144 research outputs found

    Determining factors of functioning in hemodialysis patients using the international classification of functioning, disability and health

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    Background: Hemodialysis (HD) treatment affects functioning, physical activity level, clinical biomarkers, and body composition. However, the association between these variables with functioning, considering International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) domains remains unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the possible association between physical activity, biomarkers, and body composition with functioning in HD patients in reference to the ICF. Methods: Eighty HD patients performed different tests grouped according to ICF domain: Body structure and function – handgrip strength (HS), 5-repetition sit-to-stand test, and 60-s sit-to-stand test (5-STS, 60-STS, respectively); Activity – short physical performance battery (SPPB); and Participation – participation scale questionnaire. Physical activity [Human Activity Profile questionnaire (HAP)], body composition (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), Parathormone (PTH), and alkaline phosphatase were analyzed as possible variables associated with ICF domains. Data analyses were performed using simple and multiple regression models adjusted for age, duration of HD, and diuresis volume. Results: In the body structure and function domain, appendicular lean mass, PTH level, and age were associated with HS ( R2 = 0.558); HAP and PTH were associated with 5-STS ( R2 = 0.263); and HAP, PTH, duration of HD, and age were associated with 60-STS ( R2 = 0.337). In the activity domain, HAP, PTH, alkaline phosphatase, duration of HD, age, and body fat were associated with SPPB ( R2 = 0.689). Finally, only HAP was associated with the participation scale ( R2 = 0.067). Conclusion: Physical activity and PTH levels are determinant protagonists of functioning in all ICF domains in hemodialysis patients

    AcMus: an open, integrated platform for room acoustics research

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    This article describes the design, implementation, and experiences with AcMus, an open and integrated software platform for room acoustics research, which comprises tools for measurement, analysis, and simulation of rooms for music listening and production. Through use of affordable hardware, such as laptops, consumer audio interfaces and microphones, the software allows evaluation of relevant acoustical parameters with stable and consistent results, thus providing valuable information in the diagnosis of acoustical problems, as well as the possibility of simulating modifications in the room through analytical models. The system is open-source and based on a flexible and extensible Java plug-in framework, allowing for cross-platform portability, accessibility and experimentation, thus fostering collaboration of users, developers and researchers in the field of room acoustics.CNPqFAPES

    Leucemia linfocítica crônica: anormalidades cromossômicas e a sua relação com o estágio clínico CD38 e o ZAP-70

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    Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is the most prevalent type of leukemia in the West. It is characterized by an extremely variable clinical course. The aim of the study was to detect the most frequent chromosomal abnormalities in patients with CLL using FISH, and assess them regarding age, gender, clinical stage and CD38 and ZAP-70 expressions. We found 51.7% of the patients with chromosome abnormalities. The most frequent one was del 13q14 in 34.5% of cases. It was associated to other alterations in 17.2%. 17p13 deletions were found in 17.2% and trisomy 12 in 13.8% (in isolation in 6.9% and associated to del 13q14, in 6.9% of the cases). An 11q22 deletion was found in one case associated to a 13q14 deletion. To better evaluate the relationship between chromosome aberrations and other prognostic factors in CLL, two cytogenetics groups were considered: favorable (13q deletion in isolation and no alteration) and unfavorable outcomes (trisomy 12, 17p13 deletion, 11q22 deletion and two simultaneous alterations).The unfavorable alterations were more frequently seen among young individuals (<60y). There were more females (70%) than males in this group (p=0.04). In relation to the Binet's staging system, patients with unfavorable cytogenetic alterations, tended to be B and C stages, while in the favorable group prevailed patients in stage A. Additionally, patients with poor prognostic cytogenetics tended to express CD38 and ZAP-70 proteins.A leucemia linfocítica crônica (LLC) é o tipo de leucemia mais prevalente no Ocidente e é caracterizada por curso clínico extremamente variável. O objetivo deste estudo foi detectar as anomalias cromossômicas mais freqüentes em pacientes com LLC, empregando a técnica FISH, e correlacioná-las com idade, sexo, estádio clínico, expressão de CD 38 e ZAP-70. Foram encontradas alterações cromossômicas em 51,7% dos pacientes. A mais freqüente foi a del 13q14, observada em 34,5% dos casos e que esteve associada a outras anomalias em 17,2%. Deleção 17p13 foi encontrada em 17,2% e trissomia 12 em 13,8% (isolada em 6,9% e associada à del 13q14 em 6,9%). Deleção 11q22 foi observada em um caso em concomitância à del 13q14. Para melhor avaliar a relação entre alteração cromossômica e outros fatores prognósticos em LLC, dois grupos citogenéticos foram considerados: favorável (deleção 13q isolada e ausência de alterações) e desfavorável (trissomia 12, deleção 17p13, deleção 11q22 e duas anomalias simultâneas). As alterações desfavoráveis foram mais freqüentemente observadas em indivíduos jovens (<60 anos) e em mulheres (70%)(p=0,04). Em relação ao sistema de estadiamento de Binet, houve tendência dos pacientes com alterações cromossômicas desfavoráveis apresenteram-se nos estágios B e C enquanto no grupo favorável prevaleceram aqueles com estágio A. Em adição, pacientes com achados citogenéticos de prognóstico desfavorável tiveram tendência a expressar proteínas CD 38 e ZAP-70.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de MedicinaUNIFESP, EPMSciEL

    Evaluation of the effects of Quercetin and Kaempherol on the surface of MT-2 cells visualized by atomic force microscopy

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    AbstractThis study investigated the anti-viral effects of the polyphenolic compounds Quercetin and Kaempherol on the release of HTLV-1 from the surface of MT-2 cells. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to scan the surface of the MT-2 cells. MT-2 cells were fixed with 100% methanol on round glass lamina or cleaved mica and dried under UV light and laminar flow. The images were captured on a Multimode equipment monitored by a NanoScope IIId controller from Veeco Instruments Inc operated in tapping mode and equipped with phase-imaging hardware. The images demonstrated viral budding structures 131±57nm in size, indicating profuse viral budding. Interestingly, cell-free viruses and budding structures visualized on the surface of cells were less common when MT-2 was incubated with Quercetin, and no particles were seen on the surface of cells incubated with Kaempherol. In summary, these data indicate that HTLV-1 is budding constantly from the MT-2 cell surface and that polyphenolic compounds were able to reduce this viral release. Biological samples were analyzed with crude cell preparations just after cultivation in the presence of Quercetin and Kaempherol, showing that the AFM technique is a rapid and powerful tool for analysis of antiviral activity of new biological compounds

    Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of novel limonene derivatives with a substituted thiourea moiety

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    A series of R-(+)-limonene derivatives bearing a substituted thiourea moiety (3-13) and five S-methyl analogs (14-18) were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antiproliferative activity against human cancer cell lines. Compounds bearing aromatic substituents (3-6) exhibit cytotastic activity in the full panel of cell lines tested, with GI50 values in the range of 2.5 to 24 µmol L-1. Compounds 3, 10, 12 and 16 were the most active with GI50 values in the range of 0.41 to 3.0 µmol L-1, against different cell lines.No presente trabalho descrevemos a síntese e a avaliação da atividade antiproliferativa, frente a linhagens de células tumorais humanas, de derivados do R-(+)-limoneno (3-18) contendo uma unidade tiouréia substituída. Os derivados com substituintes arílicos (3-6) exibiram atividade citostática frente a todas linhagens testadas, com inibição de 50% do crescimento celular (GI50) em concentrações na faixa de 2,5 a 24 µmol L-1. Os compostos 3, 10, 12 e 16 foram os mais ativos, com GI50 na faixa de 0,41 a 3,0 mmol L-1, frente a diferentes linhagens celulares.954960Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

    Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome using two proposed definitions in a Japanese-Brazilians community

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    Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased risk of morbi-mortality, thus the characterization of the population magnitude of this syndrome is critical for allocating health care. However, prevalence estimates of MetS in the same population could differ depending on the definition used. Therefore, we compared the prevalence of the MetS using definitions proposed by: National Cholesterol Education Panel Revised (NCEP) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) 2009 in a Japanese-Brazilians community (131 individuals, age 57 ± 16 years, 1st and 2nd generation). All individuals went through a clinical and laboratorial evaluation for assessment of weigh, height, waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol and fasting plasma glucose. The prevalence of MetS was 26.7% (n = 35) and 37.4% (n = 49) under the NCEP and IDF definitions, respectively. Despite higher blood pressure measurements, waist circumference and serum triglyceride levels and lower HDL cholesterol levels (p < 0.01), individuals identified with MetS did not show increased blood glucose levels. IDF definition classified 14 individuals (10.7%) with MetS that were not classified under the NCEP and 35 individuals were identified with MetS by both criteria. We observed, in this group, more severe lipid disorders, compared to individuals identified only under the IDF definition, and the BMI and waist circumference (p = 0.01; p = 0.006, respectively) were lower. In conclusion, the IDF revised criteria, probably because of the ethnic specific values of waist circumference, was able to identify a larger number of individuals with MetS. However, our data suggesting that additional studies are necessary to define best MetS diagnostic criteria in this population.We are grateful to patients participating in this study and to Sebastiao L. Brandao Filho for technical assistance.This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sector
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