Inclusão de lisina digestível em dietas para leitoas dos 60 aos 100 dias de idade / Digestible lysine inclusion in diets for gilts from 60 to 100 days of age

Foi realizado um experimento utilizando-se 300 leitoas, com peso inicial de 25,00±0,54kg, para avaliar os efeitos da porcentagem de lisina digestível sobre o desempenho e a composição da carcaça de leitoas dos 60 aos 100 dias de idade. Os animais foram distribuídos em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos 0,65; 0,75; 0,85; 0,95 e 1,05% de lisina digestível, cinco repetições e 12 animais por unidade experimental. Não se observou efeito significativo dos tratamentos sobre o consumo de ração diário e o rendimento de carcaça das leitoas. A porcentagem de lisina da dieta influenciou o consumo de lisina digestível e o ganho de peso diário, que aumentaram de forma linear. O aumento na concentração de lisina digestível da dieta melhorou de forma linear a conversão alimentar e aumentou a quantidade de carne magra da carcaça. A porcentagem de lisina influenciou a espessura de toucinho das leitoas, que reduziu de forma quadrática até a porcentagem estimada de 0,87% de lisina digestível. A inclusão de 1,05% de lisina digestível na dieta, correspondente ao consumo de lisina digestível de 18,50g/dia, proporciona os melhores resultados de desempenho e quantidade de carne na carcaça de leitoas dos 60 aos 100 dias de idade.

The experiment was conducted with 300 gilts with initial weight of 25.00±0.54kg, from 60 to 100 days of age, to evaluate the effects of digestible lysine percentages on performance and carcass traits of the animals. The gilts were allotted in a randomized block design, with five treatments (percentages of digestible lysine), five replicates, and twelve animals per experimental unit. The treatments applied were 0.65; 0.75; 0.85; 0.95 and 1.05% of digestible lysine. No effects of treatments on the daily feed intake of the gilts were observed. A linear increase on digestible lysine intake as a result of increasing the concentration of digestible lysine in the diet was verified. The increase in dietary digestible lysine concentration resulted in a linear increase of daily weight gain. The increase of digestible lysine concentrations in the diet resulted in a linear improvement of feed conversion and in a linear increase in the amount of lean meat in the carcass. There was no effect of digestible lysine concentration on gilts' carcass traits. The amount of lean meat in the carcass of pigs increased linearly with the increase of the percentage of digestible lysine in the diets. The percentage of digestible lysine influenced the back fat thickness of the gilts which decreased quadratically up to 0.87% digestible lysine maximum response. The inclusion of 1.05% digestible lysine in the diet, corresponding to a daily intake of 18.5 g digestible lysine provides the greatest performance results and amount of lean meat in the carcass of gilts from 60 to 100 days of age.

Non-alcoholic Wernicke's encephalopathy: broadening the clinicoradiological spectrum.

Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is a serious neurological disorder secondary to thiamine deficiency. Improved recognition by radiologists and allied health providers of the different clinical settings and imaging findings associated with this emergency can optimise the management of this condition and help prevent its severe consequences. The aim of this study is to illustrate the broad clinicoradiological spectrum of non-alcoholic WE, while emphasising atypical MRI findings.

Níveis de treonina digestível para suínos machos castrados, de alto potencial genético para deposição de carne, na fase de terminação / Digestible threonine levels for high genetic potential lean deposition finishing barrows

Avaliou-se o efeito de níveis de treonina digestível em rações sobre o desempenho e características de cacaça de suínos machos castrados, selecionados geneticamente, para deposição de carne na carcaça, na fase de terminação. Foram utilizados 70 animais, com peso inicial de 59,00+1,25kg, distribuídos em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos, sete repetições e dois animais por unidade experimental, sendo que na distribuição dos animais, foi adotado como critério o peso inicial. Os tratamentos foram níveis de treonina na ração (0,480; 0,504; 0,528; 0,554 e 0,572 por cento de treonina digestível). Não houve efeito (P>0,05) dos tratamentos sobre o ganho de peso, consumo de ração e conversão alimentar. Os níveis de treonina digestível não influenciaram (P>0,05) a porcentagem de carne e a espessura de toucinho na carcaça. Conclui-se que o nível de 0,480 por cento de treonina digestível, correspondente a relação de treonina digestível:lisina digestível de 60 por cento, atendeu as exigências de suínos machos castrados de alto potencial para deposição de carne na carcaça dos 60 aos 95kg.

An experiment was carried out to determine the effects of digestible threonine levels in ration on the performance and carcass traits of hogs genetically selected for lean deposition at finishing. Seventy barrows averaging an initial weight of 59.00+1.25kg were distributed in a randomized experimental block design with five treatments and seven replicates, being two animals per experimental unit. Initial weight was adopted as a criterion for animal distribution in the treatments, which were the levels of digestible treonine in the diet (0.480; 0.504; 0.528; 0.554; and 0.572 percent). No effect (P>0.05) was observed among the treatments on daily weight gain, daily feed intake, and feed conversion. Digestible threonine levels did not influence (P>0.05) lean and backfat thickness percentage. It can be concluded that the level of 0.480 percent of digestible treonine, corresponding to the rate digestible treonine:lysine 60 percent, supplied the requirments of high potential lean deposition barows from 60 to 95kg.

CHILD syndrome caused by a deletion of exons 6-8 of the NSDHL gene.

The X-linked dominant CHILD syndrome (congenital hemidysplasia with ichthyosiform nevus and limb defects) is a rare developmental defect characterized by a strictly lateralized inflammatory nevus. In the majority of cases, the right side of the body is affected. Ipsilateral hypoplastic lesions may involve the brain, skeletal structures, lungs, heart or kidneys. We describe a case of CHILD syndrome involving the left side of the body. Absence of metacarpal, metatarsal and phalangeal bones of the left hand and foot resulted in oligodactyly, with only 3 fingers and 1 toe. An ipsilateral inflammatory epidermal nevus with hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis, acanthosis and perivascular lymphohistiocytic infiltrate was strictly confined to the left half of the patient's body. The phenotype was shown to be associated with a deletion of exons 6-8 of the X-linked NSDHL gene, confirming that CHILD syndrome is due to loss of function of an enzyme involved in cholesterol biosynthesis.

Ethnicity and glutathione S-transferase (GSTM1/GSTT1) polymorphisms in a Brazilian population.

The distribution of polymorphisms related to glutathione S-transferases (GST) has been described in different populations, mainly for white individuals. We evaluated the distribution of GST mu (GSTM1) and theta (GSTT1) genotypes in 594 individuals, by multiplex PCR-based methods, using amplification of the exon 7 of CYP1A1 gene as an internal control. In São Paulo, 233 whites, 87 mulattos, and 137 blacks, all healthy blood-donor volunteers, were tested. In Bahia, where black and mulatto populations are more numerous, 137 subjects were evaluated. The frequency of the GSTM1 null genotype was significantly higher among whites (55.4%) than among mulattos (41.4%; P = 0.03) and blacks (32.8%; P < 0.0001) from São Paulo, or Bahian subjects in general (35.7%; P = 0.0003). There was no statistically different distribution among any non-white groups. The distribution of GSTT1 null genotype among groups did not differ significantly. The agreement between self-reported and interviewer classification of skin color in the Bahian group was low. The interviewer classification indicated a gradient of distribution of the GSTM1 null genotype from whites (55.6%) to light mulattos (40.4%), dark mulattos (32.0%) and blacks (28.6%). However, any information about race or ethnicity should be considered with caution regarding the bias introduced by different data collection techniques, specially in countries where racial admixture is intense, and ethnic definition boundaries are loose. Because homozygous deletions of GST gene might be associated with cancer risk, a better understanding of chemical metabolizing gene distribution can contribute to risk assessment of humans exposed to environmental carcinogens.

Ethnicity and glutathione S-transferase (GSTM1/GSTT1) polymorphisms in a Brazilian population

The distribution of polymorphisms related to glutathione S-transferases (GST) has been described in different populations, mainly for white individuals. We evaluated the distribution of GST mu (GSTM1) and theta (GSTT1) genotypes in 594 individuals, by multiplex PCR-based methods, using amplification of the exon 7 of CYP1A1 gene as an internal control. In São Paulo, 233 whites, 87 mulattos, and 137 blacks, all healthy blood-donor volunteers, were tested. In Bahia, where black and mulatto populations are more numerous, 137 subjects were evaluated. The frequency of the GSTM1 null genotype was significantly higher among whites (55.4 percent) than among mulattos (41.4 percent; P = 0.03) and blacks (32.8 percent; P < 0.0001) from São Paulo, or Bahian subjects in general (35.7 percent; P = 0.0003). There was no statistically different distribution among any non-white groups. The distribution of GSTT1 null genotype among groups did not differ significantly. The agreement between self-reported and interviewer classification of skin color in the Bahian group was low. The interviewer classification indicated a gradient of distribution of the GSTM1 null genotype from whites (55.6 percent) to light mulattos (40.4 percent), dark mulattos (32.0 percent) and blacks (28.6 percent). However, any information about race or ethnicity should be considered with caution regarding the bias introduced by different data collection techniques, specially in countries where racial admixture is intense, and ethnic definition boundaries are loose. Because homozygous deletions of GST gene might be associated with cancer risk, a better understanding of chemical metabolizing gene distribution can contribute to risk assessment of humans exposed to environmental carcinogens.

[Molecular biomarkers in cancer: implications for epidemiological research and public health]. / Biomarcadores moleculares em câncer: implicações para a pesquisa epidemiológica e a saúde pública.

Identification of molecular biomarkers is a common result of current cancer epidemiological research. Both genetic and molecular epidemiology have enjoyed impressive developments in recent decades, with important repercussions on traditional epidemiological approaches. In this paper we evaluate the new frontiers of cancer epidemiology, incorporating both genetic and molecular biology approaches. We examine the current knowledge of molecular biomarkers for exposure and susceptibility to cancer, the role of gene mutations in carcinogenesis, and their application to epidemiological studies. By exploring the status of relevant biomarkers, these approaches become effective in evaluating exposure and susceptibility and show enormous potential for elucidating mechanisms of carcinogenesis and the effect of risk factors in cancer. However, these approaches are necessarily more invasive and raise several ethical issues for consideration by both researchers in public health and society as a whole.

Frequency of oral mucosa micronuclei in gas station operators after introducing methanol.

Methanol has been proposed in different countries as an alternative automotive fuel to be used as an additive to, or replacement for, gasoline or ethanol. Utilization of methanol is increasing exposure to low levels of methanol vapors in the environment and more specifically in occupational settings such as gas stations. Pump operators are exposed to relatively high levels of fuel vapors, the consequences of which have not been fully examined. In this study, the micronucleus assay in squamous oral cells was performed on pump operators of 28 gas stations in three different periods in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. The frequency of micronuclei (MN) was evaluated before and 1 year after a mixed fuel called MEG, which contains 33% methanol, 60% ethanol and 7% gasoline, was introduced. The third evaluation, 3 years later, represents a period where the number of cars using alcohol fuel had decreased drastically and the pump operator exposure to MEG became very low. The frequency of MN observed in 76 employees in 1992 (mean = 3.62 +/- 0.39) was significantly increased (P < 0.001) as compared with 76 operators exposed in 1989 (mean = 1.41 +/- 0.26) and 129 exposed in 1995 (mean = 1.20 +/- 0.15). These differences were also significant when compared with control groups not exposed professionally to motor fuel. These findings could indicate a mutagenic hazard of the MEG occurring in those with occupational exposure.

Nervous system cancer mortality in an industrialized area of Brazil 1980-1993.

OBJECTIVES: The industrialization process and nervous system cancer (NSC) mortality in a urban region of Brazil. METHOD: From registries of the State System of Data Analysis Foundation (SEADE), 103 males deaths by NSC (ICD-9) in Baixada Santista (BS), from 1980 to 1993 were selected. Mortality ratios were calculated comparing the standardized mortality rate for ages over 10 years old (G1) and for the age group from 35 to 64 years old, in the industrialized and non-industrialized areas in three periods: 1980-1993, 1980-86, 1987-93. RESULTS: A statiscally significant high mortality was observed in the industrialized area, for ages over 10 in all periods and only from 1980 to 1993 for ages from 34 to 64. The highest mortality ratio occurred from 1980-86 for ages over 10 - 4.12 (CI 1.79-9.42). CONCLUSION: High mortality was probably related to the environmental and occupational exposure to many organic and inorganic chemical substances, considered carcinogenics, such as aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, organochlorinated, formaldehyde, nitrogenated compounds and heavy metals, found in the port and industrial complex. We discuss the importance of case-control studies in characterizing the association of these and other risk factors in the determination of NSC.

Cytochrome P450-2E1 and glutathione S-transferase mu polymorphisms among Caucasians and mulattoes from Brazil.

The variable interindividual ability to metabolize environmental toxicants, also known as metabolic polymorphism, may be of substantial importance in the modulation of cancer risk. The ethnic distribution of these polymorphisms could be interesting in order to establish an association with cancer risk or even to establish selective advantage of some genotypes. Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) is a secondary enzyme that can metabolize ethanol, and glutathione S-transferase (GSTM1) is thought to be involved in the detoxification of epoxides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Mutation in these genes was investigated in a random sample of healthy subjects from São Paulo, Brazil, which included 206 Caucasians and 86 mulattoes. Pst I restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in the 5'-flanking region of the CYP2E1 gene has been identified in 10.2% of Caucasian individuals and in 11.6% of mulattoes. For GSTM1 the frequency of the null genotype was significantly higher in Caucasian individuals (60.2%) than in mulattoes (41.9%). Allele frequencies were (1) CYP2E1 locus: P = 0.949, q = 0.051, se(p) = se(q) = 0.011 among Caucasians; and p = 0.942; q = 0.058; se(P) = se'(q) = 0.018 among mulattoes; and (2) GSTM1 locus: p = 0.224, q = 0.776, se(p) = se(q) = 0.022 among Caucasians; and p = 0.353; q = 0.647; se(p) = se(q) = 0.041 among mulattoes.

HMGIC expression in human adult and fetal tissues and in uterine leiomyomata.

The high-mobility-group (HMG) protein gene, HMGIC, is localized to chromosome 12, band q15, a region often rearranged in benign mesenchymal tumors, including uterine leiomyomata. Although some evidence suggests a role in regulation of cell proliferation, the precise function of HMGIC in the development or progression of these tumors remains unclear. We investigated HMGIC expression in 17 fetal tissues (adrenal, aorta, bone, brain, heart, intestine, kidney, liver, lung, muscle, ovary, placenta, skin, spleen, stomach, testis, and uterus) and 10 adult tissues (aorta, brain, cerebellum, fat, kidney, liver, lung, lymph node, myometrium, and spinal cord) by Northern blot and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays. Comparisons between HMGIC gene expression in tumor samples from 11 uterine leiomyomata and 7 normal matched myometrium or in vitro cell cultures (chorionic villi, placenta, myometrium, leiomyoma, and skin) were also performed. The gene was expressed in all fetal tissues tested but only in adult lung and kidney. HMGIC was also expressed in leiomyoma tumor samples containing t(12;14) and in all in vitro cell cultures. The pattern of HMGIC expression suggests that this gene is important in rapidly proliferating human fetal tissues. Restoration of expression in leiomyomata required dysregulation of HMGIC. Transcripts of HMGIC can also be detected after in vitro cell culture, suggesting that HMGIC expression may be affected by factors present in culture media and serum. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 25:316-322, 1999.

Chromosomal aberrations in peripheral lymphocytes of abstinent alcoholics.

The frequency of structural and/or numerical chromosomal aberrations in human metaphasic cells of lymphocyte cultures from abstinent alcoholics who were abstinent for 1 month up to 32 years was compared with those from controls not selected for alcohol consumption. Cytogenetic analyses revealed a significant increase of the frequencies of cells with structural aberrations in the abstinent alcoholics (7.1%), compared with controls (2.4%). The frequency of numerical aberrations showed a significant regression on ages in abstinent alcoholics and controls. These results suggest specific action of chronic alcohol consumption impairing biological repair with aging. The increased frequency of chromosome-type aberrations associated with alcohol consumption, even after long withdrawal, could be due to an action of ethanol or its metabolites on primordial leukopoietic cells.

Utilization of citogenetic technics in paternity investigation

Th joint analysis of several genetic markers in casesof paternity investigation renders possible a cumulative probability of 99.7% of change of esclusion of a flasely accused father. The role of heteromorphism of the Y chromosome size was appraised in this work, with more than one genetic marker, in 20 expertise examinations in paternity investigation, where the children were male. The results found with found with this method, in association with the research on erythrocytic and leucocytic antigens showed the exclusion of two falsely accused men. Cytogenetic analysis with Giemsa stain in combination with leukocyte (HLA system) and erithrocyte antigens investigation demonstrated the exclusion of two men falsely accused

Utilization of cytogenetic technics in paternity investigation.

The joint analysis of several genetic markers in cases of paternity investigation renders possible a cumulative probability of 99.7% of chance of exclusion of a falsely accused father. The role of heteromorphisms of the Y chromosome size was appraised in this work, with more than one genetic marker, in 20 expertise examinations in paternity investigation, where the children were male. The results found with this method, in association with the research on erythrocytic and leucocytic antigens showed the exclusion of two falsely accused men. Cytogenetics analysis with Giemsa stain in combination with leukocyte (HLA system) and erythrocyte antigens investigation demonstrated the exclusion of two men falsely accused.

[Sex determination in blood stains through identification of Y-chromatin: medico-legal application]. / Diagnóstico do sexo em crostas de sangue através da identificação da cromatina Y: aplicação médico-legal.

The Y-chromatin is visualized in human interphase nuclei, corresponding to the distal portion of the Y-chromosome, which shows marked fluorescence after staining with quinacrine. This report describes the results of sex determination on blood smears fixed in methanol and blood stains left at room temperature for 13 weeks (1st report), and for 10 months (2nd report). Blind trials showed that a reliable sex determination of blood stains on glass left for at least six months is possible. The application of this method in forensic practice is discussed.