Macroscopic Anatomy, Histopathology, and Image Diagnosis of Joints and Synovial Cartilages

Joints are physiological connections formed by the association of two or more bones that confer mobility to the skeleton of vertebrates. Composed of several structures, these are often related to pathologies of varied origins, which determine symptomatology of varying degrees of intensity and impairment, responsible for the decrease in life expectancy and the well-being of affected populations. Most of the time, the treatment for these diseases is only symptomatic, aiming at the relief of pain and the return of the patient to daily activities. Thus, there has been an increasing interest in the search for new knowledge about the mechanisms that lead to joint disorders and effective therapeutic resources that may contribute to the fight against pain and to the definitive treatment of joint dysfunctions. To this aim, the knowledge of diagnostic methods, especially imaging methods, is of fundamental importance for the recognition of articular affections, enabling a targeted and effective treatment. Among these auxiliary exams currently used to evaluate the joints, the noninvasive ones are the first choice, where radiography, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography, and arthroscopy are inserted

Standard Electrocardiographic Data of Peccaries (Tayassu tajacu)

Background:Peccaries (Tayassu tajacu, Linnaeus, 1758) are wild suiformes that belong to the Tayassuidae family. Electrocardiography is an important technique for cardiovascular evaluation. Analysis of various intervals, segments, complexes and waveforms of electrocardiographic (ECG) traces aids in the diagnosis of cardiac alterations and in the differentiation of congenital and acquired heart diseases from physiological cases. However, in wild animal medicine, the various patterns of normality and the evaluation of electrical traces associated with heart disease have not yet been sufficiently elucidated. The purpose of this study was to characterize the electrocardiographic (ECG) traces of peccaries sedated using ketamine and xylazine.Materials, Methods & Results:Fourteen healthy adult animals that were subjected to digital ECG examination were used. Animals with evidence of systemic diseases, cardiovascular abnormalities (murmurs or arrhythmias), or any degree of valve insufficiency observed on echocardiogram and animals that exhibited excessive stress during the examination were excluded from the study. All animals presented with a normal sinus rhythm. A combination of 15 mg/kg of ketamine hydrochloride and 3 mg/kg of midazolam maleate was applied intramuscularly for chemical immobilization. The animals were manipulated after 15 min, when the onset of the anaesthetic effect was verified, for a duration of 45 min, and no reinforcement dose was necessary to complete the electrocardiographic examination.  No significant differences were observed in the P-wave duration, PR interval and QT interval between genders (P > 0.05). No significant differences were found between the amplitudes of the P and R waves between males and females (P > 0.05). The observed P waves were small, monophasic and positive. The QRS complex was positive in the DI, DII, DIII, aVF, V4 and V10 derivations and negative in the aVR, aVL, V1 and V2 derivations. In 71% of the animals, the T wave showed negative polarity in the DI, DII, DIII, aVL, aVF, and V10 derivations and positive polarity in the aVR, V1, V2 and V4 derivations. The ST segment was isoelectric in 100% of the animals. GraphPad Prism 7 (La Jolla, CA, USA) software was used to analyze the data, with non-parametric tests used to test for differences in the variables between the sexes. In these tests, a P-value of 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.Discussion:Although studies on the cardiac electrophysiology of wild animals have previously shown good results for several species, this is the first study concerning the standardization ECG traces for peccaries. However, due to the wild nature of these animals, their manipulation for handling and data collection purposes is only feasible under chemical containment, although other studies have used non-anaesthetized agoutis. It is not known to what extent these results may have been influenced by the effects of stress. Drugs used for this function may have direct effects on cardiac function. Therefore, the presumed normal ECG values, as well as the recognition of changes due to drug or iatrogenic interactions, are of fundamental importance.  This protocol provided high-quality anaesthetized peccary ECG traces, allowing reliable measurements of waves and intervals and assessment of the cardiac rhythm and heart rate. The surface registry digital ECG recording technique used with chemical containment allowed good monitoring and rapid acquisition and was well tolerated by the animals. 

Presumed Normal Hemodynamic Values of the Arteries in the Final Third Period of Gestation in Bitches

Background: Doppler ultrasonography enables the investigation of vascular blood flow indexes in gestational assessment, being able to detect vascular resistances that can affect fetal and maternal circulation, such as cases of placental insufficiency, associated with fetal cerebral oxygenation deficit and fetal distress. The study aims to assume hemodynamically normal values in the final third of gestation in bitches, of the umbilical, uteroplacental, middle cerebral and internal carotid arteries, correlating the obtained Doppler velocimetric indexes, for the assessment of the feto-placental circulation, and prediction of fetal viability indexes, fetal centralization and probable date of delivery.Materials, Methods & Results: Thirty healthy bitches were examined in the final third of gestation (40-60 days). These were evaluated by Doppler ultrasonography at 2 times (T): T1: between 40-50 days; T2: between 51-60 of gestation. At each time point, the peak systolic velocities (PSV) and end-diastolic velocities (EDV) used to obtain the pulsatility (IP) and resistivity (IR) indexes of the umbilical, uteroplacental, middle cerebral and internal carotid arteries of fetuses were evaluated. Also, the systole/diastole (S/D) ratio of these vessels was evaluated. The data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance and Tukey test, using a P value equal to 5%. A significant difference was observed between velocities and Doppler velocimetric indexes between the 2 phases of the gestational final third in all studied vessels. There was an increase in the values of PSV and EDV and a decrease in the indexes, as the probable date of delivery approached. The analysis of the umbilical cord IR showed an increase from P1 to P2 (P < 0.05), while the IP decreased at the same time. For all studied variables there was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). In the uteroplacental artery, similarly to the umbilical artery, the PSV and EDV values showed an increase between P1 and P2, while the S/D ratio decreased up to 60 days of gestation (P2). The IR and IP of these vessels decreased during the study interval in pregnant bitches. The studied variables showed a statistically significant difference when analyzed comparatively between P1 and P2 (P < 0.05). As for the middle cerebral artery and internal carotid artery, the PSV and EDV values increased until the end of pregnancy. Likewise, the Doppler velocimetric values and the S/D ratio decreased until the end of pregnancy (P2).Discussion: The hemodynamic values obtained for the umbilical artery and uterine artery were significantly different between 40 and 50 days of gestation (P1) and 50 and 60 days of gestation (P2), with a decrease in vascular resistance and an increase in velocities. It can be related to a greater association of maternal-fetal blood perfusion, due to the increased demand for the development of the fetus. The Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA) also showed changes between P1 and P2, with an increase in PSV and EDV in the final third of pregnancy, and the S/D ratio was reduced, differing significantly between P1 and P2. The systolic (PSV) and diastolic (EDV) flow velocities of the internal carotid artery increased progressively, while the IR, IP and the S/D ratio decreased, between the evaluated periods (P1 and P2), providing greater flow in canine fetuses, maintaining normal heart rate, indicating positive fetal viability. Keywords: Doppler, gestational ultrasound, bitches, fetal circulation, umbilical artery, internal carotid, fetal middle cerebral artery

Qualidade de vida de pacientes com deformidades dentofaciais submetidos a cirurgia ortognática / Quality of life of patients with dentofacial deformities submitted to orthognatic surgery

A cirurgia ortognática tem tido demanda crescente. Deformidades faciais e problemas esqueléticos causam distúrbios às funções fisiológicas e levam muitos pacientes a buscar tal tratamento, que acarreta mudanças importantes na qualidade de vida. Este estudo observacional longitudinal mensurou o tamanho do efeito, e comparou a qualidade de vida antes e após a cirurgia ortognática com relação aos seguintes fatores: sexo, idade, renda, escolaridade, queixa principal, tipo de deformidade, tipo de cirurgia e grau de satisfação com o aspecto facial pós-operatório. Foram aplicados um formulário de identificação e sócio-demográfico e o Brazilian Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire a 17 pacientes atendidos em um consultório odontológico particular, uma semana antes e 6 semanas após a cirurgia. A amostra foi calculada através da prevalência de impacto. Foi realizada análise descritiva através do software GraphPad Prism (GraphPad Software) e o teste de Correlação de Sperman aplicado em nível de significância de 0,01. A maior parte (76,47%) se declarou muito satisfeita com o resultado do procedimento. O tamanho do efeito calculado com o escore total do questionário foi de 1,57. Foram encontradas correlações significativas no pré-operatório entre o domínio social e a satisfação com a estética facial e entre conscientização da deformidade e tipo de deformidade; no pós-operatório, entre o domínio estética facial e o tipo de deformidade e entre a função oral e o sexo e satisfação com a aparência facial. A cirurgia ortognática tem impacto positivo especialmente sobre a satisfação com a aparência facial, podendo estar condicionado ao grau de escolaridade

Standard Strain and Strain Rate by Two-Dimensional Speckle Tracking in Agoutis (Dasyprocta prymnolopha) Anesthetized with Ketamine and Xylazine

Background: The agouti (Dasyprocta prymnolopha, Wagler, 1831) is a wild rodent widely found throughout America which has stood out as a good animal model for scientific investigations. The aim of this study was to study the cardiovascular function of chemically contained agoutis, by performing echocardiographic examinations and measuring Strain and Strain Rate by Speckle Tracking to obtain reference values for the species and verify the applicability of these animals as models for the study of cardiovascular changes in humans.Materials, Methods & Results: It was selected 16 animals, sedated by the combination of ketamine hydrochloride and xylazine and submitted to transthoracic echocardiography. To obtain the standard measurements, B, M and Doppler mode images were taken. The analysis of the radial and longitudinal myocardial deformation of the left ventricle was carried out. The right parasternal window was used for access to the short cardiac axis and the left for access to the long axis. Six radial profiles of strain (ST) and Strain rate (SR) values were obtained, corresponding to the mean of the values for each segment. A total of 18 myocardial segments were analyzed for each specimen and the mean values were used to compose the statistical analysis. The comparison of the means between the genders did not show statistical difference, being the other statistical treatments based on the total sample of 16 animals. The variables that showed statistically significant correlation coefficients in relation to weight were: LA, LA/AO, HR, AVmax, E’ wave, E/IVRT (P > 0.05). HR showed a positive correlation with IVSd (r = 0.51), EPSS (r = 0.55) and E’ wave (r = 0.68); negative with IVRT (r = - 0.41), A wave (r = - 0.54), AVmax (r = - 0.53) and Pmax (r = - 0.65).Discussion: Although presumptively normal echocardiographic values were reported for not anesthetized agoutis, this was the first study to show the measurement of these variables for chemically contained agoutis, in addition to the use of Strain and strain rate by speckle tracking in the assessment of cardiac function. The sudden exposure of an external stimulus (environmental or physical) to which the body is not adapted can trigger an acute stress, and its effects may interfere significantly in the measurement of hemodynamic variables, justifying the need for chemical containment. The values found for the thickness of agoutis cardiac walls and chambers obtained in M mode, both in systole and in diastole, when compared with mammals of different size, confirm the positive linear correlation between body weight and cardiac dimensions for the various evaluated parameters. The velocity obtained by the Strain radial for the apical systolic peak was slightly lower than that obtained for the basal systolic peak, while the opposite was observed for the circumferential Strain, which showed apical peak greater than the basal peak, also to the found for human beings. The values obtained for circumferential, radial and longitudinal strain for agoutis were within the ranges of normality observed in healthy domestic animals and humans

Presumed Normal Hemodynamic Values of the Arteries in the Final Third Period of Gestation in Bitches

Background: Doppler ultrasonography enables the investigation of vascular blood flow indexes in gestational assessment, being able to detect vascular resistances that can affect fetal and maternal circulation, such as cases of placental insufficiency, associated with fetal cerebral oxygenation deficit and fetal distress. The study aims to assume hemodynamically normal values in the final third of gestation in bitches, of the umbilical, uteroplacental, middle cerebral and internal carotid arteries, correlating the obtained Doppler velocimetric indexes, for the assessment of the feto-placental circulation, and prediction of fetal viability indexes, fetal centralization and probable date of delivery.Materials, Methods &amp; Results: Thirty healthy bitches were examined in the final third of gestation (40-60 days). These were evaluated by Doppler ultrasonography at 2 times (T): T1: between 40-50 days; T2: between 51-60 of gestation. At each time point, the peak systolic velocities (PSV) and end-diastolic velocities (EDV) used to obtain the pulsatility (IP) and resistivity (IR) indexes of the umbilical, uteroplacental, middle cerebral and internal carotid arteries of fetuses were evaluated. Also, the systole/diastole (S/D) ratio of these vessels was evaluated. The data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance and Tukey test, using a P value equal to 5%. A significant difference was observed between velocities and Doppler velocimetric indexes between the 2 phases of the gestational final third in all studied vessels. There was an increase in the values of PSV and EDV and a decrease in the indexes, as the probable date of delivery approached. The analysis of the umbilical cord IR showed an increase from P1 to P2 (P &lt; 0.05), while the IP decreased at the same time. For all studied variables there was a statistically significant difference (P &lt; 0.05). In the uteroplacental artery, similarly to the umbilical artery, the PSV and EDV values showed an increase between P1 and P2, while the S/D ratio decreased up to 60 days of gestation (P2). The IR and IP of these vessels decreased during the study interval in pregnant bitches. The studied variables showed a statistically significant difference when analyzed comparatively between P1 and P2 (P &lt; 0.05). As for the middle cerebral artery and internal carotid artery, the PSV and EDV values increased until the end of pregnancy. Likewise, the Doppler velocimetric values and the S/D ratio decreased until the end of pregnancy (P2).Discussion: The hemodynamic values obtained for the umbilical artery and uterine artery were significantly different between 40 and 50 days of gestation (P1) and 50 and 60 days of gestation (P2), with a decrease in vascular resistance and an increase in velocities. It can be related to a greater association of maternal-fetal blood perfusion, due to the increased demand for the development of the fetus. The Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA) also showed changes between P1 and P2, with an increase in PSV and EDV in the final third of pregnancy, and the S/D ratio was reduced, differing significantly between P1 and P2. The systolic (PSV) and diastolic (EDV) flow velocities of the internal carotid artery increased progressively, while the IR, IP and the S/D ratio decreased, between the evaluated periods (P1 and P2), providing greater flow in canine fetuses, maintaining normal heart rate, indicating positive fetal viability. Keywords: Doppler, gestational ultrasound, bitches, fetal circulation, umbilical artery, internal carotid, fetal middle cerebral artery