Atividade muscular durante a marcha após acidente vascular encefálico / Muscle activity during gait following stroke

OBJECTIVE: To compare muscle activity and joint moments in the lower extremities during walking between subjects with stroke and control subjects. METHOD: We compared fifteen healthy volunteers and fifteen stroke patients, with the same age gender and weight data had been compared by electromyography. The system of signals acquisition used consisted of five pairs of electrodes of surface, beyond one electrogoniometer on the axis articulate of rotation of the joint of the ankle in study. RESULTS: Onset times with respect to heel-strike for the medial gluteus, tibialis anterior, soleus, rectus femoris and medial hamstring muscles were significantly earlier during the gait cycle in subjects with stroke than in control subjects. The cessation times of soleus, tibialis anterior, rectus femoris, and medial hamstring muscles were significantly prolonged in subjects with stroke. CONCLUSION: Subjects with stroke showed more co-contractions of agonist and antagonist muscles at the ankle and knee joints during stance phase. These gait changes and co-contractions may allow subjects with stroke to adopt a safer, more stable gait pattern to compensate for diminished sensory information from the ankle.

OBJETIVO: Buscar parâmetros da marcha de pacientes após ter sofrido acidente vascular encefálico (AVE) com hemiparesia. MÉTODO: Comparados 15 voluntários pós-AVE e 15 voluntários saudáveis com a mesma idade, gênero e peso. A comparação foi feita por eletromiografia utilizando cinco pares de eletrodos de superfície do lado comprometido (espástico) e um eletrogoniômetro sobre o eixo articular de rotação da articulação do tornozelo em estudo. RESULTADOS: O início da atividade eletromiográfica, a partir da fase de apoio, para os músculos glúteo medial, reto femoral, tibial anterior, sóleo, e porção medial dos isquiotibiais foi significantemente ativados anteriormente durante o ciclo da marcha nos voluntários pós-AVE. O final da atividade eletromiográfica para os músculos reto femoral, tibial anterior, sóleo, e porção medial dos isquiotibiais foi significantemente prolongado nos voluntários pós-AVE. Voluntários pós-AVE demonstraram também mais co-ativação dos músculos agonistas e antagonistas da articulação do tornozelo e joelho durante a fase de balanceio. CONCLUSÃO: Essas alterações e co-contrações musculares da marcha permitem que os voluntários pós-AVE adotem um padrão de marcha mais seguro e mais estável para compensar a diminuição da informação sensorial da articulação do tornozelo.

99mTc-labeled field bean protease inhibitor can function as an efficient tumor detecting agent.

Purified field bean protease inhibitor (FBPI) was labeled with 99mTcO4- to ascertain its ability to locate tumors in tumor-bearing rat models. The labeling was done with Sn2+ as a reducing agent and the yield was 95%. It was stable for 2 hr at ambient temperature. The biodistribution study of the intravenously injected radiolabeled FBPI in normal Wistar rats at various time intervals showed a rapid blood clearance from the systemic circulation (approximately 5hr). The complex was predominantly excreted through the renal and the hepatobiliary systems. In vivo distribution and scintiimaging of 99mTc-FBPI were carried out in rats bearing carcinogen-induced mammary tumor or transplanted C6-gliomas. The results obtained were compared with conventional tumor-seeking radiopharmaceuticals such as 99mTc-(V)dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), 201Thallous chloride (TICI) and 99mTc-Citrate. The tumor to muscle (T/M) ratios obtained with 99mTc-FBPI in rat C6 glioma was nearly 2 to 5-fold higher than obtained with all the three conventional tumor-seeking agents. The T/M ratio obtained with 99mTc-FBPI in rat mammary tumor on the other hand appeared to be 2-3-fold higher than noted with 99mTc(V)-DMSA and 201TlCl. The ratio was however comparable with that obtained with 99mTc-Citrate. The study indicated that 99mTc-FBPI has the specific potentials for imaging gliomas and possibly other tumors as well.

Distribution and regulation of telencephalic aromatase expression in the zebra finch revealed with a specific antibody.

In songbirds, aromatase (estrogen synthase) activity and mRNA are readily detectable in the brain. This neural aromatization presumably provides estrogen to steroid-sensitive targets via autocrine, paracrine, and synaptic mechanisms. The location of immunoreactive protein, however, has been difficult to describe completely, particularly in distal dendrites, axons, and terminals of the forebrain. Here we describe the neuroanatomical distribution of aromatase in the zebra finch by using a novel antibody raised specifically against zebra finch aromatase. The distribution of aromatase-positive somata in the zebra finch brain is in excellent agreement with previous reports. Additionally, this antibody reveals elaborate, spinous dendritic arbors, fine-beaded axons, and punctate terminals of telencephalic neurons that may synthesize estrogen. Some of these axon-like fibers extend into the high vocal center (HVC) and the robust nucleus of the archistriatum (RA) in males and females, suggesting a role for presynaptic aromatization in cellular processes within these loci. Adult males have more aromatase-positive fibers in the caudomedial neostriatum (NCM) and the preoptic area (POA) compared to females, despite the lack of detectable sex differences in the number of immunoreactive somata at these loci. Thus, the compartmentalization of aromatase in dendrites and axons may serve a sexually dimorphic function in the songbird. Finally, in adult males, aromatase expression is down-regulated by circulating estradiol in the hippocampus, but not in the NCM or POA. The distribution of aromatase suggests a role for aromatization in the regulation of pre- and postsynaptic function in steroid sensitive areas of the songbird forebrain.

[Utility of gamma rays in prophylaxis of transmissible malaria by blood transfusion]. / Estudo sobre a eventual utilidade de raios gama na profilaxia da malária transmissível por transfusão de sangue.

This study was carried out to evaluate the fortuitons advantage of using gamma irradiation in the prophylaxis of transmissible malaria by blood transfusion, with mice as the experimental model. In the first step, when the infected blood with Plasmodium berghei was submitted to 2,500 rad and 5,000 rad, with or without metronidazol, there was no success, because the animals presented parasitaemia and died after inoculation of irradiated blood. However, there was partial success in the second step, when the infected blood received 10,000 and 15,000 rad, and was inoculated in mice, which showed infection, and presented a survival rate of 20% and 40%, respectively, with later negativation of blood infected by P. berghei.

Estudo sobre a eventual utilidade de raios gama na profilaxia da malária transmissível por transfusão de sangue / Utility of gamma rays in prophylaxis of transmissible malaria by blood transfusion

This study was carried out to evaluate the fortuitons advantage of using gamma irradiation in the prophylaxis of transmissible malaria by blood transfusion, with mice as the experimental model. In the first step, when the infected blood with Plasmodium berghei was submitted to 2,500 rad and 5,000 rad, with or without metronidazol, there was no success, because the animals presented parasitaemia and died after inoculation of irradiated blood. However, there was partial success in the second step, when the infected blood received 10,000 and 15,000 rad, and was inoculated in mice, which showed infection, and presented a survival rate of 20% and 40%, respectively, with later negativation of blood infected by P. berghei.

O estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar a eventual utilidade de raios gama na profilaxia da malária transmissível por transfusão de sangue, tendo sido, para isso, usados camundongos infectados pelo Plasmodium berghei. Na primeira fase, quando submetemos sangue deles retirado a 2.500 e 5.000rad, com associação ou não de metronidazol, não obtivemos sucesso, já que todos os animais antes sem a parasitose apresentaram parasitemia e morreram após inoculação do sangue irradiado. Porém, ocorreu êxito parcial na segunda fase, ao serem empregados 10.000 e 15.000rad, porquanto 20% e 40% dos roedores, respectivamente, embora tenham ficado infectados, sobreviveram, com posterior negativação quanto à presença do P. berghei.

Human cyclosporiasis diagnosis: report of a case in São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Diagnosis of the human cyclosporiasis is reported in São Paulo, SP, Brasil. Cyclospora cayetanensis has been identified in the feces of a patient by a modified Kinyoun staining method, with later sporulation in a solution of 2.5% potassium dichromate. The probability that this parasite is the eventual cause of gastrointestinal disturbances in the country was stimulated by this finding, which was arrived at by a simple technique. It had been kept in mind that the disease was expressing itself mainly among immunocompromised patients, whose number is increasing; especially in those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Long-term feeding of field bean protein containing protease inhibitors suppresses virus-induced mammary tumors in mice.

Protease inhibitors (PIs) of synthetic, bacterial or soybean origin have been shown to suppress carcinogen or radiation-induced rat mammary carcinogenesis. We report, for the first time, the effect of year-long feeding of Field bean meal, a rich source of PIs with a 24% protein content, at different protein levels in the diet, on mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-induced mammary tumorigenesis in C3H/Jax mice. Weanling female mice were randomized and divided into groups and fed chow or chow with 2%, 4%, 8% FB protein (FBP) or autoclaved 2% FBP (AFBP) until 49 weeks and the incidence of mammary tumors was recorded until 58 weeks when they were sacrificed. Mice fed 2% FBP showed significant (P < 0.001) reduction (68%) in tumor incidence and delay (P < 0.02) in tumor appearance compared to controls. This suppressive effect on mammary tumorigenesis increased with increased FBP intake with values of tumor suppression being 75% and 81% in mice groups fed 4% and 8% FBP, respectively. Incidentally, the tumors appeared earlier (P < 0.05) in the 8% FBP-treated mice compared to other groups. Moreover, this suppressive effect on mammary tumorigenesis was related to the PI activity of the FB meal, since mice fed 2% AFBP showed no reduction in tumor incidence. Heat treatment, which had destroyed the PI activity, apparently did not affect other chemopreventive agents known to be present in plant material. This possibility is supported by our observation that prolonged feeding of 2% FBP or 2% AFBP increased the liver glutathione content of mice, suggesting the presence of a highly heat-stable factor, other than PIs, in the FBP, which brought about this elevation. Further, while 2% or 4% FBP- and 2% AFBP- treated mice showed no adverse growth effects, only the 8% FBP-fed group showed a significant lower growth curve compared to control mice, with some of them showing pancreatic lesions.

[The treatment of cryptosporidiosis in AIDS patients using paromomycin]. / Tratamento da criptosporidíase em pacientes com AIDS, por meio da paromomicina.

The authors treated with paromomycin 25 patients, with AIDS and cryptosporidiosis. The drug was given orally in a doses of 500 mg qid, for a period of 14 days. Tolerance was good, with just two cases of mild side-effects. Clinical improvement was obtained in 19 (76%) patients. Parasitological cure, however, occurred only in a low percentage (25%). In some cases where initial success was observed, recrudescence occurred after some weeks or few months, but with retreatment again clinical improvement was obtained. Even if it does not lead to frequent parasite eradication, the good clinical results and tolerance permit us to consider paromomycin one of the few drugs effective for the treatment of cryptosporidial diarrhea in AIDS patients. Studies with maintainance therapy are indicated.

The field bean protease inhibitor can effectively suppress 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced skin tumorigenesis in mice.

Prolonged topical treatment with protease inhibitors (PIs) both synthetic and of bacterial origin have been shown to prevent carcinogen initiated and croton oil or phorbol acetate promoted skin carcinogenesis in mice. However, no one has yet examined the possibility of a purified PI of plant origin to block skin carcinogenesis by sustained local treatment. We therefore studied this aspect using a purified PI from field bean (FBPI) in Swiss albino mice. Groups of 8-week-old mice were taken and treated differently. Group I mice were treated with 100 microliters of acetone alone, while mice of Group II were treated with a single high (150 micrograms) dose of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene in acetone and 2 weeks later they were treated with a high concentration (125 micrograms) of croton oil thrice weekly. Mice of Groups III, IV and V were treated exactly as described for mice of Group II, but 4 h after croton oil treatment they were further treated with an aqueous solution of 1 mg, 2 mg of FBPI or 2 mg of heat-inactivated [corrected] FBPI, respectively. Treatment of all groups was continued until the mice were 25 weeks old, the appearance of tumors being recorded during the period. Our findings showed that treatment of carcinogen and croton oil exposed mice of Groups III and IV with two different doses of FBPI not only brought about appreciable delay in the appearance of tumors but also significant (P < 0.025-0.001) suppression of tumor incidence at nearly all times of promotion. Additionally, it lowered significantly (P < 0.01-0.001) the tumor multiplicity and the tumor appearance rate compared to mice of Groups II and V. These effects of FBPI appeared to be dose related. Lack of response with heat-inactivated FBPI indicated that these actions of FBPI were related to its PI activity. The study thus confirmed that topical treatment with a legume-derived PI can effectively suppress skin carcinogenesis.

Field bean protease inhibitor mitigates the sister-chromatid exchanges induced by bromoform and depresses the spontaneous sister-chromatid exchange frequency of human lymphocytes in vitro.

The mutagenicity of a trihalomethane-bromoform (CHBr3)-was assessed by the in vitro sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) assay using human peripheral blood lymphocytes. CHBr3 was found to induce SCEs significantly in a dose-dependent manner. When the cells were exposed to 600 ng CHBr3/ml of the medium, the SCE/cell mean reached a value as high as 18.78 +/- 0.17. Beyond this concentration. CHBr3 proved to be cytotoxic. A protease inhibitor (PI), purified appreciably by affinity chromatography from fieldbean (FB), was able to suppress significantly in a dose-dependent way the high SCE frequencies induced by this specific concentration of CHBr3 (600 ng/ml). Addition of 600 micrograms of FBPI/ml of the medium brought down the CHBr3-induced high SCEs to near (8.80 +/- 0.15) base line or control value (8.45 +/- 0.21). A study of the effect of FBPI on the normal low SCE frequencies in these cells indicated that the FBPI has the intrinsic property to suppress in a dose-dependent manner these SCEs in the lymphocytes. This functional property of FBPI, which is related to its protease inhibitory activity and which is destroyed when it is inactivated by autoclaving, makes it an effective antimutagenic/chemopreventive agent.

Inhibition of benzopyrene-induced forestomach tumors by field bean protease inhibitor(s).

Protease inhibitors (PIs), particularly the soybean-derived Bowman-Birk inhibitor, have proved to be powerful blockers of carcinogenesis in many in vitro and animal model systems. However, so far an ability of PIs to suppress gastric carcinogenesis has not been demonstrated, because of the anticipated 'hostile' acidic gastric environment for the PI to exert its action. We therefore examined the ability of a purified PI from the Indian legume the field bean (FBPI), when administered by gavage, to subdue benzopyrene (BP)-induced neoplasia of the forestomach of mice. Forestomach tumors were produced in female Swiss albino mice by oral administration of BP at a dose of 1 mg twice weekly for 4 weeks. Groups of mice were treated per os with an aqueous solution of FBPI for 3 months or more at a dose of 20 mg/kg once daily, six times a week, either from the initiation of carcinogenesis or after completion of the carcinogen treatment. Another group was treated likewise with autoclaved inactive FBPI. Mice of both the FBPI-treated groups showed statistically significant (P < 0.001) reductions in the multiplicity of gastric tumors, with the tumor incidence being unaffected. However, the suppression of tumor multiplicity was appreciably (P < 0.01) more in the group that received FBPI treatment concomitantly with the carcinogen. The mice that were treated with heat-inactivated FBPI showed similar tumor multiplicity to the BP-treated group, indicating that the oncopreventive activity of FBPI is related to its protease inhibitory capacity. These observations point to the potential of PIs as effective chemoprotectors against gastric cancer in animals and, possibly, in humans as well.

Field bean protease inhibitor preparations, unlike methotrexate, can completely suppress Yoshida sarcoma tumor in rats.

Protease inhibitor preparations (PIP) with antitryptic and antichymotryptic activities, isolated from field bean legume as well as doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide could effectively suppress the growth of Yoshida sarcoma ascites tumor cells transplanted in adult rats and prevent their death. As against this, methotrexate and heat-inactivated PIP were ineffective in such rats at varied doses of treatment tried. The percent survival of animals appeared to be related to the purity, treatment mode and the dose of PIP used. Zymographic analysis of the trypsin activated sarcoma cell homogenate revealed the presence of six protease bands in the molecular weight range of 51kD to 206kD. Prolonged interactions of such zymograms with protease inhibitors such as 20mM EDTA or 5mM diisopropyl flurophosphate (DIFP) or 400 micrograms/ml of PIP in reaction buffer indicated that these are not metalloproteases but serine proteases whose activities are inhibited by PIP and DIFP. Since proteases are involved in cell growth regulation and cell transformation, we hypothesize a positive relationship between the field bean protease inhibitor's blocking action on tumor cell proteases and its tumor suppressing activity.