Impact of lian gong on the quality of life of individuals with dizziness in primary care

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos da prática do lian gong como estratégia de reabilitação na atenção primária à saúde sobre a qualidade de vida e capacidade funcional de pessoas com tontura. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de ensaio clínico randomizado-controlado. Participaram 36 voluntários, com queixa de tontura ou vertigem sem a presença de sinais centrais, encaminhados pelo médico da atenção primária à saúde. Os indivíduos foram aleatoriamente alocados para as três condições experimentais: grupo lian gong (n = 11), grupo reabilitação vestibular (n = 11) e grupo controle (n = 14). As intervenções foram semanais, em grupo, com duração de 12 sessões. Os participantes foram avaliados antes e após a intervenção quanto à qualidade de vida pelo 36-Item Short Form Health Survey e quanto à capacidade funcional pelo Short Physical Performance Battery. RESULTADOS: Observou-se aumento dos scores de todos os domínios do Short Form Health Survey após intervenção no grupo lian gong. Essa variação foi maior que a observada no grupo controle para os domínios capacidade funcional, limitação por aspectos físicos e estado geral de saúde, e também superior à encontrada após a intervenção grupo reabilitação vestibular no domínio dor. Não houveram diferenças no Short Physical Performance Battery. CONCLUSÕES: Com base nos resultados apresentados, o lian gong melhora a qualidade de vida de indivíduos com tontura, sem alterar a capacidade funcional.OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of the lian gong practice as a rehabilitation strategy in primary health care on the quality of life and functional capacity of people with dizziness. METHODS: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Thirty-six people, who were complaining of dizziness or vertigo without the presence of central signs and were referred by the physician of primary health care participated in the study. The individuals were randomly allocated to the three experimental conditions: lian gong group (n = 11), vestibular rehabilitation group (n = 11) and control group (n = 14). The interventions were weekly, in group, with duration of 12 sessions. The participants were evaluated before and after the intervention regarding quality of life by the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and the functional capacity by the Short Physical Performance Battery. RESULTS: The scores of all domains of the Short Form Health Survey increased after intervention in the lian gong group. This variation was higher than that observed in the control group for the domains functional capacity, limitation by physical aspects and general health status, and also higher than that found after the intervention in the Vestibular Rehabilitation Group regarding pain. No differences were found in the Short Physical Performance Battery. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results presented, lian gong improves the quality of life of individuals with dizziness, without altering the functional capacity

Eficácia da nitazoxanida contra Toxocara canis: recuperação larvária e resposta imune humoral em camundongos experimentalmente infectados

Foi investigada a eficácia da nitazoxanida (NTZ) na toxocaríase murina experimental e os resultados comparados com os obtidos usando mebendazol (MBZ). Sessenta camundongos BALB/c machos, com idade entre seis e oito semanas foram divididos em grupos de 10 cada, 50 foram infectados oralmente com 300 ovos larvados de T. canise agrupados a seguir: GI: camundongos infectados não tratados; GII: camundongos infectados tratados com MBZ (15 mg/kg/dia) 10 dias pós-infecção (dpi); GIII: camundongos infectados tratados com NTZ (20 mg/kg/dia) 10 dpi, GIV: camundongos infectados tratados com MBZ 60 dpi; GV: camundongos infectados tratados com NTZ 60 dpi; GVI: controle não infectado. Os camundongos foram sangrados via plexo retro orbitário em quatro ocasiões entre o 30º e 120º dpi. Os soros foram processados pela técnica de ELISA para detecção de anticorpos IgG anti- Toxocara.Aos 120 dpi, os animais foram sacrificados para a recuperação larvária do SNC, fígado, pulmões, rins, olhos e carcaça. Os resultados mostraram níveis similares de anticorpos IgG anti- Toxocaraentre os camundongos infectados mas não submetidos a tratamento e os grupos infectados e tratados com MBZ ou NTZ, aos 10 e 60 dpi. Os valores da recuperação larval foram similares nos grupos tratados com NTZ e MBZ 10 dpi. MBZ mostrou melhor eficácia aos 60 dpi, com redução de 72,6% da carga parasitária comparada com NTZ, que mostrou redução somente de 46,5%. Concluímos que a administração destes anti-helmínticos não modificou a resposta humoral na infecção experimental por T. canis. Não foi observada cura parasitológica com nenhuma das drogas; porém maior redução na carga parasitária foi obtida após o tratamento com MBZ.The efficacy of nitazoxanide (NTZ) against toxocariasis was investigated in an experimental murine model and results were compared to those obtained using mebendazole. Sixty male BALB/c mice, aged six to eight weeks-old, were divided into groups of 10 each; fifty were orally infected with 300 larvaed eggs of T. canisand grouped as follows, G I: infected untreated mice; G II: infected mice treated with MBZ (15 mg/kg/day) 10 days postinfection (dpi); G III: infected mice treated with NTZ (20 mg/kg/day) 10 dpi; G IV: infected mice treated with MBZ 60 dpi; G V: infected mice treated with NTZ 60 dpi; GVI: control group comprising uninfected mice. Mice were bled via retro-orbital plexus on four occasions between 30 and 120 dpi. Sera were processed using the ELISA technique to detect IgG anti- Toxocaraantibodies. At 120 dpi, mice were sacrificed for larval recovery in the CNS, liver, lungs, kidneys, eyes and carcass. Results showed similar levels of anti- ToxocaraIgG antibodies among mice infected but not submitted to treatment and groups treated with MBZ or NTZ, 10 and 60 dpi. Larval recovery showed similar values in groups treated with NTZ and MBZ 10 dpi. MBZ showed better efficacy 60 dpi, with a 72.6% reduction in the parasite load compared with NTZ, which showed only 46.5% reduction. We conclude that administration of these anthelmintics did not modify the humoral response in experimental infection by T. canis. No parasitological cure was observed with either drug; however, a greater reduction in parasite load was achieved following treatment with MBZ

Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells and the Importance of Animal Model Standardization for Pre-Clinical Trials

ABSTRACTStem cells are undifferentiated cells and can self-renew and differentiate into various cell types, besides having immuno-modulating properties and paracrine effects in response to tissue injury, and may therefore treat injuries and diseases or even replace damaged or lost cells. Adipose tissue is an attractive source of adult stem cells, since the human body has a large reserve that is obtained in large amounts by minimally invasive methods. Interest in these cells has been increasing steadily due to their properties and possible applications in regenerative medicine and cell therapy. A large part of these investigations are focused on cardiovascular diseases, which are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although in recent years treatments have advanced in cardiology, the development of new therapies to recover the damaged tissue still remains one of the main goals of cardiac research. However, to achieve effective results, in vivo and in vitro animal models for preclinical studies and consequently for application in humans must be standardized. The development of preclinical models in large animals requires the use of well-characterized animal cell lines, similar to human cells, and the use of the porcine model represents a great advantage for preclinical translational research

A Alquimia abordada no mangá Fullmetal Alchemist

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Aging and wave-component latency delays in oVEMP and cVEMP: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Introduction: The natural aging process may result in morphological changes in the vestibular system and in the afferent neural pathway, including loss of hair cells, decreased numbers of vestibular nerve cells, and loss of neurons in the vestibular nucleus. Thus, with advancing age, there should be a decrease in amplitudes and an increase in latencies of the vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, especially the prolongation of p13 latency. Moreover, many investigations have found no significant differences in latencies with advancing age. Objective: To determine if there are significant differences in the latencies of cervical and ocular evoked myogenic potentials between elderly and adult patients. Methods: This is a systematic review with meta-analysis of observational studies, comparing the differences of these parameters between elderly and young adults, without language or date restrictions, in the following databases: Pubmed, ScienceDirect, SCOPUS, Web of Science, SciELO and LILACS, in addition to the gray literature databases: OpenGrey.eu and DissOnline, as well as Research Gate. Results: The n1 oVEMP latencies had a mean delay in the elderly of 2.32 ms with 95% CI of 0.55-4.10 ms. The overall effect test showed p = 0.01, disclosing that such difference was significant. The heterogeneity found was I-2 = 96% (p 60 years than in young adults. (C) 2017 Associacao Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cervico-Facial. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda.Univ Estadual Ciencias Saude Alagoas UNCISAL, Audiol, Maceio, AL, BrazilUniv Fed Alagoas UFAL, Rede Nordeste Biotecnol RENORBIO, Biotecnol Saude, Maceio, AL, BrazilUniv Estadual Ciencias Saude Alagoas UNCISAL, Maceio, AL, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Disturbio Comunicacao, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Alagoas UFAL, Maceio, AL, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Ciencias, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Fis Aplicada Med, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Disturbio Comunicacao, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Ciencias, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Effect of an enzyme blend on the performance, diet metabolizability, phosphorous retention, and bone mineralization of broilers fed diets containing defatted rice bran

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of an enzyme blend (EB) on the performance, diet metabolizability, phosphorus (P) retention, and bone mineralization of broilers fed diets containing 10% defatted rice bran (DRB). In total, 432 one- to 38-d-old male Cobb broilers were evaluated according to a completely randomized experimental design in 3 x 2 factorial arrangement. Three diets were tested with two nutrient reductions (NR) in the matrix (standard diet; NR I of 75 kcal/kg ME, 0.1% Ca and 0.1% available P; and NR II of 100 kcal/kg ME, 0.1% Ca and 0.1% available P) with or without the addition of an EB (200 g/t). The coefficients of total tract apparent retention (CTTAR) of the diets and P retention were determined by collecting excreta during two periods (14 to 17 and 28 to 31 d). As expected, birds fed the standard diet had higher BW, BW gain, and G:F compared to birds on the NR diets. The EB did not show any positive effects on CTTAR or on performance; however, birds fed the EB retained 6.58% more P from d 14 to 17 (p ≤ 0.07) and 8.55% from d 28 to 31 (p < 0.05). Tibiotarsus ash percentage also increased by 2.45% (p ≤ 0.06) on d 38. In diets containing 10% DRB, the enzyme blend showed biological activity improving P retention and tibiotarsus mineralization

Estudo comparativo entre as soluções de manitol, picossulfato de sódio e fosfato monobásico e dibásico de sódio no preparo de cólon para colonoscopia

PURPOSE: Colonoscopy plays an essential role in the therapeutic and diagnostic approach in various colonic pathologies, the aim of the present study was to compare three solutions and their efficacy for the bowel preparation in adult patients submitted to elective colonoscopy. METHODS: Sixty patients were randomly divided into three groups of 20 each. Each group was submitted to a bowel preparation with one of the following solutions: 10% manitol, sodium picosulphate or sodium phosphate. The parameters evaluated were: taste, tolerance, associated side effects and quality of cleansing. Postural blood pressure and pulse rate as well as serum sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphate were compared. RESULTS: Sodium phosphate and 10% manitol solutions provided superior results in terms of colon cleansing compared to sodium picosulphate solution. All serum electrolytes evaluated were significantly altered in the three groups, without important clinical signs. DISCUSSION: High levels of serum phosphate were the most striking alteration in patients prepared with sodium phosphate solution, again with no clinical signs. Variations related to blood pressure and pulse rate suggested contraction of intravascular volume, with no clinical effects. CONCLUSION: Sodium phosphate and 10% manitol solutions are equivalent in providing good quality colon cleansing, with no significant side effects that could compromise the procedure.INTRODUÇÃO: A colonoscopia é exame fundamental na avaliação das doenças do cólon e na abordagem terapêutica de determinado grupo de patologias. O preparo intestinal é obrigatório para a realização das colonoscopias eletivas, e a qualidade encontra-se relacionada ao sucesso do procedimento. Comparou-se três soluções para limpeza anterógrada do cólon em pacientes adultos, submetidos à colonoscopia. METODOS: Sessenta pacientes foram distribuídos em três grupos de vinte. Cada grupo realizou o preparo do cólon com uma das três soluções estudadas: manitol a 10% (MN), picossulfato sódico (PS) e fosfato monobásico e dibásico de sódio (NaP). O sabor, a tolerância, os efeitos colaterais, os custos e a qualidade de limpeza do preparo foram avaliados. Frequência cardíaca e pressão arterial sistêmica foram analisados. Variações dos eletrólitos foram dosados antes e após o preparo. RESULTADOS: Os resultados foram semelhantes em relação aos efeitos colaterais. O sabor da solução de NaP não chegou a comprometer a sua aceitação. DISCUSSÃO: Soluções de NaP e MN proporcionaram resultados superiores tanto em qualidade de limpeza colônica, como em relação aos custos, quando comparadas à solução de PS. CONCLUSÃO: Comparados os três, os eletrólitos avaliados apresentaram diferenças significativas, sendo a hiperfosfatemia dos pacientes com a solução de NaP, a mais importante

LPA rs10455872 polymorphism is associated with coronary lesions in Brazilian patients submitted to coronary angiography

Abstract\ud \ud Background\ud Polymorphisms in the LPA gene were associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, there are differences in the allelic frequencies, Lp(a) levels, and significant association with CAD according to ethnic groups. In this scenario, the main aim of this study was to assess the influence of the LPA polymorphisms on coronary lesions in Brazilian patients.\ud \ud \ud Methods\ud 1,394 consecutive patients submitted to coronary angiography to study suggestive CAD and twenty coronary segments were scored. Genotyping for the LPA rs10455872 and rs3798220 polymorphisms were performed by high resolution melting analysis.\ud \ud \ud Results\ud The frequencies of the rs10455872 G and rs3798220 C variant alleles were 6.4% and 6.2%, respectively. LPA rs10455872 G variant allele was associated with higher odds ratio of having coronary lesions in an adjusted model (OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.10-3.72, p = 0.02). Scores of coronary lesions (extension, severity, and Gensini scores) were significantly different among rs10455872 genotype groups. Coronary lesions was not associated with LPA rs3798220 (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 0.67-1.76, p = 0.73) and scores of coronary lesions were not different among rs3798220 genotypes.\ud \ud \ud Conclusions\ud We confirmed the association of the LPA rs10455872 with CAD in a large sample of Brazilian patients. For the LPA rs3798220, our finding is consistent with studies which showed the lack of this genetic association.PCJL Santos is recipient of fellowship from FAPESP, Proc. 2013-09295-3, and\ud Proc. 2013-20614-3, Brazil. We also thank the patients who participated in the\ud study. The technical assistance of the Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular\ud Cardiology group is gratefully acknowledged

Diagnóstico do uso de agrotóxicos no município de Nossa Senhora da Glória, Sergipe

The use of agrochemicals for controlling pests and diseases in plants has brought negative consequences for the health of rural workers and for the environment. The aim of this project was to evaluate the level of schooling and to understand the degree of perception of rural workers regarding the use of pesticides in the Nossa Senhora da Glória - SE city. The research was carried out in the rural area of the municipality, with the voluntary participation of 40 workers, through a structured questionnaire. 60% of the interviewees are between 46 and 65 years old, 72.5% have elementary education incomplete, 95% of rural workers do not use Individual Protection Equipment and 70% do not associate some symptoms of intoxication at the use of pesticides. Thus, the workers perception of risk is low, associated to the low level of schooling, having the need for awareness of the use pesticides.A utilização de agrotóxicos com a finalidade de controlar pragas e doenças tem trazido consequências negativas para a saúde dos trabalhadores rurais e ao meio ambiente. Diante disso, o projeto teve como objetivo avaliar o nível de escolaridade e compreender o grau de percepção dos trabalhadores rurais quanto ao uso de agrotóxicos no município de Nossa Senhora da Glória-SE. A pesquisa foi realizada na zona rural do município, com a participação voluntária de 40 trabalhadores, através de um questionário estruturado. Assim, 60% dos entrevistados tem a faixa etária de 46 a 65 anos, 72,5% tem o ensino fundamental incompleto, 95% dos trabalhadores rurais não usam Equipamento de Proteção Individual e 70% não associam alguns sintomas de intoxicação ao uso de agrotóxicos. Desse modo percebe-se que a percepção de risco dos trabalhadores é baixa, associado ao baixo nível de escolaridade, sendo necessário uma ação de conscientização sobre o uso de agrotóxicos

Analyzing the use of linking words in concept maps designed for pathophysiology learning in medicine

[EN] Pathophysiology at NOVA Medical School adopted the concept mapping methodology to promote the visual display of pathophysiological reasoning and learning, based on clinical vignettes. The objective of this project is to identify and label the linking words, in order to study their role in the structure and organization of the concept maps constructed by the students. We used an adopted classification of linking words, categorized in 5 groups: dynamic, static, illustrative, definition and clinical case information. At the end of the semester the concept maps related to the respiratory (mid-semester) and endocrine systems (end of semester) were analyzed and compared. We found linking words not included in any of the five categories, thus a group named “other” has been created. Statistically significant differences were found in dynamic and “other” categories (p=0,049 and p= 0,011, respectively; Wilcoxon signed-rank test). The dynamic words were the most commonly used, probably reflecting students’ need to better describe pathophysiological mechanisms, and the difference found was probably due an improvement in the learning process and concept maps building technic. It would be interesting next year to conduct a more detailed analysis, increasing the sample and ensuring a more robust dataset.Grateful thanks are due to the teaching staff of pathophysiology, tutors Manuel Almeida, Patrícia Santos, Diana Ferreira, Miguel Proença, Ana Rita Franco, Luísa Quaresma, Vasco Gaspar and António Mesquita, and the junior students Sofia Ribeiro, Pedro Vilão Silva, Joana Vigeant Gomes and Margarida Flores that acted as mentors during the tutorial sessions.Fonseca, M.; Oliveira, B.; Canha, I.; Dores, H.; Pinheiro Santos, M.; Lemos, V.; Verdasca, A.... (2021). Analyzing the use of linking words in concept maps designed for pathophysiology learning in medicine. En 7th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'21). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 95-102. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAd21.2021.13036OCS9510