Voluntary wheel running: patterns and physiological effects in mice

Exercise can prevent and improve the pathophysiology of diseases and promote healthy aging. Thus, understanding the mechanisms that regulate the beneficial effects of exercise may lead to the development of new strategies to enhance quality of life and to counteract chronic diseases. Voluntary wheel running is an interesting model to study the effects of exercise in mice. Compared to forced treadmill exercise, voluntary wheel running presents several advantages such as: 1) running pattern is similar to natural running behavior of mice; 2) it is performed under non-stressed conditions, according to the rhythmicity of the animal; 3) it does not require direct interference from the researcher, and can be easily applied in long-term studies. Mice run spontaneously when given access to running wheels, for a total distance of ∼4 to 20 km per day and a total activity time of ∼3 to 7 hours a day. Hence, voluntary wheel running can result in robust endurance-like adaptation in skeletal and cardiac muscles and protect from sarcopenia. However, due to the lack of control over exercise parameters in voluntary exercise models, it is important for the researcher to understand the patterns and variability of wheel running in mice, as well as the factors that can affect voluntary running activity. Overall, voluntary wheel running in mice is a very interesting approach to study the chronic adaptation to exercise, analyze the effects of exercise, and test exercise capacity in different experimental models.

O extrato bruto hidroalcoólico das folhas de Piper caldense C. DC. na redução do consumo de álcool em ratos / The hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of Piper caldense C. DC. decreases alcohol consumption in rats

A investigação de plantas medicinais como recurso terapêutico para combater o alcoolismo ainda é muito insipiente com poucas espécies investigadas. No presente trabalho avaliamos o efeito do extrato hidroalcoólico das folhas da planta Piper caldense C. DC. com relação ao consumo de álcool e também a sua potencialidade ansiolítica. Foram utilizados ratos Wistar machos, os quais foram divididos em grupos controle (solução fisiológica) e tratado (extrato da planta nas doses de 25, 50 e 150 mg/kg, e diazepam 2 mg/kg). Os animais foram tratados através da via intraperitoneal 1 h antes dos experimentos. Os modelos animais utilizados foram: Labirinto em Cruz Elevado (LCE) e auto-administração de álcool (AA). No LCE o extrato não apresentou efeito ansiolítico do tipo benzodiazepínico. Por outro lado, no comportamento relacionado a auto-administração de solução de álcool, o extrato apresentou efeito significativo reduzindo o consumo de álcool em relação ao grupo controle. Apesar do extrato não ter apresentado efeito ansiolítico, o mesmo parece apresentar potencialidades para combater o abuso e a dependência de álcool.

The investigation of medicinal plants as therapeutic resources in the combat of alcoholism is still very incipient with few species being investigated. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of Piper caldense C. DC. in relation to alcohol consumption and also its anxiolytic potentiality. Male Wistar rats, which had been separated into control group (saline) and treated group (Plant extract doses of 25, 50 and 150 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg of diazepam), were used. Animals were injected intraperitoneally 1 h before the tests. The following models were used: Elevated plus maze (EPM) and alcohol self-administration (ASA). In the EPM, the extract did not show benzodiazepine anxiolytic effect. On the other hand, in the behavior related to alcohol self-administration, the extract showed a significant effect, reducing alcohol consumption compared to the control group. Although the extract has not shown any anxiolytic effect, the results suggest that the plant has potential to combat alcohol abuse and addiction.

Determinação dos parâmetros anatômicos, físico-químico e fitoquímicos das folhas de Solanum lycocarpum A. St. Hill / Determination of the anatomics, physical-chemicals and phytochemicals parameters of the Solanum lycocarpum A. St. -Hill leaves.

RESUMO A espécie vegetal Solanum lycocarpum, Solanaceae, popularmente conhecida como lobeira, está distribuída por todo o Brasil, principalmente em áreas do cerrado. Estudos comprovam que os frutos possuem diversas atividades e, atualmente, estão sendo utilizados no tratamento da diabetes. As folhas são utilizadas popularmente contra afecções das vias urinárias, cólicas abdominais e renais, espasmos e epilepsia, porém são poucos os estudos científicos que verificam as atividades farmacológicas das folhas. Assim, torna-se necessária a determinação de parâmetros anatômicos, físico-químicos e fitoquímicos que auxiliarão em futuras identificações e controle de qualidade da droga vegetal. Neste estudo foi realizada a coleta, secagem e pulverização das folhas de Solanum lycocarpum para a obtenção da droga vegetal e posterior caracterização desta. As análises microscópicas do pecíolo, nervura central e mesofilo revelaram características típicas da família Solanaceae, observando-se um sistema vascular bicolateral e a presença de areia cristalina e tricomas estrelados. A triagem fitoquímica, constatou a presença de taninos, flavonoides, esteróides e triterpenos, cumarinas e saponinas. Obteve-se o teor médio de 9,90% de perda por dessecação, 7,91% de cinzas totais e de 0,37% de cinzas insolúveis em ácidos. Para as substâncias extraíveis por álcool, o teor médio encontrado foi de 14,479% para o método de extração por Soxhlet e 0,987% para o método de extração a frio. Assim, espera-se que esses dados possam ser utilizados na identificação e controle de qualidade da droga vegetal de Solanum lycocarpum para a produção de novos medicamentos fitoterápicos.

ABSTRACT The plant species Solanumlycocarpum, Solanaceae, most known as lobeira, are distributed throughout Brazil, especially in Cerrado areas. Studies show that the fruits own different properties and, currently, are being used in the treatment of diabetes. Even though the leaves are being used by the general population against urinary tract disorders, renal and abdominal cramps, spasms and epilepsy, there are few scientific studies that verify the possible pharmacological activities of leaves. This shows that it is necessary to research and determinate the anatomic, physical-chemicals and the phytochemicals parameters that are going to help in the identification and quality assurance of the drug. In this study the leaves of Solanum lycocarpum were collected, dried and pulverized in order to be obtained the plant drug for further characterization.. Microscopic analyzes of the petiole, midrib and mesophyll showed typical features of the Solanaceae family, by detecting a biocolateral vascular system and the presence of crystallines and and stellatetrichomes. In the phytochemical screening performed, the tanning, flavonoids, sterols and triterpenes, coumarins and saponins were found. We obtained an average grade of 9.90% loss on the drying, total ash of 7.91% and 0.37% of ash insoluble in acids. . For the substances extractable through alcohol, the average content found was 14.479% for the Soxhlet extraction method and 0.987% for the cold extraction method. This data can be used in the identification and quality assurance of the plant drugs of Solanum lycocarpum for the production of new herbal medicines.

Migraña hemipléjica familiar / Familial hemiplegic migraine

Las cefaleas constituyen una causa frecuente de consulta en Pediatría, siendo la migraña el tipo más frecuente de las cefaleas primarias en la infancia. La asociación entre cefalea y hemiplejía aguda en la infancia pudiera corresponder a múltiples etiologías debiéndose considerar las de carácter hereditario. La migraña hemipléjica familiar se caracteriza por la presencia de crisis migrañosas con trastornos motores deficitarios transitorios, afasia o alteraciones sensitivas o sensoriales. Se describe el caso de una adolescente femenina de 12 años de edad, con antecedentes familiares de migraña, historia de cefalea migrañosa de un año de evolución, que cumple con los criterios establecidos por la Sociedad Internacional de Cefaleas de migraña hemipléjica familiar. El examen neurológico y los paraclínicos complementarios fueron normales. Se realizó tratamiento con flunarizina e ibuprofeno con evolución satisfactoria

Headaches are a frequent cause of consultation in Pediatrics, migraine being the most common type of primary headaches in children. The association between headache and acute hemiplegia in childhood may correspond to multiple etiologies, including those considered as inherited. Familial hemiplegic migraine is characterized by the presence of migraine crisis with transient motor deficit disorders, aphasia and sensitive or sensory disturbances. We describe the case of a 12 year-old girl with a family history of migraine, and migraine headache of a year of evolution, which meets the criteria established by the International Headache Society of Familial Hemiplegic Migraine. Neurological examination and the paraclinical studies were normal. She was treated with flunarizine and ibuprofen with satisfactory outcome

Estado nutricional, consumo de lácteos y niveles séricos de calcio, fósforo y fosfatasas alcalinas en escolares de mérida / Nutritional status, consumption of dairy products and levels sericos of calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatases in schoolchildren of mérida

Se realizó una investigación de Campo de Tipo Descriptiva Correlacional y de corte transversal para determinar el estado nutricional, consumo de lácteos y niveles séricos de calcio, fósforo, y fosfatasas alcalinas en escolares del 1er, 3er y 5to grado de la U.E "Rafael Antonio González" de la comunidad de Mesa Bolívar en el año 2007. La población estuvo conformada por la matricula escolar de 171 estudiantes. Se determinó la muestra con el método estratificado aleatorio simple, obteniéndose 47% de la matricula escolar, correspondiendo 80 niños distribuidos por grado: 21 niños en 1ero, 28 en 3ero y 31 en 5to, en edades comprendidas entre 6 a 12 años. Se determinó la cantidad y la frecuencia de consumo de productos lácteos para lo cual, se diseñó un cuestionario "ad hoc" contentivo de 10 ítems relacionados con la frecuencia de consumo, cantidad y tipo de lácteos. Se realizó evaluación nutricional a través de la Combinación de Indicadores (Peso para la Talla y Talla para la Edad) utilizando las tablas de Evaluación de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Se determinaron los valores séricos de calcio, fósforo y fosfatasas alcalinas. Los escolares presentan 32,6% de malnutrición; tanto los niños (6-10 años y 11-12 años) como las niñas (8-12 años) presentaron un porcentaje de adecuación diario de calcio bajo (77,16%, 28,57% y 38,96%) respectivamente y 60% tienen hipocalcemia. Existe significancia estadística entre los niveles séricos de calcio y fósforo con el consumo diario promedio de calcio (p 0,05 y p 0,04). No hubo relación estadísticamente significativa entre el consumo de productos lácteos y el estado nutricional de los escolares. El estado nutricional de los escolares no depende del consumo diario de productos lácteos, sin embargo, dicho consumo si afecta los niveles séricos de calcio y fósforo(AU)

A cross-sectional descriptive correlational field research was conducted in order to determine the nutritional status, consumption of milk and serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase in students of 1st, 3rd and 5th grades of the "Rafael Antonio Gonzalez "school in Mesa Bolívar in 2007. The population consisted of 171 students. We determined the sample with a simple random stratified method, yielding 47% of school enrollment, corresponding to 80 children distributed by grade: 21 children in 1st, 28 in 3rd, 31 in 5th, aged 6 to 12 years old. The amount and frequency of consumption of dairy products, with an "ad hoc" questionnaire designed containing 10 items related to the frequency of consumption, quantity and type of dairy product. Nutritional assessment was carried out by means of the combination of indicators (weight for height and height for age) using the tables of evaluation of the World Health Organization. Values were determined in serum calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase. The students had 32,6% of malnutrition, both boys (6-10 years and 11-12 years) and girls (8-12 years) had an adequate percentage of low calcium daily intake(77.16%, 28. 57% and 38.96%, respectively) and 60% had hypocalcemia. There is statistical significance between serum calcium and phosphorus with an average daily intake of calcium (p 0.05 and p 0.04). There was no statistically significant relationship between dairy products consumption and nutritional status of schoolchildren. The nutritional status of schoolchildren does not depend on daily consumption of dairy products, however, that consumption does affect serum calcium and phosphorus(AU)

A influência do tempo de referencia no tratamento das lesões iatrogênicas da via biliar / The influence of time referral in the treatment of iatrogenic lesions of biliary tract

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o prognóstico dos pacientes com lesão iatrogênica da via biliar (LIVB) em relação ao tempo de referencia (TR) para a unidade de transplante hepático (TH). MÉTODOS: Foram revisados 51 prontuários de pacientes que sofreram algum tipo de LIVB durante a colecistectomia e que foram encaminhados para a unidade de TH no Hospital Geral de Bonsucesso (HGB). As lesões foram agrupadas de acordo com a classificação de Bismuth. Além da colecistectomia (momento da lesão), também avaliamos o TR e o desfecho. RESULTADOS: Dentre os 51 pacientes estudados encontramos 17 homens e 34 mulheres com uma média de idade de 42,7 anos. Vinte e dois pacientes (43,1%) tinham uma lesão do tipo II; 13 (25,5 %) do tipo III; 10 (19,6 %) do tipo I, 5 (9,8 %) do tipo IV; e apenas um (2 %) do tipo V. Quarenta pacientes foram operados, sendo que três não retornaram para revisão médica e portanto, 37 foram avaliados em relação ao desfecho. Dentre esses, 25 pacientes (67,6 %) tiveram resultados excelentes ou bons com TR médio de 11,5 meses (intervalo: 2-48 meses) e 47,2 meses (intervalo: 3-180 meses) respectivamente. Os 12 pacientes (32,4 %) com resultados ruins tiveram um TR médio de 65,9 meses (intervalo: 3-264 meses), que foi significativamente maior do que o grupo com resultados excelentes ou bons (p=0,004). Sete pacientes foram listadas para fila de TH, porém apenas dois foram realizados. O TR desses sete pacientes foi significativamente mais elevado (p=0,04) do que o daqueles pacientes não listados. Sete pacientes morreram, dos quais seis foram causados por complicações hepáticas. CONCLUSÃO: O TR influenciou significativamente no prognóstico dos pacientes da nossa amostra.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognosis of patients with iatrogenic bile duct injury (IBDI) regarding time of referral (RT) to the unit of liver transplantation (LT). METHODS: We reviewed 51 charts of patients who had suffered some kind of IBDI during cholecystectomy and who were referred to the Bonsucesso General Hospital (HGB) LT unit. Lesions were grouped according to the Bismuth classification. Besides cholecystectomy (time of injury), we also evaluated the RT and outcome. RESULTS: Among the 51 patients studied, there were 17 men and 34 women, with a mean age of 42.7 years. Twenty-two patients (43.1%) had a type II lesion, 13 (25.5%) type III, 10 (19.6%) type I, 5 (9.8%) type IV and only 1 (2%) type V. Forty patients were operated, and three did not return for medical review, therefore, 37 were evaluated in relation to outcome. Among these, 25 patients (67.6%) had excellent or good results with average RT of 11.5 months (range: 2-48 months) and 47.2 months (range: 3-180 months) respectively. The 12 patients (32.4%) with poor results had a mean RT of 65.9 months (range: 3 264 months), which was significantly higher than the group with excellent or good results (p=0.004). Seven patients were listed for LT, but only two were transplanted. The RT of these seven patients was significantly higher (p=0.04) than those patients not listed. Seven patients died, six of which were due to liver complications. CONCLUSION: RT significantly influenced the prognosis of patients in our sample.

Comparison of voluntary ethanol intake by two pairs of rat lines used as genetic models of anxiety

The relationship between anxiety-related behaviors and voluntary ethanol intake was examined in two pairs of rat lines by the oral ethanol self-administration procedure. Floripa high (H) and low (L) rats selectively bred for contrasting anxiety responses in the open-field test, and two inbred strains, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Lewis rats which are known to differ significantly when submitted to several behavioral tests of anxiety/emotionality, were used (9-10 animals/line/sex). No differences in the choice of ethanol solutions (2 percent, days 1-4, and 4 percent, days 5-8, respectively) in a 2-bottle paradigm were detected between Floripa H and L rats (1.94 ± 0.37 vs 1.61 ± 0.37 g/kg for ethanol intake on day 8 by the Floripa H and L rat lines, respectively). Contrary to expectations, the less anxious SHR rats consumed significantly more ethanol than Lewis rats (respective intake of 2.30 ± 0.45 and 0.72 ± 0.33 g/kg on day 8) which are known to be both addiction-prone and highly anxious. Regardless of strain, female rats consumed more ethanol than males (approximately 46 percent). The results showed no relationship between high anxiety and voluntary intake of ethanol for Floripa H and L rats. A negative association between these two variables, however, was found for SHR and Lewis rat strains. Data from the literature regarding the association between anxiety and alcohol intake in animal models are not conclusive, but the present results indicate that factors other than increased inborn anxiety probably lead to the individual differences in ethanol drinking behavior.