Permeation of beta-defensin-3 encapsulated with polyethylene glycol in lung surfactant models at air-water interface.

Coarse grained molecular dynamics of the permeation of the peptide human beta-defensin-3 (HBD3) in two different lung surfactant models (BLES and CUROSURF) at surface tension of 20 mN m-1 was performed in order to simulate the effect of charge distribution on the permeation process. We found that HBD3 permeates in lung surfactant models at surface tension of 20 mN m-1. However, it sticks to the phospholipid polar heads, possibly having its bactericidal properties inactivated by electrostatic interaction. The HBD3 encapsulated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecules does permeate, but it does not interact with the polar heads. The Gibbs free energies of this process in both models were estimated to be -39 and -64 Kcal mol-1 for HBD3 and PEG-encapsulated HBD3, respectively. The peptide HBD3 was pulled from the polar heads to the water phase overcoming an energy barrier of around 17 and 22 Kcal mol-1, respectively. The peptide was encapsulated with PEG molecules in order to reduce this barrier, thereby decreasing to roughly 12 and 0 Kcal mol-1 in BLES and CUROSURF models, respectively. After permeation of the HBD3 encapsulated with PEG, it freely moves in the water phase with little or none interaction with the phospholipid head groups. Lung surfactant with low charge distribution seems to have less or none electrostatic interaction with HBD3, possibly preserving its antimicrobial activity.

Genetic analysis of female reproductive efficiency, scrotal circumference and growth traits in Nelore cattle.

This study estimated the genetic variability and correlations between growth and reproductive traits in Nelore cattle. Annual genetic changes in female reproductive traits were also evaluated using repeated measures. Direct heritability was moderate for the growth traits and scrotal circumference (0.235 ±â€¯0.015 to 0.443 ±â€¯0.006), indicating genetic variability in these traits in the population studied. Maternal heritability was low for weaning height (0.042 ±â€¯0.012) and weaning weight (0.112 ±â€¯0.013). Regarding female reproductive traits, gestation length (GL) exhibited a slightly higher heritability (0.179 ±â€¯0.006) than days to calving (DC) and calving interval (CI) (0.123 ±â€¯0.006 and 0.105 ±â€¯0.008, respectively). Repeatability was lower for GL (0.222 ±â€¯0.006) compared to DC (0.318 ±â€¯0.004) and CI (0.406 ±â€¯0.006). Moderate and positive genetic correlations were obtained between the growth traits and scrotal circumference, ranging from 0.193 ±â€¯0.019 to 0.519 ±â€¯0.007. Weaning height showed low and positive genetic associations with GL (0.138 ±â€¯0.007) and CI (0.189 ±â€¯0.016), but was not correlated with DC (-0.016 ±â€¯0.011). Similarly, weaning weight, yearling height or yearling weight was not associated with any of the female reproductive traits. The genetic correlations between scrotal circumference and female reproductive traits were negative and favorable, but low: -0.116 ±â€¯0.020 (GL), -0.084 ±â€¯0.028 (DC), and -0.054 ±â€¯0.038 (CI). Favorable genetic associations were estimated between all female reproductive traits, ranging from 0.170 ±â€¯0.040 to 0.442 ±â€¯0.050. Genetic changes were favorable for GL and CI (-0.02 days/year and -0.11 days/year, respectively) and unfavorable for DC (0.16 days/year). In conclusion, selection for higher growth using the estimated breeding values for height and weight will not affect the reproductive performance of Nelore females. Nonetheless, simultaneous selection for growth and reproductive traits is possible.

Genetic analysis of age at first calving, accumulated productivity, stayability and mature weight of Nellore females.

The female reproductive performance, productivity and size are strongly associated with production efficiency of herds raised in a tropical environment. The age at first calving (AFC), accumulated productivity (AP), stayability (STAY) and mature weight (MW) could be used as indicators of these traits. In this study, the genetic parameters and correlations between AFC, AP, STAY and MW measured in Nellore females were estimated, in order to provide support for the beef cattle evaluation programs. In addition, the genetic changes for these traits were obtained. The (co)variance components were estimated by Gibbs sampling by four-trait multivariate analysis, using a threshold animal model for STAY and linear animal model for the other traits (AFC, AP and MW). Heritability of AFC, AP and STAY showed low values, with posterior means of 0.13 ± 0.02, 0.14 ± 0.01 and 0.19 ± 0.03, respectively. On the other hand, for MW were estimated mean heritability of 0.44 ± 0.03 and repeatability of 0.77 ± 0.03, demonstrating the importance of genetic and permanent environmental effects for the expression of beef cows' size. The AFC showed null genetic correlation with AP (-0.06 ± 0.12) and MW (0.01 ± 0.09) and low and negative with STAY (-0.15 ± 0.11). The AP showed high genetic correlation with STAY (0.86 ± 0.03) and weak with MW (0.23 ± 0.09). Positive and moderate genetic association was estimated between STAY and MW (0.66 ± 0.05). Annual direct genetic trends of 0.19 kg, 0.30 units and 0.10 kg were estimated for AP, STAY and MW, respectively, and were significant (P < 0.05) for STAY and MW. For AFC, negative and favorable annual genetic change was estimated (-0.08 months, P < 0.05). In this population, the selection of heifers for an early reproductive age should have little influence, however favorable, in the time that the cows remain in the herd. The use of AP as a selection criterion should result in smaller changes in the females' mature weight when compared to selection based on STAY.

Revisão sistemática de estudos qualitativos brasileiros com pessoas diagnosticadas como deficientes intelectuais / Systematic review on brazilian qualitative studies with people diagnosed with intelectual disability

Foram revisadas metodologias qualitativas em pesquisas brasileiras com indivíduos Deficien-tes Intelectuais (DI) publicadas nos últimos 16 anos, a fim de propor avanços metodológicossobre produção de si em narrativas, a partir de críticas de pesquisadores culturais. As buscasforam feitas no Portal de Periódicos da CAPES, Google acadêmico e contato com pesquisado-res, resultando em 20 estudos. Os resultados indicaram metodologias inovadoras e informamsobre condições de socialização inclusiva, na contemporaneidade brasileira. Para avançar noestudo de metodologias, sugerimos pesquisas em Teoria Fundamentada, a participação depessoas com DI na análise e estudos sobre emoções(AU)

SNP detection using RNA-sequences of candidate genes associated with puberty in cattle.

Fertility traits, such as heifer pregnancy, are economically important in cattle production systems, and are therefore, used in genetic selection programs. The aim of this study was to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) data from ovary, uterus, endometrium, pituitary gland, hypothalamus, liver, longissimus dorsi muscle, and adipose tissue in 62 candidate genes associated with heifer puberty in cattle. RNA-Seq reads were assembled to the bovine reference genome (UMD 3.1.1) and analyzed in five cattle breeds; Brangus, Brahman, Nellore, Angus, and Holstein. Two approaches used the Brangus data for SNP discovery 1) pooling all samples, and 2) within each individual sample. These approaches revealed 1157 SNPs. These were compared with those identified in the pooled samples of the other breeds. Overall, 172 SNPs within 13 genes (CPNE5, FAM19A4, FOXN4, KLF1, LOC777593, MGC157266, NEBL, NRXN3, PEPT-1, PPP3CA, SCG5, TSG101, and TSHR) were concordant in the five breeds. Using Ensembl's Variant Effector Predictor, we determined that 12% of SNPs were in exons (71% synonymous, 29% nonsynonymous), 1% were in untranslated regions (UTRs), 86% were in introns, and 1% were in intergenic regions. Since these SNPs were discovered in RNA, the variants were predicted to be within exons or UTRs. Overall, 160 novel transcripts in 42 candidate genes and five novel genes overlapping five candidate genes were observed. In conclusion, 1157 SNPs were identified in 62 candidate genes associated with puberty in Brangus cattle, of which, 172 were concordant in the five cattle breeds. Novel transcripts and genes were also identified.

Associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms and carcass traits in Nellore cattle using high-density panels.

The objective of this study was to evaluate associations between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and carcass traits measured postmortem in Nellore cattle. Records of loin eye area (LEA) and backfat thickness (BF) from 740 males and records of hot carcass weight (HCW) from 726 males were analyzed. All of the animals were genotyped using the BovineHD BeadChip. Association analyses were performed by the restricted maximum likelihood method that considered one SNP at a time. Significant SNPs were identified on chromosomes 2 and 6 for LEA and on chromosomes 7, 1, and 2 for BF. For HCW, associations with SNPs were found on chromosomes 13, 14, and 28, in addition to genome regions that were directly related to this trait, such as the EFCAB8 and VSTM2L genes, and to bone development (RHOU). Some SNPs were located in very close proximity to genes involved in basal metabolism (BLCAP, NNAT, CTNNBL1, TGM2, and LOC100296770) and the immune system (BPI).

Study of lipid metabolism-related genes as candidate genes of sexual precocity in Nellore cattle.

The objective of this study was to identify associations between known polymorphisms in genes related to adipose tissue and sexual precocity in Nellore cattle. A total of 1689 precocious and non-precocious heifers belonging to farms participating in Conexão Delta G breeding program were studied. SNPs from the Illumina High-Density Bovine SNP BeadChip were used. This chip contains 777,000 SNPs located within the region of the candidate genes at a distance of up to 5 kb, considering that linkage disequilibrium (LD) exists at this distance. Linear models were used for statistical analysis. The fastPHASE and GenomeStudio programs were used for haplotype reconstruction and LD analysis based on r2 statistics. Fifty-seven candidate genes and 443 SNPs were analyzed: among the latter, 370 SNPs formed 83 haplotypes, while the remaining SNPs were studied separately. Statistical analysis showed that only three haplotypes, one haplotype consisting of two SNPs located in the FABP4 gene and two haplotypes consisting of four and two SNPs located in the PPP3CA gene, had a significant effect on sexual precocity at P < 0.05. It can be concluded that the FABP4 and PPP3CA genes influence sexual precocity and may therefore be used in selection programs designed to improve sexual precocity in Nellore cattle.

SOROEPIDEMIOLOGIA DE Toxoplasma gondii E Neospora caninum EM UMA POPULAÇÃO CANINA HOSPITALAR NO SUL DE MINAS GERAIS, BRASIL / SEROEPIDEMIOLOGY OF Toxoplasma gondii AND Neospora caninum IN CANINE HOSPITAL POPULATION IN SOUTHERN MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL

 Toxoplasma gondii (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae) é um protozoário que causa a toxoplasmose, zoonose cosmopolita de grande relevância em saúde pública. Embora a toxoplasmose canina possa provocar distúrbios neurológicos, a infecção nessa espécie tem como relevância epidemiológica o fato dos cães atuarem como animais sentinela para o risco de infecção da população humana. Neospora caninum, protozoário apicomplexa (Sarcocystidae), é responsável pela neosporose, doença parasitária cosmopolita que pode provocar distúrbios neuromusculares graves em cães, porém, se destaca por ser, atualmente, uma das principais causas de aborto e natimortalidade em bovinos, sem evidências de potencial zoonótico, até o momento. Este estudo observacional seccional teve como objetivo determinar a frequência de cães infectados por T. gondii e N. caninum, e associar o status sorológico a algumas variáveis epidemiológicas. Amostras de soros foram coletadas de 158 cães, de ambos os sexos, raças e idades variadas, ate

SOROEPIDEMIOLOGIA DE Toxoplasma gondii E Neospora caninum EM UMA POPULAÇÃO CANINA HOSPITALAR NO SUL DE MINAS GERAIS, BRASIL / SEROEPIDEMIOLOGY OF Toxoplasma gondii AND Neospora caninum IN CANINE HOSPITAL POPULATION IN SOUTHERN MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL

 Toxoplasma gondii (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae) é um protozoário que causa a toxoplasmose, zoonose cosmopolita de grande relevância em saúde pública. Embora a toxoplasmose canina possa provocar distúrbios neurológicos, a infecção nessa espécie tem como relevância epidemiológica o fato dos cães atuarem como animais sentinela para o risco de infecção da população humana. Neospora caninum, protozoário apicomplexa (Sarcocystidae), é responsável pela neosporose, doença parasitária cosmopolita que pode provocar distúrbios neuromusculares graves em cães, porém, se destaca por ser, atualmente, uma das principais causas de aborto e natimortalidade em bovinos, sem evidências de potencial zoonótico, até o momento. Este estudo observacional seccional teve como objetivo determinar a frequência de cães infectados por T. gondii e N. caninum, e associar o status sorológico a algumas variáveis epidemiológicas. Amostras de soros foram coletadas de 158 cães, de ambos os sexos, raças e idades variadas, ate

Inibição do crescimento in vitro de fitopatógenos sob diferentes concentrações de extratos de plantas medicinais / In vitro inhibition of fungal plant pathogens by different concentrations of medicinal plants extracts

Com o objetivo de avaliar in vitro o efeito de diferentes concentrações de extratos vegetais sobre o crescimento de Cercospora kikuchii, Fusarium solani, Colletotrichum sp. e Phomopsis sp., foram conduzidos quatro bioensaios experimentais, no Laboratório de Fitopatologia da Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados. Foi adotado o delineamento inteiramente casualizado em arranjo fatorial 3 x 6, com 8 repetições para cada bioensaio. Foram utilizados extratos aquosos de alho, canela e cravo-da-índia, nas concentrações de 0; 0,5; 1; 5; 10 e 20%. Para obtenção dos extratos foram coletadas 30 g do material vegetal e trituradas em 120 mL de água destilada. Os extratos foram filtrados em papel Wathman nº 1 e incorporados ao meio BDA, de modo a obter as concentrações desejadas. Posteriormente, a solução foi vertida em placas de Petri, onde foram transferidos discos de micélio do patógeno, de 0,3 cm de diâmetro. Em seguida, as placas foram incubadas a 25º C, com fotoperíodo de 12 horas. Foi analisado o crescimento micelial da colônia fúngica. Os resultados revelaram que o efeito do extrato aquoso de canela para todos os patógenos estudados, e do extrato de alho para F. solani, Colletotrichum sp. e Phomopsis sp. foi dependente das concentrações utilizadas, constatando-se maior atividade antifúngica com o aumento das concentrações. Verificou-se com o uso do extrato de cravo-da-índia maior eficácia no controle dos fitopatógenos testados, sendo observada supressão sobre o crescimento de Colletotrichum sp., Cercospora kikuchii, F. solani e de Phomopsis sp. a partir das concentrações de 7,4, 7,5, 8,9 e 7,0%, respectivamente. O extrato aquoso de alho, na concentração de 9,7%, apresentou efetivo controle apenas sobre C. kikuchii.

In order to evaluate the in vitro effect of different concentrations of plant extracts on the growth of Cercospora kikuchii, Fusarium solani, Colletotrichum sp. and Phomopsis sp., 4 bioassays experiments were conducted at the Plant Pathology Laboratory of the Federal University of Grande Dourados, Brazil. The experimental design was a completely randomized design in a 3 x 6 factorial arrangement, with 8 replicates for each bioassay. Aqueous extracts of garlic, cinnamon and clove were evaluated in concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1, 5, 10 and 20%. Extracts were obtained through maceration of 30 g of plant material in 120 mL of distilled water. The extracts were filtered in grade-1 Whatman paper and incorporated into PDA medium to obtain the desired concentrations. Subsequently, the solution was poured into Petri dishes, and then 3 mm-diameter-PDA plugs with pathogen mycelium were transferred to the center of the PDA + plant extract Petri dish. Plates were incubated at 25° C with a 12-h-day photoperiod. Fungal growth was performed daily by measuring the colony diameter. The results showed that the effect of aqueous extract of cinnamon for all pathogens studied, and garlic extract for F. solani, Colletotrichum sp. and Phomopsis sp., was dependent on the concentrations used, noting a higher antifungal activity with increased concentrations used. Clove extract presented the greatest effectiveness for the control of the plant pathogens tested, with observed suppression on the growth of Colletotrichum sp. C. kikuchii, F. solani and Phomopsis sp. at the concentrations 7.4, 7.5, 8.9 and 7.0%, respectively. The aqueous extract of garlic at a concentration of 9.7% presented effective control only for C. kikuchii.

INIBIÇÃO DO CRESCIMENTO IN VITRO DE FITOPATÓGENOS SOB DIFERENTES CONCENTRAÇÕES DE EXTRATOS DE PLANTAS MEDICINAIS

ABSTRACT In order to evaluate the in vitro effect of different concentrations of plant extracts on the growth of Cercospora kikuchii. Fusarium solani. Colletotrichum sp. and Phomopsis sp., 4 bioassays experiments were conducted at the Plant Pathology Laboratory of the Federal University of Grande Dourados, Brazil. The experimental design was a completely randomized design in a 3 x 6 factorial arrangement, with 8 replicates for each bioassay. Aqueous extracts of garlic, cinnamon and clove were evaluated in concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1, 5, 10 and 20%. Extracts were obtained through maceration of 30 g of plant material in 120 mL of distilled water. The extracts were filtered in grade-1 Whatman paper and incorporated into PDA medium to obtain the desired concentrations. Subsequently, the solution was poured into Petri dishes, and then 3 mm-diameter-PDA plugs with pathogen mycelium were transferred to the center of the PDA + plant extract Petri dish. Plates were incubated at 25° C with a 12-h-day photoperiod. Fungal growth was performed daily by measuring the colony diameter. The results showed that the effect of aqueous extract of cinnamon for all pathogens studied, and garlic extract for F. solani. Colletotrichum sp. and Phomopsis sp., was dependent on the concentrations used, noting a higher antifungal activity with increased concentrations used. Clove extract presented the greatest effectiveness for the control of the plant pathogens tested, with observed suppression on the growth of Colletotrichum sp. C. kikuchii. F. solani and Phomopsis sp. at the concentrations 7.4, 7.5, 8.9 and 7.0%, respectively. The aqueous extract of garlic at a concentration of 9.7% presented effective control only for C. kikuchii.

RESUMO Com o objetivo de avaliar in vitro o efeito de diferentes concentrações de extratos vegetais sobre o crescimento de Cercospora kikuchii. Fusarium solani. Colletotrichum sp. e Phomopsis sp., foram conduzidos quatro bioensaios experimentais, no Laboratório de Fitopatologia da Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados. Foi adotado o delineamento inteiramente casualizado em arranjo fatorial 3 x 6, com 8 repetições para cada bioensaio. Foram utilizados extratos aquosos de alho, canela e cravo-da-índia, nas concentrações de 0; 0,5; 1; 5; 10 e 20%. Para obtenção dos extratos foram coletadas 30 g do material vegetal e trituradas em 120 mL de água destilada. Os extratos foram filtrados em papel Wathman nº 1 e incorporados ao meio BDA, de modo a obter as concentrações desejadas. Posteriormente, a solução foi vertida em placas de Petri, onde foram transferidos discos de micélio do patógeno, de 0,3 cm de diâmetro. Em seguida, as placas foram incubadas a 25º C, com fotoperíodo de 12 horas. Foi analisado o crescimento micelial da colônia fúngica. Os resultados revelaram que o efeito do extrato aquoso de canela para todos os patógenos estudados, e do extrato de alho para F. solani. Colletotrichum sp. e Phomopsis sp. foi dependente das concentrações utilizadas, constatando-se maior atividade antifúngica com o aumento das concentrações. Verificou-se com o uso do extrato de cravo-da-índia maior eficácia no controle dos fitopatógenos testados, sendo observada supressão sobre o crescimento de Colletotrichum sp., Cercospora kikuchii, .. solani e de Phomopsis sp. a partir das concentrações de 7,4, 7,5, 8,9 e 7,0%, respectivamente. O extrato aquoso de alho, na concentração de 9,7%, apresentou efetivo controle apenas sobre C. kikuchii.

Evaluation of TFAM and FABP4 gene polymorphisms in three lines of Nellore cattle selected for growth.

We analyzed the polymorphisms TFAM HaeIII, TFAM MboI and FABP4 MspA1I in three Nellore lines selected for growth in order to evaluate how selection affects the frequencies of these polymorphisms and evaluate their association with growth and carcass traits in Zebu cattle. Birth, weaning and yearling weights, rump height, longissimus muscle area, backfat thickness, and rump fat thickness were analyzed. The sample was constituted of animals from two lines selected for yearling weight (NeS and NeT), and a control line (NeC), established in 1980, at the São Paulo Instituto de Zootecnia. Two hundred and seventy-two heifers were genotyped for TFAM gene SNPs, and 325 heifers were genotyped for the FABP4 SNP. High frequencies were observed for the alleles A (TFAM HaeIII), C (TFAM MboI) and C (FABP4 MspA1I). Significant differences in allele frequencies between NeS and NeT were observed for the TFAM HaeIII, and between the line NeT and lines NeC and NeS for the FABP4 MspA1I SNP. Five haplotypes were observed for the two polymorphisms in the TFAM gene, haplotype AACC being the most frequent. None of the markers separately or according to haplotype was significantly associated with the growth and carcass traits. The low frequencies of alleles that are associated with high marbling scores and thick subcutaneous fat in taurine breeds might explain the low means for these traits in Nellore cattle.

Assessment of DGAT1 and LEP gene polymorphisms in three Nelore (Bos indicus) lines selected for growth and their relationship with growth and carcass traits.

The aim of this study was to analyze LEP and DGAT1 gene polymorphisms in 3 Nelore lines selected for growth and to evaluate their effects on growth and carcass traits. Traits analyzed were birth, weaning, and yearling weight, rump height, LM area, backfat thickness, and rump fat thickness obtained by ultrasound. Two SNP in the LEP gene [LEP 1620(A/G) and LEP 305(T/C)] and the K232A mutation in the DGAT1 gene were analyzed. The sample consisted of 357 Nelore heifers from 2 lines selected for yearling weight and a control line, established in 1980, at the Estação Experimental de Zootecnia de Sertãozinho (Sertãozinho, Brazil). Three genotypes were obtained for each marker. Differences in allele frequencies among the 3 lines were only observed for the DGAT1 K232A polymorphism, with the frequency of the A allele being greater in the control line than in the selected lines. The DGAT1 K232A mutation was associated only with rump height, whereas LEP 1620(A/G) was associated with weaning weight and LEP 305(T/C) with birth weight and backfat thickness. However, more studies, with larger data sets, are necessary before these makers can be used for marker-assisted selection.

Avaliação da concavidade lombar pelo método radiográfico e pela cifolordometria / Evaluation of lumbar concavity using a radiographic method and kypholordometry

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: A avaliação clínica é a base para tomada de decisão referente ao tratamento. Quando não é possível obter a radiografia, poucos recursos permitem ao fisioterapeuta avaliar quantitativamente o estado do indivíduo, um deles é o cifolordômetro, um instrumento não invasivo, de baixo custo, proposto para mensuração das curvas da coluna vertebral no plano sagital. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a confiabilidade intra e interexaminador do cifolordômetro, verificar sua concordância com a radiografia e se há correlação entre a medida da curva lombar pelo método radiográfico e pelo cifolordômetro. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 20 indivíduos saudáveis de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 21 e 27 anos. Os voluntários foram submetidos à radiografia da coluna lombar, incidência perfil direito e em ortostatismo. As radiografias foram avaliadas por um radiologista pelo método de Cobb, tendo como pontos de referência T12 e S1. A cifolordometria foi realizada no mesmo posicionamento e por três avaliadores em dois momentos, tendo como referência as mesmas vértebras. Foi traçada uma reta de T12 à vértebra menos proeminente e outra de S1 à mesma, identificando o grau de concavidade lombar. RESULTADOS: Os resultados demonstram que a cifolordometria apresenta níveis excelentes de confiabilidade, tanto inter quanto intraexaminador, baixa concordância com a radiografia, porém há correlação positiva, estatisticamente significativa entre os dois métodos estudados (r=0.88). CONCLUSÃO: A cifolordometria apresentou-se como um método quantitativo, com excelente confiabilidade intra e interexaminador para a avaliação da curvatura lombar, podendo contribuir de sobremaneira para a prática clínica do fisioterapeuta.

BACKGROUND: Clinical evaluation is the basis for making decisions regarding treatments. When radiographic images cannot be obtained, few resources allow physical therapists to quantitatively evaluate an individual's condition. One of these is the kypholordometer, a low-cost noninvasive instrument proposed for measuring spinal curvature in the sagittal plane. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the intra- and inter-examiner reliability of the kypholordometer, to investigate its agreement with radiography, and to determine whether there is any correlation between measurements of lumbar curvature using the radiographic method and the kypholordometer. METHODS: Twenty healthy individuals of both sexes aged between 21 and 27 years were evaluated. They underwent radiographic examination of the lumbar spine in right lateral view while standing up. The radiographic images were evaluated by a radiologist using Cobb's method, with T12 and S1 as the reference points. The kypholordometry was carried out in the same position by three evaluators on two occasions, with the same vertebrae as the reference points. A straight line was drawn from T12 to the least prominent vertebra and another from S1 to the same vertebra, thus identifying the degree of lumbar concavity. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that kypholordometry presented excellent levels of reliability (both intra- and inter-examiner), but low agreement with radiography. However, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between the two methods studied (r=0.88). CONCLUSION: Kypholordometry is a quantitative method with excellent intra- and inter-examiner reliability for evaluating lumbar curvature. It may contribute greatly towards the clinical practice of physical therapists.

MUC1 VNTR polymorphism is not associated with early puberty in Nelore cattle (Bos primigenius indicus)

MUC1 is a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed in the male and female reproductive tracts, which plays a broad functional role in reproduction. An important feature ofMUC1 is the presence of a VNTR polymorphism in the extracellular domain that is associated with the function of the molecule. In view of its role in reproduction, the aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of the length of the MUC1 VNTR on the early puberty phenotype in Nelore cattle. A total of 230 heifers were studied, including 77 sexually precocious heifers and 153 regular heifers. The genotype was identified by PCR and the allele and genotype frequencies between the two groups (precocious or regular heifers) were compared by Fishers exact test using the population differentiation module of the GenePop program, version 3.4. The associations between VNTR polymorphism and early puberty were analyzed as discrete data using the SAS GenMod procedure of SAS. Higher frequencies were observed for allele 1, 2, and 3, with allele 1 being predominant in both groups. No significant differences in allele or genotype frequencies were observed between precocious and regular heifers. The analyses using ANOVA and orthogonal contrasts suggest that the MUC1 VNTR variation is not associated with early puberty in cattle. Previous studies regarding the MUC1 polymorphism in Nelore cattle suggested that the high frequency of the 1 allele is a characteristic of Brazilian Nelore cattle.(AU)

MUC1 VNTR polymorphism is not associated with early puberty in Nelore cattle (Bos primigenius indicus)

MUC1 is a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed in the male and female reproductive tracts, which plays a broad functional role in reproduction. An important feature ofMUC1 is the presence of a VNTR polymorphism in the extracellular domain that is associated with the function of the molecule. In view of its role in reproduction, the aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of the length of the MUC1 VNTR on the early puberty phenotype in Nelore cattle. A total of 230 heifers were studied, including 77 sexually precocious heifers and 153 regular heifers. The genotype was identified by PCR and the allele and genotype frequencies between the two groups (precocious or regular heifers) were compared by Fisher’s exact test using the population differentiation module of the GenePop program, version 3.4. The associations between VNTR polymorphism and early puberty were analyzed as discrete data using the SAS GenMod procedure of SAS. Higher frequencies were observed for allele 1, 2, and 3, with allele 1 being predominant in both groups. No significant differences in allele or genotype frequencies were observed between precocious and regular heifers. The analyses using ANOVA and orthogonal contrasts suggest that the MUC1 VNTR variation is not associated with early puberty in cattle. Previous studies regarding the MUC1 polymorphism in Nelore cattle suggested that the high frequency of the 1 allele is a characteristic of Brazilian Nelore cattle.

No evidence of association of MUC-1 genetic polymorphism with embryo implantation failure.

Pregnancy loss can be caused by several factors involved in human reproduction. Although up to 50% of cases remain unexplained, it has been postulated that the major cause of failed pregnancy is an error of embryo implantation. Transmembrane mucin-1 (MUC-1) is a glycoprotein expressed on the endometrial cell surface which acts as a barrier to implantation. The gene that codes for this molecule is composed of a polymorphic tandem repeat of 60 nucleotides. Our objective was to determine if MUC-1 genetic polymorphism is associated with implantation failure in patients with a history of recurrent abortion. The study was conducted on 10 women aged 25 to 35 years with no history of successful pregnancy and with a diagnosis of infertility. The control group consisted of 32 patients aged 25 to 35 years who had delivered at least two full-term live children and who had no history of abortions or fetal losses. MUC-1 amplicons were obtained by PCR and observed on agarose and polyacrylamide gel after electrophoresis. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference in the number of MUC-1 variable number of tandem repeats between these groups (P > 0.05). Our results suggest that there is no effect of the polymorphic MUC-1 sequence on the implantation failure. However, the data do not exclude MUC-1 relevance during embryo implantation. The process is related to several associated factors such as the mechanisms of gene expression in the uterus, specific MUC-1 post-translational modifications and appropriate interactions with other molecules during embryo implantation.

No evidence of association of MUC-1 genetic polymorphism with embryo implantation failure

Pregnancy loss can be caused by several factors involved in human reproduction. Although up to 50 percent of cases remain unexplained, it has been postulated that the major cause of failed pregnancy is an error of embryo implantation. Transmembrane mucin-1 (MUC-1) is a glycoprotein expressed on the endometrial cell surface which acts as a barrier to implantation. The gene that codes for this molecule is composed of a polymorphic tandem repeat of 60 nucleotides. Our objective was to determine if MUC-1 genetic polymorphism is associated with implantation failure in patients with a history of recurrent abortion. The study was conducted on 10 women aged 25 to 35 years with no history of successful pregnancy and with a diagnosis of infertility. The control group consisted of 32 patients aged 25 to 35 years who had delivered at least two full-term live children and who had no history of abortions or fetal losses. MUC-1 amplicons were obtained by PCR and observed on agarose and polyacrylamide gel after electrophoresis. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference in the number of MUC-1 variable number of tandem repeats between these groups (P > 0.05). Our results suggest that there is no effect of the polymorphic MUC-1 sequence on the implantation failure. However, the data do not exclude MUC-1 relevance during embryo implantation. The process is related to several associated factors such as the mechanisms of gene expression in the uterus, specific MUC-1 post-translational modifications and appropriate interactions with other molecules during embryo implantation.

The polymorphism in MUC1 gene in Nelore cattle.

MUC1 is a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed on the apical surfaces of the uterine epithelial tissue with predicted functions in protection and cell-cell adhesion. These properties are closely related with the repetitive region [variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR)] of the extracellullar domain and with the O-glycosylation in their serine and threonine residues. This study describes a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol to analyse MUC1 bovine genetic polymorphism and demonstrates the existence of a VNTR within the sites for O-glycosylation. Oligonucleotide primers based on the Bos taurus mucin (MUC1) gene sequence GenBank AF399757 were used to amplify five VNTR MUC1 alleles from a study group of 56 pure Nelore bovines. The number of repeats varied between 10 and 24, being more prevalent than the alleles with less number of repeats. The DNA sequence analysis revealed two repeats and one of them presented 100% homology with the bovine consensus sequence already reported. The second repeat showed codons that translate to serine and proline amino acids, which are conserved in the MUC1 of several species. This study is the first description of allelic variation and the VNTR structure in the Nelore breed MUC1 gene, and we suggest that this genetic variability can be tested for association with variation in reproductive traits in Nelore cattle.