Bothrops atrox mice experimental envenoming treatment using light-emitting diode (led) as an adjunct therapy to conventional serum therapy.

The use of anti-venom is one of the main control measures for snakebite envenoming when applied immediately after the snakebite. Systemic effects of the envenoming are usually reversed; however, neutralization of local effects is hardly achieved. The need for adjuvant therapies associated with serum therapy can improve the treatment for local effects of envenoming, with greater effectiveness in preventing or delaying the progression of damage, reducing the clinical signs and symptoms of victims of snakebites. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the photobiomodulation therapy using LED and/or dexamethasone associated with conventional serum therapy for the treatment of local damage caused by Bothrops atrox envenomation in a murine model. For this, experimental envenoming was carried out in the gastrocnemius muscle of male Swiss mice weighing 18 to 22 g divided into 8 groups of animals, distributed in groups non-treat, treated with anti-bothropic serum, dexamethasone, and LED, or the associated treatments, by intramuscular inoculation of 50 µg of venom or sterile PBS (control). After 30 min, the proposed treatments were administered alone or in combination. After 3 h, blood and muscle samples were collected for myotoxicity, cytotoxicity, histological analysis, and IL-1ß assays. The evaluation of the treatment alone showed that serum therapy is not effective for the treatment of local damage and photobiomodulation demonstrated to be an effective therapy to reduce leukocyte infiltration, hemorrhage, and myotoxicity in experimental envenoming; dexamethasone proved to be a good resource for the treatment of the inflammatory process reducing the leukocyte infiltration. The association of serum therapy, LED, and dexamethasone was the best treatment to reduce the local effects caused by Bothrops atrox venom. All in all, the association of photobiomodulation therapy using LED with conventional serum therapy and the anti-inflammatory drug is the best treatment for reducing the undesirable local effects caused by snakebite accidents involving B. atrox species.

Inflammasome NLRP3 activation induced by Convulxin, a C-type lectin-like isolated from Crotalus durissus terrificus snake venom.

Convulxin (CVX), a C-type lectin-like protein isolated from the venom of the snake species, Crotalus durissus terrificus, stimulates platelet aggregation by acting as a collagen receptor agonist for glycoprotein VI found in the platelets. The effect of CVX on platelets has been studied, but its effect on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) remains unclear. Given the significance of PBMCs in inflammation, this study explored the effect of CVX on PBMCs, specifically regarding NLRP3 inflammasome activation by assessing cell viability, ability to induce cell proliferation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide production, interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-10 secretion, NLRP3 complex activation, and the role of C-type lectin-like receptors (CTLRs) in these. CVX was not toxic to PBMCs at the investigated concentrations and did not increase PBMC growth or IL-2 release; however, CVX induced IL-10 release and ROS generation via monocyte activation. It also activated the NLRP3 complex, resulting in IL-1ß induction. Furthermore, the interaction between CVX and Dectin-2, a CTLR, induced IL-10 production. CVX interaction with CTLR has been demonstrated by laminarin therapy. Because of the involvement of residues near the Dectin-2 carbohydrate-recognition site, the generation of ROS resulted in inflammasome activation and IL-1ß secretion. Overall, this work helps elucidate the function of CVX in immune system cells.

A definição de competências no diálogo institucional no SUS / The definition of competencies in institutional dialogue in SUS

O presente artigo abordará as bases legais dos principais atores, que participam na definição de diretrizes e operacionalização da rede regionalizada e hierarquizada de saúde, que compõe o Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), com o objetivo de contribuir para os diálogos institucionais entre os mesmos. Os atores estratégicos são aqueles que possuem competência legal ou poder suficiente para influenciar, de forma significativa, a definição das regras que organizam o sistema, bem como a tomada de decisões. Assim, podem-se destacar como atores estratégicos no âmbito do SUS: o Ministério da Saúde, as Secretarias de Estado da Saúde, as Secretarias Municipais de Saúde, as Comissões intergestores, o Conselho Nacional de Secretários de Saúde (CONASS), o Conselho Nacional de Secretarias Municipais de Saúde (CONASEMS), os consórcios de saúde e os Conselhos de Saúde

Floculação: considerações a partir da análise clássica e da avaliação direta da distribuição de tamanho de partículas / Flocculation: considerations from the classical analysis and from direct evaluation of particle size distribution

RESUMO: Este artigo apresenta algumas considerações sobre a floculação a partir da análise clássica e da avaliação direta da distribuição de tamanho de partículas. Para tal, foram realizados experimentos em escala de bancada. Os resultados foram avaliados à luz da abordagem clássica, dada pelo adimensional número de Camp (GT) e pela cinética de agregação e ruptura, e da distribuição de tamanhos de partículas. Verificou-se que o emprego isolado do produto GT não é adequado para representar as variações de desempenho na floculação e que o modelo clássico de agregação e ruptura pode ser influenciado pela medida indireta de turbidez, bem como pelo uso da sedimentação como etapa intermediária. Por outro lado, a avaliação direta de desempenho por meio da distribuição de tamanhos de partículas, representada pela função contínua linearizada, pode constituir ferramenta promissora na avaliação dedicada da floculação.

ABSTRACT: This article presents some considerations on the flocculation from the classical analysis and direct evaluation of the particle size distribution. For this purpose, essays in bench scale were performed. The results were evaluated in the light of classical approach, given by the dimensionless number Camp (GT) and the kinetics of aggregation and breakage, as well as particle size distribution. It has been found that the use of GT isolated product is not suitable to represent the variations in flocculation performance and the classical model of aggregation and break-up can be biased by an indirect measurement of turbidity and sedimentation as an intermediate step. On the other hand, the direct evaluation of performance by particle size distribution, represented by linear continuous function, can be a promising tool for the evaluation of flocculation.

Efeito do ácido zoledrônico em tíbias de ratas ooforectomizadas: estudo prospectivo e randomizado / Effects of zoledronic acid on ooforectomized rats' tibiae: a prospective and randomized study

OBJETIVO: Investigar as repercussões clínicas, biomecânicas e histomorfométricas do ácido zoledrônico em tíbias de ratas osteoporóticas, após ooforectomia bilateral. MÉTODOS: Foram estudadas, prospectivamente, 40 ratas da linhagem Wistar (Rattus novergicus albinus). Com 60 dias de vida, os animais foram aleatorizados em dois grupos de acordo com o procedimento cirúrgico: ooforectomia bilateral (O) (n=20) e pseudo-cirurgia ("sham") (P) (n=20). Após 30 dias, os animais foram divididos em quatro subgrupos, de acordo com a administração de 0,1mg/kg de ácido zoledrônico (AZ) ou água destilada (AD): OAZ (n=10), OAD (n=10), PAZ (n=10) e PAD (n=10). Após 12 meses, os animais foram eutanasiados e suas tíbias analisadas. No estudo clínico foi considerado o peso dos animais; no estudo biomecânico foram realizados ensaios compressivos e na análise histomorfométrica foi determinada a área trabecular óssea. RESULTADOS: Os grupos "O" tiveram aumento de peso significativamente maior que os grupos "P" (p=0,005). Os grupos OAZ e PAZ tiveram aumento, não significativo, de peso quando comparados aos grupos OAD (p=0,47) e PAD (p=0,68). Os grupos com ácido zoledrônico e com água destilada suportaram carga máxima, semelhante (p=0,2), no momento em que ocorreu fratura. Nos grupos com ácido zoledrônico verificou-se o aumento não significante da área trabecular óssea quando comparados aos grupos com água destilada (p=0,21). Houve correlação positiva entre a área trabecular e a carga máxima (p=0,04; r=0,95). CONCLUSÃO: O ácido zoledrônico não influiu significativamente no peso dos animais. Os resultados mostraram aumento, não significante, tanto da resistência óssea diafisária tibial, como da área trabecular óssea.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate clinical, biomechanic and histomorphometric effects of zoledronic acid on osteoporotic rats'tibiae after bilateral ooforectomy. METHODS: 40 female Wistar (Rattus novergicus albinus) rats were prospectively studied. On the 60th day of life, the animals were randomized into two groups according to the surgical procedure: bilateral ooforectomy (O) (n=20) and sham surgery ("sham") (P) (n=20). After 30 days, the animals were divided into four groups, according to the administration of zoledronic acid (ZA) 0.1mg/kg or distilled water (DW): OZA (n=10), ODW (n=10), PZA (n=10) and PDW (n=10). After 12 months, the animals were sacrificed, and had their tibiae assessed. In the clinical study, animals'weight was considered; in the biomechanical study, compressive assays were applied and, in the histomorphometric analysis, the bone trabecular area was determined. RESULTS: "O" groups showed a significantly greater weight gain than "P" groups (p=0.005). Groups OZA and PZA showed an insignificant weight gain when compared to ODW (p=0.47) and PDW (p=0.68). The groups receiving zoledronic acid and distilled water were able to bear maximum load, similar (p=0.2), at the moment of fracture. In the groups receiving zoledronic acid, an insignificant increase of the bone trabecular area was found when compared to the groups receiving distilled water (p=0.21). There was a positive correlation between trabecular area and maximum load (p=0.04; r=0.95). CONCLUSION: Zoledronic acid did not significantly influence animals' weight. The results showed an insignificant increase both of the tibial shaft bone resistance and the bone trabecular area.

EFFECTS OF ZOLEDRONIC ACID ON OOFORECTOMIZED RATS' TIBIAE: A PROSPECTIVE AND RANDOMIZED STUDY.

UNLABELLED: To investigate clinical, biomechanic and histomorphometric effects of zoledronic acid on osteoporotic rats' tibiae after bilateral ooforectomy. METHODS: 40 female Wistar (Rattus novergicus albinus) rats were prospectively studied. On the 60th day of life, the animals were randomized into two groups according to the surgical procedure: bilateral ooforectomy (O) (n=20) and sham surgery ("sham") (P) (n=20). After 30 days, the animals were divided into four groups, according to the administration of zoledronic acid (ZA) 0.1mg/kg or distilled water (DW): OZA (n=10), ODW (n=10), PZA (n=10) and PDW (n=10). After 12 months, the animals were sacrificed, and had their tibiae assessed. In the clinical study, animals' weight was considered; in the biomechanical study, compressive assays were applied and, in the histomorphometric analysis, the bone trabecular area was determined. RESULTS: "O" groups showed a significantly greater weight gain than "P" groups (p=0.005). Groups OZA and PZA showed an insignificant weight gain when compared to ODW (p=0.47) and PDW (p=0.68). The groups receiving zoledronic acid and distilled water were able to bear maximum load, similar (p=0.2), at the moment of fracture. In the groups receiving zoledronic acid, an insignificant increase of the bone trabecular area was found when compared to the groups receiving distilled water (p=0.21). There was a positive correlation between trabecular area and maximum load (p=0.04; r=0.95). CONCLUSION: Zoledronic acid did not significantly influence animals' weight. The results showed an insignificant increase both of the tibial shaft bone resistance and the bone trabecular area.

Lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (les): pefil clínico-laboratorial dos pacientes atendidos em um serviço privado de reumatologia na cidade de Santo Ângelo - RS / Systemic lupus erythematosus (sle): clinical and laboratory profile of patients folllowed at a private rheumatology clinic in Santo Ângelo - RS

O Lúpus Eritematoso Sistêmico (LES) é uma doença inflamatória de caráter auto-imune que acomete principalmente mulheres em idade reprodutiva. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o perfil clínico e laboratorial dos pacientes atendidos em um serviço privado de reumatologia na cidade de Santo Ângelo-RS. Foi realizado um estudo observacional retrospectivo e transversal. As variáveis analisadas foram: sexo, idade, tempo de diagnóstico, sintomas clínicos, pesquisa de fator antinuclear (FAN), pesquisa de anti-corpos anti-DNA e as complicações relacionadas à doença. Foram analisados 17 prontuários médicos, dos quais apenas 1 (5,9%) era do sexo masculino. A idade média dos pacientes foi de 35,4 anos e o tempo de diagnóstico da doença foi de 62,9 meses, os sintomas mais freqüentes foram artralgia 12 (70,6%) e eritema cutâneo 8 (47,8%) e as complicações clínicas encontradas foram artrite 11 (64,7%), nefrite 6 (35,3%), vasculite 3 (17,65%) e diabetes 2 (11,8%). Os padrões de imunofluorescência indireta mais encontrados foram o nuclear homogêneo 3 (25%) e nuclear pontilhado fino 3 (25%). O LES apresentou-se como sendo uma doença predominantemente feminino e com achados clínicos clássicos como a presença eritema cutâneo e comprometimento articular entre os mais freqüentes.