Dor visceral intensa associada a desnervação simpática renal seletiva: um desafio

Introdução e Objetivos: A desnervação simpática renal seletiva (DSRS) é um procedimento endovascular minimamente invasivo, seguro, recentemente desenvolvido para o tratamento da hipertensão resistente (HR). Até 6 ablações por radiofrequência (RF), com 2 minutos cada são aplicadas em ambas as artérias renais, estando associadas a dor abdominal visceral difusa, muito intensa1,2. Não foi encontrada literatura sobre o manuseamento anestésico deste procedimento. O nosso objetivo é descrever a experiência do nosso departamento na DSRS e sugerir uma abordagem anestésica (AA) adequada para o procedimento. Metodologia: Foram colhidos, retrospetivamente, os dados dos doentes com HR submetidos a DSRS na nossa instituição até novembro de 2012. Variáveis analisadas: dados demográficos, co-morbilidades, estadio físico da American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA-EF), abordagem anestésica e complicações peri-procedimento. Foi também realizada uma revisão bibliográfica na PubMed sobre DSRS e outros procedimentos endovasculares para identificar uma AA apropriada e eficiente para DSRS. Resultados: 16 doentes (9 homens/7 mulheres), idade 59,7 ± 10 anos. ASA-EF II 25%, III 75%. 14 doentes foram submetidos a cuidados anestésicos monitorizados (MAC): 6 com perfusão remifentanil (0.05 a 0.15μg/Kg/min com bólus até 1μ/Kg durante as ablações), 8 com bólus de propofol (até 150mg) associado a bólus de fentanil (até 150μg) e midazolam (1 a 2 mg). 1 doente foi sujeito a anestesia geral balanceada e 1 doente a bloqueio subaracnoideu. O procedimento anestésico durou 75 ± 16 minutos. O procedimento foi considerado bem sucedido em todos os doentes. Não foram observadas complicações. Discussão e Conclusão: Os 2 principais estudos publicados sobre DSRS (Simplicity trials) referem o uso de opiáceos e sedativos intravenosos para o tratamento da dor associada às ablações. Os fármacos usados e respetivas doses não são descritos. As várias AA usadas na nossa instituição refletem a ausência de literatura anestésica sobre a DSRS. A AA mais adequada depende das caraterísticas dos doentes e do tipo de dor associada (intensa, aguda e intermitente) e deve assegurar o máximo conforto do doente, segurança e sucesso técnico do procedimento. Pela nossa análise, a literatura revista e a experiência adquirida noutros procedimentos com dor semelhante consideramos que o remifentanil, pelas suas propriedades farmacológicas únicas, é adequado para o AA da DSRS. Remifentanil nas doses de 0.05 a 0.15μg/Kg/min com bólus até 1μ/Kg durante as ablações parece apropriado. São necessários mais estudos para melhor avaliação

TEM investigation of MoSeC films

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD) are widely used as self-lubricating material either as oil additive or directly as thin films. Magnetron sputtering is a deposition method allowing depositing such films with high density and adhesion. However, their spread use in practical applications is still hindered since their excellent sliding properties are deteriorated in the presence of humidity and under high contact pressures. MoSe2, one of the members of TMD family recently studied, has been co-sputtered with carbon in order to improve the mechanical and tribological properties when compared to pure MoSe2 film

Bioactivity response of Ta1-xOx coatings deposited by reactive DC magnetron sputtering

The use of dental implants is sometimes accompanied by failure due to periimplantitis disease and subsequently poor esthetics when soft-hard tissue margin recedes. As a consequence, further research is needed for developing new bioactive surfaces able to enhance the osseous growth. Tantalum (Ta) is a promising material for dental implants since, comparing with titanium (Ti), it is bioactive and has an interesting chemistry which promotes the osseointegration. Another promising approach for implantology is the development of implants with oxidized surfaces since bone progenitor cells interact with the oxide layer forming a diffusion zone due to its ability to bind with calcium which promotes a stronger bond. In the present report Ta-based coatings were deposited by reactive DC magnetron sputtering onto Ti CP substrates in an Ar+O2 atmosphere. In order to assess the osteoconductive response of the studied materials, contact angle and in vitro tests of the samples immersed in Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) were performed. Structural results showed that oxide phases where achieved with larger amounts of oxygen (70 at.% O). More compact and smooth coatings were deposited by increasing the oxygen content. The as-deposited Ta coating presented the most hydrophobic character (100°); with increasing oxygen amount contact angles progressively diminished, down to the lowest measured value, 63°. The higher wettability is also accompanied by an increase on the surface energy. Bioactivity tests demonstrated that highest O-content coating, in good agreement with wettability and surface energy values, showed an increased affinity for apatite adhesion, with higher Ca/P ratio formation, when compared to the bare Ti substrates.This research is sponsored by FEDER funds through the program COMPETE – Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade – by national funds through FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia—, in the framework of the Strategic Projects PEST-C/FIS/UI0607/2013, and PEst-C/EME/UI0285/2013, and with a PhD fellowship SFRH/BD/98199/2013 and by IAPMEI funds through QREN — Implantes dentários inteligentes — SMARTDENT, Projeto Vale Inovação n.° 2012/24005

Use of ultramicroindentation to evaluate the degradation of sputtered coatings

The aim of this research work was to study the influence of chemical degradation on the mechanical properties of the non-degraded zones of sputtered W-N-Ti coatings. For this, an ultramicroindentation technique has been used before and after degradation, either on the zones between the pits in the corroded samples, or on the non-oxidised layers after removal of the top degraded layers. By using different applied loads it was possible to obtain results with and without the influence of the substrate. Thus, two types of results were obtained, those determined by using an empirical model, which eliminates the influence of the substrate, and those measured directly.Very small differences of less than 20% were obtained in the measured values before and after degradation, indicating that the non-degraded zones maintain their as-deposited mechanical properties.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TW4-3VGSFTN-Y/1/d6747ea11390bd13ea164c97933b791

Structure, hardness and thermal stability of Ti(Al,N) coatings

In the past two decades, coatings of the Ti-Al-N ternary system have attracted considerable research and industrial interest. Nevertheless, the Ti-Al-N system still offers new interesting possibilities for coating developments such as the addition of low N contents to Ti-Al films in order to reach a good compromise between high hardness and a low friction coefficient.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TVV-4PNJ1JX-1S/1/164683ed052a9291c12494dc9255afd

Lavandula luisieri and Lavandula viridis essential oils as upcoming anti-protozoal agents: A key focus on leishmaniasis

Background and objectives: Leishmania species is the causative agent of leishmaniasis, a broad-spectrum clinical condition that can even be life-threatening when neglected. Current therapeutic strategies, despite beings highly cost-effective, have been increasingly associated with the appearance of drug-resistant microorganisms. Thus, an increasing number of thorough studies are needed towards upcoming drug discovery. This study aims to reveal the anti-protozoa activity of Lavandula luisieri and Lavandula viridis essential oils (EO) and their main components (1,8-cineole, linalool, and borneol). Materials and Methods: L. luisieri and L. viridis EO and their main components' leishmanicidal effects were tested in vitro against Leishmania infantum, Leishmania major, and Leishmania tropica strains. Cell viability effects were estimated by using the tetrazolium-dye (MTT) colorimetric method, morphological changes were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and ultrastructural investigation by transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). Phosphatidylserine externalization, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and cathepsin D activity assessment were also carried out. Finally, cytotoxic activity of the studied matrices was also determined in mammalian cells. Results: Plant-studied EO exhibited prominent anti-Leishmania effects (IC50 = 31-263 µg/mL), with L. luisieri being the most active one. At concentrations corresponding to IC50 values, EO-exposed L. infantum promastigotes suffered marked ultrastructural modifications. The presence of aberrant-shaped cells, mitochondrial and kinetoplast swelling, and autophagosomal structures were the most common evidenced changes. L. luisieri EO exerted its leishmanicidal activity through different mechanisms, but mainly through unleashing apoptosis. Phosphatidylserine externalization, mitochondrial membrane potential loss, and cell-cycle arrest at G(0)/G(1) phase were the most remarkable apoptosis-mediated aspects. Inhibition of cathepsin D activity was also observed. No toxic effects were found on macrophage cells. Conclusions: L. luisieri seems to be an upcoming source of bioactive molecules for leishmaniasis control and to find leading molecules for new drugs formulation against Leishmania infections.This work was supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), through the Centro 2020 Regional Operational Programme under project CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-000008:BrainHealth 2020, and through the COMPETE 2020—Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation and Portuguese national funds via FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., under strategic project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007440 (UID/NEU/04539/2013). Acknowledgments: The authors are grateful to Jorge Paiva for helping in plant taxonomy; to José Correia da Costa from Centro de Imunologia e Biologia Parasitária, Instituto Nacional Ricardo Jorge, Porto for supplying L. infantum (zymodeme MON-1); to António Osuna, Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, for supplying L. major. FCT for Strategic project ref. UID/BIM/04293/2013, and “NORTE2020—Programa Operacional Regional do Norte” (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000012)

Oxygenated monoterpenes-rich volatile oils as potential antifungal agents for dermatophytes

Essential oils (EOs) extracted from Lavandula luisieri and Cymbopogon citratus were tested for their antifungal activity against ten clinical isolates of dermatophytes isolated from cases of tinea pedis. Inhibition of conidial germination and antifungal drug/EO combination assay were tested on two ATCC reference strains of Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. EOs were characterised by high amount of oxygenated monoterpenes in their composition. Strong antifungal activity was observed for the majority of clinical strains, and fungicidal activity was demonstrated. Positive interaction between L. luisieri EO combined with terbinafine was observed against terbinafine-resistant strain (Tr ATCC MYA-4438). Significative reduction of the germination was observed above 100 g mL1. Both oils were safe to macrophage mammalian cells at tested concentration. This study describes the antifungal activity of L. luisieri and C. citratus EOs against dermatophytes, which could be useful in designing new formulations for topical treatments.This work was supported by Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) [grant number PEST-C/FIS/UI607/2013], [grant number UID/BIO/04469/2013], [grant number PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013] and European Community fund FEDER [grant number FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-007025], [grant number RECI project: FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-027462].The authors thank the FCT Strategic Project PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013. Nicolina Dias acknowledges the project “Consolidating Research Expertise and Resources on Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology at CEB/IBB”, Ref. FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-027462

Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory, anti-catabolic and pro-anabolic effects of E-caryophyllene, myrcene and limonene in a cell model of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a progressive joint disease and a major cause of disability for which no curative therapies are yet available. To identify compounds with potential anti-osteoarthritic properties, in this study, we screened one sesquiterpene, E-caryophyllene, and two monoterpenes, myrcene and limonene, hydrocarbon compounds for anti-inflammatory, anti-catabolic and pro-anabolic activities in human chondrocytes. At non-cytotoxic concentrations, myrcene and limonene inhibited IL-1β-induced nitric oxide production (IC50=37.3μg/ml and 85.3µg/ml, respectively), but E-caryophyllene was inactive. Myrcene, and limonene to a lesser extent, also decreased IL-1β-induced NF-κB, JNK and p38 activation and the expression of inflammatory (iNOS) and catabolic (MMP-1 and MMP-13) genes, while increasing the expression of anti-catabolic genes (TIMP-1 and -3 by myrcene and TIMP-1 by limonene). Limonene increased ERK1/2 activation by 30%, while myrcene decreased it by 26%, relative to IL-1β-treated cells. None of the compounds tested was able to increase the expression of cartilage matrix-specific genes (collagen II and aggrecan), but both compounds prevented the increased expression of the non-cartilage specific, collagen I, induced by IL-1β. These data show that myrcene has significant anti-inflammatory and anti-catabolic effects in human chondrocytes and, thus, its ability to halt or, at least, slow down cartilage destruction and osteoarthritis progression warrants further investigation