Anthropometric, physiological, performance, and nutritional profile of the Brazil National Canoe Polo Team

The purpose of this study was to determine the physiological, anthropometric, performance, and nutritional characteristics of the Brazil Canoe Polo National Team. Ten male canoe polo athletes (age 26.7 +/- 4.1 years) performed a battery of tests including assessments of anthropometric parameters, upper-body anaerobic power (Wingate), muscular strength, aerobic power, and nutritional profile. In addition, we characterized heart rate and plasma lactate responses and the temporal pattern of the effort/recovery during a simulated canoe polo match. The main results are as follows: body fat, 12.3 +/- 4.0%; upper-body peak and mean power, 6.8 +/- 0.5 and 4.7 +/- 0.4 W . kg(-1), respectively; 1-RM bench press, 99.1 +/- 11.7 kg; peak oxygen uptake, 44.3 +/- 5.8 mL . kg(-1) . min(-1); total energy intake, 42.8 +/- 8.6 kcal . kg(-1); protein, carbohydrate, and fat intakes, 1.9 +/- 0.1, 5.0 +/- 1.5, and 1.7 +/- 0.4 g . kg(-1), respectively; mean heart rate, 146 +/- 11 beats . min(-1); plasma lactate, 5.7 +/- 3.8 mmol . L-1 at half-time and 4.6 +/- 2.2 mmol . L-1 at the end of the match; effort time (relative to total match time), 93.1 +/- 3.0%; number of sprints, 9.6 +/- 4.4. The results of this study will assist coaches, trainers, and nutritionists in developing more adequate training programmes and dietary interventions for canoe polo athletes.

Describing some of the Dimensions that comprise the Profile of the Faculty Staff of Statistics Departments in Brazil

Statistics is a required course in virtually all undergraduate programs in Brazilian universities. In addition, undergraduate programs in Statistics are offered in many public universities. However, despite the importance of this science, there are no systematic studies in the national literature regarding the characterization of the faculty staff, which is responsible for the teaching of statistics in the country. In this context, this paper presents a description of the faculty members of undergraduate courses in Statistics. This description was based on a descriptive sample, related to aspects of their education and scientific production. A prediction of future demand for PhDs in Statistics to fill the vacancies is also provided based on the retirement of faculty members in undergraduate courses in Statistics in the country.

Growth, carcass characteristics, chemical composition and fatty acid profile of the longissimus dorsi muscle in goat kids fed diets with castor oil

The objective in this study was to determine growth, carcass characteristics, chemical composition and fatty acid profile of the longissimus dorsi of crossbred Boer x Saanen kids fed castor oil. Twenty-four kids (12 males and 12 females) were assigned in a randomized complete block design with two treatments and twelve replications. Blocks were defined according to weight, gender and initial age of animals for the evaluation of performance. The experimental treatments consisted of two diets containing 900 g concentrate/kg: a control diet (without addition of oil) and another containing castor oil at 30 g/kg (on a dry matter basis). After they reached an average body weight of 25 kg, males were slaughtered for the evaluation of carcass characteristics, chemical composition and fatty acid profile of the longissimus dorsi muscle. The addition of castor oil in the diet did not affect the intake of dry matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber; the average daily gain; and feed conversion, but increased the ether extract intake. No difference was observed for the carcass characteristics, chemical composition of the meat, concentration of C18:2 cis-9, trans-11 (CLA) and total concentration of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids and their relations; however, there was increase in the concentrations of C18:2 trans-10, cis-12 (CLA) and C20:4 omega-6. The addition of castor oil to the diet of crossbred Boer x Saanen kids containing a high content of concentrate did not promote benefit to the characteristics evaluated.

Lipid profile of the yolk under the influence of supplementaries sources rich in Ω-3 PUFAs in the diet of laying hens in the time

Two hundred eighty-eight 32-wk-old Hisex White laying hens were used in this research during a 10 weeks period, arranged in a 2 x 5 completely randomized factorial design, with three replicates of eight birds per treatment. Two groups: fish oil (OP) and Marine Algae (AM) with five DHA levels (120, 180, 240, 300 and 360 mg/100 g diet) were assigned including two control groups birds fed corn and soybean basal diet (CON) and a diet supplemented with AM (AM420) to study the effect of time 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks (wk) on the efficiency of egg yolk fatty acid enrichment. The means varied (p<0.01) of 17.63% (OP360) to 22.08% (AM420) is the total Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) and 45.8 mg/g (OP360), 40.37 mg/g (OP360, 4 wk) to 65.82 mg/g (AM420) and 68.79 mg/g/yolk (AM120, 8 wk) for n-6 PUFAs. On the influence of sources and levels in the times, the means of n-3 PUFAs increased by 5.58 mg/g (AM120, 2 wk) to 14.16 mg/g (OP360, 6 wk) when compared to average of 3.34 mg PUFAs Ω/g/yolk (CON). Usually, the means DHA also increased from 22.34 (CON) to 176.53 mg (μ, OP360), 187.91 mg (OP360, 8 wk) and 192.96 mg (OP360, 6 wk) and 134.18 mg (μ, OP360), 135.79 mg (AM420, 6 wk), 149.75 mg DHA (AM420, 8 wk) per yolk. The opposite was observed for the means AA, so the effect of the sources, levels and times, decreased (P <0.01) of 99.83 mg (CON) to 31.99 mg (OP360, 4 wk), 40.43 mg (μ, OP360) to 61.21 mg (AM420) and 71.51 mg AA / yolk (μ, AM420). Variations of the average weight of 15.75g (OP360) to 17.08g (AM420) yolks of eggs de 32.55% (AM420) to 34.08% (OP360) of total lipids and 5.28 g (AM240) to 5.84 g (AM120) of fat in the yolk were not affected (p>0.05) by treatments, sources, levels and times studied. Starting of 2 week, the hens increased the level of n-3 PUFAs in the egg yolks, being expressively increased (p<0.01) until 4 weeks, which after the increased levels of n-3 PUFAs tended to if stabilize around of time of 8 experimental weeks, when it was more effective saturation of the tissues and yolk.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the biocompatibility of a calcium phosphate/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) composite

This study assess the effects of bioceramic and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) composite (BCP/PLGA) on the viability of cultured macrophages and human dental pulp fibroblasts, and we sought to elucidate the temporal profile of the reaction of pulp capping with a composite of bioceramic of calcium phosphate and biodegradable polymer in the progression of delayed dentine bridge after (30 and 60 days) in vivo. Histological evaluation of inflammatory infiltrate and dentin bridge formation were performed after 30 and 60 days. There was similar progressive fibroblast growth in all groups and the macrophages showed viability. The in vivo study showed that of the three experimental groups: BCP/PLGA composite, BCP and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)(2)) dentin bridging was the most prevalent (90 %) in the BCP/PLGA composite after 30 days, mild to moderate inflammatory response was present throughout the pulp after 30 days. After 60 days was observed dentine bridging in 60 % and necrosis in 40 %, in both groups. The results indicate that understanding BCP/PLGA composite is biocompatible and by the best tissue response as compared to calcium hydroxide in direct pulp capping may be important in the mechanism of delayed dentine bridge after 30 and 60 days.

Structural, Spectroscopic (NMR, IR, and Raman), and DFT Investigation of the Self-Assembled Nanostructure of Pravastatin-LDH (Layered Double Hydroxides) Systems

Layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanocontainers, suitable as carriers for anionic drugs, were intercalated with Pravastatin drug using magnesium-aluminum and zinc-aluminum in a M-II/Al molar ratio equal 2 and different Al3+/Pravastatin molar ratios. Postsynthesis treatments were used in order to increase the materials crystallinity. Hybrid materials were characterized by a set of physical chemical techniques: chemical elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), mass coupled thermal analyses, vibrational infrared and Raman spectroscopies, and solid-state C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Results were interpreted in light of computational density functional theory (DFT) calculations performed for Sodium Pravastatin in order to assign the data obtained for the LDH intercalated materials. XRD peaks of LDH-Pravastatin material and the one-dimensional (1D) electron density map pointed out to a bilayer arrangement of Pravastatin in the interlayer region, where its associated carboxylate and vicinal hydroxyl groups are close to the positive LDH. The structural organization observed for the stacked assembly containing the unsymmetrical and bulky monoanion Pravastatin and LDH seems to be promoted by a self-assembling process, in which local interactions are maximized and chloride ion cointercalation is required. It is observed a high similarity among vibrational and C-13 NMR spectra of Na-Pravastatin and LDH-Pravastatin materials. Those features indicate that the intercalation preserves the drug structural integrity. Spectroscopic techniques corroborate the nature of the guest species and their arrangement between the inorganic layers. Changes related to carboxylate, alcohol, and olefinic moieties are observed in both vibrational Raman and C-13 NMR spectra after the drug intercalation. Thus, Pravastatin ions are forced to be arranged as head to tail through intermolecular hydrogen bonding between adjacent organic species. The thermal decomposition profile of the hybrid samples is distinct of that one observed for Na-Pravastatin salt, however, with no visible increase in the thermal behavior when the organic anion is sequestrated within LDH gap.

Effects of tannery sludge application on physiological and fatty acid profiles of the soil microbial community

The impact of tannery sludge application on soil microbial community and diversity is poorly understood. We studied the microbial community in an agricultural soil following two applications (2006 and 2007) of tannery sludge with annual application rates of 0.0,2.3 and 22.6 Mg ha(-1). The soil was sampled 12 and 271 days after the second (2007) application. Community structure was assessed via a phospholipid fatty acid analysis, and the physiological profile of the soil microbial community via the Biolog method. Tannery sludge application changed soil chemical properties, increasing the soil pH and electrical conductivity as well as available P and mineral N concentrations. The higher sludge application rate changed the community structure and the physiological profile of the microbial community at both sampling dates. However, there is no clear link between community structure and carbon substrate utilization. According to the Distance Based Linear Models Analysis, the fatty acids 16:0 and 117:0 together contributed 84% to the observed PLFA patterns, whereas the chemical properties available P, mineral N, and Ca, and pH together contributed 54%. At 12 days, tannery sludge application increased the average well color development from 0.46 to 0.87 after 48 h, and reduced the time elapsed before reaching the midpoint carbon substrate utilization (s) from 71 to 44 h, an effect still apparent nine months after application of the higher sludge application rate. The dominant signature fatty acids and kinetic parameters (r and s) were correlated to the concentrations of available P. Ca, mineral N, pH and EC. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Atomically resolved study of the morphology change of InAs/GaAs quantum dot layers induced by rapid thermal annealing

The optoelectronic properties of InAs/GaAs quantum dots can be tuned by rapid thermal annealing. In this study, the morphology change of InAs/GaAs quantum dots layers induced by rapid thermal annealing was investigated at the atomic-scale by cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy. Finite elements calculations that model the outward relaxation of the cleaved surface were used to determine the indium composition profile of the wetting layer and the quantum dots prior and post rapid thermal annealing. The results show that the wetting layer is broadened upon annealing. This broadening could be modeled by assuming a random walk of indium atoms. Furthermore, we show that the stronger strain gradient at the location of the quantum dots enhances the intermixing. Photoluminescence measurements show a blueshift and narrowing of the photoluminescence peak. Temperature dependent photoluminescence measurements show a lower activation energy for the annealed sample. These results are in agreement with the observed change in morphology. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4770371]

Effect of the inclusion of fish residue oils in diets on the fatty acid profile of muscles of males and females lambari (Astyanax altiparanae)

This study evaluated the effects of two lipids sources of fish residue (tilapia and salmon) compared with a vegetable oil source (soybean oil) on the fatty acid profiles of male and female lambari. This experiment was developed in a completely randomized experimental design in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement, totaling 6 treatments resulting from the combination of the three experimental diets for both sexes, with four replications for each treatment. This study involved 120 male (2.58 +/- 0.13 g) and 72 female lambari (4.00 +/- 0.09 g), fed the experimental diets twice a day until apparent satiation for a period of 60 days. Oleic, linoleic, palmitic and stearic fatty acids were found at higher concentrations in all experimental oils and diets, as well in the muscle of male and female lambari. The low amounts of arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in the experimental diets and subsequent greater concentrations in muscle tissue, suggested that lambari are able to desaturate and elongate the chain of fatty acids with 18 carbons. The fish of both sexes that received the diet with soybean oil showed high levels of n-6 fatty acids, especially of C18: 2n-6 and low levels of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids. The diet with salmon residue oil promoted higher levels of fatty acids of the n-3 series and resulted in the best n-3/n-6 ratio in the muscle of male and female lambari. The oils from fish residues can be a substitute for traditional fish oil and its use in the lambari diets does not impair its growth.

FGFR4 Profile as a Prognostic Marker in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Mouth and Oropharynx

Background: Fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) is a member of a receptor tyrosine kinase family of enzymes involved in cell cycle control and proliferation. A common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) Gly388Arg variant has been associated with increased tumor cell motility and progression of breast cancer, head and neck cancer and soft tissue sarcomas. The present study evaluated the prognostic significance of FGFR4 in oral and oropharynx carcinomas, finding an association of FGFR4 expression and Gly388Arg genotype with tumor onset and prognosis. Patients and Methods: DNA from peripheral blood of 122 patients with oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas was used to determine FGFR4 genotype by PCR-RFLP. Protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on paraffin-embedded tissue microarrays. Results: Presence of allele Arg388 was associated with lymphatic embolization and with disease related premature death. In addition, FGFR4 low expression was related with lymph node positivity and premature relapse of disease, as well as disease related death. Conclusion: Our results propose FGFR4 profile, measured by the Gly388Arg genotype and expression, as a novel marker of prognosis in squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth and oropharynx.

Impact of Glucocorticoid Receptor Gene Polymorphisms on the Metabolic Profile of Adult Patients with the Classical Form of 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency

Background: CAH patients have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and it remains unknown if lifelong glucocorticoid (GC) treatment is a contributing factor. In the general population, glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1) polymorphisms are associated with an adverse metabolic profile. Our aim was to analyze the association between the NR3C1 polymorphisms and the metabolic profile of CAH patients. Methodology: Sixty-eight adult patients (34SV/34SW) with a mean age of 28.4 +/- 9 years received dexamethasone (mean 0.27 +/- 0.11 mg/day) to obtain normal androgen levels. SW patients also received fludrocortisone (50 mu g/day). Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was defined by the NCEP ATPIII criteria and obesity by BMI >= 30 kg/m(2). NR3C1 alleles were genotyped, and association analyses with phenotype were carried out with Chi-square, t-test and regression analysis. Results: Obesity and MetS were observed in 23.5% and 7.3% of patients, respectively, and were not correlated with GC doses and treatment duration. BMI was positively correlated with blood pressure (BP), triglycerides (TG), LDL-c levels and HOMA-IR and inversely correlated with HDL-c levels. BclI and A3669G variants were found in 26.4% and 9.6% of alleles, respectively. Heterozygotes for the BclI polymorphism presented with higher BMI (29 kg/m(2) +/- 5.3 vs. 26 kg/m(2) +/- 5.3, respectively) and waist circumference (89 cm +/- 12.7 vs. 81 cm +/- 13, respectively) compared to wild-type subjects. Hypertension was found in 12% of patients and heterozygotes for the BclI polymorphism presented higher systolic BP than wild type subjects. Low HDL-c and high TG levels were identified in 30% and 10% of patients, respectively, and were not associated with the NR3C1 polymorphisms. A3669G carriers and non-carriers did not differ. Conclusion: In addition to GC therapy, the BclI GR variant might play an important role in obesity susceptibility in CAH patients. Genotyping of GR polymorphisms could result in the identification of a subgroup at risk patients, allowing for the establishment of personalized treatment and the avoidance of long-term adverse consequences.

The profile of women who have experienced cesarean section and obstetric care at a public maternity hospital in Ribeirao Preto

The present paper presents the social and obstetric profile of women undergoing cesarean childbirth at a public maternity hospital in the interior of Sao Paulo state. This is a quantitative, retrospective, descriptive study performed using documental research. The collected data refer to the period between July and December 2005, and between January and June 2006. A total of 670 records were reviewed. A 23% rate of cesarean births was identified at the institution studied during the aforementioned period. The studied population was characterized as having a low level of education, living in a common-law relationship, and not having a paid occupation. The main indications for cesarean sections were iterativity and acute fetal distress. The findings revealed an emphasis on obstetric nursing in the low-risk normal childbirth scenario, considering the non-interventionist character inherent to their education and training.

Effect of human TGF-beta on the gene expression profile of Schistosoma mansoni adult worms

Schistosoma mansoni is responsible for schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease that affects 200 million people worldwide. Molecular mechanisms of host-parasite interaction are complex and involve a crosstalk between host signals and parasite receptors. TGF-beta signaling pathway has been shown to play an important role in S. mansoni development and embryogenesis. In particular human (h) TGF-beta has been shown to bind to a S. mansoni receptor, transduce a signal that regulates the expression of a schistosome target gene. Here we describe 381 parasite genes whose expression levels are affected by in vitro treatment with hTGF-beta. Among these differentially expressed genes we highlight genes related to morphology, development and cell cycle that could be players of cytokine effects on the parasite. We confirm by qPCR the expression changes detected with microarrays for 5 out of 7 selected genes. We also highlight a set of non-coding RNAs transcribed from the same loci of protein-coding genes that are differentially expressed upon hTCF-beta treatment. These datasets offer potential targets to be explored in order to understand the molecular mechanisms behind the possible role of hTGF-beta effects on parasite biology. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Exploration of the Antiplatelet Activity Profile of Betulinic Acid on Human Platelets

Betulinic acid, a natural pentacyclic triterpene acid, presents a diverse mode of biological actions including antiretroviral, antibacterial, antimalarial, and anti-inflammatory activities. The potency of betulinic acid as an inhibitor of human platelet activation was evaluated, and its antiplatelet profile against in vitro platelet aggregation, induced by several platelet agonists (adenosine diphosphate, thrombin receptor activator peptide-14, and arachidonic acid), was explored. Flow cytometric analysis was performed to examine the effect of betulinic acid on P-selectin membrane expression and PAC-1 binding to activated platelets. Betulinic acid potently inhibits platelet aggregation and also reduced PAC-1 binding and the membrane expression of P-selectin. Principal component analysis was used to screen, on the chemical property space, for potential common pharmacophores of betulinic acid with approved antithrombotic drugs. A common pharmacophore was defined between the NMR-derived structure of betulinic acid and prostacyclin agonists (PGI2), and the importance of its carboxylate group in its antiplatelet activity was determined. The present results indicate that betulinic acid has potential use as an antithrombotic compound and suggest that the mechanism underlying the antiplatelet effects of betulinic acid is similar to that of the PGI2 receptor agonists, a hypothesis that deserves further investigation.

Leucine supplementation combined with resistance exercise improves the plasma lipid profile of dexamethasone-treated rats

The impact of leucine supplementation and resistance exercise (RE) on plasma lipid profile was evaluated in adult rats treated with dexamethasone, an experimental model of dyslipidemia. Total cholesterol did not differ among groups. Furthermore, leucine supplementation did not promote improvement in the plasma total cholesterol and LDL-c of the animals. However, plasma TG and VLDL-c were significantly decreased and HDL-c increased after 7 days of leucine supplementation combined with RE. In conclusion, leucine supplementation combined with RE, but not isolated, improved the plasma lipid profile of dexamethasone-induced dyslipidemic rats.