Maternal ingestion of cocoa causes constriction of fetal ductus arteriosus in rats

Maternal consumption of polyphenol-rich foods has been associated with fetal ductus arteriosus constriction (DAC), but safety of chocolate exposure in fetal life has not been studied. This experimental study tested the hypothesis that maternal cocoa consumption in late pregnancy causes fetal DAC, with possible associated antioxidant effects. Pregnant Wistar rats, at the 21st gestational day, received by orogastric tube cocoa (720 mg/Kg) for 12 h, indomethacin (10 mg/Kg), for 8 h, or only water, before cesaren section. Immediately after withdrawal, every thorax was obtained and tissues were fixed and stained for histological analysis. The ratio of the narrowest part of the pulmonary artery to the fetal ductus inner diameter and increased ductal inner wall thickness characterized ductal constriction. Substances reactive to thiobarbituric acid were quantified. Statistical analysis used ANOVA and Tukey test. Cocoa (n = 33) and indomethacin (n = 7) reduced fetal internal ductus diameter when compared to control (water, n = 25) (p < 0.001) and cocoa alone increased ductus wall thickness (p < 0.001), but no change was noted in enzymes activity. This pharmacological study shows supporting evidences that there is a cause and effect relationship between maternal consumption of cocoa and fetal ductus arteriosus constriction. Habitual widespread use of chocolate during gestation could account for undetected ductus constriction and its potentially severe consequences, such as perinatal pulmonary hypertension, cardiac failure and even death. For this reason, dietary guidance in late pregnancy to avoid high chocolate intake, to prevent fetal ductal constriction, may represent the main translational aspect of this study

Comorbidade tuberculose-diabetes no centro de referência estadual em pneumologia sanitária em Manaus-AM / Tuberculosis-diabetes comorbidity at the state reference center in sanitary pneumology in Manaus-AM

A tuberculose continua sendo um grave problema de saúde pública, principalmente no Estado do Amazonas e sua capital, que historicamente apresentam as maiores taxas de incidência do Brasil. A tuberculose vem acompanhada de várias comorbidades, dentre elas, ressaltamos a diabetes mellitus, que apresenta uma maior taxa de recidiva e evolução para TB droga resistentes. Este estudo objetivou avaliar o perfil clínico-epidemiológico de pacientes com comorbidade tuberculose-diabetes no Centro de Referência Estadual em Pneumologia Sanitária da cidade de Manaus-AM. Foi um estudo retrospectivo, analítico, descritivo e quantitativo. A análise dos casos de tuberculose foi realizada no SINAN da Policlínica Cardoso Fontes de 2009-2016, foram encontrados 6.714 casos de TB, destes 437 pacientes tinham diabetes com uma prevalência de 6,5%, e uma predominância de 57,8% do sexo masculino. A mediana de idade do total de casos de tuberculose foi de 36 anos (Intervalo interqualítico 23,52), com uma diferença estatística, para os pacientes com tuberculose-diabetes apresentando idade mais avançada de 57 anos. O tabagismo apresentou diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os pacientes diabéticos (p-valor=0,003). A maior taxa de recidiva de tuberculose foi associada aos pacientes com diabetes (P&lt;0,0001). Conclui-se que os pacientes com tuberculose e diabetes mellitus: curam menos, morrem mais, evoluem para tuberculose droga resistentes e sofrem mais mudanças no seu esquema de tratamento, e os   tabagista com diabetes tem maior risco de adoecer de tuberculose. Profissionais de saúde que atendem ao programa de tuberculose encontram dificuldades no manejo da assistência voltada a estes pacientes. Recomendamos a criação e implantação de um protocolo voltado para a assistência e acompanhamento desses usuários com os programas existente na rede como o hiperdia para um atendimento integral a esses usuários de referência a contra-referência

Características citológicas de cistoadenocarcinoma papilar ovariano em um cão

Background: Ovarian papillary cystadenocarcinoma is a rare neoplasm associated with peritoneal implantation and malignant effusion. Most dogs are asymptomatic until the nodules become large and the abdominal volume is increased. From the clinical suspicion, the diagnosis can be obtained through imaging and histopathology, however, cytological analysis has become an alternative method for the early detection of this neoplasm. In order to demonstrate the importance of cytology in the diagnosis of ovarian neoplasms and its metastasis, it is reported a case of metastatic ovarian papillary cystadenocarcinoma in a dog.Case: Female, intact, teckel, 5-year-old, with increased abdominal volume. Physical examination revealed ascites and intracavitary mass, abdominocentesis and fine needle puncture of the mass were performed for cytological evaluation. In the cavity fluid it was observed: dark red color, cloudy appearance, hematocrit of 35%; (7.6 g / dL), pH (8.0), 22,000 nucleated cells / μL, marked cellularity of pleomorphic epithelial cells arranged in three-dimensional cohesive groups, sometimes in acinar or tubular pattern, nucleus with loose chromatin coarse, scarse to moderate cytoplasm, perinuclear halo, multiple and evident nucleoli compatible with carcinomatous neoplastic effusion. In the cytological evaluation of the tumor, epithelial cells were observed, with the same microscopic characteristics of the abdominal fluid. A laparotomy that did not show metastasis was performed, multiple nodes interspersed with cystic regions containing yellow-red fluid in the right ovary were visualized. Histopathology showed: neoplastic cells proliferation of ovarian glandular tissue, scarce cytoplasm, poorly delimited, nucleus ranging from oval to cylindrical with marked pleomorphism, evident nucleoli and loose chromatin, mitotic figures and papillary growth. Neoplastic cells forming irregular cavities with proteinaceous fluid, scarce connective tissue intermingling the cellular nest and areas of hemorrhage. Cytological and histopathological analyzes were compatible with ovarian papillary cystadenocarcinoma. After three months of excision, the dog returned with thoracic effusion that presented the same characteristics of the abdominal fluid, indicating metastasis.Discussion: Metastasis and effusion were observed in 48% and 86% of dogs with this tumor, respectively. Cell exfoliation, release of fluid through the tumor capsule or rupture of cysts can result in transcelomic metastatic implants that exert pressure and obstruct peritoneal and diaphragmatic lymphatic vessels causing effusion. The macro and microscopic characteristics of the abdominal effusion reinforced the suspicion of neoplasia, and the cytomorphological evaluation of the tumor, which identified carcinomatous cells similar to that of the effusion, allowed the presumptive diagnosis of the neoplasia. The macroscopic presence of multiple nodes interspersed with cystic regions containing red fluid in the right ovary, identified after surgical excision, reinforced the cytologic diagnosis. Histopathological examination identified wellestablished microscopic features that allowed the definitive and confirmatory diagnosis of neoplasia. Radiological analysis of the chest was not enough to detect the metastasis diagnosed by effusion analysis, however, small nodules (less than 6 mm) are difficult to identify by imaging. Thus, it is important to emphasize the importance of cytological evaluation of tumor and effusions for detection of neoplastic cells for the diagnosis of intracavitary neoplasia and metastasis

Chemical composition, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and redox properties in vitro of the essential oil from Remirea maritima Aubl. (Cyperaceae)

Methods: The essential oil from the roots and rhizomes of RMO were obtained by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus, and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Here, we evaluated free radical scavenging activities and antioxidant potential of RMO using in vitro assays for scavenging activity against hydroxyl radicals, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide radicals, and nitric oxide. The total reactive antioxidant potential (TRAP) and total antioxidant reactivity (TAR) indexes and in vitro lipoperoxidation were also evaluated. The ability of RMO to prevent lipid peroxidation was measured by quantifying thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). NO radical generated at physiological pH was found to be inhibited by RMO, that showed scavenging effect upon SNP-induced NO production at all concentrations. Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties were evaluated by acetic acid writhing reflex, Formalin-induced nociception and Carrageenan-induced edema test. - Results: The majors compounds identified was remirol (43.2%), cyperene (13.8%), iso-evodionol (5.8%), cyperotundone (5.7%), caryophyllene oxide (4.9%), and rotundene (4.6%). At the TRAP assay, RMO concentration of 1 mg.mL−1 showed anti-oxidant effects and at concentration of 1 and 10 ng.mL−1 RMO showed pro-oxidant effect. RMO at 1 mg.mL−1 also showed significant anti-oxidant capacity in TAR measurement. Concentrations of RMO from 1 ng.mL−1 to 100 μg.mL−1 enhanced the AAPH-induced lipoperoxidation. RMO reduced deoxyribose oxidative damage, induced by the Fenton reaction induction system, at concentrations from 1 ng.mL−1 to 100 μg.mL−1. We observed that RMO caused a significant increase in rate of adrenaline auto-oxidation. On the other hand RMO did not present any scavenging effect in H2O2 formation in vitro. The results of this study revealed that RMO has both peripheral and central analgesic properties. The RMO, all doses, orally (p.o.) administered significantly inhibited (p < 0.05, p < 0.01 and p < 0.001) the acetic acid-induced writhings and two phases of formalin-induced nociception in mice. - Conclusion: The RMO demonstrated antioxidant and analgesic profile which may be related to the composition of the oil

Performance of the CMS Cathode Strip Chambers with Cosmic Rays

The Cathode Strip Chambers (CSCs) constitute the primary muon tracking device in the CMS endcaps. Their performance has been evaluated using data taken during a cosmic ray run in fall 2008. Measured noise levels are low, with the number of noisy channels well below 1%. Coordinate resolution was measured for all types of chambers, and fall in the range 47 microns to 243 microns. The efficiencies for local charged track triggers, for hit and for segments reconstruction were measured, and are above 99%. The timing resolution per layer is approximately 5 ns