Influences of sex and age on biological rhythms of serum lipids and lipoproteins

Background: Few studies have evaluated seasonal variations of biochemical parameters routinely analyzed in clinical laboratories. Rhythmic patterns for lipids and lipoproteins have been demonstrated and have been the object of research, mainly because of their demonstrated association with coronary artery disease. This study evaluated the occurrence of biological rhythms on serum lipids and lipoproteins and the effects of sex and age on the rhythms in a Brazilian hospital outpatient population. Methods: Retrospective laboratory study was carried out to evaluate the results of total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG), from individuals registered at a university referral hospital over 8years. The studied population was composed of individuals of both sexes and all ages totaling 38,579 participants and 301,934 measurements. Statistical analyses were carried out using the SAS program and the temporal analysis used the Cosinor method. Results: TG rhythm was present only in females. All other parameters were equally rhythmic in both sexes. Regarding age, HDL-C presented rhythms in all age groups, but TC and LDL-C showed seasonality only for those > 13years, TG did not present rhythms in all age groups. Conclusion: Effects of sex and age on biological rhythms detected in TC, LDL-C and HDL-C should be considered a significant cause of pre-analytical variation in these laboratory tests. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The notion of structure and the information records of the documentary systems

Assuming as a starting point the acknowledge that the principles and methods used to build and manage the documentary systems are disperse and lack systematization, this study hypothesizes that the notion of structure, when assuming mutual relationships among its elements, promotes more organical systems and assures better quality and consistency in the retrieval of information concerning users` matters. Accordingly, it aims to explore the fundamentals about the records of information and documentary systems, starting from the notion of structure. In order to achieve that, it presents basic concepts and relative matters to documentary systems and information records. Next to this, it lists the theoretical subsides over the notion of structure, studied by Benveniste, Ferrater Mora, Levi-Strauss, Lopes, Penalver Simo, Saussure, apart from Ducrot, Favero and Koch. Appropriations that have already been done by Paul Otlet, Garcia Gutierrez and Moreiro Gonzalez. In Documentation come as a further topic. It concludes that the adopted notion of structure to make explicit a hypothesis of real systematization achieves more organical systems, as well as it grants pedagogical reference to the documentary tasks.

Impact of cancer-related symptom synergisms on health-related quality of life and performance status

To identify the impact of multiple symptoms and their co-occurrence on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) dimensions and performance status (PS), 115 outpatients with cancer, who were not receiving active cancer treatment and were recruited from, a university hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Brief Pain Inventory. Karnofsky Performance Status scores also were completed. Application of TwoStep Cluster analysis resulted in two distinct patient subgroups based on 113 patient experiences with pain, depression, fatigue, insomnia, constipation, lack of appetite, dyspnea, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. One group had multiple and severe symptom subgroup and another had Less symptoms and with lower severity. Multiple and severe symptoms had worse PS, role functioning, and physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and overall HRQOL. Multiple and severe symptom subgroup was also six times as likely as lower severity to have poor role functioning;five times more likely to have poor emotional;four times more likely to have poor PS, physical, and overall HRQOL, and three times as likely to have poor cognitive and social HRQOL, independent of gender, age, level of education, and economic condition. Classification and Regression Tree analyses were undertaken to identify which co-occurring symptoms would best determine reduction in HRQOL and PS. Pain and fatigue were identified as indicators of reduction on physical HRQOL and PS. Fatigue and insomnia were associated with reduction in cognitive; depression and pain in social; and fatigue and constipation in role functioning. Only depression was associated with reduction in overall HRQOL. These data demonstrate that there is a synergic effect among distinct cancer symptoms that result in reduction in HRQOL dimensions and PS.

Heat and exercise acclimation increases intracellular levels of Hsp72 and inhibits exercise-induced increase in intracellular and plasma Hsp72 in humans

In order to verify the effects of heat and exercise acclimation (HA) on resting and exercise-induced expression of plasma and leukocyte heat shock protein 72 (Hsp72) in humans, nine healthy young male volunteers (25.0 +/- 0.7 years; 80.5 +/- 2.0 kg; 180 +/- 2 cm, mean +/- SE) exercised for 60 min in a hot, dry environment (40 +/- 0A degrees C and 45 A +/- 0% relative humidity) for 11 days. The protocol consisted of running on a treadmill using a controlled hyperthermia technique in which the work rate was adjusted to elevate the rectal temperature by 1A degrees C in 30 min and maintain it elevated for another 30 min. Before and after the HA, the volunteers performed a heat stress test (HST) at 50% of their individual maximal power output for 90 min in the same environment. Blood was drawn before (REST), immediately after (POST) and 1 h after (1 h POST) HST, and plasma and leukocytes were separated and stored. Subjects showed expected adaptations to HA: reduced exercise rectal and mean skin temperatures and heart rate, and augmented sweat rate and exercise tolerance. In HST1, plasma Hsp72 increased from REST to POST and then returned to resting values 1 h POST (REST: 1.11 A +/- 0.07, POST: 1.48 A +/- 0.10, 1 h POST: 1.22 A +/- 0.11 ng mL(-1); p < 0.05). In HST2, there was no change in plasma Hsp72 (REST: 0.94 A +/- 0.08, POST: 1.20 A +/- 0.15, 1 h POST: 1.17 A +/- 0.16 ng mL(-1); p > 0.05). HA increased resting levels of intracellular Hsp72 (HST1: 1 A +/- 0.02 and HST2: 4.2 A +/- 1.2 density units, p < 0.05). Exercise-induced increased intracellular Hsp72 expression was observed on HST1 (HST1: REST, 1 A +/- 0.02 vs. POST, 2.9 A +/- 0.9 density units, mean +/- SE, p < 0.05) but was inhibited on HST2 (HST2: REST, 4.2 +/- 1.2 vs. POST, 4.4 +/- 1.1 density units, p > 0.05). Regression analysis showed that the lower the pre-exercise expression of intracellular Hsp72, the higher the exercise-induced increase (R = -0.85, p < 0.05). In conclusion, HA increased resting leukocyte Hsp72 levels and inhibited exercise-induced expression. This intracellular adaptation probably induces thermotolerance. In addition, the non-increase in plasma Hsp72 after HA may be related to lower stress at the cellular level in the acclimated individuals.

The effect of 5 days of aspartate and asparagine supplementation on glucose transport activity in rat muscle

The consumption of protein supplements containing amino acids is increasing around the world Aspartate (Asp) and asparagine (Asn) are amino acids metabolized by skeletal muscle. This metabolism involves biochemical pathways that are involved in increasing Krebs cycle activity via anaplerotic reactions. resulting in higher glutamine concentrations. A connection between amino acid supplementation, glycogen concentration, and glucose uptake has been previously demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of asp and Asn Supplementation on glucose uptake in rats using three different glycogen concentrations The results indicate that Asp and Asn supplementation in rats with high glycogen concentrations (fed state) further increased the glycogen concentration in the muscle, and decreased in vitro 2-deoxyglucose (a glucose analog.) uptake by the muscle at maximal insulin concentrations When animals had a medium glycogen concentration (consumed lard for 3 days). glucose uptake was higher in the supplemented group at sub-maximal insulin concentrations. We conclude that supplementation of Asp and Asn reduced glucose transport in rat muscle only at higher levels of glycogen. The ingestion of lard for 3 days changed the responsiveness and sensitivity to insulin, and that group had higher levels of insulin sensivity with Asp and Asn supplementation. Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PKC beta II inhibition attenuates myocardial infarction induced heart failure and is associated with a reduction of fibrosis and pro-inflammatory responses

Protein kinase C beta II (PKC beta II) levels increase in the myocardium of patients with end-stage heart failure (HF). Also targeted overexpression of PKC beta II in the myocardium of mice leads to dilated cardiomyopathy associated with inflammation, fibrosis and myocardial dysfunction. These reports suggest a deleterious role of PKC beta II in HF development. Using a post-myocardial infarction (MI) model of HF in rats, we determined the benefit of chronic inhibition of PKC beta II on the progression of HF over a period of 6 weeks after the onset of symptoms and the cellular basis for these effects. Four weeks after MI, rats with HF signs that were treated for 6 weeks with the PKC beta II selective inhibitor (beta IIV5-3 conjugated to TAT(47-57) carrier peptide) (3 mg/kg/day) showed improved fractional shortening (from 21% to 35%) compared to control (TAT(47-57) carrier peptide alone). Formalin-fixed mid-ventricle tissue sections stained with picrosirius red, haematoxylin and eosin and toluidine blue dyes exhibited a 150% decrease in collagen deposition, a two-fold decrease in inflammation and a 30% reduction in mast cell degranulation, respectively, in rat hearts treated with the selective PKC beta II inhibitor. Further, a 90% decrease in active TGF beta 1 and a significant reduction in SMAD2/3 phosphorylation indicated that the selective inhibition of PKC beta II attenuates cardiac remodelling mediated by the TGF-SMAD signalling pathway. Therefore, sustained selective inhibition of PKC beta II in a post-MI HF rat model improves cardiac function and is associated with inhibition of pathological myocardial remodelling.

The role of local and systemic renin angiotensin system activation in a genetic model of sympathetic hyperactivity-induced heart failure in mice

Sympathetic hyperactivity (SH) and renin angiotensin system (RAS) activation are commonly associated with heart failure (HF), even though the relative contribution of these factors to the cardiac derangement is less understood. The role of SH on RAS components and its consequences for the HF were investigated in mice lacking alpha(2A) and alpha(2C) adrenoceptor knockout (alpha(2A)/alpha(2C) ARKO) that present SH with evidence of HF by 7 mo of age. Cardiac and systemic RAS components and plasma norepinephrine (PN) levels were evaluated in male adult mice at 3 and 7 mo of age. In addition, cardiac morphometric analysis, collagen content, exercise tolerance, and hemodynamic assessments were made. At 3 mo, alpha(2A)/alpha(2C)ARKO mice showed no signs of HF, while displaying elevated PN, activation of local and systemic RAS components, and increased cardiomyocyte width (16%) compared with wild-type mice (WT). In contrast, at 7 mo, alpha(2A)/alpha(2C)ARKO mice presented clear signs of HF accompanied only by cardiac activation of angiotensinogen and ANG II levels and increased collagen content (twofold). Consistent with this local activation of RAS, 8 wk of ANG II AT(1) receptor blocker treatment restored cardiac structure and function comparable to the WT. Collectively, these data provide direct evidence that cardiac RAS activation plays a major role underlying the structural and functional abnormalities associated with a genetic SH-induced HF in mice.

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.

Time course of strength and power recovery after resistance training with different movement velocities

Ide, BN, Leme, TCF, Lopes, CR, Moreira, A, Dechechi, CJ, Sarraipa, MF, da Mota, GR, Brenzikofer, R, and Macedo, DV. Time course of strength and power recovery after resistance training with different movement velocities. J Strength Cond Res 25(7): 2025-2033, 2011-The purpose of this study was to evaluate the time course of strength and power recovery after a single bout of strength training designed with fast and slow contraction velocities. Nineteen male subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups: the slow-velocity contraction (SV) group and the fast velocity contraction (FV) group. Resistance training protocols consisted of 5 sets of 12 repetition maximum (5 x 12RM) with 50 seconds of rest between sets and 2 minutes between exercises. Contraction velocity was controlled by the execution time for each repetition (SV-6 seconds to complete concentric and eccentric phases and for FV-1.5 seconds). Leg Press 45 degrees 1RM (LP 1RM), horizontal countermovement jump (HCMJ), and right thigh circumference (TC) were accessed in 6 distinct moments: base (1 week before exercise), 0 (immediately after exercises), 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after exercise protocol. The SV and FV presented significant LP 1RM decrements at 0, and these were still evident 24-48 hours postexercise. The magnitude of decline was significantly (p<0.05) higher for FV. The SV and FV presented significant HCMJ decrements at 0, but only for FV were these still evident 24-72 hours postexercise. The SV and FV presented significant TC increments at 0, and these were still evident 24-48 hours postexercise for SV but for FV it continued up to 96 hours. The magnitude of increase was significantly (p<0.05) higher for FV. In conclusion, the fast contraction velocity protocol resulted in greater decreases in LP 1RM and HCMJ performance, when compared with slow velocity. The results lead us to interpret that this variable may exert direct influence on acute muscle strength and power generation capacity.

Relative frequency of knowledge of results and task complexity in the motor skill acqusition

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of knowledge of results (KR) frequency and task complexity on motor skill acquisition. The task consisted of throwing a bocha ball to place it as close as possible to the target ball. 120 students ages 11 to 73 years were assigned to one of eight experimental groups according to knowledge of results frequency (25, 50, 75, and 100%) and task complexity (simple and complex). Subjects performed 90 trials in the acquisition phase and 10 trials in the transfer test. The results showed that knowledge of results given at a frequency of 25% resulted in an inferior absolute error than 50% and inferior variable error than 50, 75, and 100 I frequencies, but no effect of task complexity was found.

Influence of angiotensinogen and angiotensin-converting enzyme polymorphisms on cardiac hypertrophy and improvement on maximal aerobic capacity caused by exercise training

Background The allele threonine (T) of the angiotensinogen has been associated with ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients and soccer players. However, the long-term effect of physical exercise in healthy athletes carrying the T allele remains unknown. We investigated the influence of methionine M or T allele of the angiotensinogen and D or I allele of the angiotensin-converting enzyme on left-ventricular mass index (LVMI) and maximal aerobic capacity in young healthy individuals after long-term physical exercise training. Design Prospective clinical trial. Methods Eighty-three policemen aged between 20 and 35 years (mean +/- SD 26 +/- 4.5 years) were genotyped for the M235T gene angiotensinogen polymorphism (TT, n=25; MM/MT, n=58) and angiotensin-converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism (11, n=18; DD/DI, n=65). Left-ventricular morphology was evaluated by echocardiography and maximal aerobic capacity (VO(2peak)) by cardiopulmonary exercise test before and after 17 weeks of exercise training (50-80% VO(2peak)). Results Baseline VO(2peak) and LVMI were similar between TT and MM/MT groups, and II and DD/DI groups. Exercise training increased significantly and similarly VO(2peak) in homozygous TT and MM/MT individuals, and homozygous II and DD/DI individuals. In addition, exercise training increased significantly LVMI in TT and MM/MT individuals (76.5 +/- 3 vs. 86.7 +/- 4, P=0.00001 and 76.2 +/- 2 vs. 81.4 +/- 2, P=0.00001, respectively), and II and DD/DI individuals (777 +/- 4 vs. 81.5 +/- 4, P=0.0001 and 76 +/- 2 vs. 83.5 +/- 2, P=0.0001, respectively). However, LVMI I in TT individuals was significantly greater than in MM/MT individuals (P=0.04). LVMI was not different between 11 and DD/DI individuals. Conclusion Left-ventricular hypertrophy caused by exercise training is exacerbated in homozygous TT individuals with angiotensinogen polymorphism. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil 16:487-492 (C) 2009 The European Society of Cardiology

Effect of hemicellulose and lignin on enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose from brewer`s spent grain

Enzymatic hydrolysis of brewer`s spent grain in three different forms: original (untreated), pretreated by dilute acid (cellulignin), and pretreated by a sequence of dilute acid and dilute alkali (cellulose pulp), was studied to verify the effect of hemicellulose and lignin on cellulose conversion into glucose. The hydrolysis was carried out using a commercial cellulase concentrate (Celluclast 1.5 L) in an enzyme/substrate ratio of 45 FPU/g, 2% (w/v) substrate concentration, 45 degrees C for 96 h. According to the results, the cellulose hydrolysis was affected by the presence of hemicellulose and/or lignin in the sample. The cellulose conversion ratio (defined as glucose yield + cellobiose yield) from cellulignin was 3.5-times higher than that from untreated sample, whereas from cellulose pulp such value was 4-times higher, correspondent to 91.8% (glucose yield of 85.6%). This best result was probably due to the strong modification in the material structure caused by the hemicellulose and lignin removal from the sample. As a consequence, the cellulose fibers were separated being more susceptible to the enzymatic attack. It was concluded that the lower the hemicellulose and lignin contents in the sample, the higher the efficiency of cellulose hydrolysis. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Sequential production of amylolytic and lipolytic enzymes by bacterium strain isolated from petroleum contaminated soil

Amylases and lipases are highly demanded industrial enzymes in various sectors such as food, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and detergents. Amylases are of ubiquitous occurrence and hold the maximum market share of enzyme sales. Lipases are the most versatile biocatalyst and bring about a range of bioconversion reactions such as hydrolysis, inter-esterification, esterification, alcoholysis, acidolysis, and aminolysis. The objective of this work was to study the feasibility for amylolitic and lipolytic production using a bacterium strain isolated from petroleum contaminated soil in the same submerged fermentation. This was a sequential process based on starch and vegetable oils feedstocks. Run were performed in batchwise using 2% starch supplemented with suitable nutrients and different vegetable oils as a lipase inducers. Fermentation conditions were pH 5.0; 30 degrees C, and stirred speed (200 rpm). Maxima activities for amyloglucosidase and lipase were, respectively, 0.18 and 1,150 U/ml. These results showed a promising methodology to obtain both enzymes using industrial waste resources containing vegetable oils.

Evaluation of hexose and pentose in pre-cultivation of Candida guilliermondii on the key enzymes for xylitol production in sugarcane hemicellulosic hydrolysate

The evaluation of hexose and pentose in pre-cultivation of Candida guilliermondii FTI 20037 yeast on xylose reductase (XR) and xylitol dehydrogenase (XDH) enzymes activities was performed during fermentation in sugarcane bagasse hemicellulosic hydrolysate. The xylitol production was evaluated by using cells previously growth in 30.0 gl(-1) xylose, 30.0 gl(-1) glucose and in both sugars mixture (30.0 gl(-1) xylose and 2.0 gl(-1) glucose). The vacuum evaporated hydrolysate (80 gl(-1)) was detoxificated by ion exchange resin (A-860S; A500PS and C-150-Purolite(A (R))). The total phenolic compounds and acetic acid were 93.0 and 64.9%, respectively, removed by the resin hydrolysate treatment. All experiments were carried out in Erlenmeyer flasks at 200 rpm, 30A degrees C. The maximum XR (0.618 Umg (Prot) (-1) ) and XDH (0.783 Umg (Prot) (-1) ) enzymes activities was obtained using inoculum previously growth in both sugars mixture. The highest cell concentration (10.6 gl(-1)) was obtained with inoculum pre-cultivated in the glucose. However, the xylitol yield and xylitol volumetric productivity were favored using the xylose as carbon source. In this case, it was observed maximum xylose (81%) and acetic acid (100%) consumption. It is very important to point out that maximum enzymatic activities were obtained when the mixture of sugars was used as carbon source of inoculum, while the highest fermentative parameters were obtained when xylose was used.

Relevance of extractives and wood transformation products on the biodegradation of Pinus taeda by Ceriporiopsis subvermispora

Ceriporiopsis subvermispora is a promising white-rot fungus for biopulping. However, the underlying biochemistry involved in lignin removal and insignificant cellulose degradation by this species is not completely understood. This paper addresses this topic focusing on the involvement of ethanol-soluble extractives and wood transformation products in the biodegradation process. Cultures containing ethanol-extracted or in natura wood chips presented similar levels of extracellular enzymes and degradation of wood components. Fe3+-reducing compounds present in undecayed Pinus taeda were rapidly diminished by fungal degradation. Lignin-degradation products released during biodegradation restored part of the Fe3+-reducing activity. However, Fe3+ reduction was ineffective in presence of 0.5 mM oxalate at pH 4.5. Fungal consumption of Fe3+-reducing compounds and secretion of oxalic acid minimized the significance of Fenton`s reaction in the initial stages of wood biotreatment. This would explain limited polysaccharide degradation by the fungus that also lacks a complete set of hydrolytic enzymes. Scientific relevance of the paper: Ceriporiopsis subvermispora is a white-rot fungus suitable for biopulping processes because it degrades lignin selectively and causes significant structural changes on the wood components during the earlier decay stages. However, the intricate mechanism to explain lignin transformation and insignificant cellulose degradation by this species remains poorly understood. Some recent evidences pointed out for lipid peroxidation reactions as all initiating process explaining lignin degradation. On the other hand, alkylitaconic acids produced by the fungus via transformations of fatty acids occurring in wood showed to prevent polysaccharide degradation in Fenton reactions. In this context, one may conclude that the involvement of native wood substances or their transformation products in the overall wood biodegradation process induced by C subvermispora is still a matter of discussion. While free and esterified fatty acids present in wood extractives may be involved in the biosynthesis of alkylitaconic acids and in lipid peroxidation reactions, some extractives and lignin degradation products can reduce Fe3+, providing Fe2+ species needed to form OH radical via Fenton`s reaction. The present study focuses on this topic by evaluating the relevance of ethanol-soluble extractives and wood transformation products on the biodegradation of P. taeda by C subvermispora. For this, solid-state cultures containing ethanol-extracted and in natura wood chips were evaluated in details for up to 4 weeks. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.