We observed increased serum COMP levels in patients with symptomatic radiological knee OA. High serum COMP levels may also indicate cartilage damage in selected symptomatic patients without significant radiological abnormalities.

The treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease may be clinical or surgical. The clinical consists basically of the use of drugs; however, there are new techniques to complement this treatment, osteopathic intervention in the diaphragmatic muscle is one these. The objective of the study is to compare pressure values in the examination of esophageal manometry of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) before and immediately after osteopathic intervention in the diaphragm muscle. Thirty-eight patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease - 16 submitted to sham technique and 22 submitted osteopathic technique - were randomly selected. The average respiratory pressure (ARP) and the maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) of the LES were measured by manometry before and after osteopathic technique at the point of highest pressure. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney, and magnitude of the technique proposed was measured using the Cohen's index. Statistically significant difference in the osteopathic technique was found in three out of four in relation to the group of patients who performed the sham technique for the following measures of LES pressure: ARP with P= 0.027. The MEP had no statistical difference (P= 0.146). The values of Cohen d for the same measures were: ARP with d= 0.80 and MEP d= 0.52. Osteopathic manipulative technique produces a positive increment in the LES region soon after its performance.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o índice de publicação a nível internacional (Index Medicus-Medline-PubMed) dos trabalhos apresentados no XXIV Congresso Brasileiro de Cirurgia. MÉTODO: A publicação dos trabalhos foi pesquisada por consulta à base de dados de publicações biomédicas a nível mundial (Index Medicus-Medline-PubMed), a partir da lista de autores e co-autores e palavras-chave dos títulos dos trabalhos. RESULTADOS: Do total de 1133 trabalhos apresentados, 29 (2,6%) foram publicados-nove temas livres (2,0%), um vídeo livre (1,6%), dois fórum de pesquisa (12,5%) e 17 pôsteres (2,8%). Dos 2638 autores identificados, 71 (2,7%) publicaram seus trabalhos. CONCLUSÕES: O índice de publicações dos trabalhos apresentados ainda é baixo.

Some sort of restriction of the pouch emptying is supported by many surgeons to allow a sustained weight loss through the use of a ring placed circumferentially around the gastric pouch. Most previous studies focused on the length of the ring, not the actual diameter of the gastric pouch outlet. This study aims to evaluate the association between the actual diameter of the gastric pouch outlet and the weight loss in obese patients submitted to silicon ring Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. We studied prospectively 257 patients that underwent silicon ring (65 mm) Roux-en-Y gastric bypass between July 2005 and August 2007. Upper digestive endoscopy was performed to measure the diameter of the gastric pouch outlet at 1 and 2 years with the aid of calibrated balloons. The diameter of the gastric pouch outlet ranged from 9 to 14 mm (mean = 11 mm). Excess weight loss ranged from 37% to 127% (mean = 69%) during the first year and 29% to 110% (mean = 69%) during the second year. A negative correlation between the diameter of the gastric pouch outlet and excess weight loss at first year (r = -0.792, p < 0.001) and at the second year of follow-up (r = -0.921, p < 0.001) was found. The actual diameter of the gastric pouch outlet was associated with weight loss after silicon ring Roux-en-Y gastric bypass during the 2-year follow-up.

Effects of plastic stenting in commom bile duct of rats. A quantitative reaction analysis using collagen and elastin morphometry ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the effects of biliary stenting in rats through analysis of collagen and elastin deposition in the bile ducts. Methods: Twenty male rats underwent midline laparotomy, duodenotomy and transampullary stenting of the common bile duct with a 22Fr plastic stent. Animals were randomized in 4 groups, with 5 components in each: (I) control, (II) biliary stenting for 7 days, (III) biliary stenting for 14 days, and (IV) biliary stenting for 30 days. Sections of the common bile duct were stained using Hematoxylin Eosin; Sirius Red to quantitate the amount of collagen present; and Weigert's Resorcin-fuchsin to quantitate the amount of elastin present. Results: The percentage of area stained for collagen was 13.4; 21.5; 29.5 and 32.8, for groups I to IV, respectively. The percentage of area stained for elastin fibers was 7.0; 5.2; 4.0 and 2.9, for groups I to IV, respectively. Collagen/Elastin ratio was 2.4; 5.1; 11.0 and 14.4 for groups I to IV, respectively. Conclusions: The biliary stenting leads to collagen and elastin deposition in the bile ducts; and collagen deposition and collagen/elastin ratio are proportional to the period of stenting. Key words: Prostheses and Implants. Collagen. Elastin. Common Bile Duct. Rats. RESUMOObjetivo: Avaliar os efeitos da colocação de prótese biliar em ratos, analisando a deposição de colágeno e elastina no hepatocolédoco. Métodos: Vinte ratos machos foram submetidos à laparotomia mediana, duodenotomia e colocação transpapilar de uma prótese plástica 22Fr no hepatocolédoco. Os animais foram randomizados em 4 grupos, com cinco componentes cada: (I) controle, (II) prótese biliar por 7 dias, (III) prótese biliar durante 14 dias e (IV) prótese biliar por 30 dias. Cortes do hepatocolédoco foram corados com Hematoxilina Eosina; Sirius Red para quantificar o colágeno; e Resorcina-fucsina de Weigert para quantificar a elastina. Resultados: A porcentagem de área corada para colágeno foi de 13,4; 21,5; 29,5 e 32,8 para os grupos I a IV, respectivamente. A porcentagem de área corada para fibras de elastina foi de 7,0; 5,2; 4,0 e 2,9, para os grupos I a IV, respectivamente. A razão colágeno / elastina foi de 2,4, 5,1, 11,0 e 14,4 para os grupos I a IV, respectivamente. Conclusões: O implante da prótese biliar leva à deposição de colágeno e elastina nos ductos biliares; e a deposição de colágeno e a relação colágeno / elastina são proporcionais ao tempo de permanência da prótese. Descritores: Próteses e Implantes. Colágeno. Elastina. Ducto Colédoco. Ratos.