Wunderlich syndrome as a rare complication of polyarteritis nodosa: a case report

Spontaneous subcapsular and perirenal hemorrhage, known as Wunderlich syndrome (WS), is a rare clinical manifestation of polyarteritis nodosa (PAN). We report a case of a 48-year-old male with a history of recurrent episodes of leg muscle tenderness and dysesthesia, bilateral flank pain, painful nodular skin lesions in the lower limbs, weight loss, and difficult-to-control arterial hypertension. The abdominopelvic computed tomography angiography showed a large left perirenal hematoma, leading to the patient's admission to the intensive care unit. After the exclusion of infectious or neoplastic foci, the patient was diagnosed with PAN and started intravenous methylprednisolone pulses with a good response. Since WS is a rare initial clinical manifestation of PAN, an early diagnosis and aggressive treatment will significantly improve clinical outcomes.

Impact de l’infection par le SARS-CoV-2 sur l’activité de la maladie des patients atteints de rhumatisme psoriasique sous bDMARD : données réelles

Introduction

L’infection par le SARS-CoV-2 peut entraîner une inflammation sévère et il a été suggéré d’induire des poussées de rhumatisme psoriasique (RP). Cependant, l’impact sur l’activité de la maladie et la réponse aux DMARD biologiques modificateurs de la maladie (bDMARD) reste inconnu.

Patients et méthodes

Nous avons réalisé une analyse rétrospective incluant tous les patients atteints de RP, répondant aux critères CASPAR et sous biothérapie, suivis dans le service de rhumatologie d’un CHU universitaire tertiaire. Les données démographiques et cliniques, y compris la survenue d’une infection par le SARS-CoV-2, ont été collectées à partir de notre base de données nationale (reuma.pt). L’activité de la maladie (CDAI, SDAI, DAS28 4v, BASDAI, ASDAS) et les réponses aux bDMARD (réponses EULAR, ASDAS, ASAS, ACR et PsARC) ont été évaluées avant et après l’infection par le SARS-Cov-2.

Résultats

Au total, 102 patients atteints de RP ont été inclus. Cinquante-deux étaient des femmes (51 %). L’âge moyen était de 53 ± 11,09 ans et la durée médiane de la maladie était de 15 ans [min 2, max 47]. Au total, 54 (53 %) patients avaient une atteinte axiale prédominante, 26 (26 %) périphérique et 36 (37 %) enthésopathique. Le bDMARD le plus utilisé était l’étanercept (n = 28, 27,5 %) suivi de l’adalimumab (n = 22, 21,6 %) et du sécukinumab (n = 18, 17,6 %). La prévalence de l’infection par le SARS-CoV-2 était de 15,7 % (n = 16). Soixante-trois pour cent ont reçu le vaccin BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNtech), 31 % ont reçu l’ARNm-1273 (Moderna), 13 % ont reçu l’AZD1222 (AstraZeneca) et 13 % ont reçu l’AD26.COV2.S (Janssen/Johnson & Johnson). Soixante-trois pour cent étaient infectés avant toute vaccination, 13 % après la première dose et 25 % après la seconde. Les symptômes les plus fréquents étaient l’anosmie (65 %), la dysgueusie (56 %) et la toux (56 %). Tous les patients se sont complètement remis de l’infection, sans nécessiter d’hospitalisation. Quel que soit le score utilisé, la différence entre l’activité moyenne de la maladie après l’infection par le SARS-CoV-2 et celle au départ n’a pas atteint la signification statistique. Au départ et après l’infection, les paramètres moyens de l’activité de la maladie étaient respectivement : CDAI 8,6 ± 5,7 vs 8,6 ± 5,7, p = 0,997 ; SDAI 9,3 ± 6,6 contre 9,2 ± 6,1, p = 0,928 ; DAS 28 4v 2,9 ± 1,2 contre 2,9 ± 1,2, p = 0,818 ; BASDAI 3,6 ± 2,6 contre 3,2 ± 2,7, p = 0,506 ; ASDAS 2,2 ± 1,2 contre 2,2 ± 1, p = 0,721. Le nombre de patients ne répondant pas aux bDMARD (selon EULAR, ASDAS, ASAS, ACR et PsARC) avant l’infection n’était pas différent de celui post-infection.

Conclusion

Notre étude suggère que l’infection par le SARS-CoV-2 n’a aucun impact négatif sur l’activité de la maladie PSA et les réponses bDMARD. Cependant, d’autres études sont encore nécessaires pour mieux comprendre les effets à long terme de l’infection par le SARS-CoV-2.

Examining the imparity of immigrant children enrolled in special education classes in Japan: Roots and recommendations

This study discusses the disparity in numbers between Japanese children and their Brazilian immigrant peers concerning placement in Japanese special education classes. In-depth interviews were conducted with 21 stakeholders including Japanese nationals and Brazilian immigrants to see if there were any ways to explain the larger numbers of immigrant children assigned to such classes. Five main factors affecting the stakeholders emerged: Linguistic and Cultural Related Misunderstandings of Information, Limitations Concerning Counseling and Educational Planning, Requests for Improving the Support System for Non-Japanese Students, Importance of a Second Opinion, and Cultural and Linguistic Effects when Evaluating Non-Japanese Students. The study provides policy recommendations aimed at improving the support system for immigrant communities who face a variety of stresses living in an unfamiliar culture.

The effect of different pulp capping methods on the intrapulpal temperature when using light-cured procedures

Background

To evaluate the intra-pulpal temperature during different direct pulp capping methods and light-cured procedures.

Material and Methods

Class I preparations 5 mm long, 4 mm wide and 4 mm deep were performed in extracted third molars, leaving 0.5 mm of dentin at the pulpal floor with a 1 mm diameter of pulp exposure. Teeth were placed in a customized oral cavity chamber simulator in which the initial temperature was standardized at 36oC. The overall temperature variations (oC) in the pulp chamber during the light-activation processes were recorded live using an infrared camera (FLIR ONE PRO, FLIR Systems). The liners and bases evaluated were: Dycal (Dentisply), TheraCal LC (Bisco), Biodentin (Septodent), Vitrebond Plus (3M/ESPE), and Fuji IX GP (GC), followed by restoration with a bulk fill composite (EvoCeram Bulk Fill, Ivoclar Vivadent). All light-activation procedures were performed with the VALO Grand (Ultradent) light-curing unit. A power analysis was conducted to determine the sample size to provide a power of at least 0.8 with α=0.05. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA and Tukey’s test for multiple comparisons.

Results

The intrapulpal temperature increased above a 10oC to 20oC threshold difference for all liners and bases that were light cured. When added as second layers, neither of those could provide thermal insulation following additional light-activated procedures (p=0.25). The higher the number of procedures requiring light-activation, the longer the pulp temperature remained in those increased temperature thresholds.

Conclusions

For direct pulp capping procedures, a reduced number light activation procedures should be indicated to reduce the time intra-pulpal temperature rises above a 10oC threshold.

Key words:Liner, base, calcium hydroxide, glass ionomer, dental adhesive, bulkfill composite.

Color difference between the vita classical shade guide and composite veneers using the dual-layer technique

Background

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the color difference between the Vita Classical Shade Guide and composite veneers using the dual-layer technique.

Material and Methods

Thirty samples were fabricated using a custom-made mold (Easy Layering Shade Guide Kit, 3M) using two resin composites: Filtek Supreme Ultra (3M); and Estelite Omega (Tokuyama) (n=3). The composite veneers were made by layering the different enamel and body or dentin shades from each composite. The color measurements were taken using a spectrophotometer (Vita Easyshade V®, Vita Zahnfabrik). The ΔE00 between the Vita Classical Shade Guide (Vita Zahnfabrik) and the composite veneers were calculated using the CIEDE2000 formula.

Results

For the composite veneers using Filtek Supreme Ultra, the best match for A1 Vita shade was achieved layering either EA1 with DA2 or DA3; EA2 with DA1 or DA2 (ΔE00= 1.53 ~ 1.96 ± 0.4). For A2 Vita shade the best match would be EA3 with DA3 or EA3 with DA2 (ΔE00= 1.40 ~ 1.85 ± 0.1); or for A3 Vita shade the best match would be EA3 with DA2 2.50±(0.6). For the composite veneers using Estelite Omega, the were no best match for neither A1, A2 or A3 Vita shade (ΔE00> 2.5).

Conclusions

The combination of enamel and dentin shades from Filtek Supreme Ultra provided acceptable color match for A1, A2 and A3 shades from the Vita Shade Guide, while Estelite Omega did not provide acceptable color match for any of the Vita Shade Guide standard shades tested.

Key words:Color, color matching, optical properties, resin composite, layering.

Effect of dental headlights spectrum on the polymerization and working time of light-cured resin composites

Background

The use of dental headlights is a common practice to better illuminate the operatory field and achieve excellence in restorative dentistry. However, visible light-cured dental materials can have reduced working time under headlight illumination. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the spectral irradiance power of two dental headlights on the degree of polymerization and working time of light-curable dental composites.

Material and Methods

Two headlights, StarLight Nano 3 (StarMed) (SN) and Zeon Endevour XL (Orascoptic) (ZE) were characterized using a spectrophotometer coupled to an integrating sphere (MARC® Light Collector, BlueLight Analytics). The degree of conversion of the two composites, Filtek Supreme (3M) and Tetric Prime (Ivoclar Vivadent), was evaluated using an FTIR spectroscope (NicoletTM iS20, Thermo Fisher).

Results

Both headlights emitted a significant amount of blue light. The Zeon headlamp without filter emitted a broader spectrum with lower blue intensity and higher CRI than the White LED of the Nano 3. The Zeon headlamp with the blue blocking filter emitted a broader spectrum than the Orange LED of the Nano 3. There were no differences in the degree of conversion and working time of the Filtek Supreme and Tetric Prime composites when illuminated by the different headlamps. Both Zeon and the White LED of the Nano 3 were capable to cure the composites within only 5-10 minutes of irradiation. There were no changes in the degree of conversion of the composites when the Orange LED of the Nano 3 or the blue blocking filter of the Zeon were used.

Conclusions

Both headlights reduced the working time of light-cured materials. The use of orange filters prevented the composite polymerization and maintained the working time.

Key words:Surgical Headlight, degree of conversion, working time, light-curing.

Toxicity and larvicidal activity on Aedes aegypti of citronella essential oil submitted to enzymatic esterification

The essential oil of citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) has several biological activities, among them the insect repellent action. Some studies showed that cinnamic acid esters can be applied as natural pesticides, insecticides and fungicides. In this context, the objective of the present work was to evaluate the production of esters from citronella essential oil with cinnamic acid via enzymatic esterification. Besides, the essential oil toxicity before and after esterification against Artemia salina and larvicidal action on Aedes aegypti was investigated. Esters were produced using cinnamic acid as the acylating agent and citronella essential oil (3:1) in heptane and 15 wt% NS 88011 enzyme as biocatalysts, at 70 °C and 150 rpm. Conversion rates of citronellyl and geranyl cinnamates were 58.7 and 69.0% for NS 88011, respectively. For the toxicity to Artemia salina LC50 results of 5.29 μg mL-1 were obtained for the essential oil and 4.36 μg mL-1 for the esterified oils obtained with NS 88011. In the insecticidal activity against Aedes aegypti larvae, was obtained LC50 of 111.84 μg mL-1 for the essential oil of citronella and 86.30 μg mL-1 for the esterified oils obtained with the enzyme NS 88011, indicating high toxicity of the esters. The results demonstrated that the evaluated samples present potential of application as bioinsecticide.

A NANOTECNOLOGIA NO BRASIL E O DESENVOLVIMENTO DE PRODUTOS COM ATIVIDADE ANTIMICROBIANA

NANOTECHNOLOGY IN BRAZIL AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRODUCTS WITH ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY. Due to the tremendous technological potential and applicability in various industry branches, nanotechnology investments have been increasing over the years. In particular, the control of microorganisms using nanomaterials with antimicrobial action has aroused great interest in the industry. This control makes it necessary in the most diverse situations, such as food conservation, pharmaceutical industry, hospital environments, and even domestic and commercial environments. This extraordinary interest is due, in particular, to the physical-chemical characteristics of materials on a nanoscale that attributes greater efficiency in combating microorganisms. Therefore, researchers and entrepreneurs have directed investments and efforts towards developing new products and/or new applications for antimicrobial products already existing on the market. In this work, we made a brief presentation of the history of nanotechnology in Brazil with a focus on Brazilian companies that developed products or services with nanomaterials with antimicrobial action, and on the description of some of the existing applications in the Brazilian market, highlighting the productive potential of the parents.

Corporate Psychopaths: implications for organizational health and well-being

Studies on Psychopathy in corporate settings and its toxic effects at the workplace are of the utmost importance. Corporate psychopaths reach upper echelon positions, and demonstrate egocentrism, lack of guilt or remorse; they influence those who are around them to achieve their own goals. In this regard, this study aims to discuss the implications of leaders named corporate psychopaths for the organizational health and well-being.

For this purpose, the study adopted an empirical-theoretical approach, a quantitative evaluation and a survey as the method of data collection, by applying a questionnaire made up by the Self Report Psychopathy (SRP) scale (Paulhus, Neumann, & Hare, 2014), in order to illuminate the non-pathological traits of Psychopathy; the Well-being at work Scale (Paschoal & Tamayo, 2008); and the Perception of Organizational Health Scale by Gomide Jr., Moura, Cunha, & Sousa (1999). The questionnaire was applied to 100 employees from the administrative area of an open capital Brazilian company in the educational area.

The results showed that employees who identified psychopathy traits in their immediate leaders externalized preoccupation, irritation, depression, anxiety, frustration, nervousness, tension and rage, demonstrating uneasiness at the workplace. They also reported that there is a dishonest competition to achieve higher hierarchical positions, no respect between colleagues, and people do not trust each other, demonstrating therefore aspects that reveal a compromised organizational health.

The study will make a contribution by providing insights into how companies can recognize and avoid the selection and recruitment of employees who exhibit psychopathy traits, especially due to the potential of these employess becoming leaders and compromising organizational health and well-being. The issue deserves especial attention and more studies should be carried out regarding the consequences of psychopathic leaders' actions for corporate and public health.

Key messages

Provide insights into how companies can recognize and avoid the selection and recruitment of employees who exhibit psychopathy traits and compromising organizational health and welbeing. The issue deserves especial attention and more studies should be carried out regarding the consequences of psychopathatic leaders’ actions for corporate and public health.

Prevention, removal and inactivation of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus biofilms using selected monoterpenes of essential oils

AIMS

The aim of this study was to investigate the antibiofilm potential of five essential oil (EO) components with cyclic (sabinene-SAB, carveol-C1, carvone-C2) and acyclic (citronellol-C3 and citronellal-C4) structures against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The selected EO components prevented biofilm set-up, with C3 and C4 causing remarkable effects. When applied against pre-established biofilms, they promoted high biomass removal and inactivation of biofilm cells. Moreover, no viable E. coli biofilm cells were detected after exposure to SAB at 5 × MIC and 10 × MIC, and a significant viability decrease was observed for both bacteria with the other EO components. SAB, C3 and C4 caused the most prominent effects apparently due to their octanol-water partition coefficient (Po/w), the number of rotatable bonds (n-ROTB) and the free hydroxyl groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall results demonstrated that the selected EO components, particularly SAB, C3 and C4 are of interest as new lead molecules to both prevent biofilm set-up and to control pre-established biofilms of E. coli and S. aureus.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The tested EO components exhibited prominent antibiofilm properties against E. coli and S. aureus providing a novel and effective alternative/complementary approach to counteract chronic infections and the transmission of diseases in clinical settings.

Toxicity of clove essential oil and its ester eugenyl acetate against Artemia salina

Abstract The production of compounds via enzymatic esterification has great scientific and technological interest due to the several inconveniences related to acid catalysis, mainly by these systems do not fit to the concept of “green chemistry”. Besides, natural products as clove oil present compounds with excellent biological potential. Bioactives compounds are often toxic at high doses. The evaluation of lethality in a less complex animal organism can be used to a monitoring simple and rapid, helping the identification of compounds with potential insecticide activity against larvae of insect vector of diseases. In this sense, the toxicity against Artemia salina of clove essential oil and its derivative eugenyl acetate obtained by enzymatic esterification using Novozym 435 as biocatalyst was evaluated. The conversion of eugenyl acetate synthesis was 95.6%. The results about the evaluation of toxicity against the microcrustacean Artemia salina demonstrated that both oil (LC50= 0.5993 µg.mL–1) and ester (LC50= 0.1178 µg.mL–1) presented high toxic potential, being the eugenyl acetate almost 5 times more toxic than clove essential oil. The results reported here shows the potential of employing clove oil and eugenyl acetate in insecticide formulations.

Avaliação dos perfis minerais séricos, urinários e sedimentares de ovinos recebendo dieta calculogênica

RESUMO A urolitíase obstrutiva em pequenos ruminantes é uma doença metabólica de etiologia multifatorial com distribuição mundial. A elevação da concentração urinária de solutos, minerais ionizados (cristaloides) que formam cristais insolúveis é citada por alguns autores como o fator mais importante. Assim, o conhecimento do perfil mineral dos animais submetidos a dietas calculogênicas e a composição química dos urólitos tornam-se ferramentas eficazes na prevenção da doença. Neste estudo, foram utilizados 14 ovinos hígidos, machos (não castrados), da raça Santa Inês, com idade aproximada de 90 dias, distribuídos em dois grupos (G1 - sem vitamina C e G2 - com vitamina C) e alimentados com dieta calculogênica. A análise dos perfis minerais, séricos e urinários revelou completo desbalanceamento na relação entre concentrações de cálcio, fósforo e magnésio, havendo elevação expressiva do fósforo e do magnésio e diminuição substancial do cálcio. Com isso, a análise bioquímica dos urólitos demonstrou que o cálcio esteve presente em 50% das amostras analisadas.

Net mineral requirements for growth of Saanen goat kids in early life are similar among genders

The current mineral requirements for growing goat kids are based on sheep and cattle studies without differentiating between the stages of development or gender. The aims of this study were to determine the net requirements for growth of Ca, P, Mg, Na and K of Saanen goat kids during the initial stages of growth and to analyse the effect of gender on the net requirements for growth of these macrominerals. Eighteen female, 19 intact male and 10 castrated male Saanen goat kids were studied. The kids were selected applying a completely randomized design and slaughtered when their body weight (BW) reached approximately 5, 10 and 15 kg to determine the mineral requirements for growth at these stages. The net mineral requirements for growth were similar among genders. The goat kids had slightly increased net requirements of Ca, P and Mg for growth with increasing BW from 5 to 15 kg. The net requirements for growth of Ca, P, Mg, Na and K ranged from 9.61 to 9.67 g/kg of BW gain, 7.14 to 7.56 g/kg of BW gain, 0.34 to 0.37 g/kg of BW gain, 1.26 to 1.13 g/kg of BW gain, 1.88 to 1.82 g/kg of BW gain as the animals grew from 5 to 15 kg respectively. In conclusion, when formulating diets for Saanen goat kids in early growth stage mineral levels do not need to adjusted based on gender.

General characterization of Tityus fasciolatus scorpion venom. Molecular identification of toxins and localization of linear B-cell epitopes

This communication describes the general characteristics of the venom from the Brazilian scorpion Tityus fasciolatus, which is an endemic species found in the central Brazil (States of Goiás and Minas Gerais), being responsible for sting accidents in this area. The soluble venom obtained from this scorpion is toxic to mice being the LD50 is 2.984 mg/kg (subcutaneally). SDS-PAGE of the soluble venom resulted in 10 fractions ranged in size from 6 to 10-80 kDa. Sheep were employed for anti-T. fasciolatus venom serum production. Western blotting analysis showed that most of these venom proteins are immunogenic. T. fasciolatus anti-venom revealed consistent cross-reactivity with venom antigens from Tityus serrulatus. Using known primers for T. serrulatus toxins, we have identified three toxins sequences from T. fasciolatus venom. Linear epitopes of these toxins were localized and fifty-five overlapping pentadecapeptides covering complete amino acid sequence of the three toxins were synthesized in cellulose membrane (spot-synthesis technique). The epitopes were located on the 3D structures and some important residues for structure/function were identified.

Sperm quality of the Amazon catfish Leiarius marmoratus (Gill, 1870) after cold storage

This study aimed at assessing the sperm quality of the Amazon catfish, Leiarius marmoratus ¸ after refrigeration without extenders. After capturing the animals and stripping of semen, the following parameters were analyzed: progressive motility, motility quality score, duration of motility and sperm morphology. An aliquot of fresh semen from each male was kept at room temperature (28 ± 2°C) as a control, for further comparison with cooled semen. The semen from each animal was stored in extenders-free individual syringes. The syringes were kept in ice within polystyrene boxes at 13 ± 2°C. For both fresh and cooled semen, seminal parameters were evaluated every one-hour interval, reaching seven hours of analysis. Fresh semen showed a significant decrease in motility, motility quality score and duration of motility remaining viable only for three hours. Progressive motility of the cooled semen displayed a negative linear pattern (P<0.05). The duration of motility increased (P<0.05), reaching its peak after three hours of storage. The motility quality score showed a quadratic pattern. No statistical differences were observed when sperm morphology was assessed (P>0.05), even though the mean values of total abnormalities have increased over the storage time. Further studies focusing on the application of this technique should be performed, including the addition of extenders and cryoprotectants for preservation of the sperm over longer periods.

Continuous ion-exchange resin catalysed esterification of eugenol for the optimized production of eugenyl acetate using a packed bed microreactor

A green scalable flow-synthesis process for the production of eugenyl acetate, an eugenol derivative with potential applications in food and medicinal chemistry, was developed.

Energy requirements in early life are similar for male and female goat kids

Little is known about the gender differences in energetic requirements of goats in early life. In this study, we determined the energy requirements for maintenance and gain in intact male, castrated male and female Saanen goat kids using the comparative slaughter technique and provide new data on their body composition and energy efficiency. To determine the energy requirements for maintenance, we studied 21 intact males, 15 castrated males and 18 females (5.0±0.1 kg initial body weight (BW) and 23±5 d of age) using a split-plot design with the following main factors: three genders (intact males, castrated males, and females) and three dry matter intake levels (ad libitum, 75% and 50% of ad libitum intake). A slaughter group included three kids, one for each nutritional plane, of each gender, and all three animals within a group were slaughtered when the ad libitum kid reached 15 kg in BW. Net energy requirements for gain were obtained for 17 intact males, eight castrated males and 15 females (5.1±0.4 kg BW and 23±13 d of age). Animals were fed ad libitum and slaughtered when they reached 5, 10, and 15 kg in BW. A digestion trial was performed with nine kids of each gender to determine digestible energy, metabolizable energy and energy metabolizability of the diet. Our results show no effect of gender on the energy requirements for maintenance and gain, and overall net energy for maintenance was 205.6 kJ/kg^0.75 empty body weight gain (EBW) (170.3 kJ/kg^0.75 BW) from 5 to 15 kg BW. Metabolizable energy for maintenance was calculated by iteration, assuming heat production equal to metabolizable energy intake at maintenance, and the result was 294.34 kJ/kg^0.75 EBW and k_m of 0.70. As BW increased from 5 to 15 kg for all genders, the net energy required for gain increased from 9.5 to 12.0 kJ/g EBW gain (EWG), and assuming k_g = 0.47, metabolizable energy for gain ranged from 20.2 to 25.5 kJ/g EWG. Our results indicate that it is not necessary to formulate diets with different energetic content for intact male, castrated male and female Saanen goat kids weighing from 5 to 15 kg.

Continuous lipase-catalyzed esterification of soybean fatty acids under ultrasound irradiation

This work investigates the continuous production of alkyl esters from soybean fatty acid (FA) charges using immobilized Novozym 435 as catalyst. The experiments were performed in a packed-bed bioreactor evaluating the effects of FA charge to alcohol (methanol and ethanol) molar ratio, from 1:1 to 1:6, substrate flow rate in the range of 0.5-2.5 mL/min and output irradiation power up to 154 W, at fixed temperature of 65 °C, on the reaction conversion. Results showed that almost complete conversions to fatty acids ethyl esters were achieved at mild ultrasonic power (61.6 W), FA to ethanol molar ratio of 1:6, operating temperature (65 °C) and remained nearly constant for long-term reactions without negligible enzyme activity losses.

Effects of treadmill training with partial body weight support and the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation method on hemiparetic gait: a randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND

Gait disturbance is common after stroke; however, there is no consensus regarding the optimal therapeutic rehabilitation of hemiparetic gait.

AIM

To compare the effects of the treadmill training with partial body-weight support (TPBWS) and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) method on gait of subjects with chronic stroke.

DESIGN

Randomized clinical trial, comparing two experimental groups (comparative study).

SETTING

Laboratory for Human Movement Analysis of UFRN.

POPULATION

Twenty-three subjects, with a mean age of 56.7±8.0 years and a mean time since the onset of the stroke of 27.7±20.3 months, able to walk with personal assistance or assistive devices.

METHODS

Two experimental groups underwent gait training based on PNF method (N.=11) or using the TPBWS (N.=12), for twelve sessions. Evaluation of motor function (using the STREAM and motor FIM), and kinematic gait analysis were carried out before and after the interventions.

RESULTS

Increases in the STREAM scores (F=49.189, P<0.001) and in motor FIM scores (F=7.093, P=0.016), as well as improvement in symmetry ratio-swing time of the paretic leg/swing time of non-paretic leg--(F=7.729, P=0.012), were observed for both groups. Speed, stride length and double-support time showed no change after training. Differences between groups were observed only for the maximum ankle dorsiflexion over the swing phase (F=6.046, P=0.024), which showed an increase for the PNF group. Other angular parameters remain unchanged.

CONCLUSION

Improvement in motor function and in gait symmetry was observed for both groups, suggesting similarity of interventions. However, the sample size should be carefully considered in generalizing the results to other populations.

CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT

The results showed some equivalence between these two approaches with regard to motor recovery, functionality and temporal symmetry of hemiparetic gait, suggesting that the cost-effectiveness of each treatment may have a important role in this choice.

Generation and characterization of a recombinant chimeric protein (rCpLi) consisting of B-cell epitopes of a dermonecrotic protein from Loxosceles intermedia spider venom

A chimeric protein was constructed expressing three epitopes of LiD1, a dermonecrotic toxin from the venom of Loxosceles intermedia spider. This species is responsible for a large number of accidents involving spiders in Brazil. We demonstrated that the chimeric protein (rCpLi) generated is atoxic and that antibodies previously developed in rabbits against synthetic epitopes reactive with rCpLi in ELISA and immunoblot assays. The antibody response in rabbits against the rCpLi was evaluated by ELISA and we have detected an antibody response in all immunized animals. Overlapping peptides covering the amino acid sequence of the rCpLi were synthesized on a cellulose membrane, and their recognition by rabbit anti-rCpLi serum assessed. Three different antigenic regions were identified. The percentage of inhibition of the dermonecrotic, hemorrhagic and edematogenic activities caused by the recombinant protein LiD1r in naïve rabbits was assessed by pre-incubation with anti-rCpLi antibodies. Anti-rCpLi induced good dermonecrotic and hemorrhagic protection. The levels of protection were similar to the antiboides anti-LiD1r. In summary, we have developed a polyepitope recombinant chimeric protein capable of inducing multiple responses of neutralizing antibodies in a rabbit model. This engineered protein may be a promising candidate for therapeutic serum development or vaccination.

Synthesis of eugenol esters by lipase-catalyzed reaction in solvent-free system

Enzymatic esterification of eugenol is a matter of great scientific and technological interest due to the well-known drawbacks of the chemical-catalyzed route as well as the potential use of produced compounds as natural antimicrobials. This work reports the maximization of eugenil acetate production by esterification of eugenol and acetic anhydride in a solvent-free system using Novozym 435 as catalyst. The antimicrobial activity of eugenol and eugenil acetate was also determined. The operating conditions that maximized eugenil acetate production were 50 °C, eugenol to acetic anhydride of 1:3, 150 rpm, and 5.5 wt% of enzyme, with a conversion of 99 %. A kinetic study was performed to assess the influence of substrates molar ratio, enzyme concentration, and temperature on eugenil acetate yield. Results show that an excess of anhydride, low enzyme concentration (1 wt%), and 60 °C afforded nearly complete conversion after 6 h of reaction. The highest antimicrobial activity of eugenil acetate was observed against Acinetobacter sp. (48.66 mm) at concentration of 20 μL. Results indicate that the esterification of eugenol improved its antimicrobial properties. New experimental data on enzymatic esterification of eugenol and acetic anhydride are reported in this work, showing a promising perspective to overcome the inconvenient of the chemical-catalyzed route for obtaining antimicrobial natural compounds.