Sedative and cardiorespiratory effects of dexmedetomidine alone or combined with acepromazine in healthy cats.

The purpose of this study was to assess sedation, emesis and cardiovascular effects of dexmedetomidine alone or combined with acepromazine in healthy cats. Fourteen male cats aged 0.9 ± 0.5 years and weighing 3.7 ± 0.7 kg were randomly assigned to one of two experimental groups: GD, dexmedetomidine 5 µg/kg; and GDA, dexmedetomidine 5 µg/kg with acepromazine 0.03 mg/kg, all intramuscularly. Measurements were recorded at baseline, at 20 minutes and then at 10-minute intervals following sedation and included heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (FR), systolic arterial pressure (SAP), rectal temperature (RT), number of episodes of emesis and sedation score (0-4). Data were compared using ANOVA for repeated measures followed by Sídák and Dunnet test. Sedation scores were compared between groups at T20 using Mann-Whitney test. Significance was considered when P <0.05. At T20, HR was significantly lower in GDA (99 ± 14 beats/min) compared with GD (133 ± 19 beats/min) and SAP was significantly lower in both groups compared with baseline (126 ± 14 vs. 148 ± 26 and 111 ± 13 vs. 144 ± 17 mmHg in GD and GDA, respectively). Duration of sedation was similar between groups, although sedation scores differed significantly at T20, with 1 (0-4) in GD and 4 (4-4) in GDA. More episodes of emesis were recorded in GD compared with GDA. The combination of dexmedetomidine and acepromazine produced more profound sedation with faster onset and lower incidence of emesis compared with dexmedetomidine alone in healthy cats.

Pediatric neurogenic bowel dysfunction: ICCS review document.

INTRODUCTION: The International Children's Continence Society (ICCS) aims to improve the quality of life in children with lower urinary tract dysfunction. A substantial portion of children also have problems with bowel dysfunction. There is a lack of evidence-based information on managing neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) in children. OBJECTIVE/METHODS: The ICCS aimed to provide an up-to-date, selective, non-systematic review of NBD's definitions, assessment, and treatment. RESULTS: Specific definitions and terminology are defined within the document. Recommendations and considerations for physical assessment, history taking, and diagnostic studies are made. Management updates, both surgical and non-surgical, are provided as well as recommendations for follow-up and monitoring of individuals with NBD. CONCLUSION: This review of the current literature will help guide NBD management and research to improve NBD care.

Prótesis total de rodilla primaria en un paciente con ruptura no reciente del tendón rotuliano, tratado en 2 tiempos quirúrgicos / Total primary knee prosthesis in a patient with non-recent rupture of the patellar tendon, treated in 2 surgical times

Resumen: Introducción: La ruptura de tendón rotuliano en pacientes mayores se relaciona con enfermedades sistémicas como la artritis reumatoide, el lupus eritematoso y aquéllos con tratamiento prolongado con corticoides o antibioticoterapia. Es ocasionado por traumatismo con la rodilla en flexión acompañado de una contracción del cuádriceps o fuerza excéntrica, su diagnóstico puede omitirse hasta en 38% de los casos. El tratamiento en las rupturas no recientes es más complejo ya que después de 45 días de la lesión ocurre retracción del cuádriceps, fibrosis, formación de adherencias e hipotrofia muscular. Las opciones de tratamiento son variadas utilizando desde autoinjertos hasta injertos sintéticos con túneles óseos y anclas de fijación. Reporte de caso: Hombre de 71 años con ruptura del tendón rotuliano de 18 años de evolución tratado en dos tiempos, comenzando por la reparación del aparato extensor con tendones de la pata de ganso preservando la inserción de los mismos y realizando después prótesis total de rodilla en un segundo tiempo quirúrgico y mostramos su evolución.

Abstract: Introduction: Patellar tendon rupture has a higher prevalence in older patients related to systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus and those with prolonged treatment with corticosteroids or antibiotic therapy. It is caused by trauma with the knee in flexion accompanied by a contraction of the quadriceps or eccentric force, the diagnosis can be omitted in up to 38% of cases. Treatment of non-recent tendon ruptures is more difficult with end-to-end techniques are complicated and difficult to perform 45 days after injury due to quadriceps retraction, fibrosis, adhesion formation, and muscle hypotrophy. Treatment options are varied, ranging from autografts to synthetic grafts using bone tunnels and fixation anchors. Case report: Our case is a 71-year-old patient with an 18-year-old patellar tendon rupture treated in two stages, starting with repairing the extensor apparatus with pes anserinus tendons, preserving their insertion and subsequently performing total knee replacement in a second surgical time and we show its evolution.

Vitamin retention during the canning of swordfish (Xiphias gladius) with different filling media.

Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) is an economically and nutritionally important fish. The aims of this study were to determine the effects of the various steps of the canning process and of different filling media (olive oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, and high oleic sunflower oil) on the fat- and water-soluble vitamin contents of swordfish. An HPLC-based method was used for this purpose. The canning process led to loss of some vitamins, particularly of vitamin D3 . Loss of this vitamin mainly occurred during storage and although important (89.34% to 91.36%), canned swordfish can be considered a good source of vitamin D3 , providing between 50% and 64% of the RDI. The frying process also caused significant loss of vitamin B9 (73.7%). However, the vitamin E content increased due to contributions from the frying and filling oils. The canned swordfish packed in olive oil had lower vitamin A (107.35 µg/100 g) and E (1.58 mg/100 g) contents than the fish packed in sunflower oil (193.28 µg/100 g and 2.28 mg/100 g, respectively). The swordfish packed in sunflower oil also had the highest B2 (0.036 mg/100 g) content. The swordfish packed in corn oil had the lowest vitamin A (80.17 µg/100 g) and B2 (0.012 mg/100 g) contents, while the samples packed in high oleic sunflower oil had the lowest contents of vitamins B9 (0.14 µg/100 g) and B12 (2.37 mg/100 g). PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) is consumed worldwide and is economically very important in the seafood industry. The canning process caused losses of some vitamins, particularly of vitamins D3 and B9 ; however, the vitamin E content increased due to the frying and filling oils. The study findings may contribute to increasing knowledge about how processing, storage and the filling medium influence the composition of canned fish.

[Total primary knee prosthesis in a patient with non-recent rupture of the patellar tendon, treated in 2 surgical times]. / Prótesis total de rodilla primaria en un paciente con ruptura no reciente del tendón rotuliano, tratado en 2 tiempos quirúrgicos.

INTRODUCTION: Patellar tendon rupture has a higher prevalence in older patients related to systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus and those with prolonged treatment with corticosteroids or antibiotic therapy. It is caused by trauma with the knee in flexion accompanied by a contraction of the quadriceps or eccentric force, the diagnosis can be omitted in up to 38% of cases. Treatment of non-recent tendon ruptures is more difficult with end-to-end techniques are complicated and difficult to perform 45 days after injury due to quadriceps retraction, fibrosis, adhesion formation, and muscle hypotrophy. Treatment options are varied, ranging from autografts to synthetic grafts using bone tunnels and fixation anchors. CASE REPORT: Our case is a 71-year-old patient with an 18-year-old patellar tendon rupture treated in two stages, starting with repairing the extensor apparatus with pes anserinus tendons, preserving their insertion and subsequently performing total knee replacement in a second surgical time and we show its evolution.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La ruptura de tendón rotuliano en pacientes mayores se relaciona con enfermedades sistémicas como la artritis reumatoide, el lupus eritematoso y aquéllos con tratamiento prolongado con corticoides o antibioticoterapia. Es ocasionado por traumatismo con la rodilla en flexión acompañado de una contracción del cuádriceps o fuerza excéntrica, su diagnóstico puede omitirse hasta en 38% de los casos. El tratamiento en las rupturas no recientes es más complejo ya que después de 45 días de la lesión ocurre retracción del cuádriceps, fibrosis, formación de adherencias e hipotrofia muscular. Las opciones de tratamiento son variadas utilizando desde autoinjertos hasta injertos sintéticos con túneles óseos y anclas de fijación. REPORTE DE CASO: Hombre de 71 años con ruptura del tendón rotuliano de 18 años de evolución tratado en dos tiempos, comenzando por la reparación del aparato extensor con tendones de la pata de ganso preservando la inserción de los mismos y realizando después prótesis total de rodilla en un segundo tiempo quirúrgico y mostramos su evolución.

Fatty acid profiles and lipid quality indices in canned European eels: Effects of processing steps, filling medium and storage.

This study evaluated the effects of the canning process, the filling medium (sunflower or olive oil), the spices included as ingredients and storage on the fatty acid profiles and related lipid quality indices in the European eel. The fatty acids did not undergo any changes during thawing-salting, because of the short salting periods. However, frying, sterilization and room storage greatly altered the fatty acid profiles. In general, the nutritional value and the lipid quality increased, owing to absorption of the oil used in the canning process. The fatty acid profiles of canned eels tended to be similar to those of the filling medium. Significant differences (p < 0.05) between eels canned in sunflower oil, olive oil and spiced olive oil were observed in relation to some fatty acids. The lipid profiles of the canned eels indicated the high nutritional quality of the product.

Intracorporeal versus extracorporeal anastomosis in laparoscopic right hemicolectomy: results from the CLIMHET study group.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy (LRHC) is increasingly performed for the treatment of right colon disease. Nevertheless, standardization of the surgical technique regarding the performance of intracorporeal (IC) or extracorporeal (EC) anastomosis is lacking. The purpose of this study was to compare short-term postoperative outcomes in patients who had laparoscopic right colectomy either with IC or EC. METHODS: This was a retrospective, non-randomized and multicenter study conducted from January 2005 to December 2015 on the CLIMHET study group cohort from five tertiary centers in France. Data were collected for all patients with LRHC to compare patient characteristics, intraoperative data and postoperative outcomes in terms of medical and surgical complications, duration of hospitalization and mortality. A multivariate analysis was performed to compare the results in the two groups. RESULTS: Of the 597 patients undergoing LRHC, 150 had IC and 447 had EC. The incidence of medical complications (cardiac, vascular, and pulmonary complications) was lower in the IC group than in the EC group (13 vs 20%, p = 0.049). This difference remained significant in multivariate analysis after adjusting to field characteristics and patient histories (p = 0.009). Additionally, a shorter hospital stay (7 vs 8 days, p = 0.003) was observed in the IC group as compared to the EC group. This difference remained significant in favor of the IC group in multivariate analysis (p = 0.029). There was no difference between the groups as regards: surgical complications (p = 0.76), time of mobilization (p = 0.93), reintervention rate (p = 1) and 90-day mortality (p = 0.47). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that IC anastomosis in LRHC is associated with fewer medical complications and shorter hospital stays compared to EC anastomosis.

[Sphincter-sparing treatment of anal fissure]. / Sfinkterosokhraniaiushchaia taktika lecheniia patsientov s anal'noi treshchinoi.

Surgical treatment of the anal fissure is associated with unreasonably high risks of delayed development of fecal incontinence to gas or liquid stool. Standardized sphincter-preserving therapy, based on the pharmacological reduction of increased internal anal sphincter tone (chemical sphincterotomy) allows to improve significantly the results of the non-surgical approach of treating one of the most common pathology in proctological practice. Our work presents a retrospective analysis of the treatment of 295 patients with anal fissure treated with diltiazem ointment, nifedipine ointment, nitroglycerin ointment and botulinum toxin A. Significant improvement or disappearance of complaints was noted in 84% of patients. The use of botulinum toxin A was successfull in 10 out of 11 patients without the need of surgical intervention. High efficiency (91% of patients) of the sphincter-preserving approach with a significant decrease in the need for aggressive surgical manipulation allows to decrease sphincterotomy rate and reduces the risk of delayed fecal incontinence.

Testicular thermoregulation, scrotal surface temperature patterns and semen quality of water buffalo bulls reared in a tropical climate.

This study evaluated the capacity of thermoregulation and its consequences on the scrotal surface temperature patterns and semen quality of buffalo bulls raised in a wet tropical climate. Eleven water buffaloes were evaluated in the rainiest, in the transitional and in the less rainy season. Air temperature and humidity were consistently high, but the animals did not show thermal stress in any season. The scrotal temperature gradient of buffalo bulls using infrared thermography was described, and three parallel and decreasing thermal bands were characterised. Sperm quality (n = 176 ejaculates) was maintained in normal parameters over the periods. Pearson's coefficients showed that sperm volume and progressive motility were negatively correlated with ocular globe, epididymal tail and minimum scrotal temperatures (p < .01). Sperm membrane integrity was negatively influenced by increases in epididymal tail and minimum scrotal temperatures (p < .01). Ocular globe temperature also showed positive correlation with rectal, spermatic cord, and epididymal tail temperatures (p < .01). Therefore, even under high temperature and humidity, the thermoregulatory system was effective in preventing heat stress and the normality of scrotal surface temperatures, spermatogenesis and sperm maturation were maintained.

Índice de inmunidad-inflamación sistémica en sepsis / Systemic immune inflammatory index in sepsis

Resumen ANTECEDENTES: se han estudiado índices de pronóstico de inflamación basados en células periféricas como predictores de disfunción endotelial, riesgo cardiovascular y mortalidad. En 2014 se desarrolló el índice de inmunidad-inflamación sistémica (IIS) que se ha propuesto como factor de pronóstico y de seguimiento en cáncer. OBJETIVO: determinar si existe modificación del índice de inmunidad-inflamación sistémica (IIS) en pacientes con sepsis. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: estudio retrospectivo que incluyó aleatoriamente a pacientes hospitalizados de 2013 a 2015. Se verificó la homogeneidad de poblaciones demostrando que no existía diferencia estadística entre la edad y comorbilidades (distribución Kolmogorov-Smirnov), frecuencia de comorbilidades (χ2). Se calculó el IIS con la citometría hemática de ingreso. Se compararon las medias del IIS de pacientes con sepsis y sin sepsis (Wilcoxon) y se determinó si había correlación entre el IIS y sepsis (coeficiente de correlación biserial puntual). RESULTADOS: se incluyeron 242 pacientes (128 con sepsis, edad promedio de 70.1 años y 114 sin sepsis, edad promedio de 69.7 años). La media del índice de inmunidad-inflamación sistémica (IIS) en pacientes con sepsis fue 4444.06x109, en pacientes sin sepsis fue de 3013.94x109. Se demostró que existe correlación estadísticamente significativa entre el IIS y sepsis (rbp= 0.150253625, p=0.05), se demostró que la media del IIS fue significativamente más elevada en pacientes con sepsis (W=5,097, p=0.00001). CONCLUSIONES: el índice de inmunidad-inflamación sistémica (IIS), un índice innovador que ha mostrado mejor efectividad para describir el desequilibrio de inmunidad e inflamación, se propone como una herramienta que puede ser útil en pacientes con sepsis; sin embargo, se requieren estudios futuros para comprobar su potencial pronóstico y de seguimiento.

Abstract BACKGROUND: In the past several indices based on peripheral blood cells have been studied to prove their utility as prognostic factors in endothelial dysfunction, cardiovascular risk and mortality. In 2014 the systemic immune inflammatory index (SII) was developed and it has been proposed as a prognostic factor in the follow-up of patients with cancer. OBJECTIVE: To determine if there is a modification of the SII in patients with sepsis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective study included randomized patients hospitalized from 2013 to 2015; homogeneity of populations was verified by demonstrating that there was no statistical difference between age and comorbidities (Kolmogorov-Smirnov distribution), frequency of comorbidities (χ2). IIS was calculated with the blood cell count on hospital admission. IIS was compared in sepsis and without sepsis patients (Wilcoxon), and we determined whether there was correlation between IIS and sepsis (correlation coefficient biserial point). RESULTS: There were included 242 patients (128 with sepsis, mean age 70.1 years and 114 without sepsis, mean age 69.7 years). The mean IIS in patients with sepsis was 4444.06x109 and without sepsis 301 3.94x109. We showed that there was statistically significant cor relation between IIS and sepsis (rbp=0.150253625, p=0.05), we also detailed that the mean IIS was significantly higher in patients with sepsis (W=5,097, p=0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: The IIS, an innovative index that has shown accuracy describing the imbalance of immunity and inflammation, is proposed as a tool that can be useful in patients with sepsis; however, further studies are required to prove its potential in prognosis and monitoring.

Effect of a Low Glycemic Index Mediterranean Diet on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. A Randomized Controlled Clinici Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is currently the most common form of liver disease worldwide affecting all ages and ethnic groups and it has become a consistent threat even in young people. Our aim was to estimate the effect of a Low Glycemic Index Mediterranean Diet (LGIMD) on the NAFLD score as measured by a Liver Ultrasonography (LUS). DESIGN: NUTRIzione in EPAtologia (NUTRIEPA) is a population-based Double-Blind RCT. Data were collected in 2011 and analyzed in 2013-14. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: 98 men and women coming from Putignano (Puglia, Southern Italy) were drawn from a previous randomly sampled population-based study and identified as having moderate or severe NAFLD. INTERVENTION: The intervention strategy was the assignment of a LGIMD or a control diet. OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measure was NAFLD score, defined by LUS. RESULTS: After randomization, 50 subjects were assigned to a LGIMD and 48 to a control diet. The study lasted six months and all participants were subject to monthly controls/checks. Adherence to the LGIMD as measured by Mediterranean Adequacy Index (MAI) showed a median of 10.1. A negative interaction between time and LGIMD on the NAFLD score (-4.14, 95% CI -6.78,-1.49) was observed, and became more evident at the sixth month (-4.43, 95%CI -7.15, -1.71). A positive effect of the interaction among LGIMD, time and age (Third month: 0.07, 95% CI 0.02, 0.12; Sixth month: 0.08, 95% CI 0.03,0.13) was also observed. CONCLUSIONS: LGIMD was found to decrease the NAFLD score in a relatively short time. Encouraging those subjects who do not seek medical attention but still have NAFLD to follow a LGIMD and other life-style interventions, may reduce the degree of severity of the disease. Dietary intervention of this kind, could also form the cornerstone of primary prevention of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease.

Pharmacological inhibition of DNA methyltransferase 1 promotes neuronal differentiation from rodent and human nasal olfactory stem/progenitor cell cultures.

Nasal olfactory stem and neural progenitor cells (NOS/PCs) are considered possible tools for regenerative stem cell therapies in neurodegenerative diseases. Neurogenesis is a complex process regulated by extrinsic and intrinsic signals that include DNA-methylation and other chromatin modifications that could be experimentally manipulated in order to increase neuronal differentiation. The aim of the present study was the characterization of primary cultures and consecutive passages (P2-P10) of NOS/PCs isolated from male Swiss-Webster (mNOS/PCs) or healthy humans (hNOS/PCs). We evaluated and compared cellular morphology, proliferation rates and the expression pattern of pluripotency-associated markers and DNA methylation-associated gene expression in these cultures. Neuronal differentiation was induced by exposure to all-trans retinoic acid and forskolin for 7 days and evaluated by morphological analysis and immunofluorescence against neuronal markers MAP2, NSE and MAP1B. In response to the inductive cues mNOS/PCs expressed NSE (75.67%) and MAP2 (35.34%); whereas the majority of the hNOS/PCs were immunopositive to MAP1B. Treatment with procainamide, a specific inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), increases in the number of forskolin'/retinoic acid-induced mature neuronal marker-expressing mNOS/PCs cells and enhances neurite development in hNOS/PCs. Our results indicate that mice and human nasal olfactory stem/progenitors cells share pluripotency-related gene expression suggesting that their application for stem cell therapy is worth pursuing and that DNA methylation inhibitors could be efficient tools to enhance neuronal differentiation from these cells.

Fractura de Toddler. Reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Toddler's fracture, case report and review of literature

Resumen: Introducción: La sospecha del diagnóstico de una fractura de Toddler a menudo es complicada debido a una historia poco clara, a la falta de hallazgos específicos en la clínica y a la ausencia de cambios evidentes en las radiografías iniciales. Presentamos el caso de una infante de tres años y siete meses de edad con el antecedente de caída desde su propia altura con mecanismo de rotación del miembro pélvico izquierdo. La finalidad de este escrito es describir la etiología, patología, diagnóstico y el manejo terapéutico en este tipo de fracturas. Discusión: La historia clínica, la exploración física y el uso de estudios de imagenología ayudan a identificar las fracturas de Toddler, patología que debe ser conocida por médicos especialistas para su manejo ideal.

Abstract: Introduction: The suspected diagnosis of a Toddler's fracture can often be complicated by an unclear history, the lack of specific clinical findings and the absence of obvious changes in the initial radiographs. We present the case of an infant of 3 years and 7 months old with a history of falling from her own height with a rotation mechanism of the left pelvic limb. The purpose of this paper is to describe the etiopathology, diagnosis and therapeutic management of these fractures. Discussion: The clinical history, physical examination and the use of imaging studies help identify Toddler's fractures, pathology that must be known to medical specialists for an ideal treatment.

Surgical management of the pancreatic stump following pancreato-duodenectomy.

Pancreato-duodenectomy (PD) is the treatment of choice for periampullary tumors, and currently, indications have been extended to benign disease, including symptomatic chronic pancreatitis, paraduodenal pancreatitis, and benign periampullary tumors that are not amenable to conservative surgery. In spite of a significant decrease in mortality in high volume centers over the last three decades (from>20% in the 1980s to<5% today), morbidity remains high, ranging from 30% to 50%. The most common complications are related to the pancreatic remnant, such as postoperative pancreatic fistula, anastomotic dehiscence, abscess, and hemorrhage, and are among the highest of all surgical complications following intra-abdominal gastro-intestinal anastomoses. Moreover, pancreatico-enteric anastomotic breakdown remains a life-threatening complication. For these reasons, the management of the pancreatic stump following resection is still one of the most hotly debated issues in digestive surgery; more than 80 different methods of pancreatico-enteric reconstructions having been described, and no gold standard has yet been defined. In this review, we analyzed the current trends in the surgical management of the pancreatic remnant after PD.

Assessment of surface temperatures of buffalo bulls (Bubalus bubalis) raised under tropical conditions using infrared thermography / Avaliação de temperaturas superficiais de touros bubalinos (Bubalus bubalis) criados em ambiente tropical com uso da termografia infravermelha

This paper aimed to evaluate the surface temperatures of buffalo bulls using infrared thermography, considering four distinct anatomical parts over time, and to correlate surface temperatures and thermal comfort indexes. The humid tropical climate (Kõppen's Afi) was predominant in the research station where the experiment was performed and the trial lasted from April to August. Ten bulls (n=10) were evaluated every 25 days (morning: 6:00-9:00; afternoon: 12:00-15:00) and the parameters assessed were respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), and the thermograms of surface temperature for orbital area (ORB), right flank (RF), left flank (LF) and scrotum (SCR). Climatological data was continuously monitored and the Temperature and Humidity Index (THI) and the Index of Comfort of Benezra (ICB) were calculated. The average values of THI were ≥78, and significant differences between shifts were observed (P<0.05). The ICB ranged from 1.96 to 2.25 and significant differences were observed for shifts and throughout the months (P<0.05). The averages of surface temperatures were RT=38.2±0.5°C, ORB=36.1±0.8°C, LF=33.5±2.5°C, RF=35.4±1.7ºC and SCR=33.3±1.1°C, which exhibited significant differences for shifts and throughout the months (P<0.05). Positive correlations were obtained between THI and ORB (0.72), RF (0.77), LF (0.75) and SCR (0.41) (P<0.0001). The maximum temperature of ORB showed the highest correlation with RT (0.58, P<0.0001). Therefore, the surface temperatures are subject to climatic variations and increase throughout the day, due to the variation in thermal comfort indexes, and the maximum ORB temperature was the parameter most related to rectal temperature. Lastly, the results indicate that IRT may be a useful non-invasive and accurate tool to detect the variations in ORB, LF, RF and SCR temperature in buffalo bulls.

O presente trabalho visou avaliar as temperaturas superficiais de diferentes regiões anatômicas de búfalos ao longo do tempo, por meio da termografia infravermelha, e correlacioná-las a índices bioclimatológicos de conforto térmico. O ensaio foi realizado em região de clima tropical úmido (Afi de Kõppen), de abril a agosto. Dez touros (n=10) foram avaliados a cada 25 dias (manhã: seis-nove horas; tarde: 12-15h), quanto à frequência respiratória (FR), temperatura retal (TR) e imagens termográficas da órbita ocular (ORB), flanco direito (FLd), flanco esquerdo (FLe) e escroto (ESC). Os dados climatológicos foram ininterruptamente monitorados, e calculados o índice de temperatura e umidade (ITU) e o índice de conforto de Benezra (ICB). O ITU foi ≥78, com diferença entre turnos (P<0,05). Já o ICB variou de 1,96 a 2,25 e apresentou diferenças ao longo dos meses e entre turnos (P<0,05). As temperaturas observadas foram de TR=38,2±0,5ºC, ORB=36,1±0,8ºC, FLd=33,5±2,5ºC, FLe=35,4±1,7ºC e ESC=33,3±1,1ºC, as quais variaram significativamente ao longo dos meses e entre turnos (P<0,05). O ITU apresentou correlações positivas com ORB (0,72), FLd (0,77), FLe (0,75) e ESC (0,41) (P<0,0001). A temperatura máxima de ORB apresentou a maior correlação com a TR (0,58; P<0,0001). Portanto, as temperaturas superficiais dos animais sofrem interferências das variações climáticas e se elevam ao longo do dia, devido à variação nos índices de conforto térmico; a temperatura máxima de ORB foi o parâmetro mais condicionado à temperatura retal. Também, as oscilações de temperatura de superfície de ORB, FLd, FLe e ESC podem ser aferidas em bubalinos com o uso da termografia infravermelha, de modo preciso e não invasivo.

The Importance of Wild Canids in the Epidemiology of Rabies in Northeast Brazil: A Retrospective Study.

Rabies is an endemic disease in Brazil, where it is considered a serious public health problem. Although the number of human and dog-transmitted cases has declined in recent decades, rabies in wildlife has emerged considerably. Among the sylvatic animals, wild canids have been considered important hosts of the rabies virus. We performed a retrospective study of reported cases of rabies in wild canids and human victims in Ceará state (Northeast Brazil) during 2003 to 2013. Information was provided by governmental laboratories involved in rabies detection and by the Ministry of Health. From January 2003 to December 2013, a total of 11 931 animal samples were examined for rabies. Positivity were detected in 438 samples (3.67%), of which 229 (52.28%) were domestic animals, 105 (23.97%) wild canids and 104 (23.74%) other wild animals (bats, marmosets and raccoons). Approximately 33% of wild canids surveyed (n = 317) were positive for rabies. During the studied period, a total of 1923 attacks on humans by wild canids were registered. Males (n = 1405) were more affected than females (n = 520; 72.98% versus 27.01%), and the median age of all cases was 36.5 years. Injuries to individuals up to 19 years old corresponded to approximately 30% (n = 565) of all cases. Most of the victims lived in rural areas (72.46%; n = 1395), and the majority showed bites (81.13%; n = 1677) or scratches (12.23%; n = 253). Injuries were considered profound (52.1%; n = 1003), superficial (40.91; n = 788) or multiple with severe laceration (6.98%; n = 134). Only 1300 (67.53%) victims were enrolled for the complete rabies post-exposure prophylaxis scheme. Data from the present study confirm that wild canids are important hosts of rabies virus in northeastern Brazil and jeopardize rabies control in this area. Local authorities should focus their efforts in education of health professionals. In addition, strategies should be formulated to preserve wildlife.