THE INTAKE OF FIBER MESOCARP PASSIONFRUIT (PASSIFLORA EDULIS) LOWERS LEVELS OF TRIGLYCERIDE AND CHOLESTEROL DECREASING PRINCIPALLY INSULIN AND LEPTIN.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease, renal failure, retinopathy, and neuropathy. Over the last years, there has been an increasing demand in folk medicine for natural sources that could help in the treatment of chronic diseases, including diabetes. The rind of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. Flavicarpa) is traditionally used as a functional food due to its high concentration of soluble and insoluble fiber. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of high-fiber diet albedo of passion fruit on the metabolic and biochemical profile in diabetic rats induced by alloxan (2%). DESIGN: The passion fruit mesocarp fiber was dried in an oven with circulating air at 60°C and pulverized. We used 32 adult male rats, divided into 4 groups: Wistar group 1 control (GC), Wistar group 2, 15% fiber (GF15), Wistar group 3, 30% fiber (GF30), Wistar group 4, fiber disolved in water (GFH2O). The ratio of passion fruit was prepared according to the AIN 93M guidelines, varying only the source of dietary fiber. The corresponding diet for each group was offered to the animals for 60 days. RESULTS: There was a statically significant decrease in plasma glucose for GFH2O, GF15%, and GF30% groups with 27.0%, 37.4%, and 40.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The use of mesocarp fiber of passion fruit at concentrations of 15% and 30% are an important dietary supplement for the treatment of DM due to its potential hypoglycemic effect, and its ability to reduce triglycerides and VLDL-cholesterol levels with a principal reduction of insulin and leptin.

Genotyping of Brazilian Giardia duodenalis human axenic isolates

Giardia duodenalis is a complex species that comprises at least seven distinct genetic groups (A to G), but only genotypes A and B are known to infect humans and a wide variety of other mammals. Regardless of biological, biochemical and antigenic analysis, several isolates maintained in vitro were not genetically typed yet. So, in the present study, five Brazilian axenic isolates obtained from asymptomatic and symptomatic patients were typed in order to determine the major genetic groups to which the isolates belonged. DNA was extracted from axenic trophozoites, fragments of glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) and triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) genes were amplified by PCR and the isolate genotyping was carried out using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and DNA sequencing for both genes. The results revealed that all isolates were assigned to genotype A at both analyzed loci. Indeed, DNA sequence analysis classified the four isolates obtained from asymptomatic individuals into subtype AII, while the isolate obtained from the symptomatic patient was typed as subtype AI. Despite of the limited number of isolates assessed, the findings presented herein provide interesting insights on the occurrence of Giardia genotypes in Brazil and hold the perspective for future molecular and epidemiological investigations.

Avaliação histológica do biovidro particulado na reparação de defeito experimental em mandíbula de cães / Histological evaluation of particulate bioglass in repair of mandible experimental defects in dogs

Avaliou-se histologicamente o biovidro particulado como substituto ósseo na regeneração de defeitos no osso alveolar da mandíbula, utilizando-se 28 cães adultos, divididos em dois grupos. Foram criados defeitos ósseos na superfície vestibular da mandíbula, entre as raízes mesial e distal do quarto pré-molar direito. No grupo tratado, o defeito foi preenchido com biovidro enquanto no outro, o grupo-controle, o defeito permaneceu sem preenchimento. Aos 8, 14, 21, 42, 60, 90 e 120 dias do pós-operatório, foram coletadas amostras da região da falha óssea de dois animais de cada grupo para a análise histológica sob microscopia de luz. No grupo-controle, observou-se início do processo de reparação óssea aos 14 dias que evoluiu até que, aos 120 dias, não havia mais limite entre as margens do defeito e o novo osso. No grupo tratado, aos oito dias, observou-se a presença de tecido conjuntivo frouxo altamente vascularizado ao redor das partículas de biovidro, até que aos 60 dias o biovidro havia sido totalmente reabsorvido, e o defeito apresentava-se completamente preenchido por osso trabecular. Conclui-se que o biovidro é biocompatível, é osteocondutor e diminui o tempo de reparação do osso alveolar.

By histological analyses, bioglass was evaluated as a bone substitute in the regeneration of alveolar bone defects in mandibles of 28 dogs, which were distributed in two groups. Defects were made in the vestibular surface of the mandible between the roots of the right fourth premolar tooth. In treated group, defects were filled with bioglass, while it did not receive any treatment in the other, being used as control. For histological analyses, samples including the bone defect area of two animals per group were collected after 8, 14, 21, 42, 60, 90, and 120 days after surgery. In the control group, bone repair began on the day 14th, developing until the day 120th, when no limit between the margins of the defect and the new bone existed. In the treated group, at the day eightieth, loose connective tissue highly vascularized around the bioglass particles was observed and on the day 60th, bioglass had been totally reabsorbed and the defect was completely filled by trabecular bone. It can be concluded that the bioglass is biocompatible and osteoconductive, and shortens the time needed for alveolar bone repair.

Produção de biomassa e estrutura do pasto de capim-andropogon em sistema silvipastoril e monocultura / Biomass production and pasture structure of Andropogon grass in a silvopastoral system and in monoculture

A produção de biomassa e as características estruturais do capim-andropogon foram avaliadas nas idades de rebrota de 35, 49 e 63 dias, em três ambientes de um sistema silvipastoril: sob a copa de pau-d'arco, sob a copa de jatobá, em área aberta; local fora da copa de qualquer árvore e em sistema de monocultura. O delineamento experimental foi o de parcelas subdivididas com cinco repetições. As parcelas foram representadas pelos ambientes e as subparcelas, pelas idades de rebrota. A luminosidade sob pau-d'arco, sob jatobá e em área aberta foi de 74, 62 por cento e 82 por cento, respectivamente, das áreas a pleno sol. Houve interação ambiente versus idade de rebrota. O sombreamento sob a copa de pau-d'arco e de jatobá não afetou a produção de matéria seca do capim-andropogon, contudo reduziu a altura do pasto aos 63 dias de rebrota. O percentual de folhas da forragem aos 35 dias de rebrota foi mais elevado na monocultura. Nas outras idades de rebrota, os quatro ambientes não diferiram entre si.

The biomass production and pasture structure of Andropogon grass were evaluated at 35, 49, and 63 days of regrowth, in three silvopastoral environments: under Pau-d'Arco and Jatobá trees, in open field and in monoculture system. The experiment was designed in split plot with five replications, the plots were the environments and the split plots were the regrowth ages. The luminosities under Pau-d'Arco, Jatobá, and open field were: 74, 62, and 82 percent, respectively, relative to the areas under full sun. There was interaction among environments and ages of regrowth. The shading under the canopy of Pau-d'Arco and Jatobá did not affect the production of dry matter of Andropogon grass; however, reduced the height of the grass at 63 days of regrowth. The percentage of leaves of forage at 35 days of regrowth was higher in monoculture. At other ages of regrowth, the four environments did not differ among themselves.

Sex group composition, social interaction, and metabolism in the fish Nile tilapia / Composição sexual do grupo, interação social e metabolismo na tilápia-do-Nilo

We tested whether the fish Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in a monosex male group spends more energy and displays an agonistic profile, differently from males in male-female groups. Such differences are expected because males and females should compete for different reproductive resources. An intruder male (MM) or female (MF) was paired with a resident male and agonistic interaction was quantified during 20 minutes, 10 minutes after pairing and another 10 minutes period 30 minutes later. Energetic cost was evaluated from O2 consumption, determined by Winckler's Method after 40 minutes pairing. Latency for fighting (mean ± SD, MM = 27.40 ± 25.15 s; MF = 14.22 ± 21.19 s; Mann-Whitney test, U = 33.50, P = 0.21) and frequency of the all agonistic acts in the first 10 minutes session (mean ± SD, MM < 72.30 ± 25.29; MF < 73.50 ± 21.65.10/min; Mann-Whitney test, P > 0.10) were not affected by group composition, thus suggesting that each intruder was a potential competitor at the beginning of the agonistic interaction. However, frequency of undulation (a behavior displayed also during courtship) was higher in the MF than in the MM resident fish (mean ± SD, MM = 3.56 ± 5.89; MF = 8.56 ± 4.00.10/min; Mann-Whitney test, U = 15.50, P = 0.01) at the end of the 10 min session. Frequency of flight, however, was lower in MF than in MM intruder (mean ± SD, MM = 3.90 ± 4.33; MF = 0.44 ± 0.96.10/min; Mann-Whitney test, U = 23.50, P = 0.04). Moreover, the agonistic profile in MM groups was composed of more types than in MF groups (less fighting types were exhibited by both resident and intruder fish). Despite the behavioral differences, energy cost in terms of O2 consumption was not affected by group composition (mean ± SD, MM = 1.93 ± 0.54; MF = 1.77 ± 0.46 mgO2. gDW-1.40/min; Student's t independent test, t = 0.71, P = 0.49).

O objetivo deste trabalho foi testar se grupos monossexuais de machos gastam mais energia e exibem perfil agonístico diferente de grupos formados por um macho e uma fêmea na tilápia-do-Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus). Tais diferenças são esperadas, pois machos e fêmeas competem por diferentes recursos reprodutivos. Foram utilizadas duplas de machos (MM) e duplas de macho-fêmea (MF) que permaneceram pareadas por 40 minutos. Durante esse período foi feito o registro da interação agonística (10 minutos iniciais e 10 minutos finais do pareamento) e determinado o gasto energético (consumo de O2) pelo Método de Winckler. A latência para o início dos confrontos (média ± DP, MM = 27,40 ± 25,15 s; MF = 14,22 ± 21,19 s; Mann-Whitney, U = 33,50, P = 0,21) e a freqüência de todas as unidades comportamentais (média ± DP, MM < 72,30 ± 25,29; MF < 73,50 ± 21,65.10/min; Mann-Whitney, P > 0,10) foram semelhantes entre os grupos MM e MF nos 10 minutos iniciais. Isso indica que cada intruso foi considerado um potencial competidor no início da interação. No entanto, a freqüência de ondulação (interação também exibida durante a corte) foi maior para o residente do grupo MF nos 10 minutos finais (média ± DP, MM = 3,56 ± 5,89; MF = 8,56 ± 4,00.10/min; Mann-Whitney, U = 15,50, P = 0,01). A freqüência de fuga, entretanto, foi menor para o intruso do mesmo grupo (média ± DP, MM = 3,90 ± 4,33; MF = 0,44 ± 0,96.10/min; Mann-Whitney, U = 23,50, P = 0,04). Além disso, o perfil agonístico no grupo MM foi composto por um maior número de itens comportamentais do que o MF (para residentes e intrusos). Apesar das diferenças comportamentais, o consumo de O2 não foi afetado pela composição sexual do grupo (média ± DP, MM = 1,93 ± 0,54; MF = 1,77 ± 0,46 mgO2.g peso seco-1.40/min; t-teste de Student, t = 0,71, P = 0,49).

Sex group composition, social interaction, and metabolism in the fish Nile tilapia.

We tested whether the fish Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in a monosex male group spends more energy and displays an agonistic profile, differently from males in male-female groups. Such differences are expected because males and females should compete for different reproductive resources. An intruder male (MM) or female (MF) was paired with a resident male and agonistic interaction was quantified during 20 minutes, 10 minutes after pairing and another 10 minutes period 30 minutes later. Energetic cost was evaluated from O2 consumption, determined by Winckler's Method after 40 minutes pairing. Latency for fighting (mean +/- SD, MM = 27.40 +/- 25.15 s; MF = 14.22 +/- 21.19 s; Mann-Whitney test, U = 33.50, P = 0.21) and frequency of the all agonistic acts in the first 10 minutes session (mean +/- SD, MM < 72.30 +/- 25.29; MF < 73.50 +/- 21.65.10/min; Mann-Whitney test, P > 0.10) were not affected by group composition, thus suggesting that each intruder was a potential competitor at the beginning of the agonistic interaction. However, frequency of undulation (a behavior displayed also during courtship) was higher in the MF than in the MM resident fish (mean +/- SD, MM = 3.56 +/- 5.89; MF = 8.56 +/- 4.00.10/min; Mann-Whitney test, U = 15.50, P = 0.01) at the end of the 10 min session. Frequency of flight, however, was lower in MF than in MM intruder (mean +/- SD, MM = 3.90 +/- 4.33; MF = 0.44 +/- 0.96.10/min; Mann-Whitney test, U = 23.50, P = 0.04). Moreover, the agonistic profile in MM groups was composed of more types than in MF groups (less fighting types were exhibited by both resident and intruder fish). Despite the behavioral differences, energy cost in terms of O2 consumption was not affected by group composition (mean +/- SD, MM = 1.93 +/- 0.54; MF = 1.77 +/- 0.46 mgO2 x gDW(-1) x 40/min; Student's t independent test, t = 0.71, P = 0.49).

Biocompatibilidade e comportamento de compósitos de hidroxiapatita em falha óssea na ulna de coelhos / Biocompatibility and behavior of hydroxyapatite on bone defect on rabbit's ulna

Avaliaram-se os compósitos de hidroxiapatita sintética e carbono (HAC) e hidroxiapatita sintética, carbono e fosfato biácido de sódio (HACF), ambos na forma sólida, como substituto ósseo em 36 coelhos adultos. Após protocolos anestésico e cirúrgico habituais, retirou-se um fragmento de aproximadamente 2cm de comprimento no terço médio da ulna esquerda. Os animais do grupo 1 receberam, em cada falha provocada, blocos de HAC e HACF, e os do grupo 2 somente HAC. Os do grupo 3 não receberam tratamento. Os animais foram submetidos a avaliações clínicas e radiológicas nos dias 8, 15, 30, 60, 120 e 180 de pós-operatório. Nas mesmas datas, dois animais de cada grupo foram sacrificados e deles colheu-se material para histologia. Observou-se evolução normal da regeneração óssea em todos os animais, sendo mais precoce nos dos grupos que receberam os compósitos. O uso de HAC e HACF na ulna de coelho mostrou-se um método eficiente, não apresentando sinais de infecção e nem evidência de rejeição.

A 4/21 tandem fusion in cattle.

A tandem fusion involving chromosome 4 and chromosome 21 of the bovine karyotype, is described in a newborn Holstein-Friesian heifer which was also a blood chimera exhibiting female cells of normal bovine karyotype and male cells with a 59, XY + tan (4:21). The rearranged chromosome was a dicentric and the longest acrocentric in the male cells. Apart from the features characteristic of the freemartin condition, no other phenotypic abnormalities were detected in the heifer calf. Since the heifer and other calves of the herd were not eartagged at birth, 20 newborn bull calves of the same age in the herd were analyzed in an attempt to identify the male born co-twin to the heifer. However, this effort proved unsuccessful, probably because the co-twin had died in utero or was erroneously included among the calves sent to the slaughter house.

Avaliaçäo de algumas características ponderais em rebanho Caracu com cromossomo Y heteromórfico / Evaluation of some growth traits in a Caracu herd with Y chromosome heteromorphism

Procurou-se detectar relaçäo entre algumas características somáticas e variaçöes morfológicas do cromossomo Y. Foram utilizados dois núcleos de bovinos da raça Caracu, localizados em Poços de Caldas e Papagaios, ambos em MG. Nos 54 animais estudados do núcleo de Poços de Caldas, em 75 por cento o Y era acrocêntrico e em 25 por cento, submetacêntrico. Todos os 27 animais cariotipados, do núcleo de Papagaios, apresentavam apenas o Y submetacêntrico. Após estudo de ascendência individual, os animais do primeiro núcleo foram analisados quanto ao peso ao nascimento (742 animais), peso à desmama (643 animais) e peso à desmama ajustado para idade padräo de 300 dias (616 animais). Nenhuma diferença significativa foi observada entre os dois grupos, em relaçäo às características analisadas (P>0,01). Näo foi possível precisar se o heteromorfismo cromossômico observado era orginário da ocorrência de um rearranjo específico (inversäo pericêntrica) ou de cruzamentos näo registrados com animais da subespécie Bos taurus indicus. Os estudos näo forneceram evidências a respeito da existência de genes no cromossomo Y para características somáticas