Translation and language validation of the Epworth sleepiness scale for children and adolescents (ESS-CHAD) into Brazilian Portuguese.

Objective: This study aimed to translate the Epworth sleepiness scale for children and adolescents (ESS-CHAD) into Brazilian Portuguese. Material and Methods: The translation and language validation processes were carried out through translation, back translation, technical review, assessment of verbal comprehension/clarity of the scale by experts (four pediatric neurologists). After they have reached a final version of the ESS-HAD a sample of asymptomatic children and adolescents that were participants in another sleep project were invited to read and complete the questionnaire to evaluate comprehension by the aimed population. Results: Two independent researchers made the forward translation and it has around 90% of concordance. Minor disagreements were related to the position of adjectives in the sentence. No major difficulties were reported by the 3rd researcher that performed the back translation. After a consensus meeting with the four participants, we have reached a final version of the questionnaire. In the cognitive interviews, the scale was reportedly easy to understand to the 23 respondents. One adolescent suggested clarifying whether question 2 (likelihood of falling asleep watching TV or a video), referred to daytime or nighttime. The total ESS-CHAD score in this asymptomatic sample varied from 0-17, a mean score of 7.08±5.65. Discussion: The final version of the ESS-CHAD in Brazilian Portuguese was approved by the copyright owners and was well understandable by caregivers and adolescents. More studies are now necessary to use this questionnaire in a larger target population to verify its validity and internal consistency.

Intergenerational thyroid hormone homeostasis imbalance in cerebellum of rats perinatally exposed to glyphosate-based herbicide.

Agrochemicals became a public health concern due to increased human exposure and possible endocrine disruption effects in several organs, including the brain. Thyroid hormones controls neurodevelopment, which turn them sensitive to endocrine disruptors (EDs). In this work, we evaluated the effect of glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) as an intergenerational endocrine disrupter on thyroid homeostasis in cerebellar cells. Female pregnant Wistar rats were exposed to Roundup Transorb® solution at 5 and 50 mg/kg/day, from gestation day 18 to post-natal day 5 (P5). Cerebellum of male offspring was used to evaluate gene expression. The mRNA levels of thyroid hormone receptors, hormonal conversion enzymes, hormone transporters, as well as, de novo epigenetic regulators were altered, with some of these genes presenting a non-monotonic dose response. Furthermore, metabolomic profile correlation with tested dose demonstrated altered metabolic profile, in agreement with cerebellar gene alterations. Moreover, cerebellar primary cultures exposed to non-toxic GBH concentration presented a decrease level in glial fibrillary acidic protein, a protein regulated by endocrine signals. In conclusion, our results indicate that animals exposed to non-toxic GBH doses during perinatal phase carry intergenerational alterations in key regulators of cellular thyroid hormone homeostasis and epigenetic controllers in adulthood, indicating the possible ED effect of GBH based on epigenetic alterations.

Monitoring of metals, organic compounds and coliforms in water catchment points from the Sinos River basin / Monitoramento de metais, compostos orgânicos e coliforms em pontos de captação de água da bacia hidrográfica do Rio dos Sinos

Unplanned use and occupation of the land without respecting its capacity of assimilation and environmental purification leads to the degradation of the environment and of water used for human consumption. Agricultural areas, industrial plants and urban centres developed without planning and the control of effluent discharges are the main causes of water pollution in river basins that receive all the liquid effluents produced in those places. Over the last decades, environmental management has become part of governmental agendas in search of solutions for the preservation of water quality and the restoration of already degraded resources. This study evaluated the conditions of the main watercourse of the Sinos River basin by monitoring the main physical, chemical and microbiological parameters described in the CONAMA Resolution no. 357/2005.The set of parameters evaluated at five catchment points of water human consumption revealed a river that has different characteristics in each reach, as the upper reach was class 1, whereas the middle and lower reaches of the basin were class 4. Monitoring pointed to households as the main sources of pollutants in those reaches, although metals used in the industrial production of the region were found in the samples analyzed.

O uso e ocupação do solo não planejados, sem respeitar sua capacidade de assimilação e de purificação ambiental, levam à degradação do ambiente e da água utilizada para consumo humano. Áreas agrícolas, plantas industriais e centros urbanos desenvolvidos sem planejamento e controle de descargas de efluentes são as principais causas de poluição da água em bacias hidrográficas que recebem todos os efluentes líquidos produzidos naqueles lugares. Nas últimas décadas, gestão ambiental tornou-se parte das agendas governamentais em busca de soluções para a preservação da qualidade da água e a restauração de recursos já degradadas. Este estudo avaliou as condições do curso de água principal da bacia do Rio dos Sinos, monitorando o principal físico, químico e microbiológicos parâmetros descritos na Resolução CONAMA n.º 357/2005. O conjunto de parâmetros avaliados em cinco pontos de captação de água para consumo humano revelou um rio que tem características diferentes em cada alcance, como o superior chegar era classe 1, Considerando que o atinge médio e inferior da bacia foram classe 4. monitoramento apontado famílias como as principais fontes de poluentes naqueles atinge, apesar de metais utilizados na produção industrial da região foram encontrados nas amostras analisadas.

Monitoring of metals, organic compounds and coliforms in water catchment points from the Sinos River basin

p>Unplanned use and occupation of the land without respecting its capacity of assimilation and environmental purification leads to the degradation of the environment and of water used for human consumption. Agricultural areas, industrial plants and urban centres developed without planning and the control of effluent discharges are the main causes of water pollution in river basins that receive all the liquid effluents produced in those places. Over the last decades, environmental management has become part of governmental agendas in search of solutions for the preservation of water quality and the restoration of already degraded resources. This study evaluated the conditions of the main watercourse of the Sinos River basin by monitoring the main physical, chemical and microbiological parameters described in the CONAMA Resolution no. 357/2005.The set of parameters evaluated at five catchment points of water human consumption revealed a river that has different characteristics in each reach, as the upper reach was class 1, whereas the middle and lower reaches of the basin were class 4. Monitoring pointed to households as the main sources of pollutants in those reaches, although metals used in the industrial production of the region were found in the samples analyzed. /p>

p>O uso e ocupação do solo não planejados, sem respeitar sua capacidade de assimilação e de purificação ambiental, levam à degradação do ambiente e da água utilizada para consumo humano. Áreas agrícolas, plantas industriais e centros urbanos desenvolvidos sem planejamento e controle de descargas de efluentes são as principais causas de poluição da água em bacias hidrográficas que recebem todos os efluentes líquidos produzidos naqueles lugares. Nas últimas décadas, gestão ambiental tornou-se parte das agendas governamentais em busca de soluções para a preservação da qualidade da água e a restauração de recursos já degradadas. Este estudo avaliou as condições do curso de água principal da bacia do Rio dos Sinos, monitorando o principal físico, químico e microbiológicos parâmetros descritos na Resolução CONAMA n.º 357/2005. O conjunto de parâmetros avaliados em cinco pontos de captação de água para consumo humano revelou um rio que tem características diferentes em cada alcance, como o superior chegar era classe 1, Considerando que o atinge médio e inferior da bacia foram classe 4. monitoramento apontado famílias como as principais fontes de poluentes naqueles atinge, apesar de metais utilizados na produção industrial da região foram encontrados nas amostras analisadas. /p>

Acute kidney injury according to pediatric RIFLE criteria is associated with negative outcomes after heart surgery in children.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) according to pediatric RIFLE (pRIFLE) criteria and adverse outcomes in children after heart surgery. METHODS: Children undergoing heart surgery in a tertiary hospital in Southern Brazil were followed during their stay in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) or until death. The exposure variable was occurrence of AKI according to pRIFLE criteria which place AKI in three categories: R (risk), I (injury), and F (failure). The outcomes studied were death, length of mechanical ventilation (MV), and length of PICU stay. RESULTS: Eighty-five children were enrolled in the study. Of these, 47 (55.3 %) did not have AKI, while 22 (25.9 %), seven (8.2 %), and nine (10.6 %) were classified into pRIFLE categories R, I, and F, respectively. The incidence of death was 18.4 and 4.2 % in patients with and without AKI, respectively. Compared to children who did not develop AKI, the adjusted odds ratio for death was 1.05 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.09-11.11], 8.36 (95 % CI 1.32-52.63), and 7.85 (95 % CI 1.53-40.29) in the R, I, and F groups, respectively (p = 0.022). Duration of MV and of PICU stay were significantly higher in those children with AKI. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of AKI according to pRIFLE criteria is associated to adverse outcomes in children after heart surgery.

Influência do exercício sobre o hemograma, enzimas marcadoras de lesão muscular e índice de peroxidação de biomoléculas em eqüinos submetidos à atividade de salto

O exercício físico causa lesões relacionadas com alterações hematológicas e com o estresse oxidativo em cavalos. Oobjetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a influência do exercício sobre o hemograma, as proteínas plasmáticas totais, ofibrinogênio, a atividade de enzimas musculares (CK, AST e LDH), como também de marcador de estresse oxidativo (TBARS)em membrana de hemácias. Para tanto, 20 cavalos treinados foram submetidos à prova de hipismo tendo sido colhidasamostras sanguíneas nos momentos antes (TR), imediatamente após (T0), 6 (T6), 12 (T12) e 24 horas (T24) após o exercício.Houve influência sobre alguns parâmetros analisados, tais como: número de hemácias, volume globular, concentração dehemoglobina, número de leucócitos, contagem diferencial de neutrófilos e linfócitos em valores absolutos, atividade dasenzimas CK e AST, e a concentração de TBARS, demonstrando assim o estresse oxidativo, uma vez que os maiores valoresforam observados após o exercício. Os parâmetros avaliados retornaram aos valores basais 24 horas após a realização daprova. Esses resultados demonstraram a relevância da utilização de tais parâmetros para o monitoramento do estadoclínico de cavalos na prática esportiva, em especial para avaliação do condicionamento físico e da adaptação dos animaisao tipo de atividade aos quais são submetidos.

Cytoprotective effect of Valeriana officinalis extract on an in vitro experimental model of Parkinson disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most important neurodegenerative worldwide disorders. The potential cytoprotective effects of aqueous extract of Valeriana officinalis on rotenone-induced apoptosis in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells were demonstrated. The cytotoxicity, cell viability and analysis of cellular morphology were performed by MTT-tetrazole (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and phase contrast microscopy, respectively. Significant changes in the cellular morphology, and condensation of the cell body could be observed when cells were treated with 300 nM rotenone for 48 h. Three different concentrations of Valeriana officinalis extract were used (0.049, 0.098 and 0.195 mg/mL). These extracts brought about an increase of 7.0 +/- 1.3%, 14.5 +/- 1.3% and 14.5 +/- 3.2% in cell viability. Our results indicated that neuroprotector action of the Valeriana officinalis extract provides support for later studies as they help understanding this drug for the development of cytoprotective various therapies in PD.

Catechol inhibits FADH2-linked respiration in rat liver mitochondrial fraction

PURPOSE: The aim of this work was to investigate the hypothesis that catechol inhibits FADH2-linked basal respiration in mitochondria isolated from rat liver homogenates. Moreover, catechol ability to induce peroxidation of biomolecules in liver nuclear fractions was also studied. METHODS: Rat liver homogenates were incubated with 1mM 1,2-dihydroxybenzene (catechol) at pH 7.4 for up to 30 minutes. After that, mitochondrial fractions were isolated by differential centrifugation. Basal oxygen uptake was measured using a Clark-type electrode after the addition of 10 mM sodium succinate. Nuclear fractions were incubated in the presence of 1 mM catechol for 17 hours at room temperature and the peroxidation of biomolecules was investigated by the reaction with thiobarbituric acid, which was determined spectrophotometrically at 535 nm. RESULTS: Catechol induced a time-dependent partial inhibition of FADH2-linked basal mitochondrial respiration, however this substance was unable to induce a direct peroxidation of biomolecules in hepatic nuclear fractions. CONCLUSION: Catechol produced an inhibition of basal respiration associated to FADH2 in isolated liver mitochondria that could lead to cytotoxicity, ROS generation and cell death.

OBJETIVO: Testar a hipótese do catecol inibir a respiração basal associada ao FADH2 em frações mitocondriais hepáticas de rato. Além disso, estudou-se também a capacidade do catecol de induzir peroxidação de biomoléculas nas frações nucleares. MÉTODOS: Os homogeneizados de fígado de ratos foram incubados com catecol a 1 mM em pH fisiológico. Depois disso, as frações mitocondriais foram isoladas por centrifugação diferencial. O consumo basal de oxigênio foi medido com um eletrodo do tipo Clark após injeção de succinato a 10 mM. Frações nucleares foram incubadas com catecol por 17 horas à temperatura ambiente e a peroxidação de biomoléculas foi investigada pela reação com o ácido tiobarbitúrico e mensurada espectrofotometricamente. RESULTADOS: O catecol induziu uma inibição parcial da respiração basal mitocondrial associada ao FADH2 de forma dependente do tempo, contudo essa substância não induziu peroxidação direta das biomoléculas presentes nas frações nucleares hepáticas. CONCLUSÃO: O catecol produz inibição da respiração basal associada ao FADH2 em mitocôndrias isoladas de fígado, o que pode levar à toxicidade, produção de espécies reativas e morte celular.

Toxic effects of apomorphine on rat cultured neurons and glial C6 cells, and protection with antioxidants.

Many catechol derivatives are currently used as drugs, even if they produce reactive oxygen species that may cause tissue damage. Among them, apomorphine, a potent dopamine agonist, displays efficient anti-parkinsonian properties, but the consequences of its oxidant and toxic properties have been poorly investigated on in vitro models. In the present work, we investigated apomorphine cytotoxicity by incubating cultures of rat glioma C6 cells and primary cultures of neurons with different concentrations of the drug. Apomorphine-promoted cell death was proportional to its concentration and was time-dependent. The ED(50) of apomorphine on C6 cell death after 48 hr was about 200 microM. The cytotoxic effects induced by apomorphine were correlated to its autoxidation, which leads to the formation of reactive oxygen species, semiquinones, quinones, and a melanin-like pigment. C6 cells that underwent treatment with 400 microM apomorphine for 6 hr displayed features of necrosis, including loss of membrane integrity, degeneration of mitochondria, and DNA fragmentation. Thiols, such as cysteine, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, and glutathione, significantly protected cultured neurons and C6 cells against apomorphine-induced cytotoxicity. Thiols also inhibited apomorphine autoxidation. These data strongly suggest that apomorphine cytotoxicity towards neurons and C6 cells results from an intracellular oxidative stress.

Comparison of Ritonavir in a First Choice Three Drug Regimen, After Two Nucleoside Analogues and in Saquinavir Experienced Patients.

Ritonavir is a potent, orally bioavailable inhibitor of HIV-1 protease. Our investigators undertook a retrospective study to compare the effectiveness of ritonavir (600mg twice daily) associated with 2 reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs) in 38 patients in 3 situations. Group I patients previously treated with 2 RTIs, Group II treatment-naive patients, and Group III patients previously treated with 2 RTIs and saquinavir. Routine hematological and biochemical studies, HIV-1 viremia, and CD4+ lymphocyte counts were performed before and after ritonavir. In Group I, the median of HIV-1 RNA plasma levels decreased from 4.8 to 3.4 log(10) copies/mL, in Group II from 5.9 to 2.9 log(10) copies/mL, and in Group III from 5.2 to 4.1 log(10) copies/mL. (p=0.003, p=0.014, p=0.002, respectively, Wilcoxon signed rank test). The median increases of CD4(+) cells occurred as follows: in Group I from 173 to 282 cells/mm(3), in Group II from 92 to 254 cell/mm(3), and in Group III from 68 to 133 cell/mm(3) (p=0.002, p=0.008, p<0.001, respectively, Wilcoxon signed rank test). In Group II the mean weight increased from 55.2 +/-14.3 kg to 59.4+/-15.7 kg and, in Group III, from 62.2+/-10.5 kg to 67.5+/-12 kg (p = 0.026, p = 0.002, respectively, paired T test). Patients in Group I presented no weight gain. Mild reversible hypertriglyceridemia occurred in 6 of 38 patients. The results of this study showed that ritonavir is a good choice for treatment naive patients and as a sequential option, not only after 2 RTIs, but also after a 3 drug regimen with saquinavir.