Changes in tri-methylation profile of lysines 4 and 27 of histone H3 in bovine blastocysts after cryopreservation

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Membrane lipid profile monitored by mass spectrometry detected differences between fresh and vitrified in vitro-produced bovine embryos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Changes in T-cell phenotype and cytokines profile in maternal blood, cord blood and colostrum of diabetic mothers

The present study evaluated the cells and cytokine of maternal blood, cord blood and colostrum of diabetic mothers. The women evaluated were divided according to their body mass index (BMI) and glycemic status into non-diabetic (ND - N = 15), mild gestational hyperglycemic (MGH - N = 15), diabetes mellitus gestational (DMG - N = 13) and type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM2 - N = 15) groups. The subsets of cells and cytokine profile were determined by flow cytometry. Maternal blood from MGH group had increase percentage of CD3(+)T cells, and DM-2 group had decrease percentage of CD4(+) T cells. The cord blood from hyperglycemic groups showed lower percentage of CD3(+) T cells expressing CD45RO(+) and higher of CD4(+) T cells and CD4(+) T cells expressing CD45RA(+). In the colostrum, the CD4(+) T cells and CD4(+) T cells expressed CD45RA(+) increase in hyperglycemic groups. The DM2 group exhibited higher IL17 levels in maternal blood. IFN-γ was lower in cord blood from MGH and DMG groups with overweight/obese. Irrespective of the glycemic status, IL6 was higher in colostrum. The results obtained suggest that maternal hyperglycemia modifies the phenotypes of T cells and cytokines profile in maternal, cord blood and colostrum.

Combined training (aerobic plus strength) potentiates a reduction in body fat but demonstrates no difference on the lipid profile in postmenopausal women when compared to aerobic training with a similar training load

The aim of this study was to verify the effects of aerobic and combined training on the body composition and lipid profile of obese postmenopausal women and to analyze which of these models is more effective after equalizing the training load. Sixty five postmenopausal women (age=61.0±6.3 years) were divided into three groups: Aerobic Training (AT,n= 15), Combined Training (CT,[strength+aerobic],n=32) and control group (CG,n=18). Their body composition: upper body fat (TF), fat mass (FM), percentage of fat mass and fat free mass (FFM) were estimated by DXA. The lipid profile, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were assessed. There was a statistically significant difference in the TF (AT= -4.4 %, CT= -4.4%, and CG= 1.0%, p= 0.001) and FFM (AT= 1.7%, CT= 2.6%, and CG= -1.4%, p= 0.0001) between the experimental and the control groups. Regarding the percentage of body fat, there was a statistically significant difference only between the CT and CG groups (AT= -2.8%, CT= -3.9% and CG= 0.31%, p= 0.004). When training loads were equalized, the aerobic and combined training decreased core fat and increased fat-free mass, but only the combined training potentiated a reduction in percentage of body fat in obese postmenopausal women after the training program. HDL-c levels increased in the combined group and the chol/HDL ratio (atherogenic index) decreased in the aerobic group, however, there were no significant differences between the intervention programs. Taken together, both the exercise training programs were effective for improving body composition and inducing an anti-atherogenic status.

Mutagenicity profile of atmospheric particulate matter in a small urban center subjected to airborne emission from vehicle traffic and sugar cane burning

Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) is genotoxic and recently was classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. PM chemical composition varies depending on source and atmospheric conditions. The Salmonella/microsome assay is the most used mutagenicity test and can identify the major chemical classes responsible for observed mutagenicity. The objective of this work was to characterize the mutagenicity of PM samples from a countryside city, Limeira, Brazil, which is influenced by heavy traffic and sugar cane biomass burning. Six samples of total PM were collected. Air mass backward trajectories were calculated. Organic extracts were assayed using the Salmonella/microsome microsuspension mutagenicity assay using TA98, YG1041, and TA1538, with and without metabolic activation (S9). YG1041 was the most sensitive strain and mutagenicity reached 9,700 revertants per m(3) without metabolic activation. Potency for TA1538 was higher than TA98, indicating that this strain should be considered in air mutagenicity studies. The increased response to YG1041 relative to TA98, and the decreased response with S9, suggests that nitroaromatics are the major contributors. Limeira is among the most mutagenic cities in the world. High mutagenicity in Limeira seems to occur when the air mass from the area of sugarcane production is mixed with air from the region impacted by anthropogenic activities such as traffic. An increase in the formation of nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons may result from longer contact time between the aromatic compounds and the atmosphere with high NOx and ozone concentration, although more studies are required to confirm this hypothesis. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Expression of estrus modifies the gene expression profile in reproductive tissues on Day 19 of gestation in beef cows

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Chicken meat consumer profile in northwestern São Paulo State, Brazil

Brazil is the world’s first chicken meat exporter nowadays. The maintenance of this position requires a constant quality attributes evolution. This work evaluated the chicken meat consumer profile in the northwest region of São Paulo state, the most important Brazilian poultry meat consumer market, in order to provide information to the productive sector. The data were collected using 482 interviews and questionnaires that were answered by e-mail. The questionnaires involved questions related to the consumer identification, habits and preferences and their knowledge about food safety, production system, sustainability and animal welfare. Most of the consumers, 62%, were female, with ages ranging from 20 to 50 years. Beef was preferred by the majority of the answerers and chicken and pork meat were together the second choice. Only 2% of the interviewed consumers mentioned not enjoying poultry meat. The main part of consumers, 67%, prefer to buy breast and leg cuts and only 11% are used to buy the whole poultry carcass. More than 60% of the interviewed have already eaten free range chicken meat, but the majority of them, 89%, are used to consume regular industrialized poultry. About 75% of the consumers believe hormones are used to grow the birds. Over 80% of people observe the expiration date before buying the product, but only 55% check if it has the stamp of the official inspection service. Color and appearance of meat are the most important factors that influence the consumer’s choice. The amount of water that drips on the tray is a rejection factor to 88% of answerers. Most of them, 66%, prefer lighter colored meat. Only 27% of them believe that chicken meat causes an environmental impact and 48% do not know the meaning of animal welfare. More than half of the interviewed do not consider animal welfare aspects before consuming any kind of meat. From these results obtained, it is possible to conclude that any effort to improve the product quality, mainly concerned to animal welfare and sustainability aspects, requires prior educational initiatives.

Harmful oral suction habits in children: association with breastfeeding and family social profile

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Epidemiological profile of hepatitis C virus infection in patients from west region of Minas Gerais State, Brazill

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Isoflavones supplementation of a probiotic soy product: effects on quality characteristics and isoflavones profile

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of isofl avones supplementation of a fermented soy product on its sensory acceptance, physicochemical properties and probiotic cell viable count. Additionally we also investigated the ability of the mixed starter cultures (Enterococcus faecium CRL 183 and Lactobacillus helveticus 416) to modify the isofl avones profi le of soy product during the fermentation process. Three products were analysed: soy product fermented with E. faecium CRL 183 and L. helveticus 416, isofl avonessupplemented soy product (fermented with E. faecium CRL 183 and L. helveticus 416; 50mg/100g, Isofl avin®, Galena, Brazil) and unfermented soy product. A panel of judges evaluated the acceptability of the samples on a nine point structured hedonic scale. The chemical composition namely fat, protein, ash and total carbohydrate contents, pH, enumeration of viable Lactobacillus spp. and Enterococcus spp. and quantifi cation of isofl avones using HPLC were investigated. All determinations were conducted after 7 days storage at 10°C. The sensorial acceptance was reduced in the isofl avones-supplemented soy product, but this effect was not signifi cant compared to the sample without isofl avones addition. Chemical composition did not differ (p<0.05) among the samples. Cell viable counts were reduced and total fermentation time was longer in the isofl avonessupplemented soy product, suggesting that the isofl avone addition could inhibit the starter cultures. However, all the products may be considered probiotic since they exhibited lactic acid bacterial populations varying from 2.3 x 109 up to 1.22 x 1010 CFU/mL. Fermentation of soymilk did not change the isofl avones profi le. In conclusion, it was possible to obtain a fermented soy product containing a high isofl avones concentration, adequate sensory and chemical characteristics and lactic acid bacterial viability suffi ciently high to characterize the product as a probiotic. The mixed starter culture was not able to convert the glycoside isofl avones into aglycone or produce equol during the fermented soy product processing.

Anthropometric profile and upper-limbs strength of bull rider s competitors

A força de preensão manual tem sido relatada como determinante no desempenho de empunhadura em modalidades como lutas e escalada. Este estudo teve por propósito avaliar a aptidão de força isotônica máxima e de preensão manual em praticantes e não praticantes de montaria em touros, a fim de obter parâmetros de referência desta população. Foram avaliados 20 sujeitos em dois grupos, sendo 10 classificados como atletas de montaria e 10 não-atletas. A avaliação da força de preensão manual foi realizada em dinamômetro em posição convencional (DP) e específica (DE), com ambas as mãos (D e E). A força isotônica máxima foi determinada pelo teste de uma repetição máxima (1RM) e também foram obtidas medidas de circunferência dos segmentos, bem como a composição corporal por protocolo de dobras cutâneas. Os valores das variáveis foram comparados pelo teste-t (ρ ≤ 0,05) para dados independentes. As relações entre os valores de força e características antropométricas foram traçadas pelo coeficiente de Pearson. Os resultados para AMT em DPD (43.8±6.8 kgf), DPE (39.4±7.7 kgf), DED (44.9±5.6 kgf) e DEE (39.8±8.3 kgf) comparados aos apresentados por n-AMT em DPD (47.0±3.0 kgf), DPE (42.2±6.1 kgf), DED (49.2±1.5 kgf) e DEE (46.2±4.1 kgf) apresentaram diferenças apenas para DED e DEE. A força nos testes de 1RM (supino reto: 73.2±12.0 kg e 82.0±12.0 kg; rosca direta: 45.2±8.9 kg e 43.8±8.9 kg; tríceps pulley: 67.0±6.3 kg e 72.0±6.3 kg; e puxada posterior: 73.5±8.5 kg e 73.7±7.5 kg) não mostram diferenças entre os grupos. A influência sobre a dinamometria apresenta-se diferente entre os grupos, sendo relevante a força de flexão do cotovelo em AMT e a antropometria e força isotônica para n-AMT. Conclui-se que as características morfo-funcionais de membros superiores não demandam especificidade à montaria em touros.

Profile of the production engineer student at a school of engineering in Brazil: academic and professional trajectories and tendencies

The objective of this paper is to introduce a study on the academic trajectory and professional profile of production engineers who graduated in a traditional and renowned Brazilian University (School of Engineering at Bauru – FEB). The study was conducted with the first three classes of undergraduates in the production engineering program at FEB/UNESP. A 50% response rate was obtained and with the data collected it was possible to characterize the professional profile of the students and outline their academic trajectory. According to the sample, the main result is that the curricular grid is the main criterion of similarity in student education, thus, the focus on program improvements should focus on the curricular grid. Tendencies are also pointed out to guide the search for improvements in the academic trajectory of production engineering students.

Does the acute cerebellitis play a role in the neurocognitive profile of a child after its onset?

This study aimed to present the neuropsychological assessment of MC, a seven-year-old girl, who was diagnosed with acute viral cerebellitis. The protocol included cognitive tests, stress and mood scales, behavioral observation, and interviews with family and school. In the neuropsychological assessment, difficulties in crystallized skills, especially in language and numerical cognition domains, were observed. The results of the neuropsychological assessment were discussed to detail her neurocognitive profile and verify to what extent her impairment could be attributed to the acute viral cerebellitis.

Serum protein profile of hookworm infection in dogs

Hookworms are parasitic nematodes that cause anemia and intestinal infections in dogs, especially with large worm burdens. However, the serum protein profile of this parasitological disease is still poorly understood. The present study was design to evaluate 80 asymptomatic dogs (age; 8 months–2 years) to detect the presence of the hookworm thin-shelled, morulated eggs in faeces using faecal flotation and to evaluate the serum protein fractions determined by means of sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Forty dogs had an elevated quantity of eggs in faeces (+++) (PD) and 40 dogs were healthy (HD). Infected dogs showed significant increases for IgG estimated concentrations (PD 1.79±0.8 g/dL and HD 1.44±0.72 g/dL, p= 0.04), for ceruloplasmin estimated concentrations (PD 19±15 mg/dL and HD 5±3.5 mg/dL, p=0.0001), for alpha 1-acid glycoprotein estimated concentrations (PD 31.4±17.9 mg/dL and HD 13.5±12.1 mg/dL, p=0.0001) and for a non-identified protein of 23 kDa estimated concentrations (PD 641.5±194.9 mg/dL and HD 519.8± 197.9 mg/dL, p=0.007). Dogs with hookworm infection showed significant differences in the serum protein profile when compared to healthy animals.

Socioeconomic, financial and production infrastructure profile of farmers in rural settlements in the western region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil

Family agriculture, mostly represented by rural settlements especially in the state of São Paulo, makes up rural establishments in Brazil. Current investigation collects, analyzes and compares data on farmers on two rural settlements in the western region of the state of São Paulo, specifically in the municipality of Rancharia, with regard to their socioeconomic, financial and productive infrastructure profile, coupled to information on eventual restrictions to rural credit, by an analysis based on descriptive statistics. Results show that there are different factors between farmers and production systems, which cause loan restrictions due to such differences as age, agricultural and cattle-breeding activity, technical assistance and management. The valorization of these differences should be taken into account for the construction of new events, without extremes, and work for situations featuring demand-based development and characteristics of the locality