Cytostatic in vitro Effects of DTCM-Glutarimide on Bladder Carcinoma Cells

Brassesco, Maria S.,Pezuk, Julia A.,Morales, Andressa G.,De Oliveira, Jaqueline C.,Valera, Elvis T.,Da Silva, Glenda N.,De Oliveira, Harley F.,Scrideli, Carlos A.,Umezawa, Kazuo,Tone, Luiz G. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.5

Bladder cancer is a common malignancy worldwide. Despite the increased use of cisplatin-based combination therapy, the outcomes for patients with advanced disease remain poor. Recently, altered activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway has been associated with reduced patient survival and advanced stage of bladder cancer, making its upstream or downstream components attractive targets for therapeutic intervention. In the present study, we showed that treatment with DTCM-glutaramide, a piperidine that targets PDK1, results in reduced proliferation, diminished cell migration and G1 arrest in 5637 and T24 bladder carcinoma cells. Conversely, no apoptosis, necrosis or autophagy were detected after treatment, suggesting that reduced cell numbers in vitro are a result of diminished proliferation rather than cell death. Furthermore previous exposure to 10 ${\mu}g/ml$ DTCM-glutarimide sensitized both cell lines to ionizing radiation. Although more studies are needed to corroborate our findings, our results indicate that PDK1 may be useful as a therapeutic target to prevent progression and abnormal tissue dissemination of urothelial carcinomas.

Acupuncture as Adjuvant Therapy for Sleep Disorders in Parkinson’s Disease

Fábio Henrique de Amorim Aroxa,Ihana Thaís Guerra de Oliveira Gondim,Elba Lúcia Wanderley Santos,Maria das Graças Wanderley de Sales Coriolano,Amdore Guescel C. Asano,Nadja Maria Jorge Asano 사단법인약침학회 2017 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.10 No.1

There are few studies which attest the efficacy of acupuncture on treatment of sleep disturbs in Parkinson disease. The aimed of this randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the effects of acupuncture on sleep disturbs of 22 patients with diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson disease (Hoehn–Yahr 1 to 3) who have assistance on the Pro-Parkinson Program of Clinical Hospital at Federal University of Pernambuco in Brazil. All participants were evaluated by Parkinson Disease Sleep Scale (PDSS) before and after 8 weeks. The experimental group was submitted to 8 sections (once a week) which had duration of 30 minutes. The control group had no intervention. The intervention was executed using the acupuncture points LR3 (Taichong), SP6 (Sanyinjiao), LI4 (Hegu), TE5 (Wai-Guan), HT7 (Shenmen), PC6 (Neiguan), LI11 (Quchi), GB20 (Fengchi). Paired analyses were obtained by Wilcoxon test and independent analyses were made according to Mann–Whitney test. This study presented a potential therapeutic benefit of acupuncture on sleep disturbs of Parkinson's disease patients. This study showed a possible therapeutic benefit through acupuncture in sleep disorders in patients with PD. However, we propose new studies related to the effects of acupuncture on the clinical symptoms and evolution of the disease.

Chemical Modification of Botryosphaeran: Structural Characterization and Anticoagulant Activity of a Water-Soluble Sulfonated (1→3)(1→6)-β- D-Glucan

( Brandi Jamile ),( Eder C. Oliveira ),( Nilson K. Monteiro ),( Ana Flora D. Vasconcelos ),( Robert F. H. Dekker ),( Aneli M. Barbosa ),( Joana L. M. Silveira ),( Paulo A. S. Mourao ),( Maria De Lourd 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2011 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.21 No.10

The exopolysaccharide botryosphaeran (EPS(GLC); a (1→ 3)(1→6)-β-D-glucan from Botryosphaeria rhodina MAMB- 05) was sulfonated to produce a water-soluble fraction (EPS(GLC)-S) using pyridine and chlorosulfonic acid in formamid. This procedure was then repeated twice to produce another fraction (EPS(GLC)-RS) with a higher degree of substitution (DS, 1.64). The purity of each botryosphaeran sample (unsulfonated and sulfonated) was assessed by gel filtration chromatography (Sepharose CL-4B), where each polysaccharide was eluted as a single symmetrical peak. The structures of the sulfonated and re-sulfonated botryosphaerans were investigated using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) spectroscopies. EPS(GLC) and EPS(GLC)-RS were also assayed for anticoagulation activity, and EPS(GLC)-RS was identified as an anticoagulant.

Energy Requirements in Early Life Are Similar for Male and Female Goat Kids

Bompadre, T.F.V.,Neto, O. Boaventura,Mendonca, A.N.,Souza, S.F.,Oliveira, D.,Fernandes, M.H.M.R.,Harter, C.J.,Almeida, A.K.,Resende, K.T.,Teixeira, I.A.M.A. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2014 Animal Bioscience Vol.27 No.12

Little is known about the gender differences in energetic requirements of goats in early life. In this study, we determined the energy requirements for maintenance and gain in intact male, castrated male and female Saanen goat kids using the comparative slaughter technique and provide new data on their body composition and energy efficiency. To determine the energy requirements for maintenance, we studied 21 intact males, 15 castrated males and 18 females ($5.0{\pm}0.1kg$ initial body weight (BW) and $23{\pm}5d$ of age) using a split-plot design with the following main factors: three genders (intact males, castrated males, and females) and three dry matter intake levels (ad libitum, 75% and 50% of ad libitum intake). A slaughter group included three kids, one for each nutritional plane, of each gender, and all three animals within a group were slaughtered when the ad libitum kid reached 15 kg in BW. Net energy requirements for gain were obtained for 17 intact males, eight castrated males and 15 females ($5.1{\pm}0.4kg$ BW and $23{\pm}13d$ of age). Animals were fed ad libitum and slaughtered when they reached 5, 10, and 15 kg in BW. A digestion trial was performed with nine kids of each gender to determine digestible energy, metabolizable energy and energy metabolizability of the diet. Our results show no effect of gender on the energy requirements for maintenance and gain, and overall net energy for maintenance was $205.6kJ/kg^{0.75}$ empty body weight gain (EBW) ($170.3kJ/kg^{0.75}$ BW) from 5 to 15 kg BW. Metabolizable energy for maintenance was calculated by iteration, assuming heat production equal to metabolizable energy intake at maintenance, and the result was $294.34kJ/kg^{0.75}$ EBW and $k_m$ of 0.70. As BW increased from 5 to 15 kg for all genders, the net energy required for gain increased from 9.5 to 12.0 kJ/g EBW gain (EWG), and assuming $k_g=0.47$, metabolizable energy for gain ranged from 20.2 to 25.5 kJ/g EWG. Our results indicate that it is not necessary to formulate diets with different energetic content for intact male, castrated male and female Saanen goat kids weighing from 5 to 15 kg.

Effects of Castor Meal on the Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Beef Cattle

Diniz, L.L.,Filho, S.C. Valadares,Campos, J.M.S.,Valadares, R.F.D.,Da Silva, L.D.,Monnerat, J.P.I.S.,Benedeti, P.B.,De Oliveira, A.S.,Pina, D.S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2010 Animal Bioscience Vol.23 No.10

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of replacing soybean meal with treated castor meal with (CMT) or without lime (CMNT) on the nutrient intake, performance, carcass characteristics, and yield of commercial cuts of beef cattle from a feedlot. Thirty male, castrated, crossbreed zebu cattle were used in the study, with an average initial weight of $360{\pm}30.27\;kg$. Five animals were used as a control group and were slaughtered at the beginning of the experiment; the remaining animals (n = 25) were distributed in random blocks (repetitions), with body weight as the criterion for block assignment. The animals were fed a diet containing 65% corn silage and 35% of concentrate on dry matter (DM) basis. Five diets consisted of four levels of soybean meal (SM) substituted with CMT (0, 33, 67 and 100%) on a DM basis and a diet with 100% of SM replaced with CMNT. At the end of the experiment, all animals were slaughtered, and their gastrointestinal tracts were emptied to determine their empty body weights (EBW). No significant effects were observed (p>0.05) for the substitution of soybean meal with CMT on intake of dietary nutrients, the average daily body weight gain (ADG) or EBW gain (EBWG). In spite of greater (p<0.05) ricin intake for the diet containing CMNT (3.06 mg/kg BW) compared to the CMT diet (0.10 mg/kg BW/d), there were no effects (p>0.05) on intake of dietary nutrients, ADG or EBWG. The average intake of DM and the ADG were 10,664.63 and 1,353.04 g/d, respectively. Regarding carcass characteristics, only carcass yield in relation to body weight was linearly reduced (p<0.05) upon substitution of SM by CMT. There was no effect (p>0.05) of the substitution of SM by CMT or CMNT on the yield of carcass basic cuts. CMT prices that are higher than 85% of the SM price do not economically justify the use of CMT. For CMT prices between 20 and 80% of the SM price, the optimal level was 67% substitution, while for prices below 15% of the SM price, the optimal level was 100% substitution with CMT. It can be concluded that treated castor meal with 6% lime can totally replace soybean meal in beef cattle diets.

Effect of zinc insertion and hydrophobicity on the membrane interactions and PDT activity of porphyrin photosensitizers

Pavani, Christiane,Uchoa, Adjaci F.,Oliveira, Carla S.,Iamamoto, Yassuko,Baptista, Mauricio S. Korean Society of Photoscience 2009 Photochemical & photobiological sciences Vol.8 No.2

A series of photosensitizers (PS), which are meso-substituted tetra-cationic porphyrins, was synthesized in order to study the role of amphiphilicity and zinc insertion in photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficacy. Several properties of the PS were evaluated and compared within the series including photophysical properties (absorption spectra, fluorescence quantum yield $\Phi_f$, and singlet oxygen quantum yield $\Phi_{\Delta}$), uptake by vesicles, mitochondria and HeLa cells, dark and phototoxicity in HeLa cells. The photophysical properties of all compounds are quite similar ($\Phi_f\;{\leq}\;0.02$; $\Phi_{\Delta}\;{\sim}\;0.8$). An increase in lipophilicity and the presence of zinc in the porphyrin ring result in higher vesicle and cell uptake. Binding in mitochondria is dependent on the PS lipophilicity and on the electrochemical membrane potential, i.e., in uncoupled mitochondria PS binding decreases by up to 53%. The porphyrin substituted with octyl groups (TC8PyP) is the compound that is most enriched in mitochondria, and its zinc derivative (ZnTC8PyP) has the highest global uptake. The stronger membrane interaction of the zinc-substituted porphyrins is attributed to a complexing effect with phosphate groups of the phospholipids. Zinc insertion was also shown to decrease the interaction with isolated mitochondria and with the mitochondria of HeLa cells, an effect that has been explained by the particular characteristics of the mitochondrial internal membrane. Phototoxicity was shown to increase proportionally with membrane binding efficiency, which is attributed to favorable membrane interactions which allow more efficient membrane photooxidation. For this series of compounds, photodynamic efficiency is directly proportional to the membrane binding and cell uptake, but it is not totally related to mitochondrial targeting.

Isoflurane and the Analgesic Effect of Acupuncture and Electroacupuncture in an Animal Model of Neuropathic Pain

Lauren N. Spezia Adachi,Rafael Vercelino,Carla de Oliveira,Vanessa L. Scarabelot,Andressa de Souza,Liciane F. Medeiros,Stefania G. Cioato,Wolnei Caumo,Iraci L.S. Torres 사단법인약침학회 2018 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.11 No.3

The present study aimed to determine whether isoflurane interferes with the analgesiceffects of acupuncture (Ac) and electroacupuncture (EA), using a neuropathic pain(NP) rat model. In total, 140 male Wistar rats were used; isoflurane-induced nociceptiveresponse was evaluated using the von Frey test, serum calcium-binding protein b (S100b)levels and nerve growth factor (NGF) levels in the left sciatic nerve. The NP model wasinduced by chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve at 14 days after surgery. Treatment was initiated after NP induction with or without isoflurane anesthesia (20 min/day/8 days). The von Frey test was performed at baseline, 14 days postoperatively, andimmediately, 24 h, and 48 h after the last treatment. Results of the nociceptive test andthree-way analysis of variance were analyzed by generalized estimating equations, theBonferroni test, followed by StudenteNewmaneKeuls or Fisher’s least significant differencetests for comparing biochemical parameters (significance defined as p 0.05). Atbaseline, no difference was noted in the nociceptive response threshold among allgroups. Fourteen days after surgery, compared with other groups, NP groups showed adecreased pain threshold, confirming establishment of NP. Ac and EA enhanced the mechanicalpain threshold immediately after the last session in the NP groups, without anesthesia. Isoflurane administration caused increased nociceptive threshold in all groups,and this effect persisted for 48 h after the last treatment. There was an interaction betweenthe independent variables: pain, treatments, and anesthesia in serum S100b levelsand NGF levels in the left sciatic nerve. Isoflurane enhanced the analgesic effects of Acand EA and altered serum S100b and left sciatic nerve NGF levels in rats with NP.

Validation of Prediction Equations of Energy Values of a Single Ingredient or Their Combinations in Male Broilers

Alvarenga, R.R.,Rodrigues, P.B.,Zangeronimo, M.G.,Oliveira, E.C.,Mariano, F.C.M.Q.,Lima, E.M.C.,Garcia, A.A.P. Jr,Naves, L.P.,Nardelli, N.B.S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.9

A set of prediction equations to estimate the nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) of individual ingredients and diets used in the poultry feed industry was evaluated. The AMEn values of three energy ingredients (maize, sorghum and defatted maize germ meal), four protein ingredients (soybean meal, maize gluten meal 60% crude protein, integral micronized soy and roasted whole soybean) and four diets (three containing four feedstuffs, complex diets, and one containing only corn-soybean meal, basal diet) were determined using a metabolism assay with male broilers from 1 to 7, 8 to 21, 22 to 35, and 36 to 42 days old. These values were compared to the AMEn values presented in the tables of energy composition or estimated by equation predictions based on chemical composition data of feedstuffs. In general, the equation predictions more precisely estimated the AMEn of feedstuffs when compared to the tables of energy composition. The equation AMEn (dry matter [DM] basis) = 4,164.187+51.006 ether extract (% in DM basis)-197.663 ash-35.689 crude fiber (% in DM basis)-20.593 neutral detergent fiber (% in DM basis) ($R^2=0.75$) was the most applicable for the prediction of the energy values of feedstuffs and diets used in the poultry feed industry.

Validation of Prediction Equations of Energy Values of a Single Ingredient or Their Combinations in Male Broilers

R.R. Alvarenga,P.B. Rodrigues,M.G. Zangeronimo,E.C. Oliveira,F.C.M.Q. Mariano,E.M.C. Lima,L.P. Naves,N.B.S. Nardelli,N.B.S. Nardelli 아세아·태평양축산학회 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.9

A set of prediction equations to estimate the nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) of individual ingredients and diets used in the poultry feed industry was evaluated. The AMEn values of three energy ingredients (maize, sorghum and defatted maize germ meal), four protein ingredients (soybean meal, maize gluten meal 60% crude protein, integral micronized soy and roasted whole soybean) and four diets (three containing four feedstuffs, complex diets, and one containing only corn-soybean meal, basal diet) were determined using a metabolism assay with male broilers from 1 to 7, 8 to 21, 22 to 35, and 36 to 42 days old. These values were compared to the AMEn values presented in the tables of energy composition or estimated by equation predictions based on chemical composition data of feedstuffs. In general, the equation predictions more precisely estimated the AMEn of feedstuffs when compared to the tables of energy composition. The equation AMEn (dry matter [DM] basis) = 4,164.187+51.006 ether extract (% in DM basis)–197.663 ash–35.689 crude fiber (% in DM basis)–20.593 neutral detergent fiber (% in DM basis) (R2 = 0.75) was the most applicable for the prediction of the energy values of feedstuffs and diets used in the poultry feed industry.

MIXED ASSEMBLY LINE REBALANCING: A BINARY INTEGER APPROACH APPLIED TO REAL WORLD PROBLEMS IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

F. S. OLIVEIRA,K. VITTORI,R. M. O. RUSSEL,X. L. TRAVASSOS 한국자동차공학회 2012 International journal of automotive technology Vol.13 No.6

Industrial organizations have increasingly sought to optimize the resources needed for the manufacture of its products from the competition, in order to maintain their profit margins. The search for balance of resources and balanced distribution of tasks in various types of industrial environments is called balancing. When adjustments are made and adequacy of an assembly line that is already in operation, this process is called rebalancing. This paper presents a case study involving a problem of rebalancing of automotive assembly line in an environment of arbitrarily mixed models of products, also known as mix. The proposed procedure for solving the rebalancing in the company in question is based on Binary Integer Programming, in particular the branch and bound algorithm. For comparison, we used a heuristic method based on precedence diagrams for solving the rebalancing of lines. To evaluate the results obtained between the two procedures were used performance indicators such as number of workstations created, average load of work and level of unbalance. The proposed algorithm has resulted in significant improvements in the production line capacity.