Mare's folliculogenesis: Assessment of ovarian and perifollicular vascular perfusion by doppler ultrasound

Background: Ultrasound Doppler is a new technology that has recently been used in large animal reproduction. As the conventional ultrasound (B-mode) it is a noninvasive technique, but with the advantage of allows the assessment of the hemodynamic of reproductive tract in real time. The observation of important features of the vascularization and changes that occur during physiological processes that were not previously seen on B-mode encourage a reassessment of the concepts already established on the events of the reproductive physiology of animals and their applications. Review: In attempt to re-understand the equine reproductive physiology and finding practical uses to this new technique, authors showed that, during the follicular deviation, features are observed by Doppler before being observed under B-mode ultrasound like changes in the speed of the blood flow two days before deviation of the follicle size and one day before the increase in blood flow area of the follicular wall. According to another study ovulation is characterized by a decreased blood flow of the follicular wall in the last four hours preceding it, as well as the serration of the granulosa layer and formation of a non vascularized apex, but in our ongoing study, the ability to decrease the vascularity was not found. Very vascularized follicles are associated with higher rates of oocyte maturation and pregnant that does less vascularized follicles in the preovulatory phase. Those follicles that have septated evacuation (or prolonged) showed more vascularization and serration of the granulosa one hour before ovulation than follicles that ovulate normally, and this vascularization includes the apex of the follicle, the follicular wall portion that is not vascularized in normal ovulation. Another study reported that hemorrhagic follicles have better vascularization of the follicular wall on the days preceding ovulation than follicles destined to ovulate. Some authors also showed that anovulatory follicles grow in size at the same rate as ovulatory follicles, but the percentage of vascularization of its wall is much smaller at 35 mm. Another study characterized that the vascular wall of the follicle that results in the first ovulation of the year is much smaller on the day before ovulation than the number of vessels present in a follicle that will ovulate in the middle of the breeding season. In these cases, the use of Doppler ultrasound can help to prevent economic losses as insemination of mares in cycles that are not able of resulting in pregnancy. This review aims to gather the information found in the literature about the characteristics of follicular hemodynamic of mares taking into account moments of deviation in follicle size, ovulation, ovulation failure and follicular viability. Conclusion: The Doppler technology has the potential to provide important information about the follicular environment and thus be used in practice in search of the perfect equine reproductive management, achieving better utilization of genetic material and increasing the financial return. The use of this new tool opens a large area for several interesting studies that will contribute to the knowledge of the physiological events of the mare for that this technique can soon be effectively applied.

Gastrointestinal changes associated to heart failure

Over the last decade, several studies were conducted on the gastrointestinal changes associated to chronic heart failure. This article presents a literature review on the physiopathology and clinical consequences of pathological digestive changes of heart failure patients. Structural and functional abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract, such as edema of absorptive mucosa and intestinal bacterial overgrowth, have been leading to serious clinical consequences. Some of these consequences are cardiac cachexia, systemic inflammatory activation and anemia. These conditions, alone or in combination, may lead to worsening of the pre-existing ventricular dysfunction. Although currently there is no therapy specifically earmarked for gastrointestinal changes associated to heart failure, the understanding of digestive abnormalities is germane for the prevention and management of systemic consequences.

Cimetidine-induced vascular cell apoptosis impairs testicular microvasculature in adult rats

Cimetidine, an H2 receptor antagonist used for treatment of gastric ulcers, exerts antiandrogenic and antiangiogenic effects. In the testes cimetidine impairs spermatogenesis, Sertoli cells and peritubular tissue, inducing apoptosis in the myoid cells. Regarding the importance of histamine and androgens for vascular maintenance, the effect of cimetidine on the structural integrity of the testicular vasculature was evaluated. Adult male rats received cimetidine (CMTG) and saline (CG) for 50 days. The testes were fixed in buffered 4% formaldehyde and embedded in historesin and paraffin. In the PAS-stained sections, the microvascular density (MVD) and the vascular luminal area (VLA) were obtained. TUNEL method was performed for detection of cell death. Testicular fragments embedded in Araldite were analyzed under transmission electron microscopy. A significant decrease in the MVD and VLA and a high number of collapsed blood vessel profiles were observed in CMTG. Endothelial cells and vascular muscle cells were TUNEL-positive and showed ultrastructural features of apoptosis. These results indicate that cimetidine induces apoptosis in vascular cells, leading to testicular vascular atrophy. A possible antagonist effect of cimetidine on the H2 receptors and/or androgen receptors in the vascular cells may be responsible for the impairment of the testicular microvasculature.

Vascular pericranial graft: A viable resource for frontal sinus obliteration

Inappropriate treatments of frontal sinus fractures may lead to serious complications, such as mucopyocele, meningitis, and brain abscess. Assessment of nasofrontal duct injury is crucial, and nasofrontal duct injury requires sinus obliteration, which is often accomplished by autologous grafts such as fat, muscle, or bone. These avascular grafts have an increased risk of resorption and infection, as well as donor site morbidity. For these reasons, pericranial flap, which is vascular, should be used for frontal sinus obliteration. The pericranial flap presented with less morbidity procedure and has decreased infection rates, which justifies its use in frontal sinus obliteration. This paper aims to report a case of a comminuted frontal sinus fracture in a 29-year-old man who was successfully treated by frontal sinus obliteration, using pericranial local flap. The patient was followed up postoperatively for 16 months without infection. Copyright © 2013 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.

Zoledronic acid decreases gene expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor by human epithelial cells

Delayed wound healing in patients taking bisphosphonates could result from decreased expression of growth factors, which are directly related to cell proliferation and migration. In this study, we evaluated the gene expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) by epithelial cells exposed to zoledronic acid 5 μmol for 48 h using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The gene expression of VEGF and bFGF by epithelial cells exposed to zoledronic acid decreased by 34% and 51%, respectively (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.0001). We conclude that zoledronic acid can decrease the expression of growth factors by epithelial cells. © 2013 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

Conjunctival flora, Schirmer's tear test, intraocular pressure, and conjunctival cytology in neotropical primates from Salvador, Brazil

Background: This study aimed to establish reference values for selected ophthalmic diagnostic tests in healthy neotropical primates from Salvador, Brazil. Methods: A total of 73 intact adults, including Callithrix jacchus (n = 31), Callithrix penicillata (n = 8), Cebus sp. (n = 22), and Cebus xanthosternos (n = 9) were used to evaluate the normal conjunctival bacterial flora. Cebus xanthosternos (n = 12) were used to evaluate tear production with Schirmer's tear test (STT), intraocular pressure (IOP), and conjunctival cytology. Results: For all animals evaluated, Gram-positive bacteria were predominant. Results of the diagnostic tests in Cebus xanthosternos were as follows: STT: 14.92 ± 5.46 mm/minutes, IOP: 19.62 ± 4.57 mmHg, and conjunctival cytology revealed intermediate squamous epithelial cells in great quantities. Conclusions: These ophthalmic reference values will be particularly useful to diagnose discrete or unusual pathological changes in the neotropical primates eye. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Efeito do sabor azedo e da temperatura fria na fase oral da deglutição no acidente vascular encefálico

Pós-graduação em Bases Gerais da Cirurgia - FMB

O efeito do sabor azedo e da temperatura fria no tempo de trânsito faríngeo da deglutição em indivíduos após acidente vascular encefálico hemisférico isquêmico

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

Dicionário onomasiológico de expressões cromáticas da fauna e flora:

Pós-graduação em Estudos Linguísticos - IBILCE

Florística vascular da Mata da Pavuna, Botucatu, SP, Brasil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Flora e distribuição ecológica de comunidades de macroalgas lóticas de fragmentos florestais da região noroeste do estado de São Paulo

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Biologia Vegetal) - IBRC

Composição florística e estrutura fitossociológica de uma área de cerrado pertencente ao Campus de Bauru da Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, SP

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Botânica) - IBB

Concentração sérica e imunomarcação do fator de crescimento do endotélio vascular no prognóstico dos linfomas caninos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Expressão da e-caderina e do fator de crescimento do endotélio vascular no carcinoma de células escamosas e no tumor de células basais de cães

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Abordagem teórica e prática sobre a reabilitação de pacientes portadores de acidente vascular encefálico, e desenvolvimento de um equipamento/protótipo: uma possibilidade inovadora de tratamento

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)