SUMMARYPurpose: Methylmalonic acidemias are inherited metabolic disorders characterized by methylmalonate (MMA) accumulation and neurologic dysfunction, including seizures. It is known that metabolic crises in affected patients are precipitated by infections. Although growing evidence supports that inflammation facilitates seizures, it is not known whether inflammatory mediators facilitate MMA-induced seizures. Therefore, in this study we investigate the involvement of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) in MMA-induced seizures. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were implanted with electrodes over the parietal cortex for electroencephalography (EEG) recording and a cannula in the right lateral ventricle. Animals were injected with PGE 2 (100 ng/ 2 ll, i.c.v.) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (2 ll, i.c.v.), 15 min before MMA (2.5 lmol/2.5 ll, i.c.v.) or NaCl (2.5 lmol/2.5 ll, i.c.v.). The anticonvulsant effect of celecoxib (0.2; 2 or 20 mg/kg, p.o., 60 min before MMA) on MMA-induced seizures, and whether PGE 2 (10 or 100 ng/ 2 ll, i.c.v.) prevented the anticonvulsant effect of celecoxib (2 mg/kg, p.o.) were also investigated. Key Findings: PGE 2 decreased the latency to MMAinduced jerks and generalized seizures, and increased the amplitude of generalized seizure EEG recordings. The selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib at the dose 2 mg/kg, but not at the dose 20 mg/kg, completely prevented MMA-induced seizures. The protective effect of celecoxib (2 mg/kg) against MMA-induced seizures was prevented by PGE 2 . Significance: These results support a role for PGE 2 in the seizures elicited by MMA, which is in agreement with the view that infections may precipitate and exacerbate neurologic dysfunction in patients with MMA acidemic.

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Objetivo: avaliar a capacidade pulmonar de um grupo de idosos praticantes de hidroginástica. Materiais e Métodos: estudo do tipo levantamento, desenvolvido com 132 indivíduos pertencentes a um grupo da terceira idade praticante de hidroginástica na Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, de maio a junho de 2008. Foram utilizados, para a avaliação respiratória, uma ficha com dados gerais, espirometria e manovacuometria, sendo os dados analisados descritivamente, e após, para análise estatística, foi realizado o Teste Exato de Fischer (p< 0,05). Resultados: Na avaliação espirométrica, 46,97% dos idosos apresentaram-se dentro dos parâmetros da normalidade. Já, em relação à força muscular respiratória, a maioria dos valores encontrados de Pressão Inspiratória Máxima (92,42%) e de Pressão Expiratória Máxima (59,09%) estava abaixo dos valores previstos. Porém, salienta-se que, o grupo com mais tempo de prática de hidroginástica obteve 66,67% de Pressões Expiratórias Máximas dentro dos valores previstos. No grupo de idosos que não declarou ter patologias respiratórias 46,30% apresentou alteração no exame espirométrico. Conclusão: os resultados encontrados apontam para um perfil respiratório característico do processo de envelhecimento, com perdas em capacidade pulmonar e força de músculos respiratórios, porém minimizadas pela prática de atividade física regular. LUNG CAPACITY IN ELDERLY PRACTITIONERS OF HYDROGYMNASTICS abstract Objective: to evaluate the lung capacity of an elderly practitioner group of hydrogymnastics. Materials and Methods: survey study, developed with 132 individuals belonging to an elderly practitioner group of hydrogymnastics at Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, from May to June of 2008. It was used for the respiratory evaluation a sheet for general data, spirometry and manovacuometry, being the data analyzed descriptively, and later, for statistical analysis, it was used Fischer’s Exact Test (p <0.05). Results: In the spirometric evaluation, 46.97% of the elderly showed normal parameters. However, in relation to the respiratory muscle strength, most of the found values of maximum inspiratory pressure (92.42%) and maximum expiratory pressure (59.09%) were below the predicted levels. However, the group with longer practice of hydrogymnastics obtained 66.67% of maximum expiratory pressure in these predicted values. In the elderly group that declared not to have any respiratory diseases, 46.30% showed alteration in the spirometry exam. Conclusion: the finding results indicate a typical respiratory profile characterized by the aging process, with losses in lung capacity and strength of respiratory muscles, but minimized by the practice of regular physical activity.