Genetic diversity based on multivariate techniques in elephant grass genotypes for bioenergy.

The use of biomass for energy production constitutes a promising strategy that warrants the search for new sources of biomass. Elephant grass has been gaining notoriety due to its high dry matter yield and rapid growth. The present study was carried out to quantify the genetic divergence of nine elephant grass half-sib families in order to identify genotypes with greater genetic divergence and productive potential for hybridization, using the hierarchical clustering methodology based on principal components. Half-sib families were generated using genotypes from the Active Germplasm Bank of Elephant Grass. The experiment was laid out in a randomized-block design with nine half-sib families, three replicates, and eight plants per plot. A total of 216 genotypes of elephant grass were evaluated. Principal component (PC), biplot, and hierarchical clustering analyses for diversity estimation were conducted using R software. The first two PCs of biplot analysis accounted for 64% of the cumulative variation. Dry matter yield was the most important trait for genotype discrimination (0.89), followed by plant height (0.67) and stem diameter (0.61) in PC1. In this analysis, the distances between accessions were considered and there were no family links, which indicates the existence of wide variability within the evaluated families, since genotypes belonging to the same family were not grouped together, but rather distributed into different groups. Crosses between genotypes of group three and genotypes of groups one and two are recommended for the development of high-yielding genotypes when aiming at energy production.

Settleable atmospheric particulate matter affects the swimming performance and aerobic metabolic rate of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

Atmospheric particulate matter (APM) produced by the steel industry comprises a complex mixture of particles that includes a wide variety of metals and metallic nanoparticles. These particles settle out onto areas surrounding the industries. There is evidence that this 'settleable' APM (SePM) may cause air-to-water cross-contamination with significant effects on aquatic biota. Recent investigations have reported sublethal impacts on the gill structure and blood oxygen-carrying capacity of fishes, which raises the hypothesis that there will be consequences for gas exchange capacity and ability to support aerobic activities. Therefore, we investigated the effects of an environmentally relevant level of SePM contamination on swimming performance and associated aerobic metabolic rates in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Short-term exposure (96 h) to SePM reduced critical swimming speed, energetic efficiency of aerobic swimming, standard metabolic rate, maximum metabolic rate, and aerobic scope. The compromised swimming performance could have adverse ecological effects by limiting foraging ability, predator evasion, territorial protection, and migration. The impairments to aerobic capacity could also affect overall fish performance by influencing long-term energy balance and allocation to growth and reproduction. Thus, despite being sublethal, SePM contamination is considerably debilitating, and if its limiting effects are not compensated for in the longer term, this may reduce the survival and fitness of fish populations.

Phenotyping Superagers Using Resting-State fMRI.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Superagers are defined as older adults with episodic memory performance similar or superior to that in middle-aged adults. This study aimed to investigate the key differences in discriminative networks and their main nodes between superagers and cognitively average elderly controls. In addition, we sought to explore differences in sensitivity in detecting these functional activities across the networks at 3T and 7T MR imaging fields. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-five subjects 80 years of age or older were screened using a detailed neuropsychological protocol, and 31 participants, comprising 14 superagers and 17 cognitively average elderly controls, were included for analysis. Participants underwent resting-state-fMRI at 3T and 7T MR imaging. A prediction classification algorithm using a penalized regression model on the measurements of the network was used to calculate the probabilities of a healthy older adult being a superager. Additionally, ORs quantified the influence of each node across preselected networks. RESULTS: The key networks that differentiated superagers and elderly controls were the default mode, salience, and language networks. The most discriminative nodes (ORs > 1) in superagers encompassed areas in the precuneus posterior cingulate cortex, prefrontal cortex, temporoparietal junction, temporal pole, extrastriate superior cortex, and insula. The prediction classification model for being a superager showed better performance using the 7T compared with 3T resting-state-fMRI data set. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the functional connectivity in the default mode, salience, and language networks can provide potential imaging biomarkers for predicting superagers. The 7T field holds promise for the most appropriate study setting to accurately detect the functional connectivity patterns in superagers.

Settleable atmospheric particulate matter affects cardiorespiratory responses to hypoxia in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

Atmospheric particulate matter (APM) emitted by iron ore processing industries has a complex composition, including diverse metallic particles and nanoparticles. Settleable APM (SePM) causes air to water cross-contamination and has recently been demonstrated to have harmful sublethal impacts on fish, eliciting stress responses, affecting the immune system, and reducing blood oxygen-carrying capacity. These findings imply potential consequences for fish aerobic performance and energy allocation, particularly in their ability to tolerate respiratory challenges such as aquatic hypoxia. To assess that potential limitation, we analyzed metabolic, cardiorespiratory, and morphological alterations after exposing tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, to an environmentally relevant concentration of SePM (96 h) and progressive hypoxia. The contamination initiated detectable gill damage, reducing respiratory efficiency, increasing ventilatory effort, and compromising fish capacity to deal with hypoxia. Even in normoxia, the resting respiratory frequency was elevated and limited respiratory adjustments during hypoxia. SePM increased O2crit from 26 to 34% of O2 (1.84 to 2.76 mg O2·L-1). Such ventilatory inefficacy implies higher ventilatory cost with relevant alterations in energy allocation. Progression in gill damage might be problematic and cause: infection, blood loss, ion imbalance, and limited cardiorespiratory performance. The contamination did not cause immediate lethality but may threaten fish populations due to limitations in physiological performance. This was the first investigation to evaluate the physiological responses of fish to hypoxia after SePM contamination. We suggest that the present level of environmental SePM deserves attention. The present results demonstrate the need for comprehensive studies on SePM effects in aquatic fauna.

Acute stress anticipates and amplifies the luteinizing hormone pre-ovulatory surge in rats: Role of noradrenergic neurons.

The stress experienced during rape seems to facilitate ovulation since the pregnancy rate in raped women is higher than that resulting from consensual intercourse. Adrenal progesterone, as well as central norepinephrine, is released in stressful situations. At adequate estrogenic levels, one of the main actions of progesterone is to anticipate the preovulatory LH surge through noradrenaline release. We aimed to investigate whether acute stresses that mimic those of rape (exposure to predator, restraint and cervix stimulation) applied on the proestrus morning in female rats could release progesterone, activate the noradrenergic neurons and facilitate the occurrence of the LH surge. Female rats were submitted to jugular vein cannulation immediately following acute stress: restraint (R), exposure to cat (P), uterine cervix stimulation (CS) applied individually or in association (SA). Non-stressed rats were used as control. Blood samples were collected from 11:00-18:00 h for LH, progesterone, corticosterone and estradiol measurements. Double labeling for c-Fos and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was examined in A1, A2 and A6 noradrenergic neurons after stresses. The SA group showed a greater stress-induced increase in progesterone compared to the other groups and the preovulatory LH surge was anticipated and amplified. This effect of SA seems to be related to the higher number of c-Fos/TH + neurons in the A1 and A2. The effect of anticipating the preovulatory surge of LH could in part elucidate why, in raped women, conception can occur in phases of the menstrual cycle other than the ovulatory phase facilitating the occurrence of pregnancies.

Occupational management of healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The year 2020 was marked by the new coronavirus pandemic, resulting in millions of cases and deaths, placing healthcare workers at high risk of infection. AIMS: The aim of this study was to describe the role of an occupational health service during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in an oncologic hospital and characterize the most likely sources of viral infection. METHODS: The information of all healthcare workers with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection from 11 March to 15 December 2020 was collected through an epidemiological survey conducted during contact tracing. The data extracted included gender, age, comorbidities, occupational group, source of infection, clinical presentation, duration of the disease, need for hospitalization and persistent or late symptoms after disease or upon returning to work. RESULTS: Out of a total of 2300 workers, 157 were infected, consisting of nurses (36%), nurse assistants (33%) and diagnostic and therapeutic professionals (10%). Physicians and administrative staff accounted for 8% each. The most frequently reported source of infection was occupational (43%), owing to worker-to-worker transmission (45%) and patient-to-worker transmission (36%). The most frequent moments of infection perceived corresponded to the removal of protective equipment during meals and moments of rest in the staff and changing rooms. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed that occupational transmission from patients and colleagues might be an important source of SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers. Spread between colleagues accounted for 45% of the occupational source infections reported. Implementing physical distancing measures and limiting the number of people in changing and rest rooms could significantly reduce infection and related absenteeism.

The Brain Metabolic Signature in Superagers Using In Vivo 1H-MRS: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Youthful memory performance in older adults may reflect an underlying resilience to the conventional pathways of aging. Subjects having this unusual characteristic have been recently termed "superagers." This study aimed to explore the significance of imaging biomarkers acquired by 1H-MRS to characterize superagers and to differentiate them from their normal-aging peers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-five patients older than 80 years of age were screened using a detailed neuropsychological protocol, and 25 participants, comprising 12 superagers and 13 age-matched controls, were statistically analyzed. We used state-of-the-art 3T 1H-MR spectroscopy to quantify 18 neurochemicals in the posterior cingulate cortex of our subjects. All 1H-MR spectroscopy data were analyzed using LCModel. Results were further processed using 2 approaches to investigate the technique accuracy: 1) comparison of the average concentration of metabolites estimated with Cramer-Rao lower bounds <20%; and 2) calculation and comparison of the weighted means of metabolites' concentrations. RESULTS: The main finding observed was a higher total N-acetyl aspartate concentration in superagers than in age-matched controls using both approaches (P = .02 and P = .03 for the weighted means), reflecting a positive association of total N-acetyl aspartate with higher cognitive performance. CONCLUSIONS: 1H-MR spectroscopy emerges as a promising technique to unravel neurochemical mechanisms related to cognitive aging in vivo and providing a brain metabolic signature in superagers. This may contribute to monitoring future interventional therapies to avoid or postpone the pathologic processes of aging.

Anterior cingulate cortex neuro-metabolic changes underlying lithium-induced euthymia in bipolar depression: A longitudinal 1H-MRS study.

The diagnosis and treatment of bipolar depression (BDep) poses complex clinical challenges for psychiatry. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) is a useful imaging tool for investigating in vivo levels of brain neuro-metabolites, critical to understanding the process of mood dysregulation in Bipolar Disorder. Few studies have evaluated longitudinal clinical outcomes in BDep associated with 1H-MRS metabolic changes. This study aimed to longitudinally assess brain 1H-MRS metabolites in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) correlated with improvement in depression (from BDep to euthymia) after lithium treatment in BDep patients versus matched healthy controls (HC). Twenty-eight medication-free BDep patients and 28 HC, matched for age and gender, were included in this study. All subjects were submitted to a 3-Tesla brain 1H-MRS scan in the ACC using a single-voxel (8cm3) PRESS sequence at baseline. At follow-up (6 weeks), 14 BDep patients repeated the exam in euthymia. Patients with current BDep had higher baseline Myo-inositol/Cr (mI/Cr) and Choline/Cr (Cho/Cr) compared to HC. After six weeks, mI/Cr or Cho/Cr levels in subjects that achieved euthymia no longer differed to levels in HC, while high Cho/Cr levels persisted in non-responders . Elevated ACC mI/Cr and Cho/Cr in BDep might indicate increased abnormal membrane phospholipid metabolism and phosphatidylinositol (PI) cycle activity. Return of mI/Cr and Cho/Cr to normal levels after lithium-induced euthymia suggests a critical regulatory effect of lithium targeting the PI cycle involved in mood regulation.

A Diagnostic Algorithm for Posterior Fossa Tumors in Children: A Validation Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Primary posterior fossa tumors comprise a large group of neoplasias with variable aggressiveness and short and long-term outcomes. This study aimed to validate the clinical usefulness of a radiologic decision flow chart based on previously published neuroradiologic knowledge for the diagnosis of posterior fossa tumors in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted (from January 2013 to October 2019) at 2 pediatric referral centers, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, United States, and Great Ormond Street Hospital, United Kingdom. Inclusion criteria were younger than 18 years of age and histologically and molecularly confirmed posterior fossa tumors. Subjects with no available preoperative MR imaging and tumors located primarily in the brain stem were excluded. Imaging characteristics of the tumors were evaluated following a predesigned, step-by-step flow chart. Agreement between readers was tested with the Cohen κ, and each diagnosis was analyzed for accuracy. RESULTS: A total of 148 cases were included, with a median age of 3.4 years (interquartile range, 2.1-6.1 years), and a male/female ratio of 1.24. The predesigned flow chart facilitated identification of pilocytic astrocytoma, ependymoma, and medulloblastoma sonic hedgehog tumors with high sensitivity and specificity. On the basis of the results, the flow chart was adjusted so that it would also be able to better discriminate atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors and medulloblastoma groups 3 or 4 (sensitivity = 75%-79%; specificity = 92%-99%). Moreover, our adjusted flow chart was useful in ruling out ependymoma, pilocytic astrocytomas, and medulloblastoma sonic hedgehog tumors. CONCLUSIONS: The modified flow chart offers a structured tool to aid in the adjunct diagnosis of pediatric posterior fossa tumors. Our results also establish a useful starting point for prospective clinical studies and for the development of automated algorithms, which may provide precise and adequate diagnostic tools for these tumors in clinical practice.

Amifostine protects from the peripheral sensory neuropathy induced by oxaliplatin in mice.

Sensory neuropathy is a dose-limiting side effect of oxaliplatin-based cancer treatment. This study investigated the antinociceptive effect of amifostine and its potential neuroprotective mechanisms on the oxaliplatin-related peripheral sensory neuropathy in mice. Oxaliplatin (1 mg/kg) was injected intravenously in Swiss albino male mice twice a week (total of nine injections), while amifostine (1, 5, 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) was administered subcutaneously 30 min before oxaliplatin. Mechanical and thermal nociceptive tests were performed once a week for 49 days. Additionally, c-Fos, nitrotyrosine, and activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) immunoexpressions were assessed in the dorsal root ganglia. In all doses, amifostine prevented the development of mechanical hyperalgesia and thermal allodynia induced by oxaliplatin (P<0.05). Amifostine at the dose of 25 mg/kg provided the best protection (P<0.05). Moreover, amifostine protected against neuronal hyperactivation, nitrosative stress, and neuronal damage in the dorsal root ganglia, detected by the reduced expression of c-Fos, nitrotyrosine, and ATF3 (P<0.05 vs the oxaliplatin-treated group). In conclusion, amifostine reduced the nociception induced by oxaliplatin in mice, suggesting the possible use of amifostine for the management of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral sensory neuropathy.

Comprehensive germline mutation analysis and clinical profile in a large cohort of Brazilian xeroderma pigmentosum patients.

BACKGROUND: Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) patients present a high risk of developing skin cancer and other complications at an early age. This disease is characterized by mutations in the genes related to the DNA repair system. OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical and molecular findings in a cohort of 32 Brazilian individuals who received a clinical diagnosis of XP. METHODS: Twenty-seven families were screened for germline variants in eight XP-related genes. RESULTS: All patients (N = 32) were diagnosed with bi-allelic germline pathogenic or potentially pathogenic variants, including nine variants previously undescribed. The c.2251-1G>C XPC pathogenic variant, reported as the founder mutation in Comorian and Pakistani patients, was observed in 15 cases in homozygous or compound heterozygous. Seven homozygous patients for POLH/XPV variants developed their symptoms by an average age of 7.7 years. ERCC2/XPD, DDB2/XPE and ERCC5/XPG variants were found in a few patients. Aside from melanoma and non-melanoma skin tumours, a set of patients developed skin sebaceous carcinoma, leiomyosarcoma, angiosarcoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, gastric adenocarcinoma and serous ovarian carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: We reported a high frequency of XPC variants in 32 XP Brazilian patients. Nine new variants in XP-related genes, unexpected non-skin cancer lesions and an anticipation of the clinical manifestation in POLH/XPV cases were also described.

Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology Criteria for Gliomas: Practical Approach Using Conventional and Advanced Techniques.

The Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology criteria were developed as an objective tool for radiologic assessment of treatment response in high-grade gliomas. Imaging plays a critical role in the management of the patient with glioma, from initial diagnosis to posttreatment follow-up, which can be particularly challenging for radiologists. Interpreting findings after surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy requires profound knowledge about the tumor biology, as well as the peculiar changes expected to ensue as a consequence of each treatment technique. In this article, we discuss the imaging findings associated with tumor progression, tumor response, pseudoprogression, and pseudoresponse according to the Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology criteria for high-grade and lower-grade gliomas. We describe relevant practical issues when evaluating patients with glioma, such as the need for imaging in the first 48 hours, the radiation therapy planning and isodose curves, the significance of T2/FLAIR hyperintense lesions, the impact of the timing for the evaluation after radiation therapy, and the definition of progressive disease on the histologic specimen. We also illustrate the correlation among the findings on conventional MR imaging with advanced techniques, such as perfusion, diffusion-weighted imaging, spectroscopy, and amino acid PET. Because many of the new lesions represent a mixture of tumor cells and tissue with radiation injury, the radiologist aims to identify the predominant component of the lesion and categorize the findings according to Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology criteria so that the patient can receive the best treatment.

Amifostine protects from the peripheral sensory neuropathy induced by oxaliplatin in mice

Sensory neuropathy is a dose-limiting side effect of oxaliplatin-based cancer treatment. This study investigated the antinociceptive effect of amifostine and its potential neuroprotective mechanisms on the oxaliplatin-related peripheral sensory neuropathy in mice. Oxaliplatin (1 mg/kg) was injected intravenously in Swiss albino male mice twice a week (total of nine injections), while amifostine (1, 5, 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) was administered subcutaneously 30 min before oxaliplatin. Mechanical and thermal nociceptive tests were performed once a week for 49 days. Additionally, c-Fos, nitrotyrosine, and activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) immunoexpressions were assessed in the dorsal root ganglia. In all doses, amifostine prevented the development of mechanical hyperalgesia and thermal allodynia induced by oxaliplatin (P<0.05). Amifostine at the dose of 25 mg/kg provided the best protection (P<0.05). Moreover, amifostine protected against neuronal hyperactivation, nitrosative stress, and neuronal damage in the dorsal root ganglia, detected by the reduced expression of c-Fos, nitrotyrosine, and ATF3 (P<0.05 vs the oxaliplatin-treated group). In conclusion, amifostine reduced the nociception induced by oxaliplatin in mice, suggesting the possible use of amifostine for the management of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral sensory neuropathy.

Hemogasometria arterial pré e pós-rinoplastia em cães braquicefálicos portadores de estenose de narina / Arterial hemogasometry pre and post rhinoplasty in brachyphalic dogs with nostril stenosis

Vinte e seis cães braquicefálicos portadores de estenose de narina, 22 machos e quatro fêmeas, foram submetidos à rinoplastia bilateral. Dezesseis cães eram Buldogues Franceses; dois, Buldogues Ingleses; seis, Pugs; e dois, Shih Tzus, com idade variando de seis meses a seis anos. Foram efetuadas coletas de sangue arterial para análises hemogasométricas no pré-operatório e 30 dias após a cirurgia. Para cada avaliação, foi obtida uma amostra de 0,5mL de sangue coletado da artéria femoral, em seringa plástica heparinizada. Em seguida, procedeu-se à avaliação hemogasométrica em analisador de gases sanguíneos (I-stat-Abbot®). Os resultados da hemogasometria pré e pós-rinoplastia mostraram uma redução nos valores médios de pCO2, TCO2 , HCO3- e BEecf, hematócrito e hemoglobina, e aumento de pH, pO2 e SO2, indicando melhora na condição ventilatória dos animais após a correção cirúrgica da estenose de narina. Isso posto, conclui-se que a hemogasometria arterial é um exame importante no diagnóstico da síndrome respiratória dos cães braquicefálicos, e extremamente útil no acompanhamento da resposta do paciente ao tratamento. A rinoplastia mostrou-se eficaz no tratamento da síndrome respiratória, promovendo melhora nos parâmetros hemogasométricos que indicam acidose respiratória secundária à obstrução das vias aéreas, comum nas raças braquicefálicas.(AU)

Twenty-six brachycephalic dogs with nostril stenosis, 22 males and four females, underwent bilateral rhinoplasty. Sixteen dogs were French Bulldogs; two, English Bulldogs; Six, Pugs; and two, Shih tzus, ranging in age from six months to six years. Blood samples were collected for hemogasometric analysis in the preoperative period and 30 days after surgery. For each evaluation, a 0.5ml sample of blood collected from the femoral artery was obtained in a heparinized plastic syringe. Hemogasometric evaluation was then performed on a blood gas analyzer (I-stat-Abbot®). The results of hemogasometry before and after rhinoplasty showed a reduction in the mean values of pCO2, TCO2, HCO3- and BEecf, hematocrit and hemoglobin, and an increase in pH, pO2 and SO2, indicating an improvement in the ventilatory condition of the animals after surgical correction of Nostril stenosis. Therefore, it is concluded that arterial hemogasometry is an important diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of brachycephalic respiratory syndrome and is extremely useful in monitoring the patient's response to treatment. Rhinoplasty was effective in the treatment of respiratory syndrome, promoting improvement in hemogasometric parameters that indicate respiratory acidosis secondary to airway obstruction, common in the brachycephalic races.(AU)

Survey of dental diseases in Crioulo breed horses reared in an extensive farming system / Levantamento de afecções dentárias em equinos da raça Crioula mantidos em sistema de criação extensivo

The present study aimed to identify and quantify dental diseases in Crioulo horses reared exclusively under extensive farming conditions. In total, 254 Crioulo horses were evaluated, that were reared exclusively in native pastures with predominantly Eragrostis plana (Annoni grass). The animals were divided into three groups according to age: three to five years (G1), six to 12 years (G2), and 13 to 26 years (G3). In total, 46.1% of the animals in G1, 63.8% in G2, and 82.3% in G3 had two or more incisor disorders; 37.5% in G1, 52.5% in G2 and 45.5% in G3 had two or more disease findings in the canines; and 28.9% in G1, 35.4% in G2, and 64.7% in G3 had four or more disease findings in the second, third, and fourth premolars and molars. However, dental calculus was observed in 90.5% of G2 animals, whereas in G3, the occurrence rate of excessive enamel points and calculus was 82.4%. Although all of the horses studied were reared in an extensive farming system, dental changes were very common in the Crioulo breed reared under these management conditions.(AU)

O presente estudo teve por objetivo identificar e quantificar as afecções odontológicas de equinos da raça Crioula criados exclusivamente em regime extensivo. No total, foram avaliados 254 cavalos Crioulos, criados em pastagens nativas com predominância de Eragrostis plana (capim-annoni). Os animais foram divididos em três grupos, de acordo com a idade: de três a cinco anos (G1), seis a 12 anos (G2 ) e 13 a 26 anos (G3). No total, 46,1% dos animais do G1, 63,8% do G2 e 82,3% do G3 apresentaram dois ou mais transtornos incisivos; 37,5% do G1, 52,5% do G2 e 45,5% do G3 tiveram duas ou mais alterações nos caninos; 28,9% do G1, 35,4% do G2 e 64,7% do G3 mostraram quatro ou mais distúrbios no segundo, terceiro e quarto pré-molares e molares. Contudo, cálculo dentário foi observado em 90,5% dos animais do G2, enquanto no G3, a taxa de ocorrência de pontas excessivas de esmalte dentário e cálculo foi de 82,4%. Concluiu-se que, apesar de todos os equinos estudados serem mantidos em sistema extensivo, as afecções dentárias mostraram-se muito comuns na raça Crioula sob estas condições de manejo.(AU)

Lean body mass: reference values for Italian population between 18 to 88 years old.

OBJECTIVE: Body's lean mass compartment is a strong predictor of morbidity and mortality risk in various clinical conditions. This paper proposes a simple and easily applied reference table for lean body mass (LBM) and lean body mass index (LBMI) for the Italian population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of a database containing anthropometric and DXA body composition measurements obtained from a cross-sectional study conducted between 2002 and 2009 with Italian individuals. Parametric and nonparametric tests were performed using R 3.1.1 and SPSS 22.0 software packages. RESULTS: The 3712 study participants, 37.3% men and 62.7% women, aging from 18 to 88 years. Individuals with normal weight, overweight and obesity were evenly distributed in the sample. LBM and LBMI measures were significantly higher in males. In both genders, there was a significant and progressive decline in these measures associated with aging. Significant differences in LBMI between genders were found in all age groups except for individuals over 75 years. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the participants LBM profile, a reference table for LBM values was proposed. This reference will be useful to detect changes in the LBM compartment of individuals from the South Central Region of Italy, supporting health professionals during the process of diagnosing sarcopenia.

Oral administration of Simbioflora® (synbiotic) attenuates intestinal damage in a mouse model of 5-fluorouracil-induced mucositis.

The use of probiotics to prevent or treat mucosal inflammation has been studied; however, the combined effect of probiotics and prebiotics is unclear. The aim of this study was to test whether oral administration of a synbiotic (Simbioflora®) preparation containing Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis plus fructooligosaccharide could help control mucosal inflammation in experimental mucositis induced by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into six groups: control (CTL), control + prebiotic (CTL+P), control + synbiotic (CTL+S), mucositis (MUC), mucositis + prebiotic (MUC+P), and mucositis + synbiotic (MUC+S). Mice from the CTL+S, MUC+S, CTL+P, and MUC+P groups received synbiotic or prebiotic daily by oral gavage for 13 days. Mice in the CTL and MUC groups received the same volume of saline. On day 11, mice in the MUC, MUC+P, and MUC+S groups received an intraperitoneal injection of 300 mg/kg 5-FU to induce mucositis. After 72 h, all mice were euthanised. Intestinal permeability, intestinal histology, and biochemical parameters were analysed. Group MUC showed a greater weight loss and increased intestinal permeability (0.020 counts per min [cpm]/g) compared to the CTL group (0.01 cpm/g) P<0.05. Both treatments attenuated weight loss compared to the MUC group. Nonetheless, the synbiotic caused a greater reduction in intestinal permeability (0.012 cpm/g) compared to the MUC (0.020 cpm/g) and MUC+P (0.016 cpm/g) groups P<0.05. Mice in groups MUC+P and MUC+S displayed significant recovery of lesions and maintenance of the mucus layer. There were no differences in the short-chain fatty acid concentrations in the faeces between the MUC and CTL groups (P>0.05). Increased acetate and propionate concentrations were evidenced in the faeces of the MUC+P and MUC+S groups. Only the synbiotic treatment increased the butyrate concentration (P<0.05). The results indicate that administration of synbiotic can decrease mucosal damage caused by mucositis.

Biomechanical analysis of the masticatory movement before and after adjusting dental occlusion in equine / Análise biomecânica do movimento mastigatório antes e depois do ajuste oclusal dental em equinos

The aim of this study was to evaluate through three-dimensional kinematic analysis the influence of occlusal adjustment by tooth wear in masticatory biomechanics of horses. Seven clinically healthy thoroughbred Arabian horses with strong occlusal irregularities were used, of which seven castrated males and one female of between seven and nineteen years of age. Three digital video cameras and seven spherical reflective markers placed on the horses' face were employed. The animals were filmed twice in succession: while chewing hay before and after the occlusal adjustment by tooth wear. Following that, kinematic analysis was made of the movements obtained by means of the images which were synchronized, segmented and reconstructed three-dimensionally with the help of Dvideow program. Mathematical functions were applied in Matlab environment for obtaining the values of the amplitudes of movements. The results of the biomechanical analysis showed that the occlusal adjustment increases the range of mandibular movements in horses.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar, através de análise cinemática tridimensional, a influência do ajuste oclusal por desgaste dentário na biomecânica da mastigação de equinos. Foram utilizados sete cavalos puro sangue árabe, clinicamente saudáveis, com irregularidades oclusais relevantes, sendo seis machos castrados e uma fêmea, de sete a dezenove anos de idade. Três câmeras de vídeo digitais e sete marcadores reflexivos esféricos foram colocados na face dos equinos. Os animais foram filmados duas vezes seguidas: durante a mastigação do feno antes e após o ajuste oclusal por desgaste dental. Na sequência, procedeu-se a cinemática dos movimentos obtidos por meio das imagens sincronizadas, segmentadas e reconstruídas em três dimensões, com a ajuda do programa Dvideow. Funções matemáticas foram aplicadas no ambiente Matlab para a obtenção dos valores de amplitudes dos movimentos. Os resultados da análise biomecânica mostraram que o ajuste oclusal aumenta a gama de movimentos mandibulares em equinos.(AU)