Abstract Objective: We sought to evaluate the added value of complementary functional imaging in the differential diagnosis of parapharyngeal space lesions, as well as the benefit of performing a structured evaluation of diagnostic cross-sectional examinations. Materials and Methods This was a retrospective study of 16 patients with parapharyngeal space lesions who were referred to our facility following a cross-sectional imaging study listing head and neck paraganglioma as a possible diagnosis. Each patient underwent somatostatin receptor scintigraphy with111In-pentetreotide (Octreoscan) prior to surgical resection of the lesion. In addition, the initial computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were reviewed by two radiologists specializing in head and neck imaging, working independently, according to predefined diagnostic criteria. Results: Increased somatostatin receptor expression was observed in 14 of the 16 lesions evaluated. Histopathology of the surgical specimens showed that 11 of those 14 lesions were paragangliomas. Upon review, none of the three lesions for which there was a false-positive scintigraphy result (one intravascular meningioma and two schwannomas) were found to meet enough of the conventional imaging criteria for a diagnosis of paraganglioma. Conclusion: Structured analysis of imaging data increases the accuracy of the diagnosis of indeterminate parapharyngeal space lesions. Because of its high sensitivity, functional evaluation by somatostatin receptor scintigraphy should be considered a useful complementary tool for the detection of head and neck paraganglioma, provided that its limited specificity is taken into account.

ABSTRACT: A reliable determination of endogenous phosphorus (P) excretion is required to measure P utilization in chickens accurately. The objective of this study was to investigate phosphorus (P) retention in broilers fed diets formulated with different feed ingredients. Sixty-four 15-d old broiler chicks were fed diets in which part of the dietary P was provided from dicalcium phosphate, maize, barley or soybean. Level of supplementation of each ingredient was calculated to provide two levels of total P (4.5 or 5.0 g kg−1 feed). Birds received a single injection of 3 MBq of 32P to determine endogenous P excretion using the isotope dilution technique. Four days after injection, blood and excreta were collected for analysis of inorganic and radioactive P. There were no differences among diets in total (p = 0.37) or endogenous (p = 0.65) P excretion or in P retention (p = 0.37) regardless of the supplemental feed material used in each diet. Daily P retention was increased (p = 0.004) as P intake increased, but the proportion of P ingested that was retained was not affected (p = 0.23) by the level of dietary P. The use of an isotopic tracer allows for accurate estimation of endogenous P in excreta, ranging from 0.24 to 0.42 mg P g−1 dry matter intake. The retention of P in growing chickens was not changed when 10-20 % of total P was provided by maize, barley or soybean.

RESUMO: Um extrato aquoso de folhas da espécie medicinal Kalanchoe gastonis-bonnieri (aqui denominado como KGB) foi efetivo como um agente antimicrobiano contra as bactérias da cavidade oral de cães em testes in vitro. Neste estudo, investigou-se o efeito da administração oral tópica de KGB sobre o desenvolvimento do biofilme dental em cães da raça Beagle. Os experimentos foram realizados com um grupo experimental (0,2% de extrato de KGB), um grupo controle negativo (0,9% de solução salina) e um grupo controle positivo (0,12% de gluconato de clorexidina). Cada tratamento foi aplicado no interior da cavidade oral diariamente durante 28 dias. Foram utilizados trinta cães da raça Beagle com características semelhantes e mantidos sob o mesmo manejo e dieta. A medição da placa bacteriana e cálculo dentários foi realizada utilizando-se um método de análise computadorizada. O perfil fenólico do extrato de KGB foi analisado por HPLC-DAD. O extrato de KGB a 0,2% mostrou eficácia no controle da formação de placa bacteriana em comparação com o grupo controle negativo, e de cálculo dentário em relação aos grupos controle negativo e positivo. Uma diferença significativa foi observada entre esses três grupos. Picos atribuídos a flavonoides e ácidos fenólicos foram identificados no cromatograma de HPLC-DAD do extrato de KGB. A presença de tais substâncias pode estar relacionada com a atividade observada. Os resultados demonstram que o tratamento com KGB é eficaz no controle da doença periodontal em cães, fornecendo novas perspectivas sobre as propriedades medicinais desta planta. O extrato de KGB tem uma utilização potencial como um agente suplementar em produtos farmacêuticos para a prevenção da doença periodontal.

ABSTRACT: An aqueous leaf extract of the medicinal species Kalanchoe gastonis-bonnieri (here denominated KGB) has been found to be effective as an antimicrobial agent against canine oral cavity bacteria in in vitro assays. In this study, we investigated the effect of topic oral administration of KGB on the development of dental biofilm in Beagle dogs. The experiments were performed with an experimental group (0.2% of KGB extract), a negative control group (0.9% of saline solution) and a positive control group (0.12% chlorhexidine). Each treatment was sprayed into the oral cavity daily for 28 days. Thirty Beagle dogs with similar characteristics and kept under the same management and diet were used. The measurement of dental plaque and calculus was performed using a computerized analytical method. The phenolic profile of KGB extract was analyzed by HPLC-DAD. KGB extract at 0.2% showed efficacy in controlling the formation of plaque compared to the negative control group, and dental calculus in relation to the negative and positive control groups. A significant difference was observed among these three groups. Peaks attributed to flavonoids and phenolic acids were identified in the HPLC-DAD chromatogram of the KGB extract. The presence of these substances could be related to the activity observed. Our findings demonstrate that treatment with KGB is effective in controlling periodontal disease in dogs, providing new insights into the medicinal properties of this plant. KGB extract has a potential use as a supplemental agent in pharmaceutical products for the prevention of periodontal disease.

ABSTRACT This article approaches Engineering Requirements concepts and proposes the use of cognitive maps as support to the problem identification of the stakeholders during the requirements elicitation process. It presents a case study of the aerospace cluster of São José dos Campos, State of São Paulo. The cognitive map technique was developed to represent the views of the individuals, generating cognitive maps, which, in an aggregated way, express graphically the collective vision to support the decision-making process. Applied to Engineering Requirements, it has revealed the potential to promote the convergence of different points of view on the actual stakeholders’ needs in innovative fashion. This technique has demonstrated effectiveness when approaching the stated requirements early in the development process implemented throughout the life cycle of the system/product.

O linfoma de células T associado a enteropatia (LTAE) é uma neoplasia rara, com origem nos linfócitos T intestinais intraepiteliais e que está frequentemente associado a doença celíaca (DC). Os autores relatam o caso de um doente com quadro de desconforto abdominal, perda de peso acentuada, intolerância ao glúten, com anticorpos antigliadina positivos e múltiplas adenomegálias mesentéricas, ao qual foi diagnosticado DC e LTAE após ressecção cirúrgica de segmento do jejuno com cerca de 15 centímetros, envolvido por implantes tumorais. Com a descrição deste caso, salienta-se a dificuldade no diagnóstico clínico e anatomopatológico desta entidade, alicerçando o tema numa revisão da literatura.

Enteropathy associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL) is a rare tumor. It develops in intestinal intra-epithelial T-cells and is commonly associated with celiac disease (CD). The authors report a patient presenting with abdominal discomfort, weight loss, intolerance to gluten, positive gliadin antibodies and mesenteric lymph node enlargement. CD with EALT was diagnosed after surgical resection of 15 centimeters of jejuno with tumor implants. This case brings out to discussion the difficulty of clinical and histological diagnosis of this entity based on a literature review.

O presente estudo objetivou comparar o efeito sedativo da morfina, meperidina e fentanil associados à acepromazina (ACP) e seus efeitos sobre as variáveis fisiológicas de cães. Seis cães Beagle hígidos foram aleatoriamente submetidos a quatro tratamentos com intervalo de 7 dias. Em três tratamentos, foi administrada ACP (0,05mg kg-1) e, após 20 minutos, 0,5mg kg-1 de morfina (ACPMOR), 5mg kg-1 de meperidina (ACPMEP) ou 5µg kg-1 de fentanil (ACPFEN). No tratamento ACP DA MOR, a dose de 0,1mg kg-1 de ACP foi associada a 0,5mg kg-1 de morfina. Todos os fármacos foram administrados pela via IV. Escores de sedação foram avaliados pela escala numérica descritiva (END: 0-3) e escala numérica simples (ENS: 0-10). Todas as variáveis foram avaliadas durante 120 minutos. A administração da ACP causou sedação leve à moderada. A sedação foi intensificada em todos os tratamentos após a administração do opioide, mas diferença significativa foi observada somente em ACPMOR e ACP DA MOR. Um número maior de cães apresentou sedação intensa (END=3,0) após a administração da morfina (3/6 e 4/6 cães em ACPMOR e ACP DA MOR versus 1/6 nos demais tratamentos). A duração do efeito sedativo foi mais longa em ACPMOR e ACP DA MOR. Houve redução leve a moderada na pressão arterial, frequência respiratória e temperatura em todos os tratamentos e redução significativa da frequência cardíaca somente nos tratamentos ACPMOR e ACP DA MOR. Não houve diferenças significativas nas variáveis estudadas quando o dobro da dose de ACP foi utilizada (tratamento ACP DA MOR). Nas condições deste estudo, a administração da morfina, em associação à ACP, resulta em sedação de maior intensidade e duração do que a meperidina e o fentanil. O aumento na dose de ACP, em associação à morfina, não intensifica o grau de sedação. Todas as associações foram consideradas seguras para cães hígidos.

This study aimed to compare the sedative effects of morphine, meperidine and fentanyl, in combination with acepromazine (ACP) and their effects on physiologic values in dogs. Six healthy beagle dogs were randomly assigned to four treatments with 7-day washout intervals. In three treatments, ACP (0.05mg kg-1) was administered and 20 minutes later, the dogs received administration of 0.5mg kg-1 of morphine (ACPMOR), 5mg kg-1 of meperidine (ACPMEP) or 5µg kg-1 of fentanyl (ACPFEN). In treatment ACP HD MOR, 0.1mg kg-1 of ACP was administered in combination with 0.5mg kg-1 of morphine. All drugs were administered intravenously. Sedation scores were evaluated by a numeric descriptive scale (NDS: 0-3) and a simple numeric scale (SNS: 0-10). All variables were evaluated for 120 minutes. The administration of ACP caused mild to moderate sedation. Sedation was improved in all treatments after opioid administration, but significant differences were detected only in ACPMOR and ACP HD MOR. More dogs presented intense sedation (NDS=3.0) after administration of morphine (3/6 and 4/6 dogs in ACPMOR and ACP HD MOR versus 1/6 in other treatments). Duration of sedation was longer in ACPMOR and ACP HD MOR. Mild to moderate decreases in blood pressure, respiratory rate and temperature were observed in all treatments but decreased HR was observed only in ACPMOR and ACP HD MOR. No significant differences were observed in the aforementioned variables when twice the dose of ACP was used (treatment ACP HD MOR). Under the conditions of this study, administration of morphine, in combination with ACP, results in greater and longer sedation than meperidine and fentanyl. Increasing the dose of ACP, in combination with morphine, does not improve the degree of sedation. All combinations used were considered to be safe for healthy dogs.

Estudou-se o metabolismo de cálcio em eqüinos em crescimento recebendo dietas com diversos níveis desse mineral. Utilizaram-se 12 machos, com média de 12 meses de idade e peso vivo médio de 221,0 kg, mantidos com três dietas com 0,15; 0,45; ou 0,75 de cálcio e 0,23% de fósforo, constituindo um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com três níveis de cálcio e quatro repetições. Foram injetados em cada animal, via jugular direita, os volumes de uma seringa, correspondentes a 7,4 MBq de 45Ca (CaCl2). Após a injeção, foram colhidas amostras (10 mL) de sangue, via jugular esquerda, aos 5 minutos, 1, 2, 4, 6, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 e 144 horas. As fezes foram colhidas diariamente pela manhã, a partir de 24 horas após a aplicação do radionuclídeo até o sétimo dia e uma alíquota de 5% do total diário excretado foi colhida e armazenada em congelador para posterior análise. O mesmo procedimento das fezes foi adotado para a urina, quando foram colhidas amostras de 1% do volume total diário. Os níveis de cálcio plasmático, cálcio total na urina e cálcio endógeno nas fezes não diferiram entre os níveis de cálcio com valores médios de 11,76; 5,54 e 20,86 mg/kgPV/dia, respectivamente. A disponibilidade biológica de cálcio (média de 81,71%) também não diferiu entre os níveis de cálcio. As regressões lineares entre níveis de cálcio na dieta e cálcio total ingerido, cálcio absorvido, cálcio total nas fezes e cálcio retido foram expressas, respectivamente pelas equações: y=10,7+2,78x r²=1,0; y=12,41+2,24x r²=0,99; y=5,97+0,92x r²=0,93 e y=6,4+1,70x r²=0,94, com médias de, respectivamente, 135,80; 113,21; 47,37 e 82,90 mg/kgPV/dia.

The objective of this work was to study the calcium metabolism in growing equines receiving diets with different calcium levels. Twelve male were used, with average age of twelve months and average alive weight of 221,0 kg. The treatments consisted of three diets, composed for increasing calcium levels (low = 0.15%-N15; standard = 0.45%-N45; high = 0.75%-N75), and standard phosphorus level (0.23%). Each animal was injected, through the right jugular vein, the volumes of a syringe, which corresponded to about 7.4 MBq of 45Ca (CaCl2). After the injection, blood samples (10 mL) were collected through left jugular vein at five minutes, 1, 2, 4, 6, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 and 144 hours. The feces were daily collected in the morning, 24 hours after the application of the radionuclide until the seventh day, and an aliquot of 5% of the daily total excreted was collected and stored in freezer for posterior analysis. The same procedure of excrements was adopted for urine, when samples of 1% of the daily total volume had been collected. The experimental techniques used a completely randomized design with three treatments and four replications. No effects were observed on the plasma calcium, total calcium in urine and endogenous calcium in feces, with average values of 11,76; 5,54 and 20,86 mg/kgLW/day, respectively. No effects were observed for the biological calcium availability, with 81.67%, on average. Linear regressions between calcium levels in the diet and total calcium ingested, absorbed calcium, total calcium in feces and restrained calcium have been respectively verified, which were expressed according to the following equations: y=10.7+2.78x r²=1.0; y=12.41+2.24x r²=0.99; y=5.97+0.92x r²=0.93 and y=6.4+1.70x r²=0.94, with averages of 135.80; 113.21; 47.37 and 82.90 mg/kgLW/day, respectively.

Adequados hábitos alimentares e a prática de exercícios físicos exercem efeito benéfico sobre as dislipidemias. Se associados, podem ainda otimizar as mudanças do perfil lipoprotéico plasmático, sendo, além disso, intervenções de custo moderado quando comparados com tratamentos medicamentosos e dependentes de alta tecnologia. Este estudo tem por objetivo avaliar o impacto do exercício físico isolado e combinado com dieta sobre o perfil lipídico em indivíduos com sobrepeso/obesos. O presente trabalho é do tipo retrospectivo analítico observacional. Nele foi analisada a evolução do perfil lipídico e do peso, por período entre três e seis meses, de 30 indivíduos, divididos em dois grupos: grupo exercício (prática de exercício físico) e grupo dieta (prática de exercício físico associada à intervenção nutricional). Foram encontradas reduções estatisticamente significativas no CT (-14,4mg/dl; P = 0,022) e no LDL-c (-20,9mg/dl; P = 0,013) para os componentes do grupo exercício. Tal redução também ocorreu em relação à razão CT/HDL-c (-0,9; P = 0,005) para os componentes do grupo dieta. Foi observada elevação dos níveis de HDL-c, apenas no grupo dieta (+4,2 mg/dl). Nesse mesmo grupo verificou-se diminuição no CT (-8mg/dl) e no LDL-c (-9,8mg/dl), bem como redução de peso (-2,6kg), no entanto, tais resultados não foram estatisticamente significativos. Quanto aos níveis de TG, não foi verificada evolução positiva em ambos os grupos. Concluiu-se que o efeito isolado do exercício físico foi mais evidente em relação às variáveis CT e LDL-c. Os TG não sofreram modificações positivas com a prática exclusiva de exercícios físicos ou com sua associação à dieta. Para as variáveis HDL-c e peso, a combinação da dieta com o exercício físico apresentou maiores benefícios.

Adequate eating habits and physical exercise have a beneficial effect on dislipidemies. When associated, they might even optimize changes to the plasmatic lipoproteic profile, apart of which they are moderate-cost interventions if compared to drug-based and high-tech depending treatments. The present study aims at assessing the impact of physical exercise as isolated and combined with a diet on the lipidic profile of overweight/obese individuals. Tn observational analytical retrospective study has looked into the evolution of the lipidic profile and weight over a period of 3 to 6 months of 30 individuals divided in two groups: the exercise group (physical exercise practice) and the diet group (physical exercise associated with a nutritional intervention). Significant statistical reductions were found in the CT (-14.4 mg/dl; P=0,022) and in the LDL-c (-20.9 mg/dl; P = 0,013) for the components in the exercise group. Such reduction has also occurred regarding the CT/HDL-c (-0,9; P = 0,005) ratio for the components of the diet group. The increase in the HDL-c levels was observed only in the diet group (+4.2 mg/dl). In this same group a decrease in the CT (-8 mg/dl) and in the LDL-c (-9,8 mg/dl) was observed as well as a weight reduction (-2.6 Kg), however, such results have not been statistically significant. Regarding the TG levels, there was no evidence for a positive evolution in either group. As a conclusion, the isolated effect of physical exercise was more evident concerning the variables CT and LDL-c. The TG did not undergo positive modifications upon the exclusive practice of physical exercise or with their association with the diet. As for variables HDL-c and weight, the combination of diet and physical exercise has proven to bring enhanced benefits.

Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de estudar, por meio de dois modelos matemáticos, o metabolismo do cálcio (Ca) em ovinos recebendo dietas suplementadas com diferentes fontes de Ca. Foram utilizados 20 cordeiros mestiços Santa Inês (6 a 8 meses de idade) alimentados com uma dieta basal composta de milho, farelo de soja, bagaço de cana hidrolisado, uréia, fosfato monoamônio (MAP) e mistura mineral suplementada com cinco fontes de cálcio: polpa cítrica (PC), feno de alfafa (FA), calcário calcítico (CC), farinha de conchas de ostras (FC) e fosfato bicálcico (FB). Os animais receberam, via jugular, solução contendo 7,7 MBq de 45Ca. Durante sete dias, realizaram-se coletas de fezes, sangue e urina. Após o período de coleta, os animais foram sacrificados para retirada de amostras de tecidos (fígado, rins, coração, músculo e 12ª costela) para análises. O metabolismo de Ca foi avaliado pelos modelos de Vitti et al. (2000) e Fernandez (1995). O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado e as médias foram comparadas pelo teste Duncan. Não houve diferença significativa para o consumo de Ca entre os tratamentos. A excreção fecal foi menor para o CC. O balanço de Ca foi negativo para FA e PC. A absorção de Ca pode ter sido prejudicada pela presença de pectina e oxalato na polpa cítrica e no feno de alfafa, respectivamente. Os fluxos entre o compartimento central e o trato digestivo indicaram maior absorção de Ca para o CC. As fontes CC, FB e FC apresentaram maior disponibilidade cálcio, com valores respectivos de 65,38; 34,12 e 32,43%. A comparação entre os modelos comprovou diferenças nos fluxos entre o sangue e os tecidos e ossos, todavia, o balanço entre esses compartimentos foi similar. As diferenças entre os modelos possivelmente foram ocasionadas pela sua estrutura.

This research was conducted to compare the accuracy of two mathematical models to predict calcium (Ca) metabolism in sheep supplemented with different Ca sources. Twenty Brazilian male sheep averaging 7 to 8 months of age were fed a basal diet containing corn, soybean meal, hydrolyzed sugarcane bagasse, urea, mono-ammonium phosphate, mineral mixture and one of the following Ca sources: limestone (LM), alfalfa hay (AH), dicalcium phosphate (DP), oyster shell meal (SM), and citrus pulp (CP). On day 22 each animal received an intravenous injection of 7.7 MBq of radio-calcium (45Ca) followed by collection of blood, feces, and urine every 24 h for 7 days. Total Ca and radioactivity were measured in all samples. At the end of the collection period, animals were slaughtered and samples of liver, heart, kidney, muscles and 12th rib were taken for analysis. Calcium metabolism was evaluated by the models proposed by Vitti et al. (2000) and Fernandez (1995). A completely randomized design was used and means were compared by the Duncan test. No significant differences were observed for Ca intake among treatments. However, total fecal excretion of Ca differed and was lowest in animals fed LM. Calcium balance was negative in sheep receiving AH and CP because Ca absorption might have been compromised by the high contents of pectin and oxalate in these two supplements, respectively. Flows of Ca between the central pool and the digestive tract showed the greatest absorption of Ca on animals fed LM. Diets supplemented with LM, DP, and SM had highest Ca availability with values of 65.38, 34.12 and 32.43%, respectively. The models differed in the predictions of Ca flows among blood, bone and soft tissues but showed similar values for Ca balance in the different compartments. These discrepant results may be explained by structural difference between models.