Short communication: Characterization of the milk protein expression profiles in dairy buffaloes with and without subclinical mastitis.

The aim of this study was to characterize the proteins present in milk whey from buffaloes with and without subclinical mastitis using a proteomic approach to identify differentially expressed proteins as potential biomarkers for this disease. Whey from Murrah buffaloes with subclinical mastitis was compared with whey from healthy animals using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The annotated protein databases for Bubalus bubalis and Bos taurus were used in the analysis, and the gene annotations from the buffalo and bovine reference assemblies were also used.

Abilities of protocatechuic acid and its alkyl esters, ethyl and heptyl protocatechuates, to counteract UVB-induced oxidative injuries and photoaging in fibroblasts L929 cell line.

Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation triggers the activation of many reactive oxygen species (ROS)-sensitive signaling pathways, resulting in the induction of skin damage that can progress to premature skin aging with long-term exposure. Even after the cessation of UVB radiation, the activated photosensitizers can still cause cellular injury. Thus, the use of photoprotectors that inhibit or prevent intracellular ROS production during or after UV exposure is one alternative to counteract UV-induced oxidative damage.

Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms Are Associated With Leprosy in Southern Brazil.

Vitamin D, together with its nuclear receptor (VDR), plays an important role in modulating the immune response, decreasing the inflammatory process. Some polymorphisms of the gene, such as I (G>A rs1544410)I (G>T rs7975232), and I (T>C rs731236) could affect its stability and mRNA transcription activity, while I T>C (rs2228570) gives a truncated protein with three fewer amino acids and more efficiency in binding vitamin D. This study evaluated these four polymorphisms in the immunopathogenesis of leprosy in 404 patients and 432 control individuals without chronic or infectious disease in southern Brazil.

The impact of KIR/HLA genes on the risk of developing multibacillary leprosy.

Background: Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are a group of regulatory molecules able to activate or inhibit natural killer cells upon interaction with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules. Combinations of KIR and HLA may contribute to the occurrence of different immunological and clinical responses to infectious diseases. Leprosy is a chronic neglected disease, both disabling and disfiguring, caused mainly by Mycobacterium leprae.

Differential expression of immune response genes associated with subclinical mastitis in dairy buffaloes.

Buffalo milk production has become of significant importance on the world scale, however, there are few studies involving biotechnological tools specifically for buffalo. To verify the effects caused by subclinical mastitis on the components of milk and to study the innate immune system in the udder of dairy buffaloes with subclinical mastitis, we evaluated the levels of expression of the lactoferrin (LTF), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and toll-like receptors 2 (TLR-2) and 4 (TLR-4) genes in buffaloes with and without subclinical mastitis. Milk samples were collected for the determination of milk components: somatic cell score (SCS), fat, protein, lactose, total solids and solids-not-fat (SNF), as well as for RNA extraction of milk cells, complementary DNA synthesis, and expression profile quantification by quantitative real-time PCR.

IL8 and IL17A polymorphisms associated with multibacillary leprosy and reaction type 1 in a mixed population from southern Brazil.

We evaluated the influence of the IL8 T-738A (nonidentified rs), IL8 T-353A (rs4073), IL17A G197A (rs2275913), and IL17F T7488C (rs763780) single-nucleotide polymorphisms on leprosy. The AA genotype of IL8 T-353A was observed as a risk factor for multibacillary leprosy, regardless of gender and age-of-onset of disease, considering the recessive model (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.

Photodynamic therapy in oral potentially malignant disorders-Critical literature review of existing protocols.

Introduction: Oral cancer is a serious public health issue. Apart from its high rate of prevalence, incidence and mortality, it can often result in more complex and expensive treatment when diagnosed late. Potentially malignant disorders (PMDs) can precede oral cancer, and are usually treated by surgical excision.

InsuOnline, an Electronic Game for Medical Education on Insulin Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial With Primary Care Physicians.

Background: Most patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are followed by primary care physicians, who often lack knowledge or confidence to prescribe insulin properly. This contributes to clinical inertia and poor glycemic control. Effectiveness of traditional continuing medical education (CME) to solve that is limited, so new approaches are required.

GERMPLASM BANKING AND ITS ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FISH GENETIC IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME IN BRAZIL.

Background: Over the last ten years, Brazilian fish farming has become more focused, resulting in the development of genetic improvement programmes (GIP) for two South American species Colossoma macropomum (tambaqui) and Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum (cachara).

Objective: To describe the action plan used for setting up the GIP and to detail the germplasm bank composition.

Materials And Methods: Semen of both species was collected, frozen and transported between locations in Brazil.

Validation of an Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) technique for the quantitative determination of curcumin in poly(L-lactic acid) nanoparticles.

Curcumin is a natural yellow-orange pigment extracted from turmeric and is a potential substitute of health-dangerous artificial dyes. Nanoencapsulation in biodegradable polymers is a promising alternative to improve curcumin stability and water solubility but curcumin concentration inside the nanoparticles must be precisely known. A reliable method to determine the actual curcumin concentration must be validated since the validation procedures warrant that the method is adequate and sufficient for the specific application involved.

Can equids be a reservoir of Leishmania braziliensis in endemic areas?

In this study, we detected Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis infection in equids living in endemic regions of cutaneous leishmaniasis. To determine the role of these animals in the Leishmania cycle, we used two approaches: serological and molecular methods. Antibodies to the parasite were assayed using the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

Effects of additional repeated sprint training during preseason on performance, heart rate variability, and stress symptoms in futsal players: a randomized controlled trial.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether supplementing regular preseason futsal training with weekly sessions of repeated sprints (RS) training would have positive effects on repeated sprint ability (RSA) and field test performance. Thirteen players from a professional futsal team (22.6 ± 6.

Effects of recurrent disturbances on the periphyton community downstream of a dammed watercourse.

We evaluate experimentally the effect of a sequential disturbance-desiccation-on the structure and dynamics of a periphytic algal community in a semilotic environment of the Upper Paraná River floodplain. We tested the hypothesis that the presence of recurrent disturbances have a direct negative effect on the attributes of the periphyton community. The sequential effect of desiccation on the periphytic community promoted its significant decrease in density, while the same was not observed in species richness.

Pregnancy after bariatric surgery: implications for mother and newborn.

Background: The present study aimed to identify the implications for the mother and the newborn in pregnancies occurring after the bariatric surgery.

Methods: The present retrospective, exploratory cohort study was conducted to analyze the implications for the mother and the newborn in women of childbearing age (10 to 49 years) who became pregnant after undergoing bariatric surgery in Maringá, Paraná, Brazil, during the period from 1999 through 2008.

Results: The study identified 32 women with the following characteristics: the majority of the women were Caucasian, slightly more than half were living with a partner, had some higher education, and most of them were without surgical complications.

Size of AT(n) insertions in promoter region modulates Gmhsp17.6-L mRNA transcript levels.

During earlier experiments, an SSR molecular marker (176 Soy HSP) showing high correlation (70%) with resistance/susceptibility to javanese root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica was identified in soybean. After being sequenced, results indicated that the SSR 176 Soy HSP marker was inserted in the promoter region of Gmhsp17.6-L gene.

Evaluation of the temperature of different refrigerant sprays used as a pulpal test.

The temperature of different refrigerant sprays (Endo-Ice, Endo-Frost, Coolermatic and Sprayon Contact and Tuner Cleaner) used as pulpal tests were evaluated in vitro. A thermocouple placed inside the pulp chamber of a maxillary central incisor was used to register the temperature changes when the refrigerant sprays were applied with a cotton swab, for 10 s. Results indicate that Endo-Ice and Endo-Frost presented the lowest temperatures among the refrigerant sprays tested.

Evaluation of tissue response to MTA and Portland cement with iodoform.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of Portland cement with the addition of iodoform, compared to MTA (ProRoot).

Study Design: Eighteen Wistar albino rats were divided into 3 groups of 6 animals each. Polyethylene tubes were filled either with freshly mixed MTA or Portland cement mixed with iodoform (20% wt/wt) and implanted subcutaneously.