Urine biochemistry assessment in the sequential evaluation of renal function: Time to think outside the box

Urine biochemistry (UB) remains a controversial tool in acute kidney injury (AKI) monitoring, being considered to be of limited value both in terms of AKI diagnosis and prognosis. However, many criticisms can be made to the studies that have established the so called “pre-renal paradigm” (used for decades as the essential physiological basis for UB assessment in AKI) as well as to more recent studies suggesting that UB has no utility in daily clinical practice. The aim of this article is to describe our hypothesis on how to interpret simple and widely recognized urine biochemical parameters from a novel perspective, propose the rationale for their sequential assessment and demonstrate their usefulness in AKI monitoring, especially in the critical care setting

Reduced gait variability and enhanced brain activity in older adults with auditory cues: a functional near-infrared spectroscopy study

BACKGROUND: Aging is associated with declining mobility, which negatively affects quality of life and incurs substantial economic costs. Techniques to maintain safe mobility in older adults are therefore essential. Rhythmic auditory cueing (RAC) can improve walking patterns in older adults. However, the neural correlates associated with RAC, how they are influenced by repeated exposure and their relationships with gait response, cognitive function, and depressive symptoms are unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the effects of RAC during walking on cortical activation and the relationship between RAC-related cortical changes and cognitive function, depressive symptoms, and gait response. METHODS: Seventeen young adults and eighteen older adults walked on a motorized treadmill for 5 minutes (5 trials with alternating 30-second blocks of usual walking and RAC walking). Changes in oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) in the frontal cortex were recorded using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. Cognitive domains were assessed through validated tests. A triaxial accelerometer measured gait parameters. RESULTS: Gait variability decreased and prefrontal HbO2 levels increased during cued walking relative to usual walking. Older adults showed greater HbO2 levels in multiple motor regions during cued walking although the response reduced with repeated exposure. In older adults, lower depression scores, higher cognitive functioning, and reduced gait variability were linked with increased HbO2 levels during RAC walking. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that walking improves with RAC in older adults and is achieved through increased activity in multiple cortical areas. The cortical response decline with repeated exposure indicates older adults' ability to adapt to a new task

Preference of Atta capiguara (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) for Different Grasses

The preference of Atta capiguara for young leaves was evaluated and developed for nine grass species. Hyparrhenia rufa, Paspalum notatum cv Comum and Andopogon gayanus were the most preferred. Paspalum notatum cv Pensacola, Brachiaria decumbens and Cynodon dactylon cv Coast Cross presented intermediate preference. Brachiaria brizantha, Brachiaria humidicola and Melinis minutiflora stood out as the least preferred. In general, H rufa was the most consumed species independent of leaf age. The proportions of crude protein, ethereal extract, calcium, phosphorus, cellulose, lignin and silica extract of grass species did not present any relation with preference by Atta capiguara Goncalve. Grass species less accepted by A. capiguara can guide pasture management and on the other hand, preferred species can aid in the formulation of toxic baits more attractive to this species of leaf-cutting ant.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Gait bradykinesia and hypometria decrease as arm swing frequency and amplitude increase

People with Parkinson's disease (PD) have decreased arm swing movements during walking, which can be related to PD motor signs and symptoms. In this context, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of an increased arm swing frequency or amplitude on the gait parameters in people with PD and healthy older adults. Seventeen individuals with PD and 19 older people were invited to walk on a 10 m pathway under three experimental conditions: (i) usual walking (no arm swing instructions); (ii) an increased arm swing amplitude; and (iii) an increased arm swing frequency. Both groups had an increased stride speed, vertical center of mass and arm swing accelerations and decreased double support time under the increased arm swing amplitude and frequency conditions. People with PD were able to modulate the gait parameters according to the experimental conditions, but at a smaller magnitude than the older individuals. These results indicate that bradykinesia and hypometria of gait can be positively overcome by increasing the amplitude and frequency of arm swing. Arm movements should be included in gait rehabilitation protocols for PD