Dog with hydronephrosis due to abdominal trauma

Hydronephrosis is a condition that results from complete or partial obstruction of the urinary flow. This paper reports the case of a two-year-old, mixed-breed dog diagnosed with hydronephrosis of the left kidney six months after being kicked in the thoraco-abdominal region. The diagnosis was based on radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations. Percutaneous antegrade pyelography was also performed and allowed the visualization of opacification of the left kidney, which confirmed the diagnosis. Because the exams indicated that the patient had normal renal function, nephrectomy was performed. The patient remained in good health during the postoperative period and in subsequent evaluations. (C) 2013 PVJ. All rights reserved

Dor abdominal crônica, dispepsia não ulcerosa e infecção pelo Helicobacter pylori em crianças e adolescentes

Pós-graduação em Patologia - FMB

O uso do peritônio de paca conservado em solução supersaturada de açúcar a 300% ou glicerina a 98% implantados na parede abdominal de ratos

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

Avaiação da Dor e da Postura em Pacientes com Lombalgia Submetidos a Dois Protocolos de Fortalecimento Abdominal

Introduction: the lumbar spine is the main part of the body responsible for the support of the loads, where approximately half of body weight is in stable balance. This support relates to the action of abdominal muscles, of great importance in the balance of that region. The existence of abdominal muscle weakness, such won’t perform its function, may induce pathological postural attitude, that predispose the pain. Objective: to compare the effects of two abdominal strengthening protocols on pain and postural alignment in individuals with low back pain. Method: participated of the study 21 individuals of both genders, with ages between 19 and 25 years old (average 21,8±1,5) and average Body Mass Index (BMI) 21,9 (±2,48), divided randomly in isometric abdominal stimulation group (n=8), abdominal strengthening group (n=7) and control group (n=6). They realized eight sessions of strengthening, when responded Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before and after each intervention. The control group (n=6) had no intervention. The postural data had been analyzed by photogrammetry. Results: Pain and posture data were analyzed using paired t test, with signifi cance index of 5%. Postural angles had no signifi cant differences (p>0,05) from all angles analyzed after the intervention to none of the groups. For pain values, a signifi cant decrease (p<0,05) was observed since the fi fth session in patients who were treated by the abdominal exercises protocol, and the fi rst session in patients who were treated by the isometric abdominal stimulation protocol. However, this decrease in pain was immediate, not lasting along the treatment sessions, in both protocols. Conclusion: the proposed protocols did not interfere in postural alignment. They were effective to decrease pain in a same session, once the isometric was the most effective, but they weren’t effective in preserving the improves over time.

Análise comparativa da mobilidade tóraco-abdominal em relação ao índice de massa corporal em crianças

Introdução: O índice de massa corporal elevado no compartimento toraco-abdominal promove alterações no sistema respiratório interferindo nos volumes e capacidades e consequentemente na troca gasosa. Objetivo: Analisar comparativamente a mobilidade tóraco-abdominal relacionando ao índice de massa corporal em crianças. Metodologia: Trata-se de um estudo do tipo transversal com abordagem quantitativa e descritiva. A amostra constou de 70 crianças com idade entre 8 e 12 anos de ambos os sexos e com o índice de massa corporal variável. Foi realizada a verificação da altura, peso, expansibilidade destas crianças em seguida classificadas em três grupos em função dos seus índices de massa corporal: eutróficos (57,1%), com sobrepeso (15,7%) e obesos (27,1%). Resultados: Os resultados obtidos apresentaram diferenças entre o grupo dos eutróficos e dos obesos, indicando, nesta perspectiva, que a mobilidade na região axilar e xifoideana são mais elevadas no grupo dos eutróficos, quando comparado ao dos obesos. Conclusão: Portanto conclui-se que o índice de massa corporal está relacionado a alterações na expansibilidade tóraco abdominal de crianças.

Abdominal muscle strength is related to the quality of life among older adults with lumbar osteoarthritis

The aim of the present study was to determine the association between abdominal muscle strength and quality of life among older adults with lumbar osteoarthritis. A blind, cross-sectional study was conducted involving 40 older adults: 20 with lumbar osteoarthritis (12 women and 8 men, mean age of 65.90 ± 4.80 years) and 20 controls (14 women and 6 men, mean age of 67.90 ± 4.60 years). The volunteers were submitted to an abdominal muscle strength test. Quality of life was evaluated using the SF-36 questionnaire. Both abdominal muscle strength and quality of life scores were significantly lower in the group with lumbar osteoarthritis in comparison to the controls (p < 0.05). Moreover, significant and positive associations were found between abdominal muscle strength and the subscales of the SF-36 questionnaire (p < 0.05, 0.421 ≥ rs ≤ 0.694). Based on the present findings, older adults with lumbar osteoarthritis with greater abdominal muscle strength have a better quality of life.

Vagal afferent control of abdominal expiratory activity in response to hypoxia and hypercapnia in rats

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Abdominal ultrasound alterations in dogs with lymphoma

The aim of this study was to evaluate abdominal ultrasound images of dogs diagnosed with lymphoma. Seventy cases of dogs with lymphoma were analyzed. The animals selected were diagnosed with lymphoma which was confirmed by citology or histopathology. The most common sonographic alterations were abdominal lymphadenopathy (57.1%), hepatomegaly (54.2%) and splenomegaly (51.4%). Of the animals that had a cytology done of superficial lymph nodes, 82,8% showed diffuse sonographic changes in the liver, 54.5% had normal sonographic appearance in the spleen and enlargement of the medial iliac lymph nodes. Considering the results, we conclude that canine lymphoma is a complex disease and that it requires several laboratory tests for a correct diagnosis and prognosis.

Conventional and Doppler Abdominal Ultrasonography in Pacas (Cuniculus paca)

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

Tromboembolismo na aorta abdominal terminal em felinos

Clinical manifestations of arterial thromboembolism in cats depends on the location of embolization, the severity and duration of occlusion, the functionality of the collateral circulation and the development of complications. In case of location in the terminal abdominal aorta usually presents animal paresis/paralysis, pulses are weak or nonpalpable, pain, cold limbs. Gastrocnemius and tibialis muscles generally have become bulbous, swollen and sore because of ischemic neuromyopathy. The nail beds become pale or very dark (purple to black), and do not bleed when cut. Due to the small number of researches in the area it’s until not possible to determine which medication, dosage and frequency of administration are more suitable for the treatment of arterial thromboembolism in cats. Among the options currently available the cheapest, easiest to administer and which requires no periodic monitoring is the low-dose aspirin

The intricate role of mast cell proteases and the annexin A1-FPR1 system in abdominal wall endometriosis

Endometriosis is a continuous and progressive disease with a poorly understood aetiology, pathophysiology and natural history. This study evaluated the histological differences between eutopic and ectopic endometria (abdominal wall endometriosis) and the expression of mast cell proteases (tryptase and chymase), annexin A1 (ANXA1) and formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1). Ectopic endometrium from 18 women with abdominal wall endometriosis and eutopic endometrium from 10 women without endometriosis were obtained. The endometrial samples were analysed by histopathology, immunohistochemistry and ultrastructural immunogold labeling to determine mast cell heterogeneity (tryptase and chymase positive cells) and the expression levels of ANXA1 and FPR1. Histopathological analysis of the endometriotic lesions showed a glandular pattern of mixed differentiation and an undifferentiated morphology with a significant influx of inflammatory cells and a change in mast cell heterogeneity, as evidenced by a significant increase in the number of chymase-positive cells and endogenous chymase expression. The undifferentiated glandular pattern of endometriotic lesions was positively associated with a marked increase and co-localization of ANXA1 and FPR1 in the epithelial cells. In conclusion, the co-upregulated expression of mast cell chymase and ANXA1–FPR1 system in ectopic endometrium suggests their involvement in the development of endometriotic lesions.

The symbology of the sea in Lygia Bojunga Nunes's work: a reflection on utopian and dystopian framing

The ambivalent image of the sea is recurrent in Bojunga Nunes’s work. It receives a lot of symbolic meanings in her production, being sometimes a positive and sometimes a negative element. Thus, the sea is used in a utopic way, as a place for pleasure and leisure, and in a dystopic way, as scenery of a rite of passage, which includes the pain and suffering, part of the rite of passage that characterizes the bildungsromans. So, if in some texts the sea assumes a utopic character, being a place of snuggle, security, the ideal to reach, in others it is represented as dystopic, a place of distress, asphyxia and death. In this text we will study the hypothesis that, even in its dark symbolic meaning, in the author’s work the sea is an element of reflection and revelation. Thereby, it assumes metaphorically a sense of magnification of the reader’s expectative, being an element of emancipation. The objective of this text is to present a reflection on the sea’s symbolism on the mentioned texts and its importance for the reader’s formation.

Validez y confiabilidad de la versión en español de la escala multidimensional de la UNESP-Botucatu para evaluar el dolor postoperatorio en gatos

This study focused on the validation of the Spanish version of the UNESP-Botucatu multidimensional composite pain scale to assess postoperative pain in cats. The original scale in Portuguese was translated into Spanish by two independent translators, and summarised in one version by a third individual. The summarised version was back-translated and minor adjustments were made. The scale was reviewed by three anesthesiologists with Spanish as their first language, and the final version was submitted to psychometric testing. Thirty cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy were video recorded during the perioperative period. Six observers from different spanish speaking countries, who had Spanish as the first language watched the videos and determined the pain scores using the Spanish version of the scale, identifying the cats that should receive analgesics. Videos were reanalysed in a different order about 2 months after the first assessment. The sensitivity to change, content and construct validity were established by the significant change in pain scores in response to surgery and analgesics. The agreement between the evaluations of the 'gold standard'(researcher that developed the scale) and the other observers confirmed the criterion validity. Inter- and intra-rater reliability, evaluated by intra-class correlation coefficient, ranged from good to very good for all scale items. The cut-off point for rescue analgesia identified by Receiver Operating Characteristic curve was > 7 with 92% of sensitivity and 91% of specificity. The Spanish version of the UNESP-Botucatu multidimensional composite pain scale is interpretable (has an optimal analgesic intervention score), valid and reliable instrument for assessing acute pain in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy.

Mode B ultrasonography and abdominal Doppler in crab-eating-foxes (Cerdocyon thous)

Annually hundreds of crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) are referred to rehabilitation centers and zoos in Brazil. The ultrasonographic study of wildlife species is an important tool for a non-invasive and accurate anatomical description and provides important information for wildlife veterinary care. The aim of the present study was to determine the characteristics of the main abdominal organs as well as the vascular indexes of the abdominal aorta and renal arteries of crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) using mode B ultrasonography and Doppler ultrasonography, respectively. Ultrasonographic features of the main abdominal organs were described and slight differences were noticed between ultrasound imaging of abdominal organs of crab-eating foxes and other species. The bladder presented wall thickness of 12 +/- 0.01 mm, with three defined layers. Both, the right and left kidneys presented corticomedullary ratio of 1: 1 and similarly to the adrenals and the liver, they were homogeneous and hypoechoic compared to the spleen. The spleen was homogeneous and hyperechoic compared to the kidneys. The stomach presented 3 to 5 peristaltic movements per minute, wall thickness of 39 +/- 0.05 mm and lumen and mucosa with hyperechoic and hypoechoic features, respectively. Small and large intestines presented 2 to 3 peristaltic movements per minute, wall thickness of 34 +/- 0.03 mm and three defined layers with hyperechogenic (submucosa and serosa) and hypoechogenic (muscular) features. Ovaries of the female crab-eating fox were hypoechoic compared to the spleen and with heterogeneous parenchyma due to the presence of 2x2 mm ovarian follicles. Prostates of the six males were regular and with a well defined boundary, with a homogeneous and hyperechoic parenchyma compared to the spleen. Vascular indexes of the abdominal aorta (PSV: 25.60 +/- 0.32 cm/s; EDV: 6.96 +/- 1.68cm/s; PI: 1.15 +/- 0.07 e RI: 0.73 +/- 0.07) and right (PSV: 23.08 +/- 3.34cm/s; EDV: 9.33 +/- 2.36cm/s; PI: 1.01 +/- 0.65 e RI: 0.65 +/- 0.16) and left renal arteries (PSV: 23.74 +/- 3.94cm/s; EDV: 9.07 +/- 3.02cm/s; PI: 1.04 +/- 0.31 e RI: 0.64 +/- 0.10) were determined. Thus, conventional and Doppler ultrasonographic imaging provides basic information that can be used as reference for the species as well for other wild canids and it is a precise and non-invasive method that can be safely used to evaluate and diagnose abdominal injuries in these patients.

Peritoneal response to abdominal surgery: the role of equine abdominal adhesions and current prophylactic strategies

Intra-abdominal adhesions constitute a significant clinical and surgical problem that can lead to complications such as pain and bowel occlusion or subocclusion. These adhesions are frustrating and potentially fatal, representing a major postoperative complication in abdominal surgery. It is estimated that 32% of horses undergoing laparotomy will present clinical symptoms due to adhesions, but the true prevalence is not known because a large proportion of animals with postoperative recurrent colics are medically treated or submitted to euthanasia without necropsy. Adhesions are highly cellular, vascularized, dynamic structures that are influenced by complex signaling mechanisms. Understanding their pathogenesis could assist in applying better therapeutic strategies and in developing more effective antiadhesion products. Currently, there are no definitive strategies that prevent adhesion formation, and it is difficult to interpret the results of existing studies due to nonstandardization of an induction model and evaluation of their severity. The best clinical results have been obtained from using minimally traumatic surgical techniques, anti-inflammatory agents, antimicrobials, anticoagulants, and mechanical separation of serosal surfaces by viscous intraperitoneal solutions or physical barriers. This paper aims to review adhesion formation pathogenesis, guide the understanding of major products and drugs used to inhibit adhesion formation, and address their effectiveness in the equine species.