Superpulsed low-level laser therapy protects skeletal muscle of mdx mice against damage, inflammation and morphological changes delaying dystrophy progression.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of preventive treatment with low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on progression of dystrophy in mdx mice. Methods: Ten animals were randomly divided into 2 experimental groups treated with superpulsed LLLT (904 nm, 15 mW, 700 Hz, 1 J) or placebo-LLLT at one point overlying the tibialis anterior muscle (bilaterally) 5 times per week for 14 weeks (from 6th to 20th week of age). Morphological changes, creatine kinase (CK) activity and mRNA gene expression were assessed in animals at 20th week of age. Results: Animals treated with LLLT showed very few morphological changes in skeletal muscle, with less atrophy and fibrosis than animals treated with placebo-LLLT. CK was significantly lower (p = 0.0203) in animals treated with LLLT (864.70 U.l−1, SEM 226.10) than placebo (1708.00 U.l−1, SEM 184.60). mRNA gene expression of inflammatory markers was significantly decreased by treatment with LLLT (p<0.05): TNF-α (placebo-control = 0.51 µg/µl [SEM 0.12], - LLLT = 0.048 µg/µl [SEM 0.01]), IL-1β (placebo-control = 2.292 µg/µl [SEM 0.74], - LLLT = 0.12 µg/µl [SEM 0.03]), IL-6 (placebo-control = 3.946 µg/µl [SEM 0.98], - LLLT = 0.854 µg/µl [SEM 0.33]), IL-10 (placebo-control = 1.116 µg/µl [SEM 0.22], - LLLT = 0.352 µg/µl [SEM 0.15]), and COX-2 (placebo-control = 4.984 µg/µl [SEM 1.18], LLLT = 1.470 µg/µl [SEM 0.73]). Conclusion: Irradiation of superpulsed LLLT on successive days five times per week for 14 weeks decreased morphological changes, skeletal muscle damage and inflammation in mdx mice. This indicates that LLLT has potential to decrease progression of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Development and characterization of highly polymorphic long TC repeat microsatellite markers for genetic analysis of peanut

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Peanut (<it>Arachis hypogaea </it>L.) is a crop of economic and social importance, mainly in tropical areas, and developing countries. Its molecular breeding has been hindered by a shortage of polymorphic genetic markers due to a very narrow genetic base. Microsatellites (SSRs) are markers of choice in peanut because they are co-dominant, highly transferrable between species and easily applicable in the allotetraploid genome. In spite of substantial effort over the last few years by a number of research groups, the number of SSRs that are polymorphic for <it>A. hypogaea </it>is still limiting for routine application, creating the demand for the discovery of more markers polymorphic within cultivated germplasm.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>A plasmid genomic library enriched for TC/AG repeats was constructed and 1401 clones sequenced. From the sequences obtained 146 primer pairs flanking mostly TC microsatellites were developed. The average number of repeat motifs amplified was 23. These 146 markers were characterized on 22 genotypes of cultivated peanut. In total 78 of the markers were polymorphic within cultivated germplasm. Most of those 78 markers were highly informative with an average of 5.4 alleles per locus being amplified. Average gene diversity index (GD) was 0.6, and 66 markers showed a GD of more than 0.5. Genetic relationship analysis was performed and corroborated the current taxonomical classification of <it>A. hypogaea </it>subspecies and varieties.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The microsatellite markers described here are a useful resource for genetics and genomics in <it>Arachis</it>. In particular, the 66 markers that are highly polymorphic in cultivated peanut are a significant step towards routine genetic mapping and marker-assisted selection for the crop.</p

Red (660 nm) and infrared (830 nm) low-level laser therapy in skeletal muscle fatigue in humans: what is better?

In animal and clinical trials low-level laser therapy (LLLT) using red, infrared and mixed wavelengths has been shown to delay the development of skeletal muscle fatigue. However, the parameters employed in these studies do not allow a conclusion as to which wavelength range is better in delaying the development of skeletal muscle fatigue. With this perspective in mind, we compared the effects of red and infrared LLLT on skeletal muscle fatigue. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial was performed in ten healthy male volunteers. They were treated with active red LLLT, active infrared LLLT (660 or 830 nm, 50 mW, 17.85 W/cm2, 100 s irradiation per point, 5 J, 1,785 J/cm2 at each point irradiated, total 20 J irradiated per muscle) or an identical placebo LLLT at four points of the biceps brachii muscle for 3 min before exercise (voluntary isometric elbow flexion for 60 s). The mean peak force was significantly greater (p < 0.05) following red (12.14%) and infrared LLLT (14.49%) than following placebo LLLT, and the mean average force was also significantly greater (p < 0.05) following red (13.09%) and infrared LLLT (13.24%) than following placebo LLLT. There were no significant differences in mean average force or mean peak force between red and infrared LLLT. We conclude that both red than infrared LLLT are effective in delaying the development skeletal muscle fatigue and in enhancement of skeletal muscle performance. Further studies are needed to identify the specific mechanisms through which each wavelength acts

Chewing analysis in subjects aged between 07 to 12 years with unilateral cross bite

PURPOSE: to analyze the function of chewing, related to the posterior unilateral crossbite in children aged between 07 to 12 years. METHODS: 10 samples of both genders with posterior unilateral crossbite, with no orthodontic treatment history. During the speech language pathology evaluation the examined items were: food cutting, side of the chewing, rhythm, lips position, food escape, jaw movement, exaggerated participation of the perioral muscles, food accumulation in the vestibule of the mouth, position and size of the alimentary cake. RESULTS: from the 10 evaluated samples, 80% demonstrated unilateral chewing of the same side of the posterior unilateral crossbite and 20% bilateral chewing. From the 08 analyzed samples, the results were: previous cut, without escape of food and rotatory movements 100%; slow rhythm 50% and fast rhythm 50%; closed lips 75%; exaggerated participation of perioral muscles 62,5%; without accumulation of food 87,5%; alimentary cake cente-red 62,5%; small cale size 62,5%. CONCLUSION: from the evaluated cases, it was observed that 80% confirmed the relation between unilateral chewing and unilateral posterior crossbite, corroborating the literature s reporting. In the chewing, no any alterations related to the posterior unilateral crossbite and unilateral chewing have been noted.OBJETIVO: analisar a função de mastigação relacionada à mordida cruzada posterior unilateral em crianças na faixa etária de sete a doze anos. MÉTODOS: dez indivíduos de ambos os sexos com mordida cruzada unilateral posterior sem intervenção ortodôntica. Na avaliação fonoaudiológica os itens considerados foram: corte do alimento, lado da mastigação, ritmo, postura labial, escape de alimentos, movimento de mandíbula, participação exagerada da musculatura perioral, acúmulo de alimento no vestíbulo da boca, posição e tamanho do bolo alimentar. RESULTADOS: dos dez indivíduos avaliados, 80% apresentaram mastigação unilateral do mesmo lado da mordida cruzada posterior unilateral e 20% mastigação bilateral. Dos oito indivíduos analisados com mastigação unilateral, os resultados encontrados foram: corte anterior, sem escape de alimentos e movimentos rotatórios 100%; ritmo lento 50% e rápido 50%; lábios fechados 75%; participação exagerada da musculatura perioral 62,5%; sem acúmulo de alimentos 87,5%; bolo alimentar centralizado 75%; tamanho do bolo pequeno 62,5%. CONCLUSÃO: dos casos avaliados, observou-se que 80% confirmam a relação entre mastigação unilateral e mordida cruzada posterior unilateral. Na mastigação, não foram evidenciadas quaisquer outras alterações que possam estar relacionadas à mordida cruzada posterior unilateral e mastigação unilateral.Prefeitura do Rio de JaneiroUniversidade do Estado do Rio de JaneiroCEFAC - Saúde e EducaçãoHospital Estadual Adão Pereira NunesUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Setor de Investigação em Doenças NeuromuscularesUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESP, Setor de Investigação em Doenças NeuromuscularesUNIFESPSciEL

The impact of ageing reveals distinct roles for human dentate gyrus and CA3 in pattern separation and object recognition memory

© 2017 The Author(s). Both recognition of familiar objects and pattern separation, a process that orthogonalises overlapping events, are critical for effective memory. Evidence is emerging that human pattern separation requires dentate gyrus. Dentate gyrus is intimately connected to CA3 where, in animals, an autoassociative network enables recall of complete memories to underpin object/event recognition. Despite huge motivation to treat age-related human memory disorders, interaction between human CA3 and dentate subfields is difficult to investigate due to small size and proximity. We tested the hypothesis that human dentate gyrus is critical for pattern separation, whereas, CA3 underpins identical object recognition. Using 3 T MR hippocampal subfield volumetry combined with a behavioural pattern separation task, we demonstrate that dentate gyrus volume predicts accuracy and response time during behavioural pattern separation whereas CA3 predicts performance in object recognition memory. Critically, human dentate gyrus volume decreases with age whereas CA3 volume is age-independent. Further, decreased dentate gyrus volume, and no other subfield volume, mediates adverse effects of aging on memory. Thus, we demonstrate distinct roles for CA3 and dentate gyrus in human memory and uncover the variegated effects of human ageing across hippocampal regions. Accurate pinpointing of focal memory-related deficits will allow future targeted treatment for memory loss