Differential response related to genotoxicity between eggplant (Solanum melanogena) skin aqueous extract and its main purified anthocyanin (delphinidin) in vivo

Anthocyanins are the largest group of water-soluble pigments in the plant kingdom. A number of studies have demonstrated that anthocyanins present antioxidant capacity and show inhibitory effects on the growth of some cancer cells. Thus, the goal of this study was to evaluate both the antimutagenicity/antigenotoxicity and mutagenicity/genotoxicity of aqueous extract obtained from the Solanum melanogena, a possible novel source of anthocyanin, and its main purified anthocyanin extract (delphinidin), using the single cell (comet) assay and micronucleus test. Pretreatment with higher doses of the purified anthocyanin (10 and 20 mg/kg b.w.) led to a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the frequency of micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes induced by cyclophosphamide. The pattern of reduction ranged from 48% to 57% independent of concentration. No apparent: genotoxicity and mutagenicity was found for either the anthocyanin or delphinidin extracts. Taken together, these results suggest that mice pre-treated with specific compounds present in anthocyanins (delphinidin) displayed a lower incidence of mutations induced by cyclophosphamide. This finding emphasizes the potential of natural colorants to prevent mutations and also the applicability of genotoxic evaluation for improving health. Furthermore, the results presented here could be an additional argument to support the use of anthocyanins in the diet. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Expression of genes related to apoptosis, cell cycle and signaling pathways are independent of TP53 status in urinary bladder cancer cells

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

Characterization of gene polymorphisms related to immune system physiology in Mangalarga horses

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

Bovine gene polymorphisms related to fat deposition and meat tenderness

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

Genetic polymorphisms related to meat traits in purebred and crossbred Nelore cattle

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

Orthodontic treatment of a midline diastema related to mesiodens and thumb-sucking habit

OBJETIVO: A associação de mesiodens com hábito de sucção digital como fatores etiológicos de diastemas medianos é uma situação clínica incomum e, quando presente, provoca um comprometimento estético e funcional. O objetivo desse trabalho é descrever o caso clínico de um paciente, aos 9 anos de idade, com mordida aberta anterior e um diastema mediano de 9 mm. DESCRIÇÃO do CASO: Após o diagnóstico ortodôntico, a conduta terapêutica foi a exodontia do mesiodens e instalação de uma grade palatina fixa para controle do hábito de sucção digital. em seguida, bráquetes ortodônticos foram colados nos incisivos centrais superiores e o diastema foi fechado possibilitando a irrupção espontânea dos incisivos laterais. Quando adequados níveis de trespasse vertical e horizontal entre os incisivos foi alcançado e o hábito removido, o tratamento foi finalizado. CONCLUSÃO: É importante ressaltar que com o objetivo de alcançar resultados estéticos e funcionais satisfatórios, minimizando sequelas ao desenvolvimento da oclusão deve-se realizar o diagnóstico precoce e intervenção imediata dos diastemas medianos patológicos.

Myocardial dysfunction induced by food restriction is related to morphological damage in normotensive middle-aged rats

Previous works from our laboratory have revealed that food restriction (FR) promotes discrete myocardial dysfunction in young rats. We examined the effects of FR on cardiac function, in vivo and in vitro, and ultrastructural changes in the heart of middle-aged rats. Twelve-month-old Wistar- Kyoto rats were fed a control (C) or restricted diet (daily intake reduced to 50% of the control group) for 90 days. Cardiac performance was studied by echocardiogram and in isolated left ventricular (LV) papillary muscle by isometric contraction in basal condition, after calcium chloride (5.2 mM) and beta- adrenergic stimulation with isoproterenol (10(-6) M). FR did not change left ventricular function, but increased time to peak tension, and decreased maximum rate of papillary muscle tension development. Inotropic maneuvers promoted similar effects in both groups. Ultrastructural alterations were seen in most FR rat muscle fibers and included, absence and/or disorganization of myofilaments and Z line, hyper-contracted myofibrils, polymorphic and swollen mitochondria with disorganized cristae, and a great quantity of collagen fibrils. In conclusion, cardiac muscle sensitivity to isoproterenol and elevation of extracellular calcium concentration is preserved in middle-aged FR rats. The intrinsic muscle performance depression might be related to morphological damage.

Myocardial dysfunction induced by food restriction is related to calcium cycling and beta-adrenergic system changes

Food restriction (FR) has been shown to promote myocardial dysfunction in rats. The aim of this study was to verify the participation of calcium and beta-adrenergic system on myocardial mechanical alteration in rats submitted to FR. Myocardial performance was studied in isolated left ventricular papillar muscle from young Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) submitted to FR or to control diet. The groups subjected to FR were fed 50% less food than the control group for 90 days. Mechanical function was studied in isometric contraction at post-rest contraction of 30 seconds (PRC), calcium chloride concentration 5.20 mM, and beta-adrenergic stimulation with isoproterenol 10(-6) M. FR decreased the body weight, and left and right ventricular weight. In basal condition (1.25 MM of calcium) time to peak tension (TPT) and time from peak tension to 50% relaxation (RT50) were greater in the FR group. Muscle function was. The same in both PRC groups. TPT decrease in both high calcium groups, more in FR rats; RT50 dropped only in FR animals. TPT decreased in both Isoproterenol groups, more intensely in the FR group. This result suggests that food restriction impairs myocardial performance and these changes may be attributed to alterations in the intracellular calcium cycling and beta-adrenergic system. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Severe food restriction induces myocardial dysfunction related to SERCA2 activity

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

Fruit and seed ontogeny related to the seed behaviour of two tropical species of Caesalpinia (Leguminosae)

Caesalpinia echinata and C ferrea var. ferrea have different seed behaviours and seed and fruit types. Comparison of the seed ontogeny and anatomy partly explained the differences in seed behaviour between these two species of Brazilian legumes; some differences were also related to fruit development. The seed coat in C. ferrea consisted of two layers of osteosclereids, as well as macrosclereids and fibres, to form a typical legume seed coat, whereas C. echinata had only macrosclereids and fibres. In C. echinata, the developing seed coat had paracytic stomata, a feature rarely found in legume seeds. These seed coat features may account for the low longevity of C. echinata seeds. The embryogeny was similar in both species, with no differences in the relationship between embryo growth and seed growth. The seeds of both species behaved as typical endospermic seeds, despite their different morphological classification (exendospermic orthodox seeds were described for C. echinata and endospermic orthodox seeds for C. ferrea). Embryo growth in C. ferrea accelerated when the sclerenchyma of the pericarp was developing, whereas embryonic growth in C. echinata was associated with the conclusion of spine and secretory reservoir development in the pericarp. Other features observed included an endothelial layer that secreted mucilage in both species, a nucellar summit, which grew up into the micropyle, and a placental obturator that connected the ovarian tissue to the ovule in C. ferrea. (C) 2004 the Linnean Society of London.

Chemical cues related to conspecific size in pintado catfish, Pseudoplatystoma coruscans

The pintado (Pseudoplatystoma coruscans) is a ferocious carnivorous catfish with evident cannibalistic behaviour; its nocturnal habits are related to its ability to use predominately chemical sensorial modalities. This study investigated whether the pintado distinguishes conspecifics of different body sizes using chemical cues, which may reflect different physiological conditions such as hunger or stress. Pintados were observed when receiving water conditioned by either larger or similar-size conspecifics. A control group consisted of pintados receiving unconditioned water. Twelve repetitions were used for each condition. Feeding-like behaviours were investigated in the receiver fish and showed that they responded only to the conditioned water. Furthermore, a higher frequency of responses occurred when the water was conditioned by a similar-size conspecific. Thus, it is concluded that pintados are able to recognize conspecific size by chemical cues related to size and that this ability contributes to the individual's decision making on whether to approach or to avoid the conspecific.