Morphological study of the anatomical variations of anterior belly of digastric muscle in Brazilian cadavers.

BACKGROUND: Cases of variations in anterior belly of the digastric muscle must be carefully identified to avoid misinterpretations and assist in the correct surgical or aesthetic procedure and help in the teaching of anatomy. The aim of this study was to describe the anatomical variations of anterior belly of digastric muscle in Brazilian cadavers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one human heads were selected, from adult cadavers (18-80 years, 29 males and 2 females). The morphology of the anterior belly of the digastric muscle was observed, identifying the possible anatomical variations that were characterised and classified according to the amount of muscle bellies, fibre direction and place of origin and insertion. The morphometric measurements were performed using a digital calliper. To analyse the data obtained, photographic documentation, anatomical description and individual morphometric description of each muscle belly were performed. The incidence of anatomical variation was obtained in percentage (%). RESULTS: The anatomical variation of the anterior belly of the digastric muscle was present in 6 cadavers (19.31%; 1 female and 5 male). All anatomical variations presented an accessory belly to the anterior belly. However, these accessory bellies were configured differently in the location, direction of muscle fibres and in their dimensions (length and width). CONCLUSIONS: The gross anatomy of the anterior belly of the digastric muscle and their variations is important to assist in surgical procedures, pathological or diagnostic function. In addition, asymmetrical variations in the submental region must be carefully identified to avoid misinterpretations.

Foramen tympanicum prevalence in the population of Southeast Brazil: a morphological study in computed tomography scans.

BACKGROUND: The foramen tympanicum is located on the anteroinferior region of the external acoustic meatus and posteromedial to the temporomandibular joint in children between the 1st and the 5th year of life. It is considered an anatomical variation when it persists in adults. The aim of this study was to verify the prevalence as well as to characterise the foramen tympanicum in computed tomography (CT) scans of the population from southeastern part of Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 78 CT scans of dry human skulls (20 female and 58 male) were used, which were selected randomly regarding the ages, ranged from 15 to 100 years. The foramen tympanicum was identified in the images of the axial plane and confirmed in the images of the coronal and sagittal planes. The largest diameter (in mm) was obtained. The descriptive statistics (in %), Fisher's test and χ2 test were performed to compare the prevalence of foramen tympanicum between sexes and sides. The probability value ≤ 0.05 was defined as a level of significance. Descriptive statistics were performed to verify the mean diameter of the foramen on the right and left sides of the skulls. RESULTS: The prevalence of foramen tympanicum was higher in females (p = 0.0070), bilaterally, as the absolute values of females were lower in relation to males. Fisher's exact test showed that the prevalence of foramen tympanicum was significantly higher in females (45%) than in males (15.52%). On the right side, the mean axial diameter was 2.23 mm (range 0.93-3.75 mm). On the left side, the mean axial diameter was 2.22 mm (range 0.9-3.61 mm). CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of anatomical variations is extremely valuable for an accurate diagnosis, treatment plan and prognosis and a thorough preoperative assessment.

Presence of complete or incomplete septa in human jugular foramens / Presencia de septos completos o incompletos en forámenes yugulares humanos

SUMMARY: The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence of anatomical variants in the exocranial surface of the jugular foramen, specifically, the presence of single or double and complete or incomplete septation. A cross-sectional anatomical study was performed using 96 Brazilian dry human skulls (53 male and 43 female). One examiner determined the number (single or double) and type (i.e. complete or incomplete) of osseous septation at the outer surface of jugular foramens. Data went through statistical analysis on GraphPad Prism 6.01. Our results shown that Male individuals where more likely to present normal jugular foramens (male = 71.69%, female = 34.88%; p = 0.003). However, one incomplete septation occurred more often on the right side of female individuals (1 incomplete septation, male = 16.98%; 1 incomplete septation, female = 34.88%; p = 0.044). Similarly, one complete septation (i.e. the presence of two fully divided jugular compartments) also occurred more often on the right side of female individuals (1 complete septation, male = 9.43%; 1 complete septation, female = 25.58%; p = 0.038). Anatomical variants of the jugular foramen regarding single or double complete or incomplete septations were more likely to be found on the right side of female individuals, whose also presented a higher rate of jugular foramens with any type of septation than regular non-altered jugular foramens.

RESUMEN: El objetivo de la presente investigación fue determinar la presencia de variaciones anatómicas en la superficie exocraneal del foramen yugular, especificamente, la presencia de septos únicos o dobles, completos o incompletos. El estudio fue realizado en 96 cráneos secos (53 masculinos y 43 femeninos) de indivíduos Brasileños. Se determinaron septos óseos completos o incompletos y número de ellos. Los resultados obtenidos fueron tratados estadísticamente con el programa GraphPad Prism 6.01. Los sujetos de sexo masculino fueron más propensos a presentar forámenes yugulares normales (sexo masculino: 71,69%; sexo femenino: 34,88%, p= 0,003). Sin embargo, se observaron septos incompletos con mayor frecuencia en el lado derecho y en el sexo femenino (sexo masculino: 16,98%; sexo femenino: 34,88%, p=0,044). Adicionalmente, una septación completa (presencia de dos compartimientos yugulares, divididos completamente), se presentaron más frecuentemente en el lado derecho de indivíduos femeninos (sexo masculino: 9,43%; sexo femenino: 25,58%, p= 0,038). Las variantes anatómicas del foramen yugular, en relación a septos simples o dobles, completos o incompletos, se encontraron con mayor frecuencia en el lado derecho de las mujeres, las que presentaron un alto rango de forámenes yugulares con algún tipo de septos respecto a los forámenes yugulares regulares no alterados.

A Stochastic Spiking Neural Network for Virtual Screening.

Virtual screening (VS) has become a key computational tool in early drug design and screening performance is of high relevance due to the large volume of data that must be processed to identify molecules with the sought activity-related pattern. At the same time, the hardware implementations of spiking neural networks (SNNs) arise as an emerging computing technique that can be applied to parallelize processes that normally present a high cost in terms of computing time and power. Consequently, SNN represents an attractive alternative to perform time-consuming processing tasks, such as VS. In this brief, we present a smart stochastic spiking neural architecture that implements the ultrafast shape recognition (USR) algorithm achieving two order of magnitude of speed improvement with respect to USR software implementations. The neural system is implemented in hardware using field-programmable gate arrays allowing a highly parallelized USR implementation. The results show that, due to the high parallelization of the system, millions of compounds can be checked in reasonable times. From these results, we can state that the proposed architecture arises as a feasible methodology to efficiently enhance time-consuming data-mining processes such as 3-D molecular similarity search.

Genetic structure and evidence of anthropogenic effects on wild populations of two Neotropical catfishes: baselines for conservation.

Genetic diversity and structure of Pseudoplatystoma corruscans and P. reticulatum, large migratory South America catfishes, where overfishing and the construction of numerous dams in their feeding and reproducing areas are affecting their migratory processes negatively, were studied using microsatellites in samples from Paraguay (that comprises the Pantanal biome), and the upper and lower Paraná Basins. Genetic diversity was in accordance to that observed for other large migratory fishes, but the most geographically isolated populations of P. reticulatum and those P. corruscans subject to anthropogenic effects (stocking and dams) showed lower genetic diversity and evidences of bottlenecks compatible with low effective population size. Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum presented subtle genetic differentiation within the Paraguay area, especially between the edges of its distribution. Pseudoplatystoma corruscans, in this same area, presented a quite homogeneous but significant genetic break between the Paraguay and upper Paraná populations, apparently resulting from natural and historical isolation between the basins until recently. These data demonstrates that, although these Pseudoplatystoma spp. are abundant in the Pantanal area, anthropogenic events are leading to negative effects on their populations, particularly in the upper Paraná Basin. Genetic differentiation observed along each species distribution demands conservation actions to preserve each population's biodiversity. These results represent important genetic information using new microsatellite markers and the first genetic study of P. reticulatum covering this area of its native distribution. Data may also contribute to a better understanding of species migration patterns and to be used as a baseline for proper management.

First record of non-native hybrid catfish Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum × Leiarius marmoratus in the Upper Paraná River basin, Brazil.

The aim of this study is to report the presence of a three non-native hybrid long-whiskered catfishes (family Pimelodidae) in the Upper Paraná River basin, Brazil. Genetic analyses demonstrated that the three presumptive hybrids were a result of the crossbreeding of Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum (central Amazonas River basin and Lower Paraná River) and Leiarius marmoratus (Amazonas, Essequibo and Orinoco rivers), producing a hybrid commonly known in Brazil as cachandiá. The potential threat to biodiversity, due to possible genetic contamination, competition and predation of wild stocks, of such artificially produced hybrid fishes is discussed.

Alternativas de tratamiento en pacientes con patologías neuromusculares y afecciones respiratorias / Treatment alternatives in patients with neuromuscular pathologies and respiratory diseases

Los avances tecnológicos y los cuidados respiratorios no invasivos en el tratamiento de las afecciones respiratorias en pacientes con patologías neuromusculares han contribuido a una mejor calidad de vida y sobrevida de los pacientes con enfermedades neuromusculares. Además de la capacitación de los pacientes y sus cuidadores para facilitar la estadía de los mismos en el hogar sin depender de instituciones o cuidados de enfermería permanentes y promoviendo la autonomía e integración. El objetivo de este artículo es realizar una revisión de las estrategias y tratamientos brindados a los pacientes con enfermedades neuromusculares y afecciones respiratorias. Resulta esencial que los profesionales de la salud, conozcan todas las opciones terapéuticas posibles para ofrecer a sus pacientes y sus familias, de modo que a medida que la enfermedad avance ellos puedan expresar sus voluntades en forma anticipada y sin apremios derivados de eventos "inesperados". Además es necesario impulsar un cambio de paradigma en la forma en que los profesionales de la salud ven a estos individuos.

Technological advances and proper training for patients with neuromuscular diseases and respiratory problem, including their caregivers, facilitate their stay at home and promote their autonomy and integration, without depending on hospices or permanent nursing care. The objective of this article is to review all the strategies and treatment offered to the patients with neuromuscular diseases. It is essential for health care professionals to know all the therapeutic possibilities offering for their patients and their families, so as the disease progresses it would facilitate the conscious decision-making. Also it is necessary to promote a paradigm shift in the way health professionals approach to individuals with neuromuscular diseases.

Reference values for biochemical analytes in Mexican dairy farms: interactions and adjustments between production groups / Valores de referência para analitos bioquímicos em rebanhos leiteiros mexicanos: interações e ajustes entre grupos de produção

Blood samples of 189 healthy Holstein cows classified as high-producers, low-producers, or dry cows, were collected with the purpose of establishing reference values for several biochemical analytes in Mexican dairy farms. Mean values were calculated for: 1) Energy profile: glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, ß-hydroxybutyrate, and non-esterified fatty acids, 2) Protein profile: urea, albumin, globulin, and total protein, 3) Mineral profile: calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium, chlorine, carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, and anion gap, and 4) Hepatic enzyme: γ-glutamyl transpeptidase. The resulting data set was analyzed using Gaussian distribution and descriptive statistics. Confidence intervals of 95% were established. The linear relationships between the biochemical analytes were quantified, and an analysis of variance was performed to compare the mean values between the three production groups. The overall concentrations of the described analytes are consistent with values reported by international literature. However, lower values were found for urea, calcium, and sodium; higher values were found for cholesterol, and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase. Negative correlations were found between ß-hydroxybutyrate and glucose or urea, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and urea, and bicarbonate and urea or phosphorus or anion gap. Positive correlations were found between ß-hydroxybutyrate and cholesterol or anion gap, non-esterified fatty acids and anion gap, cholesterol and globulin, different analytes of mineral profile and anion gap or urea or glucose, and between sodium and calcium. Differences among the three production groups were observed for ß-hydroxybutyrate and cholesterol concentrations. The γ-glutamyl transpeptidase concentration was similar in high and low-producing cows but was higher in comparison to serum levels of dry cows. Calcium showed differences between high-producing cows and the other two groups, and sodium showed the highest concentration in dry cows. The outcomes of this work improve the accuracy of the metabolic profiles as a tool for assessing the nutritional and health status of dairy cows.

As amostras de sangue de 189 vacas da raça Holandesa clinicamente saudáveis, classificadas em alta produção, baixa produção ou vacas secas, foram coletadas com a finalidade de se estabelecerem valores de referência para vários analitos bioquímicos em rebanhos leiteiros mexicanos. Os valores médios foram calculados para: 1) perfil energético: glicose, colesterol, triglicerídeos, ß-hidroxibutirato, e ácidos graxos não esterificados, 2) perfil proteico: ureia, albumina, globulina e proteínas totais, 3) perfil mineral: cálcio, fósforo, sódio, potássio, magnésio, cloro, dióxido de carbono, bicarbonato e hiato aniônico, e 4) enzima hepática: γ-glutamil transpeptidase. O conjunto de dados resultante foi analisado utilizando-se distribuição gaussiana e estatística descritiva. Intervalos de confiança de 95% foram estabelecidos. As relações lineares entre os analitos bioquímicos foram quantificadas, e uma análise de variância foi realizada para se compararem os valores médios entre os três grupos de produção. As concentrações totais dos analitos descritos são consistentes com os valores relatados na literatura internacional. No entanto, os valores mais baixos foram encontrados para a ureia, o cálcio e o sódio; os valores mais elevados foram encontrados para o colesterol e o γ-glutamil transpeptidase. Correlações negativas foram encontradas entre ß-hidroxibutirato e glicose ou ureia, γ-glutamil transpeptidase e ureia, e entre bicarbonato e ureia ou fósforo ou hiato aniônico. Foram encontradas correlações positivas entre ß-hidroxibutirato e colesterol ou hiato aniônico, ácidos graxos não esterificados e hiato aniônico, colesterol e globulina, diferentes analitos de perfil mineral e hiato aniônico ou ureia ou glicose, e entre sódio e cálcio. As diferenças entre os três grupos de produção foram observadas para as concentrações de ß-hidroxibutirato e de colesterol. A concentração γ-glutamil transpeptidase foi semelhante em vacas de alta e baixa produção, mas foi maior em comparação com os níveis séricos de vacas secas. O cálcio mostrou diferenças entre vacas de alta produção e os outros dois grupos, e o sódio apresentou a maior concentração em vacas secas. Os resultados deste trabalho podem melhorar a precisão dos perfis metabólicos como uma ferramenta para avaliar o estado nutricional e de saúde das vacas leiteiras.

Lesión adquirida de distribución lineal en región preesternal / Acquired Linear Lesion in the Presternal Region

No disponible

Lesiones anulares en cabeza de un lactante / Annular Lesions on the Head of an Infant

No disponible

Short-term UV-B exposure induces metabolic and anatomical changes in peel of harvested lemons contributing in fruit protection against green mold.

UV-B radiation (UVBR) is a small fraction of the solar spectrum from 280 to 315nm. UVBR produces photomorphogenic acclimation responses in plants, modulating their cellular structure and physiology. Here, changes in the peel of harvested lemons after short time exposure to UVBR were analyzed and its potential effects against fungal infection were studied. In the flavedo, UVBR treatment induced variations in the respiratory profiles and increased the phenolic compound contents. Final products of the flavonoid pathway (flavones, flavonols and anthocyanins) increased more markedly than their precursors (flavanones and dihydroflavonols). The increased accumulation of soluble phenolics in the flavedo of treated lemons is associated with the high antioxidant activity found in the flavedo of these samples. Supporting the biochemical determinations, anatomical observations showed abundant intravacuolar deposits of phenolic compounds and an increase in the cell wall thickness in UVBR-treated samples. Metabolic and anatomical modifications associated to UVBR improved natural defenses against Penicillium digitatum, the causal agent of green mold disease. Our results suggest that mature postharvest lemons exposed to the artificial radiation showed phenotypic plasticity, allowing an acclimation response to UVBR which confers fruit resistance to pathogens. Thus, combination of UVBR with other treatments could represent an important improvement to control postharvest diseases on citrus.

Hypogonadism and Mortality in Aged Hospitalized Male Patients: A 5-Year Prospective Observational Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between hypogonadism and mortality in aged hospitalized male patients. DESIGN: A 5-year prospective observational study was conducted. Gonadal function was assessed at hospital admission and mortality was registered in the follow-up period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied all patients≥65 years admitted for any reason during 2010 and 2011. Serum T concentrations were quantified in all patients. Hypogonadism was defined by the presence of serum T levels<200 ng/dl. Number of deaths and all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality were registered until December 31(st), 2014. RESULTS: During the study 150 patients were admitted and 103 (68.7%) of them died during follow-up. Hypogonadism was positively associated with mortality (P=0.036). The percentage of hypogonadal patients was significantly (P=0.02) higher in the group of patients who died in hospital compared with those who died after hospital discharge and those who survived. CV disease was the main cause of death in 52 patients (50.5%). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a median survival time for all-cause mortality of 2.0 (0-16.5) months and 21.0 (5.0-33.2) months for patients with and without hypogonadism, respectively (P<0.001). Similar findings were found when analyzing mortality due to CV disease (P=0.009). Hypogonadism was a strong independent predictor for all-cause (adjusted multivariate analysis, HR 3.35; 1.55-7.23, P=0.002) and CV mortality (HR 2.14; 1.18-3.86, P=0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Hypogonadism discovered during hospitalization is associated with in-hospital and long-term mortality in elderly male patients and predicts both all-cause mortality and CV mortality in this population.

Bone augmentation of the atrophic anterior maxilla for dental implants using rhBMP-2 and titanium mesh: histological and tomographic analysis.

The loss of multiple teeth or trauma to the anterior maxilla often results in a deficient ridge width for prosthetic tooth rehabilitation. This study evaluated the use of titanium mesh and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) for the repair of major bone defects in the alveolar bone. Five patients were enrolled in the study; these patients required implant replacements for two contiguous missing teeth in the anterior maxilla, which lacked sufficient bone. Residual ridges were augmented with rhBMP-2 and titanium mesh to direct the geometry of the newly formed bone. Seven months later, a bone biopsy specimen was removed from the implantation site before osteotomy and insertion of dental implants. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were obtained preoperatively, postoperatively (baseline), and 48 months after implantation to evaluate implant healing. All dental implants were placed in the grafted sites without the need for further bone augmentation. The most frequent adverse effects were facial oedema and oral erythema. Biopsy specimens were used to evaluate bone quality. CBCT scans provided a prediction of alveolar restoration and long-term success. The combination of rhBMP-2 and titanium mesh provided effective augmentation of the atrophic anterior maxilla prior to implant placement.

Polarization evolution of radially polarized partially coherent vortex fields: role of Gouy phase of Laguerre-Gauss beams.

In the framework of the paraxial approximation, we derive the analytical expressions for describing the effect of the Gouy phase of Laguerre-Gauss beams on the polarization evolution of partially coherent vortex fields whose electric field vector at some transverse plane exhibits a radially polarized behavior. At each transverse plane, the polarization distribution across the beam profile is characterized by means of the percentage of irradiance associated with the radial or azimuthal components. The propagation laws for these percentages are also presented. As an illustrative example, we analyze a radially polarized partially coherent vortex beam.

Raloxifene enhances peri-implant bone healing in osteoporotic rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate bone healing at the bone-implant interface in rats with induced osteoporosis. The rats underwent a bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) and were fed a low calcium and phosphate diet. The OVX rats were divided into three groups: one was treated with raloxifene (OVX-RAL), one with alendronate (OVX-ALE), and one received no medication (OVX-NT). The control group rats (SHAM-DN) underwent sham surgery and were fed a normal diet. Each animal received one implant in each tibia: a machined surface implant in the right tibia and an implant with surface etching in the left tibia. All animals were euthanized after 42 days. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey post hoc tests were applied to the biomechanics (reverse torque) and bone-implant contact (BIC) data (P<0.05). The RAL and ALE groups showed improved peri-implant bone healing. However, the ALE group showed no significant difference from the OVX-NT group. Surface treatment promoted higher corticalization at the bone-implant interface, but showed the same characteristics of mature bone and bone neoformation in concentric laminations as the machined implant. There were no statistically significant differences in reverse torque (P=0.861) or BIC (P=0.745) between the OVX-RAL and SHAM-DN groups. Therefore, the use of raloxifene resulted in good biomechanical, BIC, and histological findings in the treatment of induced osteoporosis in rats.

Natural course of hypogonadism diagnosed during hospitalization in aged male patients.

Our aim was to assess short-term natural course of hypogonadism diagnosed during hospitalization for acute disease in aged male patients after discharge. A group of 43 hypogonadal males, aged 86.7±5.7 year, was studied. Serum concentrations of testosterone (T) and gonadotropins (follicle-stimulating hormone, FSH, and luteinizing hormone, LH) were measured in every patient both at admission and one month after discharge. Mean serum T at entry was 115.4±48.0 ng/dl. Hypogonadism was hyper-, hypo-, and normogonadotropic in 20 (46.5%), 20 (46.5%), and 3 (7.0%) patients, respectively. One month after discharge serum T concentrations increased significantly (230.9±135.6 ng/dl, p<0.001). At this point, more than half of the patients (n=27, 62.8%) showed normal serum T concentrations. Both gonadotropins, FSH (p<0.001), and LH (p=0.04) also increased one month after discharge. Approximately, half of the patients (13, 48.1%) who normalized serum T concentrations also showed normal serum gonadotropin concentrations. Patients who normalized their serum T concentrations one month after discharge showed significantly higher baseline values of T (134.7±33.9 ng/dl) than those who persisted with hypogonadism (n=16, 32.7%; 82.8±51.6 ng/dl, p<0.001). Lastly, serum T was the only independent predictor for achieving eugonadal status (OR 1.030; CI 95%, 1.010-1.050; p<0.001). In conclusion, about 63% of aged patients hospitalized for acute illness with hypogonadism discovered during hospitalization spontaneously normalize their serum T concentrations one month after discharge. Serum gonadotropin concentrations also increased after discharge. Serum T levels at admission was an independent predictor for the normalization of serum T concentrations.

Hypogonadism in aged hospitalized male patients: prevalence and clinical outcome.

OBJECTIVE: Male hypogonadism is common in the elderly and has been associated with increased risk of mortality. Our objective has been to assess the prevalence of primary and central hypogonadism in elderly male patients admitted to the hospital because of acute illness. We also evaluated the relationships between gonadal dysfunction and in-hospital mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 150 patients, aged ≥65 years, admitted during 2010 and 2011 in our geriatric unit, were studied. Serum concentrations total, bioavailable and free testosterone, as well as of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone were quantified in every patient. Hypogonadism was defined by the presence of serum testosterone levels lower than 200 ng/dl. RESULTS: Hypogonadism was found in 80 patients (53.3 %). Serum gonadotropin concentrations were elevated in 43.7 % of these patients, whereas 41.3 % of hypogonadic patients showed normal and 15 % low gonadotropin concentrations. Respiratory tract infection and congestive heart failure were the main causes of hospitalization in hypogonadal men, whereas acute cerebrovascular disease was the main reason for admission in eugonadal patients. Of the 13 patients who died during hospitalization, 12 were hypogonadic. Patients who died showed significantly lower serum levels of total, free and bioavailable testosterone than those found in patients who survived. CONCLUSION: Our results show that about half of patients admitted for acute illness have hypogonadism, mainly of non-hypergonadotropic type. Gonadal hypofunction is significantly related with in-hospital mortality. A low value of serum testosterone may be a predictor for mortality in elderly male patients.