Behavioral activities of white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari, Link, 1795) in a semi-intensive farming system in Brazil / [Atividades comportamentais de queixadas (Tayassu pecari, Link, 1795) em sistema semi-intensivo de criação no Brasil]

This study aimed to describe the main behaviors of white-lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecari) expressed in a semi-intensive production system in Brazil. The behavioral activities of two groups of peccaries allocated in two paddocks were assessed, totaling 17 adult animals and eventual pups in different developmental stages. The animals were visually observed using the ad libitum sampling and scan sample methods during the adaptation and experimental phases, respectively. The animals were evaluated in the morning, afternoon, and at night. The behavioral activities observed by ad libitum sampling comprised feeding, pool contact, moving, staying inside the handling area, resting, mud bathing, mutual rubbing, rubbing, aggression, sexual behavior, copulation, foraging, breastfeeding, sleeping, territorial marking, interactions, birthing, gnawing, and other behaviors. All behaviors observed by the ad libitum sampling method were confirmed in the experimental period by scan sample, except for territorial marking and birthing. The effects of time of day were statistically significant (p <0.05) for eating, pool contact, movement, staying inside the handling area, resting, mud bathing and sleeping. These results contribute to the understanding of instinctive animal habits and to the development of nutritional, environmental and health management protocols that meet the requirements of peccaries.(AU)

Objetivou-se descrever os principais comportamentos que os queixadas (Tayassu pecari) expressam em sistema de produção semi-intensivo no Brasil, bem como suas diferenças de frequências comportamentais em função do período do dia. Foram avaliadas as atividades comportamentais de dois grupos de queixadas alocados em dois piquetes, totalizando 17 animais adultos e eventuais filhotes em diferentes estágios comportamentais. Na fase adaptativa e experimental os animais foram observados visualmente pelos métodos ad libitum e scan sample, respectivamente. Os animais foram avaliados nos períodos da manhã, tarde e noite. As atividades comportamentais observadas pelo método ad libitum foram alimentação, contato com a piscina, movimentação, interior do brete de manejo, descanso, lameando, esfregação mútua, esfregar-se, agressão, comportamento sexual, cópula, fuçando, amamentação, dormindo, marcando território, interações, manilha, parição, roendo e outros comportamentos. Todos os comportamentos observados pelo método ad libitum foram confirmados no período experimental scan sample, exceto para as variáveis marcando território e parição. O efeito do período do dia foi estatisticamente significativo (P<0,05) sobre as frequências dos comportamentos alimentação, contato com a piscina, movimentação, interior do brete de manejo, descanso, lameando e dormindo. Os resultados contribuem para a compreensão dos hábitos instintivos dos animais e, com isso, colaborar com a elaboração de protocolos de manejo nutricional, ambiental e sanitário, buscando-se suprir as necessidades dos queixadas. Futuras pesquisas envolvendo queixadas em cativeiro fomentarão os estudos voltados aos aspectos biológicos, conservacionistas e produtivos.(AU)

l-arginine alters the proteome of frozen-thawed bovine sperm during in vitro capacitation.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the proteomic changes that occurred in the frozen-thawed bovine spermatozoa after the addition of l-arginine (L-arg) during in vitro sperm capacitation. Aspects related to the sperm capacitation pattern like membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity, sperm motility and vigor, and the sperm proteome were determined. These were respectively assessed by chlortetracycline staining, H342/PI, JC-1, light microscopy, and the proteomic abundance by nUPLC-MS/MS analysis. Frozen-thawed sperm from three Nellore bulls were capacitated in vitro for 3 h in sp-TALP medium supplemented with 20 µg/mL heparin (Control) or with 20 µg/mL heparin plus 1 mM L-arg (L-arg group). Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means compared by SNK test at 5% probability. When compared to Control, the percentage of sperm motility was higher in the L-arg group (P < 0.05). For test data after 3 h of incubation, sperm capacitated with L-arg showed higher membrane integrity and mitochondrial potential when compared to Control (P < 0.05). Moreover, we observed an increase in the percentage of capacitated sperm pattern (P < 0.05). Protein abundance analysis identified 367 proteins. Forty proteins were differentially abundant between Control and L-arg group (P < 0.05), of which 11 were up-regulated, and 29 were down-regulated in L-arg group. In addition, we observed that one protein was uniquely abundant in the L-arg group. Our findings indicate that the addition of L-arg to the culture medium presented a differential protein abundance pattern and increased the bovine frozen-thawed sperm quality and the percentage of capacitated sperm. The proteomic changes observed may be linked to the molecular mechanisms involved in the action of L-arg on the in vitro sperm capacitation of cattle.

A research agenda to guide progress on childhood obesity prevention in Latin America.

Childhood obesity rates in Latin America are among the highest in the world. This paper examines and evaluates the many efforts underway in the region to reduce and prevent further increases in obesity, identifies and discusses unique research challenges and opportunities in Latin America, and proposes a research agenda in Latin America for the prevention of childhood obesity and concomitant non-communicable diseases. Identified research gaps include biological challenges to healthy growth across the life cycle, diet and physical activity dynamics, community interventions promoting healthy child growth, and rigorous evaluation of national food and activity programs and regulatory actions. Addressing these research gaps is critical to advance the evidence-based policy and practice in childhood obesity tailored to the Latin American context that will be effective in addressing obesity.

ΔF508 mutation screening of healthy individuals from two populations in Espírito Santo State, Brazil.

The ΔF508 mutation is the most common cause of cystic fibrosis and its prevalence varies worldwide. For instance, up to 20-fold variations in its frequency have been recorded across different areas of Brazil. This study aimed to compare the distribution of ΔF508 among healthy individuals of admixed Portuguese descent from Espírito Santo (ES), a state in Southeastern Brazil, to that in a subpopulation of Pomeranian descent, considered to be an isolated group in which the European gene pool has been preserved, living in Santa Maria do Jetibá (also in ES). We found this mutation to be present at a frequency of 0.81% among the Pomeranian group, and 0% in the general ES population. No genetic differentiation was noted between the two populations examined (FST = 0.004), and these frequencies were found to be similar to those estimated in other states of Southeastern Brazil. Although the population of Santa Maria de Jetibá has retained Pomeranian traits, such as language, fair skin, and eye color, to date, there is no evidence of inbreeding in this group (FIS = -0.004). Screening healthy individuals for the ΔF508 mutation can facilitate genetic counseling for cystic fibrosis, as well as inform evolutionary and population studies.

Comparative analysis of short tandem repeat data obtained by automated and gel electrophoresis techniques.

Short tandem repeats (STRs) are commonly used as genetic markers. The detection and analysis of STRs can be used to gather information on polymorphisms of interest to forensic geneticists. Denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) is an affordable method for the detection of minor sequence changes in DNA, while capillary electrophoresis (CE) is the gold standard for genotyping analysis. This appears to be the first study to directly compare data obtained using the two electrophoretic techniques. We analyzed genomic DNA from 209 individuals to compare genotyping results from seven Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) STR markers obtained by both techniques. The automated electrophoresis was carried out using a MegaBACETM 1000 DNA analysis system. Full concordance was found in 1297 of 1308 STR allele calls. Kappa and McNemar-Bowker tests indicated that there were no statistically significant differences between the results from the two methods. There was no statistically significant difference in precision between denaturing PAGE followed by silver nitrate staining, despite a longer protocol, compared with CE when applied to population studies. STR allele frequency data from non-automated genotyping techniques seem to be just as reliable as from automated genotyping methods.

HPRTYale proposed as a pathogenic variant for Lesch-Nyhan syndrome: a case report.

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome (LNS) is an X-linked recessive disorder caused by a deficiency of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT), an enzyme encoded by the HPRT1 gene. The classic disease phenotype described by Lesch and Nyhan in 1964 includes hyperuricemia, mental retardation, severe motor deficiency, and recurring self-mutilation. Here, we report the case of a family with 4 affected males and several female obligate carriers. In 1989, Fujimori et al. reported on a patient diagnosed with LNS who had an HPRT variant thereafter codenamed HPRTYale. The same patient was studied by Wilson et al. in 1986, who found no detectable HPRT enzymatic activity, even though normal HPRT mRNA and protein levels were observed. Disease severity is closely related to residual enzymatic activity, which fits the phenotype presented for this previously reported case, as well as for the patients we report on herein. As it has been reported in only one patient, this mutation is still considered a variant of unknown significance. The HPRTYale mutation is a G>C transversion that leads to a different amino acid with different biochemical properties at position 71, potentially causing the major lack of function. To evaluate the impact of this variant, we used the PolyPhen-2 software, which classified it as possibly damaging. Furthermore, the frequency of this mutant allele is likely extremely rare, since it has only been reported on twice, and a population frequency is not yet available. In conclusion, we propose that the HPRTYale variant is pathogenic, and should be included on lab reports hereafter.

Impulsivity-based thrifty eating phenotype and the protective role of n-3 PUFAs intake in adolescents.

The goal of the present study was to investigate whether intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) affects brain responses to palatable foods and whether docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid that is a primary structural component of the human brain) serum levels moderate the association between IUGR and brain and behavioral responses to palatable foods. Brain responses to palatable foods were investigated using a functional magnetic resonance imaging task in which participants were shown palatable foods, neutral foods and non-food items. Serum DHA was quantified in blood samples, and birth weight ratio (BWR) was used as a proxy for IUGR. The Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) was used to evaluate eating behaviors. In the contrast palatable food > neutral items, we found an activation in the right superior frontal gyrus with BWR as the most important predictor; the lower the BWR (indicative of IUGR), the greater the activation of this region involved in impulse control/decision making facing the viewing of palatable food pictures versus neutral items. At the behavioral level, a general linear model predicting external eating using the DEBQ showed a significant interaction between DHA and IUGR status; in IUGR individuals, the higher the serum DHA, the lower is external eating. In conclusion, we suggest that IUGR moderates brain responses when facing stimuli related to palatable foods, activating an area related to impulse control. Moreover, higher intake of n-3 PUFAs can protect IUGR individuals from developing inappropriate eating behaviors, the putative mechanism of protection would involve decreasing intake in response to external food cues in adolescents/young adults.

MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms as predictors of radiotherapy response in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

The C677T and A1298C polymorphisms in methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), which regulates the release of active folate in the body, may have reduced activity. Given that folate participates in important intracellular pathways, such as nucleotide synthesis and biomolecule methylation, it seems plausible that patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) may respond differently to radiotherapy treatments, based on genetic polymor-phisms. Therefore, this study sought to understand the role of these polymorphisms in HNSCC patient radiotherapy response. Genotypes were detected by PCR-RFLP after extraction of DNA from peripheral blood lymphocytes. Survival curves were analyzed by the Kaplan- Meier model, and significant differences were analyzed by the Wil-coxon test. Response to radiotherapy in patients with laryngeal SCC was significantly associated with the MTHFR C677T polymorphism (P = 0.030). Indeed, the presence of at least one T allele decreases the mortality rate up to 3-fold. Therefore, we propose that MTHFR C677T may represent a putative biomarker for radiotherapy prognosis in la-ryngeal SCC patients.

Prognostic significance of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma repair gene polymorphism.

The aims of this study were to analyze the polymorphisms XRCC1 Arg194Trp, XRCC1 Arg399Gln, XRCC3 Thr241Met, XPC Lys939Gln, ERCC1 Asn118Asn, and RAD51 -98G>C and to verify their influence on radiotherapy response and prognosis of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Peripheral blood DNA was extracted from 311 patients and analyzed by PCR-RFLP. Our results showed that in irradiated oral and oropharyngeal patients, the 939Gln allele increased 6-fold local disease relapse risk (OR = 6.04; CI = 1.47-24.88) and over 2-fold the earliness of relapse (HR = 2.63; CI = 1.04-6.70). As for the XRCC3 polymorphism, multivariate analysis showed that the 241Met allele increases over 33-fold local relapse risk (OR = 33.64; CI = 3.23-350.85), over 12-fold earliness of relapse (HR = 12.55; CI = 2.47-63.73) and over 3-fold earliness of death (HR = 3.04; CI = 1.08-8.61). For polymorphism RAD51 -98, multivariate analysis showed that allele C increases over 3-fold the risk of relapse (OR = 3.13; CI = 1.12-8.78) and over 2-fold the earliness of relapse (HR = 2.84; CI = 1.25-6.47). For polymorphism XRCC1 Arg399Gln, multivariate analysis showed that the 399Gln allele increased the risk of local disease relapse for irradiated oral and oropharyngeal patients (OR = 3.35; CI = 1.10-10.13) by over 3-fold. Based on these results, we suggest that these polymorphisms may be useful markers of prognosis in HNSCC.

International study of objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time with body mass index and obesity: IPEN adult study.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) has been consistently implicated in the etiology of obesity, whereas recent evidence on the importance of sedentary time remains inconsistent. Understanding of dose-response associations of PA and sedentary time with overweight and obesity in adults can be improved with large-scale studies using objective measures of PA and sedentary time. The purpose of this study was to examine the strength, direction and shape of dose-response associations of accelerometer-based PA and sedentary time with body mass index (BMI) and weight status in 10 countries, and the moderating effects of study site and gender. METHODS: Data from the International Physical activity and the Environment Network (IPEN) Adult study were used. IPEN Adult is an observational multi-country cross-sectional study, and 12 sites in 10 countries are included. Participants wore an accelerometer for seven consecutive days, completed a socio-demographic questionnaire and reported height and weight. In total, 5712 adults (18-65 years) were included in the analyses. Generalized additive mixed models, conducted in R, were used to estimate the strength and shape of the associations. RESULTS: A curvilinear relationship of accelerometer-based moderate-to-vigorous PA and total counts per minute with BMI and the probability of being overweight/obese was identified. The associations were negative, but weakened at higher levels of moderate-to-vigorous PA (>50 min per day) and higher counts per minute. No associations between sedentary time and weight outcomes were found. Complex site- and gender-specific findings were revealed for BMI, but not for weight status. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of these results, the current Institute of Medicine recommendation of 60 min per day of moderate-to-vigorous PA to prevent weight gain in normal-weight adults was supported. No relationship between sedentary time and the weight outcomes was present, calling for further examination. If moderator findings are confirmed, the relationship between PA and BMI may be country- and gender-dependent, which could have important implications for country-specific health guidelines.

Proteína bruta e energia metabolizável para codornas de corte de um a 14 dias de idade / Crude protein and metabolizable energy for meat quail from 1 to 14 days of age

Com o objetivo de avaliar diferentes níveis de proteína bruta e de energia metabolizável para codornas de corte de um a 14 dias de idade, foi realizado um estudo utilizando 840 codornas de corte, mistas. As aves foram distribuídas em arranjo fatorial (2x5) constituído por 10 tratamentos (dois níveis de energia metabolizável - 2800 e 3000kcal/kg e cinco níveis de proteína bruta - 22,0; 24,0; 26,0; 28,0 e 30,0por cento), sete repetições com 12 aves cada. Foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros: consumo de ração, ganho em peso aos sete e 14 dias de idade, conversão alimentar aos 14 dias e viabilidade. Verificou-se que codornas alimentadas com dietas com o nível energético mais baixo, 2800kcal/kg, apresentaram maior consumo. As aves que consumiram ração com menor nível de energia apresentaram maior peso aos sete dias de idade independentemente do nível de proteína bruta utilizado. O peso aos 14 dias de idade apresentou resposta quadrática com o acréscimo de proteína bruta na ração, sendo que dietas contendo 28,86 por cento de PB proporcionaram melhor ganho independentemente do nível de energia utilizado. A conversão alimentar apresentou melhores resultados com o aumento do nível de proteína bruta da ração, independentemente do nível de energia metabolizável utilizado. Não foram observados efeitos significativos dos níveis de proteína e energia ou de sua interação sobre a viabilidade das aves. Rações contendo 30,0 por cento de proteína bruta e 2800 ou 3000kcal/kg de energia metabolizável proporcionam satisfatórios resultados de desempenho para codornas de corte de um a 14 dias de idade...

Aiming to evaluate the effect of different levels of crude protein and metabolizable energy for quails from 1 to 14 days of age, a study was conducted using 840 quails, mixed. The birds were distributed in a factorial arrangement (2x5) consisting of 10 treatments (two levels of metabolizable energy - 2,800 and 3,000kcal/kg and 5 levels of crude protein - 22.0, 24.0, 26.0, 28.0 and 30.0 percent), 7 repetitions with 12 birds each. We evaluated the following parameters: feed intake, weight gain at 7 and 14 days of age, feed conversion at 14 days and viability. It was found that quail fed diets with the lowest energy level, 2,800kcal/kg, showed higher consumption. Birds fed diets with lower energy level had greater weight at 7 days of age regardless of the level of crude protein used. The weight at 14 days of age showed a quadratic response with the addition of crude protein in feed, showing that diets containing 28.86 percent CP provide better gain regardless of the level of energy used. The feed showed better results with the increased level of dietary CP, regardless of level of metabolizable energy used. There were no significant effects of protein and energy levels or their interaction on viability. Diets with 30.0 percent crude protein and 2,800 or 3,000kcal/kg metabolizable energy provide satisfactory performance results for quails from 1 to 14 days of age...

Níveis de treonina digestível para codorna japonesa na fase de produção / Digestible threonine levels for laying japanese quail

Avaliou-se a exigência de treonina digestível para a codorna japonesa em postura. Foram utilizadas 400 codornas, durante 63 dias. Utilizou-se delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos, oito repetições e 10 aves por unidade experimental. A dieta basal foi deficiente em treonina, contendo 17,8% de proteína bruta, 2.900kcal de EM/kg, sendo suplementada com quatro níveis de L- treonina 98% (0,000; 0,052; 0,104; 0,156 e 0,208%), correspondendo à relação treonina digestível:lisina digestível de 0,55; 0,60; 0,65; 0,70 e 0,75, respectivamente. Os parâmetros estudados foram: consumo de ração, consumo de treonina, produção de ovo, peso do ovo, massa de ovos, conversão alimentar por massa de ovos, conversão alimentar por dúzia de ovos, componentes dos ovos (gema, albúmen e casca) e gravidade específica. Observou-se aumento linear (P<0,01) somente para o consumo de treonina. Conclui-se que, para proporcionar os melhores resultados de desempenho e qualidade de ovos, a codorna japonesa exige 0,55% de treonina digestível, para um consumo diário de 144,61mg de treonina digestível/ave, correspondendo à relação treonina digestível: lisina digestível de 0,55.

This experiment was conducted to determine the digestible threonine requirement for laying Japanese quail. Four hundred quails were used during 63 days. A completely randomized experimental design was used with five treatments, eight replicates and ten quails per experimental unit. The basal diet was deficient in threonine, containing 17.8% crude protein, 2.900kcal of ME/kg and supplied with four levels of L-threonine 98% (0.000; 0.052; 0.104; 0.156 and 0.208%), corresponding digestible threonine: digestible lysine ratio 0.55; 0.60; 0.65; 0.70 and 0.75, respectively. The following parameters were evaluated: feed intake, threonine intake, egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion per egg mass, feed conversion per egg dozen, egg quality (yolk, albumen and shell) and specific gravity. Linear increase (P<0.01) was only observed in the threonine intake. The conclusion is that the Japanese quail demand 0.55% of digestible threonine to provide the best productive performance and quality of eggs, a daily consumption of 144.61 mg of digestible threonine/quail, corresponding to the digestible threonine: digestible lysine ratio of 0.55.

Mycological evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage in cats with respiratory signs from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Twenty-three cats with respiratory signs who had domiciliary contact with cats with sporotrichosis were studied. Sneezing was the predominant extracutaneous sign. Twelve cats had no skin lesions and 11 had ulcerated skin lesions. Mycological culture of material obtained from the nasal cavity, oral cavity, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and skin lesions, when present, was performed for all cats. In the case of autopsy, lung fragments were cultured. Sporothrix schenckii was isolated from four of the 12 cats without skin lesions: BAL (one cat) and oral and/or nasal cavity (three cats). The latter three animals developed nasal and distant skin lesions within the following 2-4 weeks. The cat with S. schenckii isolated from BAL did not develop skin lesions or lower respiratory tract symptoms during the 6 months of follow-up. S. schenckii was isolated from one or more biological samples of all 11 cats with skin lesions: oral cavity (five), nasal cavity (eight), BAL fluid (four), skin lesions (eight), and blood culture (one). No yeast-like structures were observed upon BAL cytology in any of the 23 cats. The results suggest that S. schenckii can cause infection of skin contiguous to the natural facial orifices through colonisation of the mucosal surfaces of the upper airways.

Disseminated dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum gypseum in an AIDS patient: response to terbinafine and amorolfine.

A 51-year-old white male, native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with advanced AIDS and in chronic use of imidazoles for oral candidosis, presented erythematous, desquamative, pruriginous plaques of 1 month evolution on the trunk, inguinal/crural region, and lower limbs. The diagnosis of dermatophytosis was based on the isolation of Microsporum gypseum from scales scraped from the skin lesions. The lesions regressed after 30 days treatment with itraconazole, 100 mg day(-1). After interruption of this antifungal, the mycosis recurred 2 months later, along with a toe onychomycosis also caused by M. gypseum. Attempted reintroduction of itraconazole at higher dose was unsuccessful. Patient responded well to treatment with terbinafine 250 mg day(-1) for 45 days. However, the medication had to be interrupted as a result of the emergence of a disseminated erythematous/papulous rash. Topical treatment with amorolfine cream was then performed, with a good clinical and mycological response.

Haematogenous spread of Sporothrix schenckii in cats with naturally acquired sporotrichosis.

The recovery of Sporothrix schenckii from blood samples is rare, and the diagnosis of systemic sporotrichosis is usually made at necropsy. In this report, S schenckii was isolated from two or more internal organs of nine necropsied cats with naturally acquired sporotrichosis. Haematogenous spread was demonstrated in vivo by the isolation of S schenckii from the peripheral blood of 17 (n = 49, 34.4 per cent) cats. Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) was not detected, and co-infection with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), observed in nine cases (n = 43, 20.9 per cent), apparently did not affect the isolation of S schenckii from peripheral blood or from the internal organs.

Sporotrichosis: an emergent zoonosis in Rio de Janeiro.

During the period from 1987 to 1998, 13 cases of human sporotrichosis were recorded at the Research Center Evandro Chagas Hospital (CPqHEC) in Rio de Janeiro. Two of these patients related scratch by a sick cat. During the subsequent period from July 1998 to July 2000, 66 human, 117 cats and 7 dogs with sporotrichosis were diagnosed at the CPqHEC. Fifty-two humans (78.8%) reported contact with cats with sporotrichosis, and 31 (47%) of them reporting a history of a scratch or bite. This epidemic, unprecedented in the literature, involving cats, dogs and human beings may have started insidiously before 1998.

Isolation of Sporothrix schenckii from the nails of domestic cats (Felis catus).

We report the first isolation of Sporothrix schenckii from the nail surfaces of cats. The fungus grew from nail clippings of three cats associated with three household outbreaks of sporotrichosis involving cats and human beings. The identification of the isolates was based on macroscopic and microscopic morphological characteristics at 25 degrees C and conversion of S. schenckii to the yeast-like form at 37 degrees C.

Seizures in Chédiak-Higashi syndrome. Case report.

Chédiak-Higashi syndrome is a rare hematological disease characterized by increased fusion of cytoplasmatic granules. Neurological symptoms occur in approximately half of the patients. We describe the clinical, eletrophysiological, hematological and radiological findings in a girl who had Chédiak-Higashi syndrome and seizures.

Laboratory assessment of the hypertensive individual. Value of the main guidelines for high blood pressure.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if abnormal laboratory findings are more common in individuals with hypertension and in those with other risk factors, such as obesity, smoking and alcohol ingestion. METHODS: A study was carried out in the general outpatient clinics of a university hospital (145 individuals without previous diagnosis of hypertension) and the following variables were assessed: high blood pressure (as defined by the VI Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection and Treatment of High Blood Pressure--VI JNC), obesity [calculated using body mass index (BMI)], tobacco use, and alcoholic ingestion. The laboratory examinations consisted of the following tests: hemogram, glycemia, uric acid, potassium, total/HDL-fraction cholesterol, triglycerides, calcium and creatinine. RESULTS: High blood pressure was not associated with a higher number of abnormal laboratory tests. Hypertensive individuals with a BMI > or = 25 kg/m2 or normotensive obese individuals, however, had a higher frequency of diabetes (12X), hypertriglyceridemia (3X), and hypercholesterolemia (2X), as compared with hypertensive individuals with BMI < 25 kg/m2 and preobese/normal weight normotensive individuals. CONCLUSION: High blood pressure is not associated with a higher frequency of abnormal laboratory tests. The association of high blood pressure and obesity, however, increases the detection of diabetes and dyslipidemias.

Effect of firing on the color stability of a light-cured ceramic stain.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the color stability of four stains of a light-cured porcelain stain system between the light-cured and fired stages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six ceramometal discs 20 mm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness were cast to provide the substrate on which Ceramco II porcelain was applied. The porcelain was polished to a uniform thickness of 2 mm, and the samples were divided into four groups and assigned a color (yellow, orange, green, or blue). Orbit LC stain was applied in a thin layer and light-cured for 40 seconds. After light-curing, three color readings were made with a Minolta Chroma Meter II. The porcelain discs were then fired in a porcelain oven and three color measurements were again made. The pre- and postfired Commission Internationale de I'Eclairage L*a*b* values were recorded and the color difference (delta E) was calculated for each specimen. The clinical significance for the computed delta E ratings was completed according to previously modified criteria. RESULTS: The results show that the mean delta E between the light-cured and fired stages of Orbit LC are clinically acceptable. No statistically significant differences (p < .05) were observed between any of the four groups. CONCLUSIONS: A light-cured porcelain stain system was evaluated for color stability between light-cured and fired stages. Within the conditions of this study, the following conclusions can be made: (1) There was no clinically significant color difference between light-cured and fired stages for the stain colors evaluated; and (2) the final color of the restorations altered with light-cured stains can be predicted before firing.