Redescription and reevaluation of the generic status of Leptodactylus dantasi (Amphibia, Anura, Leptodactylidae) and description of its unusual advertisement call

Leptodactylus dantasi Bokermann is redescribed from adult specimens collected in Parque Nacional da Serra do Divisor, State of Acre, Brazil, near the border between the Brazilian state of Acre and Peru. We propose the inclusion of this species in the genus Hydrolaetare. A new diagnostic character observed for the genus is the presence of fringes of fingers, and fringes and webbing of toes, finely serrate; the serrate edge of the fringe and webbing can be keratinized in males, females, and subadults. Hydrolaetare dantasi (Bokermann) is characterized by robust body and limbs, a broad and depressed head, slightly shorter than wide, and long, pointed and basally webbed toes. Hydrolaetare dantasi differs from the only other species in this genus, Hydrolaetare schmidti (Cochran and Goin), mainly by having toes webbed basally (fully webbed in H. schmidti). The advertisement call of H. dantasi is composed of two components; an initial note produced by the impact of the vocal sac against the ground and a second note corresponding to a long whistle of ascending frequency. The initial note is a percussive sound and represents an unusual form of sound emission in anurans; the second note is a vocalization.

Laryngeal electromyography in movement disorders: Preliminary data

This study describes preliminary laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) data and botulinum toxin treatment in patients with dysphonia due to movement disorders. Twenty-five patients who had been clinically selected for botulinum toxin administration were examined, 19 with suspected laryngeal dystonia or spasmodic dysphonia (SD), 5 with vocal tremor, and 1 with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS). LEMG evaluations were performed before botulinum toxin administration using monopolar electrodes. Electromyography was consistent with dystonia in 14 patients and normal in 5, and differences in frequency suggesting essential tremor in 3 and Parkinson tremors in 2. The different LEMG patterns and significant improvement in our patients from botulinum toxin therapy has led us to perform laryngeal electromyography as a routine in UNICAMP movement disorders ambulatory.

O espectro médio de longo termo na pesquisa e na clínica fonoaudiológica.

BACKGROUND: One of the great difficulties in evaluating a voice is the judgment of quality through the perceptual auditive analysis--although frequently used--, as it is influenced by socioeconomic and cultural aspects as well as individual preferences. Many are the adjectives and methods used in this assessment, especially because of the subjectivity involved in the process, leading to incompatibilities between listeners and difficulties in reaching a consensus on the use of this or that terminology. In such a context, the voice laboratory and more specifically the acoustic computerized analysis, has guided and complemented speech-language treatments. Among the several possibilities of spectrographic analysis, the (Long-Term Average Spectrum--LTAS) quantifies the quality of voices, pointing differences between gender, age, professional--spoken and sang--and dysphonic voices. The LTAS has been used a lot in researches that investigate voice. As it evidences the contribution of the glottic source and of resonance to the quality of voice, it provides objective parameters for the evaluation of this aspect which usually depends on our auditive perception. AIM: to demonstrate how LTAS can be applied in voice research and in the speech-language therapy practice, describing both the technical aspects required for the production and interpretation of results, and its limitations. CONCLUSION: The area of voice research has developed a lot in these last two decades especially because of the advent of the voice and speech laboratory. For this reason, the knowledge about the applicability of more tools for voice analysis, as the LTAS, as well as the existing need for more studies in this area, will most certainly contribute for the creation of new research areas not only in the field of professional voice but also in the field of therapy.

Estudo morfológico e histomorfométrico sobre variações sazonais do ducto deferente de codorna da variedade italiana

In the autumn the vas deferens of the Italian variety of domestic quail appeared as a single, thin, and straight duct along its total extension. Thus, transversal histologic sections of this duct showed a circular tubular shape. The pseudoestratified columnar epithelium that lined the vas deferens presented longitudinal folds which invaded the lumen frequently empty of spermatozoa. Although in the winter, spring and summer the usual morphological appearance of the quail's vas deferens was seen as a highly coiling duct. So, each transversal histologic section of the vas deferens, in all the segments, showed parallel cut sections of the duct being irregular in shape and variable in number and interconnected by the adventitial loose connective tissue. In these observations, the tubular lumen was totally performed by spermatozoa and seminal fluid. Consequently, with previous base on the testis kinetics of the Italian quail variety, it was concluded that the spermatozoa production, followed by emission, storage and ejaculation of spermatozoa through the vas deferens did not stop during the winter, spring and summer, but ceased in the autumn the quiescent phase of the circannual reproductive cycle in this bird.

Anovulvar cleft and vaginal prolapse-hyperplasia in a bitch

This report presents the case of a nine-month-old bitch with incomplete occlusion of the skin and mucosa between the anus and dorsal commissure of the vulva. This anomaly, known as anovulvar cleft, was associated with a vaginal prolapse-hyperplasia. Anovulvar cleft is a rare condition in bitches and is caused by incomplete closure of the dorsal urogenital folds. Anovulvar cleft can lead to clitoritis, abrasion, dryness and devitalisation of the smooth exposed mucosa. Surgery can correct the condition. In the present study, surgical resection of the hyperplasic vaginal tissue associated with perineoplasty using an inverted V-shaped incision showed excellent results. An ovariohysterectomy was also performed to prevent recurrence of the vaginal prolapse-hyperplasia. © 2007 British Small Animal Veterinary Association.

Doxazosin reduces cell proliferation and increases collagen fibers in rat prostatic lobes

We investigated the effects of doxazosin (Dox), an alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist used clinically for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), on the rat prostatic complex by assessing structural parameters, collagen fiber content, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Adult Wistar rats were treated with Dox (25 mg/kg per day), and the ventral (VP), dorsolateral, and anterior prostate (AP) regions of the prostate complex were excised at 3, 7, and 30 days after treatment. At 24 h before being killed, the rats were injected once with 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU; thymidine analog) to label mitotically active cells. The prostates were weighed and processed for histochemistry, morphometry-stereology, immunohistochemistry for BrdU, Western blotting for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and the TUNEL reaction for apoptosis. Dox-treated prostate lobes at day 3 presented increased weight, an enlarged ductal lumen, low cubical epithelial cells, reduced epithelial folds, and stretched smooth muscle cells. However, at day 30, the prostates exhibited a weight reduction of ∼20% and an increased area of collagen and reticular fibers in the stromal space. Dox also reduced epithelial cell proliferation and increased apoptosis in the three prostatic lobes. Western blotting for PCNA confirmed the reduction of cell proliferation by Dox, with the AP and VP being more affected than the dorsal prostate. Thus, Dox treatment alters epithelial cell behavior and prostatic tissue mechanical demand, inducing tissue remodeling in which collagen fibers assume a major role. © 2007 Springer-Verlag.

Obesidade e sintomas de depressão, ansiedade e desesperança em mulheres sedentárias e não sedentárias

The aim of this field study was to verify if there is a relation between obesity and symptoms of depression, anxiety and hopelessness in 40 women aged 30,35 on average (± 8,60), divided into two groups: non-sedentary ones, characterized for doing a physical activity at least three times a week for three weeks in a row and sedentary ones, characterized by not practicing any type of regular physical activity when recruited. The method consisted of: objective evaluations of humor, through Beck Inventories of Anxiety (BAI), Depression (BDI) and Hopelessness (BHS) and Physical Evaluation, including total body mass, height, waist and hip circumferences and skin folds thickness. Calculations of the body mass index (BMI), of the waist/hip index (WHI) and of the percentage of corporal fat (%F) were performed in order to evaluate the presence and level of obesity. Results of the analysis of regression to square minimum supported the initial hypothesis concerning the existence of a relation between obesity and psychic symptoms only in sedentary women (BDI/WHI, p=0,035, BDI/BMI, p=0,009, BDI/%G, p=0,019, BAI/BMI, p=0,009, BAI/%G, p=0,037, BHS/WHI, p=0,025, BHS/BMI, p=0,041), once the relation of dependency could not be confirmed in non-sedentary women BDI/WHI, p=0,750, BDI/BMI, p=0,141, BDI/%G, p=0,064, BAI/WHI, p=0,729, BAI/BMI, p=0,384, BAI/%G, p=0,246, BHS/WHI, p=0,491, BHS/BMI, p=0,986, BHS/%G, p=0,322) and the greater the level of obesity, the greater the level of psychic symptoms in both groups. These observations seem to point out that the practice of physical activities was a factor of minimization of presence and intensity of psychic symptoms in non-sedentary women.

Autologous orbicularis muscle for filling facial foldsan experimental and clinical study

Purpose: To present a technique for filling facial folds by using autologous orbicularis oculi muscle, based on an experimental model. Methods: two studies are presented: (1) an experimental study using 15 albino guinea-pigs from which a strip of the sural triceps muscle was removed and implanted in the subcutaneous tissue of the dorsal area. The animals were sacrificed 7, 30 and 60 days after the implantation, and the material was histologically evaluated. And (2%) an interventional prospective clinical trial carried out on 20 patients referred to blepharoplasty surgery. They received autologous preseptal orbicularis muscle for filling facial folds. The results where evaluated by patients satisfaction and clinical exam. Results: the sural tricep muscle, when implanted in the subcutaneous tissue, resulted in fibrosis. The patients whom received autologous orbicularis muscle implanted for filling facial folds showed that the procedure can be successfully carried out. Conclusions: autologous preseptal orbicularis muscle is a good material for filling facial folds. Cicatricial tissue will be formed on its implantation site, filling the tissue gap that forms the folds on the skin.