Thyroid function in post-weaning rats whose dams were fed a low-protein diet during suckling

This study was designed to evaluate the thyroid and pituitary hormone levels in post-weaning rats whose dams were fed a low-protein diet during suckling (21 days). The dams and pups were divided into 2 groups: a control group fed a diet containing 22% protein that supplies the necessary amount of protein for the rat and is the usual content of protein in most commercial rat chow, and a diet group fed a low-protein (8%) diet in which the protein was substituted by an isocaloric amount of starch. After weaning all dams and pups received the 22% protein diet. Two hours before sacrifice of pups aged 21, 30 and 60 days, a tracer dose (0.6 µCi) of 125I was injected (ip) into each animal. Blood and thyroid glands of pups were collected for the determination of serum T4, T3 and TSH and radioiodine uptake. Low protein diet caused a slight decrease in radioiodine uptake at 21 days, and a significant decrease in T3 levels (128 ± 14 vs 74 ± 9 ng/dl, P<0.05), while T4 levels did not change and TSH was increased slightly. At 30 days, T3 and TSH did not change while there was a significant increase in both T4 levels (4.8 ± 0.3 vs 6.1 ± 0.2 µg/dl, P<0.05) and in radioiodine uptake levels (0.34 ± 0.02 vs 0.50 ± 0.03%/mg thyroid, P<0.05). At 60 days serum T3, T4 and TSH levels were normal, but radioiodine uptake was still significantly increased (0.33 ± 0.02 vs 0.41 ± 0.03%/mg thyroid, P<0.05). Thus, it seems that protein malnutrition of the dams during suckling causes hypothyroidism in the pups at 21 days that has a compensatory mechanism increasing thyroid function after refeeding with a 22% protein diet. The radioiodine uptake still remained altered at 60 days, when all the hormonal serum levels returned to the normal values, suggesting a permanent change in the thyroid function

A map of Marco Polo's voyages & travels in the 13th century through a great part of Asia, all Tartary, the East India islands & part of Africa

Nimeketiedot nimiönkehyksissä

Carta particolare dell fine del Mare Baltico in sino all narue : la longitudine comincia da l'isola di Picho d'Asores [i.e. Pico Azores] : di Europa carta XXXXII

Julkaisussa: Dell' arcano del mare di Ruberto Dudleo ... parte seconda del tomo terzo contenente il libro sesto. Vol III

Effect of all-trans retinoic acid on newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia patients: results of a Brazilian center

Thirty-seven patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) were treated with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). Patients received 45 mg m-2 day-1 po of ATRA until complete remission (CR) was achieved, defined as: a) presence of less than 5% blasts in the bone marrow, with b) white blood cells >103/mm3, c) platelets >105/mm3 and d) hemoglobin concentration >8 g/dl, with no blood or platelet transfusions. Thirty-one (83.7%) patients achieved CR by day 50, and 75% of these before day 30. Correction of the coagulopathy, achieved between days 2 and 10 (mean, 3 days), was the first evidence of response to treatment. Only one patient had been previously treated with chemotherapy and three had the microgranular variant M3 form. Dryness of skin and mucosae was the most common side effect observed in 82% of the patients. Thrombosis, hepatotoxicity and retinoid acid syndrome (RAS) were observed in 7 (19%), 6 (16%) and 4 (11%) patients, respectively. Thirteen (35%) patients had to be submitted to chemotherapy due to hyperleukocytosis (above 40 x 103/mm3) and six of these presented with new signs of coagulopathy after chemotherapy. Four (11%) patients died secondarily to intracerebral hemorrhage (IH) and two (5.4%) dropped out of the protocol due to severe ATRA side effects (one RAS and one hepatotoxicity). RAS and IH were related strictly to hyperleukocytosis. The reduced use of platelets and fresh frozen plasma probably lowered the total cost of treatment. We conclude that ATRA is an effective agent for inducing complete remission in APL patients.

Carta delle Terre Polari Arctiche dalla Baja di Baffin all'Isola Baring : corretta sopra documenti officiali al 1853

Kartta kuuluu A. E. Nordenskiöldin kokoelmaan

Map illustrating the site of the harbours for the proposed Obi-railway : the soundings are all calculated in feet and are based upon the data of the Russian Marine Ministry : the underlined figures are soundings taken by the scooner Bakan, 1887

Kartta kuuluu A. E. Nordenskiöldin kokoelmaan

A new & accurate map of the North Pole with all the countries hitherto discovered situated near or adjacent to it as well as some others more remote. Drawn from the latest and best authorities and regulated by astronom.l observat.ns by Eman. Bowen.

0-meridiaani: Lontoo. - Koordinaattiasteikko: N90°-55°[50°].

An improved in vivo method for atrioventricular node ablation via thoracotomy

The atrioventricular (AV) node is permanently damaged in approximately 3% of congenital heart surgery operations, requiring implantation of a permanent pacemaker. Improvements in pacemaker design and in alternative treatment modalities require an effective in vivo model of complete heart block (CHB) before testing can be performed in humans. Such a model should enable accurate, reliable, and detectable induction of the surgical pathology. Through our laboratory’s efforts in developing a tissue engineering therapy for CHB, we describe here an improved in vivo model for inducing chronic AV block. The method employs a right thoracotomy in the adult rabbit, from which the right atrial appendage may be retracted to expose an access channel for the AV node. A novel injection device was designed, which both physically restricts needle depth and provides electrical information via electrocardiogram interface. This combination of features provides real-time guidance to the researcher for confirming contact with the AV node, and documents its ablation upon formalin injection. While all animals tested could be induced to acute AV block, those with ECG guidance were more likely to maintain chronic heart block >12 h. Our model enables the researcher to reproduce both CHB and the associated peripheral fibrosis that would be present in an open congenital heart surgery, and which would inevitably impact the design and utility of a tissue engineered AV node replacement.

Elevated levels of plasma osteoprotegerin are associated with all-cause mortality risk and atherosclerosis in patients with stages 3 to 5 chronic kidney disease

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) regulates bone mass by inhibiting osteoclast differentiation and activation, and plays a role in vascular calcification. We evaluated the relationship between osteoprotegerin levels and inflammatory markers, atherosclerosis, and mortality in patients with stages 3-5 chronic kidney disease. A total of 145 subjects (median age 61 years, 61% men; 36 patients on hemodialysis, 55 patients on peritoneal dialysis, and 54 patients with stages 3-5 chronic kidney disease) were studied. Clinical characteristics, markers of mineral metabolism (including fibroblast growth factor-23 [FGF-23]) and inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP] and interleukin-6 [IL-6]), and the intima-media thickness (IMT) in the common carotid arteries were measured at baseline. Cardiac function was assessed by color tissue Doppler echocardiography. After 36 months follow-up, the survival rate by Kaplan-Meier analysis was significantly different according to OPG levels (χ2=14.33; P=0.002). Increased OPG levels were positively associated with IL-6 (r=0.38, P<0.001), FGF-23 (r=0.26, P<0.001) and hsCRP (r=0.0.24, P=0.003). In addition, OPG was positively associated with troponin I (r=0.54, P<0.001) and IMT (r=0.39, P<0.0001). Finally, in Cox analysis, only OPG (HR=1.07, 95%CI=1.02-1.13) and hsCRP (HR=1.02, 95%CI=1.01-1.04) were independently associated with increased risk of death. These results suggested that elevated levels of serum OPG might be associated with atherosclerosis and all-cause mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Biological significance of miR-126 expression in atrial fibrillation and heart failure

We investigated the biological significance of microRNA-126 (miR-126) expression in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and/or heart failure (HF) to examine the possible mechanism of miR-126-dependent AF and development of HF. A total of 103 patients were divided into three groups: AF group (18 men and 17 women, mean age: 65.62±12.72 years), HF group (17 men and 15 women, mean age: 63.95±19.71 years), and HF-AF group (20 men and 16 women, mean age: 66.56±14.37 years). Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure relative miR-126 expression as calculated by the 2−ΔΔCt method. miR-126 was frequently downregulated in the 3 patient groups compared with controls. This reduction was significantly lower in permanent and persistent AF patients than in those with paroxysmal AF (P<0.05, t-test). Moreover, miR-126 expression was markedly lower in the HF-AF group compared with the AF and HF groups. The 3 patient groups had higher N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), larger left atrial diameter, and higher cardiothoracic ratio compared with controls. There were significant differences in NT-proBNP levels and LVEF among the AF, HF, and HF-AF groups. Pearson correlation analysis showed that relative miR-126 expression was positively associated with LVEF, logarithm of NT-proBNP, left atrial diameter, cardiothoracic ratio, and age in HF-AF patients. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that miR-126 expression was positively correlated with LVEF, but negatively correlated with the logarithm of NT-pro BNP and the cardiothoracic ratio (all P<0.05). Serum miR-126 levels could serve as a potential candidate biomarker for evaluating the severity of AF and HF. However, to confirm these results, future studies with a larger and diverse patient population are necessary.

Transplantation and survival of mouse inner ear progenitor/stem cells in the organ of Corti after cochleostomy of hearing-impaired guinea pigs: preliminary results

In mammals, damage to sensory receptor cells (hair cells) of the inner ear results in permanent sensorineural hearing loss. Here, we investigated whether postnatal mouse inner ear progenitor/stem cells (mIESCs) are viable after transplantation into the basal turns of neomycin-injured guinea pig cochleas. We also examined the effects of mIESC transplantation on auditory functions. Eight adult female Cavia porcellus guinea pigs (250-350g) were deafened by intratympanic neomycin delivery. After 7 days, the animals were randomly divided in two groups. The study group (n=4) received transplantation of LacZ-positive mIESCs in culture medium into the scala tympani. The control group (n=4) received culture medium only. At 2 weeks after transplantation, functional analyses were performed by auditory brainstem response measurement, and the animals were sacrificed. The presence of mIESCs was evaluated by immunohistochemistry of sections of the cochlea from the study group. Non-parametric tests were used for statistical analysis of the data. Intratympanic neomycin delivery damaged hair cells and increased auditory thresholds prior to cell transplantation. There were no significant differences between auditory brainstem thresholds before and after transplantation in individual guinea pigs. Some mIESCs were observed in all scalae of the basal turns of the injured cochleas, and a proportion of these cells expressed the hair cell marker myosin VIIa. Some transplanted mIESCs engrafted in the cochlear basilar membrane. Our study demonstrates that transplanted cells survived and engrafted in the organ of Corti after cochleostomy.

Check all that apply (CATA) as an instrument for the development of fish products

Abstract The objective of this paper is to develop a fish-based product. Through the innovative sensorial check all that apply (CATA) technique, employed in two stages of the development of the product – market research and the sensorial and hedonistic characterization of the final product – the aim was to develop a fish by-product that could respond to the needs of the consumer market. Results showed that the CATA technique is an important instrument for researching the consumer market and indicated the kind of fish by-product to be developed and its desired features. Nugget was the resulting by-product. The second application of CATA made possible the sensorial description of the by-product as being crisp, with little fish odor, light in color, well-seasoned and tasty. Therefore, the CATA technique proved to be an important research instrument in the fish consumption market as well as a quick technique for the complete description of fish nuggets.

Diferenciação de lotes de sementes de jacarandá-da-bahia (Dalbergia nigra (Vell.) Fr.All. ex Benth.) pelo teste de germinação em laboratório e viveiro

O desempenho germinativo de sementes de Dalbergia nigra (jacarandá-da-bahia) foi avaliado em laboratório e viveiro, com o objetivo de verificar a eficiência do teste de germinação em laboratório em predizer o comportamento de lotes de sementes em condições de viveiro. Para tanto sementes pertencentes a três lotes (anos de colheita: lote I - 1998, lote II - 1997 e lote III - 1994) foram utilizados para determinar os dados biométricos, teor de água, germinação, índice de velocidade e primeira contagem da germinação e porcentagem de plântulas normais em laboratório e emergência, índice de velocidade de emergência e porcentagem de plântulas normais em viveiro. Sementes pertencentes ao lote III apresentaram qualidade inferior aos lotes I e II, tanto em laboratório como em viveiro. Os altos valores do coeficiente de correlação simples entre as características avaliadas nas duas condições, evidenciam a eficiência do teste de germinação em laboratório em predizer o desempenho germinativo de sementes de jacarandá-da-bahia em viveiro.

Efeito do número de sementes e do volume de água na condutividade elétrica de sementes de Dalbergia nigra (Vell.) Fr.All. ex Benth.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivos verificar o efeito do número de sementes e do volume de água utilizada no teste de condutividade elétrica (CE) para avaliar o vigor de três lotes de sementes de Dalbergia nigra (jacarandá-da-bahia) e correlacionar esses resultados com os dados de germinação em laboratório e em viveiro. Os testes de germinação em laboratório e viveiro foram conduzidos com quatro repetições de 25 sementes. O teste de CE foi realizado com 25, 50 e 75 sementes embebidas a 75, 100 e 125ml de água, por diferentes períodos. A porcentagem de germinação e de plântulas normais em laboratório, indicaram o lote III como de qualidade inferior aos lotes I e II. A primeira contagem da germinação e o índice de velocidade de germinação em laboratório e a emergência, índice de velocidade de emergência e porcentagem de plântulas normais em viveiro identificaram o lote II como superior ao lote I e o III como inferior. A CE diminui com o aumento do volume de água e aumentou com o período de embebição. A diferenciação dos lotes foi mais eficiente, quando se utilizou 75ml de água deionizada e amostras de 50 sementes com pelo menos 36 horas de embebição, com valores de CE menores nos lotes I e II do que no lote II. Os coeficientes de correlação simples entre a CE e as demais características avaliadas, em laboratório e viveiro, foram elevados e significativos, evidenciando alta associação entre os mesmos. Assim, pode-se recomendar que o teste de CE seja conduzido a 25ºC, com amostras de 50 sementes embebidas em 75ml de água deionizada, por períodos iguais ou superiores a 36 horas de embebição, para determinar a qualidade fisiológica de lotes de sementes de jacarandá-da-bahia.

Adequação do teste de condutividade elétrica para determinar a qualidade fisiológica de sementes de jacarandá-da-bahia (Dalbergia nigra (Vell.) Fr.All. ex Benth.)

Para testar o efeito da temperatura e do tempo de embebição nos valores de condutividade elétrica e verificar sua aplicabilidade para determinar a qualidade fisiológica de sementes de Dalbergia nigra (jacarandá-da-bahia), foram utilizadas sementes colhidos em três anos (lote I _ 1998; lote II _ 1997 e lote III - 1994). Inicialmente determinou-se o teor de água e depois conduziu-se os testes de germinação em laboratório e viveiro, utilizando-se quatro repetições de 25 sementes. Para estudar a condutividade elétrica (CE) foram utilizadas quatro repetições de 50 sementes. Cada subamostra foi colocada em recipiente contendo 75ml de água deionizada, embebidas por 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 e 36 horas, a 20, 25 e 30ºC. Sementes do lote II apresentaram maiores valores na primeira contagem da germinação, diferindo significativamente dos demais lotes. O lote III apresentou qualidade inferior. Com o aumento do período e da temperatura de embebição ocorreu aumento nos valores de CE das sementes dos três lotes. O lote III mostrou qualidade fisiológica inferior a dos lotes I e II, que apresentaram valores mais elevados de CE. Não houve diferenciação entre os lotes I e II. Concluiu-se que o teste de CE foi eficiente para diferenciar os lotes de sementes de Dalbergia nigra, com alto grau de associação com o teste de germinação.