Body composition and eating habits of workers with normal day and shift work

Introduction Recently, shift work and it consequences have been studied due to the strong relationship between shift work, sleep disorders and unhealthy eating habits, which could influence body composition and related health problems.

Objectives To analyse the influence of shift work on body composition and eating habits of workers.

Methodology Data collection was carried out through an interview with employees from a company in which data were collected such as sex, age, average number of hours of sleep and work schedule. An anthropometric evaluation was performed and weight, body fat mass percentage and waist circumference were measured. The height was self-reported. Individuals were also asked to answer to a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Data analysis was performed with descriptive and statistical analysis using U-Mann-Whitney test, in the IBM SPSS Statistics 25 program.

Results The final sample consisted of 20 shift workers and 20 normal day workers. The mean BMI of normal day workers was 23.54 ± 3.19 kg/m2, and the average of the shift workers was 27.97 ± 5.48 kg/m2 (p = 0,001). Regarding the percentage of fat mass, the mean of the normal day sample was 28.53 ± 6.30% and the shift work sample showed an average of 29.85 ± 8.54% (p = 0,841). The shift sample reported a higher average daily intake of processed foods, high energy density food products with high fat and sugar content.

Conclusion The higher BMI and fat percentage observed in shift workers comparing to normal day works are a topic of concern and could contribute to the assumption that the dynamics required by shift work can lead to changes in circadian rhythm, leading to metabolic alterations that could influence body composition and dietary choices.

Oral hygiene and habits of children with autism spectrum disorders and their families

Background

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) frequently receive poorer health care then the general population. Frequently the speech-language pathologist is the only health professional that follows the child’s everyday life and therefore is the only resource for guidance regarding basic health habits. Poor oral health may result in severe discomfort and other health problems that can be prevented by simple routine habits and adequate professional follow-up. The aim of the present study was to gather information about oral hygiene and dental care habits of children with ASD and their families. The hypothesis was that these children have poorer oral care habits than their families.

Material and Methods

Participants were parents of 120 children with autism, aged 4 to 12 years in two different cities of the state of Sao Paulo. They answered to a simple questionnaire about oral hygiene and health care habits.

Results

Indicated that there is a significant difference (p< 0.001) between the children and their families regarding basic oral hygiene habits, such as brushing and flossing, as well as routine visits to the dentist.

Conclusions

This information clearly indicates the need for education programs aiming to encourage the inclusion children with ASD in the basic habits of oral care carried-out by the families.

Key words:Autism disorder, oral hygiene habits, oral health.

Candidemia in a Portuguese tertiary care hospital: Analysis of a 2-year period

BACKGROUND

Candidemia is a nosocomial infection of increasing importance, associated with high morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to describe the species distribution, risk factors, management and outcomes of patients with candidemia.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study at Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Portugal, between January 2016 and December 2017.

RESULTS

A total of 117 candidemia episodes (n=114 patients) were included. Median age was 65 years, with an increased prevalence of older ages. Candida albicans (51.3%) was the most prevalent species, followed by C. glabrata (22.2%), C. parapsilosis (15.4%), C. tropicalis (4.3%) and C. lusitaniae (2.6%). Forty-two patients (35.9%) did not receive antifungal drugs after diagnosis of candidemia. Echinocandins were used as first-line drug therapy in half of the treated patients (50.7%). The median EQUAL Candida Score was 6/17 (IQR 6-9) for patients without central venous catheter (CVC) and 11/20 (IQR 6-14) for patients with CVC. The 30 days-mortality was 31,6% and was not significantly associated with the timing of antifungal therapy and the EQUAL Candida Score.

CONCLUSION

The distribution of Candida species has changed in recent years, with an increase in the proportion of C. albicans and C. glabrata. Rapid diagnostic tests, empiric antifungal therapy and source control are essential to improve the prognosis of patients with candidemia. More multicentric prospective studies are needed to evaluate the association of mortality with the timing of antifungal therapy or the EQUAL Candida Score.

Methods for conservation of intra-varietal genetic variability in ancient grapevine varieties

Conservation of intra-varietal genetic variability is a crucial strategy to preserve traditional viticulture and to face future challenges. Conservation can be performed through two processes: (1) conservation without other immediate objectives; (2) conservation which simultaneously ensures the evaluation of important quantitative traits (such as yield, must quality traits, tolerance to abiotic stresses). The second strategy permits the quantification of intra-varietal genetic variability for important quantitative traits and the selection of a superior group of genotypes (polyclonal selection). Based on the results obtained from the conservation of ancient Portuguese varieties, the abovementioned methods for conservation of intra-varietal diversity are compared, and the advantages and disadvantages of each one are discussed.

Critical analysis of aortic dysmorphism in Marfan Syndrome

Introduction: Marfan syndrome (OMIM #154700) was described for the first time in 1896 by Antoine Bernard-Jean Marfan. It is characterized by its autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, affects 1:5000 of those born alive, and involves the gene that codifies the structural protein fribrillin-1. Fibrillin-1 is critical for the formation of the elastic system backbone and for the negative regulation of the cytokine transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1). In the syndrome this fibrillar component causes the degeneration of the fibers of the elastic system, which no longer sequesters matrix TGF-β, causing disorganization of the collagen fibers and vascular smooth muscles. The disease affects mainly the cardiovascular system, cardiovascular problems being the main cause of death. This is because arteries have large amounts of elastic fibers that rupture in an adverse process, causing mainly dissections and aneurisms, which have been better clariied in experimental studies with mice. Objective: The objective of this study was to conduct an etiopathogenic and molecular review to describe the advances in the understanding of blood vessel dysmorphism in the syndrome, especially of the aorta. Materials and Methods: For this purpose the literature of the last 35 years was extensively reviewed. Conclusion: The origin of the aortic dysmorphism in the syndrome stems from a number of events that begin with the mutation of the gene fibrillin-1, causing fragmentation of the aortic elastic fibers. Excess cytokine TGF-β increases the amount of metalloproteinases and of vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis, leading to matrix remodeling and increasing the susceptibility of the vessel to an aneurysm or dissecting process.

10 Evaluation of Frozen Sperm Quality After Single Layer Centrifugation with Percoll Plus® of Fresh Bull Semen

The single layer centrifugation (SLC) with Percoll Plus® (PP; GE Healthcare, Uppsala, Sweden) before freezing is not a common technique used for selection of spermatozoa in bovine. Thus, this study aimed to verify the effect of SLC with PP before freezing on integrity of plasma and acrosome membranes (IPAM), phospholipid translocation (PT), and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of frozen–thawed bull sperm. Three Nellore bulls housed at the Tairana Artificial Insemination Station were used. The ejaculates (6/bull) were collected by artificial vagina and assessed for sperm motility, concentration, and morphology. Then, the sperm were pooled and ~1 billion spermatozoa, either diluted [D; 1:2 (v/v)] in freezing extender (FE; tris, fructose, citric acid, egg yolk and antibiotics, without glycerol) or undiluted (UN), were placed on top of a 9-mL column of PP (in 15-mL centrifuge tubes) at concentrations of 70% or 90%, to form the 70D, 70UD, 90D, and 90UD treatment groups. After centrifugation at 839 × g for 13 min, except for the control (C), the supernatant was discarded and the pellet diluted in FE (plus glycerol) to a final concentration of 50 × 106 spermatozoa mL−1. Afterward, 0.5-mL straws were filled, cooled for 5 h at 4°C, and frozen in a programmable freezer (Digitcool, IMV, L’Aigle, France) following the temperature/time curve: from 4°C to –10°C (5°C min−1), –10°C to –100°C (40°C min−1) and from –100°C to –140°C (20°C min−1), in a total of 8 min, when the straws were plunged into and stored in liquid nitrogen until evaluation. Thawed sperm (at 37°C/30 s) was diluted at 5 × 106 spermatozoa mL−1 in TALP-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) plus Hoechst 342 (100 μg mL−1; Sigma Co., St. Louis, MO, USA). After that, samples were stained for membrane integrity with the association of fluorescent probes propidium iodide (PI, 50 μg mL−1; Sigma Co.), fluorescein thiocyanate (FITC)-Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA, 1 mg mL−1; Sigma Co.) and Annexin V-APC (BD Pharmingen, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA), and with MitoStatus Red (20 nM; BD Pharmingen) and YO-PRO-1 (7.5 μM; Molecular Probes Inc., Eugene, OR, USA) for MMP. Sperm samples were analysed by flow cytometer (BD LSR; Fortessa, Becton Dickinson, Mountain View, CA, USA) and the results expressed as percentage of intact cells or qualitative fluorescence expressed in arbitrary units (AU). Analysis of variance and Tukey’s test were used for statistical analysis with P < 0.05 taken as significant. There were no differences between groups for IPAM (values ranging from 45.9 ± 7.0% to 55.6 ± 8.5%). Similarly, results of PT translocation did not differ among the groups (range from 34.7 ± 7.0% to 47.6 ± 7.0%). However, there was a tendency of increasing MMP (P = 0.10) in 70UD (1789 ± 258 UA), 70D (1776 ± 162.1 UA), and 90UD (1757 ± 133.8 UA) compared with C (1368 ± 267.4 UA) and 90D (1356 ± 145 UA). In conclusion, SLC did not compromise sperm membrane functionality and it seemed to select spermatozoa with higher mitochondrial functional activity when centrifuged at the concentration of 70% and 90D. This research was funded by FAPESP # 2015/20986-3, Tairana Artificial Insemination Station, MasterFertility Ltda, Brazil.

9 Single Layer Centrifugation of Bull Semen Through Percoll Plus® Before Cryopreservation

We previously reported that single layer centrifugation (SLC) with Percoll® (GE Healthcare, Uppsala, Sweden) of fresh bovine semen resulted in improved sperm progressive motility and movement, as evidenced by computer-assisted sperm analyzer (CASA) after freezing-thawing. However, no report has been found in the literature on the use of Percoll Plus® (PP; GE Healthcare), a nontoxic colloid, for the same purpose. Thus, this study aimed to verify the effects of SLC-PP before bull sperm freezing on sperm kinematics after cryopreservation. Ejaculates were collected from 3 Nellore bulls (6 from each) using an artificial vagina. After collection, the semen was assessed and pooled, and then 1 billion spermatozoa either diluted [D; 1:2 (v/v)] in freezing extender (FE, without glycerol) or undiluted (UD) was layered on top of a 9-mL column of PP (in 15-mL centrifuge tubes) at concentrations of 70% or 90% to form the 70D, 70UD, 90D, and 90UD treatment groups. Following centrifugation for 13 min at 839 × g [except for the control (C) group], the supernatant was removed and the sperm pellet diluted to 50 × 106 sperm mL−1 in FE medium plus glycerol. Then, frozen–thawed sperm samples were analysed by CASA (MMC Sperm, St. Petersburg, Russia) for the following parameters: total motility (TM, %), progressive motility (PM, %), curvilinear velocity (VCL, µm−1), straight line velocity (VSL, µm s−1), average path velocity (VAP, µm s−1), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH, µm), beat cross frequency (BCF, Hz), linearity (LIN, %), and straightness (STR, %). For statistical analyses, ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls test were used. Data are presented as mean ± SEM with P < 0.05 taken as significant. No difference was found among the groups for TM, VSL, BCF, and STR. However, the percentage of PM was higher (P < 0.05) in the SLC-selected sperm samples (values ranging from 42.0 ± 7.0 to 47.4 ± 11.4) than in C (28.8 ± 5.0), and ALH was lower in 70UD (1.6 ± 0.12) and 70D (1.7 ± 0.10) than in C (1.9 ± 0.2). Moreover, 70UD (49.0 ± 1.0), 90UD (50.0 ± 3.0), and 90D (50.0 ± 4.0) displayed higher percentage of LIN (P < 0.05) compared with C (45.0 ± 2.0) and 70D (48.0 ± 3.0). On the other hand, similar results were obtained for VCL (from 126.3 ± 8.0 to 130.0 ± 20.5) and VAP (from 82.7 ± 14.5 to 85.1 ± 6.9) in C, 70UD, and 70D, but these values differed (P < 0.05) from those for VCL in 90UD (104.6 ± 10.3) and 90D (97.2 ± 22.0) as well as for VAP in 90UD (72.2 ± 11.0) and 90D (71.8 ± 9.6). These are the first data demonstrating favourable influences of SLC with 70% Percoll Plus® to select distinct sperm subpopulations as evidenced by enhanced PM, LIN, and ALH. Thus, SLC-PP could optimize the production of frozen bull semen by decreasing the number of sperm per insemination dose, and help to circumvent limitations associated with the poor semen quality sometimes found in bulls of high genetic merit. This research was funded by FAPESP # 2015/20986-3, MasterFertility and Tairana Artificial Insemination Station, Brazil.

8 Effect of Single Layer Centrifugation with Percoll Plus® of Fresh Bull Semen on Plasma Membrane Stability and Lipid Peroxidation After Cryopreservation

The discontinuous density gradient with Percoll® is routinely used for sperm selection before IVF in bovine in vitro embryo production. However, few studies have been addressed to investigate the use of this colloid in single layer centrifugation (SLC) before sperm freezing. Therefore, this study aimed to verify the effect of SLC with Percoll Plus® (PP; GE Healthcare, Uppsala, Sweden) before freezing on plasma membrane stability (PMS) and lipid peroxidation (LP) of frozen–thawed bull semen. Three Nellore bulls housed at the Artificial Insemination Station were used. The ejaculates, 6 of each bull, were collected by artificial vagina. On the day of each collection, semen was first assessed for sperm motility, concentration, and morphology. Then, the ejaculates were pooled and ~1 billion spermatozoa either diluted [D; 1:2 (v/v)] in freezing extender (without glycerol) or undiluted (UN) was placed on top of a 9-mL column of PP at concentrations of 70% or 90%, resulting in the 70D, 70UD, 90D, and 90UD treatment groups. After centrifugation at 839 × g for 13 min, except for the control group, the supernatant was removed and the pellet of spermatozoa was resuspended in freezing extender (plus glycerol) to a final concentration of 50 × 106 spermatozoa mL−1. Then, 0.5-mL straws were filled, cooled, and frozen. Sperm samples of each group and different days of collection were thawed in a water bath at 37°C for 30 s and diluted at 5 × 106 spermatozoa mL−1 in TALP-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) plus Hoechst 342 (Sigma Co., St. Louis, MO, USA). Then, samples were stained for PMS with the association of MitoSoxRed (Molecular Probes Inc., Eugene, OR, USA) and YO-PRO-1 (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Hampton, NH, USA) and with C11-BODYPY (Thermo Fisher Scientific) for LP. The sperm samples were analysed by flow cytometer (BD LSR, Fortessa, Becton Dickinson, Mountain View, CA, USA), with the data analysed through use of BD FACSDIVATM software (version 6.1). Analysis of variance and Tukey’s test were used for statistical analysis with P < 0.05 taken as significant. A lower percentage of cells displaying no destabilised membrane was found in 70D (27.6 ± 5.6) compared with the control group (43.1 ± 3.0), but no difference was observed among control group, 70UD (37.2 ± 5.1), 90UD (42.2 ± 7.5), and 90D (32.3 ± 6.5). There was a tendency (P = 0.08) for a higher proportion (P < 0.05) of cells showing LP in control group (48.2 ± 5.7), 70D (48.3 ± 8.5), and 90D (44.43 ± 7.3) compared with the undiluted groups. Thus, spermatozoa selection using SLC with Percoll Plus® did not enhance membrane stability, but sperm LP might be diminished by using SLC with lesser dilution or concentration. It is suggested that lower generation of reactive oxygen species occurred when SLC with PP was used, indicating a possible protective effect on membrane phospholipids. Further studies, including anion superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and mitochondrial membrane potential could elucidate these findings. This research was supported by FAPESP (grant #2015/20986-3), Tairana AI Station and Master Fertility, Brazil.

Corema album: unbiased dioecy in a competitive environment

Corema album is a dioecious coastal shrub. Dioecious plants growing in these resource-limited habitats may present spatial segregation of the sexes (SSS) or demographic biases because of the different reproductive effort between sexes. In these environments facilitation is a more common interaction between plants than competition. To assess factors determining the distribution of C. album male and female plants, we investigated the influence of habitat type (sand dunes and coastal woodlands), assessed the occurrence of SSS or demographic biases and also a possible role of these shrubs as nurse plants. We selected three C. album populations with the two habitat types. All C. album individuals were sexed, mapped and measured in three plots (20 m × 20 m) per population/habitat type. Presence and abundance of all plant species were recorded under five female and five male C. album plants as well as in equivalent open ground area in each of 15 plots. According to Ripley's K function result, C. album did not display SSS. Generalised linear mixed models (GLMM) show that differences in plant size were not related to plant sex. Plant inventory correspondence analysis showed that species composition and abundance were influenced by habitat type, population and the presence of a C. album individual, but not by its sex. GLMM indicated a detrimental effect of C. album on the co-occurring plants. Our results show that sexual dimorphism has allowed C. album to adapt to the environment avoiding SSS or significant demographic bias, suggesting a positive outlook for its conservation.

Tuberculosis in native- and foreign-born populations in Portugal

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global health problem, and during the last 20 years, industrialised countries have shown similar patterns in TB notifications: decreasing TB incidence in native populations and increasing incidence in foreign-born populations.

OBJECTIVES

To characterise risk factors associated with TB among native- and foreign-born TB patients in Portugal and identify barriers to the management of foreign cases.

METHODS

Analysis of the data from the national tuberculosis surveillance system and data from an online survey of physicians managing TB cases in the country.

RESULTS

Risk factors in the two populations differed. Foreign-born patients were younger, less likely to use drugs or alcohol and had fewer comorbidities. They were also more likely to be human immunodeficiency virus positive, to be employed and to be homeless/living in shelters. The outcome of the disease and the time to diagnosis were not significantly different between the two populations. The most important barriers to the management of foreign-born TB cases were language and fear of deportation.

CONCLUSIONS

As there are significant differences between the two populations, different TB control strategies should be implemented in the two populations.

Erratum to: 36th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine: Brussels, Belgium. 15-18 March 2016

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13054-016-1208-6.].

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of the antitumor potential and chemo-sensitizing activity of fluorinated ecdysteroid derivatives

Efflux pumps, like the ABCB1 transporter, play an important role in the chemo-resistance of various tumors and particularly of cancer stem cells.

165 CRYOPRESERVATION OF IN VITRO PRODUCED BOVINE EMBRYOS AFTER LIPID DECREASE WITH FORSKOLIN

Forskolin® (F-6886) is being used to induce lipolysis and increase cryotolerance, to be an activator of adenylate cyclase, and elevating the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels. The objective of this experiment was to induce the chemical lipolysis of embryos to improve vitrification and the hypothesis would be that Forskolin decrease the amount of lipid droplets, improve the production of blastocysts, and increase the survival rate after vitrification and warming. Eight random effect were performed which oocytes (N = 1172) were matured in TCM 199® supplemented with 10% of fetal bovine serum (FBS), under 5% CO2 atmosphere, at a temperature of 38.5°C and absolute humidity for 24 h. Semen was selected by Percoll gradient with a final concentration of the 2 × 106 sperm mL–1. Presumptive zygotes were cultured in SOFaa and 2.5% of FBS and were kept in an incubator with 5% CO2, 5% O2 and 90% N2 at 38.5°C and absolute humidity until Day 6, when Forskolin was added and remained until Day 7; control (group without Forskolin); F 2.5 µM (group with 2.5 µM Forskolin); F 5 µM (group with 5 µM Forskolin). On Day 7 (Day 0 = IVF) the rate of blastocyst formation was observed then they were vitrified. Apoptosis was analysed using the TUNEL technique, and the lipid content analysis was performed with Sudan Black B® (S-0395). To estimate the lipid content of embryos, 1 photo at a blastocyst group was performed and submitted to the program ImageJ 1.14 (Wayne Rasband, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA). The embryos were limited to obtain the area (μm2), and gray intensity mean (arbitrary units), and gray intensity per area was calculated (arbitrary units/μm2). Data were analysed by ANOVA with PROC GLM of SAS (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Sources of variation in the model including treatment and replicas were regarded as fixed and random effects, respectively. Data are presented as mean and standard least-squares error. For all analyzes was adopted the significance level of 5%. There was no difference in blastocyst rate: control (37.0 ± 4.0%), F 2.5 μM (38.6 ± 4.0%), F 5 μM (40.7 ± 4.0%). There were difference in lipids content between all groups: control (136.8 ± 2.2ab); F 2.5 μM (128.5 ± 2.2b), F 5 μM (135.6 ± 2.3c; P < 0.05). The F 2.5 μM group showed the higher rate of apoptotic cells compared to other groups: control (12.1 ± 3.5%a), F 2.5 μM (16.7 ± 4.1%b), F 5 μM (11.1 ± 6.5%a; P < 0.05). After vitrification, there was no difference in re-expansion: control (71.3 ± 8.9%), F 2.5 μM (73.1 ± 8.9%); F 5 μM (66.1 ± 8.9%) and apoptosis rate: control (22.3 ± 3.1%); F 2.5 μM (37.3 ± 3.8%); F 5 μM (33.2 ± 6.5%) between the groups. The Forskolin was effective at lower concentration to diminish lipids concentrations in embryos. But when we analysed the apoptotic cell, the lower concentration of Forskolin damaged embryos, but this effect could be diminished after vitrification and warming, when the drug did not increase the apoptotic cells. However, we need to study other concentrations of Forskolin. FAPESP (2010/50410–2/2014/21289–1) is acknowledged for support.

Computational reverse shoulder prosthesis model: Experimental data and verification

The reverse shoulder prosthesis aims to restore the stability and function of pathological shoulders, but the biomechanical aspects of the geometrical changes induced by the implant are yet to be fully understood. Considering a large-scale musculoskeletal model of the upper limb, the aim of this study is to evaluate how the Delta reverse shoulder prosthesis influences the biomechanical behavior of the shoulder joint. In this study, the kinematic data of an unloaded abduction in the frontal plane and an unloaded forward flexion in the sagittal plane were experimentally acquired through video-imaging for a control group, composed of 10 healthy shoulders, and a reverse shoulder group, composed of 3 reverse shoulders. Synchronously, the EMG data of 7 superficial muscles were also collected. The muscle force sharing problem was solved through the minimization of the metabolic energy consumption. The evaluation of the shoulder kinematics shows an increase in the lateral rotation of the scapula in the reverse shoulder group, and an increase in the contribution of the scapulothoracic joint to the shoulder joint. Regarding the muscle force sharing problem, the musculoskeletal model estimates an increased activity of the deltoid, teres minor, clavicular fibers of the pectoralis major, and coracobrachialis muscles in the reverse shoulder group. The comparison between the muscle forces predicted and the EMG data acquired revealed a good correlation, which provides further confidence in the model. Overall, the shoulder joint reaction force was lower in the reverse shoulder group than in the control group.

Novel flexible Dry multipin electrodes for EEG: Signal quality and interfacial impedance of Ti and TiN coatings

Conventional Silver/Silver-Chloride electrodes are inappropriate for routine high-density EEG and emerging new fields of application like brain computer interfaces. A novel multipin electrode design is proposed. It enables rapid and easy application while maintaining signal quality and patient comfort. The electrode design is described and impedance and EEG tests are performed with Titanium and Titanium Nitride coated electrodes. The results are compared to conventional reference electrodes in a multi-volunteer study. The calculated signal parameters prove the multipin electrode concept to reproducibly acquire EEG signal quality comparable to Ag/AgCl electrodes. The promising results encourage further investigation and can provide a technological base for future preparation-free multichannel EEG systems.

282 DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF FORSKOLIN FOR MEIOSIS BLOCK AND TO IMPROVE IN VITRO PRODUCTION OF BOVINE EMBRYOS

The inhibition of nuclear maturation allows time for the oocyte to accumulate molecules that are important for embryonic development. It was suggested that the inhibition of spontaneous nuclear IVM might allow for more time to accumulate the molecules important for embryonic development. The objective of this work was to evaluate blocking oocyte meiosis with the addition of forskolin. Slaughterhouse-derived bovine Zebu ovaries were collected and carried to the laboratory. Oocytes (n = 584) with at least 3 intact layers of cumulus cells and homogeneous cytoplasm were selected for IVM. The oocytes were transferred to drops of TCM 199 plus 10% FCS and hormones. The oocytes remained in IVM medium in 3 different concentrations of forskolin (6886), 0.1, 0.05, 0.025 mM, and a control group (withouth forskolin), for 6 h. Then they were maturated for an additional 18 h in forskolin-free medium. The first period above was an attempt to block (Block) and the second to resume (Res) the oocyte meiosis. The oocytes were incubated in a humidified atmosphere with 5% CO2 at 38.5°C in an air incubator. The oocytes were assessed for the stage of nuclear maturation, to see if they were in M II. Then oocytes were in vitro fertilized (IVF) with frozen Nelore bull semen (Bos taurus indicus). Presumptive zygotes (20–30/group) were cultured in SOFaa (synthetic oviducal fluid) supplemented with 5 mg mL–1 of BSA; the embryos were kept in an incubator with 5% CO2, 5% O2, and 90% N2 at 38.5°C and absolute humidity. On Day 7 (Day 0 = IVF) the blastocyst, the number of viable cells, and apoptosis rate (terminal deoxynucleotide transferase uridine nick-end labelling) were observed. Data were analysed with ANOVA using SAS PROC GLM (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Sources of variation in the model, including treatment and replication, were respectively considered fixed and random effects. If ANOVA was significant, the contrasts of means were performed using the least-squares difference. Data are presented as the mean and the standard error of least-squares. For all analyses, we used a significance level of 5%. No differences were observed for the stage of nuclear maturation of the oocyte (N = 336; control: 67.7 ± 8.3; F 0.025 mM, Block/Res: 67.7 ± 8.9; F 0.05 mM, Block/Res: 65.9 ± 9.8; F 0.1 mM, Block/Res: 50.2 ± 8.9), the blastocyst rate (N = 584; Control: 36.7 ± 3.7; F0.025 mM, Block/Res: 32.6 ± 3.7; F0.05 mM, Block/Res: 29.2 ± 3.7; F0.1 mM, Block/Res: 25.1 ± 3.7), and total number of intact cells (N = 10–15 embryos/group; Control:140.1 ± 13.0; F0.025 mM, Block/Res: 129.9 ± 13.0; F0.05 mM, Block/Res: 139.0 ± 13.0; F0.1 mM, Block/Res: 104.4 ± 13.0; P > 0.05). However, a higher rate of apoptosis was observed in the blastocysts produced from oocytes blocked for 6 h with the higher concentration of forskolin (N = 10–15 embryos/group): Control: 12.1 ± 2.5a; F 0.025 mM, Block/Res: 12.9 ± 2.5a; F0.05 mM, Block/Res: 13.5 ± 2.5a; F 0.1 mM, Block/Res: 30.2 ± 2.5b (P < 0.05). We conclude that all the experimental groups reached the stage of M II after the addition of forskolin and the highest concentration of forskolin caused cellular degeneration without harming embryo production on the seventh day.

48 GLOBAL GENE EXPRESSION PATTERN OF BOS INDICUS AND BOS TAURUS VITRIFIED EMBRYOS

The cryopreservation of in vitro-produced (IVP) bovine embryos is one of the most challenging areas of the assisted reproductive biotechnologies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the global gene expression pattern of Bos indicus (Nellore) and Bos taurus (Simmental) IVP embryos after vitrification. Follicular aspiration was performed on Nellore (n = 14) and Simmental (n = 14) cows, and oocytes (n = 840 and 450; respectively) were submitted to in vitro maturation and in vitro fertilization. Presumptive zygotes were denuded and cultured in SOFaa with 0.5% BSA and 2.5% FCS during 7 days under standard culture conditions. Blastocysts (grade 1 and 2) were vitrified, warmed, and cultured for an additional 12 h under the same conditions. Nellore (n = 8) and Simmental (n = 8) IVP blastocysts considered viable after vitrification, with re-expanded blastocoel, were submitted to total RNA extraction (PicoPure, Arcturus, Applied Biosystems®, Foster Dity, CA, USA), DNAse I treatment (Qiagen®, Valencia, CA, USA), and amplification (RiboAmp, Applied Biosystems®). Fragmented cRNA were obtained through 3′IVT Express Kit (Affymetrix®, Santa Clara, CA, USA) to perform the hybridization using GeneChip Bovine Genome Array (Affymetrix®). Microarray data analysis was performed using the FlexArray 1.6.1.1 software. Genes with at least a 1.5-fold change and a P-value of less than 0.05 were considered differentially expressed. Of the 1278 genes differentially expressed between Bos taurus and Bos indicus vitrified embryos, 1108 were annotated, with 1193 genes up-regulated and 85 genes down-regulated in Bos taurus compared with Bos indicus IVP vitrified embryos. Differentially expressed genes were associated with the functional networks of cell cycle, cellular movement and DNA replication, recombination and repair; RNA post-transcriptional modifications; gene expression, protein synthesis; RNA damage and repair; cellular function and maintenance; and cell death and survival. The top 6 canonical pathways generated by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis® with the differentially expressed genes were ELF2 signalling, oxidative phosphorylation, tricarboxylic acid cycle, protein ubiquitination pathway, mTOR signalling, and IGF-1 signalling. In conclusion, Bos taurus IVP embryos seem to trigger different cellular response mechanisms to the vitrification stress in comparison with Bos indicus IVP embryos. Differential response is mainly represented by different expression profiles of genes regulating important canonical pathways involved in cellular response to stress that could be related with the higher post-cryopreservation survival capacity observed in Bos taurus embryos.Research was supported by FAPESP, CNPq, FAPERGS, and LNBio – National Laboratory of Biosciences/MCT.

Hepatic artery thrombosis in live liver donor transplantation: how to solve--a case report

The decrease in the number of cadaveric donors has proved a limiting factor in the number of liver transplants, leading to the death of many patients on the waiting list. The living donor liver transplantation is an option that allows, in selected cases, increase the number of donors. One of the most serious complications in liver transplantation is hepatic artery thrombosis, in the past considered potentially fatal without urgent re-transplantation. A white male patient, 48 years old, diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic liver failure caused by hepatitis B virus, underwent living donor liver transplantation (right lobe). Doppler echocardiography performed in the immediate postoperative period did not identify arterial flow in the right branch, having been confirmed thrombosis of the right hepatic artery in CT angiography. Urgent re-laparotomy was performed, which consisted of thrombectomy and re-anastomosis of the hepatic artery with segmental splenic artery allograft interposition. The patient started anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy with acetylsalicylic acid. Serial evaluation with Doppler echocardiography showed hepatic artery patency. At present, the patient is asymptomatic. One of the most devastating complications in liver transplantation, and particularly in living liver donor, is thrombosis of the hepatic artery; thus, early diagnosis and treatment is vital. The rapid intervention for revascularization of the graft avoids irreversible ischemia of the bile ducts and hepatic parenchyma, thus avoiding the need for re-transplantation.