Infusion of Life: patient perceptions of expressive therapy during chemotherapy sessions.

Through a quanti-qualitative study, we observed the effects of group expressive therapy (ET) sessions on patients' feelings and sense of well-being, as part of the Infusion of Life project. This project is part of a broader programme to improve integral care, developed by an interdisciplinary team headed by a medical doctor who is also an artist and expert in ET. We offered 48 group ET sessions to a total of 253 outpatients with cancer or autoimmune disorders receiving venous infusions in the chemotherapy room of University Hospital Antonio Pedro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The qualitative analysis showed that the programme was a pleasant way to spend time, revived their sense of humour, relieved symptoms, provided meaningful experiences, improved their relationships with staff, enabled expression of their feelings, stimulated them to be creative, improved coping resources and reorganisation of the psyche, and renewed their perspective on life. Family and spirituality were major sources of support. Expressive therapy was shown to be flexible and applicable in small spaces, using recycled materials, even with patients with restrained movements; it can also offer great benefits with relatively small investments if a qualified team is in charge of planning, executing, and auditing the work.

Abiotic factors drives floristic variations of fern's metacommunity in an Atlantic Forest remnant.

We analyzed floristic variations in fern's metacommunity at the local scale and their relationship with abiotic factors in an Atlantic Forest remnant of northeastern Brazil. Floristic and environmental variations were accessed on ten plots of 10 × 20 m. We performed cluster analyses, based on Bray-Curtis dissimilarity index to establish the floristic relationship. The influence of abiotic factors: luminosity, temperature, relative air humidity and relative soil moisture was evaluated from a redundancy analysis. We found 24 species belonging to 20 genera and 12 families. The fern's flora showed high floristic heterogeneity (>75% for most of the plot's associations). The fern's metacommunity was structured along an abiotic gradient modulated by temperature, luminosity, and relative soil moisture.

Mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) shapes metabolic and invasion gene signatures in melanoma.

Mitochondria are central key players in cell metabolism, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) instability has been linked to metabolic changes that contribute to tumorigenesis and to increased expression of pro-tumorigenic genes. Here, we use melanoma cell lines and metastatic melanoma tumors to evaluate the effect of mtDNA alterations and the expression of the mtDNA packaging factor, TFAM, on energetic metabolism and pro-tumorigenic nuclear gene expression changes. We report a positive correlation between mtDNA copy number, glucose consumption, and ATP production in melanoma cell lines. Gene expression analysis reveals a down-regulation of glycolytic enzymes in cell lines and an up-regulation of amino acid metabolism enzymes in melanoma tumors, suggesting that TFAM may shift melanoma fuel utilization from glycolysis towards amino acid metabolism, especially glutamine. Indeed, proliferation assays reveal that TFAM-down melanoma cell lines display a growth arrest in glutamine-free media, emphasizing that these cells rely more on glutamine metabolism than glycolysis. Finally, our data indicate that TFAM correlates to VEGF expression and may contribute to tumorigenesis by triggering a more invasive gene expression signature. Our findings contribute to the understanding of how TFAM affects melanoma cell metabolism, and they provide new insight into the mechanisms by which TFAM and mtDNA copy number influence melanoma tumorigenesis.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of Pluchea quitoc (DC.) ethanolic extract.

Pluchea quitoc DC. (Asteraceae), a plant widely distributed throughout Brazil and popularly known as "quitoco", "madre-cravo" or "tabacarana", is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammation, as well as of digestive and respiratory diseases. The anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of the ethanolic extract (EE) from aerial parts of this plant were evaluated in mice and rats. Oral treatment with the EE (1-2g/kg, p.o.) decreased the paw oedema induced by carrageenan in rats, showed anti-nociceptive effects on the tail-flick test and on acid-induced writhing in mice, and inhibited both phases of pain (neurogenic and inflammatory) of the formalin test in rats. Topical application (EE 1.25, 2.5 and 5.0mg) inhibited the ear oedema induced by croton oil in mice. The results support the folkloric use of the plant in inflammatory processes.

Inhibition of thyroid type 1 deiodinase activity by flavonoids.

Some dietary flavonoids inhibit thyroperoxidase and hepatic deiodinase activity, indicating that these compounds could be classified as anti-thyroid agents. In this study, we evaluated the in vitro effect of various flavonoids on thyroid type 1 iodothyronine deiodinase activity (D1). D1 activity was measured in murine thyroid microsome fractions by the release of 125I from 125I-reverse T3. D1 activity was significantly inhibited by all the flavonoids tested; however, the inhibitory potencies on thyroid D1 activity differed greatly among them. A 50% inhibition of D1 activity (IC(50)) was obtained at 11 microM baicalein, 13 microM quercetin, 17 microM catechin, 55 microM morin, 68 microM rutin, 70 microM fisetin, 72 microM kaempferol and 77 microM biochanin A. Our data reinforce the concept that dietary flavonoids might behave as antithyroid agents, and possibly their chronic consumption could alter thyroid function.

Electrophysiological effects of somatostatin at the supraventricular level of isolated guinea pig hearts.

1. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the electrophysiological effects of the peptide somatostatin (SST) at the supraventricular level in isolated guinea pig hearts. 2. ECG recording from isolated hearts perfused by the Langendorff method indicated that 1.0 microM SST induced a decrease in heart rate from 174 +/- 15 to 157 +/- 9 bpm (N = 6, P < 0.05), blocked AV conduction (the PR interval increased from 92 +/- 11 ms to 106 +/- 5 ms, N = 5, P < 0.05) and increased the QTc interval from 210 +/- 0 to 232 +/- 4 ms (N = 5, P < 0.05). The supraventricular effects of SST, particularly upon the AV conduction, were potentiated by a reduction in calcium concentration from 2.5 to 0.5 mM in the perfusing solution. Thus, 1.0 microM SST induced 2nd degree AV conduction block progressing to AV dissociation in 75% of the hearts in the low calcium medium instead of the first degree conduction block observed in all hearts in normal calcium medium. 3. His bundle electrogram evidenced a complete A-H dissociation without significant change in the H-V interval and microelectrode studies showed a complete abolition of the AV node action potential in the presence of 1.0 microM SST. Both results demonstrate that the site of AV conduction block induced by SST is at the AV node. 4. All the supraventricular effects of SST were transitory, subsiding within about 10 min of hormone exposition, showing desensitization. 5. The effects of somatostatin here described were not blocked by 10 microM atropine, indicating that they are not mediated by muscarinic receptors. 6. These data provide a direct electrophysiological demonstration of the supraventricular effects of SST, and suggest that this peptide decreases calcium influx during the action potential.

[Pulmonary emphysema in a patient with Turner's syndrome]. / Enfisema pulmonar em doente com Síndrome de Turner.

Turner's Syndrome was first described in 1938 by Henry Turner and has an incidence of 1:3000 live female births. The authors present an unusual case of a 48-year-old woman with late diagnosed Turner's Syndrome. Whose karyotype was (46,X,i(Xq)), associated with a pulmonary emphysema and pulmonary hypertension. The case and the methods of study are presented. Some aspects of this case, namely the hypothesis of an association between the pulmonary emphysema and Turner's Syndrome are discussed.

An improved HPLC-fluorescence stereoselective method for analysis of (+)-S- and (-)-R-sotalol enantiomers in plasma sample.

A simplified high performance chromatographic method (HPLC) was performed for sotalol enantiomers in plasma samples for purposes of investigation of the kinetic disposition of racemic sotalol in cardiac arrhythmic patients under multiple dose and multidrug therapy regimens. After addition of NaCl:Na2CO3 (4:1) and plasma protein precipitation by acetonitrile:methanol mixture (1:1) the supernatant was evaporated. The residue containing sotalol racemate was submitted to derivatization reaction with (-)-menthylcloroformate to R(-)- and S(+)-sotalol diastereoisomers. The diastereoisomers were resolved in HPLC, by a C18 column with fluorescent detection under lexcitation = 235 nm and lemission = 310 nm. The retention times for R- and S-sotalol were 20 and 22 minutes while that of internal standard S(-)-atenolol, was 17 minutes. The detection limit for each enantiomer was 12.5 ng/mL and intra-day/inter-day coefficients of variation were less than 10% for each enantiomer within a concentration range of 200 and 2000 ng/mL. The method was appropriate for the objective proposed.

Kinetic disposition of (+)-S- and (-)-R-sotalol enantiomers in cardiac patients with tachyarrhythmias using an improved HPLC-fluorescence stereoselective method.

Since the enantioselective pharmacokinetic profiles of R,S-sotalol in cardiac patients are controversial, the present investigation aimed to study the kinetic disposition of sotalol enantiomers in patients with tachycardia. Thirteen cardiac patients, who gave their written consent, were included (6F/7M; 53 +/- 12 yrs, 66 +/- 13 kg, 163 +/- 8 cm height). They had tachycardia, normal renal function and had been chronically treated with tablets of sotalol 160 mg b.i.d. The patients were submitted to blood samples collection at zero, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 h after drug administration. The quantitation of sotalol enantiomers were performed by a stereoselective HPLC method with fluorescence detection previously published. A one open compartment model was applied and the main pharmacokinetic parameters obtained for R-/S-sotalol were, respectively (Mean +/- SD): CSSMAX = 1007 +/- 307/1040 +/- 340 ng/mL; TMAX = 1.82 +/- 0.6/1.83 +/- 0.6 h; AUCSST = 6959 +/- 2153/7388 +/- 2563 ng.h/mL; CISSr/F = 2.7 +/- 1.2/2.5 +/- 1.2 mL/min/kg and VdSS/F = 1.9 +/- 0.9/2.0 +/- 1.0 L/kg. The pharmacokinetic parameters of R,S-sotalol were within the published range and the kinetic parameters for the isomers were grouped as two independent samples and statistically compared. In conclusion, stereoselective pharmacokinetic for sotalol was not observed in cardiac arrhythmic patients, i.e., both R- and S-sotalol enantiomers have the same pharmacokinetic profile.

Abiotic factors drives floristic variations of fern's metacommunity in an Atlantic Forest remnant / Fatores abióticos regulam as variações florísticas na metacomunidade de samambaias em um remanescente de Floresta Atlântica

Abstract We analyzed floristic variations in fern's metacommunity at the local scale and their relationship with abiotic factors in an Atlantic Forest remnant of northeastern Brazil. Floristic and environmental variations were accessed on ten plots of 10 × 20 m. We performed cluster analyses, based on Bray-Curtis dissimilarity index to establish the floristic relationship. The influence of abiotic factors: luminosity, temperature, relative air humidity and relative soil moisture was evaluated from a redundancy analysis. We found 24 species belonging to 20 genera and 12 families. The fern's flora showed high floristic heterogeneity (>75% for most of the plot's associations). The fern's metacommunity was structured along an abiotic gradient modulated by temperature, luminosity, and relative soil moisture.

Resumo Analisamos as variações florísticas na metacomunidade de samambaias em escala local e sua relação com fatores abióticos em um remanescente de Floresta Atlântica no Nordeste do Brasil. Variações florísticas e ambientais foram acessadas a partir de dez parcelas de 10 × 20 m. Realizamos análises de cluster, baseado no índice de similaridade de Bray-Curtis para estabelecer relações florísticas. A influência de fatores abióticos: luminosidade, temperatura, umidade relativa do ar e umidade relativa do solo foram avaliadas a partir da análise de redundância. Encontramos 24 espécies pertencentes a 20 gêneros e 12 famílias. A flora de samambaias exibiu uma elevada heterogeneidade florística (>75% para a maioria das associações entre plots). Observou-se que a metacomunidade de samambaias estava estruturada ao longo de um gradiente abiótico modulado pela temperatura, luminosidade e umidade relativa do solo.

Resposta inflamatória peritoneal de asininos (Equus asinus) submetidos à ovariectomia por laparotomia e laparoscopia / Peritoneal inflammatory response of the donkeys (Equus asinus) submitted ovariectomy by laparotomy and laparoscopy

Objetivou-se avaliar resposta inflamatória e concentrações de proteínas em líquido peritonealde asininas submetidas à ovariectomia por laparotomia e laparoscopia. Foram utilizadas 18 fêmeas adultas, pesando em média 100kg, as quais foram divididas em dois grupos, de nove animais cada: o grupo I, em que foram ovariectomizadas por laparotomia, e o grupo II por laparoscopia. Após as cirurgias, em ambos os grupos foram avaliadas as seguintes variáveis no líquido peritoneal: pH, densidade, número de hemácias, leucócitos e proteínas de fase aguda (fibrinogênio, haptoglobina, albumina, antitripsina, alfa-1 glicoproteína ácida, ceruloplasmina, transferrina, imunoglobulinas A e G). Todas as variáveis foram analisadas antes das cirurgias, 12, 24, 48, 72 horas, oito e 16 dias após os procedimentos cirúrgicos. O número de hemácias e leucócitos aumentou 24 horas depois das cirurgias nos dois grupos. Haptoglobina, alfa-1 glicoproteína ácida,albumina, transferrina, gamaglobulinas A, G e proteínas totais aumentaram nos dois grupos. As concentrações de ceruloplasmina não variaram enquanto a antitripsina não foi detectada no líquido peritoneal de asininos.Foi identificada uma proteína com23.000kD, que não tem denominação nem descrição no líquido peritoneal de asininos.(AU)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the inflammatory response and protein concentrations in the peritoneal fluid of donkeys submitted to laparotomy and laparoscopic ovariectomy. Eighteen adult females, weighing on average 100kg, were divided into two groups, of 09 animals each, where in group I, they were ovariectomized by laparotomy and group II by laparoscopy. Following the surgeries, the following variables were evaluated in the peritoneal fluid: pH, density, number of red cells, leukocytes and acute phase proteins (fibrinogen, haptoglobin, albumin, antitrypsin, alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, ceruloplasmin, transferrin, Immunoglobulins A and G). All variables were analyzed before the surgeries, 12, 24, 48, 72 hours, 8 and 16 days after the surgical procedures. The number of red cells and leukocytes increased 24 hours after the surgeries in both groups. Haptoglobin, alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, albumin, transferrin, gammaglobulins A and G, and total proteins increased in both groups. Concentrations of ceruloplasmin did not change while antitrypsin was not detected in the asinine peritoneal fluid. A protein of 23,000kD, which has no name or description in the peritoneal liquid of donkeys, has been identified.(AU)

Effect of different liming levels on the biomass production and essential oil extraction yield of Cunila galioides Benth.

Poejo is an aromatic and medicinal plant native to highland areas of south Brazil, in acid soils with high Al3+ concentration. The main objective of the present work was to evaluate the effect of liming on the extraction yield of essential oil of three chemotypes of poejo (Cunila galioides Benth). For this purpose, the experiments were performed in a greenhouse, using 8-litre pots. The treatments were four dosages of limestone (0, 3.15, 12.5, and 25 g.L(-1)) and a completely random experimental design was used, with four replications and three chemotypes, set up in a 3 × 4 factorial arrangement. The parameters evaluated were dry weight of aerial parts, essential oil content and chemical composition of essential oil. Results showed that liming affects the biomass production, essential oil yield and chemical composition, with cross interaction verified between chemotype and limestone dosage. For the higher dosage lower biomass production, lower yield of essential oil as well as the lowest content of citral (citral chemotype) and limonene (menthene chemotype) was observed. In the ocimene chemotype, no liming influence was observed on the essential oil yield and on the content of major compounds. The dosage of 3.15 g.L(-1) can be considered the best limestone dosage for the production of poejo for the experimental conditions evaluated.

Abiotic factors drives floristic variations of ferns metacommunity in an Atlantic Forest remnant

Abstract We analyzed floristic variations in ferns metacommunity at the local scale and their relationship with abiotic factors in an Atlantic Forest remnant of northeastern Brazil. Floristic and environmental variations were accessed on ten plots of 10 × 20 m. We performed cluster analyses, based on Bray-Curtis dissimilarity index to establish the floristic relationship. The influence of abiotic factors: luminosity, temperature, relative air humidity and relative soil moisture was evaluated from a redundancy analysis. We found 24 species belonging to 20 genera and 12 families. The ferns flora showed high floristic heterogeneity (>75% for most of the plots associations). The ferns metacommunity was structured along an abiotic gradient modulated by temperature, luminosity, and relative soil moisture.

Resumo Analisamos as variações florísticas na metacomunidade de samambaias em escala local e sua relação com fatores abióticos em um remanescente de Floresta Atlântica no Nordeste do Brasil. Variações florísticas e ambientais foram acessadas a partir de dez parcelas de 10 × 20 m. Realizamos análises de cluster, baseado no índice de similaridade de Bray-Curtis para estabelecer relações florísticas. A influência de fatores abióticos: luminosidade, temperatura, umidade relativa do ar e umidade relativa do solo foram avaliadas a partir da análise de redundância. Encontramos 24 espécies pertencentes a 20 gêneros e 12 famílias. A flora de samambaias exibiu uma elevada heterogeneidade florística (>75% para a maioria das associações entre plots). Observou-se que a metacomunidade de samambaias estava estruturada ao longo de um gradiente abiótico modulado pela temperatura, luminosidade e umidade relativa do solo.

Edge effects on fern community in an Atlantic Forest remnant of Rio Formoso, PE, Brazil.

We have investigated how edge effects influence the fern community of Jaguarão Forest (08º 35' 49" S and 35º 15' 39" W), located in the district of Rio Formoso, Pernambuco, Brazil. A comparative analysis was made of the interior and edge of the fragment of forest, regarding the richness, abundance and diversity of ferns in the two areas. Six plots of 10 × 20 m were chosen, three in each area. A total of 381 ferns were recorded, which were distributed among 25 species, 17 genera and 12 families. The two areas (edge and interior) were found to differ, with distinct relative air humidities and temperatures (p = 0.00254 and p = 0.00019, respectively). The interior showed higher diversity (t = 7.251 and p = 0.018) and richness (t = 6.379 and p = 0.023) than the edge area, but the same abundance (t = 1.728; p = 0.226) as the edge. Regarding the composition of the flora, it was clear that the interior is a habitat completely distinct from the edge with regard to the fern community, given that only one species, Adiantum petiolatum Desv., was common to both environments. It was concluded that the edge effect causes a decrease in richness and abundance of the fern species found in Jaguarão Forest, where the more sensitive species are being replaced by species that are tolerant to the disturbance caused by the creation of an edge.

Evaluation of anesthetic protocol for the collection of semen from captive collared peccaries (Tayassu tajacu) by electroejaculation.

The objective of this study is to verify and compare the effects of acepromazine-tiletamine-zolazepam and propofol used in anesthetic protocols for semen collection by electroejaculation from captive collared peccaries. Ten sexually mature animals were physically restrained and anesthetized by either intravenous administration of tiletamine-zolazepam (2mg/kg) after acepromazine premedication, or a propofol dose of 5mg/kg. The onset of anesthetic recovery was determined by the animals regaining consciousness and attempting to stand. Semen was collected by electroejaculation and evaluated for volume, pH, sperm concentration, progressive motility, morphology, percentage of live cells and functional membrane integrity. Six anesthetized animals with the acepromazine-tiletamine-zolazepam protocol showed erection, but semen could be collected in only four (40%) attempts. Of the animals anesthetized using propofol, nine showed erection, and the ejaculates were collected in eight (80%) attempts. Furthermore, propofol afforded rapid recovery of animals, and ejaculates with enhanced sperm motility and functional membrane integrity as compared with those collected by the other protocol (P<0.05). In conclusion, use of propofol for anesthetic restraint of collared peccaries enhanced collection of semen by electroejaculation.