Histoplasma capsulatum Cell Wall beta-Glucan Induces Lipid Body Formation through CD18, TLR2, and Dectin-1 Receptors: Correlation with Leukotriene B(4) Generation and Role in HIV-1 Infection

Histoplasma capsulatum (Hc) is a facultative, intracellular parasite of worldwide significance. Infection with Hc produces a broad spectrum of diseases and may progress to a life-threatening systemic disease, particularly in individuals with HIV infection. Resolution of histoplasmosis is associated with the activation of cell-mediated immunity, and leukotriene B(4) plays an important role in this event. Lipid bodies (LBs) are increasingly being recognized as multifunctional organelles with roles in inflammation and infection. In this study, we investigated LB formation in histoplasmosis and its putative function in innate immunity. LB formation in leukocytes harvested from Hc-infected C57BL/6 mice peaks on day 2 postinfection and correlates with enhanced generation of lipid mediators, including leukotriene B(4) and PGE(2). Pretreatment of leukocytes with platelet-activating factor and BLT1 receptor antagonists showed that both lipid mediators are involved in cell signaling for LB formation. Alveolar leukocytes cultured with live or dead Hc also presented an increase in LB numbers. The yeast alkali-insoluble fraction 1, which contains mainly beta-glucan isolated from the Hc cell wall, induced a dose- and time-dependent increase in LB numbers, indicating that beta-glucan plays a signaling role in LB formation. In agreement with this hypothesis, beta-glucan-elicited LB formation was inhibited in leukocytes from 5-LO(-/-), CD18(low) and TLR2(-/-) mice, as well as in leukocytes pretreated with anti-Dectin-1 Ab. Interestingly, human monocytes from HIV-1-infected patients failed to produce LBs after beta-glucan stimulation. These results demonstrate that Hc induces LB formation, an event correlated with eicosanoid production, and suggest a role for these lipid-enriched organelles in host defense during fungal infection. The Journal of Immunology, 2009, 182: 4025-4035.

Error in body weight estimation leads to inadequate parenteral anticoagulation

Parenteral anticoagulation is a cornerstone in the management of venous and arterial thrombosis. Unfractionated heparin has a wide dose/response relationship, requiring frequent and troublesome laboratorial follow-up. Because of all these factors, low-molecular-weight heparin use has been increasing. Inadequate dosage has been pointed out as a potential problem because the use of subjectively estimated weight instead of real measured weight is common practice in the emergency department (ED). To evaluate the impact of inadequate weight estimation on enoxaparin dosage, we investigated the adequacy of anticoagulation of patients in a tertiary ED where subjective weight estimation is common practice. We obtained the estimated, informed, and measured weight of 28 patients in need of parenteral anticoagulation. Basal and steady-state (after the second subcutaneous shot of enoxaparin) anti-Xa activity was obtained as a measure of adequate anticoagulation. The patients were divided into 2 groups according the anticoagulation adequacy. From the 28 patients enrolled, 75% (group 1, n = 21) received at least 0.9 mg/kg per dose BID and 25% (group 2, n = 7) received less than 0.9 mg/kg per dose BID of enoxaparin. Only 4 (14.3%) of all patients had anti-Xa activity less than the inferior limit of the therapeutic range (<0.5 UI/mL), all of them from group 2. In conclusion, when weight estimation was used to determine the enoxaparin dosage, 25% of the patients were inadequately anticoagulated (anti-Xa activity <0.5 UI/mL) during the initial crucial phase of treatment. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

EFFECT OF FLUID AND FOOD INTAKE ON THE BODY COMPOSITION EVALUATION OF ELDERLY PERSONS

Background: Several studies have shown that liquid and food intake interfere with the evaluation of body composition in adults. However, since there are no reports about this interference in the elderly population, the need to fast for this evaluation may be dispensable. Objectives: The objective of the present study was to assess the influence of liquid and solid food on the measurement of body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Design: Forty-one male volunteers aged 62 to 87 years participated in the study. The subjects were submitted to evaluation of body composition by DXA and BIA under fasting conditions and 1 hour after the ingestion of breakfast (500 ml of orange juice and one 50 g bread roll with butter). Results: There was no significant difference in the variables fat-free mass (FFM) or fat mass (FM) between the fasting condition and the evaluation performed 1 hour after the meal as measured by BIA or DXA. There was also no significant difference when the same variables were compared between methods. Conclusion: In the present study, the ingestion of 500 ml orange juice and of one bread roll with butter by elderly subjects did not affect the results of the parameters of body composition determined by BIA or DXA. Thus, these exams could be performed without the rigor of fasting, often poorly tolerated by the elderly.

Prevalence of Insulin Resistance and Related Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease in Patients With Essential Hypertension

BACKGROUND There is evidence that the subgroup of patients with essential hypertension who are also insulin resistant is at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We are unaware of the frequency of insulin resistance in patients with essential hypertension as well as the CVD risk in this subgroup of patients. This analysis was aimed at providing the prevalence of insulin resistance and associated CVD risk factors in treated and untreated patients with essential hypertension. METHODS The study population consisted of 126 patients with hypertension: 56 untreated and 70 in a stable treatment program. Body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, plasma glucose and insulin responses to an oral glucose challenge, lipid and lipoprotein concentrations, and steady-state plasma glucose (SSPG) concentration during the insulin suppression test were measured. Insulin resistance was defined operationally as a SSPG concentration >180 mg/dl. RESULTS Demographic characteristics and metabolic CVD risk factors were comparable in both groups, with 30-50% of both treated and untreated patients having abnormalities of all risk factors measured. Approximately 50% of patients met the criteria for insulin resistance in both groups, and the prevalence of abnormal CVD risk factors in this group was increased two to threefold as compared to the other half of the subjects. CONCLUSIONS Approximately 50% of patients with essential hypertension, both treated and untreated, appear to be insulin resistant, and CVD risk factors are greatly accentuated in this subset of patients.

Body composition assessment of undernourished older subjects by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and bioelectric impedance analysis

The prevention and treatment of diseases related to changes in body composition require accurate methods for the measurement of body composition. However, few studies have dealt specifically with the assessment of body composition of undernourished older subjects by different methodologies. To assess the body composition of undernourished older subjects by two different methods, dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and bioelectric impedance (BIA), and to compare results with those of an eutrophic group. The study model was cross-sectional; the study was performed at the University Hospital of the School of Medicine of Ribeiro Preto, University of So Paulo, Brazil. Forty-one male volunteers aged 62 to 91 years. The groups were selected on the basis of anamnesis, physical examination and nutritional assessment according to the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) score. Body composition was assessed by DXA and BIA. Body weight, arm and calf circumference, body mass index (BMI), fat free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) were significantly lower in the undernourished group as compared to the eutrophic group. There were no significant differences between FFM and FM mean values determined by DXA and BIA in both groups, but the agreement between methods in the undernourished group was less strong. Our results suggest caution when BIA is to be applied in studies including undernourished older subjects. This study does not support BIA as an accurate method for the individual assessment of body composition.

Comparison of bioelectrical impedance with skinfold thickness and x-ray absorptiometry to measure body composition in HIV-infected with lipodistrophy

Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)associated lipodystrophy syndrome (LS) includes body composition and metabolic alterations. Lack of validated criteria and tools make difficult to evaluate body composition in this group. Objective: The aim of the study was to compare different methods to evaluate body composition between Brazilians HIV subjects with (HIV+LIPO+) or without LS (HIV+LIPO-) and healthy subjects (Control). Methods: in a cross-sectional analyses, body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), skinfold thickness (SF) and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in 10 subjects from HIV+LIPO+ group; 22 subjects from HIV+LIPO- group and 12 from Control group. Results: There were no differences in age and body mass index (BMI) between groups. The fat mass (FM) (%) estimated by SF did not correlate with DXA in HIV+LIPO+ group (r = 0,46/p >0,05) and had fair agreement in both HIV groups (HIV+LIPO+ =0,35/ HIV+ LIPO- = 0,40). BIA had significant correlation in all groups (p < 0,05) and strong agreement, meanly in HIV groups, for FM (HIV+LIPO+ = 0,79/ HIV+LIPO- = 0,85/Control = 0,60) and for fat free mass (FFM) (HIV+LIPO+ = 0,93/ HIV+LIPO- = 0,92 / Control = 0,73). Discussion: Total fat mass can be measured by BIA with good precision, but not by SF in HIV-infected patients with LS. Segmental BIA, triciptal SF, circumferences of arms, waist and legs maybe alternatives that need more studies.

Cultural consonance and adult body composition in urban Brazil

In previous research in Brazil, we found socioeconomic and gender differences in body mass and percent body fat, consistent with a model in which individuals in higher socioeconomic strata, especially women, could achieve a cultural ideal of body size and shape. In this article, using new data, we examine these processes more precisely using measures of cultural consonance. Cultural consonance refers to the degree to which individuals approximate, in their own beliefs and behaviors, the shared prototypes for belief and behavior encoded in cultural models. We have found higher cultural consonance in several domains to be associated with health outcomes. Furthermore, there tends to be a general consistency in cultural consonance across domains. Here we suggest that measures of body composition can be considered indicators of individuals` success in achieving cultural ideals of the body, and that cultural consonance in several domains will be associated with body composition. Using waist circumference as an outcome, smaller waist size was associated with higher cultural consonance in lifestyle (beta = -0.311, P < 0.01) and higher cultural consonance in the consumption of high prestige foods (beta = -0.260, P < 0.01) for women (n = 161), but not for men (n = 106), controlling for age, family income, tobacco use, and dietary intake of protein and carbohydrates. Similar results were obtained using the body mass index and weight as outcomes, while there were no associations with height. These results help to illuminate the cultural mediation of body composition.

Upper trunk fat assessment and its relationship with metabolic and biochemical variables and body fat in polycystic ovary syndrome

Background: Fat accumulation in the upper region of the body is common in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and is associated with metabolic complications. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between trunk circumference, metabolic indicators, and abdominal and visceral fat in obese PCOS women. Methods: The weight, fat mass, and subcutaneous arm fat (SAF) of 30 obese PCOS women and 15 healthy controls matched for age and body mass index were evaluated by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Trunk (TrC), neck (NC) and hip circumferences were measured, and the trunk/hip (Tr/H) ratio was determined. Total abdominal fat (TAF), visceral fat (VF) and trunk fat (TrF) were determined by computed tomography. Biochemical evaluation included glycaemia, insulinaemia, testosterone and lipid profile, insulin resistance (IR) was assessed by the QUICKI index. Results: In the PCOS group, there were positive correlations between NC and TAF (r = 0.49, P < 0.0006), TrC and VF (r = 0.62, P = 0.01), and NC and VF (r = 0.70, P < 0.0002). There was good correlation between TrC and TrF (r = 0.69, P = 0.003). TrF correlated with triglycerides levels positively (r = 0.44, P = 0.02). Women with PCOS and IR had a larger quantity of VF and TrF, but a smaller amount of SAF. Within the PCOS group, women with Tr/H ratio above the median had higher basal insulin levels and lower QUICKI indices compared to women presenting a Tr/H ratio below the median. Conclusions: TrC is associated with important metabolic variables in PCOS, proving to be a valuable and innovative tool for assessment of body adiposity distribution in obese PCOS women.

Covariance functions for body weight from birth to maturity in Nellore cows

The objective of this study was to estimate (co)variance functions using random regression models on Legendre polynomials for the analysis of repeated measures of BW from birth to adult age. A total of 82,064 records from 8,145 females were analyzed. Different models were compared. The models included additive direct and maternal effects, and animal and maternal permanent environmental effects as random terms. Contemporary group and dam age at calving (linear and quadratic effect) were included as fixed effects, and orthogonal Legendre polynomials of animal age (cubic regression) were considered as random co-variables. Eight models with polynomials of third to sixth order were used to describe additive direct and maternal effects, and animal and maternal permanent environmental effects. Residual effects were modeled using 1 (i.e., assuming homogeneity of variances across all ages) or 5 age classes. The model with 5 classes was the best to describe the trajectory of residuals along the growth curve. The model including fourth- and sixth-order polynomials for additive direct and animal permanent environmental effects, respectively, and third-order polynomials for maternal genetic and maternal permanent environmental effects were the best. Estimates of (co) variance obtained with the multi-trait and random regression models were similar. Direct heritability estimates obtained with the random regression models followed a trend similar to that obtained with the multi-trait model. The largest estimates of maternal heritability were those of BW taken close to 240 d of age. In general, estimates of correlation between BW from birth to 8 yr of age decreased with increasing distance between ages.

A splice variant of the Neurospora crassa hex-1 transcript, which encodes the major protein of the Woronin body, is modulated by extracellular phosphate and pH changes

The Woronin body, a septal pore-associated organelle specific to filamentous ascomycetes, is crucial for preventing cytoplasmic bleeding after hyphal injury. In this study, we show that T1hex-1 transcript and a variant splicing T2hex-1 transcript are up-regulated at alkaline pH. We also show that both hex-1 transcripts are overexpressed in the preg(c), nuc-1(RIP), and pacC(ko) mutant strains of Neurospora crassa grown under conditions of phosphate shortage at alkaline pH, suggesting that hex-1 transcription may be coregulated by these genes. In addition, we present evidence that N. crassa PacC also has metabolic functions at acidic pH. (C) 2008 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

Models for genetic evaluation of Nelore cattle mature body weight

Records of 18,770 Nelore animals, born from 1975 to 2002, in 8 herds participating in the Nelore Cattle Breeding Program, were analyzed to estimate genetic parameters for mature BW. The mature BW were analyzed as a single BW taken closest to 4.5 yr of age for each cow in the data file, considering BW starting from 2 (W2Y_S), 3 (W3Y_S), or 4 (W4Y_S) yr of age or as repeated records, including all BW starting from 2 (W2Y_R), 3 (W3Y_R), or 4 (W4Y_R) yr of age. The variance components were estimated by restricted maximum likelihood, fitting univariate and bivariate animal models, including weaning weight. The heritability estimates were 0.29, 0.34, 0.36, 0.41, 0.44, and 0.46 for W2Y_S, W3Y_S, W4Y_S, W2Y_R, W3Y_R, and W4Y_R, respectively. The repeatability estimates for W2Y_R, W3Y_R, and W4Y_R were 0.59, 0.64, and 0.72, respectively. Larger accuracy values associated with the EBV were obtained in the repeated records models. The results indicated the bivariate repeated records model as the most appropriate for analyzing mature BW.

Relationship between first polar body morphology before intracytoplasmic sperm injection and fertilization rate, cleavage rate, and embryo quality

Objectives: To evaluate the influence of the morphology of the first polar body (PB) on intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes. Methods: The morphology of the first PB was assessed in 3177 metaphase 11 oocytes and classified as: intact and normal size, fragmented, or enlarged size. The rates of fertilization, cleavage, and embryo quality were evaluated on day 2. Results: The rates of fertilization, cleavage, and formation of good quality embryos resulting from the insemination of oocytes with an enlarged first PB (20.7%, 18.7%, and 5.0%, respectively) were significantly lower than those for oocytes with an intact first PB of normal size (70.8%, 62.5%, and 19%, respectively) or a fragmented first PB (69.7%, 60.5%, and 17.1%, respectively). Rates did not differ significantly between oocytes with an intact first PB of normal size and oocytes with a fragmented first PB (P>0.05). Conclusions: The presence of an enlarged PB is related to poorer rates of fertilization, cleavage, and top quality embryos. However, identification of first PB fragmentation does not seem to interfere with ICSI outcomes. (C) 2008 International Federation ofGynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Analysis of body posture in children with mild to moderate asthma

The mechanical alterations related to the excessive use of accessory respiratory muscles and the mouth breathing observed in children with asthma may lead to the development of alterations in head posture, shoulders, thoracic region and, consequently, in alterations of body posture. The purpose of this study was to assess body posture changes of children with asthma compared to a non-asthmatic control group matched for gender, age, weight, and height. Thirty children with asthma and 30 non-asthmatic children aged 7 to 12 years were enrolled in this study. Digital photographic records were obtained for analysis of the body posture of the children by computed photogrammetry. The intraclass correlation coefficient and Student`s t test (p < 0.05) were used for statistical analysis. There were no significant differences between groups for the angles analyzed, except for the knee flexor angle. These results demonstrate that children with asthma did not present postural alterations compared to non-asthmatic controls since the only angle for which there was a significant difference between groups showed weak reproducibility. The findings of this study do not support the notion that children with asthma present alterations in body posture.

Indicators of lean body mass catabolism: emphasis on the creatinine excretion rate

Background: The major stress response to critical illness leads to a catabolic state and loss of lean body mass. Aims: To test whether an increased rate of creatinine excretion might provide unique and timely information to monitor cell catabolism; to relate this information to balances of cell constituents (nitrogen, potassium, phosphate and magnesium); to evaluate the effectiveness of nutritional therapy to reverse this catabolic process. Design: Prospective observational study. Methods: Children with severe traumatic brain injury admitted to the paediatric critical care units of The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada and Hospital das Clnicas, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeiro Preto, University of So Paulo, Brazil were studied. Complete 24 h urine collections were obtained for measurement of creatinine excretion rate and daily balances of nitrogen, potassium, phosphate and magnesium. Results: Seventeen patients were studied for 310 days. On Day 1, all had negative balances for protein and phosphate. Balances for these intracellular constituents became positive when protein intake was >= 1 g/kg/day and energy intake was >= 50% of estimated energy expenditure (P < 0.0001). Creatinine excretion rate was positively correlated with the urea appearance rate (r = 0.60; P < 0.0001), and negatively with protein balance (r = -0.45; P < 0.0001). Sepsis developed in four patients; before its clinical detection, there were negative balances for all intracellular markers and an abrupt rise in the excretion of creatinine. Conclusions: Negative balances of intracellular components and an increase in rate of creatinine excretion heralded the onset of catabolism.

Genetic associations between age at first calving and heifer body weight and scrotal circumference in Nelore cattle

P>Age at first calving (AFC) measures the entry of heifers into the beef cattle production system. This trait can be used as a selection criterion for earlier reproductive performance. Using data from Nelore cattle participating in the `Program for Genetic Improvement of the Nelore Breed` (PMGRN-Nelore Brazil), bi-trait analyses were performed using the restricted maximum likelihood method, based on an AFC animal model and the following traits: female body weight adjusted to 365 (BW365) and 450 (BW450) days of age, and male scrotal circumference adjusted to 365 (SC365), 450 (SC450), 550 (SC550) and 730 (SC730) days of age. The heritability estimates for AFC ranged from 0.02 +/- 0.02 to 0.04 +/- 0.02. The estimates of additive direct heritabilities (with standard error) for BW365, BW450, SC365, SC450, SC550 and SC730 were 0.36 +/- 0.07, 0.38 +/- 0.07, 0.48 +/- 0.07, 0.65 +/- 0.07, 0.64 +/- 0.07 and 0.42 +/- 0.07, respectively, and the genetic correlations with AFC were -0.38, -0.33, 0.10, -0.13, -0.13 and 0.06, respectively. In the herds studied, selection for SC365, SC450, SC550 or SC730 should not cause genetic changes in AFC. Selection based on BW365 or BW450 would favor smaller AFC breeding values. However, the low magnitude of direct heritability estimates for AFC in these farms indicates that changes in phenotypical expression depend mostly on non-genetic factors.