Avaliação clínica de ovinos após a ingestão de elevada quantidade de manga / Clinical evaluation of sheep after high ingestion of mango fruit

Objetivou-se avaliar clinicamente os efeitos da administração intrarruminal de duas quantidades distintas de manga em ovinos. Foram utilizados sete ovinos machos, hígidos, que não receberam carboidratos não fibrosos por, pelo menos, seis meses previamente ao período experimental, quando se avaliou pH ruminal, total de protozoários no suco de rúmen, pH urinário, pH sanguíneo estimado e parâmetros vitais nos tempos zero, 12, 16, 20 e 24 após a administração da manga. Os sete ovinos foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em dois grupos e receberam 0,625% ou 1,875% da MS de manga/kg/PV (M1 e M2, respectivamente), distribuídos em delineamento cross-over, com uma parcela perdida, e 30 dias de washout. Os ovinos M2 apresentaram valores médios para pH ruminal significativamente inferiores a M1 a partir do tempo T12 (5,1 e 6,9, respectivamente), o que indica ocorrência de acidose ruminal. Os animais tratados com M1 não apresentaram alterações sistêmicas, ao passo que os ovinos tratados com M2 apresentaram acidose metabólica leve, detectada por meio do pH urinário ácido (4,8). A ingestão apenas de manga in natura na quantidade de 1,875% da MS de manga/kg/PV mostrou-se capaz de provocar acidose ruminal em ovinos, levando-os a: ligeira depressão, aumento da frequência cardíaca, diminuição dos movimentos ruminais e diarreia em alguns casos.(AU)

The aim of this study is to clinically evaluate the effects of intra ruminal administration of two different amounts of mango in sheep. The sample was of seven male healthy sheep, which did not receive non-fibrous carbohydrates for at least six months prior to the trial. Rumen fluid pH, total of protozoa in the rumen fluid, urine pH, estimated blood pH, and vital parameters were evaluated at the following times: zero, 12, 16, 20 and 24 hours after administration of the mango. The seven sheep were randomly divided into two groups and received either 0.625% or 1.875% of the dry matter of the pulp and mango peel per kg body weight (M1 and M2, respectively), distributed in cross-over design with a lost portion and 30 days washout. Sheep treated with M2 showed significantly lower average values for ruminal pH than the M1 since T12 (5.1 and 6.9, respectively), indicating the occurrence of ruminal acidosis. The animals treated with M1 showed no systemic changes, while the sheep treated with M2 had mild metabolic acidosis, detected through the lower urinary pH (4.8). The in natura mango ingestion in the amount of 1.875% of the dry matter of mango per kg of body weight proved to provoke rumen acidosis in sheep, leading these animals to: slight depression, rise in heart rate, diminished rumen movement, and diarrhea in some cases.(AU)

Development of a polymorphic short tandem repeat locus multiplex system for efficient human identification.

This study aimed to develop a short tandem repeat (STR) multiplex system, made up of 22 highly informative STR loci, for application in forensic genetics. The system comprised 21 polymorphic autosomal loci (D3S1358, TH01, D21S11, D18S51, Penta E, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, D16S539, CSF1PO, Penta D, vWA, D8S1179, TPOX, FGA, D2S441, D17S1301, D19S433, D18S853, D20S482, and D14S1434) and the amelogenin gene locus. Strategies were developed to overcome the challenges involved in creating a multiplex system. Based on the literature and available databases, the STR loci were selected with the aim to obtain discriminatory markers, and followed specific criteria for this purpose. Primers were projected using the Primer3 software, and AutoDimer was used to evaluate possible interactions between them. The 22 selected STR loci were validated individually and jointly, both to assess their sensitivity and to test the efficiency of the multiplex system. Statistical analyses were based on the genetic data of 450 unrelated individuals living in the State of Goiás, thus allowing the establishment of the parameters necessary to use this system. A total of 239 alleles were detected for the 22 loci in the set, allowing for a probability of identity of 4.23 x 10-25 to be obtained. The combined power of discrimination was 0.999999999999999999999999 and the combined power of exclusion was 0.99999. Upon complete validation of the entire system, this multiplex assay was considered to be a powerful tool for application in human identification by DNA analysis.

Ferulic acid lowers body weight and visceral fat accumulation via modulation of enzymatic, hormonal and inflammatory changes in a mouse model of high-fat diet-induced obesity.

Previous studies have reported on the glucose and lipid-lowering effects of ferulic acid (FA) but its anti-obesity potential has not yet been firmly established. This study investigated the possible anti-obesitogenic effects of FA in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 15 weeks. To assess the antiobesity potential of FA, 32 male Swiss mice, weighing 20-25 g (n=6-8 per group) were fed a normal diet (ND) or HFD, treated orally or not with either FA (10 mg/kg) or sibutramine (10 mg/kg) for 15 weeks and at the end of this period, the body weights of animals, visceral fat accumulation, plasma levels of glucose and insulin hormone, amylase and lipase activities, the satiety hormones ghrelin and leptin, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCH-1) were analyzed. Results revealed that FA could effectively suppress the HFD-associated increase in visceral fat accumulation, adipocyte size and body weight gain, similar to sibutramine, the positive control. FA also significantly (P<0.05) decreased the HFD-induced elevations in serum lipid profiles, amylase and lipase activities, and the levels of blood glucose and insulin hormone. The markedly elevated leptin and decreased ghrelin levels seen in HFD-fed control mice were significantly (P<0.05) reversed by FA treatment, almost reaching the values seen in ND-fed mice. Furthermore, FA demonstrated significant (P<0.05) inhibition of serum levels of inflammatory mediators TNF-α, and MCH-1. These results suggest that FA could be beneficial in lowering the risk of HFD-induced obesity via modulation of enzymatic, hormonal and inflammatory responses.

Allele frequencies of combined DNA index system (CODIS) and non-CODIS short tandem repeat loci in Goiás, Central Brazil.

In studies of human identification, obtaining a high standard of outcomes and satisfactory conclusions are directly related to the use of highly polymorphic molecular markers. In addition to the combined DNA index system (CODIS) group, it is also important to implement non-CODIS markers into the analysis, as they increase the power of discrimination. During the identification process, it is essential to consider the genetic variation among distinct groups of populations, as the allele frequencies are directly associated with the power of discrimination. However, the population of Goiás, a State located in Central Brazil, is characterized by a highly mixed population due to its diverse ethnic origins. In this study, a survey of the allelic frequencies in the Goiás population was carried out using a molecular assembly composed of 21 autosomal loci both from and external to the CODIS group. The new data, for some of the markers used, were statistically similar to those from previous studies. This consistency means that the use of these markers might serve as a parameter for future population comparisons. The results from these analyses further our knowledge of the study of human identification.

Core-shell CdS/Cd(OH)2 quantum dots: synthesis and bioconjugation to target red cells antigens.

We report a new and efficient methodology of labelling red blood cells, in order to investigate the expression of anti-A antigen, employing luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals. Highly luminescent and stable core-shell cadmium sulphide/cadmium hydroxide [CdS/CdS(OH)2] colloidal particles were obtained in the nanometre size range. The surface of these particles was characterized by using a monoclonal anti-A antibody via a one-step glutaraldehyde cross-linking procedure, followed by conjugation of the particles to red cells of blood groups A+, and O+. Laser scanning confocal microscopy images indicated that after conjugation for 30 min, A+ and erythrocytes presented different patterns of dual bright emission whereas the O+ group cells showed no emission. We suggest that this labelling procedure may be applied as a quantitative tool to investigate the distribution and expression of alloantigen in red blood cells.

Hymenoptera venom review focusing on Apis mellifera

Hymenoptera venoms are complex mixtures containing simple organic molecules, proteins, peptides, and other bioactive elements. Several of these components have been isolated and characterized, and their primary structures determined by biochemical techniques. These compounds are responsible for many toxic or allergic reactions in different organisms, such as local pain, inflammation, itching, irritation, and moderate or severe allergic reactions. The most extensively characterized Hymenoptera venoms are bee venoms, mainly from the Apis genus and also from social wasps and ant species. However, there is little information about other Hymenoptera groups. The Apis venom presents high molecular weight molecules - enzymes with a molecular weight higher than 10.0 kDa - and peptides. The best studied enzymes are phospholipase A2, responsible for cleaving the membrane phospholipids, hyaluronidase, which degrades the matrix component hyaluronic acid into non-viscous segments and acid phosphatase acting on organic phosphates. The main peptide compounds of bee venom are lytic peptide melittin, apamin (neurotoxic), and mastocyte degranulating peptide (MCD).

[Utilization of the waste of sisal industry in the control of mosquito larvae]. / O aproveitamento do resíduo da indústria do sisal no controle de larvas de mosquitos.

The aim of this research was to utilize the waste residues of sisal fiber separation from Agave sisalana leaves to develop a larvicide for the combat of mosquito transmitting tropical diseases. Larvae of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus were exposed to different concentrations of the Agave extract for 24 hours to determine lethal concentrations. The LC50 for A. aegypti was 322 ppm and the LC50 for C. quinquefasciatus was 183 ppm. To detect the active substances, saponins were investigated. It was found that the various components of the extract were effective in eliminating the larvae. Under field conditions, this formulation can probably be used at 100 ppm, which causes 100% mortality of C. quinquefasciatus larvae after 3-4 days. The product is not recommended for use against A. aegypti due to the necessity for high concentrations and to the fact that the larvae of this species live frequently on drinking water. To avoid fermentation, Agave extract should be used in a dehydrated form which also represent a good formulation for practical use.

Renal haemodynamic responses to a chicken or beef meal in normal individuals.

BACKGROUND: In normal subjects, protein loading with soybean meal does not produce the same renal haemodynamic effects as those observed with a beef meal. The renal responses of an acute protein load in the form of chicken meal is unknown. METHODS: To examine whether the renal response to a chicken meal differs from that to beef, we studied the renal function of eight normal healthy volunteers before and after a protein load with each of these meals. In a crossover randomized study, we measured the glomerular filtration rate (GFR; inulin clearance), renal plasma flow (RPF; para-aminohippurate clearance) and, plasma amino acid and glucagon levels. We also determined the amino acid content of a sample of chicken and beef. RESULTS: GFR and RPF increased significantly 2 h after both the chicken and beef meals (chicken, 98+/-13 vs 119+/-18 and 476+/-123 vs 570+/-99 ml/min/1.73 m2; beef, 107+/-14 vs 122+/-16 and 501+/-118 vs 560+/-97 ml/min/1.73 m2, for GFR and RPF at basal and 2 h respectively, P<0.05). Renal vascular resistance decreased and the filtration fraction remained unchanged after both protein loads. The changes induced by the protein challenges in the plasma amino acid and glucagon levels were not different between the two protein sources. The amino acid contents of chicken and beef samples were similar. CONCLUSION: In normal subjects, chicken and beef meals induced a similar degree of hyperfiltration.

Band 3 Campinas: a novel splicing mutation in the band 3 gene (AE1) associated with hereditary spherocytosis, hyperactivity of Na+/Li+ countertransport and an abnormal renal bicarbonate handling.

We have studied the molecular defect underlying band 3 deficiency in one family with hereditary spherocytosis using nonradioactive single strand conformation polymorphism of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified genomic DNA of the AE1 gene. By direct sequencing, a single base substitution in the splicing donor site of intron 8 (position + 1G --> T) was identified. The study of the cDNA showed a skipping of exon 8. This exon skipping event is responsible for a frameshift leading to a premature stop codon 13 amino acids downstream. The distal urinary acidification test by furosemide was performed to verify the consequences of the band 3 deficiency in alpha intercalated cortical collecting duct cells (alphaICCDC). We found an increased basal urinary bicarbonate excretion, associated with an increased basal urinary pH and an efficient distal urinary acidification. We also tested the consequences of band 3 deficiency on the Na+/H+ exchanger, by the measurement of Na+/Li+ countertransport activity in red blood cells. The Na+/Li+ countertransport activity was increased threefold to sixfold in the patients compared with the controls. It is possible that band 3 deficiency in the kidney leads to a decrease in the reabsorption of HCO3- in alphaICCDC and anion loss, which might be associated with an increased sodium-lithium countertransport activity.

Paracoccidioidomicose genital feminina: descriçäo de um caso clínico / Female genital paracoccidioidomycosis: report of a clinical case

A paracoccidioidomicose é doença sistêmica que atinge mais o sexo masculino do que o feminino. Modelos experimentais mostram maior sensibilidade dos machos do que as fêmeas à disseminaçäo da doença. A literatura médica é rica em relatos de casos de Pbmicose do trato genital masculino. A raridade da Pbmicose sistêmica na mulher à açäo hormoral tornou inusitada a descriçäo de um caso com envolvimento genital. Paciente de 57 anos, branca, procedente de Conchas (SP), queixando-se de dor abnominal há 10 anos, difusa, seguida de cólica periumbelical periódica, com diarréia e obstipaçäo alternadas. Piorou desse quadro e evoluiu para abdomem agudo cirúrgico. O anátomo patológico revelou Pbmicose no epiplon e ovário direito. A biópsia do endométrio mostrou endometrite crônica granulomatosa. A radiologia e a planigrafia revelaram nódulo parahilar direito. Os achados clínicos e laboratoriais permitiram explicar a provável origem do envolvimento genital