ROLE OF ADRENERGIC PATHWAYS OF THE MEDIAL PREOPTIC AREA IN ANGII-INDUCED WATER-INTAKE AND RENAL EXCRETION IN RATS

In this study, we investigated the participation of adrenergic neurotransmission in angiotensin II- (ANGII)-induced water intake and urinary electrolyte excretion by means of injection of the alpha(1)-, alpha(2)-, and beta-adrenoceptor antagonists and ANGII into the medial preoptic area (MPOA) in rats. Prazosin (an alpha(1)-adrenergic antagonist) antagonized the water ingestion, Na+, K+ and urine excretion induced by ANGII, whereas yohimbine (an alpha(2)-adrenergic antagonist) enhanced the Na+, K+ and urine excretion induced by ANGII. Propranolol (a nonselective beta-adrenoceptor blocker) antagonized the water ingestion and enhanced the Na+ and urine excretion induced by ANGII. Previous treatment with prazosin reduced the presser responses to ANGII, whereas yohimbine had opposite effects. Previous injection of propranolol produced no effects in the presser responses to ANGII. These results suggest that the adrenergic neurotransmission in the MPOA may actively participate in ANGII-induced dipsogenesis, natriuresis, kaliuresis and diuresis in a process that involves alpha(1)-, alpha(2)-, and beta-adrenoceptors.

Food intake and digestive efficiency in temperate wool and tropic semi-arid hair lambs fed different concentrate: forage ratio diets

This work was conducted to evaluate food intake and digestive efficiency of temperate wool and tropic semi-arid hair lambs, according to different concentrate: forage ratios in diet. Twenty-four lambs, averaging 90 +/- 1.8 days old and a mean body weight of 20 +/- 0.69 kg, 12 of them wool lambs, F, from Ideal x Ile de France crossing, and 12 others pure Santa Ines hair lambs, were distributed into a four replication 3 x 2 factorial arrangement consisting of three diets and two genotypes. Experimental diets consisted of: D1 = 60% concentrate mix (C) and 40% Cynodon sp. cv. Tifton-85 hay (F), D2 = 40% C and 60% F, and D3 = 20% C and 80% F. D1 was formulated for a daily gain of 300g per animal. Increasing forage levels in diets resulted in linear reductions (P < 0.01) in DM, OM, CP, TCH and metabolizable energy (ME) intake, and a linear increase (P < 0.01) in NDF ingestion. Tropic semi-arid hair lambs had higher DM, OM, NDF, CP, and TCH intake than temperate wool lambs. Although there were no genotype effects in OM and GE coefficient of digestibility, hair lambs showed more efficient (P < 0.05) digestibility of DM, CP, NDF and TCH. Increases in forage levels of diets corresponded to a negative linear effect (P < 0.01) in the apparent digestibility of DM, OM, CP, TCH and GE, while apparent digestibility of NDF increased linearly (P < 0.01). Total endogenous nitrogen (fecal plus urinary N) for F(1) Ideal x Ilede France wool and Santa Ines hair lambs were, respectively, 182 and 312 mg/kg(0.75) per day. Thus, Santa Ines tropic semi-arid hair lambs showed to be more responsive than F(1) Ideal x Ile de France temperate wool lambs to low quality fibrous diets. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Central moxonidine on water and NaCl intake

In this study we investigated: (a) the effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injections of moxonidine (an alpha(2)-adrenergic and imidazoline receptor agonist) on the ingestion of water and NaCl induced by 24 h of water deprivation; (b) the effects of i.c.v. injection of moxonidine on central angiotensin II (ANG II)- and carbachol-induced water intake; (c) the effects of the pre-treatment with i.c.v, idazoxan (an alpha(2)-adrenergic and imidazoline receptor antagonist) and RX 821002 (a selective alpha(2)-adrenergic antagonist) on the antidipsogenic action of central moxonidine. Male Holtzman rats had stainless steel cannulas implanted in the lateral cerebral ventricle. Intracerebroventricular injection of moxonidine (5 and 20 nmol/1 mu l) reduced the ingestion of 1.5% NaCl solution (4.1 +/- 1.1 and 2.9 +/- 2.5 ml/2 h, respectively vs. control = 7.4 +/- 2.1 ml/2 h) and water intake (2.0 +/- 0.6 and 0.3 +/- 0.2 ml/h, respectively vs. control = 13.0 +/- 1.4 ml/h) induced by water deprivation, Intracerebroventricular moxonidine (5 nmol/1 mu l) also reduced i.c.v. ANG Ii-induced water intake (2.8 +/- 0.9 vs. control = 7.9 +/- 1.7 ml/1 h) and i.c.v. moxonidine (10 and 20 nmol/1 mu l) reduced i.c.v. carbachol-induced water intake (4.3 +/- 1.7 and 2.1 +/- 0.9, respectively vs. control = 9.2 +/- 1.0 ml/1 h). The pre-treatment with i.c.v. idazoxan (40 to 320 nmol/1 mu l) abolished the inhibitory effect of i.c.v, moxonidine on carbachol-induced water intake. Intracerebroventricular idazoxan (320 nmol/1 mu l) partially reduced the inhibitory effect of moxonidine on water deprivation-induced water intake and produced only a tendency to reduce the antidipsogenic effect of moxonidine on ANG Ii-induced water intake. RX 821002 (80 and 160 nmol/1 mu l) completely abolished the antidipsogenic action of moxonidine on ANG Ii-induced water intake. The results show that central injections c: moxonidine strongly inhibit water and NaCl ingestion. They also suggest the involvement of central alpha(2)-adrenergic receptors in the antidipsogenic action of moxonidine. (C) 1999 Elsevier B.V.

Food and dietary fiber intake by children with or without constipation. Assessment according to the food guide pyramid and the American Health Foundation (AHF)

We studied the ingestion of 54 children with functional constipation (CC) and 41 without (Control), according to the Food Pyramid. A food frequency questionnaire was used, analyzing fruits with or without peel/bagasse, grains whole or refined, and beans separately. Total subjects and 2-6y CC ingested less DF (g/day) than Control (p < 0.05). The majority had high n degrees of dairy and of the meat group servings, but most groups/subgroups did not meet recommendation for fruit and vegetable. A greater proportion of fruit with peel/bagasse in Control than in CC was almost the only difference for 6-12y. There was a discrepancy between the high percentage of children with DF above AHF recommendation and the high percentage of children who did not meet Pyramid recommendations.

Histochemical and SEM evaluation of the neuromuscular junctions from alcoholic rats

In the present study morphological changes occurring in the neuromuscular junctions (NMJ) of the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscles from albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) submitted to experimental chronic alcoholism were evaluated. Seventy two male animals aged 4 months and weighing on average 400 g were divided into three groups: control, alcoholic and isocaloric. Six rats from each group were anesthetized and sacrificed after 5, 10, 15 and 18 months. The NMJ did not show detectable morphological changes in either muscle after treatment when examined by light microscopy. With respect to the dimensions, statistical analysis demonstrated a tendency to a statistically significant treatment x time interaction for the length of soleus muscle NMJ. The ultrastructural study, however, revealed that the NMJ of the soleus muscle of animals submitted to 18 months of experimental alcoholism presented important morphological alterations. Characteristically, the NMJ of these muscles is located on an elevation on the surface of the muscle fiber, presenting a regular round, oval or elliptical shape and continuous and not very deep synaptic grooves. Approximately 30% of the NMJ of alcoholic rats are irregular in shape, with the sarcolemmal elevations typical of the synapse region being flattened on at least one side, with discontinuous synaptic grooves, and deep and punctiform contacts of the synaptic buds. These data suggest that, although skeletal muscle has a greater natural resistance against the direct or indirect effects of alcohol, some submicroscopic morphological alterations are detectable in the NMJ, especially in muscles with oxidative metabolism (soleus) following long periods of ingestion of alcohol. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Molecular characterization of Hepatozoon canis in dogs from Colombia

Hepatozoonosis is a tick-borne disease whose transmission to dogs occurs by ingestion of oocysts infected ticks or feeding on preys infested by infected ticks. Until now, there is no previous report of molecular characterization of Hepatozoon sp. in dogs from Colombia. EDTA blood samples were collected from 91 dogs from central-western region of Colombia (Bogota, Bucaramanga, and Villavicencio cities) and submitted to 18S rRNA Hepatozoon sp. PCR and blood smears confection. Phylogenetic analysis was used to access the identity of Hepatozoon species found in sampled dogs. From 91 sampled dogs, 29 (31.8%) were positive to Hepatozoon sp. (25 dogs were only positive in PCR, 1 was positive only in blood smears, and 3 were positive in both blood smears and PCR). After sequencing, the found Hepatozoon sp. DNA showed 100% of identity with Hepatozoon canis DNA isolates. The phylogenetic tree supported the identity of the found Hepatozoon sp. DNA, showing that the isolates from Colombia were placed in the same clade than other H. canis isolates from Venezuela, Spain, and Taiwan. This is the first molecular detection of H. canis in dogs from Colombia.

Comparative effects of lantadene A and its reduced metabolite on mitochondrial bioenergetics

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

Effect of the insect growth regulator diflubenzuron on the predator Podisus nigrispinus (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) is a common natural predator of defoliating caterpillars in agricultural and forest systems. Insecticides acting as growth regulators of insect pests can indirectly affect their predators through consumption of contaminated prey. We examined the reproductive performance of P. nigrispinus fed on caterpillars of Anticarsia gemmatalis Hubner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) reared on soybean leaves exposed to the chitin synthesis inhibitor, diflubenzuron. Caterpillars of A. gemmatalis were fed for 12 h with treated soybean leaves and offered to adults of the predator P. nigrispinus over five consecutive days. The fertility of P. nigrispinus was reduced when feeding on diflubenzuron treated caterpillars, especially at the beginning of the reproductive period, but recovered 3 weeks later. The effects of diflubenzuron ingestion on the life table parameters of P. nigrispinus included an increase in the period taken to double the population size, and reductions in the intrinsic rate of population increase, generation duration, and net reproductive rate. Diflubenzuron therefore had an indirect negative effect on the reproduction and the population dynamics of the non-target predator P. nigrispinus. Clearly, its use in integrated pest management requires further evaluation.

Different substances and dry-needling injections in patients with myofascial pain and headaches

Trigger point injections with different solutions have been studied mainly with regard to the management of myofascial pain (MFP) patient management. However, few studies have analyzed their effect in a chronic headache population with associated MFP. The purpose of this study was to assess if trigger point injections using lidocaine associated with corticoid would be better than lidocaine alone, as in comparison with dry-needling in for the management of local pain and associated headache management. Forty-five (45) myofascial pain patients with headaches that could be reproduced by activating at least one trigger point, were randomly assigned into one of the three groups: G1, dry-needling, G2, 0.25% lidocaine, at 0.25% and G3, 0.25% lidocaine at 0.25% associated with corticoid, and were assessed during a 12 week period. Levels of pain intensity, frequency and duration, local post-injection sensitivity, obtainment time and duration of relief, and the use of rescue medication were evaluated. Statistically, all three groups showed favorable results for the evaluated requisites (p <= 0.05), but only for post-injection sensitivity did the association of lidocaine with corticoid present the best results and ingestion of rescue medication.

Serum Vitamins in Adult Patients With Short Bowel Syndrome Receiving Intermittent Parenteral Nutrition

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

Evaluation of uranium incorporation from contaminated areas using teeth as bioindicators - a case study

The Southwest region of the Bahia state in Brazil hosts the largest uranium reserve of the country (100 kton in uranium, only), plus the cities of Caetite, Lagoa Real and Igapora. In this work, aim was at the investigation of uranium burdens on residents of these cities by using teeth as bioindicators, as a contribution for possible radiation protection measures. Thus, a total of 41 human teeth were collected, plus 50 from an allegedly uranium free area (the control region). Concentrations of uranium in teeth from residents of 5- to 87-y old were determined by means of a high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The highest uranium concentration in teeth was measured from samples belonging to residents of Caetite (median equal to 16 ppb). Assuming that the uranium concentrations in teeth and bones are similar within 10-20% (for children and young adults), it concluded that uranium body levels in residents of Caetite are at least one order of magnitude higher than the worldwide average. This finding led to conclude that daily ingestion of uranium, from food and water, is equally high.

Resveratrol toxicity: Effects on risk factors for atherosclerosis and hepatic oxidative stress in standard and high-fat diets

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Macrophage suppression following phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils is mediated by the S100A9 calcium-binding protein

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Molecular and parasitological survey of Hepatozoon canis (Apicomplexa : Hepatozoidae) in dogs from rural area of São Paulo state, Brazil

Hepatozoon canis is a protozoan that infects dogs and is transmitted by the ingestion of the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Two distinct species of Hepatozoon genus can infect dogs, H. canis and H. americanum. Routine tests to detect the disease are based on direct examination of gametocytes on Giemsa-stained blood smears. The objectives of this study were the investigation of infection prevalence in rural area dogs, the comparison of diagnostics by blood smear examination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the association of infection with tick infestation. Blood smears, collected by puncture of the cephalic vein and ear margin capillary bed from 150 dogs, were examined. This technique detected 17 positive animals (11.3%), with 14 (9.3%) in peripheral blood and seven (4.7%) in cephalic vein blood. PCR tests detected 80 (53.3%) positive animals. R. sanguineus and Amblyomma spp. were found in 36 of the dogs (24%), in equal proportions. The identified species for Amblyomma genus were A. cajennense and A. ovale. Data analysis showed that PCR was much more sensitive when compared to blood smear examination. Hepatozoon species was previously identified as closely related to H. canis.

Molecular detection of Hepatozoon spp. in Brazilian and exotic wild carnivores

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