Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, reliability, and construct validity of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale.

RESULTS: 59 patients were included (61% with COPD and 39% with ILD). BPNES factor scores were not significantly different between raters' assessments (p > 0.05). The internal consistency was 0.70 for autonomy, 0.76 for competence, and 0.80 for relatedness. Inter-rater and test-retest reliability were good to very good for autonomy (ICC = 0.78, 95%CI 0.62-0.87; ICC = 0.75, 95%CI 0.57-0.86, respectively), competence (ICC = 0.81, 95%CI 0.68-0.89; ICC = 0.65, 95%CI 0.43-0.80, respectively), and relatedness (ICC = 0.79, 95%CI 0.65-0.88; ICC = 0.70, 95%CI 0.50-0.83, respectively). Significant correlations were observed between BPNES factors and quality of life, anxiety, depression, and functional status. In conclusion, this study confirmed the reliability and construct validity of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the BPNES in patients with COPD and ILD.

Effects of Heated Pneumoperitoneum on Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Peritoneal Histology in Female Dogs That Underwent Video-Assisted Ovariohysterectomy.

Laparoscopic procedures require the creation of pneumoperitoneum. CO2, which must be cold and dry, is the standard gas used in such surgeries. The type of gas used, its temperature, and moisture may change the peritoneal surface and cause systemic and local oxidative stress. Our objective is to evaluate the influence of pneumoperitoneum heating on the occurrence of histological lesions in the peritoneum, inflammation, plasma oxidative stress, and on the mesothelial surface in patients undergoing video-assisted ovariohysterectomy. Twenty canine females were included and distributed evenly into two groups: heated CO2 (HG) and unheated CO2 (UHG). The biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress were evaluated before insufflation (T0), at 30 min (T1), and at 60 min (T2) of exposure to CO2. Biopsies of the peritoneal tissue for histological evaluation were performed at T0 and T2. Regarding plasma parameters, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) showed a greater activity in the HG at T1 (p=0.0268) and T2 (p=0.0423); in turn, butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) showed a greater activity at T2 in the HG (p=0.0175) compared with T0. Catalase activity (CAT) was different between HG times; it was higher at T1 (p=0.0253). There was a decrease in the levels of substances reactive to thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) (p=0.0117) and in glutathione (GSH) (p=0.0114) between T0 and T2 in the UHG. Regarding tissue oxidative stress, the CAT in the HG showed a greater activity at T2 than T1 (p=0.0150). By comparing the groups at each time, there was a difference only at T2 (p=0.0288), being greater in the HG. Regarding the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the HG, there was a difference between T2 in relation to T0 and T1 (p=0.0181); finally, there was an increase only at T1 (p=0.0287) in the UHG when comparing groups at the same time. There were no differences in the histological parameters evaluated. Our study demonstrates that the heating of CO2 generates a greater inflammatory response and forms reactive oxygen species (ROS) at the plasma and peritoneal levels.

Total Intravenous Anesthesia With Propofol Associated or Not With Remifentanil, Ketamine, or S-Ketamine for Laparoscopic Ovariectomy in Female Dogs.

Total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) has been gaining ground in the routine of small animals. This study aimed to evaluate the hemodynamic effects produced by continuous infusion of propofol isolated or associated with ketamine, S-ketamine, or remifentanil in dogs submitted to video laparoscopic ovariectomy. Thirty-two female dogs were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n = 8): G,1 propofol (0.6 mg/kg/min); G2. ketamine (2 mg/kg followed by 100 µg/kg/min) and propofol (0.4 mg/kg/min); G3, S-ketamine (1 mg/kg followed by 50 µg/kg/min) and propofol (0.4 mg/kg/min); and G4, remifentanil (1 µg/kg followed by 0.2 µg/kg/min) and propofol (0.4 mg/kg/min). All dogs were submitted to the same pre-anesthetic protocol with acepromazine (0.1 mg/kg) and meperidine (4 mg/kg) intramuscularly, followed by anesthetic induction with propofol (4 mg/kg). All animals were mechanically ventilated. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (f), SpO2, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressures (SAP, DAP and MAP, respectively), EtCO2, cardiac output (CO), blood glucose and rectal temperature were evaluated in 7 time-points (M0-M7). HR increased throughout the anesthesia in all groups, except for G4, which showed inferior values. In all groups, EtCO2 increased from M1 to M7. SAP was higher in G1 in relation to G2 in M2 and M3, and G4 in all time points. G4 also obtained the lower values for DAP and MAP, although not inferior to 60 mmHg. CO was unchanged through time and among groups. No groups had hyperglycemia, although glucose levels varied with time. It was concluded that all TIVA protocols showed satisfactory results and hemodynamic stability.

Rapid responses of root traits and productivity to phosphorus and cation additions in a tropical lowland forest in Amazonia.

Soil nutrient availability can strongly affect root traits. In tropical forests, phosphorus (P) is often considered the main limiting nutrient for plants. However, support for the P paradigm is limited, and N and cations might also control tropical forests functioning. We used a large-scale experiment to determine how the factorial addition of nitrogen (N), P and cations affected root productivity and traits related to nutrient acquisition strategies (morphological traits, phosphatase activity, arbuscular mycorrhizal colonisation and nutrient contents) in a primary rainforest growing on low-fertility soils in Central Amazonia after 1 yr of fertilisation. Multiple root traits and productivity were affected. Phosphorus additions increased annual root productivity and root diameter, but decreased root phosphatase activity. Cation additions increased root productivity at certain times of year, also increasing root diameter and mycorrhizal colonisation. P and cation additions increased their element concentrations in root tissues. No responses were detected with N addition. Here we showed that rock-derived nutrients determined root functioning in low-fertility Amazonian soils, demonstrating not only the hypothesised importance of P, but also highlighting the role of cations. The changes in fine root traits and productivity indicated that even slow-growing tropical rainforests can respond rapidly to changes in resource availability.

A new look towards the thermal decomposition of chitins and chitosans with different degrees of deacetylation by coupled TG-FTIR.

Chitins and Chitosans with different degrees of deacetylation (DD¯) were analyzed for the first time by thermogravimetry coupled to infrared spectroscopy TG-FTIR in order to evaluate the effect of DD¯ on the thermal decomposition process. DD¯ values of chitins and chitosans were determined by 1H-NMR and structural difference were investigated by FTIR, SEM and XRD. Thermal stability of chitosan with 98, 87, 71% DD¯, chitins with 47 and 27% DD¯ and commercial α-chitin were evaluated. Thermal decomposition of chitosans occurs in two steps, while for chitins occurs predominantly in first stage under air atmosphere. Commercial chitin thermally decomposed at lower temperatures than highly deacetylated chitosan. A faster thermal degradation process was found for chitins, except for commercial sample. TG-FTIR of evolved gas evidenced a complex gaseous mixture mainly composed by ammonia, acetic acid, acetamide, water, monoxide and carbon dioxide in proportions that are deeply dependent on the DD¯.

Characterization, solubility and biological activity of amphihilic biopolymeric Schiff bases synthesized using chitosans.

Chitosans are versatile biopolymers recognized for their wide range of biological activities. However, the low solubility in neutral and basic solutions restricts the applications. Thus amphiphilic biopolymeric Schiff bases from chitosans, salicylaldehyde and glycidol were successfully synthesized and characterized using 1H-NMR, UV/Vis, FTIR, TG/DTG-DTA and tested for their antimicrobial activities against plant pathogenic microorganisms and human breast cancer cells (MCF-7). Overall, functionalization of chitosans with salicylaldehyde and glycidol with different molecular weight (Mw¯) was performed to improve the biological actives of chitosans. Thus the biological activity of the new amphiphilic compounds prepared in this work were evaluated regarding microorganisms with agricultural relevance and tumor cells. The biopolymeric amphiphilic Schiff bases showed significant effects against Pseudomonas syringae (IC50 < 5 µg mL-1) compared to the natural chitosans with medium Mw¯ (CHM 223 kDa) and low Mw¯ (CHL 64 kDa), which had IC50 values of 42 and 37 µg mL-1, respectively. In addition, they improved antitumor activity against tumor cells compared to the natural chitosan.

Parasites and allergy: Observations from Brazil.

Brazil is a middle-income country undergoing the epidemiological transition. Effects of changes in daily life habits and access to clean water, sanitation and urban services on a growing urban population have contributed to a double burden of both infectious and noncommunicable chronic diseases. Studies have indicated that parasite infections may modulate the human immune system and influence the development of allergic conditions such as asthma. However, there is no consensus in the published literature on the effects of parasitic infections on allergy, perhaps as a consequence of factors determining the epidemiology of these infections that vary between populations such as age of first infection, duration and chronicity of infections, parasite burden and species, and host genetic susceptibility. In this review, we discuss the observations from Brazil concerning the relationship between parasite infections and allergy.

Celioscopic liver biopsy in silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) / Biópsia hepática celioscópica em jundiás (Rhamdia quelen)

Endosurgery has been used for assessment of fish celomatic cavity, as well as for obtaining biopsies for organic analysis. Such minimally invasive access may also be used for the analysis of environmental impact on biomarkers of pollution. In Brazil, studies and literature regarding the use of celioscopy in fish are sparse. The purpose of the current study was to develop a two-port celioscopy technique to obtain liver biopsy in silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen). Six adult female silver catfish were used. The animals were anesthetized and the inspection of the celomatic cavity were performed using a telescope and celioscopic-guided liver biopsy were taken using laparoscopic Kelly forceps. On the early postoperative period, the animals were released in a confined water reservoir where mortality could be checked. The liver samples were sent for histological assessment. There were no complications during surgery on early postoperative period. It was possible to visualize meticulously several organs (liver, spleen, stomach, pancreas, swim bladder, ovaries, bowel and transverse septum). In conclusion, the surgical technique and the anesthetic protocol proposed were suitable to perform liver biopsies in silver catfish and provided low morbidity...

A videocirurgia vem sendo utilizada em avaliações da cavidade celomática de diferentes peixes, bem como na obtenção de biopsias para análises de órgãos. Esse acesso, minimamente invasivo, pode ainda ser empregado no estudo de impactos ambientais, a partir do uso desses animais como bioindicadores de poluentes. No Brasil, poucos são os estudos envolvendo a realização de celioscopia de peixes. Este trabalho teve como objetivo, desenvolver uma técnica de videocelioscopia, a partir da utilização de dois portais, na obtenção de biopsia hepática em jundiás (Rhamdia quelen). Para o estudo, foram utilizadas seis fêmeas adultas. Após os animais serem anestesiados, realizou-se a inspeção da cavidade celomática com endoscópio de 10mm e 00 para na sequência, realizar a coleta de tecido hepático com pinça de Kelly. Após a recuperação anestésica/cirúrgica, os animais foram liberados em açude que permitia o controle de possíveis óbitos. Todas as amostras de tecido hepático foram encaminhadas a exame histopatológico. Os procedimentos foram realizados sem a ocorrência de complicações trans ou pós-operatórias. Visualizou-se detalhadamente diferentes órgãos e estruturas intracavitárias (fígado, baço, estômago, pâncreas, bexiga natatória, ovários, intestino grosso e septo transverso. Conclui-se que a técnica cirúrgica e o protocolo anestésico proposto são adequadas para a realização de biópsias hepáticas em jundiás e estão associados a diminuta morbidade...

Attention and CERAD test performances in cognitively impaired elderly subjects.

OBJECTIVES: Attention plays a fundamental role in cognitive performance and is closely interrelated with all major cognitive domains. In this retrospective study, we correlated different measures of attention with standard cognitive parameters in 85 cognitively impaired elderly individuals presenting with cognitive complaints to a memory clinic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Z-scores of all relevant cognitive parameters of a extended Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's disease (CERAD-Plus) neuropsychological battery were correlated with tonic and phasic alertness, inhibition, and divided attention, assessed by a computerized test battery of attention. The pooled sample consisted of 36 patients with the diagnosis of mild AD, 30 patients with mild cognitive impairment, and 19 patients with major depressive disorder. RESULTS: Subjects of all diagnostic groups exhibited normal results in all subtests of attention. Reaction times of neither the tonic nor the phasic alertness task were correlated with any parameter of memory and global cognition. However, significant correlations were obtained between reaction times in the alertness tasks and the trail-making tests. Omissions in the divided attention task yielded the strongest correlations with deficits in cognitive performance, particularly in the verbal learning tasks, the Boston naming test, and the trail-making tests. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate the relative independency of the CERAD-Plus on the variability of attention and particularly alertness suggesting its robustness in psychiatric memory clinic settings. Moreover, CERAD-Plus subtests correlated considerably with failure rates in divided attention, suggesting that impairment in divided attention tasks may be early markers of cognitive impairment.

["Extended suicide". Homicide-suicide under psychopathological and criminological aspects]. / Der "erweiterte Suizid". Vollendete Homizid-Suizide unter psychopathologischen und kriminologischen Aspekten.

BACKGROUND: Homicide-suicide is a rare and serious phenomenon which mainly occurs in intimate relationships and families. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study ten cases of murder-suicide during the period 2006-2011 in the greater area of Düsseldorf were investigated. Data were obtained from coroner and prosecution files. RESULTS: All perpetrators were male. In accordance with the literature the results of the analysis revealed male sex, higher age, intimate partnership, access to firearms and special personality traits, mainly emotionally unstable, narcissistic traits and aggressiveness as the main risk factors. In all cases, at least three risk factors were identified. Breakdown of the marital relationship and social descent emerged as probable leading motives. Shooting was the most frequent method of killing followed by sharp force. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with homicide and suicide, homicide-suicide appears to be a distinct phenomenon. The knowledge and understanding of relevant risk factors could help mental health professionals, police and public authorities to intervene in time.

[Subtle focal diffusion abnormality in the hippocampus]. / Subtile fokale Diffusionsstörung im Hippokampus.

A 53-year-old female patient presented with sudden onset confusion and disorientation. Further neurological examination was unremarkable and the patient showed a complete recovery after several hours. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination performed 2 days later revealed a tiny focal lesion in the lateral hippocampus in the diffusion weighted images consistent with transient global amnesia.