No abstract

Radiofrequency (RF) treatment appears to be involved in production of new collagen fibrils and the improvement of existing collagen structures; however, the molecular bases of the effect of non-invasive RF on the skin tissue have not been fully elucidated. This study reports the effects of RF associated or not with hydrolyzed collagen (HC) in the skin tissue. Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups, according to the treatment received: control group (G1, n = 5), no treatment; subjects in group G2 (n = 5) were treated with HC; and capacitive RF was applied to the back of each subject in G3 (n = 5) and RF associated with HC in G4 (n = 5). Biopsies were taken 30 days after treatment and then were histologically processed and studied for inflammatory cell counting, collagen content, and morphometry. In addition, FGF2, CD105, and COX-2 expression was assessed by immunohistochemical staining. The most relevant changes were the increase in cellularity and accumulation of intercellular substance in RF-treated animals (G3 and G4). The greatest dermis thickness rate was observed in G4, followed by G3 and G2 (p < 0.05). RF-treated skins (G3 and G4) exhibited a significant overexpression of FGF2 (p < 0.0001) and increased microvessel density (p < 0.0001) in comparison with G1 and G2. Moreover, the amount of COX-2 was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in dermis of RF-treated areas compared to G1 and G2, and demonstrated differences in G3 (RF) compared to G4 (RF + HC) (p < 0.0001). Our results suggests that RF treatment associated or not with HC induces FGF2 overexpression, promotes neoangiogenesis and modulates the COX-2 expression, subsequently promotes neocollagenesis, and increased thickness rate of dermis.

The pathology of Parkinson’s disease and other synucleinopathies is characterized by the formation of intracellular inclusions comprised primarily of misfolded, fibrillar α-synuclein (α-syn). One strategy to slow disease progression is to prevent the misfolding and aggregation of its native monomeric form. Here we present findings that support the contention that the tricyclic antidepressant compound nortriptyline (NOR) has disease-modifying potential for synucleinopathies. Findings from in vitro aggregation and kinetics assays support the view that NOR inhibits aggregation of α-syn by directly binding to the soluble, monomeric form, and by enhancing reconfiguration of the monomer, inhibits formation of toxic conformations of the protein. We go on to demonstrate that NOR inhibits the accumulation, aggregation and neurotoxicity of α-syn in multiple cell and animal models. These findings suggest that NOR, a compound with established safety and efficacy for treatment of depression, may slow progression of α-syn pathology by directly binding to soluble, native, α-syn, thereby inhibiting pathological aggregation and preserving its normal functions.

Os raios-X são produzidos por ondas eletromagnéticas no espectro não visível, sendo essas descritas por equações vetoriais. O primeiro estudo publicado sobre o Raio-X foi realizado por Kienböck em 1907. Em seu trabalho ele propôs a classificação qualitativa dos raios-X, com relação a sua penetrabilidade no tecido humano, ou seja, a qualidade dos feixes liberados pela máquina. Desde sua invenção, as máquinas passaram e passam por mudanças constantes, tanto quanto na produção e emissão dos raios até na entrega dos resultados. Diante desse contexto, o presente artigo aborda o princípio de funcionamento de uma máquina de Raio-X, do ponto de vista físico e matemático sob o viés da Ciência, Tecnologia e Sociedade (CTS). Desse modo, estudou-se a evolução de tal aparelho e seus impactos sociais através da mudança de paradigma apresentado por Thomas Kuhn. As mudanças de paradigmas são associadas pelas transformações ocorridas na tentativa de aperfeiçoar o Raio-X. Durante esse processo que perdura até os dias atuais, muitos paradigmas foram colocados em prova, mas não necessariamente refutados, no entanto, fazem parte da evolução e sem eles, talvez os avanços não seriam tão significativos. A mudança do paradigma, tem corroborado para o aperfeiçoamento dos resultados e atenuando os impactos socioambientais.

BackgroundEndomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) is a rare disease, characterized by diastolic dysfunction which leads to reduced peak oxygen consumption (VO2). Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) has been proved to be a fundamental tool to identify central and peripheral alterations. However, most studies prioritize peak VO2 as the main variable, leaving aside other important CPET variables that can specify the severity of the disease and guide the clinical treatment.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate central and peripheral limitations in symptomatic patients with EMF by different CPET variables.MethodsTwenty-six EMF patients (functional class III, NYHA) were compared with 15 healthy subjects (HS). Functional capacity was evaluated using CPET and diastolic and systolic functions were evaluated by echocardiography.ResultsAge and gender were similar between EMF patients and HS. Left ventricular ejection fraction was normal in EMF patients, but decreased compared to HS. Peak heart rate, peak workload, peak VO2, peak oxygen (O2) pulse and peak pulmonary ventilation (VE) were decreased in EMF compared to HS. Also, EMF patients showed increased Δ heart rate /Δ oxygen uptake and Δ oxygen uptake /Δ work rate compared to HS.ConclusionDetermination of the aerobic capacity by noninvasive respiratory gas exchange during incremental exercise provides additional information about the exercise tolerance in patients with EMF. The analysis of different CPET variables is necessary to help us understand more about the central and peripheral alterations cause by both diastolic dysfunction and restrictive pattern.