Calcium homeostasis behavior and cardiac function on left ventricular remodeling by pressure overload

Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2a) and sarcolemmal Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX1) structures are involved in heart cell Ca2+ homeostasis. Previous studies have shown discrepancies in their function and expression in heart failure. The goal of this study was to evaluate heart function and hypertrophied muscle Ca2+-handling protein behavior under pressure overload. Twenty male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: Aortic stenosis (AoS), induced by a clip placed at the beginning of the aorta, and Control (Sham). After 18 weeks, heart function and structure were evaluated by echocardiogram. Myocardial function was analyzed by isolated papillary muscle (IPM) at basal condition and Ca2+ protein functions were evaluated after post-pause contraction and blockage with cyclopiazonic acid in IPM. Ca2+-handling protein expression was studied by western blot (WB). Echocardiogram showed that AoS caused concentric hypertrophy with enhanced ejection fraction and diastolic dysfunction inferred by dilated left atrium and increased relative wall thickness. IPM study showed developed tension was the same in both groups. AoS showed increased stiffness revealed by enhanced resting tension, and changes in Ca2+ homeostasis shown by calcium elevation and SERCA2a blockage maneuvers. WB revealed decreased NCX1, SERCA2a, and phosphorylated phospholambam (PLB) on serine-16 in AoS. AoS had left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction compared to Sham; this could be related to our findings regarding calcium homeostasis behavior: deficit in NCX1, SERCA2a, and phosphorylated PLB on serine-16.

Acoustic radiation force impulse elastography of the eyes of brachycephalic dogs / Elastografia acoustic radiation force impulse dos olhos de cães braquicefálicos

Eyes from brachycephalic dogs were studied by acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography to establish quantitative and qualitative reference values related to the shape and rigidity of some ocular structures. Eighty-four eyes from 42 adult brachycephalic dogs were included in this study. Animals were subjected to physical, laboratory, and ophthalmic examinations. Following confirmation of good health, the dogs were subjected to ultrasonography and ARFI elastography, emphasizing the optic nerve, ciliary body, and lens. On qualitative elastography, homogeneous characteristics were observed on the ciliary body and optic nerve. Aqueous and vitreous humors were visualized as mosaic-like images. Quantitative elastography showed the mean optic nerve shear wave velocity (SWV) was 1.01±0.27m/s, temporal ciliary body was 0.91±0.24m/s, and nasal ciliary body was 0.91±0.3m/s. The SWV of the lens values were out of range, this value was not detectable by this software. Elastography has proved to be a non-invasive procedure and feasible in dogs. The establishmentof the parameters of degree of rigidity of ocular structures will serve as a baseline for animals with eye disorders. Results may be extrapolated to primary research on the applicability of ARFI in the evaluation of ocular bulb in humans.(AU)

Estruturas oculares de cães braquicéfalos foram estudadas por elastografia acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) para estabelecer valores quantitativos e qualitativos de referência relacionados com a forma e a rigidez de algumas estruturas oculares. Foram avaliados 84 olhos de 42 cães braquicéfalos neste estudo. Os animais foram submetidos aos exames físico, laboratorial e aos exames oftalmológicos. Após a confirmação da sanidade dos pacientes, os cães foram submetidos à ultrassonografia e à elastografia ARFI, enfatizando-se o nervo óptico, o corpo ciliar e a lente. Para elastografia qualitativa, foram observadas características homogêneas no corpo ciliar e no nervo óptico. Os humores aquoso e vítreo foram visibilizados como imagens tipo mosaico. A elastografia quantitativa demonstrou velocidades de cisalhamento para nervo óptico de 1,01±0,27m/s, para corpo ciliar temporal de 0,91±0,24m/s e para corpo ciliar nasal de 0,91±0,3m/s. Valores dessas velocidades para lentes apresentaram-se fora do intervalo: X.XXm/s. A elastografia provou ser um procedimento não invasivo e viável para cães. Estabelecidos os parâmetros do grau de rigidez das estruturas oculares, futuramente tais dados servirão como padrão para avaliação de animais com os distúrbios oculares. Os resultados podem ser extrapolados para a pesquisa primária sobre a aplicabilidade da ARFI na avaliação do bulbo ocular em seres humanos.(AU)

Cultivo in vitro de Brosimum gaudichaudii Tréc. (Moraceae) / In vitro cultivation of Brosimum gaudichaudii Tréc. (Moraceae)

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o potencial organogenético de entrenós, discos foliares, e raízes de Brosimum gaudichaudii utilizando 12 diferentes combinações dos fitorreguladores 6-benzilaminopurina e ácido naftaleno acético, em meio MS (diluído à metade), sólido (6,5 g de ágar), e com 20 g.L-1 de sacarose. Independentemente das combinações hormonais testadas verificou-se a formação de calos friáveis (2 a 20 mm de diâmetro) em 90% dos entrenós usados como explantes. No entanto, os tratamentos testados não foram capazes induzir calos ou gemas em raízes e em discos foliares. O estudo anatômico revelou a formação de meristemóides nas regiões mais externa e mais interna dos calos. Os resultados obtidos poderão servir de base para novos testes de indução de calos na espécie.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the organogenic potential of internodes, leaf discs and roots of Brosimum gaudichaudii using 12 different combinations of the plant growth regulators 6-benzylaminopurine and naphthalene acetic acid in MS medium (half strength), solid medium (6.5 g agar) and sucrose medium (20 g.L-1). Regardless the hormonal combination tested, we observed the formation of friable calluses (2 - 20 mm wide) in 90% of the internode explants. However, the treatments were not able to induce callus or buds on roots and leaf discs. The anatomical analysis revealed meristemoid formation in the outer and inner regions of the calluses. The results may serve as the basis for further testing of callus induction in this species.

Estudo retrospectivo de ovariossalpingo-histerectomia em cadelas e gatas atendidas em Hospital Veterinário Escola no período de um ano / Retrospective ovariosalpingohisterectomy study in bitches and queens assisted at a Veterinary School Hospital during one year

Realizou-se um estudo retrospectivo das indicações de ovariossalpingo-histerectomia - eletiva e terapêutica - no período de um ano. Foram analisados 193 prontuários de cadelas e gatas atendidas em Hospital Veterinário Escola, entre março de 2010 e março de 2011, levando em consideração a espécie, a idade e o uso ou não de anticoncepcional. Constatou-se que a demanda de OSH com caráter terapêutico (78,8%) é consideravelmente mais alta que a eletiva (21,2%). Observou-se que as anormalidades reprodutivas detectadas com maior frequência foram piometra (53,36%) e complicações obstétricas (25,38%) e que o uso de anticoncepcional foi o fator relevante para o delineamento desses quadros.

An ovariosalpingohisterectomy procedure indication - elective and therapeutic - retrospective study was conducted during one year. Record files from 193 bitches and queens assisted at a Veterinary School Hospital between March 2010 and March 2011 were analyzed, considering species, age and contraceptive use. It was possible to conclude that the therapeutic OSH demand (78.8%) is remarkably superior to the elective OSH request (21.2%). It was also observed that the most frequently detected reproductive abnormalities were pyometra (53.36%) and gestational complications (25.38%), and also that the use of contraceptives is a relevant factor for those events.

Fratura de fíbula e lesões de ligamento colateral e menisco lateral em muar: relato de caso / Fibula fracture and injuries to the collateral ligament and lateral meniscus in mules: case report

Relata-se a ocorrência de fratura de fíbula e lesões de ligamento colateral e menisco lateral em um muar, fêmea, de dois anos de idade, provavelmente produzida por um coice na região da articulação femorotibiopatelar do membro pélvico esquerdo. O animal apresentava claudicação de grau 5 desse membro e obteve melhora após bloqueio dos nervos fibular, tibial e safena e da articulação afetada. O exame radiográfico da região acometida revelou fratura do terço proximal da fíbula e, ao exame ultrassonográfico, observaram-se pontos anecoicos no ligamento colateral lateral e menisco.

This is a report of the occurrence of fibula fracture and injuries of the collateral ligament and lateral meniscus in a two year old mule, probably due to a kick in the joint area of the femurtibiopatellar left pelvic limb. The animal presented degree 5 lameness which improved after a nerve block of the affected joint. Radiographic examination of the affected area revealed a fracture on the proximal third of the fibula, and the ultrasound examination showed anechoic points observed in the lateral collateral ligament and meniscus.

Preditores espaço-temporais do andar para testes de capacidade funcional em pacientes com doença de Parkinson / Gait spatial and temporal predictors for functional capacity tests in Parkinson's disease patients

OBJETIVOS: Determinar quais parâmetros espaço-temporais são preditores do andar de indivíduos com doença de Parkinson idiopática para os testes de resistência aeróbia e agilidade, propostos pela bateria de testes da American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD). MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram selecionados seis homens e seis mulheres com comprometimento e estágio da doença em níveis leve e moderado, que realizaram os testes de agilidade e resistência aeróbia, conforme o protocolo da AAHPERD, e andaram 8m sobre uma passarela. Uma câmera digital registrou uma passada central. Marcadores foram fixados no quinto metatarso e na face lateral do calcâneo do membro inferior direito e no primeiro metatarso e na face medial do calcâneo do membro inferior esquerdo. As variáveis dependentes selecionadas foram: tempo nos testes de agilidade e resistência e as variáveis cinemáticas (comprimento da passada - CP, cadência - CAD, duração da passada - DP, duração da fase de duplo suporte - DDS, duração do suporte simples - SS, duração da fase de balanço - DB e velocidade da passada - VP). RESULTADOS: Para agilidade, o teste de Pearson apontou correlação estatisticamente significativa entre as variáveis CP (r=-0,70; p<0,05), CAD (r=-0,72; p<0,01), VP (r=-0,83; p<0,01), DP (r=0,71; p<0,01) e DDS (r=0,90; p<0,01). Para resistência, houve correlação com as variáveis CP (r=-0,67; p<0,05), CAD (r=-0,72; p<0,01), VP (r=-0,82; p<0,01), DP (r=0,71; p<0,01) e DDS (r=0,90; p<0,01). A análise de regressão múltipla revelou que a DDS foi a única variável preditora dos testes de agilidade (R²=0,82; p<0,01) e resistência (R²=0,81; p<0,01). CONCLUSÕES: Observou-se o uso potencial da DDS como parâmetro espaço-temporal do andar preditor do desempenho dos testes de resistência aeróbia e agilidade em pacientes com doença de Parkinson idiopática.

OBJECTIVE: To determine which spatial and temporal parameters are predictors of the gait pattern of individuals with idiopathic Parkinson's disease, for the aerobic endurance and agility tests included in the battery of tests of the AAHPERD protocol. METHODS: Six men and six women with mild and moderate impairment and disease stage were selected. They performed agility and aerobic endurance test in accordance with the AAHPERD protocol, and walked 8 m on a walkway. A digital video camera recorded one central stride. Markers were attached to the fifth metatarsal and lateral face of the calcaneus of the right leg and to the first metatarsal and medial face of the calcaneus of the left leg. The dependent variables selected were the time taken in the agility and endurance tests and the kinematic variables: stride length (SL), cadence (CAD), stride time (ST), double support time (DS), single support time (SS), swing time (SW) and stride velocity (SV). RESULTS: For agility, Pearson's test showed statistically significant correlations with SL (r=-0.70; p<0.05), CAD (r=-0.72; p<0.01), SV (r=-0.83; p<0.01), ST (r=0.71; p<0.01) and DS (r=0.90; p<0.01). For endurance, there were correlations with SL (r=-0.67; p<0.05), CAD (r=-0.72; p<0.01), SV (r=-0.82; p<0.01), ST (r=0.71; p<0.01), and DS (r=0.90; p<0.01). Multiple regression analysis revealed that DS was the only variable that predicted performance in both the agility (R²=0.82; p<0.01) and the endurance (R²=0.81; p<0.01) tests. CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that DS measure has a potential use as a kinematic parameter of gait that predicts the performance in agility and aerobic endurance tests in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

Finding protein-protein interaction patterns by contact map matching

We propose a novel method for defining patterns of contacts present in protein-protein complexes. A new use of the traditional contact maps (more frequently used for representation of the intra-chain contacts) is presented for analysis of inter-chain contacts. Using an algorithm based on image processing techniques, we can compare protein-protein interaction maps and also obtain a dissimilarity score between them. The same algorithm used to compare the maps can align the contacts of all the complexes and be helpful in the determination of a pattern of conserved interactions at the interfaces. We present an example for the application of this method by analyzing the pattern of interaction of bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitors and trypsins, chymotrypsins, a thrombin, a matriptase, and a kallikrein - all classified as serine proteases. We found 20 contacts conserved in trypsins and chymotrypsins and 3 specific ones are present in all the serine protease complexes studied. The method was able to identify important contacts for the protein family studied and the results are in agreement with the literature.

On the characterization of energy networks of proteins

The construction of a realistic theoretical model of proteins is determinant for improving the computational simulations of their structural and functional aspects. Modeling proteins as a network of non-covalent connections between the atoms of amino acid residues has shown valuable insights into these macromolecules. The energy-related properties of protein structures are known to be very important in molecular dynamics. However, these same properties have been neglected when the protein structures are modeled as networks of atoms and amino acid residues. A new approach for the construction of protein models based on a network of atoms is presented. This method, based on interatomic interaction, takes into account the energy and geometric aspects of the protein structures that were not employed before, such as atomic occlusion inside the protein, the use of solvation, protein modeling and analysis, and the use of energy potentials to estimate the energies of interatomic non-covalent contacts. As a result, we achieved a more realistic network model of proteins. This model has the virtue of being more robust in face of different unknown variables that usually are arbitrarily estimated. We were able to determine the most connected residues of all the proteins studied, so that we are now in a better condition to study their structural role.

In vivo antithrombotic properties of a heparin from the oocyte test cells of the sea squirt Styela plicata(Chordata-Tunicata)

In the ascidian Styela plicata, the oocytes are surrounded by two types of accessory cells named follicle cells and test cells. A heparin-like substance with an anticoagulant activity equivalent to 10 percent of mammalian heparin and about 5 percent as potent as the mammalian counterpart for the inhibition of thrombin by antithrombin was isolated from the oocyte test cells. In the present study, we compared the antithrombotic and hemorrhagic effects of sea squirt oocyte test cell heparin with those of porcine heparin in rat models of venous thrombosis and blood loss. Intravenous administration of the oocyte test cell heparin to Wistar rats (both sexes, weighing ~300 g, N = 4 in each group) at a dose of 5.0 mg/kg body weight, which produced a 1.8-fold increase in plasma activated partial thromboplastin time, inhibited thrombosis by 45 ± 13.5 percent (mean ± SD) without any bleeding effect. The same dose of porcine heparin inhibited thrombosis by 100 ± 1.4 percent, but produced a blood loss three times greater than that of the saline-treated control. However, 10-fold reduction of the dose of porcine heparin to 0.5 mg/kg body weight, which produced a 5-fold increase in plasma-activated partial thromboplastin time, inhibited thrombosis by 70 ± 13 percent without any bleeding effect. The antithrombotic properties of a new heparin isolated from test cells of the sea squirt S. plicata, reported here for the first time, indicate that, although sea squirt oocyte test cell heparin was a poor anticoagulant compared to porcine heparin, it had a significant antithrombotic effect without causing bleeding.

A contact map matching approach to protein structure similarity analysis

We modeled the problem of identifying how close two proteins are structurally by measuring the dissimilarity of their contact maps. These contact maps are colored images, in which the chromatic information encodes the chemical nature of the contacts. We studied two conceptually distinct image-processing algorithms to measure the dissimilarity between these contact maps; one was a content-based image retrieval method, and the other was based on image registration. In experiments with contact maps constructed from the protein data bank, our approach was able to identify, with greater than 80% precision, instances of monomers of apolipoproteins, globins, plastocyanins, retinol binding proteins and thioredoxins, among the monomers of Protein Data Bank Select. The image registration approach was only slightly more accurate than the content-based image retrieval approach.

Atividade antimicrobiana dos frutos de Syagrus oleracea e Mauritia vinifera / Antimicrobial activity of Syagrus oleracea and Mauritia vinifera fruits

As espécies pertencentes à família Palmae são muito interessantes do ponto de vista químico e farmacológico. Neste trabalho, foram estudados os frutos de duas espécies da família Palmae, Syagrus oleracea e Mauritia vinifera. Essas palmeiras foram escolhidas por serem espécies brasileiras, abundantes em nosso país, utilizadas popularmente no tratamento de algumas doenças e ainda pouco estudadas. Foram realizados ensaios farmacológicos para avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana dos extratos dos frutos das duas espécies em estudo. Para o teste de atividade antimicrobiana foram utilizadas cepas de bactérias Gram positivas e Gram negativas. A metodologia empregada foi a de Microdiluição em caldo. Foram testados os extratos etanólicos brutos do epicarpo/mesocarpo de S. oleracea e de M. vinifera, o extrato hexânico das amêndoas de S. oleracea, as partições hexânicas e em acetato de etila do epicarpo/mesocarpo de S. oleracea, do epicarpo/mesocarpo e mesocarpo/endocarpo de M. vinifera, na concentração de 100 mg/ml. Os extratos lipofílicos de S. oleracea apresentaram os melhores resultados para essa espécie. Nos testes realizados com M. vinifera, as partições lipofílicas foram as mais inibitórias para a cepa de S. aureus.

Palmae species are very interesting by the chemical and pharmacological points of view. Two species belonging to this family were chosen to initiate the chemical and pharmacological approach of their fruits: Syagrus oleracea (Martius) Beccari and Mauritia vinifera Martius, known in Brazil as Guariroba and Buriti, respectively. Those palm species can be found in several regions of Brazil, especially at the northeast and southeast of the country. They have been used in folk medicine to treat some diseases, however no toxicological and pharmacological studies have been done so far. For the two studied fruits, the antimicrobial activity tests were carried out by broth microdilution methodology. The objective of this work was to contribute for the pharmacological study of palm species, evaluating the antimicrobial activity of the extracts obtained from the fruits of S. oleracea and M. vinifera. The assays evaluated ethanol extracts of the epicarp/mesocarp of S. oleracea and epicarp/mesocarp of M. vinifera; hexane extract of the endosperm of S. oleracea; hexane and ethyl acetate fractions of the epicarp/mesocarp of S. oleracea, epicarp/mesocarp of M. vinifera and mesocarp/endocarp of M. vinifera. The lipophilic extracts of S. oleracea obtained the best results for the species. For M. vinifera, the lipophilic partitions have shown a high inhibitory percentage for S. aureus.

Lack of evidence for superantigen activity of Toxoplasma gondii towards human T cells

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligatory intracellular parasite whose life cycle may include man as an intermediate host. More than 500 million people are infected with this parasite worldwide. It has been previously reported that T. gondii contains a superantigen activity. The purpose of the present study was to determine if the putative superantigen activity of T. gondii would manifest towards human T cells. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from individuals with no previous contact with the parasite were evaluated for proliferation as well as specific Vá expansion after exposure to Toxoplasma antigens. Likewise, PBMC from individuals with the congenital infection were evaluated for putative Vá family deletions in their T cell repertoire. We also evaluated, over a period of one year, the PBMC proliferation pattern in response to Toxoplasma antigens in patients with recently acquired infection. Some degree of proliferation in response to T. gondii was observed in the PBMC from individuals never exposed to the parasite, accompanied by specific Vá expansion, suggesting a superantigen effect. However, we found no specific deletion of Vá (or Valpha) families in the blood of congenitally infected individuals. Furthermore, PBMC from recently infected individuals followed up over a period of one year did not present a reduction of the Vá families that were originally expanded in response to the parasite antigens. Taken together, our data suggest that T. gondii does not have a strong superantigen activity on human T cells

Toxoplasmose ocular em Venda Nova do Imigrante, ES, Brasil / Ocular toxoplasmosis at Venda Nova do Imigrante, ES, Brasil

Realizamos um estudo amostral populacional para melhor conhecer a prevalência de toxoplasmose ocular em Venda Nova do Imigrante, ES e compará-la co a prevalência de lesöes em outras regiöes do Brasil. De 1074 pessoas examinadas , 11.27 por cento foram diagnosticadas como portadoras de toxoplasmose ocular, baseado em achados fundoscópicos. Esta prevalência foi superior à existente nos Estados Unidos (0.6 por cento) e em Säo Paulo (9 por cento), mas inferior à de Erechin, RS (17.7 por cento). Foram encontrados quatro casos familiares (2 famílias com dois irmäos näo gêmeos e 2 famílias com casos de mäes e filhos afetados), sugerindo toxoplasmose adquirida. A acuidade visual foi igual ou inferior a 20/200 em 7 por cento dos olhos com lesöes oculares devido a presença de lesöes maculares.

Atuaçäo do físico médico nos serviços de radiologia, hemodinâmica e unidade de bloco cirúrgico no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre / Actuation of physical medical in ridiology, hemodinamic services and surgical unit in Hospital de Clinica de Porto Alegre

Atualmente, os hospitais tem demonstrado maior interesse no Programa de Garantia de Qualidade, bem como, na Radioproteção, no que tange a serviços que envolvam radiações ionizantes. Faz-se necessário, perante a esta tendência, a presença do Físico Médico, que irá elaborar plano de Proteção Radiológica, Programa de Garantia da Qualidade informar mensalmente as doses individuais, acompanhar inspeções sanitárias, treinar e orientar os profissionais envolvidos nessa área. Portanto, o presente trabalho tem o objetivo de relatar as atividades desempenhadas por este profissional nos Serviço de Radiologia, Hemodinâmica e unidade de Bloco Cirúrgico, assim como, a metodologia e os resultados obtidos.

At present, the hospitals have showed more interest in the Quality Assurance Program, also, in Radioprotection, about the services that involve ionization radiation. This is necessery, because a treemd, the presence of the Medical Physics, that will organize a Radiologic Protection project, Quality Assurance Program, inform monthly the individual doses, accompany sanitary inspection, train and orientale the profissionals involve in this area. Consequently, the present paper has the; objective to give an account of the activities executed for this profissional in the Radiologic, Hemodinamic and Surgery Unit, also, the metodology and the results obteined with it.

Contribuicao ao estudo semiologico das convulsoes febris. / Semiologic study of febrile convulsions

Convulsao febril e um problema frequente na clinica pediatrica e a incidencia de crises generalizadas e nao-generalizadas varia na literatura conforme a definicao de convulsao febril utilizada. Com o objetivo de determinar os diversos tipos de crises epilepticas na vigencia de febre, 78 criancas foram avaliadas no Ambulatorio de Convulsao Febril do Hospital de Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Uberlandia, no periodo de agosto de 1982 a setembro de 1983. Definimos convulsao febril como a crise epileptica que ocorre em criancas ate entao normais, na vigencia de febre, estando o foco infeccioso fora do sistema nervoso.Observamos que as crises generalizadas foram mais frequentes que a nao-generalizadas. Os principais tipos dentre as generalizadas foram as tonicas, tonica-clonicas e clonicas; nas nao-generalizadas, os tipos tonicos-clonicas, clonicas e tonicas assimetricas