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Cem ratos norvégicus, machos, com aproximadamente 3 meses de idade foram distribuídos por sorteio em 2 grupos experimentais: Grupo Controle (GC): com 50 ratos sadios, não diabéticos e Grupo Diabético (GD): com 50 ratos diabéticos, induzidos pela aloxana, sem qualquer tratamento. Cada grupo foi dividido em 5 subgrupos com 10 ratos cada e sacrificados com 1, 3, 6, 9 e 12 meses de seguimento, respectivamente. Parâmetros clínicos (peso, ingestão hídrica e alimentar, e diurese) e laboratoriais (glicemia, glicose urinária e insulina) foram documentados em todos os momentos de avaliação. Um segmento do nervo ciático foi obtido de cada animal, em ambos os grupos, para estudo à MO. e ME. Alterações clínicas e laboratoriais significativas (P

Background: Different terms are used to refer to postural balance training, but the ontological debate involving the concepts to pursue nomenclature consensus is unusual., Objective: The goal of this study was to analyze how often the terms balance, neuromuscular, proprioceptive, functional and sensorimotor training/exercise are used in the literature, and to propose a conceptual critical appraisal to determine the most appropriate terminology to address postural balance exercises., Methods: A literature search was conducted in the Scopus electronic database. Eligibility criteria: papers with the selected expressions on the title or keywords, published in English, were included., Results: The most used term was balance training (471 of 1105 included papers). Europe, followed by Asia and North America, had the highest number of publications. In the 21st century, the number of publications increased considerably. However, the terms have conceptual differences and controversies regarding its use., Conclusion: Despite a large variety of exercise types and divergences, balance training seems to be the most suitable term, given it refers to postural equilibrium exercises., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To analyze the effect of single- and double-stranded sperm DNA fragmentation (ssSDF and dsSDF) on human embryo kinetics monitored under a time-lapse system., Design: Observational, double blind, prospective cohort study., Setting: University spin-off and private center., Patient(s): One hundred ninety-six embryos from 43 infertile couples were included prospectively., Intervention(s): None., Main Outcome Measure(s): SsSDF and dsSDF were analyzed in the same semen sample used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Embryo kinetics was then monitored using time-lapse technology, and the timing of each embryo division was obtained., Result(s): When comparing embryos obtained from semen samples with low dsSDF and high dsSDF, splitting data using a statistically significant delay in high dsSDF was observed in second polar body extrusion, T4, T8, morula, and starting blastocyst and embryo implantation rates were impaired. Embryo kinetics and implantation rates are not significantly affected when high values of ssSDF are present. Different patterns of delay in embryo kinetics were observed for these different types of DNA damage: dsSDF caused a delay along all stages of embryo development; however, its major effect was observed at the second polar body extrusion and morula stages, coinciding with embryo DNA damage checkpoint activation as described before; ssSDF had its major effect at the pronucleus stage, but embryo kinetics was then restored at all following stages. The results show that dsSDF could be the main type of DNA damage that affects embryo development in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles, probably due to motility-based sperm selection in this assisted reproduction procedure., Conclusion(s): Double-stranded sperm DNA damage caused a delay in embryo development and impaired implantation, while single-stranded DNA damage did not significantly affect embryo kinetics and implantation., (Copyright © 2018 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To identify the prevalence of chronic low back pain (CLBP) and functional disability in Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes., Study Design: Cross-sectional, observational., Settings: The study was conducted at jiu-jitsu training sites in the State of Rio de Janeiro., Main Outcome Measures: Presence of Chronic low back pain and Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale., Results: The sample was composed of 72 athletes (mean age of 26.7), being 36 recreational and 36 professional. Chronic low back pain was present in 80.6% of athletes. Pain was present in 88.9% of professional and 72.2% of recreational athletes. In the professional jiu-jitsu group, the median of the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QBPDS) was 10 (IQR = 16), and in the recreational group the QBPDS result was 6.0 (IQR = 12) (p = .001). Professional athletes had a marginally significant increased risk of developing CLBP [OR = 3.0; CI(95%) 0.8-10.9)]., Conclusion: The prevalence of low back pain in jiu-jitsu practice was high and professional athletes seem to have a high risk of developing CLBP., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Study Design: Cross-sectional study., Purpose: To verify the association of hamstring tightness and range of motion in anterior pelvic tilt (PT), lumbar motion (LM), and trunk flexion (TF) during forward bending., Overview of Literature: Increased hamstring stiffness could be a possible contributing factor to low back injuries. Clinical observations have suggested that hamstring tightness influences lumbar pelvic rhythm. Movement restrictions or postural asymmetry likely lead to compensatory movement patterns of the lumbar spine, and subsequently to increased stress on the spinal soft tissues and an increased risk of low back pain (LBP)., Methods: Hamstring muscle tightness was measured using the self-monitored active knee extension (AKE) test. A bubble inclinometer was used to determine the range of motion of PT, LM, and TF during forward bending. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, comparisons between groups and a correlation between hamstring tightness (AKE) and anterior PT, TF, and regional LM with p≤0.05., Results: The LBP group was composed of 36 participants, and the asymptomatic group consisted of 32 participants. The mean for PT in the control group was 66.7°, 64.5° for LM and 104.6° for TF. Respective values in the symptomatic group were 57.0°, 79.8°, and 82.2°., Conclusions: Participants with LBP showed restriction in the pelvis and TF range of motion, but had higher amplitudes in the lumbar spine during forward bending.

This study aimed to examine the efficacy of creatine supplementation, associated or not with resistance training, in vulnerable older women. A 24-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was performed. Sixty subjects were assigned to compose the following groups: placebo (PL), creatine supplementation (CR), placebo with resistance training (PL+RT), and creatine supplementation with resistance training (CR+RT). The subjects were assessed at baseline and after 24weeks. The primary outcome was muscle strength, as assessed by one-repetition maximum (1-RM) tests. Secondary outcomes included appendicular lean mass, bone mass, biochemical bone markers, and physical function tests. The changes in 1-RM leg press were significantly greater in the CR+RT group (+19.9%) than in the PL (+2.4%) and the CR groups (+3.7%), but not than in the PL+RT group (+15%) (p=0.002, p=0.002, and p=0.357, respectively). The CR+RT group showed superior gains in 1-RM bench press (+10%) when compared with all the other groups (p≤0.05). The CR+RT group (+1.31%) showed greater appendicular lean mass accrual than the PL (-1.2%), the CR (+0.3%), and the PL+RT groups (-0.2%) (p≤0.05). The CR and the PL+RT groups experienced comparable gains in appendicular lean mass (p=0.62), but superior to those seen in the PL group. Changes in fat mass, bone mass and serum bone markers did not significantly differ between the groups (p>0.05). In conclusion, creatine supplementation combined with resistance training improved appendicular lean mass and muscle function, but not bone mass, in older vulnerable women. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01472393., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The aim of this video is to demonstrate an endoscopic and minimally invasive repair of an urethrocutaneous fistula with cyanoacrylate glue., Materials and Methods: A 56 year-old-man with post-infectious urethral stricture and recurrent perineal abscess formation due to urethral fistulas., Results: The operative time was 60 minutes, no major complications were observed perioperatively and postoperatively. At a follow-up time of 6 months the patient had no evidence of recurrent fistula and abscess formation., Conclusions: The endoscopic use of cyanoacrylate glue represents a safe and minimally invasive approach that might be offered as a first line option for the treatment of urinary fistulas in selected patients, especially those with narrow and long tracts.

The study aimed to identify, in a Rooming-in unit, diagnoses related to the phenomenon of breastfeeding according to the NANDA-I Taxonomy II. It was conducted a descriptive exploratory study involving 83 mothers and their babies in the period of February to April 2011. Data were collected by means of an instrument based on the Theory of Basic Human Needs and, after statistical analysis, presented in tables. The results showed that the most frequent nursing diagnosis was Effective breastfeeding, identified in 65 (78.3%) cases. It is estimated that the nursing diagnoses related to breastfeeding can contribute to nursing care so that it can be more targeted, in order to promote a more qualified, effective and human care.

This is a theoretical reflection on the clinical nursing care in mental health that is offered to the family. In view of having a family member with mental suffering, the family would delegate the care to that relative to the mental institution, thus there should be collaboration between the nursing and medical team to organize the environment and ensure family and social isolation. With the Psychiatric Reform, based on the proposal for psychosocial care, the family becomes the center of attention for health care professionals. The necessary support for clinical nursing care includes making conceptual changes in implementing health education, interdisciplinary work, and in the broadened clinic, so as to ensure comprehensiveness and subjects' autonomy. Clinical nursing care should permeate the subjects' politicalization, in which the actors militate to reach autonomy, and the practices involve dignity, creativity, welcoming, interdisciplinarity, hearing, and knowledge sharing.

Developmental competence of oocytes from prepubertal females is lower than those from adult females. Oocyte development competence is positively related to follicular diameter. Most of the follicles of prepubertal goat ovaries are smaller than 3 mm. The aim of this study was to compare oocytes of two follicle sizes (< 3 mm and ≥ 3 mm) from prepubertal goats with oocytes from adult goats in relation to their in vitro production and quality of blastocysts. Oocytes from prepubertal goats were obtained from slaughterhouse ovaries and selected according to the follicle diameter whereas oocytes from adult goats were recovered in vivo by LOPU technique without prior selection of follicle size. COCs were IVM for 27 h, IVF at the conventional conditions with fresh semen and presumptive zygotes were cultured in SOF medium for 8 days. Blastocysts obtained were vitrified and after warming their blastocoele re-expansion and the ploidy by FISH technique were assessed. We found significant differences between blastocysts yield of oocytes recovered from follicles smaller than 3 mm of prepubertal goats compared to those from adult goats (5.45% vs 20. 83%, respectively) however, these differences disappear if oocytes were recovered form large follicles (18.07%). A total of 28 blastocysts were analysed and 96.43% showed mixoploidy. Age did not affect the number of embryos with abnormal ploidy or blastocyst re-expansion after warming. Furthermore, the percentage of diploid blastomeres per embryo was similar in the 3 groups studied, adult, prepubertal from follicles ≥ 3 mm and < 3 mm (68.6%, 80.8% and 73.6%, respectively). In conclusion, IVP of blastocysts coming from follicles larger than 3 mm of goats 45 days old were not different to the blastocysts produced from adult goats, both in terms of quantity and quality., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Descriptive-exploratory study carried out in a hospital from Fortaleza, CE, Brazil to evaluate the characteristics of nursing professionals with High Blood Pression from a hospital for cardiovascular diseases. In the population of the nursing staff, the sample had 130 participants, who met the criteria for inclusion. Data were collected through interviews and sociodemographic characteristics were predominant: average level (72.3%), female (79.2%), age> 40 years (79.2%), married (41.5%) and non-whites (65.4%). Non-modifiable risk factors identified: familial history (71.5%). The modifiable were: diabetes mellitus (24.6%), smoking (35.4%), alcoholism (43.8%), inadequate diet (68.5%), hyperlipidemia (24.6%) and sedentary (62.3%). It is be necessary to develop strategies for health education and program monitoring of health professionals, in order to control blood pressure and preventing cardiovascular complications.

Oocytes secrete soluble paracrine factors called Oocyte Secreted Factors (OSFs) which regulate the cumulus cell phenotype. Follicle populations in ovaries from prepubertal females have smaller diameters than their adult counterparts. Oocytes from small follicles are less competent than those from large follicles. The aim of this study was to investigate, in prepubertal goats, the effect of OSFs secreted by denuded oocytes (DOs) from small (<3 mm) or large (>or=3 mm) follicles during IVM on embryo development and the blastocyst quality of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) from small follicles and to determine if GDF9 participates in this process. Treatment groups were: (A) COCs non selected by their follicle size (control group); (B) cumulus oocytes complexes from small follicles (SFCOCs), (C) cumulus oocytes complexes from small follicles co-cultured with denuded oocytes from small follicles (SFCOCs + SFDOs), and (D) cumulus oocytes complexes from small follicles co-cultured with denuded oocytes from large follicles (SFCOCs + LFDOs). The effect of the addition of kinase inhibitor SB-431542, which antagonizes GDF9, was tested in A, C, and D treatment groups. Co-cultured SFCOCs with SFDOs or LFDOs significantly augmented the blastocyst rate in comparison to SFCOCs alone (15.77%, 17.39% vs. 10.31%, respectively). Blastocysts from SFCOCs + LFDOs group showed higher rates of tetraploid nuclei than blastocysts from SFCOCs and the control group (14.43% vs. 5.45% and 5.24%, respectively; P < 0.05). However, we did not observe differences in the hatching rate, mean cell number or embryo cryotolerance (P > 0.05) between the four treatment groups. The addition of SB-431542 during IVM did not have any effect on blastocyst rate (P > 0.05). In conclusion, in prepubertal goats, COCs with a low embryo developmental competence as a consequence of follicle size can be improved by coculturing them with denuded oocytes from both small and large follicles. GDF9 does not seem play a role in this improvement., ((c) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This bibliographic study analyzes scientific texts published in the CEPEn database in the mental health field (1979-2007). A total of 280 abstracts were investigated, of which 208 were Master's theses. The individuals investigated in these studies were professionals (57), patients (50), and professors and/or students (18). Among the themes addressed between 2000 and 2007 were the following: Nursing Care in Mental Health (40), Perception in Mental Health (37); and Transversality in Mental Health Care (27). This study provided an overview of the scientific research produced in the mental health field in Brazilian nursing graduate programs. We expect this study to elicit reflections concerning mental health care practice and enable new approaches for nursing promoting health and the prevention of diseases in order to enable patients to recover their citizenship, autonomy and quality of life.

The aim of this study was to assess the following parameters in prepubertal goat oocytes of different follicle diameter (> or =3 mm, <3 mm, control): oocyte diameter, early (Annexin-V) and late (TUNEL) apoptosis, embryo development and chromosomal ploidy of these blastocysts using Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH). Before in vitro maturation, oocytes were measured and stained with Annexin-V or TUNEL. The rest of the oocytes were matured, fertilized, and cultured in vitro for 8 days. Oocytes from follicles of > or =3 mm showed greater mean oocyte diameter (128.27 +/- 7.20 microm vs. 125.35 +/- 7.59 microm), higher percentages of TUNEL positive (42.86 vs. 24.23%), higher cleavage (47.85 +/- 3.98 vs. 23.07 +/- 2.44 %) and blastocyst rates (19.77 +/- 3.04 vs. 4.11 +/- 1.10 %) than oocytes from follicles of <3 mm.. Blastocyst mean cell numbers did not show differences between follicular groups (123.83 +/- 49.62 vs. 104.29 +/- 36.09 for follicles of > or =3 mm and <3 mm, respectively). A total of 54 blastocysts with 7084 nuclei were hybridized with specific probes to chromosomes X and Y. Ninety-eight percent (98%) of the embryos presented at least one cell carrying an abnormal number of chromosomes, but 78% of them presented less than 25% of chromosomal abnormal cells. No differences in the percentage of blastocysts with abnormal ploidy were found in embryos produced from oocytes of different follicle diameter., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Tuberculosis, a polymorphic disease, is a diagnostic challenge, particularly when arises concomitantly to an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Herein, the authors describe a 33-year-old woman with nodular RA who was being treated with methotrexate, sulfasalazine and corticosteroids and presented with subcutaneous nodules simultaneously with aseptic meningitis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was identified in cultures from a biopsy of an axillary nodule. The patient also developed polyuria and polydipsia with normal glycemia; antidiuretic hormone (ADH) treatment before and after a 3% saline infusion test was performed and diabetes insipidus was diagnosed. An encephalic MRI showed sellar and suprasellar masses, suggesting central diabetes insipidus (CDI). The patient received standard tuberculosis (TB) treatment for 6 months and also DDAVP (desmopressin acetate) during this period. Control of CDI was observed. A pre-surgical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed no pituitary mass. It is known that intrasellar tuberculoma occurs in only 1% of TB patients. TB should be considered in the differential diagnosis of CDI, especially in immunosupressed patients and in countries where this infection is a serious public health problem.

Objective: This study aims to analyse changes in body sway over the course of pregnancy., Study Design: This is a descriptive study in which stabilometric tests were applied at three stages of pregnancy and with a combination of different visual conditions (eyes open/closed) and support base configuration (feet together/apart). Twenty healthy pregnant women participated in the study. Changes in postural control with pregnancy were analysed via the elliptical area of the stabilograms and spectral analysis of the displacements of the centre of pressure (COP) along the lateral and anterior/posterior directions., Results: The elliptical area encompassing the COP significantly increased over the course of the pregnancy for the feet apart and eyes closed test protocols. The spectral analysis revealed a significant increase of COP oscillations along the anterior-posterior direction when subjects stood with the eyes open/feet together and feet apart. A reduction (significant) of the lateral oscillations of COP was observed for the eyes open/feet together protocol., Conclusion: Pregnancy induced significant changes in the postural control when pregnant women stood with a reduced support base or with eyes closed.

Oocyte quality is the main factor that determines blastocyst yield; any factor that could affect it, such as apoptosis, could impair subsequent embryonic development. Our aim was to investigate the incidence of apoptosis in prepubertal goat oocytes and cumulus cells, assessed by Annexin-V staining and TUNEL assay, and their effect on embryo development. Oocyte-cumulus complexes (COCs) from slaughtered females were collected and classified depending on COC morphology as: Healthy (H) and Early Atretic (EA). Each one of these groups was classified depending on oocyte diameter: A: 110-125microm, B: 125-135microm and C: >135microm. The COCs were IVM for 27h, IVF with fresh semen and IVC for 8 days after insemination. Apoptosis analyses were performed before and after maturation. Annexin-positive oocytes decreased with diameter in the EA class (immature oocytes: A: 42.6%; B: 30.3%; C: 21%; IVM-oocytes: A: 17.5%; B: 4.8%; C: 0%), while TUNEL assay showed a decrease of apoptosis in the largest oocytes before and after IVM only in Healthy oocytes (immature oocytes: A: 51.5%; B: 43.3%; C: 12.1%; IVM-oocytes: A: 31.7%; B: 12%; C: 0%). Blastocyst rate increased with increasing oocyte diameter, and it was higher in H than in EA oocytes (Healthy; A: 0%; B: 5.3%; C: 14.4%; Early atretic: A: 0.3%; B: 4.1%; C: 5.1%). Oocyte diameter and COC morphology had no effect on the percentage of apoptosis in blastocyst cells. In conclusion, oocyte developmental competence in prepubertal goats is influenced by oocyte diameter and COC morphology.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a disorder characterized by skin thickness and vasculopathy. The objective of the study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect and safety of the association of pentoxyphylline and vitamin E in SSc patients. Twelve SSc patients (American College of Rheumatology criteria) enrolled this 24-week open-label study. Patients received daily 800 mg of pentoxyphylline and 800 UI of vitamin E and were evaluated at 4-week interval. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change in Modified Rodnan Skin Score (MRSS) at week 24. Nine diffuse SSc patients treated 6 months with cyclophosphamide were used as a historical control group. The mean age of the treated group was 43.6 years, and ten of 12 (84%) patients were women. Their mean MRSS reduced from 25.7 to 18.7 (p = 0.03) at 16th week and remained significantly reduced throughout the study. In contrast, only a trend of MRSS reduction was observed in the historical control group (p = 0.06). Two patients started the study with active ischemic ulcers and ended with a complete healing of them. No serious side effects were reported. Pentoxyphylline and vitamin E might be an alternative therapeutic approach in SSc patients.

Enhancing the knowledge about the characteristic of the vasomotor control can help physicians to improve the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and their consequences in people's daily activities. Vessels are generally evaluated from a static point of view, where some vascular features are obtained in a given space of time, or expressed as an average of some evaluation. The present study presents a method to assess some characteristics of the vasomotor control dynamics. Such a method is based on a mathematical description of the temporal profile of the blood flow observed during a reactive hyperemia condition induced by a protocol of 5 min of ischemia. The parameters for such a mathematical descriptive function were evaluated by searching for sensitivity to identify normal and vasomotor alterations induced by oral administration of ibuprofen (1200 mg) in ten healthy volunteers. The results indicated by the proposed mathematical description fitted appropriately experimental blood flow data (fitting-error of 0.18 ml/100 ml of tissue/min). Additionally, one parameter of the mentioned function was statistically different (P < 0.05) when one considers the normal and altered conditions of the vessel, even when the traditional peak and the basal flow values did not hint at the distinction.

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the developmental competence of oocytes and their total RNA and protein contents, and the level of Cyclin B1 transcription. Ovaries from prepubertal goats were collected from a slaughterhouse. Oocytes were recovered by slicing and those with two or more layers of cumulus cells and homogenous cytoplasm were matured in vitro (20-25 oocytes per drop) for 27 h. Both before and after IVM, samples of oocytes were denuded and categorised into four group treatments by diameter (<110 microm, 110-125 microm, 125-135 microm; >135 microm), separated into sub-groups of 10 oocytes per treatment-replicate and stored in liquid nitrogen until total RNA content analysis by spectophotometry, total protein content analysis by a colorimetric assay and Cyclin B1 transcription analysis by RT-PCR. For the study of developmental competence, the rest of the matured oocytes were fertilised in vitro in groups of 20-25 for 24 h. Presumptive zygotes were denuded, sorted into the four categories of diameter noted above, and placed into culture drops in groups of 18-25 for in vitro culture. Cleavage rate was evaluated at 48 hpi and embryo development at 8 d post-insemination. There were four replicates of each treatment for each assay or evaluation point of the experiment. There were no significant differences between the size categories of oocytes at collection in total RNA content, total protein content and Cyclin B1 mRNA. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in the expression of Cyclin B1 before IVM with oocytes in the >135 mm diameter category having the highest value for this variant. There were no significant differences in these characteristics between the categories of oocyte diameter after IVM except in respect of total RNA content, which was lower for the largest size of oocytes (>135 microm; mean+/-S.D.=12.3+/-1.84 ng/oocyte) than the other three size groups (19.2+/-1.38-22.1+/-4.44 ng/oocyte; P<0.05). Significant differences (P<0.05) in cleavage rate were observed between the different oocyte size categories (<110 microm, 3.0%; 110-125 microm, 32%; 125-135 microm, 50%; >135 microm, 73%). Only oocytes >125 microm diameter developed to the blastocyst stage (125-135 microm, 7%; >135 microm, 10%). This study showed that the RNA content and the Cyclin B1 RNA expression of prepubertal goat oocytes, and their development to embryos varied between the different size categories of the oocytes.

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of pre-treating mature bovine oocytes with Taxol before vitrification by the open pulled Straw method (OPS). We evaluated the effects of pre-treating the oocytes with 1 microM Taxol on chromosome organization, spindle morphology, cortical granule distribution and the ability of fertilized oocytes to develop to the blastocyst stage. After calf or cow oocyte vitrification without Taxol, significantly higher proportions of spindle abnormalities in the form of abnormal spindle structures or dispersed or decondensed chromosomes were observed compared to fresh control oocytes. In contrast, when we compared calf oocytes pre-treated with Taxol before vitrification with control calf oocytes, similar percentages of oocytes showing a normal spindle morphology were observed. The percentages of oocytes with a peripheral cortical granule (CG) distribution increased when the oocytes were pretreated with Taxol and vitrified, while oocytes vitrified without Taxol pre-treatment gave rise to higher cortical distribution percentages. Cleavage and blastocyst rates were significantly lower for vitrified versus untreated oocytes, both in cow and calf oocytes. Significantly higher cleavage rates were obtained when calf and cow oocytes were vitrified with Taxol. Pre-treatment with Taxol before cow oocyte vitrification yielded significantly higher blastocyst rates. Calf oocytes, however, were unable to develop to the blastocyst stage, irrespective of previous Taxol treatment. These results indicate that the pre-treatment of oocytes with Taxol before vitrification helps to reduce the damage induced by the cryopreservation process, and potentially improves the subsequent development of vitrified bovine oocytes. Summary sentence: Pre-treatment of oocytes with Taxol before vitrification helps to reduce the damage induced by vitrification and potentially improves the development of vitrified bovine oocytes., ((c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Introduction: Previous studies have detected the presence of anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECA) in patients with Behçet's disease (BD). However, no real evidence exists whether these antibodies exert any influence on clinical presentation and/or activity of this disease., Objectives: To determine the frequency of AECA in patients with BD and analyze possible clinical associations., Methods: 50 patients with BD who fulfilled diagnostic criteria were selected. Thirty-seven patients were females, and 13 were males; the mean age was 44 +/- 9 years with a mean follow-up time of 10 +/- 7.5 years. AECA were assayed by ELISA using ECV-304 cells as the antigenic substrate. The prevalence of AECA was determined, and their possible relationships with present and past clinical features were investigated., Results: AECA were detected in the sera of 38% of the patients (IgG in 13, IgM in four, and IgG plus IgM in two). An association was observed between AECA and a previous history of central nervous system involvement (OR= 5.4, p= 0.03). This association was more evident for IgG-AECA (OR= 6.0, p= 0.02). A trend of an increased risk of aneurysms was also observed in patients with IgG-AECA (OR= 2.58, p= 0.77). None of the other clinical characteristics showed a relevant association with these antibodies., Conclusion: Our data suggest that IgG-AECA may be a marker of more severe lesions in patients with BD based on the higher frequency of previous central nervous system manifestations in patients who presently display circulating AECA.

The study aimed at implementing the nursing process for a post-partum woman with cardiomyopathy after cardiorespiratory arrest. We conducted a clinical case study, in an intensive care unit of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, in the period from September to October, 2005. The data were obtained after evaluation for elaboration of Nursing Diagnoses according to NANDA Taxonomy II, clinical judgment, intervention and goals. The nursing diagnoses found were: impaired verbal communication, decreased cardiac output, inefficient respiratory pattern, excessive volume of fluids, diarrhea, impaired physical mobility and deficit in selfcare. We highlighted the importance of the process as focus of the nurse's work in the clinic, in order to favor the patient's return to his family context as well as give credibility to the nurse's job.

ICSI and embryo biopsy are routine methods used for assisted reproduction. However, their impact on embryo quality is still poor studied. Moreover, oocyte size is also a crucial factor for blastocyst production. In this study effect of oocyte size, ICSI and embryo biopsy was assessed in terms of incidence of apoptosis and blastocyst development. IVM-oocytes from prepubertal goats were fertilized by ICSI or IVF. Embryos obtained were divided depending on oocyte size, biopsied at day-4 post-insemination/injection and cultured for additional 4-5 days. Apoptotic cell number was assessed by TUNEL staining in day-4 embryos and blastocysts obtained. In each diameter group, ICSI did not affect embryo development, blastocyst cell number and embryo apoptotic grade in comparison to IVF. Embryo biopsy did not affect blastocyst rate and apoptotic cell number, but decreased blastocyst cell number (P=0.0018). Moreover, there was a negative relationship between blastocyst cell number and apoptotic grade (P<0.05). In conclusion, ICSI and embryo biopsy do not have negative effect on embryo quality and development. However, oocyte size has a positive relationship on blastocyst yield and quality.

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between oocyte diameter, meiotic and embryo developmental competence and the expression of the catalytic subunit of MPF, the p34(cdc2), at mRNA, RNA and protein level, as well as its kinase activity, in prepubertal (1-2 months old) goat oocytes. MPF is the main meiotic regulator and a possible regulator of cytoplasmic maturation; therefore, it could be a key factor in understanding the differences between competent and incompetent oocytes. Oocytes were classified according to oocyte diameter in four categories: <110, 110-125, 125-135 and >135 microm and matured, fertilized and cultured in vitro. The p34(cdc2) was analyzed in oocytes at the time of collection (0 h) and after 27 h of IVM (27 h) in each of the oocyte diameter categories. The oocyte diameter was positively related to the percentage of oocytes at MII after IVM (0, 20.7, 58 and 78%, respectively) and the percentage of blastocysts obtained at 8 days postinsemination (0, 0, 1.95 and 12.5%, respectively). The expression of RNA and mRNA p34(cdc2) did not vary between oocyte diameters at 0 and 27h. Protein expression of p34(cdc2) increased in each oocyte category after 27 h of maturation. MPF activity among diameter groups did not vary at 0h but after IVM there was a clear and statistically significant increase of MPF activity in the biggest oocytes.

It is a reflective study that aimed at discussing the education of the nurse concerning the care in a perspective of change of the professional practice. The curricular guidelines for the profession are based Guidelines and Basis for National Edcucation which have aims to educate capable nurses to transform the practical reality of the Brazilian nursing. However, we realize that only the implementation of such guidelines does not make possible the education of critical, reflexive and transforming professionals regarding the real world.

The aim of this study was to evaluate embryo development of prepubertal goat oocytes fertilised by ICSI according to their diameter. Three experiments were carried out to achieve this objective. In all experiments, oocytes were matured in TCM199 supplemented with hormones, cysteamine and serum for 27 h at 38.5 degrees C. In Experiment 1, we studied the nuclear stage of goat zygotes produced by conventional ICSI and IVF using 20 nM ionomycin plus 10 microM heparin as sperm treatment. A group of Sham-injected oocytes was used as control. Results showed differences in the percentage of 2 PN (zygotes with male and female pronuclei) between ICSI, IVF and Sham (40.9, 26.6 and 3.0%, respectively; P<0.05). In Experiment 2, we evaluated the embryo development of prepubertal goat oocytes produced by ICSI and IVF after 192 h of culture in SOF medium. The percentage of morulae plus blastocysts obtained was higher in the ICSI than in the IVF group (13.4 and 5.1%, respectively; P<0.05). In Experiment 3, IVM-oocytes were classified in four groups depending on their diameter (Group A: <110 microm; Group B: 110-125 microm; Group C: 125-135 microm; Group D: >135 microm), fertilised by ICSI and cultured for 192 h. Results showed a positive correlation between oocyte diameter and embryo development (morulae+blastocysts: Group A: 0%; Group B: 6.2%; Group C: 46.4% and Group D: 33.3%). In conclusion, sperm treatment with ionomycin plus heparin using the conventional ICSI protocol improved fertilisation rates in comparison to IVF. Oocytes smaller than 125 microm were unable to develop up to blastocyst stage.

The low number of embryos obtained from IVM-IVF-IVC of prepubertal goat oocytes could be due to an incomplete cytoplasmic maturation. Roscovitine (ROS) inhibits MPF and MAP kinase activity and maintains the oocyte at Germinal Vesicle (GV) stage. The aim of this study was to determine if meiotic activity is arrested in prepubertal goat oocytes cultured with 0, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 microM of ROS for 24 h. A group of oocytes from adult goats was cultured with 25 microM of ROS to compare the effect of ROS on prepubertal and adult goat oocytes. A sample of oocytes was stained to evaluate the nuclear stage at oocyte collection time and after ROS incubation. IVM-oocytes not exposed to ROS formed the control group. Prepubertal goat IVM-oocytes were inseminated and cultured for 8 days. The percentage of oocytes at GV stage, after exposition to ROS was significantly higher in adult goat oocytes (64.5%) than in prepubertal goat oocytes. No differences were found among 25, 50 and 100 microM ROS concentrations (29, 23 and 26%, oocytes at GV stage, respectively). After 8 days of culture, no differences in total embryos were observed between control oocytes and oocytes treated with 12.5 and 25 microM (45.2, 36.1 and 39.4%, respectively), however the percentage of blastocysts was higher in the control group. Western blot for the MAPK and p34(cdc2) showed that both enzymes were active in prepubertal goat oocytes after 24h of ROS exposition. In conclusion, a low percentage of prepubertal goat oocytes reached GV stage after ROS incubation; possibly because most of them had reinitiated the meiosis inside the follicle. ROS did not affect fertilization or total embryos but ROS showed a negative effect on blastocyst development.

The objective of this study was to compare the embryo development of prepubertal goat oocytes after ICSI and IVF procedures. Three experiments were carried out to achieve this objective. (1) An analysis of the efficiency of ICSI with or without chemical stimulation (5 microM ionomycin for 5 min and 2 mM 6-DMAP for 4 h). In this experiment, Sham and parthenogenetic oocyte groups were used as controls. (2) According to the results from experiment 1, we investigated the nuclear stage of zygotes obtained with ICSI and IVF, and their further embryo development. (3) We compared two embryo culture media (G1.3/G2.3 and TCM199 with granulosa cells) on the embryo development of zygotes obtained from ICSI and IVF procedures. Experiment 1 demonstrated that prepubertal goat oocytes needed additional chemical stimulation, after conventional ICSI, to form zygotes with male and female pronuclei (2PN). Experiment 2 showed that significantly higher percentages of -zygotes were found in ICSI-oocytes than IVF-oocytes (40.0 and 25.1%, respectively; P < 0.005). The percentage of embryos obtained and developed beyond the 8-cell stage was significantly higher for ICSI than for IVF and parthenogenetic embryos (22.8, 10.3 and 3.8%, respectively; P < 0.05). Experiment 3 showed that G1.3/G2.3 medium improved the embryo development of ICSI- and IVF-oocytes compared to co-culture with granulosa cells in TCM medium. The highest percentage of embryo development beyond 8-16 cells was found in ICSI-oocytes cultured in G1.3/G2.3 medium. However, a reduced number of morulae were found in this study.

Our previous studies have shown that the addition of 100 mircroM cysteamine to the in vitro maturation (IVM) medium increased the embryo development of prepubertal goat oocytes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of adding different concentrations of cysteamine to the IVM medium and to the in vitro embryo culture medium (IVC) on the embryo development of prepubertal goat oocytes selected by the brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) test. Oocytes were exposed to BCB and classified as: oocytes with a blue cytoplasm or grown oocytes (BCB+) or oocytes without blue cytoplasm or growing oocytes (BCB-). In Experiment 1, oocytes were matured in a conventional IVM medium supplemented with 100 microM, 200 microM or 400 microM cysteamine. In Experiment 2, oocytes were matured with 400 microM cysteamine and following in vitro fertilization (IVF) were cultured in SOF medium supplemented with 50 microM and 100 microM cysteamine. In Experiment 1, BCB+ oocytes matured with 100 microM and 200 microM cysteamine showed higher normal fertilization and embryo development rates than BCB- oocytes. Oocytes matured with 400 microM cysteamine did not present these differences between BCB+ and BCB- oocytes. In Experiment 2, the addition of 50 microM and 100 microM cysteamine to culture medium did not affect the proportion of total embryos obtained from BCB+ oocytes (35.89% and 38.29%, respectively) but was significantly different in BCB- oocytes (34.23% and 29.04%, respectively, P < 0.05). In conclusion, the addition of 400 microM cysteamine to the IVM improved normal fertilization and embryo development of BCB- oocytes at the same rates as those obtained from BCB+ oocytes. The proportions of morulae plus blastocyst development were not affected by the treatments.

Two different methods for isolation of islet of Langerhans on control of metabolic abnormalities of alloxan-induced diabetic rat were tested. Sixty rats were randomly assigned to four experimental groups: GI included 10 non-diabetic control rats, GII included 10 diabetic control rats, without treatment, GIII included 20 diabetic rats (10 inbred and 10 outbred rats) that received islet of Langerhans transplantation (ILT) using islet cells prepared by collagenase, and GIV included 20 diabetic rats (10 inbred and 10 outbred rats) submitted to ILT using islet cells prepared by nonenzymatic method. Clinical and laboratory parameters at beginning and 4, 7, 14, 21 and 30 days of follow-up were recorded. Outbred rats were immunosuppressed with cyclosporin A, diabetes was induced by e.v. alloxan administration, and islet cells were isolated from normal donor Lewis rats and injected into the portal vein. ILT corrected the body weight gain, polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, and the high levels of blood and urine glucose in 73.7% of rats treated by enzymatic method and in 64.7% of those ones treated by nonenzymatic method. However, there was no significantly difference between the two methods (P > 0.50). We did not also observe significantly difference between the two methods when ILT was performed either in inbred or outbred rats. We concluded that ILT performed by nonenzymatic method may be an alternative treatment for diabetes due to be less expensive and to have possible advantages in the isolation process.

Acarbose is a competitive inhibitor of the intestinal alpha-glycosidases, that can delay absorption of intestinal carbohydrates causing their malabsorption. In the present paper we studied the effects of insulin, acarbose and their association on glomerular basement membrane thickening in alloxan-diabetic rats. Twenty-five male and female Wistar rats, approximately 3 months old at the beginning of the experiment, were assigned randomly to each of five experimental groups: normal control rats, alloxan-diabetic control rats, alloxan-diabetic rats treated with acarbose, alloxan-diabetic rats treated with insulin, and alloxan-diabetic rats treated with insulin plus acarbose. Alloxan was administered in a single i.v. dose of 442 mg/kg body weight. Insulin was given subcutaneously at doses of 18 to 30 IU/kg corrected daily on the basis of glycosuria and ketonuria. Acarbose was given mixed with rat chow in a dose of 50 mg/100 g chow. Body weight, water and food intake and diuresis, as well as blood and urine glucose were determined after 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of treatment. Glomerular basement membrane (GBM) thickening was determined by electron microscopy at the same times. Clear clinical and laboratory signs of severe diabetes, with blood glucose levels above 200 mg/dl and urine glucose above 3000 mg/dl, were observed in all alloxan-diabetic control rats, in all periods of follow-up, whereas administration of insulin or acarbose reduced the blood glucose levels of treated groups. The most satisfactory control of blood and urine glucose was observed in animals treated with both insulin and acarbose. However, diarrhea was observed in diabetic rats treated with acarbose associated or not with insulin. GBM thickening was correlated with age in all groups. Beginning at six months after diabetes induction, the GBM of untreated diabetic rats was significantly thicker (mean +/- SEM, 4.446 +/- 0.45 mm) than that of normal rats (2.977 +/- 0.63mm). Both insulin and acarbose prevented GBM thickening and their combination induced thickening similar to the age dependent thickening observed for normal rats of the same age. We conclude that acarbose when combined with insulin may be a good option in the control of diabetes and its renal complications.

In this study we present the technical details, adaptations and modifications of the original procedure of pancreaticoduodenal transplantation in rats described by Lee et al. in 1972. We also present the results and technical failures observed in a follow-up of 12 years. From March, 1982 to December, 1994, we performed in the Laboratory of Surgical Technique and Experimental Surgery of Faculty of Medicine, Botucatu-UNESP, Brazil, 665 duodenopancreatectomies in donor rats and 592 surgeries for revascularization of the pancreatic graft in recipient animals. The observed percentage of technical failures in donor rats was 11% due to bleeding and/or vascular complications, irregular flushing of the graft with saline and respiratory insufficiency. In recipients of grafts, we observed a percentage of technical failures of 22.5% due to porto-caval thrombosis, vascular bleeding, pancreatitis and graft ischemia. In both surgeries, the successful results are directly related to the technical performance of the surgeon and the cares in the postoperative period.

Sixty outbred Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five experimental groups: GI-10 non-diabetic control rats; GII-10 untreated diabetic control rats; GIII-10 diabetic rats treated with retard porcine insulin; GIV-20 diabetic rats that received pancreaticoduodenal transplantation (PDT) from normal donor rats; GV-10 diabetic rats submitted to islet of Langerhans transplantation (ILT) into the portal vein. The animals were housed in metabolic cages for six periods of 24 hours during 30 days and body weight, water and food intake, urine output, blood and urinary glucose were recorded. Diabetes was induced by I.V. administration of Alloxan (42 mg/kg of body weight); PDT was performed by microsurgical techniques and islets were prepared without enzymes. To prevent rejection. Cyclosporin A (10 mg/kg of body weight) was utilized in transplanted rats. PDT consistently and significantly (p < 0.05) improved the metabolic abnormalities of the diabetic rats, by restoring the body weight gain, and immediate relief of polydipsia, polyphagia, polyuria, hyperglycemia and glucosuria observed in pre-treatment period. PDT was more effective than ILT and this over insulin therapy on control of the diabetic state. However, the observed complications in GIV and GV, due to surgery and immunosuppression, should be analysed for the real benefits of the alternative therapy can be superior to eventual fails to the conventional therapy with insulin.

Outbred Wistar rats were randomly assigned to three experimental groups: GI, 10 nondiabetic control rats; GII, 10 alloxan-diabetic control rats; GIII, 25 alloxan-diabetic rats that received pancreaticoduodenal transplantation (PDT) from normal donor Wistar rats and were immunosuppressed with cyclosporin A. For 7 prior and 4, 7, 14, 21, and 30 days posttransplantation (during which the animals were housed in metabolic cages for periods of 24 hours) body weight, water and food intake, urine output, blood and urinary glucose, plasma insulin, and glucagon were recorded. These parameters were also concurrently recorded for diabetic and nondiabetic control rats. Animals were sacrificed after 30 days and histological and immunohistochemical studies of the pancreas were performed. Pancreatic transplants consistently and significantly improved the metabolic abnormalities of the diabetic rat (P less than 0.01) by restoring body weight gain, and by immediate relief of hyperglycemia, glucosuria, polyuria, polydipsia, and also the low levels of plasma insulin. The plasma glucagon, elevated in diabetic control rats, did not change after transplant.

1. Forty-five outbred Wistar rats were randomly assigned to three experimental groups: GI, 10 non-diabetic control rats; GII, 10 alloxan-diabetic control rats; GIII, 25 alloxan-diabetic rats which received pancreaticoduodenal transplantation (PDT) from normal Wistar donor rats and were immunosuppressed with cyclosporin A (Cy-A), 10 mg kg body weight-1 day-1, administered intraperitoneally for 30 days. 2. In parallel, 15 alloxan-diabetic inbred Wistar rats received isogeneic PDT from normal Wistar donor rats. 3. Cy-A prevented graft rejection in the 15 surviving animals in group III. These observations were confirmed by clinical and biochemical parameters (body weight, urine output, water and food intake, blood and urinary glucose and plasma insulin) and by histology and immunohistochemistry of the pancreas. 4. However, Cy-A was associated with 60% of the infectious complications in transplanted rats leading to 40% mortality. Pulmonary infections were the main cause of death. There were no side effects of immunosuppression on the pancreas. Infections were not significant in inbred rats submitted to PDT.

An appropriate animal model of acute fulminant hepatic failure was developed in the guinea pig by he intrabiliary administration of monoethanolamine oleate. The animals were assigned in two experimental groups: 1) ethanolamine group - 42 guinea pigs that received intrabiliary 2,5 ml injection of monoethanolamine oleate; 2) control group - 18 guinea pigs subjected to intrabiliary 2,5 ml administration of saline. The intrabiliary administration of the ethanolamine oleate resulted in massive liver injury with 85,9% of hepatic coma during the first 96 hr. The liver damage was characterized by clinical manifestations (anorexia, increasing stupor, muscle wasting and deep coma), serum biochemical tests (elevations of serum transaminases, bilirubins , alkaline phosphatase), studies of blood coagulation (prothrombin and partial thromboplastin times were markedly prolonged and the concentration of fibrinogen decreased) and histopathological findings (massive hepatic necrosis). This animal model appears promising for future studies of the pathogenesis and treatment of acute hepatic failure.

Scintiscanning of the liver with Au198 was performed in 30 mongrel dogs. In 18 animals the scanning was performed after 3 different types of hepatic trauma: intraparenchymal hematoma, stab wound and lasceration of liver. In 12 days without hepatic trauma the scanning was performed with purpose to establish the pattern of the normal liver scan in the dog. Results indicate that scintiscanning of the liver is a good propaedeutic method in the evaluation of the presence and localization of traumatic hepatic lesion.

The aim of this study was to test the application and value of electrocorticography (ECG) in the early diagnosis and characterization of electrocorticograms changes on experimental fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). Our material was composed of two groups of guinea pigs: a) ethanolamine group--42 animals with FHF induced by intrabiliary injection of 2.5 ml of monoethanolamine oleate; b) control group--10 animals submitted to intrabiliary injection of 2.5 ml of saline. Electrocorticograms recordings were taken in both groups with the electrodes implanted on the parieto-occipital regions of the skull. The hepatic failure was characterized by clinical manifestations, serum biochemical tests and histopathological findings. In the early hepatic coma the electrocorticograms could not be unequivocally distinguished from normal pattern, and alpha rhythm was recognizable in most animals. With further deterioration of the clinical condition the tracing showed progressive slowness of the normal rhythm, increased voltage and triphasic waves followed by suppression of electrical activity preceding the animal death. The electrocorticography was not suitable for the early diagnosis of hepatic coma, since the ECG alterations became evident only in overt coma. However the method could be useful for the characterization of cerebral disorders and the study of the pathogenesis of fulminant hepatic failure.

The hemodynamic disorders resulting from the selective arteriography of celiac trunk and splenoportography were studied in 30 dogs. The systemic blood pressure and peripheral pulse rate were considered in these instants: before, during, immediately after and 10 minutes after the angiographic procedures. The analysis of the results obtained permit to conclude that: a) catheterism of the celiac trunk only, increase the systolic systemic blood pressure but does not change the dyastolic; b) during the injection of the contrast medium in the celiac trunk there is an increase of the systemic blood pressure (systolic and dyastolic); c) the selective arteriography of the celiac trunk as well as the splenoportography cause decrease of the systemic blood pressure (systolic and dyastolic) immediately after (1 to 70 seconds) the procedure; d) the decrease of the systemic blood pressure (systolic and dyastolic) is greater after the arteriography than after the splenoportography; e) the decrease of the systemic blood pressure (systolic and dyastolic) is transitory; 10 minutes after the realization of angiographies the systemic blood pressure return to the values observed before the examination; f) selective arteriography of the celiac trunk as well as splenoportography cause decrease of the peripheral pulse rate 10 minutes after the realization of the angiographic procedures.

Post-mortem angiography with Schlesinger mass was performed on 30 mongrel dogs to study the hepatic veins and its confluence into the caudal vena cava. The study was complemented by anatomic dissection of the specimens with the purpose of confronting angiographic and morphologic patterns. After sacrificing the animals by section of the cervical vessels, a right thoraco-abdominal incision was made with exposition of the vena cava followed by retrograde catheterization and injection of radiopaque mass through a polyethylene catheter. Two radiographies were performed, one with the dog in a supine position and another of the specimen after its withdraw "en bloc", from the abdominal cavity. The left hepatic division alone or the central and left divisions "en bloc" are the ones that should be used for studies of hepatic ressection, segmentar portal hypertension and lobar liver transplant.

A technique for simplified heterotopic rat heart transplantation having only aorto-aortic anastomosis is presented. The heterotopic rt heart survives and functions well when one lung lobe is attached t the transplantation and functions as a reservoir. Iso- and allotransplants are compared by electrocardiogram (ECG) determination and histological examination. Isotransplants exhibited normal heart and lung throughout the 6-month observation period. allotransplants ceased to function by the 16th postoperative day, with the cessation of palpable heart beat over the abdominal wall by the 10th postoperative day. This simplified heterotopic rat heart transplantation model can be operated by nonsurgeons in an unhurried manner with minimal training in microvascular surgery, and can be applied to various transplantation immunological studies.