Salicylic acid does not relieve salt stress on gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and hydroponic melon growth.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the salicylic acid applications in attenuating the harmful effects of saline nutrient solution on the physiology and growth of 'Gaúcho' melon cultivated in the NFT hydroponic system. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, in Pombal-PB, Brazil. The cultivation system used was the Nutrient Film Technique - NFT hydroponics. A completely randomized split-plot design was used, with the plot referring to four levels of salinity in the nutrient solution - ECns (2.1 control, 3.2, 4.3, and 5.4 dS m-1) and the sub-plot four concentrations of salicylic acid (SA) (0, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 mM), applied via foliar spray, with six replications. Nutrient solution of 4.3 and 5.4 dS m-1 electrical conductivity promotes higher maximum and variable fluorescence, respectively. The stomatal conductance, transpiration, stem diameter, main branch length, leaf dry mass, and stem dry mass of 'Gaúcho' melon plants decrease with the increase in salinity of the nutrient solution. Salicylic acid increases the initial fluorescence and the main branch length of 'Gaúcho' melon plants in hydroponic cultivation. Salicylic acid at a concentration of 1.5 to 4.5 mM did not attenuate the effects of salt stress on the internal CO2 concentration, CO2 assimilation rate, and root dry mass of 'Gaúcho' melon plants.

Ionic homeostasis, biochemical components and yield of Italian zucchini under nitrogen forms and salt stress / Homeostase iônica, componentes bioquímicos e produção da abobrinha italiana sob formas de nitrogênio e estresse salino

This research was carried out aiming at evaluating the effects of nitrate and ammonium ions on nutrient accumulation, biochemical components and yield of Italian zucchini (cv. Caserta) grown in a hydroponic system under salt stress conditions. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse utilizing an experimental design in randomized blocks, arranged in a 2 x 5 factorial scheme, with 4 replications. The treatments consisted of two forms of nitrogen (nitrate - NO3 - and ammonium - NH4 + ) and 5 electrical conductivity levels of irrigation water (ECw) (0.5, 2.0, 3.5, 5.0 and 6.5 dS m-1). The analysis of the results indicated that supply of N exclusively in NH4 + form promotes greater damage to the leaf membrane and reduction in accumulation of macronutrients and higher Na+ /K+ , Na+ /Ca++ and Na+ /Mg++ ratios in the shoots of zucchini plants. Electrical conductivity of irrigation water above 2.0 dS m-1 reduces the accumulation of nutrients in shoot and yield of Italian zucchini plant. The toxicity of NH4 + under Italian zucchini plants overlap the toxicity of the salinity, since its fertilization exclusively with this form of nitrogen inhibits its production, being the NO3 - form the most suitable for the cultivation of the species.

Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos dos íons nitrato e amônio sobre o acúmulo de nutrientes e produção da abobrinha italiana (cv. Caserta) cultivada em sistema hidropônico sob estrese salino. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação utilizando o delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, arranjados em esquema fatorial 2 x 5, com 4 repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos de duas formas de nitrogênio (nitrato - NO3 - e amônio - NH4 + ) e cinco níveis de condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação (CEa ) (0,5; 2,0; 3,5; 5,0 e 6,5 dS m-1). As análises dos resultados indicaram que suprimento de N exclusivamente em forma de NH4 + promove maiores danos na membrana foliar e redução no acúmulo de macronutrientes e maiores relações Na+ /K+ , Na+ /Ca++ e Na+ /Mg++ na parte aérea das plantas de abobrinha. A irrigação com água a cima de 2,0 dS m-1 reduz o acúmulo de nutrientes na parte aérea das plantas e a produção de abobrinha. A toxicidade do NH4 + sob abobrinha italiana sobrepõe-se à toxicidade da salinidade, pois a fertilização exclusiva com esta forma de nitrogênio inibe sua produção, sendo a forma NO3 - a mais adequada para o cultivo da espécie.

Ionic homeostasis, biochemical components and yield of Italian zucchini under nitrogen forms and salt stress / Homeostase iônica, componentes bioquímicos e produção da abobrinha italiana sob formas de nitrogênio e estresse salino

This research was carried out aiming at evaluating the effects of nitrate and ammonium ions on nutrient accumulation, biochemical components and yield of Italian zucchini (cv. Caserta) grown in a hydroponic system under salt stress conditions. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse utilizing an experimental design in randomized blocks, arranged in a 2 x 5 factorial scheme, with 4 replications. The treatments consisted of two forms of nitrogen (nitrate - NO3- and ammonium - NH4+) and 5 electrical conductivity levels of irrigation water (ECw) (0.5, 2.0, 3.5, 5.0 and 6.5 dS m-1). The analysis of the results indicated that supply of N exclusively in NH4+ form promotes greater damage to the leaf membrane and reduction in accumulation of macronutrients and higher Na+/K+, Na+/Ca++ and Na+/Mg++ ratios in the shoots of zucchini plants. Electrical conductivity of irrigation water above 2.0 dS m-¹ reduces the accumulation of nutrients in shoot and yield of Italian zucchini plant. The toxicity of NH4+ under Italian zucchini plants overlap the toxicity of the salinity, since its fertilization exclusively with this form of nitrogen inhibits its production, being the NO3- form the most suitable for the cultivation of the species.

Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos dos íons nitrato e amônio sobre o acúmulo de nutrientes e produção da abobrinha italiana (cv. Caserta) cultivada em sistema hidropônico sob estrese salino. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação utilizando o delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, arranjados em esquema fatorial 2 x 5, com 4 repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos de duas formas de nitrogênio (nitrato - NO3- e amônio - NH4+) e cinco níveis de condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação (CEa) (0,5; 2,0; 3,5; 5,0 e 6,5 dS m-¹). As análises dos resultados indicaram que suprimento de N exclusivamente em forma de NH4+ promove maiores danos na membrana foliar e redução no acúmulo de macronutrientes e maiores relações Na+/K+, Na+/Ca++ e Na+/Mg++ na parte aérea das plantas de abobrinha. A irrigação com água a cima de 2,0 dS m-¹ reduz o acúmulo de nutrientes na parte aérea das plantas e a produção de abobrinha. A toxicidade do NH4+ sob abobrinha italiana sobrepõe-se à toxicidade da salinidade, pois a fertilização exclusiva com esta forma de nitrogênio inibe sua produção, sendo a forma NO3- a mais adequada para o cultivo da espécie.

Ionic homeostasis, biochemical components and yield of Italian zucchini under nitrogen forms and salt stress

Abstract This research was carried out aiming at evaluating the effects of nitrate and ammonium ions on nutrient accumulation, biochemical components and yield of Italian zucchini (cv. Caserta) grown in a hydroponic system under salt stress conditions. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse utilizing an experimental design in randomized blocks, arranged in a 2 x 5 factorial scheme, with 4 replications. The treatments consisted of two forms of nitrogen (nitrate - NO3- and ammonium - NH4+) and 5 electrical conductivity levels of irrigation water (ECw) (0.5, 2.0, 3.5, 5.0 and 6.5 dS m-1). The analysis of the results indicated that supply of N exclusively in NH4+ form promotes greater damage to the leaf membrane and reduction in accumulation of macronutrients and higher Na+/K+, Na+/Ca++ and Na+/Mg++ ratios in the shoots of zucchini plants. Electrical conductivity of irrigation water above 2.0 dS m-1 reduces the accumulation of nutrients in shoot and yield of Italian zucchini plant. The toxicity of NH4+ under Italian zucchini plants overlap the toxicity of the salinity, since its fertilization exclusively with this form of nitrogen inhibits its production, being the NO3- form the most suitable for the cultivation of the species.

Resumo Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos dos íons nitrato e amônio sobre o acúmulo de nutrientes e produção da abobrinha italiana (cv. Caserta) cultivada em sistema hidropônico sob estrese salino. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação utilizando o delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, arranjados em esquema fatorial 2 x 5, com 4 repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos de duas formas de nitrogênio (nitrato - NO3- e amônio - NH4+) e cinco níveis de condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação (CEa) (0,5; 2,0; 3,5; 5,0 e 6,5 dS m-1). As análises dos resultados indicaram que suprimento de N exclusivamente em forma de NH4+ promove maiores danos na membrana foliar e redução no acúmulo de macronutrientes e maiores relações Na+/K+, Na+/Ca++ e Na+/Mg++ na parte aérea das plantas de abobrinha. A irrigação com água a cima de 2,0 dS m-1 reduz o acúmulo de nutrientes na parte aérea das plantas e a produção de abobrinha. A toxicidade do NH4+ sob abobrinha italiana sobrepõe-se à toxicidade da salinidade, pois a fertilização exclusiva com esta forma de nitrogênio inibe sua produção, sendo a forma NO3- a mais adequada para o cultivo da espécie.

Effects of FTO and PPARγ variants on intrauterine growth restriction in a Brazilian birth cohort.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is related to a higher risk of neonatal mortality, minor cognitive deficit, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease in adulthood. In previous studies, genetic variants in the FTO (fat mass and obesity-associated) and PPARγ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma) genes have been associated with metabolic disease, body mass index, and obesity among other outcomes. We studied the association of selected FTO (rs1421085, rs55682395, rs17817449, rs8043757, rs9926289, and rs9939609) and PPARγ (rs10865710, rs17036263, rs35206526, rs1801282, rs28763894, rs41516544, rs62243567, rs3856806, and rs1805151) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with IUGR, through a case-control study in a cohort of live births that occurred from June 1978 to May 1979 in a Brazilian city. We selected 280 IUGR cases and 256 controls for analysis. Logistic regression was used to jointly analyze the SNPs as well as factors such as maternal smoking, age, and schooling. We found that the PPARγ rs41516544 increased the risk of IUGR for male offspring (OR 27.83, 95%CI 3.65-212.32) as well as for female offspring (OR=8.94, 95%CI: 1.96-40.88). The FTO rs9939609 TA genotype resulted in a reduced susceptibility to IUGR for male offspring only (OR=0.47, 95%CI: 0.26-0.86). In conclusion, we demonstrated that PPARγ SNP had a positive effect and FTO SNP had a negative effect on IUGR occurrence, and these effects were gender-specific.

Racial inequality in perinatal outcomes in two Brazilian birth cohorts.

This study aimed to estimate and compare racial inequality in low birth weight (LBW), preterm birth (PTB), and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in two Brazilian birth cohorts. This was a cross-sectional study nested within two birth cohorts in Ribeirão Preto (RP) and São Luís (SL), whose mothers were interviewed from January to December 2010. In all, 7430 (RP) and 4995 (SL) mothers were interviewed. The maternal skin color was the exposure variable. Associations were adjusted for socioeconomic and biological covariates: maternal education, per capita family income, family economic classification, household head occupation, maternal age, parity, marital status, prenatal care, type of delivery, maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, hypertension, hypertension during pregnancy, and smoking during pregnancy collected from questionnaires applied at birth. Statistical analysis was done with the chi-squared test and logistic regression. In RP, newborns from mothers with black skin color had a higher risk of LBW and IUGR, even after adjusting for socioeconomic and biological variables (P<0.001). In SL, skin color was not a risk factor for LBW (P=0.859), PTB (P=0.220), and IUGR (P=0.062), before or after adjustment for socioeconomic and biological variables. The detection of racial inequality in these perinatal outcomes only in the RP cohort after adjustment for socioeconomic and biological factors may be reflecting the existence of racial discrimination in the RP society. In contrast, the greater miscegenation present in São Luís may be reflecting less racial discrimination of black and brown women in this city.

Is soft drink consumption associated with gestational hypertension? Results from the BRISA cohort

It is still unknown whether excessive consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages may be linked to gestational hypertensive disorders, other than preeclampsia. This study investigated the association between soft drink consumption and hypertension during pregnancy, analyzing the relationship from the perspective of counterfactual causal theory. Data from pregnant women of the BRISA cohort were analyzed (1,380 in São Luis and 1,370 in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil). The explanatory variable was the frequency of soft drink consumption during pregnancy obtained in a prenatal interview. The outcome was gestational hypertension based on medical diagnosis, at the time of delivery. A theoretical model of the association between soft drink consumption and gestational hypertension was constructed using a directed acyclic graph. Marginal structural models (MSM) weighted by the inverse of the probability of soft drink consumption were also employed. Using Poisson regression analysis, high soft drink consumption (≥7 times/week) was associated with gestational hypertension in São Luís (RR=1.48; 95%CI: 1.03-2.10), in Ribeirão Preto (RR=1.51; 95%CI: 1.13-2.01), and in the two cohorts combined (RR=1.45; 95%CI: 1.16-1.82) compared to lower exposure (<7 times/week). In the MSM, the association between high soft drink consumption and gestational hypertension was observed in Ribeirão Preto (RR=1.63; 95%CI: 1.21-2.19) and in the two cohorts combined (RR=1.51; 95%CI: 1.15-1.97), but not in São Luís (RR=1.26; 95%CI: 0.79-2.00). High soft drink consumption seems to be a risk factor for gestational hypertension, suggesting that it should be discouraged during pregnancy.

Racial inequality in perinatal outcomes in two Brazilian birth cohorts

This study aimed to estimate and compare racial inequality in low birth weight (LBW), preterm birth (PTB), and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in two Brazilian birth cohorts. This was a cross-sectional study nested within two birth cohorts in Ribeirão Preto (RP) and São Luís (SL), whose mothers were interviewed from January to December 2010. In all, 7430 (RP) and 4995 (SL) mothers were interviewed. The maternal skin color was the exposure variable. Associations were adjusted for socioeconomic and biological covariates: maternal education, per capita family income, family economic classification, household head occupation, maternal age, parity, marital status, prenatal care, type of delivery, maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, hypertension, hypertension during pregnancy, and smoking during pregnancy collected from questionnaires applied at birth. Statistical analysis was done with the chi-squared test and logistic regression. In RP, newborns from mothers with black skin color had a higher risk of LBW and IUGR, even after adjusting for socioeconomic and biological variables (P<0.001). In SL, skin color was not a risk factor for LBW (P=0.859), PTB (P=0.220), and IUGR (P=0.062), before or after adjustment for socioeconomic and biological variables. The detection of racial inequality in these perinatal outcomes only in the RP cohort after adjustment for socioeconomic and biological factors may be reflecting the existence of racial discrimination in the RP society. In contrast, the greater miscegenation present in São Luís may be reflecting less racial discrimination of black and brown women in this city.

Effects of FTO and PPARγ variants on intrauterine growth restriction in a Brazilian birth cohort

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is related to a higher risk of neonatal mortality, minor cognitive deficit, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease in adulthood. In previous studies, genetic variants in the FTO (fat mass and obesity-associated) and PPARγ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma) genes have been associated with metabolic disease, body mass index, and obesity among other outcomes. We studied the association of selected FTO (rs1421085, rs55682395, rs17817449, rs8043757, rs9926289, and rs9939609) and PPARγ (rs10865710, rs17036263, rs35206526, rs1801282, rs28763894, rs41516544, rs62243567, rs3856806, and rs1805151) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with IUGR, through a case-control study in a cohort of live births that occurred from June 1978 to May 1979 in a Brazilian city. We selected 280 IUGR cases and 256 controls for analysis. Logistic regression was used to jointly analyze the SNPs as well as factors such as maternal smoking, age, and schooling. We found that the PPARγ rs41516544 increased the risk of IUGR for male offspring (OR 27.83, 95%CI 3.65-212.32) as well as for female offspring (OR=8.94, 95%CI: 1.96-40.88). The FTO rs9939609 TA genotype resulted in a reduced susceptibility to IUGR for male offspring only (OR=0.47, 95%CI: 0.26-0.86). In conclusion, we demonstrated that PPARγ SNP had a positive effect and FTO SNP had a negative effect on IUGR occurrence, and these effects were gender-specific.

Socio-environmental determinants of the delay in the first dental visit: results of two population-based cohort studies in Brazil

The objective of this study was to describe the timing of the first dental visit and investigate the association of socioeconomic and behavioral factors with dental visit delay among 10/11-year-old children from two live-birth population cohorts with extremely contrasting socioeconomic profiles. Follow-up data (2004-2005) from cohorts of Ribeirão Preto (RP) (n=790) and São Luís (SL) (n=673) were evaluated. Delay in dental visit was defined as not visiting a dentist before the age of 7. Covariates included family socioeconomic characteristics, mother-related health behavior, and child-related characteristics. Prevalence ratios with robust standard errors were estimated. In both cohorts, less than 5% of children had visited a dentist before the age of two and about 35% of them had not visited a dentist before the age of seven. Lower mother's schooling and lack of private health insurance were associated with the delay in first dental visit for both cohorts. A small number of mother's prenatal care visits and being from a single-father family or a family without parents were only associated in the RP cohort, while having ≥4 siblings and lifetime dental pain were associated in the SL cohort. The association with dental pain probably reveals a preventive care-seeking behavior. Therefore, the percentage of delayed first dental visit of children was very high even among those with the most educated mothers. Further studies are necessary to analyze recent changes and underlying factors related to access to first dental visit after the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy in 2006.

Body image dissatisfaction and symptoms of depression disorder in adolescents

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of body image dissatisfaction on symptoms of depressive disorder in adolescents. This is a cross-sectional study that included 2,162 adolescents ages 18-19 born in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil, which was part of the joint RPS cohort (Brazilian birth cohorts of Ribeirão Preto-SP, Pelotas-RS, and São Luís-MA). Socioeconomic characteristics, nutritional status, mental health, and body image characteristics were evaluated. Body image was assessed by Stunkard's silhouettes scale. The presence of symptoms indicative of depressive disorder was investigated through a diagnostic interview MINI (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview). A theoretical model was built in a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) in order to investigate the relationship between the variables of the study. The relationship was estimated weighting the inverse probability of selection for the variables of adjustment: sex and nutritional status. Among the dissatisfied adolescents due to overweight, 66.54% were girls, 32.85% were overweight, and 11.99% were obese (P<0.01). There was a significant association between dissatisfaction due to overweight and symptoms of depressive disorder (P=0.01), and there was no evidence of the same association with dissatisfaction due to thinness. Therefore, only dissatisfaction due to overweight was associated with the symptoms of depressive disorder in the evaluated adolescents.

Relative validity of a food frequency questionnaire for adolescents from a capital in the Northeastern region of Brazil

The present study was conducted to evaluate the validity of the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) used in the RPS Birth Cohort Consortium (Ribeirão Preto, Pelotas, and São Luís) to assess dietary intake of adolescents from São Luís, Maranhão. The research was developed with 152 adolescents aged 18 and 19 years. For the validation of the FFQ, the average of three 24-hour recalls (24HRs) was used as the reference method. The mean and standard deviation of energy and nutrient intake extracted from the surveys were estimated. The paired Student's t-test was used to verify the differences between the instruments. Pearson correlation coefficient, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), weighted Kappa, and the Bland-Altman plot were calculated in order to measure the agreement. The study adopted a level of significance <5%. Compared with the three 24HRs, the FFQ overestimated the consumption of most nutrients. Energy-adjusted and de-attenuated concordance Pearson correlation coefficients ranged from 0.06 to 0.43, and correlations were significant for iron, calcium, riboflavin, sodium, saturated fat, niacin, and vitamin C. The energy-adjusted and de-attenuated ICCs ranged from 0.01 to 0.31, and the weighted Kappa ranged from 0.01 to 0.46. The analyses of agreement were significant for vitamin C, fiber, calcium, riboflavin, niacin, sodium, lipids, and iron. In conclusion, the FFQ presented acceptable relative validity for lipids, saturated fatty acids, fiber, calcium, iron, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C, and sodium. This instrument will be useful in studies about food consumption of adolescents in São Luís, Maranhão.

Efeito da suplementação de suínos em terminação com diferentes associações entre minerais sobre o desempenho, as características de carcaça e a viabilidade econômica / Effect of supplementation of finishing swines with different associations between minerals on performance, carcass characteristics and economic viability

Objetivou-se, com este estudo, verificar a influência da suplementação com diferentes associações entre minerais orgânicos sobre o desempenho e as características de carcaça, bem como avaliar sua viabilidade econômica, para suínos em terminação. Foram utilizados 88 machos castrados, divididos entre quatro tratamentos: controle com dieta basal e suplementação com CrFe, MgSe e CrFeMgSe, durante os 28 dias que antecederam o abate. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com parcela experimental representada por dois animais. Os animais suplementados com CrFeMgSe apresentaram piores índices de peso final, ganho de peso diário e consumo durante todo o período, com consequente redução no peso de carcaça, menor profundidade de lombo, área de olho-de-lombo e menor quantidade de carne magra na carcaça. Houve um aumento no custo da dieta para os grupos CrFe, MgSe e CrFeMgSe, respectivamente. O uso de cromo mais ferro e magnésio mais selênio, associados dois a dois, não altera os parâmetros de desempenho e as características de carcaça. A associação dos quatro minerais, no entanto, promove piora nessas características e aumenta o custo da dieta.(AU)

This study aimed to verify the influence of supplementation with different associations between organic minerals on performance, carcass characteristics and economic viability for finishing swine. 88 castrated males were divided in four treatments: control with basal diet and supplementation with CrFe, MgSe and CrFeMgSe during the 28 days prior to slaughter. The experimental design was randomized blocks with an experimental plot represented by two animals. The animals supplemented with CrFeMgSe had worse final weight, daily weight gain and consumption throughout the period, with consequent reduction in carcass weight, lower loin depth, loin eye area and amount of lean meat. There was an increase in the effective operational cost of diet with CrFe, MgSe and CrFeMgSe groups, respectively. The use of chromium plus iron and magnesium plus selenium, associated two by two, did not alter the performance parameters and carcass. However, the four minerals association promote a worsening in these characteristics and increase the cost of production.(AU)

Comparação dos parâmetros bioquímicos entre gestação única e gemelar de ovelhas da raça Dorper durante gestação, parto e pós-parto / Comparison of biochemical parameters between single and twin pregnancies of Dorper breed ewes during gestation, lambing and postpartum

Nas ovelhas, a demanda de nutrientes aumenta durante a gestação, especialmente nas últimas seis semanas, quando ocorre maior desenvolvimento do feto. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram estudar o perfil bioquímico de ovelhas durante a gestação e no periparto imediato, comparando-se gestação única com gemelar. Foram utilizadas 60 ovelhas, Dorper, divididas em dois grupos experimentais com base no diagnóstico de gestação ultrassonográfico: grupo 1: 30 ovelhas com feto único; grupo 2: 30 ovelhas com gestação gemelar. Em nove momentos de coleta, foram mensurados no soro sanguíneo: ureia, creatinina, proteína total (PT), albumina, globulina, aspartato aminotransferase (AST), gamaglutamiltransferase, fosfatase alcalina, colesterol e triglicérides. O peso vivo das ovelhas do G2 foi maior que do G1 em todos os momentos, inclusive quando estavam vazias. Houve diferença entre as ovelhas do G1 e do G2 nos valores de PT, albumina, AST e triglicérides. A partir de 120 dias de gestação, o perfil proteico se modificou, com menores níveis de ureia, PT, albumina e globulina, mostrando que a demanda metabólica se intensificou no último mês da gestação. Os níveis de colesterol e triglicérides diminuíram de 140 dias de gestação para o parto. Este trabalho mostrou que a gestação proporcionou mudanças significativas no metabolismo da ovelha, principalmente no terço final da gestação, quando há maior necessidade de acompanhamento para evitar a incidência de doenças metabólicas.(AU)

In sheep, nutrient demand increases during gestation, particularly in the last six weeks, when the fetuses develop. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the biochemical profile of ewes during pregnancy and in the immediate peripartum comparing single with twin pregnancies. Sixty ewes of Dorper breed were divided into two groups by pregnancy ultrasonographic diagnosis: 1 - 30 ewes with single fetus gestation; 2 - 30 ewes with twin pregnancy. In nine collection moments the following parameters were measured: urea, creatinine, total protein (TP), albumin, globulin, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyltransferase, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol and triglycerides. The weight of G2 sheep was higher than G1 since they were empty. There were differences in G1 and G2 sheep metabolism in TP, Albumin, AST and Triglycerides. From 120 days of pregnancy, the protein profile changed, with lower levels of urea, TP, albumin and globulin, showing that the metabolic demand intensified in the last month of pregnancy. The levels of cholesterol and triglycerides decreased from 140 days of pregnancy to lambing day. This study showed that gestation provided significant changes in the ewe's metabolism, especially in the final third of gestation, when there is a greater need to follow the animals to avoid the incidence of metabolic diseases.(AU)

Efeito do óleo essencial do Croton nepetifolius Baill na penetração cervical em ovelhas mestiças de Dorper e Santa Inês / Effect of the essential oil of Croton nepetifolius Baill on cervical penetration in crossbred Dorper and Santa Inês ewes

A fim de se avaliar o uso do óleo essencial de Croton nepetifolius Baill (OECn) na penetrabilidade cervical em ovelhas mestiças, 40 ovelhas foram distribuídas ao acaso em quatro grupos (n=10): controle, misoprostol, OECn50 e OECn100 (50 e 100µg do OECn, respectivamente). Após a sincronização do estro, utilizando CIDR e eCG (200UI), a profundidade de penetração da cérvix foi mensurada utilizando-se uma pipeta de inseminação artificial de bovino graduada, no período de zero até 72h após a retirada do CIDR. Os resultados foram expressos em média ± erro-padrão, submetidos à ANOVA seguida do teste de Tukey, enquanto os dados, em porcentagem, foram submetidos aos testes de Fisher ouqui-quadrado. Nenhuma diferença significativa (P>0,05) foi encontrada quanto ao grau de penetrabilidade cervical. Quanto ao tempo de passagem, os grupos misoprostol e OECn100 apresentaram um menor tempo de penetrabilidade às 60h(1,7±0,6 e 1,5±0,6min, respectivamente), quando comparados ao grupo controle (4,1±0,6min), que não diferiu significativamente do grupo OECn50 (2,3±0,6min). Portanto, o óleo essencial de Croton nepetifolius Baill pode ser utilizado para encurtar o tempo de penetrabilidade cervical em ovelhas submetidas à sincronização estral.(AU)

In order to evaluate the use of the essential oil of Croton nepetifolius Baill (EOCn) on cervical penetration in crossbred ewes, 40 ewes were randomly allocated into four groups (n= 10): CONTROL, MISOPROSTOL, EOCn50 and EOCn100 (50 e 100µg of the EOCn, respectively). After estrus synchronization, using CIDR and eCG (200IU), depth of cervical penetration was measured using artificial insemination gun for bovine species which was graduated and used from 0 to 72h after CIDR removal. Results were expressed as mean ± standard error mean, submitted to ANOVA and Tukey test while data in percentage were submitted to Fisher or Chi-Square test. No significant difference (P> 0.05) was observed at grade of cervical penetration. Concerning trespassing time, MISOPROTOL and EOCn100 groups presented a lower trespassing time at 60h (1.7±0.6 and 1.5±0.6min, respectively) than CONTROL group (4.1±0.6min), which did not differ significantly from EOCn50 (2.3±0.6min) group. Therefore, the essential oil of Croton nepetifolius Baill can be used to shorten the cervical penetration time in estrus synchronized ewes.(AU)

Vasorelaxant effect of the Lippia alba essential oil and its major constituent, citral, on the contractility of isolated rat aorta.

The Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Brown (Verbenaceae) species popularly known as lemon balm has sedative, analgesic and spasmolytic properties. This study aimed to evaluate the vasorelaxant effect of the L. alba essential oil (EOLa) and its major constituent, citral, rat on aorta. Isometric muscle contraction were induced by potassium (K 60 mM) or phenylephrine (PHE, 0.1 µM) in isolated aortic rings. EOLa and citral promoted a smooth muscle relaxant action, which was potentiated by the presence of the endothelium; PHE-induced contractions (0.1 µM) in aorta with endothelium, had EC50 values of 352.73 ± 19.39 µg/mL and 99.34 ± 7.2 µg/mL for EOLa and citral, respectively. In the presence of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, L-NAME, the EC50 values were 654.19 ± 10.46 µg/mL and 601.66 ± 10.922 µg/mL for EOLa and citral, respectively. EOLa and citral dose-dependently relaxed contractions induced by BAY-K 8644, a calcium channel agonist, and by Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate an activator of protein kinase C. EOLa and citral produced a vasorelaxant effect in isolated aorta which was potentiated by the presence of endothelium. In summary, EOLa and citral, probably using several mechanisms of action, relaxed aortic smooth muscle with maximal pharmacologic efficacy.

Bioactivity and Toxicity of Senna cana and Senna pendula Extracts.

This work investigated the content of total polyphenolic compounds and flavonoids as well as their toxicity and larvicidal and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities. The antioxidant activities of two medicinal Senna species extracts (Senna cana and Senna pendula) were also investigated. The ethanol extract of the leaves of S. cana and the ethanol extract of the branches of S. pendula presented the best performance in the DPPH/FRAP and ABTS/ORAC assays, respectively. For the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, the hexane extract of the flowers of S. pendula presented the lowest IC50 value among the ethanol extracts of the leaves of S. cana and showed the best performance in some assays. The hexane extract of the leaves of S. pendula and the hexane extract of the branches of S. cana were moderate to Artemia salina Leach. In the quantification of phenols and flavonoids, the ethanol extract of the leaves of S. cana presented the best results. The ethanol extracts of the leaves of S. cana were found to be rich in antioxidants, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids. These results indicate the antioxidant potential of the extracts of Senna species and can be responsible for some of the therapeutic uses of these plants.

Renal safety after one year of sofosbuvir-based therapy for chronic hepatitis C: A Brazilian "real-life" study.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Sofosbuvir(SOF)-based regimens have been administrated with excellent efficacy in chronic hepatitis C. Few uncontrolled ("real-life") studies consider the assessment of renal function when evaluating their post-treatment outcomes. This study aims to evaluate renal biomarkers in a "real-life" experience with chronic hepatitis C patients treated with SOF therapy in a long-term follow-up. METHODS: Serum and urinary biomarkers were analysed before, at the end of therapy (EoT), after 12 weeks (sustained virological response-SVR) and one year (1y) post-treatment. Patients were categorized according to baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR-cut-off 45 mL/min/1.73 m2 ). RESULTS: Ninety-four patients with a mean age of 59.9 ± 8.5 years were included; 98.9% of patients reached SVR. Significant improvement in renal biomarkers was observed in patients with GFR ≥45 mL/min/1.73 m2 , as indicated by a progressive increase in mean GFR values until 1y. No evidence of tubular dysfunction was identified. Patients with baseline GFR <45 mL/min/1.73 m2 did not experience alterations in renal biomarkers; however, a mean change of +10.7 in GFR values was observed. We noticed significant upper stage transition in the CKD classification, and 58.7% of patients achieved G1 stage at 1y (P < .0001). WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: In a "real-life experience" of a Brazilian centre, SOF therapy appears to guarantee renal safety for patients with chronic hepatitis C followed until one year after treatment.

Identification of a novel UMOD mutation (c.163G>A) in a Brazilian family with autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease.

Autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease (ADTKD) is characterized by autosomal dominant inheritance, progressive chronic kidney disease, and a bland urinary sediment. ADTKD is most commonly caused by mutations in the UMOD gene encoding uromodulin (ADTKD-UMOD). We herein report the first confirmed case of a multi-generational Brazilian family with ADTKD-UMOD, caused by a novel heterozygous mutation (c.163G>A, GGC→AGC, p.Gly55Ser) in the UMOD gene. Of 41 family members, 22 underwent genetic analysis, with 11 individuals found to have this mutation. Three affected individuals underwent hemodialysis, one peritoneal dialysis, and one patient received a kidney transplant from a family member later found to be genetically affected. Several younger individuals affected with the mutation were also identified. Clinical characteristics included a bland urinary sediment in all tested individuals and a kidney biopsy in one individual showing tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Unlike most other reported families with ADTKD-UMOD, neither gout nor hyperuricemia was found in affected individuals. In summary, we report a novel UMOD mutation in a Brazilian family with 11 affected members, and we discuss the importance of performing genetic testing in families with inherited kidney disease of unknown cause.

Meat quality of chicken of different crossings in alternative system / Qualidade da carne de frangos de diferentes cruzamentos em sistema alternativo

The purpose was to evaluate the effects of gender and of different genotypes of chickens on the physicochemical parameters and centesimal composition, related to the quality of meat. The design was completely randomized arranged in 5x2 factorial scheme, five genotypes (Índio Gigante - IG; New Hampshire - NHS; Gigante Negra de Jersey - GNJ; poultry from the crossing between the IG and NHS breeds - IG x NHS; and between the IG and GNJ breeds - IG x GNJ) and two genders, with five repetitions and each one represented by three poultry, totaling 150 animals, slaughtered at 105 days. The parameters evaluated on the breast and thigh were: centesimal composition (moisture, ether extract - EE, protein and ash), ultimate pH, color (L*- luminosity, a*- redness, b* -yellowness, C* - chroma index and h* - hue angle), weight loss by cooking (WLC) and shear force (SF). The IG genotype had the highest average of ultimate pH of the breast (6.03). The NHS and IG x NHS genotypes showed, respectively, higher average of L * (58.93) and a* (1.92) of the breast. The IG, IG x NHS and IG x GNJ showed the highest values of b* of the breast (12.53, 13.37 and 12.69, respectively). The IG poultry showed high average of SF of the breast and thigh (4.79 and 5.01kgf, respectively). The IG x NHS and IG x GNJ genotypes showed the lowest ultimate pH values of the thigh (6.13 and 6.02, respectively). The IG x GNJ genotype showed a high average of b* of the thigh (14.94) and the NHS had a high average of WCL (24.65%). The females showed higher averages of EE on the breast and ash on the thigh (1.03 and 1.11%, respectively). The IG x NHS and IG x GNJ poultry showed higher averages of EE of the breast (1.21 and 1.38 %, respectively). The poultry of IG breed and those from the crossing with NHS and GNJ presented meat quality characteristics more desirable by the consumer in relation to physicochemical parameters and centesimal composition, while genders showed no influence on these aspects.(AU)

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos de sexo e de diferentes genótipos de frangos sobre os parâmetros físico-químicos e a composição centesimal, relacionados à qualidade da carne. O delineamento foi inteiramente ao acaso, disposto em esquema fatorial (5x2), sendo cinco genótipos (Índio Gigante - IG; New Hampshire - NHS; Gigante Negra de Jersey - GNJ; aves oriundas do cruzamento entre as raças IG e NHS - IG x NHS; e entre as raças IG e GNJ - IG x GNJ) e dois sexos, com cinco repetições, sendo cada uma representada por três aves, totalizando 150 animais, abatidos aos 105 dias. Os parâmetros avaliados no peito e na coxa foram: composição centesimal (umidade, extrato etéreo - EE, proteína e cinzas), pH final, cor (L*- luminosidade, a*- teor de vermelho, b*- teor de amarelo, C*- índice de croma e h*- ângulo de tonalidade), perda de peso por cozimento (PPC) e força de cisalhamento (FC). O genótipo IG apresentou a maior média de pH final do peito (6,03). Os genótipos NHS e IG x NHS apresentaram, respectivamente, médias elevadas de L* (58,93) e a* (1,92) do peito. Os IG, IG x NHS e IG x GNJ apresentaram os maiores valores de b* do peito (12,53, 13,37 e 12,69, respectivamente). As aves IG apresentaram médias elevadas de FC do peito e da coxa (4,79 e 5,01Kgf, respectivamente). Os genótipos IG x NHS e IG x GNJ apresentaram os menores valores de pH final da coxa (6,13 e 6,02, respectivamente). O genótipo IG x GNJ apresentou média elevada de b* da coxa (14,94), e o NHS média elevada de PPC (24,65%). As fêmeas apresentaram maiores médias de EE no peito e de cinzas na coxa (1,03 e 1,11%, respectivamente). As aves IG x NHS e IG x GNJ apresentaram maiores médias de EE do peito (1,21 e 1,38%, respectivamente). As aves da raça IG e as oriundas de seu cruzamento com NHS e GNJ apresentaram características de qualidade de carne mais desejáveis pelo consumidor em relação aos parâmetros físico-químicos e de composição centesimal, enquanto o sexo não revelou influência sobre esses aspectos.(AU)