Effect of weight satisfaction on adolescent facial and dental satisfaction.

PURPOSE: To investigate if facial and dental satisfaction is related to body fat percentage and body weight satisfaction. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was applied to adolescents from a Private School in Southern Brazil containing sociodemographic (sex and age) and self-perception variables. Adolescents were asked about their perceptions concerning dental problems. Body fat percentage was collected using bioelectrical impedance analysis. RESULTS: A total of 372 adolescents were examined. Most adolescents were satisfied with their dental (81.7%) and facial appearance (87.6%), while 39% of adolescents were satisfied with their body weight. Poisson regression model showed that adolescents who expressed satisfaction with their body weight (PR = 1.12, 95%CI 1.06-1.19) and were satisfied with their dental appearance (PR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.08-1.41) exhibited a positive association with facial satisfaction. Adolescents dissatisfied with dental color (PR = 0.88, 95%CI 0.80-0.97), those reporting dental pain (PR = 0.88, 95%CI 0.80-0.97), and individuals with obesity (PR = 0.91, 95%CI 0.83-0.99) demonstrated a decrease in facial satisfaction. Adolescents aged 16 to 19 years (PR = 1.08, 95% CI 1.01-1.15) and those satisfied with their facial appearance (PR = 1.20, 95%CI 1.01-1.43) exhibited a higher prevalence of dental satisfaction. Conversely, adolescents dissatisfied with dental color (PR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.66-0.82) and those with misaligned teeth (PR = 0.63, 95%CI 0.55-0.73) reported lower levels of dental satisfaction. Parametric g-formula analysis found that the association between body fat and facial satisfaction was mediated by body weight satisfaction (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: While dental satisfaction was not influenced by corporeal characteristics, facial satisfaction was influenced by dental and body weight satisfaction. Obese adolescents had low facial satisfaction.

Nonlinear optical conductivity of a two-band crystal I.

The structure of the electronic nonlinear optical conductivity is elucidated in a detailed study of the time-reversal symmetric two-band model. The nonlinear conductivity is decomposed as a sum of contributions related with different regions of the first Brillouin zone, defined by single or multiphoton resonances. All contributions are written in terms of the same integrals, which contain all information specific to the particular model under study. In this way, ready-to-use formulas are provided that reduce the often tedious calculations of the second and third order optical conductivity to the evaluation of a small set of similar integrals. In the scenario where charge carriers are present prior to optical excitation, Fermi surface contributions must also be considered and are shown to have an universal frequency dependence, tunable by doping. General characteristics are made evident in this type of resonance-based analysis: the existence of step functions that determine the chemical potential dependence of electron-hole symmetric insulators; the determination of the imaginary part by Hilbert transforms, simpler than those of the nonlinear Kramers-Krönig relations; the absence of Drude peaks in the diagonal elements of the second order conductivity, among others. As examples, analytical expressions are derived for the nonlinear conductivities of some simple systems: a very basic model of direct gap semiconductors and the Dirac fermions of monolayer graphene.

Purine Metabolism in Platelets and Heart Cells of Hyperlipidemic Rats.

PURPOSE: Hyperlipidemia, characterized by an increase in circulating lipid levels, doubles the chance of developing cardiovascular diseases. It prompts inflammation, immune activation, and oxidative stress in the bloodstream and organs of rats. Thus, we theorized that the metabolism of purines, an immunomodulatory mechanism, is altered in cells involved in the development of cardiovascular diseases. METHODS: Therefore, we induced acute hyperlipidemia in Wistar rats with Poloxamer-407 and euthanized the animals 36 h later. The leucocyte differential, the rate of purine metabolism on the surface of platelets and heart cells, and markers of oxidative stress in the heart tissue were evaluated. These parameters were also assessed in animals pretreated for 30 days with curcumin and/or rutin. RESULTS: Hyperlipidemia increased the hydrolyses of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) in platelets. In heart cells, the metabolism of ATP and adenosine (ADO) were increased, while ADP hydrolysis was reduced. Additionally, lipid damage and antioxidant defenses were increased in heart homogenates. Hyperlipidemic rats also exhibited a reduced percentage of eosinophils and lymphocytes. CONCLUSION: Together, these findings are indicative of an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases in hyperlipidemic rats. The pretreatments with antioxidants reverted some of the changes prompted by hyperlipidemia preventing detrimental changes in the cells and tissues. Graphical Abstract.

[Behavioral response and adaptive cost in resistant and susceptible Plutella xylostella to Chlorantraniliprole].

Diamides have been used worldwide to manage the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), however some strains showed resistance to these molecules. Also, pheromone traps could be used to manage this pest, hence reducing the use of insecticides in the field. Resistant DBM strains may have biological disadvantages in comparison to susceptible strains in areas without sprays, including reduction in fitness or behavioral changes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether DBM strains resistant to chlorantraniliprole showed adaptive costs that could alter male attraction to the sex pheromone, in comparison to susceptible strains in the laboratory and semi-field conditions. First, the LC1, LC10, LC25, and LC50 of DBM to chlorantraniliprole were established, which were 0.003, 0.005, 0.007, and 0.011 mg a.i. liter-1, and 5.88, 24.80, 57.22, and 144.87 mg a.i. liter-1 for the susceptible and resistant strains, respectively. Development and reproduction of DBM strains subjected to those concentrations were compared. Later, male response to the sex pheromone was investigated in a Y-tube in the laboratory and in a greenhouse to pheromone traps. Resistant DBM strain showed an adaptive cost in comparison to the susceptible strain that can result in a delay in population growth in the field when selection pressure is absent. Conversely, resistant males have no olfactory response alteration in comparison to susceptible males, consistently at 3 (P = 0.6848) and 7 days (P = 0.9140) after release, suggesting that pheromone traps continue to be a viable alternative to manage DBM in an IPM system.

A study of the nonlinear optical response of the plain graphene and gapped graphene monolayers beyond the Dirac approximation.

In this work, we present numerical results for the second and third order conductivities of the plain graphene and gapped graphene monolayers associated with the second and third harmonic generation, the optical rectification and the optical Kerr effect. The frequencies considered here range from the microwave to the ultraviolet portion of the spectrum, the latter end of which had not yet been studied. These calculations are performed in the velocity gauge and directly address the components of the conductivity tensor. In the velocity gauge, the radiation field is represented by a power series in the vector potential, and we discuss a very efficient way of calculating its coefficients in the context of tight-binding models.

Levels of helminth infection in the flat lizard Tropidurus semitaeniatus from north-eastern Brazil.

Parasites represent a great, unknown component of animal biodiversity. Recent efforts have begun to uncover patterns of infection by helminth parasites in several Neotropical lizards. The present study reports, for the first time, levels of helminth infection in a population of the flat lizard Tropidurus semitaeniatus. One hundred and thirty-nine lizards were examined and evidence of five intestinal helminth species was found, comprising four species of nematodes, one species of cestode and an unidentified encysted larval nematode. The most frequently occurring species was the intestinal nematode Parapharyngodon alvarengai, which did not exhibit differences in prevalence and intensity of infection relative to host sex or age/body size. Furthermore, helminth species richness was not related to host body size.

High-birefringence fiber loop mirror sensor using a WDM fused fiber coupler.

An intensity-based highly birefringent (Hi-Bi) fiber loop mirror (FLM) sensor is proposed which uses a wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) fiber coupler. The effect of integrating the WDM coupler in a FLM configuration is first studied. A section of Hi-Bi (bow-tie) fiber of length 0.26 m is then placed in the fiber loop, making the spectral response of the device simultaneously dependent on the Hi-Bi fiber section and WDM coupler characteristics. When strain is applied to the sensing head, the spectral signal is modulated in amplitude, in contrast with the conventional Hi-Bi FLM sensors in which there are wavelength shifts. The sensor was characterized in strain and a sensitivity of (-2.2±0.4)×10(-3) µÎµ(-1) for a range of 300 µÎµ was attained. The self-referenced character of the sensor is noted.

Experimental hypothyroidism during pregnancy affects nociception and locomotor performance of offspring in rats.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid hormones (THs) play a crucial role in the development of several organic systems. An adequate support of maternal THs may be required to ensure a normal nociceptive function of offspring into adulthood. We investigated the impact of experimental gestational hypothyroidism (EGH) on nociceptive threshold and motor performance in the offspring at different post-natal days (PND) in both male and female rats. METHODS: EGH was induced by the administration of 0.02% methimazole (MMI) in the drinking water from the ninth day of gestation until birth. The offspring from MMI-treated dams (OMTDs) or from water-treated dams (OWTDs) were assessed for thermal and mechanical nociception using the tail-flick test and von Frey filaments, respectively. Both rota-rod and grip strength were used to assess motor function. RESULTS: OMTD had reduced thermal (p<0.05) but not mechanical threshold at all studied ages (60 and 120 PND). Sixty-day-old OMTD presented reduced latency to the tail-flick test (p=0.01). Grip strength in 120-day-old OMTD was reduced (p<0.01). However, only male OMTD presented a lower locomotor performance on the rota-rod test when analysed on the 60th PND (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: EGH promotes hypersensitivity to noxious thermal but not mechanical stimulus. Moreover, motor force is similarly reduced in male and female OMTDs, whereas motor performance is reduced only in mature male OMTD, suggesting the presence of a protective factor in females.

Identification of the e allele at the Extension locus (MC1R) in Brazilian Creole sheep and its role in wool color variation.

The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene has been described as responsible for the black color in some breeds of sheep, but little is known about its function in many colored breeds, particularly those with a wide range of pigmentation phenotypes. The Brazilian Creole is a local breed of sheep from southern Brazil that has a wide variety of wool colors. We examined the MC1R gene (Extension locus) to search for the e allele and determine its role in controlling wool color variation in this breed. One hundred and twenty-five animals, covering the most common Creole sheep phenotypes (black, brown, dark gray, light gray, and white), were sequenced to detect the mutations p.M73K and p.D121N. Besides these two mutations, three other synonymous sites (429, 600, and 725) were found. The dominant allele (E(D): p.73K, and p.121N) was found only in colored animals, whereas the recessive allele (E⁺: p.73M, and p.121D) was homozygous only in white individuals. We concluded that MC1R is involved in the control of wool color in Brazilian Creole sheep, particularly the dark phenotypes, although a second gene may be involved in the expression of the white phenotype in this breed.

Mutagenic potential and modulatory effects of the medicinal plant Luehea divaricata (Malvaceae) in somatic cells of Drosophila melanogaster: SMART/wing.

Luehea divaricata is a native plant of the Brazilian Cerrado, known as "açoita-cavalo". It is used as a popular herbal medicine in the treatment of dysentery, bleeding, arthritis, tumors, ulcers, and gangrenous wounds. Considering that herbal medicines sometimes provoke tumors and/or may prevent mutational events, it is important to study the action of these natural drugs on DNA. Aqueous extract of the bark of L. divaricata was evaluated at three different concentrations (0.10, 0.30, 0.50 mg/mL), individually and in combination with the neoplastic drug doxorubicin (DXR), by the somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART/wing) in Drosophila melanogaster. Distilled water was included as a negative control. The mutation frequency in the treatments with L. divaricata extract alone was not significantly higher than in the negative control for standard (ST) and high bioactivation (HB) crosses. When L. divaricata extract was combined with DXR, there was a significant reduction in the frequency of spots when compared to DXR alone, in both crosses. Further studies with other experimental models would be useful to confirm that L. divaricata extract is not harmful and that it could be used in the prevention of cancer.

Modulatory effect of Palicourea coriacea (Rubiaceae) against damage induced by doxorubicin in somatic cells of Drosophila melanogaster.

Palicourea coriacea, popularly known as "douradinha", is a medicinal plant from the Brazilian Cerrado region used in folk medicine to treat kidney and urethral stones and kidney inflammation. We evaluated the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and possible antigenotoxic activities of an aqueous extract of P. coriacea on somatic cells of Drosophila melanogaster, using the somatic mutation and recombination test. We used third-stage larvae of D. melanogaster from a standard cross and a high bioactivation cross and tested 10 different doses of P. coriacea aqueous extract (5, 15, 25, 35, 50, 65, 80, 95, 110, and 125 mg/mL). Doxorubicin (0.125 mg/mL) was used as a positive control and distilled water as a negative control. None of the doses was lethal to the larvae.There was no genotoxic effect at 5, 10, or 15 mg extract/mL. However, a significant decrease in the frequency of spots induced by doxorubicin was observed when administered with P. coriacea aqueous extract at these same doses. We conclude that P. coriacea aqueous extract is not cytotoxic or genotoxic at these doses, but it does protect against the genotoxic action of doxorubicin.

Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA analyses reveal population differentiation in Brazilian Creole sheep.

Using ND5 sequences from mtDNA and 10 nuclear markers, we investigated the genetic differentiation of two South American Creole sheep phenotypes that historically have been bred in different biomes in southern Brazil. In total, 18 unique mtDNA haplotypes were detected, none of which was shared between the two phenotypes. Bayesian analysis also indicated two different groups (k = 2). Thus, these varieties are supported as being genotypically distinct. This situation could have resulted either from geographical isolation, associated with differences in the cultural habits of sheep farmers and in the way that flocks were managed, or more likely, from the introduction of different stocks four centuries ago.

Effect of polymorphisms linked to LEP gene on its expression on adipose tissues in beef cattle.

In cattle, genetic markers at the leptin (LEP) gene and at those linked to the gene have been described as affecting calving interval (markers LEPSau3AI and IDVGA51), or daily weight gain (BMS1074 and BM1500). This work investigated the effect of these alleles on LEP mRNA levels in cattle subcutaneous and omental adipose tissues. A sample of 137 females of a Brangus-Ibage beef cattle herd was analysed to evaluate the distribution of the polymorphisms; then, animals having at least one of the IDVGA51*181 (allele 181 at marker IDVGA51; six animals), LEPSau3AI*2 (four), BMS1074*151 (13), BM1500*135 (six) alleles and a control group composed of animals without any of these alleles (four animals) were submitted to surgery to obtain omental and subcutaneous adipose tissues. Leptin mRNA expression was quantified by TaqMan RT-PCR, using 18S rRNA as internal control and adjusted for the effect of body condition score, through regression analysis. Omental fat had LEP gene expression 33% lower than the subcutaneous tissue. Carriers of IDVGA*181 and BMS1074*151 showed subcutaneous fat leptin mRNA levels higher than the controls. Leptin controls feed intake and coordinates reproduction; therefore, animals with higher LEP gene expression will probably have lower daily weight gain than others with similar forage offer and nutritional condition and probably will also have longer calving interval.

Chronic excitotoxic lesion of the dorsal raphe nucleus induces sodium appetite.

We determined if the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) exerts tonic control of basal and stimulated sodium and water intake. Male Wistar rats weighing 300-350 g were microinjected with phosphate buffer (PB-DRN, N = 11) or 1 microg/0.2 microl, in a single dose, ibotenic acid (IBO-DRN, N = 9 to 10) through a guide cannula into the DRN and were observed for 21 days in order to measure basal sodium appetite and water intake and in the following situations: furosemide-induced sodium depletion (20 mg/kg, sc, 24 h before the experiment) and a low dose of dietary captopril (1 mg/g chow). From the 6th day after ibotenic acid injection IBO-DRN rats showed an increase in sodium appetite (12.0 +/- 2.3 to 22.3 +/- 4.6 ml 0.3 M NaCl intake) whereas PB-DRN did not exceed 2 ml (P < 0.001). Water intake was comparable in both groups. In addition to a higher dipsogenic response, sodium-depleted IBO-DRN animals displayed an increase of 0.3 M NaCl intake compared to PB-DRN (37.4 +/- 3.8 vs 21.6 +/- 3.9 ml 300 min after fluid offer, P < 0.001). Captopril added to chow caused an increase of 0.3 M NaCl intake during the first 2 days (IBO-DRN, 33.8 +/- 4.3 and 32.5 +/- 3.4 ml on day 1 and day 2, respectively, vs 20.2 +/- 2.8 ml on day 0, P < 0.001). These data support the view that DRN, probably via ascending serotonergic system, tonically modulates sodium appetite under basal and sodium depletion conditions and/or after an increase in peripheral or brain angiotensin II.

Tissue phantom for optical diagnostics based on a suspension of microspheres with a fractal size distribution.

We demonstrate experimentally the possibility of reproducing the phase function, absorption, and scattering coefficients of a real biological tissue (adult brain white matter and liver) using a suspension of polystyrene microspheres with a fractal size distribution. The design of a light scattering goniometer with a cylindrical cell in air is discussed, and phase function measurements using the device are described. The scattering coefficient is measured using transmission spectrophotometry and the absorption and reduced scattering coefficients are measured using a time-resolved method. A good match between real tissue and phantom parameters is demonstrated.

Effect of brain serotoninergic stimulation on sodium appetite of euthyroid and hypothyroid rats.

The aim of the present work was to investigate the role of the serotoninergic system in the control of sodium appetite of hypothyroid rats (HTR) by administering drugs that affect the serotoninergic activity, and to compare the same homeostatic behaviour in euthyroid rats (ETR) also given these drugs. Fenfluramine (FEN; 5.0 mg x kg(-1), I.P.), which releases serotonin in the brain, significantly reduced the intake of 1.8 % NaCl in HTR subjected to water and sodium depletion (depleted) or water, sodium and food deprivation (deprived) by 31 and 45 %, respectively, 120 min after FEN injection, compared to HTR that received vehicle alone. Similarly, administration of FEN to ETR reduced 1.8 % NaCl intake in depleted and deprived rats by 64 and 46 %, respectively. The presynaptic serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine (20.0 mg x kg(-1), I.P.) led to the inhibition of sodium appetite in HTR during the initial 30 min in depleted rats and for up to 60 min post-injection in deprived rats, while sodium appetite inhibition persisted for longer periods in ETR. The 5HT2C receptor agonist mCPP (5.0 mg x kg(-1), I.P.) caused a drastic reduction in sodium appetite in HTR and ETR in depleted and deprived rats, respectively, after 120 min. Prior administration of the 5HT2C receptor antagonist LY53857 (5.0 mg x kg(-1), I.P.) completely blocked the inhibitory action of mCPP on sodium appetite in both HTR and ETR. In summary, our results suggest that the recruitment of serotoninergic neurons involved in the modulation of sodium appetite seems to be decreased in hypothyroidism due to a probable deficiency in the cerebral signalling pathway.

Effect of losartan on sodium appetite of hypothyroid rats subjected to water and sodium depletion and water, sodium and food deprivation.

The involvement of angiotensin AT1 receptors in sodium appetite was studied in hypothyroid rats treated with the angiotensin II antagonist losartan. Losartan was administered chronically by the oral route or acutely by the subcutaneous route after water and sodium depletion or water, sodium and food deprivation. Three days after addition of losartan to the food at the dose of 1.0 mg x g(-1), the rats significantly reduced (P < 0.02) their spontaneous intake of 1.8% NaCl. Increasing the dose of losartan to 2.0 and 4.0 mg x g(-1) did not reduce NaCl intake; in contrast, the intensity of the sodium appetite gradually returned to previous levels. The simultaneous administration of captopril, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, and losartan significantly increased (P < 0.05) NaCl intake and after captopril removal NaCl intake returned to the levels observed with losartan treatment alone. The administration of losartan 4 days after the beginning of captopril treatment significantly reduced (P < 0.0001) NaCl intake. Following acute administration of losartan, water- and sodium-depleted rats significantly reduced their NaCl and water intake (P < 0.001). The administration of losartan also induced a significant reduction in NaCl and water intake in water, NaCl and food-deprived rats (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.001, respectively). The present results show that chronic treatment with oral losartan inhibited spontaneous sodium appetite in hypothyroid rats. Continuation of treatment rendered rats resistant to the blockade of AT1 receptors. Water and sodium depletion and water, NaCl and food deprivation induced sodium appetite, which in the short term depends on cerebral angiotensinergic activity mediated by the activation of AT1 receptors.

Assessment of DNA damage in lymphocytes of workers exposed to X-radiation using the micronucleus test and the comet assay.

The mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of genotoxic agents on exposed people have constituted an increasing concern. Therefore, the objective of this work was to assess DNA damage in lymphocytes of workers exposed to X-radiation using the cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus test and the comet assay (single-cell gel electrophoresis), and to compare these two techniques in the monitoring of exposed populations. The cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus test and the comet assay were employed in the monitoring of 22 workers occupationally exposed to X-radiation in a hospital in southern Brazil. The frequency of dicentric bridges was also measured. The results of both assays and the frequency of dicentric bridges revealed a significant increase in genetic effects on the cells of exposed individuals. Age was significantly correlated with micronucleus frequency and damage index in the comet assay. The concomitant analysis of dicentric bridges when determining micronucleus frequency does not require much extra work, and may serve as a reference to the type of mutagenic effect (clastogenic or aneugenic). The combination of the alkaline comet assay with the cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus test appears to be very informative for the monitoring of populations chronically exposed to genotoxic agents.

Detection of genomic variability in different populations of the cattle tick Boophilus microplus in southern Brazil.

DNA from seven isolates of the cattle tick Boophilus microplus was analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Three different cDNA clones, named P-9, P-25 and CP-12, isolated from a B. microplus cDNA library, were used as DNA probes. DNA sequences of P-9 have high similarity to ribosomal genes, whereas P-25 does not show significant homology with known sequences within databases. CP-12 is a cDNA clone encoding a cysteine endopeptidase gene. A limited degree of polymorphism was detected with P-9 and P-25, while CP-12 showed a different pattern of bands for each tick isolate. These findings suggest the existence of a complex genotypic diversity of the tick B. microplus population in endemic regions.