ABSTRACT Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of Topical Oxygen Jet Therapy (TOJT) in the treatment of surgical wounds in adult patients who has clinical signs of infection for over 30 days; and to identify the pathogens causing complicated skin and soft tissue infections. Method: Parallel, randomized clinical trials randomly divided into “Control Group” (CG) and “Treatment Group” (TG), which were followed up for 10 consecutive days. Venous antibiotics and dressings were used in both groups. In addition, TOJT were used on the wounds in the TG. The outcome criteria were based on clinical indicators: Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) and Visual Analog Scale Pain (VAS). The paired t-test or Wilcoxon, chi-squared or Fisher’s exact test, and Student’s t-test or Mann–Whitney tests were used with a significance level of 5%. Results: 73 inpatients were included and followed up: 39 in TG and 34, CG. There were no significant differences in socio-demographic variables or of initial laboratory tests, except for blood glucose that was higher in TG than in CG (p = 0.044). Ten days into treatment, both the area of PUSH wounds (p < 0.001) and the pain scale (p = 0.029) were significantly reduced in TG. Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent pathogen (40%) with no significant difference between the two groups. Discussion: Although the follow-up time was of only ten days, a significant improvement was observed in TG. As a limitation of the study, the small sample size precluded the comparison of S. aureus infections between the two groups. Conclusion: TOJT accelerated the healing process, reduced pain and contributed to an improvement in the clinical status of the wounds when compared to CG. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness and relevance of the employed technique. It can be easily incorporated as a routine procedure in hospitals without extra investment.

Resumo Diferentemente de outras espécies domésticas, a maturação in vitro (MIV) de oócitos caninos apresenta sucesso limitado. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito do HEPES na maturação in vitro de oócitos caninos obtidos de cadelas em diestro e anestro. Os ovários foram coletados, isolados assepticamente e transportados refrigerados a uma temperatura de 4 ºC. Os complexos cumulus-oócito (CCOs), provenientes das duas fases do ciclo estral, foram submetidos a dois tratamentos: meio TCM-199 com adição de 25 mM de HEPES (GT) e meio sem suplementação (GC). Depois de 72 horas de maturação, os CCOs foram desnudados, fixados e corados com HOESCHT 33342 para avaliação da maturação nuclear. Os oócitos obtidos da fase de anestro e diestro do GT demonstraram, em relação ao grupo GC, maior frequência de oócitos nos estágios de M-II (p<0,01). Comparando-se os diferentes status reprodutivos, observou-se que os oócitos obtidos da fase de diestro apresentaram índices maiores de QVG e M-II. Nossos resultados demonstraram que o HEPES preserva a viabilidade e morfologia oocitária, indispensáveis para a aquisição da competência meiótica, potencializando as taxas de M-II, e que os oócitos obtidos da fase de diestro estão mais aptos a completarem a maturação oocitária.

Abstract Unlike other domestic animals, in vitro maturation (IVM) of canine oocytes still has limited success. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of HEPES on the in vitro maturation of dog oocytes in anestrus and diestrus. Ovaries were collected, aseptically isolated and transported refrigerated at a temperature of 4ºC. Cumulus-oocyte complexe (COCs) from the two phases of estrous cycle were subjected to two treatments: medium TCM-199 with addition of 25 mM HEPES (TG) and medium without supplementation (CG). After 72 h of maturation, COCs were denuded, fixed and stained with Hoechst 33342 to assess nuclear maturation. The oocytes obtained from the anestrus and diestrus phases of the TG showed a higher frequency of oocytes in metaphase II (M-II) (p <0.01) stage.Comparing the different reproductive status, it was observed that the oocytes obtained from the diestrus phase presented higher rates of GVBD (germinal vesicle breakdown) and M-II. Our results showed that HEPES preserves the viability and oocyte morphology essential for the acquisition of meiotic competence, increasing the M-II rates and that the oocytes obtained from the diestrus phase are better able to complete oocyte maturation.

Abstract The biodegradable aliphatic oligoester oligo(trimethylene separate) (OTS) was synthesized by polycondensation and used to plasticize poly(lactic acid) (PLA). Casting films of PLA and PLA/OTS with concentrations of 1, 5 and 10 wt.% were prepared, and these films were characterized by thermal analyses, crystallinity, rheology and mechanical tests. DSC revealed the decrease in the Tg of PLA films with addition of the oligomer and a partial immiscibility. Addition of OTS to PLA slightly decrease the thermal stability as well as increase the degree of crystallinity of these films. Dynamic-mechanical analyses of casting films showed that the PLA/OTS system presented lower storage modulus than PLA and mechanical test revealed an increased in the elongation at break for PLA films containing the oligoester. The results make possible to conclude that the oligomer synthesized from bio-based monomers acts as a plasticizer of PLA increasing the PLA ductility.

ABSTRACT Objective The present study aimed to evaluate the in vivo response of a resistance training and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on tibias and femurs of rats with diabetes mellitus (DM). Materials and methods Forty male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into four experimental groups: control group (CG), diabetic group (DG), diabetic trained group (TG) and diabetic trained and laser irradiated group (TLG). DM was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) and after two weeks laser and resistance training started, performed for 24 sessions, during eight weeks. At the end of the experiment, animals were euthanized and tibias and femurs were removed for analysis. Histological, histomorphometrical, immunohistochemistry and mechanical analyses were performed. Results Trained groups, with or without laser irradiation, showed increased cortical area, bone density and biomechanical properties. The immunohistochemical analysis revealed that TG and TLG demonstrated an increased RUNX2 expression. RANK-L immunoexpression was similar for all experimental groups. Conclusion In conclusion, it can be suggested that the resistance exercise program stimulated bone metabolism, culminating in increased cortical tibial area, bone mineral content, bone mineral density and biomechanical properties. Furthermore, the association of physical exercises and LLLT produced higher values for bone mineral content and stiffness. Consequently, these data highlight the potential of physical exercise in the management of bone loss due to DM and the possible extra osteogenic stimulus offered by lasertherapy. Further long-term studies should be carried out to provide additional information.

No Brasil é encontrada ampla variabilidade de pimentas do gênero Capsicum sendo a Amazônia um importante centro de diversidade. Informações a respeito da diversidade em coleção de germoplasma servem, entre outros objetivos, para dar suporte aos programas de melhoramento de espécies cultivadas. O presente trabalho teve como objetivos caracterizar morfologicamente e estimar a diversidade genética entre 40 acessos de pimentas coletadas no Amazonas, pertencentes à coleção da Universidade Federal do Amazonas. Foram utilizados descritores morfológicos recomendados pelo IPGRI (International Plant Genetic Resources Institute) para o gênero Capsicum e análise sensorial para pungência e aroma. Utilizando 17 descritores, identificados como essenciais, foi calculada a similaridade genética entre os acessos por meio do coeficiente de similaridade geral de Gower. Para o agrupamento dos acessos foi utilizado o método hierárquico das médias das distâncias UPGMA (Unweighted Pair-Group Method Using an Arithmetic Average) e a representação gráfica da similaridade entre eles feita pelo método de Análise de Coordenadas Principais (PCO). Três espécies foram identificadas, sendo 35 de C. chinense um de C. baccatum e quatro acessos de C. frutescens. Houve variabilidade fenotípica principalmente nas características de frutos que mostraram diferenças quanto ao tamanho, formato, coloração e pungência. Foram identificadas duas pimenteiras do morfotipo murupi, duas dedo de moça, quatro malagueta, sete olho de peixe, 13 pimentas de cheiro e 12 pimentas curabiá. As análises de agrupamento e dispersão gráfica foram concordantes em agrupar os acessos com pequena distância genética. Os acessos estudados apresentaram ampla variabilidade entre e dentro das espécies identificadas.

In Brazil wide variability is found in peppers of Capsicum genus and the Amazon region is an important center of diversity. Information about the diversity in collection is useful, among other aspects, to increase the efficiency of breeding studies of cultivated species. The present study aimed to characterize the morphology and estimate the genetic diversity of 40 Capsicum accessions from Universidade Federal do Amazonas germplasm collection. Morphological descriptors recommended by IPGRI (International Plant Genetic Resources Institute), for the Capsicum and sensory analysis for pungency and flavor were used to characterize the accessions. Seventeen descriptors, identified as essentials, were used to calculate the genetic similarity among accessions, considering the general similarity coefficient of Gower. The hierarchical method of the average of the distances UPGMA (Unweighted Pair-Group Method using an Arithmetic Average) and PCO (Principal Coordinates Analysis) were used to cluster the accessions. Three species were found comprising 35 accessions of C. chinense, one of C. baccatum and four C. frutescens. Phenotypic variation among accessions was observed mainly on fruit characteristics that showed differences in size, shape, color and pungency. Several chilli peppers morphotypes were identified: two accessions of murupi; two lady's finger; four from "malagueta"; seven from fisheye; 13 from smell pepper, and 12 curabiá. Cluster and dispersion graph analysis were concordant in clustering accessions with small genetic distance. The collection presents a wide variation among accessions.

FUNDAMENTO: A associação entre ácido úrico (AU) e as variáveis de risco cardiovascular permanece controversa em estudos epidemiológicos. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a associação entre o AU, pressão arterial (PA), índices antropométricos e variáveis metabólicas em população não hospitalar estratificada por quintis de AU. MÉTODOS: Em estudo observacional transversal, foram avaliados 756 indivíduos (369M), com idade de 50,3 ± 16,12 anos, divididos em quintis de AU. Foram obtidos PA, índice de massa corporal (IMC), circunferência abdominal (CA), AU, glicose, insulina, HOMA-IR, colesterol (CT), LDL-c, HDL-c, triglicerídeos (TG), creatinina (C). Foi calculada a taxa de filtração glomerular estimada (TFGE) e considerada hipertensão arterial (HA) quando a PA > 140x90 mmHg, sobrepeso/obesidade (S/O) quando IMC > 25 kg/m² e síndrome metabólica (SM) de acordo com a I Diretriz Brasileira de SM. RESULTADOS: 1) Não houve diferença entre os grupos na distribuição por sexo e faixa etária; 2) Os maiores quintis de AU apresentaram maiores médias de idade (p < 0,01), IMC, CA (p < 0,01), PAS, PAD (p < 0,001), CT, LDL-c, TG (p < 0,01), C e TFGE (p < 0,001) e menor média de HDL-c (p < 0,001); 3) O grupo com maior quintil de AU mostrou maiores prevalências de HA, S/O e SM (p < 0,001); 4) Maiores percentuais dos menores quintis de insulina (p < 0,02) e de HOMA-IR (p < 0,01) foram encontrados nos menores quintis de AU; 5) Em análise de regressão logística, o AU e as variáveis que compõem a SM apresentaram-se associados à ocorrência de SM (p < 0,01). CONCLUSÃO: Maiores quintis de ácido úrico associaram-se a pior perfil de risco cardiovascular e a pior perfil de função renal na amostra populacional não hospitalar estudada.

BACKGROUND: The association between uric acid (UA) and cardiovascular risk variables remains a controversial issue in epidemiological studies. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between UA, blood pressure (BP), anthropometric indices and metabolic variables in a non-hospitalized population stratified by UA quintiles. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study evaluated 756 individuals (369 males), aged 50.3 ± 16.12 years, divided in UA quintiles. BP, body mass index (BMI), abdominal circumference (AC), UA, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol (TC), LDL-c, HDL-c, triglycerides (TG) and creatinine (C) levels were obtained. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated and arterial hypertension (AH) was considered when BP > 140x90 mmHg, overweight/obesity (OW/O) was considered when BMI > 25 kg/m² and metabolic syndrome (MS) was established according to the I Brazilian Guideline of MS. RESULTS: 1) There was no difference between the groups regarding the distribution by sex and age range; 2) The highest UA quintiles presented higher mean age (p < 0.01), BMI, AC (p < 0.01), SBP, DBP (p < 0.001), TC, LDL-c, TG (p < 0.01), C and eGFR (p < 0.001) and lower mean HDL-c (p < 0.001); 3) The group with the highest UA quintile showed higher prevalence of AH, OW/O and MS (p < 0.001); 4) Higher percentages of the lowest quintiles of insulin (p < 0.02) and HOMA-IR (p < 0.01) were observed with the lowest quintiles of UA; 5) A logistic regression analysis showed that UA and the variables that compose MS were associated with the occurrence of MS (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Higher quintiles of uric acid were associated with a worse cardiovascular risk profile and a worse kidney function profile in the non-hospitalized population sample studied.

FUNDAMENTO: La asociación entre ácido úrico (AU) y las variables de riesgo cardiovascular permanece controvertida en estudios epidemiológicos. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la asociación entre el AU, presión arterial (PA), índices antropométricos y variables metabólicas en población no hospitalaria estratificada por quintiles de AU. MÉTODOS: En estudio observacional transversal, se evaluaron a 756 individuos (369 hombres), con promedio de edad de 50,3 ± 16,12 años, divididos en quintiles de AU. Se obtuvieron PA, índice de masa corporal (IMC), circunferencia abdominal (CA), dosis de AU, glucosa, insulina, HOMA-IR, colesterol (CT), LDL-c, HDL-c, triglicéridos (TG), creatinina (C). Se calculó la tasa de filtración glomerular estimada (TFGE) y considerada como hipertensión arterial (HA) cuando la PA > 140 x 90 mmHg, sobrepeso/obesidad (S/O) cuando IMC > 25 kg/m² y síndrome metabólico (SM) de acuerdo con la I Directriz Brasileña de SM. RESULTADOS: 1) no hubo diferencia entre los grupos en la distribución por sexo y grupo de edad; 2) los mayores quintiles de AU presentaron mayores promedios de edad (p < 0,01), IMC, CA (p < 0,01), PAS, PAD (p < 0,001), CT, LDL-c, TG (p < 0,01), C y TFGE (p < 0,001) y menor promedio de HDL-c (p < 0,001); 3) el grupo con mayor quintil de AU reveló mayores prevalencias de HA, S/O y SM (p < 0,001); 4) mayores porcentuales de los menores quintiles de insulina (p < 0,02) y de HOMA-IR (p < 0,01) fueron encontrados en los menores quintiles de AU; 5) en análisis de regresión logística, el AU y las variables que componen la SM se presentaron asociados a la ocurrencia de SM (p < 0,01). CONCLUSIÓN: Mayores quintiles de ácido úrico se asociaron a un peor perfil de riesgo cardiovascular y a un peor perfil de función renal en la muestra poblacional no hospitalaria estudiada.