Isolation and Chemical Characterization of Antifungal, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Compounds from Centrosema coriaceum using GC/MS, UFLC-QTOF-MS, and FACE.

In recent years, natural products with biological activities have been increasingly researched. The elucidation of phytoconstituents is necessary for the development of drugs as a natural alternative for the treatment of various diseases. The work aimed to evaluate in vitro and in silico bioactivities of hexane (CCHE) and methanol (CCME) fractions of ethanolic extract from Centrosema coriaceum Benth (Fabaceae) leaves and elucidate their phytoconstituents. CCHE and CCME showed antifungal activity for Candida glabrata (MIC of 1000 µg/mL) with fungistatic effect and action in cell envelope by sorbitol and ergosterol assays. CCHE and CCME presented promising antioxidant activity against the DPPH radical with IC50 of 13.61±0.50 and 6.31±0.40 µg/mL, respectively, and relative antioxidant activity (RAA%) of 45.77±3.61/ 28.53±2.25 % for CCHE and 82.18±2.25/51.99±3.23 % for CCME when compared to rutin and quercetin, respectively. Moreover, these fractions demonstrated promising results for the inhibition of lipid peroxidation by ß-carotene/linoleic acid assay. For anti-inflammatory and cytotoxicity activities, CCHE and CCME significantly inhibited the production of nitric oxide and TNF-α, without toxicity on murine intraperitoneal macrophages, respectively. Esters, alkanes, steroids, tocopherols, and terpenes were identified in CCHE by GC/MS. Flavonoids, phenolic acids, and disaccharides were detected in CCME by UFLC-QTOF-MS and FACE. Furthermore, rutin was purified from CCME. In silico predictions evidenced that compounds present in both fractions have high affinity to the fungal membrane besides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Based on these observations, CCHE and CCME have a noteworthy potential for the design of novel antifungal and anti-inflammatory agents that should be explored in future studies.

Diagnostic accuracy of classical radiological measurements for basilar invagination of type B at MRI.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of classical measurements for basilar invagination (BI) of type B at MRI. METHODS: This study used head MRIs from 31 participants with BI type B and 96 controls. The radiological criterion for BI was the odontoid process invagination using the obex as reference. It based on the independent prospective reading of two neuroradiologists. Concordance between the two neuroradiologists was analysed through the KAPPA index, and the discrepancy was resolved in a consensus meeting. A third examiner measured in two occasions (double blind) the distance of the odontoid apex to Chamberlain's line (DOCL) and McGregor's line (DOMG), clivus canal angle (CCA), Welcker's basal angle (WBA), and Boogaard's angle (BOA). Intra-examiner reproducibility of the measurements was evaluated with the intraclass correlation coefficient and the diagnostic accuracy by ROC curve. All analyses were at 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: Agreement between the two neuroradiologists was statistically relevant (KAPPA = .91; P = .0001). The intra-examiner reproducibilities were .98 (DOCL), .97 (DOMG), .96 (CCA), .94 (WBA), and .95 (BOA) (P < .05). The areas under the ROC curve were .963 (DOCL), .940 (DOMG), .880 (CCA), .867 (WBA), and .951 (BOA) (P < .05). The cut-off criteria were ≥ 7 mm (DOCL), ≥ 8 mm (DOMG), ≤ 145° (CCA), ≥ 142° (WBA), and ≥ 136° (BOA). The diagnostic accuracies were .904 (DOCL), .870 (DOMG), .844 (CCA), .810 (WBA), and .899 (BOA). CONCLUSION: The DOCL and BOA presented the highest diagnostic accuracy for BI type B. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Effects of intrauterine infusion of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide on uterine mRNA gene expression and peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocytes in Jersey cows diagnosed with purulent vaginal discharge.

The objectives of the current experiment were to investigate the effects of intrauterine treatment of cows with purulent vaginal discharge (PVD) using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Escherichia coli on uterine mRNA expression of genes related to inflammatory responses, peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) function, hematological parameters, and blood concentrations of cortisol, haptoglobin, and progesterone (P4). Jersey cows (n = 3,084) were examined for PVD at 35 ± 6 d postpartum using the Metricheck device (Simcro, Hamilton, New Zealand). At examination, 310 cows had PVD (10.1%), but to ensure proper collection and processing of samples, 267 cows were used in this experiment. Cows were balanced for lactation number, body condition score, and milk yield, and randomly assigned to the control treatment [intrauterine infusion of 20 mL of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS); n = 87] or to receive intrauterine infusion of 20 mL of PBS containing 150 µg (LPS150; n = 91) or 300 µg (LPS300; n = 89) of E. coli LPS. Uteri were biopsied in a subgroup of cows at 6 h after infusion and in another subgroup of cows at 24 h after infusion. Peripheral PMN expression of adhesion molecules (L-selectin and MAC-1) and phagocytosis and oxidative burst were evaluated at 0, 2, and 6 h after infusion. Blood sampled 0, 2, 6, 24, 48, and 168 h after infusion was used for complete hemogram and to determine concentrations of cortisol, haptoglobin, and P4. Treatment did not affect uterine mRNA expression of adhesion molecules [endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule (E-selectin), intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1)], cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10), and toll-like receptor-4. Treatment did not affect PMN expression of L-selectin, but intensity of expression of MAC-1 was higher for LPS150 cows than PBS cows, and tended to be higher in LPS150 than LPS300 cows. Furthermore, a greater percentage of PMN from LPS300 cows were positive for phagocytosis and oxidative burst compared with PBS and LPS150 cows. No effects were observed of treatment on hematological parameters and concentrations of cortisol, haptoglobin, and P4. These observations suggest that intrauterine infusion of E. coli LPS moderately stimulates peripheral PMN function, but further research is needed to better understand the immunomodulatory effects of LPS in the uterus of cows with PVD.

Effects of intrauterine infusion of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide on uterine health, resolution of purulent vaginal discharge, and reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows.

The objectives of the current experiment were to evaluate the effects of intrauterine infusion of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in cows diagnosed with purulent vaginal discharge (PVD) on intrauterine cell population, resolution of PVD, uterine health, and reproductive performance. Jersey cows (n = 3,084) were examined using the Metricheck device to diagnose PVD at 35 ± 6 d postpartum. Purulent vaginal discharge was defined as the presence of purulent (≥50% pus) discharge detectable in the vagina. Of the 310 cows positive for PVD, 267 cows were enrolled in the current experiment. To ensure proper timing of treatment and collection of samples, only 9 PVD-positive cows were treated per day. Selected cows were balanced at 35 ± 6 d postpartum for lactation number, body condition score, and milk yield and were randomly assigned to receive an intrauterine infusion of 20 mL of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS; control, n = 87), 20 mL of PBS with 150 µg LPS (LPS150, n = 91), or 20 mL of PBS with 300 µg of LPS (LPS300, n = 89). Uterine cytology was performed immediately before treatment and 1, 2, and 7 d after treatment to evaluate the effect of LPS treatment on intrauterine cell population. Cows were examined with the Metricheck device at 7 and 28 d after treatment to evaluate the effects of treatment on resolution of PVD. Reproductive status was recorded up to 200 d postpartum. Cows diagnosed with PVD had greater incidence of twinning, dystocia, retained placenta, and metritis after calving than cows without PVD. Count of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) in uterine cytology 1, 2, and 7 d after intrauterine infusion was not statistically different among treatments. From d 0 to 1, however, PMNL count in uterine cytology of PBS cows increased by 5%, whereas the PMNL count in uterine cytology of LPS150 and LPS300 cows increased by 54 and 48%, respectively. Treatment did not affect the likelihood of cows being diagnosed with PVD 7 and 28 d after intrauterine infusion. Cows without PVD and LPS150 cows were more likely to be pregnant after the first postpartum AI than PBS cows. After the second postpartum AI, cows without PVD were more likely to be pregnant than PBS and LPS300 cows. Hazard of pregnancy up to 200 d postpartum was decreased for PBS and LPS300 cows compared with cows without PVD, and it tended to be decreased for LPS150 cows compared with cows without PVD. Intrauterine treatment with 150 µg of E. coli LPS of cows diagnosed with PVD improved likelihood of pregnancy after the first postpartum AI, but further research is needed to elucidate the mechanism by which LPS treatment improved fertility.

Social stressors and their effects on immunity and health of periparturient dairy cows.

Management practices during the periparturient period have been the focus of much research recently because during this period immune function, metabolism, and health of cows are severely challenged. Responses to stress are often classified as behavioral, immunological, neuroendocrine, and autonomic. In production systems, understanding all facets of stress response is important to correctly predict the consequences of stressors to the health and performance of animals and to prevent costly managerial changes that have minimal effect on animal well-being and performance. Common social stressors faced by periparturient animals are regrouping, overstocking, and for nulliparous animals, commingling with parous animals. In conventional dairies, feeding strategies during the periparturient period often require several group changes during the most challenging period of an animal's life. Traditional weekly regrouping of prepartum cows increases competitive behavior at the feed bunk but it does not affect immune and metabolic responses, health and production, as long as stocking density is not overwhelming, and nulliparous and parous animals are housed separately. Stocking density of prepartum animals may be overlooked because these are nonproductive animals. Severe overstocking (200% of feeding space) of commingled nulliparous and parous pregnant animals produces neuroendocrine and metabolic changes. On the other hand, when prepartum nulliparous and parous animals are housed separately, stocking densities of up to 120% do not seem to affect innate and adaptive immunity, metabolic responses, milk yield, and reproductive performance, despite increasing negative behavior among cows. In recent experiments, when animals were ranked based on feed bunk displacement, dominant animals were more likely to be diagnosed with metritis than subordinate animals. Importantly, dominant animals with large number of interactions with pen mates (displacement at the feed bunk) were considerably more likely to be diagnosed with uterine diseases (retained placenta and metritis) and to be removed from the herd within 60d postpartum. Much has been learned about behavioral responses of cows to stressful conditions, but our understanding of neuroendocrine and immune responses to such conditions is somewhat limited. A multidisciplinary approach to research that encompasses several responses to stress and biological functions is critical.

Short communication: Plasma progesterone concentration and ovarian dynamics of lactating Jersey cows treated with 1 or 2 intravaginal progesterone inserts.

The objectives of the current experiment were to determine circulating progesterone concentrations and ovarian follicle development of lactating Jersey cows treated with 1 or 2 controlled internal drug release (CIDR) insert containing 1.38 g of progesterone during proestrus. Cows were enrolled in the experiment at 34 ± 3 d in milk and were paired by parity, body condition score, body weight, and milk yield. Estrous cycles were presynchronized with an injection of GnRH concurrent with a new CIDR insert (study d -7) and 2 injections of PGF2α given 5 and 6 d after the GnRH injection (study d -2 and -1, respectively). Cows assigned to the 1CIDR treatment (n=30) or 2CIDR treatment (n=30) received 1 and 2 CIDR inserts, respectively, from study d 0 through 7. Control cows (n=10) did not receive further treatment. On study d -2 and daily from study d 0 through 7, ovaries were examined by transrectal ultrasound and blood samples were collected for determination of progesterone. On study d 7, CIDR inserts were removed after ultrasound exam and blood sample collection. Progesterone concentration from study d 0 through 7 was greatest for 2CIDR cows (2.17 ± 0.09 ng/mL), followed by 1CIDR cows (1.37 ± 0.10 ng/mL) and control cows (0.62 ± 0.21 ng/mL). The interaction between treatment and study day affected progesterone concentration from study d 0 through 7. The average increase in progesterone concentration from study d 1 through 7 was 0.80 ng/mL for 1CIDR and 1.72 ng/mL for 2CIDR cows compared with control cows. The percentage of cows that ovulated between study d 0 and 7 was greatest for control cows (80%), but it did not differ between 1CIDR (12%) and 2CIDR (3.7%) cows. Growth of class III follicles (10-17 mm) identified on study d 0 was affected by treatment because 1CIDR cows had larger class III follicles than 2CIDR cows on study d 5, 6 and 7. A larger proportion of control cows developed a new follicular wave between study d 0 and 7 (control=60.0%, 1CIDR=12.0%, 2CIDR=7.4%). Treatment of lactating Jersey cows with 1 and 2 CIDR inserts resulted in a 1 and 2 fold increase, respectively, in circulating progesterone concentration. Growth class III follicles from cows treated with 2 CIDR inserts was reduced compared with untreated cows and cows treated with 1 CIDR insert.

Characterization of peripartum rumination and activity of cows diagnosed with metabolic and uterine diseases.

The objectives of the current experiment were to characterize the correlation among total serum Ca, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), and haptoglobin concentrations and daily rumination time (DRT) and activity of periparturient cows and to determine the association between periparturient events and peripartum DRT and activity. Holstein animals (nulliparous = 77, parous = 219) were enrolled in the experiment approximately 21 d before expected calving date. Cows were fitted with individual Heat Rumination Long Distance collars (HRLD, SCR Engineers Ltd., Netanya, Israel) from enrollment until approximately 21 ± 3 d postpartum. Blood samples collected weekly from enrollment to 21 d postpartum were used to determine concentrations of NEFA, BHBA, and haptoglobin. Blood samples collected within 72 h after calving were used to determine total serum Ca concentration. Subclinical ketosis was characterized by BHBA > 1,000 µmol/L in any sample, and subclinical hypocalcemia was characterized by Ca < 8.55 ng/dL within 72 h after calving. Cows were examined 1, 7 ± 3, and 14 ± 3 d postpartum for diagnosis of retained fetal membrane and metritis. Total Ca (r = 0.15), NEFA (r = -0.27), and haptoglobin (r = -0.18) concentrations were weakly correlated with DRT. Concentration of BHBA (r = -0.14) was weakly correlated with activity. Postpartum DRT was reduced among cows that delivered twins compared with cows that delivered singletons (437.9 ± 4.8 vs. 385.9 ± 17.1 min/d). Prepartum (465.8 ± 4.1 vs 430.8 ± 14.9 arbitrary units) and postpartum (536.5 ± 5.5 vs. 480.3 ± 19.4 arbitrary units) activity were reduced among cows that delivered twins compared with cows that delivered singletons. Delivery of stillborn calves was associated with reduced DRT prepartum (478.0 ± 5.9 vs. 417.0 ± 23.4 min/d) and postpartum (437.2 ± 4.8 vs. 386.5 ± 19.3 min/d). On the other hand, cows delivering stillborn calves had increased activity prepartum compared with cows delivering live calves (499.3 ± 16.2 vs. 461.3 ± 4.1 arbitrary unit). Occurrence of retained fetal membrane tended to and was associated with reduced prepartum (444.3 ± 11.0 vs. 466.5 ± 4.3 arbitrary unit) and postpartum (488.2 ± 14.5 vs. 538.8 ± 5.7 arbitrary unit) activity, respectively. Cows diagnosed with metritis had reduced postpartum DRT (415.9 ± 10.1 vs. 441.0 ± 5.2 min/d) and activity (512.5 ± 11.5 vs. 539.2 ± 6.0 arbitrary unit). Postpartum activity was reduced among cows that were diagnosed with subclinical ketosis (502.20 ± 16.5 vs. 536.6 ± 6.2 arbitrary unit). Although differences in DRT and activity between populations of cows that developed periparturient diseases and healthy cows were observed, further experiments are necessary to determine how DRT and activity data may be used to precociously diagnose individuals that will develop such periparturient diseases.

24-h cardiac autonomic profile after exercise in sedentary subjects.

Most studies regarding the impact of exercise intensity on cardiac autonomic regulation were conducted with athletes and used exercise intensities exceeding those recommended by position stands. We evaluated the influence of exercise intensity in a typical ACSM-aerobic session on 24-h cardiac autonomic modulation in sedentary subjects. Ten healthy sedentary subjects participated in the 3-day study. On 2 days, subjects performed a moderate- or high-intensity aerobic exercise session (MI, HI). The post-exercise protocol consisted of a continuous electrocardiographic recording for 1 h at the laboratory plus 23 h under ambulatory conditions. On the third day 24-h electrocardiographic recording was done without prior exercise (NPE). Heart rate (HR) and frequency-domain parameters (LF, HF) of heart rate variability were evaluated during the entire recovery period. Higher values of HR and lower values of HF and LF were observed throughout the first hour after the HI compared with the MI session. This difference was not observed after in ambulatory awake condition, but reappeared during sleep, when HF values after HI were lower compared with the NPE and MI (p<0.05). Even within the submaximal intensity-range of a typical exercise session, the intensity of exercise influences the post-exercise cardiac autonomic modulation in sedentary subjects.

Antifungal Annona muricata L. (soursop) extract targets the cell envelope of multi-drug resistant Candida albicans.

ETNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Annona muricata L. (soursop) is traditionally used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, cancer, and infections caused by fungi. The therapeutic activity explored by its medicinal use is generally associated with its phytoconstituents, such as acetogenins and alkaloids. However, its potential antifungal bioactivity as well as its mechanism of action remains to be established. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the antifungal activity of the ethanolic extract of A. muricata leaves against multidrug-resistant Candida albicans (ATCC® 10231). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Phytoconstituents were detected by UFLC-QTOF-MS. The minimum inhibitory concentration was determined, followed by the determination of the minimum fungicidal concentration. For planktonic cells, the growth curve and cell density were evaluated. Studies to understand the mechanism of action on the cell envelope involved crystal violet permeability, membrane extravasation, sorbitol protection, exogenous ergosterol binding assay, metabolic activity, and cell viability. Furthermore, mitochondrial membrane potential was assessed. RESULTS: Our analyses demonstrated a significant inhibitory effect of A. muricata, with the ability to reduce fungal growth by 58% and cell density by 65%. The extract affected both the fungal plasma membrane and cell wall integrity, with significant reduction of the cell viability. Depolarization of the fungal mitochondrial membrane was observed after treatment with A. muricata. Rutin, xi-anomuricine, kaempferol-3O-rutinoside, nornuciferine, xylopine, atherosperminine, caffeic acid, asimilobine, s-norcorydine, loliolide, annohexocin, annomuricin, annopentocin, and sucrose were identified as extract bioactive components. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that the A. muricata extract is a source of chemical diversity, which acts as a potential antifungal agent with promising application to the therapy of infections caused by C. albicans.

Mitracarpus frigidus reduces lipid metabolism and PGE2 levels in inflammatory cells.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the ability of the aqueous extract of Mitracarpus frigidus (MFAq) to inhibit lipid body formation and inflammatory mediator production in macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ). METHODS: MFAq was chemically characterized by ultrafast liquid chromatography/quadruple time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry. The macrophages obtained from mice were incubated with MFAq. Cell viability and membrane integrity were evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and propidium iodide assays, respectively. Moreover, NO, reactive oxygen species (ROS), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels and lipid bodies (LBs) were examined in macrophages that were stimulated with LPS and IFN-γ and treated with MFAq. Finally, molecular docking analysis was conducted to investigate the interaction of MFAq with the cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) enzyme. KEY FINDINGS: Chlorogenic acid, clarinoside, harounoside, rutin, kaempferol-3O-rutinoside and 2-azaanthraquinone were identified in MFAq. MFAq significantly inhibited NO, ROS and LBs, and did not affect the membrane integrity of macrophages. MFAq-treated cells showed significantly lower levels of TGF-ß and PGE2. Molecular docking demonstrated that the compounds found in MFAq are able to inhibit COX-2 by binding to important residues in the catalytic site. CONCLUSIONS: MFAq interferes with lipid metabolism in stimulated macrophages, leading to the reduction of important inflammatory mediators. Furthermore, MFAq can directly inhibit the COX-2 enzyme or inhibit its expression owing to its ability to reduce NO production.

Investigating Type B Basilar Invagination Through Cephalic Indices.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare the diagnostic accuracy of cephalic indices for type B basilar invagination (BI). METHODS: This retrospective study examined head and neck magnetic resonance imaging sequences of 31 Group B BI cases and 96 controls. Two examiners blinded to diagnostic data evaluated the cephalic indices of each magnetic resonance imaging sequence, described as width/length (WLI) and height/width (HWI). The distance of the odontoid process apex to Chamberlain line and clivus canal angle were measured. The interexaminer and intraexaminer reproducibility of the cephalic indices was calculated using intraclass correlation coefficient. The diagnostic accuracy was discerned by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. All analyses were scrutinized with a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: Cephalic indices showed interexaminer and intraexaminer reproducibility ≥94%. The areas under the ROC curve were 0.639 (WLI) and 0.874 (HWI) (95% confidence interval: P < 0.05). The HWI showed a sensitivity of 74.7% and a specificity of 85.5% for the cutoff criterion ≤58. The WLI presented a sensitivity of 53.3% and a specificity of 66.7% for the cutoff criterion ≥86. CONCLUSIONS: The HWI showed the largest area under the ROC curve in comparison with the WLI, with robust sensitivity and specificity values, indicating that the proportions between cranial height and width can help clinicians in investigating type B BI.

Foramen Magnum Angle: A New Parameter for Basilar Invagination of Type B.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the foramen magnum angle (FMA) as a new parameter for basilar invagination (BI) type B. METHODS: The FMA was performed on sagittal slice of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a line from the hard palate to the opisthion (angle vertex), and another line from the opisthion to the basion. The MRIs from 31 participants with BI type B and 96 controls were used. Intraclass correlation coefficient, descriptive data, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used for statistical analysis at the 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: The interobserver agreement of the FMA was 0.952. Patients with BI type B had a FMA significantly greater (25.9° ± 9.3°) than control participants (11.6° ± 4.9°) (P < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve showed a diagnostic value of 0.947. The FMA showed sensitivity 0.900 and specificity 0.854 for the cutoff criterion 17° (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The FMA had an optimal diagnostic value that provided complementary evidence to investigate BI type B.

Toll-like receptor-7/8 agonist kill Leishmania amazonensis by acting as pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory agent.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of the anti-Leishmanial activity of imidazoquinoline-based TLR7/8 agonists. METHODS: TLR7/8-active imidazoquinolines (2 and 3) were synthesized and assessed for activity against Leishmania amazonensis-intracellular amastigotes using mouse peritoneal macrophages. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines was determined in infected and non-infected macrophages. KEY FINDINGS: The imidazoquinolines, 2 and 3, were primarily agonists of TLR7 with compound 3 also showing modest TLR8 activity. Docking studies showed them to occupy the same binding pocket on TLR7 and 8 as the known agonists, imiquimod and resiquimod. Compounds 2 and 3 inhibited the growth of L. amazonensis-intracellular amastigotes with the most potent compound (3, IC50 = 5.93 µM) having an IC50 value close to miltefosine (IC50 = 4.05 µM), a known anti-Leishmanial drug. Compound 3 induced macrophages to produce ROS, NO and inflammatory cytokines that likely explain the anti-Leishmanial effects. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that activating TLR7 using compounds 2 or 3 induces anti-Leishmanial activity associated with induction of free radicals and inflammatory cytokines able to kill the parasites. While 2 and 3 had a very narrow cytotoxicity window for macrophages, this identifies the possibility to further develop this chemical scaffold to less cytotoxic TLR7/8 agonist for potential use as anti-Leishmanial drug.

Is Basilar Invagination Related with Stenosis of the Hypoglossal Nerve Canal?

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between basilar invagination (BI) and stenosis in the hypoglossal canal (HC). METHODS: A case-control study with magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of the head from a local database was performed. The study used MRIs of 31 patients with BI (type B) and 36 controls, both groups over 18 years of age and without sex distinction. The internal (ID) and external (ED) diameters of the HC were measured on the coronal plane using the Osirix in its free version 3.9.2 (Mac-Apple platform). We used the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test (with Lilliefors adjustment) to evaluate the normality of the variables, the Levine test to verify the homogeneity of the variances, and Student's t test to verify differences between groups. All analyses were within the 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: Control group presented right and left ED values of 4.7 ± 0.8 mm and 4.6 ± 0.9 mm, respectively, while the right and left ID showed 4.4 ± 0.9 mm and 4.3 ± 0.8 mm, respectively. The group with BI showed right and left ED values of 3.3 ± 0.9 mm and 3.1 ± 0.9 mm, and the right and left ID had values of 2.8 ± 0.7 mm and 2.7 ± 0.7 mm, respectively. Both ED and ID were smaller in the group with BI (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with BI of type B presented the narrowing of HC when compared with control participants.

Health self-perception and its association with physical activity and nutritional status in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between total physical activities, physical activity in free time and nutritional status with self-perceived health in adolescents of both genders. METHODS: This is a quantitative study that integrates the school-based, cross-sectional epidemiological survey with statewide coverage, whose sample consisted of 6261 adolescents (14-19 years old) selected by random conglomerate sampling. Data were collected using the Global School-based Student Health Survey. The chi-squared test (χ2) and the Poisson regression model with robust variance were used in the data analyses. RESULTS: It was observed that 27.3% of the adolescents had a negative health self-perception, which was higher among girls (33.0% vs. 19.0%, p<0.001). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, it was observed that boys who did not practice physical activity during free time (PR=1.44, 95% CI: 1.15-1.81) and were classified as insufficiently active (PR=1.27, 95% CI: 1.04-1.56), as well as girls who did not practice physical activity during free time (PR=1.15, 95% CI: 1.02-1.29) and were classified as overweight (PR=1.27, 95% CI: 1.01-1.29) had a greater chance of negative health self-perception. CONCLUSION: Behavioral issues may have different effects on health self-perception when comparing boys with girls. Negative health self-perception was associated with nutritional status in girls and a lower level of physical activity in boys, and the practice of physical activity in the free time was considered a protective factor against a negative health self-perception for adolescents of both genders.

Diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging in post-traumatic brachial plexus injuries: A systematic review.

Computed Tomographic Myelography (CTM) is a gold-standard imaging test for evaluating the brachial plexus and has been used for a long time. Another imaging test more recently used is Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI), which is also part of the plexus evaluation. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of MRI in diagnosing post-traumatic injuries of the brachial plexus. We conducted a Systematic Review with cross-sectional studies of diagnostic accuracy. Studies with populations presenting post-traumatic brachial plexus injury, over 16 years old, both genders, and examined by CT Myelography and MRI were evaluated. The trial resulted in three studies that covered the inclusion criteria. The sample consisted of 46 participants. The tool Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) was used to evaluate the quality of the studies, and the software RevMan was used to identify the homogeneity of the studies that entered the analysis. The study was registered in PROSPERO under the number CRD42016041720. Studies showed moderate to high risk of bias, with low or very low quality of evidence due to the limitations of studies and differences in comparing the assessment groups. The heterogeneity of the studies made it impossible to create meta-analyzes. MRI has been an excellent test for assessing traumatic brachial plexus injuries in clinical practice; however, the quantitative analysis of studies identified a lack in methodological rigor. Future studies should focus on methodological rigor, providing more accurate assessments of modalities and their benefits.

Extracellular lipid droplets promote hemozoin crystallization in the gut of the blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni.

Hemozoin (Hz) is a heme crystal produced upon hemoglobin digestion as the main mechanism of heme disposal in several hematophagous organisms. Here, we show that, in the helminth Schistosoma mansoni, Hz formation occurs in extracellular lipid droplets (LDs). Transmission electron microscopy of adult worms revealed the presence of numerous electron-lucent round structures similar to LDs in gut lumen, where multicrystalline Hz assemblies were found associated to their surfaces. Female regurgitates promoted Hz formation in vitro in reactions partially inhibited by boiling. Fractionation of regurgitates showed that Hz crystallization activity was essentially concentrated on lower density fractions, which have small amounts of pre-formed Hz crystals, suggesting that hydrophilic-hydrophobic interfaces, and not Hz itself, play a key catalytic role in Hz formation in S. mansoni. Thus, these data demonstrate that LDs present in the gut lumen of S. mansoni support Hz formation possibly by allowing association of heme to the lipid-water interface of these structures.

Association between Prepartum Feeding Behavior and Periparturient Health Disorders in Dairy Cows.

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between prepartum feeding behavior, measured as time spent feeding per day, and periparturient health disorders, milk yield, milk composition, and milk somatic cell count in Jersey cows. Pregnant Jersey cows were marked with unique alphanumeric symbols and were moved into a prepartum group 4 weeks prior to their expected calving date. At enrollment, cows with a body condition score <2 or >4 or a locomotion score >3 were not included. Time spent feeding was measured using 10-min video scan sampling for 24-h periods of 2-4 days per week of the study. A total of 925 cows were eligible for analysis. Parity was based on lactation number at the time of enrollment and classified as nulliparous (cows pregnant with their first calf), primiparous (cows pregnant with their second calf), and multiparous (lactation ≥2). Multiparous cows with two or more health disorders spent approximately 10% less time feeding prepartum than cows that did not have any health disorders. Multiparous cows subsequently diagnosed with metritis had a tendency to spend 5% less time feeding prepartum than healthy counterparts. Primiparous cows with retained placenta had a 10% reduction in feeding time compared to healthy primiparous cows. Monitoring time spent feeding prepartum by primiparous and multiparous cows, even on a limited number of days, appeared to be beneficial in predicting cows at risk for periparturient health disorders. Real-time daily feeding behavior monitoring technologies that can be used by dairy farms are now available, which might prove to be even more helpful in identifying cows at risk for periparturient cow health disorders as more data points can be recorded for each cow and compared to her own behavior or that of specific cohorts.

Association between general and abdominal obesity with high blood pressure: difference between genders.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between general and abdominal obesity with high blood pressure in adolescents of both genders from the public school system. METHODS: This was an epidemiological, descriptive, exploratory study, with a quantitative approach and local scope whose sample consisted of 481 high school students (aged 14-19), selected by using a random cluster sampling strategy. Blood pressure was measured through the use of automated monitor and was considered high when the pressure values were at or above the 95th percentile. The analyses were performed using the chi-squared test and binary logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of high blood pressure was 6.4%, and it was higher among boys (9.0% vs. 4.7%, p<0.05). There was no significant difference between general (p=0.903) and abdominal obesity (p=0.157) when genders were compared. After adjusting for age, high blood pressure was associated with general (OR=6.4; p<0.001) and abdominal obesity (OR=7.0; p<0.001) only among boys, when comparing the fourth quartile with the first quartile of body mass index (≤ 18.6 kg/m(2)vs. ≥ 23.5 kg/m(2)) and waist circumference (≤ 69 cm vs. ≥ 80.1cm). CONCLUSION: It was observed that general and abdominal obesity are associated with high blood pressure only in boys, regardless of age.