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The present work reports a comparative study on CuO and 3.0% Mn-doped CuO nanofibers (NFs) produced by the electrospinning method. State-of-the-art characterization techniques such as Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS) and X-Ray photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) have been employed to determine the multivalent states and elucidate their electronic structure at the Cu-L3,2 (2p) edge. The CASTEP code has been used to model CuO (P1) and Mn-doped (C 2/c) with the GGA-PBE functional on the supercomputing system with the Xeon10 module (10 nuclei). Structural characterization was done by using a CM 200 Philips Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and the chemical state of surfaces with ESCALAB 250Xi XPS Thermoscientific TM. The NFs present an indirect energy bandgap, Eg = 2.03 eV and 2.85 eV, respectively. The results show that the Cu-L3,2 edge presents degenerate states associated with Cu 2p - O and Cu 3d - O hybridization, indicated as Cu3+.

Echocardiography is a reliable and non-invasive method for assessing cardiac structure and function in both clinical and experimental settings, offering valuable insights into disease progression and treatment efficacy. The successful application of echocardiography in murine models of disease has enabled the evaluation of disease severity, drug testing, and continuous monitoring of cardiac function in these animals. However, there is insufficient standardization of echocardiographic measurements for smaller animals. This article aims to address this gap by providing a guide and practical tips for the appropriate acquisition and analysis of echocardiographic parameters in adult rats, which may also be applicable in other small rodents used for scientific purposes, like mice. With advancements in technology, such as ultrahigh-frequency ultrasonic transducers, echocardiography has become a highly sophisticated imaging modality, offering high temporal and spatial resolution imaging, thereby allowing for real-time monitoring of cardiac function throughout the lifespan of small animals. Moreover, it allows the assessment of cardiac complications associated with aging, cancer, diabetes, and obesity, as well as the monitoring of cardiotoxicity induced by therapeutic interventions in preclinical models, providing important information for translational research. Finally, this paper discusses the future directions of cardiac preclinical ultrasound, highlighting the need for continued standardization to advance research and improve clinical outcomes to facilitate early disease detection and the translation of findings into clinical practice.

Cancer is one of the most important public health problems worldwide. Despite the great contribution of in-vitro studies for biomedical research, animals are essential to study diseases’ biopathology and diagnosis, and searching for new preventive and therapeutic strategies. Breast cancer is currently the most common cancer globally, accounting for 12.5% of all new annual cancer cases worldwide. Although the rat model of mammary cancer chemically-induced is widely used to study this disease, there is a lack of standardization in procedures for cancer induction, sample collection, and analysis. Therefore, it is important to provide a practical guide for researchers aiming to work with this model to make the analysis of results more uniform. Thus, in this review, we provide the researchers with a detailed step-by-step guide to implement a rat model of mammary cancer, based on our wide experience in this field, to obtain the best results, maximum throughput of each experiment, and easy comparison among researches.

Abstract Prolonged overexposure to catecholamines causes toxicity, usually credited to continuous adrenoceptor stimulation, autoxidation, and the formation of reactive pro-oxidant species. Non-differentiated SH-SY5Y cells were used to study the possible contribution of oxidative stress in adrenaline (ADR)-induced neurotoxicity, as a model to predict the toxicity of this catecholamine to peripheral nerves. Cells were exposed to several concentrations of ADR (0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 1mM) and two cytotoxicity assays [lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction] were performed at several time-points (24, 48, and 96h). The cytotoxicity of ADR was concentration- and time-dependent in both assays, since the lowest concentration tested (0.1mM) also caused significant cytotoxicity at 96h. N-acetyl-cysteine (1mM), a precursor of glutathione synthesis, prevented ADR-induced toxicity elicited by 0.5mM and 0.25mM ADR following a 96-h exposure, while the antioxidant Tiron (100µM) was non-protective. In conclusion, ADR led to mitochondrial distress and ultimately cell death in non-differentiated SH-SY5Y cells, possibly because of ADR oxidation products. The involvement of such processes in the catecholamine-induced peripheral neuropathy requires further analysis.

PurposeAlthough the role of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT3) in cachexia due to the association of circulating IL-6 and muscle wasting has been extensively demonstrated, the effect of resistance training on STAT3 in mediating muscle atrophy in tumor-bearing mice is unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of resistance exercise training on inflammatory cytokines and oxidative-mediated STAT3 activation and muscle loss prevention in tumor-bearing mice.MethodsMale Swiss mice were inoculated with Ehrlich tumor cells and exposed or not exposed to resistance exercise protocol of ladder climbing. Skeletal muscle STAT3 protein content was measured, compared between groups, and tested for possible association with plasma interleukins and local oxidative stress markers. Components of the ubiquitin-proteasome and autophagy pathways were assessed by real-time PCR or immunoblotting.ResultsResistance training prevented STAT3 excessive activation in skeletal muscle mediated by the overabundance of plasma IL-6 and muscle oxidative stress. These mechanisms contributed to preventing the increased key genes and proteins of ubiquitin-proteasome and autophagy pathways in tumor-bearing mice, such as Atrogin-1, LC3B-II, and Beclin-1. Beyond preventing muscle atrophy, RT also prevented strength loss and impaired locomotor capacity, hallmarks of sarcopenia.ConclusionOur results suggest that STAT3 inhibition is central in resistance exercise protective effects against cancer-induced muscle atrophy and strength loss.

In this work, thin films with a ZnO:Al/Ag/ZnO:Al multilayer structure were deposited by radio frequency (RF) and pulsed DC sources in a magnetron sputtering system on glass substrates at 50 °C with different deposition times of the Ag layer. The results showed that the thin films' properties improved with increasing the deposition time of the silver metallic interlayer and with thermal treatment at 300 °C for one hour. The highest average transmittance in the visible range was 89 %. The best values of resistivity and conductivity were 10-4 Ω·cm and 103 Ω-1cm-1, respectively. Finally, the XRD patterns showed that with an increase in the Ag layer's deposition time, the plane's peak (111) belonging to the Ag plane was observed.

BackgroundIntensive Care Unit (ICU) patients are known to lose muscle mass and function during ICU stay. Ultrasonography (US) application for the assessment of the skeletal muscle is a promising tool and might help detecting muscle changes and thus several dysfunctions during early stages of ICU stay. MUSiShock is a research project aiming to investigate structure and function of diaphragm and peripheral muscles using ultrasound techniques in septic shock patients, and to assess their relevance in several clinical outcomes such as the weaning process.Methods and designThis is a research protocol from an observational prospective cohort study. We plan to assess eighty-four septic shock patients during their ICU stay at the following time-points: at 24 hours of ICU admission, then daily until day 5, then weekly, at extubation time and at ICU discharge. At each time-point, we will measure the quadriceps rectus femoris and diaphragm muscles, using innovative US muscle markers such as Shear-Wave Elastography (SWE). In parallel, the Medical Research Council (MRC) sum score for muscle testing and the Airway occlusion pressure (P0.1) will also be collected. We will describe the association between SWE assessment and other US markers for each muscle. The association between the changes in both diaphragm and rectus femoris US markers over time will be explored as well; finally, the analysis of a combined model of one diaphragm US marker and one limb muscle US marker to predict weaning success/failure will be tested.DiscussionBy using muscle ultrasound at both diaphragm and limb levels, MUSiShock aims to improve knowledge in the early detection of muscle dysfunction and weakness, and their relationship with muscle strength and MV weaning, in critically ill patients. A better anticipation of these short-term muscle structure and function outcomes may allow clinicians to rapidly implement measures to counteract it.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04550143. Registered on 16 September 2020.

Most studies on the effects of physical exercise have focused on its influence on muscle tissue, forgetting its interference in liver function. Ageing leads to the progressive impairment of hepatic functions. Several biochemical and bioenergetics parameters were determined to test the impact of a lifelong aerobic training program in the hepatic age-related and the development of an adaptative response. Liver samples were collected from 28 male Wistar rats (4-week-old, 159.4 ± 11.9 g at the beginning of the protocol), randomly distributed into two groups: non-exercised or exercised and submitted to a treadmill exercise program (60 min/day, 5 days/week, at 70% of maximal running speed), for 24 (n = 9) or 54 weeks (n = 10). A maximal running speed test was performed to determine the training speed. Antioxidant enzyme activity, cellular redox status, oxidative stress, mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes and respiratory activity were performed in liver samples. Lifelong exercise decreased the age-associated decline in mitochondrial dysfunction, increasing the respiratory rate in state 2 (mitochondrial respiration stimulated by the substrate in the absence of added ADP) (p = 0.03) and citrate synthase enzymatic activity (p = 0.007). Complex II (p < 0.0001) and IV (p < 0.001) showed a decrease in enzymatic activity. Ageing-related oxidative stress was also attenuated by physical exercise, as showed by the increase in first-line defense antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (p = 0.07) and catalase (p = 0.03)), decreased lipid peroxidation levels (p = 0.864 for total fraction, p = 0,27 for mitochondrial fraction) and higher glutathione reduced/oxidized ratio (p = 0.02). According to our results, the regular practice of exercise can prevent the liver’s mitochondrial dysfunction and loss of antioxidant system efficacy that may arise from ageing, highlighting the benefit of lifelong aerobic exercise in preventing age-related hepatic impairment and associated diseases.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar o efeito agudo de uma sessão de exercício resistido nas respostas cardiovasculares e perceptivas utilizando a velocidade de movimento lenta em comparação com a velocidade de movimento tradicional em idosas hipertensas. Pesquisa experimental desenvolvida com onze mulheres idosas (66,5± 4,8 anos) ativas e com hipertensão controlada por medicamentos na cidade de Tabuleiro do Norte, Ceará, Brasil. As idosas foram submetidas aleatoriamente para uma sessão de ER com 60% de 1 RM com velocidade de movimento lenta ou tradicional. Pressão arterial sistólica, pressão arterial diastólica, frequência cardíaca, pressão arterial média e duplo produto foram mensuradas pré exercício e após as sessões durante uma hora. A análise pós exercício mostrou redução mais acentuada nos valores de pressão arterial sistólica, frequência cardíaca, pressão arterial média e duplo produto (p< 0,05) na velocidade de movimento lenta em comparação com os valores de linha de base, no entanto, não houve diferenças significativas na hipotensão pós exercício entre as velocidades de contração (p> 0,05). Foram encontradas diferenças na percepção subjetiva de esforço (p= 0,007). A velocidade de movimento lenta e velocidade de movimento tradicional promoveram hipotensão pós exercício em mulheres idosas hipertensas sob medicação. Palavras-chave: envelhecimento, treinamento de resistência, hipotensão pós exercício, hipertensão.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a topoisomerase II inhibitor commonly used in the treatment of several types of cancer. Despite its efficacy, DOX can potentially cause fatal adverse effects, like cardiotoxicity. This work aimed to assess the role of inflammation in DOX-treated infant and adult mice and its possible link to underlying cardiotoxicity. Two groups of CD-1 male mice of different ages (infants or adults) were subjected to biweekly DOX administrations, to reach a cumulative dose of 18.0 mg/kg, which corresponds approximately in humans to 100.6 mg/m2 for infants and 108.9 mg/m2 for adults a clinically relevant dose in humans. The classic plasmatic markers of cardiotoxicity increased, and that damage was confirmed by histopathological findings in both groups, although it was higher in adults. Moreover, in DOX-treated adults, an increase of cardiac fibrosis was observed, which was accompanied by an increase in specific inflammatory parameters, namely, macrophage M1 and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 subunit, with a trend toward increased levels of the tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2). On the other hand, the levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and interleukin (IL)-6 significantly decreased in DOX-treated adult animals. In infants, a significant increase in cardiac protein carbonylation and in the levels of nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) was observed. In both groups, no differences were found in the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), IL-1β, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) or NF-κB p52 subunit. In conclusion, using a clinically relevant dose of DOX, our study demonstrated that cardiac effects are associated not only with the intensity of the inflammatory response but also with redox response. Adult mice seemed to be more prone to DOX-induced cardiotoxicity by mechanisms related to inflammation, while infant mice seem to be protected from the damage caused by DOX, possibly by activating such antioxidant defenses as Nrf2.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is becoming increasingly important in Physical Therapy (PT). For proper designing, implementing, disseminating and evaluating EBP in PT, a valid and reliable questionnaire measuring attitudes, knowledge, behavior, prerequisites, and barriers related to EBP and guidelines is needed. One questionnaire that could be used to collect this information is the “EBP Questionnaire”, developed by Jette et al. 2003. However, to our knowledge, no Portuguese version or published study with the Portuguese PT population was performed using this questionnaire. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to translate, cross-culturally adapt and validate the “EBP Questionnaire” to European Portuguese and for the PT population. Material and Methods: A draft version was pilot tested for content validity (n=17), and a revised version was tested for test-retest reliability (n=72). The percentage of agreement and the Kappa coefficients between the 2 tests were analyzed. Additionally, the internal consistency was calculated. RESULTS: The preliminary final version of the European Portuguese EBP questionnaire was well accepted (only the items 22, 23, 45-51 needed to be reviewed). The mean average percentage of agreement was 82% (ranged 58–97%), and the Kappa coefficients were 0.658 (ranged 0.336–0.844). In the internal consistency, the mean average Cronbach’s ? coefficients were 0.665 (ranged 0.365–0.879). CONCLUSION: The results suggested that this questionnaire can be a useful instrument for measuring self-reported beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors related to EBP in the Portuguese PTs context.

Mitoxantrone (MTX) is a pharmaceutical drug used in the treatment of several cancers and refractory multiple sclerosis (MS). Despite its therapeutic value, adverse effects may be severe, namely the frequently reported cardiotoxicity, whose mechanisms need further research. This work aimed to assess if inflammation or oxidative stress-related pathways participate in the cardiotoxicity of MTX, using the mouse as an animal model, at two different age periods (infant or adult mice) using two therapeutic relevant cumulative doses. Histopathology findings showed that MTX caused higher cardiac toxicity in adults. In MTX-treated adults, at the highest dose, noradrenaline cardiac levels decreased, whereas at the lowest cumulative dose, protein carbonylation increased and the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 subunit and of M1 macrophage marker increased. Moreover, MTX-treated adult mice had enhanced expression of NF-κB p52 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α), while decreasing interleukin-6 (IL-6). Moreover, while catalase expression significantly increased in both adult and infant mice treated with the lowest MTX cumulative dose, the expression of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and glutathione peroxidase only significantly increased in infant animals. Nevertheless, the ratio of GAPDH to ATP synthase subunit beta decreased in adult animals. In conclusion, clinically relevant doses of MTX caused dissimilar responses in adult and infant mice, being that inflammation may be an important trigger to MTX-induced cardiotoxicity.

Background: Obesity is considered protective for bone mass, but this view has been progressively challenged. Menopause is characterized by low bone mass and increased adiposity. Our aim was to determine how visceral and bone marrow adiposity change following ovariectomy (OVX), how they correlate with bone quality and if they are influenced by physical activity. Methods: Five-month-old Wistar rats were OVX or sham-operated and maintained in sedentary or physically active conditions for 9 months. Visceral and bone marrow adiposity as well as bone turnover, femur bone quality and biomechanical properties were assessed. Results: OVX resulted in higher weight, visceral and bone marrow adiposity. Visceral adiposity correlated inversely with femur Ct.Th (r = −0.63, p < 0.001), BV/TV (r = −0.67, p < 0.001), Tb.N (r = −0.69, p < 0.001) and positively with Tb.Sp (r = 0.58, p < 0.001). Bone marrow adiposity also correlated with bone resorption (r = 0.47, p < 0.01), bone formation rate (r = −0.63, p < 0.01), BV/TV (r = −0.85, p < 0.001), Ct.Th (r = −0.51, p < 0.0.01), and with higher empty osteocyte lacunae (r = 0.39, p < 0.05), higher percentage of osteocytes with oxidative stress (r = 0.64, p < 0.0.01) and lower femur maximal stress (r = −0.58, p < 0.001). Physical activity correlated inversely with both visceral (r = −0.74, p < 0.01) and bone marrow adiposity (r = −0.92, p < 0.001). Conclusions: OVX increases visceral and bone marrow adiposity which are associated with inferior bone quality and biomechanical properties. Physical activity could contribute to reduce adipose tissue and thereby improve bone quality.

This study aims to determine if a dose–response relationship exists between the pressure applied during deep friction massage (DFM) and the time to the onset of analgesia in an asymptomatic patellar tendon. For this purpose, pressures applied by physiotherapists during DFM (study 1) were characterized and then, based on these pressures, the effects of different DFM pressures on the time to the onset of analgesia were assessed (study 2). First, the mean pressure applied by 40 physiotherapists during a DFM session was assessed with a pressure sensor through an observational, cross-sectional and analytical study. Next, the effects of different pressure intensities (the median, the percentile 25 (P25), and the percentile 75 (P75) of the mean pressure obtained in study 1) were studied in a crossover trial enrolling 30 participants with an asymptomatic patellar tendon. A pressure sensor was used to register the pressures applied during DFM. Our main results indicated that the physiotherapists applied pressures with a wide variation ((mean pressure: 2.317 kg/cm2 (P25: 1.022 kg/cm2; P75: 4.161 kg/cm2)). It was also shown that higher pressures had shorter times to the onset of analgesia (pressure: 1 kg/m2, time to the onset of analgesia: 67.0 s (P25: 84.5 s; P75: 113.5 s); pressure: 2.3 kg/m2, time to the onset of analgesia: 59.0 s (P25: 73.5 s; P75: 87.3 s); pressure: 4.2 kg/m2, time to the onset of analgesia: 37.8 s (P25: 54.0 s; P75: 62.0 s)) (p ≤ 0.001). In conclusion, the mean DFM pressure obtained by the physiotherapists was 2.3 kg/cm2 (P25: 1.02 kg/cm2; P75: 4.16 kg/cm2). Higher pressures of DFM resulted in shorter times to the onset of analgesia.

O nosso desafio como professor é possibilitar a melhoria da qualidade do ensino em Matemá- tica buscando meios de garantir a formação de cidadãos capazes de reconhecer o seu papel na sociedade. Buscamos focar em ações que possibilitem o desenvolvimento das potencialidades cognitivas dos alunos no estudo de congruências de triângulos. Para isso, propomos o uso do software GeoGebra como ferramenta didática para as aulas de Geometria Plana, por entendermos que esse recurso favorece a aprendizagem do aluno e coloca o professor como mediador no processo de sistematização das ideias matemáticas necessárias para o desenvolvimento cognitivo do aluno. O objetivo do nosso estudo consiste em proporcionar aos alunos do curso de licenciatura em Matemática do IFCE - Campus Canindé, um minicurso sobre a utilização do GeoGebra como ferramenta didática para a resolução de problemas de Geometria Plana. Para a análise e coleta de dados foi realizado o estudo do PPC do curso e ministrado um minicurso introdutório de GeoGebra para 21 alunos matriculados na disciplina de Geometria. Os instrumentos de pesquisa foram: 02 questionários diagnósticos, a observação e o registro fotográfico. As análises dos resultados evidenciaram que os alunos se mostraram receptivos ao uso do software GeoGebra. O minicurso e as atividades didáticas tiveram um bom nível de aceitação por parte dos futuros professores de Matemática. As conclusões ressaltam que o uso do GeoGebra deve ser entendido como ferramenta didática alternativa para o ensino de Geometria, no sentido de proporcionar ao aluno, uma metodologia dinâmica e interativa para se aprender Matemática.

Introduction: Heart rate recovery, defined as the fall in heart rate during the first minute after exercise, is an indicator of autonomic function, and has been found to be an independent predictor of mortality after acute myocardial infarction. Exercise training has several well-known benefits in terms of cardiorespiratory fitness, modifiable cardiovascular risk factors and prognosis after acute coronary events. However, there are no randomized controlled studies in the literature evaluating the effects of exercise training per se, controlling for changes in medication and diet, on heart rate recovery. Thus, this study aims to assess the effects of exercise training on autonomic function in coronary artery disease patients recovering from acute myocardial infarction. Methods: Thirty-eight patients following a first acute myocardial infarction participated in this prospective randomized clinical trial. Patients were randomized into two groups: exercise training or control. The exercise group participated in an 8-week aerobic exercise program, while the control received standard medical care and follow-up. Changes in hemodynamics at rest and at peak exercise (heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and rate pressure product), dietary intake, cardiorespiratory fitness, and heart rate recovery were assessed. Results: Medication and diet remained unchanged in both groups during the study period. The exercise-training group improved resting hemodynamics, particularly resting heart rate (from 68.0 ± 9.2 to 62.6 ± 8.7 bpm, p = 0.030) and systolic blood pressure (from 135 ± 7.1 to 125.6 ± 11.3 mmHg, p = 0.012), cardiorespiratory fitness (from 30.8 ± 7.8 to 33.9 ± 8.3 ml/min/kg, p = 0.016), and heart rate recovery (from 20 ± 6 to 24 ±5 bpm, p = 0.007). No significant changes were observed in the control group. Conclusions: Exercise training improved autonomic function, assessed by heart rate recovery, resting heart rate and systolic blood pressure, in the absence of changes in diet or medication. Resumo: Introdução: A frequência cardíaca de recuperação, definida como a diminuição na frequência cardíaca durante o primeiro minuto após a cessação do exercício, é indicador da função autonómica e tem sido descrito como preditor independente de mortalidade após enfarte agudo do miocárdio. Os benefícios do exercício regular na capacidade cardiorrespiratória, nos factores de risco tradicionais modificáveis e no prognóstico após evento coronário agudo são bem conhecidos. Contudo, continua a faltar na literatura um estudo randomizado, controlado, avaliando os efeitos do exercício regular per se, controlando para alterações na medicação e dieta, na frequência cardíaca de recuperação. Desta forma, este estudo tem por objectivo avaliar o efeito de um programa de exercício físico na função autonómica em doentes com doença coronária após enfarte agudo do miocárdio. Métodos: Participaram neste estudo prospectivo, randomizado, controlado 38 doentes após o primeiro enfarte agudo do miocárdio. Os doentes foram divididos em 2 grupos: grupo de exercício e grupo controlo. O grupo de exercício participou num programa de exercício aeróbio com 8 semanas de duração, enquanto o grupo controlo recebeu os cuidados e o seguimento médico habitual. Foram avaliadas as alterações nos parâmetros hemodinâmicos em repouso e no pico de exercício (frequência cardíaca, pressão arterial sistólica e diastólica e duplo produto), dieta, capacidade cardiorespiratória e frequência cardíaca de recuperação. Resultados: Durante o estudo a medicação e a dieta não sofreram alterações em ambos os grupos. O grupo de exercício melhorou os parâmetros hemodinâmicos em repouso, nomeadamente a frequência cardíaca (68.0 ± 9.2 para 62,6 ± 8,7 bpm, P = 0,030) e a pressão arterial sistólica (135 ± 7.1 para 125,6 ± 11.3 mmHg, P = 0,012), a capacidade cardiorespiratória (30,8 ± 7,8 para 33,9 ± 8,3 ml/min/kg, P = 0,016) e frequência cardíaca de recuperação (20 ± 6 para 24 ± 5 bpm, P = 0,007). Não se observaram diferenças significativas no grupo controlo. Conclusões: O programa de exercício físico melhorou a função autonómica, avaliada através da frequência cardíaca de recuperação, a frequência cardíaca e a pressão arterial de repouso mesmo na ausência de alterações na dieta e na medicação. Keywords: Heart rate recovery, Coronary artery disease, Cardiac rehabilitation, Diet, Exercise training, Palavras-chave: Frequência cardíaca de recuperação, Doença das artérias coronárias, Reabilitação cardíaca, Dieta, Exercício

Group B Streptococcus (GBS), a commensal organism, can turn into a life-threatening pathogen in neonates and elderly, or in adults with severe underlying diseases such as diabetes. We developed a vaccine targeting the GBS glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), a glycolytic enzyme detected at the bacterial surface, which was proven to be effective in a neonatal mouse model of infection. Since this bacterium has emerged as an important pathogen in non-pregnant adults, here we investigated whether this vaccine also confers protection in an adult susceptible and in a diabetic mouse model of infection. For immunoprotection studies, sham or immunized adult mice were infected with GBS serotype Ia and V strains, the two most prevalent serotypes isolated in adults. Sham and vaccinated mice were also rendered diabetic and infected with a serotype V GBS strain. For toxicological (pre-clinical) studies, adult mice were vaccinated three times, with three concentrations of recombinant GAPDH adjuvanted with Allydrogel, and the toxicity parameters were evaluated twenty-four hours after the last immunization. For the stability tests, the vaccine formulations were maintained at 4°C for 6 and 12 months prior immunization. The results showed that all tested doses of the vaccine, including the stability study formulations, were immunogenic and that the vaccine was innocuous. The organs (brain, blood, heart, and liver) of vaccinated susceptible or diabetic adult mice were significantly less colonized compared to those of control mice. Altogether, these results demonstrate that the GAPDH-based vaccine is safe and stable and protects susceptible and diabetic adult mice against GBS infections. It is therefore a promising candidate as a global vaccine to prevent GBS-induced neonatal and adult diseases.

OBJECTIVES: to describe total cholesterol (TC) plasma levels according to age and sex; to determine the contribution of sex, age, body mass index and physical activity (PA) to TC variation; to determine the odds ratio for high total cholesterol (HTC) plasma levels of the subjects in the first PA quartile (lower PA) in comparison to the fourth PA quartile. METHODS: the sample comprised 799 white children and adolescents, 353 males and 446 females. Body height and body weight were determined by standard anthropometric methods. Subject's capillary blood samples were taken from the earlobe after at least 12 hours fasting in order to obtain values of plasmatic TC. To calculate physical activity index (PAI) a PA questionnaire was used. RESULTS: the logistic regression of HTC for males and females showed that girls in the lower quartile of PAI, are 3.0 times (p OBJETIVOS: descrever os níveis plasmáticos de colesterol total (CT), de acordo com a idade e o sexo; determinar a contribuição do sexo, da idade, do índice de massa corporal e dos níveis de atividade física (AF) habitual na variação do CT; determinar o odds ratio para o colesterol total elevado (CTE), nos sujeitos localizados no primeiro quartil de AF (níveis de AF mais baixos) comparativamente aqueles situados no quarto quartil. MÉTODOS: a amostra compreendeu 799 crianças e adolescentes caucasianos, 353 meninos e 446 meninas. A altura e o peso corporal foram determinados por métodos antropométricos usuais. Os valores plasmáticos de CT foram avaliados em amostras de sangue capilar recolhidas, em cada sujeito, no lóbulo auricular após, pelo menos, 12 horas de jejum. Os níveis de AF habitual foram avaliados por questionário. RESULTADOS: a regressão logística do CTE mostrou que as meninas situadas no quartil mais baixo de AF, comparativamente àquelas pertencentes ao quarto quartil, possuem um risco três vezes superior (p

Com o presente trabalho pretende-se analisar os estudos referenciados na literatura que abordam o tema da agregação de fatores de risco biológicos e ainda analisar a hipotética relação entre a atividade física (AF) e essa agregação. O hábito de prática regular de AF tem sido associado a um estilo de vida saudável. Uma vez que os fatores de risco das doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) estão já presentes na infância e adolescência e porque os níveis de AF habitual parecem exercer alguma influência nesses fatores, índices mais elevados de AF nesses períodos de vida poderão repercutir-se na redução da morbidade e mortalidade das DCV em idades adultas. Através da análise da literatura parece existir agregação de fatores de risco biológicos para as DCV, para rapazes e moças, contudo não existe ainda consenso quanto ao sexo que registra o "risco" mais elevado de agregação. Deste modo, os resultados parecem sugerir que as crianças ou adolescentes identificados com um fator de risco, devem efetuar um rastreio no sentido de verificar se possuem mais fatores de risco agregados. De acordo com os estudos referenciados na literatura não existe unanimidade quanto à relação entre a AF e a agregação de fatores de risco biológicos para as DCV.

OBJETIVOS: determinar, em escolares portugueses de oito a 16 anos (256 do sexo masculino e 268 do sexo feminino): os padrões de mudanças na composição corporal e no VO2máx; a relação entre o percentual de massa gorda (%MG), índice de massa corporal (IMC) e o somatório de dobras de adiposidade subcutânea (SSKF) com o VO2máx; a percentagem de obesos. MÉTODOS: o percentual de massa gorda foi estimado do SSKF (subescapular e tricipital). A amostra foi subdividida em estágios maturacionais de Tanner. A aptidão cardiorrespiratória foi avaliada através do teste Shutlle-run de 20 metros. RESULTADOS: as variáveis antropométricas e o percentual de massa gorda estiveram de acordo com dados já publicados. Os rapazes apresentaram VO2máx mais elevado (p < 0,05) do que as moças na maioria dos estágios. Correlações negativas, moderadas e significativas (p < 0,05) entre o percentual de massa gorda o VO2máx foram obtidas em ambos os sexos, em todos os estágios. Na análise dos três indicadores de obesidade (IMC, %MG e SSKF), 11,2% dos rapazes e 14,3% das moças apresentaram valores acima dos padrões normativos. CONCLUSES: padrões normais de crescimento foram verificados em ambos os sexos. Crianças que apresentaram menor VO2máx também apresentaram maior percentual de massa gorda. Ambos os sexos apresentaram valores sugerindo excesso de gordura corporal no início da adolescência.OBJECTIVES: to determine in Portuguese students (n = 256 boys and n = 268 girls) between eight and 16 years old: the patterns of changes in body composition and VO2max related to the maturation process; the relationship between fat mass percentage (%FM), body mass index (BMI), the sum of skin folds (SSKF) and VO2max; the percentage of obese students. METHODS: body fatness was estimated from SSKF (subscapular and tricipital), and the distribution pattern obtained from the ratio between subscapular and tricipital skin fold thickness. Children were subdivided into maturation stages according to Tanner's staging for sexual maturity. VO2max was assessed by maximal multistage 20-meters Shuttle-run Test. RESULTS: anthropometric variables and fat mass percentage were consistent with earlier published studies. Boys presented significantly higher values (p < 0,05) to VO2max than girls in most stages. Negative, moderate and significant correlation (p < 0,05) were obtained between fat mass percentage and VO2max for both sexes in all maturation stages. Analysis of the three obesity indicators (BMI, FM percentage e SSKF), 11,2% of the boys and 14,3% of the girls demonstrated values higher than the normative data. CONCLUSIONS: normal growth standards were verified for both sexes. Children with lower VO2max had a higher percentage of fat mass. Both sexes presented values suggestive of excessive body fat in the beginning of adolescence.

BACKGROUND:Fatalities resulting from paraquat (PQ) self-poisonings represent a major burden of this herbicide. Specific therapeutic approaches have been followed to interrupt its toxic pathway, namely decontamination measures to prevent PQ absorption and to increase its excretion from organism, as well as the administration of anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs. Until now, none of the postmortem studies resulting from human PQ poisonings have assessed the relationship of these therapeutic measures with PQ toxicokinetics and related histopathological lesions, these being the aims of the present study. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:For that purpose, during 2008, we collected human fluids and tissues from five forensic autopsies following fatal PQ poisonings. PQ levels were measured by gas chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry. Structural inflammatory lesions were evaluated by histological and immunohistochemistry analysis. The samples of cardiac blood, urine, gastric and duodenal wall, liver, lung, kidney, heart and diaphragm, showed quantifiable levels of PQ even at 6 days post-intoxication. Structural analysis showed diffused necrotic areas, intense macrophage activation and leukocyte infiltration in all analyzed tissues. By immunohistochemistry it was possible to observe a strong nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kappaB) activation and excessive collagen deposition. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:Considering the observed PQ levels in all analyzed tissues and the expressive inflammatory reaction that ultimately leads to fibrosis, we conclude that the therapeutic protocol usually performed needs to be reviewed, in order to increase the efficacy of PQ elimination from the body as well as to diminish the inflammatory process.

In this paper, we discuss a strong red Eu3+-concentration-dependent emission line associated with an electric dipole transition (5D0 → 7F2) at 616 nm in CdMgZnO:xEu3+ nanocrystals made via a sol–gel synthesis route. Oxygen interstitial defects created by the presence of a mixed-valence state of Eu 3+ and Eu2+ ions as rare-earth cations lead to a structural distortion which is confirmed by x-ray photon electron spectroscopy. The Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters, Ω2 and Ω4, obtained from the emission spectra, show a trend for Ω2 > Ω4 that translates to stronger covalence and a stable local structure surrounding the Eu3+ ions in CdMgZnO nanocrystals. The asymmetry ratio (Ro), radiative lifetime (), branching ratio , stimulated emission cross-section, and the gain bandwidth (δe× Δλeff) for 5D0 are computed and analysed. A radiative lifetime ranging from 789 to 984 µs points to a suitable material for orange-red fluorescent phosphors for lighting and display technologies. The gain bandwidth (δe× Δλeff), which is dependent on the Eu3+ concentration, suggests the use of the CdMgZnO:xEu3+ nanocrystal material in fibre amplifiers, while the sample with x = 1.5%, which yields the largest emission cross-section (15.79 × 10−22 cm2), the highest gain bandwidth (28.8 × 10−28 cm3), and a high branching ratio (71%), is the best candidate for red laser applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The purpose of this article was to develop and validate a scale to assess common knowledge about temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in the general population, evaluate the status of TMDs knowledge in the Portuguese population, quantify the severity and prevalence of TMDs-related symptoms in the general population, and assess the association between TMDs-related symptoms’ severity and demographic, medical and oral associated factors. Materials and Methods: This study was an analytical cross-sectional survey design. The sample consisted of 2165 participants selected through a snowball sampling method. The participants completed an online questionnaire regarding social and demographic characteristics, medical history, oral habits, Fonseca’s Anamnestic Index, a scale about difficulties on impulsiveness control and also the TMDs knowledge scale developed. The psychometric properties of the scale developed was tested on a small number of participants (n = 210). The P value set was 0.05. Results: Concerning psychometric properties all items showed a moderate-to-strong positive association with the loading factor. The Cronbach’s alpha was 0.956, showing good reliability. TMDs knowledge was positive in 1295 participants (59.8%). Multivariate-adjusted odds showed that female gender, diagnosis of tension-type headache, migraine, anxiety, impulsiveness, facial trauma, and parafunctional habits increased the risk of developing TMDs (adjusted odds ratios from 1.84 to 49.38). Conclusion: The scale developed is psychometrically valid and reliable and the participants had an overall positive knowledge about TMDs. A high prevalence of TMDs-related symptoms among the Portuguese population was found and the associated factors were female gender, impulsiveness, tension-type headache, migraine, anxiety, facial trauma, and parafunctional habits.