A comparative evaluation of methods for estimating the colostrum quality in sows / Avaliação comparativa de métodos para estimar a qualidade do colostro em porcas

Colostrum is the main source of immunoglobulins (Ig) for neonate piglets and plays a crucial role within the health and growth of the piglet. Currently in pig farming, there are still no widespread practical methods for measuring the Ig concentration in colostrum at herd level. We evaluated sows' colostrum IgG concentration using an optical and a digital Brix refractometer and their performance was correlated to an IgG ELISA test, and flow cytometry. Colostrum concentrations of IgG and IgA averaged 74.05 ± 21.37mg/mL and 20.2 ± 5.32mg/mL respectively. The mean value of the Brix percentages for optical refractometer was 26.32%, and for digital was 28.32%. The Brix refractometer measurements of colostrum samples presented high correlation for IgG content analyzed by ELISA (Optical = 0.74, Digital = 0.87; P <0.001). Considering the immunophenotyping, the values for IgG and IgA lymphoblasts indicated a highly significant relationship to ELISA (IgG=0.77, IgA=0.84; P<0.001). The Brix refractometer can be considered a useful tool to be included in a colostrum monitoring program to improve potentially neonatal health. In addition, we demonstrated that flow cytometry can be an important tool to analyze and characterize the immunological potential of sow colostrum.(AU)

O colostro é a principal fonte de imunoglobulinas (Ig) para leitões recém-nascidos e desempenha um papel crucial na saúde e no crescimento dos leitões. Atualmente, na suinocultura, ainda não existem métodos amplamente utilizados na prática de produção para medir a concentração de imunoglobulinas no colostro suíno. Avaliou-se a concentração de IgG no colostro de porcas usando refratômetros Brix óptico e digital, e o desempenho foi comparado com ELISA e citometria de fluxo. As concentrações de IgG e IgA no colostro foram 74,05 ± 21,37mg/mL e 20,2 ± 5,32mg/mL, respectivamente. A percentagem de Brix média das amostras de colostro para o refratômetro óptico foi 26,32%, e para o digital foi 28,32%. As medições dos refratômetros de Brix apresentaram elevada correlação com a concentrações de IgG medidas por ELISA (óptico=0,74, digital=0,87; P<0,001). Considerando a imunofenotipagem, os valores dos linfoblastos IgG e IgA apresentaram alta correlação com o ELISA (IgG=0,77, IgA=0,84; P<0,001). O refratômetro Brix pode ser considerado uma ferramenta útil para ser incluída em um programa de monitoramento de colostro para melhorar a saúde neonatal. Além disso, foi demonstrado que a citometria de fluxo pode ser uma ferramenta importante para analisar e caracterizar o potencial imunológico do colostro de porcas.(AU)

Towards diversity in science - a glance at gender disparity in the Brazilian Society of Neuroscience and Behavior (SBNeC)

Gender equity is far from being achieved in most academic institutions worldwide. Women representation in scientific leadership faces multiple obstacles. Implicit bias and stereotype threat are considered important driving forces concerning gender disparities. Negative cultural stereotypes of weak scientific performance, unrelated to true capacity, are implicitly associated with women and other social groups, influencing, without awareness, attitudes and judgments towards them. Meetings of scientific societies are the forum in which members from all stages of scientific careers are brought together. Visibility in the scientific community stems partly from presenting research as a speaker. Here, we investigated gender disparities in the Brazilian Society of Neuroscience and Behavior (SBNeC). Across the 15 mandates (1978-2020), women occupied 30% of the directory board posts, and only twice was a woman president. We evaluated six meetings held between 2010 and 2019. During this period, the membership of women outnumbered that of men in all categories. A total of 57.50% of faculty members, representing the potential pool of speakers and chairs, were female. Compared to this expected value, female speakers across the six meetings were scarce in full conferences (χ2(5)=173.54, P<0.001) and low in symposia (χ2(5)=36.92, P<0.001). Additionally, women chaired fewer symposia (χ2(5)=47.83, P<0.001). Furthermore, men-chaired symposia had significantly fewer women speakers than women-chaired symposia (χ2(1)=56.44, P<0.001). The gender disparities observed here are similar to those in other scientific societies worldwide, urging them to lead actions to pursue gender balance and diversity. Diversity leads not only to fairness but also to higher-quality science.

IGF2, LEPR, POMC, PPARG, and PPARGC1 gene variants are associated with obesity-related risk phenotypes in Brazilian children and adolescents

Association studies of genetic variants and obesity and/or obesity-related risk factors have yielded contradictory results. The aim of the present study was to determine the possible association of five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in the IGF2, LEPR, POMC, PPARG, and PPARGC1 genes with obesity or obesity-related risk phenotypes. This case-control study assessed overweight (n=192) and normal-weight (n=211) children and adolescents. The SNPs were analyzed using minisequencing assays, and variables and genotype distributions between the groups were compared using one-way analysis of variance and Pearson's chi-square or Fisher's exact tests. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for age and gender was used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) for selected phenotype risks in each group. No difference in SNP distribution was observed between groups. In children, POMC rs28932472(C) was associated with lower diastolic blood pressure (P=0.001), higher low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (P=0.014), and higher risk in overweight children of altered total cholesterol (OR=7.35, P=0.006). In adolescents, IGF2 rs680(A) was associated with higher glucose (P=0.012) and higher risk in overweight adolescents for altered insulin (OR=10.08, P=0.005) and homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (OR=6.34, P=0.010). PPARG rs1801282(G) conferred a higher risk of altered insulin (OR=12.31, P=0.003), and HOMA-IR (OR=7.47, P=0.005) in overweight adolescents. PARGC1 rs8192678(A) was associated with higher triacylglycerols (P=0.005), and LEPR rs1137101(A) was marginally associated with higher LDL cholesterol (P=0.017). LEPR rs1137101(A) conferred higher risk for altered insulin, and HOMA-IR in overweight adolescents. The associations observed in this population suggested increased risk for cardiovascular diseases and/or type 2 diabetes later in life for individuals carrying these alleles.

Molecular and cellular pathogenesis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is one of the most common human life-threatening monogenic disorders. The disease is characterized by bilateral, progressive renal cystogenesis and cyst and kidney enlargement, often leading to end-stage renal disease, and may include extrarenal manifestations. ADPKD is caused by mutation in one of two genes, PKD1 and PKD2, which encode polycystin-1 (PC1) and polycystin-2 (PC2), respectively. PC2 is a non-selective cation channel permeable to Ca2+, while PC1 is thought to function as a membrane receptor. The cyst cell phenotype includes increased proliferation and apoptosis, dedifferentiation, defective planar polarity, and a secretory pattern associated with extracellular matrix remodeling. The two-hit model for cyst formation has been recently extended by the demonstration that early gene inactivation leads to rapid and diffuse development of renal cysts, while inactivation in adult life is followed by focal and late cyst formation. Renal ischemia/reperfusion, however, can function as a third hit, triggering rapid cyst development in kidneys with Pkd1 inactivation induced in adult life. The PC1-PC2 complex behaves as a sensor in the primary cilium, mediating signal transduction via Ca2+ signaling. The intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis is impaired in ADPKD, being apparently responsible for the cAMP accumulation and abnormal cell proliferative response to cAMP. Activated mammalian target for rapamycin (mTOR) and cell cycle dysregulation are also significant features of PKD. Based on the identification of pathways altered in PKD, a large number of preclinical studies have been performed and are underway, providing a basis for clinical trials in ADPKD and helping the design of future trials.

Role of Tamm-Horsfall protein in the binding and in vivo phagocytosis of type 1 fimbriated Escherichia coli by mouse peritoneal macrophages

Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein (THP) contains manno-oligosaccharides that are recognized by type 1 fimbriae (F1) of Escherichia coli. In the present study, we examined the in vivo phagocytic activity of mouse peritoneal macrophages after treatment of bacteria with THP. At low THP concentrations (12.5 æg/ml and 50 æg/ml) no significant difference was observed in the phagocytosis of E. coli F1+. However, at high THP concentrations (500 æg/ml and 1250 æg/ml) we obtained a reduction of bacterial phagocytosis by mouse peritoneal macrophages

Anticorpos EVI e NP na infeccao chagasica cronica. Estudo em pacientes com diferentes formas clinicas. / EVI and NP antibodies in chronic Chagas' infection.Study in patients with different clinical forms

Para verificar se existe correlacao entre os anticorpos EVI e NP e a infeccao chagasica cronica, foram estudados 56 pacientes sorologicamente positivos para o T. cruzi,que apresentavam diferentes formas clinicas desta infeccao. Foram tambem estudados 75 soros com reacoes negativas para T. cruzi, para determinar os titulos de EVI e NP que nao pertencem a esta populacao. Os resultados demonstram que titulo > ou igual a 1:32 podem ser tomados como positivos tanto para EVI quanto para NP. Considerando este titulo, verificamos que 69,6% e 70,1% dos pacientes chagasicos apresentam anticorpos EVI e NP respectivamente, e somente 3% dos individuos nao infectados apresentavam titulos de 1:32. Estes dados mostram a estreita relacao existente entre EVI, NP, e a infeccao chagasica. Porem, quando se analisou a presenca desses anticorpos em pacientes com as diferentes formas clinicas da doenca, nao foi encontrada diferenca significativa entre os grupos estudados

A cura de objetivo minimo. Uma experiencia em psicoterapia breve na adolescencia. / The cure of minimal objective. An experience in brief psychotherapy in adolescence

O presente trabalho foi realizado pela equipe do setor de adolescentes do Instituto de Psiquiatria da UFRJ. A ideologia do setor e ter uma equipe de profissionais treinados para atender a imperiosa demanda das diversas patologias da populacao que acorre a instituicao. Para isto, desenvolve um amplo espectro de tecnicas de atendimento: psicoterapia breve individual, psicoterapia breve de grupo, psicoterapia familiar breve, co-terapia, psicofarmacoterapia etc. O objetivo principal desta comunicacao e apresentar um pequeno modelo empirico, instrumentado na psicoterapia breve da adolescencia. Deste ponto de vista, tenta-se demonstrar que uma das dificuldades para o trabalho clinico reside em uma serie de ideias preconcebidas, que obstaculizam as tarefas assistenciais. Estas ideias funcionam como mitos, que impedem ou atrapalham o desenvolvimento da psicoterapia. Desenham-se alguns destes mitos, e se tenta ilustrar, mediante tres casos clinicos, o que nos chamamos de "cura de objetivo minimo" (C.O.M.).Esta cura de objetivo minimo consiste em tentar resolver, mediante abordagens multivariadas de ordem empirica que se vao apresentando.Neste sentido, o trabalho pretende mostrar que a resolucao de qualquer resistencia ou obstaculo ao tratamento e uma cura minima.resolucao de qualquer resistencia ou obstaculo ao tratamento e uma cura minima