Cadmium tolerance in tomato: determination of organ-specific contribution by diallel analysis using reciprocal grafts.

Given the increasing problems of water and soil contamination with cadmium (Cd), it is necessary to investigate the genetic and physiological mechanisms of tolerance to this metal in different crops, which can be used for the development of effective crop management strategies. This study aimed to assess the potential of grafting as a strategy to increase Cd tolerance and reduce absorption in tomato by evaluating the contribution of the root system and aerial parts for tolerance mechanisms. To this end, reciprocal grafting and diallel analyses were used to examine the combining ability of contrasting tomato genotypes under exposure to 0 and 35 µM CdCl2. Roots and above-ground parts were found to have specific mechanisms of Cd tolerance, absorption, and accumulation. Grafting of the USP15 genotype (scion) on USP16 (rootstock) provided the greatest synergism, increasing the tolerance index and reducing the translocation index and Cd accumulation in leaves. USP163 exhibited potential for breeding programs that target genotypes with high Cd tolerance. In tomato, both Cd tolerance and accumulation in aerial parts are genotype- and tissue-specific, controlled by a complex system of complementary mechanisms that need to be better understood to support the development of strategies to reduce Cd contamination in aerial parts.

Neutral-to-positive cadmium effects on germination and seedling vigor, with and without seed priming.

This review gathered and analyzed data about (i) the Cd-induced impacts on seed germination and seedling vigor, and (ii) the use of different priming agents to mitigate Cd-induced impacts on the early plant development. Critical evaluation of the obtained data revealed intriguing results. First, seeds of diverse species can endure exposures to Cd. Such endurance is exhibited as maintenance of or even improvement in the seed germination and vigor (up to 15% and 70%, respectively). Second, the main factors influencing seed tolerance to Cd toxicity are related to temporal variations in anatomical, physiological, and/or biochemical features. Third, Cd can trigger diverse transgenerational effects on plants by shaping seed endophytes, by modulating seed provisioning with resources and regulatory elements, and/or by altering seed (epi)genomics. Fourth, different chemical, biological and physical priming agents can mitigate Cd-induced impacts on seeds, sometimes enhancing their performance over the control (reference) values. Overall, this review shows that the impacts of Cd on seed germination and vigor encompass not only negative outcomes but also neutral and positive ones, depending upon the Cd dose, media properties, plant species and genotypes, plant developmental stage and organ, and management approaches. Increasing our understanding of plant tolerance mechanisms against the growing background Cd pollution is relevant to support breeding programs, agricultural practices, and health-environmental policies.

Treatment under general anesthesia after dental trauma in a patient with autism spectrum disorder: a case report / Tratamento odontológico em paciente com transtorno do espectro autista, sob anestesia geral, após traumatismo dentário: relato de caso

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to present a clinical case of a pediatric patient with ASD who had experienced dental trauma and underwent dental treatment in a hospital environment under general anesthesia. A 10-year-old male patient who was Brazilian and had leukoderma was diagnosed with ASD at three years of age, he experienced trauma to the upper teeth, with avulsion of tooth 12 and extrusive displacement of tooth 11, after being run over by a car in February 2017. He was immediately taken to the emergency room, where he was seen by a dentist and he was immediately transferred to Hospital. In the out-patient clinic of this hospital, with the aid of protective stabilization and infiltrative anesthesia, tooth 12 was reimplanted 40 minutes after trauma and restrained with composite resin. He continued treatment in another city and Endodontic and paraendodontic treatment of teeth 11 and 12 was performed under general anesthesia. Follow-ups with the patient are continuing, with the last control periapical radiograph taken in January 2020. In this case, the proposed dental treatment was successful and did not lead to any complications.

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi apresentar um caso clínico de um paciente pediátrico com TEA que sofreu traumatismo dentário e foi submetido a tratamento odontológico em ambiente hospitalar, sob anestesia geral. Paciente do sexo masculino, 10 anos, brasileiro, leucoderma, foi diagnosticado com TEA aos três anos de idade, apresentou trauma nos dentes superiores, com avulsão do dente 12 e deslocamento extrusivo do dente 11, após ser atropelado por um carro em fevereiro de 2017. Ele foi imediatamente levado para o pronto socorro, onde foi atendido por um dentista e imediatamente transferido para o Hospital. No ambulatório deste hospital, com auxílio de estabilização protetora e anestesia infiltrativa, o dente 12 foi reimplantado 40 minutos após o trauma e contido com resina composta. Ele continuou o tratamento em outra cidade, o tratamento endodôntico e paraendodôntico dos dentes 11 e 12 foi realizado sob anestesia geral. Os acompanhamentos com o paciente continuam, com a última radiografia periapical de controle realizada em janeiro de 2020. Neste caso, o tratamento odontológico proposto foi bem-sucedido e não levou a nenhuma complicação.

Immunomodulatory effect of long-term oclacitinib maleate therapy in dogs with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is a chronic disease characterised by hypersensitivity to environmental allergens. Oclacitinib maleate selectively inhibits pro-inflammatory mediators associated with cAD. However, the impact of chronic oclacitinib use on immunocompetence requires further investigation. OBJECTIVES: Herein, we examined the potential immunomodulatory effects of prolonged oclacitinib treatment in dogs. ANIMALS: Thirteen privately owned dogs with cAD, treated with 0.4-0.6 mg/kg oclacitinib for 12 months. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Pruritus level was evaluated using a pruritus Visual Analog Scale (pVAS) and the canine atopic dermatitis extent and severity index, 4th iteration (CADESI IV). Peripheral blood samples were collected for routine laboratory assays and lymphocyte subtypes were analysed using flow cytometry. Antigen-specific intracellular cytokine production from CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes was analysed following in vitro stimulation by Dermatophagoides farinae antigens. RESULTS: Oclacitinib treatment significantly reduced pVAS and CADESI-04 scores, by 51% and 86.7%, respectively. Flow cytometric analysis revealed increased CD4+ and CD14+ lymphocyte populations. The cytokine profile at 360 days after treatment initiation was similar to that before treatment and was not associated with clinical relapse. CONCLUSION: Oclacitinib, when administered at the currently labelled dose for one year, is associated with a significant increase in circulating CD4+ T cells, but does not alter cytokine production from antigen-stimulated T cells. The results reported do not support evidence for immunosuppression mediated by the mechanisms evaluated in this study.

Autofluorescence-spectral imaging as an innovative method for rapid, non-destructive and reliable assessing of soybean seed quality.

In the agricultural industry, advances in optical imaging technologies based on rapid and non-destructive approaches have contributed to increase food production for the growing population. The present study employed autofluorescence-spectral imaging and machine learning algorithms to develop distinct models for classification of soybean seeds differing in physiological quality after artificial aging. Autofluorescence signals from the 365/400 nm excitation-emission combination (that exhibited a perfect correlation with the total phenols in the embryo) were efficiently able to segregate treatments. Furthermore, it was also possible to demonstrate a strong correlation between autofluorescence-spectral data and several quality indicators, such as early germination and seed tolerance to stressful conditions. The machine learning models developed based on artificial neural network, support vector machine or linear discriminant analysis showed high performance (0.99 accuracy) for classifying seeds with different quality levels. Taken together, our study shows that the physiological potential of soybean seeds is reduced accompanied by changes in the concentration and, probably in the structure of autofluorescent compounds. In addition, altering the autofluorescent properties in seeds impact the photosynthesis apparatus in seedlings. From the practical point of view, autofluorescence-based imaging can be used to check modifications in the optical properties of soybean seed tissues and to consistently discriminate high-and low-vigor seeds.

Comparative phosphoproteomic analysis of tomato genotypes with contrasting cadmium tolerance.

KEY MESSAGE: A first insight into the effects of cadmium exposure on the phosphoproteome of tomato plants by performing a comparative analysis of tomato genotypes with contrasting cadmium tolerance.

Cadmium-induced transgenerational effects on tomato plants: A gift from parents to progenies.

The present study aimed to investigate the Cd-induced transgenerational effects on plants. Grafted tomato plants, which exhibited the same cultivar as scion and distinct cultivars with contrasting Cd-tolerance as rootstocks, were grown in soil without and with artificial addition of Cd (less than 2.0, and 6.9 mg kg-1 of Cd, respectively) in a pot experiment carried out in a greenhouse. Their fruits were harvested to extract seeds (i.e., the progenies), which were sown over either Cd-free (control) or Cd-containing germitest paper (germination testing paper with 0 and 35 µM of CdCl2, respectively) and grown in a growth chamber. The immediate progeny of all grafting combinations from stressed plants presented an elevated germinability, despite high internal Cd concentration. When sown in Cd-containing germitest paper, the immediate progeny of plants grown in soil with no Cd addition was generally able to maintain or even increase the content of carotenoids and chlorophylls a and b (up to 93.3, 62.8 and 76.1%, respectively), indicating a Cd-induced hormetic effect on photosynthetic pigments. Two of the grafting combinations from stressed plants yielded seeds that generated seedlings with enhanced dry mass when they were sown in Cd-free media (~41%), suggesting a Cd-induced transgenerational enhancement of biomass production. Because only one tomato cultivar was used as scion, data indicated that type and degree of Cd-induced transgenerational effects depend strongly on signals generated and/or processed in roots of the parental plants. When sown in Cd-contaminated germitest paper, the immediate progeny of Cd-treated plants presented major reductions in the leaf area (35-69%) and content of photosynthetic pigments (57-93%) in comparison to the progeny from control plants. However, one of the grafting combinations exhibited satisfactory performance after "double" exposure to Cd, showing 91% of the biomass that was produced in the seedlings of control seeds from control plants. Further investigation indicated that adjustments in the chlorophyll fluorescence behavior might counterbalance losses in leaf pigments and area. Taken together, our data provide new insights on the origin, outcomes and mode of action of the Cd-induced transgenerational effects.

Brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis in dairy farms in the state of Acre, Brazil / Brucelose e tuberculose bovina em fazendas leiteiras no estado do Acre, Brasil

This study aimed to evaluate the to evaluate the occurrence rate of bovine brucellosis and tuberculosis in dairy herds of Acre State, Brazil. The survey was performed on 487 lactating cows distributed across 27 farms in seven cities from June 2018 to February 2019. Farms were selected according to the following criteria: volume of milk production (150 L/day), distance to an urban perimeter (43 km), and time of dairy activity (12 years). For the diagnosis of brucellosis, buffered acidified plate antigen (BAPA) and complement fixation (CF) tests were used. Among the investigated animals, the occurrence rates for brucellosis and tuberculosis were 1.88% (9/487) and 1.23% (6/487), respectively; among the investigated farms, 11.11% (3/27) and 22.2% (6/27) had livestock diagnosed as positive for brucellosis and tuberculosis, respectively. The farms with tuberculosis-positive cattle possessed some common features with respect to herd size. These farms had considerable herd sizes, which were reared extensively in pastures shared with other susceptible or pathogen-carrying animals. In conclusion, the occurrence rate of bovine brucellosis and tuberculosis in dairy herds from Acre state is, in general, lower than that observed in other states of Brazil. Nevertheless, there is an urgent need for developing strategies to control and eradicate both diseases to prevent eventual outbreaks and pathogen dissemination.

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a taxa de ocorrência de brucelose e tuberculose bovina em rebanhos leitei-ros do Estado do Acre, Brasil. A pesquisa foi realizada em 487 vacas em lactação distribuídas em 27 fazendas em sete cidades de junho de 2018 a fevereiro de 2019. As fazendas foram selecionadas de acordo com os seguintes critérios: volume de produ-ção de leite (150 L / dia), distância do perímetro urbano (43 km), e tempo de atividade leiteira (12 anos). Para o diagnóstico da brucelose, foram utilizados os testes de antígeno acidificado tamponado (AAT) e de fixação de complemento (FC). Entre os animais investigados, as taxas de ocorrência de brucelose e tuberculose foram de 1,88% (9/487) e 1,23% (6/487), respec-tivamente; entre as propriedades investigadas, 11,11% (3/27) e 22,2% (6/27) tiveram rebanhos diagnosticados como positi-vos para brucelose e tuberculose, respectivamente. As propriedades com rebanho positivo para tuberculose possuíam algumas características comuns com relação ao tamanho do rebanho. Essas fazendas tinham rebanhos consideráveis, que eram criados extensivamente em pastagens compartilhadas com outros animais suscetíveis ou portadores de patógenos. Em conclusão, a taxa de ocorrência de brucelose e tuberculose bovina em rebanhos leiteiros do estado do Acre é, em geral, inferior à observada em outros estados do Brasil. No entanto, há uma necessidade urgente de desenvolver estratégias para controlar e erradicar ambas as enfermidades, para prevenir eventuais surtos e disseminação de patógenos.

Brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis in dairy farms in the state of Acre, Brazil / Brucelose e tuberculose bovina em fazendas leiteiras no estado do Acre, Brasil

This study aimed to evaluate the to evaluate the occurrence rate of bovine brucellosis and tuberculosis in dairy herds of Acre State, Brazil. The survey was performed on 487 lactating cows distributed across 27 farms in seven cities from June 2018 to February 2019. Farms were selected according to the following criteria: volume of milk production (150 L/day), distance to an urban perimeter (43 km), and time of dairy activity (12 years). For the diagnosis of brucellosis, buffered acidified plate antigen (BAPA) and complement fixation (CF) tests were used. Among the investigated animals, the occurrence rates for brucellosis and tuberculosis were 1.88% (9/487) and 1.23% (6/487), respectively; among the investigated farms, 11.11% (3/27) and 22.2% (6/27) had livestock diagnosed as positive for brucellosis and tuberculosis, respectively. The farms with tuberculosis-positive cattle possessed some common features with respect to herd size. These farms had considerable herd sizes, which were reared extensively in pastures shared with other susceptible or pathogen-carrying animals. In conclusion, the occurrence rate of bovine brucellosis and tuberculosis in dairy herds from Acre state is, in general, lower than that observed in other states of Brazil. Nevertheless, there is an urgent need for developing strategies to control and eradicate both diseases to prevent eventual outbreaks and pathogen dissemination.(AU)

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a taxa de ocorrência de brucelose e tuberculose bovina em rebanhos leitei-ros do Estado do Acre, Brasil. A pesquisa foi realizada em 487 vacas em lactação distribuídas em 27 fazendas em sete cidades de junho de 2018 a fevereiro de 2019. As fazendas foram selecionadas de acordo com os seguintes critérios: volume de produ-ção de leite (150 L / dia), distância do perímetro urbano (43 km), e tempo de atividade leiteira (12 anos). Para o diagnóstico da brucelose, foram utilizados os testes de antígeno acidificado tamponado (AAT) e de fixação de complemento (FC). Entre os animais investigados, as taxas de ocorrência de brucelose e tuberculose foram de 1,88% (9/487) e 1,23% (6/487), respec-tivamente; entre as propriedades investigadas, 11,11% (3/27) e 22,2% (6/27) tiveram rebanhos diagnosticados como positi-vos para brucelose e tuberculose, respectivamente. As propriedades com rebanho positivo para tuberculose possuíam algumas características comuns com relação ao tamanho do rebanho. Essas fazendas tinham rebanhos consideráveis, que eram criados extensivamente em pastagens compartilhadas com outros animais suscetíveis ou portadores de patógenos. Em conclusão, a taxa de ocorrência de brucelose e tuberculose bovina em rebanhos leiteiros do estado do Acre é, em geral, inferior à observada em outros estados do Brasil. No entanto, há uma necessidade urgente de desenvolver estratégias para controlar e erradicar ambas as enfermidades, para prevenir eventuais surtos e disseminação de patógenos.(AU)

Adolescência e saúde mental: Repercussões dos padrões culturais de beleza / Adolescence and mental health: Repercussions of beauty cultural standards / Adolescencia y salud mental: Repercusiones de las normas culturales de belleza

Preocupações com a aparência e insatisfações com o corpo podem refletir na saúde física e mental dos jovens. Este estudo objetivou compreender as repercussões dos padrões ideais de beleza internalizados pelos adolescentes em sua saúde mental. Para tanto,128 adolescentes, entre 14 e 19 anos, de escolas públicas e particulares, responderam a três instrumentos de pesquisa, e os dados foram analisados quantitativa e qualitativamente. Traços físicos, relacionais e comportamentais foram elencados pelos participantes como indicadores de beleza. Os resultados apontaram que a aparência física é importante (66%) e sentimentos 'negativos' (46%) e 'positivos' (78%) são suscitados por ela, com anseios e tentativas de mudá-la em 80% da amostra. Violências e exclusões (42%) decorrentes da aparência, assim como sintomas depressivos (31%), ansiogênicos (22%) e distorções da imagem corporal (19%) foram retratados. As análises estatísticas traçaram correlações entre algumas variáveis analisadas, indicando que há relações significativas entre elas. As associações mais frequentes foram entre o sexo e certos sintomas que indicam prejuízo à saúde mental. Conclui-se que padrões de beleza podem influenciar múltiplas vivências cotidianas dos adolescentes, possibilitando repercussões em sua saúde física e mental.

Uneasiness and dissatisfaction with one's body may reflect on the physical and mental health of young people. This study aimed to understand the repercussions of idealized standards of beauty in adolescent's mental health. A total of 128 adolescents, between 14 and 19 years old, from public and private schools, took part of three questionnaires and the data was quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed. Physical, relational and behavioral traits were listed by participants as indicators of beauty. The results showed that physical appearance is important (66%) and feelings, both 'negative' (46%) and 'positive' (78%) are incited by it. Also showing that 80% of the sample showed longings and attempts to change it. Violence and exclusion (42%) resulting from appearance, as well as, depression (31%), anxiety (22%) and body image distortions (19%) symptoms were shown. The statistic analyses traced correlations amongst variables indicating significant relations between them. The most frequent associations were between gender and certain symptoms that indicate mental health impairment. The conclusion is that beauty standards of adolescents can influence multiple daily experiences, enabling repercussions on their physical and mental health.

Preocupaciones sobre la apariencia e insatisfacciones con el cuerpo pueden reflejarse en la salud física y mental de los jóvenes. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo entender las repercusiones de los patrones ideales de belleza internalizados por los adolescentes en su salud mental. Para eso, 128 adolescentes, entre 14 y 19 años, de escuelas públicas y privadas, respondieron a tres instrumentos de investigación y los datos fueron analizados cuantitativa y cualitativamente. Los participantes enumeraron los rasgos físicos, relacionales y de comportamiento como indicadores de belleza. Los resultados mostraron que la apariencia física es importante (66%) y que despierta sentimientos 'negativos' (46%) y 'positivos' (78%), con anhelos e intentos de cambiarlo en el 80% de la muestra. Se describieron las violencias y exclusiones (42%) resultantes de la apariencia, así como los síntomas depresivos (31%), la ansiedad (22%) y las distorsiones de la imagen corporal (19%). Los análisis estadísticos mostraron correlaciones entre algunas variables analizadas, lo que indica que existen relaciones significativas entre ellas. Las asociaciones más frecuentes fueron entre el sexo y ciertos síntomas que indican problemas de salud mental. Se concluye que los estándares de belleza pueden influir en múltiples experiencias de los adolescentes, permitiendo repercusiones en su salud física y mental.

Relação entre inteligência, criatividade, personalidade e superdotação no contexto escolar / Association of intelligence, creativity, personality, and giftedness in the school context / Relación entre inteligencia, creatividad, personalidad y superdotación en el contexto escolar

As diferenças entre indivíduos superdotados e não superdotados vêm sendo alvo de muitos estudos e controvérsias. Este estudo teve como objetivo comparar alunos que ingressaram precocemente na universidade (grupo I), alunos que ingressaram na universidade no tempo regular (grupo II) e alunos superdotados do ensino médio (grupo III) a respeito da inteligência, criatividade e personalidade, bem como investigar a relação entre essas variáveis. Participaram do estudo 30 alunos (15 de cada sexo), com média de idade de 17,3 anos. Foram utilizados instrumentos de inteligência (Matrizes Progressivas de Raven), criatividade (Teste Torrance de Pensamento Criativo) e personalidade (Inventário Fatorial de Personalidade e Rorschach), e os dados foram tratados com análises não paramétricas de Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney e correlação de Spearman. Os resultados apontaram diferenças significativas em relação à inteligência (X² [2, N = 30] = 5,975; p = 0,05) e aos fatores de criatividade: fluência (X² [2, N = 30] = 6,302; p = 0,043) e flexibilidade (X² [2, N = 30] = 6,415; p = 0,040). Observou-se correlação positiva entre inteligência e o fator analogia (r s = 0,426; p = 0,019). Os alunos dos grupos I e III demonstraram vantagens nos fatores de inteligência e criatividade em relação aos do grupo II, e os do grupo I demonstraram ainda maior abertura a novas experiências e mudanças do que os alunos dos outros dois grupos. Os resultados apontam que inteligência e criatividade são construtos diferentes, mas relacionados, sugerindo que inteligência seria um subconjunto de criatividade.(AU)

Several studies have addressed the differences between gifted and non-gifted individuals, generating much controversy. This study aimed to investigate the association between intelligence, creativity, and personality, and compare these variables in three groups of students: group I, including early entrants to university; group II, including regular entrants; ang group III, high school students enrolled in a gifted program (group III). Thirty students (15 males and 15 females) with mean age of 17.3 years participated in the study. Intelligence was measured using the Raven's Progressive Matrices, creativity with the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking, and personality with the Factorial Personality Inventory and Rorschach. Data were analyzed using non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, and Spearman's correlations tests. The results showed significant differences regarding intelligence (X² [2, N = 30] = 5,975; p = 0,05) and the creative factors fluency (X² [2, N = 30] = 6,302; p = 0,043) and flexibility (X² [2, N = 30] = 6,415; p = 0,040), besides indicating a positive correlation between intelligence and analogy (r s = 0,426; p = 0,019). When compared to group II students, those of groups I and III showed advantages in intelligence and creativity. Moreover, group I students also showed a greater openness to new experiences and changes when compared to those of the two other groups. The results indicate that intelligence and creativity are different but related constructs, suggesting that intelligence would be a subset of creativity.(AU)

Las diferencias entre individuos superdotados y no superdotados son objeto de diversos estudios y controversias. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo comparar alumnos que ingresaron precozmente a la universidad (grupo I), alumnos que ingresaron a la universidad en el tiempo regular (grupo II), y alumnos superdotados de la secundaria (grupo III) en relación a inteligencia, creatividad y personalidad, así como investigar la relación entre esas variables. Participaron en el estudio 30 alumnos (15 de cada sexo) con edad media de 17,3 años. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron los de inteligencia (Matrices Progresivas de Raven), de creatividad (Test de Pensamiento Creativo de Torrance) y de personalidad (Cuestionario Factorial de Personalidad y Rorschach); para procesar los datos se utilizó pruebas no paramétricas de Kruskal-Wallis, de Mann-Whitney y la correlación de Spearman. Los resultados mostraron diferencias significativas en relación a inteligencia (X² [2, N = 30] = 5,975; p = 0,05) y en los factores de creatividad: fluencia (X² [2, N = 30] = 6,302; p = 0,043) y flexibilidad (X² [2, N = 30] = 6,415; p = 0,040). Hubo una correlación positiva entre inteligencia y el factor analogía (r s = 0,426; p = 0,019). Los estudiantes de los grupos I y III demostraron ventajas en los factores de inteligencia y creatividad en relación al grupo II, y los del grupo I mostraron mayor apertura a nuevas experiencias y cambios en comparación a los otros dos grupos. Los resultados indican que la inteligencia y la creatividad son constructos distintos pero relacionados, sugiriendo que la inteligencia sería un subconjunto de la creatividad.(AU)

Effect of long-term consumption of oxidized polyunsaturated fatty acids on atherosclerotic lesion in LDL receptor knockout mice / Efeito do consumo crônico de ácidos graxos poliinsaturados oxidados na aterosclerose em camundongos knockout para receptor de LDL

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are susceptible to enzymatic and non-enzymatic oxidation, leading to the production of secondary compounds that present different physiological effects. Among the PUFA, the products formed from Omega 6 (n-6 FA) and Omega 3 (n-3 FA) fatty acids oxidation can modulate inflammation, dyslipidemia and oxidative stress preventing or reducing the atherosclerosis progression. In fact, the effect of chronic intake of edible oils containing products of polyunsaturated fatty acids oxidation (POPs) on atherosclerosis is still controversial. In general POPs from n-6 FA have a more pro-inflammatory profile than POPs from n-3 FA. Thus, the objective of this study was to compare the chronic intake of partially oxidized n-6 FA and n-3 FA rich oils on atherosclerosis biomarkers. Initially, six edible oils containing a higher amount of n-6 and n-3 FA were submitted to oxidative conditions, simulating the steps of transport, storage and consume. It was observed that oxidative reaction started in all oils since the first step and at the moment of consumption, some oxidative chemical markers were out the legal range suggested by the Official Agencies. In addition, it was possible to identify the type of secondary product formed from each precursor oil, providing a better information for oils quality control. After this step, fish and soybean oils were chosen as n-3 FA and n-6 FA rich oils, respectively. Using LDLr(-/-) mice, the effect of three oxidative levels of soybean oil was evaluated after 24 weeks of supplementation. Animals fed with the oil with the highest level of oxidation (fried and reused oil) showed no body weight gain, suggesting that POPs from soybean oil at this level could promote a browning effect on white adipose tissue by increasing UCP-1 expression. This group also showed the highest concentration of lipoproteins in plasma. However, these metabolic differences did not accelerate atherosclerosis in the animals. Finally, the effect of POPs from n-3 FA and n-6 FA oxidation were compared also using LDLr(-/-) mice as model for experimental atherosclerosis. Some alterations observed after n-3 FA supplementation, such as the increase of liver weight, IL-6, SONPC, 8-HETE and 15-F2-Isop and the decrease of BAT and glucose, were reversed by their POPs. In addition, POPs from n-6 FA caused increased of LDL and 5-HETE. As observed in the previous study, these metabolic alterations were not enough to prevent or accelerate atherosclerosis, as measured by histological analysis of the lesion size in the aorta. These results suggest that although a significant amount of POPs are being consumed by diet, their metabolic effects did not influence atherosclerotic plaques in the animal model. However, besides lesion area in the aortas, new studies should also evaluate the plaques stability

Os ácidos graxos poliinsaturados (PUFA) são suscetíveis à oxidação enzimática e não enzimática, levando à produção de compostos secundários que apresentam diferentes efeitos fisiológicos. Entre os PUFA, os produtos formados a partir da oxidação dos ácidos graxos ômega 6 (n-6 FA) e ômega 3 (n-3 FA) podem modular a inflamação, dislipidemia e estresse oxidativo, impedindo ou reduzindo a progressão da aterosclerose. De fato, o efeito da ingestão crônica de óleos contendo produtos da oxidação de ácidos graxos poliinsaturados (POPs) na aterosclerose ainda é controverso. Em geral, os POPs dos n-6 FA têm um perfil mais pró-inflamatório do que os POPs dos n-3 FA. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a ingestão crônica de POPs provenientes de óleos ricos em n-6 FA e n-3 FA em biomarcadores de aterosclerose. Inicialmente, seis óleos ricos em n-6 FA e n-3 FA foram submetidos a condições oxidativas, simulando as etapas de transporte, armazenamento e consumo. Observou-se que a reação oxidativa iniciou-se em todos os óleos desde a primeira etapa e, no momento do consumo, alguns marcadores oxidativos estavam fora da faixa legal sugerida pelas agências reguladoras. Além disso, foi possível identificar o tipo de produto secundário formado a partir de cada óleo precursor, fornecendo melhores informações para o controle de qualidade dos óleos. Após esta etapa, os óleos de peixe e soja foram escolhidos como óleos ricos em n-3 FA e n-6 FA, respectivamente. Utilizando camundongos LDLr(-/-), o efeito de três níveis oxidativos de óleo de soja foi avaliado após 24 semanas de suplementação. Os animais alimentados com o óleo com maior nível de oxidação (óleo frito e de reuso) não apresentaram ganho de peso corporal, sugerindo que os POPs do óleo de soja nesse nível de oxidação pudessem promover um efeito de Browning no tecido adiposo branco, aumentando a expressão de UCP-1. Este grupo também mostrou a maior concentração de lipoproteínas no plasma. No entanto, essas diferenças metabólicas não aceleraram a aterosclerose nos animais. Finalmente, o efeito de POPs da oxidação de óleos ricos em n-3 FA e n-6 FA foi comparado também usando camundongos LDLr(-/-), como modelo para aterosclerose experimental. Algumas alterações observadas após a suplementação com óleo de peixe fresco, como aumento do peso hepático, IL-6, SONPC, 8-HETE e 15-F2-IsoP e diminuição da BAT e glicose, foram revertidas por seus POPs. Além disso, os POPs do óleo de soja causaram aumento de LDL e 5-HETE. Como observado no estudo anterior, essas alterações metabólicas não foram suficientes para prevenir ou acelerar a aterosclerose, medida pela análise histológica do tamanho da lesão na aorta. Esses resultados sugerem que, embora uma quantidade significativa de POPs esteja sendo consumida pela dieta, seus efeitos metabólicos não influenciaram as placas ateroscleróticas no modelo animal. Porém, além da área de lesão nas aortas, novos estudos também devem avaliar a estabilidade das placas

Burdock (Arctium lappa L.) root attenuates preneoplastic lesion development in a diet and thioacetamide-induced model of steatohepatitis-associated hepatocarcinogenesis.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is considered growing risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma development in high-income countries. Diet- and chemically induced rodent models have been applied for the translational study of NASH-associated hepatocarcinogenesis due to their morphological and molecular similarities to the corresponding human disease. Arctium lappa L. (burdock) root tea has been extensively consumed in Traditional Chinese Medicine due to its potential therapeutic properties. Indeed, the bioactive compounds of A. lappa root, as the polyphenols, have already showed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in different in vivo and in vitro bioassays. In this study, we investigated whether burdock root ethanolic extract (BRE) administration attenuates NASH-associated hepatocarcinogenesis. Eight-week-old male Wistar rats received choline-deficient high-fat diet for 8 weeks and multiple thioacetamide doses for 4 weeks in order to induce NASH and preneoplastic glutathione-S-transferase pi (GST-P)+ preneoplastic foci. Subsequently, rats were treated with BRE (100 or 200 mg/kg body weight) or vehicle by oral gavage for 2 weeks. BRE displayed high levels of chlorogenic and caffeic acids and BRE administration reduced total fatty acid and lipid hydroperoxide levels, while increasing the activities of antioxidant superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes in the liver. Furthermore, burdock intervention diminished the size of GST-P+ remodeling preneoplastic lesions (PNLs) and displayed a trend on reducing hepatocyte proliferation (Ki-67) inside them. These findings suggest that short-term exposure to BRE alleviated remodeling PNL development in NASH-associated hepatocarcinogenesis.

Coenzyme Q10 Cardioprotective Effects Against Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Wistar Rat.

In the present study, we investigated the cardioprotective effects of coenzyme Q10 (Q10) against doxorubicin (DOXO) induced cardiomyopathy. Twenty adult rats were distributed in four experimental groups: group 1 received NaCl 0.9% at 1 ml/day for 14 days; group 2 received Q10 at 1 mg/kg/day for 14 days; group 3 received initial 7 days of treatment with NaCl 0.9% followed by a single dose of doxorubicin (12.5 mg/kg IP) and another 7 days of NaCl; and group 4 received initial 7 days of Q10 1 mg/kg/day, followed by a single dose of doxorubicin (12.5 mg/kg IP) and another 7 days of Q10. At the end of 14 days, systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure, electrocardiogram (ECG), complete blood count, and serum biochemical profile were evaluated. We also analyzed heart histological and ultrastructure analysis, and estimated heart's oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. DOXO administration altered ECG, with increase heart rate, P-wave duration, PR interval duration, and T-wave amplitude. All the parameters were significantly reduced following Q10 treatment. DOXO also caused increase in CK, CK-MB, LDH, and urea levels, which were not mitigated by Q10 treatment. However, Q10 reduced oxidative stress by interfering with superoxide dismutase, significantly decreasing lipid peroxidation in heart tissue. DOXO administration also leads to several histological and ultrastructure alterations including cardiomyocyte degeneration and intense intracelullar autophagosomes, all minimized by Q10 treatment. Q10 treatment prevented the ECG changes, minimized oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and DOXO-induced heart tissue alterations. Our findings suggest that pre- and post-treatment with Q10 exerts potential cardioprotective effect against the DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.

Cadmium toxicity and its relationship with disturbances in the cytoskeleton, cell cycle and chromosome stability.

This study aimed to investigate the mode of action of cadmium (Cd) toxicity at cell level, especially at early stages of plant exposure. Tomato seedlings were cultivated in growth media containing from 0.1 to 70 µM CdCl2 for 24 h. Mitotic index, chromosome abnormality, DNA integrity and organization of tubulin-based structures were assessed in root cells. As higher the Cd concentration in the growth media, higher was the DNA damage intensity and the occurrence of chromosomal abnormalities that included chromosome lost, bridges, stickiness, C-metaphase and polyploidy. The profile of chromosomal aberrations also varied with elevated Cd concentration, being observed increases in the frequency of chromosome stickiness. The mitotic index was reduced at the lowest Cd concentration, but such reduction was statistically similar to that detected at the highest concentration, suggesting that mitotic depression is a rapid outcome and, at same time, a Cd-induced effect that is limited at the first 24 h of direct root exposure to this metal. Under exposure to 20 µM CdCl2, heterogenous distribution of the spindle fibers, formation of two spindle complexes in both of the cell poles, absence of centrosome center, polarization of the spindle fibers during cell division, and non-uniform tubulin deposition in microtubule and phragmoplast were noticed. The results indicate that the tubulin-dependent components of cytoskeleton are Cd targets, and the sensitivity of tubulin-based structures to Cd exposure depends on cell cycle phase. Moreover, DNA damage intensity and chromosomal abnormality profile can be employed as markers of Cd toxicity level.

ß-ionone inhibits nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and its association with hepatocarcinogenesis in male Wistar rats.

Among the primary neoplasias that affect the liver, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent and the third leading cause of death related to cancer. Several risk factors predispose individuals to HCC such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), whose incidence has significantly increased worldwide. ß-ionone (ßI) isoprenoid is a known chemopreventive of hepatocarcinogenesis. However, the effects of this compound on NAFLD isolated or in association with hepatocarcinogenesis have not yet been evaluated. A high-fat emulsion administered for 6 weeks resulted in NAFLD in male rats, and oral treatment with ßI during this period significantly attenuated its development. Moreover, the presence of NAFLD potentiated hepatocarcinogenesis induced by the resistant hepatocyte (RH) model in these animals by increasing the number and percentage of the liver section area occupied by placental glutathione S-transferase (GST-P)-positive persistent preneoplastic lesions (pPNLs), that are thought to evolve into HCC. This indicates that this NAFLD/RH protocol is suitable for studies of the influence of NAFLD on the HCC development. Therefore, here we also investigated the chemopreventive effect of ßI under these two associated conditions. In this context, ßI reduced the number and percentage of the liver section area occupied by pPNLs, as well as cell proliferation and the number of oval cells, which are considered potential targets for the development of HCC. Thus, ßI presents not only a promising inhibitory effect on NAFLD isolated but also chemopreventive activity when it is associated with hepatocarcinogenesis.

Cystic Fibrosis: Clinical Phenotypes in Children and Adolescents.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to describe the clinical phenotypes of children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF); and to assess the role of pancreatic insufficiency and neonatal screening in diagnosis. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted, which included 77 patients attending a reference center of CF between 2014 and 2016. Epidemiological data, anthropometric measurements, and the presence of pulmonary, pancreatic, gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary manifestations were evaluated based on clinical data and complementary examinations. RESULTS: Of the 77 patients, 51.9% were male, with a median age of 147 months (7.0-297.0 months), and the majority showed adequate nutritional status. The most common phenotype was pulmonary (92.2%), followed by pancreatic (87.0%), with pancreatic insufficiency in most cases. Gastrointestinal manifestation occurred in 46.8%, with constipation being the more common factor. Hepatobiliary disease occurred in 62.3% of patients. The group with pancreatic insufficiency was diagnosed earlier (5.0 months) when compared to the group with sufficiency (84.0 months) (p=0.01). The age of diagnosis was reduced following implementation of neonatal screening protocols for CF (6.0 months before vs. 3.0 months after, p=0.02). CONCLUSION: The pulmonary phenotype was the most common, although extrapulmonary manifestations were frequent and clinically relevant, and should mandate early detection and treatment. Neonatal screening for CF led to earlier diagnosis in patients with pancreatic failure, and therefore, should be adopted universally.