Effect of selective dopamine D3 and D4 receptor agonists on trunk pulmonary artery vascular reactivity from control and monocrotaline-treated rats.

Dopamine D1-like and D2-like receptors are expressed in the pulmonary arteries, however there is a little information about their effect on vascular tone in pulmonary circulation, even the vascular effect of activation of the dopamine D3 and D4 subtypes in physiological and pathological conditions such as pulmonary hypertension is unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the vascular response of trunk pulmonary artery rings from saline and monocrotaline-treated rats in the presence of selective dopamine receptor agonists. In trunk pulmonary artery rings with intact and denuded endothelium, cumulative concentration-response curves were performed for phenylephrine, acetylcholine, and dopamine receptor agonists (apomorphine-D2-like, SKF38393-D1, quinpirole-D2/D3, 7-OH-DPATD3, and PD168077-D4) alone and in the presence of corresponding selective dopamine receptor antagonists (SCH23390-D1, raclopride-D2/D3, U99194 maleate-D3, and L-745,870-D4). Contractile and relaxant effects generated during the activation with phenylephrine and acetylcholine, respectively, were significantly reduced in intact and denuded endothelium trunk pulmonary artery rings from monocrotaline rats in comparison with control rats. All dopamine receptor agonists, except the 7-OH-DPAT, produced significant vascular relaxation in intact trunk pulmonary artery rings precontracted with phenylephrine in both experimental groups. Also, the vascular relaxation of SKF38393, and particularly apomorphine and PD168077 was significant in denuded endothelium trunk pulmonary artery rings from control and monocrotaline groups. Furthermore, the vasorelaxation induced by these dopamine agonists was significantly reduced in pulmonary preparations from monocrotaline-treated rats in comparison to that recorded in preparations from control rats. The effect of dopamine receptor agonists decreased significantly in the presence of the corresponding antagonist in both experimental groups. The results support that dopamine D4 receptor agonist induces significant vascular relaxation, whereas dopamine D3 receptor agonist induces vasoconstriction in intact and denuded endothelium trunk pulmonary artery rings in control and monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension rats.

Production of ß-galactosidase by Trichoderma sp. through solid-state fermentation targeting the recovery of galactooligosaccharides from whey cheese.

AIMS: Optimization of ß-galactosidase production by Trichoderma sp. under solid-state fermentation using wheat bran as solid substrate through an experimental design and its application targeting the recovery of galactooligosaccharides (GOS) from whey cheese. METHODS AND RESULTS: The ß-galactosidase production by Trichoderma sp. increased 2·3-fold (2·67 U g-1 of substrate) culturing the fungus at 30°C for 187 h, at an inoculum of 105 spores per ml, and a 1 : 1·65 (w/v) ratio of wheat bran to tap water. The best enzyme activity was obtained at 55°C and pH 4·5. The catalytic activity was maintained for up to 180 min incubating at 35-45°C, and above 50% at acidic or alkaline pH for up to 24 h. It also presented resistance to chemical compounds. ß-galactosidase catalysed the hydrolysis of the lactose and the transgalactosylation reaction leading to the production of GOS. CONCLUSION: Trichoderma sp. produced ß-galactosidase with transgalactosylation activity that may be used to recover GOS, products with high added value, from whey cheese. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: ß-galactosidases are used in different industrial sectors. Therefore, the Trichoderma ß-galactosidase is a promising alternative for the production of GOS as prebiotic from the dairy effluents, contributing to the reduction in the environmental impact.

Morbidity in users of Family Health teams in the northeast of Minas Gerais based on the International Classification of Primary Care / Morbidade em usuários de equipes de Saúde da Família no nordeste de Minas Gerais com base na Classificação Internacional da Atenção Primária

This study aimed to characterize the profile of morbidity among users of family health teams in the northeastern macroregion of Minas Gerais, Brazil. This is a cross-sectional population-based study, developed with the teams of the Family Health Strategy (FHS). It was conducted by data collection, using semi-structured questionnaires with specific instruments adjusted for three categories of professional teams of the FHS: physicians, nurses and community health agents (CHA). We used the International Classification of Primary Care, second edition (ICPC-2) to encode morbidity. Information was collected from 17,988 people, and 10,855 (60.3%) were females; 1,662 (9.2%) questionnaires were related to care by the physician; 2,530 (14.1%) were related to care by nurses and 13,796 (76.7%) corresponded to visits by and meetings with the CHA. The main health problems were: circulatory diseases (especially hypertension), musculoskeletal problems (especially back pain) and diseases of the digestive tract (especially intestinal parasites), which accounted for more than 40% of the medical consultations. Nonspecific complaints and visits related to women's health were the most prevalent in the care by nurses. In meetings with CHA, complaints about respiratory, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular diseases were the most pointed. The morbidity profile observed does not differ substantially from the results of other studies. Small differences can be attributed to regional particularities.

Este estudo objetivou caracterizar o perfil de morbidade referida por usuários das equipes de saúde da família na macrorregião nordeste de Minas Gerais. Trata-se de um estudo transversal de base populacional, desenvolvido junto às equipes da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF), com uso de questionários semiestruturados adaptados para três categorias profissionais das equipes de saúde da família: médicos, enfermeiros e agentes comunitários de saúde (ACS). Utilizou-se a Classificação Internacional da Atenção Primária, segunda edição (CIAP 2), para codificação da morbidade referida. Foram coletadas informações de 17.988 pessoas, em 204 equipes da ESF, sendo 10.855 (60,3%) do sexo feminino; 1.662 (9,2%) questionários foram referentes ao atendimento do médico, 2.530 (14,1%) do enfermeiro e 13.796 (76,7%) corresponderam aos encontros com ACS. Os principais problemas de saúde foram: doenças do aparelho circulatório (especialmente hipertensão), queixas musculoesqueléticas (especialmente as lombalgias) e doenças do aparelho digestório (especialmente as parasitoses intestinais), que juntas responderam por mais de 40% das consultas médicas. As queixas inespecíficas e atendimentos relacionados à saúde da mulher foram prevalentes nos atendimentos de enfermeiros. Os ACS registraram mais as queixas referentes a problemas respiratórios, musculoesqueléticos e cardiovasculares. O perfil de morbidade observado não difere substancialmente de outros estudos, com pequenas diferenças que podem ser atribuídas às particularidades regionais.

Morbidity in users of family health teams in the northeast of Minas Gerais based on the International Classification of Primary Care.

This study aimed to characterize the profile of morbidity among users of family health teams in the northeastern macroregion of Minas Gerais, Brazil. This is a cross-sectional population-based study, developed with the teams of the Family Health Strategy (FHS). It was conducted by data collection, using semi-structured questionnaires with specific instruments adjusted for three categories of professional teams of the FHS: physicians, nurses and community health agents (CHA). We used the International Classification of Primary Care, second edition (ICPC-2) to encode morbidity. Information was collected from 17,988 people, and 10,855 (60.3%) were females; 1,662 (9.2%) questionnaires were related to care by the physician; 2,530 (14.1%) were related to care by nurses and 13,796 (76.7%) corresponded to visits by and meetings with the CHA. The main health problems were: circulatory diseases (especially hypertension), musculoskeletal problems (especially back pain) and diseases of the digestive tract (especially intestinal parasites), which accounted for more than 40% of the medical consultations. Nonspecific complaints and visits related to women's health were the most prevalent in the care by nurses. In meetings with CHA, complaints about respiratory, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular diseases were the most pointed. The morbidity profile observed does not differ substantially from the results of other studies. Small differences can be attributed to regional particularities.

Buccal grafts for urethroplasty in pre-pubertal boys: what happens to the neourethra after puberty?

OBJECTIVE: Buccal mucosa grafts (BMG) are often used in complex urethral reconstruction. Following pubertal endogenous androgen stimulation (EAS) in prepubertal boys, there are concerns that the neourethra may not grow proportionally to the phallus. To address the paucity of literature on the topic, this article reports on data for post-pubertal follow up after pre-pubertal BMG urethroplasties (BMGU). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective chart review of boys who underwent staged BMGU before the age of 12 years at a single referral center between 2000 and 2010 and who were followed up until after puberty. Demographic information, initial meatal location, quality of graft before tubularization, flow rate parameters (FRP) and complications were captured. RESULTS: Of the 137 patients who underwent staged BMGU during the study period, 10 satisfied the inclusion criteria. Mean patient age at first stage BMGU was eight years (range five to eleven years). The mean follow-up was 40.6 months (9-66 months). The grafts were harvested from the cheek and lower lip in seven and three cases, respectively. The mean interval between the first and second stage was 15.8 months (6-87 months). Complications included one urethro-cutaneous fistula and two cases of glanular dehiscence. The final position of the meatus was glanular in nine boys and coronal in one. Importantly, no recurrent ventral curvature (VC) was found during the second stage BMGU or reported after puberty. All patients demonstrated normal maximum flow after puberty (mean 25.7 ml/s). CONCLUSION: Buccal mucosa grafts appear to grow proportionally to the phallus after pubertal EAS. No recurrent VC or inadequate FRP were observed in this series. Despite the small number of subjects, the results are reassuring and support continued use of BMG in the pediatric pre-pubertal population.

Evaluation of the clinical and inflammatory responses in exclusively NOTES transvaginal cholecystectomy versus laparoscopic routes: an experimental study in swine.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and inflammatory responses to surgical trauma caused by the natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) transvaginal endoscopic procedure compared with those of the laparoscopic route. METHODS: Twenty-one female swine were divided into three groups of seven animals and subjected to cholecystectomy using laparoscopic, laparotomic, and exclusively NOTES transvaginal routes. A group of five animals served as a control. The animals were monitored during surgery to evaluate anesthetic/surgical time and the presence of complications, which were evaluated after surgery with respect to roaming time, feeding, and the presence of clinical occurrence Measurements of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, CRP, IFN-γ were obtained before and after surgery, on the second and seventh postoperative days, and when the animals were killed and necropsied. RESULTS: All procedures were successfully completed as proposed in each group. Perioperative complications consisted of only gallbladder perforation and hepatic bleeding. The anesthetic/surgical time was longer in the NOTES vaginal group (p < 0.001). The postanesthetic recovery time, roaming, nutrition, and clinical evolution were similar in all groups. IL-1ß and IL-6 were undetectable in all groups. Levels of TNF-α, CRP, and IFN-γ were similar among the groups. However, the evolution of the inflammatory process, measured as the difference between the peak dose and the basal dose of IFN-γ, was lower in the NOTES group than in the laparotomy group. In the necropsy findings, only adhesions were found, with no difference among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The entirely NOTES transvaginal cholecystectomy was feasible and safe. The surgical time was greater for the NOTES vaginal route. The inflammatory response was similar among the groups based on the levels of CRP and IFN-γ. However, the evolution of the inflammatory process seems to have been shorter in the vaginal NOTES group than in the laparotomy group as demonstrated by the difference between the peak and basal doses of IFN-γ.

Sudden death associated with electric shock in a horse: a case report / Muerte súbita asociada a descarga eléctrica en un equino: reporte de uncaso / Morte súbita associada com choque elétrico em um cavalo: relato de caso

The aim of this study was to describe a case of sudden death in a horse associated with electric shock. Refer aThoroughbred horse race, sex male, 7 years old. With a history of sudden collapse and death. He practiced thetechnique described for equine necropsy. Samples were collected from all organs for histology. Additionally, blood samples for complete blood count and blood chemistry. The room where the fish was was assessed with a powerdetector. Necropsy results were cyanotic mucous membranes, marked rigor mortis. Bleeding Ecchymotic epicardiumand endocardium. Liver hemorrhage, adrenal and kidney bruise. The histological sections showed in muscle: marked hypereosinophilia, retains the basic profile of the muscle myofibril, acute coagulation necrosis. Heart: coagulationnecrosis, degeneration of muscle myofibrils with hyalinization and swelling. Hematological tests evidenced acutehemolysis. Environmental assessment with the power detector revealed a discharge of electricity with an amperage≥250 mA. In conclusion we report a case of sudden death in a horse associated with electric shock.

El objetivo de este estudio fue describir un caso de muerte súbita en un equino asociado a una descarga eléctrica.Se remite un equino Pura Sangre de Carrera, de sexo macho, 7 años de edad. Con historia de colapso súbito ymuerte. Se le practicó la técnica de necropsia descrita para equinos. Fueron colectadas muestras de todos los órganos para estudio histológico. Adicionalmente se tomaron muestras de sangre para estudio hematológico y química sanguínea. El recinto donde se encontraba el ejemplar fue evaluado con un detector de electricidad. Los resultados de necropsia fueron: mucosas cianóticas, marcada rigidez cadavérica. Hemorragia equimótica de epicardio y endocardio. Hemorragia hepática, adrenal y renal equimótica. Los cortes histológicos evidenciaron en musculo: marcada hipereosinofilia, se conserva el perfil básico de la miofibrilla muscular, necrosis de coagulación aguda. Corazón: necrosis de coagulación, degeneración de miofibrillas musculares con hialinización y tumefacción. Elestudio hematológico evidenció hemolisis aguda. La evaluación del ambiente con el detector de electricidad reveló una descarga de electricidad con un amperaje ≥250mA. En conclusión se reporta un caso de muerte súbita en unequino asociada a descarga eléctrica.

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever um caso de morte súbita num equino associado a uma descarga elétrica. Éremitido um equino Sangue Puro de Carreira, de sexo macho, 7 anos de idade. Com uma historia de colapso súbito e morte. Foi praticada a técnica de necropsia descrita para equinos. Foram coletadas amostras de todos os órgãos para estudo histológico. Adicionalmente foram tomadas amostras de sangue para estudo hematológico e químicasanguínea. O lugar onde se encontrava o exemplar foi avaliado com um detector de eletricidade. Os resultadosde necropsia foram: mucosas cianóticas, marcada rigidez cadavérica. Hemorragia equimótica de epicardio eendocardio. Hemorragia hepática, adrenal e renal equimótica. Os cortes histológicos evidenciaram em músculo:marcada hipereosinofilia, é conservado o perfil básico da miofibrilha muscular, necrose de coagulação aguda.Coração: necrose de coagulação, degeneração de miofibrilhas musculares com hialinização e tumefação. O estudohematológico evidenciou hemolise aguda. A avaliação do ambiente com o detector de eletricidade revelou umadescarga de eletricidade com um amperagem ≥250mA. Em conclusão é reportado um caso de morte súbita numequino associada à descarga elétrica.

[Prevalence of peripheral neuropathy among primary care type 2 diabetic patients]. / Prevalencia de neuropatía periférica en diabéticos tipo 2 en el primer nivel de atención.

BACKGROUND: Neuropathy is a common complication of diabetic patients. AIM: To determine the prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in Type 2 diabetic patients attended at a family medicine unit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional assessment of 348 type 2 diabetic patients aged 34-89 years (60% females) with a disease duration of 5 to 15 years. Peripheral neurological status was evaluated using The Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument, a tool that includes a self-assessment of symptoms and a physical examination. RESULTS: Diabetic neuropathy was found in 240 patients (69%). The prevalence in males and females was 72 and 67% respectively. The prevalence in patients with a disease duration of 5, 10 and 15 years, was 59, 69 and 77%, respectively. Fifty percent of patients with neuropathy complained of dry skin, 2% had ulcers, 43% had an abnormal perception of vibration and 29% had an abnormal monofilament test. CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in this group of patients was 69% and was directly associated with the duration of the disease.

Risk factors for graft dysfunction in the late period of renal transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Risk factors traditionally associated with kidney graft dysfunction after transplantation are delayed graft function, acute cellular rejection episodes, deceased donor organ source (particularly more than 50 years old), and HLA mismatch. Socioeconomic factors, such as income, education, and type of health insurance, have been reported in some studies. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk factors traditionally associated with worse function of the transplanted kidney and the role of socioeconomic variables among our population. DESIGN OF STUDY: A cohort with 69 patients transplanted in the period 2003 to 2006 was assessed for predictors for a creatinine clearance estimated to be less than 60 mL/min or stage 3 or greater of renal dysfunction at 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Upon bivariate regression analysis, acute tubular necrosis [odds ratio (OR) 6.93 (1.9-24), P = .03], and bacterial infection [OR 4.13 (1.4-12), P < .01] were predictors of risk, which was also observed among transplants of kidneys from deceased donors [OR 2.67 (0.9-7.6), P = .07] or donors aged more than 49 years [OR 4.22 (0.9-18.1), P = .06]. Better education was a significant protective factor [OR 0.3 (0.1-0.9), P = .02]. Upon multivariate logistic regression analysis delayed graft function [OR 5.1 (1.3-20.5), P = .02] and severe bacterial infection [OR 3.9 (1.23-12.9), P = .02] were predictors; there was no association with socioeconomic factor.

The type 2 iodothyronine deiodinase is essential for adaptive thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue.

Type 2 iodothyronine deiodinase (D2) is a selenoenzyme, the product of the recently cloned cAMP-dependent Dio2 gene, which increases 10- to 50-fold during cold stress only in brown adipose tissue (BAT). Here we report that despite a normal plasma 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) concentration, cold-exposed mice with targeted disruption of the Dio2 gene (Dio2(-/-)) become hypothermic due to impaired BAT thermogenesis and survive by compensatory shivering with consequent acute weight loss. This occurs despite normal basal mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) concentration. In Dio2(-/-) brown adipocytes, the acute norepinephrine-, CL316,243-, or forskolin-induced increases in lipolysis, UCP1 mRNA, and O(2) consumption are all reduced due to impaired cAMP generation. These hypothyroid-like abnormalities are completely reversed by a single injection of T3 14 hours earlier. Recent studies suggest that UCP1 is primarily dependent on thyroid hormone receptor beta (TR beta) while the normal sympathetic response of brown adipocytes requires TR alpha. Intracellularly generated T3 may be required to saturate the TR alpha, which has an approximately fourfold lower T3-binding affinity than does TR beta. Thus, D2 is an essential component in the thyroid-sympathetic synergism required for thermal homeostasis in small mammals.

Anogenital warts in children: sexual abuse or unintentional contamination?

Anogenital warts (AGW) were recently recognized in children, and their significance as an index of childhood sexual abuse is controversial. We report our transdisciplinary approach (including a pediatric surgeon, psychologist, social worker, ethics expert, and occasionally law enforcement agents) and its results in a group of 17 children with AGW treated at the public pediatric referral hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during a 3-year period (1996-1999). All children were treated by electrocauterization of the warts, tested for other STDs, and submitted to perineal examination under anesthesia. Families received psycho-social counseling as necessary and cases were referred to child protection and law enforcement agents when indicated according to Brazilian legislation. We identified a high incidence of sexual abuse (8 children, 5/7 > 5 years old), with 3 patients inconclusive as to sexual abuse and 7 cases of perinatal transmission (5/8 < 4 years old). We conclude that AGW are indeed a strong sign of suspicion for sexual abuse in children, especially but not exclusively > 5 years of age. However, strong support and a transdisciplinary approach to the children and their families is necessary to identify it.

Plants from Puerto Rico with anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis properties.

OBJECTIVE: This study assesses the antitubercular potential of natural products obtained from plants reputed to have medicinal properties and collected from the tropical flora of Puerto Rico. BACKGROUND: The increase in persons infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) the world over and the development of resistance to antibiotics by this microbe and other infectious bacteria has created the need for new drugs to replace those which have lost effectiveness. METHOD: In Phase I of this study, ethanolic leaf extracts of fifty local plants were submitted to preliminary screening to assess their in vitro Mycobacterium smegmatis inhibitory activity using the Bauer-Kirby disk diffusion method. In Phase II, the definitive screening of the six most promising extracts which inhibited M. smegmatis were assayed for their MTB inhibitory activity using the BACTEC 460 susceptibility test method. The brine shrimp bioassay was used as a toxicity bioassay and the mice inoculation test was used to determine mice tolerance to the effect of the daily intraperitoneal inoculations of the plant extracts. RESULTS: MTB showed varying degrees of susceptibility to each plant extract. This effect was dependent upon the plant species, dose and time of exposure. Evidence is provided suggesting that: (1) Six crude plant extracts (12%) tested possessed inhibitory capacity at the amount of 500 micrograms per disc; (2) Mammea americana extract yielded the strongest inhibitory effect at 50 micrograms per disc, followed by Marchantia polymorpha, Mangifera indica, Callistemon citrinus, Syzygium jambos and Momordica charantia; (3) the bactericidal inhibitory pattern of MTB growth, exposed to Mammea americana extract, was comparable to streptomycin; and (4) the transitory reduction pattern of MTB growth, produced by Callistemon citrinus, Marchantia polymorpha extracts at 100 micrograms and 250 micrograms, was similar to that of bacteriostatic agents. CONCLUSION: Of 50 plants screened six extracts tested for their anti-MTB activity yielded positive results with varying degrees of inhibition. Mammea americana showed the greatest inhibitory activity suggesting that certain plant species yield valuable anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis substances. The procedures employed in this study, including the BACTEC 460 modified method, are useful for in vitro screening of plant extracts with potential antitubercular activity.

Avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana de um desinfetante hospitalar / The valuation of antimicrobial action test in hospital desinfectant

O teste de avaliação da ação antimicrobiana de um desinfetante hospitalar a base de Fenol sintético no combate à infecção hospitalar, usando-se cepas padronizadas, na diluição recomendada pelo fabricante

Retreatment tuberculosis cases. Factors associated with drug resistance and adverse outcomes.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Risk factors associated with treatment failure and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) were examined among HIV-seronegative patients who were previously treated for tuberculosis (TB). DESIGN: Prospective, cohort study of patients referred to the study hospital for retreatment of TB between March 1986 and March 1990. PATIENTS: The patients belonged to three groups, according to outcomes following their previous treatment: 37 patients who abandoned treatment or suffered relapse after completion of therapy (group A), 91 patients who failed to respond to the first-line drug regimen (group B), and 78 patients who failed to respond to the second-line drug regimen (group C). RESULTS: Patients with Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains resistant to rifampin and isoniazid were found in 2 (6%) in group A, 29 (33%) in group B, and 49 (65%) in group C. Cure was achieved in 77% in group A, 54% in group B, and 36% in group C. Death occurred in none of the patients in group A, 8% in group B, and 24% in group C. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, unfavorable response (failure to sterilize sputum culture, death, and abandonment) was significantly associated with infection with a multidrug-resistant M tuberculosis strain (p = 0.0002), cavitary disease (p = 0.0029), or irregular use of medications (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: These observations show that a previous treatment outcome and current clinical and epidemiologic histories can be used to predict the development of MDR-TB and adverse outcomes in patients undergoing retreatment for TB. Such information may be useful for identifying appropriate patient candidates for programs such as directly observed therapy.