Desenvolvimento de escore preditor de sucesso imediato e tardio pós valvoplastia mitral percutânea em pacientes portadores de estenose mitral / Development of early and late success predictor score after percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty in patients with mitral stenosis

INTRODUÇÃO: Os dados de resultados a longo prazo após valvoplastia mitral percutânea (VMP) em pacientes portadores de estenose mitral ainda são escassos e os sistemas de pontuação atuais têm limitações. Propomos um novo escore capaz de predizer sucesso imediato e tardio em pacientes elegíveis para o tratamento de estenose mitral por VMP, baseando-se nas análises de características ecocardiográficas, fatores clínicos e hemodinâmicos relevantes. MÉTODOS: Análise retrospectiva de 1582 pacientes com estenose mitral grave que foram submetidos à VMP no período de agosto de 1987 a junho de 2011 em um único centro. O período de seguimento dos pacientes apresentou mediana de 8,3 anos, com um seguimento máximo de até 23 anos. O desfecho combinado foi composto de morte cardiovascular, nova VMP ou cirurgia para plastia/troca valvar mitral. Dois modelos estatísticos foram construídos para prever a sobrevivência imediata e de longo prazo livre de eventos. RESULTADOS: A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 36,8±12,9 anos e houve prevalência do sexo feminino (86,4%). A maioria dos pacientes no momento da VMP apresentavam classe funcional New York Heart Associaton (NYHA) III (57,7%) e escore de Wilkins entre 9-11 (49,1%). Na análise multivariada para predição de sucesso imediato tiveram significância estatística a idade, tamanho de átrio esquerdo, gradiente transvalvar mitral médio e pontuação pelo escore de Wilkins. Para predição de sucesso tardio tiveram significância estatística idade, classe funcional, tamanho de átrio esquerdo e pontuação pelo escore de Wilkins. CONCLUSÃO: Na ampla população estudada tornou-se evidente que não somente o escore de Wilkins parece ter relevância na predição de sucesso imediato e tardio para os pacientes com estenose mitral reumática submetidos a VMP. Além de parâmetros ecocardiográficos, os parâmetros clínicos e hemodinâmicos também parecem contribuir de forma importante no sucesso imediato do procedimento, bem como no tempo livre de intervenções e mortalidade a longo prazo. (AU)

The cytosolic sensor STING is required for intestinal homeostasis and control of inflammation.

STING (stimulator of interferon genes) is a cytosolic sensor for cyclic dinucleotides and also an adaptor molecule for intracellular DNA receptors. Although STING has important functions in the host defense against pathogens and in autoimmune diseases, its physiological relevance in intestinal homeostasis is largely unknown. In this study, we show that STING-/- mice presented defective protective mechanisms of intestinal mucosa, including decreased number of goblet cells, diminished mucus production, and lower levels of secretory IgA, when compared with wild-type (WT) mice. Fecal content and microbiota DNA could activate STING, indicating a role of this molecule in gut. Microbiota composition was altered in STING-/- mice toward a more inflammatory profile, evidencing a reduction in the Allobacolum and Bifidobacterium groups along with increase in Disulfovibrio bacteria. Absence of STING lead to decrease in induced intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) and to increase in group 1 innate lymphoid cell (ILC1) as well as ILC3 frequencies and decrease in ILC2 in the colon. Development and function of Foxp3+ and LAP+ regulatory T cells were also compromised in STING-/- mice. Moreover, these mice were highly susceptible to dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis, T-cell-induced colitis, and enteric Salmonella typhimurium infection when compared with WT animals. Therefore, our results identify an important role of STING in maintaining gut homeostasis and also a protective effect in controlling gut inflammation.

Effects of cryolipolysis on abdominal adiposity of women.

　　BACKGROUND: The cryolipolysis is on the spotlight as a non-invasive method which reduces fat layer thickness with no damage to surrounding tissues. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to verify the effectiveness of cryolipolysis in the reduction of localized adiposity in women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an experimental study, without a control group, with pre- and post- treatment evaluation through a single application on the lower abdominal area. SETTING: Research conducted in the period from July to December 2015 at the University Potiguar. PARTICIPANTS: A group of 15 women, age between 25-50 years. The cryolipolysis was used in the following parameters: temperature (-7 degree C); suction power (30 kPa), and application time (60 min). MEASUREMENTS: After the cryolipolysis was performed, a follow-up of 2 months was conducted to verify the changes related to weight, body circumference, fat layer thickness, which were evaluated by ultrasonography and photogrammetry. RESULTS: From data analysis, the reductions observed on perimeter (p=0.03) and ultrasonography (p=0.03) showed significant results, considering p <0.05. As of body weight results (p=0.57), the average value varied during the study; however, at the end of the research, no significant weight increase or decrease was reported, as it is known that this method does not interfere with this variable. Additionally, quantitative data were satisfactory. The photogrammetry analysis showed that cryolipolysis positively affected subjects' results. CONCLUSION: A change in body contouring, especially in individuals with lower body mass, reinforces the idea that the parameters must be suitable for individual needs.

Impacts of stocking on the genetic diversity of Colossoma macropomum in central Amazon, Brazil.

Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) is the main fish species farmed on a commercial scale in northern Brazil. In view of the current scenario of Brazilian aquaculture, studies on the genetic improvement and reproductive management of captive tambaqui are crucial in identifying the genetic variability of broodstocks and devising management practices. Genetic diversity of three tambaqui broodstocks in western Amazon was evaluated using molecular markers. Fin samples were collected from 89 fish; 38 from Balbina, 30 from a hatchery in Rio Preto da Eva, and 21 from the experimental farm of the Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM). Ten primers were used for the analysis of diversity and genetic structure. Of the 152 bands produced, 146 were polymorphic. The proportion of polymorphic loci showed little variation among the three stocks. The lowest and highest rates were found in the Rio Preto da Eva (80.92%) and Balbina (85.53%) stocks, respectively. Heterozygosity (H) and Shannon (I) indices were similar among the stocks; the lowest values were found in Balbina (H = 0.279 and I = 0.419), and the highest in UFAM (H = 0.294 and I = 0.439). Following analysis of the genetic structure and relationship, the sample was divided into two groups, with the Balbina stock clearly deviating from the others. The results suggest that, to increase genetic variability, molecular information may be used instead of replacement of wild breeders. The groups characterized here can be used in genetic improvement programs with other tambaqui broodstocks from different areas of South America.

High genetic variability in endophytic fungi from the genus Diaporthe isolated from common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Brazil.

AIMS: The goals of the present study were to identify, to analyse the phylogenetic relations and to evaluate the genetic variability in Diaporthe endophytic isolates from common bean. METHODS AND RESULTS: Diaporthe sp., D. infecunda and D. phaseolorum strains were identified using multilocus phylogeny (rDNA ITS region; EF1-α, ß-tubulin, and calmodulin genes). IRAP (Inter-Retrotransposon Amplified Polymorphism) and REMAP (Retrotransposon-Microsatellite Amplified Polymorphism) molecular markers reveal the existence of high genetic variability, especially among D. infecunda isolates. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that the multilocus phylogenetic approach was more effective than individual analysis of ITS sequences, in identifying the isolates to species level, and that IRAP and REMAP markers can be used for studying the genetic variability in the genus Diaporthe particularly at the intraspecific level. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The combined use of molecular tools such as multilocus phylogenetic approach and molecular markers, as performed in this study, is the best way to distinguish endophytic strains of Diaporthe isolated from common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).

Genetic diversity of Mycosphaerella fijiensis in Brazil analyzed using an ERIC-PCR marker.

The Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC) marker was used to analyze the genetic variability of Mycosphaerella fijiensis, the causative agent of Black Sigatoka disease in banana plants. A total of 123 isolates were used, which were divided into populations based on their original hosts and collection sites in Brazil. A total of 9 loci were amplified, 77.8% of which were found to be polymorphic. The genetic diversity found in the population was 0.20. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) demonstrated that the highest level of genetic variation is within populations. Cluster analysis revealed three main groups in Brazil, with no correlation between geographic and genetic distance.

Sleep pattern and learning in knockdown mice with reduced cholinergic neurotransmission.

Impaired cholinergic neurotransmission can affect memory formation and influence sleep-wake cycles (SWC). In the present study, we describe the SWC in mice with a deficient vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) system, previously characterized as presenting reduced acetylcholine release and cognitive and behavioral dysfunctions. Continuous, chronic ECoG and EMG recordings were used to evaluate the SWC pattern during light and dark phases in VAChT knockdown heterozygous (VAChT-KDHET, n=7) and wild-type (WT, n=7) mice. SWC were evaluated for sleep efficiency, total amount and mean duration of slow-wave, intermediate and paradoxical sleep, as well as the number of awakenings from sleep. After recording SWC, contextual fear-conditioning tests were used as an acetylcholine-dependent learning paradigm. The results showed that sleep efficiency in VAChT-KDHET animals was similar to that of WT mice, but that the SWC was more fragmented. Fragmentation was characterized by an increase in the number of awakenings, mainly during intermediate sleep. VAChT-KDHET animals performed poorly in the contextual fear-conditioning paradigm (mean freezing time: 34.4±3.1 and 44.5±3.3 s for WT and VAChT-KDHET animals, respectively), which was followed by a 45% reduction in the number of paradoxical sleep episodes after the training session. Taken together, the results show that reduced cholinergic transmission led to sleep fragmentation and learning impairment. We discuss the results on the basis of cholinergic plasticity and its relevance to sleep homeostasis. We suggest that VAChT-KDHET mice could be a useful model to test cholinergic drugs used to treat sleep dysfunction in neurodegenerative disorders.

Sleep pattern and learning in knockdown mice with reduced cholinergic neurotransmission

Impaired cholinergic neurotransmission can affect memory formation and influence sleep-wake cycles (SWC). In the present study, we describe the SWC in mice with a deficient vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) system, previously characterized as presenting reduced acetylcholine release and cognitive and behavioral dysfunctions. Continuous, chronic ECoG and EMG recordings were used to evaluate the SWC pattern during light and dark phases in VAChT knockdown heterozygous (VAChT-KDHET, n=7) and wild-type (WT, n=7) mice. SWC were evaluated for sleep efficiency, total amount and mean duration of slow-wave, intermediate and paradoxical sleep, as well as the number of awakenings from sleep. After recording SWC, contextual fear-conditioning tests were used as an acetylcholine-dependent learning paradigm. The results showed that sleep efficiency in VAChT-KDHET animals was similar to that of WT mice, but that the SWC was more fragmented. Fragmentation was characterized by an increase in the number of awakenings, mainly during intermediate sleep. VAChT-KDHET animals performed poorly in the contextual fear-conditioning paradigm (mean freezing time: 34.4±3.1 and 44.5±3.3 s for WT and VAChT-KDHET animals, respectively), which was followed by a 45% reduction in the number of paradoxical sleep episodes after the training session. Taken together, the results show that reduced cholinergic transmission led to sleep fragmentation and learning impairment. We discuss the results on the basis of cholinergic plasticity and its relevance to sleep homeostasis. We suggest that VAChT-KDHET mice could be a useful model to test cholinergic drugs used to treat sleep dysfunction in neurodegenerative disorders.

Distribution of mating-type alleles and M13 PCR markers in the black leaf spot fungus Mycosphaerella fijiensis of bananas in Brazil.

The fungus Mycosphaerella fijiensis is the causative agent of black sigatoka, which is one of the most destructive diseases of banana plants. Infection with this pathogen results in underdeveloped fruit, with no commercial value. We analyzed the distribution of the M. fijiensis mating-type system and its genetic variability using M13 phage DNA markers. We found a 1:1 distribution of mating-type alleles, indicating MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 idiomorphs. A polymorphism analysis using three different primers for M13 markers showed that only the M13 minisatellite primers generated polymorphic products. We then utilized this polymorphism to characterize 40 isolates from various Brazilian states. The largest genetic distances were found between isolates from the same location and between isolates from different parts of the country. Therefore, there was no correlation between the genetic similarity and the geographic origin of the isolates. The M13 marker was used to generate genetic fingerprints for five isolates; these fingerprints were compared with the band profiles obtained from inter-simple sequence repeat (UBC861) and inter-retrotransposon amplified polymorphism analyses. We found that the M13 marker was more effective than the other two markers for differentiating these isolates.

Fruit flies (diptera, tephritidae) in municipalities with a risk mitigation system for anastrepha grandis macquart / Moscas-das-frutas (Diptera, Tephritidae) em municípios com sistema de mitigação de risco para Anastrepha Grandis Macquart

The objective of this study was verify the presence of A. grandis and identify other fruit-fly species collected in MacPhail traps, installed in areas of Cucurbitaceae under a risk mitigation system for Anastrepha grandis Macquart in the Vale do São Patrício Region, state of Goiás, Brazil, from November 2004 to October 2009. A total of 812 specimens of Anastrepha were captured, of which 639 were males (78.7%) and 173 were females (21.3%). Fourteen species of Anastrepha were identified occurring in all seasons of the year. A. dissimilis Stone, A. quiinae Lima and A. pickeli Lima were recorded for the first time in the state of Goiás, and A. grandis and was recorded for the first time, with a low prevalence, in the municipalities of Jaraguá and Uruana, which belong to the risk mitigation system area, indicating good conditions for maintaining an area of low prevalence status. A. manihoti Lima (34.10%) was the most frequent species in the region, followed by A. obliqua (Macquart) (19.65%) and A. pickeli Lima (13.87%).(AU)

O objetivo do estudo foi verificar a presença de Anastrepha grandis e identificar demais espécies de moscas-das-frutas coletadas em armadilhas modelo MacPhail instaladas em áreas de cucurbitáceas sob Sistema de Mitigação de Risco (SMR) para A. grandis na região Vale do São Patrício, GO, de novembro de 2004 a outubro de 2009. Um total de 812 espécimes de Anastrepha foram capturadas, sendo 639 machos (78,7%) e 173 fêmeas (21,3%). Destas foram identificadas 14 espécies de Anastrepha, ocorrentes em todas as estações do ano. A. dissimilis Stone, A. quiinae Lima e A. pickeli Lima foram registradas pela primeira vez em Goiás e primeiro registro de A grandis, com baixa prevalência, nos municípios de Jaraguá e Uruana, constituintes da área de SMR, indicando ótimas condições para manutenção de área de baixa prevalência. A. manihoti Lima (34,10%) foi a espécie mais frequente na região, seguidade A. obliqua (Macquart) (19,65%) e A. pickeli (13,87%).(AU)

Fruit flies (diptera, tephritidae) in municipalities with a risk mitigation system for anastrepha grandis macquart / Moscas-das-frutas (Diptera, Tephritidae) em municípios com sistema de mitigação de risco para Anastrepha Grandis Macquart

The objective of this study was verify the presence of A. grandis and identify other fruit-fly species collected in MacPhail traps, installed in areas of Cucurbitaceae under a risk mitigation system for Anastrepha grandis Macquart in the Vale do São Patrício Region, state of Goiás, Brazil, from November 2004 to October 2009. A total of 812 specimens of Anastrepha were captured, of which 639 were males (78.7%) and 173 were females (21.3%). Fourteen species of Anastrepha were identified occurring in all seasons of the year. A. dissimilis Stone, A. quiinae Lima and A. pickeli Lima were recorded for the first time in the state of Goiás, and A. grandis and was recorded for the first time, with a low prevalence, in the municipalities of Jaraguá and Uruana, which belong to the risk mitigation system area, indicating good conditions for maintaining an area of low prevalence status. A. manihoti Lima (34.10%) was the most frequent species in the region, followed by A. obliqua (Macquart) (19.65%) and A. pickeli Lima (13.87%).

O objetivo do estudo foi verificar a presença de Anastrepha grandis e identificar demais espécies de moscas-das-frutas coletadas em armadilhas modelo MacPhail instaladas em áreas de cucurbitáceas sob Sistema de Mitigação de Risco (SMR) para A. grandis na região Vale do São Patrício, GO, de novembro de 2004 a outubro de 2009. Um total de 812 espécimes de Anastrepha foram capturadas, sendo 639 machos (78,7%) e 173 fêmeas (21,3%). Destas foram identificadas 14 espécies de Anastrepha, ocorrentes em todas as estações do ano. A. dissimilis Stone, A. quiinae Lima e A. pickeli Lima foram registradas pela primeira vez em Goiás e primeiro registro de A grandis, com baixa prevalência, nos municípios de Jaraguá e Uruana, constituintes da área de SMR, indicando ótimas condições para manutenção de área de baixa prevalência. A. manihoti Lima (34,10%) foi a espécie mais frequente na região, seguidade A. obliqua (Macquart) (19,65%) e A. pickeli (13,87%).

Protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors modify kainic acid-induced epileptiform activity and mossy fiber sprouting but do not protect against limbic cell death.

Intrahippocampal administration of kainic acid (KA) induces synaptic release of neurotrophins, mainly brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which contributes to the acute neuronal excitation produced by the toxin. Two protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors, herbimycin A and K252a, were administered intracerebroventricularly, in a single dose, to attenuate neurotrophin signaling during the acute effects of KA, and their role in epileptogenesis was evaluated in adult, male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g. The latency for the first Racine stage V seizure was 90 +/- 8 min in saline controls (N = 4) which increased to 369 +/- 71 and 322 +/- 63 min in animals receiving herbimycin A (1.74 nmol, N = 4) and K252a (10 pmol, N = 4), respectively. Behavioral alterations were accompanied by diminished duration of EEG paroxysms in herbimycin A- and K252a-treated animals. Notwithstanding the reduction in seizure severity, cell death (60-90% of cell loss in KA-treated animals) in limbic regions was unchanged by herbimycin A and K252a. However, aberrant mossy fiber sprouting was significantly reduced in the ipsilateral dorsal hippocampus of K252a-treated animals. In this model of temporal lobe epilepsy, both protein kinase inhibitors diminished the acute epileptic activity triggered by KA and the ensuing morphological alterations in the dentate gyrus without diminishing cell loss. Our current data indicating that K252a, but not herbimycin, has an influence over KA-induced mossy fiber sprouting further suggest that protein tyrosine kinase receptors are not the only factors which control this plasticity. Further experiments are necessary to elucidate the exact signaling systems associated with this K252a effect.

Protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors modify kainic acid-induced epileptiform activity and mossy fiber sprouting but do not protect against limbic cell death

Intrahippocampal administration of kainic acid (KA) induces synaptic release of neurotrophins, mainly brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which contributes to the acute neuronal excitation produced by the toxin. Two protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors, herbimycin A and K252a, were administered intracerebroventricularly, in a single dose, to attenuate neurotrophin signaling during the acute effects of KA, and their role in epileptogenesis was evaluated in adult, male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g. The latency for the first Racine stage V seizure was 90 ± 8 min in saline controls (N = 4) which increased to 369 ± 71 and 322 ± 63 min in animals receiving herbimycin A (1.74 nmol, N = 4) and K252a (10 pmol, N = 4), respectively. Behavioral alterations were accompanied by diminished duration of EEG paroxysms in herbimycin A- and K252a-treated animals. Notwithstanding the reduction in seizure severity, cell death (60-90 percent of cell loss in KA-treated animals) in limbic regions was unchanged by herbimycin A and K252a. However, aberrant mossy fiber sprouting was significantly reduced in the ipsilateral dorsal hippocampus of K252a-treated animals. In this model of temporal lobe epilepsy, both protein kinase inhibitors diminished the acute epileptic activity triggered by KA and the ensuing morphological alterations in the dentate gyrus without diminishing cell loss. Our current data indicating that K252a, but not herbimycin, has an influence over KA-induced mossy fiber sprouting further suggest that protein tyrosine kinase receptors are not the only factors which control this plasticity. Further experiments are necessary to elucidate the exact signaling systems associated with this K252a effect.

Caries progression and inhibition in human and bovine root dentine in situ.

Since the use of bovine instead of human dentine to evaluate cariogenic and anticariogenic substances is not well established, this in situ study was conducted. Eleven volunteers wore palatal acrylic devices containing 4 dentine slabs (2 human and 2 bovine). Sucrose solution (20%) was dripped over all slabs 4 times a day, simulating a cariogenic challenge. Dentifrice slurries, fluoridated or not, were dripped over specified dentine slabs 3 times a day to evaluate caries reduction. After 14 days, the biofilm formed on the dentine slabs was collected for microbiological analysis. In dentine, mineral loss (DeltaZ) and lesion depth (LD) were determined by cross-sectional microhardness and by polarized light microscopy, respectively. The total streptococci and mutans streptococci counts in the biofilm formed either on human or on bovine slabs, whether treated or not with fluoride dentifrice, were not statistically different. The DeltaZ and the LD values of dentine treated with fluoride dentifrice were significantly lower than the values of dentine treated with non-fluoride dentifrice. The differences in the DeltaZ and LD values between the human and bovine dentine were not statistically significant. The results suggest that bovine dentine can be used instead of human to evaluate caries development and inhibition.

Acute buspirone abolishes the expression of behavioral dopaminergic supersensitivity in mice.

Previous studies have shown that rats withdrawn from long-term treatment with dopamine receptor blockers exhibit dopaminergic supersensitivity, which can be behaviorally evaluated by enhanced general activity observed in an open-field. Recently, it has been reported that co-treatment with the non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic buspirone attenuates the development of haloperidol-induced dopaminergic supersensitivity measured by open-field behavior of rats. The aims of the present study were: 1) to determine, as previously reported for rats, if mice withdrawn from long-term neuroleptic treatment would also develop dopaminergic supersensitivity using open-field behavior as an experimental paradigm, and 2) to examine if acute buspirone administration would attenuate the expression of this behavioral dopaminergic supersensitivity. Withdrawal from long-term haloperidol treatment (2.5 mg/kg, once daily, for 20 days) induced a significant (30%) increase in ambulation frequency (i.e., number of squares crossed in 5-min observation sessions) but did not modify rearing frequency or immobility duration in 3-month-old EPM-M1 male mice observed in the open-field apparatus. Acute intraperitoneal injection of buspirone (3.0 and 10 but not 1.0 mg/kg, 12-13 animals per group) 30 min before open-field exposure abolished the increase in locomotion frequency induced by haloperidol withdrawal. These data suggest that the open-field behavior of mice can be used to detect dopaminergic supersensitivity, whose expression is abolished by acute buspirone administration.