Aerobic physical exercise versus dual-task cognitive walking in cognitive rehabilitation of people with stroke: a randomized clinical trial.

Introduction: Stroke is a neurological deficit caused by an acute focal injury to the central nervous system due to vascular injury that can result in loss of neurological function, lasting brain damage, long-term disability and, in some cases, death. The literature reports that aerobic physical exercise, as well as dual-task cognitive walking, are used for the cognitive recovery of people with stroke. We aimed to assess whether aerobic physical exercise influences post-stroke cognitive recovery, namely performance on selective and sustained attention. We tested the hypothesis that post-stroke aerobic physical exercise leads to more significant gains than post-stroke dual-task cognitive walking. Methods: We used a Randomized Clinical Trial, single-blind, parallel group, to verify the existence of differences between two groups. A total of 34 patients with subacute to chronic stroke were divided into two groups to train three times a week for 12 weeks: the aerobic physical exercise (PE) group engaged in 20 min on a treadmill, 20 min on a stationary bicycle and 5 min on a desk bike pedal exerciser per session; the dual-task (DT) gait exercise group walked for 45 min while simultaneously performing cognitive tasks per session. All participants were assessed on cognitive functioning with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and d2 Test of Attention before acute interventions and post interventions. We have also applied a Visual Analog Scale to monitor the participants' perceived difficulty, pre-, post-acute, and post-chronic interventions. Participants also responded to a Borg Scale of perceived exertion following the acute and the final session of chronic training. Results: A mixed model ANOVA revealed a significant interaction effect with a large effect size for most of the cognitive variables under study. The variables associated with the d2 Test of Attention showed significant differences between the groups, mainly from T0 to T2. Also for MMSE, an ANOVA revealed a significant interaction effect with significant improvements from T0 to T2. Our results strongly suggest that aerobic physical exercise is more beneficial than dual-task cognitive-gait exercise since in the PE group, cognitive attention scores increase, and cognitive impairment and perception of exertion decrease, compared to the DT group. Conclusion: These findings support that PE provides more significant benefits for patients post-stroke when compared to DT.

Cytotoxicity of Extracts from Petiveria alliacea Leaves on Yeast.

Petiveria alliacea L. is a plant used in traditional medicine harboring pharmacological properties with anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, hypoglycemiant and anesthetic activities. This study assessed the potential cytotoxic, genotoxic and mutagenic effects of ethanolic extract of P. alliacea on Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains. S. cerevisiae FF18733 (wild type) and CD138 (ogg1) strains were exposed to fractioned ethanolic extracts of P. alliacea in different concentrations. Three experimental assays were performed: cellular inactivation, mutagenesis (canavanine resistance system) and loss of mitochondrial function (petites colonies). The chemical analyses revealed a rich extract with phenolic compounds such as protocatechuic acid, cinnamic and catechin epicatechin. A decreased cell viability in wild-type and ogg1 strains was demonstrated. All fractions of the extract exerted a mutagenic effect on the ogg1 strain. Only ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions increased the rate of petites colonies in the ogg1 strain, but not in the wild-type strain. The results indicate that fractions of mid-polarity of the ethanolic extract, at the studied concentrations, can induce mutagenicity mediated by oxidative lesions in the mitochondrial and genomic genomes of the ogg1-deficient S. cerevisiae strain. These findings indicate that the lesions caused by the fractions of P. alliacea ethanolic extract can be mediated by reactive oxygen species and can reach multiple molecular targets to exert their toxicity.

Cognitive Benefits of Exercise: Is There a Time-of-Day Effect?

It is well established that physical activity benefits cognition. Further, the time of day one engages in physical activity has been suggested to influence cognition. Here, we aimed to understand if there is a time-of-day effect (morning or afternoon) of physical activity on cognition, i.e., if exercising in the morning or afternoon might bring greater cognitive benefits. A total of 56 participants were allocated to one of two groups with the same baseline cognitive performance as well as fitness level (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-IPAQ): 27 to the morning intervention (M) group; and 29 to the afternoon intervention (A) group. In both groups, the participants engaged in an intermittent recovery test (Yo-yo), 4 times a week for 12 weeks. All participants were assessed with the d2 Test of Attention and the Borg scale of perceived exertion pre- and post- acute and chronic intervention. After the first bout of exercise and after 12 weeks, we observed cognitive improvements both in the M and A groups. Surprisingly, we do not find differences between the time of day regarding cognitive benefits. Our results do not support the existence of a time-of-day effect for the attentional cognitive benefits of exercise.

Nuclear and mitochondrial genome instability induced by fractions of ethanolic extract from Hovenia dulcis Thunberg in Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains.

Hovenia dulcis is a plant commonly used as a pharmaceutical supplement, having displayed important pharmacological properties such antigiardic, antineoplastic and hepatoprotective. The purpose of this work was investigate the cytotoxic, genotoxic and mutagenic potential from fractions of Hovenia dulcis ethanolic extract on Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains FF18733 (wild type) and CD138 (ogg1). Ethanolic extract from Hovenia dulcis leaves was fractioned using organic solvents according to increasing polarity: Hexane (1:1), dichlorometane (1:1), ethyl acetate (1:1) and butanol (1:1). Three experimental assays were performed, such as (i) inactivation of cultures; (ii) mutagenesis (canavanine resistance system) and (iii) loss of mitochondrial function (petites colonies). The findings shown a decrease in cell viability in FF18733 and CD138 strains; all fractions of the extract were mutagenic in CD138 strain; only ethyl acetate and butanol fractions increased the rate of petites colonies for CD138 strains. Ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions induces mutagenicity, at the evaluated concentrations, in mitochondrial and genomic DNA in CD138 strain, mediated by oxidative lesions. In conclusion, it is possible to infer that the lesions caused by the extract fractions could be mediated by reactive oxygen species and might reach multiple molecular targets to cause cellular damage.

Odontogenic Infection and dental Pain negatively impact Schoolchildren's Quality of Life.

The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of odontogenic infection in low-income Brazilian schoolchildren and evaluate its association with the subjective variables of oral health-related quality of life and dental pain. In this cross-sectional study, 230 schoolchildren aged eight to ten years old underwent a clinical oral survey in which the DMFT/dmft and PUFA/pufa indexes were measured. Afterward, children responded individually to the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ8-10) and self-reports of dental pain were collected. Data were statistically analyzed using MannWhitney or Kruskal-Wallis test with a post-test by Dunn's and Pearson correlation. Of the children evaluated, 42.6% had odontogenic infection and 80% reported experiencing dental pain. Children's age (p = 0.034) and past experience of dental pain (p < 0.002) were associated with odontogenic sepsis, in addition to impairment of their emotional well-being (p = 0.008), social welfare (p = 0.009) and overall impact on quality of life (p = 0.019). Toothache intensity (p < 0.001), frequency (p < 0.001) and duration (p < 0.001) were correlated to the overall impact on children's quality of life. The prevalence of odontogenic infection remains high among low-income Brazilian schoolchildren. Pediatric infection and its related pain induce not only various biological disorders but also impair children's self-perception of quality of life.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a prevalência de infecção odontogênica em crianças escolares brasileiras de baixa renda e analisar a sua associação com as variáveis subjetivas da autopercepção de qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal e dor dentária. Neste estudo transversal, 230 crianças escolares com 8 a 10 anos de idade realizaram exame clínico bucal no qual os índices CPO-D/ceo-d e PUFA/pufa foram mensurados. Com isso, as crianças responderam individualmente ao Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ8-10) e relatos de dor dentária foram coletados. Os dados foram estatisticamente analisados utilizando-se o teste Mann-Whitney ou Kruskal-Wallis, com posterior teste da correlação de Dunn e Pearson. Dentre as crianças examinadas, 42,6% apresentavam infecção odontogênica e 80% reportou experiência de dor dentária. A idade (p=0,034) e experiência de dor dentária (p<0,002) das crianças foram associadas à infecção odontogênica, bem como o seu bem-estar emocional (p=0,008) e social (p=0,009) e impacto geral na qualidade de vida (p=0,019). Além disso, a intensidade (p<0,001), frequência (p<0,001) e duração (p<0,001) da odontalgia foram correlacionadas com o impacto geral na qualidade de vida da criança. A prevalência de infecção odontogênica permanece elevada em crianças escolares brasileiras. Infecção pediátrica e sua dor relacionada induzem não apenas diversas desordens biológicas, mas também afetam negativamente a auto-percepção de qualidade de vida das crianças.

Odontogenic Infection and dental Pain negatively impact Schoolchildrens Quality of Life / Infecção odontogênica e odontalgia impactam negativamente a qualidade de vida de crianças escolares

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of odontogenic infection in lowincome Brazilian schoolchildren and evaluate its association with the subjective variables of oral healthrelated quality of life and dental pain. In this crosssectional study, 230 schoolchildren aged eight to ten years old underwent a clinical oral survey in which the DMFT/dmft and PUFA/pufa indexes were measured. Afterward, children responded individually to the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ810) and selfreports of dental pain were collected. Data were statistically analyzed using MannWhitney or KruskalWallis test with a posttest by Dunn's and Pearson correlation. Of the children evaluated, 42.6% had odontogenic infection and 80% reported experiencing dental pain. Children's age (p = 0.034) and past experience of dental pain (p < 0.002) were associated with odontogenic sepsis, in addition to impairment of their emotional wellbeing (p = 0.008), social welfare (p = 0.009) and overall impact on quality of life (p = 0.019). Toothache intensity (p < 0.001), frequency (p < 0.001) and duration (p < 0.001) were correlated to the overall impact on children's quality of life. The prevalence of odontogenic infection remains high among lowincome Brazilian schoolchildren. Pediatric infection and its related pain induce not only various biological disorders but also impair children's selfperception of quality of life.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a prevalência de infecção odontogênica em crianças escolares brasileiras de baixa renda e analisar a sua associação com as variáveis subjetivas da autopercepção de qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal e dor dentária. Neste estudo transversal, 230 crianças escolares com 8 a 10 anos de idade realizaram exame clínico bucal no qual os índices CPOD/ ceod e PUFA/pufa foram mensurados. Com isso, as crianças responderam individualmente ao Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ810) e relatos de dor dentária foram coletados. Os dados foram estatisticamente analisados utilizandose o teste MannWhitney ou KruskalWallis, com posterior teste da correlação de Dunn e Pearson. Dentre as crianças examinadas, 42,6% apresentavam infecção odontogênica e 80% reportou experiência de dor dentária. A idade (p=0,034) e experiência de dor dentária (p<0,002) das crianças foram associadas à infecção odontogênica, bem como o seu bemestar emocional (p=0,008) e social (p=0,009) e impacto geral na qualidade de vida (p=0,019). Além disso, a intensidade (p<0,001), frequência (p<0,001) e duração (p<0,001) da odontalgia foram correlacionadas com o impacto geral na qualidade de vida da criança. A prevalência de infecção odontogênica permanece elevada em crianças escolares brasileiras. Infecção pediátrica e sua dor relacionada induzem não apenas diversas desordens biológicas, mas também afetam negativamente a autopercepção de qualidade de vida das crianças.

Efficacy of suit therapy on functioning in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: This systematic review and meta-analysis presents an overview of the efficacy of suit therapy on functioning in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP). METHOD: A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted. A comprehensive search of peer-reviewed articles was performed on electronic databases, from their inception to May 2014. Studies included were rated for methodological quality using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. Effects of suit therapy on functioning were assessed using meta-analytic techniques. RESULTS: From the 46 identified studies, four met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Small, pooled effect sizes were found for gross motor function at post-treatment (g=0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.10-0.82) and follow-up (g=0.47, 95% CI 0.03-0.90). INTERPRETATION: The small number of studies, the variability between them, and the low sample sizes are limitations of this review. Findings suggest that to weigh and balance benefits against harms, clinicians, patients, and families need better evidence to examine and prove the effects of short intensive treatment such as suit therapy on gross motor function in children and adolescents with CP. Therefore, more research based on high-quality studies focusing on functioning in all dimensions of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health perspective is necessary to clarify the impact of suit therapy.

Influence of Ogg1 repair on the genetic stability of ccc2 mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae chemically challenged with 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4-NQO).

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, disruption of genes by deletion allowed elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of a series of human diseases, such as in Wilson disease (WD). WD is a disorder of copper metabolism, due to inherited mutations in human copper-transporting ATPase (ATP7B). An orthologous gene is present in S. cerevisiae, CCC2 gene. Copper is required as a cofactor for a number of enzymes. In excess, however, it is toxic, potentially carcinogenic, leading to many pathological conditions via oxidatively generated DNA damage. Deficiency in ATP7B (human) or Ccc2 (yeast) causes accumulation of intracellular copper, favouring the generation of reactive oxygen species. Thus, it becomes important to study the relative importance of proteins involved in the repair of these lesions, such as Ogg1. Herein, we addressed the influence Ogg1 repair in a ccc2 deficient strain of S. cerevisiae. We constructed ccc2-disrupted strains from S. cerevisiae (ogg1ccc2 and ccc2), which were analysed in terms of viability and spontaneous mutator phenotype. We also investigated the impact of 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4-NQO) on nuclear DNA damage and on the stability of mitochondrial DNA. The results indicated a synergistic effect on spontaneous mutagenesis upon OGG1 and CCC2 double inactivation, placing 8-oxoguanine as a strong lesion-candidate at the origin of spontaneous mutations. The ccc2 mutant was more sensitive to cell killing and to mutagenesis upon 4-NQO challenge than the other studied strains. However, Ogg1 repair of exogenous-induced DNA damage revealed to be toxic and mutagenic to ccc2 deficient cells, which can be due to a detrimental action of Ogg1 on DNA lesions induced in ccc2 cells. Altogether, our results point to a critical and ambivalent role of BER mediated by Ogg1 in the maintenance of genomic stability in eukaryotes deficient in CCC2 gene.

Diversity and Karyotypic Evolution in the Genus Neacomys (Rodentia, Sigmodontinae).

Neacomys (Sigmodontinae) comprises 8 species mainly found in the Amazonian region. We describe 5 new karyotypes from Brazilian Amazonia: 2 cytotypes for N. paracou (2n = 56/FNa = 62-66), 1 for N. dubosti (2n = 64/FNa = 68), and 2 for Neacomys sp. (2n = 58/FNa = 64-70), with differences in the 18S rDNA. Telomeric probes did not show ITS. We provide a phylogeny using Cytb, and the analysis suggests that 2n = 56 with a high FNa is ancestral for the genus, as found in N. paracou, being retained by the ancestral forms of the other species, with an increase in 2n occurring independently in N. spinosus and N. dubosti. Alternatively, an increase in 2n may have occurred in the ancestral taxon of the other species, followed by independent 2n-reduction events in Neacomys sp. and in the ancestral species of N. tenuipes, N. guianae, N. musseri, and N. minutus. Finally, a drastic reduction event in the diploid number occurred in the ancestral species of N. musseri and N. minutus which exhibit the lowest 2n of the genus. The karyotypic variations found in both intra- and interspecific samples, associated with the molecular phylogeny, suggest a chromosomal evolution with amplification/deletion of constitutive heterochromatin and rearrangements including fusions, fissions, and pericentric inversions.

Biogeography of squirrel monkeys (genus Saimiri): South-central Amazon origin and rapid pan-Amazonian diversification of a lowland primate.

The squirrel monkey, Saimiri, is a pan-Amazonian Pleistocene radiation. We use statistical phylogeographic methods to create a mitochondrial DNA-based timetree for 118 squirrel monkey samples across 68 localities spanning all Amazonian centers of endemism, with the aim of better understanding (1) the effects of rivers as barriers to dispersal and distribution; (2) the area of origin for modern Saimiri; (3) whether ancestral Saimiri was a lowland lake-affiliated or an upland forest taxa; and (4) the effects of Pleistocene climate fluctuation on speciation. We also use our topology to help resolve current controversies in Saimiri taxonomy and species relationships. The Rondônia and Inambari centers in the southern Amazon were recovered as the most likely areas of origin for Saimiri. The Amazon River proved a strong barrier to dispersal, and squirrel monkey expansion and diversification was rapid, with all speciation events estimated to occur between 1.4 and 0.6Ma, predating the last three glacial maxima and eliminating climate extremes as the main driver of squirrel monkey speciation. Saimiri expansion was concentrated first in central and western Amazonia, which according to the "Young Amazon" hypothesis was just becoming available as floodplain habitat with the draining of the Amazon Lake. Squirrel monkeys also expanded and diversified east, both north and south of the Amazon, coincident with the formation of new rivers. This evolutionary history is most consistent with a Young Amazon Flooded Forest Taxa model, suggesting Saimiri has always maintained a lowland wetlands niche and was able to greatly expand its range with the transition from a lacustrine to a riverine system in Amazonia. Saimiri vanzolinii was recovered as the sister group to one clade of Saimiri ustus, discordant with the traditional Gothic vs. Roman morphological division of squirrel monkeys. We also found paraphyly within each of the currently recognized species: S. sciureus, S. ustus, and S. macrodon. We discuss evidence for taxonomic revision within the genus Saimiri, and the need for future work using nuclear markers.

Genotoxic and Cytotoxic Safety Evaluation of Papain (Carica papaya L.) Using In Vitro Assays.

Papain, a phytotherapeutic agent, has been used in the treatment of eschars and as a debriding chemical agent to remove damaged or necrotic tissue of pressure ulcers and gangrene. Its benefits in these treatments are deemed effective, since more than 5000 patients, at the public university hospital at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, have undergone papain treatment and presented satisfactory results. Despite its extensive use, there is little information about toxic and mutagenic properties of papain. This work evaluated the toxic and mutagenic potential of papain and its potential antioxidant activity against induced-H(2)O(2) oxidative stress in Escherichia coli strains. Cytotoxicity assay, Growth inhibition test, WP2-Mutoxitest and Plasmid-DNA treatment, and agarose gel electrophoresis were used to investigate if papain would present any toxic or mutagenic potential as well as if papain would display antioxidant properties. Papain exhibited negative results for all tests. This agent presented an activity protecting cells against H(2)O(2)-induced mutagenesis.

Efeito da adição de Streptococus thermophilus como cultura adjunta na maturação e caracterização físico-química e sensorial de queijo prato / Effect of the addition of Streptococcus thermophilus as adjunct culture on ripening and physicochemical and sensory characterization of prato cheese

As culturas lácteas desempenham funções fundamentais na maturação de queijos, tais como produção de ácido lático e de compostos aromatizantes voláteis. Neste trabalho, o objetivo foi avaliar a ação de Streptococcus thermophilus como cultura adjunta, nos índices de proteólise e nas características físico química se sensoriais do queijo prato. As amostras de queijo foram preparadas conforme dois tratamentos: (1) utilização de cultura mesofílica - Lactococcus lactis ssp lactis e Lactococcus lactis ssp cremoris (tratamento 1) e (2) cultura mesofílica acrescida de Streptococcus thermophilus (tratamento 2). Durantea maturação dos queijos, foram realizadas análises físico-químicas (extrato seco total, gordura, gordura no extrato seco - GES, cinzas, nitrogênio, proteína total, índice de extensão da maturação - IEM, índice de profundidade da maturação - IPM, tirosina, triptofano e atividade de água) e sensoriais (odor, aroma,doce, ácido, salgado, amargo, adstringente, picante, elasticidade, firmeza, friabilidade, adesividade, solubilidade e umidade). O queijo fabricado conforme o tratamento 1 foi o mais proteolítico, resultando em características sensoriais mais acentuadas de acidez, amargor, sabor picante, elasticidade e solubilidade, comparado ao produto preparado com adição de Streptococcus thermophilus.

Biological effects of rutin on the survival of Escherichia coli AB1157 and on the electrophoretic mobility of plasmid PUC 9.1 DNA.

The use of natural products as medicines is growing in the world. The rutin, a compound isolated from Ruta graveolens, is a flavonoid, which has been suggested to have antioxidant properties and to reduce the triacylglycerol levels. In this study, plasmid desoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was exposed to rutin (0.33, 10, 20, 30 microg/ml) in presence of stannous chloride (SnCl2), a reducing agent widely used to obtain radiopharmaceuticals labeled with technetium-99m. Samples of the plasmid DNA were analyzed through agarose gel electrophoresis. E. coli AB1157 culture was also incubated with rutin (3, 30, 50, 100 microg/ml) and the survival fractions were calculated. The results show that the rutin, in these concentrations, is not capable of: i/ damaging the DNA, ii/ protecting the DNA from the SnCl2 redox action, and iii/ inactivating the E. coli AB1157 culture. The analysis of our data indicates that rutin do not present toxic activity in the evaluated systems.

Radiation induced-like effects of four home bleaching agents used for tooth whitening: effects on bacterial cultures with different capabilities of repairing deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage.

"Home bleaching" methods are commonly used in dentistry to correct tooth discoloration. This technique employs carbamide peroxide, in several concentrations, where the active component is hydrogen peroxide. In patients undertaking this treatment, this exposure can cause biological effects mainly due to the activity of hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is associated with effects induced by chemical (natural and synthetic substances) and physical agents (ionizing radiations). We have evaluated the cytotoxic effects of four commercial dental bleaching agents: Insta-Brite, Karisma, Opalescence and Whiteness. We have studied the effects of these agents on the survival of different E. coli strains with various capabilities to repair damages on the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA): AB1157 (wild type), AB2463 (recA) and BW9091 (xthA). To determine the effect of the bleaching agents on the survival of E. coli AB1157, AB2463 and BW9091, cultures in exponential growth-phase were incubated with the bleaching agent or with 0.9% NaCl, as a control. After plating, the survival fractions were determined. The bleaching agents tested decreased the survival fractions of all strains studied and the E. coli BW9091 was the most sensitive and, moreover, these bleaching agents are capable of inducing damage to the DNA molecule. In conclusion, our results indicate that dental bleaching agents can generate biological effects like the ionizing radiations, and we suggest that dental professionals involved in bleaching to correct tooth discoloration, should control the clinical environment strictly, thus preventing contact between the oral mucosa/gingival tissues and the bleaching agents.

Revisäo: Proliferaçäo das células podoitárias - evidências pró e contra / Revision: podocytes proliferation - evidency forward and against

Os podócitos säo elementos celulares fundamentais para a integridade estrutural e fisiológica dos glomérulos, estando envolvidos em várias de suas funçöes. COnstituem-se algumas vezes no alvo primário de muitas agressöes ao glomérulo, no que pode resultar em doenças renais agudas ou crônicas. Sua locaizaçäo anatômica, extracapilar, dificulta o estudo de suas propriedades, o que tem retardado o conhecimento sobre se estascélulas säo permanentes (pós-mitóticas) ou estáveis, capazes de reingressar no ciclo celular, se devidamete estimuladas. No presente trabalho,m realiza-se revisäo cr1tica da literatura, agrupando os trabalhos quetêm documentado evidências pró e contra a proliferaçäo de células podicitárias