Brazilian individuals with impaired glucose tolerance are characterized by impaired insulin secretion

Background: To better understand the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity (IS) were evaluated in white Brazilians with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), using the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and the hyperglycemic clamp technique.Methods: Twenty-five IGT subjects were individually matched with normal glucose-tolerant (NGT) subjects for demographic characteristics, At first, they were submitted to the OGTT and plasma glucose and insulin were measured. of the 25 pairs, 20 could participate in the hyperglycemic clamp procedures, at a second visit. All participants had their plasma glucose levels equally increased to 180 mg/dl; this was maintained for three hours by variable glucose infusion. During the procedure, plasma glucose and insulin were measured at established intervals.Results: In the postabsorptive state, the IGT subjects presented higher levels of plasma glucose, blood HbA(1) and serum triglycerides, but similar plasma insulin levels. After the oral glucose load, early and total insulin release, in relation to glucose levels, were respectively, 43 and 67% lower in the IGT individuals, the index of whole-body IS was increased in the IGT individuals (4.36 +/- 1.71 vs 3.61 +/- 1.28 mg(-1).muU(-1) 100.ml(2); p < 0.05). By the hyperglycemic clamp technique first- (82 &PLUSMN; 26 vs 215 &PLUSMN; 88 μU/ml; p < 0.001) and second- (36 +/- 19 vs 73 +/- 44 muU/ml; p < 0.05) phases of insulin secretion was decreased in the IGT individuals, especially the first one. However, the groups did not differ in relation to the IS: IGT = 13.52 &PLUSMN; 7.27 and NGT = 9.96 &PLUSMN; 6.70 mg.ml/kg.μU.min(-1); p > 0.05. Functional relationship of IS (y) on first-phase insulin release (x) showed a smaller (p < 0,05) regression coefficient for the IGT group.Conclusion: Brazilians with IGT well-matched with NGT ones were characterized by impaired first- and second-phase insulin secretion (mainly the former), while defects in IS were not evident.

Reproductive biology of the southern Brazilian pitviper Bothrops neuwiedi pubescens (Serpentes, Viperidae)

Dissection of 286 specimens of the Bothrops neuwiedi pubescens, combined with data on captive individuals, provided information on the reproductive biology of this viperid snake from southern Brazil. Females attained larger body sizes than males, and reproduction was seasonal with mating taking place in autumn when males were more frequently encountered. Vitellogenesis occurred from summer to spring (January-September), sperm storage during autumn and winter (May-September), ovulation and fertilization in early spring (September), embryonic development during middle spring and summer (October-March), and parturition in the summer (January-March). Embryonic development was estimated to last from three to five months, a shorter time than was previously reported. The number of offspring of Bothrops neuwiedi pubescens born in one litter can vary from four to 25 ((x) over bar = 11). Fecundity is correlated with maternal body size. Neonates measure 17-25 cm SVL. Inferred growth rate of juveniles was low (10 mm/month in first year), with males attaining sexual maturity at about 16 months, but maturity is delayed in females for at least two additional years.

Maximal lactate steady state concentration independent of pedal cadence in active individuals

The maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) is defined as the highest blood lactate concentration that can be maintained over time without a continual blood lactate accumulation. The objective of the present study was to analyze the effects of pedal cadence (50 vs. 100 rev min(-1)) on MLSS and the exercise workload at MLSS (MLSSworkload) during cycling. Nine recreationally active males (20.9 +/- 2.9 years, 73.9 +/- 6.5 kg, 1.79 +/- 0.09 m) performed an incremental maximal load test (50 and 100 rev min(-1)) to determine anaerobic threshold (AT) and peak workload (PW), and between two and four constant submaximal load tests (50 and 100 rev min(-1)) on a mechanically braked cycle ergometer to determine MLSSworkload and MLSS. MLSSworkload was defined as the highest workload at which blood lactate concentration did not increase by more than 1 mM between minutes 10 and 30 of the constant workload. The maximal lactate steady state intensity (MLSSintensity) was defined as the ratio between MLSSworkload and PW. MLSSworkload (186.1 +/- 21.2 W vs. 148.2 +/- 15.5 W) and MLSSintensity (70.5 +/- 5.7% vs. 61.4 +/- 5.1%) were significantly higher during cycling at 50 rev min(-1) than at 100 rev min(-1), respectively. However, there was no significant difference in MLSS between 50 rev min(-1) (4.8 +/- 1.6 mM) and 100 rev min(-1) (4.7 +/- 0.8 mM). We conclude that MLSSworkload and MLSSintensity are dependent on pedal cadence (50 vs. 100 rev min(-1)) in recreationally active individuals. However, this study showed that MLSS is not influenced by the different pedal cadences analyzed.

Urinary levels of catecholamines among individuals with and without sleep bruxism

Sleep bruxism (SB) is characterized by repetitive and coordinated mandible movements and non-functional teeth contacts during sleep time. Although the etiology of SB is controversial, the literature converges on its multifactorial origin. Occlusal factors, smoking, alcoholism, drug usage, stress, and anxiety have been described as SB trigger factors. Recent studies on this topic discussed the role of neurotransmitters on the development of SB.Thus, the purpose of this study was to detect and quantify the urinary levels of catecholamines, specifically of adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine, in subjects with SB and in control individuals.Urine from individuals with SB (n = 20) and without SB (n = 20) was subjected to liquid chromatography. The catecholamine data were compared by Mann-Whitney's test (p a parts per thousand currency sign 0.05).Our analysis showed higher levels of catecholamines in subjects with SB (adrenaline = 111.4 A mu g/24 h; noradrenaline = 261,5 A mu g/24 h; dopamine = 479.5 A mu g/24 h) than in control subjects (adrenaline = 35,0 A mu g/24 h; noradrenaline = 148,7 A mu g/24 h; dopamine = 201,7 A mu g/24 h). Statistical differences were found for the three catecholamines tested.It was concluded that individuals with SB have higher levels of urinary catecholamines.

Packaging to Preserve 'Aurora-1' Peaches from Two Maturity Stages

The main objective of this research was to evaluate chemical and physical changes in 'Aurora-1' peach harvested at two maturity stages, packed in different types of packaging and kept under refrigeration. Fruit were harvested at the mature green and ripe stages, packed in four different types of packaging (control, PD-900 (TM), PVC and PET) and stored at 6 degrees C. The following variables were evaluated every eight days: coloration, accumulated fresh mass loss, firmness, appearance, acidity, total soluble solids contents, soluble sugars, and percentage of pectin solubilization. We observed that the postharvest life was influenced by packaging and the mature green fruits showed lower disease occurrence. Fresh mass loss was lower in packed fruits. The peel of mature green fruits developed a characteristic ripe peach color at the end of storage, but PD-900 (TM) provided a delay in color change. Packaging also influenced the firmness, allowing for more firmness retention than for the control fruits at both harvest stages. The organic acid content decreased in the packaged fruits and increased in the control fruits. In the packaged fruit, the amount of sugar increased until the eighth day and then decreased until the end of the storage period. The 'Aurora-1' peaches did not show compromised quality by packaging use and exhibited an increase in harvest life to 24 days (compared to 16 days for the control).

Notes on the feeding habits of the skate Rioraja agassizi (Chondrichthyes, Rajidae) off southeastern Brazil

Feeding habits of the skate Rioraja agassizi were analyzed in southeastern Brazil from samples obtained along Silo Paulo coast. A total of 258 specimens were examined, ranging between 96 and 532 mm total length. About 57.85% were females and 42.15% were males, resulting in a 1:1.37 sex-ratio to females. From 223 stomachs collected (94 males and 129 females) empty stomachs represented only 1.4%. Nine prey categories were identified: Polychaeta, Copepoda, Cumacea, Isopoda, Gammaridea, Dendrobranchiata, Brachyura, Teleostei, and one non-animal category (non-identifiable items). Crustaceans were the most important item, indicating that the species has a carcinophagic preference. The presence of fish was just verified in juveniles and some adult individuals, with predominance in summer. Sex, maturity stage and seasonality did not influence the feeding habits of the species.

Influence of exercise mode and maximal lactate-steady-state concentration on the validity of OBLA to predict maximal lactate-steady-state in active individuals

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of exercise mode on the validity of onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA-3.5-mM fixed blood lactate concentration) to predict the work-rate at maximal lactate steady state (MLSSwork-rate). Eleven recreationally active mates (21.3 +/- 2.9 years, 72.8 +/- 6.7 kg, 1.78 +/- 0.1 m) performed randomly incremental tests to determine OBLA (stage duration of 3 min), and 2 to 4 constants work-rate exercise tests to directly determine maximal lactate steady state parameters on a cycle-ergometer and treadmill. For both exercise modes, the OBLA was significantly correlated to MLSSwork-rate, (cycling: r = 0.81 p = 0.002; running: r = 0.94, p < 0.001). OBLA (156.2 +/- 41.3 W) was lower than MLSSwork-rate (179.6 +/- 26.4 W) during cycling exercise (p = 0.007). However, for running exercise, there was no difference between OBLA (3.2 +/- 0.6 m s(-1)) and MLSSwork-rate (3.1 +/- 0.4 m s(-1)). The difference between OBLA and MLSSworkrate on the cycle-ergometer (r = 0.86; p < 0.001) and treadmill (r = 0.64; p = 0.048) was significantly related to the specific MLSS. We can conclude that the validity of OBLA on predicting MLSSwork-rate is dependent on exercise mode and that its disagreement is related to individual variations in MLSS. (C) 2007 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of HLA-DRB-1 alleles on the production of antibody against CSP, MSP-1, AMA-1, and DBP in Brazilian individuals naturally infected with Plasmodium vivax

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

Renal excretion of zinc in normal individuals during zinc tolerance test and glucose tolerance test

The urinary excretion, renal clearance, and tubular reabsorption of zinc were investigated in 30 adult healthy subjects under basal conditions and during the zinc and glucose tolerance tests. After a 12h overnight fast, each subject was submitted to renal clearance of zinc. The procedures were performed between 8.00 and 12.00 a.m., after emptying the bladder and ingestion of 4 ml deionized water/kg body weight at 8.00 a.m. The first urine sample was collected at 10.00 a.m., and the second at 12.00 a.m. A dose of 110 mg ZnSO47H2O was administered orally to each subject, diluted in 20 ml deionized water, at time 0 min. Blood samples were collected from an antecubital vein at times -30, 0, and 30 min and at 30 min intervals up to 240 min. Glucose was administered intravenously (0.5 ml 50%/kg body weight) during the first 3 min of the test, and blood samples were collected from an unconstricted, contralateral, antecubital vein at times -30, 0, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, and 90 min. The results showed that urinary zinc excretion, and renal zinc clearance were significantly higher during the zinc and glucose tolerance tests than in the control condition. On the other hand, renal zinc clearance was more elevated during tile glucose tolerance test than during the zinc tolerance test. Variations in zinc tubular reabsorption and glomerular filtration rate were not detected. The results suggest that urinary excretion and renal clearance of zinc in healthy subjects increase during acute zinc ingestion and glucose infusion, Although zinc ingestion raised urinary zinc excretion, glucose infusion was more effective in increasing renal zinc clearance. These normal parameters are important in the investigation of diabetic patients with serum and urine zinc changes.

Structural characteristics of the superior venae cavae wall at the intrapericardium segment in adults and aging individuals

The authors admit that the conjunctive-muscular constitution of the walls of the superior venae cavae throughout the length of the intrapericardium segment and the debouchement in the right atrium, associated with the presence of a myocardium sheath can be made up of a functional device of sphincter form able to act on the control of the blood flow to the interior of the arterial chamber as well as stopping blood flow during the arterial systole. The fixation of the venous wall to the deep chamber of the serous pericardium, contributes to growth in resistance during the elevation of venous pressure, making possible the preservation of integrity of the superior venae cavae. The expansion of fasciculi of nodal fibers in the right wall of the superior venae cavae permits that the unlocked impulse in the S-A node also reaches the vascular wall contributing to the shortening and diminution in caliber of the vein.