Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: one or multiple causes?

The Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common form of motor neuron disease in the adulthood, and it is characterized by rapid and progressive compromise of the upper and lower motor neurons. The majority of the cases of ALS are classified as sporadic and, until now, a specific cause for these cases still is unknown. To present the different hypotheses on the etiology of ALS. It was carried out a search in the databases: Bireme, Scielo and Pubmed, in the period of 1987 to 2011, using the following keywords: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, motor neuron disease, etiology, causes and epidemiology and its similar in Portuguese and Spanish. It did not have consensus as regards the etiology of ALS. Researches demonstrates evidences as regards intoxication by heavy metals, environmental and occupational causes, genetic mutations (superoxide dismutase 1), certain viral infections and the accomplishment of vigorous physical activity for the development of the disease. There is still no consensus regarding the involved factors in the etiology of ALS. In this way, new research about these etiologies are necessary, for a better approach of the patients, promoting preventive programs for the disease and improving the quality of life of the patients

Gerenciamento da dor na Síndrome Pós-poliomielite: estudo de caso

The Post-polio Syndrome (PPS) is characterized by a new episode of muscular weakness and/or abnormal muscular fatigue in subjects that presented acute previous polio (APP) years ago. There still are few studies about the pain management at PPS. The aim of this study is to analyze pain´s management in PPS by a case report. A men with PPS, 57 years, was submitted to 24 sessions of physical therapy for pain´s control in PPS, based at electro-thermo physical therapy features and therapeutics exercises. For pain´s analysis, pre and post physical therapy interventions were applied two instruments: the Analogic Visual Scale (AVS) and Present Pain Intensity (PPI). The pain in right knee was reduced from grade 8 to 4 on AVS, grade 5 to 2 on PPI, while the pain in his right ankle decreased from grade 2 on AVS and 1 on PPI to zero in both scales. The pain is the predominant symptom for many patients with PPS. This relate, the patient after program of treatment presented an improvement of pain. However, because of there are few studies in the literature about the pain management, especially in physical therapy, new studies must be proposed to generate more theorical at Physical therapy intervention in PSS.A Síndrome Pós-Pólio (SPP) caracteriza-se por um novo episódio de fraqueza muscular e/ou fadiga muscular anormal em indivíduos que apresentaram poliomielite anterior aguda (PAA) anos antes. Ainda são poucos os relatos na literatura sobre o gerenciamento da dor na SSP. O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar o controle da dor na síndrome pós-pólio por meio de um relato de caso. Um homem de 57 anos com SPP foi submetido a 24 sessões de fisioterapia para controle do quadro álgico na síndrome, baseada em recursos eletrotermofototerápicos e cinesioterapia. Para análise da dor pré e pós-intervenção fisioterapêutica foram aplicados dois instrumentos: a Escala Analógica Visual (EVA) e a Intensidade de Dor Presente (ID). O quadro álgico no joelho direito sofreu redução de grau 8 para 4 pela EVA e grau 5 para 2 pela ID, enquanto a dor no tornozelo direito reduziu de grau 2 pela EVA e grau 1 pela ID para zero em ambas as escalas. A dor é apontada como um sintoma predominante por muitos pacientes com SPP. O sujeito deste relato, após o programa de tratamento, apresentou melhora expressiva da dor. Entretanto, devido à escassez da literatura sobre dados substanciais referentes ao seu gerenciamento, especialmente na fisioterapia, novos estudos devem ser propostos para gerar maior fundamentação teórica à abordagem fisioterapêutica na SPP

COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study

Background: The ISARIC prospective multinational observational study is the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present relationships of age, sex, and nationality to presenting symptoms. Methods: International, prospective observational study of 60 109 hospitalized symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 recruited from 43 countries between 30 January and 3 August 2020. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships of age and sex to published COVID-19 case definitions and the most commonly reported symptoms. Results: ‘Typical’ symptoms of fever (69%), cough (68%) and shortness of breath (66%) were the most commonly reported. 92% of patients experienced at least one of these. Prevalence of typical symptoms was greatest in 30- to 60-year-olds (respectively 80, 79, 69%; at least one 95%). They were reported less frequently in children (≤ 18 years: 69, 48, 23; 85%), older adults (≥ 70 years: 61, 62, 65; 90%), and women (66, 66, 64; 90%; vs. men 71, 70, 67; 93%, each P < 0.001). The most common atypical presentations under 60 years of age were nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, and over 60 years was confusion. Regression models showed significant differences in symptoms with sex, age and country. Interpretation: This international collaboration has allowed us to report reliable symptom data from the largest cohort of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Adults over 60 and children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to present with typical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are common atypical presentations under 30 years. Confusion is a frequent atypical presentation of COVID-19 in adults over 60 years. Women are less likely to experience typical symptoms than men

O Desenvolvimento de Competências no Setor Hoteleiro Capixaba

O objetivo deste artigo é identificar quais são as competências profissionais requeridas pelo setor turístico e analisar como os trabalhadores deste setor adquirem essas competências. Para tanto, recorreu-se ao arcabouço teórico da gestão de competências, focalizando nas definições de Le Boterf (2003) e de Zarifan (2003). Para legitimar empiricamente essa discussão foram realizadas entrevistas semi-estruturadas com 06 gestores e 12 funcionários de hotéis da cidade de Vitória/ES. Os dados qualitativos foram tratados a partir da técnica de análise de conteúdo (AC), o que permitiu compreender o significado de determinadas construções, escolhas e posicionamentos individuais frente às oportunidades abertas pelo mercado turístico do setor hoteleiro. Diante das considerações feitas neste estudo, foi possível concluir que as competências do tipo, saber falar outros idiomas e ter um curso técnico específico para determinado cargo são as mais requeridas pelo setor hoteleiro. Já o modo como os trabalhadores adquirem essas competências está essencialmente ligadas ao ambiente de trabalho, o que implica a necessidade de se pensar a influência desse espaço sobre a socialização e assimilação de conhecimentos por parte dos trabalhadores, bem como se repensar como está ocorrendo a formação deste tipo de profissional e sua relação com a prática

FACILITAÇÃO NEUROMUSCULAR PROPRIOCEPTIVA (FNP) NA MIOPATIA MITOCONDRIAL:ESTUDO DE CASO

INTRODUÇÃO: As miopatias mitocôndriais são consideradas um grupo de desordens que podem comprometer uma variedade de órgãos e apresentar fenótipos variáveis. Frequentemente afetam o sistema nervoso central e a musculatura esquelética e cardíaca. OBJETIVO: Investigar os efeitos de um programa individualizado, baseado nas técnicas de facilitação neuromuscular proprioceptiva (FNP), no gerenciamento da fraqueza muscular e habilidades funcionais de um paciente com miopatia mitocondrial de início tardio e distribuição atípica. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: O paciente foi submetido a uma avaliação da força muscular e da capacidade funcional antes e após 12 semanas de tratamento, composto por exercícios de intensidade leve/moderada, com duração de 60 minutos/sessão e frequência de 2 atendimentos semanais. RESULTADOS E DISCUSSÃO: Ganhos relacionados à força muscular foram obtidos em determinados grupamentos musculares. O nível de independência funcional não sofreu alterações após a proposta terapêutica, entretanto manteve-se estabilizado. CONCLUSÃO: O programa reabilitativo atuou na minimização das complicações geradas pela fraqueza muscular e na otimização das atividades quotidianas. A reabilitação fisica faz-se necessária para um melhor gerenciamento da fraqueza muscular e da habilidade do paciente na execução de atividades básicas e instrumentais da vida diária

ATIVIDADE ANTIMICROBIANA DO MEL DE ABELHAS JATAÍ (Tetragonisca angustula) EM CULTIVO DE MICRORGANISMOS DO CONDUTO AUDITIVO DE CANINOS DOMÉSTICOS (Canis familiaris)

The present work aimed to investigate, in vitro, the efficacyof the honey of Tetragonisca angustula, against the microorganismsfound in the auditory canal inflammations of dogs. The sampleswere collected through a sterile swab of secretion of the auditorycanal of dogs with clinical otitis. The material was fixed in glassslide by performing the smear, Gram stained, and submittedto microscopic identification. The samples were inoculated inTryptone Soya Broth culture media and incubated at 37°C for24 hours. After verifying that there was growth, the sampleswere cultured in Petri’s plates containing Chapman, Levine andMueller-Hinton, and incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. Filter paperdiscs were adapted, sterilized in autoclave and embedded in honeyfor the antibiogram. The disks impregnated with honey wereplaced in Petri’s plates containing the contamined material andagain incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. This experiment verified theformation of inhibition halos in the antibiograma with the honey ofthe Tetragonisca angustula, showing to be effective in the controlof Staphylococcus sp, Bacillus sp and yeasts

Role of miRNAs and their potential to be useful as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in gastric cancer

Alterations in epigenetic control of gene expression play an important role in many diseases, including gastric cancer. Many studies have identified a large number of upregulated oncogenic miRNAs and downregulated tumour-suppressor miRNAs in this type of cancer. In this review, we provide an overview of the role of miRNAs, pointing to their potential to be useful as diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarkers in gastric cancer. Moreover, we discuss the influence of polymorphisms and epigenetic modifications on miRNA activity.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fed Univ Para, Hosp Univ Joao de Barros Barreto, Nucleo Pesquisas Oncol, 2 Piso UNACON,Av Mundurucus, BR-66073000 Belem, PA, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Morfol & Genet, Disciplina Genet, BR-04021001 Sao Paulo, BrazilFed Univ Para, Lab Citogenet Humana, Inst Ciencias Biol, BR-66073000 Belem, PA, BrazilDisciplina de Genética, Departamento de Morfologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo 04021-001, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Deregulated Expression of SRC, LYN and CKB Kinases by DNA Methylation and Its Potential Role in Gastric Cancer Invasiveness and Metastasis

<div><p>Kinases are downstream modulators and effectors of several cellular signaling cascades and play key roles in the development of neoplastic disease. In this study, we aimed to evaluate SRC, LYN and CKB protein and mRNA expression, as well as their promoter methylation, in gastric cancer. We found elevated expression of SRC and LYN kinase mRNA and protein but decreased levels of CKB kinase, alterations that may have a role in the invasiveness and metastasis of gastric tumors. Expression of the three studied kinases was also associated with MYC oncogene expression, a possible biomarker for gastric cancer. To understand the mechanisms that regulate the expression of these genes, we evaluated the DNA promoter methylation of the three kinases. We found that reduced <i>SRC</i> and <i>LYN</i> methylation and increased <i>CKB</i> methylation was associated with gastric cancer. The reduced <i>SRC</i> and <i>LYN</i> methylation was associated with increased levels of mRNA and protein expression, suggesting that DNA methylation is involved in regulating the expression of these kinases. Conversely, reduced <i>CKB</i> methylation was observed in samples with reduced mRNA and protein expression, suggesting CKB expression was found to be only partly regulated by DNA methylation. Additionally, we found that alterations in the DNA methylation pattern of the three studied kinases were also associated with the gastric cancer onset, advanced gastric cancer, deeper tumor invasion and the presence of metastasis. Therefore, SRC, LYN and CKB expression or DNA methylation could be useful markers for predicting tumor progression and targeting in anti-cancer strategies.</p></div