Degree of endothelium injury promotes fibroelastogenesis in experimental acute lung injury

We tested the hypothesis that at the early phase of acute lung injury (ALI) the degree of endothelium injury may predict lung parenchyma remodelling For this purpose, two models of extrapulmonary ALI induced by Escherichia col: lipopolysaccharide (ALI-LPS) or cecal ligation and puncture (ALI-CLP) were developed in mice At day 1, these models had similar degrees of lung mechanical compromise, epithelial damage, and intraperitoneal inflammation, but endothelial lesion was greater in ALI-CLP A time course analysis revealed, at day 7 ALI-CLP had higher degrees of epithelial lesion, denudation of basement membrane, endothelial damage, elastic and collagen fibre content, neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), peritoneal fluid and blood, levels of interleukin-6, KC (murine analogue of IL-8), and transforming growth factor-beta in BALF Conversely, the number of lung apoptotic cells was similar in both groups In conclusion, the intensity of fibroelastogenesis was affected by endothelium injury in addition to the maintenance of epithelial damage and intraperitoneal inflammation. (C) 2010 Elsevier B V All rights reserved

Low-Intensity Swimming Training Partially Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury

RAMOS, D. S. C. R. OLIVO. F. D. QUIRINO SANTOS LOPES, A. C. TOLEDO, M. A. MARTINS, R. A. LAZO OSORIO. M. DOLHNIKOFF, W. RIBEIRO, and R. R VIEIRA. Low-Intensity Swimming Training Partially Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc.. Vol. 42, No. 1, pp. 113-119, 2010. Background: Aerobic exercise-decreases pulmonary inflammation and remodeling in experimental models of allergic asthma. However, the effects of aerobic exercise oil pulmonary inflammation of nonallergic Origin, such as in experimental models of acute long injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), have not been evaluated. Objective: The present study evaluated file effects of aerobic exercise in a model of LPS-induced acute lung injury. Methods: BALB/c mice were divided into four groups: Control, Aerobic Exercise, LPS, and Aerobic Exercise + LPS. Swimming tests were conducted at baseline and at 3 and 6 wk. Low-Intensity swimming training was performed for 6 wk, four times per week, 60 min per session. Intranasal LPS (1 mg.kg(-1) (60 mu g per mouse)) was instilled 24 It after the last swimming physical test in the LPS and Aerobic Exercise + LPS mice, and the animals were studied 24 It after LPS instillation. Exhaled nitric oxide, respiratory mechanics, total and differential cell Counts in bronchoalveolar lavage, and lung parenchymal inflammation and remodeling were evaluated. Results: LPS instillation resulted in increased levels of exhaled nitric oxide (P < 0.001), higher numbers of neutrophils in file bronchoalveolar lavage (P < 0.001) and in the lung parenchyma (P < 0.001), and decreased lung tissue resistance (P < 0.05) and volume proportion of elastic fibers (P < 0.01) compared with the Control group. Swim training in LPS-instilled animals resulted in significantly lower exhaled nitric oxide levels (P < 0.001) and fewer nelltrophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage (P < 0.001) and the lung parenchyma (P < 0.01) compared with the LPS group. Conclusions: These results Suggest that low-intensity swimming training inhibits lung neutrophilic inflammation, but not remodeling and impaired lung mechanics, in a model of LPS-induced acute lung injury.

Balance between early life tolerance and sensitization in allergy: dependence on the timing and intensity of prenatal and postnatal allergen exposure of the mother

P>Allergens can be maternally transferred to the fetus or neonate, though it is uncertain how this initial allergen exposure may impact the development of allergy responses. To evaluate the roles of timing and level of maternal allergen exposure in the early life sensitization of progeny, female BALB/c mice were given ovalbumin (OVA) orally during pregnancy, lactation or weekly at each stage to investigate the immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody production and cellular responsiveness of their offspring. Exposure to OVA during pregnancy was also evaluated in OVA-specific T-cell receptor (TCR) transgenic (DO11.10) mice. The effect of prenatal antigen exposure on offspring sensitization was dependent on antigen intake, with low-dose OVA inducing tolerance followed by neonatal immunization that was sustained even when pups were immunized when 3 weeks old. These offspring received high levels of transforming growth factor-beta via breastfeeding. High-dose exposure during the first week of pregnancy or perinatal period induced transient inhibition of IgE production following neonatal immunization; although for later immunization IgE production was enhanced in these offspring. Postnatal maternal antigen exposure provided OVA transference via breastfeeding, which consequently induced increased offspring susceptibility to IgE antibody production according to week post-birth. The effect of low-dose maternal exposure during pregnancy was further evaluated using OVA transgenic TCR dams as a model. These progeny presented pronounced entry of CD4(+) T cells into the S phase of the cell cycle with a skewed T helper type 2 response early in life, revealing the occurrence of allergen priming in utero. The balance between tolerance and sensitization depended on the amount and timing of maternal allergen intake during pregnancy.

AGE DOES NOT AFFECT EXERCISE INTENSITY PROGRESSION AMONG WOMEN

Ciolac, EG, Brech, GC, and Greve, JMD. Age does not affect exercise intensity progression among women. J Strength Cond Res 24(11): 3023-3031, 2010-It has been recommended that the intensity of exercise training (ET) should progress slowly with lower increments in older than in young people. However, scientific evidence supporting this recommendation is lacking. Our aim was to examine possible influences of age on exercise intensity progression in healthy women. Seventeen young (29.1 +/- 5.7 years) and 16 older women (64.5 +/- 4.5 years) underwent 13 weeks of ET consisting of cycle ergometry (CE, 65-75% of reserve heart rate), whole-body resistance exercise (RE, 60% of 1 repetition maximum [1RM]), and stretching. Muscle strength was assessed before and after ET by the 1RM. Cycle ergometry and RE workloads were recorded for each exercise session, and increases of 5-10% were made whenever adaptation occurred. Absolute muscle strength after ET improved (p < 0.001) in both groups, and there were no significant differences between groups. Relative exercise intensity progression was not significantly different between groups for RE (Pearson`s correlation = 0.98 +/- 0.01), but it was greater in older women for CE (p = 0.047). The ET was safe because no injuries or major muscle pain was observed in either group. These results suggest that healthy older women are capable of exercising and increasing exercise intensity in the same way as young women.

Noninvasive Brain Stimulation With High-Frequency and Low-Intensity Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Objective: We aimed to investigate the efficacy of 20 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of either right or left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) as compared to sham rTMS for the relief of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-associated symptoms. Method: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II trial conducted between October 2005 and July 2008, 30 patients with DSM-IV-diagnosed PTSD were randomly assigned to receive 1 of the following treatments: active 20 Hz rTMS of the right DLPFC, active 20 Hz rTMS of the left DLPFC, or sham rTMS. Treatments were administered in 10 daily sessions over 2 weeks. A blinded rater assessed severity of core PTSD symptoms, depression, and anxiety before, during, and after completion of the treatment protocol. In addition, a battery of neuropsychological tests was measured before and after treatment. Results: Results show that both active conditions-20 Hz rTMS of left and right DLPFC induced a significant decrease in PTSD symptoms as indexed by the PTSD Checklist and Treatment Outcome PTSD Scale; however, right rTMS induced a larger effect as compared to left rTMS. In addition, there was a significant improvement of mood after left rTMS and a significant reduction of anxiety following right rTMS. Improvements in PTSD symptoms were long lasting; effects were still significant at the 3-month follow-up. Finally, neuropsychological evaluation showed that active 20 Hz rTMS is not associated with cognitive worsening and is safe for use in patients with PTSD. Conclusions: These results support the notion that modulation of prefrontal cortex can alleviate the core symptoms of PTSD and suggest that high-frequency rTMS of right DLPFC might be the optimal treatment strategy. J an Psychiatry 2010;71(8):992-999 (C) Copyright 2009 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.

Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound Accelerates Healing in Rat Calcaneus Tendon Injuries

STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of low-intensity therapeutic ultrasound on the murine calcaneus tendon healing process. BACKGROUND: Therapeutic ultrasound promotes formation and maturation of scar tissue. METHODS: Calcaneus tendon tenotomy and tenorrhaphy was performed on 28 Wistar rats. After the procedure, the animals were randomly divided into 2 groups. The animals in the experimental group received a 5-minute ultrasound application, once a day, at a frequency of 1 MHz, a spatial average temporal average intensity of 0.1 W/cm(2), and a spatial average intensity of 0.52 W/cm(2) at a 16-Hz frequency pulse mode (duty cycle, 20%). Data for the injured side were normalized in relation to the data from the contralateral healthy calcaneus tendon (relative values). The animals in the control group received sham treatment. After a 28-day treatment period, the animals were sacrificed and their tendons surgically removed and subjected to mechanical stress testing. The parameters analyzed were cross-sectional area (mm(2)), ultimate load (N), tensile strength (MPa), and energy absorption (mJ). RESULTS: A significant difference between groups was found for the relative values of ultimate load and tensile strength. The mean +/- SD ultimate load of the control group was -3.5% +/- 32.2% compared to 33.3% +/- 26.8% for the experimental group (P = .005). The mean tensile strength of the control group was -47.7% +/- 19.5% compared to -28.1% +/- 24.1% for the experimental group (P = .019). No significant difference was found in cross-sectional area and energy absorption. CONCLUSION: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound produced by a conventional therapeutic ultrasound unit can positively influence the calcaneus tendon healing process in rats. J Ort hop Sports Phys Ther 2011;41(7):526-531, Epub 2 February 2011. doi:10.2519/jospt.2011.3468

High and Low Frequency TENS Reduce Postoperative Pain Intensity After Laparoscopic Tubal Ligation A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is an effective adjunctive therapy for postoperative pain; however, effects of different frequencies Of stimulation have not been systematically investigated. Laparoscopic sterilization (LS) causes significant pain in the early postoperative period and requires substantial postoperative medication. Therefore, we studied the effects of TENS on postoperative pain after LS through placement of Yoon fallopian rings in a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled study. Methods: Sixty-four patients undergoing LS for uterine tube ligation were randomly allocated to receive either active TENS or placebo TENS. Postoperative pain was evaluated using a standard I I-point numeric rating scale and the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ)-pain rating index and number of words chosen. Both high frequency (100 Hz) and low frequency (4 Hz) TENS, at strong, but comfortable sensory intensity, were applied for 20 minutes through 4 electrodes placed around the surgical incision immediately after Surgery. Pain was assessed before and after application of TENS when patients were at postanesthesia care unit (PACU). Results: Both high and low frequency TENS significantly decreased postoperative pain intensity when compared with before administration of TENS using the numeric rating scale (P = 0.001), pain rating index (P = 0.001), and number of words chosen (P 0.001) compared with placebo TENS (P = 0.001). TENS in combination with standard pharmacologic analgesic treatment was efficacious for postoperative pain relief after LS. Conclusions: We recommend regular use of multimodal therapy with TENS and analgesic drugs after LS with placement of Yoon rings.

THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT VOLUMES OF ACUTE RESISTANCE EXERCISE ON ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS WITH TREATED HYPERTENSION

Scher, LML, Ferriolli, E, Moriguti, JC, Scher, R, and Lima, NKC. The effect of different volumes of acute resistance exercise on elderly individuals with treated hypertension. J Strength Cond Res 25(4): 1016-1023, 2011-Acute resistance exercise can reduce the blood pressure (BP) of hypertensive subjects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different volumes of acute low-intensity resistance exercise over the magnitude and the extent of BP changes in treated hypertensive elderly individuals. Sixteen participants (7 men, 9 women), with mean age of 68 6 5 years, performed 3 independent randomized sessions: Control (C: 40 minutes of rest), Exercise 1 (E1: 20 minutes, 1 lap in the circuit), and Exercise 2 (E2: 40 minutes, 2 laps in the circuit) with the intensity of 40% of 1 repetition maximum. Blood pressure was measured before (during 20 minutes) and after each session (every 5 minutes during 60 minutes) using both a mercury sphygmomanometer and a semiautomatic device (Omrom-HEM-431). After that, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed (Dyna-MAPA). Blood pressure decreased during the first 60 minutes (systolic: p < 0.01, diastolic: p < 0.05) after all exercise sessions. Only the highest volume session promoted a reduction of mean systolic 24-hour BP and awake BP (p, 0.05) after exercise, with higher diastolic BP during sleep (p, 0.05). Diastolic 24-hour BP and both systolic and diastolic BP during sleep were higher after E1 (p, 0.05). Concluding, acute resistive exercise sessions in a circuit with different volumes reduced BP during the first 60 minutes after exercise in elderly individuals with treated hypertension. However, only the highest volume promoted a reduction of mean 24-hour and awake systolic BP.

Social anxiety disorder women easily recognize fearfull, sad and happy faces: The influence of gender

Background: It has been suggested that individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD) are exaggeratedly concerned about approval and disapproval by others. Therefore, we assessed the recognition of facial expressions by individuals with SAD, in an attempt to overcome the limitations of previous studies. Methods: The sample was formed by 231 individuals (78 SAD patients and 153 healthy controls). All individuals were treatment naive, aged 18-30 years and with similar socioeconomic level. Participants judged which emotion (happiness, sadness, disgust, anger, fear, and surprise) was presented in the facial expression of stimuli displayed on a computer screen. The stimuli were manipulated in order to depict different emotional intensities, with the initial image being a neutral face (0%) and, as the individual moved on across images, the expressions increased their emotional intensity until reaching the total emotion (100%). The time, accuracy, and intensity necessary to perform judgments were evaluated. Results: The groups did not show statistically significant differences in respect to the number of correct judgments or to the time necessary to respond. However, women with SAD required less emotional intensity to recognize faces displaying fear (p = 0.002), sadness (p = 0.033) and happiness (p = 0.002), with no significant differences for the other emotions or men with SAD. Conclusions: The findings suggest that women with SAD are hypersensitive to threat-related and approval-related social cues. Future studies investigating the neural basis of the impaired processing of facial emotion in SAD using functional neuroimaging would be desirable and opportune. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

LOW-INTENSITY ULTRASOUND APPLICATION IN DISTAL RADIUS METAPHYSEAL BONE DEFECTS OF DOGS

We assessed the repair of transverse, 3-mm wide bone gaps created at the distal radius in 28 dogs that were randomly divided into two 14-animal groups; one was the control group and the other received a daily, 20-min application of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound for 100 days. Sequential radiographs, histomorphometrics, bone fluorescent histology and bone vascularity assessments found that all animals from both groups obtained a stage of hypertrophic-type nonunion with fibrocartilage tissue formation throughout the region of osteotomy. However, treated animals exhibited areas of endochondral ossification within the fibrocartilage region. There was no difference in type of vascularity or the newly formed bone process obtained by tetracycline labeling. Application of low-intensity ultrasound was not capable of significantly changing the reparative process and it may not be sufficiently powerful to overcome a combination of local deleterious effects on bone healing, created by gapping, excessive motion and periosteal resection. (E-mail: jbvolpon@fmrp.usp.br) (C) 2010 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology.

Low-intensity Treadmill Exercise-related Changes in the Rat Stellate Ganglion Neurons

Stellate ganglion (SG) represents the main sympathetic input to the heart. This study aimed at investigating physical exercise-related changes in the quantitative aspects of SG neurons in treadmill-exercised Wistar rats. By applying state-of-the-art design-based stereology, the SG volume, total number of SG neurons, mean perikaryal volume of SG neurons, and the total volume of neurons in the whole SG have been examined. Arterial pressure and heart rate were also measured at the end of the exercise period. The present study showed that a low-intensity exercise training program caused a 12% decrease in the heart rate of trained rats. In contrast, there were no effects on systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, or mean arterial pressure. As to quantitative changes related to physical exercise, the main findings were a 21% increase in the fractional volume occupied by neurons in the SG, and an 83% increase in the mean perikaryal volume of SG neurons in treadmill-trained rats, which shows a remarkable neuron hypertrophy. It seems reasonable to infer that neuron hypertrophy may have been the result of a functional overload imposed on the SG neurons by initial posttraining sympathetic activation. From the novel stereological data we provide, further investigations are needed to shed light on the mechanistic aspect of neuron hypertrophy: what role does neuron hypertrophy play? Could neuron hypertrophy be assigned to the functional overload induced by physical exercise? (C) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Calcitonin, sodium alendronate and high intensity laser in the treatment of traumatized teeth: a preliminary study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser compared with traditional treatment on dentin permeability to calcitonin and sodium alendronate. Forty bovine roots were sectioned and divided into eight groups. Groups 1 and 2 (G1/G2) were immersed in saline solution; G1T/G2T were immersed in ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid plus sodium lauryl ether sulfate (EDTA-T) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl); G1I/G2I were irradiated with Er:YAG laser (2.94 mu m, 6 Hz, 40.4 J/cm(2)); G1TI/G2TI were immersed in EDTA-T, NaOCl and subjected to Er:YAG irradiation. After 4 h the radioactivity of the saline solution was measured. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference (P < 0.05) when the groups treated with EDTA-T and NaOCl followed by Er:YAG laser irradiation were compared with the groups treated with EDTA-T only and with the groups that received no treatment. Er:YAG laser associated with traditional procedures significantly increased the diffusion of calcitonin and sodium alendronate through dentin. All groups showed calcitonin and sodium alendronate diffusion.

Effect of low-intensity laser therapy on mast cell degranulation in human oral mucosa

Little is known about the physiological mechanisms related to low-intensity laser therapy (LILT), particularly in acute inflammation and subsequent wound healing. The objective of this study was to verify the effect of LILT on mast cell degranulation. Epulis fissuratum tissues from eight patients were used. One part of the lesion was irradiated with an AsGaAl laser (lambda = 670 nm, 8.0 J/cm(2), 5 mW, 4 min). The other part was not irradiated. Then, the specimens were immediately removed, fixed and examined by light microscopy. The number of mast cells was similar in laser-treated samples when compared with non-irradiated specimens. The degranulation indexes of the mast cells observed in the irradiated samples were significantly higher than those of controls (P < 0.05). LILT with the parameters used increased the number of degranulated mast cells in oral mucosa.

Stem cell proliferation under low intensity laser irradiation: A preliminary study

Background and Objectives: Phototherapy with low intensity laser irradiation has shown to be effective in promoting the proliferation of different cells. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the potential effect of laser phototherapy (660 nm) on human dental pulp stem cell (hDPSC) proliferation. Study Design/Materials and Methods: The hDPSC cell strain was used. Cells cultured under nutritional deficit (10% FBS) were either irradiated or not (control) using two different power settings (20 mW/6 seconds to 40 mW/3 seconds), with an InGaAIP diode laser. The cell growth was indirectly assessed by measuring the cell mitochondrial activity through the MTT reduction-based cytotoxicity assay. Results: The group irradiated with the 20 mW setting presented significantly higher MTT activity at 72 hours than the other two groups (negative control-10% FBSand lased 40 mW with 3 seconds exposure time). After 24 hours of the first irradiation, cultures grown under nutritional deficit (10% FBS) and irradiated presented significantly higher viable cells than the non-irradiated cultures grown under the same nutritional conditions. Conclusions: Under the conditions of this study it was possible to conclude that the cell strain hDPSC responds positively to laser phototherapy by improving the cell growth when cultured under nutritional deficit conditions. Thus, the association of laser phototherapy and hDPSC cells could be of importance for future tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Moreover, it opens the possibility of using laser phototherapy for improving the cell growth of other types of stem cells.

Stress intensity factor threshold in dental porcelains

The stress intensity factor threshold (K(IO)) is related to the stress level at which cracks start to grow stably, causing the weakening of porcelain prostheses during their use. The values of K(IO) of seven dental porcelains (with and without reinforcing leucite crystal, KAlSi(2)O(6)) stored in air (22 degrees C, 60% relative humidity) and artificial saliva (37 degrees C) were determined by measuring the crack growth velocity of radial cracks generated at the corner of Vickers indentations. The results of K(IO) were correlated with the leucite content, fracture toughness (K(Ic)), and chemical composition of the porcelains. It was observed that K(IO) increased with the increase of leucite content (only for the leucite-based porcelains) and with the increase of K(Ic). The increase in Al(2)O(3) content or the decrease in the alkali oxide (K(2)O and Na(2)O) content of the material`s glassy matrix tended to increase the K(IO) values. Storage media (air and saliva) did not significantly affect the K(IO) of porcelains tested, indicating that the control parameter of K(IO) value was not the water content of the storage media.