Reduced cortical renal GLUT1 expression induced by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition in diabetic spontaneously hypertensive rats

Diabetes in spontaneously hypertensive rats is associated with cortical renal GLUT1 and GLUT2 overexpression. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of the angiotensin-converting enzyme blockade on cortical renal GLUT1 and GLUT2 expression, urinary albumin and urinary TGF-&#946;1. Streptozotocin, 50 mg/kg, or citrate buffer (N = 16) was administered as a single injection into the tail vein in adult spontaneously hypertensive rats (~260 g). Thirty days later, these diabetic spontaneously hypertensive rats received ramipril by gavage: 0.01 mg·kg-1·day-1 (D0.01, N = 14), 1 mg·kg-1·day-1 (D1, N = 9) or water (D, N = 11) for 15 days. Albumin and TGF-&#946;1 (24-h urine), direct arterial pressure, renal tissue angiotensin-converting enzyme activity (fluorometric assay), and GLUT1 and GLUT2 protein levels (Western blot, renal cortex) were determined. Glycemia and glycosuria were higher (P < 0.05) in the diabetic rats compared with controls, but similar between the diabetic groups. Diabetes in spontaneously hypertensive rats lowered renal tissue angiotensin-converting enzyme activity (40%), which was reduced further when higher ramipril doses were used. Diabetes associated with hypertension raised GLUT1 by 28% (P < 0.0001) and GLUT2 by 76% (P = 0.01), and both doses of ramipril equally reduced cortical GLUT1 (D vs D1 and vs D0.01, P &#8804; 0.001). GLUT2 levels were reduced in D0.01 (P < 0.05 vs D). Diabetes increased urinary albumin and TGF-&#946;1 urinary excretion, but the 15-day ramipril treatment (with either dose) did not reduce them. In conclusion, ramipril is effective in lowering renal tissue angiotensin-converting enzyme activity, as well as blocking cortical GLUT1 overexpression, which may be beneficial in arresting the development of diabetic nephropathy

Valores econômicos para características produtivas de ovinos: desenvolvimento de objetivos e critérios de seleção em sistemas de produção baseados em pastagem nativa no bioma Pampa do Brasil.

Resumo: O presente estudo visa contribuir para o desenvolvimento de programas de melhoramento genético estimando ponderadores econômicos para características produtivas em ovinos criados no sul do Brasil. Foi desenvolvido modelo bio-econômico baseado nos sistemas de produção, por meio de entrevistas com produtores, revisão bibliográfica e análises do mercado atual. Foram calculados os valores econômicos para as características características reprodutivas, de sobrevivência, crescimento, lã, sanidade e de carcaça. As características de maior importância econômica foram Taxa de Parição, Prolificidade, Mortalidade dos cordeiros e Número de partos por ano, com ponderadores econômicos estimados de 0,85 e -0,85. Embora as características reprodutivas tenham baixa herdabilidade, dada à importância econômica, justifica-se o investimento na seleção de animais geneticamente superiores nas mesmas, uma vez que estas características representaram uma importância de 25, 82, 76, 99 e 49% a mais que o grupo das características de sobrevivência, crescimento, lã e sanidade, respectivamente. Economic values for traits of sheep: Influence on the objectives and criteria for selection in production systems based on native pasture in the Pampa biome of Brazil. Abstract: The present study aims to contribute to the development of breeding programs estimate economic weights for traits in sheep reared in southern Brazil. Model bio-economic was developed based on the production systems, trough interviews with producers, literature review and analysis of the current market. Values were calculated for the economic characteristics reproductive traits, survival, growth, wool, health and carcass. The major characters of economic importance were calving rate, litter size, mortality of lambs and number of births per year, with estimated economic weights of 0,85 and -0,85. Although reproductive traits have low heritability, given the economic importance justified the investment in the selection of genetically superior animals in them, since these characteristics represented an amount of 25, 82, 76, 99 and 49% more than the characteristics of survival, growth, wool and health, respectively

Platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: The role of platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients is highly controversial and it is not endorsed by current guidelines. Our meta-analysis aimed to better elucidate its activity, efficacy and safety. Material and methods: A systematic search of Medline, Web of Science and conferences proceedings up to 30 October 2017 was carried out to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating platinum-based versus platinum-free neoadjuvant chemotherapy in TNBC patients. Using the fixed and random effects models, pooled odds ratios (ORs) and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for pathological complete response (pCR, defined as ypT0/is pN0), event-free survival (EFS), overall survival (OS) and grade 3 and 4 adverse events (AEs: neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia and neuropathy). Results: Nine RCTs (N \ubc 2109) were included. Overall, platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy significantly increased pCR rate from 37.0% to 52.1% (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.46\u20132.62, P &lt; 0.001). Platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy remained significantly associated with increased pCR rate also after restricting the analysis to the three RCTs (N \ubc 611) that used the same standard regimen in both groups of weekly paclitaxel (with or without carboplatin) followed by anthracycline and cyclophosphamide (OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.37\u20134.66, P \ubc 0.003). Conversely, among the 96 BRCA-mutated patients included in two RCTs, the addition of carboplatin was not associated with significantly increased pCR rate (OR 1.17, 95% CI 0.51\u20132.67, P \ubc 0.711). Two RCTs (N \ubc 748) reported survival outcomes: no significant difference in EFS (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.49\u20131.06, P \ubc 0.094) and OS (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.46\u20131.63, P \ubc 0.651) was observed. A significant higher risk of grade 3 and 4 hematological AEs, with no increased risk of grade 3 and 4 neuropathy was observed with platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusion: In TNBC patients, platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy is associated with significantly increased pCR rates at the cost of worse hematological toxicities. Platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy may be considered an option in TNBC patients

Derivação de valores econômicos para critérios de seleção em sistemas de produção de cria.

CONGREGA

Derivação de valores econômicos estimados para critérios de seleção em sistemas de produção de ciclo completo no Sul do Brasil.

CONGREGA

Trypanosoma cruzi Immune Response Modulation Decreases Microbiota in Rhodnius prolixus Gut and Is Crucial for Parasite Survival and Development

Trypanosoma cruzi in order to complete its development in the digestive tract of Rhodnius prolixus needs to overcome the immune reactions and microbiota trypanolytic activity of the gut. We demonstrate that in R. prolixus following infection with epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi clone Dm28c and, in comparison with uninfected control insects, the midgut contained (i) fewer bacteria, (ii) higher parasite numbers, and (iii) reduced nitrite and nitrate production and increased phenoloxidase and antibacterial activities. In addition, in insects pre-treated with antibiotic and then infected with Dm28c, there were also reduced bacteria numbers and a higher parasite load compared with insects solely infected with parasites. Furthermore, and in contrast to insects infected with Dm28c, infection with T. cruzi Y strain resulted in a slight decreased numbers of gut bacteria but not sufficient to mediate a successful parasite infection. We conclude that infection of R. prolixus with the T. cruzi Dm28c clone modifies the host gut immune responses to decrease the microbiota population and these changes are crucial for the parasite development in the insect gut

Iniciativas e experiências em Recursos Abertos Educacionais (REA) no ensino superior

[PT]—Em uma sociedade globalizada, interconectada, em rede, onde a informação e o conhecimento são um diferencial, fazse necessário que o direito à educação com qualidade seja universalizado. Os Recursos Educacionais Abertos (REA) são materiais dos alunos, professores e pesquisadores na WEB, amparados por licenças, que auxiliam na criação, uso, reuso, remixagem, disseminação e compartilhamento do conhecimento, auxiliando os processos de ensino e aprendizagem. O objetivo deste é conhecer de que maneira autores têm tratado a educação aberta na atualidade – como um movimento coletivo, de pessoas e instituições públicas e privadas - em seus projetos, programas e materiais educacionais e na promoção de ações voltadas à construção de conhecimento - que tornem a educação mais acessível para todos. É relevante refletir, discutir e trazer à luz novos conteúdos que demonstrem a variação que existe sobre a utilização conceitual do REA, tanto em terminologias como nas práticas, principalmente no âmbito do ensino superior, transformando dessa maneira às concepções de tempo e espaço educacionais