Investigation of mechanisms involved in regulation of progesterone catabolism using an overfed versus underfed ewe-lamb model.

Alterations in progesterone (P4) catabolism due to high feed intake underlie some effects of nutrition on reproduction. Based on previous research, we hypothesized that high feed intake could potentially increase P4 catabolism, likely due to increased liver blood flow. However, there could also be an opposing action due to increased circulating insulin, which has been shown to inhibit hepatic expression of key enzymes involved in P4 catabolism. To test which effect would have the greatest impact on circulating P4 during a 1- and 2 -mo time frame, we used a noncyclic ewe model. The plane of nutrition was controlled, and effects on circulating insulin, P4 catabolism in response to exogenous P4, and steady state mRNA for key hepatic enzymes were evaluated. Twenty-four F Dorper × Santa Inês ewe lambs (5 mo old and approximately 25 kg BW) were used. After 14 d of adaptation, ewes were randomized into 2 groups: ad libitum fed (Ad), with intake of 3.8% DM/kg BW, or restricted feed intake (R), with 2% DM/kg BW, for 8 wk. At wk 4 and 8, ewes received an intravaginal P4 implant to evaluate P4 catabolism. As designed, Ad ewes had greater daily feed intake than R ewes (means of 1.8 [SE 0.03] and 0.6 kg/ewe [SE 0.01]; < 0.001) and greater weekly gain in BW (means of 1.7 [SE 0.12] vs. -0.1 kg/ewe [SE 0.03]; < 0.001). Mean circulating insulin of samples collected from -0.5 to 7 h after the start of feeding was over 5-fold greater in Ad ewes than in R ewes (least squares means of 8.2 [SE 0.93] vs. 1.5 µIU/mL [SE 0.16], respectively, at wk 4 and 12.0 [SE 1.02] vs. 2.2 µIU/mL [SE 0.18], respectively, at wk 8; < 0.001). Although both groups received the same P4 treatment, mean circulating P4 of samples collected from -0.5 to 7 h after feeding was much lower in Ad ewes than in R ewes (least squares means of 3.2 [SE 0.32] vs. 5.5 ng/mL [SE 0.32], respectively, at wk 4 and 2.8 [SE 0.28] vs. 5.2 ng/mL [SE 0.28], respectively, at wk 8; < 0.001) indicating much greater P4 catabolism in ewes with high feed intake. Unexpectedly, there was no effect of diet on hepatic mRNA concentrations for , , , or at wk 4 or 8 in spite of dramatically elevated insulin. Therefore, high energy/feed intake primarily increased P4 catabolism with no evidence for offsetting effects due to insulin-induced changes in hepatic P4 metabolizing enzymes.

Outbreak of Ochrobactrum anthropi endophthalmitis following cataract surgery.

Postoperative endophthalmitis often progresses to significant visual impairment. This paper describes an outbreak of Ochrobactrum anthropi endophthalmitis following cataract surgery, and propose a new sterilization protocol to minimize the risk of further cases. Medical records of patients with O. anthropi endophthalmitis or with suggestive clinical findings during the outbreak were reviewed. Seven cases of O. anthropi pseudophakic endophthalmitis were confirmed between 24 July and 10 November 2010. The most probable cause of the outbreak of Ochrobactrum anthropi endophthalmitis was contamination of the tubing of the phaco-emulsification machine. Following introduction of a new sterilization protocol, no further cases occurred in over 1000 subsequent procedures.

Effects of acute alcohol consumption and vitamin E co-treatment on oxidative stress parameters in rats tongue.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of acute alcohol consumption and vitamin E co-treatment upon oxidative stress parameters in rats tongue. Thirty-eight, Wistar rats were separated into five groups (alcohol, alcohol/vitamin E, control, Tween, vitamin E). Alcohol and alcohol vitamin E groups had the standard diet, and 40% alcohol on drinking water. Other groups were fed with the same standard diet and water ad libitum. Vitamin E was given by gavage to vitamin E and alcohol/vitamin E rats twice a week. Alcohol and control groups were subjected to saline gavage and Tween group to 5% Tween 80 solution, the vitamin E vehicle. At day 14, the animals were anesthetized and specimens were obtained from tongue. Lipid peroxidation (TBARS), protein oxidative damage, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were quantified. Alcohol group decreased TBARS in relation to control group and alcohol vitamin-treated animals decreased TBARS when compared to Tween and vitamin E groups. SOD activity was lower and CAT activity was higher in animals treated with both alcohol and vitamin E. These results suggest that short-term alcohol consumption decreases lipid peroxidation levels. Alternatively, alcohol/vitamin E group increased CAT, showing the toxicity of this association.

Conhecimento e informação na atual reestruturação produtiva: para uma crítica das teorias da gestão do conhecimento

Questiona a respeito das potencialidades teóricas e analíticas da incorporação de um referencial crítico da Economia Política do Conhecimento, subsidiário em parte da Economia Política da Comunicação e da Cultura, para o campo das Ciências da Informação.

Microcirurgia de tumor orbital guiada por imagem (navegação): Relato de Caso / Orbital tumor microsurgery guided by computerized image: a case report

Descrição de caso de tumor orbital extraconal subperiostal superior, produzindo proptose e desvio caudal do globo ocular, sem interferência nos movimentos oculares, com dezoito meses de evolução, em paciente feminina, com 39 anos de idade. Ausência de alterações ósseas, ao R, TC e RM, demonstrava presença de massa tumoral medindo 3 x 1,5 cm, extraconal, sobre o músculo elevador da pálpebra e sob o periósteo, no segmento orbital superior direito. Cirurgia programada, com sistema de navegação (cirurgia guiada por imagem) com superposição de imagens, de TC e RM. Ressecção completa da lesão, sem comprometimento neurológico ou funcional do globo, e excelente resultado estético.

Implant-induced expansion of atrophic ridges for the placement of implants.

The applicability of endosseous implants is directly related to the topography and quality of the patient's residual bone. Several techniques have tried to expand the applicability through implant design alterations and surgical techniques for bone augmentation. This article describes an implant-induced bone expansion procedure that facilitates the placement of implants in atrophic alveolar ridges. This procedure expands the cortical plates of the alveolar ridges with or without fracture using wedge-shaped implants and the principles of guided tissue regeneration. The use of implants of larger diameters and the remodeling of the ridge external contour can be achieved with this procedure.