Effect of fish-oil supplementation on the glycemic and lipidemic profiles of pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

CONTEXT: Pregnant women have physiological metabolic changes in glycemic and lipid profiles that are essential for fetal development. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the effects of fish-oil-capsule supplementation on the glycemic and lipid profiles of pregnant women. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search was conducted of the MEDLINE (by PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Library (CENTRAL) databases and gray literature, including preprints for all relevant studies published in English, with no date restrictions. DATA EXTRACTION: The estimated pooled results were analyzed using a random-effects model and represented by mean differences (MDs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The analyses were performed with R software, version 4.2.1, using the "Meta" packages, versions 6.0-0. DATA ANALYSIS: Fifteen eligible studies were included after screening. In a pooled analysis, overall fish-oil supplementation had no effect on parameters compared with placebo. In the subgroup analysis, fish-oil supplementation may be beneficial in insulin (MD: -2.11 IU/mL; 95% CI: -3.86, -0.36) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (MD: -0.71; 95% CI: -1.14, -0.29) indices, with heterogeneity (I2 =0%) among pregnant women with diabetes mellitus. In the subgroup with doses of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) below 200 mg, there was a reduction in HOMA-IR in the intervention group (MD: -0.60; 95% CI: -1.14, -0.06). CONCLUSION: Pregnant women taking fish-oil capsules showed significant beneficial changes in the subgroups of type 2 diabetes and EPA dosages below 200 mg for insulin and HOMA-IR.

Survival and analysis of predictors of mortality in patients undergoing replacement renal therapy: a 20-year cohort.

BACKGROUND: optimal management of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in hemodialysis (HD) patients should be more studied because it is a serious risk factor for mortality, being considered an unquestionable global priority. METHODS: we performed a retrospective cohort study from the Nephrology Service in Brazil evaluating the survival of patients with ESRD in HD during 20 years. Kaplan-Meier method with the Log-Rank and Cox's proportional hazards model explored the association between survival time and demographic factors, quality of treatment and laboratory values. RESULTS: Data from 422 patients were included. The mean survival time was 6.79 ± 0.37. The overall survival rates at first year was 82,3%. The survival time correlated significantly with clinical prognostic factors. Prognostic analyses with the Cox proportional hazards regression model and Kaplan-Meier survival curves further identified that leukocyte count (HR = 2.665, 95% CI: 1.39-5.12), serum iron (HR = 8.396, 95% CI: 2.02-34.96), serum calcium (HR = 4.102, 95% CI: 1.35-12.46) and serum protein (HR = 4.630, 95% CI: 2.07-10.34) as an independent risk factor for the prognosis of survival time, while patients with chronic obstructive pyelonephritis (HR = 0.085, 95% CI: 0.01-0.74), high ferritin values (HR = 0.392, 95% CI: 0.19-0.80), serum phosphorus (HR = 0.290, 95% CI: 0.19-0.61) and serum albumin (HR = 0.230, 95% CI: 0.10-0.54) were less risk to die. CONCLUSION: survival remains low in the early years of ESRD treatment. The present study identified that elevated values of ferritin, serum calcium, phosphorus, albumin, leukocyte, serum protein and serum iron values as a useful prognostic factor for the survival time.

New Biochemical Parameters in the Differential Diagnosis of Ascitic Fluids.

BACKGROUND: In the cases of ascitis, it is essential to determine their origin using the parameters obtained by the cytological and biochemical examinations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of different biochemical markers and the number of cells in the differential diagnosis of ascitic fluid (AF). METHODS: One hundred ninety-one cases of AF were studied, who were admitted to the hospital from January 01, 2009 to December 31, 2014. One hundred fifty-two of them were included in the analysis, and the remaining 39 were excluded because they had more than one associated pathology, clotted or hemolyzed. RESULTS: The more frequent etiologies of AF were the cirrhosis (29%), the infections (22%) and the neoplasies (19%). Other pathologies reached 16%. Cutoff > 300 cells/mm3 detected the 78% of exudates. The AF/serum (S) of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (> 0.5), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (> 0.6), proteins (PT) (> 0.5), cholesterol (COL) (> 0.4), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (> 0.5) correctly detected 80%, 78%, 72%, 70% and 70% of the exudates, respectively. CONCLUSION: We proposed the utilization of a new cutoff of cellular counting, major of 300/mm3, since it would allow improving the detection of exudate ascites, without including the transudate ascites. AST AF/serum ratio (AF/S) showed the major usefulness in the differentiation and characterization of AF; LDH, proteins, cholesterol and ALT might be also acceptable in the above mentioned differentiation. The serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG) turned out to be a good marker of portal hypertension associated with cirrhotic processes. Creatine kinase (CK), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), amylase (AMI), total bilirubin (TB), triglycerides (TG) and glucose (GLU) did not allow differentiating exudates from transudates.

Effect of Bacillus subtilis natto on growth performance in Muscovy ducks

The aim of the present study was to determine whether dietary Bacillus subtilis natto could affect growth performance of Muscovy ducks. A total of 120 hundred Muscovy ducks at the age of 1 day were randomly assigned to four groups (30 Muscovy ducks/group), and fed with diets supplemented with 0% (control group), 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.4% Bacillus subtilis natto, respectively during the 6-week feeding period. Weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion efficiency of Muscovy ducks were significantly improved by the dietary addition of Bacillus subtilis natto, and the results were more significant in 0.4% dietary Bacillus subtilis natto treatment group; Also, Bacillus subtilis natto reduced Escherichia coli and Salmonella colonies, and increased lactobacilli population in the ileum and the cecum. Biochemical parameters, including total protein, GOT (glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase), GPT (glutamic pyruvic transaminase), AKP (alkaline phosphatase), triiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4) contents (pBacillus subtilis natto was added to the diets (p 0.05), and improved duodenum and immune functions. However, the results above were not significantly different between birds fed 0.1% Bacillus subtilis natto supplemented diets and the control group (p>0.05). The results of the present study indicate that diets with 0.4% Bacillus subtilis natto improved the growth performance of Muscovy ducks by increasing the absorption of protein, simulating hormone secretion, suppressing harmful microflora, and improving the duodenal structure and immune functions of Muscovy ducks. It is suggested that Bacillus subtilis natto is a potential candidate to be used use as a probiotic to improve the growth performance of Muscovy ducks.

Effect of Bacillus subtilis natto on growth performance in Muscovy ducks

The aim of the present study was to determine whether dietary Bacillus subtilis natto could affect growth performance of Muscovy ducks. A total of 120 hundred Muscovy ducks at the age of 1 day were randomly assigned to four groups (30 Muscovy ducks/group), and fed with diets supplemented with 0% (control group), 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.4% Bacillus subtilis natto, respectively during the 6-week feeding period. Weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion efficiency of Muscovy ducks were significantly improved by the dietary addition of Bacillus subtilis natto, and the results were more significant in 0.4% dietary Bacillus subtilis natto treatment group; Also, Bacillus subtilis natto reduced Escherichia coli and Salmonella colonies, and increased lactobacilli population in the ileum and the cecum. Biochemical parameters, including total protein, GOT (glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase), GPT (glutamic pyruvic transaminase), AKP (alkaline phosphatase), triiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4) contents (pBacillus subtilis natto was added to the diets (p 0.05), and improved duodenum and immune functions. However, the results above were not significantly different between birds fed 0.1% Bacillus subtilis natto supplemented diets and the control group (p>0.05). The results of the present study indicate that diets with 0.4% Bacillus subtilis natto improved the growth performance of Muscovy ducks by increasing the absorption of protein, simulating hormone secretion, suppressing harmful microflora, and improving the duodenal structure and immune functions of Muscovy ducks. It is suggested that Bacillus subtilis natto is a potential candidate to be used use as a probiotic to improve the growth performance of Muscovy ducks.(AU)

Effect of Bacillus subtilis natto on growth performance in Muscovy ducks

The aim of the present study was to determine whether dietary Bacillus subtilis natto could affect growth performance of Muscovy ducks. A total of 120 hundred Muscovy ducks at the age of 1 day were randomly assigned to four groups (30 Muscovy ducks/group), and fed with diets supplemented with 0% (control group), 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.4% Bacillus subtilis natto, respectively during the 6-week feeding period. Weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion efficiency of Muscovy ducks were significantly improved by the dietary addition of Bacillus subtilis natto, and the results were more significant in 0.4% dietary Bacillus subtilis natto treatment group; Also, Bacillus subtilis natto reduced Escherichia coli and Salmonella colonies, and increased lactobacilli population in the ileum and the cecum. Biochemical parameters, including total protein, GOT (glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase), GPT (glutamic pyruvic transaminase), AKP (alkaline phosphatase), triiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4) contents (pBacillus subtilis natto was added to the diets (p 0.05), and improved duodenum and immune functions. However, the results above were not significantly different between birds fed 0.1% Bacillus subtilis natto supplemented diets and the control group (p>0.05). The results of the present study indicate that diets with 0.4% Bacillus subtilis natto improved the growth performance of Muscovy ducks by increasing the absorption of protein, simulating hormone secretion, suppressing harmful microflora, and improving the duodenal structure and immune functions of Muscovy ducks. It is suggested that Bacillus subtilis natto is a potential candidate to be used use as a probiotic to improve the growth performance of Muscovy ducks.

Valores de referência da atividade enzimática da aspartato-aminotransferase e da gama-glutamiltransferase em bovinos da raça Jersey. Influência dos fatores etários, sexuais e da infecção pelo vírus da leucose dos bovinos

With the purpose of having the reference values established for the biochemical parameters which evaluate the hepatic function through the determination of the enzymatic activities of the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) of Jersey breed, raised in the São Paulo State, as well as, to evaluate the influence of age factors, sexual factors and of the infection by the bovine leukosis virus on the biochemical parameters mentioned, samples of blood sera from 170 animals were collected and examined, being 106 females and 17 males, clinically healthy and non-reagents to the glycoproteic antigen of the bovine leukosis virus capsule, and 47 sororeagent cows to the above mentioned virus. The reference patterns to the Jersey breed were established for aspatate aminotransferase enzymes (33.91±10.99U/l) and for gama-glutamiltransferase enzyme (13.21±12.72U/l). The seric activities of AST and GGT also had influence of age factors. The seric rates of AST raised with the age, the minimal value was observed in calves until three months age (26.39±22.17U/l) and maximal value was obseved in cows with age between 48 and 72 months (38.60±11.24U/l). GGT seric rates was higher for until three months age female calves (31.15±38.70U/l) than in older animals (between 8.70±2.40U/l and 14.24±10.37U/l). The evaluation of sexual factors influence and infection by Bovine Leukosis Virus on AST and GGT seric enzimatic activity had not showed the influence of these factors on the values found in this research.

Com o objetivo de estabelecer os valores de referência de parâmetros bioquímicos que avaliem a função hepática, por meio da determinação da atividade enzimática da aspartato-aminotransferase (AST) e da gama-glutamiltransferase (GGT), de bovinos da raça Jersey, criados no Estado de São Paulo, bem como avaliar a influência dos fatores etários, sexuais e da infecção pelo vírus da leucose dos bovinos sobre os referidos parâmetros bioquímicos, foram colhidas e examinadas amostras de soro sangüíneo de 170 animais, sendo 106 fêmeas e 17 machos, considerados clinicamente sadios e não reagentes ao antígeno glicoprotéico (gp51) da cápsula do vírus da leucose dos bovinos e 47 fêmeas soro-reagentes ao mencionado vírus. Os valores de referência obtidos para a AST foram iguais a 33,91±10,99U/l enquanto para a GGT obtiveram-se valores médios de 13,21±12,72U/l. A avaliação dos resultados demonstrou que as transaminases sofreram influência dos fatores etários, pois comprovou-se que os teores séricos da AST aumentaram significativamente com o evoluir da idade, sendo o valor mínimo observado nas bezerras com até 3 meses de idade (26,39±22,17U/l) e valor máximo em vacas com idade entre 48 e 72 meses de idade (38,60±11,24U/l). Para os níveis séricos da GGT observou-se que nas bezerras com até 3 meses de idade os níveis séricos (31,15±38,70U/l) foram maiores do que os observados nos animais mais velhos (entre 8,70±2,40U/l e 14,24±10,37U/l). Nesta pesquisa não foram observadas influências dos fatores sexuais e da infecção pelo vírus da leucose dos bovinos sobre a atividade enzimática das transaminases.