Características hematológicas, bioquímicas e biométricas de Piaractus mesopotamicus Holmberg, 1887 (Osteichthyes: Characidae) oriundos de cultivo intensivo

Hematological characteristics are important tools for diagnosis and prognostic features in fish population and they contribute to the comprehension of comparative physiology, phylogenetic relation, food habit and other ecological parameters. Red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC), thrombocytes counts, glucose, cortisol, hepatosomatic and splenosomatic relation were evaluated in Piaractus mesopotamicus. The values of hepatosomatic relation varied from 0.67% to 2.79% and splenosomatic relation from 0.011% to 0.108%. RBC 1.870 to 4.590 × 106/μL, hemoglobin concentration 5.7 to 12.1g/dL, haematocrit 24.0% to 40.0%, mean corpuscular volume 98.0 to 174.0 fL, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration 19.1 to 34.2g/dL, glucose 40.6 to 89.2mg/dL and cortisol 4.73 to 110.5ng/dL The number of total thrombocytes was 12,160.0 to 89,280.0/μL and WBC 2,019.0 to 47,473.0/μL. Differential count of leucocytes showed 54.1% limphocytes, 10.9% neutrophils, 10.3% monocytes, 9.9% PAS-positive granular leukocytes (PAS-GL), 6.7% eosinophils, 0.3% basophils and 7.8% immature leucocytes. Variation of these haematological characteristics in the same fish species was observed, being considered as the normal variation in the fish concerned. Hence it is incorrect to assume that biological characteristics in fishes are distributed normally.

Plication of the free wall of the left ventricle in dogs with doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy

Objective - To evaluate plication of the free wall of the left ventricle, which reduces the left ventricular area and volume, as a method to improve the left ventricular systolic function without cardiopulmonary bypass. Animals - 8 mixed-breed adult dogs. Procedure - Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) was induced in each dog by administration of doxorubicin (30 mg/m2, IV, q 21 d for 168 days). Two dogs died during induction of cardiomyopathy. Plication surgery was performed in 4 dogs. Two dogs did not ondergo to surgery (control group). Values for cardiac output (CO), 2-dimensional and M-mode echocardiography, arterial blood pressure, electrocardiography, blood cell counts, and serum biochemical analyses were recorded after induction of DCM (baseline) and 1, 2, 7, 15, 21, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 days after plication surgery. Ambulatory ECG (Holter) recordings were conducted for 24 hours on the day of surgery. Results - 1 dog died after plication surgery. The remaining dogs undergoing ventricular plication had a significant improvement in CO, ejection fraction, and fractional shortening and reductions of left ventricular area and volume after surgery. Electrocardiographic and Holter recordings revealed premature ventricular complexes, which resolved without treatment during the first week after surgery. Clinical condition of the control dogs declined, and these 2 dogs died approximately 40 days after induction of cardiomyopathy. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance - Plication of the free wall of the left ventricle improved left ventricular systolic function in dogs with doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy. Additional studies are needed to evaluate its application in dogs with naturally developing DCM.

Monosodium glutamate in standard and high-fiber diets: Metabolic syndrome and oxidative stress in rats

Objective: This study determined the effects of adding monosodium glutamate (MSG) to a standard diet and a fiber-enriched diet on glucose metabolism, lipid profile, and oxidative stress in rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats (65 ± 5 g, n = 8) were fed a standard diet (control), a standard diet supplemented with 100 g of MSG per kilogram of rat body weight, a diet rich in fiber, or a diet rich in fiber supplemented with 100 g of MSG per kilogram of body weight. After 45 d of treatment, sera were analyzed for concentrations of insulin, leptin, glucose, triacylglycerol, lipid hydroperoxide, and total antioxidant substances. A homeostasis model assessment index was estimated to characterize insulin resistance. Results: Voluntary food intake was higher and feed efficiency was lower in animals fed the standard diet supplemented with MSG than in those fed the control, fiber-enriched, or fiber- and MSG-enriched diet. The MSG group had metabolic dysfunction characterized by increased levels of glucose, triacylglycerol, insulin, leptin, and homeostasis model assessment index. The adverse effects of MSG were related to an imbalance between the oxidant and antioxidant systems. The MSG group had increased levels of lipid hydroperoxide and decreased levels of total antioxidant substances. Levels of triacylglycerol and lipid hydroperoxide were decreased in rats fed the fiber-enriched and fiber- and MSG-enriched diets, whereas levels of total antioxidant substances were increased in these animals. Conclusions: MSG added to a standard diet increased food intake. Overfeeding induced metabolic disorders associated with oxidative stress in the absence of obesity. The fiber-enriched diet prevented changes in glucose, insulin, leptin, and triacylglycerol levels that were seen in the MSG group. Because the deleterious effects of MSG, i.e., induced overfeeding, were not seen in the animals fed the fiber-enriched diets, it can be concluded that fiber supplementation is beneficial by discouraging overfeeding and improving oxidative stress that is induced by an MSG diet. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Importância da linha de base pré-exposição das colinesterases (ChEs) no controle ocupacional a praguicidas organofosforados e carbamatos

The most immediate toxic effects of a poisoning for organophosphate or carbamate are promoted by inhibition of cholinesterases (ChEs). However, a serious limitation to the diagnosis of mild organophosphate or carbamate poisoning and to preventive screening of organophosphate-exposed workers has been the large interindividual variability in ChEs activity. This makes it necessary to obtain a pre-exposure baseline measurement of enzyme activity as a basis for evaluating subsequent declines. Thus, the objective of this work is demonstrate the value of the pre-exposure baseline in the interpretation of the results of the ChEs activity of the carbamate or organophosphate-exposed workers. Using Nabb & Whitfield (1967) method to analyze blood of 48 workers the results have shown a erythrocyte cholinesterase range of 10.1 to 19.7 μmol/min/mL and plasm cholinesterase range of 2.2 to 6.9 μmol/min/mL. Despite the large interindividual variation presented, when one used the pre-exposure baseline it was possible to correlate symptoms of light poisoning of the exposure workers to carbamate with fall in the Er-ChE activity lesser then 30% of the pre-exposure baseline activity.

Abordagem diagnóstica dos pacientes com suspeita de trombose venosa profunda dos membros inferiores

Deep venous thrombosis is a relatively common disease, which can present pulmonary embolism as a complication in its acute phase, and later the post-thrombotic syndrome. Thus, diagnosis should be made as soon as possible, in order to prevent or minimize such complications. Several studies have shown that the symptoms and the clinical signs are inaccurate for the deep venous thrombosis diagnosis and that complementary exams are necessary. As an attempt to simplify the patients' assessment, Well et al., in 1997, developed a clinical prediction index that combines symptoms, signs and risk factors for deep venous thrombosis and managed to make a simpler approach through an association of this index with the complementary exams. Phlebography has been considered the gold standard of complementary exams. However, since it is an invasive exam and thus subject to complications, other diagnostic methods were introduced aiming at making the diagnostic approach simpler and less invasive. Doppler ultrasound, duplex scan, impedance plethysmography, computed tomography, and blood tests such as the D-dimer are some of the available methods for assessing the patient with suspicion of deep venous thrombosis. Among them, duplex scan has shown excellent accuracy and it is currently widely accepted as the first choice test for approaching the patient with deep venous thrombosis. Several authors have suggested an association of diagnostic methods to simplify and make the assessment of such patients more cost-effective, leading to the introduction of a wide range of diagnostic strategies. The different diagnostic methods used for assessing deep venous thrombosis are discussed, as well as a review of the literature on the accuracy, advantages and disadvantages of these methods. Copyright © 2005 by Sociedade Brasileira de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular.

A synthetic control chart for monitoring the process mean and variance

Purpose - The aim of this paper is to present a synthetic chart based on the non-central chi-square statistic that is operationally simpler and more effective than the joint X̄ and R chart in detecting assignable cause(s). This chart will assist in identifying which (mean or variance) changed due to the occurrence of the assignable causes. Design/methodology/approach - The approach used is based on the non-central chi-square statistic and the steady-state average run length (ARL) of the developed chart is evaluated using a Markov chain model. Findings - The proposed chart always detects process disturbances faster than the joint X̄ and R charts. The developed chart can monitor the process instead of looking at two charts separately. Originality/value - The most important advantage of using the proposed chart is that practitioners can monitor the process by looking at only one chart instead of looking at two charts separately. © Emerald Group Publishing Limted.

Levedura íntegra e derivados do seu processamento em rações para tilápia do Nilo: Aspectos hematológicos e histológicos

The effects of inclusion of whole yeast, autolyzed yeast and yeast cell wall on hematological parameters and gut villus perimeter were evaluated in juvenile Nile tilapia, after 80 experimental days. Isoproteic (32.0% DP) and isoenergetic (3200 kcal DE kg -1) practical diets were supplemented with three levels of whole yeast or autolyzed yeast (1.0, 2.0 and 3.0%) and three levels of yeast cell wall (0.1, 0.2 and 0.3%), plus a control diet (with no test microingredients). Red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, total plasmatic protein, hematocrit percentage, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and gut villus perimeter were evaluated. Variations on hematological parameters in animals fed diets with whole yeast; autolyzed yeast and yeast cell wall were observed to be within normal ranges for this species. There was significant influence (p<0.05) of different levels of yeast and derivatives on intestinal villus perimeter. Results showed that experimental period and proposed levels of whole yeast, autolyzed yeast and yeast cell wall do not provide undesirable alterations on standard hematological parameters to Nile tilapia and can be safely used to compound diets for this species. Results also showed that supplement of yeast cell wall provide higher intestinal villus perimeter.

Antisperm antibodies in infertile men and their correlation with seminal parameters

Aim: Antisperm antibodies (ASA) in males cause the autoimmune disease 'immune infertility'. The present study intended to detect the presence of ASA and their incidence in men with unexplained infertility, as well as to evaluate the correlation between the presence of ASA and semen parameter alterations. Methods: Blood and sperm assessment were collected to carry out a direct and indirect mixed antiglobulin reaction (MAR) test and semen analysis in infertile and fertile men from the University Hospital of the Faculty of Medicine, Sao Paulo State University, Sao Paulo. Results: In the MARtest, 18.18% of infertile men were positive for ASA. In fertile men, no positivity was found. A significant correlation between the presence of ASA with an increased white blood cell count plus a decreased hypoosmotic swelling test result was observed. Conclusions: The results indicate that ASA are involved in reduced fertility. It is not ASA detection per.se that provides conclusive information about the occurrence of damage to fertility. The correlation between infertility and altered seminal parameters reinforce the ASA participation in this pathology. © 2007 The Authors Journal compilation. © 2007 Japan Society for Reproductive Medicine.

Internal adaptation of cast titanium crowns

As the adaptation of titanium crowns obtained by Rematitan Plus investment, specific for titanium, is not recognized to be suitable, this study evaluated the effect of the concentration of the specific liquid and the temperature of the mold of investments on the internal misfit of crowns cast on commercially pure titanium. Individual dies of epoxy resin were obtained, representing teeth prepared for full-crown restoration with a 6-degree axial surface convergence angle and shoulder (1.0 mm). For the waxing of each crown, a ring-shaped stainless steel matrix (8.0mm internal diameter; 7.5 mm height) was adapted above the individual dies of epoxy resin. The Rematian Plus investment was mixed according to the manufacturer's instructions using two different concentrations of the specific liquid: 100%, 75%. Casting was performed in a Discovery Plasma Ar-arc vacuum-pressure casting machine with molds at temperatures of 430°C, 515°C and 600°C. The crowns were cleaned individually in a solution (1% HF + 13% HNO3) for 10 min using a ultrasonic cleaner, with no internal adaptations, and luted with zinc phosphate cement under a 5 kg static load. The crown and die assemblies were embedded in resin and sectioned longitudinally. The area occupied by cement was observed using stereoscopic lens (10X) and measured by the Leica Qwin image analysis system (mm2). The data for each experimental condition (n=8) were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test (á=0.05). The results showed that liquid dilution and the increase in mold temperature did not significantly influence the levels of internal fit of the cast titanium crowns. The lowest means (±SD) of internal misfit were obtained for the 430°C/100%: (7.25 mm2 ±1.59) and 600°C/100% (8.8 mm2 ±2.25) groups, which presented statistically similar levels of internal misfit.

Effect of phosphate-bonded investments on titanium reaction layer and crown fit

This study analyzed the reaction layer and measured the marginal crown fit of cast titanium applied to different phosphate-bonded investments, prepared under the following conditions (liquid concentration/casting temperature): Rema Exakt (RE) - 100%/237°C, 75%/287°C, Castorit Super C (CS)-100%/70°C, 75%/141°C and Rematitan Plus (RP)-100%/430°C (special to titanium cast, as the control group). The reaction layer was studied using the Vickers hardness test, and analyzed by two way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD tests (α = 0.05). Digital photographs were taken of the crowns seated on the die, the misfit was measured using an image analysis system and One-way ANOVA, and Tukey's test was applied (α = 0.05). The hardness decreased from the surface (601.17 VHN) to 150 μm (204.03 VHN). The group CS 75%/141°C presented higher hardness than the other groups, revealing higher surface contamination, but there were no differences among the groups at measurements deeper than 150 μm. The castings made with CS - 100%/70°C presented the lowest levels of marginal misfit, followed by RE -100%/237°C. The conventional investments CS (100%) and RE (100%) showed better marginal fit than RP, but the CS (75%) had higher surface contamination.

Avaliação do estresse oxidativo no sangue de consumidores habituais de suco de laranja

Two biomarkers of oxidative stress were evaluated in healthy volunteers treated with daily doses of orange juice that is well known source of vitamin C and citric flavanones, which have been associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hypolipidemic effects. The antioxidant capacity in the blood serum was evaluated by studying the scavenging of 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical, and also lipid peroxidation was evaluated by the thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) assay. The results have shown that the regular consumption of orange juice increased 150% and 200% the serum antioxidant capacity for women and men respectively, but it was no significant change in the serum lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, the increase of flavonones and vitamin C in the body due to the regular intake of orange juice expressively improved the antioxidant capacity, but without significant effect on the lipid peroxidation.

Latin-American Society Of Forensic Genetics (SLAGF) results of the Interlaboratory Quality Control Exercise 2010-2011

Latin-American Society of Forensic Genetics (SLAGF) Interlaboratory Quality Control Exercise (2010-2011) included the analysis of three bloodstain samples in FTA Classic Card (three persons, biologically unrelated) and one theoretical exercise. There were 56 participating laboratories from 13 Latin-American countries that belong to society, were reported 70 STRs, including autosomal and sex chromosome markers with consensus in 53 STRs with a rate in reporting errors of 2.3%. Fifty-six laboratories reported results in theoretical exercise with mistakes in calculation of IP for each marker. It is necessary to hold meetings to discuss the results of this exercise to reach conclusions and recommendations on all aspects of DNA forensics analysis and paternity test, to improve results and quality in the results of each laboratory. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.

Mutagenic and genotoxic effect of hydroxyurea

The hydroxyurea, a cytotoxic drug, is the mainly available therapeutical strategy for the treatment of sickle cell disease. This study aimed to evaluate the mutagenic and genotoxic potential of the hydroxyurea through the Salmonella/Microsome assay and micronucleus test in peripheral blood of mice. The doses were evaluated at 29.25-468 μmol/plate in Salmonella/Microsome assay in presence and absence of metabolic activation the drug. In the micronucleus test the doses were evaluated at 12.5; 25; 50; 75 and 100 mg/kg. The results show that hydroxyurea present mutagenic activity in TA98 and TA100 in doses above 117 μmol/plate and 234 μmol/plate respectively. The drug induced a significant increase in the frequency of micronuclei in reticulocytes of mice at concentrations of 50, 75 and 100 mg/kg, compared to negative control (water). These results demonstrated the mutagenic and genotoxic potential of hydroxyurea. © 2011 Santos et al.

Effect of percutaneous transthoracic lung biopsy on oxidative metabolism in sheep

This study aimed to assess the effect of percutaneous transthoracic lung biopsy on the oxidative metabolism of sheep by measuring the oxidative stress markers of superoxide dismutase (SOD), total glutathione (GSH-t), peroxidase (GSH-Px) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the red cells of these animals. Blood samples were collected from 20 clinically healthy sheep prior to, and 30 min after, percutaneous transthoracic lung biopsy. After biopsy, there was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in SOD and GSH-Px activity, with no significant change (p ≥ 0.05) in GSH-t and TBARS concentrations. These results showed that percutaneous transthoracic lung biopsy did not significantly affect the oxidative metabolism of sheep 30 min after the procedure, which may be used widely in this species without causing serious tissue damage. © 2012. The Authors.

Influence of microthreads and platform switching on stress distribution in bone using angled abutments

Purpose: To evaluate the stress distribution in peri-implant bone by simulating the effect of an implant with microthreads and platform switching on angled abutments through tridimensional finite element analysis. The postulated hypothesis was that the presence of microthreads and platform switching would reduce the stress concentration in the cortical bone. Methods: Four mathematical models of a central incisor supported by an implant (5.0mm×13mm) were created in which the type of thread surface in the neck portion (microthreaded or smooth) and the diameter of the angled abutment connection (5.0 and 4.1mm) were varied. These models included the RM (regular platform and microthreads), the RS (regular platform and smooth neck surface), the SM (platform switching and microthreads), and the SS (platform switching and smooth neck). The analysis was performed using ANSYS Workbench 10.0 (Swanson Analysis System). An oblique load (100N) was applied to the palatine surface of the central incisor. The bone/implant interface was considered to be perfectly integrated. Values for the maximum (σmax) and minimum (σmin) principal stress, the equivalent von Mises stress (σvM), and the maximum principal elastic strain (e{open}max) for cortical and trabecular bone were obtained. Results: For the cortical bone, the highest σmax (MPa) were observed for the RM (55.1), the RS (51.0), the SM (49.5), and the SS (44.8) models. The highest σvM (MPa) were found for the RM (45.4), the SM (42.1), the RS (38.7), and the SS models (37). The highest values for σmin were found for the RM, SM, RS and SS models. For the trabecular bone, the highest σmax values (MPa) were observed in the RS model (6.55), followed by the RM (6.37), SS (5.6), and SM (5.2) models. Conclusion: The hypothesis that the presence of microthreads and a switching platform would reduce the stress concentration in the cortical bone was partially rejected, mainly because the microthreads increased the stress concentration in cortical bone. Only platform switching reduced the stress in cortical bone. © 2012 Japan Prosthodontic Society.