Feed supplementation with palm kernel cake-based concentrate increases the quality of water buffalo semen

[...] Fifteen water buffalos kept on pasture were used as semen donors. The animals received daily dietary supplementation (1% of body weight ) for 252 days, and were divided into three groups: Control ( n = 5; conventional concentrate), CM - Base ( n = 5; coconut meal concentrate) , and PKC - Base ( n = 5; palm kernel cake concentrate). Aspect, color, volume, pH, gross motility, vigor, progressive sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, and sperm morphology of ejaculates were evaluated (173 samples). The daily average for voluntary concentrate intake was 4.778 ± 1.233 kg in the Control group , 3.112 ± 0.693 kg in CM - Base, and 4.558 ± 1.077 kg in PKC - Base group ( P > 0. 05). Diet based on palm kernel cake supplementation had a positive effect on semen quality. The plasma membrane integrity levels were increased in PKC - Base animals (Control: 68.0 ± 19.5; CM - Base: 72.0 ± 22.6; PKC - Base: 8 2.1 ± 12.2; P 0.05) .Hence, palm kernel cake - based dietary supplementation for water buffalos provided more lipids and minerals, which intake is related to the improvement of sperm quality, with higher sperm motility an d higher levels of spermatozoa with plasma membrane integrity

Feed supplementation with palm kernel cake-based concentrate increases the quality of water buffalo semen

[...] Fifteen water buffalos kept on pasture were used as semen donors. The animals received daily dietary supplementation (1% of body weight ) for 252 days, and were divided into three groups: Control ( n = 5; conventional concentrate), CM - Base ( n = 5; coconut meal concentrate) , and PKC - Base ( n = 5; palm kernel cake concentrate). Aspect, color, volume, pH, gross motility, vigor, progressive sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, and sperm morphology of ejaculates were evaluated (173 samples). The daily average for voluntary concentrate intake was 4.778 ± 1.233 kg in the Control group , 3.112 ± 0.693 kg in CM - Base, and 4.558 ± 1.077 kg in PKC - Base group ( P > 0. 05). Diet based on palm kernel cake supplementation had a positive effect on semen quality. The plasma membrane integrity levels were increased in PKC - Base animals (Control: 68.0 ± 19.5; CM - Base: 72.0 ± 22.6; PKC - Base: 8 2.1 ± 12.2; P < 0.05). In addition, progressive sperm motility was higher in the PKC - Base group (71.7 ± 15.1% PKC - Base; 59.3 ± 20.5% Control; 56.7 ± 24.8% CM - Base; P < 0.05). Lower sperm concentration values were observed in the PKC - Base group, but they did not deviate from the physiological standards from 524.10 ± 20.70 to 1,031.4 ± 28.70 x 10 6 sptz/m l, or of 1,493 x 10 6 sptz/m l . The other sperm parameters did not have significant differences (P > 0.05) .Hence, palm kernel cake - based dietary supplementation for water buffalos provided more lipids and minerals, which intake is related to the improvement of sperm quality, with higher sperm motility an d higher levels of spermatozoa with plasma membrane integrity (AU)

GD1a modulates GM-CSF-induced cell proliferation.

Gangliosides have been extensively described to be involved in the proliferation and differentiation of various cell types, such including hematopoietic cells. Our previous studies on murine models of stroma-mediated myelopoiesis have shown that gangliosides are required for optimal capacity of stromal cells to support proliferation of myeloid precursor cells, being shed to the supernatant and selectively incorporated into myeloid cell membranes. Here we describe the effect of gangliosides on the specific granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-induced proliferation. For that, we used the monocytic FDC-P1 cell line, which is dependent upon GM-CSF for survival and proliferation. Cells were cultured in the presence of GM-CSF and exogenous gangliosides (GM3, GD1a or GM1) or in the absence of endogenous ganglioside synthesis by the use of a ceramide-synthase inhibitor, D-PDMP. We observed that exogenous addition of GD1a enhanced the GM-CSF-induced proliferation of the FDC-P1 cells. Also, we detected an increase in the expression of the α isoform of the GM-CSF receptor (GMRα) as well as of the transcription factor C/EBPα. On the contrary, inhibition of glucosylceramide synthesis was accompanied by a decrease in cell proliferation, which was restored upon the addition of exogenous GD1a. We also show a co-localization of GD1a and GMR by immunocytochemistry. Taken together, our results suggest for the first time that ganglioside GD1a play a role on the modulation of GM-CSF-mediated proliferative response, which might be of great interest not only in hematopoiesis, but also in other immunological processes, Alzheimer disease, alveolar proteinosis and wherever GM-CSF exerts its effects.

[Centipede stings notified by the "Centro de Informações Toxicológicas de Belém", over a 2-year period]. / Acidentes por centopéia notificados pelo "Centro de Informações Toxicológicas de Belém", num período de dois anos.

Centipedes are arthropods of the class Chilopoda. The objective of this work was to study the incidence of accidents involving centipedes at "Centro de Informações Toxicológicas de Belém" (CIT-Belém) over a two-year period. Seventy-six patients were studied from March 30, 1998 until March 30, 2000. Centipede accidents occurred in 16.8% of all accidents by venomous animals at Centro de Informações Toxicológicas de Belém; compared to snake accidents, 44.4 % and scorpion accidents, 20.5%. The majority of cases occurred in the residence (86.8%). The most important age group was 20-49 years old (64.4%). The part of human body mostly affected was the superior members (47.4 %). Local pain and edema were found in 95.8% and 52.1% of the patients, respectively. Treatment was symptomatic. Healing occurred in 94.7%, although the outcome of 5.3% of cases was unknown. Centipede accidents are a benign accident, occurring within the residence and treatment consists of measures to decrease the pain.