Perfil lipídico e uso de anti-TNF-α

AbstractThe use of anti-TNF-α has been associated with several changes in lipid profile, although some study results are conflicting. The knowledge of this fact is of great importance when one observes at the association between rheumatic diseases and accelerated atherogenesis. The aim of this analysis was search for changes in lipid profile in anti TNF-α users in the population of Southern Brazil and its association with duration of use, indications, patient gender and type of anti-TNF. For this purpose, we studied the profiles of total cholesterol (TC), HDL cholesterol (HDLc), LDL cholesterol (LDLc), atherogenic index (ATI) and triglycerides (TGs) of 58 patients (42 with rheumatoid arthritis and 16 with spondyloarthritis) before and after using this drug for a median of 16.0 months. There were no changes in the levels of TC, HDLc, LDLc and ATI (P=NS). However, there was a significant increase in TG levels (P=0.03). The median difference between first and second TG measurements was 16mg/dL and this increase was not associated with gender, time of use, use indication or type of anti TNF-α (P=NS). It was concluded that the use of anti TNF-α is associated with increased values of TG

Angels and demons regarding cardiovascular disease in diabetic renal patients: the role of FGF-23 Andklotho on the pulse pressure

The last decade have shown thatFGF23 and Klotho may have relevant independent actions on the renal and cardiovascular systems. Theyinterfere with vascular functions and may playa role in vascularcalcification, atherosclerosis and arteriolosclerosis. On the other hand, pulse pressureis awell-known risk factorof cardiovascular morbidityand mortality in renal patients. The aim of this study isto investigate the relationship between FGF-23 and Klothowith pulse pressure in type 2 diabetic with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 2-3

Germination dynamics of sesame seeds under salt stress

Sesame crops have large economic potential; however, the scarcity of good quality water in the Semiarid region of the Northeast of Brazil can affect production systems, which requires the search for cultivars that can better be adapted to the local conditions. In this context, the objective of this work was to evaluate the germination dynamics of sesame seed lots subjected to different electrical conductivities of the imbibition solution. The experiment was conducted at the Laboratory of Seeds and Seedling Analysis of the Federal University of Campina Grande, Pombal campus, Paraíba, Brazil. A completely randomized design was used, in an 8×6 factorial arrangement, corresponding to eight seed lots (BRS Seda; BRS Seda (S2); BRS G2 (S1); BRS G2 (S2); BRS G3 (S1); BRS G3 (S2); BRS G4 (S1) and BRS G4 (S2), where S1 and S2 represent the grown environments, saline (2.4 dS m-1) and non-saline, respectively; and six electrical conductivities of the imbibition solution (0.3; 1.2; 2.1; 3.0; 3.9; and 4.8 dS m-¹), with four replications. The variables seed germination, vigor, germination speed index, mean time for germination, mean germination speed, and radicle length were evaluated. The sesame seeds are sensitive to salinity, regardless of the lot analyzed and their germination power decreases when they are subjected to high salt concentrations.Sesame crops have large economic potential; however, the scarcity of good quality water in the Semiarid region of the Northeast of Brazil can affect production systems, which requires the search for cultivars that can better be adapted to the local conditions. In this context, the objective of this work was to evaluate the germination dynamics of sesame seed lots subjected to different electrical conductivities of the imbibition solution. The experiment was conducted at the Laboratory of Seeds and Seedling Analysis of the Federa

Differences in muscle strength after ACL reconstruction do not influence cardiorespiratory responses to isometabolic exercise

Objectives: To investigate whether the muscle strength decrease that follows anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction would lead to different cardiorespiratory adjustments during dynamic exercise.Method: Eighteen active male subjects were submitted to isokinetic evaluation of knee flexor and extensor muscles four months after ACL surgery. Thigh circumference was also measured and an incremental unilateral cardiopulmonary exercise test was performed separately for both involved and uninvolved lower limbs in order to compare heart rate, oxygen consumption, minute ventilation, and ventilatory pattern (breath rate, tidal volume, inspiratory time, expiratory time, tidal volume/inspiratory time) at three different workloads (moderate, anaerobic threshold, and maximal).Results:There was a significant difference between isokinetic extensor peak torque measured in the involved (116.5±29.1 Nm) and uninvolved (220.8±40.4 Nm) limbs, p=0.000. Isokinetic flexor peak torque was also lower in the involved limb than in the uninvolved limb (107.8±15.4 and 132.5±26.3 Nm, p=0.004, respectively). Lower values were also found in involved thigh circumference as compared with uninvolved limb (46.9±4.3 and 48.5±3.9 cm, p=0.005, respectively). No differences were found between the lower limbs in any of the variables of the incremental cardiopulmonary tests at all exercise intensities.Conclusions: Our findings indicate that, four months after ACL surgery, there is a significant deficit in isokinetic strength in the involved limb, but these differences in muscle strength requirement do not produce differences in the cardiorespiratory adjustments to exercise. Based on the hypotheses from the literature which explain the differences in the physiological responses to exercise for different muscle masses, we can deduce that, after 4 months of a rehabilitation program after an ACL reconstruction, individuals probably do not present differences in muscle oxidative and peripheral perfusion capacities that could elicit higher levels of peripheral cardiorepiratory stimulus during exercise.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Department of PhysiologyUniversidade Federal de Goiás Faculty of Physical Education Department of Human and Exercise PhysiologyUniversidade Federal do Espírito Santo Center for Physical Education and SportUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Department of Orthopedics and TraumatologyUNIFESP, Department of PhysiologyUNIFESP, Department of Orthopedics and TraumatologyFAPESP: 99/07746-9SciEL

Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of low doses of mercury chloride and methylmercury chloride on human lymphocytes in vitro

Mercury is a xenobiotic metal that is a highly deleterious environmental pollutant. The biotransformation of mercury chloride (HgCl2) into methylmercury chloride (CH3HgCl) in aquatic environments is well-known and humans are exposed by consumption of contaminated fish, shellfish and algae. The objective of the present study was to determine the changes induced in vitro by two mercury compounds (HgCl2 and CH3HgCl) in cultured human lymphocytes. Short-term human leukocyte cultures from 10 healthy donors (5 females and 5 males) were set-up by adding drops of whole blood in complete medium. Cultures were separately and simultaneously treated with low doses (0.1 to 1000 µg/l) of HgCl2 and CH3HgCl and incubated at 37ºC for 48 h. Genotoxicity was assessed by chromosome aberrations and polyploid cells. Mitotic index was used as a measure of cytotoxicity. A significant increase (P < 0.05) in the relative frequency of chromosome aberrations was observed for all concentrations of CH3HgCl when compared to control, whether alone or in an evident sinergistic combination with HgCl2. The frequency of polyploid cells was also significantly increased (P < 0.05) when compared to control after exposure to all concentrations of CH3HgCl alone or in combination with HgCl2. CH3HgCl significantly decreased (P < 0.05) the mitotic index at 100 and 1000 µg/l alone, and at 1, 10, 100, and 1000 µg/l when combined with HgCl2, showing a synergistic cytotoxic effect. Our data showed that low concentrations of CH3HgCl might be cytotoxic/genotoxic. Such effects may indicate early cellular changes with possible biological consequences and should be considered in the preliminary evaluation of the risks of populations exposed in vivo to low doses of mercury.Faculdade de Itaituba Departamento de Pós-GraduaçãoUniversidade Federal do Pará Centro de Ciências Biológicas Departamento de BiologiaUniversidade Federal do Pará Centro de Ciências Biológicas Departamento de PatologiaUniversidade de São Paulo Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto Departamento de GenéticaFundação Universidade Federal de Rondônia Departamento de Medicina Laboratório de Biogeoquímica AmbientalUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de MorfologiaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de MorfologiaSciEL

Isokinetic muscle assessment after treatment of pectoralis major muscle rupture using surgical or non-surgical procedures

INTRODUCTION: Rupture of the pectoralis major muscle appears to be increasing in athletes. However, the optimal treatment strategy has not yet been established. OBJECTIVES: To compare the isokinetic shoulder performance after surgical treatment to that after non-surgical treatment for pectoralis major muscle rupture. METHODS: We assessed 33 pectoralis major muscle ruptures (18 treated non-surgically and 15 treated surgically). Horizontal abduction and adduction as well as external and internal rotation at 60 and 120 degrees/s were tested in both upper limbs. Peak torque, total work, contralateral deficiency, and the peak torque agonist-to-antagonist ratio were measured. RESULTS: Contralateral muscular deficiency did not differ between the surgical and non-surgical treatment modalities. However, the surgical group presented twice the number of athletes with clinically acceptable contralateral deficiency (<20%) for internal rotators compared to the non-surgical group. The peak torque ratio between the external and internal rotator muscles revealed a similar deficit of the external rotation in both groups and on both sides (surgical, 61.60% and 57.80% and non-surgical, 62.06% and 54.06%, for the dominant and non-dominant sides, respectively). The peak torque ratio revealed that the horizontal adduction muscles on the injured side showed similar weakness in both groups (surgical, 86.27%; non-surgical, 98.61%). CONCLUSIONS: This study included the largest single series of athletes reported to date for this type of injury. A comparative analysis of muscular strength and balance showed no differences between the treatment modalities for pectoralis major muscle rupture. However, the number of significant clinical deficiencies was lower in the surgical group than in the non-surgical group, and both treatment modalities require greater attention to the rehabilitation process, especially for the recovery of muscle strength and balance

Positive effects of physical exercise in epilepsy: does judo part of this context?

INTRODUCTION: Persons with epilepsy have previously been discouraged from participation in physical activity and sports for fear of inducing seizures or increasing seizure frequency. Despite a shift in medical recommendations toward encouraging rather than restricting participation, the stigma remains and persons with epilepsy continue to be less active than the general population. OBJECTIVES: In these lines, several clinical and experimental studies have demonstrated a positive effect of physical exercise on epilepsy. Judo is a traditional and popular sport and people with epilepsy often ask physicians whether they may engage in this sport. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this, our review article is designed to show the risks and benefits of physical activity in patients with epilepsy and discusses the role of judo in this context.INTRODUÇÃO: Pessoas com epilepsia tem sido constantemente desaconselhadas a participarem de atividades físicas ou esportivas por receio do exercício provocar crises epilépticas. Apesar da atitude médica atual recomendando a participação em atividades esportivas, o estigma ainda persiste e as pessoas com epilepsia continuam menos ativas que a população em geral. OBJETIVOS: Neste sentido, vários estudos clínicos e experimentais têm demonstrado um efeito benéfico do exercício físico na epilepsia. O judô é um esporte tradicional e popular e pessoas com epilepsia freqüentemente perguntam aos médicos se podem participar deste tipo de esporte. CONCLUSÃO: Baseado nestas questões, este artigo de revisão propõe avaliar os riscos e benefícios da atividade física em pessoas com epilepsia e discutir o papel do judô neste contexto.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de MedicinaUniversidade Bandeirante de São PauloUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de FisiologiaUniversidade de Mogi das Cruzes Faculdade de Medicina Núcleo de Pesquisas TecnológicasUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de FisiologiaSciEL

Mancha foliar em capim-elefante no Cerrado do Brasil Central causada por Bipolaris maydis

Bipolaris maydis (Y. Nisik. & C. Miyake) Shoemaker was consistently isolated from elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) showing leaf spot symptoms in the Cerrado of Central Brazil in 2005 and 2006. Pathogenicity tests, under greenhouse conditions, and subsequent re-isolation of B. maydis from artificially infected elephant grass seedlings confirmed that this fungus was the causal agent of the disease. First symptoms of leaf spot appeared two days after inoculation. Eleven other grass species proved to be susceptible to the fungus.Bipolaris maydis (Y. Nisik. & C. Miyake) Shoemaker foi consistentemente isolado de plantas de Pennisetum purpureum Schum., com sintomas de manchas foliares, no Cerrado, em 2005 e 2006. Testes de patogenicidade em mudas sadias de capim-elefante, em casa de vegetação, e o subseqüente reisolamento do fungo confirmaram que B. maydis era o agente causal das lesões foliares observadas. Os primeiros sintomas apareceram dois dias após a inoculação. Onze outras espécies de gramíneas foram suscetíveis ao fungo