Melanin-concentrating hormone in peripheral circulation in the human

Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is a hypothalamic neuropeptide with a well-characterised role in energy homeostasis and emergent roles in diverse physiologic functions such as arousal, mood and reproduction. Work to date has predominantly focused on its hypothalamic functions using animal models; however, little attention has been paid to its role in circulation in humans. The aims of this study were to (a) develop a radioimmunoassay for the detection of MCH in human plasma; (b) establish reference ranges for circulating MCH and (c) characterise the pattern of expression of circulating MCH in humans. A sensitive and specific RIA was developed and cross-validated by RP-HPLC and MS. The effective range was 19.5–1248 pg MCH/mL. Blood samples from 231 subjects were taken to establish a reference range of 19.5–55.4 pg/mL for fasting MCH concentrations. There were no significant differences between male and female fasting MCH concentrations; however, there were correlations between MCH concentrations and BMI in males and females with excess fat (P < 0.001 and P = 0.020) and between MCH concentrations and fat mass in females with excess fat (P = 0.038). Plasma MCH concentrations rose significantly after feeding in a group of older individuals (n = 50, males P = 0.006, females P = 0.023). There were no robust significant correlations between fasting or post-prandial MCH and resting metabolic rate, plasma glucose, insulin or leptin concentrations although there were correlations between circulating MCH and leptin concentrations in older individuals (P = 0.029). These results indicate that the role of circulating MCH may not be reflective of its regulatory hypothalamic role

Production of single assai palm, Euterpe precatoria Mart., seedlings subjected to nitrogen and potassium doses.

Given the importance that the species Euterpe precatoria exerts on the market, tied to a few studies referring to the initial phase of the crop, the objective was to evaluate the production of seedlings of single assai palm (Euterpe precatoria Mart.) submitted to increasing doses of nitrogen and potassium. The seedlings were arranged in a randomized block design in a 5x5 factorial scheme. The first factor comprised nitrogen doses (0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 mg dm-3 of N) and the second potassium (0, 40, 80, 120, and 160 mg dm-3 of K), applied in installments, 20, 40 and 40%. Plant height (PH), stem diameter (SD), and the number of active leaves (NL) were evaluated at 90, 180, 240, and 300 days after pricking out, as well as ideal installment scans using the data obtained. Evaluations of the dry mass of the stipe (EDM), leaf (LDM), shoots (SDM), root (RDM), and total (TDM) were also evaluated at 300 days after pricking out, and the relationship between PH/SD and SDM/TDM was established. The data were submitted to univariate analysis and regression analysis. It was observed that the interaction between N x K was not significant, thus presenting the isolated effect of both. It was concluded that the K doses influence the stem diameter at 180 and 240 days and the PH/SD ratio. N presents increasing linear responses in almost all variables except PH/SD, and N split in the proportions of 30%, 30% and 40% for seedling production up to 300 days after pricking out is recommended

Consenso brasileiro para o tratamento da esclerose múltipla : Academia Brasileira de Neurologia e Comitê Brasileiro de Tratamento e Pesquisa em Esclerose Múltipla

O crescent arsenal terapêutico na esclerose múltipla (EM) tem permitido tratamentos mais efetivos e personalizados, mas a escolha e o manejo das terapias modificadoras da doença (TMDs) tem se tornado cada vez mais complexos. Neste contexto, especialistas do Comitê Brasileiro de Tratamento e Pesquisa em Esclerose Múltipla e do Departamento Científico de Neuroimunologia da Academia Brasileira de Neurologia reuniram-se para estabelecer este Consenso Brasileiro para o Tratamento da EM, baseados no entendimento de que neurologistas devem ter a possibilidade de prescrever TMDs para EM de acordo com o que é melhor para cada paciente, com base em evidências e práticas atualizadas. Por meio deste documento, propomos recomendações práticas para o tratamento da EM, com foco principal na escolha e no manejo das TMDs, e revisamos os argumentos que embasam as estratégias de tratamento na EM.The expanding therapeutic arsenal in multiple sclerosis (MS) has allowed for more effective and personalized treatment, but the choice and management of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) is becoming increasingly complex. In this context, experts from the Brazilian Committee on Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis and the Neuroimmunology Scientific Department of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology have convened to establish this Brazilian Consensus for the Treatment of MS, based on their understanding that neurologists should be able to prescribe MS DMTs according to what is better for each patient, based on up-to-date evidence and practice. We herein propose practical recommendations for the treatment of MS, with the main focus on the choice and management of DMTs, as well as present a review of the scientific rationale supporting therapeutic strategies in MS

Brazilian Consensus for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis: Brazilian Academy of Neurology and Brazilian Committee on Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis

ABSTRACT The expanding therapeutic arsenal in multiple sclerosis (MS) has allowed for more effective and personalized treatment, but the choice and management of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) is becoming increasingly complex. In this context, experts from the Brazilian Committee on Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis and the Neuroimmunology Scientific Department of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology have convened to establish this Brazilian Consensus for the Treatment of MS, based on their understanding that neurologists should be able to prescribe MS DMTs according to what is better for each patient, based on up-to-date evidence and practice. We herein propose practical recommendations for the treatment of MS, with the main focus on the choice and management of DMTs, as well as present a review of the scientific rationale supporting therapeutic strategies in MS

Stress neuropeptide levels in adults with chest pain due to coronary artery disease: potential implications for clinical assessment

: Substance P (SP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) are neuropeptides involved in nociception. The study of biochemical markers of pain in communicating critically ill coronary patients may provide insight for pain assessment and management in critical care. Purpose of the study was to to explore potential associations between plasma neuropeptide levels and reported pain intensity in coronary critical care adults, in order to test the reliability of SP measurements for objective pain assessment in critical care