There is increasing evidence that neurofilament light chain (NF-L) can be considered as a biomarker for neuro-axonal damage. This polypeptide can be released into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the blood, where it can be quantified. The concentration of NF-L is elevated in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and psychiatric disorders. We aimed to investigate the NF-L levels in the CSF from treated MS patients and the relationship with depression or anxiety. The study involved three groups: control group (individuals without inflammation), the relapse-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS)-untreated group, and the RRMS-Fingo group (RRMS patients who were treated with fingolimod). MS disability was assessed by the Expanded Disability Status Scale, and depression and anxiety were evaluated by a neuropsychologist, using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory-II, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Individual CSF samples were collected to measure NF-L levels. The results of the statistical analysis on levels of NF-L in the CSF of control subjects, RRMS-untreated patients, and RRMS-Fingo patients were significant. The relationship between depression and anxiety in RRMS-Fingo patients and NF-L levels was not statistically significant. In conclusion, MS events such as anxiety and depression appear to contribute to the onset of clinical relapses, subclinical cases, and neurodegeneration.

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi demonstrar que o posicionamento radiográfico inadequado do membro pélvico de cães (imagens obliquadas) afeta a mensuração do ângulo do platô tibial (APT), levando à maior variação entre observadores. Foram realizadas duas projeções radiográficas nos membros pélvicos direito e esquerdo, uma em perfil verdadeiro e a outra com o membro obliquado em 21 cães provenientes do atendimento clínico cirúrgico do Hospital Veterinário da Universidade de Cuiabá, em Cuiabá-MT. Os critérios de inclusão foram cães livres de histórico ou afecção ortopédica nos membros pélvicos, pesando entre 15 e 40 quilos, sem predileção por raça ou sexo, entre dois e sete anos de idade. Foram obtidas 42 imagens radiográficas em perfil verdadeiro e 42 imagens radiográficas obliquadas. Três observadores com experiência em cálculo do APT fizeram as mensurações. Nos cálculos das imagens em perfil verdadeiro, o observador 1 obteve uma média de 23,35º ± 2,82; o observador 2, média de 23,88º ± 4,83; e o observador 3, média de 24,54º ± 4,01, não sendo encontrada diferença significativa entre o cálculo dos três avaliadores, P=0,944 (P > 0,05), nas imagens em perfil verdadeiro. Nos cálculos das imagens obliquadas, o observador 1 obteve uma média de 21,69º ± 4,22; o observador 2, média de 19,42º ± 5,92; e o observador 3, média de 22,64º ± 5,23, e foi encontrada diferença significativa entre o cálculo dos três observadores, P=0,016 (P < 0,05). Com esses dados, pôde-se demonstrar que a imagem radiográfica obliquada compromete o valor final do cálculo do ângulo do platô tibial em cães, levando à variação numérica estatisticamente significativa entre observadores. Conclui-se, assim, que um posicionamento correto do membro pélvico, em perfil verdadeiro, deve ser sempre utilizado para a obtenção de imagens, com o objetivo de mensurar o valor do APT.

ABSTRACT This work aimed at demonstrating that an inadequate radiographic position of pelvic limbs of dogs, from a strict lateral radiographic view, resulted in oblique images, affecting the measurement of the tibial plateau angle (TPA). There were two radiographic projections of the right and the left pelvic limb, one in strict lateral radiographic view and another with inclined hind limb in 21 dogs from the clinical surgical assistance at Hospital Veterinário of Universidade de Cuiabá in Cuiabá-MT. Inclusion criteria were dogs free from pelvic hind limbs orthopedic affection records, weighing between 15 and 40 kilos, without a preference for breed or gender and ageing between two and seven years old. A total of 42 radiographic images in strict lateral radiographic view and 42 inclined limb radiographic views were obtained. Three observers with TPA calculation experience made measurements. In the calculus for the strict lateral radiographic view the first observer has reached an average of 23,35º ± 2,82, the second observer 23,88º ± 4,83 and the third observer 24,54º ± 4,01. No significant statistic differences among the calculus of the three evaluators p=0,944 (P>0,05) was found. In the calculus of the inclined limbs radiographic views the first observer reached an average of 21,69º ± 4,22, the second observer 19,42º ± 5,92 and the third observer 22,64º ±. 5,23. Significant statistic difference in the calculus of the three observers, p=0,016, that is to say, P<0,05 was found. The data indicated that the inclined limb radiographic image compromises the final value of the calculation of tibial plateau angle in dogs. Thus, correct positioning of the pelvic limb, in a strict lateral radiographic view, must be always used for obtaining images aiming at measuring the value of TPA.

O estudo objetivou analisar a influência do índice de massa corporal (IMC) e do nível de atividade física (NAF) sobre a pressão arterial (PA) em adolescentes. A amostra foi constituída por 799 estudantes de ambos os sexos, com idade média de 12.09 anos (± 0.80). O peso, a estatura e a PA foram avaliados de acordo com critérios internacionalmente estabelecidos. Em seguida, procedeu-se ao cálculo do IMC e os sujeitos foram classificados de acordo com os pontos de corte propostos por Cole, Flegal e Dietz (2000). Para avaliar o NAF, procedeu-se ao preenchimento do questionário de estilo de vida modificado (Silva, Silva, & Martins, 2006). Observou-se que 9.1% dos adolescentes eram hipertensos, 11.8% tinham sobrepeso, 5.4% eram obesos e 47.2% dos sujeitos apresentaram baixo NAF. O fato de ser inativo (OR=1.99), insuficientemente ativo (OR = 1.87) e ser obeso (OR = 5.1) apresentou associação com o aumento das chances de desenvolver hipertensão. Ser inativo e insuficientemente ativo está fortemente associado ao desenvolvimento da obesidade (OR = 7.97 e 4.35) respectivamente. Na amostra estudada, o sobrepeso, a obesidade e o baixo NAF estão associados ao desenvolvimento de hipertensão arterial. Além disso, um baixo NAF está associado ao aumento de peso nos adolescentes.

This study aimed to analyze the influence of body mass index (BMI) and physical activity level (PAL) on blood pressure (BP) in adolescents. The sample was composed of 799 students of both genders, aged 12.09 (± 0.80). The weight, height and BP were assessed according to internationally established criteria, and BMI was calculated and classified according to the cutoff points proposed by Cole, Flegal and Dietz (2000). To evaluate the PAL, the modified lifestyle questionnaire was used (Silva, Silva, & Martins, 2006). We found that 9.1% of the subjects evaluated have high blood pressure, 11.8% were overweight, 5.4% were obese and 47.2% of the people presented low PAL. The fact of being inactive (OR = 1.99), insufficiently active (OR = 1.87) and obese (OR = 5.1) was associated with an increased risk of developing hypertension. Being inactive or insufficiently active was strongly associated with the development of the obesity (OR = 7.97 and 4.35) respectively. In the studied sample, the overweight, the obesity and low PAL are associated with the development of arterial hypertension. In addition, a low PAL is associated with an increasing number of overweight adolescents.

An increased incidence of nosocomial and community-acquired infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been observed worldwide. The molecular characterization of MRSA has played an important role in demonstrating the existence of internationally disseminated clones. The use of molecular biology methods in the surveillance programs has enabled the tracking of MRSA spread within and among hospitals. These data are useful to alert nosocomial infection control programs about the potential introduction of these epidemic clones in their areas. Four MRSA blood culture isolates from patients hospitalized at two hospitals in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, were analyzed; one of them was community acquired. The isolates were characterized as SCCmec, mecA and PVL by PCR, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profile and molecular sequence typing (MLST) genotyping. The isolates presented type IV SCCmec, and none proved to be positive for PVL. The isolates showed a PFGE profile similar to the pediatric clone. MLST genotyping demonstrated that the isolates belonged to clonal complex 5 (CC5), showing a new yqiL allele gene, resulting in a new sequence typing (ST) (1176). Our results showed that strains of MRSA carrying a new ST are emerging in community and nosocomial infections, including bacteremia, in São Paulo, Brazil.

The haemodialysis dose is a good marker of dialysis adequacy, and we usually monitor it with Kt/V measure. The dialysis dose monitored with Kt allows a better discrimination, detecting a percentage of the patients that perhaps do not get an adequate dose for their gender or body surface area after treatment with a minimum recommended dose of Kt/V. The objective of this study was to evaluate Kt as a clinical indicator referred to dialysis adequacy in the haemodialysis population. The aim was that more than 85% of the patients would achieve the recommended Kt target for their gender (at least 50 litres in men and 45 litres in women), or their body surface area. In each of the patients (mean 129) the Kt mean value was determined for three consecutive dialysis sessions, one every two months, during the follow-up period (14 months). At the beginning, the Kt/V value was on target (> 1.3) in 93.2% of the patients, but only in 58% according to Kt measure for their gender. After 4 months, we observed that 85% of patients' Kt target increased for their gender, but only 68% did if we used the Kt individualised for their body surface area. From month 6 to the end of the follow-up period, more than 85% of patients obtained an adequate Kt for their body surface area (p < 0.001). A significant increase of Kt mean (5.4 litres) was observed at the end of the study (p < 0.001). The usual dialysis prescription parameters were modified increasing blood flow rate (34.14ml/min, p < 0.001), session effective duration (8.04 minutes, p < 0.001), dialyser surface area (24.1% of patients changed from helixone 1.3 to 1.6m², p < 0.001) and haemodialysis modality (56.8% of patients changed from conventional haemodialysis to on-line haemodiafiltration, p < 0.001). We conclude that monitoring dialysis dose with Kt is a good clinical measure of adequacy, and using it as a quality indicator can be done in line with the more demanding quality standards.

La dosis de diálisis es un marcador de diálisis adecuada, y el Kt/V es el indicador más frecuentemente utilizado. La medición de la dosis con Kt permite una mejor discriminación en la adecuación e identifica a un porcentaje de pacientes que quizás no alcanzarían una dosis adecuada para su género o superficie corporal, pese a que el Kt/V supere el mínimo establecido. El propósito de este estudio fue evaluar el Kt como indicador de dosis de diálisis en población prevalente en hemodiálisis, con el objetivo de que más del 85% de los pacientes alcancen un Kt óptimo según el género (cuando su valor es superior a 50 l en varones y 45 l en mujeres) o la superficie corporal. En todos los pacientes (129 de media) se determina el valor promedio del Kt de tres sesiones consecutivas, con periodicidad bimensual, durante los 14 meses de duración del estudio. Al inicio, el 93,2% de los pacientes presentaban un Kt/V mayor de 1,3, frente al 58% con Kt óptimo por género. En el cuarto mes, el 85% de los pacientes alcanzaban el Kt objetivo por género, frente a un 68% según la superficie corporal. A partir del sexto mes y hasta el final, más del 85% de los pacientes alcanzaban el Kt prescrito por superficie corporal (p <0,001), con un incremento del Kt (p <0,001) de 5,4 l entre el inicio y el final del estudio. Se incrementó el flujo sanguíneo en 34,14 ml/min (p <0,001), el tiempo efectivo en 8,04 minutos (p <0,001), el 24,1% de pacientes con un dializador de mayor superficie (p <0,001) y el 56,8% de tratados con hemodiafiltración on-line (p <0,001). Concluimos que, pese a que el Kt se muestra más exigente que el Kt/V, su uso como indicador de calidad de dosis de diálisis es compatible con los estándares de calidad más ambiciosos.

Staphylococcus coagulase negativos (SCoN), especialmente Staphylococcus epidermidis tem se tornado causa importante de infecções da corrente circulatória nas últimas décadas. Além disso, percentuais de resistência a meticilina entre os SCoN têm aumentado significativamente, levando ao uso de glicopeptídeos nestes pacientes. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar onze casos consecutivos de bacteremia clinicamente relevantes por SCoN oxacilina resistentes em um hospital localizado na cidade de São Paulo, Brasil. Cinco diferentes espécies foram identificadas por diferentes métodos fenotípicos, incluindo S. epidermidis (5), S. haemolyticus (3), S. hominis (1), S. warneri (1) e S. cohnii subsp urealyticus (1). Diferentes perfis eletroforéticos obtidos pela técnica de "Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis" foram observados na análise da macrorestrição do DNA nos isolados de S. epidermidis, mas dois dos três isolados de S. haemolyticus apresentaram o mesmo perfil. Esses dados indicam uma heterogeneidade nos isolados SCoN, sugerindo que a disseminação horizontal no hospital investigado não é freqüente. Um isolado de S. epidermidis e um de S. haemolyticus foram resistentes à teicoplanina e sensíveis à vancomicina. Observa-se a relevância da pressão seletiva pelo uso de teicoplanina nos pacientes deste hospital.

In the last decades, coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), especially Staphylococcus epidermidis have become an important cause of bloodstream infections. In addition, rates of methicillin-resistance among CoNS have increased substantially, leading to the use of glicopeptides for therapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate eleven consecutives clinically relevant cases of oxacillin-resistant CoNS bacteremia in a general hospital localized in São Paulo city, Brazil. Five different species were identified by different phenotypic methods, including S. epidermidis (5), S. haemolyticus (3), S. hominis (1), S. warneri (1) and S. cohnii subsp urealyticus (1). A variety of Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis profiles was observed by macrorestriction DNA analysis in S. epidermidis isolates, but two of three S. haemolyticus isolates presented the same profile. These data indicated the heterogeneity of the CoNS isolates, suggesting that horizontal dissemination of these microorganisms in the investigated hospital was not frequent. One S. epidermidis and one S. haemolyticus isolates were resistant to teicoplanin and susceptible to vancomycin. The selective pressure due to the use of teicoplanin in this hospital is relevant.

Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar os efeitos da dessecação de plantas de feijão (cultivar Talismã) com carfentrazone-ethyl sobre a qualidade das sementes. Realizou-se a dessecação das plantas utilizando cinco doses (0, 10, 30, 60 e 120 g ha-1) de carfentrazone associadas a três épocas de aplicação: 25, 30 e 35 dias após o florescimento (DAF). Em intervalos de dois dias após cada aplicação, quantificou-se a evolução da perda de umidade das sementes. Oito dias após cada aplicação, realizou-se a colheita, sendo determinados o peso de 100 sementes e a proporção de sementes classificadas como "pequenas" (que passaram por peneira de crivo 14/64"), "médias" (retidas entre as peneiras de crivo 14/64" e 16/64") e "maiores" (que ficaram retidas na peneira de crivo 16/64"). A viabilidade das sementes foi avaliada pelo teste de germinação (TG). A aplicação de carfentrazone-ethyl em doses superiores a 60 g ha-1 aos 25 DAF acelerou a perda de umidade das sementes, afetando, o tamanho e o peso de 100 sementes. Melhores resultados foram obtidos com aplicação do dessecante nas doses entre 10 e 30 g ha-1, aos 30 DAF, proporcionando melhor rendimento e qualidade das sementes, sem efeito negativo sobre a germinação.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of bean desiccation (Talismã cultivar) with carfentrazone-ethyl on seed quality. Desiccation was performed by applying 5 rates (0, 10, 30, 60 and 120 g ha-1) of carfentrazone-ethyl associated to three application times, 25, 30 and 35 days after flowering (DAF). Humidity loss was quantified two days after each application. Harvest was performed eight days after each application, followed by determination of the weight of 100 seeds, and the proportion of seeds was classified as "small" (passed through sieve 14/64"), "medium" (retained in sieves 14/64" and 16/64") and "larger" (retained in sieves 16/64") and the germination test (GT). Carfentrazone-ethyl application, at doses superior to 60 g ha-1 rates, 25 DAF, accelerated seed humidity loss, affecting the size and weight of 100 seeds. Desiccant application between 10 and 30 g ha-1 rates, 30 DAF, provided better results, larger yield and seed quality without a negative effect on germination.

A gravimetric method was evaluated as a simple, sensitive, reproducible, low-cost alternative to quantify the extent of brain infarct after occlusion of the medial cerebral artery in rats. In ether-anesthetized rats, the left medial cerebral artery was occluded for 1, 1.5 or 2 h by inserting a 4-0 nylon monofilament suture into the internal carotid artery. Twenty-four hours later, the brains were processed for histochemical triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and quantitation of the schemic infarct. In each TTC-stained brain section, the ischemic tissue was dissected with a scalpel and fixed in 10% formalin at 0ºC until its total mass could be estimated. The mass (mg) of the ischemic tissue was weighed on an analytical balance and compared to its volume (mm³), estimated either by plethysmometry using platinum electrodes or by computer-assisted image analysis. Infarct size as measured by the weighing method (mg), and reported as a percent (%) of the affected (left) hemisphere, correlated closely with volume (mm³, also reported as %) estimated by computerized image analysis (r = 0.88; P < 0.001; N = 10) or by plethysmography (r = 0.97-0.98; P < 0.0001; N = 41). This degree of correlation was maintained between different experimenters. The method was also sensitive for detecting the effect of different ischemia durations on infarct size (P < 0.005; N = 23), and the effect of drug treatments in reducing the extent of brain damage (P < 0.005; N = 24). The data suggest that, in addition to being simple and low cost, the weighing method is a reliable alternative for quantifying brain infarct in animal models of stroke.