Scrotal Thermography and Doppler Ultrasonography of the Testicular Artery of Buffaloes Subjected to Environmental Heat Stress

The process of spermatic division and differentiation (spermatogenesis) occurs with intratesticular temperature lower that the corporal temperature and for that is essential that the testicular thermoregulation mechanism occurs properly. For evaluation of the scrotal surface temperature can be used the infrared thermography or testicular sensors, besides that, can be evaluated the blood flux in the spermatic cord through the Doppler ultrasonography. Therefore the objective of this study was the evaluation of the scrotal thermography and Doppler flowmetry of the testicular artery of buffaloes subjected to environmental heat stress. For that were used seven healthy buffaloes, with age of 3 and 4 years, of the Murrah breed. For the surface scrotal temperature measurement (SST, degrees C) and superficial neck temperature (SNT, degrees C) was used the infrared termography (Infra Cam (TM) of the brand FLIR Systems Inc.), then Doppler flowmetry of the testicular artery in the region of the spermatic cord through the ultrasonography (Mylab 5, Esaote (R)) and measurement of the rectal temperature (RT, degrees C). The evaluations were done in two moments: moment 1 (M1) with all the animals in the shade (Temperature=32,2 degrees C) and moment 2 (M2) after 3 hours of exposure of animals to the sun (Temperature=38,7 degrees C To calculate the resistivity index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI), spectra were obtained from pulsed Doppler in three random regions of the testicular artery in the spermatic cord. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by T test, using a significance level of 5%. There was an increase (p<0,05) of RT (37,4 +/- 0,4(a) vs 39,0 +/- 0,3(b); M1 and M2 respectively), SST (30,6 +/- 1,4(a) vs 35,2,0 +/- 1,0(b); M1 and M2 respectively) and SNT (33,1 +/- 2,5(a) vs 38,5,0 +/- 0,3(b); M1 e M2 respectively) e RI (0,67 +/- 0,1(a) vs 0,74 +/- 0,1(b); M1 e M2 respectively) in M2. Increasing trend was observed (0,05>p>0,01) in PI (1,10 +/- 0,4(a) vs 1,23 +/- 0,2(b); M1 and M2 respectively) in M2. The results of the present study allow us to conclude the healthy buffaloes have the scrotal average surface temperature 3 degrees C lower that the body temperature and that the exposure of 3 hours to sun in healthy buffaloes causes thermal stress to the animals and changes in its surface scrotal temperature, and the Doppler flowmetry of the testicular artery demonstrating the importance of thermal management for breeding buffaloes. Besides that, the thermography and the Doppler ultrasonography presented great potential to detect changes of testicular perfusion, being a promising additional test in the buffalo andrological evaluation.

Uterine Involution, Fluid Accumulation and Ovarian Activity after Injection of Prostaglandin at Different Periods of Buffalo Puerperium

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of chloprostenol administration, at early or intermediary puerperium, under uterine involution, intrauterine fluid accumulation and ovarian activity return. 30 Murrah postpartum buffaloes were randomly divided into three groups: CONT (saline, n = 10); CLO2 (chloprostenol at days 2 and 5 postpartum, n = 10) and; CLO15 (chloprostenol at days 15 and 20 postpartum, n = 10). Gynecological exams were performed at days 2, 7, 14, 21 and 28 postpartum, when uterine involution degree (1 to 3 scale, by transrectal palpation), intrauterine fluid accumulation (0 to 3 scale, by ultrasound exam) and ovarian activity (B-mode ultrasound exam) were evaluated. CLO2 group presented higher uterine involution (2.00 +/- 0.23, 1.66 +/- 0.23, 1.58 +/- 0.23 for groups CLO2, CONT and CLO15, respectively) and faster ovarian activity return in relation to groups CONT and CLO15 (P < 0.05). Groups CLO2 and CLO15 showed lower intrauterine fluid accumulation compared to CONT group (2.04 +/- 0.20, 1.58 +/- 0.20, 1.92 +/- 0.20 for groups CONT, CLO2 and CLO15, respectively; P < 0.05). Prostaglandin analogue administration in postpartum buffalo benefited uterine involution, lochia expulsion and ovarian activity return, improving reproductive efficiency in this specie.

Triplex Doppler Ultrassonography in Prenatal of Pregnant Bitches

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

Horner-s Syndrome following common carotid artery translocation in a horse: case report

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

Analysis of renal function after on and off pump coronary artery bypass grafting

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is often associated with renal dysfunction, as measured by plasma creatinine levels and hemodialysis rates. Aim. To compare creatinine clearance (CrCl), estimated with the Cockroft and Gault formula, between patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) versus on-pump CABG (on-CAB). Material and methods. Between April 2008 and April 2009, 119 patients underwent coronary bypass graft surgery. Fifty-eight (58) of these patients underwent OPCAB while 61 had on-CAB. Creatinine clearance, plasma creatinine levels, and clinical outcome were compared between the groups. A creatinine clearance value of 50 mL/minute was accepted as the lowest limit of normal renal function. Results. There were two hospital deaths caused by sepses after pulmonary infection. Creatinine clearance (Preoperative OPCAB 73,64±33,72 x on-CAB 75,70±34,30mL/min; discharge OPCAB 75,73±35,07 x on-CAB 79,07±34,71 mL/ min; p=0,609), and creatinine levels (Preoperative OPCAB 1,04±0,38 x on-CAB 1,13±0,53 mg/dL; discharge OPCAB 1,12±0,79 x on-CAB 1,04±0,29mg/dL; p=0,407) did not show statistically inter-group differences. Conclusion. Deterioration in renal function is associated with higher rates of postoperative complications. No significant difference in CrCl could be demonstrated between the groups.

Endovascular Treatment of Spontaneous Isolated Common and External Iliac Artery Dissections with Preservation of Pelvic Blood Flow

Spontaneous isolated dissection of iliac arteries is very rare, with few reports in the literature. Medical, surgical, and endovascular treatment modalities have all been used to manage iliac artery dissections. We report a case of symptomatic, isolated, spontaneous dissection of the common iliac and external iliac arteries. Both dissections were successfully treated by separate percutaneous stent-graft placement, preserving hypogastric artery flow. This technique is interesting because it provides adequate sealing of proximal and distal dissection sites while preserving hypogastric artery and pelvic flow.

A Randomized Trial of the Topical Effect of Antifibrinolytic Epsilon Aminocaproic Acid on Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Without Cardiopulmonary Bypass

We assessed the effect of the topical application of epsilon-aminocaproic antifibrinolytic acid (EACA) on the pericardium of patients submitted to coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). This is a prospective, randomized, and double-blind study. We evaluated 26 patients with chronic coronary heart disease indicated for CABG without CPB (EACA and placebo groups). The analysis of the postoperative hematological results showed no difference between groups in hemoglobin and hematocrit. There was no difference between the groups regarding the postoperative bleeding through the drains in the first 24 hours, 48 hours, and accumulated loss until removal of drains. The use of EACA in patients undergoing CABG without CPB presented no difference in the reduction of the amount of bleeding and the need for blood transfusions.

The role of proestrus on fertility and postovulatory uterine function in the cow

Modern protocols to synchronize ovulations for timed artificial insemination and timed embryo transfer that include manipulations in the proestrus period (i.e., between luteolysis and estrus) affect fertility in cattle. Specifically, stimulating pre-ovulatory follicle growth and exposure to estrogens after CL regression increase the proportion of cows pregnant and decrease late embryo mortality. Such effects may be due to both preovulatory actions of estrogens and post-ovulatory actions of progesterone, as concentrations of the later hormone may be changed in response to manipulations conducted during proestrus. In the first portion of this paper we describe strategies used recently to manipulate the proestrus period in protocols for synchronization of ovulation, and to present evidence of their effects on fertility. Manipulations of timing and prominence of sex steroids during the proestrus and early diestrus that affect fertility may act on targets such as the endometrium. This tissue expresses receptors for both estrogens and progesterone and these hormones change endometrial function to support conceptus growth and pregnancy maintenance. However, specific cellular and molecular mechanisms through which fertility is affected via manipulations of the proestrus are poorly understood. In the second portion of this paper we describe a well-defined animal model to study changes in endometrial function induced by manipulations conducted during the proestrus. Such manipulations induced endometrial changes on sex steroid receptors expression, cell proliferation, oxidative metabolism and eicosanoid synthesis in the uterus, but not on glucose transport to uterine lumen. In summary, evidence is accumulating to support a positive role of increasing duration and estrogen availability during the proestrus on fertility to synchronization protocols. Such positive effects may be through changes in endometrial function to stimulate conceptus growth and survival.

Frequency and clinical predictors of coronary artery disease in chronic renal failure renal transplant candidates

Background/aims: Cardiovascular diseases are major causes of mortality in chronic renal failure patients before and after renal transplantation. Among them, coronary disease presents a particular risk; however, risk predictors have been used to diagnose coronary heart disease. This study evaluated the frequency and importance of clinical predictors of coronary artery disease in chronic renal failure patients undergoing dialysis who were renal transplant candidates, and assessed a previously developed scoring system. Methods: Coronary angiographies conducted between March 2008 and April 2013 from 99 candidates for renal transplantation from two transplant centers in Sao Paulo state were analyzed for associations between significant coronary artery diseases (>= 70% stenosis in one or more epicardial coronary arteries or >= 50% in the left main coronary artery) and clinical parameters. Results: Univariate logistic regression analysis identified diabetes, angina, and/or previous infarction, clinical peripheral arterial disease and dyslipidemia as predictors of coronary artery disease. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified only diabetes and angina and/or previous infarction as independent predictors. Conclusion: The results corroborate previous studies demonstrating the importance of these factors when selecting patients for coronary angiography in clinical pretransplant evaluation.

The mediating role of physical inactivity on the relationship between inflammation and artery thickness in prepubertal adolescents

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

Pseudoaneurysm of the internal carotid artery presenting with massive (recurrent) epistaxes: a life-threatening complication of craniofacial trauma

Vascular lesions can be serious complications resulting of blunt or penetrating trauma(1,2). Internal carotid artery lesion is one of most serious and relatively frequent in all mechanisms of craniofacial trauma. Several clinical manifestations can occur as central neurologic and cranial nerves deficits as well as several degrees of bleeding (from mild symptomatic to fatal). Recurrent and massive epistaxis can occur after trauma due to pseudaoneurysms of the external and internal carotid artery (ICA)(3,4). Considering its life-threatening course, the assisting physician has a relatively narrow time to detect and treat these lesions.We present two cases of recurrent and massive epistaxis secondary to ICA pseudoaneurysm following blunt and perforating trauma. Evolution was fatal in the first case with delayed treatment and uneventfully in the second which was treated by occlusion of the pseudoaneurysm and ICA via endovascular intervention.