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Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are syndromes of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure resulting from a variety of direct and indirect injuries to the gas exchange parenchyma of the lungs. During the ALI, we have an increase release of proinflammatory cytokines and high reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. These factors are responsible for the release and activation of neutrophil-derived proteases and the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). The excessive increase in the release of NETs cause damage to lung tissue. Recent studies have studies involving the administration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for the treatment of experimental ALI has shown promising results. In this way, the objective of our study is to evaluate the ability of MSCs, in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI model, to reduce inflammation, oxidative damage, and consequently decrease the release of NETs. Mice were submitted lung injury induced by intratracheal instillation of LPS and subsequently treated or not with MSCs. Treatment with MSCs was able to modulate pulmonary inflammation, decrease oxidative damage, and reduce the release of NETs. These benefits from treatment are evident when we observe a significant increase in the survival curve in the treated animals. Our results demonstrate that MSCs treatment is effective for the treatment of ALI. For the first time, it is described that MSCs can reduce the formation of NETs and an experimental model of ALI. This finding is directly related to these cells modulate the inflammatory response and oxidative damage in the course of the pathology., (© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background and Objectives: As the population ages, osteometabolic diseases and osteoporotic fractures emerge, resulting in substantial healthcare resource utilization and impaired quality of life. Many types of mechanical stimulation have the potential of being recognized by bone cells after a mechanical sign is transformed into a biological one (a process called mechanotransduction). The therapeutic ultrasound (TU) is one of several resources capable of promoting bone cell mechanical stimulation. Therefore, the main purpose of present study was to evaluate the effect of TU on the proliferation of pre-osteoblasts using in vitro bioassays., Study Design/materials and Methods: We used MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast lineage cells kept in Alpha medium. Cells were treated using pulsed mode therapeutic ultrasound, with frequency of 1 MHz, intensity of 0.2 W/cm(2) (SATA), duty cycle of 20%, for 30 minutes. Nifedipine and rapamycin were used to further investigate the role of L-type Ca(2+) channels and mTOR pathway. Intracellular calcium, TGF-β1, magnesium, and the mRNA levels of osteopontin, osteonectin, NF-κB1, p38α were evaluated., Results: The results show that TU stimulates the growth of MC3T3-E1 cells and decreases the supernatant calcium and magnesium content. Also, it increases intracellular calcium, activates NF-κB1 and mTOR complex via p38α. Moreover, TU promoted a decrease in the TGF-β1 synthesis, which is a cell growth inhibitor., Conclusions: Therapeutic ultrasound, with frequency of 1 MHz, intensity of 0.2 W/cm(2) (SATA) and pulsed mode, for 30 minutes, was able to increase the proliferation of preosteoblast-like bone cells. This effect was mediated by a calcium influx, with a consequent activation of the mTOR pathway, through increased NF-κB1 and p38α., (© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Objective: To establish reference values for the 6-min walk test in healthy children and adolescents aged 6-12 years., Methods: This cross-sectional, prospective study selected healthy children and adolescents aged 6-12 years, at three elementary schools in Porto Alegre. The anthropometric data of all the individuals were evaluated and two 6-min walk tests were performed. Based on this, a reference equation was generated, and the test reproducibility was evaluated., Results: One hundred eighty-eight children (92 boys) performed the test. Pearson correlation showed that age (r = 0.51), height (r = 0.49), difference in heart rate before and after the test (dif. HR) (r = 0.30), and weight (r = 0.29) were significantly correlated with the distance covered in 6 min. The best multiple regression model included these four variables resulting in the following equation: 145.343 + [11.78 x age (years)] + [292.22 x height (m)] + [0.611 x dif. HR (bpm)] - [2.684 x body weight (kg)]. The intraclass correlation coefficient confirmed the reproducibility among tests., Conclusion: The reference equation for the 6-min walk test was generated and the distance covered is influenced by age, height, difference in heart rate before and after the test, and body weight.