Abstract Objectives: Our aim was to identify the effects of a unilateral stretching on both stretched and non-stretched maximal voluntary contraction by gender. Method: Sample was composed of 80 asymptomatic college students (44 females, 36 males), regardless of physical activity level (21.3 ± 3.7 years, 166.7 ± 8.8 cm, 64.6 ± 16.0 kg). Maximal voluntary contraction was measured on both members at rest, and after three sets of 20 s unilateral passive stretching exercise on dominant member (20 min interval). Data were analyzed by two way repeated measures ANOVA. Results: Results showed a significant difference on pre and post-stretching maximal voluntary contraction (32 ± 13 vs 29 ± 12 kgf y 31 ± 13 vs 28 ± 12 kgf, for control and stretching, respectively, p < 0.001), with no difference for stretching and control members (p = 0.951), while men showed a greater loss of strength than women (p < 0.001). Conclusion: our results sustain the premise that deleterious effects of stretching on strength are not only due to mechanical factors, as muscle complacence. It is possible that neural inhibition has reflection in reduction of strength.

Resumo Objetivos: Nosso objetivo foi identificar os efeitos de um alongamento unilateral no desempenho da força de contração voluntária máxima ipsilateral e contralateral em função do gênero. Método: A amostra foi composta de 80 estudantes universitários assintomáticos (44 mulheres, 36 homens), independentemente do nível de atividade física (21.3 ± 3.7 anos, 166.7 ± 8.8 cm, 64.6 ± 16.0 kg). A contração voluntária máxima foi medida em ambos os membros em repouso, e depois de três séries de 20 s de alongamento passivo unilateral no membro dominante (20 min de intervalo). Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente pela ANOVA de dois entradas com medidas repetidas. Resultados: Os resultados apresentaram diferença significativa na contração voluntária máxima pré e pós-alongamento (32 ± 13 vs. 29 ± 12 kgf e 31 ± 13 vs. 28 ± 12 kgf, para controle e alongado, respectivamente, p < 0.001), contudo sem diferenças entre os membros alongado e controle (p = 0.951), sendo que os homens apresentaram maiores perdas de força que as mulheres (p < 0.001). Conclusão: Nossos resultados sustentam a premissa de que os efeitos deletérios do alongamento sobre a força não se devem apenas a fatores mecânicos, como complacência muscular. É possível que a inibição neural tenha reflexo na redução da força.

Resumen Objetivos: Nuestro objetivo fue identificar los efectos de un estiramiento unilateral en el rendimiento de la fuerza de contracción voluntaria máxima ipsilateral y contralateral en función del género. Método: La muestra estuvo compuesta por 80 estudiantes universitarios asintomáticos (44 mujeres, 36 hombres), con independencia del nivel de actividad física (21.3 ± 3.7 años, 166.7 ± 8.8 cm, 64.6 ± 16.0 kg). La contracción voluntaria máxima se midió en ambas extremidades en reposo, y después de tres series de 20 s de estiramiento pasivo unilateral en el miembro dominante (20 min de intervalo). Los datos fueron analizados estadísticamente mediante ANOVA de dos entradas con medidas repetidas. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron una diferencia significativa en la contracción voluntaria máxima antes y después del estiramiento (32 ± 13 vs. 29 ± 12 kgf y 31 ± 13 vs. 28 ± 12 kgf, para el grupo control y el de estiramiento, respectivamente, p < 0.001), pero no hubo diferencias entre los miembros de los grupos de estiramiento y de control (p = 0.951), mientras que los hombres mostraron una mayor pérdida de fuerza que las mujeres (p < 0.001). Conclusiones: Nuestros resultados apoyan la premisa de que, los efectos nocivos del estiramiento sobre la fuerza, no sólo se deben a factores mecánicos, como la complacencia muscular. Es posible que la inhibición neural tenga reflejo en la reducción de la fuerza.

Morphine is a potent analgesic opioid used extensively for pain treatment. During the last decade, global consumption grew more than 4-fold. However, molecular mechanisms elicited by morphine are not totally understood. Thus, a growing literature indicates that there are additional actions to the analgesic effect. Previous studies about morphine and oxidative stress are controversial and used concentrations outside the range of clinical practice. Therefore, in this study, we hypothesized that a therapeutic concentration of morphine (1 μM) would show a protective effect in a traditional model of oxidative stress. We exposed the C6 glioma cell line to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and/or morphine for 24 h and evaluated cell viability, lipid peroxidation, and levels of sulfhydryl groups (an indicator of the redox state of the cell). Morphine did not prevent the decrease in cell viability provoked by H2O2 but partially prevented lipid peroxidation caused by 0.0025% H2O2 (a concentration allowing more than 90% cell viability). Interestingly, this opioid did not alter the increased levels of sulfhydryl groups produced by exposure to 0.0025% H2O2, opening the possibility that alternative molecular mechanisms (a direct scavenging activity or the inhibition of NAPDH oxidase) may explain the protective effect registered in the lipid peroxidation assay. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that morphine in usual analgesic doses may contribute to minimizing oxidative stress in cells of glial origin. This study supports the importance of employing concentrations similar to those used in clinical practice for a better approximation between experimental models and the clinical setting.

The present study evaluated serum levels of urea, creatinine, calcium and phosphorus in non-azothemic dogs by continued use of lactulose orally. Serum levels of urea, creatinine, calcium and phosphorus were determined in Beagle dogs, clinically healthy and without biochemical changes (non-azothemic), undergoing oral treatment with lactulose (n = 6), for a period of 30 days. The prebiotic showed no significant lowering effect on serum urea and creatinine, but the values of calcium and phosphorus, as well as their relation, were modified with reduced serum phosphorus levels in animals treated with lactulose compared to controls, with a significant difference.

Descreve-se o primeiro caso de granuloma leproide canino na região amazônica, Brasil, em um canino da raça Boxer, procedente do município de Castanhal, Pará, que apresentava lesões nodulares, alopécicas, firmes, ulceradas e não pruriginosas nas duas pinas. Os nódulos foram retirados cirurgicamente e enviados para análise histopatológica. O exame microscópico revelou marcada infiltração inflamatória constituída por macrófagos, plasmócitos, neutrófilos, linfócitos e células gigantes. A técnica de Ziehl-Neelsen evidenciou grande quantidade de bacilos álcool-ácido resistentes no interior de macrófagos e de células gigantes. Houve forte reatividade ao exame imuno-histoquímico para Mycobacterium spp.

This study describes the first case of canine leproid granuloma in the Amazon region, Brazil. A Boxer dog from the city of Castanhal, Pará presented nodular, alopecic, firm, ulcerated, non-pruritic lesions on both pinnae. The nodules were removed surgically and submitted to histopathological analysis. The microscopic exam revealed marked inflammatory infiltrate composed of macrophages, plasma cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes and giant cells. The Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique showed a large amount of alcohol-acid resistant bacilli inside macrophages and giant cells. The samples exhibited a strong immunohistochemical reaction to Mycobacterium spp.

Data on the occurrence of cancers in dogs and cats from the Metropolitan Mesoregion of Belém are not available in the literature. This paper describes the occurrence of neoplasms in these species from 2005 to 2010. The canine cutaneous system was the most affected in this study (47%), followed by the mammary gland (39%), reproductive system (4%), oral cavity (4%), bones and joints (2%), ocular system (1.5%), digestive system (1.5%) and urinary tract (1%). In feline species, the mammary gland accounted for 87.8%, followed by the cutaneous system (6%), respiratory system (3%) and oral cavity (3%).