Antinociceptive and Behavioral Effects of Methadone Alone or in Combination with Detomidine in Conscious Horses

The antinociceptive and behavioral effects of methadone (MET) alone or combined with detomidine (DET) were studied in horses. Intravenous treatments were randomly administered in a two-phase crossover study. In phase 1, six horses were treated with saline (control) or 0.2 or 0.5 mg/kg methadone (MET0.2; MET0.5, respectively). In phase 2, six horses were treated with 0.01 mg/kg DET alone or with DET combined with 0.2 mg/kg MET (DET/MET0.2). Thermal nociceptive threshold (TNT) and electrical nociceptive thresholds (ENT) were recorded by using a heat projection lamp and electrodes placed in the coronary band of the thoracic limbs, respectively. Spontaneous locomotor activity (SLA) was studied by movement sensors in the stall (phase 1). Chin-to-floor distance was assessed in phase 2. In phase 1, the TNT increased significantly for 30 minute after MET0.5 but not after saline or MET0.2. Hyperesthesia and ataxia were observed in 2 of 6 and 6 of 6 horses after MET0.2 and MET0.5, respectively. SLA increased significantly for 120 minutes after MET in a dose-dependent way, but not after placebo. In phase 2, DET and DET/MET0.2 significantly increased the TNT and ENT above baseline for 15 and 30 minutes, respectively; thresholds were significantly higher with DET/MET0.2 than with DET at the same times. Chin-to-floor distance decreased significantly from baseline for 30 minutes, and no excitatory behavior was observed in both treatments. Although the higher dose of MET induced short-acting antinociception, the associated adverse effects may contraindicate its clinical use. The lower dose of MET potentiated DET-induced antinociception without adverse effects, which might be useful under clinical circumstances. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Motor readiness and joint torque production in lower limbs of older women fallers and non-fallers

This study aimed to evaluate the motor response time and ability to develop joint torque at the knee and ankle in older women with and without a history of falls, in addition to investigating the effect of aging on these capacities. We assessed 18 young females, 21 older female fallers and 22 older female non-fallers. The peak torque, rate of torque development, rate of electromyography (EMG) rise, reaction time, premotor time and motor time were obtained through a dynamometric assessment and simultaneous electromyography. Surface EMGs of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles were recorded. Knee extension and flexion peak torques were lower in older fallers than in non-fallers. Knee extension and flexion and ankle plantarflexion and dorsiflexion peak torques were lower in both older groups than in the younger group. The rate of EMG rise of the BF and the motor time of the TA were lower and higher, respectively, in older fallers than in the younger adults. The time to reach peak torque in knee extension/flexion and ankle plantarflexion/dorsiflexion and the motor times of the RF, VL, BF and GL were higher in both older groups than in the younger groups. The motor time of the TA during ankle dorsiflexion and the knee extension peak torque were the major predictors of falls in older women, accounting for approximately 28% of the number of falls. Thus, these results further reveal the biomechanical parameters that affect the risk of falls and provide initial findings to support the prescription of exercises in fall prevention programs. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

The relationships between scrotal surface temperature, age and sperm quality in stallions

In horses, spermatogenesis normally occurs at an average intratesticular temperature of 35. °C; therefore, mechanisms for testicular thermoregulation are essential. Measuring the scrotal surface temperature by thermography is one of the methodologies used to evaluate the effectiveness of testicular thermoregulation. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between the control of scrotal surface temperature and sperm quality in horses of different ages. In total, 24 Quarter Horse stallions were divided into three groups: YS (young stallions), AS (adult stallions) and OS (old stallions). Initially, we calculated the testicular volume (TV) and evaluated various aspects of the semen (sperm kinetics, plasma membrane integrity and sperm morphology) for all the animals. We also evaluated rectal temperature (RT), body surface temperature (BST,) and average scrotal surface temperature in the testicular region (SST) before (M0) and after sun exposure (M1). Differences were observed (p<0.05) between the RT and BST before and after sun exposure in all three groups. However, there were no differences (p>0.05) in the SST values at these two time points, thus demonstrating the efficiency of the mechanisms for testicular thermoregulation. The SST was similar (p>0.05) among all three groups. Based on these results, we conclude that fertile stallions of different age groups are able to maintain SST and measuring the heat radiating from the scrotum using a digital infrared thermographer. We can also conclude that measuring the heat radiating from the scrotum using a digital infrared thermographer is a practical and efficient tool for monitoring SST in horses. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Horizontal ridge augmentation of the atrophic anterior maxilla using rhBMP-2/ACS or autogenous bone grafts: A proof-of-concept randomized clinical trial

Aim To compare the effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) in an absorbable collagen sponge carrier (ACS) with autogenous bone graft for augmentation of the edentulous atrophic anterior maxilla. Methods Twenty-four subjects were enrolled in a randomized, controlled, parallel-group, open-label clinical trial. Subjects either received rhBMP-2/ACS (1.5 mg/ml) or particulated autogenous bone harvested from the mandibular retromolar region. A titanium-mesh was used to provide space and wound stability. A guide was used to standardize clinical recordings using an analogue caliper. Alveolar ridge width was also assessed using cone-beam computed tomography. Results rhBMP-2/ACS yielded significantly greater radiographic horizontal bone gain compared with autogenous bone graft at immediate subcrestal levels (1.5 ± 0.7 versus 0.5 ± 0.9 mm; p = 0.01); non-significant differences were observed at mid- (2.9 ± 0.8 versus 2.9 ± 0.9 mm; p = 0.98) and apical (1.7 ± 0.9 versus 1.8 ± 1.1 mm; p = 0.85) crestal levels. No significant differences in clinical horizontal bone gain were observed at 6 months between rhBMP-2/ACS and autogenous bone graft (3.2 ± 0.9 mm versus 3.7 ± 1.4 mm; p = 0.31). Sixty-two implants were placed after 6 month of healing with no significant differences between groups for number of implants, implant size, primary stability and survival. Conclusions rhBMP-2/ACS appears a realistic alternative for augmentation of the edentulous atrophic anterior maxilla. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Comportamento do noni à salinidade da água de irrigação em solo com biofertilizante bovino

Salt excess in soil and water used for irrigation can cause significant loss of production and growth in cultivated plants. Among some options for reduction of negative effects of salts to plants in cultivated areas, fermented bio fertilizer has been used to grow vegetables and fruit tree irrigated with saline water. The study aimed at evaluating the behavior of the noni plant to salinity of the irrigation water in substrate with and with no bio fertilizer. Treatments were arranged in a randomized block design with four replications, using a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement. Five levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water (0.5, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0 dS m-1) were used in substrates with and with no bio fertilizer. Parameters were evaluated as follows: plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, leaf area, shoot dry matter and water consumption. All evaluated variables were negatively affected by the increase in salt concentration of the irrigation water, but always with less intense effects in treatments with bio fertilizer.The bio fertilizer does not eliminate, but mitigates the negative effects of salts in noni plants.

Do coronelismo ao neo-coronelismo: um estudo sobre a ascensão, a queda e o ressurgimento de Antônio Lorenzetti Filho

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Repórter-cronista: jornalismo e literatura na interface de João Antônio com Lima Barreto

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Da forma à substância: a percepção tátil da figura feminina em alguns poemas de Quaderna de João Cabral de Melo Neto

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Jogo e contrajogo: o lúdico no teatro de Antônio José da Silva, O Judeu

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Da inquisição à ficção: as narrativas do inquérito e os processos da escrita em António Vieira e Lobo Antunes

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Santinho do pau oco: sensualidade e religiosidade nos romances do Padre Antônio da Fonseca

Pós-graduação em Letras - FCLAS

O engenheiro Antônio Soares Romêo e a modernização urbana de Ribeirão Preto nos tempos do café (1913-1923)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Construindo um lugar na história: o arquivo pessoal de João Antônio (1937-1996)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Relato e realidade nas cartas brasileiras do Padre Antônio Vieira: uma visão cognitivista e cultural

Pós-graduação em Linguística e Língua Portuguesa - FCLAR

Da ortografia para a fonética e a fonologia nos Sermões do Padre Antônio Vieira

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)