A multimetric index based on fish fauna for the evaluation of the biotic integrity of streams at a mesohabitat scale

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

Maternal protein restriction affects gene expression and enzyme activity of intestinal disaccharidases in adult rat offspring

This study investigated the consequences of intrauterine protein restriction on the gastrointestinal tract and particularly on the gene expression and activity of intestinal disaccharidases in the adult offspring. Wistar rat dams were fed isocaloric diets containing 6% protein (restricted, n = 8) or 17% protein (control, n = 8) throughout gestation. Male offspring (n = 5-8 in each group) were evaluated at 3 or 16 weeks of age. Maternal protein restriction during pregnancy produced offspring with growth restriction from birth (5.7 ± 0.1 vs 6.3 ± 0.1 g; mean ± SE) to weaning (42.4 ± 1.3 vs 49.1 ± 1.6 g), although at 16 weeks of age their body weight was similar to control (421.7 ± 8.9 and 428.5 ± 8.5 g). Maternal protein restriction also increased lactase activity in the proximal (0.23 ± 0.02 vs 0.15 ± 0.02), medial (0.30 ± 0.06 vs 0.14 ± 0.01) and distal (0.43 ± 0.07 vs 0.07 ± 0.02 U·g-1·min-1) small intestine, and mRNA lactase abundance in the proximal intestine (7.96 ± 1.11 vs 2.38 ± 0.47 relative units) of 3-week-old offspring rats. In addition, maternal protein restriction increased sucrase activity (1.20 ± 0.02 vs 0.91 ± 0.02 U·g-1·min-1) and sucrase mRNA abundance (4.48 ± 0.51 vs 1.95 ± 0.17 relative units) in the duodenum of 16-week-old rats. In conclusion, the present study shows for the first time that intrauterine protein restriction affects gene expression of intestinal enzymes in offspring.

Evaluation of a novel kit (TF-test) for the diagnosis of intestinal parasitic infections

Intestinal parasitic infections are currently a source of concern for Public Health agencies in developing and developed countries. Since three ovum-and-parasite stool examinations have been demonstrated to provide sensitive results, we designed a practical and economical kit (TF-Test) that is now commercially available (Immunoassay Com. Ind. Ltda., S (a) over tildeo Paulo, Brazil). This kit allows the separate collection of three fecal specimens into a preservative solution. The specimens are then pooled, double-filtered, and concentrated by a single rapid centrifugation process. The TF-Test was evaluated in four different laboratories in a study using 1,102 outpatients and individuals living in an endemic area for enteroparasitosis. The overall sensitivity found using the TF-Test (86.2-97.8%) was significantly higher (P<0.01) than the sensitivity of conventional techniques such as the Coprotest (NIL Comercio Exterior Ltda, São Paulo, Brazil) and the combination of Lutz/Hoffman, Faust, and Rugai techniques (De Carli, Diagnostico Laboratorial das Parasitoses Humanas. Metodos e Tecnicas, 1994), which ranged from 48.3% to 75.9%. When the above combined three specimen technique was repeated with three specimens collected on different days, its sensitivity became similar (P > 0.01) to that of the TF-Test. The kappa index values of agreement for the TF-Test were consistent (P < 0.01), being higher and ranking in a better position than conventional techniques. The high sensitivity, cost/benefit ratio, and practical aspects demonstrate that the TF-Test is suitable for individual diagnosis, epidemiological inquiries, or evaluation of chemotherapy in treated communities. (C) 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Effects of milling condition on the surface integrity of hot forged steel

This paper presents a study on the influence of milling condition on workpiece surface integrity focusing on hardness and roughness. The experimental work was carried out on a CNC machining center considering roughing and finishing operations. A 25 mm diameter endmill with two cemented carbide inserts coated with TiN layer were used for end milling operation. Low carbon alloyed steel Cr-Mo forged at 1200 degrees C was used as workpiece on the tests. Two kinds of workpiece conditions were considered, i.e. cur cooled after hot forging and normalized at 950 degrees C for 2 h. The results showed that finishing operation was able to significantly decrease the roughness by at least 46% without changing the hardness. on the other hand, roughing operation caused an increase in hardness statistically significant by about 6%. The machined surface presented deformed regions within feed marks, which directly affected the roughness. Surface finish behavior seems to correlate to the chip ratio given the decrease of 25% for roughing condition, which damaged the chip formation. The material removal rate for finishing operation 41% greater than roughing condition demonstrated to be favorable to the heat dissipation and minimized the effect on material hardness.

Evaluation of plasma membrane integrity of frozen-thawed goat spermatozoa with or without seminal plasma

The aim of the present work was to evaluate plasma membrane integrity, motility, vigor and morphology of fresh and frozen goat spermatozoa with or without seminal plasma. Semen samples were diluted in Tris solution, before and after thawing, with a combination of carboxifluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide. The results showed differences (P < 0.01) for motility and minor defects in the presence or absence of seminal plasma, for both fresh and frozen samples. Periods of collection had a significant effect on motility, probably due to changes in the photoperiod. Plasma membrane integrity was significantly reduced by the freezing process, whether seminal plasma was present or absent. In conclusion, removal of seminal plasma decreased motility and vigor rates in frozen samples. The photoperiod probably decreased the testosterone level, contributing negatively to the high percentage of sperm abnormalities, mainly damaged membranes. The use of fluorescent probes allowed a better estimation of the percentage of functional cells, instead of only estimating the percentage of motile cells or morphology defects. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparison of intestinal response of chicks from light and heavy eggs to posthatch fasting

The effects of posthatch fasting on villi height and number, crypt depth and number of globet cells in duodenum, jejunum and ileum of broiler chicks from heavy and light eggs were compared. The 2×3×3 factorial design (egg weight: light and heavy eggs; treatments: with water and feed, with water, without water and feed; treatment duration: 24, 48 and 72 h) was used. The villi presented higher size in chicks from heavy than from light eggs. The fasting resulted in lower villi in duodenum (at 48 h), jejunum and ileum (at 72 h). The villi number increased in duodenum and jejunum of chicks from light eggs and only in jejunum of chicks from heavy eggs, but the increase was more accented in chicks from light ones. The fasting reduced the globet cells number in jejunum. Water intake avoided the fasting effects on villi height but had no effect on villi number. Chicks from heavy eggs fed with water and ration presented deeper crypts in all regions of the small intestine. The duodenum and ileum crypt depth of the chicks from heavy eggs reduced when they were submitted to fasting and when they were fed only with water. The results showed that chicks from light eggs were more affected than chicks from heavy eggs. The water intake partially avoided the fasting effects. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2011.

Influence of optimized lubrication-cooling and minimum quantity lubrication on the cutting forces, on the geometric quality of the surfaces and on the micro-structural integrity of hardened steel parts

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

Evaluation of Sperm Kinetics and Plasma Membrane Integrity of Frozen Equine Semen in Different Storage Volumes and Freezing Conditions

In the present study, different freezing systems (Styrofoam box and Mini Digitcool ZH 400) and storage volumes (0.5- and 0.25-mL straws) were compared with regard to sperm kinetics and plasma membrane integrity of frozen and thawed semen. For that, three ejaculates from four animals were frozen in Styrofoam box and Mini Digitcool ZH 400 machine. The 0.5-mL straws were thawed at 46°C for 20 seconds, and the 0.25-mL straws were thawed at 46°C for 12 seconds. Statistical analysis was performed using program R of descriptive analysis box plot, followed by analysis of variance using PROC MIXED of SAS 9.1 package. Variances of 5% were considered as different. There was no interaction between the straw sizes and volumes; however, statistical differences were observed between the semen storage volumes. The 0.5-mL straws had higher total motility (%), progressive motility (%), average path velocity (μm/s), straight-line velocity (μm/s), curvilinear velocity (μm/s), and rapid sperm percentage (%) than the 0.25-mL straws. However, plasma membrane integrity analysis did not differ between the two straws. Thus, it is possible to conclude that equine sperm cryopreserved in 0.5-mL straws has better sperm kinetics than when stored in 0.25-mL straws. Additionally, it is possible to conclude that automated systems that enable faster freezing rates result in a seminal quality that is similar to the one obtained by the conventional system using Styrofoam boxes. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.

Maternal protein restriction during pregnancy affects gene expression and immunolocalization of intestinal nutrient transporters in rats

Intrauterine dietary restriction may cause changes in the functioning of offspring organs and systems later in life, an effect known as fetal programming. The present study evaluated mRNA abundance and immunolocalization of nutrient transporters as well as enterocytes proliferation in the proximal, median and distal segments of small intestine of rats born to protein-restricted dams. Pregnant rats were fed hypoproteic (6% protein) or control (17% protein) diets, and offspring rats were evaluated at 3 and 16 weeks of age. The presence of SGLT1 (sodium-glucose co-transporter 1), GLUT2 (glucose transporter 2), PEPT1 (peptide transporter 1) and the intestinal proliferation were evaluated by immunohistochemical techniques and the abundance of specific mRNA for SGLT1, GLUT2 and PEPT1 was assessed by the real-time PCR technique. Rats born to protein-restricted dams showed higher cell proliferation in all intestinal segments and higher gene expression of SGLT1 and PEPT1 in the duodenum. Moreover, in adult animals born to protein-restricted dams the immunoreactivity of SGLT1, GLUT2 and PEPT1in the duodenum was more intense than in control rats. Taken together, the results indicate that changes in the small intestine observed in adulthood can be programmed during the gestation. In addition, they show that this response is caused by both up-regulation in transporter gene expression, a specific adaptation mechanism, and intestinal proliferation, an unspecific adaptation mechanism.

Prevention of Money Laundering and of the Financing of Terrorism to Ensure the Integrity of Financial Markets in Latin America and the Caribbean

This paper reviews the current status of the international fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism, highlighting the importance of its prevention for economic and financial stability in Latin America and the Caribbean. It synthesizes the recent history of international legislation and agreements with respect to the issues, and presents the framework of public and private sector actors engaged in combating these threats. It reviews Latin American and Caribbean countries’ compliance with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) (40 + 9) Recommendations, and analyzes the region’s performance with respect to their third round Mutual Evaluation Reports.