Associação de heparina e antiveneno: eficácia da neutralização dos venenos de Bothrops atrox e Bothrops erythromelas

Heparin, in some regions of Brazil has been used in the treatment of bothropic accidents, but the data found in the literature are inconclusive about its effectiveness. The venoms of Bothrops atrox and of B. erythromelas were characterized according to their biological activities. The capacity of heparin in neutralizing these activities was tested with doses of 3 and 6 IU in isolated form and associated to Antibothropic Serum (ABS). It was verified that heparin, in doses of 3 and 6 IU, was not effective in neutralizing the desfibrinating and edema-forming activities of B. atrox venom and the hemorrhagic and coagulant actions of both venoms. Heparin diminished the effectiveness of the ABS in the neutralization of the hemorrhagic and edema-forming activities of the B. atrox venom. However, heparin in the 6 IU dose was capable of neutralize the edema-forming of the B. erythromelas and increase the effectiveness of the ABS. Heparin also neutralized the phospholipasic A2 activity of B. atrox (14.3%) and B. erythromelas (28.0%) venoms. For B. erythromelas venom, the associated treatment, heparin and ABS, was more effective in the neutralization of its lethal activity.A heparina tem sido utilizada no tratamento dos acidentes botrópicos em algumas regiões do Brasil, porém, os dados encontrados na literatura são inconclusivos sobre sua eficácia. Os venenos de Bothrops atrox e de B. erythromelas foram caracterizados segundo suas atividades biológicas. A capacidade da heparina em neutralizar estas atividades foi testada com as doses de 3 e 6UI de forma isolada e associada ao soro Antibotrópico (SAB). Verificou-se que a heparina nas doses de 3 e 6UI, não foi eficaz em neutralizar a atividade desfibrinante e edematogênica do veneno de B. atrox e as ações hemorrágica e coagulante dos dois venenos. A heparina diminuiu a eficácia do soro SAB na neutralização das atividades hemorrágica e edematogênica do veneno de B. atrox. Contudo, a heparina na dose de 6UI foi capaz de neutralizar a atividade edematogênica do veneno de B. erythromelas e aumentar a eficácia do soro SAB. A heparina neutralizou ainda a atividade fosfolipásica A2 dos venenos de B. atrox (14,3%) e de B. erythromelas (28,0%). Para o veneno de B. erythromelas, o tratamento associado de heparina e soro SAB, foi mais eficaz na neutralização da atividade letal

Virtual reality gaming in rehabilitation after musculoskeletal injur: user experience pilot study

The purposes of this study were twofold: (1) to describe a new technological solution for the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries based on virtual reality (VR) gaming, and (2) to analyze the variation in rated perceived exertion (RPE) and heart rate (HR) of the participants when undergoing a rehabilitation session based on different VR games. Thirty-seven participants aged 23.7 ± 7.0 years tested during five customized VR games to provide a complete rehabilitation session after a musculoskeletal injury. The results of the Friedman test indicated a statistically significant difference in RPE scale and HR across the five VR games throughout a complete rehabilitation session (χ2 (4, n = 35) = 75.59; p < 0.001 and χ2 (4, n = 35) = 27.75, p < 0.001, respectively). RPE and HR increased significantly from Game 1 to Game 2 (z = –5.16, p < 0.001), from Game 1 to Game 3 (z = – 5.05, p < 0.001), from Game 1 to Game 4 (z = –4.87, p < 0.001), and from Game 1 to Game 5 (z = –3.61, p < 0.001). Moreover, the results showed a high perceived usability of the system, greater intrinsic motivation to perform the rehabilitation exercises, a high level of immersion, and a good experience in the VR gaming environment. Our study stimulates extended intervention programs following up on this immersive virtual reality rehabilitation system to support soccer players recovering from musculoskeletal injuries.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Acupuncture at “Zusanli” (St.36) and “Sanyinjiao” (SP.6) Points on the Gastrointestinal Tract: A Study of the Bioavailability of 99mTc-Sodium Pertechnetate in Rats

The objective of this study is to investigate the differences of acupuncture effect between the Zusanli (St.36) and Sanyinjiao (SP.6) points on the gastrointestinal-tract (GIT) segment performed by the bioavailability of 99mTc-sodium-pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4) in rats. Male Wistar rats (n = 21) were allocated into three groups of seven each. Group 1 was treated by acupuncture bilaterally at St.36; Group 2 at SP.6; and Group 3 was untreated (control). After 10 min of needle insertion in anesthetized rats, 0.3 mL of Na99mTcO4 (7.4 MBq) was injected via ocular-plexus. After 20 min, the exitus of animals was induced by cervical-dislocation and GIT organs isolated. However, immediately before the exitus procedure, blood was collected by cardiac-puncture for blood radio-labeling (BRL). The radioactivity uptake of the blood constituents was calculated together with the GIT organs by a well gamma counter. The percentage of injected dose per gram of tissue (%ID/g) of Na99mTcO4 was calculated for each GIT organs, while BRL was calculated in %ID. According to the one-way ANOVA, the stomach, jejunum, ileum from the treated groups (Group 1 and Group 2) had significant differences compared to the controls (Group 3). However, between the treated groups (Group 1 and Group 2), there were significant differences (P < .05) in the stomach, jejunum, ileum, cecum, transverse and rectum. In BRL analysis, Group 2 showed significant increase and decrease of the insoluble and soluble fractions of the blood cells, respectively (P < .0001). The authors suggest that St.36 may have a tendency of up-regulation effect on GIT, whereas SP.6, down-regulation effect. However, further rigorous experimental studies to examine the effectiveness of acupuncture in either acupuncture points need to be carried out

Dentigerous cyst (Heterotopic polydontia) in a horse - A case report

ABSTRACT. Peixoto T.C., Nogueira V.A., Oliveira M.C., Pires A.P.C., Veiga C.C.P., D’Ávila M.S., Souza B.G. & França T.N. [Dentigerous cyst (Heterotopic polydontia) in a horse - A case report.] Cisto dentígero (Polidontia Heterotópica) em equino - Relato de caso. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinária, 38(Supl.2):139-142, 2016. Setor de Anatomia Patológica, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rodovia BR-465 Km 7, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brasil. E-mail: [email protected] It is described a case of dentigerous cyst in a 2-year-old female pampa horse that showed swelling in the right temporal region and a draining tract near the right pinna. The diagnosis is established with clinical, radiographic and histopathological examination of the surrounding structures. Dentigerous cyst is an uncommon condition in horses and it occurs most frequently in young animals. Twelve 1,3-4 cm white firm structures were removed, some with central pulp canal and longitudinal grooves in the external surface, grossly resembling teeth. Microscopic examination showed a structure compatible with dental tissue lined by a non-keratinezed epithelium. A lympho-plasmocitary inflammatory reaction was also seem in the dermis. Differential diagnoses includes congenital deformities of the bone, trauma, abscess and perforating foreign bodies. Post- -operative complications include haemorrhage, fracture of the temporal bone and permanent neurological damage. This case highlights the importance of the investigation of recurrent abscess in horses that are resistant to antibiotics

Is IQG-607 a Potential Metallodrug or Metallopro-Drug With a Defined Molecular Target in Mycobacterium tuberculosis?

The emergence of strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistant to isoniazid (INH) has underscored the need for the development of new anti-tuberculosis agents. INH is activated by the mycobacterial katG-encoded catalase-peroxidase, forming an acylpyridine fragment that is covalently attached to the C4 of NADH. This isonicotinyl-NAD adduct inhibits the activity of 2-trans-enoyl-ACP(CoA) reductase (InhA), which plays a role in mycolic acid biosynthesis. A metal-based INH analog, Na3[FeII(CN)5(INH)]·4H2O, IQG-607, was designed to have an electronic redistribution on INH moiety that would lead to an intramolecular electron transfer to bypass KatG activation. HPLC and EPR studies showed that the INH moiety can be oxidized by superoxide or peroxide yielding similar metabolites and isonicotinoyl radical only when associated to IQG-607, thereby supporting redox-mediated drug activation as a possible mechanism of action. However, IQG-607 was shown to inhibit the in vitro activity of both wild-type and INH-resistant mutant InhA enzymes in the absence of KatG activation. IQG-607 given by the oral route to M. tuberculosis-infected mice reduced lung lesions. Experiments using early and late controls of infection revealed a bactericidal activity for IQG-607. HPLC and voltammetric methods were developed to quantify IQG-607. Pharmacokinetic studies showed short half-life, high clearance, moderate volume of distribution, and low oral bioavailability, which was not altered by feeding. Safety and toxic effects of IQG-607 after acute and 90-day repeated oral administrations in both rats and minipigs showed occurrence of mild to moderate toxic events. Eight multidrug-resistant strains (MDR-TB) were resistant to IQG-607, suggesting an association between katG mutation and increasing MIC values. Whole genome sequencing of three spontaneous IQG-607-resistant strains harbored katG gene mutations. MIC measurements and macrophage infection experiments with a laboratorial strain showed that katG mutation is sufficient to confer resistance to IQG-607 and that the macrophage intracellular environment cannot trigger the self-activation mechanism. Reduced activity of IQG-607 against an M. tuberculosis strain overexpressing S94A InhA mutant protein suggested both the need for KatG activation and InhA as its target. Further efforts are suggested to be pursued toward attempting to translate IQG-607 into a chemotherapeutic agent to treat tuberculosis