Skinfold thickness affects the isometric knee extension torque evoked by Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation

BACKGROUND: Subcutaneous adipose tissue may influence the transmission of electrical stimuli through to the skin, thus affecting both evoked torque and comfort perception associated with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). This could seriously affect the effectiveness of NMES for either rehabilitation or sports purposes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of skinfold thickness (SFT) on maximal NMES current intensity, NMES-evoked torque, and NMES-induced discomfort. METHOD: First, we compared NMES current intensity, NMES-induced discomfort, and NMES-evoked torque between two subgroups of subjects with thicker (n=10; 20.7 mm) vs. thinner (n=10; 29.4 mm) SFT. Second, we correlated SFT to NMES current intensity, NMES-induced discomfort, and NMES-evoked knee extension torque in 20 healthy women. The NMES-evoked torque was normalized to the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque. The discomfort induced by NMES was assessed with a visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS: NMES-evoked torque was 27.5% lower in subjects with thicker SFT (p=0.01) while maximal current intensity was 24.2% lower in subjects with thinner SFT (p=0.01). A positive correlation was found between current intensity and SFT (r=0.540, p=0.017). A negative correlation was found between NMES-evoked torque and SFT (r=-0.563, p=0.012). No significant correlation was observed between discomfort scores and SFT (rs=0.15, p=0.53). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the amount of subcutaneous adipose tissue (as reflected by skinfold thickness) affected NMES current intensity and NMES-evoked torque, but had no effect on discomfort perception. Our findings may help physical therapists to better understand the impact of SFT on NMES and to design more rational stimulation strategies.

The 50 Most Cited Papers in Craniofacial Anomalies and Craniofacial Surgery

BACKGROUND: Citation analysis is a recognized scientometric method of classifying cited articles according to the frequency of which they have been referenced. The total number of citations an article receives is considered to reflect it's significance among it's peers. METHODS: Until now, a bibliometric analysis has never been performed in the specialty of craniofacial anomalies and craniofacial surgery. This citation analysis generates an extensive list of the 50 most influential papers in this developing field. Journals specializing in craniofacial surgery, maxillofacial surgery, plastic surgery, neurosurgery, genetics and pediatrics were searched to demonstrate which articles have cultivated the specialty within the past 55 years. RESULTS: The results show an intriguing compilation of papers which outline the fundamental knowledge of craniofacial anomalies and the developments of surgical techniques to manage these patients. CONCLUSIONS: This citation analysis provides a summation of the current most popular trends in craniofacial literature. These esteemed papers aid to direct our decision making today within this specialty.

Tipificación molecular de Brucella abortus cepa 19 y su aplicación al control de biológicos / Molecular characterization of Brucella abortus strain 19 and its application for controlling biologics

Brucella abortus es el agente etiológico de la brucelosis bovina. La cepa 19, utilizada en la elaboración de vacunas, puede ser identificada a través de una deleción en la región eri asociada con la sensibilidad al eritritol. Se optimizó un ensayo de PCR para caracterizar específicamente esta cepa. El método que describimos es un procedimiento rápido para identificar B. abortus y simultáneamente diferenciar la cepa 19 de otras cepas de B. abortus biovar 1. Hemos aplicado este ensayo para la detección de la cepa 19 en vacunas contra la brucelosis bovina elaboradas en Argentina. Los resultados indican que este método podría ser útil para el seguimiento de las cepas madres y semillas utilizadas en la producción industrial de esta vacuna. Esta metodología también contribuiría a la reducción del riesgo de la infección adquirida en el laboratorio y podría aplicarse como prueba de rutina para confirmar la presencia de B. abortus en vacunas no relacionadas.

Brucella abortus is the etiological agent of bovine brucellosis. The strain 19 used in vaccine elaboration can be identified through a deletion in the eri region associated with its susceptibility to erythritol. We optimized a PCR assay for specific characterization of this strain. The method described here is a rapid procedure that enables identification of B. abortus, and simultaneous differentiation of the strain 19 from other B. abortus biovar 1 strains. We applied the assay to detect the strain 19 in vaccines against B. abortus produced in Argentina. The results show this method could be used to follow vaccine seed cultures of this strain. The methodology could also contribute to reduce the risk of a laboratory-acquired infection and could be of great help as a routine test for confirmation of B. abortus in non related vaccines.

Molecular chaperones in the Paracoccidioides brasiliensis transcriptome

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is a thermally dimorphic and a human pathogenic fungus. Our group has partially sequenced its transcriptome and generated a database of mycelial and yeast PbAESTs (P. brasiliensis assembled expressed sequence tags). In the present review we describe the identification of PbAESTs encoding molecular chaperones. These proteins, involved in protein folding and renaturation, are also implicated in several other biological processes, where the dimorphic transition is of particular interest. Another important issue concerning these proteins refers to their participation in the immunopathogenicity of infectious diseases. We have found 438 ESTs (184 in mycelium and 253 in yeast) encoding P. brasiliensis molecular chaperones and their co-chaperones, which were clustered in 48 genes. These genes were classified in families, corresponding to three small chaperones, nine HSP40s, 10 HSP60s, seven HSP70s, five HSP90s, four HSP100s, and 10 other chaperones. These results greatly increase the knowledge on P. brasiliensis molecular chaperones, since only eight of such proteins had been previously characterized.

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis RNA biogenesis apparatus revealed by functional genome analysis

The RNA biogenesis machinery of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis was assessed by comparative analyses of PbAESTs (P. brasiliensis assembled expressed sequence tags (ESTs)) with sequences from Saccharomyces cerevisiae MIPS database. PbAESTs related to almost all categories of S. cerevisiae RNA biogenesis were found. Two of the 12 S. cerevisiae RNA Pol II core subunits, Rpb3 and Rpb7, were found, probably reflecting the growth phase from which the cDNA libraries used in ESTs generation were constructed, as well as the low abundance of some of these transcripts. We have also found orthologs to TATA-box-binding protein (TBP), and at least one subunit of each TBP-associated factors (TFII) in P. brasiliensis transcriptome, except TFIIB. Genes associated to the chromatin remodeling complex, as well as transcription factors probably involved in the control of genes associated to a sexual cycle and virulence, were also identified. With respect to the pre-mRNA processing, 65 PbAEST orthologs to S. cerevisiae basal splicing machinery and 21 orthologs of 5'- and 3'-end formation processes were found. Components involved in RNA interference were detected, suggesting that this gene expression regulation mechanism is probably used by P. brasiliensis. Twelve PbAESTs related to Pol I and Pol III machineries were assigned as S. cerevisiae orthologs. Finally, 25 and 10 PbAESTs associated to rRNA and tRNA processing, respectively, were detected. Taken together, our results enable us to depict, for the first time, a global view of transcription and RNA processing in P. brasiliensis.

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis translation and protein fate machineries revealed by functional genome analysis

The translational and post-translational modification machineries of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis were assessed by means of comparative analyses of PbAESTs (P. brasiliensis assembled expressed sequence tags) with sequences deposited on different databases. Of the 79 sequences corresponding to cytosolic ribosomal proteins, we were able to find 78 in the P. brasiliensis transcriptome. Nineteen of the 27 Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes related to translation initiation were also found. All eukaryotic elongation factors were detected in P. brasiliensis transcriptome, with eEF1A as one of the most expressed genes. Translation termination is performed, in eukaryotes, by factors 1 and 3 (eRF1, eRF3). In P. brasiliensis transcriptome it was possible to identify eRF3, but not eRF1. Sixteen PbAESTs showing aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase-predicted activities were found in our analyses, but no cysteinyl-, leucyl-, asparagyl- and arginyl-tRNA synthetases were detected. Among the mitochondrial ribosomal proteins, we have found 20 and 18 orthologs to S. cerevisiae large and small ribosomal subunit proteins, respectively. We have also found three PbAESTs similar to Neurospora crassa mitochondrial ribosomal genes, with no similarity with S. cerevisiae genes. Although orthologs to S. cerevisiae mitochondrial EF-Tu, EF-G and RF1 have been found in P. brasiliensis transcriptome, no sequences corresponding to functional EF-Ts were detected. In addition, 64 and 28 PbAESTs associated to protein modification and degradation, respectively, were found. These results suggest that these machineries are well conserved in P. brasiliensis, when compared to other organisms.

Physiological, biochemical and molecular mechanisms of salt appetite control by mineralocorticoid action in brain

Adrenocortical hormone effects in the central nervous system depend on steroid interaction with intracellular receptors, which belong to a superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors. Using a combination of biochemical and molecular biology techniques, we have demonstrated: 1. the localization of mineralocorticoid receptors in the brain, with highest density present in hippocampus, lateral septum and some amygdaloid nuclei; 2. the arousal of a mineralocorticoid-specific behavior such as salt appetite, coincident with inhibition of the biosynthesis/activity of (Na+K)ATPase in some amygdaloid and hypothalamic nuclei; 3. the modulation of the biosynthesis/activity of the sodium pump by glucocorticoids, although for these hormones changes are stimulatory, as shown in the spinal cord and brain; 4. the reported steroid effects on the (Na+K)ATPase constitute an important mechanism of control of nervous system function, involving behavior, changes in excitability and neurotropism