Maternal undernutrition during lactation leads to reduction in skull size and thickness of adult-aged Wistar rats.

INTRODUCTION: It is known that the quality and quantity of milk is directly related to the dietary habits of the mother. Despite that, the rates of maternal malnutrition during lactation are increasing in several countries; thus, observing its effects on the offspring is relevant. The present study aims to verify the effects of maternal malnutrition during breastfeeding on the skulls of adult-aged Wistar rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-six newborn rats were divided in three groups: the control group, in which the mother received a regular commercial diet containing 23% protein in unlimited amounts; the protein-energy restriction group, in which the dam received a commercial diet containing 8% protein in unlimited amounts; the energy restricted group, in which the dam received a commercial diet containing 23% of protein in limited amounts. After weaning, all rats received the same diet as the control group until 180 days of age. Then, the rats were euthanized, and their crania were excised and measured in radiographic images. Afterwards, their skull was decalcified with nitric acid (5%) and histological samples were obtained and the thickness of the diploe was verified. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA followed by the Newman-Keuls test were performed for comparison purposes. RESULTS: It was observed that the skull from the protein-energy restriction and energy-restriction groups was smaller and thinner than that of the control group in several parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal malnutrition during the lactation period caused long-term effects in skull morphology of Wistar rats. These effects could not be reversed after regulation of the diet.

Three-dimensional organization of the pars fibroreticularis framework of the urethral wall in normal human prostates.

INTRODUCTION: Knowledge of the prostatic portion of the urethra is essential to the comprehension of urinary continence phenomena. However, there are only a small number of studies that have addressed this relationship and analyzed the ultrastructure of the prostatic urethra. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A three-dimensional analysis of the fibrous components and the extracellular matrix of the prostatic urethra in 10 normal humans was performed with a scanning electron microscope. The prostates were obtained from 10 men (18 to 30 years old) who had died from accidents. The specimens were fixated in a modified Karnovsky solution for 48 h at 4°C, washed in a sodium phosphate buffered solution (PBS) for 2 h at 4°C and then incubated in 40 ml of 2 M NaOH at room temperature for 8 days (cellular digestion). Afterwards, the three-dimensional organization of the prostatic urethra stroma was observed. RESULTS: It was observed that the prostates had a narrowed fibrous septa which condensed and formed a network in order to support the submucosa. Furthermore, it was also observed that they formed a homogeneous fibrous layer (pars fibroreticularis), which lined the urethral wall. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of the urethra composition is essential to understand the physiopathological aspects of urinary incontinence. Moreover, our results showed a great amount of connective tissue underlying the prostatic urethra wall.

Orthopedic implications of the corona mortis: a case report / Implicaciones ortopédicas de la corona mortis: reporte de un caso

SUMMARY: Corona mortis is classified as a connection between the inferior epigastric and obturator vessels over the superior pubic ramus. Its incidence varies among different studies. The corona mortis is an extremely important anatomical variation as it can be injured in a great number of procedures. Moreover, it can also be injured during pelvic or acetabular fractures. A male cadaver fixed in a 10 % formalin solution had its pelvic region dissected and an arterial corona mortis was observed on its right side. The left hemipelvis presented no variations whatsoever. This vessel was measured with the aid of a digital caliper. We aim to report this variation and address - from an orthopedic point of view - the clinical and surgical significance of the corona mortis.

RESUMEN: La corona mortis es clasificada como una conexión entre los vasos epigástricos inferiores y obturadores sobre la rama superior del pubis. Su incidencia varía según los diferentes estudios. La corona mortis es una variación anatómica extremadamente importante, ya que se es posible dañarla en un número significativo de procedimientos. Además, también puede resultar lesionada durante las fracturas pélvicas o acetabulares. Durante la disección de un cadáver de sexo masculino fijado en solución de formalina al 10 %, se observó la corona mortis arterial en el lado derecho de la región pélvica. El lado izquierdo de la pelvis no presentó ninguna variación. Se midió la corona mortis con ayuda de un calibre digital. Nuestro objetivo fue informar sobre esta variación y abordar - desde el punto de vista ortopédico - la importancia clínica y quirúrgica de la corona mortis.

Giant Leiomyosarcoma of the Urinary Bladder.

The bladder leiomyosarcoma is a rare and agressive mesenchymal tumour, and adult women of reproductive age have a higher incidence of developing the bladder leiomyosarcoma. The pathophysiology of the disease is not certain, and its main symptoms are hematuria, dysuria and abdominal pain. There are not a considerable amount of cases described in the literature. We report a case of a giant leiomyosarcoma of the urinary bladder in a 31-year-old woman.

De Garengeot's hernia in an 82-year-old man: a case report and clinical significance.

The presence of the appendix within a femoral hernia (FH) sac is known as Garengeot's hernia (GH). We report on current study a rare case of an elderly man with a combined inguinal and Garengeot's hernia and discuss the clinical aspects. An 82-year-old man clinically stable, presented history of pain at the right inguinal region for over a week, without vomit, nausea, fever or any alteration of intestinal or urinary eliminations. Clinical examination revealed a FH and the ultrasonography confirmed the hernia sac. During the surgery, the appendix was recognized within the sac, and then, the patient underwent appendectomy and hernia repair. In conclusion, the presence of the vermiform appendix in a FH sac is rare, thus, requiring knowledge of the surgeon regarding this clinical entity. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate surgical treatment is the key to avoid complications.

Pharyngoesophageal Obstruction on the Killian-Laimer Triangle by Zenker's Diverticulum: Case Report and Clinical Significance.

Zenker's diverticulum is a form of esophageal and pharyngeal obstruction located at the Killian-Laimer triangle. It is relatively common in elderly man (seventh or eighth decade of life), and its pathophysiology is not completely understood, albeit theories regarding dysfunction of the upper esophageal sphincter were reported. The main symptoms are dysphagia and odynophagia, but it can complicate to aspiration and perforation of the pharyngeal pouch; also, it can be asymptomatic. Diagnosis is provided through a barium esophagogram. Treatment can be performed through endoscopic surgery, diverticulopexy and myotomy of the cricopharyngeus muscle, although there is no consensus among surgeons regarding the treatment of choice. We report a case of pharyngeal obstruction due to Zenker's diverticulum which caused massive weight loss in a 76-year-old male.