Nanoparticles of methylene blue enhance photodynamic therapy.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of death related to cancer among women worldwide. Screening and advancements in treatment have improved survival rate of women suffering from this ailment. Novel therapeutic techniques may further reduce cancer related mortality. One of several emerging therapeutic options is Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) that uses light activated photosensitizer (PS) inducing cell death by apoptosis and/or necrosis. Nanotechnology has made contribution to improve photosensitizer for PDT, increasing the efficiency of therapy using gold and silver nanoparticles. Efforts have been done to develop better mechanism to improve PS and consequently PDT effects. In this study, we investigate the efficacy of the PDT using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) when mixed to methylene blue (MB) in the treatment of the human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MDA-MB-468). The MDA-MB-468 was treated in the presence of different MB concentrations with/without AuNPs or AgNPs. The colloidal solution of AgNPs showed a plasmon resonance band at 411 nm in UV-visible range and a bimodal size distribution. The results of viability analysis showed that cells treated with nanoparticles exhibited higher cytotoxicity than cells treated with only MB, improving the efficiency of the treatment in the tumor cells. The cytotoxicity effect of MB associated with AgNPs on MDA-MB-468 cell line could be related to increased reactive oxygen species production due to the release of Ag+ ions from nanoparticles surface, suggesting that the association between FS and AgNPs has potential as a PDT agent.

Salivary Cortisol Responses and Session Ratings of Perceived Exertion to a Rugby Match and Fatigue Test.

This study compared the effects of an official rugby match and a fatigue test on the salivary cortisol responses of 13 rugby players. We also examined the relationship between this cortisol response and session ratings of perceived exertion (session-RPE). We collected saliva before and after the match and fatigue test and assessed physical effort intensity via session-RPE using a CR-10 scale. We measured cortisol concentration by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results were greater session-RPE and cortisol concentrations for the rugby match, compared with the fatigue test. There was a significant difference between cortisol concentrations obtained pre- and postmatch ( p < .022) and significant correlations between cortisol response and session-RPE sampling in both the rugby match ( r = .81; p < .001) and fatigue test ( r = .91; p < .001). This study provides evidence of greater perceived effort and higher cortisol concentrations in actual competition versus a fatigue test. Our data further support session-RPE as a relatively inexpensive close correlate of a stress biomarker (cortisol response). Thus, session-RPE can be used by coaches as a valid indication of training loads and adequate recovery time after exertion.

Influência da administração de eritropoietina humana recombinante sobre o desempenho físico: estudo de revisão / Influencia de administración de eritropoyetina humana recombinante en el rendimiento físico: un estudio de revisión / Effects of administration of human recombinant erythropoietin on physical performance: study review

Objetivo. Discutir os resultados acerca dos efeitos do uso da eritropoietina humana recombinante (rHuEPO) sobre o desempenho físico, bem como relatar os efeitos adversos decorrentes desta prática, correlacionando os achados de estudos experimentais e clínicos. Métodos. Foram selecionados artigos científicos publicados nas bases de dados PubMed e SciELO, no período de 1985‐2013, utilizando as seguintes palavras‐chaves: eritropoietina/erythropoietin, desempenho atlético/athletic performance, resistência física/physical endurance, efeitos adversos/adverse effects e doping nos esportes/doping in sports. Resultados. Todos os estudos (n = 10) encontraram melhora nas variáveis de consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2máx) e tempo de exaustão em humanos, utilizando diferentes protocolos de dosagens, que podem variar de 50‐60 UI/kg nas primeiras semanas, com redução ao longo do tratamento. Dentre as reações adversas mais frequentes estão os acidentes trombovasculares, deficiência de ferro e hipertensão arterial sistêmica. Conclusão. O tratamento com rHuEPO em diferentes doses e períodos pode potencializar o desempenho físico de humanos, em virtude dos diferentes efeitos gerados, incluindo aumento no transporte de O2, redução das concentrações de lactato sanguíneo, aumento das concentrações de ácidos graxos livres no sangue e do glicogênio muscular (AU)

Objetivo. Discutir los resultados relativos a los efectos del uso de la eritropoyetina humana recombinante (rHuEPO), sobre el rendimiento físico, así como los efectos adversos de su uso, así como la relación de los resultados de estudios experimentales y clínicos. Métodos. Se seleccionaron los artículos científicos publicados en revistas incluidas en PubMed y SciELO, en el período de 1985‐2013, usando las siguientes palabras clave: eritropoietina/erythropoietin, desempenho atlético/athletic performance, resistência física/physical endurance, efeitos adversos/adverse effects e doping nos esportes/doping in sports. Resultados. Todos los artículos (n = 10), en relación con la influencia del tratamiento con rHuEPO en el rendimiento deportivo, mostraron una mejoría en las variables de consumo máximo de oxígeno (VO2máx) y el tiempo hasta el agotamiento en seres humanos, utilizando diferentes protocolos de dosis, que oscilan desde 50‐60 UI/kg en las primeras semanas con reducción progresiva durante el tratamiento. Entre los efectos adversos más frecuentes se encuentran los accidentes vasculares trombóticos, la ferropenia y la hipertensión arterial. Conclusión. El tratamiento con dosis de rHuEPO y en diferentes períodos puede mejorar el rendimiento físico en los seres humanos, debido a los diferentes efectos generados, incluyendo el aumento del transporte de O2, la reducción de las concentraciones de lactato en sangre, aumento de las concentraciones de ácidos grasos libres en la sangre y glucógeno muscular (AU)

Objective. Discuss the influence of rHuEPO on physical performance, as well as the adverse effects of this practice, exposing results from experimental and clinical studies. Methods. Were selected articles published in the basis, PubMed and SciELO databases, in the period 1985‐2013, using the following keywords eritropoetina/erythropoietin, desempenho atlético/athletic performance, resistência física/physical endurance, efeitos adversos/adverse effects e doping nos esportes/doping in sports. Results. All articles (n = 10) related to the influence of treatment with rHuEPO on sports performance, found improvement in the variables of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and time to exhaustion in humans, using different protocols dosages between 50 to 60 IU/kg during the first weeks with reduced throughout treatment. Among the most common adverse effects are the thrombovascular accidents, iron deficiency and hypertension. Conclusion. Treatment with rHuEPO doses and at different periods, can enhance physical performance in humans, because of the different generated effects, including increased O2 transport, reduction of blood lactate concentrations, increased concentrations of free fatty acids in the blood and muscle glycogen (AU)