Ultra-sonografia abdominal e pélvica em cães da raça golden retriever sadios, portadores e afetados pela distrofia muscular progressiva

A distrofia muscular de Duchenne (DMD) é um tipo de distrofia muscular em humanos caracterizada por uma doença genética ligada ao cromossomo X. O cão golden retriever portador da distrofia muscular (GRMD) tem sido intensamente estudado e considerado o modelo mais representativo para a doença observada em humanos. Assim, como forma de verificar anormalidades em órgãos internos nesses animais, foi realizado o exame ultra-sonográfico de 24 cães golden retriever saudáveis, portadores e afetados pela distrofia muscular. O exame ultra-sonográfico do GRMD diagnosticou aumento hepático de moderado a severo, incluindo os vasos hepáticos e seus ramos e aumento de ecogenicidade da vesícula biliar e vesícula urinária. Entretanto, não foram observadas imagens claras de alterações no baço e nos vasos ramos da aorta. A partir disso, acreditamos que o exame ultra-sonográfico constitui-se em um procedimento útil no acesso de órgãos abdominais em cães afetados pela distrofia muscular.

Efeito do treinamento físico em alterações induzidas pelo envelhecimento no músculo papilar do rato

FUNDAMENTO: Os efeitos do envelhecimento no músculo papilar têm sido amplamente demonstrados, mas não há dados disponíveis sobre os efeitos do exercício nas alterações relacionadas à idade. OBJETIVO: Analisar os efeitos do envelhecimento nas propriedades morfológicas e quantitativas do músculo papilar e investigar se um programa contínuo de exercícios moderados pode exercer um efeito protetor contra as conseqüências do envelhecimento. MÉTODOS: Microscopia eletrônica foi utilizada para estudar a densidade dos miócitos, capilares e tecido conectivo e área transversal dos miócitos do músculo papilar no ventrículo esquerdo de ratos Wistar de 6 e 13 meses, não-treinados e submetidos a exercícios. RESULTADOS: Como esperado, a densidade de volume dos miócitos diminui significantemente (p<0,05) com a idade. A densidade de comprimento dos capilares também diminui com a idade, mas não de forma significante. A fração de volume intersticial do tecido do músculo capilar aumenta significantemente com a idade (P<0,05). O número de perfis de miócitos mostrou uma redução de 20% que foi acompanhada de hipertrofia dos miócitos no envelhecimento (P<0,05). Animais submetidos a uma sessão diária de 60 minutos, 5 dias/semana a 1,8 km.h-1 de corrida moderada em esteira ergométrica durante 28 semanas mostraram uma reversão de todos os efeitos do envelhecimento observados no músculo papilar. CONCLUSÃO: O presente estudo apóia o conceito de que treinamento físico de longo prazo impede as mudanças deletérias relacionadas à idade no músculo capilar.

Variabilidade espacial da textura de um Argissolo Vermelho Amarelo sob cultivo de pastagem e vegetação nativa

O conhecimento da variabilidade espacial dos atributos de um solo sob diferentes coberturas auxilia o estudo das alterações ocorridas em razão do manejo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar, com uso da estatística clássica e geoestatística, a variabilidade espacial das frações texturais de um solo cultivado com pastagem e vegetação nativa. Amostras de solo foram coletadas na profundidade de 0-0,20m, nos pontos de cruzamento de uma malha, com intervalos regulares de 10m, totalizando 64 pontos em cada área. Na área de pastagem, as frações areia grossa e total apresentaram valores médios maiores em relação à vegetação nativa e correlações negativas com as altitudes dos pontos amostrais nas duas áreas. Todas as frações texturais apresentaram dependência espacial de moderada a alta nas duas áreas e com o patamar definido, com exceção da areia fina e do silte na pastagem. Grande parte dessa variabilidade ocorre em função da erosão hídrica.

The effects of the experimental onfection from a focus of transmissopn of Schistosoma mansoni in a population of Biomphalaria tenagophila (D'Orbigny, 1835) in the region of "Vale do Ribeira de Iguape", Brazil

Com objetivo de observar os efeitos da infecção parasitária na biologia de B. tenagophila, foram realizadas infecções experimentais em populações de campo e laboratório, ambas procedentes de Itariri, Vale do Ribeira, Brasil. Cada molusco recebeu 10 miracídios de Schistosoma mansoni (linhagem SJ), sendo observado durante o desenvolvimento dos parasitos. As variáveis biológicas foram comparadas segundo os critérios "grupo" e "fase de infecção". Os principais danos decorrentes do parasitismo se manifestaram na reprodução, na longevidade e em lesões na concha dos moluscos na fase patente. Foi encontrada uma taxa de infecção de 58,8 por cento. O estudo microanatômico da glândula digestiva e do ovoteste do molusco revelou a presença de formas larvárias em evolução e cercárias. Concluiu-se que os efeitos da infecção parasitária, sobre as duas populações, foram moderados, uma vez que os danos não impediram a reprodução e a eliminação de cercárias que se manteve por um longo período, apesar da baixa sobrevivência dos moluscos parasitados

Effectiveness of a School-Based Intervention on Physical Activity for High School Students in Brazil: The Saude na Boa Project

Background: We evaluated the effectiveness of a school-based intervention on the promotion of physical activity among high school students in Brazil: the Saude no Boa project. Methods: A school-based, randomized trial was carried out in 2 Brazilian cities: Recife (northeast) and Florianopolis (south). Ten schools in each city were matched by size and location, and randomized into intervention or control groups. The intervention included environmental/organizational changes, physical activity education, and personnel training and engagement. Students age 15 to 24 years were evaluated at baseline and 9 months later (end of school year). Results: Although similar at baseline, after the intervention, the control group reported significantly fewer d/wk accumulating 60 minutes+ moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in comparison with the intervention group (2.6 versus 3.3, P < .001). The prevalence of inactivity (0 days per week) rose in the control and decreased in the intervention group. The odds ratio for engaging at least once per week in physical activity associated with the intervention was 1.83 (95% CI = 1.24-2.71) in the unadjusted analysis and 1.88 (95% CI = 1.27-2.79) after controlling for gender. Conclusion: The Saude no Boa intervention was effective at reducing the prevalence of physical inactivity. The possibility of expanding the intervention to other locations should be considered.

Relationship between training status and maximal fat oxidation rate

This study aimed to compare maximal fat oxidation rate parameters between moderate-and low-performance runners. Eighteen runners performed an incremental treadmill test to estimate individual maximal fat oxidation rate (Fat(max)) based on gases measures and a 10,000-m run on a track. The subjects were then divided into a low and moderate performance group using two different criteria: 10,000-m time and VO(2)max values. When groups were divided using 10,000-m time, there was no significant difference in Fat(max) (0.41 +/- 0.16 and 0.27 +/- 0.12 g.min(-1), p = 0.07) or in the exercise intensity that elicited Fat(max) (59.9 +/- 16.5 and 68.7 +/- 10.3 % (V) over dotO(2max), p = 0.23) between the moderate and low performance groups, respectively (p > 0.05). When groups were divided using VO(2max) values, Fat(max) was significantly lower in the low VO(2max) group than in the high VO(2max) group (0.29 +/- 0.10 and 0.47 +/- 0.17 g.min(-1), respectively, p < 0.05) but the intensity that elicited Fat(max) did not differ between groups (64.4 +/- 14.9 and 61.6 +/- 15.4 % VO(2max)). Fat(max) or % VO(2max) that elicited Fat(max) was not associated with 10,000 m time. The only variable associated with 10,000-m running performance was % VO(2max) used during the run (p < 0.01). In conclusion, the criteria used for the division of groups according to training status might influence the identification of differences in Fat(max) or in the intensity that elicits Fat(max).

Ventilation behavior in trained and untrained men during incremental test: evidence of one metabolic transition point

This study aimed to describe and compare the ventilation behavior during an incremental test utilizing three mathematical models and to compare the feature of ventilation curve fitted by the best mathematical model between aerobically trained (TR) and untrained ( UT) men. Thirty five subjects underwent a treadmill test with 1 km.h(-1) increases every minute until exhaustion. Ventilation averages of 20 seconds were plotted against time and fitted by: bi-segmental regression model (2SRM); three-segmental regression model (3SRM); and growth exponential model (GEM). Residual sum of squares (RSS) and mean square error (MSE) were calculated for each model. The correlations between peak VO2 (VO2PEAK), peak speed (Speed(PEAK)), ventilatory threshold identified by the best model (VT2SRM) and the first derivative calculated for workloads below (moderate intensity) and above (heavy intensity) VT2SRM were calculated. The RSS and MSE for GEM were significantly higher (p < 0.01) than for 2SRM and 3SRM in pooled data and in UT, but no significant difference was observed among the mathematical models in TR. In the pooled data, the first derivative of moderate intensities showed significant negative correlations with VT2SRM (r = -0.58; p < 0.01) and Speed(PEAK) (r = -0.46; p < 0.05) while the first derivative of heavy intensities showed significant negative correlation with VT2SRM (r = -0.43; p < 0.05). In UT group the first derivative of moderate intensities showed significant negative correlations with VT2SRM (r = -0.65; p < 0.05) and Speed(PEAK) (r = -0.61; p < 0.05), while the first derivative of heavy intensities showed significant negative correlation with VT2SRM (r= -0.73; p < 0.01), Speed(PEAK) (r = -0.73; p < 0.01) and VO2PEAK (r = -0.61; p < 0.05) in TR group. The ventilation behavior during incremental treadmill test tends to show only one threshold. UT subjects showed a slower ventilation increase during moderate intensities while TR subjects showed a slower ventilation increase during heavy intensities.

Antidiabetes and antihypertension potential of commonly consumed carbohydrate sweeteners using in vitro models

Commonly consumed carbohydrate sweeteners derived from sugar cane, palm, and corn (syrups) were investigated to determine their potential to inhibit key enzymes relevant to Type 2 diabetes and hypertension based on the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity using in vitro models. Among sugar cane derivatives, brown sugars showed higher antidiabetes potential than white sugars; nevertheless, no angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition was detected in both sugar classes. Brown sugar from Peru and Mauritius (dark muscovado) had the highest total phenolic content and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, which correlated with a moderate inhibition of yeast alpha-glucosidase without showing a significant effect on porcine pancreatic alpha-amylase activity. In addition, chlorogenic acid quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography was detected in these sugars (128 +/- 6 and 144 +/- 2 mu g/g of sample weight, respectively). Date sugar exhibited high alpha-glucosidase, alpha-amylase, and ACE inhibitory activities that correlated with high total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Neither phenolic compounds or antioxidant activity was detected in corn syrups, indicating that nonphenolic factors may be involved in their significant ability to inhibit alpha-glucosidase, alpha-amylase, and ACE. This study provides a strong biochemical rationale for further in vivo studies and useful information to make better dietary sweetener choices for Type 2 diabetes and hypertension management.

Mechanistic aspects of the isomerization of Z-vinylic tellurides double bonds in the synthesis of potassium Z-vinyltrifluoroborate salts

Through direct transmetalation reaction of Z-vinylic tellurides with nBuLi was observed the unexpected isomerization of double bonds leading to potassium E-vinyltrifluoroborates salts in low to moderate yields. Using EPR spin trapping experiments the radical species that promoted the stereoinversion of Z-vinylic organometallic species during the preparation of potassium vinyltrifluoroborate salts was identified. The experiments support the proposed mechanism, which is based on the homolytic cleavage of the TenBu bond.

Quadruple therapy with furazolidone for retreatment in patients with peptic ulcer disease

AIM: To establish the efficacy and safety of a 7-d therapeutic regimen using omeprazole, bismuth suticitrate, furazolidone and amoxicillin in patients with peptic ulcer disease who had been previously treated with other therapeutic regimens without success. METHODS: Open cohort study which included patients with peptic ulcer who had previously been treated unsuccessfully with one or more eradication regimens. The therapeutic regimen consisted of 20 mg omeprazole, 240 mg colloidal bismuth subcitrate, 1000 mg amoxicillin, and 200 mg furazolidone, taken twice a day for 7 d. Patients were considered as eradicated when samples taken from the gastric antrum and corpus 12 wk after the end of treatment were negative for Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) (rapid urease test and histology). Safety was determined by the presence of adverse effects. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients were enrolled. The eradication rate was 68.8% (31/45). Adverse effects were reported by 31.4% of the patients, and these were usually considered to be slight or moderate in the majority of the cases. Three patients had to withdraw from the treatment due to the presence of severe adverse effects. CONCLUSION: The association of bismuth, furazolidone, amoxicillin and a proton-pump inhibitor is a valuable alternative for patients who failed to respond to other eradication regimens. It is an effective, cheap and safe option for salvage therapy of positive patients. (C) 2008 The WJG Press. All rights reserved.

A perivascular epithelioid cell tumor of the stomach: An unsuspected diagnosis

Perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa) is a rare mesenchymal neoplasia and currently well recognized as a distinct entity with characteristic morphological, immunohistochemical and molecular findings. We report a case of PEComa arising in the antrum of a 71-year-old female with melena. The tumor, located predominantly in the submucosa as a well delimited nodule, measured 3.0 cm in diameter and was completely resected, with no evidence of the disease elsewhere. Histologically, it was composed predominantly of eosinophilic epithelioid cells arranged in small nests commonly related to variably sized vessels, with abundant extracellular material, moderate nuclear variation and discrete mitotic activity. No necrosis, angiolymphatic invasion or perineural infiltration was seen. Tumor cells were uniformly positive for vimentin, smooth muscle actin, desmin and melan A. Although unusual, PEComa should be considered in the differential diagnosis of gastric neoplasia with characteristic epithelioid and oncocytic features and prominent vasculature: (C) 2010 Baishideng. All rights reserved.

A novel mutation in the glycogen synthase 2 gene in a child with glycogen storage disease type 0

Background: Glycogen storage disease type 0 is an autosomal recessive disease presenting in infancy or early childhood and characterized by ketotic hypoglycemia after prolonged fasting and postprandial hyperglycemia and hyperlactatemia. Sixteen different mutations have been identified to date in the gene which encodes hepatic glycogen synthase, resulting in reduction of glycogen storage in the liver. Case Presentation: Biochemical evaluation as well as direct sequencing of exons and exon-intron boundary regions of the GYS2 gene were performed in a patient presenting fasting hypoglycemia and postprandial hyperglycemia and her parents. The patient was found to be compound heterozygous for one previously reported nonsense mutation (c. 736 C>T; R243X) and a novel frameshift mutation (966_967delGA/insC) which introduces a stop codon 21 aminoacids downstream from the site of the mutation that presumably leads to loss of 51% of the COOH-terminal part of the protein. The glycemia and lactatemia of the parents after an oral glucose tolerance test were evaluated to investigate a possible impact of the carrier status on the metabolic profile. The mother, who presented a positive family history of type 2 diabetes, was classified as glucose intolerant and the father, who did not exhibit metabolic changes after the glucose overload, had an antecedent history of hypoglycemia after moderate alcohol ingestion. Conclusion: The current results expand the spectrum of known mutations in GYS2 and suggest that haploinsufficiency could explain metabolic abnormalities in heterozygous carriers in presence of predisposing conditions.

Efficacy of a 7-day course of furazolidone, levofloxacin, and lansoprazole after failed Helicobacter pylori eradication

Background: Increasing resistance to clarithromycin and nitroimidazole is the main cause of failure in the Helicobacter pylori eradication. The ideal retreatment regimen remains unclear, especially in developing countries, where the infection presents high prevalence and resistance to antibiotics. The study aimed at determining the efficacy, compliance and adverse effects of a regimen that included furazolidone, levofloxacin and lansoprazole in patients with persistent Helicobacter pylori infection, who had failed to respond to at least one prior eradication treatment regimen. Methods: This study included 48 patients with peptic ulcer disease. Helicobacter pylori infection was confirmed by a rapid urease test and histological examination of samples obtained from the antrum and corpus during endoscopy. The eradication therapy consisted of a 7-day twice daily oral administration of lansoprazole 30 mg, furazolidone 200 mg and levofloxacin 250 mg. Therapeutic success was confirmed by a negative rapid urease test, histological examination and 14C- urea breath test, performed 12 weeks after treatment completion. The Chi-square method was used for comparisons among eradication rates, previous treatments and previous furazolidone use. Results: Only one of the 48 patients failed to take all medications, which was due to adverse effects (vomiting). Per-protocol and intention-to-treat eradication rates were 89% (95% CI-89%-99%) and 88% (88-92%), respectively. Mild and moderate adverse effects were reported by 41 patients (85%). For patients with one previous treatment failure, the eradication rate was 100%. Compared to furazolidone-nave patients, eradication rates were lower in those who had failed prior furazolidone-containing regimen(s) (74% vs. 100%, p = 0.002). Conclusion: An empiric salvage-regimen including levofloxacin, furazolidone and lansoprazole is very effective in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori, particularly in patients that have failed one prior eradication therapy.

Relationship between maxillary and mandibular base lengths and dental crowding in patients with complete Class II malocclusions

Objective: To verify the relationship between maxillary and mandibular effective lengths and dental crowding in patients with Class II malocclusions. Materials and Methods: The sample comprised 80 orthodontic patients with complete Class II malocclusions in the permanent dentition (47 male, 33 female) who were divided into two groups according to the amount of mandibular tooth-arch size discrepancy. The maxillary and mandibular effective lengths (Co-A and Co-Gn) and tooth-arch size discrepancies were measured on the initial cephalograms and dental casts, respectively. Intergroup comparisons of apical base lengths were performed with independent t-tests. Correlation between base length and dental crowding was examined by means of Pearson's correlation coefficient (P < .05). Results: Patients with Class II malocclusion and moderate to severe crowding had significantly smaller maxillary and mandibular effective lengths than subjects with the same malocclusion and slight mandibular crowding. A weak inverse correlation was also found between maxillary and mandibular effective lengths and the severity of dental crowding. Conclusion: Decreased maxillary and mandibular effective lengths constitute an important factor associated with dental crowding in patients with complete Class II malocclusion. (Angle Orthod. 2011;81:217-221.)

Utilization of Low-Intensity Laser During Healing of Free Gingival Grafts

Objectives: This study evaluates the action of a low-intensity diode laser with gallium-aluminum-arsenide (GaAlAs) active medium on the healing process and analgesia in individuals undergoing free gingival grafts. Material and Method: Ten individuals needing bilateral gingival graft in the mandibular arch were enrolled in a double-blind study. Each individual had a 30-d interval between the two surgeries. The side receiving application of laser was defined as test side and was established upon surgery; laser application was simulated on the control side. The laser was applied in the immediate postoperative period and after 48 h, and patients rated pain on a scale of 0 to 10, representing minimal and maximal pain, respectively. Photographs were obtained at 7, 15, 30, and 60d postoperatively and evaluated by five periodontists. Results: No statistically significant difference was found at any postoperative period between control and test sides, even though greater clinical improvement associated with treatment was observed at 15d postoperative. At 30 and 60d, some examiners observed the same or greater clinical improvement for the control. Only one individual reported mild to moderate pain on the first postoperative day. Conclusions: Low-intensity laser therapy did not improve the healing of gingival grafts and did not influence analgesia.