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Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-28T19:47:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2022-01-01 The objective of this survey was to determine the seroprevalence of Leptospira spp., the most frequent serogroups, and the geospatial distribution in goats in seven states in the Northeast region of Brazil. Samples (n = 4,718) were collected in the states of Alagoas, Ceará, Maranhão, Paraíba, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte and Sergipe and were analyzed using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) with a cut-off point of 1:100. Additionally, geographic data were analyzed to construct epidemiological maps for characterization of leptospirosis in the municipalities with greater importance for goat farming in each state. Of the sampled animals, 17.7% were serologically reactive for Leptospira spp. Animal-level prevalence ranged within the states, from 7.07% (Alagoas) to 30.23% (Paraíba) with statistical difference (P < 0.001). For herds, 83.4% had at least one serologically reactive animal. Paraíba had the highest herd-level prevalence (98.36%) and Piauí the lowest (65.91%) (P < 0.001). The states of Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, and Sergipe had 91.18%, 69.64%, and 92.59% of positive herds, respectively. The most frequently identified serogroups were Autumnalis (23.06%) and Australis (20.98%) and titers ranged from 100 to 1,600. In conclusion, leptospirosis is present in states in the Northeast region of Brazil, especially in environments with dry and deforested areas, demonstrating a possible adaptation of the infectious agent to areas of adverse climates and an apparent interspecies transmission. Also, it was possible to verify the circulation of serogroups that may be adapted to small ruminants maintained in semiarid conditions, causing the asymptomatic disease with reproductive losses. Transmissible Disease Research Group Federal University of Campina Grande Postgraduate Program in Animal Science Federal University of Piauí Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation Embrapa Caprinos e Ovinos Department of Veterinary Sciences UFPB Federal University of Paraíba Postgraduate Program in Animal Bioscience University of Cuiabá State University of São Paulo

11 pages, 8 figures, 2 tables, Continental runoff is an important source of solutes and nutrients to coastal coral reefs. Nevertheless, they can also act as local stressors due to high coastal urbanization and the associated release of untreated effluents. Here we aimed to qualitatively evaluate the effects of seasonality over reefs from the Costa dos Corais Marine Protected Area (Brazil) and to identify the influence of rivers and submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) on the reefs' environmental status. Surface waters from the reef lagoon, local rivers and shoreline porewaters were sampled monthly during a year and abiotic parameters were determined. The results showed that the reef lagoon is oligotrophic throughout most of the year, with conditions that generally favor biological activities, such as calcification. Chlorophyll-a, with an average of 0.78 ± 0.43 mg m−3, was significantly correlated with salinity and radon in excess. This indicates the influence of rivers and SGD over the reefs, especially during the rainy season. These are important sources of nutrients, regulating primary production. However, signs of anthropogenic pressure were found in the local rivers. In addition, porewaters had a N:P ratio (27.68 ± 24.45) which could potentially impact surface waters through SGD by increasing the local trophic status. In summary, the studied reefs still present good water quality conditions, although continental runoff is a significant transport vector of anthropogenic solutes to the area, This work is part of the Long-Term Ecological Research – Brazil site PELD-CCAL (Projeto Ecológico de Longa Duração - Costa dos Corais Alagoas) funded by the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development – CNPq (grant number #441657/2016-8), the Brazilian Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel PELD/CAPES (grant number #23038.000452/2017-16) and the Research Support Foundation of the State of Alagoas – FAPEAL (grant number #60030.1564/2016). This paper is also a contribution of the DICAM project, grant CM II #23038.001423/2014-29 (CAPES)

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ovine brucellosis in the states of Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba, and Sergipe. A seroepidemiological survey was carried out in 121 properties under 23 municipalities between 2011 and 2012. The 1,034 serological samples collected from the sheep were subjected to the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test using kits produced by the Paraná Institute of Technology (TECPAR). Anti-Brucella ovis antibodies were observed in 5.37% (70/1,304) of the animals evaluated, and the difference in the incidence of brucellosis between the adults and young animals of both sexes, and between the males and females was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The prevalence of brucellosis in Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba, and was Sergipe 7.66% (36/470), 5.40% (13/241) and 3.54% (21/593), respectively. Of the municipalities visited, 91.30% (21/23) harbored herds with positive serology, and 42.15% (51/121) of the properties had at least one seropositive animal. The lack of training among the workers (p ≤ 0.05) (odds ratio = 3.68; 95% CI = 1.08-12.60; p = 0.038) was identified as a risk factor. The results obtained in this study indicate that the sheep from Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba, and Sergipe are infected by B. ovis, thus necessitating the adoption of proper sanitary measures for preventing the spread of the disease in the herds. [Caracterização epidemiológica e fatores de risco associados à infecção por Brucella ovis em ovinos dos estados do Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba e Sergipe]. Resumo: O estudo teve como objetivo determinar a prevalência da Brucelose Ovina nos Estados do Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba e Sergipe. Foi realizado o levantamento soroepidemiológico em 121 propriedades de 23 municípios durante os anos de 2011 e 2012. As 1.034 amostras sorológicas de ovinos foram submetidas à técnica de Imunodifusão em Gel de Ágar (IDGA), utilizando o kit produzido pelo Instituto de Tecnologia do Paraná (TECPAR). Anticorpos anti-Brucella ovis foram observados em 5,37% (70/1.304) dos animais testados, havendo diferença estatística significativa (p < 0,05) para adultos e jovens de ambos os sexos, e entre machos e fêmeas. A prevalência encontrada no Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba e Sergipe foi de 7,66% (36/470), 5,40% (13/241) e 3,54% (21/593), respectivamente. Dos municípios visitados, 91,30% (21/23) eram compostos por rebanhos com sorologia positiva e 42,15% (51/121) das propriedades possuíam pelo menos um animal soropositivo. A falta de capacitação de trabalhadores (p ≤ 0,05) (odds ratio = 3,68; IC 95% = 1,08-12,60; p = 0, 038) foi identificada como fator de risco. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho indicam que a infecção por B. ovis encontra-se presente nos ovinos dos estados do Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba e Sergipe, sendo necessária a adoção de medidas sanitárias para evitar a propagação da doença nos rebanhos. Made available in DSpace on 2020-09-19T04:39:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 CNPC-2020-Art-12.pdf: 338704 bytes, checksum: 35ff880bb0934c5c66ed14faef33b4a0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2020

Sheep farming has shown expressive growth, even in the Northeast region of Brazil, with rainfall below expectations in the last decade. This growth has been observed not only in the number of herds, but also in the number of properties involved in sheep farming. Although expressive, the production of small ruminants still presents low levels of performance, mainly due to the occurrence of diseases, which constitute an obstacle to this activity. The aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with the seroprevalence of leptospirosis in sheep in Northeastern Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 3438 sheep in 190 herds from 48 municipalities, belonging to the states of Ceara, Paraiba, Piaui, Rio Grande do Norte and Sergipe. Serological diagnosis was performed using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). In 76.3 % (95 % CI = 69.79-81.81) of the herds there was at least one animal seropositive for at least one of the Leptospira spp. serogroups and 14.94 % (95 %CI = 13.8-16.18) of the animals were seropositive. The state of Paraiba had the highest herd (95.7 %) and animal (26.6 %) prevalences, followed by Ceara (93.9 % and 23.7 %, respectively). The most frequent serogroups were Autumnalis (18.68 %), Australis (17.9 %) and Pyrogenes (15.18 %). There was no association between the studied variables and the herd-level prevalence of leptospirosis. High herd and animal-level seroprevalences was found for sheep leptospirosis in the semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil, and there is a need to implement control and prevention measures, such as quarantine, serology, vaccination and adequate treatment, in addition to the introduction of proven healthy animals, mainly in the states of Paraiba and Ceara, aiming to reduce the prevalence of disease.

Aim To assess the influence of artefacts generated by metal posts on the detection of simulated internal root resorption (IRR) in adjacent teeth using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to verify the impact of metal artefact reduction (MAR) on these cases. Methodology CBCT images of 14 premolar teeth were acquired before and after IRR simulation using chemical and mechanical procedures, in an OP300 Maxio unit, with and without MAR. Each tooth was placed in the socket of a human mandible and scanned under three different conditions: (i) without adjacent teeth - control group; (ii) distal adjacent tooth restored with metal post; and (iii) with both adjacent teeth restored with metal post. Five oral radiologists scored the IRR detection using a 5-point scale. Diagnostic values were obtained for the tested groups and compared using two-way analysis of variance (α = 0.05). Results The presence of a single adjacent tooth restored with metal post did not significantly influence the diagnostic values for IRR detection (P > 0.05). The presence of both adjacent teeth with metal posts, without MAR application, was associated with a significantly lower area under the ROC curve (Az) compared to the control (P = 0.0182). In this case, the application of MAR increased Az, leading to nonsignificant differences from the control group and the group with one adjacent restored tooth (P > 0.05). Sensitivity decreased significantly when two adjacent restored teeth were present, regardless of MAR application (P = 0.0379). Specificity was not affected by the conditions tested (P > 0.05). Conclusion CBCT detection of IRR was impaired by artefacts only when both adjacent teeth restored with metal posts were present. In such cases, activation of MAR improved the performance on this diagnostic task.

Neonates can be exposed to bisphenol A (BPA) through placenta and milk, and BPA is associated with disorders such as precocious puberty and obesity. We evaluated the effects of BPA exposure during breastfeeding on the biochemical and endocrine profiles in young and adult rat progeny. From postnatal day (PND) 3 to 15 dams were divided into low-dose BPA treatment [50 μg/kg/day s.c. (BPA-LD)], high-dose BPA treatment [5 mg/kg/day s.c. (BPA-HD)], and Control (vehicle) groups. Milk was collected at PND15 and 21, which represents the end of exposure and 6 days after withdrawal, respectively. Dams were euthanized at weaning. Offspring of both genders were euthanized at PND15, 21, and 180. Milk estradiol levels were lower in the BPA-HD group than in the control group at PND 15; however, they were higher at PND21. Female rats whose mothers were BPA-exposed showed more significant differences from those in the control group, including better glycemic control and lipid profiles and higher food intake without higher adiposity, in adulthood than in the weaning period, when they presented with higher adiposity and hyperestrogenism. Conversely, male rats showed more abnormalities after BPA exposure compared to control rats, including insulin, leptin, testosterone, and thyroid hormone changes, when young but exhibited fewer alterations in adulthood, with increase only in LDLc in the BPA-HD rats. Taken together, the present findings suggest that exposure to BPA exclusively through milk affects adiposity, metabolism, and/or hormones of offspring in the short and long term, possibly compromising normal development in both sexes.

Background:Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most severe manifestations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.Objectives:1) To compare proliferative (PLN), membranous (MLN) and mixed LN regarding clinical and laboratory presentation. 2) To investigate predictors of progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD).Methods:Multicentre observational study, with retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort, using data from the Portuguese registry of rheumatic diseases – Reuma.pt. Patients with biopsy-proven PLN, MLN and mixed LN were included. Groups were compared using Pearson’s Chi-Square for categorical variables and One-Way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis for numerical variables. COX regression analysis was used to investigate predictors of CKD (defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] lower than 60 mL/min/1.73m2for at least 3 months) and Kaplan-Meier curves were drawn.Results:236 patients were included. Median follow-up was 8 years (IQR 11; maximum 35 years). As seen in table 1, the level of proteinuria did not differ between groups; however, MLN patients presented with significantly lower serum creatinine. Levels of complement C3 and C4 were reduced in PLN but normal in MLN patients, and there were fewer patients with positive anti-dsDNA antibodies in the MLN group (pTable 1.Comparative description of the Reuma.pt cohort of patients with proliferative, membranous and mixed LNPLNMLNMixedPTotal, N186428Females, N (%)157 (85)39 (95)4 (50)0.004EthnicityWhite European, N (%)163 (90)31 (78)7 (88)0.115Other, N (%)19 (10)9 (23)1 (13)Age LN diagnosis(y), median (IQR)30 (20)34 (16)42 (25)0.409SLEDAI at LN diagnosis, median (IQR)16 (9)10 (10)21 (17)0.006*uPCR at LN diagnosis, median (IQR)1675 (2598)1698 (2153)2160 (3320)0.629Creatinine at LN diagnosis, median (IQR)0.80 (0.32)0.70 (0.20)1.00 (0.95)0.006*eGFR at LN diagnosis, mean ± SD98 ± 33112 ± 1782 ± 450.019*Albumin at LN diagnosis, mean ± SD34 ± 734 ± 730 ± 60.390C3 at LN diagnosis, mean ± SD0.65 ± 0.260.90 ± 0.350.53 ± 0.30Positive anti-dsDNA LN diagnosis, N (%)115 (91)11 (48)6 (86)Use of antimalarials, N (%)166 (94)36 (92)8 (100)0.688Use of immunosuppressants, N (%)163 (94)33 (87)8 (100)0.245Use of corticosteroids, N (%)145 (84)33 (85)7 (100)0.511CKD after LN diagnosis, N (%)27 (15)1 (3)3 (38)0.018*ESRD, N (%)7 (4)1 (3)2 (25)0.016Deaths, N (%)14 (8)2 (5)00.610uPCR: urinary protein-creatinine ratio, mg/g; y: years; Creatinine presented in mg/dL, eGFR in mL/min/1.73m2,albumin in g/L and C3 in g/LNote: Baseline data (LN diagnosis) in grey; other data refer to the course of disease*Significant difference between the proliferative and membranous groupsFigure 1.Kaplan-Meir curves showing cumulative survival free of CKD in patients with PLN, MLN and mixed LNConclusion:Our results support previous findings from single-centre studies suggesting that MLN has a different serological profile than PLN, possibly reflecting different pathogenesis. Renal function at one year predicts long-term outcome in LN.Disclosure of Interests:Filipa Farinha: None declared, Sofia C Barreira: None declared, Maura Couto: None declared, Margarida Cunha: None declared, Diogo Fonseca: None declared, Raquel Freitas: None declared, Luís Inês: None declared, Mariana Luis: None declared, Carla Macieira: None declared, Ana Rita Prata: None declared, Joana Rodrigues: None declared, Bernardo Santos: None declared, Rita Pinheiro Torres: None declared, Ruth J. Pepper: None declared, Anisur Rahman: None declared, Maria Jose Santos Speakers bureau: Novartis and Pfizer

Background:Methotrexate (MTX) is an anti-folate drug with anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects. MTX proved to be the most highly effective, fast-acting disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD), being widely used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (1).Objectives:This review aims to describe the main genetic variants identified concerning proteins that play a role in methotrexate’s kinetics and efficiency profile.Methods:A literature review was conducted since January of 2000 until December 2020, by searching the PubMed and Embase bibliographic databases, employing the following MeSH terms: methotrexate, pharmacogenetics, pharmacokinetics and rheumatoid arthritis. The search was limited to articles in English language. Two independent reviewers screened the titles and abstracts followed by a full-text review to assess papers regarding their eligibility. A total of 48 articles matched the research criteria and were analysed.Results:Genetic variants of four main proteins, with different functions, have been consistently described.Reduced folate carrier 1 (RFC1), a constitutively expressed folate transport protein that has high affinity for MTX is responsible, almost exclusively, for the transport of folate and MTX into the cell. The most commonly studied variant of the gene is the 80G > A variant (rs1051266), mapped within exon 2, on chromosome 21. It seems to improve RA responses to MTX, clinical efficacy with long disease remission (2).ABC transporters are involved in the eflux of MTX from cells. An increased expression and function of these transporters should decrease MTX concentrations in target cells, resulting in lack of therapeutic response. ABCB1 3435 C/T (rs1045642) is a high frequency polymorphism, significantly associated with RA good responses, symptom remission and reduced adverse events, due to MTX treatment (3).Thymidylate synthase (TYMS) is involved in thymidine synthesis. MTX decreases TYMS activity by inhibition and decreasing the access to tetrahydrofolate (THF) cofactors (1). The most common genetic variant of the TYMS gene consists of a 28 bp tandem repeat (rs34743033), with double and triple number of repeats (2R and 3R). The 3R allele genotype was associated with decreased efficacy and increased toxicity (4).The 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) enzyme is indirectly inhibited by MTX. The most common SNPs of the MTHFR gene are C677T (rs1801133) and A1298C (rs1801131). Both are associated with a decreased efficacy and an increased toxicity of MTX (5).Conclusion:MTX response is affected by many gene variants; the effect of each variant separately is likely to be small. Additionally, gene-gene interaction, enhancing the potential role of linkage disequilibrium. This shows the emerging need for a better gene characterization and to improve the knowledge about variants distribution according to ethnicity, to explain different responses to MTX at an individual level.References:[1]Song, G. et al. Association of the MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms with methotrexate toxicity in rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis. Clin Rheumatol33, 1715–1724 (2014).[2]Hayashi H. et al. A single nucleotide polymorphism of reduced folate carrier 1 predicts methotrexate efficacy in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2013;28(2):164-8.[3]Zhu H. et al. Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics for rheumatoid arthritis responsiveness to methotrexate treatment: the 2013 update. Pharmacogenomics. 2014 Mar;15(4):551-66.[4]Owen SA. et al. Genetic polymorphisms in key methotrexate pathway genes are associated with response to treatment in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Pharm J. 2013;13:227–34.[5]Hughes LB. et al. Racial or ethnic differences in allele frequencies of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene and their influence on response to methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2006;65:1213–8.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Background:Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), one of the most common chronic diseases in children, can be classified in seven different categories according to its onset presentation. Concerns about pregnancy outcomes play a secondary role in disease approach. However, recent data showed an increased risk of pre-term birth in women with JIA instead the small patient samples analysed.Objectives:In this review, our aim is to describe the current available knowledge on JIA adverse, maternal and fetal, outcomes.Methods:A systematic literature review was conducted since January of 2000 until December 2020, by searching the PubMed and Embase bibliographic databases. The search was limited to articles in English language, presenting a comparator group (healthy individuals or patients without known auto-immune rheumatic diseases) and at least one clinical outcome of interest. Two independent reviewers screened the titles and abstracts followed by a full-text review to assess papers regarding their eligibility.Results:Ten observational studies out of 1560 references, fulfilled the inclusion criteria, of which, 9 were retrospective and 1 prospective. A total of 6.214 women with JIA (with 6.811 pregnancies) and 18.659.513 healthy controls (with 21.339.194 pregnancies) were included in this review.Concerning maternal outcomes, delivery by caesarian section (CS) was more frequent among JIA women (in 4 out of 6 studies). Pre-eclampsia was referred in 3 out of 6 studies and a higher risk of vaginal bleeding and placenta previa in one additional study. No study found an increased risk for gestational diabetes or hypertension in pregnant women with JIA.Regarding fetal outcomes, 8 studies revealed significantly increased of pre-term birth (only in first births in one study) but one study didn’t show any increased risk. Two studies showed a higher risk of small gestational age (SGA) and in another 2, increased risk for low birth weight (LBW). No evidence of increased risk of major congenital malformations.Conclusion:This systematic review suggests an increased risk for pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, delivery by CS, SGA and LBW, among pregnant women with JIA. Conclusions should be carefully interpreted, giving the heterogeneity of studied populations regarding demography, disease type, disease activity, and prescribed medication.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Mosquitoes are important vectors of several pathogens and thereby contribute to the spread of diseases, with social, economic and public health impacts. Amongst the approximately 450 species of Anopheles, about 60 are recognized as vectors of human malaria, the most important parasitic disease. In Africa, Anopheles gambiae is the main malaria vector mosquito. Current malaria control strategies are largely focused on drugs and vector control measures such as insecticides and bed-nets. Improvement of current, and the development of new, mosquito-targeted malaria control methods rely on a better understanding of mosquito vector biology. An organism's transcriptome is a reflection of its physiological state and transcriptomic analyses of different conditions that are relevant to mosquito vector competence can therefore yield important information. Transcriptomic analyses have contributed significant information on processes such as blood-feeding parasite-vector interaction, insecticide resistance, and tissue- and stage-specific gene regulation, thereby facilitating the path towards the development of new malaria control methods. Here, we discuss the main applications of transcriptomic analyses in An. gambiae that have led to a better understanding of mosquito vector competence.

Interferon-α-2b ist eine etablierte und gut vertragliche Therapie der Neoplasien der plattenepithelialen okularen Oberflache (NPOO). Bericht uber Komplikationen bei 2 Patientinnen mit NPOO und rheumatoider Arthritis unter adjuvanter topischer IFN-α-2b-Therapie. Die erste Patientin entwickelte ein sklerales Melting, die zweite eine schwere Keratitis. Nach Absetzen des IFN-α-2b kam es in beiden Fallen zu einer deutlichen Befundbesserung. Immunsupprimierte Patienten mit NPOO unter topischer IFN-α-2b-Therapie sollten engmaschig kontrolliert werden, um Komplikationen rechtzeitig zu erkennen.

Astrocytes and microglia, the immune competent cells of central nercous system, can be activated in response to metabolic signals such as obesity and hyperleptinaemia. In rats, maternal exposure to nicotine during lactation leads to central obesity, hyperleptinaemia, leptin resistance and alterations in hypothalamic neuropeptides in the offspring during adulthood. In the present study, we studied the activation of astrocytes and microglia, as well as the pattern of inflammatory mediators, in adult offspring of this experimental model. On postnatal day 2 (P2), osmotic minipumps releasing nicotine (NIC) (-6 mg/kg/day) or saline for 14 days were s.c. implanted in dams. Male offspring were killed on P180 and hypothalamic immunohistochemistry, retroperitoneal white adipose tissue (WAT) polymerase chain reaction analysis and multiplex analysis for plasma inflammatory mediators were carried out. At P180, NIC astrocyte cell number was higher in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) (medial: +82%; lateral: +110%), in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) (+144%) and in the lateral hypothalamus (+121%). NIC glial fibrillary acidic protein fibre density was higher in the lateral ARC (+178%) and in the PVN (+183%). Interleukin-6 was not affected in the hypothalamus. NIC monocyte chemotactic protein 1 was only higher in the periventricular nucleus (+287%). NIC microglia (iba-1-positive) cell number was higher (+68%) only in the PVN, as was the chemokine (C-X3-C motif) receptor 1 density (+93%). NIC interleukin-10 was lower in the WAT (-58%) and plasma (-50%). Thus, offspring of mothers exposed to nicotine during lactation present hypothalamic astrogliosis at adulthood and microgliosis in the PVN.

Early nicotine exposure causes future obesity and insulin resistance. We evaluated the long-term effect of the maternal nicotine exposure during lactation in liver oxidative status, insulin sensitivity and morphology in adult offspring. Two days after birth, osmotic minipumps were implanted in the dams: nicotine (N), 6 mg/kg/day for 14 days or saline (C). Offspring were killed at 180 days. Protein content of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, nitrotyrosine, 4HNE, IRS1, Akt1 and PPARs were measured. MDA, bound protein carbonyl content, SOD, GPx and catalase activities were determined in liver and plasma. Hepatic morphology and triglycerides content were evaluated. Albumin and bilirubin were determined. In plasma, N offspring had higher catalase activity, and SOD/GPx ratio, albumin and bilirubin levels but lower MDA content. In liver, they presented higher MDA and 4HNE levels, bound protein carbonyl content, SOD activity but lower GPx activity. N offspring presented an increase of lipid droplet, higher triglyceride content and a trend to lower PPARα in liver despite unchanged insulin signaling pathway. Early nicotine exposure causes oxidative stress in liver at adulthood, while protect against oxidative stress at plasma level. In addition, N offspring develop liver microsteatosis, which is related to oxidative stress but not to insulin resistance.

Non-pharmacological early weaning (NPEW) leads offspring to obesity, higher liver oxidative stress and microsteatosis in adulthood. Pharmacological EW (PEW) by maternal treatment with bromocriptine (BRO) causes obesity in the adult progeny but precludes hepatic injury. To test the hypothesis that BRO prevents the deleterious changes of NPEW, we injected BRO into the pups from the NPEW model on late lactation. Lactating rats were divided into 2 groups: dams with an adhesive bandage around the body to prevent breastfeeding on the last 3 days of lactation and dams whose pups had free suckling (C). Offspring from both groups were subdivided into 2 groups: pups treated with BRO (ip 4 mg/kg/day) on the last 3 days of lactation (NPEW/BRO and C/BRO) or pups treated with the vehicle (NPEW and C). At PN120, offspring were challenged with a high fat diet (HFD), and food intake was recorded after 30 min and 12 h. Rats were euthanized at PN120 and PN200. At PN120, adipocyte size was greater in the NPEW group but was normal in the NPEW/BRO group. At PN200, the NPEW group presented hyperphagia, higher adiposity, adipocyte hypertrophy, hyperleptinemia, glucose intolerance and increased hepatic triglycerides. These parameters were normalized in the NPEW/BRO group. In the feeding test, BRO groups showed lower HFD intake at 30 min than did their controls; however, at 12 h, the NPEW group ate more HFD. The treatment with BRO can preclude some deleterious effects of the NPEW model, which prevented the development of overweight and its comorbidities. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Cerebral palsy is a severe condition usually caused by decreased brain oxygenation during pregnancy, at birth or soon after birth. Conventional treatments for cerebral palsy are often tiresome and expensive, leading patients to quit treatment. In this paper, we describe a virtual environment for patients to engage in a playful therapeutic game for neuropsychomotor rehabilitation, based on the experience of the occupational therapy program of the Nucleus for Integrated Medical Assistance (NAMI) at the University of Fortaleza, Brazil. Integration between patient and virtual environment occurs through the hand motion sensor “Leap Motion,” plus the electroencephalographic sensor “MindWave,” responsible for measuring attention levels during task execution. To evaluate the virtual environment, eight clinical experts on cerebral palsy were subjected to a questionnaire regarding the potential of the experimental virtual environment to promote cognitive and motor rehabilitation, as well as the potential of the treatment to enhance risks and/or negatively influence the patient’s development. Based on the very positive appraisal of the experts, we propose that the experimental virtual environment is a promising alternative tool for the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a severe condition usually caused by decreased brain oxygenation during pregnancy, at birth or soon after birth. Conventional treatments for cerebral palsy are often tiresome and expensive, leading patients to quit treatment. In this paper, we describe a virtual environment for patients to engage in a playful therapeutic game for neuropsychomotor rehabilitation, based on the experience of the occupational therapy program of the Nucleus for Integrated Medical Assistance (NAMI) at the University of Fortaleza, Brazil. Integration between patient and virtual environment occurs through the hand motion sensor “Leap Motion,” plus the electroencephalographic sensor “MindWave,” responsible for measuring attention levels during task execution. To evaluate the virtual environment, eight clinical experts on cerebral palsy were subjected to a questionnaire regarding the potential of the experimental virtual environment to promote cognitive and motor rehabilitation, as well as the potential of the treatment to enhance risks and/or negatively influence the patient’s development. Based on the very positive appraisal of the experts, we propose that the experimental virtual environment is a promising alternative tool for the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy.

Rats that are overfed during lactation exhibit neonatal hyperleptinemia and higher visceral adiposity, hypertension, higher liver oxidative stress and insulin resistance in the liver as adults. Previously, we demonstrated that neonatal hyperleptinemia is associated with adrenal medullary hyperfunction, hypertension and liver steatosis in adulthood. Therefore, we hypothesised that adrenal and liver functions are altered in adult obese rats that were overfed during lactation, which would underlie their hypertension and liver alterations. The litter size was reduced from ten to three male pups on the third day of lactation until weaning (SL) to induce early overfeeding in Wistar rats. The control group had ten rats per litter (NL). Rats had free access to standard diet, and water after weaning until the rats were 180 days old. The SL group exhibited higher adrenal catecholamine content (absolute: +35% and relative: +40%), tyrosine hydroxylase (+31%) and DOPA decarboxylase (+90%) protein contents and basal catecholamine secretion in vitro (+57%). However, the hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal cortex axis were unchanged. β3-adrenergic receptor content in visceral adipose tissue was unchanged in SL rats, but the β2-adrenergic receptor content in the liver was lower in this group (−45%). The SL group exhibited higher glycogen and triglycerides contents in the liver (+79 and +49%, respectively), which suggested microesteatosis. Neonatal overfeeding led to higher adrenomedullary function, but the liver β2-adrenergic receptor content was reduced. These results may contribute to the hepatic dysfunction characteristic of liver obesity complications.

Previously, we have shown that maternal smoke exposure during lactation, even when pups are not exposed, affects biochemical profiles in the offspring at weaning, eliciting lower body adiposity, hyperinsulinemia, hypocorticosteronemia and lower adrenal catecholamine content. However, the future impact of tobacco exposure is still unknown. As postnatal nicotine exposure causes short- and long-term effects on pups' biochemistry and endocrine profiles, we have now evaluated some endocrine and metabolic parameters of the adult offspring whose mothers were tobacco exposed during lactation. For this, from day 3 to 21 of lactation, rat dams were divided in: 1) SE group, cigarette smoke-exposed (1.7 mg nicotine/cigarettes for 1 h, 4 times/day, daily), without their pups, and 2) C group, exposed to air, in the same conditions. Offspring were killed at 180-days-old. Body weight and food intake were evaluated. Blood, white adipose tissue, adrenal, and liver were collected. All significant data were p0.05. The adult SE offspring showed no change in body weight, cumulative food intake, serum hormone profile, serum lipid profile, or triglycerides content in liver. However, in adrenal gland, adult SE offspring showed lower catecholamine content ( - 50%) and lower tyrosine hydroxylase protein expression ( - 56%). Despite the hormonal alterations during lactation, tobacco smoke exposure through breast milk only programmed the adrenal medullary function at adulthood and this dysfunction can have consequence on stress response. Thus, an environment free of smoke during lactation period is essential to improve health outcomes in adult offspring.

Maternal nicotine exposure leads to neonatal hypothyroidism that can be returned to euthyroidism after nicotine withdrawal. Here, we examined the transfer of iodine through milk, deiodinase activities (D1 and D2), and serum T3, T4 and TSH in rat offspring after maternal exposure to nicotine. One day after birth, a minipump was implanted to dams releasing nicotine (NIC), 6 mg/kg/day for 13 days or vehicle saline. Animals were killed at the day 15 and 21 of lactation. At day 15, NIC-treated dams showed decreased T4 and mammary 2h-radioiodine uptake (RAIU) and increase of TSH, thyroid 2h-RAIU, liver D1 and mammary D2. At the cessation of NIC-exposure, pups displayed decreased T3, T4 and thyroid 2h-RAIU and increased TSH. At weaning (21-postnatal day), NIC-treated dams recovered their T4 and TSH, but increased deiodinase level in the liver and mammary gland. Milk T3 content in NIC-treated dams was higher at both day 15 and 21, and thyroid function was recovered at the day 21. Thus, thyroid function was affected by nicotine in both mothers and pups, suggesting a primary hypothyroidism. After nicotine withdrawal, pups recovered thyroid function probably due to the increased lactational transfer of T3 in relation with increased mammary gland deiodinase activities.

Summary. HCV infection is highly prevalent among kidney transplant (KT) recipients. The natural history and management of these patients are controversial. We sought to assess the diagnostic value of noninvasive markers of liver fibrosis in KT HCV-infected patients. This cross-sectional study included 102 KT individuals with positive HCV-RNA. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify variables associated with significant fibrosis (METAVIR ≥ F2). Significant fibrosis was observed in 20 patients (20%). Time after transplantation, AST level, and platelet count were identified as independent predictors of significant fibrosis. Based on the regression model, a simplified index was devised. The AUROC for the TX-3 model was 0.867 ± 0.081 (0.909, when adjusted by DANA). Values ≤4.0 of TX-3 showed a NPV of 97% and scores >9.6 exhibited a PPV of 71%. If biopsy indication was restricted to scores in the intermediate range of TX-3, this could have been correctly avoided in 68% of cases. The APRI score provided a correct diagnosis in only 47 individuals (46%) and exhibited lower diagnostic indices for both cutoffs, as compared to the TX-3 index. Comparison of AUROCs showed a trend towards superior diagnostic accuracy for TX-3 over APRI, although the difference between AUROCs did not reach statistical significance (0.867 ± 0.053 vs 0.762 ± 0.066, respectively, P = 0.064). In conclusion, significant liver fibrosis can be reliably predicted in KT HCV-infected subjects by simple and widely available parameters. If additional studies confirm our results, this model might obviate the requirement for a liver biopsy in a significant proportion of those patients.

Standard clinical practice recommends minimal doses of vasoactive drugs during weaning of patients from mechanical ventilation. However, there are currently no clinical data to inform clinicians about whether the use of noradrenaline during weaning predisposes to weaning failure. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the necessity of the vasopressor noradrenaline in mechanically ventilated patients recovering from septic shock changed the extubation outcome. A total of 656 patients recovering from septic shock on mechanical ventilation were selected from intensive care units in two university hospitals. Patients receiving noradrenaline at the time of weaning and case-controls not taking noradrenaline were matched for age, gender, haemodynamic and ventilatory parameters, aetiology of respiratory failure and APACHE II score. One hundred and forty-five patients who successfully tolerated a spontaneous breathing trial were extubated while on noradrenaline therapy and the reintubation rate was measured. In the noradrenaline group, the mean dose of noradrenaline during initial shock treatment was 0.52±0.29 μg/kg/min and 0.12±0.10 μg/kg/min during weaning. The reintubation rate was 12/63 (19%) in the noradrenaline group and 15/82 (18.3%) in the control group (P=1.00). Intensive care unit mortality was also similar in both groups (10/63, 15.9%) for noradrenaline patients and (11/82, 13.4%) for control patients (P=0.81). Arterial blood gases and ventilatory and haemodynamic parameters were similar in all patients regardless of weaning success. We did not find that the use of noradrenaline at the time of weaning was associated with extubation failure. Low doses of noradrenaline may not preclude weaning from mechanical ventilation.

Substantial evidence suggests that poor intrauterine milieu elicited by maternal nutritional disturbance may programme susceptibility in the fetus to later development of chronic diseases, such as obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. One of the most interesting features of fetal programming is the evidence from several studies that the consequences may not be limited to the first-generation offspring and that it can be passed transgenerationally. In the present study, female rats (F0) were fed either a normal-protein diet [control diet (C); 19 g of protein/100 g of diet] or a low-protein diet [restricted diet (R); 5 g of protein/100 g of diet]. The offspring were termed according to the period and the types of diet the dams were fed, i.e. CC, RC, CR and RR (first letter indicates the diet during gestation and the second the diet during lactation). At 3 months of age, F1 females were bred to proven males, outside the experiment, to produce F2 offspring. At weaning, F2 offspring were divided by gender. RC1 offspring (with the number indicating the filial generation) were born with low birthweight, but afterwards they had catch-up growth, reaching the weight of the CC1 offspring. The increased glycaemia in RC1 offspring was associated with insulin resistance. CR1 and RR1 offspring had impaired growth with no changes in glucose metabolism. RC2 offspring had high BM (body mass) at birth, which was sustained over the whole experiment in male offspring. The F2 generation had more alteration in glucose metabolism than the F1 generation. CR2 and RC2 offspring had hyperglycaemia accompanied by hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance in both genders. CR2 offspring had an increase in body adiposity with hyperleptinaemia. In conclusion, low protein during gestation improves BM, fat mass and growth rate in F1 rats, but has adverse effects on glucose and leptin metabolism, resulting in insulin resistance in adult F1 and F2 offspring. Low protein during lactation has adverse effects on glucose, insulin and leptin metabolism, resulting in insulin resistance in adult F2 offspring. These findings suggest that low protein during gestation and/or lactation can be passed transgenerationally to the second generation.

There is a high incidence of thrombosis in cancer patients. Retrospective studies indicate that lupus anticoagulant (LA) antibodies can be a thrombosis risk factor in cancer. In 77 patients with different forms of cancer LA and thrombosis incidence were retrospectively evaluated. In a prospective study, with 42 lung adenocarcinoma patients, we measured plasma LA, fibrinogen, factor VIII (FVIII), and thrombosis incidence. A high frequency of LA and thrombosis were observed in both studies. In isolation LA, increased levels of FVIII and fibrinogen could not be considered good markers for the development of thrombosis.

To investigate the effect of partially defatted Granulated Brazil nut (GBN) on biomarkers of oxidative stress and antioxidant status of hypertensive and dyslipidemic patients on nutrition and drug approaches. Ninety one hypertensive and dyslipidemic subjects of both genders (51.6 % men), mean age 62.1 ± 9.3 years, performed a randomized crossover trial, double-blind, placebo controlled. Subjects received a diet and partially defatted GBN 13 g per day (≈227.5 μg/day of selenium) or placebo for twelve weeks with four-week washout interval. Anthropometric, laboratory and clinic characteristics were investigated at baseline. Plasma selenium (Se), plasma glutathione peroxidase (GPx3) activity, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), 8-epi PGF2α and oxidized LDL were evaluated at the beginning and in the end of each intervention. GBN intake significantly increased plasma Se from 87.0 ± 16.8 to 180.6 ± 67.1 μg/L, increased GPx3 activity in 24,8 % (from 112.66 ± 40.09 to 128.32 ± 38.31 nmol/min/mL, p

Background/aims: Dietary habits are considered to be responsible for a fatty liver. The aims of this work are to study the effects of different lipid sources on rat hepatic structure. Methods: Twenty 21-day-old to 18-month-old male rats were fed one of the following diets: soybean oil, canola oil, lard and egg yolk (LE), or canola oil+lard and egg yolk (CA+LE). The blood serum triglyceride samples were analyzed. The following hepatic biometry and the stereology parameters were determined: densities of volume (Vv) and surface (Sv), absolute volume (V) and surface (S) of the hepatocytes (h), fat globules (g), and hepatic sinusoids (s), and numerical density of the hepatocytes (Nv[h]). Results: The largest values of Vv[h], Sv[h], V[h], and S[h] were found in the LE group. However, the largest values of Vv[g], Sv[g], and S[g] were found in the CA+LE group, and the smallest values of those parameters were found in the LE group. On the other hand, V[g] was larger in the CA+LE group. Vv[s] and V[s] were larger in the LE group and smaller in the CA+LE group. Conclusion: Long-term administration of canola oil or soybean oil resulted in similar effects on hepatocytes, hepatic sinusoids, and fat globules. Long-term administration of lard and egg yolk attenuates hepatic fat accumulation and increases hepatic sinusoids. The administration of the canola oil and lard and egg yolk mixture increases hepatic fat accumulation, reducing the hepatic sinusoids.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are associated with comorbidity. Shoulder pain is among the symptoms associated with TMD. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between TMD and rotator cuff disease (RCD) and related genetic aspects. All subjects underwent orofacial and shoulder examinations. The control group comprised 30 subjects with no pain. Affected subjects were divided into three groups: RCD (TMD-free, n=16), TMD (RCD-free, n=13), and TMD/RCD (patients with both RCD and TMD, n=49). A total of eight single nucleotide polymorphisms in the ESRRB gene were investigated. A chemiluminescent immunoassay was used to measure estradiol levels. Surface electromyography recorded head and cervical muscle activity. The χ(2) test and Student t-test/Mann-Whitney test were used to assess the significance of nominal and continuous variables. A P-value of

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.-- et al., [Background]: The control of vector-borne diseases is important to improve human and animal health worldwide. Malaria is one of the world’s deadliest diseases and is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium, which are transmitted by Anopheles spp. mosquitoes. Recent evidences using Subolesin (SUB) and Akirin (AKR) vaccines showed a reduction in the survival and/or fertility of blood-sucking ectoparasite vectors and the infection with vector-borne pathogens. These experiments suggested the possibility of using AKR for malaria control. [Methods]: The role of AKR on Plasmodium berghei infection and on the fitness and reproduction of the main malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae was characterized by evaluating the effect of akr gene knockdown or vaccination with recombinant mosquito AKR on parasite infection levels, fertility and mortality of female mosquitoes. [Results]: Gene knockdown by RNA interference in mosquitoes suggested a role for akr in mosquito survival and fertility. Vaccination with recombinant Aedes albopictus AKR reduced parasite infection in mosquitoes fed on immunized mice when compared to controls. [Conclusions]: These results showed that recombinant AKR could be used to develop vaccines for malaria control. If effective, AKR-based vaccines could be used to immunize wildlife reservoir hosts and/or humans to reduce the risk of pathogen transmission. However, these vaccines need to be evaluated under field conditions to characterize their effect on vector populations and pathogen infection and transmission., This research was supported by grant BFU2011-23896 to JF and by funding from the MSc. course on Medical Parasitology from UEIPM-IHMT.

Após caracterização clínico-epidemiológica da oncocercose na região Yanomâmi, RR, Brasil, iniciada em 1993, a Fundação Nacional de Saúde (FNS) implementou um projeto piloto de controle e tratamento nos pólos de base de Tootobi e Balawaú. Nestes, foram estudadas biópsias de pele de 426 pessoas. Nos nódulos de 86,7% de pacientes, foi encontrada Onchocerca volvulus. A prevalência global encontrada na população examinada foi 66,2%. O tratamento, com ivermectina, teve uma cobertura de 80,1% da população total. Reações adversas ao medicamento foram relatadas em 12,3% dos pacientes, sendo consideradas como leves e moderadas. Estes resultados são concordantes com os descritos na literatura médica e sugerem a factibilidade da ampliação do referido Programa para toda a área Yanomâmi, numa próxima fase.After to characterize the clinic and epidemiological picture of the onchocerciasis in Yanomâmi region, RR, Brazil, begun in 1993, the National Health Foundation (FNS) implemented a Control and Treatment Pilot Project in Tootobi and Balawaú. Here, it was studied skin biopsies from 426 inhabitants. In the nodules of 86.7% from patients was encountered Onchocerca volvulus. The over-all prevalence in the examined population was 66.2%. The treatment with ivermectin covered 80.1% of total population. Adverse reactions, light and moderate, of the medicament were reported in 12.3% of the patients. These results agreeing with the medical literature and suggesting the viability of to increase of the programme for all Yanomâmi area in the next phase.

The five-year survival rate of liver cancer is low, 14% according to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program database of the National Cancer Institute from 2003 to 2007 [3]. Since in the early stages of liver cancer, patients usually do not show signs or symptoms, improving early diagnosis is essential in order to reduce morbidity and mortality rates. Association rule mining, a popular method for discovering interesting hidden relationships or patterns between variables in large databases, has demonstrated benefit when applied to cancer detection and management. To date, however, no studies have applied it to liver cancer. The objective of this study was to apply the FP-growth association algorithm to discover patterns from liver cancer data, which can hopefully be used for early detection.

Children from pregnant smokers show more susceptibility to develop obesity in adult life. Previously, we failed to demonstrate a program for obesity in rat offspring only when the mothers were exposed to tobacco smoke during lactation. Here, we studied the short- and long-term effects of smoke exposure (SE) to both dams and their pups during lactation on endocrine and metabolic parameters. For this, we designed an experimental model where nursing rats and their pups were divided into two groups: SE group, exposed to smoke in a cigarette smoking machine (four times/day, from the third to the 21st day of lactation), and group, exposed to filtered air. Pups were killed at 21 and 180 days. At weaning, SE pups showed lower body weight (7%), length (5%), retroperitoneal fat mass (59%), visceral adipocyte area (60%), and higher subcutaneous adipocyte area (95%) with hypoinsulinemia (−29%), hyperthyroxinemia (59%), hypercorticosteronemia (60%), and higher adrenal catecholamine content (+58%). In adulthood, SE offspring showed higher food intake (+10%), body total fat mass (+50%), visceral fat mass (retroperitoneal: 55%; mesenteric: 67%; and epididymal: 55%), and lower subcutaneous adipocyte area (24%) with higher serum glucose (11%), leptin (85%), adiponectin (1.4-fold increase), total triiodothyronine (71%), free thyroxine (57%), TSH (36%), triglycerides (65%), VLDL cholesterol (+66%), and HDL cholesterol (91%) levels and lower corticosteronemia (41%) and adrenal catecholamine content (57%). Our present findings suggest that tobacco SE to both dams and their pups during lactation causes malnutrition in early life that programs for obesity and hormonal and metabolic disturbances in adulthood, only if the pups are submitted to the same smoke environment as the mother.

Association rules produced by the Apriori and FPGrowth algorithms reveal demographic factors associated with increased incidence of liver cancer and may provide a mechanism for early detection.

Philippart, Catharina J.M. et al., Reproductive cycles of marine invertebrates with complex life histories are considered to be synchronized by water temperature and feeding conditions, which vary with season and latitude. This study analyses seasonal variation in the occurrence of oyster (Crassostrea gigas) and mussel (Mytilus edulis/. galloprovincialis) larvae across European coastal waters at a synoptic scale (1000s of km) using standardised methods for sampling and molecular analyses.We tested a series of hypotheses to explain the observed seasonal patterns of occurrence of bivalve larvae at 12 European stations (located between 37°N and 60°N and 27°W and 18°E). These hypotheses included a model that stated that there was no synchronisation in seasonality of larval presence at all between the locations (null hypothesis), a model that assumed that there was one common seasonality pattern for all stations within Europe, and various models that supposed that the variation in seasonality could be grouped according to specific spatial scales (i.e., latitude, large marine ecosystems and ecoregions), taxonomic groups, or several combinations of these factors.For oysters, the best models explaining the presence/absence of larvae in European coastal waters were (1) the model that assumed one common seasonal pattern, and (2) the one that, in addition to this common pattern, assumed an enhanced probability of occurrence from south to north. The third best model for oysters, with less empirical support than the first two, stated that oysters reproduced later in the south than in the north. For mussels, the best models explaining the seasonality in occurrence of larvae were (1) the model that assumed four underlying trends related to large marine ecosystems, and (2) the one that assumed one common seasonal pattern for larvae occurrence throughout Europe.Such synchronies in larval occurrences suggest that environmental conditions relevant to bivalve larval survival are more or less similar at large spatial scales from 100s to 1000s of km. To unravel the underlying mechanisms for this synchronisation is of particular interest in the light of changing environmental conditions as the result of global climate change and the possible consequences for marine food webs and ecosystem services. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Exposure to tobacco smoke is related to changes in energy balance regulation and several endocrine dysfunctions. Previously, we showed that maternal nicotine (the main addictive compound of tobacco) exposure exclusively during lactation affects biochemical profiles in mothers, milk, and pups. As the possible consequences for mothers and offspring of maternal smoking during lactation are still unknown, we evaluated the effects of tobacco smoke exposure on nutritional, biochemical, and hormonal parameters in dams and pups at weaning. After 72 h from birth, lactating rats were divided into two groups: smoke-exposed (S) in a cigarette-smoking machine, 4×1 h per day throughout the lactation period without pups; control (C), rats were treated the same as the experimental group but exposed to filtered air. Dams and pups were killed at weaning (21 days of lactation). Body weight and food intake were evaluated. Milk, blood, visceral fat, adrenal, and carcass were collected. S dams showed hyperprolactinemia (+50%), hypoinsulinemia (−40%), hypoleptinemia (−46%), as well as lower triglycerides (−53%) and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (−50%). Milk of S dams had higher lactose (+52%) and triglycerides (+78%). S pups presented higher body protein (+17%), lower total (−24%) and subcutaneous fat contents (−25%), hypoglycemia (−11%), hyperinsulinemia (+28%), hypocorticosteronemia (−40%), lower adrenal catecholamine content (−40%), hypertriglyceridemia (+34%), higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (+16%), and lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (−45%). In conclusion, tobacco smoke exposure leads to changes in nutritional, biochemical, and hormonal parameters in dams and, passively through the milk, may promote several important metabolic disorders in the progeny.

We have shown that maternal nicotine exposure during lactation has long-lasting effects on body adiposity and hormonal status of rat offspring. Here, we studied the nutritional and hormonal profiles in this experimental model. Two days after birth, osmotic minipumps were implanted in lactating rats divided into two groups: NIC – continuous s.c. infusions of nicotine (6 mg/kg per day) for 14 days and C – saline. Dams and pups were killed at 15 and 21 days of lactation. Body weight and food intake were evaluated. Milk, blood, visceral fat, carcass, and adrenal gland were collected. All the significant data were P

A correlation between cancer and hypercoagulability has been described for more than a century. Patients with cancer are at increased risk for thrombotic complications and the clotting initiator protein, tissue factor (TF), is possibly involved in this process. Moreover, TF may promote angiogenesis and tumor growth. In addition to TF, thrombin seems to play a relevant role in tumor biology, mainly through activation of protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1). In the present study, we prospectively studied 39 lung adenocarcinoma patients in relation to the tumor expression levels of TF and PAR-1 and their correlation with thrombosis outcome and survival. Immunohistochemical analysis showed TF positivity in 22 patients (56%), most of them in advanced stages (III and IV). Expression of PAR-1 was found in 15 patients (39%), most of them also in advanced stages (III and IV). Remarkably, no correlation was observed between the expression of TF or PAR-1 and risk for thrombosis development. On the other hand, patients who were positive for TF or PAR-1 tended to have decreased long-term survival. We conclude that immunolocalization of either TF or PAR-1 in lung adenocarcinoma may predict a poor prognosis although lacking correlation with thrombosis outcome.

Thrombosis is highly prevalent in cancer patients, being accepted as a bad prognosis marker. The importance of various mechanisms involved in the thrombophilic state of lung cancer patients is not well understood. In this prospective study, involving 109 unselected patients with lung adenocarcinoma, thrombosis was present in 24% of patients and affected survival in a bivariable model. However, in a multivariable evaluation, considering all the factors under study, only LAC and IgM anti-beta(2) GP I modified thrombosis risk, whereas in a Kaplan-Meyer regression model, thrombosis, IL-6, LAC, factor VIII, and IgM anti-beta(2) GP I interfered with patient's survival.

Hb H Disease is caused by the loss or inactivation of three of the four functional α-globin genes. Patients present chronic hemolytic anemia and splenomegaly. In some cases, occasional blood transfusions are required. Deletions are the main cause of this type of thalassemia ( α-thalassemia). We describe here an unusual case of Hb H disease caused by the combination of a common α(0) deletion [-( α) (20.5) ] with a rare point mutation (c.427T > A), thus resulting in an elongated and unstable α-globin variant, Hb Icaria, (X142K), with 31 additional amino-acid residues. Very high levels of Hb H and Hb Bart's were detected in the patient's red blood cells (14.7 and 19.0%, respectively). This is the first description of this infrequent association in the Brazilian population.

Background and aims Obesity is present among all age groups and in all socioeconomic groups. This study on obese rats aims to quantify the beneficial effects of physical exercise on blood pressure (BP), the heart, the elasticity and resistance of arteries. Methods and results Obese male Wistar rats, (obesity due to a high fat diet with 30% fat), and non-obese rats, were assigned to four groups (n = 5): sedentary obese; exercise-practice obese; sedentary control; and exercise-practice control (motor treadmill for 13 weeks). Their organs were studied through light microscopy and stereology. The diet-induced obesity caused mild hypertension with adverse cardiovascular changes. Physical exercise diminished the alterations associated with BP elevation and obesity. The pressure-lowering effect observed in obese rats submitted to physical exercise improved the myocardial vascularization and the aortic and the carotid wall structure by reducing the thickness and normalizing both the elastic lamellae and the smooth muscle cells. The adaptive response of the gluteus superficialis muscle to physical exercise also improved the peripheral resistance arteries of obese rats. Conclusion Current research supports the notion of physical exercise as a potential non-pharmacological antihypertensive treatment for diet-induced obesity hypertension.

We have tested the different edible oil effects on the blood pressure (BP) control and the following glomerular protection. Six groups of 12-week-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) (n = 5), have received different edible oils (fish, canola, palm, olive, and soybean) or a placebo by gavage for 13 weeks. Renal cortex was analyzed through light microscopy and stereology. Usual BP increase, glomerulosclerosis, glomerular enlargement, and glomeruli loss in SHR has been prevented (fish, canola and palm oils) or attenuated (olive and soybean oils) by these oil long-term administration. The most favorable effect has been seen in the fish oil administration (source of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, PUFA, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids), followed by both canola and palm oils (source of n-3 PUFA plus n-9 monounsaturated, MUFA, and saturated fatty acid, respectively), and finally both olive and soybean oils (source of n-9 MUFA and n-6 PUFA, respectively).

Background Dietary lipid intake type affecting spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) blood pressure (BP). There are no information available whether different edible lipids long-term administration does potentiality alter the usual cardiomyocyte loss in SHR or not. Methods Six groups of 3-month-old male SHR received different edible oils (fish, canola, palm, olive, and soybean oils—1.5 g/kg/day+1 UI of vitamin E per ml) or water (control) by gavage for 13 weeks. Left ventricular cardiomyocyte number ( N [cmn]) was analysed through stereology and disector method. Results BP showed lower in the experimental groups (30% in the fish oil group, 15% in both canola oil and palm oil groups, 5% in both olive oil and soybean oil groups) when compared to the control group. N [cmn] was greater in the fish oil group and smaller in the control group. N [cmn] was over 130% greater in the fish oil group, and more than 25% greater in the canola, palm, and olive oils groups compared to the control group. N [cmn] showed a negative correlation with BP ( R =−0.98, p Conclusion Hypertension nutritional management and subsequent prevention/attenuation of left ventricular cardiomyocyte loss pointed out a novel therapeutic strategy to be seriously considered in the long-term hypertension treatment. The goal is to postpone the consequences of cardiomyocyte number decrease and heart failure in hypertension.

Background: It is largely accepted that cancer patients have a high incidence of thrombosis which is strictly related to prognosis of cancer. Aim: We prospectively evaluated 81 consecutively lung adenocarcinoma patients in order to identify prothrombotic factors and thrombosis incidence. Methods: Patients were submitted to Doppler examination of arms and limbs every three months or in case of thrombosis suspicion. Additional image evaluations were made in case of inconclusive diagnosis. Levels of C protein, platelets, and fibrinogen, factor VIII and IX, D-dimmer, antitrombin and apoptotic microparticles were evaluated each six months. Samples were also tested for lupus anticoagulant (LA) antibodies and levels of IL-1, IL-6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF). A group of 30 healthy blood donors was used as control. Results: From the studied patients 21% had thrombosis, 38% had fibrinogen above 500 mg/dl, 42% had FVIII activity above 200%, 63% had increased D-dimmer, 60% had more than 1x106 microparticles/ml serum, and none of them have decreased levels of C protein or antitrombin. A small fraction of patients had increase of platelet counts. At immunological evaluation 52% of patients had LA detection and 63% showed increased leves of IL-6. Patients with at least one of the variables thrombosis, high levels of IL-6 (p Conclusion: There is a high incidence of thrombosis in lung adenocarcinoma patients, on which FVIII and LA significantly influenced and microparticles only showed a tendency. However, presence of LA, thrombosis or increased levels of IL-6 or FVIII showed directly interfered with patient’s survival.