Classification of different degrees of adiposity in sedentary rats

In experimental studies, several parameters, such as body weight, body mass index, adiposity index, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, have commonly been used to demonstrate increased adiposity and investigate the mechanisms underlying obesity and sedentary lifestyles. However, these investigations have not classified the degree of adiposity nor defined adiposity categories for rats, such as normal, overweight, and obese. The aim of the study was to characterize the degree of adiposity in rats fed a high-fat diet using cluster analysis and to create adiposity intervals in an experimental model of obesity. Thirty-day-old male Wistar rats were fed a normal (n=41) or a high-fat (n=43) diet for 15 weeks. Obesity was defined based on the adiposity index; and the degree of adiposity was evaluated using cluster analysis. Cluster analysis allowed the rats to be classified into two groups (overweight and obese). The obese group displayed significantly higher total body fat and a higher adiposity index compared with those of the overweight group. No differences in systolic blood pressure or nonesterified fatty acid, glucose, total cholesterol, or triglyceride levels were observed between the obese and overweight groups. The adiposity index of the obese group was positively correlated with final body weight, total body fat, and leptin levels. Despite the classification of sedentary rats into overweight and obese groups, it was not possible to identify differences in the comorbidities between the two groups.

Initiation and s uppression of sperm motility is osmolality dependent in two South American fish species: streaked prochilod (Prochilodus lineatus) and piracanjuba(Brycon orbignyanus)

Solutions to induce or suppress the initiation of sperm motility in fish ha ve been used to improve reproductive success during artificial fertilization and preservation techniques . The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of three solutions (NaCl, glucose , and BTS™) - each prepared with 10 different osmolalities - on the initiation and suppression of fresh sperm motility in Prochilodus lineat us and Brycon orbignyanus . Sperm was diluted in each of the 30 solution s and immediately observed under a light microscope to determine which solution s trigger ed or suppress ed the initiation of sperm motility. When present, motility rate ( % motile sperm ) w as determined at 0, 30 , and 120 s post - activation and the motility quality score ranging from 0 ( no movement ) to 5 ( rapidly swimming sperm) was determined at 0 and 30 s post - activation . Osmolality , but not solution composition , significantly affected both motility rate and quality score . Solutions at osmolali ties up to 270 mOsm/kg in P. lineatus and up to 180 mOsm/kg in B. orbignyanus induced motility in at least 60% of sperm , with a minimum quality score of 3.0 , and were therefore classified as activating agents. The greatest motility at 0 , 30 , and 120 s post - activation was observed with solutions ranging from 135 to 225 mOsm/kg for P. lineatus and at 135 mOsm/kg for B. orbignyanus . On the other hand, solutions ranging from 360 to 450 mOsm/kg in P. lineatus and 270 to 450 mOsm/kg in B. orbignyanus suppressed motility in at least 95% of sperm and were classified as immobilizing media . The osmolality of the surrounding medium is the key factor in the initiation or suppression of sperm motility in P. lineatus a nd B. orbignyanu.

Efeito materno e paterno sobre as taxas de fertilização e eclosão em curimba (Prochilodus lineatus) / Maternal and paternal effect on fertilization and haching rate in curimba (Prochilodus lineatus)

Avaliou-se o quanto fêmeas e machos contribuem para a variação total das taxas de fertilização e de eclosão em curimba (Prochilodus lineatus). Utilizou-se sêmen criopreservado proveniente de cinco machos para fertilizar ovócitos de seis fêmeas em um esquema fatorial cruzado 5x6, totalizando 30 famílias. Além das características reprodutivas dos machos e fêmeas, foram avaliadas as taxas de fertilização e eclosão para cômputo dos efeitos materno e paterno. Os componentes da variância foram estimados por meio da máxima verossimilhança restrita, sendo construídos intervalos Highest Posterior Density (HPD) para cada componente. Verificou-se que as fêmeas contribuíram muito mais para a variação total em relação aos machos para as taxas de fertilização e eclosão. Para a taxa de fertilização, as fêmeas contribuíram com 26,3% da variação total e os machos com 8,9%. Em relação à taxa de eclosão, as fêmeas contribuíram com 11,9% e os machos com 1,6%. Concluiu-se que houve efeito materno sobre as taxas de fertilização e eclosão e que o efeito paterno avaliado individualmente foi pouco expressivo ou até mesmo insignificante.

The aim of this study was to evaluate how much females and males contribute to the total variation of reproductive traits such as fertilization and hatching rate in curimba Prochilodus lineatus. Cryopreserved semen from five males was used to fertilize eggs from six females in a cross-factorial 5x6, totaling 30 families. In addition to the reproductive characteristics of males and females, fertilization and hatching rates were evaluated for computation of maternal and paternal effects. The variance components were estimated by restricted maximum likelihood, and the Highest Posterior Density (HPD) intervals were estimated for each component. The female contributed more to the total variation than males for the fertilization and hatching rates. The female contributed 26.3% of the total variation in the fertilization rate against 8.9% of males. Regarding the hatching rate, the female contributed 11.9% versus 1.6% of males. Thus, there is maternal effect on rates of fertilization and hatching, and the paternal effect assessed individually was lackluster or even negligible.

The use of medicinal plants by an indigenous Pataxó community in NE Brazil / O uso de plantas medicinais por uma comunidade indígena Pataxó no NE do Brasil

We identified and classified 48 medicinal plants used by the Pataxó Indians in south Bahia, Brazil. The location is an ecologically threatened area designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The aim of this paper is to document phytotherapeutic practices in the indigenous community of Mata Medonha. We conducted interviews with the 25 families present at the area. Of the 48 medicinal species identified, only 14 (29%) had been examined for mechanism of action or isolation of biochemical compounds, according to bibliographic research. The plants were deposited at the Alexandre Leal Costa Herbarium of the Federal University of Bahia. We gathered information about the preparation and uses of the plants. The species are used for a variety of maladies, including flu, congestion, bronchitis and headaches, pain, snake bites, and some were only used for women's disorders. The Pataxó ethnopharmacological knowledge is under pressure from the economic outmigration of the community and threats to the biodiversity from logging, mining, and tourism. The plants studied here include important drug candidates. Additional research on the molecular aspects of the species cited should be performed.

Foram identificadas e classificadas 48 plantas medicinais usadas por Índios Pataxós no sul da Bahia. A região é área de risco ecológico designada pela UNESCO como Sítio do Patrimônio Mundial. O objetivo deste estudo foi de documentar as práticas fitoterápicas na comunidade indígena da Mata Medonha. Foram conduzidas entrevistas com as 25 famílias presentes no local. Dentre as 48 espécies identificadas, apenas 14 (29%) foram avaliadas quanto ao mecanismo de ação ou isolamento de compostos químicos, de acordo com levantamento bibliográfico. As plantas foram depositadas no Herbário Alexandre Leal Costa da Universidade Federal da Bahia. Foram registradas informações sobre o preparo e uso das plantas citadas. As espécies são usadas para uma variedade de doenças incluindo gripe, congestão, bronquite, dores em geral, picadas de cobra e algumas apenas para doenças femininas. O conhecimento etnofarmacológico Pataxó está sobre pressão pelas migrações para fora da comuindade e ameaças à biodiversidade por desmatamento, mineração e turismo. As plantas estudadas incluem importantes candidatos a fármacos. Pesquisas adicionais sobre os aspectos moleculares devem ser realizadas.

Obesity induces upregulation of genes involved in myocardial Ca2+ handling

Obesity is a complex multifactorial disorder that is often associated with cardiovascular diseases. Research on experimental models has suggested that cardiac dysfunction in obesity might be related to alterations in myocardial intracellular calcium (Ca2+) handling. However, information about the expression of Ca2+-related genes that lead to this abnormality is scarce. We evaluated the effects of obesity induced by a high-fat diet in the expression of Ca2+-related genes, focusing the L-type Ca2+ channel (Cacna1c), sarcolemmal Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX), sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA2a), ryanodine receptor (RyR2), and phospholamban (PLB) mRNA in rat myocardium. Male 30-day-old Wistar rats were fed a standard (control) or high-fat diet (obese) for 15 weeks. Obesity was defined as increased percent of body fat in carcass. The mRNA expression of Ca2+-related genes in the left ventricle was measured by RT-PCR. Compared with control rats, the obese rats had increased percent of body fat, area under the curve for glucose, and leptin and insulin plasma concentrations. Obesity also caused an increase in the levels of SERCA2a, RyR2 and PLB mRNA (P < 0.05) but did not modify the mRNA levels of Cacna1c and NCX. These findings show that obesity induced by high-fat diet causes cardiac upregulation of Ca2+ transport_related genes in the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Characterization and regulation of glycine transport in Fusarium oxysporum var. lini

Glycine was transported in Fusarium oxysporum cells, grow on glycine as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen, by a facilitated diffusion transport system with a half-saturation constant(Ks) of 11 mM and a maximum velocity (Vmax) of 1.2 mM (g dry weight)-1 h-1 at pH 5.0 and 26 degrees Celsius. Under conditions of nitrogen starvation, the same system was present together with a high-affinity one(Ks) of about 47 muM and Vmax of about 60 muM (g dry weight)(-1) h-1)). The low-affinity system was more specific than the high-affinity system. Cells grown on gelatine showed the same behavior. In cells grown on glucose-gelatine medium, the low-affinity system was poorly expressed even after carbon and nitrogen starvation. Moreover, addition of glucose to cells grown on glycine and resuspended in mineral medium caused an increase of the glycine transport probably due to a boost in protein synthesis. This stimulation did not affect the Ks of the low-affinity system. These results demonstrate that, as is the case for other eukaryotic systems, F.oxysporum glycine transport is under control of nitrogen sources but its regulation by carbon sources appears to be more complex.