Evaluation of oxidative stress in an experimental model of Crohn's disease treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Treatments of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are able to control symptoms in most cases, however, a fraction of patients do not improve or have a loss of response to treatments, making it important to explore new therapeutic strategies. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) may represent one of them. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of HBO therapy in an experimental model of IBD. METHODS: Sixty male BALBc mice were divided into six groups. Group 1 was colitis-induced with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) + ethanol, group 2 received TNBS + ethanol plus HBO, group 3 received only ethanol, group 4 received ethanol plus HBO, group 5 received saline solution, and group 6 received saline solution plus HBO. HBO was performed for four days, subsequently, the mice were evaluated daily. At the end of the study, samples from the intestine were collected for histological analysis as well as for measurement of antioxidant enzymes and cytokine levels. RESULTS: HBO significantly improved the clinical and histological status of the animals. Treatment with HBO increased the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in all of the groups; moreover, the difference was only significant between the TNBS and TNBS + HBO groups and treatments promoted a reduction in the proinflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-17 and TNF-α and increased the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10, with no changes in IL-13. CONCLUSION: HBO effectively treats TNBS-induced colitis by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and modulating cytokine profiles.

Evaluation of oxidative stress in an experimental model of Crohn's disease treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Abstract Introduction: Treatments of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are able to control symptoms in most cases, however, a fraction of patients do not improve or have a loss of response to treatments, making it important to explore new therapeutic strategies. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) may represent one of them. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of HBO therapy in an experimental model of IBD. Methods: Sixty male BALBc mice were divided into six groups. Group 1 was colitis-induced with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) + ethanol, group 2 received TNBS + ethanol plus HBO, group 3 received only ethanol, group 4 received ethanol plus HBO, group 5 received saline solution, and group 6 received saline solution plus HBO. HBO was performed for four days, subsequently, the mice were evaluated daily. At the end of the study, samples from the intestine were collected for histological analysis as well as for measurement of antioxidant enzymes and cytokine levels. Results: HBO significantly improved the clinical and histological status of the animals. Treatment with HBO increased the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in all of the groups; moreover, the difference was only significant between the TNBS and TNBS + HBO groups and treatments promoted a reduction in the proinflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-17 and TNF-α and increased the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10, with no changes in IL-13. Conclusion: HBO effectively treats TNBS-induced colitis by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and modulating cytokine profiles.

Pulmonary function and medication effect in mild-stage subjects with Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) causes a series of movement disorders, many of them starting in the early stage. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the pulmonary function of mild-stage subjects with PD and to investigate the effects of levodopa on it. METHODS: We included 21 patients with idiopathic PD and 20 healthy control subjects. The participants were submitted to spirometry and impulse oscillometry assessments. The PD patients were evaluated during the "off" and "on" phases of their anti-PD medication, which was was converted to levodopa in an equivalent daily dose. A statistical analysis was performed with cross-sectional (PD patients "off" medication versus controls) and paired (PD patients "off" medication versus PD patients "on" medication) tests. The effect of levodopa was calculated with partial Eta-squared (η2 ρ). Significance was set at 5%. RESULTS: The PD patients presented normal values in the impulse oscillometry. Regarding spirometry, the results indicated an incipient obstructive ventilatory disorder in the PD group - confirmed by patients' flow-volume curves. The PD patients received a daily dose of 354.7 ± 148.2 mg of levodopa. The paired analyses showed a small effect of anti-PD medication on pulmonary parameters (η2 ρ = 0.197 for spirometry and η2 ρ= 0.043 for impulse oscillometry). CONCLUSION: Patients with PD in the mild stage of the disease present pulmonary compliance and resistance compatible with normal parameters. The differences regarding the spirometric results indicate an incipient obstructive ventilatory disorder in patients with PD. Levodopa had small effect on pulmonary function in the mild stage of the disease.

ANTECEDENTES: A doença de Parkinson (DP) causa uma série de distúrbios do movimento, muitos deles se desenvolvendo na fase inicial. OBJETIVO: Analisar função pulmonar de pessoas com DP em estágio leve e investigar o efeito da levodopa nesse processo. MéTODOS: Vinte e um participantes com DP idiopática e vinte controles saudáveis foram incluídos na pesquisa. Todos os sujeitos foram submetidos a avaliações de espirometria e oscilometria de impulso. Participantes com DP foram avaliados nas fases 'on' e 'off' de medicação anti-parkinsoniana. A medicação dos pacientes foi convertida em dose diária de levodopa. A análise estatística foi realizada com testes transversais (Parkinson na fase 'off' da medicação vs controles) e pareados (Parkinson nas fases 'off' vs 'on' da medicação). O efeito da levodopa foi calculado pelo eta ao quadrado parcial (η2 ρ). Significância foi estipulada em 5%. RESULTADOS: Pacientes com DP apresentaram valores normais na oscilometria de impulso. Na espirometria, os resultados indicaram uma desordem ventilatória obstrutiva incipiente no grupo DP ­ confirmada pelas curvas fluxo-volume dos pacientes. Pacientes com DP receberam uma dose diária de 354,7 ± 148,2 miligramas de levodopa. Análises pareadas mostraram baixo impacto da medicação anti-parkinsoniana nos parâmetros pulmonares (η2 ρ = 0,197 na espirometria e η2 ρ = 0,043 na oscilometria de impulso). CONCLUSãO: Pacientes com DP na fase leve apresentam complacência e resistência pulmonares compatíveis com parâmetros normais. Diferenças espirométricas indicam distúrbio ventilatório obstrutivo incipiente em pacientes com DP. A administração de levodopa apresentou baixo efeito na função pulmonar na fase leve da doença.

Pulmonary function and medication effect in mild-stage subjects with Parkinson's disease / Função pulmonar e efeitos da medicação em pessoas com doença de Parkinson em estágio leve

Abstract Background Parkinson's disease (PD) causes a series of movement disorders, many of them starting in the early stage. Objective To analyze the pulmonary function of mild-stage subjects with PD and to investigate the effects of levodopa on it. Methods We included 21 patients with idiopathic PD and 20 healthy control subjects. The participants were submitted to spirometry and impulse oscillometry assessments. The PD patients were evaluated during the "off" and "on" phases of their anti-PD medication, which was was converted to levodopa in an equivalent daily dose. A statistical analysis was performed with cross-sectional (PD patients "off" medication versus controls) and paired (PD patients "off" medication versus PD patients "on" medication) tests. The effect of levodopa was calculated with partial Eta-squared (η2ρ). Significance was set at 5%. Results The PD patients presented normal values in the impulse oscillometry. Regarding spirometry, the results indicated an incipient obstructive ventilatory disorder in the PD group - confirmed by patients' flow-volume curves. The PD patients received a daily dose of 354.7 ± 148.2 mg of levodopa. The paired analyses showed a small effect of anti-PD medication on pulmonary parameters (η2ρ = 0.197 for spirometry and η2ρ = 0.043 for impulse oscillometry). Conclusion Patients with PD in the mild stage of the disease present pulmonary compliance and resistance compatible with normal parameters. The differences regarding the spirometric results indicate an incipient obstructive ventilatory disorder in patients with PD. Levodopa had small effect on pulmonary function in the mild stage of the disease.

Resumo Antecedentes A doença de Parkinson (DP) causa uma série de distúrbios do movimento, muitos deles se desenvolvendo na fase inicial. Objetivo Analisar função pulmonar de pessoas com DP em estágio leve e investigar o efeito da levodopa nesse processo. Métodos Vinte e um participantes com DP idiopática e vinte controles saudáveis foram incluídos na pesquisa. Todos os sujeitos foram submetidos a avaliações de espirometria e oscilometria de impulso. Participantes com DP foram avaliados nas fases 'on' e 'off' de medicação anti-parkinsoniana. A medicação dos pacientes foi convertida em dose diária de levodopa. A análise estatística foi realizada com testes transversais (Parkinson na fase 'off' da medicação vs controles) e pareados (Parkinson nas fases 'off' vs 'on' da medicação). O efeito da levodopa foi calculado pelo eta ao quadrado parcial (η2ρ). Significância foi estipulada em 5%. Resultados Pacientes com DP apresentaram valores normais na oscilometria de impulso. Na espirometria, os resultados indicaram uma desordem ventilatória obstrutiva incipiente no grupo DP - confirmada pelas curvas fluxo-volume dos pacientes. Pacientes com DP receberam uma dose diária de 354,7 ± 148,2 miligramas de levodopa. Análises pareadas mostraram baixo impacto da medicação anti-parkinsoniana nos parâmetros pulmonares (η2ρ = 0,197 na espirometria e η2ρ = 0,043 na oscilometria de impulso). Conclusão Pacientes com DP na fase leve apresentam complacência e resistência pulmonares compatíveis com parâmetros normais. Diferenças espirométricas indicam distúrbio ventilatório obstrutivo incipiente em pacientes com DP. A administração de levodopa apresentou baixo efeito na função pulmonar na fase leve da doença.

Nutritional Global Status and Its Impact in Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition among inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) subjects is well documented in literature and may emerge from factors including inadequate dietary intake, malabsorption and disease activity. The aim of this study was to complete a comprehensive nutrition assessment and explore what possibilities may help bring a better quality of life for IBD subjects. METHODS: Nutritional status based on biochemical tests, body composition and body mass index (BMI). Food intake was assessed by an alternate 3-day food record and the adequacy of intake was evaluated according to national and international references. Clinical disease activity was evaluated by the Harvey-Bradshaw index and CRP levels. RESULTS: The study included 217 patients and 65 controls, where 54.4% of these patients were classified as normal weight with a mean BMI lower than controls (23.8 ± 4.9 versus 26.9 ± 4.8 kg/m2, P = 0.02). Patients with disease activity showed more overweight and obesity than patients with controlled disease. Vitamin B12 deficiency was present in 19% of Crohn's disease (CD), mainly in patients with ileal commitment and small bowel resections. Anemia was present in 21.7% of patients, being more common in patients with active disease (25%) and bowel resection (23%). Regarding calorie intake (EI), CD group ingested more than controls (1986.3 ± 595.9 kcal versus 1701.8 ± 478.9 kcal; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: CD patients presented micronutrient deficiency when compared with controls, explained for other reasons than intake restrictions. Also, fat excess might have contributed to disease burden as continuously reported in the literature.

Esgotamento fí­sico dos profissionais de enfermagem no combate da COVID-19 / Physical exhaustion of nursing professionals in the COVID-19 combat

Objetivo: Averiguar os fatores associados ao esgotamento físico dos profissionais de enfermagem no combate da COVID-19. Método: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa. Realizou-se a busca por artigos; com delimitação nos últimos 5 anos; nos idiomas português, inglês e espanhol; disponíveis na íntegra. Nas seguintes plataformas de dados: BDENF; LILACS; MEDLINE/BVS; PUBMED; Science Direct e na SciELO. Resultados: Os dados foram organizados e apresentados em figuras e tabelas. Dos 76 estudos encontrados, 2 estava disponível na BDENF; 2 na LILACS; 3 na MEDLINE/BVS; 5 na PUBMED; 61 na Science Direct e 3 na SciELO; contudo, após a leitura permaneceram apenas os que atendiam aos critérios para inclusão e exclusão descritos na metodologia, 8 estudos. Conclusão: A revisão elaborada proporcionou a identificação dos fatores associados ao esgotamento físico e psicológico dos profissionais de enfermagem ao combate da COVID-19; e frequentemente relacionados a sintomas de depressão, ansiedade, insônia e angústia.(AU)

Objective: To investigate the factors associated with the physical exhaustion of nursing professionals in the fight against COVID-19. Method: This is an integrative review. The search for articles was carried out; with delimitation in the last 5 years; in Portuguese, English and Spanish; available in full. On the following data platforms: BDENF; LILACS; MEDLINE/VHL; PUBMED; Science Direct and SciELO. Results: The data were organized and presented in figures and tables. Of the 76 studies found, 2 were available from BDENF; 2 at LILACS; 3 at MEDLINE/VHL; 5 at PUBMED; 61 at Science Direct and 3 at SciELO; however, after reading, only those that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria described in the methodology remained, 8 studies. Conclusion: The elaborated review provided the identification of factors associated with the physical and psychological exhaustion of nursing professionals to combat COVID-19; and often related to symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia and distress.(AU)

Objetivo: Investigar los factores asociados al agotamiento físico de los profesionales de enfermería en la lucha contra el COVID-19. Método: Esta es una revisión integradora. Se realizó la búsqueda de artículos; con delimitación en los últimos 5 años; en portugués, inglés y español; disponible en su totalidad. En las siguientes plataformas de datos: BDENF; LILACS; MEDLINE/VHL; PUBMED; Science Direct y SciELO. Resultados: Los datos fueron organizados y presentados en figuras y tablas. De los 76 estudios encontrados, 2 estaban disponibles en BDENF; 2 en LILACS; 3 en MEDLINE/VHL; 5 en PUBMED; 61 en Science Direct y 3 en SciELO; sin embargo, después de la lectura, solo quedaron aquellos que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión y exclusión descritos en la metodología, 8 estudios. Conclusión: La revisión elaborada proporcionó la identificación de factores asociados al agotamiento físico y psicológico de los profesionales de enfermería para combatir el COVID-19; ya menudo se relaciona con síntomas de depresión, ansiedad, insomnio y angustia.(AU)

Eye disorders in patients with celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease: A study using clinical data warehouse.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To analyze the prevalence of ophthalmic manifestations in patients with celiac disease, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in Munich/Germany. METHODS: A total of 272,873 patients of Ludwig Maximilians Universitat Ophthalmological Hospital with eye disease were evaluated between 2003 and 2019. The International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10) of celiac disease Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and all medical records which had the diagnosis of these diseases were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 272,873 patients were analyzed, with a mean age of 53 years, with approximately 48% female patients, and 51% male patients. We selected 72 patients with celiac disease (68% women and 32% men), with a minimum age of 8 years, maximum of 103 years, and an average of 52 years. The most common diagnoses were dry eye (32%) and cataract (12%). The mean intraocular pressure of patients with celiac disease was 15 mmHg. During the same study period, 103 patients with Crohn's disease were analyzed, with an average intraocular pressure of 14 mmHg.The minimum age of the patients was 12 years and a maximum of 93 years with an average age of 55 years, with 57% of females and 43% of males. The most common diagnoses were cataract (22%) and dry eye (19%). During the same study period, 99 patients with ulcerative colitis were analyzed, with an average intraocular pressure of 14 mmHg.The minimum age of the patients was 6 years and a maximum of 96 years, with an average age of 61 years, with 36% of females and 64% of males. The most common diagnoses were cataract (29.2%) and dry eye (12%). CONCLUSIONS: The main ophthalmological manifestations of patients requiring eye follow-up were dry eye and cataract for all the diseases analyzed, which can be considered as coincident complications. None of the three diseases had increased intraocular pressure. Thus, celiac disease presented a profile of ophthalmological manifestation similar to the other intestinal inflammatory diseases studied.

Pancreatic endosonographic findings and clinical correlation in Crohn's disease.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the incidence of pancreatic alterations in Crohn's disease using endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and to correlate the number of alterations with current clinical data. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with Crohn's disease (n=51) were examined using EUS, and 11 variables were analyzed. A control group consisted of patients with no history of pancreatic disease or Crohn's disease. Patients presenting with three or more alterations underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Pancreatic function was determined using a fecal elastase assay. RESULTS: Two of the 51 patients (3.9%) presented with four EUS alterations, 3 (5.9%) presented with three, 11 (21.5%) presented with two, and 13 (25.5%) presented with one; in the control group, only 16% presented with one EUS alteration (p<0.001). Parenchymal abnormalities accounted for 39 of the EUS findings, and ductal abnormalities accounted for 11. Pancreatic lesions were not detected by MRI. Low fecal elastase levels were observed in 4 patients, none of whom presented with significant pancreatic alterations after undergoing EUS. Ileal involvement was predictive of the number of EUS alterations. CONCLUSION: A higher incidence of pancreatic abnormalities was found in patients with Crohn's disease than in individuals in the control group. The majority of these abnormalities are related to parenchymal alterations. In this group of patients, future studies should be conducted to determine whether such morphological abnormalities could evolve to induce exocrine or endocrine pancreatic insufficiency and, if so, identify the risk factors and determine which patients should undergo EUS.

Pancreatic endosonographic findings and clinical correlation in Crohn's disease

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the incidence of pancreatic alterations in Crohn's disease using endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and to correlate the number of alterations with current clinical data. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with Crohn's disease (n=51) were examined using EUS, and 11 variables were analyzed. A control group consisted of patients with no history of pancreatic disease or Crohn's disease. Patients presenting with three or more alterations underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Pancreatic function was determined using a fecal elastase assay. RESULTS: Two of the 51 patients (3.9%) presented with four EUS alterations, 3 (5.9%) presented with three, 11 (21.5%) presented with two, and 13 (25.5%) presented with one; in the control group, only 16% presented with one EUS alteration (p<0.001). Parenchymal abnormalities accounted for 39 of the EUS findings, and ductal abnormalities accounted for 11. Pancreatic lesions were not detected by MRI. Low fecal elastase levels were observed in 4 patients, none of whom presented with significant pancreatic alterations after undergoing EUS. Ileal involvement was predictive of the number of EUS alterations. CONCLUSION: A higher incidence of pancreatic abnormalities was found in patients with Crohn's disease than in individuals in the control group. The majority of these abnormalities are related to parenchymal alterations. In this group of patients, future studies should be conducted to determine whether such morphological abnormalities could evolve to induce exocrine or endocrine pancreatic insufficiency and, if so, identify the risk factors and determine which patients should undergo EUS.

Mycobiota of the weed Conyza canadensis (Asteraceae) in Brazil.

Conyza canadensis is a noxious and notably problematic weed in Brazil whose control is greatly challenging due to the appearance, in the last years, of herbicide resistant populations. An investigation regarding the associated pathogenic fungi of this plant was conducted in Brazil aimed at starting a biological control program to help mitigate its economic impact. Ten fungal species were yielded and described: two ascomycetes (Leptosphaerulina conyzicola sp. nov. and Wentiomyces melioloides), five hyphomycete asexual morphs (Alternaria tenuissima, Cercospora conyzicola sp. nov., Cercosporella virgaureae, and Fusarium fujikuroi), two coelomycete asexual morphs (Phoma conyzaphthora sp. nov., Septoria erigerontis), one rust fungus (Aecidium conyzicola sp. nov.), and one oomycete (Basidiophora entospora). Four among the fungi that were collected represent new taxa, and the others represented either new host-records of known fungal species or new geographic records or both, except for C. virgaureae that had already been recorded on C. canadensis in Brazil. None of the discovered species have any potential to be used as a mycoherbicide or to be introduced somewhere else, nevertheless, the knowledge about this mycobiota will help guide the selection of potential biocontrol agents to be introduced in Brazil.

Pacientes com doença de Parkinson sob assistência fisioterapêutica apresentam parâmetros pulmonares melhores do que controles sedentários / Pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson bajo cuidados fisioterapéuticos presentan parámetros pulmonares mejores que los de controles sedentarios / Patients with Parkinson's disease under physiotherapeutic care present better pulmonary parameters than sedentary controls

RESUMO Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar os parâmetros pulmonares (espirometria e oscilometria de impulso) de pacientes com doença de Parkinson (DP) e controles eutróficos, comparando os valores dos sujeitos participantes e os não participantes de um programa de assistência fisioterapêutica. Trinta e sete sujeitos foram divididos em quatro grupos independentes: dois grupos formados por pacientes com DP (praticantes e não praticantes de um protocolo de exercícios fisioterapêuticos realizados com frequência de dois atendimentos semanais durante 6 meses) e dois grupos compostos por sujeitos controles eutróficos (praticantes e não praticantes do mesmo programa terapêutico). Os sujeitos foram submetidos à avaliação de cirtometria torácica, espirometria e oscilometria de impulso, sendo os pacientes com DP avaliados na fase off da medicação. A análise dos dados ocorreu por meio do teste não paramétrico de Kruskal-Wallis, sendo a comparação aos pares realizada pelo pós-teste de Dunett T3. A significância foi estipulada em 5%. Sobre os resultados, com similaridade entre grupos para mobilidade da caixa torácica, os pacientes com DP que realizaram atendimento fisioterapêutico apresentaram parâmetros pulmonares melhores do que os pacientes sedentários. A comparação com os sujeitos eutróficos vislumbra melhores resultados dos participantes com DP em relação a controles sedentários. Não houve diferença significativa entre os sujeitos com DP e controles submetidos ao mesmo protocolo terapêutico. Em conclusão, os achados delimitam resultados promissores do tratamento fisioterapêutico sobre parâmetros pulmonares na DP, e sentenciam a necessidade de novos estudos longitudinais do tipo ensaio clínico para comprovação da relação causa e efeito das variáveis em questão.

RESUMEN En este artículo se propone a investigar los parámetros pulmonares (espirometría y oscilometría de impulso) en pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) y controles eutróficos, y comparar las puntuaciones de los sujetos participantes y de los no participantes de un programa de cuidados fisioterapéuticos. Se han divididos 37 participantes en cuatro grupos independientes: dos grupos conformados por personas con EP (practicantes y no practicantes de un protocolo de ejercicios fisioterapéuticos realizados frecuentemente en dos atenciones semanales durante seis meses), y dos grupos controles eutróficos (practicantes y no practicantes del mismo programa terapéutico). A los participantes les sometieron a evaluación de cirtometría torácica, espirometría y oscilometría de impulso, siendo los pacientes con EP evaluados en la etapa en off de medicación. Para el análisis se empleó la prueba no paramétrica de Kruskal-Wallis, siendo aplicada para la comparación con pares la pos-prueba de Dunett T3. Se empleó el nivel de significación del 5%. Acerca de los resultados, igual que entre grupos para movilidad de la caja torácica, los pacientes con EP, que realizaron atención fisioterapéutica presentaron parámetros pulmonares mejores que los sujetos sedentarios. La comparación con los participantes eutróficos vislumbra mejores resultados de los participantes con EP con relación a los controles sedentarios. No hubo diferencias significativas entre los sujetos con EP y los controles sometidos al mismo protocolo terapéutico. Se concluye que los hallazgos delimitan resultados prometedores del tratamiento fisioterapéutico sobre los parámetros pulmonares de la EP, y llaman la atención para la necesidad de hacer nuevos estudios longitudinales del tipo ensayo clínico para comprobar la relación de causa y efecto de las variables estudiadas.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the pulmonary parameters (spirometry and impulse oscillometry) of patients with Parkinson disease (PD) and healthy control peers, comparing the values of the subjects that were participating or not on a physiotherapeutic assistance program. Thirty-seven subjects were divided into four groups: two were formed by patients with PD (practitioners and non-practitioners of a physiotherapeutic protocol performed twice a week during 6 months) and the other two groups were formed by control peers (practitioners and non-practitioners of the same therapeutic protocol). The subjects underwent evaluation of chest cirtometry, spirometry and impulse oscillometry, being all the PD patients evaluated on the "off" state of their anti-PD medication. Data analysis occurred through the use of the non-parametric test of Kruskal-Wallis, with pairwise comparisons being done with Dunett T3 tests. Significance was set at 5%. Regarding the results, with a statistical similarity between groups for chest mobility, patients with PD who underwent the physiotherapeutic protocol showed better pulmonary parameters than sedentary patients. Comparison with control peers indicates better results of the PD group submitted to physiotherapy than sedentary controls. There were no differences in pulmonary parameters of both PD and control groups submitted to physiotherapy. In conclusion, the findings delimit promising results promoted by physiotherapy on pulmonary parameters in subjects with PD, and emphasize the need for more longitudinal studies of the clinical trial type for proof of cause and effect relationships.

Cytomegalovirus infection in inflammatory bowel disease is not associated with worsening of intestinal inflammatory activity.

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus is highly prevalent virus and usually occurs in immunocompromised patients. The pathophysiology and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease often induce a state of immunosuppression. Because this, there are still doubts and controversies about the relationship between inflammatory bowel disease and cytomegalovirus. AIM: Evaluate the frequency of cytomegalovirus in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and identify correlations. METHODS: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease underwent an interview, review of records and collection of blood and fecal samples. The search for cytomegalovirus was performed by IgG and IgM blood serology, by real-time PCR in the blood and by qualitative PCR in feces. Results were correlated with red blood cell levels, C-reactive protein levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rates and fecal calprotectin levels for each patient. RESULTS: Among the 400 eligible patients, 249 had Crohn's disease, and 151 had ulcerative colitis. In the group of Crohn's disease, 67 of the patients had moderate or severe disease, but 126 patients presented with active disease, based on the evaluation of the fecal calprotectin. In patients with ulcerative colitis, only 21 patients had moderate disease, but 76 patients presented with active disease, based on the evaluation of the fecal calprotectin. A large majority of patients had positive CMV IgG. Overall, 10 patients had positive CMV IgM, and 9 patients had a positive qualitative detection of CMV DNA by PCR in the feces. All 400 patients returned negative results after the quantitative detection of CMV DNA in blood by real-time PCR. Analyzing the 19 patients with active infections, we only found that such an association occurred with the use of combined therapy (anti-TNF-alpha + azathioprine). CONCLUSION: The findings show that latent cytomegalovirus infections are frequent and active cytomegalovirus infection is rare. We did not find any association between an active infection of CMV and inflammatory bowel disease activity.