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CONTEXT: Saturated fats found in diets known as high-fat, cafeteria, or Western diets appear to have a negative effect on bone structure; however, few studies have focused on investigating this association, and the data available in the literature remain controversial. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current review was to investigate the effects of a high-fat dietary intake on the bone structure of Wistar rats. DATA SOURCES: A search for articles was carried out in the Pubmed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus databases. DATA EXTRACTION: In total, 447 articles were found in the initial search; 5 articles were included in the systematic review, after application of the exclusion criteria. DATA ANALYSIS: The review was guided by the PICOS strategy and based on the PRISMA protocol for animal reviews. CONCLUSION: High-fat diets appear to affect bone structure of Wistar rats. Diet composition and exposure time are the factors determining the strength of the effect.
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Dieta Hiperlipídica , Gorduras na Dieta , Ratos , Animais , Humanos , Dieta Hiperlipídica/efeitos adversos , Ratos Wistar , Osso e Ossos , Ácidos GraxosRESUMO
The immune response is crucial for coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) progression, with the participation of proinflammatory cells and cytokines, inducing lung injury and loss of respiratory function. CLEC5A expression on monocytes can be triggered by viral and bacterial infections, leading to poor outcomes. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is able to induce neutrophil activation by CLEC5A and Toll-like receptor 2, leading to an aggressive inflammatory cascade, but little is known about the molecular interactions between CLEC5A and SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Here, we aimed to explore how CLEC5A expression could be affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection using immunological tools with in vitro, in vivo, and in silico assays. The findings revealed that high levels of CLEC5A expression were found in monocytes from severe COVID-19 patients in comparison with mild COVID-19 and unexposed subjects, but not in vaccinated subjects who developed mild COVID-19. In hamsters, we detected CLEC5A gene expression during 3-15 days of Omicron strain viral challenge. Our results also showed that CLEC5A can interact with SARS-CoV-2, promoting inflammatory cytokine production, probably through an interaction with the receptor-binding domain in the N-acetylglucosamine binding site (NAG-601). The high expression of CLEC5A and high levels of proinflammatory cytokine production were reduced in vitro by a human CLEC5A monoclonal antibody. Finally, CLEC5A was triggered by spike glycoprotein, suggesting its involvement in COVID-19 progression; therapy with a monoclonal antibody could be a good strategy for COVID-19 treatment, but vaccines are still the best option to avoid hospitalization/deaths.
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COVID-19 , Humanos , SARS-CoV-2 , Tratamento Farmacológico da COVID-19 , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus , Citocinas , Anticorpos Monoclonais , Glicoproteínas , Receptores de Superfície Celular/genética , Lectinas Tipo C/genéticaRESUMO
Background: Migraine is a highly disabling disease, for which current therapies are limited to symptom alleviation. There is compelling evidence linking migraine with metabolic disorders, but the causal relationship is not clear. Omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties, with clear benefits in metabolic disorders, but its effects on migraine remains to be tested. We hypothesized that fructose-induced metabolic syndrome could aggravate migraine by increasing neuroinflammation and that n-3 treatment could mitigate it. Methods: Male Wistar rats were used. Animals that received 10% high fructose diet (HFD) or tap water were subdivided into two additional groups: with or without n-3 supplementation. Fifteen days before euthanasia, each group was subdivided into two additional groups: with or without nitroglycerin (NTG)-induced migraine. Results: HFD lessened the migraine-like painful symptoms, as indicated by decreased grimace scores, which paralleled with reduced CGRP and leptin serum levels, increased hypothalamic CGRP, and decreased hypothalamic adiponectin and IL-6. There was a recovery of body and adipose tissue weight, besides a reduction of crown-like structures (CLS) in the inguinal adipose tissue. N-3 supplementation had no effect on NTG-related pain, but it decreased body and adipose tissue weight of HFD and tap water NTG-injected rats. N-3 improved NTG-related affective behavior and inflammatory parameters in tap water NTG-injected rats, with decreased hypothalamic TNF, serum CGRP and inguinal adipose-tissue CLS. Conclusions: HFD relieved NTG-induced pain, possibly due to decreased energy expenditure, minimizing migraine energy needs. N-3 exhibited favorable effects regarding affective behavior and central and peripheral inflammation, irrespective of HFD.
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Chronic pain affects a large part of the population causing functional disability, being often associated with coexisting psychological disorders, such as depression and anxiety, besides cognitive deficits, and sleep disturbance. The world elderly population has been growing over the last decades and the negative consequences of chronic pain for these individuals represent a current clinical challenge. The main painful complaints in the elderly are related to neurodegenerative and musculoskeletal conditions, peripheral vascular diseases, arthritis, and osteoarthritis, contributing toward poorly life quality, social isolation, impaired physical activity, and dependence to carry out daily activities. Organ dysfunction and other existing diseases can significantly affect the perception and responses to chronic pain in this group. It has been proposed that elderly people have an altered pain experience, with changes in pain processing mechanisms, which might be associated with the degeneration of circuits that modulate the descending inhibitory pathways of pain. Aging has also been linked to an increase in the pain threshold, a decline of painful sensations, and a decrease in pain tolerance. Still, elderly patients with chronic pain show an increased risk for dementia and cognitive impairment. The present review article is aimed to provide the state-of-art of pre-clinical and clinical research about chronic pain in elderly, emphasizing the altered mechanisms, comorbidities, challenges, and potential therapeutic alternatives.
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Physical exercise is considered a fundamental strategy in improving insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake in skeletal muscle. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this regulation, primarily on skeletal muscle glucose uptake, are not fully understood. Recent evidence has shown that Rho-kinase (ROCK) isoforms play a pivotal role in regulating skeletal muscle glucose uptake and systemic glucose homeostasis. The current study evaluated the effect of physical exercise on ROCK2 signaling in skeletal muscle of insulin-resistant obese animals. Physiological (ITT) and molecular analysis (immunoblotting, and RT-qPCR) were performed. The contents of RhoA and ROCK2 protein were decreased in skeletal muscle of obese mice compared to control mice but were restored to normal levels in response to physical exercise. The exercised animals also showed higher phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1 Serine 632/635) and protein kinase B (Akt) in the skeletal muscle. However, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and protein-tyrosine phosphatase-1B (PTP-1B), both inhibitory regulators for insulin action, were increased in obesity but decreased after exercise. The impact of ROCK2 action on muscle insulin signaling is further underscored by the fact that impaired IRS1 and Akt phosphorylation caused by palmitate in C2C12 myotubes was entirely restored by ROCK2 overexpression. These results suggest that the exercise-induced upregulation of RhoA-ROCK2 signaling in skeletal muscle is associated with increased systemic insulin sensitivity in obese mice and further implicate that muscle ROCK2 could be a potential target for treating obesity-linked metabolic disorders.
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Resistência à Insulina/fisiologia , Insulina/metabolismo , Camundongos Obesos/metabolismo , Músculo Esquelético/metabolismo , Condicionamento Físico Animal/fisiologia , Quinases Associadas a rho/metabolismo , Animais , Glucose/metabolismo , Camundongos , Camundongos Obesos/fisiologia , Fibras Musculares Esqueléticas/metabolismo , Fibras Musculares Esqueléticas/fisiologia , Músculo Esquelético/fisiopatologia , Obesidade/metabolismo , Obesidade/fisiopatologia , Transdução de Sinais/fisiologiaRESUMO
Individuals with dentofacial deformities often display a low quality of life (QoL) through biological mechanisms that remain unraveled. In this case-control study, the salivary levels of cytokines, glutamate, and kynurenine metabolites were assessed in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery (OS), while correlating these parameters with QoL and psychological symptoms. Thirty-six patients were enrolled in control (under orthodontic treatment) and test (undergoing OS) groups, matched by age and sex. The QoL was assessed through the World Health Organization Quality of Life BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ). The psychological symptoms were evaluated by the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). The salivary levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10, glutamate, and kynurenine metabolites were evaluated. The OQLQ demonstrated increased QoL scores in the test group, regarding social aspects, facial esthetics, and function domains, without significant differences in respect to the other surveys. These patients displayed higher IL-1ß and glutamate levels; conversely, the kynurenine metabolites were unaltered. The glutamate levels positively correlated with the OQLQ function scores. The data brings novel evidence about the psychobiological features of patients with dentofacial deformities, showing salivary variations of inflammatory biomarkers in these individuals.
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Ansiedade/psicologia , Deformidades Dentofaciais/psicologia , Depressão/psicologia , Ácido Glutâmico/análise , Interleucina-1beta/análise , Qualidade de Vida/psicologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Ansiedade/diagnóstico , Biomarcadores/análise , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Deformidades Dentofaciais/metabolismo , Deformidades Dentofaciais/cirurgia , Depressão/diagnóstico , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Ortognáticos , Satisfação Pessoal , Saliva/química , Autoimagem , Estresse Psicológico/diagnóstico , Estresse Psicológico/psicologia , Inquéritos e Questionários , Adulto JovemRESUMO
The production of biocompounds through the cultivation of filamentous microorganisms is mainly affected by Oxygen Transfer Rate (OTR) and shear rate ([Formula: see text]) conditions. Despite efforts have been made to evaluate the effect of operating variables (impeller speed, N; and airflow rate, Ïair) on clavulanic acid production, no analysis regarding the effect of OTR and [Formula: see text] was made. Then, the aim of this study was to evaluate the dissociated effect of physical phenomena such as oxygen transfer and shear rate in the production of clavulanic acid from Streptomyces clavuligerus using a stirred tank bioreactor. Streptomyces clavuligerus cultivations were performed at five different OTR and [Formula: see text] conditions by manipulating the operating conditions (N, Ïair, and gas inlet composition). Cultivations performed at equal impeller speed (600 rpm, similar [Formula: see text]) using oxygen enrichment, showed that CA productivity (ProdCA) was positively affected by OTR increase. Subsequently, the different shear conditions (achieved by varying the impeller speed) lead to an increase in CA production levels. Despite both OTR and shear rate positively enhanced CA productivity, [Formula: see text] exhibited the highest impact: an increase of 145% in OTRinitial enhanced the clavulanic acid productivity of about 29%, while an increment in the shear rate of 134% raised the ProdCA in 53%.
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Ácido Clavulânico/química , Microbiologia Industrial/métodos , Oxigênio/química , Streptomyces/metabolismo , Reatores Biológicos , Biotecnologia/métodos , Meios de Cultura , Desenho de Equipamento , Resistência ao Cisalhamento , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
Persistent infections by high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) are a necessary condition, but not sufficient for cervical cancer development. Genetic variants of HR-HPV appear to be related to the risk of persistent infections. The study performed a functional evaluation of variants of the HPV-31 promoter region (LCR). For this, cloning and subcloning of variants HPV-31/UFPE-21 HPV-31/UFPE-89, HPV-31/UFPE-66, E2 gene and prototype HPV-31 were performed. Transfection with different concentrations of E2 was done and the concentration of 25 ng was determined to be ideal for LCR activation. HPV-31/UFPE-21 and HPV-31/UFPE-89 have a greater ability to alter Nluc reporter gene expression levels and HPV-31/UFPE-66 showed decreased levels of gene expression of Nluc reporter gene compared to control. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between the polymorphic LCR regions and the control (p < 0.0001). A more refined profile of variants of HPV-31 and its importance for the prognosis of cervical lesions begins to be drawn.
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Papillomavirus Humano 31/genética , Regiões Promotoras Genéticas , Proteínas de Ligação a DNA/metabolismo , Células HeLa , Humanos , Polimorfismo Genético , Transativadores/metabolismo , Ativação Transcricional , Proteínas Virais/metabolismoRESUMO
Persistent infections caused by high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) are important, for the development of cervical lesions, but environmental and genetic factors are also related in the process of carcinogenesis. Among the genetic factors, the genetic variants of HR-HPV appear to be related to the risk of persistent infections. Therefore, the present study investigates variants of HPV31 E5 oncogene in cervical scraping samples from Brazilian women to assess their functional and structural effects, in order to identify possible repercussions of these variants on the infectious and carcinogenic process. Our results detected nucleotide changes previously described in the HPV31 E5 oncogene, which may play a critical role in the development of cancer due to its ability to promote cell proliferation and signal transmission. In our study, the interaction percentage of the 31E5 sequence generated by the Immune Epitope Server database and the Analysis Resource (IEDB) allowed us to include possible immunogenic epitopes with the MHC-I and MHC-II molecules, which may represent a possible relationship between protein suppression of the immune system. In the structural analysis of the HPV31 E5 oncoprotein, the N5D, I48 V, P56A, F80I and V64I polymorphisms can be found inserted within transmembrane regions. The P56A mutation has been predicted to be highly stabilizing and, therefore, can cause a change in protein function. Regarding the interaction of the E5 protein from HPV31 with the signaling of NF-kB pathway, we observed that in all variants of the E5 gene from HPV-31, the activity of the NF-kB pathway was increased compared to the prototype. Our study contributes to a more refined design of studies with the E5 gene from HPV31 and provides important data for a better understanding of how variants can be distinguished under their clinical consequences.
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Colo do Útero/virologia , Variação Genética , Papillomavirus Humano 31/classificação , Papillomavirus Humano 31/genética , Proteínas Oncogênicas Virais/química , Proteínas Oncogênicas Virais/genética , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Proliferação de Células , Feminino , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Mutação , Proteínas Oncogênicas Virais/classificação , Infecções por Papillomavirus/virologia , Filogenia , Proteínas Serina-Treonina Quinases/genética , Transdução de Sinais , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/virologia , Adulto Jovem , Quinase Induzida por NF-kappaBRESUMO
Jaburetox is a recombinant peptide derived from one of the Canavalia ensiformis urease isoforms. This peptide induces several toxic effects on insects of different orders, including interference on muscle contractility in cockroaches, modulation of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase (UAP) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activities in the central nervous system of triatomines, as well as activation of the immune system in Rhodnius prolixus. When injected, the peptide is lethal for R. prolixus and Triatoma infestans. Here, we evaluated Jaburetox toxicity to Nauphoeta cinerea cockroaches, exploring the effects on the central nervous system through the activities of UAP, NOS, acid phosphatases (ACP), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The results indicated that N. cinerea is not susceptible to the lethal effect of the peptide. Moreover, both in vivo and in vitro treatments with Jaburetox inhibited NOS activity, without modifying the protein levels. No alterations on ACP activity were observed. In addition, the enzyme activity of UAP only had its activity affected at 18 hr after injection. The peptide increased the AChE activity, suggesting a mechanism involved in overcoming the toxic effects. In conclusion, our findings indicate that Jaburetox affects the nitrinergic signaling as well as the AChE and UAP activities and establishes N. cinerea as a Jaburetox-resistant model for future comparative studies.
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Baratas/efeitos dos fármacos , Baratas/enzimologia , Proteínas de Plantas/toxicidade , Urease/toxicidade , Acetilcolinesterase/efeitos dos fármacos , Fosfatase Ácida/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Sistema Nervoso Central/efeitos dos fármacos , Feminino , Masculino , Óxido Nítrico Sintase/efeitos dos fármacos , Nucleotidiltransferases/efeitos dos fármacos , Proteínas Recombinantes/toxicidadeRESUMO
Triethylphosphinegold(I) complexes [Au(HL1)P(CH2CH3)3]PF6 (1), [Au(HL2)P(CH2CH3)3]PF6 (2), and [Au(HL3)P(CH2CH3)3]PF6 (3) were obtained with (E)-2-(1-(2-methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)propan-2-ylidene)hydrazinecarbothioamide (HL1), (E)-N-methyl-2-(1-(2-methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)propan-2-ylidene)hydrazinecarbothioamide (HL2), and (E)-2-(1-(2-methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)propan-2-ylidene)-N-phenylhydrazinecarbothioamide (HL3). All compounds were assayed for their cytotoxic activities against HCT-116 colorectal carcinoma cells under normoxia and hypoxia conditions and against nonmalignant HEK-293 human embryonic kidney cells under normoxia conditions. The thiosemicarbazone ligands HL1-HL3 were inactive against HCT-116 cells under hypoxia but while HL3 was inactive, HL1 and HL2 proved to be cytotoxic to both cell lineages under normoxia conditions. Complexes (1-3) and the triethylphosphinegod(I) precursor proved to be active against both cell lineages in normoxia as well as in hypoxia. While 1 and 3 revealed to be active against HEK-293 and HCT-116 cells, being approximately as active against HCT-116 cells in normoxia as under hypoxia, complex (2) proved to be more active against HCT-116 cells under hypoxia than under normoxia conditions, and more active against HCT-116 cells than against the nonmalignant HEK-293 cells, with the selectivity index, calculated as SI = IC50HEK-293/IC50HCT-116hypoxia, equal to 3.7, similar to the value obtained for the control drug tirapazamine (tirapazamine (TPZ), SI = 4). Although the compounds showed distinct cytotoxic activities, the electrochemical behaviors of HL1-HL3 were very similar, as were the behaviors of complexes (1-3). Complex (2) deserves special interest since it was significantly more active under hypoxia than under normoxia conditions. Hence, in this case, selective reduction of the nitro group in a low oxygen pressure environment, resulting in toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) and damage to DNA or other biomolecules, might operate, while for the remaining compounds, other modes of action probably occur.
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Pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) deserves special attention because of its impact on cognitive function and development. Although knowledge regarding pediatric MS has rapidly increased, understanding the peculiarities of this population remains crucial for disease management. There is limited expertise about the efficacy and safety of current disease-modifying agents. Although pathophysiology is not entirely understood, some risk factors and immunological features have been described and are discussed herein. While the revised International Pediatric MS Study Group diagnostic criteria have improved the accuracy of diagnosis, the recently revised McDonald criteria also offer some new insights into the pediatric population. It is fundamental that radiologists have strong knowledge about the vast spectrum of demyelinating disorders that can occur in childhood to ensure appropriate diagnosis and provide early treatment.
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Esclerose Múltipla/diagnóstico por imagem , Idade de Início , Criança , Diagnóstico Diferencial , HumanosRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Despite evidence from studies on nonpharmacological pain management among newborns, many health professionals still don't apply evidence from scientific knowledge in their clinical practice. OBJECTIVES: To promote evidence-based practice for nonpharmacological analgesic interventions among newborns in the Maternity Ward of the University Hospital of the University of Sao Paulo, improving pain management and promoting healthy newborn growth and development, and better use of resources. METHOD: The current evidence implementation project used the JBI Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System and Getting Research into Practice audit and feedback tool. The JBI Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System and Getting Research into Practice framework for promoting evidence-based healthcare involve three phases of activity: conducting a baseline audit, implementing strategies to address areas of noncompliance and conducting a follow-up audit to assess the outcomes of the interventions implemented to improve practice. Ten evidence-based criteria on nonpharmacological pain management among newborns were audited, by direct observation of the nursing staff activities involving single skin-breaking procedures in the newborn. RESULTS: The baseline audit indicated poor compliance with evidence in current practice in most of the evidence-based criteria audited. Discussion with the implementation team identified barriers to best practice, with interventions including a nursing protocol and educational program for all nursing staff on nonpharmacological analgesic approaches to reduce pain in the newborn (breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact with the mother, nonnutritive sucking and glucose 25%), and a leaflet to inform the best available evidence on newborn pain management. In the follow-up audit, compliance increased in eight of nine audit criteria, with criterion 7 remaining at 100% compliance to best practice. CONCLUSION: The current best practice implementation project contributed to establishing evidence-based practice and enhancing neonatal pain management during skin-breaking painful procedures in the University Hospital. However, to achieve 100% compliance with all the evidence-based audit criteria, we will need to invest in continuing education and extend this implementation project to other related settings of the hospital. Moreover, it is necessary to perform follow-up cyclical audits to assess compliance and address barriers to best practice, enhancing the quality of nursing care, ensuring better results on pain management of the newborn and ongoing sustainability of this project.
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Analgesia/métodos , Fidelidade a Diretrizes/estatística & dados numéricos , Dor/prevenção & controle , Brasil , Prática Clínica Baseada em Evidências , Hospitais Universitários , Humanos , Recém-Nascido , Auditoria Médica , Recursos Humanos de Enfermagem Hospitalar/educação , Manejo da Dor/métodosRESUMO
Three imidazole hydrazone compounds, namely 2-(4-nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)-N'-[1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene]acetohydrazide, C12H12N6O3, (1), 2-(2-nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)-N'-[1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene]acetohydrazide, C12H12N6O3, (2), and 2-(2-nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)-N'-[(phenyl)(pyridin-2-yl)methylidene]acetohydrazide, C17H14N6O3, (3), were obtained and fully characterized, including their crystal structure determinations. While all the compounds proved not to be cytotoxic to J774.A1 macrophage cells, (1) and (3) exhibited activity against Leishmania chagasi, whereas (2) was revealed to be inactive. Since both (1) and (3) exhibited antileishmanial effects, while (2) was devoid of activity, the presence of the acetyl or benzoyl groups was possibly not a determining factor in the observed antiprotozoal activity. In contrast, since (1) and (3) are 4-nitroimidazole derivatives and (2) is a 2-nitroimidazole-derived compound, the presence of the 4-nitro group probably favours antileishmanial activity over the 2-nitro group. The results suggested that further investigations on compounds (1) and (3) as bioreducible antileishmanial prodrug candidates are called for.
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OBJECTIVES: Many cancer patients are admitted to an ICU and decisions to forgo life-sustaining therapies are frequent during ICU stay. A significant proportion of these patients are subsequently discharged from ICU, but their outcomes are unknown. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: ICU of oncological hospital. PATIENTS: Adult cancer patients admitted to ICU, then with a decision to forgo life-sustaining therapies and that were discharged from ICU. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Hospital mortality, long-term survival, recommencement of cancer treatment, and ICU readmission were recorded. Hospital mortality predictors were evaluated. The propensity score method was used to test the hypothesis that decision to forgo life-sustaining therapies was independently associated with hospital mortality. Among the 16,998 patients that were admitted to ICU, in 1,369 patients (8.1%) a decision to forgo life-sustaining therapies was made during ICU stay. Among the latter group, 507 were discharged from ICU and were examined in this study. The hospital mortality of this group was 80.1% and was independently predicted according to the occurrence of delirium or acute kidney injury during their ICU stay. Six-month and 12-month survival rates were 3.6% and 0.6%. Sixty-four patients (12.6%) resumed cancer treatment and had a longer survival (p < 0.01). Fifty-two patients (10.3%) were readmitted to ICU and had a longer survival (p < 0.01). The decision to forgo life-sustaining therapies was associated with higher hospital mortality (80.0% vs 26.3%, respectively; p < 0.01) and lower rates of survival (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 20% of cancer patients discharged from our ICU after a decision to forgo life-sustaining therapies were discharged from hospital. Delirium and acute kidney injury during ICU stay were predictors of hospital mortality. The decision to forgo life-sustaining therapies was independently associated with hospital mortality. Patients readmitted to the ICU and those that resumed cancer treatment had longer survival. Knowledge of these outcomes is important for providing proper therapeutic planning and counseling for patients and their relatives.
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Eutanásia Passiva/estatística & dados numéricos , Mortalidade Hospitalar , Neoplasias/mortalidade , Neoplasias/terapia , Alta do Paciente/estatística & dados numéricos , Suspensão de Tratamento/estatística & dados numéricos , Injúria Renal Aguda/mortalidade , Idoso , Delírio/mortalidade , Feminino , Humanos , Unidades de Terapia Intensiva , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Readmissão do Paciente/estatística & dados numéricos , Pontuação de Propensão , Retratamento/estatística & dados numéricos , Estudos Retrospectivos , Taxa de SobrevidaRESUMO
The recent decline of Apis mellifera populations around the world has been subject of intense research due to ecological and economic damages resulting from the loss of pollination services. The intensive use of insecticides from the neonicotinoids group is among the possible causal factors of this decline, including also sub-lethal effects. However, the use of synthetic insecticides has been increased on a global scale in the recent decades. In order to evaluate an alternative to the use of neonicotinoids, this work investigated the effects of a bioinsecticide and its major compound on A. mellifera (Apidae: Hymenoptera), one of the main pollinators of crop plants. For this, bees were exposed, by contact and ingestion, to the essential oil of Cymbopogon martinii (Poaceae: Poales), to geraniol (major compound) and the insecticide imidacloprid to evaluate the toxicity and behavioral effects as well as the locomotion changes and immune responses of bees treated with these compounds. In general, toxicity was greater through ingestion and the insecticide imidacloprid was more toxic to A. mellifera compared to the essential oil and its major compound. The individual and collective behaviors (i.e. trophallaxis, grooming, avoidance) as well as the immune responses of bees were not significantly affected by bioinsecticides. However, the locomotion response and flight orientation of the bees were significantly altered by insecticide when administered by ingestion. Our results highlight the potential of C. martinii essential oil and its major compound as a possible alternative to mitigate the harmful effects of neonicotinoids on bees.
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Abelhas/efeitos dos fármacos , Cymbopogon , Inseticidas/toxicidade , Neonicotinoides/toxicidade , Nitrocompostos/toxicidade , Óleos Voláteis/toxicidade , Terpenos/toxicidade , Monoterpenos Acíclicos , Animais , Abelhas/fisiologia , Comportamento Animal/efeitos dos fármacos , Locomoção/efeitos dos fármacos , Polinização/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
In the present work a family of novel secnidazole-derived Schiff base compounds and their copper(II) complexes were synthesized. The antimicrobial activities of the compounds were evaluated against clinically important anaerobic bacterial strains. The compounds exhibited in vitro antibacterial activity against Bacteroides fragilis, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Bacteroides vulgatus, Bacteroides ovatus, Parabacteroides distasonis and Fusubacterium nucleatum pathogenic anaerobic bacteria. Upon coordination to copper(II) the antibacterial activity significantly increased in several cases. Some derivatives were even more active than the antimicrobial drugs secnidazole and metronidazole. Therefore, the compounds under study are suitable for in vivo evaluation and the microorganisms should be classified as susceptible to them. Electrochemical studies on the reduction of the nitro group revealed that the compounds show comparable reduction potentials, which are in the same range of the bio-reducible drugs secnidazole and benznidazole. The nitro group reduction potential is more favorable for the copper(II) complexes than for the starting ligands. Hence, the antimicrobial activities of the compounds under study might in part be related to intracellular bio-reduction activation. Considering the increasing resistance rates of anaerobic bacteria against a wide range of antimicrobial drugs, the present work constitutes an important contribution to the development of new antibacterial drug candidates.
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Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Bactérias Anaeróbias/efeitos dos fármacos , Cobre/farmacologia , Nitroimidazóis/farmacologia , Bases de Schiff/farmacologia , Antibacterianos/síntese química , Antibacterianos/química , Cobre/química , Cristalografia por Raios X , Técnicas Eletroquímicas , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Modelos Moleculares , Estrutura Molecular , Nitroimidazóis/química , Bases de Schiff/químicaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of a motion palpation procedure, the flexion-extension test, in localizing the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra (C7). METHODS: We analyzed 101 adult participants with metal markers that permitted the identification of the C7 spinous process. This analysis occurred during a flexion-extension test and was confirmed by radiography. Data sample characteristics were analyzed by descriptive statistics, and the relationship between independent variables (weight, height, sex, age, and body mass index [BMI]) and dependent variables (coincidence between the most prominent vertebra and the stationary vertebra, as determined by the flexion-extension test) was determined via logistic regression. RESULTS: The sample population was 48.5% male with a mean age of 56.8 years (standard deviation, ±14.9) and a mean BMI of 25.54 kg/m2 (standard deviation, ±5.5). In 54.5% of cases, the C7 spinous process was correctly identified by the flexion-extension test. The agreement between the flexion-extension test and radiography in accuracy of localization of the C7 spinous process was significant (P = .021), as was the correct localization of C7 (P = .05). CONCLUSION: The localization of the C7 spinous process was more accurate in individuals with a BMI <25 kg/m2 and whose most prominent vertebra coincided with the stationary vertebra as determined by the flexion-extension test.
RESUMO
The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is the gold standard for evaluating female sexual function, yet it has not been validated in a visual analogue scale (VAS) format. The aim of the present study was to assess the psychometric properties of the FSFI applied to the VAS. METHODS: The study was conducted in three phases. In Phase 1, the instrument was adapted by two independent researchers, generating two versions, which were evaluated by a committee of six experts. The FSFI-VAS, resulting from this first phase, was used in a pilot study with 45 women. In Phase 2, the FSFI-Likert (original format) and FSFI-VAS questionnaires were administered to 246 women recruited to the study. Tests of reproducibility (test-retest/phase 3), internal consistency, discriminant validity and construct validity were applied. RESULTS: In Phase 1, the pilot study showed that there were no doubts and difficulties completing the FSFI-VAS. In Phase 2, the Spearman rank (validity) test showed high correlation between the total scores on the FSFI-Likert and FSFI-VAS (0.87). The results of the internal consistency test were between 0.66 and 0.88, and the results of the construct validity test indicated a good value (0.73). The discriminant validity test was also appropriate. In Phase 3, the lowest intraclass correlation coefficient value was 0.81. CONCLUSION: The FSFI-VAS has internal consistency, construct validity, discriminant validity and reproducibility adequate to assess female sexual dysfunction in young women.
Assuntos
Psicometria , Disfunções Sexuais Psicogênicas/diagnóstico , Escala Visual Analógica , Feminino , Humanos , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Adulto JovemRESUMO
A range of behavioural strategies and sensory abilities allows animals to minimize costs involved in food search. By building a network of tunnels and presenting a large number of soldiers (i.e., trophically dependent individuals), Nasutitermes spp. termites feature behaviours that imply additional costs during this process. Here we evaluated N. aff. coxipoensis foraging strategies focusing on the role of soldiers during foraging. Field experiments were carried out via nests transplantation to dune areas, and laboratory experiments evaluated termite responses to sternal gland chemical signals from workers and soldiers. N. aff. coxipoensis presented primarily nocturnal foraging. Soldiers typically initiated foraging; however, in established trails, the number of workers was always higher than that of soldiers. The number of trails remained constant over time, while the number of tunnels increased linearly over time. A higher proportion of tunnels originated in surrounding areas than directly from the nests. At observation points with tunnels, there were more stationary than walking soldiers; the opposite was true at observation points without tunnels. In mixed groups, the workers chose to follow soldier chemical signals, and in these groups, soldiers were the first to follow trails. Our results allowed us to identify a not common foraging strategy in termite species; which included the establishment of trails followed by construction of tunnels. Such foraging strategies occur predominantly at night and soldiers play a key role in the foraging process. This foraging strategy reported here seems to be employed to optimize energetic gain.