Reproducibility, validity, and reliability of the incremental step test for subjects with moderate to severe asthma.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the measurement properties of the incremental step test in subjects with moderate to severe asthma. METHODS: Subjects with moderate to severe persistent asthma were recruited from a tertiary university hospital specializing in treating severe asthma. All subjects performed one cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) and two incremental step tests (IST) in random sequences. Pulmonary gas exchange was measured during all exercise tests. The measurement properties investigated were reliability by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), measurement error by the standard error of measurement and minimum detectable difference, construct validity by Pearson's correlation, and interpretability by the ceiling and floor effects. RESULTS: Fifty subjects (38 females, mean [SD], age 43.7 [11.6] yr, % FEV1 70 [14.3], BMI 28.5 [5.3] kg/m2) completed the study. The peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) for the CPET was 27.6 [±6.8] ml/kg/min, for the first IST was 22.3 [±5.3] ml/kg/min and for the second IST was 23.3 [±5.3] ml/kg/min. The IST presented excellent reliability (ICC=0.93, CI95% 0.88-0.96), very good measurement error (2.5%), and construct validity for peak VO2 measurement compared to the CPET (r = 0.85; p < 0.001) to assess exercise capacity in subjects with moderate to severe asthma, with appropriate ceiling (10%) and floor (0%) effects. CONCLUSION: The IST presented excellent reliability and very good measurement error and validity to assess exercise capacity in subjects with moderate to severe asthma, without ceiling or floor effects.

Intoxication by Ipomoea sericophylla and Ipomoea riedelii in goats in the state of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil.

A disease of the nervous system was observed in goats from two farms of the semiarid of the state of Paraíba, northeastern Brazil. Ipomoea sericophylla was found in one farm and I. riedelii in the other. Both plants were administered experimentally to five goats each. Both plants induced clinical signs similar to those observed in spontaneous cases. Two goats died spontaneously and five were euthanatized. Three goats recovered after the withdrawal of the plants. Histological examination showed that all goats that died spontaneously or were euthanized had diffuse vacuolation of neurons, macrophages of lymphatic tissues, and epithelial cells of pancreas, thyroid, renal tubules and liver. On electron microscopy of Purkinje cells, numerous dilated membrane bordered vacuoles were identified as lysosomes. On lectin-histochemical analysis, cerebellar cells gave positive reactions to Concanavalia ensiformis, Triticum vulgaris, and succinylated-T. vulgaris, which indicate the storage of alpha-D-mannose, alpha-D-glucose, beta-D-N-acetyl-glucosamine, and acetyl-neuraminic acid. The chemical analysis of I. sericophylla and I. riedelii showed 0.11 and 0.14% of swainsonine, respectively. The latter also contained calystegines B1, B2 and C1. It is concluded that I. sericophylla and I. riedelli cause a lysosomal storage disease.

Electrical behavior of T-wave polarity alternans in patients with congenital long QT syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate the incidence and characteristics of onset of T-wave polarity alternans (TWPA) in patients with long QT syndrome. BACKGROUND: The T-wave alternans is a phenomenon that consists of beat-to-beat variability in the amplitude, morphology, and sometimes polarity of the T-wave, and it may trigger life-threatening arrhythmias. METHODS: The 24-h Holter recordings of 11 patients with congenital long QT syndrome were studied. Episodes of TWPA with 10 or more consecutive cycles were selected and analyzed as follows: 1) mean cycle length (MCL) and QTc interval duration (QTcI) of the episodes of TWPA and the 10 cycles preceding and succeeding the TWPA; 2) MCL and QTcI of the third, second, and first minute before onset (Mn_3, Mn_2, Mn_1); 3) MCL and QTcI from the tenth to the first cycle immediately preceding the onset of TWPA (R_10 to R_1); 4) MCL and QTcI from the first to the fourteenth cycle during alternans (R0 to R14); 5) MCL and QTcI from the first to the tenth cycle immediately succeeding TWPA (R+1 to R+10); 6) linear correlation (Lnc) between QT interval and cycle length (CL) (LncQT/CL) during alternans and for the 10 preceding cycles; 7) Lnc between the first three alternans cycles and episode duration (Lnc 3CL/EpD); and 8) difference between the longest and shortest QTc interval. We also selected episodes consisting of four or more consecutive cycles in order to analyze daily rhythms of the phenomenon. RESULTS: The TWPA was observed in 5 (45%) out of the 11 patients studied. The alternans process is initiated by a sudden shortening of the first alternans cycle without previous heart rate changes and ends at the moment when prolongation of the cycle tends to occur. LncQT/ CL-alternans: r = 0.38 +/- 0.2 (p = 0.20); without alternans: r = 0.81 +/- 0.06 (p = 0.01). Lnc 3CL/EpD: r = 0.002 (p = 0.992). The QTc difference during alternans: 312.0 +/- 52.1 ms; without alternans: 86.0 +/- 36.4 ms (p = 0.001). Daily rhythm: 71% of the episodes occurred between 8 AM and 8 PM, with higher incidence during the morning. CONCLUSIONS: The TWPA was dependent on the cardiac CL; there was loss of the LncQT/CL and an increase in the QT interval variability. Like other biological variables, T-wave polarity alternans has a higher density during the morning.

Tremorgenic syndrome in goats caused by Ipomoea asarifolia in Northeastern Brazil.

Green leaves of Ipomoea asarifolia were dosed to 10 goats. Nine goats ingesting 5-37 g/kg bw daily had clinical signs in 4-38 days. One goat ingesting 2.5 g/kg bw daily during 125 days and two control goats had no clinical signs. Clinical signs were characteristic for a tremorgenic syndrome. Five goats recovered in 4-9 days after the withdrawal of the plant. Two goats died spontaneously and three were euthanased for histologic and ultrastructural studies. No significant lesions were observed at necropsies or on the histologic and ultrastructural studies. Samples of the plant analyzed for enzymatic inhibitors were negative for calystegines and contained an almost undetectable amount of swainsonine (less than 0.001%). It is concluded that I. asarifolia causes a tremorgenic syndrome due to an unknown tremorgenic phytotoxins or mycotoxins.

In vitro study of the antibiotic activity of diterpenes.

The antibiotic activity of 16 diterpenes and of 2 phenanthrene derivatives of diterpene origin, isolated from Brazilian plants was investigated against bacteria, yeasts, dermatophytes and aflatoxin-producing fungi. Eight of the compounds were completely inactive. None showed inhibitory activity against the Gram-negative bacteria assayed or against the Aspergillus species. The phenanthrene derivatives, chemically very similar to phytoalexins isolated from orchids, were especially active.

Generation of monoclonal antibodies against surface antigens of Moraxella bovis.

Six hybridoma lines producing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against Moraxella bovis were established from fusions between the SP2/0 myeloma cells and BALB/c mice splenocytes. Three antibodies were of the IgG1 isotype, two were IgG2a, and one was IgG2b. The specificity of the antibodies was determined by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using whole cells of M. bovis and of other Gram-negative bacteria, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from M. bovis JUR2 and E. coli as antigens. Ascitic fluid produced by the six hybridoma lines inhibited hemagglutination by M. bovis GF9. One MAb (35F) reacted specifically with purified M. bovis LPS in the ELISA test. The MAb panel detected heterogeneity among the isolates recovered from different geographical regions.

[Contribution of dynamic electrocardiography by Holter monitoring in the evaluation of congenital long QT syndrome patients]. / Contribuição de eletrocardiografia dinâmica pelo sistema Holter na avaliação de pacientes com a síndrome congênita do QT longo.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of ambulatory electrocardiogram as a clinical tool to assess ventricular repolarization in patients with the congenital long QT syndrome. METHODS: The study population comprised six patients and their data were compared to a control group of six patients matched in age and gender. The QT interval (ms), corrected by the heart rate, was measured in the first minute of each hour using two monitoring leads, with the mean of six consecutive complexes. The data obtained include the morphologic pattern of T wave, the mean 24-h QTc interval, relation between QT and cardiac cycle, QTc variability (assessed calculating hourly standard deviation of the interval and then obtaining the global 24-h mean), QTc dispersion (difference between the longest and shortest QTc interval). RESULTS: In all patients abnormal patterns of T waves were detected with frequent episodes of T wave alternans. Mean 24-h QTc--patients: 598.2 +/- 73.8 ms; controls: 436.1 +/- 8.9 ms (p = 0.000). Linear correlation and regression between QT and heart rate-patients: r = 0.812; controls: r = 0.967 (p = 0.000). QTc variability-patients: 36.9 +/- 17.2 ms; controls: 14.7 +/- 2.1 ms (p = 0.01). QTc dispersion-patients: 168.3 +/- 70.2 ms; controls: 53.3 +/- 8.1 ms (p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: The data showed increased hourly QTc variability. QTc dispersion and worse correlation between QT and heart rate. This data may reflect an abnormally augmented ventricular vulnerability.

[Angioplasty of distal aorta and iliac, femoral, popliteal, renal and subclavian arteries. Early and late results]. / Angioplastia de aorta distal e artérias ilíaca, femoral, poplítea, renal e subclávia. Resultados imediatos e tardios.

PURPOSE: To study the late results of peripheral angioplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the period of 8 years from August, 1981 until August, 1989, 27 patients were submitted to 33 procedures of peripheral angioplasty. RESULTS: There was success in 29 procedures, an insufficient dilatation in 1 and and failure in 3 (2 new attempts were effective). Success rate was 88% of the procedures; clinical and angiographic success was reached in 25 (93%) of the 27 patients. Thirty four obstructions were successful dilated: 12 in renal artery, 12 in common iliac artery, 4 in external iliac artery, 3 in superficial femoral artery, 1 in distal aorta. In the evolution we had a restenosis of a renal artery that was redilated, a precocious occlusion of a common iliac artery (9% of common iliac artery dilatations and 6% of the total of the iliac dilatations) and a popliteal occlusion. Of the 34 dilatations we had a patency of 91% until 2 months. CONCLUSION: Angioplasty showed to be an effective method with good results in the long term follow-up.

Aspectos clínicos e laboratoriais do complexo gengivite-estomatite em gatos domés / Clinic and laboratorial profile of Gingivostomatitis Complex in domestic cats

Foram incluídos 76 gatos domésticos com diferentes graus (I a IV) de lesões em cavidade oral, os quais foram avaliados clinicamente e tiveram coletadas amostras de sangue e suabes da cavidade oral. A maioria dos gatos portadores de CGE eram machos, castrados, adultos, sem raça definida e com estilo de vida confinado. Os sinais clínicos observados e associados à gravidade da inflamação na cavidade oral foram halitose (98,7%); ptialismo (22,4%); hemorragia bucal (9,2%) e úlcera na parte superior dos lábios (2,6%); desconforto à manipulação da cavidade oral (44,7%) e perda dentária (55,3%). A maioria dos gatos avaliados foi classificada no grau II (43,4%). Não se observou diferença significativa nos resultados do eritrograma dos gatos portadores de CGE, independentemente da gravidade das lesões e da sintomatologia clínica. Entretanto, observou-se neutrofilia (21,1%) e aumento de proteínas plasmáticas totais (47,3%), na maioria dos animais de grau II, sugerindo que esses parâmetros laboratoriais, quando aumentados, possam estar associados a graus menos graves de CGE. A análise das lâminas de citologia da cavidade oral dos gatos demonstrou que a presença de Simonsiella spp. foi mais frequente nos animais incluídos no grau IV, entretanto não é possível afirmar que essa bactéria esteja relacionada à gravidade das lesões.(AU)

Seventy six domestic cats classified with different scores (I to IV) of oral lesions have been included in the study, being clinically examined and having blood samples and oral cavity swabs collected. Most cats diagnosed with Gingivostomatitis Complex (GSC) were male, neutered, adult, DSH, and lived confined. Clinical signs observed and related to the severity of mouth inflammation were halitosis (98.7%), ptyalism (22.4%), oral hemorrhage (9.2%), and upper lip ulcers (2.6%); discomfort during mouth examination (44.7%) and tooth loss (55,3%). Most cats have been classified as score II (43.4%). The red blood cell count showed no significant statistical difference regardless the different scores of oral lesions and clinical symptoms. However, the leukogram showed neutrophilia (21.1%) and plasmatic proteins had an increased level (47.3%), in most of the animals classified as score II, suggesting that these parameters, when increased, may be associated to less severe GSC scores. Oral cavity microscope slides analysis showed that Simonsiella spp. have been more frequent in the cytology of the score IV animals, however, it does not allow us to correlate the presence of the bacteria with the severity lesions degree.(AU)

Seventy six domestic cats classified with different scores (I to IV) of oral lesions have been included in the study, being clinically examined and having blood samples and oral cavity swabs collected. Most cats diagnosed with Gingivostomatitis Complex (GSC) were male, neutered, adult, DSH, and lived confined. Clinical signs observed and related to the severity of mouth inflammation were halitosis (98.7%), ptyalism (22.4%), oral hemorrhage (9.2%), and upper lip ulcers (2.6%); discomfort during mouth examination (44.7%) and tooth loss (55,3%). Most cats have been classified as score II (43.4%). The red blood cell count showed no significant statistical difference regardless the different scores of oral lesions and clinical symptoms. However, the leukogram showed neutrophilia (21.1%) and plasmatic proteins had an increased level (47.3%), in most of the animals classified as score II, suggesting that these parameters, when increased, may be associated to less severe GSC scores. Oral cavity microscope slides analysis showed that Simonsiella spp. have been more frequent in the cytology of the score IV animals, however, it does not allow us to correlate the presence of the bacteria with the severity lesions degree.(AU)

Qualidade fisiológica e sanitária de sementes de erva-doce (Foeniculum vulgare Mill. ) armazenadas / Physiological and sanitary quality of fennel seeds stored

A incidência de fungos em sementes interfere negativamente o seu potencial fisiológico, podendo ter início no campo, durante o armazenamento ou na pós-colheita. Desta forma o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade fisiológica e sanitária de sementes de erva-doce armazenadas em diferentes embalagens. O trabalho foi realizado no Laboratório de análise de sementes da UFPB, em Areia-PB. As sementes foram colhidas em plantas tratadas e não tratadas com inseticida Actara, beneficiadas e acondicionadas nas embalagens papel alumínio, saco plástico e vidro. Em seguida, armazenadas em câmara fria durante 315 dias. Inicialmente e a cada 45 dias foram realizados as seguintes determinações e testes: teor de água, emergência de plântulas, primeira contagem de emergência, índice de velocidade de emergência, comprimento e massa seca das plântulas e sanidade das sementes pelo método "blotter-test". Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições, os tratamentos foram distribuídos em fatorial 2 x 3 x 8 (com e sem inseticida, 3 embalagens e 8 períodos de avaliação). Os resultados indicam que a qualidade fisiológica das sementes de erva-doce foi principalmente afetada pelo fungo Alternaria sp., ocorrendo a manutenção da viabilidade das sementes por aproximadamente 95 dias na embalagem de saco plástico; a aplicação do inseticida Actara mantém a qualidade fisiológica das sementes de Foeniculum vulgare no armazenamento.

The fungi incidence in seeds affect negatively their physiological potential may begin in the field, during storage or in post-harvest. The objective was to evaluate the sanitary quality of fennel seeds stored in packagings differents. The study was conducted in laboratory analysis of seeds of UFPB, in Areia-PB. Seeds were harvested in experimental field with plants treated and untreated with insecticide Actara, processed and packed in aluminum foil, plastic bag and glass and stored in cold chamber during 315 days. Initially and every 45 days were performed the following tests and determinations: water content, seedling emergence, first count of emergency, emergency speed index, length and seedling dry mass and seed health by the "blotter-test." We used a completely randomized design with four replications, the treatments were distributed in a factorial 2 x 3 x 8. The results indicated that the physiological quality of fennel seeds was negatively affected by the fungus Alternaria sp., occurring at maintaining the viability of seeds for about 95 days in the plastic bag packaging; the application of the insecticide Actara keeps the physiological quality of seeds of Foeniculum vulgare in storage.

Intoxication of goats by Plumbago scandens in Northeastern Brazil.

In the State of Paraiba, Northeastern Brazil, goat mortality occurred with the ingestion of Plumbago scandens. The fresh plant was then given experimentally to 4 goats at 5, 10, 17.5 or 25 g/kg bw. Depression, anorexia, salivation with foamy saliva, bellowing, bruxism, humpbacked posture, bloat, ruminal atony, continuous lateral head movements, tachycardia, dyspnea and dark brown to black urine were observed in the goats given 17.5 or 25 g/kg bw. The goats receiving 5 or 10 g/kg bw had less severe signs. The goat dosed with 25 g/kg bw died after 18-20 h. All others recovered in 3-9 d. At necropsy of the high dose goat, the main lesions were dark violet to black discoloration of the mucosa of the tongue, esophagus, reticulum and ventral sac of the rumen, and gelatinous edema in the visceral ruminal peritoneum. Histologically the reticulum and ventral rumen sac had diffuse epithelial necrosis and severe edema and neutrophilic infiltration of the submucosa. Separation of the ruminal epithelium from the submucosa was observed. Epithelial degeneration and necrosis was also seen in the omasum, esophagus and tongue. Reproduction of the disease with clinical signs similar to those observed by the farmer in the spontaneously affected goats suggests that the clinical mortality was caused by ingestion of Plumbago scandens.

Contribuição de eltrocardiografia dinâmica pelo sistema holter na avaliação de pacientes com a síndrome congênita do QT longo / Contribution of the dynamic electrocardiography by holter monitoring in the evaluation of congenital long QT syndrome patients

OBJETIVO - Avaliar pelo Holter-24h a dinâmica da repolarização ventricular de pacientes com a síndrome congênita do QT longo. MÉTODOS - Foram incluídos seis pacientes, sendo os resultados confrontados com os observados em um grupo controle semelhante em número, idade e sexo. Analisaram-se nas gravaçöes a morfologia da onda T e sua dinâmica, o intervalo QTc médio para as 24h, as relaçöes entre QT e ciclo cardíaco, a variabilidade do QTc das 24h, bem como a sua dispersão (diferença entre o maior e menor QTc observado). Todas as variáveis foram definidas a partir da medida do intervalo QT obtida no 1§ minuto de cada hora da gravação. RESULTADOS - Alteraçöes morfológicas da onda T estiveram presentes em todos os pacientes, observando-se em cindo deles freqüentes episódios de alternância da onda T, achados ausentes no controle. QTc médio para as 24h - controle: 436,1ñ8,9ms; pacientes: 598,2ñ73,8ms (p=0,000). Correlação linear entre QT e ciclo cardíaco - controle: r=0,967; pacientes: r=0,812 (p=0,000). Variabilidade do QTc para as 24h - controle: 14,7ñ2,1ms; pacientes: 36,9ñ17,1ms (p=0,01). Dispersão do QTc - controle: 53,3ñ8,1ms; pacientes: 168,3ñ70,2ms (p=0,000). CONCLUSÄO - Os resultados apresentaram ampla variabiblidade dos intervalos QTc nas 24h, menor adaptabiblidade do intervalo QT às flutuaçöes dos ciclos cardíacos e significativa dispersão da repolarização ventricular nas 24h, confirmando mais uma vez a existência de importante alteração da vulnerabilidade ventricular nesses pacientes.

In vitro study of the antibiotic activity of diterpenes

The antibiotic activity of 16 diterpenes and of 2 phenanthrehene derivatives of diterpene origin, isolated from Brazilian plants was investigated against bacteria, yeasts, dermatophytes and aflatoxin-producing fung. Eight of the compounds were completely inactive. None showed inhibitory activity against the Gram-negative bacteria assaywed or aginst the Aspergillus species. The phenanthrene derivatives, chemically very simular to phytoalexins isolated from orchids, were especially active