Antimicrobial potential of extracts from leaves and culms of an Amazonian native bamboo.

Antibiotics have shown less efficiency against resistance of pathogenic microorganisms. As a result, research centers have sought therapeutic alternatives against multidrug resistance of bacteria to antibiotics, one of which is using plant extracts. Bamboo extracts are used for several medicinal purposes. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial potential of hydroalcoholic extracts of culms and leaves of the species Guadua aff. lynnclarkiae on strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. We evaluated the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Only the leaves of G. aff. lynnclarkiae showed a bactericidal effect for all tested strains with MBC ranging from 1.55 mg ml-1 to 25 mg ml-1. The culms had bacteriostatic action with MIC ranging from 1.55 mg ml-1 to 6.25 mg ml-1, and bactericidal action at the concentration of 6.25 mg ml-1 only for S. aureus. This study provides bases for the use of this Amazonian native bamboo in bioprospecting.

Age-related changes in the articular cartilage of the mandible of rats.

This study investigated the effects of aging on the articular cartilage of the mandible. Wistar rats were divided in two groups (n = 10/per group): 3-months-old group (young group); and 13-months-old group (aged group). After euthanasia, the head of the mandible was collected and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) to evaluate the thickness of the articular layer and cartilage. Sections stained with Picrosirius red and Safranin O were used to evaluate the collagen and proteoglycans deposition, respectively. First, aging has decreased the articular layer thickness. Second, the results suggest a decrease of chondrocytes followed by an increase of the matrix to maintain the mandible homeostasis. Finally, both collagen and proteoglycans increased with aging. Aging displayed important effects to the mandible of aged rats.

Ultrastructural effects of diabetes in the right atrium cardiomyocytes of elderly Wistar rats

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of diabetes on quantitative parameters of right atrial cardiomyocytes of elderly rats. Wistar rats (14-mo of age) were divided into two groups: streptozotocin-diabetic rats (DG); and control rats (CG). The groups were sacrificed at 16 months. Ultrafine sections of the right atrium were analyzed by electron microscopy. In elderly diabetic animals, histograms of the frequency distribution of natriuretic peptides according to their size showed increased number of small and medium peptides in relation to large peptides, which increased its numerical density leading to a decrease in the mean diameter of both natriuretic peptides. However, elderly diabetic animals remained normotensive. No significant difference was observed between the groups for the volume density of mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. In conclusion, elderly diabetic rats showed increased functional activity of atrial cardiomyocytes with greater production of natriuretic peptides in association with a quantitative maintenance of cytoplasmic components. (AU)

Increased monocyte activation with age among HIV-infected long term non-progressor children: implications for early treatment initiation.

OBJECTIVES: The key to newer therapeutic and eradication approaches often lies in understanding slow disease progression in HIV infection. The paediatric population has been poorly studied in this regard. We aimed to describe a cohort of perinatally infected long-term nonprogressor (LTNP) children living with HIV in India and to evaluate the immune biomarkers of disease progression. METHODS: LTNPs (ART-naïve, with a CD4 count ≥ 500 cells/µL at age ≥ 7 years) among the cohort of HIV-infected children were identified and monitored longitudinally, and their CD4 T-cell counts and plasma viral loads were measured every 6 months. The plasma monocyte/macrophage activation markers, namely soluble CD14 (sCD14), soluble CD163 (sCD163) and interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in LTNPs and progressors. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare the two groups and P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Spearman's rank or Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was calculated to determine the associations between variables. RESULTS: Among 378 children living with HIV-1 surveyed in our cohort, 40 (10.6%) were LTNPs. Longitudinal analysis of the LTNP data showed that both CD4 count and viral load declined significantly with age (P < 0.0001 for both). Plasma sCD14 levels were significantly (P < 0.005) higher in progressors and sCD163 levels were significantly (P < 0.0001) higher in LTNPs. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of LTNPs in our cohort of perinatally infected children living with HIV was 10.6%. We observed a trend for associations between the increasing sCD163 monocyte/macrophage activation marker levels, declining CD4 counts and the gradual loss of nonprogressor status with age in the LTNPs. These findings underscore the need for early antiretroviral therapy in those children with proven slow disease progression.

Utilização de plasma rico em plaquetas de coelhos com poucos leucócitos e hemácias para a consolidação de ossos / Use of plasma rich in platelets of rabbits with few leukocytes and erythrocytes to consolidate bones

Objetivou-se utilizar o plasma rico em plaquetas, obtido por técnica capaz de produzir um produto autólogo, com reduzido número de leucócitos e hemácias, e avaliar, por meio de radiografias, a capacidade de cicatrização de uma falha óssea induzida no rádio de coelhos. Foram coletados 10,5mL de sangue por via intracardíaca, o qual foi distribuído em três tubos de hemossedimentação contendo citrato de sódio. Os tubos contendo as amostras foram submetidos a uma centrifugação a 2.000rpm (670,8G) por 20 minutos, e da coluna de sedimentação foram aspirados de cada tubo 1.000µL de plasma para a redução do volume sobrenadante. Aspirou-se o plasma acima do anel de leucócitos e transferiu-se para outro tubo para centrifugação a 2.000rpm por 10 minutos. O conteúdo plaquetário no fundo do tubo foi ressuspendido e homogeneizado a 1.000µL do plasma sobrenadante para formar o PRP líquido. Uma falha de 1,0cm foi realizada no rádio esquerdo de cada coelho. O tempo de consolidação foi observado por meio de exame radiográfico aos 45 e 90 dias de pós-operatório (PO). As imagens foram comparadas entre o grupo controle (G1) e o grupo que recebeu o implante de PRP por via transdérmica (G2). A evolução da cicatrização foi verificada com auxílio do programa Adobe Photoshop CC e em uma escala de cinza que representa o contraste. No G2 foi verificada média de 63% de contraste aos 45 dias de PO e de 65% aos 90 dias de PO. No G2, aos 45 dias de PO, a média encontrada foi de 42,7%, e aos 90 dias de PO, 31,25%, indicando que houve evolução do processo de reparação óssea em comparação ao grupo que não recebeu o implante de PRP. O método de obtenção de plasma rico em plaqueta autólogo de coelhos reduziu o número de leucócitos e hemácias e recuperou o número de plaquetas, sendo este maior ou igual aos valores fisiológicos para a espécie. O PRP obtido foi capaz de acelerar o processo de consolidação óssea em coelhos.

The aim of this study was to use the platelet-rich plasma obtained by a technique capable of producing an autologous product, with a reduced number of white blood cells and red blood cells and assessed by radiographs, the healing ability of a bone defect induced in the radio rabbits. 10.5mL of blood was collected via intracardiac blood sedimentation and distributed into three tubes containing sodium citrate. The tubes containing the samples were subjected to centrifugation at 2,000 rpm (670.8G) for 20 minutes and the sediment column were aspirated from each plasma tube1,000μL to reduce the supernatant volume. The plasma was aspirated from above the leukocytes ring and transferred to another tube for centrifugation at 2,000 rpm for 10 minutes. The platelet content in the tube bottom was resuspended and homogenized to 1,000μL plasma supernatant PRP to form the liquid. A1.0 cm failure was performed on the left radio of each rabbit. The healing time was observed by means of radiographic examination at 45 and 90 days after surgery. The images were compared between the control group (G1) and the group receiving PRP implant transdermally (G2). The healing progress was assessed with the help of Adobe Photoshop program and a gray scale that represents the contrast. G2 had an average of 63% contrast at 45 days PO and 65% at 90 days PO. In G2, at 45 days PO the average was 42.7% and at 90 days PO 31.25% indicating that there was an increase in bone repair process compared to the group that did not receive the PRP implant. The method of obtaining an autologous platelet rich plasma of rabbits reduced the number of leukocytes and erythrocytes and platelets recovered which is greater than or equal to the physiological range for the species. The obtained PRP was able to accelerate the process of bone healing in rabbits.

A comparison of virulence patterns and in vivo fitness between hospital- and community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus related to the USA400 clone.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates genetically related to the CA-MRSA clone MW2/USA400 (ST1-SCCmecIV lineage) from the United States have emerged in hospitals in Rio de Janeiro and are associated with nosocomial bloodstream infections. To understand the virulence mechanisms involved in the adaptability of ST1 isolates as a hospital pathogen in Rio de Janeiro, we compared the virulence traits and fitness properties of the Brazilian isolates with those displayed by the CA-MRSA isolates from the United States. Similar to the USA400 from the United States, all the Brazilian isolates tested carried the genes encoding SEH and LukDE. In contrast, none of the Brazilian isolates carried the lukSF PVL, sea, sec, and sek genes. Competition experiments in mice demonstrated a significant increase in the fitness for the CA-MRSA isolates MW2 and USA400-0051 from the United States compared to other isolates. In the foreign body animal model, 83 % more North-American bacterial cells were recovered compared to the Brazilian ST1 isolates. Differences in gene expression of important virulence factors were detected. Transcription of rnaIII and psmα3 was increased about two-fold in the isolates from the United States, and sasG about two-fold in the Brazilian isolates. Thus, it is possible that the virulence attenuation observed among the Brazilian hospital isolates, associated with the acquisition of multiple resistant determinants, are consequences of microevolutionary events that contributed to the necessary fitness adjustment of this lineage, allowing a typically community-acquired MRSA (MW2/USA400) to emerge as a successful hospital pathogen (Brazilian ST1-SCCmecIV).

Spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage from rupture of an anterior communicating artery aneurysm in a patient with pituitary macroadenoma.

The presence of a cerebral aneurysm in patients with pituitary adenoma is a rare event. Diagnostic suspicion may stem from magnetic resonance imaging, which should lead to complementary investigation. As for treatment, even in conditions in which there has been no previous bleeding, the simultaneous approach should be considered, prioritising the aneurysm most of the time. The present report describes the case of a patient with a history of pituitary macroadenoma, who had undergone a partial transsphenoidal resection ten years earlier. Admission to our service occurred after a sudden headache followed by mental confusion. A cranial computed tomography showed subarachnoid haemorrhage and expansive suprasellar lesion. Cerebral angiography showed a saccular aneurysm of the anterior communicating complex. The patient underwent a surgical procedure for microsurgical clipping of the aneurysm and partial resection of the pituitary tumour. We have also included a brief review of the literature on this subject.

Meta-analysis about Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP)

Among the topics studied in physiology and aging, a hormone has been drawing attention from the scientificcommunity: the Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP). The ANP, which is produced by the cardiac atria, hasdemonstrated decisive action in endocrine mechanisms of action inhibiting sodium reabsorption in nephrons,revealing a direct influence on physiological mechanisms linked to aging and chronic stress.The overall objectiveof this study was to assess and analyze scientific literature on the ANP in the Pubmed database from 2010 to2012. 30 articles were collected, verifying authorship and gender division of species, instruments and typesof research. The results showed that the research of multiple authorship appeared mostly with 99.1%, being51.8% of male authorship, 17.9% of female authorship and 29.5% of publications not identified. Researchwith only one author appears with 0.8% in total. As the types of species used, it was observed 50.3% of theworks with humans, 40% with animals and 6.7% mixed (animal / human). As to the instruments used, thebiochemical markers were the ones that stood out, with 30%, followed by label arterial pressure with 12, 2%,drugs, with 11.1% and microscopic studies with 10%. In the typology of research, biochemical research appearsfirst, with 33.3%, followed by research morphophysiological/biochemical research, with 30%, Physiological/ biochemical, with 26.7%, Physiological with 6.7% and Morphophysiological with 3.3%. We can concludethat the publications about the hormone ANP are still little explored when the focus is aging. In the analyzedpublications, there is important information about the physiological and biochemical role of ANP as well ason their molecular composition.

Effects of aging and physical activity on articular cartilage: a literature review

The overall aim of this literature review is, by making use of major databases, to introduce the conceptsabout the articular cartilage structure and the effects of aging on articular cartilage. The effects of physicalexercises on those cartilages are also discussed. The most important observations found are: cartilage thicknessdecreases gradually with age as well the content of proteoglycans and water, and there is an increase and thecollagen fibrils, which may be associated with the increased rigidity and fragility of the articular cartilage. Whenproperly done, physical activities produce compressive stimuli which enhance the activity of chondrocytesincreasing its nuclear volume density per area, as well as the width of the layers leading to greater resistance tocompression. Another consequence is extracellular matrix hydration resulting in greater mechanical resistanceand elasticity and a consequent increase the number of collagen fibrils which generates greater resistance todeformation and implies less rigidity. These facts reduce the risk of breakdown of cartilage when it is subjectedto high mechanical demand.

Restriction modification (RM) tests associated to additional molecular markers for screening prevalent MRSA clones in Brazil.

In this study, we associated the restriction modification (RM) tests to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of molecular markers (SCCmec III, seh, agr II-SCCmec IV, and lukSF) for revealing the main methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clones circulating in Brazil. This simple and rapid approach allowed a precise classification of the MRSA analyzed when compared with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) data.

Effects of the ingestion of 2, 4 Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid on jejunal myenteric neurons in rats

2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is a systemic herbicide. The effects of different levels of 2,4-D on some animal organ systems have been examined, but little is known about its role in the enteric nervous system. The purpose of this study was to verify the effects of 2,4-D administration on the density and morphometry of jejunal myenteric neurons in rats. Ten male rats were assigned to control (C) and experimental (E) groups. For 15 days, group E received, via gavage, 5 mg of 2,4-D.kg–1 body weight. On the 16th day, the animals were sacrificed by a lethal dose of thiopental, and the jejunum was removed by laparotomy and used to obtain whole mount preparations for Giemsa staining and NADPH-diaphorase (NADPHd+) histochemistry to identify neurons. The density and cell body area of the myenteric neurons was measured. In the total neuronal population, the neuronal density/mm2 of the jejunum in groups E and C was equivalent, and the cell body area of the rats in group E was lower (p < 0.05) than that of those in group C. For NADPHd+ neurons, the neuronal density did not differ between the groups, although the cell body area was larger (p < 0.05) in group E. It was concluded that even though 2,4-D does not alter the neuronal density in the rat jejunum, it induces cell body atrophy in the general population of neurons and hypertrophy of the NADPHd+ nitric oxide producing neurons without promoting cell death.

Effects of protein deprivation and refeeding on the subepicardial neurons of rat: subepicardial neurons and low-protein diet

Heart autonomic ganglia play an important role in cardiac rhythm control, protecting against certainarrhythmias due to their parasympathetic activity. Starvation during pregnancy may cause cardiac disorders andhinder optimal cardiac performance. Also, morphology of subepicardial neuron is subjected to the influenceof extrinsic factors. We studied the influence of protein deprivation on subepicardic neurons in rats at earlydevelopment stages and the effect of restoration of a normal diet.: Three groups of pregnant Wistar rats weresubmitted to different diets according to its protein content: normal (NN group) and 5% casein (DD group),until 42 days after delivery and low protein for 21 days with refeeding for a further 21 days (RN group).All animal were weighed. The number and area of neuronal profiles were measured. The neurons werestained by histochemical methods â-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and â-nicotinamide adeninedinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d) and their ultra structure were observed.Group DD and RNanimals weighed less than those from group NN. The number of neurons and the cellular profile area didnot show significant differences among groups for both techniques. Endoplasmatic reticulum ribosomes inneurons of undernourished animals showed decreased electron density. Protein deprivation in early stages ofdevelopment produces ultra structural changes but does not alter the number and profile area of nerve cellbodies in rats.

Effects of estrogen deprivation and physical exerciseson the arterial wall: a literature review

Over the past few decades, there has been a surge of interest in the study of the effect of estrogen on the femaleorganism and the benefits of physical activities on different species of animals. The literature review provides areview of the existing literature on the morphological and/or physiological effects of the estrogen deprivationand/or the role of physical exercises on the arteries of different species of animals and humans. This reviewincludes last decade publications found in the PubMed database. One of the most relevant findings concerningestrogen deprivation was the arterial complacency reduction due to the reduction of elastin, whereas physicalexercises have been widely indicated for the treatment of several cardiovascular disorders and for the hardening of central arteries.

Study on placing electromyography electrodes on lumbar multifidus muscles

Several studies have been carried out in the last decades showing that specific exercises for the multifidus muscle can aid the lumbar back pain treatment. Hence, it is very important to determine the exact location of these muscles for an electromyographic evaluation. The objective of this study is to conduct a literature review to show the different techniques used to place invasive electrodes and test a specific technique through an anatomic study in cadavers. PubMed database in the period of 1970 to 2009 was used. The results suggest that the needle should be introduced 2.5 cm laterally and 1.0 cm cranially from the most inferior point of the spinous process at a 45° medial inclination toward the vertebral laminae until reaching the periosteum. For the L5 level, the needle is inserted at the same angle, 2.5 lateral to the midline between the posterior superior iliac spines.

Structural adaptations of the heart to physical exercises in the metabolic syndrome

The objective of this investigation was to conduct a literature review on the structural adaptations of the heart to physical exercises in the Metabolic Syndrome. The search was conducted in the following electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Sciences, LILLACS and MEDLINE using keywords in English without time restrictions. The metabolic syndrome (MS) is characterized by a group of metabolic risk factors in a person. In Brazil, more than 300.000 people die every year of cardiovascular diseases. According to the Brazilian Ministry of Health, there are currently over 20 million hypertensive and 15 million have diabetes in the country, and this rate is increasing. Physical inactivity, in most individuals, leads to well characterized structural and functional cardiovascular alterations such as myocyte loss with subsequent hypertrophy of the remaining cells and reduction of the arterial complacency. However, the etiology of the cardiovascular alterations is still under investigation. The most likely mechanisms are related to the cumulative harm and several different aggressive factors. Oxidative stress, inflammations, and changes in cardiovascular gene expression seem to influence this system. The benefits of physical exercises have been studied combined with pharmacotherapy offering the opportunity of intervention in the process by using exercises and drugs that can reduce arterial rigidity, cardiac fibrosis, and ventricular hypertrophy.

Biofilm formation and prevalence of lukF-pv, seb, sec and tst genes among hospital- and community-acquired isolates of some international methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus lineages.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important nosocomial agent of biopolymer-associated infections, and isolates of S. aureus can produce different virulence factors, including potent toxins. The biofilm formation and accumulation by certain international MRSA lineages were analysed, and the toxic shock syndrome-associated genes (tst, seb and sec) among these isolates were assessed. In addition, the presence of lukF-pv (encoding the F-subunit of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)) was investigated. Most of the MRSA isolates tested were capable of forming biofilm on polystyrene surfaces, but lacked the superantigen toxin genes that were tested. PVL was rarely detected among the hospital isolates analysed.

Effects of exercise on the morphology of the myenteric neurons of the duodenum of Wistar rats during the ageing process.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of regular physical activity on the morphology of the myenteric plexus of the duodenum in rats during the ageing process. To this end, 45 Wistar rats were divided into three groups: C (sedentary - 6 months old), S (sedentary - 12 months old) and T (trained - 12 months old). The animals of group S were given with a physical activity programme consisting of a 10-min-treadmill workout once a week. The animals of group T were submitted to the physical activity programme five times a week. Their duodenums were collected and submitted to the techniques of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH)-diaphorase enzyme histochemistry for whole-mount preparations and transmission electron microscopy. No differences in the constitution of the myenteric plexuses were found when the sedentary and trained groups were compared with the control group. The ultrastructural features were similar for the three groups. However, it was verified that the physical activity of the trained animals resulted in a similar myenteric neuron morphology to that of the adult animals (6 months old), thereby confirming its beneficial effect, as the sedentary animals had larger alterations in the collagen fibrils and the basal membrane that occur through ageing. The quantitative analysis showed that the NADH-diaphorase positive neurons decreased with ageing and increased with physical activity (P > 0.05). No significant alteration (P > 0.05) in the neuronal profile area of the NADH-diaphorase positive neurons has been observed with ageing.

Diabetes mellitus-related morphoquantitative changes in the celiac ganglion neurons of the dog.

Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disturbance of domestic carnivores and can cause autonomic neurological disorders, although these are still poorly understood in veterinary medicine. There is little information available on the quantitative adaptation mechanisms of the sympathetic ganglia during diabetes mellitus in domestic mammals. By combining morphometric methods and NADPH-diaphorase staining (as a possible marker for nitric oxide producing neurons), type I diabetes mellitus-related morphoquantitative changes were investigated in the celiac ganglion neurons in dogs. Twelve left celiac ganglia from adult female German shepherd dogs were examined: six ganglia were from non-diabetic and six from diabetic subjects. Consistent hypertrophy of the ganglia was noted in diabetic animals with increase of 55% in length, 53% in width, and 61.5% in thickness. The ordinary microstructure of the ganglia was modified leading to an uneven distribution of the ganglionic units and a more evident distribution of axon fascicles. In contrast to non-diabetic dogs, there was a lack of NADPH-diaphorase perikarial labelling in the celiac ganglion neurons of diabetic animals. The morphometric study showed that both the neuronal and nuclear sizes were significantly larger in diabetic dogs (1.3 and 1.39 times, respectively). The profile density and area fraction of NADPH-diaphorase-reactive celiac ganglion neurons were significantly larger (1.35 and 1.48 times, respectively) in non-diabetic dogs compared to NADPH-diaphorase-non-reactive celiac ganglion neurons in diabetic dogs. Although this study suggests that diabetic neuropathy is associated with neuronal hypertrophy, controversy remains over the possibility of ongoing neuronal loss and the functional interrelationship between them. It is unclear whether neuronal hypertrophy could be a compensation mechanism for a putative neuronal loss during the diabetes mellitus.

Continuous extraction of alpha- and beta-amylases from Zea mays malt in a PEG4000/CaCl2 ATPS.

In the present work, alpha- and beta-amylase enzymes from Zea mays malt were recovered by continuous extraction in a PEG/CaCl2 aqueous two-phase system (ATPS). The influences of the flux rate (RQ), free area of vane (A(free)) and vane rotation (RV) on enzyme recovery were studied by optimization using response surface methodology (RSM). The protein content and enzyme activity were measured from time to time in the extract and refined fluxes. RSM curves showed a squared dependence of recovery index with the RQ, A(free) and RV. The best system for recovering the maize malt enzymes was with low vane rotation and flux rate and high free area of vane. Alpha- and beta-amylases were purified 130-fold in the salt-rich phase.

Purification by expanded bed adsorption and characterization of an alpha-amylases FORILASE NTL from A. niger.

In this work the purification and biochemistry characterization of alpha-amylases from Aspergillus niger (FORILASE NTL) were studied. The effects of expansion degree of resin bed on enzyme purification by expanded bed adsorption (EBA) have also been studied. Residence time distributions (RTD) studies were done to achieve the optimal conditions of the amylases recovery on ion-exchange resin, and glucose solution was used as a new tracer. Results showed that height equivalent of the theoretical plates (HETP), axial dispersion and the Prandt number increased with bed height, bed voidage and linear velocity. The adsorption capacity of alpha-amylases, on the resin, increased with bed height and the best condition was at four-expansion degree. alpha-Amylase characterization showed that this enzyme has high affinity with soluble starch, good hydrolysis potential and molecular weight of 116 kDa.