Amitriptyline is a pleiotropic tricyclic antidepressant, which has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We tested whether amitriptyline might be useful in the treatment of chronic renal disease using the mouse model of unilateral ureteral obstruction. Amitriptyline caused a significant reduction of interstitial fibrosis, determined by Masson's staining, with minimal myofibroblast formation and macrophage infiltration following ureteral obstruction. Using quantitative PCR we found that this treatment significantly reduced the expression of key molecular markers of progressive tubulointerstitial injury such as osteopontin, MCP-1, ICAM-1, and TGF-beta1 compared to their level in a saline-treated control group. Sublethal X-irradiation or mycophenolate mofetil, treatments that reduce inflammation, were comparable to amitriptyline in the reduction of interstitial fibrosis and macrophage infiltration. These studies in animals suggest that amitriptyline is worth testing as a therapeutic agent that might preserve renal function by blocking inflammation and renal fibrosis.

PURPOSE:To analyze the effects of application of 1% and 3% insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) cream on the process of wound healing in induced skin lesions in diabetic and non-diabetic rats and evaluate its effect on expression of myofibroblasts. METHODS:Ninety-six Wistar adult male rats were divided into six groups, with 16 rats in each group, as follows: group 1: nondiabetic, untreated; group 2: non-diabetic, treated with 1% IGF-1 cream; group 3: non-diabetic, treated with 3% IGF-1 cream; group 4: diabetic, untreated; group 5: diabetic, treated with 1% IGF-1 cream; and group 6: diabetic, treated with 3% IGF-1 cream. In groups 4, 5, and 6, diabetes was induced by intravenous injection of alloxan. After diabetes had been induced, animals were mantained for 3 months. The experimental procedure consisted of the creation of a circular incision of 0.9 mm in diameter using a metal punch.Following this, wounds were treated daily according to the assigned treatment regimen. Groups 2 and 5 were treated with 1% IGF-1 cream, groups 3 and 6 with 3% IGF-1 cream, and groups 1 and 4 and the untreated groups with 0.9% saline solution. From each group, samples from 4 rats were taken at three, seven, 14, and 21 days after the injury. Samples were fixed in 10% formalin to prepare slides for histological analysis. Slides stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and Masson were observed vascular proliferation, mononuclear cells, polymorphonuclear cells, fibroblast proliferation, re-epithelialization, and collagen fibers. This study analyzed the expression of α-smooth muscle actin using specific antibodies to correlate the temporal expression of α-smooth muscle-specific actin (α-SM actin), a molecular marker for myofibroblast transformation. RESULTS: Macroscopic observation of wounds showed a more rapid re-epithelialization of wounds treated with IGF. Regarding acute inflammatory reactions, the results of the analysis of vascular proliferation and polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells showed no statistically significant differences in any of the periods studied (according to the results of a Mann-Whitney test). The initial immunohistochemical analysis of tissue samples conducted to compare the expression of α-smooth muscle actin between groups showed a relevant response in the expression of myofibroblasts. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and were found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSION:The topical application of 1% and 3% IGF-1 creams increases the expression of myofibroblasts in the process of wound healing in rats.

Our results indicate that amitriptyline is an effective and potent relaxant of urinary tract smooth muscle and this effect is mediated by opening of voltage dependent-potassium channels. We suggest that amitriptyline administration may help to promote elimination of urinary calculi.

Purpose: This paper proposes a model of training surgical skills using vascular anastomosis in an animal model that simulates the size, consistency and resistance arteries and veins, to use it to chicken trachea and esophagus, respectively. Methods: We used chicken necks where the esophagus and trachea were dissected and after preparation were followed every step of the procedure of vascular anastomosis. The flow of the anastomosis was confirmed by direct observation and testing of filling (empty-and-refill test) immediately after the anastomosis. Results: All samples proved to be viable by the criteria described above. Conclusion: For the first time presents an interesting experimental model used to train vascular sutures, because it is endowed with all the necessary requirements for the learning of experimental vascular surgery. Key words: Anastomosis, Surgical. Microsurgery. Sutures. Esophagus. Trachea. RESUMOObjetivo: O presente trabalho propõe um modelo de treinamento de habilidades cirúrgicas em anastomoses vasculares utilizando um modelo que simula o calibre, a consistência e a resistência arterial e venosa, utilizando-se para isto a traquéia e esôfago de frango, respectivamente. Métodos: Foram utilizados pescoços de frango, onde foram dissecados esôfago e traquéia e após preparo foram seguidos todos os passos do procedimento da anastomose vascular. O fluxo das anastomoses foi comprovado por observação direta e teste de enchimento imediatamente após as anastomoses. Resultados: Todas as amostras mostraram-se viáveis pelos critérios acima descritos. Conclusão: Pela primeira vez apresenta-se um modelo experimental interessante que serve para treinar suturas vasculares, pois é dotado de todos os requisitos necessários para o aprendizado da cirurgia vascular experimental.

Brazil. Tutor, responsible for conception, design, intellectual and scientific content of the study; critical analysis and final approval of manuscript. ABSTRACT PURPOSE:To evaluate the efficacy of the use of LigaSure™ in appendectomy, with or without acute inflammatory process, and to compare with simple ligature and conventional therapy. METHODS: A total of 30 rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) randomly allocated in two groups, group A and B, of 15 animals each were used. The group A without acute appendicitis and the group B with acute appendicitis were submitted to appendectomy. After, the groups were subdivided into three groups, each group containing five rabbits submitted to simple ligature, conventional therapy and application of LigaSure TM . We assessed macroscopic and microscopy parameters of appendiceal stump and operative wound. RESULTS:The group with acute appendicitis that LigaSure TM was applied had fibrosis in 100% of animals, as well as in the other operative techniques used. It suggested that application of LigaSure TM is efficient as other techniques used in healing of appendiceal stump. CONCLUSIONS: The application of LigaSure TM induces the formation of fibrosis in the appendiceal stump. The technique proved efficacy to induce enough fibrous tissue to obstruct leakage of enteric content. Key words: Appendicitis. Appendectomy. Animal Experimentation. Ligation. Electrocoagulation. Rabbits. RESUMO OBJETIVO:Avaliar a eficácia da utilização do LigaSure™ na apendicectomia, com ou sem a presença de processo inflamatório agudo, comparando com ligadura simples ou técnica tradicional. MÉTODOS: Um total de 30 coelhos (Oryctolagus cuniculus) foi alocado em dois grupos, grupos A e B, cada um composto por 15 animais. O grupo A não apresentava apendicite aguda e o grupo B com apendicite aguda, sendo os animais submetidos à apendicitectomia. Cada grupo foi divido em três subgrupos, cada um com cinco animais onde foram então submetidos à ligadura simples, técnica tradicional ou utilização do LigaSure™. Foram avaliados parâmetros macroscópicos assim como microscópicos do coto apendicular assim como da ferida operatória. RESULTADOS: No grupo que apresentava apendicite aguda onde foi utilizado o LigaSure™, foi observado fibrose em 100% dos animais, assim como nos outros dois grupos. Com isto mostrou-se que a aplicação do LigaSure™ é tão eficiente quanto as outras técnicas utilizadas na cicatrizaçãoo do coto apendicular. CONCLUSÕES: A utilização do LigaSure TM induz a formação de fibrose na região do coto apencicular. A técnica foi eficaz quanto à formação de tecido fibrótico evitando o extravassamento de conteúdo entérico. Descritores: Apendicite. Apendicectomia. Experimentação Animal. Ligadura. Eletrocoagulação. Coelhos. Application of high frequency bipolar electrocoagulation LigaSureTM in appendix vermiformis of rabbits with or without acute inflammatory process

Introduction Cytology appears to be a viable option to histological samples for proper storage and maintenance of autopsy material for DNA extraction and analysis. In the present study, we tested the feasibility of using archived air‐dried smears produced at the time of the autopsy for simple molecular analysis, comparing quantity and quality of the DNA extracted from the smears to that of correspondent histological specimens. Methods Air‐dried cytological smears were obtained from scrapings of exactly the same areas collected for histological study. DNA was extracted using a commercially available protocol from all samples, with calculation of purity ratio and overall concentration. The integrity of the extracted DNA was also verified through conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results Five cases of lung tumours (2 small cell carcinomas and 3 adenocarcinomas) were collected. Percentage of tumour cells and necrosis ranged from 30% to 90% and from 10% to 40%, respectively, in the cytological preparations, and from 50% to 90% and from 10% to 80%, respectively, in the histological preparations. Purity ratio (260/280) had a median of 1.87 in cytology vs 1.94 in histology. Mean DNA concentration among the cytological preparations was 2653 ng/mL (range 1684‐3980 ng/mL) vs 757.2 ng/mL among the histological preparations (range 456‐1829 ng/mL. DNA from all five cases of cytology was successfully amplified by conventional PCR, in contrast to none from the histology specimens. Conclusions Archived air‐dried smears scraped from tumoural lesions in autopsies have proven to yield a good concentration of quality DNA for conventional PCR, with better results than formalin‐fixed paraffin embedded material.

Conception and design of the study, technical procedures. IV PhD, Associate Professor, UNICID, Sao Paulo-SP, Brazil. Conception and design of the study, technical procedures.

Introdução: O transplante de fígado melhorar significativamente a taxa de sobrevivência de crianças eadolescentes com doença hepática terminal.Os pacientes, uma vez que tinha um prognóstico fatal, hojepodem ser submetidos a transplante de fígado (TF), com taxas de sobrevida de aproximadamente 90%em um ano. A atresia biliar é a principal indicação para a população pediátrica e para aqueles sofreramuma portoenterostomia e não obtiveram bons resultados com a mesma, representando mais de 50%das crianças menores de 2 anos na Europa e nos EUA. O transplante representa a única opção restantede sobrevivência com um bom benefício terapêutico. Os avanços nos cuidados cirúrgicos e clínicos,levaram a melhoria das técnicas para aumentar a sobrevida dos pacientes submetidos a transplante defígado. Porém, a hemorragia e as complicações biliares representam o tendão de Aquiles do desenvolvimento deste processo.Além disso, a escassez de órgãos para a população pediátrica motiva o desenvolvimento de novas modalidades de enxertos de fígado, como a redução do enxerto de fígado, otransplante de fígado dividido, e mais recentemente o de doadores vivos. As complicações arteriais ebiliares continuam a ser uma importante causa de morbidade, mortalidade e perda do enxerto após otransplante. Objetivo: Avaliar as complicações mais frequentes relacionadas às anastomoses biliarese arteriais do transplante hepático pediátrico com doadores vivos e com doadores cadavéricos. Métodos: Pesquisa no Pubmed e Lilacs para reunir dados de complicações hepáticas relacionadas comtransplante pediátrico entre 1999 e 2009. Resultados: Neste estudo de 1485 transplantes de fígadoutilizando doadores cadavéricos e 505 utilizando dadores vivos, os dados foram coletados e analisadosestatisticamente. Ao analisar as complicações arteriais e biliares no transplante hepático pediátrico emintervivos utilizando enxertos, as taxas de fístula biliar foram de 14,7%, 3,1%, e de estenoses biliares etromboses arteriais de 3,3%. Ao analisar os dados de doadores cadavéricos foi observado que as taxasde trombose arterial foram de 5,7%, 3,7% de estenoses biliares, e 2,5% de fístulas biliares. Os dadosforam analisados e comparados entre os dois grupos de doadores vivos e  cadavéricos, e os resultados foram: fístula biliar (P = 0,0486)*, estenose biliar (P = 0,5167) e trombose da artéria hepática(P =0,6752). Conclusão: A fístula e a estenose representam as complicações biliares mais frequentes,especialmente na vigência do uso de doadores vivos. Por outro lado, as complicações arteriais maisfrequentes  acontecem no grupo submetido a enxertos de doadores cadavéricos.