The use of Z-scan technique for determination of biochemical parameters in children with solid tumors or leukemias supplemented or not with selenium.

Cancer is a disease that effects cell metabolism causing an imbalance in the health of the patient. On the other hand, malnutrition, presented by oncological patients, is caused by both the disease and its treatment. Some serum biochemical parameters cannot be determined by the traditional method of laboratory blood analysis (spectrophotometry). Among the various techniques that could be used for blood biochemical analysis, we opted for the Z-scan technique, due to its sensitivity to the reading of blood components. Our objective in this work was to compare the data obtained by the Z-scan technique and the spectrophotometry of the serological samples of children with solid tumors and leukemia under treatment, receiving or not selenium supplementation in a randomized, double-blind clinical trial. The biochemical parameters were read based on blood. These blood sampling made at different stages of chemotherapy and selenium supplementation. At each of these stages, the cholesterol, glucose and triglycerides parameters were read using the Z-scan and spectrophotometry techniques. We observed that selenium helps in balancing the health of these patients, and corroborates with our hypothesis that the Z-scan technique may be an alternative for the determination of biochemical parameters.

Measurements of femoral angles, femur length, and hip width in cat radiographs / Medidas dos ângulos femorais, comprimento do fêmur e largura do quadril em radiografias de gatos

Femoral angle, femur length, and hip width were measured in radiographs of 92 intact domestic cats, males and females of mixed breed from the Center for Zoonosis Control of the Federal District. The animals showed no trauma, orthopedic diseases or angular deformities and had closed physeal lines. Accordingly, we measured aLPFA (anatomical lateral proximal femoral angle, aLDFA (anatomical lateral distal femoral angle), mLPFA (mechanical lateral proximal femoral angle), mLDFA (mechanical lateral distal femoral angle), IA (femoral inclination angle), FL (femur length) and HW (hip width) using ventrodorsal radiographs, with both hindlimbs in a single exposure to an X-ray beam centered on the hip. The mean values of the variables were: mLPFA: 82.5±3.62°; aLPFA: 80.1±4.29°; mLDFA: 96.1±3.51° (males) and 97.3±2.05° (females); aLDFA: 94,3±3.43°; IA: 136.6±3.86°; FL: 12.9±0.55cm (males) and 13.4±0.66cm (females); and HW: 3.1cm±0.23 (males) and 3.5±0.26cm (females). These values will serve as a reference for the diagnosis of angular deformities and as support for planning corrective osteotomies in domestic cats.(AU)

Foram realizadas mensurações radiográficas dos ângulos femorais e medidas lineares do quadril e do fêmur em 92 gatos domésticos, machos e fêmeas, SRD, oriundos do Centro de Controle de Zoonoses do Distrito Federal, livres de traumas, doenças ortopédicas e deformidades angulares em membros pélvicos, portadores de linhas fiseais fechadas, não castrados. Para tanto, foram obtidos os ângulos aLPFA (ângulo anatômico lateral proximal do fêmur), aLDFA (ângulo anatômico lateral distal do fêmur), mLPFA (ângulo mecânico lateral proximal do fêmur), mLDFA (ângulo mecânico lateral distal do fêmur), AI (ângulo de inclinação do fêmur), CF (comprimento femoral) e LQ (largura de quadril), empregando radiografias em projeções ventrodorsais, com ambos os membros em uma única exposição ao feixe de raios-X, centrada no quadril. Após a apuração dos resultados, os valores médios obtidos foram: mLPFA: 82,5°±3,62, aLPFA: 80,1°±4,29; mLDFA: 96,1°±3.51 (machos) e 97,3°±2,05 (fêmeas), aLDFA: 94,3,6°±3,43; AI: 136,6°±3,86; CF: 136,6°±3,86; 12,9cm±0,55 (machos) e 13,4cm±0,66 (fêmeas) e LQ: 3,1cm±0,23 (machos) e 3,5cm±0,26 (fêmeas), respectivamente. Esses valores servem como referenciais para diagnósticos de deformidades angulares e apoio para planejamento de osteotomias corretivas em felinos domésticos.(AU)

A meta-analysis of infrainguinal arterial reconstruction in patients with end-stage renal disease.

OBJECTIVES: to determine graft patency, limb salvage, and patient survival following infrainguinal bypass grafting in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). METHODS: studies published from 1987 through 2000 were identified from the PUBMED database and pertinent original articles. Sixteen studies were found that used survival analysis to report the outcomes of interest. Two investigators independently extracted the data from standard life-tables, survival curves and texts. A new method was developed for meta-analysis of uncontrolled studies that use survival analysis with different follow-up intervals. RESULTS: random-effects modelling yielded the following summary estimates at one- and two-year follow-up: 79% (95% CI, 70-87%) and 74% (63-85%) for graft patency; 77% (69-84%) and 73% (64-81%) for limb salvage; and 59% and 42% for patient survival. CONCLUSION: despite a severely limited life span, infrainguinal bypass grafting for the treatment of critical ischaemia is worthwhile in selected patients with ESRD.