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Os efeitos da equoterapia na marcha, equilíbrio, força e atividade elétrica dos músculos tibial anterior e gastrocnêmio bilaterais em idosos

2026-07-07T02:03:15Z

Título: Os efeitos da equoterapia na marcha, equilíbrio, força e atividade elétrica dos músculos tibial anterior e gastrocnêmio bilaterais em idosos Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Studies indicate that around 20% of the elderly population experience falls annually, which compromises their independence and increases functional limitations. This highlights the need for therapeutic programs that promote muscle strength and balance in this population. Equine-assisted therapy, by using the horse as a therapeutic resource, offers biopsychosocial benefits similar to those of aerobic and resistance exercises, helping to reduce the deleterious effects of aging. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of equine-assisted therapy on variables such as gait, balance, strength, and lower limb muscle activity in healthy elderly women, assessed before the first session, after the 8th, and after the 16th. METHODOLOGY: The study included 9 healthy women, divided into an Experimental Group (n = 5, mean age 69.2 ± 5.4 years) and a Control Group (n = 4, mean age 67.5 ± 10.1 years). Variables related to gait and balance were assessed using the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), static and dynamic balance was evaluated through the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), muscle strength was measured using dorsal dynamometry, and lower limb muscle electrical activity was recorded by electromyography. RESULTS: The DGI did not show statistically significant differences, while the Berg Balance Scale revealed improved scores in the Experimental Group at the 2nd (p=0.031) and 3rd (p=0.021) assessments. Dynamometry did not identify differences between groups, but electromyography showed increased activation of the medial gastrocnemius muscles on both right and left sides during dynamic phases, especially at the thirtieth minute. CONCLUSION: The Berg Scale showed benefits in the balance of the Experimental Group over time, while electromyographic analysis revealed greater activation of the gastrocnemius muscles during dynamic phases, suggesting that equine-assisted therapy contributes to improvements in stability and muscle activation in elderly individuals. Tipo: Dissertação

Avaliação morfométrica de danos e status oxidativo hepáticos em camundongos infectados com Toxoplasma gondii em fase aguda e crônica

2026-07-07T02:03:14Z

Título: Avaliação morfométrica de danos e status oxidativo hepáticos em camundongos infectados com Toxoplasma gondii em fase aguda e crônica Abstract: Toxoplasmosis, caused by the obligate intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, is a widely distributed zoonosis capable of affecting multiple tissues, including the liver. Accordingly, this study aimed to comprehensively evaluate morphometric, biochemical, and histopathological alterations in the liver of experimentally infected C57BL/6 mice, comparing the acute (7 days) and chronic (21 days) phases of infection. A total of 24 male mice were divided into four groups: acute phase (12 animals) — Acute Control (n = 6) and Acute Infected (n = 6); and chronic phase (12 animals) — Chronic Control (n = 6) and Chronic Infected (n = 6). Infected animals received 10 cysts of the ME49 strain of T. gondii orally via gavage. Body weight, liver weight, and hepatosomatic index (HSI) were measured, and liver samples were collected for glycogen, oxidative stress, histological, and morphometric analyses. Glycogen was assessed for both density and content. Oxidative stress was analyzed by determining the enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione S-transferase (GST), as well as malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and total antioxidant capacity (FRAP). Ion transport function was evaluated by measuring ATPase (Na⁺/K⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺) activities. Infection by Toxoplasma gondii induced liver alterations modulated by the infection phase, without affecting body weight, glycogen content, or ATPase activity, indicating preserved hepatic energy metabolism and homeostasis. During the acute phase, a decrease in the hepatosomatic index and liver water content was observed, suggesting loss of functional mass and tissue dehydration, whereas in the chronic phase, these variables increased, reflecting compensatory adaptations, including vascular remodeling and fluid retention. Antioxidant activity was modulated, with increased catalase and GST in the chronic phase, highlighting the adaptive response to oxidative stress. Markers of hepatic damage, such as MDA and NO, remained stable, supporting the maintenance of redox balance. Morphometric analyses showed increased cytoplasmic volume and sinusoidal capillaries, with no nuclear alterations or necrosis, while fibrosis, steatosis, and inflammatory infiltrates were absent, indicating moderate liver injury. Clinically, these findings suggest that infection may cause moderate hepatic dysfunction, with potential risks of elevated transaminases and structural alterations, while antioxidant and adaptive mechanisms are essential to limit tissue damage. These results underscore the complex hepatic response to the parasite and highlight the need for human studies to validate biomarkers and guide therapeutic interventions. Tipo: Dissertação

Impacto da sangria terapêutica no perfil do ferro e em parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos em pacientes com hiperferritinemia

2026-07-07T02:03:14Z

Título: Impacto da sangria terapêutica no perfil do ferro e em parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos em pacientes com hiperferritinemia Abstract: Therapeutic phlebotomy is an essential, safe, and low-cost treatment for diseases associated with iron overload, aiming to normalize iron kinetics in the body. In Brazil, iron profile monitoring during follow-up between phlebotomies is not routine, which could contribute to more targeted and individualized strategies. The objective was to evaluate the iron profile after therapeutic phlebotomies in patients with hyperferritinemia. A primary, observational, longitudinal prospective cohort study was conducted at the Regional Blood Center of Uberaba/MG, between October 2024 and June 2025. Patients with indication for therapeutic phlebotomy due to hyperferritinemia, over 18 years old, were included. 10 ml of peripheral blood were collected at two time points: before the first phlebotomy and 15 days after the procedure. Complete blood count, vitamin B12, folic acid, iron profile, and liver function were evaluated. In the red blood cell series, women showed an increase in mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (p=0.0401 and p=0.0394). Men showed significant reduction in red blood cells (p<0.0001), hemoglobin (p=0.0008), hematocrit (p<0.0001), and RDW (p<0.0001). Combined analysis showed a decrease in total leukocytes (p=0.0033), without substantial platelet variation. In the iron profile, serum iron decreased in men (p=0.0165). Total iron binding capacity increased in women (p=0.0277) and latent iron binding capacity increased in both sexes (p=0.0070 and p=0.0061). Transferrin saturation index and ferritin reduced significantly in men (p=0.0027 and p<0.0001) and women (p=0.0210 and p=0.0312). Alkaline phosphatase reduction was observed (p=0.0451), without significant variations in other biochemical parameters. However, 18.42% of patients presented anemia before the first phlebotomy, increasing to 23.68% after the procedure, with the majority having a diagnosis of hyperferritinemia. Therapeutic phlebotomy demonstrated significant impact on the evaluated laboratory parameters. Changes in iron profile markers, such as ferritin reduction and transferrin saturation index, confirm the procedure's efficacy. Results show selective hematological response, with reduction in red blood cell series parameters in men. The increase in anemia reinforces the need for systematic laboratory monitoring between sessions to avoid iatrogenic complications. The lack of routine monitoring of these parameters in Brazilian institutions reinforces the need for serial evaluation, allowing more assertive and individualized clinical management. Tipo: Dissertação

Avaliação da relação entre a resposta clínica à aplicação da toxina botulínica para fins estéticos e a produção de anticorpos antitoxina

2026-07-04T02:03:32Z

Título: Avaliação da relação entre a resposta clínica à aplicação da toxina botulínica para fins estéticos e a produção de anticorpos antitoxina Abstract: Background: Botulinum toxin (BTX) is composed of a central neurotoxin associated with several non-toxic accessory proteins (NAPs) and has a wide range of therapeutic applications. In dermatology, it has been employed for the treatment of facial rhytides, and despite its proven efficacy, some individuals either do not respond or lose clinical response over time. One possible explanation is the antigenic potential of the NAPs and excipients present in commercially available formulations; however, this remains a point of contention in the literature. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the association between the absence of clinical response to BTX for aesthetic purposes and the presence of antitoxin antibodies (AATx). Methods: This was a pilot interventional clinical study divided into two phases. It involved the application of AbobotulinumtoxinA, reconstituted in 2 mL of 0.9% saline solution, in 34 participants on Day 0 (initial application) and again on Day 1 (15–21 days after D0). For statistical purposes, the first phase included 32 individuals (16 of each sex), aged 25 to 44 years (mean age: 30 years). Four independent evaluators assessed participants clinically using the Lemperle scale, and inter-rater agreement was measured using the weighted Kappa coefficient. In the second phase, blood samples collected on D0, D1 (15–21 days after D0), and D2 (120 days after D0) were analyzed via ELISA to detect AATx. Due to loss to follow-up, this phase included 31 participants. Hierarchical clustering followed by Fisher’s exact test was used to investigate a possible association between clinical response and antibody levels, with a significance level set at α = 0.05. Results: The clinical assessment tool proved effective, and inter-rater agreement was high. Males received higher doses of BTX than females; however, no significant difference between sexes was observed. One female participant showed no clinical response, but, contrary to expectations, no increase in antitoxin antibody levels was detected. Similarly, some participants exhibited elevated antibody levels without any impact on clinical response. Finally, Fisher’s exact test revealed no significant association between clinical response and AATx levels (p = 0.82). Conclusions: This study did not demonstrate an association between clinical response and AATx levels. The sample size and use of the ELISA method are limitations that may have influenced the results. Tipo: Dissertação