Forage peanut legume as a strategy for improving beef production without increasing livestock greenhouse gas emissions.

The transformation of pastures from a degraded state to sustainable productivity is a major challenge in tropical livestock production. Stoloniferous forage legumes such as Arachis pintoi (forage peanut) are one of the most promising alternatives for intensifying pasture-based beef livestock operations with reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This 2-year study assessed beef cattle performance, nutrient intake and digestibility, and balance of GHG emissions in three pasture types (PT): (1) mixed Palisade grass - Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster (syn. Brachiaria brizantha Stapf cv. Marandu) and forage peanut (A. pintoi Krapov. & W.C. Greg. cv. BRS Mandobi) pastures (Mixed), (2) monoculture Palisade grass pastures with 150 kg of N/ha per year (Fertilised), and (3) monoculture Palisade grass without N fertiliser (Control). Continuous stocking with a variable stocking rate was used in a randomised complete block design, with four replicates per treatment. The average daily gain and carcass gain were not influenced by the PT (P = 0.439 and P = 0.100, respectively) and were, on average, 0.433 kg/animal per day and 83.4 kg/animal, respectively. Fertilised and Mixed pastures increased by 102 and 31.5%, respectively, the liveweight gain per area (kg/ha/yr) compared to the Control pasture (P < 0.001). The heifers in the Mixed pasture had lower CH4 emissions (g/animal per day; P = 0.009), achieving a reduction of 12.6 and 10.1% when compared to the Fertilised and Control pastures, respectively. Annual (N2O) emissions (g/animal) and per kg carcass weight gain were 59.8 and 63.1% lower, respectively, in the Mixed pasture compared to the Fertilised pasture (P < 0.001). Mixed pasture mitigated approximately 23% of kg CO2eq/kg of carcass when substituting 150 kg of N/ha per year via fertiliser. Mixed pastures with forage peanut are a promising solution to recover degraded tropical pastures by providing increased animal production with lower GHG emissions.

Swine meat production integrated with energy cogeneration: challenges and opportunities in using anaerobic biodigestion

As environmental concerns and regulatory requirements increase over time, new alternatives for swine manure disposal emerge. Among them, anaerobic biodigestion is a relevant technology because it reduces the organic load of wastewater before its final disposal and provides economic benefits to farmers with biogas and biofertilizer production. Efficiently managing the anaerobic biodigestion process remains a challenge in developing countries, mainly due to the lack of information from swine meat producers to deal with the complexity of this system. A risk analysis can represent a promising tool for farm assistance because it provides a process overview. Hence, this study reports the results of a process mapping in a swine meat production farm in Minas Gerais, Brazil. This mapping was performed while monitoring biodigestion operational parameters and allowed the identification of the primary causes of process failures and potential environmental impacts. The results showed that anaerobic digestion promotes a relevant environmental gain. However, the need for improved process monitoring, investments in environmental assessment equipment, and technical training for producers also stood out as an improvement opportunity.

In vitro- and in vivo-derived early antral follicles have comparable in vitro follicular growth and oocyte maturation rates in goats.

Recent in vitro follicle culture (IVFC) studies in caprine have yielded lower maturation rates using late preantral follicles compared to early antral follicles. Thus, research focusing on developing stage-specific customized culture systems able to improve the efficiency of IVFC for late preantral follicles are warranted. This study aimed to compare the morphometric features, estradiol production, and gene expression between early antral caprine follicles produced in vitro and in vivo. In vitro-derived early antral follicles were produced after a 6-day in vitro culture of late preantral follicles, while in vivo-derived early antral follicles were yielded immediately after isolation from the ovaries; antral follicles were, thereafter, cultured for 18 days. In vitro-derived antral follicles were cultured either in a medium developed for preantral follicles (PF medium) or in a medium developed for antral follicles (AF medium). In vivo-derived early antral follicles, on the other hand, were cultured in AF medium (Control treatment). Results demonstrated that in vitro-derived antral follicles cultured in PF medium produced higher estradiol concentration, and m-RNA expression for matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and insulin receptor when compared to both in vitro- and in vivo-derived antral follicles cultured in AF medium. Remarkably, in vitro-derived antral follicles cultured in PF medium had similar MII and oocytes ≥110 µm rates compared with in vivo-derived antral follicles (Control treatment). In conclusion, when cultured in a single and appropriate medium (i.e., PF medium), in vitro-derived early antral follicles had comparable oocyte maturation rates to the in vivo-derived early antral follicles.

Oral Kaposi sarcoma development is associated with HIV viral load, CD4+ count and CD4+/CD8+ ratio.

BACKGROUND: Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is an uncommon, multifocal and angioproliferative lesion, which demonstrates a poor prognosis. The aim of the present research was to explore the association of HIV viral load, CD4+ and CD8+ counts and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio on the risk of oral Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) development. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 62 patients were retrieved from March 2008 to October 2020 from the files of two oral pathology centres. Clinical, laboratory and follow-up data were retrieved from their medical files. Poisson regression was used to explore the role of history of immunosuppression and its association with oral KS development. A P-value <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients were included in the present study (32 with oral KS and 30 with no presentation of lesions anywhere on the body). Patients with oral KS presented a mean age of 32.6 years, and male patients were more affected. The hard palate (15 cases; 46.8%) was the main anatomical site affected. The lesions were mostly presented as swellings (13 cases; 40.6%) and nodules (12 cases; 37.5%). Systemic manifestations were also observed, including candidiasis (4 cases; 12.5%), bacterial infection (3 cases; 9.3%), tuberculosis (3 cases; 9.3%), herpes simplex (3 cases; 9.3%) and pneumonia (3 cases; 9.3%). A significant correlation was observed between HIV viral load, CD4+ count and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio with oral KS development. CONCLUSIONS: HIV viral load, CD4+ count and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio are associated with oral KS development.

Heterotopic autotransplantation of equine ovarian tissue using intramuscular versus subvulvar grafting sites: Preliminary results.

Ovarian tissue transplantation (OTT) is a technique well established and successfully applied in humans using mainly orthotopic or heterotopic transplantation sites. In livestock, OTT is still in its infancy and, therefore, different aspects of the technique, including the efficiency of different heterotopic OTT sites as well as the potential effect of age (i.e., young vs. old mares) in the ovarian graft quality, need to be investigated. The present study investigated the efficacy of the intramuscular (IM) or the novel subvulvar mucosa (SV) heterotopic autotransplantation sites to maintain the survivability of the grafts for 3 and 7 days post-OTT. Ovarian biopsy fragments were obtained in vivo and distributed to the following treatments: Fresh control group (ovarian fragments immediately fixed), SV-3, IM-3, SV-7, and IM-7. During and after graft harvesting, the macroscopic characteristics of the grafts (i.e., adherence, morphology, and bleeding) were scored, and the percentages of morphologically normal and developing preantral follicles as well as the follicular and stromal cell densities of the grafts were evaluated. The results were that similar (P > 0.05) macroscopic scores were observed between both transplantation sites 7 days post-OTT, with positive correlations (P < 0.01) found among adherence, morphology, and bleeding of the grafts. A lower (P < 0.05) percentage of morphologically normal follicles was found 7 days post-OTT in the SV site (82%) compared with the Fresh control group (99%) and IM site (95%); however, the percentages of developing follicles were similar (P > 0.05) between both transplantation sites 7 days post-OTT (30-43%). Although similar (P > 0.05) follicular densities were found in both transplantation sites in young and old mares at 3 and 7 days post-OTT, large individual variation in the follicular depletion rate was observed regardless of transplantation site. The Fresh control group and SV-7 treatments had higher (P < 0.05) stromal cell densities in young and old mares compared with both IM-7 treatments. When comparing transplant sites between young and old mares, the follicular density in old mares and the stromal cell density in young mares were greater (P < 0.05) in the SV than in the IM site. In conclusion, even though the transplantation sites differentially affected some end points, overall comparable findings of the OTT technique using both heterotopic autotransplantation sites (i.e., IM and SV) for equine ovarian tissue were observed.

Impact of ethanol and heat stress-dependent effect of ultra-diluted Arnica montana 6 cH on in vitro embryo production in cattle.

This study evaluated the effect of adding ultra-diluted and dynamized Arnica montana 6 cH, and its vehicle (0.3% ethanol) to the in vitro maturation (IVM) medium, in the absence (experiment 1) or presence (experiment 2) of heat stress (HS), on bovine oocyte maturation and in vitro embryo production (IVEP). In experiment 1 (n = 902 cumulus oocyte complexes, COCs), the treatments were 1) IVM medium (Control treatment), 2) IVM medium + 0.3% ethanol, and 3) IVM medium + Arnica montana 6 cH. In experiment 2 (n = 1064 COCs), the treatments were 1) IVM medium without HS, 2) IVM medium under HS, 3) IVM medium + ethanol under HS, and 4) IVM medium + Arnica montana under HS. In the absence of HS (experiment 1), the addition of Arnica montana to the IVM medium had a deleterious effect on the IVEP (cleavage and blastocyst rates) and the total cell number/blastocysts. On the other hand, ethanol (0.3%) increased IVEP in relation to the Control and Arnica montana treatments. However, in the presence of HS during IVM (experiment 2), the addition of ethanol or Arnica montana increased IVEP when compared to the HS treatment alone, and the Arnica montana treatment resulted in greater total cell number/blastocysts compared to the other treatments. In conclusion, this study showed for the first time that the negative or positive effect of Arnica montana 6 cH on IVEP depends on the culture condition (i.e., absence or presence of HS during IVM). On the other hand, ethanol showed beneficial and consistent results on IVEP regardless of exposure to HS.

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.

Idade à puberdade e características reprodutivas de novilhas mestiças F1 Holandês x Gir com fenótipos divergentes para consumo alimentar residual / [Age at puberty and reproductive characteristics of F1 Holstein x Gyr crossbred heifers with divergent phenotypes for residual feed intake]

A relação da eficiência nutricional com a idade e o peso à puberdade e as características reprodutivas foram estudadas em 35 novilhas F1 Holandês x Gir, em ensaios usando o consumo alimentar residual (CAR) nos períodos pós-desaleitamento (PD) e pós-puberdade (PP). Novilhas PD (P<0,0001) e PP (P<0,001) foram ranqueadas como de alta, intermediária e baixa eficiências e apresentaram CAR de -0,259 -0,014 e 0,346kg/dia e -0,848 -0,096 e 0,842kg/dia, respectivamente. Novilhas PD diferiram (P<0,05) na idade à puberdade entre ranques de alta, intermediária e baixa eficiências, em média, aos 339,7; 346,4; 315,3 dias, respectivamente. Os pesos à puberdade de novilhas PD com alta, intermediária e baixa eficiências foram, em média, de 321±28,1kg e não diferiram (P>0,05) entre CAR. Não foi verificada correlação entre diâmetro folicular, taxa de crescimento do folículo, número de ondas foliculares no ciclo estral e taxa de gestação à primeira IA com o CARPD ou CARPP. Novilhas F1HG selecionadas para CAR com baixa eficiência podem ter idade à puberdade 10 dias a mais, quando comparadas às novilhas de alta eficiência para CAR. Não foi verificado que novilhas selecionadas para alta ou baixa eficiências alimentares, usando CAR, tivessem algum impacto negativo sobre características reprodutivas avaliadas.(AU)

The relationship between nutritional efficiency and age and weight at puberty and reproductive traits was studied in 35 F1 Holstein x Gyr heifers, in trials using residual food consumption (CAR) in the post-weaning (PW) and post-pubertal (PP) periods. PD heifers (P<0.0001) and PP (P<0.001) were classified as high, intermediate and low efficiencies and presented CAR of -0.259 -0.014 and 0.346kg/day and -0.848 -0.096 and 0.842kg/day, respectively. PD heifers differed (P<0.05) in age at puberty between high, intermediate and low efficiencies, on average, at 339.7, 346.4 and 315.3 days, respectively. The weight at puberty of PD heifers with high, intermediate and low efficiencies were, on average, 321±28.1kg and did not differ (P>0.05) between CAR. No correlation was found between follicular diameter, follicle growth rate, number of follicular waves in the estrous cycle and pregnancy rate at 1st AI with the CARPD or CARPP. F1HG heifers selected for CAR with low efficiency can be aged at puberty 10 days longer when compared to high-efficiency heifers for CAR. These results did not show that heifers selected for high or low food efficiency, using CAR, had negative impact on the reproductive characteristics evaluated.(AU)

Curcumin-loaded nanoemulsion improves haemorrhagic stroke recovery in wistar rats.

Cerebrovascular diseases are currently a major global health problem. Considering the limitations of current therapy, the search for new alternatives for the treatment of these diseases is necessary and, in this context, curcumin, a molecule that has neuroprotective properties already described in the literature. A limiting factor when considering therapies for the nervous tissue is the presence of the blood-brain barrier which stimulates the search for new drug delivery strategies. In this context, nanoencapsulation seems to be a promising alternative. In this work, we compared the protective effects of free and nanoemulsified curcumin after intracerebral haemorrhage induced by collagenase (ICH) in Wistar rats. Injury area, motor activity, oxidative stress in the brain and serum biochemical parameters were investigated. Two hours after surgery, the first dose was injected intraperitoneally, followed by 24 and 48 h administration. Behavioural analysis was performed through 3 different tests: open field, beam walking and foot fault (24, 48 and 72 h respectively). At the end of the recovering time (3 days after injury), the animals were euthanized and the brain (for analysis of injury area and oxidative stress), blood (for biochemical parameters), kidney and liver (for histopathological examination) were investigated. Curcumin nanoemulsion 30 mg/kg was able to improve behavioural recovery, reduce the size of the haematoma and attenuate the weight loss caused by ICH. In terms of oxidative parameters, we observed that curcumin nanoemulsion modulated antioxidant responses with therapeutic potential against ICH. Only discrete results in few parameters were found with free-curcumin in the same dose.

The subtle balance of insulin and thyroxine on survival and development of in vitro cultured caprine preantral follicles enclosed in ovarian tissue.

Numerous studies have reported the importance of thyroid hormones on the development of later preantral and antral follicles, but their interactions with other hormones and effects in regulating early preantral follicle growth remain unclear. Here we investigated the in vitro effects of thyroxine combined with insulin on caprine preantral follicle survival and development. Sliced ovarian tissues were cultured for 1 or 7 days using 10 ng/mL (low) or 10 µg/mL (high) insulin in the presence of thyroxine at 0, 0.5, 1 or 2 µg/mL. Post-culture, we evaluated the follicular survival and development, assessed the expression of apoptotic-related genes (Bcl2/Bax) and receptors of insulin and thyroid hormones, and quantified the estradiol and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production levels. Follicular survival in low-insulin culture conditions was enhanced by the presence of 0.5 µg/mL thyroxine (P < 0.05) as compared to the thyroxine-free medium but remained similar to non-cultured control in the presence of 2 µg/mL (P > 0.05). Significantly higher ROS production was measured from Day 1 to Day 7 in low-insulin culture media containing 0.5 or 2 µg/mL thyroxine (P < 0.05). When compared to high insulin level, the presence of thyroxine in low insulin culture conditions yielded higher stromal cell density (P < 0.05), increased estradiol production on Day 1, and higher Bcl2/Bax ratio on Day 7. Cultures with high levels of both insulin and thyroxine led to follicles and oocytes with larger diameters (P < 0.05). The RNA transcript levels of insulin and thyroid receptors were reduced in the presence of high insulin cultures when compared to controls (non-cultured). In conclusion, the combination of low concentrations of insulin and thyroxine better maintained follicle survival, while high levels ensured better follicular development.

Trajetórias de pesquisadores na área de Ciências Sociais e Humanas em Saúde: compartilhando memórias de projetos, encontros e metamorfoses / Researchers' trajectories in Social and Human Health Sciences: sharing memories of projects, meetings and metamorphoses

Resumo O artigo analisa as trajetórias docentes/pesquisadores das Ciências Sociais e Humanas em Saúde atuantes nos programas de pós-graduação em Saúde Coletiva, considerando suas formações e práticas na pesquisa, ensino e extensão. Trajetórias expressam decisões, escolhas e empenhos pessoais em projetos que interagem com outros projetos em um campo onde se negocia a realidade. Compusemos um referencial pelos conceitos de projeto, metamorfose, campo de possibilidades e mediação de Gilberto Velho e de arenas transepistêmicas de Karin Knorr-Cetina. Os dados advêm de questionário online, respondido por 59 docentes pesquisadores e 19 entrevistas (ambos semiestruturados) observando-se representação regional e geracional. Analisamos os relatos pessoais em contexto articulados a acontecimentos, eventos, projetos, pessoas e instituições. Os resultados trazem as inserções e atuações: pela formação e pesquisa como pontos de partida, encontros e metamorfoses; e pelas interações dentro e fora da comunidade científica pelo ensino, extensão e ativismo. As trajetórias delineiam-se por projetos pessoais e coletivos em meio às circunstâncias imediatas, mudanças geracionais e tendências de maior duração, tensionando em supostas fronteiras e transcendendo dos campos disciplinares para outros setores sociais. Neste processo, enredam-se agenciamentos cotidianos, sem menosprezar heranças históricas, políticas e sociais que interseccionam os projetos na construção das trajetórias pessoais e institucionais.

Abstract The article analyzes the teaching and research trajectories of the Social and Human Sciences in Health acting in the Public Health postgraduate programs, considering their training and practices in research, teaching and extension. Trajectories express decisions, choices, and personal commitments on projects that interact with other projects in a field where reality is negotiated. We composed a framework for the concepts of design, metamorphosis, field of possibilities and mediation by Gilberto Velho and Karin Knorr-Cetina's transepistemic arenas. The data come from an online questionnaire, answered by 59 research teachers and 19 interviews (both semi-structured) observing regional and generational representation. We analyze personal accounts in context articulated to events, events, projects, people and institutions. The results bring the insertions and performances: by training and research as starting points, encounters and metamorphoses; and by interactions within and outside the scientific community through teaching, extension and activism. Trajectories are shaped by personal and collective projects in the midst of immediate circumstances, generational changes and longer-term trends, tensing at supposed boundaries and transcending disciplinary fields to other social sectors. In this process, daily agencies are entangled, without neglecting historical, political and social inheritances that intersect projects in the construction of personal and institutional trajectories.

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.

Evaluation of a Physical-Chemical Protocol for Porcine Tracheal Decellularization.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE: Tracheal resection with primary reconstruction is the definitive treatment for many tracheal benign and malignant diseases. When primary resection is not deemed feasible as a result of the length of the stenosis, airway transplantation may become a solution. Tissue engineering offers an alternative way for creating tracheal substitutes. The development of tracheal allograft transplantation includes the decellularized tracheal scaffolds made of extracellular matrix that are seeded with the receptor's cells. Many protocols are used to obtain a decellularized scaffold. Most of them consist of cyclical physical-chemical steps with enzymes. This study proposes a protocol for decellularization based only in physical-chemical steps. METHODS: Decellularization of pig tracheal segments was carried out using a standardized protocol consisting of freezing and thawing, 10 cycles of agitation, exposure to sodium deoxycholate, and washing. The degree of decellularization was determined by quantifying residual DNA. We also analyzed the morphology under hematoxylin and eosin staining. RESULTS: Fourteen porcine tracheal segments were decellularized. All scaffolds obtained showed less than 2% of residual DNA (mean 20 ± 8 ng/mg) when compared to the fresh samples (mean 850 ± 123 ng/mg), P = .001. Morphological analysis showed that the epithelium and mixed glands were completely removed. It was possible to identify residual nuclei inside the cartilaginous rings (73.7 ± 12 × 26 ± 8 nuclei/field, P < .001). CONCLUSION: The protocol tested was able to provide effective decellularization of porcine tracheas.

Cranial nerve injuries in Le Fort I osteotomy: a systematic review.

The aim of this systematic review was to describe the anatomical and surgical factors related to cranial nerve injuries in Le Fort I osteotomy. The protocol of this systematic review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). Two independent reviewers performed an unrestricted electronic database search in the MEDLINE/PubMed, LILACS, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases up to and including August 2018. Thirty-two articles were selected for data extraction and synthesis: 30 studies were identified in the main search and two by a manual search. The level of agreement between the reviewers was considered excellent (κ=0.779 for study selection and κ=0.767 for study eligibility). This study revealed that the main nerve affected was the trigeminal nerve, followed by the oculomotor, abducens, optic, facial, and vagus and accessory nerves. Cleft lip and palate patients presented the highest incidence of cranial nerve damage. Cranial nerve damage after Le Fort I osteotomy is not rare. Anatomical and structural knowledge of the patient are necessary in order to minimize the risks of cranial nerve injury in Le Fort I osteotomy.

Prevalence, extent and severity of peri-implant diseases. A cross-sectional study based on a university setting in Brazil.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Peri-implant diseases are a growing concern among clinicians. Epidemiological studies following recently recommended case definitions for peri-implant diseases are emerging worldwide. Although a small number of studies on the prevalence of peri-implant diseases has been conducted in Brazil, no information on the extent and severity of the condition has been made available so far. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence, extent and severity of peri-implant diseases in patients treated in a university setting in Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with dental implants with at least 1 year in function were clinically and radiographically examined and classified according to recently recommended case definitions. A descriptive analysis on the prevalence, extent and severity of the peri-implant status at patient and implant level was performed. Risk indicators for peri-implantitis were also identified with binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 211 participating individuals, 4 (1.9%) presented peri-implant health, 8 (3.8%) clinical stability, 115 (54.5%) mucositis and 84 (39.8%) peri-implantitis. Of the 748 implants analyzed, 47 (6.3%) presented peri-implant health, 30 (4%) clinical stability, 518 (69.2%) mucositis and 153 (20.5%) peri-implantitis. The extent of implants with peri-implantitis and peri-implant mucositis was 41.5% and 90.4%, respectively. Severe peri-implantitis was found in 36 patients (17.1%) and 67 implants (9%). Gender male, number of implants ≥4, implants installed in the maxilla, cemented prosthesis and keratinized mucosa width <2 mm were significantly associated with the event peri-implantitis. CONCLUSION: In the studied population, the prevalence, extent and severity of the peri-implant diseases were similar to those reported elsewhere. Peri-implant diseases were a common finding, with only 5.7% of patients and 10.3% of implants presenting peri-implant health or clinical stability. About 17% of patients studied presented the severe form of peri-implantitis.

Quality of life on hemodialysis and inflammation: a descriptive analysis.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is highly prevalent worldwide. Patients with CKD on hemodialysis are more likely to present behavioral changes and worse quality of life as a result of their routine and complications. They also have higher levels of cytokines. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between the inflammatory profile and quality of life measured by KDOQL-SF36 in hemodialysis outpatients. Patients older than 21 years of age and on routine hemodialysis for at least 6 months with treatment on a regular weekly basis were included and their anthropometric parameters and serum inflammatory markers were evaluated. Thirty patients consented to participate. Homocysteine (Hcy) levels were correlated with worse glomerular filtration rate (GFR; P=0.003) and creatinine (P=0.002). IL-6 was not correlated with worse nutritional status taking into account body mass index (BMI; kg/m2; P=0.83). On the other hand, TNF-alpha was positively correlated with albumin (P=0.008), nutritional status by BMI (P=0.04), and nutritional status by arm circumference area (P=0.04). IL-6 was correlated with activity limitation (P=0.02) and Hcy with work status (P=0.04). Hcy was correlated with nutritional status and inflammatory markers. In this population, the majority of the sections in KDOQL-SF36 were not correlated with cytokines levels.

Relationship between follicular dynamics and oocyte maturation during in vitro culture as a non-invasive sign of caprine oocyte meiotic competence.

The search for non-invasive signs of oocyte meiotic competence is very important for the development of in vitro follicle culture (IVFC) systems. The aims of the present study were: (1) to investigate the effect of in vitro maturation (IVM) of in vivo grown goat COCs, in group or individually, on oocyte chromatin configuration (Experiment 1), and (2) the influence of IVFC period (12 vs. 18 days) on the ability of the oocyte to resume meiosis immediately after IVFC (before in vitro maturation; IVM), or after IVM (Experiment 2). In experiment 1, in vivo grown cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were submitted to IVM in groups (10 COCs/100 µL-drop) or individually (1 COC/10 µL-drop), and chromatin configuration was assessed. In experiment 2, isolated follicles were individually cultured for 12 or 18 days, and submitted to individual IVM afterwards. The following end points were evaluated: follicular growth and morphology, oocyte diameter, viability and chromatin configuration, as well as individual follicular estradiol production. Similar maturation rates were obtained between in vivo grown COCs matured individually and in groups (66.7% vs. 63.6%, respectively) (Experiment 1). Only after 18 days of IVFC, oocytes were able to grow during IVM, reaching a mean oocyte diameter of 119 µm. Also, this treatment produced the highest rate of metaphase II oocytes (46.2% out of the total number of cultured follicles). Finally, it was observed that follicles with a daily growth rate >7.1 µm/day (fast-growing) and that reached at least 600 µm in diameter, were more likely (P < 0.05) to produce oocytes capable of attaining MII. In conclusion, caprine oocytes can be individually matured in vitro, as efficiently as in groups. This result was essential to pair in vitro follicle development and in vitro oocyte maturation with specific individual follicles. Using this approach, it was possible to establish non-invasive signs for the efficiency of IVFC based on follicle daily growth rate and diameter, and oocyte diameter: follicle daily growth >7 µm, follicle diameter of at least 600 µm, and oocyte diameter ≥120 µm. In addition, 18 days seems to be the most suitable culture time for caprine early antral follicles.

Melatonin reduces apoptotic cells, SOD2 and HSPB1 and improves the in vitro production and quality of bovine blastocysts.

Effects of adding different concentrations of melatonin (10-7 , 10-9 and 10-11  M) to maturation (Experiment 1; Control, IVM + 10-7 , IVM + 10-9 , IVM + 10-11 ) and culture media (Experiment 2; Control, IVC + 10-7 , IVC + 10-9 , IVC + 10-11 ) were evaluated on in vitro bovine embryonic development. The optimal concentration of melatonin (10-9  M) from Experiments 1-2 was tested in both maturation and/or culture media of Experiment 3 (Control, IVM + 10-9 , IVC + 10-9 , IVM/IVC + 10-9 ). In Experiment 1, maturated oocytes from Control and IVM + 10-9 treatments showed increased glutathione content, mitochondrial membrane potential and percentage of Grade I blastocysts (40.6% and 43%, respectively). In Experiment 2, an increase in the percentage of Grade I blastocysts was detected in IVC + 10-7 (43.5%; 56.7%) and IVC + 10-9 (47.4%; 57.4%). Moreover, a lower number and percentage of apoptotic cells in blastocysts were observed in the IVC + 10-9 group compared to Control (3.8 ± 0.6; 3.6% versus 6.1 ± 0.6; 5.3%). In Experiment 3, the IVC + 10-9 treatment increased percentage of Grade I blastocysts with a lower number of apoptotic cells compared to IVM/IVC + 10-9 group (52.6%; 3.0 ± 0.5 versus 46.0%; 5.4 ± 1.0). The IVC + 10-9 treatment also had a higher mRNA expression of antioxidant gene (SOD2) compared to the Control, as well as the heat shock protein (HSPB1) compared to the IVM + 10-9 . Reactive oxygen species production was greater in the IVM/IVC + 10-9 treatment group. In conclusion, the 10-9  M concentration of melatonin and the in vitro production phase in which it is used directly affected embryonic development and quality.

Anethole reduces oxidative stress and improves in vitro survival and activation of primordial follicles

Primordial follicles, the main source of oocytes in the ovary, are essential for the maintenance of fertility throughout the reproductive lifespan. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reports describing the effect of anethole on this important ovarian follicle population. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of different anethole concentrations on the in vitro culture of caprine preantral follicles enclosed in ovarian tissue. Randomized ovarian fragments were fixed immediately (non-cultured treatment) or distributed into five treatments: α-MEM+ (cultured control), α-MEM+ supplemented with ascorbic acid at 50 μg/mL (AA), and anethole at 30 (AN30), 300 (AN300), or 2000 µg/mL (AN2000), for 1 or 7 days. After 7 days of culture, a significantly higher percentage of morphologically normal follicles was observed when anethole at 2000 μg/mL was used. For both culture times, a greater percentage of growing follicles was observed with the AN30 treatment compared to AA and AN2000 treatments. Anethole at 30 and 2000 µg/mL concentrations at days 1 and 7 of culture resulted in significantly larger follicular diameter than in the cultured control treatment. Anethole at 30 µg/mL concentration at day 7 showed significantly greater oocyte diameter than the other treatments, except when compared to the AN2000 treatment. At day 7 of culture, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were significantly lower in the AN30 treatment than the other treatments. In conclusion, supplementation of culture medium with anethole improves survival and early follicle development at different concentrations in the caprine species.

Effect of increasing amounts of milk replacer powder added to whole milk on postweaning performance, reproduction, glucose metabolism, and mammary fat pad in dairy heifers.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of increasing the total solids (TS) content of liquid feed, by adding increasing amounts of milk replacer powder to whole milk, on age at puberty and postweaning performance, glucose metabolism, and mammary fat pad of dairy heifers. Crossbreed Holstein × Gyr heifers (n = 58) were distributed into 4 different treatments during the preweaning period. Treatments consisted of liquid feeds with TS content of 12.5 (actual TS = 13.5 ± 0.53%; n = 15), 15.0 (actual TS = 16.1 ± 0.03%; n = 15), 17.5 (actual TS = 18.2 ± 0.14%; n = 13), or 20.0% (actual TS = 20.4 ± 0.24%; n = 15), which were provided up to 59 d old. From 60 to 89 d old, the animals received the same starter offered during the preweaning period in addition to corn silage ad libitum starting at 70 d old. From 90 to 104 d old, the animals were adapted to a total mixed ration. At 105 d old, the animals were distributed in 4 paddocks equipped with electronic feed and water bins and were fed the same total mixed ration ad libitum. A period of adaptation to the electronic feed bins occurred from 105 to 119 d old. Feed and water intake and body weight and body frame development were assessed until puberty. Mammary gland evaluations were performed monthly by ultrasonography from 120 d of age until puberty onset. Puberty onset was determined as plasma progesterone concentration greater than 1 ng/mL in 2 consecutive samples collected 7 d apart. The date of puberty onset was recorded as the collection day of the first of these samples. A glucose tolerance test was performed at 280 d of age. The increased TS content of the liquid feed fed during the preweaning period did not affect dry matter intake, performance, age at puberty, glucose metabolism, or mammary gland fat pad at later stages of rearing process. Conversely, hip width and heart girth increased linearly up to 150 and 240 d of age, respectively, as a result of the increased TS concentration of the liquid feed during the preweaning period.