Methods: A new protocol for in vitro red blood cell glycation.

During diabetes, the characteristic hyperglycemia can induce red blood cell glycation. Several researchers have proposed different protocols to perform an in vitro model to study this phenomenon. In this article, some of the most important in vitro glycation protocols available in the bibliography were compared to each other. The incubation parameters as the suspension medium, glucose concentration, red blood cell concentration, time, and temperature were analyzed. Also, several assays were carried out in our laboratory, and glycated hemoglobin, erythrocyte aggregation and viscoelasticity were determined for the protocol validation. Based on the bibliographic analysis and our experimental results, an optimal protocol for in vitro glycation of red blood cells is presented.

Prevalence of masked hypertension evaluated by home blood pressure monitoring in a large sample of patients with office blood pressure <140/90 mmHg.

AIM: Patients with masked hypertension have a higher incidence of target organ damage, including increased left ventricular mass and carotid atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events when compared with normotensive patients. The adverse cardiovascular risks are even greater in patients already taking antihypertensive medication. OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence and clinical characteristics of masked hypertension in a large multicenter Brazilian sample that underwent office and home blood pressure monitoring. METHODS: This was an observational cross-sectional analytical study based on secondary data from the teleMRPA online platform, which included 32 cities from 15 states in the five regions of Brazil. The database included 3704 outpatient participants with office blood pressure <140/90 mmHg who performed home blood pressure monitoring for diagnostic investigation (diagnosis group; n = 1819) or treatment (treatment group; n = 1885) of hypertension in 2018. RESULTS: The prevalence of masked hypertension was 18.0% in the whole studied population and 15.4% and 20.4% in the diagnostic and treatment group, respectively. Masked hypertension was more frequently detected in patients with office blood pressure classified as high normal [systolic blood pressure (SBP) = 130-139 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) = 85-89 mmHg], followed by those classified as normal (SBP = 120-129 mmHg or DBP = 80-84 mmHg) and optimal (SBP < 120 mmHg and DBP < 80 mmHg), with respective prevalence of 28.3, 13.4 and 4.4% in the diagnostic group and 30.8, 18.8 and 7.1% in the treatment group. CONCLUSION: Masked hypertension has a significant prevalence among individuals with office blood pressure <140/90 mmHg, which is greater with patients with high normal office blood pressure and even higher in patients already using antihypertensive medication.

In vitro alteration on erythrocytes mechanical properties by propofol, remifentanil and vecuronium.

Several studies report flow disturbance and microcirculation disorders upon anesthesia treatment. These alterations are often related to blood rheology changes. In this work, it was attempted to make a detailed description of the alterations in erythrocyte mechanical properties by the action of propofol, remifentanil, and vecuronium. For this, an in vitro study was performed on red blood cell samples from healthy donors incubated with solutions of propofol (4 µg/mL whole blood), remifentanil (10 ng/mL plasma), and vecuronium (0.15 µg/mL plasma). Erythrocyte viscoelastic parameters were determined by octuplicate using a Reómetro Eritrocitario. Also, a Wilcoxon signed rank-test with Yates correction for continuity was performed to analyze the overall alteration in the mechanical properties of erythrocytes. Statistical analysis showed that the three studied anesthetics changed the erythrocyte mechanical properties at different parts of the membrane. These results would imply an interaction of these anesthetics with the erythrocyte membrane. Finally, this could conduce to alterations in microcirculation.

Effects of circuit resistance training on muscle power, functional agility, and bones' mineral content in people with spinal injury.

BACKGROUND: Physical exercise is one of the main agents when it comes to rehabilitation and changes in health aspects of people with SCI. This study aimed to establish the effects of circuit resistance training (CRT) on people with spinal cord injury (SCI), specifically on their body composition, muscle strength, anaerobic power, and functional capacity. METHODS: Sample consisted of five people with SCI: both sexes, ages between 25 and 62 years, and 12 weeks of CRT, twice a week. Before and after the 12 weeks of intervention, this research adopted clear-cut tests (medicine ball pitch, Wingate, zigzag, and dual-energy X-ray densitometry) to analyze the desired variables (muscle strength, anaerobic power, functional capacity, and body composition). RESULTS: Showed muscle strength improvement (P=0.028), agility increase (P=0.028), and equal levels of lean mass, bone mineral content, and bone loss index throughout life (T-score). CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, one can consider that CRT is an alternative to develop the upper limbs muscle power and functional agility. Together, all these variables may imply an overall improvement of the functional capacity in people with SCI. Additionally, these 12 weeks of CRT were responsible for helping the maintenance of lean mass, bone mineral content and T-score in this study's sample.

What we know so far about Coronavirus Disease 2019 in children: A meta-analysis of 551 laboratory-confirmed cases.

AIM: To summarize what we know so far about coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in children. METHOD: We searched PubMed, Scientific Electronic Library Online, and Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information from 1 January 2020 to 4 May 2020. We selected randomized trials, observational studies, case series or case reports, and research letters of children ages birth to 18 years with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. We conducted random-effects meta-analyses to calculate the weighted mean prevalence and 95% confidence interval (CI) or the weighted average means and 95% CI. RESULT: Forty-six articles reporting 551 cases of COVID-19 in children (aged 1 day-17.5 years) were included. Eighty-seven percent (95% CI: 77%-95%) of patients had household exposure to COVID-19. The most common symptoms and signs were fever (53%, 95% CI: 45%-61%), cough (39%, 95% CI: 30%-47%), and sore throat/pharyngeal erythema (14%, 95% CI: 4%-28%); however, 18% (95% CI: 11%-27%) of cases were asymptomatic. The most common radiographic and computed tomography (CT) findings were patchy consolidations (33%, 95% CI: 23%-43%) and ground glass opacities (28%, 95% CI: 18%-39%), but 36% (95% CI: 28%-45%) of patients had normal CT images. Antiviral agents were given to 74% of patients (95% CI: 52%-92%). Six patients, all with major underlying medical conditions, needed invasive mechanical ventilation, and one of them died. CONCLUSION: Previously healthy children with COVID-19 have mild symptoms. The diagnosis is generally suspected from history of household exposure to COVID-19 case. Children with COVID-19 and major underlying condition are more likely to have severe/critical disease and poor prognosis, even death.

Effects of Lectin (ScLL) on osteoclast-like multinucleated giant cells' maturation-A preliminary in vitro study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Lectin (ScLL) has been recently evaluated in the oral cavity due to its anti-inflammatory activities. ScLL could be a promising agent for blocking osteoclast activity and preventing root resorption. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ScLL on the viability of the RAW 264.7 macrophage lineage, osteoclast-like maturation and the release of TNF-α and nitric oxide (NO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The viability of RAW 264.7 cells was determined by MTT and Alamar Blue assays after ScLL treatment for 24 hours. ScLL effects on RANKL-induced osteoclast-like maturation were assessed by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and F-actin ring formation. The supernatant was collected to detect the release of TNF-α using ELISA and NO using a nitrite assay. RESULTS: ScLL suppressed osteoclast-like maturation by decreasing TRAP activity as well as F-actin ring formation. ScLL at 10 µg/mL showed the highest values of NO release compared with all other groups (P < .05). Lower levels of TNF-α were found for the negative control. CONCLUSIONS: ScLL at 5 µg/mL suppressed osteoclast-like maturation in vitro and had no cytotoxic effect on RAW cell cultures.

Studies on the dynamic resolution of Crizotinib intermediate.

Crizotinib is an anti-cancer agent approved for treatment of non-small cell lung carcinoma. Retrosynthetic analysis revels 1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluorophenyl)ethanol as an important intermediate, which can be made available by different biocatalytic approaches. Herein we report our results on the kinetic and dynamic resolution towards the desired chiral intermediate for Crizotinib synthesis. The results obtained show that very good conversions and high selectivity could be obtained for the kinetic resolution (45% conv. and E>200) while dynamic kinetic resolution under continuous-flow conditions afforded the desired product in 57% conversion and 98% e.e.

Influence of aging on isometric muscle strength, fat-free mass and electromyographic signal power of the upper and lower limbs in women / Influência do envelhecimento na força muscular isométrica, na massa livre de gordura e na potência do sinal eletromiográfico dos membros superiores e inferiores de mulheres

Background: Aging is a multifactorial process that leads to changes in the quantity and quality of skeletal muscle and contributes to decreased levels of muscle strength. Objective: This study sought to investigate whether the isometric muscle strength, fat-free mass (FFM) and power of the electromyographic (EMG) signal of the upper and lower limbs of women are similarly affected by aging. Method: The sample consisted of 63 women, who were subdivided into three groups (young (YO) n=33, 24.7±3.5 years; middle age (MA) n=15, 58.6±4.2 years; and older adults (OA). n=15, 72.0±4.2 years). Isometric strength was recorded simultaneously with the capture of the electrical activity of the flexor muscles of the fingers and the vastus lateralis during handgrip and knee extension tests, respectively. FFM was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: The handgrip strength measurements were similar among groups (p=0.523), whereas the FFM of the upper limbs was lower in group OA compared to group YO (p=0.108). The RMSn values of the hand flexors were similar among groups (p=0.754). However, the strength of the knee extensors, the FFM of the lower limbs and the RMSn values of the vastus lateralis were lower in groups MA (p=0.014, p=0.006 and p=0.013, respectively) and OA (p=0.000, p=0.000 and p<0.000, respectively) compared to group YO. Conclusions : The results of this study demonstrate that changes in isometric muscle strength in MLG and electromyographic activity of the lower limbs are more pronounced with the aging process of the upper limb. .

Contextualização: O envelhecimento é um processo multifatorial que provoca mudanças na quantidade e na qualidade da musculatura esquelética, ambas contribuindo para a diminuição dos níveis de força muscular. Objetivo: Investigar se a força muscular isométrica, a massa livre de gordura (MLG) e a potência do sinal eletromiográfico dos membros superiores e inferiores de mulheres são afetadas na mesma magnitude pelo envelhecimento. Método: A amostra foi constituída por 63 mulheres subdividas em três grupos (JO, n=33 jovens, 24,7±3,5 anos; MI, n=15, 58,6±4,2 anos; ID, n=15, 72,0±4,2 anos). A força isométrica foi registrada simultaneamente à captação da atividade elétrica dos músculos flexores dos dedos e vasto lateral durante os testes de preensão manual e de extensão do joelho, respectivamente. A MLG foi avaliada por meio da absortometria radiológica de dupla energia. Resultados: A força de preensão manual foi semelhante entre os grupos (p=0,523), a MLG do membro superior foi menor no grupo ID em relação ao JO (p=0,108), e os valores da variável root mean square normalizados pela MLG do membro dominante (RMSn) foram semelhantes entre os grupos (p=0,754). Entretanto, a força dos extensores do joelho, a MLG do membro inferior e os valores RMSn foram menores nos grupos MI (p=0,014, p=0,006 e p=0,013, respectivamente) e ID (p=0,000, p=0,000 e p<0,000, respectivamente). Conclusões: Os resultados deste estudo demonstram que as alterações na força muscular isométrica, na MLG e na atividade eletromiográfica dos membros inferiores são mais pronunciadas com o processo de envelhecimento do que a dos membros superiores. .

Influence of aging on isometric muscle strength, fat-free mass and electromyographic signal power of the upper and lower limbs in women.

BACKGROUND: Aging is a multifactorial process that leads to changes in the quantity and quality of skeletal muscle and contributes to decreased levels of muscle strength. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to investigate whether the isometric muscle strength, fat-free mass (FFM) and power of the electromyographic (EMG) signal of the upper and lower limbs of women are similarly affected by aging. METHOD: The sample consisted of 63 women, who were subdivided into three groups (young (YO) n=33, 24.7 ± 3.5 years; middle age (MA) n=15, 58.6 ± 4.2 years; and older adults (OA). n=15, 72.0 ± 4.2 years). Isometric strength was recorded simultaneously with the capture of the electrical activity of the flexor muscles of the fingers and the vastus lateralis during handgrip and knee extension tests, respectively. FFM was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: The handgrip strength measurements were similar among groups (p=0.523), whereas the FFM of the upper limbs was lower in group OA compared to group YO (p=0.108). The RMSn values of the hand flexors were similar among groups (p=0.754). However, the strength of the knee extensors, the FFM of the lower limbs and the RMSn values of the vastus lateralis were lower in groups MA (p=0.014, p=0.006 and p=0.013, respectively) and OA (p=0.000, p=0.000 and p<0.000, respectively) compared to group YO. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that changes in isometric muscle strength in MLG and electromyographic activity of the lower limbs are more pronounced with the aging process of the upper limb.

Crescentic glomerulonephritis in IgA multiple myeloma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: There are few reports of glomerulonephritis (GN) with crescents and a rapidly progressive course that lead to a diagnosis of a previously unsuspected B-cell dyscrasia. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of rapidly progressive GN: the patient showed no evidence of etiology at the time of biopsy and was diagnosed as IgA multiple myeloma (MM) during investigation based on a renal biopsy. He presented diffuse proliferative and exudative GN and marked plasma cell infiltration of the kidney. CONCLUSION: The present case raises the possibility that proliferative GN with crescents may be a rare mode of presentation of MM.

N,N'-Propylenedioxybis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzenesulfonamide): molecules of unexpected conformation form a molecular ladder built from two independent N-H...O=S hydrogen bonds.

Molecules of the title compound, C(21)H(30)N(2)O(6)S(2), adopt a skeletal conformation which does not possess even approximate internal symmetry. The molecules are linked by two N-H...O=S hydrogen bonds [H...O = 1.97 A (x2), N...O = 2.865 (2) and 2.864 (2) A, and N-H...O = 160 and 159 degrees] into molecular ladders, alternatively described as chains of edge-fused R(2)(2)(20) rings.

Bis(acetonitrile-kappaN)[(1RS,4RS,8SR,11SR)-1,4,8,11-tetraazatetradecane-kappa(4)N]copper(II) bis[tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate] 0.31-hydrate.

The title compound, [Cu(C(2)H(3)N)(2)(C(10)H(24)N(4))](C(32)H(12)BF(24))(2).0.31H(2)O, crystallizes as an ionic species with no interactions between the ions. The [Cu(II)(cyclam)(MeCN)(2)](2+) dication (cyclam is 1,4,8,11-tetraazatetradecane), located on a 2/m symmetry site, forms as a distorted octahedral species with four Cu-N(cyclam) bonds of 2.013 (2) A and two C-N(MeCN) bonds of 2.499 (4) A. The [B[C(6)H(3)(CF(3))-3,5](4)](-) anion, located on a twofold axis, is a distorted octahedral species. A small amount of water is present, occupying sites between columns of ions.