Expression of hepatic genes related to energy metabolism during the transition period of Holstein and F1 Holstein-Gir cows.

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of genes encoding enzymes and other factors involved with carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in the liver of 2 genetic groups of dairy cows during the transition period. We analyzed the expression of glucose-6-phosphatase (G6PC), cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK-C), methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MUT), ß-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase-2 (BDH2), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), carnitine palmitoyltransferase-2 (CPT2), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), glucose transporter-2 (SLC2A2), and the transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARA). Blood concentrations of glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, and ß-hydroxybutyrate were also determined. Liver biopsies and blood samples were taken at d 15 prepartum and at d 6, 21, 36, 51, and 66 postpartum from Holsteins (n = 6) and F1 Holstein-Gir (n = 6) cows. Cows were kept under the same prepartum and postpartum management conditions. The results showed that the expression of G6PC, PEPCK-C, BDH2, ACC, CPT2, HMGCR, SLC2A2, and PPARA genes did not differ between genetic groups. Except for PEPCK-C, no interaction between genetic groups and the experimental period was observed. Within both groups of cows, G6PC and PEPCK-C gene expression decreased when comparing prepartum gene expression with 21 and 36 DIM, and increased in d 51 postpartum. MUT mRNA levels differed between the 2 genetic groups and displayed a significant increase after d 36 postpartum, whereas mRNA levels of HMGCR tended to increase when comparing d 21 and 36 to d 51 postpartum. Glucose concentrations also differed between genetic groups, being significantly higher in the plasma of F1 Holstein-Gir cows than in Holstein cows, but no differences were found within each group during the analysis period. ß-Hydroxybutyrate and nonesterified fatty acid concentrations did not differ between genetic groups, but displayed increased levels from prepartum to d 6 and 21 postpartum. Our results indicated that expression in the liver of genes involved with glucose and fatty acid metabolism were similar in both groups of cows and significant differences were observed between the 2 groups in the expression of MUT, a gene involved in propionate metabolism.

High Intensity Interval Training Reduces the Levels of Serum Inflammatory Cytokine on Women with Metabolic Syndrome.

Objectives: This study investigate the effects of a high intensity interval training (HIIT) and 2 weeks of detraining in functional and body composition parameters, lipoproteins, glucose metabolismand inflammation markers in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome (MS). Design: 17 untrained women with MS underwent a HIIT program for 12 weeks. Methods: The training was performed in treadmills, 3 days per week, with intensity ranging from 70-90% of the maximum heart rate (HRmax) and 2 weeks untrained (inactive). Functional and body composition parameters were evaluated before and after the training, while maximal oxygen uptake, lipoprotein and inflammation markers were analyzed before, after training and also in detraining. Results: The HITT program resulted in changesparameters as glucose, HbA1cand NOx after training. In addition, a reduction in pro-inflammatory interleukins and an increase in IL-10 after the HIIT program were found. However, an increase in plasma levels of lipoprotein was found and body composition parameters remain unaltered.Besides, only 2 weeks of detraining are able to revert the effects on inflammatory parameters afforded by the HIIT program. Conclusions: The HIIT program used here positively affected inflammatory profile and other parameters, as glucose, HbA1cand NOx, on postmenopausal women with MS. Moreover, 2 weeks of detraining can reverse the beneficial effects of HIIT program. Our results point out the necessity to aply acontinuous HITT program, in order maintain the benefits detected, to post menopausal women with MS.

Atividade predatória de Euseius citrifolius Denmark & Muma (Acari: Phytoseiidae) sobre Tenuipalpus heveae Baker (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) / Predatory activity of Euseius citrifolius Denmark & Muma (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on Tenuipalpus heveae Baker (Acari: Tenuipalpidae)

O ácaro-plano-vermelho-da-seringueira, Tenuipalpus heveae Baker é uma importante praga de Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex. Adr. de Juss.) Müell. Arg. Entre os ácaros predadores, Euseius citrifolius Denmark & Muma tem sido frequentemente registrado nessa cultura. Este trabalho teve por objetivo determinar a atividade predatória de E. citrifolius sobre as fases de ovo, larva, ninfa e adulto de T. heveae. Os experimentos foram realizados em placas de Petri de 9 cm de diâmetro, contendo uma camada de algodão umedecido e sobre ela um disco de folha de seringueira de 2,5 cm de diâmetro, obtido de folhas naturalmente infestadas no campo. Em cada disco foram deixados vinte espécimes da fase biológica de T. heveae a ser testada, eliminando-se o restante com um estilete. Cada placa recebeu um exemplar do predador (larva, ninfa ou fêmea), proveniente de uma criação de laboratório. Para cada fase de E. citrifolius testada, foram considerados quatro tratamentos (fases de T. heveae) e vinte repetições em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado. As avaliações foram realizadas após 24 horas para larvas e ninfas do predador e após 24, 48 e 72 horas para as fêmeas. Larvas e ninfas de E. citrifolius tiveram preferência por larvas de T. heveae, seguida por ninfas, ovos e adultos. Em 72 horas, cada fêmea do predador consumiu 15,0 larvas, 14,5 ninfas, 7,4 adultos ou 2,2 ovos de T. heveae. Assim, pode-se concluir que o ácaro-plano-vermelho é uma presa aceita por E. citrifolius, que apresenta preferência pelas fases de larva e ninfa.

The rubber tree red false spider mite, Tenuipalpus heveae Baker, is an important pest of Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex. Adr. de Juss.) Müell. Arg. The phytoseiid mite Euseius citrifolius Dennmark & Muma has frequently been recorded on rubber tree crops. The objective of this work was to determine the predatory activity of E. citrifolius on the different life stages (egg, larva, nymph and adult) of T. heveae. The experiments were carried out in Petri dishes (9-cm diameter) containing a layer of wet cotton inside, onto which a disk of rubber tree leaf (2.5-cm diameter) was laid. The disks were taken from naturally infested leaves. Twenty specimens in the life stage that was to be tested were left on the disk and the others were eliminated; a predator life stage (larva, nymph or female) was obtained from a laboratory stock colony and put into each dish. For each tested life stage of E. citrifolius, 4 treatments (T. heveae life stages) and 20 replications were considered in a randomized block design. The observations were made after 24 hours for larvae and nymphs of the predator, and after 24, 48 and 72 hours for the females. E. citrifolius larvae and nymphs had a higher preference for T. heveae larvae followed by nymphs, eggs and adults. Within 72 hours, each predator female consumed 15.0 larvae, 14.5 nymphs, 7.4 adults or 2.2 eggs of T. heveae. It is concluded that E. citrifolius can feed on red false spider mites, the larva and nymph being the preferred stages.

Importância da reabilitação protética da região óculo-palpebral: relato de caso / Importance of rehabilitation of the prosthetic region óculo-palpebral: case report

As perdas buco-maxilo faciais causam grande constrangimento e sofrimento aos seus portadores, especialmente aquelas passíveis de reabilitação somente através da prótese. Este trabalho relata o caso de um paciente, sexo feminino, leucoderma e com 66 anos de idade, atendido na Clínica de Prótese Buco-Maxilo Facial da Faculdade de Odontologia de Pernambuco da Universidade de Pernambuco (FOP/UPE), portador de uma mutilação na região óculo-palpebral que teve como fator etiológico um câncer da região orbitária, descrevendo-se a técnica e a importância da reabilitação protética facial nos aspectos estéticos e psicossociais.

The maxillofacial losses cause great constraint and sadness especially those with need of rehabilitation only through prosthesis. This work present a case of a patient, feminine, leucoderm and 66 years of age, seeking for treatment at Clinic of Maxillofacial Prosthetic of the Dental School of the University of Pernambuco (FOP/UPE). The patient had a mutilation in the oculo-palpebral region and the etiologic factor was a cancer on the orbital region. This case report aimed also to describe its technique and the importance of the facial prosthetic rehabilitation to aesthetic and psicossociais aspects.

Experiences in HCV-NAT screening prior to releasing cellular components by the German Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service of Baden-Württemberg.

In this report we present the accumulated data on nucleic acid testing (NAT) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA of blood donations by the Blood Transfusion Service of Baden-Württemberg in the period between March 1997 and March 1999. An extra barcoded blood sample was collected from each donor. Samples were tested by NAT in mini-pools of maximally 96 samples. First-time and repeat donors were tested separately. RT/HCV-PCR was performed with the COBAS HCV Amplicortrade mark, versions 1.0 and 2.0 from Roche Diagnostic Systems. Many modifications have been introduced to the original protocol since the implementation of NAT screening aiming at an increase in the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. NAT positive pools containing serologically positive samples were detected. Initially, reactive pools were identified that could not be confirmed by secondary pooling and single testing procedures. So far, no serologically negative but NAT positive sample has been found.

Mini-pool screening by nucleic acid testing for hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and HIV: preliminary results.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of nucleic acid testing (NAT) of mini-pools as a blood donation screening test. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The stepwise implementation of NAT of mini-pools began in January 1997. Since March 1997, all blood donations collected by the German Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service of Baden-Württemberg were tested for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and HIV nucleic acids. An extra barcoded serum sample is collected from each blood donor for NAT-based screening, which is performed only on hepatitis B surface antigen-, anti-HCV-, anti-HIV-, and anti-Treponema pallidum-seronegative donations. Samples are pooled to a maximum of 96. Positive results are resolved through intersecting subpools (a chessboard design). NAT-based screening does not include a virus concentration step before nucleic acid extraction. RESULTS: By the end of October 1997, 331, 783 donations in 3,779 pools had been screened. As yet, no viremic but seronegative blood donor has been found for the three markers. CONCLUSION: It is feasible to incorporate NAT-based screening of mini-pools into the routine virus diagnostics of a large blood transfusion service. It remains to be determined whether screening blood donations by NAT will indeed increase the safety of blood supply.

HCV transmission through blood transfusion: are HCV-RNA titer in donor serum and genotype major determinants of infection outcome?

In this paper we report the results of a retrospective investigation on anti-HCV supplemental test positive blood donors from 1993 and 1994. 22 living recipients of blood/blood components from 15 donors were localized and enrolled in the study. Serum from these individuals were tested by serological assays and RT/PCR. HCV-RNA titer was determined for all positive donors. Genotyping was performed for all HCV-RNA positive individuals (donors and recipients). We observed that less than 50% of the recipients of previous donations from those positive donors did develop serological markers of HCV infection. HCV-RNA titers in donor's serum varied from 2 x 10(3) to 5 x 10(5) copies/ml but a direct correlation between viral RNA titer and the outcome of infection could not be established. Genotype investigation revealed 100% identity of genotypes within the pairs of donors/recipients. Genotype 1 b reached a prevalence of 75% within this group.