Dietary Soy Isoflavones Prevent Metabolic Disturbs Associated with a Deleterious Combination of Obesity and Menopause

Luciano Evangelista dos Santos Filho,Grazielle Prates Lourenço dos Santos,Jussara Andrade Silva,Fernanda de Abreu Silva,Mirlana Neves Silva,Amanda Alves de Almeida,Raildo da Silva Coqueiro,Cândido Cel 한국식품영양과학회 2023 Journal of medicinal food Vol.26 No.2

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of soy isoflavone supplementation (25 mg/kg) on insulin resistance and inflammation in adipose tissue in an experimental model of menopause–obesity. Twenty-four female Wistar rats were ovariectomized (O) and distributed among the groups: OSD—ovariectomized rats submitted to normocaloric standard diet (n = 6); OHF—ovariectomized rats submitted to high-fat diet (n = 9); and OHFI—ovariectomized rats submitted to high-fat diet with isoflavones (n = 9). Weight gain, body adiposity, food and caloric intake, blood pressure, and glucose tolerance were assessed. After 24 weeks, the rats were euthanized; the thoracic blood collected for serum insulin determination and the homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance) (HOMA-IR) and homeostatic model assessment-β cell (HOMA-β) indices were calculated. Abdominal adipose tissues were removed, weighed, and fixed for immunohistochemical and morphometric studies. Isoflavones decreased weight gain and blood pressure without changing the food and caloric intake (P < .05). Isoflavones did not affect the weight of the abdominal adipose tissue depots (P < .05). Although they did not alter glucose tolerance, the isoflavones reduced HOMA-IR and HOMA-β, serum insulin levels, in addition to reducing adipocytes' size (P < .05). The number of macrophages, lymphocytes, and crown-like structures in adipose tissue was lower in the group treated with isoflavones (P < .05). In conclusion, our data show that dietary soy isoflavones' supplementation prevents many of well-known deleterious combination of obesity and menopause on metabolism, such as body overweight, adipocyte hypertrophy, and hypertension, as well as insulin resistance and adipose tissue inflammation.

Accuracy of various imaging methods for detecting misfit at the tooth-restoration interface in posterior teeth

Luciano Andrei Francio,Fernanda Evangelista Silva,Claudia Scigliano Valerio,Claudia Assunção e Alves Cardoso,Wellington Corrêa Jansen,Flávio Ricardo Manzi 대한영상치의학회 2018 Imaging Science in Dentistry Vol.48 No.2

Purpose: The present study aimed to evaluate which of the following imaging methods best assessed misfit at the tooth-restoration interface: (1) bitewing radiographs, both conventional and digital, performed using a photostimulable phosphor plate (PSP) and a charge-coupled device (CCD) system; (2) panoramic radiographs, both conventional and digital; and (3) cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: Forty healthy human molars with class I cavities were selected and divided into 4 groups according to the restoration that was applied: composite resin, composite resin with liner material to simulate misfit, dental amalgam, and dental amalgam with liner material to simulate misfit. Radiography and tomography were performed using the various imaging methods, and the resulting images were analyzed by 2 calibrated radiologists. The true presence or absence of misfit corresponding to an area of radiolucency in regions subjacent to the esthetic and metal restorations was validated with microscopy. The data were analyzed using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the scores were compared using the Cohen kappa coefficient. Results: For bitewing images, the digital systems (CCD and PSP) showed a higher area under the ROC curve (AUROC) for the evaluation of resin restorations, while the conventional images exhibited a larger AUROC for the evaluation of amalgam restorations. Conventional and digital panoramic radiographs did not yield good results for the evaluation of resin and amalgam restorations (P<.05). CBCT images exhibited good results for resin restorations (P>.05), but showed no discriminatory ability for amalgam restorations (P<.05). Conclusion: Bitewing radiographs (conventional or digital) should be the method of choice when assessing dental restoration misfit.

Health and Safety at Work: Analysis from the Brazilian Documentary Film Flesh and Bone

Luciano Mendes,Heliani Berlato dos Santos,Elisa Yoshie Ichikawa 한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원 2017 Safety and health at work Vol.8 No.4

The objective of this article is to make some analysis on the process of work and accidents occurring in slaughterhouses, evidenced in the Brazilian documentary film called Flesh and Bone. As such, it was necessary to discuss an alternative theoretical concept in relation to theories about health and safety at work. This alternative discussion focuses on the concepts of biopower and biopolitics. The use of audiovisual elements in research is not new, and there is already a branch of studies with methodological and epistemological variations. The Brazilian documentary Flesh and Bone was the basis for the research. The analysis of this documentary will be carried out from two complementary perspectives: “textual analysis” and “discourse analysis.” Flesh and Bone presents problems related to health and safety at work in slaughterhouses because of the constant exposure of workers to knives, saws, and other sharp instruments in the workplace. The results show that in favor of higher production levels, increased overseas market sales, and stricter quality controls, some manufacturers resort to various practices that often result in serious injuries, disposal, and health damages to workers. Flesh and Bone, by itself, makes this explicit in the form of denunciation based on the situation of these workers. What it does not make clear is that, in the context of biopolitics, the actions aimed at solving these problems or even reducing the negative impacts for this group of workers, are not efficient enough to change such practices.

Searching for Soul

Luciano Lazzari 대한건축학회 2012 建築 Vol.56 No.3

Utility of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block for day-case inguinal hernia repair

Luciano Frassanito,Miryam Del Vicario,Sara Pitoni,Gianluigi Gonnella,Sergio Alfieri,Stefano Catarci,Gaetano Draisci 대한마취통증의학회 2017 Korean Journal of Anesthesiology Vol.70 No.1

Background: The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a regional anesthesia technique that effectively reduces the pain intensity and use of analgesia in abdominal surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the utility of the ultrasound-guided TAP block in improving the efficacy of the ultrasound-guided ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve (IIN/IHN) block for intraoperative anesthesia and postoperative pain control in day-case inguinal hernia repair (IHR). Methods: We conducted a descriptive study of patients undergoing elective primary unilateral open IHR. Fifty-nine patients were divided into two groups according to the anesthetic technique used: ultrasound-guided TAP block plus ultrasound-guided IIN/IHN block (TAP group) vs. ultrasound-guided IIN/IHN block alone (IIN/IHN group). The outcome measures were the adequacy of anesthesia during surgery and postoperative analgesia. Results: Four patients (12.5%) in the TAP group and 10 patients (37.0%) in the IIN/IHN group experienced inadequate anesthesia and needed systemic sedation (P < 0.05). No significant differences in additional local anesthetic volume were found between the two groups. Patients in the TAP group reported lower pain scores at the end of surgery (0.4 ± 0.8 vs. 2.1 ± 2.5, P < 0.01), at 2 hours after surgery (0.8 ± 1.3 vs. 3.0 ± 2.2, P < 0.01), at discharge (1.4 ± 1.2 vs. 4.3 ± 2.2, P < 0.01), and at 24 hours (1.5 ± 1.1 vs. 4.5 ± 2.3, P < 0.01). Conclusions: The combination of the TAP and IIN/IHN blocks is associated with better intraoperative anesthesia and lower postoperative pain scores compared with the IIN/IHN block alone.

ITER TBM Program and associated system engineering

Giancarli, Luciano M.,Ahn, Mu-Young,Bonnett, Ian,Boyer, Christophe,Chaudhuri, Paritosh,Davis, William,Dell’Orco, Giovanni,Iseli, Markus,Michling, Robert,Neviere, Jean-Christophe,Pascal, Romain,Poitevi Elsevier 2018 Fusion engineering and design Vol.136 No.2

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Six Test Blanket Systems (TBS) will be installed and operated in ITER in the framework of the ITER Test Blanket Module (TBM) Program. After a short description of each TBS and of the main operating parameters, this paper gives the main features of the various TBSs sub-systems, in particular, the cooling systems (helium, water and/or lithium-lead), the tritium system for extracting the tritium from the breeder, the coolant purification system, the tritium accountancy system, and several instrumentation & control systems. This paper addresses also the main services that are needed to operate a TBS such as the secondary water cooling system, the chilled water system to cool the helium circulators, the liquid and gaseous nitrogen used in the tritium extraction process, the compressed air needed to operate the various valves present on the circuits, and the electrical power supply for all the active electrical components such as pumps, circulators and heaters. Other important aspects are the required interfaces with other ITER plant systems such as those involving air and process gas detritiation, power supply, radiological and environmental monitoring, remote handling, measurements, and services.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> The ITER TBM Program plans to test DEMO-relevant tritium breeding blanket systems. </LI> <LI> Each TBS is formed by various sub-systems with different functions and technologies. </LI> <LI> For each TBS sub-system, description of its functions and its main components. </LI> <LI> Identification of the ITER services required for operating each TBS sub-system. </LI> <LI> Helium and water coolant systems, tritium extraction systems, Pb-16Li systems, I&C. </LI> </UL> </P>

Transcription Factors ER71/ETV2 and SOX9 Participate in a Positive Feedback Loop in Fetal and Adult Mouse Testis

DiTacchio, Luciano,Bowles, Josephine,Shin, Sook,Lim, Dae-Sik,Koopman, Peter,Janknecht, Ralf American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Bi 2012 The Journal of biological chemistry Vol.287 No.28

Health and Safety at Work: Analysis from the Brazilian Documentary Film Flesh and Bone

Mendes, Luciano,dos Santos, Heliani Berlato,Ichikawa, Elisa Yoshie Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute 2017 Safety and health at work Vol.8 No.4

Background: The objective of this article is to make some analysis on the process of work and accidents occurring in slaughterhouses, evidenced in the Brazilian documentary film called Flesh and Bone. As such, it was necessary to discuss an alternative theoretical concept in relation to theories about health and safety at work. This alternative discussion focuses on the concepts of biopower and biopolitics. Methods: The use of audiovisual elements in research is not new, and there is already a branch of studies with methodological and epistemological variations. The Brazilian documentary Flesh and Bone was the basis for the research. The analysis of this documentary will be carried out from two complementary perspectives: "textual analysis" and "discourse analysis." Results: Flesh and Bone presents problems related to health and safety at work in slaughterhouses because of the constant exposure of workers to knives, saws, and other sharp instruments in the workplace. The results show that in favor of higher production levels, increased overseas market sales, and stricter quality controls, some manufacturers resort to various practices that often result in serious injuries, disposal, and health damages to workers. Conclusion: Flesh and Bone, by itself, makes this explicit in the form of denunciation based on the situation of these workers. What it does not make clear is that, in the context of biopolitics, the actions aimed at solving these problems or even reducing the negative impacts for this group of workers, are not efficient enough to change such practices.

— Special Issue — Pig production in Latin America

Roppa Luciano,Duarte Marcos Elias,Kim Sung Woo 아세아·태평양축산학회 2024 Animal Bioscience Vol.37 No.4

Latin America is a culturally, geographically, politically, and economically diverse region. Agriculture in Latin America is marked by a remarkable diversity of production systems, reflecting various agroecological zones, farm sizes, and technological levels. In the last decade, the swine industry increased by 30.6%, emerging as a great contributor to food security and economic development in Latin America. Brazil and Mexico dominate the pig production landscape, together accounting for 70% of sow inventory in the region. The swine industry in Latin America is predominantly comprised of small and medium-sized farms, however, in the past 30 years, the number of pig producers in Brazil dropped by 78%, whereas pork production increased by 326%. Similar to the global pork industry, the growing demand for pork, driven by population growth and changing dietary habits, presents an opportunity for the industry with an expected growth of 16% over the next decade. The export prospects are promising, however subject to potential disruptions from global market conditions and shifts in trade policies. Among the challenges faced by the swine industry, disease outbreaks, particularly African Swine Fever (ASF), present significant threats, necessitating enhanced biosecurity and surveillance systems. In 2023, ASF was reported to the Dominican Republic and Haiti, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) in Mexico, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Venezuela, and Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) in Mexico, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Ecuador. Additionally, feed costs, supply chain disruptions, and energy expenses have affected mainly the smaller and less efficient producers. The swine industry is also transitioning towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices, including efficient feed usage, and precision farming. Ensuring long-term success in the swine industry in Latin America requires a holistic approach that prioritizes sustainability, animal welfare, and consumer preferences, ultimately positioning the industry to thrive in the evolving global market.

A novel method of objectively detecting tooth ankylosis using cone-beam computed tomography: A laboratory study

Martins Luciano Augusto Cano,Brasil Danieli Moura,Freitas Deborah Queiroz,Oliveira Matheus L 대한영상치의학회 2023 Imaging Science in Dentistry Vol.53 No.1

Purpose: The aim of this study was to objectively detect simulated tooth ankylosis using a novel method involving cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: Tooth ankylosis was simulated in single-rooted human permanent teeth, and CBCT scans were acquired at different current levels (5, 6.3, and 8 mA) and voxel sizes (0.08, 0.125, and 0.2). In axial reconstructions, a line of interest was perpendicularly placed over the periodontal ligament space of 21 ankylosed and 21 non-ankylosed regions, and the CBCT grey values of all voxels along the line of interest were plotted against their corresponding X-coordinates through a line graph to generate a profile. The image contrast was increased by 30% and 60% and the profile assessment was repeated. The internal area of the resulting parabolas was obtained from all images and compared between ankylosed and non-ankylosed regions under different contrast enhancement conditions, voxel sizes, and mA levels using multi-way analysis of variance with the Tukey post hoc test (α = 0.05). Results: The internal area of the parabolas of all non-ankylosed regions was significantly higher than that of the ankylosed regions (P<0.05). Contrast enhancement led to a significantly greater internal area of the parabolas of non- ankylosed regions (P<0.05). Overall, voxel size and mA did not significantly influence the internal area of the parabolas (P>0.05). Conclusion: The proposed novel method revealed a relevant degree of applicability in the detection of simulated tooth ankylosis; increased image contrast led to greater detectability.