Powdery mildew of ornamental species caused by Oidiopsis haplophylli in Brazil

Oidiopsis haplophylli (syn. Oidiopsis sicula) was identified as the causal agent of powdery mildew diseases occurring on five ornamental species in Brazil. This disease was observed in plastic house-grown lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum: Gentianaceae), in nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus: Tropaeolaceae) cultivated under open field conditions and in greenhouse-grown calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica: Araceae), impatiens (Impatiens balsamina: Balsaminaceae) and balloon plant (Asclepias physocarpa: Asclepiadaceae). Typical disease symptoms consisted of chlorotic areas on the upper leaf surface corresponding to a fungal colony in the abaxial surface. With the disease progression, these chlorotic areas eventually turned to necrotic (brown) lesions. Fungi morphology on all hosts was similar to that described for the imperfect stage of Leveillula taurica (O. haplophylli). The Koch's postulates were fulfilled by inoculating symptom-free plants via leaf-to-leaf contact with fungal colonies. Additional inoculations using an isolate of O. haplophylli from sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) demonstrated that it is pathogenic to all five species belonging to distinct botanical families, indicating lack of host specialization. This is the first formal report of a powdery mildew disease on lisianthus, calla lilly, impatiens and nasturtium in Brazil. It is, to our knowledge, the first report of O. haplophyllii infecting A. physocarpa, extending the host range of this atypical powdery mildew-inducing fungus. This disease might become important on these ornamental crops especially in protected cultivation and also under field conditions in hot and dry areas of Brazil.

Using an aerial system of remote sensing to detect different nutritional status in Brachiaria decumbens

The aim of this study was to use digital images acquired by cameras attached to a helium balloon to detect variation of the nutritional status in Brachiaria decumbens. The treatments consisted of five doses of nitrogen (0, 50, 100, 150 e 200kg ha-1) with six replications each, evaluated in a completely randomized statistical design. A remote sensing system composed of digital cameras and microcomputers was used for image acquisition, and a helium balloon lifted the cameras to the heights of 15, 20, 25 and 30m. A portable chlorophyll meter and analyses of leaf nitrogen content were used to make comparisons with data obtained by the remote sensing system. Data was acquired in two phases, in different climatic conditions. At the end of each phase, dry matter production was measured. Three vegetation indices were used to evaluate the detection of different nutritional status. The three indices were able to detect the effects of N doses. The indices constructed with the Green spectral band showed to be more efficient.

Estenose arterial pós-transplante hepático: tratamento com angioplastia transluminal percutânea

Vascular complications after liver transplantation include oclusion or stenosis at the sites of anastomosis in the hepatic artery, portal vein, and vena cava. Balloon angioplasty of these stenosis carries little risk and is a useful procedure for the treatment of these problems. The purpose of this paper was to assess whether percutaneous transluminal angioplasty can help to prolong allograft survival and impruve allograft function in patient with hepatic artery stenosis after liver transplantation. We report a 43-year-old mate with stenosis of hepatic artery anastomosis after liver transplantation. An abrupt elevation of liver enzymes and serum bilirrubin levels was noted on the fifth postoperative month. The patient underwent percutaneous liver biopsy, which revealed important ductal depletion due to hypoperfusion, even though Doppler ultrasound examination demonstrated arterial flow. An angiogram confirmed severe stenosis of the arterial anastomosis with poor intraparenchymal arterial perfusion pattern. In an attempt to preserve the graft, a percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed using microballoons mounted on a hydrophylic micro guidewire. Intervention proceeded without complications. Liver enzimes and bilirrubin levels decreased within twenty-four hours of angioplasty. Normal levels were achieved after one week. Seven month after angioplasty, the patient is in a optimal clinical condition with no signs of graft impairment. We conclude that percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of hepatic artery stenosis after liver transplantation is relatively safe and may help decrease allograft loss.

Uso de balão intra-hepático para controle temporário da hemorragia em lesão da veia cava retro-hepática

Juxtahepatic veins, retrohepatic vena cava or major hepatic veins injuries carry a very high mortality rate regardless the technique used for its repair. Isolated survivor reports have for the most part been managed by vascular isolation techniques, usually with atriocaval shunt. We report one case with a unique management technique in a patient who sustained gunshot wound to the retrohepatic vena cava. Hemorrhage control had been obtained by intrahepatic balloon tamponade after others maneuvers have failed. The balloon was left in situ for two days as damaged control laparotomy principles and planned reoperation has been chosen.

Cirurgia para controle do dano: uma revisão

Damage control surgery is one of the major advances in surgical practice in the last 20 years. The indications for damage control surgery are: the need to terminate a laparotomy rapidly in an exsanguinating, hypothermic patient who had developed a coagulopathy and who is about to die on the operating table; inability to control bleeding by direct hemostasis; and inability to close the abdomen without tension because of massive visceral edema and a tense abdominal wall. Damage control surgery has three phases: 1) laparotomy to control hemorrhage by packing, shunting, or balloon tamponade, or both; control of intestinal spillage by resection or ligation of damaged bowel, or both; 2) physiological resuscitation to correct hypothermia, metabolic acidosis, and coagulopathy. 3) planned reoperation for definitive repair. Damage control surgery is appropriate in a small number of critically ill patients who are likely to require substantial hospital resources. However, there are many questions that need to be answered. Who is the patient elected for this surgery? When is the ideal time to make the decision? Which are the parameters that indicate to the surgeons the moment to re-operate the patient? How to treat the long-term complications? In the present review we described some historical aspects, indications, technical aspects, advantages and disadvantages of this procedure, as well as its physiological consequences and morbidity and mortality rates of damage control surgery. Damage control surgery offers a simple effective alternative to the traditional surgical management of complex or multiple injuries in critically injured patients.

Peritoneal fluid changes in horses subjected to small colon distension

Intestinal devitalization in cases of small colon obstruction may be difficult to detect based only in clinical signs. The purpose was to serially evaluate blood and peritoneal fluid of horses subjected to small colon distension. Seventeen adult horses were allotted in three groups. In the small colon-distended group (DG, n=7) a surgically-implanted latex balloon was inflated to promote intraluminal small colon distension. In the shamoperated group (SG, n=5), the balloon was implanted but not inflated, and no surgery was done in the control group (CG, n=5). Blood and peritoneal fluid were sampled before and after (6 samples with a 30-minute interval) intestinal obstruction for cytological and biochemical analyses. No significant changes in clinical signs occurred within groups or across time during the experimental period. There were no statistical differences among SG and SG groups in hematologic and blood chemistry variables. Although total protein concentration and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in peritoneal fluid remained most of the time within reference values during the experimental period in all groups, increases from baseline values were detected in SG and DG groups. Such increases occurred earlier, progressively and with greater magnitude in the DG when compared with the SG (P<0.05). Increases from baselines values were also observed in total nucleated cells and neutrophils counts in the DG (P<0.05). In conclusion, distension of the equine small colon induced progressive subtle increases in total protein and LDH concentrations in the peritoneal fluid during the first hours. Serial evaluation of these variables in peritoneal fluid may be useful for early detection of intestinal devitalization in clinical cases of equine small colon obstruction.

Postangioplasty restenosis: a practical model in the porcine carotid artery

Transluminal coronary angioplasty is a routine therapeutic intervention in coronary heart disease. Despite the high rate of primary success, restenosis continues to be its major limitation. Porcine models have been considered to be the most adequate experimental models for studying restenosis. One limitation of porcine models is the need for radiological guidance and the expenses involved. The objective of the present study was to adapt an experimental model of angioplasty in the porcine carotid artery that does not require radiological equipment. Eight animals were used to develop the technique of balloon injury to the common carotid artery by dissection without radiological guidance. This technique was then employed in six other animals. Under anesthesia, the left common carotid artery was dissected and incised at the carotid sinus for insertion of an over-the-wire angioplasty balloon towards the aorta. Overstretch injury of the carotid artery was performed under direct visualization. After 30 days, the arteries were excised and pressure-fixated. Uninjured carotid arteries from 3 additional animals were used as controls. A decreased luminal area associated with intimal hyperplasia and medial reaction was observed in all injured arteries. Immunohistochemistry identified the intimal hyperplastic cells as smooth muscle cells. Computerized morphometry of the ballooned segments revealed the following mean areas: lumen 2.12 mm2 (± 1.09), intima 0.22 mm2 (± 0.08), media 3.47 mm2 (± 0.67), and adventitia 1.11 mm2 (± 0.34). Our experimental model of porcine carotid angioplasty without radiological guidance induced a vascular wall reaction and permitted the quantification of this response. This porcine model may facilitate the study of vascular injury and its response to pharmacological interventions

Abnormal proliferative response of the carotid artery of spontaneously hypertensive rats after angioplasty may be related to the depolarized state of its smooth muscle cells

Hypertension is one of the major precursors of atherosclerotic vascular disease, and vascular smooth muscle abnormal cell replication is a key feature of plaque formation. The present study was conducted to examine the relationship between hypertension and smooth muscle cell proliferation after balloon injury and to correlate neointima formation with resting membrane potential of uninjured smooth muscle cells, since it has been suggested that altered vascular function in hypertension may be related to the resetting of the resting membrane potential in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Neointima formation was induced by balloon injury to the carotid arteries of SHR and renovascular hypertensive rats (1K-1C), as well as in their normotensive controls, i.e., Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and normal Wistar (NWR) rats. After 14 days the animals were killed and the carotid arteries were submitted to histomorphometric and immunohistochemical analyses. Resting membrane potential measurements showed that uninjured carotid arteries from SHR smooth muscle cells were significantly depolarized (-46.5 ± 1.9 mV) compared to NWR (-69 ± 1.4 mV), NWR 1K-1C (-60.8 ± 1.6 mV), WKY (-67.1 ± 3.2 mV) and WKY 1K-1C (-56.9 ± 1.2 mV). The SHR arteries responded to balloon injury with an enhanced neointima formation (neo/media = 3.97 ± 0.86) when compared to arteries of all the other groups (NWR 0.93 ± 0.65, NWR 1K-1C 1.24 ± 0.45, WKY 1.22 ± 0.32, WKY 1K-1C 1.15 ± 0.74). Our results indicate that the increased fibroproliferative response observed in SHR is not related to the hypertensive state but could be associated with the resetting of the carotid smooth muscle cell resting membrane potential to a more depolarized state.

Variations in gastric compliance induced by acute blood volume changes in anesthetized rats

The impact of acute volume imbalances on gastric volume (GV) was studied in anesthetized rats (250-300 g). After cervical and femoral vessel cannulation, a balloon catheter was positioned in the proximal stomach. The opposite end of the catheter was connected to a barostat with an electronic sensor coupled to a plethysmometer. A standard ionic solution was used to fill the balloon (about 3.0 ml) and the communicating vessel system, and to raise the reservoir liquid level 4 cm above the animals' xiphoid appendix. Due to constant barostat pressure, GV values were considered to represent the gastric compliance index. All animals were monitored for 90 min. After a basal interval, they were randomly assigned to normovolemic, hypervolemic, hypovolemic or restored protocols. Data were compared by ANOVA followed by Bonferroni's test. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous pressure (CVP) and GV values did not change in normovolemic animals (N = 5). Hypervolemic animals (N = 12) were transfused at 0.5 ml/min with a suspension of red blood cells in Ringer-lactate solution with albumin (12.5 ml/kg), which reduced GV values by 11.3% (P<0.05). Hypovolemic rats (N = 12) were bled up to 10 ml/kg, a procedure that increased GV values by 15.8% (P<0.05). In the restored group (N = 12), shed blood replacement brought GV values back to basal levels in bled animals (P>0.05). MAP and CVP values increased (P<0.05) after hypervolemia but decreased (P<0.05) with hypovolemia. In conclusion, blood volume level modulates gastric compliance, turning the stomach into an adjustable reservoir, which could be part of the homeostatic process to balance blood volume.

Effects of estrogen on the vascular system

The cardiovascular protective actions of estrogen are partially mediated by a direct effect on the vessel wall. Estrogen is active both on vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells where functionally competent estrogen receptors have been identified. Estrogen administration promotes vasodilation in humans and in experimental animals, in part by stimulating prostacyclin and nitric oxide synthesis, as well as by decreasing the production of vasoconstrictor agents such as cyclooxygenase-derived products, reactive oxygen species, angiotensin II, and endothelin-1. In vitro, estrogen exerts a direct inhibitory effect on smooth muscle by activating potassium efflux and by inhibiting calcium influx. In addition, estrogen inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. In vivo, 17ß-estradiol prevents neointimal thickening after balloon injury and also ameliorates the lesions occurring in atherosclerotic conditions. As is the case for other steroids, the effect of estrogen on the vessel wall has a rapid non-genomic component involving membrane phenomena, such as alteration of membrane ionic permeability and activation of membrane-bound enzymes, as well as the classical genomic effect involving estrogen receptor activation and gene expression.

Estrogen enhances vasoconstrictive remodeling after injury in male rabbits

The complete spectrum of estrogen vascular effects remains unclear. In particular, estrogen effects in the vascular response to profound injury in males have not been explored in detail. Therefore, we submitted 44 male New Zealand rabbits weighing 3.4 ± 0.6 kg to overdistention balloon injury of the right iliac artery. Rabbits were given 17ß-estradiol (5.45 µmol/day, sc) or vehicle for 7 days before and 14 days after injury, when the arteries were examined by post-mortem histomorphometry. Arteriographic caliber was assessed in vivo at baseline and before sacrifice. On day 14 after injury, in vivo arteriographic caliber (baseline = 2.44 ± 0.43 mm) was decreased by 23.1 ± 0.1% in controls and by 44.5 ± 0.1% in estrogen-treated rabbits (P < 0.001). Neither the neointimal area nor the neointima/media area ratio changed after estrogen treatment. Collagen fraction was increased in the media and neointima of estrogen-treated rabbits vs control (1.38 ± 1.30 vs 0.35 ± 0.67, respectively, P = 0.01). Taken together, these findings suggest that estrogen increased negative vascular remodeling. Transcription of endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthases (eNOS and iNOS) was analyzed by RT-PCR. eNOS mRNA expression was marginally increased after estrogen (P = 0.07) and injury. iNOS mRNA was increased 2- to 3-fold on day 14 after injury. With estrogen treatment, iNOS mRNA increased in uninjured arteries and exhibited a further 5.5-fold increase after injury. We concluded that estrogen increased lumen loss after balloon injury in male rabbits, likely by increased negative remodeling, which may be related to increased iNOS transcriptional rates.

Effect of saline infusion for the maintenance of blood volume on pulmonary gas exchange during temporary abdominal aortic occlusion

We analyzed the effects of saline infusion for the maintenance of blood volume on pulmonary gas exchange in ischemia-reperfusion syndrome during temporary abdominal aortic occlusion in dogs. We studied 20 adult mongrel dogs weighing 12 to 23 kg divided into two groups: ischemia-reperfusion group (IRG, N = 10) and IRG submitted to saline infusion for the maintenance of mean pulmonary arterial wedge pressure between 10 and 20 mmHg (IRG-SS, N = 10). All animals were anesthetized and maintained on spontaneous ventilation. After obtaining baseline measurements, occlusion of the supraceliac aorta was performed by the inflation of a Fogarty catheter. After 60 min of ischemia, the balloon was deflated and the animals were observed for another 60 min of reperfusion. The measurements were made at 10 and 45 min of ischemia, and 5, 30, and 60 min of reperfusion. Pulmonary gas exchange was impaired in the IRG-SS group as demonstrated by the increase of the alveolar-arterial oxygen difference (21 ± 14 in IRG-SS vs 11 ± 8 in IRG after 60 min of reperfusion, P = 0.004 in IRG-SS in relation to baseline values) and the decrease of oxygen partial pressure in arterial blood (58 ± 15 in IRG-SS vs 76 ± 15 in IRG after 60 min of reperfusion, P = 0.001 in IRG-SS in relation to baseline values), which was correlated with the highest degree of pulmonary edema in morphometric analysis (0.16 ± 0.06 in IRG-SS vs 0.09 ± 0.04 in IRG, P = 0.03 between groups). There was also a smaller ventilatory compensation of metabolic acidosis after the reperfusion. We conclude that infusion of normal saline worsened the gas exchange induced by pulmonary reperfusion injury in this experimental model.

Montebello Gardens - First Grand Fete and Gala! Poster

Poster with details for the first grand fete and gala taking place Monday May 25, 1874. Festivities include: fireworks, "grand flight of a fiery pigeon", dancing, music, balloon and more.

Segmentation d’images intravasculaires ultrasonores

L'imagerie intravasculaire ultrasonore (IVUS) est une technologie médicale par cathéter qui produit des images de coupe des vaisseaux sanguins. Elle permet de quantifier et d'étudier la morphologie de plaques d'athérosclérose en plus de visualiser la structure des vaisseaux sanguins (lumière, intima, plaque, média et adventice) en trois dimensions. Depuis quelques années, cette méthode d'imagerie est devenue un outil de choix en recherche aussi bien qu'en clinique pour l'étude de la maladie athérosclérotique. L'imagerie IVUS est par contre affectée par des artéfacts associés aux caractéristiques des capteurs ultrasonores, par la présence de cônes d'ombre causés par les calcifications ou des artères collatérales, par des plaques dont le rendu est hétérogène ou par le chatoiement ultrasonore (speckle) sanguin. L'analyse automatisée de séquences IVUS de grande taille représente donc un défi important. Une méthode de segmentation en trois dimensions (3D) basée sur l'algorithme du fast-marching à interfaces multiples est présentée. La segmentation utilise des attributs des régions et contours des images IVUS. En effet, une nouvelle fonction de vitesse de propagation des interfaces combinant les fonctions de densité de probabilité des tons de gris des composants de la paroi vasculaire et le gradient des intensités est proposée. La segmentation est grandement automatisée puisque la lumière du vaisseau est détectée de façon entièrement automatique. Dans une procédure d'initialisation originale, un minimum d'interactions est nécessaire lorsque les contours initiaux de la paroi externe du vaisseau calculés automatiquement sont proposés à l'utilisateur pour acceptation ou correction sur un nombre limité d'images de coupe longitudinale. La segmentation a été validée à l'aide de séquences IVUS in vivo provenant d'artères fémorales provenant de différents sous-groupes d'acquisitions, c'est-à-dire pré-angioplastie par ballon, post-intervention et à un examen de contrôle 1 an suivant l'intervention. Les résultats ont été comparés avec des contours étalons tracés manuellement par différents experts en analyse d'images IVUS. Les contours de la lumière et de la paroi externe du vaisseau détectés selon la méthode du fast-marching sont en accord avec les tracés manuels des experts puisque les mesures d'aire sont similaires et les différences point-à-point entre les contours sont faibles. De plus, la segmentation par fast-marching 3D s'est effectuée en un temps grandement réduit comparativement à l'analyse manuelle. Il s'agit de la première étude rapportée dans la littérature qui évalue la performance de la segmentation sur différents types d'acquisition IVUS. En conclusion, la segmentation par fast-marching combinant les informations des distributions de tons de gris et du gradient des intensités des images est précise et efficace pour l'analyse de séquences IVUS de grandes tailles. Un outil de segmentation robuste pourrait devenir largement répandu pour la tâche ardue et fastidieuse qu'est l'analyse de ce type d'images.

Effets de la perfusion pulsatile durant une circulation extra-corporelle

INTRODUCTION : L’utilisation de la circulation extracorporelle durant la chirurgie cardiaque est associée à des problèmes pulmonaires chez certains patients. L’utilisation d’une pression pulsatile induite par un ballon intra-aortique (BIA) pourrait diminuer la dysfonction endothéliale et la survenue de tels événements. MATÉRIEL ET MÉTHODE : 12 porcs Landrace-Yorkshire ont subi une circulation extracorporelle et ont été divisés en deux groupes et 4 porcs ont servi de contrôles sans CEC. Le premier groupe (n=6) a bénéficié d’un flot pulsatile créé par un BIA en mode interne à 80 battements par minute durant les 90 minutes de l’opération alors que le second groupe (n=6) a subi une CEC standard. Après 60 minutes de reperfusion suivant la CEC, les valeurs hémodynamiques ont été évaluées dont les pressions artérielles, les pressions pulmonaires, l’index cardiaque et la concentration de glucose et de lactate. Les artères pulmonaires sont ensuite montées en chambre d’organe pour évaluer la fonction endothéliale. RÉSULTATS : Les porcs avec pression pulsatile ont tendance à produire moins de lactate sanguin après 60 minutes de reperfusion. Les autres valeurs hémodynamiques sont semblables. Finalement, la relaxation à la bradykinine est significativement meilleure dans le groupe pression pulsatile alors que la relaxation à l’acétylcholine n’est pas significativement différente. CONCLUSION : Ces résultats démontrent que la perfusion pulsatile produite par un BIA protège l’endothélium pulmonaire lors d'une CEC. Cet effet pourrait être dû à une augmentation du flot bronchique qui diminuerait l’ischémie pulmonaire ou à une diminution de la libération de cytokines et de bradykinine qui réduirait les dommages de reperfusion.