Understanding the reaction balances behind the viability PCR protocols based on photoreactive dyes.

Viability-PCR (vPCR) protocols are mainly based on photo-reactive dyes impermeant to intact cell membranes. The absence of cell barriers allows the reagent's interaction with the genetic material after a short incubation period. By light-induced reaction, DNA becomes the unsuitable mould for the polymerases and thus cannot be amplified and detected by PCR. General rules and consensus exist on critical aspects of successful vPCR protocol development. However, the understanding of the vPCR reaction concerning how much reagent is really effective or the proper amount of light has been poorly studied. The convenience of using 600 times more dye than bases pairs exist suggests that although these dyes are DNA intercalating reagents, many organic molecules can adsorb it. Concerning light, no exact references exist about how much energy is needed to activate the azide group of reagents such as propidium monoazide. Therefore, it cannot be calculated in terms of energy how much light needs a vPCR protocol. The general rule is to provide reagents and energy in excess. This work provides different responses (based on experimental results) to both questions, which can contribute to a better understanding of the theoretical basis of vPCR protocols.

Supplementation of crossbred cows with maize and urea in tropical pasture / Suplementação de vacas mestiças com milho e ureia em pastagem tropical

This research article aims to evaluate the effect of total replacement of corn by soybean meal and urea on intake and apparent digestibility of dry matter and its components, production and composition of milk and feeding behavior of lactating cows grazing, with intermittent stocking Mombaça grass (Megathyrsus maximus cv. Mombaça). Twelve milking cows were distributed in a triple 4 x 4 latin square. Experimental treatments consisted of four soybean meal replacement levels by corn more urea (0; 33; 66; 100%). The grass has an average content of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber of 19% and 59%, respectively. The replacement of soybean meal by corn and urea did not affect the intake and digestibility of nutrients. A linear reduction of milk production was observed, but there was no change in milk production corrected to 4.0% of fat. The milk components (g/kg) of fat, protein, lactose, and total solids were not altered, as well as feeding behavior. Under the conditions of this study, the replacement of the diets is suitable for crossbred dairy cows in lactation third medium, producing in average of 12.5 kg/day-1 when kept in quality pastures.(AU)

Este artigo de pesquisa tem como objetivo avaliar o efeito da substituição total do milho pelo farelo de soja e ureia sobre o consumo e a digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca e de seus componentes, a produção e a composição do leite e o comportamento alimentar de vacas em lactação mantidas em pastos capim-mombaça (Megathyrsus maximus cv. Mombaça) manejado sob lotação intermitente. Doze vacas em lactação foram distribuídas em um quadrado latino triplo 4 x 4. Os tratamentos experimentais consistiram de quatro níveis de substituição do farelo de soja pelo milho mais ureia (0; 33; 66; 100%). O capim-mombaça apresentou um teor médio de proteína bruta e de fibra em detergente neutro de 19% e 59%, respectivamente. A substituição do farelo de soja por milho e ureia não afetou o consumo e a digestibilidade dos nutrientes. Observou-se redução linear da produção de leite, mas não houve alteração na produção de leite corrigida para 4,0% de gordura. Os componentes do leite (g/kg): gordura, proteína, lactose e sólidos totais não foram alterados, assim como o comportamento ingestivo dos animais. Nas condições deste estudo, a substituição total do milho pelo farelo de soja e ureia nas dietas é adequada para vacas mestiças leiteiras em terço médio de lactação, produzindo, em média, 12,5 kg / dia-1 quando mantidas em pastagens de qualidade.(AU)

Perfil metabólico proteico de vacas em lactação alimentadas com milho e ureia a pasto / Protein metabolic profile of dairy cows fed corn and urea pasture

Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar os efeitos da substituição total do farelo de soja por milho e ureia sobre consumo e digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca, perfil metabólico proteico e balanço de nitrogênio de vacas mestiças em lactação em pastejo, com lotação intermitente de capim-mombaça (Panicum maximum). Foram utilizadas 12 vacas mestiças em lactação, com peso corporal médio inicial de 473,0+45,0kg, período de lactação médio de 95,0+42,2 dias e produção de leite de média inicial de 14,1+1,9kg/dia. As vacas eram primíparas e multíparas, mestiças de Girolando, Pardo-Suíço e Jersey. Os tratamentos consistiram em quatro níveis de substituição do farelo de soja por milho e ureia (0; 33; 66; 100% na matéria seca - MS). O capim-mombaça apresentou teor médio de proteína bruta e fibra em detergente neutro de 19 e 59% na MS, respectivamente. A substituição do farelo de soja por milho e ureia não alterou o consumo e a digestibilidade aparente da MS. As concentrações de ureia e N-ureico plasmáticos foram alteradas pela substituição do farelo de soja por milho e ureia. O balanço de nitrogênio foi positivo e não foi alterado com as substituições. Para vacas mestiças produzindo, em média, 12,5kg/dia e mantidas em pasto de qualidade, pode se substituir totalmente o farelo de soja por milho e ureia.(AU)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of total replacement of corn by soybean meal and urea on intake and apparent digestibility of dry matter, protein metabolic profile, and nitrogen balance of lactating crossbred cows grazing with intermittent stocking Mombasa grass (Panicum maximum). Twelve milking cows were distributed in a triple 4 x 4 latin design, with a mean initial body weight of 473,0+45,0kg, average lactation period of 95,0+42,2 days and milk production of initial mean of 14,1+1,9kg/day. Cows were primiparous and multiparous. The treatments consisted of four levels of substitution of soybean meal for corn and urea (0; 33; 66; 100% in dry matter - DM). The Mombasa grass showed an average content of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber of 19 and 59% in DM, respectively. The concentrations of urea and plasma urea nitrogen were altered by replacing soybean meal with corn and urea. Protein metabolic profile was changed with the replacement of soybean meal by corn and urea. The nitrogen balance was positive and has not changed with the replacements. For mixed-race cows producing an average of 12.5kg/day and kept in good-quality pastures, one can replace soybean meal totally with corn and urea.(AU)

The emerging Haemophilus influenzae serotype a infection and a potential vaccine: Implementation science in action.

Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib) was a major cause of meningitis in children until Hib conjugate vaccine was introduced into the routine infant immunization program and Hib disease in children was almost eliminated. In Alaska, northern Canada and other countries with Indigenous peoples, H. influenzae serotype a (Hia) has emerged as a significant cause of pneumonia, meningitis and septic arthritis especially in children under 24 months of age. A joint government initiative between the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) was carried out to assess whether an Hia vaccine could be developed for the common good. The initiative included strategic partnerships with clinician researchers in Thunder Bay, Ontario who provide health services to Indigenous people and the Artic Investigations Program (AIP) of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Alaska. This government initiated and funded research identified that the development of an Hia vaccine is possible and ongoing surveillance that includes strain characterization is essential to understand the potential spread of Hia in North America and around the world.

Developing a vaccine for Haemophilus influenzae serotype a: Proceedings of a workshop.

Since the late 1990s there has been an emergence of Haemophilus influenzae serotype a (Hia) infections, especially in Indigenous communities in the northern regions of Canada and Alaska associated with significant morbidity and approximately a 10% mortality. A Hia vaccine could potentially prevent this disease and save the health care system millions of dollars in both acute and long-term care. On March 23-24, 2016, the National Research Council (NRC), the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) co-organized a meeting on H. influenzae serotype a (Hia) to examine the current state of disease epidemiology and a potential vaccine solution path. The meeting included representatives from academia, federal and territorial public health units, hospital laboratories, federal departments involved in Aboriginal health, advocacy organizations for Indigenous peoples and industry. Representatives from industry confirmed having the capacity and the interest to support preparation of clinical trial batches. Canadian regulatory authorities have expressed a willingness to help ensure appropriate measures are in place for licensure purposes. Furthermore, there is the capacity and interest in performing some clinical trials in Indigenous communities in both Canada and Alaska. Recommendations for next steps included: complete pre-clinical studies, improve epidemiological surveillance to better understand the extent of the disease in the rest of North America and globally, establish engagement mechanisms with national Indigenous organizations to ensure their peoples are fully involved in the process and explore funding opportunities to prepare clinical lots and undertake clinical trials.

The expression of NTPDase1 and -2 of Leishmania infantum chagasi in bacterial and mammalian cells: Comparative expression, refolding and nucleotidase characterization.

Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) represents an important global health problem in several warm countries around the world. The main targets in this study are the two nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolases (NTPDases) from Leishmania infantum chagasi that are the main etiologic agent of VL in the New World. These enzymes, called LicNTPDase1 and -2, are homologous to members 5 and 6 of the mammalian E-NTPDase/CD39 superfamily of enzymes. These enzymes hydrolyze nucleotides and accordingly can participate in the purine salvage pathways and in the modulation of purinergic signaling through the extracellular nucleotide-dependent host immune responses. They can therefore affect adhesion and infection of host cells and the parasite virulence. To further characterize these enzymes, in this work, we expressed LicNTPDase1 and -2 in the classical bacterial system Escherichia coli and mammalian cell system COS-7 cells. Our data demonstrate that changes in refolding after expression in bacteria can increase the activity of recombinant (r) rLicNTPDase2 up to 20 times but has no significant effect on rLicNTPDase1. Meanwhile, the expression in COS-7 led to a significant increase in activity for rLicNTPDase1.

Infestation rate of the mite Varroa destructor in commercial apiaries of the Vale do Paraíba and Serra da Mantiqueira, southeastern Brazil / Taxas de infestação do ácaro Varroa destructor em apiários comerciais do Vale do Paraíba e da Serra da Mantiqueira, sudeste do Brasil

Nos últimos anos, grandes perdas de colônias de abelhas melíferas vêm sendo registradas em várias regiões do mundo. Contudo, os motivos desse acontecimento permanecem obscuros. O ácaro ectoparasita Varroa destructor Anderson e Trueman (Acari: Varroidae) pode ser um dos responsáveis por esse fato, principalmente como vetor de vírus. Neste estudo, avaliaram-se as taxas de infestação (TIs) do ácaro V. destructor em abelhas africanizadas Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) e correlacionaram-se os dados com as médias de temperatura de 16 municípios das regiões do Vale do Paraíba e da Serra da Mantiqueira (São Paulo, Brasil), onde a apicultura comercial atua de maneira significativa. Em cada município, um apiário comercial foi selecionado para coleta de amostras de três colônias populosas (padrão Langstroth), totalizando 48 colônias amostradas. Aproximadamente 300 abelhas adultas localizadas na área de cria foram coletadas em cada colônia. As TIs variaram de 0.0 a 5.5%, níveis considerados baixos para causar danos significativos às colônias. As TIs mais baixas foram encontradas em municípios com clima mais ameno durante a estação avaliada (verão). Adicionalmente, cofatores como variações na disponibilidade de alimento entre os municípios e a variabilidade genética das abelhas podem interagir na interação entre parasita e hospedeiro. A variação nas TIs entre os municípios indica que, mesmo presente, a tolerância das abelhas africanizadas ao varroa pode variar drasticamente em uma pequena região, devido à dinâmica multifatorial de infestação do ácaro.(AU)

Chronotype ontogeny related to gender.

Chronotype is an established concept designed to identify distinct phase relationships between the expression of circadian rhythms and external synchronizers in humans. Although it has been widely accepted that chronotype is subjected to ontogenetic modulation, there is no consensus on the interaction between age and gender. This study aimed to determine the relationship between age- and gender-related changes in the morningness-eveningness character in a large sample of people. A total of 14,650 volunteers were asked to complete the Brazilian version of the Horne and Östberg chronotype questionnaire. The data demonstrated that, on average, women were more morning-oriented than men until the age of 30 and there were no significant differences between men and women from 30 to 45 years of age. In contrast to the situation observed until the age of 30, women older than 45 years were more evening-oriented than men. These results suggest that the ontogenetic development of the circadian timekeeping system is more plastic in men, as represented by the larger amplitude of chronotype changes throughout their aging process. The phase delay of adolescence and phase advance of the elderly seem to be phenomena that are more markedly present in men than in women. Thus, our data, for the first time, provide support that sharply opposes the view that there is a single path toward morningness as a function of age, regardless of gender.

Chronotype ontogeny related to gender

Chronotype is an established concept designed to identify distinct phase relationships between the expression of circadian rhythms and external synchronizers in humans. Although it has been widely accepted that chronotype is subjected to ontogenetic modulation, there is no consensus on the interaction between age and gender. This study aimed to determine the relationship between age- and gender-related changes in the morningness-eveningness character in a large sample of people. A total of 14,650 volunteers were asked to complete the Brazilian version of the Horne and Östberg chronotype questionnaire. The data demonstrated that, on average, women were more morning-oriented than men until the age of 30 and there were no significant differences between men and women from 30 to 45 years of age. In contrast to the situation observed until the age of 30, women older than 45 years were more evening-oriented than men. These results suggest that the ontogenetic development of the circadian timekeeping system is more plastic in men, as represented by the larger amplitude of chronotype changes throughout their aging process. The phase delay of adolescence and phase advance of the elderly seem to be phenomena that are more markedly present in men than in women. Thus, our data, for the first time, provide support that sharply opposes the view that there is a single path toward morningness as a function of age, regardless of gender.

A review of invasive Haemophilus influenzae disease in the Indigenous populations of North America.

Historically, the highest incidence rates of invasive Haemophilus influenzae disease in the world were found in North American and Australian Indigenous children. Although immunization against H. influenzae type b (Hib) led to a marked decrease in invasive Hib disease in countries where it was implemented, this disease has not been eliminated and its rates in Indigenous communities remain higher than in the general North American population. In this literature review, we examined the epidemiology of invasive H. influenzae disease in the pre-Hib vaccine era, effect of carriage on disease epidemiology, immune response to H. influenzae infection and Hib vaccination in Indigenous and Caucasian children, and the changing epidemiology after Hib conjugate vaccine has been in use for more than two decades in North America. We also explored reasons behind the continued high rates of invasive H. influenzae disease in Indigenous populations in North America. H. influenzae type a (Hia) has emerged as a significant cause of severe disease in North American Indigenous communities. More research is needed to define the genotypic diversity of Hia and the disease burden that it causes in order to determine if a Hia vaccine is required to protect the vulnerable populations.

Zinc tolerance modulation in Myracrodruon urundeuva plants.

We investigated Zn tolerance and related tolerance mechanisms of Myracrodruon urundeuva by evaluating the growth (biomass production, pigment content, and photosynthetic activity) and antioxidant systems (redox potential and antioxidant enzyme activities) of seedlings exposed to increasing Zn doses. Plants were grown for 120 days in substrates with 0, 50, 80, 120 and 200 mg Zn kg(-1) and demonstrated Zn-tolerance. Zn doses greater than 80 mg Zn kg(-1) were phytotoxic but not lethal, and Zn toxicity under these conditions was imposed by oxidative stress caused by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation and related lipid peroxidation. Zn tolerance in M. urundeuva is linked to the activity of antioxidant systems in their leaves that are modulated by that metal: both superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were always higher in the presence of Zn; lower Zn doses stimulated ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities, but enzyme activity was inhibited at high doses; APX appeared to be the main peroxidase in H2O2 scavenging as stimulated guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) activity was not sufficient to avoid H2O2 accumulation at higher Zn doses; the modulation of APX and GR activities was linked to changes in the redox status of leaves.

The ectoparasite mite Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman in southeastern Brazil apiaries: effects of the hygienic behavior of Africanized honey bees on infestation rates / O ácaro ectoparasita Varroa destructor Anderson e Trueman em apiários do sudeste brasileiro: efeito do comportamento higiênico de abelhas africanizadas nas taxas de infestação

In Brazil, the ectoparasitic mite of bees Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman (Acari: Varroidae) remains at low levels of infestation causing no major damage. However, with the introduction and possible dominance of a new haplotype (K) of the mite, usually found in areas with high infestation rates (IR), it is necessary to monitor and select beehives that are resistant to the pest in order to avoid future problems. Several factors are listed as potentially being responsible for the dynamics of mite infestation, among which hygienic behavior (HB) stands out. In this context we sought to evaluate the HB of Africanized honey bees Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) compared with the mite IR in apiaries of two municipalities of southeastern Brazil (Taubaté and Viçosa). For the municipality of Taubaté, the average IR was 4.9% (3.4 to 5.8%), while the HB averaged 98.6% (96 to 100%). In Viçosa, the average mite IR was found to be 10.0% (5.4 to 21.0%) with an average value for HB of 57.7% (0 to 79.0%). Results from this research show that IR and HB were negatively correlated (R = -0.9627, P<0.01), suggesting that hives with higher HB have lower IR.

No Brasil, o ácaro ectoparasita de abelhas Varroa destructor Anderson e Trueman (Acari: Varroidae) se mantém em índices de infestação baixos, não causando grandes prejuízos. Todavia com a introdução e possível predominância de um novo haplótipo (K) do ácaro, geralmente encontrado em regiões com altas taxas de infestação (TI), faz-se necessário o monitoramento e seleção de colônias resistentes à praga, evitando problemas futuros. Vários fatores são relacionados como possíveis responsáveis pela dinâmica de infestação do ácaro, dentre os quais se destaca o comportamento higiênico (CH). Nesse contexto buscamos avaliar o CH de abelhas africanizadas Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) correlacionando com as TI do ácaro em apiários de dois municípios do sudeste brasileiro (Taubaté e Viçosa). Em Taubaté, o valor médio da TI foi de 4,9% (3,4 a 5,8%), enquanto que o CH foi em média 98,6% (96 a 100%). Já em Viçosa, a TI média do ácaro foi de 10,0% (5,4 a 21,0%) com valor médio de CH de 57,7% (0 a 77,0%). Resultados dessa pesquisa demonstraram que as variáveis TI e CH foram negativamente correlacionadas (R= -0,9627; P<0,01), sugerindo que colônias que possuem CH mais elevado possuem menores TI.

Humoral immunity 10 years after booster immunization with an adolescent and adult formulation combined tetanus, diphtheria, and 5-component acellular pertussis vaccine.

Persistence of antibodies after a single dose of Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, and 5-component acellular pertussis vaccine) was evaluated in a follow-up study of adolescents (N=324) and adults (N=644) who had received Tdap in earlier clinical trials. Outcome measures were seroprotection (tetanus and diphtheria) or seropositivity (pertussis) and geometric mean concentrations. Humoral immune responses to all antigens were robust 1 month after initial immunization, decreased at subsequent measurements, but continued to exceed pre-immunization levels 1, 3, 5, and 10 years later. Protective levels of diphtheria and tetanus antitoxin persisted in 99.3% of adolescents 10 years after a booster dose of Tdap. Seropositivity to 1 or more pertussis antigens also persisted in most adolescents for 10 years. Although tetanus antitoxin responses were similar in adults to those observed in adolescents, diphtheria antitoxin titers were lower, reflecting the fact that a smaller proportion of adults had received diphtheria toxoid in the previous 10 years compared to adolescents. These data will contribute to the selection of the optimal interval for repeat doses of Tdap.

Evaluation of the humoral and cellular immune response to different antigens of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in Canindé goats and their potential protection against caseous lymphadenitis.

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is the etiologic agent of caseous lymphadenitis, a disease that affects goats and sheep, and can cause severe economic losses. In this study, four different antigenic extracts were obtained from the attenuated strain T1, which was isolated in the state of Bahia (Brazil). Forty-four Canindé breed goats were divided in five groups, each receiving a different antigen solution and saline buffer as a control. The humoral response was monitored through the identification of specific IgG by indirect ELISA and Western Blotting, and the production of IFN-gamma was followed in order to observe the activation of cellular response. After twelve weeks of antigen inoculation, the animals were challenged with 2 x 10(5)CFU of a wild strain, also isolated in Bahia, and necropsy was performed on all animals twelve weeks afterwards. It was observed that the attenuated bacteria gave a protection of 33.3%, in addition to the weak humoral response elicited. Animals inoculated with secreted antigen associated with Freund's incomplete adjuvant and oligodeoxynucleotide containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides (CpG ODN) showed a strong humoral response, but this inoculation could not prevent the spread of challenge bacteria in the majority of animals. These results demonstrate the immunogenic potential of the attenuated T1 strain in the development of a vaccine against caseous lymphadenitis in goats.

Predicted long-term persistence of pertussis antibodies in adolescents after an adolescent and adult formulation combined tetanus, diphtheria, and 5-component acellular pertussis vaccine, based on mathematical modeling and 5-year observed data.

In a clinical trial, adolescents who had received a booster dose of reduced dose diphtheria-tetanus-5-component acellular pertussis vaccine (Adacel, Tdap) 5 years earlier maintained increased antibody concentrations to all antigens compared with pre-vaccination values. Observed data were applied to several mathematical models designed to predict further antibody decay for pertussis antigens. A linear mixed model including a random-intercept term provided the best fit for the observed data and was used for predictions. The predicted times for sufficient antibody decay to reach pre-vaccination levels were 15.3 years (95% CI: 7.0-28.0) for pertactin, 11.0 years (5.7-18.9) for fimbriae types 2 and 3, 10.5 years (3.6-24.7) for pertussis toxoid and 9.5 years (4.2-24.6) for filamentous hemagglutinin. For at least 87% of subjects, the 10-year predicted antibody concentration was higher than the limit of quantitation (LOQ) for each pertussis antigen measured. These results support Tdap booster doses every 10 years, following the current schedule for Td vaccination.

Use of immunoblotting assay improves the sensitivity of paracoccidioidomycosis diagnosis

The purpose of this work was to evaluate two serological assays: double immunodiffusion (DI) and immunoblotting (IB) in immunodiagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). We evaluated by IB assay 23 sera samples from patients with clinical confirmation of PCM, all of them with negative DI results against culture filtrate from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis isolate 113. For IB, as well as for comparative DI assay, we employed soluble components of the cell wall outer surface (SCCWOS) from P. brasiliensis isolate 113 cultivated at 36°C in Fava-Neto's agar medium for 5 and 10 days. Among the 20 sera samples analyzed by DI, 13 (65 percent) were negative and 7 (35 percent) were positive against SCCWOS obtained on the 5th and 10th days. By IB assay, 95.4 percent and 100 percent of sera reacted against gp43 and gp70 present in SCCWOS from the 5th day and 95.6 percent recognized these fractions when evaluated against SCCWOS from the 10th day. Our results demonstrated that the use of an immunoenzymatic assay significantly improves the sensitivity of PCM immunodiagnosis and also suggests that at least two serological tests for antibody detection should be adopted in cases of questionable diagnosis.

Humoral immunity 5 years after booster immunization with an adolescent and adult formulation combined tetanus, diphtheria, and 5-component acellular pertussis vaccine.

Persistence of antibodies following a single dose of Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, and five-component acellular pertussis vaccine for use in individuals past childhood) was evaluated in a follow-up of adolescents (N=324) and adults (N=644) who had received Tdap in earlier clinical trials. Outcome measures were seroprotection (tetanus and diphtheria) or seropositivity (pertussis) and geometric mean titers. Humoral immune responses to all antigens were robust 1 month after initial immunization; antibodies exceeded pre-immunization levels 1, 3, and 5 years later. These data will contribute to selecting the optimal interval for booster doses of Tdap.

Effect of exercise on occurrence of diurnal rhythms of plasma ions and metabolites in Thoroughbred racehorses

Records of plasma calcium (Ca++), phosphorus (Pi), potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), chloride (Cl-), magnesium (Mg++), iron (Fe++), glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and total protein levels were measured to determine the effects of exercise on occurrence of diurnal rhythms in Throughbred racehorses (n=7) under physical training. Physical activities consisted of gallop on the track and walking. Blood samples were collected from jugular vein every 4h over a 48h period. Plasma Ca++, K+, Mg++ and Na+ levels were obtained by flame photometry; and, Pi, Cl-, Fe++, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and total protein levels were measured by colorimetric tests using visible UV spectrophotometry. The data were analyzed using a 24h period to each exercise performed. Diurnal rhythm of Pi was observed when walking was the physical activity performed, and its acrophase occurred at the light period. Plasma triclycerides showed significant diurnal rhythms, with their acrophases occurring at the dark period, even when walking or gallop were performed. High intensity exercise (gallop) decreased triglycerides amplitude. No significant diurnal rhythms of other variables were found. Gallop, as physical activity, masked phosphorus diurnal rhythm. However, physical training did not influence triglycerides diurnal rhythm occurrence. High intensity exercise (gallop) just declined triglycerides amplitude

Mensuraram-se as concentrações plasmáticas de cálcio (Ca++), fósforo (Pi), potássio (K+), sódio (Na+), cloreto (Cl-), magnésio (Mg++), ferro (Fe++), glicose, colesterol, triglicerídeos e proteínas totais para determinar os efeitos do exercício sobre a ocorrência dos ritmos diários em cavalos de corrida da raça Puro Sangue Inglês (n=7), em treinamento. A atividade física consistiu de galope na raia e passo. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas da veia jugular a cada 4h durante um período de 48h. As concentrações plasmáticas de Ca++, K+, Mg++ e Na+ foram obtidas por espectrofotometria de absorção atômica com chama, e as concentrações de Pi, Cl-, Fe++, glicose, colesterol, triglicerídeos e proteína total foram mensuradas por testes colorimétricos utilizando-se a espectrometria de luz UV visível. Os dados foram analisados utilizando-se um período de 24h para cada tipo de exercício desenvolvido. Ritmo diário de Pi foi observado quando o passo foi a atividade física desenvolvida, apresentando sua acrofase no período diurno. A concentração plasmática de triglicerídeos mostrou significante ritmo diário com a acrofase ocorrendo no período noturno, independente se foi desenvolvido o galope ou passo. O exercício de alta intensidade (galope) diminuiu a amplitude dos triglicerídeos. Nenhum ritmo diurno foi achado nas outras variáveis. Estes resultados mostram que o galope como atividade física, mascara o ritmo diário do fósforo. Entretanto, o treinamento físico não apresentou nenhum efeito na ocorrência do ritmo diário de triglicerídeos, somente na sua amplitude

Utilização de ciclodextrinas na formação de complexos de inclusão de interesse farmacêutico / Use of cyclodextrins to form inclusion complexes of pharmaceutical interest

As ciclodextrinas (CDs) constituem uma nova classe de excipientes farmacêuticos com capacidade para formar complexos de inclusão reversíveis com moléculas apolares. A habilidade das CDs em encapsular fármacos tem conseguido melhoras na biodisponibilidade, estabilidade e segurança de inúmeras fórmulas farmacêuticas atualmente comercializadas. Esta revisão bibliográfica compila os principais procedimentos empregados para a obtenção de complexos de inclusão em solução e em estado sólido utilizando CDs, discutindo seus diferentes aspectos. As técnicas utilizadas para caracterização e controle são analisadas criticamente quanto a suas aportações e limitações. Os aspectos relacionados à sua utilização pela indústria farmacêutica também são abordados

Cyclodextrins (CDs) have found application in a new family of pharmaceutical excipients with the ability to form reversible inclusion complexes with non-polar molecules. CDs capable of encapsulating drugs have led to improvements in the bioavailability, stability and safety of several dosage forms on the market. The main procedures employed to produce CD inclusion complexes, both in dissolved and solid forms, are brought together in this review of the literature and several aspects of these methods are examined. The techniques used in research and quality control of CD formulations are analysed critically with respect to their particular features and limitations. Aspects of their use in the drugs industry are also discussed.