Regulation of stanniocalcin-1 secretion by BeWo cells and first trimester human placental tissue from normal pregnancies and those at increased risk of developing preeclampsia.

Stanniocalcin-1 (STC-1) is a multi-functional glycosylated peptide present in the plasma of healthy women postpartum and increased further in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia. Although the STC-1 gene is expressed by the placenta what regulates its secretion and from which cells at the feto-maternal interface is unknown. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that the syncytiotrophoblast and cytotrophoblast are a major site of STC-1 protein expression in first trimester placental tissue. Further, in response to low oxygen, first trimester chorionic villous tissue from pregnancies at increased risk of developing preeclampsia secreted significantly more STC-1 than normal tissue under the same conditions. Using the human trophoblast cell line BeWo we have shown that low oxygen increased the secretion of STC-1 but it required co-stimulation with the Adenosine-3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) analogue, 8-Bromo adenosine-3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate cAMP (8 Br-cAMP) to reach significance. Inhibition of Hypoxia inducible factor 2α (HIF-2α) and the Phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3 -Kinase)/AKT/Serum and glucocorticoid-induced kinase-1(SGK-1) pathway resulted in significant inhibition of STC-1 secretion. As both low oxygen and cAMP are known to play a central role in placental function, their regulation of STC-1 points to a potentially important role in the maintenance of a normal healthy pregnancy and we would hypothesize that it may act to protect against prolonged placental hypoxia seen in preeclampsia

Efeitos da facilitação neuromuscular proprioceptiva na estabilidade postural e risco de quedas em pacientes com sequela de acidente vascular encefálico: estudo piloto

O controle do tronco é uma habilidade motora básica necessária para executar diversas tarefas funcionais, e é deficiente em pacientes que sofreram acidente vascular encefálico (AVE). Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito do método facilitação neuromuscular proprioceptiva (PNF) na estabilidade postural e risco de quedas em pacientes com sequela de AVE. Metodologia: Foi realizado estudo de intervenção que consistiu em treinamento da estabilidade postural por meio de um protocolo fixo constituído por 5 exercícios utilizando o método PNF, onde foram realizados 10 atendimentos com frequência de três vezes por semana e duração em média de 45 minutos, e para a avaliação dos desfechos, utilizou-se a escala de equilíbrio de Berg (EEB). Resultados: Foram atendidos 12 homens com hemiparesia à esquerda e no mínimo seis meses de evolução e observou-se diferença altamente significativa entre os valores pré e pós teste por meio da EEB (p<0,01). Conclusão: O PNF teve efeitos benéficos na estabilidade postural e em repercussões no risco de quedas em indivíduos com hemiparesia à esquerda

Developments on drug discovery and on new therapeutics: highly diluted tinctures act as biological response modifiers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In the search for new therapies novel drugs and medications are being discovered, developed and tested in laboratories. Highly diluted substances are intended to enhance immune system responses resulting in reduced frequency of various diseases, and often present no risk of serious side-effects due to its low toxicity. Over the past years our research group has been investigating the action of highly diluted substances and tinctures on cells from the immune system.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We have developed and tested several highly diluted tinctures and here we describe the biological activity of M1, M2, and M8 both <it>in vitro </it>in immune cells from mice and human, and <it>in vivo </it>in mice. Cytotoxicity, cytokines released and NF-κB activation were determined after <it>in vitro </it>treatment. Cell viability, oxidative response, lipid peroxidation, bone marrow and lymph node cells immunophenotyping were accessed after mice <it>in vivo </it>treatment.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>None of the highly diluted tinctures tested were cytotoxic to macrophages or K562. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages treated with all highly diluted tinctures decreased tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) release and M1, and M8 decreased IFN-<it>γ </it>production. M1 has decreased NF-κB activity on TNF-α stimulated reporter cell line. <it>In vivo </it>treatment lead to a decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO) production was increased by M1, and M8, and lipid peroxidation was induced by M1, and M2. All compounds enhanced the innate immunity, but M1 also augmented acquired immunity and M2 diminished B lymphocytes, responsible to acquired immunity.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Based on the results presented here, these highly diluted tinctures were shown to modulate immune responses. Even though further investigation is needed there is an indication that these highly diluted tinctures could be used as therapeutic interventions in disorders where the immune system is compromised.</p

Propriedades mecânicas do músculo de ratos adultos e idosos, exercitado pós-imobilização

OBJECTIVES: To describe the effects of immobilization, free remobilization and remobilization by physical exercise about mechanical properties of skeletal muscle of rats of two age groups. METHODS: 56 Wistar rats divided into two groups according to age, an adult group (five months) and an older group (15 months). These groups were subdivided in: control, immobilized, free remobilized and remobilized by physical exercise. The pelvic limb of rats was immobilized for seven days. The exercise protocol consisted of five swimming sessions, once per day and 25 minutes per session. The gastrocnemius muscle was subjected to tensile tests, and evaluated the properties: load at the maximum limit, stretching at the maximum limit and stiffness. RESULTS: The immobilization reduced the values of load at the maximum limit and the remobilization protocols were not sufficient to restore control levels in adult group and older rats. The stretching at the maximum limit differs only in the older group. CONCLUSIONS: The immobilization reduces the muscle's ability to bear loads and exercise protocol tends to restore the default at control values in adult and older rats. The age factor only interfered in the stretching at the maximum limit, inducing a reduction of this property in the post-immobilization. Level of Evidence II, Investigating the Results of Treatment

Occupational stress and work capacity of nurses of a hospital group

The study aimed to evaluate the relationship between occupational stress and the work capacity index of 368 nurses (82.1% of the population) of a Hospital Group. A questionnaire with socio-occupational questions was used as well as two scales: the Job Stress Scale and the Work Capacity Index. The group of nurses was predominantly female (93.2%), worked in care activities (63.9%), had undertaken at least one Postgraduate course (76%) and were satisfied with the unit where they worked (70.5%). Occupational stress was present in 23.6% of the nurses, of these 15.2% presented High Strain work and 8.4% Passive Work. Social Support exercised a significant positive influence on all groups - exposed or not to occupational stress. Regarding the Work Capacity, this was Moderate (28-36 points) for 51.4% of the nurses and Good (37-43 points) for 47.4%. There was no correlation between stress and work capacity.Se trata de un estudio con objetivo de evaluar la relación entre el estrés laboral y el índice de capacidad para el trabajo de 368 enfermeros (82,1% de la población) de un Grupo Hospitalario. Se utilizó un cuestionario con cuestiones socio ocupacionales y dos escalas: la Job Stress Scale y el Índice de Capacidad para el Trabajo. El grupo de enfermeros es predominantemente femenino (93,2%), trabaja en actividades asistenciales (63,9%), posee por lo menos un curso de posgraduación (76%) y está satisfecho con la unidad donde trabaja (70,5%). El estrés laboral está presente en 23,6% de los enfermeros, de estos 15,2% presentan Alta Exigencia en el trabajo y 8,4% Trabajo Pasivo. El Apoyo Social ejerce influencia positiva significativa sobre todos los grupos expuestos y no expuestos al estrés laboral. En cuanto a la Capacidad para el Trabajo, está es Moderada (28-36 puntos) para 51,4% de los enfermeros y Buena (37-43 puntos) para 47,4%. No se encontró correlación entre el estrés y la capacidad para el trabajo.Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a relação entre o estresse laboral e o índice de capacidade para o trabalho, de 368 enfermeiros (82,1% da população) de um grupo hospitalar. Utilizou-se um questionário com questões sócio-ocupacionais e duas escalas: a Job Stress Scale e o índice de capacidade para o trabalho. O grupo de enfermeiros era predominantemente feminino (93,2%), trabalhando em atividades assistenciais (63,9%), possuía pelo menos um curso de pós-graduação (76%) e satisfeito com a unidade onde trabalhava (70,5%). O estresse laboral está presente em 23,6% dos enfermeiros, e, desses, 15,2% apresentam alta exigência no trabalho e 8,4% trabalho passivo. O apoio social exerce influência positiva significativa sobre todos os grupos - expostos e não expostos ao estresse laboral. Quanto à capacidade para o trabalho, essa é moderada (28-36 pontos) para 51,4% dos enfermeiros e boa (37-43 pontos) para 47,4%. Não há correlação entre o estresse e a capacidade para o trabalho