Padronização do exame ultrassonográfico do prepúcio e da parte livre do pênis em bovinos / Standardization of ultrasound examination of the prepuce and free end of the bovine penis

A ultrassonografia é um exame complementar não invasivo ainda pouco utilizado na avaliação prepucial e sem descrições detalhadas da parte livre do pênis (PLP) de bovinos. Este estudo objetivou padronizar a ultrassonografia prepucial em bovinos hígidos da raça Nelore com um ano de idade e, para tanto, descreveu o aspecto da lâmina interna prepucial (LIP) e da PLP, determinando as principais janelas acústicas, a viabilidade da utilização de contraste no lúmen da cavidade prepucial (LCP) e o melhor posicionamento do animal para a realização do exame. O escaneamento foi realizado com os animais na posição quadrupedal e em decúbito lateral direito. Foram determinadas cinco janelas acústicas a partir do óstio até a identificação do recesso prepucial. Os escaneamentos foram realizados nos planos longitudinais, transversais e dorsais, antes e após a infiltração de solução fisiológica a 0,9% no LCP. Como conclusões, o exame ultrassonográfico permitiu identificar a LIP e a PLP em todos os planos e em todas as janelas acústicas propostas. O melhor ponto de referência é a identificação da glande. O posicionamento quadrupedal é mais adequado para a realização do exame e o uso de contraste é recomendado para delimitação topográfica das estruturas.(AU)

Ultrasonography is a noninvasive complementary exam that is still rarely used in the preputial evaluation and without detailed descriptions of the bovine free end of the penis. The purpose of this study was to standardize preputial ultrasonography in one-year-old healthy Nelore cattle, describing the main acoustic windows, the viability of using contrast in the preputial cavity and the best positioning of the animal for performing the ultrasound examination. The scanning was performed with the animals in standing and decubitus position. Five acoustic windows were determined from the preputial ostium to the preputial fornix, at the free end of the penis. The scans were performed in longitudinal, transverse and dorsal planes, before and after infiltration of 0.9% saline solution into the preputial cavity. As conclusions, the ultrasound examination is able to identify the internal layer and the free part of the penis in all proposed planes and acoustic windows. The best landmark is the identification of the glans. Furthermore, standing positioning is the most appropriate to perform the exam and the use of contrast is recommended for topographic delimitation of the structures.(AU)

Avaliação da produção lacrimal, pressão intraocular, retinografia e biometria ocular em bovinos das raças Nelore e Gir hígidos / Evaluation of tear production, intraocular pressure, retinography and ocular biometry in bovine Nelore and Gir breeds

No presente estudo, foram avaliados parâmetros oftalmológicos de 38 bovinos das raças Nelore (n= 19; grupo GN) e Gir (n= 19; grupo GG), machos, com idade média de 15 meses. Os exames oftalmológicos realizados foram teste lacrimal de Schirmer 1 (TLS-1), tonometria de aplanação, retinografia e biometria por ultrassonografia em modo B. Os resultados do TLS-1, tonometria de aplanação e biometria ocular foram avaliados por meio da análise de variância (ANOVA), e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey. Para o exame de retinografia, foi realizada a análise descritiva das estruturas anatômicas. O TLS-1 e a tonometria não diferiram (P≥0,05) nas comparações entre os olhos e entre os grupos raciais. A retinografia permitiu a visualização do disco óptico, dos vasos retinianos, do fundo tapetal e não tapetal, sem constatação de diferenças anatômicas entre as raças. Por meio da biometria ocular, foram observados valores maiores nos animais da raça Gir para as medidas do comprimento axial (CAx), da espessura da lente (EL) e da profundidade da câmara vítrea (CV), em ambos os eixos, horizontal (CAH) e vertical (CAV). Os exames oftalmológicos realizados podem ser executados a campo sem comprometer o bem-estar dos animais. Somente na ultrassonografia em modo B foram identificadas diferenças entre os bovinos das raças Nelore e Gir.(AU)

The ophthalmological parameters were evaluated of 38 male Nelore bovine (n= 19, GN group) and Gir (n= 19, GG group), with 15 months age. The ophthalmological examinations by Schirmer 1 (TLS-1), aplanation tonometry, retinography and B-mode ultrasonography were done. The results of the TLS-1, aplanation tonometry and ocular biometry were evaluated by analysis of variance and means compared by the Tukey test. A descriptive analysis of the anatomical structures was performed for the retinography examination. TLS-1 and tonometry did not differ (P≥ 0.05) in the comparisons between the eyes and between the groups. Retinography allowed the visualization of the optic disc, retinal vessels, tapetal and non-tapetal fundus, without any anatomical differences between the breed. In the ocular biometry, higher values were observed in Gir animals for measurements of axial length (CAx), lens thickness (EL) and depth of the vitreous chamber (CV), both horizontal (CAH) and vertical (CAV) imaging planes. Ophthalmologic examinations can be performed on the field without compromising animal welfare. Differences between Nelore and Gir bovines were identified only by B-mode ultrasonography.(AU)

Angiografia dos dígitos de bovinos jovens antes e após indução de acidose ruminal / Digital angiography in young cattle before and after ruminal acidosis induction

O presente estudo objetivou descrever a rede vascular dos dígitos dos membros pélvicos de bovinos antes e após aplicação intrarruminal de oligofrutose, empregando a venografia. Utilizaram-se seis bovinos alocados em dois grupos (GI e GII), que receberam 13 e 17g/kg de oligofrutose, respectivamente. A venografia dos dígitos foi feita em quatro momentos: 15 dias antes (M0) e 36 horas (M1), sete dias (M2) e 30 dias (M3) após aplicação de oligofrutose. Mensurou-se a largura das veias visualizadas e avaliou-se possível supressão do fluxo sanguíneo dos vasos. A largura foi avaliada pela análise de variância (ANOVA) e pelo teste t (5%). Em M0, nas radiografias, foram identificadas 25 estruturas, incluindo veias, artérias e rede vascular. As veias mensuradas foram: digital dorsal comum III e dorsal da falange distal e os ramos plantares para o coxim digital do dígito lateral e medial. Apenas a v. digital dorsal comum III apresentou maior largura após 36 horas e constrição com 30 dias (P≤0,05) da aplicação de oligofrutose. Comparando-se os momentos, encontrou-se vasodilatação no M1 e vasoconstrição nos demais. A mensuração da largura dos vasos não sofreu (P≥0,05) interferência quando se compararam os grupos. Concluiu-se que a venografia dos dígitos de bovinos permite estudar e identificar alterações da vascularização.(AU)

The objective of this study was to describe vascular net of bovine digit before and after intrarruminal administration of oligofructose, with the use of venography. Six animals sorted in two groups (GI and GII) that received 13 and 17g/kg of oligofructose respectively were used. Digits venography were done in four moments: 15 days before (M0) and 36 hours (M1), seven days (M2) and 30 days (M3) after administration of oligofructose. Width of visualized veins and evaluated possible blood flow vessels suppression was measured. The width was evaluated by ANOVA and T test (5%). In M0 25 structures were identified, including veins, arteries and vascular net in radiographic images. Veins measured were: common digital III and dorsal of distal phalanx and plantar branches to digital cushion of lateral and medial digits. Only V. digital dorsal common III presented higher width after 36 hours and constriction with 30 days (P≤0.05) of oligofructose administration. Comparing moments, vessel dilation on M1 and constriction on other moments. Measurement of vessel width didn´t suffer interference when groups were compared. Venography of bovine digits allowed for the study and identification of changes in vascularization.(AU)

Parotid gland adenocarcinoma in a cow: case report / Adenocarcinoma de glândula parótida em vaca: relato de caso

A 9-year-old Girolando dairy cow, weighing 400kg, with a history of increased volume in the right parotid region, which extended to the submandibular region, was assisted. Fine needle aspiration cytology was performed, and the cytological findings were consistent with malignant neoplasm of epithelial origin (carcinoma). Because of the unfavorable prognosis, the animal was euthanized and submitted to an anatomopathological examination. Samples of the increased parotid and affected lymph nodes were collected for histopathological evaluation. The microscopic changes were accentuated features of anaplasia, moderate cell proliferation, atypical mitotic figures, and necrosis. Stroma ranged from delicate to scirrhous, and the tumor boundaries were not distinct. These findings substantiated the preliminary histomorphological diagnosis of undifferentiated carcinoma with metastasis in lymph nodes. Immunohistochemical tests were performed with anti-CK Pan (clone AE1AE3), anti-CK HMW (clone 34ßE12), anti-CK19 (clone RCK108), anti-vimentin (clone V9), anti-S100 (polyclonal), and anti-androgen (polyclonal) antibodies. The immunophenotype favored the diagnosis of salivary gland adenocarcinoma. Despite the rareness in cattle, salivary gland adenocarcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of diseases that occur with increased volume in the head, lymphadenopathy, drooling, dysphagia, and progressive weight loss.(AU)

Foi atendida uma vaca da raça Girolando, de nove anos de idade, de aptidão leiteira, pesando aproximadamente 400kg e com histórico de aumento de volume na região parotídea e submandibular direita. Diante do prognóstico desfavorável, o animal foi submetido à eutanásia e encaminhado para exame anatomopatológico. Fragmentos da glândula parótida e dos linfonodos alterados foram colhidos e encaminhados para exame histopatológico. À avaliação microscópica, observaram-se acentuada anaplasia, moderada proliferação celular, figuras de mitose atípicas e focos de necrose. O estroma variava de delicado a esquirroso e os limites do tumor eram imprecisos. Esses achados fundamentaram o diagnóstico de carcinoma indiferenciado com metástase em linfonodos. No exame imuno-histoquímico, foram utilizados anticorpos primários monoclonais anti-CK Pan (clone AE1AE3), anti-CK alto peso molecular (clone 34ßE12), anti-CK19 (clone RCK108), antivimentina (clone V9), anti-S100 (policlonal) e antirreceptor de andrógenos (policlonal). As células neoplásicas apresentaram imunomarcação para todos os anticorpos testados, resultado que favorece o diagnóstico de adenocarcinoma de glândula salivar. Embora raro em bovinos, o adenocarcinoma de glândula salivar deve ser considerado no diagnóstico diferencial de doenças que cursam com aumento de volume na cabeça, linfadenopatia salivação, disfagia e emagrecimento progressivo.(AU)

Novas perspectivas no diagnóstico e tratamento da acropostite-fimose em touros / New perspectives in the diagnosis and treatment of acropostitis-phimosis of bulls

A acropostite-fimose é um processo inflamatório da extremidade do prepúcio, diagnosticada com frequência em touros. O presente estudo objetivou avaliar o exame ultrassonográfico na definição da viabilidade do folheto prepucial interno (FPI) e na evolução clínica do pós-operatório, após o emprego de fios de categute ou poliglactina na hemostasia e de algodão ou poliglactina na confecção de sutura padrão Donatti empregada para fixar o FPI à pele prepucial no transoperatório da acropostite-fimose em touros. A sutura utilizada foi captonada ou não captonada, e os animais submetidos ao procedimento cirúrgico apresentavam no mínimo dois terços do FPI viável. Os touros foram alocados, aleatoriamente, em quatro grupos contendo nove animais cada, de acordo com o fio empregado na hemostasia e na confecção da sutura padrão Donatti. O exame ultrassonográfico mostrou-se importante na indicação ou não do tratamento cirúrgico da acropostite-fimose e possibilitou localizar lesões, mensurar a área de reação tecidual e identificar lesões profundas e pontos de estreitamento do FPI. Os animais de GII apresentaram edema mais discreto, observando-se diferença significativa (P<0,05) entre GII e os grupos GI, GIII e GIV. A ocorrência de hiperemia no sétimo dia de pós-operatório também foi menor nos touros do grupo GII, ocorrendo diferença significativa (P<0,05) entre GII e os grupos GI e GIII. A sutura empregando o dispositivo de látex (cápton) e o emprego do fio de poliglactina apresentaram-se como medidas benéficas, resultando em menor número de complicações pós-operatórias.(AU)

Acropostitis-Phimosis is an inflammatory process of the extremity of the prepuce, frequently diagnosed in bulls. The present study aimed to evaluate ultrassound exams in the definition of viability of the internal layer of prepuce and the postoperative clinical evolution. This evaluation is after the employment of catgut or poliglactin threads in homeostasis, and cloth or polyglactin threads in confection of the standard suture, Donatti, used to fix the internal layer of prepuce to the preputial in the postoperative of acropostitis-phimosis in bulls. The suture was captonated and non-captonated and the animals conducted to the surgical procedure showed at least 2/3 of viability of the internal layer of prepuce. The bulls were randomly allocated in four groups, each one containing nine animals, according to the thread used in homeostasis and confection of the Donatti standard suture. Ultrassound was shown to be important in the indication or not of the surgical treatment of acropostitis-phimosis and allowed the identification of lesions, measurement of areas of tissue reaction and locate deep lesions and narrowing points of internal layer of prepuce. The employment of latex device (capton) in suture and the employment of polyglactin thread 910 were shown as beneficial measures, resulting in a lower number of postoperative complications.(AU)

Ultrasonographic imaging of the temporomandibular joint in healthy cattle and pathological findings in one clinical case.

AIMS: To describe the normal ultrasonographic appearance of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in cattle, and to describe the ultrasonographic pathology of the TMJ as assessed in one cow with TMJ disease. METHODS: The TMJ of 12 healthy Holstein-Friesian cows were examined using a portable ultrasonographic unit with a 7.5 MHz linear probe and a 6.0 MHz convex probe. Each TMJ was scanned in a rostrolateral, lateral and caudolateral plane. In addition, the TMJ of one 2-year-old cow with clinical signs of food retention in the mouth, head tilt, swelling and pain in the right TMJ region and an infected horn fracture was examined ultrasonographically. RESULTS: The bone surfaces of the temporal process, the zygomatic process and the temporal bone, the larger muscles of the TMJ region, the superficial temporal vein, and the parotid salivary gland could be imaged in all normal healthy cattle. Using the linear probe, the joint capsule was visible in 17/24 (71%) cases in the caudolateral plane, but the articular disc could not be visualised. With the convex probe, the joint capsule could be imaged in all cases in the caudolateral plane, and the articular disc in 13/24 (54%) cases in the caudolateral plane. It was never possible to see the synovial pouch in healthy cattle using either probe. By contrast, in the cow diagnosed with septic arthritis of the right TMJ, a marked anechoic and heterogeneous hypoechoic effusion of the TMJ with distension of the joint capsule was visualised. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this descriptive study serve to provide a reference for ultrasonography of pathological conditions of the TMJ region in cattle. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: As many veterinarians are equipped with ultrasound machines with 5-8 MHz linear rectal probes, the authors recommend using these probes for further investigation of clinical cases with swelling of the TMJ region and/or masticatory problems of unclear origin to exclude or diagnose TMJ disorders.

Finasteride Quantification in Human Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Application to a Comparative Pharmacokinetics Study.

A specific, fast and sensitive LC-MS/MS assay was developed for the determination of finasteride in human plasma using betamethsone dipropionate as the internal standard (IS). The limit of quantification was 1.0 ng/ml and the method was linear in the range of 1.0-25.0 ng/ml. The retention times were 0.75 min for finasteride and 0.85 min for IS. Method intra-batch precision and accuracy ranged from 3.6 to 7.1%, and 96.6 to 103.9%, respectively. Inter-batch precision ranged from 2.5 to 3.4%, while Inter-batch accuracy ranged from 100.3 to 103.5%. The analytical method was applied to evaluate the pharmacokinetic and relative bioavailability of 2 different pharmaceutical formulations containing 1.0 mg of finasteride. This study evaluated 38 volunteers in a randomized, 2-period crossover study with 7 days washout period between doses. The geometric mean and respective 90% CI of finasteride test/reference percent ratios were 95.68% (91.2 - 104.6%) for Cmax, 97.5% (92.1-103.3%) for AUC0-t and 98.1 (92.67-103.8) for AUC0-inf. Based on the 90% confidence interval of the individual ratios (test formulation/reference formulation) for Cmax and AUC0-inf, it was concluded that the test formulation is bioequivalent to the reference one with respect to the rate and extent of absorption of finasteride.

Differences in synthesis and absorption of cholesterol of two effective lipid-lowering therapies

Effective statin therapy is associated with a marked reduction of cardiovascular events. However, the explanation for full benefits obtained for LDL cholesterol targets by combined lipid-lowering therapy is controversial. Our study compared the effects of two equally effective lipid-lowering strategies on markers of cholesterol synthesis and absorption. A prospective, open label, randomized, parallel design study, with blinded endpoints, included 116 subjects. We compared the effects of a 12-week treatment with 40 mg rosuvastatin or the combination of 40 mg simvastatin/10 mg ezetimibe on markers of cholesterol absorption (campesterol and β-sitosterol), synthesis (desmosterol), and their ratios to cholesterol. Both therapies similarly decreased total and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and apolipoprotein B, and increased apolipoprotein A1 (P < 0.05 vs baseline for all). Simvastatin/ezetimibe increased plasma desmosterol (P = 0.012 vs baseline), and decreased campesterol and β-sitosterol (P < 0.0001 vs baseline for both), with higher desmosterol (P = 0.007) and lower campesterol and β-sitosterol compared to rosuvastatin, (P < 0.0001, for both). In addition, rosuvastatin increased the ratios of these markers to cholesterol (P < 0.002 vs baseline for all), whereas simvastatin/ezetimibe significantly decreased the campesterol/cholesterol ratio (P = 0.008 vs baseline) and tripled the desmosterol/cholesterol ratio (P < 0.0001 vs baseline). The campesterol/cholesterol and β-sitosterol/cholesterol ratios were lower, whereas the desmosterol/cholesterol ratio was higher in patients receiving simvastatin/ezetimibe (P < 0.0001 vs rosuvastatin, for all). Pronounced differences in markers of cholesterol absorption and synthesis were observed between two equally effective lipid-lowering strategies.

Differences in synthesis and absorption of cholesterol of two effective lipid-lowering therapies.

Effective statin therapy is associated with a marked reduction of cardiovascular events. However, the explanation for full benefits obtained for LDL cholesterol targets by combined lipid-lowering therapy is controversial. Our study compared the effects of two equally effective lipid-lowering strategies on markers of cholesterol synthesis and absorption. A prospective, open label, randomized, parallel design study, with blinded endpoints, included 116 subjects. We compared the effects of a 12-week treatment with 40 mg rosuvastatin or the combination of 40 mg simvastatin/10 mg ezetimibe on markers of cholesterol absorption (campesterol and ß-sitosterol), synthesis (desmosterol), and their ratios to cholesterol. Both therapies similarly decreased total and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and apolipoprotein B, and increased apolipoprotein A1 (P < 0.05 vs baseline for all). Simvastatin/ezetimibe increased plasma desmosterol (P = 0.012 vs baseline), and decreased campesterol and ß-sitosterol (P < 0.0001 vs baseline for both), with higher desmosterol (P = 0.007) and lower campesterol and ß-sitosterol compared to rosuvastatin, (P < 0.0001, for both). In addition, rosuvastatin increased the ratios of these markers to cholesterol (P < 0.002 vs baseline for all), whereas simvastatin/ezetimibe significantly decreased the campesterol/cholesterol ratio (P = 0.008 vs baseline) and tripled the desmosterol/cholesterol ratio (P < 0.0001 vs baseline). The campesterol/cholesterol and ß-sitosterol/cholesterol ratios were lower, whereas the desmosterol/cholesterol ratio was higher in patients receiving simvastatin/ezetimibe (P < 0.0001 vs rosuvastatin, for all). Pronounced differences in markers of cholesterol absorption and synthesis were observed between two equally effective lipid-lowering strategies.

A simple high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of diclofenac in human plasma: application to a comparative bioavailability study.

A rapid, sensitive and specific method to quantify diclofenac in human plasma using indomethacin as the internal standard (IS) is described. Samples were extracted using protein precipitation protocol and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to ultraviolet detection at 276 nm. Chromatography was performed isocratically with a run time of 8.0 min and the retention time observed for diclofenac and IS was 6.0 and 7.0 min, respectively. The calibration curve was linear over the range 50 - 4,000 ng/ml (r2 > 0.9995). The mean recovery of diclofenac ranged from 88.76 to 99.14% and the limit of quantification was 50 ng/ml. Intrabatch precision and accuracy (%CV) of the method ranged from 0.86 to 7.60%, and 99.34 to 103.8%, respectively. Interbatch precision (%CV) and accuracy ranged from 0.26 to 11.4%, and 92.00 to 105.34%, respectively. This HPLC method was used to determine the relative pharmacokinetics of two diclofenac-cholestyramine 140 mg capsule formulations. The study was conducted using an open, randomized and crossover design with a 1-week washout interval. A single 140 mg dose (equivalent to 70 mg of diclofenac) of each formulation was administered to 26 healthy volunteers (13 males and 13 females) and blood samples were obtained over 12-h interval. The geometric mean of diclofenac-cholestyramine/Flotac ratio was 90.53% for AUC0-12 and 100.22% for Cmax. Since the 90% CI for Cmax and AUCs ratios were all inside the 80 - 125% interval, it was concluded that the diclofenac-cholestyramine test formulation is bioequivalent to Flotac regarding both the rate and the extent of absorption.

Precisão da técnica de absorciometria de raios-x de dupla energia na determinação da composição corporal em gatos / Precision of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry for body composition measurements in cats

A short-term precision error of the individual subject and the DEXA technique, such as the effect of the repositioning of the cat on the examination table, were established. Four neutered adult cats (BW=4342g) and three females (BW=3459g) were submitted to five repeated scans with and without repositioning between them. Precision was estimated from the mean of the five measurements and expressed by the individual coefficient of variation (CV). The precision error of the technique was estimated by the variance of scan pool (n=35) and expressed in CV for the technique (CVt). The degrees of freedom and confidence intervals were determined to avoid underestimation of precision errors. Bone mineral content (BMC), lean mass (LM), and fat mass (FM) averages were higher (P<0.05) when animals were repositioned. The CVt was significantly higher (P<0.05) for bone mineral density (BMD), LM, and FM when the animals were repositioned. For short-term precision measurements, the repositioning of the animal was important to establish the precision of the technique. The dual energy x-ray absorptiometry method provided precision for body composition measurements in adult cats.

Comparative bioavailability study of two phenoxymethylpenicillin potassium tablet formulations in healthy volunteers.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of 2 phenoxymethylpenicillin 500,000 UI tablet formulations in healthy human volunteers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted using an open, randomized crossover design with a 7-day washout interval. A single dose of each formulation was administered to 26 healthy volunteers as assessed by clinical and laboratory test evaluations. The plasma samples were obtained over an 8-h interval and phenoxymethylpenicillin concentrations were quantified by a suitable and validated HPLC-UV method with detection at 220 nm. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate measurement were taken pre dose and at intervals up to 8 h. RESULTS: Tolerance of both products was adequate. The mean of Meracilina/Pen-Ve-Oral 500,000 UI% geometric mean was 99.89% for AUC0-t, 100.86% for AUC0-infinity and 101.11% for Cmax. The 90% confidence intervals were 94.62 - 105.46%, 95.22 - 106.83% and 98.61 - 103.87%, respectively. The mean recovery of phenoxymethylpenicillin was 94.8%, while the retention time observed for phenoxymethylpenicillin and phenytoin (internal standard) was 4 and 10 min, respectively. The limit of quantification was 0.10 mg/l. CONCLUSION: Since the 90% CI for AUC0-t, AUC0-infinity and Cmax ratios were all within the 80 - 125% interval proposed by the US FDA and accepted by ANVISA, it was concluded that the Meracilina formulation (manufactured by AchA(c) S.A.) is bioequivalent to Pen-Ve-Oral (manufactured by Eurofarma) for both the rate and the extent of bioavailability.

Composição nutricional e avaliação de rótulo de rações secas para cães comercializadas em Jaboticabal-SP / Nutritional composition and label evaluation of dry dog foods sold in Jaboticabal-SP

Avaliaram-se 49 marcas de rações para cães adultos e filhotes comercializadas em Jaboticabal-SP. Os alimentos foram divididos em três segmentos: econômico, standard e super-premium. Nessa ordem, as rações para cães adultos apresentaram, em média, 16,9 por cento, 20,9 por cento e 27,8 por cento de proteína, 9,7 por cento, 10,5 por cento e 15 por cento de gordura, 6,4 por cento, 2,9 por cento e 1,1 por cento de fibra e 1,9 por cento, 1,9 por cento e 1,4 por cento de Ca. Para filhotes, os produtos standard e super-premium apresentaram, respectivamente, 26,1 por cento e 31,0 por cento de proteína, 10,8 por cento e 15,2 por cento de gordura, 2,6 por cento e 2,4 por cento de fibra, 2,1 por cento e 1,7 por cento de Ca e 1,6 por cento e 1,3 por cento de P. A porcentagem de rações cujos teores nutricionais declarados no rótulo não estavam de acordo com os encontrados nas análises de laboratório foi, para os produtos super-premium para filhotes, 80,0 por cento para o Ca e 60,0 por cento para a gordura; para os produtos standard para filhotes, 28,6 por cento para proteína e 57,2 por cento para o cálcio; para os produtos econômicos para cães adultos, 44,0 por cento para a fibra e 33,0 por cento para a proteína; para os produtos standard para cães adultos de 33,0 por cento para a gordura e 50,0 por cento para o Ca; e para os produtos super-premium para cães adultos, 50,0 por cento para o cálcio e 33,0 por cento para a gordura. Foram encontradas inadequações nutricionais em produtos, como teores insuficientes de proteína e altas concentrações de fibra, cálcio e fósforo.

Fortynine food products for adult or juvenile dogs, commercially available in Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil, were tested for nutrient composition. The products were divided into three categories: low-cost, standard and super-premium. In that order, average compositions for adult foods were 16.9 percent, 20.9 percent and 27.8 percent protein, 9.7 percent, 10.5 percent and 15 percent fat, 6.4 percent, 2.9 percent and 1.1 percent fiber, and 1.9 percent, 1.9 percent and 1.4 percent calcium. For puppy foods, the average compositions of standard and super-premium foods were 26.1 percent and 31 percent protein, 10.8 percent and 15.2 percent fat, 2.6 percent and 2.4 percent fiber, 2.1 percent and 1.7 percent Ca, and 1.6 percent and 1.3 percent P, respectively. The percentages of products whose published label values were in disagreement with laboratory results were: super-premium products for puppies, 80 percent for Ca and 60 percent for fat; standard products for puppies, 28.6 percent for protein and 57.2 percent for Ca; low-cost products for adults, 44 percent for fiber and 33 percent for protein; standard products for adults, 33 percent for fat and 50 percent for Ca; super-premium products for adults, 50 percent for calcium and 33 percent for fat. Products with nutritional shortcomings were found, such as insufficient protein content and too high levels of fiber, calcium, and phosphorus.

Comparative bioavailability of two ramipril formulations after single-dose administration in healthy volunteers.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the bioequivalence of a ramipril 5 mg tablet formulation (ramipril test formulation from Laboratórios Biosintética Ltda (Sao Paulo, Brazil) and Triatec from Aventis Pharma (Sueano, Brazil) standard reference formulation) in 26 healthy volunteers of both sexes. METHODS: The study was conducted using an open, randomized, 2-period crossover design with a 2-week washout interval. Plasma samples were obtained over a 36-hour period. Plasma ramipril and ramiprilat concentrations were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) with positive ion electrospray ionization using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). From the ramipril and ramiprilat plasma concentration vs. time curves, the following pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained: AUClast, AUCinf and Cmax. RESULTS: The limit of quantification was 0.2 ng x ml(-1) and 1.0 ng x ml(-1) for ramipril and ramiprilat, respectively. The geometric means and 90% confidence intervals (CI) for Ramipril/Triatec and Ramiprilat/Triatec percent ratios were: 104.69% (90% CI = 93.21-117.59%) for Cmax, 102.49% (90% CI = 92.76-113.24%) for AUClast, 103.60% (90% CI = 93.56 114.73%) for AUCinf, 108.48% (90% CI = 98.86-119.03%) for Cmax, 105.88% (90% CI = 101.55-110.39%) for AUClast, 97.30% (90% CI = 90.17-104.99%) for AUCinf, respectively. CONCLUSION: Since the 90% CI for AUClast, AUCinf and Cmax ratios were within the 80-125% interval proposed by the U.S. FDA, it was concluded that the ramipril formulation produced by Laboratórios Biosintética Ltda is bioequivalent to the Triatec formulation in both rate and extent of absorption.

Biochemical characterization of a vascular smooth muscle contracting polypeptide purified from Phoneutria nigriventer (armed spider) venom.

Biochemical characterization of a vascular smooth muscle contracting polypeptide purified from Phoneutria nigriventer (armed spider) venom. Toxicon 31, 377-384, 1993. Crude Phoneutria nigriventer venom was fractionated by Sephadex, ion-exchange and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. One protein (PNV1) with spasmogenic activity in rabbit vascular smooth muscle was isolated and biochemically characterized. PNV1 has 125 amino acid residues and a calculated mol. wt of 13,899. Special features of the amino acid composition of PNV1 are the presence of two disulfide bridges and the high percentage (27%) of Asx and Glx. The N-terminal amino acid sequence indicates that PNV1 is different from other polypeptides isolated from Phoneutria nigriventer venom.

Effects of Phoneutria nigriventer venom on rabbit vascular smooth muscle.

1. The effects of Phneutria nigriventer venom (PNV) on rabbit vascular smooth muscle have been investigated. De-endothelialized vascular strips were superfused in a cascade system with oxygenated (95% O2 + 5% CO2) Krebs solution at 37 degrees C. 2. Phoneutria nigriventer venom (0.3-30 micrograms) produced dose-dependent and short-lived contractions of both venous (cava, mesenteric and jugular veins) and arterial (pulmonary and mesenteric arteries) tissues. 3. Methysergide (5.0 microM) did not significantly affect PNV-induced contractions in venous tissues (cava and mesenteric veins) or pulmonary artery, indicating that serotonin is not involved in the contraction. This was confirmed when PNV was dialyzed (24-48 h) since the contracting activity was still observed on the above tissues. In addition, the spasmogenic activity induced by dialyzed PNV was greatly reduced by incubating the venom with trypsin. 4. Neither tetrodotoxin (3.0 microM) nor phenoxybenzamine (0.05 microM) significantly affected PNV-induced contractions, suggesting that voltage-dependent sodium channel activation or endogenous catecholamine release from autonomic nerve endings on the vascular walls do not play a role in the response to PNV. 5. Our results demonstrate that PNV contains non-dialyzable components, probably peptides, that are responsible for the contractile activity on rabbit veins and pulmonary artery strips.

Effects of Phoneutria nigriventer venom on rabbit vascular smooth muscle

1. The effects of Phneutria nigriventer venom (PNV) on rabbit vascular smooth muscle have been investigated. De-endothelialized vascular strips were superfused in a cascade system with oxygenated (95 per cent O2 + 5 per cent CO2) Krebs solution at 37 degrees C. 2. Phoneutria nigriventer venom (0.3-30 micrograms) produced dose-dependent and short-lived contractions of both venous (cava, mesenteric and jugular veins) and arterial (pulmonary and mesenteric arteries) tissues. 3. Methysergide (5.0 microM) did not significantly affect PNV-induced contractions in venous tissues (cava and mesenteric veins) or pulmonary artery, indicating that serotonin is not involved in the contraction. This was confirmed when PNV was dialyzed (24-48 h) since the contracting activity was still observed on the above tissues. In addition, the spasmogenic activity induced by dialyzed PNV was greatly reduced by incubating the venom with trypsin. 4. Neither tetrodotoxin (3.0 microM) nor phenoxybenzamine (0.05 microM) significantly affected PNV-induced contractions, suggesting that voltage-dependent sodium channel activation or endogenous catecholamine release from autonomic nerve endings on the vascular walls do not play a role in the response to PNV. 5. Our results demonstrate that PNV contains non-dialyzable components, probably peptides, that are responsible for the contractile activity on rabbit veins and pulmonary artery strips