Nitric oxide is responsible for oxidative skin injury and modulation of cell proliferation after 24 hours of UVB exposures

Nitric oxide (NO) is produced by various mammalian cells and plays a variety of regulatory roles in normal physiology and in pathological processes. This article provides evidence regarding the participation of NO in UVB-induced skin lesions and in the modulation of skin cell proliferation following UVB skin irradiation. Hairless mice were subjected to UVB irradiation for 3 hours and the skin evaluated immediately, 6 and 24 hours postirradiation. The skin lipid peroxidation, and NO levels evaluated by chemiluminescence and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitrotyrosine immunolabelling increased significantly 24 hours after irradiation and decreased under the treatment with aminoguanidine (AG). On the other hand, cell proliferation markers, PCNA and VEGF showed a strong labelling index when AG was used. The data indicate that NO mediates, at least in part, the lipid peroxidation and protein nitration and also promotes the down regulation of factors involved in cell proliferation. This work shows that the NO plays an important role in the oxidative stress damage and on modulation of cell proliferation pathways in UVB irradiated skin.

Comparison of Celsior and Perfadex lung preservation solutions in rat lungs subjected to 6 and 12 hours of ischemia using an ex-vivo lung perfusion system

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the performance of lungs that were preserved with different solutions (Celsior, Perfadex or saline) in an ex vivo rat lung perfusion system. METHODS: Sixty Wistar rats were anesthetized, anticoagulated and randomized into three groups (n = 20). The rats were subjected to antegrade perfusion via the pulmonary artery with Perfadex, Celsior, or saline, followed by 6 or 12 hours of ischemia (4 degrees C, n = 10 in each group). Respiratory mechanics, gas exchange and hemodynamics were measured at 10-minute intervals during the reperfusion of heart-lung blocks in an ex vivo system (IL2-Isolated Perfused Rat or Guinea Pig Lung System, Harvard Apparatus, Holliston, Massachusetts, USA; Hugo Sachs Elektronik, Germany) for 60 minutes. The lungs were prepared for histopathology and evaluated for edema following reperfusion. Group comparisons were performed using ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis test with a 5% level of significance. RESULTS: Gas exchange was not significantly different between lungs perfused with either Perfadex or Celsior at the same ischemic times, but it was very low in lungs that were preserved with saline. Airway resistance was greater in the lungs that were preserved for 12 hours. Celsior lungs that were preserved for 6 and 12 hours exhibited lower airway resistance (p = 0.01) compared to Perfadex lungs. Pulmonary artery pressure was not different between the groups, and no significant differences in histopathology and apoptosis were observed between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Lungs that were preserved with Celsior or Perfadex exhibited similar gas exchange and histopathological findings. Airway resistance was slightly lower in the Celsior-preserved lungs compared with the Perfadex-preserved lungs.

Interchangeability among therapeutic equivalents of lamotrigine: evaluation of quality of life

Epilepsy is the most common serious neurological disorder worldwide. Approximately 70% of patients with epilepsy have their seizures controlled by clinical and pharmacological treatment. This research evaluated the possible influence of interchangeability among therapeutic equivalents of LTG on the clinical condition and quality of life of refractory epileptic patients. The study was divided into three periods of 42 days, and an equivalent therapeutic LTG randomly dispensed for each period (two similars - formulations A and B, and the reference product - formulation C). The mean dose of LTG was 5.5 mg/kg/day. The presence of side effects tends to have a greater deleterious effect on quality of life of refractory epileptics compared to variations in number of seizures or changes in plasma concentrations. The results showed that independently of the drug prescribed, interchangeability among therapeutic equivalents can negatively impact epilepsy control.

ISOLATION OF MICROSPORUM GYPSEUM IN SOIL SAMPLES FROM DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHICAL REGIONS OF BRAZIL, EVALUATION OF THE EXTRACELLULAR PROTEOLYTIC ENZYMES ACTIVITIES (KERATINASE AND ELASTASE) AND MOLECULAR SEQUENCING OF SELECTED STRAINS

A survey of Microsporum gypseum was conducted in soil samples in different geographical regions of Brazil. The isolation of dermatophyte from soil samples was performed by hair baiting technique and the species were identified by morphology studies. We analyzed 692 soil samples and the recuperating rate was 19.2%. The activities of keratinase and elastase were quantitatively performed in 138 samples. The sequencing of the ITS region of rDNA was performed in representatives samples. M. gypseum isolates showed significant quantitative differences in the expression of both keratinase and elastase, but no significant correlation was observed between these enzymes. The sequencing of the representative samples revealed the presence of two teleomorphic species of M. gypseum (Arthroderma gypseum and A. incurvatum). The enzymatic activities may play an important role in the pathogenicity and a probable adaptation of this fungus to the animal parasitism. Using the phenotypical and molecular analysis, the Microsporum identification and their teleomorphic states will provide a useful and reliable identification system.

Inter-rater reliability of the evaluation of muscular chains associated with posture alterations in scoliosis

Background: In the Global postural re-education (GPR) evaluation, posture alterations are associated with anterior or posterior muscular chain impairments. Our goal was to assess the reliability of the GPR muscular chain evaluation. Methods: Design: Inter-rater reliability study. Fifty physical therapists (PTs) and two experts trained in GPR assessed the standing posture from photographs of five youths with idiopathic scoliosis using a posture analysis grid with 23 posture indices (PI). The PTs and experts indicated the muscular chain associated with posture alterations. The PTs were also divided into three groups according to their experience in GPR. Experts' results (after consensus) were used to verify agreement between PTs and experts for muscular chain and posture assessments. We used Kappa coefficients (K) and the percentage of agreement (%A) to assess inter-rater reliability and intra-class coefficients (ICC) for determining agreement between PTs and experts. Results: For the muscular chain evaluation, reliability was moderate to substantial for 12 PI for the PTs (% A: 56 to 82; K: 0.42 to 0.76) and perfect for 19 PI for the experts. For posture assessment, reliability was moderate to substantial for 12 PI for the PTs (% A > 60%; K: 0.42 to 0.75) and moderate to perfect for 18 PI for the experts (% A: 80 to 100; K: 0.55 to 1.00). The agreement between PTs and experts was good for most muscular chain evaluations (18 PI; ICC: 0.82 to 0.99) and PI (19 PI; ICC: 0.78 to 1.00). Conclusions: The GPR muscular chain evaluation has good reliability for most posture indices. GPR evaluation should help guide physical therapists in targeting affected muscles for treatment of abnormal posture patterns.

Isolation of Microsporum gypseum in soil samples from different geographical regions of Brazil, evaluation of the extracellular proteolytic enzymes activities (keratinase and elastase) and molecular sequencing of selected strains

A survey of Microsporum gypseum was conducted in soil samples in different geographical regions of Brazil. The isolation of dermatophyte from soil samples was performed by hair baiting technique and the species were identified by morphology studies. We analyzed 692 soil samples and the recuperating rate was 19.2%. The activities of keratinase and elastase were quantitatively performed in 138 samples. The sequencing of the ITS region of rDNA was performed in representatives samples. M. gypseum isolates showed significant quantitative differences in the expression of both keratinase and elastase, but no significant correlation was observed between these enzymes. The sequencing of the representative samples revealed the presence of two teleomorphic species of M. gypseum (Arthroderma gypseum and A. incurvatum). The enzymatic activities may play an important role in the pathogenicity and a probable adaptation of this fungus to the animal parasitism. Using the phenotypical and molecular analysis, the Microsporum identification and their teleomorphic states will provide a useful and reliable identification system.

Interchangeability among therapeutic equivalents of lamotrigine: evaluation of quality of life

Epilepsy is the most common serious neurological disorder worldwide. Approximately 70% of patients with epilepsy have their seizures controlled by clinical and pharmacological treatment. This research evaluated the possible influence of interchangeability among therapeutic equivalents of LTG on the clinical condition and quality of life of refractory epileptic patients. The study was divided into three periods of 42 days, and an equivalent therapeutic LTG randomly dispensed for each period (two similars - formulations A and B, and the reference product - formulation C). The mean dose of LTG was 5.5 mg/kg/day. The presence of side effects tends to have a greater deleterious effect on quality of life of refractory epileptics compared to variations in number of seizures or changes in plasma concentrations. The results showed that independently of the drug prescribed, interchangeability among therapeutic equivalents can negatively impact epilepsy control.

Evaluation of Microorganisms with Sulfidogenic Metabolic Potential under Anaerobic Conditions

The aim of this work was to identify groups of microorganisms that are capable of degrading organic matter utilizing sulfate as an electron acceptor. The assay applied for this purpose consisted of running batch reactors and monitoring lactate consumption, sulfate reduction and sulfide production. A portion of the lactate added to the batch reactors was consumed, and the remainder was converted into acetic, propionic and butyric acid after 111 hours of operation These results indicate the presence of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) catalyzing both complete and incomplete oxidation of organic substrates. The sulfate removal efficiency was 49.5% after 1335 hours of operation under an initial sulfate concentration of 1123 mg/L. The SRB concentrations determined by the most probable number (MPN) method were 9.0x10(7) cells/mL at the beginning of the assay and 8.0x10(5) cells/mL after 738 hours of operation.

Evaluation of microorganisms with sulfidogenic metabolic potential under anaerobic conditions

The aim of this work was to identify groups of microorganisms that are capable of degrading organic matter utilizing sulfate as an electron acceptor. The assay applied for this purpose consisted of running batch reactors and monitoring lactate consumption, sulfate reduction and sulfide production. A portion of the lactate added to the batch reactors was consumed, and the remainder was converted into acetic, propionic and butyric acid after 111 hours of operation These results indicate the presence of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) catalyzing both complete and incomplete oxidation of organic substrates. The sulfate removal efficiency was 49.5% after 1335 hours of operation under an initial sulfate concentration of 1123 mg/L. The SRB concentrations determined by the most probable number (MPN) method were 9.0x10(7) cells/mL at the beginning of the assay and 8.0x10(5) cells/mL after 738 hours of operation.

Leukograms of healthy Holstein calves within the first month of life

To establish reference values and to assess the influence of age on the leukograms of healthy Holstein calves, blood samples were obtained from 300 animals. These samples were distributed equally (n=20) among 15 experimental groups according to age: birth to 8 hours, 9 to 16 hours, 17 to 24 hours, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 to 7 days, 8 to 9 days, 10 to 11 days, 12 to 13 days, 14 to 15 days, 16 to 20 days, 21 to 25 days and 26 to 30 days of age. The maximum numbers of leukocytes (9,305.0/mL), segmented neutrophils (6,551.2/mL) and total neutrophils (6,678.3/mL) were noted within the first 8 hours of life, while band neutrophils peaked in number (133.3/mL) between 9 and 16 hours after birth. Meanwhile, the maximum total lymphocyte (4,992.1/µL) and typical lymphocyte (4,686.1/µL) counts occurred between 21 and 25 days, whereas atypical lymphocytes (388.5/µL) reached their maximum number between 26 and 30 days, demonstrating an inversion of the neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio over time. Thus, the influence of age on the leukocyte count of the evaluated calves was verified. The release of endogenous corticosteroids during labor or at birth may contribute to this variation in leukograms with age.

EVALUATION OF THE PASSIVE RESISTIVE TORQUE IN FEMALE ATHLETES WITH ANKLE SPRAIN

Introduction: The ankle sprain is one of the most common injuries in athletes. Direct evaluation of the ligament laxity can be obtained through the objective measurement of extreme passive inversion and eversion movements, but there are few studies on the use of the evaluation of the passive resistive torque of the ankle to assess the capsule and ligaments resistance. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the inversion and eversion passive torque in athletes with and without ankle sprains history. Method: 32 female basketball and volleyball athletes (16.06 +/- 0.8 years old; 67.63 +/- 8.17 kg; 177.8 +/- 6.47 cm) participated in this study. Their ankles were divided into two groups: control group (29), composed of symptom-free ankles, and ankle sprain group, composed of ankles which have suffered injury (29). The resistive torque at maximum passive ankle movement was measured by the isokinetic dynamometer and the muscular activity by electromyography system. The athletes performed 2 repetitions of inversion and eversion movement at 5, 10 and 20 degrees/s and the same protocol only at maximum inversion movement. Results: The resistive passive torque during the inversion and eversion was lower in the ankle sprain group. This group also showed lower torques at the maximum inversion movement. No differences were observed between inversion and eversion movement. Conclusions: Ankle sprain leads to lower passive torque, indicating reduction of the resistance of the lateral ankle ligaments and mechanical laxity.

Clinical evaluation of the failure rate of metallic brackets bonded with orthodontic composites

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate in vivo the failure rate of metallic brackets bonded with two orthodontic composites. Nineteen patients with ages ranging from 10.5 to 38.7 years needing corrective orthodontic treatment were selected for study. The enamel surfaces from second premolars to second premolars were treated with Transbond Plus-Self Etching Primer (3M Unitek). Next, 380 orthodontic brackets were bonded on maxillary and mandibular teeth, as follows: 190 with Transbond XT composite (3M Unitek) (control) and 190 with Transbond Plus Color Change (3M Unitek) (experimental) in contralateral quadrants. The bonded brackets were light cured for 40 s, and initial alignment archwires were inserted. Bond failure rates were recorded over a six-month period. At the end of the evaluation, six bond failures occurred, three for each composite. Kaplan-Meyer method and log-rank test (Mantel-Cox) was used for statistical analysis, and no statistically significant difference was found between the materials (p=0.999). Both Transbond XT and Transbond Plus Color Change composites had low debonding rates over the study period.