Electric Field Distribution during Non-Invasive Electric and Magnetic Stimulation of the Cervical Spinal Cord.

Experimental studies on transcutaneous spinal cord direct current and magnetic stimulation (tsDCS and tsMS) show promising results in the neuromodulation of spinal sensory and motor pathways, with possible application in spinal functional rehabilitation. Modelling studies on the electric field (EF) distribution during tsDCS and tsMS are powerful tools to understand the underlying biophysics and to select and optimize stimulation protocols for a specific clinical target. The study presented here compares the EF during cervical tsDCS and tsMS. The EF predictions show the same spatial profiles along the cervical spinal cord using both types of stimulation. tsMS presents higher average magnitudes per spinal segment, with a maximum value of 14.61 V/m, whereas tsDCS is approximately 30 times lower, reaching 0.44 V/m. According to previous studies, tsDCS and tsMS induce EF values which are sufficient for spinal neuromodulation.

Residual feed intake and reproductive traits of growing Purunã bulls.

Residual feed intake (RFI) and its relationship with reproductive traits was evaluated in growing bulls. Fifty-two growing Purunã bulls (11 mo initial age) were fed ad libitum in individual feedlot pens for 112 d. The animals were ranked for RFI and assigned to 3 feed efficiency groups: efficient (low RFI), intermediate (medium RFI), and inefficient (high RFI). Initial and final BW and ADG did not differ ( > 0.10) among the efficiency groups and were mean values of 254.6 (SD 44), 373.0 (SD 62), and 1.06 kg (SD 0.25), respectively. Mean values of 7.12 ± 0.28, 7.78 ± 0.28, and 8.04 ± 0.28 kg/d for DMI and -0.38 ± 0.04, -0.02 ± 0.04, and 0.51 ± 0.04 kg of DM/d for RFI were observed in the efficient, intermediate, and inefficient groups, respectively. Crude protein and ME intake were strongly correlated ( = 0.74, < 0.001 for both variables) with RFI and were lower ( < 0.10) in the efficient group (13.6 ± 0.2 g DM/kg BW∙d and 0.252 ± 0.003 Mcal/kg BW∙d, respectively) and greater ( < 0.10) in the inefficient group (15.3 ± 0.2 g DM/kg BW∙d and 0.282 ± 0.003 Mcal/kg BW∙d, respectively). Testicular measures (width, length, volume, ultrasonogram pixel intensity, and scrotum perimeter) and serum testosterone were not correlated with RFI ( > 0.10) but showed moderate to strong correlations with initial BW ( ranged from 0.36 to 0.51, ≤ 0.01), final BW ( ranged from 0.36 to 0.64, ≤ 0.01), and ADG ( ranged from 0.29 to 0.53, < 0.05). All the reproductive traits (testicular measurements and concentrations of serum testosterone) showed similar values among the efficiency groups. During the growth phase, feed intake and protein and energy requirements were decreased in more efficient bulls in terms of RFI. However, both groups maintained similar BW and ADG. Regardless of their RFI classification, Purunã bulls had the same reproductive traits during the growth phase.

Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Lantana camara L. extract in mice / Efeitos antinociceptivos do extrato de Lantana camara L. em camundongos

ABSTRACT: he Lantana camara L. belongs to the family Verbenaceae, which contains several active compounds in leaves and roots and which are reported to have medicinal and insecticidal properties. Studies of plants within the same family show the existence of anti-inflammatory activity in paw edema induced by carrageenan, serotonin and histamine and analgesic activity in the acetic acid writhing and tail-flick tests. The present study investigated whether the L. camara extract (ACE) also exerts these effects. The ACE toxicity was studied in male mice, and the percentage of mortality recorded 7 days after treatment was assessed. The ACE was evaluated as an antinociceptive agent in the hot plate, tail-flick and acetic acid writhing tests at a nontoxic dose of 1.0 g/Kg. The results showed that 1.5 g/Kg of ACE was not able to cause death, and doses of 3.0 and 4.0 g/Kg caused 50% and 60% death, respectively, in male mice. In all of the antinociceptive tests, 1 g/Kg of ACE markedly reduced responses to pain. Our findings suggest that ACE may have active anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties in much smaller doses than toxic.

RESUMO: Lantana camara L. pertence à família Verbenaceae, a qual contem muitos princípios ativos em suas folhas e raízes com propriedade medicinais e inseticidas. Estudos com plantas da mesma família mostram a existência de propriedades antinflamatórias no modelo de edema de pata induzido pela carragenina, serotonina e histamina, além da atividade analgésica nos testes de contorção induzida pelo ácido acético e da retirada da cauda por estímulo térmico. O presente trabalho investigou os efeitos tóxicos e antinociceptivos do extrato de L. camara (ACE) em camundongos. Para tanto, investigou-se a porcentagem de mortes em 7 dias após a administração de diferentes doses do extrato. Avaliou-se também os efeitos antinociceptivos do ACE pelos testes da placa quente, estimulação térmica da cauda e contorções abdominais induzidas pelo ácido acético com a dose não-tóxica [1,0 g/Kg]. Os resultados mostraram que 1,5 g/Kg do ACE não causou mortalidade, enquanto que 3,0 e 4,0 g/Kg promoveram 50 e 60% de mortalidade, respectivamente. Em todos os testes antinociceptivos, a dose de 1,0 g/Kg do ACE reduziu a resposta à dor. Os presentes resultados indicam que o ACE apresenta propriedades antinflamatórias e analgésicas em doses muito menores que a tóxica.

Características de desempenho e eficiência alimentar de touros Purunã em crescimento de três classes de consumo alimentar residual / Performance and feed efficiency traits of Purunã growing bulls of three groups of residual feed intake

Objetivou-se avaliar as características de desempenho, consumo e eficiência alimentar de touros Purunã em crescimento de três classes de consumo alimentar residual (CAR): eficiente, intermediária e ineficiente. Foram avaliados 110 tourinhos com média de 10 meses de idade e 233kg de peso corporal (PC), distribuídos aleatoriamente em baias individuais em confinamento. A dieta, em base de matéria seca (MS), foi composta por 420g/kg de concentrado e 580g/kg de silagem de milho, e fornecida à vontade. O consumo de MS diário e o ganho médio diário (GMD) foram avaliados durante 112 dias. O PC inicial e final e o GMD foram semelhantes entre as classes de eficiência e apresentaram valores médios de 233kg, 360kg e 1,14kg/dia. Valores médios de 7,19; 7,62 e 8,10kg/dia para consumo de MS e -048; -0,01 e 0,48kg MS/dia para CAR foram observados nas classes eficiente, intermediária e ineficiente. A conversão alimentar (CA) e a eficiência alimentar bruta (EAB) foram semelhantes entre as classes eficiente e intermediária, e apresentaram média de 6,65kg MS/kg ganho e 153g ganho/kg MS. A classe ineficiente apresentou maior CA e menor EAB, com valores de 7,40kg MS/kg ganho e 138g ganho/kg MS. A eficiência parcial de crescimento (EPC) diferiu entre as classes de eficiência e apresentou valores médios de 294; 277 e 255g ganho/kg MS para crescimento nas classes eficiente, intermediária e ineficiente. O CAR apresentou correlação moderada a alta com CA, EAB e EPC, e a diminuição do CAR levou à redução da CA em 12,2%, e aumento da EAB e EPC em 13,3% e 15,5%. Tourinhos Purunã eficientes para CAR consomem menos alimento, mas mantêm o mesmo nível de produção que os ineficientes. Assim, a classificação com base no CAR permite a identificação de animais com potencial para melhorar a eficiência produtiva do rebanho.

This trial aimed to evaluate the performance, feed intake and feed efficiency traits of Purunã growing bulls of three groups of residual feed intake (RFI): efficient, intermediary and inefficient. There were used 110 growing bulls with average of 10 months of age and 233kg of body weight (BW) which were randomly allocated in individual feedlot pens. The diet was composed, in dry matter (DM) basis, by 420g/kg of concentrate and 580g/kg of corn silage, and was offered ad libitum. Daily dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily gain (ADG) were assessed during 112 days. Initial and final BW and ADG not differed between the efficiency groups and showed mean values of 233kg, 360kg and 1.14kg/d. Mean values of 7.19, 7.62 and 8.10kg/d to DMI and -0.48, -0.01 and 0.48kg DM/d to RFI were observed in efficient, intermediary and inefficient groups. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) and gross feed efficiency (GFE) not differed between efficient and intermediary groups, which showed means of 6.65kg DM/kg gain and 153g gain/kg DM. Inefficient group showed higher FCR and lower GFE, with mean values of 7.40kg DM/kg gain and 138g gain/kg DM. Partial efficiency of growth (PEG) differed between the efficiency groups and showed means of 294, 277 and 255g gain/kg DM for growth in efficient, intermediary and inefficient groups. RFI showed moderate to high correlations with FCR, GFE and PEG, and decrease of RFI resulted in decrease of FCR in 12.2%, increase of GFE in 13.3% and increase of PEG in 15.5%. Efficient Purunã growing bulls (low RFI) present lower feed intake, but maintains the same production level that inefficient ones (high RFI). Thus, RFI classification allows identifying animals with potential to improve the productive efficiency of herd.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV and multiple aortic aneurysms--a case report.

Beside atherosclerosis, aortic aneurysms can be part of the clinical spectrum of many systemic diseases, including infectious, inflammatory, genetic and, less often, congenital disorders. A 48-year-old white man presented with multiple large aneurysms of the aorta and its main branches. Medical history was unremarkable except for the presence of a softened abdominal mass since he was 28 years old. On the physical examination, an arterial murmur was heard over the left carotid artery and a palpable mass was noted in the whole right side of the abdomen. No skin or joint abnormalities were noted. Aortography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance angiography showed multiple large aneurysms of the descending thoracic and abdominal aorta. Aneurysms of the innominate, left subclavian, and carotid arteries were also seen. This case resembles those previously reported, in which multiple aortic aneurysms were associated with abnormalities of the type III procollagen gene (COL3A1). Although the classic stigmas of the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV were lacking, this genetic disease may be the cause of the multiple aneurysms in this patient.

Sarcoidosis and systemic vasculitis.

BACKGROUND: Systemic vasculitis is an unusual complication of sarcoidosis. Over a 10-year period, the authors have provided care for six patients who had features of both sarcoidosis and vasculitis. Vasculitis could not be attributed to other causes. OBJECTIVES: To report six patients (five children) who had sarcoidosis and systemic vasculitis and compare our experience with previous literature. To better delineate the clinical spectrum of sarcoid vasculitis and its response to therapy. METHODS: Retrospective analysis and a Medline literature review of sarcoid and concurrent vasculitis from 1966. RESULTS: Our six patients had systemic illnesses that included fever, peripheral adenopathy, hilar adenopathy, rash, pulmonary parenchymal disease, musculoskeletal symptoms, and scleritis or iridocyclitis. Biopsies revealed features compatible with the diagnosis of sarcoidosis or necrotizing sarcoid granulomata in either skin, lymph node, lung, synovium, bone, bone marrow, liver, trachea, or sclera. Arteriography showed features of large vessel vasculitis in three patients, all of whom were African American, whereas patients with small vessel vasculitis were white. Prior reports of sarcoid and vasculitis included 14 adults, of whom half had predominantly small vessel disease, and half had medium- or large-sized vessel disease. Eight previously reported children included seven with primarily large vessel sarcoid vasculitis. Racial background was noted in 15 reported cases and included whites (6), African Americans (5), and Asians (4). Among the authors' six patients, four improved when treated with prednisone alone. However, relapses occurred when the drug was tapered or withdrawn. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcoidosis may be complicated by systemic vasculitis that can affect small- to large-caliber vessels. Sarcoid vasculitis can mimic hypersensitivity vasculitis, polyarteritis nodosa, microscopic polyangiitis, or Takayasu's arteritis. African American and Asian patients are disproportionately represented among cases with large vessel involvement. Corticosteroid and cytotoxic therapy is palliative for all forms of sarcoid vasculitis. However, relapses and morbidity from disease and treatment is common.

Weismann-Netter-Stuhl syndrome: first Brazilian case reports.

Weismann-Netter-Stuhl syndrome was first described in 1954 and is defined by an anterior curvature of the bones of the lower limbs, usually bilateral and symmetrical. Since its initial description, 82 cases were reported, including only 14 pediatric patients. The authors report two cases of this syndrome. One patient was an adult who presented with almost all the characteristic features of the disease. The second case was a 12-year-old girl who also presented with severe bone deformities of the upper limbs. Weismann-Netter-Stuhl syndrome is probably more common than previously reported and must be included in the differential diagnosis of rickets/osteomalacia, congenital syphilis and some cases of Paget's disease.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome: An Alert to Latin American Countries.

Approximately 400 cases of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) have been reported on the North American continent since the first epidemic in 1993, in New Mexico, USA. In Brazil, 12 cases were confirmed before 1998. Infection results from inhalation of rodent blood, saliva or waste. Clinical findings of the disease are characterized by a nonspecific febrile illness, followed by rapid progression to pulmonary edema which may lead to a shock-like state or renal failure. Mortality is high and emergency measures are necessary, including ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) in those patients with cardiopulmonary failure. Each virus strain is carried by a specific species of rodent. This leads to an overlapping geographic distribution of the rodent and virus. Public health authorities emphasize prevention of the disease. Guidelines have been prepared by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) for use by Latin American countries. Vaccines against hantavirus are under development and clinical trails are ongoing in Korea, China and the United States.

Polyarteritis nodosa and cytomegalovirus: diagnosis by polymerase chain reaction.

We investigated the occurrence of an active cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in patients with polyarteritis nodosa (PAN). Eleven patients with PAN were screened for the presence of CMV-DNA in their blood using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Serum anti-CMV IgG and anti-CMV IgM antibodies were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The ELISA for IgM was negative in all cases whereas that for IgG was positive in eight cases. Only one patient was positive for CMV-DNA by PCR. He presented with myalgia, polyarthralgia, fever and weight loss, suggesting PAN activity. CMV infection was uncommon in our series of patients with PAN, despite disease activity and immunosuppressor therapy. The finding of a transient CMV infection in one case at the beginning of PAN activity suggests that CMV may be involved in the pathogenesis of PAN.

Uncommon features of polyarteritis nodosa: psychosis and angio-oedema.

Psychosis and swelling of the face and hands are rarely observed in adult polyarteritis nodosa (PAN). We describe a 21-year-old woman who presented with fever, livedo reticularis, tender subcutaneous nodules and arthritis. These manifestations did not respond to prednisone, but remitted when the drug was tapered. She had had psychosis since the age of 16 years. During the flares of the disease she presented with facial, periorbital and hand swelling. This finding is rarely observed in adult PAN. Arteriography showed multiple small aneurysms, of the mesenteric vessels consistent with a diagnosis of PAN. Our report discusses the diagnosis of PAN and emphasises the uncommon presentation of this case.

99mTc labeling white blood cells with a simple technique: clinical application.

Several radionuclides and different methods have been employed as cellular labels to study inflammatory sites in man. Here we present the results obtained with white blood cells (WBC) labeled with 99mTc using a simple and low cost new technique (SnTec). WBC were incubated with 12 micrograms/ml of stannous chloride for 10 min at room temperature. Then 99mTc was added. After 10 min, the 99mTc-labeled WBC were washed and injected into the patient. Comparison studies with 99mTc-labeled WBC using the HMPAO technique were carried out in patients with suspected osteomyelitis. Since the results are similar with both methods, we suggest the use of SnTec to label WBC, in cases of inflammatory diseases.

Lupus eritematoso sistêmico (LES) induzido por carbamazepina (CBZ): relato de caso / Systemic lupus erythematosus (LES) induced by carbamazepine (CBZ): repor a case

C. M. M. A., 32 a., fem, bca, severo atraso no desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor desde o nascimento. Iniciou, aos 13 anos, crises parciais complexas com ou sem generalizaçäo secundária. Foi submetida a vários esquemas medicamentosos sem controle completo das crises. Com a introduçäo de CBZ em 05/88, houve evidente reduçäo da frequência das crises. Em 11/89 passou a apresentar apatia, febre, emagrecimento (13 kg em 4 meses), náuseas, vômitos, rash malar e artrite de tornozelos. Laboratorialmente, o hemograma mostrou anemia miocrítica, Hb=9.8, Ht=31, VHS=100mm, células LE: 40 por cento , fator antinúcleo (FAN) = 10240 padräo periférico e homogêneo, anti SM-RNP-PO-LA-DNA negtivos; RX tórax mostrou finas áreas de atelectasia na base pulmonar direita. Com estes elementos, foi feito o diagnóstico de LES induzido por CBZ e introduzido 20mg de predinisona, com retirada lenta e gradual em 7 meses. Substituído a CBZ por valproato de sódio (VA), houve piora das crises, porém com desaparecimento da sintomatologia e normalizaçäo das provas laboratoriais, exceto a manutençäo da positividade do FAN, com títulos baixos (1:2560 - 05/91). Ressaltamos a importância de investigaçäo laboratorial para LES, em pacientes em uso de drogas antiepilépticas com manifestaçöes sistêmicas, particularmente em pacientes com retardo mental severo, cujos dados clínicos podem näo ser confiáveis. A evoluçäo favorável, na ausência de tratamento específico, e diminuiçäo significativa do FAN, após a suspensäo da CBZ, sugerem tratar-se de LES induzido por droga

Doenca mista do tecido conjuntivo.Aspectos clinicos e laboratoriais. / Mixed connective tissue disease. Clinical and laboratorial aspects

Os autores apresentam 19 casos de doenca mista do tecido conjuntivo (DMTC) relatando dados clinicos e laboratoriais mais frequentemente observados.Artralgia (100%) artrite (57,6%), fenomeno de Raynaud (84, 3%), edema em "luva" de maos (57,6%) foram as principais manifestacoes clinicas.A associacao de lupus eritematoso sistemico (LES) e esclerose sistemica progressiva (ESP) ocorreu em oito casos, LES e dermatopolimiosite (DMP) em cinco. LES e artrite reumatoide (AR) em quatro, ESP e DPM em um e AR e DPM em outro.A presenca de FAN e hipergamaglobulinemia foram as alteracoes laboratoriais mais frequentes, 15 e 12 casos respectivamente. Discutem as variacoes das manifestacoes clinicas, que apresentaram comportamento heterogeno, como tambem as oscilacoes dos titulos e padroes do anti-ENA observados em alguns casos durante o periodo de seguimento

Evolucao clinica e conduta terapeutica na tuberculose osteoarticular. / Clinical course and therapeutic management in osteoarticular tuberculosis

Os autores apresentam dez casos de tuberculose osteoarticular, dos quais a coluna foi o local mais frequentemente acometido (sete), sendo o segmento lombar em quatro e segmento dorsal em tres. Em tres pacientes manifestou-se como monoartrite, dois de punho e um de joelho. Um dos casos revelou acometimento concomitante de coluna e punho. Tuberculose pulmonar ativa estava presente em quatro casos. Em quatro casos evidenciou-se envolvimento neurologico atraves de manifestacoes sensitivo-motoras e alteracoes de esfincteres.Os autores comentam a boa evolucao observada com tratamento conservador, mesmo nos casos que evidenciavam envolvimento neurologico

Hipogamaglobulinemia em dermatopolimiosite. / Hypogammaglobulinaemia in dermatomyositis

Os autores relatam um caso de dermatomiosite que, apos dezessete meses de evolucao desenvolveu hipogamaglobulinemia.Apesar da terapeutica com prednisona (60 a 12 mg/ dia) e metotrexato (25mg/semana), evoluiu ao obito com quadro de insuficiencia respiratoria grave associado com infeccao pulmonar. O estudo histoplatologico revelou foliculos linfoides hipotrofiados tanto da cortical dos nodulos linfoides como da polpa branca do baco, ou seja, areas relativas aos linfocitos B, justificando a presenca de hipogamaglobulinemia

Poliarterite nodosa e dissociacao proteino-citologica no liquido cefalorraquiano. / Nodal polyarteritis and protein-cytologic dissociation in the cerebrospinal fluid

Os autores apresentam os aspectos clinicos diagnosticos e evolutivos de uma paciente do sexo feminino, 22 anos, acometida por poliarterite nodosa. Como manifestacoes iniciais apresentava astenia, polimialgia, febre, parestesis de membros inferiores, alteracoes visuais e instalacao abrupta de hipertensao arterial persistente (260 x 140). Paciente evoluiu com agravamento progressivo do estado geral para mononeurite multipla e convulsoes com descolamento de retina bilateral.A analise do liquor cefalorraquiano denotava importante dissociacao proteico-citologica, conquanto definitivamente se descartasse a hipotese diagnostica de Guillain-Barre.Com a introducao de azatioprina (100mg/dia) e captopril (75mg/dia), houve acentuada melhora do estado geral, permitindo a investigacao laboratorial, histopatologica e arteriografia que terminaram por definir o diagnostico de poliaterite nodosa