Biochemical evaluation of glycemic levels of long-term tacrolimus therapy in rats

One of the more serious complications following transplantation is the development of post-transplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM), which has a major impact on the quality of life, with effects ranging from the control of glycemia times to increased susceptibility to infections and cardiovascular complications. It has been suggested that immunosuppressive therapy, mainly tacrolimus therapy, may be an important factor in the development of PTDM. There is a lack of studies that explore the effects of long-term tacrolimus on PTDM in animal protocols. The objective of this study was therefore to evaluate the effects of long-term therapy with tacrolimus in rats. One group was treated with tacrolimus, injected subcutaneously, in a daily dose of 1 mg/kg of body weight. The chosen dose was sufficient to achieve therapeutic tacrolimus serum levels. The experimental periods were 60, 120, 180 and 240 days. One group was used as control and received daily subcutaneous injections of saline solution during all periods. A tendency towards increased glycemia levels during the initial periods (60 and 120 days) was observed. However, at 180 and 240 days, the glycemia levels were not statistically different from that of the control group of the same period. It may thus be concluded that the deleterious effects of tacrolimus therapy on glycemia may be a time-related side effect.

Finiteness of hermitian levels of some algebras

We characterize the hermitian levels of quaternion and octonion algebras and of an 8-dimensional algebra D over the ground field F, constructed using a weak version of the Cayley-Dickson double process. It is shown that all values of the hermitian levels of quaternion algebras with the hat-involution also occur as hermitian levels of D. We give some limits to the levels of the algebra D over some ground field. © Soc. Paran. de Mat.

Alterations in levels of NPK, electrical conductivity and pH of substrate, in cultivation of peppers

The objective of this work was to evaluate the chemical alterations of the substrate in the cultivation of pepper in coconut husk fiber, in a protected environment. Initially, 160 pepper plants ('Eppo') were divided into four blocks, where two pots per block were analyzed every 21 days after transplanting. The cultivation of pepper was carried out in plastic pots of 13 L, containing coconut husk fiber, and placed in double rows with a spacing of 0.5×0.8 m between single rows and 1.10 m between double rows. After removal of the plants from the pots, individual samples of substrate (approximately 1 L) were collected from each pot and dried at ambient temperature. Electrical conductivity (EC), pH, and levels of NH4 +-N, NO3 -, P and K were determined for all periods of the cultivation. These analyses were performed using the method of extraction 1:1.5 v/v. For the conditions which the experiment was conducted, there was an increase in substrate EC, as well as in the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

Experimental hyperthyroidism decreases gene expression and serum levels of adipokines in obesity

Aims. To analyze the influence of hyperthyroidism on the gene expression and serum concentration of leptin, resistin, and adiponectin in obese animals. Main Methods. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: control (C)fed with commercial chow ad libitumand obese (OB)fed with a hypercaloric diet. After group characterization, the OB rats continued receiving a hypercaloric diet and were randomized into two groups: obese animals (OB) and obese with 25g triiodothyronine (T3)/100BW (OT). The T3 dose was administered every day for the last 2 weeks of the study. After 30 weeks the animals were euthanized. Samples of blood and adipose tissue were collected for biochemical and hormonal analyses as well as gene expression of leptin, resistin, and adiponectin. Results. T3 treatment was effective, increasing fT3 levels and decreasing fT4 and TSH serum concentration. Administration of T3 promotes weight loss, decreases all fat deposits, and diminishes serum levels of leptin, resistin, and adiponectin by reducing their gene expression. Conclusions. Our results suggest that T3 modulate serum and gene expression levels of leptin, resistin, and adiponectin in experimental model of obesity, providing new insights regarding the relationship between T3 and adipokines in obesity. Copyright © 2012 Renata de Azevedo Melo Luvizotto et al.

Physical exercise modulates peripheral levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF): A systematic review of experimental studies in the elderly

The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of studies that analyzed the effect of physical exercise on the peripheral levels of BDNF in elderly individuals. Method: We conducted a search in PsycINFO, Biological Abstracts, Pubmed, Web of Science, and Science Direct from 1990 to 2011, using the following keywords: physical exercise , physical activity , physical therapy , training , BDNF , neuroplasticity , neurotrophins , neuroplasticity proteins , aged , older , elderly The articles were considered for inclusion in the review if they were studies with elderly, assessed peripheral (serum and/or plasma) BDNF and evaluated an acute exercise or chronic exercise (training). Results: Five randomized controlled trial and one randomized non-controlled trial studies were analyzed. Five out of six studies reported a significantly higher BDNF response to aerobic acute exercise and to aerobic or strength training program in healthy elderly and elderly with different pathologies. Conclusion: It was not possible to establish a recommendation protocol for the type and intensity of physical exercise required to produce an increase in levels BDNF. However, physical exercise, particularly, moderate-intensity exercises seem to be more effective to promote increase the peripheral levels of BDNF in the elderly. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Caffeine reduces cadmium accumulation in the organism and enhances the levels of antioxidant protein expression in the epididymis

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of caffeine (20. mg/L) intake on cadmium (15. mg/L) accumulation in the rat blood, testes, epididymis and prostate as well as cadmium-induced changes to the antioxidant defense system of the epididymis. Caffeine reduced the cadmium concentration in all tissues analyzed. Meanwhile, cadmium reduced catalase activity and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the epididymis. Caffeine increased SOD activity, catalase and glutathione tissue expression and sustains the cadmium's effect on catalase and GSP-Px activity. No differences in the expression of metallothionein and lipid peroxidation were observed among the different treatments in the epididymis. In conclusion, low doses of cadmium alter the antioxidant enzymatic profile of the epididymis, but not induced oxidative lipid damage. Caffeine intake reduces overall cadmium accumulation in the organism and enhances the levels of antioxidant protein expression in the epididymis, thus exerting a protective effect against this metal. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.

Electroglottographic analysis of actresses and nonactresses' voices in different levels of intensity

Background: Previous studies with long-term average spectrum (LTAS) showed the importance of the glottal source for understanding the projected voices of actresses. In this study, electroglottographic (EGG) analysis was used to investigate the contribution of the glottal source to the projected voice, comparing actresses and nonactresses' voices, in different levels of intensity. Method: Thirty actresses and 30 nonactresses sustained vowels in habitual, moderate, and loud intensity levels. The EGG variables were contact quotient (CQ), closing quotient (QCQ), and opening quotient (QOQ). Other variables were sound pressure level (SPL) and fundamental frequency (F0). A KayPENTAX EGG was used. Variables were inputted in a general linear model. Results/Discussion: Actresses showed significantly higher values for SPL, in all levels, and both groups increased SPL significantly while changing from habitual to moderate and further to loud. There were no significant differences between groups for EGG quotients. There were significant differences between the levels only for F0 and CQ for both groups. Conclusion: SPL was significantly higher among actresses in all intensity levels, but in the EGG analysis, no differences were found. This apparently weak contribution of the glottal source in the supposedly projected voices of actresses, contrary to previous LTAS studies, might be because of a higher subglottal pressure or perhaps greater vocal tract contribution in SPL. Results from the present study suggest that trained subjects did not produce a significant higher SPL than untrained individuals by increasing the cost in terms of higher vocal fold collision and hence more impact stress. Future researches should explore the difference between trained and nontrained voices by aerodynamic measurements to evaluate the relationship between physiologic findings and the acoustic and EGG data. Moreover, further studies should consider both types of vocal tasks, sustained vowel and running speech, for both EGG and LTAS analysis. © 2013 The Voice Foundation.

Acid and alkaline phosphatase activity in broiler chicks fed with different levels of phytase and non-phytate phosphorus

Tartrate-resistant acid (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities were evaluated in the serum and bone of broiler chicks fed with various amounts of non-phytate phosphorus (NPP) or phytase. Data were analysed using a 4×3 factorial design containing four NPP levels per period. Analyses were performed in chicks aged 1-21 days (0.21; 0.29; 0.37; 0.45 ppm) and 36-42 days (0.13; 0.21; 0.29; 0.37 ppm) and under three different phytase level treatments (0, 500 and 1000 FTU/kg) for each period. In 42-day-old animals, the serum ACP and ALP activities did not differ in response to NPP and phytase levels and bone ACP activity decreased with increased phosphorus levels. We observed effects on ALP activity by approximately 70% in lower phosphorus (0.13 and 0.21) levels without phytase. The phytase addition decreased (P<0.05) ALP values in lower phosphorus levels. The bone ALP and ACP levels of 21-day-old animals were not affected by phosphorus or phytase. Pi depletion induces a significant increase in alkaline phosphatase synthesis, suggesting that the function of this enzyme is downregulated by phosphorus. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Phytoplankton community response to hydrological variations in oxbow lakes with different levels of connection to a tropical river

Changes to the structure of the phytoplankton community and to the physical and chemical variables of the water were investigated in oxbow lakes with different levels of connection to a tropical river and subject to annual hydrological pulse variations. The selected lentic environments are located at the mouth region of the main tributary in a reservoir built for water storage and electric power generation. The temporal variation of phytoplankton in the studied lentic environments can be attributed mainly to the hydrological level of the river. A similar variation pattern of the ecological attributes was observed in the structure of the phytoplankton community in the connected lakes and Paranapanema River, evidencing the high degree of association that the lacustrine systems maintain with the river. The highest values of richness and diversity for connected environments were observed at the end of the emptying period and in the drought. However, considering the isolated lake, the highest values of these attributes were recorded during the flooding period. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

High levels of heat shock protein 70 are associated with pro-inflammatory cytokines and may differentiate early- from late-onset preeclampsia

Preeclampsia (PE), a specific syndrome of pregnancy, can be classified into early and late onset, depending on whether clinical manifestations occur before or after 34 weeks' gestation. We determined whether plasma concentrations of Hsp60 and Hsp70 were related to circulating cytokine levels, as well as kidney and liver functions, in early- and late-onset PE. Two hundred and thirty-seven preeclamptic women (95 with early- and 142 with late-onset PE) were evaluated. Plasma levels of Hsp60, Hsp70, and their specific antibodies, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1, IL-10, IL-12, and soluble TNF-α-receptor I (sTNFRI) concentrations, were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Concentrations of Hsp70, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-12, and sTNFRI were significantly elevated in patients with early-onset PE compared with women with late-onset PE; IL-10 levels were significantly lower in the early-onset PE group. Concentrations of urea, uric acid, proteinuria, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were also significantly higher in early-onset PE. The percentage of infants with intrauterine growth restriction was also significantly higher in women with early-onset PE. There were positive correlations between Hsp70 levels and TNF-α, TNFRI, IL-1β, IL-12, GOT, GPT, LDH, and uric acid concentrations in early-onset PE group. Thus, early-onset PE was associated with greater maternal and fetal impairment. There are differences in pathophysiology between early- and late-onset PE, highlighting by the difference in Hsp70 levels. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Candida spp. adherence to oral epithelial cells and levels of IgA in children with orthodontic appliances

Adhesion and colonization of the oral cavity by Candida albicans is an initial step in candidosis. Orthodontic and other oral appliances seem to favor candidal presence. The aim of this work was to compare the presence of Candida species in saliva, their adherence to oral epithelial cells, and the levels of anti-C. albicans IgA in children with or without orthodontic appliances. This study included 30 children 5 to 12 years old (9.1 ± 1.7 years old) who were users of removable orthodontic devices for at least 6 months and 30 control children of similar ages (7.7 ± 1.5 years old). The presence of yeast species in the saliva was evaluated by microbiological methods. Candida species were identified using phenotypic methods. Anti-C. albicans IgA levels in saliva were analyzed by ELISA. The yeasts adhering to oral epithelial cells were assessed by exfoliative cytology. No statistically significant differences were observed for saliva yeast counts and anti-C. albicans IgA levels between the studied groups. Children with orthodontic devices exhibited more yeast cells adhering to oral epithelial cells and a higher percentage of non-albicans species relative to the control group. In conclusion, orthodontic appliances may favor the adherence of Candida to epithelial cells but do not influence the presence of these yeasts in saliva, and the levels of anti-C. albicans IgA do not correlate with yeast adherence or presence of Candida in the oral cavity

Resveratrol Decreases Periodontal Breakdown and Modulates Local Levels of Cytokines During Periodontitis in Rats

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