Urinary incontinence and other pelvic floor dysfunctions in female athletes in Brazil: A cross-sectional study.

The pelvic floor (PF) provides support to all pelvic organs, as well as appropriately closure/opening mechanism of the urethra, vagina, and anus. Therefore, it is likely that female athletes involved in high-impact and in strong-effort activities are at risk for the occurrence of urinary incontinence (UI). This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of UI and other PF dysfunctions (PFD) [anal incontinence (AI), symptoms of constipation, dyspareunia, vaginal laxity, and pelvic organ prolapse] in 67 amateur athletes (AT) compared with a group 96 of nonathletes (NAT). An ad hoc survey based on questions from reliable and valid instruments was developed to investigate the occurrence of PFD symptoms. The risk of UI was higher in AT group (odds ratio: 2.90; 95% CI: 1.50-5.61), mostly among artistic gymnastics and trampoline, followed by swimming and judo athletes. Whereas, AT group reported less straining to evacuate (OR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.22-0.96), manual assistance to defecate (OR: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.05-1.12), and a higher stool frequency (OR: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.13-0.64) than NAT group. The occurrence of loss of gas and sexual symptoms was high for both groups when compared with literature, although with no statistical difference between them. Pelvic organ prolapse was only reported by nonathletes. Athletes are at higher risk to develop UI, loss of gas, and sexual dysfunctions, either practicing high-impact or strong-effort activities. Thus, pelvic floor must be considered as an entity and addressed as well. Also, women involved in long-term high-impact and strengthening sports should be advised of the impact of such activities on pelvic floor function and offered preventive PFD strategies as well.

Therapeutic concentration of morphine reduces oxidative stress in glioma cell line

Morphine is a potent analgesic opioid used extensively for pain treatment. During the last decade, global consumption grew more than 4-fold. However, molecular mechanisms elicited by morphine are not totally understood. Thus, a growing literature indicates that there are additional actions to the analgesic effect. Previous studies about morphine and oxidative stress are controversial and used concentrations outside the range of clinical practice. Therefore, in this study, we hypothesized that a therapeutic concentration of morphine (1 μM) would show a protective effect in a traditional model of oxidative stress. We exposed the C6 glioma cell line to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and/or morphine for 24 h and evaluated cell viability, lipid peroxidation, and levels of sulfhydryl groups (an indicator of the redox state of the cell). Morphine did not prevent the decrease in cell viability provoked by H2O2 but partially prevented lipid peroxidation caused by 0.0025% H2O2 (a concentration allowing more than 90% cell viability). Interestingly, this opioid did not alter the increased levels of sulfhydryl groups produced by exposure to 0.0025% H2O2, opening the possibility that alternative molecular mechanisms (a direct scavenging activity or the inhibition of NAPDH oxidase) may explain the protective effect registered in the lipid peroxidation assay. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that morphine in usual analgesic doses may contribute to minimizing oxidative stress in cells of glial origin. This study supports the importance of employing concentrations similar to those used in clinical practice for a better approximation between experimental models and the clinical setting.

Therapeutic concentration of morphine reduces oxidative stress in glioma cell line.

Morphine is a potent analgesic opioid used extensively for pain treatment. During the last decade, global consumption grew more than 4-fold. However, molecular mechanisms elicited by morphine are not totally understood. Thus, a growing literature indicates that there are additional actions to the analgesic effect. Previous studies about morphine and oxidative stress are controversial and used concentrations outside the range of clinical practice. Therefore, in this study, we hypothesized that a therapeutic concentration of morphine (1 µM) would show a protective effect in a traditional model of oxidative stress. We exposed the C6 glioma cell line to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and/or morphine for 24 h and evaluated cell viability, lipid peroxidation, and levels of sulfhydryl groups (an indicator of the redox state of the cell). Morphine did not prevent the decrease in cell viability provoked by H2O2 but partially prevented lipid peroxidation caused by 0.0025% H2O2 (a concentration allowing more than 90% cell viability). Interestingly, this opioid did not alter the increased levels of sulfhydryl groups produced by exposure to 0.0025% H2O2, opening the possibility that alternative molecular mechanisms (a direct scavenging activity or the inhibition of NAPDH oxidase) may explain the protective effect registered in the lipid peroxidation assay. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that morphine in usual analgesic doses may contribute to minimizing oxidative stress in cells of glial origin. This study supports the importance of employing concentrations similar to those used in clinical practice for a better approximation between experimental models and the clinical setting.

Efeito da lactulose sobre os teores séricos de ureia, creatinina, cálcio e fósforo em cães não azotêmicos / Effect of lactulose on serum urea, creatinine, calcium and phosphorus in non-azothemic dogs

The present study evaluated serum levels of urea, creatinine, calcium and phosphorus in non-azothemic dogs by continued use of lactulose orally. Serum levels of urea, creatinine, calcium and phosphorus were determined in Beagle dogs, clinically healthy and without biochemical changes (non-azothemic), undergoing oral treatment with lactulose (n = 6), for a period of 30 days. The prebiotic showed no significant lowering effect on serum urea and creatinine, but the values of calcium and phosphorus, as well as their relation, were modified with reduced serum phosphorus levels in animals treated with lactulose compared to controls, with a significant difference...

Granuloma leproide canino na região amazônica - relato de caso / Canine leproide granuloma in the amazon region - case report

Descreve-se o primeiro caso de granuloma leproide canino na região amazônica, Brasil, em um canino da raça Boxer, procedente do município de Castanhal, Pará, que apresentava lesões nodulares, alopécicas, firmes, ulceradas e não pruriginosas nas duas pinas. Os nódulos foram retirados cirurgicamente e enviados para análise histopatológica. O exame microscópico revelou marcada infiltração inflamatória constituída por macrófagos, plasmócitos, neutrófilos, linfócitos e células gigantes. A técnica de Ziehl-Neelsen evidenciou grande quantidade de bacilos álcool-ácido resistentes no interior de macrófagos e de células gigantes. Houve forte reatividade ao exame imuno-histoquímico para Mycobacterium spp.

This study describes the first case of canine leproid granuloma in the Amazon region, Brazil. A Boxer dog from the city of Castanhal, Pará presented nodular, alopecic, firm, ulcerated, non-pruritic lesions on both pinnae. The nodules were removed surgically and submitted to histopathological analysis. The microscopic exam revealed marked inflammatory infiltrate composed of macrophages, plasma cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes and giant cells. The Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique showed a large amount of alcohol-acid resistant bacilli inside macrophages and giant cells. The samples exhibited a strong immunohistochemical reaction to Mycobacterium spp.

Ocorrência de neoplasias em cães e gatos da mesorregião metropolitana de Belém, PA entre 2005 e 2010 / Occurrence of neoplasms in canine and feline from the Metropolitan Mesoregion of Belém, PA from 2005 to 2010

Data on the occurrence of cancers in dogs and cats from the Metropolitan Mesoregion of Belém are not available in the literature. This paper describes the occurrence of neoplasms in these species from 2005 to 2010. The canine cutaneous system was the most affected in this study (47 percent), followed by the mammary gland (39 percent), reproductive system (4 percent), oral cavity (4 percent), bones and joints (2 percent), ocular system (1.5 percent), digestive system (1.5 percent) and urinary tract (1 percent). In feline species, the mammary gland accounted for 87.8 percent, followed by the cutaneous system (6 percent), respiratory system (3 percent) and oral cavity (3 percent).

Training SVMs with EDR algorithm.

The aim of this work is to present a new training algorithm for SVMs based on the pattern selection strategy called Error Dependent Repetition (EDR). With EDR, the presentation frequency of a pattern depends on its error: patterns with larger errors are selected more frequently and patterns with smaller error (or learned) are presented with minor frequency. Using a simple iterative process based on gradient ascent, SVM-EDR can solve the dual problem without any assumption about support vectors or the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) conditions.

Inversion of simulated positron annihilation lifetime spectrum using a neural network.

Inversion of positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy, based on a neural network Hopfield model, is presented in this paper. From a previous reported density function for lysozyme in water a simulated spectrum, without the superposition of statistical fluctuation and spectrometer resolution effects, was generated. These results were taken as the exact results from which the neural network was trained. The precision of the inverted density function was analyzed taking into account the number of neurons and the learning time of the neural network. A fair agreement was obtained when comparing the neural network results with the exact results. For example, the maximum of the density function, with a precision of 0.4% for the percentual relative error, was obtained for 64 neurons.

Nitric oxide production by murine peritoneal macrophages in vitro and in vivo treated with Phyllanthus tenellus extracts.

Phyllanthus spp. are used traditionally for the treatment of viral, bacterial and parasitic infections. Macrophages may play a central role in innate and adaptive response against several infections. Nitric oxide (NO) can be induced during macrophage activation and may exert antimicrobial activity inhibiting the replication of several viruses or parasites. In the present study, we investigated the immunomodulatory role, both in vitro and in vivo, of aqueous extracts of fresh and dried Phyllanthus tenellus as well as an acetone/water extract of the dried plant. NO production by mouse peritoneal macrophages was detected in culture supernatants. Our results demonstrated that: (1) in vitro, a concentration of 100 microg/ml fresh extract stimulated significantly (P< or =0.05) NO production in all assays and the optimal production was achieved at 48-h incubation; (2) 10 and 50 mg/kg fresh extract injected twice intraperitonealy primed macrophages in vivo. Priming was detected by in vitro addition of a second stimulus with 100 microg/ml extract of the fresh plant. Thus, P. tenellus was able to pre-activate macrophages in vivo, and induce full activation in vitro. Further studies should be carried out to better evaluate the optimal dose schedules in terms of time/response for obtaining antiviral or other antimicrobial activity without host damage.

Acid-base balance following Tityus serrulatus scorpion envenoming in anaesthetized rats.

In the present work the pH and arterial blood gases were measured in fasted and fed male albino rats, weighing 297 +/- 13 g, anaesthetized with urethane (1.4 g/kg, i.p.) before and after injection of T1 fraction from Titys serrulatus scorpion venom, during 60 min. Arterial blood samples were collected at 0, 5, 15, 30 and 60 min for pH, pCO2, pO2, bicarbonate and base-excess analysis. The data showed that the scorpion toxin induced a continuous drop in the blood pH along the time. Hypercapnia and hypoxemia peaking at 30 min and followed by a recovery towards normal values at 60 min were also observed. A pronounced decrease in the blood bicarbonate levels at 60 min and negative base-excess values along with time were evident at 60 min. The comparisons between fasted and fed animals have shown that in the last group the effects of scorpion toxin on the arterial blood gases were less pronounced. We conclude that T1 fraction of Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom induces in anaesthetized rats an acute respiratory acidosis followed by metabolic acidosis.

Activities of the Pharmaceutical Technology Institute of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation with medicinal, insecticidal and insect repellent plants.

In addition to original research, Far-Manguinhos, the Pharmaceutical Division of the Brazilian Ministry of Health's Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), devotes major attention to the finalising of products for use in public health campaigns or, under contract, for private industrial development. Emphasis is on standardisation, adequate supply, safety in use and efficacy. Among the products discussed in this summary of some of its activities in the chemical and pharmaceutical fields are medicinal plants Bidens pilosa, Cymbopogon citratus, Copaifera species, Mentha crispa, Phyllanthus tenellus Roxb. and other Phyllanthus species, insecticidal plants, Lonchocarpus urucu and Quassia amara, and the insect antifeedant plants Carapa guianensis and Pterodon emarginatus.

Rescinnamine and reserpine - a comparative study of their (13)C NMR spectra.

A comparative analysis of the natural-abundance (13)C NMR spectra of the Rauwolfia alkaloids rescinnamine and reserpine is reported.