Correlates of session-rate of perceived exertion (RPE) in a karate training session

Objective. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationships between the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) of a whole exercise session (RPE-S) and objective measures of exercise intensity during a karate training session.Methods. Eight well-trained karate athletes performed a single training session involving basic karate techniques and sparring. Heart rate (HR) was continuously monitored, while blood lactate ([lac]13) and rating of perceived exertion using the Borg's 6-20 scale were taken each 10-min during exercise. Athletes were also asked to rate their RPE-S using a modified CR-10 scale 30-min after exercise.Results. Significant relationships (P<0.05) were found between RPE-S and mean values of %HRmax (r(p) = 0.91), %HR reserve (r(p) = 0.87), [lac]b(r(p) = 0.96), and RPE (r(p) = 0.78) during the session, but not between RPE-S and the duration of exercise bout (r(s) = 0.28; P > 0.05). RPE-S was also significantly related (P < 0.05) to percentage of time sustained under ventilatory thresold (VT) (r(p) = 0.96), between VT and respiratory compensation point (RCP) (r(p) = 0.93) and above RCP (r(p) = 0.96).Conclusion. These results suggest RPE-S to be a valid tool for assessing interindividual variations in global exercise intensity during karate training. (C) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Cellular and extracellular behavior in the gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) ventral prostate following different types of castration and the consequences of testosterone replacement

Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) were grouped into two experimental groups: GEx.01 suffered orchiectomy and after 30 days received doses of testosterone cipionate (T), while GEx.02 received weekly and alternated doses of the anti-androgens cyproterone acetate and flutamide for 30 days, and the animals were then euthanized. Structural evaluation reveals a more intense reduction in epithelial height in GEx.02. Smooth muscle cells (SMC) presented a star-shaped aspect after 30 days of hormonal ablation and basal membrane was shown to be more intensely grooved in GEx.01. In both groups, after hormonal replacement, recovery in epithelial height could be noted and the SMC presented its phenotypes, but an increase in RER was seen, characterizing a modulation from its contractile to secreting phenotype. In conclusion, the prostate presented involution capacity after androgen ablation and the ability to reorganize after hormonal replacement, but events resulting from orchiectomy and subsequent T replacement were shown to be more aggressive to the prostate. (c) 2006 International Federation for Cell Biology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tissue changes in senescent gerbil prostate after hormone deprivation leads to acquisition of androgen insensitivity

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

Surgical treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of tongue with carbon dioxide laser radiation (CO2)

In this clinical study, we proposed to observe the efficacy of the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue (SCCT) by carbon dioxide (CO2) laser surgery. Twelve patients with SCCT were treated with excisional surgery using the CO2 laser with a spot size of 0.8 mm, 10 W, power density of 2.5 W/cm(2) in continuous mode, and under constant vacuum removal of the plume. The post surgical clinical evaluations were done every day until the sutures were removed and then every 7 days up to 1 month postoperatively. Subjects were re-examined quarterly until the fifth year post surgery. After 5 yr of follow-up for all subjects, there was no recurrence of the SCCT at the involved sites. The functional and aesthetic results observed were excellent. It is concluded that CO2 laser ablation of SCCT is an extremely useful surgical technique that can provide a clean field and is capable of providing surgical results consistent with accepted principles of oncological surgery. (C) 2012 Laser Institute of America.

Tonometria, paquimetria e comprimento axial ocular em cães glaucomatosos submetidos à ablação uveal intravítrea

Estudaram-se as alterações tonométricas, paquimétricas e de comprimento axial em cães com glaucoma submetidos à ablação uveal intravítrea. Foram avaliados 13 olhos irreversivelmente cegos de cães que apresentavam glaucoma crônico unilateral, nos quais realizou-se a ablação uveal intra-vítrea, por meio de injeção na câmara vítrea de 0,5ml de sulfato de gentamicina (40mg/ml) associado a 0,3ml de fosfato de dexametasona (4mg/ml). As mensurações da pressão intra-ocular (Po), espessura corneana e eixo axial com tonometria de aplanação, paquimetria ultra-sônica e ultra-sonografias modos A e B foram realizadas no dia da ablação (M0) e após uma (M1), quatro (M4), oito (M8), 12 (M12), 24 (M24) e 48 semanas (M48). A Po diminuiu significativamente em todos os momentos em relação ao M0, com aumento da espessura corneana ao longo do experimento. Nas avaliações ultra-sonográficas notou-se diminuição significativa do bulbo ocular a partir de M4, com medidas ultra-sonográficas modo A significativamente maiores que as do modo B. O procedimento foi efetivo na redução da Po e na diminuição do eixo axial, demonstrando ser viável no controle do glaucoma crônico em olhos irreversivelmente cegos, e ser uma alternativa à enucleação e inserção de prótese ocular.

Validade do teste de 30 minutos (T-30) na determinação da capacidade aeróbia, parâmetros de braçada e performance aeróbia de nadadores treinados

O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar a utilização da velocidade de 30 minutos (VT-30), freqüência de braçada (fB), comprimento de braçada (CB) e índice de braçada (IB), obtidos no teste T-30, como métodos não-invasivos para determinação da performance aeróbia e técnica de nadadores treinados. Catorze nadadores submeteram-se a três esforços de 400m (85, 90 e 100% do esforço máximo) para determinação da velocidade de limiar anaeróbio (VLan) correspondente à concentração fixa de 3,5mM de lactato e um esforço máximo de 30 minutos (VT-30). fB, CB e IB foram calculados nos 10m centrais da piscina (nado limpo) para o teste T-30 (fBT-30, CBT-30 e IBT-30) e progressivo. Através da relação entre VLan e parâmetros de braçada no teste progressivo, determinaram-se freqüência de braçada de limiar (fBLan), comprimento de braçada de limiar (CBLan) e índice de braçada de limiar (IBLan). O tempo para realizar 400m em máximo esforço foi considerado como parâmetro de performance (P400). Não foi encontrada diferença significativa entre VLan (1,29 ± 0,07m.s-1) e VT-30 (1,29 ± 0,08m.s-1), que ainda apresentaram alta correlação (r = 0,90). Os valores de fBLan (33,6 ± 4,14 ciclos/min) e fBT-30 (34,9 ± 3,53 ciclos/min) e de CBLan (2,09 ± 0,20m/ciclo) e CBT-30 (2,09 ± 0,20m/ciclo) também não foram significativamente diferentes. Correlações significativas (p < 0,05) também foram encontradas entre VT-30 e P400 (r = 0,95); fBLan e fBT-30 (r = 0,73); CBLan e CBT-30 (r = 0,89) e IBLan e IBT-30 (r = 0,94). Conclui-se que a VT30 se mostrou confiável para o monitoramento do treinamento, predição da performance e determinação de parâmetros relacionados à técnica de nadadores.

Balão Térmico para Ablação Endometrial: Resultados Preliminares

Objetivos: os autores mostram a experiência preliminar com o uso do balão térmico para ablação do endométrio em pacientes com queixas de menorragia. Pacientes e Métodos: foram submetidas a este procedimento 20 pacientes. Após exame pélvico completo e ultra-sonografia endovaginal, todas as pacientes foram submetidas à histeroscopia diagnóstica com biópsia de endométrio para excluir causas de malignidade. Das 20 pacientes que se submeteram ao tratamento com balão térmico, 16 foram submetidas em regime ambulatorial com anestesia local. O procedimento teve duração de 8 minutos e 30 segundos. Resultados: duas das 20 pacientes mostraram-se insatisfeitas, mantendo o quadro hemorrágico inalterado, e 18 pacientes referiram melhora da sintomatologia. Não houve complicações do procedimento. Conclusões: o uso do balão térmico para ablação endometrial mostrou-se seguro e eficaz para o tratamento da menorragia de causa benigna.

Fatores de virulência em linhagens de Escherichia coli isoladas de mastite bovina

Avaliou-se a ocorrência de fatores de virulência e do sorotipo O157:H7 em 120 linhagens de Escherichia coli, isoladas de 80 casos de mastite clínica bovina e 40 de mastite subclínica. Verificou-se alfa-hemolisina em oito (6,7%) linhagens, isoladas de cinco casos de mastite clínica e três de mastite subclínica e em nenhuma das estirpes detectou-se enteroemolisina. A presença de sideróforos foi encontrada em 11 (9,2%) linhagens, sete de mastite clínica e quatro de subclínica. em duas (1,7%) estirpes isoladas de mastite subclínica, identificou-se enterotoxina STa. Observou-se efeito citopático em células vero compatível com a produção de verotoxina-VT em cinco (4,2%) linhagens, duas de mastite clínica e três subclínicas. em uma (0,8%) linhagem isolada de mastite clínica, detectou-se efeito citopático compatível com o fator necrosante citotóxico. Nenhuma estirpe apresentou-se sorbitol-negativa no MacConkey-sorbitol, tampouco aglutinou com o sorotipo O157:H7. Os antimicrobianos mais efetivos foram polimixina B (97,5%) e norfloxacina (95,8%). Observou-se multi-resistência a dois ou mais antimicrobianos em 24 (20%) estirpes, principalmente com o uso de ampicilina e ceftiofur.

Efeito do intervalo entre recrutamentos foliculares na superovulação de vacas da raça Holandesa não-lactantes

Vacas da raça Holandesa não-lactantes, distribuídas em dois grupos, foram sincronizadas com o protocolo Ovsynch modificado. No dia sete (dia 0 = dia do segundo GnRH), o grupo 7 (G-7; n=19) recebeu CIDR usado previamente por cinco dias e 100mcg de GnRH, e o grupo 14 (G-14; n=21), CIDR e 25mg de PGF2alfa. No dia 14 foi aspirado o folículo dominante (FD), trocado o CIDR usado por um novo e foram aplicados 25mg de PGF2alfa. Iniciou-se o tratamento com FSH 36h depois, removeu-se o CIDR com o sétimo FSH e aplicou-se GnRH 36h depois. As inseminações foram feitas 12 e 24h depois. Recuperaram-se os embriões sete dias depois da inseminação artificial. O diâmetro do FD no G-7 foi 13,1±0,57mm no dia sete e 11,2±0,57mm no dia 14. O diâmetro FD persistente no G-14 aumentou de 12,6±0,55mm no dia sete para 16,4±0,55mm no dia 14 (P<0,001). O número de folículos >8mm, 48h após o início do tratamento com FSH, foi maior (P<0,05) no G-7 (15,6±0,05) que no G-14 (12,5±0,05). Não foi detectado efeito de tratamento sobre o número de corpos lúteos e de embriões. O menor intervalo entre recrutamentos foliculares aumentou o número de folículos recrutados, porém não alterou a quantidade e a qualidade dos embriões produzidos.

Comparação entre a lidocaína e a acupuntura no tratamento da taquicardia ventricular induzida com dopamina em equinos anestesiados com halotano

Os efeitos da lidocaina e da acupuntura nos pontos bilaterais associados ao pericárdio 6 (Pc6-Neiguan) e ao coração 7 (C7-Shenmen), no tratamento da taquicardia ventricular (TV) induzida por dopamina em equinos anestesiados com halotano, foram avaliados e comparados. Seis equinos, distribuídos em três grupos: grupo-controle (GC), grupo tratado com acupuntura (GA) e grupo tratado com lidocaína (GL), foram anestesiados três vezes cada, com intervalo de uma semana entre cada anestesia. Avaliaram-se os parâmetros cardiovasculares (frequência cardíaca, pressão arterial e eletrocardiografia), os respiratórios (frequência respiratória, capnografía, saturação de hemoglobina e hemogasometria) e o escore de recuperação. A dose arritmogênica da dopamina (DAD) foi determinada a partir da infusão de 70µg/kg/min IV durante 10 minutos, sem interrupção, preenchendo o critério arritmogênico: quatro ou mais complexos ventriculares prematuros seguidos, com duração de pelo menos 15 segundos ou TV sustentada. O tempo médio de aparecimento da DAD ou da TV foi de 6,05±0,45 minutos nos animais não tratados, e a TV se reverteu espontaneamente aos 2,7±0,2 minutos. O grupo tratado com acupuntura reverteu a TV no tempo médio de 1,8±0,2 (P<0,05) em relação ao grupo tratado com lidocaina 1,3±0,2 (P<0,01). Os tratamentos mostraram-se eficientes na reversão TV.

Surgical and chemical castration induce differential histological response in prostate lobes of Mongolian gerbil

The present study describes the short-term alterations in the prostate ventral and dorsal lobe of the adult Mongolian gerbil, in response to two different androgen suppression approaches. Groups (n = 6) of 16-week-old gerbils were maintained intact or subjected, either to the bilateral surgical castration I week previously or to daily subcutaneous injections of Flutamide (10 mg/kg body weight) for 7 days. The main microscopic features of both prostate lobes in these groups were compared using conventional paraffin tissue sections, measurements of acinar epithelial height and stereological data of main gland components (acini, collagen fibers and fibromuscular stroma). Marked alterations were observed in the basement membrane of the ventral lobe after both surgical and chemical castration, such as an increase in thickness and collagen staining. A low degree of epithelial atrophy was detected in the dorsal lobe following both androgen suppression approaches in comparison with that found in the ventral lobe, indicating that this lobe is not so responsive to testosterone ablation induced by castration or Flutamide treatment, at least insofar as secretory activity is concerned. However, the dorsal lobe exhibited marked stromal modification, such as an increase in collagen fibers following castration and an increase in fibromuscular stroma following Flutamide-treatment. Thus, the histological and quantitative data indicates a differential short-term response of the prostate dorsal lobe to surgical castration and Flutamide therapy, suggesting the existence of lobe-specific mechanisms for stromal remodeling. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of ambient gas on the growth and properties of porous tin-doped indium oxide thin films made by pulsed laser deposition

The laser ablation method was used for depositing porous nanocrystalline indium-tin oxide thin films for gas sensing applications. Samples were prepared at different pressures using three gases (O-2, 0.8N(2):0.2O(2), N-2) and heat-treated in the same atmosphere used for the ablation process. X-ray diffraction results show that the films are not oriented and the grain sizes are in the range between 15 and 40 nm. The grains are round shaped for all samples and the porosity of the films increases with the deposition pressure. The degree of sintering after heat treatment increases for lower oxygen concentrations, generating fractures on the surface of the samples. Film thicknesses are in the range of I pm for all gases as determined from scanning electron microscopy cross-sections. Electrical resistance varies between 36.3 ohm for the film made at 10 Pa pressure in N-2 until 9.35 x 10(7) ohm for the film made at 100 Pa in O-2. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Surface modification of Ti dental implants by Nd: YVO4 laser irradiation

Surface modifications have been applied in endosteal bone devices in order to improve the osseointegration through direct contact between neoformed bone and the implant without an intervening soft tissue layer. Surface characteristics of titanium implants have been modified by addictive methods, such as metallic titanium, titanium oxide and hydroxyapatite powder plasma spray, as well as by subtractive methods, such as acid etching, acid etching associated with sandblasting by either AlO2 or TiO2, and recently by laser ablation. Surface modification for dental and medical implants can be obtained by using laser irradiation technique where its parameters like repetition rate, pulse energy, scanning speed and fluency must be taken into accounting to the appropriate surface topography. Surfaces of commercially pure Ti (cpTi) were modified by laser Nd:YVO4 in nine different parameters configurations, all under normal atmosphere. The samples were characterized by SEM and XRD refined by Rietveld method. The crystalline phases alpha Ti, beta Ti, Ti6O, Ti3O and TiO were formed by the melting and fast cooling processes during irradiation. The resulting phases on the irradiated surface were correlated with the laser beam parameters: the aim of the present work was to control titanium oxides formations in order to improve implants osseointegration by using a laser irradiation technique which is of great importance to biomaterial devices due to being a clean and reproducible process. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Experimental study of progressive facial hemiatrophy: effects of cervical sympathectomy in animals

Progressive facial hemiatrophy (Romberg's syndrome) is of unknown cause and uncertain pathogenesis. The main pathogenetic hypotheses are: sympathetic system alterations, localized scleroderma, trigeminal changes, possibly of genetic origin. To test the hypothesis of sympathetic system alterations, we designed an experimental model with ablation of the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion in rabbits, cats and dogs. All the animals were operated upon when 30 days old and were examined monthly for 1 year. During this period localized alopecia, corneal ulceration, keratitis, strabismus, enophthalmos, ocular atrophy, hemifacial atrophy and slight bone atrophy on the side of the sympathectomy were observed. Thus, cervical sympathectomy reproduces in animals the principal clinical alterations of Romberg's syndrome. Our data suggest that the sympathetic system is involved in the pathogenesis of this syndrome.

Raphe magnus nucleus is involved in ventilatory but not hypothermic response to CO2

There is evidence that serotonin [ 5- hydroxytryptamine ( 5- HT)] is involved in the physiological responses to hypercapnia. Serotonergic neurons represent the major cell type ( comprising 15 - 20% of the neurons) in raphe magnus nucleus ( RMg), which is a medullary raphe nucleus. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis 1) that RMg plays a role in the ventilatory and thermal responses to hypercapnia, and 2) that RMg serotonergic neurons are involved in these responses. To this end, we microinjected 1) ibotenic acid to promote nonspecific lesioning of neurons in the RMg, or 2) anti- SERT- SAP ( an immunotoxin that utilizes a monoclonal antibody to the third extracellular domain of the serotonin reuptake transporter) to specifically kill the serotonergic neurons in the RMg. Hypercapnia caused hyperventilation and hypothermia in all groups. RMg nonspecific lesions elicited a significant reduction of the ventilatory response to hypercapnia due to lower tidal volume ( V-T) and respiratory frequency. Rats submitted to specific killing of RMg serotonergic neurons showed no consistent difference in ventilation during air breathing but had a decreased ventilatory response to CO2 due to lower VT. The hypercapnia- induced hypothermia was not affected by specific or nonspecific lesions of RMg serotonergic neurons. These data suggest that RMg serotonergic neurons do not participate in the tonic maintenance of ventilation during air breathing but contribute to the ventilatory response to CO2. Ultimately, this nucleus may not be involved in the thermal responses CO2.