Abstract Background: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is a well-known predictor of mortality in patients with valvular heart disease (VHD). The assessment of RV function is often difficult due to complex geometry and hemodynamic factors. We aim to analyze RV function in patients with severe mitral and/or aortic valve disease using two-dimensional strain (2DS) imaging and conventional echocardiographic parameters, comparing it with right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) measured by three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE). Methods: Fifty-three patients with severe mitral and/or aortic VHD underwent complete transthoracic echocardiogram in the preoperative setting for cardiac surgery, including conventional echocardiographic parameters of RV function and speckle-tracking derived 2DS indices: RV global longitudinal strain (RVGS) and RV free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWS). Conventional echocardiographic and 2DS parameters were compared with real-time 3DE RVEF using Spearman correlation test. For comparison between two groups of patients based on the presence of RV dysfunction (normal RVEF ≥ 44% - A, abnormal RVEF < 44% - B), we used nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test. ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve analysis was used to assess the clinical utility of all RV function variables in defining RV dysfunction. P values <0,05 were considered statistically significant. Results: We found a significant correlation between all parameters and RVEF (p<0.05), with best results for RV fractional area change (FAC), RVGS, and RVFWS. Dividing the population into two-groups based on RVEF, we found 14 patients with RV dysfunction (27.4%), and significant differences between the groups for all RV function variables. For detection of RV dysfunction defined by 3DE, ROC curve analysis showed the best area under the curve (AUC) for RVGS (0.872), RVFWS (0.851) and FAC (0.932). Conclusions: We observed significant correlation between RVGS, RVFWS and RVEF, with good accuracy in detecting RV dysfunction, comparable to FAC and better than other conventional parameters of RV function assessment. The evaluation of RV myocardial deformation with 2DS may have additional diagnostic and prognostic value in patients with severe left-sided VHD. (Int J Cardiovasc Sci. 2018; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0).

Dinossauros do Triássico brasileiro foram encontrados nas formações Santa Maria e Caturrita, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. São conhecidas três espécies da Formação Santa Maria (Staurikosaurus pricei, Saturnalia tupiniquim e Pampadromaeus barberenai) e duas da Formação Caturrita (Guaibasaurus candelariensis e Unaysaurus tolentinoi). Os materiais associados a esses dinossauros encontram se muito bem preservados, permitindo descrever a musculatura e realizar estudos biomecânicos. A rotação lateral do fêmur de Saturnalia é corroborada pelos cálculos de biomecânica, e o reforço da crista supra-acetabular de Saturnalia, Guaibasaurus, Staurikosaurus, Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis, Efraasia e Chromogisaurus novasi sugere que dinossauros basais possivelmente mantivessem o tronco inclinado ao menos 20° em relação ao eixo horizontal. A articulação da cintura peitoral de sauropodomorfos basais (Saturnalia e Unaysaurus) foi estabelecida utilizando a metodologia de "Clavicular Ring" e a lâmina escapular permanece próxima a 60° em relação ao eixo horizontal, uma condição plesiomórfica para sauropodomorfos e também encontrada no plateossaurídeo articulado Seitaad ruessi. Os dinossauros basais do Brasil eram leves e as estimativas de massa foram de 18,5 kg para Staurikosaurus, 6,5 kg para Saturnalia e 17 kg para Guaibasaurus. Provavelmente Pampadromaeus tinha 2,5 kg, mas medidas do fêmur são necessárias para confirmar essa hipótese. Os dinossauros do Triássico brasileiro foram diversificados, mas compartilham alguns aspectos funcionais que foram importantes dentro do contexto evolutivo.

Triassic dinosaurs of Brazil are found in Santa Maria and Caturrita formations, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. There are three species known from the Santa Maria Formation (Staurikosaurus pricei, Saturnalia tupiniquim and Pampadromaeus barberenai), and two from Caturrita Formation (Guaibasaurus candelariensis and Unaysaurus tolentinoi). These dinosaur materials are, for the most part, well preserved and allow for descriptions of musculature and biomechanical studies. The lateral rotation of the Saturnalia femur is corroborated through calculations of muscle moment arms. The enhanced supracetabular crest of Saturnalia, Guaibasaurus, Staurikosaurus, Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis, Efraasia minor and Chormogisaurus novasi suggests that basal dinosaurs may have maintained an inclination of the trunk at least 20º on the horizontal axis. The pectoral girdle articulation of basal sauropodomorphs (Saturnalia and Unaysaurus) was established using a new method, the Clavicular Ring, and the scapular blade remains near 60º on the horizontal axis. This is a plesiomorphic condition among sauropodomorphs and is also seen in the articulated plateosauridae Seitaad ruessi. The Brazilian basal dinosaurs were lightweight with a body mass estimated around 18.5 kg for Staurikosaurus, 6.5 kg for Saturnalia, and 17 kg for Guaibasaurus. Pampadromaeus probably weighed 2.5 kg, but measures of its femur are necessary to confirm this hypothesis. The Triassic dinosaurs from Brazil were diversified but shared some functional aspects that were important in an evolutionary context.

This paper describes a possible fossil egg proceeding from the Bauru Group, Late Cretaceous of Paraná Basin, Brazil. External morphology, dimensions, texture and shell ornamentation examined under electron microscopy show close resemblance to the Recent podocnemidid chelonian eggs. Association with bony material in the outcrop suggests that it is related to a species of Podocnemis. Computerized tomography reveals a high density outer region corresponding to the shell component layers, and successive layers with decreasing density towards the nucleus. An area of high density in the central region may represent remains of an embryo.