Histomorphometry and detection of glycosaminoglycans in the endocervical epithelium of pregnant rats after local administration of hyaluronidase

Objective: The aim of the study was to detect the presence of glycosaminoglycans and to investigate histomorphometric aspects of the endocervical epithelium in pregnant rats after local administration of hyaluronidase. Materials and methods: Ten pregnant rats were randomly distributed into two groups. On day 18 of pregnancy, 1mL of distilled water and 0.02 mL of hyaluronidase were administered to the control group (CG) and the study group (SG), respectively. On day 20 the rats were sacrificed, followed by dissection and removal of the uterine cervix, which was prepared for histomorphometry (endocervical epithelium thickness and leucocyte infiltration) and for immunohistochemistry with alcian blue reaction and its respective blockers. The paired Student t test was used to compare the groups. Results: The SG was characterized by reduced epithelial thickness (mean: 291.01±71.1 vs. 764.30±50.94;

Is arthrodesis still a good indication for non-inflammatory arthrosis of the wrist?

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to objectively and subjectively evaluate wrist function after total arthrodesis, among patients with sequelae of non-inflammatory arthritis who were treated with rigid internal fixation using a DCP plate.MethodsThirty-two patients with sequelae of non-inflammatory degenerative arthritis were treated using total arthrodesis of the wrist. Of these, two patients were treated with Kirschner wires and four discontinued the treatment, thus leaving 26 patients. The indication for arthrodesis of the wrist was the presence of intracarpal pathological conditions: eight wrists presented sequelae from fractures of the distal radius; 13 had sequelae from fractures of the scaphoid; and five had sequelae from Kienbock's disease. The cases were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS), the muscle strength test, the Jebsen–Taylor functional test and the Buck-Gramcko test.ResultsIt was observed that there were no significant differences at the level of 5%, in the variables of grip strength, VAS, Jebsen–Taylor functional test or Buck-Gramcko/Lohmann test, between the pathological conditions.ConclusionTotal arthrodesis of the wrist using a plate in the dorsal region was shown to be a safe and efficient technique for patients with different types of pathological arthrosis of the wrist, since it did not cause any important functional incapacity and brought great pain relief

Plinia trunciflora extract administration prevents HI-induced oxidative stress, inflammatory response, behavioral impairments, and tissue damage in rats

The disruption of redox homeostasis and neuroinflammation are key mechanisms in the pathogenesis of brain hypoxia–ischemia (HI); medicinal plants have been studied as a therapeutic strategy, generally associated with the prevention of oxidative stress and inflammatory response. This study evaluates the neuroprotective role of the Plinia trunciflora fruit extract (PTE) in neonatal rats submitted to experimental HI. The HI insult provoked a marked increase in the lipoperoxidation levels and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, accompanied by a decrease in the brain concentration of glutathione (GSH). Interestingly, PTE was able to prevent most of the HI-induced pro-oxidant effects. It was also observed that HI increased the levels of interleukin-1β in the hippocampus, and that PTE-treatment prevented this effect. Furthermore, PTE was able to prevent neuronal loss and astrocyte reactivity induced by HI, as demonstrated by NeuN and GFAP staining, respectively. PTE also attenuated the anxiety-like behavior and prevented the spatial memory impairment caused by HI. Finally, PTE prevented neural tissue loss in the brain hemisphere, the hippocampus, cerebral cortex, and the striatum ipsilateral to the HI. Taken together our results provide good evidence that the PTE extract has the potential to be investigated as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of brain insult caused by neonatal hypoxia–ischemia

Características clínicas associadas a esteatose hepática à ultrassonografia em pacientes com alanina aminotransferase elevada

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The main causes of hepatic steatosis (HS) are alcoholic liver disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Although liver biopsy is the gold standard for NAFLD diagnosis, the finding of abnormal aminotransferases in abstinent individuals, without known liver disease, suggests the diagnosis of NAFLD in 80-90% of the cases. Identification of clinical factors associated with HS on abdominal ultrasound may enable diagnoses of fatty liver non-invasively and cost-effectively. The aim here was to identify clinical variables associated with HS in individuals with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study in a single tertiary care center. METHODS: Individuals with elevated ALT, serologically negative for hepatitis B and C, were evaluated by reviewing medical files. Patients who did not undergo abdominal ultrasonography were excluded. RESULTS: Among 94 individuals included, 40% presented HS on ultrasonography. Compared with individuals without HS, those with fatty liver were older (P = 0.043), with higher body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.003), diabetes prevalence (P = 0.024), fasting glucose levels (P = 0.001) and triglycerides (P = 0.003). Multivariate analysis showed that BMI (odds ratio, OR = 1.186; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.049-1.341; P = 0.006) and diabetes mellitus (OR = 12.721; 95% CI: 1.380-117.247; P = 0.025) were independently associated with HS. CONCLUSIONS: Simple clinical findings such as history of diabetes and high BMI may predict the presence of HS on ultrasonography in individuals with elevated ALT and negative serological tests for hepatitis.CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Doença hepática alcoólica e doença hepática esteatótica não alcoólica (DHENA) são as principais causas de esteatose hepática (EH). Apesar de a biópsia hepática ser o método de escolha para diagnóstico DHENA, o achado de aminotransferases elevadas em indivíduos abstêmios, sem doença hepática conhecida, sugere o diagnóstico de DHENA em 80-90% dos casos. A identificação de variáveis clínicas associadas à EH na ultrassonografia abdominal pode permitir o diagnóstico de DHENA de forma não invasiva e custo-efetiva. O objetivo foi identificar variáveis clínicas associadas à EH em indivíduos com níveis elevados de alanina aminotransferase (ALT). TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo transversal em um único centro de atendimento terciário. MÉTODOS: Indivíduos com ALT elevada e sorologias negativas para os vírus de hepatite B e C foram avaliados por meio de revisão de prontuários. Os pacientes não submetidos à ultrassonografia foram excluídos. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 94 indivíduos, 40% deles com EH à ultrassonografia. Quando comparados aos indivíduos sem EH, aqueles com EH apresentaram maior prevalência de diabetes (P = 0,024), maiores idade (P = 0,043) e índice de massa corpórea (IMC) (P = 0,003), glicemia de jejum mais elevada (P = 0,001) e triglicerídeos mais elevados (P = 0,003). A análise multivariada evidenciou que o IMC (odds ratio, OR = 1,186, 95% intervalo de confiança, IC 1,049-1,341, P = 0,006) e o diabetes mellitus (OR = 12,721, 95% IC 1,380-117,247, P = 0,025) foram associadas independentemente à EH. CONCLUSÕES: Achados clínicos simples como história de diabetes e o IMC elevado podem predizer a presença de EH à ultrassonografia de indivíduos com ALT elevada e sorologias negativas para hepatite.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Division of Gastroenterology Hepatitis SectionUNIFESP, Division of Gastroenterology Hepatitis SectionSciEL

Síntese e Caracterização de Biodiesel de Sebo Bovino e de sua Mistura B10

Biodiesel has become an alternative to mineral diesel; it already has been in 7% biodiesel to diesel. The intention of the Brazilian government to increase the biodiesel content in the mixture to 10% which will promote an increase in demand for raw materials for the production of biodiesel. Among them is the beef tallow which is presented as one of the cheapest raw materials among the available ones. Associated with this increase in production has been the need to improve the processes of synthesis and analyze their properties as oxidative stability (OS) in mixtures with mineral diesel. Based on this, this study aimed to analyze the physicochemical properties and oxidative stability tallow biodiesel B10 and its beef mixture. In the present work, beef tallow biodiesel was synthesized through methylic rout and was mixture to mineral diesel type B (10 wt %) without anything additives. Physic-chemical properties of biodiesel samples and that mixture were determinate, indicating that both samples are agreement with Brazilian Specifications, and the mixture has showed around 10% less sulfur than diesel. Furthermore, oxidative stability of beef tallow biodiesel is higher than at stipulated in norm. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v7i1.68

Shoot tip and cotyledon explants of Eucalyptus saligna Sm. cultivated on different kanamycin levels

An efficient selec tive agent helps to obtain transgenic plant s; the most used selective agent for genetic transformation of Eucalypt is kanamycin. The aim of this research was to determine ideal dose of kanamycin in shoot tip and cotyledon explants of E. saligna for use as selective agent in genetic transformation. Two experiments were carried out, first in order to test effects of the kanamycin in cotyledons and second, in order to test effects of the kanamycin in shoot tip. In the cotyledons experiment were tested 0, 12.5, 25, 37.5 and 50 mg.L-1 kanamycin on a callus formation medium and for shoot tip were tested 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 mg.L-1 kanamycin on a multiplication medium. Cotyledons can be selected more quickly than shoot tip, moreover needs lower kanamycin levels than shoot tip, what results more speed and economy during genetic transformation process. It is probable that levels lower than 12.5 mg.L-1 kanamycin must be ideal for the cotyledons selection and 50 mg.L-1kanamycin for shoot tip.Um agente seletivo eficiente é determinante no processo de obtenção de plantas transgênicas; o agente seletivo mais usado para transformação genética de eucalipto é a canamicina. O objetivo desse trabalho foi determinar as concentrações ideias de canamicina em cotilédones e em ápices caulinares de Eucalyptus salignapara uso como agente seletivo para transformação genética. Dois experimentos foram conduzidos, um para testar os efeitos da canamicina nos cotilédones e o outro para testar os efeitos da canamicina nos ápices caulinares. No experimento com cotilédones foram testadas as seguintes concentrações: 0, 12.5, 25, 37.5 and 50 mg.L-1 de canamicina em meio para formação de calos e no experimento de ápices caulinares foram testadas as concentrações de 50, 75, 100, 125 e 150 mg.L-1 de canamicina em meio de multiplicação. Cotilédones podem ser selecionados mais rapidamente do que os ápices caulinares, além disso necessitam de menores concentrações de canamicina, o que resultaria maior velocidade e economia durante o processo de transformação genética. É provável que níveis inferiores que 12,5 mg.L-1 de canamicina sejam ideais para a seleção de cotilédones. Para a seleção de ápices caulinares podem ser usados 50 mg.L-1de canamicina

OCORRÊNCIA DE ZOONOSES EM EQUINOS DE TRAÇÃO ATENDIDOS NO AMBULATÓRIO DO HOSPITAL DE CLÍNICAS VETERINÁRIA DA UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE PELOTAS

Equinos submetidos ao trabalho relacionado à força, como a tração de charretes, ainda são muito utilizados no Brasil, principalmente por famílias consideradas de vulnerabilidade social. Esse tipo de atividade consiste, muitas vezes, na principal forma de renda dessas famílias. Visando proporcionar a melhora na saúde e bem-estar desses animais, foi criado o programa “Ação Interdisciplinar à Carroceiros e Charreteiros na Periferia de Pelotas” um projeto de extensão do Hospital de Clínicas Veterinária (HCV) – UFPel, contando hoje com cerca de 700 famílias em Pelotas. O objetivo do presente trabalho é demonstrar a casuística de animais atendidos no Ambulatório HCV e sua relação com doenças de caráter zoonótico. Os atendimentos são realizados duas vezes por semana no Ambulatório Veterinário do HCV, localizado no centro de Pelotas, próximo a comunidade Ceval, onde residem estas famílias. Realizou-se um levantamento retrospectivo onde foram consideradas as ocorrências de tétano, raiva, leptospirose e dermatoses durante os anos de 2013 a 2018. Durante esse período foram realizados 2378 atendimentos, desses 15 animais apresentaram suspeita de zoonoses, sendo confirmados 13 casos (5 dermatofitose e/ou dermatofilose, 1 leptospirose e 7 de tétano). Pode-se concluir que existe uma baixa prevalência (0,5%) de enfermidades de caráter zoonótico nessa população, o que pode estar relacionada ao atendimento contínuo aos equinos de tração e conscientização permanente da população. O projeto, além de melhorar a saúde dos animais e da população em geral, influencia diretamente na formação profissional e pessoal dos envolvidos, pois oferece aos acadêmicos o envolvimento social, o exercício da cidadania e da medicina equina, além da prática do bem-estar animal e o desenvolvimento de pesquisas a partir das ações de extensão