RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The structural changes of the respiratory system related to ageing determine lung function decline in healthy subjects after 25 years of age. An annual reduction of 25 ml in Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 s (FEV1) is expected. We aimed to describe the longitudinal lung function variation of subjects with severe asthma receiving appropriate treatment. METHODS: Consecutive patients enrolled in a Brazilian reference clinic between 2003 and 2006 were invited to participate. The study participants were followed up for a median of 8 years, and were evaluated with spirometry in three distinct occasions (V0, V1 and V8), at least. At V0, upon enrollment, subjects with previous severe untreated asthma were evaluated by a specialist, had their health resource utilization in the last 12 months recorded, and performed spirometry. In V1, 1 year after V0, under proper management, subjects repeated the procedures and answered the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) and the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ). In the last study visit (V8), 7 years after V1, all patients underwent a pre and post-broncodilator (postBD) spirometry, skin prick test for aeroallergens, answered the ACQ and the AQLQ and had another interview with the specialist. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-four subjects were followed up between V0 and V8. A comparison between spirometries of V1 and V8, after the initial improvement has supposedly reached a plateau, shows that the FEV1 and FVC declined significantly both in absolute and percent of predicted values. FEV1postBD did not change significantly between V0 and V1, but declined by -27.1 (-51.1-1.4) ml/yr between V1 and V8. CONCLUSIONS: Currently available treatment with a combination of inhaled corticosteroids and LABA may not be sufficient to prevent lung function decline in subjects with severe asthma.
Assuntos
Corticosteroides/administração & dosagem , Asma/tratamento farmacológico , Asma/fisiopatologia , Administração por Inalação , Adulto , Alérgenos/imunologia , Brasil , Feminino , Volume Expiratório Forçado , Humanos , Estudos Longitudinais , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Prospectivos , Qualidade de Vida , Testes Cutâneos , Espirometria , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
The objective of this experiment was to characterize and quantify responses of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu under different infestation levels of adult spittlebugs of the genus Mahanarva (Hemiptera: Cercopidae). The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, in Piracicaba, SP. Treatments corresponded to four spittlebugs infestation levels (5, 10, 20 and 40 adults pot-1) plus the control (unifested), distributed in the experimental units (pots) according to a completely randomized design. The study included period of infestation by insects and regrowth of plants. The following response variables were measured: forage yield, root mass and organic reserves. No significant spittlebug effect was observed on regrowth, stubble and root mass of marandu palisadegrass (p > 0.05). The stubble and root mass, as well as the nonstructural carbohydrates concentration, were influenced only during the regrowth period (p 0.0001). The total nitrogen concentration in stubble and in roots was influenced by the interaction between infestation levels and regrowth period (p 0.0001 and p = 0.0521).
O objetivo deste experimento foi caracterizar e quantificar respostas de Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu sob níveis de infestações de cigarrinhas adultas do gênero Mahanarva (Hemiptera: Cercopidae). O ensaio foi realizado em casa de vegetação na Cidade de Piracicaba, SP, e seus tratamentos corresponderam a quatro níveis de infestações de cigarrinhas (5, 10, 20 e 40 insetos adultos vaso-1) mais o controle (sem cigarrinhas), distribuídos nas unidades experimentais (vasos) segundo delineamento inteiramente casualizado. O estudo compreendeu período de infestação pelo inseto e de rebrota das plantas. Avaliaram-se as seguintes variáveis-resposta: acúmulo de forragem, massa de raiz e teor de reservas orgânicas. Não foi observado efeito das cigarrinhas na massa das frações rebrote, resíduo e sistema radicular do capim-marandu (p > 0,05). A massa do resíduo e sistema radicular, assim como a concentração de carboidratos não estruturais nesses órgãos de acúmulo, sofreram influência apenas do período de rebrota (p 0,0001). Já a concentração de nitrogênio total no resíduo e nas raízes foi influenciada pela interação entre níveis de infestação e período de rebrota (p 0,0001 e p = 0,0521).
RESUMO
O objetivo deste experimento foi caracterizar e quantificar respostas de Brachiaria brizanthacv. Marandu sob níveis de infestações de cigarrinhas adultas do gênero Mahanarva (Hemiptera: Cercopidae). O ensaio foi realizado em casa de vegetação na Cidade de Piracicaba, SP, e seus tratamentos corresponderam a quatro níveis de infestações de cigarrinhas (5, 10, 20 e 40 insetos adultos vaso-1) mais o controle (sem cigarrinhas), distribuídos nas unidades experimentais (vasos) segundo delineamento inteiramente casualizado. O estudo compreendeu período de infestação pelo inseto e de rebrota das plantas. Avaliaram-se as seguintes variáveis-resposta: acúmulo de forragem, massa de raiz e teor de reservas orgânicas. Não foi observado efeito das cigarrinhas na massa das frações rebrote, resíduo e sistema radicular do capim-marandu (p > 0,05). A massa do resíduo e sistema radicular, assim como a concentração de carboidratos não estruturais nesses órgãos de acúmulo, sofreram influência apenas do período de rebrota (p < 0,0001). Já a concentração de nitrogênio total no resíduo e nas raízes foi influenciada pela interação entre níveis de infestação e período de rebrota (p < 0,0001 e p = 0,0521).
REGROWTH OF MARANDU PALISADEGRASS SUBMITTED TO SPITTLEBUGS ATTACK. The objective of this experiment was to characterize and quantify responses of Brachiaria brizanthacv. Marandu under different infestation levels of adult spittlebugs of the genus Mahanarva (Hemiptera: Cercopidae). The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, in Piracicaba, SP. Treatments corresponded to four spittlebugs infestation levels (5, 10, 20 and 40 adults pot-1) plus the control (unifested), distributed in the experimental units (pots) according to a completely randomized design. The study included period of infestation by insects and regrowth of plants. The following response variables were measured: forage yield, root mass and organic reserves. No significant spittlebug effect was observed on regrowth, stubble and root mass of marandu palisadegrass (p > 0.05). The stubble and root mass, as well as the nonstructural carbohydrates concentration, were influenced only during the regrowth period (p < 0.0001). The total nitrogen concentration in stubble and in roots was influenced by the interaction between infestation levels and regrowth period (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0521).
Assuntos
Controle de Pragas/métodos , Hemípteros , Brachiaria/classificaçãoRESUMO
O objetivo deste experimento foi caracterizar e quantificar respostas de Brachiaria brizanthacv. Marandu sob níveis de infestações de cigarrinhas adultas do gênero Mahanarva (Hemiptera: Cercopidae). O ensaio foi realizado em casa de vegetação na Cidade de Piracicaba, SP, e seus tratamentos corresponderam a quatro níveis de infestações de cigarrinhas (5, 10, 20 e 40 insetos adultos vaso-1) mais o controle (sem cigarrinhas), distribuídos nas unidades experimentais (vasos) segundo delineamento inteiramente casualizado. O estudo compreendeu período de infestação pelo inseto e de rebrota das plantas. Avaliaram-se as seguintes variáveis-resposta: acúmulo de forragem, massa de raiz e teor de reservas orgânicas. Não foi observado efeito das cigarrinhas na massa das frações rebrote, resíduo e sistema radicular do capim-marandu (p > 0,05). A massa do resíduo e sistema radicular, assim como a concentração de carboidratos não estruturais nesses órgãos de acúmulo, sofreram influência apenas do período de rebrota (p < 0,0001). Já a concentração de nitrogênio total no resíduo e nas raízes foi influenciada pela interação entre níveis de infestação e período de rebrota (p < 0,0001 e p = 0,0521). (AU)
REGROWTH OF MARANDU PALISADEGRASS SUBMITTED TO SPITTLEBUGS ATTACK. The objective of this experiment was to characterize and quantify responses of Brachiaria brizanthacv. Marandu under different infestation levels of adult spittlebugs of the genus Mahanarva (Hemiptera: Cercopidae). The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, in Piracicaba, SP. Treatments corresponded to four spittlebugs infestation levels (5, 10, 20 and 40 adults pot-1) plus the control (unifested), distributed in the experimental units (pots) according to a completely randomized design. The study included period of infestation by insects and regrowth of plants. The following response variables were measured: forage yield, root mass and organic reserves. No significant spittlebug effect was observed on regrowth, stubble and root mass of marandu palisadegrass (p > 0.05). The stubble and root mass, as well as the nonstructural carbohydrates concentration, were influenced only during the regrowth period (p < 0.0001). The total nitrogen concentration in stubble and in roots was influenced by the interaction between infestation levels and regrowth period (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0521). (AU)
Assuntos
Controle de Pragas/métodos , Hemípteros , Brachiaria/classificaçãoRESUMO
These preliminary results suggest this temporary skin substitute reduces pain and achieves comparable healing rates to other dressings. Furthermore, its transparency enables regular inspection of the wound bed for signs of infection.
Assuntos
Queimaduras/terapia , Curativos Oclusivos/normas , Polissacarídeos/uso terapêutico , Pele Artificial/normas , Adulto , Brasil , Exsudatos e Transudatos , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Avaliação em Enfermagem , Curativos Oclusivos/efeitos adversos , Dor/diagnóstico , Dor/etiologia , Medição da Dor , Polissacarídeos/farmacologia , Estudos Prospectivos , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Higiene da Pele/instrumentação , Higiene da Pele/métodos , Higiene da Pele/enfermagem , Pele Artificial/efeitos adversos , Fatores de Tempo , Coleta de Tecidos e Órgãos/efeitos adversos , Cicatrização/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: To conduct an exploratory cross-sectional study carried out in the city of Fortaleza (Ceara, Brazil) with the aim of evaluating the relation between central neuropathic pain and the quality of life in individuals with central neuropathic pain due to traumatic injury. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study examined the cases of 17 adult paraplegic patients with complete traumatic injuries, mainly due to perforations caused by gunshot wounds. The sample was divided into two groups: 1) those with pain, and 2) those with intense pain (more than 20 points according to McGill and eight on the numerical visual scale). The instruments used were the following: the MOS 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the McGill pain questionnaire, oriented towards the descriptors and the numerical visual scale. RESULTS: The quality of life of patients with central neuropathic pain due to a spinal cord injury is greatly compromised and when the pain is intense the quality of life is even more effected, especially in the following areas: "functional capacity" (p = 0.005), "general state of health" (p = 0.003), "mental health" (p = 0.035), "social aspects" (p = 0.006) and "pain" (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The quality of life in patients with neuropathic pain due to a traumatic spinal cord injury is severely compromised and the more intense this pain is, the greater its effect on the quality of life will be. It can also be stated that the instruments used were valid for this type of patients (in spite of certain shortcomings) given the complexity and subjectivity of the matter.
Assuntos
Dor , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal/fisiopatologia , Atividades Cotidianas , Adolescente , Adulto , Brasil , Avaliação da Deficiência , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Medição da Dor , Qualidade de Vida , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal/patologia , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
There are few reports concerning the biological role and the mechanisms of interaction between proteinases and carbohydrates other than those involved in clotting. It has been shown that the interplay of enzymes and glycosaminoglycans is able to modulate the activity of different proteases and also to affect their structures. From the large number of proteases belonging to the well-known protease families and also the variety of carbohydrates described as widely distributed, only few events have been analyzed more deeply. The term "family" is used to describe a group of proteases in which every member shows an evolutionary relationship to at least one other protease. This relationship may be evident throughout the entire sequence, or at least in that part of the sequence responsible for catalytic activity. The majority of proteases belong to the serine, cysteine, aspartic or metalloprotease families. By considering the existing limited proteolysis process, in addition to the initial idea that the proteinases participate only in digestive processes, it is possible to conclude that the function of the enzymes is strictly limited to the cleavage of intended substrates since the destruction of functional proteins would result in normal tissue damage. In addition, the location as well as the eventual regulation of protease activity promoted by glycosaminoglycans can play an essential role in the development of several physiopathological conditions.
Assuntos
Endopeptidases/metabolismo , Glicosaminoglicanos/fisiologia , Animais , Cisteína Endopeptidases/metabolismo , Glicosaminoglicanos/metabolismo , Heparina/fisiologia , Humanos , Metaloproteinases da Matriz/metabolismo , Serina Endopeptidases/metabolismo , Inibidores de Serina Proteinase/metabolismo , Inibidores Teciduais de Metaloproteinases/metabolismoRESUMO
There are few reports concerning the biological role and the mechanisms of interaction between proteinases and carbohydrates other than those involved in clotting. It has been shown that the interplay of enzymes and glycosaminoglycans is able to modulate the activity of different proteases and also to affect their structures. From the large number of proteases belonging to the well-known protease families and also the variety of carbohydrates described as widely distributed, only few events have been analyzed more deeply. The term "family" is used to describe a group of proteases in which every member shows an evolutionary relationship to at least one other protease. This relationship may be evident throughout the entire sequence, or at least in that part of the sequence responsible for catalytic activity. The majority of proteases belong to the serine, cysteine, aspartic or metalloprotease families. By considering the existing limited proteolysis process, in addition to the initial idea that the proteinases participate only in digestive processes, it is possible to conclude that the function of the enzymes is strictly limited to the cleavage of intended substrates since the destruction of functional proteins would result in normal tissue damage. In addition, the location as well as the eventual regulation of protease activity promoted by glycosaminoglycans can play an essential role in the development of several physiopathological conditions
Assuntos
Humanos , Animais , Endopeptidases , Glicosaminoglicanos , Cisteína Endopeptidases , Serina Endopeptidases , Heparina , Inibidores de Serina Proteinase , Inibidores Teciduais de Metaloproteinases , Metaloproteinases da Matriz , GlicosaminoglicanosRESUMO
It has been shown that lysosomal cysteine proteinases, specially cathepsin B, has been implicated in a variety of diseases involving tissue remodeling states, such as inflammation, parasite infection, and tumor metastasis, by degradation of extracellular matrix components. Recently, we have shown that heparin and heparan sulfate bind to papain specifically; this interaction induces an increase of its alpha-helix content and stabilizes the enzyme structure even at alkaline pH (Almeida, P. C., Nantes, I. L., Rizzi, C. C. A., Júdice, W. A. S., Chagas, J. R., Juliano, L., Nader, H. B., and Tersariol, I. L. S. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 30433-30438). In the present work, a combination of circular dichroism analysis, affinity chromatography, cathepsin B mutants, and fluorogenic substrate assays were used to characterize the interaction of human cathepsin B with glycosaminoglycans. The nature of the cathepsin B-glycosaminoglycans interaction was sensitive to the charge and type of polysaccharide. Like papain, heparin and heparan sulfate bind cathepsin B specifically, and this interaction reduces the loss of cathepsin B alpha-helix content at alkaline pH. Our data show that the coupling of cathepsin B with heparin or heparan sulfate can potentiate the endopeptidase activity of the cathepsin B, increasing 5-fold the half-life (t(12)) of the enzyme at alkaline pH. Most of these effects are related to the interaction of heparin and heparan sulfate with His(111) residue of the cathepsin B occluding loop. These results strongly suggest that heparan sulfate may be an important binding site for cathepsin B at cell surface, reporting a novel physiological role for heparan sulfate proteoglycans.
Assuntos
Catepsina B/química , Catepsina B/metabolismo , Glicosaminoglicanos/metabolismo , Heparina/metabolismo , Heparitina Sulfato/metabolismo , Substituição de Aminoácidos , Catepsina B/isolamento & purificação , Sulfatos de Condroitina/metabolismo , Sulfatos de Condroitina/farmacologia , Cromatografia de Afinidade , Dicroísmo Circular , Clonagem Molecular , Dermatan Sulfato/metabolismo , Dermatan Sulfato/farmacologia , Sulfato de Dextrana/metabolismo , Sulfato de Dextrana/farmacologia , Estabilidade Enzimática , Glicosaminoglicanos/farmacologia , Heparina/farmacologia , Heparitina Sulfato/farmacologia , Humanos , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , Cinética , Fígado/enzimologia , Desnaturação Proteica/efeitos dos fármacos , Proteínas Recombinantes/química , Proteínas Recombinantes/isolamento & purificação , Proteínas Recombinantes/metabolismoRESUMO
Human plasma kallikrein (HPK) activates plasma prorenin to renin, and the physiological significance of this activation is still unknown. In this paper we investigated the efficiency and the cleavage pattern of the hydrolysis by HPK of the internally quenched fluorescent peptides (qf-peptides) derived from the amino acid sequence of human prorenin cleavage site. The peptide Abz-F-S-Q-P-M-K-R-L-T-L-G-N-T-T-Q-EDDnp (Abz=ortho-aminobenzoic acid, and EDDnp=N-[2,4-dinitrophenyl]-ethylene diamine), that corresponds to the amino acid sequence P(7) to P(7)' of human prorenin cleavage site, is hydrolyzed at the correct processing site (R-L bond) with k(cat)/K(m)=85 mM(-1) s(-1). Alanine was scanned in all positions from P(5) to P(5)' in order to investigate the substrate specificity requirements of HPK. The qf-peptides derived from the equivalent segment of rat prorenin, that has Lys-Lys as basic amino acid pair, and the peptide Abz-NVTSPVQ-EDDnp that contains the proposed cleavage site of rat prorenin have very low susceptibility to hydrolysis by rat plasma kallikrein. These data are according to the previously reported absence of rat plasma prorenin activation by rat plasma kallikrein (RPK), and with the view that prorenin activation in rat requires alternative enzymes and/or mechanism. All the obtained peptides described in this paper were also assayed with bovine trypsin that was taken as a reference protease because it is commonly used to activate prorenin.