Dietary protein modulates digestive enzyme activities and gene expression in red tilapia juveniles.

It is known that the level of dietary protein modulates the enzymatic activity of the digestive tract of fish; however, its effect at the molecular level on these enzymes and the hormones regulating appetite has not been well characterised. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of CP on the activity of proteases and the expression of genes related to the ingestion and protein digestion of juveniles of red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.), as well as the effects on performance, protein retention and body composition of tilapia. A total of 240 juveniles (29.32 ± 5.19 g) were used, distributed across 20 tanks of 100 l in a closed recirculation system. The fish were fed to apparent satiety for 42 days using four isoenergetic diets with different CP levels (24%, 30%, 36% and 42%). The results indicate that fish fed the 30% CP diet exhibited a higher growth performance compared to those on the 42% CP diet (P < 0.05). Feed intake in fish fed 24% and 30% CP diets was significantly higher than that in fish fed 36% and 42% CP diets (P < 0.05). A significant elevation of protein retention was observed in fish fed with 24% and 30% CP diets. Fish fed with 24% CP exhibited a significant increase in lipid deposition in the whole body. The diet with 42% CP was associated with the highest expression of pepsinogen and the lowest activity of acid protease (P < 0.05). The expression of hepatopancreatic trypsinogen increased as CP levels in the diet increased (P < 0.05) up to 36%, whereas trypsin activity showed a significant reduction with 42% CP (P < 0.05). The diet with 42% CP was associated with the lowest intestinal chymotrypsinogen expression and the lowest chymotrypsin activity (P < 0.05). α-amylase expression decreased with increasing (P < 0.05) CP levels up to 36%. No significant differences were observed in the expression of procarboxypeptidase, lipase or leptin among all the groups (P > 0.05). In addition, the diet with 42% CP resulted in a decrease (P < 0.05) in the expression of ghrelin and insulin and an increase (P < 0.05) in the expression of cholecystokinin and peptide yy. It is concluded that variation in dietary protein promoted changes in the metabolism of the red tilapia, which was reflected in proteolytic activity and expression of digestion and appetite-regulating genes.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of 3D versus 2D transesophageal echocardiography for the evaluation of patients with primary mitral regurgitation with indication of surgical treatment

OBJECTIVES: To perform the cost-effectiveness analysis of three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE) in comparison to two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (2DTEE) for the anatomic-functional evaluation and surgical planning of severe primary mitral regurgitation. METHODS: a complete economic study was based on a systematic review of 3DTEE and 2DTEE accuracy and private health system costs of two different surgical interventions: mitral valve plasty and mitral valve replacement. The prevalence of common postoperative complications was also predicted for elective procedures: atrial fibrillation (8.6%); acute myocardial infarction (1.4%); thrombosis (3.5%); bleeding (1.5%); endocarditis (6.3%). The decision tree method was adopted as a data analysis model. The Bayes" theorem was used based on sensitivity and specificity measurements. The costs, considering literature and professional tables, were: 3DTEE = US$ 349; 2DTEE = US$ 204; diagnostic evaluation = US$ 597; surgical procedure = US$ 3,643; surgical treatment = US$ 374. RESULTS: The deterministic analysis of the diagnostic test shows that 3DTEE (non-dominated) is superior to 2DTEE (absolutely dominated). The 3DTEE presents a cost reduction of US$ 1,147 and incremental effectiveness (true identification) of 22% when compared to 2DTEE. The multivariate probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that after 100,000 iterations, the diagnosis based on the 3DTEE becomes the first choice regardless of the willingness to pay threshold. CONCLUSIONS: 3DTEE was cost-effective compared to 2DTEE. Thus, 3DTEE is a potential device to promote health compared to 2DTEE for surgical planning of severe primary mitral regurgitation. (AU)

Gene expression, enzyme activity and performance of Nile tilapia larvae fed with diets of different CP levels.

Protein is the most costly nutrient in fish feed, and while diets offered in the early stages of development typically have high levels of CP, they do not always correspond to the real requirements of the animals. Thus, research that seeks to learn the true nutritional requirements of fish is fundamental to improving commercial fish culture. The present study evaluated the protein requirements of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) under larviculture. Fish performance, gene expression for digestive enzymes and their enzymatic activity and stress response to air exposure were analyzed. Four experimental diets differing in CP level were formulated: 30%, 36%, 42% and 48%. Fish larvae were fed the experimental diets during development and sampled 10, 20 and 30 days after the beginning of the experiment for performance, gene expression and enzymatic activity. At sampling time 30, stress resistance was also evaluated by means of an air exposure test. At sampling time 10, CP levels between 36% and 48% could be used for a better performance. During this period, pepsinogen expression was greater for 30% CP, intermediate for 42% and lower for 36% and 48%. After this initial period, diets of between 30% and 42% CP are recommended for better performance. At sampling time 20, gene expression for digestive enzymes and their enzymatic activity were similar for all diets tested. At sampling time 30, the diet of 42% CP induced both greater pepsinogen expression and pepsin activity. Survival after the air exposure test after 30 days of feeding was influenced by CP level in the diet, with the highest survival being for fish fed with 36% CP. Taken together, the present results demonstrate that dietary CP influences digestive enzyme gene expression and activity, and suggest that the best CP levels for Nile tilapia larviculture vary depending on larval stage.

l-Arginine supplementation protects against hepatic ischemia-reperfusion lesions in rabbits.

We evaluated the effects of a substrate in the biosynthesis of nitric oxide (NO)-l-arginine (LARG)-on hepatic lesions caused by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rabbit livers. Rabbits were pretreated with LARG (150 mg/kg IV) or saline solution 0.9% (SS) before the hepatic I/R procedure. The effects of LARG on hepatic injury were evaluated before and after I/R. The warm hepatic I/R procedure produced profound acute liver injury, as indicated by elevated values of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), as well as a high apoptotic cell count. All changes were attenuated by treatment with LARG before the hepatic I/R procedure. These results suggested that LARG produced protective effects on hepatic I/R lesions. This protective effect of LARG was probably associated with blocking generation of superoxide anions during the hepatic I/R procedure.

Gadolinium sheet converter for neutron radiography.

This work describes a methodology developed for the confection of gadolinium sheet converter for neutron radiography using the gadolinium chloride (GdCl3) as material converter. Though manufactured at a relatively low cost, they are as good as the sheet converter on the market. Here, we present neutron radiography of the penetrameter, the edge spread function, the modulation transfer function and characteristic curves for each set sheet-AA400 Kodak film.

[Facial bone changes in Virchowian Hansen's disease]. / Alterações ósseas da face na hanseníase virchowiana.

Aiming to verify the occurrence of alterations in certain skeletal structures in lepromatous face, 70 patients from the "Hospital Lauro de Souza Lima", were clinically and radiographically analysed through a longitudinal study with a 3 years interval: their average age was of 45.41 years and 48.41 years respectively for the first and second examinations.

[New criteria for the characterization of facies leprosa]. / Novos critérios para caracterização da facies leprosa.

Facies leprosa was characterized by a combination of nasal change and resorption of nasal bone, anterior nasal spine, supra-incisive alveolar region and anterior alveolar process of the maxilae, associated with the loss of upper incisors teeth, according to the criteria of radiographic interpretation.