This study was carried out to evaluate the immune response and the impact of Trichostrongylus colubriformis infections on the performance of growing Santa Ines lambs. Thirty male lambs, 3-4 months of age, were maintained in individual pens and restrictively randomised by weight into 3 treatment groups: (1) infected group, artificially infected with 2500 T. colubriformis larvae, three times a week, for 13 weeks, and fed ad libitum; (2) Pair-Fed Group, non-infected and fed with the same amount of food consumed by the infected animal of the same class on the previous day; and (3) control group, non-infected and fed ad libitum. Refused feed was weighed daily to assess the food intake of each lamb. Animals were weighed weekly and blood and fecal samples were collected. At the end of the trial, all lambs were euthanized to determine worm burden and collect intestinal tissues and mucus samples for histological and immunological analysis. The infected group presented eosinophilia, increased number of inflammatory cells in the mucosa, in addition to an increased production of specific immunoglobulins against T. colubriformis, which partially prevented the establishment of infective larvae. As a consequence of parasitism, the infected lambs presented reduced serum albumin concentrations and demonstrated severe small intestine lesions, such as villous atrophy and epithelial erosion, which impaired the digestion and absorption of nutrients, causing a significant loss in performance. The infected group presented a 37% reduction in daily weight gain (107.26 ± 10.8 g/day), when compared with the control group (171.07 ± 7.15 g/day). The infected lambs also demonstrated the worst food conversion, i.e., each animal needed to consume on average 10.05 ± 0.52 kg of food to gain 1 kg live weight. The voluntary hay intake depression in infected animals was small, and statistical difference (P<0.01) was seen only on two occasions (ninth and 12th weeks), in comparison with the control group. In conclusion, Santa Ines lambs infected with T. colubriformis demonstrated a reduction in performance, caused by the damages produced by the adult nematodes in intestinal mucosa, and also by the immunopathological changes associated with the infection.

SummaryObjectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate angle-of-motion values for the forelimb and hindlimb in clinically healthy adult Santa Ines sheep by means of a standard goniometer.Methods: Twenty female Santa Ines sheep, ranging in age between three- to six-yearsold, and weighing 32–45 kg (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: 30.4 ± 3.7) were used. A standard transparent plastic goniometer was used to measure passive maximum flexion, maximum extension, and range-of-motion (ROM) of the shoulder, elbow, carpal, hip, stifle, and tarsal joints in the right and left limbs. The goniometric measurements were done with the sheep awake and in a standing position. The measurements were made in triplicate by two independent investigators.Results: In all evaluated joints, there was no significant difference either between the means of the two sides or between measurements performed by the two investigators. The mean ± SD values of the measurements (degrees) were as follows: 20 ± 1 (flexion), 170 ± 2 (extension), and 150 ± 2 (ROM) for the carpal joint; 34 ± 4 (flexion), 145 ± 6 (extension), and 110 ± 4 (ROM) for the elbow joint; 88 ± 2 (flexion), 144 ± 6 (extension), and 56 ± 5 (ROM) for shoulder joint; 35 ± 4 (flexion), 163 ± 3 (extension), and 129 ± 4 (ROM) for tarsal joint; 46 ± 4 (flexion), 146 ± 6 (extension), and 100 ± 4 (ROM) for the stifle joint; 54 ± 3 (flexion), 143 ± 7 (extension), and 89 ± 5 (ROM) for the hip joint.Clinical significance: The data obtained provide useful and objective information on the joints. More studies are necessary using other sheep breeds.

Background: Peak sound levels during sleep can compromise the development of hospitalized infants. Quiet time is a strategy implemented in neonatal units to promote the sleeping of neonates by reducing noise levels, luminosity, and handling during particular periods of the day. Purpose: To determine the impact of quiet time on reducing sound levels and increasing total sleep time. Methods: This longitudinal study was conducted at a neonatal intermediate care unit with a convenience sample of 12 premature infants. Four times per day, 60-minute quiet times were provided in the neonatal unit. Sleep-awake states and sound levels were evaluated during quiet times as well as 60 minutes before and afterward. Polysomnography was used for sleep-awake state assessment, and a noise dosimeter was used to check sound levels every 24 hours. Results: The preterm infants had a corrected gestational age of 35.0 ± 1.5 weeks and weighed 1606.0 ± 317.8 g. Total sleep time was highest during quiet time (P = .005). Premature infants remained awake for longer following quiet times (P = .005). There was also a reduction in sound level during quiet times compared with the other time frames (P = .006). No statistically significant relationship was found between total sleep time and sound levels more than 24 hours. Implications for Practice: Quiet time is a nursing intervention that should be implemented in all neonatal units. Implications for Research: Future research should use a greater sample size and other factors that influence sleep should be further investigated.

Cryopreservation of spermatozoa is a pivotal tool in assisted reproduction, and studies aiming to establish optimal freezing/thawing protocols are essential to enhance sperm survival. The objectives of the present study were to (1) compare the cryoprotective efficiency of three different glycerol concentrations (3%, 5%, and 7%) on the basis of post-thaw sperm quality and (2) investigate whether the incidence of morphologically abnormal sperm in fresh samples is related to cryodamage sensitivity. Semen was collected from six tomcats using an artificial vagina (total 18 ejaculates). Each ejaculate was diluted using Tris-egg yolk-based extender (TEY), evaluated, equally divided into three aliquots, and rediluted using TEY with and without glycerol to achieve final concentrations of 3%, 5%, and 7%. Samples were loaded into 0.25 mL straws, equilibrated for 60 minutes at 5 °C, frozen, and then thawed at 46 °C for 12 seconds. Fresh and frozen-thawed samples were evaluated for sperm motion parameters (computer-assisted sperm analysis), plasma membrane integrity (PMI; propidium iodide and carboxyfluorescein diacetate), and DNA integrity (acridine orange). Plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity were assessed by flow cytometry (propidium iodide and fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated pea (Pisum sativum) agglutinin) immediately after thawing. Sperm motion parameters were also evaluated at 30 and 60 minutes of postincubation. For all treatment groups, cryopreservation significantly impaired the PMI and sperm motion parameters, except for straightness and amplitude of lateral head displacement. DNA integrity showed a slight reduction (P < 0.05) when 3% glycerol was used. The percentage of total motility, progressive motility, and rapid spermatozoa were significantly lower immediately after thawing and up to 60 minutes of incubation for the 3% glycerol group when compared with 5% and 7%. No difference (P > 0.05) was found for PMI, acrosome integrity, and DNA integrity among post-thaw groups. However, higher (P < 0.05) incidence of viable cells with reacted acrosome and dead cells with intact acrosome were observed with 7% and 3% glycerol, respectively. Percentage of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa in fresh sample was positively correlated with PMI only in the 3% glycerol group and negatively correlated with sperm motility in the 5% and 7% groups. In conclusion, the final concentration of 5% glycerol offered better cryoprotective effect for ejaculated cat sperm, and the relationship found between prefreezing sperm morphology and post-thaw sperm quality showed to be dependent on final glycerol concentration.

Attention deficit, impulsivity and hyperactivity are the cardinal features of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) but executive function (EF) disorders, as problems with inhibitory control, working memory and reaction time, besides others EFs, may underlie many of the disturbs associated with the disorder. Objective: To examine the reaction time in a computerized test in children with ADHD and normal controls. Method: Twenty-three boys (aged 9 to 12) with ADHD diagnosis according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, 2000 (DSM-IV) criteria clinical, without comorbidities, Intelligence Quotient (IQ) ≥89, never treated with stimulant and fifteen normal controls, age matched were investigated during performance on a voluntary attention psychophysical test. Results: Children with ADHD showed reaction time higher than normal controls. Conclusion: A slower reaction time occurred in our patients with ADHD. This findings may be related to problems with the attentional system, that could not maintain an adequate capacity of perceptual input processes and/or in motor output processes, to respond consistently during continuous or repetitive activity. Key words: ADHD, executive functions, inhibitory reaction, reaction time and working memory.Avaliação do tempo de reação em crianças portadoras do transtorno do déficit de atenção/hiperatividade (TdAh) RESUMO Déficit de atenção, impulsividade e hiperatividade são os pontos cardinais do transtorno do déficit de atenção/hiperatividade (TDAH), mas as desordens da função executiva (FE) tais como os problemas no controle inibitório, memória operacional e tempo de reação, dentre outras funções executivas (FEs) podem estar subjacentes a muitos distúrbios associados a esta desordem. Objetivo: Avaliar o tempo de reação em meninos portadores do TDAH. Método: Participaram 23 pacientes do sexo masculino, de idade entre 9 a 12 anos de idade, com diagnóstico de TDAH sem co-morbidades, estabelecido segundo os critérios do Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), com Quoeficiente Intelectual (QI) ≥89, que não tivessem sido medicados para o TDAH. Grupo controle, seguindo os mesmos critérios em relação ao sexo, idade, QI. O teste utilizado foi o teste psicofísico da atenção voluntária (TPAV). Resultados: Os pacientes do TDAH apresentaram maior tempo de reação na execução do teste em relação aos controles. Conclusão: O tempo de reação apresentou-se mais lento em nossos pacientes portadores de TDAH. Estes achados podem estar relacionados aos problemas do sistema atencional; este grupo não pôde manter uma adequada capacidade de percepção de dados processados e/ou, em responder regularmente durante atividades contínuas ou repetitivas. Palavras-chave: TDAH, funções executivas, inibição de resposta, tempo de reação e memória operacional. CorrespondenceCristiana Bolfer Avenida Rio Branco 917 / Zona 05 87015-380 Maringá PR -Brasil

Objective:To compare the total sleep time of premature infant in the presence or absence of reducing sensory and environmental stimuli in the neonatal unit. Method: Longitudinal study in a Neonatal Intermediate Care Unit of a public hospital in Sao Paulo. The sample consisted of 13 premature infants. We used polysomnograph and unstructured observation for data collection. We analyzed 240 and 1200 minutes corresponding to the periods of the presence and absence of environmental management, respectively. Data were compared in proportion to the total sleep time in the two moments proposed by the study. Results: The total sleep time in periods without environmental management was on average 696.4 (± 112.1) minutes and with management 168.5 (± 27.9) minutes, proportionally premature infant slept an average of 70.2% during periods with no intervention and 58.0% without management (p=0.002). Conclusion: Reducing stimulation and handling of premature infant environment periods was effective to provide greater total sleep time. DESCRIPTORS INTRODUCTIONThe estimate of premature births in Brazil is about 9.8% of the 2,913.160 births registered in 2011 (1) . Due to prematurity, the proportion of premature infants (PI) may require hospitalization in a neonatal unit, which is commonly characterized as in environment that has high sensory stimuli overload for the newborn, additionally, there is a need for frequent management for invasive and painful procedures (2)(3)(4)(5) . The characteristics of the neonatal unit environment and care provided to premature infants according to the institutional routines can reduce the total sleep time leading them to consequent deprivation, which can be constituted in morbidity factor, especially when the gestational age is low and the length of hospital stay is long (2,4,6) . Many studies show that sleep deprivation of premature infants in the neonatal unit can lead to worsening of clinical status and delay hospital discharge, besides that, it could trigger behavioral disorders in adulthood (4,(7)(8) . PI present sleep with polyphasic pattern that are classified into three stages: active, quiet and indeterminate sleep (3,7,(9)(10) . The different stages of sleep are essential for the homeostasis of premature infants, because they establish relations with important physiological and neurological activities (3,9) . In the quiet sleep, decreased basal metabolic rate occurs, which promotes replenishment of energy reserves as well as promote cellular repair, in the active sleep brain activation occurs, which is essential for the structural maturation of the central nervous system (10)(11) . It is noteworthy that the indeterminate sleep cannot be considered as quiet or active, it is characterized as the transition between these two types of sleep patterns (12) . Mitigating possible harmful effects of care provided to hospitalized newborns is one of the actions that should be prioritized by professionals working towards recovery (13) . In this context, the developmental care aims at reduc...

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Keywords: hippocampal sclerosis, cysticercosis, temporal lobe epilepsy, mesial temporal sclerosis, neurocysticercosis, calcifications. RESUMOEstudos recentes têm sugerido possível relação entre epilepsia do lobo temporal com esclerose mesial temporal (MTS) e neurocisticercose (NC). Conduzimos um estudo caso-controle para avaliar a associação de NC e MTS. Método: Selecionamos randomicamente pacientes com diferentes tipos de epilepsia, incluindo: MTS, epilepsia primariamente generalizada (PGE) e epilepsia focal sintomática (FSE). Pacientes foram submetidos a uma entrevista estruturada, seguida por uma tomografia computadorizada de crânio (CT). Um neuroradiologista avaliou as imagens quanto à presença de lesões calcificadas sugestivas de NC. Resultados das CT foram comparados com os dados dos pacientes. Resultados: Mais pacientes do grupo MTS apresentaram lesões calcificadas sugestivas de NC que de outros grupos (p=0,002). Na análise multivariável, MTS foi um preditor independente de uma ou mais calcificações sugestivas de NC (p=0,033). Conclusão: Após controlar para fatores confusionais, encontramos uma associação independente entre lesões calcificadas de NC e MTS.Palavras-chave: esclerose de hipocampo, cisticercose, epilepsia do lobo temporal, esclerose mesial temporal, neurocisticercose, calcificações.