Delayed creatine supplementation counteracts reduction of GABAergic function and protects against seizures susceptibility after traumatic brain injury in rats.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a devastating disease frequently followed by behavioral disabilities including post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE). Although reasonable progress in understanding its pathophysiology has been made, treatment of PTE is still limited. Several studies have shown the neuroprotective effect of creatine in different models of brain pathology, but its effects on PTE is not elucidated. Thus, we decided to investigate the impact of delayed and chronic creatine supplementation on susceptibility to epileptic seizures evoked by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) after TBI. Our experimental data revealed that 4 weeks of creatine supplementation (300 mg/kg, p.o.) initiated 1 week after fluid percussion injury (FPI) notably increased the latency to first myoclonic and tonic-clonic seizures, decreased the time spent in tonic-clonic seizure, seizure intensity, epileptiform discharges and spindle oscillations induced by a sub-convulsant dose of PTZ (35 mg/kg, i.p.). Interestingly, this protective effect persists for 1 week even when creatine supplementation is discontinued. The anticonvulsant effect of creatine was associated with its ability to reduce cell loss including the number of parvalbumin positive (PARV+) cells in CA3 region of the hippocampus. Furthermore, creatine supplementation also protected against the reduction of GAD67 levels, GAD activity and specific [3H]flunitrazepam binding in the hippocampus. These findings showed that chronic creatine supplementation may play a neuroprotective role on brain excitability by controlling the GABAergic function after TBI, providing a possible new strategy for the treatment of PTE.

Characterisation of a new exopolysaccharide obtained from of fermented kefir grains in soymilk.

Microbial exopolysaccharides (EPSs) have been widely studied in recent decades due to similarity to gums used in the food industry. Exopolysaccharides can be used in food processing as a thickener and/or stabiliser. This study aimed to investigate the physicochemical properties, thermal behaviour and structural composition of the lyophilised EPS obtained from the fermentation of kefir grains in soymilk. The EPS in concentration 18 mg/mL exhibited water activity of 0.204 and pH=6.20 at 25°C, reducing sugars content of 22.10% (v/v) and protein content of 2% (v/v). The thermogravimetric curve obtained was similar to those reported in the literature for other EPSs. The degradation temperature was 351.84°C and showed that the EPS in this study had a high thermal stability. Characteristic polysaccharide bands were observed in the infrared spectrum. The analysis by liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) showed that the EPS is only composed of glucose.

Acaricidal activity against Tetranychus urticae and chemical composition of peel essential oils of three Citrus species cultivated in NE Brazil.

The repellency and fumigant toxicities of the peel essential oils of Citrus sinensis var. pêra (LP), C. sinensis var. mimo (LM), and C. aurantium (LL) cultivated in northeast Brazil were evaluated against Tetranychus urticae. Analysis of the oils by GC and GC/MS led to the identification of twenty-eight components, which represented 99.9%, 99.7% and 99.3% of the total constituents of the LP, LM and LL oils, respectively. Limonene was the main component found in all three oils. Other main components were alpha-pinene (1.5% in LP; 1.4% in LM), myrcene (5.7% in LP; 5.9% in LM and 5.6% in LL) and linalool (2.4% in LP; 2.3% in LM and 3.9% in LL). The best repellency action was observed for LM at 2.0%, followed by LL oil and eugenol, both of them at 2.5%. The Citrus oils were less active than eugenol (LC50 = 0.004 microL/L air) and phosphine, which revealed 100% mortality at 2 x 10(-3) g/L (66.7% of the recommended dose). However, the most potent fumigant toxicity was found with LL oil, with an LC50 value of 1.63 microL/L air, followed by the oils from LM and LP with LC50 values of 2.22 microL/L air and 4.63 microL/L air, respectively. The associated fumigant and repellent properties of these Citrus peel oils, particularly those of C. aurantium and C. senensis var. mimo, could be used to advantage for the control of T. urticae.

[Comparative study between diurnal intraocular pressure curve and the association of ambulatory intraocular pressure curve with the water-drinking test in open angle glaucoma, normal tension glaucoma and normal eyes]. / Estudo comparativo entre a curva diária de pressão intra-ocular e a associação da curva ambulatorial com o teste de sobrecarga hídrica no glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto, glaucoma de pressão normal e olhos normais.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and correlate the peaks and the fluctuation of intraocular pressure seen in the association of the ambulatory intraocular pressure curve with the water-drinking test versus the peaks and the fluctuation seen in the daily intraocular pressure curve. METHODS: The sample was as follows: 77 eyes belonging to 77 patients who were divided into three groups composed of 31 eyes belonging to 31 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, 26 eyes belonging to 26 patients with normal tension glaucoma and 20 normal eyes belonging to 20 individuals. RESULTS: A significant correlation could be observed between the pressure peaks collected from the daily intraocular pressure curve and the pressure peaks seen in the ambulatory intraocular pressure curve, on the water-drinking test, as well as in the association of the ambulatory intraocular pressure curve with the water-drinking test. The procedure which showed the highest rate of correlation between the pressure peaks and the peaks of the daily intraocular pressure curve was the ambulatory intraocular pressure curve (r2= 0.81). However, no statistically significant difference was found between the pressure peaks and the correlation coefficients observed in the other methods. The correlation between the fluctuation of intraocular pressure obtained in the association of the ambulatory intraocular pressure curve with the water-drinking test and the fluctuation of the pressure seen in the daily intraocular pressure curve showed a slight association (r2= 0.21). CONCLUSIONS: The association between ambulatory intraocular pressure curve and water-drinking test was not efficient to estimate peaks and the fluctuation of daily intraocular pressure curve. The ambulatory intraocular pressure curve and the water-drinking test must be analyzed separately. When predicting the peak and the fluctuation of the daily intraocular pressure curve, the ambulatory intraocular pressure curve was the most efficient procedure.

Estudo comparativo entre a curva diária de pressão intra-ocular e a associação da curva ambulatorial com o teste de sobrecarga hídrica no glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto, glaucoma de pressão normal e olhos normais / Comparative study between diurnal intraocular pressure curve and the association of ambulatory intraocular pressure curve with the water-drinking test in open angle glaucoma, normal tension glaucoma and normal eyes

OBJETIVO: Avaliar e correlacionar os picos e a flutuação da pressão intra-ocular verificados na associação da curva ambulatorial com o teste de sobrecarga hídrica com os picos e a flutuação verificados na curva diária de pressão intra-ocular. MÉTODOS: A amostra foi constituída de 77 olhos de 77 pacientes divididos em três grupos compostos por 31 olhos de 31 pacientes portadores de glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto, 26 olhos de 26 pacientes com glaucoma de pressão normal e 20 olhos normais de 20 indivíduos. RESULTADOS: Houve correlação significativa entre os picos de pressão obtidos na curva diária de pressão intra-ocular e os picos de pressão verificados na curva ambulatorial, no teste de sobrecarga hídrica e na associação da curva ambulatorial com o teste de sobrecarga hídrica. O procedimento em que os picos de pressão apresentaram maior correlação com os picos da curva diária de pressão intra-ocular foi a curva ambulatorial (r²= 0,81), embora não tenha havido diferença estatisticamente significativa com os coeficientes de correlação verificados nos outros métodos. A correlação entre a flutuação da pressão intra-ocular obtida na associação da curva ambulatorial com o teste de sobrecarga hídrica e a flutuação da pressão verificada na curva diária de pressão intra-ocular apresentou uma fraca associação (r²= 0,21). CONCLUSÃO: A associação da curva ambulatorial com o teste de sobrecarga hídrica não se mostrou eficaz para predizer os picos e a flutuação da curva diária de pressão intra-ocular. A curva ambulatorial e o teste de sobrecarga hídrica, devem ser analisados separadamente. O procedimento mais eficaz em prever o pico e a flutuação da pressão da curva diária de pressão intra-ocular foi a curva ambulatorial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and correlate the peaks and the fluctuation of intraocular pressure seen in the association of the ambulatory intraocular pressure curve with the water-drinking test versus the peaks and the fluctuation seen in the daily intraocular pressure curve. METHODS: The sample was as follows: 77 eyes belonging to 77 patients who were divided into three groups composed of 31 eyes belonging to 31 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, 26 eyes belonging to 26 patients with normal tension glaucoma and 20 normal eyes belonging to 20 individuals. RESULTS: A significant correlation could be observed between the pressure peaks collected from the daily intraocular pressure curve and the pressure peaks seen in the ambulatory intraocular pressure curve, on the water-drinking test, as well as in the association of the ambulatory intraocular pressure curve with the water-drinking test. The procedure which showed the highest rate of correlation between the pressure peaks and the peaks of the daily intraocular pressure curve was the ambulatory intraocular pressure curve (r²= 0.81). However, no statistically significant difference was found between the pressure peaks and the correlation coefficients observed in the other methods. The correlation between the fluctuation of intraocular pressure obtained in the association of the ambulatory intraocular pressure curve with the water-drinking test and the fluctuation of the pressure seen in the daily intraocular pressure curve showed a slight association (r²= 0.21). CONCLUSIONS: The association between ambulatory intraocular pressure curve and water-drinking test was not efficient to estimate peaks and the fluctuation of daily intraocular pressure curve. The ambulatory intraocular pressure curve and the water-drinking test must be analyzed separately. When predicting the peak and the fluctuation of the daily intraocular pressure curve, the ambulatory intraocular pressure curve was the most...

[Relationship between corneal thickness and severity of visual field loss in primary open-angle glaucoma]. / Relação entre a espessura corneana e a gravidade de defeito de campo visual no glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto.

PURPOSE: To assess whether central corneal thickness is related to glaucomatous visual field loss severity among patients with office-controlled intraocular pressure in the normal range. METHODS: This transversal study included 85 eyes of 85 patients with treated primary open-angle glaucoma and documented intraocular pressure below 19 mmHg. The patients were divided into three groups according to Anderson criteria of field abnormality. The groups were composed of 30 eyes with mild defect, 28 eyes with moderate defect and 27 eyes with severe defect. Intraocular pressure and central cornea thickness were compared and evaluated between the three groups. RESULTS: Central corneal thickness was statistically thinner in the severe group (mean= 513 +/- 26 microm) compared with the mild defect group (mean= 535 +/- 35 microm) and the moderate group (mean= 533 +/- 30 microm) (p = 0.0182). There was no statistically significant difference between intraocular pressures in the three groups (p = 0.0851). The severe group showed a statistically higher age and number of medications than the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: The central corneal thickness measurement is desirable when establishing target intraocular pressure of patients with open-angle glaucoma. Central corneal thickness is a clinical factor in determining glaucoma severity. Patients with severe field loss showed lower corneal thickness compared with patients with mild and moderate visual field loss.

Relação entre a espessura corneana e a gravidade de defeito de campo visual no glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto / Relationship between corneal thickness and severity of visual field loss in primary open-angle glaucoma

OBJETIVO: Avaliar se a espessura central da córnea pode influenciar na gravidade de defeitos de campo visual no glaucoma em pacientes com pressão intra-ocular controlada ambulatorialmente. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal de 85 olhos de 85 pacientes com glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto em tratamento e com níveis pressóricos inferiores a 19 mmHg. Os pacientes foram divididos em três grupos de acordo com os critérios de gravidade de defeito de campo visual de Anderson. Os grupos eram compostos de 30 olhos com defeito leve de campo visual, 28 olhos com defeito moderado e 27 olhos com defeito grave. Foram avaliadas e comparadas a pressão intra-ocular e a espessura central da córnea entre os três grupos. RESULTADOS: A espessura central da córnea foi significativamente menor no grupo grave (média de 513 ± 26 µm) comparado aos grupos leve (média de 535 ± 35 µm) e moderado (média de 533 ± 30 µm) (p = 0,0182). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre as pressões intra-oculares dos três grupos (p = 0,0851). O grupo grave apresentou média de idade e número de medicações estatisticamente maior quando comparado aos outros grupos. CONCLUSÃO: Os nossos resultados sugerem relação entre a espessura corneana e a gravidade do glaucoma e que a medida da espessura central da córnea deve ser levada em consideração na estimativa da pressão-alvo no tratamento do glaucoma. Os pacientes com defeito grave de campo visual apresentaram córneas mais finas que os pacientes com defeito leve ou moderado.