Celioscopic liver biopsy in silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen)

Endosurgery has been used for assessment of fish celomatic cavity, as well as for obtaining biopsies for organic analysis. Such minimally invasive access may also be used for the analysis of environmental impact on biomarkers of pollution. In Brazil, studies and literature regarding the use of celioscopy in fish are sparse. The purpose of the current study was to develop a two-port celioscopy technique to obtain liver biopsy in silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen). Six adult female silver catfish were used. The animals were anesthetized and the inspection of the celomatic cavity were performed using a telescope and celioscopic-guided liver biopsy were taken using laparoscopic Kelly forceps. On the early postoperative period, the animals were released in a confined water reservoir where mortality could be checked. The liver samples were sent for histological assessment. There were no complications during surgery on early postoperative period. It was possible to visualize meticulously several organs (liver, spleen, stomach, pancreas, swim bladder, ovaries, bowel and transverse septum). In conclusion, the surgical technique and the anesthetic protocol proposed were suitable to perform liver biopsies in silver catfish and provided low morbidity

Pub. 45 Síndrome de Haw em Gatos Haw's Syndrome in Cats

ABSTRACT Background: Haw's syndrome is an uncommon but underdiagnosed disease that affects cats. It occurs due to changes in the innervation of the third eyelid causing protrusion. These changes may occur due to some change in sympathetic innervation efferent to the eye and its annexes The diagnosis is based on the instillation of sympathomimetic agents. The palliative treatment is based on the instillation of sympathomimetic agents only if the protrusion is preventing eyesight. The aim of this study is to report the clinical management of three cats with this syndrome, emphasizing its clinical, diagnostic and treatment demonstration. Case: Three cats were referred to the Department of Ophthalmology Veterinary of the Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), two with undefi ned breeds (male and female) and a Siamese (male), aged between 2 and 4 years, with bilateral protrusion of the third eyelid. The owners reported that the animals ate well, were active and did not observe any other problems concomitantly, with the exception of diarrhea In one of the animals a week ago, but that had passed. The animals underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination where they were evaluated since the symmetry orbits until intraocular pressure, Schirmer tear test, fl uorescein test and lissamine green, without any obvious change, with values within the normal range for the species, except for the bilateral protrusion of the third eyelid was the only clinical sign present. In the fundoscopic exam no apparent changes were observed, with the optic nerve head and retinal vasculature normal for the species. All patients received instillation of 10% phenylephrine in the left eye, with total regression of the third eyelid to its anatomical position. As it was an isolated problem, without visual or systemic repercussions, no medication was prescribed, although the animals kept coming for revisions weekly for 60 days. After 47 days, on average, the third eyelid returned to its anatomical position. Discussion: Haw's syndrome is an uncommon and with little expression in the ophthalmic medical clinic eye disease, a fact which may explain the limited literature available on the subject. However, this disease deserves attention, given the need to obtain the differential diagnosis of other ocular and systemic diseases that can cause protrusion of the third eyelid, as Horner's syndrome, ocular atrophy, lymphoma, retrobulbar tumors, among others. Furthermore, for the defi nitive diagnosis of the syndrome, it is interesting that the veterinary ophthalmologist is familiar with the physiology of the sympathetic innervation via the eye and its attachments, making the necessary tests to confi rm the diagnosis and avoid hasty conclusions. In this case, as stressed in the literature, if the third eyelid returns within 20 min to its anatomical position, it means that the likely cause is in the third neuron postganglionic order, as observed in the three cats after instilling phenylephrine 10% . This occurs as a result of hypersensitivity to sympathetic stimulation generated exclusively in post-ganglionic lesions. If there is no pupillary dilation within 20 min the lesion is preganglionic. The cat that had diarrhea also was thought in viral involvement, but it has not been proved. In the treated cases, the authors found that there was no loss of vision without the need for treatment, but they consider essential the diagnostic condition to reassure the owners, informing them of the favorable prognosis and pathogenesis of the syndrome

On the virtues of multilateral trade negotiations

An earlier version was circulated as CEPR Discussion Paper No. 4592, London, September 2004 and as World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 3415, Washington DC, September 2004.Allografts used in the repair of congenital heart defects in children induce a persistent broad HLA antibody response. We have previously shown that a 3-month course of mycophenolic mofetil (MMF) significantly reduces the HLA class I antibody response to valved allograft implantation in children. The purpose of this study was to determine if this reduction in HLA antibody persists after discontinuation of MMF. We conducted follow-up (mean 2 +/- 0.5 years) of seven patients who had received allograft placement for repair of congenital heart defects. These patients received 3 months of immunosuppression with MMF following allograft implantation. When compared to historical controls, patients who received MMF following surgery showed a significantly decreased HLA class I antibody response at 2 years postimplantation. This study demonstrates the ability to persistently alter the HLA class I antibody response using 3 months of MMF following allograft implantation in children