Medication adherence and quality of life among the elderly with diabetic retinopathy / Adesão medicamentosa e qualidade de vida em idosos com retinopatia diabética / Adhesión a la medicación y calidad de vida en ancianos con retinopatía diabética

METHOD: one hundred (n=100) elderly outpatients with diabetic retinopathy taking antihypertensives and/or oral antidiabetics/insulin were interviewed. Adherence was evaluated by the adherence proportion and its association with the care taken in administrating medications and by the Morisky Scale. The National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) was used to evaluate HRQoL. RESULTS: most (58%) reported the use of 80% or more of the prescribed dose and care in utilizing the medication. The item "stopping the drug when experiencing an adverse event", from the Morisky Scale, explained 12.8% and 13.5% of the variability of adherence proportion to antihypertensives and oral antidiabetics/insulin, respectively. CONCLUSION: there was better HRQoL in the Color Vision, Driving and Social Functioning domains of the NEI VFQ-25. Individuals with lower scores on the NEI VFQ-25 and higher scores on the Morisky Scale presented greater chance to be nonadherent to the pharmacological treatment of diabetes and hypertension. .

OBJETIVO: investigar os fatores relacionados à adesão medicamentosa e sua relação com a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde em idosos com retinopatia diabética. MÉTODO: foram entrevistados 100 idosos, em acompanhamento ambulatorial, em uso de anti-hipertensivos e/ou antidiabéticos orais/insulina. A adesão foi avaliada pela proporção de adesão e sua associação com os cuidados no uso dos medicamentos e pela Escala de Morisky. O National Eye Institute Visual Funcioning Questionnaire foi utilizado para avaliar a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde. RESULTADOS: A maioria (58%) relatou o uso de 80% ou mais das doses prescritas e os cuidados na tomada dos medicamentos. O item "interromper o uso dos medicamentos por se sentir pior", da Escala de Morisky, explicou 12,8 e 13,5% da variabilidade da proporção de adesão aos anti-hipertensivos e aos antidiabéticos orais/insulina, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: observou-se melhor qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde nos domínios visão de cores, dirigir automóvel e apectos sociais do National Eye Institute Visual Funcioning Questionnaire. Indivíduos com menor pontuação na National Eye Institute Visual Funcioning Questionnaire e maiores escores na Escala de Morisky apresentaram maiores chances de serem não aderentes aos medicamentos do diabetes e da hipertensão arterial. .

OBJETIVO: investigar los factores relacionados a la adhesión a la medicación y su relación con la Calidad de Vida Relacionada a la Salud (CVRS) de ancianos con retinopatía diabética. MÉTODO: fueron entrevistados cien (n=100) pacientes ancianos de ambulatorio con retinopatía diabética que toman medicamentos antihipertensivos y/o antidiabéticos orales/insulina. La adhesión fue evaluada mediante la proporción de adhesión y su asociación con el cuidado tomado en la administración de medicamentos y mediante la Escala de Morisky. El National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) fue usado para evaluar la CVRS. RESULTADOS: la mayoría (58%) relató el uso de 80% o más de la dosis prescrita y cuidado con el uso de la medicación. El ítem "suspender la droga cuando vivencia un evento adverso", de la Escala de Morisky, explicó 12.8% y 13.5% de la variabilidad en la proporción de adhesión a los antihipertensivos y antidiabéticos orales/insulina, respectivamente. CONCUSIÓN: fue encontrada mejor CVRS en los dominios de Visión Cromática, Dirección y Funcionamiento Social del NEI VFQ-25. Individuos con puntuaciones menores en el NEI VFQ-25 y puntuaciones mayores en la Escala de Morisky revelaron mayor chance de no adhesión al tratamiento farmacológico de la diabetes y hipertensión. .

Isolation and characterization of arsenic resistant bacteria from wastewater

The present study proposed the isolation of arsenic resistant bacteria from wastewater. Only three bacterial isolates (MNZ1, MNZ4 and MNZ6) were able to grow in high concentrations of arsenic. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of arsenic against MNZ1, MNZ4 and MNZ6 were 300 mg/L, 300 mg/L and 370 mg/L respectively. The isolated strains showed maximum growth at 37 ºC and at 7.0 pH in control but in arsenite stress Luria Bertani broth the bacterial growth is lower than control. All strains were arsenite oxidizing. All strains were biochemically characterized and ribotyping (16S rRNA) was done for the purpose of identification which confirmed that MNZ1 was homologous to Enterobacter sp. while MNZ4 and MNZ6 showed their maximum homology with Klebsiella pneumoniae. The protein profiling of these strains showed in arsenic stressed and non stressed conditions, so no bands of induced proteins appeared in stressed conditions. The bacterial isolates can be exploited for bioremediation of arsenic containing wastes, since they seem to have the potential to oxidize the arsenite (more toxic) into arsenate (less toxic) form.

Melatonin protective role in mouse cauda epipidymal spermatozoa damage induced by sodium arsenite / Rol protector de la melatonina en el daño de espermatozoides de cauda epididimaria en ratón producido por arsenito de sodio

We evaluated the sperm parameters such as cauda epididymis weight, sperm count, sperm morphology and sperm DNA stability of adult CF-1 male mice treated daily (oral exposure) with the toxic sodium arsenite (As, 7.0 mg/kg/body weight); Melatonin (Me, 10.0 mg/kg/bw), Me (10.0 mg/kg/bw) plus As (7.0 mg/kg/bw) and Negative Control (NaCl 0.9 percent) to assess acute (8.3 days), chronic (33.2 days) and recovery of testicular damage (66.4 days). Arsenic decreases the number of sperm from chronic treatment (33.2 days) and this effect continued until 66.4 days of treatment. The toxic effect of As also altered the morphology of spermatozoa in all treatment periods when compared to the negative control group. However, Metalonin induced protective effects in periods of 33.2 and 66.4 days of treatment. Additionally, the stability of DNA was significantly affected by arsenic in all periods, but the chronic treatment (33.2 days) in the AsMe revealed increased stability compared to the group treated with arsenic only. Melatonin partially protects sperm toxicity caused by Arsenic, especially during periods of 33.2 and 66.4 days.

Se evaluaron los parámetros espermáticos como peso de la cola del epidídimo, conteo de espermatozoides, morfología de los espermatozoides y estabilidad del ADN de espermatozoides de ratones machos adultos CF-1 tratados diariamente (exposición oral) con el tóxico arsenito de sodio (As, 7,0 mg/kg/peso corporal), melatonina (Me, 10,0 mg/kg/pc, Me (10,0 mg/kg/pc) más As (7,0 mg/kg/pc) y el Control Negativo (NaCl 0,9 por ciento) en evaluación aguda (8,3 días), crónica (33,2 días) y recuperación del daño testicular (66.4 días). El arsénico reduce el número de espermatozoides en el tratamiento crónico (33,2 días) y este efecto continuó hasta 66,4 días. El efecto tóxico de As también altero la morfología de los espermatozoides en todos los períodos de tratamiento cuando se compara con el grupo control negativo. Sin embargo, metalonina indujo efectos protectores en períodos de 33,2 y 66,4 días de tratamiento. La estabilidad del ADN se vio afectada significativamente por el arsénico en todos los periodos, pero en el tratamiento crónico (33,2 días) con AsMe se observa un aumento de la estabilidad em comparación com el grupo tratado con arsénico. Sin embargo, la melatonina protege parcialmente a los espermatozoides del daño causado por arsénico, especialmente durante los períodos de 33,2 y 66,4 días.

Protective role of melatonin in mouse spermatogenesis induced by sodium arsenite / Rol protector de la melatonina en el daño de la espermatogénesis en ratón producido por arsenito de sodio

Arsenic is a testicular environmental toxic. Melatonin (Me), being a potent antioxidant, may reduce the damage caused by arsenic in male fertility. The effects of daily oral exposure of Sodium Arsenite (As; 7.0 mg/kg/bw); Melatonin (Me, 10.0 mg/kg/bw); Me (10.0 mg/kg/bw) plus As (7.0 mg/kg/bw), and Negative Control (NaCl 0.9 percent) in male CF-1 adult mice were assessed in acute (8.3 days), chronic (33.2 days) and recovery (66,4 days) of testicular damage. We evaluated changes in testicular weight and histopathological, morphometric measurements, expression of COX-2 and Androgen Receptor (AR) antigens and lipid peroxidation levels. Treatment resulted in decreased tubular diameter and AR expression, and increased: interstitial area, luminal diameter, COX-2 expression levels and of lipid peroxidation. Co-administration of As and Me partially decreased germ cell degeneration and AR expression levels, improving testicular histopathological parameters. These results indicate that As causes toxicity and testicular germ cell degeneration by induction of oxidative stress. Me partially protects from this damage in mouse testis, acting as scavenger of oxygen radical species.

El arsénico es un tóxico testicular ambiental. La melatonina (Me), que es un potente antioxidante, puede reducir el daño causado por el arsénico en la fertilidad masculina. Se evaluaron los efectos de la exposición oral diaria de arsenito de sodio (As; 7,0 mg/kg/peso corporal), melatonina (Me, 10,0 mg/kg/p.c.); Me (10,0 mg/kg/p.c.) más As (7,0 mg/kg/pc) y el Control Negativo (NaCl 0,9 por ciento) en ratones adultos CF-1 machos, a los 8,3 días (exposición aguda), 33,2 días (crónica) y 66,4 días (recuperación) del daño testicular. Se evaluaron los cambios en el peso testicular y mediciones morfométricas, histopatológicas, expresión de COX-2, del receptor de andrógeno (AR) y los niveles de peroxidación de lípidos. El tratamiento con As resultó en disminución del diámetro tubular y la expresión de AR, y el aumento de: área intersticial, diámetro luminal, los niveles de expresión de COX-2 y peroxidación lipídica. La co-administración de As y Me disminuyó parcialmente la degeneración de células germinales, el aumento de los niveles de expresión de AR y hubo mejoría de los parámetros histopatológicos testiculares. Estos resultados indican que As es tóxico y causa degeneración de células germinales por inducción de estrés oxidativo. Me protege parcialmente este daño en los testículos de ratones, actuando como eliminador de especies radicalarias del oxígeno.

Study of sodium arsenite induced biochemical changes on certain biomolecules of the freshwater catfish Clarias batrachus

Toxic impact of sublethal concentration (1 mg/L; 5% of 96h LC50 value) of sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) on certain biomolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and glycogen) of five tissue components (muscles, liver, brain, skin, and gills) of the freshwater catfish Clarias batrachus was analysed. The important toxic manifestations include marked decrease in the concentration of proteins (21.72-45.42% in muscles; 3.42-53.94% in liver; 15.39-45.42% in brain; 15.40-4.00% in skin and 11.35-64.13% in gills), DNA (0.55-22.95% in muscles; 8.33-14.06% in liver; 5.30-18.40% in brain; 13.57-52.80% in skin; and 12.38-31.01% in gills), RNA (42.68-76.16% in muscles; 10.68-39.75% in liver; 5.66-29.05% in brain; 7.72-27.93% in skin and 21.47-44.38% in gills) and glycogen (24.00-51.72% in muscles; 49.11-72.45% in liver; 11.49-26.03% in brain; 26.13-38.05% in skin and 17.80-37.97% in gills). Excepting liver where the lipid content increases (15.82-24.13%), the fat content also showed depletion in their concentration (10.40-29.83% in muscles; 8.30-34.45% in brain; 8.94-31.47% in skin and 12.75-28.86% in gills), in the rest of the organ systems.

Foi analisado o impacto tóxico da concentração subletal (1 mg/L; 5% do valor de LC50 de 96h) do arsenito de sódio (NaAsO2) sobre certas biomoléculas (proteinas, ácidos nucleicos, lipídios e glicogênio) de cinco tecidos (músculos, fígado, cérebro, pele e brânquias) do bagre Clarias batrachus. As manifestações tóxicas importantes incluiram o decréscimo acentuado na concentração de proteinas (21,72-45,42% nos músculos; 3,42-53,94% no fígado; 15,39-45,42% no cérebro; 15,40-4,00% na pele e 11,35-64,13% nas brânquias), DNA (0,55-22,95% nos músculos; 8,33-14,06% no fígado; 5,30-18,40% no cérebro; 13,57-52,80% na pele e 12,38-31,01% nas brânquias), RNA (42,68-76,16% nos músculos; 10,68-39,75% no fígado; 5,66-29,05% no cérebro; 7,72-27,93% na pele e 21,47-44,38% nas brânquias) e glicogênio (24,00-51,72% nos músculos; 49,11-72,45% no fígado; 11,49-26,03% no cérebro; 26,13-38,05% na pele e 17,80-37,97% nas brânquias). Excetuando o fígado onde o conteúdo de lipídeos aumentou (15,82-24,13%), houve uma depleção na concentração de lipídeos no restante dos sistemas orgânicos (10,40-29,83% nos músculos; 8,30-34,45% no cérebro; 8,94-31,47% na pele e 12,75-28,86% nas brânquias).

Study of sodium arsenite induced biochemical changes on certain biomolecules of the freshwater catfish Clarias batrachus

Toxic impact of sublethal concentration (1 mg/L; 5% of 96h LC50 value) of sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) on certain biomolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and glycogen) of five tissue components (muscles, liver, brain, skin, and gills) of the freshwater catfish Clarias batrachus was analysed. The important toxic manifestations include marked decrease in the concentration of proteins (21.72-45.42% in muscles; 3.42-53.94% in liver; 15.39-45.42% in brain; 15.40-4.00% in skin and 11.35-64.13% in gills), DNA (0.55-22.95% in muscles; 8.33-14.06% in liver; 5.30-18.40% in brain; 13.57-52.80% in skin; and 12.38-31.01% in gills), RNA (42.68-76.16% in muscles; 10.68-39.75% in liver; 5.66-29.05% in brain; 7.72-27.93% in skin and 21.47-44.38% in gills) and glycogen (24.00-51.72% in muscles; 49.11-72.45% in liver; 11.49-26.03% in brain; 26.13-38.05% in skin and 17.80-37.97% in gills). Excepting liver where the lipid content increases (15.82-24.13%), the fat content also showed depletion in their concentration (10.40-29.83% in muscles; 8.30-34.45% in brain; 8.94-31.47% in skin and 12.75-28.86% in gills), in the rest of the organ systems.

Foi analisado o impacto tóxico da concentração subletal (1 mg/L; 5% do valor de LC50 de 96h) do arsenito de sódio (NaAsO2) sobre certas biomoléculas (proteinas, ácidos nucleicos, lipídios e glicogênio) de cinco tecidos (músculos, fígado, cérebro, pele e brânquias) do bagre Clarias batrachus. As manifestações tóxicas importantes incluiram o decréscimo acentuado na concentração de proteinas (21,72-45,42% nos músculos; 3,42-53,94% no fígado; 15,39-45,42% no cérebro; 15,40-4,00% na pele e 11,35-64,13% nas brânquias), DNA (0,55-22,95% nos músculos; 8,33-14,06% no fígado; 5,30-18,40% no cérebro; 13,57-52,80% na pele e 12,38-31,01% nas brânquias), RNA (42,68-76,16% nos músculos; 10,68-39,75% no fígado; 5,66-29,05% no cérebro; 7,72-27,93% na pele e 21,47-44,38% nas brânquias) e glicogênio (24,00-51,72% nos músculos; 49,11-72,45% no fígado; 11,49-26,03% no cérebro; 26,13-38,05% na pele e 17,80-37,97% nas brânquias). Excetuando o fígado onde o conteúdo de lipídeos aumentou (15,82-24,13%), houve uma depleção na concentração de lipídeos no restante dos sistemas orgânicos (10,40-29,83% nos músculos; 8,30-34,45% no cérebro; 8,94-31,47% na pele e 12,75-28,86% nas brânquias).

Identification of fish nursery areas in a free tributary of an impoundment region, upper Uruguay River, Brazil

This study aims to determine the importance of different environments of the Ligeiro River (upper Uruguay River, Brazil) in fish reproduction. For this purpose, three environments (sampling sites) were selected: rapids, a pool, and the mouth of the Ligeiro River. Ichthyoplankton, zooplankton, and benthos were sampled six times per month from September, 2006 to March, 2007. Zooplankton and ichthyoplankton samples were collected early in the evening with plankton nets (64 µm and 500 µm, respectively). Benthos samples were also collected early in the evening with a Van Veen dredge. Local abiotic variables (temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, electrical conductivity, water speed, alkalinity, water hardness, and water transparency) were measured simultaneously with the biotic data sampling and were complemented by regional variables (water flow and precipitation). A total of 43,475 eggs and 2,269 larvae were captured. Of these larvae, 80.1% were in the pre-flexion and larval yolk stages. Digestive tract content showed that the greatest degree of repletion among the larvae in more advanced phases occurred in the pool environment. Water speed was the main characteristic used to differentiate the river's rapids and mouth from the pool. The abundance of zooplankton and benthos was not related to the distribution of densities among the different components of the ichthyoplankton. A greater abundance of eggs and larvae with yolk was found in the rapids and river mouth. Ordination analyses showed a connection between the advanced stage larvae and the pool environment. In conclusion, the rapids and river mouth of the Ligeiro River's are important locations for fish reproduction, particularly in regard to spawning and drifting of the ichthyoplankton's initial stages, whereas the pool represents a nursery place for larval growth.

O presente estudo visa determinar a importância de diferentes ambientes do rio Ligeiro (alto rio Uruguai/Brasil) na reprodução dos peixes. Para isto foram selecionados três ambientes (locais): uma corredeira, um poço e a foz do rio Ligeiro. As coletas de ictioplâncton, zooplâncton e bentos foram realizadas seis vezes por mês, entre os meses de setembro de 2006 a março de 2007. As amostras de zooplâncton e ictioplâncton foram coletadas no início da noite com redes de plâncton com malha 64 µm e 500 µm, respectivamente. A coleta de bentos também aconteceu no início da noite e foi realizada com uma draga de Van Veen. Variáveis abióticas locais (temperatura, oxigênio dissolvido, pH, condutividade elétrica, velocidade da água, alcalinidade, dureza e transparência da água) foram mensuradas simultaneamente as coletas dos dados bióticos e complementadas por variáveis regionais (vazão da água e precipitação). Foi capturado um total de 43.475 ovos e 2.269 larvas; destas, 80,1% se encontravam nos estágios larval vitelino e pré-flexão. O conteúdo do trato digestório das larvas mostrou que o maior grau de repleção das larvas em estágios mais avançados foi encontrado no poço. A velocidade da água foi o principal fator que discriminou a corredeira e foz do poço. A abundância do zooplâncton e dos bentos não tiveram relação com distribuição das densidades dos diferentes componentes do ictioplâncton. Houve diferença na distribuição dos diferentes componentes do ictioplâncton nos ambientes estudados, com maior abundância de ovos e larvas com vitelo na corredeira e na foz do rio. As ordenações mostraram relação das larvas em estágios avançados com o poço. Conclui-se, portanto, que para a reprodução dos peixes, a corredeira e a foz se apresentam como importantes sítios para a desova dos peixes e deriva dos estágios iniciais do ictioplâncton, enquanto que o poço mostrou relevância como sítio de crescimento das larvas de peixes no rio Ligeiro.