Study of the upper pole after subtotal splenectomy in rats.

PURPOSE: To evaluate macro/microscopic viability of the upper pole (UP) in rats after 80 days of subtotal splenectomy preserving the upper pole (SSPUP). METHODS: Twenty-five male Wistar rats were submitted to SSPUP. After 80 days, the rats were euthanized, and the remaining UP was evaluated macroscopically regarding appearance, color, consistency, length, width, thickness, and presence of fibrosis/necrosis; and microscopically regarding presence of red and white pulp, fibrosis/necrosis. RESULTS: Two rats died during surgery and were removed from the statistical analysis. There was statistically significant increase in length and width between the pre and postoperative in the experimental group, with no significant difference in thickness. In the manipulation group, the macroscopic appearance of the spleen was normal in pre and postoperative, with viability preserved. In the experimental group, two UP of the spleen were not found during the second surgery. Macroscopically, it was observed absence of fibrosis and necrosis in all cases. Microscopically, the white and red pulp were intact in both groups. Two spleens of rats in the manipulation group presented areas with fibrosis and necrosis focus, which were not enough to be considered inviable. CONCLUSIONS: The UP of the spleen remained viable in 91.3% of the cases.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Coping Strategies in a Cohort Study of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Naïve Patients Adherence.

Objective: The main objective of this study was to describe the perceived quality of life (QoL) in patients living with AIDS (PLWA) and their chosen coping strategies in a cohort of individuals managed with HAART. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study conducted at the Medication Dispensing Unit of a university hospital (MDU-UH) located in southeastern Brazil. Study population comprised HIV/AIDS patients starting antiretroviral treatment at MDU. The final sample comprised 99 participants. Patients were followed up for 24 months from their recruitment. We used a face-to-face questionnaire to determine sociodemographic and behavioural variables. Quality of life (QoL) and coping strategies (CS) were measured through validated instruments. Results: Regarding the QoL dimensions, the general perception of QoL among these participants was considered good. Regarding CS, the adherent patients scored higher than the nonadherents. Conclusions: The present study revealed that the perceived QoL can be maintained in individuals treated for HIV/AIDS. There is an association between high score of coping strategies and adherence to HAART.

Positive association of a Sirt1 variant and parameters of oxidative stress on Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder and the most common type of dementia in the elderly. Although its cause is not completely known, several studies suggest that oxidative stress plays an important role in the etiology of this disease. The SIRT1 and SOD2 proteins are linked to pathways that may impair oxidative stress. In this study, we analyzed the association between polymorphisms in these genes and in the APOE gene, through RT-PCR, as well as between environmental factors and the risk of AD. Additionally, the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance assay was performed to estimate the plasma level of malondialdehyde (MDA), a biomarker of lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, some cytogenetic studies indicate that cells of AD patients show increased chromosomal damage; thus, we performed the micronucleus cytome assay to assess cytogenetic damage in AD patients. As expected, the APOE polymorphisms were found to be highly associated with AD. Additionally, the CT genotype of the SIRT1 gene showed a positive association with the disease. The frequencies of genomic damage (micronucleus, buds, nucleoplasmic bridges and binucleated cells), the presence of cell death biomarkers (condensed chromatin, karyorrhexis and pyknosis), and the plasma level of MDA were significantly greater in AD patients than in controls. Our results support the hypothesis that AD is a condition with increased oxidative stress and genomic instability, which may contribute to the neurodegeneration in AD.

The combined risk effect among BIN1, CLU, and APOE genes in Alzheimer's disease.

Genome-wide associations studies (GWAS) are detecting new variants associated with late-onset of Alzheimer's disease (LOAD), a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder. The variants rs744373 BIN1, rs11136000 CLU and rs3764650 ABCA7 uncovered by GWAS led to different AD pathways, such as metabolism, trafficking and endocytosis of lipids and inflammation. However, most of the association studies did not replicate these variants with significance. This could be due to a small power effect evident when these variants are tested independently with LOAD. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether the combination of different variants would additively modify the risk of association with LOAD that is observed in GWAS. We performed an association study testing pairwise variants in metabolism, trafficking and endocytosis of lipid (rs429358 and rs7412 APOE, rs744373 BIN1, rs3764650 ABCA7 and rs11136000 CLU) pathways with LOAD in samples from southeastern Brazil. Our data suggest a risk effect for LOAD between APOE with CLU and APOE with BIN1 genes.

Efeitos estéticos e de autoestima do peeling para manchas faciais em idosas / Aesthetic and self-esteem effects of peeling for facial spots in elderly women

Introdução: O processo de envelhecimento da pele é inevitável e contínuo, decorrente de mudanças bioquímicas, morfológicas e fisiológicas, que acomete a estética cutânea, impactada por fatores intrínsecos e extrínsecos. Este processo de envelhecimento gera: linhas de expressão, flacidez, rugas e manchas, provocando baixa da autoestima, levando ao isolamento social comprometendo a qualidade de vida. Objetivo: Identificar a influência do peeling químico Lumix Peel® - Peeling Sequencial Intensivo, no tratamento de manchas faciais e na melhora da autoestima de pacientes idosas. Métodos: O estudo foi composto por 20 idosas; coletou-se o perfil sociodemográfico, as condições da pele e caracterização da mancha. Respondeu-se um questionário de Autoimagem e Autoestima juntamente com registro fotográfico antes e após o tratamento. Na terceira etapa, foram realizadas sessões do Protoloco Lumix Peel® no tratamento de clareamento de manchas. Resultados: Os resultados mostraram que 100% das idosas tratadas apresentaram clareamento geral das manchas faciais e perceptível suavização das linhas de expressão. No que se refere à autoestima e autoimagem, todas as idosas afirmaram melhora após o tratamento. Conclusão: O protocolo de tratamento estético facial resultou em melhorias das condições gerais da pele das idosas, influenciando positivamente na autoestima e autoimagem das idosas. (AU)

Introduction: The aging process of the skin is inevitable and continuous, due to biochemical, morphological and physiological changes, that affect the cutaneous esthetics, being impacted by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. This aging process generates lines of expression, sagging, wrinkles and blemishes, causing low self-esteem, leading to social isolation compromising the quality of life. Objective: To identify the influence of the chemical peeling Lumix Peel® - Intensive Sequential Peeling, in the treatment of facial spots and in the improvement of the self-esteem of elderly patients. Methods: The sample was composed of 20 elderly women; the sociodemographic profile, the skin conditions and the characterization of the spots were collected. A self-concept and selfesteem questionnaire was used along with photographic records before and after treatment. In the third stage, sessions of the Protocol Lumix Peel® were carried out in the treatment of bleaching of spots. Results: The results showed that 100% of the treated elderly presented general bleaching of the facial spots and significant smoothing of the expression lines. About selfesteem and self-image, all the elderly women reported improvement after treatment. Conclusion: The protocol of esthetic facial treatment resulted in improvements of the general conditions of the skin of the elderly, positively influencing the self-esteem and self-concept of the elderly. (AU)

An association study of FOXO3 variant and longevity.

Human longevity is a polygenic and multifactorial trait. Pathways related to lifespan are complex and involve molecular, cellular, and environmental processes. In this analytical observational study, we evaluated the relationship between environment factors, oxidative stress status, DNA integrity level, and the association of FOXO3 (rs2802292), SOD2 (rs4880), APOE (rs429358 and rs7412), and SIRT1 (rs2273773) polymorphisms with longevity in oldest-old individuals from southeastern Brazil. We found an association between the FOXO3 GG genotype and gender. While lifestyle, anthropometric, and biochemical characteristics showed significant results, DNA damage and oxidative stress were not related to lifespan. We found that long-lived individuals with FOXO3 GT genotype had low levels of triglycerides. This study is the first to demonstrate that FOXO3 could be a candidate gene for longevity in the Brazilian population. These results are important in terms of provisions of health care for age-related diseases and lifespan, and provide insight for further research on epigenetic, gene regulation, and expression in oldest-old individuals.

Validating GWAS Variants from Microglial Genes Implicated in Alzheimer's Disease.

Late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder that corresponds to most Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases. Inflammation is frequently related to AD, whereas microglial cells are the major phagocytes in the brain and mediate the removal of Aß peptides. Microglial cell dsyregulation might contribute to the formation of amyloid plaques, a hallmark of AD. Genome-wide association studies have reported genetic loci associated with the inflammatory pathway involved in AD. Among them, rs3865444 CD33, rs3764650 ABCA7, rs6656401 CR1, and rs610932 MS4A6A variants in microglial genes are associated with LOAD. These variants are proposed to participate in the clearance of Aß peptides. However, their association with LOAD was not validated in all case-control studies. Thus, the present work aimed to assess the involvement of CD33 (rs3865444), ABCA7 (rs3764650), CR1 (rs6656401), and MS4A6A (rs610932) with LOAD in a sample from southeastern Brazil. The genotype frequencies were assessed in 79 AD patients and 145 healthy elders matched for sex and age. We found that rs3865444 CD33 acts as a protective factor against LOAD. These results support a role for the inflammatory pathway in LOAD.

Micronucleus test in peripheral blood of rats treated with hyperbaric oxygen after subtotal splenectomy preserving the lower pole.

PURPOSE: To assess the mutagenic potential of the oxygen inhalation therapy (HBO), by means of the micronucleus test, performed in peripheral blood of rats that underwent subtotal splenectomy with lower pole preservation (ESTPI), after HBO sessions or simulations. METHODS: Eighteen male Wistar rats, were distributed into three groups of six animals: group 1 - submitted to ESTPI and HBO sessions; group 2 - submitted to ESTPI and HBO simulations; group 3 - underwent cyclophosphamide administration. In groups 1 and 2, blood samples from the animals' tails were collected before surgery (T0) and immediately after the 13th HBO session or simulation (T1). In group 3, tail blood samples were collected from animals before (T0) and 24 hours after (T1) cyclophosphamide (CP) delivery. The number of micronucleated normochromatic erythrocytes (MNNCE) was determined by blind counting 2000 normochromatic erythrocytes (NCE) per animal. RESULTS: Micronuclei average after CP delivery in group 3 was higher than before its use, thus confirming the mutagenic activity of this drug (p=0.01). In groups 1 and 2, no significant difference in the average of Micronuclei was observed when comparing it to blood samples before and after the 13th HBO session or simulation. CONCLUSION: The treatment protocol used in this study did not induce Micronucleus formation in animals submitted to ESTPI and HBO treatment or simulation.

Micronucleus test in peripheral blood of rats treated with hyperbaric oxygen after subtotal splenectomy preserving the lower pole

PURPOSE: To assess the mutagenic potential of the oxygen inhalation therapy (HBO), by means of the micronucleus test, performed in peripheral blood of rats that underwent subtotal splenectomy with lower pole preservation (ESTPI), after HBO sessions or simulations. METHODS: Eighteen male Wistar rats, were distributed into three groups of six animals: group 1 - submitted to ESTPI and HBO sessions; group 2 - submitted to ESTPI and HBO simulations; group 3 - underwent cyclophosphamide administration. In groups 1 and 2, blood samples from the animals' tails were collected before surgery (T0) and immediately after the 13th HBO session or simulation (T1). In group 3, tail blood samples were collected from animals before (T0) and 24 hours after (T1) cyclophosphamide (CP) delivery. The number of micronucleated normochromatic erythrocytes (MNNCE) was determined by blind counting 2000 normochromatic erythrocytes (NCE) per animal. RESULTS: Micronuclei average after CP delivery in group 3 was higher than before its use, thus confirming the mutagenic activity of this drug (p=0.01). In groups 1 and 2, no significant difference in the average of Micronuclei was observed when comparing it to blood samples before and after the 13th HBO session or simulation. CONCLUSION: The treatment protocol used in this study did not induce Micronucleus formation in animals submitted to ESTPI and HBO treatment or simulation. .