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This study compared two protocols for preparation of platelet rich plasma (PRP) and evaluated the association between manual and automated methods for platelet count using a prospective study design. Eight clinically healthy Quarter Horses had venous blood samples collected at rest. After collection, blood samples were centrifuged twice, using two different protocols including a period of sample resting, either at the start or at the end of the protocol. Platelet counting at the start of the protocol, during, and after obtaining PRP was conducted manually or with an automated counter, followed by comparison of the two methods. In order to investigate platelet degranulation during the protocol, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was measured at each preparation stage. The protocol with sample resting before centrifugation yielded a more concentrated PRP, and the study verified that both manual and automated methods are comparable and can be used interchangeably for platelet counting. VEGF concentration did not differ significantly between protocols, or among protocol stages. The results indicate that choice of protocol for PRP preparation will affect the quantity of platelets in the final product, although platelet degranulation was not observed as evidenced by the stable VEGF concentrations measured. A larger yield of non-degranulated platelets in PRP is desirable since more α-granules will be present, therefore Protocol II is recommended. Both manual and automated counts reliably allow clinicians to obtain platelet counts and the choice of utilizing a manual or automated method is unlikely to interfere with evaluation of the final PRP product.

A citologia conjuntival é um importante meio de diagnóstico de afecções da superfície ocular. Buscam-se técnicas que forneçam quantidade e qualidade celular, com uso de instrumentos que provoquem mínimo trauma e que diminuam as chances de danos iatrogênicos ao olho. Existem diversas técnicas de coleta de células, entre elas encontram-se: impressão, esfoliação e punção por agulha fina. Dentre os métodos utilizados para esfoliação, o uso da escova citológica fornece resultados superiores em vários parâmetros, incluindo a qualidade das células. Estudou-se a citologia conjuntival por esfoliação com escova citológica, utilizada para coleta de material da cérvix uterina, tendo como objetivos determinar se tal instrumento se adequaria à coleta de material da face palpebral da membrana nictitante e da conjuntiva palpebral de felinos sadios. Foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros: facilidade de execução da técnica, possibilidade de ocorrência de danos iatrogênicos e quantidade e qualidade de células coletadas. Cinquenta gatos machos (58%) e fêmeas (42%), com ou sem raça definida, participaram do estudo. Apenas gatos isentos de alterações oculares no exame físico foram incluídos. A escova citológica se mostrou um instrumento de fácil utilização, que fornece células em quantidade satisfatória e com morfologia preservada. Comparada a conjuntiva palpebral, a face palpebral da membrana nictitante se mostrou um local mais adequado à realização da coleta de amostras citológicas, pela maior facilidade de execução da técnica e menor possibilidade de danos iatrogênicos. No que diz respeito à quantidade e qualidade celular, não houve diferença significativa entre os dois locais de coleta. Foi possível observar células provenientes das diferentes camadas do epitélio conjuntival com predomínio de células intermediárias e ausência de células caliciformes. Conjunctival cytology is an important diagnostic method for ocular superficial diseases. There are several techniques to collect cells, including impression, exfoliation and fine needle aspiration. These techniques have shown individual variations depending on method and instrument used on the collection process. Techniques with instruments that cause low damage and decrease iatrogenic damage risks to the eyes, providing cellular quantity and quality, are wanted. Exfoliative cytology techniques are frequently used in human and veterinary medicine. Among the methods used for exfoliation, cytobrush provides better results on many parameters, including cell quality. The use of conjunctival exfoliation cytology using cytobrush (brush usually used for cervix cytology) was investigated. The aim was to determine if this technique would provide an adequate number and quality of conjunctival third eyelid cells of cats; to compare these samples with those collected by the same way from conjunctival area and to determine a cytologic pattern of this region. This comparison would provide information about technique security, possible damage risks and collected cells characteristics. Cats were evaluated through physical and routine ophthalmic exam. Fifty domestic cats, males (58%) and females (42%), of any breed were accepted. In the study were included only animals free of ocular and systemic changes. Cytobrush showed an easy and usefulness instrument, that provides satisfactory amount of cells with preserved morphology. Compared to palpebral conjunctiva, palpebral surface of nictitating membrane showed a most adequate site to cytological sample collect, greater facility of technical perform and smaller possibility of iatrogenic damage. In respect to quality and quantity of cells there was no significant difference between collect sites. It was possible to observe epithelial cells of conjunctiva from different stratum with predominance of intermediate cells and absence of goblet cells.

Doença renal crônica (DRC) é a forma mais comum de doença renal em gatos. Vários fatores têm sido citados como importantes na progressão da doença, dentre eles a proteinúria. A relação proteína-creatinina (RPC) urinária em uma única amostra de urina apresenta boa correlação com a perda de proteína urinária em 24 horas. O objetivo dessa investigação foi determinar a RPC urinária em gatos com DRC adquirida naturalmente. A determinação da RPC foi realizada em nove gatos saudáveis (Grupo I) e em trinta gatos com DRC (Grupo II). Os gatos do Grupo I apresentaram RPC de 0,16±0,10 e os gatos do Grupo II apresentaram RPC de 0,53± 0,59. No Grupo II encontrou-se correlação positiva e significante da RPC com o nível de creatinina sérica. Os resultados deste estudo demonstram que a RPC urinária em gatos com DRC é bastante variável e que, à semelhança do que já havia sido previamente descrito, aproximadamente um terço dos gatos com DRC são considerados proteinúricos segundo critérios estabelecidos pela literatura (RPC urinária >0,4).Chronic renal disease (CRD) is the most common form of renal disease in cats. Several factors contribute to disease progression. Proteinuria is an important marker of renal disease progression. The protein-creatinine ratio in a single urine sample correlates well with urinary protein loss in 24 hours. The aim of this investigation was to determine the urine protein-creatinine (UPC) ratio in cats with natural acquired chronic renal disease. The UPC ratio was performed in nine clinically normal cats and in 30 cats with chronic renal disease. Mean UPC ratio in normal cats was 0.16±0.10, and mean UPC ratio in the cats with chronic renal disease was 0.53± 0.59. In the group with renal disease there was positive correlation between UPC ratio and serum creatinine levels. The results obtained from this study demonstrate that UPC ratio in cats with CRD is variable and that, in accordance to what has previously been described, approximately one third of the cats with CRD are considered proteinuric according to the criteria established in literature (UPC ratio > 0.4).

This study aimed to examine the efficacy of magnesium chloride therapy in sheep experimentally poisoned by Palicourea marcgravii and describe the clinical and laboratory findings that may aid in early ante mortem diagnosis of this poisoning. P. marcgravii is an important plant within a group of 22 species in Brazil that cause “sudden death.” Its toxic component is sodium monofluoroacetate. It was observed that a time for evolution of poisoning was longer in our study compared to other studies that used the same dose of P. marcgravii in sheep. However, all animals that were poisoned and subsequently treated with magnesium chloride died. The sheep presented characteristic clinical signs before death in addition to other signs that have not been previously described for this type of poisoning, such as abdominal breathing, coughing, head pressing, and nystagmus. This is the first evaluation of hematological parameters of sheep poisoned by P. marcgravii. Leukocytosis with neutrophilia, hyperfibrinogenemia, and hyperglycemia, associated with hypophosphatemia and elevated levels of serum aspartato aminotransferase (AST), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), urea, creatinine, creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), were observed. Additionally, changes were noted in necropsy, such as engorged jugular, large vessel congestion, pulmonary edema. Histological examination revealed vacuolar hydropic degeneration in the distal twisted uriniferous tubules in the kidneys, similar to those reported in previous studies on P. marcgravii poisoning. RESUMO: O presente estudo objetivou verificar a eficácia terapêutica do cloreto de magnésio em ovinos intoxicados experimentalmente por Palicourea marcgravii e descrever os achados clínicos e laboratoriais que possam auxiliar no diagnóstico precoce ante mortem dessa intoxicação. P. marcgravii é a principal planta dentro de um grupo de 22 espécies que causam “morte súbita” no Brasil e seu princípio tóxico é o monofluoracetato de sódio. Durante o procedimento, observou-se maior tempo de evolução em relação a outros trabalhos utilizando-se a mesma dose da P. marcgravii em ovinos, entretanto todos os animais intoxicados e posteriormente tratados com cloreto de magnésio vieram a óbito. Os ovinos apresentaram sinais clínicos característicos antes da morte, associados a sinais nunca antes descritos nesse tipo de intoxicação, como respiração abdominal, tosse, “head pressing” e nistagmo. Trata-se da primeira avaliação dos parâmetros hematológicos de ovinos intoxicados por P. marcgravi. Foi observado leucocitose com neutrofilia, hiperfibrinogemia e hiperglicemia, associado a elevação dos valores séricos de AST, GLDH, ureia, creatinina, CK, LDH e hipofosfatemia. À necropsia foram notadas alterações como jugular ingurgitada, congestão de grandes vasos, edema pulmonar. Histologicamente havia degeneração hidrópica vacuolar nos túbulos uriníferos contorcidos distais no rim, semelhantes às já relatadas em estudos anteriores, na intoxicação por P. marcgravii.