Itch in dermatomyositis: the role of increased skin interleukin-31.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin (IL)-31 is implicated in pruritus associated with pruritic skin diseases like atopic dermatitis. Although pruritus is a prominent feature in dermatomyositis (DM), few studies have evaluated the pathogenesis of DM-associated itch. OBJECTIVES: To establish the prevalence of itch in DM, and to investigate the role of IL-31 in DM-related itch. METHODS: Pruritus and disease activity of DM were evaluated by a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Cutaneous Disease and Activity Severity Index (CDASI), respectively. Expression of IL-31 and IL-31 receptor alpha (IL-31RA) in lesional DM, nonlesional DM and healthy control skin was evaluated by quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence. Flow cytometry was performed on skin cells isolated from lesional DM skin to identify cellular sources of IL-31 in DM. RESULTS: Among 191 patients with DM, 50·8% had moderate-to-severe itch, and itch was correlated with increased cutaneous severity (r = 0·34). In patients with itchy DM, gene expression of IL31 and IL31RA in lesional skin was upregulated compared with nonlesional skin and healthy control skin. IL31 mRNA expression positively correlated with VAS itch score (r = 0·67). On immunofluorescence, immunoreactivity for IL-31 and IL-31RA was stronger in lesional skin. Flow cytometry showed that lesional DM skin contained significantly more IL-31-producing cells, and CD4+ cells were the most common cell type. Lenabasum, an emerging treatment for DM, significantly downregulated IL-31 from CpG-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. CONCLUSIONS: Increased skin IL-31 may play a role in DM-associated itch, and ongoing trials will evaluate the effects of systemic treatment on IL-31 and itch in DM.

Efeito de estratégias nutricionais para redução de nutrientes poluidores nos dejetos sobre o desempenho e as características de carcaça de suínos / The effects of nutritional strategies to reduce nutrient pollution in manure on the performance and carcass traits of pigs

Avaliou-se o efeito de estratégias nutricionais sobre o desempenho e as características de carcaça de suínos dos 30 aos 100kg. Foram utilizados 120 suínos, distribuídos em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e oito repetições de três animais por unidade experimental. Os tratamentos usados foram: dieta-controle = dieta com alta proteína bruta sem aminoácidos industriais; dieta baixa PB= dieta com baixa proteína bruta com aminoácidos industriais; dieta fitase = dieta-controle com suplementação de fitase; dieta orgânica = dieta-controle suplementada com minerais inorgânico-orgânicos; e dieta composta = dieta com baixa proteína bruta suplementada com aminoácidos industriais, fitase e minerais inorgânico-orgânicos. As dietas avaliadas não alteraram o desempenho e as características de carcaça dos suínos em comparação aos animais da dieta-controle. Conclui-se que a redução de proteína bruta, a suplementação com fitase e minerais inorgânico-orgânicos podem ser adotadas por não alterarem significativamente o desempenho nas fases de crescimento e terminação e as características de carcaças.

The objective was to evaluate the effect of different nutritional strategies on performance and carcass traits of pigs from 30 to 100kg. One hundred and twenty pigs were used, distributed in randomized blocks, with five treatments and eight replicates of three animals per experimental unit. Treatments were: control diet = corn-soybean based diet without synthetic amino acids; low crude protein diet = corn-soybean based diet with low protein and synthetic amino acids; phytase diet = control diet supplemented with phytase; organic diet = control diet supplemented with inorganic and organic minerals; and combination diet = diet with low protein supplemented with phytase and inorganic-organic minerals. Means were compared with the control diet by the Dunnett test. The diets evaluated did not alter the performance of pigs when compared to pigs fed the control diet. The reduction of crude protein, supplementation with phytase and inorganic-organic minerals can be adopted without significantly changing performance during the growing-finishing and carcass traits at 100kg.

Composição química de diferentes fontes de fósforo e deposição de metais pesados em tecidos de suínos / Chemical composition of different phosphorus sources and heavy metal deposition in tissues of swines

Foram utilizados 112 leitões com peso inicial de 28,68kg, distribuídos em blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 8 2 (oito tratamentos x dois sexos), sete repetições e dois animais por baia. As dietas foram formuladas com base no fósforo total, sendo estas à base de milho e de farelo de soja. O fósforo foi suplementado utilizando-se os fosfatos: bicálcico (FBC); monobicálcico (MBC); supertriplo (ST); supersimples (SS); rocha Catalão (ROCHA); mistura de fontes (MIST) e ácido fosfórico (AcF); e dieta-controle, sem o fósforo suplementar (CONT). Avaliou-se previamente a composição química de amostras de fontes de fósforo disponíveis no mercado. Os fosfatos MBC, FBC e AcF apresentaram baixo nível de contaminação por metais pesados. Observou-se variação no teor de metais pesados entre as marcas comerciais de supertriplo. O consumo do fosfato resultou em acúmulo de cobre nos músculos. A dieta-controle provocou acúmulo de chumbo e zinco no fígado, e a mistura de fontes e supertriplo ocasionou acúmulo de cádmio no fígado. A utilização de fontes alternativas de fósforo menos elaboradas influenciou a deposição de minerais no fígado e nos músculos dos suínos.