Imagem radiográfica de acúmulo fecal no ceco, como sinal diagnóstico de apendicite aguda

OBJETIVO: Apesar de os achados radiográficos de apendicite aguda serem bem documentados, o valor da radiografia simples ainda não foi completamente determinado. O objetivo do presente estudo foi estabelecer a freqüência da associação de apendicite aguda a um sinal radiográfico caracterizado por imagem de acúmulo fecal ocupando todo o ceco. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram realizadas radiografias simples de abdome de 100 pacientes consecutivos com apendicite aguda, comprovada por operação e exame anatomopatológico. Pesquisou-se, nas radiografias, a presença de imagem de acúmulo fecal no ceco, caracterizada por hipotransparência ocupando todo o ceco e, eventualmente, também o cólon ascendente. RESULTADOS: A imagem de acúmulo fecal no ceco foi encontrada em 97% dos doentes, independentemente de idade, sexo, cor da pele ou estádio da apendicite. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo sugere que a presença de imagem radiográfica de acúmulo fecal no ceco pode ser um sinal útil no diagnóstico de apendicite aguda.

Colite de derivação fecal

A colite de derivação fecal (CD) é um processo inflamatório que ocorre no segmento colorretal desfuncionalizado, após uma cirurgia de desvio do trânsito intestinal. As principais características dessa entidade clínica são: apresenta-se na desfuncionalização do cólon ou reto; não há doença inflamatória intestinal preexistente; nunca acomete o sítio proximal à colostomia e ocorre resolução do processo após a restauração do trânsito intestinal. Diversas são as hipóteses postuladas para explicar o seu aparecimento; todavia, a deficiência nutricional do epitélio colônico, pela ausência dos ácidos graxos de cadeia curta (AGCC), no segmento desfuncionalizado, é a mais aceita na atualidade. Os autores fazem uma revisão da literatura enfocando os aspectos clínicos, histopatológicos e terapêuticos desta doença.

Estudo comparativo entre diversos tipos de tratamento para peritonite fecal em rato

OBJETIVO: A peritonite é responsável por aproximadamente 50% das mortes por sepse e, apesar de avanços nos métodos usados para o seu diagnóstico e tratamento, cerca de um terço dos pacientes ainda morre de peritonite secundária grave. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi comparar a eficácia de diversos tipos de tratamento para a peritonite fecal grave e estabelecida. MÉTODOS: Foram usadas 40 ratas adultas, submetidas à peritonite fecal com injeção intraperitoneal de uma suspensão de fezes de ratos. Os animais foram divididos em oito grupos (n = 5): Grupo 1, controle; Grupo 2, limpeza mecânica intraperitoneal com gaze; Grupo 3, lavagem com solução salina a 0,9%, à temperatura ambiente; Grupo 4, lavagem com solução salina a 0,9%, a 37,8ºC; Grupo 5, lavagem com povidona-iodo a 0,5%; Grupo 6, lavagem com clorexidina a 0,05%; Grupo 7, injeção intramuscular de gentamicina e clindamicina; Grupo 8, introdução intraperitoneal de açúcar. RESULTADOS: Os grupos 5 e 8 foram os que apresentaram a mortalidade mais rápida (menos de 24 horas). Após 72 horas, permaneceu viva uma rata em cada um dos grupos 2, 3, 4 e 6. Nos grupos 1, 5, 7 e 8 não houve sobrevida. Apesar de todos os animais do Grupo 7 morrerem, o óbito ocorreu em um período mais longo (72 horas) do que o dos demais grupos. CONCLUSÃO: Somente ocorreu sobrevida nos grupos submetidos à limpeza peritoneal menos agressiva. Além disso, um procedimento terapêutico único de limpeza ou antibiótico sistêmico por um dia não é suficiente para prevenir a morte em ratos com peritonite fecal grave e estabelecida.

Avaliação da reinfecção peritoneal após peritonite fecal em ratos

OBJETIVO: Há poucos estudos sobre os efeitos de uma nova infecção após peritonite séptica. Com o objetivo de compreender melhor esta situação, realizou-se o presente experimento tendo como parâmetro o papel do tempo neste fenômeno. MÉTODO: Foram utilizadas 36 ratas Wistar adultas, submetidas a peritonite fecal com injeção intraperitoneal de uma solução de fezes de ratos. Os animais foram divididos em quatro grupos (n = 9): Grupo 1A - controle: injeção intraperitoneal de solução de fezes com uma quantidade sabidamente letal (10 ml/kg); Grupo 1B - reinfecção: injeção intraperitoneal de solução de fezes com uma quantidade sabidamente não letal (2 ml/kg) e, após 30 dias, injeção de solução de fezes (10 ml/kg); Grupo 2A - controle da reinfecção tardia: injeção intraperitoneal de fezes a 10 ml/kg; Grupo 2B - reinfecção tardia: injeção intraperitoneal de fezes a 2ml/kg e, após quatro meses, injeção de 10ml/kg. RESULTADOS: Todos os nove animais do Grupo 1A morreram no período de sete dias após a injeção da solução de fezes. Já no Grupo 1B, pré-infectado, apenas um animal morreu, 24 horas após a injeção da solução de fezes a 10 ml/kg (p < 0,001). Em relação ao Grupo 2, oito dos nove animais de cada subgrupo morreram no período de sete dias. CONCLUSÕES: Uma sepse peritoneal menor por fezes eleva a resistência orgânica a nova contaminação fecal mais intensa que ocorra após um período curto. Contudo, essa defesa não persiste por tempo mais prolongado.

Nova imagem radiográfica de apendicite aguda: acúmulo fecal no ceco

OBJETIVO: Apesar das características radiográficas da apendicite aguda estarem bem documentadas, o valor da radiografia simples de abdome ainda não foi completamente estudado. Nesse sentido, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi verificar um novo sinal radiográfico caracterizado pela imagem de acúmulo fecal no ceco. MÉTODO: Foram estudados prospectivamente 170 pacientes consecutivos, de ambos os sexos, internados com abdome agudo e dor localizada no flanco direito, distribuídos em dois grupos: Grupo 1 (n = 100) - portadores de apendicite aguda, submetidos a um estudo radiográfico do abdome antes do tratamento cirúrgico, Grupo 2 (n = 70) - submetidos a dois estudos radiográficos do abdome:antes da operação e outro no dia seguinte à cirurgia. Todas as radiografias foram simples, em incidência ântero-posterior. RESULTADOS: A presença do sinal de acúmulo fecal no ceco esteve presente em 97 (97%) pacientes do Grupo 1 e em 68 (97,14%) pacientes do Grupo 2. No pós-operatório, dos 68 pacientes que apresentaram o sinal radiográfico, esse desapareceu em 66 casos. A sensibilidade do sinal radiográfico para apendicite aguda foi de 97,05 %. CONCLUSÕES: A imagem radiográfica de acúmulo fecal no ceco associa-se a apendicite aguda. Essa imagem geralmente desaparece após o apêndice cecal ser removido.

Comparison of two commercial kits and two extraction methods for fecal glucocorticoid analysis in ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) submitted to ACTH challenge

The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is included in list of wild felid species protected by CITES and is part of conservation strategies that necessarily involve the use of assisted reproduction techniques, which requires practical and minimally invasive techniques of high reproducibility that permit the study of animal reproductive physiology. The objective of this study was to compare and validate two commercial assays: ImmuChem Double Antibody Corticosterone 125I RIA from ICN Biomedicals, Costa Mesa, CA, USA; and Coat-a-Count Cortisol 125I RIA from DPC, Los Angeles, CA, USA, for assessment of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites in ocelots submitted to ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) challenge. Fecal samples were collected from five ocelots kept at the Brazilian Center of Neotropical Felines, Associação Mata Ciliar, São Paulo, Brazil, and one of the animals was chosen as a negative control. The experiment was conducted over a period of 9 days. On day 0, a total dose of 100 IU ACTH was administered intramuscularly. Immediately after collection the samples were stored at 20C in labeled plastic bags. The hormone metabolites were subsequently extracted and assayed using the two commercial kits. Previously it was performed a trial with the DPC kit to check the best extraction method for hormones metabolites. Data were analyzed with the SAS program for Windows V8 and reported as means ± SEM. The Schwarzenberger extraction method was slightly better when compared with the Wasser extraction method (103,334.56 ± 19,010.37ng/g of wet feces and 59,223.61 ± 12,725.36ng/g of wet feces respectively; P=0,0657). The ICN kit detected an increase in glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations in a more reliable manner. Metabolite concentrations (ng/g wet feces) on day 0 and day 1 were 66,956.28 ± 36,786.93 and 92,991.19 ± 28,555.63 for the DPC kit, and 205,483.32 ± 83,811.32 and 814,578.75 ± 292,150.47 for the ICN kit, respectively. The limit of detection for the ICN kit was 7.7 ng/mL for 100% B/Bo (25ng/mL for 88%B/Bo) and for the DPC kit it was 0.2ug/dL for 90.95% B/Bo (1ug/dL for 81.27% B/Bo). In conclusion it was confirmed that the Schwarzenberger extraction method and the ICN kit are superior for extracting and measuring fecal glucocorticoid metabolites in ocelot fecal samples.

Variability in the fecal egg count and the parasitic burden of hair sheep after grazing in nematode infected paddocks

This study aimed to evaluate the variability in the fecal egg count (FEC) and the parasitic burden of naive hair sheep after grazing in nematode infected paddocks. The research was carried out in Tabasco, Mexico, during two periods (August and December). In each period 32 lambs were grazed for one month on African star grass (Cynodon plectostachyus) contaminated with gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes. FEC, packed cell volume (PCV) and body weight (BW) were recorded. Gastrointestinal worms were recovered at necropsy. Data were analyzed with the MIXED procedure of SAS using a model of repeated measurements over time. A higher number of Haemonchus contortus worms was found in December (2814±838) than in August (1166±305). The opposite occurred with Cooperia curticei (2167±393 and 3638±441, respectively). The FEC and correlation coefficient in respect to the worm burden were higher in December (6516 ± 1599, r=0.83, respectively) than in August (4364±771, r=0.44, respectively). A high variability in resistance-susceptibility to gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) occurred in Katahdin × Pelibuey lambs after grazing.

Relation between the level of self-mutilation and theconcentration of fecal metabolites of glucocorticoids incaptive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

The influence of stress in an environment, according with the behavioral and endocrine variables of primates, are increasingly being studied by a diversity of authors, and have shown that abnormal behaviors associated with increased glucocorticoids may be directly related with the impairment of their well-being. In this work were used 22 adult chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), 11 males and 11 females, kept in captivity in three different institutions. All animals had their behavior registered by focal session using a 30 seconds sample interval, during six months, totaling 4,800 registries per each animal. During this period, fecal samples were collected 3 times a week for the extraction and measurement of the concentration of fecal metabolites of glucocorticoid by radioimmunoassay. Of the total observed, stereotypical behaviors represented 13,45±2.76%, and among them, self-mutilation represented 38.28±3.98 %. The animals were classified into three different scores, according with the percentage of body surface with alopecia due to self-mutilation. It was found a positive correlation of high intensity between the scores of alopecia due to the observed mutilation and the average concentrations of fecal metabolites of glucocorticoids. This result strongly suggests that this measurement of self-mutilation in a chimpanzee can be used as an important auxiliary tool to evaluate de conditions of adaptation of an animal in captivity, functioning as a direct indicator of the presence of chronic stress.

Fecal cortisol metabolites as indicators of stress in crab-eating-fox (Cerdocyoun thous) in captivity

Abstract: Blood samples collection is a common method in biological research using domestic animals. However, most blood sampling techniques are complicated and highly invasive and may therefore not be appropriate for wildlife animals in research concerning stress. Thus, a non-invasive method to measure steroid hormones is critically needed. The first goal of this study was to determine how glucocorticoids concentrations are impacted by translocation and reproductive activity in crab-eating-fox (Cerdocyoun thous) in captivity. The physiological relevance of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites was further validated by demonstrating: (1) The translocation of a male to a females enclosure resulted in a 3.5-fold increase compared to baseline concentrations, (2) changes in adrenocortical activity, as reflected in concentrations of fecal cortisol metabolites during reproduction, gestation and lactation in females foxes, indicating that social interactions resulted in large increases of fecal glucocorticoids metabolites during the reproductive season. From these findings we conclude that fecal samples can be used for the non-invasive assessment of adrenocortical status in crab-eating-fox.

Thermalhydraulic behavior of electrically heated rod during a critical heat flux transient

In nuclear reactors, the occurrence of critical heat flux leads to fuel rod overheating with clad fusion and radioactive products leakage. To predict the effects of such phenomenon, experiments are performed using electrically heated rods to simulate operational and accidental conditions of nuclear fuel rods. In the present work, it is performed a theoretical analysis of the drying and rewetting front propagation during a critical heat flux experiment, starting with the application of an electrical power step from steady state condition. After the occurrence of critical heat flux, the drying front propagation is predicted. After a few seconds, a power cut is considered and the rewetting front behavior is analytically observed. Studies performed with various values of coolant mass flow rate show that this variable has more influence on the drying front velocity than on the rewetting one.

Welding current effect on diffusible hydrogen content in flux cored arc weld metal

The application of flux cored arc welding (FCAW) has increased in manufacturing and fabrication. Even though FCAW is well known for its good capability in producing quality welds, few reports have been published on the cause of the relatively high diffusible hydrogen content in the weld metal and its relation with the ingredients used in the wire production and with the welding parameters (mainly welding current). This paper describes experiments where data obtained from weld metal diffusible hydrogen analysis, metal droplet collection, and high-speed recording of metal droplet transfer were used to evaluate the effect of welding current on diffusible hydrogen content in the weld metal. The results from gas chromatography analysis showed that weld metal hydrogen content indeed increased with welding current. A polynomial regressional analysis concluded that hydrogen increase with current was better described by a linear function with proportional constant of approximately 0.7 or 70%. Different from the GMA welding transfer behavior, statistical analysis showed only a small increase in metal droplet size with increasing current. The metal transfer mode remained in the globular range for currents between 100 and 150 A. The most surprising findings were with the high-speed cinematography recording. Observing the high speed movies, it was possible to see that at low current, "unmelted" flux sporadically touched the weld pool but at higher current, the flux remained touching the weld pool during the whole time of droplet formation and transfer. It is believed that since the flux has ingredients that contain hydrogen, hydrogen passes through the arc undisturbed, going to the weld bead intact and increasing the hydrogen content in the weld metal. Another important observation is regarding to droplet size. Droplet size increased with increasing current because forces from decomposed gases from the flux could sustain the droplets, retarding their transfer and allowing them to grow.

Changes in the fecal concentrations of cortisol and androgen metabolites in captive male jaguars (Panthera onca) in response to stress

In the present study we determined the efficacy of the measurement of fecal cortisol and androgen metabolite concentrations to monitor adrenal and testicular activity in the jaguar (Panthera onca). Three captive male jaguars were chemically restrained and electroejaculated once or twice within a period of two months. Fecal samples were collected daily for 5 days before and 5 days after the procedure and stored at -20ºC until extraction. Variations in the concentrations of cortisol and androgen metabolites before and after the procedure were determined by solid phase cortisol and testosterone radioimmunoassay and feces dry weight was determined by drying at 37ºC for 24 h under vacuum. On four occasions, fecal cortisol metabolite levels were elevated above baseline (307.8 ± 17.5 ng/g dry feces) in the first fecal sample collected after the procedure (100 to 350% above baseline). On one occasion, we did not detect any variation. Mean (± SEM) fecal androgen concentration did not change after chemical restraint and electroejaculation (before: 131.1 ± 26.7, after: 213.7 ± 43.6 ng/g dry feces). These data show that determination of fecal cortisol and androgen metabolites can be very useful for a noninvasive assessment of animal well-being and as a complement to behavioral, physiological, and pathological studies. It can also be useful for the study of the relationship between adrenal activity and reproductive performance in the jaguar.

Fecal androgen levels in common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) males living in captive family groups

In captive common marmoset groups, the reproductive inhibition observed in subordinate female seems to be a result of olfactory, visual and behavioral cues from the dominant female. However, few studies have examined the relationship among adult males living in the same social group. These studies have shown that reproductive failure among peer males seems to be based on hormonal and behavioral mechanisms. New insights on sexual strategies in primates have been shown using fecal steroids, but so far no information is available for common marmoset males. In the present study, we evaluated the influence of light-dark cycle, age and reproductive condition on the profile of fecal androgens in males living in the same family group. Feces were collected from six fathers and six sons for androgen determination during the light phase of the 24-h cycle for eight days randomly distributed over a 4-week period. Androgen levels were determined by enzyme immunoassay technique. Adult sons showed higher androgen levels (166.97 ± 22.95 ng/g) than fathers (80.69 ± 44.38 ng/g) and juveniles (49.06 ± 23.15 ng/g; P < 0.05). No diurnal variation (P > 0.05) in fecal androgen profile was observed in adults or juveniles. No indication of androgen-mediated social competition between fathers and adult sons was demonstrable. These results provide basic information on fecal androgen profile useful to investigate the socioendocrinology of free-ranging common marmoset males and verify that, in contrast to daughters, the reproductive suppression of sons is not based on physiological inhibition of their gonads.

Quantification of fecal estradiol and progesterone metabolites in Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

Alternative methods to the utilization of laboratory animal blood and its by-products are particularly attractive, especially regarding hamsters due to their small size and difficulties in obtaining serial blood samples. Steroid hormone metabolite quantification in feces, widely used in studies of free-ranging or intractable animals, is a non-invasive, non-stressor, economical, and animal saving technique which allows longitudinal studies by permitting frequent sampling of the same individual. The present study was undertaken to determine the suitability of this method for laboratory animals. Estradiol and progesterone metabolites were quantified by radioimmunoassay in feces of intact, sexually mature female Syrian hamsters during the estrous cycle (control) and in feces of superovulated females. Metabolites were extracted by fecal dilution in ethanol and quantified by solid phase radioimmunoassay. Median estrogen and progesterone concentrations were 9.703 and 180.74 ng/g feces in the control group, respectively. Peaks of estrogen (22.44 ± 4.54 ng/g feces) and progesterone (655.95 ± 129.93 ng/g feces) mean fecal concentrations respectively occurred 12 h before and immediately after ovulation, which is easily detected in this species by observation of a characteristic vaginal postovulatory discharge. Median estrogen and progesterone concentrations (28.159 and 586.57 ng/g feces, respectively) were significantly higher in superovulated animal feces (P < 0.0001). The present study demonstrated that it is possible to monitor ovarian activity in Syrian hamsters non-invasively by measuring fecal estradiol and progesterone metabolites. This technique appears to be a quite encouraging method for the development of new endocrinologic studies on laboratory animals.

Fecal estradiol and progesterone metabolite levels in the three-toed sloth (Bradypus variegatus)

The present study was carried out to assess the possibility of measuring fecal steroid hormone metabolites as a noninvasive technique for monitoring reproductive function in the three-toed sloth, Bradypus variegatus. Levels of the estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) metabolites were measured by radioimmunoassay in fecal samples collected over 12 weeks from 4 captive female B. variegatus sloths. The validation of the radioimmunoassay for evaluation of fecal steroid metabolites was carried out by collecting 10 blood samples on the same day as defecation. There was a significant direct correlation between the plasma and fecal E2 and P4 levels (P < 0.05, Pearson's test), thereby validating this noninvasive technique for the study of the estrous cycle in these animals. Ovulation was detected in two sloths (SL03 and SL04) whose E2 levels reached 2237.43 and 6713.26 pg/g wet feces weight, respectively, for over four weeks, followed by an increase in P4 metabolites reaching 33.54 and 3242.68 ng/g wet feces weight, respectively. Interestingly, SL04, which presented higher levels of E2 and P4 metabolites, later gave birth to a healthy baby sloth. The results obtained indicate that this is a reliable technique for recording gonadal steroid secretion and thereby reproduction in sloths.