A new method for quantification of hepatobiliary scintigraphy using 99mTc-mebrofenin. A comparative study

A method based upon the application of mathematical techniques of deconvolution on the classical compartmental model for the quantitative study of liver function from hepatobiliary scintigraphy using 99mTc-mebrofenin data is proposed. The theory in which the method is based upon is presented and a comparison with a published methodology of obtaining the hepatic extraction after scintigraphic sudies has been performed using the results on 36 rats studies obtained with the two methods. A highly significant correlation between the two techniques was verified. The characteristics of the two methodologies, the proposed one based upon a theoretical approach and the other one on an empirical approximation are discussed. Comments are made on the interest and limitations of the presented technique that may be an useful tool for the evaluation of hepatic insufficiency

Silagem de cana-de-açúcar.

A cultura da cana-de-açúcar é intensamente difundida no Brasil. Programas como o Proálcool foram seus grandes incentivadores, expandindo o cultivo a extensas áreas, em regiões tradicionais de pecuária e produção de grãos, promovendo grande avanço nas técnicas de produção e lançamento de variedades com alto potencial de produção de biomassa e açúcar. A alta produtividade de massa verde (80 a 120 t/ha), o baixo custo por unidade de matéria seca (MS), a manutenção do valor nutritivo até seis meses após a maturação e o período de colheita coincidente com o período de escassez de forragem nas pastagens (SILVA, 1993), aliados à facilidade de obtenção de mudas e plantio, e a pos3ibilidade de atingir-se taxas de ganhos de peso razoáveis, têm atraído pécuaristas ao uso da cana-de açúcar como fonte de alimento volumoso na engorda de bovinos

Ecophysiological potential of the Dão terroir for the production of Touriga Nacional red grapes

Proceedings - IX International Terroir Congress, 2012Aiming to evaluate the potential of the portuguese Dão winegrowing region for the production of Touriga Nacional (TN) red grapes, climatic, ecophysiological and viticultural data from two different climatic years (2004, wet year and 2005, dry year) are presented and discussed. The data was collected in the control non-irrigated plants of an irrigation experiment installed at the Dão Research Station, Nelas, Portugal. The vineyard is established in a typical granitic soil and trained on a vertical shoot positioning. According to the Géoviticulture Multicriteria Climatic Classification System, the Dão region is classified as temperate/temperate warm for the heliothermal index, with cool nights (night cold index) and moderately dry (dryness index). In 2004 the predawn leaf water potential presented always values higher than -0.2 MPa from flowering to harvest but in 2005 moderate to severe water stress was observed during the ripening period (-0.4 MPa at veraison to -0.6 MPa at harvest). Leaf stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rate displayed a decreasing pattern from flowering to harvest in both years but attained much lower values in the 2005 ripening period as compared to that of 2004. The yield was similar in both years but 2005 showed lower sugar content, similar titratable acidity and a higher anthocyanin berry skin content. Our data shows that the Dão terroir presents a high inter-annual climate variability which has important repercussions on TN responses being the most unfavorable climatic years those were the high temperatures are coincident with water stress during the first half of the ripening period. In those years irrigation should be applied in order to obtain better quality grapes

Uma nova espécie de Metavononoides da Mata Atlântica (Arachnida: Opiliones: Cosmetidae)

A new species of Cosmetidae belonging to the genus Metavononoides Roewer, 1928 is herein described. Metavononoides renneri sp.nov. is clearly recognized by its distinctive tarsal formula, by the ratio length/width of dorsal scutum, and by its characteristic color pattern. The new species is the thirteenth species included in the genus. It is known only from the type locality, Bom Jesus do Norte, Alto da Torre, Espírito Santo, Brazil.Uma nova espécie de Cosmetidae pertencente ao gênero Metavononoides Roewer, 1928 é descrita. Metavononoides renneri sp.nov. é claramente reconhecida por sua fórmula tarsal, pela relação comprimento/largura do escudo dorsal, e pelo seu padrão de cores. A nova espécie é a décima terceira espécie do gênero. A localidade tipo é Bom Jesus do Norte, Alto da Torre, Espírito Santo, Brasil, havendo registro apenas nesse local

Um Caso Raro de Tumor Abdominopélvico: Paraganglioma

Paragangliomas are rare tumors, with a reported incidence of 2–8 per million. They are chromaffin cell tumors that develop from the neural crest cells and may be divided in tumors derived from the parasympathetic or sympathetic ganglia. We report a case a of a 32-year-old nulliparous woman, referred to our Infertility Clinic. Abdomino-pelvic ultrasound identified a large abdominopelvic tumor, without ovarian origin (both ovaries were identified and had normal morphology). Magnetic Resonance Imaging suggested a right adnexal multicystic, vascularized mass close to iliac vessels and questioning an ovarian origin. At exploratory laparotomy, a 10 cm encapsulated and vascularized mass was found beginning just below right renal artery and extending to the level of the broad ligament. This mass was totally excised and histopathology was consistent with Paraganglioma

Lentiform "Fork Sign" and Parkinsonism After Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiac Failure

Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Neurol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Neurol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Preimplantation biopsy predicts delayed graft function, glomerular filtration rate and long-term graft survival of transplanted kidneys

Background The predictive value of preimplantation biopsies for long-term graft function is often limited by conflicting results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of time-zero graft biopsy histological scores on early and late graft function, graft survival and patient survival, at different time points. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 284 preimplantation biopsies at a single center, in a cohort of recipients with grafts from live and deceased donors (standard and nonstandard), and their impact in posttransplant renal function after a mean follow-up of 7 years (range 1–16). Implantation biopsy score (IBS), a combination score derived from 4 histopathological aspects, was determined from each sample. The correlation with incidence of delayed graft function (DGF), creatinine clearance (1st, 3rd and 5th posttransplant year) and graft and patient survival at 1 and 5 years were evaluated. Results Preimplantation biopsies provided somewhat of a prognostic index of early function and outcome of the transplanted kidney in the short and long term. In the immediate posttransplantation period, the degree of arteriolosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis correlated better with the presence of DGF. IBS values between 4 and 6 were predictive of worst renal function at 1st and 3rd years posttransplant and 5-year graft survival. The most important histological finding, in effectively transplanted grafts, was the grade of interstitial fibrosis. Patient survival was not influenced by IBS. Conclusions Higher preimplantation biopsy scores predicted an increased risk of early graft losses, especially primary nonfunction. Graft survival (at 1st and 5th years after transplant) but not patient survival was predicted by IBS