Relative age effects on speed trials in Brazilian athletics.

Background: Relative age effect (RAE) is a concept related to the possible advantage that older athletes would have over younger ones within the same category. Although many studies have approached this subject in individual sports, there are few clippings by events within the sport. More detailed analyses are necessary for a better understanding of how RAE behaves in sports, especially in athletics, the subject of this study.

Impact of social isolation on the level of physical activity in young Brazilian athletes caused by COVID-19.

Background: Social detachment to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemics in the year 2020 can significantly contribute to the physical inactivity of citizens worldwide. The study aimed to analyze the level of physical activity by identifying the training methods used during the social isolation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Sixty-eight Brazilian athletes (both sexes, 14.

Can the Neuromuscular Performance of Young Athletes Be Influenced by Hormone Levels and Different Stages of Puberty?

Background: Endocrine mechanisms can be a determining factor in the neuromuscular performance of young athletes.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to relate maturational and hormonal markers to neuromuscular performance, as well as to verify whether young athletes with different testosterone levels show differences in muscle strength.

Methods: The sample consisted of 37 young male Brazilian athletes (11.

Effect of hypertonic saline in the pretreatment of lung donors with hemorrhagic shock.

Background: Hemorrhagic shock-induced lung edema and inflammation are two of the main reasons for the rejection of lungs donated for transplantation. Hypertonic saline (HS) induces intravascular volume expansion and has considerable immunomodulating effects that might minimize edema. Our hypothesis is based on the use of a hypertonic solution for treatment of donors who are in shock in an attempt to increase the supply of lungs for transplantation.

Estimation of post mortem interval by tomographic images of intra-cardiac hypostasis.

The determination of the post mortem interval (PMI) is important in many instances, especially in criminal investigations. So, we consider post mortem tomographic evaluation of intra-cardiac hypostasis as an additional method for such purpose. Tomographic images of the thoraces of the corpses of 23 patients who died in a hospital were obtained sequentially at one hour intervals to allow the analysis of changes in density due to hypostasis over time.

Sex-related differences in lung inflammation after brain death.

Background: Donor sex has been suggested to be a factor influencing organ transplantation outcome. Sex hormones possess inflammatory and immune-mediating properties; therefore, immune responses may differ between males and females. Brain death (BD) affects organ function by numerous mechanisms including alterations in hemodynamics, hormonal changes, and increased systemic inflammation.

Draft Plastid and Mitochondrial Genome Sequences from Antarctic Alga Prasiola crispa.

The organelle genomes of the Antarctic alga Prasiola crispa (Lightfoot) Kützing have been sequenced. The plastid and mitochondrial genomes have a total length of 196,502 bp and 89,819 bp, respectively. These genomes have 19 putative photosynthesis-related genes and 17 oxidative metabolism-related genes, respectively.

Profile of phenolic compounds of Brazilian virgin olive oils by rapid resolution liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (RRLC-ESI-TOF-MS).

In recent years, agronomical researchers began to cultivate several olive varieties in different regions of Brazil to produce virgin olive oil (VOO). Because there has been no reported data regarding the phenolic profile of the first Brazilian VOO, the aim of this work was to determine phenolic contents of these samples using rapid-resolution liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry. 25 VOO samples from Arbequina, Koroneiki, Arbosana, Grappolo, Manzanilla, Coratina, Frantoio and MGS Mariense varieties from three different Brazilian states and two crops were analysed.

Distantiae transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi: a new epidemiological feature of acute Chagas disease in Brazil.

Background: The new epidemiological scenario of orally transmitted Chagas disease that has emerged in Brazil, and mainly in the Amazon region, needs to be addressed with a new and systematic focus. Belém, the capital of Pará state, reports the highest number of acute Chagas disease (ACD) cases associated with the consumption of açaí juice.

Methodology/principal Findings: The wild and domestic enzootic transmission cycles of Trypanosoma cruzi were evaluated in the two locations (Jurunas and Val-de Cães) that report the majority of the autochthonous cases of ACD in Belém city.

Thermal and electrical properties of starch-graphene oxide nanocomposites improved by photochemical treatment.

Bionanocomposite films have been prepared by casting an aqueous suspension of acetylated starch (ST) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) loaded with graphene oxide (GO). A photochemical and reagentless method has been successfully performed to convert the GO phase into reduced graphene oxide (RGO). The nanocomposites have displayed improved thermal and electrical properties when the amount of the GO phase is increased and properly converted to RGO.

Intrathecal injection of human umbilical cord blood stem cells attenuates spinal cord ischaemic compromise in rats.

Obectives: Spinal cord ischaemia with resulting paraplegia remains a devastating and unpredictable complication after thoraco-abdominal aortic surgery. With the advent of stem cell therapy and its potential to induce nervous tissue regeneration processes, the interest in the use of these cells as a treatment for neurological disorders has increased. Human stem cells, derived from the umbilical cord, are one of the strong candidates used in cell therapy for spinal cord injury because of weak immunogenicity and ready availability.

Loss of melanocytes in hypopigmented mycosis fungoides: a study of 18 patients.

Background: Hypopigmentation in hypopigmented mycosis fungoides (MF) is thought to result from the action of CD8+ cells on melanocytes. Here, we investigated the immunophenotype and melanocytic markers in hypopigmented MF lesions.

Methods: Specimens of hypopigmented lesions and normal skin from 18 patients with hypopigmented MF and specimens of non-hypopigmented lesions from 8 patients with classic/conventional MF were subjected to neoplastic immunophenotyping and melanocyte immunostaining with Melan-A, tyrosinase, stem cell factor receptor (CD117) and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MiTF).

Intraoral schwannoma: a case report.

Schwannoma (neurilemmona) is a benign nerve sheath composed of Schwann cells. This tumor represents 1% of all benign tumor, usually observed in the head and neck region, and in, rare cases, this lesion may be observed in oral cavity. They are usually asymptomatic, do not recur, and malignant transformation is rare.

Protective effects of aerobic exercise on acute lung injury induced by LPS in mice.

Introduction: The regular practice of physical exercise has been associated with beneficial effects on various pulmonary conditions. We investigated the mechanisms involved in the protective effect of exercise in a model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI).

Methods: Mice were divided into four groups: Control (CTR), Exercise (Exe), LPS, and Exercise + LPS (Exe + LPS).

Expression of acute-phase cytokines, surfactant proteins, and epithelial apoptosis in small airways of human acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Purpose: Recent studies suggest a role for distal airway injury in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The epithelium lining the small airways secretes a large number of molecules such as surfactant components and inflammatory mediators. There is little information on how these small airway secretory functions are altered in ARDS.

Immune receptors and adhesion molecules in human pulmonary leptospirosis.

Pulmonary involvement in leptospirosis has been increasingly reported in the last 20 years, being related to the severity and mortality of the disease. The pathogenesis of pulmonary hemorrhage in leptospirosis is not understood. Lung endothelial cells have been proposed as targets in the pathogenesis of lung involvement in leptospirosis through the activation of Toll-like receptor 2 or the complement system, which stimulates the release of cytokines that lead to the activation of adhesion molecules.

Impaired lung function in individuals chronically exposed to biomass combustion.

Background: The use of biomass for cooking and heating is considered an important factor associated with respiratory diseases. However, few studies evaluate the amount of particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.

Effect of fibrin glue on collagen deposition after autologous fascia grafting in rabbit vocal folds.

Objectives: Fibrin glue (FG) is a reaction product of fibrinogen and thrombin that forms a fibrin clot responsible for tissue adhesion. However, FG and its components may interfere with wound healing by interacting with cytokines such as transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of FG on collagen deposition after fascia grafting in the vocal folds of rabbits.

Microvascular lymphatic density analysis in cutaneous regressive and nonregressive superficial spreading melanomas using the lymphatic marker D2-40.

Background: The prognostic significance of spontaneous regression in melanoma, especially thin lesions, has been a controversial issue for the past 20 years, although recent studies suggest that extensive and late regression may be related to worse prognosis. Many data suggest that lymphangiogenesis predicts metastatic spread in melanoma.

Methods: We have quantified lymphatic microvascular density (LMVD) in thin (≤ 1.

Extracellular matrix composition of the cricopharyngeus muscle.

The aim of this study was to analyze the presence and distribution of total collagen, type I and type III collagen, elastic fibers, fibronectin, and versican in the endomysium of cricopharyngeus muscles from adults of various ages. The study was a cross-sectional analysis of human cricopharyngeus muscles. Twenty-seven muscles obtained from autopsies of men and women ranging in age from 28 to 92 years were analyzed with the Picrosirius method, oxidized Weigert resorcin-fuchsin, immunohistochemistry, and image analysis.

[What garbage represents for municipal collectors and recyclers in Fortaleza, State of Ceará (Brazil)].

This study sought to elicit a discussion about the significance of garbage from the standpoint of a group of municipal garbage collectors and garbage recyclers resident in Fortaleza, State of Ceará. Using qualitative methodology and the individual interview technique, this work presents the results of ongoing research that has been conducted together with the employees involved in the collection of household garbage in Fortaleza, State of Ceará, and those working in a plant for separating recyclable materials. During the period under analysis of the "world of garbage" eight interviews were staged.

Small airway remodeling in acute respiratory distress syndrome: a study in autopsy lung tissue.

Introduction: Airway dysfunction in patients with the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is evidenced by expiratory flow limitation and dynamic hyperinflation. These functional alterations have been attributed to closure/obstruction of small airways. Airway morphological changes have been reported in experimental models of acute lung injury, characterized by epithelial necrosis and denudation in distal airways.

Short-term specialized enteral diet fails to attenuate malnutrition impairment of experimental open wound acute healing.

Objective: We assessed the effect of enteral refeeding on the morphology, gene expression, and contraction of acute open wounds in previously malnourished rats using two different enteral diets.

Methods: Adult male isogenic Lewis rats divided into two groups (eutrophic, n = 30; and previously malnourished, 12-15% body weight loss, n = 27) were subjected to cutaneous dorsal wounds and gastrostomy. Control rats received a standard oral diet (AIN-93M chow) plus enteral saline solution.