Ultrasound-assisted hydrolysis of waste cooking oil catalyzed by homemade lipases.

This study aimed to evaluate the waste cooking oil (WCO) hydrolysis in ultrasonic system using lipase as catalyst. Lipase was produced by the fungus Aspergillus niger via solid state fermentation (SSF) using canola meal as substrate. Prior to the hydrolysis reaction, the lipase behavior when subjected to ultrasound was evaluated by varying the temperature of the ultrasonic bath, the exposure time and the equipment power. Having optimized the treatment on ultrasound, the WCO hydrolysis reaction was carried out by evaluating the oil:water ratio and the lipase concentration. For a greater homogenization of the reaction medium, a mechanical stirrer at 170rpm was used. All steps were analyzed by experimental design technique. The lipase treatment in ultrasound generated an increase of about 320% in its hydrolytic activity using 50% of ultrasonic power for 25min. at 45°C. The results of the experimental design conducted for ultrasound-assisted hydrolysis showed that the best condition was using an oil:water ratio of 1:3 (v:v) and enzyme concentration of 15% (v/v), generating 62.67µmol/mL of free fatty acids (FFA) in 12h of reaction. Thus, the use of Aspergillus niger lipase as a catalyst for hydrolysis reaction of WCO can be considered as a possible pretreatment technique of the oil in order to accelerate its degradation.

Factor VIIa-antithrombin complexes in patients with non-neoplastic portal vein thrombosis with and without cirrhosis.

INTRODUCTION: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is caused by local and systemic prothrombotic risk factors. In this case-control study, we evaluated the use of the Factor VIIa-antithrombin complex (FVIIa-AT) complex assay as a hypercoagulability marker in patients with PVT. METHODS: Two different groups of cases were considered: (i) n = 12 noncirrhotic PVT patients, (ii) n = 33 cirrhotic patients with PVT. Controls were sex and age-matched healthy volunteers and cirrhotic subjects without PVT, respectively. RESULTS: Levels of the FVIIa-AT complex were significantly higher in noncirrhotic PVT subjects (132 ± 32 pM) than in healthy volunteers (108 ± 18 pM, P = 0.04). No significant difference in FVIIa-AT complexes was seen between cirrhotic patients with (64 ± 20 pM) or without (61 ± 24 pM) PVT. A linear correlation was seen between FVIIa-AT and FVIIa in noncirrhotic PVT subjects. In cirrhotic patients, FVIIa-AT complexes depended on both FVIIa and AT. CONCLUSION: These results confirm the utility of the FVIIa-AT assay in identifying the hypercoagulable state of noncirrhotic patients because of a previous thrombotic event.

Increased anticoagulant response to low-molecular-weight heparin in plasma from patients with advanced cirrhosis.

INTRODUCTION: Cirrhotic patients may present thrombotic complications that warrant anticoagulant therapy. However, the efficacy of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) in this clinical setting is still unclear. AIMS/METHODS: To evaluate the in vitro effect of LMWH on thrombin generation (TG) in cirrhotic patients at different stages of liver disease. Thirty cirrhotics (10 Child Pugh A, 10 Child Pugh B and 10 Child Pugh C), 10 subjects with inherited type 1 antithrombin (AT) defect and 10 healthy controls were studied. TG was determined at baseline and with anti-Xa levels after the addition of enoxaparin at 0.35 and 0.7 U anti-Xa mL. The endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) ratio at 0.35 and 0.7 U anti-Xa mL was obtained by dividing ETP with LMWH by ETP at baseline. RESULTS: Mean AT levels in all cirrhotic subgroups and in patients with AT deficiency were significantly lower than in controls. The 0.35 ETP ratio was significantly lower in cirrhotic patients than in controls (0.26 ± 0.1 vs. 0.48 ± 0.1, P < 0.001) and the reduction paralleled the severity of liver disease, in spite of the concomitant decrease in AT and anti-Xa activity. AT-deficient subjects showed a significantly increased 0.35 ETP ratio compared with both cirrhotic patients and controls (0.69 ± 1 vs. 0.26 ± 0.1, P < 0.001, and vs. 0.48 ± 0.1, P = 0.04 respectively). LMWH at 0.7 U anti-Xa mL completely inhibited TG in 9/30 cirrhosis patients with more advanced liver disease (Child Pugh B and C), whereas complete TG abolition was seen in only 1/10 controls. CONCLUSIONS: Cirrhotic patients show an increased response to LMWH, which correlates with the severity of liver disease, in spite of reduced AT and anti-Xa activity levels. Thrombin generation may be a useful tool to monitor the response to LMWH in cirrhotic patients.

Evaluation of the cryosurgery for treatment of squamous cell carcinoma in cats / Avaliação da criocirurgia no tratamento do carcinoma de células escamosas em gatos

The cryosurgery is a very useful therapy for the treatment of a variety of neoplastic and non-neoplastic processes. Nevertheless, it is still poorly described as an option for the treatment of specific cutaneous neoplasms, such as squamous cell carcinoma. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the clinical response of cryosurgery for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma in cats. For this 13 squamous cell carcinoma lesions were selected in 11 cats, diagnosed through citopathological and/or histopathological examinations. The lesions were frozen using liquid nitrogen spray, and the evaluations were performed in the moment of freeze and approximately every 15 days until the wound was completely healed. The response of cryosurgery was considered complete with tumoral remission on 38.5% of the cats, and partial on 46.1%. The main complications included crusting and nostril stenosis. The presented results suggested that cryosurgery is effective and may be a viable option for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma in cats. The effectiveness of the therapy; however, depends on the correct selection of the candidates for cryosurgery based on the lesion size, and the attendance to some criteria, such as the freezing time and post-operative care.(AU)

A criocirurgia tem se mostrado uma terapia de grande auxílio no tratamento de uma variedade de processos neoplásicos e não neoplásicos. Apesar disso, ainda é pouco descrita a utilização da criocirurgia como opção de tratamento de neoplasias cutâneas específicas, como o carcinoma de células escamosas. Objetivou-se com o presente estudo analisar a resposta clínica da criocirurgia para o tratamento do carcinoma de células escamosas em gatos. Para isso, foram selecionadas 13 lesões do tipo carcinoma de células escamosas em 11 gatos, diagnosticadas por meio de análise citopatológica e/ou histopatológica. As lesões foram congeladas por meio de nitrogênio líquido na forma de spray, e as avaliações realizadas no momento do congelamento e aproximadamente a cada 15 dias, até a completa cicatrização da ferida. A resposta da criocirurgia foi considerada completa, com remissão tumoral em 38,5% dos gatos e parcial em 46,1% destes. As principais complicações verificadas incluíram a formação de crostas e estenose de narina. Os resultados apresentados no presente estudo sugerem que a criocirurgia é efetiva e pode ser uma opção viável para o tratamento do carcinoma de células escamosas em gatos. O sucesso do tratamento, entretanto, depende da correta seleção dos candidatos à técnica quanto ao tamanho da lesão, e do atendimento a alguns critérios, como o tempo de congelamento e os cuidados pós-operatórios.(AU)

Homozygous F5 deep-intronic splicing mutation resulting in severe factor V deficiency and undetectable thrombin generation in platelet-rich plasma.

BACKGROUND: Coagulation factor (F) V deficiency is associated with a bleeding tendency of variable severity, but phenotype determinants are largely unknown. Recently, we have shown that three patients with undetectable plasma FV and mild bleeding symptoms had sufficient residual platelet FV to support thrombin generation in platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Therefore, we hypothesized that FV-deficient patients with severe bleeding manifestations may lack platelet FV. OBJECTIVES: To characterize a FV-deficient patient with a severe bleeding diathesis. PATIENTS/METHODS: We performed FV mutation screening and functional studies in a 31-year-old male (FV:C < 1%) with umbilical bleeding at birth, recurrent hemarthrosis and muscle hematomas, and a recent intracranial hemorrhage. RESULTS: The proband was homozygous for a deep-intronic mutation (F5 IVS8 +268A→G) causing the inclusion of a pseudo-exon with an in-frame stop codon in the mature F5 mRNA. Although platelet FV antigen was detectable by immunoprecipitation followed by Western blotting, no FV activity could be demonstrated in the proband's plasma or platelets with a prothrombinase-based assay. Moreover, no thrombin generation was observed in PRP triggered with 1-50 pm tissue factor (even in the presence of platelet agonists), whereas an acquired FV inhibitor was excluded. Clot formation in the proband's whole blood, as assessed by thromboelastometry, was markedly delayed but not abolished. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of a pathogenic deep-intronic mutation in the F5 gene. Our findings indicate that the minimal FV requirement for viability is extremely low and suggest that thrombin generation in PRP may predict bleeding tendency in patients with undetectable plasma FV.

Avaliação radiográfica e tomográfica de cães submetidos à artroplastia coxofemoral total híbrida / Radiographic and tomographic evaluation of total hybrid hip replacement in dogs

A artroplastia total da articulação coxofemoral é a técnica cirúrgica mais efetiva para o tratamento da displasia coxofemoral canina grave. Na atualidade, o exame radiográfico é o método mais utilizado para se avaliar esse procedimento em cães, porém possui algumas limitações. Já o exame tomográfico por meio de tomografia computadorizada possibilita a aquisição de imagens sem sobreposições e, dessa forma, a determinação do posicionamento dos componentes protéticos com maior precisão. A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar, por meio de exames radiográficos e tomográficos, a utilização de uma prótese total modular híbrida da articulação coxofemoral desenvolvida e confeccionada no Brasil, aplicada experimentalmente em cães sadios. Foram utilizados seis cães esqueleticamente maduros, previamente submetidos ao procedimento cirúrgico da articulação coxofemoral esquerda. Os cães foram submetidos ao exame tomográfico aos 360 dias e três anos após a cirurgia. Todos os animais apresentaram bom posicionamento dos componentes protéticos e redução articular adequada. Ao exame tomográfico, entretanto, foram detectadas áreas de preenchimento irregular em alguns animais. Adicionalmente, o exame tomográfico permitiu a detecção e monitoração de áreas de reabsorção óssea ao redor do componente acetabular. Assim, o exame tomográfico mostrou-se útil na avaliação das articulações protéticas, com a vantagem de apresentar ótima definição das imagens e permitir quantificar alterações periprotéticas e mensurar relações articulares, fundamentais para o acompanhamento pós-cirúrgico tardio.(AU)

The total hip arthroplasty is the most effective surgical technique for the treatment of severe canine hip dysplasia. Currently, the radiographic examination is the most common method used to assess this procedure in dogs, but has some limitations. CT scan by computed tomography instead enables the acquisition of images without overlap, thereby determining the positioning of prosthetic components with greater accuracy. This research aimed to evaluate by radiography and CT scan examinations the use of a hybrid modular total hip prosthesis developed and made in Brazil, applied experimentally in healthy dogs. Six skeletally mature dogs, which previously underwent surgery on the left hip joint were used. The dogs underwent CT scan at 360 days and three years after surgery. All animals showed good positioning of prosthetic components, and proper joint reduction. In the CT scan, however, it was possible to detect irregular fill areas in some animals. In addition, CT scan allowed the detection and monitoring of areas of bone resorption around the acetabular component. Therefore, the CT scan was useful in the evaluation of prosthetic joints, with the advantage of optimum sharpness of the images and allowing for the possibility of quantifying peri-prosthetic changes and measure joint, fundamental relations for late postoperative follow-up.(AU)

Sonographic abnormalities in augmented bladder using porcine intestinal submucosa (SIS) / Anormalidades ultrassonográficas em bexigas submetidas à cistoplastia utilizando submucosa intestinal suína (SIS)

Among the different materials for bladder augmentation, porcine intestinal submucosa (SIS) is the most widely investigated and stands out for its ability as a cell scaffold. In this context, the ultrasound examination allows the detection of changes from the surgical procedure, enabling the early verification of potential complications and evaluation of patient outcomes. The aim of this paper is to describe the main sonographic findings in dogs submitted to cystoplasty using acellular SIS and seeded with homologous smooth muscle cells at 30 (M30) and 60 (M60) days postoperatively. Sonographic changes included irregularities and thickening of bladder wall especially at M30. Additionally, were visualized urinary sediment and uroliths in animals submitted to acellular SIS cistoplasty. Abdominal ultrasonography was useful in the postoperative evaluation of animals undergoing cystoplasty with acellular or seeded SIS.(AU)

Entre os diferentes materiais utilizados para a reparação e o aumento da bexiga, a submucosa intestinal suína (SIS) é o mais amplamente investigado e se destaca por sua habilidade como um arcabouço celular. Nesse contexto, o exame ultrassonográfico possibilita a avaliação pós-operatória, bem como a detecção precoce de potenciais complicações. O objetivo deste artigo é descrever os principais achados ultrassonográficos em cães submetidos à cistoplastia utilizando a SIS acelular e semeada com células musculares lisas homólogas aos 30 (M30) e 60 (M60) dias de pós-operatório. As alterações ultrassonográficas pós-operatórias incluíram irregularidades e espessamento da parede da bexiga, especialmente aos M30. Além disso, foram visualizados sedimento urinário e urólitos em animais submetidos à cistoplastia utilizando a SIS acelular. A ecografia abdominal foi útil na avaliação pós-operatória dos animais submetidos à cistoplastia utilizando a SIS acelular e semeada com células musculares lisas homólogas.(AU)

A risk assessment model for the identification of hospitalized medical patients at risk for venous thromboembolism: the Padua Prediction Score.

BACKGROUND: Prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in hospitalized medical patients is largely underused. We sought to assess the value of a simple risk assessment model (RAM) for the identification of patients at risk of VTE. METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, 1180 consecutive patients admitted to a department of internal medicine in a 2-year period were classified as having a high or low risk of VTE according to a predefined RAM. They were followed-up for up to 90 days to assess the occurrence of symptomatic VTE complications. The primary study outcome was to assess the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of VTE in high-risk patients who had adequate in-hospital thromboprophylaxis in comparison with those who did not, and that of VTE in the latter group in comparison with low-risk patients. RESULTS: Four hundred and sixty-nine patients (39.7%) were labelled as having a high risk of thrombosis. VTE developed in four of the 186 (2.2%) who received thromboprophylaxis, and in 31 of the 283 (11.0%) who did not (HR of VTE, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.04-0.40). VTE developed also in two of the 711 (0.3%) low-risk patients (HR of VTE in high-risk patients without prophylaxis as compared with low-risk patients, 32.0; 95% CI, 4.1-251.0). Bleeding occurred in three of the 186 (1.6%) high-risk patients who had thromboprophylaxis. CONCLUSIONS: Our RAM can help discriminate between medical patients at high and low risk of VTE. The adoption of adequate thromboprophylaxis in high-risk patients during hospitalization leads to longstanding protection against thromboembolic events with a low risk of bleeding.

Epitheliotropic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma associated with melanoma in a dog: case report / Linfoma cutâneo epiteliotrópico de células T associado a melanoma em cão: relato de caso

Several types of tumors affect dogs' skin. Simultaneously occurring neoplasms with different histological patterns might be rarely present in the same animal. This paper describes the occurrence of epitheliotropic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and melanoma in a dog. The animal had nodular lesions in the abdominal region and serpiginous plaques on the dorsal region of the trunk. Cytology evidenced malignant fusiform cells from the abdominal lesions as well as few round cells from the dorsal. The histopathological examination of the abdominal lesions showed dermis with polygonal to spindle-shaped neoplastic cells. The lesion of the dorsal region evidenced neoplastic round cells with generally distinct cell borders and a moderate amount of eosinophilic cytoplasm. Abdominal lesions were positive for Melan A. Dorsal and forelimb lesions were positive for CD3. This study reports the occurrence of epitheliotropic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and malignant melanoma in a crossbred Boxer dog and discusses the importance of performing immunohistochemical profile to confirm the phenotype of the tumor.

Diferentes tipos de tumores podem ocorrer na pele de cães. É rara, porém, a ocorrência simultânea de neoplasias com origens histológicas diferentes no mesmo animal. Este trabalho descreve a ocorrência de linfoma cutâneo epiteliotrópico de células T e melanoma em um cão. O animal apresentava lesões nodulares na região abdominal e placas serpiginosas na região dorsal do tronco e membros. A citologia evidenciou células fusiformes malignas das lesões abdominais, bem como algumas células redondas nas dorsais. O exame histopatológico das lesões abdominais mostrou derme com células neoplásicas poligonais a fusiformes. A lesão da região dorsal evidenciou células redondas neoplásicas com citoplasma eosinofílico. Lesões abdominais foram positivas para Melan A. Lesões dorsais e de membros anteriores foram positivas para CD3. Este estudo relata a ocorrência de linfoma cutâneo de células T epitheliotropic e melanoma maligno em um cachorro Boxer, e discute a importância da realização de perfil imuno-histoquímico para confirmar o fenótipo do tumor. A importância do perfil imuno-histoquímico para confirmar o tipo de neoplasia também é discutida.

General framework for multiple scattering of polarized waves including anisotropies and Berry phase.

We develop a framework for the multiple scattering of a polarized wave. We consider particles with spin propagating in a medium filled with scatterers. We write the amplitudes of each spin eigenstate in a local mobile frame. One of the axes is in the direction of propagation of the particle. We use this representation to define a directional Green's operator of the homogeneous medium and also to write the spin-dependent scattering amplitudes. We show that this representation reveals a Berry phase. We establish a generalized Green-Dyson equation for the multiple-scattering problem in this framework. We show that the generalized Green-Dyson equation can be solved by linear algebra if one uses a representation of the rotations based on Wigner D matrices. The properties of light scattering are retrieved if we use spin 1 particles. Our theory allows to take into account several kinds of anisotropies such as circular or linear dichroism and birefringence, Faraday effects, and Mie scattering within the same formalism. Several anisotropies can be present at the same time.

Implante de condrócitos homólogos em defeitos osteocondrais de cães: padronização da técnica e avaliação histopatológica / Homologous articular chondrocytes implantation in osteochondral defects of dogs: technique and histopathological evaluation standardization

Padronizou-se a metodologia para cultura de condrócitos em cães e avaliou-se seu implante em lesões osteocondrais, utilizando-se a membrana biossintética de celulose (MBC) como revestimento. Dez cães, adultos e clinicamente sadios, foram submetidos à artrotomia das articulações fêmoro-tíbio-patelares. Defeitos de 4mm de diâmetro e profundidade foram induzidos no sulco troclear de ambos os membros. MBC foi aplicada na base e na superfície das lesões. Os defeitos do membro direito foram preenchidos com condrócitos homólogos cultivados formando o grupo-tratado (GT); os do membro esquerdo, sem implante celular, foram designados grupo-controle (GC). A evolução pós-operatória foi analisada com especial interesse nos processos de reparação da lesão, por meio de histomorfometria e imuno-histoquímica para colágeno tipo II e sulfato de condroitina. A cultura de condrócitos homólogos apresentou alta densidade e taxa de viabilidade. Observou-se integridade do tecido neoformado com a cartilagem adjacente na avaliação histológica, em ambos os grupos. Na imuno-histoquímica, verificou-se predomínio de colágeno tipo II no GT. Morfometricamente, não houve diferença significativa entre o tecido fibroso e o fibrocartilaginoso entre os grupos. A cultura de condrócitos homólogos de cães foi exequível. O tecido neoformado apresentou qualidade discretamente superior associado ao implante homólogo de condrócitos, contudo não promoveu reparação por cartilagem hialina.

The aim of the study is to standardize the methodology to achieve canine chondrocytes culture, and evaluate its implant on osteochondral defects made in the femoral trochlear sulcus of dogs, using the cellulose biosynthetic membrane (CBM) as coating. Ten healthy adult dogs without locomotor disorders were used. All animals were submitted to arthrotomy of stifle joints and defects of four millimeters in diameter x four millimeters deep were done in the femoral trochlear sulcus of both limbs. CBM were applied in the lesion base and surface of all limbs. In the treated group (TG), defects of the right limb were filled with cultivated homologous chondrocytes, and in control group (CG), defects of the left limb were left without cellular implant. Postoperative follow up was done by histomorphometry and Collagen type II and anti-chondroitin sulfate immunohistochemistry. The homologous chondrocytes culture showed high density and viability rate. Upon immunohistochemistry the predominance of type II collagen in extracellular matrix of TG was verified. However, no significant statistical difference was observed between the groups upon histomorphometry analysis of fibrous and fibrocartilaginous tissues. Canine homologous chondrocytes culture was practicable. Neoformed tissue showed slightly higher quality in TG, but without promoting repair by the hyaline cartilage.

Surgical procedures used for post-traumatic neurogenic bladder in a cat: report case / Procedimentos cirúrgicos utilizados no tratamento da bexiga neurogênica em um gato: relato de caso

A 1-year-old castrated crossbred male cat was referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital for evaluation of urinary retention associated with a subluxation at T12-T13 caused by a car accident. Urethral sphincter denervation by transection of hypogastric and pudendal nerves was performed to allow bladder emptying, but after three months post operation the cat had a urinary retention recurrence. Endoscopic urethral sphincterotomy was done resulting in urinary incontinence for four months.

Um gato de um ano de idade, macho, castrado, sem raça definida, foi encaminhado ao Hospital Veterinário Escola para avaliação de retenção urinária associada à subluxação nas vértebras T12-T13, que foi causada por um acidente automobilístico. Realizou-se a denervação do esfíncter uretral, por transecção dos nervos pudendo e hipogástrico, para permitir o esvaziamento da bexiga, porém três meses após a cirurgia inicial o animal apresentou recorrência da retenção urinária. Esfincterotomia endoscópica uretral foi então realizada, resultando em incontinência urinária por quatro meses.

Local simulation algorithms for Coulomb interactions.

Long ranged electrostatic interactions are time consuming to calculate in molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations. We introduce an algorithmic framework for simulating charged particles which modifies the dynamics so as to allow equilibration using a local Hamiltonian. The method introduces an auxiliary field with constrained dynamics so that the equilibrium distribution is determined by the Coulomb interaction. We demonstrate the efficiency of the method by simulating a simple, charged lattice gas.

Writhing photons and Berry phases in polarized multiple scattering.

We study theoretically the polarization state of light in multiple scattering media in the limit of low contrast in the refractive index. Linearly polarized photons are randomly rotated due to the Berry phase associated with the scattering path. For circularly polarized light independent speckle patterns are found for the two helical states. The statistics of the geometric phase is related to the writhe distribution of semiflexible polymers such as DNA.