Brazilian Beef Export: Traceability as a Production Chain Management Tool

This study aimed at searching the Brazilian beefproduction chain actors perception about SISBOV and theconsequences that traceability system has brought to theBrazilian beef producers exporting to the EU. For that purpose itwas used the Collective Subject Discourse qualiquantitativemethodology, tool that allows making it known the collectiveopinion about a specific subject. The survey was based upon asample of thirty-four persons, both genders, most of them with ahigh level of education, belonging to five different categories ofactors related to the cattle production in Brazil: farmers,slaughterhouses, certifying companies, class associations andgovernmental regulatory organizations. Results have shown thatSISBOV is perceived as a feasible traceability system forwealthier farmers dealing with exports, considering the criticalcosts for certifying the farms without revenue guarantee, due tothe slaughterhouses monopoly power. As an advantage, SISBOVis perceived as a better way of managing the farms, promotingthe cattle sanitary quality. Nevertheless, it must be pointed outthat the traceability exigencies from several countries puttogether tarifary barriers that contradict the free tradeapproach, also taking into account the lower disease prevalencein extensive cattle growing as it is observed in Brazil

A serum-free media formulation for cultured meat production supports bovine satellite cell differentiation in the absence of serum starvation

Cultured meat production requires the robust differentiation of satellite cells into mature muscle fibres without the use of animal-derived components. Current protocols induce myogenic differentiation in vitro through serum starvation, that is, an abrupt reduction in serum concentration. Here we used RNA sequencing to investigate the transcriptomic remodelling of bovine satellite cells during myogenic differentiation induced by serum starvation. We characterized canonical myogenic gene expression, and identified surface receptors upregulated during the early phase of differentiation, including IGF1R, TFRC and LPAR1. Supplementation of ligands to these receptors enabled the formulation of a chemically defined media that induced differentiation in the absence of serum starvation and/or transgene expression. Serum-free myogenic differentiation was of similar extent to that induced by serum starvation, as evaluated by transcriptome analysis, protein expression and the presence of a functional contractile apparatus. Moreover, the serum-free differentiation media supported the fabrication of three-dimensional bioartificial muscle constructs, demonstrating its suitability for cultured beef production.Bovine satellite cells undergoing myogenic differentiation in a chemically defined, serum-free medium are comparable to those undergoing serum starvation-demonstrating the suitability of this formulation for cultured meat production

Adolescents with HIV and facial lipoatrophy: response to facial stimulation

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effects of facial stimulation over the superficial muscles of the face in individuals with facial lipoatrophy associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and with no indication for treatment with polymethyl methacrylate. METHOD: The study sample comprised four adolescents of both genders ranging from 13 to 17 years in age. To participate in the study, the participants had to score six or less points on the Facial Lipoatrophy Index. The facial stimulation program used in our study consisted of 12 weekly 30-minute sessions during which individuals received therapy. The therapy consisted of intra- and extra-oral muscle contraction and stretching maneuvers of the zygomaticus major and minor and the masseter muscles. Pre- and post-treatment results were obtained using anthropometric static measurements of the face and the Facial Lipoatrophy Index. RESULTS: The results suggest that the therapeutic program effectively improved the volume of the buccinators. No significant differences were observed for the measurements of the medial portion of the face, the lateral portion of the face, the volume of the masseter muscle, or Facial Lipoatrophy Index scores. CONCLUSION: The results of our study suggest that facial maneuvers applied to the superficial muscles of the face of adolescents with facial lipoatrophy associated with HIV improved the facial area volume related to the buccinators muscles. We believe that our results will encourage future research with HIV patients, especially for patients who do not have the possibility of receiving an alternative aesthetic treatment

[Survival and risk factors for neonatal mortality in a cohort of very low birth weight infants in the southern region of São Paulo city, Brazil].

Population studies can help identify the complex set of risk factors for neonatal mortality among very low birth weight infants. A cohort (2000-2001) of 213 live newborns with birth weight < 1,500g in the southern region of São Paulo city, Brazil, was studied (112 neonatal deaths and 101 survivors). Data were obtained from home interviews and hospital records. Survival analysis and multiple Cox regression were performed. The high mortality in the delivery room and in the first day of life among neonates < 1,000g and < 28 weeks gestational age and the absence of survival in neonates < 700g suggest that care was actively oriented towards newborns with better prognosis. Increased risk of neonatal mortality was associated with maternal residence in slum areas, history of previous cesarean(s), history of induced abortion(s), adolescent motherhood, vaginal bleeding, and lack of prenatal care. Cesarean section and referral of the newborn to the hospital nursery showed protective effects. Birth weight less than 1,000g and Apgar index < 7 were associated with increased risk. The high mortality was due to poor living conditions and to maternal and neonatal characteristics. Improvement in prenatal and neonatal care could reduce neonatal mortality in these infants

Caracterização morfológica de solos sódicos em diferentes paleodiques no pantanal norte.

O Pantanal é considerado a maior planície continental inundável do mundo, englobando diferentes habitats, sustentando grande diversidade vegetal e de solos, se destacando os solos sódicos (Planossolos e Luvissolos). Tais solos têm grande importância econômica, social e ambiental para a região, pois se situam em antigos diques (paleodiques) que atualmente constituem as áreas mais elevadas da paisagem sendo que a inundação dessas somente ocorre em eventos excepcionais, servindo como refúgios para animais silvestres e também para geofagia, gerando especificida de ambiental (Coelho, 2006) . Entretanto estes solos necessitam de uma melhor entendimento da relação entre seus atributos morfológicos e a ocorrência de Na+, facilitando assim o seu mapeamento. Devido à grande importância ambiental que representam estes solos, o presente trabalho visou relacionar a morfologia dos horizontes B texturais com o caráter sódico em paleodiques de diferentes estádios de dissecação dessas feições geomórficas, bem como características químicas e físicas. Observou-se que a geomorfologia guarda grande relação com a morfologia do solo, em que paleodiques mais dissecados apresentam transições irregulares, quebradas, maior porosidade e espessamento do horizonte eluvial (E)

Symptomatic dengue infection during pregnancy and the risk of stillbirth in Brazil, 2006-12: a matched case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Maternal infections during pregnancy can increase the risk of fetal death. Dengue infection is common, but little is known about its role in fetal mortality. We aimed to investigate the association between symptomatic dengue infection during pregnancy and fetal death. METHODS: We did a nested case-control study using obstetrician-collected data from the Brazilian livebirth information system (SINASC), the mortality information system (SIM), and the national reportable disease information system (SINAN). We identified all pregnancies ending in stillbirth and a random sample of livebirths between Jan 1, 2006, and Dec 31, 2012. We did linkage to determine which mothers were diagnosed with dengue infection during pregnancy. By use of stillbirths as cases and a sample of matched livebirths as a control, we calculated matched odds ratios (mORs) using conditional logistic regression adjusted for maternal age and education. FINDINGS: 275 (0·2%) of 162 188 women who had stillbirths and 1507 (0·1%) of 1 586 105 women who had livebirths were diagnosed with dengue infection during pregnancy. Symptomatic dengue infection during pregnancy almost doubled the odds of fetal death (mOR 1·9, 95% CI 1·6-2·2). The increase in risk was similar when analyses were restricted to laboratory-confirmed cases of dengue infection (1·8, 1·4-2·4). Severe dengue infection increased the risk of fetal death by about five times (4·9, 2·3-10·2). INTERPRETATION: Symptomatic dengue infection during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of fetal death. We recommend further epidemiological and biological studies of the association between dengue and poor birth outcomes to measure the burden of subclinical infections and elucidate pathological mechanisms. FUNDING: Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, Horizon 2020

Pesquisa da atividade antioxidante do Allium Sativum L. pelo ensaio químico do DPPH e ensaios ex vivo com neutrófilos humanos.

O Allium sativum L detém diversos efeitos biológicos como ação antioxidante, antitrombótica, antifúngica e antibacteriana. Devido às suas atividades terapêuticas, consta na relação de plantas medicinais recomendadas pela ANVISA. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a ação do Allium sativum L., alho, sobre funções de neutrófilos humanos, inclusive citotoxidade e produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs) e a pesquisa da atividade antioxidante pelo ensaio químico do DPPH. Durante 72 horas, o alho permaneceu em contato com etanol absoluto e após filtração, diferentes diluições foram preparadas para realização dos ensaios. Realizou-se estudos das propriedades antioxidantes do alho por meio de ensaio com DPPH, teste de viabilidade celular (Azul de Trypan), formação de radical ânion superóxido pelo Teste do Nitro Azul de Tetrazólio (NBT), o efeito no sistema MPO/H2O2 (ensaio com TMB). No experimento realizado com DPPH demonstrou-se o efeito antioxidante do extrato de alho em todas as concentrações estudadas. A avaliação estatística do efeito do alho no sistema MPO/H2O2, através do ensaio com TMB, permitiu demostrar que o Allium sativum L. não inibiu a ação da mieloperoxidase, produzida normalmente, pelos neutrófilos.  Desta forma, conclui-se que o extrato de alho demonstrou atividade antioxidante pelo ensaio do DPPH e NBT, inibindo também a produção de radical ânion superóxido, não prejudicou a viabilidade dos neutrófilos humanos e não é inibidor de mieloperoxidase. Outros experimentos são necessários para investigar a ação do extrato de alho sobre a atividade fagocitária dos neutrófilos

Septic spondylodiscitis: diagnosis and treatment

We studied retrospectively 24 patients with septic discitis of different etiologies (hematogenic, primary and infantile) and the different aspects involved in its diagnosis and treatment. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate proved to be a valuable parameter and should always be interpreted carefully along with the clinical and neuroimaging findings. Biopsies should be reserved for doubtful cases with atypical course. Clinical treatment should be initiated after the following situations have been ruled out: sepsis, neurological deficit, severe deformity, epidural abscess and foreign body (primary disease). The surgical approach may be chosen based on the stage of disease, being preferably posterior in suppurative forms and anterior in the non-suppurative stage. Based on our experience and on information gathered by literature review, we propose an algorithm to guide diagnosis and treatment in patients with septic discitis.Estudamos retrospectivamente 24 pacientes com espondilodiscite séptica de diferentes etiologias (hematogênica, primária e infantil) e os diferentes aspectos envolvidos em seu diagnóstico e tratamento. Constatamos que a velocidade de hemossedimentação é um bom parâmetro laboratorial para acompanhar a evolução da doença, mas deve ser sempre interpretada conjuntamente com o quadro clínico e os achados de neuroimagem. Biópsias devem ser reservadas para os casos de diagnóstico duvidoso e o tratamento clínico realizado sempre que afastadas as seguintes condições: sepse, déficit neurológico, deformidade severa, abscesso epidural e corpo estranho (discite primária). A abordagem cirúrgica deve ser planejada levando em conta o estágio da doença, sendo preferencialmente por via posterior nas fases supurativas e anterior nas demais. Baseados em nossa experiência e em revisão da literatura, propomos um algoritmo para orientar o diagnóstico e o tratamento das espondilodiscites sépticas.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de MedicinaUNIFESP, EPMSciEL