Oral administration of curcumin (curcuma Longa) can attenuate the neutrophil inflammatory response in zymosan-induced arthritis in rats

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of curcumin in the acute phase of zymosan-induced arthritis.METHODS: Twenty-eight male rats were subjected to intra-articular infiltration of zymosan of both knees and, in four the infiltration was made with saline. The animals were divided into five groups second received every six hours by gavage: corn oil by (positive and negative control); curcumin (100 mg/kg); prednisone 1 mg/kg/day; prednisone 8 mg/kg. All animals were sacrificed after six, 12, 24 and 48 hours of the infiltration. The knees were removed for evaluation of neutrophil infiltration. The number of neutrophils was counted by computer-assisted analysis of the images. The neutrophil infiltrate was stratified into four grades: 0 = normal; + = mild; ++/+++ = moderate; > ++++ = severe. The results were compared using the Mann-Whitney test and the variance by Kruskal-Wallis test adopting a significance level of 5% (p<0.05).RESULTS: Curcumin reduces inflammatory activity in the first six hours after zymosan-induced arthritis when compared to saline (p<0.01). This was also observed in animals subjected to administration of prednisone (1 mg/kg) and those treated with prednisone (8 mg/kg). Curcumin was more effective than lower doses of prednisone in the first six hours after induction of the arthritis. After 12, 24 and 48 hours, curcumin does not have the same anti-inflammatory effects when compared to prednisone. After 48 hours, prednisone is more effective than curcumin in reducing the inflammatory infiltrate regardless of the dose of prednisone used.CONCLUSION: Oral administration of curcumin reduces inflammation in the first six hours after experimentally zymosan-induced arthritis.To evaluate the effect of curcumin in the acute phase of zymosan-induced arthritis.METHODS: Twenty-eight male rats were subjected to intra-articular infiltration of zymosan of both knees and, in four the infiltration was made with saline. The animals were2911727734sem informaçãosem informaçãoLawrence, R.C., Felson, D.T., Helmick, C.G., Arnold, L.M., Choi, H., Deyo, R.A., Gabriel, S., Wolfe, F., National Arthritis Data Workgroup. Estimates of the prevalence of arthritis and other rheumatic conditions in the United States. 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Ankhd1 Silencing Inhibits Stathmin 1 Activity, Cell Proliferation And Migration Of Leukemia Cells

ANKHD1 is highly expressed in human acute leukemia cells and potentially regulates multiple cellular functions through its ankyrin-repeat domains. In order to identify interaction partners of the ANKHD1 protein and its role in leukemia cells, we performed a yeast two-hybrid system screen and identified SIVA, a cellular protein known to be involved in proapoptotic signaling pathways. The interaction between ANKHD1 and SIVA was confirmed by co-imunoprecipitation assays. Using human leukemia cell models and lentivirus-mediated shRNA approaches, we showed that ANKHD1 and SIVA proteins have opposing effects. While it is known that SIVA silencing promotes Stathmin 1 activation, increased cell migration and xenograft tumor growth, we showed that ANKHD1 silencing leads to Stathmin 1 inactivation, reduced cell migration and xenograft tumor growth, likely through the inhibition of SIVA/Stathmin 1 association. In addition, we observed that ANKHD1 knockdown decreases cell proliferation, without modulating apoptosis of leukemia cells, while SIVA has a proapoptotic function in U937 cells, but does not modulate proliferation in vitro. Results indicate that ANKHD1 binds to SIVA and has an important role in inducing leukemia cell proliferation and migration via the Stathmin 1 pathway. ANKHD1 may be an oncogene and participate in the leukemia cell phenotype.18533583593Stone, R.M., O'Donnell, M.R., Sekeres, M.A., Acute myeloid leukemia, Hematology (2004) Am. Soc. Hematol. Educ. 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Parâmetros genéticos e fenotípicos do desempenho reprodutivo de fêmeas Chianina Genetic and phenotypic parameters of reproductive performance of Chianina females

Objetivou-se estimar os parâmetros genéticos e fenotípicos de características reprodutivas de fêmeas bovinas da raça Chianina criadas em diferentes rebanhos participantes da Associazione Nazionale Allevatori Bovini Italiani da Carne (ANABIC). As características estudadas foram idade ao primeiro parto (IPP), primeiro intervalo de partos (IDP1) e intervalo médio de partos (IMDP). As análises estatísticas foram realizadas pelo procedimento General Linear Model (GLM) do programa estatístico SAS (Statistical Analysis System) e os componentes de variância foram estimados pelo método de máxima verossimilhança restrita utilizando-se o software MTDFREML sob modelo animal. Os números de observações utilizados para IPP, IDP1 e IMDP foram, respectivamente, 31.023; 23.998 e 94.497 e as médias encontradas, em dias, 1.037,69 &plusmn; 186,37; 457,93 &plusmn; 96,80 e 436,26 &plusmn; 90,83 para IPP, IDP1, IDPM. Todas as características avaliadas foram influenciadas pelo rebanho. Verificou-se efeito de estação e ano de nascimento da vaca sobre a IPP. O IDP1 e o IDPM foram influenciados por rebanho, estação e ano do parto precedente, observando-se efeito também da ordem de parição sobre o IDPM. As estimativas de herdabilidade para IPP, IDP1 e IDPM foram, respectivamente de 0,36 &plusmn; 0,014; 0,13 &plusmn; 0,014 e 0,05 &plusmn; 0,004. A repetibilidade para IDPM foi de 0,075 &plusmn; 0,004. A utilização de IPP e IDP1 em programas de melhoramento genético pode resultar em maior precocidade e mais alto potencial para longevidade nestes rebanhos.<br>ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the reproductive performance of Chianina cows born from 1977 to 2002. Data was used to calculate age at first calving (AFC), first calving interval (CI1) and average calving intervals (avgCIs) for the whole lifetime of cows. After editing data, the number of records used for AFC, CI1 and avgCIs analyses were respectively 31,023; 23,998 and 94,497 respectively. Statistical analyses were done using the SAS program (Statistical Analysis System) and variance components were estimated by REML using the software MTDFREML fitting animal models. Means for AFC, CI1 and avgCIs were 1,037.69 &plusmn; 186.37, 457.93 &plusmn; 12.22 and 436,26 &plusmn; 12,17 days, respectively. Heritability estimates for AFC, CI1 and avgCIs were respectively 0.36 &plusmn; 0.014; 0.13 &plusmn; 0.014 e 0.05&plusmn;0.004 and the repeatability for avgCIs was 0.075 &plusmn; 0.004. The use of AFC and CI1 in genetic improvement programs may lead to an increase in precocity and potential longevity. Changes in management of females may decrease avgCIs, leading to higher and faster improvement in reproductive efficiency

Germinação e vigor de sementes de Bauhinia divaricata L. Germination and vigor of the Bauhinia divaricata L. seeds

A pata-de-vaca (Bauhinia divaricata) é uma espécie arbórea, amplamente distribuída no Brasil, de alto valor ornamental e econômico. Sua propagação ocorre por meio de sementes, cuja germinação tem sido pouco investigada. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo definir o tipo de substrato e a temperatura mais adequados para avaliar a germinação e o vigor de sementes de Bauhinia divaricata. O experimento foi realizado no Laboratório de Análise de Sementes do CCA-UFPB, em Areia-PB, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com os tratamentos distribuídos em esquema fatorial 3 x 5, com os fatores temperaturas constantes de 25 e 30&deg;C e alternada 20-30&deg;C e substratos entre papel, sobre papel, rolo de papel, entre areia e entre vermiculita, em quatro repetições de 25 sementes, em câmaras tipo BOD, com fotoperíodo de oito horas. Foram analisadas as seguintes variáveis: porcentagem de germinação, primeira contagem e índice de velocidade de germinação e massa seca de plântulas. Concluiu-se que a temperatura de 25&deg;C, juntamente com os substratos entre papel, sobre papel e rolo de papel, é adequada para condução de testes de germinação e vigor com sementes de Bauhinia divaricata. O substrato areia nas três temperaturas (20-30, 25 e 30&deg;C) foi responsável pelas menores porcentagens de germinação e níveis de vigor das sementes.<br>The Bauhinia divaricata is an arboreal species with high ornamental and economical value and distributed throughout Brazil. It is propagated by seeds, from which germination needs more investigation. So, this study was carried out at the Seed Analysis Laboratory pertaining to CCA-UFPB - Areia, in BOD-type chambers with 8h photoperiod in order to determine the most adequate substratum and temperature for evaluating the germination and vigor of the Bauhinia divaricata seeds. The entirely randomized experimental design in the factorial scheme 3 x 5 was used. The factors were constituted by constant temperatures of 25 and 30&deg;C and alternate 20-30&deg;C, as well as substrata between paper, on paper, paper roll, among sand and among vermiculite, in four replicates of 25 seeds. The following variables were analyzed: percent germination, first counting, germination index and dry matter of the plantlets. The 25&deg;C temperature and the substrata between paper, on paper and paper roll showed to be adequate to the test for germination and vigor of the Bauhinia divaricata seeds. The lowest germination percentages and the seed vigor levels occurred in the sand substratum at three temperatures (20-30, 25 and 30&deg;C)

Epidemiology of neurocysticercosis in Brazil Epidemiologia da neurocisticercose no Brasil

A revision of literature was done with the objective of tracing an epidemiologic profile of neurocysticercosis (NCC) in Brazil. The prevalence was 0.12-9% in autopsies. The frequency was 0.03-7.5% in clinical series and 0.68-5.2% in seroepidemiological studies. The disease corresponds to 0.08-2.5% of admissions to general hospitals. Patient origin was rural in 30-63% of cases. The most involved age range (64-100%) was 11 to 60 years, with a predominance (22-67%) between 21 and 40 years. The male sex was the most affected (51-80%). In the severe forms there was a predominance of urban origin (53-62%) and of the female sex (53-75%). The period of hospitalization ranges from 1 to 254 days and 33 to 50% of patients suffer 1.7 &plusmn; 1.4 admissions. The clinical picture was variable, with a predominance of epileptic syndrome (22-92%) and intracranial hypertension (19-89%). Psychiatric manifestations were associated in 9-23% of patients. Lethality was 0.29% in terms of all diseases in general and 4.8-25.9% in terms of neurologic diseases. The asymptomatic form was detected in 6% of patients in clinical serie and in 48.5% of case from autopsies. The racemose form and ventricular localization also was observed as asymptomatic form. Among the patients with cutaneous cysticercosis 65% of them showed neurologic manifestations.<br>Realizou-se revisão da literatura com o objetivo de tentar delinear um perfil epidemiológico da neurocisticercose no Brasil. A prevalência em necrópsias variou de 0,12-9%. A freqüência, nas casuísticas clínicas foi de 0,03-7,5% e, nos estudos soroepidemiológicos, de 0,68-5,2%. Compreendeu 0,08-2,5% das internações em hospitais gerais. A procedência foi rural em 30-63% dos doentes. Comprometeu mais (64-100%) na faixa etária dos 11 aos 60 anos, predominantemente (22-67%) entre 21 e 40 anos. O sexo masculino foi mais atingido (51-80%). Nas formas graves, houve predomínio da origem urbana (53-62%) e do sexo feminino (53-75%). O período de internação variou de 1 -254 dias, com 33 a 50% dos doentes necessitando 1.7 &plusmn; 1,4 admissões. Houve variabilidade no quadro clínico, predominando síndrome epiléptica (22-92%) e hipertensão intracraniana (19-89%). A presença de manifestações psiquiátricas foi observada em 9-23% dos doentes. A letalidade, frente as doenças em geral, foi de 0,29% e, entre as doenças neurológicas, de 4,8-25,9%. A forma assintomática foi detectada em 6% dos doentes de casuística clínica e em 48,5% dos casos de necrópsia. A forma racemosa e a localização ventricular também se apresentaram de maneira assintomática. Entre os doentes com cisticercose cutânea, 65% apresentavam manifestações neurológicas