Seasonal influence on the hematological parameters in cultured Nile tilapia from southern Brazil.

This study evaluated seasonality in hematological parameters of Nile tilapia cultured in the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. A total of 240 fish were examined during four seasons between April 2007 and March 2008 in three different fish farms. After being anesthetised in a benzocaine solution, blood samples were withdrawn into syringes containing a drop of 10% EDTA for hematological analysis.

Seasonal variation on the ectoparasitic communities of Nile tilapia cultured in three regions in southern Brazil.

A total of 240 Nile tilapia were examined between April 2007 and March 2008, gathered from three different fish farms, 20 fish in each fish farm, in the four seasons of the year. Fish ponds were located in Joinville, Blumenau and Ituporanga, Santa Catarina state, Brazil and each pond had a different culture system. Prevalence, mean intensity, mean abundance and mean relative dominance were compared among fish ponds and seasons.

Leukocyte response and phagocytic activity in Nile tilapia experimentally infected with Enterococcus sp.

This study evaluated the total and differential leukocyte counting and the phagocytic activity in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus experimentally injected with Enterococcus sp. in the swim bladder. Fish were distributed in four treatments in triplicates of non-injected fish, fish injected with 1 ml of sterile saline solution 0.

New evidence of animal consciousness.

This paper reviews evidence that increases the probability that many animals experience at least simple levels of consciousness. First, the search for neural correlates of consciousness has not found any consciousness-producing structure or process that is limited to human brains. Second, appropriate responses to novel challenges for which the animal has not been prepared by genetic programming or previous experience provide suggestive evidence of animal consciousness because such versatility is most effectively organized by conscious thinking.

The success of laser laparoscopy in the treatment of endometriosis: a two-step analysis.

Background And Objectives: The most advantageous treatment for nonextensive endometriosis has long been the subject of debate. In recent years, the ability to detect atypical presentations has allowed the gynecological surgeon to treat this disease more readily. The treatment in the past has only been concerned with the singular treatment being applied at the time, not on the effects that previous treatments have had.

In vitro and in vivo pharmacological characterization of BIIL 284, a novel and potent leukotriene B(4) receptor antagonist.

BIIL 284 is a new LTB(4) receptor antagonist. It is a prodrug and has negligible binding to the LTB(4) receptor. However, ubiquitous esterases metabolize BIIL 284 to the active metabolites BIIL 260 and BIIL 315, the glucuronidated form of BIIL 260.

Estrogen and progesterone receptors in gynecomastia.

The etiology of gynecomastia is unknown. There seems to be no increased incidence of malignancies in patients with idiopathic gynecomastia; however, patients with Klinefelter syndrome exhibit an increased incidence of malignancy. The authors reviewed the results of 34 patients with gynecomastia diagnosed in adolescence who, following initial evaluation, had a mastectomy.

Waiting times for appointments with orthopaedic surgeons in Victoria: 1995-97.

Background: A number of different models have been proposed for determining surgical workforce requirements.

Methods: In 1995 the Workforce Subcommittee of the Victorian Regional Branch of the Australian Orthopaedic Association commenced a prospective evaluation of waiting times for both urgent and nonurgent appointments with orthopaedic surgeons in Victoria.

Results: The results for the 3 years, 1995-97, show no significant change in the waiting time for nonurgent appointments and no difference between metropolitan and rural areas.

Tiotropium (Spiriva): mechanistical considerations and clinical profile in obstructive lung disease.

Inhaled antimuscarinics, often called anticholinergics in clinical medicine, are established as first line bronchodilators in COPD. Tiotropium has been developed as a new generation antimuscarinic following ipratropium. Tiotropium is a specific, highly potent antimuscarinic, demonstrating very slow dissociation from muscarinic receptors.

Ba 679 BR, a novel long-acting anticholinergic bronchodilator.

The use of anticholinergics in antiobstructive therapy is well established in pulmonary medicine. We sought to improve the duration of action of inhaled antimuscarinics. A newly developed compound, Ba 679 BR (abbreviated Ba 679) proved to be a highly potent muscarinic antagonist in guinea pig tracheal rings.

Corrective shoes and inserts as treatment for flexible flatfoot in infants and children.

We performed a prospective study to determine whether flexible flatfoot in children can be influenced by treatment. One hundred and twenty-nine children who had been referred by pediatricians, and for whom the radiographic findings met the criteria for flatfoot, were randomly assigned to one of four groups: Group I, controls; Group II, treatment with corrective orthopaedic shoes; Group III, treatment with a Helfet heel-cup; or Group IV, treatment with a custom-molded plastic insert. All of the patients in Groups II, III, and IV had a minimum of three years of treatment, and ninety-eight patients whose compliance with the protocol was documented completed the study.

Treatment of acquired hip subluxation in cerebral palsy.

Fifty-seven children with cerebral palsy and subluxated hips underwent soft tissue releases to obtain hip reductions. Eight patients in Group I (preoperatively mildly subluxated hips) had postoperative bracing, all with good results. Twenty-two unbraced patients in Group I had 14 good, 5 fair, and 3 poor results.

The surgical treatment of Scheuermann's kyphosis.

The results of surgery in 59 patients with Scheuermann's kyphosis are reported at an average follow-up of 56 months. These show that in skeletally immature patients, in whom the iliac apophysis has not yet fused to the body of the ilium, posterior fusion alone is adequate and is followed by little loss of correction. For skeletally mature patients combined anterior and posterior surgery is recommended.

Simultaneous combined anterior and posterior fusion. A surgical solution for failed spinal surgery with a brief review of the first 150 patients.

Simultaneous combined anterior and posterior fusion (SCAPF) is recommended for patients with severe disability and failed spinal operations. In 150 patients treated over the past five years, emphasis is placed on the evolution of the technique and the surgical principles that exclude decompression of the nerve roots. The available evidence suggests that 86% of the patients were improved; 60% were significantly improved.

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. A long-term follow-up study.

Most patients with arthrogryposis function well in adult life; however, many remain partially dependent upon others (parents, relatives, government subsidy). This dependency was more closely related to personality, education, and overall coping skills than to degree of physical deformity. Properly sequenced corrective surgical procedures are required to maximize musculoskeletal function.

Role of exercises in the Milwaukee brace treatment of scoliosis.

Specific exercises designed to strengthen trunk muscles are an integral part of most Milwaukee brace treatment protocols. To assess the effectiveness of these exercises, we established a prospective study evaluating a closely monitored exercise program coordinated with the use of a Milwaukee brace. Between 1973 and 1979, 24 girls treated with a Milwaukee brace for documented progression of primary right thoracic idiopathic scoliosis were selected for the study.

The renal kallikrein-kinin system in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

In male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) of the stroke prone strain (Okamoto) and in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) urinary kallikrein excretion was investigated at different age and at drug-induced diuresis. In rats of both strains from 7th till 19th week of age urinary kallikrein excretion increased with age. In SHRSP of 7th till 11th week of age kallikrein excretion was higher than in WKY rats, while it was lower in the 48-week-old SHRSP.

Spondylolisthesis: the angle of kyphosis.

A reproducible method of measurement of kyphosis in spondylolisthesis using the cranial surface of the fifth lumbar vertebra and the caudal surface of the first sacral vertebra is described. This measurement is useful in the prognosis of spondylolisthetic patients as the progression of slipping is determined by both the angle of kyphosis and degree of slip. The angle is also important in operative correction of spondylolisthesis.

Steroid induced changes of the renal kallikrein-kinin system in rats.

In male Sprague-Dawley rats the influence of salt loading (1% NaCl), deoxycorticosterone acetate (2 X 15 mg/kg/day resp. 250 mg/kg sc), corticosterone (2 X 20 mg/kg/day sc) and adrenocorticosterone (0.5 mg/kg/day tetracosactid sc) on the activity of renal kallikrein and renal renin activity was investigated.

[Cation flux in erythrocytes of patients with essential hypertension].

86Rubidium influx and Na--K-cotransport have been investigated in erythrocytes of mild essential hypertensives and normotensives devoid of familial hypertension. For measurement of cotransport Na-loaded/K-depleted erythrocytes were used while rubidium influx (with and without ouabain) was determined under physiological conditions. Both transport systems were linear in time, the interassay variances in a range of about 10%.

Inhibition of the ureteral contractions induced by rat urine with kallikrein antibodies.

Purified urinary kallikrein induces contractions of the rat ureter in vitro. Antibodies against kallikrein block the contractile response of the isolated ureter to rat urine.

Renal kallikrein activity and urinary kallikrein excretion in rats with experimental renal hypertension.

1. Rats were made hypertensive by ligating the aorta between the origins of both renal arteries. Sham-operated animals served as controls.