Abstract Objective: There are few studies on long-latency auditory evoked potential (P300) in people with hearing loss who use a cochlear implant. Central auditory system evaluation with behavioral and electrophysiological tests is believed to help understand the neuroplasticity mechanisms involved in auditory functioning after cochlear implant surgery. This study investigated the electrophysiological processing of cortical level acoustic signals in a group of 21 adult individuals with postlingual bilateral severe-to-profound hearing loss who were submitted to cochlear implant surgery. Methods: Data were collected in three phases: pre-cochlear implant surgery, at cochlear implant activation, and 6 months after surgery. P300 measures were also registered during all phases. Tone-burst and speech stimuli were used to elicit P300 and were presented in free field. Results: Mean P3 component latency with tone-burst and speech stimuli were 352.9 and 321.9 ms in the pre-cochlear implant phase, 364.9 and 368.7 ms in the activation phase, 336.2 and 343.6 ms 6 months after the surgery. The P3 component mean latency values using tone-burst at activation were significantly different from those 6 months after cochlear implant. They were also significantly different using speech, between pre-cochlear implant and activation phases. Lower P3 component latency occurred 6 months after cochlear implant activation with tone-burst and pre-cochlear implant with speech stimulus. There was a weak correlation between mean P3 component latency with speech stimulus and time of hearing loss. There was no difference in amplitude between phases or in the comparison with the other variables. Conclusion: There were changes in P3 component latency during the period assessed, for both speech and pure-tone stimuli, with increased latency in the activation phase and similar lower results in the two other phases, Pre-CI and 6 months after CI use. Mean amplitude measures did not vary in the three phases.

Abstract Several Piper species accumulate piperamides as secondary metabolites, and although they have relevant biological importance, many details of their biosynthetic pathways have not yet been described experimentally. Experiments involving enzymatic reactions and labeled precursor feeding were performed using the species Piper tuberculatum and Piper arboreum. The activities of the phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) enzymes, which are involved in the general phenylpropanoid pathway, were monitored by the conversion of the amino acid L-phenylalanine to cinnamic acid. The activity of the 4-hydroxylase (C4H) enzyme was also observed in P. tuberculatum by converting cinnamic acid to p-coumaric acid. L-[UL-14C]-phenylalanine was fed into the leaves of P. tuberculatum and incorporated into piperine (1), 4,5-dihydropiperine (2), fagaramide (4), trans-piplartine (7), and dihydropiplartine (9). In P. arboreum, it was only incorporated into the piperamide 4,5-dihydropiperiline (3). L-[UL-14C]-lysine was successfully incorporated into the 4,5-dihydropiperine piperidine group (2), dihydropyridinone, and trans- (7) and cis-piplartine (8). These data corroborate the proposal of mixed biosynthetic origin of piperamides with the aromatic moiety originating from cinnamic acid (shikimic acid pathway) and key amide construction with amino acids as precursors.

Resumo Diversas espécies do gênero Piper acumulam piperamidas como metabólitos secundários e, embora tenham relevante importância biológica, detalhes de suas vias biossintéticas ainda não foram descritos experimentalmente. Experimentos envolvendo reações enzimáticas e incorporação de precursores marcados foram realizados utilizando as espécies Piper tuberculatum e Piper arboreum. As atividades das enzimas fenilalanina amônia liase (PAL), que estão envolvidas na via geral dos fenilpropanoides, foram monitoradas pela conversão do aminoácido L-fenilalanina em ácido cinâmico. A atividade da enzima 4-hidroxilase (C4H) também foi observada em P. tuberculatum pela conversão do ácido cinâmico em ácido p-cumárico. L-[UL-14C]-fenilalanina foi administrada em folhas de P. tuberculatum e incorporada em piperina (1), 4,5-di-hidropiperina (2), fagaramida (4), trans-piplartina (7) e diidropiplartina (9). Em P. arboreum, foi incorporado apenas à piperamida 4,5-dihidropiperilina (3). L-[UL-14C]-lisina foi incorporada com sucesso em 4,5-diidropiperina (2), trans-piplartina (7) e cis-piplartina (8). Esses dados corroboram a proposta de origem biossintética mista de piperamidas com a porção aromática originada do ácido cinâmico (via do ácido chiquímico) e construção de amida chave com aminoácidos como precursores.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde geral em participantes com bronquiolite obliterante. Métodos: Foram incluídos no estudo participantes com diagnóstico de bronquiolite obliterante pós-infecciosa que estavam em acompanhamento em dois ambulatórios especializados de pneumologia pediátrica em Porto Alegre, Brasil e controles, entre 8 e 17 anos, de ambos os sexos. Os controles foram pareados por sexo, idade e nível socioeconômico em relação ao grupo de participantes com bronquiolite obliterante pós-infecciosa. Para avaliação da Qualidade de Vida Relacionada à Saúde geral foi aplicado a versão validada para o Brasil do instrumento PedsQL (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory), por meio de entrevista. A comparação entre as médias da Qualidade de Vida Relacionada à Saúde entre os grupos foi realizada mediante o teste t para amostras independentes e para as variáveis categóricas por teste qui-quadrado. Resultados: Participaram do estudo 34 pacientes com diagnóstico de bronquiolite obliterante pós-infecciosa e 34 controles. A média da idade das crianças incluídas foi de 11,2 ± 2,5 anos e 49 (72%) deles eram do sexo masculino. Os grupos não apresentaram diferenças significativas em relação a essas variáveis. O escore de qualidade de vida foi significativamente e clinicamente menor no grupo bronquiolite obliterante pós-infecciosa em comparação com o controle nos domínios saúde: (72,36 ± 15,6; 81,06 ± 16,4; p = 0,031); escolar: (62,34 ± 20,7; 72,94 ± 21,3; p = 0,043) e no escore total (69,53 ± 14,9; 78,02 ± 14,8, p = 0,024), respectivamente. Conclusão: Os pacientes com bronquiolite obliterante pós-infecciosa apresentam escores de qualidade de vida relacionados à saúde menor do que indivíduos saudáveis no escore total e nos domínios saúde e escolares.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the overall health-related quality of life in patients with bronchiolitis obliterans. Methods: Participants with a diagnosis of post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans, who were being followed-up at two specialized outpatient clinics of Pediatric Pulmonology in Porto Alegre, Brazil, and controls aged between 8 and 17 years, of both genders, were included in the study. Controls were paired by gender, age, and socioeconomic level in relation to the group of participants with post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans. The version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQ) tool validated for Brazil was applied for the assessment of Health-related Quality of Life, through an interview. The comparison of the Health-related Quality of Life means between the groups was performed using Student's t-test for independent samples and the chi-squared test, for categorical variables. Results: 34 patients diagnosed with post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans and 34 controls participated in the study. The mean age of the children included in the study was 11.2 ± 2.5 years, and 49 (72%) of them were males. The groups showed no significant differences in relation to these variables. The quality of life score was significantly and clinically lower in the post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans group when compared with controls in the health (72.36 ± 15.6, 81.06 ± 16.4, p = 0.031) and school domains (62.34 ± 20.7, 72.94 ± 21.3, p = 0.043), as well as in the total score (69.53 ± 14.9, 78.02 ± 14.8, p = 0.024), respectively. Conclusion: Patients with post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans presented lower health-related quality of life scores when compared with healthy individuals in the total score and in the health and school domains.

The known kavalactones (E)-4-methoxy-6-styryl-2H-pyran-2-one, 4-methoxy-6-(3-phenyloxiran-2-yl)-2H-pyran-2-one, 6-(1,2-dihydroxy-2-phenylethyl)-4-methoxy-2H-pyran-2-one, the three benzoic acid derivatives methyl-4-methoxy-3-(3'-methyl-2'-butenyl)benzoate and methyl 2,2-dimethyl-4-oxochroman-6-carboxylate, and a new methyl 4-methoxy-3-(3-methylbut-2-enoyl)benzoate were isolated from the ethanolic extract of Piper fuligineum. The structures of these compounds were determined by using a combination of spectroscopic methods, including 1D- and 2D-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry. This is the first report of the chemical study of P. fuligineum, and the methyl 4-methoxy-3-(3-methylbut-2-enoyl)benzoate is described as a new natural product.

Resumo Piper tuberculatum (Piperaceae) é uma espécie que acumula especialmente amidas como metabólitos secundários e diversas atividades biológicas dessa espécie foram relatadas anteriormente. No presente artigo, relatamos um estudo proteômico dessa espécie. Eletroforese bidimensional (2D SDS-PAGE) e espectrometria de massas (ESI-Q-TOF) foram utilizadas nesse estudos. Mais de cem spots e vários peptídeos foram identificados nesta espécie e as funções putativas desses peptídeos relacionadas a mecanismo de defesa como estresse biótico e abiótico foram atribuídos. As informações apresentadas ampliam a gama de informações moleculares dessa espécie.

Abstract Piper tuberculatum (Piperaceae) is a species that accumulates especially amides as secondary metabolites and several biological activities was previously reported. In this article, we report a proteomic study of P. tuberculatum. Bidimensional electrophoresis (2D SDS-PAGE) and mass spectrometry (ESI-Q-TOF) were used in this study. Over a hundred spots and various peptides were identified in this species and the putative functions of these peptides related to defense mechanism as biotic and abiotic stress were assigned. The information presented extend the range of molecular information of P. tuberculatum.

RESUMO Racional: Muitas são as injúrias que acometem o fígado e levam a estímulo lesivo. Alguns procedimentos terapêuticos para tratamento dessas lesões dependem da regeneração hepática para aumentar a sua capacidade funcional. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito do ácido tranexâmico na regeneração hepática após hepatectomia parcial em ratos. Método: Foram utilizados 40 ratos (Rattus norvegicus albinus, Rodentia mammalia) convencionais da linhagem Wistar-UP. Foram divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos de 20: grupo controle (CT) e grupo ácido tranexâmico (ATX). Cada um deles foi divido em dois subgrupos para avaliar a regeneração hepática no tempo de 32 h e 7 dias do pós-operatório. A regeneração do órgão foi avaliada quanto ao peso e histologia, sendo esta última por hematoxilina-eosina e antígeno nuclear de proliferação celular. Resultados: A média dos pesos dos animais dos grupos ATX 7 dias e CT 7 dias no pré-operatório foram de 411,2 g e 432,7 g, respectivamente, e após a regeneração foram de 371,3 g e 392,9 g. As médias das taxas de mitose coradas por HE dos dois grupos em 7 dias foram de 33,7 e 32,6 mitoses, respectivamente, e de 14,5 e 14,9 mitoses para os grupos ATX e CT 32 h. A contagem de células por antígeno nuclear de proliferação celular mostrou valores de 849,7 para o grupo ATX 7 dias e 301,8 para o CT 7 dias; 814,2 para o grupo ATX 32 h e 848,1 para o CT 32 h. Conclusão: O ácido tranexâmico mostrou-se efetivo na regeneração hepática somente em período mais longo de observação após hepatectomia parcial.

ABSTRACT Background: Different lesions may affect the liver resulting in harmful stimuli. Some therapeutic procedures to treat those injuries depend on liver regeneration to increase functional capacity of this organ. Aim: Evaluate the effects of tranexamic acid on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats. Method: 40 rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus, Rodentia mammalia) of Wistar-UP lineage were randomly divided into two groups named control (CT) and tranexamic acid (ATX), with 20 rats in each. Both groups were subdivided, according to liver regeneration time of 32 h or seven days after the rats had been operated. The organ regeneration was evaluated through weight and histology, stained with HE and PCNA. Results: The average animal weight of ATX and CT 7 days groups before surgery were 411.2 g and 432.7 g, and 371.3 g and 392.9 g after the regeneration time, respectively. The average number of mitotic cells stained with HE for the ATX and CT 7 days groups were 33.7 and 32.6 mitosis, and 14.5 and 14.9 for the ATX and CT 32 h groups, respectively. When stained with proliferating cell nuclear antigen, the numbers of mitotic cells counted were 849.7 for the ATX 7 days, 301.8 for the CT 7 days groups, 814.2 for the ATX 32 hand 848.1 for the CT 32 h groups. Conclusion: Tranexamic acid was effective in liver regeneration, but in longer period after partial hepatectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypotheses that 1) coronary artery disease patients with lower aerobic fitness exhibit a lower ventilatory efficiency and 2) coronary artery disease patients with lower initial aerobic fitness exhibit greater improvements in ventilatory efficiency with aerobic exercise training. METHOD: A total of 123 patients (61.0±0.7 years) with coronary artery disease were divided according to aerobic fitness status into 3 groups: group 1 (n = 34, peak VO2<17.5 ml/kg/min), group 2 (n = 67, peak VO2>17.5 and <24.5 ml/kg/min) and group 3 (n = 22, peak VO2>24.5 ml/kg/min). All patients performed a cardiorespiratory exercise test on a treadmill. Ventilatory efficiency was determined by the lowest VE/VCO2 ratio observed. The exercise training program comprised moderate-intensity aerobic exercise performed 3 times per week for 3 months. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02106533 RESULTS: Before intervention, group 1 exhibited both lower peak VO2 and lower ventilatory efficiency compared with the other 2 groups (p<0.05). After the exercise training program, group 1 exhibited greater improvements in aerobic fitness and ventilatory efficiency compared with the 2 other groups (group 1: ▵ = -2.5±0.5 units; group 2: ▵ = -0.8±0.3 units; and group 3: ▵ = -1.4±0.6 units, respectively; p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Coronary artery disease patients with lower aerobic fitness status exhibited lower ventilatory efficiency during a graded exercise test. In addition, after 3 months of aerobic exercise training, only the patients with initially lower levels of aerobic fitness exhibited greater improvements in ventilatory efficiency.

The constant evolution of science and the growing demand for new technologies have led to new techniques in instrumentation that can improve detection, separation, resolution, and peak capacity. Comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography (LC×LC) is presented as a powerful tool in complex sample analyses. During an analysis, a sample is subjected to two independent separation mechanisms that are combined, resulting in increased resolving power. For appropriate application of LC×LC, understanding the influence of parameters that require optimization is necessary. The main purpose of optimization is to predict the combination of stationary phases, separation conditions, and instrumental requirements to obtain the best separation performance. This review discusses theoretical, intrumental, and chemometric aspects of LC×LC and focuses on its applications in foods. It aims to provide a clear understanding of the aspects that can be used as strategies in the optimization of this analytical method.

Several species of Croton have been described with biological activities, mainly due to diterpenes, alkaloids and/or other secondary metabolites. These activities account for the traditional use of Croton species to treat certain diseases in South America, Asia and Western Africa. The crude methanol extracts obtained from leaves and steam bark of Croton dichrous Müll. Arg., C. erythroxyloides Baill., C. myrianthus Müll. Arg. and C. splendidus Mart. ex Colla were tested for antiproliferative activity against ten human cancer cell lines. Chemical analyses of all extracts were carried out by GC/MS and HPLC/MS/MS. The leaf extract obtained from C. erythroxyloides showed potent activity against PC-3 (prostate) and OVCAR-3 (ovary) cell lines. Lupeol is suggested to be involved in such activity. Tiliroside, an acyl-glycosilated flavonoid ubiquitous in all tested extracts, seems to play an important role in the observed moderate activity of most extracts against the leukemia K562 cell lineage.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the following: 1) the effects of continuous exercise training and interval exercise training on the end-tidal carbon dioxide pressure (PETCO2) response during a graded exercise test in patients with coronary artery disease; and 2) the effects of exercise training modalities on the association between PETCO2 at the ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT) and indicators of ventilatory efficiency and cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with coronary artery disease. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients (59.7 + 1.7 years) with coronary artery disease were randomly divided into two groups: continuous exercise training (n = 20) and interval exercise training (n = 17). All patients performed a graded exercise test with respiratory gas analysis before and after three months of the exercise training program to determine the VAT, respiratory compensation point (RCP) and peak oxygen consumption. RESULTS: After the interventions, both groups exhibited increased cardiorespiratory fitness. Indeed, the continuous exercise and interval exercise training groups demonstrated increases in both ventilatory efficiency and PETCO2 values at VAT, RCP, and peak of exercise. Significant associations were observed in both groups: 1) continuous exercise training (PETCO2VAT and cardiorespiratory fitness r = 0.49; PETCO2VAT and ventilatory efficiency r = -0.80) and 2) interval exercise training (PETCO2VAT and cardiorespiratory fitness r = 0.39; PETCO2VAT and ventilatory efficiency r = -0.45). CONCLUSIONS: Both exercise training modalities showed similar increases in PETCO2 levels during a graded exercise test in patients with coronary artery disease, which may be associated with an improvement in ventilatory efficiency and cardiorespiratory fitness.

Croton macrobothrys Baill, Euphorbiaceae, is a tree from the Atlantic Forest in Southern Brazil, used in traditional medicine and popularly known as "dragon's blood" and "pau-sangue". Leaf n-hexane, dichloromethane and methanol extracts were analyzed by GC/MS and evaluated for their in vitro antiproliferative activity on cell lines 786-0 (kidney), HT-29 (colon), K562 (leukemia), NCI-ADR/RES (drug resistant ovary), NCI-H460 (lung), MCF-7 (mammary), PC-3 (prostate), OVCAR-3 (ovary), U251 (glioma) and UACC-62 (melanoma). The dicloromethane extract exhibited activity against all cell lines at the concentration 25 µg/mL, in particular on cell lines NCI-H460 (GI50 0.33 μg/mL) and K5662 (GI50 0.91 μg/mL). Relevant constituents in dichloromethane extract are the alkaloids corydine and salutaridine, as well as the diterpenes geranylgeraniol and crotonin-derived clerodanes.

O óleo essencial extraído de Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Staf, Poaceae, é rico em citral sendo amplamente empregado na indústria química e farmacêutica. Os objetivos desse estudo foram avaliar o conteúdo de citral entre populações de C. citratus coletados em duas regiões diferentes (Ibiúna e Pindamonhangaba, Estado de São Paulo). O óleo essencial extraído de uma população cultivada em Pindamonhangaba-SP apresentou uma concentração alta de citral (aproximadamente 96,0%), enquanto que o óleo extraído da população de Ibiúna-SP apresentou, além de citral, proporções elevadas de outro monoterpeno, o geraniol. Adicionalmente, os óleos essenciais obtidos desta população de C. citratus foram extraídos e analisados ao longo de 24 h (a cada 3 h), sendo que o teor de citral foi maior no período da noite, o que mostra a importância de estudos que avaliam as diferenças químicas associadas às mudanças circadianas. Os componentes dos óleos essenciais foram identificados por RMN de 13C, CG/EM e CG através do índice de Kovats.

The essential oil extracted from Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Staf, Poaceae, is rich in citral and has many applications in chemical and pharmaceutical industry. The aims of this study were evaluate the amount of citral in populations of C. citratus collected in two different regions (Ibiúna and Pindamonhangaba, São Paulo State). The essential oil extracted of a cultivated population in Pidamonhangaba-SP, showed a high content of citral (approximately 96.0%), while the essential oil from Ibiuna-SP, showed citral and high amounts of another monoterpene, geraniol. Additionally, the essential oils from this population of C. citratus were extracted and analyzed during 24 h (each 3 h), being the major concentration of citral in the night period, indicating that studies which evaluated the chemical differences associated to circadian changes. The components of essential oils were identified through 13C NMR, GC/MS, GC and Kovat's index.

OBJETIVO: Apresentar o primeiro caso de infecção disseminada por Trichosporon spp em um recém-nascido no Brasil, discutindo alguns aspectos de manejo e tratamento. Um novo espectro de agentes infecciosos associado a infecções graves em UTI neonatais tem surgido. Ele atinge particularmente recém-nascidos com peso de nascimento abaixo de 1.000 g. A infecção por Trichosporon asahii é rara e quase sempre fatal nesse grupo. DESCRIÇÃO: É apresentado o caso de um recém-nascido de 815 g com infecção fatal por Trichosporon spp. Na literatura pesquisada nos principais bancos de dados, apenas nove artigos foram encontrados, com descrição de 14 casos de infecção por esse fungo em recém-nascidos prematuros. CONCLUSÕES: A taxa de infecção fúngica invasiva é de cerca de 6% no grupo de risco referido acima, sendo a causada por Trichosporon uma possibilidade. A taxa de mortalidade desses casos é muito alta, mas o tratamento precoce com triazólicos melhora muito o seu prognóstico.

OBJECTIVE: To report the first case of disseminated Trichosporon spp infection in a newborn infant in Brazil, discussing a few aspects concerning management and treatment. A new spectrum of pathogens associated with severe infections in neonatal ICU has arisen, afflicting mainly newborn infants weighing less than 1,000 g at birth. Infection with Trichosporon asahii is rare and often fatal in this group of patients. DESCRIPTION: A case of Trichosporon spp fatal infection in a newborn weighing 815 g at birth is reported. Literature search in the main databases returned only nine articles, reporting 14 cases of infection with this fungus in preterm newborns. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of invasive fungal infection is around 6% in this group of patients, Trichosporon infection being a likely occurrence. Mortality rate in these cases is extremely high, but early treatment with triazole antifungals improves prognosis significantly.

The growth hormone 1 gene (GH1) is a candidate gene for body weight and weight gain in cattle since it plays a fundamental role in growth regulation. We investigated the GH1 gene AluI and DdeI restriction enzyme polymorphisms, located 149 bp apart in the cattle genome, as possible markers of the production potential of Canchim crossbreed cattle, a 5/8 Charolais (Bos taurus) and 3/8 Nelore (Bos indicus) breed developed in Brazil, by evaluating the birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight and plasma insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentration of 7 month to 10 months old Canchim calves (n = 204) of known genealogy and which had been genotyped for the AluI and DdeI markers. Our results showed significant effect (p < 0.05) between the homozygous DdeI+/DdeI+ polymorphism and the estimated breeding value for weaning weight (ESB-WW), while the AluI leucine homozygous (L/L) and leucine/valine (L/V) heterozygous polymorphisms showed no significant effect on the traits studied. The restriction sites of the two enzymes led to the formation of haplotypes which also exerted a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the ESB-WW, with the largest difference being 8.5 kg in favor of the homozygous L plus DdeI+/L plus DdeI+ genotype over the heterozygous L plus DdeI-/V plus DdeI+ genotype.