Stretching Exercise Program Improves Gait in the Elderly

Background: Ageing is characterized by a number of physical changes that contribute to a decline in the ability to perform daily tasks. Stretching has been proposed to reduce hip flexion contracture and increase hip and pelvis range of motion, thus improving gait performance. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a supervised stretching program designed to improve the range of motion of the lower limbs alters gait kinematics in older adults. Methods: Twenty healthy older adult women (65.9 +/- 4.2 years old and BMI 24.9 +/- 3.5) were divided into 2 groups. The experimental group undertook 12 sessions of stretching exercises, whereas the control group did not engage in any physical activity. Gait performance was assessed at the beginning of the experiment and after the 4-week intervention period. Results: Those in the experimental group showed increased step length, higher velocity and reduced double support time after training. In addition, participants involved in the stretching program showed greater anterior and lateral pelvis tilt and also greater rotation (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Based on our results, we can suggest that a supervised stretching program is effective to alter a number of gait variables. Moreover, after the stretching protocol, aged participants displayed gait parameters which were similar to those reported in young healthy adults. Therefore, stretching can be used as an effective means to improve range of motion and reverse some age-related changes that influence gait performance. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel

Androgen receptor in the Mongolian gerbil ventral prostate: Evaluation during different phases of postnatal development and following androgen blockage

The normal growth, differentiation and maintenance of the morphofunctional integrity of the prostate gland are dependent on the interaction of constant levels of androgens with their receptors. The need to study the responses to hormones under several conditions and the effect of their blockage is due to the fact that the human prostate is the site of a great number of age-related diseases, and the ones with a major medical importance are prostate cancer (Cap) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which can both be treated with androgen suppression. Seventy-five male gerbils were divided, randomly, into 3 groups of 25 animals each, where each group corresponded to one phase of postnatal development. In each phase, it was possible to morphologically and stereologically analyze the compartments of prostatic ventral lobe, as well as to immunohistochemically analyze the degree of expression of androgen receptors (ARs) after the androgen blockage therapies. In addition, it was possible to establish the hormonal dosage of serum testosterone levels given the comparative approach of the expression of androgen receptors. There is a pattern of AR distribution in the prostatic ventral lobe throughout postnatal development, in which the younger the animal is the higher, the interaction of circulating androgens that stimulate the AR expression in both the epithelial and stromal compartments. The androgen blockage therapies decreased AR expression in the prostatic compartments, but the androgen reposition after these blockages was not sufficient to recover the glandular structure or stimulate the AR expression up to normal physiological conditions. Both the regulation and distribution of androgen receptors along the gerbil prostatic tissues are complex mechanisms that are likely to be genetically regulated by androgens prenatally or by other factors that are still unknown. This rodent species seems to be a valuable model in the attempt to improve the understanding of the morphophysiological and pathological behavior of this important gland in humans throughout aging and to stimulate new therapeutic ideas to fight prostate cancer. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Errors in nonword repetition: bridging short- and long-term memory

According to the working memory model, the phonological loop is the component of working memory specialized in processing and manipulating limited amounts of speech-based information. The Children's Test of Nonword Repetition (CNRep) is a suitable measure of phonological short-term memory for English-speaking children, which was validated by the Brazilian Children's Test of Pseudoword Repetition (BCPR) as a Portuguese-language version. The objectives of the present study were: i) to investigate developmental aspects of the phonological memory processing by error analysis in the nonword repetition task, and ii) to examine phoneme (substitution, omission and addition) and order (migration) errors made in the BCPR by 180 normal Brazilian children of both sexes aged 4-10, from preschool to 4th grade. The dominant error was substitution [F(3,525) = 180.47; P < 0.0001]. The performance was age-related [F(4,175) = 14.53; P < 0.0001]. The length effect, i.e., more errors in long than in short items, was observed [F(3,519) = 108.36; P < 0.0001]. In 5-syllable pseudowords, errors occurred mainly in the middle of the stimuli, before the syllabic stress [F(4,16) = 6.03; P = 0.003]; substitutions appeared more at the end of the stimuli, after the stress [F(12,48) = 2.27; P = 0.02]. In conclusion, the BCPR error analysis supports the idea that phonological loop capacity is relatively constant during development, although school learning increases the efficiency of this system. Moreover, there are indications that long-term memory contributes to holding memory trace. The findings were discussed in terms of distinctiveness, clustering and redintegration hypotheses.

Macro- and microstructure of the superior cervical ganglion in dogs, cats and horses during maturation

The superior cervical ganglion (SCG) provides sympathetic input to the head and neck, its relation with mandible, submandibular glands, eyes (second and third order control) and pineal gland being demonstrated in laboratory animals. In addition, the SCG's role in some neuropathies can be clearly seen in Horner's syndrome. In spite of several studies published involving rats and mice, there is little morphological descriptive and comparative data of SCG from large mammals. Thus, we investigated the SCG's macro- and microstructural organization in medium (dogs and cats) and large animals (horses) during a very specific period of the post-natal development, namely maturation (from young to adults). The SCG of dogs, cats and horses were spindle shaped and located deeply into the bifurcation of the common carotid artery, close to the distal vagus ganglion and more related to the internal carotid artery in dogs and horses, and to the occipital artery in cats. As to macromorphometrical data, that is ganglion length, there was a 23.6% increase from young to adult dogs, a 1.8% increase from young to adult cats and finally a 34% increase from young to adult horses. Histologically, the SCG's microstructure was quite similar between young and adult animals and among the 3 species. The SCG was divided into distinct compartments (ganglion units) by capsular septa of connective tissue. Inside each ganglion unit the most prominent cellular elements were ganglion neurons, glial cells and small intensely fluorescent cells, comprising the ganglion's morphological triad. Given this morphological arrangement, that is a summation of all ganglion units, SCG from dogs, cats and horses are better characterized as a ganglion complex rather than following the classical ganglion concept. During maturation (from young to adults) there was a 32.7% increase in the SCG's connective capsule in dogs, a 25.8% increase in cats and a 33.2% increase in horses. There was an age-related increase in the neuronal profile size in the SCG from young to adult animals, that is a 1.6-fold, 1.9-fold and 1.6-fold increase in dogs, cats and horses, respectively. on the other hand, there was an age-related decrease in the nuclear profile size of SCG neurons from young to adult animals (0.9-fold, 0.7-fold and 0.8-fold in dogs, cats and horses, respectively). Ganglion connective capsule is composed of 2 or 3 layers of collagen fibres in juxtaposition and, as observed in light microscopy and independently of the animal's age, ganglion neurons were organised in ganglionic units containing the same morphological triad seen in light microscopy. Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Acclimation of broiler chickens to chronic high environmental temperature

The present study was conducted to evaluate the zootechnical parameters and age related changes in physiological responses of broiler chickens exposed to hot environment from early age onwards. The broiler chickens were exposed to high temperature (30 degreesC) at 15 d of age and maintained to Day 38 or maintained under thermoneutral environment (control).No significant decrease in feed consumption (FC) and body weight (BW) gain was observed in high temperature group after 7 d of exposure, but in the subsequent period, heat exposure lowered BW and FC, compared to control group. However, the weight gain was not significantly changed after 24 d of exposure, and the feed efficiency was not affected throughout the experimental period.The venous pCO(2) pressure was only significantly decreased by temperature after 24 d of heat exposure. The glucose, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), triglyceride (TG), glucose, lipid peroxidation (LPO), creatine kinase (CK), and corticosterone were not influenced by the temperature treatment. The significant decrease in uric acid and increase in lactate concentration due to high temperature were observed respectively at 28 and 35 d of age. The concentrations of triiodothyronine (T-3) and thyroxine (T-4) were changed oppositely at 28 d of age, as T-3 was decreased and T-4 was elevated by high temperature. However, the concentration of T-4 in plasma was decreased whereas T-3 was not changed at 38 d of age. The relationships between the blood parameters were changed due to the temperature treatment, suggesting that not only absolute values but also their interrelationships have to be considered when studying the effects of a particular treatment on physiological functioning.These results suggest the growth and physiological responses of broiler chickens, exposed to high temperature from early age onwards, differed at different stages of acclimation. The process of heat acclimation is related to the mode of heat exposure imposed and is not only reflected in the changes in the absolute concentrations, but also in the correlations among the blood indices.

HIGH DIETARY CARBOHYDRATE AND PANCREATIC LESION

The ability of high dietary carbohydrate to induce acute pancreatitis was investigated in groups of 16,2 1-day and 15-month old rats fed different carbohydrate diets for 30 days. Significantly increased levels of serum amylase (2-fold), phospholipids (50%),phosphorus (2-fold), and lipoperoxides (8-fold) were observed in 15-month old rats fed a high-carbohydrate diet, compared to rats fed a diet with normal carbohydrate levels, indicating peroxidation of membrane lipids which caused final cell death and pancreatic lesion. Serum Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase activity was not altered. Daily administration of bovine Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase conjugated with polyediylene glycol prevented the serum level alterations and pancreatic lesions, indicating that the superoxide radical has a role in dietary carbohydrate-induced acute pancreatitis. No biochemical changes were observed in rats in which treatment was initiated on the 21st day of life indicating that this is an age-related lesion.

CLINICAL BIOCHEMICAL DETERMINATIONS IN THE MANGALARGA-PAULISTA HORSE - REFERENCE VALUES

Biochemical values are widely related with environmental agents, sex and age, and are used in disease diagnosis. Numerous reports have been published on the biochemical parameters of different breeds of horses. However, there is a paucity of information concerning Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD), ceruloplasmin, copper and zinc determinations in the serum. Blood samples from a total of 60 horses of the Mangalarga-Paulista breed, representing three age groups (0 to 4 months old, 6 to 18 months old and adult) were examined. Male horses have a higher mean value of SOD, ceruloplasmin and copper than do females. No significant sex-related difference was observed in serum zinc content of weaned and adult horses. SOD activity was significantly higher in adult animals. Since SOD has a protective effect against superoxide free radical toxicity and possesses anti-inflammatory activity, it is reasonable to assume that the increased activity of this enzyme may be due to an adaptation mechanism which protects the adult animal against oxygen toxicity.

Impact of breed and sex on porcine endocrine transcriptome: a bayesian biometrical analysis

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Relação do peso de recém-nascidos e placentas. Estudo em recém-nascidos de termo, pré-termo e pós-termo, de pesos adequado, baixo e grande para a idade gestacional

Birth weight and placental weight of 566 newborns were determined. The newborns were classified by birth weight and gestational age in seven groups: term, preterm and postterm newborns with weight appropriate for gestational age; term and postterm newborns small for gestational age; term and preterm newborns large for gestational age. The differences in the mean placental weight in the preterm, term and postterm newborns with weight appropriate for gestational age were not significant. After 34 weeks of gestation there was little increase in placental weight. The mean placental weight of newborns large for gestational age was significantly different from that of term newborns appropriate for gestational age. In the term and postterm newborns small for gestational age the mean placental weight was significantly different from term and postterm newborns appropriate for gestational age. These findings suggest that newborns with an appropriate intrauterine growth have little increase in placental weight in the gestational period. Gestational age is not an important factor in determining placental weight in this period. Nutrition is important for placental growth-retarded infants have small placentas and large-for-date infants have large placental weight.

Protein synthesis studies in skeletal muscle of aging rats. II. In vitro studies with 0.5M potassium chloride washed polyribosomes

To investigate further the age-related reduction in muscle protein synthesis activity found previously using a crude polyribosome/pH 5 system (Pluskal et al., 1984), a 0.5M KCl washing procedure was utilized to remove the nonribosomal factors from polyribosomes isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats in the following age groups: young (1 to 2 months), mature (12 months), and aged (22 to 24 months). Using a common source of enriched elongation factor fraction from young animals, it was not possible to demonstrate any significant difference (p > .05) in protein synthesis between the 0.5M KCl-washed polyribosomes isolated from the various age groups. Using a cell-free system containing young salt washed polyribosomes stimulated by the addition of 0.5M KCl-wash fractions, however, it was shown that the mature and aged salt-wash fractions were less (p < .05) active than material from young animals. Thus, the observed decline in protein synthesis efficiency during aging may be attributed to a reduced capacity to promote initiation/elongation by the nonribosomal salt wash fractions of muscle polyribosomes.

Increased oxygen radical and high-dietary-carbohydrate pancreatic damage.

These data suggest that an improved understanding of the relationship between high dietary carbohydrate and the rate of lipid peroxidation may give some insight into possible treatment modalities for pancreatic damages and may shed light on molecular mechanisms underlying certain pathological processes. High dietary carbohydrate lesions are age related and induced alterations on ceruloplasmin, phospholipids, total proteins, copper and zinc serum levels. Significantly increased serum and pancreatic amylase, and lipoperoxide determinations were observed in 20 month old rats. Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase was decreased in these animals. Daily injection of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase conjugated with polyethylene glycol (SOD-PEG) prevented the serum and pancreatic changes, indicating that superoxide radical is an important intermediate to high dietary carbohydrate lesion.

Efeito da temperatura ambiente e da restrição alimentar protéica ou energética sobre o ganho de peso e crescimento ósseo de frangos de corte

The effect of protein or energy restriction during the second week post-hatching on body weight gain and femur development of broiler chickens reared at different environmental temperatures (18°C, 25°C and 33°C) was studied. From 1 to 7 days of age and after a restriction period broilers were fed on a control diet with 2850 kcal ME/kg and 20% crude protein. From 8 to 14 days of age, two groups of broilers were fed on restricted energy and protein diets with 2565kcal ME/kg and 20% of crude protein or 2850kcal ME/kg and 15% of crude protein, respectively. At 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days, the bones were weighed and the length and width of bones measured. The protein restriction reduced the body weight gain and the diameter of bone at second week of life. After 21 days of age no differences between treatments for these traits were observed. The body weight gain and femur growth were not affected by energy restriction. The high temperature (33°C) reduced weight gain and femur diameter from 21 to 42 days of age, and femur length at 42 days of age. The protein restriction at second week or the high environmental temperature after 21 st day of life decreased body weight gain and femur growth of broiler chickens.

Mensuração de hormônios andrógenos, estrógeno, fosfatase ácida prostática (PAP) e antígeno prostático específico (PSA) em cães adultos com próstata normal e hiperplásica

Prostatic diseases have been a common problem in middle age and older intact male dogs. Among these, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BHP) is the most frequent, age-related and hormonal-dependent condition of human and canine prostate. Blood samples were collected from 37 male intact dogs, tree years old dogs or more to determine androgens, estrogen, prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) and prostatic specific antigen (PSA) according to histopathological aspects. Low levels of estrogen and high levels of prostatic specific antigen (PSA) were founded in dogs with BHP, respectively. Seric and urinary PAP levels were high in dogs with hyperplasia.

Infantile epileptic encephalopathy with hypsarrhythmia (infantile spasms/west syndrome) and immunity

West syndrome is a severe epilepsy, occurring in infancy, that comprises epileptic seizures known as spasms, in clusters, and a unique EEG pattern, hypsarrhythmia, with psychomotor regression. Maturation of the brain is a crucial component. The onset is within the first year of life, before 12 months of age. Patients are classified as cryptogenic (10 to 20%), when there are no known or diagnosed previous cerebral insults, and symptomatic (80 to 90%), when associated with pre-existing cerebral damages. The time interval from a brain insult to infantile spasms onset ranged from 6 weeks to 11 months. West syndrome has a time-limited natural evolutive course, usually disappearing by 3 or 4 years of age. In 62% of patients, there are transitions to another age-related epileptic encephalopathies, the Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome and severe epilepsy with multiple independent foci. Spontaneous remission and remission after viral infections may occur. Therapy with ACTH and corticosteroids are the most effective. Reports about intravenous immunoglobulins action deserve attention. There is also immune dysfunction, characterized mainly by anergy, impaired cell-mediated immunity, presence of immature thymocytes in peripheral blood, functional impairment of T lymphocytes induced by plasma inhibitory factors, and altered levels of immunoglobulins. Changes in B lymphocytes frequencies and increased levels of activated B cells have been reported. Sensitized lymphocytes to brain extract were also described. Infectious diseases are frequent and may, sometimes, cause fatal outcomes. Increase of pro-inflamatory cytokines in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of epileptic patients were reported. Association with specific HLA antigens was described by several authors (HLA-DR7, HLA-A7, HLA-DRw52, and HLA-DR5). Auto-antibodies to brain antigens, of several natures (N-methyl-d-aspartate glutamate receptor, gangliosides, brain tissue extract, synaptic membrane, and others), were described in epileptic patients and in epileptic syndromes. Experimental epilepsy studies with anti-brain antibodies demonstrated that epileptiform discharges can be obtained, producing hyperexcitability leading to epilepsy. We speculate that in genetically prone individuals, previous cerebral lesions may sensitize immune system and trigger an autoimmune disease. Antibody to brain antigens may be responsible for impairment of T cell function, due to plasma inhibitory effect and also cause epilepsy in immature brains. © 2008 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.

Serum biochemical parameters of female bronze Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) during egg-laying season

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