Willingness toward post-mortem body donation to science at a Mexican university: an exploratory survey.

BACKGROUND: Voluntary post-mortem donation to science (PDS) is the most appropriate source for body dissection in medical education and training, and highly useful for biomedical research. In Mexico, unclaimed bodies are no longer a legal source, but PDS is legally possible, although scarcely facilitated, and mostly ignored by the general population. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the attitude and willingness for PDS and to identify a sociodemographic profile of people with willingness toward PDS. METHODS: A validated on-line survey was distributed by the convenience method via the social networks of a Catholicism-inspired, private university in northern Mexico. Frequency analyses of all variables and coded free comments were complemented with association studies. RESULTS: Although the responder cohort (n = 143) was too small and biased to be representative of the university community (n = 13,500), willingness to post-mortem organ donation was 90.7% and to PDS 70.7%. In this cohort, PDS willingness had the strongest association with mature age (> 40 years old; P, 0.0008). Among young adults, willingness to PDS was the lowest among volunteers from technical and business schools and the highest among those from the social sciences (P, 0.009). Respondents from the social sciences were also the most consistent between attitude and behavior with respect to organ donation. A free comment option revealed respondents were interested in the unusual taboo topic. CONCLUSIONS: A small, but sufficiently large proportion expressed willingness toward PDS. In our university cohort, which was biased in higher education and altruism, mature age and social interest were associated with PDS willingness.

Effect of Simulated Annual At-home Bleaching on Susceptibility to Staining, Translucency, and Whiteness Variations of Computer-aided Design and Computer-aided Manufacturing Monolithic Materials.

The effect of annual at-home bleaching on the color, translucency, and whiteness properties of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) monolithic materials requires investigation. The aim of the present in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of simulated annual at-home bleaching (consisting of daily applications for 10 hours a day for 14 days), for up to 3 years, on susceptibility to staining (ΔE00), translucency (ΔTP00), and whiteness (ΔWID) variations and on topography of CAD-CAM monolithic materials. Disks from the Lava Ultimate (LU), Vita Enamic (VE), IPS Empress CAD (EMP), and IPS e.max CAD (EMAX) were allocated as follows: 1) nonbleached or 2) bleached with 10% carbamide peroxide. After reading the CIE L*a*b* coordinates at baseline (R0), specimens were bleached or not and subsequently immersed for a 1-year simulated period in coffee before the next reading (R1). This process was repeated two more times, resulting in R2 and R3. The ΔE00, ΔTP00, and ΔWID between R1, R2, and R3 in relation to R0 were calculated. The surface topography was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. In general, bleaching increased the staining susceptibility of all materials when compared to the nonbleached groups and that of the LU, VE, and EMAX over the years. Bleaching decreased the translucency of the VE in all years and over the years. When compared to the nonbleached groups, bleaching decreased the whiteness of the LU and EMAX and increased the whiteness of the EMP, while the VE was not affected. In the LU, the whiteness decreased over the years in both treatments, whereas the other materials were not affected with time. All materials showed progressive topographic changes over the years. The simulated annual at-home bleaching with 10% carbamide peroxide adversely affected the topography and the optical and/or colorimetric properties of the evaluated materials.

[Sociodemographic, clinical and ultrasound characterization of thyroid nodule pathology and its association with malignancy in a Colombian high-complexity center]. / Caracterización sociodemográfica, clínica y ecográfica de la enfermedad de nódulos tiroideos y su relación con la malignidad en un centro de alta complejidad colombiano.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Thyroid nodules are among the most frequent conditions, with a 10% risk of malignancy. The objective is to describe the frequency of demographic, clinical, and ultrasonographic characteristics of thyroid nodule pathology in adults and to explore the relationship with tumor malignancy. METHODS: An analytical, retrospective cross-sectional study in adults with thyroid nodules and nodular fine-needle aspiration performed in adult patients from a Colombian reference center between 2009-2019. Data were obtained from the clinical history, descriptive measures of the patient's demographic, clinical, and ultrasound variables were estimated, and their relationship with the malignancy of the tumor was explored. RESULTS: A total of 445 patients and 515 nodules were included. The median age was 55 years (IQR 44-64), 86.8% of women, and 54.8% had a single lesion. Percentages of 80.2 and 19.8 were benign and malignant nodules, with a median of 15.7mm (IQR 11-25) and 12.7mm (IQR 8.5-18.3), respectively (p<0.001). Hypothyroidism and levothyroxine consumption were higher in those with malignant nodules (p<0.001). The echographic characteristics were statistically different between the nodules. In the malignant ones, there was a higher frequency of solid composition, hypoechogenicity, and irregular margins. In contrast, in the benign ones, the absence of echogenic focus stood out (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The ultrasound characteristics are essential to define the risk of malignancy of a thyroid nodule. Therefore, considering the most frequent ones can help in the most appropriate approach to primary care.

Scale-free dynamics of COVID-19 in a Brazilian city.

A common basis to address the dynamics of directly transmitted infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, are compartmental (or SIR) models. SIR models typically assume homogenous population mixing, a simplification that is convenient but unrealistic. Here we validate an existing model of a scale-free fractal infection process using high-resolution data on COVID-19 spread in São Caetano, Brazil. We find that transmission can be described by a network in which each infectious individual has a small number of susceptible contacts, of the order of 2-5. This model parameter correlated tightly with physical distancing measured by mobile phone data, such that in periods of greater distancing the model recovered a lower average number of contacts, and vice versa. We show that the SIR model is a special case of our scale-free fractal process model in which the parameter that reflects population structure is set at unity, indicating homogeneous mixing. Our more general framework better explained the dynamics of COVID-19 in São Caetano, used fewer parameters than a standard SIR model and accounted for geographically localized clusters of disease. Our model requires further validation in other locations and with other directly transmitted infectious agents.

A cold wave of winter 2021 in central South America: characteristics and impacts.

During the austral winter (June-August) of 2021, the meteorological services of Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Chile all issued forecasts for unusually cold conditions. Record-low minimum temperatures and cold spells were documented, including one strong cold wave episode that affected 5 countries. In this study, we define a cold wave as a period in which daily maximum and minimum air temperatures are below the corresponding climatological 10th percentile for three or more consecutive days. The intense cold wave event in the last week of June, 2021, resulted in record-breaking minimum daily temperatures in several places in central South America and Chile. Several locations had temperatures about 10 °C below average, central South America had freezing conditions, and southern Brazil even saw snow. The cold air surge was characterized by an intense upper-air trough located close to 35° S and 70° W. The southerly flow to the west of this trough brought very cold air northward into subtropical and tropical South America. A northward flow between the lower-level cyclonic and anticyclonic perturbations caused the intense southerly flow between the upper-level ridge and trough. This condition facilitated the inflow of near-surface cold air from southern Argentina into southeastern Brazil and tropical South America east of the Andes. In the city of São Paulo, the cold wave caused the death of 13 homeless people from hypothermia. Frost and snow across southern and southeastern Brazil caused significant damage to coffee, sugarcane, oranges, grapes, and other fruit and vegetable crops. Wine and coffee production fell, the latter by 30%, and prices of food and commodities in the region rose. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00382-023-06701-1.

Effects of serum albumin on the photophysical characteristics of synthetic and endogenous protoporphyrin IX.

The study of the interaction of synthetic protoporphyrin IX (PpIXs) and protoporphyrin IX extracted from Harderian glands of ssp Rattus novergicus albinus rats (PpIXe) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was conducted in water at pH 7.3 and pH 4.5 by optical absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies. PpIXs is present as H- and J-aggregates in equilibrium with themselves and with monomers. The PpIXs charge is 2- at pH 7.3 and 1- at pH 4.5. This increases its aggregation at pH 4.5 and shifts the equilibrium in favor of J-aggregates. In spite of electrostatic attraction at pH 4.5, where BSA is positive, the binding constant (Kb) of PpIXs to BSA is 20% less than that at pH 7.3, where BSA is negative. This occurs because higher aggregation of PpIXs at pH 4.5 reduces the observed Kb value. At both pHs, water-soluble PpIXe exists in the monomeric form with the charge of 1- and its Kb exceeds that of PpIXs. At pH 4.5, its Kb is 12 times higher than that at pH 7.3 due to electrostatic attraction between the positively charged BSA and the negatively charged PpIXe. The higher probability of PpIXe binding to BSA makes PpIXe more promising as a fluorescence probe for fluorescence diagnostics and as a photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy. The existence of PpIXe in the monomeric form can explain its faster cell internalization. Aggregation reduces quantum yields and lifetimes of the PpIXs excited states, which explains higher phototoxicity of PpIXe toward malignant cells compared with PpIXs.

Ocorrência de distúrbios de condução e implante de marca-passo definitivo em pacientes submetidos a TAVI com abordagem minimalista / Occurrence of conduction disorders and permanent pacemaker implantation in patients undergoing TAVI with a minimalist approach

INTRODUÇÃO: O surgimento de distúrbios de condução e a necessidade de implante de marca-passo (MP) definitivo estão entre as complicações mais comuns relacionadas ao TAVI. Na aplicação do TAVI minimalista - em que se objetiva alta hospitalar oportuna < 48 horas - tais complicações são de central importância, e sua ocorrência deve ser monitorada sistematicamente. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência de alterações eletrocardiográficas sabidamente preditoras de distúrbios de condução após TAVI e a incidência de MP definitivo em até 30 dias após o procedimento, em pacientes (pctes) não-selecionados submetidos a TAVI minimalista em um hospital terciário do SUS. MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional e prospectivo, com inclusão de pctes consecutivos submetidos a TAVI minimalista no período de Set/2020 a Jan/2022, com análise do ECG antes e após a TAVI conforme protocolo institucional. Verificado a presença de alterações de ritmo e bloqueios atrioventriculares (BAV) e intraventriculares e a indicação de MP definitivo durante a internação e um mês após a alta hospitalar. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 50 pctes, com média de idade de 79,2 anos, com STS médio de 2,64% e 20 (40%) mulheres. Próteses balão-expansíveis foram utilizadas mais frequentemente (76%). O ritmo e distúrbios de condução antes da TAVI encontrados foram: • Ritmo sinusal: 41 (82%) • Fibrilação atrial: 12 (24%) • BAV 1 grau: 14 (28%) • Bloqueio de ramo direito: 3 (6%) • Bloqueio de ramo esquerdo: 7 (14%) • Ritmo de MP: 4 (8%) A ocorrência de bradiarritmias que justificassem monitorização estendida e vigilância intra-hospitalar por ao menos 24 horas ocorreu em 7 (14%) pcts, sendo: • Bloqueio atrioventricular total: 1 (2,5%) • Bloqueio atrioventricular avançado: 1 (2,5%) • Fibrilação atrial de baixa resposta ventricular: 2 (5%) • Ritmo juncional: 2 (5%) • Bradicardia sinusal e distúrbio de condução intraventricular: 1 (2,5%) Houve indicação de MP definitivo para 1 (2,5%) pcte. Não houve reinternação devido a distúrbios de condução ou implante de MP até 30 dias após a TAVI. CONCLUSÃO: Em nossa experiência, poucos pctes submetidos a TAVI com estratégia minimalista apresentaram distúrbios de condução necessitaram postergar a alta hospitalar. Apenas um paciente requereu implante de MP definitivo. A aplicação de protocolo institucional com alta hospitalar oportuna (<48h) não esteve relacionada à maior risco de distúrbios de condução em curto prazo (30 dias).

Fístula de gerbode adquirida após cirurgia de correção valvar / Gerbod fistula acquired after valve repair surgery

INTRODUÇÃO: Fístula de Gerbode é uma comunicação entre o ventrículo esquerdo e o átrio direito (VE-AD). O defeito é raro, pode ser congênito ou adquirido. A forma adquirida é mais frequentemente observada após cirurgia valvar, endocardite ou infarto. Relataremos 2 casos de pacientes com fístula de Gerbode adquirida pós-intervenção valvar. Caso 1: Mulher, 56 anos, com diagnóstico pré-operatório de insuficiência mitral (IM) importante, fibrilação atrial, hipertensão pulmonar (HP) e insuficiência tricúspide (IT) discreta. Foi submetida à plastia mitral, tricúspide e exclusão de ambas as auriculetas. Um ano após a cirurgia, paciente assintomática, sem sinais de insuficiência cardíaca (IC), porém foi auscultado um sopro sistólico rude em borda esternal esquerda (BEE). O ecocardiograma transesofágico (ETE) demonstrou presença da fístula com 3,5mm do VE para o AD com gradiente de VE-AD de 95 mmHg, redução da HP (de 50 para 36 mmHg) e função do VD normal. A paciente foi mantido em observação. Caso 2: Homem, 61 anos, diagnóstico pré-operatório de IM importante primária, HP importante (PSAP 116mmHg) e IT moderada. Foi submetido a implante de bioprótese mitral e plastia tricúspide. Evoluiu com melhora sintomática e redução da HP. Foi observado sopro sistólico rude em BEE. O ETE demonstrou uma fístula VE-AD, com gradiente de 92 mmHg. Paciente assintomático, sem repercussão hemodinâmica, mantido em tratamento conservador. DISCUSSÃO: Na literatura, a evolução de casos com a fístula varia desde assintomáticos até desfechos desfavoráveis como insuficiência cardíaca, endocardite e necessidade de oclusão da fístula. Apesar de ser relatado como defeito raro, a incidência está aumentando devido ao maior número de intervenção cirúrgica. O diagnóstico é difícil e muitas vezes necessário complementação com ETE para melhor definição do tamanho e localização do defeito e para melhor programação da correção quando houver indicação. A intervenção pode ser cirúrgica ou percutânea. Em paciente assintomáticos, defeitos pequenos e sem sobrecarga de VD podem ser mantidos em conduta conservadora desde que com acompanhamento frequente. CONCLUSÃO: Foram relatados dois casos de fístula de Gerbode (comunicação entre o VE e o AD) adquiridas após cirurgia de correção valvar. Ambos os pacientes relatados foram tratados clinicamente, estão em CF I, sem alterações das câmaras cardíacas.

Effects of cell concentration during cryopreservation on the post-thaw quality of Santa ines ram sperm.

BACKGROUND: Non-surgical artificial insemination techniques for sheep may benefit from larger numbers of sperm in the insemination dose because the ewe cervix is convoluted and often cannot be traversed with an insemination gun resulting in deposition of the sperm at the os cervix. OBJECTIVE: To compare a range of sperm concentrations when cryopreserving semen from Santa Ines rams and determine the effects of this on post-thaw quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One ejaculate from each ram (n = 10) was diluted to four sperm concentrations to obtain the following groups: G-400, G-800, G-1200, and G-1600 x 106 sperm/mL. The semen samples were packaged in 0.25 mL straws, cooled to 5 degree C, cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen vapor, thawed in a water bath (40 degree C per 20 s), and were analyzed for computerized kinetics, capacitation and acrosome integrity, and plasma membrane integrity of sperm. RESULTS: The G-400 treatment resulted in samples with the highest linearity and progressive motion (P < 0.05) and had significantly greater plasma membrane integrity, and lower capacitation and acrosome reaction rates compared to G-1600 (P < 0.05). Overall, use of the G-400 treatment resulted in better kinetics, less plasma membrane damage and less early capacitation. However, despite reducing the ejaculate yield and increasing the costs of the semen freezing process, the G-800 and G-1200 treatments make a greater absolute number of sperm with good kinetics, plasma membrane integrity and capacitation status available. CONCLUSION: Ram sperm concentration impacts cryopreservation, and higher concentrations may be advantageous if a single artificial insemination protocol is desirable. doi.org/10.54680/fr22610110812.

Quality indicators and excellence requirements for a multidisciplinary lung cancer tumor board by the Spanish Lung Cancer Group.

Multidisciplinary care is needed to decide the best therapeutic approach and to provide optimal care to patients with lung cancer (LC). Multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) are optimal strategies for the management of patients with LC and have been associated with better outcomes, such as an increase in quality of life and survival. The Spanish Lung Cancer Group has promoted this review about the current situation of the existing national LC-MDTs, which also offers a set of excellence requirements and quality indicators to achieve the best care in any patient with LC. Time and sufficient resources; leadership; administrative and institutional support; and recording of activity are key factors for the success of LC-MDTs. A set of excellence requirements in terms of staff, resources and organization of the LC-MDT have been proposed. At last, a list of quality indicators has been agreed to achieve and measure the performance of current LC-MDTs.

Preliminary survey of the occurrence of mycotoxins in cereals and estimated exposure in a northwestern region of Mexico.

Mycotoxins have several toxicological implications. In the present study, we evaluate the presence of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), ochratoxin A (OTA), and fumonisin (FB1) in paddy rice, polished rice, and maize from the fields and markets in Nayarit State (Mexico). The results indicated the presence of AFB1 in 21.21% of paddy rice samples and 11.11% of market maize samples. OTA was present in only 3.03% (one sample) of paddy rice samples. FB1 was detected in 87.50% and 88.88% of maize samples from field and market, respectively. The estimated human exposure was calculated for FB1 using the probable daily intake (PDI), which suggested that FB1 could contribute to the development of diseases through the consumption of contaminated maize. Positive samples indicated that some rice and maize samples were not suitable for human consumption. Further efforts are needed to continue monitoring mycotoxins and update national legislation on mycotoxins accordingly.

Effects of serum albumin on the photophysical characteristics of synthetic and endogenous protoporphyrin IX

The study of the interaction of synthetic protoporphyrin IX (PpIXs) and protoporphyrin IX extracted from Harderian glands of ssp Rattus novergicus albinus rats (PpIXe) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was conducted in water at pH 7.3 and pH 4.5 by optical absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies. PpIXs is present as H- and J-aggregates in equilibrium with themselves and with monomers. The PpIXs charge is 2− at pH 7.3 and 1− at pH 4.5. This increases its aggregation at pH 4.5 and shifts the equilibrium in favor of J-aggregates. In spite of electrostatic attraction at pH 4.5, where BSA is positive, the binding constant (Kb) of PpIXs to BSA is 20% less than that at pH 7.3, where BSA is negative. This occurs because higher aggregation of PpIXs at pH 4.5 reduces the observed Kb value. At both pHs, water-soluble PpIXe exists in the monomeric form with the charge of 1− and its Kb exceeds that of PpIXs. At pH 4.5, its Kb is 12 times higher than that at pH 7.3 due to electrostatic attraction between the positively charged BSA and the negatively charged PpIXe. The higher probability of PpIXe binding to BSA makes PpIXe more promising as a fluorescence probe for fluorescence diagnostics and as a photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy. The existence of PpIXe in the monomeric form can explain its faster cell internalization. Aggregation reduces quantum yields and lifetimes of the PpIXs excited states, which explains higher phototoxicity of PpIXe toward malignant cells compared with PpIXs.

"Valve-In-Valve" aórtico em bioprótese com fratura de folheto / Aortic "Valve-In-Valve" in bioprosthesis with leaflet fracture

INTRODUÇÃO: As biopróteses possuem durabilidade aproximada de 12 a 20 anos. Neste período, complicações relacionadas à degeneração protética podem exigir novas intervenções. Mas o elevado risco de uma reoperação, principalmente se o paciente estiver clinicamente descompensado, tornam a cirurgia convencional muito arriscada ou mesmo proibitiva. Neste cenário, o implante valvar dentro da bioprótese degenerada (valve in valve) se mostrou como opção alternativa e viável. Relatamos um caso de correção de insuficiência aórtica grave por falência estrutural de bioprótese através de valve in valve (ViV) com sucesso em paciente gravemente descompensado. DESCRIÇÃO DO CASO: Homem, 66 anos, hipertenso, implante de bioprótese aórtica e plastia mitral em 2011, devido dupla lesão aórtica e mitral, sem seguimento clínico. Procurou o pronto socorro por dispnéia aos mínimos esforços e anasarca há uma semana. Admitido em IC perfil B. Após tratamento com diuréticos, o ecocardiograma transtorácico (ecoTT) revelou: aumento atrial esquerdo importante (volume indexado de 96 mL/m²); fração de ejeção do VE (FEVE) de 45% - Simpson; bioprótese aórtica apresentava folhetos com hipermobilidade e prolapso, sugestivos de fratura, com refluxo importante, gradiente sistólico (GS) máximo de 69 mmHg, GS médio de 36mmHg e área valvar (AV) de 1,3 cm2. Valva mitral com aspecto de plastia exibindo refluxo de grau importante. Internado para programação cirúrgica a princípio, mas após discussão com Heart Team, e considerando STS de 27 %, indicada a realização de "Valve-in-valve". A angiotomografia com parâmetros anatômicos adequados para o tratamento percutâneo. Procedimento realizado com técnica simplificada e otimizada ("minimalista"), sob sedação. Gradientes pré implante de prótese: VE 120 x 15 mmHg e Aorta 100 x 30 mmHg. Implante de bioprótese Myval 20 e pós dilatação com cateter balão ATLAS GOLD 22 x 40mm com sucesso conforme parâmetros do ecoTT. Após implante valvar, novos gradientes foram adquiridos: VE 130 x 15 mmHg e Aorta 128 x 70 mmHg. Paciente evoluiu com melhora clínica significativa. EcoTT do 1o dia pós procedimento revelou refluxo mitral de grau discreto a moderado e ausência de refluxo aórtico, gradiente GS máximo 21 mmHg, GS médio 11 mmHg, AV 1,4 cm2. O paciente demostrou melhora rápida de sua classe funcional (CF I). CONCLUSÃO: No caso descrito, a realização de "Valve-in-valve" após complicação estrutural de bioprótese constituiu tratamento seguro, efetivo e alternativa à intervenção cirúrgica convencional.

Relationship between superovulation and embryo production with ovarian follicular population before superovulatory treatment in Brazilian Bergamasca sheep / [Relação da resposta superovulatória e produção embrionária com a população folicular ovariana antes do tratamento superovulatório de ovelhas da raça Bergamácia Brasileira]

The objective of this study was to quantify the superovulatory response and embryo production of Brazilian Bergamasca sheep and to evaluate the link to the follicular condition before superovulatory treatment, as a reference for selection of donors with potential for superovulation. Follicular population of twenty-three sheep was evaluated by ultrasound during metestrus phase of the estrous cycle and divided into groups of low, medium and high follicular population. Subsequently, they were synchronized, superovulated with 133mg of pFSH, mated and subjected to embryo collection. The superovulatory response (9.0±3.3 vs 10.7±6.2 vs 13.8±7.1) and embryo production (4.0±3.8 vs 2.6±2.0 vs 1,8±4.0) were similar between groups (P>0.05). There was a positive correlation between the number of follicles during the metestrus phase and the number of corpus luteum with premature regression (PLR) (0.52) and a negative correlation between the recovery rate and PLR (-0.44) (P<0.05). The sheep that presented PLR had more follicles during metestrus (16.9±7.8 vs 12.7±3.2) and lower embryo recovery rate (38.8±29.3 vs 72.2±29.9) than those with functional CLs (P<0.05). Follicular quantification during metestrus phases was unable to identify donors with high embryo production. Animals with PLR had a larger follicular population during metestrus and lower embryo recovery rate.(AU)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi quantificar a resposta superovulatória e a produção embrionária de ovelhas Bergamácia Brasileira e relacioná-las com a condição folicular antes do tratamento superovulatório, como referência para seleção de doadoras com potencial para superovulação. Vinte e três ovelhas foram avaliadas quanto à população folicular por ultrassonografia na fase de metaestro do ciclo estral e divididas em grupos com baixa, média e alta população folicular. Posteriormente foram sincronizadas, superovuladas com 133mg de pFSH, acasaladas e submetidas à coleta de embriões. A resposta superovulatória (9,0±3,3 vs. 10,7±6,2 vs. 13,8±7,1) e a produção embrionária (4,0±3,8 vs. 2,6±2,0 vs. 1,8±4,0) foram semelhantes entre os grupos (P>0,05). Houve correlação positiva entre o número de folículos no metaestro e o número de corpos lúteos com regressão prematura (RPCL) (0,52) e correlação negativa entre a taxa de recuperação e RPCL (-0,44) (P <0,05). As ovelhas que apresentaram RPCL tiveram mais folículos no metaestro (16,9±7,8 vs. 12,7±3,2) e menor taxa de recuperação embrionária (38,8±29,3 vs. 72,2±29,9) do que as que apresentaram CLs funcionais (P<0,05). A quantificação folicular nas fases de metaestro não foi capaz de identificar doadoras com alto potencial de produção embrionária. Animais com RPCL tiveram maior população folicular no metaestro e menor recuperação de embriões.(AU)

Dry matter productivity and bromatological quality of ryegrass genotypes cultivated in southern Brazil / [Produtividade de matéria seca e qualidade bromatológica de genótipos de azevém cultivados no Sul do Brasil]

The goal of this work was to assess the biomass production and bromatological quality of ryegrass genotypes in ten municipalities of the Western and North Plateau regions of the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The cultivars La Estanzuela 284 (diploid), Bar HQ, Barjumbo, INIA Escorpio, Potro, and Winter Star (tetraploids) were compared, distributed in a randomized block design, in which the municipalities constituted the blocks, with three replications. The cuts were performed when the plants reached 30cm, leaving a residue of 10cm. In three cuts, the cultivars Barjumbo and Bar HQ were the most productive, exceeding 4.6 t ha-1 of dry matter. In the places in which five cuts were performed, the production of these cultivars exceeded 7.3 t ha-1, placing them again ahead of the others. The average crude protein content in three cuts was greater than 25% in all cultivars. There was no difference between the genotypes in the content of neutral detergent fiber and total digestible nutrients. There was a significant correlation between quantitative and qualitative productive variables. The assessed cultivars represented good options for composing short-term or long-term winter-feeding systems, adjusted to the integration with annual crops or warm-season pastures.(AU)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produção de biomassa e qualidade bromatológica de genótipos de azevém, em dez municípios das regiões Oeste e Planalto Norte Catarinense, Estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil. Foram comparados os cultivares La Estanzuela 284 (diploide), Bar HQ, Barjumbo, INIA Escorpio, Potro e Winter Star (tetraploides), distribuídos em um delineamento blocos casualizados, em que os municípios constituíram os blocos, com três repetições. Os cortes foram realizados quando as plantas atingiram 30cm, deixando um resíduo de 10cm. Sob três cortes, os cultivares Barjumbo e Bar HQ foram os mais produtivos, ultrapassando 4,6 t ha-1 de matéria seca. Nos locais em que ocorreram cinco cortes, a produção destes cultivares superou 7,3 t ha-1, posicionando-os novamente à frente dos demais. O teor médio de proteína bruta em três cortes foi superior a 25% em todos os cultivares. Não houve diferença entre os genótipos no teor de fibra detergente neutro e de nutrientes digestíveis totais. Verificou-se correlação significativa entre variáveis produtivas quantitativas e qualitativas. Os cultivares testados representam boas opções para compor sistemas forrageiros hiberno-primaveris de curta ou longa duração, ajustando-se à integração com lavouras ou pastagens anuais de estação quente.(AU)

Intrathecal Administration of an Anti-nociceptive Non-CpG Oligodeoxynucleotide Reduces Glial Activation and Central Sensitization.

Inflammatory pain associates with spinal glial activation and central sensitization. Systemic administration of IMT504, a non-CpG oligodeoxynucleotide originally designed as an immunomodulator, exerts remarkable anti-allodynic effects in rats with complete Freund´s adjuvant (CFA)-induced hindpaw inflammation. However, the anti-nociceptive mechanisms of IMT504 remain unknown. Here we evaluated whether IMT504 blocks inflammatory pain-like behavior by modulation of spinal glia and central sensitization. The study was performed in Sprague Dawley rats with intraplantar CFA, and a single lumbosacral intrathecal (i.t.) administration of IMT504 or vehicle was chosen to address if changes in glial activation and spinal sensitization relate to the pain-like behavior reducing effects of the ODN. Naïve rats were also included. Von Frey and Randall-Selitto tests, respectively, exposed significant reductions in allodynia and mechanical hypersensitivity, lasting at least 24 h after i.t. IMT504. Analysis of electromyographic responses to electrical stimulation of C fibers showed progressive reductions in wind-up responses. Accordingly, IMT504 significantly downregulated spinal glial activation, as shown by reductions in the protein expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein, CD11b/c, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and the phosphorylated p65 subunit of NFκB, evaluated by immunohistochemistry and western blot. In vitro experiments using early post-natal cortical glial cultures provided further support to in vivo data and demonstrated IMT504 internalization into microglia and astrocytes. Altogether, our study provides new evidence on the central mechanisms of anti-nociception by IMT504 upon intrathecal application, and further supports its value as a novel anti-inflammatory ODN with actions upon glial cells and the TLR4/NFκB pathway. Intrathecal administration of the non-CpG ODN IMT504 fully blocks CFA-induced mechanical allodynia and hypersensitivity, in association with reduced spinal sensitization. Administration of the ODN also results in downregulated gliosis and reduced TLR4-NF-κB pathway activation. IMT504 uptake into astrocytes and microglia support the concept of direct modulation of CFA-induced glial activation.

Gastroprotective and cicatrizing activity of the Ziziphus joazeiro Mart. leaf hydroalcoholic extract.

Ziziphus joazeiro Mart., popularly known as 'juazeiro', is a species used in popular medicine for the treatment of bronchitis, gastric ulcers, skin wounds, and in the manufacture of cosmetic and food products. The objective of this study is to evaluate the gastroprotective and cicatrizing activity of the Z. joazeiro Mart. leaf hydroalcoholic extract (EHFZJ). The acute pre-clinical toxicity was determined by the single administration of the EHFZJ (2000 mg/kg/p.o.) and by assessing clinical signs of toxicity, according to established criteria by Malone, or mortality. Gastroprotective activity was identified through classical models of acute gastric lesions induced by indomethacin, absolute and acidified ethanol (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/per os) and the physical barrier mechanism (400 mg/kg/per os or intraperitoneally). The cicatrizing activity of the EHFZJ was investigated by measuring the speed of wound closure and the percentage of contraction. The acute pre-clinical toxicity of EHFZJ showed no signs of toxicity and mortality. The EHFZJ demonstrated a gastroprotective effect at the 400 mg/kg dose in the classical models of acute gastric injury induced by indomethacin, absolute and acidified ethanol. The EHFZJ administration (orally) demonstrated significant inhibition, suggesting a possible physical barrier mechanism exists. The EHFZJ showed no significant differences in terms of percentage of contraction or the speed of wound closure during the observation times (0, 3, 7, 11 and 14 days). The results obtained in this study provide evidence of a potential gastroprotective activity for the Ziziphus joazeiro Mart. Leaf hydroalcoholic extract.

Circulating microRNAs associated with liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C patients.

A major challenge in hepatitis C research is the detection of early potential for progressive liver disease. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs that regulate gene expression and can be biomarkers of pathological processes. In this study, we compared circulating miRNAs identified in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients presenting two extremes of liver disease: mild/moderate fibrosis and cirrhosis. The patients in the cirrhosis group subsequently developed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We identified 163 mature miRNAs in the mild/moderate fibrosis group and 171 in the cirrhosis group, with 144 in common to both groups. Differential expression analysis revealed 5 upregulated miRNAs and 2 downregulated miRNAs in the cirrhosis group relative to the mild/moderate fibrosis group. Functional analyses of regulatory networks (target gene and miRNA) identified gene categories involved in cell cycle biological processes and metabolic pathways related to cell cycle, cancer, and apoptosis. These results suggest that the differentially expressed circulating miRNAs observed in this work (miR-215-5p, miR-483-5p, miR-193b-3p, miR-34a-5p, miR-885-5p, miR-26b-5p and miR -197-3p) may be candidates for biomarkers in the prognosis of liver disease.

Glutamine use in feeding juvenile pirarucu, Arapaima gigas (Schinz, 1822) / [Uso da glutamina na alimentação de juvenis de pirarucu, Arapaima gigas (Schinz, 1822)]

This study aimed to evaluate glutamine supplementation effects on variables of growth performance, body composition, intestinal morphology and enzymatic aspects of juvenile Arapaima gigas. Research was conducted at the Fish Nutrition and Feeding Laboratory, where 60 examples of pirarucu (initial average weight of 82.12g) were distributed over 15 polyethylene tanks (310L), in a completely randomized design, with five treatments and three repetitions (four fish per experimental unit). Experimental diets were prepared containing five inclusion levels of the amino acid glutamine (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0%), supplied three times a day for 45 days. Quadratic effect was observed for the variables of growth performance, weight gain, food consumption, food conversion, and specific growth and protein efficiency rates. A significant effect was observed on intestinal villi at the height of the anterior portion and on activity of the enzyme's alkaline proteases, lipase, amylase and aspartate aminotransferase. However, glutamine supplementation had no significant effect on survival rate. Inclusion of 1.02% of glutamine in the diets of juvenile pirarucu improved growth performance and influenced intestinal villi height and activity of important digestive enzymes, favoring nutrient digestion and absorption.(AU)

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos da suplementação com glutamina sobre variáveis de desempenho produtivo, composição corporal, morfologia do intestino e aspectos enzimáticos de juvenis de Arapaima gigas. O experimento foi conduzido no Laboratório de Nutrição e Alimentação de Peixes, onde 60 exemplares de pirarucu (peso médio inicial de 82,12g) foram distribuídos em 15 tanques de polietileno (310L), em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e três repetições (quatro peixes por unidade experimental). As dietas experimentais foram confeccionadas contendo cinco níveis de inclusão do aminoácido glutamina (0,0; 0,5; 1,0; 1,5 e 2,0%), fornecidas três vezes ao dia, ao longo de 45 dias. Foi observado efeito quadrático para variáveis de desempenho produtivo: ganho de peso, consumo alimentar, conversão alimentar, taxa de crescimento específico e taxa de eficiência proteica. Observou-se ainda efeito significativo sobre a altura das vilosidades da porção anterior do intestino e a atividade das enzimas: proteases alcalinas, lipase, amilase e aspartato aminotransferase. Entretanto, a suplementação com glutamina não influenciou significativamente a sobrevivência dos animais. A adição de 1,02% de glutamina nas dietas para juvenis de pirarucu melhorou o desempenho produtivo e influenciou a altura das vilosidades intestinais e a atividade de enzimas digestivas importantes, favorecendo a digestão e a absorção de nutrientes.(AU)

Lipid composition modulates ATP hydrolysis and calcium phosphate mineral propagation by TNAP-harboring proteoliposomes.

Bone biomineralization is mediated by a special class of extracellular vesicles, named matrix vesicles (MVs), released by osteogenic cells. The MV membrane is enriched in sphingomyelin (SM), cholesterol (Chol) and tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) compared with the parent cells' plasma membrane. TNAP is an ATP phosphohydrolase bound to cell and MV membranes via a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. Previous studies have shown that the lipid microenvironment influences the catalytic activity of enzymes incorporated into lipid bilayers. However, there is a lack of information about how the lipid microenvironment controls the ability of MV membrane-bound enzymes to induce mineral precipitation. Herein, we used TNAP-harboring proteoliposomes made of either pure dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) or DMPC mixed with either Chol, SM or both of them as MV biomimetic systems to evaluate how the composition modulates the lipid microenvironment and, in turn, TNAP incorporation into the lipid bilayer by means of calorimetry. These results were correlated with the proteoliposomes' catalytic activity and ability to induce the precipitation of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) in vitro. DMPC:SM proteoliposomes displayed the highest efficiency of mineral propagation, apparent affinity for ATP and substrate hydrolysis efficiency, which correlated with their highest degree of membrane organization (highest ΔH), among the tested proteoliposomes. Results obtained from turbidimetry and Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showed that the tested proteoliposomes induced ACP precipitation with the order DMPC:SM>DMPC:Chol:SM≈DMPC:Chol>DMPC which correlated with the lipid organization and the presence of SM in the proteoliposome membrane. Our study arises important insights regarding the physical properties and role of lipid organization in MV-mediated mineralization.