Minimally invasive ossiculoplasty via an endoscopic transtympanic approach

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of ossiculoplasty via a minimally invasive endoscopic transtympanic approach (ETTA).

CASE SERIES

We investigated the exposure of target structures (incus and stapes) on 4 human temporal bones by placing an endoscope into the middle ear cleft through the 4 tympanic quadrants. Then, on 3 additional specimens, we performed an incudostapedial disjunction and repaired it with a drop of hydroxyapatite cement via ETTA. We measured the size of tympanic perforation, and the acoustic transfer function of the middle ear (125-8000Hz) before and after repair by placing an insert in the external auditory canal and recording the acoustic signal in the utricle by a microphone. The acoustic signal gain was estimated in dB μV. Exposure was similar in all four quadrants but ergonomics was better with a posteroinferior myringotomy. Ossicular chain repair was conducted successfully in all cases and the acoustic transfer function of the middle ear was significantly improved. Residual tympanic perforation (n=3) was 2±0.3mm in diameter.

CONCLUSION

ETTA to reconstruct incudostapedial joint with bone cement was feasible and effective. It opens perspectives for robot-based procedures guided by augmented reality.

Estatus oxidativo, antioxidante, del selenio, y aceptabilidad del consumidor de la carne de ave enriquecida con selenio dietario

Se estudió el efecto de la suplementación con selenio con una forma orgánica (SeMet) y una forma inorgánica (SeNa) en la dieta de acabado de aves de corral, sobre el estado oxidativo y antioxidante de los músculos Pectoralis y Gastrocnemius, refrigerados a 2 ° C durante 0, 3 y 7 días. Además, se estudió el enriquecimiento de selenio y la evaluación sensorial de cada músculo en carne fresca (0 días). A los 35 días de edad, los polluelos se distribuyeron en tres grupos (30 aves cada uno), y fueron alimentados con una dieta basal de maíz y soja sin suplementos de Se (Control) o con 0,30 ppm de selenio como selenometionina (SeMet) o como selenito de sodio (SeNa) hasta el día 56 d-edad. En el músculo pectoral, se encontraron valores significativamente más bajos de TBARS en el día 0 en la carne de aves suplementadas con ambas fuentes de Se (P

Gestational nutrient restriction under extensive grazing conditions: Effects on muscle characteristics and meat quality in heavy lambs

We evaluated maternal undernutrition effects induced by a lower natural pasture allowance (gestation days 30-143) on histological-biochemical and meat traits in muscles Semitendinosus, cranial Gluteobiceps and Supraspinatus from 200-day old male and female lambs. Maternal undernutrition increased oxidative and reduced glycolytic fibers in all muscles (P ≤ 0.01). Maternal undernutrition reduced the diameter of glycolytic fibers in the cranial Gluteobiceps of exclusively female lambs (P = 0.05) and reduced the diameter of oxidative fibers in the Supraspinatus of exclusively male lambs (P = 0.02). Maternal undernutrition increased lipid content in the Supraspinatus of females (P = 0.001), reduced lactate content (P = 0.03) and WB shear force (P = 0.02) in the Semitendinosus of females, and increased cooking losses in the Semitendinosus of males (P = 0.0069). In conclusion, gestational nutrient restriction induced fetal programming effects on muscle characteristics of lambs. Moreover, our study demonstrates that maternal undernutrition influences muscle and meat characteristics in a sex and muscle-dependent way.

Inclusión de forrajes con distinta relación de fibra soluble e insoluble en la dieta de cerdos

Se evaluó la inclusión progresiva de dos forrajes con diferente contenido en fibra soluble (FS), en dietas de cerdos desde la recría a la terminación. Los tratamientos fueron: dieta base testigo (T0) formulada en base a maíz y harina de soja; dieta base con alfalfa (T1) (Medicago sativa var. Chaná) o con achicoria (T2) (Cichorium intibus var. Lacerta) para las fases (F) de recría I (F1, 40-60 kg de PV), recría II (F2, 60-80 kg de PV) y terminación (F3, 80 a 100 kg de PV). Se utilizaron 27 animales con un peso inicial de 42 kg (± 2.3), en un diseño de parcelas al azar en tres tratamientos con nueve repeticiones. El peso final y la ganancia diaria no difirieron entre tratamientos. El consumo de Fibra Dietaria fue mayor en los tratamientos con forraje (P

Se and I status in pregnant ewes from a pastoral system and the effect of supplementation with Se and I or only Se on wool quality of lambs

Australian Merino ewes and lambs producing fine fibre wool for export are raised in the north-west of Uruguay in pasture-based systems. We studied the status of selenium and iodine in pregnant Merino ewes (10 per treatment) grazing in natural pasture, in natural pasture and supplemented with Se (0.1 mg Se/kg dry matter intake) and I (1 mg I/kg dry matter intake), or in natural pasture and supplemented with Se alone (0.1 mg Se/kg dry matter intake), during the last 30 days of gestation. Further, we evaluated the performance and wool quality of their offspring. Content of Se and I in natural pasture, in the sera of pregnant ewes, and in the wool of their offspring and levels of thyroidal hormones—TSH, T4, and free T3 (FT3)—in the sera of pregnant ewes were determined. The performance of lambs and the commercial parameters of fine fibre wool produced were measured. Results showed normal Se levels in serum (0.12–0.15 mg/l) in the ewes grazing in natural pasture (0.07–0.09 mg/kg DM) during late pregnancy. The observed increase in Se content in the pasture at lambing (0.11–0.16 mg/kg DM) improved serum Se levels (0.216 mg/l); however, the serum levels were not affected by the supplementation.

I content in pasture showed adequate levels (0.50–0.60 mg/kg DM), which were reflected in the blood serum values 30 days prior to lambing (0.197–0.208 mg/l). However, at lambing, the I content in blood serum decreased (0.150 mg/l). Further, the supplementation did not modify the serum I levels (0.163–0.175 mg/l). An increase in FT3 levels in ewes at lambing could be associated with the increase in Se content in pasture and/or the adequate I content in pasture. No effect of supplementation was observed. Lambs showed good results regarding the quality of fine fibre wool and performance after supplementation with Se and I or Se alone and exhibited slightly improved Se and I content in wool. In conclusion, natural pasture provides adequate status in Se and I for the Merino ewes and their offspring without any additional beneficial effects of supplementation with Se and I or only Se.

An overview of the nutritional value of beef and lamb meat from South America

The southern region of South America, a subtropical and temperate zone, is an important region for the production of beef and lamb meat, which is mainly produced in extensive pasture-based systems. Because of its content in highly valuable nutrients such as iron, zinc, selenium, fatty acids, and vitamins, meat is a unique and necessary food for the human diet in order to secure a long and healthy life, without nutritional deficiencies. Beef and lamb production systems based on temperate or tropical grasslands show interesting and, in some cases, a differential content in minerals, fatty acids and vitamins. This review deals with the distinctive aspects of the nutritional quality of beef and lamb meat produced in this region in terms of nutritional composition and the bioavailability of key nutrients related to its contribution for a healthy diet for all ages.

Caracterización sanitaria y nutricional de colonias de abejas melíferas en forestaciones de Eucalyptus grandis

En Uruguay muchos apicultores trasladan sus colonias a las forestaciones de Eucalyptus grandis al final del verano y en otoño obteniendo importantes cosechas de miel. Sin embargo, cuando finaliza la floración las colonias se encuentran muy debilitadas, sobreviniendo una elevada mortalidad. Problemas nutricionales y sanitarios podrían explicar el debilitamiento de las colonias. Para averiguar las causas del debilitamiento se llevaron colonias de igual tamaño a una forestación de E. grandis, separadas en tres grupos diferenciados por la disponibilidad de polen. A lo largo del periodo de floración se registró: el origen botánico y el contenido de proteína cruda del polen que ingresaba en las colmenas, la proteína corporal de las abejas, la infección por Nosema ceranae y la infestación por Varroa destructor, el área de cría y la producción de miel. Los resultados más importantes hallados fueron: i) la sostenida disminución de la diversidad botánica del polen a medida que transcurría el periodo de floración de E. grandis hasta quedar únicamente el polen de esta especie; ii) el polen de E. grandis presentó valores de proteína bruta cercanos al 30%, pero fue disminuyendo paulatinamente hasta alcanzar un valor inferior a 20% al final de la floración; iii) las colonias que contaban inicialmente con reservas de polen presentaron abejas con mayor proteína corporal pocos días después de llegar a la forestación y menor infestación de N. ceranae durante la mayor parte del periodo de floración; iv) la disponibilidad de polen no incidió en la infestación de V. destructor, el área de cría y la producción de miel. El déficit nutricional de las abejas durante la floración de E. grandis podría generar las condiciones adecuadas para la multiplicación de N. ceranae. Al final de la floración del eucalipto las colonias presentaron promedialmente más del 90% de las abejas pecoreadoras infectadas con N. ceranae y 12% de V. destructor en las abejas adultas. La incidencia de ambos patógenos sobre las abejas debilitadas podría explicar la pérdida de colonias.

Hypophagic and dipsogenic effect of the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT in broiler chickens

The effects of the 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT on food and water intake in male broiler chickens were investigated. The injection of 25 or 50 microg/kg of 8-OH-DPAT 15 min before refeeding in fasted animals produced a decrease in food intake. No effect was observed in drinking. The injection of 25 or 50 microg/kg of the 8-OH-DPAT 60 min after the start of refeeding did not produce any significant modification in food intake. No effect on drinking was recorded. The agonist 8-OH-DPAT injected 15 min before water presentation in water-deprived chickens, produced an increased drinking 60 min after the presentation of water. No effect on food intake was observed. The results show that the effect on food intake of the agonist 8-OH-DPAT in fasted-refed broiler chickens was similar to those observed in mammals and layer-strain chickens. However, the agonist did not alter significantly the food intake when the broilers were fed 60 min before the injection. These results are contrary to the observed effects in mammals and in layer-strain chickens. Probably, the selection for rapid growth rate in broilers causes modifications in the feeding control pattern. The comparison between broilers and layers strain may be a useful tool to elucidate the complex mechanisms involved in food and water intake regulation in chickens.

Minerals, haem and non-haem iron contents of rhea meat

Mineral contents, haem and non-haem iron of rhea (Rhea americana) muscles Obturatorius medialis (OM), Iliotibialis lateralis (IL) and Iliofibularis (I) were determined. No differences between the three muscles were observed for calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and sodium. There is more potassium, zinc and copper in IL muscle than in OM and I muscles. For Manganese, OM and IL muscles show a higher content in comparison with I muscle. For selenium, IL and I muscles show the highest content compared to OM muscle. For total, haem and non-haem iron, the IL muscle shows the highest content respect to the other muscles. When compared to other meats, the minerals content of rhea meat show an elevated level in phosphorus, selenium and total and haem iron. The human health concern due to the deficient diet in selenium and iron, and their high contents in rhea meat will be of great importance in the promotion of this meat.

Fasting duration influences the inhibition of food intake by histamine in chickens

This work was performed to investigate the effect of duration of fasting in the responses of chickens peripherally injected with histamine on the regulation of food intake. The animals were 16-week-old male chickens from layer-strain and the doses of histamine used were 500 and 1000 microg/kg of body weight. The non fasted chickens showed no effect of histamine on the food intake. When the animals were fasted during 4 h, injected with the histamine and immediately refed, the results showed a reduction of food intake only the first 15 min of the experiments with the dose of 1000 mug. In chickens fasted during 16 h or 26 h and refed, the histamine inhibited significantly the food intake at all time with the two doses. When the animals were fasted 16 h and refed during 60 min before the administration of the histamine, there is no inhibition of food intake. No effect on water intake has been registered in all the experiments. The blockade of the action of histamine injected in chickens fasted during 16 h by cimetidine and promethazine, show that the inhibition of food intake occurs through the H1 but not through H2 receptors. The fasting used in paradigm to investigate the effect of drugs such as histamine on the appetite, can affect differently the responses according to its duration, as observed here in chickens.

Effect of the 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT on food and water intake in chickens

The effects of the 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT on food and water intake in 16-week-old male chickens were investigated. Injection of 25 or 50 microg/kg of 8-OH-DPAT 15 min before refeeding starved animals (starved-refed) produced a decrease in food intake 1 h after the start of refeeding. No effect was observed in water intake. The injection of 25 or 50 microg/kg of the 8-OH-DPAT 60 min after the start of refeeding (fed) produced increased food intake, but no effect was observed on water intake. The agonist 8-OH-DPAT (50 microg/kg) injected in water-deprived chickens 15 min before water presentation produced a rapid increase in water intake and an increase in food intake 90 min after the presentation of water. The effect on food intake was mainly apparent 60-90 min after injection. However, when the chickens were water-deprived, the intravenous administration of 8-OH-DPAT 15 min before the presentation of water produced an increase in water intake only 15 min after the start of the experiment. The results show that the effect on food intake of the agonist 8-OH-DPAT in chickens was similar to that observed in mammals. Also, the results show that the agonist-induced increase in water intake may act via a different mechanism. The results show that the 8-OH-DPAT, as in mammals, has a complex effect on food and water intake in chickens and that further works need to be carried out to understand the mechanisms involved in the food and water intake using different animal models.

Aesthetic soft tissue integration and optimized emergence profile: provisionalization and customized impression coping

In the anterior region, the successful replacement of a single tooth with an implant-supported restoration is one of the most difficult treatment options due to numerous functional and biological requisites. Such prostheses should also satisfy the increasing aesthetic demands of patients who expect the definitive restoration to mimic the natural dentition and their supporting gingival tissues. This article highlights the importance of the provisional restoration as the critical element for aesthetic success and gingival integration. Its perfect replication in the definitive restoration requires the use of optimized transference techniques.

Scintigraphic detection of invasive cutaneous malignant melanoma with Tc-99m MIBI

Malignant melanoma is a relatively uncommon cancer of increasing incidence. The authors report on two cases of malignant melanoma lesions (primary and lymph node metastasis) imaged with Tc-99m MIBI. One patient revealed intense accumulation of the radiotracer in a primary skin lesion of the thorax, whereas the other patient showed increased Tc-99m MIBI uptake in a lymph node metastasis of the neck. Tc-99m MIBI imaging could be helpful in the evaluation of patients with suspicious skin lesions and in patients with known cutaneous malignant melanoma, in the investigation of lymph nodal invasion, local recurrence, and metastatic spread.

Plasma lipoproteins and liver lipids in two breeds of geese with different susceptibility to hepatic steatosis: changes induced by development and force-feeding

Susceptibility to fatty liver in the force-fed goose is partly under genetic control. However, the mechanisms leading to liver steatosis in this avian model are poorly understood, but may involve perturbation in hepatic lipoprotein synthesis. Plasma lipoproteins were fractionated by density gradient ultracentrifugation from plasma of geese differing in their susceptibility to liver steatosis (Landes breed, highly susceptible; Rhine breed, partly resistant). The concentrations and chemical compositions of the major lipoprotein classes (VLDL, IDL, LDL and HDL) were characterized at 8, 22 and 27 wk of age and compared to the lipid composition of the corresponding liver. In non-force-fed geese, the lipoprotein profile was typical of birds, with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) predominating (4-5 g/L). However, at 22 and 27 wk of age, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels were significantly lower in Landes geese suggesting that this breed may possess a lower ability to export liver lipids, which would explain its susceptibility to liver steatosis when overfed. The livers of force-fed geese were specifically enriched in triglyceride, and to a lesser extent, in cholesteryl esters and non-esterified fatty acids as compared to those of control geese of the same age (27 wk). This accumulation of lipids was more pronounced in the Landes breed and was responsible for the higher liver weight in that breed. In both breeds, liver steatosis was accompanied by an increase in plasma levels of HDL (11 g/L), whereas low-density lipoproteins were essentially absent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Levels of insulin, corticosterone, T3, T4 and insulin sensitivity in fat and lean chickens

The late generations of fat (FL) and lean (LL) chickens were compared. In the fasted state, plasma glucose was lower in FL chickens, whereas insulin, T3, T4 and corticosterone were unchanged. In the fed state, plasma insulin and T4 were increased in FL chickens whereas glucose, T3 and corticosterone were unchanged. During ad libitum refeeding both plasma glucose and insulin, and to a lesser degree T3, were lower and T4 higher in FL chickens whereas corticosterone remained unchanged between lines. The low glucose and insulin levels observed in FL during refeeding, which were not observed in the F4 generation, were also found after force-feeding. In contrast, during oral glucose tolerance test, as in previous generations, a better glucose tolerance, higher plasma insulin and slightly higher free fatty acid levels were found in FL chickens. The hypoglycemic effect of exogenous insulin was very similar (and poor) in both lines in the fed state and was higher in FL than in LL chickens in the fasted state. From the present and previous studies, a change in the glucose-insulin balance and possibly, in T3, could account for the differences in fattening of both lines.

Effect of exogenous corticosterone in genetically fat and lean chickens

1. The effects of daily injections of corticosterone (1 or 5 mg/bird) on growth, fat deposition, liver lipid and plasma concentrations of uric acid, glucose, insulin and growth hormone were studied using genetically selected lines of fat (FL) and lean (LL) chickens. 2. Both doses of corticosterone depressed body weight gain and increased the liver lipid and the abdominal fat to the same extent in both lines. 3. In both lines, corticosterone caused a dose-dependent increase in the plasma concentrations of uric acid, glucose and insulin in the fasted and refed states. 4. In untreated birds, plasma concentrations of growth hormone (GH) were slightly higher in FL than in LL chickens and slightly decreased during refeeding. The response was not modified by injection of 1 mg corticosterone. Injections of 5 mg decreased plasma GH in both lines in the fasting state and in LL chickens during refeeding. In contrast, the same dose increased GH in FL chickens during refeeding. This contradiction remains unexplained. 5. The results suggest that corticosterone sensitivity is not involved in difference of fattening between FL and LL chickens.

In vivo lipogenesis of genetically lean and fat chickens: effects of nutritional state and dietary fat

In vivo lipogenesis was estimated in liver and carcass of male chickens selected for leanness (LL) or fatness (FL) by use of tritiated water. Effects of nutritional state and of a high fat diet (90 g/kg) were examined. Different classes of liver lipids were also measured. Fed birds exhibited enhanced hepatic lipogenesis, which was more pronounced in FL than in LL birds (+73%, mean of three experiments). Extrahepatic lipogenesis was poorly influenced by nutritional state in LL birds and not modified in FL ones. The high fat diet induced a fall in liver triacylglycerol and reduced de novo lipogenesis more drastically in liver than in carcass of both lines. Reduction of carcass lipogenesis was less pronounced in FL than in LL. Starvation led to a fall in liver triacylglycerols, nonesterified fatty acids and free cholesterol. The fat diet had similar but less pronounced effects. In most circumstances FL chickens exhibited a higher liver triacylglycerol content than LL ones. Comparison of fed and refed birds 100 min after the beginning of refeeding showed that de novo lipogenesis did not reach a plateau and differences between lines were still not significant.

In vivo lipogenesis in genetically fat and lean chickens of various ages

Lipogenesis was studied in vivo in genetically fat and lean male chickens at 2, 5 and 15 weeks of age using tritiated water. At 2 and 5 weeks of age, the liver was the major site of de novo fatty acid synthesis rather than the carcass. Per 100 g of tissue lipogenesis was greater in the carcass at 15 weeks of age than at 2 or 5 weeks. Lipogenesis in the liver did not vary according to age. At 15 weeks of age there was no observable exaggeration in the degree of fattening (as in genetically obese rodents) of fat line chickens. The regulation of fattening in fat line chickens, at least at the onset of sexual maturity, appears to be different to that in genetically obese rodents.

A radioimmunoassay of chicken growth hormone using growth hormone produced by recombinant DNA technology: validation and observations of plasma hormone variations in genetically fat and lean chickens

A radioimmunoassay (RIA) of chicken growth hormone (c-GH) has been developed using growth hormone produced by recombinant DNA technology. The best rabbit antiserum was used at 1/300,000 final dilution. Hormone labelling by iodine-125, achieved by chloramine T, allowed a specific activity of 3.7 MBq/micrograms. The equilibrium curves show that optimal conditions of incubation were reached at room temperature for 24 h. This RIA used a second sheep antibody which precipitated the whole c-GH bound to the first antibody in the presence of polyethylene glycol solution (6%) at room temperature for 30 min. In our conditions, sensitivity was about 30 pg of c-GH per tube. Coefficient of variation was around 10%. No cross reaction was found with avian LH and prolactin. Thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) injection to young chickens induced 20-fold higher plasma c-GH concentrations. Simultaneous injection of somatostatin and TRH slightly reduced these concentrations. Hypoglycemia induced by insulin led to a drop of the plasma c-GH concentration. Conversely, refeeding or glucose load induced slight increases of the c-GH level. Genetically fat chickens tended to exhibit higher plasma c-GH concentrations than lean chickens.

Comparison of in vivo fatty acid synthesis of the genetically lean and fat chickens

In vivo lipogenesis was studied in genetically lean or fat male chickens using tritiated water. Fatty acid synthesis was more pronounced in liver than in other tissues in both lines. Liver synthesis was 26% higher in fat birds than in lean. The liver of fat chickens were heavier than those of lean chickens. This difference was partly due to the triglyceride content of the fat line liver.