Search

Abstract Background Ovarian sex hormones (OSHs) are implicated in cardiovascular function. It has been shown that OSHs play an important role in the long term regulation of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function and contractility, although early effects of OSHs deprivation on myocardial contractility have not yet been determined. This study evaluated the early and late effects of OSHs deficiency on left ventricular contractility in rats after ovariectomy. Methods Young female Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups (n = 9-15): sham operated (Sham), ovariectomized (Ovx) and Ovx treated with estradiol (1 mg/kg, i.m., once a week) (Ovx+E2). After 7, 15, 30 and 60 days post Ovx, left ventricle papillary muscle was mounted for isometric tension recordings. The inotropic response to Ca2+ (0.62 to 3.75 mM) and isoproterenol (Iso 10-8 to 10-2 M) and contractility changes in response to rate changes (0.25 to 3 Hz) were assessed. Protein expression of SR Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2a) and phospholamban (PLB) in the heart was also examined. Results The positive inotropic response to Ca2+ and Iso at 7, 15, and 30 days after Ovx was preserved. However, at 60 days, the Ovx group had decreased myocardial contractility which was subsequently restored with E2 replacement. The reduction in SERCA2a and increase in PLB expression observed at 60 days after Ovx were restored with E2 replacement. Conclusion This study demonstrated that myocardial contractility and expression of key Ca2+ handling proteins were preserved in the early phase and reduced at long-term during OSHs deprivation.

Abstract Background Our aim was to evaluate the effects of soybean oil treatment for 15 days on arterial and ventricular pressure, myocardial mechanics and proteins involved in calcium handling. Methods Wistar rats were divided in two groups receiving 100 μL of soybean oil (SB) or saline (CT) i.m. for 15 days. Ventricular performance was analyzed in male 12-weeks old Wistar rats by measuring left ventricle diastolic and systolic pressure in isolated perfused hearts according to the Langendorff technique. Protein expression was measured by Western blot analysis. Results Systolic and diastolic arterial pressures did not differ between CT and SB rats. However, heart rate was reduced in the SB group. In the perfused hearts, left ventricular isovolumetric systolic pressure was higher in the SB hearts. The inotropic response to extracellular Ca2+ and isoproterenol was higher in the soybean-treated animals than in the control group. Myosin ATPase and Na+-K+ATPase activities, the expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium pump (SERCA2a) and sodium calcium exchanger (NCX) were increased in the SB group. Although the phosfolamban (PLB) expression did not change, its phosphorylation at Ser16 was reduced while the SERCA2a/PLB ratio was increased. Conclusions In summary, soybean treatment for 15 days in rats increases the left ventricular performance without affecting arterial blood pressure. These changes might be associated with an increase in the myosin ATPase activity and SERCA2a expression.

Unlabelled: Facial integrity is a condition which interferes in the daily life of the individual. The loss of an eyeball has psychological impact, requiring adaptation. Interventions such as prosthetic repair seem to lead to emotional and behavioral change., Purpose: The objective of this study was to identify the psychosocial aspects related to unilateral anophthalmic socket and evaluate patient adaptation to prosthesis., Methods: All participants responded to a semi-structured interview. This was composed of two parts, the first regarding the general data of patient identification and socioeconomic aspects. The second part included information about eye loss and rehabilitation, with 31 questions. Twenty-eight volunteers were interviewed., Results: Most were male (53.57%). Ages ranged between 11 and 67. Trauma was the prevalent etiological factor (60.71%). A significant statistical difference (p<0.05) was found between the scores of the feelings of loss before and after prosthesis (z Wilcoxon=-4.41; p<0.001)., Conclusions: The data showed emotional difficulties in the initial contact with the loss of an eye and the role of the prosthesis as an element of social inclusion, stressing the importance of teamwork and access to fitting services in adapting these patients.

The artificial iris is the structure responsible for the dissimulation and aesthetics of ocular prosthesis. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the color stability of artificial iris of microwaveable polymerized ocular prosthesis, as a function of paint type, drying method and accelerated aging. A total of 40 discs of microwaveable polymerized acrylic resin were fabricated, and divided according to the blue paint type (n = 5): hydrosoluble acrylic, nitrocellulose automotive, hydrosoluble gouache and oil paints. Paints where dried either at natural or at infrared light bulb method. Each specimen was constituted of one disc in colorless acrylic resin and another colored with a basic sclera pigment. Painting was performed in one surface of one of the discs. The specimens were submitted to an artificial aging chamber under ultraviolet light, during 1008 h. A reflective spectrophotometer was used to evaluate color changes. Data were evaluated by 3-way repeated-measures ANOVA and the Tukey HSD test (α = 0.05). All paints suffered color alteration. The oil paint presented the highest color resistance to artificial aging regardless of drying method., (Copyright © 2010 British Contact Lens Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)