Evaluation and Diagnostic Potential of Serum Ghrelin in Feline Hypersomatotropism and Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND: Ghrelin is a growth hormone secretagogue. It is a potent regulator of energy homeostasis. Ghrelin concentration is down‐regulated in humans with hypersomatotropism (HS) and increases after successful treatment. Additionally, ghrelin secretion seems impaired in human diabetes mellitus (DM). HYPOTHESIS: Serum ghrelin concentration is down‐regulated in cats with HS‐induced DM (HSDM) compared to healthy control cats or cats with DM unrelated to HS and increases after radiotherapy. ANIMALS: Cats with DM (n = 20) and with HSDM (n = 32), 13 of which underwent radiotherapy (RT‐group); age‐matched controls (n = 20). METHODS: Retrospective cross‐sectional study. Analytical performance of a serum total ghrelin ELISA was assessed and validated for use in cats. Differences in serum ghrelin, fructosamine, IGF‐1 and insulin were evaluated. RESULTS: Ghrelin was significantly higher (P < .001) in control cats (mean ± SD: 12.9 ± 6.8 ng/mL) compared to HSDM‐ (7.9 ± 3.3 ng/mL) and DM‐cats (6.7 ± 2.3 ng/mL), although not different between the HSDM‐ and DM‐cats. After RT ghrelin increased significantly (P = .003) in HSDM‐cats undergoing RT (from 6.6 ± 1.9 ng/mL to 9.0 ± 2.2 ng/mL) and the after RT ghrelin concentrations of HSDM cats were no longer significantly different from the serum ghrelin concentration of control cats. Serum IGF‐1 did not significantly change in HSDM‐cats after RT, despite significant decreases in fructosamine and insulin dose. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Ghrelin appears suppressed in cats with DM and HSDM, although increases after RT in HSDM, suggesting possible presence of a direct or indirect negative feedback system between growth hormone and ghrelin. Serum ghrelin might therefore represent a marker of treatment effect

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase γ-deficient hearts are protected from the PAF-dependent depression of cardiac contractility

Objectives: Following an ischemic insult, cardiac contractile recovery might be perturbed by the release of autacoids, like platelet-activating factor (PAF), that depress heart function by acting through G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The signaling events downstream the PAF receptor that lead to the negative inotropic effect are still obscure. We thus investigated whether the GPCR-activated phosphoisositide 3-kinase γ (PI3Kγ) could play a role in the cardiac response to PAF. Methods: The negative inotropic effect of PAF was studied ex vivo, in isolated electrically driven atria and in Langendorff-perfused whole hearts derived from wild-type and PI3Kγ-null mice. Postischemic recovery of contractility was analyzed in normal and mutant whole hearts subjected to 30 min of ischemia and 40 min of reperfusion in the presence or absence of a PAF receptor antagonist. Results: While wild-type hearts stimulated with PAF showed increased nitric oxide (NO) production and a consequent decreased cardiac contractility, PI3Kγ-null hearts displayed reduced phosphorylation of nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3), blunted nitric oxide production and a complete protection from the PAF-induced negative inotropism. In addition, Langendorff-perfused PI3Kγ-null hearts showed a better contractile recovery after ischemia/reperfusion, a condition where PAF is known to be an important player in depressing contractility. In agreement with a role of PI3Kγ in this PAF-mediated signaling, postischemic contractile recovery in PI3Kγ-null mice appeared overlapping with that of normal hearts treated with the PAF receptor antagonist WEB 2170. Conclusion: These data indicate a novel PAF-dependent signaling pathway that, involving PI3Kγ and NOS3, contributes to postischemic contractile depressio

Ghrelin as a novel locally produced relaxing peptide of the iris sphincter and dilator muscles

Ghrelin is a recently described acylated peptide, which works as a somatosecretagogue and has described effects on the smooth, skeletal and cardiac muscle. We examined the production and effects of ghrelin on relaxation of the iris muscles. Contractile effects of 1-5 human ghrelin (frGhr, 10(-9)-6 x 10(-5)M) and 1-5 human des-octanoyl-ghrelin (d-frGhr; 10(-9)-6 x 10(-5)M) were tested on iris rabbit sphincter (n=11 frGhr; n=7 d-frGhr), dilator (n=6 frGhr; n=6 d-frGhr) and rat sphincter (n=6 frGhr; n=8 d-frGhr) precontracted muscles. On rabbit sphincter the effect of frGhr was also tested in presence of: i) L-NA (10(-5)M; n=7); ii) indomethacin (10(-5)M; n=7); iii) DLys(3)GHRP6 (10(-4)M; n=6); and iv) apamin+carybdotoxin (10(-6)M; n=6). Furthermore, on rabbit dilator the effect of frGhr was tested in presence of DLys(3)GHRP6 (10(-4)M; n=7). Finally, ghrelin mRNA production was assessed by "in situ" hybridization in Wistar rat eyes (n=8). In all muscles, frGhr promoted a concentration-dependent relaxation, maximal at 6 x 10(-5)M, 1.5-3 min after its addition, decreasing tension by 34.1+/-12.1%, 25.8+/-4.8% and 52.1+/-10.3% in the rabbit sphincter, dilator and rat sphincter, respectively. In the rabbit sphincter the relaxing effects of frGhr were: (i) enhanced in presence of DLys(3)GHRP6 (118.1+/-21.1%); (ii) blunted by indomethacin; and (iii) not altered by apamin+carybdotoxin (36.4+/-14.4%) or L-NA (52.4+/-11.4%). Relaxing effects of d-frGhr in rabbit (43.3+/-5.2%) and rat (77.1+/-15.3%) sphincter muscles were similar to those of frGhr. In rabbit dilator muscle, d-frGhr did not significantly alter active tension and the relaxing effect of frGhr was blunted by GHSR-1a blockage. Ghrelin mRNA was identified in iris posterior epithelium. In conclusion, ghrelin is a novel, locally produced, relaxing agent of iris dilator and sphincter muscles, an effect that is mediated by GHSR-1a in the former, but not in the latter. Furthermore, in the sphincter it seems to be mediated by prostaglandins, but not by NO or K(Ca) channels.Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (nr. POCI/SAU-FCF/60803/2004) through Cardiovascular R&D Unit (FCT nr. 51/94). Authors are sincerely grateful to RS. Moura (SFRH/BPD/15408/2005), Development Unit, Health and Life Sciences Institute, School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal for her excellent contribution in the in-situ hybridization techniques

Fasting and postprandial plasma ghrelin levels are decreased in patients with liver failure previous to liver transplantation

[Abstract] Anorexia is a problem of paramount importance in patients with advanced liver failure. Ghrelin has important actions on feeding and weight homeostasis. Concentrations of ghrelin are controversial in liver cirrhosis. Our aim was to study fasting ghrelin and their response to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in liver failure patients and normal subjects. Methods We included 16 patients with severe liver failure prior to liver transplantation. As a control group we included 10 age- and BMI-matched healthy subjects. After an overnight fast, 75 g of oral glucose were administered; glucose, insulin, and ghrelin were obtained at baseline and at times 30, 60, 90, and 120 min, respectively. Results Fasting ghrelin (median and range) were statistically significantly lower for patients compared to the controls, 527 (377–971) pg/ml vs. 643 (523–2163) pg/ml, P = 0.045, for patients and controls, respectively. The area under the curve for total ghrelin post-OGTT were lower in end-stage liver failure patients than in the control group, 58815 (44730–87420) pg/ml min vs. 76560 (56160–206385) pg/ml min, for patients and controls, respectively, P = 0.027. Conclusions Ghrelin levels are significantly decreased both fasting and post-OGTT in patients with liver failure candidates for transplantation. Decreased ghrelin levels could contribute to anorexia in patients with cirrhosis.Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI051024Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI070413Xunta de Galicia; PS07/12Xunta de Galicia; PGIDT05PXIC91605PNXunta de Galicia; INCITE08ENA916110E

Study of the stability of sliced cooked ham in modified atmosphere

Orientador: Expedito Tadeu Facco SilveiraDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de AlimentosResumo: Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a eficiência de sistemas de embalagem com atmosfera modificada na preservação da qualidade de presunto cozido fatiado. Para tanto, acompanhou-se a estabilidade do produto a 4 :t 1°C, acondicionado em uma embalagem barreira a gases denominada "master pack" , com três tipos de atmosferas modificadas (100% CO21 60% CO2 I 40% N2 e 25% CO2 I 75% Nz). Comparativamente, foi avaliada a estabilidade do produto no sistema convencional sob vácuo. Bandejas de poliestireno não expandido contendo cerca de 200g de presunto cozido fatiado foram acondicionadas em embalagens de um filme poliolefínico selado a quente, sendo denominadas como embalagens primárias. Em seguida, seis embalagens primárias, de presunto cozido fatiado, foram colocadas dentro de um saco barreira a gases chamado de "master pack" (embalagem secundária), constituído de polietileno de baixa densidade e copolímeros de etileno e álcool vinílico. A taxa de permeabilidade ao oxigênio do material foi de 1,87 cm3 (CNTP)/m2/atm/dia a 23°C e a seco. No produto convencional, as bandejas foram envoltas em um filme termo-encolhível. Periodicamente, os produtos foram avaliados quanto à qualidade sensorial (aparência e odor), qualidade microbiológica (contagens de enterobactérias, psicrotróficas aeróbias, bactérias lácticas e Pseudomonas sp.) e características físicas e químicas (coloração e pH). As embalagens com atmosfera modificada foram periodicamente avaliadas quanto à composição gasosa do espaço-livre. Não foram verificadas alterações físicas e químicas no presunto cozido fatiado, nos diversos sistemas de acondicionamento, durante os períodos estudados. A estabilidade do produto para cada sistema de acondicionamento foi determinada com base em alterações sensoriais, tendo sido definidas como limitantes as classificações: cor característica do presunto fresco e odor característico de presunto fresco moderados. A vida útil do presunto no sistema convencional sob vácuo foi de 15 dias e no final deste período, as contagens de enterobactérias, psicrotróficas aeróbias, bactérias lácticas e Pseudomonas sp. foram de 4,0 109 UFC/g, 5,1 109 UFC/g, 4,5 109 UFC/g e < 1 109 UFC/g, respectivamente. No produto em atmosfera de 25% CO2/75% N2, o período de vida útil foi de 22 dias, ao final da qual, o presunto apresentava contagens de enterobactérias, psicrotróficas aeróbias, bactérias lácticas e Pseudomonas sp. de < 1, 5,1, 4,5 e < 1 log UFC/g, respectivamente. Contudo, constatou-se um prolongamento significativo da durabilidade do presunto cozido fatiado quando acondicionado sob atmosferas contendo altas concentrações de gás carbônico, em relação ao sistema convencional, uma vez que o período de estabilidade determinado foi de 29 dias (aumento de 93,3%), para os produtos em atmosfera 100% CO2 e 60% CO2/ 40% N2. Quanto à ação bacteriostática do gás carbônico, comprovou-se retardamento no desenvolvimento de bactérias psicrotróficas aeróbias e inibição do crescimento de enterobactérias e Pseudomonas sp. quando a atmosfera foi de 100% CO2. Quando esta atmosfera foi de 60% CO2 I 40% N2, houve um retardamento tanto no desenvolvimento de psicrotróficas aeróbias como no de Pseudomonas sp., sendo que a contagem de Pseudomonas sp. foi de 4,7 log UFC/g, no 50° dia de estocagem e inibição do crescimento de enterobactérias. Com base nos resultados obtidos confirmou-se o efeito positivo do acondicionamento sob atmosfera modificada com gás carbônico na extensão da vida útil de presunto cozido fatiado, sendo mais eficiente o seu efeito quanto maior for a concentração desse gás no espaço-livreAbstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of packaging systems with modified atmosphere to preserve the quality of sliced cooked ham. Thus the quality stability of the product at 4 +/_:t 1°C, packed in a gas barrier package with three kinds of modified atmosphere (100% CO2, 60% CO2/40% N2 and 25% CO2 I 75% N2), was studied. The shelf-life of each condition of atmosphere was analysed. Comparatively, the shelf-life of the same product packed in conventional under vacuum was also evaluated. No expanded polystyrene trays with about 200g of sliced cooked ham were placed in a hot sealed poliolefinic film packages, nominated as primary packages. After that, six primary packages of sliced cooked ham were placed inside a barrier bag called "master pack" (secondary packages), formed of low density polyethylene and copolymer of ethylene vinylindene alcohol. The material permeability rates to oxygen was 1,87 cm3 (CNTP)/m2/atmlday at 23°C and dry. For the conventional product, the trays were wrapped in a thermoform film. The products were periodically evaluated as to their organoleptie quality (appearance and odour), microbiological quality (counts of Enterobacteriaceae, aerobic psychrotrophic microorganisms, lactic acid bacteria and Pseudomonas sp.) and physical and chemical characteristics (colour and pH). The headspace gas composition of the modified atmosphere packages were periodically evaluated. The cooked ham did not present any physical or chemical alteration in any of the packaging systems during the analysed period. The shelf-life for each packaging system was established based on organoleptic alterations that defined as the limitin classification: characteristic collor of the fresh ham and characteristic odour of the fresh ham moderates. The shelf life of the ham in the conventional under vacuum was 15 days. At the end of this period, the counts of Enterobacteriaceae, aerobic psychrotrophie microorganisms, ladie acid bacteria and Pseudomonas sp. were 4,0 log CFU/g, 5,1 log CFU/g, 4,5 log CFU/g and < 1 CFU/g, respectively. The product placed in a 25% CO2/75% N2 atmosphere, the shelf-life of the was 22 days and during this period, the counts of Enterobacteriaceae, aerobic psychrotrophie microorganisms, lactic acid bactería and Pseudomonas sp. were < 1, 5,1, 4,5 and < 1 109 CFU/g, respectively. higher it's effect. However, it was verified a significant shelf-life increase of sliced cooked ham in atmospheres with high concentrations of carbon dioxide in relation to the conventional under vacuum, as fo 11 ows: 29 days (93,3% increase) for products in 100% CO2 and 60% CO21 40% N2 atmosphere. Due to the bacteriostatic action of the carbon dioxide, the development of aerobic psychrotrophics microorganisms was retarded and the growth of Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas sp. was inhibited in the 100% CO2 atmosphere. When the atmosphere was 60% CO2 I 40% N2, the development of both aerobic psychrotrophic microorganisms and Pseudomonas was retarded, and the counts of Pseudomonas sp. was 4,7 log CFU/g, after 50 days of storage and the development of Enterobacteriaceae was inhibited. Based on the obtained results, it was confirmed the positive effect of the packaging in modified atmosphere with carbon dioxide on the shelf-life increase of sliced cooked ham. It has been proved that, the higher the concentration of carbon dioxide in the headspaceMestradoMestre em Tecnologia de Alimento

LOS CONTENIDOS DE LAS HISTORIAS INFANTILES COLABORAN EN LA FORMACIÓN DEL INTELECTO?

Antiguamente el niño no era visto como un ser que necesita de alimento literario especial para desenvolver su intelecto, pues siempre participaba de la costumbre de la comunidad, contar historias sin preocuparse con la edad del niño, porque estudios históricos dicen que, da Edad Media hasta el siglo XVIII, el niño era un pequeño adulto o mejor era un adulto en miniatura. Así, no era reservado ninguna pedagogía adaptada para su edad: era considerada como un ser ignorante que se diferenciaba del adulto por “saber menos cosas” y no como un ser que posee una forma de pensar singular

Literatura infantil & educación ambiental: contribución en la construcción de la identidad del ser humano

<p>O presente trabalho tem por objetivo descrever e comentar o panorama da Literatura Infantil no Brasil, principalmente na zona da Amazônia Legal, sempre tomando em conta a função que desempenha a Literatura Infantil ao enlaçar-se com a Educação Ambiental. Parte do conceito atual de Literatura, definida como uma disciplina que se ocupa do estudo dos textos que possuem uma preocupação estética, que provocam prazer e conhecimento por seu conteúdo, forma e organização, pode-se afirmar que, por ser uma expressão do homem, é um bom meio de comunicação, que explora todas as partes e alcances da linguagem. Assim, como expressão essencial do ser humano em suas relações com o outro e com o mundo (ou com a natureza em geral), conclui-se que a literatura destinada às crianças e aos jovens é um dos instrumentos de maior alcance para a urgente conscientização ecológica desse grupo social básico formado pelos futuros cidadãos de um país. A Pedagogia Moderna já demonstrou abundantemente que é através de atividades que envolvem o lúdico e a imaginação, o jogo ou o prazer de interatuar com algo, que os meninos assimilam o conhecimento do mundo que lhes é indispensável para construir seu espaço interior afetivo e para interagir racionalmente com o meio em que vivem.</p> <p><strong>Palavras-chave:</strong> literatura infantil; educação ambiental; leitura; conhecimento.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p