Influence of high- and low-carbohydrate diet following glycogen-depleting exercise on heart rate variability and plasma catecholamines

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a short-term low-or high-carbohydrate (CHO) diet consumed after exercise on sympathetic nervous system activity. Twelve healthy males underwent a progressive incremental test; a control measurement of plasma catecholamines and heart rate variability (HRV); an exercise protocol to reduce endogenous CHO stores; a low-or high-CHO diet (counterbalanced order) consumed for 2 days, beginning immediately after the exercise protocol; and a second resting plasma catecholamine and HRV measurement. The exercise and diet protocols and the second round of measurements were performed again after a 1-week washout period. The mean (+/- SD) values of the standard deviation of R-R intervals were similar between conditions (control, 899.0 +/- 146.1 ms; low-CHO diet, 876.8 +/- 115.8 ms; and high-CHO diet, 878.7 +/- 127.7 ms). The absolute high-and low-frequency (HF and LF, respectively) densities of the HRV power spectrum were also not different between conditions. However, normalized HF and LF (i.e., relative to the total power spectrum) were lower and higher, respectively, in the low-CHO diet than in the control diet (mean +/- SD, 17 +/- 9 normalized units (NU) and 83 +/- 9 NU vs. 27 +/- 11 NU and 73 +/- 17 NU, respectively; p < 0.05). The LF/HF ratio was higher with the low-CHO diet than with the control diet (mean +/- SD, 7.2 +/- 6.2 and 4.2 +/- 3.2, respectively; p < 0.05). The mean values of plasma catecholamines were not different between diets. These results suggest that the autonomic control of the heart rate was modified after a short-term low-CHO diet, but plasma catecholamine levels were not altered.

Obtaining and stability verification of superconducting phases of the Nb-Al and Nb-Sn systems by mechanical alloying and low-temperature heat treatments

The development of Nb(3)Al and Nb(3)Sn superconductors is of great interest for the applied superconductivity area. These intermetallics composites are obtained normally by heat treatment reactions at high temperature. Processes that allow formation of the superconducting phases at lower temperatures (<1000 degrees C), particularly for Nb(3)Al, are of great interest. The present work studies phase formation and stability of Nb(3)Al and Nb(3)Sn superconducting phases using mechanical alloying (high energy ball milling). Our main objective was to form composites near stoichiometry, which could be transformed into the superconducting phases using low-temperature heat treatments. High purity Nb-Sn and Nb-Al powders were mixed to generate the required superconducting phases (Nb-25at.%Sn and Nb-25at.%Al) in an argon atmosphere glove-box. After milling in a Fritsch mill, the samples were compressed in a hydraulic uniaxial press and encapsulated in evacuated quartz tubes for heat treatment. The compressed and heat treated samples were characterized using X-ray diffractometry. Microstructure and chemical analysis were accomplished using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometry. Nb(3)Al XRD peaks were observed after the sintering at 800 degrees C for the sample milled for 30 h. Nb(3)Sn XRD peaks could be observed even before the heat treatment. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Antimutagenic Potential of Solanum lycocarpum against Induction of Chromosomal Aberrations in V79 Cells and Micronuclei in Mice by Doxorubicin

Solanum lycocarpum A. St. Hil. (Solanaceae) is a hairy shrub or small much-branched tree of the Brazilian Cerrado. S. lycocarpum fruits are commonly used in traditional medicine in powder form or as folk preparations for the treatment of diabetes and obesity, as well as for controlling cholesterol levels. The aim of the present study was to chemically characterize the hydroalcoholic extract (SL) of S. lycocarpum by determination of total flavonoids and total poyphenols and quantification of steroidal alkaloids, as well as to evaluate its mutagenic and/or antimutagenic potential on V79 cells and Swiss mice using chromosomal aberrations and bone marrow micronucleus assays, respectively. Three concentrations of SL (16, 32, and 24 mu g/mL) were used for the evaluation of its mutagenic potential in V79 cells and four doses (0.25, 0.50, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg body weight) were used for Swiss mice. In the antimutagenicity assays, the different concentrations of SL were combined with the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (DXR). HPLC analysis of SL gave contents of 6.57% +/- 0.41 of solasonine and 4.60% +/- 0.40 of solamargine. Total flavonoids and polyphenols contents in SL were 0.04 and 3.60%, respectively. The results showed that not only SL exerted no mutagenic effect, but it also significantly reduced the frequency of chromosomal aberrations induced by DXR in both V79 cells and micronuclei in Swiss mice at the doses tested.

Histopathological Changes in the Placentas and Fetuses of Mice Infected with Trypanosoma cruzi Isolated from the Myotis nigricans nigricans Bat

Histopathological changes and placental transmission were studied in the late stages of pregnancy in mice infected with a strain of Trypanosoma cruzi, isolated from a Myolis nigricans nigricans bat. Large amastigote nests were observed in uterine muscles, as well as in decidual and endothelial placental cells. In addition, persistent coagulative and fibrotic Vascular degeneration was observed. Large amastigote burdens were found in giant cells, spongioblasts and endothelial cells within the labyrinthine layer. Transplacental transmission was confirmed in 30% of the fetuses examined, in which amastrigote nests were seen only in striated muscle. During tire acute phase, intrauterine development was impaired as the result of parasitic invasion of the placenta, and fetal mortality rose to 10%. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Myeloproliferative disorder and leukaemia in mice induced by different classes of constitutive mutants of the human IL-3/IL-5/GM-CSF receptor common beta subunit

Several constitutively active mutant forms of the common β subunit of the human IL-3, IL-5 and GM-CSF receptors (hβc), which enable it to signal in the absence of ligand, have recently been described. Two of these, V449E and I374N, are amino acid substitutions in the transmembrane and extracellular regions of hβc, respectively. A third, FIΔ, contains a 37 amino acid duplication in the extracellular domain. We have shown previously that when expressed in primary murine haemopoietic cells, the extracellular mutants confer factor-independence on cells of the neutrophil and monocyte lineages only, whereas V449E does so on all cell types of the myeloid and erythroid compartments. To study the in vivo effects and leukaemic potential of these mutants, we have expressed all three in mice by bone marrow reconstitution using retrovirally infected donor cells. Expression of the extracellular mutants leads to an early onset, chronic myeloproliferative disorder marked by elevations in the neutrophil, monocyte, erythrocyte and platelet lineages. In contrast, expression of V449E leads to an acute leukaemia-like syndrome of anaemia, thrombocytopaenia and blast cell expansion. These data support the possibility that activating mutations in hβc are involved in haemopoietic disorders in man.

Characterization of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha in normal rat mammary gland and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine-induced mammary gland tumors from rats fed high and low fat diets

Normal Sprague-Dau ley rat mammary gland epithelial cells and mammary gland carcinomas induced by 2-amino-1 -methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, a carcinogen found in the diet, were examined for the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha). PPAR alpha mRNA and protein was detected in normal and tumor tissue by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. By quantitative RT-PCR, carcinomas had a 12-fold higher expression than control mammary glands, a statistically significant difference. PPAR alpha expression was examined in carcinomas and normal tissues from rats on high fat (23.5/% corn oil) and low fat (5% corn oil) diets. Although neither carcinomas, nor control tissues showed statistically significant differences between the two diet groups, PPAR alpha expression was the highest in carcinomas from rats on the high fat diet. The expression of PPAR alpha in normal mammary gland and its significant elevation in mammary gland carcinomas raises the possibility of its involvement in mammary gland physiology and pathophysiology. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Efficacy of Lentivirus-mediated and MUC1 antibody-targeted VP22-TK/GCV suicide gene therapy for ovarian cancer

Transfer of the herpes simplex virus type I thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene into tumor cells using virus-based vectors in conjunction with ganciclovir (GCV) exposure provides a potential gene therapy strategy for the treatment of cancer. Effective gene therapy,, depends on the efficient transfer and specific targeting of therapeutic genes and their protein products to target cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-tumor effect of Lentivirus-mediated and MUC1 antibody-targeted VP22-TK/GCV suicide gene therapy in animal models. Mouse models were generated with intraperitoneal injection of human epithelial ovarian cancer cells 3AO, which are MUC1-positive. HTV-1-based lentiviral vectors carrying VP22-TK or scFv-VP22-TK were prepared. The animals were injected intraperitoneally with lentivirus containing scFv-VP22-TK, VP22-TK followed by GCV treatment. Combined treatment of lentivirus-expressed scFv-VP22-TK or VP22-TK with GCV inhibited the proliferation and prolonged survival times compared with the control vector. The survival time of animals treated with scFv-VP22-TK/GCV was significantly longer than that of animals treated with VP22-TK/GCV (p = 0.006). Conclusion: Our results suggest that MUC1 antibody-targeted VP22-TK/GCV suicide gene therapy can efficiently inhibit ovarian tumor growth and increase survival in a nude mouse model of ovarian carcinoma. These data support the development of this method for human clinical trials.

The crustacean gill (Na(+),K(+))-ATPase: Allosteric modulation of high- and low-affinity ATP-binding sites by sodium and potassium

The blue crab, Callinectes danae, tolerates exposure to a wide salinity range employing mechanisms of compensatory ion uptake when in dilute media. Although the gill (Na(+), K(+))-ATPase is vital to hyperosmoregulatory ability, the interactions occurring at the sites of ATP binding on the molecule itself are unknown. Here, we investigate the modulation by Na(+) and K(+) of homotropic interactions between the ATP-binding sites, and of phosphoenzyme formation of the (Na(+),K(+))-ATPase from the posterior gills of this euryhaline crab. The contribution of the high- and low-affinity ATP-binding sites to maximum velocity was similar for both Na(+) and K(+). However, in contrast to Na(+), a threshold K(+) concentration triggers the appearance of the high-affinity binding sites, displacing the saturation curve to lower ATP concentrations. Further, a low-affinity site for phosphorylation is present on the enzyme. These findings reveal notable differences in the catalytic mechanism of the crustacean (Na(+),K(+))-ATPase compared to the vertebrate enzyme. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Unusual Incorporation of Neutral and Low Water-Soluble Guest Molecules into Layered Double Hydroxides: The Case of Cucurbit [6 and 7]uril Inclusion Hosts

CNPq

Reaching C-Reactive Protein and Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Goals in Dyslipidemic Patients (from the Lipid Treatment Assessment Project [L-TAP] 2)

The purpose of the present substudy of the Lipid Treatment Assessment Project 2 was to assess dual C-reactive protein (CRP) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol goal attainment across a spectrum of low-, moderate-, and high-risk patients with dyslipidemia in 8 countries in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Of the 9,518 patients studied overall, 45% were women, 64% had hypertension, 31% had diabetes, 14% were current smokers, 60% were high risk, and 79% were taking a statin. The median CRP level was 1.5 mg/L (interquartile range 0.2 to 2.8). On multivariate analysis, higher CRP levels were associated with older age, female gender, hypertension, current smoking, greater body mass index, larger waist circumference, LDL cholesterol level, and triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio. In contrast, being from Asia or taking a statin was associated with lower levels. Across all risk groups, 59% of patients attained the CRP target of <2 mg/L, and 33% had <1 mg/L. Overall, 44% of patients attained both their National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III LDL cholesterol target and a CRP level of <2 mg/L, but only 26% attained their LDL cholesterol target and a CRP level of <1 mg/L. In the very high-risk group with coronary heart disease and >= 2 risk factors, only 19% attained both their LDL cholesterol goal and a CRP level of <2 mg/L and 12% their LDL cholesterol goal and a CRP level of <1 mg/L. In conclusion, with current treatment, most dyslipidemic patients do not reach the dual CRP and LDL cholesterol goals. Smoking cessation, weight reduction, and the greater use of more potent statins at higher doses might be able to improve these outcomes. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (Am J Cardiol 2011;107:1639-1643)

The effects of moderate and low levels of acoustic overstimulation on stereocilia and their tip links in the guinea pig

Guinea pigs were exposed to pure tones of 10 kHz at intensities between 98 and 115 dB SPL for 5-30 min, to produce varying degrees of acoustic trauma. Changes in auditory thresholds were measured electrophysiologically, and the animals were immediately fixed for scanning electron microscopy. Correlation between morphological changes to the hair bundle and losses in threshold, showed that with the smallest degrees of trauma (98 dB SPL for 15 min, mean maximum threshold loss of 22 dB), damage was confined to a small stretch of inner hair cells (IHC), with only subtle changes to the stereocilia of the outer hair cells (OHC). At exposure intensities greater than 102 dB SPL (duration: 15 min) the IHC stereocilia in the centre of the lesion were always substantially disarrayed. Substantial damage to the OHC bundles was seen only with exposures above 110 dB SPL(duration: greater than or equal to 5 min), producing threshold losses of 50 dB or more. Tip links were lost only where the stereocilia were disarrayed. It is concluded that the tip links are not the most vulnerable components of the cochlear hair cell, but that relatively low levels of acoustic stimulation can cause significant damage to the stereociliary bundle of the IHCs.

Prostate cryoablation: Prospective analysis comparing high- and low-risk prostate cancer outcomes

Aim: To evaluate percutaneous cryotherapy as a primary treatment option for prostate cancer, comparing different risk groups. Patients and Methods: Forty-seven prostate cryoablation procedures were performed on 44 patients. Patients median age was 70.9, and average pretreatment PSA of 13.8 ng/dl. Patients were divided into low-risk (13 patients), high-risk (24 patients) and radiation failure patients (7 patients). The follow-up period ranged from 18 to 60 months (median 41 months). Results: In the low-risk group, we found after 12 and 24 months of follow-up, 92 and 86% of patients free of PSA relapse (PSA < 1 ng/ml), respectively. In the high-risk group, the PSA failure was 39 and 52.9%. For the radiation failure group, 86 and 71.4% of patients had PSA below 1 ng/dl. At 48 months of follow-up, 80% of the low-risk patients, 42.8% of the high-risk group and 71.4% of the radiation failure group were free of PSA relapse. The complication rates were low, with 13% of urinary incontinence and no cases of rectal injury. Conclusion: Prostate cryoablation is a viable and promising minimally invasive alternative for localized or locally advanced prostate cancer patients. Copyright (c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Effects of Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom on lung mechanics and inflammation in mice

The present study evaluated the effects of an intramuscular injection of Tityus serrulatus venom (TsV) (0.67 mu g/g) on lung mechanics and lung inflammation at 15, 30, 60 and 180 min after inoculation. TsV inoculation resulted in increased lung elastance when compared with the control group (p < 0.001): these values were significantly higher at 60 min than at 15 and 180 min (p < 0.05). Resistive pressure (Delta P(1)) values decreased significantly at 30, 60 and 180 min after TsV injection (p < 0.001). TsV inoculation resulted in increased lung inflammation, characterised by an increased density of mononuclear cells at 15, 30, 60 and 180 min after TsV injection when compared with the control group (p < 0.001). TsV inoculation also resulted in an increased pulmonary density of polymorphonuclear cells at 15, 30 and 60 min following injection when compared to the control group (p < 0.001). In conclusion, T serrulatus venom leads to acute lung injury, characterised by altered lung mechanics and increased pulmonary inflammation. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.