Physiological and biochemical responses of Eucalyptus seedlings to hypoxia

International audienceAbstractKey messageHypoxia promoted distinct changes in the levels of hormones, amino acids and organic acids in the roots and shoots of a seedling from 2Eucalyptusclones. These results indicate that modulation of hormone production, as well as specific chemical constituents associated with primary metabolism, contributes to the regulation of growth ofEucalyptusseedlings under hypoxic conditions.ContextAlthough floods in areas under Eucalyptus cultivation in Brazil negatively affect plant growth, chemical markers and/or indicators of hypoxia contributes to the regulation.sAimsThis study aimed to evaluate the hormonal and metabolic alterations induced by hypoxia on seedling growth.MethodsSeedlings of Eucalyptus urograndis clones VCC 975 and 1004 were grown in liquid solution and submitted to bubbling with air or with nitrogen. Levels of indol-3-acetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), primary metabolite profile and photosynthetic parameters were evaluated after fourteen days.ResultsHypoxia did not affect shoot dry mass of the seedlings. However, it decreased stomatal conductance and photosynthetic CO2 assimilation rate, and increased levels of ABA in the shoot. Hypoxia greatly reduced the dry mass and volume of roots, concomitantly with higher ACC and ethylene production. Moreover, hypoxia promoted distinct changes in IAA levels, and in amino acid and organic acid metabolism in roots and shoots.ConclusionThe biosynthesis of ABA, ethylene and IAA and its quantity in root tissues indicates the regulation of metabolism in response to hypoxia in Eucalyptus clones

Effect of stocking density and use of environmental enrichment materials on the welfare and the performance of pigs in the growth and finishing phases

Aim of study: To evaluate the effects of stocking density and the use of environmental enrichment (EE) objects on the welfare and the performance of pigs in the growing and finishing phases.Area of study: The southern region of Brazil.Material and methods: A total of 240 pigs, 120 immunocastrated males and 120 females, with an initial weight of 22.38 ± 2.38 kg and mean age of 65 days, were submitted to two stocking densities conditions (0.85 and 1.28 m²pig) with and without EE for 117 days. The experimental design was a 2×2×2 factorial (two categories, two densities, and two EE conditions), with six replicates. Performance variables and behavior were evaluated.Main results: For stocking density, there was a significant difference in the finishing phase from 148 to 161 days of age for the final weight (FW), average daily weight gain (ADWG), and feed conversion rate (FCR). For the EE factor, there was no difference in any of the phases or in the overall period. In the overall period, the higher availability of space improved the results of FW (140.56 kg vs 136.63 kg), ADWG (1.005 kg vs 0.974 kg), and FCR (2.05 vs 2.10). There was no effect of EE, stocking densities, or their interaction on the frequency of different behaviors of the pigs in the growth and finishing phases.Research highlights: There was no effect of interactions between enriched environments, stocking densities, and sex for animal performance and behavioral frequencies; however, differences between the factors were observed separately. The higher availability of space improved the results of FW, ADWG, and FCR

Effects of encapsulation on the viability of probiotic strains exposed to lethal conditions

The effect of microencapsulation in an alginate matrix on the viability of several potential probiotic strains (Lactobacillus paracasei LAFTI® L26, L. acidophilus Ki and Bifidobacterium animalis BB-12®), in the presence and absence of L-cysteine, during the exposure to lethal conditions of temperature (55 ºC for L. acidophilus Ki and 60 ºC for L. paracasei and B. animalis BB-12®, during 60 min), pH (3.0 during 6h) and salt (25% during 24h), was evaluated. The microcapsules were prepared via extrusion by aerodynamically-assisted flow. The effect of the disintegration of the microcapsules by mixing with sodium citrate in the enumeration of survivors was also evaluated. The lethal treatments were performed in whey protein concentrate medium and the survivors were enumerated accordingly. In general, the microencapsulated cells were more sensitive to the lethal conditions. The addition of L-cysteine to growth medium did not increase the viability of the tested strains except for B. animalis BB-12®. Furthermore, the disintegration in sodium citrate did not affect the viability. The survival of the probiotic strains was dependent on the lethal stress being imposed and planktonic cells were more resistant to the tested lethal conditions. Encapsulation of these probiotic bacteria did not improve their survival through lethal conditions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Gestational age acceleration is associated with epigenetic biomarkers of prenatal physiologic stress exposure

BACKGROUND: Physiological maternal stress response, such as imbalance in the glucocorticoid pathway and immune system seems to be mediated by DNA methylation (DNAm) and might translate intrauterine stress exposures into phenotypic changes in a sex-specific manner. DNAm in specific sites can also predict newborn gestational age and gestational age acceleration (GAA). GAA occurs when the predicted biological age is higher than the chronological age. In adults, poor health outcomes related to this deviance are well documented and raise questions for the interpretation and prediction in early stages of life. Boys seem to be more vulnerable to intrauterine stress exposure than girls; however, the mechanisms of adaptive sex-specific responses are still unclear. We hypothesize that intrauterine stress exposure is associated with GAA and could be different in boys and girls if inflammatory or glucocorticoid pathways exposure is considered. RESULTS: Using the Western Region Birth Cohort (ROC-Sao Paulo, Brazil) (n = 83), we calculated DNAm age and GAA from cord blood samples. Two epigenetic risk scores were calculated as an indirect proxy for low-grade inflammation (i-ePGS) and for glucocorticoid exposure (GES). Multivariate linear regression models were applied to investigate associations of GAA with prenatal exposures. The i-ePGS and GES were included in different models with the same co-variates considering sex interactions. The first multivariate model investigating inflammatory exposure (adj. R(2) = 0.31, p = < 0.001) showed that GAA was positively associated with i-ePGS (CI, 0.26-113.87, p = 0.049) and negative pregnancy-related feelings (CI, 0.04-0.48 p = 0.019). No sex interaction was observed. The second model investigating glucocorticoid exposure (adj. R(2) = 0.32, p = < 0.001) showed that the higher was the GAA was associated with a lower the lower was the GES in girls (CI, 0.04-2.55, p = 0.044). In both models, maternal self-reported mental disorder was negatively associated with GAA. CONCLUSION: Prenatal epigenetic score of exposure to low-grade inflammatory was a predictor of GAA for both sexes. Glucocorticoid epigenetic score seems to be more important to GAA in girls. This study supports the evidence of sex-specificity in stress response, suggesting the glucocorticoid as a possible pathway adopted by girls to accelerate the maturation in an adverse condition

Giardia lamblia and respiratory allergies: a study of children from an urban area with a high incidence of protozoan infections

OBJECTIVES: There is a high incidence of intestinal parasite infection in urban areas in the Northeast of Brazil. Giardia lamblia infections have been associated with increased prevalence of cutaneous allergies and gastrointestinal disorders. However, little is known about the relationship between giardiasis and allergic diseases of the airways. The present study aimed to investigate the possible association between respiratory allergic diseases and infections by G. lamblia in children from urban areas. METHODS: This study recruited 110 patients of both sexes aged 5-15 years. Patients were administered a questionnaire evaluating clinical symptoms and were given skin tests, parasite tests and serum tests. RESULTS: A high incidence of G. lamblia was observed (45%, 50/110). Infections by this protozoan were not associated with increased risk of respiratory allergy (p = 0.075), high total IgE levels (p = 0.701), positive specific IgE tests (p = 0.250), or positive skin tests for a range of environmental allergens (p = 0.239). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that symptoms of asthma, skin allergy and serum markers were not associated with G. lamblia infections in this sample of children from urban areas.OBJETIVO: Uma elevada incidência de enteroparasitoses é encontrada em regiões urbanas do nordeste brasileiro. As infecções por Giardia lamblia têm sido relacionadas com aumento da prevalência de alergias cutâneas e gastrointestinais. Contudo, ainda existe pouca informação sobre a associação entre a giardíase e doenças alérgicas das vias aéreas. Diante disso, o presente estudo se propôs a verificar a relação entre a infecção por G. lamblia em crianças de área urbana e reatividade alérgica respiratória. MÉTODOS: O estudo incluiu 110 pacientes, de ambos os sexos e idades, entre 5 e 15 anos. Os pacientes foram submetidos a questionários de avaliação dos sintomas clínicos, testes cutâneos de leitura imediata e exames coproparasitológicos e sorológicos. RESULTADOS: Foi verificada uma frequência elevada de crianças infectadas por G. lamblia (45%, 50/110). A infecção pelo protozoário não foi associada com maior risco de alergias respiratórias (p = 0,075), elevação de IgE total (p = 0,701), IgE específica (p = 0,250) ou teste cutâneo positivo para diferentes alérgenos ambientais (p = 0,239). CONCLUSÃO: O estudo demonstrou que a presença dos sintomas de asma, atopia cutânea e marcadores sorológicos não foram associados com a presença de infecção pela G. lamblia nessa amostra de crianças.Ministério da Saúde (Governo Federal do Brasil)Ministério da Ciência e e Tecnologia (Governo Federal do Brasil)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Laboratório de Imunopatologia Keizo AsamiUFPE Laboratório de Imunopatologia Keizo AsamiUFPE Hospital das Cínicas ImunologiaUFPE Hospital das Clínicas ImunologiaUFPE Hospital das ClínicasUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Pediatria e Ciências AplicadasUNIFESP Imunologia Clínica e Reumatologia Pediatria e Ciências Aplicadas PediatriaUFPEUFPE Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da SaúdeUNIFESP, Pediatria e Ciências AplicadasUNIFESP, Imunologia Clínica e Reumatologia Pediatria e Ciências Aplicadas PediatriaCNPq: 402666/2005-4SciEL

Spectrochemical analysis of liquid biopsy harnessed to multivariate analysis towards breast cancer screening

Mortality due to breast cancer could be reduced via screening programs where preliminary clinical tests employed in an asymptomatic well-population with the objective of identifying cancer biomarkers could allow earlier referral of women with altered results for deeper clinical analysis and treatment. The introduction of well-population screening using new and less-invasive technologies as a strategy for earlier detection of breast cancer is thus highly desirable. Herein, spectrochemical analyses harnessed to multivariate classification techniques are used as a bio-analytical tool for a Breast Cancer Screening Program using liquid biopsy in the form of blood plasma samples collected from 476 patients recruited over a 2-year period. This methodology is based on acquiring and analysing the spectrochemical fingerprint of plasma samples by attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy; derived spectra reflect intrinsic biochemical composition, generating information on nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. Excellent results in terms of sensitivity (94%) and specificity (91%) were obtained using this method in comparison with traditional mammography (88–93% and 85–94%, respectively). Additional advantages such as better disease prognosis thus allowing a more effective treatment, lower associated morbidity, fewer false-positive and false-negative results, lower-cost, and higher analytical frequency make this method attractive for translation to the clinical setting

Increase of the Adiponectin/Leptin Ratio in Patients with Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Bariatric surgery remains the most effective option for achieving important and sustained weight loss. We explored the effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) on the circulating levels of adiponectin, leptin, and the adiponectin/leptin (Adpn/Lep) ratio in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Twenty-five T2D volunteers undergoing RYGB were included in the study, and further subclassified as patients that responded or not to RYBG, regarding remission of T2D. Anthropometric and biochemical variables were evaluated before and after RYGB. Obese patients with T2D exhibited an increase (p < 0.0001) in the Adpn/Lep ratio after RYGB. Changes in the Adpn/Lep ratio correlated better with changes in anthropometric data (p < 0.001) than with the variations of adiponectin or leptin alone. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the change in the Adpn/Lep ratio in patients with T2D was an independent predictor of the changes in body mass index (p < 0.001) and body fat percentage (p = 0.022). However, the Adpn/Lep ratio did not differ between individuals with or without T2D remission after RYGB. In summary, the current study demonstrated that after weight and body fat loss following RYGB, the Adpn/Lep ratio increased in patients with obesity and T2D

Transformação genética de milho por Agrobacterium tumefaciens.

RESUMO - A biotecnologia é uma importante ferramenta que propicia ganhos de produtividade na agricultura, ao mesmo tempo em que pode reduzir o ritmo de exploração de novas áreas agricultáveis e aumentar a utilização de áreas degradadas, o que gera dividendos positivos para o meio ambiente e para a sociedade. O objetivo deste trabalho é otimizar a transformação genética de milho para a geração de eventos com desempenho superior em condições de seca e calor. A modificação genética de milho via Agrobacterium tumefaciens ocorre como parte de "pipeline" de transformação continuado e em larga escala, utilizando embriões imaturos extraídos de genótipos de milho responsivos ao processo de transformação. Dentre os poucos genótipos de milho responsivos ao processo de transformação e embriogênese somática, destacam-se o híbrido Hi-II e a linhagem B104, ambos de origem temperada, que estão sendo utilizados no presente trabalho. O desenvolvimento de uma rotina de transformação genética em larga escala exige o desenvolvimento de protocolos eficientes. Uma vez obtidos os eventos transgênicos de milho, os mesmos são analisados e caracterizados quanto ao efeito da inserção do transgene de interesse nas plantas cultivadas na presença da condição desejada, neste caso especificamente, o estresse hídrico e de calor. O presente trabalho, descreve o processo de transformação genética de milho e os resultados obtidos até o momento.CIIC 2019. Nº 19608. Na publicação: Juliana E. T. Yassitepe

GLP-1 limits adipocyte inflammation and its low circulating pre-operative concentrations predict worse type 2 diabetes remission after bariatric surgery in obese patients

Objective: Glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 has been proposed as a key candidate in glucose improvements after bariatric surgery. Our aim was to explore the role of GLP-1 in surgically-induced type 2 diabetes (T2D) improvement and its capacity to regulate human adipocyte inflammation. Methods: Basal circulating concentrations of GLP-1 as well as during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were measured in lean and obese volunteers with and without T2D (n = 93). In addition, GLP-1 levels were determined before and after weight loss achieved by Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) (n = 77). The impact of GLP-1 on inflammation signalling pathways was also evaluated. Results: We show that the reduced (p < 0.05) circulating levels of GLP-1 in obese T2D patients increased (p < 0.05) after RYGB. The area under the curve was significantly lower in obese patients with (p < 0.01) and without (p < 0.05) T2D compared to lean volunteers while obese patients with T2D exhibited decreased GLP-1 levels at baseline (p < 0.05) and 120 min (p < 0.01) after the OGTT. Importantly, higher (p < 0.05) pre-operative GLP-1 concentrations were found in patients with T2D remission after RYGB. We also revealed that exendin-4, a GLP-1 agonist, downregulated the expression of inflammation-related genes (IL1B, IL6, IL8, TNF) and, conversely, upregulated the mRNA levels of ADIPOQ in human visceral adipocytes. Furthermore, exendin-4 blocked (p < 0.05) LPS-induced inflammation in human adipocytes via downregulating the expression and secretion of key inflammatory markers. Conclusions: Our data indicate that GLP-1 may contribute to glycemic control and exert a role in T2D remission after RYGB. GLP-1 is also involved in limiting inflammation in human visceral adipocytes

PSR J1907+0602: A Radio-Faint Gamma-Ray Pulsar Powering a Bright TeV Pulsar Wind Nebula

We present multiwavelength studies of the 106.6 ms gamma-ray pulsar PSR J1907+06 near the TeV source MGRO J1908+06. Timing observations with Fermi result in a precise position determination for the pulsar of R.A. = 19h07m547(2), decl. = +06:02:16(2) placing the pulsar firmly within the TeV source extent, suggesting the TeV source is the pulsar wind nebula of PSR J1907+0602. Pulsed gamma-ray emission is clearly visible at energies from 100 MeV to above 10 GeV. The phase-averaged power-law index in the energy range E > 0.1 GeV is = 1.76 \pm 0.05 with an exponential cutoff energy E_{c} = 3.6 \pm 0.5 GeV. We present the energy-dependent gamma-ray pulsed light curve as well as limits on off-pulse emission associated with the TeV source. We also report the detection of very faint (flux density of ~3.4 microJy) radio pulsations with the Arecibo telescope at 1.5 GHz having a dispersion measure DM = 82.1 \pm 1.1 cm^{-3}pc. This indicates a distance of 3.2 \pm 0.6 kpc and a pseudo-luminosity of L_{1400} ~ 0.035 mJy kpc^2. A Chandra ACIS observation revealed an absorbed, possibly extended, compact <(4 arcsec) X-ray source with significant non-thermal emission at R.A. = 19h07m54.76, decl. = +06:02:14.6 with a flux of 2.3^{+0.6}_{-1.4} X 10^{-14} erg cm^{-2} s^{-1}. From archival ASCA observations, we place upper limits on any arcminute scale 2--10 keV X-ray emission of ~ 1 X 10^{-13} erg cm^{-2} s^{-1}. The implied distance to the pulsar is compatible with that of the supernova remnant G40.5-0.5, located on the far side of the TeV nebula from PSR J1907+0602, and the S74 molecular cloud on the nearer side which we discuss as potential birth sites