Skeletal Maturation and Aerobic Performance in Young Soccer Players from Professional Academies.

The contribution of chronological age, skeletal age (Fels method) and body size to variance in peak velocity derived from the Carminatti Test was examined in 3 competitive age groups of Brazilian male soccer players: 10-11 years (U-12, n=15), 12-13 years (U-14, n=54) and 14-15 years (U-16, n=23). Body size and soccer-specific aerobic fitness were measured. Body composition was predicted from skinfolds. Analysis of variance and covariance (controlling for chronological age) were used to compare soccer players by age group and by skeletal maturity status within of each age group, respectively. Relative skeletal age (skeletal age minus chronological age), body size, estimated fat-free mass and performance on the Carminatti Test increased significantly with age. Carminatti Test performance did not differ among players of contrasting skeletal maturity status in the 3 age groups. Results of multiple linear regressions indicated fat mass (negative) and chronological age (positive) were significant predictors of peak velocity derived from the Carminatti Test, whereas skeletal age was not a significant predictor. In conclusion, the Carminatti Test appears to be a potentially interesting field protocol to assess intermittent endurance running capacity in youth soccer programs since it is independent of biological maturity status.

Apical MUC1 expression revealed on the foveolar epithelium in H. pylori gastritis.

BACKGROUND: The membrane mucin MUC1 is altered in its pattern of expression in cancer, and also in other pathological situations, including Helicobacter pylori gastritis. Here we investigate the basis for the loss of apical staining of the gastric foveolar epithelium in H. pylori gastritis. METHODS: MUC1 was examined in the gastric antrum from cases of H. pylori gastritis and normal controls. We used tissue sections that were either treated or not treated with periodate to effect deglycosylation, and the monoclonal antibodies LICRLonM8, MUSE-11, CT2 and BC2. RESULTS: We show that the epitopes on the TR domain of MUC1 are partially cryptic due to glycosylation and that MUC1 is present on the apical surface of the gastric foveolar epithelium of gastritis patients. CONCLUSION: This observation suggests that there is no substantial loss of the mucin domain of MUC1 from the apical surface in gastritis, as suggested by others, but rather the H. pylori influences the glycosylation of MUC1. This paper highlights the issue of epitope specificity of monoclonal antibodies directed against disease-associated markers, specifically when they are glycoproteins, as is the case for many cancer markers.

Contribution of functional variation in the IL13 gene to allergy, hay fever and asthma in the NSHD longitudinal 1946 birth cohort.

BACKGROUND: Genetic variants of the two adjacent genes, IL13 and IL4 have frequently been reported as being associated with susceptibility to atopy and asthma, both in adults and children, and some studies also suggest association with lung function and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: In this study, we examined for the first time the effect of these variants in 2918 adults in a longitudinal birth cohort, the British National Survey of Health and Development, where there are extensive life style, developmental and environmental data. We examine two IL13 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) IL13 rs20541 (R110Q) and rs1800925 (-1024C>T) and one IL4 SNP, rs2070874 (-33C>T) with likely function. RESULTS: We show that IL13 rs20541 and rs1800925 are each significantly associated with self-reported asthma and allergy, and that this association is not confounded by any of the known developmental and environmental risk factors for asthma and atopy, including in particular place of birth. IL13 rs20541 does however act as a confounder for the IL13 rs1800925 associations, meaning that there is no statistical support for rs1800925 having an independent effect. There is nevertheless evidence for interaction between smoking and rs1800925, with allergy as outcome. None of the SNPs showed association with measures of lung function, nor any interaction with the effect of smoking on lung function. CONCLUSION: In a longitudinal population cohort we have established a role for polymorphism of IL13 in determining susceptibility to both atopy and asthma.

Isoenzyme electrophoretic patterns in discus fish (Symphysodon aequifasciatus Pellegrin, 1904 and Symphysodon discus Heckel, 1840) from the Central Amazon.

The discus is a very popular and expensive aquarium fish belonging to the family Cichlidae, genus Symphysodon, formed by three Amazon basin endemic species: Symphysodon aequifasciatus, S. discus and S. tarzoo. The taxonomic status of these fish is very controversial, with a paucity of molecular research on their population genetic structure and species identification. Information on molecular genetic markers, especially isoenzymes, in search of a better understanding of the population genetic structure and correct identification of fish species, has been receiving more attention when elaborating and implementing commercial fishery management programs. Aiming to contribute to a better understanding of the species taxonomic status, the present study describes the isoenzymatic patterns of 6 enzymes: esterase (Est - EC 3.1.1.1), lactate dehydrogenase (Ldh - EC 1.1.1.27), malate dehydrogenase (Mdh - EC 1.1.1.37), phosphoglucomutase (Pgm - EC 5.4.2.2), phosphoglucose isomerase (Pgi - EC 5.3.1.9), and super oxide dismutase (Sod - EC 1.15.1.1) extracted from skeletal muscle specimens and analyzed by starch gel electrophoresis. Monomorphic patterns, presumably controlled by 11 loci: Est-1, Est-2, Est-3, Ldh-1, Ldh-2, Mdh-1, Mdh-2, Pgi-1, Pgi-2, Pgm-1, and Sod-1 were fixed for the same alleles: Est-1(1), Est-2(1), Est-3(1), Ldh-1(1), Ldh-2(1), Mdh-1(1), Mdh-2(1), Pgi-1(1), Pgi-2(1), Pgm-1(1), and Sod-1(1), respectively, and detected in all 60 specimens examined (27 S. aequifasciatus from Manacapuru and 33 S. discus from Novo Airão, Central Amazon). The failure in the present study to detect diagnostic loci, which could be very useful for differentiating S. aequifasciatus from S. discus species, and polymorphic loci, which could also be applied for possible identification and delimitation of their stocks, does not rule out the possibility of there existing in other isoenzyme gene loci to be analyzed in the future.

The monotony of transferrin and esterase electrophoretic patterns in pirarucu, Arapaima gigas (Schinz, 1822) from Santa Cruz Lake, Tefé River, Amazonas, Brazil.

Starch gel electrophoresis was used for examining the transferrin gene locus (Tf) and two esterase gene loci (Est-1 and Est-D1) of a pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) population sample collected from Santa Cruz Lake, Tefé River, Amazonas, Brazil. The Tf locus was tentatively classified as being polymorphic, showing two double-banded patterns (Tf(12) and Tf(22)) of the three theoretically expected ones (Tf(11), Tf(12) and Tf(22)), presumably controlled by two co-dominant alleles, Tf(1) and Tf(2). The monotony detected in pirarucu Tf locus genotypes showing a very high proportion of the double-banded heterozygote pattern Tf(12) (95% of the sampled individuals) may indicate the possibility of their having come from representatives of the same brood begotten by a pair of fish, where a single-banded Tf(11) homozygote pattern male would have crossed with a single-banded Tf(22) homozygote pattern female, or vice versa. One zone of electrophoretic activity was detected in esterase, presumably controlled by a monomorphic Est-1 locus with the fixed allele Est-1(1) where all individuals showed the single-banded Est-1(11) homozygote pattern. Esterase-D also displayed one zone of electrophoretic activity, presumably controlled by a monomorphic Est-D1 locus with a fixed allele Est-D1(1) where all individuals revealed the single-banded Est-D1(11) genotype pattern. The monotony comprised by single-banded genotype patterns in both esterase systems tested may also indicate the possibility of the individuals from the sample examined having come from representatives of the same brood begotten by a pair of fish with both the male and female having the same genotypes.

Genetic regulation of MUC1 alternative splicing in human tissues.

The membrane mucin MUC1 is aberrantly expressed in a variety of cancers, and in stomach, it is a ligand for Helicobacter pylori where it plays a role in gastric carcinogenesis. Splicing variation, leading to a 9-amino acid insertion in the signal peptide region, was proposed to be because of a single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs4072037) at the 5' end of exon 2, but is also reported to be cancer-associated. However, the effect of rs4072037 on this splicing event in healthy non-cancer tissues and on the additional spliceoforms ofMUC1, including those lacking the polymorphic tandem repeat (TR) domain, has never been investigated. Here we show that in both foetal and adult tissues of known genotype, there is clear evidence for the role of rs4072037 in controlling alternative splicing of the 5' exon 2 region of both full-length transcripts and those lacking the TR domain. Although there is some evidence for additional genetic and epigenetic influences, there is no indication of an effect of the TR domain on the proportions of the spliceoforms. In conclusion, over-representation of certain transcripts in tumour material cannot be evaluated without information on the SNP genotype as well.

The monotony of transferrin and esterase electrophoretic patterns in pirarucu, Arapaima gigas (Schinz, 1822) from Santa Cruz Lake, Tefé River, Amazonas, Brazil

Starch gel electrophoresis was used for examining the transferrin gene locus (Tf) and two esterase gene loci (Est-1 and Est-D1) of a pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) population sample collected from Santa Cruz Lake, Tefé River, Amazonas, Brazil. The Tf locus was tentatively classified as being polymorphic, showing two double-banded patterns (Tf 12 and Tf 22) of the three theoretically expected ones (Tf 11, Tf 12 and Tf 22), presumably controlled by two co-dominant alleles, Tf 1 and Tf 2. The monotony detected in pirarucu Tf locus genotypes showing a very high proportion of the double-banded heterozygote pattern Tf 12 (95% of the sampled individuals) may indicate the possibility of their having come from representatives of the same brood begotten by a pair of fish, where a single-banded Tf 11 homozygote pattern male would have crossed with a single-banded Tf 22 homozygote pattern female, or vice versa. One zone of electrophoretic activity was detected in esterase, presumably controlled by a monomorphic Est-1 locus with the fixed allele Est-11 where all individuals showed the single-banded Est-111 homozygote pattern. Esterase-D also displayed one zone of electrophoretic activity, presumably controlled by a monomorphic Est-D1 locus with a fixed allele Est-D11 where all individuals revealed the single-banded Est-D111 genotype pattern. The monotony comprised by single-banded genotype patterns in both esterase systems tested may also indicate the possibility of the individuals from the sample examined having come from representatives of the same brood begotten by a pair of fish with both the male and female having the same genotypes.

Angiogenesis and inflammation in skeletal muscle in response to ascites tumor in mice.

This study addresses the interaction between Ehrlich ascites tumor and skeletal abdominal muscle, presenting quantitative analysis of ascites-induced angiogenesis and inflammation in this tissue of mice bearing-tumor. Time-dependent changes in the muscle (cellular activity, angiogenesis, inflammation and cytokines production) were assessed by morphometric, functional, and biochemical parameters at days 1, 4 and 8 after i.p. inoculation of Ehrlich tumor cells (2.5 x 10(7)). The number of cells stained with AgNOR technique (argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region) in the muscle, together with MTS assay used as markers of cellular activity increased progressively in parallel with the out flow rate of sodium fluorescein (blood flow index), hemoglobin content (vascular index) and VEGF production. Likewise, the inflammatory process in the muscle, as assessed by myeloperoxidase (MPO) and n-acethylglucosaminidase (NAG) activities and the levels of the chemokines, keratinocyte-derived chemokine (CXC1-3/KC) and macrophage-chemoattractant protein (CCL2/MCP-1) increased with tumor development. The combination of techniques used to describe angiogenesis and inflammation in a muscle model system has proved to be suited for quantitative measurements of microvascular changes and cellular infiltration occurring in the abdominal muscle wall of ascites-bearing mice. This study holds potential for investigating events and mechanisms associated with skeletal muscle response to neoplasic stimulus.

Impaired inflammatory angiogenesis, but not leukocyte influx, in mice lacking TNFR1.

The majority of biological responses classically attributed to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is mediated by p55 receptor (TNFR1). Here, we aimed to clarify the biological role of TNFR1-mediated signals in an in vivo inflammatory angiogenesis model. Polyester-polyurethane sponges, used as a framework for tissue growth, were implanted in C57Bl/6 mice. These implants were collected at days 1, 7, and 14 post-implant for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or at days 7 and 14 for hemoglobin, myeloperoxidase, and N-acetylglucosaminidase measurements, used as indexes for angiogenesis, neutrophil, and macrophage accumulation, respectively. In TNFR1-deficient C57Bl/6 mice, there was a significant decrease in sponge vascularization but not in late inflammatory cell influx. It is interesting that levels of vascular endothelial growth factor were significantly lower in TNFR1-deficient than in wild-type mice at days 1 and 7. Levels of angiogenic chemokines, CC chemokine ligand 2/murine homologue of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and CXC chemokine ligand 1-3/keratinocyte-derived chemokine, were significantly lower in TNFR1-deficient mice at days 1 and 7 after implantation, respectively. These observations suggest that TNFR1-mediated signals have a critical role in sponge-induced angiogenesis, possibly by influencing the effector state of inflammatory cells and hence, modulating the angiogenic molecular network.

Evidence for a natural hybrid of peacock bass (Cichla monoculus vs Cichla temensis) based on esterase electrophoretic patterns

Esterase (Est) and esterase-D (Est-D) electrophoretic patterns identified by starch gel electrophoresis of skeletal muscle protein extracts of 184 specimens of three species of peacock bass, locally known as tucunares (Cichla monoculus, C. temensis and Cichla sp), plus four specimens of a supposed hybrid (C. monoculus vs C. temensis), collected from the Central Amazon, were examined to determine if they could aid in identifying a supposed hybrid between C. monoculus and C. temensis. Six zones of electrophoretic activity were found with these enzyme systems. The Est enzyme showed one zone of activity, formed by bands 1, 2 and 3, plus three zones of activity, presumably controlled by Est-1, 2 and 3 loci. The Est-D enzyme had two zones of activity, presumably controlled by Est-D1 and Est-D2 loci. Cichla monoculus and C. temensis shared band 2 and alleles Est-1(1), Est-2(1), Est-3(2), and Est-D1(1), and therefore these were useless for identifying hybrids between the two species. However, a probable hybrid pattern of bands 1, 2, and 3, presumably generated by a combination of pattern 12 from C. monoculus with pattern 23 from C. temensis, resulting from a possible cross between these two species, was detected. Although the Est-D2 locus cannot be considered an ideal diagnostic marker for identifying the supposed hybrid (C. monoculus vs C. temensis), as it is polymorphic, it proved to be useful for determining the origin of the hybrid, i.e., which parental species were involved in the hybridization process

Production and in vivo effects of chemokines CXCL1-3/KC and CCL2/JE in a model of inflammatory angiogenesis in mice.

OBJECTIVE: Using the murine sponge model, we investigated the temporal relationship between angiogenesis, leukocyte accumulation and endogenous generation of the pro-inflammatory chemokines CXCL1-3/KC and CCL2/JE. Furthermore, the effects of exogenous administration of these chemokines were studied. METHODS: Angiogenesis in the implants was assessed by measuring the hemoglobin content (vascular index) and leukocyte accumulation quantified by evaluating MPO and NAG enzyme activities. RESULTS: A progressive increase in hemoglobin content and in enzymatic activities was observed during the whole period. The levels of CXCL1-3/KC and CCL2/JE in the implants peaked at days 7 and 1, respectively. Exogenous administration of CXCL1-3/KC (100 ng/day intra-implant) applied at days 1-3 resulted in increased neovascularization and macrophage accumulation. Intra-implant injections of CCL2/JE (100 ng/day) also resulted in increased angiogenesis and macrophage accumulation. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated that the chemokines, CXCL1-3/KC and CCL2/JE, are generated within the sponge compartment and that neovascularization and inflammatory cells influx can be modulated by exogenous administration of the chemokines.

Aminoguanidine prevents impaired healing and deficient angiogenesis in diabetic rats.

The diabetic organism is unable to produce normal amount of granulation tissue which results in delayed wound healing, a significant clinical problem. In the present study, the effect of oral administration of aminoguanidine (AG), in the diabetes-induced inhibition of angiogenesis and granulation tissue formation was tested. Subcutaneous implantation of sponge discs in nondiabetic rats induced a wound repair response as determined by the amount of hemoglobin (vascular index) and granulation tissue formation (morphometric analysis) of the implants. In the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats the predominant response indicative of healing was inhibitory. Aminoguanidine was effective in preventing in 50% the diabetes-induced inhibition of fibrovascular tissue growth in the implants, as indicated by the values of hemoglobin content and vascular growth areas of the implants. These results indicate that AG holds potential therapeutic value in the management of healing impairment of the diabetic condition.

Glucose-induced inhibition of angiogenesis in the rat sponge granuloma is prevented by aminoguanidine.

Angiogenesis and granulation tissue formation that occur following subcutaneous implantation of sponge implants in nondiabetic rats were inhibited by topical administration of D-glucose (22 mM). The healing impairment induced by glucose was analogous to healing failures associated with diabetes. Angiogenesis has been determined by measuring hemoglobin content in the implants, correlated with histological evidence of cellular infiltration and granulation tissue formation. The amount of hemoglobin detected in the glucose-treated implants was significantly lower (0.06+/-0.005 g/dl) than the amount in the controls that received glucose 5 mM (0.12+/-0.012 g/dl), saline (0.10+/-0.006 g/dl) or mannitol (0.086+/-0.007 g/dl). Parallel histological studies corroborated the biochemical findings. Daily intraperitoneal injection of aminoguanidine (AG, 50 mg/kg) prevented glucose-induced inhibition of neovascularization and cellular infiltration in the sponge granuloma. Our results show the direct inhibitory effect of high glucose in the development of granulation tissue and indicate that it may be associated with nonenzymatic glycation of key components of the healing process in the rat sponge granuloma.

Sponge-induced angiogenesis in mice and the pharmacological reactivity of the neovasculature quantitated by a fluorimetric method.

Sponge-induced angiogenesis in mice and pharmacological reactivity of the neovasculature have been determined by a fluorimetric method. Pharmacokinetic studies following subcutaneous, intradermal, and intraimplant administration of sodium fluorescein resulted in a biphasic curve from which estimation of t1/2 for absorption and elimination of the dye were possible. Following topical injection of the dye at days 1, 4, 7, 10, and 14 postimplantation, measurement of fluorchrome generated emission in the systemic circulation reflected the development of blood flow in and around the implants and the interaction of the angiogenic site with the systemic circulation. The t1/2 values for the fluorescence peak in the bloodstream decreased steadily from an initial value of 6.41 +/- 0.28 min (avascular implant) to 2.78 +/- 0.23 min in fully vascularized implants (day 14). The reactivity of the neovasculature to ET-1 was dose-dependent and similar to the skin vasculature. By contrast, no reactivity to histamine was detected in the implant blood vessels, whereas it was present in the skin. These results show that the pharmacological response of the neovasculature differs from the response of mature blood vessels. The angiogenic stimulus (bFGF, 300 ng daily) decreased t1/2 for the fluorescence peak, whereas dexamethasone (1 mg/kg) increased it. Parallel histological studies corroborated the functional findings. These observations indicate the suitability of this assay to study angiogenesis, functional and pharmacological characterization of the neovasculature, and the interaction of the angiogenic site with the systemic circulation.

Bullet embolism into the cardiovascular system.

Two clinical case reports of bullet embolism into the cardiovascular system are reported. The patient in the first case sustained a gunshot wound at the right clavicular area with embolism resulting in the right ventricle. In the second case, the patient received a projectile wound to the anterior right shoulder with eventual bullet embolism in the left iliac artery. In both cases, the bullets were removed successfully. Surgical intervention with the aid of extracorporeal circulation is recommended for similar cases.

Embolizacao de projetil de arma de fogo no sistema cardiovascular. / Bullet embolism in the cardiovascular system

Este trabalho e baseado em dois casos clinicos, em que projeteis seguiram caminhos inusitados, embolizando dentro do sistema cardiovascular. O primeiro paciente foi vitima de um ferimento por arma de fogo ao nivel da regiao infraclavicular direita O projetil atingiu a primeira costela, perfurou a veia subclavia direita e, sem transpassa-la, embolizou para a veia cava superior, auricula direita, vindo a se fixar no interior do ventriculo direito. Dai ele foi retirado cirurgicamente, com auxilio de circulacao extracorporea. O segundo paciente recebeu um tiro de revolver ao nivel do ombro direito. O projetil perfurou o pulmao direito, entrou numa veia pulmonar e embolizou para o atrio esquerdo, ventriculo esquerdo, aorta toracica e abdominal, vindo a parar ao nivel da arteria iliaca primitiva esquerda, de onde ele foi retirado cirurgicamente. Ambos os pacientes tiveram alta curados. Faz-se, concomitantemente, uma revisao da literatura

The effects of acute and chronic ethanol administration on canine bile secretion.

In 9 conscious dogs (4 of whom were alcohol-fed for 24 months with 50% intragastric ethanol), provided with gastric and duodenal fistulae (Thomas cannula), the effects were studied of an acute iv ethanol infusion (1.3 g/kg) on hepatic bile secretory plateau levels after emptying of the gallbladder was induced by a continuous perfusion of secretin (0.5 CU/kg/hr) plus CCK-PZ (8 Crick-Harper-Raper U/kg/hr) and sodium taurocholate (0.62 mumol/kg/min). Acute iv ethanol infusion in nonalcoholic dogs reduced hepatic bile flow rate (29%), bile salt concentration (55%) and output (67%). In alcohol-fed dogs, acute iv ethanol reduced only the rate of flow (25%). Hepatic bile salt concentration and output plateau values were significantly higher in the alcohol-fed than in the nonalcoholic dogs. There were no significant differences between the two groups of dogs in the rate of evacuation, bile salt output, or lipid composition of gall bladder bile following a single iv injection of CCK-PZ.

Action of intragastric ethanol on the pancreatic secretion of conscious rats.

A surgical procedure has been disigned which permits injection in the stomach and the duodenum by separate catheters, collection of the pancreatic juice during the experiments, recirculation of the pancreatic juice into the duodenum between experiments, and a normal circulation of bile in rats. Experiments were performed in conscious rats given either 20% ethanol or water. In rats submitted to daily ethanol consumption for 13 months, the intragastric injection of 2 g/kg 20% ethanol considerably increased the pancreatic secretion of protein and, to a lesser extent, of water. In control non-alcoholic rats, a short period of increased secretion is followed by a major inhibition of pancreatic secretion, this reverse reaction to ethanol of pancreatic secretion according to whether or not rats are adapted to regular ethanol consumption is similar to what has been previously observed in dog. In chronic alcoholic rats, the release of secretin is probably not very different from controls.