Consumo de alimentos de origem animal e câncer de boca e orofaringe

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a relação entre alimentos de origem animal e câncer de boca e orofaringe. MÉTODOS: Estudo caso-controle, de base hospitalar, pareado por sexo e idade (± 5 anos) com a coleta de dados realizada entre julho de 2006 e junho de 2008. A amostra foi composta por 296 pacientes com câncer de boca e orofaringe e 296 pacientes sem histórico de câncer atendidos em quatro hospitais da cidade de São Paulo (SP), Brasil. Foi aplicado um questionário semiestruturado, para a coleta de dados relativos à condição socioeconômica e aos hábitos deletérios (tabaco e bebidas alcoólicas). Para avaliação do consumo alimentar, utilizou-se um questionário de frequência alimentar qualitativo. A análise se deu por meio de modelos de regressão logística multivariada, que consideraram a hierarquia existente entre as características estudadas. RESULTADOS: Entre os alimentos de origem animal, o consumo frequente de carne bovina (OR = 2,73; IC95% = 1,27-5,87; P < 0,001), bacon (OR = 2,48; IC95% = 1,30-4,74; P < 0,001) e ovos (OR = 3,04; IC95% = 1,51-6,15; P < 0,001) estava relacionado ao aumento no risco de câncer de boca e orofaringe, tanto na análise univariada quanto na multivariada. Entre os laticínios, o leite apresentou efeito protetor contra a doença (OR = 0,41; IC95% = 0,21-0,82; P < 0,001). CONCLUSÕES: O presente estudo sustenta a hipótese de que alimentos de origem animal podem estar relacionados à etiologia do câncer de boca e orofaringe. Essa informação pode orientar políticas preventivas contra a doença, gerando benefícios para a saúde pública.

Liquid Crystal Nanodispersions Enable the Cutaneous Delivery of Photosensitizer for Topical PDT: Fluorescence Microscopy Study of Skin Penetration

Topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been applied to almost all types of nonmelanoma skin cancer and numerous superficial benign skin disorders. Strategies to improve the accumulation of photosensitizer in the skin have been studied in recent years. Although the hydrophilic phthalocyanine zinc compound, zinc phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate (ZnPcSO4) has shown high photodynamic efficiency and reduced phototoxic side effects in the treatment of brain tumors and eye conditions, its use in topical skin treatment is currently limited by its poor skin penetration. In this study, nanodispersions of monoolein (MO)-based liquid crystalline phases were studied for their ability to increase ZnPcSO4 uptake by the skin. Lamellar, hexagonal and cubic crystalline phases were prepared and identified by polarizing light microscopy, and the nanodispersions were analyzed by dynamic light scattering. In vitro skin penetration studies were performed using a Franz's cell apparatus, and the skin uptake was evaluated in vivo in hairless mice. Aqueous dispersions of cubic and hexagonal phases showed particles of nanometer size, approximately 224 +/- 10 nm and 188 +/- 10 nm, respectively. In vitro skin retention experiments revealed higher fluorescence from the ZnPcSO4 in deeper skin layers when this photosensitizer was loaded in the hexagonal nanodispersion system when compared to both the cubic phase nanoparticles and the bulk crystalline phases (lamellar, cubic and hexagonal). The hexagonal nanodispersion showed a similar penetration behavior in animal tests. These results are important findings, suggesting the development of MO liquid crystal nanodispersions as potential delivery systems to enhance the efficacy of topical PDT.

Study of using marker assisted selection on a beef cattle breeding program by model comparison

A data set of a commercial Nellore beef cattle selection program was used to compare breeding models that assumed or not markers effects to estimate the breeding values, when a reduced number of animals have phenotypic, genotypic and pedigree information available. This herd complete data set was composed of 83,404 animals measured for weaning weight (WW), post-weaning gain (PWG), scrotal circumference (SC) and muscle score (MS), corresponding to 116,652 animals in the relationship matrix. Single trait analyses were performed by MTDFREML software to estimate fixed and random effects solutions using this complete data. The additive effects estimated were assumed as the reference breeding values for those animals. The individual observed phenotype of each trait was adjusted for fixed and random effects solutions, except for direct additive effects. The adjusted phenotype composed of the additive and residual parts of observed phenotype was used as dependent variable for models' comparison. Among all measured animals of this herd, only 3160 animals were genotyped for 106 SNP markers. Three models were compared in terms of changes on animals' rank, global fit and predictive ability. Model 1 included only polygenic effects, model 2 included only markers effects and model 3 included both polygenic and markers effects. Bayesian inference via Markov chain Monte Carlo methods performed by TM software was used to analyze the data for model comparison. Two different priors were adopted for markers effects in models 2 and 3, the first prior assumed was a uniform distribution (U) and, as a second prior, was assumed that markers effects were distributed as normal (N). Higher rank correlation coefficients were observed for models 3_U and 3_N, indicating a greater similarity of these models animals' rank and the rank based on the reference breeding values. Model 3_N presented a better global fit, as demonstrated by its low DIC. The best models in terms of predictive ability were models 1 and 3_N. Differences due prior assumed to markers effects in models 2 and 3 could be attributed to the better ability of normal prior in handle with collinear effects. The models 2_U and 2_N presented the worst performance, indicating that this small set of markers should not be used to genetically evaluate animals with no data, since its predictive ability is restricted. In conclusion, model 3_N presented a slight superiority when a reduce number of animals have phenotypic, genotypic and pedigree information. It could be attributed to the variation retained by markers and polygenic effects assumed together and the normal prior assumed to markers effects, that deals better with the collinearity between markers. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Early detection of doxorubicin myocardial injury by ultrasonic tissue characterization in an experimental animal model

In the clinical setting, the early detection of myocardial injury induced by doxorubicin (DXR) is still considered a challenge. To assess whether ultrasonic tissue characterization (UTC) can identify early DXR-related myocardial lesions and their correlation with collagen myocardial percentages, we studied 60 rats at basal status and prospectively after 2mg/Kg/week DXR endovenous infusion. Echocardiographic examinations were conducted at baseline and at 8,10,12,14 and 16 mg/Kg DXR cumulative dose. The left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF), shortening fraction (SF), and the UTC indices: corrected coefficient of integrated backscatter (IBS) (tissue IBS intensity/phantom IBS intensity) (CC-IBS) and the cyclic variation magnitude of this intensity curve (MCV) were measured. The variation of each parameter of study through DXR dose was expressed by the average and standard error at specific DXR dosages and those at baseline. The collagen percent (%) was calculated in six control group animals and 24 DXR group animals. CC-IBS increased (1.29 +/- 0.27 x 1.1 +/- 0.26-basal; p=0.005) and MCV decreased (9.1 +/- 2.8 x 11.02 +/- 2.6-basal; p=0.006) from 8 mg/Kg to 16mg/Kg DXR. LVEF presented only a slight but significant decrease (80.4 +/- 6.9% x 85.3 +/- 6.9%-basal, p=0.005) from 8 mg/Kg to 16 mg/Kg DXR. CC-IBS was 72.2% sensitive and 83.3% specific to detect collagen deposition of 4.24%(AUC=0.76). LVEF was not accurate to detect initial collagen deposition (AUC=0.54). In conclusion: UTC was able to early identify the DXR myocardial lesion when compared to LVEF, showing good accuracy to detect the initial collagen deposition in this experimental animal model.

Maize and soybeans production in integrated system under no-tillage with different pasture combinations and animal categories

The adoption of no-till system (NTS) combined with crop-livestock integration (CLI) has been a strategy promoted in Brazil, aiming to maximize areas yield and increase agribusiness profitability. This study aimed to evaluate grains yield and phytotechnical attributes from maize and soybean culture by CLI system under NTS after winter annual pure and diversified pastures with the absence or presence of grazing animals. The experiment was installed in Castro (Parana State, Brazil) on in a dystrophic Humic Rhodic Hapludox with a clay texture, using experimental design of randomized complete blocks in 4 x 2 factorial scheme with three replications. Treatments included four pasture combinations (diversified or pure) and animal categories (light and heavy) subjected or not to grazing animals during the winter. During 2008/09 and 2009/10 summers, the area was cultivated with soybeans and maize, respectively, with yield assessment of grains and phytotechnical attributes. Treatments did not alter the yield and weight of a thousand seeds (WTS) of soybeans. In maize culture, the grazing animal during the winter increased the plant population and grains yield, but gave slight decrease in WTS. Pasture combinations (diversified or pure) and animal categories (light and heavy) did not interfere in soybean culture, but benefited the maize crop.

A transcriptional study in mice with different ethanol-drinking profiles: Possible involvement of the GABA(B) receptor

Previous studies have suggested that gamma-aminobutyric acid-B (GABA(B)) receptor agonists effectively reduce ethanol intake. The quantification using real-time polymerase chain reaction of Gabbr1 and Gabbr2 mRNA from the prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and striatum in mice exposed to an animal model of the addiction developed in our laboratory was performed to evaluate the involvement of the GABAB receptor in ethanol consumption. We used outbred, Swiss mice exposed to a three-bottle free-choice model (water, 5% v/v ethanol, and 10% v/v ethanol) that consisted of four phases: acquisition (AC), withdrawal (W), reexposure (RE), and quinine-adulteration (AD). Based on individual ethanol intake, the mice were classified into three groups: "addicted" (A group; preference for ethanol and persistent consumption during all phases), "heavy" (H group; preference for ethanol and a reduction in ethanol intake in the AD phase compared to AC phase), and "light" (L group; preference for water during all phases). In the prefrontal cortex in the A group, we found high Gabbr1 and Gabbr2 transcription levels, with significantly higher Gabbr1 transcription levels compared with the C (ethanol-naive control mice). L, and H groups. In the hippocampus in the A group, Gabbr2 mRNA levels were significantly lower compared with the C, L, and H groups. In the striatum, we found a significant increase in Gabbr1 transcription levels compared with the C, L, and H groups. No differences in Gabbr1 or Gabbr2 transcription levels were observed in the hypothalamus among groups. In summary, Gabbr1 and Gabbr2 transcription levels were altered in cerebral areas related to drug taking only in mice behaviorally classified as "addicted" drinkers, suggesting that these genes may contribute to high and persistent ethanol consumption. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Frailty criteria and cognitive performance are related: data from the fibra study in Ermelino Matarazzo, São Paulo, Brazil

Objectives: To assess the relationship between the CHS frailty criteria (Fried et al., 2001) and cognitive performance. Design: Cross sectional and population-based. Setting: Ermelino Matarazzo, a poor sub district of the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Participants: 384 community dwelling older adults, 65 and older. Measurements: Assessment of the CHS frailty criteria, the Brief Cognitive Screening Battery (memorization of 10 black and white pictures, verbal fluency animal category, and the Clock Drawing Test) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Results: Frail older adults performed significantly lower than non-frail and pre frail elderly in most cognitive variables. Grip strength and age were associated to MMSE performance, age was associated to delayed memory recall, gait speed was associated to verbal fluency and CDT performance, and education was associated to CDT performance. Conclusion: Being frail may be associated with cognitive decline, thus, gerontological assessments and interventions should consider that these forms of vulnerability may occur simultaneously.

An experimental study to compare inflammatory response due to liquid or gas joint distension in horses submitted to arthroscopy

PURPOSE: To assess comparatively the inflammatory response that follows CO2 or Ringer's lactate joint capsular distension of horses submitted to experimental arthroscopy METHODS: Each animal was submitted to a bilateral tarsocrural arthroscopy employing gas distention in one joint and fluid distention in the contralateral joint. Synovial fluid was evaluated at 0, six, 12, 24 and 48 hours post-operative. RESULTS: The use of CO2 for arthroscopy causes an acute and mild synovitis alike to the liquid capsular distension, showing similar synovial fluid increase of leukocytes, TP, and TNF-alpha. Although synovial fluid PGE(2) content was higher in joints submitted to CO2 distension, lower levels of hemoglobin and leukocytes oxidative burst after surgery indicates that CO2 arthroscopy decreased intra-articular bleeding and activation of infiltrating leukocytes. CONCLUSIONS: The use of CO2 for arthroscopic examination causes acute and mild synovitis that is similar to the effects caused by the liquid capsular distension. CO2 also seems to decrease intra-articular bleeding and activation of leukocytes.

Evaluation of a nanometer roughness scale resorbable media-processed surface: a study in dogs

Objectives: This study compared the biomechanical fixation and bone-to-implant contact (BIC) of implants with different surfaces treatment (experimental resorbable blasting media-processed nanometer roughness scale surface, and control dual acid-etched) in a dog model. Material and methods: Surface characterization was made in six implants by means of scanning electron microscopic imaging, atomic force microscopy to evaluate roughness parameters, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for chemical assessment. The animal model comprised the bilateral placement of control (n = 24) and experimental surface (n = 24) implants along the proximal tibiae of six mongrel dogs, which remained in place for 2 or 4 weeks. Half of the specimens were biomechanically tested (torque), and the other half was subjected to histomorphologic/ morphometric evaluation. BIC and resistance to failure measures were each evaluated as a function of time and surface treatment in a mixed model ANOVA. Results: Surface texturing was significantly higher for the experimental compared with the control surface. The survey XPS spectra detected O, C, Al, and Ti at the control group, and Ca (similar to 0.2-0.9%) and P (similar to 1.7-4.1%) besides O, C, Al, and Ti at experimental surfaces. While no statistical difference in BIC was found between experimental and control surfaces or between 2 and 4 weeks in vivo, both longer time and use of experimental surface significantly increased resistance to failure. Conclusions: The experimental surface resulted in enhanced biomechanical fixation but comparable BIC relative to control, suggesting higher bone mechanical properties around the experimental implants.

Comparative study of reserve lipid accumulation during somatic and zygotic Acca sellowiana (O. Berg.) Burret embryogenesis

Somatic embryogenesis is an in vitro morphogenetic route in which isolated cells or a small group of somatic cells give rise to bipolar structures resembling zygotic embryos. Lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins are major compounds in plant and animal metabolism. Comparative analysis along different developmental stages of Acca sellowiana (Myrtaceae) zygotic and somatic embryos, revealed a progressive increase in levels of total lipids. A high degree of similarity could be found in the total lipids composition between A. sellowiana somatic and zygotic embryos. High lipid levels were found in zygotic embryos in the torpedo and cotyledonary stages, and these levels increased according to the progression in the developmental stages. Somatic embryos obtained through direct embryogenesis route showed higher levels of lipids than in indirect somatic embryogenesis. The compounds most frequently were linoleic acid (C18:2), palmitic (C16:0) and oleic (C18:1). These results indicate a high similarity degree of accumulation of total lipids, regardless of zygotic or somatic embryogenesis.

Maturation of mononuclear phagocytes in the lungs of young calves-In vitro study

The influences of age in calves' immune system are described in their first phase of life. We hypothesized that variations that occur in the main mechanisms of lung innate response can help to identify periods of greater susceptibility to the respiratory diseases that affect calves in the first stage of their life. This study aimed to evaluate the innate immune system. Nine healthy calves were monitored for 3 mo and 8 immunologic evaluations were performed. Bronchoalveolar lavage samples were recovered by bronchoscopy. The alveolar macrophages in samples were identified by protein expression of cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) and underwent functional evaluation of phagocytosis (Staphylococcus aureus stained with propidium iodide and Escherichia coli). Data was assessed by one-way ANOVA (unstacked and parametric) and the Mann-Whitney test (nonparametric). Functional alterations in CD14-positive phagocytes were observed, with punctual higher intensity of phagocytosis in the third week and its decrease starting at 45 d of life. A gradual increase in phagocytosis rate was observed starting at this date. It is concluded that from 45 d of life on, alveolar macrophages have less phagocytic capacity but more cells perform this function. We suggest that this occurs because lung macrophages of calves start to maintain their immune response without passive immunity influence. Until 90 d of life, calves did not achieve the stability to conclude the maturation of local innate immune response.

Percutaneous sciatic nerve block with tramadol induces analgesia and motor blockade in two animal pain models

Local anesthetic efficacy of tramadol has been reported following intradermal application. Our aim was to investigate the effect of perineural tramadol as the sole analgesic in two pain models. Male Wistar rats (280-380 g; N = 5/group) were used in these experiments. A neurostimulation-guided sciatic nerve block was performed and 2% lidocaine or tramadol (1.25 and 5 mg) was perineurally injected in two different animal pain models. In the flinching behavior test, the number of flinches was evaluated and in the plantar incision model, mechanical and heat thresholds were measured. Motor effects of lidocaine and tramadol were quantified and a motor block score elaborated. Tramadol, 1.25 mg, completely blocked the first and reduced the second phase of the flinching behavior test. In the plantar incision model, tramadol (1.25 mg) increased both paw withdrawal latency in response to radiant heat (8.3 +/- 1.1, 12.7 +/- 1.8, 8.4 +/- 0.8, and 11.1 +/- 3.3 s) and mechanical threshold in response to von Frey filaments (459 +/- 82.8, 447.5 +/- 91.7, 320.1 +/- 120, 126.43 +/- 92.8 mN) at 5, 15, 30, and 60 min, respectively. Sham block or contralateral sciatic nerve block did not differ from perineural saline injection throughout the study in either model. The effect of tramadol was not antagonized by intraperitoneal naloxone. High dose tramadol (5 mg) blocked motor function as well as 2% lidocaine. In conclusion, tramadol blocks nociception and motor function in vivo similar to local anesthetics.

Preliminary study of Porcine circovirus type 2 and Torque teno sus virus coinfection frequencies in Brazilian pig herds

Torque teno sus virus (TTSuV) is emergent in swine herds. Recent studies have shown an increased frequency of TTSuV2 in Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2)-associated diseases (PCVAD), which are endemic in many swine-producing countries, including Brazil. Coinfection with several other viral and bacterial agents results in an increased incidence of more severe PCVAD. Given the limited information on TTSuV and PCV2 coinfection, especially in Brazilian swine herds, this study made a preliminary estimation of the occurrence of coinfection in swine herds by testing samples from different categories. Between 2008 and 2009, 111 samples of feces and 23 serum samples from 5 swine herds were tested for PCV2 and TTSuVs and the results analyzed for associations between these agents. No significant differences in coinfection frequency were observed for PCV2 1 + TTSuV1 or for PCV2 1 TTSuV2 between nursery piglets (P = 0.730), growing pigs (P = 0.331), or sows (P = 0.472). However, a significant difference was observed for PCV2 1 TTSuV1 1 TTSuV2 between nursery piglets and growing pigs (P = 0.004; Fisher's exact test). Phylogenetic studies agreed with the grouping of TTSuV1 and TTSuV2 into 2 different clades, with no distinct pattern of clustering of these isolates with the animal categories.

Multicenter randomized trial of cell therapy in cardiopathies – MiHeart Study

Abstract Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the major cause of death in the world. Current treatments have not been able to reverse this scenario, creating the need for the development of new therapies. Cell therapies have emerged as an alternative for cardiac diseases of distinct causes in experimental animal studies and more recently in clinical trials. Method/Design: We have designed clinical trials to test for the efficacy of autologous bone marrow derived mononuclear cell therapies in four different cardiopathies: acute and chronic ischemic heart disease, and Chagasic and dilated cardiomyopathy. All trials are multicenter, randomized, double-blind and placebo controlled. In each trial 300 patients will be enrolled and receive optimized therapy for their specific condition. Additionally, half of the patients will receive the autologous bone marrow cells while the other half will receive placebo (saline with 5% autologous serum). For each trial there are specific inclusion and exclusion criteria and the method for cell delivery is intramyocardial for the chronic ischemic heart disease and intracoronary for all others. Primary endpoint for all studies will be the difference in ejection fraction (determined by Simpson's rule) six and twelve months after intervention in relation to the basal ejection fraction. The main hypothesis of this study is that the patients who receive the autologous bone-marrow stem cell implant will have after a 6 month follow-up a mean increase of 5% in absolute left ventricular ejection fraction in comparison with the control group. Discussion: Many phase I clinical trials using cell therapy for cardiac diseases have already been performed. The few randomized studies have yielded conflicting results, rendering necessary larger well controlled trials to test for efficacy of cell therapies in cardiopathies. The trials registration numbers at the NIH registry are the following: Chagasic cardiomyopathy (NCT00349271), dilated cardiomyopathy (NCT00333827), acute myocardial infarction (NCT00350766) and Chronic Ischemic Heart Disease (NCT00362388).

The impact of healing time before loading on orthodontic mini-implant stability: a histomophometric study in minipigs

Objective: To evaluate healing time before loading, areas compression and tension and location of insertion on mini-implant stability. Design: Six minipigs were used. Each animal received 3 mini-implants in each quadrant: 1 mini-implant was used as an unloaded control (G1, n = 24); the other 2 were loaded with 150 g-force at three time intervals (G2: immediate loading, G3: after 15 days and G4: after 30 days), with 16 mini-implant in each experimental group. After 120 days, tissue blocks of the areas of interest were harvested. Clinical analysis (exact Fisher test) determined the survival rate. Histological analysis (Kontron KS 300TM, Zeiss) quantified the fractional bone-toimplant contact (%BIC) and bone area (%BA) at each healing time point, areas of interest, and insertion site (ANOVA and t tests for dependent and independent samples). Results: The mini-implant survival rates were G1: 71%, G2: 50%, G3: 75% and G4: 63%, with no statistical differences between them. The groups presented similar %BIC and %BA. There were no differences between the compression and tension sides or maxillary and mandibular insertion sites. Conclusions: These results suggest that low-intensity immediate or early orthodontic loading does not affect mini-implant stability, because similar histomorphometric results were observed for all the groups, with partial osseointegration of the mini-implants present.