Free radical entrapment and crystallinity of resin composites after accelerated aging as a function of the expiration date

This study evaluated the spin concentration and the crystallinity in different classifications of dental composites as a function of the material condition (new, aged and expired). Specimens were obtained according to the factors: composites: Filtek P60, Filtek Z250, Filtek Z350XT, and Filtek Silorane; and material conditions: new, aged, and expired. The syringe composites underwent an accelerated aging protocol (Arrhenius model). The magnetic properties of the composites were characterized using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and the concentration of spins (number of spins/mass) was calculated. The crystallinity of the composites tested was characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD). Filtek P60 and Filtek Z250 presented similarities in terms of spin concentration and crystallinity, irrespective of the material condition. The aging protocol influenced the composite Filmic Z350XT that exhibited a significant increase in the spin concentration. Besides, lower intensity peaks of the organic matrix and amorphous silica were also observed for both aged and expired Filtek Z350XT. Although a significant lower spin concentration was observed for the silorane composite in comparison to that of the methacrylates, a decrease in the relative intensity of peaks of the amorphous region related to the organic components in the diffractograms was observed. The material conditions tested influence the crystallinity and the magnetic properties of the composites evaluated. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Two levels of the inspired oxygen fraction in propofol-anesthetized dogs with high intracranial pressure: cardiopulmonary function

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

Long-term obesity promotes alterations in diastolic function induced by reduction of phospholamban phosphorylation at serine-16 without affecting calcium handling

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

Assessment of structural cardiac abnormalities and diastolic function in women with gestational diabetes mellitus

Background: The main manifestation of hyperglycaemia during pregnancy is gestational diabetes mellitus. It can herald diabetes mellitus type 2 and its deleterious long-term effects, such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to assess diastolic function in women with gestational diabetes mellitus, one of the first signs of future cardiovascular disease.Methods: A total of 21 women with gestational diabetes mellitus and 23 healthy pregnant women (control group) between 34 and 37weeks of gestation underwent echocardiographic assessment. The diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus was made in agreement with the American Diabetes Association criteria. Echocardiographic images obtained were analysed according to the criteria of the American Society of Echocardiography. Data were analysed using Pearson correlation coefficient, analysis of variance and Student's t-test.Results: Women with gestational diabetes mellitus had higher posterior wall and interventricular septum thickness, increased left ventricular mass and left ventricular mass index, lower early diastolic annular velocity and early diastolic annular velocity/late diastolic annular velocity ratio. There was a positive correlation between left ventricular mass index and fasting glucose and pregnancy body mass index.Conclusion: Patients with gestational diabetes mellitus seem to have a different diastolic profile as well as a mildly dysfunctional pattern on echocardiogram, which may show a need for greater glycaemic control.

Improvements in the sensibility of MSA-GA tool using COFFEE objective function

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

Effects of the morphine-lidocaine-ketamine combination on cardiopulmonary function and isoflurane sparing in sheep

The aims of this study were to evaluate the isoflurane sparing and clinical effects of a constant rate infusion of morphine - lidocaine - ketamine (MLK) in healthy sheep undergoing experimental gastrointestinal surgery. Twelve adult female sheep (Texel breed) were used, weighing 36.5 +/- 8.1 kg. The sheep were anesthetized for the implantation of duodenal cannulas. The sheep were premedicated with 0.3 mg kg(-1) intramuscular (IM) morphine and 20 mu g kg(-1) intravenous (IV) detomidine. After premedication, anesthesia was induced using 5 mg kg(-1) ketamine and 0.5 mg kg(-1) diazepam IV and maintained using isoflurane in 100% oxygen. After the induction of anesthesia, the animals were allocated into two groups (each n=6); the GMLK (MLK group - 10 mg morphine, 150 mg lidocaine, 30 mg de ketamine were added in 500 mL saline) received a 10 mL kg(-1)h(-1) MLK infusion during the maintenance of anesthesia, and GCON (control group) received 10 mL kg(-1)h(-1) of 0.9% sodium chloride. The animals were mechanically ventilated. Cardiopulmonary variables and end-tidal isoflurane concentration (FE'Iso) were measured at baseline (immediately before the surgery) and 15, 30 and 45 minutes after initiation of surgery. In GMLK, there was a decrease in the FE 'Iso at 15, 30 and 45 minutes, a reduction of up to 75.6% during the surgery. The HR was lower in GMLK compared with GCON at 30 minutes, and the MAP was at during baseline in GCON compared with GMLK. The standing time was less in GMLK than in GCON. The use of intravenous MLK was demonstrated to offer great efficiency as part of a balanced anesthesia protocol in sheep, with a 75.6% reduction in the need for isoflurane, providing stability of the cardiovascular parameters and blood gases with a shortened recovery period.

Greater level of physical activity associated with better cognitive function in hemodialysis in end stage renal disease

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a lower exercise tolerance and poor functional capacity, carry on a sedentary lifestyle. Another important change found in patients with CKD is cognitive dysfunction. Physical inactivity has been associated with cognitive dysfunction in the general population, but few studies have evaluated this association in CKD. To assess the association between physical activity and cognitive function in patients with CKD on hemodialysis (HD). We evaluated 102 patients undergoing HD. The participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, which assesses the level of physical activity and the Mini Mental State Examination, used for cognitive screening. Patients were divided into three groups according to their level of physical activity (GI: active/GII: irregularly active/GIII: sedentary). It was applied logistic regression analysis and adopted as outcome variable the presence of cognitive impairment and preserving as independent variables those with a probability of statistical difference between groups of less than 0.1. It was considered statistically significant when p less than 0.05. The groups were similar in age, duration of HD, and smoking. Statistically significant difference regarding race, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, underlying disease and degree of cognitive impairment. Regarding laboratory data, the groups differed in terms of creatinine, glucose, hemoglobin and hematocrit. There was significant association with better physical activity and cognitive function, even adjusting for confounding variables. the highest level of physical activity was associated with better cognitive function in CKD patients undergoing HD.

Effect of vitamin D supplementation alone on muscle function in postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

The present study investigates the effects of vitamin D on muscle function in postmenopausal women. It has been shown that vitamin D supplementation in postmenopausal women with hypovitaminosis D provides significant protective factor against sarcopenia, with significant increases in muscle strength and control of progressive loss of lean mass. We aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementation of vitamin D (VITD) alone on muscle function in younger postmenopausal women. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 160 Brazilian postmenopausal women were randomized into two groups: VITD group consisting of patients receiving vitamin D3 1000 IU/day orally (n = 80) or placebo group (n = 80). Women with amenorrhea for more than 12 months and age 50-65 years, with a history of falls (previous 12 months), were included. The intervention time was 9 months, with assessments at two points, start and end. Lean mass was estimated by total-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and muscle strength by handgrip strength and chair rising test. The plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Statistical analysis was by intention to treat (ITT), using ANOVA, Student's t test, and Tukey's test. After 9 months, average values of 25(OH)D increased from 15.0 ± 7.5 to 27.5 ± 10.4 ng/ml (+45.4 %) in the VITD group and decreased from 16.9 ± 6.7 to 13.8 ± 6.0 ng/ml (-18.5 %) in the placebo group (p < 0.001). In the VITD group, there was significant increase in muscle strength (+25.3 %) of the lower limbs by chair rising test (p = 0.036). In women in the placebo group, there was considerable loss (-6.8 %) in the lean mass (p = 0.030). The supplementation of vitamin D alone in postmenopausal women provided significant protective factor against the occurrence of sarcopenia, with significant increases in muscle strength and control of progressive loss of lean mass.

Polymerization kinetics and polymerization stress in resin composites after accelerated aging as a function of the expiration date

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Lovastatin protects mithochondrial and renal function in kidney ischemia-reperfusion in rats

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of lovastatin on renal ischemia followed by reperfusion. METHODS: Thirty one Wistar rats submitted to left renal ischemia for 60 minutes followed by contralateral nephrectomy were divided into two groups: A (n = 17, control, no treatment), and B (n = 14, lovastatin 15 mg/kg/day p.o. ten days before ischemia). The animals were sacrificed at the end of ischemia, after 24 hours and at seven days after reperfusion. Survival, serum urea and creatinine levels and renal mitochondrial function were evaluated. RESULTS: Mortality was 29.4% in group A and 0.7% in group B. Urea and creatinine levels were increased in both groups, but the values were significantly lower in group B. Mitochondrial function showed decoupling in 83.4% of group A, as opposed to 38.4/% of group B. CONCLUSIONS: The result shows a protective action of renal function by lovastatin administered before ischemia/reperfusion. Since most of the mitochondrial fraction presented membranes with the ability to maintain ATP production in group B, stabilization of the mitochondrial membrane should be considered as part of the protective action of lovastatin on renal function in ischemia/reperfusion.

Cognitive function in patients with chronic pain treated with opioids: characteristics and associated factors

Background The paucity of studies regarding cognitive function in patients with chronic pain, and growing evidence regarding the cognitive effects of pain and opioids on cognitive function prompted us to assess cognition via neuropsychological measurement in patients with chronic non-cancer pain treated with opioids. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 49 patients were assessed by Continuous Reaction Time, Finger Tapping, Digit Span, Trail Making Test-B and Mini-mental State Examination tests. Linear regressions were applied. Results Patients scored poorly in the Trail Making Test-B (mean?=?107.6?s, SD?=?61.0, cut-off?=?91?s); and adequately on all other tests. Several associations among independent variables and cognitive tests were observed. In the multiple regression analyses, the variables associated with statistically significant poor cognitive performance were female sex, higher age, lower annual income, lower schooling, anxiety, depression, tiredness, lower opioid dose, and more than 5?h of sleep the night before assessment (P?<?0.05). Conclusions Patients with chronic pain may have cognitive dysfunction related to some reversible factors, which can be optimized by therapeutic interventions.

Fish Oil Supplementation Reduces Cachexia and Tumor Growth While Improving Renal Function in Tumor-Bearing Rats

The objective of the present work was to study the renal function of healthy and tumor-bearing rats chronically supplemented with fish oil (FO), a source of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Weanling male rats were divided in two groups, one control (C) and another orally supplemented for 70 days with FO (1 g/kg body weight). After this time, half the animals of each group were injected in the right flank with a suspension of Walker 256 tumor cells (W and WFO). The W group had less proteinemia reflecting cachectic proteolysis, FO reversed this fact. Tumor weight gain was also reduced in WFO. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was not different in FO or W compared to C, but was higher in WFO. Renal plasma flow (RPF) was higher in the FO supplemented groups. The W group had lower plasma osmolality than the C group, but FO supplementation resulted in normalization of this parameter. Fractional sodium excretion (FENa+) of FO rats was similar to C. Proximal Na+ reabsorption, evaluated by lithium clearance, was similar among the groups. Urinary thromboxane B-2 (TXB2) excretion was lower in the supplemented groups. The number of macrophages in renal tissue was higher in W compared to C rats, but was lower in WFO rats compared to W rats. In conclusion, FO supplementation resulted in less tumor growth and cachexia, and appeared to be renoprotective, as suggested by higher RPF and GFR.

Effect of Functional Stabilization Training on Lower Limb Biomechanics in Women

BALDON, R. D. M., D. F. M. LOBATO, L. P. CARVALHO, P. Y. L. WUN, P. R. P. SANTIAGO, and F. V. SERRAO. Effect of Functional Stabilization Training on Lower Limb Biomechanics in Women. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 44, No. 1, pp. 135-145, 2012. Purpose: This study aimed to verify the effects of functional stabilization training on lower limb kinematics, functional performance, and eccentric hip and knee torques. Methods: Twenty-eight women were divided into a training group (TG; n = 14), which carried out the functional stabilization training during 8 wk, and a control group (CG; n = 14), which carried out no physical training. The kinematic assessment of the lower limb was performed during a single-leg squat, and the functional performance was evaluated by way of the single-leg triple hop and the timed 6-m single-leg hop tests. The eccentric hip abductor, adductor, lateral rotator, medial rotator, and the knee flexor and extensor torques were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer. Results: After 8 wk, the TG significantly reduced the values for knee abduction (from -6.86 degrees to 1.49 degrees), pelvis depression (from -10.21 degrees to -7.86 degrees) and femur adduction (from 7.08 degrees to 5.19 degrees) as well as increasing the excursion of femur lateral rotation (from -0.55 degrees to -3.67 degrees). Similarly, the TG significantly increased the values of single-leg triple hop (from 3.52 to 3.92 m) and significantly decreased the values of timed 6-m single-leg hop tests (from 2.43 to 2.14 s). Finally, the TG significantly increased the eccentric hip abductor (from 1.31 to 1.45 N center dot m center dot kg(-1)), hip lateral rotator (from 0.75 to 0.91 N center dot m center dot kg(-1)), hip medial rotator (from 1.45 to 1.66 N center dot m center dot kg(-1)), knee flexor (from 1.43 to 1.55 N center dot m center dot kg(-1)), and knee extensor (from 3.46 to 4.40 N center dot m center dot kg(-1)) torques. Conclusions: Strengthening of the hip abductor and lateral rotator muscles associated with functional training improves dynamic lower limb alignment and increases the strength and functional performance.

Respiratory physiotherapy can increase lower esophageal sphincter pressure in GERD patients

Background: Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) has been shown to increase diaphragm thickness. We evaluated the effect of IMT on mid-respiratory pressure (MRP) in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hypotensive lower esophageal sphincter (LES), and compared the results with a sham group. Methods: Twenty consecutive patients (progressive loading group) and 9 controls (sham group) were included. All patients had end expiratory pressure (EEP) between 5 and 10 mmHg, underwent esophageal manometry and pulmonary function tests before and after 8 weeks of training, and used a threshold IMT twice daily. The threshold IMT was set at 30% of the maximal inspiratory pressure for the progressive loading group; while, the threshold for sham-treated patients was set at 7 cmH(2)O for the whole period. Results: There was an increase in MRP in 15 (75%) patients in the progressive loading group, with an average gain of 46.6% (p<0.01), and in six (66%) patients in the sham group with a mean increase of 26.2% (p<0.01). However, there was no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.507). The EEP also increased compared with measurements before training (p<0.01), but it did not differ between groups (p = 0.727). Conclusion: IMT increased LES pressure in patients with GERD, in both the treatment and sham groups, after an eight-week program. Although there was no statistically significant difference between groups, suggesting the pressure increase in LES occurs regardless of the resistance load of the threshold IMT. These findings need to be confirmed in further studies with a larger sample. Registration number: 0922/09. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Gonadal function in male patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Objective: To assess reproductive function in male ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients in comparison to healthy controls. Methods: Twenty AS patients were compared to 24 healthy male subjects with regard to demographic data, urological examination, testicular ultrasound (US), semen analysis, anti-sperm antibodies, and hormone profile. Exclusion criteria were present use of sulfasalazine or methotrexate, and ever use of biological/cytotoxic agents. Disease activity of AS was evaluated by clinical and laboratory assessments. Results: Demographic data were similar in AS and controls (p = 0.175). Varicocele was found significantly more frequently in AS patients than in controls (40% vs. 8%, p = 0.027). Semen analysis revealed no significant differences in sperm quality between AS patients and controls (p > 0.05). By contrast, the median of normal sperm forms was significantly lower in AS patients with vs. those without varicocele [13.5 (range 2-27) vs. 22 (range 10-32.5)%, p = 0.049] whereas no difference in sperm morphology was observed comparing AS patients and controls without varicocele (p = 0.670). Comparison of AS patients with and without varicocele showed that anti-sperm antibodies, hormones, inflammatory markers, and disease activity scores did not contribute to the impaired sperm morphology observed in AS patients with varicocele. Conclusions: An increased frequency of varicocele was found in AS patients associated with sperm abnormalities but independent of therapy, anti-sperm antibodies, hormonal alterations, or disease parameters. Investigation for varicocele should be routine in AS patients with fertility problems.