Aspects of reproduction in pink dentex Dentex gibbosus (Rafinesque, 1810) from the Archipelago of Madeira in the northeast Atlantic

This work describes and identifies the macroscopic, and corresponding microscopic, changes of gonads through the annual reproductive cycle of pink dentex, Dentex gibbosus, from the Madeira Archipelago. This new contribution focused on validating a macroscopic maturity scale for this species using a histological technique. A total of 906 individuals were collected from waters around the Madeira Archipelago between September 1997 and December 2008. A six-stage maturity scale based on macroscopic characteristics was used to classify the gonads. The overall ratio of males to females was 1:1.12. The annual gonad development, together with the analysis of monthly indices (gonadosomatic and hepatoso-matic) and complementary histological observations allowed us to conclude that spawning takes place during the summer months, with a peak in May-June

Modeling the kinetics of peroxidase inactivation, colour and texture changes of Portuguese cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. costata DC) during UV-C light and heat blanching

The e ects of heat blanching and UV-C light followed by heat on Portuguese cabbage peroxidase (POD), colour and texture were studied in the temperature range of 80-95 °C. POD inactivation, lightness (L) and yellowness (b) colour changes were described by a rst-order reaction model. The greenness (a) colour and texture ( rmness) changes followed a two fraction kinetic model behaviour. The temperature e ect was well described by the Arrhenius law. At lower temperatures the combined treatment showed higher POD inactivation. Colour and texture parameters did not show signi cant di erences between treatments. Long processing times turned the leaves slightly darker, decreased greenness, yellowness and rmness. Short processing times increased the rmness and greenness of the leaves. The treatment at 80 °C for 90 seconds reduced 90% of POD, retaining 98% of lightness and 92% of yellowness and improved the green colour (130%) and rmness (125%). At 80 °C the heat blanching required 7.4 min to inactivate 90% of the enzyme activity, reducing lightness, greenness, yellowness and rmness to 92%, 68%, 62% and 61%, respectively. The present ndings will help to optimize the Portuguese cabbage blanching conditions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Índice de massa corporal para predizer hiperglicemia e alterações lipídicas em adolescentes brasileiros

OBJECTIVE: To determine the best cut-offs of body mass index for identifying alterations of blood lipids and glucose in adolescents. METHODS: A probabilistic sample including 577 adolescent students aged 12-19 years in 2003 (210 males and 367 females) from state public schools in the city of Niterói, Southeastern Brazil, was studied. The Receiver Operating Characteristic curve was used to identify the best age-adjusted BMI cut-off for predicting high levels of serum total cholesterol (&gt;150mg/dL), LDL-C (&gt;100mg/dL), serum triglycerides (&gt;100mg/dL), plasma glucose (&gt;100mg/dL) and low levels of HDL-C (< 45mg/dL). Four references were used to calculate sensitivity and specificity of BMI cut-offs: one Brazilian, one international and two American. RESULTS: The most prevalent metabolic alterations (&gt;50%) were: high total cholesterol and low HDL-C. BMI predicted high levels of triglycerides in males, high LDL-C in females, and high total cholesterol and the occurrence of three or more metabolic alterations in both males and females (areas under the curve range: 0.59 to 0.67), with low sensitivity (57%-66%) and low specificity (58%-66%). The best BMI cut-offs for this sample (20.3 kg/m² to 21.0 kg/m²) were lower than those proposed in the references studied. CONCLUSIONS: Although BMI values lower than the International cut-offs were better predictor of some metabolic abnormalities in Brazilian adolescents, overall BMI is not a good predictor of these abnormalities in this population.OBJETIVO: Determinar los mejores puntos de corte del índice de masa corporal (IMC) para identificar alteraciones en el perfil lipémico y glicérico en adolescentes. MÉTODOS: Fueron evaluados 577 adolescentes de 12 a 19 años (210 niños y 367 niñas) en una muestra probabilística de estudiantes de escuelas estaduales de la ciudad de Niteroi, Sureste de Brasil, en 2003. Fue utilizada una curva Receiver Operating Characteristic para identificar el mejor punto de corte, ajustado a la edad, para predecir valores elevados de colesterol total sérico (=150mg/dL), LDL-C (=100mg/dL), triglicéridos (=100mg/dL), glicosis plasmática (&gt;100mg/dL) y bajos valores de HDL-C (OBJETIVO: Determinar os melhores pontos de corte do índice de massa corporal (IMC) para identificar alterações no perfil lipêmico e glicêmico em adolescentes. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 577 adolescentes de 12 a 19 anos (210 meninos e 367 meninas) em uma amostra probabilística de estudantes de escolas estaduais da cidade de Niterói (RJ), em 2003. Foi utilizada a curva Receiver Operating Characteristic para identificar o melhor ponto de corte, ajustado para idade, para predizer valores elevados de colesterol total sérico (&gt;150mg/dL), LDL-C (&gt;100mg/dL), triglicérides (&gt;100mg/dL), glicose plasmática (&gt;100mg/dL) e baixos valores de HDL-C

Ionic Components of Electric Current at Rat Corneal Wounds

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Efeito hipoglicemiante de um extracto aquoso de Cytisus multiflorus

Actualmente o interesse pelas plantas medicinais tem vindo a aumentar pois estas apresentam diversas actividades farmacológicas, entre as quais se inclui o efeito anti-diabético. A flora nativa portuguesa inclui várias plantas às quais se atribuem propriedades hipoglicemiantes, sem que estas tenham, no entanto, sido ainda cientificamente demonstradas. O objectivo deste trabalho foi estudar a possível acção hipoglicemiante de Cytisus Multiflorus, uma planta da flora portuguesa tradicionalmente usada como agente etnofarmacológico no tratamento da diabetes (1). O efeito do extracto aquoso de C. multiflorus foi avaliado em roedores que apresentaram anomalias das curvas de tolerância à glicose oral, seleccionados duma colónia de ratos Wistar. O extracto foi preparado a partir das extremidades florais da planta com água por refluxo durante 10 min. O extracto foi filtrado e seco em evaporador rotativo sob pressão e foi armazenado a 4Cº até posterior administração aos animais. Prepararam-se cinco grupos de cinco fêmeas que foram diariamente administrados, com sonda gástrica, com soro fisiológico (controlo negativo), glicazida (controlo positivo) e três doses diferentes de extracto aquoso da planta (40, 110 e 220mg/Kg), durante 28 dias. As glicemias em jejum e pós-prandiais foram medidas durante o teste. No fim do teste, determinaram-se as insulinemias pós-prandiais e foram avaliados alguns indicadores serológicos e histológicos de toxicidade. Em resposta ao tratamento com o extracto de C. multiflorus, observou-se uma diminuição significativa das glicemias pós-prandeais dependente da dose. O extracto induziu um aumento dependente da dose das insulinemias pós-prandiais. O efeito máximo do extracto de C. multiflorus foi semelhante ao observado em resposta à administração de glicazida. As glicemias em jejum não foram significativamente alteradas. Em conclusão, o extracto aquoso teve um efeito hipoglicemiante, provavelmente devido à estimulação da secreção de insulina, comprovando-se a sua validade como agente etnofarmacológico para o controlo da diabetes tipo 2. Agradecimentos: Este trabalho foi apoiado pelo ICAAM e pelo CNC. Referências: 1. Camejo-Rodrigues J. et al. (2003). J. Ethnopharmacol, 89, 199-209

Seasonal sensory evaluation of low commercial value or unexploited fish species from the Portuguese coast

Overfishing is increasing over time, and according to FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), about one third of the world’s fish stocks are now overfished. Thus, diversifying the target species is essential for fisheries sustainability contributing to improve resource-effcient processes. Non-target species can be valuable resources for the development of new food products. However, those species are scarcely studied, and it is of high importance to trace their seasonal sensory profile as a first step towards their valorisation. Therefore, in this study, seasonal influence on sensory properties of five low commercial value or unexploited fish species, namely Trachurus picturatus (blue jack mackerel), Spondyliosoma cantharus (black seabream), Trigla lyra (piper gurnard), Serranus cabrilla (comber) and Capros aper (boarfish), was assessed in order to identify the most favourable season for catching each species. Fish samples were assessed by a panel of 16 semi-trained assessors for sensory attributes previously identified. The evaluation takes place every 2 months. Statistical differences were reported between attributes and seasons for all species, except for T. lyra, which did not present any di erence in its sensory attributes throughout the year.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Neuronal deletion of GSK3beta increases microtubule speed in the growth cone and enhances axon regeneration via CRMP-2 and independently of MAP1B and CLASP2

BACKGROUND: In the adult central nervous system, axonal regeneration is abortive. Regulators of microtubule dynamics have emerged as attractive targets to promote axonal growth following injury as microtubule organization is pivotal for growth cone formation. In this study, we used conditioned neurons with high regenerative capacity to further dissect cytoskeletal mechanisms that might be involved in the gain of intrinsic axon growth capacity. RESULTS: Following a phospho-site broad signaling pathway screen, we found that in conditioned neurons with high regenerative capacity, decreased glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) activity and increased microtubule growth speed in the growth cone were present. To investigate the importance of GSK3β regulation during axonal regeneration in vivo, we used three genetic mouse models with high, intermediate or no GSK3β activity in neurons. Following spinal cord injury, reduced GSK3β levels or complete neuronal deletion of GSK3β led to increased growth cone microtubule growth speed and promoted axon regeneration. While several microtubule-interacting proteins are GSK3β substrates, phospho-mimetic collapsin response mediator protein 2 (T/D-CRMP-2) was sufficient to decrease microtubule growth speed and neurite outgrowth of conditioned neurons and of GSK3β-depleted neurons, prevailing over the effect of decreased levels of phosphorylated microtubule-associated protein 1B (MAP1B) and through a mechanism unrelated to decreased levels of phosphorylated cytoplasmic linker associated protein 2 (CLASP2). In addition, phospho-resistant T/A-CRMP-2 counteracted the inhibitory myelin effect on neurite growth, further supporting the GSK3β-CRMP-2 relevance during axon regeneration. CONCLUSIONS: Our work shows that increased microtubule growth speed in the growth cone is present in conditions of increased axonal growth, and is achieved following inactivation of the GSK3β-CRMP-2 pathway, enhancing axon regeneration through the glial scar. In this context, our results support that a precise control of microtubule dynamics, specifically in the growth cone, is required to optimize axon regrowth

Insights into the posttranslational structural heterogeneity of thyroglobulin and its role in the development, diagnosis, and management of benign and malignant thyroid diseases

Thyroglobulin (Tg) is the major glycoprotein produced by the thyroid gland, where it serves as a template for thyroid hormone synthesis and as an intraglandular store of iodine. Measurement of Tg levels in serum is of great practical importance in the follow-up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC), a setting in which elevated levels after total thyroidectomy are indicative of residual or recurrent disease. The most recent methods for serum Tg measurement are monoclonal antibody-based and are highly sensitive. However, major challenges remain regarding the interpretation of the results obtained with these immunometric methods, particularly in patients with endogenous antithyroglobulin antibodies or in the presence of heterophile antibodies, which may produce falsely low or high Tg values, respectively. The increased prevalence of antithyroglobulin antibodies in patients with DTC, as compared with the general population, raises the very pertinent possibility that tumor Tg may be more immunogenic. This inference makes sense, as the tumor microenvironment (tumor cells plus normal host cells) is characterized by several changes that could induce posttranslational modification of many proteins, including Tg. Attempts to understand the structure of Tg have been made for several decades, but findings have generally been incomplete due to technical hindrances to analysis of such a large protein (660 kDa). This review article will explore the complex structure of Tg and the potential role of its marked heterogeneity in our understanding of normal thyroid biology and neoplastic processes.FapespCNPqCapesUniv Fed Sao Paulo EPM Unifesp, Escola Paulista Med, Lab Endocrinol Mol & Translac, Div Endocrinol & Metab,Dept Med, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Mato Grosso do Sul UFMS, Fac Med Famed, Dept Med, Clin Integrada 5,Endocrinol & Metab, Campo Grande, MS, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, EPM, Dept Bioquim, Div Mol Biol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo EPM Unifesp, Escola Paulista Med, Lab Endocrinol Mol & Translac, Div Endocrinol & Metab,Dept Med, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, EPM, Dept Bioquim, Div Mol Biol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Values and believes parental: theoretical considerations

O contexto cultural permite o acúmulo de informações dentro de um grupo que se reflete em crenças e práticas. Compreender a relação entre a natureza humana e cultura é uma questão complexa e necessária para a compreensão do comportamento. Ampliar pesquisas enfocando a complexa relação entre o biológico e o social promove um melhor entendimento sobre o desenvolvimento, o que significa que estudar crenças e práticas permite entender melhor a relação entre o homem e a cultura e, conseqüentemente, compreender melhor o comportamento humano. A importância do estudo de crenças parentais para a compreensão do desenvolvimento humano mostra que os sistemas de crenças parentais têm emergido como um campo de estudo relevante para a compreensão do desenvolvimento por estar diretamente vinculado ao estilo de cuidado dispensado à criança.The cultural context allows the gathering of information inside a group, and this is reflected on beliefs and practices. To understand the relationship between human nature and culture is a complex and necessary task for the comprehension of behavior. The conduction of more research studies focusing on the complex relationship between the social and the biological promotes a better understanding of development, which means that the study of beliefs and practices allows us to deepen our understanding of the relationship between men and culture and, consequently, to better understand human behavior. Thus, the study of parental beliefs is important to the comprehension of human development because it is directly linked with the style of child care

Survey on reporting of epithelial cells in urine sediment as part of external quality assessment programs in Brazilian laboratories

Epithelial cells (ECs) are structures regularly observed during urine microscopy analysis. The correct identification of EC subtypes can be useful since renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) are clinically relevant. We investigate the urinary ECs report and the judgement of its clinical importance by Brazilian laboratories. A survey with four questions was made available to participants of the Urinalysis External Quality Assessment Program (EQAP) from Controllab. Laboratories composed 3 groups: (1) differentiating ECs subtypes: “squamous”, “transitional” and “RTECs”; (2) differentiating ECs subtypes: “squamous” or “non-squamous” cells; (3) without ECs subtype identification. Participants did not necessarily answer to all questions and the answers were evaluated both within the same laboratory’s category and within different categories of laboratories. A total of 1336 (94%) laboratories answered the survey; Group 1, 119/140 (85%) reported that ECs differentiation is important to the physician and 62% want to be evaluated by EQAP, while in Group 3, 455/1110 (41%) reported it is useful to them, however only 25% want be evaluated by EQAP. Group 2 laboratories 37/51 (73%) reported that the information is important, but only 13/52 (25%) are interested in an EQAP with differentiation of the 3 ECs subtypes. Most of the laboratories do not differentiate ECs in the three subtypes, despite the clinical importance of RTECs. Education of laboratory staff about the clinical significance of urinary particles should be considered a key priority