Direct guided restorations from planning to definitive restoration: A clinical report.

A direct composite resin placed by using digitally planned prototyped 3D guides and retained with a digitally guided fiberglass micropin was used to restore an extensively damaged maxillary left central incisor.

Noncompliance to iodine supplementation recommendation is a risk factor for iodine insufficiency in Portuguese pregnant women: results from the IoMum cohort.

PURPOSE: After a recommendation for iodine supplementation in pregnancy has been issued in 2013 in Portugal, there were no studies covering iodine status in pregnancy in the country. The aim of this study was to assess iodine status in pregnant women in Porto region and its association with iodine supplementation. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João, Porto, from April 2018 to April 2019. Pregnant women attending the 1st trimester ultrasound scan were invited to participate. Exclusion criteria were levothyroxine use, gestational age < 10 and ≥ 14 weeks, non-evolutive pregnancy at recruitment and non-signing of informed consent. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was measured in random spot urine by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Median UIC was 104 µg/L (IQR 62-189) in the overall population (n = 481) of which 19% had UIC < 50 µg/L. Forty three percent (n = 206) were not taking an iodine-containing supplement (ICS) and median UIC values were 146 µg/L (IQR 81-260) and 74 µg/L (IQR 42-113) in ICS users and non-users, respectively (p < 0.001). Not using an ICS was an independent risk factor for iodine insufficiency [adjusted OR (95% CI) = 6.00 (2.74, 13.16); p < 0.001]. Iodised salt use was associated with increased median iodine-to-creatinine ratio (p < 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: A low compliance to iodine supplementation recommendation in pregnancy accounted for a mild-to-moderately iodine deficiency. Our results evidence the need to support iodine supplementation among pregnant women in countries with low household coverage of iodised salt. Trial registration number NCT04010708, registered on the 8th July 2019.

Subradiance with Saturated Atoms: Population Enhancement of the Long-Lived States.

Dipole-dipole interactions are at the origin of long-lived collective atomic states, often called subradiant, which are explored for their potential use in novel photonic devices or in quantum protocols. Here, we study subradiance beyond the single-excitation regime and experimentally demonstrate a 200-fold increase in the population of these modes, as the saturation parameter of the driving field is increased. We attribute this enhancement to a mechanism similar to optical pumping through the well-coupled superradiant states. The lifetimes are unaffected by the pump strength, as the system is ultimately driven toward the single-excitation sector. Our study is a new step in the exploration of the many-body dynamics of large open systems.

Effects of ivermectin treatment during prepubertal and pubertal period on sexual parameters and sexual behavior in adulthood in rats.

Pediculosis is a parasitic disease that is considered a serious global public health problem. It is caused by the ectoparasite that is popularly known as lice, mainly affecting children in early childhood. The most commonly used treatment to combat this parasitosis is the macrocyclic lactone ivermectin (IVM). However, the use of IVM is contraindicated in children who are younger than 5 years old or who weigh <15 kg because some types of drugs that are used during certain periods of brain maturation can lead to behavioral disorders. The present study evaluated the effects of IVM treatment during the prepubertal and pubertal period on sexual behavior in adulthood in male rats. Genital grooming, preputial separation, sexual behavior, sexual motivation, relative organ weight, the gonadosomatic index, and histopathology were evaluated. Oral dose of 0.2 mg/kg (therapeutic dose) of a commercial IVM formulation was administered. IVM affected genital grooming but did not influence preputial separation in prepubertal rats. Prepubertal IVM administration did not impair sexual behavior in adult rats, with the exception of the time of residence with female rats in the sexual motivation test. It did not affect relative organ weights, with the exception of the relative weight of the full seminal vesicle. It did not alter the gonadosomatic index, and no histopathological alterations were observed in different organs. These results indicate that administration of a therapeutic dose of IVM during the prepubertal and pubertal period does not alter parameters of sexual development or sexual behavior in adult male rats.

Phospholipid composition and resistance to vitrification of in vivo blastocyst of a Brazilian naturalized porcine breed / Composição de fosfolipídios e resistência à vitrificação de blastocistos produzidos in vivo de uma raça de suíno naturalizada brasileira

Piau porcine blastocysts were submitted to MALDI-TOF to identify the main phospholipids (PL). After that, in vivo blastocysts (D6) were vitrified (n=52), non-vitrified were used as control (n=42). After warming, blastocysts were in vitro cultured to assess re-expansion and hatching at 24 and 48 hours. Finally, at 48 hours, hatched blastocysts were submitted to RT-qPCR searching for BCL2A1, BAK, BAX and CASP3 genes. For MALDI-TOF, the ion intensity was expressed in arbitrary units. Blastocyst development was compared by Qui-square (P< 0.05). Among the most representative PL was the phosphatidylcholine [PC (32:0) + H]+; [PC (34:1) + H]+ and [PC (36:4) + H]+. Beyond the PL, MALDI revealed some triglycerides (TG), including PPL (50:2) + Na+, PPO (50:1) + Na+, PLO (52:3) + Na+ and POO (52:2) + Na. Re-expansion did not differ (P> 0.05) between fresh or vitrified blastocysts at 24 (33.3%; 32.7%) or 48 hours (2.4%; 13.5%). Hatching rates were higher (P< 0.05) for fresh compared to vitrified at 24 (66.7%; 15.4%) and 48 hours (97.6%; 36.0%). BAX was overexpressed (P< 0.05) after vitrification. In conclusion, Piau blastocysts can be cryopreserved by Cryotop. This study also demonstrated that the apoptotic pathway may be responsible for the low efficiency of porcine embryo cryopreservation.(AU)

Blastocistos de suínos foram submetidos ao MALDI-TOF para se identificarem os principais fosfolipídios (PL). Depois, parte destes embriões (D6) foram vitrificados (n=52), ou permaneceram frescos (grupo controle, n=42). Após o aquecimento, os blastocistos foram cultivados in vitro para se avaliar a reexpansão e a eclosão (BE) às 24 e 48 horas. Finalmente, às 48 horas, os BE foram submetidos ao RT-qPCR em busca dos genes BCL2A1, BAK, BAX e CASP3. No MALDI-TOF, a intensidade do íon foi expressa em unidades arbitrárias. O desenvolvimento embrionário foi comparado por qui-quadrado (P<0,05). Entre os PL mais representativos estavam as fosfatidilcolinas [PC (32: 0) + H] +; [PC (34: 1) + H] + e [PC (36: 4) + H] +. Além do PL, o MALDI revelou alguns triglicerídeos (TG), incluindo PPL (50: 2) + Na +, PPO (50: 1) + Na +, PLO (52: 3) + Na + e POO (52: 2) + Na. A reexpansão não diferiu (P>0,05) entre blastocistos frescos ou vitrificados às 24 (33,3%, 32,7%) e 48 horas (2,4%, 13,5%). As taxas de eclosão foram maiores (P<0,05) para o grupo fresco comparado ao vitrificado às 24 (66,7% x 15,4%) e 48 horas (97,6% x 36,0%). O BAX estava mais expresso (P<0,05) após a vitrificação. Concluindo, os blastocistos Piau podem ser criopreservados por Cryotop. Este estudo também demonstrou que a via apoptótica pode ser responsável pela baixa eficiência da criopreservação de embriões suínos.(AU)

Continuous ozonation of urban wastewater: Removal of antibiotics, antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli and antibiotic resistance genes and phytotoxicity.

This work evaluated the removal of a mixture of eight antibiotics (i.e. ampicillin (AMP), azithromycin (AZM), erythromycin (ERY), clarithromycin (CLA), ofloxacin (OFL), sulfamethoxazole (SMX), trimethoprim (TMP) and tetracycline (TC)) from urban wastewater, by ozonation operated in continuous mode at different hydraulic retention times (HRTs) (i.e. 10, 20, 40 and 60 min) and specific ozone doses (i.e. 0.125, 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 gO3 gDOC- 1). As expected, the efficiency of ozonation was highly ozone dose- and contact time-dependent. The removal of the parent compounds of the selected antibiotics to levels below their detection limits was achieved with HRT of 40 min and specific ozone dose of 0.125 gO3 gDOC- 1. The effect of ozonation was also investigated at a microbiological and genomic level, by studying the efficiency of the process with respect to the inactivation of Escherichia coli and antibiotic-resistant E. coli, as well as to the reduction of the abundance of selected antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). The inactivation of total cultivable E. coli was achieved under the experimental conditions of HRT 40 min and 0.25 gO3 gDOC-1, at which all antibiotic compounds were already degraded. The regrowth examinations revealed that higher ozone concentrations were required for the permanent inactivation of E. coli below the Limit of Quantification (

Ivermectin does not interfere with seminal and hormonal parameters in male rabbits.

Ivermectin (IVM) is a macrocyclic lactone used as a broad spectrum antiparasitic agent against nematodes and arthropods. It is mainly used in the control of parasitic infections of domestic animals, and recently has been used in humans to treat onchocerciasis, scabies, and pediculosis. In mammals, evidence has indicated that macrocyclic lactones interact with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated chloride channels. The GABAergic system is known to be involved in the manifestation of sexual behavior, and previous studies have shown that IVM impaired sexual behavior in both male and female rats. Thus, considering that IVM may interfere with the sexual sphere, this study evaluated the temporal (1 up 60 days) effects of exposure to IVM (0.2 and 1.0 mg/kg, administered subcutaneously) on seminal and hormonal parameters of male rabbits. In male rabbits, the spermatozoa concentration, motility and morphology, the integrity of the plasmatic, acrosomal and mitochondrial membranes of the spermatozoa, the organ weights, gonadosomatic index, serum testosterone concentrations, histopathological findings were evaluated and hematological and serum biochemical analysis was conducted. No changes were observed in male seminal parameters evaluated by spermatozoa concentration, motility, and morphology, nor the potential for fertilization evaluated by the integrity of the plasmatic, acrosomal, and mitochondrial membranes of the spermatozoa; there was also no interference in serum testosterone concentration, serum biochemistry and hematological parameters. The findings of this study using the artificial vagina for collection of semen and computer-assisted semen analysis showed that IVM at doses of 0.2 and 1.0 mg/kg of SC did not alter any of the semen parameters of rabbits evaluated for up to 60 days after administration.

Sensory attributes and volatile composition of a dry white wine under different packing configurations.

The aim of this work was to study the effect of different configurations of packaging on the volatile composition and sensory properties of a white wine. Certain oenological parameters were also evaluated. Bag-in-box (BIB) and glass bottles sealed with two different cork stoppers, natural and Neutrocork (technical), were used in the experiments. Analysis were carried out before packaging and after 3, 6 and 12 months of storage. Results showed that wines packaged in BIB presented higher levels of brown color than wines in bottles sealed with corks. In all packaging configurations, the content of free SO2 decreased with storage time; however, BIB wines showed a lower content of free SO2 than bottle wines during 12 months. Moreover, wines under BIB presented a significant lower amount of 2-phenylethanol, 2-phenylethyl acetate, isoamyl acetate, ethyl butanoate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl octanoate, linalool and ß-damascenone than bottled wines.

Ivermectin reduces motor coordination, serum testosterone, and central neurotransmitter levels but does not affect sexual motivation in male rats.

Ivermectin (IVM) is a macrocyclic lactone used for the treatment of parasitic infections and widely used in veterinary medicine as endectocide. In mammals, evidence indicates that IVM interacts with γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated chloride channels. GABAergic system is involved in the manifestation of sexual behavior. We previously found that IVM at therapeutic doses did not alter sexual behavior in male rats, but at a higher dose, the appetitive phase of sexual behavior was impaired. Thus, we investigated whether the reduction of sexual behavior that was previously observed was a consequence of motor or motivational deficits that are induced by IVM. Data showed significant decrease in striatal dopaminergic system activity and lower testosterone levels but no effects on sexual motivation or penile erection. These findings suggest IVM may activate the GABAergic system and reduce testosterone levels, resulting in a reduction of motor coordination as consequence of the inhibition of striatal dopamine release.

Colon cancer metastasis to the thyroid gland: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Thyroid metastases from colorectal cancer are uncommon and few cases are described in literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A 64-year-old female patient presented with an asymptomatic right cervical nodule with a rapid growth six years after sigmoidectomy for cancer and two years after resection of colorectal lung metastases. Increased CA 19.9 was identified and a thoracoabdominal CT scan revealed the onset of new metastatic bilateral pulmonary lesions. Neck ultrasonography showed a suspicious nodule in the right thyroid lobe, and Fine-needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) of the nodule lead to the diagnosis of colorectal cancer metastasis. A right thyroid lobectomy with right central lymph node dissection was performed. The patient underwent chemotherapy with response, but this was posteriorly suspended due to haematological side effects, and the disease spread. DISCUSSION: Thyroid metastases from colorectal cancer are rare, but, with the improvement of radiologic exams and the higher survival rate of these patients, more cases are being described. The majority of the cases present pulmonary and hepatic metastases and the prognosis is poor. The decision to operate and the type of operation depend on the extent of the metastatic disease and the patient's overall condition. CONCLUSION: A low threshold of suspicion is crucial to make a timely diagnosis of thyroid metastases from colorectal cancer. Treatment is controversial, but, without surgery, the need may arise for tracheostomy.

Myenteric neuroprotective role of aspirin in acute and chronic experimental infections with Trypanosoma cruzi.

BACKGROUND: Experimental and clinical studies have shown that myenteric neuron cell death during infection with Trypanosoma cruzi mainly occurs in the esophagus and colon, resulting in megaesophagus and megacolon, respectively. Evidence suggests that the cyclooxygenase enzyme (COX) is involved in the T. cruzi invasion process. The use of low-dose aspirin (ASA), a COX-1/COX-2 inhibitor, has been shown to reduce infection with T. cruzi. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the effects of treatment with low-dose ASA on myenteric colonic neurons during murine infection with T. cruzi. METHODS: Swiss mice were assigned into groups treated with either phosphate-buffered saline or low doses of ASA during the acute phase (20 mg/kg ASA) and chronic phase (50 mg/kg ASA) of infection with the Y strain of T. cruzi. Seventy-five days after infection, colon samples were collected to quantify inflammatory foci in histological sections and also general (myosin-V+ ), nitrergic, and VIPergic myenteric neurons in whole mounts. Gastrointestinal transit time was also measured. KEY RESULTS: Aspirin treatment during the acute phase of infection reduced parasitemia (P<.05). Aspirin treatment during the acute or chronic phase of the infection reduced the intensity of inflammatory foci in the colon, protected myenteric neurons from cell death and plastic changes, and recovered the gastrointestinal transit of mice infected with T. cruzi (P<.05). CONCLUSION & INFERENCES: Early and delayed treatment with low-dose ASA can reduce the morphofunctional damage of colonic myenteric neurons caused by murine T. cruzi infection.

Safe drinking water and waterborne outbreaks.

The present work compiles a review on drinking waterborne outbreaks, with the perspective of production and distribution of microbiologically safe water, during 2000-2014. The outbreaks are categorised in raw water contamination, treatment deficiencies and distribution network failure. The main causes for contamination were: for groundwater, intrusion of animal faeces or wastewater due to heavy rain; in surface water, discharge of wastewater into the water source and increased turbidity and colour; at treatment plants, malfunctioning of the disinfection equipment; and for distribution systems, cross-connections, pipe breaks and wastewater intrusion into the network. Pathogens causing the largest number of affected consumers were Cryptosporidium, norovirus, Giardia, Campylobacter, and rotavirus. The largest number of different pathogens was found for the treatment works and the distribution network. The largest number of affected consumers with gastrointestinal illness was for contamination events from a surface water source, while the largest number of individual events occurred for the distribution network.

Responses of Crepis japonica induced by supplemental blue light and UV-A radiation.

Crepis japonica (L.) D.C. (Asteraceae), a weed with antioxidant, antiallergenic, antiviral and antitumor properties displays both medicinal properties and nutritional value. This study aims to assess the effects of a supplementation of blue light and UV-A radiation on the growth, leaf anatomical structure and phenolic profile of the aerial parts of Crepis japonica. Plants were grown under two light treatments: W (control - white light), W + B (white light supplemented with blue light) and W + UV-A (white light supplemented with UV-A radiation). We recorded the length, width, and weight of fresh and dry leaves, the thickness of the epidermis and mesophyll, and stomata density. The phenolic profiles of the aqueous extracts of the aerial parts were analyzed by HPLC-DAD. There was an increase in the leaf size, stomatal density, and phenolic production, and a thickening of the mesophyll and epidermis. UV-A radiation increased the phenolic production more than blue light. Blue light and UV-A radiation both improved the production of caffeic acid by about 6 and 3 times, respectively, in comparison to control. This compound was first reported as a constituent of the extract from the aerial parts together with caftaric acid. UV-A also promoted the production of chlorogenic acid (about 1.5 times in comparison to the control). We observed that the morphological and chemical parameters of C. japonica are modified in response to blue light and UV-A radiation, which can be used as tools in the cultivation of this species in order to improve its medicinal properties and nutritional value.

Aspirin prevents atrophy of esophageal nitrergic myenteric neurons in a mouse model of chronic Chagas disease.

The consequences of using aspirin (ASA) for the pathogenesis of Chagas disease are unclear. This study evaluated the effects of treatment of Chagas disease with ASA on the esophageal nitrergic myenteric neuron population and esophageal wall in mice. We observed that treatment of chagasic infection with ASA protects the esophageal myenteric neurons from the atrophy caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi infection. The mice were infected with 1300 trypomastigotes of Y strain T. cruzi intraperitoneally. Part of infected mice was treated with ASA from fifth to twelfth day after inoculation. Our data support the hypothesis that eicosanoids given during the acute phase of the chagasic infection may act as immunomodulators aiding the transition to and maintenance of the chronic phase of the disease. Besides, ASA treatment did not provoke alterations in the esophageal wall and the myenteric neurons in infected mice.

Ivermectin reduces motor coordination, serum testosterone, and central neurotransmitter levels but does not affect sexual motivation in male rats

Ivermectin (IVM) is a macrocyclic lactone used for the treatment of parasitic infections and widely used in veterinary medicine as endectocide. In mammals, evidence indicates that IVM interacts with ?-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated chloride channels. GABAergic system is involved in the manifestation of sexual behavior. We previously found that IVM at therapeutic doses did not alter sexual behavior in male rats, but at a higher dose, the appetitive phase of sexual behavior was impaired. Thus, we investigated whether the reduction of sexual behavior that was previously observed was a consequence of motor or motivational deficits that are induced by IVM. Data showed significant decrease in striatal dopaminergic system activity and lower testosterone levels but no effects on sexual motivation or penile erection. These findings suggest IVM may activate the GABAergic system and reduce testosterone levels, resulting in a reduction of motor coordination as consequence of the inhibition of striatal dopamine release.

Proposal of a super trait for the optimum selection of popcorn progenies based on path analysis.

A challenge faced by popcorn breeding programs is the existence of a negative correlation between the two main traits, popping expansion and yield, which hinders simultaneous gains. The objective of this study was to investigate the use of a new variable or super trait, which favors the reliable selection of superior progenies. The super trait 'expanded popcorn volume per hectare' was introduced in the evaluation of 200 full-sib families of the eighth recurrent intrapopulation selection cycle, which were arranged in randomized blocks with three replicates in two environments. Although the inability to obtain simultaneous gains through selection via popping expansion or yield was confirmed, the super trait was positively associated with both yield and popping expansion, allowing simultaneous gains via indirect selection using 'expanded popcorn volume per hectare' as the main trait. This approach is recommended because this super trait can be used in breeding programs to optimize selective gains for the crop.

Produção de embriões em ovinos Morada Nova e Somalis Brasileira / Embryo production in Morada Nova and Somalis Brasileira ewes

Superovulatory response and embryo yield in 19 Morada Nova and 20 Somalis Brasileira ewes was analyzed. All animals were synchronized with the insertion of an intravaginal device (CIDR®) on Day 0, replaced by a new device on Day 7, which remained in place until Day 14 and superovulated with 133mg of porcine FSH (pFSH) in decreasing doses at 12h intervals from Day 12 until Day 15 of the treatment, and a single dose of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG, 200UI) on Day 14 (i.e., administered in CIDR removal). Fifty hours after CIDR® removal, females were inseminated by laparoscopy. All embryos were recovered by laparotomy 5 days after insemination. Sheep which responded to the superovulation protocol (P>0.05) included 74% of the Morada Nova ewes and 50% of the Somalis Brasileira ewes. Morada Nova showed better results (P<0.05) than Somalis Brasileira in number of ovulations (15.38 ± 5.24 vs. 10.56 ± 2.83), total structures (11.00 ± 7.55 vs. 3.33 ± 1.94) and embryo yields (6.79 ± 5.35 vs. 2.90 ± 2.18). Despite the high fertilization rate, degenerate embryo rate was high for both breeds, with an overall rate of 39% (57/145). In conclusion, superovulatory response and embryo yields in Morada Nova ewes were considered sufficient to justify the use of this procedure in genetic resources conservation programs. However, improvements to embryo quality and control of precocious regression of corpus luteum are necessary to produce better results in the MOET program, with minimal variations and maximum embryo yield in Morada Nova and Somalis Brasileira ewes.(AU)

Quantum monte carlo study of the energetics of small hydrogenated and fluoride lithium clusters.

An investigation of the energetics of small lithium clusters doped either with a hydrogen or with a fluorine atom as a function of the number of lithium atoms using fixed-node diffusion quantum Monte Carlo (DMC) simulation is reported. It is found that the binding energy (BE) for the doped clusters increases in absolute values leading to a more stable system than for the pure ones in excellent agreement with available experimental measurements. The BE increases for pure, remains almost constant for hydrogenated, and decreases rapidly toward the bulk lithium for the fluoride as a function of the number of lithium atoms in the clusters. The BE, dissociation energy as well as the second difference in energy display a pronounced odd-even oscillation with the number of lithium atoms. The electron correlation inverts the odd-even oscillation pattern for the doped in comparison with the pure clusters and has an impact of 29%-83% to the BE being higher in the pure cluster followed by the hydrogenated and then by the fluoride. The dissociation energy and the second difference in energy indicate that the doped cluster Li3 H is the most stable whereas among the pure ones the more stable are Li2 , Li4 , and Li6 . The electron correlation energy is crucial for the stabilization of Li3 H. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Piometra em uma leoa (Panthera leo): relato de caso / Pyometra in a lion (Panthera leo): case report

A piometra é uma infecção aguda ou crônica do útero que ocorre frequentemente em cadelas não castradas, podendo também ocorrer em gatas domésticas e selvagens, sendo poucos os estudos relacionados à piometra em grandes felídeos. O objetivo deste relato foi descrever um caso de piometra em uma leoa (Panthera leo) de cativeiro, as lesões de necropsia e histológicas, bem como os resultados da análise microbiológica. Uma leoa com aproximadamente 23 anos, pertencente a um criadouro conservacionista de Santa Maria-RS, foi encontrada morta pela manhã em seu recinto. Após coleta de dados, procedeu-se à necropsia e à coleta de material para análise histopatológica e bacteriológica. A análise microbiológica revelou predomínio das bactérias Streptococcus sp. e Escherichia coli no conteúdo purulento do útero, caracterizando como piometra, e a bactéria predominante em plasma, fígado e medula óssea foi E. coli. De acordo com o laudo histopatológico, as alterações observadas nessa leoa sugerem um quadro de septicemia grave, sendo a origem do foco infeccioso bacteriano, provavelmente, a piometra. Considera-se importante chamar a atenção dos médicos veterinários de animais selvagens para um diagnóstico precoce dessa doença, que é comum em cadelas, mas que pode acometer também felídeos selvagens e levá-los à morte.

Pyometra is an acute or chronic uterus infection that occurs often in not spayed dogs, but may also occur in wild and domestic cats, and there are few studies related to pyometra in big cats. The aim of this report was to describe a case of pyometra in a lion (Panthera leo) in captivity, the gross and microscopic lesions found at necropsy, and the results of the microbiological analysis. A female with approximately 23 years of age, belonging to a Conservationist Breeding Center located in Santa Maria-RS-Brazil was found dead in her enclosure in the morning. After data collection, we proceeded to the autopsy and collection of material for histopathological and bacteriological analyzes. Microbiological analysis revealed a predominance of the bacteria Streptococcus sp and Escherichia coli in the uterus content, characterized as pyometra and the predominant bacterium in the plasma, liver and bone marrow was Escherichia coli. According to histopathology, the changes observed in this lioness suggest a framework of severe septicemia, being the source of the bacterial infection, probably, pyometra. It is considered important to draw the attention of zoo and wildlife veterinarians for an early diagnosis of this common disease in dogs, which can also affect large wild cats and lead them to death.

Gonadal hormones modulate the responsiveness to local ß-blocker-induced antinociception in the temporomandibular joint of male and female rats.

BACKGROUND: We have previously demonstrated that blockade of ß-adrenoreceptors (ß-AR) located in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of rats suppresses formalin-induced TMJ nociceptive behaviour in both male and female rats, but female rats are more responsive. In this study, we investigated whether gonadal hormones modulate the responsiveness to local ß-blocker-induced antinociception in the TMJ of rats. METHODS: Co-administration of each of the selective ß1 (atenolol), ß2 (ICI 118.551) and ß3 (SR59230A)-AR antagonists with equi-nociceptive concentrations of formalin in the TMJ of intact, gonadectomized and hormone-treated gonadectomized male and female rats. RESULTS: Atenolol, ICI 118.551 and SR59230A significantly reduced formalin-induced TMJ nociception in a dose response fashion in all groups tested. However, a lower dose of each ß-AR antagonist was sufficient to significantly reduce nociceptive responses in gonadectomized but not in intact and testosterone-treated gonadectomized male rats. In the female groups, a lower dose of ß1 -AR antagonist was sufficient to significantly reduce nociceptive responses in gonadectomized but not in intact or gonadectomized rats treated with progesterone or a high dose of oestradiol; a lower dose of ß2 -AR antagonist was sufficient to significantly reduce nociceptive responses in gonadectomized but not in intact and gonadectomized rats treated with low or high dose of oestradiol. CONCLUSION: Gonadal hormones may reduce the responsiveness to local ß-blocker-induced antinociception in the TMJ of male and female rats. However, their effect depends upon their plasma level, the subtype of ß-AR and the dose of ß-blockers used.