Effects of Self-Assembled Materials Prepared from V(2)O(5) for Lithium Ion Electroinsertion

Self-assembled materials consisting of V(2)O(5), polyallylamine (PAR) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were obtained by the layer-by-layer (LbL) method, aiming at their application as electrodes for lithium-ion batteries and electrochromic devices. The method employed herein allowed for linear growth of visually homogeneous films composed of V(2)O(5), V(2)O(5)/PAH, and V(2)O(5)/PAH/AgNP with 15 bilayers. According to the Fourier transform infrared spectra, interaction between the oxygen atom of the vanadyl group and the amino group should be responsible for the growth of these films. This interaction also enabled establishment of an electrostatic shield between the lithium ions and the sites with higher negative charge, thereby raising the ionic mobility and consequently increasing the energy storage capacity and reducing the response time. According to the site-saturation model and the electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical results, the presence of PAH in the self-assembled host matrix decreased the number of V(2)O(5) electroactive sites. Thus, AgNPs were stabilized in PAR and inserted into the nanoarchitecture, so as to enhance the specific capacity. This should provide new conducting pathways and connect isolated V(2)O(5) particles in the host matrix. Therefore, new nanoarchitectures for specific interactions were formed spontaneously and chosen as examples in this work, aiming to demonstrate the potentiality of the adopted self-assembled method for enhancing the charge transport rate into the host matrices. The obtained materials displayed suitable properties for use as electrodes in lithium batteries and electrochromic devices.

The Role of Membranous Urethral Afferent Autonomic Innervation in the Continence Mechanism After Nerve Sparing Radical Prostatectomy: A Clinical and Prospective Study

Purpose: We evaluated the somatic and autonomic innervation of the pelvic floor and rhabdosphincter before and after nerve sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy using neurophysiological tests and correlated findings with clinical parameters and urinary continence. Materials and Methods: From February 2003 to October 2005, 46 patients with prostate cancer were enrolled in a controlled, prospective study. Patients were evaluated before and 6 months after nerve sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy using the UCLA-PCI urinary function domain and neurophysiological tests, including somatosensory evoked potential, and the pudendo-urethral, pudendo-anal and urethro-anal reflexes. Clinical parameters and urinary continence were correlated with afferent and efferent innervation of the membranous urethra and pelvic floor. We used strict criteria to define urinary continence as complete dryness with no leakage at all, not requiring any pads or diapers and with a UCLA-PCI score of 500. Patients with a sporadic drop of leakage, requiring up to 1 pad daily, were defined as having occasional urinary leakage. Results: Two patients were excluded from study due to urethral stricture postoperatively. We evaluated 44 patients within 6 months after surgery. The pudendo-anal and pudendo-urethral reflexes were unchanged postoperatively (p = 0.93 and 0.09, respectively), demonstrating that afferent and efferent pudendal innervation to this pelvic region was not affected by the surgery. Autonomic afferent denervation of the membranous urethral mucosa was found in 34 patients (77.3%), as demonstrated by a postoperative increase in the urethro-anal reflex sensory threshold and urethro-anal reflex latency (p<0.001 and 0.0007, respectively). Six of the 44 patients used pads. One patient with more severe leakage required 3 pads daily and 23 showed urinary leakage, including 5 who needed 1 pad per day and 18 who did not wear pads. Afferent autonomic denervation at the membranous urethral mucosa was found in 91.7% of patients with urinary leakage. Of 10 patients with preserved urethro-anal reflex latency 80% were continent. Conclusions: Sensory and motor pudendal innervation to this specific pelvic region did not change after nerve sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy. Significant autonomic afferent denervation of the membranous urethral mucosa was present in most patients postoperatively. Impaired membranous urethral sensitivity seemed to be associated with urinary incontinence, particularly in patients with occasional urinary leakage. Damage to the afferent autonomic innervation may have a role in the continence mechanism after nerve sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy.

Profiling the Proteome of the Venom from the Social Wasp Polybia paulista: A Clue to Understand the Envenoming Mechanism

The study reported here is a classical bottom-up proteomic approach where proteins from wasp venom were extracted and separated by 2-DE; the individual protein spots were proteolytically digested and subsequently identified by using tandem mass spectrometry and database query with the protein search engine MASCOT. Eighty-four venom proteins belonging to 12 different molecular functions were identified. These proteins were classified into three groups; the first is constituted of typical venom proteins: antigens-5, hyaluronidases, phospholipases, heat shock proteins, metalloproteinases, metalloproteinase-desintegrin like proteins, serine proteinases, proteinase inhibitors, vascular endothelial growth factor-related protein, arginine kinases, Sol i-II and -II like proteins, alpha-glucosidase, and superoxide dismutases. The second contained proteins structurally related to the muscles that involves the venom reservoir. The third group, associated with the housekeeping of cells from venom glands, was composed of enzymes, membrane proteins of different types, and transcriptional factors. The composition of P. paulista venom permits us to hypothesize about a general envenoming mechanism based on five actions: (i) diffusion of venom through the tissues and to the blood, (ii) tissue, (iii) hemolysis, (iv) inflammation, and (v) allergy-played by antigen-5, PLA1, hyaluronidase, HSP 60, HSP 90, and arginine kinases.

Depression: a predictor of smoking relapse in a 6-month follow-up after hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome

Objective The objective of the study was to investigate whether depression is a predictor of postdischarge smoking relapse among patients hospitalized for myocardial infarction (MI) or unstable angina (ILIA), in a smoke-free hospital. Methods Current smokers with MI or UA were interviewed while hospitalized; patients classified with major depression (MD) or no humor disorder were reinterviewed 6 months post discharge to ascertain smoking status. Potential predictors of relapse (depression; stress; anxiety; heart disease risk perception; coffee and alcohol consumption; sociodemographic, clinical, and smoking habit characteristics) were compared between those with MD (n = 268) and no humor disorder (n = 135). Results Relapsers (40.4%) were more frequently and more severely depressed, had higher anxiety and lower self-efficacy scale scores, diagnosis of UA, shorter hospitalizations, started smoking younger, made fewer attempts to quit, had a consort less often, and were more frequently at the `precontemplation` stage of change. Multivariate analysis showed relapse-positive predictors to be MD [odds ratio (OR): 2.549; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.519-4.275] (P<0.001); `precontemplation` stage of change (OR: 7.798; 95% CI: 2.442-24.898) (P<0.001); previous coronary bypass graft surgery (OR: 4.062; 95% CI: 1.356-12.169) (P=0.012); and previous anxiolytic use (OR: 2.365; 95% CI: 1.095-5.107) (P=0.028). Negative predictors were diagnosis of MI (OR: 0.575; 95% CI: 0.361-0.916) (P=0.019); duration of hospitalization (OR: 0.935; 95% CI: 0.898-0.973) (P=0.001); smoking onset age (OR: 0.952; 95% CI: 0.910-0.994) (P=0.028); number of attempts to quit smoking (OR: 0.808; 95% CI: 0.678-0.964) (P=0.018); and `action` stage of change (OR: 0.065; 95% CI: 0.008-0.532) (P= 0.010). Conclusion Depression, no motivation, shorter hospitalization, and severity of illness contributed to postdischarge resumption of smoking by patients with acute coronary syndrome, who underwent hospital-initiated smoking cessation.

Prevalence of Erectile Dysfunction as Defined by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and Self-Reported Erectile Dysfunction in a Sample of Brazilian Men Who Consider Themselves Healthy

A cross-sectional study was carried out with 288 male blood donors, aged between 40 and 60 years old, with the aim of comparing the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) as defined by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and that resulting from the simple questioning of the presence of ED. Socio-demographic, clinical, and behavioral factors that are associated with the presence of ED were considered. Erectile dysfunction prevalence in the IIEF was 31.9%, while self-reported ED prevalence was 3.1%. The factors associated to ED, as reported by the IIEF were: professional inactivity, suspected depression and/or anxiety, reduced sexual desired, and self-reported ED.

Validity of the self reporting questionnaire-20 in epidemiological studies with older adults

This study examined the validity of the self-reporting questionnaire (SRQ-20) in a population-based survey with older adults in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The study sample consisted of 2,008 individuals aged 65 years or more who were living in an economically disadvantaged area of the city. The geriatric mental state (GMS) was used as the gold standard for the assessment of common mental disorders (CMD). The optimal SRQ-20 threshold for case definition was 4/5 (sensitivity = 76.1%, specificity = 74.6%, area under ROC curve = 0.82). Women, older participants and those with lower income were more likely to be misclassified by the questionnaire. The inclusion of older persons with dementia or psychosis did not change the ability of the SRQ-20 to identify cases of CMD. The SRQ-20 may be a useful instrument to be used in large epidemiological studies in resource-poor settings for the identification of cases of depression and anxiety in later life. The performance of the SRQ-20 among older adults was similar to that observed with the adult population in Brazil.

Self-Esteem, Confidence, and Relationships in Brazilian Men with Erectile Dysfunction Receiving Sildenafil Citrate: A Randomized, Parallel-Group, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study in Brazil

Psychosocial manifestations of erectile dysfunction (ED) differ across cultures. Understanding the treatment response to ED medications within cultural groups can aid in resource allocation and in developing treatment strategies. Evaluate the effect of sildenafil treatment on self-esteem, confidence, and sexual relationship satisfaction in Brazilian men with ED. The Self-Esteem and Relationship (SEAR) questionnaire, a validated, 14-question instrument developed to specifically address self-esteem and relationship issues within the context of ED. Men aged 18 years or older with a clinical diagnosis of ED (<= 21 on the Sexual Health Inventory for Men) and in a stable relationship with a partner during the study were eligible. The primary end point was a change from baseline in the self-esteem subscale of the SEAR questionnaire. Thirteen Brazilian sites participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of sildenafil treatment for ED. Patients were randomized to receive either 50 mg of sildenafil (adjustable to 25 mg or 100 mg based on patient response) or matching placebo approximately 1 hour before anticipated sexual activity but not more than once a day. At the end of double-blind treatment, 63 and 66 patients in the placebo and sildenafil groups, respectively, from 13 Brazilian sites were assessed for efficacy. Brazilian patients receiving sildenafil had significantly greater improvements in their scores on the SEAR self-esteem subscale (42.9 [95% confidence interval 35.7-50.0]) compared with placebo (21.1 [95% confidence interval 13.7-28.6]; P < 0.0001). Effect sizes ranged from 0.91 to 1.25 for individual SEAR components. The psychosocial parameters in Brazilian men with ED assessed by the SEAR questionnaire showed significant improvements in self-esteem, confidence, and relationships after treatment with sildenafil. Glina S, Damiao R, Abdo C, Afif-Abdo J, Tseng L-J, and Stecher V. Self-esteem, confidence, and relationships in Brazilian men with erectile dysfunction receiving sildenafil citrate: A randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in Brazil. J Sex Med 2009;6:268-275.

Salt-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy and Interstitial Fibrosis Are Due to a Blood Pressure-Independent Mechanism in Wistar Rats

High salt intake is a known cardiovascular risk factor and is associated with cardiac alterations. To better understand this effect, male Wistar rats were fed a normal (NSD: 1.3% NaCl), high 4 (HSD4: 4%), or high 8 (HSD8: 8%) salt diet from weaning until 18 wk of age. The HSD8 group was subdivided into HSD8, HSD8+HZ (15 mg.kg(-1).d(-1) hydralazine in the drinking water), and HSD8+LOS (20 mg.kg(-1).d(-1) losartan in the drinking water) groups. The cardiomyocyte diameter was greater in the HSD4 and HSD8 groups than in the HSD8+LOS and NSD groups. Interstitial fibrosis was greater in the HSD4 and HSD8 groups than in the HSD8+HZ and NSD groups. Hydralazine prevented high blood pressure (BP) and fibrosis, but not cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Losartan prevented high BP and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, but not fibrosis. Angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT(1)) protein expression in both ventricles was greater in the HSD8 group than in the NSD group. Losartan, but not hydralazine, prevented this effect. Compared with the NSD group, the binding of an AT(1) conformation-specific antibody that recognizes the activated form of the receptor was lower in both ventricles in all other groups. Losartan further lowered the binding of the anti-AT(1) antibody in both ventricles compared with all other experimental groups. Angiotensin II was greater in both ventricles in all groups compared with the NSD group. Myocardial structural alterations in response to HSD are independent of the effect on BP. Salt-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis possibly are due to different mechanisms. Evidence from the present study suggests that salt-induced AT(1) receptor internalization is probably due to angiotensin II binding. J. Nutr. 140: 1742-1751, 2010.

Ten-year Retrospective Study of Treatment of Malignant Colonic Obstructions with Self-expandable Stents

Purpose: To describe the use of self-expandable metallic stents to manage malignant colorectal obstructions and to compare the radiation dose between fluoroscopic guidance of stent placement and combined endoscopic and fluoroscopic guidance. Materials and Methods: From January 1998 to December 2007, 467 oncology patients undergoing colorectal stent placement in a single center were included in the study. Informed consent was obtained in all cases. All procedures were performed with fluoroscopic or combined fluoroscopic and endoscopic guidance. Inclusion criteria were total or partial colorectal obstruction of neoplastic origin. Exclusion criteria were life expectancy shorter than I month, suspicion of perforation, and/or severe colonic neoplastic bleeding. Procedure time and radiation dose were recorded, and technical and clinical success were evaluated. Follow-up was performed by clinical examination and simple abdominal radiographs at 1 day and at I, 3, 6, and 12 months. Results: Of 467 procedures, technical success was achieved in 432 (92.5%). Thirty-five treatments (7.5%) were technical failures, and the patients were advised to undergo surgery. Significant differences in radiation dose and clinical success were found between the fluoroscopy and combined-technique groups (P < .001). Total decompression was achieved in 372 cases, 29 patients showed remarkable improvement, 11 showed slight improvement, and 20 showed clinical failure. Complications were recorded in 89 patients (19%), the most significant were perforation (2.3%) and stent migration (6.9%). Mean interventional time and radiation dose were 67 minutes and 3,378 dGy.cm(2), respectively. Conclusions: Treatment of colonic obstruction with stents requires a long time in the interventional room and considerable radiation dose. Nevertheless, the clinical benefits and improvement in quality of life justify the radiation risk.

Sonographic Evaluation of the Abductor Mechanism After Total Hip Arthroplasty

Objective. The purpose of this series was to determine the frequency of abductor mechanism avulsion by sonography after total hip arthroplasty with the Hardinge approach (J Bone Joint Surg Br 1982; 64:17-19) and its relationship to the presence of insufficiency of this musculature in the postoperative period. Methods. Thirty-four consecutive patients were prospectively accessed in the postoperative period of hip arthroplasty by the Trendelenburg test, hip sonography, and abductor muscle electromyography. In patients who were found to have clinical insufficiency of the abductor musculature, we also measured the femoral offset in the preoperative and postoperative radiographs. Hip sonography was performed by an experienced musculoskeletal radiologist blinded to the other tests, and the tendons of the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus were visualized on longitudinal and transverse sections with a 7- to 10-MHz linear transducer. Results. Eight patients presented clinical insufficiency of the abductor musculature as detected by the Trendelenburg test. Four of these 8 patients with abductor insufficiency presented tendinous avulsion detected by sonography. One of the 4 patients with abductor insufficiency and normal sonographic findings had a decrease in the femoral offset caused by the arthroplasty itself. Two patients presented electromyographic changes of the abductor musculature, with no tendinous avulsion detected by sonography and no abductor insufficiency. Conclusions. We concluded that in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty by the Hardinge approach in whom insufficiency of the abductor musculature develops, sonography is an interesting method of investigation because it identified the cause of this problem in most of our patients.

Coxsackievirus 135 induced apoptosis of HeLa cells: Effects on p53 and SUMO

Coxsackievirus B5 (CVB5), a human enterovirus of the family Picornaviridae, is a frequent cause of acute and chronic human diseases. The pathogenesis of enteroviral infections is not completely understood, and the fate of the CVB5-infected cell has a pivotal role in this process. We have investigated the CVB5-induced apoptosis of HeLa cells and found that it happens by the intrinsic pathway by a mechanism dependent on the ubiquitin-proteasome system, associated with nuclear aggregation of p53. Striking redistribution of both SUMO and UBC9 was noted at 4 h post-infection, simultaneously with a reduction in the levels of the ubiquitin-ligase HDM2. Taken together, these results suggest that CVB5 infection of HeLa cells elicit the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis by MDM2 degradation and p53 activation, destabilizing protein sumoylation, by a mechanism that is dependent on a functional ubiquitin-proteasome system. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Perceived Self-Efficacy Among Liver Transplant Candidates and Recipients

Self-efficacy is defined as one`s belief that one can perform the necessary behaviors to achieve one`s goals. This belief is one of the most powerful motivational predictors of how well a person will perform at almost any endeavor. Limited information is available, however, about self-efficacy in the organ transplantation population. This study aimed to identify the self-efficacy belief among liver transplant candidates and recipients and compare these results with demographic characteristics. The authors analyzed 100 patients who were candidates and recipients for liver transplantation in a Brazilian center. The average self-efficacy score for the candidates was significantly lower than for the recipients. Future investigation is necessary to explore possible interventions to be taken before and after liver transplantation that could influence self-efficacy of the organ transplantation patients.

Anti-inflammatory activity and possible mechanism of extract from Mikania laevigata in carrageenan-induced peritonitis

Objectives The aim was to test the potential use of an extract of Mikania laevigata (popularly known in Brazil as guaco), made from leaves harvested in different months of the year, oil neutrophil migration after all inflammatory Stimulus and investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods We examined the effect of guaco on vascular permeability and leucocyte function in carrageenan-induced peritonitis in mice. Key findings Our results demonstrated that guaco extract administered subcutaneously (3 mg/kg) decreased the vascular permeability and also leucocyte rolling and adhesion to the inflamed tissues by a mechanism dependent on nitric oxide. Specifically, inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase remarkably abrogated the guaco extract-mediated suppression of neutrophil migration to the inflammatory site. In addition, guaco extract-mediated suppression of neutrophil migration appeared to be dependent on the production of the cytokines interleukin-1 beta and tumour necrosis factor-alpha. One of the major constituents of the guaco extract, coumarin, was able to inhibit the neutrophil migration towards the inflammatory focus. Conclusions In conclusion the anti-inflammatory effect induced by guaco extract may be by inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine production at the inflammatory site.

Coupling Between Respiratory and Sympathetic Activities as a Novel Mechanism Underpinning Neurogenic Hypertension

Enhanced sympathetic outflow to the heart and resistance vessels greatly contributes to the onset and maintenance of neurogenic hypertension. There is a consensus that the development of hypertension (clinical and experimental) is associated with an impairment of sympathetic reflex control by arterial baroreceptors. More recently, chronic peripheral chemoreflex activation, as observed in obstructive sleep apnea, has been proposed as another important risk factor for hypertension. In this review, we present and discuss recent experimental evidence showing that changes in the respiratory pattern, elicited by chronic intermittent hypoxia, play a key role in increasing sympathetic activity and arterial pressure in rats. This concept parallels results observed in other models of neurogenic hypertension, such as spontaneously hypertensive rats and rats with angiotensin II-salt-induced hypertension, pointing out alterations in the central coupling of respiratory and sympathetic activities as a novel mechanism underlying the development of neurogenic hypertension.

Validity of a Brazilian version of the Zung self-rating depression scale for screening of depression in patients with Parkinson`s disease

Introduction: Parkinson`s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with prominent motor manifestations and many other non-motor symptoms that significantly decrease quality-of-life and are frequently under-recognized, for example depression. Objective: To study the validity of a Brazilian version of the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) for the diagnosis of depression in patients with PD. Methods: We evaluated 78 consecutive non demented patients over the age of 40 with diagnosis of PD at a Movement Disorders Outpatient Clinic, who could read and understand questionnaires. They completed the SIDS and the Geriatric Depression Scale with 15 items (GDS-15). The diagnosis of depression was made after a structured clinical interview based on DSM-IV criteria for the diagnosis of major depression (SCID-CV). Results: The prevalence of major depression was 23.1%. Cronbach`s alpha was 0.73 and the area under the ROC curve was 0.93 for the SDS. The score index of 55 had a sensitivity of 88.9% and a specificity of 83.3% for the diagnosis of depression. The total scores of the SDS and GDS-15 were highly correlated (0.652, p < 0.0001) and correlated weakly with the scores of a motor scale. Discussion: The SIDS is a valid too] for screening depression in patients with PD since the specific SDS index of 55 is adopted. Two shortened versions could be used with good results. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd.