Utilização da frutose-1, 6-Bisfosfato como um protetor celular na preservação de fígados para transplante

A solução de preservação da Universidade de Wisconsin (UW) é considerada a solução padrão para preservação de fígados, rins e pâncreas. A frutose-1,6-bisfosfato (FBP) é uma substância que apresenta efeito protetor do fígado contra injúrias provocadas por agentes químicos e ocorridas durante o período de isquemia-reperfusão. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da FBP na composição de soluções para preservação de fígados para transplante. Neste estudo experimental, a perfusão e a preservação dos fígados foram realizadas em cada grupo com as soluções de UW, UW contendo 10 mmol/L de FBP (UWM) e FBP 10 mmol/L (FBPS), respectivamente. Os fígados foram armazenados em um recipiente plástico contendo solução de preservação a 4oC por 24 horas. As mensurações bioquímicas de AST, ALT, LDH e TBARS foram realizadas em amostras das soluções de preservação nos tempos de 0, 12, 18 e 24 horas. A análise histológica foi realizada em fígados preservados por 24 horas. O grau de preservação observado com as soluções de UW e FBPS foi similar até 18 horas de armazenamento. A adição de 10 mmol/L de FBP à solução de UW provocou um aumento das injúrias ocorridas e uma pior preservação quando comparado ao grupo armazenado em UW. A FBP protegeu os fígados contra danos causados pelos radicais livres por tempos de preservação inferiores a 18 horas. Não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos na análise histológica dos fígados preservados no tempo de 24 horas. A FBP utilizada em solução foi eficaz na preservação de fígados, podendo ser um importante constituinte para outras formulações.

Síntese e caracterização do líquido iônico tetrafluoroborato de 1-metil-3-(2,6-(S)-dimetiloct-2-eno)-imidazol como eletrólito para produção de hidrogênio via eletrólise da água

Ionic liquids (ILs) are organic compounds liquid at room temperature, good electrical conductors, with the potential to form as a means for electrolyte on electrolysis of water, in which the electrodes would not be subjected to such extreme conditions demanding chemistry [1]. This paper describes the synthesis, characterization and study of the feasibility of ionic liquid ionic liquid 1-methyl-3(2,6-(S)-dimethyloct-2-ene)-imidazole tetrafluoroborate (MDI-BF4) as electrolyte to produce hydrogen through electrolysis of water. The MDI-BF4 synthesized was characterized by thermal methods of analysis (Thermogravimetric Analysis - TG and Differential Scanning Calorimetry - DSC), mid-infrared spectroscopy with Fourier transform by method of attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of hydrogen (NMR 1H) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Where thermal methods were used to calculate the yield of the synthesis of MDI-BF4 which was 88.84%, characterized infrared spectroscopy functional groups of the compound and the binding B-F 1053 cm-1; the NMR 1H analyzed and compared with literature data defines the structure of MDI-BF4 and the current density achieved by MDI-BF4 in the voltammogram shows that the LI can conduct electrical current indicating that the MDI-BF4 is a good electrolyte, and that their behavior does not change with the increasing concentration of water

Impacto urbano ocasionado por empreendimentos da construção civil no entorno da zona de proteção ambiental (zpa-6), Vila de Ponta Negra, Natal/RN

The process of urbanization in recent decades has generated considerable seriousness of problems relating to the use and occupation physical environment of cities. The concentration of population, economic activities and technological standards have reinforced an existing urban environment highly degraded as a consequence of the development style that leads to the predatory use of natural resources. In this context, cities as centers of production and consumption, have the most serious problems of environmental degradation. This study investigated the impacts of the municipal building projects to large-scale vertical in the town of Vila de Ponta Negra, Natal-RN, given the proximity to the Environmental Protection Area (ZPA-6) and considering its environmental importance , scenic, landscape and tourism for the city of Natal-RN. The fragility of the licensing process and the failure of the assumptions in the analysis, objective and subjective, for the granting of environmental permits for the building construction projects, specifically those set out in the surroundings of the Environmental Protection Area (ZPA-6) and fundamental importance of landscape and tourism for the city of Natal, has aroused the concern of local people in and of itself the Government, faced with the probable impacts that will affect greatly the Vila de Ponta Negra. The methodology used to achieve the intended objectives will be the literature review, questionnaire to the surrounding population and the Government, as well as findings on the spot, through the photographic record. The beneficiaries of the license, if the entrepreneurs, have been affected because of the granting of licensing act of investing large amount of capital in the works. Additionally, with distrust of the population, since they are to discredit the public system of environmental management have guessed by the probability of imbalance to the environment and structural damage to the Vila de Ponta Negra, where such failure to support energy, lack of regular supply of water , lack of sanitation and access roads sufficient for the flow of motor vehicles in these areas, among other factors. Thus, this work will contribute to the diagnosis and solutions to the problem in question, so that the Government will effectively fulfill its social management of ecologically balanced environment of continuing urban development in Natal, Brazil

Reproducibility of 6-minute walking test in patients with COPD

The reproducibility of the 6-min walking test (6MWT) needs to be more solidly studied. This study aimed to investigate the reproducibility of two 6MWTs performed on subsequent days in a large and representative sample of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to quantify the learning effect between the two tests, as well as its determinants.In a retrospective observational study, 1,514 patients with COPD performed two 6MWTs on subsequent days. Other measurements included body composition (dual X-ray absorptiometry), dyspnoea (Medical Research Council scale) and comorbidity (Charlson index).Although the 6MWT was reproducible (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.93), patients walked farther in the second test (391 m, 95% CI 155-585 m versus 418 m, 95% CI 185-605 m; p < 0.0001). on average, the second 6MWT increased by 27 m (or 7%), and 82% of patients improved in the second test. Determinants of improvement >= 42 m in the second test (upper limit of the clinically important change) were as follows: first 6MWT < 350 m, Charlson index < 2 and body mass index < 30 kg.m(-2) (OR 2.49, 0.76 and 0.60, respectively).The 6MWT was statistically reproducible in a representative sample of patients with COPD. However, the vast majority of patients improved significantly in the second test by an average learning effect of 27 m.

Effect of vesicles of dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride and phospholipids on the rate of decarboxylation of 6-nitrobenzisoxazole-3-carboxylate

Sonicated mixtures of dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride (DODAC), egg phosphatidylcholine (PC), dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC), and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) were used to analyze vesicle effects on the rate of decarboxylation of 6-nitrobenzisoxazol-3-carboxylic acid (Nboc). Electron microscopic images of the vesicles were obtained with trehalose, a know cryoprotector. Phase diagrams and phase transitions temperatures of the vesicle bilayers were determined. Nboc decarboxylation rates increased in the presence of vesicles prepared with both phospholipids and DODAC/phospholipid mixtures. Quantitative analysis of vesicular effects was done using pseudophase models. Phospholipids catalyzed up to 140-fold while the maximum catalysis by DODAC/lipid vesicles reached 800-fold. Acceleration depends on alkyl chain length, fatty acid insaturation of the lipids, and the DODAC/phospholipid molar ratio. Catalysis is not related to the liquid crystalline-gel state of the bilayer and may be related to the relative position of Nboc with respect to the interface.

Icterícia neonatal e deficiência de glicose-6-fosfato desidrogenase

A deficiência de glicose-6-fosfato desidrogenase em neonatos pode ser a responsável pela icterícia neonatal. Este comentário científico é decorrente do relato sobre o tema publicado neste fascículo e que preocupa diversos autores de outros países em relação às complicações em neonatos de hiperbilirrubinemia, existindo inclusive proposições de alguns autores em incluir o teste para identificar a deficiência de glicose-6-fosfato desidrogenase nos recém-nascidos.

Respostas fisiológicas durante teste de caminhada dos 6 minutos em mulheres com diferentes níveis de adiposidade

Backgroud: Obesity is a major public health problem and is related to the low physical capacity when obese are compared to no-obese people, however the cause of this limitation is not completely understood. The measurement associated of physiological response to the telemetric 6MWT adds information of metabolic and respiratory system for diagnose of the functional limitation. Objective: Analyze physiological, metabolic and ventilatory responses in women with different body fat during the 6MWT. Methods: 32 women (8 non-obese, 8 Overweight, 8 Obese and 8 morbidly obese) were evaluated for anthropometry, lung function and exercise capacity. Results: Morbidly obese walked the shortest distance (400.2±38.7m), had lower VO2/Kg (12.75±3.20l/Kg/min) and lower R (0.74± 0.11) in the 6MWT compared to other groups. Analyses of metabolic (VO2 and VCO2) and respiratory (VE, VT and BF) during the test did not identify differences between groups. The evaluation of cardiac function (O2 pulse) found higher values in the OM (12.3 ± 4.9ml/bat). Conclusion: The OM had worse performance in the 6MWT compared to other groups. The physical performance may be reduced in this population related to a protocol-dependent response because the speed of 6MWT is self-adjusted allows the individual himself select the intensity of the test, making it set at a speed where there is energy saving

Positive end-expiratory pressure in acute respiratory distress syndrome: should the 'open lung strategy' be replaced by a 'protective lung strategy'?

In patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, positive end-expiratory pressure is associated with alveolar recruitment and lung hyperinflation despite the administration of a low tidal volume. The best positive end-expiratory pressure should correspond to the best compromise between recruitment and distension, a condition that coincides with the best respiratory elastance.

Eficácia da solução de cloreto de sódio a 7,5% com e sem dextran 70 a 6% na preservação da função renal de cães hipovolêmicos submetidos à isquemia-reperfusão

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: As soluções hipertônicas de cloreto de sódio, associadas ou não a colóides hiperoncóticos, podem ser eficazes em proteger o rim em situações de hipovolemia. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar, em cães, o real benefício dessas soluções sobre a função renal, em vigência de hipovolemia e isquemia do órgão. MÉTODO: em 24 cães, anestesiados com pentobarbital sódico, submetidos à nefrectomia direita e à expansão volêmica com solução de Ringer (1 ml.kg-1.min-1), foram observadas possíveis alterações renais morfo-funcionais após hemorragia de 20 ml.kg-1 e trinta minutos de total isquemia renal esquerda, com posterior reperfusão, além da repercussão renal da administração de soluções de cloreto de sódio 7,5% (SH) e esta em dextran 70 a 6% (SHD). Atributos estudados: FC, PAM, pressão de veia cava inferior, fluxo sangüíneo renal, resistência vascular renal, hematócrito, Na+, K+, osmolaridade plasmática, PaO2, PaCO2 e pH, depuração (para-aminohipurato de sódio - PAH-1, creatinina, osmolar, água livre, Na+, K+), fração de filtração, volume e osmolaridade urinários, excreções urinárias e fracionárias de Na+ e K+ e exame histopatológico do rim. Os atributos foram estudados em três grupos (G1, G2 e G3) e em cinco momentos. RESULTADOS: Houve elevação estatisticamente significativa da pressão arterial média em G2 e G3, da resistência vascular renal em G1, do fluxo sangüíneo renal e da depuração de PAH em G3, da excreção fracionária de Na+ em G2 e G3, das depurações de creatinina, osmolar, de água livre e de Na+ e K+, da excreção urinária de Na+ e K+ e do volume urinário em G3. CONCLUSÕES: A SHD administrada 15 minutos após hemorragia moderada e 30 minutos antes de insulto isquêmico de 30 minutos foi eficiente em proteger o rim de cães das repercussões da isquemia-reperfusão. Não foi constatada alteração histopatológica renal à microscopia óptica.

Interleukin-6 treatment enhances human monocyte permissiveness for Paracoccidioides brasiliensis growth by modulating cytokine production

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

Adjuvant therapy with GnRH agonists/tamoxifen in breast cancer should be a good council for patients with hormone receptor-positive tumours and wish to preserve fertility

Infertility represents one of the main long-term consequences of the chemotherapy used for the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer. Approximately 60-65% of breast cancers express the nuclear hormone receptor in premenopausal women. Adjuvant endocrine therapy is an integral component of care for patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) tumours. The GnRH agonist (GnRHa) alone or in combination with tamoxifen produces results at least similar to those obtained with the different chemotherapy protocols in patients with HR+ breast cancer with respect to recurrence-free survival and overall survival. It is time to indicate adjuvant therapy with GnRHa associated with tamoxifen for patients with breast cancer (HR+ tumours) if they want to preserve their reproductive function. The evaluation of ovarian reserve tests: follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), inhibin B, antral follicle count (AFC) and ovarian volume 6 months, and 1 year after the end of therapy with GnRHa/tamoxifen must be realised. The recurrence-free survival and overall survival should be analysed. The major implication of this hypothesis will be to avoid adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with breast cancer (HR+ tumours) that request fertility preservation. It is expected that ovarian function should not be altered in almost all cases and subsequent pregnancy a real possibility. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cell blocks allow reliable evaluation of expression of basal (CK5/6) and luminal (CK8/18) cytokeratins and smooth muscle actin (SMA) in breast carcinoma

Objective:Gene expression studies have revealed several molecular subtypes of breast carcinoma with distinct clinical and biological behaviours. DNA microarray studies correlated with immunohistochemical profiling of breast carcinomas using cytokeratin (CK) markers, Her2/neu, oestrogen receptor (ER), and basal myoepithelial cell markers have identified five breast tumour subtypes: (i) luminal A (ER+; Her2/neu-), (ii) luminal B (ER+; Her2/neu+), (iii) Her2 overexpression (ER-; Her2/neu+), (iv) basal-like (ER-; Her2/neu-, CK5/6 and 14+), and (v) negative for all markers. Luminal carcinomas express cytokeratins in a luminal pattern (CK8/18), and the basal-like type expresses CK5/6 and CK14 or basal epithelial cell markers. CK5/6, CK8/18, and smooth muscle actin (SMA) expression were assessed in cell blocks and compared with expression in surgical specimens.Methods:Sixty-two cases of breast carcinoma diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology with cell blocks and available surgical specimens were included. Cell blocks containing at least 10 high-power fields each with at least 10 tumour cells and surgical specimens were immunostained for CK5/6, CK8/18 and SMA.Results:Percentage sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were, respectively, 77, 100, 100, 92 and 94 for CK5/6; 98, 66, 96, 80 and 95 for CK8/18; and 92, 96, 85, 98 and 95 for SMA.Conclusion:The identification of CK5/6, CK8/18 and SMA by immunohistochemistry in cell blocks can be a reliable method that yields results close to those obtained in surgical specimens, and can contribute to the classification of breast carcinomas with luminal and basal expression patterns, providing helpful information in the choice of treatment and in the evaluation of prognostic and predictive factors.

Stroke in ancient times - a reinterpretation of Psalms 137 : 5,6

Stroke was probably first described in Psalms 136: 5-6 of the Catholic Bible, and Psalms 137:5-6 of the Evangelical Bible. Based on the Portuguese, Spanish, English, German, Dutch, Russian, Greek, and original Hebrew Bible, the significance of this Psalm is the invocation of a punishment, of which the final result would be a stroke of the left middle cerebral artery, causing motor aphasia and right hemiparesis.

Conductive hearing loss in children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia: A longitudinal follow-up study in children aged between 6 and 24 months

Aims: To determine the occurrence of isolated and recurrent episodes of conductive hearing loss (CHL) during the first two years of life in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with and without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).Study design, subjects and outcome measures: In a longitudinal clinical study. 187 children were evaluated at 6, 9, 12,15 18 and 24 months of age by visual reinforcement audiometry, tympanometry and auditory brain response system.Results: of the children with BPD, 54.5% presented with episodes of CHL, as opposed to 34.7% of the children without BPD. This difference was found to be statistically significant. The recurrent or persistent episodes were more frequent among children with BPD (25.7%) than among those without BPD (8.3%). The independent variables that contributed to this finding were small for gestational age and a 5 min Apgar score.Conclusions: Recurrent CHL episodes are more frequent among VLBW infants with BPD than among VLBW infants without BPD. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.