Exercise could be a well-tolerated, safe, and effective intervention able to induce immunomodulatory and pro-angiogenic effects and to increase strength and function in patients with TAK.

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Survey of saproxylophagous Melolonthidae (Coleoptera) and some biological aspects in Aquidauana, MS. Biota Neotrop. 13(3): http:// www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v13n3/en/abstract?article+bn00813032013Abstract: Coleoptera of the family Melolonthidae plays an important role in decomposition and nutrient recycling in the environment, however the information of this group is scarce in Brazil; therefore studies were developed with the objective of understanding the biological aspects of saproxylophagous. The studies were developed in the experimental farm of the State University of Mato Grosso do Sul, in Aquidauana, from March 2011 to April 2012. In a forest fragment of the cerrado, when encountering fallen tree trunks, they were cut into small pieces for extraction and acquisition of immature and adult Melolonthidae. Larvae were taken to the laboratory where they were reared until emergence of adults, obtaining biological and biometric data. A total of 145 larvae and 11 adults were collected. Third instar larvae of Strategus surinamensis Burmeister, 1847, collected in this phase lasted 230 days and 31.3 days in the pupal stage. Third instar larvae of Phileurus valgus (Linnaeus, 1758), in this phase lasted 49 days and 13 days in the pupal stage. Third instar larvae Pelidnota fulva Blanchard, 1850, after being collected remained for 61 days in this phase and 25.3 days in the pupal stage. Adults Pelidnota aff. vazdemeloi were collected inside tree trunks. To Macraspis festiva Burmeister, 1844, the third instar larvae collected lasted for 39 days at this stage, and pupae lasted 17 days. Third instar larvae of Rutela lineola (Linnaeus, 1767), in this phase lasted 23 days, and pupae lasted 16.3 days. To Hoplopyga liturata (Olivier, 1789), third instar larvae collected lasted 21 days and pupae lasted 18 days. To Hoplopyga boliviensis (Moser, 1918), third instar larvae lasted 33 days and pupae 16 days. Second and third larval instar Marmarina maculosa (Olivier, 1789) collected lasted respectively, 105 and 171.3 days and pupae lasted 26 days. The species collected in greatest quantity were M. festiva with 75 larvae,R. lineola with 20 larvae and H. boliviensis with 18 larvae. Larvae were collected during several months, where in July 32 larvae were sampled and in August 39 larvae, the largest quantities encountered. Keywords: Cetoniinae, decomposers, Dynastinae, Rutelinae.GARCIA, F.P., RODRIGUES, S.R., BAGNARA, C.A.C. & OLIVEIRA, D.S. Levantamento de Melolonthidae (Coleoptera) saproxilófagos e alguns aspectos biológicos em Aquidauana, MS. Biota Neotrop. 13(3): http:// www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v13n3/pt/abstract?article+bn00813032013Resumo: Os coleópteros da família Melolonthidae desempenham importante função na decomposição e reciclagem de nutrientes no meio ambiente, assim, foram desenvolvidos estudos com o objetivo de se conhecer as espécies saproxilófagas ocorrentes e os aspectos biológicos. Os estudos foram desenvolvidos na fazenda experimental da Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, em Aquidauana, de março de 2011 ...

Systemic autoimmune myopathies (SAMs) are a heterogeneous group of rare systemic autoimmune diseases that primarily affect skeletal muscles. Patients with SAMs show progressive skeletal muscle weakness and consequent functional disabilities, low health quality, and sedentary lifestyles. In this context, exercise training emerges as a non-pharmacological therapy to improve muscle strength and function as well as the clinical aspects of these diseases. Because many have feared that physical exercise exacerbates inflammation and consequently worsens the clinical manifestations of SAMs, it is necessary to evaluate the possible benefits and safety of exercise training among these patients. The present study systematically reviews the evidence associated with physical training among patients with SAMs.

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Background/Objective: Patients with systemic autoimmune myopathies (SAMs) have high prevalence of dyslipidemia and, consequently, possible endothelial dysfunction and vascular stiffness. Our objective was to evaluate the possible benefits on endothelial function and vascular stiffness, as well as adverse effects of atorvastatin in SAMs.Methods: A pilot longitudinal, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted. Twenty-four of 242 patients were randomized at a 2:1 ratio to receive atorvastatin (20 mg/d) or placebo for a period of 12 weeks. Demographic data, comorbidities, and clinical and laboratory parameters, as well as endothelial function and arterial stiffness, were evaluated.Results: Of the 24 randomized patients, 4 patients were excluded, with remaining 20 patients (14 in the atorvastatin group and 6 in the placebo group). The mean age of the patients was 49.0 years, and 75% of the patients were female. At baseline, the demographic data, disease status, treatment, cardiovascular comorbidities, and risk factors were comparable between the atorvastatin and placebo groups. After 12 weeks of follow-up of atorvastatin therapy, no improvements were observed for endothelial function and arterial stiffness in either group (p > 0.05). As expected, a significant reduction in total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels was observed. During the study, no clinical intercurrences or disease relapses were observed in either group. Conclusions:The atorvastatin drug attenuated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol without worsening clinical outcomes in SAMs. No change was observed for endothelial function and arterial stiffness. Additional studies, with long-term follow-up time and different atorvastatin dosage, are needed to corroborate the results of this study.