Pitahaya aging diagnostic by impedance/capacitance spectroscopy

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

Talent detection in taekwondo: which factors are associated with the longitudinal competitive success?

Background Several morphological and functional characteristics are associated with the performance of taekwondo (TKD) adult athletes. However, we did not find any longitudinal study associating these features to the future performance of young athletes, and thereby, identifying the best variables to use in a battery of tests to talent detection. Therefore, the aim of this study is answer the question which factors are associated with the longitudinal competitive success of TKD young athletes over five competitive years (2008 to 2012).Material &Methods: Six taekwondo athletes (13.06 +/- 1.07 years, 43.6 +/- 6.6 kg, 157.9 +/- 8.3 cm), who trained three to six hours per week, for more than three years, were assessed on 32 maturational indicators, of body composition, anthropometric and functional, using anthropometric techniques, dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, carpal radiography and contact platform. To determine the competitive ranking, the competitive results of athletes from 2008 to 2012 were analysed, and these values were correlated with the other 32 indicators for determining the Longitudinal Predictors of Performance in TKD (LPPT). Moreover, one of the athletes achieved results notably higher than the other, being medalled at Junior World Championships. Therefore, all variables were transformed into z-scores and all those in which this athlete presented superior performance in 1 z-scores were considered as LPPT. Results: The athlete of reference (the first in Longitudinal Competitive Ranking 2008-2012) distinguished, in accordance with the criteria, in nineteen LPPT indicators. The ranking was correlated with 6 LPPT parameters, including one from the maturation group of indicators and five from the functional group.Conclusion: Our results allowed us to identify several factors that are related to longitudinal competitive success in taekwondo young athletes. These factors should be considered by coaches to the proper selection of training programs, as well as for the pre-selection of young talents in competitive taekwondo. However, these results apply only to the Portuguese taekwondo adolescent athletes, being of limited generalizability.

Popularion biology of abdominant fish species of the Santa Bárbara river, a tributary of the Nova Avanhandava reservoir (low Tietê river, São Paulo State, Brazil)

The aim of this study is to characterize some population biology parameters of P. squamosissimus, A. altiparanae and S. maculatus, the dominant fish species of the Santa Bárbara river, a tributary of the Nova Avanhandava reservoir, low Tietê river. Fish samplings were performed monthly between September/2002 and August/2003, using gill nets with different mesh sizes. Females of all species have larger standard lengths than males (Mann-Whitney, p < 0.0001), and are more frequent in superior size classes (Kolmogorov-Smirnov, p < 0.0001). All populations presented isometric growth, but differences between males and females were observed. Only P. squamosissimus presented a gender ratio different from 1:1, with a higher proportion of males (1:2, X2, p < 0.05). The onset of gonadal maturation occurs at 15 cm in P. squamosissimus, 9 cm in S. maculatus and at 8.9 cm in A. altiparanae. In all species populations, the adults predominate over juveniles. The allometric condition factor (K) of P. squamosissimus and S. maculatus presented higher values in the periods from March-May and June-August, and A. altiparanae in the period from March-May (Kruskal-Wallis, p < 0.05). These results indicate that the populations successfully exploit the lentic environment, and present life cycle tactics adapted to their particular means of environment occupation.

Stem cell factor: a hemopoietic cytokine with important targets in asthma

We review evidence that Stem Cell Factor (SCF) plays an important role in the pathophysiology of asthma. SCF is produced by a wide variety of cells present in asthmatic lung, including mast cells and eosinophils. Its receptor, c-kit, is broadly expressed on mature mast cells and eosinophils. SCF promotes recruitment of mast cell progenitors into tissues, as well as their local maturation and activation. It also promotes eosinophil survival, maturation and functional activation. SCF enhances IgE-dependent release of mediators from mast cells, including histamine, leukotrienes, cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-5, GM-CSF) and chemokines (RANTES/CCL5, MCP-1/CCL2, TARC/CCL17 e MDC/CCL22); it is required for IL-4 production in mast cells. SCF, acting in concert with IgE, also upregulates the expression and function of CC chemokine receptors in mast cells. Structural and resident airway cells express increased levels of SCF in the bronchus of asthmatic patients. In a murine model of asthma, allergen exposure increased production of SCF by epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages, which was transient and paralleled by histamine release. SCF induced long-lived airway hyperreactivity, which was prevented by local neutralization of SCF, as well as by inhibitors of the production or activity of cysteinyl-leukotrienes. Together, these observations suggest that SCF has an important role in asthma.

Interpreting histopathology in the epididymis

While most of this Special Issue is devoted to the testis (which is where most drug and chemically induced toxicity of the male reproductive tract is identified), being able to recognize and understand the potential effects of toxicants on the epididymis is immensely important and an area that is often overlooked. The epididymis is the organ where the post-testicular sperm differentiation occurs, through a complex and still not completely understood sperm maturation process, allowing them to fertilize the oocyte. Also in the epididymis, sperm are stored until ejaculation, while being protected from immunogenic reaction by a blood-epididymis barrier. From a toxicologic perspective the epididymis is inherently complicated as its structure and function can be altered both indirectly and directly. In this review we will discuss the factors that must be considered when attempting to distinguish between indirect and direct epididymal toxicity and highlight what is currently known about mechanisms of epididymal toxicants, using the rat as a reference model. We identify 2 distinguishable signature lesions - one representing androgen deprivation (secondary to Leydig cell toxicity in the testis) and another representing a direct acting toxicant. Other commonly observed alterations will also be shown and discussed. Finally, we point out that many of the key functions of the epididymis can be altered in the absence of a detectable change in tissue structure. Collectively, we hope this will provide pathologists with increased confidence in identification of epididymal toxicity and enable more informed guidance as mechanism of action is considered.

Time course of the meiotic arrest in sheep cumulus-oocyte complexes treated with roscovitine

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

Sports practice is related to parasympathetic activity in adolescents

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

Influence of melatonin on the proliferative and apoptotic responses of the prostate under normal and hyperglycemic conditions

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

In vitro embryos production after oocytes treatment with forskolin

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

Oogenesis in Laetacara araguaiae (Ottoni and Costa, 2009) (Labriformes: Cichlidae)

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

The Fresh Frozen Bone Allograft (FFBA) to reconstruc the atrophic maxilla: evaluation of the clinical and histological viability at six and nine months in the maxillary sinus

This work aimed to analyze clinically and histologically the allogen bone graft behavior at 6 and 9 months. A leukoderm, female, 55 years old patient sought dental care for oral rehabilitation with dental implants and implant supported fixed prosthesis in the maxilla. Bilateral sinus lifting procedure were performed in a same patient, the analysis were made after 6 and 9 months, respectively. At 6 months, there was lack of a better bone remodeling in the region, associated to the presence of fibrous connective tissue within the collected tissue, showing us that this is not the best stage of tissue maturation to place dental implants. The 9 months period showed an improvement, with a more organized bone tissue surrounding particles of homogenous bone, what possibly had increased implant stability at the time of surgery. There is no doubt about the increase of clinical applications of FFBA, but there are no studies available regarding the standardization of time to load implants inserted in allografts. So papers with long-term monitoring are necessary to eliminate questions that still remain to be answered.

Modelos para estimar consumo e exigências nutricionais para poedeiras comerciais

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

Relationship between bone ageand pubertal breast stage to bone biomarkers and bone mineral density in healthy brazilian female adolescents

Background and Aims Bone metabolism involves understanding many factors, especially during puberty, when bone turnover is significant and the bone mass peak must be achieved as a protective factor of future bone health. The objective was to evaluate the behavior of formation and resorption bone biomarkers (BB) in function of biological maturation in female adolescents.Methods Evaluation of formation and resorption BB, osteocalcin (OC), bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and carboxyterminal telopeptide (S-CTx) by correlating them with bone mineralization, bone age and pubertal development in healthy female adolescents. Seventy-two volunteers were subdivided into groups according to chronological age/bone age (BA): 10 11 years (n=12), 12 13 years (n=16), 14 15 years (n=15) and 16 19 years (n=29). The following were evaluated: weight (kg), height (m), BMI (kg/m2), calcium intake (3-day 24h food recalls (mg/day), puberty events (Tanner stages), serum OC (ng/mL), BAP (U/L), S-CTx (ng/mL) and bone mineral density (BMD) as calculated by DXA (g/cm2) in the spine (L1-L4), proximal femur and whole body. The project was approved by the UNESP Ethics Committee.Results BB showed similar behaviors, with higher mean values for 10 12 years and when adolescents were in the B2-B3 Pubertal Maturation Stage (B2: BAP=110.16 U/L, OC=33.81ng/mL, S-CTx=1.66 ng/mL and B3: BAP=136.50 U/L, OC=39.15ng/mL and S-CTx=1.88 ng/mL; p<0.001). Mean BB values decreased with advancing BA and pubertal maturity.Conclusions BB values showed parallelism with peak height velocity and significant negative correlation with BMD in the different evaluated sites, with chronological and BA ; higher BMD values correlated with lower bone biomarker values.

Feeding and reproductive dynamics of the damselfish, Stegastes fuscus in the coastal reefs of northeastern Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Influences of the harvest season on analytical characteristics of syrah grapes and wines produced in the northeast region of Brazil

The present study evaluated the main physical and chemical characteristics of Syrah grapes, coming from the tropical region of São Francisco river valley, harvested at different times and their relationship with analytical characteristics of resulting wines. Grapes came from the first half of 2009 harvest, collected at Casa Nova - Bahia, a semi-arid and hot region, comprising an interval from 84 days after pruning (84 dap) to the beginning of grape over-ripening, 133 days after pruning (133 dap). Harvests at 84, 91, 98, 105, 112, 119, 126 and 133 dap, were analyzed for pH, soluble solids and acidity in grapes, which were then processed for wine production. Maximum sugar/acidity ratio (s/a = 56) were observed in grapes harvested between 126 and 133 dap, coincided with the highest concentration of anthocyanins (851 mg L-1 ) and total tannins (2.6 g L-1 ) in the resulting wines, indicating that grapes collected between 126 and 133 dap showed the best potential for winemaking in the tropical climate of São Francisco river valley. This result was confirmed by the analytical characterization of wines, that, between 126 and 133 dap, showed 12.8% alcohol, 31 g L-1 dry extract, 5.6 g L-1 ashes and a TPI of 58, using only one pumping per day, for 5 days maceration. Syrah grapes considered in the present work presented a good evolution of maturation, and grapes harvested between 126 and 133 days after pruning, showed the best oenological potential for the development of red wine. The use of pH and soluble solids appeared useful parameters in the estimation of maturation degree and quality potential of grapes for winemaking.