Software para análise quantitativa da deglutição

OBJETIVO: Apresentar um software que permita uma análise detalhada da dinâmica da deglutição. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Participaram deste estudo dez indivíduos após acidente vascular encefálico, sendo seis do gênero masculino, com idade média de 57,6 anos. Foi realizada videofluoroscopia da deglutição e as imagens foram digitalizadas em microcomputador, com posterior análise do tempo do trânsito faríngeo da deglutição, por meio de um cronômetro e do software. RESULTADOS: O tempo médio do trânsito faríngeo da deglutição apresentou-se diferente quando comparados os métodos utilizados (cronômetro e software). CONCLUSÃO: Este software é um instrumento de análise dos parâmetros tempo e velocidade da deglutição, propiciando melhor compreensão da dinâmica da deglutição, com reflexos tanto na abordagem clínica dos pacientes com disfagia como para fins de pesquisa científica.

Protocolo para controle de eficácia terapêutica em disfagia orofaríngea neurogênica (PROCEDON)

OBJETIVO: apresentar uma proposta para o controle de eficácia terapêutica em disfagia orofaríngea neurogênica. MÉTODOS: o protocolo foi proposto em concordância com a literatura atual e aplicado em um indivíduo pós-acidente vascular encefálico (AVE) isquêmico à direita, comprovado por tomografia computadorizada, com disfagia orofaríngea grave crônica, gênero masculino, 66 anos, apresentando aspiração laringotraqueal e em uso de sonda nasoentérica exclusiva pré-fonoterapia. Para controle da eficácia terapêutica do programa de reabilitação fonoaudiológica foi aplicado, pré e pós-fonoterapia, a classificação do grau de comprometimento da disfagia orofaríngea, Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), a avaliação videofluoroscópica da deglutição com medida do tempo de trânsito faríngeo (TTF) da deglutição por meio de software e da percepção do indivíduo. RESULTADOS: na pré-fonoterapia verificou-se disfagia orofaríngea grave, FOIS nível 1, presença de aspiração laringotraqueal para mais de uma consistência e tempo de trânsito faríngeo de 13 segundos. Após fonoterapia verificou-se disfagia orofaríngea moderada, FOIS nível 5, ausência de aspiração laringotraqueal e TTF de 4 segundos. CONCLUSÃO: o protocolo proposto foi capaz de avaliar a eficácia da reabilitação na disfagia orofaríngea neurogênica neste indivíduo pós-acidente vascular encefálico, tanto para mensurar as mudanças ocorridas na fisiopatologia da deglutição quanto na ingestão oral e na percepção do indivíduo. Outros estudos com populações distintas são necessários, sendo que novas propostas devem ainda refletir a inclusão da condição nutricional e pulmonar do indivíduo no controle de eficácia em disfagia orofaríngea.

Decreased Sperm Motility in Rats Orally Exposed to Single or Mixed Pesticides

The Brazilian Agency of Sanitary Vigilance (ANVISA) conducted a study that demonstrated the presence of residues of several pesticides in fresh fruits and vegetables that were available for purchase by the general populace. In order to evaluate potential adverse health effects of low-level exposure to agrochemicals, the reproductive toxicity of the pesticides dicofol, dichlorvos, permethrin, endosulfan, and dieldrin was evaluated in rats dosed with these chemicals individually or as mixtures. Sixty male Lewis rats (6 wk old, 200 x g) were randomly allocated to 8 groups: (1) control group, received basal diet; (2) 5 groups designated a to e received the diet containing each pesticide individually, at the respective effective doses: lowest-observed-adverse-effect level (LOAEL) for dieldrin and endosulfan, lowest-observed-effect level (LOEL) for dicofol, and lowest effect level (LEL) for dichlorvos and permethrin, respectively, depending on the published data; (3) effective dose group, which received a mixture of pesticides added to basal diet at the respective doses reported to produce adverse effects; and (4) low dose group, which received a pesticide mixture added to the basal diet, where each pesticide was at its no-observed-effect level (NOEL). After 8 wk of treatment, reproductive parameters were evaluated. Sperm morphology, daily sperm production (DSP), sperm transit time through the epididymis, hormonal levels, and histopathological evaluation of testis and epididymis did not differ significantly among the groups. However, sperm motility was significantly decreased in animals that received a mixture of dieldrin, endosulfan, dicofol, dichlorvos, and permethrin, as well as in the group receiving dicofol alone. Exposure to the individual pesticides endosulfan, dichlorvos, and permethrin did not markedly affect sperm motility. The impairment of sperm motility in the mixture of pesticides at the NOEL level indicates that reproductive effects not seen with individual pesticides may occur in presence of several pesticides due to an additive effect. However, the pesticide mixtures did not appear to affect DSP or spermatogenesis despite reduced sperm motility.

Percepção dos efeitos do trabalho em turnos sobre a saúde e a vida social em funcionários da enfermagem em um hospital universitário do Estado de São Paulo

O trabalho em turnos existe desde o início da vida social dos homens, sendo utilizado em diferentes setores, como na indústria de produção de bens de consumo e de serviços. A área da saúde exige o sistema em turnos para manutenção de atividades durante 24 horas. Teve-se como objetivo identificar os sistemas de turnos em funcionários de enfermagem em um hospital universitário, avaliar a percepção sobre os prováveis efeitos do trabalho em turnos em sua saúde e vida social e o grau de participação desses funcionários na forma de organização de sua jornada. Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva e exploratória, cujos resultados foram obtidos mediante questionário aplicado a 348 funcionários da enfermagem do Hospital de Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, São Paulo. Dentre os resultados, observou-se que, em sua maioria, eles tinham menos de 40 anos, eram casados, do sexo feminino, com um filho pelo menos, cumprindo uma escala de turnos alternados, com freqüência de revezamento superior a quinze dias e referindo queixas de caráter neuro-psíquico, gastrintestinal e cardiovascular. Houve ainda queixas sobre relacionamento e tempo de convivência. Na maioria das vezes, era pouca a participação do funcionário na forma de organização de sua escala de trabalho.

Desempenho e características de carcaça de cordeiros alimentados em comedouros privativos recebendo rações contendo semente de girassol

Avaliaram-se o desempenho e as características quali e quantitativas da carcaça de cordeiros alimentados com ração contendo semente de girassol. Utilizaram-se 16 cordeiros distribuídos aleatoriamente em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com quatro tratamentos (0,00; 6,60; 13,20 ou 19,80% de semente de girassol na matéria natural), cada um com quatro repetições, totalizando 16 cordeiros. As dietas continham 2,65; 2,78; 2,89 e 2,93 Mcal/kg de energia metabolizável e 18,38; 18,75; 19,98 e 21,18% de proteína bruta, respectivamente, e foi fornecida ad libitum. Os cordeiros foram pesados a cada 14 dias e mantidos com as ovelhas até atingirem 28 kg, quando foram abatidos, após jejum de sólidos por 18 horas, para obtenção do peso vivo ao abate e registro do peso da carcaça quente e do conteúdo gastrintestinal, utilizados no cálculo do peso de corpo vazio. As carcaças foram mantidas por 24 horas em câmara frigorífica em temperatura de 5ºC para obtenção do peso de carcaça fria. Os níveis de semente de girassol na dieta não afetaram as características de desempenho dos cordeiros. No entanto, os pesos de carcaça quente e de carcaça fria; os pesos de pescoço, baixo, paleta, costela descoberta, costela, lombo; e os rendimentos comerciais de carcaça e costela descoberta, costela, lombo, paleta, pescoço e baixo sofreram efeito da adição da semente de girassol. O fornecimento de semente de girassol na dieta não influencia as características qualitativas e morfométricas da carcaça de cordeiros.

Evaluation testicular fine needle aspiration cytology and serum testosterone levels in dogs

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

Anteroventral third ventricle lesions impair cardiovascular responses to intravenous hypertonic saline infusion

The anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V) region is a critical area of the forebrain, acting on fluid and electrolyte balance and maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of lesions to the anteroventral third ventricle region on cardiovascular responses to intravenous hypertonic saline (HS) infusion, Male Wistar rats were anesthetized with urethane. The femoral artery and jugular vein were cannulated to record mean arterial pressure (MAP) and infuse hypertonic saline (3M NaCl, 0.18 mL/100 g bw, over 1 min), respectively. Renal blood flow (RBF) was recorded by ultrasonic transit-time flow probes. Renal vascular conductance (RVC) was calculated as renal blood flow to mean arterial pressure ratio and expressed as percentage of baseline. After hypertonic saline infusion in sham animals, renal blood flow and renal vascular conductance increased to 137+10% and 125+7% (10 min), and 141 +/- 10% and 133 +/- 10% (60 min), respectively. Increases in mean arterial pressure (20-min peak: 12 +/- 3 mm Hg) were also observed. An acute lesion in the AV3V region (DC, 2 mA 25s) 30 min before infusion abrogated the effects of hypertonic saline. Mean arterial pressure was unchanged and renal blood flow and renal vascular conductance were 107 +/- 7% and 103 +/- 6% (10 min), and 107 +/- 4 and 106 +/- 4% (60 min), respectively. Marked tachycardia was observed immediately after lesion. Responses of chronic sham or lesioned rats were similar to those of acute animals. However, in chronic lesioned rats, hypertonic saline induced sustained hypertension. These results demonstrate that integrity of the AV3V region is essential for the renal vasodilation that follows acute changes in extracellular fluid compartment composition. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Neuroendocrine and reproductive aspects of adult male rats exposed neonatally to an antiestrogen

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of a single dose of an estrogen antagonist-clomiphene-during neonatal life, on later neuroendocrine system and reproductive performance. Immediately after birth, male pups received clomiphene citrate (s.c.). At adulthood, although testosterone levels and wet weights of reproductive organs were not altered, the treatment induced an increased number of spermatozoa and a delay in the transit time in the cauda epididymis. Additionally, there was impairment of sexual behavior evidenced by a delay in the latencies to the first mount and first intromission. Treated rats also showed decreased dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmissions in the hypothalamus and decreased dopaminergic neurotransmission in the striatum. The decreased dopaminergic activity could be related to the lower sexual motivation observed. These results indicate the necessity of preventing exposure to drugs that may impair sexual differentiation, which can compromise later mating success as well as the capacity to generate descendants. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Disintegration of magnetic tablets in human stomach evaluated by alternate current Biosusceptometry

Oral administration is the most convenient route for drug therapy. The knowledge of the gastrointestinal transit and specific site for drug delivery is a prerequisite for development of dosage forms. The aim of this work was to demonstrate that is possible to monitor the disintegration process of film-coated magnetic tablets by multi-sensor alternate current Biosusceptometry (ACB) in vivo and in vitro. This method is based on the recording of signals produced by the magnetic tablet using a seven sensors array and signal-processing techniques. The disintegration was confirmed by signals analysis in healthy human volunteers' measurements and in vitro experiments. Results showed that ACB is efficient to characterize the disintegration of dosage forms in the stomach, being a research tool for the development of new pharmaceutical dosage forms. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Impairment of adult male reproductive function in rats exposed to ethanol since puberty

The objective of this work was to evaluate reproductive function in adult male rats exposed to ethanol since puberty. Male Wistar rats, 50 days old, received a liquid diet with 36% of the daily calories derived from ethanol or an isocaloric control diet for 55 days. The ethanol treatment impaired sexual behavior and only 22% of these rats reached ejaculation. The fertility of ethanol-treated animals was significantly reduced, mainly after natural mating. Serum testosterone levels, daily sperm production and sperm count in the epididymis were also significantly diminished after ethanol treatment, associated with an acceleration of the sperm transit time in the cauda epididymidis, decrease in sperm motility and increased percentage of abnormal shaped sperm cells. The results showed that chronic consumption of ethanol beginning at puberty impairs the reproductive function of adult male rats. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Gastric motility evaluated by electrogastrography and alternating current biosusceptometry in dogs

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

Reproductive effects in male rats exposed to diuron

Diuron is a ureic herbicide considered to have very low toxicity. The present study evaluated several aspects of reproductive toxicity of diuron in adult male rats. Diuron was diluted in corn oil and administered by oral gavage to groups of 18-20 rats at doses of 0, 125 or 250 mg/kg per day for 30 days; the control group received only the corn oil vehicle. At the end of the treatment period, approximately half the animals from each group were assigned to one of two terminal assessment lines: (1) reproductive organ, liver and kidney weights; measurement of diuron concentrations in liver and kidney; plasma testosterone determinations; evaluation of daily sperm production per testis; sperm number and sperm transit time in the epididymis; or (2) sexual behavior assessment during cohabitation with a receptive female; fertility and pregnancy outcome after natural mating; testicular, epididymal, kidney and liver histopathology; sperm morphology. After 30 days of oral diuron treatment, there were no treatment-related changes in body weights, but dose-related diuron residues were detected in the liver of all treated rats and absolute and relative liver weights were increased in both groups. There were no statistically significant differences between the treated and control groups obtained in plasma testosterone concentrations, or in parameters of daily sperm production, sperm reserves in the epididymis, sperm morphology or measured components of male sexual behavior. on the other hand, the number of fetuses in the litters from diuron-treated rats was slightly smaller than litters from control rats. Therefore, although the results did not indicate that diuron exposure resulted in direct male reproductive toxicity in the rat, they suggest that additional studies should be undertaken to investigate the possible effects on fertility and reproductive performance. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Fertility of rat epididymal sperm after chemically and surgically induced sympathectomy

Guanethidine, a chemical that selectively blocks sympathetic noradrenergic neurons, was used to investigate the role of sympathetic innervation in the fertility of rat epididymal sperm, using both natural mating and in utero insemination protocols. This animal model correlates, at least in part, with spinal cord injury (SCI) in men. Adult male rats were treated daily by i.p. injections, for 21 or 42 days, with 0 or 6.25 mg/kg guanethidine. To compare the effects of guanethidine-induced sympathectomy with those following surgically induced sympathectomy, the inferior mesenteric ganglion and the proximal hypogastric nerves were removed in another group of rats. Both chemically and surgically induced sympathectomy increased the weight of the epididymis and seminal vesicles/coagulating glands as well as the number and the transit time of cauda epididymal sperm. Neither serum testosterone levels nor LH was affected by treatment with guanethidine. Using natural mating, no litters were produced by guanethidine-treated rats. Chemically denervated rats failed to produce copulatory plugs or ejaculate into the uterus. However, distal cauda epididymal sperm from chemically or surgically denervated rats displayed normal fertilization ability (80%) using in utero inseminations. In addition, the sperm of denervated rats did not show abnormal sperm chromatin structure using an assay that detects DNA damage. We conclude that sympathectomy delays the transit of sperm through the cauda epididymidis and produces ejaculatory dysfunction but does not compromise sperm quality in the distal cauda epididymidis. Moreover, these data provide compelling evidence that there is no association between the prolonged transit time of sperm within the epididymis, i.e., pre-ejaculatory sperm aging, and the fertility of those sperm, which has important implications for artificial insemination using sperm from men with SCI.

Sexual behaviour, sperm quantity and quality after short-term streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemia in rats

Studies of diabetes mellitus in the streptozotocin rat model suggest that sexual dysfunctions may result from diabetes-induced alterations of the neuroendocrine-reproductive tract axis. Our investigation was performed to better define the effects of short-term hyperglycaemia on rat epididymal sperm quantity, quality and transit time, using both natural mating and artificial in utero insemination protocols. Male rats were made diabetic with streptozotocin (sc, 40 mg/kg), whereas controls received vehicle. Sexual behaviour was tested after 15 days and sperm fertilizing ability was checked 22 days after the injection through natural mating and artificial in utero insemination. Other parameters such as daily sperm production, testosterone levels, as well as sperm morphology and motility were also investigated. Fifty per cent of the diabetic animals showed no copulatory behaviour during tests and the number of animals reaching ejaculation was smaller in the diabetic group when compared with the control group (33% vs. 83%). Diabetes resulted in decreased body and reproductive organ weights, as well as diminished sperm counts in the testis and epididymis, that were associated with diminution of plasmatic testosterone levels. After natural mating, there was a decrease in the fertility in the diabetic adult male rats (25.5%) compared with control animals (81.5%). However, distal cauda epididymal sperm from diabetic rats displayed normal fertilization ability (91.5%) using in utero insemination. There were no effects of hyperglycaemia on sperm transit time in the epididymis and on spermatogenesis. Our results indicate that diabetes mellitus produces reproductive dysfunction, but does not compromise sperm fertilizing ability in the cauda epididymis in this experimental model.

Effects of methylmercury on male reproductive functions in Wistar rats

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