Fermented soy product supplemented with isoflavones affected fat depots in juvenile rats

Objectives: This study investigated the effects of soy product fermented by Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacillus jugurti supplemented with isoflavones on adipose tissue, blood lipid, and glucose levels on juvenile rats. Methods: Rats were fed a cholesterol-enriched diet for 3 wk as a preliminary treatment to create hypercholesterolemia. They were then fed a chow diet (HC), a chow diet plus fermented soy product supplemented with isoflavones (HCFI), a chow diet plus placebo (HCP), or a chow diet plus placebo supplemented with isoflavones (HCPI), respectively, for an additional 3 wk. Results: The beneficial effects of fermented soy product supplemented with isoflavones on epididymal (EPI) and retroperitoneal (RET) fat pads was likely due to isoflavones because adipocyte circumference (micrometers) in the HC group was significantly larger (EPI: 105.66 ± 13.36; RET: 134.95 ± 25.40) than that in the HCFI group (EPI: 93.17 ± 12.80; RET: 108.62 ± 15.50) and HCPI group (EPI: 93.06 ± 15.10; RET: 112.34 ± 18.21). The probiotic micro-organism accentuated the antilipogenic effect of isoflavones on RET (HCFI: 108.62 ± 15.50 micrometers versus HCPI: 112.34 ± 18.21 micrometers). Moreover, the fermented product increased glucose concentration similar to that in the chow group but did not change blood lipids. Conclusion: This product may offer new approaches to obesity prevention. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Context-sensitive analysis of obfuscated x86 executables

A method for context-sensitive analysis of binaries that may have obfuscated procedure call and return operations is presented. Such binaries may use operators to directly manipulate stack instead of using native call and ret instructions to achieve equivalent behavior. Since definition of context-sensitivity and algorithms for context-sensitive analysis have thus far been based on the specific semantics associated to procedure call and return operations, classic interprocedural analyses cannot be used reliably for analyzing programs in which these operations cannot be discerned. A new notion of context-sensitivity is introduced that is based on the state of the stack at any instruction. While changes in 'calling'-context are associated with transfer of control, and hence can be reasoned in terms of paths in an interprocedural control flow graph (ICFG), the same is not true of changes in 'stack'-context. An abstract interpretation based framework is developed to reason about stack-contexts and to derive analogues of call-strings based methods for the context-sensitive analysis using stack-context. The method presented is used to create a context-sensitive version of Venable et al.'s algorithm for detecting obfuscated calls. Experimental results show that the context-sensitive version of the algorithm generates more precise results and is also computationally more efficient than its context-insensitive counterpart. Copyright © 2010 ACM.

Context-sensitive analysis without calling-context

Since Sharir and Pnueli, algorithms for context-sensitivity have been defined in terms of 'valid' paths in an interprocedural flow graph. The definition of valid paths requires atomic call and ret statements, and encapsulated procedures. Thus, the resulting algorithms are not directly applicable when behavior similar to call and ret instructions may be realized using non-atomic statements, or when procedures do not have rigid boundaries, such as with programs in low level languages like assembly or RTL. We present a framework for context-sensitive analysis that requires neither atomic call and ret instructions, nor encapsulated procedures. The framework presented decouples the transfer of control semantics and the context manipulation semantics of statements. A new definition of context-sensitivity, called stack contexts, is developed. A stack context, which is defined using trace semantics, is more general than Sharir and Pnueli's interprocedural path based calling-context. An abstract interpretation based framework is developed to reason about stack-contexts and to derive analogues of calling-context based algorithms using stack-context. The framework presented is suitable for deriving algorithms for analyzing binary programs, such as malware, that employ obfuscations with the deliberate intent of defeating automated analysis. The framework is used to create a context-sensitive version of Venable et al.'s algorithm for analyzing x86 binaries without requiring that a binary conforms to a standard compilation model for maintaining procedures, calls, and returns. Experimental results show that a context-sensitive analysis using stack-context performs just as well for programs where the use of Sharir and Pnueli's calling-context produces correct approximations. However, if those programs are transformed to use call obfuscations, a contextsensitive analysis using stack-context still provides the same, correct results and without any additional overhead. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011.

Ethopharmacological evaluation of the rat exposure test: A prey-predator interaction test

The rat exposure test (RET) is a prey (mouse)-predator (rat) situation that activates brain defensive areas and elicits hormonal and defensive behavior in the mouse. Here, we investigated possible correlations between the spatiotemporal [time spent in protected (home chamber and tunnel) and unprotected (surface) compartments and frequency of entries into the three compartments] and ethological [e.g., duration of protected and unprotected stretched-attend postures (SAP), duration of contact with the rat's compartment] measures (Experiment 1). Secondly, we investigated the effects of systemic treatment with pro- or anti-aversive drugs on the behavior that emerged from the factor analysis (Experiment 2). The effects of chronic (21 days) imipramine and fluoxetine on defensive behavior were also investigated (Experiment 3). Exp. 1 revealed that the time in the protected compartment, protected SAP and rat contacts loaded on factor 1 (defensive behavior), while the total entries and unprotected SAP loaded on factor 2 (locomotor activity). Exp. 2 showed that alprazolam (but not diazepam) selectively changed the defensive factor. Caffeine produced a mild proaversive-like effect, whereas yohimbine only decreased locomotor activity (total entries). Fluoxetine (but not imipramine) produced a weak proaversive-like effect. 5-HT1A/5-HT2 receptor ligands did not change any behavioral measure. In Exp. 3, chronic fluoxetine (but not imipramine) attenuated the defensive behavior factor without changing locomotion. Given that the defensive factor was sensitive to drugs known to attenuate (alprazolam and chronic fluoxetine) and induce (caffeine) panic attack, we suggest the RET as a useful test to assess the effects of panicolytic and panicogenic drugs. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Context-sensitive analysis of x86 obfuscated executables

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Contribuição diferencial do hipocampo ventral e do complexo amidalóide na modulação de respostas defensivas inatas e condicionadas de camundongos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Estudo clínico e genético de uma família portadora de carcinoma medular de tireóide

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Parâmetros genéticos em progênies de polinização aberta de Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong em Luiz Antonio, SP, Brasil

The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters on a progeny test of Enterolobium contortisiliquum, located at the Fazenda Experimental de Luíz Antônio (IF-SP), São Paulo State, Brazil, for genetic selection and seed production. The coefficients of genetic variation and heritability, as well as the genetic and phenotypic correlations for the silvicultural traits diameter at breast height (DBH) and total height of plants at the age of 19, 20, and 21 years and bifurcation (BIF) and stem straightness (RET), at the age of 19 years were estimated. The F test of analysis of variance detected significant variation among the progeny for the traits DBH, height in the three tested ages, and straightness of the trunk, which indicates that the tested population can be improved by selection among progenies. The estimation of heritability at the level of progeny (h²m, minimum of 0.50) for all traits was high and at the levels of individual plants (h²i, minimum 0.18) and within progenies (h²d, minimum of 0.14) was medium, indicating that the population can be improved by selection among and within progenies. Significant high genetic and phenotypic correlations among pairwise growth traits of the same age were detected as well as among those with different ages. Therefore, the direct selection, of a trait allows indirect selection of another. The results showed the potential of this progeny test to enhance a seed orchard by selection and seed production for commercial and environmental reforestation plans.

Diagnóstico, tratamento e seguimento do carcinoma medular de tireoide: recomendações do Departamento de Tireoide da Sociedade Brasileira de Endocrinologia e Metabologia

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

Metabolic profile response to administration of epigallocatechin-3-gallate in high-fat-fed mice

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

Análise etofarmacológica do teste de exposição ao rato (interação presa-predador) para o estudo da ansiedade em camundongos

Com o objetivo de propor mecanismos que auxiliem na compreensão da neurobiologia do medo e da ansiedade, diversos modelos animais vem sendo utilizados. Dentre eles destaca-se o Teste de Exposição ao Rato (RET), que é um modelo etológico de interação presa (camundongo) – predador (rato), conhecido por eliciar a expressão de diversos tipos de comportamentos defensivos no camundongo, tais como avaliação de risco, esquiva, congelamento, entre outros. Com o intuito de aumentar a aversividade do modelo proposto por Yang e colaboradores (2004), foi proposto um novo modelo de RET, semelhante ao modelo padrão, porém com alterações de algumas variáveis como aumento da luminosidade, ausência de maravalha, alteração do local de inserção do camundongo no aparato, substituição da tela de arame (usada na separação da superfície) por uma tela de acrílico e arame e uma divisão virtual da superfície em duas partes, uma distante da tela por 10 cm (superfície proximal) e outra com 13 cm até chegar ao túnel (superfície distal). Um estudo piloto realizado comparando o novo teste de exposição ao rato com o modelo padrão demonstrou que no novo modelo de exposição há uma maior preferência pela presa às áreas protegidas (toca e túnel) e uma maior expressão de avaliação de risco, indicando talvez uma maior sensibilidade à expressão de comportamentos defensivos de camundongos e possivelmente a fármacos que atuem no sistema de defesa. No presente estudo foram investigados os efeitos dos (i) benzodiazepínicos diazepam e alprazolam, (ii) dos fármacos ansiogênicos cafeína e pentilenotetrazol e (iii) do antidepressivo fluoxetina (aguda e cronicamente). O tratamento com alprazolam resultou num efeito antiaversivo mais evidente quando comparado ao diazepam. O tratamento agudo 10 com cafeína, por sua vez, apresentou um efeito ansiogênico bastante sutil, diferente... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)

Políticas industriais: definição e importância (ou não) de fundamentação teórica (parte 1)

O objetivo deste artigo é fundamentar teoricamente as políticas industriais, caracterizando as razões da preferência por um referencial teórico não equilibrista e nãomaximizador. Procura-se também definir de maneira eficaz estas políticas, destacando seus resultados positivos em termos de alguns parâmetros. Este artigo será publicado em duas partes. Nesta edição define-se política industrial, analisando-se também as razões da despreocupação com uma fundamentação mais rigorosa das políticas industriais. Em seguida, apresenta-se sucintamente uma teoria capaz de embasar estas políticas, ao mesmo tempo em que se analisa se tais teorias são importantes (ou não), em termos empíricos. No quarto item, que será publicado na próxima edição deste Boletim, discute-se a possível utilidade da política industrial, enfatizando falhas de mercado, bens públicos, mercados não-competitivos, externalidades e desenvolvimento tecnológico.

Políticas industriais: definição e importância (ou não) de fundamentação teórica (parte 2)

O objetivo deste artigo é, essencialmente, fundamentar teoricamente as políticas industriais, sobretudo mostrando as razões da preferência por um referencial teórico não equilibrista e não-maximizador. Busca-se também definir de maneira eficaz estas políticas, destacando seus resultados positivos - pelo menos potencialmente - em termos de alguns parâmetros (produção, eficiência, produtividade, renda, bem-estar, etc.). Para isso define-se política industrial, analisando-se também as razões da despreocupação com uma fundamentação mais rigorosa das políticas industriais. Em seguida, apresenta-se sucintamente se uma teoria capaz de embasar estas políticas, ao mesmo tempo em que se analisa se tais teorias são importantes (ou não), em termos empíricos. Nesta segunda parte discute-se a possível utilidade da política industrial, enfatizando falhas de mercado, bens públicos, mercados não-competitivos, externalidades e desenvolvimento tecnológico.

A gramática pela fábula ou: a fábula pela gramática

With the purpose of analyzing the function developed byt the fable, this paper begins with its definition, historically linked to the rhetorical art, the teaching force and the literary value, to reach a grammatical analysis of the narrative structure in which genre is presented. From the functionalist point of view, the function determines the structure, and, accordingly, this study shows the fable resolved in specific modes of activation of the utterance formation basic processes such as the establishment of predications and the creation of the referential network of its participants. Since the beginning, the discursive activation of properties is crucial, which, working toward specific goals, configure linguistic characteristics that define the specific nature of the fable

Alterations to oxidative stress markers in dogs after a short-term stress during transport

While methods to evaluate antioxidant capacity in animals exist, one problem with the models is induction of oxidative stress. It is necessary to promote a great enough challenge to induce measurable alterations to oxidative parameters while ensuring the protocol is compatible with animal welfare. The aim of the present study was to evaluate caged transport as a viable short-term stress that would significantly affect oxidative parameters. Twenty adult Beagle dogs, maintained on the same diet for 60 d prior to the transport, were included in the study. To simulate the stress, the dogs were housed in pairs in transport cages (1·0 m × 1·0 m × 1·5 m), placed on a truck coupled to a trailer and transported for a period of 15 min. Blood collection was performed immediately before and again 3 h after the transportation to evaluate oxidative parameters in blood serum, including thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), sequestration activity of the radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH•), protein carbonylation (PC), total sulfhydryl groups (SH), alpha-tocopherol (αToc) and retinol (Ret). PC, SH and αToc were not significantly changed in the study; however, TBARS, TAC and DPPH increased, whereas Ret decreased after the transport. Although the lack of a control group of dogs not submitted to transport is a limitation to be considered, we conclude that the transport model is effective in inducing an antioxidant response in dogs and relevant blood parameters show sensitivity to this proposed model.