Pulsed Radiofrequency Rhizotomy of the Genicular Nerves of the Knee Guided by Radioscopy and Ultrasonography: Step-By-Step Technique

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is highly prevalent and causes pain, stiffness, and harms the quality of life of millions of patients. Scientific evidence about radiofrequency ablation or rhizotomy of genicular nerves has been presented with increasing frequency in the literature for the treatment of chronic pain related to knee OA as an alternative to total knee arthroplasty. The main indication for this procedure is symptomatic OA unresponsive to conservative treatment, regardless of the disease evolution, although more common indications are in Kellgren-Lawrence grade III or IV, in post-total knee arthroplasty residual pain without an identified cause, in patients with comorbidities and high surgical risk, and those who do not want to undergo surgery. The aim of this study is to describe the step-by-step rhizotomy technique with pulsed radiofrequency of the 3 genicular nerves, guided by radioscopy and ultrasonography.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Non-Anticoagulant Heparan Sulfate from the Ascidian Phallusia nigra Prevents Colon Carcinoma Metastasis in Mice by Disrupting Platelet-Tumor Cell Interaction

Although metastasis is the primary cause of death in patients with malignant solid tumors, efficient anti-metastatic therapies are not clinically available currently. Sulfated glycosaminoglycans from marine sources have shown promising pharmacological effects, acting on different steps of the metastatic process. Oversulfated dermatan sulfates from ascidians are effective in preventing metastasis by inhibition of P-selectin, a platelet surface protein involved in the platelet-tumor cell emboli formation. We report in this work that the heparan sulfate isolated from the viscera of the ascidian Phallusia nigra drastically attenuates metastases of colon carcinoma cells in mice. Our in vitro and in vivo assessments demonstrate that the P. nigra glycan has very low anticoagulant and antithrombotic activities and a reduced hypotension potential, although it efficiently prevented metastasis. Therefore, it may be a promising candidate for the development of a novel anti-metastatic drug

Integração de dados de solos e de risco climático para o zoneamento agrícola.

A redução de riscos climáticos e perdas para os produtores agrícolas é o principal objetivo do Zoneamento Agrícola de Riscos Climáticos (Zarc), uma política pública do Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (MAPA), aplicado no Brasil nos últimos quinze anos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi integrar mapas de tipos de solos e de datas de semeadura recomendadas pelo Zarc, analisando sua viabilidade como ferramenta para o Zarc. Neste trabalho são apresentados os resultados obtidos para a cultura de milho nos estados de São Paulo e Paraná. Os dados foram integrados em um Sistema de Informações Geográficas (ArcGIS 9.3/ArcMap ®). Inicialmente, as classes de solos identificadas no mapa em escala de 1:250.000 foram reclassificadas de acordo com Instrução Normativa nº2, de 09 de outubro de 2008, instituída pelo MAPA, e posteriormente, espacializadas. Em seguida, foram espacializadas as datas de plantio para a safra 2010/2011, definidas para cada município a partir da simulação do balanço hídrico da cultura considerada. Os dados foram integrados, gerando um novo banco de dados que permitiu a confecção de mapas de épocas de plantio para cada tipo de solo. A partir dos resultados e mapas gerados foi possível diferenciar os tipos de solo dentro dos limites dos municípios, o que não era possível anteriormente. Os dados obtidos indicaram o risco de semeadura nos períodos estipulados pelo Zarc de maneira mais detalhada e precisa, melhorando a qualidade do zoneamento e reduzindo o risco de perdas. Além disso, foi possível evidenciar a variabilidade espaço-temporal dos solos e das datas de semeadura, o que facilita a visualização e compreensão do Zarc, tanto para os agricultores quanto para os órgãos envolvidos no crédito rural

Asthma-COPD overlap: A Portuguese survey

Introduction: The overlap between asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (ACO) has been discussed for many years but clinical recommendations for this entity have been diverse. This study is intended to reach a consensus on diagnosis, treatment and patient orientation for ACO, within the Portuguese medical community. Methods: This study was conducted by a multidisciplinary panel of experts from three distinct medical specialties (Pulmonology, Family Medicine and Immunoallergology). This panel selected a total of 190 clinicians, based on their expertise in obstructive airway diseases, to participate in a Delphi structured survey with three rounds of questionnaires. These results were ultimately discussed, in a meeting with the panel of experts and some of the study participants, and consensus was reached in terms of classification criteria, treatment and orientation of ACO patients. Results: The majority of clinicians (87.2%) considered relevant the definition of an overlap entity between asthma and COPD. A consensus was achieved on the diagnosis of ACO – presence of simultaneous clinical characteristics of asthma and COPD together with a fixed airflow obstruction (FEV1/FVC 300 eosinophils/μL or >5% of leukocytes); elevation of specific IgEs or positive skin tests for common allergens). A combination of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) with long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA) or long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) was considered as first line pharmacological treatment. Triple therapy with ICS plus LABA and LAMA should be used in more severe or symptomatic cases. Non-pharmacological treatment, similar to what is recommended for asthma and COPD, was also considered highly important. A hospital referral of ACO patients should be made in symptomatic or severe cases or when there is a lack of diagnostic resources. Conclusions: This study highlights the relevance of defining ACO, within the Portuguese medical community, and establishes diagnostic criteria that are important for future interventional studies. Recommendations on treatment and patient's orientation were also achieved.Actelion Pharmaceuticals (undefined)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Fucosylated Chondroitin Sulfate Inhibits Plasmodium Falciparum Cytoadhesion And Merozoite Invasion.

Sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes (Pf-iEs) in the microvasculature of vital organs plays a key role in the pathogenesis of life-threatening malaria complications, such as cerebral malaria and malaria in pregnancy. This phenomenon is marked by the cytoadhesion of Pf-iEs to host receptors on the surfaces of endothelial cells, on noninfected erythrocytes, and in the placental trophoblast; therefore, these sites are potential targets for antiadhesion therapies. In this context, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), including heparin, have shown the ability to inhibit Pf-iE cytoadherence and growth. Nevertheless, the use of heparin was discontinued due to serious side effects, such as bleeding. Other GAG-based therapies were hampered due to the potential risk of contamination with prions and viruses, as some GAGs are isolated from mammals. In this context, we investigated the effects and mechanism of action of fucosylated chondroitin sulfate (FucCS), a unique and highly sulfated GAG isolated from the sea cucumber, with respect to P. falciparum cytoadhesion and development. FucCS was effective in inhibiting the cytoadherence of Pf-iEs to human lung endothelial cells and placenta cryosections under static and flow conditions. Removal of the sulfated fucose branches of the FucCS structure virtually abolished the inhibitory effects of FucCS. Importantly, FucCS rapidly disrupted rosettes at high levels, and it was also able to block parasite development by interfering with merozoite invasion. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of FucCS as a candidate for adjunct therapy against severe malaria.581862-7

Risco climático para milho no Brasil em cenários de mudanças climáticas no período 2011-2040.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o risco climático no Brasil associado à disponibilidade hídrica para a cultura do milho em cenários de mudanças climáticas.CBAgro 2015

Risco climático para soja no Brasil em cenários de mudanças climáticas no período 2011-2040.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o risco climático no Brasil associado à disponibilidade hídrica para a cultura dasoja em cenários de mudanças climáticas.CBAgro 2015

Rendimento de grãos de canola sob diferentes ambientes em Santa Maria-RS.

A canola (Brassica napus L. var. oleifera) é uma cultura típica de clima temperado e muito responsiva às condições ambientais, especialmente às condições hídricas. Em função disso, a determinação da data de semeadura mais adequada para cada genótipo é um dos fatores determinantes para alcançar o sucesso produtivo com a cultura