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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Youthful memory performance in older adults may reflect an underlying resilience to the conventional pathways of aging. Subjects having this unusual characteristic have been recently termed "superagers." This study aimed to explore the significance of imaging biomarkers acquired by 1H-MRS to characterize superagers and to differentiate them from their normal-aging peers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-five patients older than 80 years of age were screened using a detailed neuropsychological protocol, and 25 participants, comprising 12 superagers and 13 age-matched controls, were statistically analyzed. We used state-of-the-art 3T 1H-MR spectroscopy to quantify 18 neurochemicals in the posterior cingulate cortex of our subjects. All 1H-MR spectroscopy data were analyzed using LCModel. Results were further processed using 2 approaches to investigate the technique accuracy: 1) comparison of the average concentration of metabolites estimated with Cramer-Rao lower bounds <20%; and 2) calculation and comparison of the weighted means of metabolites' concentrations. RESULTS: The main finding observed was a higher total N-acetyl aspartate concentration in superagers than in age-matched controls using both approaches (P = .02 and P = .03 for the weighted means), reflecting a positive association of total N-acetyl aspartate with higher cognitive performance. CONCLUSIONS: 1H-MR spectroscopy emerges as a promising technique to unravel neurochemical mechanisms related to cognitive aging in vivo and providing a brain metabolic signature in superagers. This may contribute to monitoring future interventional therapies to avoid or postpone the pathologic processes of aging.

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The Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology criteria were developed as an objective tool for radiologic assessment of treatment response in high-grade gliomas. Imaging plays a critical role in the management of the patient with glioma, from initial diagnosis to posttreatment follow-up, which can be particularly challenging for radiologists. Interpreting findings after surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy requires profound knowledge about the tumor biology, as well as the peculiar changes expected to ensue as a consequence of each treatment technique. In this article, we discuss the imaging findings associated with tumor progression, tumor response, pseudoprogression, and pseudoresponse according to the Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology criteria for high-grade and lower-grade gliomas. We describe relevant practical issues when evaluating patients with glioma, such as the need for imaging in the first 48 hours, the radiation therapy planning and isodose curves, the significance of T2/FLAIR hyperintense lesions, the impact of the timing for the evaluation after radiation therapy, and the definition of progressive disease on the histologic specimen. We also illustrate the correlation among the findings on conventional MR imaging with advanced techniques, such as perfusion, diffusion-weighted imaging, spectroscopy, and amino acid PET. Because many of the new lesions represent a mixture of tumor cells and tissue with radiation injury, the radiologist aims to identify the predominant component of the lesion and categorize the findings according to Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology criteria so that the patient can receive the best treatment.

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Multinodular and vacuolating neuronal tumor of the cerebrum is a recently reported benign, mixed glial neuronal lesion that is included in the 2016 updated World Health Organization classification of brain neoplasms as a unique cytoarchitectural pattern of gangliocytoma. We report 33 cases of presumed multinodular and vacuolating neuronal tumor of the cerebrum that exhibit a remarkably similar pattern of imaging findings consisting of a subcortical cluster of nodular lesions located on the inner surface of an otherwise normal-appearing cortex, principally within the deep cortical ribbon and superficial subcortical white matter, which is hyperintense on FLAIR. Only 4 of our cases are biopsy-proven because most were asymptomatic and incidentally discovered. The remaining were followed for a minimum of 24 months (mean, 3 years) without interval change. We demonstrate that these are benign, nonaggressive lesions that do not require biopsy in asymptomatic patients and behave more like a malformative process than a true neoplasm.

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Plant roots can be highly colonized by fungal endophytes. This seems to be of particular importance for the survival of plants inhabiting stressful habitats. This study focused on the Identification of the fungal endophytic community associated with the roots of quinoa plants (Chenopodium quinoa) growing near the salt lakes of the Atacama Desert, Chile. One hundred endophytic fungi were isolated from healthy quinoa roots, and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was sequenced for phylogenetic and taxonomic analysis. The isolates were classified into eleven genera and 21 distinct operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Despite a relatively high diversity of root endophytic fungi associated with quinoa plants, the fungal community was dominated by only the Ascomycota phyla. In addition, the most abundant genera were Penicillium, Phoma and Fusarium, which are common endophytes reported in plant roots. This study shows that roots of C. quinoa harbor a diverse group of endophytic fungi. Potential roles of these fungi in plant host tolerance to stressful conditions are discussed.

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A literature review on Binge Eating Disorder which is a recently recognized as such by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders version V, which identifies it as eating disorder pathology that is characterized by an excessive consumption of food with loss of control and compensation methods, causing the person to have excess weight and simultaneously can lead to obesity associated diseases such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension, among others. There is an abundance of worldwide literature on binge eating disorder, its concept, risk factors, characteristics and possible treatments. In Chile there are no studies or strategies to address this disorder that could be present in our population. The purpose of this update is to promote and address the concept of binge eating disorder in the Chilean public health system.

Se presenta una revisión de la literatura sobre el Trastorno del Comedor Compulsivo (en inglés Binge Eating Disorder) el cual es un patología recientemente reconocida como tal por el Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders versión V, que lo identifica como trastorno alimentario, que se caracteriza por el consumo excesivo de alimentos (atracones) con pérdida del control y sin métodos compensatorios, que genera que la persona que lo padece tenga una malnutrición por exceso y a la vez puede acarrear patologías asociadas a la obesidad como: diabetes mellitus, hipertensión arterial, enfermedades osteomusculares, entre otros. Existe gran cantidad de literatura a nivel mundial sobre el trastorno del comedor compulsivo abordando concepto, factores de riesgos, características e incluso posibles tratamientos, sin embargo en Chile no existen estudios o estrategias para abordar este trastorno que podría estar presente en nuestra población. El objetivo de esta actualización es incentivar y abordar el concepto del trastorno del comedor compulsivo en la salud pública chilena.

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La hepatitis aloinmune fetal, conocida anteriormente como hemocromatosis neonatal, ha demostrado en los últimos años ser una enfermedad completamente distinta a la hemocromatosis del adulto, tanto en su etiología como en su la fisiopatología. Este conocimiento abre nuevas perspectivas tanto en la prevención de la enfermedad en futuros embarazos, así como en el tratamiento con inmunoglobulina endovenosa en la madre durante el embarazo y eventualmente el tratamiento postnatal, en el que el trasplante de hígado juega un rol primordial.

Fetal alloimmune hepatitis, until few years ago was known as neonatal hemochromatosis, has shown to be a completely different disease from hemochromatosis in the adult, in its etiology and pathophysiology. This knowledge opens up opportunities of counselling in future pregnancies as well as in the treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin to the mother during pregnancy, and eventually the postnatal treatment, in which liver transplantation plays a primary role.

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Brettanomyces bruxellensis is the main microorganism responsible for the production of off-flavours in wine. Studies have been carried out in synthetic cultures using p-coumaric acid for the production of vinyl and ethylphenols. The results obtained have been extrapolated to authentic wine, but there is no evidence that this correlation will be correct. We studied the behaviour of B. bruxellensis native strain LAMAP L2480 in authentic wine and in a synthetic medium with a chemical composition similar to the authentic wine used in this study (basal synthetic wine + pH, ethanol and hydroxycinnamic acid concentrations of commercial wine). In some assays, B. bruxellensis has been studied using media containing 100 mg L(-1) p-coumaric acid, so we also used the same concentration added to the authentic and synthetic wines. The microorganism showed better growth in authentic wine, regardless of the presence of p-coumaric acid. In the case of synthetic wine, the addition of p-coumaric acid caused a delay in yeast growth and an increase in the production of volatile phenols. The coumarate decarboxylase activity did not show any difference regardless of the media and the presence of p-coumaric acid. Vinylphenol reductase showed higher activity when a higher concentration of p-coumaric acid was added in synthetic wine, but no change was observed in authentic wine.

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In Mexico, there have been few studies on primary oral and sinonasal melanoma, an aggressive neoplasm with a low survival rate and few therapeutic alternatives. Further, there is limited information about its clinical and histopathological characteristics. The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the clinicopathological profile of these tumours in patients attending a major oncology reference centre in Mexico City over a 12-year period. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from the clinical charts, and histopathological features were evaluated. χ(2), Fisher's exact, and Mann-Whitney U-tests were used for analysis; significance was set at P<0.05. Thirty-three cases were studied (73% sinonasal melanoma (SNM) and 27% oral melanoma (OM)); 58% were female and the median age was 66 (Q1-Q3 55.5-75) years. Compared with OM patients, SNM patients had a shorter time to diagnosis (16.7 vs. 11.7 months, P=0.022), were identified at earlier stages (33.3% vs. 58.3%, P=0.010), and all presented symptoms (66.7% vs. 100%, P=0.015). All samples showed vertical growth and 96.9% exhibited pleomorphism. A higher proportion of cases with pleomorphism developed metastases at follow-up than those without (60% vs. 12.5%, P=0.026). The present study provides valuable information that could form the basis of future studies in the search for advanced therapy modalities.

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BACKGROUND: Over the last ten years, Brazilian fish farming has become more focused, resulting in the development of genetic improvement programmes (GIP) for two South American species Colossoma macropomum (tambaqui) and Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum (cachara). OBJECTIVE: To describe the action plan used for setting up the GIP and to detail the germplasm bank composition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semen of both species was collected, frozen and transported between locations in Brazil. To start the programme, full and half-sib families of both species were established from 120 males and 60 females. RESULTS: New species-specific protocols for semen cryopreservation s were established of value to commercial application in fish farming. CONCLUSION: Germplasm banking has enabled the exchange of biological material and reduced the overall GIP costs. Germplasm banking can be very important to the dissemination of the selected genetic material of these species among fish farmers.

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The objective of this study was to determine the presence of symptoms of depression, anxiety and low self-esteem in women with obesity and binge eating disorder. 60 women using the primary health care system in Lautaro were selected. Within the inclusion criteria were identified diagnosis of nutritional obesity and the presence of binge eating disorder without medical and mental disorders. Depression Scale Anxiety of Goldberg and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were applied individually. For descriptive analysis results were used, through a frequency distribution and chi² test. Among the findings it was noted that this group had mostly symptoms of depression and anxiety, which correlates with the literature. However, low self-esteem, which contrasts with the evidence examined, was not observed. This study shows that obesity is not just a simple symptom, but there are psychopathological backgrounds like depression and anxiety to consider, which should be incorporated into the comprehensive diagnosis in its primary health care plan for later multidisciplinary intervention.

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la presencia de sintomatología de depresión, ansiedad y baja autoestima en mujeres con obesidad y trastorno del comedor compulsivo. Se seleccionaron a 60 mujeres usuarias del sistema de atención primaria de salud de la comuna de Lautaro. Dentro de los criterios de inclusión se determinaron: diagnóstico nutricional de obesidad, sin patologías médicas y mentales diagnosticadas y la presencia del Trastorno del Comedor Compulsivo. Se les aplicaron aplicaron de manera individual la Escala de Depresión y de Ansiedad de Goldberg y la Escala de Autoestima de Rosenberg. Para los resultados se utilizó un análisis descriptivo, a través de una distribución de frecuencias y una prueba de chi². Se observó que este grupo mayoritariamente si presentaba sintomatología de depresión y ansiedad, que se correlaciona con la literatura. Sin embargo, no se observó una baja autoestima, que se contrapone con los antecedentes analizados. Este estudio, nos muestra que la obesidad no es tan sólo un síntoma aislado, sino que existen antecedentes psicopatológicos a considerar: como depresión y ansiedad, el cual se debería incorporar dentro del diagnóstico integral en el equipo de atención primaria de salud para un posterior plan de intervención multidisciplinario.

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INTRODUCCIÓN: La yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) es un vegetal nativo de las regiones subtropicales de Sudamérica utilizada en la preparación de infusiones que se beben en ciertos países de la región. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar los efectos de extractos acuosos de Ilex paraguariensis en los niveles plasmáticos de glucosa, lípidos, urea y creatinina en ratas Wistar. MATERIALES Y MÉTODO: Estudio experimental. Se distribuyeron al azar 20 ratas Wistar en 2 grupos de 10 animales cada uno; el grupo control recibió como bebida agua y el grupo expuesto a yerba recibió como bebida una infusión de Ilex paraguariensis. El periodo de experimentación fue de 60 días, a cuyo término se determinaron las concentraciones plasmáticas de glucosa, colesterol, triglicéridos, urea y creatinina. Las medias de los parámetros fueron comparadas por la prueba U de Mann-Whitney, considerándose significativas las diferencias con p<0,05. RESULTADOS: El consumo de yerba mate disminuyó los niveles de glicemia en el grupo expuesto en comparación con el grupo control, siendo la diferencia altamente significativa (p<0,001). Se observaron niveles significativamente mayores de urea (p=0,04) y creatinina (p=0,02)en el grupo expuesto en comparación con el grupo control. No hubo diferencias significativas entre los niveles de colesterol y triglicéridos entre ambos grupos. DISCUSIÓN: Los resultados sugieren que el consumo de Ilex paraguariensis reduce los niveles plasmáticos de glucosa y podrían poseer un efecto nocivo en la función renal.

INTRODUCTION: yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is a plant species native to subtropical regions of South America and is used to make tea in local countries. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of aqueous extracts of Ilex paraguariensis in plasmatic levels of glucose, lipids, urea and creatinine in Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental study. 20 Wistar rats were randomized in two groups of ten animals each: control group received water while the exposed group received an infusion of Ilex paraguariensis. After 60 days of experiment, plasmatic concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides,urea and creatinine were determined. Mann- Whitney U test was used to compare means, differences were considered statistically significant atp <0.05. RESULTS: Blood glucose levels were lower in the exposed group compared with the control group(p <0.001).Plasmatic levels of urea and creatinine were signiticantly higher in the exposed group (p=0.04 and p=0.02 respectively). No significant differences were observed in the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides among the groups. DISCUSSION: The results suggest that consumption of Ilex paraguariensis reduces plasma glucose levels and could have an adverse effect on renal function.

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BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown the participation of MMPs in oral squamous cell carcinoma, the most frequent malignant neoplasm of the oral cavity. The expression of some MMPs correlates with a more aggressive biological behaviour. The objective of this study was to determine which MMPs and TIMPs were expressed in both neoplastic and peritumoural stromal cells in different histopathology areas. METHODS: Patients who underwent primary tumour neck dissection for oral squamous cell carcinoma were included. Immunoexpression of MMP-1, -2, -3, -7, -9, -11, -13, and TIMP-1 and -2 in different areas of pathologic specimens (in situ carcinoma, primary tumour, invasive front, distant invasion carcinoma, and lymph node metastasis) was evaluated. Enzyme expression on mucosa adjacent to tumour served as control. RESULTS: Thirty cases were included. Only 6 MMPs and 1 TIMP were expressed in the studied areas. Statistically significant differences in the number of cases with positive MMPs or TIMP expression, in both neoplastic and peritumoural cells, between control and the rest of the areas were observed. MMP-2 expression was constant in the areas with a more aggressive biological behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: MMP-2 expression may represent a dynamic interaction between host and tumour that favours the establishment of neoplastic cells at distant sites.

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Cryopreservation of fish gametes has been studied extensively in the last few decades, but the successful cryopreservation of fish embryos remains elusive. However, recent studies using short-term chilling techniques have shown that it is possible to store embryos at low temperatures with no significant loss in viability. Information on cryopreservation of Neotropical freshwater fish embryos has so far been very limited in the literature. In the present study, chilling protocols for storage of pacu embryos at -8°C for up to 24 h were studied using different concentrations of sucrose in methanol. Embryos tolerated the subzero temperature for up to 6 h with no adverse effects (P > 0.05). After 12 h chilling, hatching rate of 64.0 +/- 3.5 percent was recorded. Low temperature storage of pacu embryos by chilling is detailed here for the first time. Further studies are needed to extend the storage time and to improve the hatching rate.

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Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous disease involving several immune cell types and pro-inflammatory signals, including the one triggered by binding of CD40L to the receptor CD40. Peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a transcription factor with anti-inflammatory properties. Here we investigated whether CD40 and PPARγ could exert opposite effects in the immune response and the possible implications for SLE. Increased PPARγ mRNA levels were detected by real-time PCR in patients with active SLE, compared to patients with inactive SLE PPARγ/GAPDH mRNA = 2.21 ± 0.49 vs. 0.57 ± 0.14, respectively (p < 0.05) or patients with infectious diseases and healthy subjects (p < 0.05). This finding was independent of the corticosteroid therapy. We further explored these observations in human THP1 and in SLE patient-derived macrophages, where activation of CD40 by CD40L promoted augmented PPARγ gene transcription compared to non-stimulated cells (PPARγ/GAPDH mRNA = 1.14 ± 0.38 vs. 0.14 ± 0.01, respectively; p < 0.05). This phenomenon occurred specifically upon CD40 activation, since lipopolysaccharide treatment did not induce a similar response. In addition, increased activity of PPARγ was also detected after CD40 activation, since higher PPARγ-dependent transcription of CD36 transcription was observed. Furthermore, CD40L-stimulated transcription of CD80 gene was elevated in cells treated with PPARγ-specific small interfering RNA (small interfering RNA, siRNA) compared to cells treated with CD40L alone (CD80/GAPDH mRNA = 0.11 ± 0.04 vs. 0.05 ± 0.02, respectively; p < 0.05), suggesting a regulatory role for PPARγ on the CD40/CD40L pathway. Altogether, our findings outline a novel mechanism through which PPARγ regulates the inflammatory signal initiated by activation of CD40, with important implications for the understanding of immunological mechanisms underlying SLE and the development of new treatment strategies.

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En el contexto de los nuevos desarrollos teóricos y metodológicos en Terapia Ocupacional, surgen perspectivas cualitativas de investigación y una compresión social de la disciplina, desde esta perspectiva, nos hemos interrogado con respecto a la significación del cuerpo y la discapacidad. El estudio profundiza en el tema presentado, desde una óptica de los fundamentos y su expresión en la práctica de la Terapia Ocupacional (T.O.). En el análisis, observamos cómo se enuncian ideas que aluden a la unión entre lo objetivo y subjetivo, entendiendo lo objetivo como aspectos naturales, fisiológicos,anatómicos, y lo subjetivo como las ideas de unión mente-cuerpo, historia de vida y contexto sociocultural. Se propone una mirada del cuerpo como hecho subjetivo, sociohistórico, asumiendo que no tiene un punto de partida en una materialidad abstracta, separada del sujeto mismo. Al respecto, se plantea el siguiente objetivo de investigación: Explorar qué significados de experiencia de cuerpo construyen laspersonas en situación de discapacidad física adquirida. El método de investigación utilizado son Relatos de Vida para construir narraciones relacionadas a la experiencia subjetiva de cuerpo. En cuanto a las técnicas, se aplicaron entrevistas en profundidad, y el análisis y producción de datos se apoyó en la Teoría fundamentada. La muestra la constituyó un grupo de personas adultas con el diagnóstico de discapacidad física adquirida. Los principales resultados se relacionan con los puntos de inflexión que identificamos en los relatos de vida, y que a su vez son fundamentales en la construcción y significación de la experiencia de cuerpo.

In the context of new theoretical and methodological developments in Occupational Therapy, emerge new qualitative perspectives of research and a social understanding of the discipline, for this reason we have questioned regarding the signification of body and disability. The following study depths in the mentioned topic from the point of view of basis (paradigms, approachesand models) and its expression in Occupational Therapy (OT) practice. In this analysis, we observe how some ideas are alluded in the union between the objective and subjective, defined objective as natural, physiological, anatomical aspects, among others, and the subjective as the ideas of the mind-body union, history of live, social-cultural context, among others. The present study aims to propose a view of the body as a subjective fact, sociohistorical, assuming thatit does not have a starting point in an abstract substance, separated from the subject himself. Regarding to this, it is posed the following research objective: To explore which meanings of body experience build people suffering from acquired physical disability. The research method used was The Life Stories to build narratives related to the subjective experience of the body, In regard to the techniques, they were applied in-depth interviews, and data analysis and production was supported by the grounded theory. The sample comprised a group of adults diagnosedwith acquired physical disability.The main results are related to the turning points that we identified in the life stories, which at the same time are fundamental in the construction and significance of body experience.

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A tumor bank (TB) is an ordered collection of neoplastic samples, normal tissue, and/or fluids preserved under optimal conditions, as well as storing patients' clinical information. The objective of this article is to outline the planning and logistics necessary for the functioning of the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (INCan) TB in Mexico City. For the planning and logistics of a TB, several technical, legal, medical, structural, and physical aspects were considered, which can be grouped under four headings: (1) design and structure, (2) equipping the area and informatics, (3) ethical-legal aspects, and (4) sample collection, preservation, and quality control. One crucial element of interinstitutional interest will be the transfer of these concepts to the different oncological centers, integrating in this manner a network that enables the exploration of the different pathologies from therapeutic, epidemiological, and molecular points of view.

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Realizaram-se testes físico-mecânicos e físico-químicos em couro de tilápia vermelha (Oreochromis spp.) a fim de testar a sua resistência. As amostras foram distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso com dois tratamentos: no T1, procedeu-se à retirada do corpo-de-prova no sentido longitudinal e, no T2, à retirada do corpo-de-prova no sentido transversal. Para os testes de determinação da resistência à tração, alongamento e rasgamento progressivo, foi utilizado o dinamômetro EMIC, com velocidade de afastamento entre as cargas de 100 ± 20mm/min, em ambiente climatizado (± 23ºC e UR do ar de 50 por cento), por 24 horas. A espessura do couro variou de 0,61 a 0,75mm, mas não houve diferença entre os sentidos analisados. O couro apresentou maior resistência à tração no sentido transversal, 25,89N/mm², (P<0,01), comparado ao sentido longitudinal, 14,20 N/mm². O alongamento foi significativamente (P<0,05) maior no sentido longitudinal, 80,8 por cento, em relação ao transversal, 62,6 por cento. Não houve diferença para o rasgamento progressivo entre os tratamentos. O couro apresentou teor de óxido de cromo de 3,8 por cento, graxa de 15,1 por cento e pH e cifra diferencial de 3,5 e 0,5, respectivamente. Os valores nos testes de resistência e físico-químicos apresentados pelo couro indicam que ele pode ser utilizado para a confecção de vestuário e artefatos de couro em geral.(AU)

Physical-mechanical and physical-chemical tests were carried out on red tilapia leather. They were distributed in a completely randomized design with two treatments: T1 = longitudinal body of proof; T2 = transversal body of proof. It was used the EMIC dynamometer for the tests of resistance to traction and elongation and the progressive tearing, with the speed of 100±20mm/min away between the charges, in an acclimatized room (±23ºC and relative humidity of 50 percent) during 24 hours. The thickness of the analyzed leathers ranged from 0.61 to 0.75mm, without differing between the analyzed ways. The leather demonstrated a higher resistance to traction in the transversal direction (25.89N/mm²) (P<0.01), when compared to the longitudinal one (14.20N/mm²). However, the elongation was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the longitudinal direction (80.8 percent) when compared to the transversal (62.6 percent). There was no significant difference for the progressive tearing between the treatments (longitudinal = 18.56N/mm; transversal = 21.90N/mm). The leather demonstrated a content of 3.8 percent of chromium oxide, 15.1 percent of grease, and pH and difference value of 3.5 and 0.5, respectively. The values in the resistance and physical-chemical tests shown by the leather indicate that it may be used for clothing and leather artifacts in general.(AU)

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Realizaram-se testes físico-mecânicos e físico-químicos em couro de tilápia vermelha (Oreochromis spp.) a fim de testar a sua resistência. As amostras foram distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso com dois tratamentos: no T1, procedeu-se à retirada do corpo-de-prova no sentido longitudinal e, no T2, à retirada do corpo-de-prova no sentido transversal. Para os testes de determinação da resistência à tração, alongamento e rasgamento progressivo, foi utilizado o dinamômetro EMIC, com velocidade de afastamento entre as cargas de 100 ± 20mm/min, em ambiente climatizado (± 23ºC e UR do ar de 50 por cento), por 24 horas. A espessura do couro variou de 0,61 a 0,75mm, mas não houve diferença entre os sentidos analisados. O couro apresentou maior resistência à tração no sentido transversal, 25,89N/mm², (P<0,01), comparado ao sentido longitudinal, 14,20 N/mm². O alongamento foi significativamente (P<0,05) maior no sentido longitudinal, 80,8 por cento, em relação ao transversal, 62,6 por cento. Não houve diferença para o rasgamento progressivo entre os tratamentos. O couro apresentou teor de óxido de cromo de 3,8 por cento, graxa de 15,1 por cento e pH e cifra diferencial de 3,5 e 0,5, respectivamente. Os valores nos testes de resistência e físico-químicos apresentados pelo couro indicam que ele pode ser utilizado para a confecção de vestuário e artefatos de couro em geral.

Physical-mechanical and physical-chemical tests were carried out on red tilapia leather. They were distributed in a completely randomized design with two treatments: T1 = longitudinal body of proof; T2 = transversal body of proof. It was used the EMIC dynamometer for the tests of resistance to traction and elongation and the progressive tearing, with the speed of 100±20mm/min away between the charges, in an acclimatized room (±23ºC and relative humidity of 50 percent) during 24 hours. The thickness of the analyzed leathers ranged from 0.61 to 0.75mm, without differing between the analyzed ways. The leather demonstrated a higher resistance to traction in the transversal direction (25.89N/mm²) (P<0.01), when compared to the longitudinal one (14.20N/mm²). However, the elongation was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the longitudinal direction (80.8 percent) when compared to the transversal (62.6 percent). There was no significant difference for the progressive tearing between the treatments (longitudinal = 18.56N/mm; transversal = 21.90N/mm). The leather demonstrated a content of 3.8 percent of chromium oxide, 15.1 percent of grease, and pH and difference value of 3.5 and 0.5, respectively. The values in the resistance and physical-chemical tests shown by the leather indicate that it may be used for clothing and leather artifacts in general.

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The clearance of apoptotic cells by phagocytes is a fundamental process during tissue remodeling and resolution of inflammation. In turn, the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells generates signals that suppress pro-inflammatory activation of macrophages. These events occur during the resolution phase of inflammation and therefore the malfunctioning of this process may lead to inflammation-related tissue damage. Here, we demonstrate that the calcium-binding protein S100A9, normally abundant in the cytoplasm of neutrophils and also released by apoptotic neutrophils, is involved in the suppression of macrophages after the uptake of apoptotic neutrophils. Both, spontaneous and induced production of inflammatory species (nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide and TNF-alpha) as well as the phagocytic activity were inhibited when macrophages were in presence of apoptotic neutrophils, conditioned medium from neutrophil cultures or a peptide corresponding to the C-terminal region of S100A9 protein. On the other hand, macrophages kept in the conditioned medium of neutrophils that was previously depleted of S100A9 were shown to resume the activated status. Finally, we demonstrate that the calcium-binding property of S100A9 might play a role in the suppression process, since the stimulation of intracellular calcium release with ionomycin significantly reversed the effects of the uptake of apoptotic neutrophils in macrophages. In conclusion, we propose that S100A9 is a novel component of the regulatory mechanisms of inflammation, acting side-by-side with other suppressor factors generated upon ingestion of apoptotic cells.

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RESUMO

Patients with unspecific acute abdominal pain and patients with nonspecific acute abdominal pain and no conclusive physical examination for appendicitis are usually kept under medical control. In our Emergency Department, some pediatricians and surgeons have added a second ultrasound (US) examination to clinical follow-up in patients with low suspicion of appendicitis and discordant or no conclusive initial findings. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of a second US scan in medical or surgical treatment. We retrospectively evaluated medical records (from november 2006 to June 2008) of 1.959 patients with a history of acute abdominal pain referred for abdominal US examination. Fifty-four patients, 22 males and 32 females aged between 3 and 14 years, received clinical indication for a second US study during that period. US monitoring was performed between 5 to 36 hours after the first examination. Patient history details, ultrasonographic characterization of cecal appendix, and clinical evolution were registered. Ten patients had progressive inflammatory appendicular changes. All of them underwent surgery and appendicitis was confirmed in eight cases (80 percent). Ten patients showed no changes on the second US scan; 40 percent of patients underwent surgery with biopsies confirming lymphoid hyperplasia (2), and congestive changes (2). Fifteen patients had a second US study that showed regression of inflammatory changes; all of them received medical treatment. In 19 patients, comparison was not feasible since appendixes appeared normal on US examination, or due to insufficient visualization of appendix. Our results suggest that ultrasound follow-up promotes adequate decision-making when facing surgical or medical treatment options for pediatric patients presenting with abdominal pain with initial clinical and imaging findings inconclusive for acute appendicitis.

Pacientes con dolor abdominal no específico o examen físico no concluyente para apendicitis aguda son usualmente mantenidos en control médico. En nuestro Sevicio de Urgencia algunos pediatras y cirujanos agregan una ultrasonografía (US) de control en la evolución de cuadros no concluyentes. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el rol de este segundo US en la toma de decisiones médicas o quirúrgicas. Para esto evaluamos retrospectivamente las fichas de 1959 pacientes referidos del Servicio de Urgencia para US abdominal con historia de dolor abdominal entre noviembre del 2006 y junio del 2008. Cincuenta y cuatro pacientes, 22 niños y 32 niñas entre 3 y 14 años recibieron durante ese período indicación de un segundo US. Estos exámenes fueron realizados entre 5 y 36 horas luego del primer estudio ultrasonográfico. Se registraron datos relacionados a la historia, caracterización ultrasongráfica del apéndice y evolución clínica. Diez pacientes tuvieron cambios inflamatorios progresivos. Todos fueron a cirugía y la apendicitis fue confirmada en ocho casos (80 por ciento). Diez pacientes tuvieron cambios inflamatorios que no se modificaron en el segundo US; 40 por ciento fue a cirugía con biopsias que demostraron hiperplasia linfoide (2) y cambios congestivos (2). Quince pacientes mostraron regresión de los cambios inflamatorios en el segundo US; todos recibieron tratamiento médico. En 19 pacientes la comparación no fue posible, por tratarse de apéndices ecográficamente normales o debido a insuficiente visualización del apéndice. Nuestros resultados sugieren que el seguimiento ecográfico ayuda en la decisión de tratamiento médico o quirúrgico en pacientes que se presentan con dolor abdominal cuyos hallazgos clínicos e imaginológicos iniciales no son concluyentes de apendicitis aguda.

Assuntos