Effects of Methylprednisolone And Ganglioside GM-1 on a Spinal Lesion: A Functional Analysis

OBJECTIVES: The pharmacological effects of methylprednisolone (MP) and ganglioside GM-1 on spinal injuries have been thoroughly investigated, but only a few studies have evaluated the interaction between these two drugs. METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar rats were subjected to contusive injury of the spinal cord produced by the NYU system. These animals were divided into four groups: group I was injected with MP; group II was injected with GM-1; group III was injected with MP together with GM-1; and group control received physiological serum. The animals were evaluated with regard to their recovery of locomotive function by means of the BBB test on the second, seventh and fourteenth days after receiving the contusive injury to the spinal cord. They were sacrificed on the fourteenth day. RESULTS: This study demonstrated that the MP and GM-1 groups presented functional results that were better than those of the control group, although the enhanced recovery of group II (GM-1) relative to the control group was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The most notable recovery of locomotive function was observed in the group that received MP alone (p<0.05). The group that received MP together with GM-1 presented results that were better than those of the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Administration of methylprednisolone alone or with GM-1 was shown to be effective for recovery of locomotive function. Combined administration of these drugs resulted in better outcomes than administration of methylprednisolone alone

Aplicação do modelo de análise lógico-retórica de Manuel Atienza ao Acórdão proferido no julgamento conjunto do HC 137.349/SP e do HC 159.159/SP, que determinou a anulação do recebimento da denúncia na Ação Penal Nº 2009.61.81.006881-7

Este trabalho tem como objetivo a exposição da aplicação prática do modelo de análise lógico-retórica do discurso jurídico desenvolvido pelo jusfilósofo espanhol Manuel Atienza. O acórdão selecionado para a análise foi o proferido no julgamento conjunto do HC 137.349/SP e do HC 159.159/SP, que determinou a anulação do recebimento da denúncia na Ação Penal nº 2009.61.81.006881-7 – originada da Operação “Castelo de Areia” da Polícia Federal. A escolha foi feita por se tratar de um hard case; isto é, de um caso difícil, em que existiu conflito entre direitos fundamentais e divergência entre os julgadores. Tais características permitem demonstrar o funcionamento do Modelo em toda a sua potencialidade. Para o melhor entendimento da proposta, nas primeiras duas partes do trabalho foi feita uma breve exposição sobre a relação entre a Lógica e o Direito, com menção aos principais estudiosos do tema, assim como também foram tecidos breves comentários a respeito da questão das Provas no Processo Penal, com enfoque no que diz respeito às provas ilícitas e no juízo de ponderação a ser feito a respeito delas

Diallel analysis of upland cotton cultivars

Crosses involving eight commercial upland cotton cultivars were performed in all possible combinations togenerate 28 hybrids. The eight parental genotypes were also evaluated. A field experiment was conducted using a triple Laticedesign (6 x 6) in Itumbiara, Brazil, during the 2000/01 growing season. Data of the following agronomic and fiber traits werecollected: seedcotton yield, lint yield, seed index, picked lint percent, index of production and earliness, micronaire index, fiberstrength, fiber length, uniformity index, short-fiber index, fiber elongation, CSP index, reflectance and yellowness and used inthe analysis of variance as proposed by Griffing (1956), method 4. Significant differences were detected among treatments andthe estimates of combining abilities. Additive gene action prevailed for most traits studied. Both positive and negative heteroticvalues were detected, demonstrating the potential of hybrid combinations for trait improvement in breeding programs

The offer of the anti-HIV test to the users of the health basic net units: different aproaches of professionals

Objective: To identify and describe the behaviors of health professionals in the offer of anti-HIV test; to analyze the practices of professionals from the accounts of users of the basic health services. Method: descriptive, qualitative study with 40 women attended at 08 Municipal Health Centers. Results: the discursive production of the interviews was subjected to Alceste program, constituting two categories of analysis. The first includes approaches in individual care in the MHC network of Rio de Janeiro describing the three modes of conduct of health professionals during the provision of HIV testing. The second category refers to the approaches in collective care, which shows that the counseling activities do not occur uniformly. Conclusion: the results point to a practice that distorts what is recommended by official programs in relation to the Counseling Programs

NARRATIVAS ORAIS E FORMAÇÃO POLÍTICA A PARTIR DO MASSACRE DE ELDORADO DOS CARAJÁS (PA) E DA MEMÓRIA DO JOVEM OZIEL ALVES

Este artigo apresenta resultados parciais de pesquisa desenvolvida durante percurso formativo de Doutorado em Performances Culturais . A investigação estabeleceu seu objeto de estudo em torno do Massacre de Eldorado dos Carajás , no estado do Pará, em 17 de abril de 1996. Na ocasião, 19 trabalhadores ligados ao Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra (MST) foram assassinados pela polícia do estado, durante a tentativa de negociação de um dos recorrentes conflitos por terra, comuns nesta parte da Amazônia brasileira. Tendo como corpus de análise as narrativas orais dos sobreviventes do massacre, a discussão articula, teoricamente, cultura, formação, narrativas orais e memória. Essa abordagem permite um constructo, no texto, em que vêm à tona o legado do mártir Oziel Alves e a cultura política do MST. Isso contribui para uma reflexão sobre a cultura política e a formação dos militantes e da juventude neste movimento social

Endoscope-assisted retrosigmoid approach in hemifacial spasm: our experience

Introduction: The use of surgical decompression of facial hemispasm due to the loop in the internal auditory canal is not always accepted due to the risk related to the surgical procedure. Currently a new surgical technique allows surgeons to work in safer conditions. Objective: To report the results with endoscope-assisted retrosigmoid approach for facial nerve microvascular decompression in hemifacial spasm due to neurovascular conflict. The surgical technique is described. Methods: We carried out a prospective study in a tertiary referral center observing 12 (5 male, 7 female) patients, mean age 57.5 years (range 49–71) affected by hemifacial spasm, that underwent to an endoscope assisted retrosigmoid approach for microvascular decompression. We evaluated intra-operative findings, postoperative HFS resolution and complication rates. Results: Hemifacial spasm resolution was noticed in 9/12 (75%) cases within 24 h after surgery and in 12/12 (100%) subjects within 45 days. A significant (p < 0.001) correlation between preoperative historical duration of hemifacial spasm and postoperative recovery timing was recorded. Only 1 patient had a complication (meningitis), which resolved after intravenous antibiotics with no sequelae. No cases of cerebrospinal fluid leak, facial palsy or hearing impairment were recorded. Hemifacial spasm recurrence was noticed in the only subject where the neurovascular conflict was due to a vein within the internal auditory canal. Conclusions: The endoscope assisted retrosigmoid approach technique offers an optimal visualization of the neurovascular conflict thorough a minimally invasive approach, thus allowing an accurate decompression of the facial nerve with low complication rates. Due to the less invasive nature, the procedure should be considered in functional surgery of the cerebellar pontine angle as hemifacial spasm treatment, specially when the procedure is performed by an otolaryngologist. Resumo: Introdução: O uso de descompressão cirúrgica do espasmo hemifacial devido ao loop no canal auditivo interno nem sempre é aceito devido ao risco relacionado ao procedimento cirúrgico. Atualmente, uma nova técnica cirúrgica permite trabalhar em condições seguras. Objetivo: Relatar os resultados que obtivemos com a abordagem retrosigmóidea assistida por endoscopia para a descompressão microvascular do nervo facial em casos de espasmo hemifacial devido a conflito neurovascular. A técnica cirúrgica é descrita. Método: Realizamos um estudo prospectivo em um centro de referência terciária observando 12 pacientes (5M, 7F), com média de idade de 57,5 (intervalo 49-71) anos com espasmo hemifacial submetidos a uma abordagem retrosigmóide assistida por endoscopia para descompressão microvascular. Foram avaliados os achados intraoperatórios, a resolução pós-operatória do espasmo hemifacial e as taxas de complicações. Resultados: A resolução do espasmo hemifacial foi observada em 9/12 (75%) dos casos nas 24 horas após a cirurgia e em 12/12 (100%) dos indivíduos até 45 dias. Uma correlação significativa (p < 0,001) entre a duração do histórico pré-operatório de espasmo hemifacial e o tempo de recuperação pós-operatório foi registrado. Apenas um paciente apresentou uma complicação (meningite), que foi resolvida após administração de antibióticos por via intra venosa sem sequelas. Nenhum caso fístula liquórica, paralisia facial ou deficiência auditiva foi registrado. A recorrência do espasmo hemifacial foi observada em único indivíduo em quem o conflito neurovascular foi causado por um vaso no interior do canal auditivo interno. Conclusões: A técnica da abordagem retrosigmóidea assistida por endoscopia oferece uma ótima visualização do conflito neurovascular através de uma abordagem minimamente invasiva, permite assim uma descompressão precisa do nervo facial com baixas taxas de complicações. Por ser menos invasivo, o procedimento deve ser considerado na cirurgia funcional do ângulo pontocerebelar como tratamento de espasmo hemifacial, especialmente quando o procedimento é feito por um otorrinolaringologista. Keywords: Hemifacial spasm, Facial nerve, Nerve decompression, Endoscopic surgery, Quality of life, Palavras-chave: Espasmo hemifacial, Nervo facial, Descompressão do nervo, Cirurgia endoscópica, Qualidade de vid

Effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) on rat pial microvascular remodeling after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion

Previous studies have shown that the pial microcirculation remodeling improves neurological outcome after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), accompanied by higher expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), modulating in vivo angiogenesis. This study was aimed to assess the effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) infused after MCAO on rat pial microcirculation. Animals were subjected to 2 h MCAO followed by BM-MSCs infusion into internal carotid artery. Pial microcirculation was observed at different reperfusion times by fluorescence microscopy. Geometric characteristics of arteriolar networks, permeability increase, leukocyte adhesion, perfused capillary density, VEGF, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (e-NOS) expression were evaluated. Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-BM-MSCs were used to evaluate their distribution and cell phenotype development during reperfusion. BM-MSCs stimulated a geometric rearrangement of pial networks with formation of new anastomotic vessels sprouting from preexistent arterioles in the penumbra at 7-14-28 days of reperfusion. At the same time VEGF and eNOS expression increased. GFP-BM-MSCs appear to be involved in endothelial and smooth muscle cell programming in the infarcted area. In conclusion, transient MCAO induced pial vascular remodeling characterized by arteriolar anastomotic arcades (originated from preexistent arterioles in penumbra area) able to overlap the ischemic core supplying blood to the neuronal tissue. BM-MSCs appear to accelerate angiogenic processes facilitating new vessel formation; this mechanism was promoted by an increase in VEGF and eNOS expression

Flexibility and extracellular opening determine the interaction between ligands and insect sulfakinin receptors

Despite their fundamental importance for growth, the mechanisms that regulate food intake are poorly understood. Our previous work demonstrated that insect sulfakinin (SK) signaling is involved in inhibiting feeding in an important model and pest insect, the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum. Because the interaction of SK peptide and SK receptors (SKR) initiates the SK signaling, we have special interest on the structural factors that influence the SK-SKR interaction. First, the three-dimensional structures of the two T. castaneum SKRs (TcSKR1 and TcSKR2) were generated from molecular modeling and they displayed significance in terms of the outer opening of the cavity and protein flexibility. TcSKR1 contained a larger outer opening of the cavity than that in TcSKR2, which allows ligands a deep access into the cavity through cell membrane. Second, normal mode analysis revealed that TcSKR1 was more flexible than TcSKR2 during receptor-ligand interaction. Third, the sulfated SK (sSK) and sSK-related peptides were more potent than the nonsulfated SK, suggesting the importance of the sulfate moiety