Search

Introduction: The standardization of a weaning protocol and extubation is presented as the solution to eliminate the possiblefactors that would lead to complications andfailure of extubation. Objectives: To review the scientific literature to characterise the weaningprotocols and discontinuation of mechanical ventilation in adults in cardiac surgery postoperative. Methodology: Conducted via literature research in databases SciELO, Medline, Lilacs and PubMed, with the following search terms: weaning / weaning, mechanical ventilation / mechanical ventilation, cardiac surgery / cardiac surgery and "AND" to join words. It was implemented a descriptive analysis. Results: We selected 15 articles published between 1998 and 2016. The most used weaning protocols involve Adaptive Support Ventilation (ASV at 100% of the minute volume) and the Spontaneous / Support Pressure modality. The criteria analyzedfor interruption of mechanical ventilation and that ensure its success were: gasometry, consciousness recovery, hemodynamic stability and body temperature. Conclusion: Adaptive Support Ventilation (100%) and Spontaneous were the most used for weaning. The perception of gasometry, followed by hemodynamic stability, resumption of consciousness and normalization of body temperature were the most used criteria for the decision to interrupt mechanical ventilation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anemia is estimated to affect half the school-age children and adolescents in developing countries. The main causes are parasitic infections, malaria, and low iron intake. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of anemia, parasitic infections, and nutritional status of children attending public primary schools in Aracaju, Northeast Brazil. Of 360 students, 26.7% were anemic, and prevalence was higher in children under 8 and over 15 years of age. Overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 42%, with Ascaris lumbricoides (28.7%), Trichuris trichiura (15.6%), and hookworm (1.7%) most frequently found. There was an association between parasitic infections and poor sanitary conditions, but there was no association between anemia and presence of intestinal parasites. Height-for-age Z scores were lower than the NCHS standard, and prevalence of stunting was 5.4%. Although intestinal parasites were not associated with anemia, children with parasites had lower nutritional indices (weight- and height-for-age Z scores) than those without parasites.

Abstract Background Caseous lymphadenitis (CLA), caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, is one of the most important diseases of sheep and goats, causing considerable economic losses for herd owners. Results We assessed the seroprevalence of infection with C. pseudotuberculosis in 805 sheep from 23 sheep farms that supply slaughterhouses in the state of Minas Gerais; we also analyzed management practices that could be associated with CLA occurrence, used on these and nearby farms that also supplied animals to the slaughterhouse (n = 60). The serum samples for assaying CLA infection were taken at the slaughterhouse. Frequency of infection with C. pseudotuberculosis was estimated at 43.7%, and farm frequency was estimated at 100%. Management practices were analyzed through a questionnaire. All farmers (60/60) had extensive/semi-extensive rearing system; 70.0% (42/60) identified sheep individually; 11.7% (7/60) had periodical technical assistance; 41.7% (25/60) disinfected the facilities; 86.7% (52/60) used barbed wire fences and did not implement adequate CLA control measures; only 11.7% (7/60) of breeders reported vaccination against C. pseudotuberculosis; 13.3% (8/60) took note of animals with clinical signs of CLA; 1.7% (1/60) opened and sanitized abscesses, and isolated the infected animals; 10.0% (6/60) knew the zoonotic potential of this disease and 1.7% (1/60) of the farmers culled animals in case of recurrence of abscesses. Conclusions It can be concluded that C. pseudotuberculosis infection is widely spread in sheep flocks in Minas Gerais state in Brazil and that there is a lack of good management measures and vaccination, allowing transmission of this infectious agent throughout the production network.

Abstract Background The aim of prenatal care is to promote good maternal and foetal health and to identify risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes in an attempt to promptly manage and solve them. Although high prenatal care attendance is reported in most areas in Brazil, perinatal and neonatal mortalities are disproportionally high, raising doubts about the quality and performance of the care provided. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the adequacy of prenatal care use and the risk factors involved in inadequate prenatal care utilization in the metropolitan area of Aracaju, Northeast Brazil. Methods A survey was carried out with puerperal women who delivered singleton liveborns in all four maternity hospitals of Aracaju. A total of 4552 singleton liveborns were studied. The Adequacy of Prenatal Care Utilization Index, modified according to the guidelines of the Prenatal Care and Birth Humanization Programme, was applied. Socioeconomic, demographic, biological, life style and health service factors were evaluated by multiple logistic regression. Results: Prenatal care coverage in Aracaju was high (98.3%), with a mean number of 6.24 visits. Prenatal care was considered to be adequate or intensive in 66.1% of cases, while 33.9% were considered to have inadequate usage. Age < 18 to 34 years at delivery, low maternal schooling, low family income, two or more previous deliveries, maternal smoking during pregnancy, having no partner and prenatal care obtained outside Aracaju were associated with inadequate prenatal care use. In contrast, private service attendance protected from inadequate prenatal care use. Conclusion Prenatal care coverage was high. However, a significant number of women still had inadequate prenatal care use. Socioeconomic inequalities, demographic factors and behavioural risk factors are still important factors associated with inadequate prenatal care use.

Este trabalho objetiva contribuir para a automação do processo de auditoria, propondo uma abordagem para cálculo de volume de produtos agrícolas em armazéns, denominada SisA^3. O volume é obtido a partir de dados fornecidos por um equipamento digitalizador, o qual gera uma matriz de dados baseada nos pontos do relevo, em geral não uniforme, definida pelo produto estocado. Para avaliar as funcionalidades do SisA^3 , são apresentados dois estudos de caso, destacando os protótipos desenvolvidos e os resultados obtidos com sua implementação e paralelização.

Gallic acid (GA) is a powerful antioxidant extracted from plants of the Brazilian Cerrado. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the occurrence of radiation-induced osteonecrosis in patients treated for head and neck cancer. There is a need to develop research aimed at developing complementary therapies to prevent or reverse bone damage. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of GA in preosteoblasts exposed to therapeutic ionizing radiation. MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast cells were treated with 10 µM GA and exposed to 6 Gy ionizing radiation. We performed in vitro assays of cell proliferation, oxidative stress analysis by detection of reactive oxygen species, and alkaline phosphatase assay. GA at lower concentrations was able to significantly increase proliferation and inhibit radiation-induced generation of reactive oxygen species in osteoblast precursor cells, despite ionizing radiation-induced injury. Furthermore, GA significantly increased alkaline phosphatase at a dose of 6 Gy. The findings suggested that GA could attenuate ionizing radiation-induced injuries in osteoblast precursor cells. Moreover, in vivo studies are needed to better investigate the role of GA in osteonecrosis, especially in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy or taking antiresorptive drugs., (© The Author(s).)

Catharanthus roseus leaves produce a range of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs) that include low levels of the anticancer drugs vinblastine and vincristine. The MIA pathway displays a complex architecture spanning different subcellular and cell type localizations, and is under complex regulation. As a result, the development of strategies to increase the levels of the anticancer MIAs has remained elusive. The pathway involves mesophyll specialized idioblasts where the late unsolved biosynthetic steps are thought to occur. Here, protoplasts of C. roseus leaf idioblasts were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and their differential alkaloid and transcriptomic profiles were characterized. This involved the assembly of an improved C. roseus transcriptome from short- and long-read data, IDIO+. It was observed that C. roseus mesophyll idioblasts possess a distinctive transcriptomic profile associated with protection against biotic and abiotic stresses, and indicative that this cell type is a carbon sink, in contrast to surrounding mesophyll cells. Moreover, it is shown that idioblasts are a hotspot of alkaloid accumulation, suggesting that their transcriptome may hold the key to the in-depth understanding of the MIA pathway and the success of strategies leading to higher levels of the anticancer drugs., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology.)

Purpose: To describe 120 cases of ocular sporotrichosis., Methods: Review of medical records of patients with culture-proven (from eye specimen) ocular sporotrichosis, in Rio de Janeiro, from 2007 to 2017., Results: Women were more affected (61.7%) and median age was 24 years. The isolated ocular form was more frequent (75.8%). Fixed cutaneous sporotrichosis was the most commonly associated form (48.3%). Hypersensitivity reactions were observed in 10% of patients. Ocular involvement was unilateral in 98.3% of the cases, and the most frequent clinical presentation was granulomatous conjunctivitis (86.7%), followed by eyelid lesion (25%). Dacryocystitis represented 7.5% of the cases, predominantly in children (55.6%). Itraconazole was the first choice treatment (95.8%). Sequelae were observed in 23 patients (22.5%), and surgical treatment was required for most of them., Conclusion: Ocular sporotrichosis can be considered a characteristic form of the zoonotic transmission, with high morbidity. Delay in initiating specific treatment is likely to increase the risk of progression to more severe forms of the disease, and development of ocular sequelae.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito is a vector of important viral diseases in tropical countries, as Zika, Chikungunya and Dengue fever. The use of the chemical control of the insect life cycle is one of the most popular strategies used as prophylactic for the human population exposed. However, potential environmental and human toxicity, as well as the resistance phenomena acquired by the insects, are the main limitations for the available options. This scenario encourages the continuous search for more potent and less inconvenient chemical alternatives. In this paper, we report a potent in vitro larvicidal activity in Aedes aegypti found to a chalcone compound, previously mined by an exhaustive virtual screening by molecular docking calculations in an important protein for the larvae growth. The protein 3-hydroxykynurenine transaminase enzyme (PDB ID: 6MFB) was then combined with potential ligands provided by a homemade databank, containing secondary metabolites found in plants of the brazilian Caatinga biome. Structural rationalization of the compounds with high affinity pointed the chalcone class as most promising. Subsequent in vitro tests allowed the identification of a specific molecule with very high larvicidal potency (100% of lethality at 2.5 ppm). These results can be used in future and more refined studies, to propose a larvicidal formulation for direct application and the exploration of new compounds of this chemical class., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors state that research ethical precepts have been observed and that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Digital cognitive training can remediate cognitive deficits present in schizophrenia. However, limited motivation and engagement may impact adherence to training. Therefore, identifying factors that may enhance (facilitators) or decrease (barriers) engagement in digital cognitive training and possibly modulate its effects are of great clinical relevance., Methods: We measured cognition, symptom severity, motivation (semi-structured interview), and engagement (adapted Utrecht Work Engagement Scale - UWES) of 27 patients with schizophrenia after a 40-h digital cognitive training. The interview transcript quotes were coded and categorized into facilitators and barriers. Thereafter, we tested the association of motivation and engagement with changes in cognition and symptoms after training., Results: The facilitator 'good performance' and the barrier 'difficult exercise' were associated with larger gains in attention (p = 0.03) and reasoning and problem solving (p = 0.02), respectively. 'Poor performance' was associated with smaller gains in global cognition (p < 0.01), attention (p = 0.03), and working memory (p = 0.02). The facilitator 'welcoming setting' was associated with larger reductions in the negative (p = 0.01) and total (p = 0.01) symptoms measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. The UWES engagement scale was associated with different facilitators and barriers that emerged from the interview, an indication of consistency among both qualitative and quantitative assessments., Discussion: Using a mixed quantitative and qualitative research design, we showed associations between motivation and engagement and the response to digital cognitive training in schizophrenia. Facilitators and barriers were associated with engagement, gains in cognition, and reduced symptoms after the intervention, providing insights on how to increase engagement in the digital cognitive training delivered to subjects with schizophrenia., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Dr. Panizzutti is the founder of NeuroForma LTDA, a company with a financial interest in cognitive training. The remaining authors have no conflict of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Studies indicate that neuroscience-informed digital cognitive training can remediate cognitive impairments in schizophrenia, but the factors contributing to these deficits and response to treatment remain unclear. Toxoplasma gondii is a neuroinvasive parasite linked to cognitive decline that also presents a higher prevalence in schizophrenia. Here, we compared the cognition and symptom severity of IgG seropositive (TOXO+; n = 25) and seronegative (TOXO-; n = 35) patients who participated in a randomized controlled trial of digital cognitive training. At baseline, TOXO+ subjects presented lower global cognition than TOXO- (F = 3.78, p = 0.05). Specifically, TOXO+ subjects showed worse verbal memory and learning (F = 4.48, p = 0.03), social cognition (F = 5.71, p = 0.02), and higher antibody concentrations were associated with increased negative (r = 0.42, p = 0.04) and total (r = 0.40, p = 0.04) schizophrenia symptoms. After training, the TOXO+ group showed higher adherence to the intervention (X 2  = 9.31, p = 0.03), but there were no differences in changes in cognition and symptoms between groups. These findings highlight the association between seropositivity to T. gondii and deteriorated cognition and symptoms in schizophrenia. Further research is needed to assess the specific efficacy of digital cognitive training on this population., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

The growth, sexual maturity and fertility-related parameters related of young Nellore bulls with divergent residual feed intake (RFI) raised on pasture were evaluated. After classification of 48 young males as low and high RFI (more and less efficient, respectively), the animals were evaluated for growth and reproductive parameters at 28-day intervals from 14.3 to 24.6 months of age. The semen was cryopreserved in the last sampling and fresh and post-thaw semen samples were evaluated. Low RFI bulls exhibited higher initial and final body weight ( P < 0.05), but feed intake, body condition score and growth measures evaluated by carcass ultrasound were unaffected by RFI ( P > 0.05). The scrotal circumference, sperm concentration, defects, and quality of fresh semen, and ultrasonographic testicular characteristics were unaffected by RFI ( P > 0.05). However, velocity parameters such as average path and curvilinear velocities determined by computer-assisted sperm analysis of thawed semen submitted to the rapid thermoresistance test were improved ( P < 0.05) in low RFI bulls, but this improvement in quality did not enhance in vitro sperm fertilizing ability. Our results demonstrated significant differences in metabolism and growth performance between bulls of divergent RFI. In addition, there was slight improvement in the semen quality of bulls with low RFI bulls, but this did not enhance in vitro fertilizing ability. Selection of beef bulls for RFI can be performed, which will result in economic benefits by improving the growth performance of the animals without affecting reproductive parameters., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest: The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Competing Interests: None disclosed.

Background: Neuroscience-informed cognitive training has been used to remediate cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, but their effect on emotion processing and social cognition deficits, which may involve auditory and visual impairments, remain relatively unknown. In this study, we compared the efficacy of auditory versus visual neuroscience-informed cognitive training on emotion processing and social cognition in individuals with schizophrenia., Methods: In this randomised, double-blind clinical trial, 79 participants with chronic schizophrenia performed 40-hours auditory or visual dynamically equivalent computerised cognitive training. We assessed emotion processing and social cognition using Emotion Recognition, Affective Go-NoGo, Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional-Intelligence, Theory of mind, and Hinting tests before and after 20 h and 40 h of training., Results: After training, participants from both groups decreased their reaction time for facial emotion recognition (p = 3 × 10 -6 , d = 0.9). This was more remarkable for the auditory group when analysing individual emotions. Both groups also reduced omissions in the affective go-no go (p = 0.01, d = 0.6), which was also attributed, post hoc, to the auditory group. Trends for improvement were observed in theory of mind (p = 0.06, d = 0.6) for both groups. Improvement in emotion processing was associated with improvement in reasoning and problem solving and global cognition and improvement in theory of mind was associated with improvement in attention and global cognition., Conclusions: Both the auditory and the visual neuroscience-informed cognitive training were efficacious at improving emotion processing and social cognition in individuals with schizophrenia, although improvement was more remarkable for the auditory training group. These improvements were related to cognitive - but not symptom - improvement., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Plant organs are built of different cell types, characterized by specific transcription programs and metabolic profiles. The possibility of isolation of such cell types to perform differential transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic analyses is highly important to understand many aspects of plant physiology, namely, the structure and regulation of economically valuable specialized metabolic pathways. Here, we describe the isolation of idioblast leaf protoplasts of the medicinal plant Catharanthus roseus by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, taking advantage of the differential autofluorescence properties of those specialized cells., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

The antioxidant, photoprotective and antinociceptive Marcetia macrophylla active extract was investigated as an active ingredient in a sunscreen cream formulation. Thus, the M. macrophylla extract showed IC50 of 3.43 mg/ml of the antioxidant (DPPH∙ scavenging test) and Sun Protection Factor of 20.25 (SPF/UV-B, at 250 µg/ml) and UV-A of 78.09% (photobleaching trans-resveratrol test). The antinociceptive activity was superior to all standards tested using the in vivo acetic acid-induced writhing test (99.14% at the dose of 200 mg/kg) and the high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector and mass spectroscopy multi-stage (HPLC-DAD-MS/MS) enabled the structural characterization of the quercetin-3-O-hexoside, quercetin-3-O-pentoside and quercetin-3-O-desoxihexoside. The pharmaceutical formulation containing the Marcetia macrophylla crude active extract was prepared and the physicochemical tests (organoleptic characteristics, pH analysis and centrifugation), the in vitro UVB (sun protection factor, SPF) and UVA (β-carotene) using the spectroscopic method were investigated. The formulation showed satisfactory results concerning the physicochemical parameters evaluated and active against the UV test. Thus, M. macrophylla showed biological activities with potential use in pharmaceutical preparations.

Agents that modulate the activity of high-voltage gated calcium channels (HVCCs) exhibit experimentally and clinically significant effect by relieving visceral pain. Among these agents, the toxins Phα1β and ω-conotoxin MVIIA effectively reduce chronic pain in rodent models. The molecular mechanisms underlying the chronic pain associated with acute pancreatitis (AP) are poorly understood. Hypercalcemia is a risk factor; the role of cytosolic calcium is considered to be a modulator of pancreatitis. Blockade of Ca 2+ signals may be useful as a prophylactic treatment of pancreatitis. We explored the pathophysiological roles of three peptide toxins: Phα1β and its recombinant form CTK 01512-2-blockers of TRPA1 receptor and HVCCs and ω-conotoxin MVIIA, a specific blocker of N-type calcium channels in cerulein-induced AP. Cerulein injection elicits AP in rats, evidenced by an increase in hyperalgesic pain, inflammatory infiltration, amylase and lipase secretion, and reactive oxygen species, TNF-α, and p65 NF-κB levels. These effects of cerulein-induced AP were abolished by Phα1β and its recombinant form CTK 01512-2, whereas ω-conotoxin MVIIA had no effect on the induced increase in pancreatic enzyme secretion. Our results demonstrate that Phα1β and CTK 01512-2 toxins-antagonists of HVCCs and TRPA1 receptor presented an effective response profile, in the control of nociception and inflammatory process in the AP model in rats, without causing changes in spontaneous locomotion of the rats., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background/objective: We sought to evaluate if autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) influences the functional status of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients., Methods: From 2014 to 2018, a cohort of 27 SSc patients was assessed before, and at 6 and 12 months after AHSCT for modified Rodnan's skin score (mRSS), mouth opening, hand grip strength, range of motion (ROM), functional ability of upper limbs (DASH questionnaire and Cochin hand function scale-CHFS), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and quality of life (SF-36 questionnaire). Linear regression models with random effects and Spearman's test were used for statistical analysis., Results: At 6 and 12 months after AHSCT, respectively, we observed significant improvement of mRSS (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01), mouth opening (p = 0.02 and p < 0.01), hand function (DASH, p < 0.01 and p < 0.01; CHFS, p < 0.01 and p < 0.01; strength, p < 0.01 and p < 0.01), physical capacity (6MWT, p = 0.02 and p = 0.03) and physical (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01) and mental (ns and p = 0.02) component scores of SF-36. At 12 months after AHSCT, ROM measurements improved (p < 0.05) in five out of six evaluated joints in both hands, compared to baseline. Correlation was significant between physical capacity and quality of life (R = 0.62; p < 0.01), between DASH and quality of life (R = -0.48; p = 0.03), and between skin involvement and wrist ROM measures (dominant hand, R = -0.65, p < 0.01; non-dominant hand, R = -0.59; p < 0.01)., Conclusions: AHSCT enhances the functional status of SSc patients in the first year of follow-up, significantly improving hand function, physical capacity and quality of life. These results are interpreted as positive outcomes of AHSCT for SSc.

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article is being retracted following correspondence from the Office of Accountability and Compliance at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. An internal investigation into this manuscript by the University of Maryland, Baltimore, found evidence that there are errors with the presentation of the standard deviations and statistical significance shown in Figure 6 which are not supported by the original data, and that these inaccuracies warrant retraction to correct the scientific record. Despite extensive efforts, the journal was unable to contact Dr. Ying-hua Yang and Dr. Hua Zhou with regard to this retraction., (Copyright © 2020 American Society for Investigative Pathology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Body balance involves the vestibular, visual, and proprioceptive systems. IGF-I is a GH-dependent key factor in the development and postnatal differentiation of the inner ear in mice and men, but its role in the vestibular function in adult humans is unknown. We have previously described a cohort of individuals with severe isolated GH deficiency (IGHD) caused by a mutation in the GHRH receptor (GHRHR) gene. These individuals complain of dizziness, exhibit mild sensorineural loss, but have normal postural balance, without increase in falls risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate their vestibular function., Methods: We performed physical examination (clinical head impulse and Fukuda dynamic stepping test), oculomotor (saccadic eye movements, spontaneous, semi-spontaneous and opotokinetic nystagmus, and pendular tracking) and caloric stimulation (postcaloric reflex and ocular fixation index) tests, in 15 GH-naïve IGHD (seven males) and 15 controls (five males)., Results: IGHD subjects showed lower height and weight, with similar BMI to controls, and higher number of individuals with abnormal clinical head impulse test and abnormal oculomotor tests, namely the saccadic movements and the spontaneous nystagmus. There was a nonsignificant trend in abnormalities in the Fukuda stepping test and postcaloric reflex test., Conclusions: Adult untreated IGHD individuals have higher prevalence of moderate peripheral vestibular impairment, and of abnormal vestibular-ocular reflex.

Objectives: Walking and postural balance are extremely important to obtain food and to work. Both are critical for quality of life and ability to survive. While walking reflects musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary systems, postural balance depends on body size, muscle tone, visual, vestibular and nervous systems. Since GH and IGF-I act on all these systems, we decided to study those parameters in a cohort of individuals with severe short stature due to untreated isolated GH deficiency (IGHD) caused by a mutation in the GHRH receptor gene. These IGHD subjects, despite reduction in muscle mass, are very active and have normal longevity., Methods: In a cross-sectional study, we assessed walking (by a 6-min walk test), postural balance (by force platform) and fall risk (by the 'Timed Up and Go' test) in 31 IGHD and 40 matched health controls., Results: The percentage of the walked distance measured in relation to the predicted one was similar in groups, but higher in IGHD, when corrected by the leg length. Absolute postural balance data showed similar velocity of unipodal support in the two groups, and better values, with open and closed eyes and unipodal support, in IGHD, but these differences became non-significant when corrected for height and lower-limb length. The time in 'Timed Up and Go' test was higher in IGHD cohort, but still below the cut-off value for fall risk., Conclusion: IGHD subjects exhibit satisfactory walking and postural balance, without increase in fall risk.

Introduction: Kaurene diterpenes (KDs) constitute a chemical class often found in the genus Annona with interesting biological activities. To date, chromatographic tools have been mostly used to determine KDs. Quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR) has distinguished itself in quantitative estimation of natural products and is an interesting choice to assess total KD contents., Objective: To establish a 1 H qNMR method for determining the total KD contents in extracts and fractions obtained from Annona vepretorum stems., Methodology: Stems were extracted with hexane and methanol, resulting in the hexane extract (HEX-E) and the methanol extract (MeOH-E). The former was partitioned with the acid-base method to obtain the total alkaloid fraction (TA-F) and the neutral dichloromethane fraction (NDM-F). 1 H qNMR measurements were performed on 400 MHz with samples solubilized in deuterated dimethyl sulfoxide. Quantification was carried out using the signals at 4.71 and 4.78 ppm related to hydrogens of the exocyclic double bond of the basic skeleton of KDs and gallic acid as the standard reference. The selectivity, intra- and inter-day precision, reproducibility, limit of detection, limit of quantification, and robustness of the methodology were evaluated., Results: Using the newly developed method, the total KD contents (in μg/mg) were 653.80 ± 12.15 (HEX-E), 458.90 ± 25.94 (NDM-F), 375.60 ± 27.52 (TA-F), and 315.10 ± 19.20 (MeOH-E). For determining the most promising bioactive sample, the KD contents and the sample discriminations obtained by principal component analysis were correlated to the antibacterial activity. Such approach pointed out HEX-E as a potential source of KDs., Conclusion: The developed method offers a fast and simple way of determining total KD contents., (© 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Purpose: While growth hormone (GH) and the insulin-like growth factor type I (IGF-I) are known to exert synergistic actions on muscle anabolism, the consequences of prolonged GH deficiency (GHD) on muscle function have not been well defined. We have previously described a large cohort of subjects with isolated GHD (IGHD) caused by a mutation in the GH-releasing hormone receptor gene, with low serum levels of GH and IGF-I. The aim of this study was to assess muscular function in these IGHD subjects., Methods: A total of 31 GH-naïve IGHD (16 males) and 40 control (20 males) subjects, matched by age and degree of daily physical activity, were enrolled. Fat free mass was measured by bioelectrical impedance; muscle strength by dynamometry of handgrip, trunk extension, and knee extension; myoelectric activity and muscle fatigue by fractal dimension; conduction velocity in vastus medialis, rectus femoris, and vastus lateralis muscles by surface electromyography., Results: The IGHD group showed higher knee extension strength both when corrected for weight and fat free mass, and higher handgrip and trunk extension strength corrected by fat free mass. They also exhibit higher conduction velocity of the muscles vastus medialis, rectus femoris, and vastus lateralis, but lower free fat mass and myoelectric activity of the vastus medialis, rectus femoris and vastus lateralis. There were no differences between the two groups in fractal dimension in all studied muscles., Conclusion: Individuals with untreated IGHD have better muscle strength parameters adjusted for weight and fat free mass than controls. They also exhibit greater peripheral resistance to fatigue, demonstrating satisfactory muscle function.

The inclusion of pre-pubertal bovine females in reproductive management could allow in vitro embryo production and reduce generation interval, thereby causing faster genetic gain of the herd. However, oocytes of pre-pubertal females have lower competence, blastocyst production, and pregnancy rates than those collected from pubertal animals. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an induced hormonal stimulation on the serum concentrations of Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and FSH, ovarian responses, ovum pick up (OPU), and in vitro produced embryos (IVP) from oocytes obtained from four-to seven-months old Nelore female cattle. In a crossover design, these females were randomly allocated into: 1) Treated Group (TG, n = 9): the animals were subjected to a hormonal protocol (implanted progesterone device, estradiol benzoate, LH, and FSH) from Day 0 (the start of the treatment) to Day 7 (OPU day), and 2) Control Group (CG, n = 9): the females did not receive any hormonal stimulation, but they had ablation of their largest follicles on Day 2 of experiment. Blood collection for serum FSH measurements was done on Days 5, 6, 7, and 8, and collection for serum AMH measurements was done on Days 5 and 8. As hypothesized, TG had higher serum FSH concentrations (p < 0.05) on Day 5 (1.16 ± 0.31 ng/mL), Day 6 (1.21 ± 0.45 ng/mL), and Day 7 (0.95 ± 0.26 ng/mL) than CG (0.56 ± 0.17 ng/mL on Day 5, 0.60 ± 0.25 ng/mL on Day 6, and 0.60 ± 0.14 ng/mL on Day 7). However, serum AMH concentrations were neither significantly different (p > 0.05) between CG and TG, nor between the collection days. Hormonal stimulation also increased (p < 0.05) total follicular population (20.0 ± 4.95 CG vs 26.66 ± 4.24 TG), ovarian diameter (13.08 ± 1.0 mm CG vs 14.81 ± 1.38 mm TG) and number of follicles ≥2.5 mm (6.88 ± 2.14 CG vs 11.55 ± 4.09 TG). In TG, grades I and II oocytes predominated, whereas, in CG grades III and IV oocytes were more abundant (p < 0.05). No significant increases (p > 0.05) in the cleavage (49.33% CG vs 51.42% TG), cleavage > 4 cells (9.33% CG vs 16.19% TG), and blastocysts rates (1.33% CG vs 8.57% TG) were seen in TG. This hormonal protocol increased serum FSH concentrations that possibly contributed to increases in the observed follicle, as well as improving oocyte quality. This exogenous hormonal stimulation increased available oocytes numbers for IVP, despite no increase in the in vitro embryo production efficiency., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study was carried out to assess the antibacterial, cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of extracts of Morus nigra L. HPLC was used to determine the fingerprint chromatogram of the crude ethanolic extract (Mn-EtOH). The antibacterial effect was assessed through the method of microdilution. The cytotoxicity was tested against human tumour cell lines using the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also assessed through the Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods, respectively. Antioxidant activities of the extracts were evaluated by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) radical scavenging and β-carotene-linoleic acid bleaching methods. The presence of phenolic compounds in Mn-EtOH was confirmed using HPLC. The extracts showed activity against most microorganisms tested. The extracts did not show any expressive antiproliferative effect in the assessment of cytotoxicity. The most significant total phenolic content was 153.00 ± 11.34 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g to the ethyl acetate extract (AcOEt). The total flavonoid content was 292.50 ± 70.34 mg of catechin equivalent/g to the AcOEt extract, which presented the best antioxidant activity (IC50 50.40 ± 1.16 μg/mL) for DPPH scavenging. We can conclude that this species shows strong antibacterial and antioxidant activities, as well as weak cytotoxic effects.

Background: The cause of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) remains poorly understood, but it is widely believed to be an autoimmune disease occurring in genetically susceptible individuals after exposure to as-yet undefined environmental factors. One of these environmental factors is vitamin D, a well-known immune modulator. The biologically active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, has been shown to exert its immune modulatory properties through its nuclear receptor (VDR) namely by inhibiting the proliferation of Th cells. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of FokI VDR polymorphism in MS development and progression., Methods: A group of 533 unrelated Portuguese patients with a definitive diagnosis of MS and 446 ethnically matched healthy controls were included in the study. FokI was genotyped using a PCR-based TaqMan Genotyping Assay and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] was also assessed., Results: A statistically significant higher frequency of the ff genotype was observed in MS patients (15.6% vs. 10.1%, p=0.012, OR (95% CI)=1.687(1.120-2.541)). No differences were observed in the frequencies of the FokI polymorphism according to disease course or with progression of disability. None of the genotypes was significantly associated with 25(OH)D serum levels., Conclusions: An association between FokI ff genotype and MS susceptibility was found, but not with disease form or progression. Additional clinical and experimental studies should take the FokI VDR polymorphism into account, and further clarify the role of vitamin D, its metabolites and its receptor in MS., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: In an attempt to improve in vitro embryo production, we investigated the effect of fibroblast growth factor 10 (FGF10) during in vitro maturation on the developmental capacity of bovine oocytes., Material and Methods: Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were aspirated from follicles of 3-8 mm diameter. After selection, the COCs were matured in medium with or without 0.5 ng/mL of FGF10. The effect of FGF10 during in vitro maturation (IVM) on nuclear maturation kinetics and expansion of the cumulus cells was investigated. Oocyte competence was assessed by the production and development speed of embryos and the relative expression of genes associated with embryo quality., Results: FGF10 delayed the resumption of meiosis from 8 h onwards, but did not affect the percentage of oocytes reaching metaphase II, nor did it increase cumulus expansion at 22 h of maturation. We found no difference between treatments regarding embryo production, developmental speed, and gene expression., Conclusion: In conclusion, the presence of FGF10 during IVM had no effect on embryo production, developmental speed, and gene expression.

Aim: The present study aimed to analyze the expression of IL6, UCP1 and SIRT1 in adipose tissue (WAT and BAT) in association to clinical, metabolic and anthropometric parameters in obese humans. Methods: WAT and BAT samples from obese patients (n=27) were collected. IL6, UCP1 and SIRT1 markers were measured by qRT-PCR. The association between IL6, UCP1 and SIRT1 mRNA expression and anthropometric and clinical parameters were evaluated, using appropriate statistical tests. Results: Our results demonstrated that high levels of IL6 are associated with altered glucose levels in the WAT (p=0.01). In contrast, high levels of IL6 in the BAT were associated with decreased % fat (p=0.01) and fat weight (p=0.02) and increased mVO 2 (p=0.02) and VO 2 (p=0.02). For UCP1, a higher expression in the BAT was observed when compared to the WAT (p=0.0001). This gene expression was associated with lower values of BMI (p=0.03), % fat (P=0.02) and fat weight (P=0.02) and increased mVO 2 (p=0.041) and VO 2 (p=0.001). In the WAT, decreased levels of SIRT1 were associated with increased fat weight (p=0.02); in the BAT, associations were found for % fat (p=0.018) and mVO 2 (p=0.03). Conclusion: These results reveal different characteristics in the biological actions between WAT and BAT in obese humans. Increased levels of IL6, UCP1 and SIRT1 in the BAT were associated with metabolic parameters improvements., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of meiotic arrest using phosphodiesterase type 3A (PDE 3A) inhibitors, cilostamide and C-type natriuretic peptide (NPPC), on pre-maturation (PM) of oocytes to be used in the production of cloned embryos. Nuclear maturation, in vitro embryo production (IVP), somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) and parthenogenetic activation (PA), and total cells number of cloned embryos were evaluated. The results were analysed by chi-squared and Kruskal-Wallis test with a P-value 0.05) between control and PM, both for cleavage (78.2% and 76.9%) and blastocyst (35.5% and 29.3%) rates. After SCNT, cleavage rate was also similar (P > 0.05) between control and PM (66% and 51.9%) however, blastocyst rate was lower (P < 0.05) in the PM group than in the control group (7.4% and 30.2%). After 6 h of PM with 100 nM of NPPC, approximately 84.9% of the oocytes remained at GV. No difference was found between control and PM in cleavage (69.2% and 76.1%) and blastocyst rates (37,4% and 35%) after IVP. Similarly, no differences between PM and control groups were observed for cleavage (69.2% and 68.4%) and blastocyst (24.4% and 21.5%) rates. SCNT and PA embryos from control or PM oocytes had similar total cell number. It can be concluded that PM for 6 h with 100 nM NPPC is feasible for cloned embryo production without affecting embryo outcome.

Lipogenesis is the process by which fatty acids are synthesized. In metabolic syndrome, an insulin resistant state along with high plasma levels of free fatty acids (FFA) and hyperglycemia may contribute to the lipogenic process. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of oral administration of metformin on the expression of lipogenic genes and glycemic profile in mice fed with low-carbohydrate high-fat diet by evaluating their metabolic profile. SWISS male mice were divided into 4 groups (N = 7) that were fed with standard (ST), standard plus metformin (ST + MET), low-carbohydrate high-fat diet (LCHFD) and low-carbohydrate high-fat diet plus metformin (LCHFD + MET) (100 mg kg -1 diet) diets respectively. Food intake, body weight and blood parameters, such as glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, glucose, HDL-c, total cholesterol, triglycerides, ASL and ALT levels were assessed. Histological analyses were performed on hematoxylin and eosin-stained epididymal adipose tissue histological specimens. The expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARγ), sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), were assessed by RT-PCR. This study showed that metformin decreased adipocyte area, body weight and food consumption in obese animals when compared to the standard group. Furthermore, the expression of lipogenic markers in adipose tissue were diminished in obese animals treated with metformin. This data showed that oral administration of metformin improved glucose and lipid metabolic parameters in white adipose tissue by reducing the expression of lipogenesis markers, suggesting an important clinical application of MET in treating obesity-related diseases in metabolic syndrome.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding a combination of insulin, transferrin and selenium (ITS) and l-ascorbic acid (AA) during in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro culture (IVC) on in vitro embryo production. To verify the effect of the supplements, cleavage and blastocyst rates, embryo size and total cell number were performed. Embryonic development data, embryo size categorization and kinetics of maturation were analyzed by chi-squared test, while the total cell number was analyzed by a Kruskal-Wallis test (P < 0.05). When ITS was present during IVM, IVC or the entire culture, all treatments had a cleavage and blastocyst rates and embryo quality, similar to those of the control group (P < 0.05). Supplementation of IVM medium with ITS and AA for 12 h or 24 h showed that the last 12 h increased embryo production (51.6%; n = 220) on D7 compared with the control (39.5%; n = 213). However, no improvement was observed in blastocyst rate when less competent oocytes, obtained from 1-3 mm follicles, were exposed to ITS + AA for the last 12 h of IVM, with a blastocyst rate of 14.9% (n = 47) compared with 61.0% (n = 141) in the control group. The results suggest that the addition of ITS alone did not affect embryo production; however, when combined with AA in the last 12 h of maturation, there was improvement in the quantity and quality of embryos produced. Furthermore, the use of ITS and AA during IVM did not improve the competence of oocytes obtained from small follicles.

Embryo production by intrafollicular oocyte transfer (IFOT) represents an alternative for production of a large number of embryos without requiring any hormones and only basic laboratory handling. We aimed to (1) evaluate the efficiency of IFOT using immature oocytes (IFIOT) and (2) compare embryo development after IFIOT using fresh or vitrified immature oocytes. First, six IFIOTs were performed using immature oocytes obtained by ovum pickup. After insemination and uterine flush for embryo recovery, 21.3% of total transferred structures were recovered excluding the recipient's own oocyte or embryo, and of those, 26% (5.5% of transferred cumulus-oocyte complexes [COCs]) were morula or blastocyst. In the second study, we compared fresh and vitrified-warmed immature COCs. Four groups were used: (1) fresh immature COCs (Fresh-Vitro); (2) vitrified immature COCs (Vit-Vitro), with both groups 1 and 2 being matured, fertilized, and cultured in vitro; (3) fresh immature COCs submitted to IFIOT (Fresh-IFIOT); and (4) vitrified immature COCs submitted to IFIOT (Vit-IFIOT). Cumulus-oocyte complexes (n = 25) from Fresh-IFIOT or Vit-IFIOT groups were injected into dominant follicles (>10 mm) of synchronized heifers. After excluding one structure or blastocyst, the recovery rates per transferred oocyte were higher (P < 0.05) for Fresh-IFIOT (47.6%) than for Vit-IFIOT (12.0%). Blastocyst yield per initial oocyte was higher (P < 0.05) for Fresh-Vitro (42.1%) than for Fresh-IFIOT (12.9%). Vit-Vitro presented higher (P < 0.05) embryo development (6.3%), compared to Vit-IFIOT, which did not result in any extra embryo. Although IFOT did not improve developmental competence of vitrified oocytes, we achieved viable blastocysts and pregnancies produced after IFIOT of fresh bovine immature oocytes. Further work on this technique is warranted as an option both for research studies and for clinical bovine embryo production in the absence of laboratory facilities for IVF., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Pathogenesis of odontogenic tumors is not well known. It is important to identify genetic deregulations and molecular alterations. This study aimed to investigate, through bioinformatic analysis, the possible genes involved in the pathogenesis of ameloblastoma (AM) and keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT). Genes involved in the pathogenesis of AM and KCOT were identified in GeneCards. Gene list was expanded, and the gene interactions network was mapped using the STRING software. "Weighted number of links" (WNL) was calculated to identify "leader genes" (highest WNL). Genes were ranked by K-means method and Kruskal-Wallis test was used (P<0.001). Total interactions score (TIS) was also calculated using all interaction data generated by the STRING database, in order to achieve global connectivity for each gene. The topological and ontological analyses were performed using Cytoscape software and BinGO plugin. Literature review data was used to corroborate the bioinformatics data. CDK1 was identified as leader gene for AM. In KCOT group, results show PCNA and TP53 . Both tumors exhibit a power law behavior. Our topological analysis suggested leader genes possibly important in the pathogenesis of AM and KCOT, by clustering coefficient calculated for both odontogenic tumors (0.028 for AM, zero for KCOT). The results obtained in the scatter diagram suggest an important relationship of these genes with the molecular processes involved in AM and KCOT. Ontological analysis for both AM and KCOT demonstrated different mechanisms. Bioinformatics analyzes were confirmed through literature review. These results may suggest the involvement of promising genes for a better understanding of the pathogenesis of AM and KCOT., Competing Interests: The authors declared no conflict of interest.

Background: Metformin is a biguanide, belonging to the oral hypoglycemic agents and is a widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Evidence indicate that Metformin inhibits cell proliferation in several human cancers and inhibits the Warburg phenomenon in tumor cells., Results: Low PDH levels were observed in OSCC, and Metformin promotes an increase in PDH levels in hypoxic conditions. Metformin also reduced HIF-1α mRNA and protein levels. Metformin demonstrated antiproliferative effects, inhibited migration, increased the number of apoptotic cells and increased the transcription of caspase 3., Objective: The present study aims to explore the effects of Metformin in hypoxic conditions. Specifically, we focused on pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), (hypoxia-inducible factor 1α) HIF-1α levels and the oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell phenotype. Additionally, we also investigated a theoretical consequence of Metformin treatment., Methods: PDH levels in patients with OSCC and oral dysplasia were evaluated. Metformin was administered in vitro to test the effect of Metformin under hypoxic conditions. The results were complemented by Bioinformatics analyses., Conclusions: In conclusion, our current findings show that Metformin reduces HIF-1α gene expression and increases PDH expression. Metformin inhibits cell proliferation and migration in the OSCC cell line model. Additionally, Metformin enhances the number of apoptotic cells and caspase 3 levels. Interestingly enough, Metformin did not increase the mutant p53 levels under hypoxic conditions.