Acute effect of passive cycle-ergometry and functional electrical stimulation on nitrosative stress and inflammatory cytokines in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Early mobilization is beneficial for critically ill patients because it reduces muscle weakness acquired in intensive care units. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of functional electrical stimulation (FES) and passive cycle ergometry (PCE) on the nitrous stress and inflammatory cytometry in critically ill patients. This was a controlled, randomized, open clinical trial carried out in a 16-bed intensive care unit. The patients were randomized into four groups: Control group (n=10), did not undergo any therapeutic intervention during the study; PCE group (n=9), lower-limb PCE for 30 cycles/min for 20 min; FES group (n=9), electrical stimulation of quadriceps muscle for 20 min; and FES with PCE group (n=7), patients underwent PCE and FES, with their order determined randomly. The serum levels of nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma, and interleukins 6 and 10 were analyzed before and after the intervention. There were no differences in clinical or demographic characteristics between the groups. The results revealed reduced nitric oxide concentrations one hour after using PCE (P<0.001) and FES (P<0.05), thereby indicating that these therapies may reduce cellular nitrosative stress when applied separately. Tumor necrosis factor alpha levels were reduced after the PCE intervention (P=0.049). PCE and FES reduced nitric oxide levels, demonstrating beneficial effects on the reduction of nitrosative stress. PCE was the only treatment that reduced the tumor necrosis factor alpha concentration.

Efeitos tóxicos dos sedimentos do estuário do rio Capibaribe em embriões de zebrafish (Danio rerio) / Toxic effects of sediments of the Capibaribe estuary on zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio)

O presente estudo utilizou embriões de Danio rerio expostos aos elutriatos dos sedimentos estuarinos do rio Capibaribe, dos períodos chuvoso e seco, e analisou os efeitos letais, teratogênicos, bem como a frequência cardíaca. Os testes de toxicidade com os embriões seguiram as diretrizes da OECD 236. Mediante os resultados obtidos, a frequência cardíaca e a teratogenicidade foram os efeitos mais observados nos animais quando submetidos às amostras. Entre os efeitos teratogênicos, o retardo geral no desenvolvimento dos embriões foi o mais frequente durante as análises. Tais efeitos tóxicos se modificaram entre os pontos e entre os períodos de coleta. Essa variação de toxicidade pode estar relacionada à diversidade de atividades realizadas no entorno desse estuário, a influência do regime de chuvas, marés e correntes, indicando que a análise dos efeitos subletais e da teratogenicidade em embriões de D. rerio constitui bom parâmetro para avaliações de toxicidade de amostras ambientais.(AU)

The present study used Danio rerio embryos exposed to the elutriates of the estuarine sediments of the Rio Capibaribe, from the rainy and dry periods, where the lethal effects, teratogenic and heart rate were analyzed. Embryotoxicity tests followed the guidelines of OECD 236. Based on the results obtained, heart rate and teratogenicity demonstrated higher sensitivity to the samples. Among the teratogenic effects, the general delay in embryo development was the most frequent effect during the analyzes. These toxic effects changed between the points and between the collection periods. This variation of toxicity may be related to the diversity of activities carried out around this estuary, the influence of rainfall, tides, and currents, indicating the analysis of sublethal effects and teratogenicity in the D. rerio embryos are useful parameters for toxic evaluation of environmental samples.(AU)

Efeitos tóxicos dos sedimentos do estuário do rio Capibaribe em embriões de zebrafish (Danio rerio) / Toxic effects of sediments of the Capibaribe estuary on zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio)

O presente estudo utilizou embriões de Danio rerio expostos aos elutriatos dos sedimentos estuarinos do rio Capibaribe, dos períodos chuvoso e seco, e analisou os efeitos letais, teratogênicos, bem como a frequência cardíaca. Os testes de toxicidade com os embriões seguiram as diretrizes da OECD 236. Mediante os resultados obtidos, a frequência cardíaca e a teratogenicidade foram os efeitos mais observados nos animais quando submetidos às amostras. Entre os efeitos teratogênicos, o retardo geral no desenvolvimento dos embriões foi o mais frequente durante as análises. Tais efeitos tóxicos se modificaram entre os pontos e entre os períodos de coleta. Essa variação de toxicidade pode estar relacionada à diversidade de atividades realizadas no entorno desse estuário, a influência do regime de chuvas, marés e correntes, indicando que a análise dos efeitos subletais e da teratogenicidade em embriões de D. rerio constitui bom parâmetro para avaliações de toxicidade de amostras ambientais.(AU)

The present study used Danio rerio embryos exposed to the elutriates of the estuarine sediments of the Rio Capibaribe, from the rainy and dry periods, where the lethal effects, teratogenic and heart rate were analyzed. Embryotoxicity tests followed the guidelines of OECD 236. Based on the results obtained, heart rate and teratogenicity demonstrated higher sensitivity to the samples. Among the teratogenic effects, the general delay in embryo development was the most frequent effect during the analyzes. These toxic effects changed between the points and between the collection periods. This variation of toxicity may be related to the diversity of activities carried out around this estuary, the influence of rainfall, tides, and currents, indicating the analysis of sublethal effects and teratogenicity in the D. rerio embryos are useful parameters for toxic evaluation of environmental samples.(AU)

Acute effect of passive cycle-ergometry and functional electrical stimulation on nitrosative stress and inflammatory cytokines in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients: a randomized controlled trial

Early mobilization is beneficial for critically ill patients because it reduces muscle weakness acquired in intensive care units. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of functional electrical stimulation (FES) and passive cycle ergometry (PCE) on the nitrous stress and inflammatory cytometry in critically ill patients. This was a controlled, randomized, open clinical trial carried out in a 16-bed intensive care unit. The patients were randomized into four groups: Control group (n=10), did not undergo any therapeutic intervention during the study; PCE group (n=9), lower-limb PCE for 30 cycles/min for 20 min; FES group (n=9), electrical stimulation of quadriceps muscle for 20 min; and FES with PCE group (n=7), patients underwent PCE and FES, with their order determined randomly. The serum levels of nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma, and interleukins 6 and 10 were analyzed before and after the intervention. There were no differences in clinical or demographic characteristics between the groups. The results revealed reduced nitric oxide concentrations one hour after using PCE (P<0.001) and FES (P<0.05), thereby indicating that these therapies may reduce cellular nitrosative stress when applied separately. Tumor necrosis factor alpha levels were reduced after the PCE intervention (P=0.049). PCE and FES reduced nitric oxide levels, demonstrating beneficial effects on the reduction of nitrosative stress. PCE was the only treatment that reduced the tumor necrosis factor alpha concentration.

Antifungal activity of plant extracts against microsporum canis and candida spp. strains / Actividad antifúngica de extractos de plantas contra cepas de microsporum canis y candida spp

Aiming to find a phytotherapeutic compounds to treat animal fungal infections, plants commonly found in Northeastern Brazil were evaluated in vitro against Microsporum canis and Candida spp. strains isolated from dogs and cats. The leaf ethanol extracts of Momordica charantia, Calotropis procera, Peschiera affinis and Piper tuberculatum and decoction of Mangifera indica were initially evaluated by the agar-well diffusion method. Four extracts induced growth inhibition zones against M. canis: P. tuberculatum (20 mm), M. indica (14 mm), M. charantia (13 mm) and P. affinis (11 mm). None of them were active against Candida spp. Broth microdilution tests were performed for M. canis strains (n=5), to find the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC). The geometric means for the MIC values were 590, 370, 350, 170 ug/mL, and for the MFC values were 1190, 750, 700, 340 ug/mL for M. charantia, P. affinis, P. tuberculatum and M. indica, respectively. Therefore, extracts from M. charantia, P. affinis, P. tuberculatum and M. indica are good candidates to produce antifungal phytotherapics since these extracts demonstrated good activity against M. canis.

Con el objetivo de encontrar compuestos fitoterapéuticos para tratar las infecciones por hongos de los animales, plantas que se encuentran comúnmente en el noreste de Brasil se evaluaron in vitro frente a cepas de Microsporum canis y Candida spp. aisladas de perros y gatos. Los extractos etanólicos de hojas de Momordica charantia, Calotropis procera, Peschiera affinis y Piper tuberculatum y la decocción de Mangifera índica fueron evaluados inicialmente por el método de difusión en pocillos de agar. Cuatro extractos indujeron zonas de inhibición del crecimiento contra M. canis: P. tuberculatum (20 mm), M. índica (14 mm), M. charantia (13 mm) y P. affinis (11 mm). Ninguno de ellos fue activo contra Candida spp. Se realizaron pruebas de microdilución en caldo para las cepas de M. canis (n = 5), para encontrar la concentración mínima inhibitoria (CIM) y la concentración fungicida mínima (CFM). Las medias geométricas de los valores de CIM fueron 590, 370, 350, 170 mg/ml, y para los valores de CFM fueron 1.190, 750, 700, 340 mg/ml de M. charantia, P. affinis, P. tuberculatum y M. indica, respectivamente. Por lo tanto, los extractos de M. charantia, P. affinis, P. tuberculatum y M. indica son buenos candidatos para la producción de fitoterápicos antifúngicos ya que estos extractos demostraron una buena actividad contra M. canis.

Estudo de biocompatibilidade in vivo e in vitro do extrato hidroalcoólico de Cissus sicyoides L. - Vitaceae em ratos / Study of in vivo and in vitro biocompatibility of Cissus sicyoides L. - Vitaceae hydroalcoholic extracts in rats

Biocompatibilidade é a capacidade de um material exercer funções específicas quando aplicado em contato com tecidos vivos de determinado hospedeiro, sem, contudo, causar danos ou prejuízo ao mesmo. Este trabalho objetivou determinar a biocompatibilidade in vivo e in vitro do extrato hidroalcoólico do Cissus sicyoides L - Vitaceae. Foram utilizados 30 ratos (Rattus novergicus albinus wistar), com idade entre 45 e 90 dias e pesando entre 170 e 260 g. Os animais foram divididos em 3 grupos (A1, A2 e A3) de 6 animais cada para o teste in vivo, os quais foram sacrificados com 2, 4 e 6 dias, respectivamente. Para o teste in vitro, foram utilizados 12 animais para obtenção do índice de aderência e da capacidade fagocítica dos macrófagos de ratos do grupo controle e do grupo experimental. Nos resultados encontrados no teste in vivo, conclui-se que o extrato apresentou-se biocompatível, visto que não provocou alterações significativas no tecido. Já no teste in vitro, o mesmo não se apresentou biocompatível, pois o extrato puro apresentou índice de aderência baixo (7,1) e taxa de fagocitose elevada (35,7), indicando diferença significante quando comparado ao controle. Porém, quando diluído, o extrato se mostrou inócuo, devido ao aumento dos valores do índice de aderência nas concentrações de 1/10 (61,4) e 1/100 (74,3) nos ensaios, as quais não apresentaram diferença significante quando comparadas ao controle. Após a análise dos dados, concluiu-se que a solução diluída do extrato hidroalcoólico do Cissus sicyoides L. não causa danos ou prejuízos. Entretanto, como nem todos os efeitos farmacológicos foram testados no presente trabalho, não se pode inferir automaticamente que ele é biocompatível em todos os casos.

Biocompatibility is the ability of a material to perform specifictasks when applied to living tissues without causing damage or injuries to it. Thus, this study aimed at determining the in vivo and in vitro biocompatibility of Cissus sicyoides L. - Vitaceae hydroalcoholic extracts. A total of 30 rats (Rattus norvegicus Albinus Wistar), with ages ranging from 45 to 90 days and weighing between 170 and 260g were used. The animals were divided into 3 groups (A1, A2 and A3) with 6 animals each, for the in vivo test, which were sacrificed after 2, 4 and 6 days, respectively. For in vitro test, 12 animals were used to obtain the index of adherence and phagocytic ability of macrophages of rats from the control and the experimental groups. In results found for the in vivo test, it was concluded that the extract was biocompatible, whereas no significant changes were observed in the tissue. As to the in vitro test, the extract was not biocompatible, since the pure extract showed a low rate of adherence (7.1) and a high rate of phagocytosis (35.7), indicating a significant difference when compared to the control group. However, when diluted, the extract was shown to be harmless, due to an increase in the values of the adherence index at the following concentrations : 1/10 (61.4) and 1/100 (74.3) in the tests, which showed no significant differences when compared to the control group. After analyzing the data, it was concluded that since the infusion of the plant is a kind of dilution, its use does not cause any harm to the body. A new study is necessary at the moment to possibily demonstrate its effects on the long term.

Obstructive sleep apnea severity correlates with cellular and plasma oxidative stress parameters and affective symptoms.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is considered a sleep-related respiratory disorder, characterized by repetitive episodes of complete (apnea) or partial (hypopnea) obstruction of airflow in the upper airway (UA) during sleep. The pathophysiology of upper airway obstruction in OSAS is multifactorial, leading to a chronic recurrent state of intermittent hypoxemia and reoxygenation during sleep, maintaining a state of oxidative stress, which seems to be the key to the pathophysiological manifestations of OSAS, and is associated with the development of a number of high morbidity-mortality systematic complications, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular and neuropsychological diseases. This study is an open, cross-sectional, and comparative clinical trial, whose general objective was to assess the correlation between OSAS severity, oxidative stress markers, and the presence of affective symptoms (depressive and anxious) in OSAS patients. We studied 38 adult males, who had been diagnosed with OSAS by overnight polysomnography, between 18 and 60 years of age, divided into three groups: group 1-10 individuals with mild OSAS (AHI between 5 and 14.9/h), group 2-13 individuals with moderate OSAS (AHI between 15 and 30/h), and group 3-15 individuals with severe OSAS (AHI >30/h). All individuals were evaluated for level of subjective sleepiness using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, for depressive and anxiety symptoms by the Hamilton Depression (HAM-D) and Anxiety (HAM-A) Scales, and for parameters of the oxidative stress state, measuring superoxide radical and serum nitrates and nitrites levels. There was a progressive and significant increase in the state of oxidative stress (p < 0.05), in the total score of depressive symptoms (p = 0.001) and in the overall score of anxiety symptoms (p = 0.004) directly proportional to the severity of apnea when comparing the mild group to the severe group. Positive correlations were identified between superoxide production and the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (r = 0.48), Epworth sleepiness score (r = 0.36), and Hamilton depression score (HAM-D) (r = 0.40); between serum nitrates and nitrites levels and SO(2) min (r = 0.44); and between the AHI and the HAM-D (r = 0.51) score and HAM-A (r = 0.40) score. Negative correlations were observed between the AHI and serum nitrates and nitrites levels (r = -0.42), between superoxide production and SO(2) min (r = -0.31), between serum nitrates and nitrites levels and HAM-D (r = -0.50) and HAM-A (-0.42) scores, and between SO(2) min and HAM-D (r = -0.48) and HAM-A (r = -0.40) scores. According to the results of this study, we can conclude that (1) individuals with OSAS show an increase in the production of superoxide radical and a decrease in serum nitrates and nitrites levels, which are objective signs of a state of oxidative stress. (2) The more severe the OSAS, the more fragmented the sleep and the greater the nocturnal hypoxemia, the more severe is the oxidative stress state and the greater is the incidence of daytime symptoms, especially sleepiness and depressive and anxiety symptoms. Future studies might explore the investigation of oxidative stress parameters as an alternative approach to anticipate symptoms, measure prognosis, and monitor OSAS progression or treatment response.

Morphological characterization of hemocytes from Biomphalaria glabrata and Biomphalaria straminea.

Biomphalaria glabrata and Biomphalaria straminea have been identified as intermediate hosts for Schistosoma mansoni. Several studies have found two cell types in the hemolymph of B. glabrata (hyalinocytes and granulocytes). However, there are no studies describing the hemocytes of B. straminea. With the aim of further describing the hemocyte subsets in B. glabrata and B. straminea, we conducted a detailed study using optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Based on the morphological characteristics of the cells, we identified the same types of hemocytes in two species of molluscs, namely: blast-like cells, granulocytes, type I hyalinocytes, type II hyalinocytes and type III hyalinocytes. Blast-like cells had a spherical profile with a central nucleus filling almost the whole cell. Granulocytes were characterized by presenting variable numbers of granules. Type I hyalinocytes were the most abundant cell type and displayed various cytoplasmic projections. Type II and type III hyalinocytes had never previously been reported. They were few in number and were characterized by having an eccentric nucleus. From these results, it is concluded that there are five types of cells in the hemolymph of B. glabrata and B. straminea. Further studies are now needed to identify the role of these hemocytes in the immune response of these snails.

Development of temporomandibular joint ankylosis in rats using stem cells and bone graft.

64 male Wistar rats were used: 24 for the removal of stem cells, 4 as a control group, and 36 for the experiment, in which either stem cells or bone graft was used. The rats were divided into groups according to the type of procedure and time span (15, 30 or 60 days). The joints were submitted to histological study in order to score the ankylosis. The mean differences between initial and final maximal mouth opening (MMO) were gradually increased from 15 to 60 days, for all times of evaluation for both groups, being statistically significant at 15 days (p=0.045) in the bone-graft group. When both groups were compared, the mean differences between initial and final MMO were statistically significant at 15 days (p=0.018) and 30 days (p=0.029). In relation to the histological scores, in the bone-graft group almost all animals had intra-articular fibrosis at all times of evaluation (n=17). In the stem-cell group, there was new bone at 15 days (n=4), 30 days (n=3) and 60 days (n=4). The study model permitted the development of fibrous ankylosis in the majority of animals for both groups and no bony bridge was observed.

Normal microbiota of the perialveolar region of incisors of rats / Microbiota normal da região perialveolar de incisivos em ratos

Identificou-se a microbiota normal da região peri-alveolar de incisivos em 72 ratos Wistar, com 70-90 dias de idade e 280-330g de peso. As bactérias foram coletadas com suabes embebidos em solução salina. Do material depositado em tubo contendo 460µl de Brain Heart Infusion e diluído em 1:10, retirou-se 1µl para semeadura em placas de Petri. O crescimento médio foi 1,4x10(6) ± 2,6x10(5)UFC/ml. Segundo a ordem das freqüências, as bactérias encontradas foram: Bacillus sp., Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus viridans, Corynebacterium sp., Staphylococcus coagulase negativa, Enterococcus sp., Staphylococcus saprophyticcus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae e Serratia liquefaciens. De todas as bactérias isoladas, as Gram-positivas e as Gram-negativas compreenderam 91,2 por cento e 8,8 por cento, respectivamente. Dentre as Gram-positivas, a mais freqüente foi Bacillus sp.(31,2 por cento) e a menos, Staphylococcus saprophyticcus (3,0 por cento). Quanto às bactérias Gram-negativas, a mais encontrada foi Escherichia coli (50,1 por cento) e a menos, Serratia liquefaciens (6,2 por cento)

Normal microbiota of the perialveolar region of incisors of rats / Microbiota normal da região perialveolar de incisivos em ratos

Identificou-se a microbiota normal da região peri-alveolar de incisivos em 72 ratos Wistar, com 70-90 dias de idade e 280-330g de peso. As bactérias foram coletadas com suabes embebidos em solução salina. Do material depositado em tubo contendo 460µl de Brain Heart Infusion e diluído em 1:10, retirou-se 1µl para semeadura em placas de Petri. O crescimento médio foi 1,4x10(6) ± 2,6x10(5)UFC/ml. Segundo a ordem das freqüências, as bactérias encontradas foram: Bacillus sp., Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus viridans, Corynebacterium sp., Staphylococcus coagulase negativa, Enterococcus sp., Staphylococcus saprophyticcus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae e Serratia liquefaciens. De todas as bactérias isoladas, as Gram-positivas e as Gram-negativas compreenderam 91,2 por cento e 8,8 por cento, respectivamente. Dentre as Gram-positivas, a mais freqüente foi Bacillus sp.(31,2 por cento) e a menos, Staphylococcus saprophyticcus (3,0 por cento). Quanto às bactérias Gram-negativas, a mais encontrada foi Escherichia coli (50,1 por cento) e a menos, Serratia liquefaciens (6,2 por cento)(AU)

Ovicidal and larvicidal activity of Melia azedarach extracts on Haemonchus contortus.

Haemonchus contortus is responsible for severe economic losses in sheep and goat breeding in the Northeast of Brazil. However, the effectiveness of control is compromised due to anthelmintic resistance and misuse. In the search for natural anthelmintics, Melia azedarach L., a plant indigenous to India but now distributed throughout Brazil, was selected due to the reported anthelmintic properties of its seeds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of the seed and leaf extracts of the Brazilian adapted plant and investigate the type of organic chemical compounds present in the most active extracts. The ovicidal and larvicidal activity of M. azedarach extracts on H. contortus was evaluated through egg hatching and larval development tests. Hexane and ethanol extracts of seeds and chloroform and ethanol extracts of leaves of M. azedarach were used in the tests. To perform the larval development test, feces of an animal free from parasites were mixed with third instar H. contortus larvae and extracts in several concentrations. The coprocultures were incubated for 7 days at 30 degrees C, then the larvae were recovered and counted. LC50 was calculated by probits using the SPSS 8.0 program. The seed ethanol extract was the most active on eggs (LC50=0.36mgmL(-1)) and the leaf ethanol extract showed the best inhibition of larval development (LC50=9.18mgmL(-1)). Phytochemical analysis of the most active extracts revealed the presence of condensed tannins, triterpenes and alkaloids.

Thie expression of an intraspecific aggressive reaction in the face of a stressor agent alters the immune response in rats.

The repercussion on the immune response of the expression of intraspecific aggressiveness in the face of a stressor agent was investigated in rats. Ninety-day-old animals were divided into three groups: the control group (only immunological measurements were performed), the foot-shock (FS) (animals individually receiving FS), and the intraspecific aggressive response (IAR) group (animals receiving FS and presenting IAR). For immunological measurements, blood samples were collected promptly at 7 and 15 days after FS or IAR. The FS reduced the total leukocyte amount presented. However, aggressiveness triggered not only reduction of the leukocytes, but also lymphocyte decrease and neutrophil increase. Moreover, an elevation in total leukocytes associated with an increase in the humoral immune response was also observed one week after IAR. In this study, the expression of intraspecific aggressiveness in the face of a stressor seemed to activate the immune system and to potentiate the antigen specific humoral response.

The expression of an intraspecific aggressive reaction in the face of a stressor agent alters the immune response in rats

A repercussão sobre a resposta imune da expressão da agressividade intra-específica diante de um estressor foi investigada em ratos. Aos 90 dias de vida, os animais foram divididos em três grupos: grupo-controle (foram realizadas apenas mensurações imunológicas), choque nas patas (FS) (os animais receberam FS individualmente) e grupo resposta agressiva intra-específica (IAR) (os animais receberam FS e apresentaram IAR). Para as medições imunológicas, amostras de sangue foram coletadas imediatamente, 7 e 15 dias após FS ou IAR. O FS reduziu a quantidade total de leucócitos. Contudo, a agressividade foi acompanhada, além da redução do número de leucócitos, por diminuição de linfócitos e aumento de neutrófilos. Além disso, também foi observada elevação no número de leucócitos associada a aumento na resposta imune humoral uma semana após as IAR. Neste estudo, a expressão da agressividade intra-específica diante de um estressor parece ativar o sistema imune e potencializar a resposta humoral antígeno específica.

Malnutrition during brain growth spurt alters the effect of fluoxetine on aggressive behavior in adult rats.

Malnutrition effect during the suckling period on aggressive behavior was investigated in adult rats treated and not treated with fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Sixty-four Wistar male rats were allocated in two groups, according to their mothers' diet during lactation. The well-nourished group was fed by mothers receiving a 23% protein diet; the malnourished one by mothers receiving a 8% protein diet. Following weaning, all rats received the 23% protein diet. On the 90th day after birth, each nutritional group was divided into two subgroups, one receiving a single daily injection of fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) and the other of a saline solution (0.9% NaCl) for 14 days. Treatment with Fluoxetine reduced aggressive response in well-nourished but not in malnourished rats. These findings suggest that the serotoninergic system was affected by malnutrition during the critical period of brain development, and persisted even after a long period of nutritional recovery.

Early malnourished rats are not affected by anorexia induced by a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor in adult life.

The effect of early postnatal malnutrition upon food intake and its modulation by the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) citalopram, was investigated in adult rats. Sixty four Wistar rats were allocated to two groups, according to their mother's diet during lactation. Mothers receiving a 23% protein diet fed the well-nourished group; mothers receiving 8% protein diet fed the malnourished. After weaning, all rats received the 23% protein diet ad libitum. On the 120th day after birth, each nutritional group was divided in two subgroups (each one, n = 16) which received a single daily injection of citalopram (10 mg/kg) or saline (0.9% NaCl) for 14 days. Chronic treatment with citalopram decreased both the food intake and weight gain in the well-nourished rats, but not in the malnourished ones. These data are consistent with findings concerning the nutritional manipulation of the nervous system during its higher vulnerable phase, suggesting that early malnutrition alters the effect of treatment of SSRI in adult rats, and that malnutrition during the critical period of brain development affects the serotoninergic system.

Action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor on aggressive behavior in adult rat submitted to the neonatal malnutrition.

The effect of the malnutrition during suckling on the aggressiveness was investigated in adult rats treated or not with citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). The animals were divided into two groups according to the diet used: nourished group - the rats received the control diet with 23% protein during the life; and malnourished group - the rats had its mothers submitted to diet with 7.8% protein during suckling. At 120 days of age, each group was sub-divided according to the treatment: acute - consisting a single i.p. injection of saline solution or 20-mg/Kg citalopram; chronic - consisting the single injections (1 per day during 14 days) of saline or 20 mg/Kg citalopram. The acute or chronic treatment with SSRI reduces aggressive response in nourished rats, but not in malnourished ones. Thus, the malnutrition during the critical period of brain development seems to induce durable alterations in the function of the serotoninergic neurotransmission

Autotransplant of spleen tissue in children with schistosomiasis: evaluation of splenic function after splenosis.

Autotransplantation of spleen tissue has been done, in the past ten years, in children with schistosomiasis mansoni with bleeding varices. The purposes of this investigation were: (1) to study the morphology and function of the remnant spleen tissue; (2) to quantify the production of tuftsin; and (3) to assess the immune response to pneumococcal vaccine of these patients. Twenty three children, who underwent splenectomy and autologous implantation of spleen tissue into the greater omentum were included in this investigation. The average postoperative follow-up is five years. Splenosis was proved by colloid liver-spleen scans. Search for Howell-Jolly bodies assessed the filtration function. Tuftsin and the titer of pneumococcal antibodies were quantified by ELISA. Splenosis was evident in all children; however, it was insufficient in two. Howell-Jolly bodies were found only in these two patients. The mean tuftsin serum concentration (335.0 +/- 29.8 ng/ml) was inside the normal range. The immune response to pneumococcal vaccination was adequate in 15 patients; intermediate in four; and inadequate in four. From the results the following conclusions can be drawn: splenosis was efficient in maintaining the filtration splenic function in more than 90% and produced tuftsin inside the range of normality. It also provided the immunologic splenic response to pneumococcal vaccination in 65% of the patients of this series.

[Lipid profile among school children in Campinas, Brazil]. / Perfil lipídico em escolares de Campinas, SP, Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the lipid profile and the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia among schoolchildren aged 7 to 14 years in Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil. METHODS: Plasma cholesterol levels, fractions, ratios and triglycerides were determined according to age and gender in a total of 1,600 schoolchildren. Hypercholesterolemia was considered borderline for 170 mg/dl/=200 mg/dl. RESULTS: Schoolchildren presented a cholesterol mean of 160 mg/dl, HDL-cholesterol mean of 49 mg/dl, LDL-cholesterol mean of 96 mg/dl, VLDL-cholesterol mean of 16 mg/dl, triglycerides mean of 79 mg/dl, cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol mean of 3.5 and LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol mean of 2.1. In general, females had higher cholesterol and triglycerides values than males. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was 35.0%: 15.6% was borderline high, 9.8% moderate and 9.5% severe. Females presented higher prevalence of hypercholesterolemia than males. CONCLUSIONS: The results pointed to the emergence of hypercholesterolemia as a public health problem in Brazil.

Effect of stress on the production of O(2)(-) in alveolar macrophages.

Alveolar macrophages (AM) of male rats (200-250 g), stressed or not, were evaluated with relationship to superoxide production (SP). Plasma levels of corticosterone were measured. The control group showed larger SP than the stressed group in all intervals of time. Exposure in vitro of AM to a synthetic glucocorticoid for 40 min (the same time of restraint stress) inhibits SP. Therefore, it seems under stress situations there is an increase of plasma levels of corticosterone and a decrease of SP in AM after stimulation with PMA. O(2)(-) is a potent microbicide and its reduction could cause the loss of microbicidal activity of AM.