Effects of complex decongestive therapy and aquatic physiotherapy on markers of the inflammatory process in individuals with lymphedema.

Background: Chronic lymphedema is a progressive and inflammatory disease caused by impaired lymphatic transport.

Purpose: This study evaluates the effects of complex decongestive therapy (CDT) and aquatic physiotherapy on markers of the inflammatory process and lower limb volumes in individuals with lymphedema.

Methods: A randomized controlled clinical trial was carried out with three groups: patients with lymphedema submitted to CDT, patients with lymphedema submitted to aquatic physiotherapy, and control group of individuals without lymphedema.

Functionality and quality of life of patients with unilateral lymphedema of a lower limb: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Lymphedema of the lower limbs is a chronic disease caused by damage to the lymphatic system that influences people's mobility, functionality, and quality of life. Questionnaires and physical test are very practical, easy to apply, and low cost methods that provide important data for evaluation of these patients.

Objectives: To evaluate the influence of unilateral lower limb lymphedema on functionality and quality of life, correlating 3 assessment tools.

Impact of neonatal malnutrition on expression TLR-9, NF-kB and cytokines of macrophages infected in vitro with methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Early nutritional aggressions promote epigenetic adjustments that culminate in the loss of phenotype plasticity (with permanent long-term modifications). Maternal diet and inadequate neonatal nutrition can result in fetal programming that presents susceptibility to infections in adult life. Thus, it becomes essential to verify the impacts of neonatal malnutrition (even following nutritional replacement) on the immunological response to methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections.

Prevalence and factors associated with fat-soluble vitamin deficiency in adolescents.

Background: fat-soluble vitamin deficiency may be a health problem not recognized in children and adolescents.

Objective: to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with the deficiency of vitamins A, D and E among adolescent students from Northeastern Brazil.

Methods: transversal study with adolescents aged 12 to 19 of both genders.

Neonatal malnutrition programs the oxidant function of macrophages in response to Candida albicans.

Experimental maternal nutrition restriction models are used to investigate short or long-term consequences of nutritional deficiency on puppies' growth. By assuming that the immune function is directly related to host's nutritional status, the current study aims to investigate the effects of neonatal malnutrition on oxidative stress and on the cell death of the alveolar macrophage after in vitro infection by Candida albicans. Wistar rats were suckled by mothers fed on diets containing 17% protein (Nourished group) or 8% protein (Malnourished group) in the current assay.

Post-splenectomy infections in chronic schistosomiasis as a consequence of bacterial translocation.

Introduction: Bacterial translocation is the invasion of indigenous intestinal bacteria through the gut mucosa to normally sterile tissues and internal organs. Schistosomiasis may cause alterations in the immune system and damage to the intestines, portal system and mesenteric lymph nodes. This study investigated bacterial translocation and alterations in the intestinal microbiota and mucosa in schistosomiasis and splenectomized mice.

Effect of neonatal malnutrition on expression of nitric oxide synthase enzyme, production of free radicals and in vitro viability of alveolar macrophages infected with methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Objective: Evaluate the effects of neonatal malnutrition on the microbicidal response and viability of in vitro macrophages infected with Staphylococcus aureus sensitive/resistant to methicillin.

Methods: Male Wistar rats (n = 24) were divided into two distinct groups: nourished (rats breast-fed by mothers undergoing diet with 17% casein) and malnourished (rats breast-fed by mothers undergoing diet with 8% casein). Macrophages were recovered after surgical tracheostomy procedure by collecting bronchoalveolar lavage.

Biocompatibility and cutaneous reactivity of cellulosic polysaccharide film in induced skin wounds in rats.

The development of a skin substitute suitable for immediately performing the function of the lost dermis and epidermis could result in a positive impact on the treatment of patients with extensive skin lesions. A biopolymer film was applied to skin wounds to investigate the biocompatibility and cutaneous reaction and to test its activity as a mechanical barrier and conductor in the healing process. Forty Wistar rats of both sexes were used in the present study.

Effects of electrical muscle stimulation early in the quadriceps and tibialis anterior muscle of critically ill patients.

Background: Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) is applied to critically ill patients in order to improve their muscle strength, thereby preventing hypotrophy and promoting functional recovery.

Objective: To assess the effects of early EMS on the range of movement of the ankle joint, and on thigh and leg circumference in critically ill patients.

Methods: This is a prospective randomized clinical trial comprising 11 patients undergoing mechanical ventilation.

Expectorant and antioxidant activities of purified fumarprotocetraric acid from Cladonia verticillaris lichen in mice.

Unlabelled: The lichen Cladonia verticillaris produces bioactive secondary metabolites, such as fumarprotocetraric (FUM) and protocetraric acids. Species of the genus Cladonia demonstrate anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities and have been used in folk medicine to treat respiratory diseases (throat irritation, cough, asthma and tuberculosis). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expectorant and mucolytic activities of fumarprotocetraric acid in albino Swiss mice.

Long-term effects of a neonatal low-protein diet in rats on the number of macrophages in culture and the expression/production of fusion proteins.

Aim: To investigate the effects of a neonatal low-protein diet on the number of macrophages in culture and the expression/production of proteins that regulate macrophage fusion in young and adult rats.

Methods: Male Wistar rats (n = 18) were suckled by mothers fed diets containing 17 % protein (controls, C) or 8 % protein (undernourished, UN). All rats were fed a normal protein diet after weaning.

Leukocyte, red blood cell and morphological adaptation to moderate physical training in rats undernourished in the neonatal period.

Objective: To analyze the impact of moderate physical exercise on the total and differential leukocyte counts and red blood cell count of 36 sixty-day-old adult male Wistar rats subjected to early malnourishment.

Methods: The rats were divided in nourished (N - casein 17%) and malnourished groups (M - casein 8%) and thesegroups were then subdivided in trained (T) untrained (U) creating four groups NT, NU, MT and MU. The NT and MTgroups were submitted to moderate physical exercise using a treadmill (60 min/day, 5 days/week for 8 weeks).

Analysis of the masticatory process of asthmatic children: Clinical and electromyographic research.

Introduction:  The prevalence of asthma has grown considerably in recent decades, but some studies have shown stabilization of this trend. The masticatory process of asthmatic children may be altered due to asthma-related anatomo-functional changes.

Objective:  The study objective was to determine the clinical and electromyographic characteristics of the masticatory process in asthmatic children and compare the electrical activities of their masseter and anterior temporal muscles (at rest and during maximal voluntary contraction and mastication) with those of non-asthmatic children.

Perialveolar bacterial microbiota and bacteraemia after dental alveolitis in adult rats that had been subjected to neonatal malnutrition.

The aim of the present study was to analyse the bacteriological factors during the process of dental alveolitis, relating it to a higher incidence of bacteraemia in adult rats subjected to neonatal malnutrition. We used forty male Wistar rats, suckled by mothers fed a diet during lactation containing 17 % protein in the nourished group (N) or 8 % protein in the undernourished group (UN). After weaning, the animals were given the Labina standard diet.

Hematological and immunological effects of stress of air traffic controllers in northeastern Brazil.

Background: Several studies have shown that stress and emotional reactions can affect immune responses in animals and humans.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate hematological and immunological effects of stress on air traffic controllers.

Methods: Thirty air traffic controllers and 15 aeronautical information service operators were evaluated.

Cytotoxicity of current adhesive systems: in vitro testing on cell cultures of primary murine macrophages.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate, in vitro, the potential cytotoxicity of dentinal adhesives on alveolar macrophages of Wistar rats, after diffusion through dentin.

Methods: The cytotoxicity of adhesives [single bond plus (SB), clearfil SE bond (CF) and Xeno V (XE)] applied to the occlusal surface of human dentin disks adapted to a dentin barrier test device were analyzed. The sets placed on a monolayer of cells were incubated for 24, 48 and 72h.

Effect of a neonatal low-protein diet on the morphology of myotubes in culture and the expression of key proteins that regulate myogenesis in young and adult rats.

Aim: To investigate the effects of a neonatal low-protein diet on the morphology of myotubes in culture and the expression of key proteins that regulate myogenesis in young and adult rats.

Methods: Male Wistar rats (n = 18) were suckled by mothers fed diets containing 17% protein (controls, C) or 8% protein (undernourished, UN). All rats were fed a normal protein diet after weaning.

Effects of asthma in nutritional status in children: A systematic review.

Introduction: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of high prevalence, considered a public health problem and is thought to be one cause of low birth weight and growth retardation.

Purpose: The purpose of this article was to review in literature the effects of asthma on the nutritional status in children.

Material And Methods: A systematic review was made by searching for articles in PubMed, SciELO and LILACS databases.

Effect of Mercurius solubilis on the bacteriological response in the alveolitis process in rats.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the bacteriological response in alveolitis in rats treated with the homeopathic medicine Merc solubilis (Merc sol.) 12 cH.

Methods: The study was randomized and observer blind.

Effects of nasal continuous positive airway pressure treatment on oxidative stress and adiponectin levels in obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Background: Obesity and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are both associated with the prevalence of major cardiovascular illnesses and certain common factors they are considered responsible for, such as stress oxidative increase, sympathetic tonus and resistance to insulin.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on oxidative stress and adiponectin levels in obese patients with and without OSA.

Methods: Twenty-nine obese patients were categorized into 3 groups: group 1: 10 individuals without OSA (apnea-hypopnea index, AHI or=20) who did not use CPAP; group 3: 9 patients with moderate to severe OSA (AHI >or=20) who used CPAP.

Stress-induced downregulation of macrophage phagocytic function is attenuated by exercise training in rats.

Background/aims: Acute restraint stress may induce impaired macrophage phagocytic function. Moderate physical training is associated with beneficial effects on immunological functions. We investigated the effects of moderate physical training on phagocytic function of alveolar macrophages in rats submitted to acute restraint stress.

[Phagocytes rate and cellular viability of the monocytes in patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni who underwent splenectomy and auto-implantation of spleen tissue].

Mansonic schistosomiasis remains a medical-social issue in Northeastern Brazil. In children, surgical treatment includes splenectomy and spleen autoimplantation. This procedure reduces post-splenectomy sepsis.

Physical training attenuates the stress-induced changes in rat T-lymphocyte function.

Background/aims: Modulations in the immune function by stress are a well-known phenomenon. Acute restraint stress may induce impaired T-lymphocyte responses. Moderate physical training is associated with beneficial effects on immunological functions.

Nanoencapsulation of usnic acid: An attempt to improve antitumour activity and reduce hepatotoxicity.

Despite the recognised antiproliferative and antitumour properties of usnic acid, its therapeutic application has yet to be introduced. In fact, the high hepatotoxicity and low water solubility of usnic acid have somewhat restricted its practical use in anticancer therapy. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the antitumour activity of usnic acid encapsulated into nanocapsules prepared with lactic co-glycolic acid polymer.