Influence of estimated training status on anti and pro-oxidant activity, nitrite concentration, and blood pressure in middle-aged and older women

The purpose of this study was to compare the association between anti and pro-oxidant activity, nitrite concentration, and blood pressure (BP) in middle-aged and older women with different levels of estimated training status (TS). The sample consisted of 155 females (50-84 years) who were submitted to a physical examination to evaluate estimated TS through the "Functional Fitness Battery Test," BP measurements, and plasma blood samples to evaluate pro-oxidant and antioxidant activity and nitrite concentrations. Participants were separated by age into a middle-aged group (< 65 years) and an older (≥65 years) group and then subdivided in each group according to TS. Blood biochemistry was similar between groups. On the other hand, protein oxidation was lower in participants with higher TS, independent of age. Older females with higher TS presented higher nitrite concentrations, lower lipoperoxidation, and lower values of BP compared with those with lower TS. Lower GPx activity was observed in participants with higher TS compared with middle-aged with lower TS. Thus, our results suggest that good levels of TS may be associated with lower oxidative stress and higher nitrite concentration and may contribute to maintain normal or reduced blood pressure values.Fil: Jacomini, André M.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Dias, Danielle da Silva. Universidade Nove de Julho; BrasilFil: Brito, Janaina de Oliveira. Universidade Nove de Julho; BrasilFil: da Silva, Roberta F.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Monteiro, Henrique L.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Llesuy, Susana Francisca. Universidade Nove de Julho; Brasil. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad Medicina. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular; ArgentinaFil: De Angelis, Kátia. Universidade Nove de Julho; BrasilFil: Amaral, Sandra L.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Zago, Anderson S.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; Brasi

Draft Genome Sequence of Sorghum Grain Mold Fungus Epicoccum sorghinum, a Producer of Tenuazonic Acid

The facultative plant pathogen Epicoccum sorghinum is associated with grain mold of sorghum and produces the mycotoxin tenuazonic acid. This fungus can have serious economic impact on sorghum production. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of E. sorghinum (USPMTOX48)

Association between Diastolic Dysfunction with Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Females ob/ob Mice

Objective: To evaluate autonomic and cardiovascular function, as well as inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in ob/ob female mice. Methods: Metabolic parameters, cardiac function, arterial pressure (AP), autonomic, hormonal, inflammatory, and oxidative stressmarkers were evaluated in 12-weeks female wild-type (WT group) and ob/ob mice (OB group). Results: OB animals showed increased body weight, blood glucose, and triglyceride levels, along with glucose intolerance, when compared to WT animals. Ejection fraction (EF) and AP were similar between groupshowever, the OB group presented diastolic dysfunction, as well as an impairment on myocardial performance index. Moreover, the OB group exhibited important autonomic dysfunction and baroreflex sensitivity impairment, when compared to WT group. OB group showed increased Angiotensin II levels in heart and renal tissuesdecreased adiponectin and increased inflammatory markers in adipose tissue and spleen. Additionally, OB mice presented a higher damage to proteins and lipoperoxidation and lower activity of antioxidant enzymes in kidney and heart. Correlations were found between autonomic dysfunction with angiotensin II and inflammatory mediators, as well as between inflammation and oxidative stress. Conclusions: Our results showed that female adult ob/ob mice presented discrete diastolic dysfunction accompanied by autonomic disorder, which is associated with inflammation and oxidative stress in these animals.CAPESCNPqFAPESPCNPq Fellowship (CNPq-BPQ)Univ São Paulo, Fac Med, Heart Inst InCor, Hypertens Unit, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Nove Julho, Translat Physiol Lab, São Paulo, BrazilNova Southeastern Univ, Inst Neuro Immune Med, Dept Integrat Immunol Cardiovasc Res, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33314 USAUniv Fed São Paulo, Dept Med, Nephrol Div, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Estadual Campinas, Fac Phys Educ, Dept Adapted Phys Act, Campinas, SP, BrazilUniv Fed São Paulo, Dept Med, Nephrol Div, São Paulo, BrazilCNPq: 457200/2014-6CNPq: 401781/2012-7CNPq: 479076/2012-0CNPq: 563961/2010-4FAPESP: 2015/11223-6FAPESP: 2011/15828-9FAPESP: 2010/17188-4Web of Scienc

The Extracellular Matrix of the Lateral Pharyngeal Wall in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Study Objectives: To compare the components of the extracellular matrix in the lateral pharyngeal muscular wall in patients with and without obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This may help to explain the origin of the increased collapsibility of the pharynx in patients with OSA. Design: Specimens from the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle, obtained during pharyngeal surgeries, were evaluated using histochemical and immunohistochemical analyses to determine the fractional area of collagen types I and II, elastic fibers, versican, fibronectin, and matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 2 in the endomysium. Setting: Academic tertiary center. Patiens: A total of 51 nonobese adult patients, divided into 38 patients with OSA and 13 nonsnoring control subjects without OSA. Interventions: Postintervention study performed on tissues from patients after elective surgery. Measurements and Results: Pharyngeal muscles of patients with OSA had significantly more collagen type I than pharyngeal muscles in control subjects. Collagen type I was correlated positively and independently with age. The other tested components of the extracellular matrix did not differ significantly between groups. In a logistic regression, an additive effect of both the increase of collagen type I and the increase in age with the presence of OSA was observed (odds ratio (OR), 2.06; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.17-3.63), when compared with the effect of increased age alone (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.03-1.20). Conclusion: Collagen type I in the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle was more prevalent in patients with OSA and also increased with age. It was hypothesized that this increase could delay contractile-relaxant responses in the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle at the expiratory-inspiratory phase transition, thus increasing pharyngeal collapsibility.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo [06/50630-7

Beta diversity of stream insects differs between boreal and subtropical regions, but land use does not generally cause biotic homogenization

Previous studies have found mixed results regarding the relationship between beta diversity and latitude. In addition, by influencing local environmental heterogeneity, land use may modify spatial taxonomic and functional variability among communities causing biotic differentiation or homogenization. We tested 1) whether taxonomic and functional beta diversities among streams within watersheds differ between subtropical and boreal regions and 2) whether land use is related to taxonomic and functional beta diversities in both regions. We sampled aquatic insects in 100 subtropical (Brazil) and 100 boreal (Finland) streams across a wide gradient of land use, including agriculture and exotic planted, secondary, and native forests. We calculated beta diversity at the watershed scale (among 5 streams in each watershed). We found higher taxonomic beta diversity among subtropical than among boreal streams, whereas functional beta diversity was similar between the 2 regions. Total land use was positively correlated with taxonomic and functional beta diversity among subtropical streams, while local environmental heterogeneity was positively correlated with beta diversity among boreal streams. We suggest that different types and intensities of land use may increase among-stream heterogeneity, promoting distinct insect assemblage compositions among streams. Our findings also suggest that beta diversity patterns and their underlying determinants are highly context dependent.Peer reviewe

Sequencing the transcriptome of milk production: milk trumps mammary tissue

Background: Studies of normal human mammary gland development and function have mostly relied on cell culture, limited surgical specimens, and rodent models. Although RNA extracted from human milk has been used to assay the mammary transcriptome non-invasively, this assay has not been adequately validated in primates. Thus, the objectives of the current study were to assess the suitability of lactating rhesus macaques as a model for lactating humans and to determine whether RNA extracted from milk fractions is representative of RNA extracted from mammary tissue for the purpose of studying the transcriptome of milk-producing cells. Results: We confirmed that macaque milk contains cytoplasmic crescents and that ample high-quality RNA can be obtained for sequencing. Using RNA sequencing, RNA extracted from macaque milk fat and milk cell fractions more accurately represented RNA from mammary epithelial cells (cells that produce milk) than did RNA from whole mammary tissue. Mammary epithelium-specific transcripts were more abundant in macaque milk fat, whereas adipose or stroma-specific transcripts were more abundant in mammary tissue. Functional analyses confirmed the validity of milk as a source of RNA from milk-producing mammary epithelial cells. Conclusions: RNA extracted from the milk fat during lactation accurately portrayed the RNA profile of milk-producing mammary epithelial cells in a non-human primate. However, this sample type clearly requires protocols that minimize RNA degradation. Overall, we validated the use of RNA extracted from human and macaque milk and provided evidence to support the use of lactating macaques as a model for human lactation

Comportamentos associados à manutenção dos resultados após cirurgia bariátrica

A Cirurgia Bariátrica (CB) é um método de tratamento da obesidade que vem recebendo destaque principalmente devido aos resultados positivos no tratamento das comorbidades associados ao excesso de peso. No entanto, esse tipo de intervenção necessita de uma fase de adaptação e mudanças de estilo de vida principalmente devido a complicações pós-cirúrgicas relacionadas à deficiência de algumas vitaminas e minerais. Nesse sentido, o objetivo do estudo foi associar o perfil antropométrico, composição corporal e tempo desde a realização da CB com a adesão a comportamentos alimentares saudáveis de pacientes submetidos a esse procedimento. Estudo do tipo transversal realizado com 98 pacientes submetidos ao bypass gástrico em Y de Roux. Foram avaliados peso, estatura, circunferência da cintura (CC) e quadril, massa de gordura, massa muscular esquelética e o comportamento alimentar por meio do questionário Bariatric Surgery Self-management Questionnaire Seven, que possui 7 domínios referentes ao comportamento alimentar (CA), à ingestão de fluidos (IF), à atividade física (AF), à gestão da síndrome de dumping (GSD), à admissão de suplementos (AS), ao consumo de frutas, vegetais e grãos integrais (CFVGI) e à ingestão de proteínas (IP). Foi verificada associação entre adesão total dos comportamentos alimentares, CFVGI, IP com o estado nutricional e CC após a CB. Observamos também menor peso, IMC e CC e menor % e quantidade de gordura em pacientes que apresentaram boa adesão nesses domínios. Nos domínios, CA, IF e AF os pacientes com menor tempo após a realização da CB apresentaram melhor adesão a esses comportamentos. Os sujeitos mais jovens apresentaram maior adesão à AF comparados aos mais velhos. Em conclusão, a adesão aos comportamentos alimentares após a CB se associou com o estado nutricional e CC, bem como com o tempo após a realização à CB. Sugere-se a realização de estudos que proponham modelos de intervenção para o melhor controle e manutenção dos comportamentos alimentares dos pacientes submetidos a esse procedimento.Bariatric Surgery (BS) is a method for obesity treatment which has been receiving attention mainly due to the positive results in the treatment of comorbidities associated with overweight. However, this type of intervention requires a period of adaptation and change of lifestyle mainly due to post surgery complications related to vitamins and minerals deficits. In this way, the objective of this study was to associate the anthropometric profile, body composition and time since the surgery with the adherence to healthy behavior eating on patients who underwent this procedure. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 98 patients who underwent gastric bypass Roux-Y. We evaluated weight, height, waist (WC) and hip circumferences, body fat (BF), skeletal muscle mass and feeding behavior by the Bariatric Surgery Self-management Questionnaire Seven, which has 7 domains related to feeding behavior (FB), the fluid intake (FI), physical activity (PA), management of Dumping Syndrome (MDS), admission of supplements (AS), consume of fruits, vegetables and whole grains (CFVWG) and protein intake (PI).  We verify association between total adherence of eating behaviors, CFVWG, and PI with nutritional status and WC after BS. We also observed lower weight, BMI and WC, % and quantity of BF in patients who presented good adherence in these domains. In the domains FB, FI, and PA the patients who had operated in less time present better adherence. The younger subjects showed higher PA adhesion compared to the older ones. In conclusion, feeding behaviors adherence after BS was associated with nutritional status and WC, as well as time since BS. It is suggested to carry out studies that propose intervention models for the better control and maintenance of feeding behaviors in patients who underwent BS

Avaliação físico-química de um blend de laranja tangor ‘Ortanique’ e beterraba

Polpas de frutas podem ser utilizadas para elaboração de blends com características diferentes das matérias-primas originais, tendo por objetivo a melhoria das características sensoriais e nutricionais dos componentes isolados ou apenas a criação de novos produtos, cuja principal característica seja a diferenciação em relação aos produtos obtidos na natureza. Este trabalho foi realizado como o objetivo de se avaliar as características químicas e físico-químicas de blends elaborados a partir de polpa de tangor “Ortanique” e polpa de beterraba, com diferentes proporções de cada polpa. Os blends foram caracterizados quanto ao pH, o teor de sólidos solúveis totais, acidez total titulável, cinzas, teor de água, açúcares redutores, açúcares totais, açúcares não redutores e cor. A partir dos resultados obtidos observou-se que os blends de tangor e beterraba resultaram em amostras mais escuras com a elevação do teor de polpa de beterraba. O aumento na proporção de polpa de beterraba influenciou o pH, a acidez total titulável, o teor de água e os açúcares redutores. Aumentou com maior intensidade o teor de cinzas, os açúcares totais, os açúcares não redutores e o índice intensidade de vermelho, e reduziu a luminosidade. Palavras chave: hortaliças, frutas, Beta vulgaris, citru

Lutzomyia longipalpis Saliva Triggers Lipid Body Formation and Prostaglandin E2 Production in Murine Macrophages

After the injection of saliva into the host's skin by sand flies, a transient erythematous reaction is observed, which is related to an influx of inflammatory cells and the release of various molecules that actively facilitate the blood meal. It is important to understand the specific mechanisms by which sand fly saliva manipulates the host's inflammatory responses. Herein, we report that saliva from Lutzomyia (L.) longipalpis, a widespread Leishmania vector, induces early production of eicosanoids. Intense formation of intracellular organelles called lipid bodies (LBs) was noted within those cells that migrated to the site of saliva injection. In vitro and ex vivo, sand fly saliva was able to induce LB formation and PGE2 release by macrophages. Interestingly, PGE2 production induced by L. longipalpis saliva was dependent on intracellular mechanisms involving phosphorylation of signaling proteins such as PKC-α and ERK-1/2 and subsequent activation of cyclooxygenase-2. Thus, this study provides new insights into the pharmacological properties of sand fly saliva and opens new opportunities for intervening with the induction of the host's inflammatory pathways by L. longipalpis bites