Purpose
Patients with chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy with preserved ventricular function present with autonomic imbalance. This study evaluated the effects of exercise training (ET) in restoring ...peripheral and cardiac autonomic control and skeletal muscle phenotype in patients with subclinical chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy.
Methods
This controlled trial (NCT02295215) included 24 chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy patients who were randomized
www.random.org/lists/
into two groups: those who underwent exercise training (
n
= 12) and those who continued their usual activities (
n
= 12). Eight patients completed the exercise training protocol, and 10 patients were clinically followed up for 4 months. Muscular sympathetic nerve activity was measured by microneurography and muscle blood flow (MBF) using venous occlusion plethysmography. The low-frequency component of heart rate variability in normalized units (LFnuHR) reflects sympathetic activity in the heart, and the low-frequency component of systolic blood pressure variability in normalized units reflects sympathetic activity in the vessels. The infusion of vasoactive drugs (phenylephrine and sodium nitroprusside) was used to evaluate cardiac baroreflex sensitivity, and a vastus lateralis muscle biopsy was performed to evaluate atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 gene expression.
Results
The baroreflex sensitivity for increases (
p
= 0.002) and decreases (
p
= 0.02) in systolic blood pressure increased in the ET group. Muscle blood flow also increased only in the ET group (
p
= 0.004). Only the ET group had reduced resting muscular sympathetic nerve activity levels (
p
= 0.008) and sympathetic activity in the heart (LFnu;
p
= 0.004) and vessels (
p
= 0.04) after 4 months. Regarding skeletal muscle, after 4 months, participants in the exercise training group presented with lower atrogin-1 gene expression than participants who continued their activities as usual (
p
= 0.001). The reduction in muscular sympathetic nerve activity was positively associated with reduced atrogin-1 (
r
= 0.86;
p
= 0.02) and MuRF-1 gene expression (
r
= 0.64;
p
= 0.06); it was negatively associated with improved baroreflex sensitivity both for increases (
r
= –0.72;
p
= 0.020) and decreases (
r
= –0.82;
p
= 0.001) in blood pressure.
Conclusions
ET improved cardiac and peripheral autonomic function in patients with subclinical chagasic cardiomyopathy. ET reduced MSNA and sympathetic activity in the heart and vessels and increased cardiac parasympathetic tone and baroreflex sensitivity. Regarding peripheral muscle, after 4 months, patients who underwent exercise training had an increased cross-sectional area of type I fibers and oxidative metabolism of muscle fibers, and decreased atrogin-1 gene expression, compared to participants who continued their activities as usual. In addition, the reduction in MSNA was associated with improved cardiac baroreflex sensitivity, reduced sympathetic cardiovascular tone, and reduced atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 gene expression.
Trial registration
ID: NCT02295215. Registered in June 2013.
Chitosan is a polysaccharide used in a broad range of applications. Many of its unique properties come from the presence of amino groups in its structure. A proper quantification of these amino ...groups is very important, in order to specify if a given chitosan sample can be used in a particular application. In this work, a comparison between the determination of chitosan degree of deacetylation by conductometry and CHN elemental analysis was carried out, using a rigorous error analysis. Accurate expressions relating CHN composition, conductometric titration, and degree of deacetylation, in conjunction with their associated errors, were developed and reported in this note. Error analysis showed conductometric analysis as an inexpensive and secure method for the determination of the degree of deacetylation of chitosan.
Typical conductometrical titration curve for the chitosan used in this work with chemical structures of chitosan before and after protonated amines are titrated.
Abstract Scorpionic accidents are a major public health problem due to the high occurrence with potential seriousness. In this manner, the research aimed to analyze the occurrence of scorpionic ...accidents in a municipality in the northeastern of Brazil. An exploratory, descriptive study was made, with a quantitative approach, using secondary data which was gotten from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN), from 2008 to 2018. Data such as neighborhood, presence of street markets were also used, and the existence of sanitation and climatic data such as temperature and season. Geoprocessing was used to identify possible changes in the environment. In the analyzed period, 9,330 cases of scorpion accidents were recorded, with an average of 848 annual notifications. Scorpionic accidents occurred more frequently in women (5,686; 60.94%). Individuals aged 20 to 29 years (1.727; 18.51%) were more frequent to scorpion stings. Regarding the body parts where the stings were made, the highlights were on the foot (3.515; 37.67%) followed by the hand (2.818; 30.20%). No statistically significant relation was observed between climatic factors and scorpionic accidents. However, the high number of cases of scorpionic accidents was observed in the last 11 years studied. It was evident that during the study period there was no statistical relationship when climatic factors were correlated to scorpionic accidents. On its turn, when it was verified the results of the geoprocessing analysis, it was seen that anthropic factors have been motivating the potentiation of the occurrence of these accidents.
Resumo Os acidentes escorpiônicos apresentam-se como um grande problema de saúde pública em virtude da grande ocorrência com potencial gravidade. Nesse sentido, o trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a ocorrência de acidentes escorpiônicos em um município do nordeste brasileiro. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo, de caráter exploratório, com abordagem quantitativa em que foram utilizados dados secundários obtidos no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN), no período de 2008 a 2018. Também foram utilizados dados como bairro, presença de feiras livres e a existência de saneamento básico e dados climáticos como temperatura e estação do ano. O geoprocessamento foi utilizado para identificar as possíveis alterações no ambiente. No período analisado, foram registrados 9,330 casos de acidentes com escorpião, com média de 848 notificações anuais. Os acidentes escorpiônicos ocorreram com mais frequência em mulheres (5,686; 60,94%). Em indivíduos na faixa etária de 20 a 29 anos (1,727; 18,51%) foram mais frequentes a picada de escorpião. Com relação ao local das picadas destacaram-se o pé (3,515; 37,67%), seguido da mão (2,818; 30,20%). Não foi observada relação estatisticamente significativa entre os fatores clímáticos e os acidentes escorpiônicos. Foi observado elevado número de casos de acidentes escorpiônicos nos últimos 11 anos estudados. Ficou evidente que durante o período de estudo não existiu relação estatística quando se correlacionou fatores climáticos aos acidentes escorpiônicos. Por sua vez, ao verificar os resultados da análise de geoprocessamento foi visto que fatores antrópicos têm sido motivadores da potencialização da ocorrência desses acidentes.
Magnetic particles are very important systems with potential use in drug delivery systems, ferrofluids, and effluent treatment. In many situations, such as in biomedical applications, it is necessary ...to cover inorganic magnetic particles with an organic material, such as polymers. In this work, latices based on magnetite covered by poly(ethyl methacrylate-
co-methacrylic acid) were obtained via miniemulsion polymerization. The resultant latices had particles in the nanometric range and presented a pronounced superparamagnetic behavior.
Abstract The aim of this research is to make a survey of the socio-environmental characteristics and the ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used in a traditional community in the Brazilian ...Northeast, Alagoas. The study was made based on visits with the application of a questionnaire with questions related to the socio-economic element and on the diversity of plants used in herbal medicine. The research was made from March/2019 to February/2020, where families and interviewed plant exhibitors were interviewed for botanical identification. The studied community, which were 24 interviewees, was compiled by residents of the Quilombola community from Pau D’arco in Arapiraca city - Alagoas. Residents interviewed, 15 (62.5%) attended between 56 to 80 years, 11 interviewees about 46% were born in the community and 13 (54%) had a fundamentally incomplete nature. At the end, there were mentioned 30 plant species used for phytotherapeutic purposes, from which presents bigger usage as plants against arterial hypertension (Salvia rosmarinus Schleid), diabetes Mellitos (Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth), pain and inflammation (Alternanthera tenella Colla), present the biggest number of species in the community. The species cited are related to numerous medicinal uses, among which there will be predominant associations associated with cardiovascular and inflammatory processes. The tea is the main way of preparing plants. It is perceived that medicinal plants are only widely used by this Quilombola community of and growth of the crops in the backyard are considered a tradition.
Resumo Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo realizar um levantamento das características socioambientais e estudo etnobotânico de plantas medicinais utilizadas por uma comunidade tradicional do nordeste brasileiro, Alagoas, Brasil. O estudo se deu por meio de visitas com aplicação de um questionário contendo perguntas relacionadas aos fatores socio-econômicos e sobre a diversidade das plantas utilizadas como medicinais. O trabalho foi realizado no período de março/2019 a fevereiro/2020, onde foram entrevistadas famílias e catalogadas amostras de plantas para identificação botânica. A população estudada, com 24 entrevistados, foi composta por moradores da comunidade Quilombola Pau D’arco da cidade de Arapiraca - Alagoas. Dos moradores entrevistados, 15 (62,5%) apresentavam idade entre 56 e 80 anos, 11 dos entrevistados cerca de 46%, são naturais da comunidade e 13 (54%) possuíam ensino fundamental incompleto. Ao todo, foram citadas 30 espécies de plantas utilizadas para fins terapêuticos, das quais apresentam maior utilização as plantas contra a hipertensão arterial (Salvia rosmarinus Schleid), diabetes Mellitos (Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth), dor e inflamação (Alternanthera tenella Colla). As espécies citadas estão relacionadas a inúmeras utilizações medicinais, entre os quais predominaram as doenças associadas ao aparelho cardiovascular e processos inflamatórios. O chá é principal forma de preparo das plantas. Percebe-se que as plantas medicinais são amplamente utilizadas por essa comunidade quilombola e o cultivo no quintal é considerado uma tradição.
Polymetallic seafloor massive sulphide deposits are potential targets for deep-sea mining, but high concentrations of metals (including copper - Cu) may be released during exploitation activities, ...potentially inducing harmful impact. To determine whether shallow-water shrimp are suitable ecotoxicological proxies for deep-sea hydrothermal vent shrimp the effects of waterborne Cu exposure (3 and 10 days at 0.4 and 4 μM concentrations) in Palaemon elegans, Palaemon serratus, and Palaemon varians were compared with Mirocaris fortunata. Accumulation of Cu and a set of biomarkers were analysed. Results show different responses among congeneric species indicating that it is not appropriate to use shallow-water shrimps as ecotoxicological proxies for deep-water shrimps. During the evolutionary history of these species they were likely subject to different chemical environments which may have induced different molecular/biochemical adaptations/tolerances. Results highlight the importance of analysing effects of deep-sea mining in situ and in local species to adequately assess ecotoxicological effects under natural environmental conditions.
•Biochemical responses differ among congeneric shallow-water shrimp exposed to Cu.•Evolution in different chemical environments induced different biomarker levels.•Shallow-water shrimp aren't adequate ecotoxicological proxies for deep-water shrimp.•Future work should focus on analysing effects of metals in situ and in local species.
Abstract
Introduction
The inflammatory response of critical illness is accompanied by nonthyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS). Feeding has been shown to attenuate this process, but this has not been ...explored prospectively over time in critically ill patients.
Objective
To explore the impact of calorie exposure on NTIS over time in critically ill patients.
Methods
Mechanically ventilated patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) were randomized to receive either 100% or 40% of their estimated caloric needs (ECN). Thyroid hormones were measured daily for 7 days or until intensive care unit discharge or death. Mixed level regression modeling was used to explore the effect of randomization group on plasma triiodothyronine (T3), reverse triiodothyronine (rT3), thyroxine (T4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), as well as the T3/rT3 ratio.
Results
Thirty-five participants (n=19 in 100% ECN; n=16 in 40% ECN) were recruited. Adjusting for group differences in baseline T3/rT3 ratio, the parameters defining the fitted curves (intercept, linear effect of study day, and quadratic effect of study day) differed by randomization group (P = 0.001, P = 0.01, and P = 0.02 respectively). Plots of the fitted curves revealed that participants in the 100% ECN group had a 54% higher T3/rT3 ratio on postintervention day 1 compared with the 40% ECN group, a difference which attenuated over time. This was driven by a 23% higher plasma T3 and 10% lower plasma rT3 levels on postintervention 1.
Conclusions
Higher caloric exposure in NTIS patients transiently attenuates the drop of the plasma T3/rT3 ratio, an effect that is minimized and finally lost over the following 3 days of continued higher caloric exposure.
Coastal eutrophication and urban flooding are increasingly important components of global change. Although increased seawater renewal by barrier openings and channelizing are common mitigation ...measures in coastal lagoons worldwide, their effects on these ecosystems are not fully understood. Here, we evaluated the relationships between human interventions in the watershed, artificial connections to the sea, and the sediment burial rates in an urban coastal lagoon (Maricá lagoon, Southeastern Brazil). Sediment accretion along with nutrient and carbon burial rates were determined in two sediment cores representing the past ∼120 years (
Pb dating) and associated with anthropogenic changes as indicated by historical records and geoinformation analyses. Lagoon infilling and eutrophication, expressed by the average sediment accretion, TP, TN, and OC burial rates, respectively, increased ∼9-18, 13-15, 11-14 and 11-12-fold from the earliest (<1950) to the most recent (2000-2017) period. These multi-proxy records confirm mechanistic links between deforestation, urbanization, and untreated sewage discharges. In addition, our findings reveal artificial connections to the sea may contribute to lagoonal eutrophication and infilling, particularly when not integrated with sewage treatment and forest conservation or reforestation in the watershed. Therefore, increased seawater renewal by physical interventions commonly considered as mitigation measures may in contrast cause severe degradation in coastal lagoons, causing harmful consequences that should be not neglected when implementing management practices.
The improvement of the Monte Carlo (MC) community skills on computational simulations in Medical Physics is crucial to the field of radiotherapy as well as radiology. The Monte Carlo Modelling Expert ...Group (MCMEG) is an expert network specialized in MC radiation transport modelling and simulation applied to the radiation protection and dosimetry research fields. The MCMEG addressed a multigroup dosimetric intercomparison exercise for modelling and simulating a case of prostate radiation therapy (RT) protocol. This intercomparison was launched in order to obtain the dose distribution in the prostate target volume and in the neighboring organs. Dose assessments were achieved by using TLDs. A protocol using two pair of parallel-opposed fields were planned and performed with Alderson-Rando Pelvic Phantom. The assessed organs at risk were the urinary bladder, rectum and right and left femur heads. The RT simulations were performed using the MCNPx, MCNP6 and egs++ and BEAMnrc/DOSXYZnrc modules of EGSnrc Monte Carlo codes. The dose to the target volume, mean doses and standard deviation in the organs at risk, and dose volume data were computed. A comparison between the simulated results and the experimental values obtained from TLD measurements was made. In some cases the results obtained using MC simulations showed large deviations in comparison to the results obtained from the TLD measurements and these variations can be explained by the difficulties in the modelling of the geometry, selection of MC parameters required for the simulations and the statistical errors and inaccuracies in experimental measurements. Even though, the exercise has been a great opportunity for the MC groups to learn and share the main difficulties found during the modelling and the analysis of the results. Concerned to the obtained variations, the MCMEG team consider that this was expected for the level of complexity of the exercise and must be studied by the MC groups.
•The Monte Carlo Modelling Expert Group (MCMEG).•Intercomparison exercise of dose assessments achieved with TLDs.•Simulations using the MCNPx, MCNP6 and EGSnrc and BEAMnrc/DOSXYZnrc MC codes.•MCMEG team consider that this was expected for the level of complexity of the exercise and must be studied by the MC groups.
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