Leucine-rich diet supplementation modulates foetal muscle protein metabolism impaired by Walker-256 tumour

Cancer-cachexia induces a variety of metabolic disorders of protein turnover and is more pronounced when associated with pregnancy. Tumour-bearing pregnant rats have impaired protein balance, which decreases protein synthesis and increases muscle breakdown. Because branched-chain amino acids, especially leucine, stimulate protein synthesis, we investigated the effect of a leucine-rich diet on protein metabolism in the foetal gastrocnemius muscles of tumour-bearing pregnant rats. Foetuses of pregnant rats with or without Walker 256 tumours were divided into six groups. During the 20 days of the experiment, the pregnant groups were fed with either a control diet (C, control rats; W, tumour-bearing rats; Cp, rats pair-fed the same normoprotein-diet as the W group) or with a leucine-rich diet (L, leucine rats; LW, leucine tumour-bearing rats; and Lp, rats pair-fed the same leucine-rich diet as the LW group). After the mothers were sacrificed, the foetal gastrocnemius muscle samples were resected, and the protein synthesis and degradation and tissue chymotrypsin-like, cathepsin and calpain enzyme activities were assayed. The muscle oxidative enzymes (catalase, glutathione-S-transferase and superoxide dismutase), alkaline phosphatase enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde) were also measured. Tumour growth led to a reduction in foetal weight associated with decreased serum protein, albumin and glucose levels and low haematocrit in the foetuses of the W group, whereas in the LW foetuses, these changes were less pronounced. Muscle protein synthesis (measured by L-[3H]-phenylalanine incorporation) was reduced in the W foetuses but was restored in the LW group. Protein breakdown (as assessed by tyrosine release) was enhanced in the L and W groups, but chymotrypsin-like activity increased only in group W and tended toward an increase in the LW foetuses. The activity of cathepsin H was significantly higher in the W group foetuses, but the proteolytic calcium-dependent pathway showed similar enzyme activity. In parallel, an intense oxidative stress process was observed only in the group W foetuses. These data suggested that the proteasomal and lysosomal proteolytic pathways and oxidative stress are likely to participate in the process of foetal muscle catabolism of Walker's tumour-bearing pregnant rats. The present work shows that foetal muscle can be protected by supplementation with a leucine-rich diet

O princípio da eficiência na prestação de serviços públicos : o caso do setor de Licitações e Contratos do Ministério da Saúde

Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso (especialização)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Economia, Administração, Contabilidade e Gestão de Políticas Públicas, Departamento de Administração, Curso de Especialização em Gestão Pública Municipal, 2019.O presente trabalho tem como objetivo realizar análise descritiva acerca da abordagem das relações contributivas entre servidores e colabores diante das demandas requeridas por cidadãos, visando alcançar objetivos estabelecidos, em âmbito de um atendimento de qualidade, formalizado pelo princípio da eficiência. Pode-se mensurar esse desempenho por meio de instrumento de entrevistas, questionários pesquisados, cujos resultados permitem avaliar como as pessoas em geral veem o princípio e o que elas recomendam para a melhoria de qualidade de atendimento do Estado prestado à sociedade, por meio de seus representantes, sejam eles servidores, colaboradores e etc., direta ou indiretamente ligados ao tema. Entre os principais instrumentos para se mensurar e avaliar o desempenho de servidores em seus serviços prestados, quanto à questão de atendimento ao público, pode-se considerar a avaliação de desempenho na administração pública federal, que apresenta, como um dos seus critérios, a qualidade do atendimento aos públicos interno e externo. É nesse ponto de partida que vamos discorrer, sobre a importância de um belo atendimento em forma de respeito, presteza, dar atenção, sem visar algo em troca, pois atender e ser bem atendido são algo que todos querem alcançar

Cancer during pregnancy alters the activity of rat placenta and enhances the expression of cleaved PARP, cytochrome-c and caspase 3

BACKGROUND: The presence of cancer makes it difficult to predict the progress of pregnancy and can be deleterious to the maternal-foetal relationship. Apoptosis may affect a range of placental functions and result in the retardation of foetal growth. In this work, we investigated the placental alterations produced by tumour growth and the effects on the expression of apoptotic factors in placental tissue. METHODS: Adult female Wistar rats (90 days old, n = 54) were allocated to control (C), tumour-bearing (W), or ascitic fluid-injected (A) groups and were killed on the 16(th), 19(th )or 21(st )day of pregnancy. Placental tissues were analysed using biochemical and histochemical assays. RESULTS: The placental protein content and glutathione-S-transferase activity were decreased in groups W and A. Histochemical analysis showed an increase in the number of cells with cleaved PARP, caspase 3 and cytochrome-c in groups W and A, indicating that the tumour growth clearly damaged placental tissue and affected the levels of apoptotic factors. These results were confirmed by western blotting. CONCLUSION: Since trophoblastic cells are responsible for maintaining a normal placental function, the uncontrolled death of these cells in response to tumour cell growth or substances derived from ascitic fluid could have a negative impact on foetal development. Further knowledge of these events may help to preserve the foetus and placenta during development

A leucine-supplemented diet improved protein content of skeletal muscle in young tumor-bearing rats

Cancer cachexia induces host protein wastage but the mechanisms are poorly understood. Branched-chain amino acids play a regulatory role in the modulation of both protein synthesis and degradation in host tissues. Leucine, an important amino acid in skeletal muscle, is higher oxidized in tumor-bearing animals. A leucine-supplemented diet was used to analyze the effects of Walker 256 tumor growth on body composition in young weanling Wistar rats divided into two main dietary groups: normal diet (N, 18% protein) and leucine-rich diet (L, 15% protein plus 3% leucine), which were further subdivided into control (N or L) or tumor-bearing (W or LW) subgroups. After 12 days, the animals were sacrificed and their carcass analyzed. The tumor-bearing groups showed a decrease in body weight and fat content. Lean carcass mass was lower in the W and LW groups (W = 19.9 ± 0.6, LW = 23.1 ± 1.0 g vs N = 29.4 ± 1.3, L = 28.1 ± 1.9 g, P < 0.05). Tumor weight was similar in both tumor-bearing groups fed either diet. Western blot analysis showed that myosin protein content in gastrocnemius muscle was reduced in tumor-bearing animals (W = 0.234 ± 0.033 vs LW = 0.598 ± 0.036, N = 0.623 ± 0.062, L = 0.697 ± 0.065 arbitrary intensity, P < 0.05). Despite accelerated tumor growth, LW animals exhibited a smaller reduction in lean carcass mass and muscle myosin maintenance, suggesting that excess leucine in the diet could counteract, at least in part, the high host protein wasting in weanling tumor-bearing rats.1589159

Relationship between polymorphism of growth hormone and precocity traits in Nellore heifers

Avaliaram-se as relações entre o polimorfismo do gene do hormônio do crescimento (GH) e as características de precocidade, em novilhas da raça Nelore. Amostras de sangue periférico foram obtidas de 181 animais de três rebanhos distintos do estado da Bahia, nas quais foi realizada a extração de DNA e a amplificação por PCR, seguidas por digestão com enzima de restrição AluI. Os fragmentos resultantes da digestão enzimática foram analisados em gel de agarose 2% para determinação dos respectivos genótipos. A frequência do alelo Leu nas amostras analisadas foi estimada em 100%. Em decorrência da alta incidência de homozigose para o alelo Leu, sugere-se que o restriction fragment lenght polymorphism AluI do gene GH não possa ser considerado como marcador molecular para precocidade sexual em novilhas Nelore nesses rebanhos.The relationships between polymorphism of growth hormone gene (GH) and precocity traits in Nellore heifers were evaluated. A total of 181 animals from three different farms of Bahia state, Brazil, were blood sampled. The DNA of each animal was extracted, amplified by PCR, and digested by "AluI" restriction enzyme, and the resultant fragments were analyzed in 2% agarose gel for genotype identification. The frequency of Leu allele in the analyzed samples was estimated in 100%. Due to the high incidence of homozygose for the Leu allele, it is suggested that the restriction fragment lenght polymorphism AluI of GH gene can not be considered as a molecular marker for sexual precocity in Nellore heifers of those herds.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia (FAPESB)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

O DESENVOLVIMENTO DE MICRO E PEQUENAS EMPRESAS: O CASO DA INCUBADORA TECNOLÓGICA DE GUARULHOS

O presente artigo tem como objetivo apresentar e discutir a contribuição da Incubadora Tecnológica de Guarulhos (ITG) ao desenvolvimento de micro e pequenas empresas de base tecnológica, focada na criação de valor, recursos e capacidades, com a fundamentação na Visão Baseada em Recursos. Foram entrevistados empresários-gestores de seis empresas residentes na ITG, por meio de um roteiro-padrão com perguntas abertas. As respostas foram tratadas e analisadas por meio da metodologia qualitativa com a aplicação da técnica da análise de conteúdo. Os resultados mostraram a relevância da contribuição da ITG por ter propiciado às empresas incubadas: a) oferecerem produtos inovadores associados à personalização no atendimento aos clientes como um diferencial na criação de valor para eles; b) desenvolverem a infraestrutura e o conhecimento técnico como os seus recursos tangíveis e intangíveis estratégicos; c) desenvolverem as capacidades de gestão empresarial eficiente e de efetivação de networking no ambiente de seus negócios, o que permite a exploração de oportunidades de mercado e redução de ameaças dos concorrentes. Foi possível observar, também, aspectos da cultura imanente ao desenvolvimento dos empresários, quais sejam, a absorção da visão estratégica e dos conceitos gerenciais de negócios e o valor dado por eles como reconhecimento ao apoio recebido da ITG

O DESENVOLVIMENTO DE RECURSOS E CAPACIDADES DE MICRO EMPRESAS INCUBADAS

Using theoretical support of the Resource Based View (RBV), this article aims to show how the development of resources and capabilities of microenterprises occurs through the support of an incubator. The research method was qualitative exploratory and descriptive. Interviews were conducted using a standardized script with open questions, applied to entrepreneurs of nine incubated microenterprises operating in the areas of biotechnology, electromechanical, cosmetics, plastic injection molding, metallurgy, training, information technology and communication. It was found that the microenterprises seek to generate value for their products and services in different ways, developing resources and strategic capabilities for this purpose. The process focuses, first and foremost, on the customer’s needs, seeking to adapt the resources and capabilities to meet those needs. The resources that have proven strategic in generating value for the products and services of the microenterprisesO presente artigo tem como objetivo mostrar como ocorre o desenvolvimento de recursos e capacidades de micro empresas, por meio do apoio de uma incubadora, com aporte teórico da Visão Baseada em Recursos (VBR). O método da pesquisa foi o qualitativo de caráter exploratório e descritivo. Foram feitas entrevistas apoiadas em um roteiro padronizado com perguntas abertas, junto a empresários gestores de nove empresas incubadas com negócios nas áreas de biotecnologia, eletromecânica, cosméticos, injeção plástica, metalurgia, treinamento, tecnologia da informação e comunicação. Como resultado, constatou-se que as micro empresas buscam criar valor aos seus produtos e serviços de maneira diferenciada, desenvolvendo os recursos e capacidades estratégicos com esta finalidade. O processo foca primeiro a necessidade dos clientes para adequar os recursos e capacidades, visando a sua satisfação. Os recursos que se mostraram estratégicos para a geração de valor aos produtos e serviços das empresas que participaram do estudo foram os de natureza intangível, como o conhecimento técnico especializado e a customização dos serviços, e as capacidades de desenvolvimento e aprimoramento de produtos para demandas específicas e a personalização com inovação do produto

PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF THE HYDROETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa RESIDUES

Most fruit residues are known for being rich in bioactive phytochemicals such as polyphenols (natural antioxidants), responsible for major health benefits when consumed regularly due to their role in the prevention of degenerative diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the phytochemical composition (condensed tannins, total flavonoids, and total phenolic content) and evaluate the antioxidant capacity (DPPH and ABTS assays) of the flour prepared from yellow passion fruit residues, composed of epicarp and mesocarp, generated by fruit pulp processing industries. Passion fruit residues were subjected to heat treatment in an oven with renewal and air circulation and processed into flour. The phytochemical composition results revealed the following: condensed tannins, 0.31 mg.100g-1; total flavonoids, 23.87 mg.100g-1; and total phenolic content, 24.87 mg.100g-1. The DPPH assay showed that the yellow passion fruit residue flour has significant antioxidant activity, and there was a positive correlation between antioxidant activity and the total phenolic content according to the ABTS assay and the DPPH radical scavenging method. Passion fruit residue flour is a source of natural antioxidants with potential to be used in the food industry as an ingredient in the development of food products with functional claims

Effect of a leucine-supplemented diet on body composition changes in pregnant rats bearing Walker 256 tumor

Cancer patients present high mobilization of host protein, with a decrease in lean body mass and body fat depletion occurring in parallel to neoplastic growth. Since leucine is one of the principal amino acids used by skeletal muscle for energy, we investigated the changes in body composition of pregnant tumor-bearing rats after a leucine-supplemented diet. Sixty pregnant Wistar rats divided into six groups were fed a normal protein diet (18%, N) or a leucine-supplemented diet (3% L-leucine, L). The pregnant groups were: control (CN), Walker 256 carcinoma-bearing rats (WN), control rats pair-fed with tumor-bearing rats (pfN), leucine-supplemented (CL), leucine-supplemented tumor-bearing (WL), and leucine-supplemented rats pair-fed with tumor-bearing rats (pfL). At the end of pregnancy, all animals were sacrificed and body weight and tumor and fetal weight were determined. The carcasses were then analyzed for water, fat and total, collagen and non-collagen nitrogen content. Carcass weight was reduced in the WN, WL, pfN and pfL groups compared to control. The lean body mass and total carcass nitrogen were reduced in both tumor-bearing groups. Despite tumor growth and a decrease in fetal weight, there was a slight decrease in collagen (7%) and non-collagen nitrogen (8%) in the WL group compared with the WN group which showed a decrease of 8 and 12%, respectively. Although the WL group presented severe tumor growth effects, total carcass nitrogen and noncollagen nitrogen were particularly higher in this leucine-supplemented group compared to the WN group. These data suggest that the leucine-supplemented diet had a beneficial effect, probably attenuating body wasting.34333333