Evaluation of echocardiographic variables of morphometry and function in horses submitted to minimally invasive partial pericardiotomy / [Avaliação de variáveis ecocardiográficas morfométricas e funcionais em cavalos submetidos à pericardiotomia parcial minimamente invasiva]

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of minimally invasive partial pericardiotomy on echocardiographic variables of morphometry and function in healthy horses. Minimally invasive pericardiotomy was performed in six healthy horses. Echocardiographic evaluation was executed in different moments: prior to the surgical procedure (M0); 24 hours post procedure (M1); 72 hours post procedure (M2) and 28 days post procedure (M3). The following variables were measured: Right ventricular internal diameter in diastole and systole (RVd and RVs), interventricular septum thickness in diastole and systole (IVSd and IVSs), left ventricular internal diameter in diastole and systole (LVd and LVs), left ventricular free wall thickness in diastole and systole (LVFWd and LVFWs), aortic root diameter (Ao) and left atrial diameter (LA). From this data, the following variables were calculated: fractional shortening (FS%), fractional thickening of the interventricular septum (IVS%), fractional thickening of the left ventricular free wall (LVFW%) and the relationship between left atrial and aortic diameters (LA/Ao). After 28 days, a new thoracoscopy was performed for inspection of the thoracic cavity. In M1 and M2 ECO evaluations, a statistically significant change in LVFW and a decrease in RVd, LVd, LVFWs, LA, LVs, FS% and IVS was documented. Pericardiotomy is a promising technique in horses, with minor postoperative complication. The variations in the echocardiographic parameters were transient and did not cause hemodynamic damage to the animals.(AU)

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o impacto da pericardiotomia parcial minimamente invasiva sobre as variáveis ecocardiográficas morfométricas e funcionais em cavalos, visto que não há nenhum trabalho que tenha avaliado o impacto da pericardiotomia na espécie equina. Foram utilizados seis cavalos hígidos, nos quais se realizou pericardiotomia minimamente invasiva. Em todos eles, foi efetuado exame ecocardiográfico em diferentes momentos: previamente ao procedimento cirúrgico (M0); 24 horas após (M1); 72 horas após (M2) e 28 dias após (M3). Foram mensurados: diâmetro interno do ventrículo direito (VDd e VDs), espessura do septo interventricular (SIVd e SIVs), diâmetro interno do ventrículo esquerdo (VEd e VEs), espessura da parede livre do ventrículo esquerdo (PLVEd e PLVEs), diâmetro interno da aorta (Ao) e diâmetro atrial esquerdo (AE). Foram calculadas as variáveis fração de encurtamento (FEC%), espessamento fracional do septo interventricular (SIV%), espessamento fracional da parede livre do ventrículo esquerdo (PLVE%) e relação entre diâmetro do átrio esquerdo e diâmetro aórtico (AE/Ao). Após 28 dias, realizou-se nova toracoscopia para inspeção da cavidade torácica. Nas avaliações do ECO no M1 e no M2, houve alteração estatisticamente significativa no PLVE em diástole (28±5,5 e 31,7±2, respectivamente) e diminuição dos parâmetros VDd,(30,1±11,6 e 31,7± 10,7) VEd (113,3±21 e 121,7±13,7), PLVEs (42±8,2 e 43,9±2,8), AE (78,5±6,1 e 82,7±4,7), VEs (74,1±16 e 71,5±9,3), FEC (34,4±10,2 e 41,2±5,7) e SIV (27,1±8,7 e 42,3±27,9). A técnica de pericardiotomia empregada mostrou-se promissora em equinos. As variações dos parâmetros ecocardiográficos foram transitórias, não causando prejuízos hemodinâmicos aos animais.(AU)

Use of short-lived positron emitters for in-beam and real-time ß+ range monitoring in proton therapy.

AIM: The purpose of this work is to evaluate the precision with which the GEANT4 toolkit simulates the production of ß+ emitters relevant for in-beam and real-time PET in proton therapy. BACKGROUND: An important evolution in proton therapy is the implementation of in-beam and real-time verification of the range of protons by measuring the correlation between the activity of ß+ and dose deposition. For that purpose, it is important that the simulation of the various ß+ emitters be sufficiently realistic, in particular for the 12N short-lived emitter that is required for efficient in-beam and real-time monitoring. METHODS: The GEANT4 toolkit was used to simulate positron emitter production for a proton beam of 55 MeV in a cubic PMMA target and results are compared to experimental data. RESULTS: The three ß+ emitters with the highest production rates in the experimental data (11C, 15O and 12N) are also those with the highest production rate in the simulation. Production rates differ by 8% to 174%. For the 12N isotope, the ß+ spatial distribution in the simulation shows major deviations from the data. The effect of the long range (of the order of 20 mm) of the ß+ originating from 12N is also shown and discussed. CONCLUSIONS: At first order, the GEANT4 simulation of the ß+ activity presents significant deviations from the data. The need for precise cross-section measurements versus energy below 30 MeV is of first priority in order to evaluate the feasibility of in-beam and real-time PET.

Aspergilose sistêmica em um cavalo - relato de caso / Systemic aspergilosis in a horse - case report

O presente trabalho relata o caso de aspergilose sistêmica em um cavalo da raça Quarto de Milha. O animal apresentava quadro de emagrecimento progressivo e alopecia. Os parâmetros avaliados durante o exame clínico encontravam-se de acordo com os valores normais para a espécie. No hemograma verificou-se leucocitose por neutrofilia, sem desvio à esquerda, proteínas plasmáticas totais elevadas e aumento do fibrinogênio, indicando um processo inflamatório acompanhado de desidratação. Os exames bioquímicos séricos demonstraram aumento no valor da ureia. Apesar dos exames realizados e da terapia instituída com antibióticos de amplo espectro e suporte nutricional, após 51 dias de internamento o quadro clínico evoluiu para caquexia e decúbito permanente do paciente, o qual foi submetido à eutanásia seguida de necropsia. Com base nos achados nos exames necroscópico e histopatológico, diagnosticou-se infecção sistêmica por Aspergillus sp., acometendo pulmões, fígado, rins, peritônio parietal e encéfalo. Dentre os fatores predisponentes à relatada infecção fúngica sistêmica, destaca-se o status imunológico debilitado do paciente, possivelmente proporcionado por tratamentos prolongados com antibióticos e anti-inflamatórios esteroidais. O presente trabalho relata o primeiro caso descrito de arpergilose sistêmica no Brasil. O diagnóstico definitivo só foi possível após necropsia e histopatologia, visto que os sinais clínicos inespecíficos não foram determinantes para o diagnóstico em vida.(AU)

This paper reports the case of systemic aspergillosis on a Quarter Horse. The animal had progressive weight loss and alopecia. The parameters evaluated during the clinical examination were in agreement with the normal values for the species. The hemogram showed neutrophilic leukocytosis, without left-sided, elevated total plasma proteins and an increase in fibrinogen, indicating an inflammatory process accompanied by dehydration. Serum biochemical tests showed an increase in the value of urea. Despite the performed tests and established therapy with broad spectrum antibiotics and nutritional support, after 51 days of hospitalization the clinical condition evolved into cachexia and permanent decubitus of the patient which underwent to euthanasia and necropsy. From the findings of necropsy and histopathology, systemic infection was diagnosed by Aspergillus sp., affecting the lungs, liver, kidneys, parietal peritoneum and encephalon. Among the factors predisposing to the reported systemic fungal infection, the patient's weakened immune status is highlighted, possibly due to prolonged antibiotic and steroidal anti-inflammatory treatments. This paper reports the first case described of systemic aspergillosis in Brazil. Definitive diagnosis was only possible after necropsy and histopathology, since nonspecific clinical signs were not determinant for the diagnosis in life.(AU)

Sondagem da pelve renal guiada por cistoscopia em éguas / Catheterization of the renal pelvis guided by cistoscopy in mare

O objetivo deste trabalho foi padronizar a técnica de acesso à pelve renal por meio de sondagem ureteral guiada por cistoscopia em éguas. Foram utilizados oito animais, de raças variadas, com peso médio de 439kg. As éguas foram sedadas e mantidas em tronco de contenção para a realização da cistoscopia com endoscópio flexível. Após identificação do óstio ureteral esquerdo, uma sonda de polietileno foi introduzida em seu lume, até a pelve renal. A localização da sonda no rim foi confirmada por meio de ultrassonografia transcutânea. Foram coletados 3mL de urina, de forma asséptica, para citologia e cultura bacteriana. Todas as amostras obtiveram resultados negativos na cultura e análise do sedimento urinário. Nenhum dos animais apresentou quaisquer complicações após a sondagem. Este estudo demonstrou que a coleta de urina diretamente da pelve renal em éguas, com auxílio da cistoscopia na realização da sondagem ureteral, consiste em um procedimento viável e seguro.(AU)

The objective of this study was to standardize the technique of access to the renal pelvis by means of ureteral catheterization guided by cystoscopy in mares. Eight animals of different races were used, with an average weight of 439kg. The mares were sedated and contained in containment trunk for the accomplishment of cystoscopy with flexible endoscope. After the identification of the left ureteral ostium, from where inside a catheter was introduced, which went through the entire extension of the ureter up to the renal pelvis. After identification of the left ureteral ostium, from where inside a catheter was introduced, into its lumen until reaching the renal pelvis. The location of the probe in the kidney was confirmed by transcutaneous ultrasonography. Three ml of urine was aspirated aseptically for cytology and microbiological culture. All the samples obtained negative results in the culture and sedimentation. None of the animals had any complications after catheterization. This study demonstrated that the collection of urine directly from the renal pelvis in mares, with the assistance of cystoscopy in the realization of the ureteral catheter, consists of a viable and safe procedure.(AU)

Compressão de medula espinhal ocasionada por melanoma em cavalo de pelagem castanha / Spinal cord compression caused by melanoma in brown coat horse

This paper describes a case of malignant melanoma in brown coat horse, which had ataxia and proprioceptive deficits in hind limbs, progressing to permanent decubitus. The animal was euthanized and the final diagnosis was based on necropsy and histopathology. At necropsy different masses and / or nodules in skeletal muscle, bone, abdominal cavity, lungs, heart, spleen, liver, adrenal gland, lymph nodes, brain and cerebellum were found. Neurological clinical signs presented by the animal were justified by spinal cord compression caused by melanocytic mass invading the medullary canal of the flow segment of the thoracic spine (between 15th and 18th thoracic vertebrae). This is the first case report of melanoma leading to spinal cord compression in a non-gray horse. Thus, it is important to include this neoplasm in the differential diagnosis list of cutaneous and subcutaneous masses and / or nodules, and in suspected cases of spinal cord compression in horses of any coat.(AU)

Precision measurement of the neutron spin asymmetryA(n)(1) and spin-flavor decomposition in the valence quark region.

We have measured the neutron spin asymmetry A(n)(1) with high precision at three kinematics in the deep inelastic region at x=0.33, 0.47, and 0.60, and Q(2)=2.7, 3.5, and 4.8 (GeV/c)(2), respectively. Our results unambiguously show, for the first time, that A(n)(1) crosses zero around x=0.47 and becomes significantly positive at x=0.60. Combined with the world proton data, polarized quark distributions were extracted. Our results, in general, agree with relativistic constituent quark models and with perturbative quantum chromodynamics (PQCD) analyses based on the earlier data. However they deviate from PQCD predictions based on hadron helicity conservation.

[Vojta's seven postural reactions in the detection of neuromotor disorders in infants. Experience with 2382 subjects]. / Le sette reazioni posturali di Vojta come depistage delle alterazioni neuromotorie del lattante. Esperienza su 2.382 soggetti.

The Authors examined 2.382 babies who were between 4 and 6 weeks old using the seven postural reactions proposed by Vojta for neuromotor screening. They followed the progress of 2.295 (96,35%) babies up to the age of 1 year. 100% of the babies judged to be normal after the first visit were normal after a year. The Authors describe the evolution of the babies who were abnormal at the first visit, and clarify the results obtained with early physiotherapeutic treatment.