Search

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the increase in sensitivity of a single risperidone administration in relation to energy intake of Wistar rats treated with cafeteria diet from birth to adulthood (119 days). Design/methodology/approach During the lactation period, six litters of Wistar rats (dam + 8 pups each litter) were fed one of the following two diets: Control (n = 3) or Cafeteria (n = 3) diets and water ad libitum. After weaning, the males were placed in individual cages, receiving the same diet offered to their respective dams (Control = 18; or Cafeteria = 18) until adulthood (119 postnatal days). The following parameters were evaluated: food and energy intake; macronutrient intake; weight gain; adipose tissue relative weight; sucrose preference; food intake after an administration of risperidone (0.1 mg/kg body weight). Findings The Cafeteria group showed a higher energy intake in relation to the Control group (p < 0.001). The consumption of energy beyond the individual needs can be understood as a hyperphagic condition. Also, the Cafeteria group reported greater weight gain (p = 0.048) and accumulation of adipose tissue (p < 0.001) with respect to the Control group. These results indicate that the cafeteria diet generated obesity in animals. The Cafeteria group showed reduced sucrose preference (p = 0.031), which is associated with the development of anhedonia-like behavior. In the food intake test, risperidone showed a greater sensitivity in Cafeteria animals, promoting a decrease in their energy intake in relation to the Control group that received risperidone (p = 0.040). Originality/value The cafeteria diet promoted hyperphagia, anhedonia-like behavior and obesity in animals. Acute risperidone administration showed greater sensitivity in the Cafeteria group, with a decrease in energy intake. The reported effects may be related to a downregulation of the dopaminergic system in the NAc region.

Multiple sclerosis is mediated by self-reactive myelin T and B cells that lead to axonal and myelin damage. The immune response in multiple sclerosis involves the participation of CD4+ T cells that produce cytokines and chemokines. This participation is important to find markers for the diagnosis and progression of the disease. In our work, we evaluated the profile of cytokines and chemokines, as well as the production of double positive CD4+ T cells for the production of IFNγ IL-17 in patients with multiple sclerosis, at different stages of the disease and undergoing different treatments. We found that relapsing–remitting patients had a significant increase in IL-12 production. About IL-5, its production showed significantly higher levels in secondarily progressive patients when compared to relapsing–remitting patients. IFN-γ production by PBMCs from secondarily progressive patients showed significantly higher levels. This group also had a higher percentage of CD4+ IFNγ+ IL-17+ T cells. The combination of changes in certain cytokines and chemokines together with the presence of IFNγ+ IL-17+ double positive lymphocytes can be used to better understand the clinical forms of the disease and its progression.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the pathological, biochemical and redox state parameters of liver tissue in Wistar rats treated from birth to adulthood (119 days) with cafeteria diet. Design/methodology/approach During the lactation, 6 liters of Wistar rats (dam + 8 pups each) were fed one of two diets: control (CTRL; n = 3) or cafeteria (CAF; n = 3) diets and water ad libitum. After weaning, the males were placed in individual cages, receiving the same diet offered to their respective dams (CTRL or CAF; n = 18) until adulthood. The following parameters were evaluated: absolute and relative liver weight; blood, liver and feces biochemistry; liver histology; and redox state of the liver. Findings When assessing the relative and absolute organ weight, no significant differences were found between the groups. The Cafeteria group exhibited higher values of serum LDL-c (p = 0.008), VLDL-c (p = 0.03) and triglycerides (p = 0.01), as well as several micro and macrovacuoles of fat accumulation, higher hepatic lipid (p = 0.03) and cholesterol (p = 0.0001) levels regarding Control group. Cafeteria group showed greater expression of glutathione-s-transferase (p = 0.03) and superoxide dismutase (p = 0.005) enzymes compared to the control group. In the case of the markers of oxidative stress, there was no difference between the groups. Originality/value A simple and standardized cafeteria diet caused an accumulation of fatty acids in liver tissue, inducing a state of hepatic steatosis besides an increased expression of antioxidant enzymes.

Objectives This randomized controlled trial evaluated the stress, anxiety, and burnout of professionals exposed to complementary spiritist therapy (CST), which consists in therapeutic resources as prayer, Spiritist passe, fluidic water and spiritual education or control. Methods Seventy-six professionals were randomized to CST or control: to maintain the routine for 5 weeks. The ISSL scale, anxiety and depression Beck’s indices, Maslach instrument, subjective well-being and WHOQOL-BREF were used at baseline and five-week. Blood count and cytokine dosage were collected at baseline, one-week and five-week. Analysis using the intention to treat approach. Results The means of variation of stress (exhaustion phase) between baseline and five-week were −1.50 ± 3.31 in the CST and 0.72 ± 3.50 in the control (p=0.036), effect size for CST group was d=0.65, which is considered medium effect. CST showed decrease in emotional exhaustion and negative affects, and increase in lymphocytes, erythrocyte parameters and platelets between the baseline and five-week (p Conclusions CST may be effective in reducing stress (exhaustion phase) compared to control. Higher frequency of interventions promotes better psychic state, evidenced by large effect size for emotional exhaustion in burnout, and improves hematological parameters of professionals. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03356691.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the chemical composition of unripe banana flour from Southeast Brazil and verify its nutritional, physiological and biochemical properties in adult Wistar rats.Design/methodology/approachAnalysis of soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, moisture, ash, lipids, proteins, carbohydrate, resistant and total starch and energy was obtained. In all, 18 male Wistar rats were given different concentrations of unripe banana flour (0, 10 and 20 per cent) and these assessments were performed: feed, caloric and water intake; weight gain; coefficient of food efficiency; weight of organs; body, tibia and femur length; total mineral of bones; and biochemistry of blood, hepatic fluids and feces.FindingsUnripe banana flour showed a potential for weight control as well as increased fecal cholesterol excretion. These results showed the potential of unripe banana flour for obesity treatment and lipid excretion. Nevertheless, plasma triacylglycerol levels increased in the animals that received the largest amount of banana flour (20 per cent w/w), possibly because of the large amount of resistant starch in the flour, indicating the need for additional studies to confirm the mechanisms responsible for this increase.Originality/valueUnripe banana flour may promote beneficial health effects (such as weight control and increased elimination of cholesterol in feces); however, the large amount of resistant starch present may be responsible for an increase in blood triacyglycerol.

Maternal high-fat diets (HFD) can generate inflammation in the offspring's amygdala, which can lead to anxiety-like behaviors. Conversely, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) tolerance can reduce neuroinflammation in the offspring caused by maternal high-fat diets. This study evaluated the combination of LPS tolerance and high-fat maternal diet on amygdala's inflammatory parameters and the anxiety-like behavior in adolescent offspring. Female pregnant Wistar rats received randomly a standard diet or a high-fat diet during gestation and lactation. On gestation days 8, 10, and 12, half of the females in each group were intraperitonially injected with LPS (0.1 mg.kg-1). After weaning, the male offspring (n = 96) were placed in individual boxes in standard conditions, and when 6 weeks-old, the animals underwent: Open-Field, Light/Dark Box, Elevated Plus-Maze, and Rotarod tests. When 50 days-old the offspring were euthanized and the amygdala removed for cytokine and redox status analysis. The offspring in the HFD group showed lower amygdala IL-10 levels, high IL-6/IL-10 ratio, and anxiety-like behaviors. These effects were attenuated in the HFD offspring submitted to LPS tolerance, which showed an anti-inflammatory compensatory response in the amygdala. Also, this group showed a higher activity of the enzyme catalase in the amygdala. In addition, receiving the combination of LPS tolerance and maternal HFD did not lead to anxiety-like behavior in the offspring. The results suggest that LPS tolerance attenuated amygdala inflammation through an anti-inflammatory compensatory response besides preventing anxiety-like behavior caused by the high-fat maternal diet.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional effects of supplementation with virgin coconut oil (VCO) in Wistar rats over a sub-chronic period (6 weeks).Methods: Twelve Wistar rats were used and randomly assigned to receive (n = 6): control - lab chow; coconut oil (CO) - lab chow with added virgin coconut oil (20%). Food and caloric intake, weight gain, food efficiency, body mass index, femur and tibia length, bone mineral composition and blood biochemistry were evaluated.Result: The CO group showed an energy intake closed to control group. Also, the supplementation with VCO generated a decrease in total blood cholesterol as compared to the control group. However, the CO group showed accumulation of fat mass, shorter femur length and anxiogenesis in relation to the control group. These results indicate few beneficial effects from the sub-chronic use of VCO and indicate that its consumption in large quantities for long periods should be questioned.

Introduction Obesity and undernutrition, consequences of malnutrition, have been linked to the development of mental illnesses. Both states have been linked to increased sensitivity to some drugs, but there are few data for this association considering drugs with noradrenergic-dopaminergic action. Objective To evaluate the nutritional status of animals treated with either a caloric restriction (CR) or cafeteria (CAF) diet from birth and their behavior after ephedrine application. Methods During the lactation period, 12 litters of Wistar rats (dam + 8 pups) were fed one of three diets: control (n = 4), CR (n = 4), and CAF (n = 4). After weaning, the males were placed in individual boxes and received the same diet as their respective dams. Nutritional assessments were performed after weaning and in adulthood. In adulthood, males received either saline or ephedrine (20 mg/kg) and underwent behavioral tests including the elevated plus-maze, open-field, and food intake tests. Results The CR group exhibited higher serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels and lower food and caloric intake, weight gain, and fat mass than the control group. The CAF group exhibited lower food intake and higher fat caloric intake, fat mass, and serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride, total cholesterol, and hepatic lipid levels than the control group. These results indicated that the CR and CAF groups had developed undernutrition and obesity, respectively. In the elevated plus-maze and open-field tests, the CR and CAF groups showed lower anxiety-like behaviors than the control group after ephedrine application. This result indicates that the animal's nutritional status (undernutrition or obesity) can enhance ephedrine sensitivity. Conclusion The CR group exhibited undernutrition, whereas the CAF group exhibited obesity. Ephedrine altered anxiety and locomotion in animals that received the CR and CAF diets in manner different than that observed in animals receiving the standard diet.

The demand for energy and the pressure for reducing environmental impacts is increasing in developing countries, mainly in agricultural areas. The generation of electricity from photovoltaic panels can be economically and environmentally advantageous as a source of renewable energy and the ability to reach remote consumers. The present study aimed to evaluate the performance of a photovoltaic system equipped with a sun-tracking device, comparing to a fixed panel. The test compared two panels of a photovoltaic cell system, one used a rotation module in two-axis, and the other a fixed one (control), for capturing solar energy throughout the day in a tropical region of Brazil. Solar energy data were obtained in the two photovoltaic panels with data continuously recorded six months, with a weather characteristic of high cloudiness and rainfall indexes. The commissioning of the tested photovoltaic panels was done on bright days. Power results indicated that the two-axis tracker system was useful during the test, presenting an increase of 26% when compared to the fixed panel. It was found that when the cloudiness and the rain index are very high, the sun tracking system might not be as efficient as foreseen. Rainfall and cloudiness index are essential factors for determining the feasibility of using a tracker device in tropical regions. La demanda de energía y la presión para reducir los impactos ambientales están aumentando en los países en desarrollo, especialmente en las áreas agrícolas. La generación de electricidad a partir de paneles solares fotovoltaicos puede ser ventajosa económica y ambientalmente como fuente de energía renovable, además de la capacidad de llegar a consumidores en ubicaciones remotas. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el rendimiento de un sistema fotovoltaico equipado con un dispositivo de seguimiento solar en comparación con el panel fijo. Se han implementado dos sistemas fotovoltaicos, uno de los cuales usaba un módulo de rotación de dos ejes y el otro era fijo (control), para capturar energía solar durante todo el día en una región tropical de Brasil. Los datos de energía solar se obtuvieron de los dos paneles fotovoltaicos, con registro constante durante seis meses, lo que demostró una característica climática de altos niveles de nubosidad y precipitación para el período. La puesta en marcha de los paneles fotovoltaicos analizados se realizó en días claros. Los resultados de potencia indicaron que el sistema de seguimiento con dos ejes fue efectivo durante la prueba, mostrando un aumento del 26% en comparación con el panel fijo. Se confirmó que, cuando la nubosidad y el índice de lluvia son muy altas, es posible que el sistema de seguimiento solar no sea tan eficiente como se predijo. La lluvia y la nubosidad son factores esenciales para determinar la viabilidad de utilizar un dispositivo de rastreo en las regiones tropicales. A demanda por energia e a pressão para reduzir os impactos ambientais estão aumentando nos países em desenvolvimento, principalmente nas áreas agrícolas. A geração de eletricidade a partir de painéis fotovoltaicos pode ser econômica e ambientalmente vantajosa como fonte de energia renovável, além da capacidade de alcançar consumidores em locais remotos. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o desempenho de um sistema fotovoltaico equipado com um dispositivo de rastreamento solar em comparação com o painel fixo. O teste comparou dois painéis de um sistema de células fotovoltaicas, sendo que um utilizou um módulo de rotação em dois eixos e outro era fixo (controle), para captar energia solar ao longo do dia em uma região tropical do Brasil. Os dados de energia solar foram obtidos nos dois painéis fotovoltaicos, com gravação constante por seis meses, o que demonstrou uma característica climática de altos índices de nebulosidade e precipitação para o período. O comissionamento dos painéis fotovoltaicos testados foi realizado em dias claros. Os resultados de potência indicaram que o sistema rastreador com dois eixos foi eficaz durante o teste, apresentando um aumento de 26% quando comparado ao painel fixo. Verificou-se que, quando a nebulosidade e o índice de chuva são muito altos, o sistema de rastreamento solar pode não ser tão eficiente quanto o previsto. As chuvas e o índice de nebulosidade são fatores essenciais para determinar a viabilidade do uso de um dispositivo rastreador em regiões tropicais.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the nutritional effects in Wistar rats of supplementation with stand-alone saturated fatty acid (SFA) or monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), the replacement of SFA by MUFA and the combination of both (SFA + MUFA) over a long period of time (13 weeks). Design/methodology/approach In total, 30 Wistar rats were used and randomly assigned to receive (n = 6): control – lab chow; lard (L20%) – lab chow with added lard (20%); olive oil (O20%) – lab chow with added olive oil (20%); lard replacement with olive oil (L20% –O20%) – during six weeks lab chow with added lard (20%) replaced by lab chow with added olive oil (20%) given during the past seven weeks of the trial; lard combination with olive oil (L10% + O10%) – lab chow with added lard (10%) and olive oil (10%). Food and caloric intake, weight gain, food and energy efficiency, body mass index, bone mineral composition and blood biochemistry were evaluated. Findings All diets with added fatty acids showed higher energy intake (p < 0.001), weight gain (p = 0.01), accumulation of adipose tissue (p = 0.02) and food and energy efficiency (p = 0.01) compared to the control group. All groups exhibited higher levels of blood triglycerides compared to the control group (p = 0.02). In addition, the L10% + O10% group developed hyperglycemia (p < 0.001); the L group showed higher amounts of non- high density lipoprotein (HDL-c) (p = 0.04); and the L20%−O20% group exhibited high levels of the triglyceride/HDL-c ratio (p = 0.04) in relation to the control. Originality/value These results indicate that regardless of the fatty acid type, consumption in large quantities of fatty acids for long periods of time can cause obesity and dyslipidemia.

Objetivo: analisar a relação entre Religiosidade e Espiritualidade, indicadores de saúde mental, parâmetros hematológicos e percepção de saúde de profissionais de enfermeiros. Método: estudo transversal com 53 funcionários. Utilizou-se Medida Multidimensional Breve de Religiosidade e Espiritualidade, Inventário Stress Lipp, Ansiedade e Depressão de Beck, Bem-Estar Subjetivo, questionário de classificação de saúde, hemograma e imunoglobulina A. Resultados: Dimensões Experiências Espirituais Diárias e Autoavaliação Global são os fatores com maior força de relação com os índices de estresse, depressão e Bem-Estar em profissionais. Participação religiosa foi o fator que influenciou maiores valores de leucócitos, neutrófilos e imunoglobulina. Conclusão: os resultados identificaram relação entre Religiosidade e Espiritualidade, indicadores de saúde mental e parâmetros hematológicos. Profissionais de enfermagem mais religiosos e espiritualistas apresentam melhor saúde mental e maior imunidade, além de melhor percepção de saúde.

Beside the acute respiratory syndrome caused by COVID-19, the exacerbated inflammatory process leads to systemic coagulation disorders, acute cardiovascular disorders, acute renal failure, metabolic changes and other clinical manifestations, increasing the mortality of patients with severe forms of the disease. The development of effective vaccines and drugs for the adequate treatment of severe forms of the disease has become a priority for the scientific and medical community. Likewise, the discovery of possible predictors for the early identification of severe cases with a high risk of death are constantly being sought. Laboratory tests, such as blood count, coagulation tests, hormonal and biochemical tests, are performed on a daily basis in the hospital environment and have proved to be very useful in the search for these indicators. In our study, we evaluated the laboratory tests of 398 positive and negative patients for COVID-19 admitted to hospitals in Uberaba, from the Macroregion of Triângulo Sul, state of Minas Gerais, with a population of 800,000 inhabitants. In our results, it was observed that the patients who died presented anemia, neutrophilic leukocytosis, increased CRP, urea and creatinine from the 5th, 6th day of symptoms, and with lymphopenia on the 1st day. In blood gas analysis, pH, SaO2 and PO2 were reduced since the 1st day of symptoms in patients who died, and the pH remained reduced until the clinical outcome. Changes were also found in the dosage of LDH, aPTT, albumin and electrolytes. Given these results, laboratory tests can be useful as predictive signs of severity in the early days of symptoms.

O presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar a influência do período de isolamento social e do contágio do Covid nos treinos, ritmo, desempenho e lesões em atletas de alto rendimento. Trata-se de um estudo observacional, descritivo, de corte transversal e quantitativo. Em que foram incluídos no estudo atletas que estivessem ligados a alguma federação e de ambos os sexos, que finalizasse adequadamente o formulário. Os resultados identificaram que dos 37 atletas avaliados, 62,2% retornaram fora de ritmo e com condicionamento físico baixo após isolamento e que 64,9% não sofreram nenhuma lesão ao retorno dos treinos. Em relação ao diagnóstico confirmado de COVID-19, 21,6% jogadores foram infectados, destes, 50% afirmaram que o COVID-19 influenciou moderadamente, precisando de um período de mais de um mês para retornar ao desempenho e ritmo anterior a infecção. Diante do exposto, as considerações finais do estudo demonstram que a presente pesquisa não revelou evidências causais sobre o impacto do isolamento social e do contágio do COVID-19 em relação com o número ou risco de lesões. Contudo, foi evidenciado algumas influências no desempenho, ritmo e condicionamento físico.

Objetivo: Comparar a diferença da liberação miofascial instrumental e a liberação posicional em pacientes com retração muscular dos membros inferiores. Método: Estudo transversal de ensaio clínico randomizado com 35 indivíduos, foram submetidos a testes de retração dos músculos dos membros inferiores, foi avaliado e reavaliado com o goniômetro. Um grupo foi submetido à Liberação Miofascial Instrumental realizado com a utilização dos raspadores de polietileno e o outro às manipulações de Liberação Posicional. Foi utilizado técnicas de estatística descritiva com desvio padrão, foi utilizado o teste Komogorov-Smirnov, student pareado e P valor. Resultados: Verificou-se que as técnicas de Liberação Miofascial Instrumental e Liberação Posicional apresentaram valores estatisticamente significativos e fidedignos na melhora do quadro de retração muscular com o P valor de 0,0001 nos dois grupos e com um R Squared de 76,31%, já em relação à comparação das técnicas não houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas apresentando um P valor de 0,8523, porém nas queixas de dores, apenas no grupo instrumental foram observados indivíduos relatando dores. Conclusão: O presente estudo constatou que a Liberação Miofascial Instrumental e a Liberação Posicional são eficazes na melhora do quadro de retração muscular, porém ambas as técnicas são estatisticamente parecidas.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) tolerance can reduce the neuroinflammation caused by high fat maternal diets; however, there are no reports that have evaluated the effects of prenatal LPS exposure on the memories of the offspring of high-fat diet fed dams. This study evaluated the effects of prenatal LPS exposure on the inflammatory parameters and redox status in the brain, as well as the object recognition memory of adolescent offspring of Wistar rat dams that were treated with a high-fat diet during gestation and lactation. Female pregnant Wistar rats randomly received a standard diet (17.5% fat) or a high-fat diet (45.0% fat) during gestation and lactation. On gestation days 8, 10, and 12, half of the females in each group were intraperitoneally treated with LPS (0.1 mg.kg−1). After weaning, the male offspring were placed in cages in standard conditions, and at 6 weeks old, animals underwent the novel object recognition test (for short- and long-term memory). The offspring of the high-fat diet fed dams showed increased hippocampus IL-6 levels (21-days-old) and impaired short-term memories. These effects were avoided in the offspring of high-fat diet fed dams submitted to prenatal LPS exposure, which showed greater hippocampus IL-10 levels (at 21- and 50-days-old), increased antioxidant activity (50-days-old) in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, without memory impairments (short- and long-term memory). IL-6 has been consistently implicated in memory deficits and as an endogenous mechanism for limiting plasticity, while IL-10 regulates glial activation and has a strong association with improvements in cognitive function. Prenatal LPS exposure preventing the increase of IL-6 in the hippocampus and the impairment to short-term object recognition memory caused by the high-fat maternal diet.

Objective To compare the effects of fermented kefir on the nutritional, physiological, and biochemical parameters of rats. Methods Grains of milk kefir (whole and skimmed) and water kefir (brown sugar) were used. The chemical composition analysis was performed on substrates and fermented beverages. The rats were evaluated for weight gain, body mass index, as well as their food, water, kefir, and calorie intake. We also evaluated their energy efficiency coefficient, weight of organs, in addition to their serum, and hepatic biochemistry. Results Fermentation increased the acid content index owing to degradation of lactose and brown sugar. The animals consumed more kefir, reducing the intake of chow and water. Kefir did not alter body and organ weight, while improving the lipid profile. Conclusion Water kefir with brown sugar was more effective in improving the lipid profile.

Mental and behavioral disorders result in increased absenteeism and abandonment of work. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anxiety, stress, depression, negative and positive affects, and hematological and autonomic responses of employees in a public hospital exposed to laying on of hands with (LHS) or without Spiritual connection (control-LHW).Eighty-four employees with anxiety/stress were enrolled and randomly allocated into two groups of intervention LHS by Spiritist "passe" and control-LHW by volunteers with healing intent. Anxiety, stress and depression were evaluated by Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS21). Negative and positive affects by Subjective Well-being Scale (SWS), cardiac autonomic modulation by heart rate variability and cytokines and blood count were assessed by blood sample.Our study showed a significant improvement in the neutrophils (p = 0.041; d = 0.70) and cardiac parasympathetic activity, and reduction in VLF (p0.005) in the LHS. There was reduction in erythrocyte parameters and interleukin 10 (p0.005) in the control-LHW. In both groups there was a significant reduction in anxiety, stress, depression and negative affects after one session (p0.005).Laying on of hands with Spiritual connection by Spiritist "passe" appears to be effective in increasing cardiac vagal activity and regulation of immune responses of employees in a public hospital with stress/anxiety.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional and behavioral effects of a cafeteria diet in dams during the breastfeeding period and in their offspring from weaning until early adulthood (70 days old). Pregnant Wistar rats were fed a chow diet until delivery. Postnatally (D0), litters were culled to 8 pups and lactating dams received control (CTRL n= 6) or cafeteria (CAF n= 6) diets and water ad libitum. At the end of the breastfeeding period, male offspring were placed in individual boxes receiving the same treatment from their respective dams (CTRL or CAF) until adulthood (70 days). All nutritional and behavioral evaluations were performed with the dams (n= 12) during the breastfeeding phase and with the male offspring (n= 24) after weaning to adulthood. CAF dams demonstrated a lower caloric and protein intake; higher intake of fats; loss of weight; greater accumulation of adipose tissue; and an anxiolytic effect. CAF male offspring showed lower caloric intake; higher intake of fats; and accumulation of adipose tissue. In addition, these animals continued to have decreased body weight, body length and tibia-femur length in relation to CTRL. In dams, a cafeteria diet promoted alterations in body composition and anxiety, and in offspring the diet resulted in adequate development.

O presente estudo tem como objetivo identificar os efeitos imediatos provocados pela técnica de alongamento e da crioterapia na força dos músculos isquiotibiais. Trata-se de um estudo de caráter transversal com ensaio clínico randomizado. Participaram do estudo 26 indivíduos, divididos em dois grupos, o primeiro de alongamento estático (n=12) e segundo de crioterapia (n=14), todos voluntários foram avaliados previamente através do dinamômetro manual isométrico Hand-Held Dynamometry (HHD). Cada voluntário realizou três contrações, obtendo uma média geral dessas contrações, em seguida os voluntários grupo do 1, foram submetidos ao alongamento estático cinco vezes, com a duração de quinze segundos, e o intervalo de trinta segundos entre cada alongamento. O grupo 2 permaneceu com uma bolsa de gelo sobre o ventre médio distal dos músculos isquiotibiais durante 20 minutos e ao final de cada procedimento, de forma imediata passaram por uma reavaliação da força muscular. Nos resultados a população apresentou bastante homogeneidade quanto a avaliação do perfil físico entre os grupos. Quanto a aplicação da técnica de alongamento, encontramos uma redução significativa no desenvolvimento da máxima contração isométrica dos isquiotibiais com um valor de P=0,0006, diferentemente do grupo submetido a crioterapia, o qual demonstrou alteração significativa quando comparado aos valores basais. Com base nos dados obtidos pelo HHD, foi possível concluir que o alongamento de curta duração quando precedido de atividades de força, provoca efeitos adversas no seu desenvolvimento máximo, já a crioterapia não demonstrou nenhuma alteração após sua aplicação.

O presente estudo tem como objetivo investigar os possíveis riscos de lesões que os trabalhadores estão sujeitos a sofrer, descrevendo suas principais queixas e sugestões de melhorias, visando sempre à qualidade de vida dentro e fora ambiente de trabalho. Trata-se de um estudo observacional, de corte transversal descritivo com base em análise de dados quantitativo, coletados a partir da aplicação de três questionários e, também a utilização ferramenta Rula. Fizeram parte do estudo 33 funcionários, selecionados por meio de uma amostragem intencional de acordo com a quantidade de profissionais que trabalhavam no Hospital durante a realização desse estudo. Nos resultados foram encontrados uma alta incidência de sintomas dolorosos especialmente na região lombar, punhos e joelhos, presentes por um período acima de seis meses em 42,42% desses profissionais, indicando a relação direta com as atividades que executavam. No entanto, essa maioria se nega a fazer uso de medicamento, emplasto ou compressas, demostrando assim a falta do autocuidado comum nessas profissões. Com base na análise dados obtidos, foi possível concluir que modificações básicas nos equipamentos, associada a orientações sobre a importância de uma boa postura no trabalho, reduziriam a necessidade de exagerados esforços físicos minimizando assim o desenvolvimento de lesões e desconfortos no sistema musculoesquelético.

Chagas disease affects approximately 7 million people, causing disability and mortality in the most productive life stages of infected individuals. Considering the lifestyle of the world population, metabolic syndrome is a synergistic factor for an increased cardiovascular risk of patients with Chagas disease. This study transversally evaluated the metabolic and immunological profiles of patients with indeterminate (IF) and cardiac (CF) forms of Chagas disease and their correlations with left ventricular dysfunction (LVD). Clinical and electrical bioimpedance analysis, levels of cytokines (interferon [IFN]-γ, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, interleukin [IL]-17, IL-10, and IL-33) and adipocytokines (adiponectin, leptin, and resistin), metabolic syndrome components, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels were assessed in 57 patients (13 IF and 44 CF) with a mean age of 61.63 ± 12.1 years. Chest x-ray, electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram were performed to classify the clinical forms. The CF group had a higher number of individuals with metabolic syndrome components blood pressure altered, while more participants in the CF group with LVD had low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. The IF group had more participants with a higher waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). No significant difference was observed between metabolic syndrome, cytokine and adipocytokine level, and clinical forms of the disease or in relation to LVD. Individuals with the IF showed metabolic and immunological profiles compatible with increased disease control, whereas those with CF showed marked inflammatory immune response.

Fogo Selvagem (FS) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by acantholysis and inflammation of the epidermis. It was evidenced in this disease the increase of proinflammatory cytokines levels which can be influenced by physical activities. Kinesiotherapy, as physiotherapeutic interventions, was associated improvement levels of the quality of live, mainly the pain. Understanding the impact of such methodology in immunology of the FS, may constitute an alternative and effective approach. We compare the levels of serum cytokines and chemokines between nine patients with FS submitted to kinesiotherapy for 12 weeks and ten patients not submitted to kinesiotherapy. The kinesiotherapy was composed by self-stretching followed by a resistance training for upper and lower limbs. The protocol was carried out in three sections of eight to ten repetitions with 70% of the maximum load measured by test maximum of ten repetitions. After strengthening period patients performed a passive stretching. The training sessions lasted 50 min and were performed 3 times a week at least 12 weeks. Cytokines and chemokines were assessed in plasma using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and/or cytometric bead array. Patients with FS were being kinesiotherapy presented minors levels of interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-17, IL-22, and IL-15 when compared to those not submitted to kinesiotherapy. No differences were observed for the detection of the chemokines chemokine ligand (CCL)-2, CCL-3, CCL-5, CCL-11, C-X-C motif chemokine 8 (CXCL-8), and CXCL-10. These results suggest that kinesiotherapy had a positive impact on inflammatory markers that are associated with disease worsening in FS.

Purpose To evaluate the nutritional status and behavior of animals fed a cafeteria diet from the onset of lactation after the addition of risperidone. Methods During the lactation period, 14 litters of Wistar rats (dam + 8 pups) were fed one of two diets: control (CTRL; n = 7) or cafeteria (CAF; n = 7). After weaning, the males were placed in individual cages, receiving the same diet as offered to their respective dams. Food and caloric intake, body weight, feed and energy efficiency, and adipose tissue weight were evaluated in the male offspring. In adulthood, they were assigned to receive treatment with saline (CTRL-S, CAF-S) or risperidone (CTRL-R, CAF-R) (n = 21 in each group). They then underwent behavioral testing, which included the elevated plus maze, open field, object recognition, and social interaction tests. Variance analysis (ANOVA) was used, followed by Newman–Keuls when p-values were Results The CAF group exhibited higher caloric intake, weight gain, feed efficiency, and adipose tissue than the CTRL group. The animals in the CAF group exhibited oxidative stress characteristics in the hippocampus, which may have compromised the function of this structure and promoted behavioral changes. The CAF-S group exhibited anxiety, as indicated by the greater number of entrances and time spent in the center of the open field. They also showed greater locomotion through a greater number of quadrants traveled. CAF-S animals also demonstrated memory impairments, assessed using the object recognition test, and decreased social interaction. The CAF-R group demonstrated anxiety and decreased locomotion in the open field. There was a decrease in their interaction with both objects in the object recognition test. The CAF-R group obtained greater sociability in the social interaction test. Such effects may be associated with changes in the serotonergic system of these animals. Conclusion Risperidone administered to animals on a cafeteria diet led to a greater reduction in locomotion, had an anxiogenic effect, caused impaired memory, and improved social interaction.

The major problem with Chagas disease is evolution of the chronic indeterminate form to a progressive cardiac disease. Treatment diminishes parasitemia but not clinical progression, and the immunological features involved are unclear. Here, we studied the clinical course and the immune response in patients with chronic-phase Chagas disease at 48 months after benznidazole treatment. Progression to the cardiac form of Chagas disease or its aggravation was associated with higher in vitro antigen-specific production of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in patients with cardiac Chagas disease than in patients with the indeterminate form. Predominance of IFN-γ production over interleukin-10 (IL-10) production in antigen-specific cultures was associated with cardiac involvement. Significantly higher numbers of antigen-specific T helper 1 cells (T-Bet(+) IFN-γ(+)) and a significantly higher IFN-γ(+)/IL-10(+) ratio were observed in patients with cardiac Chagas disease than in patients with the indeterminate form. Cardiac damage was associated with higher numbers of T helper cells than cytotoxic T lymphocytes producing IFN-γ. Patients with cardiac Chagas disease had predominant CD25(−) and CD25(low) T regulatory (Treg) subpopulations, whereas patients with the indeterminate form manifested a higher relative mean percentage of CD25(high) Treg subpopulations. These findings suggest that at 48 months after benznidazole treatment, the disease can worsen or progress to the cardiac form. The progression may be related to increased IFN-γ production (mostly from CD4(+) T cells) relative to IL-10 production and increased Treg percentages. Patients with the indeterminate form of Chagas disease show a more balanced ratio of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global health problem and is the second biggest cause of death by infectious disease worldwide. Here, we investigate in vitro the Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg cytokines and transcriptional factors produced afterMycobacterium-specific antigen stimulation in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis, clinically cured pulmonary tuberculosis, and healthy donors with a positive tuberculin skin test (TST+). Together, our data indicate that clinical cure after treatment increases the percentages ofMycobacterium-specific Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells compared with those found in active-TB and TST+ healthy donors. These results show that the host-parasite equilibrium in latent TB breaks in favor of the microorganism and that the subsequent clinical recovery posttreatment does not return the percentage levels of such cells to those observed in latent tuberculosis. Additionally, our results indicate that rather than showing an increase in the percentage ofMycobacterium-specific Tregs, active-TB patients display lower Th1 : Treg and Th17 : Treg ratios. These data, together with lower Th1 : Th2 and Th17 : Th2 ratios, may indicate a mechanism by which the breakdown of the host-parasite equilibrium leads to active-TB and changes in the repertoire ofMycobacterium-specific Th cells that are associated with clinical cure after treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of IgG autoantibodies against desmoglein-3. Despite the variety of findings, the chemokine and cytokine profiles that characterize the immune response in the disease are still poorly explored. Thus, 20 PV patients and 20 controls were grouped according to gender, ethnicity, place of residence, and clinical parameters of the disease. Then, the levels of chemokines and of Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg/Th9/Th22-related cytokines were assessed in the serum. PV patients had higher levels of inflammatory Th1/Th17 cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-17, and IL-23), as well as higher levels of CXCL8 and reduced levels of Th1/Th2-related chemokines (IP-10 and CCL11). However, no differences in the levels of IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-9, IL-12, TGF-β, IL-33, MCP-1, RANTES, and MIP-1α were found between PV patients and their control counterparts. Furthermore, PV patients with skin lesions had higher serum levels of IL-6 and CXCL8 when compared to PV patients without lesions. Taken together, our findings describe the role of cytokines and chemokines associated with Th1/Th17 immune response in PV patients. Finally, these data are important for better understanding of the immune aspects that control disease outcome, and they may also provide important information about why patients develop autoantibodies against desmogleins.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a granulomatous disease that has affected humanity for thousands of years. The production of cytokines, such as IFN-γ and TNF-α, is fundamental in the formation and maintenance of granulomas and in the control of the disease. Recently, the introduction of TNF-α-blocking monoclonal antibodies, such as Infliximab, has brought improvements in the treatment of patients with chronic inflammatory diseases, but this treatment also increases the risk of reactivation of latent tuberculosis. Our objective was to analyze, in an in vitro model, the influence of Infliximab on the granulomatous reactions and on the production of antigen-specific cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-12p40, IL-10 and IL-17) from beads sensitized with soluble Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) antigens cultured in the presence of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from TB patients. We evaluated 76 individuals, with tuberculosis active, treated and subjects with positive PPD. Granuloma formation was induced in the presence or absence of Infliximab for up to 10 days. The use of Infliximab in cultures significantly blocked TNF-α production (p

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infectious disease caused by the TB-causing bacillusMycobacterium tuberculosisand is considered a public health problem with enormous social impact. Disease progression is determined mainly by the balance between the microorganism and the host defense systems. Although the immune system controls the infection, this control does not necessarily lead to sterilization. Over recent decades, the patterns of CD4+ T cell responses have been studied with a goal of complete understanding of the immunological mechanisms involved in the maintenance of latent or active tuberculosis infection and of the clinical cure after treatment. Conflicting results have been suggested over the years, particularly in studies comparing experimental models and human disease. In recent years, in addition to Th1, Th2, and Th17 profiles, new standards of cellular immune responses, such as Th9, Th22, and IFN-γ-IL-10 double-producing Th cells, discussed here, have also been described. Additionally, many new roles and cellular sources have been described for IL-10, demonstrating a critical role for this cytokine as regulatory, rather than merely pathogenic cytokine, involved in the establishment of chronic latent infection, in the clinical cure after treatment and in keeping antibacillary effector mechanisms active to prevent immune-mediated damage.

Alguns estudos têm procurado avaliar os efeitos de variações no consumo de sal no período perinatal sobre o sistema cardiovascular da prole na idade adulta. No entanto, várias questões ainda estão em aberto e merecem estudos adicionais. Neste trabalho, o OBJETIVO foi estudar os efeitos da sobrecarga ou restrição crônica de sal na dieta de ratas Wistar, durante a gestação e amamentação, sobre o ganho de peso, a pressão arterial, a sensibilidade da pressão arterial ao sal (SENS), a atividade do sistema renina-angiotensina, o conteúdo renal de angiotensina II (AII) e a densidade glomerular da prole na idade adulta. Foram utilizadas fêmeas Wistar recém desmamadas divididas em 3 grupos: dieta hipo (HO - 0,15% NaCl - n=8), normo (NR - 1,27% NaCl - n=9) ou hipersódica (HR – 7,94% NaCl - n=8). A quantidade de dieta oferecida as ratas foi ajustada de forma a manter o peso semelhante entre os grupos. A fecundação ocorreu na 12a semana de idade. Após o parto, apenas 8 recém-nascidos (4 machos e 4 fêmeas) permaneceram com suas mães. Após o desmame, todos os animais da prole receberam apenas a dieta NR. O peso materno foi medido diariamente até a fecundação e semanalmente até uma semana após o parto. O peso da prole foi medido no dia do parto e semanalmente após o desmame. A PA caudal materna foi medida desde uma semana antes da fecundação até uma semana após o parto (PAc-M) e na prole entre a 8a e a 12a semana de idade (PAc-P). Ao completar 12 semanas de idade, a prole foi submetida a um teste de sensibilidade da pressão arterial ao sal (1 semana em dieta HO seguido por 1 semana em dieta HR ou vice-versa). A atividade de renina plasmática (ARP) foi medida ao final de cada semana do teste. O conteúdo renal de AII foi avaliado por imunohistoquímica e a densidade glomerular através de um método histológico apropriado para a contagem dos glomérulos. Durante a gestação, a PAc-M foi maior no grupo HR (p

Este trabalho aborda o problema de compactação de imagens, sem distorção, explorando o algoritmo M-LZA, proposto por Finamore e Nunes [2]. Nomcando de forma diferente os nós da árvore de codificação gerada pelo algoritmo M-LZA [2], o algoritmo V-LZA aqui introduzido busca ser uma alternativa mais eficiente do que seu antecessor com relação ao tamanho em bits, ocupado pela imagem codificada e/ou a rapidez de convergência para uma taxa de compactação mínima. This work focus on the problem of image compactation in the errorless sense, by means of exploring the M-LZA algorithm proposed by Finamore and Nunes [2]. Naming diferently the nodes of the coding tree fenerated by the M- LZA algorithm, the algorthm V-LZA introduced in this work, seek to became a more efficient alternative than its predecessor concerning the size of the coded image and/or its converging speed to a minimum compactation rate.

O barorreflexo arterial é o principal mecanismo de regulação a curto prazo da pressão arterial (PA), mantendo-a dentro de um estreito limite de variação. A elevação da PA estimula sensores mecânicos (barorreceptores), que levam a uma inibição simpática e aumento da atividade vagal cardíaca, provocando queda (normalização) da PA. A estimulação elétrica de aferências dos barorreceptores é uma técnica que surgiu na década de 60 e, atualmente, vem sendo utilizada em pacientes com hipertensão refratária. Hipotetizamos que a estimulação elétrica do SC seria capaz de promover alterações hemodinâmicas e na modulação autonômica cardiovascular de ratos normotensos e SHR. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar respostas hemodinâmicas, variabilidade da frequência cardíaca (FC) e PA, e avaliar alterações vasculares à estimulação elétrica do seio carotídeo (SC) em ratos normotensos ou espontaneamente hipertensos (SHR). Ratos Wistar ou SHR, com 300g (15 a 18 semanas) foram anestesiados (ketamina e xilazina) e implantados com eletrodos ao redor do SC e cânula na artéria femoral. No dia seguinte, após registro basal da PA, o SC dos ratos foi estimulado com pulsos de 1 mA, 1 ms e 15, 30, 45 ou 60 Hz durante 20 s. A seguir, um estímulo prolongado (60 min) com pulsos de 1 mA, 1 ms e 30 Hz foi aplicado ao SC dos ratos de forma contínua ou intermitente (20/20s ON/OFF). Um grupo distinto de SHR foi implantado (SC) com um estimulador miniaturizado capaz de gerar, ininterruptamente, pulsos de 3 V, 1 ms, e 30 Hz, de modo intermitente (20/20s ON/OFF). Nesses animais, no dia seguinte ao implante dos eletrodos, foi realizado um registro basal da PA e o estimulador foi ligado, estimulado o SC durante 48 h. Após o termino da estimulação, um novo registro da PA foi realizado e, ao final, o leito mesentérico dos ratos foi removido para análise de reatividade vascular. A estimulação elétrica de curta duração (20 s) provocou uma resposta hipotensora, que foi maior em SHR (?= -16 a -48 mmHg, n=14) do que em ratos normotensos (?= -19 a -28 mmHg, n=10). A hipotensão causada pela estimulação do SC foi frequência dependente apenas nos SHR. Uma bradicardia, semelhante em ambos os grupos (Wistar e SHR), e não dependente da frequência de estimulação, também foi observada com a estimulação do SC. Na estimulação prolongada (60 min), realizada de forma contínua ou intermitente, também houve hipotensão e bradicardia que se mantiveram durante todo o período de estímulo. A hipotensão durante o estímulo de 60 min do SC também foi maior em SHR (?-38 ± 9 mmHg) do que em ratos Wistar (-15 ± 5 mmHg). A análise simbólica, antes e durante a estimulação do SC, no grupo que recebeu estimulação contínua, revelou um aumento na porcentagem de sequências tipo 2UV da FC (relacionadas à modulação vagal cardíaca) de 37 ± 3 para 45 ± 4 %. A análise espectral mostrou diminuição na potência do espectro da PA na banda de LF (relacionada à modulação simpática cardíaca e vascular) de 3.6 ± 0.3 para 0.7 ± 0.1 mmHg2 apenas em animais normotensos. Os SHR estimulados cronicamente (48 h) tiveram uma PA menor após o final do estímulo (173 ± 5 vs 150 ± 5 mmHg). Entretanto, a variabilidade da FC e da PA não foi alterada pela estimulação crônica do SC. Adicionalmente, o estímulo elétrico crônico do SC promoveu aumento na reatividade das artérias mesentéricas à Acetilcolina, e à fenilefrina, tanto na presença como na ausência do endotélio. A resposta hipotensora perdurou até 60 minutos após o desligamento do dispositivo de estimulação. Concluindo, a estimulação elétrica do SC de ratos acordados, normotensos ou SHR é efetiva em diminuir a PA e FC além de promover alterações na variabilidade da FC e da PA condizentes à redução da modulação simpática em animais normotensos. Adicionalmente, a estimulação crônica do SC promoveu alterações em vasos de resistência. Arterial baroreflex is the main short-term regulation mechanism of blood pressure (BP), keeping it under narrow limits of variation. The increasing of BP stimulates mechanical sensors (baroreceptors), which lead to inhibition of sympathetic drive and increasing cardiac activity of vagus nerve, resulting in decrease (normalization) of the BP. Electrical stimulation of afferent baroreceptor is an approach that emerged in the 60s and is now being used in patients with resistant hypertension. We hypothesized that electrical stimulation of CS promote hemodynamic and autonomic responses in normotensive and SHR. The aim of this study was to characterize hemodynamic responses, heart rate (HR) and BP variability, and evaluate vascular changes to electrical stimulation of the carotid sinus (CS) in normotensive or spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). SHR and Wistar rats with 300g (15 to 18 wk) were anesthetized (ketamine and xylazine) and implanted with electrodes in CS and a catheter into femoral artery. On the next day, after baseline recording of the BP, animals were subjected to electrical stimulation of CS with pulses of 1 mA, 1 ms and 15, 30, 45 or 60 Hz during 20 s. Following, a continuously or intermittently (20 / 20s ON / OFF) prolonged stimulation (60 min) with pulses of 1 mA, 1 ms and 30 Hz was applied to CS of rats. Another SHR group was implanted with a miniaturized stimulator connected to CS electrodes, capable of generating uninterruptedly pulses of 3 V, 1 ms, and 30 Hz, intermittently (20/20s ON/OFF). On the next day, after baseline recording of BP, the stimulator was turned on, and CS was stimulated during 48 h. After the end of stimulation, another BP recording was performed and the mesenteric bed of rats was removed for analysis of vascular reactivity. Short-term (20 s) electrical stimulation of CS induced a hypotensive response that was greater in SHR (??= -16 to -48 mmHg, n = 14) than in normotensive rats (? = -19 to -28 mmHg, n = 10). Hypotensive response was dependent on stimulation frequency only in SHR. A bradycardic response, similar in both groups (Wistar and SHR) and not dependent of the frequency of stimulation was also observed. In prolonged stimulation (60 min), performed continuously or intermittently, hypotension and bradycardia were observed during whole stimulation period. Hypotensive effect observed during 60 min stimulation of the CS was greater in SHR (-38 ± 9 mmHg) than in Wistar rats (-15 ± 5 mmHg). The symbolic analysis, before and during the stimulation of the CS revealed an increase in the percentage of 2UV type sequences of HR (related to cardiac vagal modulation) from 37 ± 3 to 45 ± 4 %. Spectral analysis showed in the decrease power of BP spectrum in LF band (related to heart and vascular sympathetic modulation) from 3.6 ± 0.3 to 0.7 ± 0.1 mmHg2 only in normotensive animals. SHR chronically stimulated group (48 h) showed lower BP after the end of the stimulus (173 ± 5 vs 150 ± 5 mmHg). However, the variability of HR and BP was not changed by chronic stimulation of the CS. Moreover, chronic electrical stimulation of the CS increased the reactivity of mesenteric arteries to acetylcholine and phenylephrine, both in the presence or absence of the endothelium. The hypotensive response lasted after 60 minutes after the shutdown of the stimulation device. In conclusion, the electrical stimulation of CS in normotensive or SHR conscious rats is effective in decreasing BP and HR and promotes changes in the variability of HR and BP, consistent with reduction of sympathetic modulation in normotensive animals. Additionally, the chronic stimulation of the CS induced changes in resistance vessels.