ABSTRACT
Intramuscular fat (IMF) content has been identified as an important factor in determining the quality of pork. Previous studies have suggested that IMF deposition may be associated with the presence of the halothane (HAL) gene. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the HAL gene on IMF deposition in crossbred pigs of commercial lines, which were killed at a slaughterhouse under official inspection. The genotype of the HAL gene was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. IMF was analyzed from longissimus dorsi samples. Among all animals analyzed, 42.36% were of the HalNN genotype and 57.64% were of the HalNn genotype. The average IMF content of all samples was 2.14%. Variation in IMF between genotypes was evaluated by analysis of variance. No significant difference in IMF deposition, which could be based on the presence of the halothane allele, was observed, at least in heterozygotes.
Subject(s)
Genotype , Halothane/adverse effects , Meat/standards , Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length , Animals , Food Quality , Genetic Loci , SwineABSTRACT
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression at post-transcriptional level and are key modulators of immune system, whose dysfunction contributes to the progression of neuroinflammatory diseaseas such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the most widespread motor neuron disorder. ALS is a non-cell-autonomous disease targeting motor neurons and neighboring glia, with microgliosis directly contributing to neurodegeneration. As limited information exists on miRNAs dysregulations in ALS, we examined this topic in primary microglia from superoxide dismutase 1-G93A mouse model. We compared miRNAs transcriptional profiling of non-transgenic and ALS microglia in resting conditions and after inflammatory activation by P2X7 receptor agonist. We identified upregulation of selected immune-enriched miRNAs, recognizing miR-22, miR-155, miR-125b and miR-146b among the most highly modulated. We proved that miR-365 and miR-125b interfere, respectively, with the interleukin-6 and STAT3 pathway determining increased tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) transcription. As TNFα directly upregulated miR-125b, and inhibitors of miR-365/miR-125b reduced TNFα transcription, we recognized the induction of miR-365 and miR-125b as a vicious gateway culminating in abnormal TNFα release. These results strengthen the impact of miRNAs in modulating inflammatory genes linked to ALS and identify specific miRNAs as pathogenetic mechanisms in the disease.
Subject(s)
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/genetics , MicroRNAs/genetics , Microglia/metabolism , Animals , Cells, Cultured , Interleukin-6/genetics , Mice , Microglia/drug effects , Purinergic P2X Receptor Agonists/pharmacology , Superoxide Dismutase/genetics , Superoxide Dismutase-1 , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/geneticsABSTRACT
Semiquantitative (Maki) and quantitative (Brun-Buisson) culture techniques were employed in the diagnosis of catheter-related bloodstream infections(CRBSI) in patients who have a short-term central venous catheter (inserted for 30 days). The diagnosis of CRBSI was based on the results of semiquantitative and quantitative culture of material from the removed catheters. Catheter tips (118) from 100 patients were evaluated by both methods. Semiquantitative analysis revealed 34 catheters (28.8%) colonized by greater or equal 15 colonyforming units (cfu), while quantitative cultures (34 catheters, 28.8%) showed the growth of greater or equal 103 cfu/mL. Bacteremia was confirmed in four patients by isolating microorganisms of identical species from both catheters and blood samples. Using the semiquantitative culture technique on short-term central venous catheter tips, we have shown that with a cut-off level of greater or equal 15 cfu, the technique had 100.0% sensitivity, specificity of 68.4%, 25.0% positive predictive value (PPV) and 100.0% negative predictive value (NPV), efficiency of 71.4% and a prevalence of 9.5%. The quantitative method, with a cut-off limit of greater or equal 103 cfu/mL, gave identical values: the sensitivity was 100.0%, specificity 68.4%, positive predictive value (PPV) 25.0%, negative predictive value(NPV) 100.0%, efficiency 71.4% and prevalence 9.5%. We concluded that the semiquantitative and quantitative culture methods, evaluated in parallel, for the first time in Brazil, have similar sensitivity and specificity.
Subject(s)
Bacteremia/complications , Bacteremia/microbiology , Culture Media , Catheters, Indwelling/adverse effects , Catheters, Indwelling/statistics & numerical data , Catheters, Indwelling/microbiologyABSTRACT
The present health care environment requires creative change, a thought that evokes both excitement and apprehension and offers a clear challenge for the contemporary nurse. In this era of capitation, re-engineering, and redesign in the health care system, nursing programs must prepare nurses who can successfully perform in an environment that demands innovative problem solving. Integrating creative problem solving into this BSN program has (1) provided students with information and experience in the creative process, (2) fostered the personal creative development of nurses, (3) challenged students to use creative thinking in solving nursing problems, and most important, (4) further established and reinforced a new, higher level of nursing practice--a level that appropriately sees the nurse as a creative and innovative member of the health care team.
