Physical, chemical and biomechanical bone response of female ovariectomized rats to various intakes of supplemental fluorine

OBJETIVO: Este estudo investiga os efeitos do flúor suplementar sobre as características dos ossos de ratas ovariectomizadas (castradas), utilizadas como modelo de osteoporose experimental, por meio da correlação entre os parâmetros biomecânicos e as propriedades físicas e químicas desses ossos. MÉTODOS: No início do experimento, 78 ratas Wistar, com quatro meses de idade, foram divididas em oito grupos: grupo basal, que gerou os parâmetros iniciais do experimento; grupo 1, formado por ratas não ovariectomizadas; e os grupos 2 a 7, constituídos por ratas ovariectomizadas submetidas a dosagens de fluoreto de sódio (NaF) de 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 e 100mg/L em solução, respectivamente, durante dois meses. RESULTADOS: A ovariectomia promoveu osteopenia, observada pelos parâmetros morfométricos, físicos e químicos, provocando menor resistência biomecânica dos fêmures submetidos ao ensaio de flexão. Os ossos das ratas que ingeriram 40mg de flúor demonstraram melhores características físicas, bioquímicas e biomecânicas do que os das ratas ovariectomizadas sem tratamento e os das não ovariectomizadas. CONCLUSÃO: Além de promover uma proteção contra a perda óssea induzida pela deficiência de estrógenos causada pela castração, o flúor melhorou a qualidade óssea, demonstrada pelos resultados biomecânicos aumentados em relação ao grupo não ovariectomizado. _______________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of supplemental fluorine on the bone characteristics of ovariectomized (castrated) female rats, used as a model for experimental osteoporosis, evaluating the correlation between biomechanical parameters and the physical and chemical bone properties. METHODS: Seventy-eight female, 4-month-old Wistar rats were divided into 8 groups: the basal group, generating the initial values for the parameters; group 1, consisting of non-ovariectomized rats; and groups 2 to 7, consisting of ovariectomized rats that ingested increasing concentrations of supplemental sodium fluoride solutions (NaF): 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100mg/L, respectively, for two months. RASULTS: Ovariectomy promoted osteopenia, determined from the morphometric, physical and chemical parameters and causing lower biomechanical resistance of the femurs submitted to flexion trials. The bones of the rats that ingested the 40mg/L fluorine solution demonstrated better physical, biochemical and biomechanical conditions than those of the non-treated ovariectomized and intact control rats. CONCLUSION: Besides promoting protection against the bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency, fluorine improved bone quality, which was demonstrated by the enhanced biomechanical results as compared to the intact group

Estratégias para aplicação do BIM e Lean Construction nos canteiros de obras: um estudo de caso no estado do Rio de Janeiro / Strategies for the application of BIM and Lean Construction in construction sites: a case study in the state of Rio de Janeiro

Na busca por otimização e modelos mais avançados para o gerenciamento e controle de obras surgiram o Building Information Model (BIM) e o Lean Construction (LC). Este artigo pretende estudar a utilização do uso do BIM e LC em canteiro de obras. Adotou-se o estudo de caso com aplicação de um questionário para médias e grandes empresas construtoras localizadas na região metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro/RJ. Os principais resultados demostram que o baixo conhecimento sobre o BIM e LC, a percepção de alto custo frente à potenciais ganhos a médio e longo prazo são as principais dificuldades na adoção do BIM e do LC. No entanto, são apresentadas recomendações que podem auxiliar na adoção deles, tais como: a inclusão da implementação do BIM e do LC dentro dos objetivos do plano estratégico, com metas e planos de ação que podem favorecer a implementação de forma sustentável; integração entre projetistas; e treinamento adequado aos colaboradores. Por fim, concluiu-se que é necessário um levantamento completo dos custos envolvidos na implantação dessas novas formas de trabalhar nos canteiros de obras e que seus benefícios possam contribuir para o aumento da eficácia da construção civil brasileira

[C-11]PIB PET imaging can detect white and grey matter demyelination in a non-human primate model of progressive multiple sclerosis

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating and inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. Its diagnosis is clinical, often confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. This image modality, however, is not ideal for discrimination of demyelination in grey and white matter regions from inflammatory lesions. Positron Emission Tomography (PET), using specific radiopharmaceuticals, can be a tool to differentiate between these processes. The radiopharmaceutical [C-11]PIB is widely used for detection of beta-amyloid plaques, but has also been suggested for the analysis of myelin content due to its consistent uptake in white matter. The aim of this study was to evaluate [C-11]PIB PET imaging as a tool for detecting demyelinated regions in white and grey matter of non-human primate model of progressive MS. Methods: Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was induced in marmosets by injection of re-combinant human myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (rhMOG) emulsified in either Incomplete Freund's Adjuvant (IFA) or Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA). [C-11]PIB PET images were acquired prior to immunization (baseline) and after symptoms were present (end of experiment). Brain tissue was isolated for histochemical analysis. Results: All rhMOG/IFA-treated and rhMOG/CFA-treated animals showed clinical signs of EAE. The rhMOG/CFA group presented a significant [C-11]PIB uptake reduction only in the left motor cortex (9%, P = 0.011). For the rhMOG/IFA group, significant decrease in [C-11]PIB uptake was observed in the whole brain (15%, P = 0.015), in the right hemisphere of body of corpus callosum (34%, P = 0.02), splenium of corpus callosum (38%, P = 0.004), hippocampus (19%, P = 0.036), optic tract (13%, P = 0.025), thalamus (14%, P = 0.041), Globus pallidus (23%, P = 0.017), head of caudate nucleus (25%, P = 0.045), tail of caudate nucleus (29%, P = 0.003), putamen (28%, P = 0.047) and left hemisphere of body of corpus callosum (14%, P = 0.037) and head of caudate nucleus (23%, P = 0.023). [C-11]PIB uptake significantly correlated with luxol fast blue histology (myelin marker), both in the rhMOG/IFA (r(2) = 0.32, P <0.0001) and the rhMOG/CFA group (r(2) = 0.46, P <0.0001). Conclusion: [C-11]PIB PET imaging is an efficient tool for detecting demyelination in grey and white matter, in a non-human primate model of progressive MS

Influence of different types of corticosteroids on heart rate variability of individuals with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A pilot cross sectional study

Individuals with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) have an impairment of cardiac autonomic function categorized by parasympathetic reduction and sympathetic predominance. The objective of this study was to assess the cardiac autonomic modulation of individuals with DMD undergoing therapy with Prednisone/Prednisolone and Deflazacort and compare with individuals with DMD without the use of these medications and a typically developed control group. Methods: A cross-sectional study was completed, wherein 40 boys were evaluated. The four treatment groups were: Deflazacort; Prednisone/Prednisolone; no corticoid use; and typical development. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) was investigated via linear indices (Time Domain and Frequency Domain) and non-linear indices Results: The results of this study revealed that individuals with DMD undertaking pharmacotherapies with Prednisolone demonstrated HRV comparable to the Control Typically Developed (CTD) group. In contrast, individuals with DMD undergoing pharmacotherapies with Deflazacort achieved lower HRV, akin to individuals with DMD without any medications, as demonstrated in the metrics: RMSSD; LF (n.u.), HF (n.u.), LF/HF; SD1, α1, and α1/α2, and a significant effect for SD1/SD2; %DET and Ratio; Shannon Entropy, 0 V%, 2 LV% and 2 ULV%. Conclusions: Corticosteroids have the potential to affect the cardiac autonomic modulation in adolescents with DMD. The use of Prednisone/Prednisolone appears to promote improved responses in terms of sympathovagal activity as opposed to Deflazacort

NÍVEL DE SOBRECARGA E QUALIDADE DE VIDA DE CUIDADORES DE INDIVÍDUOS COM NECESSIDADES ESPECIAIS

O objetivo desse estudo foi verificar o nível de sobrecarga, a qualidade de vida e a presença de dor em cuidadores de indivíduos com necessidades especiais. Foram entrevistados 40 cuidadores (média de idade de 46,3 ± 13,35 anos) divididos em: Grupo de cuidadores de crianças e adolescentes (GCA) (n=18) e Grupo de cuidadores de adultos e idosos (GAI) (n=22). Na entrevista foram utilizados: questionário inicial para o perfil do cuidador, Questionário de Sobrecarga Burden Interview e Questionário Genérico de Qualidade de Vida SF-36. Foi verificado que 92,5% dos cuidadores eram mulheres, sendo prevalentes as mães dos indivíduos com necessidades especiais e que 50% da amostra dedicava-se em tempo integral aos cuidados. Foi verificada a presença de sobrecarga física e emocional de leve à moderada em ambos os grupos, além do acometimento da qualidade de vida, sendo que o GAI apresentou pontuações inferiores aos do GCA em todos os domínios

Origin and diversification of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri pathotypes revealed by inclusive phylogenomic, dating, and biogeographic analyses.

Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri pathotypes cause bacterial citrus canker, being responsible for severe agricultural losses worldwide. The A pathotype has a broad host spectrum, while A* and Aw are more restricted both in hosts and in geography. Two previous phylogenomic studies led to contrasting well-supported clades for sequenced genomes of these pathotypes. No extensive biogeographical or divergence dating analytic approaches have been so far applied to available genomes. Results: Based on a larger sampling of genomes than in previous studies (including six new genomes sequenced by our group, adding to a total of 95 genomes), phylogenomic analyses resulted in different resolutions, though overall indicating that A?+?AW is the most likely true clade. Our results suggest the high degree of recombination at some branches and the fast diversification of lineages are probable causes for this phylogenetic blurring effect. One of the genomes analyzed, X. campestris pv. durantae, was shown to be an A* strain; this strain has been reported to infect a plant of the family Verbenaceae, though there are no reports of any X. citri subsp. citri pathotypes infecting any plant outside the Citrus genus. Host reconstruction indicated the pathotype ancestor likely had plant hosts in the family Fabaceae, implying an ancient jump to the current Rutaceae hosts. Extensive dating analyses indicated that the origin of X. citri subsp. citri occurred more recently than the main phylogenetic splits of Citrus plants, suggesting dispersion rather than host-directed vicariance as the main driver of geographic expansion. An analysis of 120 pathogenic-related genes revealed pathotype-associated patterns of presence/absence. Conclusions: Our results provide novel insights into the evolutionary history of X. citri subsp. citri as well as a sound phylogenetic foundation for future evolutionary and genomic studies of its pathotypes

EpIG‐DB: A database of vascular epiphyte assemblages in the Neotropics

Vascular epiphytes are a diverse and conspicuous component of biodiversity in tropical and subtropical forests. Yet, the patterns and drivers of epiphyte assemblages are poorly studied in comparison with soil‐rooted plants. Current knowledge about diversity patterns of epiphytes mainly stems from local studies or floristic inventories, but this information has not yet been integrated to allow a better understanding of large‐scale distribution patterns. EpIG‐DB, the first database on epiphyte assemblages at the continental scale, resulted from an exhaustive compilation of published and unpublished inventory data from the Neotropics. The current version of EpIG‐DB consists of 463,196 individual epiphytes from 3,005 species, which were collected from a total of 18,148 relevés (host trees and ‘understory’ plots). EpIG‐DB reports the occurrence of ‘true’ epiphytes, hemiepiphytes and nomadic vines, including information on their cover, abundance, frequency and biomass. Most records (97%) correspond to sampled host trees, 76% of them aggregated in forest plots. The data is stored in a TURBOVEG database using the most up‐to‐date checklist of vascular epiphytes. A total of 18 additional fields were created for the standardization of associated data commonly used in epiphyte ecology (e.g. by considering different sampling methods). EpIG‐DB currently covers six major biomes across the whole latitudinal range of epiphytes in the Neotropics but welcomes data globally. This novel database provides, for the first time, unique biodiversity data on epiphytes for the Neotropics and unified guidelines for future collection of epiphyte data. EpIG‐DB will allow exploration of new ways to study the community ecology and biogeography of vascular epiphytes