Postnatal development of skeletal muscle in pigs with intrauterine growth restriction: morphofunctional phenotype and molecular mechanisms.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a serious condition which impairs the achievement of the fetus' full growth potential and occurs in a natural and severe manner in pigs as a result of placental insufficiency. Reduced skeletal muscle mass in the fetus with IUGR persists into adulthood and may contribute to increased metabolic disease risk. To investigate skeletal muscle postnatal development, histomorphometrical patterns of the semitendinosus muscle, myosin heavy chain (MyHC; embryonic I, IIA, IIB and IIX isoforms) fiber composition and the relative expression of genes related to myogenesis, adipogenesis and growth during three specific periods: postnatal myogenesis (newborn to 100 days old), hypertrophy (100-150 days old), and postnatal development (newborn to 150 days old) were evaluated in female pigs with IUGR and normal birth weight (NW) female littermates. NW females presented higher body weights compared to their IUGR counterparts at all ages evaluated (P < 0.05). Moreover, growth restriction in utero affected the semitendinosus muscle weight, muscle fiber diameter, and muscle cross-sectional area, which were smaller in IUGR pigs at birth (P < 0.05). Notwithstanding the effects on muscle morphology, IUGR also affected muscle fiber composition, as the percentage of MyHC-I myofibers was higher at birth (P < 0.05), and, in 150-day-old gilts, a lower percentage of MyHC-IIX isoform (P < 0.05) and the presence of embryonic MyHC isoform were also observed. Regarding the pattern of gene expression in both the postnatal myogenesis and postnatal development periods, IUGR led to the downregulation of myogenic factors, which delayed skeletal muscle myogenesis (PAX7, MYOD, MYOG, MYF5 and DES). Altogether, growth restriction in utero affects muscle fiber number and size at birth and muscle fiber composition through the downregulation of myogenic factors, which determines the individual´s postnatal growth rate. This fact, associated with delayed myofiber development in growth-restricted animals, may affect meat quality characteristics in animal production. Hence, knowledge of the morphofunctional phenotype of the skeletal muscle throughout postnatal development in individuals with IUGR, and the mechanism that governs it, may provide a better understanding of the mechanisms that limit postnatal muscle growth, and help the establishment of potential strategies to improve muscle development and prevent the onset of later-life metabolic diseases.

Systematic review of pelvic floor interventions during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic floor interventions during pregnancy could reduce the impact of pregnancy and delivery on the pelvic floor. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of pelvic floor interventions during pregnancy on childbirth-related and pelvic floor parameters. SEARCH STRATEGY: PubMed, Embase, and LILACS were searched for reports published during between 1990 and 2016 in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. The search terms were "pregnancy," "pelvic floor muscle training," and related terms. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials with healthy pregnant women were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Baseline and outcome data (childbirth-related parameters, pelvic floor symptoms) were compared for three interventions: EPI-NO (Tecsana, Munich, Germany) perineal dilator, pelvic floor muscle training, and perineal massage. MAIN RESULTS: A total of 22 trials were included. Two of three papers assessing EPI-NO showed no benefit. The largest study investigating pelvic floor muscle training reported a significant reduction in the duration of the second stage of labor (P<0.01), and this intervention also reduced the incidence of urinary incontinence (evaluated in 10 trials). Two of six trials investigating perineal massage reported that a lower rate of perineal pain was associated with this intervention. CONCLUSION: Pelvic floor muscle training and perineal massage improved childbirth-related parameters and pelvic floor symptoms, whereas EPI-NO showed no benefit.

The effect of outpatient physical therapy intervention on pelvic floor muscles in women with urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a weekly, short-term physical therapy intervention on the pelvic floor muscles and urinary incontinence (UI) among patients of the public health system. METHOD: Quasi-experimental before-and-after study. Clinical history and function evaluation were performed using perineal bidigital maneuvers and perineometry. The intervention consisted of transvaginal electrical stimulation and pelvic floor kinesiotherapy. Data were analyzed using the paired t test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient or Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. A value of P<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Eight-two women 55.1±10.9 years-old were evaluated. Mixed urinary incontinence (MUI), stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and urge urinary incontinence (UUI) were observed in 52.4%, 36.6% and 11%, respectively. The length of UI was 6.0 years (3.0-10). Approximately 13.64 physical therapy sessions were held on average. There was no difference in perineometry measurements following the intervention (40.6±24.1 versus 41.7±25.4, P=0.098). Muscle function significantly increased (P<0.01) in the bidigital maneuver. The patients reported being continent or satisfied with the treatment in 88.9% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated an increase in muscle function and the attainment of urinary continence or treatment satisfaction in most cases.

The effect of outpatient physical therapy intervention on pelvic floor muscles in women with urinary incontinence / Influencia da intervencao fisioterapeutica ambulatorial sobre a musculatura do assoalho pelvico em mulheres com incontinencia urinaria

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a weekly, short-term physical therapy intervention on the pelvic floor muscles and urinary incontinence (UI) among patients of the public health system. METHOD: Quasi-experimental before-and-after study. Clinical history and function evaluation were performed using perineal bidigital maneuvers and perineometry. The intervention consisted of transvaginal electrical stimulation and pelvic floor kinesiotherapy. Data were analyzed using the paired t test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient or Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. A value of P<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Eight-two women 55.1±10.9 years-old were evaluated. Mixed urinary incontinence (MUI), stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and urge urinary incontinence (UUI) were observed in 52.4%, 36.6% and 11%, respectively. The length of UI was 6.0 years (3.0-10). Approximately 13.64 physical therapy sessions were held on average. There was no difference in perineometry measurements following the intervention (40.6±24.1 versus 41.7±25.4, P=0.098). Muscle function significantly increased (P<0.01) in the bidigital maneuver. The patients reported being continent or satisfied with the treatment in 88.9% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated an increase in muscle function and the attainment of urinary continence or treatment satisfaction in most cases. .

OBJETIVO: Verificar a influência de uma intervenção fisioterapêutica semanal e de curta duração sobre a musculatura do assoalho pélvico e sobre a incontinência urinária (IU) em usuárias da rede pública de saúde. MÉTODO: Estudo quase-experimental do tipo antes e depois. Foi realizada anamnese e avaliação da função perineal por meio da manobra bidigital e perineometria. A intervenção consistiu em eletroestimulação transvaginal e cinesioterapia pélvica. Os dados foram analisados por meio do teste t pareado ou Wilcoxon, regressão linear de Pearson ou Spearman. Um valor de P<0,05 foi considerado como significativo. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliadas 82 mulheres com idade de 55,1±10,9 anos. Incontinência urinária mista (IUM), incontinência urinária de esforço (IUE) e incontinência urinária de urgência (IUU) foram observadas em 52,4%, 36,6% e 11%, respectivamente. A duração da IU foi de 6,0 anos (3,0-10). Foram realizadas, em média, 13,64 sessões fisioterapêuticas. Não houve diferença, após a intervenção, nas medidas da perineometria (40,6±24,1 versus 41,7±25,4, P=0,098). Na manobra bidigital, a função muscular aumentou significativamente (P<0,01). Em 88,9% dos casos, as pacientes informaram estar continentes ou satisfeitas com o tratamento. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados mostraram aumento da função muscular e obtenção da continência urinária ou satisfação com o tratamento na maioria dos casos. .

Atrazine promotes biochemical changes and DNA damage in a Neotropical fish species.

The effects of Atrazine, an herbicide used worldwide and considered as a potential contaminant in aquatic environments, were assessed on the Neotropical fish Prochilodus lineatus acutely (24 and 48 h) exposed to 2 or 10 µg L(-1) of atrazine by using a set of biochemical and genetic biomarkers. The following parameters were measured in the liver: activity of the biotransformation enzymes ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) and glutathione S transferase (GST), antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), content of reduced glutathione (GSH), generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and occurrence of lipid peroxidation (LPO); in brain and muscle the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and DNA damage (comet assay) on erythrocytes, gills and liver cells. A general decreasing trend on the biotransformation and antioxidant enzymes was observed in the liver of P. lineatus exposed to atrazine; except for GR, all the other antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT and GPx) and biotransformation enzymes (EROD and GST) showed inhibited activity. Changes in muscle or brain AChE were not detected. DNA damage was observed in the different cell types of fish exposed to the herbicide, and it was probably not from oxidative origin, since no increase in ROS generation and LPO was detected in the liver. These results show that atrazine behaves as enzyme inhibitor, impairing hepatic metabolism, and produces genotoxic damage to different cell types of P. lineatus.