Patterns and prognostic impact of CNS infiltration in adults with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is highly associated with central nervous system (CNS) infiltration and can be associated with higher risk of relapse. Conventional cytology (CC) is the traditional method for diagnosing CNS infiltration, although the use of immunophenotyping by flow cytometry (FC) has gained prominence in recent years due to its higher sensitivity. Also, some authors have proposed that CSF contamination by a traumatic lumbar puncture (TLP) could have a clinical impact. This retrospective study accessed the impact of CNS infiltration by CC or FC on overall survival, event-free survival, and relapse rate. In a cohort of 105 newly diagnosed ALL patients, CNS1, CNS2, and CNS3 status were found in 84%, 14%, and 2%, respectively. We found that extramedullary disease at the diagnosis, higher leukocyte counts, and higher blast percentage were associated with a positive CC. Sensitivity and specificity of CC were 53% and 98%, respectively. Three-year overall survival was 42.5%. Conversely, TLP was not associated with a positive CC nor had an impact on relapse rates. In multivariate analysis, a positive CC was associated with an increased relapse rate (HR 2.074, p = 0.037), while its detection by FC did not associate with this endpoint. Survival rates seem to be increasing over the last years by the adoption of a stratified CNS prophylaxis risk strategy. CSF contamination does not represent a major concern according to our report, as it did not increase CNS involvement or relapse rates.

Increased Delta and Theta Power Density in Sickle Cell Disease Individuals with Chronic Pain Secondary to Hip Osteonecrosis: A Resting-State Eeg Study.

PURPOSE: Identify the presence of a dysfunctional electroencephalographic (EEG) pattern in individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) and hip osteonecrosis, and assess its potential associations with depression, anxiety, pain severity, and serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). METHODS: In this cross-sectional investigation, 24 SCD patients with hip osteonecrosis and chronic pain were matched by age and sex with 19 healthy controls. Resting-state EEG data were recorded using 32 electrodes for both groups. Power spectral density (PSD) and peak alpha frequency (PAF) were computed for each electrode across Delta, Theta, Alpha, and Beta frequency bands. Current Source Density (CSD) measures were performed utilizing the built-in Statistical nonparametric Mapping Method of the LORETA-KEY software. RESULTS: Our findings demonstrated that SCD individuals exhibited higher PSD in delta and theta frequency bands when compared to healthy controls. Moreover, SCD individuals displayed increased CSD in delta and theta frequencies, coupled with decreased CSD in the alpha frequency within brain regions linked to pain processing, motor function, emotion, and attention. In comparison to the control group, depression symptoms, and pain intensity during hip abduction were positively correlated with PSD and CSD in the delta frequency within the parietal region. Depression symptoms also exhibited a positive association with PSD and CSD in the theta frequency within the same region, while serum BDNF levels showed a negative correlation with CSD in the alpha frequency within the left insula. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that individuals with SCD experiencing hip osteonecrosis and chronic pain manifest a dysfunctional EEG pattern characterized by the persistence of low-frequency PSD during a resting state. This dysfunctional EEG pattern may be linked to clinical and biochemical outcomes, including depression symptoms, pain severity during movement, and serum BDNF levels.

Use of machine learning as a tool for determining fire management units in the brazilian atlantic forest.

Geoprocessing techniques are generally applied in natural disaster risk management due to their ability to integrate and visualize different sets of geographic data. The objective of this study was to evaluate the capacity of classification and regression tree (CART) to assess fire risk. MCD45A1 product of the burnt area, relative to a 16-year period (2000-2015) was used to obtain a fire occurrence map, from center points of the raster, using a kernel density approach. The resulting map was then used as a response variable for CART analysis with fire influence variables used as predictors. A total of 12 predictors were determined from several databases, including environmental, physical, and socioeconomic aspects. Rules generated by the regression process allowed to of define different risk levels, expressed in 35 management units, and used to produce a fire prediction map. Results of the regression process (r = 0.94 and r² = 0.88) demonstrate the capability of the CART algorithm in highlighting hierarchical relationships among predictors, while the model's easy interpretability provides a solid basis for decision making. This methodology can be expanded in other environmental risk analysis studies and applied to any area of the globe on a regional scale.

Predictive factors associated with induction-related death in acute myeloid leukemia in a resource-constrained setting.

Despite advances in supportive measures, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remission induction still has a high mortality rate in real-world studies as compared to prospective reports. We analyzed data from 206 AML adult patients treated with conventional chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was the 60-day mortality rate, aiming to find risk factors and to examine the role of anti-infection prophylaxis. The 60-day mortality rate was 26%, raising to 41% among those older than 60 years. Complete response was documented at the end of induction in 49%. The final survival model showed that age > 60 years (HR 3.2), Gram-negative colonization (HR 3), monocytic AML (HR 1.8), C-reactive protein (CRP) > 15 mg/dL (HR 10), and an adverse risk in the genetic stratification (HR 3) were associated with induction death. Multidrug-resistant bacteria colonization, thrombosis, and AKI were documented in 71%, 12%, and 66% of the cohort, respectively. Antibacterial and antifungal prophylaxis did not improve outcomes in this study. Our report corroborated the higher mortality during AML induction compared to real-world data from the USA and Europe. In line with other publications, age and cytogenetic stratification influenced early death in this cohort. Noticeably, Gram-negative colonization, monocytic AML, and CRP were also significant to early mortality.

Lipid profile, apolipoproteins A-1 and B in owl monkeys (Aotus infulatus) in captivity.

BACKGROUND: Owl monkeys (Aotus infulatus) are frequently affected by heart diseases and, as in humans, dyslipidemia is one of the predisposing factors for adverse cardiovascular events. In view of this, the study of the lipid profile and plasma apolipoproteins can contribute to the clinical management of this neotropical primate species. METHODS: Lipid profile as well as A-1 and B apolipoprotein values were analyzed in 60 owl monkeys, studying their relationship with body biometry and the presence of cardiac alterations. RESULTS: Animals suspected of having heart disease did not show significant differences (p < .05) in terms of biometry or in relation to lipid profile and apolipoproteins A-1 and B values; however, higher values of LDL and ApoB and ApoB/ApoA-1 were observed in this group. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to describe the lipid profile and apolipoprotein values in owl monkeys, and further work will be needed to better elucidate the worthiness of LDL, ApoB, and the ApoB/ApoA-1 ratio in this primate species.

The sciatic and radial nerves seem to adapt similarly to different ladder-based resistance training protocols.

The present study aimed to compare the morphological response induced by different ladder-based resistance training (LRT) protocols on the peripheral nerve ultrastructure of young adult Wistar rats. Twenty-nine rodents were distributed into groups: control (CON), submaximal (SUBMAX [6 climbs/session, moderate intensity, 3x/week]) and maximum (MAX [> 4 climbs/session, maximum intensity, 3x/week]) LRT. After 8 weeks, the radial and sciatic nerves were removed and prepared for transmission electron microscopy. In the radial nerve, the myelinated fibers and axons, myelin sheath thickness, and unmyelinated axons were statistically greater in the SUBMAX and MAX. The MAX group had greater unmyelinated fibers than SUBMAX. The Schwann cell (SC) nuclei diameter was statistically larger in the SUBMAX than the CON. The number of microtubules and neurofilaments was statistically higher in the SUBMAX and MAX. In the sciatic nerve, the myelinated fibers, myelinated and unmyelinated axons, and myelin sheath thickness were statistically greater in the SUBMAX and MAX. The SUBMAX and MAX had more SC at the nuclei level than CON. The SC nuclei were statistically larger in the SUBMAX and MAX. The number of microtubules and neurofilaments was statistically higher in the SUBMAX and MAX. Total training load and total load per climb were not different between groups. The SUBMAX and MAX statistically increased maximum carried load (ML). In conclusion, the different LRT protocols induced similar morphological responses in radial and sciatic nerves, probably due to load progression and equal total load volume.

Multivariate strategy for identifying and quantifying jet fuel contaminants by MCR-ALS/PLS models coupled to combined MIR/NIR spectra.

The investigation and control of jet fuel contamination for private aircrafts has gained attention due to the softer monitoring in comparison to commercial aviation. The possible contamination with kerosene solvent (KS) makes this investigation more challenging, since it has physicochemical similarities with jet fuel. To help solve this problem, a chemometric methodology was applied in this research combining multivariate curve resolution with alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) and partial least squares (PLS) models coupled to near- and mid-infrared spectroscopies (MIR/NIR) in order to detect and quantify KS in blends with JET-A1 using 23 samples (5-60% v/v). Additionally, 98 samples were stored for 60 days, and principal component analysis, genetic algorithm, and successive projections algorithm were coupled to linear discriminant analysis (PCA-LDA, GA-LDA, and SPA-LDA) in order to classify the blends according to the bands assigned to oxidation products, such as phenols and carboxylic acids. GA-LDA and SPA-LDA models were accurate and reached 100% sensitivity and specificity. Physicochemical analysis was not able to detect the presence of KS in contaminated jet fuel samples, even in high concentrations. The use of MIR-NIR combined spectra improved the quantification results, thus decreasing the experimental error from 5.22% (using only NIR) to 1.64%. PLS regression quantified the content of KS with high accuracy (RMSEP < 1.64%, R2 > 0.995). The MCR-ALS model stood out for recovering the spectral profile of kerosene solvent by segregating it from jet fuel spectra. The development of models using chemometric tools contributed to a fast, low-cost, and efficient process for quality control that can be applied in the fuel industry.

Unpleasant Pictures Exposure Evokes Different Repercussion on Emotional State and Heart Rate Response in Healthy Women and Men.

To evaluate the heart rate response, emotion and changes in anxiety and anger levels after exposure to unpleasant pictures from the International Assessment Pictures System (IAPS) compared with neutral picture exposure in healthy individuals. Forty participants (23 women) visited the laboratory on two occasions. State anger and state anxiety levels were evaluated pre- and post-visualization of a set of IAPS pictures and heart rate was monitored during exposure. Two different picture sets were utilized-one with neutral pictures (that served as the control) and the other with unpleasant pictures. State anxiety and state anger were higher in post-unpleasant session for women than before (p < 0.001). For men, only state anxiety was higher in the post-unpleasant session (p < 0.001). State anxiety (p = 0.004) and state anger (p < 0.001) post-unpleasant session was higher for women than in men. The pleasure and dominance domains were lower in the unpleasant session for both men and women (p < 0.001), and the arousal domain was higher for both men and women (p < 0.001) than in the neutral session. In the unpleasant session, arousal was higher (p = 0.004), and dominance was lower (p < 0.001) among women than among men, but no difference in pleasure was found (p > 0.05). For women, average heart rate was higher on unpleasant session, compared to neutral (p = 0.01), but not for men (p > 0.05). Women are more sensitive and react strongly to unpleasant picture exposure. The IAPS unpleasant session was not able to induce anger levels in men.

Biochemistry, Doppler echocardiography, and electrocardiography evaluation in captive owl monkeys (Aotus sp).

BACKGROUND: The cardiovascular system of owl monkeys has been studied due to frequent postmortem findings of heart disease in asymptomatic animals. The silent aspect and the difficulty of early diagnosis intensify the importance of studying the cardiovascular system in this species. METHODS: Echocardiogram evaluation was carried out on 60 animals, grouped into suspect or non-suspect of having heart diseases, and evaluated through electrocardiogram, hematology, and biochemical tests. RESULTS: Doppler echocardiography indicated two animals with suspicion of left ventricular hypertrophy and eight with dilated cardiomyopathy. Suspect animals had higher cardiac measurements and reduced shortening fraction. Troponin I was detectable in two animals (0.128 ng/mL and 0.584 ng/mL), and serum albumin concentration was significantly higher in non-suspect animals (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The importance of echocardiographic measurements of IVSd, IVSs, LVIDd, LVIDs, LVPWd, LVPWs, LA, EF, and FS in the cardiac evaluation of captive owl monkeys was evidenced.

Hepatic lesions in captive owl monkeys (Aotus infulatus) with ultrasonographic "starry sky" liver.

BACKGROUND: The "starry sky" (SK) liver is ultrasonographic pattern characterized by multiple hyperechogenic foci in hepatic parenchyma. The study aimed to characterize the microscopic hepatic lesions in captive owl monkeys with SK liver. METHODS: Thirty-seven clinically healthy owl monkeys had their liver scanned and 18 of them had liver biopsy. Animals with SK and peliosis hepatis (PH) were subjected to immunohistochemical and molecular screening for Bartonella spp. RESULTS: SK liver occurred in 59.4% (22/37) of the owl monkeys. Biopsied animals showed steatosis, hydropic degeneration, hemosiderosis, PH, and multifocal granulomatous hepatitis. Two monkeys had SK, granulomatous hepatitis, and PH which were negative for Bartonella spp. CONCLUSIONS: PH and granulomatous hepatitis associated with hepatocellular degenerative lesions may present as hyperechoic nodular liver lesions consisted of SK liver; therefore, concomitant occurrence of two lesions or more contributed to the hepatic SK pattern among owl monkeys and such cases might be clinically monitored.

Ladder-based resistance training elicited similar ultrastructural adjustments in forelimb and hindlimb peripheral nerves of young adult Wistar rats.

To analyze the morphological response induced by high-volume, high-intensity ladder-based resistance training (LRT) on the ultrastructure of the radial (forelimb) and sciatic (hindlimb) nerves of adults Wistar rats. Twenty rats were equally distributed into groups: sedentary (SED) and LRT. After the rodents were subjected to the maximum load (ML) carrying test, the LRT group performed 6-8 progressive climbs (2 × 50% ML, 2 × 75% ML, 2 × 100% ML, and 2 × 100% ML + 30 g) three times per week. After 8 weeks, the radial and sciatic nerves were removed and prepared for transmission electron microscopy. In the radial nerve, myelinated axons cross-sectional area (CSA), unmyelinated axons CSA, myelin sheath thickness, and Schwann cells nuclei area were statistically larger in the LRT group than SED (p < 0.05). Also, the number of microtubules and neurofilaments per field were statistically higher in the LRT group than in SED (p < 0.01). For sciatic nerve, myelinated fibers CSA, unmyelinated axons CSA, myelin sheath thickness, Schwann cells nuclei area, and the number of neurofilaments per field were statistically larger in the LRT group compared to the SED group (p < 0.05). LRT with high-volume and high-intensity effectively induce similar changes in adult Wistar rats' radial and sciatic nerves' ultrastructure.

Use of monitoring indicators in hospital management of antimicrobials.

BACKGROUND: According to the literature, 25% to 50% of antimicrobials prescribed in hospitals are unnecessary or inappropriate, directly impacting antimicrobial resistance. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the use of antimicrobials in a university hospital in Northeast Brazil, using days of therapy (DOT) and length of therapy (LOT) indicators in accordance with the latest national and international recommendations for monitoring the use of antimicrobials. METHODS: This is an observational, prospective analytical study conducted in a teaching hospital, with 94 active beds, distributed between the intensive care unit (ICU), the surgical clinic (SUR), the medical clinic (MED), the pneumology/infectology department (PNE/INF) and pediatrics (PED). The duration of the study was from the beginning of January to the end of December 2018. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 11,634 patient-days were followed up and 50.4% of the patients were found to have received some antimicrobial, with a significant reduction in use of 1% per month throughout the year. Patients were receiving antimicrobial therapy for 376 days in every 1000 days of hospitalization (LOT = 376/1000pd). Overall, the 1st-generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones were the most used in respect of the number of prescriptions and the duration of therapy. The calculated global DOT/LOT ratio showed that each patient received an average of 1.5 antimicrobials during the hospital stay. The incidence of antimicrobial resistance, globally, for both methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin R), Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii (Carbapenem R), was 1 per 1000 patient-days. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained from the analyses revealed that half of the patients admitted to the hospital who took part in the study were exposed to the use of antimicrobials at some point during their stay. Although moderate, it is noteworthy that there was a decline in the use of antimicrobials throughout the year. The indicators used in this study were found to be very effective for gathering data on the use of antimicrobials, and assessing the results of the initiatives taken as part of the Stewardship program.

The effects of exergames on muscle strength: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined studies on the chronic effects of exergames on muscle strength in humans. PubMed, Scopus, CENTRAL, Web of Science, SciELO, Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, and Google Scholar were searched, and manual searches of the reference lists of included studies and hand-searches on Physiotherapy Evidence Database and ResearchGate were conducted from inception to August 10, 2020. Randomized and non-randomized exergame intervention studies with or without a non-exercise group and/or a "usual care intervention group" (any other intervention that did not incorporate exergames), which evaluated muscle strength through direct measurements, were included. Forty-seven and 25 studies were included in the qualitative review and meta-analysis, respectively. The between-groups meta-analyses showed no significant differences between exergames and non-exercise control groups for handgrip strength in heathy/unhealthy middle-aged/older adults or knee extension maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) in healthy older adults. However, exergames provided a greater increase in handgrip strength, knee flexion MVIC, and elbow extension MVIC, but not knee extension MVIC or elbow flexion MVIC, in individuals with different health statuses when compared to usual care interventions. Also, there was a greater increase in handgrip strength in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy favouring usual care plus exergames compared to usual care interventions. These results suggest that exergames may improve upper and lower limb muscle strength in individuals with different heath statuses compared to usual care interventions, but not muscle strength in middle age/older adults after accounting for random error. Also, exergames appear to be a useful tool for improving handgrip strength in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy when added to usual care. However, as the exergame interventions were applied in different populations and there currently are many different approaches to perform exergames, future randomized controlled trials with high methodological quality and large sample sizes are needed to provide more compelling evidence in favour of a specific exergame protocol, or to elucidate exergame protocol design principles that appear to strongly influence outcomes.

Abdominal ultrasound in Saguinus ursulus.

BACKGROUND: The classification of Saguinus ursulus as a new taxon and the vulnerability of this species highlighted the need for data on its specific morphophysiological attributes. This study used ultrasound to determine the typical characteristics of pelvic-abdominal structures and organs. METHODS: Nine healthy primates of the species S. ursulus were evaluated, through ultrasound tests, to determine the morphometry of the organs of the pelvic-abdominal cavity and the levels of ovarian activity. RESULTS: Topography, morphology, and biometrics of the organs were described. It was observed that organs of S. ursulus are similar to those of other Neotropical primate species. However, the kidney morphology is different,the left is triangular and the right is elliptical, while the gallbladder is bilobed. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography has proven to be efficient and effective for organ evaluation. The ultrasound findings are a first step toward understanding the physiology of a less-known species.

Risk factors and incidence of thrombosis in a Brazilian cohort of patients with Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms.

Few data are available regarding epidemiology and outcomes of Philadelphia-negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) in Latin America. Therefore, current models for MPN treatment are based in large cohorts of patients from Europe and North America. In this paper, we conducted a retrospective study to evaluate thrombotic and bleeding events in a cohort of patients with MPN from a reference center in Brazil. A total of 334 patients were included, being essential thrombocythemia the most common diagnosis. Here, we found that 41% of the MPN patients had a thrombotic event prior to the diagnosis. Thrombosis was more frequent in patients under 60 years-old. In a multivariable model, only JAK2 V617F mutation (OR 2.57 95% CI 1.58-4.18, p < 0.001) and presence of two cardiovascular risk factors (OR 1.90 95% CI 1.21-2.98, p < 0.005) were significant for thrombosis. The risk of thrombosis was similar among all subtypes of MPN. Cumulative incidence of thromboembolic event at 5 years from diagnosis was 5.8% (95% CI 3.5-8.9), which is similar to previous studies. The high incidence of thromboembolic events in younger patients suggests that socioeconomic disparities might have a role in the outcomes of MPN.

Experimental yellow fever virus infection in the squirrel monkey (Saimiri spp.) I: gross anatomical and histopathological findings in organs at necropsy.

BACKGROUND: Non-human primates contribute to the spread of the yellow fever virus (YFV) and the establishment of transmission cycles in endemic areas. OBJECTIVE: To describe the severe histopathological aspects of YFV infection, 10 squirrel monkeys were infected with YFV and blood, brain, liver, kidney, spleen, heart, lung, lymph node and stomach were collected at 1-7, 10, 20 and 30 days post-infection (dpi). METHODS: Histopathological analysis and detection of the genome and viral antigens and neutralising antibodies were performed by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and neutralisation test, respectively. FINDINGS: Only one animal died from the experimental infection. The genome and viral antigens were detected in all investigated organs (1-30 dpi) and the neutralising antibodies from seven to 30 dpi. The brain contained perivascular haemorrhage (6 dpi); in the liver, midzonal haemorrhage and lytic necrosis (6 dpi) were observed. The kidney had bleeding in the Bowman's capsule and tubular necrosis (6 dpi). Pyknotic lymphocytes were observed in the spleen (1-20 dpi), the lung had haemorrhage (2-6 dpi), in the endocardium it contained nuclear pyknosis and necrosis (2-3 dpi) and the stomach contained blood in the lumen (6 dpi). MAIN FINDINGS: Squirrel monkeys reliably reproduced the responses observed in human cases of yellow fever and, therefore, constitute an excellent experimental model for studies on the pathophysiology of the disease.

Cardiac arrhythmias after renal I/R depend on IL-1ß.

AIMS: Cardiac arrhythmias are one of the most important remote complications after kidney injury. Renal ischemia reperfusion (I/R) is a major cause of acute renal injury predisposing to several remote dysfunctions, including cardiac electrical disturbance. Since IL-1ß production dependent on NLRP3 represents a link between tissue malfunctioning and cardiac arrhythmias, here we tested the hypothesis that longer ventricular repolarization and arrhythmias after renal I/R depend on this innate immunity sensor. METHODS AND RESULTS: Nlrp3-/- and Casp1-/- mice reacted to renal I/R with no increase in plasma IL-1ß, different from WT (wild-type) I/R. A prolonged QJ interval and an increased susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias were found after I/R compared to Sham controls in wild-type mice at 15 days post-perfusion, but not in Nlrp3-/- or CASP1-/- I/R, indicating that the absence of NLRP3 or CASP1 totally prevented longer QJ interval after renal I/R. In contrast with WT mice, we found no renal atrophy and no renal dysfunction in Nlrp3-/- and Casp1-/- mice after renal I/R. Depletion of macrophages in vivo after I/R and a day before IL-1ß peak (at 7 days post-perfusion) totally prevented prolongation of QJ interval, suggesting that macrophages might participate as sensors of tissue injury. Moreover, treatment of I/R-WT mice with IL-1r antagonist (IL-1ra) from 8 to 15 days post perfusion did not interfere with renal function, but reversed QJ prolongation, prevented the increase in susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias and rescued a close to normal duration and amplitude of calcium transient. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results corroborate the hypothesis that IL-1ß is produced after sensing renal injury through NRLP3-CASP1, and IL-1ß on its turn triggers longer ventricular repolarization and increase susceptibility to cardiac arrhythmias. Still, they offer a therapeutic approach to treat cardiac arrhythmias that arise after renal I/R.

Total training load may explain similar strength gains and muscle hypertrophy seen in aged rats submitted to resistance training and anabolic steroids.

This study aimed to quantify training parameters and analyze the morphological response of aged muscles submitted to resistance training and anabolic steroids. Aged Wistar rats were divided into groups: C - initial control; CF - final control; CAS - control with anabolic steroid, RT - resistance training, and RTA - resistance training with anabolic steroid. Maximum carried load, absolute and relative loads increased significantly in RT and RTA. RTA demonstrated greater relative load than RT. Average total volume, total climbing volume, relative total volume, relative total climbing volume, and mean climbing volume were similar between groups RT and RTA. For soleus, CAS, RT, and RTA enlarged cross-sectional area of type I fibers and nuclear ratio. As for type II fibers, RTA was higher than C and CF. For plantaris, RT and RTA showed significant increases in myofibers type I compared to C and CF. For type II fibers, RTA showed a significant increase compared to C and CF. Regarding the nuclear ratio, RT and RTA showed a higher ratio than C, CF, and CAS. Our results demonstrated that both RT and RTA were not different among the analyzed morphological parameters. This fact can be explained by the absence of differences found in the training variables analyzed.

Effects of resistance training on liver structure and function of aged rats.

The aging process may cause negative physiological changes. However, exercises as resistance training (RT) have been considered an important intervention to attenuate these changes. Additionally, liver plays an important role in blood glucose homeostasis in exercise. AIM: This study aimed to analyze the effects of RT on the liver components of aged animals. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: 24 months' group (CONTROL); and group submitted to a progressive RT protocol for 16 weeks (EXERCISE). Both groups were sacrificed at 24 months. RESULTS: We observed a decrease in blood flow due to the practice of resistance exercises. Besides, our results showed that hepatic tissue plays an important role in glycemic homeostasis during RT. In addition, RT increased mitogen capacity of hepatocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed many implications for the knowledge about the effects of strength training on old animals' liver.

Protection of normal cells from irradiation bystander effects by silica-flufenamic acid nanoparticles.

The development of a myriad of nanoparticles types has opened new possibilities for the diagnostics and treatment of many diseases, especially for cancer. However, most of the researches done so far do not focus on the protection of normal cells surrounding a tumor from irradiation bystander effects that might lead to cancer recurrence. Gap-junctions are known to be involved in this process, which leads to genomic instability of neighboring normal cells, and flufenamic acid (FFA) is included in a new group of gap-junction blockers recently discovered. The present work explores the use of mesoporous silica nanoparticles MCM-41 functionalized with 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) for anchoring the flufenamic acid for its prolonged and controlled release and protection from radiation bystander effects. MCM-41 and functionalized samples were structurally and chemically characterized with multiple techniques. The biocompatibility of all samples was tested in a live/dead assay performed in cultured MRC-5 and HeLa cells. HeLa cells cultured were exposed to 50 Gy of gamma-rays and the media transferred to fibroblast cells cultured separately. Our results show that MCM-41 and functionalized samples have high biocompatibility with MCR-5 and HeLa cells, and most importantly, the FFA delivered by these NPs was able to halt apoptosis, one of main bystander effects.