Improvement in fetal pulmonary hypertension and maturity after reversal of ductal constriction: prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To test the hypotheses that estimated mean pulmonary arterial pressure (MPAP) decreases and pulmonary vascular maturation, assessed by the ratio of pulmonary arterial flow acceleration time to ejection time (AT/ET ratio), increases after reversal of fetal ductus arteriosus constriction by reducing maternal intake of the causal agent (prostaglandin inhibitors, such as polyphenol-rich foods or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and that these effects are independent of gestational age, which are inferences not yet demonstrated in the clinical setting. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study comparing Doppler echocardiographic ductal flow dynamics, MPAP and pulmonary arterial flow AT/ET ratio in third-trimester fetuses (≥ 28 weeks' gestation) with ductus arteriosus constriction, at the time of diagnosis and after 2 weeks of reduced maternal intake of prostaglandin inhibitors either by suspending the use of pharmacological agents with potential for prostaglandin inhibition or by restricting the consumption of polyphenol-rich foods. MPAP was estimated using the Dabestani equation (MPAP = 90 - (0.62 × AT)), and pulmonary vascular maturity was assessed using the AT/ET ratio, according to reported validation studies. Student's t-test was used for comparison of variables at diagnosis with those after reversal of ductal constriction. Change in MPAP and pulmonary AT/ET ratio between the two assessments was compared with the expected change in the same gestational period in normal fetuses based on reference curves of MPAP and pulmonary AT/ET ratio constructed in normal fetuses from healthy pregnant women at 19-37 weeks' gestation, encompassing the same gestational age range as the study group (28-37 weeks). RESULTS: Seventy pregnancies with fetal ductus arteriosus constriction were included in the study. After 2 weeks of reduced maternal intake of prostaglandin inhibitors, normalization of mean systolic (change from 1.86 ± 0.34 m/s at diagnosis to 1.38 ± 0.41 m/s; P < 0.001) and diastolic (change from 0.41 ± 0.11 m/s to 0.21 ± 0.065 m/s; P < 0.001) ductal velocities and of mean pulsatility index (change from 1.99 ± 0.20 to 2.55 ± 0.42; P < 0.001) was demonstrated. MPAP decreased between the assessments (change from 66.7 ± 6.90 mmHg at diagnosis to 54.5 ± 6.70 mmHg after 2 weeks; P < 0.001) and mean pulmonary AT/ET ratio increased (change from 0.20 ± 0.06 to 0.33 ± 0.07; P < 0.001). Change in MPAP between diagnosis and after 2 weeks of reduced maternal intake of prostaglandin inhibitors was -12.2 ± 0.30 mmHg, which was 5.3-times higher than that in 305 normal fetuses over 2 weeks during the same gestational period (-2.3 ± 0.19 mmHg) (P < 0.001), and change in pulmonary AT/ET ratio between the two assessments was 0.13 ± 0.08, which was 8.7-times higher than that in normal fetuses in the same gestational period (0.015 ± 0.08) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Resolution of fetal ductal constriction is followed by a fall in MPAP and by an increase in pulmonary vascular maturity, to a significantly greater degree than is observed in normal fetuses in the same gestational-age period. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Pyocolpos in a Pinscher bitch: a case report

Diseases related to the urogenital system in both males and females, are common in clinical routine of smallanimal and represents important causes of morbidity and mortality in dogs and cats. Pyocolpos is a cysticdilatation of the vagina due to the accumulation of pus resulting from the genital tract obstruction. The maincause of obstruction is imperforate hymen, transverse vaginal membrane, or vaginal atresia.We present a caseof a three-year-old female Pinscher with a history of constipation for four days, even after administration oflaxatives and enema, and estrus for ten days without a report of cover. Physical examinations were performed,which revealed increased abdominal size. Ultrasound confirmed the presence of large amounts of vaginal fluid.Exploratory laparotomy was performed, which confirmed the diagnosis of pyocolpos. Although pyocolposis a rare congenital malformation in female domestic animals, this report of its existence underscores theimportance of more accurate clinical research when increased abdominal size is noted by veterinarians.

Celiac artery with a pulmonary branch in dog: a rare variation

Hepatic, lienal and left gastric arteries are the "classical branches" of the celiac artery in dogs. This report describes a rare case in which the celiac artery emitted a branch to the caudal lobe of the right lung in an adult male mongred dog. The celiac artery and its proximal branches were dissected in situ, and measured with a digital pachymeter.This vascular variation was not previously known in the canine species. The knowledge about the presence of the celiac artery variations in dogs will contribute to a better understanding of the anatomical alterations that can occur in the vascularization of the abdominal region in dogs. The report is also important for angiographic, surgical and clinical procedures that involve this region.

Richards growth model and viability indicators for populations subject to interventions

In this work we study the problem of modeling identification of a population employing a discrete dynamic model based on the Richards growth model. The population is subjected to interventions due to consumption, such as hunting or farming animals. The model identification allows us to estimate the probability or the average time for a population number to reach a certain level. The parameter inference for these models are obtained with the use of the likelihood profile technique as developed in this paper. The identification method here developed can be applied to evaluate the productivity of animal husbandry or to evaluate the risk of extinction of autochthon populations. It is applied to data of the Brazilian beef cattle herd population, and the the population number to reach a certain goal level is investigated.

Neste trabalho estudamos o problema de identificação do modelo de uma população utilizando um modelo dinâmico discreto baseado no modelo de crescimento de Richards. A população é submetida a intervenções devido ao consumo, como no caso de caça ou na criação de animais. A identificação do modelo permite-nos estimar a probabilidade ou o tempo médio de ocorrência para que se atinja um certo número populacional. A inferência paramétrica dos modelos é obtida através da técnica de perfil de máxima verossimilhança como desenvolvida neste trabalho. O método de identificação desenvolvido pode ser aplicado para avaliar a produtividade de criação animal ou o risco de extinção de uma população autóctone. Ele foi aplicado aos dados da população global de gado de corte bovino brasileiro, e é utilizado na investigação de a população atingir um certo número desejado de cabeças.