Risk assessment of the introduction of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza as a tool to be applied in prevention strategy plan.

Risks of the introduction of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 through migratory birds to the main wintering site for wild birds in southern Brazil and its consequences were assessed. Likelihoods were estimated by a qualitative scale ranging from negligible to high. Northern migrants that breed in Alaska and regularly migrate to South America (primary Charadriiformes) can have contact with birds from affected areas in Asia. The likelihood of the introduction of HPAI H5N1 through migratory birds was found to be very low as it is a probability conditioned to successful transmission in breeding areas and the probabilities of an infected bird migrating and shedding the virus as far as southern Brazil. The probability of wild species becoming exposed to H5N1-infected birds is high as they nest with northern migrants from Alaska, whereas for backyard poultry it is moderate to high depending on proximity to wetlands and the presence of species that could increase the likelihood of contact with wild birds such as domestic duck. The magnitude of the biological and economic consequences of successful transmission to poultry or wild birds would be low to severe depending on the probability of the occurrence of outbreak scenarios described. As a result, the risk estimate is greater than negligible, and HPAI H5N1 prevention strategy in the region should always be carefully considered by the veterinary services in Brazil.

[Comparison of conventional technique, Ligasure Precise and Harmonic Focus in total thyroidectomy]. / Studio comparativo tra tecnica tradizionale, Ligasure Precise ed Harmonic Focus nella tiroidectomia totale.

The aim of this study was to compare the results obtained using an electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing system (Ligasure Precise), a harmonic curved shears (Harmonic Focus) and traditional technique in total thyroidectomy. We have enrolled 93 patients and assigned randomly to three groups of 31 pt: groups L (Ligasure Precise), F (Harmonic Focus) and C (traditional thecnique). Recorded data were demographics, preoperative serum calcium levels, operation time, length of hospital stay, weight of exported gland and pathology, postoperative calcemia at one and two days and recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis. The three groups did not present statistically significant differences in term of age, gender and pathology classification. No postoperative haemorrhages were observed. The overall incidence of hypocalcemia was 38.9% (36 pt) and the mean days of hospitalization were 2.3 days without statistically significant differences between the three groups. Only one patient (group F) presented temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis. Mean operation time (minutes) was significantly reduced by approximately 15% in group F (62.7+/-14.1) compared with group C (72.7+/-13.6; Kruskal-Wallis test: p<0.05). Both devices resulted safe and efficient. The only advantage observed was a significant reduction operation time when using Harmonic Foscus curved shears compared to the other techniques.

[An assessment of neuronal regeneration in neural anastomoses by synthetic guide and biological systems and insulin administration: an experimental study in the rat]. / Valutazione della rigenerazione neuronale nelle anastomosi nervose mediante sistemi tutoriali sintetici, biologici e somministrazione di insulina: studio sperimentale sul ratto.

The synthetic and biological nerve guide regeneration gives interesting perspective of use in making artificial conduits for peripheral nerve reconstruction. In sixty Wistar rats, under general anesthesia and with microsurgical technique, the ischiatic nerve was isolated. On the right side a segment of the nerve was removed in order to create a 10 mm gap. The defect then repaired using the conduit. Control were performed at 20, 90, 180 days and consisted in histological microscopy and electromyography investigation. The regeneration of the nerve fibers in the lumen of the conduit was not significantly different on the contralateral nerve limb.