Consequences of Chronic Nasal Obstruction on the Laryngeal Mucosa and Voice Quality of 4- to 12-Year-Old Children

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

Maximum Phonation Time and s/z Ratio in a Large Child Cohort

Aim. The purpose of this study was to provide normal values for maximum phonation time (MPT) and the s/z ratio by examining 1660 children aged 4-12 years and without vocal signs or symptoms.Methods. The technique was based on the sustained emission of the /a/ vowel and fricatives /s/ and /z/.Results. The average of the MPT in children of the different age groups was as follows: 6.09 seconds for the age group 4-6 years (males, 5.97; female, 6.21 seconds), 7.94 seconds for the age group 7-9 years (males, 8.07; females, 7.79 seconds), and 8.98 for the age group 10-12 years (males, 9.05; females, 8.92 seconds). The overall average for males was 7.78 and females 7.64 seconds. The s/z ratio was near 1.0 in most children but above 1.2 in 133 children and below 0.8 in 133 children.Conclusion. These values of MPT and s/z ratio can be used as normative in further pediatric studies.

Vocal Cysts: Clinical, Endoscopic, and Surgical Aspects

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

Mucosal Bridge of the Vocal Fold: Difficulties in the Diagnosis and Treatment

Mucosal bridges are rare laryngeal lesions probably of genetic origin. They may cause dysphonia of varying degrees, especially when associated with other laryngeal lesions such as vocal sulci and cysts. Reports on mucosal bridges are rare, and the better treatment is inconclusive.Aim. To report the authors' experience in 14 cases of mucosal bridge showing details on endoscopic examinations and treatment.Study Design. Retrospective study.Methods. We reviewed the medical records of 14 patients with a diagnosis of mucosal bridge confirmed by video-laryngostroboscopy and direct laryngoscopy who attended the Outpatient Clinic of Voice Disorders of the Discipline of Otorhinolaryngology, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University, São Paulo. Data collected included information on gender, age, symptoms, time of onset, history of intubation, smoking status, alcohol intake, associated laryngeal lesions, treatment, and GRBAS (grade of hoarseness, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, and stress) scale ratings.Results. of 14 patients, 10 were females and four were males. There was a prevalence of adults (n = 12), with only two of the patients being younger than 13 years (10 and 13 years). Mucosal bridges showed no correlations with smoking, alcohol intake, or gastroesophageal and sinonasal symptoms. Voice abuse was reported in 50% of the cases that consisted of patients who had high-voice demand occupations. In seven cases, mucosal bridges were associated with other laryngeal lesions, particularly vocal cysts and sulci. All patients who underwent surgery and phonotherapy showed improved vocal quality.Conclusions. We documented 14 patients with dysphonia caused by mucosal bridge. Promising results were obtained with surgery.

DNA damage in multiple organs after exposure to chlorhexidine in Wistar rats

Since chlorhexidine is effective against microorganisms, it is widely recommended in dentistry. However, studies have provided evidence that chlorhexidine is toxic for a variety of cell types. In order to identify potential genotoxins in different cell types, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether chlorhexidine digluconate is able to cause, in terms of DNA damage, alterations in leukocytes, liver, kidney and urinary bladder by the single cell gel (comet) assay. Ten male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: a negative control and the experimental group treated with 3 ml of 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate by gavage once a day for 8 days. Statistically significant increases of DNA damage was observed in leukocytes and kidney cells of the chlorhexidine digluconate treated group as depicted by the mean tail moment. Taken together, the data indicate that leukocytes and kidney cells are potential targets for primary DNA damage following oral exposure to chlorhexidine digluconate as detected by single cell gel (comet) assay. (c) 2006 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Decreased Sperm Motility in Rats Orally Exposed to Single or Mixed Pesticides

The Brazilian Agency of Sanitary Vigilance (ANVISA) conducted a study that demonstrated the presence of residues of several pesticides in fresh fruits and vegetables that were available for purchase by the general populace. In order to evaluate potential adverse health effects of low-level exposure to agrochemicals, the reproductive toxicity of the pesticides dicofol, dichlorvos, permethrin, endosulfan, and dieldrin was evaluated in rats dosed with these chemicals individually or as mixtures. Sixty male Lewis rats (6 wk old, 200 x g) were randomly allocated to 8 groups: (1) control group, received basal diet; (2) 5 groups designated a to e received the diet containing each pesticide individually, at the respective effective doses: lowest-observed-adverse-effect level (LOAEL) for dieldrin and endosulfan, lowest-observed-effect level (LOEL) for dicofol, and lowest effect level (LEL) for dichlorvos and permethrin, respectively, depending on the published data; (3) effective dose group, which received a mixture of pesticides added to basal diet at the respective doses reported to produce adverse effects; and (4) low dose group, which received a pesticide mixture added to the basal diet, where each pesticide was at its no-observed-effect level (NOEL). After 8 wk of treatment, reproductive parameters were evaluated. Sperm morphology, daily sperm production (DSP), sperm transit time through the epididymis, hormonal levels, and histopathological evaluation of testis and epididymis did not differ significantly among the groups. However, sperm motility was significantly decreased in animals that received a mixture of dieldrin, endosulfan, dicofol, dichlorvos, and permethrin, as well as in the group receiving dicofol alone. Exposure to the individual pesticides endosulfan, dichlorvos, and permethrin did not markedly affect sperm motility. The impairment of sperm motility in the mixture of pesticides at the NOEL level indicates that reproductive effects not seen with individual pesticides may occur in presence of several pesticides due to an additive effect. However, the pesticide mixtures did not appear to affect DSP or spermatogenesis despite reduced sperm motility.

Toxicogenomic activity of gemcitabine in two TP53-mutated bladder cancer cell lines: special focus on cell cycle-related genes

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

Cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in TP53 subtypes of bladder carcinoma cell lines treated with cisplatin and gemcitabine

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

Goniometria dos membros pélvicos de pacas (Cuniculus paca) criadas em cativeiro

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Post-operative analgesic effects of butorphanol or firocoxib administered to dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy

ObjectiveTo compare the post-operative analgesic effects of butorphanol or firocoxib in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.Study designProspective, randomized, blinded, clinical trial.AnimalsTwenty-five dogs > 1 year of age.MethodsDogs received acepromazine intramuscularly (IM), 0.05 mg kg-1 and either butorphanol IM, 0.2 mg kg-1 (BG, n = 12) or firocoxib orally (PO), 5 mg kg-1 (FG, n = 13), approximately 30 minutes before induction of anesthesia with propofol. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane. Ovariohysterectomy was performed by the same surgeon. Pain scores using the dynamic and interactive visual analog scale (DIVAS) were performed before and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 20 hours after the end of surgery by one observer, blinded to the treatment. Rescue analgesia was provided with morphine (0.5 mg kg-1) IM and firocoxib, 5 mg kg-1 (BG only) PO if DIVAS > 50. Groups were compared using paired t-tests and Fisher's exact test (p < 0.05). Data are presented as mean +/- SD.ResultsThe BG required significantly less propofol (BG: 2.6 +/- 0.59 mg kg-1; FG: 5.39 +/- 0.7 mg kg-1) (p < 0.05) but the anesthesia time was longer (BG: 14 +/- 6, FG: 10 +/- 4 minutes). There were no differences for body weight (BG: 7.9 +/- 5.0, FG: 11.5 +/- 4.6 kg), sedation scores, and surgery and extubation times (BG: 10 +/- 2, 8 +/- 5 minutes; FG: 9 +/- 3, 8 +/- 4 minutes, respectively) (p > 0.05). The FG had significantly lower pain scores than the BG at 1, 2 and 3 hours following surgery (p < 0.05). Rescue analgesia was administered to 11/12 (92%) and 2/13 (15%) dogs in the BG and FG, respectively (p < 0.05).Conclusion and clinical relevanceFirocoxib produced better post-operative analgesia than butorphanol. Firocoxib may be used as part of a multimodal analgesia protocol but may not be effective as a sole analgesic.

Postoperative analgesic effects of intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous or oral transmucosal buprenorphine administered to cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy

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

Bioestimulação da atividade reprodutiva de coelhas lactantes em regime de monta natural

Esta pesquisa avaliou o efeito da separação mãe-ninhada sobre o desempenho reprodutivo de coelhas lactantes e ponderal das ninhadas até aos 70 dias de idade. Examinaram-se 415 exposições ao macho de 157 fêmeas lactantes distribuídas em dois grupos: controle, com livre acesso ao ninho, e tratado, cujo acesso bloqueou-se entre o sétimo e o nono dias pós-parto, durante as 39 horas que precederam a cobrição. Das 415 exposições ao macho, 387 resultaram em cobrições e 264 em partos. As fêmeas tratadas, de quinta lactação em diante, apresentaram receptividade e taxa de parição, respectivamente, 6,7% e 10,8% maiores em comparação às fêmeas do grupo controle. Não se constatou efeito da interação tratamento x ordem de lactação, ou do tratamento, com respeito ao número de láparos/ninhada à desmama e nos 70 dias de idade. em ninhadas de primíparas, a taxa de mortalidade da separação até 70 dias de idade foi maior no grupo tratado, em relação ao controle (0,248±0,047 vs. 0,120±0,047). O peso total da ninhada à desmama foi inferior no grupo tratado, do que no controle (5.753±93 g vs. 6.222±89 g) em todas as ordens. Todavia, não se observou diferença no peso total ou médio da ninhada nos 70 dias de idade. O tratamento também reduziu o peso individual à desmama (912,4±4,9 g vs. 962,7±4,5 g) em todas as ordens de lactação, entretanto, elevou o ganho de peso médio diário pós-desmama (32,25±0,19 g/d vs. 31,44±0,17 g/d), proporcionando a ocorrência de ganho compensatório neste período. Pode-se recomendar a separação temporária mãe-ninhada para melhorar o desempenho reprodutivo de coelhas lactantes multíparas; mas deve ser evitada para as primíparas, devido à elevação da taxa de mortalidade das ninhadas.

Feedlot performance, feed efficiency and carcass traits in Nellore cattle selected for postweaning weight

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

EVALUATION OF THE PERCEPTION TOWARDS RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN BEINGS IN BRASILEAN POST DEGREE STUDENTS

In Brazil, research involving human beings must obey to ethical norms foresaw by the 196/96 National Health Council Resolution of the Ministry of Health. This paper gives account of a knowledge evaluation about some concepts and rules established by the resolution by Dental post degree students. It is concluded that in spite of the spreading and importance of the resolution most students do not know about it. In the same situation are those who work in research.