Hair loss and endocrine dermatosis on horses raised in a Mimosa pudica var. unijuga-invaded area.

A Mimosa pudica var. unijuga-associated toxicity affecting horses occurred in Araguari, Triângulo Mineiro, Southeast Brazil. Affected horses had gradual hair loss of the mane and tail and endocrine dermatosis after grazing for three months during the dry season on a paddock invaded by the plant. The main histological lesions include compact ortho-keratotic hyperkeratosis and numerous flame follicles. Toxicological analysis by HPLC-UV demonstrated 0.8 mg/g of mimosine in the leaves.

A New Two-Staged Method for Total Columellar Reconstruction.

The nasal columella is considered by many to be the most difficult nasal aesthetic subunit to reconstruct, due to its delicate anatomy and central location. Full thickness columellar defects are particularly challenging. Being in the midline of the face, the nasal columella receives vascularization from terminal arterial branches, so adjacent local flaps have limited arcs of rotation or may be too bulky, thus withdrawing the options for reconstruction. Forehead flaps, due to their reliable vascularization and excellent aesthetic result, are the workhorse for reconstructing most nasal defects. However, a low hairline in the forehead may be an obstacle to their use in columellar reconstruction, considering the distal position of the defect. We present a technique designed for total columellar reconstruction using a two-staged forehead flap in a 9-year-old child. The method is particularly useful for patients with a low hairline, avoiding transfer of hair-bearing skin to the reconstructed columella. Laryngoscope, 2024.

Prevalence of Morphometric Vertebral Fractures After Bariatric Surgery and Its Relationship with Bone Mineral Density and Bone Markers.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery (BS) can lead to bone loss and an increased fracture risk. METHODS: To determine the morphometric vertebral fracture (MVF) prevalence, and its relationship with bone mineral density (BMD), and biomarker's turnover after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG), we analyzed post-surgery X-rays of the spine in 80 patients (88% female, 51% RYGB, age 41.2 [6.8] years) from 117 participants' retrospective cohort (1-2 years, >2 and <5 years, and >5 years). We still analyzed body composition and BMD by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and bone parameters. RESULTS: MVF prevalence was 17.5% (14/80), with no statistical difference between groups (p = 0.210). RYGB group had a higher prevalence of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) (PTH ≥ 65 pg/ml; 18.4% vs 7.8%, respectively, p = 0.04), PTH (61.3 vs 49.5 pg/ml, p = 0.001), CTX (0.766 [0.29] ng/ml vs 0.453 [0.30] ng/ml, p = 0.037), and AP (101.3 [62.4] U/L vs 123.9 [60.9] U/L, p = 0.027) than the SG group. Up to 5 years postoperatively, RYGB had a lower total (1.200 [0.087] vs 1.236 [0.100] g/cm2, p = 0.02), femoral neck (1.034 [0.110] vs 1.267 [0.105], p = 0.005), and total femur BMD (1.256 [0.155] vs 1.323 [0.167], p = 0.002) than SG group. We found no statistically significant difference between the MFV (+) and MVF (-) groups regarding age, sex, BMI, surgery time, BMD, or bone and metabolic parameters, including leptin. CONCLUSION: We found a high prevalence of MVF after BS with no differences between RYGB and SG.

Common findings on head computed tomography in neonates with confirmed congenital Zika syndrome / Achados frequentes na tomografia computadorizada do crânio em neonatos com síndrome congênita pelo vírus Zika confirmada

Abstract Objective: To describe head computed tomography (CT) findings in neonates with congenital Zika virus infection confirmed in cerebrospinal fluid. Materials and Methods: This was a study of 16 newborn infants who exhibited abnormal head CT findings during an outbreak of Zika virus infection. Those infants had the following features: brain imaging suggestive of congenital infection; brain calcifications and negative results on tests for other main infectious causes of primary microcephaly, namely toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus, rubella, and HIV; positivity for Zika virus on IgM antibody capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in cerebrospinal fluid. Results: Decreased brain volume was observed in 13 (81.2%) of the infants. All of the infants showed cortico-subcortical calcifications, mainly located in the frontal lobe. In 15 neonates (93.7%), ventriculomegaly was observed. Colpocephaly was a common finding, being observed in 10 patients (62.5%). A prominent occipital bone was identified in 9 patients (56.2%). Conclusion: Our study proves that Zika virus infection can cause congenital brain damage, with or without microcephaly. Some predominant head CT findings in neonates with congenital Zika virus infection, although not pathognomonic, are strongly suggestive of a pattern.

Resumo Objetivo: Descrever os achados da tomografia computadorizada (TC) de crânio em neonatos com infecção congênita pelo vírus Zika confirmada no líquido cefalorraquiano. Materiais e Métodos: Série de 16 recém-nascidos que apresentaram achados anormais na TC de crânio durante o surto de infecção por vírus Zika. Essas crianças apresentavam: imagens cerebrais sugestivas de infecção congênita; calcificações do parênquima cerebral e sorologias negativas para as outras principais causas infecciosas de microcefalia primária, como toxoplasmose, citomegalovírus, rubéola; IgM pelo método ELISA para vírus Zika positivo no líquido cefalorraquiano. Resultados: Redução volumétrica do parênquima encefálico foi observada em 13 (81,2%) pacientes. Todos os recém-nascidos apresentaram calcificações na junção corticossubcortical, localizadas principalmente no lobo frontal (100%). Em 15 neonatos (93,7%), ventriculomegalia esteve presente. Colpocefalia foi um achado comum, ocorrendo em 10 pacientes (62,5%). Proeminência do osso occipital foi identificada em 9 pacientes (56,2%). Conclusão: Nosso estudo comprova que a infecção pelo vírus Zika pode causar lesões encefálicas congênitas, com e sem microcefalia. Há um conjunto de achados tomográficos predominantes na TC de crânio em recém-nascidos com infecção congênita pelo vírus Zika, não patognomônicos, mas fortemente sugestivos de um padrão.

Fatores de estresse relacionado ao trabalho: as vozes dos atendentes de telemarketing / Stress factors related to working conditions: what telemarketing attendants have to say

A elevada rotatividade e o crescimento do número de casos de transtornos mentais entre os atendentes de telemarketing é resultado do trabalho penoso a que esses trabalhadores são submetidos. Este artigo teve por objetivo analisar os fatores organizacionais e psicossociais relacionados ao estresse e sofrimento psíquico percebidos pelos atendentes de uma empresa de telemarketing. Foi aplicado um questionário de avaliação do estresse no trabalho e criou-se um grupo focal para a discussão e identificação das principais categorias relacionadas com o sofrimento psíquico desses trabalhadores. A falta de controle e a falta de autonomia foram os principais fatores de estresse e sofrimento psíquico nos dois instrumentos, tanto no quantitativo, quanto nos grupos focais (qualitativo), ambos adotados neste estudo. Na percepção dos atendentes, a falta de transparência nos critérios de promoção e reconhecimento, a precariedade do suporte e o apoio da chefia e os relacionamentos conflitantes na organização pesquisada também influenciam negativamente a saúde mental destes sujeitos.

The high turnover and the increased incidence of mental disorders among telemarketing workers result from the burdensome work they are submitted to. This article evaluated the organizational and psychosocial factors related to stress and psychic suffering perceived by the attendants of a telemarketing company. A questionnaire was used to assess stress at work and a focal group was created for the discussion and identification of key categories related to psychological distress among these workers. The lack of control and autonomy were the main factors related to stress and psychic suffering in both quantitative and qualitative instruments used in this study. In the perception of the attendants, the aspects related to career and recognition, support and leadership, relationships and peer support are relevant to the mental health of these individuals.

Tratamento das lesões osteocondrais do talo através da técnica de microperfurações assistidas por artroscopia / Treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus by means of thearthroscopy-assisted microperforation technique

OBJETIVO: Analisar pacientes acometidos por fratura osteocondral do talo tratados cirurgicamente através de microperfurações assistidas por artroscopia. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo de 24 pacientes com lesão osteocondral do talo submetidos à microperfurações assistidas por videoartroscopia do tornozelo. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos ao sistema de avaliação da American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) no pré e pós-operatório. RESULTADOS: Foram observados 19 homens e cinco mulheres, com idade média de 35,3 anos (mínima de 17 anos e máxima de 54 anos). O tempo mínimo de seguimento foi de dois anos (máximo de 39 meses). Todos os pacientes apresentaram melhora do escore da AOFAS após o procedimento cirúrgico, com média de elevação do escore em torno de 22,5 pontos. CONCLUSÃO: A técnica de microperfurações assistidas por videoartroscopia consiste em boa opção para o tratamento das lesões osteocondrais do talo e fornece bons resultados funcionais.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate patients affected by osteochondral fractures of the talus who were treated surgically by means of arthroscopy-assisted microperforation. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out on 24 patients with osteochondral lesions of the talus who underwent microperforation assisted by videoarthroscopy of the ankle. They were evaluated using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score system before and after the operation. RESULTS: There were 19 men and 5 women, with a mean age of 35.3 years (minimum of 17 years and maximum of 54 years). The minimum follow-up was two years (maximum of 39 months). All the patients showed an improvement in AOFAS score after surgery, with an average improvement of around 22.5 points. CONCLUSION: Videoarthroscopy-assisted microperforation is a good option for treating osteochondral lesions of the talus and provides good functional results.