Effect of age and gender on sweat lactate and ammonia concentrations during exercise in the heat

The dependence of sweat composition and acidity on sweating rate (SR) suggests that the lower SR in children compared to adults may be accompanied by a higher level of sweat lactate (Lac-) and ammonia (NH3) and a lower sweat pH. Four groups (15 girls, 18 boys, 8 women, 8 men) cycled in the heat (42ºC, 20% relative humidity) at 50% VO2max for two 20-min bouts with a 10-min rest before bout 1 and between bouts. Sweat was collected into plastic bags attached to the subject's lower back. During bout 1, sweat from girls and boys had higher Lac- concentrations (23.6 ± 1.2 and 21.2 ± 1.7 mM; P < 0.05) than sweat from women and men (18.2 ± 1.9 and 14.8 ± 1.6 mM, respectively), but Lac- was weakly associated with SR (P > 0.05; r = -0.27). Sweat Lac- concentration dropped during exercise bout 2, reaching similar levels among all groups (overall mean = 13.7 ± 0.4 mM). Children had a higher sweat NH3 than adults during bout 1 (girls = 4.2 ± 0.4, boys = 4.6 ± 0.6, women = 2.7 ± 0.2, and men = 3.0 ± 0.2 mM; P < 0.05). This difference persisted through bout 2 only in females. On average, children's sweat pH was lower than that of adults (mean ± SEM, girls = 5.4 ± 0.2, boys = 5.0 ± 0.1, women = 6.2 ± 0.5, and men = 6.2 ± 0.4 for bout 1, and girls = 5.4 ± 0.2, boys = 6.5 ± 0.5, women = 5.2 ± 0.2, and men = 6.9 ± 0.4 for bout 2). This may have favored NH3 transport from plasma to sweat as accounted for by a significant correlation between sweat NH3 and H+ (r = 0.56). Blood pH increased from rest (mean ± SEM; 7.3 ± 0.02) to the end of exercise (7.4 ± 0.01) without differences among groups. These results, however, are representative of sweat induced by moderate exercise in the absence of acidosis.

131I-induced changes in rat thyroid gland function

Therapeutic doses of 131I administered to thyrotoxic patients may cause thyroid failure. The present study used a rat model to determine thyroid function after the administration of different doses of 131I (64-277 µCi). Thirty male Fisher rats in the experimental group and 30 in the control group (untreated) were followed for 6 months. The animals were 4 months old at the beginning of the experiment and were sacrificed at an age of 9 months. Hormone concentration was determined before 131I administration (4-month-old animals) and three times following 131I administration, when the animals were 7, 8, and 9 months old. The thyroid glands were removed and weighed, their volume was determined and histopathological examination was performed at the end of the experiment. Significant differences in serum triiodothyronine and thyroid-stimulating hormone concentration, measured at the age of 7, 8, and 9 months, were found in the experimental group. During aging of the animals, the concentration of thyroxin fell from 64.8 ± 8.16 to 55.0 ± 6.1 nM in the control group and from 69.4 ± 6.9 to 25.4 ± 3.2 nM in the experimental group. Thyroid gland volume and weight were significantly lower in the experimental than in the control group. Thyroid glands from the experimental group showed hyaline thickness of the blood vessel wall, necrotic follicles, a strong inflammatory reaction, and peeling of necrotic cells in the follicles. In conclusion, significant differences in hormone levels and histopathological findings indicated prolonged hypothyroidism after 131I administration to rats, which was not 131I dose dependent.

Food consumption by young adults living in Ribeirão Preto, SP, 2002/2004

There is evidence showing a close relationship between diet and the occurrence of non-communicable chronic diseases. The present study assessed food consumption in a 2002/2004 cohort of young adults born in 1978/79 in Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. The composition of the habitual diet consumed by a sample of 2063 individuals aged 23-25 years was analyzed using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire based on studies of prevention of non-communicable chronic diseases. The Dietsys software was used for dietary calculations. In terms of WHO/2003 recommendations, there was a high mean daily consumption of energy from fat (consumption: 35.4%; recommendation: 15-30%), a low mean intake of energy from carbohydrates (47.5%; 55-75%) and a low mean consumption of total fibers (15.2 g; >25 g). Mean intake of energy from fatty acids (10%; <10%) and protein (15.6%; 10-15%) was within recommended limits. When compared to the recommendations of the food pyramid adapted to the Brazilian population, adequate intake was observed only regarding the meat group (consumption: 1.9 portions; recommended: 1-2). There was a low consumption of vegetables (2.9; 4-5), fruits (1.2; 3-5), breads (3.6; 6-9), and dairy products (1.7; 3), with excessive fat and sugar intake (5.7; 1-2). We conclude that the inadequate food consumption observed in this young population may be associated with the development of excess weight and may contribute to the triggering of non-communicable chronic diseases.

Modifications of the sympathetic skin response in workers chronically exposed to lead

The long-term effects of low-level lead intoxication are not known. The sympathetic skin response (SSR) was evaluated in a group of 60 former workers of a primary lead smelter, located in Santo Amaro, BA, Brazil. The individuals participating in the study were submitted to a clinical-epidemiological evaluation including questions related to potential risk factors for intoxication, complaints related to peripheral nervous system (PNS) involvement, neurological clinical examination, and also to electromyography and nerve conduction studies and SSR evaluation. The sample consisted of 57 men and 3 women aged 34 to 69 years (mean ± SD: 46.8 ± 6.9). The neurophysiologic evaluation showed the presence of lumbosacral radiculopathy in one of the individuals (1.7%), axonal sensorimotor polyneuropathy in 2 (3.3%), and carpal tunnel syndrome in 6 (10%). SSR was abnormal or absent in 12 cases, representing 20% of the sample. More than half of the subjects (53.3%) reported a history of acute abdominal pain requiring hospitalization during the period of work at the plant. A history of acute palsy of radial and peroneal nerves was reported by about 16.7 and 8.3% of the individuals, respectively. Mean SSR amplitude did not differ significantly between patients presenting or not the various characteristics in the current neurological situation, except for diaphoresis. The results suggest that chronic lead intoxication induces PNS damage, particularly affecting unmyelinated small fibers. Further systematic study is needed to more precisely define the role of lead in inducing PNS injury.

Kuusamon keskustan liikennejärjestelyjen ja ympäristön kehittämissuunnitelma

Laaditussa kehittämissuunnitelmassa keskeisimpänä suunnittelukohteena on ollut Kitkantien ydinjakso välillä Ouluntaival - Vienantie sekä Kelantien ja Kitkantien risteysalueen läheisyyteen sijoittuva aukio. Ydinjaksolle on tutkittu kolmea eri vaihtoehtoa väylän poikkileikkauksen, autoliikenteen, kevyen liikenteen, pysäköinnin ja ympäristön osalta. Liikennevalo-ohjatun pääliittymän kohdalle Kitkantien ja Ouluntaipaleen liittymässä on tutkittu vaihtoehtona kiertoliittymää. Viereisen aukion kohdalle on tutkittu kahta ympäristön kehittämisvaihtoehtoa. Kelantielle on tutkittu linja-autojen päätepysäkkijärjestelyistä kaksi vaihtoehtoa. Kitkantien jatkeelle, välille Vienantie - Kaarlo Hännisentie, on tutkittu kahta liikennejärjestelyvaihtoehtoa väylän poikkileikkauksen, autopysäköinnin ja ympäristön osalta. Kitkantien pohjoisosalle, välille Kaarlo Hännisentien - valtatie 5, on tutkittu kahta liikennejärjestelyvaihtoehtoa. Ouluntaipaleelle, välille Oulangantie - Kitkantie, on suunniteltu pääasiassa liikenneturvallisuutta parantavia toimenpiteitä. Suunnittelun lähtötietoina ovat olleet tie- ja liikennetiedot sekä asemakaava, maankäyttösuunnitelmat sekä tämän työn yhteydessä perusselvitykseksi laadittu ympäristön nykytila-analyysi. Ympäristön nykytila-analyysin mukaan Kuusamon keskustan sisääntulojakson sekä ydinjakson maisemakuvallisena ongelmana on Kitkantien laaja ja jäsentymätön katutila. Ydinalueella ei ole istutuksia. Koko suunnittelujakson taajamakuvallisena ongelmana on katukalusteiden värimaailman ja tyylin epäyhtenäisyys. Nykyistä vinopysäköintiä ei pidetä myöskään kaikilta osin hyvänä ratkaisuna. Vinopysäköinnin ja kevyen liikenteen väylien päällysteissä, reunatuissa ja pintakuivatuksessa on puutteita. Väylävalaistuksen teho on huono ja valaistus kaipaa uudistusta. Kuusamon keskustan ydinjaksolla (Ouluntaival ja Kitkantie) on sattunut paljon liikenneonnettomuuksia, joista suurin osa on johtanut henkilövahinkoihin. Kaikki vuosina 2009 - 2013 tapahtuneet jalankulkuonnettomuudet ovat tapahtuneet ydinkeskustassa. Kitkantiellä, Kaarlo Hännisentien liittymässä, on sattunut peräänajo-onnettomuuksia, mutta ei henkilövahinkoja. Liikenneturvallisuuden parantamistarvetta on tie-, liittymä- ja pysäköintijärjestelyissä sekä jalankulun ja pyöräilyn olosuhteissa. Kitkantien ydinjaksolle, välille Kaiterantie - Vienantie, on esitetty rakennettavaksi osin kivetty ja osin istutettu keskialue. Nykyinen vinopysäköinti muutetaan pitkittäispysäköinniksi, jolloin kevyelle liikenteelle saadaan myös lisätilaa. Lisäksi katutilaa jäsennellään katupuuistutuksin. Kitkantien varresta vähenevät autopaikat korvataan osittain Kaiterantien varteen rakennettavalla yleisellä pysäköintialueella (LPA). Lisäksi pysäköintiä ohjataan muille ydinkeskustan yleisille pysäköintialueille (Kelantien ja Vanttajantie). Kitkantien ja Vienantien sekä Ouluntaipaleen ja Kaiterantien liittymiin rakennetaan korotukset. Pääliittymän ja aukion kohdalle on esitetty yhtenäinen kävelypainotteinen kivetty alue. Liittymäratkaisuna on kiertoliittymä, jossa ajolinjoja ohjataan pollareilla. Molemmin puolin Kelantietä rakennetaan pysäkkilevennykset, johon tulee nousu- ja jättöpysäkit (kääntöpaikka osittain Vanttajantien pysäköintialueella). Jalankulkuyhteyksiä rakennetaan ydinkeskustan, aukion ja yleisten pysäköintialueiden välille. Kitkantien varteen ja aukiolle suunnitellaan runkolukittavia pyörätelineitä sekä penkkejä. Aukio kivetään kauttaaltaan ja sinne osoitetaan istutusalueita. Aukiotilaa rajaa viereisiin kortteleihin porrastettu osuus, joka toimii aukion rajaavana elementtinä tai, viereisen korttelin kehittyessä, luo sisääntulon palvelukeskittymälle. Välillä Vienantie - Kaarlo Hännisentie, Kitkantien vinopysäköinti muutetaan myös pitkittäispysäköinniksi. Ajorata kavennetaan 7 metriin. Vienantien liittymän pohjoispuolelle rakennetaan Kitkantien molemmille puolille ajoratapysäkit. Kaarlo Hännisentien liittymän eteläpuoleisia liittymäjärjestelyjä parannetaan ja mm. R-kioskin liittymään rakennetaan suuntaisliittymä. Katutilaa jäsennellään katupuuistutuksin ja ajoratapysäkkien yhteyteen sekä palveluiden lähelle osoitetaan runkolukittavia pyörätelineitä sekä penkkejä. Kitkantien pohjoisosalla, välillä Kaarlo Hännisentie - valtatie 5, Kitkantien ajorataa kavennetaan ja nykyinen länsipuolinen jalkakäytävä levennetään pyörätieksi. Välillä Muikkutie - valtatie 5, Kitkantien ajoradan keskelle rakennetaan keskisaareke. Hautausmaan puoleinen jalkakäytävä puretaan ja Muikkutien liittymän nykyiset linja-autopysäkit parannetaan. Liikuntahallin kohdan liittymä-, kevytliikenne ja pysäkkijärjestelyjä parannetaan. Katuympäristöä parannetaan nurmettamalla tieluiskat ja leveät välisaarekkeet. Kapeat saarekkeet kivetään. Ouluntaipaleella, välillä Oulangantie - Kaiterantie, kavennetaan ajorataa ja pohjoispuolinen kevyen liikenteen väylä levennetään, liittymiä parannetaan, rakennetaan suojatiesaarekkeita sekä kunnostetaan tieympäristöä mm. sisääntulokohdan puuston ja pensaiden harvennuksilla. Katuympäristöä parannetaan pääosin nurmettamalla tieluiskia ja leveitä välikaistoja. Kitronintielle, välille Kitkantie - Kirkkotie, on esitetty kevyen liikenteen väylän reunatuen ja valaistuksen uusimista Kirkolle asti sekä alkuosalla ajoradan päällysteen uusiminen. Ympäristöä parannetaan nurmettamalla uudelleen rakentamisen myötä rikkoutuvia nurmipintoja. Kaikkein suunnitteluosuuksien ajoratavalaistukset uusitaan. Kitkantien ydinjaksolle ja aukiolle tulee perusvalaistuksen lisäksi erikoisvalaistusta (mm. kausivalaistus ja kohdevalaistus). Keskusta- alueella käytetään puupylväitä. Keskustan ulkopuolisilla osuuksilla jatketaan aikaisemmin toteutettuja valaistusratkaisuja. Valaisimina käytetään siniseksi maalattuja CitySoul-valaisimia kartiopylväissä ja Kitkantien pohjoisosan sisääntulojaksolla keskisaarekkeessa valopilarivalaisinpylväitä (vrt. parannettu Ouluntie tai Rukan sisääntulo). Esitetyillä kehittämistoimenpiteillä Kuusamon ydinkeskustan ilme ja tieympäristö saadaan uudistettua sekä liikennejärjestelyjen toimivuutta ja turvallisuutta saadaan parannettua kaikkien liikennemuotojen osalta. Jalankulun ja pyöräilyolosuhteiden parantaminen tukee kestävän liikkumisen edistämisen periaatteita. Kehittämisratkaisuilla parannetaan ydinkeskustan viihtyisyyttä ja houkuttelevuutta. Valaistuksen uusimisella parannetaan viihtyisyyden lisäksi liikenneturvallisuutta sekä yleistä turvallisuuden tunnetta. Suunniteltujen kehittämisratkaisujen kokonaiskustannuksiksi on arvioitu noin 6,9 M€ vuoden 2014 hintatasossa (maku ind. 112; 2010 =100). Kustannukset sisältävät 25 %:n yleiskustannusosuuden. Kustannukset eivät sisällä laitteiden uusimista tai siirtoja eikä aukion alueen rakennusten purkukustannuksia. Ydinkeskustan rakentamiskustannusten osuus katulämmityksineen on noin 4,4 M€. Ydinkeskustan kustannukset sisältävät Kaiterantien varren pysäköintialueen rakentamisen ja Kelantien pysäkkijärjestelyt. Kivetyn aukion ja pääliittymän katulämmityksen rakentamiskustannusosuus on arviolta noin 800 000 € ja vuosittaiset ylläpitokustannukset arviolta noin 170 000 €. Muiden tiejaksojen parantamiskustannukset ovat yhteensä noin 2,5 M€. Hanke voidaan toteuttaa vaiheittain. Kiireisin vaihe on ydinkeskustan parantaminen. Rakentamiskustannusten jaosta ELY-keskuksen ja Kuusamon kaupungin kesken sovitaan erikseen pidettävissä neuvotteluissa. Ratkaisut eivät edellytä asemakaavan muutoksia. Rakentamisen jälkeen maantieosuudet siirtyvät kaupungin omistukseen (hallinnollinen muutos). Kehittämissuunnitelmaratkaisut ovat toteutussuunnitelmien laatimisen lähtökohtana.

Breathing pattern and thoracoabdominal motion during exercise in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) present breathing pattern and thoracoabdominal motion abnormalities that may contribute to exercise limitation. Twenty-two men with stable COPD (FEV1 = 42.6 ± 13.5% predicted; age 68 ± 8 years; mean ± SD) on usual medication and with at least 5 years of diagnosis were evaluated at rest and during an incremental cycle exercise test (10 watts/2 min). Changes in respiratory frequency, tidal volume, rib cage and abdominal motion contribution to tidal volume and the phase angle that measures the asynchrony were analyzed by inductive respiratory plethysmography at rest and during three levels of exercise (30-50, 70-80, and 100% maximal work load). Repeated measures ANOVA followed by pre-planned contrasts and Bonferroni corrections were used for analyses. As expected, the greater the exercise intensity the higher the tidal volume and respiratory frequency. Abdominal motion contributed to the tidal volume increase (rest: 49.82 ± 11.19% vs exercise: 64.15 ± 9.7%, 63.41 ± 10%, and 65.56 ± 10.2%, respectively, P < 0.001) as well as the asynchrony [phase angle: 11.95 ± 7.24° at rest vs 22.2 ± 15° (P = 0.002), 22.6 ± 9° (P < 0.001), and 22.7 ± 8° (P < 0.001), respectively, at the three levels of exercise]. In conclusion, the increase in ventilation during exercise in COPD patients was associated with the major motion of the abdominal compartment and with an increase in the asynchrony independent of exercise intensity. It suggests that cycling exercise is an effective way of enhancing ventilation in COPD patients.

Gender and age differences in polysomnography findings and sleep complaints of patients referred to a sleep laboratory

Our objective was to examine the effet of gender on the sleep pattern of patients referred to a sleep laboratory. The data (questionnaires and polysomnographic recordings) were collected from a total of 2365 patients (1550 men and 815 women). The polysomnography permits an objective assessment of the sleep pattern. We included only polysomnography exams obtained with no more than one recording system in order to permit normalization of the data. Men had a significantly higher body mass index than women (28.5 ± 4.8 vs 27.7 ± 6.35 kg/m²) and had a significantly higher score on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (10.8 ± 5.3 vs 9.5 ± 6.0), suggesting daytime sleepiness. Women had a significantly higher sleep latency than men, as well as a higher rapid eye movement (REM) latency. Men spent more time in stages 1 (4.6 ± 4.1 vs 3.9 ± 3.8) and 2 (57.0 ± 10.5 vs 55.2 ± 10.1) of non-REM sleep than women, whereas women spent significantly more time in deep sleep stages (3 and 4) than men (22.6 ± 9.0 vs 19.9 ± 9.0). The apnea/hypopnea and arousal indexes were significantly higher and more frequent in men than in women (31.0 ± 31.5 vs 17.3 ± 19.7). Also, periodic leg movement index did not differ significantly between genders, but rather differed among age groups. We did not find significant differences between genders in the percentage of REM sleep and sleep efficiency. The results of the current study suggest that there are specific gender differences in sleep pattern.

Anandamide injected into the lateral ventricle of the brain inhibits submandibular salivary secretion by attenuating parasympathetic neurotransmission

Our objective was to determine the effect of arachidonylethanolamide (anandamide, AEA) injected intracerebroventricularly (icv) into the lateral ventricle of the rat brain on submandibular gland (SMG) salivary secretion. Parasympathetic decentralization (PSD) produced by cutting the chorda tympani nerve strongly inhibited methacholine (MC)-induced salivary secretion while sympathetic denervation (SD) produced by removing the superior cervical ganglia reduced it slightly. Also, AEA (50 ng/5 µL, icv) significantly decreased MC-induced salivary secretion in intact rats (MC 1 µg/kg: control (C), 5.3 ± 0.6 vs AEA, 2.7 ± 0.6 mg; MC 3 µg/kg: C, 17.6 ± 1.0 vs AEA, 8.7 ± 0.9 mg; MC 10 µg/kg: C, 37.4 ± 1.2 vs AEA, 22.9 ± 2.6 mg). However, AEA did not alter the significantly reduced salivary secretion in rats with PSD, but decreased the slightly reduced salivary secretion in rats with SD (MC 1 µg/kg: C, 3.8 ± 0.8 vs AEA, 1.4 ± 0.6 mg; MC 3 µg/kg: C, 14.7 ± 2.4 vs AEA, 6.9 ± 1.2 mg; P < 0.05; MC 10 µg/kg: C, 39.5 ± 1.0 vs AEA, 22.3 ± 0.5 mg; P < 0.001). We showed that the inhibitory effect of AEA is mediated by cannabinoid type 1 CB1 receptors and involves GABAergic neurotransmission, since it was blocked by previous injection of the CB1 receptor antagonist AM251 (500 ng/5 µL, icv) or of the GABA A receptor antagonist, bicuculline (25 ng/5 µL, icv). Our results suggest that parasympathetic neurotransmission from the central nervous system to the SMG can be inhibited by endocannabinoid and GABAergic systems.

Effects of sirolimus alone or in combination with cyclosporine A on renal ischemia/reperfusion injury

Calcineurin inhibitors exacerbate ischemic injury in transplanted kidneys, but it is not known if sirolimus protects or exacerbates the transplanted kidney from ischemic injury. We determined the effects of sirolimus alone or in combination with cyclosporin A (CsA) on oxygenated and hypoxic/reoxygenated rat proximal tubules in the following in vitro groups containing 6-9 rats per group: sirolimus (10, 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 ηg/mL); CsA (100 µg/mL); sirolimus (50 and 250 ηg/mL) + CsA (100 µg/mL); control; vehicle (20% ethanol). For in vivo studies, 3-week-old Wistar rats (150-250 g) were submitted to left nephrectomy and 30-min renal artery clamping. Renal function and histological evaluation were performed 24 h and 7 days after ischemia (I) in five groups: sham, I, I + SRL (3 mg·kg-1·day-1, po), I + CsA (3 mg·kg-1·day-1, sc), I + SRL + CsA. Sirolimus did not injure oxygenated or hypoxic/reoxygenated proximal tubules and did not potentiate the tubular toxic effects of CsA. Neither drug affected the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at 24 h. GFR was reduced in CsA-treated rats on day 7 (0.5 ± 0.1 mL/min) but not in rats receiving sirolimus + CsA (0.8 ± 0.1 mL/min) despite the reduction in renal blood flow (3.9 ± 0.5 mL/min). Acute tubular necrosis regeneration was similar for all groups. Sirolimus alone was not toxic and did not enhance hypoxia/reoxygenation injury or CsA toxicity to proximal tubules. Despite its hemodynamic effects, sirolimus protected post-ischemic kidneys against CsA toxicity.

Long-term melatonin treatment reduces ovarian mass and enhances tissue antioxidant defenses during ovulation in the rat

Melatonin regulates the reproductive cycle, energy metabolism and may also act as a potential antioxidant indoleamine. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether long-term melatonin treatment can induce reproductive alterations and if it can protect ovarian tissue against lipid peroxidation during ovulation. Twenty-four adult female Wistar rats, 60 days old (± 250-260 g), were randomly divided into two equal groups. The control group received 0.3 mL 0.9% NaCl + 0.04 mL 95% ethanol as vehicle, and the melatonin-treated group received vehicle + melatonin (100 µg·100 g body weight-1·day-1) both intraperitoneally daily for 60 days. All animals were killed by decapitation during the morning estrus at 4:00 am. Body weight gain and body mass index were reduced by melatonin after 10 days of treatment (P < 0.05). Also, a marked loss of appetite was observed with a fall in food intake, energy intake (melatonin 51.41 ± 1.28 vs control 57.35 ± 1.34 kcal/day) and glucose levels (melatonin 80.3 ± 4.49 vs control 103.5 ± 5.47 mg/dL) towards the end of treatment. Melatonin itself and changes in energy balance promoted reductions in ovarian mass (20.2%) and estrous cycle remained extensive (26.7%), arresting at diestrus. Regarding the oxidative profile, lipid hydroperoxide levels decreased after melatonin treatment (6.9%) and total antioxidant substances were enhanced within the ovaries (23.9%). Additionally, melatonin increased superoxide dismutase (21.3%), catalase (23.6%) and glutathione-reductase (14.8%) activities and the reducing power (10.2% GSH/GSSG ratio). We suggest that melatonin alters ovarian mass and estrous cyclicity and protects the ovaries by increasing superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione-reductase activities.

Anthropometric midarm measurements can detect systemic fat-free mass depletion in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Our objective was to determine whether anthropometric measurements of the midarm (MA) could identify subjects with whole body fat-free mass (FFM) depletion. Fifty-five patients (31% females; age: 64.6 ± 9.3 years) with mild/very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 18 smokers without COPD (39% females; age: 49.0 ± 7.3 years) and 23 never smoked controls (57% females; age: 48.2 ± 9.6 years) were evaluated. Spirometry, muscle strength and MA circumference were measured. MA muscle area was estimated by anthropometry and MA cross-sectional area by computerized tomography (CT) scan. Bioelectrical impedance was used as the reference method for FFM. MA circumference and MA muscle area correlated with FFM and biceps and triceps strength. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that MA circumference and MA muscle area cut-off points presented sensitivity and specificity >82% to discriminate FFM-depleted subjects. CT scan measurements did not provide improved sensitivity or specificity. For all groups, there was no significant statistical difference between MA muscle area [35.2 (29.3-45.0) cm²] and MA cross-sectional area values [36.4 (28.5-43.3) cm²] and the linear correlation coefficient between tests was r = 0.77 (P < 0.001). However, Bland-Altman plots revealed wide 95% limits of agreement (-14.7 to 15.0 cm²) between anthropometric and CT scan measurements. Anthropometric MA measurements may provide useful information for identifying subjects with whole body FFM depletion. This is a low-cost technique and can be used in a wider patient population to identify those likely to benefit from a complete body composition evaluation.

Sertraline inhibits formalin-induced nociception and cardiovascular responses

The objective of the present study was to determine the antihyperalgesic effect of sertraline, measured indirectly by the changes of sciatic afferent nerve activity, and its effects on cardiorespiratory parameters, using the model of formalin-induced inflammatory nociception in anesthetized rats. Serum serotonin (5-HT) levels were measured in order to test their correlation with the analgesic effect. Male Wistar rats (250-300 g) were divided into 4 groups (N = 8/per group): sertraline-treated group (Sert + Saline (Sal) and Sert + Formalin (Form); 3 mg·kg-1·day-1, ip, for 7 days) and saline-treated group (Sal + Sal and Sal + Form). The rats were injected with 5% (50 µL) formalin or saline into the right hind paw. Sciatic nerve activity was recorded using a silver electrode connected to a NeuroLog apparatus, and cardiopulmonary parameters (mean arterial pressure, heart rate and respiratory frequency), assessed after arterial cannulation and tracheotomy, were monitored using a Data Acquisition System. Blood samples were collected from the animals and serum 5-HT levels were determined by ELISA. Formalin injection induced the following changes: sciatic afferent nerve activity (+50.8 ± 14.7%), mean arterial pressure (+1.4 ± 3 mmHg), heart rate (+13 ± 6.8 bpm), respiratory frequency (+4.6 ± 5 cpm) and serum 5-HT increased to 1162 ± 124.6 ng/mL. Treatment with sertraline significantly reduced all these parameters (respectively: +19.8 ± 6.9%, -3.3 ± 2 mmHg, -13.1 ± 10.8 bpm, -9.8 ± 5.7 cpm) and serum 5-HT level dropped to 634 ± 69 ng/mL (P < 0.05). These results suggest that sertraline plays an analgesic role in formalin-induced nociception probably through a serotonergic mechanism.

Galantamine protects against lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in rats

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxemia triggers the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and can cause acute lung injury (ALI). The high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein plays an important role as a late mediator of sepsis and ALI. Galantamine (GAL) is a central acetylcholinesterase inhibitor that inhibits the expression of HMGB1. This study evaluated the effects of GAL by measuring levels of inflammatory mediators and observing histopathological features associated with LPS-induced ALI. Sixty 8-10 week old male Sprague-Dawley rats (200-240 g) were randomized into three groups as follows: control group, LPS group (7.5 mg/kg LPS), and LPS+GAL group (5 mg/kg GAL before LPS administration). Histopathological examination of lung specimens obtained 12 h after LPS administration was performed to analyze changes in wet-to-dry (W/D) weight ratio, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and HMGB1 expression level. Additionally, plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and HMGB1 were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at 0 (baseline), 3, 6, 9, and 12 h after LPS administration. Mortality in the three groups was recorded at 72 h. LPS-induced ALI was characterized by distortion of pulmonary architecture and elevation of MPO activity, W/D weight ratio, and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and HMGB1. Pretreatment with GAL significantly reduced the LPS-induced lung pathological changes, W/D weight ratio, levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and MPO activity (ANOVA). Moreover, GAL treatment significantly decreased the mortality rate (ANOVA). In conclusion, we demonstrated that GAL exerted a protective effect on LPS-induced ALI in rats.

Características físico-químicas de acerola do banco ativo de germoplasma em Pernambuco

As características físico-químicas de acerolas maduras, provenientes de 12 genótipos, cultivados no Banco Ativo de Germoplasma da Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), colhidas no inverno/1999, verão/2000 e verão/2001 foram avaliadas. A análise conjunta das três safras revelou as seguintes variações médias: ácido ascórbico de 1067 a 1846mg/100g de polpa; antocianinas totais de 3,8 a 47,4mg/100g de polpa; flavonóis totais de 7,0 a 18,5mg de quercetina/100g de polpa; acidez total titulável (ATT) de 1,04 a 1,87g de ácido málico/100g de polpa; sólidos solúveis totais (SST) de 7,0 e 8,4ºBrix; relação SST/ATT de 4,4 a 6,9 e pH de 3,11 e 3,41. Levando em consideração as características avaliadas, todos os genótipos, exceto o 015-CPA que apresentou teor de ácido ascórbico inferior ao exigido pelas indústrias de transformação, são potencialmente promissores.

Soja transgênica BRS 243 RR: determinação de macronutrientes e das isoflavonas daidzeína e genisteína por Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência (CLAE)

Este trabalho teve por objetivo determinar a composição centesimal e o conteúdo de Daidzeína (D) e Genisteína (G) da cultivar BRS 243 RR por CLAE. O preparo da amostra para cromatografia envolveu a remoção da gordura com hexano . Os analitos foram extraídos com etanol 70% acrescido de 0,1% de ácido acético. As condições cromatográficas otimizadas foram: coluna C18, fase móvel metanol: ácido acético 5% (1:1 v/v), vazão 0,5 mL/minuto, temperatura da coluna 30 °C, volume de injeção 40 µL e leitura em 254 nm. Os parâmetros de validação avaliados foram: linearidade y = 11242 x -37433, r = 0,9976 (D) e y = 18510 x -66761, r = 0,9980 (G); coeficientes de variação dos estudos de precisão intradia CV = 5,3% (D), CV = 6,7% (G) e interdias CV = 8,7% (D), CV = 9,7% (G); limite de quantificação 10 µg.g-1; limite de detecção 5 µg.g-1 e recuperação 95,7%. Portanto, o método desenvolvido foi adequado para a determinação de daidzeína e genisteína em soja. Os níveis de carboidratos (31,4%), proteínas (35,9%), lipídios (20,9%), umidade (6,9%), cinzas (4,9%), daidzeína (44,1 µg.g-1) e genisteína (37,4 µg.g-1) determinados na soja transgênica foram similares aos de outros estudos com soja convencional.