Resumo Objetivo Analisar a eficácia do uso de plasma rico em plaquetas, obtido do sangue periférico e autólogo dos pacientes, na redução das queixas álgicas e melhoria funcional dos pacientes portadores de osteoartrite de joelhos, em comparação com o tratamento padrão com injeção de corticosteroides de depósito, como a triancilonola. Métodos Os pacientes foram acompanhados clinicamente na consulta pré-infiltrativa, com avaliação quantitativa através das escalas Knee Society Score (KSS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), e Kellgren and Lawrence. Além disso, os pacientes foram reavaliados com as mesmas escalas após 1 mês e 6 meses de intervenção com 2,5 mL de acetato de triancinolona ou 5 mL de plasma rico em plaquetas. O estudo foi feito em 50 pacientes portadores de osteoartrite de joelhos atendidos no Centro de Especialidades Médicas, divididos em amostras equivalentes randomizadas para cada terapia. Resultados No presente estudo, verificaram-se redução dos valores em escalas álgicas, como a WOMAC, e elevação das pontuações em escalas funcionais, como a KSS, evidenciadas em 180 dias após o uso de plasma rico em plaquetas, uma terapia feita a partir do sangue autólogo do paciente e com menos efeitos colaterais. Conclusão Embora ambas as terapias com plasma rico em plaquetas e corticosteroides tenham se mostrado eficazes na redução das queixas álgicas e na recuperação funcional, houve diferença significativa entre as terapias aos 180 dias. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, no tratamento da osteoartrite do joelho, o plasma rico em plaquetas demonstrou efeitos mais duradouros em 180 dias.

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to analyze the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma obtained from the peripheral, autologous blood of the patients in pain complaints reduction and functional improvement of knee osteoarthritis compared with the standard treatment with injectable corticosteroid, such as triamcinolone. Methods The patients were followed-up clinically at the preinfiltrative visit, with quantitative evaluation using the Knee Society Score (KSS), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score, and the Kellgren and Lawrence scales. In addition, they were reevaluated with the same scales after 1 month and 6 months of intervention with 2.5 mL of triamcinolone acetate or 5 mL of platelet-rich plasma. The study was performed on 50 patients with knee osteoarthritis treated at the Medical Specialty Center and randomly divided into equivalent samples for each therapy. Results The present study verified the reduction of pain scores, such as the WOMAC score, and elevations of functional scales, such as the KSS, evidenced in 180 days when using platelet-rich plasma, a therapy that uses the autologous blood of the patient and has fewer side effects. Conclusion Although both platelet-rich plasma and corticosteroid therapies have been shown to be effective in the reduction pain complaints and functional recovery, there was a statistically significant difference between them at 180 days. According to the results obtained, platelet-rich plasma presented longer-lasting effects within 180 days in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

Resumo As decisões de internacionalização envolvem a localização de subsidiárias, enquanto as operações internacionais decidem a configuração e coordenação das atividades das plantas. Este artigo tem como objetivo identificar como se relacionam as estratégias de atuação internacional com as decisões estratégicas de operações. Isto é ilustrado por meio de dois estudos de caso de empresas multinacionais da cadeia da soja, atuando no Brasil. A análise de dados secundários, as visitas às plantas processadoras e as entrevistas realizadas entre 2011 e 2013 sugerem que a localização condiciona todas as categorias de decisão de operações investigadas. Sugere-se que o framework do artigo seja utilizado em outros setores de commodities.

Abstract Internationalization decision-making relates to the location of subsidiaries while international operations define the configuration and coordination of the processing plant activities. This paper aims to identify how internationalization strategies are related to operation strategies decisions. We illustrate this relationship with two case studies of multinational companies in the soybean chain located in Brazil. The analysis of secondary data, on-site visit to the processing plants and interviews, suggest that the location is determinant to all the other strategic operations decision categories. Findings suggest that the study framework is useful to understand international operations in other commodities chains.

The classification of human papillomavirus (HPV) intratypic lineages by complete genome sequencing is a determinant in understanding biological differences in association with this disease. In this work, we have characterised complete HPV genomes from southern Brazil. Fifteen cervicovaginal Pap smear negative samples previously categorised as HPV-positive were sequenced using ultradeep sequencing, and 18 complete genomes from 13 different HPV types were assembled. Phylogenetic and genetic distance analyses were performed to classify the HPV genomes into lineages and sublineages. This is the first report describing the distribution of HPV intratype lineages of high and low oncogenic risk in asymptomatic women from southern Brazil.

ABSTRACT Chronic exposure to solar radiation could contribute to premature skin aging and skin cancer. Skin presents its own antioxidant defense, however when defenses are out of balance, reactive oxygen species could damage biological structures. In the present work, an oil-in-water photoprotective emulsion was developed and Bauhinia microstachya var. massambabensis Vaz, Fabaceae, extracts at 1% (obtained by extraction with different solvents) were added to this emulsion. In vitro and in vivo efficacy and safety of the formulations were evaluated. Spectrophotometric methods and in vivo Colipa test were performed to evaluated efficacy of the formulations, through sun protection factor (SPF) determination and UVA protection factor assessment. To the in vitro safety assessment HET-CAM, CAM-TBS and Red Blood Cell tests were performed. Results showed that both extracts contributed to a higher in vivo photoprotection (SPF 18) when compared to the formulation without extract (SPF 13), this result could be attributed to the antioxidant activity of the plant extracts that act by capturing reactive oxygen species. Concerning safety, all formulations were considered non-irritant according to in vitro tests. Formulations containing extracts could be considered efficient and safe for cosmetic use since they presented higher sun protection factor and passed the toxicity tests.

Abstract Some species of the Clusia genus have been shown to have important biomedical properties, including the ability to inhibit tumor growth in vitro and the usefulness for skin care. In this study, we examined the cytotoxic effect of hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts from Clusia latipes Planch. & Triana, Clusiaceae, leaves on survival of human prostate cancer cells (PC-3), colon cancer cells (RKO), astrocytoma cells (D-384), and breast cancer cells (MCF-7). The ethyl acetate extract displayed the most substantial cytotoxic effect. However, using a Comet assay, we observed that the hexane extract induced a genotoxic effect (DNA damage) on human lymphocytes in an in vitro model. Chromatographic purification of the C. latipes hexane extract led to the isolation and identification of friedelin, friedolan-3-ol, and hesperidin as active cytotoxic compounds in hexane extract, while β-amyrine was identified as an active cytotoxic compound in the ethyl acetate extract of C. latipes, thereby supporting further studies of the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of these secondary metabolites on cancer cell survival.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar se a injeção intra-articular de Plasma rico em plaquetas (PRP) pode reduzir a apoptose pós-traumática de condrócitos. MÉTODOS: Foi desenvolvido um estudo experimental duplo-cego com quatro joelhos de coelhos adultos. Após a anestesia, os animais foram submetidos à contusão padronizada dos joelhos. Depois foi injetado 1ml de PRP humano nos dois joelhos esquerdos e 1ml de solução fisiológica (SF) nos dois joelhos direitos. Os dois coelhos foram mantidos no mesmo ambiente sob controle de temperatura, de atividades diárias e de alimentação. A eutanásia dos animais ocorreu dez dias após a intervenção e foram realizadas biópsias da cartilagem de cada joelho. As peças foram preparadas para análise em microscopia eletrônica (ME). RESULTADOS: Quatro preparados para ME foram obtidos, cada um correspondendo a um joelho. Os joelhos-PRP apresentaram as taxas de apoptose de 47,62% (50/105) e de 48,36% (59/122), respectivamente. Nos joelhos-SF as taxas de apoptose foram, respectivamente, 56,67% (17/30) e 70,40% (88/125). A diferença do índice de apoptose nos joelhos-PRP (48,02%) e nos joelhos-SF (67,74%) foi significante (p<0,001) e OR=0,439 (IC95%=0.287-0.673). CONCLUSÃO: A injeção intra-articular de PRP imediatamente ao trauma, reduz as taxas de apoptose (pós-traumática) de condrócitos de coelhos.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if the injection of intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can reduce impact-induced chondrocyte apoptosis. METHODS: A double-blind experimental study was developed in four knees of two adult rabbits. Each knee was injured after anesthesia. Subsequently, 1ml PRP was injected in the right knees and 1ml of normal saline (NS) in the left knees. The animals were euthanized ten days after the intervention. All cartilage was removed from the 4 knees and prepared for analysis in electron microscopy (EM). RESULTS: Four EM samples were obtained. The PRP-injected knees showed apoptosis rates of 47,62% (50/105) and 48,36% (59/122), respectively. NS-injected knees showed 56.67% (17/30) and 70.40% (88/125) of apoptosis. PRP-injected knees had statistically significant less apoptosis (48.02%) than NS-injected ones, (67.74%, p<0,001) and odds ratio of 0.439 (95% CI=0.287-0.673). CONCLUSION: Immediately post-traumatic intra-articular injection of PRP reduces impact-induced chondrocyte apoptosis in rabbits.

Synthesis of polymorphous of nanoparticulate alumina has been the subject of many works. The stabilization of these nanoparticles in aqueous suspensions is necessary in many technologic application and industrial products. Recently, a number of routes have been developed using various dispersants to prepare these nanoparticles dispersed in aqueous solution. In this work, nanoparticulate alumina prepared by precipitation and freezing drying was investigated as potential material for aqueous dispersion. These nanoparticles were dispersed in methylethylglycol (MEG), polyvinylalcohol (PVA) and polymethacrylate (PMA). The alumina nanoparticles and the dispersions were characterized physical-chemically and tested in the preparation of thin films.

As hérnias discais extremolaterais correspondem a 10% das hérnias discais sintomáticas, mais comumente localizadas nos níveis L3-L4 e L4-L5. Por muitos anos, a abordagem cirúrgica das hérnias lombares foraminais e extraforaminais foi feita através de via de acesso posterior mediana com hemilaminectomia e facetectomia total ou parcial. A abordagem cirúrgica dessa patologia pela via paramediana, entre os músculos multífido e longuíssimo (via de Wiltse), tem a vantagem de poupar o paciente de perdas ósseas e permitir uma visão mais oblíqua do neuro-foramen. Essa abordagem permite, com mínima mobilização da raiz de L4, acesso ao disco L4-L5 e eventuais herniações extra-foraminais do mesmo. Nosso objetivo é avaliar se há relação entre características antropométricas de um indivíduo e a localização da raiz de L4 no espaço intertransversário, acessado pela via de Wiltse, para com isso poder antecipar alguns riscos cirúrgicos. Foram realizadas dissecções em 21 cadáveres (42 lados) e obtidas as respectivas medidas de peso e altura além da distância entre a base do processo transverso de L5 e o ponto onde a raiz de L4 o cruza. A análise dos dados nos permite concluir que não há relação estatisticamente significativa entre as variáveis envolvidas.

Far lateral disc hernias account for ten percent of all symptomatic disc hernias, usually located at L3-L4 and L4-L5 levels. For many years, the surgical approach to foraminal and extraforaminal lumbar disc hernias was provided through the median posterior access way, with total or partial hemilaminectomy and facetectomy. The advantage of the surgical approach for this pathology through the paramedian way, between the multifidus and longissimus muscles (Wiltse’s access) is to spare patients from bone losses and to allow a more oblique view of the neuroforamen. Moreover, this approach allows for accessing the L4-L5 disc and its potential extraforaminal herniations with minimum L4 root mobilization. Our objective is to assess the potential correlation between anthropometric parameters and the L4 root topography. Twenty-one cadavers (42 sides) were dissected and some parameters were measured: cadavers’ weight and height, width of the L5 transverse process, distance between L5 transverse process base and the point where the L4 root crosses it. The analysis of data allows us to conclude that no statistically significant correlation exists among the involved variables.