Effect of dietary nitrogen source and crude protein content on nitrogen balance and lactating performance of dairy cows / Efeito da fonte de nitrogênio e teor de proteína bruta da dieta sobre o balanço de nitrogênio e o desempenho produtivo de vacas leiteiras

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of two crude protein contents (CP) and two main nitrogen sources in the diet of dairy cows, using sugarcane as forage, on intake, total apparent digestibility, milk yield and composition, and nitrogen balance. Twelve Holstein cows in late lactation were assigned in three contemporary square, in a Latin Square design 4 × 4, with 2 × 2 factorial treatment arrangement, in 21-day trial by period, 14 for diet adaptation and the last seven for sampling and analysis. Cows were housed in individual stalls and fed a total mixed ration (TMR) "ad libitum" composed of two main nitrogen sources (cottonseed meal or whole raw soybean grain) and two levels of CP (130g or 148g/kg dry matter - DM) in the diet. In the present study, there was an interaction effect between nitrogen source and crude protein on DM intake (DMI). Cows fed whole raw soybean had higher DMI when the CP content of the diet was 130 g CP/kg DM, while cows fed cottonseed meal had higher DMI when the CP content of the diet was 148 g CP/kg DM. A similar result of DMI was observed for organic matter intake, whereas there was no interaction effect between dietary nitrogen source and crude protein content on intake of other nutrients. Total apparent digestibility of NDF and TDN was higher when soybean was used as the main diet nitrogen source; whereas the digestibility of dietary CP was not changed by the nitrogen sources. Although there were changesin the DMI and the apparent digestibility coefficient, in the current study, there was no effect of dietary crude protein content and nitrogen source on milk yield. In conclusion, the use of low dietetic concentrations of crude protein (130 g/Kg of DM) does not change the lactating performance of dairy cows and may reduce diet cost, while the choice between whole raw soybean grain or cottonseed meal as a protein ingredient may depends only on the availability and/or price, as both ingredients result in...

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito de dois teores proteicos (PB) e duas fontes nitrogenadas na dieta de vacas leiteiras, utilizando cana-de-açúcar como forragem, sobre o consumo, digestibilidade aparente total, produção e composição do leite, e o balanço de nitrogênio. Doze vacas leiteiras Holandesas em estágio intermediário de lactação foram distribuídas em três quadrados contemporâneos, em um delineamento em quadrado latino 4 × 4, com arranjo fatorial de tratamentos 2 × 2, em períodos de 21 dias, onde os primeiros 14 dias foram destinados para a adaptação às dietas e os últimos sete para as coletas de dados e análises. As vacas foram alocadas em baias individuais em um sistema free-stall, e alimentadas com dietas totalmente misturada (TMR) ad libitum compostas por duas fontes nitrogenadas principais (farelo de algodão ou grão de soja crú integral) e dois níveis de proteína (130 g ou 148 g/kg de matéria seca- MS). No presente estudo, houve efeito de interação entre a fonte nitrogenada e o teor de PB sobre o consumo de MS (CMS). As vacas alimentadas com grão de soja crú integral tiveram maior CMS quando o teor de PB da dieta foi de 130 g CP/kg MS, enquanto que as vacas alimentadas com farelo de algodão apresentaram maior CMS quando o teor de PB da dieta foi de 148 g PB/kg MS. Resultado semelhante ao CMS foi observado para o consumo de matéria orgânica, enquanto que não houve efeito de interação entre fonte nitrogenada e teor de PB sobre o consumo dos demais nutrientes dietéticos. A digestibilidade aparente total da FDN foi maior quando grãode soja crú integral foi utilizado como principal fonte nitrogenada da dieta; enquanto que a digestibilidade da PB não foi alterada pelas fontes nitrogenadas. Apesar de haver alterações no CMS e na digestibilidade aparente total, no presente estudo,não houve efeito de teor de PB e fonte nitrogenada sobre a produção de leite. Como conclusão, o uso de baixo teor dietético de PB (130 g PB/kg de MS) não...

A new method of identifying the peripheral blood and the menstrual blood / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the tissue-specific gene expressions of the peripheral blood and the menstrual blood, and to search some specific factors to establish an effective method for identifying the peripheral blood and the menstrual blood.@*METHODS@#The specific products of the peripheral blood and the menstrual blood were detected by RT-PCR and separated by electrophoretic technology.@*RESULTS@#Beta-spectrin (SPTB) as one specific marker of peripheral blood and 18S rRNA as a kind of the housekeeping gene were expressed in both the peripheral blood and the menstrual blood. However, matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7) as one specific marker of menstrual blood and human beta defensin 1 (HBD1) as one specific marker of vaginal discharge were only found in the menstrual blood.@*CONCLUSION@#There are differences of specific gene expressions between the peripheral blood and the menstrual blood. They could be accurately distinguished from each other by using the combination of fluorescence technology and RT-PCR to detect the specific identification of mRNA.

Effect of sodium citrate ingestion on oxygen debt & exercise endurance during supramaximal exercise.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Administration of alkalinizing agents has been shown to improve performance in high intensity exercise. The present investigation was undertaken to determine whether sodium citrate ingestion enhances supramaximal endurance performance on a cycle ergometer and to assess its effect on oxygen debt incurred for the same supramaximal energy output. METHODS: Ten untrained, healthy, males performed acute intense bicycle ergometry exercise in two sessions viz., without (control) and with sodium citrate ingestion (experimental) in a dose of 0.5 g/kg body weight. Pre-exercise O2 consumption, pulse rate (PR) and respiratory rate (RR)/minute were recorded before both sessions. Exhaustion time (ET) was noted and work done calculated in the control session. Post-exercise PR and RR/min were also recorded in both sessions of study. Venous blood samples were drawn post-exercise and analysed for pH and lactate. O2 debt incurred was calculated in both sessions. RESULTS: Work output in supramaximal exercise averaged 69.40 +/- 15.31 Watts in the control session. None of the subjects in the experimental session complained of fatigue even when the exhaustion time noted in the control session was reached. Post-exercise tachycardia and tachypnoea were both significantly less (P<0.05 and P<0.001 respectively) in subjects after the experimental session as compared to the control. O2 debt incurred and lowering of blood pH were also significantly less (P<0.001) in the post-citrate phase. However, serum lactate increased significantly (P<0.05) in subjects after the experimental session. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Ingestion of sodium citrate prior to supramaximal exercise resulted in a reduction in post exercise O2 debt incurred. Blood pH was almost normal despite a higher serum lactate concentration. This probably led to an enhancement in exercise performance.

Correlation of serum and salivary carbamazepine concentration in epileptic patients: implications for therapeutic drug monitoring.

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of carbamazepine (CBZ) in saliva is an attractive alternative, because its collection is painless, non-invasive and simpler than drawing blood. Salivary drug levels, also closely reflect the free drug concentration. The aim of the study was to evaluate the suitability of saliva in routine TDM of CBZ in adult epileptic patients. Blood and saliva samples were taken simultaneously at 0 hours and 24 hours of CBZ dosing from 31 epileptic patients, receiving CBZ monotherapy for three or more months. Levels of CBZ in both these fluids were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Strong and highly significant correlation was found between serum and salivary CBZ concentration (r = 0.659, p<0.001). Estimation of CBZ level in saliva is thus a practicable, valid and convenient method of TDM in epileptic patients.

Comparative Study of Concentration of Isoflavones and Lignans in Plasma and Prostatic Tissues of Normal Control and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Objective: Isoflavones and lignans are phytoestrogens that have recently gained interest as dietary factors related to prostatic diseases. However, no data on the concentrations in prostate tissue in humans is available. Therefore, the concentrations of isoflavones and lignans in plasma and prostatic tissues according to the prostate volume were compared to determine their possible effect on the benign prostatic growth. Methods: Fasting plasma and prostatic tissue specimens were acquired from 25 men over 50 years of age with similar normal dietary habits and no previous history of drug intake that could affect the isoflavones and lignans levels. The tissue was acquired either during a transurethral resection of the prostate in 15 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with prostate volume over 40 ml or during a radical cystoprostatectomy in 10 patients with bladder cancer with a prostate volume < 25 ml, who were used as the controls. Quantitative analysis of the isoflavones, specifically equol, daidzein and genistein and lignans, particularly enterodiol and enterolactone, was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: The mean prostatic concentrations of enterodiol, enterolactone, equol and daidzein in the BPH and the control groups were similar. However, the mean prostatic concentration of genistein was significantly lower in the BPH group than in the control group (65.43 +/- 17.05 vs 86.96 +/- 37.75 ng/ ml, respectively, p=0.032). The plasma concentration of isoflavones and lignans in the two groups were comparable. Conclusion: Isoflavones, but not lignans, have some influence the benign prostatic growth, and the prostatic concentration of genistein possibly has the closest association among them. More studies to further clarify the roles and mechanisms of isoflavone action on BPH including pharmacokinetic studies are recommended.

Serum factors associated with neovascular glaucoma following vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy

We performed a retrospective study of serum factors associated with neovascular glaucoma that can occur following vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The medical records of 183 patients (241 eyes) who received vitrectomy between August 1996 and August 2000 were studied retrospectively and subsequently analyzed by linear logistic regression analysis and multiple logistic regression tests. Neovascular glaucoma developed at an average of 2.7 months in 31 of 241 eyes (14.1%). The overall anatomical success rate of retinal attachment was 82.5% (199 eyes in 241 eyes), although it decreased to 45.1% (14 eyes in 31 eyes) in eyes with neovascular glaucoma. Serum cholesterol (P = 0.041) and fibrinogen levels (P = 0.020) were significantly associated with the development of neovascular glaucoma. However, no significant association could be found concerning hypertension, diabetic retinopathy or hypercholesterolemia (P > 0.05). We suggest that serum creatinine, cholesterol and fibrinogen levels can be used to predict the development of neovascular glaucoma in vitrectomized eyes with diabetic retinopathy and can further provide a more active approach to preventing the development of this condition.

Hemometabolismo cerebral: variaçoes na fase aguda do coma traumático / Cerebral hemometabolism: variability in the acute phase of traumatic coma

OBJETIVO: avaliar as interrelaçoes entre as alteraçoes hemometabólicas cerebrais e sistêmicas em pacientes com traumatismo craniencefálico (TCE) grave submetidos a um protocolo terapêutico padronizado. DESENHO: estudo prospectivo, intervencionista em pacientes com coma traumático. LOCAL: uma UTI geral em hospital universitário. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: vinte e sete pacientes (21M e 6F), idade 14-58 anos, com TCE grave, com três a oito pontos na escala de coma de Glasgow, foram avaliados prospectivamente segundo um protocolo cumulativo padronizado para tratamento da hipertensao intracraniana aguda, o qual incluía medidas rotineiras da pressao intracraniana (PIC) e da extraçao cerebral de oxigênio (ECO2). Foram analisadas as interrelaçoes hemometabólicas envolvendo: pressao arterial média (PAM), PIC, pressao parcial de gás carbônico arterial (PaCO2), ECO2, pressao de perfusao cerebral (PPC) e extraçao sistêmica de oxigênio (ESO2). INTERVENÇOES: apenas as padronizadas no protocolo terapêutico. RESULTADOS: nao houve correlaçao entre a ECO2 e a PPC (r = -0,07; p = 0,41). Houve correlaçao inversa entre a PaCO2 e a ECO2 (r = -0,24; p = 0,005) e direta entre a ESO2 e a ECO2 (r = 0,24; p = 0,01). A mortalidade geral dos pacientes foi de 25,9 por cento (7/27). CONCLUSAO: 1) a PPC nao se correlaciona com a ECO2 em quaisquer níveis de PIC; 2) a ECO2 está estreitamente relacionada aos diferentes níveis de PaCO2 ; e 3) durante a hiperventilaçao otimizada existe um acoplamento entre a ECO2 e a ESO2

Frotis de sangre periférica y alteración orgánica en la preeclampsia-eclampsia / Peripheral blood frotis and organic alteration in preeclampsia-eclampsia

Introducción: la preeclampsia-eclampsia tiene un sustrato fisiopatológico común que es la lesión del endotelio vascular, condicionante del desarrollo de microangiopatía trombótica-hemolítica, que propicia la alteración de órganos blanco, el frotis de sangre periférica es un estudio sencillo que apoya el diagnóstico y pronóstico de esta entidad. Objetivo: hacer una correlación clínico-patológico entre pacientes con preeclampsia-eclampsia, los hallazgos morfológicos del frotis de sangre periférica y el desarrollo de alteración orgánica. Material y pacientes: se diseñó un estudio piloto prospectivo, transversal y comparativo de pacientes que ingresaron a la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos del Hospital con diagnóstico de preeclampsia-eclampsia durante un periodo comprendido de junio de 1999 a febrero del 2000, y fueron manejadas de acuerdo con el protocolo del propio hospital que incluyó la realización de un frotis de sangre periférica a su ingreso. El método consistió en hacer una revisión de los expedientes consignando las disfunciones documentadas de acuerdo con el criterio internacional y dividimos la población en dos grupos: grupo A = pacientes con frotis negativo y grupo B = pacientes con fro-tis positivo, se calculó razón de momios y se comparó cada grupo en cuanto a las principales variables valoradas mediante la prueba paramétrica t de Student y los resultados los expresamos en media, desviación estándar y porcentajes. Resultados: incluimos 77 pacientes: nueve (12 por ciento) con frotis negativo identificando una alteración orgánica (grupo A), 78 pacientes (88 por ciento) con frotis positivo documentando 56 disfunciones orgánicas (grupo B). La razón de momios de 34, destacando diferencias significativas en variables hematológicas y renales principalmente. Se concluye que de acuerdo con la medida de riesgo calculada, se estima que la probabilidad de que una paciente con preeclampsia-eclampsia desarrolle alteración orgánica, es 34 veces mayor cuando se asocia a un frotis de sangre periférica positivo, por lo que proponemos que esta prueba se realice a todas las pacientes con esta patología como una prueba predictiva de alteración orgánica que además resulta ser barata y fácil de hacer.

Efecto de la vitamina K3 (menadiona) sobre el contenido sérico y hepático de Ca, Mg, Pi y Cl / Effect of the vitamin K3 (menadiona) on the contents silken and hepatic of Ca, Mg, Pi and Cl

En el presente estudio se describe el efecto de dosis elevadas de vitamina K3 (VK: 10 a 50 mg/kg/día) inyectadas intramuscularmente, durante un lapso de 7 días, sobre el contenido sérico y hepático de Ca,Mg,Pi y Cl en ratas blancas macho y se comparan los resultados con lo que sucede en ratas tratadas con dosis iguales de bisulfito de sodio. Los resultados obtenidos demuestran que la vitamina K a dosis elevadas produce una marcada alteración en el contenido sérico y hepático de Ca,Mg y de Pi sin modificar el contenido de Cl. En consecuencia, la hipervitamina K, al igual que lo que sucede con las vitaminas A y D, puede alterar significativamente el metabolismo mineral con graves consecuencias para las diversas actividades enzimáticas corporales

Antioxidant enzymes and their modification under oxidative stress conditions

There are many cellular defense strategies against processes mediated by active oxygen species, including scavenger molecules and the enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. The activity of these antioxidant enzymes allows to keep O2- and H2O2 steady state concentrations at low levels, compatible with cell function. In most pathologies considered, modifications in levels of enzymatic activity have been observed in relation to values of control patients. Both increased and decreased levels have been found and in almost all systems the response of the three enzymes has been parallel. Different models of chronic treatment have also been considered. Parallel variations could be noted again regarding the antioxidant activity of these three enzymes. Moreover, there exists a correlation between the increase in the enzymatic activities and the acquired protection by treatment with barbital as reflected by the measured values of spontaneous chemiluminescence. on the other hand, increased levels of chemiluminescence in liver homogenates and diminished enzymatic activities were found in other experimental models. The response to these treatments is not the same in different organs since the rates of production of active oxygen species as well as the antioxidant defense activities are different in each organ. Finally, data of acute models of oxidative stress were compiled. Some of them have shown a biphasic response. At first a decrease in levels of enzymatic activities could be seen in response to the injury. Afterwards, an increase in the activity of the antioxidant enzymes followed as a consequence of an enzymatic induction or activation.

Serum concentration and increased temperature alter Mayaro virus RNA and protein synthesis in Aedes albopictus (mosquito)-infected cells

We have previously shown the inhibition of Mayaro virus multiplication in Aedes albopictus-infected cells maintained at a supraoptimal temperature for growth (37§C) and a stimulation of virus production in response to high serum concentrations in the incubation medium. In the present study, we addressed the question of how the effect of continuous heat stress and high serum concentration soon after infection interfere with virus macromolecule synthesis. Cells maintained at 28§C in the presence of 2 percent serum synthesized a viral genomic RNA of 12 kb and a subgenomic RNA of 5.2 kb 6 h post-infection. Analysis of the protein profile showed the presence of the viral nucleocapsid protein of 34 kDa (P34). However, if infected cells were maintained at 37§C, a smear starting immediately below the 5.2-kb RNA was noticed and the viral P34 was not detected by SDS-PAGE. Addition of 10 percent serum to the growth medium of infected cells maintained at 37§C results in a viral RNA profile and proteins synthesis similar to those observed in cultures kept at 28§C, i.e., the smear was not observed and the P34 protein was detected. The results suggest that the inhibition of virus multiplication by temperature may be related to the inhibition of viral nonstructural protein synthesis early during infection. The presence of high serum levels in the incubation medium protects macromolecule synthesis against heat stress

Proteçäo cerebral no tratamento cirúrgico dos aneurismas do arco aórtico: estudo experimental em cäes / Cerebral protection in the surgical treatment of the aortic arch aneurysms: experimental study in dogs

Os autores realizaram estudo experimental comparativo entre dois métodos de proteçäo cerebral utilizados na abordagem cirúrgica dos aneurismas do arco aórtico, avaliando a sua eficácia. Os métodos comparados foram a hipotermia sistêmica profunda isolada ( menor que 20§C) com pinçamento arterial braquiocefálico e a hipotermia sistêmica associada a perfusäo carotídea seletiva. Dois grupos de 15 cäes cada foram submetidos, respectivamente, a hiportermia sistêmica profunda com pinçamento arterial braquiocefálico (GRUPO I) e a hipotermia sistêmica profunda associada a perfusäo seleriva da carótida direita (GRUPO II). Foram colhidas amostras seriadas de sangue para análise das alteraçöes metabólicas de pH e PaCO2 que ocorreram no retorno venoso cerebral, aferidas na veia jugular interna, bem como as alteraçöes histopatológicas encontradas com 45 min, 90 min e 135 min de cada procedimento. Os resultados demonstraram que, aperar de ambos os métodos de proteçäo cerebral serem eficazes por período de 45 minutos, o método utilizado no GRUPO II mostrou ser superior em períodos de até 90 minutos. Em períodos de 135 minutos, os métodos tiveram resultados semelhantes, näo oferecendo proteçäo cerebral adequada.

Determinación de los niveles de gastrina en suero materno, neonatal y líquido amniótico en el sufrimiento fetal agudo / Gastrin levels determination in maternal, neonatal sera and amniotic fluid in acute fetal distress

Se compararon los niveles de gastrina (G) en el suero materno, neonatal y líquido amniótico en 15 pacientes que presentaron sufrimiento fetal agudo (SFA), teniendo como testigos a 10 pacientes con embarazo normal. Los niveles de G del Líquido amniótico de las pacientes con SFA fueron significativamente mayores (p<0.0001) que los del grupo testigo. Asimismo, se apreciaron diferencias entre ambos grupos en los coeficientes de G en suero materno/líquido amniótico (p < 0.01) y suero neonatal/líquido amniótico (p < 0.01). Se concluye que la G podría ser un auxiliar en el diagnóstico del SFA y el líquido amniótico el sustrato adecuado para su obtención mediante la utilización de la amniocentesis, requiriéndose estudios posteriores para ampliar el número de casos y poder precisar la sensibilidad y especifícidad de esta prueba.

Prostaglandin-E2 and cyclic adenosine 3'-5' monophosphate levels in the hypertrophied rat heart

To assess whether prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) and cyclic adenosine 3'-5'-monophosphate (cAMP) are involved in the cardiac response to chronic pressure overload, we measured by specific radioimmunoassay method the cardiac tissue and plasma concentrations of PGE2 and cAMP in an animal model of left ventricular hypertrophy. The cardiac hypertrophy was accompanied by a significant increase in PGE2 content, and a significant decrease in cAMP content, in the heart. In addition, we found elevated PGE2 and cAMP levels in arterial plasma samples from the rats with hypertrophied hearts compared to normal rats. These findings suggest a link between cardiac and vascular PGE2 and cAMP generation and the hemodynamic stresses of advanced cardiac overload

A comparative study of biochemical changes induced by inhalation of aerosols of o-Chloroacetophenone & Dibenz (b,f)-1,4-oxazepine in rats.

The biochemical changes in blood samples of rats at different intervals after O-Chloroacetophenone (CN) and Dibenz (b,f)-1,4 oxazepine (CR) were studied. After a single subacute (1/10 LC50) exposure, both the compounds induced hyperglycaemia which was abolished within 24 h. The level of plasma urea was unaltered. CR exposed animals did not show any significant changes in plasma GOT, acid and alkaline phosphatase activities at different intervals. However, in CN exposed animals, a significant elevation of the activities of GOT, GPT, acid and alkaline phosphatase was observed at different intervals. All the parameters became normal within seven days after the exposure. Inhalation of CN aerosols can thus lead to tissue damaging effects in rats.

Concentraciones de fármacos en sangre. Utilidad clínica en el embarazo y recién nacido / Drug concentration in blood: clinical utiliry during pregnancy and in the new born

En elpresente trabajo se analizan los resultados de 2,168 exámenes de laboratorio que se realizaron en 50 pacientes (78 en mujeres embarazadas y 26 en recién nacidos) para determinar los niveles de teofilina, fenobarbital, difenilhidantoína o digoxina. El 62.7%(1,359) de las concentraciones estuvieron entre los niveles terapéuticos recomendados para cada fármaco; el 21.8%(472) presentaron concentraciones subterapéuticas; y el 15.5%(337) fueron altas. En algunos pacientes se determinó la vida media de eliminación del medicamento. Estas actividades tienen como objetivo evaluar los resultados de las concentraciones con la información clínica para recomendar ajuste de dosis cuando es necesario, lo que permite controlar con mayor eficacia los esquemas de dosificación y aumentar el beneficio clínico de fármacos con índice terapéutico reducido y/o de aquellos en que la respuesta terapéutica es muy variable por factores diversos que afectan su cinética.

Variaçöes eletrolíticas do cloro na saliva humana mista, soro e urina em pacientes com traumas faciais, submetidos à terapêutica cirúrgica / Electrolytic variations of chlorine in human mixed saliva, serum and urine in facial traumatized patients submitted to surgical therapy

O autor faz uma análise bioquímica das alteraçöes eletrolíticas do cloro, na saliva humana mista, soro e urina em pacientes traumatizados da face submetidos a terapêutica cirúrgica, obtendo resultados conclusivos destas alteraçöes em relaçäo ao grupo controle