Dietary Glycotoxins Impair Hepatic Lipidemic Profile in Diet-Induced Obese Rats Causing Hepatic Oxidative Stress and Insulin Resistance.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is caused by excessive liver lipid accumulation, but insulin resistance is specifically associated with impaired lipid saturation, oxidation, and storage (esterification), besides increased de novo lipogenesis. We hypothesized that dietary glycotoxins could impair hepatic lipid metabolism in obesity contributing to lipotoxicity-driven insulin resistance and thus to the onset of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In diet-induced obese rats with methylglyoxal-induced glycation, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and gas chromatography were used to assess liver composition in fatty acyl chains and phospholipids. High-fat diet-induced obesity increased liver lipid fraction and suppressed de novo lipogenesis but did not change fatty acid esterification and saturation or insulin sensitivity. Despite a similar increase in total lipid fraction when supplementing the high-fat diet with dietary glycotoxins, impairment in the suppression of de novo lipogenesis and decreased fatty acid unsaturation and esterification were observed. Moreover, glycotoxins also decreased polyunsaturated cardiolipins and caused oxidative stress, portal inflammation, and insulin resistance in high-fat diet-induced obese rats. Dietary glycated products do not change total lipid levels in the liver of obese rats but dramatically modify the lipidemic profile, leading to oxidative stress, hepatic lipotoxicity, and insulin resistance in obesity and thus contribute to the onset of NASH.

Semi-quantification and grading of amyloid PET: A project of the European Alzheimer's Disease Consortium (EADC).

BACKGROUND: amyloid-PET reading has been classically implemented as a binary assessment, although the clinical experience has shown that the number of borderline cases is non negligible not only in epidemiological studies of asymptomatic subjects but also in naturalistic groups of symptomatic patients attending memory clinics. In this work we develop a model to compare and integrate visual reading with two independent semi-quantification methods in order to obtain a tracer-independent multi-parametric evaluation. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled three cohorts of cognitively impaired patients submitted to 18F-florbetaben (53 subjects), 18F-flutemetamol (62 subjects), 18F-florbetapir (60 subjects) PET/CT respectively, in 6 European centres belonging to the EADC. The 175 scans were visually classified as positive/negative following approved criteria and further classified with a 5-step grading as negative, mild negative, borderline, mild positive, positive by 5 independent readers, blind to clinical data. Scan quality was also visually assessed and recorded. Semi-quantification was based on two quantifiers: the standardized uptake value (SUVr) and the ELBA method. We used a sigmoid model to relate the grading with the quantifiers. We measured the readers accord and inconsistencies in the visual assessment as well as the relationship between discrepancies on the grading and semi-quantifications. CONCLUSION: It is possible to construct a map between different tracers and different quantification methods without resorting to ad-hoc acquired cases. We used a 5-level visual scale which, together with a mathematical model, delivered cut-offs and transition regions on tracers that are (largely) independent from the population. All fluorinated tracers appeared to have the same contrast and discrimination ability with respect to the negative-to-positive grading. We validated the integration of both visual reading and different quantifiers in a more robust framework thus bridging the gap between a binary and a user-independent continuous scale.

Occipital blood-brain barrier permeability is an independent predictor of visual outcome in type 2 diabetes, irrespective of the retinal barrier: A longitudinal study.

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability in type 2 diabetic patients has been previously shown to be altered in certain brain regions such as the basal ganglia and the hippocampus. Because of the histological and functional similarities between the BBB) and the blood-retinal barrier (BRB), we aimed to investigate how the permeability of both barriers predicts visual outcome. We included 2 control groups (acute unilateral stroke patients, n = 9; type 2 diabetics without BRB leakage n = 10) and a case study group of type 2 diabetics with established BRB leakage (n = 17). We evaluated sex, age, disease duration, metabolic impairment, retinopathy grade and BBB permeability as predictors of visual acuity at baseline, 12  and 24 months in the type 2 diabetics without BRB leakage group and the case study group. We have also explored differences in BBB permeability in the occipital lobe and frontal lobe in the 3 different groups. Ktrans (volume transfer coefficient) and Vp (fractional plasma volume) were estimated. The BBB permeability parameter Vp was higher in the case study group compared to the unaffected hemisphere of the stroke patient control group, suggesting vascular dynamics were changed in the occipital lobe of type 2 diabetics with established BRB leakage. These patients showed a significant correlation between glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) levels and occipital and frontal Ktrans . We report for the first time that occipital BBB permeability is an independent predictor of visual acuity at baseline, as well as at 12 and 24 months, in type 2 diabetics with established BRB leakage. Our results suggest that occipital BBB permeability might be an independent biomarker for visual impairment in patients with established BRB leakage.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 and Antipain preserve acrosome integrity of bovine spermatozoa during cryopreservation / Inibidor do ativador do plasminogênio 1 e antipaína preservam a integridade do acrossoma de espermatozoides bovinos durante a criopreservação

Seminal plasma contains serine proteases and serine protease inhibitor, which are involved in mammalian fertilization, and the inhibitors can be applied to prevent cold-induced sperm capacitation. The effects of different concentrations of two serine protease inhibitors were analyzed, Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 - PAI-1 (70ƞg, 140ƞg and 210 ƞg) and Antipain (10µg, 50µg and 100µg) as supplementation to bovine semen cryopreservation extender. The effects of the inhibitors on the sperm parameters (sperm kinetics - CASA, acrosome integrity, plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, sperm defects and acrosome reaction rate) were evaluated in the post-thaw semen. Cryopreservation of sperm with Antipain decreased post-thaw kinetic parameters of MP, VSL, LIN, SRT and the percentage of hyper-activated sperm while PAI-1 (210 ƞg) decreased VSL and LIN. Antipain and PAI-1 had no effect on the integrity parameters of the plasma membrane, mitochondrial membrane potential and sperm defects. Sperm cryopreserved in the presence of Antipain and PAI-1 (70 and 140 ƞg) preserved acrosome integrity, as they were able to complete the in vitro acrosome reaction. In conclusion, the serine protease inhibitors, Antipain and PAI-1 (70 and 140ƞg) are able to preserve the acrosome integrity of cryopreserved bovine sperm.(AU)

A criopreservação é parcialmente prejudicial à fertilidade do sêmen de bovinos e induz mudanças semelhantes à capacitação em espermatozoides. O plasma seminal contém serina-proteases e inibidores de serina-proteases que estão envolvidos na fertilização de mamíferos, e os inibidores podem ser aplicados para evitar uma capacitação espermática induzida pelo frio. Analisaram-se os efeitos de diferentes concentrações de dois inibidores de serina-proteases, inibidor do ativador do plasminogênio 1 - PAI-1 (70ƞg, 140ƞg e 210ƞg) e antipaína (10µg, 50µg e 100µg) na suplementação ao diluidor de criopreservação de sêmen bovino. Trinta e seis ejaculados de quatro bovinos Curraleiro Pé-Duro foram usados para criopreservação. Os efeitos dos inibidores sobre os parâmetros dos espermatozoides (cinética espermática - CASA, integridade acrossomal, integridade da membrana plasmática, potencial de membrana mitocondrial, defeitos espermáticos e taxa de reação acrossomal) foram avaliados no sêmen pós-descongelamento. A criopreservação de espermatozoides com antipaína diminuiu os parâmetros cinéticos pós-descongelamento de MP, VSL, LIN, SRT e a porcentagem de espermatozoides hiperativados, PAI-1 (210ƞg) diminuiu VSL e LIN. Antipaína e PAI-1 não tiveram efeitos nos parâmetros de integridade da membrana plasmática, no potencial de membrana mitocondrial e nos defeitos espermáticos. Espermatozoides criopreservados na presença de antipaína e PAI-1 (70 e 140ƞg) preservaram a integridade acrossomal, assim como foram capazes de completar a reação acrossômica in vitro. Em conclusão, os inibidores de serina-proteases, antipaína e PAI-1 (70 e 140ƞg) são capazes de preservar a integridade acrossomal de espermatozoides criopreservados de bovinos.(AU)

Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Analgesic Activities of Agrimonia eupatoria L. Infusion.

Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria L.) (Ae) is used in traditional medicine to treat inflammatory and oxidative related diseases. Therefore, this study focuses on the anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential of Ae infusion (AeI). Phenolic compounds characterization was achieved by HPLC-PDA-ESI/MS n . To evaluate antioxidant potential, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, and SNAP assays were used. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity of AeI was investigated in LPS-stimulated macrophages by measuring the NO production. In vivo anti-inflammatory activity was validated using the mouse carrageenan-induced paw edema model. Peripheral and central analgesic potential was evaluated using the acetic acid-induced writhing and hot-plate tests, respectively, as well as the formalin assay to assess both activities. The safety profile was disclosed in vitro and in vivo, using MTT and hematoxylin assays, respectively. Vitexin, quercetin O-galloyl-hexoside, and kaempferol O-acetyl-hexosyl-rhamnoside were referred to in this species for the first time. AeI and mainly AePF (Ae polyphenolic fraction) showed a significant antiradical activity against all tested radicals. Both AeI and AePF decreased NO levels in vitro, AePF being more active than AeI. In vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities were verified for both samples at concentrations devoid of toxicity. Agrimony infusion and, mainly, AePF are potential sources of antiradical and anti-inflammatory polyphenols.

Cortical control of vertical and horizontal saccades in progressive supranuclear palsy: An exploratory fMRI study.

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a neurodegenerative disorder showing predominant brainstem involvement, characterized by marked slowing of rapid eye movements (saccades), particularly along the vertical plane. While the contribution of the brainstem damage for the saccadic disturbance in PSP has been extensively studied, much less is known about its cortical and subcortical pathomechanisms. We measured reflexive (prosaccades) and voluntary (antisaccades) saccades in the vertical and horizontal plane in PSP patients (n=8) and controls (n=10) in an eye tracking study, followed by the measurement of blood oxygenation-level dependent (BOLD) activation (PSP, n=6; controls, n=10) during similar saccade paradigms. Behaviorally, PSP patients evidenced slower and lower amplitude prosaccades (horizontal and vertical) and lower amplitude antisaccades (vertical) than controls. Functionally, patients showed decreased frontostriatal BOLD activation during prosaccades (horizontal and vertical) and antisaccades (vertical), relative to controls. Additionally, PSP patients showed less default mode network (DMN) deactivation than controls for all types of saccades. Within groups, controls showed no BOLD differences between horizontal and vertical prosaccades while PSP patients demonstrated greater DMN deactivation during vertical prosaccades. Both groups evidenced greater DMN deactivation during vertical antisaccades when compared to their horizontal counterpart and patients further showed relative frontostriatal BOLD hypoactivity during vertical antisaccades. We found fMRI evidence of frontostriatal hypoactivity in PSP patients relative to controls, especially during vertical saccades. These new findings highlight the impact of cortical impairment in saccadic disturbance of PSP.

Distinct functional properties of the vertical and horizontal saccadic network in Health and Parkinson's disease: An eye-tracking and fMRI study.

Saccadic behaviour ranges from reflexive (e.g., prosaccade) to goal oriented voluntary movements (e.g., antisaccade). Behavioural asymmetries between vertical and horizontal saccades have been described both in normal individuals (greater delay of vertical prosaccades) and in disease states such as Parkinson's disease (PD) (prosaccades are short and antisaccades are delayed, especially in the vertical plane, possibly due to a frontostriatal deficit). Importantly, the cortical mechanisms for the generation of vertical saccades are largely unknown, both in health and disease, when compared with their horizontal counterpart. Moreover, studies exploring saccadic neural correlates and putative compensatory mechanisms at a functional level in PD are scarce. We investigated horizontal and vertical prosaccades and antisaccades in an eye tracking paradigm in 19 PD patients off medication and 22 healthy controls, followed by a block-design functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) study, consisting of two runs (prosaccade, antisaccade) of 6 blocks each (3 vertical, 3 horizontal). While saccade metrics were not significantly different between groups, PD showed left frontal underactivation during horizontal prosaccades and right parietal overactivation during horizontal and vertical prosaccades and horizontal antisaccades. Moreover, controls showed greater deactivation of the default-mode network (DMN) during antisaccades. Vertical prosaccades were associated with greater right frontal and cerebellar activity in controls, and cuneus hypoactivity in PD. Vertical antisaccades were associated with greater DMN deactivation in both groups and left frontal hypoactivity in PD. Putative functional compensatory changes in the right parietal cortex in PD patients may help to keep saccadic behaviour at the same level as the healthy controls. We provide first time evidence showing that functional cortical asymmetries between vertical and horizontal saccades occur distinctively in PD patients and healthy controls.

Brain and behaviour phenotyping of a mouse model of neurofibromatosis type-1: an MRI/DTI study on social cognition.

Neurofibromatosis type-1 (NF1) is a common neurogenetic disorder and an important cause of intellectual disability. Brain-behaviour associations can be examined in vivo using morphometric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to study brain structure. Here, we studied structural and behavioural phenotypes in heterozygous Nf1 mice (Nf1(+/-) ) using T2-weighted imaging MRI and DTI, with a focus on social recognition deficits. We found that Nf1(+/-) mice have larger volumes than wild-type (WT) mice in regions of interest involved in social cognition, the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the caudate-putamen (CPu). Higher diffusivity was found across a distributed network of cortical and subcortical brain regions, within and beyond these regions. Significant differences were observed for the social recognition test. Most importantly, significant structure-function correlations were identified concerning social recognition performance and PFC volumes in Nf1(+/-) mice. Analyses of spatial learning corroborated the previously known deficits in the mutant mice, as corroborated by platform crossings, training quadrant time and average proximity measures. Moreover, linear discriminant analysis of spatial performance identified 2 separate sub-groups in Nf1(+/-) mice. A significant correlation between quadrant time and CPu volumes was found specifically for the sub-group of Nf1(+/-) mice with lower spatial learning performance, suggesting additional evidence for reorganization of this region. We found strong evidence that social and spatial cognition deficits can be associated with PFC/CPu structural changes and reorganization in NF1.

Avaliação in vitro do sêmen criopreservado de cães naturalmente infectados por Leishmania sp / In vitro evaluation of cryopreserved semen of dogs naturally infected by Leishmania sp

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade in vitro do sêmen criopreservado de cães naturalmente infectados por Leishmania sp. Foram coletadas amostras de sêmen de 12 cães, sendo seis positivos (GI) e seis negativos (GII) para leishmaniose visceral (LV), semanalmente, totalizando quatro coletas por animal. O sêmen criopreservado foi avaliado pelo teste de termorresistência rápida (TTR), nos tempos zero, 30 e 60 minutos, pela análise computadorizada (CASA) e por meio de sondas fluorescentes; esta última técnica com o intuito de avaliar a integridade das membranas espermáticas. Houve diferença estatística pela técnica de TTR no parâmetro motilidade progressiva, no tempo 0min (68,33% GI e 72,50% GII), e no vigor espermático (2,67 GI e 3,0 GII), no tempo 30min. Quanto ao CASA, houve diferença estatística apenas na motilidade total (27,50% GI e 57,08% GII), embora os demais parâmetros seminais tenham apresentado valores relativos diminuídos nos cães do GI. Nas análises com sondas fluorescentes, foram observadas diferenças estatísticas entre os grupos quanto à integridade das membranas plasmática e acrossomal e ao potencial mitocondrial das células espermáticas. Concluiu-se que a LV pode comprometer a qualidade do sêmen criopreservado de cães parasitados.(AU)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro quality of cryopreserved semen of dogs naturally infected by Leishmania sp. 12 dog semen samples were collected, with 06 positive (GI) and 06 negative (GII) for Visceral Leishmaniasis (LV), weekly, totaling 04 collections per animal. The cryopreserved semen was evaluated by the Rapid Termorresistência Test (TTR), at 0, 30 and 60 minutes by computer analysis (CASA) and by means of fluorescent probes, the latter technique in order to assess the integrity of the sperm membrane. There was no statistical difference for the TTR technique in the progressive motility parameter, at time 0min (68.33% GI and GII 72.50%), and sperm vigor (2.67 GI and GII 3.0), time 30min. As for the CASA, there was statistical difference only in total motility (27.50% GI and GII 57.08%), although other semen parameters have submitted lower figures for GI dogs. In the analyzes with fluorescent probes statistical differences were noted between the groups in terms of plasma membrane integrity and acrosomal and mitochondrial potential of sperm cells. It was concluded that LV can compromise the quality of cryopreserved semen of infected dogs.(AU)

Retinoic acid-loaded polymeric nanoparticles enhance vascular regulation of neural stem cell survival and differentiation after ischaemia.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. However, current therapies only reach a small percentage of patients and may cause serious side effects. We propose the therapeutic use of retinoic acid-loaded nanoparticles (RA-NP) to safely and efficiently repair the ischaemic brain by creating a favourable pro-angiogenic environment that enhances neurogenesis and neuronal restitution. Our data showed that RA-NP enhanced endothelial cell proliferation and tubule network formation and protected against ischaemia-induced death. To evaluate the effect of RA-NP on vascular regulation of neural stem cell (NSC) survival and differentiation, endothelial cell-conditioned media (EC-CM) were collected. EC-CM from healthy RA-NP-treated cells reduced NSC death and promoted proliferation while EC-CM from ischaemic RA-NP-treated cells decreased cell death, increased proliferation and neuronal differentiation. In parallel, human endothelial progenitor cells (hEPC), which are part of the endogenous repair response to vascular injury, were collected from ischaemic stroke patients. hEPC treated with RA-NP had significantly higher proliferation, which further highlights the therapeutic potential of this formulation. To conclude, RA-NP protected endothelial cells from ischaemic death and stimulated the release of pro-survival, proliferation-stimulating factors and differentiation cues for NSC. RA-NP were shown to be up to 83-fold more efficient than free RA and to enhance hEPC proliferation. These data serve as a stepping stone to use RA-NP as vasculotrophic and neurogenic agents for vascular disorders and neurodegenerative diseases with compromised vasculature.

Microbiological quality control of non-sterile compounded medicines prepared in a Portuguese hospital centre.

OBJECTIVES: This work aimed to evaluate the quality of non-sterile formulations compounded at Centro Hospitalar Cova da Beira (Covilhã, Portugal) immediately after preparation and up to the defined 'beyond-use date'. METHODS: Microbiological quality control tests were performed in accordance with monograph 5.1.4 of the European Pharmacopoeia 8.0. Samples of compounded products were collected from January to December 2014 after preparation and were analysed immediately and reanalysed after storage under the established conditions, for each preparation. RESULTS: In the test period, 392 preparations were analysed, corresponding to 24 different formulations (8 intermediate preparations, 11 oral solutions/suspensions and 5 topical preparations). All preparations were in accordance with the pharmacopoeia specifications immediately after preparation. However, for the formulations 'prednisolone oral solution (5 mg/mL)' and 'nitroglycerine and cinchocaine ointment (0.25%/0.5%)', the microbial counts of some batches exceeded the defined limits after storage up to the beyond-use date. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that the compounding practices implemented at this pharmacy department are able to ensure the microbiological quality of compounded products. This microbiological quality control methodology also allowed identification of the need to replace formulations shown not to be stable throughout the storage period. On the basis of these results, a monthly routine of microbiological control of a random sample of compounded medicines was established in order to ensure their quality and safety for use.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor promotes eosinophil accumulation and tissue remodeling in eosinophilic esophagitis.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is involved in eosinophil biology and in type 2 inflammation, contributing to allergic and helminthic diseases. We hypothesized that MIF participates in the pathogenesis of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), an allergic condition characterized by esophageal eosinophilic inflammation. MIF is highly expressed in esophageal mucosa of patients with EoE, compared with gastro-esophageal reflux disease and control patients, where it co-localizes predominantly with eosinophils. In vitro, recombinant MIF promotes human eosinophil chemotaxis, while MIF antagonist and CXCR4 antagonist, AMD3100, revert this effect. In a model of EoE induced by ovalbumin, Mif-deficient mice have reduced inflammation and collagen deposition compared with wild-type (WT) mice. Importantly, treatment of WT mice with anti-MIF or with AMD3100 during the challenge phase prevents accumulation of eosinophils and tissue remodeling. Conversely, recombinant MIF promoted tissue eosinophil inflammation in allergic mice. Together, these results implicate MIF in the pathogenesis of esophageal inflammation and suggest that targeting MIF might represent a novel therapy for EoE.

Características do sêmen de carneiros Dorper, Santa Inês e sem padrão racial definido, pré e pós-congelação, nos períodos chuvoso e seco / Characteristics of the semen of Dorper, Santa Ines and undefined breed sheep, pre-and post-freezing, in the rainy and dry period

Avaliaram-se as características espermáticas de carneiros Dorper, Santa Inês e sem padrão racial definido, nos períodos chuvoso e seco. Após ser colhido por vagina artificial, o sêmen foi avaliado quanto ao volume, ao turbilhonamento, à motilidade, ao vigor, à morfologia e à concentração, congelado e armazenado em botijão criogênico. Depois de descongelado, foram avaliadas a cinemática espermática, a integridade da membrana plasmática, a integridade do acrossoma e a atividade mitocondrial. Vigor espermático, motilidade total, motilidade progressiva, velocidade em linha reta e defeitos maiores não diferiram entre os períodos chuvoso e seco, porém volume, turbilhonamento, linearidade, retilinearidade e frequência de batimentos de cauda foram mais baixos (P<0,05) no período seco; já concentração espermática e defeitos totais apresentaram valores mais baixos no período chuvoso. Valores de integridade do acrossoma e da membrana plasmática, bem como o potencial de membrana mitocondrial, foram mais baixos (P<0,05) no período seco. Conclui-se que os períodos chuvoso e seco influenciam na qualidade espermática de ovinos criados na região Meio-Norte do Brasil e que esses animais têm uma qualidade espermática superior no período chuvoso, quando, portanto, deve ocorrer a criopreservação. Também se observou que, em relação à qualidade espermática, o melhor grupo de carneiros foi o Santa Inês...

The sperm characteristics of Dorper, Santa Ines and undefined breed ram in the rainy and dry seasons was assessed. After collection with an artificial vagina, the semen was evaluated for volume, turbulence, motility, viability, morphology and concentration, frozen and stored in a cryogenic cylinder. After thawing kinematic sperm, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity and mitochondrial activity were evaluated. Sperm vigor, total motility, progressive motility, straight line speed and larger line defects did not differ between the rainy and dry seasons, however, volume, turbulence, linearity, straightness and frequency of tail beats were lower (P<0.05 ) in the dry period, and sperm concentration and total defects showed lower values during the rainy season. Values for acrosome integrity and plasma membrane and mitochondrial membrane potential were lower (P<0.05) in the dry season. It is concluded that the wet and dry period influence sperm quality in ram raised in the Mid - North region of Brazil, with a higher sperm quality in the rainy season, thus suggesting cryopreservation for that period. Also, the better ram group regarding sperm quality, was the Santa Ines...

Qualidade do corpo lúteo e do embrião de ovelhas Santa Inês superovuladas com FSH associado à rbST / Quality of corpus luteum and embryo of Santa Inês ewes superovulated with FSH associated with rbST

Avaliou-se o efeito da somatotropina bovina recombinante (rbST) sobre a qualidade do corpo lúteo e do embrião e sobre a concentração de progesterona (P4), em ovelhas da raça Santa Inês doadoras de embriões. Foram utilizadas 13 doadoras, distribuídas aleatoriamente em dois grupos, G1 (n=7) e G2 (n=6). Em ambos os grupos, as doadoras foram sincronizadas com implante vaginal por 14 dias, receberam 100µg de PGF2α (Ciosin®) no sétimo dia e foram superovuladas, a partir do 12º dia, com 250UI de FSH (Folltopin-V®) em seis doses decrescentes. No dia da retirada do implante, as doadoras do G2 receberam 125mg de rbST (Boostin®) e foram cobertas por macho Santa Inês a cada 12 horas até o final do estro. No sexto dia após a primeira cobrição, foram avaliadas, por laparoscopia, a resposta superovulatória e a quantidade e a qualidade dos corpos lúteos. Após as avaliações, as colheitas embrionárias foram realizadas por laparotomia. A administração da rbST no protocolo de superovulação promoveu aumento significativo (P<0,05) no número de corpos lúteos do tipo I (9,00 x 5,28) e na qualidade embrionária (4,33 x 2,00).

We evaluate the effect of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) on the quality of the corpus luteum and embryo and on the concentration of progesterone (P4) in donors embryo sheep Santa Ines. 13 donors were used, randomly assigned to two groups, G1 (n=7) and G2 (n=6). In both groups, the donors were synchronized with vaginal implant for 14 days and received 100µg of PGF2α (Ciosin®) on the seventh day and were superovulated, from the 12th day, with 250IU of FSH (Folltopin-V®) in six decreasing doses. On the day of implant removal the donor G2 received 125mg of rbST (Boostin®), and were covered by Santa Inês male every 12 hours until the end of estrus. In the sixth day after the first mating were evaluated by laparoscopy, superovulatory response and the amount and quality of the corpus luteum. After the evaluations, the embryonic harvests were performed by laparotomy. The administration of rbST in superovulation protocol promoted a significant increase (P <0.05) in the number of corpus luteum of type I(9.00 x 5.28) and embryo quality (4.33 x 2.00).

Effects of emotional valence and three-dimensionality of visual stimuli on brain activation: an fMRI study.

BACKGROUND: Examining changes in brain activation linked with emotion-inducing stimuli is essential to the study of emotions. Due to the ecological potential of techniques such as virtual reality (VR), inspection of whether brain activation in response to emotional stimuli can be modulated by the three-dimensional (3D) properties of the images is important. OBJECTIVE: The current study sought to test whether the activation of brain areas involved in the emotional processing of scenarios of different valences can be modulated by 3D. Therefore, the focus was made on the interaction effect between emotion-inducing stimuli of different emotional valences (pleasant, unpleasant and neutral valences) and visualization types (2D, 3D). However, main effects were also analyzed. METHODS: The effect of emotional valence and visualization types and their interaction were analyzed through a 3 × 2 repeated measures ANOVA. Post-hoc t-tests were performed under a ROI-analysis approach. RESULTS: The results show increased brain activation for the 3D affective-inducing stimuli in comparison with the same stimuli in 2D scenarios, mostly in cortical and subcortical regions that are related to emotional processing, in addition to visual processing regions. CONCLUSIONS: This study has the potential of clarify brain mechanisms involved in the processing of emotional stimuli (scenarios' valence) and their interaction with three-dimensionality.

Left fallopian tube primitive serous adenocarcinoma presenting as a cardiac tamponade - a case report and review of literature.

A 61-year-old woman presented to the emergency room complaining of anterior left thoracic pain and shortness of breath even after minor efforts. Her previous medical history was unremarkable. Pulmonary angiographic tomography showed a moderate bilateral pleural effusion that had collapsed inferior lung lobes, a large pericardial effusion, and several enlarged lymph nodes in the anterior mediastinum. Echocardiogram (ECG) showed a considerable pericardial effusion with some degree of heart function impairment. Pericardiocentesis and thoracocentesis revealed neoplastic cells in both pericardial and pleural fluids. Abdominal and pelvic ultrasound showed a complex cystic mass with a 13-cm diameter located at left adnexal region and another complex cystic tumor with five-cm diameter at right adnexal region, with small amount of peritoneal effusion. Surgical staging was performed. Pathologic diagnosis was primitive left fallopian tube serous adenocarcinoma with peritubal involvement and multiple peritoneal and lymphatic metastases (FIGO Stage IV; TNM pT3c M1). Chemotherapy was initiated. Death occurred 25 months after diagnosis, with secondary dissemination (breast and lung). No recurrence of pericardial effusion was registered after chemotherapy, suggesting a high susceptibility of pericardial metastasis.

Usefulness of measurement of fibrinogen, D-dimer, D-dimer/fibrinogen ratio, C reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate to assess the pathophysiology and mechanism of ischaemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Classification defined in the Trial of Org10172 in Acute Ischaemic Stroke (TOAST) is widely used in trials and practice. Previous studies on pathophysiology suggest a role for endothelial inflammation in atherothrombotic strokes and intracardiac thrombosis in cardioembolic strokes. Data on lacunar and undetermined strokes are limited. The aim of the study was to assess non-specific inflammatory and thrombogenic parameters in patients with ischaemic stroke. METHODS: This was a prospective controlled clinical study involving 200 patients with ischaemic stroke and 50 controls. Patients were classified following the TOAST criteria. Plasma levels of fibrinogen, D-dimer, C reactive protein and values for D-dimer/fibrinogen ratio and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were assessed over 48 h after admission. Clinical severity was measured using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and the Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project classification. Patients with severe systemic disorders were excluded. RESULTS: The assessed parameters were significantly higher in patients versus controls. Cardioembolic stroke patients showed increased D-dimer, fibrinogen and D-dimer/fibrinogen ratio. Patients with atherothrombotic stroke showed raised fibrinogen and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Patients with lacunar and undetermined stroke showed intermediate values of markers. Total anterior cerebral infarction syndrome was related to D-dimer. DISCUSSION: Patients showed analytical modifications during the acute phase of stroke, both related to acute response and mechanism. The results suggest that the biochemical profile may be prothrombotic in patients with cardioembolism and inflammatory in those with atherothrombotic stroke. Patients with lacunar and undetermined stroke showed intermediate profiles. Assessment of the studied parameters is not expensive, widely available and may proportionate information about pathophysiology in stroke patients without severe systemic conditions.

Albumin level and stroke. Potential association between lower albumin level and cardioembolic aetiology.

BACKGROUND: Lower level of albumin was related to worse prognosis of stroke and clinical trials showed that albumin therapy reduced mortality. However, stroke is heterogeneous and differences in the baseline concentration of albumin among subtypes of stroke were not assessed. The aim was to assess albumin level in patients with ischemic stroke classified by mechanism. METHODS: Prospective controlled clinical study, including 200 patients with ischemic stroke and 50 controls. Patients were classified following Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment criteria. Plasma levels of albumin, fibrinogen, D-dimer, and C-reactive protein were assessed during 48 hr after admission. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) on admission, in-hospital mortality, and Rankin score on discharge were recorded. Dependence was defined as mRS > 2. RESULTS: Patients with cardioembolic stroke showed significantly higher D-dimer and lower albumin. Mortality was related to higher NIHSS, higher D-dimer, lower albumin, and cardioembolic aetiology. Dependence was strongly related to lower albumin and higher NIHSS. LOGISTIC REGRESSION: The cardioembolic aetiology (OR 0.101, 95% CI 0.010-1.007, p = .051) and the higher NIHSS score (OR 0.871, 95% CI 0.758-1.002, p = .053) were related to mortality; NIHSS (OR 1.560, 95% CI 1.323-1.838, p < .0001) and older age (OR 1.052, 95% CI 1.012-1.093, p = .010) were independently related to dependence. DISCUSSION: Patients with cardioembolic stroke showed lower albumin and higher risk of mortality than non-cardioembolic ones. Lower mean level of albumin was related to mortality and dependence in all patients. Reduced albumin may be a marker of chronic systemic inflammation, which may be the mechanism for cardiopathy and bad outcome of stroke. In addition, direct effects on ischemic tissue were suggested in experimental models.

Identification of plant families associated with the predators Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Menéville (Coleoptera: Coccinelidae) using pollen grain as a natural marker / Identificação de famílias de plantas associadas aos predadores Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) e Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Menéville (Coleoptera: Coccinelidae) usando o pólen como marcador natural

The predators Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Menéville (Coleoptera: Coccinelidae) and Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), are frequently observed on vegetable crops, especially on tomato plants, as well as on flowers of several plants around crop fields. It is well known that when predators feed on pollen and nectar they can increase their longevity and reproductive capacity. The objective of this work was to identify plants that could be a pollen source for H. convergens and C. externa in order to develop strategies to attract and keep these predators in vegetable fields like the tomato crop. Adults of C. externa (53 individuals) and H. convergens (43 individuals) were collected in fields from 2004-2005 at Embrapa Hortaliças, Brasília, Federal District. The insects were processed by the acetolysis method and pollen from them was extracted and identified. A total of 11335 grains of pollen belonging to 21 families were extracted from C. externa. A total of 46 pollen grains belonging to ten families were extracted from H. convergens. The Poaceae family was the most abundant one for C. externa while Asteraceae was the commonest pollen for H. convergens. The importance of pollen from different plant species as a food resource for each predator species gives an indication of the importance of plant community structure inside and around crop fields for the establishment of these predator populations and to enhance conservation biological control.

Os predadores Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) e Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Menéville (Coleoptera: Coccinelidae) são frequentemente observados em cultivos de hortaliças, especialmente tomateiros, bem como sobre flores de diversas plantas próximas aos cultivos. Sabe-se que os predadores, quando se alimentam de pólen e néctar, aumentam a sua longevidade e a sua capacidade reprodutiva. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar as plantas que poderiam servir de fonte de pólen para as espécies selecionadas, com vistas a desenvolver estratégias para atrair e manter estas espécies em cultivos de hortaliças, especialmente de tomateiro. Adultos de C. externa (53 indivíduos) e H. convergens (43 indivíduos) foram coletados em 2005 no campo experimental da Embrapa Hortaliças, Brasília, Distrito Federal. Os insetos foram processados pelo método de acetólise e os grãos de pólen, extraídos e identificados. Um total de 11335 grãos de pólen, pertencentes a 21 famílias foi identificado para C. externa, enquanto que 46 grãos de pólen, pertencentes a dez famílias botânicas, foram identificados para H. convergens. O pólen da família Poaceae foi o mais abundante para C. externa, e o pólen da família Asteraceae foi o mais comum para H. convergens. A importância relativa do pólen de diferentes espécies de plantas como recursos alimentares para cada espécie predadora dá indicações da importância da flora dentro e no entorno da cultura para o estabelecimento das populações desses predadores e incremento do controle biológico conservativo.