Effects of Astrocaryum aculeatum Meyer (Tucumã) on Diet-Induced Dyslipidemic Rats

An in vivo study was conducted to assess the effects of the consumption of Astrocaryum aculeatum Amazon Meyer (tucumã) in the treatment of diet-induced dyslipidemia in sedentary and exercised Wistar rats. With an average weight of 350 grams, 40 male rats were divided into 4 subgroups of 10. The sedentary control group (SCG) was fed with commercial feed, while the sedentary treatment group (STG) was fed with a ration of tucumã. In addition to the sedentary groups, two exercise groups were formed. The Exercised control group (ECG) was fed with commercial food and the exercised treatment group (ETG) was fed with a ration of tucumã. Body weight gain and food intake were monitored during the experiment. Plasma was analyzed for cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL, total protein, glucose, insulin, and leptin concentrations. Our results show that the ECG group tended to consume more food, while the groups that were fed with tucumã pulp (STG and ETG) presented a greater tendency to gain body mass. ECG group showed a tendency towards a higher concentration of cholesterol in plasma, while STG and ETG presented higher absolute values for triglycerides and VLDL. No hypolipiemic effect was observed related to tucuma ingestion. © 2014 Geórgia Craveiro Holanda Malveira Maia et al

Effect of fatty Amazon fish consumption on lipid metabolism

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding diets enriched with fatty fish from the Amazon basin on lipid metabolism. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control group treated with commercial chow; Mapará group was fed diet enriched with Hypophthalmus edentatus; Matrinxã group was fed diet enriched with Brycon spp.; and, Tambaqui group was fed diet enriched with Colossoma macropomum. Rats with approximately 240g±0.60 of body weight were fed ad libitum for 30 days, and then were sacrificed for collection of whole blood and tissues. RESULTS: The groups treated with enriched diets showed a significant reduction in body mass and lipogenesis in the epididymal and retroperitoneal adipose tissues and carcass when compared with the control group. However, lipogenesis in the liver showed an increase in Matrinxã group compared with the others groups. The levels of serum triglycerides in the treated groups with Amazonian fish were significantly lower than those of the control group. Moreover, total cholesterol concentration only decreased in the group Matrinxã. High Density Lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased significantly in the Mapará and Tambaqui compared with control group and Matrinxã group. The insulin and leptin levels increased significantly in all treatment groups. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that diets enriched with fatty fish from the Amazon basin changed the lipid metabolism by reducing serum triglycerides and increasing high density lipoprotein-cholesterol in rats fed with diets enriched with Mapará, Matrinxã, and Tambaqui

Controle biológico de Rhizoctonia solani, agente causal do tombamento do tomateiro, com Trichoderma spp.

Several crops, including vegetables such as tomatoes, are subject to various diseases that may limit its production. In particular, inhabiting fungi soil are responsible for important losses in all types of agricultural crops. Species of the genus Trichoderma have antagonistic properties capable of controlling a large number of plant diseases such as damping off of seedlings caused by the pathogen Rhizoctonia solani. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential antagonist Trichoderma spp. in the control of tomato damping-off in terms of green-house. The isolates of Trichoderma spp. were provided by the Collection of Microorganisms of Interest agroforestry INPA. While, R. solani was obtained from the stem necrosis of tomato plants with characteristic symptoms of damping off, collected in the field of Horticultural Experimental Station Alejo van der Pahlen city of Manaus, AM. For selection of the antagonists, with potential to control R. solani, two experiments were conducted: the first in December 2010 using 40 isolates, and the second in January 2011 with the five most efficient in the first experiment. Both experiments in green-house. After preparation of the suspension of antagonists and pathogen inoculum promoted himself to artificial soil infestation. This infestation was selected by 24 g the amount of R. solani/100 g soil adjusted quantity to cause damping off in tomato. In a plastic tray mixed 24 g of mycelium of R. solani cultivated in rice grains /100 g soil and applied 1.0 mL of the suspension of 108 conidia mL-1/100 g soil. After the revolving of mixtures, these were transferred to glasses of 500 ml plastic. The material was incubated for 15 days, for the initial establishment of fungi. Later, proceeded to plant the seeds of tomato cultivar Kada. The results showed that 12 isolates had a similar effect to the control group without pathogen, significantly reducing the incidence of damping off in tomato seedlings. Among the 12 selected antagonists were five isolates of Trichoderma (1.611, 2.121, 1.439-B, 2.130 and 1.599) and the latter showed that the percentage of surviving seedlings showed no significant difference among themselves by Tukey test at 5% probability compared with the control treatment without the pathogen. Have the isolate 1.599 resulted in 100% of seedlings survivors similarly the witness without the pathogen. For the evaluation of the in vitro mechanism of action of the antagonist was used in cultivation method paired with five disk BDA antagonistic isolates 1.611, 2.121, 1.439-B, 2.130 e 1.599 against the pathogenic strain 2.329. The results showed that the isolates 1.611, 2.121, 1.439-B, 2.130 and 1.599 showed excellent antagonistic action to the test of direct confrontation in which all had grade 1 according to the scale of Bell. The five selected isolates antagonist with potential antagonist were identified by macroscopic and microscopic observation, grown on plates and incubated at 25 °C. The results showed the identification of fungi using the taxonomic keys: 1.611 (T. pseudokoningii), 2.121 (T. virens), 1.439-B (T. aureoviride), 2.130 (T. harzianum) and 1.599 (T. aureoviride). To obtain the sporulation of the best strain 1.599, selected as antagonistic fungus was used 3% of calcium carbonate, different moisture contents (60 mL, 100 mL e 140 mL) and 36 polypropylene bags, containing 200 g of substrate of rice grains previously moistened autoclaved for twice, on alternate days, to 120 0C during 25 minutes. The results showed that the isolate 1.599 produced statistically more conidia, when grown in substrate of rice grains in closed bags, include 100 mL water, and addition of calcium carbonate.Diversas culturas, incluindo hortaliças como o tomateiro, estão sujeitas a várias doenças que podem limitar sua produção. Em particular, os fungos habitantes de solo são responsáveis por perdas importantes em todos os tipos de cultivos agrícolas. Espécies do gênero Trichoderma possuem propriedades antagônicas com capacidade de controlar um grande número de doenças de plantas, como o tombamento das mudas, causada pelo fitopatógeno Rhizoctonia solani. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial dos isolados de Trichoderma spp. no controle do tombamento de tomateiro em condições de casa-de-vegetação. Os isolados de Trichoderma spp. foram fornecidos pela Coleção de Microrganismos de Interesse Agrossilvicultural do INPA. Enquanto que, R. solani foi obtido a partir do caule, necrosado, do tomateiro com sintomas característicos do tombamento, coletado no campo da Estação Experimental de Hortaliças Alejo van der Pahlen município de Manaus, AM. Para seleção dos antagonistas, com potencial de controle de R. solani, foram realizados dois experimentos: o primeiro no mês de dezembro de 2010 utilizando 40 isolados de Trichoderma spp., e o segundo no mês de janeiro de 2011, com os cinco mais eficientes do primeiro experimento. Ambos experimentos foram realizados em casa-de-vegetação. Após a preparação da suspensão dos antagonistas e do inóculo do patógeno promoveu-se a infestação artificial do solo. Nessa infestação foi selecionada a quantidade de 24g de grãos de arroz colonizado com R. solani/100 g de solo quantidade ajustada para causar tombamento no tomateiro. Em uma bandeja de plástico misturou-se 24g de R. solani cultivado em arroz/100 g de solo e aplicou-se 1,0 mL da suspensão de 108 conídios mL-1/100 g de solo. Após o revolvimento das misturas, estas foram transferidas para copos de plásticos de 500 mL. O material foi incubado por 15 dias, para o estabelecimento inicial dos fungos. Posteriormente, procedeu-se o plantio do tomateiro com sementes da cultivar Kada. Os resultados mostraram que 12 isolados tiveram efeito semelhante a testemunha sem patógeno, reduzindo significativamente a incidência de tombamento em plântulas de tomateiros. Entre os 12 antagonistas foram selecionados cinco isolados de Trichoderma (1.611, 2.121, 1.439-B, 2.130 e 1.599) estes mostraram que a percentagem de plântulas sobreviventes não apresentou diferença significativa entre si pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade comparada com o tratamento controle sem o patógeno. Já o isolado 1.599 resultou em 100% de plântulas sobreviventes de forma similar a testemunha sem o patógeno. Para a avaliação do ensaio in vitro do mecanismo de ação antagônico foi empregado o método de cultivo pareado em disco de BDA com cinco isolados antagonistas 1.611, 2.121, 1.439-B, 2.130 e 1.599 contra o isolado patogênico 2.329. Os resultados mostraram que os cinco isolados apresentaram excelente ação em teste de pareamento dos fungos antagônicos em que todos obtiveram nota 1 de acordo com a escala de Bell. Os isolados antagonistas selecionados com potenciais antagônicos foram identificados por meio de observações macroscópica e microscópica, cultivados em meio de BDA e incubados a 25 ºC. Os resultados obtidos mostraram a identificação dos fungos através das chaves taxonômicas: 1.611 (T. pseudokoningii), 2.121 (Trichoderma virens), 1.439-B (T. aureoviride), 2.130 (T. harzianum) e 1.599 (T. aureoviride). Para obter a esporulação do isolado 1.599 foi utilizado 3% de carbonato de cálcio, diferentes volumes de água 60 mL, 100 mL e 140 mL) e 36 sacos de polipropileno, contendo 200 g de substrato de grãos de arroz previamente umedecidos autoclavados por duas vezes, em dias alternados, a 120 0C durante 25 minutos. Os resultados mostraram que o isolado 1.599 produziu estatisticamente mais conídios, quando cultivado em substrato de grãos de arroz com adição de carbonato de cálcio em sacos fechados

Parasitos nas brânquias de Brycon amazonicus (Characidae, Bryconinae) cultivados em canais de igarapé do Turumã-Mirim, Estado do Amazonas, Brasil - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v29i2.593

The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence and intensity of parasites in the gills as well as the condition factor of farmed Brycon amazonicus (Spix e Agassiz, 1829) from three stream channels in Tarumã-Mirim, Manaus, Amazonas State. Sanitary conditions of stream channels, fish handling, and water physiochemical parameters were monitored. From the 150 examined fish, 25.0% were contaminated by protozoan Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (18,0%) and by leeches Placobdella sp. (7.0%). The prevalence of I. multifiliis in the stream channels was of 22.0%, 18.0% and 14.0%, respectively, and the average intensity was high only in the stream channel that maintained fish in high population density. The leeches Placobdella sp. were found only in one stream channel. There was no seasonal variation in the infection by I. multifiliis; however Placobdella sp. infected the hosts only in January and March. Condition factor of parasitized fish was significantly lower (p < 0.001) than on unparasitized fish, but, it was not correlated with the parasites intensity.O presente estudo teve como objetivo determinar a prevalência e a intensidade de parasitos nas brânquias, bem como o fator de condição em matrinxã Brycon amazonicus Spix e Agassiz (1829) cultivados em três canais de igarapé da região do Tarumã-Mirim, Manaus, Estado do Amazonas. As condições sanitárias dos canais de igarapé, o manejo dos peixes e os parâmetros físico-químicos da água foram monitorados. De 150 peixes examinados, 25,0% estavam parasitados pelo protozoário Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (18,0%) e por sanguessungas Placobdella sp. (7,0%). A prevalência de I. multifiliis, nos três canais de igarapé, foi de 22,0%, 18,0% e 14,0%, respectivamente, e a intensidade média foi maior em um dos canais que mantinha peixes em grande densidade populacional. As sanguessugas Placobdella sp. ocorreram somente em um dos canais de igarapé. Não houve variação sazonal na infecção de I. multifiliis, mas Placobdella sp. ocorreu somente em janeiro e março. O fator de condição dos peixes parasitados foi significativamente (p < 0,001) menor que nos peixes não-parasitados, porém este não mostrou correlação com a intensidade parasitária

Parasitos nas brânquias de Brycon amazonicus (Characidae, Bryconinae) cultivados em canais de igarapé do Turumã-Mirim, Estado do Amazonas, Brasil = Parasites in gills of farmed Brycon amazonicus (Characidae, Bryconinae) in stream channels of Turumã-Mirim, Amazonas State, Brazil

O presente estudo teve como objetivo determinar a prevalência e a intensidade de parasitos nas brânquias, bem como o fator de condição em matrinxã Brycon amazonicus Spix e Agassiz (1829) cultivados em três canais de igarapé da região do Tarumã-Mirim, Manaus, Estado do Amazonas. As condições sanitárias dos canais de igarapé, o manejo dospeixes e os parâmetros físico-químicos da água foram monitorados. De 150 peixes examinados, 25,0% estavam parasitados pelo protozoário Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (18,0%) e por sanguessungas Placobdella sp. (7,0%). A prevalência de I. multifiliis, nos três canais deigarapé, foi de 22,0%, 18,0% e 14,0%, respectivamente, e a intensidade média foi maior em um dos canais que mantinha peixes em grande densidade populacional. As sanguessugas Placobdella sp. ocorreram somente em um dos canais de igarapé. Não houve variação sazonal na infecção de I. multifiliis, mas Placobdella sp. ocorreu somente em janeiro e março. O fator de condição dos peixes parasitados foi significativamente (p The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence and intensity of parasites in the gills as well as the condition factor of farmed Brycon amazonicus (Spix e Agassiz, 1829) from three stream channels in Tarumã-Mirim, Manaus, Amazonas State. Sanitary conditions of stream channels, fish handling, and water physiochemical parameters were monitored. From the 150 examined fish, 25.0% were contaminated by protozoan Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (18,0%) and by leeches Placobdella sp. (7.0%). The prevalence of I. multifiliis in the stream channels was of 22.0%, 18.0% and 14.0%, respectively, and the average intensity was high only in the stream channel that maintained fish in high population density. The leeches Placobdella sp. were found only in one stream channel. There was no seasonal variation in the infection by I. multifiliis; however Placobdella sp.infected the hosts only in January and March. Condition factor of parasitized fish was significantly lower (p < 0.001) than on unparasitized fish, but, it was not correlated with the parasites intensity

Effect of fatty Amazon fish consumption on lipid metabolism

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding diets enriched with fatty fish from the Amazon basin on lipid metabolism. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control group treated with commercial chow; Mapará group was fed diet enriched with Hypophthalmus edentatus; Matrinxã group was fed diet enriched with Brycon spp.; and, Tambaqui group was fed diet enriched with Colossoma macropomum. Rats with approximately 240g±0.60 of body weight were fed ad libitum for 30 days, and then were sacrificed for collection of whole blood and tissues. RESULTS: The groups treated with enriched diets showed a significant reduction in body mass and lipogenesis in the epididymal and retroperitoneal adipose tissues and carcass when compared with the control group. However, lipogenesis in the liver showed an increase in Matrinxã group compared with the others groups. The levels of serum triglycerides in the treated groups with Amazonian fish were significantly lower than those of the control group. Moreover, total cholesterol concentration only decreased in the group Matrinxã. High Density Lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased significantly in the Mapará and Tambaqui compared with control group and Matrinxã group. The insulin and leptin levels increased significantly in all treatment groups. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that diets enriched with fatty fish from the Amazon basin changed the lipid metabolism by reducing serum triglycerides and increasing high density lipoprotein-cholesterol in rats fed with diets enriched with Mapará, Matrinxã, and Tambaqui

Effect of lung recruitment and titrated Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) vs low PEEP on mortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome - A randomized clinical trial

IMPORTANCE: The effects of recruitment maneuvers and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) titration on clinical outcomes in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remain uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To determine if lung recruitment associated with PEEP titration according to the best respiratory-system compliance decreases 28-day mortality of patients with moderate to severe ARDS compared with a conventional low-PEEP strategy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Multicenter, randomized trial conducted at 120 intensive care units (ICUs) from 9 countries from November 17, 2011, through April 25, 2017, enrolling adults with moderate to severe ARDS. INTERVENTIONS: An experimental strategy with a lung recruitment maneuver and PEEP titration according to the best respiratory-system compliance (n = 501; experimental group) or a control strategy of low PEEP (n = 509). All patients received volume-assist control mode until weaning. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was all-cause mortality until 28 days. Secondary outcomes were length of ICU and hospital stay; ventilator-free days through day 28; pneumothorax requiring drainage within 7 days; barotrauma within 7 days; and ICU, in-hospital, and 6-month mortality. RESULTS: A total of 1010 patients (37.5% female; mean [SD] age, 50.9 [17.4] years) were enrolled and followed up. At 28 days, 277 of 501 patients (55.3%) in the experimental group and 251 of 509 patients (49.3%) in the control group had died (hazard ratio [HR], 1.20; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.42; P = .041). Compared with the control group, the experimental group strategy increased 6-month mortality (65.3% vs 59.9%; HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.38; P = .04), decreased the number of mean ventilator-free days (5.3 vs 6.4; difference, −1.1; 95% CI, −2.1 to −0.1; P = .03), increased the risk of pneumothorax requiring drainage (3.2% vs 1.2%; difference, 2.0%; 95% CI, 0.0% to 4.0%; P = .03), and the risk of barotrauma (5.6% vs 1.6%; difference, 4.0%; 95% CI, 1.5% to 6.5%; P = .001). There were no significant differences in the length of ICU stay, length of hospital stay, ICU mortality, and in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In patients with moderate to severe ARDS, a strategy with lung recruitment and titrated PEEP compared with low PEEP increased 28-day all-cause mortality. These findings do not support the routine use of lung recruitment maneuver and PEEP titration in these patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01374022