Cervical spondylotic myelopathy: what the neurologist should know

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is a wellknown cause of disability among older people. A significant amount of these patients is asymptomatic. Once the symptoms start the worsening may follow a progressive manner. We should suspect of spondylotic myelopathy in any individual over 55 years presenting progressive changes in gait or losing fine motor control of the upper limbs. Despite its frequent prevalence, this condition is still neglected and many times confused with other supratentorial lesions regarding diagnostic. Here we address some of most important aspects of this disease, calling attention to pathophysiology, the natural history. presentation, differential diagnosis, clinical assessment and treatment.Natl Inst Traumatol & Orthoped, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilUniv Severino Sombra, Div Neurol, Grad Program Neurol Neurosci, Tavares Macedo St 95-902, BR-24220215 Vassouras, RJ, BrazilUniv Severino Sombra, Masters Program Urgencia & Emergencia Med, Vassouras, RJ, BrazilUniv Fed Estado Rio de Janeiro, Sch Med, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrazilNeurology Division, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP , São Paulo, SP. BrazilUniv Fed Fluminense, Div Neurosurg, Niteroi, RJ, BrazilNeurology Division, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP , São Paulo, SP. BrazilWeb of Scienc

ANÁLISE DA INFLUÊNCIA LUMINOSA NOS ASPECTOS ANATÔMICOS DE FOLHAS DE Theobroma speciosum WILLD EX SPRENG. (MALVACEAE)

The anatomical knowledge of species of the Theobroma genus is important for the establishment and maintenance of germplasm collections, considering agronomic and phytopathological studies, and breeding programs. This study aimed to characterize the anatomy of Theobroma speciosum leaves, recording the structural differences observed between sun and shade leaves. Theobroma speciosum leaves were collected at Juruena National Park and in pastures in the rural municipality of Alta Floresta – MT. We analyzed the thickness of the leaf mesophyll, palisade and spongy parenchyma, midvein and vascular bundle. Cluster analysis was performed using the Hierarchical UPGMA method, based on the standardized mean Euclidean distance. Were observed glandular trichomes, claviforme type and sessile stellate, the epidermis is uniseriate in cross section, the  mesophyll is dorsiventral, however the parenchymas are little different. Collateral vascular bundles are dispersed in the mesophyll, forming sheaths that extend up to the epidermis. The midvein, in cross section, has a biconvex shape, with closed vascular system surrounded by sclerenchymatic sheath. The constitution of the leaves mesophyll varied with the environment. Plants exposed to full sunlight showed longer cells in the palisade parenchyma, spongy parenchyma with more layers and higher quantity of trichomes, whereas shade leaves showed cells with many mesophyll intercellular spaces. The dendrogram showed the formation of two distinct groups: group I comprises the plants of the Park and group II pasture plants. The clustering showed significant anatomical changes caused by variations of light intensity on leaves, which revealed a large adaptive capacity of Theobroma speciosum.O conhecimento anatômico de espécies do gênero Theobroma é importante para o estabelecimento e manutenção de coleções de germoplasma, tendo em vista estudos agronômicos e fitopatológicos e programas de melhoramento genético. Este estudo objetivou caracterizar a anatomia das folhas de Theobroma speciosum, registrando as diferenças estruturais observadas entre folhas de sol e folhas de sombra. Folhas de indivíduos de Theobroma speciosum foram coletadas no Parque Nacional do Juruena e em pastagens na zona rural do município de Alta Floresta – MT. Foram analisados a espessura do mesofilo foliar, dos parênquimas paliçádico e lacunoso, da nervura mediana e do feixe vascular. A análise de agrupamento foi realizada utilizando o método Hierárquico UPGMA, com base na distância euclidiana média padronizada. Foram observados tricomas glandulares do tipo claviforme e estrelados sésseis. A epiderme é unisseriada, o mesofilo é dorsiventral, entretanto os parênquimas são pouco distintos. Feixes vasculares colaterais estão dispersos no mesofilo, formando bainhas que se estendem até as epidermes. A nervura central, em secção transversal, possui formato biconvexo, com sistema vascular fechado envolto por bainha esclerenquimática. A constituição do mesofilo das folhas variou com o ambiente. Plantas expostas a pleno sol apresentam células mais alongadas no parênquima paliçádico, parênquima lacunoso com mais camadas e maior quantidade de tricomas, enquanto que as folhas de sombra apresentaram células com muitos espaços intercelulares no mesofilo. O dendrograma mostrou a formação de dois grupos distintos: o grupo I composto pelas plantas do Parque e o grupo II pelas plantas das pastagens. Tal agrupamento demonstrou alterações anatômicas significativas ocasionadas pelas variações da intensidade luminosa sobre as folhas, o que evidenciou grande capacidade adaptativa de Theobroma speciosum

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

Currents issues in cardiorespiratory care of patients with post-polio syndrome

Post-polio syndrome (PPS) is a condition that affects polio survivors years after recovery from an initial acute attack of the poliomyelitis virus. Most often, polio survivors experience a gradual new weakening in muscles that were previously affected by the polio infection. The actual incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in individuals suffering from PPS is not known. However, there is a reason to suspect that individuals with PPS might be at increased risk. Method: A search for papers was made in the databases Bireme, Scielo and Pubmed with the following keywords: post polio syndrome, cardiorespiratory and rehabilitation in English, French and Spanish languages. Although we targeted only seek current studies on the topic in question, only the relevant (double-blind, randomized-controlled and consensus articles) were considered. Results and Discussion: Certain features of PPS such as generalized fatigue, generalized and specific muscle weakness, joint and/or muscle pain may result in physical inactivity deconditioning obesity and dyslipidemia. Respiratory difficulties are common and may result in hypoxemia. Conclusion: Only when evaluated and treated promptly, somE patients can obtain the full benefits of the use of respiratory muscles aids as far as quality of life is concerned.Ctr Univ Augusto Motta, Programa Posgrad Ciencias Reabilitacao, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, BrazilUniv Severino Sombra, Fac Med, Vassouras, RJ, BrazilUniv Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Psiquiatria, Lab Mapeamento Cerebral & EEG, BR-22290140 Rio De Janeiro, RJ, BrazilUniv Fed Fluminense, Hosp Univ Antonio Pedro, Niteroi, RJ, BrazilInst Fed Educ Ciencia & Tecnol Rio de Janeiro, Curso Fisioterapia, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, BrazilUniv Fed Piaui, Parnaiba, PI, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Neurol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Neurol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Currents issues in cardiorespiratory care of patients with post-polio syndrome

ABSTRACT Post-polio syndrome (PPS) is a condition that affects polio survivors years after recovery from an initial acute attack of the poliomyelitis virus. Most often, polio survivors experience a gradual new weakening in muscles that were previously affected by the polio infection. The actual incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in individuals suffering from PPS is not known. However, there is a reason to suspect that individuals with PPS might be at increased risk. Method A search for papers was made in the databases Bireme, Scielo and Pubmed with the following keywords: post polio syndrome, cardiorespiratory and rehabilitation in English, French and Spanish languages. Although we targeted only seek current studies on the topic in question, only the relevant (double-blind, randomized-controlled and consensus articles) were considered. Results and Discussion Certain features of PPS such as generalized fatigue, generalized and specific muscle weakness, joint and/or muscle pain may result in physical inactivity deconditioning obesity and dyslipidemia. Respiratory difficulties are common and may result in hypoxemia. Conclusion Only when evaluated and treated promptly, somE patients can obtain the full benefits of the use of respiratory muscles aids as far as quality of life is concerned

Proteins of Leishmania (Viannia) shawi confer protection associated with Th1 immune response and memory generation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Leishmania (Viannia) shawi </it>parasite was first characterized in 1989. Recently the protective effects of soluble leishmanial antigen (SLA) from <it>L. (V.) shawi </it>promastigotes were demonstrated using BALB/c mice, the susceptibility model for this parasite. In order to identify protective fractions, SLA was fractionated by reverse phase HPLC and five antigenic fractions were obtained.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>F1 fraction was purified from L. (V.) shawi parasite extract by reverse phase HPLC. BALB/c mice were immunized once a week for two consecutive weeks by subcutaneous routes in the rump, using 25 μg of F1. After 1 and 16 weeks of last immunization, groups were challenged in the footpad with L. (V.) shawi promastigotes. After 2 months, those same mice were sacrificed and parasite burden, cellular and humoral immune responses were evaluated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The F1 fraction induced a high degree of protection associated with an increase in IFN-γ, a decrease in IL-4, increased cell proliferation and activation of CD8⁺T lymphocytes. Long-term protection was acquired in F1-immunized mice, associated with increased CD4⁺central memory T lymphocytes and activation of both CD4⁺and CD8⁺T cells. In addition, F1-immunized groups showed an increase in IgG2a levels.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The inductor capability of antigens to generate memory lymphocytes that can proliferate and secrete beneficial cytokines upon infection could be an important factor in the development of vaccine candidates against American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis.</p

LITERATURA GÓTICA E ROMANCES DE SENSAÇÃO NO RIO DE JANEIRO DO SÉCULO XIX: LIVROS E POPULARIZAÇÃO DA LEITURA

O presente artigo objetiva estudar a circulação da leitura no Rio de Janeiro oitocentista. O foco dirige-se para os romances de sensação, que alcançaram forte disseminação na sociedade carioca nas últimas décadas do século XIX. Busca-se também entender como os elementos do gênero de horror, as características do romance gótico, estão presentes nesse tipo de literatura, representando o imaginário social da cidade. E, a partir disso, analisar como as representações se relacionam com (e fomentam) discursos políticos e morais sobre crimes, e apresentam um olhar urbano para o interior do Brasil, fundamentando-se por uma relação entre a história e a literatura, que a metodologia propõe

Estudo fitossociológico em dois ambientes da caatinga localizada no assentamento Moacir Lucena, Apodi-RN – BRASIL

Objetivamos comparar a área antropizada e a reserva legal de um Assentamento de Reforma Agrária na Caatinga do Rio Grande do Norte quanto à estrutura fitossociológica. Foram demarcadas 24 parcelas permanentes, sendo 12 parcelas de 10x20m distribuídas aleatoriamente em cada ambiente, sendo caracterizado como: Ambiente I – área antropizada, e Ambiente II – reserva legal do Assentamento. Em cada parcela, foram amostrados todos os indivíduos com CAB ≥ 10 cm. No ambiente antropizado foram amostrados 157 indivíduos distribuídos entre nove famílias e sete espécies, enquanto que na reserva legal, foram 244 indivíduos entre cinco famílias e sete espécies.  Destacaram-se as famílias Mimosoideae e Caesalpinioideae, para o ambiente antropizado, e, Mimosoideae, na reserva legal. O ambiente antropizado apresentou maiores índices de diversidade de Shannom e equabilidade (H’ = 1,90 nats.indivíduo-1 e 0,38), do que a reserva legal (0,86 nats.indivíduo-1 e 0,16). A. glazioviana e C. sonderianus foram às espécies que apresentaram os maiores densidades, freqüências, dominânicas relativas, valor de cobertura e valor de importância no ambiente antropizado, enquanto que A. glazioviana e C. bracteosa destacaram-se na reserva legal. No ambiente antropizado predominou a classe diamétrica de 11 a 21 cm, enquanto que na reserva legal foi a <11 cm