Antiinflammatory and antiinfective effect of caffeine in a mouse model of disseminated salmonellosis.

Caffeine has been reported for its antiinflammatory properties by stimulating phagocytosis. In this study, we investigated the antiinflammatory and antiinfective potential of caffeine in murine macrophage cell cultures and Swiss mice infected with virulent Salmonella enterica serotype typhimurium. Peritoneal macrophages (pMØ) were treated with caffeine on 96-well plates for 24 hr and then infected with Salmonella for 4 hr. In another experiment, the pMØ were first infected with the bacterium for 4 hr and then treated with caffeine for 24 hr. In addition, Swiss mice were inoculated, intraperitoneally, with S. typhimurium and then received caffeine intravenously. Control groups received phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or dexamethasone. We found that treatments with caffeine increased the macrophage cell viability and reduced the intracellular bacterial load. The administration of caffeine to Swiss mice reduced the infiltration of leukocytes into the peritoneal cavity after the bacterial challenge. Furthermore, the bacterial burdens in the peritoneal fluid, bloodstream, spleen, and liver were decreased by caffeine treatment. The expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOs) were down-regulated after infection in caffeine-treated mice. We can conclude that caffeine has both antiinflammatory and antiinfective properties that can be useful for management of bacterial infections along with antibiotics.

Canine Olfactory Detection of SARS-COV2-Infected Patients: A One Health Approach.

The aim of the present study is to apply the canine olfactory sensitivity to detect COVID-19-positive axillary sweat samples as a One Health approach in Latin America. One hundred volunteers with COVID-like symptoms were invited to participate, and both axillary sweat samples for dog detection and nasopharynx/oropharynx swabs for qPCR were collected. Two dogs, previously trained, detected 97.4% of the samples positive for COVID-19, including a false-negative qPCR-test, and the positive predictive value was 100% and the negative predictive value was 98.2%. Therefore, we can conclude that canine olfactory sensitivity can detect a person infected with COVID-19 through axillary sweat successfully and could be used as an alternative to screen them without invasive testing.

Preclinical Evidence of Intra-Articular Autologous Cartilage Micrograft for Osteochondral Repair: Evaluation in a Rat Model.

OBJECTIVE: The search for an effective and long-lasting strategy to treat osteochondral defects (OCD) is a great challenge. Regenerative medicine launched a new era of research in orthopaedics for restoring normal tissue functions. The aim of this study was to test the healing potential of Rigenera micrografting technology in a rat model of OCD by investigating 2 cartilage donor sites. METHODS: Full-thickness OCD was bilaterally created in the knee joints of rats. Animals were randomly divided into 2 groups based on the anatomical site used for micrograft collection: articular (TO) and xiphoid (XA). Micrograft was injected into the knee via an intra-articular approach. The contralateral joint served as the control. Euthanasia was performed 2 months after the set-up of OCD. Histological evaluations foresaw hematoxylin/eosin and safranin-O/fast green staining, the modified O'Driscoll score, and collagen 1A1 and 2A1 immunostaining. Kruskal-Wallis and the post hoc Dunn test were performed to evaluate differences among groups. RESULTS: Histological results showed defect filling in both autologous micrografts. The TO group displayed tissue repair with more hyaline-like characteristics than its control (P < 0.01). A fibrocartilaginous aspect was instead noticed in the XA group. Immunohistochemical assessments on type 2A1 and type 1 collagens confirmed the best histological results in the TO group. CONCLUSIONS: TO and XA groups contributed to a different extent to fill the OCD lesions. TO group provided the best histological and immunohistochemical results; therefore, it could be a promising method to treat OCD after the validation in a larger animal model.

Values of plasma total proteins of free-living marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) in an urban forest.

BACKGROUND: Callithrix jacchus is a small primate widely used in experimentation, but data on plasma total protein (PTP) values of free-living animals inhabiting its own endemism region are non-existent. METHODS: Marmosets belonging to two free-living groups were captured for marking and obtaining biological material. The collected blood was centrifuged to obtain the plasma and thus to determine the concentration of PTP. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Females and adults had the highest mean PTP. Mean found were higher than other values described for other neotropical primates, and the high PTP values presented by the animals indicate dehydration. Due to the importance of total plasma proteins for health and management, obtaining these values as a reference is relevant for the free-living Callithrix genus and other neotropical primates.

Correlation of lung function and respiratory muscle strength with functional exercise capacity in obese individuals with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome / Associação entre função pulmonar, força muscular respiratória e capacidade funcional de exercício em indivíduos obesos com síndrome da apneia obstrutiva do sono

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate lung function and inspiratory muscle strength, correlating them with exercise tolerance, in obese individuals with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Methods: The sample comprised 31 adult subjects with moderate-to-severe OSAS diagnosed by polysomnography. We used spirometry to measure FVC, FEV1, and FVC/FEV1 ratio, using pressure manometry to measure MIP and MEP. The incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) and the six-minute walk test (6MWT) were used in order to determine functional exercise capacity. Results: In this sample, the mean values for FVC (% of predicted), FEV1 (% of predicted): MIP, and MEP were 76.4 ± 12.3%, 80.1 ± 6.3%, 60.0 ± 21.9 cmH2O, and 81.3 ± 22.2 cmH2O, respectively. The mean distances covered on the ISWT and 6MWT were 221 ± 97 m and 480.8 ± 67.3 m, respectively. The ISWT distance showed moderate positive correlations with FVC (r = 0.658; p = 0.001) and FEV1 (r = 0.522; p = 0.003). Conclusions: In this sample of obese subjects with untreated OSAS, lung function, inspiratory muscle strength, and exercise tolerance were all below normal. In addition, we found that a decline in lung function, but not in respiratory muscle strength, was associated with exercise tolerance in these patients.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar e correlacionar a função pulmonar e a força muscular inspiratória com a tolerância ao esforço em indivíduos obesos com síndrome de apneia obstrutiva do sono (SAOS). Métodos: Foram recrutados 31 adultos com diagnóstico de SAOS de moderada a grave através do exame de polissonografia. Os participantes foram submetidos à espirometria para a medida de CVF, VEF1 e relação CVF/VEF1, assim como à manovacuometria para a medida de PImáx e PEmáx. Para a determinação da capacidade funcional de exercício foram realizados o teste shuttle (TS) e o teste de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6). Resultados: Na amostra, as médias de CVF (% do previsto), VEF1 (% do previsto), PImáx e PEmáx foram de 76,4 ± 12,3%, 80,1 ± 6,3%, 60,0 ± 21,9 cmH2O e 81,3 ± 22,2 cmH2O, respectivamente. As médias das distâncias percorridas no TS e no TC6 foram de 221 ± 97 m e 480,8 ± 67,3 m, respectivamente. Houve correlações moderadas positivas entre a distância percorrida no TS e CVF (r = 0,658; p = 0,001) e entre a distância no TS e VEF1 (r = 0,522; p = 0,003). Conclusões: Nesta amostra de indivíduos obesos com SAOS não tratada, houve reduções na função pulmonar, força muscular inspiratória e capacidade física. Além disso, observou-se que o declínio da função pulmonar, mas não da força muscular respiratória, estava associado à tolerância ao esforço físico nestes pacientes.

Correlation of lung function and respiratory muscle strength with functional exercise capacity in obese individuals with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate lung function and inspiratory muscle strength, correlating them with exercise tolerance, in obese individuals with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). METHODS: The sample comprised 31 adult subjects with moderate-to-severe OSAS diagnosed by polysomnography. We used spirometry to measure FVC, FEV1, and FVC/FEV1 ratio, using pressure manometry to measure MIP and MEP. The incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) and the six-minute walk test (6MWT) were used in order to determine functional exercise capacity. RESULTS: In this sample, the mean values for FVC (% of predicted), FEV1 (% of predicted): MIP, and MEP were 76.4 ± 12.3%, 80.1 ± 6.3%, 60.0 ± 21.9 cmH2O, and 81.3 ± 22.2 cmH2O, respectively. The mean distances covered on the ISWT and 6MWT were 221 ± 97 m and 480.8 ± 67.3 m, respectively. The ISWT distance showed moderate positive correlations with FVC (r = 0.658; p = 0.001) and FEV1 (r = 0.522; p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of obese subjects with untreated OSAS, lung function, inspiratory muscle strength, and exercise tolerance were all below normal. In addition, we found that a decline in lung function, but not in respiratory muscle strength, was associated with exercise tolerance in these patients.

Effects of melatonin in rats in the initial third stage of pregnancy exposed to sub-lethal doses of herbicides.

Exposure to the herbicides Paraquat (PQ) and Roundup® may cause cell lesions due to an increase in oxidative stress levels in different biological systems, even in the reproductive system. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the possible changes in reproductive parameters and hepatic, as well as its prevention by simultaneous application of melatonin. METHODS: Thirty-five female rats at the age of 3 months were divided into seven groups: three groups exposed to sub-lethal doses of the herbicides PQ (50mg/kg) and Roundup® (500mg/kg) (n=5, G2, G3 and G4); three groups exposed to herbicides and simultaneous treatment with 10mg/kg of Melatonin (n=5, G5, G6 and G7) and control group (n=5, G1) from the first to the seventh day of pregnancy. On the seventh day of pregnancy, the rats were anesthetized and euthanized, followed by laparotomy to remove their reproductive tissues and liver. Body and ovary weights were taken and the number of implantation sites, corpora lutea, preimplantation losses, implantation rates were counted and histopathology of the implantation sites, morphometry of the surface and glandular epithelia of endometrium and hepatic oxidative stress were undertaken. RESULTS: The present study shows the decrease in body and ovary weight, decrease in the number of implantation sites, implantation rate, in the total number of corpora lutea and increase of preimplantation percentages were observed when compared to the G1: Fig. 1 and Table 1, (p>0.001 ANOVA/Tukey). The histopathological analysis of the implantation sites showed a disorder of the cytotrophoblast and cell degeneration within the blastocyst cavity in Fig. 4. Morphometry revealed a reduction in surface and glandular epithelia and in the diameter of the endometrial glands (Table 2; p>0.05 ANOVA/Tukey), whereas in liver, serum levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were found to be significantly elevated (Fig. 2; p>0.001; p>0.05 ANOVA/Tukey), and serum level of reduced glutathione (GSH) was significantly lower (Fig. 3; p>0.001 ANOVA/Tukey). However, treatments with melatonin exhibited improvements in reproductive parameters, as well as reduced lesions in the implantation sites (Fig. 4.) and in serum levels TBARS (Fig. 2; p>0.001 ANOVA/Tukey), serum levels GSH (Fig. 3; p>0.001; p>0.05 ANOVA/Tukey). CONCLUSIONS: These results reveal that melatonin is a protective agent against experimentally induced maternal/embryo toxicity with herbicides and favoring normalization of reproductive parameters and hepatic.

Utilização do anel metálico unitary anastomotic device (UAD) e da técnica convencional de sutura para anastomose da artéria carótida experimentalmente em cães / Utilization of the unitary anastomotic device metallic ring and the conventional technique of suture for experimental anastomosis of the carotid artery in dogs

O presente estudo teve como objetivo comparar a técnica de anastomose término-terminal convencional com a utilização do anel metálico Unitary Anastomotic Device (UAD). Seis cães machos, sem raça definida, adultos jovens foram submetidos à anastomose término-terminal experimental da artéria carótida, por meio das duas técnicas operatórias. Em um lado utilizou-se a técnica convencional com sutura contínua, com polipropileno 5-0 unindo três pontos equidistantes e, na artéria contralateral, empregou-se o anel metálico unindo as extremidades vasculares com o mesmo fio. Foram avaliados o tempo de execução das anastomoses a presença de hemorragia durante o procedimento cirúrgico, o diâmetro dos vasos e o pico de velocidade sistólica (PSV) após as anastomoses. Os dados foram submetidos a estudo estatístico (teste t de Student, com nível de significância igual a 0,05%), levando-se em consideração a natureza das variáveis estudadas. O tempo de execução foi estatisticamente menor no lado do anel metálico (P < 0,05), no qual não se observou episódio de hemorragia. A sutura convencional apresentou pequena hemorragia em dois animais, as quais foram contidas com pontos adicionais. Houve aumento estatístico do diâmetro do vaso observado no lado pósanastomose quando se utilizou a prótese (P < 0,05), o que contribuiu para um menor PVS no local quando comparado com o lado da sutura convencional, embora não tenham diferido estatisticamente (P > 0,05). Os resultados permitiram concluir que ambos os métodos são eficientes, porém o anel metálico propicia um tempo significativamente menor de execução, contribuindo principalmente para cirurgias laboriosas com múltiplas anastomoses, como os transplantes de órgãos, pois o tempo de isquemia do órgão pode ser determinante para a sobrevivência do paciente.

Unitary Anastomotic Device (UAD) metallic ring. The study was carried out with six mongrel dogs, young adult male dogs. The animals were submitted to experimental closing-terminal anastomosis of the carotid artery, by two surgical techniques. On one side, the conventional technique of continuous suture with polypropylene 5-0 was used with the union of three equally distant stitches and on the counter-lateral artery, the metallic ring was used bonding the vascular extremities with the same thread. The time of execution of the anastomosis, the presence of hemorrhage during the surgical procedure, the diameter of the vessels and the blood speed (PVS) through ultrasonography with a colored Doppler were all compared after the anastomosis. In the clinical evaluations, the methods used presented similar results. The time of execution was significantly shorter on the side of the metallic ring, in which no hemorrhage episode was observed. Vessel diameter on the side of metallic ring was statistical larger than the side of conventional suture which contributes for the lower PVS, although it does differ statistically (P > 0.05). In conclusion, both methods are efficient, however, the metallic ring provides a significantly shorter time of execution which contributes for laborious surgery with many anastomosis, like organs transplants, where the time of organ ischemy can be crucial for patient survival.

Biochemical, functional, and histochemical effects of essential fatty acid deficiency in rat kidney.

The present study was designed to examine the effects of EFA deficiency (EFAD) on biochemical, functional, and structural aspects of the kidney in growing and adult rats fed a normal or EFAD diet for 9 wk after weaning. Food and fluid intake (F1), urine volume, and Na+ and K+ excretions were measured weekly from weeks 4 to 8 by placing the rats in individual metabolic cages for 24 h. At week 9, Li+ and a 5% water load, respectively, were administered at 14 and 1.5 h prior to glomerular and proximal tubular function studies, as assessed by 3-h creatinine (C(Cr)) and Li+ (C(Li+)) clearances. Hematocrit and urine volume; serum and urine [Cr], [Li+], [Na+], and [K+]; and renal FA distribution were also measured. Data [corrected to 100 g/body weight (bw) and presented as means +/- SEM] were significant, at P< or = 0.05. Despite a similar ingestion of solids from weeks 4 to 7 (weeks 7 to 10 of life), the rats on the EFAD diet showed a decreased body weight from week 5. From weeks 4 to 8, Fl and urine volume were similar for both groups, but the Fl increased at week 6 in the EFAD group; 24-h Na+ and K+ excretions were similar at all weeks, except for an increase in the EFAD group for both ions at week 7. In the EFAD group, CCr and CLi+ decreased by 27 and 56.3%, respectively (385.7 +/- 33.4 vs. 280 +/- 21.1, and 21.0 +/- 2.1 vs. 9.2 +/- 1.1 microL/min/100 g; n = 9 vs. 10), the latter result suggesting increased proximal reabsorption. The 3-h Na+ and K+ excretions were similar, but the Li+ decreased (0.78 +/- 0.06 x 10(-2) vs. 0.32 +/- 0.03 x 10(-2) microeq/min/100 g) in the EFAD group, giving additional support to the suggestion. Renal structure was normal and similar for both groups, but the EFAD group showed a more prominent proximal tubule brush border, together with heavier periodic acid-Schiff staining in all specimens from weeks 5 to 9. In the EFAD group, FA of the n-9 and n-7 series were higher, but most of the n-6 series were lower as a percentage of total lipids in the medulla and cortex. Medullary levels of 20:4n-6 were maintained, 22:4n-6 declined twice, arachidonic acid was maintained, and 20:5n-3 was lower. The EFAD diet affected glomerular function, proximal tubular structure and function, and FA distribution in the rat kidney.