Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myracrodruon urundeuva</Emphasis> leaf lectin on survival and digestive enzymes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aedes aegypti</Emphasis> larvae

Aedes aegypti transmits the viruses that cause yellow and dengue fevers. Vector control is essential, since a vaccine for dengue has not as yet been made available. This work reports on the larvicidal activity of Myracrodruon urundeuva leaf lectin (MuLL) against A. aegypti fourth-stage larvae (L₄). Also, the resistance of MuLL to digestion by L₄ gut proteases and the effects of MuLL on protease, trypsin-like and α-amylase activities from L₄ gut were evaluated to determine if lectin remains active in A. aegypti gut and if insect enzyme activities can be modulated by MuLL. MuLL promoted mortality of L₄ with LC₅₀ of 0.202 mg/ml. Haemagglutinating activity of MuLL was detected even after incubation for 96 h with L₄ gut preparation containing protease activity. MuLL affected the activity of gut enzymes, inhibiting protease and trypsin activities and stimulating α-amylase activity. The results suggest that MuLL may become a new biodegradable larvicidal agent for dengue control. Larvicidal activity of MuLL may be linked to its resistance to proteolysis by larval enzymes and interference in the activity of digestive larval enzymes.     

Phenotypic and functional analysis of T cells homing into the CSF of subjects with inflammatory diseases of the CNS

The recruitment of lymphocytes across the blood brain barrier (BBB) is mediated by adhesion molecules and chemokines. The expression of activation markers and of chemokine receptors on T cells homing to the nervous system (NS) may help define their functional state. In the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of subjects with inflammatory neurological diseases (IND), including multiple sclerosis, we observed an increased number of T cells coexpressing CXCR3 and CCR5 as well as T cells with a CD45RO+ CCR7+ CD27+ memory phenotype. A subset of CCR7+ T cells coexpressed CXCR3 and CCR5. We also detected an increased number of interferon-gamma-producing T cells in the CSF compared with peripheral blood, mostly but not exclusively in the CD45RO+ CCR7- CD27- compartment. T helper 1 (Th1) clones, established from the CSF of individuals with IND and from a healthy subject, similarly migrated to CXCL10, CXCL12, and CCL5. CXCL10, CXCL12, and CCL19 were increased in the CSF of individuals with neuroinflammation. These findings suggest that CSF is enriched in Th1-polarized memory T cells capable of differentiating into effector cells upon antigen encounter. These cells are recruited into the CSF by inducible chemokines. Thus, CSF represents a transitional station for T cells trafficking to and from the NS.     

Changes of intracortical inhibition during motor imagery in human subjects

Paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation with a conditioning-test paradigm was used to assess changes of corticocortical inhibition and facilitation during mental simulation of sequential finger movements in normal subjects. The cortico-cortical inhibition (at interstimulus interval, ISI, of 3 ms) was significantly reduced in the relaxed opponens pollicis (OP) muscle during motor imagery, regardless of the absolute size of the test motor evoked potential. The amount of cortico-cortical inhibition was similar to that observed during a mild voluntary contraction of the OP. No change of cortico-cortical facilitation was observed at the ISI of 12 ms. The data support the hypothesis that similar neural structures, including the primary motor cortex, are activated during both mental simulation and actual execution of motor activities.     

Sleep architecture and NREM alterations in children and adolescents with Asperger syndrome

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To analyze sleep in children with Asperger syndrome (AS) by means of standard sleep questionnaires, to evaluate sleep architecture and NREM sleep alterations by means of cyclic alternating pattern (CAP) and to correlate objective sleep parameters with cognitive behavioral measures. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study involving validated sleep questionnaires, neuropsychological scales, and PSG recording. SETTING: Sleep medicine center. PARTICIPANTS: Eight children with AS, 10 children with autism, and 12 healthy control children. INTERVENTIONS: N/A MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Children with AS had a higher prevalence of problems of initiating sleep and daytime sleepiness. Sleep architecture parameters showed minor differences between the 3 groups. CAP parameters showed an increased percentage of A1 and a decreased percentage of A2 subtypes in subjects with AS vs. controls. All A subtype indexes (number per hour of NREM sleep) were decreased, mostly in sleep stage 2 but not in SWS. With respect to children with autism, subjects with AS showed increased CAP rate in SWS and A1 percentage. In subjects with AS, verbal IQ had a significant positive correlation with total CAP rate and CAP rate in SWS and with global and SWS A1 index. The percentage of A2 negatively correlated with full scale IQ, verbal and performance IQ. CBCL total score correlated positively with CAP rate and A1 index while externalizing score correlated negatively with A3%. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows peculiar CAP modifications in children with AS and represents an attempt to correlate the quantification of sleep EEG oscillations with the degree of mental ability/disability.     

Molecular characterization of VP4 and NSP4 genes from rotavirus strains infecting neonates and young children in Belém, Brazil

Several reports have identified P[6] specificities in humans and in animals in different countries of the world, but few sequence data are available in public databases. In this work we have characterized the VP4 strains bearing P[6] specificity and NSP4 genotypes among diarrheic young children and diarrheic and non-diarrheic neonates from three studies previously conducted in Belém, Northern region of Brazil. As the to VP8* fragment, we observed a close relationship to both human prototypes of lineage P[6]-Ia (bootstrap of 99%) and porcine sublineages Ib and Ic (89.2-98.1% aa similarity and mean of 95%). With regards to the NSP4, the samples clustered into genotypes A and B. Of note, of the 27 P[6] strains analyzed in the present study and classified as genotype B, 8 (29.6%) were more similar to porcine prototypes when VP8* and NSP4 genes are compared, and were recovered, one from a neonate and seven from diarrheic children. These preliminary findings reinforce that further investigations are needed to assess the relative frequencies of P[6] strains in our region, as well as to investigate the potential for interspecies transmission involving humans and animals, particularly pigs.     

Motion in the Unstable Cervical Spine When Transferring a Patient Positioned Prone to a Spine Board

Context:

Two methods have been proposed to transfer an individual in the prone position to a spine board. Researchers do not know which method provides the best immobilization.

Objective:

To determine if motion produced in the unstable cervical spine differs between 2 prone logrolling techniques and to evaluate the effect of equipment on the motion produced during prone logrolling.

Design:

Crossover study.

Setting:

Laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants:

Tests were performed on 5 fresh cadavers (3 men, 2 women; age = 83 ± 8 years, mass = 61.2 ± 14.1 kg).

Main Outcome Measure(s):

Three-dimensional motions were recorded during 2 prone logroll protocols (pull, push) in cadavers with an unstable cervical spine. Three equipment conditions were evaluated: football shoulder pads and helmet, rigid cervical collar, and no equipment. The mean range of motion was calculated for each test condition.

Results:

The pull technique produced 16% more motion than the push technique in the lateral-bending angulation direction (F_1,4 = 19.922, P = .01, η² = 0.833). Whereas the collar-only condition and, to a lesser extent, the football-shoulder-pads-and-helmet condition demonstrated trends toward providing more stability than the no-equipment condition, we found no differences among equipment conditions. We noted an interaction between technique and equipment, with the pull maneuver performed without equipment producing more anteroposterior motion than the push maneuver in any of the equipment conditions.

Conclusions:

We saw a slight difference in the motion measured during the 2 prone logrolling techniques tested, with less lateral-bending and anteroposterior motion produced with the logroll push than the pull technique. Therefore, we recommend adopting the push technique as the preferred spine-boarding maneuver when a patient is found in the prone position. Researchers should continue to seek improved methods for performing prone spine-board transfers to further decrease the motion produced in the unstable spine.Key Words: injuries, transfer techniques, logroll

Key Points

• A slight difference in motion was measured between the 2 prone logrolling techniques, with the push technique producing less lateral-bending and anterior-posterior motion than the pull technique.
• The logroll push technique should be adopted as the preferred spine-boarding maneuver when a patient is found in the prone position.
• Individuals who may need to perform this rescue procedure should practice and become proficient in the logroll push technique.
• Researchers should continue to seek improved methods for transferring patients positioned prone to spine boards to further reduce the motion transmitted to the unstable spine.

Each year, 12 000 incidents of nonfatal spinal cord injury are reported in the United States.¹ Approximately 8.0% of these injuries occur during sport participation.¹ Of all US sports, American football has by far the greatest number of spinal injuries. Between 1982 and 2007, the incidence of direct injuries in males playing American football was 1.89 per 100 000 participants in a college setting and 0.75 per 100 000 participants in a high school setting.²The prehospital management of spinal cord injuries is critical to prevent exacerbation of the injury. In 3% to 25% of patients, neurologic deterioration occurs during the initial management of spinal cord injuries.³ During immobilization and transportation of the patient to the hospital, precautions must be taken to transmit as little motion as possible to the spine. One of the first transfers that rescuers must perform is placing the injured athlete onto a long, rigid spine board. When the injured athlete is supine, lift-and-slide spine-board transfers produce less motion in the spine than logroll spine-board transfers.^4–6 However, when the patient is found in the prone position, a lift-and-slide transfer cannot be performed successfully, and a logroll technique must be used.Swartz et al⁷ recommended how to best manage a catastrophic spine injury in the athlete. They described 2 techniques for logrolling an athlete who is positioned prone: the prone logroll push and the prone logroll pull. Researchers⁸ have shown that the logroll push produces less motion in the unstable thoracolumbar spine. No one knows which of the prone spine-boarding techniques provides the best immobilization in the unstable cervical spine. Therefore, the primary purpose of our study was to determine if motion produced in the unstable cervical spine differs between 2 prone logrolling techniques. Our null hypothesis was that no difference would exist in the amount of motion allowed between the 2 prone logrolling techniques. Our secondary purpose was to evaluate the effect of equipment on the motion produced during the prone logrolling technique. Our null hypothesis was that no difference would exist in the amount of motion allowed among any of the equipment conditions.     

Titanium scaffold osteogenesis in healthy and osteoporotic rats is improved by the use of low-level laser therapy (GaAlAs)

The present study aimed to assess the effects of low-level laser therapy (GaAlAs) on the bone repair process within titanium scaffolds in the femurs of healthy and osteoporotic rats. Fifty-six rats were divided into four groups: group Sh: SHAM animals that received scaffolds; group LSh: SHAM animals that received scaffolds and were subjected to laser therapy; group OV: ovarietomized (OVX) animals that received scaffolds; and group LOV: OVX animals that received scaffolds and were subjected to laser therapy. Thirty days following ovariectomy or sham surgery, scaffolds were implanted in the left femurs of all animals in the study. Immediately after opening the surgical site, the inner part of the surgical cavity was stimulated with low-level laser (GaAlAs). In addition to this procedure, the laser group was also subjected to sessions of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) at 48-h intervals, with the first session performed immediately after surgery. The rats were sacrificed at 2 and 6 weeks, time in which femur fragments were submitted for histological and histomorphometric examination, and skin tissue above the scaffold was submitted to histological analysis. At the end of the study, greater bone formation was observed in the animals submitted to LLLT. At 2 and 6 weeks, statistically significant differences were observed between LSh and Sh groups (p?=?0.009 and 0.0001) and LOV and OV (p?=?0.0001 and 0.0001), respectively. No statistical difference was observed when assessing the estrogen variable. On the basis of our methodology and results, we conclude that LLLT improves and accelerates bone repair within titanium scaffolds in both ovariectomized and healthy rats, when compared to animals not subjected to radiation.     

Traumatic dental injury among 12‐year‐old South Brazilian schoolchildren: prevalence,severity, and risk indicators

Abstract – An increasing prevalence of traumatic dental injury (TDI) has been reported in the last few decades. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and severity of TDI and its association with socio‐demographics and physical characteristics in the anterior permanent teeth of 12‐year‐old Brazilian schoolchildren. A cross‐sectional study was carried out in a population‐based sample of 1528 subjects attending 33 public and nine private schools (response rate of 83.17%). A single calibrated examiner performed the clinical examinations at the schools and recorded the TDI index (Children’s Dental Health Survey criteria), overjet and lip coverage. Height and weight were measured to calculate the body mass index (BMI). Parents/legal guardians answered a questionnaire containing socio‐demographic questions. The relationships among TDI, socio‐demographic variables and physical characteristics were assessed by survey Poisson regression models. The prevalence of TDI was 34.79% (mild trauma = 24.37%; severe trauma = 10.43%). Male schoolchildren (RR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.23–1.61, P = 0.002) and schoolchildren from low socioeconomic status (RR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.07–1.64, P = 0.021) were more likely to present at least one tooth with TDI, whereas students attending 7th grade (advanced students) were less likely to experience TDI (RR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.43–0.82, P = 0.012). Regarding the severity analysis, students of mid‐high (RR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.09–1.94, P = 0.022), mid‐low (RR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.01–2.77, P = 0.045) and low (RR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.11–2.85, P = 0.027) socioeconomic status were more likely to have mild trauma when compared with schoolchildren of high socioeconomic status. No significant association between severe trauma and socioeconomic status was observed. In conclusion, this study showed a high prevalence of TDI in 12‐year‐old Brazilian schoolchildren. Socio‐demographic data and school achievement were associated with TDI.