Apparent digestibility coefficients of selected feed ingredients for dourado Salminus brasiliensis

The excellence of its flesh and fast growth makes the dourado, Salminus brasiliensis, a carnivorous fish native to the Prata basin, a potential candidate for intensive fish farming. This study evaluated the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of energy and nutrients of animal and plant protein sources for the carnivorous Characin dourado S. brasiliensis. Fish (19.5 +/- 5.0 g) were stocked in plastic cages (80-L) and fed pelleted test diets containing 30% of the test ingredient [fish meal (FM), poultry by-product meal (PBM), soybean meal (SBM), and corn gluten meal (CGM) plus 70% of a reference diet (481.4 g kg(-1) of crude protein and 18.63 kJ of gross energy per gram]. After the last daily meal, cages were transferred to cylindrical, conical-bottomed aquarium (200-L) where faeces were collected by sedimentation in a refrigerated container. Except for ADC of protein and energy, all other ADC of nutrients showed significant differences (P < 0.01). ADC values were: 94.3%, 91.3%, 93.1%, and 93.5% for crude protein; 91.0%, 90.3%, 87.8%, and 88.8% for gross energy; 92.1%, 84.5%, 80.6%, and 79.3% for ash; 83.9%, 80.3%, 84.3%, and 84.6% for dry matter; 97.4%, 96.7%, 93.3%, and 91.5% for lipid for FM, PBM, SBM, and CGM, respectively. The average amino acid ADC was: 93.6%, 90.0%, 92.1%, and 92.5% of FM, PBM, SBM, and CGM, respectively. All test ingredients were efficiently used and can partially replace FM in diets for carnivorous dourado.

A new polymorphism in the Growth and Differentiation Factor 9 (GDF9) gene is associated with increased ovulation rate and prolificacy in homozygous sheep

P>Brazilian Santa Ines (SI) sheep are very well-adapted to the tropical conditions of Brazil and are an important source of animal protein. A high rate of twin births was reported in some SI flocks. Growth and Differentiation Factor 9 (GDF9) and Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 (BMP15) are the first two genes expressed by the oocyte to be associated with an increased ovulation rate in sheep. All GDF9 and BMP15 variants characterized, until now, present the same phenotype: the heterozygote ewes have an increased ovulation rate and the mutated homozygotes are sterile. In this study, we have found a new allele of GDF9, named FecGE (Embrapa), which leads to a substitution of a phenylalanine with a cysteine in a conservative position of the mature peptide. Homozygote ewes presenting the FecGE allele have shown an increase in their ovulation rate (82%) and prolificacy (58%). This new phenotype can be very useful in better understanding the genetic control of follicular development; the mechanisms involved in the control of ovulation rate in mammals; and for the improvement of sheep production.

Standardization and determination of photostability of leaf extracts of Pothomorphe umbellata L. Miq (pariparoba) and evaluation of the inhibition in vitro of metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in skin

Most researches that have been done until today about the beneficial effects of hariparoha (Pothomorphe umbellata L. Miq) have been done with root extract of this species, but the use in large scale would compromise the sustainable exploration of this natutral resource. In this sense, the utilization of pariparoha leaves, substituting the roots, in the cosmetic industry does not put in risk the existence of the species. In this work the concentration of 4-nerolidyl-cathecol (4-NC) in leaf extract was determined by the analytical methodology validated in our laboratory. The concentration of 4-NC in leaf extract was around 30% less than that of root extract, obtained in the same way. Concerning the study of the photostability of a leaves extract solution containing 4-NC did not demonstrate meaningful alterations in the spectrometry, profile after 2 hours of exposure under UVB radiation, showing its stability under this conditions. Metalloproteinases (MMPs) cure endopeptidases that are zinc-dependent, involved in remodeling extracellular matrix (ECM), that are important in the appearance of typical photoaging wrinkles. In this work the capacity of leaf extract of P. umbellata to inhibit MMP-2 and 9 activities of hairless mouse skin in vitro by zymography gel was also evalutated. The leaf extract (0,1 mg/mL) inhibit in 80% activity of this enzymes, according to the densitometric zymography evaluation.

Does mobilization for autologous stem cell transplantation damage stromal layer formation?

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has proved efficient to treat hematological malignancies. However, some patients fail to mobilize HSCs. It is known that the microenvironment may undergo damage after allogeneic HSCT. However little is known about how chemotherapy and growth factors contribute to this damage. We studied the stromal layer formation(SLF) and velocity before and after HSC mobilization, through long-term bone marrow culture from 22 patients and 10 healthy donors. Patients` SLF was similar at pre- (12/22)and post-mobilization (9/20), however for controls this occurred more at pre- mobilization (9/10; p=0.03). SLF velocity was higher at pre than post-mobilization in both groups. Leukemias and multiple myeloma showed faster growth of SLF than lymphomas at post-mobilization, the latter being similar to controls. These findings could be explained by less uncommitted HSC in controls than patients at post-mobilization. Control HSCs may migrate more in response to mobilization, resulting in a reduced population by those cells.

A functional matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 polymorphism modifies plasma MMP-9 levels in subjects environmentally exposed to mercury

Mercury (Hg) exposure causes health problems including cardiovascular diseases. Although precise mechanisms have not been precisely defined yet, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) may be involved. The gene encoding MMP-9 presents genetic polymorphisms which affect the expression and activity level of this enzyme. Two polymorphisms in the promoter region [C(-1562)T and (CA)(n)] are functionally relevant, and are implicated in several diseases. This study aimed at examining how these polymorphisms affect the circulating MMP-9 levels and its endogenous inhibitor, the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in 266 subjects environmentally exposed to Hg. Blood and plasma Hg concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). MMP-9 and TIMP-1 concentrations were measured in plasma samples by gelatin zymography and ELISA, respectively. Genotypes for the C(-1562)T and the microsatellite (CA)(n) polymorphisms were determined. We found a positive association (P<0.05) between plasma Hg concentrations and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio (an index of net MMP-9 activity). When the subjects were divided into tertiles with basis on their plasma Hg concentrations, we found that the (CA)(n) polymorphism modified MMP-9 concentrations and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio in subjects with the lowest Hg concentrations (first tertile), with the highest MMP-9 levels being found in subjects with genotypes including alleles with 21 or more CA repeats (H alleles) (P<0.05). Conversely, this polymorphism had no effects on subjects with intermediate or high plasma Hg levels (second and third tertiles, respectively). The C(-1562)T polymorphism had no effects on MMP-9 levels. These findings suggest a significant interaction between the (CA)(n) polymorphism and low levels of Hg exposure, possibly increasing the risk of developing diseases in subjects with H alleles. (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Mercury Exposure Increases Circulating Net Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 Activities

Mercury (Hg) exposure causes health problems that may result from increased oxidative stress and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) levels. We investigated whether there is an association between the circulating levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, their endogenous inhibitors (the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases; TIMPs) and the circulating Hg levels in 159 subjects environmentally exposed to Hg. Blood and plasma Hg were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). MMP and TIMP concentrations were measured in plasma samples by gelatin zymography and ELISA respectively. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive species (TBARS) were measured in plasma to assess oxidative stress. Selenium (Se) levels were determined by ICP-MS because it is an antioxidant. The relations between bioindicators of Hg and the metalloproteinases levels were examined using multivariate regression models. While we found no relation between blood or plasma Hg and MMP-9, plasma Hg levels were negatively associated with TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 levels, and thereby with increasing MMP-9/TIMP-1 and MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratios, thus indicating a positive association between plasma Hg and circulating net MMP-9 and MMP-2 activities. These findings provide a new insight into the possible biological mechanisms of Hg toxicity, particularly in cardiovascular diseases.

Circulating matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) and MMP-9 are increased in chronic periodontal disease and decrease after non-surgical periodontal therapy

Background: Periodontal disease shares risk factors with cardiovascular diseases and other systemic inflammatory diseases. The present study was designed to assess the circulating matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) from chronic periodontal disease patients and, subsequently, after periodontal therapy. Methods: We compared the plasma concentrations of MMP-2. MMP-3, MMP-8, MMP-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and TIMP-2, and total gelatinolytic activity in patients with periodontal disease (n =28) with those of control subjects (n = 22) before and 3 months after non-surgical periodontal therapy. Results: Higher plasma MMP-3, MMP-8, and MMP-9 concentrations were found in periodontal disease patients compared with healthy controls (all P<0.05), whereas MMP-2, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 levels were not different. Treatment decreased plasma MMP-8 and MMP-9 concentrations by 35% and 39%, respectively (both P<0.02), while no changes were found in controls. MMP-2, MMP-3, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 remained unaltered in both groups. Plasma gelatinolytic activity was higher in periodontal disease patients compared with controls (P<0.001) and decreased after periodontal therapy (P<0.05). Conclusions: This study showed increased circulating MMP-8 and MMP-9 levels and proteolytic activity in periodontal disease patients that decrease after periodontal therapy. The effects of periodontal therapy suggest that it may attenuate inflammatory chronic diseases. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Differences in both matrix metalloproteinase 9 concentration and zymographic profile between plasma and serum with clot activators are due to the presence of amorphous silica or silicate salts in blood collection devices

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are promising diagnostic tools, and blood sampling/handling alters MMP concentrations between plasma and serum and between serum with and without clot activators. To explain the higher MMP-9 expression in serum collected with clot accelerators relative to serum with no additives and to plasma, we analyzed the effects of increasing amounts of silica and silicates (components of clot activators) in,citrate plasma, serum, and huffy coats collected in both plastic and glass tubes from 50 healthy donors, and we analyzed the effects of silica and silicate on cultured leukemia cells. The levels of MMP-2 did not show significant changes between glass and plastic tubes, between serum and plasma, between serum with and without clot accelerators, or between silica and silicate treatments. No modification of MMP-9 expression was obtained by the addition of silica or silicate to previously separated plasma and serum. Increasing the amounts of nonsoluble silica and soluble silicate added to citrate and empty tubes prior to blood collection resulted in increasing levels of MMP-9 relative to citrate plasma and serum. Silica and silicate added to buffy coats and leukemia cells significantly induced MMP-9 release/secretion, demonstrating that both silica and silicate induce the release of pro- and complexed MMP-9 forms. We recommend limiting the misuse of serum and avoiding the interfering effects of clot activators. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of a 36-month pharmaceutical care program on pharmacotherapy adherence in elderly diabetic and hypertensive patients

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a pharmaceutical care program on pharmacotherapy adherence in elderly diabetic and hypertensive patients. The clinical outcomes of this pharmacotherapy adherence approach were the secondary objective of the study. Setting: Public Primary Health Care Unit in a municipality in the Brazilian State of Sao Paulo. Method: A 36-month randomized, controlled, prospective clinical trial was carried out with 200 patients divided into two groups: control (n = 100) and intervention (n = 100). The control group received the usual care offered by the Primary Health Care Unit (medical and nurse consultancies). The patients randomized into the intervention group received pharmaceutical care intervention besides the usual care offered. Main outcome measure: Pharmacotherapy adherence (Morisky-Green test translated into Portuguese and computerized dispensed medication history) and clinical measurements (blood pressure, fasting glucose, A1C hemoglobin, triglycerides and total cholesterol) were evaluated at the baseline and up to 36 months. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 97 patients from the intervention group and 97 patients from the control group completed the study (n = 194). Significant improvements in the pharmacotherapy adherence were verified for the intervention group according to the Morisky-Green test (50.5% of adherent patients at baseline vs. 83.5% of adherent patients after 36 months; P < 0.001) and the computerized dispensed medication history (52.6% of adherent patients at baseline vs. 83.5% of adherent patients after 36 months; P < 0.001); no significant changes were verified in the control group. Significant improvements in the number of patients reaching adequate values for their blood pressure (26.8% at baseline vs. 86.6% after 36-months; P < 0.001), fasting glucose (29.9% at baseline vs. 70.1% after 36 months; P < 0.001), A1C hemoglobin (3.3% at baseline vs. 63.3% after 36 months; P < 0.001), triglycerides (47.4% at baseline vs. 74.2% after 36 months; P < 0.001) and total cholesterol (59.8% at baseline vs. 80.4% after 36 months; P = 0.002) were verified in the intervention group, but remained unchanged in the control group. Conclusion: These results indicated the effectiveness of pharmaceutical care in improving pharmacotherapy adherence, with positive effects in the clinical outcomes of the patients studied.

Effects of azadirachtin on Ctenocephalides felis in the dog and the cat

Azadirachtin-containing neem seed extract is a powerful insect growth regulator, a feeding deterrent and repellent with low toxicity. Unfortunately, azadirachtin degrades rapidly in light, excessive heat or alkalinity. Evaluations of azadirachtin on ectoparasites on animals have been scarce. The purpose of this work was to describe the effects of normal and potentiated azadirachtin on Ctenocephalides felis in the dog or cat. Groups of kennelled greyhounds and domestic cats infested with C. felis were sprayed once with azadirachtin containing neem seed extract with or without diethyltoluamide (Deer) and/or citronella. Methanolic extracts with 200, 1000 or 2400 ppm azadirachtin reduced fleas in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with fleas counted on treated dogs just before treatment and untreated infested dogs, 1000-2400 ppm azadirachtin reduced fleas 93-53% for 19 days. However, combined with 500 ppm Deet and 33% w/v citronella, only 500 ppm azadirachtin reduced fleas 95-62% for 20 days. On cats inoculated with 50 fleas 2 days before treatment, the combination reduced fleas and eggs 100% to day 6 and 83-51% from days 7 to 9. On petri dishes, the combination achieved 100% egg mortality up to day 7 and 80% to day 14 and 38-52% to to days 21-28. Deet, with or without neem seed extract or citronella, and citronella, with or without neem, did not reduce fleas significantly. The results show that azadirachtin reduced fleas in a dose-dependent manner in flea-contaminated environments. In cats, the combination killed most fleas within 24 h, providing effective flea control for 7 days. The results suggest that Deet with citronella potentiated the effect of azadirachtin on C. felis. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.

Thermochromism and structure of piperazinium tetrachlorocuprate(II) complexes

The tetrachlorocuprate(II) ion can crystallize in two different structures with the piperazinium dication (pipzH(2)). Both structures contain discrete CuCl42- species. A yellow compound (pipzH(2))[CuCl4]. 2H(2)O (1) is monoclinic (C2/c, Z = 4, a = 10.538(3) Angstrom, b = 7.4312(5) Angstrom, c = 17.281(4) Angstrom, beta = 111.900(10)degrees) and contains the CuCl42- ion as a distorted tetrahedron. A green compound (pipzH(2))(2)[CuCl4]. Cl-2. 3H(2)O (2) is triclinic (P (1) over bar, Z = 2, a = 9.264(3) Angstrom, b = 10.447(2) Angstrom, c = 11.366(2) Angstrom, alpha = 68.38 degrees, beta = 82.86(2)degrees, gamma = 83.05(2)degrees) and contains the CuCl42- ion with a square planar geometry. This latter compound shows thermo/photochromism, changing from green to yellow upon heating or laser irradiation.

Iron(III) and iron(II) complexes of 1-thia-4,7-diazacyclononane ([9]aneN(2)S) and 1,4-dithia-7-azacyclononane ([9]aneNS(2)). X-Ray structural analyses, magnetic susceptibility, Mossbauer, EPR and electronic spectroscopy

The complexes [Fe([9]aneN(2)S)(2)][ClO4](2), [Fe([9]aneN(2)S)(2)][ClO4](3) and [Fe([9]aneNS(2))(2)][ClO4](2) ([9]aneN(2)S = 1-thia-4. 7-diazacyclononane and [9]aneNS(2) = 1,4-dithia-7-azacyclononane) have been prepared and the latter two characterised by X-ray crystallography. The Mossbauer spectra (isomer shift/mm s(-1), quadrupole splitting/mm s(-1), 4.2 K) for [Fe([9]aneN(2)S)(2)][ClO4](2) (0.52, 0.57), [Fe([9]aneN(2)S)(2)][ClO4](3) (0.25, 2.72) and [Fe([9]aneNS(2))(2)][ClO4](2) (0.43, 0.28) are typical for iron(II) and iron(III) complexes. Variable-temperature susceptibility measurements for [Fe([9]aneN(2)S)(2)][ClO4](2) (2-300 K) revealed temperature-dependent behaviour in both the solid state [2.95 mu(B) (300 K)-0.5 mu(B) (4.2 K)] and solution (Delta H degrees 20-22 kJ mol(-1), Delta S degrees 53-60 J mol(-1) K-1). For [Fe([9]aneN(2)S)(2)][ClO4](3) in the solid state [2.3 mu(B) (300 K)-1.9 mu(B) (4.2 K)] the magnetic data were fit to a simple model (H = -lambda L . S + mu L-z) to give the spin-orbit coupling constant (lambda) of -260 +/- 10 cm(-1). The solid-state X-band EPR spectrum of [Fe([9]aneN(2)S)(2)][ClO4](3) revealed axial symmetry (g(perpendicular to) = 2.607, g(parallel to) = 1.599). Resolution of g(perpendicular to) into two components at Q-band frequencies indicated a rhombic distortion. The low-temperature single-crystal absorption spectra of [Fe([9]aneN(2)S)(2)][ClO4](2) and [Fe([9]aneNS(2))(2)][ClO4](2) exhibited additional bands which resembled pseudotetragonal low-symmetry splitting of the parent octahedral (1)A(1g) --> T-1(2g) and (1)A(1g) ---> T-1(1g) transitions. However, the magnitude of these splittings was too large, requiring 10Dq for the thioether donors to be significantly larger than for the amine donors. Instead, these bands were tentatively assigned to weak, low-energy S --> Fe-II charge-transfer transitions. Above 200 K, thermal occupation of the high-spin T-5(2g) ground state resulted in observation of the T-5(2g) --> E-5(g) transition in the crystal spectrum of [Fe([9]aneN(2)S)(2)][ClO4](2). From a temperature-dependence study, the separation of the low-spin (1)A(1g) and high-spin T-5(2g) ground states was approximately 1700 cm(-1). The spectrum of the iron(III) complex [Fe([9]aneN(2)S)(2)][ClO4](3) is consistent with a low-spin d(5) configuration.

Coupling of a Jahn-Teller pseudorotation with a hindered internal rotation in an isolated molecule: 9-hydroxytriptycene

The irregular vibronic structure in the S-1<--S-0 resonant two-photon ionization (R2PI) spectrum of supersonically cooled triptycene is a result of a classic Exe Jahn-Teller effect [A. Furlan et al., J. Chem. Phys. 96, 7306 (1992)]. This is well characterized and can be used as an effective probe of intramolecular perturbations. Here we examine the S-1<--S-0 R2PI spectrum of 9-hydroxytriptycene and the fluorescence from various excited state vibronic levels. In this system the pseudorotation of the Jahn-Teller vibration is strongly coupled to the torsional motion of the bridgehead hydroxy group. This torsional motion results in a tunneling splitting in both the ground and excited states. The population of the upper level in the ground electronic state results in additional vibronic transitions becoming symmetry allowed in the R2PI spectrum that are forbidden in the bare triptycene molecule. The assignment of the R2PI and fluorescence spectra allows the potential energy surfaces of these vibrational modes to be accurately quantified. The full C-3v vibronic point group must be used to interpret the spectra. The time scale of the internal rotation of the-OH group and the butterfly flapping of the Jahn-Teller pseudorotation are of similar magnitude. The tunneling between the nine minima on the three dimensional potential energy surface is such that the Jahn-Teller pseudorotation occurs in concert with the-OH internal rotation. The Berry phase that is acquired during this motion is discussed. The simple physical picture emerges of the angle between two of the three benzene moieties opening in three equivalent ways in the S-1 electronic state. This geometry follows the position of the hydroxy group, which preferentially orients itself to point between these two rings. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-9606(98)02348-4].

Suicide and recency of health care contacts - A systematic review

Background Many countries have set targets for suicide reduction, and suggested that mental health care providers and general practitioners have a key role to play. Method Asystematic review of the literature. Results Among those in the general population who commit suicide, up to 41% may have contact with psychiatric inpatient care in the year prior to death and up-to 9% may commit suicide within one day of discharge. The corresponding figures are I I and 4% for community-based psychiatric care and 83 and 20% for general practitioners. Conclusions Among those who die by suicide. contact with health services is common before death. This is a necessary but not sufficient condition for clinicians to intervene. More work is needed to determine whether these people show characteristic patterns of care and/or particular risk factors which would enable a targeted approach to be developed to assist clinicians in detecting and managing high-risk patients.