Retrospective study of radiographic changes in athletic bulls with orthopedic disorders / Estudo retrospectivo das alterações radiográficas de touros atletas com doenças ortopédicas

The objectives of this study were to demonstrate the lesions that affect athlete bulls and to correlate the disorders with weight, age, affected limb and region of the limb. The present study was accomplished using radiographic images of athletic rodeo bulls collected from the medical and surgical records of the large animal service at the veterinary hospital. Radiographic images were evaluated for 136 bulls that were taken care of at the Veterinary Hospital, ranging in age from 4 to 13 years, with an average weight of 800kg and proven prior physical activity through participation in rodeos. The chi-square or Fisher's exact test was used to assess the association between the studied variables. It was observed that 71.6% of the bulls studied and suffering from lameness had radiographic lesions, predominantly in experienced animals. Enthesopathy in starter and experienced bulls, septic arthritis in starter bulls, and fractures and degenerative joint disease in experienced bulls were the most frequent radiographic lesions diagnosed. The region of limb where the majority of radiographic changes occurred was the digits. Risk factors and occurrence of diseases of the locomotor system in athletic bulls are similar to those in sport equines.(AU)

O objetivo desse trabalho foi demostrar quais lesões acometem touros atletas, correlacionando as desordens com peso, idade, membro e região afetada. O presente estudo foi realizado utilizando radiografias de touros atletas de rodeio, após levantamento dos prontuários clínicos e cirúrgicos do serviço de grandes animais de um hospital veterinário. Foram avaliadas radiografias de 136 touros que haviam sido atendidos em tal hospital, com idade variando de quatro a 13 anos, com média de peso de 800kg e realizavam participação em rodeios. Para avaliar a associação entre as variáveis estudadas foi utilizado o teste exato de Fischer e o Qui-quadrado. Observou-se que 71,6% dos touros estudados que claudicavam, apresentavam lesões radiográficas, predominantemente em animais mais experientes. A entesiopatia em todos os animais, artrite séptica nos touros iniciantes, fraturas e doença articular degenerativa nos touros mais experientes, foram as alterações radiográficas mais frequentes. As regiões com maior ocorrência de lesões radiográficas foram os dígitos. Os fatores de risco para ocorrência de doenças no sistema locomotor de touros atletas são diversos, similares aos que ocorrem nos equinos atletas.(AU)

Retrospective study of radiographic changes in athletic bulls with orthopedic disorders / Estudo retrospectivo das alterações radiográficas de touros atletas com doenças ortopédicas

The objectives of this study were to demonstrate the lesions that affect athlete bulls and to correlate the disorders with weight, age, affected limb and region of the limb. The present study was accomplished using radiographic images of athletic rodeo bulls collected from the medical and surgical records of the large animal service at the veterinary hospital. Radiographic images were evaluated for 136 bulls that were taken care of at the Veterinary Hospital, ranging in age from 4 to 13 years, with an average weight of 800kg and proven prior physical activity through participation in rodeos. The chi-square or Fisher's exact test was used to assess the association between the studied variables. It was observed that 71.6% of the bulls studied and suffering from lameness had radiographic lesions, predominantly in experienced animals. Enthesopathy in starter and experienced bulls, septic arthritis in starter bulls, and fractures and degenerative joint disease in experienced bulls were the most frequent radiographic lesions diagnosed. The region of limb where the majority of radiographic changes occurred was the digits. Risk factors and occurrence of diseases of the locomotor system in athletic bulls are similar to those in sport equines.(AU)

O objetivo desse trabalho foi demostrar quais lesões acometem touros atletas, correlacionando as desordens com peso, idade, membro e região afetada. O presente estudo foi realizado utilizando radiografias de touros atletas de rodeio, após levantamento dos prontuários clínicos e cirúrgicos do serviço de grandes animais de um hospital veterinário. Foram avaliadas radiografias de 136 touros que haviam sido atendidos em tal hospital, com idade variando de quatro a 13 anos, com média de peso de 800kg e realizavam participação em rodeios. Para avaliar a associação entre as variáveis estudadas foi utilizado o teste exato de Fischer e o Qui-quadrado. Observou-se que 71,6% dos touros estudados que claudicavam, apresentavam lesões radiográficas, predominantemente em animais mais experientes. A entesiopatia em todos os animais, artrite séptica nos touros iniciantes, fraturas e doença articular degenerativa nos touros mais experientes, foram as alterações radiográficas mais frequentes. As regiões com maior ocorrência de lesões radiográficas foram os dígitos. Os fatores de risco para ocorrência de doenças no sistema locomotor de touros atletas são diversos, similares aos que ocorrem nos equinos atletas.(AU)

Copy Number Gain at Xq28 in a Child with Global Developmental Delay Associated with a Variant Form of Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson Syndrome.

We report the case of a child from Central Brazil with global developmental delay (GDD), syndromic features, and absence of abnormal skin pigmentation, nail dystrophy, and leukoplakia of the oral mucosa, with a rearrangement at Xq28 harboring the DKC1 gene. GTC-banding revealed a male karyotype (46,XY) with no visible numerical or structural alterations. Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) showed a 0.36-Mb gain at Xq28 of maternal origin, encompassing 22 genes, including DKC1. Rearrangements and mutations involving this gene have been associated with dyskeratosis congenita, X-linked (OMIM 305000) and Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson syndrome. CMA was a powerful and efficient approach to identify a gain at Xq28 harboring the DKC1 gene in our patient with GDD syndromic features and no cutaneous alterations, suggesting that this variant is associated with the Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson syndrome.

Retrospective study of radiographic changes in athletic bulls with orthopedic disorders

ABSTRACT: The objectives of this study were to demonstrate the lesions that affect athlete bulls and to correlate the disorders with weight, age, affected limb and region of the limb. The present study was accomplished using radiographic images of athletic rodeo bulls collected from the medical and surgical records of the large animal service at the veterinary hospital. Radiographic images were evaluated for 136 bulls that were taken care of at the Veterinary Hospital, ranging in age from 4 to 13 years, with an average weight of 800kg and proven prior physical activity through participation in rodeos. The chi-square or Fishers exact test was used to assess the association between the studied variables. It was observed that 71.6% of the bulls studied and suffering from lameness had radiographic lesions, predominantly in experienced animals. Enthesopathy in starter and experienced bulls, septic arthritis in starter bulls, and fractures and degenerative joint disease in experienced bulls were the most frequent radiographic lesions diagnosed. The region of limb where the majority of radiographic changes occurred was the digits. Risk factors and occurrence of diseases of the locomotor system in athletic bulls are similar to those in sport equines.

RESUMO: O objetivo desse trabalho foi demostrar quais lesões acometem touros atletas, correlacionando as desordens com peso, idade, membro e região afetada. O presente estudo foi realizado utilizando radiografias de touros atletas de rodeio, após levantamento dos prontuários clínicos e cirúrgicos do serviço de grandes animais de um hospital veterinário. Foram avaliadas radiografias de 136 touros que haviam sido atendidos em tal hospital, com idade variando de quatro a 13 anos, com média de peso de 800kg e realizavam participação em rodeios. Para avaliar a associação entre as variáveis estudadas foi utilizado o teste exato de Fischer e o Qui-quadrado. Observou-se que 71,6% dos touros estudados que claudicavam, apresentavam lesões radiográficas, predominantemente em animais mais experientes. A entesiopatia em todos os animais, artrite séptica nos touros iniciantes, fraturas e doença articular degenerativa nos touros mais experientes, foram as alterações radiográficas mais frequentes. As regiões com maior ocorrência de lesões radiográficas foram os dígitos. Os fatores de risco para ocorrência de doenças no sistema locomotor de touros atletas são diversos, similares aos que ocorrem nos equinos atletas.

Atmosphere-Land Bridge between the Pacific and Tropical North Atlantic SST's through the Amazon River basin during the 2005 and 2010 droughts.

The present work uses a new approach to causal inference between complex systems called the Recurrence Measure of Conditional Dependence (RMCD) based on the recurrence plots theory, in order to study the role of the Amazon River basin (AM) as a land-atmosphere bridge between the Niño 3.0 region in the Pacific Ocean and the Tropical North Atlantic. Two anomalous droughts in the Amazon River basin were selected, one mainly attributed to the warming of the Tropical North Atlantic (2005) and the other to a warm phase of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (2010). The results of the RMCD analysis evidence the distinctive behavior in the causal information transferred between the two oceanic regions during the two extreme droughts, suggesting that the land-atmosphere bridge operating over the AM is an active hydroclimate mechanism at interannual timescales, and that the RMCD analysis may be an ancillary resort to complement early warning systems.

Recurrence measure of conditional dependence and applications.

Identifying causal relations from observational data sets has posed great challenges in data-driven causality inference studies. One of the successful approaches to detect direct coupling in the information theory framework is transfer entropy. However, the core of entropy-based tools lies on the probability estimation of the underlying variables. Here we propose a data-driven approach for causality inference that incorporates recurrence plot features into the framework of information theory. We define it as the recurrence measure of conditional dependence (RMCD), and we present some applications. The RMCD quantifies the causal dependence between two processes based on joint recurrence patterns between the past of the possible driver and present of the potentially driven, excepting the contribution of the contemporaneous past of the driven variable. Finally, it can unveil the time scale of the influence of the sea-surface temperature of the Pacific Ocean on the precipitation in the Amazonia during recent major droughts.

Role of hysteresis in stomatal aperture dynamics.

Stomata are pores responsible for gas exchange in leaves. Several experiments indicate that stomata synchronize into clusters or patches. The patches' coordination may produce oscillations in stomatal conductance. Previous studies claim to reproduce some experimental results. However, none was able to explain the variety of behavior observed in the stomatal dynamics. Recently, Ferraz and Prado suggested a realistic geometry of vein distribution. Although it reproduces the patches, no oscillation was observed and the patches remain static. Without exploring significant details, the authors stated that hysteresis in stomatal aperture could explain several experimental features. In this paper, the hysteresis hypothesis is further explored through the concept of hysteretic operators. We have shown that the hysteresis assumption is sufficient to obtain dynamical patches and oscillations in stomatal conductance. The robustness of this hypothesis is tested by using different hysteresis operators. The model analysis reveals a dependence between the period of oscillation in stomatal conductance and the water deficit between the leaf and the environment. This underlying feature of the model might inspire further experiments to test this hypothesis.

Influence of laser (λ670 nm) and dexamethasone on the chronology of cutaneous repair.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the effect of LLLT associated with and without dexamethasone on inflammation and wound healing in cutaneous surgical wounds. BACKGROUND: Limited studies are directed at the possible interference of laser photobiomodulation on the formation of myofibroblasts, associated with an antiinflammatory drug. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Standard skin wounds were performed on 80 Wistar rats, distributed into four groups: no treatment (sham group), laser only (λ670 nm, 9 mW, 0.031 W/cm(2), 4 J/cm(2), single dose after surgery), dexamethasone only (2 mg/kg 1 h before surgery), and laser with dexamethasone. Tissue was examined histologically to evaluate edema, presence of polymorphonuclear, mononuclear cells, and collagen. The analysis of myofibroblasts was assessed by immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy. The intensity was rated semiquantitatively. RESULTS: The results showed that laser and dexamethasone acted in a similar pattern to reduce acute inflammation. Collagen synthesis and myofibroblasts were more intense in the laser group (p = 0.048), whereas animals treated with dexamethasone showed lower results for these variables. In a combination of therapies, the synthesis of collagen and actin and desmin-positive cells was less than laser group. CONCLUSIONS: Laser was effective in reducing swelling and polymorphonuclear cells and accelerated tissue repair, even in the presence of dexamethasone.

A feasible procedure in dental practice: the treatment of oral dysplastic hyperkeratotic lesions of the oral cavity with the CO2 laser.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work is to report some cases of surgical removal of hyperkeratotic lesions of the oral cavity with the CO(2) laser. BACKGROUND: Hyperkeratosis is an abnormal thickening of the stratum corneum caused by increased deposition of keratin, and its histopathologic features show wide variations. These changes are significant because they determine different biologic behavior. Several techniques are used to treat these lesions, including scalpel incision, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, photodynamic therapy, and some drugs. The use of surgical lasers has been proposed as an effective way of treating such lesions safely. The CO(2) laser is the most used laser on the oral cavity because of its affinity for water and high absorption by the oral mucosa. Several benefits of the use of the CO(2) laser are reported in the literature in regard to surgical procedures carried out on the oral cavity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients had histopathologic diagnosis of hyperkeratosis and mild epithelial dysplasia and were routinely prepared for surgery under local anesthesia. The surgical procedures were carried out by using a CO(2) laser (Sharplan 20 C; Laser Industries, Tel Aviv, Israel, λ10,600 nm, φ∼2 mm, CW/RSP). The beam was focused to delimit each lesion, and then lesions were excised, and the removed specimens were sent for histopathology. At the end of the surgery, the beam was used in a defocused manner to promote better hemostasis. Neither sutures nor dressings were used after the surgery. No medication but mouthwashes was prescribed to all patients in the postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the CO(2) laser does not reduce the risk of relapses of the lesion, but it is an easy-to-use technique and results in both a quick surgical procedure and trouble-free postoperative period and may be safely used in dental practice.

Alteraçöes na audiometria de tronco encefálico em mulheres adultas com hipotireoidismo subclínico / Changes in audiometry brainstem response in adult women with subclinical hypothyroidism

A correlação entre perda auditiva e distúrbios adquiridos da glândula tireóide tem sido tema de interesse há muito tempo na Medicina. Diversos trabalhos foram dedicados à investigaçäo audiológica de pacientes com hipotireoidismo, mas poucos autores abordaram a forma subclínica desta doença utilizando a audiometria de tronco encefálico (ABR). OBJETIVO: Avaliar se ocorrem ou näo alteraçöes na ABR em mulheres normoacúsicas com hipotireoidismo subclínico näo tratado quando comparadas a mulheres sem doença endócrina. DESENHO DO ESTUDO: Prospectivo clínico. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Uma série de 16 pacientes foi analisada com ABR e seus resultados foram relacionados aos do grupo-controle análogo em sexo e idade. RESULTADOS: Houve diferença significativa (p<0,05) nas médias das latências absolutas das ondas III (p=0,039) e V (p=0,006) e dos intervalos interpicos I-III (p=0,017), III-V (p=0,044) e I-V (p=0,002) entre os dois grupos, mostrando que as medidas destas latências foram significativamente maiores no grupo do hipotireoidismo. CONCLUSÄO: Na condiçäo de hipotireoidismo subclínico, antes mesmo de haver qualquer anormalidade nos limiares psicoacústicos, já poderá ser observado comprometimento na conduçäo nervosa ao longo das vias auditivas no tronco encefálico, como demonstrado pela avaliação com ABR

Distribuição por sexo e faixa etária das aplicações clínicas da audiometria de tronco encefálico / Distribution by sex and age of the clinical aplications of the auditory brainstem response

Objetivo: Analisar os dados em relação à faixa etária, sexo e aplicação clínica do exame na determinação do limiar auditivo eletrofisiológico ou na avaliação das vias auditivas de tronco encefálico de 591 pacientes encaminhados para realizar o teste de audiometria de tronco encefálico no Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho no período de maio de 1998 a abril de 1999. Resultados: 52,3 por cento dos pacientes eram do sexo masculino e 47,7 por cento do sexo feminino, sendo que 43,3 por cento eram adultos e 56,7 por cento eram crianças. A idade média dos adultos foi de 49,1 anos e das crianças foi de 5,0 anos. Foram realizados 314 (53,1 por cento) exames para a determinação do limiar auditivo eletrofisiológico, 241 (40,8 por cento) para a avaliação das vias auditivas do tronco encefálico e em 36 (6,1 por cento) casos, ambos procedimentos. Conclusões: a determinação do limiar auditivo eletrofisiológico constitui a principal aplicação clínica da audiometria de tronco encefálico em crianças. Entre os adultos, a avaliação das vias auditivas do tronco encefálico é mais prevalente.

Tremor palatal: apresentaçäo de dois casos clínicos / Palatal tremor: report of 2 clinical cases

O tremor palatal é caracterizado clinicamente por contraçöes rítmicas e involuntárias dos músculos do palato mole. Existem dois tipos de tremor palatal: o sintomático, com o acometimento do músculo levantador do véu palatino por lesäo na via denteado-rubro-olivar e o tremor palatal essencial , em que há o envolvimento do músculo tensor do véu palatino, mas sem lesäo orgânica. Vários tratamentos säo propostos como o emprego de benzodiazepínicos, anticonvulsivantes, anticolinérgicos, precursores de neurotransmissores e toxina botulínica. Os autores apresentam uma breve revisäo a respeito desta desordem e discutem dois pacientes com tremor palatal.

Audiçäo e diabetes / Hearing and diabetes

Säo analisadas as repercussöes audiológicas no diabetes mellitus. Chamamos a atençäo dos médicos generalistas e dos especialistas de importância de se chegar a um diagnóstico e tratamento precoces da doença

Avaliaçäo rápida da audiçäo por meio dos diapasöes / Fast appraisal of the audition with tuning forks

Chama-se a atençäo para a necessidade dos médicos, independentemente de sua especialidade, terem um conhecimento da natureza das perdas auditivas. Explica-se o uso dos diapasöes para rápida determinaçäo da mesma, se condutiva ou neurossensorial

Sinusites em pediatria / Sinusitis in pediatrics

Apresenta-se o problema das sinusites na infância e säo feitas consideraçöes quanto a sua etiologia, patologia, sintomatologia e tratamento