Torque, myoeletric sygnal and heart rate responses during concentric and eccentric exercises in older men

Background: The literature reports that the eccentric muscular action produces greater force and lower myoelectric activity than the concentric muscular action, while the heart rate (HR) responses are bigger during concentric contraction. Objectives: To investigate the maximum average torque (MAT), surface electromyographic (SEMG) and the heart rate (HR) responses during different types of muscular contraction and angular velocities in older men. Methods: Twelve healthy men (61.7 +/- 1.6years) performed concentric (C) and eccentric (E) isokinetic knee extension-flexion at 60 degrees/s and 120 degrees/s. SEMG activity was recorded from vastus lateralis muscle and normalized by Root Mean Square-RMS (mu V) of maximal isometric knee extension at 60 degrees. HR (beats/min) and was recorded at rest and throughout each contraction. The data were analyzed by the Friedman test for repeated measures with post hoc Dunn's test (p<0.05). Results: The median values of MAT (N.m/kg) was smaller and the RMS (mu V) was larger during concentric contraction (C60 degrees/s=2.80 and 0.99; C120 degrees/s=2.46 and 1.0) than eccentric (E60 degrees/s=3.94 and 0.85; E120 degrees/s=4.08 and 0.89), respectively. The HR variation was similar in the four conditions studied. Conclusion: The magnitude of MAT and RMS responses in older men were dependent of the nature of the muscular action and independent of the angular velocity, whereas HR response was not influenced by these factors.

Transcriptional Profile of Diuron-Induced Toxicity on the Urinary Bladder of Male Wistar Rats to Inform Mode of Action

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Gastroprotective effect of Cissus sicyoides (Vitaceae): Involvement of microcirculation, endogenous sulfhydryls and nitric oxide

Aim of the study: Cissus sicyoides L. is a medicinal plant popularly known in Brazil against various diseases and the research interest in this plant is justifiable because of its potential medicinal value in stomachache and gastric ulcer.Materials and methods: The methanolic extract obtained from the leaves of Cissus sicyoides (Cc) was evaluated for the ability to protect the gastric mucosa against injuries caused by necrotizing agents (0.3 M HCl/60% EtOH, absolute ethanol, piroxicam and pylorus ligature) in rodents. We also evaluated microcirculation, antioxidant action and participation of NO (nitric oxide) and sulfhydryls (SH) groups in the Cc gastroprotective action.Results: Administration of Cc significantly reduced gastric lesions induced by different ulcerogenic agents in rodents. This extract administered by oral route significantly increased gastric volume without exerting antisecretory effect. The Cc effect involved an increase of the defense mechanism of the gastrointestinal mucosa such as NO and SH groups that prevent and attenuate the ulcer process. The Cc also has antioxidant property against oxidative stress but does not modify microcirculation response in gastric mucosa.Conclusions: These results confirmed the traditional use of Cissus sicyoides for the treatment of gastric ulcer. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Gastroprotective and ulcer healing effects of essential oil from Hyptis spicigera Lam. (Lamiaceae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Gastroprotective Effect of Serjania erecta Radlk (Sapindaceae): Involvement of Sensory Neurons, Endogenous Nonprotein Sulfhydryls, and Nitric Oxide

The present study reveals the pharmacological action of Serjania erecta Radlk. (Family Sapindaceae), an important medicinal plant species used in the Brazilian Pantanal against gastric pain. The methanolic (Me) and chloroformic (Se) extracts obtained from leaves of S. erecta were challenged by a very strong necrotizing agent in rodents, absolute ethanol. Se was also confronted with a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester), a capsaicin cation channel transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 antagonist (ruthenium red), or a sulfhydryl-blocker (N-ethylmaleimide) to evaluate the participation of these cytoprotective factors in gastroprotection. In an in vivo experimental model, Me and Se presented several degrees of gastroprotective action without signs of acute toxicity. The best gastroprotective effect was restricted to all doses of Se. The mechanisms involving the gastroprotective action of Se are related to an augmented defense mechanism of the gastrointestinal mucosa consisting of sensory neurons, nitric oxide, and sulfhydryl groups that prevent and attenuate the ulcer process. The presence of polyisoprenoids in the Se explains the potent gastroprotective action of this medicinal species. Effective gastroprotective action and the absence of acute toxicity indicate this species may be a promising herbal drug against gastric disease.

In vitro cytotoxic activity of Baccharis dracunculifolia and propolis against HEp-2 cells

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Lemongrass and citral effect on cytokines production by murine macrophages

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effect of Mouriri pusa tannins and flavonoids on prevention and treatment against experimental gastric ulcer

Aim of the study: Mouriri pusa, popularly known as manapuca or jaboticaba do mato, is a plant from Brazilian cerrado that has been found to be commonly used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disturbs in its native region. The present work was carried out to investigate the effect of tannins (TF) and flavonoids (FF) fractions from Mouriri pusa leaves methanolic extract on the prevention and cicatrisation process of gastric ulcers, and also evaluate possible toxic effects.Materials and methods: The following protocols were taken in rats: acute assay, in which ulcers were induced by oral ethanol after pre-treatment with the fractions; and 14 days treatment assay, in which ulcers were treated for 14 days after induction by local injection of acetic acid.Results: In the acute model, treatment with either, TF (25 mg/kg) or FF (50 mg/kg), was able to reduce lesion area, showing gastroprotective effect. In addition, FF proved itself anti-inflammatory by reducing COX-2 levels. In acetic acid model, both fractions exhibited larger ulcers' regenerative mucosa, indicating cicatrisation enhancement. FF group also showed augmented cell proliferation, anti-inflammatory action and enhanced angiogenesis as well as increased mucus secretion. Moreover, concerning the toxicity parameters analyzed, no alteration in the fractions groups was observed.Conclusions: Tannins and flavonoids from Mouriri pusa provide beneficial effects against gastric ulcers with relative safety. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abarema cochliacarpos: Gastroprotective and ulcer-healing activities

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Mechanisms of action underlying the gastric antiulcer activity of the Rhizophora mangle L.

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Interface Formation and Electrical Transport in SnO2:Eu3+/GaAs Heterojunction Deposited by Sol-Gel Dip-Coating and Resistive Evaporation

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Structural and biological characterization of two novel peptides from the venom of the neotropical social wasp Agelaia pallipes pallipes

The venom of the neotropical social wasp Agelaia pallipes pallipes was fractionated by RP-HPLC resulting in the elution of seven fractions; the last two were re-fractionated under RP-HPLC by using isocratic elution conditions and the purity of the fractions were confirmed by using ESI-MS analysis. Both fractions are constituted of peptide components, which were sequenced by Edman degradation chemistry, resulting in the following sequences:Protonectin I-L-G-T-I-L-G-L-L-K-G-L-NH2Agelaia-MP I-N-W-L-K-L-G-K-A-I-I-D-A-L-NH2Both peptides are manually synthesized on solid-phase and functionally characterized by using Wistar rats cells. Protonectin is a non-hemolytic chemotactic peptide for polymorphonucleated leukocytes (PMNL), presenting some mast cell degranulating activity and potent antimicrobial action both against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Agelaia-MP was characterized as a hemolytic mast cell degranulator toxin, presenting a poor antimicrobial action and no chemotaxis for PMNL. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Biodegradação de filmes de polipropileno (PP), poli(3-hidroxibutirato) (PHB) e blenda de PP/PHB por microrganismos das águas do Rio Atibaia

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Structural and morphological changes in Poly(caprolactone)/poly(vinyl chloride) blends caused by UV irradiation

Films made from a blend of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) and poly(vinyl chloride) (PCL/PVC) retained high crystallinity in a segregated PCL phase. Structural and morphological changes produced when the films were exposed to high potency ultraviolet (UV) irradiation for 10 h were measured by UV-Vis spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). They were different to those observed with homopolymer PCL and PVC films treated under the same conditions. The FTIR spectra of the PCL/PVC blend suggest that blending decreased the susceptibility of the PCL to crystallize when irradiated. Similarly, although scanning electron micrographs of PCL showed evidence of growth of crystalline domains, particularly after UV irradiation, the images of PCL/PVC were fairly featureless. It is apparent that the degradation behavior is strongly influenced by the interaction of the two polymers in the amorphous phase.

Potential of the insect growth regulator, fluazuron, in the control of Rhipicephalus sanguineus nymphs (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae): Determination of the LD95 and LD50

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)