Influence of lactic-acid bacteria feed supplementation on free amino acid levels in serum and feces of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum 1792)

IntroductionThe influence of intestinal microbiota, particularly lactic-acid bacteria, on digestion and nutrient metabolic activities has been extensively studied. In this research, we investigated the effects of supplementing the feed of rainbow trout (O. mykiss) with P. acidilactici or L. lactis probiotics. A Control group without probiotic supplementation was also included. The study aimed to evaluate growth, feed conversion indices, free amino acid levels in serum and feces, and the relative gene expression of amino acid solute carrier transporters (SLC).MethodsRainbow trout weighing 73.9±10 g were fed with a basal commercial diet supplemented with mono-strains of P. acidilactici or L. lactis at a dosage of 5 x 108 CFU per gram of feed for 60 days. The trout were reared in 100-liter tanks with independent closed recirculation systems, with a water replacement rate of 80% of the total volume daily and a controlled temperature of 15 ± 0.3 °C. The proximate composition of the basal diet consisted of crude protein (49.8%), fat (32.1%), fiber (1.31%), ash (13%), and moisture (8.3%) on a dry matter basis. The diet was provided at a rate of 2% of bodyweight per day.ResultsNo significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in growth and feed conversion indices between the experimental groups. However, significant differences in free amino acid levels in feces and serum samples (p ≤ 0.05) were observed. The P. acidilactici group exhibited significantly higher levels of glutamate, lysine, proline, and tyrosine in feces samples, and higher levels of arginine, iso/leucine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, and valine in serum samples compared to the Control group. Additionally, the supplemented probiotic groups showed significant downregulation (p ≤ 0.05) of theslc6a19 and slc7a9 genes, which encode transporters for neutral and cationic amino acids.DiscussionThe autochthonous rainbow trout strain, P. acidilactici, demonstrated more pronounced effects on amino acid levels in feces and serum compared to the non-autochthonous L. lactis strain. However, the increased amino acid levels, particularly in the serum, resulting from P. acidilactici supplementation, did not lead to improved trout growth or feed conversion. Nonetheless, lactic-acid bacteria supplementation induced measurable metabolic effects, as evidenced by elevated levels of specific amino acids in the serum and feces.Future research should focus on evaluating these probiotic effects using specialized diets and considering the observed metabolic effects in this study

Síndrome metabólica e educação física escolar

Síndrome metabólica é a designação atribuída a um conjunto de alterações fisiológicas no metabolismo humano que aumenta drasticamente o risco de desenvolver doenças cardiovasculares e diabetes, patologias que são as principais causas de morbidez emortalidade atualmente. Um dos grupos frequentemente atingidos é o de crianças e jovensem idade escolar. Diversos estudos epidemiológicos e biológicos sugerem que a prática de atividades físicas pode melhorar significativamente esse quadro clínico, sendo uma importante ferramenta para o seu controle e tratamento, gerando saúde, menos sofrimento e redução de gastos públicos em saúde. Neste contexto, os objetivos do presente estudo são: a) rever a literatura sobre síndrome metabólica, no que diz respeito aos aspectos fisiopatológicos e epidemiológicos envolvendo crianças e jovens; b) discutir o papel da atividade física para a prevenção primária e secundária, bem como a relevância e as dificuldades de atuação do profissional de educação física escolar em seu ambiente de trabalho. Concluímos que a síndrome metabólica tem se intensificado epidemicamente e combater a inatividade física é uma necessidade urgente. Políticas que exaltem a educação física escolar e o seu profissional podem contribuir para a cultivação de hábitos saudáveis e a promoção do ser humano

RESÍDUOS SÓLIDOS URBANOS (RSU): UMA ANÁLISE DO SETOR ENERGÉTICO EM ASCENSÃO COM BASE NO IMPACTO AMBIENTAL E NA QUALIDADE DE VIDA

Esse artigo é uma revisão de literatura abordando a utilização de RSU (Resíduo Sólido Urbano) na produção  do biogás como fonte energética. Foi utilizada como base bibliográfica, literatura especializada, incluindo levantamento sobre a legislação vigente e artigos científicos selecionados por meio de busca nos bancos de dados do Scielo e Google acadêmico. Temas relevantes foram considerados na pesquisa, como: produção e coleta de lixo no Brasil, descarte inadequado, sustentabilidade, potencial energético. Mostrando assim a necessidade de investir nesse setor, através de novas tecnologias e técnicas, além da necessidade de se fechar lixões e aterros controlados que são locais de descarte inapropriados e apresentam concorrência direta com aterros sanitários para a captação de rejeitos. A pesquisa destaca que a energia é um direito de todos, conforme preconizado pela Organização das Nações Unidas (ONU) e a exploração do biometano como fonte energética contribuiria para a soberania da matriz energética brasileira. Além de possibilitar a diminuição da emissão dos gases do efeito estufa a melhoria da viabilidade econômica, recuperação dos materiais descartados e   na redução de práticas de destinação inadequadas, assim como dos impactos negativos à saúde de milhões de brasileiros

Macrophage-dependent IL-1β production induces cardiac arrhythmias in diabetic mice

Diabetes mellitus (DM) encompasses a multitude of secondary disorders, including heart disease. One of the most frequent and potentially life threatening disorders of DM-induced heart disease is ventricular tachycardia (VT). Here we show that toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in cardiac macrophages mediate the production of IL-1β in DM mice. IL-1β causes prolongation of the action potential duration, induces a decrease in potassium current and an increase in calcium sparks in cardiomyocytes, which are changes that underlie arrhythmia propensity. IL-1β-induced spontaneous contractile events are associated with CaMKII oxidation and phosphorylation. We further show that DM-induced arrhythmias can be successfully treated by inhibiting the IL-1β axis with either IL-1 receptor antagonist or by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome. Our results establish IL-1β as an inflammatory connection between metabolic dysfunction and arrhythmias in DM.Facultad de Ciencias MédicasCentro de Investigaciones Cardiovasculare

R534C mutation in hERG causes a trafficking defect in iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes from patients with type 2 long QT syndrome

Patient-specific cardiomyocytes obtained from induced pluripotent stem cells (CM-iPSC) offer unprecedented mechanistic insights in the study of inherited cardiac diseases. The objective of this work was to study a type 2 long QT syndrome (LQTS2)-associated mutation (c.1600C > T in KCNH2, p.R534C in hERG) in CM-iPSC. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from two patients with the R534C mutation and iPSCs were generated. In addition, the same mutation was inserted in a control iPSC line by genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9. Cells expressed pluripotency markers and showed spontaneous differentiation into the three embryonic germ layers. Electrophysiology demonstrated that action potential duration (APD) of LQTS2 CM-iPSC was significantly longer than that of the control line, as well as the triangulation of the action potentials (AP), implying a longer duration of phase 3. Treatment with the IKr inhibitor E4031 only caused APD prolongation in the control line. Patch clamp showed a reduction of IKr on LQTS2 CM-iPSC compared to control, but channel activation was not significantly affected. Immunofluorescence for hERG demonstrated perinuclear staining in LQTS2 CM-iPSC. In conclusion, CM-iPSC recapitulated the LQTS2 phenotype and our findings suggest that the R534C mutation in KCNH2 leads to a channel trafficking defect to the plasma membrane.Fil: Mesquita, Fernanda C. P.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Arantes, Paulo C.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Kasai Brunswick, Tais H.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Araujo, Dayana S.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Gubert, Fernanda. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Monnerat, Gustavo. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Silva dos Santos, Danúbia. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Neiman, Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Fundación para la Lucha contra las Enfermedades Neurológicas de la Infancia; ArgentinaFil: Leitão, Isabela C.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Barbosa, Raiana A. Q.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Coutinho, Jorge L.. National Institute Of Cardiology; BrasilFil: Vaz, Isadora M.. Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Parana; BrasilFil: dos Santos, Marcus N.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Borgonovo, Tamara. Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Parana; BrasilFil: Cruz, Fernando E. S.. National Institute of Cardiology; BrasilFil: Miriuka, Santiago Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Fundación para la Lucha contra las Enfermedades Neurológicas de la Infancia; ArgentinaFil: Medei, Emiliano H.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Campos de Carvalho, Antonio C.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Brasil. National Institute of Cardiology; Brasil. National Institute for Science and Technology in Regenerative Medicine; BrasilFil: Carvalho, Adriana B.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Brasil. National Institute for Science and Technology in Regenerative Medicine; Brasi

Macrophage-dependent IL-1β production induces cardiac arrhythmias in diabetic mice

Diabetes mellitus (DM) encompasses a multitude of secondary disorders, including heart disease. One of the most frequent and potentially life threatening disorders of DM-induced heart disease is ventricular tachycardia (VT). Here we show that toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in cardiac macrophages mediate the production of IL-1β in DM mice. IL-1β causes prolongation of the action potential duration, induces a decrease in potassium current and an increase in calcium sparks in cardiomyocytes, which are changes that underlie arrhythmia propensity. IL-1β-induced spontaneous contractile events are associated with CaMKII oxidation and phosphorylation. We further show that DM-induced arrhythmias can be successfully treated by inhibiting the IL-1β axis with either IL-1 receptor antagonist or by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome. Our results establish IL-1β as an inflammatory connection between metabolic dysfunction and arrhythmias in DM.Facultad de Ciencias MédicasCentro de Investigaciones Cardiovasculare

Germ band retraction as a landmark in glucose metabolism during Aedes aegypti embryogenesis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The mosquito <it>A. aegypti </it>is vector of dengue and other viruses. New methods of vector control are needed and can be achieved by a better understanding of the life cycle of this insect. Embryogenesis is a part of <it>A. aegypty </it>life cycle that is poorly understood. In insects in general and in mosquitoes in particular energetic metabolism is well studied during oogenesis, when the oocyte exhibits fast growth, accumulating carbohydrates, lipids and proteins that will meet the regulatory and metabolic needs of the developing embryo. On the other hand, events related with energetic metabolism during <it>A. aegypti </it>embryogenesis are unknown.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Glucose metabolism was investigated throughout <it>Aedes aegypti </it>(Diptera) embryonic development. Both cellular blastoderm formation (CBf, 5 h after egg laying - HAE) and germ band retraction (GBr, 24 HAE) may be considered landmarks regarding glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) destination. We observed high levels of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activity at the very beginning of embryogenesis, which nevertheless decreased up to 5 HAE. This activity is correlated with the need for nucleotide precursors generated by the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), of which G6PDH is the key enzyme. We suggest the synchronism of egg metabolism with carbohydrate distribution based on the decreasing levels of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) activity and on the elevation observed in protein content up to 24 HAE. Concomitantly, increasing levels of hexokinase (HK) and pyruvate kinase (PK) activity were observed, and PEPCK reached a peak around 48 HAE. Glycogen synthase kinase (GSK3) activity was also monitored and shown to be inversely correlated with glycogen distribution during embryogenesis.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The results herein support the hypothesis that glucose metabolic fate changes according to developmental embryonic stages. Germ band retraction is a moment that was characterized as a landmark in glucose metabolism during <it>Aedes aegypti </it>embryogenesis. Furthermore, the results also suggest a role for GSK3 in glycogen balance/distribution during morphological modifications.</p

Análise computacional da reforma seca do metano a partir do biogás em um reator de membrana

Este trabalho tem como objetivo simular a reforma seca do metano em um reator químico de membrana empregando um software de fluidodinâmica computacional. A reação de reforma seca do metano, utilizando biogás, apresenta-se como uma boa alternativa para a produção de hidrogênio, de forma limpa e eficiente. Foi utilizado o software de simulação e modelagem COMSOL MULTIPHYSICS versão 5.2a, que emprega o método dos elementos finitos para resolução do problema de valor de contorno. Inicialmente, foi testada a reprodutibilidade dos resultados alcançados com base no trabalho de Prabhu et al. (2000). Foram analisadas também duas situações para uma corrente de biogás: utilizando gás de arraste na parte interna do reator e sem o uso do gás. A conversão desta reação no reator estudado foi calculada e suas características fluidodinâmicas relacionadas à membrana foram analisadas. Os resultados encontrados foram 77,9% de conversão para o modelo do artigo base, indicando um desvio de 12,6 pontos percentuais em relação a este. Já nas simulações utilizando biogás os resultados foram 70% e 70,2% de conversão de metano em gás hidrogênio com e sem gás de arraste, respectivamente. A queda de pressão ao longo do reator é desprezível. A presença do gás de arraste possui poucos efeitos na fluidodinâmica do reator e na conversão em produto em dimensões e vazões diminutas. O modelo foi validado pela tendência em relação à literatura estudada e os resultados obtidos mostram que a membrana promove um aumento de conversão de hidrogênio quando comparados com a termodinâmica (62,5%), revelando-se como uma tecnologia promissora.This work aims to simulate methane dry reforming in a membrane reactor using a Computational Fluid Dynamics software. Methane dry reforming reaction employing biogas as source can be a useful alternative for clean and efficient hydrogen production. COMSOL MULTIPHYSICS version 5.2a modelling and simulation software, which uses finite element analysis to solve boundary value problem, was employed. First, the reproducibility of the results based on the ones from Prabhu et al. (2000) was tested. Two different situations were analyzed for the biogas stream: addition of sweep gas stream within tube side reactor and without it. Reaction conversion into the reactor was computed and its fluid dynamics around the membrane was studied. Results showed a value of 77.9% methane conversion for the reference article model, pointing 12.6% deviation from it. For the biogas stream simulations, values of methane conversion were 70% and 70.2%. Pressure drop through reactor is negligible. Sweep gas effect acts little on fluid dynamics profiles and product conversion in low dimensions and inlet flows. Model was validated by its trend against literature comparison and results indicated that membrane has a good effect on hydrogen conversion enhancement when compared to thermodynamics values (62.5%), revealing as promising technology

Penile primary melanoma: analysis of 6 patients treated at Brazilian national cancer institute in the last eight years

Purpose To describe our experience in treating penile melanoma in 06 patients followed at our institution. Materials and Methods Between 2004 and 2012 six consecutive patients with penile melanoma were treated at our Institution. Stage of the disease was classified according to the 2002 AJCC pathologic system. Melanoma in situ (TIS) was diagnosed in one patient. One patient was staged as T1b, two patients as T2b and two patients as T4b. The clinical and pathological findings were evaluated. Immunohistochemical tests were performed for Melan-A, HNB-45, S-100 and C-KIT. All histological specimens were examined by the same pathologist (ABSS). The patients with Cis, stages T1b and one patient T2b underwent only local excision. One patient T2b underwent local excision and sentinel lymph node dissection. Two patients with melanoma stage T4b underwent partial penile amputation. One of these last patients had palpable inguinal lymph nodes at diagnosis and underwent bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy and received systemic chemotherapy (dacarbazine, 30 cycles). Results Mean follow-up was 36.3 months. One patient, with stage T2b, died after 12 months due to disease recurrence with bilateral inguinal involvement. The patient who underwent chemotherapy progressed with lung metastases and died after 14 months of follow up. The disease-free survival at five years was 33.3%. Conclusion: Penile melanoma is a disease with poor prognosis in most cases. Local excision or partial penile amputation may have effective control for stages T1 and T2 lesions. Patients who have clinically proven metastases died despite surgical and adjuvant chemotherapy