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Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an autosomal recessive haemoglobinopathy, which manifests as multisystem ischaemia and infarction, as well as haemolytic anaemia. The morphological changes of red blood cells (RBCs) that promote ischaemia/infarction as the main multi-systemic manifestation, with associated vasculopathy, may also lead to haemorrhage and fat embolisation. Bone infarctions, whether of the skull or spine, are relatively common with subsequent increased infectious susceptibility. We present a broad spectrum of brain and spine imaging findings of SCD from a level III paediatric hospital in Lisbon, between 2010 and 2022. Our aim is to highlight brain and spine imaging findings from a serial review of multiple patients with SCD and respective neuroimaging characterisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was carried out in the Animal Science Department of Lavras University to determine the effects of different oils on the performance, carcass traits and fatty acid profile of meat from finishing pigs. In total, 80 Large White × Landrace animals, including 40 gilts and 40 barrows, with an average initial weight of 68.50 ± 1.45 kg, were used. Isoenergetic, isoprotein and isolysinic diets based on corn and soybean meal without the addition of oil or with 2% soybean oil, canola oil, linseed oil or PUFA commercial oil were tested. No significant (P> 0.05) effects were observed in the pigs’ performance. However, significant (P< 0.05) improvements were observed regarding the percentage of meat on the carcass and the loin area with the addition of linseed oil (2%) in the diets. The carcasses of the pigs fed diets containing linseed oil also had higher content of protein in the femoral biceps muscle compared with those from pigs fed soybean oil diets. The fatty acid composition of the intramuscular fat of the longissimus dorsimuscle reflected the composition of the oils added to the diets. In conclusion, linseed oil at 2.0% in the finishing pig diet improved lean tissue accretion (lean meat and loin area in the carcass). In addition, the fatty acid deposition in the muscles followed the dietary fatty acid profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical composition of the essential oil from air-dried leaves of Eremanthus erythropappus was studied. The main compounds wereβ-pinene (23.24%),β-caryophyllene (22.92%),β-myrcene (10.03%) and germacrene D (9.40%). The essential oil had an LD50 of 2.90 g kg&minus1in mice. Doses of 200 and 400 mg kg&minus1 inhibited 10.69% and 27.06% of acetic-acid-induced writhing in mice, respectively. In the formalin-induced nociception test in mice, the essential oil inhibited the first phase of paw licking by 29.13% (400 mg kg&minus1) and the second phase by 32.74% (200 mg kg&minus1) and 37.55% (400 mg kg&minus1). In the hot-plate test in mice, doses of 200 mg kg&minus1 and 400 mg kg&minus1 significantly increased the reaction time after 30, 60 and 90 min of treatment. Doses of 200 and 400 mg kg&minus1 inhibited carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats by 15.18% and 36.61%, respectively. Doses of 200 and 400 mg kg&minus1 administered 4 h before intrapleural injection of carrageenan significantly reduced exudate volume (by 20.20% and 48.70%, respectively) and leucocyte mobilization (by 5.88% and 17.29%, respectively). These results demonstrate that E. erythropappus has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, supporting the use of this plant in folk medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The atomic diffusion and compositional variations upon melting have been studied by transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy in Ge rich GeSbTe films, with a composition optimized for memory applications. Melting and quenching has been achieved by laser pulses, in order to study pure thermal diffusion without electric field induced electromigration. The effect of different laser energy densities has been investigated. The diffusion of Ge atoms in the molten phase is found to be a prominent mechanism and, by employing finite elements computational analysis, a diffusion coefficient of Ge on the order of 5  ×  10−5 cm2 s−1 has been estimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Craniofacial osteosarcomas represent 5 to 10% of primary bone malignancies, with greater predominance in the mandible and maxilla, being classified as primary (idiopathic) or secondary (predisposed to direct exposure). Patients with this pathology have increased soft tissue and bone pain, being the treatment based on the surgical resection of the tumor and rehabilitation after withdrawal to the possible consequences of the intervention. Currently, the use of the elastic bandage has been used in various neuromuscular and musculoskeletal dysfunction, inhibiting or activating the muscles for improved function. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the influence of the use of the elastic bandage in a patient after resection of osteosarcoma of the jaw, with sequel of bilateral palpebral ptosis. Type of study: adult neurology. Clinical case, patient, female, 29 years old, with bilateral palpebral ptosis 5 days after resection of osteosarcoma of the jaw. It was observed falling of bilateral palpebra in the inspection, and muscle weakness on the same muscle (grade 1). After 2 months after surgery physiotherapy was started, being submitted to sessions of facial kabat associated to the use of the elastic bandage for activation of the eyelid levator muscle, using the technique in I, by the Therapy Taping Method. 12 sessions of physiotherapy were carried out, and at the end of the proposed period, the patient was reassessed. Elevation of the eyelid and increased muscle strength (grade 1 to 3) was observed. It is concluded that the use of the elastic bandage in a patient after resection of osteosarcoma of the jaw with sequel of palpebral ptosis was shown to be efficient in improving the clinical signs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]