HLA-G expression in Merkel cell carcinoma and the correlation with Merkel cell polyomavirus infection.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare aggressive neuroendocrine cutaneous carcinoma with a high mortality rate. The MCC etiology is not fully understood. Merkel cell-associated polyomavirus (MCPyV) was found in MCC patients, indicating a risk factor for the tumor. Caucasian, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are more likely to develop this tumor. HLA-G consists of a non-classical class I (Ib) HLA molecule with an immunoregulatory function and was associated with tumor escape in different types of tumors, nonetheless, never been studied in MCC. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the HLA-G expression and also to detect the MCPyV in MCC patients and correlate it with the clinical course of the disease. Forty-five MCC patients were included in a retrospective study. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded cutaneous skin biopsies were used by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR to verify the HLA-G expression and MCPyV infection. HLA-G expression was found in 7 (15.6%), while the presence of MCPyV was detected in 28 (62.2%) of the studied patients. No significant association was found between HLA-G expression and MCPyV infection (p = 0.250). The presence of MCPyV was associated with areas of low sunlight exposure (p = 0.042) and the HLA-G expression with progression to death (p = 0.038). HLA-G expression was detected in MCC patients, as well as the MCPyV presence was confirmed. These markers could represent factors with a possible impact on patient survival; however, further studies with a greater number of patients are needed, to better elucidate the possible role in disease progression.

HLA-G expression in Merkel cell carcinoma and the correlation with Merkel cell polyomavirus infection

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare aggressive neuroendocrine cutaneous carcinoma with a high mortality rate. The MCC etiology is not fully understood. Merkel cell-associated polyomavirus (MCPyV) was found in MCC patients, indicating a risk factor for the tumor. Caucasian, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are more likely to develop this tumor. HLA-G consists of a non-classical class I (Ib) HLA molecule with an immunoregulatory function and was associated with tumor escape in different types of tumors, nonetheless, never been studied in MCC. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the HLA-G expression and also to detect the MCPyV in MCC patients and correlate it with the clinical course of the disease. Forty-five MCC patients were included in a retrospective study. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded cutaneous skin biopsies were used by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR to verify the HLA-G expression and MCPyV infection. HLA-G expression was found in 7 (15.6%), while the presence of MCPyV was detected in 28 (62.2%) of the studied patients. No significant association was found between HLA-G expression and MCPyV infection (p = 0.250). The presence of MCPyV was associated with areas of low sunlight exposure (p = 0.042) and the HLA-G expression with progression to death (p = 0.038). HLA-G expression was detected in MCC patients, as well as the MCPyV presence was confirmed. These markers could represent factors with a possible impact on patient survival; however, further studies with a greater number of patients are needed, to better elucidate the possible role in disease progression.

Multiresidue analysis and evaluation of the matrix effect on 20 pesticides in Brazilian maize (Zea mays L.) flour.

Maize consists of a cereal widely used in the preparation of different food products. Brazil is one of the world's largest maize producers. Several types of pesticides have been applied in maize crop, which can lead to the contamination of the derived products. The present work aims at the validation of multiresidue method to analyze the matrix effect and level of pesticides in maize flour. Twenty residues were investigated in samples commercialized in the state of Ceará, Brazil. The method was satisfactorily validated, according to parameters recommended by European Union. About 55% of the pesticides had an intense negative matrix effect. Multiresidue analyzes showed the presence of traces of fenitrotion in 20% of maize flour samples. Detected levels were below maximum residue limits recommended for maize. The results indicate that maize products need continuous monitoring to ensure food security.

Rendimento produtivo e viabilidade econômica de fenos de forrageiras em rações para frangos pescoço pelado / Productive yield and economic feasibility of forage hays in feed for naked neck chickens

Com o objetivo de avaliar a resposta produtiva e a viabilidade econômica de rações com inclusão de fenos de forrageiras alternativas para aves em sistema semi-intensivo, realizou-se o ensaio de desempenho, onde 600 aves da linhagem Label Rouge foram distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos e seis repetições de vinte aves cada. A ração controle (RCO) foi formulada com milho grão e farelo de soja e utilizada como referência para a inclusão de fenos de forrageiras, sendo 20% pelos fenos de Flor de Seda (Calotropis procera) (RFS), Maniva de Mandioca (Manihot esculenta) (RMM), Mata Pasto (Senna obtusifolia) (RMP) ou Leucena (Leucaena leucocephala) (RLE). As médias para consumo de ração RCO, RMM, RFS, RMP e RLE foram de 0,1050; 0,1470; 0,0888; 0,1411 e 0,1441 kg/ave/dia, respectivamente; e os custos das rações foram 1,489; 1,209; 1,189; 1,179 e 1,249 (R$/kg), respectivamente; assim, o custo total com alimentação no período de 84 dias de semiconfinamento das aves para cada ração foi de 1.950,67; 1.790,70; 1.061,90; 1.676,04 e 1.813,60 (R$ reais), respectivamente. Esses resultados demonstraram uma queda relativa no custo com alimentação com a inclusão dos fenos das forrageiras alternativas nas rações, mas ao avaliar o desempenho produtivo em ganho de peso e rendimento de carcaça das aves, a receita total foi menor em cada uma das rações com os fenos de forrageiras, e assim, os índices de eficiência econômica e custo médio foram melhores com a ração RCO, entretanto, a RMM apresentou rentabilidade superior às outras rações com fenos.(AU)

In order to evaluate the productive response and economic viability of diets that included hays as alternative forage for birds in a semi-intensive system, a performance test was held, in which 600 Label Rouge birds were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments, six replications, and twenty birds per plot. The control diet (RCO) was based on corn grain and soybean meal and used as a reference for the inclusion of forage hay, 20% by hays Silk Flower (Calotropis procera), Maniva Cassava (Manihot esculenta) , Mata Pasto (Senna obtusifolia) , or Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala). The average for RCO feed intake, RMM, RFS, RMP, and RLE were 0.1050, 0.1470, 0.0888, 0.1411, and 0.1441 kg/bird/day, respectively, and feed prices were 1,489, 1,209, 1,189, 1,179, and 1,249 (R$/kg), respectively. Therefore, the total costs of food in the 84-day period of semi-confinement of the birds per ration were 1950,67, 1790,70, 1061,90, 1676,04, and 1813,60 (actual R$), respectively. These results showed a relative decline in power with regard to cost via including hay as an alternative forage in diets, but after evaluating the performance in weight gain and carcass yield of birds, the total revenue was lower in each of the feeds with hay forage and thus the economic efficiency and average cost rates were better with the RCO feed; however, the RMM had superior profitability compared to other diets with hay.(AU)

Rendimento produtivo e viabilidade econômica de fenos de forrageiras em rações para frangos pescoço pelado / Productive yield and economic feasibility of forage hays in feed for naked neck chickens

Com o objetivo de avaliar a resposta produtiva e a viabilidade econômica de rações com inclusão de fenos de forrageiras alternativas para aves em sistema semi-intensivo, realizou-se o ensaio de desempenho, onde 600 aves da linhagem Label Rouge foram distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos e seis repetições de vinte aves cada. A ração controle (RCO) foi formulada com milho grão e farelo de soja e utilizada como referência para a inclusão de fenos de forrageiras, sendo 20% pelos fenos de Flor de Seda (Calotropis procera) (RFS), Maniva de Mandioca (Manihot esculenta) (RMM), Mata Pasto (Senna obtusifolia) (RMP) ou Leucena (Leucaena leucocephala) (RLE). As médias para consumo de ração RCO, RMM, RFS, RMP e RLE foram de 0,1050; 0,1470; 0,0888; 0,1411 e 0,1441 kg/ave/dia, respectivamente; e os custos das rações foram 1,489; 1,209; 1,189; 1,179 e 1,249 (R$/kg), respectivamente; assim, o custo total com alimentação no período de 84 dias de semiconfinamento das aves para cada ração foi de 1.950,67; 1.790,70; 1.061,90; 1.676,04 e 1.813,60 (R$ reais), respectivamente. Esses resultados demonstraram uma queda relativa no custo com alimentação com a inclusão dos fenos das forrageiras alternativas nas rações, mas ao avaliar o desempenho produtivo em ganho de peso e rendimento de carcaça das aves, a receita total foi menor em cada uma das rações com os fenos de forrageiras, e assim, os índices de eficiência econômica e custo médio foram melhores com a ração RCO, entretanto, a RMM apresentou rentabilidade superior às outras rações com fenos.

In order to evaluate the productive response and economic viability of diets that included hays as alternative forage for birds in a semi-intensive system, a performance test was held, in which 600 Label Rouge birds were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments, six replications, and twenty birds per plot. The control diet (RCO) was based on corn grain and soybean meal and used as a reference for the inclusion of forage hay, 20% by hays Silk Flower (Calotropis procera), Maniva Cassava (Manihot esculenta) , Mata Pasto (Senna obtusifolia) , or Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala). The average for RCO feed intake, RMM, RFS, RMP, and RLE were 0.1050, 0.1470, 0.0888, 0.1411, and 0.1441 kg/bird/day, respectively, and feed prices were 1,489, 1,209, 1,189, 1,179, and 1,249 (R$/kg), respectively. Therefore, the total costs of food in the 84-day period of semi-confinement of the birds per ration were 1950,67, 1790,70, 1061,90, 1676,04, and 1813,60 (actual R$), respectively. These results showed a relative decline in power with regard to cost via including hay as an alternative forage in diets, but after evaluating the performance in weight gain and carcass yield of birds, the total revenue was lower in each of the feeds with hay forage and thus the economic efficiency and average cost rates were better with the RCO feed; however, the RMM had superior profitability compared to other diets with hay.

Corn replacement by broken rice in meat-type quail diets

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of broken rice inclusion as substitute for corn in the diet on the performance, carcass yield, and economic viability of meat-type quails between 7 and 49 days of age. A number of 288 quails was distributed according to a completely randomized design into six treatments with six replicates of eight birds each. Treatments consisted of increasing levels of broken rice (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100%) in replacement of corn. Increasing levels of corn substitution by broken rice in the diet of 7- to 49-day-old meat-type quails did not affect feed intake, weight gain or feed conversion ratio (p>0.05). Relative to carcass traits, the inclusion of broken rice in the diets did not influence (p>0.05) dressing percentage or breast, leg (thigh+drumstick), liver, and gizzard yields. Moreover, feed cost per kilogram of live weight gain, cost index, and economic efficiency index were not influenced by the replacement of corn by broken rice in the diets. The performance, carcass traits and economic viability of broilers fed the different levels of broken rice inclusion were not different from the control group (p>0.05). These results indicate the economic viability of total replacement of corn by broken rice in the feeding of meat-type quails.(AU)

Corn replacement by broken rice in meat-type quail diets

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of broken rice inclusion as substitute for corn in the diet on the performance, carcass yield, and economic viability of meat-type quails between 7 and 49 days of age. A number of 288 quails was distributed according to a completely randomized design into six treatments with six replicates of eight birds each. Treatments consisted of increasing levels of broken rice (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100%) in replacement of corn. Increasing levels of corn substitution by broken rice in the diet of 7- to 49-day-old meat-type quails did not affect feed intake, weight gain or feed conversion ratio (p>0.05). Relative to carcass traits, the inclusion of broken rice in the diets did not influence (p>0.05) dressing percentage or breast, leg (thigh+drumstick), liver, and gizzard yields. Moreover, feed cost per kilogram of live weight gain, cost index, and economic efficiency index were not influenced by the replacement of corn by broken rice in the diets. The performance, carcass traits and economic viability of broilers fed the different levels of broken rice inclusion were not different from the control group (p>0.05). These results indicate the economic viability of total replacement of corn by broken rice in the feeding of meat-type quails.

Safety and cardiac chronotropic responsiveness to the early injection of atropine during dobutamine stress echocardiography in the elderly.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and cardiac chronotropic responsiveness to early atropine dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) in the elderly. DESIGN: Retrospective study of 258 patients >or= 70 years who underwent early atropine DSE and 290 patients >or= 70 years who underwent conventional DSE. In the early atropine protocol, atropine was started at 20 microg/kg/min of dobutamine if heart rate was < 100 beats/min, up to 2 mg. The cardiac chronotropic responsiveness in the elderly was compared with a control group of patients < 70 years matched for sex, myocardial infarction, diabetes, and treatment with beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. RESULTS: The dose of dobutamine given to elderly patients was lower during early atropine than during conventional DSE (mean (SD) 29 (7) v 38 (4) microg/kg/min, p = 0.001). Early atropine DSE resulted in diminished incidence of ventricular extrasystoles, non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, bradycardia, and hypotension compared with conventional DSE. In comparison with patients < 70 years, elderly patients required lower doses of dobutamine and atropine and achieved a higher percentage of predicted maximum heart rate (92 (9)% v 88 (10)%, p = 0.0001). Except for more common hypotension (16% v 10%, p = 0.004), no other difference in adverse effects was observed between patients >or= 70 and < 70 years. CONCLUSIONS: Early atropine DSE is a safe strategy in the elderly resulting in lower incidence of minor adverse effects than with the conventional protocol. Elderly patients presented adequate cardiac chronotropic responsiveness to early injections of atropine, requiring lower doses of drugs to reach test end points.