk factors for developing severe arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. When compared with human beings, a different ANS pattern characterised by increased parasympathetic activity was observed, which may influence the therapeutic approach of IE in dogs.

Evaluation of central vestibular syndrome in dogs using brainstem auditory evoked responses recorded with surface electrodes / Avaliação da síndrome vestibular central em cães usando respostas evocadas auditivas do tronco cerebral gravadas com eletrodos de superfície

The present study aimed to analyse the wave morphology, amplitude, latency, and intervals of the brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAERs) in dogs with central vestibular syndrome (CVS) recorded with surface electrodes. Ten dogs with CVS were examined by mono- and binaural stimulation, using the Neuropack electrodiagnostic system, with stimulus intensities of 90 dBSPL. BAERs examinations revealed morphological changes of waves I, II, III, and V and decreased amplitudes of all waves in 7/10 dogs. P values obtained were = 0.014 for wave I amplitude, 0.031 for II, and III and 0.032 for V. Comparing the latencies of waves I, II, III, and V generated by right and left monoaural stimulation in dogs with CVS, we did not observe significant differences (P > 0.05). No statistical differences were observed for BAERs latencies of the waves recorded after binaural and monaural stimulation (left or right). As far as we know, this is the first study of BAERs using surface electrodes, obtained from dogs with CVS.(AU)

Este estudo destina-se à análise da morfologia, da amplitude, da latência e do intervalo das ondas das respostas evocadas auditivas no tronco cerebral (BAERs) em cães com síndrome vestibular central (CVS) registrados com eletrodos de superfície. Dez cães com CVS foram examinados por estimulação mono e binaural usando um sistema de eletrodiagnóstico Neuropack, com intensidade do estímulo de 90 dBSPL. Os exames BAERs relevaram alterações morfológicas das ondas I, II, III e V, bem como baixas amplitudes para todas as ondas no caso dos 7/10 cães. Os valores de P obtidos foram = 0.014 para ampitude da onda I, 0.031 para a II e 0.032 para a V. Compararam-se as latências das ondas I, II, III e V geradas pelo estímulo monoaural direito e esquerdo em cães com CVS e não foram constatadas diferenças significativas (P > 0.05). Igualmente não foram observadas diferenças estatísticas no caso das latências BAERs no que diz respeito às ondas gravadas depois de estímulos binaural e monoaural (esquerdo ou direito). Pelo que é de conhecimento dos autores da presente pesquisa, este é o primeiro estudo sobre BAERs usando eletrodos de superfície obtidos em cães com CVS.(AU)

Antimicrobial Activity Evaluation on Silver Doped Hydroxyapatite/Polydimethylsiloxane Composite Layer.

The goal of this study was the preparation, physicochemical characterization, and microbiological evaluation of novel hydroxyapatite doped with silver/polydimethylsiloxane (Ag:HAp-PDMS) composite layers. In the first stage, the deposition of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer layer on commercially pure Si disks has been produced in atmospheric pressure corona discharges. Finally, the new silver doped hydroxyapatite/polydimethylsiloxane composite layer has been obtained by the thermal evaporation technique. The Ag:HAp-PDMS composite layers were characterized by various techniques, such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectroscopy (GDOES), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The antimicrobial activity of the Ag:HAp-PDMS composite layer was assessed against Candida albicans ATCC 10231 (ATCC-American Type Culture Collection) by culture based and confirmed by SEM and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) methods. This is the first study reporting the antimicrobial effect of the Ag:HAp-PDMS composite layer, which proved to be active against Candida albicans biofilm embedded cells.

Brainstem auditory evoked responses in healthy Argentine Mastiff dogs recorded with surface electrodes / Evocado auditivo de respostas em cães Mastiff argentino saudáveis rever utilizando eletrodos de superfície

Evocado auditivo de respostas ­ BAER ) foi gravado utilizando eletrodos de superfície em sete cães Mastiff argentino saudáveis para estimulações monoaural e binaural em intensidades sonoras de 90 dB NPS . As latências e amplitudes das ondas I, III e V bem como os intervalos InterWave I- III , III -V e IV foram calculados. As diferenças estatísticas foram obtidas para as ondas III e latências V, amplitudes das ondas III e intervalos I- III e I-V entre mono e estimulação binaural. Por serem uma das raças geneticamente predispostas à surdez congênita, obtendo valores de referência BAER, os cães Mastiff argentino têm uma importância clínica especial.(AU)

High-resolution quantitative determination of dielectric function by using scattering scanning near-field optical microscopy.

A new method for high-resolution quantitative measurement of the dielectric function by using scattering scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) is presented. The method is based on a calibration procedure that uses the s-SNOM oscillating dipole model of the probe-sample interaction and quantitative s-SNOM measurements. The nanoscale capabilities of the method have the potential to enable novel applications in various fields such as nano-electronics, nano-photonics, biology or medicine.

A study on the image contrast of pseudo-heterodyned scattering scanning near-field optical microscopy.

The dependence of the near-field signal on the dielectric function of a specific material proposes scattering-type near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) as a viable tool for material characterization studies. Our experiment shows that specific material identification by s-SNOM is not a straightforward task as parameters involved in the detection scheme can also influence material contrast measurements. More precisely, we demonstrate that s-SNOM contrast in a pseudo-heterodyne detection configuration depends on the oscillation amplitude of the reference mirror and that for reliable measurements of the contrast between different materials this aspect needs to be taken into consideration.

Histopathological and immunohistochemical aspects in chronic suppurative maxillary rhinosinusitis.

Chronic rhinosinusitis is a multifactorial disease with pathophysiological mechanisms, which remain unclear, and with a high prevalence worldwide. They generate social problems due to the high number of days of leave and relatively elevated medical expenses. The histopathological and immunohistochemical study that we conducted revealed many lesional aspects of the epithelium of the sinus mucosa, which ranged from hypertrophy, hyperplasia and metaplasia, to erosion and discontinuities. In the chorion of the sinus mucosa there was an inflammatory infiltrate composed mainly of lymphocytes, plasma cells and macrophages, and also a highly developed vascular network. Among immune cells, T-cells appeared to be more numerous than B-lymphocytes and macrophages. We believe that microscopic changes are due mainly to microscopic organisms that make up the biofilm of the sinus cavity, whose virulence has been more or less influenced by exogenous or endogenous factors.

The importance of tumor proliferation markers in assessing lesions of the palatine tonsil.

Oropharyngeal cancer, and especially squamous cell carcinoma, is one of the most common cancers worldwide, and its incidence is increasing, with the palatine tonsil being one of the main locations. The etiopathogenic factors, together with its location as well as the available immunohistochemical methods, make this type of cancer an accessible one in terms of diagnosis. However, it is usually diagnosed in late stages. Therefore, we tried to elucidate the causes of treatment failures and development of local recurrence. For this, we reassessed the proliferative pattern of tonsil lesions using the anti-p53, anti-PCNA and anti-Ki67 antibodies on 73 tonsil fragments collected after curative surgery on adults aged between 28 and 86 years. Following the reevaluation of the histopathological examination using markers for cell proliferation, the diagnosis was modified in 16 cases, representing about 22% of the cases take into study. By using immunohistochemical markers in the histopathological examination the diagnosis is improved, leading to a more appropriate therapeutical approach.

Malignant melanoma of nasal cavity.

INTRODUCTION: Malignant melanoma rarely develops in the mucous membranes. Statistical data indicate that rhinosinusal mucosal melanoma was reported in less than 1% of all melanic tumors and in 2-8% of all cancers developed in the nasal fossae and sinuses. Due to reduce and non-specific symptoms and a high degree of invasion away, patients come for a medical expertise in advanced stages of the disease, which is leading to a poor prognosis. The average five-year survival is 20-30%. PATIENT AND METHODS: We present the case of a 65-year-old female patient coming from a rural environment, hospitalized for unilateral nasal obstruction and nasal mucosal changes of a blackish appearance on all of the walls. RESULTS: The endoscopic examination revealed a matter and of a blackish appearance nasal mucosa along the whole length of the left nasal cavity (septum, turbinates, floor, ceiling). Presumptive diagnosis of melanoma led to the excision of inferior and middle turbinate mucosa, floor and ceiling mucosa and the excision of the nasal septum, keeping the columella and the posterior portion. Histopathological and mostly immunohistochemical exams confirmed the diagnosis of malignant melanoma. To determine the phenotype of tumor cells, it was evaluated their immunostaining for HMB-45, Melan-A, S-100, vimentin, cyclin D1 and CD44 markers. The patient followed oncologic treatment and radiochemotherapy, presenting a favorable evolution with the absence of loco-regional recurrence or distant metastasis 24 months postoperatively.

Investigation of dental-plaque formers biofilms by optic and confocal laser scanning microscopy and microbiological tools.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the dental plaque formed on natural teeth surfaces by optic and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), to quantify the microbial density by viable cell counts, to identify the recovered microbial strains, the antibiotic susceptibility testing and their pathogenicity features (i.e. adherence and invasion capacity on HeLa cells, adherence on prostetic substrata used in oral medicine by original experimental models, production of extracellular enzymes and exotoxins). results: The CLSM revealed a very complex and highly organized architecture of dental plaque. The direct optic examination of Gram-stained smears revealed a great diversity of morphological types (82.5% of cases), with comparative levels of microbial densities. 50% of recovered microbial strains exhibited ability to adhere to three different polimeric inert substrata used in oral medicine, but reduced adherence and invasion capacity of HeLa cells and scared expression of soluble enzymatic factors.

Characterization of a novel 1,3-bis(p-iminobenzoic acid)indane Langmuir-Blodgett film for organic vapor sensing.

In the present paper we report about the Langmuir-Blodgett thin film characterization and organic vapor sensing properties of a novel 1,3-bis(p-iminobenzoic acid)indane (IBI) containing polar carboxylic acid groups. LB film properties of IBI material is characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and quartz crystal microbalance. Our results show that high-quality and uniform LB films can be prepared with the transfer ratio of over 0.95. Organic vapor sensing properties are studied using quartz crystal microbalance measurement system. IBI film is found to be significantly more sensitive to benzene and the response of LB sample is fast, large, and reversible. The sensitivity of detection of toluene, ethyl alcohol, and isopropyl alcohol is much smaller than that of benzene. This newly synthesized IBI is a suitable molecule for the fabrication of an LB film and can be regarded as a promising sensing material in the development of a room temperature gas sensor for benzene vapor applications.

Gastroparesis and its management.

Gastroparesis may be related to a variety of underlying disorders, but diabetes mellitus is by far the most common cause. Symptoms of gastroparesis include early satiety, postprandial bloating, nausea and vomiting. Gastric scintigraphy with 99-technetium-labeled low-fat meal is the gold standard method of diagnosing delayed gastric emptying. Dietary measures and prokinetic drugs bring symptomatic relief in most patients. Some patients with severe nausea and vomiting will require antiemetic medications. Few patients will fail medical therapy and will continue to have debilitating symptoms of gastroparesis; such patients may benefit from a venting gastrostomy or a jejunostomy placed surgically, endoscopically, or fluoroscopically. Gastric electrical stimulation is an exiting new approach in the management of gastroparesis. As the treatment of gastroparesis is far from ideal, nonconventional approaches and nonstandard medications are presented.

[Seizures during the treatment with interferon for chronic C hepatitis]. / Crise comitiale au cours d'un traitement par interféron alpha, aux faibles doses, dans un cas d'hépatite chronique virale C.

Interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) is a well-established first-line treatment for chronic viral hepatitis. Side effects of IFN-alpha therapy are common but generally mild and self-limited. Generalized seizures during IFN-alpha therapy are very uncommon and are present in clinical isolated cases and usually in association with high doses of IFN-alpha. In our case a female of 39 years old, seizures have occurred at low doses of IFN-alpha used as therapy for chronic C viral hepatitis. As it comes to our knowledge, till now, there were published only 4 cases of generalized seizures that occurred during treatment with IFN-alpha for chronic C viral hepatitis. The physiopathology of this complication is unknown. Generalized seizures can be reasonable due to IFN-alpha therapy, as long as the patient didn't have any seizure history, or other factors, which can develop seizures. Neurological examination, EEG and brain scan were normal. The recurrence of these seizures was absent stopping IFN-alpha therapy without any other seizure treatment.

Helicobacter pylori infection, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and gastroduodenal pathology: current status.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are now widely used medicines and their relationship with gastroduodenal injury is well established. The overall risk for serious gastrointestinal side effects in patients taking NSAIDs is three times greater than that of control groups and this risk rises to more than five times in elderly patients. Moreover, the risk of gastrointestinal surgery is ten times greater in elderly patients taking NSAIDs than in controls. Therapeutic aspects like the necessity of eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in order to reduce the gastroduodenal risks for NSAIDs users, the indication for eradication of H.pylori of those with past history of peptic ulcer and require NSAID therapy, the role of eradication when the NSAIDs are used in association with misoprostol.

Humoral immune response in human pulmonary tuberculosis: antibodies against Mycobacterium tuberculosis polysaccharide, protein and glycolipid antigens.

Sera from 67 tuberculosis patients and 30 healthy subjects have been analyzed for the presence of specific antibodies against polysaccharide, protein and glycolipid antigens from H37Rv strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The results proved the advantages of using the glycolipid antigens in diagnosing tuberculosis as well as the relationship between the antibodies level and the extension of the pulmonary tuberculous lesions.