Sample size effects for Lévy flight of photons in atomic vapors.

Lévy flight superdiffusion consists of random walks characterized by very long jumps that dominate the transport. However, the finite size of real samples introduces truncation of long jumps and modifies the transport properties. We measure typical Levy flight parameters for photon diffusion in atomic vapor characterized by a Voigt absorption profile. We observe the change of Lévy parameter as a function of truncation length. We associate this variation with size-dependent contributions from different spectral regions of the emission profile with the Doppler core dominating the transport for thin samples and Lorentz wings for thick samples. Monte Carlo simulations are implemented to support the interpretation of results.

Pediculectomy and fenestration for spinal cord decompression of the lumbar spine of a bush dog (Speothos venaticus) - case report / [Pediculectomia e fenestração para descompressão medular da coluna lombar em um cachorro-vinagre (Speothos venaticus) - relato de caso]

A captive adult male bush dog (Speothos venaticus) was referred to our Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital from a local zoo due to a two-week history of progressive hind limb gait impairment and ataxia, non-responsive to clinical management. Computed tomography revealed decreased disc space at L3 - L4 level, with probable disc extrusion narrowing the right side of the spinal canal, compressing the spinal cord. We opted to surgically remove the disc material using both fenestration and right lateral pediculectomy (mini-hemilaminectomy) techniques. Twelve days after surgery there was mild residual proprioceptive ataxia. Gait was fully regained with remission of the neurological deficits around the 30th postoperative day. This is - to the best of our knowledge - the first successful report of a lumbar intervertebral disc extrusion in a bush dog (Speothos venaticus) surgically treated by pediculectomy and disc fenestration.(AU)

Um cachorro-vinagre (Speothos venaticus), macho, adulto, mantido em cativeiro, foi encaminhado ao Hospital Veterinário Universitário pelo zoológico local com histórico de duas semanas de comprometimento progressivo da marcha dos membros posteriores e ataxia, que não responderam ao tratamento clínico. Tomografia computadorizada revelou diminuição do espaço em disco no nível L3 - L4, com provável extrusão de disco estreitando o lado direito do canal vertebral, comprimindo a medula espinhal. Optamos por remover cirurgicamente esse material do disco usando técnicas de fenestração e pediculectomia lateral direita (mini-hemilaminectomia). Doze dias após a cirurgia, houve melhora na deambulação, com ataxia proprioceptiva residual leve. A marcha foi totalmente recuperada com remissão dos déficits neurológicos por volta do trigésimo dia de pós-operatório. Este é - até onde sabemos - o primeiro relato bem-sucedido de uma extrusão de disco intervertebral lombar em um cachorro-vinagre (Speothos venaticus) tratado cirurgicamente por pediculectomia e fenestração de disco.(AU)

Intercostal celiotomy for removal of proventriculus foreign body in muscovy duck (Cairina moschata): case report / Celiotomia intercostal para remoção de corpo estranho do proventrículo de pato-do-mato (Cairina Moschata): relato de caso]

Ducks, geese and swans are included in the Anatidae family, Anseriformes order. The leading injuries causes to waterfowl are tangling in fishing materials and foreign bodies ingestion. A muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) was referred for treatment at Veterinary Teaching Hospital and a radiographic examination showed the presence of a hook in the coelom. Surgical exposure and incision of the proventriculus was made through left intercostal access and the hook along with a fishing line were gently removed. The animal began to feed voluntarily at the fourth post-operative day and two weeks after the procedure the patient was clinically well and was released to wild. This surgical approach differs in some aspects from the listed techniques in the known literature. It proved to be a viable and appropriate alternative to treat this affection since it did not cause any trans- or post-operative complications and enabled rapid recovery and subsequent patient release.(AU)

Patos, gansos e cisnes estão incluídos na família Anatidae, ordem Anseriformes. Entre as principais causas de ferimentos em aves aquáticas, o embaraço com materiais de pesca e a ingestão de corpos estranhos são os mais citados. Um pato-do-mato (Cairina moschata) foi encaminhado para tratamento no Hospital Veterinário e, mediante exame radiográfico, verificou-se a presença de um anzol na cavidade celomática, provavelmente no proventrículo. Utilizando-se o acesso intercostal esquerdo, foi feita a exposição e a incisão do proventrículo. Por meio dessa incisão, o anzol com um segmento de linha de pesca foi delicadamente retirado. O animal começou a se alimentar voluntariamente no quarto dia pós-operatório e duas semanas após o procedimento o paciente se encontrava clinicamente bem e apto à soltura. Esta abordagem cirúrgica difere, em alguns aspectos, das técnicas listadas na literatura e provou ser uma alternativa viável e adequada ao caso, não causando complicações e permitindo recuperação rápida, com posterior soltura do animal.(AU)

Corpectomia lateral parcial para o tratamento de compressão ventral extradural crônica entre T9-T10 em um cão / Partial lateral corpectomy for treatment of chronic ventral extradural compression between T9-T10 in a dog

Objetivou-se relatar um caso de protrusão do disco intervertebral com localização atípica e descrever a técnica cirúrgica de corpectomia lateral parcial no tratamento da afecção em um cão. Um cão de sete anos de idade, macho, raça Pug, foi atendido com ataxia proprioceptiva dos membros pélvicos havia três meses, associada à doença do disco intervertebral entre a nona e 10ª vértebras torácicas. Após um mês de tratamento conservativo sem melhora, o paciente foi encaminhado para o tratamento cirúrgico, quando foi realizada corpectomia lateral parcial esquerda para descompressão da medula espinhal. Após a cirurgia, o paciente apresentou melhora considerável do quadro, sendo a técnica eficaz na remoção da compressão extradural, sem manipulação da medula espinhal ou outras complicações.(AU)

The aim of this study is to report a case of intervertebral disc protrusion with atypical location and describe the surgical technique of partial lateral corpectomy in the treatment of this disease in a dog. A dog, seven -years-old, male, Pug breed was attended with proprioceptive ataxia of the hind limbs for three months correlated with intervertebral disc disease between the 9th and 10th thoracic vertebrae. After a month of conservative treatment without improvements, the patient was referred for surgical treatment, which was performed as a partial left lateral corpectomy for decompression of the spinal cord. After surgery, the patient showed considerable improvement, this technique being shown to be effective in the removal of extradural compression, without manipulation of the spinal cord or other complications.(AU)

Zygomatic arch fracture in a dog treated with Veterinary Cuttable Plate - case report / Fratura de arco zigomático em um cão tratado com placa veterinária cortável - relato de caso

The purpose of this paper is to describe a case of a right zygomatic arch fracture in a 5-year-old male Labrador Retriever diagnosed with aid of 3D Computed Tomography reconstruction. Because of the depressed fracture and interference with the eyeball, surgical repair of the right zygomatic arch fracture was performed with open reduction and stabilization with an 11-hole, 2.7mm Veterinary Cuttable Plate. Radiographs taken 60 days after surgery revealed that fracture healing occurred without complications with improved function and cosmetic appearance. Ninety days after surgery the patient was clinically discharged.(AU)

O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever um caso de fratura do arco zigomático direito em um Labrador Retriever, macho, de cinco anos de idade, diagnosticado com reconstrução 3D de tomografia computadorizada. Devido à depressão da fratura e à interferência com o globo ocular, reparação cirúrgica da fratura do arco zigomático direito foi realizada com redução aberta e estabilização com uma placa veterinária cortável de 2,7mm e 11 orifícios. As radiografias realizadas 60 dias após a cirurgia revelaram que a consolidação óssea ocorreu sem complicações, com melhor funcionalidade e aparência estética. Noventa dias após a cirurgia, o paciente teve alta clínica.(AU)

Placement of vertebral screws for spinal stabilization and distraction in a dog with disc-associate cervical spondylomyelopathy: case report / Uso de parafusos vertebrais para distração e estabilização espinhal em um cão com espondilomielopatia cervical disco-associada: relato de caso

A 10-year-old male Rottweiler was evaluated for a 2-month history of recurrent forelimb weakness. Neurologic examination revealed proprioceptive ataxia, tetraparesis and moderate cervical pain. Disk-associated cervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM) with static lesion at C3-4 was diagnosed based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The dog was surgically treated by a ventral slot procedure and distraction-stabilization of the vertebral bodies through insertion of vertebral screws with transverse connective bars. The patient had favorable clinical outcome. Neurologic assessment performed 120 days after surgery showed absence of neurologic defects. Radiographic assessment performed at the same time indicated adequate spinal cord decompression although vertebral fusion was not achieved. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of distraction-stabilization with vertebral (pedicle) screws to treat CSM in a dog. The treatment was well tolerated with no complications and excellent outcome and can be a viable option for this condition.(AU)

Um cão, macho, adulto, Rotweiller de 10 anos de idade, foi atendido com histórico de claudicação do membro torácico esquerdo com evolução para fraqueza havia aproximadamente dois meses. Ao exame neurológico, observou-se ataxia proprioceptiva nos quatro membros e dor cervical moderada. Mediante ressonância magnética, espondilomielopatia cervical disco-associada com a característica estática da compressão C3-C4 foi diagnosticada. Realizou-se cirurgia descompressiva por meio de slot ventral e estabilização-distração com o uso de parafusos vertebrais e barras conectoras. O paciente apresentou evolução clínica favorável do quadro. A evolução foi progressiva e, no último retorno, 120 dias após a cirurgia, não apresentou nenhum déficit neurológico ou sinal de falha do implante nas imagens radiográficas; no entanto, não foi evidenciada fusão vertebral. Pelo conhecimento dos autores, esse é o primeiro relato de EMC disco-associada tratada por distração e estabilização com parafusos vertebrais (pediculares) em um cão. A fixação espinhal por meio do uso de parafusos vertebrais foi uma alternativa viável no caso apresentado.(AU)

Transferência de autoenxerto osteocondral para tratamento de osteocondrite dissecante em côndilo femoral de cão / Osteochondral autograft transfer for treatment of osteochondritis dissecans of the femoral condyle in a dog

Na osteocondrite dissecante (OCD), a articulação do ombro é mais comumente afetada, mas o joelho é ocasionalmente lesionado, o que, muitas vezes, passa desapercebido. O tratamento cirúrgico precoce é indicado para remover cartilagem solta, aliviar a dor e minimizar a artrose. Benefícios putativos da transferência de autoenxerto osteocondral em relação às técnicas convencionais incluem a reconstrução exata do contorno subcondral e articular, recobrimento da superfície com cartilagem hialina e criação de uma barreira imediata entre o líquido sinovial e o osso subcondral. O objetivo deste trabalho é relatar a técnica de transferência de autoenxerto osteocondral para o tratamento da osteocondrite do côndilo femoral. Um cão da raça Bull Terrier foi tratado cirurgicamente por meio da técnica de transferência de autoenxerto osteocondral, após ter sido diagnosticado com OCD do côndilo femoral, apresentando melhora clínica significativa e completa recuperação aos 30 dias de pós-operatório.(AU)

In osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), the shoulder joint is most commonly involved, but the stifle is occasionally involved and often goes unnoticed. Early surgical treatment is indicated to remove loose cartilage and minimize osteoartrosis. Putative benefits of Osteochondral Autograft Transfer (OAT) over conventional techniques include accurate reconstruction of subchondral and articular contour, resurfacing with hyaline or hyaline-like cartilage, and creation of an immediate barrier between synovial fluid and subchondral bone. The purpose of this work is to report the technique of OATs for the treatment of osteochondritis of the femoral condyle. A canine attended the Laboratory of Comparative Orthopedics and Traumatology USP-FMVZ underwent surgery after being diagnosed with OCD of the femoral condyle, with significant clinical improvement at 30 days postoperatively.(AU)

Tibial osteosynthesis in a guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) / Osteossíntese de tíbia em um cobaio (Cavia porcellus)

A guinea pig was presented with left pelvic limb lameness after unknown trauma. Radiographs revealed complete oblique diaphyseal fracture of the distal third of the left tibia and fibula. The guinea pig was treated surgically with an intramedullary pin. The day after surgery the guinea pig was using the limb comfortably (grade 1/5 lameness). Callus formation was obtained 21 days after surgery without complications.

Um cobaio foi atendido com claudicação de membro pélvico esquerdo após trauma desconhecido. Radiografias revelaram fratura completa oblíqua da diáfise do terço distal da tíbia e fíbula esquerdas. O cobaio foi tratado cirurgicamente com um pino intramedular. No dia seguinte à cirurgia, o paciente utilizava o membro confortavelmente (grau 1/5 de claudicação). Calo ósseo foi obtido 21 dias após a cirurgia, sem complicações.

Therapeutic nanosystems for oncology nanomedicine.

Cancer is a complex disease which includes many pathologies featuring abnormal growth of healthy cells, invasion and metastization. Cellular uncontrolled growth increases the amount of abnormal cells, these cells reach the blood stream and other healthy tissues giving rise to secondary tumors. Even though great progresses have been made in understanding cancer aetiology and in the development of new anticancer drugs, cancer still remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Most common cancers include breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer and brain cancer. Conventional chemotherapeutics have proven to be inefficient in cancer treatment due to lack of specificity and poor drug accumulation in tumors. In addition, they cause severe side effects. Available treatments must be prolonged on time to achieve some therapeutic effect; however, this often leads to the development of multidrug resistance by tumor cells. Nanotechnology platforms are, therefore, being exploited as potential alternatives. Nanosystems have been reported to target and deliver the drug in situ to selectively kill cancer cells, decreasing toxicity on healthy organs and tissues as well as side effects. Furthermore, some nanosystems have been reported to overcome tumor resistance, at least to some extent. Over the years several nanosystems have been proposed to diagnose and treat cancers, such as dendrimers, polymeric micelles, superparamagnetic iron oxide cores, gold nanoparticles, liposomes and other lipid nanoparticles. Due to their small size and biocompatibility, they can reach the target site without being detected by the immune system and suffer cellular uptake or deliver the drug in the tumor vicinity.

Project Pró-natal: population-based study of perinatal and infant mortality in natal, Northeast Brazil.

The Pró-Natal project is a collaborative initiative that aims to improve maternal and infant health in a deprived community in Natal, Northeast Brazil. To assess the perinatal and infant mortality in this population of 40,000, we have collected over a 2-year period a consecutive series of 39 autopsy examinations on deaths under 1 year of age. During this period there were 2212 live births in the study population. The 14 perinatal deaths are described using the Wrigglesworth classification, and the 25 infant deaths, using a clinicopathological system. The contribution of normally formed stillbirths was small (14%), which probably reflects the underreporting of stillbirths in this community. The most common cause of death in the live births was complications of prematurity (43%). Specific causes (22%) of perinatal deaths were predominantly infections, including one case of congenital syphilis. Perinatal asphyxia was diagnosed in 14%, and there was one case (7%) of a chromosome abnormality. Infant deaths were predominantly due to respiratory (45%) and gastrointestinal infections (28%), with chronic malnutrition as an underlying cause in 80% of cases. Prenatal care could theoretically have prevented three of the perinatal deaths, and a further six deaths could have been avoided by improved management of labor and the immediate neonatal period. Prevention of malnutrition and improved treatment of acute infections would contribute to a reduction in infant mortality in this population. The Pró-Natal project will use these data to design preventative interventions to reduce perinatal and infant mortality in this community.