Neuromuscular activity of bothrops fonsecai snake venom in vertebrate preparations

CAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORCNPQ – CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOThe neuromuscular activity of venom from Bothrops fonsecai, a lancehead endemic to southeastern Brazil, was investigated. Chick biventer cervicis (CBC) and mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm (PND) preparations were used for myographic recordings and mouse diaphragm muscle was used for membrane resting potential (RP) and miniature end-plate potential (MEPP) recordings. Creatine kinase release and muscle damage were also assessed. In CBC, venom (40, 80 and 160μg/ml) produced concentration- and time-dependent neuromuscular blockade (50% blockade in 85±9 min and 73±8 min with 80 and 160μg/ml, respectively) and attenuated the contractures to 110μM ACh (78-100% inhibition) and 40mM KCl (45-90% inhibition). The venom-induced decrease in twitch-tension in curarized, directly-stimulated preparations was similar to that in indirectly stimulated preparations. Venom (100 and 200μg/ml) also caused blockade in PND preparations (50% blockade in 94±13 min and 49±8 min with 100 and 200μg/ml, respectively) but did not alter the RP or MEPP amplitude. In CBC, venom caused creatine kinase release and myonecrosis. The venom-induced decrease in twitch-tension and in the contractures to ACh and K(+) were abolished by preincubating venom with commercial antivenom. These findings indicate that Bothrops fonsecai venom interferes with neuromuscular transmission essentially through postsynaptic muscle damage that affects responses to ACh and KCl. These actions are effectively prevented by commercial antivenom.The neuromuscular activity of venom from Bothrops fonsecai, a lancehead endemic to southeastern Brazil, was investigated. Chick biventer cervicis (CBC) and mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm (PND) preparations were used for myographic recordings and mouse diaphragm muscle was used for membrane resting potential (RP) and miniature end-plate potential (MEPP) recordings. Creatine kinase release and muscle damage were also assessed. In CBC, venom (40, 80 and 160mg/ml) produced concentration- and time-dependent neuromuscular blockade (50% blockade in 85±9 min and 73±8 min with 80 and 160mg/ml, respectively) and attenuated the contractures to 110mM ACh (78–100% inhibition) and 40mM KCl (45–90% inhibition). The venom-induced decrease in twitch-tension in curarized, directly-stimulated preparations was similar to that in indirectly stimulated preparations. Venom (100 and 200mg/ml) also caused blockade in PND preparations (50% blockade in 94±13 min and 49±8 min with 100 and 200mg/ml, respectively) but did not alter the RP or MEPP amplitude. In CBC, venom caused creatine kinase release and myonecrosis. The venom-induced decrease in twitch-tension and in the contractures to ACh and K+ were abolished by preincubating venom with commercial antivenom.These findings indicate that Bothrops fonsecai venom interferes with neuromuscular transmission essentially through postsynaptic muscle damage that affects responses to ACh and KCl. These actions are effectively prevented by commercial antivenom5615CAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORCNPQ – CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOCAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORCNPQ – CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOsem informaçãosem informaçã

Personality Traits of an Entrepreneur, Determinants of Successful Microenterprise in Ireland

Why do certain individuals become entrepreneur and are successful, whereas others do not? The researchers in the entrepreneurship field attempt to answer that question by studying the personality traits of entrepreneurs for decades. Many confirm that the personality traits have a positive correlation with entrepreneurial intention and performance. Various studies suggest that the main entrepreneurial characteristics are risk attitudes, need for achievement, internal locus of control, innovativeness, and self-efficacy. However, debate exist if the personality traits are born or inherited and if the entrepreneurs’ actions are influenced by factors such as family, culture, education and market conditions. Although these aspects will be reviewed the focus of this study is on entrepreneurs’ personality traits only. Consequently, the aim of this study is to identify which of the personality traits, and whether there are traits, that are associated with operating successful microenterprise, from a perspective of an owner-manager of an established business in Ireland. The findings of this research revealed that the participants perceive themselves as individuals who possess indirectly four out of five most cited traits in the literature, which are need for achievement, locus of control, innovativeness and self-efficacy. In addition, they mentioned ability to relate to others, being organized and perform a quality work as the most important characteristics of a successful business owner. Also, other factors of environment influenced the participants’ decision to become an entrepreneur and Ireland was perceived as an attractive country to set up a business. Still, most of the participants do not perceive themselves as a successful entrepreneur. In summary, the inconclusiveness of this study generate more questions than it provide answers, coupled with this study limitations it is suggested that additional and more extensive research is desired

Chronic granulomatous disease: diagnosis on the first infection episode

Relatar caso ilustrativo de doença granulomatosa crônica cujo diagnóstico ocorreu durante o aparecimento do primeiro episódio infeccioso, colaborando com a iniciativa do Brazilian Group for Immunodeficiency para a sensibilização do pediatra geral em relação ao diagnóstico precoce das imunodeficiências primárias, o que está associado a melhor qualidade de vida e maior sobrevida desses indivíduos. Paciente do sexo masculino, 39 dias de vida, admitido em pronto-socorro pediátrico por febre alta há cinco dias e irritabilidade. No dia seguinte, observou-se abscesso cervical, isolando-se Staphylococcus aureus comunitário. Durante a internação, ocorreram outros abscessos superficiais e em cadeias ganglionares profundas, além de resposta lenta aos antimicrobianos. Solicitou-se investigação para imunodeficiências, que confirmou a hipótese de doença granulomatosa crônica por quantificação dos ânions superóxido e teste de redução do nitrobluetetrazolio. Paciente foi encaminhado a serviço especializado, no qual identificou-se doador de medula óssea compatível, realizando-se o transplante seis meses após o diagnóstico. Quatro meses após o transplante, ocorreu normalização do burst oxidativo, indicando sucesso. O paciente mostrou apresentação típica da doença, o que permitiu seu diagnóstico por pediatras gerais já na primeira infecção, tendo como consequência o acompanhamento por especialistas em imunodeficiências primárias, a introdução da profilaxia antimicrobiana e a procura bem sucedida de doador de medula HLA-compatível283362366To report a case of chronic granulomatous disease diagnosed during the first infectious episode in order to collaborate with the Brazilian Group for Immunodeficiency, in sensitizing the general pediatrician that the early diagnosis of primary immunodeficiency results in better quality of life and longer life expectancy for the patients. Male patient, 39 days, admitted to the pediatric emergency ward with fever for the last five days and irritability. On the following day, a cervical abscess was noted and a community Staphylococcus aureus was isolated. During hospital stay, other abscesses were observed in the skin and in the deep ganglia chains, with a slow response to antibiotics. Investigation of immunodeficiency was requested and chronic granulomatous disease was confirmed by quantification of superoxide anions and nitrobluetetrazolium tests. The patient was transferred to a specialized clinic for bone marrow transplantation, performed six months after diagnosis. Four months afterwards, the normalization of oxidative burst was noted, indecating the success of the transplantation. The patient showed a typical presentation of the disease, which allowed its diagnosis by general pediatricians on the first infection, allowing the follow-up by experts in primary immunodeficiencies, the introduction of antimicrobial chemoprophylaxis, and the successful search for an HLA-compatible bone marrow dono

EFFECTS OF HIGH-DOSE CREATINE SUPPLEMENTATION ON KIDNEY AND LIVER RESPONSES IN SEDENTARY AND EXERCISED RATS

This study evaluated the effects of high-dose of short-term creatine supplementation (5g.kg-1.day-1 to 1 week) and long-term creatine supplementation (1g.kg-1. day-1 to 4-8 weeks) on kidney and liver structure and function of sedentary and exercised Wistar rats (Exercise sessions consisted of swimming at 80% of maximal work load supported during 5 days per week with daily sessions of 60 minutes throughout the duration of the supplementation). Seventy- two animals (245 ± 5g) were divided into four groups (n = 18): control diet Sedentary (SED), Creatine diet Sedentary (CRE), control diet Exercised (EXE), and Creatine diet Exercised (EXECRE). Histological and blood biochemical studies were performed after one, four, and eight weeks of creatine supplementation and exercise (n = 6). No differences were found when comparing SED, EXE and EXECRE groups for kidney and liver structure and function at one, four and eight weeks. However, the CRE group showed higher levels of creatinine (1.1 ± 0.2 vs. 0.4 ± 0.1 mg.dl-1; p < 0.05), and urea (37 ± 3 vs. 19 ± 1 mg.dl-1; p < 0.05) when compared with all others groups at four and eight weeks. At eight weeks, the CRE group presented increased levels of ALT (41 ± 7 vs. 23 ± 7 U.L-1; p < 0.05), AST (89 ± 6 vs. 62 ± 5 U.L-1; p < 0.05), GGT (8.0 ± 0.9 vs. 3.9 ± 1.0 U.L-1; p < 0.05), and AP (125 ± 10 vs. 69 ± 9 U.L-1; p < 0.05) also when compared with all others groups. Moreover, the CRE group demonstrated some structural alterations indicating renal and hepatic damage at four and eight weeks, respectively. These results suggest that long-term creatine supplementation (up to 4-8 weeks) may adversely affect kidney and liver structure and function of sedentary but not of exercised rat

Prevalence of periodontopathogens in a black Brazilian secluded community matched with a black urban population

Made available in DSpace on 2019-09-12T16:56:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of periodontopathogens according to periodontal profile in a black Brazilian secluded community matched with an urban black population. Participants: A total of 84 subjects were selected, 42 (mean age 25.7 sd 18.0 years) from a secluded community called Santo Antonio do Guapore (SAG) and 42 (mean age 25.4 sd 18.1 years) from an urban area of Sao Paulo State (SPT). Methods: Participants received clinical examinations as follows: periodontal pocket depth; clinical attachment loss; plaque and gingival indexes. After examination, the secluded population was classified as periodontal health (13), gingivitis (15) or periodontitis (14). Then, 182 urban volunteers were screened and 42 subjects were selected matched for the variables: periodontal diagnosis, age (+/- 2 years) and gender. Samples were taken for microbial analysis. Genomic DNA for Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Campylobacter rectus, Tannerella forsythia and Prevotella intermedia was provided by polymerase chain reaction. Results: Except for C. rectus, all pathogens were present in both groups with no statistically significant difference. In particular, C. rectus was more prevalent only in gingivitis subjects from the SPT group (p< 0.05). A high frequency of periodontopathogens was related to the severity of periodontal disease. Conclusion: In general, the prevalence of the examined periodontopathogens in this study did not differ between a secluded black Brazilian population and an urban black population.[Cogo, K.] Universidade de Taubaté (Unitau), Fac Odontol, Sch Dent, Dept Oral Biol, BR-12020330 Sao Paulo, Brazil[Bonifacio, J. D.; Aquino, D. R.; Cortelli, S. C.; Cortelli, J. R.] Universidade de Taubaté (Unitau), Dept Periodontol, Sch Dent, BR-12020330 Sao Paulo, Brazil[Guimaraes dos Santos, J.] Universidade de Taubaté (Unitau), Div Mol Biol, Inst Basic Sci, BR-12020330 Sao Paulo, Brazil[Costa, F. O.] Univ Fed Minas Gerais, Sch Dent, Dept Periodontol, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazi