Effects of isoproterenol treatment for 7 days on inflammatory mediators in the rat aorta

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of overstimulation of beta-adrenoceptors on vascular inflammatory mediators. Wistar rats were treated with the beta-adrenoceptor agonist isoproterenol (0.3 mg(.)kg(-1.)day(-1) sc) or vehicle (control) for 7 days. At the end of treatment, the right carotid artery was catheterized for arterial and left ventricular (LV) hemodynamic evaluation. Isoproterenol treatment increased LV weight but did not change hemodynamic parameters. Aortic mRNA and protein expression were quantified by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. Isoproterenol enhanced aortic mRNA and protein expression of IL-1 beta (124% and 125%) and IL-6 (231% and 40%) compared with controls but did not change TNF-alpha expression. The nuclear-to-cytoplasmatic protein expression ration of the NF-beta B p65 subunit was increased by isoproterenol treatment (51%); in addition, it reduced the cytoplasmatic expression of I kappa B-alpha (52%) in aortas. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay was performed using the aorta, and increased NF-kappa B DNA binding (31%) was observed in isoproterenol-treated rats compared with controls (P < 0.05). Isoproterenol treatment increased phenylephrine-induced contraction in aortic rigs (P < 0.05), which was significantly reduced by superoxide dismutase (150 U/ml) and sodium salicylate (5 mM). Cotreatment with thalidomide (150 mg(.)kg(-1.)day(-1) for 7 days) also reduced hyperreactivity to phenylephrine induced by isoproterenol. In conclusion, overstimulation of beta-adrenoceptors increased proinflammatory cytokines and upregulated NF-kappa B in the rat aorta. Moreover, local oxidative stress and the proinflammatory state seem to play key roles in the altered vascular reactivity of the rat aorta induced by chronic beta-adrenergic stimulation.

Arterial spin labeling of cerebral perfusion territories using a seperate labeling coil

Purpose: To obtain cerebral perfusion territories of the left, the right. and the posterior circulation in humans with high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and robust delineation. Materials and Methods: Continuous arterial spin labeling (CASL) was implemented using a dedicated radio frequency (RF) coil. positioned over the neck, to label the major cerebral feeding arteries in humans. Selective labeling was achieved by flow-driven adiabatic fast passage and by tilting the longitudinal labeling gradient about the Y-axis by theta = +/- 60 degrees. Results: Mean cerebral blood flow (CBF) values in gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) were 74 +/- 13 mL center dot 100 g(-1) center dot minute(-1) and 14 +/- 13 mL center dot 100 g(-1) center dot minute(-1), respectively (N = 14). There were no signal differences between left and right hemispheres when theta = 0 degrees (P > 0.19), indicating efficient labeling of both hemispheres. When theta = +60 degrees, the signal in GM on the left hemisphere, 0.07 +/- 0.06%, was 92% lower than on the right hemisphere. 0.85 +/- 0.30% (P < 1 x 10(-9)). while for theta = -60 degrees, the signal in the right hemisphere. 0.16 +/- 0.13%, was 82% lower than on the contralateral side. 0.89 +/- 0.22% (P < 1 x 10(-10)). Similar attenuations were obtained in WM. Conclusion: Clear delineation of the left and right cerebral perfusion territories was obtained, allowing discrimination of the anterior and posterior circulation in each hemisphere.

Proteomic analysis of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex indicates the involvement of cytoskeleton, oligodendrocyte, energy metabolism and new potential markers in schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is likely to be a consequence of serial alterations in a number of genes that, together with environmental factors, will lead to the establishment of the illness. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (Brodmann`s Area 46) is implicated in schizophrenia and executes high functions such as working memory, differentiation of conflicting thoughts, determination of right and wrong concepts, correct social behavior and personality expression. We performed a comparative proteome analysis using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of pools from 9 schizophrenia and 7 healthy control patients` dorsolateral prefrontal cortex aiming to identify, by mass spectrometry, alterations in protein expression that could be related to the disease. In schizophrenia-derived samples, our analysis revealed 10 downregulated and 14 upregulated proteins. These included alterations previously implicated in schizophrenia, such as oligodendrocyte-related proteins (myelin basic protein and transferrin), as well as malate dehydrogenase, aconitase, ATP synthase subunits and cytoskeleton-related proteins. Also, six new putative disease markers were identified, including energy metabolism, cytoskeleton and cell signaling proteins. Our data not only reinforces the involvement of proteins previously implicated in schizophrenia, but also suggests new markers, providing further information to foster the comprehension of this important disease. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abscesso pulmonar de aspiração : dados diagnósticos e resultados terapêuticos em 241 casos

O abscesso de pulmão continua sendo hoje, em plena era dos antibióticos, um importante problema médico. O presente trabalho se propõe mostrar aspectos diagnósticos e terapêuticos da doença em uma série de pacientes coletada nos últimos 34 anos em um hospital universitário especializado em doenças pulmonares. No período de 1968 a 2002 foram reunidos e estudados 241 casos de abscesso pulmonar de aspiração - 199 em homens e 42 em mulheres, com média de idade de 41,3 anos. Em 69,0% dos pacientes esteve presente a ingestão de álcool e em 64,0% o hábito tabágico. Tosse, expectoração, febre e comprometimento do estado geral foram os achados clínicos mais freqüentes, encontrados na quase totalidade dos casos; 62,5% tinham dor torácica e 30,0% hipocratismo digital. Verificaram-se dentes em mau estado de conservação em 81,7 % dos pacientes, episódio de perda de consciência em 78,0% e presença de odor fétido em 66,0%. Em 85,5% das vezes as lesões localizaram-se em segmento posterior de lobo superior ou segmento superior de lobo inferior, 97,1% delas unilaterais, ocorrendo com igual freqüência tanto no pulmão direito como no esquerdo. A maioria das lesões (66,0%) mediram entre 4,0 e 8,0 cm de diâmetro. Em 25 pacientes (10,4%) houve a associação de empiema pleural. Flora mista, indicativa da presença de germes anaeróbios, foi identificada em secreções broncopulmonares ou pleurais em 172 pacientes (71,4 %). Estreptococos e Gram negativos aeróbios foram também algumas vezes encontrados. Todos os pacientes foram inicialmente tratados com antibióticos (penicilina em 78,0% das vezes) e submetidos a sessões de drenagem postural. Em 51 (21,2%) acabou sendo necessário algum procedimento cirúrgico (24 drenagens de empiema, 21 ressecções pulmonares e 6 pneumostomias). Cura foi obtida em 231 pacientes (95,8%) e 10 (4,2%) foram ao óbito, estes em geral com grandes abscessos, três dos quais também com empiema.

Biodistribution of samarium-153-EDTMP in rats treated with docetaxel

Purpose: Many patients with metastatic bone disease have to use radiopharmaceuticals associated with chemotherapy to relieve bone pain. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of docetaxel on the biodistribution of samarium-153-EDTMP in bones and other organs of rats. Methods: Wistar male rats were randomly allocated into 2 groups of 6 rats each. The DS (docetaxel/samarium) group received docetaxel (15 mg/kg) intraperitoneally in two cycles 11 days apart. The S (samarium/control) group rats were not treated with docetaxel. Nine days after chemotherapy, all the rats were injected with 0.1ml of samarium-153-EDTMP via orbital plexus (25μCi). After 2 hours, the animals were killed and samples of the brain, thyroid, lung, heart, stomach, colon, liver, kidney and both femurs were removed. The percentage radioactivity of each sample (% ATI/g) was determined in an automatic gamma-counter (Wizard-1470, Perkin-Elmer, Finland). Results: On the 9th day after the administration of the 2nd chemotherapy cycle, the rats had a significant weight loss (314.50±22.09g) compared (p<0.5) to pre-treatment weight (353.66± 22.8). The % ATI/g in the samples of rats treated with samarium-153-EDTMP had a significant reduction in the right femur, left femur, kidney, liver and lungs of animals treated with docetaxel, compared to the control rats. Conclusion: The combination of docetaxel and samarium-153-EDTMP was associated with a lower response rate in the biodistribution of the radiopharmaceutical to targeted tissues. Further investigation into the impact of docetaxel on biodistribution of samarium-153-EDTMP would complement the findings of this study

Preparation and characterization of PVDF/CaCO3 composites

The contribution of new materials, involving composites and blends, has been reaching the most varied fields of science, as much of the scientific as technological point of view. This is due to the man's needs in applications, especially in medicine areas. Thus, this work shows the preparation and characterization of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) Composite films in order to analyse the incorporation of CaCO3 in PVDF for future application in bony restoration and bony filling. The films were prepared by casting method, where the PVDF pellet shape was dissolved in dimethylacetamide (DMA) and in a separate container CaCO3/DMA emulsion was also made. Soon afterwards they were mixed in several proportions 100/00, 95/05, 85/15, 70/30 in weight and left to dry in greenhouse. Homogeneous and flexible films were obtained and structurally characterized by attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR/ATR), thermal analyses (DSC, TGA), X-ray diffractometry, optical and scanning electron microscopies. The results showed that the material was a composite with good thermal stability until around 400 degrees C, the crystallinity of PVDF was non-polar alpha-phase and the obtained films were porous, being these filled with CaCO3. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Analysis of the efficiency of silicate clay on the control of Xanthomonas axonopodis PV. passiflorae in vitro and in seedlings of yellow passion fruit contaminated

The bacterial spot in yellow passion fruit plants, caused by the bacteria Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. passiflorae, occurs in all producing areas of the country, and is responsible for great economic losses in the culture of passion fruit. This study aimed to test the efficiency of the silicate clay in the inhibition of the bacteria Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. passiflorae in vitro, and in both preventive and curative control of the bacterial spot in seedlings of yellow passion fruit plants. The silicate clay was added to the growth medium at concentrations of. 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0%, placed in Petri dishes. After the culture medium was cooler, the bacterial suspension was inoculates (10(7) UFC.mL(-1)) with a handle, and left incubating at 28 degrees C for three days, and then the bacterial growth was evaluated. Subsequently, the product at the same concentrations above was sprayed on seedlings of 'Afruvec' passion fruit, as preventive or curative. The inoculation of the bacteria was made by foliar spraying of bacterial suspension (10(7) ufc.mL(-1)), 24 hours before or after the curative and preventive treatments, respectively. The severity of the disease was measured comparing each four true leaves from bottom up, with a diagrammatic scale. In the concentrations evaluated, the silicate clay inhibited both bacteria in vitro and symptoms of bacterial spot in the curative treatment. In preventive treatment, significant results were obtained using more than 1.0% of clay silicates. Based on these results, the clay silicate can be recommended, the concentration of 1.0-2.0% for the control of bacterial spot of passion fruit plants, in foliar sprays.

Recovery of soil physical properties by green manure, liming, gypsum and pasture and spontaneous native species

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

Análise do equilíbrio estático e de deformidades nos pés de crianças com paralisia cerebral

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

The Rechtslehre doctrine and Kant's philosophy of history

The text is divided in two phases. In the first phase, consisting of three parts, the main concepts of Kant's Doctrine of Right are considered in a comprehensive approach related to: the issue of the relations between natural right and positive right, problem closely connected to that of the relations between natural state and civil state, private right and public right; to the doctrine of property and its connection with political right. on treating the right in its several types, we intend to appoint the practical reasoning as a background of the Doctrine. In the second phase, concerning its last section, the consideration on the presence of the practical reasoning into the right is placed before some specificities of Kant's phylosophy of history, with the intent of establishing the possible relation between Rechtslehre and that philosophy.

Efeitos da clonidina nas respostas cardiovasculares ao pinçamento aórtico infra-renal: estudo experimental no cão

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O pinçamento aórtico infra-renal pode determinar alterações cardiovasculares. A clonidina, um alfa2-agonista, determina bradicardia e diminuição da pressão arterial. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da clonidina sobre a função cardiovascular, em cães submetidos a pinçamento aórtico infra-renal. MÉTODO: O estudo aleatório foi realizado em 16 cães, distribuídos em dois grupos: G Controle - sem a utilização de clonidina e G Clon - clonidina, na dose inicial de 5 µg.kg-1, por via venosa, imediatamente antes do pinçamento aórtico infra-renal, seguido de 2 µg.min-1.m² até o final do estudo. em todos os animais foi realizada ligadura infra-renal da aorta, por 45 minutos. Os atributos hemodinâmicos foram estudados nos momentos C (controle), após 10 (Ao10) e 25 (Ao25) minutos do pinçamento aórtico, e após 10 (DAo10) e 25 (DAo25) minutos do despinçamento aórtico. RESULTADOS: Durante o pinçamento aórtico, houve diferença significante entre os grupos, em relação à freqüência cardíaca, pressão arterial média e índice cardíaco (G Controle > G Clon). Após o despinçamento aórtico houve diferença significante entre os grupos, em relação à freqüência cardíaca (G Controle > G Clon) e pressões do átrio direito e da artéria pulmonar ocluída (G Clon > G Controle). Durante o pinçamento aórtico, houve nos dois grupos, aumento significante das pressões de átrio direito e artéria pulmonar ocluída, dos índices sistólico e do trabalho sistólico do ventrículo esquerdo, e diminuição do índice de resistência vascular pulmonar. No grupo controle houve aumento significante das pressões arterial média e da artéria pulmonar, e dos índices cardíaco e do trabalho sistólico do ventrículo direito. No grupo clonidina, houve diminuição significante da freqüência cardíaca. Após o despinçamento aórtico, houve nos dois grupos: diminuição significante da freqüência cardíaca e pressão arterial média, enquanto os valores das pressões do átrio direito e índice sistólico continuaram elevados. No grupo controle, os valores do índice de trabalho sistólico do ventrículo direito continuaram elevados enquanto os valores do índice cardíaco retornaram a valores próximos aos do controle. No grupo clonidina, os valores das pressões do átrio direito e da artéria pulmonar ocluída, e o índice sistólico, continuaram significantemente elevados. CONCLUSÕES: No cão, nas condições experimentais empregadas, a administração venosa contínua de clonidina atenua as respostas cardiovasculares decorrentes do pinçamento aórtico infra-renal.

Effect of high-dose fentanyl on renal function in dogs

OBJETIVOS: Estudamos os efeitos de alta dose de fentanil (F) em atributos de função renal (FR) do cão. DESENHO: Anestesiamos com pentobarbital sódico (PS) 16 cães divididos aleatoriamente em 2 grupos: manutenção com PS (Gi) e PS com F (0,05 mg.kg-1) (G2). INTERVENÇÃO: os cães foram ventilados artificialmente e tiveram cateterizadas as veias femorais esquerda e direita e a artéria femoral esquerda para infusão de drogas e coleta de dados hemodinâmicos e de sangue para dosagens laboratoriais. Coletou-se urina durante todo experimento. MENSURAÇÃO: Determinaram-se os valores de atributos de FR.. RESULTADOS: PS não mudou a FR e o comportamento de G1 deveu-se à expansão do volume extracelular. O F diminuiu significativamente freqüência cardíaca, pressão arterial média, clearance de creatinina, volume urinário, clearance osmolar e excreção fracionária de sódio e potássio. CONCLUSÕES: A diminuição da FR foi provavelmente devida às alterações hemodinâmicas induzidas pelo F, não se descartando possível ação da aldosterona.

Total Endovascular Debranching of the Aortic Arch

Background: Significant morbidity and mortality are related to conventional aortic replacement surgery. Endovascular debranching techniques, fenestrated or branched endografts are time consuming and costly.Objective: We alternatively propose to use endovascular approach with parallel grafts for debranching of aortic arch.Methods: Under general anesthesia, 12 F sheaths were inserted in the femoral, axillary and common carotid arteries for vascular accesses. ViaBahn grafts 10 - 15 cm in length were placed into the aortic arch from right common carotid, left common carotid and left axillary arteries, until the tip of each graft reached into the ascending aorta. Through one femoral artery, the aortic stent-graft was positioned and delivered. Soon after, the parallel grafts were sequentially delivered. Self-spanding Wallstents(R) were used for parallel grafts reinforcement. Ballooning was routinely used for parallel grafts and rarely for aortic graft.Results: This technique was used in 2 cases. The first one was a lady with 72 years old, with an aortic retrograde dissection from left subclavian artery and involving remaining arch branches. Through right common carotid artery a stent-graft was placed in the ascending aorta and through the left common carotid artery a ViaBahn was inserted parallel to the former. A thoracic endograft then covered all the aortic arch dissection extending into the ascending aorta close to the sinu-tubular junction. The second case was a 82 year old male patient with a 7 cm aortic arch aneurysm. Through both common carotid arteries ViaBahn grafts were introduced and positioned into the ascending aorta. Soon after, the deployment of the thoracic stent graft covered all parallel grafts of the aortic arch, excluding the aneurysm. Both cases did not have neurologic or cardiac complications and were discharged 10 days after the procedure.Conclusions: This technique may be a good minimal invasive off-the-shelf technical option for aortic arch "debranching". More data and further improvements are required before this promising technique can be widely advocated. (C) 2011 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sexo, peso e conformação anatômica do olho sobre cálculode poder dióptrico de lentes intra-oculares no cão

A catarata, especialmente na espécie canina, é uma doença oftálmica importante. Seu tratamento é eminentemente cirúrgico, mas a perda do cristalino resulta em alta hipermetropia, e a visão fica comprometida. A correção pode ser feita com a utilização de lente intra-ocular (LIO). Este estudo teve por objetivo colher dados que pudessem fornecer subsídios métricos para a produção de LIOs a serem aplicadas em cães facectomizados, visando a restauração de visão adequada nos animais acometidos por catarata. Foram selecionados 120 cães de ambos os sexos, sadios ao exame clínico e sem evidência de doença ocular ao exame oftálmico de rotina. Foram realizados estudos ceratométrico e biométrico, pela ultra-sonografia modo-A. Uma fórmula específica foi utilizada para a determinação do poder dióptrico de uma LIO utilizada para substituir o cristalino extraído. O poder dióptrico da LIO foi correlacionado com o peso e o sexo dos animais, e entre os olhos direito e esquerdo. Baseado nestas correlações, concluiu-se que o poder dióptrico adequado para uma LIO a ser implantada em um cão facectomizado é influenciado principalmente pelo peso do animal, apesar de apresentar discretas diferenças quando comparado entre os olhos direito e esquerdo e entre machos e fêmeas.

Curvas de percentis de valores normais de medidas ecocardiográficas em crianças eutróficas procedentes da região centro-sul do Estado de São Paulo

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os valores de medidas ecocardiográficas em crianças eutróficas sem cardiopatia, relacionando-os com a superfície corporal (SC, m²), e construir curvas de percentis que relacionem as variáveis ecocardiográficas estudadas com a SC. MÉTODOS: Foram analisadas medidas ecocardiográficas unidimensionais de crianças entre 1 e 144 meses de idade. Avaliaram-se: diâmetros diastólicos dos ventrículos direito (VDd, mm) e esquerdo (VEd, mm), sistólico do VE (VEs, mm), da via de saída do VD (VSVD, mm), da aorta (DAo, mm) e do átrio esquerdo (DAE, mm); fração de ejeção do VE (FEVE, %); porcentagem da variação do diâmetro ventricular esquerdo (deltaVE, %); espessura diastólica do septo interventricular (ESIV, mm) e da parede posterior do VE (EPPVE, mm); massa (MVE, g) e índice de massa muscular do VE (IMVE, g/m²). RESULTADOS: Ao final do estudo, 595 crianças (326 do sexo masculino) foram avaliadas. Os valores das medidas ecocardiográficas apresentaram boa correlação com a SC e possibilitaram a construção de curvas de percentis (3%, 25%, 50%, 75% e 97%). Diferenças estatisticamente significantes, entre os sexos, foram evidenciadas para as variáveis VEs, VEd, VSVD, DAo, MVE e IMVE, sendo os maiores valores observados em crianças do sexo masculino. CONCLUSÃO: As curvas de percentis dos valores obtidas podem ser utilizadas como referência para a avaliação de crianças com suspeita de cardiopatia ou para o acompanhamento daquelas já diagnosticadas como cardiopatas ou em tratamento com agentes potencialmente cardiotóxicos.