Spirulina does not decrease muscle damage nor oxdidative stress in cycling athletes with adequate nutritional status

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of Spirulina maxima on oxidative stress and muscle damage in cycling athletes subjected to high volume and intensity of training. Eighteen male athletes were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=11) with age 27.8±3.5 and placebo (n=7) with age 34.3±2.3 in a double-blind fashion. They carried out a protocol of Spirulina dietary supplementation (7.5 g/day) of placebo for four weeks and maintained their trainings during this period. A nutritional anamnesis was performed and blood tests were done to determine pre and post levels of creatine kinase (CK), lactic dehydrogenase (LHD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA). The supplemented and placebo groups performed the same volume training, has adequate macronutrients and antioxidant vitamins ingestion before study, as well as initial CK, LDH, SOD and MDA levels. Supplementation did not promote a significant alteration in CK levels on supplemented group (158.4±16.3 for 140.0±16.6 U/l, p>0.05), LDH (420±13.2 for 394.9±27.9 UI/l, p>0.05), MDA (2.8±0.2 for 2.9±0.4 nmol/ml, p>0.05), nor an increase in the SOD (7.3±0.6 for 7.0±0.6 U/mg Hb, p>0.05). We conclude that administration of Spirulina does not interfere in the magnitude of muscle damage nor in antioxidant status of cycling athletes that practice intense training

Prevalence and risk factors for bovine leptospirosis in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Foi investigada a prevalência de anticorpos antileptospira em fêmeas bovinas com idade igual ou superior a 24 meses, provenientes de 178 rebanhos de 22 municípios do estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, bem como identificados fatores de risco associados à infecção. Foram analisadas 2.573 amostras de soro sangüíneo por meio do teste de soroaglutinação microscópica perante 10 sorovares de leptospira. Títulos iguais ou superiores a 100 para um ou mais sorovares foram detectados em 1.801 fêmeas (98,8%) de 161 (96,5%) rebanhos. O sorovar Hardjo (65,6%) foi apontado como o mais provável, seguido do sorovar Wolffi (12,3%). Os resultados demonstram que a leptospirose bovina se encontra presente em todos os municípios estudados, com alta prevalência, tanto em animais como em rebanhos. Os fatores de risco identificados neste estudo e associados à infecção por bactérias do gênero lepstopira foram o tipo de exploração pecuária de corte e a raça Zebu. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTThe prevalence of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies was estimated for female cattle aged 24 months or older. The sample comprised 178 herds from 22 counties in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The risk factors associated with the presence of infeccion were investigated. A total of 2,573 blood serum samples were tested against 10 leptospira serovars using the microagglutination test (MAT). Titers of 100 or higher for one or more serovars were detected in 1,801 females (98.8%) from 161 herds (96.5%). Serovar Hardjo (65.6%) was the most frequent, followed by serovar Wolffi (12.3%). These results suggest that bovine leptospirosis is widespread in all the counties under study, with a high prevalence both at the animal and the herd level. Beef farms and the Zebu breed were associated to the higher risk of herd infection by leptospiras

Anti-leishmania antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid from dogs with visceral leishmaniasis

Visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil is caused by Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi and the dog is its most important reservoir. The clinical features in dogs include loss of weight, lymphadenopathy, renal failure, skin lesions, fever, hypergammaglobulinemia, hepatosplenomegaly, anemia, and, rarely, neurological symptoms. Most infected animals develop active disease, characterized by high anti-leishmania antibody titers and depressed lymphoproliferative ability. Antibody production is not primarily important for protection but might be involved in the pathogenesis of tissue lesions. An ELISA test was used to determine if there is an association between neurological symptoms and the presence of anti-L. chagasi antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Thirty serum and CSF samples from symptomatic mixed breed dogs (three with neurological symptoms) from a region of high incidence of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil were examined for antibody using total parasite antigen and anti-dog IgG peroxidase conjugate. A high level of L. chagasi antibodies was observed in sera (mean absorbance ± SD, 1.939 ± 0.405; negative control, N = 20, 0.154 ± 0.074) and CSF (1.571 ± 0.532; negative control, N = 10, 0.0195 ± 0.040) from all animals studied. This observation suggests that L. chagasi can cause breakdown of filtration barriers and the transfer of antibodies and antigens from the blood to the CSF compartment. No correlation was observed between antibody titer in CSF and neurological symptoms

Caracterização dos frutos, sementes e plântulas de espécies de Clusiaceae das restingas do Rio de Janeiro

No presente trabalho foi estudada a morfologia dos frutos, sementes e plântulas de cinco espécies de Clusiaceae presentes em vegetação de restinga do estado do Rio de Janeiro. Os frutos das espécies estudadas apresentam características ligadas à zoocoria (Clusia fluminensis, C. lanceolata, C. criuva e Garcinia brasiliensis) e à anemocoria (Kielmeyera membranacea). As sementes recém-coletadas apresentam altas taxas de germinação: C. fluminensis (100%), C. lanceolata (100%), C. criuva (99,2%), G. brasiliensis (90,45%) e K. membranacea (91%). A germinação fanerocotiledonar foi registrada em C. fluminensis, C. lanceolata, C. criuva e K. membranacea e criptocotiledonar em G. brasiliensis. Plântulas de espécies de Clusia são frequentemente encontradas no habitat natural, especialmente associadas a espécies de Bromeliaceae, que funcionam como plantas-berçário

Restructured fish product from white croacker (Micropogonias furnieri) mince using microbial transglutaminas

This study aimed at determining the influence of three concentrations of commercial transglutaminase enzyme in restructured fillet of minced fish from white croacker (Micropogonias furnieri), one of the four marine species with notability in Brazil. The restructured fillet developed had advantages when compared to traditional fillet, such as absence of spine and less flavour intensity (washes cycles). Washing process for white croacker mince was compared with five clarification agents: water (control), phosphoric acid (H3PO4), sodium chloride (NaCl), calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). The higher quality product (whiteness) was obtained with calcium carbonate washes. Three concentrations (1.5, 1.0 and 0.5%) of microbial transglutaminase MGTase (Active TG-B %v/v and Active TG-BP %w/w) were compared, in order to produce fish restructured product (boneless fillet). The concentration of 1.5% (both enzymes), produced better results. The restructured products were compared by sensory analysis and showed better sensory parameters (appearance, odour, flavour and texture) samples treated with Active TG-B (solution form).<br>Este estudo teve como objetivo determinar a influência de três concentrações de enzima transglutaminase comercial em filés reestruturado a partir de polpa de corvina (Micropogonias furnieri), uma das quatro espécies marinhas notáveis no Brasil. O filé reestruturado desenvolvido tem vantagens quando comparado aos filés tradicionais, tais como, a ausência da espinhas e sabor menos intenso (ciclos de lavagens). O processo de lavagem da polpa de corvina foi comparado com cinco agentes clarificantes: água (controle), ácido fosfórico (H3PO4), cloreto de sódio (NaCl), carbonato de cálcio (CaCO3) e bicarbonato de sódio (NaHCO3). O produto de qualidade superior (mais branco) foi obtido com a lavagem com carbonato de cálcio. Três concentrações (1,5%, 1,0% e 0,5%) de transglutaminase microbiana (Activa TG-B % v/v e Activa TG-BP % p/p) foram comparadas a fim de produzir o produto reestruturado (filé sem espinha). A concentração de 1,5% (ambas as enzimas) produziu melhores resultados. Os produtos reestruturados foram comparados através de análise sensorial, e apresentaram melhores parâmetros sensoriais (aparência, odor, sabor e textura), as amostras tratadas com Activa TG-B (forma de solução)