Identification of housekeeping genes for microRNA expression analysis in kidney tissues of Pkd1 deficient mouse models.

Polycystic kidney disease is a complex clinical entity which comprises a group of genetic diseases that leads to renal cyst development. We evaluated the most suitable housekeeping genes for microRNA expression by RT-qPCR analyses of kidney tissues in Pkd1-deficient mouse models from a panel of five candidates genes (miR-20a, miR-25, miR-26a, miR-191 and U6) and 3 target genes (miR-17, miR-21 and let-7a) using samples from kidneys of cystic mice (Pkd1flox/flox:Nestincre, CY), non-cystic controls (Pkd1flox/flox, NC), Pkd1-haploinsufficient (Pkd1+/-, HT), wild-type controls (Pkd1+/+, WT), severely cystic mice (Pkd1V/V, SC), wild-type controls (CO). The stability of the candidate genes was investigated using NormFinder, GeNorm, BestKeeper, DataAssist, and RefFinder software packages and the comparative ΔCt method. The analyses identified miR-26a as the most stable housekeeping gene for all kidney samples, miR-20a for CY and NC, miR-20a and miR-26a for HT and WT, and miR-25 and miR-26a for SC and CO. Expression of miR-21 was upregulated in SC compared to CO and trends of miR-21 upregulation and let-7a downregulation in CY and HT compared to its control kidneys, when normalized by different combinations of miR-20a, miR-25 and miR-26a. Our findings established miR-20a, miR-25, and miR-26a as the best housekeeping genes for miRNA expression analyses by RT-qPCR in kidney tissues of Pkd1-deficient mouse models.

Thermal comfort zones for starter meat-type quails

The objective of this study was to determine thermal comfort ranges, as evaluated by air temperature and black-glove temperature and humidity index (BGTHI), for starter meat-type quails. Nine hundred quails were randomly distributed into five environmental chambers. Each chamber was programmed to provide different temperatures weekly. The following thermal environments were provided: SC - severe cold, MC - moderate cold, TC - recommended comfort environment, MH - moderate heat, and SH - severe heat. The best live performance was obtained when quails were submitted to temperatures of 36-39 ºC and BGTHI of 87.1 ± 0.4 and 91.4 ± 0.6 during the first week of rearing. Temperatures of 27-30 ºC and BGTHI of 75.8 ± 0.4 and 79.9 ± 0.6, during the second week, and temperature of 24 ºC and BGTHI of 70.8 ± 0.5 during the third week of rearing.(AU)

Efeito do ambiente de produção sobre frangos de corte sexados criados em galpão comercial / Effect of the production environment on sexed broilers reared in a commercial house

Avaliou-se o efeito do ambiente de produção sobre o desempenho produtivo e respostas fisiológicas de frangos de corte demarca comercial sexados, machos e fêmeas. Os frangos foram criados em duas alas separadas no interior de um galpão comercial com sistemas de ventilação convencional e nebulização. O ambiente produtivo foi avaliado por meio do índice de temperatura do globo negro e umidade, da intensidade de ruído e do nível de iluminância. A avaliação dos animais foi feita por meio das respostas fisiológicas - frequência respiratória, temperatura retal, temperatura da pele e temperatura da pena - e produtivas - ganho de peso semanal, massa corporal e mortalidade. Os machos apresentaram desempenho produtivo superior às fêmeas (P<0,05). A massa corporal média dos machos foi 214,6g maior que a das fêmeas aos 35 dias de vida, a qual se igualou à massa corporal dos machos somente aos 38,47 dias de vida. As respostas fisiológicas não se relacionaram com o ambiente.

The effect of the production environment on the productive performance and physiological responses of sexed broiler chickens, male and female, was evaluated. The birds were raised in two separate regions inside the broiler house. The productive environment was determined using the black-globe temperature humidity index, as well as noise and luminance levels. The physiological responses (breath rate, rectal temperature, skin temperature and feather temperature) and productive responses (weekly weight gain, body mass and mortality) were used to evaluate the effect of the production environment on the broilers raised in a house equipped with conventional and misting ventilation systems. The mean body mass of the males was 214.6 g greater than females at 35 days of life, which became equal to the male mean body mass only at 38.47 days of life. The physiological responses were not related to the environment.

Efeito do ambiente de produção sobre frangos de corte sexados criados em galpão comercial / Effect of the production environment on sexed broilers reared in a commercial house

Avaliou-se o efeito do ambiente de produção sobre o desempenho produtivo e respostas fisiológicas de frangos de corte demarca comercial sexados, machos e fêmeas. Os frangos foram criados em duas alas separadas no interior de um galpão comercial com sistemas de ventilação convencional e nebulização. O ambiente produtivo foi avaliado por meio do índice de temperatura do globo negro e umidade, da intensidade de ruído e do nível de iluminância. A avaliação dos animais foi feita por meio das respostas fisiológicas - frequência respiratória, temperatura retal, temperatura da pele e temperatura da pena - e produtivas - ganho de peso semanal, massa corporal e mortalidade. Os machos apresentaram desempenho produtivo superior às fêmeas (P<0,05). A massa corporal média dos machos foi 214,6g maior que a das fêmeas aos 35 dias de vida, a qual se igualou à massa corporal dos machos somente aos 38,47 dias de vida. As respostas fisiológicas não se relacionaram com o ambiente.(AU)

The effect of the production environment on the productive performance and physiological responses of sexed broiler chickens, male and female, was evaluated. The birds were raised in two separate regions inside the broiler house. The productive environment was determined using the black-globe temperature humidity index, as well as noise and luminance levels. The physiological responses (breath rate, rectal temperature, skin temperature and feather temperature) and productive responses (weekly weight gain, body mass and mortality) were used to evaluate the effect of the production environment on the broilers raised in a house equipped with conventional and misting ventilation systems. The mean body mass of the males was 214.6 g greater than females at 35 days of life, which became equal to the male mean body mass only at 38.47 days of life. The physiological responses were not related to the environment.(AU)

Brachioplasty technique with the use of molds.

Over previous years many surgical techniques have been developed to correct lipodystrophy and brachial skin laxity while providing a natural, discreet contour and symmetrical scars, a goal that has not always been achieved. In this study, the authors classify the alterations of the arm into three degrees and propose a different surgical treatment, to be used alone or associated with another procedure, for each classification. They developed a new technique that uses a mold to mark the incision in an italic double S-shape. From 1996 to 1998, 20 patients who underwent this surgery showed symmetrical and smaller scars with better results and minimal complications.