Evolução de CO2 e atividades enzimáticas em amostras de solo tratado com herbicidas

Effects of bentazon, metolachlor, trifluralin, imazethapyr, imazethapyr+lactofen, haloxyfop-methyl, glyphosate and chlorimuron-ethyl at rates of 2 and 10 times the equivalent commercial dose on soil microbial activity was evaluated in soil samples extracted from a field never treated before. Global soil microbe respiration, estimated by CO2 production at 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 and 28 days of soil incubation and enzymatic activities (dehydrogenase and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis) at 8 and 28 days were used as bioindicators. Bentazon and mixture imazethapyr+lactofen at the highest rate and haloxyfop-methyl at both rates, inhibited soil respiration although with differences in timing and duration. None of the herbicides affected FDA hydrolysis. Dehydrogenase activity was inhibited at 8 days of incubation with bentazon and imazethapyr at high rates but it was stimulated by metolachlor and imazethapyr at low rate and glyphosate at the highest rate. Herbicide effects on soil microbial activity was detected with higher sensitivity by global soil microbe respiration and dehydrogenase activity than by FDA hydrolysis. Only dehydrogenase activity and soil respiration estimations at 8 days of soil incubation had significant correlation. Results indicated the need of multiple estimations when evaluating herbicides effects on soil microbiota

Anticoagulant treatment for subsegmental pulmonary embolism

BackgroundAcute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common cause of death, accounting for 50,000 to 200,000 deaths annually. It is the third most common cause of mortality among the cardiovascular diseases, after coronary artery disease and stroke.The advent of multi-detector computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) has allowed better assessment of PE regarding visualisation of the peripheral pulmonary arteries, increasing its rate of diagnosis. More cases of peripheral PEs, such as isolated subsegmental PE (SSPE) and incidental PE, have thereby been identified. These two conditions are usually found in patients with few or none of the classic PE symptoms such as haemoptysis or pleuritic pain, acute dyspnoea or circulatory collapse. However, in patients with reduced cardio-pulmonary (C/P) reserve the classic PE symptoms can be found with isolated SSPEs. Incidental SSPE is found casually in asymptomatic patients, usually by diagnostic imaging performed for other reasons (for example routine CT for cancer staging in oncologic patients).Traditionally, all PEs are anticoagulated in a similar manner independent of the location, number and size of the thrombi. It has been suggested that many patients with SSPE may be treated without benefit, increasing adverse events by possible unnecessary use of anticoagulants.Patients with isolated SSPE or incidental PE may have a more benign clinical presentation compared with those with proximal PEs. However, the clinical significance in patients and their prognosis have to be studied to evaluate whether anticoagulation therapy is required.ObjectivesTo assess the effectiveness and safety of anticoagulation therapy versus no intervention in patients with isolated subsegmental pulmonary embolism (SSPE) or incidental SSPE.Search methodsThe Cochrane Peripheral Vascular Diseases Group Trials Search Co-ordinator searched the Specialised Register (last searched October 2013) and CENTRAL (2013, Issue 9). MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS and clinical trials databases were also searched (October 2013).Selection criteriaRandomised controlled trials of anticoagulation therapy versus no intervention in patients with SSPE or incidental SSPE.Data collection and analysisTwo review authors inspected all citations to ensure reliable selection. We planned for two review authors to independently extract data and to assess the methodological quality of identified trials using the criteria recommended in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.Main resultsNo studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria.Authors' conclusionsThere is no randomised controlled trial evidence for the effectiveness and safety of anticoagulation therapy versus no intervention in patients with isolated subsegmental pulmonary embolism (SSPE) or incidental SSPE, and therefore we can not draw any conclusions. Well-conducted research is required before informed practice decisions can be made.

Effects of antiproteolytic agents on corneal epithelial viability and matrix metalloproteinase-2 and metalloproteinase-9 activity in alkali-burned corneas of rats

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Soil microbial properties after 5 years of consecutive amendment with composted tannery sludge

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Pluronics F-127/L-81 Binary Hydrogels as Drug-Delivery Systems: Influence of Physicochemical Aspects on Release Kinetics and Cytotoxicity

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

Embolization of splenorenal shunt associated to portal vein thrombosis and hepatic encephalopathy

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a cognitive disturbance characterized by neuropsychiatric alterations. It occurs in acute and chronic hepatic disease and also in patients with portosystemic shunts. The presence of these portosystemic shunts allows the passage of nitrogenous substances from the intestines through systemic veins without liver depuration. Therefore, the embolization of these shunts has been performed to control HE manifestations, but the presence of portal vein thrombosis is considered a contraindication. In this presentation we show a cirrhotic patient with severe HE and portal vein thrombosis who was submitted to embolization of a large portosystemic shunt. Case report: a 57 years-old cirrhotic patient who had been hospitalized many times for persistent HE and hepatic coma, even without precipitant factors. She had a wide portosystemic shunt and also portal vein thrombosis. The abdominal angiography confirmed the splenorenal shunt and showed other shunts. The larger shunt was embolized through placement of microcoils, and the patient had no recurrence of overt HE. There was a little increase of esophageal and gastric varices, but no endoscopic treatment was needed. Since portosystemic shunts are frequent causes of recurrent HE in cirrhotic patients, portal vein thrombosis should be considered a relative contraindication to perform a shunt embolization. However, in particular cases with many shunts and severe HE, we found that one of these shunts can be safely embolized and this procedure can be sufficient to obtain a good HE recovery. In conclusion, we reported a case of persistent HE due to a wide portosystemic shunt associated with portal vein thrombosis. As the patient had other shunts, she was successfully treated by embolization of the larger shunt. (C) 2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.

Angiografia comparativa, prós e contras entre os métodos: por raios-X, Tomografia Computadorizada e Ressonância Magnética

By the early 20th century, the blood vessels could only be seen by anatomical studies. Shortly after the discovery of X-rays by Conrad Roentgen in 1895, the first experiments with radiographic imaging were performed with blood vessels. In 1905, the first experiment involving catheterization of arterial and venous system in dogs was performed and only in 1914 performed on living human patients. Parallel to these landmarks, there were advances in diagnostic imaging devices and the evolution of contrast substances was of utmost importance to the current angiography occupy a prominent role not only in terms of diagnosis, but also in the treatment of various disorders. The main objective of this review is to weave historical considerations and comparisons between the different methodologies used in angiography, because its importance; that may be in future, a veterinary diagnostic decisive test

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.

Ketorolac eye drops reduce inflammation and delay re-epithelization in response to corneal alkali burn in rabbits, without affecting iNOS or MMP-9

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

Digital venography in ruminants - a review

Digital venography is a contrast angiography technique used to study digital vascularity. The technique is simple to be carried out and can be performed under field conditions using a standard radiographic unit. The venogram examination is used to complement conventional radiographic examinations in animals affected by foot diseases. Discrepancy in the contrast vascular pattern may be observed before the clinical signs of the foot disease. Digital venography studies in ruminants are in smaller number than those in horses. The herein presented review discusses digital venography techniques used in ruminants as well as the differences and similarities between ruminants (cattle, sheep and goat) and horses.

Predicting vasospasm after aneurismal subarachnoid hemorrhage with C reactive protein levels

Aim: The interest of inflammatory marker increased in the last years, even in preventing clinical outcome after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Our objective was to study the relationships between C-reactive protein levels and clinical outcome and the development of cerebral vasospasm after aneurismal SAH. Methods: One hundred adult patients with aneurismal SAH were prospectively evaluated. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, Hunt and Hess grade, Fisher grade, CT scans, digital subtraction angiography studies, transcranial doppler (TCD) and daily neurological examinations were recorded. Serial serum CRP measurements were obtained on daily between admission and 10th days. Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were used to predict outcome. Results: A progressive increase in the CRP levels from the admission to the 3rd postictal day was observed, followed by a slow decrease until the 9th day. Hemodynamic changes in TCD were associated with higher serum CRP levels. Patients with lower GCS scores presented with increased CRP levels. Patients with higher Hunt and Hess grades on admission developed significantly higher CRP serum levels. Patients with higher admission Fisher grades showed increased levels of CRP. A statistically significant inverse correlation was established in our series between CRP serum levels and GOS and mRS scores on discharge and CRP levels. Conclusion: Increased CRP levels were strongly associated with poor clinical outcome. CRP levels can predict cerebral vasospasm and delayed ischemic deficits with higher statistic significance. There are relationships between hemodynamic chances in TCD and higher CRP levels.

Revised Diagnostic Criteria for Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease: Considerations on the Different Disease Categories

PURPOSE: To evalulate the applicability of the Revised Diagnostic Criteria for Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease to Brazilian patients and to verify the association between different disease categories, clinical parameters, and the presence of HLA-DRB1*0405. DESIGN: A retrospective observational case series. METHODS: Medical charts of 67 patients (10 to 64 years in age; 12 men and 55 women), from the Uveitis Service, Hospital das Clinicas, University of Sao Paulo School of Medicine (HCFMUSP), Sao Paulo, Brazil were reviewed. Patients, previously diagnosed with VKH disease using criteria proposed by the American Uveitis Society, underwent retrospective classification based on the Revised Diagnostic Criteria. The degree of concordance was assessed. At presentation, 46 patients (69%) were in the early phase. In this group, the mean time from disease onset to treatment was 15 days (range, one to 30 days). Forty-eight patients (72%) were typed for HLA-DRB1*0405 by polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer and polymerase chain reaction,sequence, specific oligonucleotides primer. Disease categories, phase at initial presentation, and ocular complications were analyzed. RESULTS: There was a 100% of concordance between the two criteria. Disease was classified as complete in 10 patients (15%), incomplete in 37 patients (55%), and probable in 20 patients (30%). In each group, respectively, 90%, 76%, and 45% were in the early phase at presentation (P = .017). There was no association between disease categories, the presence of HLA-DRB1*0405, and clinical parameters. CONCLUSION. The Revised Diagnostic Criteria proved useful for diagnosis of VKH disease in Brazilian patients. The present retrospective study did not find any association between disease category and severity parameters. To better understand the relevance of disease categories, a minimum follow-up period to categorize patients should be included in future prospective studies. (Am J Ophthalmol 2009;147:339-345. (C) 2009 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Diltiazem como alternativa ao betabloqueador na angiotomografia de artérias coronárias

FUNDAMENTO: A redução da frequência cardíaca (FC) na angiografia por tomografia das artérias coronarianas (ATCCor) é fundamental para a qualidade de imagem. A eficácia dos bloqueadores de cálcio como alternativas para pacientes com contraindicações aos betabloqueadores não foi definida. OBJETIVOS: Comparar a eficácia na redução da FC e variabilidade RR do metoprolol e diltiazem na ATCCor. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo, randomizado, aberto, incluiu pacientes com indicação clínica de ATCCor, em ritmo sinusal, com FC>70bpm e sem uso de agentes que interferissem com a FC. Cinquenta pacientes foram randomizados para grupos: metoprolol IV 5-15 mg ou até FC≤60 bpm(M), e diltiazem IV 0,25-0,60mg/kg ou até FC≤60 bpm (D). Pressão arterial (PA) e FC foram aferidas na condição basal, 1min, 3min e 5min após agentes, na aquisição e após ATCCor. RESULTADOS: A redução da FC em valores absolutos foi maior no grupo M que no grupo D (1, 3, 5min, aquisição e pós-exame). A redução percentual da FC foi significativamente maior no grupo M apenas no 1 min e 3 min após início dos agentes. Não houve diferença no 5 min, durante a aquisição e após exame. A variabilidade RR percentual do grupo D foi estatisticamente menor do que a do grupo M durante a aquisição (variabilidade RR/ FC média da aquisição). Um único caso de BAV, 2:1 Mobitz I, revertido espontaneamente ocorreu (grupo D). CONCLUSÃO: Concluímos que o diltiazem é uma alternativa eficaz e segura aos betabloqueadores na redução da FC na realização de angiografia por tomografia computadorizada das artérias coronarianas. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2012; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

Late evaluation of the relationship between morphological and functional renal changes and hypertension after non-operative treatment of high-grade renal injuries

Objective: To evaluate the anatomical and functional renal alterations and the association with post-traumatic arterial hypertension. Methods: The studied population included patients who sustained high grades renal injury (grades III to V) successfully non-operative management after staging by computed tomography over a 16-year period. Beyond the review of medical records, these patients were invited to the following protocol: clinical and laboratory evaluation, abdominal computed tomography, magnetic resonance angiography, DMSA renal scintigraphy, and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. The hypertensive patients also were submitted to dynamic renal scintigraphy (Tc-99m EC), using captopril stimulation to verify renal vascular etiology. Results: Of the 31 patients, there were thirteen grade III, sixteen grade IV (nine lacerations, and seven vascular lesions), and two grade V injuries. All the patients were asymptomatic and an average follow up post-injury of 6.4 years. None had abnormal BUN or seric creatinine. The percentage of renal volume reduction correlates with the severity as defined by OIS. There was no evidence of renal artery stenosis in Magnetic Resonance angiography (MRA). DMSA scanning demonstrated a decline in percentage of total renal function corresponding to injury severity (42.2 +/- 5.5% for grade III, 35.3 +/- 12.8% for grade IV, 13.5 +/- 19.1 for grade V). Six patients (19.4%) had severe compromised function (< 30%). There was statistically significant difference in the decrease in renal function between parenchymal and vascular causes for grade IV injuries (p < 0.001). The 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring detected nine patients (29%) with post-traumatic hypertension. All the patients were male, mean 35.6 years, 77.8 % had a familial history of arterial hypertension, 66.7% had grade III renal injury, and average post-injury time was 7.8 years. Seven patients had negative captopril renography. Conclusions: Late results of renal function after conservative treatment of high grades renal injuries are favorable, except for patients with grades IV with vascular injuries and grade V renal injuries. Moreover, arterial hypertension does not correlate with the grade of renal injury or reduction of renal function.

Centrilobular necrosis as a manifestation of venous outflow block in pediatric malnourished liver transplant recipients - case reports

CLN is a frequent histological finding in biopsies after pediatric: LT, and its pathogenesis has not yet been fully clarified and has different causes. Among the vascular causes, VOB is sometimes difficult to diagnose, especially when technical variants such as split-liver, reduced-liver, or living-related LT are utilized. Three liver-transplanted malnourished children (ages 12, 20, and 28 months) developed altered LFTs and post-operative ascites with right pleural effusion (two cases) and jaundice (one case). Doppler ultrasound examinations were normal and liver biopsies showed CLN interpreted as severe ACR. There were no responses to the medical treatment. Additional investigation with CT angiography suggested obstructed hepatic vein drainage, which was confirmed by interventional radiology and angioplasty of the anastomosis between the hepatic vein and the inferior vena cava, with clinical and histological resolution. It is concluded that in malnourished children undergoing LT with technical variations, in which the occurrence of severe ACR is usually less common because of the severity of the patient condition, the finding of CLN should raise the possibility of VOB, so that excessive immunosuppression and its consequences can be avoided.