Purpose
The present work aims to study the effects of whole body vibration (WBV) on bus fare collectors through the use of cognitive tests. It is of interest for all individuals working as bus fare ...collectors or any other activity where logic is of paramount importance and that is performed on a vibrating environment.
Methods
Laboratory simulations were performed in 24 volunteers employing a vibrating platform subjected to vertical vibration. The influence of WBV on cognition was assessed using the performance on a logic game. The frequencies used were 5 Hz and 30 Hz. The acceleration amplitude values were set up as 0.7 m/s
2
and 0.2 m/s
2
. A daily commute was simulated, based on data of the public transport system in the city of Belo Horizonte. A vibration-free test was initially performed to serve as a basis for comparison.
Results
The data obtained in all situations were compared and statistically analyzed. At 5 Hz, variation only shows significant after 5 min of vibration ceased as if the residual effect had passed after 5 min of rest. The gender variable was not significant. However, the older the volunteer, the worse the performance. Regarding 30 Hz frequency, the hypotheses did not meet the condition of significance at 5% but showed an opposite tendency indicating, in this situation, a score increase. It is noticed that the female volunteers presented a better performance in relation to the male gender The residual effect lasts for less than 10 min for short exposure intervals, since the score of test 8, in 5 Hz and 30 Hz, show a reduction of performance.
Conclusions
From the results, it was possible to conclude that the frequency of 5 Hz may be related to reduced performance for long exposure times while the 30 Hz frequency has positive effects on cognition as the exposure time increases. In fact, it is a tendency much more than a clear statistical finding. Regarding comfort, most reports related to the frequency of 5 Hz are linked to the sensation of discomfort and difficulty in focusing visually, whereas, for the frequency of 30 Hz, the reports indicate a feeling of muscular comfort and increased easiness of concentration.
Titanate nanotubes were synthesized and subjected to an ion exchange reaction with erbium salt aqueous solution to obtain titanate nanotubes exchanged with erbium (3+) ions. In order to evaluate the ...effects of the thermal treatment atmosphere on the structural and optical properties of erbium titanate nanotubes, we subjected them to heat treatment in air and argon atmospheres. For comparison, titanate nanotubes were also treated in the same conditions. A complete structural and optical characterizations of the samples was performed. The characterizations evidenced the preservation of the morphology with the presence of phases of erbium oxides decorating the surface of the nanotubes. Variations in the dimensions of the samples (diameter and interlamellar space) were promoted by the replacement of Na
by Er
and the thermal treatment in different atmospheres. In addition, the optical properties were investigated by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The results revealed that the band gap of the samples depends on the variation of diameter and sodium content caused by ion exchange and thermal treatment. Furthermore, the luminescence strongly depended on vacancies, evidenced mainly by the calcined erbium titanate nanotubes in argon atmosphere. The presence of these vacancies was confirmed by the determination of Urbach energy. The results suggest the use of thermal treated erbium titanate nanotubes in argon atmosphere in optoelectronics and photonics applications, such as photoluminescent devices, displays, and lasers.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of ultrasound (US)-mediated phonophoresis alone or in association with diclofenac diethylammonium (DCF) administered topically in animal ...models of inflammation. A pre-clinical, prospective, and randomized experimental study of quantitative and qualitative nature was carried out. Phonophoresis was performed using a therapeutic ultrasound apparatus in two distinct models of acute inflammation. Edema was induced by an intraplantar injection of carrageenan and measured by plethysmography. The Hargreaves test was used to evaluate the antinociceptive activity and investigate the action of phonophoresis on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production. A histological analysis with hematoxylin-eosin was used to evaluate tissue repair, and the expression of COX-2 was determined by immunohistochemical analysis. At the peak of inflammatory activity (3 h), treatment with US, US+DCF, and DCF significantly reduced edema formation compared to the control group. Treatment with US+DCF was more effective than treatment with US alone at both analyzed times. In the analysis of the antinociceptive activity, the treatments significantly increased the latency time in response to the thermal stimulus. Histopathological analysis revealed a reduction of the inflammatory infiltrates and immunohistochemistry demonstrated that the association was effective in reducing COX-2 expression compared to the control group. The association of DCF with US produced anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects in rat models of inflammation, which may be associated with inhibition of COX-2 and TNF-α production.
It was previously demonstrated that the methanol fraction of Sideroxylon obtusifolium (MFSOL) promoted anti-inflammatory and healing activity in excisional wounds. Thus, the present work investigated ...the healing effects of MFSOL on human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT) and experimental burn model injuries. HaCaT cells were used to study MFSOL's effect on cell migration and proliferation rates. Female Swiss mice were subjected to a second-degree superficial burn protocol and divided into four treatment groups: Vehicle, 1.0% silver sulfadiazine, and 0.5 or 1.0% MFSOL Cream (CrMFSOL). Samples were collected to quantify the inflammatory mediators, and histological analyses were performed after 3, 7, and 14 days. The results showed that MFSOL (50 microg/mL) stimulated HaCaT cells by increasing proliferation and migration rates. Moreover, 0.5% CrMFSOL attenuated myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and also stimulated the release of interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-10 after 3 days of treatment. CrMFSOL (0.5%) also enhanced wound contraction, promoted improvement of tissue remodeling, and increased collagen production after 7 days and VEGF release after 14 days. Therefore, MFSOL stimulated human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells and improved wound healing via modulation of inflammatory mediators of burn injuries. Keywords: Sideroxylon obtusifolium (Roem. & Schult.); Methanol fraction; Human keratinocytes; Wound healing; Burn wounds
This study was designed to investigate the beneficial effect of catechin in a model of Parkinson's disease. Unilateral, intrastriatal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rats were pretreated with ...catechin (10 and 30mg/kg) by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection 2h before surgery and for 14days afterwards. After treatments, apomorphine-induced rotations, locomotor activity, working memory and early and late aversive memories were evaluated. The mesencephalon was used to determine the levels of monoamines and measurement of glutathione (GSH). Immunohistochemical staining was also used to evaluate the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in mesencephalic and striatal tissues. Catechin administration attenuated the increase in rotational behavior and the decrease in locomotor activity observed in lesioned rats. Although catechin did not rescue the impairment of late aversive memory, it protected the animals against 6-OHDA-induced working memory deficits. Furthermore, catechin treatment restored GSH levels, and significantly increased dopamine and DOPAC content, and TH-immunoreactivity in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats. Catechin protected 6-OHDA-lesioned rats due to its antioxidant action, indicating that it could be useful as an adjunctive therapy for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
•Catechin reversed motor and memory deficits induced by intrastriatal 6-OHDA.•Catechin reduced the decrease of DA levels observed in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats.•Catechin reversed the decreased in GSH formation induced by 6-OHDA.•Catechin protected dopaminergic neurons from 6-OHDA toxicity.•The mechanism of catechin neuroprotection was likely due to its antioxidant properties.
Glial cells have been implicated in temporal lobe epilepsy in humans and in its models. Astrocytes are lost in several brain regions after acute seizures induced by pilocarpine and may suffer ...hyperplasia at subsequent time points. This study investigated the effect of N-methyl-(2S,4R)-trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline (NMP) on astrocytes exposed to cytotoxic concentrations of pilocarpine. Astrocytes were incubated with pilocarpine (half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC.sub.50)=31.86 mM) for 24 h. Afterwards, they were treated with NMP at concentrations ranging from 3.12 to 100 microg/mL for 24 h. Cell viability was assessed by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cytoplasmic reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial transmembrane potential (DELTAPSIm) were analyzed by flow cytometry using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) and rhodamine-123 (Rho123), respectively. Expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and voltage-dependent anion channel-1 (VDAC-1) were measured by western blot. Pilocarpine significantly decreased cell viability and mitochondrial potential and increased ROS concentration significantly by 6.7 times compared to the control. NMP concentrations greater than or equal to 25 mg/mL protected astrocytes against pilocarpine-induced injury in a concentration-dependent manner. Concomitantly, NMP reduced cytoplasmic ROS accumulation to 27.3, 24.8, and 12.3% in the groups treated with 25, 50, and 100 mg/mL NMP, respectively. NMP also protected mitochondria from pilocarpine- induced depolarization. These effects were associated with improvement of pilocarpine-induced GFAP and VDAC-1 overexpression, which are important biomarkers of astrocyte dysfunction. In conclusion, the improvement of ROS accumulation, VDAC- 1 overexpression, and mitochondrial depolarization are possible mechanisms of the NMP protective action on reactive astrocytes. Key words: Temporal lobe epilepsy; Voltage-dependent anion channel; Mitochondrial transmembrane potential; Oxidative stress
Sodium titanate nanotubes (NaTiNT) were synthesized using the hydrothermal method; subsequently, ion exchange reactions were carried out on the ions of Na
+
present in the lamellar spaces of ...nanotubes by the intercalation of Ga
3+
and/or Ce
4+
and/or, revealing the presence of phases like: α-GaOOH and CeO
2
, probably decorating the surface of the nanotubes showing a complex heterostructure. As far as we know, these are the first titanate nanotubes intercalated with these two ions, gallium, and cerium, reported in the literature. Ion exchange processes preserved the original tubular structure of titanate nanotubes with relevant changes in their surface and interlamellar environment. It is known by the researchers that titanate nanotubes have low toxicity and acceptable biocompatibility. Here, we show that the insertion of Ce
4+
and/or Ga
3+
in titanate nanotubes increased its cytotoxic activity in melanoma cells, indicating that these hybrid nanomaterials are promising in future for health applications.
Graphical abstract
The canga of the Serra dos Carajás, in Eastern Amazon, is home to a unique open plant community, harboring several endemic and rare species. Although a complete flora survey has been recently ...published, scarce to no genetic information is available for most plant species of the ironstone outcrops of the Serra dos Carajás. In this scenario, DNA barcoding appears as a fast and effective approach to assess the genetic diversity of the Serra dos Carajás flora, considering the growing need for robust biodiversity conservation planning in such an area with industrial mining activities. Thus, after testing eight different DNA barcode markers (matK, rbcL, rpoB, rpoC1, atpF‐atpH, psbK‐psbI, trnH‐psbA, and ITS2), we chose rbcL and ITS2 as the most suitable markers for a broad application in the regional flora. Here we describe DNA barcodes for 1,130 specimens of 538 species, 323 genera, and 115 families of vascular plants from a highly diverse flora in the Amazon basin, with a total of 344 species being barcoded for the first time. In addition, we assessed the potential of using DNA metabarcoding of bulk samples for surveying plant diversity in the canga. Upon achieving the first comprehensive DNA barcoding effort directed to a complete flora in the Brazilian Amazon, we discuss the relevance of our results to guide future conservation measures in the Serra dos Carajás.
Here we bring genetic information for the unique flora of the canga of the Serra dos Carajás in Eastern Amazon. DNA barcodes were obtained for 538 species, 323 genera, and 115 families of vascular plants, with 344 species being characterized for the first time. Upon achieving the first comprehensive DNA barcoding effort directed to a complete flora in the Brazilian Amazon, we discuss the relevance of our results to guide future conservation measures in the region.
In the present study, we examined the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of the mixture of alpha- and beta-amyrin (AMY), pentacyclic triterpenes isolated from the stem bark resin of
Protium ...heptaphyllum. These effects of AMY were demonstrated by the open-field, elevated-plus-maze, rota rod, forced swimming, and pentobarbital-induced sleeping time tests, in mice. In the open-field test, AMY at the doses of 10, 25 and 50 mg/kg, after intraperitoneal or oral administrations, significantly decreased the number of crossings, grooming, and rearing. All these effects were reversed by the pre-treatment with flumazenil (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.), similarly to those observed with diazepam used as a positive standard. In the elevated-plus-maze test, AMY increased the time of permanence and the number of entrances in the open arms. On the contrary, the time of permanence and the number of entrances in the closed arms were decreased. All these effects were also completely reversed by flumazenil, an antagonist of benzodiazepine receptors. In the pentobarbital-induced sleeping time test, AMY at the same doses significantly increased the animals sleeping time duration. In the rota rod test, AMY did not alter motor coordination and, thus, was devoid of effects, as related to controls. Since AMY, at the doses of 10 and 25 mg/kg, showed a sedative effect in the open field test, lower doses (2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg) were used in the forced swimming test, producing a decrease in the immobility time, similarly to that of imipramine, the positive control. The effect of AMI was greater when it was administered 15 min after imipramine (10 mg/kg). However, the antidepressant AMY effects were not altered by the previous administration of paroxetine, a selective blocker of serotonin uptake. In addition, AMY effects in the forced swimming test were totally blocked by reserpine pretreatment, a drug known to induce depletion of biogenic amines. In conclusion, the present work evidenced sedative and anxiolytic effects of AMY that might involve an action on benzodiazepine-type receptors, and also an antidepressant effect where noradrenergic mechanisms will probably play a role.
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