Tolerance to silver of an Aspergillus fumigatus strain able to grow on cyanide containing wastes.

We studied the strategy of an Aspergillus fumigatus strain able to grow on metal cyanide wastes to cope with silver. The tolerance test revealed that the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of Ag(I) was 6mM. In 1mM AgNO3 aqueous solution the fungus was able to reduce and sequestrate silver into the cell in the form of nanoparticles as evidenced by the change in color of the biomass and Electron Microscopy observations. Extracellular silver nanoparticle production also occurred in the filtrate solution after previous incubation of the fungus in sterile, double-distilled water for 72h, therefore evidencing that culture conditions may influence nanoparticle formation. The nanoparticles were characterized by UV-vis spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and Energy Dispersion X-ray analysis. Atomic absorption spectrometry revealed that the optimum culture conditions for silver absorption were at pH 8.5.The research is part of a polyphasic study concerning the behavior of the fungal strain in presence of metal cyanides; the results provide better understanding for further research targeted at a rationale use of the microorganism in bioremediation plans, also in view of possible metal recovery. Studies will be performed to verify if the fungus maintains its ability to produce nanoparticles using KAg(CN)2.

Pattern of γ-glutamyl transferase activity in cow milk throughout lactation and relationships with metabolic conditions and milk composition.

The main objective of this experiment was to study the γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity in milk during lactation and its relationship with metabolic status of dairy cows, milk yield, milk composition, and cheesemaking properties. The study was performed in a tied stall barn and involved 20 lactations from 12 healthy multiparous Italian Friesian dairy cows. During lactation starting at d 10, milk samples were collected weekly and analyzed for composition, somatic cells count, titratable acidity, and milk coagulation properties. The GGT activity was measured in defatted samples. Blood samples were collected weekly to assess biochemical indicators related to energy, protein, and mineral metabolism, markers of inflammation and some enzyme activities. The lactations of each cow were retrospectively categorized into 2 groups according to their milk GGT activity value through lactation. A median value of GGT activity in the milk of all lactations was calculated (3,045 U/L), and 10 lactations with lower GGT activity were classified as low while 10 lactations with greater GGT activity were classified as high. The average value of milk GGT activity during lactation was 3,863 and 3,024 U/L for high and low, respectively. The GGT activity decreased in early lactation and reached minimum values in the second month (3,289 and 2,355 U/L for high and low, respectively). Thereafter GGT activity increased progressively, reaching values in late lactation of 4,511 and 3,540 U/L in high and low, respectively. On average, milk yield was 40.81 and 42.76 kg/d in high and low, respectively, and a negative partial correlation with milk GGT activity was observed. A greater milk protein concentration was observed in high (3.39%) compared with low (3.18%), and a positive partial correlation with milk GGT activity was observed. Greater titratable acidity in high than that in low (3.75 vs. 3.45 degrees Soxhlet-Henkel/50 mL, respectively) was also observed. Plasma glucose was greater in cows of high than in low group, while plasma urea was lower in the high than in the low group. No relationship between plasma GGT and milk GGT activity was observed. Our results show an important effect of lactation stage on milk GGT activity. The individual effect observed from consecutive lactations and the relationship between milk GGT activity and milk protein concentration in healthy cows could open prospects for GGT as a future tool in improving milk protein content.

Visual cues and gait improvement in Parkinson's disease: which piece of information is really important?

Visual exproprioception refers to information of the body relative to the environment and may be the critical piece of sensory information that explains why gait improvements can be achieved with visual step cues in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). The primary aim of current study was to investigate the role of visual exproprioception in the positive effect of visual cues on gait in patients with PD. Nineteen individuals with PD and 15 healthy subjects participated in this study. Four conditions of self-paced gait were tested: normal walking, without exproprioception (exproprioceptive information of lower limbs removed), visual step length cues, and visual step length cues but without exproprioception. Gaze behavior, gait parameters and the accuracy and precision of foot placement on the visual cues were recorded. Individuals with PD improved step length in both cued conditions. Both groups fixated close to 46% on visual cues necessary to accomplish the next step (ongoing step), while 54% of fixations were focused on visual cues one or more steps ahead. Also, both groups increased absolute error and error variability of the foot placement around the visual cues without vision of their feet. These results suggest that exproprioceptive information is not critical to achieve step length and overall gait benefits with visual cues in PD, but is critical for the accuracy and precision of foot placement on targets. People with PD and healthy individuals use visual information from visual cues in both on-line and feedforward fashions. In conclusion, patients with PD likely focus attention on the discrete goal of each foot hitting a visual cue placed on the floor and then use the exteroceptive information (i.e. position of next foot placement location) to plan each step individually at a cortical level.

Effect of triceps surae and quadriceps muscle fatigue on the mechanics of landing in stepping down in ongoing gait.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of muscle fatigue of triceps surae and quadriceps muscles in stepping down in ongoing gait. We expected that the subjects would compensate for muscle fatigue to prevent potential loss of balance in stepping down. A total of 10 young participants walked over a walkway at a self-selected velocity to step down a height difference of 10-cm halfway. Five trials were performed before and after a muscle fatigue protocol. Participants performed two fatigue protocols: one for ankle muscle fatigue and another for knee muscle fatigue. Kinematics of and ground reaction forces on the leading leg were recorded. Fatigue did not cause a change in the frequency of heel or toe landing. Our results indicate that in stepping down fatigue effects are compensated by redistributing work to unfatigued muscle groups and by gait changes aimed at enhancing balance control, which was however only partially successful.

Blends of olive oil and seeds oils: characterisation and olive oil quantification using fatty acids composition and chemometric tools. Part II.

A method to verify the percentage of olive oil in a blend, in compliance with the Commission Regulation EU No. 29/2012, was developed by GC-FID analysis of methyl esters of fatty acids, followed by chemometric tools (PCA, TFA, SIMCA and PLS). First of all, binary blends of twelve olive oils and one sunflower oil were studied, in order to evaluate the variability associated to the fatty acids profile of olive oils (Monfreda, Gobbi, & Grippa, 2012). In this study, binary blends of twelve olive oils with four types of seeds oils (peanut, corn, rice and grape seed oils) were evaluated. These four groups of blends were analysed and processed separately, each group consisting of 36 samples with 40%, 50% and 60% of olive oil content. Chemometric tools were also applied to the global data set (180 samples, including those analysed in the previous paper). Outstanding results were achieved, showing that the proposed method would be capable to discriminate blends with a difference in concentration of olive oil lower than 5% (a standard error of prediction of 3.97% was obtained with PLS). Therefore blends containing 45% and 55% of olive oil were also analysed with the current method and added to the data sets for chemometric assessment with supervised tools. SIMCA still provided good models; however the best performance was achieved by processing each group of binary blends (consisting of 60 samples) separately, rather than applying SIMCA to the overall data set (300 samples). On the other hand PLS did not show significant improvements.

Evaluating the acute contributions of dopaminergic replacement to gait with obstacles in Parkinson's disease.

The influence of dopaminergic replacement (DR) on gait in people with Parkinson's disease (PD) is well documented. However, little is known about the acute effects of dopamine on more complex locomotor tasks that require visual guidance to avoid obstacles during gait. The authors investigated the influence of DR on locomotor behavior in a task where movement planning and control might be challenged by the height of the obstacle. The PD group included patients diagnosed with idiopathic PD (n = 12), as well as healthy controls (n = 12). Patients walked and stepped over obstacles of different heights before (OFF) and after (ON) levodopa intake. Spatial adjustments were not modulated by DR, but the step time to perform these anticipatory gait adjustments was longer only in PD-OFF (compared with healthy controls) when approaching the highest obstacle, but not PD-ON. During the crossing phase, trail limb toe clearance of PD patients was shorter than healthy controls only during the OFF state. ON-OFF comparisons were significantly different only for the time to reach the lead foot clearance over the highest obstacle. In summary, DR partially improved movement slowness but did not directly affect movement amplitude of lower limb regulation in this gait task.

Ginkgo biloba extract in an animal model of Parkinson's disease: a systematic review.

Although the exact cause of neuronal loss in Parkinson's disease is not known, evidence points to oxidative stress and the production of reactive oxygen species as the main events that occur in the substantia nigra pars compacta of the brain of parkinsonians. EGb761 is an extract of the leaves from the Ginkgo biloba tree that has been reported as an antioxidant and neuroprotective agent. The objective of this work was to perform a systematic review of the studies that analysed the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on Parkinson's disease or Parkinsonism. This research was conducted using the following databases: Medline, PsycInfo, Cinahl, Sigle, Lilacs, Scielo, Cochrane Library, and Embase. Initially, we selected 32 articles. After a more detailed analysis, only 10 articles remained. One of the hypotheses for the positive effect of EGb761 on Parkinson's disease is the reduction or inhibition of monoamine-oxidase activity. This enzyme metabolises dopamine, inducing the formation of free radicals, which in turn damage nigrostriatal neurons. Another hypothesis is that the neuroprotective effect of EGb761 against 6-hydroxydopamine, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine and MPP+ toxins. As there are few studies on the effect of EGb761 on humans, this review could contribute new data to further the discussion of this issue.

Blends of olive oil and sunflower oil: characterisation and olive oil quantification using fatty acid composition and chemometric tools.

A method capable of recognising the percentage of olive oil in a blend is required to verify whether its labelling complies with the statements set out by the Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1019/2002. In this study an analytical methodology was developed in order to define blends of olive oil and sunflower oil, which contain 50% of olive oil, compared to blends with 40% and 60% of it, respectively. Methyl esters of fatty acids were analysed by GC-FID and processed through chemometric tools (PCA, TFA, SIMCA and PLS). A strong differentiation of blends according to the amount of olive oil contained and a quantification model with a standard error of prediction of 1.51% were obtained. As this issue represents a significant analytical challenge, variability associated with the fatty acid composition of olive oil was first studied.

Adaptive locomotion for crossing a moving obstacle.

Crossing moving obstacles requires different space-time adjustments compared with stationary obstacles. Our aim was to investigate gait spatial and temporal parameters in the approach and crossing phases of a moving obstacle. We hypothesized that obstacle speed affects gait parameters, which allow us to distinguish locomotor strategies. Ten young adults walked and stepped over an obstacle that crossed their way perpendicularly, under three obstacle conditions: control-stationary obstacle, slow (1.07m/s) and fast speed (1.71m/s) moving obstacles. Gait parameters were different between obstacle conditions, especially on the slow speed. In the fast condition, the participants adopted predictive strategies during the approach and crossing phases. In the slow condition, they used an anticipatory strategy in both phases. We conclude that obstacle speed affects the locomotor behavior and strategies were distinct in the obstacle avoidance phases.

Biochemical and behavioural characterization of EMPA, a novel high-affinity, selective antagonist for the OX(2) receptor.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The OX(2) receptor is a G-protein-coupled receptor that is abundantly found in the tuberomammillary nucleus, an important site for the regulation of the sleep-wake state. Herein, we describe the in vitro and in vivo properties of a selective OX(2) receptor antagonist, N-ethyl-2-[(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-(toluene-2-sulphonyl)-amino]-N-pyridin-3-ylmethyl-acetamide (EMPA). EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The affinity of [(3)H]EMPA was assessed in membranes from HEK293-hOX(2)-cells using saturation and binding kinetics. The antagonist properties of EMPA were determined by Schild analysis using the orexin-A- or orexin-B-induced accumulation of [(3)H]inositol phosphates (IP). Quantitative autoradiography was used to determine the distribution and abundance of OX(2) receptors in rat brain. The in vivo activity of EMPA was assessed by reversal of [Ala(11),D-Leu(15)]orexin-B-induced hyperlocomotion during the resting phase in mice and the reduction of spontaneous locomotor activity (LMA) during the active phase in rats. KEY RESULTS: [(3)H]EMPA bound to human and rat OX(2)-HEK293 membranes with K(D) values of 1.1 and 1.4 nmol x L(-1) respectively. EMPA competitively antagonized orexin-A- and orexin-B-evoked accumulation of [(3)H]IP at hOX(2) receptors with pA(2) values of 8.6 and 8.8 respectively. Autoradiography of rat brain confirmed the selectivity of [(3)H]EMPA for OX(2) receptors. EMPA significantly reversed [Ala(11),D-Leu(15)]orexin-B-induced hyperlocomotion dose-dependently during the resting phase in mice. EMPA, injected i.p. in rats during the active phase, reduced LMA dose-dependently. EMPA did not impair performance of rats in the rotarod procedure. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: EMPA is a high-affinity, reversible and selective OX(2) receptor antagonist, active in vivo, which should prove useful for analysis of OX(2) receptor function.

Preditores espaço-temporais do andar para testes de capacidade funcional em pacientes com doença de Parkinson / Gait spatial and temporal predictors for functional capacity tests in Parkinson's disease patients

OBJETIVOS: Determinar quais parâmetros espaço-temporais são preditores do andar de indivíduos com doença de Parkinson idiopática para os testes de resistência aeróbia e agilidade, propostos pela bateria de testes da American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD). MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram selecionados seis homens e seis mulheres com comprometimento e estágio da doença em níveis leve e moderado, que realizaram os testes de agilidade e resistência aeróbia, conforme o protocolo da AAHPERD, e andaram 8m sobre uma passarela. Uma câmera digital registrou uma passada central. Marcadores foram fixados no quinto metatarso e na face lateral do calcâneo do membro inferior direito e no primeiro metatarso e na face medial do calcâneo do membro inferior esquerdo. As variáveis dependentes selecionadas foram: tempo nos testes de agilidade e resistência e as variáveis cinemáticas (comprimento da passada - CP, cadência - CAD, duração da passada - DP, duração da fase de duplo suporte - DDS, duração do suporte simples - SS, duração da fase de balanço - DB e velocidade da passada - VP). RESULTADOS: Para agilidade, o teste de Pearson apontou correlação estatisticamente significativa entre as variáveis CP (r=-0,70; p<0,05), CAD (r=-0,72; p<0,01), VP (r=-0,83; p<0,01), DP (r=0,71; p<0,01) e DDS (r=0,90; p<0,01). Para resistência, houve correlação com as variáveis CP (r=-0,67; p<0,05), CAD (r=-0,72; p<0,01), VP (r=-0,82; p<0,01), DP (r=0,71; p<0,01) e DDS (r=0,90; p<0,01). A análise de regressão múltipla revelou que a DDS foi a única variável preditora dos testes de agilidade (R²=0,82; p<0,01) e resistência (R²=0,81; p<0,01). CONCLUSÕES: Observou-se o uso potencial da DDS como parâmetro espaço-temporal do andar preditor do desempenho dos testes de resistência aeróbia e agilidade em pacientes com doença de Parkinson idiopática.

OBJECTIVE: To determine which spatial and temporal parameters are predictors of the gait pattern of individuals with idiopathic Parkinson's disease, for the aerobic endurance and agility tests included in the battery of tests of the AAHPERD protocol. METHODS: Six men and six women with mild and moderate impairment and disease stage were selected. They performed agility and aerobic endurance test in accordance with the AAHPERD protocol, and walked 8 m on a walkway. A digital video camera recorded one central stride. Markers were attached to the fifth metatarsal and lateral face of the calcaneus of the right leg and to the first metatarsal and medial face of the calcaneus of the left leg. The dependent variables selected were the time taken in the agility and endurance tests and the kinematic variables: stride length (SL), cadence (CAD), stride time (ST), double support time (DS), single support time (SS), swing time (SW) and stride velocity (SV). RESULTS: For agility, Pearson's test showed statistically significant correlations with SL (r=-0.70; p<0.05), CAD (r=-0.72; p<0.01), SV (r=-0.83; p<0.01), ST (r=0.71; p<0.01) and DS (r=0.90; p<0.01). For endurance, there were correlations with SL (r=-0.67; p<0.05), CAD (r=-0.72; p<0.01), SV (r=-0.82; p<0.01), ST (r=0.71; p<0.01), and DS (r=0.90; p<0.01). Multiple regression analysis revealed that DS was the only variable that predicted performance in both the agility (R²=0.82; p<0.01) and the endurance (R²=0.81; p<0.01) tests. CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that DS measure has a potential use as a kinematic parameter of gait that predicts the performance in agility and aerobic endurance tests in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

El tratamiento fisioterapéutico ¿es efectivo en el mantenimiento físico y en la reducción del declive cognitivo de las demencias? / Is physical therapy effective in physical maintenance and in the reduction of the cognitive decline in dementias?

Introdución. La demencia consiste en una enfermedadcrónica y generalmente degenerativa que lleva a unapérdida progresiva de las habilidades cognitivas y físicas de los individuos.Objetivo. Verificar la efectividad de 3 meses detratamiento fisioterapéutico sobre las funcionescognitivas y el equilibrio de adultos mayoresinstitucionalizados con demencia.Pacientes y métodos. Participaron en esta investigación30 personas, divididas en dos grupos: el experimental(GE) y el control (GC). El GE estaba formado por15 participantes con una edad media de 71,6 ± 8,5 años y escolaridad de 4,7 ± 4,2 años; el GC, por 15 sujetos con edad media de 78,5 ± 7,6 años y escolaridad de 2,2 ± 1,8 años. Todos los participantes realizaron el Mini Examen del Estado Mental (MMSE), el test de Fluidez Verbal Semántica, el test de dibujar un reloj, el test del equilibrio de Berg y el test de “levántate y anda” (up and go test). Para el análisis estadístico de los datos se utilizó el análisis multivariado (MANOVA), con el 5% de significancia (p < 0,05).Resultados. Los resultados indicaron una diferencia entrelos grupos con relación a la edad (Fisher: 0,2; p < 0,05)y a la escolaridad (Fisher: 2,6; p < 0,05). MANOVAreveló beneficios del tratamiento fisioterapéutico sobreel equilibrio (Fisher: 7,3; p < 0,01), pero no sobre lasfunciones cognitivas (Fisher: 0,3; p > 0,05).Conclusiones. Dichos resultados permitieron sugerir quela estimulación cognitiva y motora deben ser incluidasen el tratamiento fisioterapéutico, aunque no se hayanobservado efectos positivos del tratamiento sobre lasfunciones cognitivas. Quedan dudas de si unaintervención más prolongada en una muestra máshomogénea podría proporcionar una reducción deldeclive cognitivo

Introduction. Dementia is a chronic andneurodegenerative disease responsible for a progressivedecline of cognition and physical capacity.Objective: To verify the effectiviness of three monthsof physiotherapy intervention on cognitive functionsand balance of institutionilized elderly people withdementia.Patients and methods. This study has comprised thirtysubjects, divided in two groups: EG (experimentalgroup) and CG (control group). EG was composed by15 participants with mean age of 71,6 ± 8,5 years andscholarity of 4,7 ± 4,2 years. CG was formed by15 subjects with mean age of 78,5 ± 7,6 years andscholarity of 2,2 ± 1,8 years. The sample was evaluatedby means of the following instruments: Mini-MentalState Examination, Semantic Verbal Fluency test,Clock Drawing test, Berg Balance Scale and TimedGet Up and Go test. The statistical procedures weredone by means of Multivariate Analisis of Variance(MANOVA), with significance of 5% (p < 0,05).Results. The results has shown a heterogeneity of bothgroups related to age (F = 0,2, p < 0,05) and scholarity(F = 2,6, p < 0,05). MANOVA pointed beneficts ofphysiotherapy on balance (F = 7,3, p < 0,01) but not oncognitive functions (F = 0,3, p > 0,05).Conclusions. Three months of physiotherapy wereeffective to improuve physical capacity of institucionilized elderly people with dementia. Neverthless, it was not able to minimize cognitive decline commonly seen on dementia. The question if a prolonged intervention could propitiate cognitive beneficts remains, specially in a more homogeneous groups

[Depressive symptoms and motor condition in Parkinson's disease patients]. / Síntomas depresivos y trastorno motor en pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson.

INTRODUCTION: Complex relations between brain and psychopathology have attracted the interest of researchers, aiming to clarify the neurobiological mechanisms of depression in Parkinson's disease, obviously in addiction to mental features. AIMS: The association of motor impairment and decline of personal autonomy with severity of depressive symptoms was the hypothesis of the present study. Aiming to check this hypothesis, the objective of this study consisted in investigating relationships between the severity of depressive symptoms and motor characteristics of Parkinson's disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients (53 to 80 year-old) with medical diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease in initial clinic stages were studied. The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, Hoehn-Yahr Scale, and Schwab & England Scale were used to assess the clinic signs and symptoms. The depressive symptoms were identified by complete anamnesis, examination of mental condition, and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Anxiety and Depression Scale. Statistical analysis was performed by Pearson's correlation and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: A significant correlation of severity of depression symptoms with disease stage (p < 0.02), with motor signs (p < 0.008), and with functional performance (p < 0.007) was found. CONCLUSION: There was significant association between motor impairment and severity of depressive symptoms, and between depression and early disease onset or prolonged duration of Parkinson's disease.

Síntomas depresivos y trastorno motor en pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinsonª / Depressive symptoms and motor condition in parkinson’s disease patients

Las relaciones complejas entre el cerebro y la psicopatología han atraído el interés de los investigadores, que pretenden esclarecer los mecanismos neurobiológicos de la depresión en la enfermedad de Parkinson, además, obviamente,de las características mentales. Objetivos. La hipótesis del presente estudio fue la asociación del trastorno motor y la disminución de la autonomía personal con la intensidad de los síntomas depresivos. Con el fin de contrastar esta hipótesis, el objetivo de este estudio consistía en investigar las relaciones entre la intensidad de los síntomas depresivos y las características motoras de la enfermedad de Parkinson. Pacientes y métodos. Se estudió a 30 pacientes (de 53 a 80 años de edad) con un diagnóstico de enfermedad de Parkinson idiopática en fases clínicas iniciales. Se utilizó la escala unificada de valoración delparkinsonismo, la escala Hoehn-Yahr y la escala Schwab-England para evaluar los signos y síntomas clínicos. Los síntomas depresivos se identificaron mediante una anamnesis exhaustiva, el examen del estado mental, la escala de Hamilton para la depresióny la escala de ansiedad y depresión. Se realizaron análisis estadísticos mediante la correlación de Pearson y el análisis de regresión múltiple. Resultados. Se encontró una correlación significativa de la intensidad de los síntomas de la depresióncon la fase de la enfermedad (p < 0,02), con los signos motores (p < 0,008) y con el rendimiento funcional (p < 0,007). Conclusión. Hubo una asociación significativa entre el trastorno motor y la intensidad de los síntomas depresivos, y entre la depresión y el inicio precoz de la enfermedad o duración prolongada de la enfermedad de Parkinson

Complex relations between brain and psychopathology have attracted the interest of researchers,aiming to clarify the neurobiological mechanisms of depression in Parkinson’s disease, obviously in addiction to mental features. Aims. The association of motor impairment and decline of personal autonomy with severity of depressive symptoms was the hypothesis of the present study. Aiming to check this hypothesis, the objective of this study consisted in investigatingrelationships between the severity of depressive symptoms and motor characteristics of Parkinson’s disease. Patients and methods. Thirty patients (53 to 80 year-old) with medical diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease in initial clinic stageswere studied. The Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale, Hoehn-Yahr Scale, and Schwab & England Scale were used to assess the clinic signs and symptoms. The depressive symptoms were identified by complete anamnesis, examination of mentalcondition, and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Anxiety and Depression Scale. Statistical analysis was performed by Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression analysis. Results. A significant correlation of severity of depressionsymptoms with disease stage (p < 0.02), with motor signs (p < 0.008), and with functional performance (p < 0.007) was found.Conclusion. There was significant association between motor impairment and severity of depressive symptoms, and between depression and early disease onset or prolonged duration of Parkinson’s disease

Risco de quedas em idosos com doença de Parkinson e demência de Alzheimer: um estudo transversal / Risk of falls among elderly people with Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's dementia: a cross-sectional study

OBJETIVO: Comparar o risco de quedas entre idosos com doença de Parkinson (DP), demência de Alzheimer (DA) e saudáveis (controle). Além disso, pretendeu-se analisar as relações do risco de quedas com declínio cognitivo e com nível de atividade física. MÉTODO: vinte idosos, sendo sete com DP (69,57 ± 2,40 anos), seis com DA (77,5 ± 2,32 anos) e sete saudáveis (74,71 ± 2,58 anos), foram avaliados por meio dos seguintes instrumentos: Escala de Equilíbrio Funcional de Berg (EEFB), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), Mini-Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM) e Questionário Baecke Modificado para Idosos (QBMI). RESULTADOS: O teste de Kruskal-Wallis apontou diferença significativa entre os grupos, tanto em relação à EEFB (KW=9,67, p<0,01), quanto em relação ao TUG (KW=9,14, p<0,01, para tempo despendido, e KW=10,04, p<0,01, para número de passos). A "análise aos pares" do teste post-hoc de Bonferroni apontou comprometimento maior do equilíbrio no grupo DA, no qual também foram observados menores valores no MEEM. O grupo DP foi caracterizado por apresentar um maior nível de atividade física. A análise de correlação de Spearman apontou correlação baixa entre MEEM e EEFB (r s=0,59); entre MEEM e TUG (r s=-0,62 e r s=-0,52); entre QBMI e EEFB (r s=0,54); e entre QBMI e TUG (r s=-0,39 e r s=-0,42). CONCLUSÕES: As baixas correlações observadas devem ser analisadas com cautela, pois tais variáveis sofrem influência de múltiplos fatores. No grupo DA, o declínio cognitivo pode estar relacionado ao maior risco de quedas e, no grupo DP, a atividade física pode ter auxiliado a manter um risco de quedas próximo ao grupo controle.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the risk of falls among elderly people with Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's dementia (AD) and among healthy peers (controls). In addition, the aim was to analyze relationships between risk of falls and cognitive decay and between risk of falls and physical activity. METHOD: Twenty subjects were assessed: seven with PD (69.57 ± 2.40 years), six with AD (77.5 ± 2.32 years) and seven healthy peers (74.71 ± 2.58 years). The following instruments were used: Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Modified Baecke Questionnaire for Older Adults (MBQOA). RESULTS: The Kruskal-Wallis (KW) test indicated significant differences between the groups, relating to BBS (KW = 9.67, p<0.01) and TUG (KW = 9.14, p<0.01, for time expended, and KW = 10.04, p<0.01, for number of steps). Bonferroni post-hoc pairs analysis showed that balance was highly compromised in the AD group, such that lower MMSE values were observed. The PD group was characterized by presenting higher levels of physical activity. Spearman's test produced low correlations between MMSE and BBS (r s=0.59); MMSE and TUG (r s=-0.52 and r s=-0.62); MBQOA and BBS (r s=0.54); and MBQOA and TUG (r s=-0.39 and r s=-0.42). CONCLUSION: These low correlations must be analyzed carefully, because these variables are influenced by multiple factors. In the AD group, the cognitive decay can be positively associated with greater risk of falls. In the PD group, physical activity may have assisted in maintaining the risk of falls at similar levels to the control group.

Parâmetros cinemáticos da marcha com obstáculos em idosos com Doença de Parkinson, com e sem efeito da levodopa: um estudo piloto / Kinematic parameters for gait with obstacles among elderly patients with Parkinson's disease, with and without levodopa: a pilot study

CONTEXTO: Os efeitos da levodopa na marcha de pacientes com Doença de Parkinson (DP) em terrenos desobstruídos são conhecidos, mas pouco se conhece sobre seus efeitos na marcha com obstáculos. OBJETIVO: Este estudo objetivou descrever, por meio de ferramenta cinemática, o comportamento locomotor de pacientes com DP e verificar as estratégias locomotoras, sem e sob o efeito da levodopa, durante a ultrapassagem de obstáculos de diferentes alturas. MÉTODO: Cinco pacientes com DP (Hoehn e Yahr= 2±0; idade= 68,4±5,7 anos) percorreram, andando, 10m e ultrapassaram um de dois obstáculos (alto= metade da altura do joelho e baixo= altura do tornozelo) posicionado no meio da passarela em duas sessões (em jejum e no pico de ação do medicamento). As seguintes variáveis foram coletadas e analisadas: distância horizontal pé-obstáculo (DHPO), distância vertical pé-obstáculo (DVPO); distância horizontal obstáculo-pé (DHOP) e velocidades médias, horizontais e verticais, nas fases de abordagem e aterrissagem (respectivamente, VHAO,VVAO; VHDO,VVDO). RESULTADOS: A ANOVA, por tentativa, revelou efeito principal de obstáculo para DVPO (F1,49=15,33; p< 0,001), para VVAO (F1,49= 82,184; p< 0,001), para VHDO (F1,49= 15,33; p< 0,001) e para VVDO (F1,49= 31,30; p< 0,001); e efeito principal de medicamento para DVPO (F1,49= 6,66; p< 0,013) e para VVAO (F1,49= 10,174; p< 0,002). CONCLUSÕES: Pacientes foram mais perturbados pelo obstáculo alto. Os sintomas da DP (bradicinesia e hipocinesia) foram diminuídos com o medicamento, evidenciando aumento geral da velocidade da perna de abordagem e da margem de segurança sobre os obstáculos. Pacientes com DP, independente da condição de medicamento, apresentaram um comportamento que garantiu segurança e estabilidade na marcha.

[The in vitro release of hydroxyl radicals from dust containing fluoro-edenite fibers identified in the volcanic rocks of Biancavilla (eastern Sicily)]. / Studio del rilascio in vitro di radicali ossidrile (HO.) da parte di polveri contenenti fibre di fluoro-edenite identificate nella roccia lavica di Biancavilla (Sicilia orientale).

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies revealed an unusually high incidence of malignant pleural mesothelioma in Biancavilla, a town in eastern Sicily located in a volcanic area. In the absence of occupational risk factors connected with asbestos inhalation, a nearby stone quarry, which has long been providing most of the local building materials (e.g. plaster), was suspected to be the source of mineral fibres. These fibres had never been studied before and were identified as fluoro-edenite. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ability of the fluoro-edenite fibres present in mineral dusts and house plaster to release hydroxyl radicals in vitro. METHODS: After fibre characterisation and the determination of particulate specific surface, the ability of quarry rock dust and house plaster dust to generate hydroxyl radicals was measured in vitro using the deoxyribose degradation assay. Treatment with 1,3-dimethyl-2-thiourea (DMTU), a hydroxyl radical scavenger, or deferoxamine (DFX), an iron chelator, was performed to confirm hydroxyl radical production and study the role of iron. Crocidolite (UICC) was used as positive control. RESULTS: The rocks were found to contain fibrous amphiboles, identified as fluoro-edenite, which are chemically similar to tremolite. All samples generated hydroxyl radicals, with rocks yielding consistently higher values than plaster. Treatment of the dusts with DMTU or DFX significantly reduced hydroxyl radical production by both samples. The type of biological reactivity observed with these fluoro-edenite fibres resembled that of asbestos fibres. CONCLUSIONS: The hydroxyl radicals generated by asbestos fibres have long been known to mediate inflammatory fibrosis of the lung and DNA damage that may ultimately result in lung carcinoma and mesothelioma.

Structure of self-assembled liposome-DNA-metal complexes.

We have studied the structural and morphological properties of the triple complex dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine (DOPC)-DNA-Mn2+ by means of synchrotron x-ray diffraction and freeze-fracture transmission electron microscopy. This complex is formed in a self-assembled manner when water solutions of neutral lipid, DNA, and metal ions are mixed, which represents a striking example of supramolecular chemistry. The DNA condensation in the complex is promoted by the metal cations that bind the polar heads of the lipid with the negatively charged phosphate groups of DNA. The complex is rather heterogeneous with respect to size and shape and exhibits the lamellar symmetry of the L(c)(alpha) phase: the structure consists of an ordered multilamellar assembly similar to that recently found in cationic liposome-DNA complexes, where the hydrated DNA helices are sandwiched between the liposome bilayers. The experimental results show that, at equilibrium, globules of the triple complex in the L(c)(alpha) phase coexist with globules of multilamellar vesicles of DOPC in the L(alpha) phase, the volume ratio of the two structures being dependent on the molar ratio of the three components DOPC, DNA, and Mn2+. These complexes are of potential interest for applications as synthetically based nonviral carriers of DNA vectors for gene therapy.

Comparison of an attenuated anticoccidial vaccine and an anticoccidial drug programme in commercial broiler chickens in Italy.

A live attenuated anticoccidial vaccine (Paracox) was compared with a nicarbazin-monensin anticoccidial drug shuttle programme in three crops of Italian broilers, comprising a total of 290,405 chickens. All birds received the antibiotic growth promoter avilamycin. No coccidiosis was evident during the trials, but the occurrence of oocysts in the litter demonstrated that a natural challenge was present. Vaccinated birds consistently performed at least as well as those treated with the anticoccidial drug shuttle. The final mean weights of vaccinated birds were significantly greater (P < 0.001) than those of birds treated with anticoccidial drugs, both for females at 36/37 days and males at 56 days. Feed conversion ratios, total mortality including culls, the proportion of rejects at the processing plant, and the moisture content of the litter were not significantly different between the two control methods. Growth curves showed that there was no post-vaccinal growth check in the vaccinated birds and no intolerance of the anticoccidial drug treatment. There was no overall seasonal effect, regardless of treatment, on the performance of the three crops reared from November 1997 to July 1998. These findings suggest that the use of this vaccine is likely to enable the replacement of anticoccidial drug shuttle programmes in broilers reared under conditions similar to those used in these Italian flocks.