Effects of Catuaba Cristal (R) on the Testis of Wistar rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible beneficial effects of Catuaba Cristal (R) (CC), an alcoholic drink made from wine and Erythroxylum catuaba Ar. Cam on testis. Wistar rats either received CC solution (n=8) or water (n=9). Results showed significant body weight reduction within the CC group, although, no weight changes were observed for liver, kidney, testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate. The volumetric proportion and volume of interstitial tissue and lymphatic space were reduced in the treated group. In the CC group, although the nuclear volume of Leydig cells (LC) decreased, the number of LC per testis increased. These results suggested that CC had no beneficial effect on spermatogenesis of Wistar rats.545901906Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG

Kinematic analisys of the knee when climbing up/down stairs in patellofemoral instability

OBJECTIVE: To analyze and to identify possible gait adaptations by individuals with objective patellofemoral instability when climbing up/down stairs. METHODS: A control group (group A) composed by nine women with mean age = 25 years (±1.87), height = 1.62 m (±0.05) and weight = 56.20 kg (±7.34), and; nine women with objective patellofemoral instability (group B) with mean age = 24 years (±6.02), height = 1.62 m (±0.06) and weight = 60.33 kg (±10.31) were analyzed. The groups underwent kinematic analysis while climbing up/down stairs, in a previously determined area. Images were obtained by six cameras (Qualysis) and data analysis utilized the Q gait software program. RESULTS: Group B presented, in the support phase, less knee flexion when climbing up (p = 0.0268), and lower speed (p = 0.0076/ p =0.0243) and pace (p = 0.0027/ p = 0.0165) when climbing up and down stairs, respectively. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that group B used functional changes such as reduced knee flexion, speed and pace when climbing up and down stairs.OBJETIVO: Analisar e identificar possíveis adaptações da marcha em indivíduos com diagnóstico de instabilidade patelofemoral objetiva, durante a atividade de subida e descida de escada. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados um grupo controle (grupo A), composto por 9 mulheres com média de idade de 25 anos (±1,87), média de altura de 1,62m (±0,05) e média de peso de 56,20kg (±7,34); e, um grupo de 9 mulheres com instabilidade patelofemoral objetiva (grupo B), média de idade de 24 anos (±6,02), média de altura de 1,62m (±0,06) e média de peso de 60,33kg (±10,31). Os grupos foram submetidos a uma análise cinemática, onde as voluntárias subiram e desceram degraus, em uma área previamente selecionada. As imagens foram obtidas por seis câmeras (Qualysis) e a análise dos dados foi realizada através do programa Q gait. RESULTADOS: O grupo B apresentou, no período de apoio, menor flexão do joelho durante a subida (p=0,0268), além de menores velocidade (p=0,0076/ p=0,0243) e cadência (p=0,0027/ p=0,0165) na subida e na descida, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: Sugere-se que o grupo B utilizou adaptações funcionais como redução da flexão do joelho, da velocidade e da cadência, durante a subida e a descida de degraus.UNICAMP FCM Departamento de Ortopedia e TraumatologiaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESPSciEL

Trend analysis of the quality indicators for the Brazilian cervical cancer screening programme by region and state from 2006 to 2013

Quality indicators for the Brazilian cervical cancer screening programme can provide a perspective on its effectiveness in Brazilian macro-regions and states. The aim of this study was to perform a trend analysis of the cervical cancer screening program's quality indicators, according to Brazilian regions and states, from 2006 to 2013.(undefined)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Fetal lung underdevelopment is rescued by administration of amniotic fluid stem cell extracellular vesicles in rodents

Fetal lung underdevelopment, also known as pulmonary hypoplasia, is characterized by decreased lung growth and maturation. The most common birth defect found in babies with pulmonary hypoplasia is congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Despite research and clinical advances, babies with CDH still have high morbidity and mortality rates, which are directly related to the severity of lung underdevelopment. To date, there is no effective treatment that promotes fetal lung growth and maturation. Here, we describe a stem cell–based approach in rodents that enhances fetal lung development via the administration of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs). Using fetal rodent models of pulmonary hypoplasia (primary epithelial cells, organoids, explants, and in vivo), we demonstrated that AFSC-EV administration promoted branching morphogenesis and alveolarization, rescued tissue homeostasis, and stimulated epithelial cell and fibroblast differentiation. We confirmed this regenerative ability in in vitro models of lung injury using human material, where human AFSC-EVs obtained following good manufacturing practices restored pulmonary epithelial homeostasis. Investigating EV mechanism of action, we found that AFSC-EV beneficial effects were exerted via the release of RNA cargo. MicroRNAs regulating the expression of genes involved in lung development, such as the miR17–92 cluster and its paralogs, were highly enriched in AFSC-EVs and were increased in AFSC-EV–treated primary lung epithelial cells compared to untreated cells. Our findings suggest that AFSC-EVs hold regenerative ability for underdeveloped fetal lungs, demonstrating potential for therapeutic application in patients with pulmonary hypoplasia

User-centered virtual environment design for virtual rehabilitation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>As physical and cognitive rehabilitation protocols utilizing virtual environments transition from single applications to comprehensive rehabilitation programs there is a need for a new design cycle methodology. Current human-computer interaction designs focus on usability without benchmarking technology within a user-in-the-loop design cycle. The field of virtual rehabilitation is unique in that determining the efficacy of this genre of computer-aided therapies requires prior knowledge of technology issues that may confound patient outcome measures. Benchmarking the technology (e.g., displays or data gloves) using healthy controls may provide a means of characterizing the "normal" performance range of the virtual rehabilitation system. This standard not only allows therapists to select appropriate technology for use with their patient populations, it also allows them to account for technology limitations when assessing treatment efficacy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An overview of the proposed user-centered design cycle is given. Comparisons of two optical see-through head-worn displays provide an example of benchmarking techniques. Benchmarks were obtained using a novel vision test capable of measuring a user's stereoacuity while wearing different types of head-worn displays. Results from healthy participants who performed both virtual and real-world versions of the stereoacuity test are discussed with respect to virtual rehabilitation design.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The user-centered design cycle argues for benchmarking to precede virtual environment construction, especially for therapeutic applications. Results from real-world testing illustrate the general limitations in stereoacuity attained when viewing content using a head-worn display. Further, the stereoacuity vision benchmark test highlights differences in user performance when utilizing a similar style of head-worn display. These results support the need for including benchmarks as a means of better understanding user outcomes, especially for patient populations.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The stereoacuity testing confirms that without benchmarking in the design cycle poor user performance could be misconstrued as resulting from the participant's injury state. Thus, a user-centered design cycle that includes benchmarking for the different sensory modalities is recommended for accurate interpretation of the efficacy of the virtual environment based rehabilitation programs.</p

The pharmacological regulation of cellular mitophagy

Small molecules are pharmacological tools of considerable value for dissecting complex biological processes and identifying potential therapeutic interventions. Recently, the cellular quality-control process of mitophagy has attracted considerable research interest; however, the limited availability of suitable chemical probes has restricted our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved. Current approaches to initiate mitophagy include acute dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) by mitochondrial uncouplers (for example, FCCP/CCCP) and the use of antimycin A and oligomycin to impair respiration. Both approaches impair mitochondrial homeostasis and therefore limit the scope for dissection of subtle, bioenergy-related regulatory phenomena. Recently, novel mitophagy activators acting independently of the respiration collapse have been reported, offering new opportunities to understand the process and potential for therapeutic exploitation. We have summarized the current status of mitophagy modulators and analyzed the available chemical tools, commenting on their advantages, limitations and current applications

Image informatics strategies for deciphering neuronal network connectivity

Brain function relies on an intricate network of highly dynamic neuronal connections that rewires dramatically under the impulse of various external cues and pathological conditions. Among the neuronal structures that show morphologi- cal plasticity are neurites, synapses, dendritic spines and even nuclei. This structural remodelling is directly connected with functional changes such as intercellular com- munication and the associated calcium-bursting behaviour. In vitro cultured neu- ronal networks are valuable models for studying these morpho-functional changes. Owing to the automation and standardisation of both image acquisition and image analysis, it has become possible to extract statistically relevant readout from such networks. Here, we focus on the current state-of-the-art in image informatics that enables quantitative microscopic interrogation of neuronal networks. We describe the major correlates of neuronal connectivity and present workflows for analysing them. Finally, we provide an outlook on the challenges that remain to be addressed, and discuss how imaging algorithms can be extended beyond in vitro imaging studies

Brief pain re-assessment provided more accurate prognosis than baseline information for low-back or shoulder pain

Background Research investigating prognosis in musculoskeletal pain conditions has only been moderately successful in predicting which patients are unlikely to recover. Clinical decision making could potentially be improved by combining information taken at baseline and re-consultation. Methods Data from four prospective clinical cohorts of adults presenting to UK and Dutch primary care with low-back or shoulder pain was analysed, assessing long-term disability at 6 or 12 months and including baseline and 4–6 week assessments of pain. Baseline versus short-term assessments of pain, and previously validated multivariable prediction models versus repeat assessment, were compared to assess predictive performance of long-term disability outcome. A hypothetical clinical scenario was explored which made efficient use of both baseline and repeated assessment to identify patients likely to have a poor prognosis and decide on further treatment. Results Short-term repeat assessment of pain was better than short-term change or baseline score at predicting long-term disability improvement across all cohorts. Short-term repeat assessment of pain was only slightly more predictive of long-term recovery (c-statistics 0.78, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.83 and 0.75, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.82) than a multivariable baseline prognostic model in the two cohorts presenting such a model (c-statistics 0.71, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.76 and 0.72, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.78). Combining optimal prediction at baseline using a multivariable prognostic model with short-term repeat assessment of pain in those with uncertain prognosis in a hypothetical clinical scenario resulted in reduction in the number of patients with an uncertain probability of recovery, thereby reducing the instances where patients may be inappropriately referred or reassured. Conclusions Incorporating short-term repeat assessment of pain into prognostic models could potentially optimise the clinical usefulness of prognostic information