The aminoglycoside antibiotic gentamicin is able to alter metabolic activity and morphology of MDCK-C11 cells: a cell model of intercalated cells

It is well known that the aminoglycoside antibiotic gentamicin is capable of causing damage to kidney cells. Given the known involvement of Ca2+ in the nephrotoxic action of gentamicin, the purpose of this study was to establish a relationship between the concentration of intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and cellular cytotoxicity using MDCK-C11 cells, a clone that has several properties that resemble those of intercalated cells of the distal nephron. Changes in [Ca2+]i was determined using fluorescence microscopy. Cell viability was evaluated by the neutral red method, and cell cytotoxicity by the MTT method. The [Ca2+]i gradually increased when cells were exposed to 0.1 mM gentamicin for 10, 20, and 30 min. The presence of extracellular Ca2+ was found to be necessary to stimulate the increase in [Ca2+]i induced by gentamicin, since this stimulus disappeared by using 1.8 mM EGTA (a Ca2+ chelator). Morphological changes were observed with scanning electron microscopy in epithelial cells exposed to the antibiotic. Furthermore, with the MTT method, a decrease in metabolic activity induced by gentamicin was observed, which indicates a cytotoxic effect. In conclusion, gentamicin was able to alter [Ca2+]i, change the morphology of MDCK-C11 cells, and promote cytotoxicity.

Desempenho de vacas Girolando mantidas em pastejo de Tifton 85 irrigado ou sequeiro / Performance of crossbred Holstein x Zebu cows rotationally grazing in Tifton 85 pasture irrigated or rainfed

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a taxa de lotação e a produção de leite de vacas mestiças Holandês x Zebu em pastagens de Tifton 85 irrigadas e em sequeiro, em Uberaba-MG. Os dados foram analisados em um delineamento de blocos inteiramente ao acaso, com três repetições por tratamento, num esquema fatorial 2x10 (dois tratamentos e 10 épocas). Foi utilizado um lote de 11 vacas em lactação por tratamento para avaliação do desempenho animal. As médias foram comparadas por meio do teste de Scott-Knott ao nível de 5% de probabilidade (P<0,05). A pastagem foi manejada em sistema de pastejo rotacionado com três e cinco dias de ocupação e 21 e 35 dias de descanso no período das águas e da seca, respectivamente. A taxa de lotação média do sistema irrigado, no período avaliado, foi de 4,6 UA.ha-1, valor superior (P<0,05) à taxa média de 2,2 UA.ha-1 observada para o sistema de sequeiro. Não houve diferenças nas produções diárias de leite das vacas (P<0,05). A produção de leite média obtida no sistema irrigado foi de 51,7 litros. ha-1.dia-1. A irrigação possibilitou uma considerável intensificação do sistema, na medida em que proporcionou uma taxa de lotação bastante superior ao sistema de sequeiro.

The aim of this study was to determine the stocking rates and milk production of crossbred Holstein x Zebu cows managed under irrigated or rainfed Tifton 85 pastures in Uberaba- MG. The statistical design adopted was completely randomized blocks with three repetitions per treatment, in a 2 x 10 factorial arrangement (2 treatments and 10 seasons). The average was compared using the Scott-Knott test with 5% probability (P<0.05). To evaluate animal performance, 11 lactating cows per treatment were used. The pasture was managed in a rotational grazing system with 21 and 35 days of grazing interval and 3 and 5 days of grazing in each paddock, in the rainy and dry seasons respectively. The stocking rate of the irrigated system was 4.6 UA.ha-1 and was superior (p<0.05) to the stocking rate of the rainfed system that was 2.2 UA.ha-1. There were no differences among the systems (p>0.05) for the average daily milk yield of the cows. In the irrigated system the average milk yield was 51.7 liters.ha-1.dia-1. With irrigation, a considerable intensification of the system was possible because it provided a superior stocking rate capacity compared to the rainfed system.

Occupational therapy in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3: an open-label trial

Occupational therapy (OT) is a profession concerned with promoting health and well-being through occupation, by enabling handicapped people to participate in the activities of everyday life. OT is part of the clinical rehabilitation of progressive genetic neurodegenerative diseases such as spinocerebellar ataxias; however, its effects have never been determined in these diseases. Our aim was to investigate the effect of OT on both physical disabilities and depressive symptoms of spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) patients. Genomically diagnosed SCA3 patients older than 18 years were invited to participate in the study. Disability, as evaluated by functional independence measurement and Barthel incapacitation score, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, and World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF), was determined at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of treatment. Twenty-six patients agreed to participate in the study. All were treated because OT prevents blinding of a control group. Fifteen sessions of rehabilitative OT were applied over a period of 6 months. Difficult access to food, clothing, personal hygiene, and leisure were some of the main disabilities focused by these patients. After this treatment, disability scores and quality of life were stable, and the Hamilton scores for depression improved. Since no medication was started up to 6 months before or during OT, this improvement was related to our intervention. No association was found between these endpoints and a CAG tract of the MJD1 gene (CAGn), age, age of onset, or neurological scores at baseline (Spearman test). Although the possibly temporary stabilization of the downhill disabilities as an effect of OT remains to be established, its clear effect on depressive symptoms confirms the recommendation of OT to any patient with SCA3 or spinocerebellar ataxia.

Utilização de fixação externa em fratura de úmero em caprino / Utilization of external fixation in humerus fracture in a goat

A six-month-old, 14.8kg male Saanen goat was referred to a veterinary hospital presenting functional impotence of its right thoracic member. By radiographic and physical examination it was found out a complete fracture of the humerus. The treatment was based on successful external fixation.

High Levels of Psychosocial Readiness for ART in an African population at the Onset of Treatment

Adherence at the earliest stages of treatment is likely to be influenced by prior illness trajectories and future expectations; best captured (and addressed) before treatment begins. We examined the influence of illness trajectories and treatment expectations on psychosocial readiness to start antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Jinja; Uganda. In-depth interviews were conducted between October 2005 and April 2006 with 41 members of an AIDS support organisation on their first day of treatment. Transcribed texts were translated; coded and analysed thematically using NVIVO-7 software. Results indicated that acute fear of death and progressive withdrawal from social; economic and sexual roles narrowed focus on survival; while efficacy-enhancing experiences with septrin prophylaxis and trust in counsellors reinforced belief in HIV diagnosis and importance of adherence. Most enjoyed supportive home environments after disclosing their serostatus. Lack of money for food and transport was anticipated as the main barriers to future adherence; particularly among women. Integrating strong counselling support with ART provision helped channel the power of shared illness experience into positive motivation to adhere at the onset of treatment

Atividade física e qualidade de vida deoperadores de caixa de supermercado / Physical activity of the quality of life of cashier of supermarket

Objetivos: investigar a prática da atividade física e a qualidade de vida na percepção dos operadores de caixa de supermercado. Pesquisa de campo descritiva, sendo 40 operadores de caixa de uma rede de supermercados da Grande Florianópolis. Para a coleta de dados foi utilizado um questionário com 28 questões fechadas e 2 questões abertas. Resultados: 95% dos entrevistados julgam existir movimentos repetitivos e cerca de 65% destes sentem algum tipo de dor ou desconforto durante o trabalho, 61% sentem dores no corpo durante o próprio serviço, a atividade que mais causa dor é erguer o braço. A maioria recebeu algum tipo de orientação ou treinamento quanto as posições ou posturas a serem adotadas durante o trabalho. Quanto a prática de atividade física 57% são adeptos, sendo que a mais citada foi a caminhada, numa periodicidade de 2 a 3 vezes por semana, com duração superior a 30 minutos. Entre os motivos mais citados que levaram os pesquisados a praticarem atividade física são a promoção da saúde e a melhora da aptidão física. Quanto a qualidade de vida na concepção dos operadores de caixa de supermercado a maioria deles, julga possuir uma boa qualidade de vida. Conclusões: a grande maioria dos entrevistados sentem dores ao realizarem a atividade de trabalho, praticam algum tipo de atividade física e consideram sua qualidade de vida boa.

Objective: to investigate the practice of physical activity and the quality of life perception of cashier of supermarket. Descriptive research of field, being 40 cashier of a net of supermarket of the Great Florianópolis. For the collection of data a questionnarie with 28 closed questions and 2 open questions was used. Results: 95% of the interviewed ones judge to exist repetitive movements and about 65% of these they feel some type of pain or discomfort during the work, 61% feel pais in the body during the proper service, the activity that more cause pain is to raise the arm. The majority received some type of orientation or training how much the positions or positions to be adopted during the work. How much the practical one of physical activity 54% adepts are, being that the most cited she was the walked one, in a regularity of 2 the 3 times per week, with superior duration the 30 minutes. It more enters the cited reasons than they had taken the searched ones to practise physical activity are the promotion of the health and improvement of the physical aptitude. How much the quality of life in the conception of the operators of cashier of supermarket the majority of them, judges to possess a good quality of life. Conclusions: the great majority of the interviewed ones the activity of work feels pains when carrying through, practises some type of physical activity and considers its quality of good life.

Effect of electroacupuncture on physical performance of young men and responses to exercise

Chinese Medicine uses acupuncture points K-3 (Taixi), Li-3 (taichong), S-36 (Zusanli), Ren-4 (Guanyuan)and Ren-6 (Qihai) to enhance the individual's general energy, improving capacity to physical efforts, and the body threshold to fadigue. We studied the influence of these specific points on physical performance capacity (PPC) and physiological responses to excercise (PRE). Material - We assigned 27 healthy men at random to three groups: acupuncture (A), acupuncture sham (S) and control group (no acupuncture (N). Methods - Performance was determined through of a spiroergometric test was carried out at the beginning and at the end of five sucessive daily sessions, consisting of 20 minutes of electroacupuncture (EA) of the selected points. They performed a continuous incremental (25 watts/min) test until exhaunstion in bicycle ergometer (Cibex the Bike). Respiratory and metabolic variables were calculated every 20s during excercise by a computerized spiroergometric system (Vista CX). The heart was obtained by telemetry (Polar), The rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was measured by the Borg's revised scale. Results - The results before and after treatment were compared in these conditions: rest (R); moderate exercise (M); at the anaerobic threshold (AT); intense exercise (I); maximal exercise (MX) and recovery (RC). The subjects from group A didn't increase the maximal performance capacity neither the PPC at AT. Respiratory, cardiovascular responses and movement economy in M, AT, I and MX didn't improve in these group. We detected a positive effect of EA only in RPE during M. There was no differences between tests in groups S an N. Conclusion - These results suggest that the EA in studied conditions isn't effective to increase PPC or improve PRE.

Sialometaplasia necrosante: relato de caso / Necrotizing sialometaplasia: case report

Os autores apresentam um caso de Sialometaplasia necrosante com manifestaçöes clínicas atípicas. Achados histopatológicos de biópsia e necrópsia säo apresentados. Revisando a literatura procuram mostrar a importância da lesäo como fonte de confusäo frente ao diagnóstico diferencial com o Carcinoma

Infeccao na instrumentacao urologica. / Infection in urologic instrumentation

O autor chama a atencao para a alta incidencia de infeccao hospitalar, com particular interesse a infeccao do trato urinario. A revisao de outros trabalhos demonstra que a participacao do urologista e importante na orientacao das tecnicas de cateterismos vesicais e nos cuidados com a manutencao dos pacientes cateterizados.Discute as indicacoes, os fatores de risco, as causas e orienta o tratamento