SUMMARY: This study aimed to accurately localize the location and depth of the centre of the highest region of muscle spindle abundance (CHRMSA) of the triceps brachii muscle. Twenty-four adult cadavers were placed in the prone position. The curve connecting the acromion and lateral epicondyle of the humerus close to the skin was designed as the longitudinal reference line (L), and the curve connecting the lateral and the medial epicondyle of the humerus was designed as the horizontal reference line (H). Sihler's staining was used to visualize the dense intramuscular nerve region of the triceps brachii muscle. The abundance of muscle spindle was calculated after hematoxylin and eosin stain. CHRMSA was labelled by barium sulphate, and spiral computed tomography scanning and three- dimensional reconstruction were performed. Using the Syngo system, the projection points of CHRMSA on the posterior and anterior arm surface (P and P' points), the position of P points projected to the L and H lines (PL and PH points), and the depth of CHRMSA were determined. The PL of the CHRMSA of the long, medial, and lateral heads of the triceps brachii muscle were located at 34.83 %, 75.63 %, and 63.93 % of the L line, respectively, and the PH was located at 63.46 %, 69.62 %, and 56.07 % of the H line, respectively. In addition, the depth was located at 34.73 %, 35.48 %, and 35.85 % of the PP' line, respectively. These percentage values are all the means. These body surface locations and depths are suggested to be the optimal blocking targets for botulinum toxin A in the treatment of triceps brachii muscle spasticity.

RESUMEN: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo localizar con precisión la ubicación y la profundidad del centro de la región más alta del huso muscular (CHRMSA) del músculo tríceps braquial. Se colocaron veinticuatro cadáveres adultos en posición prona y se designó la curva que conecta el acromion y el epicóndilo lateral del húmero cerca de la piel como la línea de referencia longitudinal (L), y la curva que conecta los epicóndilos lateral y medial del húmero fue designada como la línea de referencia horizontal (H). Se usó la tinción de Sihler para visualizar la región nerviosa intramuscular densa del músculo tríceps braquial. La abundancia de huso muscular se calculó después de la tinción con hematoxilina y eosina. CHRMSA se marcó con sulfato de bario y se realizó una tomografía computarizada espiral y una reconstrucción tridimensional. Usando el sistema Syngo, fueron determinados los puntos de proyección de CHRMSA en la superficie posterior y anterior del brazo (puntos P y P'), la posición de los puntos P pro- yectados en las líneas L y H (puntos PL y PH) y la profundidad de CHRMSA. Los PL de la CHRMSA de las cabezas larga, medial y lateral del músculo tríceps braquial se ubicaron en el 34,83 %, 75,63 % y 63,93 % de la línea L, respectivamente, y el PH se ubicó en el 63,46 %, 69,62 %, y 56,07 % de la línea H, respectivamente. La profundidad se ubicó en el 34,73 %, 35,48 % y 35,85 % de la línea PP', respectivamente. Estos valores porcentuales son todas las medias. Se sugiere que estas ubicaciones y profundidades de la superficie corporal son los objetivos de bloqueo óptimos para la toxina botulínica A en el tratamiento de la espasticidad del músculo tríceps braquial.

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) is rarely described among renal transplant recipients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study to identify all cases of IE in our renal transplant unit between 1992 and 2012 to elucidate IE’s clinical features and outcomes. Modified Duke criteria were applied to confirm diagnosis and patient evolution was evaluated. Results: Between 1992 and 2012, our renal transplant unit performed 1065 renal transplants. Seven episodes of IE were identified in six patients. Median age at presentation was 59 years and most cases occurred in males (71.4%). Blood cultures were negative in 42.9% of patients. Gram positive coccus were the most frequent etiologic agents. There were no fungal endocarditis. Aortic valve was involved in all patients. Three patients underwent cardiac surgery. Mortality at 30 days and 2 years were 16.7%. Conclusion: Infective endocarditis in renal transplant patients remains a rare disease. The diagnosis is challenging considering nonspecific presentation and the high proportion of negative blood cultures.

Idiopathic membranous nephropathy with high-risk criteria for renal disease progression is considered an indication for immunosuppressive treatment. HIV infection has been associated with membranous nephropathy in a minority of patients. A 44-year-old female diagnosed with HIV infection 11 years ago was referred for a nephrology consultation due to nephrotic syndrome. She presented with peripheral edema for 2 months and normal blood pressure. Serum creatinine was 0.74 mg/dL, total cholesterol 490 mg/dL, albumin 2.0 g/dL; urinary examination revealed leukoerythrocyturia and 24h proteinuria was 4.5g. Renal ultrasound showed normal-sized kidneys with preserved corticomedullary differentiation. Kidney biopsy showed thickening of the glomerular basal membrane and staining with Masson trichrome showed sub-epithelial humps. Immunofluorescence was negative except for IgA (+), C3c (+) and IgG (+). A diagnosis of membranous nephropathy was made. Secondary causes, such as neoplasic, infectious and autoimmune, were ruled out. Despite 6 months of conservative measures, proteinuria increased to 11 g/day. Since HIV viral load had been undetectable for several years, along with a CD4+ T cell count persistently above 400/mm3, a modified Ponticelli regimen was started: 3 pulses of methylprednisolone (1g/day), followed by 60 mg of prednisolone/day at months 1, 3 and 5, and cyclophosphamide 200mg/day at months 2, 4 and 6. At the end of the treatment, there was a partial response with proteinuria 3.94 g/day, albumin 3.2 g/dL, and creatinine 0.8 mg/dL. At 48 months of follow-up, the patient is asymptomatic, with creatinine 0.84 mg/dL and proteinuria 0.97 g/day. Conclusion: Membranous nephropathy should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with HIV infection complicated by nephrotic syndrome even in the absence of other coinfections and comorbidities typically associated with membranous nephropathy. In patients with sustained negative viral loads and at high risk of progression to end-stage renal disease, in whom secondary causes have been excluded, immunosuppressive therapy might be considered.

SUMMARY: The nerve entry points (NEPs) cannot yet be accurately localized for the treatment of thigh adductor muscles spasticity in chemical neurolysis. The aim of this study was to identify the location and depth of the NEPs of thigh adductor muscles by spiral computed tomography (CT) and bony landmarks. Forty lower limbs of twenty adult cadavers were dissected in supine position. A curved line on skin surface from the tip of greater trochanter of femur to the center of pubic tubercle was designated as the horizontal reference line (H). Another curved line from the tip of great trochanter to the lateral epicondyle of femur was designated as the longitudinal reference line (L). Following dissection, the NEPs were labeled with barium sulfate, and their body surface projection points (P) were determined by spiral CT. Projection of NEP in the opposite direction was designated as P'. The percentage location of the intersections (PH and PL) of P with the H and L and the percentage depth of NEPs were determined with the Syngo system. The PH for the NEP of pectineus, gracilis, adductor longus, adductor brevis and adductor magnus muscles branch were located at 76.41±0.71 %, 93.85±2.07 %, 92.05±2.15 %, 80.75±1.20 % and 88.08±1.09 % of the H, respectively. The PLwere at 1.64±0.04 %, 29.89±1.90 %, 16.06±1.32 %, 11.66±0.11 % and 22.94±0.90 % of the L, respectively. The depth of NEP from P points were at 17.52±0.52 %, 38.38±2.75 %, 20.88±0.79 %, 20.35±0.82 % and 39.52±0.67 % of PP', respectively. These results help to carry out more precise localization of the NEPs. It should provide a novel anatomical guide for improving the efficacy and efficiency of chemical neurolysis in treating thigh adductor muscle spasticity.

RESUMEN: Aún no se pueden localizar con precisión los puntos de entrada del nervio (PEN) para el tratamiento de la espasticidad de los músculos aductores del muslo a través de la neurólisis química. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar la ubicación y la profundidad de los PEN de los músculos aductores del muslo mediante tomografía computarizada espiral (TC) y puntos de referencia óseos. Se disecaron loa miembros inferiores de 20 cadáveres adultos en posición supina. Se trazó una línea curva en la superficie de la piel desdeel ápice del trocánter mayor del fémur hasta el centro del tubérculo púbico y se designó como línea de referencia horizontal (H). Otra línea curva desde el ápice del trocánter mayor hasta el epicóndilo lateral del fémur se designó como línea de referencia longitudinal (L). Después de la disección, los PEN se marcaron con sulfato de bario y sus puntos de proyección de la superficie del cuerpo (P) se determinaron mediante TC helicoidal. La proyección de PEN en la dirección opuesta se designó como P '. El porcentaje de ubicación de las intersecciones (PH y PL) de P con H y L y la profundidad porcentual de los PEN se determinaron con el sistema Syngo. Los PH para los PEN de los músculos pectineus, gracilis, adductor longus, aductor brevis y rama aductora del músculo aductor magnus se localizaron en 76,41±0,71 %, 93,85±2,07 %, 92,05±2,15 %, 80,75±1,20 % y 88,08±1,09 % de H, respectivamente. Los PL estuvieron en 1,64±0,04 %, 29,89±1,90 %, 16,06±1,32 %, 11,66±0,11 % y 22,94±0,90 % de la L, respectivamente. La profundidad de PEN de P puntos fue de 17,52±0,52 %, 38,38±2,75 %, 20,88±0,79 %, 20,35±0,82 % y 39,52±0,67 % de PP ', respectivamente. Estos resultados ayudan a realizar una localización más precisa de los PEN. Se debe proponer una nueva guía anatómica para mejorar la eficacia y la eficiencia de la neurólisis química en el tratamiento de la espasticidad del músculo aductor del muslo.

Chronic kidney Disease - Mineral and Bone Disorder (CKD-MBD) encompasses abnormalities in bone turnover, volume and mineralization, compromising bone quantity and quality. Bone biopsy is the gold standard to access bone changes, but is not available in many centers and neither is it included in routine practice. The need for a noninvasive method to evaluate bone disease has promoted the development of multiple bone biomarkers and imaging techniques to assess bone metabolism, to clarify the risk of bone loss and fractures and to guide therapeutic decisions. However, all of these have important limitations and presently no noninvasive method either isolated or in association can replace bone biopsy. This article will discuss the major groups of bone biomarkers and new imaging techniques and their role in CKD-MBD

ABSTRACT Barn and cage-fed chickens have presented several problems, such as high rates of infectious disease and consequent antibiotic abuse, poorer chicken health and welfare, and often poorer meat and egg quality compared with free-range chickens. The poultry agroforestry system is becoming increasingly popular in many poultry farms nowadays. In this study, to evaluate the contribution of poultry agroforestry system to enhance some meat and egg traits of Beijing-you chickens, some indexes of meat and egg qualities, some indexes of slaughter traits, and the feed conversion efficiency were investigated in rotational grazing Beijing-you chickens on chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) pasture (CGRG group) and only free-ranging chickens on bare land without forage (control group) in chestnut forest. Results showed that the live body weight, the dressing weight, the thigh muscle weight, and the breast muscle weight were increased (p<0.05) based on the decrease of 15% feed concentration in the CGRG group relative to the control. Furthermore, compared with the control, the crude ash, the essential amino acid content, and the inosinic acid content were increased (p<0.05), and the crude fat contents were decreased (p<0.05) in the thigh and breast muscles, while the yolk cholesterol and the feed conversion ratio were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in the CGRG group. This study would provide a scientific basis and technological support for the large-scale demonstration and application of rotational grazing chickens on the artificial pasture in forest.

In this study, soil physicochemical properties, microbial community structure and nematode assemblages were investigated to assess the soil qualities of an in situ phosphate mine after up to 10 years of revegetation with the nurse plant Alnus nepalensis. Our results showed that A. nepalensis cultivation significantly decreased the total P concentration, suggesting the high remediation potential. Moreover, A. nepalensis improved the levels of soil-available N and K and promoted the growth of microorganisms, as suggested by the 1.45- and even 3.26 fold increase in microbial carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN), respectively, after 10 years of remediation. Soil enzyme activities relating to C (β-glucosidase), N (urease) and P (acid phosphatase) were also stimulated. The sum of the indicator phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) and the Gram-positive and -negative bacteria also increased significantly after restoration. The nematode density increased gradually from zero in untreated soils to 2.3 g-1 of soil after 10 years of restoration, at which time the highest percentage of plant parasites was observed. Cluster analysis produced three clusters: cultivation for 0 and 1 years in cluster 1; 2, 3 and 4 years in cluster 2; and 5 and 10 years in cluster 3. These results showed that both the nutrient pools and the stability of the soil ecosystems in the revegetated soils were gradually reestablished and that the enzyme activities (β-glucosidase and urease), the microbial community (sum of PLFAs, G+: G-) and the nematode assemblage (density and plant parasite percentage) might be used as valid bioindicators for soil heath after contamination remediation.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to detect differentially expressed proteins in the nucleus accumbens between the states of extinction and reinstatement of morphine addiction. Numerous studies on the neurobiological mechanisms concerning drug craving and relapse have been reported to date, but data on their relationship with the underlying key molecular mechanisms involved remain limited. METHODS: In this study, 40 male SpragueDawley rats were equally randomized into a saline group and a morphine group. Both groups received drug selfadministration training, after which extinction models were established naturally. The groups were further divided into two subgroups for extinction and reinstatement tests. Cerebral nucleus accumbens masses were measured for total protein extraction. Twodimensional electrophoresis was performed to determine differential protein spots. These differential proteins were then enzymolysed and identified using mass spectrography. RESULTS: The proteins were classified as fatty acidbinding protein, serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A catalytic subunit beta isoform, serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A catalytic subunit alpha isoform, serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A regulatory subunit B² subunit gamma or heat shock protein 90 cochaperone CDC37. CONCLUSION: Significant changes in five proteins were detected between extinction and reinstatement. These proteins are correlated with phosphorylation and the tricarboxylic acid cycle.

ANTECEDENTES: El objetivo de este estudio fue detectar las proteínas diferencialmente expresadas en el núcleo accumbens entre los estados de extinción y recaída de la adicción a la morfina. Hasta la fecha se han reportado numerosos estudios en relación con los mecanismos neurobiológicos del deseo incontenible y recaída en el consumo de drogas, pero los datos sobre su relación con los mecanismos moleculares fundamentales subyacentes implicados, siguen siendo limitados. MÉTODO: En este estudio, 40 ratas machos SpragueDawley fueron por igual asignadas de manera aleatoria a un grupo salino y un grupo de morfina. Ambos grupos recibieron entrenamiento de autoadministración de drogas, después de lo cual se establecieron modelos de extinción de manera natural. A su vez, los grupos fueron luego subdivididos en dos subgrupos para realizar pruebas de extinción y recaída. Se procedió a medir las masas cerebrales del núcleo accumbens para la extracción total de proteína. Se realizó una electroforesis bidimensional para determinar manchas proteicas diferenciales. Estas proteínas diferenciales fueron entonces sometidas a enzimólisis e identificadas mediante espectrografía de masa. RESULTADOS: Las proteínas fueron clasificadas como proteína de unión a ácidos grasos, isoforma beta de la subunidad catalítica serinatreonina proteína fosfatasa 2A, isoforma alfa de la subunidad catalítica serinatreonina proteína fosfatasa 2A, subunidad gamma subunidad B" de la serinatreonina proteína fosfatasa 2A, o la proteína CDC37 cochaperona 90 de choque térmico. CONCLUSIÓN: Se detectaron cambios significativos en cinco proteínas entre la extinción y la recaída. Estas proteínas están correlacionadas con la fosforilación y el ciclo del ácido tricarboxílico.