Loss of expression of TGF-βs and their receptors in chronic skin lesions induced by sulfur mustard as compared with chronic contact dermatitis patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sulfur mustard (SM) is a blister-forming agent that has been used as a chemical weapon. Sulfur mustard can cause damage in various organs, especially the skin, respiratory system, and eyes. Generally, the multiple complications of mustard gas result from its alkalizing potency; it reacts with cellular components like DNA, RNA, proteins, and lipid membranes.</p> <p>TGF-β is a multi-functional cytokine with multiple biological effects ranging from cell differentiation and growth inhibition to extracellular matrix stimulation, immunosuppression, and immunomodulation. TGF-β has 3 isoforms (TGF-β 1, 2, 3) and its signaling is mediated by its receptors: R1, R2 and intracellular Smads molecules.</p> <p>TGF-β has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects. TGF-βs and their receptors also have an important role in modulation of skin inflammation, proliferation of epidermal cells, and wound healing, and they have been implicated in different types of skin inflammatory disorders.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Seventeen exposed SM individuals (48.47 ± 9.3 years), 17 chronic dermatitis patients (46.52 ± 14.6 years), and 5 normal controls (44.00 ± 14.6 years) were enrolled in this study.</p> <p>Evaluation of TGF-βs and their receptors expressions was performed by semiquantitative RT-PCR. Only TGF1was analyzed immunohistochemically.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our results showed significant decreases in the expression percentages of TGF-β 1, 2 and R1, R2 in chemical victims in comparison with chronic dermatitis and normal subjects and significant decreases in the intensity of R1 and R2 expressions in chemical victims in comparison with chronic dermatitis and normal controls. (P value < 0.05)</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>TGF-βs and their receptors appear to have a noticeable role in chronic inflammatory skin lesions caused by sulfur mustard.</p

Efeitos de um programa de hidroterapia na pressão arterial e freqüência cardíaca de mulheres idosas sedentárias

Este estudo visou analisar as conseqüências cardiocirculatórias (na pressão arterial, PA, e freqüência cardíaca, FC) de um programa de hidroterapia cujo objetivo clínico era ganho de força muscular e flexibilidade para mulheres idosas saudáveis e sedentárias. Participaram 16 idosas, de 65 a 70 anos. O programa constou de 32 sessões, com uma hora de duração cada, de exercícios em imersão para ganho de força muscular e flexibilidade, com grau de dificuldade crescente, em sete fases. As quatro primeiras sessões foram usadas para adaptação ao meio aquático e desconsideradas para coleta de dados. As medidas de PA e FC foram coletadas ao final de cada fase, em quatro momentos: repouso fora da água, em repouso 3 minutos após imersão, em imersão ao final dos exercícios, e três minutos após a saída da piscina. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente com nível de significância a pThis study aimed at analysing cardiocirculatory effects (on blood pressure, BP, and heart rate, HR) of a hydrotherapy program of which the purpose was to increase muscle force and flexibility of 16 sedentary, healthy, 65-to-70 year-old women. The program consisted of 32 1-hour sessions of strength and flexibility training exercises, with increasing degree of difficulty in seven phases. The first four sessions were used for adaptation to the aquatic environment and the respective data were not considered. BP and HR were monitored at the end of each phase in four different moments: at rest before diving, at rest 3 minutes after immersion, still immerged at the end of exercises, and at rest, 3 minutes after exiting the pool. Collected measures were statistically analysed, and significance level set at p<0.05. Results show significant mean at-rest systolic BP decrease of 5.6 mmHg, and mean at-rest diastolic BP decrease of 9.7 mmHg, from the 5th (base) session to the 32nd (last) session; participants' BP classification turned from threshold-normal to normal, according to the Brazilian Hypertension Society. Also found was a non-significant 1.0-bpm increase in mean HR. Findings suggest that, though HR has not been affected, aquatic strength and flexibility exercises with increasing difficulty do not overload - and may positively affect - cardiocirculatory system in healthy women aged 65 to 70 years old