Genetic diversity and morphological characterization of half-sib families of Heliconia bihai L., H. chartacea Lane ex Barreiros, and H. wagneriana Peterson.

The Neotropical Heliconia genus contains highly diversified plants and up to 220 species have been reported from the north of Mexico to the South of Brazil. Heliconia are cultivated as ornamental garden plants and as cut flowers. All species can be propagated by seeds or vegetatively, through rhizomes. Depending on the species, an individual plant can spread and form large clonal populations. H. bihai L., H. chartacea Lane ex Barreiros, and H. wagneriana Petersen are among the most cultivated Heliconia species. However, they still have undesirable characteristics that could be improved for the international market. This study aimed to characterize 15 half-sib families originating from commercial cultivations, by morphological and molecular markers. The genetic diversity (HE), considering all individuals of the three species was 0.103. For H. bihai half-sib families, the value of HE was 0.242, showing high genetic diversity. The HE value for H. chartacea was 0.068, indicating low genetic diversity. All individuals of H. wagneriana showed the same band patterns, suggesting that the two parental plants were propagated vegetatively from the same plant and may have undergone some endogamic crossings. These results showed that molecular characterization can differentiate individuals closely related as half-siblings for H. bihai and H. chartacea, despite the low variation observed with morphological descriptors. The high genetic diversity observed in H. bihai half-sibling genotypes can provide valuable resources for breeding programs.

Ultra-low-dose chest CT with iterative reconstruction does not alter anatomical image quality.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of dose reduction with iterative reconstruction (IR) on image quality of chest CT scan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen human cadavers had chest CT with one reference CT protocol (RP-CT; 120kVp/200mAs) and two protocols with dose reduction: low-dose-CT (LD-CT; 120kVp/40mAs) and ultra-low-dose CT (ULD-CT; 120kVp/10mAs). Data were reconstructed with filter-back-projection (FBP) for RP-CT and with FBP and IR (sinogram affirmed iterative reconstruction [SAFIRE®]) algorithm for LD-CT and ULD-CT. Volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) were recorded. The signal-to-noise (SNR), contrast-to-noise (CNR) ratios of LD-CT and ULD-CT and quantitative parameters were compared to RP-CT. Two radiologists reviewed the CT examinations assessed independently the quality of anatomical structures and expressed a confidence level using a 2-point scale (50% and 95%). RESULTS: CTDIvol was 2.69 mGy for LD-CT (-80%; P<0.01) and 0.67 mGy for ULD-CT (-95%; P<0.01) as compared to 13.42 mGy for RP-CT. SNR and CNR were significantly decreased (P<0.01) for LD-CT and ULD-CT, but IR improved these values satisfactorily. No significant differences were observed for quantitative measurements. Radiologists rated excellent/good the RP-CT and LD-CT images, whereas good/fair the ULD-CT images. Confidence level for subjective anatomical analysis was 95% for all protocols. CONCLUSIONS: Dose reduction with a dose lower than 1 mGy, used in conjunction with IR allows performing chest CT examinations that provide a high quality of anatomical structures.

The role of the EQ-5D in the economic evaluation of dermatological conditions and therapies.

Economic evaluation is an increasingly important aspect of assessment of the burden of skin diseases. Although dermatology data were not used in its development, the use of the EQ-5D questionnaire has been encouraged by the requirement of health technology assessment agencies for utility comparisons informing reimbursement decisions. The aim of this review was to examine the use of the EQ-5D in dermatology and to consider its future role in the economic evaluation of skin diseases. Published studies reporting the use of the EQ-5D in the economic analysis of skin diseases were carefully examined. Nineteen articles and 1 abstract published between 2003 and 2011 were identified, in which cost-of-illness, cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analyses were described. The EQ-5D is not a dermatology-specific measure, and it is not yet clear whether it is the most appropriate measure to support economic evaluation in the context of dermatology.

Teores de proteína para vacas lactantes em pastejo de capim-elefante / Protein contents for lactating dairy cows grazing elephant grass

Avaliou-se o efeito da utilização de concentrados com diferentes teores de proteína bruta (PB) para vacas em lactação sob pastejo rotacionado de capim-elefante, distribuídas em três quadrados latinos (3x3). Os tratamentos foram concentrados suplementares contendo 15,2; 18,2 ou 21,1 por cento de PB. Foram oferecidos 3kg de concentrado por vaca, duas vezes ao dia. A disponibilidade de matéria seca (MS)/ha de capim-elefante foi de 1.873kg ou de 17,4kg de MS/vaca dia-1. A MS do capim-elefante foi de 19,6 por cento, contendo 13,9 por cento de PB e 66,1 por cento de fibra detergente neutro (FDN) e 67,4 por cento de digestibilidade in vitro da MS (DIVMS). Não houve diferença (P>0,05) entre os tratamentos quanto ao consumo diário de MS da dieta total (21,5; 21,6 e 20,8kg/d), MS do capim-elefante (16,1; 16,3 e 15,5kg/d) e FDN do capim-elefante (10,7; 10,7 e 10,3kg/d). As produções de leite (17,5; 17,2 e 17,6kg/d) e os teores de gordura (3,4; 3,5 e 3,5 por cento), proteína (2,9; 2,9 e 2,9 por cento), lactose (4,4; 4,4 e 4,4 por cento) e N-ureia no leite (14,1; 14,6 e 15,8mg/dL) não diferiram (P>0,05) entre os tratamentos (respectivamente, para 15,2; 18,2 ou 21,1 por cento de PB). O teor de N-ureia no plasma foi maior (P<0,05) em vacas alimentadas com concentrado com 21,1 por cento de PB (na ordem citada: 11,5; 12,2 e 14,4mg/dL). Nas condições experimentais, o concentrado suplementar com 15,2 por cento de PB pode ser utilizado na alimentação de vacas em lactação em pastagem de capim-elefante.

To evaluate the effect of feeding concentrate with different crude protein (CP) contents, lactating dairy cows grazing elephant grass were distributed in a 3x3 latin square. Three kg/cow of concentrates (15.2, 18.2, or 21.1 percent CP) were offered twice a day. Elephant grass dry matter (DM) availability was 1,873kg/ha; with a daily offer of 17.4kg/cow. The elephant grass DM content was 19.6 percent with 13.9 percent CP, 66.1 percent neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and 67.4 percent in vitro DM digestibility. There was no difference among treatments regarding total diet DM daily intake (21.5, 21.6, and 20.8kg/cow), elephant grass DM (16.1, 16.3, and 15.5kg/cow), and elephant grass NDF (10.7, 10.7, and 10.3kg/cow). Milk yield (17.5, 17.2, and 17.6kg/d) fat (3.4, 3.5, and 3.5 percent), protein (2.9, 2.9, and 2.9 percent), lactose (4.4, 4.4, and 4.4 percent), and N-urea (14.1, 14.6, and 15.8mg/dL) did not differ among concentrates (P>0.05). Plasma N-urea was higher in cows fed concentrate with 21.1 percent CP (11.5 = 12.2<14.4mg/dL, P<0.05). According to these results, concentrate with 15.2 percent CP can be used to lactating dairy cows grazing elephant grass, without affecting milk production as compared to concentrate with 18.2 or 21.1 percent of CP.

EEG spike source localization before and after surgery for temporal lobe epilepsy: a BOLD EEG-fMRI and independent component analysis study

Simultaneous measurements of EEG-functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) combine the high temporal resolution of EEG with the distinctive spatial resolution of fMRI. The purpose of this EEG-fMRI study was to search for hemodynamic responses (blood oxygen level-dependent - BOLD responses) associated with interictal activity in a case of right mesial temporal lobe epilepsy before and after a successful selective amygdalohippocampectomy. Therefore, the study found the epileptogenic source by this noninvasive imaging technique and compared the results after removing the atrophied hippocampus. Additionally, the present study investigated the effectiveness of two different ways of localizing epileptiform spike sources, i.e., BOLD contrast and independent component analysis dipole model, by comparing their respective outcomes to the resected epileptogenic region. Our findings suggested a right hippocampus induction of the large interictal activity in the left hemisphere. Although almost a quarter of the dipoles were found near the right hippocampus region, dipole modeling resulted in a widespread distribution, making EEG analysis too weak to precisely determine by itself the source localization even by a sophisticated method of analysis such as independent component analysis. On the other hand, the combined EEG-fMRI technique made it possible to highlight the epileptogenic foci quite efficiently.

EEG spike source localization before and after surgery for temporal lobe epilepsy: a BOLD EEG-fMRI and independent component analysis study.

Simultaneous measurements of EEG-functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) combine the high temporal resolution of EEG with the distinctive spatial resolution of fMRI. The purpose of this EEG-fMRI study was to search for hemodynamic responses (blood oxygen level-dependent--BOLD responses) associated with interictal activity in a case of right mesial temporal lobe epilepsy before and after a successful selective amygdalohippocampectomy. Therefore, the study found the epileptogenic source by this noninvasive imaging technique and compared the results after removing the atrophied hippocampus. Additionally, the present study investigated the effectiveness of two different ways of localizing epileptiform spike sources, i.e., BOLD contrast and independent component analysis dipole model, by comparing their respective outcomes to the resected epileptogenic region. Our findings suggested a right hippocampus induction of the large interictal activity in the left hemisphere. Although almost a quarter of the dipoles were found near the right hippocampus region, dipole modeling resulted in a widespread distribution, making EEG analysis too weak to precisely determine by itself the source localization even by a sophisticated method of analysis such as independent component analysis. On the other hand, the combined EEG-fMRI technique made it possible to highlight the epileptogenic foci quite efficiently.

Differences in grey and white matter atrophy in amnestic mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: Grey matter (GM) atrophy has been demonstrated in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and mild Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the role of white matter (WM) atrophy has not been well characterized. Despite these findings, the validity of aMCI concept as prodromal AD has been questioned. METHODS: We performed brain MRI with voxel-based morphometry analysis in 48 subjects, aiming to evaluate the patterns of GM and WM atrophy amongst mild AD, aMCI and age-matched normal controls. RESULTS: Amnestic mild cognitive impairment GM atrophy was similarly distributed but less intense than that of mild AD group, mainly in thalami and parahippocampal gyri. There were no difference between aMCI and controls concerning WM atrophy. In the mild AD group, we found WM atrophy in periventricular areas, corpus callosum and WM adjacent to associative cortices. DISCUSSION: We demonstrated that aMCI might be considered a valid concept to detect very early AD pathology, since we found a close proximity in the pattern of atrophy. Also, we showed the involvement of WM in mild AD, but not in aMCI, suggesting a combination of Wallerian degeneration and microvascular ischaemic disease as a plausible additional pathological mechanism for the discrimination between MCI and AD.

Evaluation of a pregnant guidance program

The aim of the present study was to assess ability of pregnant women (n=82) to acquire guidance on breastfeeding, baby’s sucking habits, and oral hygiene. Subjects were interviewed before and after their enrolment in the pregnancy orientation program at Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP). Results showed that all subjects improved their knowledge on all behavior aspects as well as their ability to follow guidance offered in this study. Information provided during the pre-natal period seems to help reduce incidence of early introduction of foods and weaning. To guarantee the success of programs designed to assist pregnant women, it is wise to use a systematic follow-up to motivate mothers after childbirth to keep up with guidance given in such programs, concerning not only information, but also emotional and instrumental support.

Biomicroscopia ultra-sônica aplicada à caracterização do esôfago / Ultrasound biomicroscopy applied to the characterization of the esophagus

This work has the objective to present images of the in vitro esophagus wall with a high frequency ultrasound (US) system. The ultrasound pulse echo system setup consists of a monocycle pulse generator exciting a PVDF transducer and a high frequency pre-amplifier...

Validation of a new computerized system for recording and analysing drug-induced tremor in rats.

INTRODUCTION: Certain drugs can induce tremor in small animals and can be used as Parkinson's disease or essential experimental tremor models. However, the use of arbitrary scales for evaluating tremor in experimental models is limited by observer subjectivity. Progress in electronics and computer science has allowed a more precise quantification of tremor. The objective of the present study was to validate a newly developed low-cost method of spectral registration and analysis of tremor in free-moving rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats, 3-4 months of age, previously placed for 5 min inside a sensor cage, were administered with different doses of eserine (0.25-1.5 mg/kg), oxotremorine (0.25-1.5 mg/kg) or harmaline (7.5-60 mg/kg). Drug-induced tremor was recorded during 10 min using a computerized system composed of force transducers, a signal conditioning circuit, a digitizing interface and a microcomputer. The signal transmitted to the computer was quantified, stored and analyzed for its amplitude and frequency by means of specific programs. RESULTS: Tremor was induced with an amplitude that was dose-dependent for all drugs used. Tremor frequency was dose-dependent for oxotremorine and eserine, but not for harmaline. The performance of the system was compared with that of other systems described in behavioral instrumentation literature. DISCUSSION: The present data indicate that the new system is capable of detecting the tremor induced by drugs, and that the programs used for spectral analysis allow the quantification of the amplitude and the frequency of the tremor in free-moving rats.

Ultrasonic wave speed measurement using the time-delay profile of rf-backscattered signals.

Conventional methods determine the ultrasonic wave speed by measuring the medium path length propagated by a pulsed wave and the corresponding time-of-flight. In this study, the wave speed is determined without the need of the path length. A transmitting transducer sends a pulsed wave into the medium (constant wave speed along the beam axis) and the backscattered signal is collected by a hydrophone placed at two distinct positions near the transmitted beam. The time-delay profile, between gated windows of the two rf-signals received by the hydrophone, is determined using a cross-correlation method. Also, a theoretical time-delay profile is determined considering the wave speed as a parameter. The measured wave speed is obtained upon minimization of the RMS error between theoretical and experimental time-delay profiles. A PZT conically focused transmitting transducer with center frequency of 3.3 MHz, focal depth of 20 mm and beam width (-6 dB) of 2 mm at the focus was used together with a PZT hydrophone, 0.8 mm in aperture. The method was applied to three phantoms (wave speed of 1220, 1501 and 1715 m/s) and, in vitro, to fresh bovine liver sample, immersed in a temperature-controlled water bath. The results vary within 3% of those obtained with a conventional method.

[Internal pancreatic fistula: surgical treatment]. / Fistule pancréatique interne: traitement chirurgical.

The authors present 13 cases of internal pancreatic fistula, of which 11 were secondary to a chronic pancreatitis and two were caused by an abdominal trauma. Beside the clinical picture, the diagnosis was anticipated by the high amylase levels present in the fluid obtained by paracentesis or thoracocentesis. The diagnosis was confirmed by the radiological analysis of the pancreatic duct system, when an endoscopic retrograde pancreatography was performed in seven patients, one pancreatography was carried out during surgery in five cases, and one patient underwent an injection of hydrosoluble contrast in the pleural cavity. The treatment was a latero-lateral pancreaticojejunoanastomosis in five cases, associated with a corpora-caudal pancreatectomy in four patients; a cephalic duodenopancreatectomy was performed in one case. Two patients underwent a cystoenteroanastomosis, while the option chosen in the last four cases was an external drainage. One patient refused to undergo surgical treatment. Operation mortality was null. The conclusion was that an adequate surgical treatment results in the occlusion of the internal pancreatic fistula and, furthermore, allows for the definitive resolution of underlying pancreatic affection.