Moderate-intensity continuous training reduces triglyceridemia and improves oxygen consumption in dyslipidemic apoCIII transgenic mice.

This study aimed to investigate metabolism modulation and dyslipidemia in genetic dyslipidemic mice through physical exercise. Thirty-four male C57Bl/6 mice aged 15 months were divided into non-transgenic (NTG) and transgenic overexpressing apoCIII (CIII) groups. After treadmill adaptation, the trained groups (NTG Ex and CIII Ex) underwent an effort test to determine running performance and assess oxygen consumption (V̇O2), before and after the training protocol. The exercised groups went through an 8-week moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) program, consisting of 40 min of treadmill running at 60% of the peak velocity achieved in the test, three times per week. At the end of the training, animals were euthanized, and tissue samples were collected for ex vivo analysis. ApoCIII overexpression led to hypertriglyceridemia (P<0.0001) and higher concentrations of total plasma cholesterol (P<0.05), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (P<0.01), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol (P<0.0001) in the animals. Furthermore, the transgenic mice exhibited increased adipose mass (P<0.05) and higher V̇O2peak compared to their NTG controls (P<0.0001). Following the exercise protocol, MICT decreased triglyceridemia and cholesterol levels in dyslipidemic animals (P<0.05), and reduced adipocyte size (P<0.05), increased muscular glycogen (P<0.001), and improved V̇O2 in all trained animals (P<0.0001). These findings contribute to our understanding of the effects of moderate and continuous exercise training, a feasible non-pharmacological intervention, on the metabolic profile of genetically dyslipidemic subjects.

Moderate-intensity continuous training reduces triglyceridemia and improves oxygen consumption in dyslipidemic apoCIII transgenic mice

This study aimed to investigate metabolism modulation and dyslipidemia in genetic dyslipidemic mice through physical exercise. Thirty-four male C57Bl/6 mice aged 15 months were divided into non-transgenic (NTG) and transgenic overexpressing apoCIII (CIII) groups. After treadmill adaptation, the trained groups (NTG Ex and CIII Ex) underwent an effort test to determine running performance and assess oxygen consumption (V̇O2), before and after the training protocol. The exercised groups went through an 8-week moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) program, consisting of 40 min of treadmill running at 60% of the peak velocity achieved in the test, three times per week. At the end of the training, animals were euthanized, and tissue samples were collected for ex vivo analysis. ApoCIII overexpression led to hypertriglyceridemia (P<0.0001) and higher concentrations of total plasma cholesterol (P<0.05), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (P<0.01), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol (P<0.0001) in the animals. Furthermore, the transgenic mice exhibited increased adipose mass (P<0.05) and higher V̇O2peak compared to their NTG controls (P<0.0001). Following the exercise protocol, MICT decreased triglyceridemia and cholesterol levels in dyslipidemic animals (P<0.05), and reduced adipocyte size (P<0.05), increased muscular glycogen (P<0.001), and improved V̇O2 in all trained animals (P<0.0001). These findings contribute to our understanding of the effects of moderate and continuous exercise training, a feasible non-pharmacological intervention, on the metabolic profile of genetically dyslipidemic subjects.

The Thickness and Opacity of Aesthetic Materials Influence the Restoration of Discolored Teeth.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of thickness and opacity on the ability of composite resin and ceramic veneer restorations to mask discolored teeth. METHODS: Ninety veneers were made of lithium disilicate ceramic, shades BL1 and 0 (IPS e.max Press, Ivoclar Vivadent), and 60 were made of composite resin, shade BL-L (IPS Empress Direct, Ivoclar Vivadent). The veneers measured 4 mm in width x 4 mm in length and had a thickness of 0.7, 1.0, or 1.2 mm. One hundred and fifty human premolars were selected to obtain 150 dental fragments with the following dimensions: 4 mm x 4 mm x 3 mm (width x length x thickness). The fragments were discolored, submitted to color measurement and randomly assigned to 15 groups (n=10) according to the type and opacity of the restorative material (IPS e.max Press: high translucency [HT], low translucency [LT], and medium opacity [MO]; IPS Empress Direct: dentin and enamel) and thickness of the veneers (0.7, 1.0, and 1.2 mm). After cementation of the ceramic or composite resin veneers using a translucent resin cement (RelyX veneer, 3M), a final color measurement was taken from each specimen and the total color variation (ΔE) was calculated by subtracting the initial and the final color measurement. The final lightness (L*) of the restored dental fragments was also calculated. RESULTS: The highest ΔE values were observed for the LT and MO ceramic groups, followed by dentin composite resin. Regarding the different thicknesses of ceramic veneers, every 1.2-mm-thick group had higher values of ΔE, considering their respective opacities (p<0.05). The highest lightness values were found for the LT and MO ceramic veneers (thickness of 1.2 mm). Dentin-shade composite resins showed similar lightness values in all groups. CONCLUSION: The best thickness/opacity combinations for masking discolored dental substrates were LT and MO ceramic veneers with 1.2-mm thickness. Dentin-shade composite resin veneers with a thickness of 0.7-1.0 mm showed good ability to mask discolored dental substrates.

High salt intake during puberty leads to cardiac remodelling and baroreflex impairment in lean and obese male Wistar rats.

Modern lifestyle increases the prevalence of obesity and its co-morbidities in the young population. High-salt (HS) diets are associated with hypertension and cardiac remodelling. The present study evaluated the potential effects of cardiometabolic programming induced by HS intake during puberty in lean and obese rats. Additionally, we investigated whether HS could exacerbate the impairment of cardiovascular parameters in adult life due to postnatal early overnutrition (PO). At postnatal day 3 (PN3), twenty-four litters of Wistar rats were divided into two groups: normal litter (NL, nine pups/dam) and small litter (SL, three pups/dam) throughout the lactation period; weaning was at PN21. At PN30, the pups were subdivided into two more groups: NL plus HS (NLHS) and SL plus HS (SLHS). HS intake was from PN30 until PN60. Cardiovascular parameters were evaluated at PN120. SL rats became overweight at adulthood due to persistent hyperphagia; however, HS exposure during puberty reduced the weight gain and food intake of NLHS and SLHS. Both HS and obesity raised the blood pressure, impaired baro- and chemoreflex sensitivity and induced cardiac remodelling but no worsening was observed in the association of these factors, except a little reduction in the angiotensin type-2 receptor in the hearts from SLHS animals. Our results suggest that the response of newborn offspring to PO and juveniles to a HS diet leads to significant changes in cardiovascular parameters in adult rats. This damage may be accompanied by impairment of both angiotensin signalling and antioxidant defence in the heart.

The use of smartphones in radiographic diagnosis: accuracy on the detection of marginal gaps.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy of computer monitor and smartphone screen for radiographic diagnosis of marginal gap. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty teeth with mesial-occlusal-distal inlays (each tooth with a perfect fit and a 0.4-mm marginal gap restoration) were imaged with a phosphor plate system. Original digital radiographs were exported and analyzed with two different methods: computer monitor and smartphone screen; for the last method, images were shared with WhatsApp. Three examiners assessed all radiographs (n = 160) for the presence of marginal gap by using a dichotomous scale (yes/no). Diagnostic performance of each examiner and viewing method was evaluated by means of sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), and overall accuracy (Ac). Difference between the frequencies of gap detection of each method was analyzed using the McNemar test. Intra- and inter-examiner agreements were calculated using kappa statistics. RESULTS: Intra- and inter-examiner agreements were ≥ 0.80 for both methods. Similar diagnostic performance was found for computer monitor (Se = 0.87-1; Sp = 0.8-0.97; Ac = 0.84-0.99) and smartphone (Se = 0.77-1; Sp = 0.87-1; Ac = 0.88-0.95) viewing methods. No statistically significant differences in the frequency of gap detection were observed between the methods (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Diagnostic accuracy of smartphone screens was similar to that of computer monitor for marginal gap detection. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Smartphones are becoming a common daily tool. In this sense, it might be an important new aid in Dentistry, including radiographic evaluation, which could benefit patients and dentists.

Benzoxazoles as novel herbicidal agents.

BACKGROUND: Despite the need to develop new herbicides with different modes of action, due to weed resistance, many important classes of compounds have been studied poorly for this purpose. Benzoxazoles are considered privileged structures because of their biological activities, but their phytotoxic activities have not received a lot of attention until now. RESULTS: Double vinylic substitution reactions were carried out to furnish four 2-nitromethylbenzoxazoles and one oxazolidine. Benzoxazol-2-ylmethanamine was obtained by reduction of compound 3a. These compounds were evaluated for their phytotoxicity in Allium cepa (onion), Solanum lycopersicum (tomato), Cucumis sativus (cucumber) and Sorghum bicolor (sorghum). Comparison with oxazolidine analogue allowed us to understand that the benzoxazolic structure is very important for the herbicidal activity. CONCLUSION: All the synthesized compounds exhibited biological activity on seed germination. The four 2-nitromethylbenzoxazoles showed phytotoxic activity and the 5-chloro-2-(nitromethyl)benzo[d]oxazole (3b) exhibited higher inhibition than the commercial herbicide against all four plant species tested. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Diagnostic reproducibility of temporomandibular joint using magnetic resonance imaging at 05 and 15 Tesla

Magnetic resonance imaging is described as the reference standard for the evaluation of temporomandibular joint soft tissues; however, the literature shows conflicting results regarding the reproducibility of this method. Objective: this study aimed to assess the reproducibility of temporomandibular joint diagnoses using magnetic resonance imaging at 0.5 and 1.5 Tesla. Methods: a trained observer analyzed 212 temporomandibular joint images (134 at 0.5T and 78 at 1.5T) and diagnosed the presence or absence of nine conditions. Results: overall agreement was over 80% in both magnetic resonance units, with no significant differences (P > 0.05). Images at 0.5T and 1.5T provided excellent reproducibility for anterior disc displacement without reduction (κ = 0.82 and 0.80, respectively), hypermobility (κ = 0.84 and 0.90), and hypomobility (κ = 0.80 and 0.95), while fair to moderate values were obtained for anterior disc displacement with reduction (κ = 0.48 and 0.42) and disc shape changes (κ = 0.45 and 0.37). Conclusion: magnetic resonance imaging diagnoses at 0.5T and 1.5T presented good agreement. However, the lowest reproducibility for anterior disc displacement with reduction and disc shape change reveals the difficulty to diagnose these disorders.

Childhood obesity: a (re) programming disease?

The aim of our article was to review the current literature on the effects of metabolic (re) programming on childhood obesity. PubMed/MEDLINE was the data source used to track the studies. Descriptors applied: children obesity, epigenetic, metabolic programming, exercise and nutrition. The focus was to analyze and discuss the international findings on the theme. The gathering of the papers was performed between June and August 2014. The search of articles with the descriptors used found 33.054 studies. In all, 5.709 studies were selected by crossing chosen keywords. Among these, after careful reading of the titles, 712 papers were considered potential as references. After applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, 50 studies were selected from 132 eligible abstracts. Most studies linked the development and treatment of obesity from epigenetically stimulated metabolic programming during the early stages of pregnancy and life. This review provides theoretical basis to the understanding that the programmed development of childhood obesity may be linked to early exposure to environmental factors, such as (nutrition and regular practice of exercise) and stimulus can epigenetically alter the modulation of the obesogenic metabolic behavior during pregnancy and the developmental stages of children and/or postpone the pathophysiologic disease stage to adulthood.

Resource availability and diet in Harpy Eagle breeding territories on the Xingu River, Brazilian Amazon.

In the Tapajos-Xingu interfluve, one of the largest birds of prey, the Harpy Eagle, is under intense anthropogenic pressure due to historical and recent reductions in forest cover. We studied prey availability and use by Harpy Eagle on six breeding territories on the low- and mid-Xingu River, between 2013 and 2015. We evaluated food resource availability using the environmental-surveys database from two methods: terrestrial surveys (RAPELD method) and fauna rescue/flushing before vegetation suppression for the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Complex construction. Harpy Eagle diet was identified by prey remains sampled around six nest trees. Eighteen species of mammals, birds and reptiles comprised the prey items. Most prey species were sloths, primates and porcupines, which have arboreal habits and are found in forested areas, but two species, hoatzin and iguana, are usually associated with riverine habitats. The proportion of prey from each species predated on the nest best studied was different from estimated availability (χ2 = 54.23; df = 16; p < 0.001), however there was a positive correlation (rs = 0.7; p < 0.01) between prey species consumed and abundance available, where the predation was more on species more abundant. Continuous monitoring of the Harpy Eagle diet at these nests could evidence changes in the assemblage of prey species available for Harpy Eagles, due to changes in the seasonal flood pulse of the Xingu River to be caused by the operation of the hydroelectric dam, and changes in habitat features by forest reduction around breeding territories. We believe that it is important to consider the protection of remnants of forested areas in the landscape matrix surrounding the breeding territories to maintain the food resource availability and allow all pairs to successfully reproduce.

Abundance of Harpy and Crested Eagles from a reservoir-impact area in the Low- and Mid-Xingu River.

In the Brazilian Amazon, two monospecific genera, the Harpy Eagle and Crested Eagle have low densities and are classified by IUCN as Near Threatened due to habitat loss, deforestation, habitat degradation and hunting. In this study, we evaluate occurrence of these large raptors using the environmental surveys database from Belo Monte Hydroelectric Power Plant. Integrating the dataset from two methods, we plotted a distribution map along the Xingu River, including records over a 276-km stretch of river. Terrestrial surveys (RAPELD method) were more efficient for detecting large raptors than standardized aquatic surveys, although the latter were complementary in areas without modules. About 53% of the records were obtained during activities of wildlife rescue/flushing, vegetation suppression or in transit. Between 2012 and 2014, four Harpy Eagles were removed from the wild; two shooting victims, one injured by collision with power lines and one hit by a vehicle. Also, seven nests were mapped. The mean distance between Harpy Eagle records was 15 km along the river channel, with a mean of 20 km between nests near the channel, which allowed us to estimate 20 possible pairs using the alluvial forest, riverine forest and forest fragments. Territories of another ten pairs will probably be affected by inundation of the Volta Grande channel, which is far from the main river. The average distance between Crested Eagle records was 16 km along the river channel. The only nest found was 1.3 km away from a Harpy Eagle nest. The remnant forests are under threat of being replaced by cattle pastures, so we recommend that permanently protected riparian vegetation borders (APP) be guaranteed, and that forest fragments within 5 km of the river be conserved to maintain eagle populations.

Resource availability and diet in Harpy Eagle breeding territories on the Xingu River, Brazilian Amazon / Disponibilidade e consumo de presas por harpia no entorno de territórios de nidificação no rio Xingu, Amazônia Oriental Brasileira

In the Tapajos-Xingu interfluve, one of the largest birds of prey, the Harpy Eagle, is under intense anthropogenic pressure due to historical and recent reductions in forest cover. We studied prey availability and use by Harpy Eagle on six breeding territories on the low- and mid-Xingu River, between 2013 and 2015. We evaluated food resource availability using the environmental-surveys database from two methods: terrestrial surveys (RAPELD method) and fauna rescue/flushing before vegetation suppression for the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Complex construction. Harpy Eagle diet was identified by prey remains sampled around six nest trees. Eighteen species of mammals, birds and reptiles comprised the prey items. Most prey species were sloths, primates and porcupines, which have arboreal habits and are found in forested areas, but two species, hoatzin and iguana, are usually associated with riverine habitats. The proportion of prey from each species predated on the nest best studied was different from estimated availability (χ2 = 54.23; df = 16; p < 0.001), however there was a positive correlation (rs = 0.7; p < 0.01) between prey species consumed and abundance available, where the predation was more on species more abundant. Continuous monitoring of the Harpy Eagle diet at these nests could evidence changes in the assemblage of prey species available for Harpy Eagles, due to changes in the seasonal flood pulse of the Xingu River to be caused by the operation of the hydroelectric dam, and changes in habitat features by forest reduction around breeding territories. We believe that it is important to consider the protection of remnants of forested areas in the landscape matrix surrounding the breeding territories to maintain the food resource availability and allow all pairs to successfully reproduce.(AU)

RO interflúvio Tapajós-Xingu, um dos centros de endemismo da Amazônia, onde habita uma das mais poderosas aves de rapina, a harpia, é também alvo de intensa pressão antrópica com reduções históricas da cobertura florestal. Analisamos a disponibilidade de vertebrados e o consumo de presas por harpia em seis territórios de reprodução no Rio Xingu, entre 2013 e 2015. A disponibilidade de recursos alimentares foi baseada nos dados de amostragens por dois métodos: levantamentos terrestres pelo método RAPELD e resgate/afugentamento da fauna antes da supressão da vegetação para construção de infra-estrutura para o Complexo Hidrelétrico Belo Monte. As espécies de presas consumidas pela harpia foram identificadas a partir de vestígios coletados em seis ninhos. Dezoito espécies de mamíferos, aves e répteis compuseram a dieta no baixo e médio Rio Xingu, com maior proporção de preguiças, macacos e porcos-espinhos, incluindo duas espécies (Opisthocomus hoazin e Iguana iguana) associadas aos hábitats criados por rios. A proporção de indivíduos das espécies predadas no ninho com maior número de coletas foi diferente da disponibilidade (χ2 = 54,23; gl = 16; p < 0,001), no entanto, existe correlação positiva (rs = 0,7; p < 0,01) entre o consumo de presas e a abundância disponível, com a predação maior sobre espécies mais abundantes. A riqueza de presas indica que as florestas remanescentes na região foram fonte eficiente de recursos alimentares para a reprodução e manutenção da harpia. O monitoramento da dieta da harpia nos ninhos pode apresentar alterações relacionadas às mudanças no pulso sazonal de inundação do Xingu, provocadas pelo futuro funcionamento da usina hidrelétrica e à redução da floresta no entorno dos ninhos localizados no Reservatório Xingu e Intermediário. É importante considerar a proteção dos remanescentes florestais no entorno dos territórios de nidificação para garantir a disponibilidade de presas e a reprodução efetiva dos casais de harpia na região.(AU)

Abundance of Harpy and Crested Eagles from a reservoir-impact area in the Low- and Mid-Xingu River / Abundância de Gavião-real e Gavião-real falso numa área sob impacto de reservatório no Baixo e Médio rio Xingu

In the Brazilian Amazon, two monospecific genera, the Harpy Eagle and Crested Eagle have low densities and are classified by IUCN as Near Threatened due to habitat loss, deforestation, habitat degradation and hunting. In this study, we evaluate occurrence of these large raptors using the environmental surveys database from Belo Monte Hydroelectric Power Plant. Integrating the dataset from two methods, we plotted a distribution map along the Xingu River, including records over a 276-km stretch of river. Terrestrial surveys (RAPELD method) were more efficient for detecting large raptors than standardized aquatic surveys, although the latter were complementary in areas without modules. About 53% of the records were obtained during activities of wildlife rescue/flushing, vegetation suppression or in transit. Between 2012 and 2014, four Harpy Eagles were removed from the wild; two shooting victims, one injured by collision with power lines and one hit by a vehicle. Also, seven nests were mapped. The mean distance between Harpy Eagle records was 15 km along the river channel, with a mean of 20 km between nests near the channel, which allowed us to estimate 20 possible pairs using the alluvial forest, riverine forest and forest fragments. Territories of another ten pairs will probably be affected by inundation of the Volta Grande channel, which is far from the main river. The average distance between Crested Eagle records was 16 km along the river channel. The only nest found was 1.3 km away from a Harpy Eagle nest. The remnant forests are under threat of being replaced by cattle pastures, so we recommend that permanently protected riparian vegetation borders (APP) be guaranteed, and that forest fragments within 5 km of the river be conserved to maintain eagle populations.(AU)

Na Amazônia brasileira dois gêneros mono-específicos, Harpia e Morphnus, caracterizam-se por baixa densidade e estão classificados pelo IUCN como Quase Ameaçados, porém ocorrem sobre grande parte do território nacional, suas principais ameaças são a fragmentação florestal, a degradação de hábitat e a caça. Neste estudo avaliamos a abundância destas duas grandes aves de rapina utilizando a base de dados dos programas ambientais da UHE Belo Monte, integrando-se dois métodos para construir um mapa de distribuição ao longo de 245 km do rio Xingu. Os levantamentos terrestres pelo método RAPELD mostraram-se mais eficientes para os registros de grandes águias quando comparado aos esforços padronizados aquáticos, entretanto estes foram complementares na ausência de módulos. Cinquenta e tres por cento foram registros ocasionais durante a supressão da vegetação, afugentamento ou deslocamento. Entre 2012-2014 quatro harpias foram removidas da natureza, dois indivíduos alvo de disparos, uma por colisão com rede elétrica, e outra por atropelamento. Sete ninhos mapeados, a distância média entre os registros de harpia na calha e margens do rio foi de 15 km, 20 km distância média entre ninhos, o que permitiu estimar um total de 20 casais utilizando as florestas aluviais em uma distancia de 270 km, incluindo matas ciliares e os fragmentos fora da margem do rio. Estimamos que territórios de outros 10 casais usando a Volta Grande longe do rio principal também serão afetados pela inundação. A distância média entre os registros de Morphnus foi 16 km ao longo do rio, o único ninho mapeado estava distante 1.3 km do ninho de Harpia. Estes fragmentos florestais estão sendo substituídos por pastagens, ressaltando-se a importância da manutenção das áreas de preservação permanentes (APP) e a proteção destes fragmentos em diversos formatos de áreas de proteção, para diminuir a degradação dos mesmos e garantir a manutenção das populações destes grandes predadores na região do rio Xingu.(AU)

Abundance of Harpy and Crested Eagles from a reservoir-impact area in the Low- and Mid-Xingu River / Abundância de Gavião-real e Gavião-real falso numa área sob impacto de reservatório no Baixo e Médio rio Xingu

In the Brazilian Amazon, two monospecific genera, the Harpy Eagle and Crested Eagle have low densities and are classified by IUCN as Near Threatened due to habitat loss, deforestation, habitat degradation and hunting. In this study, we evaluate occurrence of these large raptors using the environmental surveys database from Belo Monte Hydroelectric Power Plant. Integrating the dataset from two methods, we plotted a distribution map along the Xingu River, including records over a 276-km stretch of river. Terrestrial surveys (RAPELD method) were more efficient for detecting large raptors than standardized aquatic surveys, although the latter were complementary in areas without modules. About 53% of the records were obtained during activities of wildlife rescue/flushing, vegetation suppression or in transit. Between 2012 and 2014, four Harpy Eagles were removed from the wild; two shooting victims, one injured by collision with power lines and one hit by a vehicle. Also, seven nests were mapped. The mean distance between Harpy Eagle records was 15 km along the river channel, with a mean of 20 km between nests near the channel, which allowed us to estimate 20 possible pairs using the alluvial forest, riverine forest and forest fragments. Territories of another ten pairs will probably be affected by inundation of the Volta Grande channel, which is far from the main river. The average distance between Crested Eagle records was 16 km along the river channel. The only nest found was 1.3 km away from a Harpy Eagle nest. The remnant forests are under threat of being replaced by cattle pastures, so we recommend that permanently protected riparian vegetation borders (APP) be guaranteed, and that forest fragments within 5 km of the river be conserved to maintain eagle populations.

Na Amazônia brasileira dois gêneros mono-específicos, Harpia e Morphnus, caracterizam-se por baixa densidade e estão classificados pelo IUCN como Quase Ameaçados, porém ocorrem sobre grande parte do território nacional, suas principais ameaças são a fragmentação florestal, a degradação de hábitat e a caça. Neste estudo avaliamos a abundância destas duas grandes aves de rapina utilizando a base de dados dos programas ambientais da UHE Belo Monte, integrando-se dois métodos para construir um mapa de distribuição ao longo de 245 km do rio Xingu. Os levantamentos terrestres pelo método RAPELD mostraram-se mais eficientes para os registros de grandes águias quando comparado aos esforços padronizados aquáticos, entretanto estes foram complementares na ausência de módulos. Cinquenta e tres por cento foram registros ocasionais durante a supressão da vegetação, afugentamento ou deslocamento. Entre 2012-2014 quatro harpias foram removidas da natureza, dois indivíduos alvo de disparos, uma por colisão com rede elétrica, e outra por atropelamento. Sete ninhos mapeados, a distância média entre os registros de harpia na calha e margens do rio foi de 15 km, 20 km distância média entre ninhos, o que permitiu estimar um total de 20 casais utilizando as florestas aluviais em uma distancia de 270 km, incluindo matas ciliares e os fragmentos fora da margem do rio. Estimamos que territórios de outros 10 casais usando a Volta Grande longe do rio principal também serão afetados pela inundação. A distância média entre os registros de Morphnus foi 16 km ao longo do rio, o único ninho mapeado estava distante 1.3 km do ninho de Harpia. Estes fragmentos florestais estão sendo substituídos por pastagens, ressaltando-se a importância da manutenção das áreas de preservação permanentes (APP) e a proteção destes fragmentos em diversos formatos de áreas de proteção, para diminuir a degradação dos mesmos e garantir a manutenção das populações destes grandes predadores na região do rio Xingu.

Resource availability and diet in Harpy Eagle breeding territories on the Xingu River, Brazilian Amazon / Disponibilidade e consumo de presas por harpia no entorno de territórios de nidificação no rio Xingu, Amazônia Oriental Brasileira

In the Tapajos-Xingu interfluve, one of the largest birds of prey, the Harpy Eagle, is under intense anthropogenic pressure due to historical and recent reductions in forest cover. We studied prey availability and use by Harpy Eagle on six breeding territories on the low- and mid-Xingu River, between 2013 and 2015. We evaluated food resource availability using the environmental-surveys database from two methods: terrestrial surveys (RAPELD method) and fauna rescue/flushing before vegetation suppression for the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Complex construction. Harpy Eagle diet was identified by prey remains sampled around six nest trees. Eighteen species of mammals, birds and reptiles comprised the prey items. Most prey species were sloths, primates and porcupines, which have arboreal habits and are found in forested areas, but two species, hoatzin and iguana, are usually associated with riverine habitats. The proportion of prey from each species predated on the nest best studied was different from estimated availability (χ2 = 54.23; df = 16; p < 0.001), however there was a positive correlation (rs = 0.7; p < 0.01) between prey species consumed and abundance available, where the predation was more on species more abundant. Continuous monitoring of the Harpy Eagle diet at these nests could evidence changes in the assemblage of prey species available for Harpy Eagles, due to changes in the seasonal flood pulse of the Xingu River to be caused by the operation of the hydroelectric dam, and changes in habitat features by forest reduction around breeding territories. We believe that it is important to consider the protection of remnants of forested areas in the landscape matrix surrounding the breeding territories to maintain the food resource availability and allow all pairs to successfully reproduce.

RO interflúvio Tapajós-Xingu, um dos centros de endemismo da Amazônia, onde habita uma das mais poderosas aves de rapina, a harpia, é também alvo de intensa pressão antrópica com reduções históricas da cobertura florestal. Analisamos a disponibilidade de vertebrados e o consumo de presas por harpia em seis territórios de reprodução no Rio Xingu, entre 2013 e 2015. A disponibilidade de recursos alimentares foi baseada nos dados de amostragens por dois métodos: levantamentos terrestres pelo método RAPELD e resgate/afugentamento da fauna antes da supressão da vegetação para construção de infra-estrutura para o Complexo Hidrelétrico Belo Monte. As espécies de presas consumidas pela harpia foram identificadas a partir de vestígios coletados em seis ninhos. Dezoito espécies de mamíferos, aves e répteis compuseram a dieta no baixo e médio Rio Xingu, com maior proporção de preguiças, macacos e porcos-espinhos, incluindo duas espécies (Opisthocomus hoazin e Iguana iguana) associadas aos hábitats criados por rios. A proporção de indivíduos das espécies predadas no ninho com maior número de coletas foi diferente da disponibilidade (χ2 = 54,23; gl = 16; p < 0,001), no entanto, existe correlação positiva (rs = 0,7; p < 0,01) entre o consumo de presas e a abundância disponível, com a predação maior sobre espécies mais abundantes. A riqueza de presas indica que as florestas remanescentes na região foram fonte eficiente de recursos alimentares para a reprodução e manutenção da harpia. O monitoramento da dieta da harpia nos ninhos pode apresentar alterações relacionadas às mudanças no pulso sazonal de inundação do Xingu, provocadas pelo futuro funcionamento da usina hidrelétrica e à redução da floresta no entorno dos ninhos localizados no Reservatório Xingu e Intermediário. É importante considerar a proteção dos remanescentes florestais no entorno dos territórios de nidificação para garantir a disponibilidade de presas e a reprodução efetiva dos casais de harpia na região.

An increase in glucose concentration in the lateral ventricles of the brain induces changes in autonomic nervous system activity.

OBJECTIVE: Changes in glucose levels mobilize a neuroendocrine response that prevents or corrects glycemia. The hypothalamus is the main area of the brain that regulates glycemic homeostasis. Metabolic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes, are related to imbalance of this control. The modulation of autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity is mediated by neuronal hypothalamic pathways. In the present work, we investigate whether glucose concentration in the hypothalamic area changes ANS activity. METHODS: Glucose was administered intracerebroventricularly to 90-day-old rats, and samples of blood were collected during brain glucose infusion to measure the blood glucose and insulin levels. The electric activity of the superior vagus nerve and superior sympathetic ganglion was directly registered. RESULTS: Glucose 5·6 mM infused in the hypothalamus induced a 67·6% decrease in blood insulin concentration compared to saline infusion (P<0·01); however, no glycemia changes occurred. During glucose 5·6 mM intracerebroventricular infusion, the firing rate of the vagus nerve was decreased 39% and sympathetic nerve activity was increased 177% compared to saline infusion (P<0·01). DISCUSSION: Glucose injection into the brain in the hypothalamic area modulates glucose homeostasis, which might be mediated by the sensitivity of the hypothalamic area to local changes in glucose concentration. We suggest that gluconeurons in the hypothalamus contribute to the control of glycemia through ANS activity.

Daily consumption of foods and nutrients from institutional and home sources among young children attending two contrasting day-care centers in Guatemala City

Adequate nutrition is critical to child development and institutions such as day-care centers could potentially complement children’s diets to achieve optimal daily intakes. The aim of the study was to describe the full-day diet of children, examining and contrasting the relative contribution of home-derived versus institutional energy and nutrient sources. The present comparison should be considered in the domain of a case-study format. The diets of 33, 3-6 y old children attending low-income day-care centers serving either 3 or a single meal were examined. The home-diet was assessed by means of 3 non-consecutive 24-hr recalls. Estimated energy and nutrient intakes at the centers and at home were assessed and related to Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNI). Nutrient densities, critical densities and main sources of nutrients were computed. We observed that in children attending the day-care center serving three meals, home-foods contributed less than half the daily energy (47.7%) and between 29.9% and 53.5% of daily nutrients. In children receiving only lunch outside the home, energy contribution from the home was 83.9% and 304 kcal lower than for children receiving 3 meals. Furthermore, between 59.0% and 94.8% of daily nutrients were provided at home. Daily energy, nutrient intakes and nutrient densities were well above the nutrient requirements for this age group, and particularly high for vitamin A. The overall dietary variety was superior in the situation of greater contribution of home fare, but overall the nutrient density and adequacy of the aggregate intakes did not differ in any important manner.

Ingesta diaria de alimentos y nutrientes provenientes de la dieta institucional y del hogar en niños que asisten a dos centros de cuidado infantil contrastantes en la ciudad de Guatemala. Una adecuada nutrición es crítica para el desarrollo infantil. Los centros de cuidado infantiles (CCI) podrían jugar un papel fundamental en la complementación de la ingesta de alimentos y nutrientes. El propósito de este estudio fue describir la dieta de niños, comparando la contribución relativa de energía y nutrientes de la dieta-hogar e institucional. El presente estudio debe ser considerado como una presentación de caso. Se examinó la dieta de 33 niños de 3-6 años que asisten a dos CCI utilizados por familias de escasos recursos y con diferencias en número de comidas servidas. Se determinó la dieta-hogar utilizando 3 recordatorios de 24-horas en días no-consecutivos. Se calculó la ingesta estimada de energía y nutrientes en las instituciones y en casa y se comparó con las Ingestas Recomendadas de Nutrientes. Se determinó la densidad de nutrientes y principales fuentes. Se observó que los alimentos consumidos en el hogar contribuyeron 47.7% de la energía diaria y entre 29.9% y 53.5% de los nutrientes diarios requeridos para los niños con 3 comidas en el CCI y de 83.9%, 59.0 y 94.8%, respectivamente, para los niños que consumen únicamente el almuerzo en el CCI. La ingesta diaria de energía fue 304 kcal mayor en los niños que consumieron 3 comidas fuera del hogar. No hubo mayor variación en las dietas cuando mayor era el consumo de alimentos en el hogar, sin embargo la densidad nutricional y la adecuación de la dieta completa fue adecuada en ambos centros, y particularmente elevadas para la vitamina A.

Early exposure to a high-fat diet has more drastic consequences on metabolism compared with exposure during adulthood in rats.

The aim of this study was determine whether the introduction of a high-fat diet during the peripubertal phase induces significant changes in body weight control, glucose homeostasis and the parasympathetic tonus compared with the administration of this diet to adult rats. High-fat diet was offered to male Wistar rats at weaning or during adulthood. A group of rats received high-fat diet for 60 days, from weaning to 81-day-old (HF81) or from 60 to 120-day-old (HF120), whereas 2 other groups received a normal-fat diet (i. e., NF81 and NF120). We analyzed adiposity, glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, and vagal nerve activity. High-fat diet increased the accumulation of adipose tissue in all of the rats, but the difference was greater in the rats that were fed the high-fat diet since weaning (p<0.001). The HF rats showed glucose intolerance with high levels of insulin secretion during the glucose tolerance test (p<0.01). Rats that were fed the high-fat diet presented severe insulin resistance, indicated by a low K itt (p<0.01). Interestingly, the HF81 rats exhibited greater insulin resistance compared with the HF120 rats (p<0.05). The recordings of vagus nerve activity showed that the HF rats had higher parasympathetic activity than the NF rats irrespective of age (p<0.01). Our results show that a high-fat diet offered to rats just after weaning or in adulthood both cause impairment of glycemic homeostasis and imbalance in parasympathetic activity. Importantly, the consumption of high-fat diet immediately after weaning has more drastic consequences compared with the consumption of the same diet during adulthood.

Daily consumption of foods and nutrients from institutional and home sources among young children attending two contrasting day-care centers in Guatemala City.

Adequate nutrition is critical to child development and institutions such as day-care centers could potentially complement children's diets to achieve optimal daily intakes. The aim of the study was to describe the full-day diet of children, examining and contrasting the relative contribution of home-derived versus institutional energy and nutrient sources. The present comparison should be considered in the domain of a case-study format. The diets of 33, 3-6 y old children attending low-income day-care centers serving either 3 or a single meal were examined. The home-diet was assessed by means of 3 non-consecutive 24-hr recalls. Estimated energy and nutrient intakes at the centers and at home were assessed and related to Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNI). Nutrient densities, critical densities and main sources of nutrients were computed. We observed that in children attending the day-care center serving three meals, home-foods contributed less than half the daily energy (47.7%) and between 29.9% and 53.5% of daily nutrients. In children receiving only lunch outside the home, energy contribution from the home was 83.9% and 304 kcal lower than for children receiving 3 meals. Furthermore, between 59.0% and 94.8% of daily nutrients were provided at home. Daily energy, nutrient intakes and nutrient densities were well above the nutrient requirements for this age group, and particularly high for vitamin A. The overall dietary variety was superior in the situation of greater contribution of home fare, but overall the nutrient density and adequacy of the aggregate intakes did not differ in any important manner.

Influence of the curing mode on fluoride ion release of self-adhesive resin luting cements in water or during pH-cycling regimen.

This study evaluated the effects of curing modes and storage conditions on fluoride release of resin cements. In phase 1, the cumulative fluoride release rate from samples of the resin cements (Panavia F 2.0, RelyX Unicem, MaxCem, and BisCem) was quantified after 15 days storage in water (n=4). In phase 2, the fluoride release profiles from the same materials were analyzed during pH cycling (n=4). In this second phase, fluoride was measured at specific times (one, two, three, five, eight, and 15 days). Disk-shaped specimens were prepared (10 mm × 0.5 mm), and the materials were either light activated or allowed to autopolymerize. For both phases, the fluoride release was measured using a fluoride ion-specific electrode. The fluoride release in water was not affected by the curing mode of RelyX Unicem and Maxcem resin cements. Panavia F. 2.0 and BisCem resin cements, either light cured or autopolymerized modes, released higher amounts of fluoride in water than the other self-adhesive cements. In phase 2, the concentration of fluoride released decreased from the first day of pH cycling until the 15th day for all resin cements, for both curing modes, regardless of the storage solution used (demineralizing/remineralizing). The fluoride release rate during pH cycling by Panavia F 2.0 and MaxCem was not affected by the curing mode. The effect of the curing mode on fluoride ion release in water or during pH cycling was product dependent.