Myristic Acid, A Side Chain of Phorbol Myristate Acetate (PMA), Can Activate Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes to Produce Oxygen Radicals More Potently than PMA

Myristic acid (MyA), which is a saturated fatty acid (C14:0) and a side chain of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), was examined if MyA stimulates human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) to release oxygen radicals comparable to PMA by applying electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR)-spin-trapping method. When MyA was added to isolated human PMNs, spin adducts of 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO)-OH and DMPO-OOH were time-dependently observed. The amounts of these spin adducts were larger than those of PMNs stimulated by PMA. These results clearly show that MyA is more potent agent to prime human PMNs than PMA, in a point of view of not only O2·− but also ·OH production. This fact calls attention that too much intake of MyA that is known to be contained vegetable oils can lead to crippling effect through uncontrolled production of reactive oxygen species

Difference in interleukin-8 transcriptional activity induced in THP-G8 cells by particulate matter collected in winter and summer in western Japan

Background : Airborne particulate matter (PM) may stimulate production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and thus exposure to PM affects pulmonary diseases. However, the effects of PM on pulmonary diseases have differed among studies. Methods : PM was collected from February 2 to 28 (winter) and June 1 to 17 (summer) in 2013 in Yurihama, Japan, using filters to separate particles with different aerodynamic diameters (1.1 to< 2.2 μm, 2.2 to< 3.3 μm, 3.3 to< 7.0 μm, and 7.0 to< 10 μm). Interleukin (IL)-8 transcriptional activity in THP-G8 cells was examined in response to winter and summer PM with different diameters. Results : IL-8 transcriptional activity induced by winter PM was significantly higher than that with summer PM for each diameter. For winter PM, IL-8 activity increased with an increased diameter, whereas this activity did not differ between a solvent control and each summer PM diameter. This indicates that summer PM does not stimulate production of IL-8 in THP-G8 cells. Conclusion : The effects of PM on production of pro-inflammatory cytokines differ with the season and PM diameter. This suggests that the compositions of PM differ on season, and the evaluation of compositions of PM is important in understanding the association of health with short-term exposure to PM

Prevalence of underweight and overweight among school-aged children and it's association with children's sociodemographic and lifestyle in Indonesia

Objectives: Underweight remains a health problem among Indonesian children, and the incidence of overweight continuously increases. This study aims to determine factors associated with underweight and overweight in school-aged children in Indonesia. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional investigation on parents and children aged 6–13 years in elementary schools in Makassar, Indonesia. The participants included 877 children and their parents. Anthropometric data were obtained using standardized equipment, and sociodemographic and lifestyle data were determined using a questionnaire. The nutritional status of the children was assessed based on the child growth standard prescribed by the WHO. Results: The prevalence rates of underweight and overweight among the children were 14.5% and 20.4%, respectively. Underweight was more prevalent in boys. Factors such as mother's level of education, having an underweight father, and playing outdoors on weekends for more than 2 h were significantly associated with underweight children. By contrast, mothers with high levels of education, overweight parents, sleeping for less than 9 h, and playing outdoors on weekends for less than 1 h were significantly associated with overweight children. Conclusions: The prevalence of underweight and overweight among school-aged children in Makassar, Indonesia is high. These conditions are associated with the sociodemographic characteristics of children and parents, as well as the lifestyle of children. Parental characteristics and children's lifestyle should be considered when planning prevention and intervention programs for underweight or overweight children

Root-knot nematodes associated with carrot crop in Federal District region, and reaction of cultivars

Tese (doutorado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Fitopatologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Fitopatologia, 2017.A cenoura é uma das hortaliças mais importantes no mercado brasileiro, principalmente, para a comercialização in natura. A produção dessa hortaliça pode ser severamente afetada pela infecção de nematoides parasitas de plantas, sendo que mais de 90 espécies deste grupo de patógenos já foram associadas à referida cultura. O nematoide das galhas (Meloidogyne spp.) é o grupo que causa maiores perdas na cultura da cenoura. Os objetivos desse trabalho foram: (1) identificar as espécies de Meloidogyne presentes em áreas de cultivo de cenoura no Distrito Federal e no Município de Cristalina (GO); (2) avaliar a resposta de cultivares de cenoura quanto aos níveis naturais de infecção por espécies de Meloidogyne nas safras de 2013 e 2015, e (3) avaliar a reação de cultivares de cenoura em condições de campo („Brasília-CNPH‟, „Brasília-Agrocinco‟ e „Nantes‟) e em condições de casa de vegetação („Brasília-CNPH‟, „Brasília-Agrocinco‟ e „Kuronan‟) aos nematoides M. incognita, M. javanica e M. enterolobii (avaliada somente em condições controladas em casa de vegetação). Amostras de solo foram coletadas em campos comerciais de cenoura do Distrito Federal (DF) e de Cristalina, Goiás (GO). Ao todo foram coletadas 32 amostras compostas (22 amostras no DF e dez amostras em Cristalina, GO). Foi possível detectar nematoides das galhas em 22 amostras e identificar as espécies dos mesmos em 19 amostras. Por meio do fenótipo de esterase, foram identificadas as espécies M. javanica e M. incognita, ambas ocorreram isoladamente ou em mistura populacional. Meloidogyne javanica foi a espécie predominante nas áreas amostradas. Em relação à avaliação de cultivares comerciais quanto à produtividade, verificou-se diferença estatística significativa tanto entre as cultivares de cenoura dentro de cada safra, como entre as safras. As cultivares mais produtivas foram: „Brasília-CNPH‟, „Brasília-Horticeres‟, „BRS Planalto-CNPH‟, „BRS Planalto-Agrocinco‟, „Brasília-Agrocinco‟ e „Brasília-Tecnoseed‟. A cultivar Brasília-CNPH obteve produtividade semelhante nas duas safras. Quanto à reação ao nematoide das galhas, foi observada diferença estatística para o fator de aumento/redução da população de juvenis do nematoide (J2) no solo (FA), entre as cultivares avaliadas nas duas safras. A população „CNPH 1212554‟ foi a que apresentou maior FA na safra 2013 e a cultivar „Brasília-Tecnoseed‟ na safra 2015. Nas duas safras, as cultivares que apresentaram menor quantidade de nematoides por grama de casca de raiz foram: „Brasília-CNPH‟ e „Brasília-Agrocinco‟. Quanto à reação das cultivares ao nematoide das galhas verificou-se que para as variáveis: índice de massa de ovos (IMO), índice de galhas (IG) e fator de reprodução (FR), as cultivares „Kuronan‟, „Brasília-Agrocinco‟ e „Brasília-CNPH‟ comportaram-se como suscetiveis ao ataque de M. incognita, M. incognita + M. javanica e resistentes à espécie M. enterolobii em condições de casa de vegetação. No campo, somente a cultivar „Nantes‟ mostrou suscetibilidade frente aos nematoides M. incognita e M. incognita + M. javanica e as cultivares „Brasília- Agrocinco‟ e „Brasília-CNPH‟ comportaram-se como resistentes, de acordo com os valores de IMO e IG.Carrot is among the most important vegetable crops in Brazil, mainly, for the fresh root market. The production of this vegetable can be severely affected by the infection of plant parasitic-nematodes, with more than 90 species being associated with this crop.The root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) is the main group of these soil-borne pathogens that causes yield and quality losses in the carrot crop. The main objectives of this study were: (1) to identify Meloidogyne species with natural occurrence in carrot growing areas in the Federal District and in Cristalina, State of Goiás (GO); (2) to evaluate reaction of carrot cultivars to Meloidogyne species under field conditions in 2013 and 2015 crop seasons; (3) to evaluate a subset of carrot cultivars under field („Brasília-CNPH‟, „Brasília-Agrocinco‟ and „Nantes‟) and under greenhouse conditions („Brasília-CNPH‟, „Brasília-Agrocinco‟ and „Kuronan‟) to M. incognita, M. javanica and M. enterolobii (evaluated only in controlled assays under greenhouse conditions). Soil samples were collected in carrot fields from the Federal District (DF) and from Cristalina (GO). A total of 32 samples were collected (22 samples in the Federal District and ten samples in Cristalina, GO). It was possible to detect root-knot nematodes in 22 samples and to identify the species in 19 samples. Analyses using the esterase phenotype, indicated the presence of the species M. javanica and M. incognita, which appeared either isolated or in a population mix. Meloidogyne javanica was the predominant species in the sampled areas. The cultivars with the highest yields were: „Brasília-CNPH‟, „Brasília-Horticeres‟, „BRS Planalto-CNPH‟, „BRS Planalto-Agrocinco‟, „Brasília-Agrocinco‟ and „Brasília-Tecnoseed‟. The cultivar „Brasília CNPH‟ displayed similar root yields in both crop seasons. It was observed statistical difference for the factor of increase/decrease of juveniles in soil (FA) between cultivars evaluated in the two crop seasons. The population „CNPH 1212554‟ was the one with the highest FA in the 2013 crop season and cv. Brasília-Tecnoseed in the 2015 crop season. The cultivars with the lowest number of nematodes per gram of root skin in the two crop seasons were: „Brasília-CNPH‟ and „Brasília-Agrocinco‟. As to the reaction of the carrot cultivars to the root-knot nematode, it was verified that for the variables: egg mass index (IMO), gall index (GI) and reproduction factor (FR): cultivars „Kuronan‟, „Brasília-Agrocinco‟ and „Brasília-CNPH‟ displayed a susceptible reaction to the attack of M. incognita, M. incognita + M. javanica and showed resistant reaction to M. enterolobii under greenhouse. Under field conditions, only cultivar „Nantes‟ showed susceptibility to M. incognita and to M. incognita + M. javanica, whereas „Brasília-Agrocinco‟ and „Brasília-CNPH‟ cultivars displayed a resistant reaction, according to IMO and GI values

In Vivo Determination of Vitamin D Function Using Transgenic Mice Carrying a Human Osteocalcin Luciferase Reporter Gene

Vitamin D is an essential factor for ossification, and its deficiency causes rickets. Osteocalcin, which is a noncollagenous protein found in bone matrix and involved in mineralization and calcium ion homeostasis, is one of the major bone morphogenetic markers and is used in the evaluation of osteoblast maturation and osteogenic activation. We established transgenic mouse line expressing luciferase under the control of a 10-kb osteocalcin enhancer/promoter sequence. Using these transgenic mice, we evaluated the active forms of vitamins D2 and D3 for their bone morphogenetic function by in vivo bioluminescence. As the result, strong activity for ossification was observed with 1α,25-hydroxyvitamin D3. Our mouse system can offer a feasible detection method for assessment of osteogenic activity in the development of functional foods and medicines by noninvasive screening

Prevalence of factors related to active reproductive health behavior: a cross-sectional study Indonesian adolescent

OBJECTIVES Complex and diverse factors are related to reproductive health (RH) behavior among adolescents according to the social and cultural context of each countries. This study examined the prevalence of active RH and factors related to active RH behavior among Indonesian adolescents. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,040 of students who were selected through a multi-stage random sampling technique. A self-administered questionnaire was developed, including the World Health Organization Illustrative Questionnaire for Interview-Surveys with Young People, pubertal development scale, and sexual activity scale, modified in accordance to the Indonesian context. The data were analyzed using descriptive and comparative statistics, as well as logistic regression analyses. RESULTS The prevalence of active RH behavior were more higher in boys (56.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 50.6% to 62.6%) than in girls (43.7%; 95% CI, 37.6% to 49.8%). Negative attitudes towards RH were a factor related to active RH behavior in both boys and girls. Smoking and kind relationship envisioned before marriage (pacaran [courtship] and nikah siri [non-registered marriage]) were factors related to active RH behavior in boys; whereas the absence of access to information on substance abuse was an additional factor in girls. Moreover, an interaction was found between access to information on development and smoking (boys) and attitudes on RH (girls) as independent variables associated with active RH behavior. CONCLUSIONS Sex education for adolescents in Indonesia, particularly in the context of a health promotion program, should be developed based on prevalent social, cultural, and religious values to prevent active RH behavior. Such programs should focus on the kind of relationship envisioned before marriage and smoking for boys and access to information on subtance abuse for girls