Asymmetric activity of NetrinB controls laterality of the Drosophila brain.

Left-Right (LR) asymmetry of the nervous system is widespread across animals and is thought to be important for cognition and behaviour. But in contrast to visceral organ asymmetry, the genetic basis and function of brain laterality remain only poorly characterized. In this study, we performed RNAi screening to identify genes controlling brain asymmetry in Drosophila. We found that the conserved NetrinB (NetB) pathway is required for a small group of bilateral neurons to project asymmetrically into a pair of neuropils (Asymmetrical Bodies, AB) in the central brain in both sexes. While neurons project unilaterally into the right AB in wild-type flies, netB mutants show a bilateral projection phenotype and hence lose asymmetry. Developmental time course analysis reveals an initially bilateral connectivity, eventually resolving into a right asymmetrical circuit during metamorphosis, with the NetB pathway being required just prior symmetry breaking. We show using unilateral clonal analysis that netB activity is required specifically on the right side for neurons to innervate the right AB. We finally show that loss of NetB pathway activity leads to specific alteration of long-term memory, providing a functional link between asymmetrical circuitry determined by NetB and animal cognitive functions.

Analgesia and pain: Dual effect of dopamine on the peripheral nociceptive system is dependent on D2-or D1-like receptor activation.

In this study, a pharmacological approach, together with the paw pressure test, was used to investigate the role of dopamine and its receptors in the peripheral processing of the nociceptive response in mice. Initially, the administration of dopamine (5, 20, and 80 ng/paw) in the hind paw of male Swiss mice (30-40 g) promoted antinociceptive effects in a dose-dependent manner. This was considered a peripheral effect, as it did not produce changes in the nociceptive threshold of the contralateral paw. The D2, D3, and D4 dopamine receptor antagonists remoxipride (4 µg/paw), U99194 (16 µg/paw), and L-745,870 (16 µg/paw), respectively, reversed the dopamine-mediated antinociception in mice with PGE2-induced hyperalgesia. The D1 and D5 dopamine receptor antagonists SKF 83566 (2 µg/paw) and SCH 23390 (1.6 µg/paw), respectively, did not alter dopamine antinociception. In contrast, dopamine at higher doses (0.1, 1, and 10 µg/paw) caused hyperalgesia in the animals, and the D1 and D5 receptor antagonists reversed this pronociceptive effect (10 µg/paw), whereas the D2 receptor antagonist remoxipride did not. Our data suggest that dopamine has a dual effect that depends on the dose, as it causes peripheral antinociceptive effects at small doses via the activation of D2-like receptors and nociceptive effects at higher doses via the activation of D1-like receptors.

Influence of Frailty Status on Pain, Disability, and Quality of Life in Older Adults with Acute Low Back Pain: Results from the Back Complaints in the Elders (BACE-Brazil) Study.

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from a prospective cohort study to investigate whether frailty is associated with pain intensity, disability caused by low back pain (LBP), and quality of life in an older population with acute non-specific LBP. Six hundred and two individuals with a mean age of 67.6 (standard deviation [SD] 7.0) years were included in the analysis. In relation to frailty status, 21.3 per cent of the sample were classified as robust, 59.2 per cent were classified as pre-frail, and 19.5 per cent were classified as frail. In the unadjusted analysis, pre-frail and frail groups showed significantly higher pain and disability scores than the robust group. Moreover, the same two groups exhibited lower scores in both physical and mental domains of quality of life than the robust group. After adjusting for socio-demographic and clinical variables, disability scores and the physical component of quality of life were significantly associated with frailty. In older adults with acute LBP, frailty is associated with more disability and worse scores in the physical component of quality of life.

Fungal contamination and determination of fumonisins and aflatoxins in commercial feeds intended for ornamental birds in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The purposes of this study were to determine the distribution of total mycobiota, to determine the occurrence of Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp. and Fusarium spp. and to detect and quantify fumonisin B1 and aflatoxin B1 in birds' feedstuffs. Sixty samples from different commercial feeds were collected. Analysis of the total mycobiota was performed and total fungal counts were expressed as CFU g(-1). The isolation frequency (%) and relative density (%) of fungal genera and species were determined. Mycotoxins determination was carried out using commercial ELISA kits. The 48% of standard, 31% of premium and only 9% of super premium feed samples were found above of recommended limit (1 × 10(4) CFU g(-1)). Aspergillus (82%), Cladosporium (50%) and Penicillium (42%) were the most frequently isolated genera. Aspergillus niger aggregate (35%), Aspergillus fumigatus (28%) and Aspergillus flavus (18%) had the highest relative densities. Contamination with fumonisins was detected in 95% of total samples with levels from 0·92 to 6·68 µg g(-1), and the aflatoxins contamination was found in 40% of total samples with levels between 1·2 and 9·02 µg kg(-1). Feed samples contaminated with fumonisins and aflatoxins are potentially toxic to birds.

Physical therapy intervention (PTI) increases plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in non-frail and pre-frail elderly women.

Biomarkers are important factors in the identification of the frail elderly (higher risk of developing disease) and in assessing the impact of PTI. On the other hand, BDNF has been related to neuroprotection in a series of central nervous system diseases in older age. The levels of BDNF in groups of elderly women classified according to Fried phenotype (non-frail and pre-frail) were compared. We assessed the impact of a PTI on BDNF levels. A convenience sample of 48 elderly women was randomly selected. The PTI group was composed by 20 elderly women selected from this group. Plasma neurotrophic factors, such as BDNF, glial-derived neutrophic factor (GDNF), and nerve growth factor (NGF) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Timed-up-and-go (TUG) test, hand-grip and work/body weight were evaluated before and after the intervention. Plasma concentrations of BDNF were significantly higher in non-frail in comparison to pre-frail elderly women. After the PTI, higher levels of BDNF were found in elderly women (before 351±68 pg/ml and after 593±79 pg/ml; p<0.001). Both groups had an increase in BDNF levels after the PTI. The low levels of BDNF in pre-frail elderly women suggest that this neurotrophic factor may be a key pathophysiological mediator in the syndrome of frailty. The fact that PTI increased BDNF levels in both groups suggests that it may be possible to modify this phenotype.

Effects of 174 G/C polymorphism in the promoter region of the interleukin-6 gene on plasma IL-6 levels and muscle strength in elderly women

We investigated the effect of -174 G/C single-nucleotide polymorphism in the promoter region of the IL6 gene on plasma IL-6 levels and muscle strength, and the relationship between IL-6 levels and muscle strength in elderly women. The sample consisted of 199 elderly residents (73.0 ± 7.8 years old) from rest homes and the community in Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. -174 G/C polymorphism was determined by direct sequencing of the product by PCR, and plasma IL-6 concentrations were measured by ELISA. Muscle strength in the knee joint was evaluated using a Biodex System 3 Pro® isokinetic dynamometer. ANCOVA was used to determine the effect of polymorphism on IL-6 levels and muscle strength, and the Pearson correlation coefficient to assess the relationship between IL-6 levels and muscle strength. -174 G/C polymorphism was associated with the plasma IL-6 levels of elderly women (P < 0.01) since homozygotes for the G allele showed high IL-6 levels (GG 3.85 pg/mL, GC + CC 2.13 pg/mL). There was no association of polymorphism on muscle strength (P > 0.05). No association was found between IL-6 levels and knee extensor muscle (r = 0.087, P = 0.306) or flexor (r = -0.011, P = 0.894) strength. An interaction between -174 G/C polymorphism and housing conditions of the sample of elderly women was identified, with the effect of genotype on IL-6 levels being higher in the institutionalized elderly. These results support the evidence that -174 G/C polymorphism of the IL6 gene associates with individual variability of plasma IL-6 levels in elderly women.

Effects of 174 G/C polymorphism in the promoter region of the interleukin-6 gene on plasma IL-6 levels and muscle strength in elderly women.

We investigated the effect of -174 G/C single-nucleotide polymorphism in the promoter region of the IL6 gene on plasma IL-6 levels and muscle strength, and the relationship between IL-6 levels and muscle strength in elderly women. The sample consisted of 199 elderly residents (73.0 ± 7.8 years old) from rest homes and the community in Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. -174 G/C polymorphism was determined by direct sequencing of the product by PCR, and plasma IL-6 concentrations were measured by ELISA. Muscle strength in the knee joint was evaluated using a Biodex System 3 Pro® isokinetic dynamometer. ANCOVA was used to determine the effect of polymorphism on IL-6 levels and muscle strength, and the Pearson correlation coefficient to assess the relationship between IL-6 levels and muscle strength. -174 G/C polymorphism was associated with the plasma IL-6 levels of elderly women (P < 0.01) since homozygotes for the G allele showed high IL-6 levels (GG 3.85 pg/mL, GC + CC 2.13 pg/mL). There was no association of polymorphism on muscle strength (P > 0.05). No association was found between IL-6 levels and knee extensor muscle (r = 0.087, P = 0.306) or flexor (r = -0.011, P = 0.894) strength. An interaction between -174 G/C polymorphism and housing conditions of the sample of elderly women was identified, with the effect of genotype on IL-6 levels being higher in the institutionalized elderly. These results support the evidence that -174 G/C polymorphism of the IL6 gene associates with individual variability of plasma IL-6 levels in elderly women.

Confiabilidade da fotogrametria em relação a goniometria para avaliação postural de membros inferiores / Reliability of photogrammetry in relation to goniometry for postural lower limb assessment

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: A avaliação postural bem como a mensuração da amplitude articular são instrumentos fundamentais para o diagnóstico, planejamento e acompanhamento da evolução e dos resultados de um tratamento fisioterapêutico. Elas podem ser realizadas tanto pela goniometria - método mais utilizado na clínica fisioterapêutica - como, com o avanço tecnológico, pela fotogrametria. OBJETIVOS: Verificar a confiabilidade paralela da fotogrametria computadorizada, utilizando dois softwares, o Corel Draw e o SAPo, em relação à goniometria para quatro ângulos nos membros inferiores. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODOS:Foram estudados 26 voluntários de ambos os sexos, assintomáticos, com idade entre 18 e 45 anos, sem anisomelia de membros inferiores maior que 1 cm. Foram mensurados os ângulos tíbio-társico (TT), de flexo/extensão do joelho (flex/ext), ângulo Q (Q) e ângulo do retropé, inicialmente, com um goniômetro manual e, posteriormente, pela fotogrametria digital por meio dos softwares Corel Draw v. 12 e SAPo v.0.63. RESULTADOS: Os ângulos TT (p= 0,9991), do retropé (p= 0,2159) e de flexo/extensão do joelho (p= 0,4027) não foram estatisticamente diferentes entre os 3 métodos de avaliação. Já o ângulo Q foi significativamente diferente entre a goniometria e os dois softwares usados na fotogrametria (p= 0,0067), embora os valores obtidos pelos mesmos não tenham diferido entre si (p= 0,9920), demonstrando que os resultados da fotogrametria não foram influenciados pelos softwares utilizados. CONCLUSÃO: Para os ângulos avaliados em sujeitos jovens assintomáticos, a fotogrametria computadorizada é confiável paralelamente à goniometria, exceto para o ângulo Q. Portanto, na clínica fisioterapêutica, deve-se ter cautela no uso de medidas de ângulo Q provenientes de diferentes métodos de avaliação postural.

BACKGROUND: Postural assessment and joint range-of-motion measurements are fundamental in diagnosing, planning and following up the evolution and results from physical therapy treatment. These can be done with the aid of goniometry the most common method in physical therapy practice - and also, through technological advances, by means of photogrammetry. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the parallel reliability of computerized photogrammetry, using two software tools (Corel Draw and SAPo), in relation to goniometry, in four angles of the lower limbs. METHOD: Twenty-six asymptomatic volunteers of both sexes, aged between 18 and 45 years, were studied. None of them had leg length discrepancy greater than 1 cm. The tibiotarsal angle (TT), knee flexion/extension angle (F/E), quadriceps angle (Q) and subtalar angle (S) were measured. The measurement was done first with a manual goniometer and then with digital photogrammetry by means of the Corel Draw v. 12 and SAPo v.0.63 software. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences between the three evaluation methods for the TT (p= 0.9991), S (p= 0.2159) and F/E (p= 0.4027) angles. However, for the Q angle there was a significant difference between goniometry and the software used in photogrammetry (p= 0.0067), although there was no significant difference between two software tools (p= 0.9920). This showed that the photogrammetry results were not influenced by the software used. CONCLUSION: In these healthy young subjects, computerized photogrammetry showed good parallel reliability in comparison with goniometry, for all the angles evaluated except for the Q angle. Therefore, in physical therapy practice, caution is needed in using Q angle measurements coming from different postural assessment methods.

The mycobiota and toxicity of equine feeds.

Feed contamination can lead to nutrient losses and detrimental effects on animal health and production. The purposes of this study were to investigate the mycobiota in equine mixed feeds and to determine natural contamination with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and fumonisin B1 (FB1). Fungal enumeration of equine feed samples was done. A commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was applied to quantify AFB1 and FB1. A comparison between ELISA and HPLC was carried out. Feed mould counts ranged from <1 x 10(2) to 1 x 10(5) cfu/g. The most frequent genus isolated was Aspergillus (40.54%), followed by Penicillium (18.38%) and Fusarium (16.22%). The most prevalent Aspergillus sp. was A. flavus (36%). AFB1 values ranged between 0.01 and 99.4 microg/kg. FB(1) levels ranged between 0.01 and 7.49 microg/kg. HPLC and ELISA methods showed positive correlation for AFB1 and FB1 determinations (r = 0.9851 and r = 0.9791, respectively). The ELISA analytical method was efficient for AFB1 and FB1 detection. The scarcity of studies on natural fungal contamination and on the presence of AFB1 and FB1 in materials used as equine feed ingredients highlights the value and contribution of this study.

Levantamento das condiçöes de exposiçäo ocupacional a poeira contendo asbesto, Empresa Francisco Stedile S/A / Survey of occupational exposure conditions to asbesto dust, Empresa Francisco Stedile S/A

Atendendo solicitaçäo do Sindicato dos Trabalhadores nas Indústrias Metalúrgicas, Mecânicas e de Material Elétrico de Osasco e Regiäo, a FUNDACENTRO analisa neste relatório as condiçöes de exposiçäo à poeira de asbesto a que estäo submetidos os trabalhadores nas instalaçöes da Empresa Francisco Stedile S/A - Fábrica de Osasco, também conhecida como Lonaflex. A empresa fabrica pastilhas e lonas de freios para automóveis e sapatas ferroviárias, tendo como matéria-prima principal o asbesto, ou amianto, reconhecido como agente pneumoconiótico e cancerígeno. A partir de um levantamento preliminar das condiçöes de trabalho, realiza uma avaliaçäo geral das condiçöes de exposiçäo e apresenta recomendaçöes de medidas de controle

[AIDS and HIV infection among homosexual and bisexual men in Belém, Pará, Brazil, 1988-1990]. / SIDA e infecção pelo HIV em homossexuais e bissexuais masculinos em Belém, Pará, Brasil, 1988-1990.

During three years (1988-1990) blood samples from 307 people were taken to test antibodies for Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) in homo and bisexual males living in Belém, being 149 (48.5%) of the former and 158 (51.5%) of the later. All patients requested examinations spontaneously to find out their status. The ages of tested people ranged from 16 to 64 years old. Serologic diagnosis was made using an enzyme immunoassay (Abbott, São Paulo-Brasil) for screening and an indirect immunofluorescence test (FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro-Brasil) for confirmation. If results were conflicting with these tests, western blot (Du Pont CO. Wilmington-USA) was performed to obtain a definitive result. Sixty-eight (22.1%) of all sera were positive. Although, the positivity in the homosexual group (26.2%) was more higher than in the bisexual group (18.3%). The positivity rate in both groups was directly proportional with the increase of age. Of course, people with less than 20 years old had only 3% of positivity, while between 20-29 had 18.1%, 30-39 had 34.5%, 40-49 had 40% and 50-59 had 50%. The projected curve of positivity, is progressive, that is to say, the risk of homo/bisexual males increases with age and is probably related to increased sexual activity. We conclude that more than one quarter of homosexual men are infected with HIV-1 in Belém.

Reconhecimento do risco de pneumoconioses em indústrias de abrasivos / Hazard reconnaissance of pneumoconiosis in abrasive industries

Relatório efetuado para oferecer subsídios técnicos à Promotoria de Justiça do Estado de Säo Paulo, referentes à identificaçäo de agentes causadores de pneumoconioses e estabelecimento de medidas preventivas de exposiçäo a tais agentes em instalaçöes das empresas Eletro Metalúrgica e Abrasivos Ltda., atualmente Carborundum, e Sivat Indústria de Abrasivos S/A, em Salto

Asbesto e carcinoma broncogênico: pesquisa de fibras em tecido pulmonar de três pacientes portadores de carcinoma broncogênico / Asbestos and bronchogenic carcinoma: fiber research in the lung tissue of three patients with bronchogenic carcinoma

Partindo-se da aparência radiológica altamente sugestiva de exposiçäo ao asbesto (caso 1) ou de uma história ocupacional positiva (casos 2 e 3), envestigamos a presença de fibras em tecido pulmonar em blocos de autópsia ou biópsia cirúrgica de três casos de carcinoma broncogênico, pelo método de digestäo de tecido pulmonar em hipoclorito de sódio, seguido da observaçäo do resíduo através da microscopia óptica por contraste de fase. Nos três casos, a pesquisa de fibras foi positiva. A relaçäo das neoplasias a exposiçäo ao asbesto é altamente provável, pelo fato de dois dos casos apresentaram fibrose pulmonar (casos 1 e 2) e, o terceiro caso, placas pleurais perietais típicas a toracotomia

Relatório do II levantamento técnico quantitativo das condiçöes de exposiçäo ocupacional a poeira nas empresas de cerâmica da cidade de Pedreira-SP: Porcelana Artística Joana D'Arc / Report on the II techical quantitative surveillance on occupational dust exposure conditions in ceramics companies in Pedreira-SP: porcelana artística Joana D'Arc

Este levantamento tem por objetivo detectar os riscos de exposiçäo à poeira, contendo sílica livre cristalizada, através de uma avaliaçäo ambiental na empresa. Esta avaliaçäo permite determinar as condiçöes inseguras presentes no ambiente. Com base nas informaçöes obtidas, säo dadas recomendaçöes de medidas de controle com a finalidade de minimizar os riscos de doenças ocupacionais

Relatório do II levantamento técnico quantitativo das condiçöes de exposiçäo nas empresas de cerâmica da cidade de Pedreira-SP: Indústria Säo Dimas / Report on II technical quantitative surveillance on exposure conditions in ceramics companies in Pedreira-SP: Indústria Säo Dimas

Este levantamento tem por objetivo detectar os riscos de exposiçäo à poeira, contendo sílica livre cristalizada, através de uma avaliaçäo ambiental na empresa. Esta avaliaçäo permite determinar as condiçöes inseguras presentes no ambiente. Com base nas informaçöes obtidas, säo dadas recomendaçöes de medidas de controle com a finalidade de minimizar os riscos de doenças ocupacionais

Da comparacao entre a prova rotatoria pendular decrescente e a prova calorica, em termos de velocidade angular real maxima da componente lenta do nistagmo em individuos normais. / Comparison between decreasing oscilatory rotating test and caloric test by means of real maximal angular velocity of the slow component of nystagmus in normal subjects

O exame otoneurologico com vectoeletronistagmografia foi realizada en 39 individuos normais, com objetivo de confrontar os valores maximos da velocidade angular real da componente lenta do nistagmo a prova rotatoria pendular decrescente e prova calorica classica de FITZGERALD & HALLPIKE (2) (1942). Verificou-se que nao ocorreu diferenca estatisticamente significante entre as medias aritmeticas dos valores maximos da velocidade angular real da componente lenta do nistagmo per-rotatorio e pos-calorico e tambem nao foi constatada correlacao estatistica entre os valores maximos da velocidade angular real da componente lenta do nistagmo per-rotatorio e pos-calorico em cada caso