Quantification of the liver structure of zebrafish (Danio rerio) submitted to different diets and physical exercise.

The zebrafish has been used in research for over 80 years. In the last three decades, discoveries about the fundamental properties of development, regeneration, cancer, and other diseases have established the zebrafish as an important model organism in biomedical research. This study aimed to evaluate liver alterations in zebrafish by quantitatively assessing the areas occupied by hepatocytes, as well as connective and adipose tissues. Forty-eight adult Danio rerio (38 males and 10 females) of approximately 13 months of age were used. They were divided into four groups, with 12 animals each. The fish were randomly distributed to form the groups, which received a maintenance and/or hypercaloric diet, with or without the addition of physical exercise. The animals underwent six hours of forced exercise (5 cm/s) for thirteen weeks. The animals that practiced physical exercise had a higher volumetric density of the area occupied by hepatocytes (65.92%±1.81 - GMex and 50.75%±2.24 GHex) among the groups. The GH group had a higher volumetric density of the area occupied by connective tissue (15.12%±0.72), followed by the GHex group (13.53%±1.43). Regarding the volumetric density of the area occupied by adipose tissue, the GH group had a higher density (27.21%±1.36), followed by the GHex group (21.66%±1.11) with statistically significant differences. The GMex had a volumetric density of the area occupied by adipose tissue of 3.5%±0.76, while the GM had 5.7%±0.5, with statistical difference. In relation to the animals in the GHex group, they had 20.39% less fat than the animals in the GH group. The animals in the GMex group had 72.47% less fat than those in the GM group. It is concluded that the different dietary constitutions and the imposition of physical exercise were able to modify the structural architecture of the liver of Danio rerio. These are acceptable criteria for modulations, thus aiming at the control and possible interferences directly related to the metabolism of the species and therefore the control of diseases.

Using trend arrows in continuous glucose monitoring systems for insulin adjustment in clinical practice: Brazilian Diabetes Society Position Statement.

This manuscript reports the Brazilian Diabetes Society Position Statement for insulin adjustments based on trend arrows observed in continuous glucose monitoring systems. The Brazilian Diabetes Society supports the utilization of trend arrows for insulin dose adjustments in patients with diabetes on basal-bolus insulin therapy, both with multiple daily insulin doses or insulin pumps without closed-loop features. For those on insulin pumps with predictive low-glucose suspend feature, we suggest that only upward trend arrows should be used for adjustments. In this paper, tables for insulin adjustment based on sensitivity factors are provided and strategies to optimize the use of trend arrows in clinical practice are discussed.

Review article: effects of type 2 diabetes therapies on bone metabolism.

Diabetes complications and osteoporotic fractures are two of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in older patients, and they share many features, including genetic susceptibility, molecular mechanisms, and environmental factors. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) compromises bone microarchitecture by inducing abnormal bone cell function and matrix structure with increased osteoblast apoptosis, diminished osteoblast differentiation, and enhanced osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. The linkage between these two chronic diseases creates a possibility that certain antidiabetic therapies may affect bone function. The treatment of T2DM has been improved in the past two decades with the development of new therapeutic drugs. Each class has a pathophysiologic target related to the regulation of the energy metabolism and insulin secretion. However, both glycemic homeostasis and bone homeostasis are under the control of common regulatory factors. This background allows the individual pharmacological targets of antidiabetic therapies to affect bone quality due to their indirect effects on bone cell differentiation and the bone remodeling process. With a greater number of diabetic patients and antidiabetic agents being launched, it is critical to highlight the consequences of this disease and its pharmacological agents on bone health and fracture risk. Currently, there is little scientific knowledge approaching the impact of most anti-diabetic treatments on bone quality and fracture risk. Thus, this review aims to explore the pros and cons of the available pharmacologic treatments for T2DM on bone mineral density and risk fractures in humans.

Partners of patients having a permanent colostomy should also receive attention from the healthcare team.

AIM: This study was carried out to determine how the partners of patients with a permanent colostomy perceive everyday life, particularly its sexual aspects. METHOD: Data were collected prospectively from October 2011 to May 2012 using a three-part questionnaire to obtain demographic, social and sexual information. Both multiple-choice and yes/no questions were used. RESULTS: One hundred and eight questionnaires were given to 36 partners of patients with a permanent colostomy (the ostomy group) and to 72 partners of normal individuals matched for age, sex and social class. The sexual performance of the spouse was significantly better in the control group (P = 0.004), sexual performance of the partner was also better in the control group (P = 0.023) and reduced frequency of sexual activity was higher in the ostomy group (P = 0.042). There was, however, no significant difference in sexual interest between the two groups (P = 0.507). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that about half of the partners of patients with a permanent colostomy experienced dissatisfaction with their spouse's performance, with a reduction in sexual interest and frequency of intercourse compared with the control group. Healthcare professionals should pay more attention to the partner of patients having a permanent colostomy.

Airway space changes after maxillomandibular counterclockwise rotation and mandibular advancement with TMJ Concepts® total joint prostheses: three-dimensional assessment.

This study focused on three-dimensional (3D) airway space changes and stability following simultaneous maxillomandibular counterclockwise rotation, mandibular advancement, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) reconstruction with custom-made total joint prostheses (TMJ Concepts(®)). Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of 30 consecutive female patients with irreversibly compromised TMJs were obtained at the following intervals: T1, presurgery; T2, immediately after surgery; and T3, at least 6 months after surgery. The CBCT volumetric datasets were analysed with Dolphin Imaging(®) software to evaluate surgical and postsurgical changes to oropharyngeal airway parameters. The average changes in airway surface area (SA), volume (VOL), and minimum axial area (MAA) were, 179.50 mm(2), 6302.60 mm(3), and 92.23 mm(2), respectively, at the longest follow-up (T3-T1) (P≤0.001). Significant correlations between the amount of mandibular advancement and counterclockwise rotation of the occlusal plane and 3D airway changes were also found (P≤0.01). The results of this investigation showed a significant immediate 3D airway space increase after maxillomandibular counterclockwise rotation and mandibular advancement with TMJ Concepts total joint prostheses, which remained stable over the follow-up period.

Antioxidant properties of species from the Brazilian cerrado by different assays / Avaliação da propriedade antioxidante de espécies do cerrado no Brasil detectada por diferentes ensaios

The purpose of this study was to screen the antioxidant activity of medicinal plant extracts from the Brazilian cerrado, through other methods than the total phenolic content and its correlation with the antioxidant activity. Ethanolic extracts of ten species were evaluated through three antioxidant assays, in vitro, including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), total antioxidant activity and reducing power; and by using the Folin-Ciocalteu method the total phenolic content was determined. Ethanolic extracts of Stryphnodendron obovatum, Cecropia pachystachya and Duguetia furfuraceae showed strong antioxidant activity (IC50<5 µg mL-1) in the DPPH free radical scavenging assay; the species Vernonia phosphorea, Hymenaea stignocarpa and Jacaranda ulei may also be highlighted. These results were confirmed in the assays of total antioxidant capacity and reducing power. The extracts of S. obovatum and V. phosphorea showed an abundant phenolic content; therefore, the phenolic content may play a role in the antioxidant activity. These two species, traditionally used in Brazil, showed great power in these assay systems and may be a promising source for the development of natural antioxidants and future candidates for phytochemical and pharmacological studies in related diseases.

O objetivo desse trabalho foi triar a atividade antioxidante de extratos de plantas medicinais do cerrado do Brasil, por outros métodos além do conteúdo de fenóis totais e sua correlação com a atividade antioxidante. Assim, o extrato etanólico de dez espécies vegetais do cerrado brasileiro foi avaliado por três ensaios de atividade antioxidante, in vitro: 2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidrazil (DPPH); atividade antioxidante total e poder redutor; e o teor de fenóis determinado pelo reagente de Folin-Ciocalteu. O extrato etanólico de Stryphnodendron obovatum, Cecropia pachystachya e Duguetia furfuraceae apresentaram forte atividade antioxidante (CI50<5 mg mL-1) no ensaio com o DPPH, tendo destaque também as espécies Vernonia phosphorea, Hymenaea stignocarpa e Jacaranda ulei. Os extratos de S. obovatum e V. phosphorea demonstraram maiores teores de fenóis, indicando que esse grupo de substâncias possa ser a responsável pela atividade antioxidante. Essas duas espécies, usadas tradicionalmente no Brasil, representam fontes promissoras para o desenvolvimento de antioxidantes naturais e futuros estudos fitoquímicos e farmacológicos em doenças relacionadas.

Sexual politics and sexual rights in Brazil: an overview.

The objective of this text is to survey the political construction of sexual rights in Brazil working on themes that are especially relevant to the configuration of these rights (reproduction/abortion, STDs/AIDS and sexual diversity), and mapping the main actors, the legal instruments now in place or still being discussed and, lastly, the public policies that have been adopted in the last two decades. We considered the 1988 Brazilian Constitution the landmark from which, in terms of the civil society's perspective at least, demands for new rights are ordained and, at state level, public policies and legal instruments are generated to satisfy these demands.

Surface ultrastructure of the gills of the mullets Mugil curema, M. liza and M. platanus (Mugilidae, Pisces).

Mugil curema, M. liza, and M. platanus were collected from the southeastern and southern coast of Brazil. The second gill arches were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and histology. The highest density of chloride and mucus-secreting cells was observed in the gill filaments of M. liza and M. platanus. Spines are scarce and were found only in the pharyngeal region of M. curema. The dorsal angle of curvature of the simple projections is most reduced in the rakers of M. liza and M. platanus. The raker borderline on the internal side of the arches of M. curema has grooves that do not occur in the other two species. On the external side of the branchial arches, the borders of the rakers of M. liza and M. platanus are smooth. The shape of the rakers is characteristic for each species: in M. curema, it resembles the letter "D"; in M. liza, it is trapezoidal, and in M. platanus, it is triangular. Thus there is a morphologic similarity between M. liza and M. platanus, and both differ from M. curema. All three species show elongated and extremely elaborated rakers that are placed next to each other and turned toward the opercular cavity. There are few taste buds and only several mucus-secreting cells along the whole pharyngeal region. These characteristics suggest that these species do not select food chemically but obtain it mechanically with the rakers and aggregate it with mucus.

[Sensitize: a way of education for care]. / Sensibilização: uma forma de educação para o cuidado.

This article proposes to reflect about human care and ways of teaching it to future caregivers. The author describes a teaching experience in which she tried to sensitise the students--future nurse aides--for care, through "Meditation for the cure", proposed by Weiss (1998). Since it is a belief that there is a need to sensitise the caregivers to human care, the author stimulates the search for creative solutions to reach it.

[The student, the physician, and the teacher of medicine facing death and terminal patients]. / O estudante, o médico e o professor de medicina perante a morte e o paciente terminal.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this investigation was to study the feelings and attitudes of medical students, medical doctors and teachers of medicine facing death and terminal patients. METHOD: An inquiry about death and terminal patient was applied to 81 pre-clinical students, 139 clinical students, 52 medical doctors and 54 teachers of the Faculty of Health Sciences. RESULTS: 303 responders showed interest in this subject (93%); 179 had problems in dealing with it (55%). Only 136 searched for information (41.7%) and 116 have difficulty in finding it (85.1%). Non-especialized sources of information were the most used ones (61.1%). Twenty medical doctors (38%) and 13 teachers (24%) discussed the subject more often with patients, 47 pre-clinical students (58%) did it with friends and 40 with relatives (49.4%); 36 teachers did it with health professionals (66.6%). 263 responders rarely think about their own death (80.7%), and 38 do it constantly (11.6%); 157 are afraid of thinking about their own death (52.2%). Eleven pre-clinical students (13.8%), ten clinical students (7.2%) and 4 medical doctors (7.4%) never thought of their own death. Before entering medical school, 136 responders had some kind of contact with corpses (41.8%). The interest about death did not change, after dealing with corpses in anatomy classes, to 321 responders (98.5%), the same happening with 236 individuals (96.3%) after necroscopy. During the clinical year 111 students (79.9%) worked with terminal patients. CONCLUSIONS: The authors suggest that formal education about death and terminal patient in medical schools, starting early in the medical course, as well as permanent attention to the theme by professionals, could modify the attitudes of students and medical doctors toward a better way in dealing with this subject.

O estudante, o médico e o professor de medicina perante a morte e o paciente terminal / The student, the physician and the teacher of medicine facing death and terminal patients

Objetivo. Determinar o perfil do estudante, do médico e do professor de medicina, em um hospital universitário, diante da morte e de pacientes terminais, e identificar possíveis mudanças de comportamento ao longo e após a formaçäo médica. Casuística e Método. Inquérito sobre morte e paciente terminal foi realizado entre 81 estudantes da fase pré-clínica e 139 da fase clínica do curso de medicina, 52 médicos e 54 professores da Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde. Resultados. O interesse pelo assunto foi manifestado por 303 inquiridos (93 por cento); 179 apresentaram dificuldade para tratar da matéria (55 por cento). Apenas 136 procuraram informaçöes sobre o tema (41,7 por cento); 116 tinham dificuldade para encontrá-las (85,1 por cento). Fontes de informaçäo leigas foram as mais utilizadas (61,1 por cento), em detrimento de fontes especializadas (38,9 por cento). Apenas 20 médicos (38 por cento) e 13 professores (24 por cento) discutiram o assunto com pacientes; 47 alunos da fase pré-clínica discutiram com amigos (58 por cento) e 40 com familiares (49,4 por cento); 36 professores debateram com profissionais da área de saúde (66,6 por cento). Pensam, eventualmente, na própria morte 263 entrevistados (80,7 por cento) e, constantemente, 38 (11,6 por cento); 157 sentem medo quando fazem (52,2 por cento). Nunca pensaram na própria morte 11 alunos da fase pré-clínica (13,8 por cento), dez da faze clínica (7,2 por cento) e quatro médicos (7,4 por cento). Antes de iniciar o curso médico, 136 inquiridos tiveram algum contato com cadáver (41,8 por cento). O interesse pelo assunto morte näo se alterou, ou até aumentou, após contato com o cadáver, para 321 (98,5 por cento), ou mesmo após as primeiras necropsias, para 236 (96,3 por cento). Na fase clínica do curso, 111 alunos (79,9 por cento) tiveram contato com pacientes terminais. Conclusöes. Os autores sugerem que a educaçäo formal sobre o assunto nas escolas de medicina, desde o início do curso, bem como a permanente atençäo dispensada ao tema por parte dos profissionais, poderia modificar o comportamento do estudante e do médico, tornando-os mais aptos a lidar com a morte e com o paciente terminal.

Growth inhibition of human in vitro and mouse in vitro and in vivo mammary tumor models by retinoids in comparison with tamoxifen and the RU-486 anti-progestagen.

Retinoids constitute a very promising class of agents for the chemoprevention or treatment of breast cancer. These retinoids exert their biological activity through two distinct classes of retinoic acid (RA) receptors (R), the RAR isotypes (alpha, beta, and gamma) and the three RXR isotypes (alpha, beta, and gamma) and their numerous isoforms which bind as RXR/RAR heterodimers to the polymorphic cis-acting response elements of RA target genes. With respect to these numerous receptor sub-types, the retinoid-induced effects at the biological level include marked modifications with respect to both cell proliferation and cell death (apoptosis), and also in the induction of differentiation processes. The present study aims to characterize the effect which four retinoids (TTNPB, 9-cis-RA, LGD 1069, 4-HPR) with distinct RAR/RXR binding properties induced on various in vitro and in vivo mouse and human breast cancer models. The experiments with the retinoids were carried out in comparison with the anti-estrogen tamoxifen and the anti-progestagen RU-486 compounds. The results show that the 6 compounds under study were markedly more efficient in terms of growth inhibition in the human T-47D cell line when maintained under anchorage-independent culture conditions than when maintained under anchorage-dependent ones. While RU-486 exhibited a weak statistically significant (p < 0.05) influence on the growth of the T-47D stem cells, tamoxifen had a marked inhibitory influence on the growth of these cells. Of the four retinoids, 4-HPR was the least effective since the lowest doses tested (1 and 0.1 nM) exhibited no statistically (p > 0.05) significant influence on the growth of the stem cells. The most efficient retinoid was TTNPB. It was only at the highest dose (10 microM) that tamoxifen and RU-486 showed a weak inhibitory influence on the growth of the T-47D non-stem cells while all 4 retinoids exerted a significant inhibitory influence on the growth of these non-stem cells, with 4-HPR being the most efficient (P < 0.001) at the highest dose, but ineffective (P > 0.05) at the lowest. Tamoxifen and TTNPB were tested in vivo on hormone-sensitive (HS) and hormone-insensitive (HI) strains of the MXT murine mammary carcinoma. While TTNPB appeared to be equally efficient in terms of growth inhibition in both MXT-HS and MXT-HI models, tamoxifen had only a marginal inhibitory influence on the growth of the MXT-HI strain but did inhibit growth in the case of the MXT-HS one. TTNPB was markedly more efficient than tamoxifen in terms of both inhibiting the cell proliferation level (measured by means of computer-assisted microscopy applied to Feulgen-stained nuclei, a method which enables the percentage of cells in the S phase of the cell cycle to be determined) and triggering cell death (measured by means of the determination of the transglutaminase activity) in both the MXT-HI and MXT-HS models. The very significant TTNPB-induced inhibition of the macroscopic MXT-HS growth rate relates to the triggering of cell death (apoptosis) rather than to an inhibition of cell proliferation. All these results clearly indicate that retinoids are very efficient agents against breast cancer, at least as efficient as tamoxifen.

Folding of DNA substrate-hairpin ribozyme domains: use of deoxy 4-thiouridine as an intrinsic photolabel.

Hairpin ribozymes derived from (-)sTRSV RNA exhibit substantial cleavage activity when wobble GU base pairs are introduced in place of the AU pairs normally involved in helices I and II between substrate and ribozyme. This finding prompted us to synthesize by in vitro transcription a new hairpin ribozyme, active against a 14-mer substrate derived from a conserved HIV sequence. Interactions of the canonical and anti-HIV hairpin ribozymes with non cleavable DNA substrate analogues containing the photoaffinity probe deoxy-4-thiouridine (ds4U) at a single site were investigated. Upon near-UV light irradiation (365 nm), all these substrate analogues were covalently attached to ribozyme via single or multiple crosslinks. In contrast, no crosslinks were detected using either a DNA substrate analogue lacking ds4U or a ds4U containing oligomer unrelated to the substrate sequence. As expected, if the dissociation constant is in the range of 5-15 microM, the yield of crosslinked ribozyme increased markedly with increasing the substrate analogue concentration. The ribozyme residues involved in the crosslinks were determined by RNA sequencing. The pattern of crosslinks obtained with the two ribozyme systems provides additional evidence in support of the consensus secondary structure proposed for the hairpin domain. Minor alternative conformations were detected in the case of the (-)sTRSV system.

[The model of state health policy and the system of medical assistance adopted in present-day Brazil]. / Padrão de política estatal em saúde e o sistema de assistência médica no Brasil atual.

A contribution to the analysis of the health reform presently occurring in Brazil is presented. The need to consolidate the theoretical background which supports the advances already achieved in order to understand recent events in the area is stressed. In this regard, the health reform is understood as a question transcending the mere administrative and managerial aspect of the health system, since it necessarily involves a redefinition of the concepts of health, disease and the medical practice adopted by the dominant mechanistic paradigm of medicine. The recent events which delineate the health system in Brazil are analysed and criticised in the light of this concern.

Normal venous circulation of the gastroesophageal junction. A route to understanding varices.

A study into the normal anatomy of the venous circulation of the gastroesophageal junction was undertaken using three complementary techniques (radiology, corrosion casting, and morphometry). Four distinct zones of venous drainage were defined as follows: (a) gastric zone, characterized by a longitudinal venous distribution; (b) palisade zone, composed of parallel vessels arranged in groups, lying mainly within the lamina propria; (c) perforating zone, characterized by "treble clef" shaped veins, which collect and channel blood into extrinsic veins; and (d) truncal zone, composed of four or five deep lying descending veins. This venous system appeared to be mainly distributed within the esophageal mucosal folds. The anatomic pattern suggests that venous flow is bidirectional at the palisade zone, which acts as a high-resistance watershed region between the portal and azygos systems. In patients with portal hypertension this normal vascular system has to accommodate greatly increased venous flow, and the anatomy as demonstrated here offers insight into variceal development.

Incidencia de infeccao em cirurgia geral. / Occurrence of infection in general surgery

Os autores estudam as infeccoes pos-operatorias ocorridas na Clinica Cirurgica da U.I.S.S., Universidade de Brasilia,atravez de ficha de notificacao compulsoria. Durante o periodo de maio de 1978 a maio de 1980, 920 pacientes foram submetidos a cirurgias de medio e grande porte, 62 (6,7%) dos quais apresentaram infeccao de ferida ou de cavidade caracterizada pela eliminacao de pus, com ou sem cultura positiva. As cirurgias limpas apresentaram 1,7% de infeccao:as potencialmente contaminadas 8,2%; as contaminadas 10,3% e as infectadas 15%. As bacterias mais indentificadas foram os coliformes Gram negativo.Sao tecidos comentarios a respeito da importancia do controle rigoroso de infeccoes, principalmente na identificacao de suas causas, deteccao precoce de surtos bacterianos e outros aspectos desta entidade responsavel por grande morbidade e mortalidade

Kinetic characterization of Mg2+-dependent ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Kinetic properties of Mg2+-dependent ATPase activity (basic activity) of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles are studied in silver-treated preparations. The treated vesicles are shown to have no Mg2+ + Ca2+-dependent ATPase activity (extra activity) and a basic specific activity which is similar to that of untreated vesicles. The basic ATPase activity can be stimulated by different divalent cations. The relative effectiveness of activation is: Ca greater than Mg greater than or equal to MN greater than Cd greater than or equal to Co greater than Zn greater than Ni = Sr. The metal-ATP complex (MgATP or CaATP) is the true substrate of basic ATPase activity while the free ATP is a competitive inhibitor. The Km's found for MgATP and CaATP are respectively 0.32 mM and 0.41 mM. Ki for free ATP is in the range of 2 to 3 mM. The free divalent cations do not affect the ATPase activity. Both MgITP and CaITP are hydrolysed by the enzyme. The Km's for these complexes are respectively 0.67 and 0.73 mM. The Km for the substrate decreases when the pH of the medium increases from 5.5 to 8.5.

Uremia e cicatrizacao intestinal: estudo experimental em ratos. / Uremia and intestinal cicatrization: experimental study in rats

Utilizando um modelo experimental de uremia os AA avaliaram, sob ponto de vista anatomopatologico, o comportamento da cicatrizacao ao nivel do intestino delgado. Encontraram alteracoes macroscopicas e histologicas sugestivas de um desvio do processo normal de cicatrizacao intestinal. Interrogam se elas ocorrem em virtude de uma deficiencia na sintese do colageno ou por retardo na maturacao do colageno jovem, na vigencia de uremia