Desfechos clínicos e mortalidade de sujeitos submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica no Rio Grande do Norte

Introduction: Actually the obesity is a public health problem throughout the world. Bariatric surgery has been an efficient method of weight reduction body in severe obesity, reducing its associated effects and presenting low levels of immediate and late postoperative complications. In Brazil, bariatric surgery asa recent therapeutic that has been growing recently. Being Brazil a country with continental dimensions and with a huge diversity socioeconomic and cultural, it is essential to understand the reality of patients undergoing bariatric surgery in less economically privileged regions of Brazil. Objectives: To evaluate the epidemiological, clinical outcomes and mortality of patients undergoing videolaparoscopic bariatric surgery through the public health system in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Norte- Brazil. Methods: Observational descriptive study of a prospective, carried out from February 2009 to February 2011, the Clinic Obesity and Bariatric Surgery at Universitary Hospital Onofre Lopes - Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (HUOL-UFRN). Anthropometric measures, comorbidity and deaths register were made in the postoperative period. Results: Seventy patients (54 women) with low income aged 22 to 63 years completed the study. We recorded the death of three patients during the study period. The results show significant decrease anthropometric parameters, especially in relation to body weight, waist circumference and hipin both sexes. Only Waist / Hip ratio showed no difference after intervention in male patients It had a resolution of comorbidities. No significant differences in reports of daily sleepiness and the snoring male patients. Conclusion: Our findings attest laparoscopic bariatric surgery as an effective method reducing weight and comorbidities in morbidly obese patients

Efeito do tempo de repouso após fadiga induzida no desempenho neuromuscular do quadríceps femoral: ensaio clínico, controlado, randomizado, cego

Objective: To evaluate the effect of different resting periods, after induced muscle fatigue, in the quadriceps femoris neuromuscular performance, in healthy subjects. Methods: Sixty-four volunteers, of both genders, with an average of 21,8 ± 1,7 years and mean body mass index of 24,2 ± 3,7 Kg/m2 were randomly assigned into 4 groups: control group (was not induced fatigue); Experimental Group 1 (Exp. 1 1 minute of rest after fatigue); Experimental Group 3 (Exp. 3 3 minutes of rest after fatigue) and Experimental Group 5 (Exp. 5 5 minutes of rest after fatigue). The subjects were evaluated to the knee´s joint position sense (JPS), followed by 5 flexion-extension knee concentric isokinetic contractions at 60°/s, with concomitant recording of median frequency (Fmed) of rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis (VM). Then they underwent a muscle fatigue protocol (30 flexion-extension knee concentric contractions at 60°/s) and were reevaluated on the isokinetic performance, Fmed and JPS. Blood lactate levels were measured before initial assessment, immediately after the fatigue protocol and 5 minutes after the end of the rest period. Results: The adoption of 3 minutes of rest was sufficient to restore the initial conditions for the peak torque normalized by body weight and the VL and VM Fmed. The joint position sense returned to its initial values with 1 minute rest. The lactate concentration remained high regardless of the adopted rest period. Conclusion: The use of 3-minute rest period is sufficient for the reestablishment of the neuromuscular parameters to the pre fatigue values.

Efeitos imediatos da laserterapia sobre o desempenho neuromuscular após fadiga muscular induzida: ensaio clínico controlado, randomizado e cego

The aim of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of laser therapy on neuromuscular performance in healthy subjects after a muscle fatigue. This is a clinical trial, controlled, randomized, blinded, attended by 80 volunteers of both genders, healthy, with ages between 18 to 28 years. Initially the volunteers performed an initial evaluation (EV1) using electromyography in the biceps muscle, associated with assessment in isokinetic dynamometry with 5 concentric contractions (60 °/s) for elbow flexion. The subjects were randomly allocated into 4 groups: G1 (control, n = 20), G2 (placebo, n = 20), G3 (pre-fatigue laser, n = 20), and G4 (post fatigue laser, n = 20). The muscular fatigue protocol had 30 concentric isokinetic contractions (120 °/s). We used a 808 nm laser, power of 100 mW, applied at the belly of the biceps muscle. After the speeches the volunteers performed a final evaluation (EV2). Test was applied to two-way ANOVA with post hoc Turkey, with a significance level of 5%. There was no significant difference in electromyographic evaluation. In dynamometric evaluation showed a drop in peak torque, peak torque normalized to body weight (p <0.001) and average power (p <0, 05) between the initial and final evaluations in control. Among the groups there was a significant difference between the control and the other groups in relation to peak torque (p <0.05), peak torque to body weight (p <0.001) and average power (p <0.05). Therefore, the low intensity laser therapy does not alter the immediate neuromuscular performance after fatigue

Efeito da crioterapia e da laserterapia na resposta ao dano muscular induzido pelo exercício excêntrico: ensaio clínico e randomizado

Exercise-induced muscle damage mainly affects individuals who returned to physical activity after a time without practicing it or had some kind of exhaustive exercise, particularly eccentric exercise. To evaluate the effect of cryotherapy and laser therapy in response to muscle damage induced by eccentric exercise on the biceps muscle. This was a randomized clinical trial consisting of 60 female subjects. All subjects initially underwent an evaluation consisting of perimetry, measurement of pain sensation (via algometry and visual analogue scale), electromyography and dynamometry. Then the subjects performed an exercise protocol on the isokinetic dynamometer consisting of 2 sets of 10 eccentric elbow flexors contraction at 60 °/s. Completed this protocol, an intervention was held according to a previously random group distribution: control group (no intervention), cryotherapy group and laser therapy group. Finally, subjects were re-evaluated immediately and 48 hours after the intervention protocol, except for Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), which was also evaluated 24 hours after exercise. The circumference of the limb, the pain sensation (VAS and algometry), the muscle activation amplitude (via Root Mean Square - RMS), median frequency, peak torque normalized per body weight, average peak torque, power and work were analyzed. The median frequency immediately after the intervention protocol on the cryotherapy group was the only variable that showed inter and intra-group differences; the remaining variables showed only intragroup differences. The perimetry values did not change immediately after the protocol on the groups which underwent cryotherapy and laser therapy, however, there was an increase after 48 hours; algometry values decreased in all groups for 48 hours and the VAS values increased 24 and 48 hours also for all groups. Regarding RMS no significant change was observed. For dynamometry, peak torque normalized per body weight and average peak torque had a similar behavior, with a reduction in the post protocol that has remained after 48 hours. For the power and work, a decrease was observed immediately after the protocol with a further reduction after 48 hours. Cryotherapy and laser therapy does not alter the muscle damage response, except for the perimetry values immediately after exercise.

O efeito da dessincronização circadiana sobre o metabolismo

The lost of phase relationship between rhythms and behaviour can, and often do, undesirable consequences. The purpose os study was to ascertain the effect of circadian desynchronization in T22 about metabolism of wistar rats. The subjects consisted of 24 animals separated in two groups: control (n=12) T24 with 8 weeks of aged and experimental group (n=12) T22, also with 8 weeks of aged. Both the groups were subject to register of locomotor actitivity, body temperature, body weight and food intake in all the experiment. And more, both the groups were subject to food deprivation, running in treadmill and forced swimming. The results show rhythm of locomotor activity and body temperature desynchronized. Dont exist diference in body weight between both the groups (T24 = 386,75±40,78g e T22 380,83±44,28g) . However, the food intake was different between the phases, light and dark, in intergroup and intragroup. The body temperature was not different in food deprivation. The same ocurred for running in treadmill and forced swimming. Since similar alterations occur in shift workers, it is proposed that the experimental paradigm presented in this manuscript is a useful model of shift work. That is, alterations in activity/rest cycles and consummatory behavior can affect the health of organism

Avaliação de uma fração polissacaridica da alga Lobophora variegata (Lamouroux) em modelo de artrite induzida em ratos por Zymosan

Fucans seaweed Lobophora variegata estructures are known for their chemical and biological properties. In this study, we analyzed, the action of fucans L. variegata and the fractions purified with acetone in Zymosan-induced arthritis. After differential fractionation with acetone, six fractions were obtained and named F0.3, F0.5, F0.8, F1, F1.5 and F2. The results showed that the fraction F1 showed high yield (51.9%) and was chosen for studies of antioxidant activity and induced arthritis. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) of 13C showed signals at 103.3 and 15.78 ppm that are assigned to links β13 galactose and of the C6 methyl fucose, respectively. The infrared (IR) showed absorbance at 1238 and 850 cm-1 which are attributed to sulfate. The fraction F1 showed antioxidant activities in vitro. For analysis of inflammatory parameters chosen the polysaccharide was administered in different doses (25, 50 and 75 mg / kg ip, per body weight) and diclofenac sodium (5 mg / kg ip) and L-NAME (25 mg / kg ip) in groups of animals (n = 6). After 6 h, were analyzed for cellular influx and levels of nitrite. In experiment five days, were made analysis of swelling and serum TNF-α. Histopathological analysis were performed for confirmation of results. The fraction F1 (25, 50 and 75 mg / kg ip) reduced the cellular influx (52.1 to 96.7%) and nitric oxide levels (27.2 - 39%) compared to control group. The reduction of edema (63.4 - 100%) and serum TNF-α (p <0.001) were observed when the polysaccharide F1 administered at a dose (50 mg / kg) These results suggest that these heterofucanas of Lobophora variegata have besides the activity antioxidant and potential anti-inflammatory activity in arthritis induced by zymosan

Efeito do kinesio taping® no desempenho neuromuscular do quadríceps e no equilíbrio em sujeitos submetidos à reconstrução do ligamento cruzado anterior: ensaio clínico e randomizado

Objetivo: Investigar os efeitos imediatos do Kinesio Taping® no desempenho neuromuscular do Quadríceps Femoral (QF) de indivíduos submetidos à reconstrução do Ligamento Cruzado Anterior (LCA). Metodologia: trata-se de um ensaio clínico e randomizado composto por 45 indivíduos do sexo masculino que se encontravam entre 12ª e 17ª semanas após reconstrução do LCA. Todos foram submetidos a uma avaliação inicial composta pela análise do equilíbrio postural, através da baropodometria; determinação do Senso de Posição Articular (SPA), seguidas das avaliações isocinéticas excêntricas e concêntricas a 600/s, concomitante com a captação do sinal eletromiográfico do músculo Vasto Lateral (VL). Posteriormente foram alocados de forma aleatória em Grupo Controle (GC), Grupo Placebo (GP) e Grupo Experimental (GE). Os indivíduos do GE foram submetidos ao protocolo sugerido (aplicação do Kinesio Taping® no QF do membro acometido), enquanto os do GP utilizaram a aplicação do Kinesio Taping® sem as recomendações propostas pelo método. Já os indivíduos do GC permaneceram em repouso por dez minutos, sendo todos os indivíduos submetidos a uma reavaliação de forma idêntica à primeira. Foram analisadas as seguintes variáveis: pico de torque médio, pico de torque/peso corporal, potência muscular e erro absoluto do SPA para a dinamometria; amplitude ântero-posterior e médio-lateral para a baropodometria; e a amplitude de ativação muscular (Root Means Square - RMS) por meio da eletromiografia de superfície. Resultados: Nenhuma das variáveis analisadas apresentou diferenças intergrupo ou intragrupo. Conclusão: O Kinesio Taping® não altera o desempenho neuromuscular do quadríceps femoral de indivíduos submetidos à reconstrução do LCA para nenhuma das variáveis analisadas.

Efeitos da suplementação oral de zinco sobre o crescimento de crianças pré-púberes saudáveis e eutróficas

Introdução: o zinco é um importante micronutriente para numerosos processos bioquímicos em animais e humanos, desempenhando papel de destaque no crescimento e desenvolvimento. Em populações mundiais, a deficiência primária grave de zinco não é comum, embora, a deficiência leve seja bastante prevalente. Considerando que o zinco é essencial para a saúde humana e regula o sistema hipotálamo, hipófise, fígado e osso, buscamos averiguar os seus efeitos no eixo GH-IGF1-IGFBP3 agudamente, mediante administração intravenosa com o elemento zinco, e cronicamente, mediante suplementação oral com o elemento zinco, usando doses fisiológicas de 0.06537 mg Zn/kg (via intravenosa) e 10 mg Zn/dia (via oral). A inclusão de crianças pré-púberes aparentemente saudáveis e eutróficas sem deficiência de zinco é raro na literatura, pois grande parte das publicações foram reportadas em crianças apresentando deficiência de zinco. A metodologia aplicada foi absolutamente inovadora e original, tornando o estudo altamente relevante para a interface entre endocrinologia e nutrição. Objetivo: investigar os efeitos da suplementação oral e administração intravenosa com o elemento zinco sobre a secreção de GH, IGF1, IGFBP3, OCN, ALP, TRAP e PT em crianças aparentemente saudáveis e eutróficas sem deficiência de zinco. Métodos: o estudo foi conduzido durante um período de três meses, e caracterizado por ser randomizado controlado triplo cego. As crianças foram selecionadas por amostragem não probabilística de conveniência, provenientes de escolas públicas municipais, de ambos os gêneros, na faixa etária compreendida entre 8 e 9 anos de idade, divididas em grupo controle (20 crianças recebendo solução placebo contendo 10% de sorbitol) e grupo experimental (20 crianças suplementadas com o elemento zinco na forma de sulfato de zinco heptahidratado – ZnSO4.7H2O). As crianças foram submetidas à suplementação oral de zinco elementar (10 mg Zn/dia) e à administração intravenosa de zinco (0.06537 mg Zn/kg de peso corporal), na forma de ZnSO4.7H2O, cujas amostras sanguíneas foram coletadas em 0, 60, 120, 180 e 210 minutos. Foram realizadas avaliações antropométricas e dietéticas e dosagens bioquímicas e hormonais nas crianças estudadas. Resultados: após a suplementação oral, foi observado no grupo experimental (i) aumento significativo dos valores de ingestão de energia total, proteína e gordura total (p = 0.0007, p< 0.0001, p< 0.0001, respectivamente), (ii) aumento significativo do zinco sérico basal (p< 0.0001), aumento significativo das concentrações plasmáticas de fostatase alcalina (p = 0.0270), e (iv) correlação positiva com o IGF1, IGFBP3, OCN, comparando antes e após a suplementação (p = 0.0011, p< 0.0001, p< 0.0446, respectivamente). Durante a administração venosa de zinco, as concentrações plasmáticas de IGF1 e IGFBP3 aumentaram significativamente no grupo experimental (p = 0.0468, p < 0.0001, respectivamente). Em relação o cálculo da adequação aparente, segundo as DRI, para o cálcio, houve inadequação da dieta com 85% de confiabilidade dos dados; para o ferro, adequação da dieta, com 85% de confiabilidade dos dados. Para o zinco, adequação da dieta, com 50% de confiabilidade dos dados. Conclusões: a suplementação oral com o elemento zinco pode ter estimulado um aumento na ingestão de energia total, proteína e gordura total, assim como, nas concentrações basais de zinco sérico e nas concentrações plasmáticas de fosfatase alcalina. A administração intravenosa de zinco aumentou as concentrações séricas de zinco e as concentrações plasmáticas de GH, IGF1 e IGFBP3 no grupo experimental.

Avaliação da toxicidade subcrônica e reprodutiva do extrato seco de pericarpo de passiflora edulis variedade flavicarpa degener em ratos

The pericarp of Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa Degener is now being investigated for medicine purposes. There are no reports about it toxicity. The aim of the present study was investigate the sub chronic toxicity in male rats and reproductive toxicity in pregnant rats and exposed fetuses of an extract obtained by infusion of the pericarp in water (1:3 m/v;100o C, 10 min). The extract composition was evaluated by tube reactions and thin lawyer chromatography (TLC). Adult male rats (n=8) were treated with 300 mg/kg of the extract, by gavage, during 30 days and pregnant rats (n=7) from gestation day 0 to day 20. Control received tap water (1 mL). Water and food intakes and body weight gain were recorded. At day 29 of treatment the sexual behavior of the males was analyzed and then half of males from each group received cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg, i.p.) to (anti)genotoxic assessment in bone marrow. At day 30, males were anesthesized for parameters collection. At day 20 of gestation, the dams were anesthesized for reproductive performance evaluation. The fetal analysis was conducted by visceral and skeletal. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, unspecific alkaloids, phenols and triterpenic compounds. Statistical analysis revealed absence of significant differences between experimental and control. This study suggest that the aqueous extract obtained from pericarp of P. edulis var. flavicarpa Degener was not able to promote toxic effects in rats. Cytotoxicity was evaluated with the PCE/NCE ratio (NCE=normochromatic erythrocytes). Statistical analysis (mean ± SEM) revealed absence of changes in the frequency of MNPCE (negative control: 3.26±0.42; positive control: 11.72±1.02; negative experimental: 4.02±0.13; positive experimental: 10.47±0.87) or cytotoxicity (negative control: 0.37±0.08; positive control: 0.23±0.05; negative experimental: 0.37±0.07; positive experimental: 0.23±0.02). This study suggests that the extracts showed no (anti)genotoxic and no cytotoxic activities under the experimental conditions.

Sinalização endógena do sistema Nociceptina/Orfanina FQ - receptor NOP: envolvimento na modulação da depressão experimental induzida por lipopolissacarídeo

During the last decades, it has been established that there is a relationship between major depression and activation of immune system. Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) is the natural ligand of a Gi-protein coupled receptor named NOP, both compose the peptidergic system wich is involved in the regulation of mood states and inflammatory responses. Considering these actions, the present thesis aimed to investigate the consequences of blocking NOP signaling in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sickness and depressive-like behaviors in mice. Systemic administration of LPS doses, that do not cause sepsis in mice, induce changes in their behaviors related with activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukins 6 (IL-6) and 1β (IL-1 β). At the time points of 2 to 6 h and 24 h after intraperitoneal injection, mice treated with LPS displayed, respectively, sickness and depressive-like behaviors. In the present work the administration of LPS 0.8 mg/kg (ip) significantly induced sickness signs in Swiss and CD-1 mice, such as weight loss, transient reduction in rectal temperature and decrease of food and water intake. Moreover at 24 h after LPS injection these same mice strains displayed significantly increased immobility time on the tail suspension test (TST) when compared with control mice, this alteration was not related with possible locomotion impairments as verified on the open field test. Treatment with Nortriptyline 30 mg/kg (ip, 60 min prior the TST) reduced the immobility time of control and LPS-treated mice and was used as standard antidepressant. The NOP receptor antagonist SB-612111 (10 mg/kg, ip), 30 min prior LPS, did not modify LPS-induced sickness signs and depressive-like behavior. However, when injected 24 h after LPS treatment, SB-612111 (ip, 30 min prior the TST) as well as the peptidergic NOP receptor antagonist UFP-101 (10 nmol/2μL, icv, 5 min prior the TST) significantly reversed the toxin effects. The protocol of LPS-induced depressive-like states was also tested in NOP receptor knockout mice (NOP(-/-)) and their respective wild types (NOP(+/+)). LPS evoked transient rectal temperature reduction in NOP(-/-) mice and loss of body weight, food and water intake reduction in both NOP(+/+) and NOP(-/-) mice. The consumption of water was significantly different due to the genotype. LPS injection induced transient changes in pro-inflammatory cytokines. At 6 h after LPS injection, serum levels of TNF-α were significantly increased in NOP(+/+) and NOP(-/-) mice, as the IL-6 levels were significantly increased just in NOP(+/+) serum. At 24 h after LPS treatment the pro-inflammatory cytokines had returned to the baseline levels in both genotypes. LPS treatment elicited depressive-like effects in NOP(+/+) but not in NOP(-/-) mice. The data obtained during the execution of this doctoral thesis reveal that pharmacological and genetic blockade of NOP signaling does not affect LPS evoked sickness signs while reversing depressive-like behavior. In conclusion, these results highlight the involvement of the peptidergic system N/OFQ - NOP receptor in the modulation of behaviors related to mood and activation of the immune system.

Modulaçao do estresse social sobre parâmetros fisiológicos, comportamentais, cognitivos e plasticidade neuronal em saguis (Callithrix jacchus) juvenis: um modelo psiquiátrico e cognitivo

Nos períodos críticos de plasticidade neural ocorre uma maior permissividade do sistema nervoso ao ambiente, por isto, a ação do estresse sobre o individuo e suas repercussões sobre áreas responsáveis pelo controle dos sistemas de resposta ao estresse e por funções cognitivas complexas vem recebendo bastante atenção. A utilização de modelos experimentais translacionais tem sido imprescindível na elucidação destes mecanismos e das patologias associadas. Diante disto, este trabalho investigou os efeitos do estresse social sobre parâmetros fisiológicos, comportamentais, cognitivos e sobre a neurogênese no córtex pré-frontal (CPF) durante um período crítico de plasticidade cerebral, a fase juvenil, em machos de Callithrix jacchus. Durante cinco meses, 5 animais foram acompanhados em suas famílias (GF) e 5 animais foram isolados socialmente por 4 meses (GI), após um mês em observação em ambiente familiar (fase basal- FB). Ao final do 5º mês foram aplicados 2 testes de memória de trabalho (MT) nos animais GF e GI. Em seguida, 3 animais de cada grupo foram sacrificados para análise do fator de neurogênese BDNF ( Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor) por imunofluorescência no CPF (sub-regiões orbitofrontal e lateral). Os animais do GF não variaram significativamente o cortisol ao longo do estudo, enquanto o GI elevou o cortisol e comportamentos indicadores de ansiedade (CA) na primeira semana do isolamento. Em seguida, o GI apresentou uma redução no cortisol, nos CA, no peso corporal e um aumento de comportamentos estereotipados e da anedonia, alterações tipicamente depressivas em primatas não-humanos. Ao final, o GI apresentaram níveis de cortisol menores que em FB. Ambos os grupos apresentaram dificuldades em realizar e aprender as tarefas cognitivas e a presença de BDNF no córtex pré-frontal foi independente do grupo (GF ou GI), porém correlacionou-se com os níveis de cortisol presentes na ultima semana do estudo, e os animais com presença de BDNF no CPF lateral e orbitofrontal apresentaram maiores níveis de cortisol. Estes resultados contribuem no processo de validação do sagui como um bom modelo psiquiátrico translacional e aponta para possibilidade de estudos sobre transtornos depressivos na juventude e suas repercussões posteriores. Além disto, os resultados observados para as tarefas cognitivas levou-nos a fazer uma releitura dos protocolos utilizados em estudos de memoria de trabalho com animais adultos desta espécie, com a finalidade de aprimora-los facilitando a aprendizagem em animais juvenis, naives e em situações de estresse. Ademais, evidenciou-se pela primeira vez a relação do estresse, cortisol e níveis de BDNF, em animais juvenis desta espécie, com a fim de contribuir com sua utilização como modelo animal neurocognitivo.

Efeitos do treino de marcha em esteira com adição de carga ao membro inferior não parético de indivíduos com acidente vascular cerebral: ensaio clínico controlado e randomizado

Introduction: Gait after stroke is characterized by a significant asymmetry between the lower limbs, with predominant use of the non-paretic lower limb (NPLL) over using the paretic lower limb. Accordingly, it has been suggested that adding load/weight to the NPLL as a form of restricting the movement of this limb may favor the use of the paretic limb, reducing interlimb asymmetry. However, few studies have been conducted up to this moment, which only investigated the immediate effects of this practice. Objectives: 1) Investigating whether there is an influence of adding load to the NPLL during treadmill training on cardiovascular parameters and on gait performance of individuals with stroke, compared to treadmill training without load addition; 2) Analyzing the effects of treadmill training with and without load added to the NPLL on kinematic parameters of each lower limb during gait; 3) Analyzing the effects of treadmill training with and without load added to the NPLL on measurements of functional mobility and postural balance of these patients. Materials and Methods: This is a randomized single blinded clinical trial involving 38 subjects, with a mean age of 56.5 years, at the subacute post-stroke phase (with mean time since stroke of 4.5 months). Participants were randomly assigned into an experimental group (EG) or control group (CG). EG (n= 19) was submitted to gait training on a treadmill with the addition of load to the NPLL by ankle weights equivalent to 5% of body weight. CG (n= 19) was only submitted to gait training on a treadmill. Behavioral strategies which included home exercises were also applied to both groups. The interventions occurred daily for two consecutive weeks (Day 1 to Day 9), being of 30 minutes duration each. Outcome measures: postural balance (Berg Functional Balance Scale – BBS), functional mobility (Timed Up and Go – TUG; kinematic variables of 180° turning) and kinematic gait variables were assessed at baseline (Day 0), after four training sessions (Day 4), after nine training sessions (Day 9), and 40 days after completion of training (Follow-up). Cardiovascular parameters (mean arterial pressure and heart rate) were evaluated at four moments within each training session. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare outcomes between EG and CG in the course of the study (Day 0, Day 4, Day 9 and Follow-up). Unpaired t-tests allowed for intergroup comparison at each training session. 5% significance was used for all tests. Results: 1) Cardiovascular parameters (systemic arterial pressure, heart rate and derivated variables) did not change after the interventions and there were no differences between groups within each training session. There was an improvement in gait performance, with increased speed and distance covered, with no statistically significant difference between groups. 2) After the interventions, patients had increased paretic and non-paretic step lengths, in addition to exhibiting greater hip and knee joint excursion on both lower limbs. The gains were observed in the EG and CG, with no statistical difference between the groups and (mostly) maintained at follow-up. 3) After the interventions, patients showed better postural balance (higher scores on BBS) and functional mobility (reduced time spent on the TUG test and better performance on the 180° turning). All gains were observed in the EG and CG, with no statistically significant difference between groups and were maintained at follow-up. Conclusions: The addition of load to the NPLL did not affect cardiovascular parameters in patients with subacute stroke, similar to treadmill training without load, thus seemingly a safe training to be applied to these patients. However, the use of the load did not bring any additional benefits to gait training. The gait training program (nine training sessions on a treadmill + strategies and exercises for paretic limb stimulation) was useful for improving gait performance and kinematics, functional mobility and postural balance, and its use is suggested to promote the optimization of these outcomes in the subacute phase after stroke.

Estudo sobre a participação de roedores na cadeia de transmissão de Leishmania infantum (Protozoa: Trypanosomatidae) no Rio Grande do Norte

American visceral leishmaniasis is a zoonosis caused by Leishmania infantum and transmitted by the bite of the sand flies Lutzomia longipalpis.The main domestic reservoir is the dog, while foxes and opposums are the known wild reservoirs. However, identification of natural infections with L. infantum in rodents appears for need of investigating the participation of these rodents how source of infection of the parasite. In the present work the Leishmania infantum infection was investigated in rodents captured in Rio Grande do Norte, aiming at to offer subsidies to the understanding of the epidemic chains of LVA in the State. Thirteen Galea spixii were distributed in four groups, being G1 the group control with four animals and the others, G2, G3 and G4, with three animals each. Those animals were intraperitoneally inoculated with 107 promastigotas of L. infantum and accompanied for, respectively, 30, 90 and 180 days. Weekly the animals were monitored as for the corporal weight and rectal temperature. At the end of each stipulated period the animals were killed. Blood were used for determination of the parameters biochemical and haematological, PCR, ELISA, microscopic examination and cultivation in NNN medium. Liver, spleen and lymph node were used in Giemsa-stained impression and cultivation in NNN medium. Liver and spleen fragments were still used in PCR and histopathological, respectively. At the same time 79 rodents of the species Rattus rattus, Bolomys lasiurus, Oligoryzomys nigripis, Oryzomys subflavus and Trichomys apereoides were captured in the Municipal districts of Brejinho, Campo Grande, Coronel Ezequiel, Passa e Fica and Vázea for identification of natural infection with L. infantum. Evidence of infection was checked by direct examination of Giemsa-stained impression of liver, spleen and blood and culture of these tissues in NNN medium. Antibodies were researched by ELISA. They were not found differences among the weigh corporal final, rectal temperature and biochemical and haematological parameters of the Galea spixii controls and infected. The rectal temperature of the animals varied from 36OC to 40OC. For the first time values of the haematocrit (33,6% to 42,8%), hemoglobin (10,2 to 14,5g/dl), erythrocyts number (4,67x106 to 6,90x106/mm3), total leukocytes (0,9x103 to 9,2x103/mm3), platelets (49x103 to 509x103/mm3) total proteins (1,56 to 6,06 g/dl), albumin (1,34 to 3,05 g/dl) and globulins (0,20 to 3,01 g/dl) of the Galea spixii were determined. The lymphocytes were the most abundant leucocytes. Infection for L. infantum was diagnosed in two animals euthanasied 180 days after the infection. In one of the animals was also identified antibodies anti-Leishmania. The parasite was not found in none of the five other species of rodents captured. Galea spixii are resistant to the infection for L. infantum and they are not good models for the study for visceral leishmaniose, although they can act as infection sources. More studies are necessary to determine the paper of the rodents in the epidemic chain of transmission of the visceral leishmaniose in the State of Rio Grande do Norte

Efeito sacietogênico de um novo inibidor de tripsina da paçoca do amendoim com aumento plasmático de colecistocinina (cck)

Obesity is increasing, reaching epidemic levels in many regions of the world. Studies have shown that consumption of peanuts influences on weight control and this influence may be due to the action of trypsin inhibitors sacietogênica that condition increased plasma colescistocinina (CCK). Moreover, the peanut has other health benefits, and these assignments are guaranteed to increase their production and consumption of several of its products, including the paçoca peanut. The aim of this study was to identify the presence of a trypsin inhibitor in paçoca peanut and evaluate its effect on food intake, weight gain and histomorphological changes in swiss mice (n = 8) and Wistar rats (n = 6). Experimental diets were prepared based on the AIN-93G and supplemented with tack or peanut trypsin inhibitor partially purified paçoca peanut (AHTI). After each treatment, the animals were anesthetized and euthanized, their bloods were collected by cardiac puncture for the determination of CCK and other biochemical parameters (glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and albumin) and their pancreas removed for histologic and morphometric analysis. The supplementation with paçoca peanut and the AHTI showed a decrease of body weight gain and food intake in both mice and rats, due to the satiety, since the animals showed no evidence of impairment of nutritional status conditioned by consumption the AHTI. There were also observed biochemical or morphological important when compared with controls. However, AHTI led to increased secretion of CCK, a peptide sacietogênico. Thus, these results indicate that AHTI present in paçoca peanut, is able to enhance the secretion of plasma CCK and thereby reduce the weight gain associated with lower food intake of experimenta animals