Communication calls produced by electrical stimulation of four structures in the guinea pig brain

One of the main central processes affecting the cortical representation of conspecific vocalizations is the collateral output from the extended motor system for call generation. Before starting to study this interaction we sought to compare the characteristics of calls produced by stimulating four different parts of the brain in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). By using anaesthetised animals we were able to reposition electrodes without distressing the animals. Trains of 100 electrical pulses were used to stimulate the midbrain periaqueductal grey (PAG), hypothalamus, amygdala, and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Each structure produced a similar range of calls, but in significantly different proportions. Two of the spontaneous calls (chirrup and purr) were never produced by electrical stimulation and although we identified versions of chutter, durr and tooth chatter, they differed significantly from our natural call templates. However, we were routinely able to elicit seven other identifiable calls. All seven calls were produced both during the 1.6 s period of stimulation and subsequently in a period which could last for more than a minute. A single stimulation site could produce four or five different calls, but the amygdala was much less likely to produce a scream, whistle or rising whistle than any of the other structures. These three high-frequency calls were more likely to be produced by females than males. There were also differences in the timing of the call production with the amygdala primarily producing calls during the electrical stimulation and the hypothalamus mainly producing calls after the electrical stimulation. For all four structures a significantly higher stimulation current was required in males than females. We conclude that all four structures can be stimulated to produce fictive vocalizations that should be useful in studying the relationship between the vocal motor system and cortical sensory representation

Elaboration of handbook about dietary fibers and bowel constipation

Objective: to elaborate a handbook with high-fiber foods to be used in the composition of the homogeneous liquid diet for patients in postoperative period to reduce or prevent the bowel constipation. Methods: the handbook highlights the importance of dietary fibers, classification, food sources, amount of use, interaction with other nutrients, directions for preparation, solubility, functions and problems caused by the excess ingestion. It also contains a list of food with fibers quantities present in 100 grams of each food. Such data were obtained from the Tabela Brasileira de Composição de Alimentos of Unicamp and Tabela Brasileira de Composição de Alimentos of University of São Paulo. The handbook was elaborated by students from Fundap Professional Improvement Program and distributed for free for all patients of the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, in postoperative period, receiving homogeneous liquid diet. The handbook was also made available in the homepages www.centrinho.usp/manual and www.redeprofis.com.br for consultation and free copies. The handbook art and illustrations were made by a student of Marketing rom USC. Results: The use of fibers will be oriented in a preventive form for patients not showing bowel constipation and in a corrective form for those already constipated. Conclusions: Bowel constipation is a public health problem in Brazil, mainly among women, and it becomes worse when individuals are submitted to a homogeneous liquid diet in which the foods are liquefied and filtered and the residues (fibers) are rejected. In such case, the composition of this diet needs to be enriched with dietary fibers to prevent or correct the bowel constipation

Elaboração de manual sobre fibras alimentares e constipação intestinal

Objetivo: elaborar um manual com alimentos fonte de fibras para ser usado na composição da dieta líquida homogênea dos pacientes em pós-operatório no HRAC, de todas as idades, para reduzir ou prevenir a constipação intestinal. Métodos: o manual contém temática que esclarece sobre a importância das fibras alimentares, classificação, fontes, quantidades de uso, interação com outros nutrientes, forma de preparo, solubilidade, funções e problemas causados pelo excesso de ingestão. Consta também de uma lista de alimentos com quantidades de fibras presentes por 100gramas de cada alimento. Tais dados foram retirados da Tabela Brasileira de composição de Alimentos da UNICAMP e da Tabela Brasileira de Composição de Alimentos da USP. O manual foi elaborado pelas alunas do programa de Aprimoramento Profissional Fundap e será distribuído gratuitamente para todos os pacientes em pós-operatórios submetidos à dieta líquida homogênea. Além disto, o manual será disponibilizado nos sites www.centrinho.usp.br/manual e www.redeprofis.com.br. para consulta e cópias gratuitas. A arte e as ilustrações do manual foram feitas por aluno do Curso de Publicidade e Propaganda da USC. Resultados: O uso das fibras será orientado de forma preventiva para os pacientes que não apresentam constipação intestinal e de forma corretiva para os já constipados. Conclusões: A constipação intestinal é um problema de saúde pública no Brasil, principalmente entre as mulheres e tem seu quadro agravado quando estes indivíduos são submetidos a dietas líquidas e homogêneas, aonde os alimentos são liquidificados e coados e os resíduos (fibras) desprezados. Sendo assim, a composição desta dieta tem que ser enriquecida com fibras alimentares para prevenir ou corrigir a constipação intestinal

Quantitative Analysis of Placental Vasculature by Three-Dimensional Power Doppler Ultrasonography in Normal Pregnancies From 12 to 40 Weeks of Gestation

Evaluate the distribution and variation of placental vascular indices according to gestational age and placental volume. From March to November 2007, three-dimensional (3D)-power Doppler ultrasound was performed in 295 normal pregnancies from 12 to 40 weeks of gestation. Using the same preestablished settings for all patients, power Doppler was applied to the placenta and placental Volume was obtained by the rotational technique (VOCAL(TM)). The 3D-power histogram was used to determine the placental vascular indices: vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization-flow index (VFI). The placental vascular indices were then plotted against gestational age and placental volume. All placental vascular indices showed constant distribution throughout gestation. A tendency for a reduction in placental vascular indices with increased placental volume was observed, but was only statistically significant when placental FI was considered (p < 0.05). All placental vascular indices estimated by 3D-power Doppler ultrasonography presented constant distribution throughout gestation, despite the increase in placental volume according to gestational age. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Prediction of intrauterine death and severe preterm delivery in twin pregnancies discordant for major fetal abnormality

Objective: To investigate predictors of spontaneous fetal death and preterm delivery in twin pregnancies with one fetus affected by a major structural malformation.Study design: Retrospective study (1999-2012) conducted at a tertiary teaching hospital involving 51 twin pregnancies (dichorionic = 31, monochorionic diamniotic = 15, monochorionic monoamniotic = 4, not established = 1) with a major fetal abnormality, enrolled before 26 weeks and managed expectantly. Primary outcomes: spontaneous fetal death, and/or delivery before 32 weeks. Prediction was examined with stepwise logistic regression analysis, and independent variables included: maternal age, gestational age at diagnosis, chorionicity, fetal gender, number and type of fetal abnormalities. Significance level was set at 0.15.Results: Fetal abnormalities were diagnosed at a mean gestation of 21.5 3.7 weeks: cardiac abnormalities were observed in 31.4% of abnormal fetuses, abdominal wall defects in 29.4%, central nervous system 21.5%, spine 17.6%, effusions 17.6%, noncardiac thoracic abnormalities 15.7%, genital and urinary system 13.7%, limbs and soft tissue 3.9%, intestinal 1.9% and facial defects 1.9%. Fetal death occurred in 15 (29.4%) abnormal fetuses and was significantly correlated with the number of fetal malformations (p = 0.02, OR = 2.54, 95% CI = 1.14-5.62), presence of effusion/hydrops (p = 0.06, OR = 4.7, 95% CI = 0.95-24) and monochorionic placenta (p = 0.11, OR= 2.8, 95% CI = 0.78-9.8). Normal co-twin fetal death occurred in four cases (7.8%) and was related to monochorionic pregnancies (p = 0.14, OR = 5.8, 95% CI = 0.56-61). Delivery before 32 weeks was observed in 14 (27.5%) pregnancies and was related to presence of effusion/ hydrops (p = 0.04, OR = 5.5, 95% CI = 1.07-28).Conclusion: Spontaneous fetal death and/or delivery before 32 weeks in twin pregnancies with one fetus affected by a major structural malformation are related to the number of abnormalities diagnosed and presence of fetal effusion or hydrops. 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.Univ São Paulo, Sch Med, Dept Obstet & Gynecol, São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Sch Med, Hosp Clin, Dept Pediat, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc