Continuous Monitoring of Pulse Oximetry During the 6-Minute Walk Test Improves Clinical Outcomes Prediction in COPD.

Background: Continuous monitoring of S throughout the 6-min walk test (6MWT) unveiled that some patients with respiratory diseases may present values across the test lower than S measured at the end of the test. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether this approach improves the yield of walk-induced desaturation detection in predicting mortality and hospitalizations in patients with COPD.

Methods: Four hundred twenty-one subjects (51% males) with mild-very severe COPD underwent a 6MWT with continuous measurement of S .

Alteplase and DNase for the treatment of pleural empyema in rats.

Background And Objectives: Adjunctive intrapleural fibrinolytic is an option to treat empyema at fibrinopurulent stage, but there is controversy about which should be use. Our objective is to evaluate the action of alteplase and/or desoxyribonuclease at physical and chemical properties in vitro pus derived from an experimental induced empyema in rats.

Methods: Streptococcus pneumoniae was introduced into the pleural cavity by thoracentesis through pleural pressure monitor.

Sensory consequences of critical inspiratory constraints during exercise in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

We aimed to assess detailed ventilatory and sensory responses to exercise contrasting subjects with and without PAH. 20 non-smoking patients with PAH (37.5 ± 12.

Low exertional inspiratory capacity is not related to dynamic inspiratory muscle weakness in heart failure.

Reduction in inspiratory capacity (IC) during exercise has been reported in chronic heart failure (CHF). Since inspiratory muscle dysfunction may be present to a variable degree, the assumption that IC reduction during exercise represents an increase in end-expiratory lung volume must be made with caution. This interpretation is flawed if patients develop dynamic inspiratory muscle strength reduction, i.

Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-ß1) levels in a rat model of induced pleural empyema.

Purpose: To evaluate the concentration of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1) levels in a rat pleural effusion obtained by inoculation of intrapleural bacteria or turpentine through thoracentesis.

Methods: Thirty-Nine Wistar rats were divided into three groups: Staphylococcus aureus (SA, n = 17); Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP, n = 12); and turpentine (control, n = 10). Pleural fluid was collected through ultrasound-guided thoracentesis 12 h, 24 h, and 36 h after instillation of bacteria or turpentine.

Molecular Interactions of an Ornithine-Rich pH-Responsive Self- Assembling Peptide with a Model Lipid Membrane: Conformational Aspects.

Investigating interactions of designed peptide-based biomaterials with lipid membranes is important for applications in nanobiotechnology. Here the interaction of an ornithine-rich pH-responsive peptide called P11-5 with a model membrane was investigated employing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed that in the range of pH 6.

Peptide KSL-W-Loaded Mucoadhesive Liquid Crystalline Vehicle as an Alternative Treatment for Multispecies Oral Biofilm.

Decapeptide KSL-W shows antibacterial activities and can be used in the oral cavity, however, it is easily degraded in aqueous solution and eliminated. Therefore, we aimed to develop liquid crystalline systems (F1 and F2) for KSL-W buccal administration to treat multispecies oral biofilms. The systems were prepared with oleic acid, polyoxypropylene (5) polyoxyethylene (20) cetyl alcohol (PPG-5-CETETH-20), and a 1% poloxamer 407 dispersion as the oil phase (OP), surfactant (S), and aqueous phase (AP), respectively.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) reverts behavioral alterations and brainstem BDNF level increase induced by neuropathic pain model: Long-lasting effect.

Introduction: Neuropathic pain (NP) is a chronic pain modality that usually results of damage in the somatosensory system. NP often shows insufficient response to classic analgesics and remains a challenge to medical treatment. The transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive technique, which induces neuroplastic changes in central nervous system of animals and humans.

28-mer Fragment Derived from Enterocin CRL35 Displays an Unexpected Bactericidal Effect on Listeria Cells.

Two shorter peptides derived from enterocin CRL35, a 43-mer bacteriocin, were synthesized i.e. the N-terminal fragment spanning from residues 1 to 15, and a 28-mer fragment that represents the C-terminal of enterocin CRL35, the residues 16 to 43.

A conjugate of the lytic peptide Hecate and gallic acid: structure, activity against cervical cancer, and toxicity.

Conjugate compounds constitute a new class of molecules of important biological interest mainly for the treatment of diseases such as cancer. The N-terminus region of cationic peptides has been described as important for their biological activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the lytic peptide Hecate (FALALKALKKALKKLKKALKKAL) and the effect of conjugating this macromolecule with gallic acid (C7H6O5) in terms of structure, anti-cancer activity, and toxicity.

Variability of the perception of dyspnea in healthy subjects assessed through inspiratory resistive loading.

Objective: Few studies have evaluated the variability of the perception of dyspnea in healthy subjects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the variability of the perception of dyspnea in healthy subjects during breathing against increasing inspiratory resistive loads, as well as to assess the association between the level of perception of dyspnea and the level of physical activity.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving healthy individuals 16 years of age or older.

Repeatability of the evaluation of perception of dyspnea in normal subjects assessed through inspiratory resistive loads.

Purpose: Study the repeatability of the evaluation of the perception of dyspnea using an inspiratory resistive loading system in healthy subjects.

Methods: We designed a cross sectional study conducted in individuals aged 18 years and older. Perception of dyspnea was assessed using an inspiratory resistive load system.

Effects of diaphragmatic contraction on lower limb venous return and central hemodynamic parameters contrasting healthy subjects versus heart failure patients at rest and during exercise.

The main objective was to assess the effects of abdominal breathing (AB) versus subject's own breathing on femoral venous blood flow (Qfv) and their repercussions on central hemodynamics at rest and during exercise contrasting healthy subjects versus heart failure (HF) patients. We measured esophageal and gastric pressure (PGA), Qfv and parameters of central hemodynamics in eight healthy subjects and nine HF patients, under four conditions: subject's own breathing and AB ( ∆: PGA ≥ 6 cmH2O) at rest and during knee extension exercises (15% of 1 repetition maximum) until exhaustion. Qfv and parameters of central hemodynamics [stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO)] were measured using Doppler ultrasound and impedance cardiography, respectively.

Oxygen desaturation during the six-minute walk test in COPD patients.

Objective: To evaluate the behavior of oxygen saturation curves throughout the six-minute walk test (6MWT) in patients with COPD.

Methods: We included 85 patients, all of whom underwent spirometry and were classified as having moderate COPD (modCOPD, n = 30) or severe COPD (sevCOPD, n = 55). All of the patients performed a 6MWT, in a 27-m corridor with continuous SpO2 and HR monitoring by telemetry.

Adequacy of ovarian diathermy under ultrasound control: an experimental model.

Background: To develop a minimally invasive ovarian cauterization technique under transvaginal ultrasound control and evaluate the safety and feasability of monopolar cauterization to cause ovarian injury using female cattle of reproductive age as an experimental model.

Method: Experimental study in a university research center was performed. Eleven female bovines of reproductive age were submitted to monopolar transvaginal ovarian cauterization.

Gastric yield pressure and gastric yield volume to assess anti-reflux barrier in a porcine model.

Anti-reflux barrier (ARB) resistance may be useful to test new treatments for gastroesophageal reflux (GER). The ARB has been estimated by increasing gastric yield pressure (GYP) and gastric yield volume (GYV) in animal models but has not been validated. This study aimed to develop an experimental model suitable for assessing the ARB resistance to increasing intragastric pressure and volume and its reproducibility in a seven-day interval.

Validation of a Brazilian quantitative sensory testing (QST) device for the diagnosis of small fiber neuropathies.

Quantitative sensory testing (QST) is defined as the determination of thresholds for sensory perception under controlled stimulus. Our aim was to validate a new QST device for Brazilian sample. In 20 healthy adults, thermoalgesic thresholds were assessed using a QST prototype (Heat Pain Stimulator-1.

Experimental model of tracheal stenosis with submucosal resection of cartilaginous rings combined with sodium hydroxide instillations.

Objective: To experimentally develop tracheal stenosis and malacia to test new models of tracheal stents.

Methods: We resected three cartilaginous rings from the cervical trachea of dogs in group A (n = 5) and six rings in group B (n = 4) to produce malacia. The mucosa of the region with malacia then received applications of a solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at 23%, and the animals were accompanied with bronchoscopic examinations to observe the development of luminal narrowing of the airway.

Bronchodilator effect on maximal breath-hold time in patients with obstructive lung disease.

Objective: To identify the role of bronchodilators in the maximal breath-hold time in patients with obstructive lung disease (OLD).

Methods: We conducted a case-control study including patients with OLD and a control group. Spirometric tests were performed prior to and after the use of a bronchodilator, as were breath-hold tests, using an electronic microprocessor and a pneumotachograph as a flow transducer.

Novel silicone stent to treat tracheobronchial lesions: results of 35 patients.

We describe a case series of 35 patients with either benign (14) or malignant (21) tracheal stenosis who were treated using a novel silicone stent, the HCPA-1, designed to prevent migration. Between March 2001 and September 2008, 13 women and 22 men received 41 HCPA-1 stents. The median duration of stenting in benign cases was 457 days (range, 4-2,961 days).

Vaginal probe transducer: characterization and measurement of pelvic-floor strength.

The pelvic-floor muscles (PFM) play an important role in urinary and fecal continence. Several investigators have studied the PFM using intra-vaginal pressure measurements, but their methods have not been validated. We describe the characteristics of a probe transducer developed to measure PFM strength according to its dynamic response and the effects of temperature variation.

Endoscopic augmentation of the esophagogastric junction with polymethylmethacrylate: durability, safety, and efficacy after 6 months in mini-pigs.

Background And Aims: Endoscopic augmentation of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) has been reported in an experimental short-term study. We assessed whether endoscopic augmentation of the EGJ with PMMA is durable, safe, and efficacious after 6 months in mini-pigs.

Methods: Ten mini-pigs were studied under anesthesia.

A new pelvic muscle trainer for the treatment of urinary incontinence.

Objective: To describe a new device for home treatment of urinary incontinence (UI) by comparing 3 conservative techniques and monitoring compliance and performance.

Methods: Thirty-two patients with UI were allocated to 1 of 3 intervention groups: pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME; n=11) alone; PFME combined with biofeedback (n=10); or PFME combined with electrical stimulation (n=11). The outcomes assessed were: changes in quality of life score (QLS), urodynamic and perineometric parameters, episodes of urine loss, subjective assessment of improvement, and actual compliance and performance with treatment.

[Development of a modified Dumon stent for tracheal applications: an experimental study in dogs].

Objective: To describe the development of a silicone stent and perform in vivo testing for biocompatibility/applicability in the normal canine trachea.

Methods: Four different densities were tested in order to obtain the silicone prototypes. The pressure required for compression considering a contact area of 1 cm(2), and a 30% reduction in diameter was calculated for each density.

Electrocautery versus 23% NaOH infiltration to induce subglottic stenosis in a canine experimental model.

Subglottic stenosis (SGS) is defined as the narrowing of the lower larynx. Difficulties in the management of subglottic stenosis, especially in the pediatric population, justify the development of experimental models. The objective of this study was to compare the two methods of experimental subglottic stenosis induction.