Aquesta tesi presenta els estudis realitzat per avaluar el paper de diferents neurotransmisors i neuromoduladors en respostes de tipus emocional, en el control dels efectes reforçants i gratificants de diverses drogues d'abús així com en la modulació de diferents respostes antinociceptives. En concret, vam avaluar el paper del sistema endocannabinoid, opioid i PACAP en aquestes respostes mitjançant l'ús de diferents soques de ratolins modificatsgenèticament (ratolins knockout). Vàrem estudiar el paper del receptor cannabinoid CB1 en respostes de tipus emocional (ansietat i depressió), així com en els efectes reforçants dels opioids i cocaïna, mitjançant l'ús del ratolí CB1 knockout. Per una altra banda, vam investigar el sistema PACAP en la plasticitat sináptica, en el control de respostes emocionals (ansietat) i sobre els efectes farmacològics dels opioids mitjançant l'ús del ratolí PACAP R-type I knockout. Finalment, el paper dels receptors opioids mu, delta i kappa en el control de diferents tipus de respostes antinociceptives va ser avaluat mitjançat l'ús de ratolins knockout per un, dos o tots tres receptors opioids. / The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the involvement of different neuromodulator and neurotransmitter systems in mediating emotional responses, in the control of the rewarding and reinforcing effects of different drugs of abuse as well as in the modulation of several antinociceptive responses. Specifically we studied the role of the endocannabinoid, opioid and PACAP systems in controlling those responses. For this porpoise, different genetically modified mice lines (knockout mice) were used.We evaluated the role of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor in emotional responses anxiety and depression), as well as in mediating the rewarding and reinforcing effects of opioids and psychostimulants by using the CB1 knockout mice.On the other hand, we investigated the involvement of the PACAP system in synaptic plasticity, in controlling emotional behaviour, and in the modulation of some pharmacological effects produced by opioids by using the PACAP R-type I knockout mice. Finally, the specific role of mu, delta and kappa opioid receptor in analgesia was evaluated by using single, double and triple knockout mice for those receptors.

The detection of endogenous anabolic androgenic steroids (EAAS) is one of the most difficult analytical challenges in the doping control field. The main problem for their detection is to distinguish between normally endogenous concentrations and those observed after the exogenous administration of an EAAS. The screening methods for EAAS are currently based on the determination of the steroid profile and the application of the athlete biological passport. The inclusion of new steroid metabolites can improve the screening capabilities of the steroid profile. Thus, the objective of the thesis is to elucidate and characterize new testosterone metabolites that can be implemented to the current steroid profile and to evaluate their usefulness for doping control analysis. Four unreported testosterone metabolites were detected and characterized by using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry approaches. These compounds were demonstrated to come from degradation of cysteine conjugates. The formation of these conjugates implies an addition of a double bond as a phase I metabolism followed by conjugation with glutathione and the subsequent transformation to cysteine conjugates in urine. In order to determinate the usefulness of the cysteinyl compounds for doping control purposes, a quantitative method for the indirect determination of these compounds was developed and validated. Using this method, reference population limits were established by the analysis of 174 urine samples. Additionally, different factors that can potentially influence the excretion of these compounds were evaluated. Finally, the usefulness of these cysteinyl metabolites for the detection of EAAS misuse was evaluated by the analysis of samples collected after different EAAS administration. The use of these metabolites seems to improve in some cases the detection capabilities of the current marker used in routine analysis. / La detecció d’esteroides androgènics anabolitzants endògens (EAAE) és un dels reptes analítics més difícils en la lluita contra el dopatge. El problema més important per a la seva detecció és distingir entre concentracions endògenes i aquelles que s’observen després de l’administració exògena d’un EAAE. Els mètodes de cribatge per a la detecció d’EAAE estan basats en la determinació del perfil esteroïdal i la introducció d’aquest en el passaport biològic de l’atleta. La inclusió de nous metabòlits d’esteroides pot ajudar a millorar les capacitats de cribatge del perfil esteroïdal. Per tant, l’objectiu d’aquesta tesis és detectar i caracteritzar nous metabòlits d’EAAE que puguin implementar-se en l’actual perfil esteroïdal i l’avaluació de la seva utilitat en la lluita contra el dopatge. Quatre metabòlits desconeguts de la testosterona van ser detectats i caracteritzats mitjançant la utilització de la cromatografia líquida acoblada a l’espectrometria de masses en tàndem. L’origen d’aquests compostos es va demostrar que provenia de la degradació de conjugats amb cisteïna. La formació d’aquests conjugats implica l’addició d’un doble enllaç com a reacció metabòlica de fase I acompanyat per la conjugació amb glutationa i la subseqüent degradació d’aquesta a cisteïna en orina. Per tal de poder veure la seva aplicació en el camp del dopatge, es va desenvolupar i validar un mètode per la quantificació indirecta d’aquests compostos en orina. Utilitzant aquest mètode es van establir límits de referència basats en l’anàlisi de 174 mostres de orina. Addicionalment, diferents factors descrits que poden afectar l’excreció en orina d’aquests compostos també van ser estudiats en detall. Finalment, es va avaluar la utilitat d’aquests metabòlits conjugats amb cisteïna per a la detecció de l’abús d’EAAE mitjançant l’ anàlisis de mostres després de l’administració de diferents EAAE. L’ús d’aquests metabòlits va millorar (en alguns casos) els temps de detecció comparant-los amb els actuals marcadors utilitzats en rutina.

La caracterització de diversos fàrmacs capaços d’unir-se a receptors associats a proteïnes G (GPCR)s ha revelat que els seus mecanismes d’acció no eren tan simples com es creia. Primer, l’anàlisi de la seva afinitat d’unió per una sèrie de receptors va revelar que podien unir-se a múltiples dianes. Més tard, l’estudi de la seva eficàcia envers diferents vies de senyalització va revelar que alguns fàrmacs podien promoure selectivitat funcional. En aquesta tesi, s’han construït models a partir de noves dades estructurals i farmacològiques de diversos receptors per determinar les bases de l’afinitat de diferents compostos per múltiples GPCRs i estudiar la seva selectivitat funcional. La informació obtinguda pot permetre obtenir noves eines moleculars que ajudin a analitzar la rellevància de diversos modes d’activació en el tractament de malalties complexes com l’esquizofrènia. Aquesta informació també pot contribuir al disseny racional de nous fàrmacs capaços d’explotar diferents perfils de selectivitat i de discriminar entre efectes terapèutics i secundaris. / Deeper characterization of drugs targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR)s has shown that their mechanisms of action can be more complex than previously thought. On the one hand, binding affinity analyses towards a panel of related receptors have revealed that most drugs have affinity for multiple targets. On the other, characterization of drug efficacy for different receptor pathways has made evident that some ligands can selectively activate particular pathways, thus acting as biased agonists. In this work, we used models derived from new experimental data on receptor 3D structure and pharmacology to rationalize the structural determinants of multi-target affinity and biased agonism for different GPCR ligands. This insight can help obtain new molecular probes to assess the importance of specific affinity and efficacy profiles for the treatment of complex diseases such as schizophrenia. Furthermore, it can set the basis for the rational design of new ligands exploiting different forms of selectivity and capable of separating therapeutic effects from side effects.

Metabolic studies of doping agents have been traditionally performed by using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In the last years, liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has demonstrated to offer new possibilities to perform metabolic studies. The objective of this thesis was to study the metabolism (phase I and phase II) of different doping agents by LC-MS/MS in order to improve the detection capabilities of the studied substances. For mesocarb, a thermolabile compound, the parent drug 19 metabolites were detected in urine including mono-, di- and tri-hydroxylated metabolites excreted free or conjugated with glucuronic acid and sulphate. For toremifene, an anti-estrogenic drug with poor electron ionization properties, the parent drug and 20 metabolites were detected in urine. The structure of most of the metabolites was proposed. Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) metabolites conjugated with sulphate were investigated to improve the retrospectivity of the detection of these compounds. A study of hydrolysis and MS/MS behaviour of sulphate metabolites of AAS was performed, and sulphate conjugated metabolites of boldenone, methyltestosterone and metandienone were studied. Boldenone sulphate and epiboldenone sulphate were identified as boldenone metabolites in humans. They can be used as markers of exogenous boldenone administration. For methyltestosterone, three new sulphate metabolites were detected and structures were proposed. One of them, 17β-methyl-5α-androstan-3α,17α-diol 3α-sulphate was detected in urine up to 21 days after methyltestosterone administration, improving three times the retrospectivity of the detection with respect to other previously reported long-term metabolites. Several new sulphate metabolites were detected after metandienone administration. One of them was characterized as 18-nor-17β-hydroxymethyl-17α-methylandrost-1,4,13-triene-3-one conjugated with sulphate, and it was detected up to 26 days after administration, improving the retrospectivity of the detection with respect to other long-term metabolites described. The usefulness of LC-MS/MS for the detection and characterization of metabolites of doping agents has been demonstrated, especially for the study of new phase II metabolites and for metabolic studies of compounds where GC-MS shows relevant limitations. / Els estudis metabòlics de substàncies dopants han estat tradicionalment realitzats mitjançant l’ús de cromatografia de gasos acoblada a espectrometria de masses (GC-MS). En els últims anys, s’ha demostrat la utilitat de la cromatografia líquida acoblada a espectrometria de masses (LC-MS) per realitzar estudis de metabolisme. L’objectiu d’aquesta tesi va ser estudiar el metabolisme (fase I i fase II) de diferents substàncies dopants mitjançant LC-MS/MS per tal de millorar la capacitat de detecció dels compostos estudiats. Per a mesocarb, compost termolàbil, es van detectar en orina el compost inalterat i 19 metabòlits incloent metabòlits mono-, di- i tri-hidroxilats excretats lliures o conjugats amb àcid glucurònic i sulfat. Per a toremifè, un fàrmac anti-estrogènic amb espectre de masses d’impacte electrònic amb pocs ions diganòstic, es van detectar el compost inalterat i 20 metabòlits en orina. Es va proposar l’estructura de la major part de metabòlits detectats. Per tal de millorar la retrospectivitat de la detecció dels esteroides anabolitzants androgènics (AAS) es van estudiar els metabòlits conjugats amb sulfat. Es va realitzar un estudi de la hidròlisi i del comportament espectromètric dels metabòlits conjugats amb sulfat dels AAS. Es van estudiar els metabòlits conjugats amb sulfat de boldenona, metiltestosterona i metandienona. Es van identificar boldenona sulfat i epiboldenona sulfat com a metabòlits de boldenona en humans. Aquests metabòlits poden ser usats com a marcadors de l’administració exògena de boldenona. Per a metiltestosterona, es van detectar i proposar les estructures de tres nous metabòlits conjugats amb sulfat. Un d’ells, el 17β-metil-5α-androstà-3α,17α-diol 3α-sulfat, va ser detectat en orina fins a 21 dies després de l’administració de metiltestosterona. Es van detectar diversos metabòlits de metandienona conjugats amb sulfat no descrits prèviament. Un d’ells, identificat com a 18-nor-17β-hidroximetil-17α-metilandrost-1,4,13-trien-3-ona conjugat amb sulfat, va ser detectat fins 26 dies després de l’administració. Tant per a metiltestosterone com per a metandienone, els metabòlits conjugats amb sulfat permeten millorar la retrospectivitat de la detecció respecte a altres marcadors descrits anteriorment. S’ha demostrat la utilitat del LC-MS/MS per a la detecció i caracterització de metabòlits de substàncies dopants, especialment per a l’estudi de nous metabòlits de fase II i per a estudis de metabolisme de compostos que mostren limitacions en GC-MS.

In medicinal chemistry, two chemical fragments are considered bioisosteric if they bind to the same protein environment. Accordingly, looking at the same players from an opposite perspective, two protein environments can be considered chemoisosteric if they interact with the same chemical fragment. In this respect, this Thesis introduces the term chemoisosterism, which represents a new concept in drug discovery. Currently available crystal structures for protein-ligand complexes constitute a basis for the identification of chemoisosteric protein environments, of great utility for the construction of focused fragment chemical libraries. Under the premise that similar protein environments will probably bind to similar fragments, a novel approach to assess protein environment similarities is introduced and used to predict new chemoisosteric relationships. Examples of the potential applicability of chemoisosterism in fragment-based drug discovery are provided. The implications of chemoisosterism for drug polypharmacology are explored, leading to the speculation that the levels of polypharmacology observed in current drugs may just be a latent signature of the exploitation of chemoisosterism during evolution. / En química mèdica, dos fragments moleculars són considerats bioisostèrics si s’uneixen al mateix entorn de proteïna. Canviant la perspectiva sobre el mateix esdeveniment, dos entorns de proteïna poden ésser considerats quimioisostèrics si interaccionen amb el mateix fragment molecular. Aquesta Tesi introdueix el terme quimioisosterisme, un nou concepte en química farmacèutica. Les estructures actualment disponibles de complexos de proteïna i lligand constitueixen una font d’entorns de proteïna quimioisostèrics potencialment útils per a la construcció de llibreries de fragments moleculars dirigides a una proteïna diana en particular. Partint de la premissa que entorns de proteïna similars molt probablement interaccionaran amb fragments moleculars similars, aquesta Tesi presenta un nou mètode per a identificar entorns de proteïna similars, utilitzat per predir noves relacions quimioisostèriques. S’aporten també alguns exemples de potencials aplicacions del quimioisosterisme en la disciplina del descobriment de fàrmacs. Un anàlisis de les implicacions que té el quimioisosterisme en la polifarmacologia ens duu a la hipòtesis de que els nivells de polifarmacologia observats en la majoria de fàrmacs no són res més que una signatura de l’explotació del quimioisosterisme al llarg de l’evolució.

There is now ample evidence that drugs have biologically relevant interactions with more than one protein, a behavior that is commonly referred to as polypharmacology. This finding is starting to have a true impact on the drug discovery process, transforming it into a more holistic endeavor. In contrast, chemical biology continues to be a reductionist discipline, still regarding chemical probes as highly selective small molecules that enable the modulation and study of one specific target. In an effort to bring a more comprehensive perspective to the practice of chemical biology, this Thesis aims at demonstrating that chemical probes, like drugs, tent to bind to more than one protein, a behavior that may have confounded many of the biological insights gathered using these tool compounds. Accordingly, in this Thesis we use the Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) enzyme superfamily to illustrate the consequences that chemical probe polypharmacology have for the practice of chemical biology and follow-on drug discovery. Next, we extend this analysis to a collection of chemical probes to demonstrate the ubiquity of polypharmacology and we provide guidelines to derisk the practice of chemical biology using potentially promiscuous tool compounds. Chemical biology cannot continue to overlook the existence of polypharmacology and the results presented in this Thesis urge it to become a more holistic discipline that looks at the use of tool compounds from a systems perspective. / Avui dia un gran nombre de proves demostren que els fàrmacs exerceixen interaccions biològicament rellevants amb més d’una proteïna, un comportament generalment anomenat polifarmacologia. Aquest descobriment està començant a influir en el procés de descobriment de fàrmacs, transformant-lo en una empresa més holística. Per contra, la biologia química continua essent una disciplina reduccionista que encara considera les sondes químiques com molècules molt selectives que permeten la modulació i l’estudi d’una diana específica. En un esforç per portar una visió més àmplia a la pràctica de la biologia química, aquesta Tesi té l’objectiu de demostrar que les sondes químiques, com els fàrmacs, tendeixen a unir-se amb més d’una diana, un comportament que podria haver confós moltes de les conclusions biològiques derivades del seu ús. En conseqüència, en aquesta Tesi utilitzem la superfamília de les proteïnes Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerasa (PARPs) per il•lustrar les conseqüències de la polifarmacologia de les sondes químiques en la pràctica de la biologia química i el conseqüent descobriment de fàrmacs. Seguidament, ampliem aquest anàlisi a una col•lecció de sondes químiques per demostrar la prevalença de la polifarmacologia i aportem recomanacions per a convertir l’ús de sondes químiques potencialment promiscues en biologia química en una pràctica menys arriscada. La biologia química no pot seguir obviant l’existència de la polifarmacologia i els resultats presentats en aquesta Tesi demostren que la biologia química ha d’esdevenir una disciplina més holística que consideri l’ús de sondes químiques des d’una perspectiva de sistemes.

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, Florianópolis, 2013. / Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-06T17:26:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 323920.pdf: 1145122 bytes, checksum: daca76f321de34c0e935aa376b4866ce (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, descritivo e exploratório desenvolvido em um hospital-escola localizado na região Sul do Brasil. Teve como objetivo analisar o processo de construção de competências por enfermeiros (as) e técnicos (as) de enfermagem para atuar no processo de trabalho envolvendo as tecnologias radiológicas. A pesquisa parte do pressuposto de que as tecnologias radiológicas representam um campo em expansão para a atuação da enfermagem, e a mobilização de competências específicas dessa área do conhecimento se torna essencial. Para o embasamento teórico do estudo, foram associados os referenciais sobre processo de trabalho, saberes e competências profissionais. A coleta dos dados aconteceu em dois momentos, inicialmente junto a 20 trabalhadores, enfermeiros (as) e técnicos (as) de enfermagem lotados nos setores de centro cirúrgico, hemodinâmica e radiologia, por meio de entrevista semiestruturada. Posteriormente, por meio de análise documental, analisaram-se os documentos disponíveis no Sistema Gestor de Capacitação da instituição. O método de análise dos dados utilizado foi a de conteúdo de Bardin, dando origem a quatro categorias analíticas: processo de trabalho na enfermagem radiológica; dimensões do processo de trabalho na enfermagem radiológica; o fazer da enfermagem e as competências profissionais e saber-fazer: aquisição de competências para atuação em enfermagem. Os resultados indicam que as tecnologias radiológicas são consideradas instrumentos de trabalho externos à enfermagem, o que pode ter relação com a invisibilidade da radiação ionizante nos ambientes pesquisados. As dimensões do processo de trabalho na enfermagem radiológica relacionam-se entre si, ocorrendo na maioria das vezes de forma simultânea à prestação da assistência, confirmando a complexidade dessa práxis da enfermagem.Evidenciou-se ainda que a enfermagem radiológica se constitui uma área singular de atuação para enfermagem que necessita de mobilização de saberes, habilidades e atitudes inerentes à formação em enfermagem e específicos de física e proteção radiológica. A pesquisa aponta para a necessidade de atualização na Resolução Cofen 211/1998 e importância de se apresentar essa área de atuação aos estudantes de enfermagem, nos momentos da prática supervisionada e estágio curricular. Por fim, sugerem-se novos estudos abordando o desenvolvimento de competências em outras categorias profissionais que também atuam com as tecnologias radiológicas. <br> / Abstract : A qualitative research, with a descriptive and exploratory approach, developed in a School-Hospital located in southern Brazil. Is aimed at analyzing the process of building skills for nurses and Nursing technicians involving the working process of radiological technologies. The research assumes that the radiological technologies represent a developing field for nursing activities and to promote some specific skills in this area of knowledge becomes as essential. For the theoretical analysis we associated the references related to the working process, the knowledge and the professional skills. The data was collected within two different stages, initially among 20 workers: nurses and Nursing technicians allocated in the sectors of the Surgical Center, Hemodynamic and Radiology, through semi-structured interviews. Consequently, through documentary analysis, throw the analysis of available documents in the Manager 's System of Training that is part of the institution. The data analysis was based on the Content Analysis of Bardin, arising four analytical categories: working process in Radiological Nursing; the dimensions of the working process in the Radiological Nursing; the doing of nursing and the professional skills and finally; to know-how: achievement of skills to work in Nursing. The results shows that the radiological technologies are considered instruments of labor external to Nursing, which may be connected to the invisibility of ionizing radiation in the studied environments. The dimensions of the work process in Radiological Nursing relate to each other, most often occurring simultaneously within the care delivery, confirming the complexity of the Nursing praxis. Was also evident that the Radiological Nursing it is a singular area of expertise related to the Nursing area that demands mobilization of knowledge, skills and attitudes inherent to Nursing Education, physics and Radiologicalprotection. The research highlights the need to update the Cofen Resolution 211/1998 and the importance of presenting this area to nursing students among the supervised practice. Finally, we suggest further studies addressing the development of skills in other professions who also work with the Radiological technologies.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-01-26T13:21:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2002-12-03Bitstream added on 2015-01-26T13:30:16Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000183060.pdf: 4013908 bytes, checksum: e7167eeb3f5538be1ab2dbc9bda26e7c (MD5) / A estimativa de crescimento puberal pelas vértebras cervicais, inspecionadas por meio de radiografias cefalométricas laterais, tem sido cada vez mais estudada e utilizada pelo ortodontista/ortopedista facial em função de sua facilidade e confiabilidade, além de minimizar exposição ionizante aos pacientes. O propósito nesta pesquisa foi comparar as fases de maturação óssea das vértebras cervicais, de acordo com o método de Hassel & Fannan26 {1995) com as más-oclusões Classes I e II de Angle5(1899). A inspeção das vértebras cervicais foi realizada, por meio de radiografias cefalométricas em norma lateral, e as más-oclusões através de modelos de estudo em gesso. Foram selecionados 194 pacientes brasileiros sem tratamento ortodôntico/ortopédico facial prévio, sendo 90 meninos e 104 meninas, na faixa etária dos dez aos 14 anos de idade. Após análise estatística, os resultados permitiram concluir que não houve correlação estatística significante entre as fases de maturação óssea das vértebras cervicais com as más-oclusões Classes I e II de Angle e que tanto a inspeção das fases das vértebras cervicais quanto a avaliação das más-oclusões dentárias de Angle devem ser interpretados de forma individual e independente / The estimation of puberal growth of the cervical vertebrae, examined through side cephalometric radiographs, has been more an more studied and used by orthodontists an facial orthopedists due to its reliability an simplicity, besides minimizing the ionizing exposure to the patients. The aim in this research has been to compare the phases oh the bone maturation of cervical vertebrae, according to the Hassel & Farman method26(1995) with the malocclusion Classes I and II of Angle5(1899). The radiographs examination of the cervical vertebrae has been carried out, through cephalometric radiographies, in lateral norm, and the malocclusions through studying models in plaster. For this research 194 brazilian patients who had never undergone a previous orthodontic/facial orfhopedic treatment have been chosen. From this group 90 were boys and 104 were girls, all of them between ten and 14 years old. After statisfical analysis, the results allowed the conclusion that there has not been a significant statistic association between the bone maturation phases of the cervical vertebrae with the malocclusion Classes I and II of Angle, and both the examination of the phases of the cervical vertebrae and the evaluation of the dental malocclusions of Angle should be interpreted in a single and independent way

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-01-31Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:55:46Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 souza_pm_me_botfmvz.pdf: 1069362 bytes, checksum: 10706e28b44664fbdd0a328827c906c4 (MD5) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / O exame ultra-sonográfico fornece informações sobre os aspectos sonográficos normais e das principais afecções que acometem o sistema articular dos animais. Ainda são escassas as informações sobre a utilização do exame ultra-sonográfico para a visibilização e diagnóstico das alterações dos meniscos caninos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estabelecer as imagens ultra-sonográficas normais dos meniscos ex - vivo e inclusos em gelatina na e detectar possíveis alterações, tomando como “padrão ouro” a macroscopia. Exames radiográficos da articulação do joelho foram realizados para fornecer dados sobre alterações articulares. Desenvolveu-se uma técnica para incluir os meniscos em gelatina a fim de analisá-los ultra-sonograficamente. Após a inclusão, imagens ultra-sonográficas foram realizadas dos meniscos para se comparar com as imagens intra-articulares. Nesse experimento foram utilizados 15 cães, machos ou fêmeas, com idade de 8 meses a 192 meses (16 anos), sem histórico clínico. No exame ultra-sonográfico da articulação foi possível observar no plano transversal craniocaudal e caudocranial uma estrutura linear espessa e hiperecogênica dorsal ao côndilo medial, sendo que nesse caso o menisco apresentou 0,48 x 1,25cm e uma dorsal ao côndilo lateral (0,51 x 1,90cm) da tíbia, imagem essa que representou a região central do menisco medial e lateral. Constatou-se que a imagem ultra-sonográfica do plano longitudinal do menisco medial é mais facilmente acessada, do que a do lateral, pois se visibilizou ruptura no menisco medial. Os planos intra-articulares longitudinal caudal e transversal caudal apresentaram melhor visibilização dos meniscos e maior índice de correlação e concordância com as imagens dos meniscos inclusos. Os meniscos dos cães com peso maior do que 20 kg foram mais facilmente visibilizados, embora tenha sido possível também visibilizar os meniscos dos cães com menos de 20 kg. / The ultrasound examination provides information about normal sonographic aspects and main affections that attack the articular system of animals. Information about the use of the ultrasound examination to view and diagnose alterations in canine menisci is still scarce. The objective of this work was to establish normal ultrasound images of ex-vivo menisci and menisci inserted in gelatin and detect possible alterations, taking macroscopy as “gold standard”. Radiographic examinations of the articulation of the knee were performed to provide data about articular alterations. A technique was developed to insert menisci in gelatin in order to analyze them by means of ultrasound examination. After insertion, ultrasound images of the menisci were obtained to make a comparison with intra-articular images. In this experiment, 15 male or female dogs were used, with ages from 8 to 192 months old (16 years old), without clinical history. In the ultrasound examination of the articulation, it was possible to observe a thick and hyperechogenic linear structure in the cranial-caudal and caudal-cranial transversal plan, dorsal to the medial condyle, being that, in this case, the meniscus presented 0,48 x 1,25cm, and another one, dorsal to the lateral condyle (0,51 x 1,90cm) of the tibia, representing the central region of the medial and lateral meniscus. It was verified that the ultrasound image of the longitudinal plan of the medial meniscus is more easily accessed than the lateral one, because a rupture in the medial meniscus was possible to be viewed. Longitudinal caudal and transversal caudal intra-articular plans presented better viewing of the menisci and higher correlation index and consonance with the images of the inserted menisci. The menisci of dogs heavier than 20 kg were more easily viewed, although menisci of dogs lighter than 20 kg were also possible to be viewed.

Orientador: Maria Jaqueline Mamprim / Banca: Sheila Canavese Rahal / Banca: Luciana Del Rio Pinoti Ciarlini / Resumo: O exame ultra-sonográfico fornece informações sobre os aspectos sonográficos normais e das principais afecções que acometem o sistema articular dos animais. Ainda são escassas as informações sobre a utilização do exame ultra-sonográfico para a visibilização e diagnóstico das alterações dos meniscos caninos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estabelecer as imagens ultra-sonográficas normais dos meniscos ex - vivo e inclusos em gelatina na e detectar possíveis alterações, tomando como "padrão ouro" a macroscopia. Exames radiográficos da articulação do joelho foram realizados para fornecer dados sobre alterações articulares. Desenvolveu-se uma técnica para incluir os meniscos em gelatina a fim de analisá-los ultra-sonograficamente. Após a inclusão, imagens ultra-sonográficas foram realizadas dos meniscos para se comparar com as imagens intra-articulares. Nesse experimento foram utilizados 15 cães, machos ou fêmeas, com idade de 8 meses a 192 meses (16 anos), sem histórico clínico. No exame ultra-sonográfico da articulação foi possível observar no plano transversal craniocaudal e caudocranial uma estrutura linear espessa e hiperecogênica dorsal ao côndilo medial, sendo que nesse caso o menisco apresentou 0,48 x 1,25cm e uma dorsal ao côndilo lateral (0,51 x 1,90cm) da tíbia, imagem essa que representou a região central do menisco medial e lateral. Constatou-se que a imagem ultra-sonográfica do plano longitudinal do menisco medial é mais facilmente acessada, do que a do lateral, pois se visibilizou ruptura no menisco medial. Os planos intra-articulares longitudinal caudal e transversal caudal apresentaram melhor visibilização dos meniscos e maior índice de correlação e concordância com as imagens dos meniscos inclusos. Os meniscos dos cães com peso maior do que 20 kg foram mais facilmente visibilizados, embora tenha sido possível também visibilizar os meniscos dos cães com menos de 20 kg. / Abstract: The ultrasound examination provides information about normal sonographic aspects and main affections that attack the articular system of animals. Information about the use of the ultrasound examination to view and diagnose alterations in canine menisci is still scarce. The objective of this work was to establish normal ultrasound images of ex-vivo menisci and menisci inserted in gelatin and detect possible alterations, taking macroscopy as "gold standard". Radiographic examinations of the articulation of the knee were performed to provide data about articular alterations. A technique was developed to insert menisci in gelatin in order to analyze them by means of ultrasound examination. After insertion, ultrasound images of the menisci were obtained to make a comparison with intra-articular images. In this experiment, 15 male or female dogs were used, with ages from 8 to 192 months old (16 years old), without clinical history. In the ultrasound examination of the articulation, it was possible to observe a thick and hyperechogenic linear structure in the cranial-caudal and caudal-cranial transversal plan, dorsal to the medial condyle, being that, in this case, the meniscus presented 0,48 x 1,25cm, and another one, dorsal to the lateral condyle (0,51 x 1,90cm) of the tibia, representing the central region of the medial and lateral meniscus. It was verified that the ultrasound image of the longitudinal plan of the medial meniscus is more easily accessed than the lateral one, because a rupture in the medial meniscus was possible to be viewed. Longitudinal caudal and transversal caudal intra-articular plans presented better viewing of the menisci and higher correlation index and consonance with the images of the inserted menisci. The menisci of dogs heavier than 20 kg were more easily viewed, although menisci of dogs lighter than 20 kg were also possible to be viewed. / Mestre