Antimycobacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of fractions and substances from Erythrina verna Vell focusing on dual severe TB treatment approach.

Tuberculosis remains a major health problem worldwide. Drug-resistant and hypervirulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) strains can lead to a hyperinflammatory response and necrotic pathology in hyper-reactive individuals that require adjunctive treatment. Plant-derived substances have been investigated for TB treatment, among which flavonoids stand out. We evaluate the anti-Mtb, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxicity activities of fractions and substances 1, 2 and 3 isolated from Erythrina verna through a bioassay guided fractionation. Seven fractions (1, 3-5 and 7-9) obtained from dichloromethane E. verna extract inhibited NO production (IC50 ≤ 15 µg/mL) with none or poor cytotoxic effect, while the fractions 4 and 5 notably reduced TNF-a production. Fractions 4, 6 and 9 suppressed Mycobacterium growth with MIC50 ≤ 20 µg/mL. Fraction 4 was the most potent due to dual biological activities. Erythratidinone and alpinumisoflavone inhibited the growth of Mtb H37Rv and hypervirulent strain in bacterial cultures (MIC50 ≤ 20 µg/mL), with erythratidinone standing out in reducing intracellular growth of Mtb H37Rv (5.8 ± 1.1 µg/mL). Alpinumisoflavone and erythratidinone were capable of inhibiting NO and TNF-α production besides showing significant inhibitory effects against Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains with low toxicity in macrophages. Both substances are promising for further studies focusing on an anti-TB dual treatment approach.

Simple verbal instructions are able to improve quality of movement during the lateral step-down test in healthy females.

INTRODUCTION: Altered movement patterns during weight-bearing activities have been associated with knee injuries and can be clinically assessed using the lateral step-down test (LSD). It is possible that verbal feedback can improve movement patterns, but it remains unknown whether verbal feedback can improve movement quality during the LSD. PURPOSE: To investigate whether verbal feedback can immediately improve visual movement quality and trunk, pelvis and lower limb kinematics in healthy females during the LSD. METHODS: 34 healthy females were assessed visually and with 3D kinematics while performing the LSD. Participants were divided into Good Movement Group (GG; n = 18) and Poor Movement Group (PG; n = 16) based on the LSD score. The feedback involved verbal instructions aimed at improving trunk, pelvis, hip and knee alignment during the test. Lower limb flexibility and strength were assessed for group comparisons and to investigate associations between all variables. Data analyses were performed using repeated-measures two-way ANOVAs and Spearman correlation tests. RESULTS: Feedback immediately improved movement quality, especially in participants of the GG [mean difference (MD) = 2.2 points; P < 0.001]. The PG showed greater pelvic drop (MD = 5.1°; P = 0.012), greater hip adduction (MD = 5.4°; P = 0.028) and less hip flexion (MD = 8.4°; P = 0.016) than the GG. Quality of movement had positive correlations with pelvic drop (r = 0.39; P = 0.02), hip adduction (r = 0.45; P = 0.01) and hip flexion (r = 0.49; P < 0.01) kinematics. CONCLUSIONS: Verbal feedback improved movement quality during the LSD in healthy females. Females with worst movement quality showed greater pelvic drop and hip adduction, which are often found in individuals with knee disorders.

Interaction of foot and hip factors identifies Achilles tendinopathy occurrence in recreational runners.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the interaction of ankle-foot complex and hip joint factors with Achilles Tendinopathy (AT) occurrence in recreational runners. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Research Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: 51 runners, 26 healthy and 25 with AT. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Shank-forefoot alignment (SFA), weight bearing lunge test (WBLT), passive hip internal rotation (IR) range of motion (ROM), hip external rotators (ER) and ankle plantar flexors (PF) isometric strength. CART analyses were performed to assess interactions that could distinguish those with AT. RESULTS: Passive hip IR ROM, ankle PF torque, SFA, and hip ER isometric torque were associated AT occurrence. The model correctly classified 92% of individuals without AT and 72% of those with AT. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.88. Interaction factors revealed in nodes 3 and 10 were statistically significant. In node 3, runners with more than 29.33° of passive hip IR ROM had a 130% increased likelihood (PR = 2.30) of AT. Node 10 showed that individuals with higher PF torque, SFA varus, ER torque, but reduced passive hip IR ROM had an 87% increased likelihood (PR = 1.87) of AT. CONCLUSION: Interactions between hip and foot factors could accurately classify recreational runners with and without AT.

Epidemiology and associated factors for CrossFit-related musculoskeletal injuries: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: CrossFit® is usually composed of high intensity workout routines and is executed quickly, repetitively and with limited rest time. Previous studies have identified a high prevalence of injuries in CrossFit®. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of CrossFit-related musculoskeletal injuries and to identify potential associated factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 413 CrossFitters. Participants completed a questionnaire containing personal data, training characteristics and injury history in the last 12 months. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and logistic regression models. RESULTS: The prevalence of CrossFit-related musculoskeletal injuries was 24.0%; and the injury rate was of 0.80 injuries per 1,000 hours of exposure. The regions of the body most affected were the lumbar spine (33.3%), shoulders (31.3%) and knees (14.1%). The majority of CrossFitters participated in competitions (74.6%), had more than 12 months of experience in CrossFit® (62.7%), and trained up to 90 minutes a day (82.3%) for more than 4 days a week (76.8%). The variables that showed a significant association with CrossFit®-related musculoskeletal injuries were weekly training frequency (OR=2.25; 95% CI: 1.13-4.48) and regular physiotherapeutic care (OR=1.85; 95% CI: 1.11-3.07). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of musculoskeletal injury was 24.0%, and the most affected regions of the body were the lumbar spine, shoulders and knees. Training more than four days a week and do not receive regular physiotherapeutic care were associated with CrossFit-related musculoskeletal injuries.

Data fusion strategies to combine sensor and multivariate model outputs for multivariate statistical process control.

Process analytical technologies (PAT) applied to process monitoring and control generally provide multiple outputs that can come from different sensors or from different model outputs generated from a single multivariate sensor. This paper provides a contribution to current data fusion strategies for the combination of sensor and/or model outputs in the development of multivariate statistical process control (MSPC) models. Data fusion is explored through three real process examples combining output from multivariate models coming from the same sensor uniquely (in the near-infrared (NIR)-based end point detection of a two-stage polyester production process) or the combination of these outputs with other process variable sensors (using NIR-based model outputs and temperature values in the end point detection of a fluidized bed drying process and in the on-line control of a distillation process). The three examples studied show clearly the flexibility in the choice of model outputs (e.g. key properties prediction by multivariate calibration, process profiles issued from a multivariate resolution method) and the benefit of using MSPC models based on fused information including model outputs towards those based on raw single sensor outputs for both process control and diagnostic and interpretation of abnormal process situations. The data fusion strategy proposed is of general applicability for any analytical or bioanalytical process that produces several sensor and/or model outputs. Graphical abstract.

Intraexaminer and Interexaminer Reproducibility of the Downing Test for Sacroiliac Joint Evaluation of Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Individuals.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the intraexaminer and interexaminer reproducibility of the Downing test in sacroiliac joint evaluation in symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. METHODS: A reliability study was conducted with a test-retest design in 54 college students of both sexes. To assess the intraexaminer reproducibility, each participant was evaluated twice by the same examiner with a 7-day interval, and to assess the interexaminer reproducibility, each participant was evaluated by 2 examiners. RESULTS: Of the 54 participants included in the study, 18 (33.3%) were asymptomatic and 36 (66.7%) were symptomatic; a total of 108 sacroiliac joints were evaluated. Sacroiliac joint diagnosis based on the Downing test presented low intraexaminer reproducibility in all participants (κ = 0.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.03-0.22), in asymptomatic individuals (κ = 0.18, 95% CI 0.02-0.34), and in symptomatic individuals (κ = 0.28, 95% CI 0.17-0.39). The interexaminer reproducibility also was low in all participants (κ = 0.18, 95% CI 0.09-0.27), in asymptomatic individuals (κ = 0.22, 95% CI 0.15-0.37), and in symptomatic individuals (κ = 0.16, 95% CI 0.05-0.27). The standard error of the measurement values were not lower than smallest detectable change values considering a CI of 95% for all participants. CONCLUSION: For this group of asymptomatic and symptomatic participants, the reproducibility of the Downing test was poor. The clinical utility of this test used in isolation is not supported by the present study.

Process modeling and control applied to real-time monitoring of distillation processes by near-infrared spectroscopy.

A distillation device that acquires continuous and synchronized measurements of temperature, percentage of distilled fraction and NIR spectra has been designed for real-time monitoring of distillation processes. As a process model, synthetic commercial gasoline batches produced in Brazil, which contain mixtures of pure gasoline blended with ethanol have been analyzed. The information provided by this device, i.e., distillation curves and NIR spectra, has served as initial information for the proposal of new strategies of process modeling and multivariate statistical process control (MSPC). Process modeling based on PCA batch analysis provided global distillation trajectories, whereas multiset MCR-ALS analysis is proposed to obtain a component-wise characterization of the distillation evolution and distilled fractions. Distillation curves, NIR spectra or compressed NIR information under the form of PCA scores and MCR-ALS concentration profiles were tested as the seed information to build MSPC models. New on-line PCA-based MSPC approaches, some inspired on local rank exploratory methods for process analysis, are proposed and work as follows: a) MSPC based on individual process observation models, where multiple local PCA models are built considering the sole information in each observation point; b) Fixed Size Moving Window - MSPC, in which local PCA models are built considering a moving window of the current and few past observation points; and c) Evolving MSPC, where local PCA models are built with an increasing window of observations covering all points since the beginning of the process until the current observation. Performance of different approaches has been assessed in terms of sensitivity to fault detection and number of false alarms. The outcome of this work will be of general use to define strategies for on-line process monitoring and control and, in a more specific way, to improve quality control of petroleum derived fuels and other substances submitted to automatic distillation processes monitored by NIRS.

Methodology for porphyrin isolation by high-performance countercurrent chromatography.

Countercurrent chromatography is a versatile technique for the isolation of a wide variety of plant substances. However, little attention has been devoted to the application of this technique for the isolation of porphyrins. This class of compounds are of great importance in the medical area and in photocatalysis due to their heterocyclic structure, composed of four modified pyrrol subunits interconnected on their a carbon atoms by methinic bridges. The methanol extract of Gallesia integrifolia was partitioned using different solvents; the dichloromethane fraction was then submitted to countercurrent chromatography. The solvent system composed of n-hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and water (1:2.5:2.5:1) was chosen to perform the chromatographic analysis due to the enhanced solubility and the best distribution coefficients of the target compounds. Two porphyrins were isolated by this method and identified as 13(2)-hydroxypheophorbide a methyl ester and pheophorbide a, methyl ester. The solvent system proposed provided good distribution coefficients for both substances (1.27 and 1.87, respectively), and a high resolution factor.

A new isocoumarin from Cajanus cajan (Fabaceae).

A new isocoumarin, 3-phenyl-8-hydroxy-6-methoxy-5-gamma,gamma-dimethylallyl-isocoumarin, named cajavilmina (1) and eight known compounds: a-amirenone (2), beta-amirenone (3), lupenone (4), 5-hydroxy-7-methoxydihydroflavone (5), longistilin C (6), 3-hydroxy-5-methoxystilbene (7), beta-sitosterol (8) and stigmasterol (9) were identified in a dichloromethane fraction from Cajanus cajan leaves. Structures were elucidated by analysis of spectral data, mainly those afforded by 1H, NOEDIFF and 13C NMR (1D and 2D NMR HMQC, HMBC and COSY) and mass spectra.

Experimental diabetes induces structural, inflammatory and vascular changes of Achilles tendons.

This study aims to demonstrate how the state of chronic hyperglycemia from experimental Diabetes Mellitus can influence the homeostatic imbalance of tendons and, consequently, lead to the characteristics of tendinopathy. Twenty animals were randomly divided into two experimental groups: control group, consisting of healthy rats and diabetic group constituted by rats induced to Diabetes Mellitus I. After twenty-four days of the induction of Diabetes type I, the Achilles tendon were removed for morphological evaluation, cellularity, number and cross-sectional area of blood vessel, immunohistochemistry for Collagen type I, VEGF and NF-κB nuclear localization sequence (NLS) and nitrate and nitrite level. The Achilles tendon thickness (µm/100g) of diabetic animals was significantly increased and, similarly, an increase was observed in the density of fibrocytes and mast cells in the tendons of the diabetic group. The average number of blood vessels per field, in peritendinous tissue, was statistically higher in the diabetic group 3.39 (2.98) vessels/field when compared to the control group 0.89 (1.68) vessels/field p = 0.001 and in the intratendinous region, it was observed that blood vessels were extremely rare in the control group 0.035 (0.18) vessels/field and were often present in the tendons of the diabetic group 0.89 (0.99) vessels/field. The immunohistochemistry analysis identified higher density of type 1 collagen and increased expression of VEGF as well as increased immunostaining for NFκB p50 NLS in the nucleus in Achilles tendon of the diabetic group when compared to the control group. Higher levels of nitrite/nitrate were observed in the experimental group induced to diabetes. We conclude that experimental DM induces notable structural, inflammatory and vascular changes in the Achilles tendon which are compatible with the process of chronic tendinopathy.

Concurrent validity of the pressure biofeedback unit and surface electromyography in measuring transversus abdominis muscle activity in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain / Validade concorrente da unidade de biofeedback pressórico e eletromiografia de superfície na mensuração da atividade muscular do transverso abdominal em pacientes com dor lombar crônica inespecífica

BACKGROUND: The Pressure biofeedback unit (PBU) is an assessment tool used in clinical practice and research aimed to indirectly analyze the transversus abdominis (TrA) muscle activity. The concurrent validity of the PBU in a clinically relevant sample is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the concurrent validity and diagnostic accuracy of the PBU in measuring TrA muscle activity in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain. METHOD: This study was performed using a validation, cross-sectional design. Fifty patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain were recruited for this study. To test the concurrent validity both PBU measures (index test) and superficial electromyographic measures (reference-standard test) were compared and collected by a physical therapist in a series of voluntary contraction maneuvers of TrA muscle. RESULTS: Participants were on average 22 years old, weighed 63.7 kilos, 1.70 meters height and mean low back pain duration was 1.9 years. It was observed a weak and non-significant Phi coefficient (r=0.2, p<0.20). With regards to diagnostic accuracy tests, our results suggest a low sensitivity (60%) and specificity (60%) of the PBU. The positive predictive value was high (0.8) and negative predictive value was low (0.2). Conclusions: Concurrent validity of the PBU in measuring TrA muscle activity in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain is poor given the low correlation and diagnostic accuracy with superficial EMG.

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: A Unidade de Biofeedback Pressórico (UBP) é uma ferramenta de avaliação usada na prática clínica e pesquisa científica para analisar indiretamente a atividade muscular do transverso abdominal (TrA). A validade concorrente da UBP em uma amostra clinicamente relevante ainda não está esclarecida. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a validade concorrente e acurácia diagnóstica da UBP em mensurar a atividade muscular do TrA em pacientes com dor lombar crônica inespecífica. MÉTODO: Este estudo foi realizado usando um delineamento de validação. Cinquenta pacientes com dor lombar crônica inespecífica foram recrutados. Para testar a validade concorrente, ambas as medidas pressóricas (teste índice) e eletromiográficas superficiais (teste padrão de referência) foram comparadas e coletadas por um fisioterapeuta a partir de uma manobra de contração voluntária do músculo TrA. RESULTADOS: Os participantes tinham em média 22 anos, 63,7 kg, 1,70 m de altura, e a duração média de dor lombar era de 1,9 ano. Observou-se um coeficiente Phi fraco e não significativo (r=0,2; p<0,20). Com relação aos testes de acurácia diagnóstica, os resultados sugerem uma baixa sensibilidade (60%) e especificidade (60%) da UBP. O valor preditivo positivo foi elevado (0,8), e o valor preditivo negativo foi baixo (0,2). Conclusões: A validade concorrente da UBP em mensurar a atividade muscular do TrA em pacientes com dor lombar crônica inespecífica é pobre, considerando a baixa correlação e acurácia diagnóstica com a EMG de superfície.

Concurrent validity of the pressure biofeedback unit and surface electromyography in measuring transversus abdominis muscle activity in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain.

BACKGROUND: The Pressure biofeedback unit (PBU) is an assessment tool used in clinical practice and research aimed to indirectly analyze the transversus abdominis (TrA) muscle activity. The concurrent validity of the PBU in a clinically relevant sample is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the concurrent validity and diagnostic accuracy of the PBU in measuring TrA muscle activity in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain. METHOD: This study was performed using a validation, cross-sectional design. Fifty patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain were recruited for this study. To test the concurrent validity both PBU measures (index test) and superficial electromyographic measures (reference-standard test) were compared and collected by a physical therapist in a series of voluntary contraction maneuvers of TrA muscle. RESULTS: Participants were on average 22 years old, weighed 63.7 kilos, 1.70 meters height and mean low back pain duration was 1.9 years. It was observed a weak and non-significant Phi coefficient (r=0.2, p<0.20). With regards to diagnostic accuracy tests, our results suggest a low sensitivity (60%) and specificity (60%) of the PBU. The positive predictive value was high (0.8) and negative predictive value was low (0.2). CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent validity of the PBU in measuring TrA muscle activity in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain is poor given the low correlation and diagnostic accuracy with superficial EMG.

Application of preparative high-speed counter-current chromatography for the separation of two alkaloids from the roots of Tabernaemontana catharinensis (Apocynaceae).

The methanolic extract of Tabernaemontana catharinensis (Apocynaceae) roots, which contains alkaloids with several biological activities, was separated on a preparative scale using high-speed counter-current chromatography. The optimum solvent system was found to be a mixture of CHCl(3)-MeOH-H(2)O [5:10:6 (v/v/v)] and led to a successful separation of two monoterpenic indole alkaloids, voachalotine (1) and 12-methoxy-N(b)-methylvoachalotine (2) in approximately 4.0 hours. The alkaloids were all isolated at purities over 95%, and their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR and EI/MS.

Radiografia e ultrassonografia no diagnóstico da ruptura do ligamento cruzado cranial em cães / Radiography and medical ultrasonography in the diagnosis of rupture of cranial cruciate ligament in dogs

Radiografia e ultrassonografia foram avaliadas como técnicas no diagnóstico por imagem na ruptura do ligamento cruzado cranial (LCCr) em cães. Vinte e cinco cães foram submetidos à radiografia e ultrassonografia e seus resultados foram comparados aos obtidos por artrotomia (teste padrão ouro). O exame radiográfico diagnosticou corretamente a lesão em 84 por cento (21/25) dos casos, mas 16 por cento (4/25) apresentaram resultado falso-negativo. O exame ultrassonográfico foi capaz de diagnosticar acertadamente 76 por cento (19/25) dos casos, e sugeriu a ruptura do LCCr nos 24 por cento (6/25) restantes, apresentando 100 por cento de resultados positivos. Concluiu-se que a radiografia e a ultrassonografia são ferramentas valiosas para diagnosticar casos de ruptura do LCCr em cães.

Radiography and ultrasonography were evaluated as tools for diagnosis of the rupture of cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) in dogs. Twenty-five dogs were submitted to radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations and their results were compared with those obtained by artrotomy (gold standard). Radiography detected the rupture in 84 percent (21/25) of the cases, but 16 percent (4/25) were false-negative. Ultrasonography identified accurately 76 percent (19/25) of the cases and gave a probable diagnosis for the remaining 24 percent (6/25) what means that this technique presented 100 percent of positive results. It was possible to conclude that radiography and ultrasonography are valuable tools for the diagnosis of CrCL rupture in dogs.

Licanolide, a new triterpene lactone from Licania tomentosa.

Licanolide (3beta-hydroxylupane-20,28-olide), a novel triterpene lactone with new stereochemical pattern, was isolated from fresh fruits of Licania tomentosa in addition to betulinic and palmitoleic acid. The structure elucidation was based on spectroscopic methods including two-dimensional NMR experiments (HSQC, HMBC and NOESY).