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Compreende-se que a estética e a política constituem as sociedades e que um dos temas fundamentais das narrativas de todo lugar, que compõem parte das obras literárias, têm como base as relações opressor/oprimido e colonizador/colonizado. Apresenta-se para análise, neste artigo, os contos africanos “A revoltas dos bovinos ou o dia que os bois quiseram beber leite”, do maliano Amadou Hampâté Bâ (1900-1991) e “O coelho e os cães selvagens”, do moçambicano Lourenço do Rosário (1989), os quais servirão de suporte para perceber essas relações. Ambos os autores, em diferentes tempos, trouxeram como resultado de suas coletas a publicação das coletâneas de contos africanos que contemplam, principalmente, os leitores e as leitoras infantojuvenis. Hampâté Bâ, em sua coletânea Petit bodiel et autres contes de la savane (1994) e Lourenço do Rosário em Contos africanos (2017) difundem essas narrativas regadas de sátiras morais e sociais, levando-nos a reflexão sobre as relações humanas.

O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar o desempenho cognitivo de pacientes com HIV, com 50 anos ou mais, com pacientes da mesma faixa etária, mas sem HIV. Este estudo transversal recrutou pessoas vivendo com o vírus da imunodeficiência humana (PVHIV) e acompanhantes com sorologia negativa para o HIV, em uma instituição de ensino superior em São Paulo, Brasil, entre maio de 2015 e abril de 2018. Pacientes com doenças neurológicas ou psiquiátricas atuais, distúrbios neurocognitivos associados ao HIV (HAND) já diagnosticados e/ou incapacidade de compreender o conteúdo para avaliação neuropsicológica foram excluídos. Os pacientes recrutados foram avaliados através de uma bateria neuropsicológica estruturada, com instrumentos padronizados abrangendo fatores como cognição, depressão, uso de substâncias psicoativas e atividades da vida diária. A análise dos dados foi realizada por meio de estatística descritiva. O teste U de Mann-Whitney foi utilizado para comparar os grupos e a Correlação de Spearman para comparar os efeitos da idade e escolaridade no desempenho cognitivo de PVHIV e indivíduos sem HIV. Foram avaliadas 94 pessoas, 40 com HIV positivo e 54 com HIV negativo. Os participantes com HIV positivo apresentaram pior desempenho em memória, atenção, função executiva e prejuízo nas atividades de vida diária quando comparado ao grupo sem HIV. Encontramos alta prevalência de desordens neurocognitivas associadas ao HIV (HAND) na população estudada (45%), sendo que dessas 27,5% apresentaram declínio neurocognitivo assintomático (ANI) e 17,5% apresentaram distúrbio neurocognitivo leve (MND). Conclui-se, portanto, que pacientes portadores de HIV apresentaram uma alta frequência de comprometimento cognitivo sendo que a idade e a baixa escolaridade representaram fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de HANDs.

O trabalho que se apresenta a seguir aplica-se ao estudo do papel da memória no contexto africano, destacando o grande empenho de Amadou Hampâté Bâ para que a tradição oral do povo fula fosse reconhecida como fonte legítima de conhecimento histórico. Hampâté Bâ foi um historiador, genealogista, escritor e memorialista que, preocupado em preservar a memória tradicional africana, empenhou-se em coletar, transcrever e traduzir grande parte de um patrimônio ameaçado de cair no esquecimento. Resultado de um longo percurso de preservação de verdadeiros tesouros da oralidade, Amkoullel, o menino fula, autobiografia publicada postumamente, constitui o primeiro livro de memórias do autor cuja narrativa nos coloca “à escuta” dessa África, desse modo de viver e pensar que muitas vezes escapa ao olhar ocidental. Considerando o propósito do autor que, assim como Joseph Ki- Zerbo, Jan Vansina, Jacques Chevrier, Calame Griaule, dentre outros, procuraram “resgatar porções inteiras da antiga fisionomia do continente africano” (Ki- Zerbo, 2010), esta dissertação examina a contribuição de Amkoullel para o amplo projeto do autor de não deixar morrer a narrativa oral que veicula a sabedoria e o pensamento africanos, enfatizando a função da memória no processo de manutenção e sustentação social. Le travail présenté ci-dessous se consacre à l’étude du rôle joué par la mémoire dans le contexte africain, soulignant le ferme engagement d’Amadou Hampâté Bâ afin que la tradition orale des Peuls soit reconnue comme source légitime de connaissance historique. Hampâté Bâ était un historien, généalogiste, écrivain et mémorialiste qui, soucieux de préserver la mémoire traditionnelle africaine, a pris le soin de recueillir, transcrire et traduire une grande partie d'un patrimoine ménacé de sombrer dans l'oubli. Résultat d'un long processus de conservation de véritables trésors de l'oralité, Amkoullel, l’enfant peul, autobiographie publiée à titre posthume, est son premier ouvrage de mémoires dont le récit nous met "à l'écoute" de l'Afrique, de cette façon de vivre et de penser qui, maintes fois, échappe au regard occidental. Compte tenue du but de l’auteur qui, comme Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Jan Vansina, Jacques Chevrier, Calame Griaule, entre autres, a cherché à "rétablir des portions entières de l’ancien visage du continent africain" (Ki-Zerbo, 2010), ce mémoire examine la contribution d’Amkoullel au considérable projet de l'auteur de ne pas laisser mourir le récit oral qui transmet la sagesse et la pensée africaines, soulignant la fonction de la mémoire dans le processus de maintenance et de soutien sociaux. Dissertação (Mestrado)

Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ab and Cry1Fa toxins are environmentally safe insecticides that control important insect pests. Spodoptera frugiperda is an important maize pest that shows low susceptibility to Cry1A toxins, in contrast to Cry1Fa, which is highly active against this pest and is used in transgenic maize for S. frugiperda control. The β16 region from domain III of Cry1Ab has been shown to be involved in interactions with receptors such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) or aminopeptidase (APN) in different lepidopteran insects. Alanine-scanning mutagenesis of amino acids of Cry1Ab β16 (509STLRVN514) revealed that certain β16 mutations, such as N514A, resulted in increased toxicity of Cry1Ab for S. frugiperda without affecting the toxicity for other lepidopteran larvae, such as Manduca sexta larvae. Exhaustive mutagenesis of N514 was performed, showing that the Cry1Ab N514F, N514H, N514K, N514L, N514Q, and N514S mutations increased the toxicity toward S. frugiperda. A corresponding mutation was constructed in Cry1Fa (N507A). Toxicity assays of wild-type and mutant toxins (Cry1Ab, Cry1AbN514A, Cry1AbN514F, Cry1Fa, and Cry1FaN507A) against four S. frugiperda populations from Mexico and one from Brazil revealed that Cry1AbN514A and Cry1FaN507A consistently showed 3- to 18-fold increased toxicity against four of five S. frugiperda populations. In contrast, Cry1AbN514F showed increased toxicity in only two of the S. frugiperda populations analyzed. The mutants Cry1AbN514A and Cry1AbN514F showed greater stability to midgut protease treatment. In addition, binding analysis of the Cry1Ab mutants showed that the increased toxicity correlated with increased binding to brush border membrane vesicles and increased binding affinity for S. frugiperda ALP, APN, and cadherin receptors. IMPORTANCESpodoptera frugiperda is the main maize pest in South and North America and also is an invasive pest in different African countries. However, it is poorly controlled by Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1A toxins expressed in transgenic crops, which effectively control other lepidopteran pests. In contrast, maize expressing Cry1Fa is effective in the control of S. frugiperda, although its effectiveness is being lost due to resistance evolution. Some of the Cry1Ab domain III mutants characterized here show enhanced toxicity for S. frugiperda without loss of toxicity to Manduca sexta. Thus, these Cry1Ab mutants could provide useful engineered toxins that, along with other Cry toxins, would be useful for developing transgenic maize expressing stacked proteins for the effective control of S. frugiperda and other lepidopteran pests in the field.

O presente artigo tem como proposta estabelecer um estudo bibliográfico por meio de um recorte sincrônico de como ocorre o processo de construção da memória coletiva medieval no Ocidente e a memória coletiva africana, com o objetivo de demonstrar pontos de divergência e convergência entre ambas. Estabelecendo como ponto de partida um paralelo em relação a aspectos referentes ao seu funcionamento, como são exercidas e praticadas, e a função que exercem nessas sociedades, ressaltando a memória coletiva africana como forma de manutenção da sociedade, a partir do estudo de trechos da obra Amkoullel, o menino fula, de Amadou Hampâté Bâ.

Esta pesquisa caminha em primeira pessoa, a partir de reflexões com o desenhar disparadas por memórias de vida e o desenhar de forma compartilhada, exercício que desenvolvo mais recentemente. O convite para o desenho a dois possibilita o encontro com jovens skatistas em Fortaleza e a criação de uma série de mapas-retratos, inspirados em seus percursos errantes pela cidade. Esses mapas-retratos consistem em desenhos que acontecem em duas camadas que se sobrepõem: uma é o mapa de percursos do jovem sobre o skate, outra é o retrato desse jovem. Faço uma camada e a outra é feita por aquele que convido a desenhar comigo. No processo de produção dos desenhos e de escrita, reinvento a relação com a cidade à procura desses jovens e na companhia deles. Sou levada a pensar na intimidade com o desenho e nas porções do desenho que escapam; começo a refletir sobre o fazer cartográfico e o conversar (MATURANA, 1988) como possibilidades de operar na pesquisa em que desejo me envolver com o outro - aquele que não conheço e de quem quero me aproximar -, assim como sinalizo um interesse acerca dos usos do mapa que subvertem a geografia tradicional. Suspeitando que a errância (JACQUES, 2012) desses corpos juvenis em ação pela cidade configure outros modos de sentir e praticar o espaço urbano, reflito acerca do poder dos encontros que reverbera em alterações na linha, no gesto, na composição, no movimento e também no jogo de olhares, narrativas e silêncios que se instaura no contexto de nossas relações.

In the course of our study concerning gastrin and cholecystokinin (CCK) receptors, we have synthesized and characterized a new labeled gastrin ligand, 125I-BH-[Leu15]-gastrin-(5-17) [(3-[125I]iodo-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionyl-[Leu15]-gastrin-(5-17)]. Binding of 125I-BH-[Leu15]-gastrin-(5-17) to isolated canine fundic mucosal cells was specific, saturable and of high affinity. 125I-BH-[Leu15]-gastrin- (5-17) and 125I-BH-CCK-8[(3-[125I]iodo-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionyl-CCK-8] interact with isolated canine fundic mucosal cells with small differences in maximal binding capacities and affinities, 3800 +/- 900 binding sites/cell (Kd = 0.52 +/- 0.23 nM) and 6200 +/- 1100 binding sites/cell (Kd = 0.31 +/- 0.18 nM), respectively. The relative order of potencies for gastrin and CCK analogs in displacing 125I-BH-[Leu15]-gastrin-(5-17) binding correlated well with those obtained using 125I-BH-CCK-8. Selective CCK/gastrin antagonists L-364,718 (MK-329) and L-365,260 also inhibited 125I-BH-[Leu15]-gastrin-(5-17) binding. These results indicate that 125I-BH-[Leu15]-gastrin-(5-17) binds to gastrin receptors in isolated canine fundic mucosal cells. We have also characterized 125I-BH-[Leu15]-gastrin-(5-17) binding to the human Jurkat lymphoblastic cell line (Jurkat cells) known to express the CCK-B/gastrin receptor. Saturation experiments have shown that both 125I-BH-[Leu15]-gastrin-(5-17) and 125I-BH-CCK-8 interact with a single class of high-affinity binding sites in the Jurkat cell line.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

OBJECTIVE—Foot ulceration is a serious complication of diabetes, and new techniques that can predict wound healing may prove very helpful. We tested the ability of medical hyperspectral technology (HT), a novel diagnostic scanning technique that can quantify tissue oxy- and deoxyhemoglobin to predict diabetic foot ulcer healing. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Ten type 1 diabetic patients with 21 foot ulcer sites, 13 type 1 diabetic patients without ulcers, and 14 nondiabetic control subjects were seen up to 4 times over a 6-month period. HT measurements of oxyhemoglobin (HT-oxy) and deoxyhemoglobin (HT-deoxy) were performed at or near the ulcer area and on the upper and lower extremity distant from the ulcer. An HT healing index for each site was calculated from the HT-oxy and -deoxy values. RESULTS—Hyperspectral tissue oxygenation measurements observed changes in tissue immediately surrounding the ulcer when comparing ulcers that heal and ulcers that do not heal (P < 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the HT index for predicting healing were 93, 86, 93, and 86%, respectively, when evaluated on images taken at the first visit. Changes in HT-oxy among the three risk groups were noted for the metatarsal area of the foot (P < 0.05) and the palm (P < 0.01). Changes in HT-deoxy and the HT healing index were noted for the palm only (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS—HT has the capability to identify microvascular abnormalities and tissue oxygenation in the diabetic foot and predict ulcer healing. HT can assist in the management of foot ulceration.

ObjectiveTo examine the effect of a 12-week daily treatment with 160 mg of valsartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, on the microcirculation and macrocirculation of type 2 diabetic patients (T2DM) and healthy subjects.MethodsThis was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Thirteen T2DM with no severe complications and 13 healthy subjects completed the trial.ResultsTreatment with valsartan in T2DM improved the resting forearm skin blood flow and increased the resting brachial artery diameter but had no effects on arterial blood pressure, large vessel vascular reactivity, or carotid intima-media thickness. Resting skin blood flow increased by 60% (2%-90%; median and 25th-75th percentiles) during valsartan treatment and by only 2% (−22% to 27%) during placebo treatment (P < .05). No changes were observed in the nondiabetic subjects. Immunostaining studies of forearm skin biopsy samples from T2DM and healthy subjects showed that valsartan reduced poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase (PARP) activity in 50% (6/12) of the subjects. PARP activity remained unchanged in placebo-treated subjects (P < .02). In addition, valsartan treatment increased CD31 staining in 33% (4/12) of the subjects, whereas no change was noted in sequential skin biopsy samples of placebo-treated subjects (P = .057). Valsartan had no effect on the biochemical markers of endothelial cell activation and other cytokines, including CAMs, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor α, C-reactive protein, adiponectin, and plasma activator inhibitor 1.ConclusionsValsartan increases the resting skin blood flow in T2DM, likely through reduction of PARP activity.

OBJECTIVE—To characterize structural changes and the metabolic profile of foot muscles and correlate them with diabetic neuropathy measurements using phosphorus-31 (31P) rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement (RARE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We studied 12 control subjects, 9 nonneuropathic diabetic patients, and 12 neuropathic diabetic patients using 31P RARE and proton (1H) MRI at 3 Tesla. The ratio of the total cross-sectional area of the foot to that of the muscle tissue was calculated from transaxial 1H and 31P images. The average 31P concentration across the metatarsal head region was measured from the 31P images. RESULTS—The muscle area−to−total area ratio differed among all three groups (means ± SD): 0.55 ± 0.04 vs. 0.44 ± 0.05 vs. 0.06 ± 0.06 for control, nonneuropathic, and neuropathic subjects, respectively (P < 0.0001). The average 31P concentration also differed among all groups: 27.7 ± 3.8 vs. 21.7 ± 4.8 vs. 7.9 ± 8.8 mmol/l for control, nonneuropathic, and neuropathic subjects (P < 0.0001). The muscle area−to−total area ratio strongly correlated with clinical measurements: Neuropathy Disability Score, r = −0.83, P < 0.0001; vibration perception threshold, r = −0.79, P < 0.0001; and Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments, r = −0.87, P < 0.0001. CONCLUSIONS—Small muscle atrophy is present in diabetes before clinical peripheral neuropathy can be detected using standard clinical techniques. The 31P RARE MRI method evaluates the severity of muscle atrophy, even in the early stages when neuropathy is absent. This technique may prove to be a useful diagnostic tool in identifying early-stage diabetic foot problems.

OBJECTIVE—Localized low-level mechanical or electrical noise can significantly enhance tactile sensitivity in healthy young subjects and older adults. This phenomenon is termed stochastic resonance (SR). In this study, we examined the effect of SR on vibratory and tactile sensation in patients with moderate to severe diabetic peripheral neuropathy. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—A total of 20 subjects were included in the study. The vibration perception threshold (VPT) test and the Semmes-Weinstein filament (SWF) threshold at the plantar surface of the left foot and the big toe were determined under two mechanical noise stimulus conditions: null (no noise) condition and at 10% lower than each subject’s mechanical noise threshold of perception. RESULTS—The baseline values (mean ± SD) were as follows: Neuropathy Symptom Score (NSS) 5.2 ± 2.5, Neuropathy Disability Score (NDS) 5.0 ± 2.1, VPT 24 ± 11 V, and SWF threshold 5.6 ± 0.8 at the plantar surface of the foot and 5.3 ± 0.9 at the big toe. The VPT improved significantly from 24 ± 11 under null condition to 19 ± 10 V with mechanical noise (P < 0.0001). Mechanical noise also significantly increased the number of detections of the SWF at the plantar surface of the foot (detection rate 66 ± 11 vs. 59 ± 15%, P < 0.02) but not at the big toe (63 ± 10 vs. 61 ± 16%, P = NS). CONCLUSIONS—Mechanical noise stimulation improves vibration and tactile perception in diabetic patients with moderate to severe neuropathy. Additional studies are required to examine the effect of long-term noise stimulation on parameters of nerve function.

The expansion of Facebook as a social network, which aggregates countless individuals and companies, makes it a potential tool in the promotion of products and services. In this context, this research seeks to understand how word of mouth communication in a virtual platform using Facebook can be an influence in attracting new communicators. The Dali Cocina restaurant represented the experiment reference. The methodology included a descriptive phase and an experimental analysis. The first questionnaire was administered to 150 users simultaneously frequenting Facebook and restaurants. Next, the experimental phase of work took place, where 12 random guests who worked on the initial message emission through the Facebook tool participated. From there, the following parameters were monitored: the number of followers, their interactions and views of the restaurant’s Fanpage. The results confirm that the word of mouth communication through the Facebook platform is an excellent tool for disclosure in the company studied, Dali Cocina.

In the present study we compared various CCK(B) receptor antagonists and tried to detect a difference in biological activity between the C-terminal octapeptides of cholecystokinin (CCK-8) and [Leu11]gastrin-(5-17) in isolated rabbit gastric glands. Binding experiments showed that different CCK(B)/gastrin receptor agonists bound with high affinity and that antagonists inhibited this binding in accordance with a CCK(B)/gastrin pharmacological profile. [Leu11]gastrin-(5-17), CCK-8 and cionin were found to induce [14C]aminopyrine accumulation to 25% above the basal level. Under the same experimental conditions, histamine induced a response twice as great as the response obtained with [Leu11]gastrin-(5-17) or CCK-8. [Leu11]gastrin-(5-17) (10(-7) M), CCK-8 (10(-8) M) and cionin (10(-8) M) appeared to be full agonists. CCK(B)/gastrin receptor antagonists including L-365,260 (3R-(+)-N-(2,3-dihydro-1-methyl-2-oxo-5-phenyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin++ +-3-yl)-N-(3-methylphenyl) urea), L-364,718 (3S-(-)-N-(2,3-dihydro-1-methyl-2-oxo-5-phenyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin++ +-3-yl)-1H-indole-2-carboximide) (a selective CCK(A) receptor antagonist), PD-135,158 (4([2-[[3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-2-methyl-1-oxo-2-[[[1.7.7-trimethyl-bicyclo[2. 2.1]hept-2-yl)oxy]carbonyl]amino]propyl]amino]-1-phenylethyl] amino-4-oxo-[1S-1alpha.2beta[S*(S*)]4alpha]]-butano nate N-methyl-D-glucamine) (bicyclo system 1S-endo), YM-022 ((R)-1-[2,3-dihydro-1-(2'-methylphenacyl)-2-oxo-5-phenyl-1H-1,4-++ +benzodiazepin-3-yl]-3-(3-methylphenyl)urea) and JMV-180 (Boc-Tyr(SO3H)-Nle-Gly-Trp-Nle-Asp-O-CH2-CH2-C6H5) exhibited the same profile for inhibition of [Leu11]gastrin-(5-17) or CCK-8-induced [14C]aminopyrine accumulation in rabbit gastric glands. These results suggested that [Leu11]gastrin-(5-17) and CCK-8 induced [14C]aminopyrine accumulation by the same mechanism. [Leu11]gastrin-(5-17)- or CCK-8-induced [14C]aminopyrine accumulation was inhibited by about 40% by the histamine H2 receptor blocker cimetidine. These results are consistent with there being cooperativity between [Leu11]gastrin-(5-17) (or CCK-8) and histamine in the acid secretory pathway. Similarly, the CCK(B)/gastrin receptor antagonists were tested against histamine-induced [14C]aminopyrine accumulation and surprisingly, only compound L-365,260 appeared active and even more potent than cimetidine.

We have shown that gastrin and cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) are differently coupled to G protein (GTP-binding protein) through type B cholecystokinin receptors in guinea-pig brain membranes and Jurkat cells. Indeed, the gastrin-13 binding affinity is strongly reduced by stable guanyl nucleotides, whereas CCK-8 binding is only slightly affected. In order to determine the structural requirements regulating such coupling, we have synthesized several gastrin and cholecystokinin fragments (sulphated or unsulphated) elongated at the N-terminus of the common C-terminal tetrapeptide. We investigated their interaction with CCKB receptors in guinea pig brain membranes and Jurkat cells and their involvement in the G protein coupling. Their apparent binding affinities to CCKB receptors were measured by inhibition of [125I]Bolton Hunter-CCK-8 (3-[125I]iodo-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionyl-CCK-8) binding in the presence or absence of GTP gamma S (guanosine 5'-O-(3-thio)triphosphate) or aluminum tetrafluoride (AlF4-). Activation of the G proteins by GTP gamma S or AlF4- led to a decrease in binding affinity for the gastrin related peptides, the common CCK-gastrin C-terminal forms, the cholecystokinin hexapeptide and the unsulphated cholecystokinin heptapeptide. Sulphated CCK-7, CCK-8, and cionin apparent binding affinities were not affected. These finding indicated that the sulphated tyrosine in position 7 in CCK (as counted from the C-terminus), provides the cholecystokinin selectivity for the CCKB receptor compared to gastrin. The results are discussed with the aim to better clarify the physiological relevance of gastrin and cholecystokinin toward CCKB receptors and their related intracellular events.

The synthesis of chiral N-protected tetramic acid derivatives which are important precursors of β-hydroxy γ-amino acid under mild conditions is described. Reaction of urethane-N-carboxyanhydrides (UNCAs) with Meldrum's acid in the presence of a tertiary amine, followed by subsequent cyclisation produced tetramic acid derivatives. This procedure is applicable to Boc-, Fmoc- and Z- N-carboxyanhydrides.

The synthesis of chiral N-protected tetramic acid derivatives which are important precursors of β-hydroxy γ-amino acid under mild conditions is described. Reaction of urethane-N-carboxyanhydrides (UNCAs) with Meldrum's acid in the presence of a tertiary amine, followed by subsequent cyclisation produced tetramic acid derivatives. This procedure is applicable to Boc-, Fmoc- and Z- N-carboxyanhydrides.

Acute application of stochastic resonance (SR), defined as a subsensory level of mechanical noise presented directly to sensory neurons, improves the vibration and tactile perception in diabetic patients with mild to moderate neuropathy. This study examined the effect of 1 hour of continuous SR stimulation on sensory nerve function. Twenty diabetic patients were studied. The effect of stimulation was measured at 2 time points, at the beginning and after 60 minutes of continual SR stimulation. This effect was measured using the vibration perception threshold (VPT) at the big toe under 2 conditions: a null (no SR) condition and active SR, defined as mechanical noise below the subject's own threshold of perception. The measurements under null and active conditions were done randomly and the examiner was blinded regarding the type of condition. Immediately after SR application, the VPT with SR in null condition was similar to baseline (32.2 ± 13.1, P = nonsignificant) but was significantly lower during active SR (27.4 ± 11.9) compared with both baseline ( P = .018) and off position ( P = .045). The 60 minutes VPT with active SR (28.7 ± 11.1) reached significance comparing the baseline when one outlier was removed from the analysis ( P = .031). It may be concluded that SR for a continuous 60-minute period can sustain the VPT improvement in diabetic patients with moderate to severe neuropathy. These results permit the conclusion that there is no short-term adaptation to the stimulation signal. Long-term application of this technique, perhaps in the form of a continually vibrating shoe insert, or insole, may result in sustained improvement of nerve function.

The objective of the study was to examine the effect of a 6-month daily treatment with 160 mg valsartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, on the left ventricular systolic function and aortic elasticity of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and healthy subjects. This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Thirteen healthy control subjects and 11 patients with T2DM were enrolled in the study. Eight control subjects and 4 T2DM patients completed the study. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance was used to evaluate the effect of valsartan on the left ventricular function and aortic elasticity. At baseline, T2DM patients had increased left ventricular mass (P = .006) when compared with the healthy controls. In the T2DM patients, treatment with valsartan, in comparison with receiving placebo, resulted in a reduction of aortic radius (P = .026) and wall thickness (P = .032) of the ascending aorta. In the abdominal aorta, valsartan treatment, when compared with placebo treatment, reduced the arterial compliance (P = .014) in the T2DM patients. Valsartan treatment for 6 months decreased the diameter and wall thickness of the ascending aorta in patients with T2DM, but may decrease AC of the abdominal aorta.

In the course of our study concerning gastrin and cholecystokinin (CCK) receptors, we synthesized and characterized a labelled gastrin ligand, [125I]BH[Leu15]gastrin-(5–17) (3-(3-[125I]iodo-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionyl[Leu15]gastrin-(5–17)). On isolated canine fundic mucosal cells and human Jurkat lymphoblastic cell line, known to express CCKB/gastrin receptors, the binding experiments performed indicate that [125I]BH[Leu15]gastrin-(5–17) provides a convenient biologically active ligand for cholecystokinin/gastrin receptor studies. We showed in this study that, on guinea-pig brain membranes known to possess CCKB and CCKA receptors, [125I]BH[Leu15]gastrin-(5–17) binds to a single class of high-affinity binding sites in a saturable and specific manner. [125I]BH[Leu15]gastrin-(5–17) interacts with guinea-pig brain membranes with a maximal binding capacity that is about three-fold lower than that of [125I]BHCCK8 (CCK8, the C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin). The apparent affinities of CCK analogoues and selective CCK receptor antagonists L-365,260 and MK-329 for the sites labelled by both probes were in accordance with a CCKB-like profile. Association-dissociation kinetics of [125I]BH[Leu15]gastrin-(5–17) and [125I]BHCCK8 were performed and compared. They showed that [125I]BHCCK8 equilibrated more slowly than [125I]BH[Leu15]gastrin-(5–17). The effects of pH, monovalent and divalent cations on binding of both probes were investigated. The results obtained did not indicate strong differences between [125I]BH[Leu15]gastrin-(5–17) and [125I]BHCCK8 binding. Binding experiments in the presence of stable analogues of GTP showed a different behaviour between [125I]BH[Leu15]gastrin-(5–17) and [125I]BHCCK8. GTPγS strongly decreased [125I]BH[Leu15]gastrin-(5–17) binding whereas it weakly affected [125I]BHCCK8 binding. The 5′-adenylylimidodiphosphate was found to exert a similar effect than GTPγS on gastrin and CCK8 binding. The results of binding studies carried out with [125I]BH[Leu15]gastrin-(5–17) showed that gastrin binds specifically to guinea-pig brain membranes. Furthermore, the different effects of guanyl nucleotides on gastrin and CCK binding strongly suggested that gastrin and CCK trigger a differential G protein coupling through the same binding sites.