Induction pegylated interferon Alfa-2a and high dose ribavirin do not increase SVR in heavy patients with HCV genotype 1 and high viral loads

Background & Aims Patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1, body weight <85 kg, and high baseline viral load respond poorly to standard doses of pegylated interferon (peginterferon) and ribavirin. We evaluated intensified therapy with peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin. Methods This double-blind randomized trial included HCV genotype 1-infected outpatients from hepatology clinics with body weight <85 kg and HCV RNA titer <400,000 IU/mL. Patients were randomized to 180 μg/wk peginterferon alfa-2a for 48 weeks plus 1200 mg/day ribavirin (standard of care) (group A, n = 191) or 1400/1600 mg/day ribavirin (group B, n = 189). Additional groups included 360 μg/wk peginterferon alfa-2a for 12 weeks then 180 μg/wk peginterferon alfa-2a for 36 weeks plus 1200 mg/day ribavirin (group C, n = 382) or 1400/1600 mg/day ribavirin (group D, n = 383). Follow-up lasted 24 weeks after treatment. Results Sustained virologic response rates (HCV RNA level <15 IU/mL at end of follow-up) in groups A, B, C, and D were 38%, 43%, 44%, and 41%, respectively. There were no significant differences among the 4 groups or between pooled peginterferon alfa-2a regimens (A + B vs C + D: odds ratio [OR], 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.831.39; P = .584) or pooled ribavirin regimens (A + C vs B + D: OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.791.28; P = .974). Conclusions In patients infected with HCV genotype 1 who are difficult to treat (high viral load, body weight <85 kg), a 12-week induction regimen of peginterferon alfa-2a and/or higher-dose ribavirin is not more effective than the standard regimen. © 2010 AGA Institute.

Mango flower induction in the brazilian northeast Semi-arid with gibberellin synthesis inhibitors

Mangoes in the Brazilian semi-arid stands out in the national scenario due to high yields and fruit quality, and also to the possibility of all-year production taking advantage of the climatic conditions as well as management technique (irrigation, pruning and growth regulators application) for plant growth and blossom control. Paclobutrazol soil drench applied is normally used for production management of mangoes. This research deals with the evaluation of the effect of foliar applied growth regulators to mango, cultivar 'Kent', as regard to their efficiency for blossom management, in order to allow off season mango production. Three growth regulators (prohexadione-Ca, trinexapac-ethyl and chlormequat chloride) were foliar applied, at two dosages and compared to paclobutrazol applied as soil-drench. In order to compare the effects of the treatment, data were recorded related to panicle emission (percentage and length), period of time until blossom and production, yield (number and plant weight) and post-harvest quality of the fruit (total soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, firmness, flesh and skin color and appearance). The results showed that prohexadione-Ca and chlormequat chloride induced a 15-day early harvest, while paclobutrazol, alone or combined with prohexadione-Ca, allow to harvest 25 days in advance, when compared to trinexapac-ethyl and control trees. Growth regulators foliar applied and paclobutrazol applied as soil-drench delayed mangoes fruit ripening in post-harvest.

Uniconazole on mango floral induction cultivar 'Kent' at submedio são francisco region, Brazil

In order to provide efficient crop management which enables the scaling of the production of mango in semi-arid conditions and achieve a greater precision in the recommendation, evaluating the effect and the influence of uniconazole foliar spray, on the emission of vegetative flushes in the cultivar 'Kent', field tests were carried out in a productive orchard. Treatments tested were three uniconazole dosages, 500, 1,000 and 1,500 mg L-1, with one, two or three respective foliar sprayings. Another treatment with paclobutrazol was used at 2.0 g a.i./m of canopy diameter, with a single application via soil and a control (without spraying of plant growth regulators), where spreader-sticker was added and the pH was adjusted. With 30, 60 and 90 days after the first spraying of the flowering inducer the growth of branches were evaluated, as well as the percentage of flowering in all treatments after 120 days of first spraying. The sprayings started in the orchard after the emission of the second vegetative flush after pruning of production, through airassisted sprayer with flow rate of 1,000 L ha-1. The experimental design was done through randomized blocks with four replications, using three plants per plot. It was observed that paclobutrazol was significantly highlighted in relation to other treatments and that the uniconazole with one, two and three foliar sprayings presented inhibition of the vegetative growth in mango 'Kent' and showed, even at low proportions, signs of flowering.

Specialist tool for monitoring the measurement degradation process of induction active energy meters

This paper presents a methodology and a specialist tool for failure probability analysis of induction type watt-hour meters, considering the main variables related to their measurement degradation processes. The database of the metering park of a distribution company, named Elektro Electricity and Services Co., was used for determining the most relevant variables and to feed the data in the software. The modeling developed to calculate the watt-hour meters probability of failure was implemented in a tool through a user friendly platform, written in Delphi language. Among the main features of this tool are: analysis of probability of failure by risk range; geographical localization of the meters in the metering park, and automatic sampling of induction type watt-hour meters, based on a risk classification expert system, in order to obtain information to aid the management of these meters. The main goals of the specialist tool are following and managing the measurement degradation, maintenance and replacement processes for induction watt-hour meters. © 2011 IEEE.

Induction or exacerbation of psoriatic lesions during anti-TNF-α therapy for inflammatory bowel disease: A systematic literature review based on 222 cases

Background: Paradoxical cases of psoriatic lesions induced or exacerbated by anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α therapy have been reported more frequently in recent years, but data related to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are rare. A systematic literature review was performed to provide information about this adverse effect in patients with IBD who receive anti-TNF therapy. Methods: Published studies were identified by a search of Medline, Embase, Cochrane, SciELO, and LILACS databases. Results: A total of 47 studies (222 patients) fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were selected for analysis. Clinical and therapeutic aspects varied considerably among these reports. Of the 222 patients, 78.38% were diagnosed with Crohn's disease, and 48.20% were female. The mean patient age was 26.50. years, and 70.72% of patients had no history of psoriasis. Patients developed psoriasiform lesions (55.86%) more often than other types of psoriatic lesions, and infliximab was the anti-TNF-α therapy that caused the cutaneous reaction in most patients (69.37%). Complete remission of cutaneous lesions was observed in 63.96% of the cases. Conclusions: We found that psoriatic lesions occurred predominantly in adult patients with Crohn's disease who received infliximab and had no previous history of psoriasis. Most patients can be managed conservatively without discontinuing anti-TNF-α therapy. © 2012 European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation.

Induction of the 72 kDa heat shock protein by glucose ingestion in black pregnant women

Obese Black women are at increased risk for development of gestational diabetes mellitus and have worse perinatal outcomes than do obese women of other ethnicities. Since hsp72 has been associated with the regulation of obesity-induced insulin resistance, we evaluated associations between glucose ingestion, hsp72 release and insulin production in Black pregnant women. Specifically, the effect of a 50-g glucose challenge test (GCT) on heat shock protein and insulin levels in the circulation 1 h later was evaluated. Hsp27 and hsp60 levels remained unchanged. In contrast, serum levels of hsp72 markedly increased after glucose ingestion (p = 0.0054). Further analysis revealed that this increase was limited to women who were not obese (body mass index <30). Insulin levels pre-GCT were positively correlated with body mass index (p = 0.0189). Median insulin concentrations also increased post GCT in non-obese women but remained almost unchanged in obese women. Post-GCT serum hsp72 concentrations were inversely correlated with post GCT insulin concentrations (p = 0.0111). These observations suggest that glucose intake during gestation in Black women rapidly leads to an elevation in circulating hsp72 only in non-obese Black women. The release of hsp72 may regulate the extent of insulin production in response to a glucose challenge and, thereby, protect the mother and/or fetus from development of hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and/or immune system alterations. © 2013 Cell Stress Society International.

Induction of ankylosis in the incisor for orthodontic tooth movement in rats

Background/Aim: The present research evaluated the induction of ankylosis and the eruption rate in rat incisors, with the aim of achieving stable anchorage for orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) of the molars. Material and methods: Fifteen male Wistar rats were used. In the Experimental group, the right superior incisor of each animal was extracted, denuded of the PDL and the dental papilla, and reimplanted. The Control group was the left superior incisors. The eruption rate was measured at 7, 10, 12, 14, and 16 days after replantation. NiTi closed springs with a 50cN release force were installed for additional 9 days, and the eruption rate was determined. Then, the rats were sacrificed, and ankylosis was examined by microscopic analysis. Differences with P < 0.01 were defined as statistically significant. Results: The eruption rates were 0 and 0.39 mm day-1 in the Experimental group and Control group, respectively. All incisors of the Experimental group showed ankylosis according to histological analysis. Conclusions: The methodology used to induce ankylosis in this study was effective for anchoring the incisors during the OTM of rat molars, eliminating the undesirable effects consequent to continuous eruption. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Speed estimation for induction motor using neural networks method

This work presents an alternative approach based on neural network method in order to estimate speed of induction motors, using the measurement of primary variables such as voltage and current. Induction motors are very common in many sectors of the industry and assume an important role in the national energy policy. The nowadays methodologies, which are used in diagnosis, condition monitoring and dimensioning of these motors, are based on measure of the speed variable. However, the direct measure of this variable compromises the system control and starting circuit of an electric machinery, reducing its robustness and increasing the implementation costs. Simulation results and experimental data are presented to validate the proposed approach. © 2003-2012 IEEE.

Floral induction of mango 'Tommy Atkins' at submedio São Francisco Region, Brazil

Irregular production is a major problem in mango. In an attempt to overcome irregular bearing, effects of two antigibberellins on flowering were evaluated, uniconazole (0.25 g of active ingredient per meter of canopy tree diameter) and paclobutrazol (1.0 g of active ingredient per meter of canopy tree diameter). Treatments were applied as a soil drench using 2 L of solution per tree, in a commercial orchard of 'Tommy Atkins' mango. Treatments were applied after the second vegetative flush commenced, subsequent to pruning. Branch growth was evaluated every 30 days after treatment application up to a maximum period of 90 days. The flowering percentage was recorded at 130 days. Ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) as a foliar spray (concentration of 0.75%) was applied five times at seven day intervals from 95 to 100 days after treatment application as a dormancy breaking treatment. It was found that both paclobutrazol (PBZ) and uniconazole (UCZ) significantly inhibited the development of vegetative growth compared to the control. Both treatments resulted in identical rates of flowering shoots, 87%; based on results, it can be concluded that the application of antigibberellins (PBZ and UCZ) inhibit vegetative development in mango 'Tommy Atkins', and promote high levels of flowering. Additional tests are being carried out in other farms to confirm these findings, for different cultivars and seasons. © ISHS 2013.

Organically produced coffee exerts protective effects against the micronuclei induction by mutagens in mouse gut and bone marrow

While researchers have extensively evaluated the beneficial effects of coffee consumption in reducing the frequency of certain diseases, studies examining the differences between organic and conventional coffee intake are still needed. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the functional effects of organic and conventional coffee by examining both its chemical composition and its mutagenic/antimutagenic properties. Infusions of 10% or 20% (w/v) of organic and conventional coffee were administered by gavage (10 mL/kg b.w., once or twice a day) to male Swiss mice against doxorubicin (DXR) and 1,2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride (DMH)-induced mutagenicity. The levels of chlorogenic acids, caffeine and trigonelline from the coffee infusions and oxidative stress analysis from the liver were measured by HPLC. Gut and bone marrow micronucleus assays were used as mutagenic/antimutagenic endpoints, as well as the crypt measurements and gut apoptosis index. The in vivo tests revealed that only organic coffee exerted protective effects, despite oxidative stress analysis and crypt measurements not showing differences among treatments. Intriguingly, the low dose (10% w/v mL/kg) displayed a robust protective effect that showed a significant reduction in bone marrow micronuclei (26.8%), gut micronuclei (11.5%) and apoptosis (27.8%), whereas the higher coffee dose (2 × 20% w/v) only showed a protective effect against bone marrow micronucleus (43.7%). These results highlight that organic coffee could be considered to have beneficial functional effects, although it is still a challenge to define conclusions from analytical data and all the possible interactions from this complex food matrix. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Induction of suppressiveness to Fusarium wilt of chrysanthemum with composted sewage sludge

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Induction of immune response in broiler chickens immunized with recombinant FliC and challenged by Salmonella Typhimurium

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

Adventitious shoot induction from leaf segments in Anthurium andreanum is affected by age of explant, leaf orientation and plant growth regulator

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effect of interval from induction of puberty to initiation of a timed AI protocol on pregnancy rate in Nellore heifers

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

HYPERLACTEMIA INDUCTION MODES AFFECT THE LACTATE MINIMUM POWER AND PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES IN CYCLING

Zagatto, AM, Padulo, J, Muller, PTG, Miyagi, WE, Malta, ES, and Papoti, M. Hyperlactemia induction modes affect the lactate minimum power and physiological responses in cycling. J Strength Cond Res 28(10): 2927-2934, 2014The aim of this study was to verify the influence of hyperlactemia and blood acidosis induction on lactate minimum intensity (LMI). Twenty recreationally trained males who were experienced in cycling (15 cyclists and 5 triathletes) participated in this study. The athletes underwent 3 lactate minimum tests on an electromagnetic cycle ergometer. The hyperlactemia induction methods used were graded exercise test (GXT), Wingate test (WAnT), and 2 consecutive Wingate tests (2 x WAnTs). The LMI at 2 x WAnTs (200.3 +/- 25.8 W) was statistically higher than the LMI at GXT (187.3 +/- 31.9 W) and WAnT (189.8 +/- 26.0 W), with similar findings for blood lactate, oxygen uptake, and pulmonary ventilation at LMI. The venous pH after 2 x WAnTs was lower (7.04 +/- 0.24) than in (p <= 0.05) the GXT (7.19 +/- 0.05) and WAnT (7.19 +/- 0.05), whereas the blood lactate response was higher. In addition, similar findings were observed for bicarbonate concentration [HCO3] (2 x WAnTs lower than WAnT; 15.3 +/- 2.6 mmol center dot L-1 and 18.2 +/- 2.7 mmol center dot L(-)1, respectively) (p <= 0.05). However, the maximal aerobic power and total time measured during the incremental phase also did not differ. Therefore, we can conclude that the induction mode significantly affects pH, blood lactate, and [HCO3] and consequently they alter the LMI and physiological parameters at LMI.