Polymers with tertiary amino groups obtained by the reaction between chloromethylated polystyrene and 3-alkylaminopropionitrile

Polymers with tertiary amino groups were obtained by reaction of chloromethylated polystyrene (CMPS) with 3-alkylaminopropionitriles ( 2a — e ). The resulting polymers 3a — e were characterized by elemental analyses, IR and ¹H NMR spectra. Kinetic investigation showed that the reaction is characterized by two rate constants, the rate change taking place at a conversion of 45–50%. Viscosimetric studies of the hydrochlorides of polymers 3a — e in water and methanol showed that they behave as polyelectrolytes only in methanol. The abnormal behaviour of water solutions was explained by hydrolysis reaction. To prove the conclusions on the molecular structures of 3a — e and the reactivity of CMPS, a study of the reaction of benzyl chloride with the same amines was performed.     

Epidemiological aspects of suicide in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

OBJECTIVE: To describe epidemiological aspects of suicide mortality in a 10-year time series. METHODS: Suicide deaths reported in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil, were put together as historical time series based on data from the Ministry of Health Mortality Reporting System for the period 1980 to 1999. Suicides were grouped according to the WHO criteria and analyzed using standard demographic variables. RESULTS: Suicide rates (proportional mortality and mortality rates) in RS during the study period were the highest in Brazil. The standardized rates grew from around 9 per 100,000 in the 1980s to 11 per 100,000 in 1999. This increase in mortality was attributed mainly to male mortality rates that grew from 14 per 100,000 to the current 20 per 100,000. The male:female ratio increased from 3 to 5. The highest ratios were seen among the elderly although this ratio has been increasing in young adults as well. Widows, widowers and farmers/fishers had the highest mortality rates. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights suicide as a collective health problem in RS and shows aspects that could contribute to preventive action.     

Serotonergic neurotransmission mediates hypothermia induced by the N-phenylpiperazine antipsychotic prototypes LASSBio-579 and LASSBio-581

Previous studies have demonstrated that LASSBio-579 and LASSBio-581, two N-phenylpiperazine derivatives designed for the treatment of schizophrenia, are presynaptic dopamine D(2) receptor agonists that induce a hypothermic effect in mice that is not mediated by dopamine receptor activation. The aim of the present study was to investigate possible serotonergic mechanisms underlying hypothermia induced by LASSBio-579 and LASSBio-581 in CF1 mice. The reduction in core temperature was dose-dependent (15-60 mg/kg, i.p.) and occurred by the oral route (30 mg/kg). Pretreatment with haloperidol (4 mg/kg, i.p.) resulted in a synergistic hypothermic effect. Pretreatment with (+/-)DOI (0.25 mg/kg, i.p.), a serotonin 5-HT(2A/C) receptor agonist, reduced the hypothermic effect induced by LASSBio-579 and LASSBio-581 at 15 and 30 mg/kg, i.p. In contrast, (+/-)DOI enhanced the hypothermia induced by both compounds at 60 mg/kg, i.p. The serotonin 5-HT1A antagonist WAY 100635 (0.05 mg/kg, s.c.) abolished the hypothermia induced by LASSBio-579 and diminished the hypothermia induced by LASSBio-581. Pretreatment with LASSBio579 (30 and 60 mg/kg, i.p.) and LASSBio-581 (60 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced the number of head-twitches induced by (+/-)DOI (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.). The ear-scratch response induced by (+/-)DOI was inhibited by both LASSBio-579 and LASSBio-581 at 60 mg/kg, i.p. These results indicate that LASSBio-579 and LASSBio-581 have mechanisms of action through the serotonergic neurotransmitter system.     

Stochastic biosensors based on N- and S-doped graphene for the enantioanalysis of aspartic acid in biological samples

Metabolomics plays a very important role in cancer mechanism and also in the early diagnosis of cancer. The enantioanalysis of aminoacids found in biological samples may favor the development of new screening tests for the early diagnosis of cancer. Two stochastic biosensors, based on the immobilization of α-hemolysin and hemin in exfoliated reduced graphene modified with nitrogen and sulphur, were proposed for the enantioanalysis of aspartic acid in biological samples (whole blood, urine, saliva, and tissue). The proposed biosensors showed low limits of quantification, high sensitivity, and large linear concentration ranges. The recoveries of d- and l-aspartic acid in biological samples were higher than 95.00%, with a relative standard deviation lower than 1.00%.

Stochastic biosensors based on N- and S-doped graphene modified with hemin or α-hemolysin contributed to establishing the metabolomics of gastric cancer by performing the enantioanalysis of aspartic acid in different biological samples.     

Low-level laser therapy prevents degenerative morphological changes in an experimental model of anterior cruciate ligament transection in rats

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the prevention of cartilage damage after the anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) in knees of rats. Thirty male rats (Wistar) were distributed into three groups (n?=?10 each): injured control group (CG); injured laser-treated group at 10 J/cm² (L10), and injured laser-treated group at 50 J/cm² (L50). Laser treatment started immediately after the surgery and it was performed for 15 sessions. An 808 nm laser, at 10 and 50 J/cm², was used. To evaluate the effects of LLLT, the qualitative and semi-quantitative histological, morphometric, and immunohistochemistry analysis were performed. Initial signs of tissue degradation were observed in CG. Interestingly, laser-treated animals presented a better tissue organization, especially at the fluence of 10 J/cm². Furthermore, laser phototherapy was able of modulating some of the aspects related to the degenerative process, such as the prevention of proteoglycans loss and the increase in cartilage area. However, LLLT was not able of modulating chondrocytes proliferation and the immunoexpression of markers related to inflammatory process (IL-1 and MMP-13). This study showed that 808 nm laser, at both fluences, prevented features related to the articular degenerative process in the knees of rats after ACLT.     

An Information-Rich CGG Repeat Primed PCR That Detects the Full Range of Fragile X Expanded Alleles and Minimizes the Need for Southern Blot Analysis

(CGG)_n repeat expansion in the FMR1 gene is associated with fragile X syndrome and other disorders. Current methods for FMR1 molecular testing rely on Southern blot analysis to detect expanded alleles too large to be PCR-amplified and to identify female homozygous alleles that often confound interpretations of PCR data. A novel, single-tube CGG repeat primed FMR1 PCR technology was designed with two gene-specific primers that flank the triplet repeat region, as well as a third primer that is complementary to the (CGG)_n repeat. This PCR was evaluated with 171 unique DNA samples, including a blinded set of 146 clinical specimens. The method detected all alleles reported by Southern blot analysis, including full mutations in 66 clinical samples and comprised up to 1300 CGG. Furthermore, a blinded cohort of 42 female homozygous and heterozygous specimens, including 21 with full mutation alleles, was resolved with 100% accuracy. Last, AGG interrupter sequences, which may influence the risk of (CGG)_n expansion in the children of some carriers, were each correctly identified in 14 male and female clinical samples as referenced to DNA sequencing. As a result, this PCR provides robust detection of expanded alleles and resolves allele zygosity, thus minimizing the number of samples that require Southern blot analysis and producing more comprehensive FMR1 genotyping data than other methods.Expansion of cytosine-guanine-guanine (CGG) triplet repeats in the 5′-untranslated region of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1, {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"NM_002024.4","term_id":"169881241","term_text":"NM_002024.4"}}NM_002024.4) gene is associated with several disorders, including fragile X syndrome, fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome, and fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency.^1,2,3,4 Patients with the FMR1 full mutation (>200 CGG repeats) may be affected by a range of neurological, psychiatric, or emotional challenges, including mental retardation and/or autism.⁵ Deficits in development and particularly in attention and social communication have also been noted for many children with the FMR1 premutation. Moreover, premutation carriers (55 to 200 CGG repeats) are known to be at risk for fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency and fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome, and some of these individuals may present additional complications, such as hypothyroidism and fibromyalgia.⁶ As a result, FMR1 disorders are linked to a range of clinical conditions, necessitating testing patients at different times during their life span.⁷Fragile X syndrome molecular diagnosis is usually based on quantification of the (CGG)_n repeat elements and the assessment of the methylation state of expanded alleles.⁵ Although PCR is the preferred approach to determine the (CGG)_n repeat length of FMR1 alleles, typically only alleles with less than 100 to 150 CGG have been amenable to PCR amplification. However, a recent publication by our group has demonstrated that full mutations composed of more than 1000 CGG can be reproducibly amplified using a novel PCR technology. In addition, this PCR detected all categories of alleles in concordance with the results of Southern blot analysis from a cohort of nearly 150 blinded clinical samples.⁸ We also previously described a repeat primed PCR method that can reliably categorize FMR1 alleles throughout the mutation range in both males and females on a number of different DNA templates (including genomic DNA and blood spots).^9,10,11 This PCR used a chimeric primer that hybridized internally to the triplet repeat segment and was incorporated into a ladder of products that appeared as a smear on an agarose gel when an expanded allele was present. Here we describe the performance of a three-primer CGG repeat primed (RP) FMR1 PCR method that represents an improved and optimized assay design for use with capillary electrophoresis (CE). This three-primer configuration offers several advantages over the earlier design¹⁰ and reveals additional molecular information that can resolve commonly encountered limitations in FMR1 analyses.     

Reductions of cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors after a 14-week periodized training model in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial

Clinical Rheumatology - To evaluate the effects of a periodized circuit training (CT) compared with a conventional strength training (ST) and an educational protocol (EP) on body composition,...     

The construction of care by the health team and the caretaker within a home-care program for bedridden patients in Porto Alegre (RS, Brazil)

The main objective of this case study was to understand the construction of care in the Homecare Program for Bedridden Patients (PADA) of a basic health unit (UBS) in Porto Alegre, RS. Data were obtained from 13 caretaker groups in the UBS, and participating observation recorded in field diary in the patient's homes. An analysis of the discourse practices was performed inspired in Foucault's discourse concepts speeches and in studies on ethics and self-care. In the groups, the caretaker occupied a space that we metaphorically called the Delphic Oracle, a place for acceptance, listening and support. Hearing the dialogues that took place between the team and the caretakers made us face the contradiction present in the institutional discourse, which both stimulates self-care, and imposes rules, duties, tasks. Care as a citizenship right opposite to care as submission and subjugation created tension inside the group several times. Foucault's notion of care comprises a synthesis of the exercise of a person over his- or herself, making him or her better as a human being and, at the same time, capacitating him or her to become a better citizen.     

Racial inequalities in access to women's health care in southern Brazil

The aim of this population-based cross-sectional study was to investigate access by 20 to 60 year-old women--both black and white--to early detection (pap-smear) exams for breast and cervical cancer in two towns--S?o Leopoldo and Pelotas--in Rio Grande do Sul State, southern Brazil. Estimates of the association between race/color and access to Pap-smear and breast exams were adjusted for income, education, economic class and age. Of the 2,030 women interviewed, 16.1% were black and 83.9%, white. Black women were significantly less likely to have had a Pap-smear and/or breast exam than white women. Racial inequalities in access to cancer early detection exams persisted after controlling for age and other socioeconomic factors. Racial differentials in access to early detection (Pap-smear) exams for breast and cervical cancers might result from racial and socioeconomic inequalities experienced by black women in access to reproductive health care services and programs.