Curcumin-rich extract from Central Brazil Curcuma longa protects human umbilical vein endothelial cells under oxidative stress / Extrato rico em Curcumina do Brasil Central Curcuma longa protege células endoteliais de veias umbilicais humanas sob estresse oxidativo

INTRODUCTION: In vascular diseases, the interruption of the local blood flow and the subsequent reperfusion of oxygen can cause deleterious oxidative effects on the cells. Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) presents the capacity to neutralize free radicals along with preventive and therapeutic effects for several diseases. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the bioactive compounds and the antioxidant capacity of the ethanolic extract of Curcuma (EEC), to evaluate its effect on human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and to analyze its effect on cellular signaling pathways. METHODS: Cells were exposed to different concentrations of EEC for 24, 48, and 72 h. Folin-Ciocalteau test, HPLC-Fluorescence analysis, and DPPH method were used to determine the phenolic compounds, curcumin content, and antioxidant action, respectively; the tetrazolium salt reduction to obtain cell viability, cytotoxicity, and the concentration that inhibits 50% of cell viability; and the immunocytochemistry technique to analyze the expression of caspase3, SIRT1, and mTOR. RESULTS: We found the presence of polyphenols in the classes of phenolic acids and curcuminoids in EEC, with 16.7% curcumin content. The number of antioxidants needed to reduce the initial DPPH concentration by 50% was 18.1 µmol/g. The extract mitigated cell damage at a dosage of 100 µg/ml, decreased the immunoexpression of caspase3, and promoted the signaling of the SIRT1 and mTOR survival pathways. CONCLUSION: EEC had a protective effect on human umbilical vein endothelial cells, subjected to oxidative stress, with decreased apoptosis (caspase3) at lower concentrations, cytoprotection by maintaining essential cell functions (mTOR), and signaling of the survival pathway (SIRT1).

INTRODUÇÃO: Em doenças vasculares, a interrupção do fluxo sanguíneo locale subsequente reperfusão de oxigênio pode causar efeitos deletérios e danos irreparáveis às células. Curcuma (Curcuma longa L.) neutraliza radicais livres além de apresentar efeitos preventivos e terapêuticos. OBJETIVO: Caracterizar os compostos bioativos e a capacidade antioxidante do extrato etanólico de cúrcuma (EEC); avaliar seu efeito nas células endoteliais da veia umbilical humana, e analisar a expressão de vias de sinalização celular. MÉTODOS: As células foram expostas a diferentes concentrações de EEC por 24, 48 e 72 horas. Utilizamos o teste de Folin-Ciocalteau, análise por HPLC-Fluorescência e método DPPH para determinar os compostos fenólicos, conteúdo de curcumina e ação antioxidante, respectivamente; o método de redução de tetrazólio para viabilidade celular, a citotoxicidade e a concentração que inibe 50% da viabilidade celular; e a técnica de imunocitoquímica para analisar a expressão de caspase3, SIRT1 e mTOR. RESULTADOS: Observou-se presença de polifenóis nas classes de ácidos fenólicos e curcuminóides no EEC, com teor de curcumina de 16,7%. A quantidade de antioxidante necessária para reduzir a concentração inicial de DPPH em 50% foi de 18,1 µmol/g. O extrato mitigou o dano celular na dosagem de 100 µg/ml, diminuiu a imunoexpressão da caspase3 e promoveu a sinalização das vias de sobrevivência SIRT1 e mTOR. CONCLUSÃO: O EEC teve efeito protetor nas células endoteliais de veia umbilical humana, submetidas ao estresse oxidativo, com diminuição da apoptose (caspase3) em concentrações mais baixas, citoproteção pela manutenção das funções celulares essenciais (mTOR) e sinalização da via de sobrevivência (SIRT1).

Predictive factors for premature birth and respiratory exacerbation in pregnancies of women with cystic fibrosis

Abstract Objective: In this present study, the authors evaluated the predictive factors for adverse maternal-fetal outcomes in pregnancies of women with cystic fibrosis (CF). Patients were followed up by a referral center for adults in southern Brazil. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study that used data from electronic medical records regarding pregnancies of women diagnosed with CF. Results: The study included 39 pregnancies related to 20 different women. The main adverse outcomes were high prevalence rates of premature birth (38.5%) and maternal respiratory exacerbation (84.6%). Lower body mass index (BMI) values (< 20.8) and younger ages of CF diagnosis increased the risk of premature birth. The presence of methicillin-resistant and absence of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, as well as a younger age of diagnosis, increased the risk of maternal respiratory exacerbation during pregnancy. Conclusions: Conception in women with CF is often associated with maternal and fetal complications. Continuous monitoring by a multidisciplinary team should emphasize appropriate nutritional status, investigation of bacterial colonization, and immediate attention to respiratory exacerbations.

Hospital physical therapy management in pediatric patients with covid-19: case reports / Manejo da fisioterapia no âmbito hospitalar no paciente pediátrico com covid-19: relato de casos

ABSTRACT Objective: To report the physiotherapeutic management of two pediatric cases with COVID-19 admitted in a reference state hospital to treat the disease in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil. Cases description: Case 1, female, 10-month-old child, pre-existing chronic disease, hospitalized since birth, mechanical ventilation dependency via tracheotomy, progressed with hypoxemia, requiring oxygen therapy, and increased ventilator parameters, and a diagnosis of COVID-19 was confirmed. Airway clearance and pulmonary expansion maintenance therapies were performed. During hospitalization, the child acquired cephalic control, sitting without support, rolling, holding, and reaching objects. Recommendations were provided to a family member to maintain motor development milestones. Case 2, male, nine years old, previous psychiatric disease and obesity, showed worsening of the sensory state, requiring intensive care and invasive mechanical ventilation, with the diagnosis of SARS-Cov-2 infection. The physical therapy was performed to maintain airway clearance, pulmonary expansion, and early mobilization, showing ventilatory improvement during the intensive care hospitalization and successfully extubated after 17 days. The physical therapy evolved from passive to resistive exercises during the hospitalization, and the patient was able to walk without assistance at discharge, with the same previous functional status. Comments: The COVID-19 showed different manifestations in both cases. Physical therapy treatment was essential to maintain and to recover the functional status of the patients. Future studies are needed to improve the understanding of disease course and its functional consequences to offer an efficient treatment to pediatric patients with COVID-19.

RESUMO Objetivo: Relatar as condutas fisioterapêuticas dos dois casos de pacientes pediátricos com COVID-19 internados em hospital de referência estadual em Porto Alegre para tratamento da doença. Descrição dos casos: Caso 1, sexo feminino, 10 meses de idade com doença crônica preexistente, internada desde o nascimento, utilizava ventilação mecânica via traqueostomia, evoluiu com hipoxemia, necessidade de oxigenoterapia e aumento dos parâmetros ventilatórios, sendo confirmada COVID-19. Foram realizadas técnicas de desobstrução brônquica e manutenção da expansão pulmonar. Além disso, a criança durante a internação adquiriu controle cefálico, sedestação sem apoio, rolar e alcance de objetos e durante infecção por coronavírus foram passadas orientações ao familiar para manutenção dos marcos motores adquiridos. Caso 2, sexo masculino, 9 anos, com doença psiquiátrica prévia e obesidade, evoluiu com quadro de rebaixamento do sensório e necessidade de tratamento intensivo, sendo o paciente colocado em ventilação mecânica invasiva na chegada à unidade e confirmada a infecção por SARS-CoV-2. Realizou fisioterapia para desobstrução brônquica, reexpansão pulmonar e mobilização precoce, apresentando melhora ventilatória ao longo da internação, e após 17 dias foi extubado com sucesso. Evoluiu de cinesioterapia passiva para assistida e resistida na internação pediátrica, conseguindo deambular sem auxílio, e teve alta hospitalar com condição funcional prévia à internação hospitalar. Comentários: A COVID-19 apresentou-se de forma distinta nos casos, todavia a fisioterapia foi essencial para a manutenção e recuperação do quadro funcional dos pacientes. Estudos futuros são necessários para melhor compreensão do curso da doença e suas repercussões funcionais, a fim de traçar um tratamento eficiente para os pacientes pediátricos acometidos pela COVID-19.

Ethanolic extract of gabirobeira (Campomanesia adamantium) leaves reduces proliferation of osteosarcoma cells in vitro

Osteosarcoma is the most commonly diagnosed malignant bone tumor in humans, with a higher incidence in children and young people. It is highly aggressive and has a high metastatic potential. Its treatment is based on both chemotherapy and surgical intervention. However, currently used chemotherapeutic agents, such as doxorubicin, have several adverse effects on the patient. Therefore, there is a growing demand for new chemotherapeutic agents that stimulate new researches, such as those involving compounds extracted from plants, such as the gabirobeira. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of ethanolic extract, both crude and ethyl acetate, of gabirobeira leaves on osteosarcoma cells in vitro. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using the Trypan blue exclusion method and the IC50 values were calculated using the tetrazolium reduction method. The ethanolic extract of gabirobeira leaves showed a cytotoxic effect on osteosarcoma cells in vitro. The group treated with the crude extract at 1. 0& 956;L mL-1 concentration for 48 hours showed higher cytotoxicity and the lowest IC50 value for this extract was found in the 24 to 48 hours interval. The ethanolic extract of gabirobeira leaves is cytotoxic for osteosarcoma cells.

Comparative anatomy of the gluteal muscles of Sapajus libidinosus / Anatomia comparativa dos músculos da região glútea de Sapajus libidinosus

New World primates Sapajus sp. unexpectedly display cognitive aspects, tool use, social behavior, memory and anatomical aspects similar to Old World primates, such as chimpanzees and baboons. Convergent evolutionary aspects must have occurred between Sapajus and Old World primates and should be verified not only in terms of behavior analysis, but also of anatomical structure. The pelvic region can provide data for evolutionary verification trends, since taking standing position is one of the characteristics associated to the use of tools by early humans and pongids. We used eight specimens of Sapajus libidinosus to describe the deep muscular structure of the pelvis. Unlike humans, the gluteus medius muscle in S. libidinosus is completely covered by the gluteus maximus and elongated as compared to humans and chimpanzees, putatively by the elongated pelvis of S. libidinosus. Considering origin and insertion, the gluteus maximus muscle resembles more its counterpart in baboons than in humans and chimpanzees, since this muscle in baboons is associated to semibiped posture and to the tail. Gluteus minimum, piriformis, superior gemellus, internal shutter, gemellus and lower square muscles are positioned in this order in relation to the cranial-caudal axis, with all of its tendons converging for a common insertion in the greater trochanter. The muscles of the gluteal region of S. libidinosus are similar to the baboon, especially regarding the gluteus maximus, which points to the evolutionary kinship of these animals.(AU)

Os Sapajus sp apresentam aspectos cognitivos, uso de ferramentas, comportamento social e memória, além de aspectos anatômicos, similares à primatas do Velho Mundo, como chimpanzés e babuínos, fatos inesperados para estes animais, que são primatas do Novo Mundo. Aspectos evolutivos convergentes devem ter ocorrido entre Sapajus e primatas do Velho Mundo que devem ser verificados não somente em termos de análise do comportamento, mas da estrutura anatômica. A região pélvica pode fornecer dados para a verificação de tendências evolucionárias, pois assumir a posição bípede é uma das características associadas ao uso de ferramentas pelos humanos primitivos e pongídeos. Para descrever a estrutura muscular profunda da pelve, foram utilizados oito espécimes de Sapajus libidinosus. O músculo glúteo médio em S. libidinosus, diferente de humanos, é totalmente recoberto pelo glúteo máximo, é alongado em relação aos humanos e chimpanzés, putativamente pela pelve alongada dos S. libidinosus. O músculo glúteo máximo se assemelha, considerando origem e inserção mais aos babuínos do que em humanos e chimpanzés, uma vez que em babuínos esse músculo está associado à postura semibípede e à cauda. Os músculos glúteo mínimo, piriforme, gêmeo superior, obturador interno, gêmeo inferior e quadrado estão posicionados nesta ordem em relação ao eixo crânio-caudal com todos seus tendões convergindo para uma inserção comum no trocânter maior. Os músculos da região glútea de S. libidinosus são semelhantes ao babuíno principalmente no que se refere ao músculo glúteo máximo, o que reflete o parentesco evolutivo desses animais.(AU)