Strength training with and without arteriovenous blood flow restriction improves performance, regardless of changes in muscle hypertrophy, in Wistar rats.

Strength training (ST) with blood flow restriction (BFR) is known to promote increases in hypertrophy and strength sometimes similar to traditional ST despite the effects of the arterial BFR on muscle adaptations and safety are not well established. The aim of this study was to assess whether ST with arterial BFR is able to improve muscular adaptations, performance and its safety in Wistar rats. Animals aging 8 weeks were divided in four groups: sedentary sham (S/S), sedentary with arterial BFR (S/BFR), trained sham (T/S), and trained with arterial BFR (T/BFR). Training protocol consisted of four weeks of ST composed by six sets of 10 ladder climbing with 50% of 1 maximal voluntary contraction. Body weight, epididymal fat, maximum loaded weight, manual grip strength, muscular hypertrophy index, systolic blood pressure, enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase, nitrite/nitrate concentration and tumor necrosis factor alpha were analyzed. The BFR rate was between 36% and 38%. T/BRF was effective to promote strength and hypertrophy. T/S is an alternative to improve strength, but it did not promote hypertrophy. Furthermore, we found no significant cardiac and metabolic changes. Thus, T/BFR is able to improve muscle adaptations and performance in rats, without causing cardiovascular and metabolic damage.

Human oocyte morphometry before and after cryopreservation: A prospective cohort study.

The cryopreservation of human oocytes is an important strategy to spare fertility in women submitted to gonadotoxic therapy, ovarian surgery, or even to allow gestation by assisted reproduction technology after natural ovarian senescence. Methods to predict oocyte resistance to cryopreservation are still based on qualitative morphological assessment. In this study we evaluated whether morphometric characteristics of mature oocytes before vitrification and after warming are related to successful fertilization by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). This was a prospective cohort study including 28 infertile women and 71 oocytes. Morphometric assessments included oocyte diameter, perivitelline space (PS), zona pellucida (ZP) and first polar body (PB). Out of 49 warmed oocytes, 27 (55%) survived cryopreservation and their pre-vitrification measures were similar to those of the 22 oocytes that perished. However, the oocytes that eventually failed to be fertilized had undergone more enlargement of the total diameter (p = 0.029) and shrinking of the PS (p = 0.033) after cryopreservation, compared to oocytes that were successfully fertilized. These findings suggest that the morphometric characteristics of fresh oocytes do not predict their survival to vitrification, while fertilization failure is associated with oocyte enlargement and PS shrinking after cryopreservation.

Implant placement for patients with cleft lip and palate: A clinical report and guidelines for treatment.

The multidisciplinary teams involved in the treatment of individuals with cleft lip and palate are challenged when implants are indicated in the cleft area. Difficulties include obtaining a healthy peri-implant area and, especially, obtaining the natural-looking papilla essential for esthetic success. The area affected by the cleft has a bone deficiency, which is typically augmented with an alveolar bone graft at adolescence. Guidelines for the 3-dimensional placement of implants at the cleft area are presented based on clinical reports. The patients were followed up for at least 1 year. Adoption of the proposed guidelines enables satisfactory esthetic and functional outcomes in patients with cleft lip and palate.

Characterization of dietary constituents and antioxidant capacity of Tropaeolum pentaphyllum Lam.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional content and antioxidant capacity of the tubers, leaves and, flowers of the species Tropaeolum pentaphyllum Lam. The three parts of the plant were analyzed by physicochemical methods, atomic absorption spectrometry, spectrophotometric and chromatographic techniques. The tubers, leaves, and flowers exhibited significant differences in all parameters evaluated. The leaves showed significantly higher values of protein (16.28 ± 0.02 g/100 g), total dietary fiber (27.78 ± 0.15 g/100 g) and quercetin (3798.61 ± 37.57 µg/g) when compared to the tubers and flowers. The study revealed a potential content of the protein, dietary fiber, and flavonoids the species Tropaeolum pentaphyllum, when compared with the sweet potatoes leaves (Ipomoea batatas L.). In addition, the antioxidant activities of leaves and flowers were also higher measured by ABTS (2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), and TRAP (total radical-trapping antioxidant potential) methods. Tropaeolum pentaphyllum have high nutritional potential that can be exploited to improve nutritional value of various food products.

Polysaccharide rich fractions from barks of Ximenia americana inhibit peripheral inflammatory nociception in mice Antinociceptive effect of Ximenia americana polysaccharide rich fractions

Abstract Ximenia americana L., Olacaceae, barks are utilized in folk medicine as analgesic and anti-inflammatory. The objective was to evaluate the toxicity and antinociceptive effect of polysaccharides rich fractions from X. americana barks. The fractions were obtained by extraction with NaOH, followed by precipitation with ethanol and fractionation by ion exchange chromatography. They were administered i.v. or p.o. before nociception tests (writhing, formalin, carragenan-induced hypernociception, hot plate), or during 14 days for toxicity assay. The total polysaccharides fraction (TPL-Xa: 8.1% yield) presented 43% carbohydrate (21% uronic acid) and resulted in two main fractions after chromatography (FI: 12%, FII: 22% yield). FII showed better homogeneity/purity, content of 44% carbohydrate, including 39% uronic acid, arabinose and galactose as major monosaccharides, and infrared spectra with peaks in carbohydrate range for COO- groups of uronic acid. TPL-Xa (10 mg/kg) and FII (0.1 and 1 mg/kg) presented inhibitory effect in behavior tests that evaluate nociception induced by chemical and mechanical, but not thermal stimuli. TPL-Xa did not alter parameters of systemic toxicity. In conclusion, polysaccharides rich fractions of X. americana barks inhibit peripheral inflammatory nociception, being well tolerated by animals.

Respiratory Nursing Diagnoses: Presenting Evidence for Identification of the Defining Characteristics in Neonatal and Pediatric Populations.

PURPOSE: To identify and summarize clinical data supporting selection of nursing diagnoses related to the respiratory system for pediatric and neonatal populations. METHOD: A literature review conducted in indexed publications was used. FINDINGS: The final sample consisted of 13 studies conducted in children with cardiac disease, respiratory infection, and asthma with nursing diagnoses such as ineffective breathing pattern, impaired gas exchange, and ineffective airway clearance. CONCLUSION: The higher frequency defining characteristics were dyspnea, abnormal breathing pattern, use of accessory muscle to breathe, change in frequency and respiratory rate, decreased SaO2 , and agitation. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING KNOWLEDGE: This literature review may provide a basis for consideration of important diagnostic criteria in the pediatric population; however, clinical validation in different stages of development is critical for ensuring diagnostic accuracy.

The influence of the initiation of an exercise programme on seroma formation and dehiscence following breast cancer surgery.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To verify whether early (first post-operative day) or late initiation (after removal of the continuous suction drain) of a functional rehabilitation exercise programme influences the incidence of seroma formation and dehiscence for women after breast cancer surgery. BACKGROUND: Benefits of early implementation of an exercise programme initiated with women in the first days following breast cancer surgery are widely known. However, the safe initiation of the exercises is still a controversial issue and some authors correlate early initiation of the exercises with an increase in seroma formation. DESIGN: A prospective, randomised, controlled clinical trial. METHODS: Seventy-seven women were randomly assigned to initiate the programme on post-operative day 1 (early group = 40) or after removal of the drain (late group = 37) and were monitored until the 45th post-operative day. Patients in the early group were instructed to perform the exercises daily at home, beginning on post-operative day 1, while those of the late group began the exercises after the drain was removed. The assessment for seroma formation and dehiscence was performed on post-operative days 7 and 45. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference regard to seroma formation between early group and late group. Also there was no association between the presence of dehiscence and early exercises. CONCLUSION: The early initiation of the exercises for women, following breast cancer surgery, constitutes a safe practice for the rehabilitation. However, these findings need to be further explored and confirmed in a larger sample. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Studies showing evidence that early functional rehabilitation process is a safe practice for women having surgery for breast cancer, as well as the present research, are of interest to health professionals who care for these patients and contribute to the wider global clinical community.

A report of a galactan from marine alga Gelidium crinale with in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects.

The sulfated galactan of the red marine alga Gelidium crinale (SG-Gc) was purified by ion exchange chromatography and tested by intravenous (i.v.) route in rodent experimental models of inflammation and nociception. The anti-inflammatory activity of SG-Gc (0.01, 0.1 and 1 mg/kg) was evaluated in the model of rat paw edema induced by different inflammatory stimuli, while SG-Gc (0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg) antinociceptive effect was assessed in models of nociception/hyperalgesia elicited by chemical (formalin test), thermal (hot plate), and mechanical (von Frey) stimuli in mice. In addition, the toxicity was evaluated after rat treatment with SG-Gc (1 mg/kg; i.v.) during 10 days, followed by analysis of the wet weight of animal's body/organs and hematological/biochemical parameters. Sulfated galactan of G. crinale inhibited the time course of dextran-induced paw edema, at all doses, showing maximal effect at 1 mg/kg (42%) and that induced by carrageenan at 0.01 (18%) and 1 mg/kg (20%), but was ineffective on the edema elicited by zymosan. At the highest dose, SG-Gc also inhibited the paw edema induced by histamine (49%), compound 48/80 (32%), and phospholipase A(2) (44%). Sulfated galactan of G. crinale inhibited both neurogenic and inflammatory phases of the formalin test, at all doses, and at 10 mg/kg, the animals flinch reaction in the von Frey test in the 1st and 3rd h by 19 and 26%, respectively. Additionally, SG-Gc treatment was well tolerated by animals. In conclusion, SG-Gc presents anti-inflammatory effect involving the inhibition of histamine and arachidonic acid metabolites and also antinociceptive activity, especially the inflammatory pain with participation of the opioid system.

Determination of calcium, magnesium and zinc in lubricating oils by flame atomic absorption spectrometry using a three-component solution.

Lubricating oils are used to decrease wear and friction of movable parts of engines and turbines, being in that way essential for the performance and the increase of that equipment lifespan. The presence of some metals shows the addition of specific additives such as detergents, dispersals and antioxidants that improve the performance of these lubricants. In this work, a method for determination of calcium, magnesium and zinc in lubricating oil by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (F AAS) was developed. The samples were diluted with a small quantity of aviation kerosene (AVK), n-propanol and water to form a three-component solution before its introduction in the F AAS. Aqueous inorganic standards diluted in the same way have been used for calibration. To assess the accuracy of the new method, it was compared with ABNT NBR 14066 standard method, which consists in diluting the sample with AVK and in quantification by F AAS. Two other validating methods have also been used: the acid digestion and the certified reference material NIST (SRM 1084a). The proposed method provides the following advantages in relation to the standard method: significant reduction of the use of AVK, higher stability of the analytes in the medium and application of aqueous inorganic standards for calibration. The limits of detection for calcium, magnesium and zinc were 1.3 µg g(-1), 0.052 µg g(-1) and 0.41 µg g(-1), respectively. Concentrations of calcium, magnesium and zinc in six different samples obtained by the developed method did not differ significantly from the results obtained by the reference methods at the 95% confidence level (Student's t-test and ANOVA). Therefore, the proposed method becomes an efficient alternative for determination of metals in lubricating oil.

Larvicidal activity of the water extract of Moringa oleifera seeds against Aedes aegypti and its toxicity upon laboratory animals.

In this work, biological effects of the water extract of Moringa oleifera seeds (WEMOS) were assessed on eggs and 3rd instar larvae of Aedes aegypti and on its toxicity upon laboratory animals (Daphnia magna, mice and rats). Crude WEMOS showed a LC50 value of 1260microg/mL, causing 99.2 +/- 2.9% larvae mortality within 24 h at 5200microg/mL, though this larvicidal activity has been lost completely at 80 masculineC/10 min. WEMOS did not demonstrate capacity to prevent egg hatching. After extensive dialyses of the crude WEMOS into watersoluble dialyzable (DF) and nondyalizable (NDF) fractions, only DF maintained its efficacy to kill larvae. Acute toxicity evaluations on daphnids (EC50 of 188.7microg/mL) and mice (LD50 of 446.5 mg/kg body weight) pointed out to low toxicity. Despite the thymus hypertrophy, WEMOS revealed to be harmless in orally and subacutelytreated rats. In conclusion, WEMOS has thermostable bioactive compounds against Ae. aegypti larvae with apparent molecular mass lower than 12 kDa and moderately toxic potential.

Larvicidal activity of the water extract of Moringa oleifera seeds against Aedes aegypti and its toxicity upon laboratory animals

In this work, biological effects of the water extract of Moringa oleifera seeds (WEMOS) were assessed on eggs and 3rd instar larvae of Aedes aegypti and on its toxicity upon laboratory animals (Daphnia magna, mice and rats). Crude WEMOS showed a LC50 value of 1260µg/mL, causing 99.2 ± 2.9 percent larvae mortality within 24 h at 5200µg/mL, though this larvicidal activity has been lost completely at 80ºC/10 min. WEMOS did not demonstrate capacity to prevent egg hatching. After extensive dialyses of the crude WEMOS into watersoluble dialyzable (DF) and nondyalizable (NDF) fractions, only DF maintained its efficacy to kill larvae. Acute toxicity evaluations on daphnids (EC50 of 188.7µg/mL) and mice (LD50 of 446.5 mg/kg body weight) pointed out to low toxicity. Despite the thymus hypertrophy, WEMOS revealed to be harmless in orally and subacutelytreated rats. In conclusion, WEMOS has thermostable bioactive compounds against Ae. aegypti larvae with apparent molecular mass lower than 12 kDa and moderately toxic potential.

Neste trabalho, o extrato aquoso das sementes de Moringaoleifera (EASMO) foi avaliado quanto aos seus efeitos biológicos sobre ovos e larvas de Aedes aegypti no 3ºestágio de desenvolvimento e sua toxicidade sobre animais de laboratório(Daphnia magna, camundongos e ratos). O EASMO bruto revelou uma CL50 de 1.260 µg/mL, causando 99, 2 ± 2, 9 por cento de mortalidade em 24 h na concentração de 5.200 µg/mL, embora o mesmo não tenha sido capaz de impedir a eclosão dos ovos. A atividade larvicida extinguiu-se após aquecimento do extrato a 80ºC/10 min. Diálises sucessivas do EASMO bruto resultaram em duas frações solúveis em água (Fração dializável, FD; Fração nãodializável, FND), dentre as quais apenas a FD mostrou ação larvicida. Testes de toxicidade aguda realizadosem dáfnias (CE50 de 188, 7 µg/mL) e camundongos (DL50 de446,5 mg/kg de peso corpóreo) evidenciaram baixa toxicidade. Apesar da hipertrofia tímica, o EASMO mostrou ser atóxicoapós tratamento subagudo via oral em ratos. Conclui-se, portanto, que o EASMO apresenta substâncias com capacida de larvicida contra Ae. aegypti, as quais possuem massa molecular aparente menor que 12 kDa e potencial tóxico moderado.

A flow-batch analyzer with piston propulsion applied to automatic preparation of calibration solutions for Mn determination in mineral waters by ET AAS.

The increasing development of miniaturized flow systems and the continuous monitoring of chemical processes require dramatically simplified and cheap flow schemes and instrumentation with large potential for miniaturization and consequent portability. For these purposes, the development of systems based on flow and batch technologies may be a good alternative. Flow-batch analyzers (FBA) have been successfully applied to implement analytical procedures, such as: titrations, sample pre-treatment, analyte addition and screening analysis. In spite of its favourable characteristics, the previously proposed FBA uses peristaltic pumps to propel the fluids and this kind of propulsion presents high cost and large dimension, making unfeasible its miniaturization and portability. To overcome these drawbacks, a low cost, robust, compact and non-propelled by peristaltic pump FBA is proposed. It makes use of a lab-made piston coupled to a mixing chamber and a step motor controlled by a microcomputer. The piston-propelled FBA (PFBA) was applied for automatic preparation of calibration solutions for manganese determination in mineral waters by electrothermal atomic-absorption spectrometry (ET AAS). Comparing the results obtained with two sets of calibration curves (five by manual and five by PFBA preparations), no significant statistical differences at a 95% confidence level were observed by applying the paired t-test. The standard deviation of manual and PFBA procedures were always smaller than 0.2 and 0.1mugL(-1), respectively. By using PFBA it was possible to prepare about 80 calibration solutions per hour.

O olhar dos psiquiatras brasileiros sobre os fenômenos de transe e possessão / Brazilian psychiatrists approaches on trance and possession phenomena

CONTEXTO: Os fenômenos de transe e possessão despertaram o interesse da comunidade psiquiátrica brasileira, gerando posturas diversificadas. OBJETIVOS: Descrever e analisar como os fenômenos de transe e possessão foram tratados pelos psiquiatras brasileiros: seu impacto na teoria, na pesquisa e na prática clínica entre 1900 e 1950. MÉTODO: Análise de artigos científicos e leigos, teses e livros sobre transes e possessões produzidos pelos psiquiatras brasileiros entre 1900 e 1950. RESULTADOS: Identificam-se duas correntes de pensamento entre os psiquiatras. A primeira, vinculada às Faculdades de Medicina do Rio de Janeiro e São Paulo, sob forte influência de autores franceses, deteve-se mais na periculosidade do espiritismo para a saúde mental. Defendia a adoção de medidas repressivas com o poder público. O segundo grupo de psiquiatras, ligado às Faculdades de Medicina da Bahia e Pernambuco, embora não desconsiderasse o caráter patológico ou "primitivo" dos fenômenos de transe e possessão, apresentou uma visão mais antropológica e culturalista. Considerando tais fenômenos como manifestações étnicas ou culturais, alguns defenderam o controle médico e a educação do povo para o abandono dessas práticas "primitivas". Outros não consideravam os fenômenos mediúnicos como desencadeadores da loucura, mas manifestações não-patológicas de um universo cultural, além de não vinculá-los ao atraso cultural da população. CONCLUSÕES: As religiões mediúnicas foram objeto de estudo por longo período, resultando hipóteses e práticas diferenciadas por parte da comunidade psiquiátrica brasileira, constituindo-se oportunidade privilegiada para o estudo do impacto dos fatores socioculturais na atividade psiquiátrica.

BACKGROUND: Trance and possession experiences have raised interest among Brazilian psychiatrists resulting in a variety of approaches. OBJECTIVES: To describe and analyze how Brazilian psychiatrists approached trance and possession experiences: these experiences impact on theory, research and clinical practice between 1900 and 1950. METHOD: Analysis of papers, thesis, and books on trances and possessions written by Brazilian psychiatrists between 1900 and 1950. RESULTS: We detected two main approaches, the first one, related to schools of medicine in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, under strong influence of French researchers, focused on the dangers of spiritism to mental health. They advocated a repressive action to be enforced by governmental authorities. Psychiatrists from schools of medicine in Bahia and Pernambuco formed the second group. Although having not denied the "primitive" or pathological nature of trance and possession phenomena, they held a more anthropological and cultural approach. Some psychiatrists considered these experiences as racial or cultural manifestations, and claimed that the education and medical control of people would make them give up these primitive practices. Others have not considered that mediumistic phenoma are related to mental disorders or inferior cultural level. DISCUSSION: Mediumistic religions were the subject of a long-term investigation conducted by Brazilian psychiatrists resulting in diversified theories and practices which represent a valuable opportunity for the study of sociocultural factors impact on the psychiatric activity.

Action of anti-bothropic factor isolated from Didelphis marsupialis on renal effects of Bothrops erythromelas venom.

Acute renal failure is the most common complication in the lethal cases caused by snakebites in Brazil. Among the Brazilian venom snakes, Bothrops erythromelas is responsible for the majority of accidents in Northeastern Brazil. Didelphis marsupialis serum could inhibit myonecrotic, hemorrhagic, edematogenic hyperalgesic and lethal effects of envenomation determined by ophidian bites. In the present study, we evaluated the action of the anti-bothropic factor isolated from D. marsupialis on the renal effects promoted by B. erythromelas venom without systemic interference. Isolated kidneys from Wistar rats were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution containing 6% bovine serum albumin. We analyzed renal perfusion pressure (PP), renal vascular resistance (RVR), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urinary flow (UF), and the percentages of sodium and potassium tubular transport (%TNa+, %TK+). The B. erythromelas venom (10 microg mL(-1)) decreased the PP (ct = 108.71+/-5.09 mmHg; BE = 65.21+/-5.6 mmHg*) and RVR (ct = 5.76+/-0.65 mmHg mL(-1) g(-1) min(-1); BE = 3.10+/-0.45 mmHg mL(-1) g(-1) min(-1)*). On the other hand, the GFR decreased at 60 min (ct60 = 0.76+/-0.07 mL g(-1) min(-1); BE60 = 0.42+/-0.12 mL g(-1) min(-1)*) and increased at 120 min (ct120 = 0.72+/-0.01 mL g(-1) min(-1); BE120 = 1.24+/-0.26 mL g(-1) min(-1)*). The UF increased significantly when compared with the control group (ct = 0.14+/-0.01 mL g(-1) min(-1); BE = 0.47+/-0.08 mL g(-1) min(-1)*). The venom reduced the %TNa(+) (ct90 = 79.18+/-0.88%; BE90 = 58.35+/-4.86%*) and %TK+ (ct90 = 67.20+/-4.04%; BE90 = 57.32+/-5.26%*) The anti-bothropic factor from D. marsupialis (10 microg mL(-1)) incubated with B. erythromelas venom (10 microg mL(-1)) blocked the effects on PP, RVR, %TNa+, and %TK+, but was not able to reverse the effects in UF and GFR promoted by venom alone. However, the highest concentration of D. marsupialis serum (30 microg mL(-1)) reversed all the renal effects induced by the venom. In conclusion, B. erythromelas venom altered all the renal functional parameters evaluated and the anti-bothropic factor from D. marsupialis was able to inhibit the effects induced by the venom in isolated kidney.

Design and evaluation of matrix diffusion controlled transdermal patches of verapamil hydrochloride.

Transdermal patches of verapamil hydrochloride were prepared using four different polymers (individual and combination): Eudragit RL100 (ERL100), Eudragit RS100 (ERS100), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose 15 cps (HPMC), and ethyl cellulose (EC), of varying degrees of hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity. The effect of the polymers on the technological properties, i.e., drug release, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), and percentage moisture loss (ML), percentage moisture absorption (MA), folding endurance, and thickness, was investigated. Different formulations were prepared in accordance with the 2(3) factorial design, with ERL100 being the parent polymer. The patch containing ERL100 alone showed maximum WVTR, % MA, and % ML, which could be attributed to its hydrophilic nature. As expected, substitution with ERS100, HPMC, and EC decreased all the above values in accordance with their decreasing degree of hydrophilicity. In vitro release studies showed zero-order release of the drug from all the patches, and the mechanism of release was diffusion mediated. Moreover, the release of the drug was sustained and it extended over a period of 24 hr in all formulations. A12 emerged as the most satisfactory formulation insofar as its technological properties were concerned. Further, release and permeation of the drug from the most satisfactory formulation (A12) was evaluated through different biological barriers (shed snake skin, rabbit skin, and rat skin) to get an idea of the drug permeation through human skin. Shed snake's skin was found to be most permeable (82.56% drug release at 24 hr) and rat skin was least permeable (52.38%). Percutaneous absorption studies were carried out in rabbits. The pharmacokinetic parameters calculated from blood levels of the drug revealed a profile typical of a sustained release formulation, with the ability to maintain adequate plasma levels for 24 hr. [AUC: 3.09 mg/mL hr, Cmax: 203.95 microg/mL, Tmax: 8 hr]. It can therefore be concluded that the patch containing ERL100 and HPMC in the ratio 8:2 has achieved the objectives of transdermal drug delivery system, such as avoidance of first pass effect, extended release, and reduced frequency of administration.