Editorial

A revista “CONEXÕES: Educação Física, Esporte e Saúde”, a partir de 2017, conta com uma nova identidade visual que marca o início de um novo ciclo. Com equipe editorial renovada, a revista tem como meta ampliar sua circulação, atraindo mais autores de instituições de pesquisa nacionais e internacionais

Peripheral antinociceptive action of mangiferin in mouse models of experimental pain: Role of endogenous opioids, KATP-channels and adenosine

AbstractThis study aimed to assess the possible systemic antinociceptive activity of mangiferin and to clarify the underlying mechanism, using the acute models of chemical (acetic acid, formalin, and capsaicin) and thermal (hot-plate and tail-flick) nociception in mice. Mangiferin at oral doses of 10 to 100mg/kg evidenced significant antinociception against chemogenic pain in the test models of acetic acid-induced visceral pain and in formalin- and capsaicin-induced neuro-inflammatory pain, in a naloxone-sensitive manner, suggesting the participation of endogenous opiates in its mechanism. In capsaicin test, the antinociceptive effect of mangiferin (30mg/kg) was not modified by respective competitive and non-competitive transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) antagonists, capsazepine and ruthenium red, or by pretreatment with l-NAME, a non-selective nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, or by ODQ, an inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase. However, mangiferin effect was significantly reversed by glibenclamide, a blocker of KATP channels and in animals pretreated with 8-phenyltheophylline, an adenosine receptor antagonist. Mangiferin failed to modify the thermal nociception in hot-plate and tail-flick test models, suggesting that its analgesic effect is only peripheral but not central. The orally administered mangiferin (10–100mg/kg) was well tolerated and did not impair the ambulation or the motor coordination of mice in respective open-field and rota-rod tests, indicating that the observed antinociception was unrelated to sedation or motor abnormality. The findings of this study suggest that mangiferin has a peripheral antinociceptive action through mechanisms that involve endogenous opioids, KATP-channels and adenosine receptors

Microbiota no trato digestivo em voluntários saudáveis

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to standardize the methods of sample collection of mucus from the digestive tract and to determine the microbiota in healthy volunteers from Brazil, collecting samples from the mouth, esophagus, stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon, and rectum. METHODS: Microbiota of selected healthy volunteers from the oral cavity (n=10), the esophagus (n=10), the upper digestive tract (n=20), and the lower digestive tract (n=24) were evaluated through distinct collection methods. Collection methods took into account the different sites, using basic scraping and swabbing techniques, stimulated saliva from the oral cavity, irrigation-aspiration with sterile catheters especially designed for the esophagus, a probe especially designed for upper digestive tract, and a special catheter for the lower digestive tract. RESULTS: (i) Mixed microbiota were identified in the oral cavity, predominantly Gram-positive aerobic and anaerobic cocci; (ii) transitional flora mainly in the esophagus; (iii) Veillonella sp, Lactobacillus sp, and Clostridium sp in the stomach and duodenum; (iv) in the jejunum and upper ileum, we observed Bacteroides sp, Proteus sp, and Staphylococcus sp, in addition to Veillonella sp; (v) in the colon, the presence of "nonpathogenic" anaerobic bacteria Veillonella sp (average 10(5) UFC) indicates the existence of a low oxidation-reduction potential environment, which suggests the possibility of adoption of these bacteria as biological markers of total digestive tract health. CONCLUSIONS: The collection methods were efficient in obtaining adequate samples from each segment of the total digestive tract to reveal the normal microbiota. These procedures are safe and easily reproducible for microbiological studies.OBJETIVO: Padronizar os métodos de coleta do muco do trato digestivo e determinar a microbiota, em voluntários saudáveis no Brasil, coletando amostras da boca, esôfago, estômago, duodeno, jejunos e íleo, cólons e reto. MÉTODOS: A microbiota de voluntários saudáveis foi avaliada através de diferentes métodos de coleta: cavidade oral (n=10 voluntários), do esôfago (n=10), do trato digestivo alto (n=20) e do trato digestivo baixo (n=24). Métodos de coleta foram adotados em cada sítio restrito, usando derramar saliva, técnica de esfregar a mucosa e saliva estimulada da cavidade oral, irrigação-aspiração, cateteres específicos designados para o esôfago, sonda especial para o trato digestivo alto e cateteres especiais para o trato digestivo baixo. RESULTADOS: Identificados: (i) na cavidade oral, microbiota mista, predominando cocos aeróbios e anaeróbios Gram positivos; (ii) no esôfago, flora transitória; (iii) no estômago e duodeno, Veillonella sp, Lactobacillus sp and Clostridium sp; (iv) no jejuno e íleo proximal, Bacteróides sp, Proteus sp and Staphilococcus sp, além da Veillonella sp ; (v) no colon, foi revelada a presença "não patogênica" da bactéria anaeróbica Veillonella sp numa concentração média de 10(5) unidades formadoras de colônia, indicando um meio de baixo potencial de oxido-redução e a possibilidade de se conceituar esta bactéria como um marcador biológico do trato digestivo total em sadios. CONCLUSÃO: Estes métodos de coleta foram considerados eficientes para obtenção adequada de amostra em cada segmento do trato digestivo total para caracterizar a microbiota normal. Estes procedimentos são seguros e facilmente reprodutível para estudo microbiológico

Chemical and physical factors influencing lead and copper contamination in drinking water: approach for a case study in analytical chemistry

CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING LEAD AND COPPER CONTAMINATION IN DRINKING WATER: APPROACH FOR A CASE STUDY IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY. Lead and copper concentrations in drinking water increase considerably on going from municipality reservoirs to the households sampled in Ribeirao Preto (SP-Brazil). Flushing of only 3 liters of water reduced metal concentrations by more than 50%. Relatively small changes in water pH rapidly affected corrosion processes in lead pipes, while water hardness appeared to have a long-term effect. This approach aims to encourage University teachers to use its content as a case study in disciplines of Instrumental Analytical Chemistry and consequently increase knowledge about drinking water contamination in locations where no public monitoring of trace metals is in place

Thermal image segmentation in studies of wildlife animals

Thermal imaging analysis is an important tool in the study of wildlife animals. The segmentation of thermal images has not extensively explored by the Ecology and Biology communities. In this paper we propose a new approach for segmenting thermal images using the SLIC superpixel algorithm and connected component labeling. Experiments were performed on images taken over the behaviour activity of four mammal species. The results show that our approach has a great potential for partioning animals and background.IPÊ - Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológica

Domínios motivacionais apresentados por mulheres com sobrepeso participantes de um projeto de exercícios físicos durante 45 dias

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to identify the motivational domains that have an influence in the practice of physical exercises in overweight women, participants in a systematic physical exercise program during 45 days. METHODS: The sample was composed by 26 overweight adult women, with a mean age of 35±4.83 years, living in the city of Catalão - GO. Were included in the program women with regular participation in the referred program during 45 days, with the frequency of five times/week, during one hour. The data collection instruments were an anamnesis script and the IMPRAF-126 Inventory. The data were analyzed quantitatively, through graphical demonstration, relative and absolute frequency. RESULTS: The domains “Health”, “Aesthetics” and “Pleasure” motivated the participants “greatly motivated” to get involved assiduously in the Physical Exercise Program. The domain “Stress Control” presented divergence of opinions, however relieving anguish and anxiety “very motivated” the participants to stay in the program. On the other hand, the domains “Competitiveness” and “Sociability” were identified as elements that cause “very little motivated” in the search for the program. CONCLUSION: The Health, Aesthetics and Pleasure domains represented the real domains of motivation presented by overweight women participating in this study, indicating the awareness of the participants in relation to the importance of these physical exercises for health promotion, aesthetic improvement and yet, there was pleasure in carrying them out.OBJETIVO: Identificar os domínios motivacionais que exercem influência para prática de exercício físico em mulheres com sobrepeso participantes de um programa de exercícios físicos sistematizados durante 45 dias. MÉTODO: Participaram 26 mulheres adultas com sobrepeso, com idade de 35±4,83 anos, residentes na cidade de Catalão - GO. Foram incluídas mulheres que apresentaram uma participação assídua no referido projeto, durante 45 dias, com a frequência de cinco vezes/semana, durante uma hora. Como instrumentos de coleta de dados utilizou-se um roteiro de anamnese e o Inventário IMPRAF-126. Os dados foram analisados quantitativamente, mediante demonstração de gráficos, frequência relativa e absoluta. RESULTADOS: Os domínios “Saúde”, “Estética” e “Prazer” motivaram “muitíssimo” as participantes a envolverem-se assiduamente no Programa de Exercícios Físicos. O domínio “Controle do Estresse” apresentou divergência de opiniões, contudo aliviar a angústia e a ansiedade motivaram “muitíssimo” as participantes a permanecer no programa. De outra parte, os domínios “Competitividade” e “Sociabilidade” foram apontados como elementos que causaram “pouquíssima” motivação na busca pelo programa. CONCLUSÃO: Os domínios Saúde, Estética e Prazer representaram os reais domínios de motivação apresentados pelas mulheres com sobrepeso participantes do estudo, indicando a consciência das participantes em relação à importância dessas atividades para a promoção da saúde, melhora estética e ainda, houve prazer em realizá-las

Clinical profile of patients diagnosed with tuberculosis treated at theUniversity Hospital of Londrina, Paraná

The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical profileof patients positive for tuberculosis through an epidemiological study, descriptive and retrospective, based on secondary data contained in medical records of patients that attended the Hospital Universitário de Londrina comprising from January 2010 to December 2014. From the medical records available for analysis at the moment of study 86 cases were positive for tuberculosis, being the majority male (65/76%) with age group comprised between 2 to 91 years. The main symptoms presented were cough (50/58%), fever (45/52%) and weight loss (34/40%). Regarding the clinical form, 58/67% of the patients presented the pulmonary form, and 28/33% the non-pulmonary form. Positive cases for tuberculosis in association with HIV/AIDS corresponded to 32/37%. Harmful habits were also reported in patients in which 30/34% were smokers, 20/23% drug users and 14/16% were alcoholics. Against scarcity of published data referring to tuberculosis in our region and its relevance to public health, our study contributes to the epidemiological aspects mainly in relation to the high number of cases of coinfection with Human ImmunodeficiencyVirus and patients with evolution to death, assisting the development and implementation of campaigns or projects aimed at early diagnosis and treatment