ABSTRACT Heat stress induces oxidative stress, and reduces body antioxidant metabolite levels, which can affect poultry production performance. Dietary antioxidants protect birds against the adverse effects of heat stress. The effects of increasing concentrations of dietary curcumin on the antioxidant parameters of layers maintained under high-temperature conditions for nine weeks were evaluated. Roman laying hens (n = 336, 22 weeks old, 1420 g BW) were divided into three treatment groups. The first group served as a thermoneutral control (kept at 25 ± 1 °C). The second group was exposed to high temperatures (32 ± 1 °C, 6 h/d), given a basal diet. The third group was further divided into five treatment groups (100, 150, 200, 250, 300 mg/kg Curcumin) fed a basal diet (treatments H1, H2, H3, H4, H5) under high temperatures conditions (32 ± 1 °C, 6 hours/day). As a result of this study, total superoxide dismutase activity was significantly higher in H2 and H3 groups, and total antioxidant capacity was higher in H2, H3, and H5 groups. Catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly higher in the H3 group. Malondialdehyde concentration was lowered in curcumin supplemented hens compared with control groups hens. Laying hens in all curcumin treatment groups had slightly higher activities of CAT, SOD, GSH-Px, and T-AOC in the liver, heart, and lungs, compared with heat stressed control group. It was concluded that dietary curcumin given to laying hens under heat stress may enhance their antioxidant status, and alleviate the detrimental effects of stressful environmental conditions.

ABSTRACT Objective: Restoration of euthyroidism with l-thyroxine reportedly reduces obstetric complications associated with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH). The objective was to determine if obstetric outcomes of treated subjects were equivalent to euthyroid subjects. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study. Subjects were considered euthyroid if serum thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH) was 0.4–3 mIU/L and free thyroxine (FT4) 10.29–17.05 pmol/L with negative thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb). Subclinical hypothyroidism was diagnosed if FT4 was 10.29–24.45 pmol/L and TSH 2.5–3 mU/L with positive TPOAb, or TSH > 3.0 mU/L regardless of antibody status. Subclinical hypothyroidism subjects were treated with l-thyroxine until TSH < 2.5 mIU/L. Data were analysed with Stata (StataCorp, USA). Results: Seven hundred and sixty-nine singleton pregnancies were screened; 96% at 14 weeks gestation. Five hundred and eleven (66%) were euthyroid by study definition. Prevalence of SCH was 1.9% (15/769); 26% (4/15) were TPOAb positive. Eighty-one per cent were treated according to protocol; compliance was 54%. Mean gestational age (GA) at first endocrinologist visit was 22.7 ± 2.7 weeks. Normal TSH was documented in 36% at GA 33 ± 2.94 weeks. Subjects with SCH had significantly greater pre-existing history of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and preterm labour, Caesarean sections for non-reassuring fetal heart rate and neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis. Conclusion: L-thyroxine appeared to reduce obstetric complications. However, prevalence of SCH was low and compliance was < 50%.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Según los reportes, la restauración del eutiroidismo con l-tiroxina reduce las complicaciones obstétricas asociadas con el hipotiroidismo subclínico (SCH). El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar si los resultados obstétricos de los sujetos tratados eran equivalentes a los de los sujetos eutiroideos. Métodos: Se trató de un estudio de cohorte prospectivo. Los sujetos eran considerados eutiroideos si la hormona estimulante de la tiroide (HET) en suero era 0.4–3 mIU/L, y la tiroxina libre (FT4) 10.29–17.05 pmol/L con anticuerpos antiperoxidasa tiroidea (TPO-Ab) negativos. El hipotiroidismo subclínico era diagnosticado si FT4 era 10.29–24.45 pmol/L y TSH 2.5–3 mU/L con TPOAb positivo, ó TSH > 3.0 mU/L, independientemente del estado del anticuerpo. Los sujetos con SCH fueron tratados con l-tiroxina hasta que TSH < 2.5 mIU/L. Los datos fueron analizados con Stata (StataCorp, USA). Resultados: Se tamizaron setecientos sesenta y nueve embarazos simples; 96% en 14 semanas de gestación. Quinientos once (66%) fueron eutiroides por definición de estudio. La prevalencia de SCH fue 1.9% (15/769); 26% (4/15) fueron TPOAb positivos. El 81 por ciento fueron tratados de acuerdo con el protocolo; el cumplimiento fue del 54%. La media de edad gestacional (EG) en la primera visita del endocrinólogo fue 22.7 ± 2.7 semanas. La TSH normal fue documentada en 36% en EG 33 ± 2.94 semanas. Los sujetos con SCH tenían una historia previa significativamente mayor de ruptura prematura de membranas pretérmino (RPMP) y trabajo de parto prematuro, cesáreas por frecuencia cardíaca fetal desalentadora y enterocolitis neonatal necrotizante. Conclusión: La L-tiroxina parece reducir las complicaciones obstétricas. Sin embargo, la prevalencia de SCH fue baja y el cumplimiento < 50%.

1-(2-Hidroxietil)piperidina (HEP) está presente em muitos fármacos e em protótipos de fármacos, mas seus mecanismos de oxidação são mal compreendidos. Assim, a reação de oxidação da HEP pelo bis(hidrogenoperiodato)-argentato(III) ([Ag(HIO6)2]5-;) foi investigada em meio alcalino aquoso. Piperidina e formaldeído foram identificados como principais produtos da reação através da técnica de espectrometria de massa com ionização electrospray. A cinética de oxidação foi acompanhada espectrofotometricamente no intervalo de temperatura de 25,0 a 40,0 ºC, verificando-se que a reação é de primeira ordem em [Ag(III)] e de ordem fracionária em [HEP]. O estudo da dependência das constantes de velocidade k obsd em relação a [OHˉ] e [IO4ˉ]tot (concentração de periodato total) possibilitou estabelecer uma lei de velocidade e propor um mecanismo de reação. O mecanismo envolve a formação do complexo ternário periodato-Ag(III)-HEP, seguido de sua decomposição a Ag(I) através de dois caminhos: um independente e outro facilitado por OH-. As constantes de velocidade e de equilíbrio bem como os parâmetros de ativação correspondentes às etapas determinantes de velocidade foram calculados.

1-(2-Hydroxyethyl)piperidine (HEP) is involved in many drugs and drug leads, but its oxidation mechanisms are poorly understood. The oxidation of HEP by bis(hydrogenperiodato)-argentate(III) ([Ag(HIO6)2]5-;) in aqueous alkaline medium was shown, by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), to generate piperidine and formaldehyde as the major products. The reaction was monitored spectrophotometrically in the 25.0 to 40.0 ºC range revealing that the oxidation followed a first-order kinetics in [Ag(III)] and a fractional-order in [HEP]. A rate law and a reaction mechanism were proposed based on the study of the dependency of the pseudo-first-order rate constants, k obsd, on [OHˉ] and on [IO4ˉ]tot (total concentration of periodate). The mechanism involves the formation of a periodato-Ag(III)-HEP ternary complex, whose decomposition generates Ag(I) by means of two pathways: one independent and another facilitated by OHˉ. The reaction rate constants and associated equilibrium constants as well as the activation parameters of the rate-determining steps were calculated.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the number of rotavirus-associated deaths among Indian children younger than five years. METHODS: We surveyed more than 23 000 child deaths from a nationally representative survey of 1.1 million Indian households during 2001-2003. Diarrhoeal deaths were characterized by region, age and sex and were combined with the proportion of deaths attributable to rotavirus, as determined by hospital microbiologic data collected by the Indian Rotavirus Strain Surveillance Network from December 2005 to November 2007. Rotavirus vaccine efficacy data from clinical trials in developing countries were used to estimate the number of deaths preventable by a national vaccination programme. Data were analysed using Stata SE version 10. FINDINGS: Rotavirus caused an estimated 113 000 deaths (99% confidence interval, CI: 86 000-155 000); 50% (54 700) and 75% (85 400) occurred before one and two years of age, respectively. One child in 242 died from rotavirus infection before five years of age. Rotavirus-associated mortality rates overall, among girls and among boys were 4.14 (99% CI: 3.14-5.68), 4.89 (99% CI: 3.75-6.79) and 3.45 (99% CI: 2.58-4.66) deaths per 1000 live births, respectively. Rates were highest in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, which together accounted for > 50% of deaths (64 400) nationally. Rotavirus vaccine could prevent 41 000-48 000 deaths among children aged 3-59 months. CONCLUSION: The burden of rotavirus-associated mortality is high among Indian children, highlighting the potential benefits of rotavirus vaccination.

OBJETIVO: Calcular el número de muertes asociadas al rotavirus entre niños indios menores de cinco años. MÉTODOS: Estudiamos más de 23 000 muertes de niños procedentes de una encuesta representativa a nivel nacional sobre 1,1 millón de hogares indios durante 2001-2003. Las muertes por diarrea se caracterizaron por región, edad y sexo y se combinaron con la proporción de muertes atribuibles al rotavirus, como determinaron los datos microbiológicos hospitalarios recogidos por la Red india de vigilancia de la cepa del rotavirus (Indian Rotavirus Strain Surveillance Network) desde diciembre de 2005 hasta noviembre de 2007. Los datos acerca de la eficacia de la vacuna contra el rotavirus de ensayos clínicos en países en vías de desarrollo se emplearon para calcular el número de muertes prevenibles por medio de un programa de vacunación nacional. Los datos se analizaron mediante Stata SE versión 10. RESULTADOS: El rotavirus causó aproximadamente 113 000 muertes (99% intervalo de confianza, IC: 86 000-155 000); el 50% (54 700) y el 75% (85 400) sucedió antes del primer y segundo año de edad, respectivamente. Un niño de cada 242 falleció debido a una infección por rotavirus antes de llegar a los cinco años de edad. Las tasas generales de mortalidad asociadas con el rotavirus entre niños y entre niñas fueron de 4,14 (99% IC: 3,14-5,68), 4,89 (99% IC: 3,75-6,79) y 3,45 (99% IC: 2,58-4,66) muertes por 1 000 nacidos vivos, respectivamente. Las tasas más altas se dieron en Bihar, Uttar Pradesh y Madhya Pradesh, que en conjunto integraron más del 50% de las muertes (64 400) a nivel nacional. La vacuna contra el rotavirus podría prevenir 41 000-48 000 muertes entre niños de entre 3 y 59 meses. CONCLUSIÓN: La carga de la mortalidad asociada con el rotavirus es mayor entre los niños indios, y resalta los beneficios potenciales de la vacuna contra el rotavirus.

OBJECTIF: Estimer le nombre de décès associés au rotavirus chez les enfants indiens de moins de cinq ans. MÉTHODES: Nous avons examiné plus de 23 000 décès d'enfants sur la base d'une enquête représentative au niveau national de 1,1 million de foyers indiens durant la période 2001-2003. Les décès par diarrhée étaient classés par région, âge et sexe, ainsi que corrélés à la proportion de décès attribuables au rotavirus, tels que déterminés par les données microbiologiques hospitalières collectées par le réseau de surveillance indien de la souche du rotavirus de décembre 2005 à novembre 2007. Les données d'efficacité du vaccin contre le rotavirus provenant d'essais cliniques réalisés dans les pays en développement ont été utilisées pour estimer le nombre de décès évitables par un programme national de vaccination. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide de Stata SE version 10. RÉSULTATS: Le rotavirus a causé environ 113 000 décès (intervalle de confiance, IC de 99%: 86 000 à 155 000), 50% (54 700) et 75% (85 400) d'entre eux survenaient respectivement avant l'âge d'un an et de deux ans. Un enfant sur 242 est mort d'une infection par le rotavirus avant l'âge de cinq ans. Les taux de mortalité associés au rotavirus étaient, dans l'ensemble, parmi les filles et les garçons, de 4,14 décès (IC de 99%: 3,14-5,68), 4,89 (IC de 99%: 3,75-6,79) et 3,45 (IC de 99%: 2,58-4,66) pour 1 000 naissances vivantes, respectivement. Les taux étaient les plus élevés dans le Bihar, l'Uttar Pradesh et le Madhya Pradesh, représentant au total, à l'échelle nationale, plus de 50% des décès (64 400). Le vaccin contre le rotavirus pourrait éviter 41 000 à 48 000 décès chez les enfants âgés de 3 à 59 mois. CONCLUSION: L'impact de la mortalité associée au rotavirus est élevé chez les enfants indiens, soulignant les avantages potentiels d'une vaccination contre le rotavirus.