Gelatin in replacement of bovine heart in feed training of Lophiosilurus alexandri in different water salinities.

The aim of this study was to evaluate commercial gelatin in the total replacement of bovine heart in feed training of "pacamã" Lophiosilurus alexandri in different water salinities. A completely randomized experimental design, in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement, was performed using two types of moist ingredients (bovine heart and gelatin) and three water salinities (0.0; 2.0 and 4.0 g of salt L(-1)) with three replications. Juveniles (2.39 ± 0.08 cm standard length and 0.20 ± 0.03 g of weight) were conditioned to accept commercial diets by the technique of the gradual transition of ingredients. At the end of 36 days no differences were observed to weight gain, length gain and specific growth rate. The feed training efficiency was better (P < 0.05) with the gelatin use, 100.0%. There was a negative effect of salinity on the survival rate and management efficiency in the concentration of 4 g of salt L(-1), with values of 58.6 ± 12.0 % and 58.0 ± 12.0 %, respectively. Lophiosilurus alexandri juveniles could be feed-trained to accept commercial diets with gelatin in the total replacement of bovine heart in freshwater or salinity of 2 g of salt L(-1).

Acute sublethal exposure to ethiprole impairs physiological and oxidative status in the Neotropical fish Astyanax altiparanae.

Ethiprole, a phenylpyrazole insecticide, has been increasingly used in the Neotropical region to control stink bug pests in soybean and maize fields. However, such abrupt increases in use may have unintended effects on non-target organisms, including those inhabiting freshwater ecosystems. Here, we evaluated the effects of acute (96 h) sublethal exposure to ethiprole (up to 180 µg/L, which is equivalent to 0.013% of the recommended field dose) on biomarkers of stress in the gills, liver, and muscle of the Neotropical fish Astyanax altiparanae. We further recorded potential ethiprole-induced effects on the structural histology of A. altiparanae gills and liver. Our results showed that ethiprole exposure increased glucose and cortisol levels in a concentration-dependent manner. Ethiprole-exposed fish also exhibited higher levels of malondialdehyde and greater activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione-S-transferase and catalase, in both gills and liver. Furthermore, ethiprole exposure led to increased catalase activity and carbonylated protein levels in muscle. Morphometric and pathological analyses of the gills revealed that increasing ethiprole concentration resulted in hyperemia and loss of integrity of the secondary lamellae. Similarly, histopathological analysis of the liver demonstrated higher prevalence of necrosis and inflammatory infiltrates with increasing ethiprole concentration. Altogether, our findings demonstrated that sublethal exposure to ethiprole can trigger a stress response in non-target fish species, which may lead to potential ecological and economic imbalances in Neotropical freshwater systems.

Simplified estimates of ion-activity products of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate in mouse urine.

This study aimed at formulating simplified estimates of ion-activity products of calcium oxalate (AP(CaOx)) and calcium phosphate (AP(CaP)) in mouse urineto find the most important determinants in order to limit the analytical work-up. Literature data on mouse urine composition was used to determine the relative effect of each urine variable on the two ion-activity products. AP(CaOx) and AP(CaP) were calculated by iterative approximation with the EQUIL2 computerized program. The most important determinants for AP(CaOx) were calcium, oxalate and citrate and for AP(CaP) calcium, phosphate, citrate, magnesium and pH. Urine concentrations of the variables were used. A simplified estimate of AP(CaOx) (AP(CaOx)-index(MOUSE)) that numerically approximately corresponded to 10(8) × AP(CaOx) was given the following expression:[Formula: see text]For a series of urine samples with various composition the coefficient of correlation between AP(CaOx)-index(MOUSE) and 10(8) × AP(CaOx) was 0.99 (p = 0.00000). A similar estimate of AP(CaP) (AP(CaP)-index(MOUSE)) was formulated so that it approximately would correspond numerically to 10(14) × AP(CaP) taking the following form:[Formula: see text]For a series of variations in urine composition the coefficient of correlation was 0.95 (p = 0.00000). The two approximate estimates shown in this article are simplified expressions of AP(CaOx) and AP(CaP). The intention of these theoretical calculations was not to get methods for accurate information on the saturation levels in urine, but to have mathematical tools useful for rough conclusions on the outcome of different experimental situations in mice. It needs to be emphasized that the accuracy will be negatively influenced if urine variables not included in the formulas differ very much from basic concentrations.

The Preservation of PPARγ Genome Duplicates in Some Teleost Lineages: Insights into Lipid Metabolism and Xenobiotic Exploitation.

Three peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor paralogues (PPARα, -ß and -γ) are currently recognized in vertebrate genomes. PPARγ is known to modulate nutrition, adipogenesis and immunity in vertebrates. Natural ligands of PPARγ have been proposed; however, the receptor also binds synthetic ligands such as endocrine disruptors. Two paralogues of PPARα and PPARß have been documented in teleost species, a consequence of the 3R WGD. Recently, two PPARγ paralogue genes were also identified in Astyanax mexicanus. We aimed to determine whether the presence of two PPARγ paralogues is prevalent in other teleost genomes, through genomic and phylogenetic analysis. Our results showed that besides Characiformes, two PPARγ paralogous genes were also identified in other teleost taxa, coinciding with the teleost-specific, whole-genome duplication and with the retention of both genes prior to the separation of the Clupeocephala. To functionally characterize these genes, we used the European sardine (Sardina pilchardus) as a model. PPARγA and PPARγB display a different tissue distribution, despite the similarity of their functional profiles: they are unresponsive to tested fatty acids and other human PPARγ ligands yet yield a transcriptional response in the presence of tributyltin (TBT). This observation puts forward the relevance of comparative analysis to decipher alternative binding architectures and broadens the disruptive potential of man-made chemicals for aquatic species.

The repertoire of the elongation of very long-chain fatty acids (Elovl) protein family is conserved in tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum): Gene expression profiles offer insights into the sexual differentiation process.

Elongation of very long-chain fatty acids (Elovl) proteins are critical players in the regulation of the length of a fatty acid. At present, eight members of the Elovl family (Elovl1-8), displaying a characteristic fatty acid substrate specificity, have been identified in vertebrates, including teleost fish. In general, Elovl1, Elovl3, Elovl6 and Elovl7 exhibit a substrate preference for saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, while Elovl2, Elovl4, Elovl5 and Elovl8 use polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) as substrates. PUFA elongases have received considerable attention in aquatic animals due to their involvement in the conversion of C18 PUFAs to long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA). Here, we identified the full repertoire of elovl genes in the tambaqui Colossoma macropomum genome. A detailed phylogenetic and synteny analysis suggests a conservation of these genes among teleosts. Furthermore, based on RNAseq gene expression data, we discovered a gender bias expression of elovl genes during sex differentiation of tambaqui, toward future males. Our findings suggest a role of Elovl enzymes and fatty acid metabolism in tambaqui sexual differentiation.

Physical and financial participation of teaching hospitals in private care in São Paulo - Brasil.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the physical and financial participation of private health insurance beneficiaries in the TH located in the State of Sao Paulo, regarding the care of Brazilian Unique Health System patients, in the year 2017. METHODS The research data were obtained from the System of Evaluation of the Teaching Hospitals (SAHE), of the State Department of Health of São Paulo (SES/SP). RESULTS It was observed that, on average, the TH analyzed provide 17% of their operational vacancies for the Supplementary Health System, and that the financial return is better in the philanthropic ones. CONCLUSIONS The health care services provided by TH deserve to be deepened, evaluating the real advantages obtained in the provision of services, given that supplementary health care requires differentiated infrastructure, and mainly the knowledge of operational costs in order to stipulate the procedures' price.

The fatty acid elongation genes elovl4a and elovl4b are present and functional in the genome of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum).

Long-chain (C20-24) polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) are physiologically important nutrients for vertebrates including fish. Previous studies have addressed the metabolism of LC-PUFA in the Amazonian teleost tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), an emerging species in Brazilian aquaculture, showing that all the desaturase and elongase activities required to convert C18 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) into LC-PUFA are present in tambaqui. Yet, elongation of very long-chain fatty acid 4 (Elovl4) proteins, which participate in the biosynthesis of very long-chain (>C24) saturated fatty acids (VLC-SFA) and very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC-PUFA), had not been characterized in this species. Here, we investigate the repertoire and function of two Elovl4 in tambaqui. Furthermore, we present the first draft genome assembly from tambaqui, and demonstrated the usefulness of this resource in nutritional physiology studies by isolating one of the tambaqui elovl4 genes. Our results showed that, similarly to other teleost species, two elovl4 gene paralogs termed as elovl4a and elovl4b, are present in tambaqui. Tambaqui elovl4a and elovl4b have open reading frames (ORF) of 948 and 912 base pairs, encoding putative proteins of 315 and 303 amino acids, respectively. Functional characterization in yeast showed that both Elovl4 enzymes have activity toward all the PUFA substrates assayed (18:3n-3, 18:2n-6, 18:4n-3, 18:3n-6, 20:5n-3, 20:4n-6, 22:5n-3, 22:4n-6 and 22:6n-3), producing elongated products of up to C36. Moreover, both Elovl4 were able to elongate 22:5n-3 to 24:5n-3, a key elongation step required for the synthesis of docosahexaenoic acid via the Sprecher pathway.

Effects of Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium breve on urinary oxalate excretion in nephrolithiasis patients.

It had been suggested that lactic acid bacteria (LAB) may degrade oxalate in the intestinal lumen, reducing urinary oxalate excretion. We aimed to evaluate the effect of a LAB mixture containing Lactobacillus casei (LC) and Bifidobacterium breve (BB) (LC + BB) upon urinary oxalate reduction in stone-forming (SF) patients without hyperoxaluria under conditions of an oxalate-rich diet. After an oxalate restriction period (7 days washout), 14 SF patients consumed an oxalate-rich diet during 4 weeks (200 mg/day) and a lyophilized LC + BB preparation was given t.i.d. after meals during the last 2 weeks. Twenty-four-hour urine samples were collected for determination of oxalate, calcium, magnesium, citrate, sodium, potassium and creatinine at baseline, after 2 weeks (DIET) and 4 weeks (DIET + LC + BB). The mean urinary oxalate excretion was significantly higher after DIET versus baseline (27 +/- 8 vs. 35 +/- 11 mg/24 h), but the mean decrease was not significant between DIET + LC + BB and DIET periods (35 +/- 11 vs. 33 +/- 10 mg/24 h). Seven out of 14 patients presented a reduction in oxaluria after LC + BB versus DIET, being the reduction higher than 25% in 4, and up to 50% in 2 of them. The latter two patients were those who had presented the greatest increase in oxaluria in response to dietary oxalate. In conclusion, this mixture of L. casei and B. breve was shown to possess a variable lowering effect upon urinary oxalate excretion that may be dependent on dietary oxalate intake.

From the Amazon: A comprehensive liver transcriptome dataset of the teleost fish tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum.

The teleost fish tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum, is a valuable resource for the Brazillian aquaculture sector, representing more than one-quarter of the total production. In this context, the development of molecular tools is paramount to address and improve productivity, nutrition, and genetic breeding programs. In this study, we applied RNA-seq technology to produce the first comprehensive liver transcriptome in this species. Our analysis generated a gold standard transcriptome with a total of 43,098 transcripts, with an N50 of 1855 bp and the average length of 1312 bp. To functionally annotate the transcripts, the Trinotate pipeline together with several public databases were scrutinized. The blast-x analysis revealed more than 40,000 homologous match hits for each database (NCBI-Nr, Uniref90, Swissprot, Trembl), while the Kaas web server allowed the mapping of our transcripts to 380 kegg pathways. The dataset provided in this study entails a comprehensive molecular resource, which will be instrumental to further develop tambaqui aquaculture, specifically in the field of nutrigenomics.

Pharmacological modulation of b-adrenoceptors as a new cardioprotective strategy for therapy of myocardial dysfunction induced by ischemia and reperfusion.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the cardioprotective response of the pharmacological modulation of ß-adrenergic receptors (ß-AR) in animal model of cardiac ischemia and reperfusion (CIR), in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive (NWR) rats. METHODS: CIR was induced by the occlusion of left anterior descendent coronary artery (10 min) and reperfusion (75 min). The SHR was treated with ß-AR antagonist atenolol (AT, 10 mg/kg, IV) 5 min before CIR, and NWR were treated with ß-AR agonist isoproterenol (ISO, 0.5 mg/kg, IV) 5 min before CIR. RESULTS: The treatment with AT increased the incidence of VA, AVB and LET in SHR, suggesting that spontaneous cardioprotection in hypertensive animals was abolished by blockade of ß-AR. In contrast, the treatment with ISO significantly reduced the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia, atrioventricular blockade and lethality in NWR (30%, 20% and 20%, respectively), suggesting that the activation of ß-AR stimulate cardioprotection in normotensive animals. Serum CK-MB were higher in SHR/CIR and NWR/CIR compared to respective SHAM group (not altered by treatment with AT or ISO). CONCLUSION: The pharmacological modulation of ß-AR could be a new cardioprotective strategy for the therapy of myocardial dysfunctions induced by CIR related to cardiac surgery and cardiovascular diseases.

Protective effects of seaweed supplemented diet on antioxidant and immune responses in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) subjected to bacterial infection.

European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) production is often hampered by bacterial infections such as photobacteriosis caused by Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida (Phdp). Since diet can impact fish immunity, this work investigated the effect of dietary supplementation of 5% Gracilaria sp. aqueous extract (GRA) on seabass antioxidant capacity and resistance against Phdp. After infection, mortality was delayed in fish fed GRA, which also revealed increased lysozyme activity levels, as well as decreased lipid peroxidation, suggesting higher antioxidant capacity than in fish fed a control diet. Dietary GRA induced a down-regulation of hepatic stress-responsive heat shock proteins (grp-78, grp-170, grp-94, grp-75), while bacterial infection caused a down-regulation in antioxidant genes (prdx4 and mn-sod). Diet and infection interaction down-regulated the transcription levels of genes associated with oxidative stress response (prdx5 and gpx4) in liver. In head-kidney, GRA led to an up-regulation of genes associated with inflammation (il34, ccr9, cd33) and a down-regulation of genes related to cytokine signalling (mif, il1b, defb, a2m, myd88). Additionally, bacterial infection up-regulated immunoglobulins production (IgMs) and down-regulated the transcription of the antimicrobial peptide leap2 in head kidney. Overall, we found that GRA supplementation modulated seabass resistance to Phdp infection.

A complete enzymatic capacity for long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis is present in the Amazonian teleost tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum.

In vertebrates, the essential fatty acids (FA) that satisfy the dietary requirements for a given species depend upon its desaturation and elongation capabilities to convert the C18 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), namely linoleic acid (LA, 18:2n-6) and α-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3), into the biologically active long-chain (C20-24) polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), including arachidonic acid (ARA, 20:4n-6), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3). Recent studies have established that tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), an important aquaculture-produced species in Brazil, is a herbivorous fish that can fulfil its essential FA requirements with dietary provision C18 PUFA LA and ALA, although the molecular mechanisms underpinning such ability remained unclear. The present study aimed at cloning and functionally characterizing genes encoding key desaturase and elongase enzymes, namely fads2, elovl5 and elovl2, involved in the LC-PUFA biosynthetic pathways in tambaqui. First, a fads2-like desaturase was isolated from tambaqui. When expressed in yeast, the tambaqui Fads2 showed Δ6, Δ5 and Δ8 desaturase capacities within the same enzyme, enabling all desaturation reactions required for ARA, EPA and DHA biosynthesis. Moreover, tambaqui possesses two elongases that are bona fide orthologs of elovl5 and elovl2. Their functional characterization confirmed that they can operate towards a variety of PUFA substrates with chain lengths ranging from 18 to 22 carbons. Overall our results provide compelling evidence that demonstrates that all the desaturase and elongase activities required to convert LA and ALA into ARA, EPA and DHA are present in tambaqui within the three genes studied herein, i.e. fads2, elovl5 and elovl2.

Influence of environmental conditions on the prevalence of systemic hypertension in two riverine communities in the Amazon, Brazil. / Influência das condições socioambientais na prevalência de hipertensão arterial sistêmica em duas comunidades ribeirinhas da Amazônia, Brasil.

This article discusses the influence of environmental conditions on the prevalence of systemic hypertension in two riverine communities in the Sustainable Development Reserve of Tupé, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, through an ecological study of multiple groups and contextual analysis carried out with the local inhabitants. To identify the environmental etiology describing the risk of disease development, the study compares demographics, incidence rates and common daily practices in these communities, using data collected in the field, between 2012 and 2014, as well as values provided by IBGE, originally from National Health Survey, 2013. The results suggest that social and environmental determinants, such as general living conditions, occupation and access to protective health care, in the investigated communities, are relevant factors in explaining the observed variability in systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) incidence rates. The study concludes by pointing out the importance and need to consider socio-environmental vulnerability in the elaboration of public health policies and in the management of environmentally protected areas.

Este artigo discute a influência das condições socioambientais na prevalência da Hipertensão Arterial Sistêmica em duas comunidades ribeirinhas da (RDS) Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável do Tupé, Manaus, Amazonas, mediante estudo ecológico de grupos múltiplos e de análise contextual realizados com os moradores. Para delinear a etiologia ambiental que descreve o risco de acometimento da doença, o estudo compara dados demográficos, taxas de incidência e as práticas diárias comuns nas coletividades, levantados em pesquisa de campo, entre os anos de 2012 e 2014, com valores apresentados pelo IBGE na Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde de 2013. Os resultados da análise sugerem que determinantes socioambientais, como a precariedade das condições gerais de vida, trabalho e de acesso aos mecanismos protetivos à saúde das comunidades investigadas são relevantes para explicar a variabilidade das taxas de incidência de HAS. Finaliza-se alertando para a necessidade de considerar a vulnerabilidade socioambiental na elaboração de políticas públicas de saúde e na gestão de unidades de conservação.

[Historic aspects of the creation of dengue research groups in Brazil using the ScriptGP computational tool]. / Aspectos históricos da criação dos grupos de pesquisa em dengue no Brasil com a utilização da ferramenta computacional ScriptGP.

The number of dengue cases in Brazil has increased considerably in recent years. Therefore, it is necessary to ascertain if the historical evolution of the creation of dengue research groups in the country has been compatible with the increased incidence of the disease. This article seeks to evaluate the historical evolution of dengue research groups in Brazil and compare these data with epidemiological data related to the incidence of the disease. The ScriptGP computational tool was used to extract information from the Diretório de Grupos de Pesquisa do CNPq database about the development of research groups in dengue, a neglected disease (ND) that is a priority in Brazil, making it available in charts and pivot tables format. It was possible to identify the main research centers on dengue and compare the time series of the disease to the history of the creation of research groups. These results made it possible to speculate about the causes of the low effectiveness of prevention campaigns against dengue conducted in recent decades. The proposed data presentation allows for detailed analysis in the context of public health, of the progress of research into dengue, drawing attention to the need to reformulate strategies especially towards the distribution of research funding to study ND.

O número de casos de dengue no Brasil aumentou consideravelmente nos últimos anos. Assim, é necessário entender se a evolução histórica da criação de grupos de pesquisa em dengue no país tem sido compatível com a escalada da doença. O objetivo deste artigo é avaliar a evolução histórica da criação dos grupos de pesquisa em dengue no Brasil e comparar estes dados com os epidemiológicos nacionais. Utilizou-se a ferramenta computacional ScriptGP para extrair do Diretório de Grupos de Pesquisa do CNPq informações sobre a evolução histórica dos grupos de pesquisa em dengue, uma doença negligenciada (DN) prioritária no Brasil, disponibilizando-as em formato de gráficos e tabelas dinâmicas. Foram identificados os principais polos de pesquisa em dengue no país, comparando a série histórica da doença com o histórico de criação dos grupos. Foi possível especular sobre as causas da baixa efetividade das campanhas de prevenção contra a dengue instituídas nas últimas décadas. A apresentação de dados proposta permite uma análise apurada, no âmbito da saúde coletiva, do andamento das pesquisas em dengue no país, chamando a atenção para a necessidade de reformulação de estratégias especialmente voltadas à distribuição de fomento para o estudo das DN.

Lazer, política e sociedade: as contribuições da SEJEL para os feirantes do Ver-o-Peso / Leisure, politics and society: the contributions of the fairground SEJEL for O-Ver-Weight

O presente estudo objetiva analisar as contribuições políticas das práticas sociais do lazer promovidas pela Secretaria Municipal de Esporte, Juventude e Lazer (SEJEL) para os feirantes do Ver-o-Peso (2018 a 2019) privilegiando o lazer no cotidiano dos feirantes enquanto direito social. Questões norteadoras: Existe alguma contribuição política pela SEJEL que garanta o Lazer enquanto direito Social em prol dos feirantes do Ver-o-Peso. Se existe? Como existe? Problema ­Como contribuir para as políticas da SEJEL que garanta o Lazer enquanto direito social, em prol dos feirantes do Ver-o-Peso? Metodologia: pesquisa documental qualitativa, enfoque materialismo dialético, método dialético, coleta de dados: jornal, vídeo, blog da SEJEL, leis, projeto de lazer da prefeitura para os feirantes. Resultado: as políticas da SEJEL estão enquadradas com um significado recreativo, havendo necessidade da efetivação de políticas públicas de lazer consolidadas com os feirantes para a compreensão enquanto direito social, e, também por parte dos governantes quando o mesmo está sendo vivido e entendido pelas vias do senso comum somente como descanso, entretenimento e mercadoria. A promoção social do lazer pode estar atrelada a um serviço muitas vezes de forma limitada e alienante de convívio social.

Objective: to analyze the contributions of the social practices of leisure promoted by the municipal Sport, Youth andSport (SEJEL) to the vendors of the Ver-o-Peso (2018 to 2019) for the quality and style of life of them, as well as for that leisure becomes privileged in everyday merchants and practice as a social right of citizenship under the foundations of public policies of leisure. Methodology: qualitative desk research, focus dialectical materialism, dialectical method, data collection, newspaper, video, blog SEJEL, laws, leisure project of city hall to the fairground. Result: The public policies of social practices of leisure SEJEL (2008 to 2012) is framed with a recreational significance, requiring the execution of public policy leisure consolidated with the vendors to understand as a social right, and also by the rulers when it is lived and understood by way of common sense only as entertainment and merchandise. The social promotion of leisure can be linked to a service often quite limited and alienating.

Cardioprotective effect of preconditioning is more efficient than postconditioning in rats submitted to cardiac ischemia and reperfusion1.

PURPOSE: To investigate the cardioprotective effects of ischemic preconditioning (preIC) and postconditioning (postIC) in animal model of cardiac ischemia/reperfusion. METHODS: Adult rats were submitted to protocol of cardiac ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and randomized into three experimental groups: cardiac I/R (n=33), preCI + cardiac I/R (n=7) and postCI + cardiac I/R (n=8). After this I/R protocol, the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia (VA), atrioventricular block (AVB) and lethality (LET) was evaluated using the electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis. RESULTS: After reestablishment of coronary blood flow, we observed variations of the ECG trace with increased incidence of ventricular arrhythmia (VA) (85%), atrioventricular block (AVB) (79%), and increase of lethality (70%) in cardiac I/R group. The comparison between I/R + preIC group with I/R group demonstrated significant reduction in VA incidence to 28%, AVB to 0% and lethality to 14%. The comparison of I/R + postIC group with I/R group was observed significance reduction in AVB incidence to 25% and lethality to 25%. CONCLUSION: The preconditioning strategies produce cardioprotection more efficient that postconditioning against myocardial dysfunctions and lethality by cardiac ischemia and reperfusion.

Cardioprotective effect of lipstatin derivative orlistat on normotensive rats submitted to cardiac ischemia and reperfusion.

PURPOSE: To evaluate in vivo animal model of cardiac ischemia/reperfusion the cardioprotective activity of pancreatic lipase inhibitor of the orlistat. METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats were anesthetized, placed on mechanical ventilation and underwent surgery to induce cardiac I/R by obstructing left descending coronary artery followed by reperfusion to evaluation of ventricular arrhythmias (VA), atrioventricular block (AVB) and lethality (LET) with pancreatic lipase inhibitor orlistat (ORL). At the end of reperfusion, blood samples were collected for determination of triglycerides (TG), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB). RESULTS: Treatment with ORL has been able to decrease the incidence of VA, AVB and LET. Besides that, treatment with ORL reduced serum concentrations of CK and LDL, but did not alter the levels of serum concentration of TG, VLDL and HDL. CONCLUSION: The reduction of ventricular arrhythmias, atrioventricular block, and lethality and serum levels of creatine kinase produced by treatment with orlistat in animal model of cardiac isquemia/reperfusion injury suggest that ORL could be used as an efficient cardioprotective therapeutic strategy to attenuate myocardial damage related to acute myocardial infarction.

"Out of the Can": A Draft Genome Assembly, Liver Transcriptome, and Nutrigenomics of the European Sardine, Sardina pilchardus.

Clupeiformes, such as sardines and herrings, represent an important share of worldwide fisheries. Among those, the European sardine (Sardina pilchardus, Walbaum 1792) exhibits significant commercial relevance. While the last decade showed a steady and sharp decline in capture levels, recent advances in culture husbandry represent promising research avenues. Yet, the complete absence of genomic resources from sardine imposes a severe bottleneck to understand its physiological and ecological requirements. We generated 69 Gbp of paired-end reads using Illumina HiSeq X Ten and assembled a draft genome assembly with an N50 scaffold length of 25,579 bp and BUSCO completeness of 82.1% (Actinopterygii). The estimated size of the genome ranges between 655 and 850 Mb. Additionally, we generated a relatively high-level liver transcriptome. To deliver a proof of principle of the value of this dataset, we established the presence and function of enzymes (Elovl2, Elovl5, and Fads2) that have pivotal roles in the biosynthesis of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, essential nutrients particularly abundant in oily fish such as sardines. Our study provides the first omics dataset from a valuable economic marine teleost species, the European sardine, representing an essential resource for their effective conservation, management, and sustainable exploitation.

Neuroparacoccidioidomycosis: analysis of 13 cases observed in an endemic area in Brazil.

The epidemiological, clinical and laboratory features of 13 cases of neuroparacoccidioidomycosis (NPCM) were analysed. All patients were men, with a mean age of 41.6 years. The lungs were involved in 11 cases (84.6%) and only two cases had mycosis limited to the central nervous system. Co-morbidity was observed in four patients (malignant neoplasm in three and diabetes mellitus in one). The most frequent neurological manifestations were paresis (eight cases), headache (five cases) and gait disturbance (four cases). Neuroimaging diagnosis showed a predominance of multiple round lesions with ring enhancement following contrast medium injection. Lesions were seen in the brain hemispheres (nine cases), thalamus (nine cases), cerebellum (four cases), brainstem (four cases) and spinal cord (four cases). Most cases responded well to therapy. Lesions with enhancement following contrast medium injection persisted in four patients for a period of 6 months to 8 years. These findings emphasize the importance of considering NPCM in the differential diagnosis of brain and spinal cord lesions in endemic areas of paracoccidioidomycosis.

Implementing apportionment strategy to identify costs in a multidisciplinary clinic.

OBJECTIVE: To present the implementation of an apportionment strategy proportional to the productive areas of a multidisciplinary clinic, defining the minimum values to be passed monthly to health professionals who work there. METHODS: A study of the clinic structure was carried out, in which the area of occupation of each service was defined. Later the cost was prorated, allocating a value to each room, proportional to the space occupied. RESULTS: The apportionment implementation allowed the clinic managers to visualize the cost of each room, providing a value base for formation of a minimum amount necessary to be passed monthly to each professional, as a form of payment for rent of using their facilities. CONCLUSION: The risk of financial loss of the clinic was minimized due to variation of its productivity, as well as the conditions of transference at the time of hiring by professionals were clear, promoting greater confidence and safety in contract relations. OBJETIVO: Apresentar a implantação de uma estratégia de rateio proporcional às áreas produtivas de uma clínica multidisciplinar, definindo valores mínimos a serem repassados mensalmente aos profissionais de saúde que as ocupam. MÉTODOS: Estudo da estrutura da clínica, no qual foi definida, em metros quadrados, a área de ocupação de cada serviço. Em seguida, o custo foi rateado, alocando um valor a cada sala, proporcional ao espaço ocupado. RESULTADOS: A implantação do rateio possibilitou aos gestores da clínica estudada visualizar o custo de cada sala, fornecendo uma base de valor para formação de um valor mínimo necessário a ser repassado mensalmente para cada profissional, como forma de pagamento pelo aluguel de utilização de suas instalações. CONCLUSÃO: Minimizou-se o risco de prejuízo da clínica pela variação de sua produtividade, bem como ficaram claras as condições de repasse no momento de contratação do aluguel pelos profissionais, promovendo maior confiança e segurança na relação contratual.