Composição química e cinética de degradação ruminal in vitro de aveia branca cv. URS guapa sob diferentes níveis de adubação nitrogenada / Chemical compounds and kinects of in vitro ruminal degradation of white oats URS Guapa under distinct levels of nitrogen fertilization

Avaliaram-se as doses de nitrogênio 0, 60, 120 e 240kg ha-1 sobre a composição bromatológica e os parâmetros da cinética de degradação ruminal da aveia branca obtida de dois anos de cultivo (2013-2014). Foram realizadas as análises de matéria seca, matéria mineral (MM), proteína bruta (PB), extrato etéreo, fibra em detergente neutro (aFDNmo), lignina, carboidratos solúveis (CHOs) e proteína insolúvel em detergente ácido (PIDA). Não foi observado efeito da adubação nitrogenada sobre as variáveis em nenhum dos anos de cultivo. As variáveis bromatológicas foram influenciadas pelos fatores ambientais. A cinética de degradação ruminal foi correspondente à composição bromatológica. No ano de 2013, foram observados valores superiores para as variáveis PB, MM, PIDA, CHOs e carboidratos não fibrosos, o que influenciou positivamente nos parâmetros da cinética de produção de gás in vitro, Vf 1 e k 2. A composição da cultivar em 2014 tendeu a maiores teores de aFDNmo, lignina e carboidratos totais e a valores superiores para os parâmetros Vf 2 e L. O parâmetro k 1 não foi significativo nos períodos avaliados. Em 2014 o valor nutritivo foi negativamente influenciado pelo atraso na semeadura e pela soma de períodos de restrição hídrica combinados com a elevação da temperatura.(AU)

Doses of Nitrogen were evaluated: 0, 60, 120 and 240kg ha-1 on the chemical composition and rumen degradation kinetics of white oats obtained from two consecutive years (2013-2014). For nutritional characterization the following parameters were analyzed: dry matter; ash, crude protein, ethereal extract, neutral detergent fiber, lignin, soluble carbohydrates and insoluble acid detergent protein. No effect of nitrogen fertilization was observed on the variables analyzed in any of the growing years. The nutritional variables were influenced by environmental factors that occurred in the respective experimental periods and the parameters of ruminal degradation kinetics corresponded to the effects in these compounds. In year 2013, higher values were observed for the variables crude protein, ash, insoluble acid detergent protein, soluble CHO and no fibrous carbohydrates, resulting in higher values also for the in vitro gas production kinetics, Vf1 and k2. Nutritional contents in 2014 tended to higher levels of NDF, lignin and total carbohydrates, and higher values for the parameters Vf2 and L. The parameter k1 was not significant in any of the experimental periods evaluated. In 2014 the forage has its nutritive value negatively influenced by the delay in sowing and the periods of water restriction combined with higher temperatures.(AU)

Association of sedentary behavior and metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association of sedentary behavior (SB) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adults, as well as to identify the impact of physical inactivity and economic condition on such association. STUDY DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study. METHODS: This study was conducted in the city of Bauru, São Paulo State, Brazil (n = 970). Television (TV) viewing and physical activity (PA) were assessed by questionnaire. MetS was assessed via medical records. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were used in data analyses. RESULTS: Participants with moderate TV viewing were associated with MetS when compared with low TV viewing group, even after adjustments for age, sex, economic status, smoking, and PA (odds ratio [OR] = 1.49 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 1.01-2.20]). The fully adjusted model showed an association between high exposure to TV viewing with MetS (OR = 1.77 [95%CI: 1.11-2.82]). The combination of physical inactivity and high TV viewing boosted the likelihood of having MetS (OR = 1.89 [95%CI: 1.08-3.29]). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that moderate and high TV viewing time is associated with the presence of MetS, mainly in insufficiently active adults and those living in lower economic condition.

Anaphylaxis in a food allergy outpatient department: one-year review.

Summary: Background. Anaphylaxis is an acute, potentially fatal, multi-organ allergic reac-tion. Our aim was to characterize the population with food induced anaphylaxis followed over a one-year period. Methods. Retrospective analysis of clinical files of patients with food anaphylaxis observed in our food allergy consultation during 2016. Results. Sixty-two patients were included. In the pediatric group, the implicated allergens were cow's milk, egg and fish and in the adults' group, the commonest allergens were nuts and wheat. Allergy to shrimp affected equally children and adults. The most frequent symptoms were urticaria (85.5%), angioedema (64.5%) and dyspnea (62.9%). Cofactors were present in 32.6% of patients, mainly exercise. Asthma and/or rhinitis were the most frequent comorbidities. Conclusion. In accordance to other studies, milk and egg were the most implicated allergens in children. Anaphylaxis in adults reflects the Mediterranean sensitization pattern. Exercise was the most relevant cofactor.

TV viewing time is associated with increased all-cause mortality in Brazilian adults independent of physical activity.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between television (TV) viewing and all-cause mortality among Brazilian adults after 6 years of follow-up. This longitudinal study started in 2010 in the city of Bauru, SP, Brazil, and involved 970 adults aged ≥50 years. Mortality was reported by relatives and confirmed in medical records of the Brazilian National Health System. Physical activity (PA) and TV viewing were assessed by the Baecke questionnaire. Health status, sociodemographic and behavioral covariates were considered as potential confounders. After 6 years of follow-up, 89 deaths were registered (9.2% [95% CI=7.4%-11%]). Type 2 diabetes mellitus was associated with higher risk of mortality (P-value=.012). Deaths correlated significantly with age (ρ=.188; P-value=.001), overall PA score (ρ=-.128; P-value=.001) and TV viewing (ρ=.086; P-value=.007). Lower percentage of participants reported TV viewing time as often (16%) and very often (5.7%), but there was an association between higher TV viewing time ("often" and "very often" grouped together) and increased mortality after 6 years of follow-up (P-value=.006). The higher TV viewing time was associated with a 44.7% increase in all-cause mortality (HR=1.447 [1.019-2.055]), independently of other potential confounders. In conclusion, the findings from this cohort study identified increased risk of mortality among adults with higher TV viewing time, independently of PA and other variables.

Overweight Risk and Food Habits in Portuguese Pre-school Children.

The relationship between dietary intake and overweight-risk was assessed in 4349 children aged 3-5 years. Eating and sedentary behaviours were assessed by questionnaire. Logistic regressions were used. Children who consumed daily soft-drinks were 1.52 times more likely to be obese, and 72% more likely to be classified as overweight children.

Antifungal activity of tyrosol and farnesol used in combination against Candida species in the planktonic state or forming biofilms.

AIM: This study examined the antifungal activity of the combination of tyrosol and farnesol against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata in the planktonic state or forming biofilms. METHODS AND RESULTS: The effect of drug association against Candida planktonic cells was assessed by the fractional inhibitory concentration index. Mono- and dual-species biofilms were developed during 24 h and then treated with the compounds for 3 days, with two daily treatments of 1 min each. After, the total biomass, metabolic activity and the number of cultivable cells were quantified. Planktonic cells of the two species showed a similar susceptibility to the drug combination, however, a synergistic effect was only verified for C. glabrata. Regarding biofilm susceptibility, significant reductions in C. glabrata biomass, metabolism of C. albicans and mixed biofilms, and cultivable cells of single biofilms were verified for the drug combination, indicating an additive effect. For all other experiments, the effects were classified as indifferent. CONCLUSION: The combined use of tyrosol and farnesol was advantageous for some of the analysed parameters against Candida species. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These findings may contribute to the development of oral care products containing tyrosol and farnesol to combat oral infections caused by Candida species.

Birth weight, biological maturation and obesity in adolescents: a mediation analysis.

This study was aimed to investigate associations between birth weight and multiple adiposity indicators in youth, and to examine potential mediating effects by biological maturation. This was a school-based study involving 981 Brazilian adolescents aged between 10 and 17 years. Birth weight was reported retrospectively by mothers. Maturation was estimated by age of peak height velocity. Adiposity indicators included body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and percent body fat estimated from triceps and subscapular skinfolds. Multilevel mediation analyses were performed using the Sobel test, adjusted for chronological age, gestational age, cardiorespiratory fitness and socio-economic status. Except for body fat in girls, biological maturation partly or fully mediated (P<0.05) positive relationships between birth weight with all other obesity indicators in both sexes with their respective values of indirect effects with 95% confidence intervals: BMI [boys: 0.44 (0.06-0.82); girls: 0.38 (0.13-0.64)], waist circumference [boys: 1.14 (0.22-2.05); girls: 0.87 (0.26-1.48)] and body fat [boys: 0.60 (0.13-1.07)]. To conclude, birth weight is associated with elevated obesity risk in adolescence and biological maturation seems to at least partly mediate this relationship.

Differential effects of the combination of tyrosol with chlorhexidine gluconate on oral biofilms.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the effect of tyrosol and chlorhexidine gluconate in combination against Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Streptococcus mutans in the planktonic state or forming biofilms in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Checkerboard assays were performed for determination of minimum inhibitory concentration. Biofilms were cultivated during 24 h on specimens of acrylic resin and hydroxyapatite and treated with the drugs alone or in combination twice a day for 1 min, during 3 days. The antibiofilm effect was determined by quantification of the metabolic activity and cultivable cells. The drug combination was also applied on C. albicans to investigate its action on the number of hyphae. Data were statistically examined by two-way ANOVA and Holm-Sidak test (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The effect of drug combination on planktonic cells was classified as antagonistic for C. albicans and indifferent for the other strains. Also, the drugs were ineffective against the tested biofilms. However, the drug combination showed a synergistic effect in reducing the number of hyphae by C. albicans. CONCLUSION: The combination of tyrosol with chlorhexidine gluconate was only effective in reducing the number of hyphae by C. albicans, a relevant virulence factor of this species.

A randomised Phase II trial to evaluate the toxicity of high-dose rifampicin to treat pulmonary tuberculosis.

SETTING: Randomised Phase IIB clinical trial. OBJECTIVES: To assess whether increasing the dose of rifampicin (RMP) from 10 mg/kg to 15 or 20 mg/kg results in an increase in grade 3 or 4 hepatic adverse events and/or serious adverse events (SAE). METHODS: Three hundred human immunodeficiency virus negative patients with newly diagnosed microscopy-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) were randomly assigned to one of three regimens: 1) the control regimen (R10), comprising daily ethambutol (EMB), isoniazid (INH), RMP and pyrazinamide for 8 weeks, followed by INH and RMP daily for 18 weeks; 2) Study Regimen 1 (R15), as above, with the RMP dose increased to 15 mg/kg body weight daily for the first 16 weeks; and 3) Study Regimen 2 (R20), as above, with RMP increased to 20 mg/kg. Serum alanine transferase (ALT) levels were measured at regular intervals. RESULTS: There were seven grade 3 increases in ALT levels, 1/100 (1%) among R10 arm patients, 2/100 (2%) in the R15 arm and 4/100 (4%) in the R20 arm (trend test P = 0.15). One (R15) patient developed jaundice, requiring treatment modification. There were no grade 4 ALT increases. There was a non-significant increase in culture negativity at 8 weeks with increasing RMP dosage: 75% (69/92) in R10, 82.5% (66/80) in R15 and 83.1% (76/91) R20 patients (P = 0.16). CONCLUSIONS: No significant increase in adverse events occurred when the RMP dose was increased from 10 mg/kg to 15 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg.

Activity of tyrosol against single and mixed-species oral biofilms.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of tyrosol on the formation of single and mixed biofilms of Candida albicans ATCC 10231, Candida glabrata ATCC 90030 and Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 formed on acrylic resin (AR) and hydroxyapatite (HA) surfaces. METHODS AND RESULTS: Single and mixed biofilms were formed on AR and HA in the presence of tyrosol at 50, 100 and 200 mmol l(-1), during 48 h. Next, antimicrobial activity was assessed through metabolic activity (XTT reduction assay) and the number of colony-forming units (CFUs). Scanning electron microscopy observations were performed in order to analyse biofilm structure. Tyrosol, mainly at 200 mmol l(-1), significantly decreased the metabolic activity and number of CFUs for all single and mixed-species biofilms formed on both surfaces. SEM images suggested cell damage caused by tyrosol. CONCLUSION: Tyrosol showed inhibitory effects against biofilms formed by important oral pathogens. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first study showing the antibiofilm effect of tyrosol on Candida species and Strep. mutans in single and mixed cultures. These results may be useful in the development of topical therapies focused on preventing biofilm-associated oral diseases, such as denture stomatitis and dental caries.

Overweight parents are twice as likely to underestimate the weight of their teenage children, regardless of their sociodemographic characteristics.

AIM: It is unclear whether parents' weight affects their ability to recognise whether their teenage children are overweight. This study analysed whether overweight parents assessed their child's weight as well as normal weight parents. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Londrina, Brazil, in 2011 and included teenagers between 14 and 17 years of age and their parents or guardians. We recorded the weight and height of the teenagers and asked the parents or guardians to fill in a questionnaire that included how they perceived their child's weight and demographic information. RESULTS: We studied 1231 teenagers - 58.2% girls - and 19.4% were overweight or obese. In 842 (68.4%) of cases both parents replied to the questionnaire. We found that 8.7% of the 1202 mothers and 10.0% of the 871 fathers underestimated how overweight their child was. The adjusted analyses confirmed they were twice as likely to underestimate their child's weight if they were overweight themselves, with an odds ratio of 1.96 for the mothers and 2.04 for the fathers. Sociodemographic characteristics did not affect the results. CONCLUSION: Overweight parents were twice as likely to underestimate the weight of their teenage children, regardless of the sociodemographic characteristics.

Arterial Thickness and Immunometabolism: The Mediating role of Chronic Exercise.

Metabolic alterations and cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, are associated with lifestyle modifications, particularly the increase of physical inactivity and poor eating habits, which contribute to one of the main causes of death in modern times. Cardiovascular diseases are positively correlated with several illnesses, such as obesity, hypertension and dyslipidemia, and these disorders are known to contribute to changes in immune cells, cytokines and metabolism. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the formation of lipid plaques and fibrous tissue (atheroma) in the artery walls and this process is related to the oxidation of LDL-c (low density lipoprotein) and the formation of a particle, termed LDLox, which can generate toxic injury to the vessel wall. In this atherogenic process there is an inflammatory response generated by the injury in the vascular endothelium, which in itself is able to express and secrete a variety of molecules, such as myeloid colony-stimulating factors (M-CSF), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), that act as activators of the immune system. Therefore, the main purpose of this review is to highlight the immuno-metabolic alterations involving the thickening and stiffness of arteries observed in atherosclerosis, and how chronic exercise can act as an anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic approach.

The relationship between inflammation, dyslipidemia and physical exercise: from the epidemiological to molecular approach.

Dyslipidemia and inflammation are frequently found in some diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cancer cachexia. Recent literature has identified that lipids have a pivotal role in the activation of inflammatory pathways, increasing the production of inflammatory cytokines, mainly tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6 and 1ß. On the other hand, cytokines can promote disruption of lipid metabolism, in special cholesterol reverse transport, which is linked to development of atherosclerosis. With this in mind, acute and chronic exercise trainings have been pointed as important tools to counteract both dyslipidemia symptoms and systemic inflammation. Moreover, physical activity has been recommended in the prevention/treatment of the above mentioned outcomes by important health organizations around the world, mainly because it costs less and generates fewer side effects than isolated medicine. Despite the well-documented capacity of acute and chronic exercise training to counteract sustained disease-related immunometabolism, we have chosen to take a look from a current perspective in molecular pathways and in the field of epidemiology. The aim of the present review was therefore to discuss the results of dyslipidemia and inflammatory conditions with acute and chronic exercise training, which underlies the field of molecular pathways and epidemiology. The mechanisms underlying the response to the treatment are considered.

Physical activity is inversely associated with high blood pressure independently of overweight in Brazilian adolescents.

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between blood pressure (BP) levels and physical activity (PA) domains accounting for overweight/obesity. Adolescents aged 10 to 17 years old were recruited (n = 1021). International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria were used to define overweight and obesity. High BP was defined using the Center of Disease Control and Prevention criteria. Different domains of PA (school activities, sport out of school, and leisure time PA) were assessed using a validated questionnaire. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 21.9% for boys and 14.8% for girls. Some 13.4% of boys and 10.2% of girls, respectively, had high blood pressure (HBP). A strong and positive association was found between overweight and HBP. After adjustment for body mass index (BMI), total PA was inversely associated with BP. When all PA domains were entered simultaneously in a regression model, and after adjustment for BMI, only sport out of school was significantly and inversely associated with systolic BP [ß: -0.82 (-1.50; -0.13)]. These findings open avenue for the early prevention of HBP by the prevention of obesity and promotion of PA.

Derivation and characterization of progenitor stem cells from canine allantois and amniotic fluids at the third trimester of gestation.

Fetal tissues are frequently discarded before (amniocentesis) or after birth, which both facilitates stem cell access and helps to overcome ethical concerns. In the present study, we aimed to isolate and characterize stem cells from the allantoic and amniotic fluids (ALF; AMF) of third trimester canine fetuses. This gestation age has not been previously explored for stem cells isolation. The gestational age, cell culture conditions and method of isolation used in this study allowed for the establishment and efficient expansion of ALF and AMF cells. We showed that the majority of ALF and ALF cells express the stem cell markers, such as vimentin, nestin and cytokeratin 18 (CK18). Under appropriate culture conditions AMF derived cells can undergo differentiation into osteogenic, adipogenic, chondrogenic and neuron-like lineages. ALF derived cells showed adipogenic, and chondrogenic potential. Therefore, ALF and AMF cells derived at the third gestation trimester can be qualified as progenitor stem cells, accordingly referred as (alantoic fluid progenitor/stem) ALF PS cells and (amniotic fluid progenitor/stem) AMF PS cells.

Viability of mesenchymal stem cells during electrospinning

Tissue engineering is a technique by which a live tissue can be re-constructed and one of its main goals is to associate cells with biomaterials. Electrospinning is a technique that facilitates the production of nanofibers and is commonly used to develop fibrous scaffolds to be used in tissue engineering. In the present study, a different approach for cell incorporation into fibrous scaffolds was tested. Mesenchymal stem cells were extracted from the wall of the umbilical cord and mononuclear cells from umbilical cord blood. Cells were re-suspended in a 10 percent polyvinyl alcohol solution and subjected to electrospinning for 30 min under a voltage of 21 kV. Cell viability was assessed before and after the procedure by exclusion of dead cells using trypan blue staining. Fiber diameter was observed by scanning electron microscopy and the presence of cells within the scaffolds was analyzed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. After electrospinning, the viability of mesenchymal stem cells was reduced from 88 to 19.6 percent and the viability of mononuclear cells from 99 to 8.38 percent. The loss of viability was possibly due to the high viscosity of the polymer solution, which reduced the access to nutrients associated with electric and mechanical stress during electrospinning. These results suggest that the incorporation of cells during fiber formation by electrospinning is a viable process that needs more investigation in order to find ways to protect cells from damage.

Viability of mesenchymal stem cells during electrospinning.

Tissue engineering is a technique by which a live tissue can be re-constructed and one of its main goals is to associate cells with biomaterials. Electrospinning is a technique that facilitates the production of nanofibers and is commonly used to develop fibrous scaffolds to be used in tissue engineering. In the present study, a different approach for cell incorporation into fibrous scaffolds was tested. Mesenchymal stem cells were extracted from the wall of the umbilical cord and mononuclear cells from umbilical cord blood. Cells were re-suspended in a 10% polyvinyl alcohol solution and subjected to electrospinning for 30 min under a voltage of 21 kV. Cell viability was assessed before and after the procedure by exclusion of dead cells using trypan blue staining. Fiber diameter was observed by scanning electron microscopy and the presence of cells within the scaffolds was analyzed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. After electrospinning, the viability of mesenchymal stem cells was reduced from 88 to 19.6% and the viability of mononuclear cells from 99 to 8.38%. The loss of viability was possibly due to the high viscosity of the polymer solution, which reduced the access to nutrients associated with electric and mechanical stress during electrospinning. These results suggest that the incorporation of cells during fiber formation by electrospinning is a viable process that needs more investigation in order to find ways to protect cells from damage.

Health care resource use and costs in opioid-treated patients with and without constipation in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of constipation concomitant to opioid treatment and related resource use and costs from the private payer perspective. METHODS: In this retrospective database analysis, patients receiving opioid therapy were identified from a longitudinal insurance claims database. An algorithm was used to identify patients receiving opioid therapy with coincident constipation-related claims according to ICD-10 codes, targeted procedures, and opioid use criteria. Resource use and costs were determined for these individuals and compared with patients receiving opioid therapy without constipation, without opioid therapy with constipation, and without both conditions. Results were compared using analysis of variance with a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 23,313 patients were classified as opioid-treated patients (2.2%) and 6678 of them had events related to constipation (29.0%). Compared with opioid-treated patients without constipation, incremental mean total costs per month per patient were 261.18 BRL (P < 0.001). The average cost per month for opioid-related constipation patients was 787.84 BRL, significantly higher than other patients (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). Among cancer patients, 24.4% was receiving opioids and 27.0% of those had constipation-related claims. As expected, the opioid therapy prevalence was significantly higher when compared to all patients (2.2% vs. 24.4%, P < 0.001). Cancer patients had, in average, higher costs than did noncancer patients in all four subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with constipation coincident with opioid treatment exhibited a significantly higher economic burden than did patients without the condition. These results indicate that reducing opioid-induced constipation could lead to potential cost savings for the health care system.