ABSTRACT Atherogenic index of plasma is a marker used to assess risk of cardiovascular diseases. The present study evaluated plasma atherogenic index in individuals before and after bariatric surgery. Individuals were evaluated at three time points: before surgery (T0), in the 2nd (T1) and 6th (T2) months post-surgery. Anthropometric (body mass index, waist circumference, fat and lean mass) and biochemical parameters (lipid profile, glucose and C-reactive protein), and atherogenic index of plasma, calculated by the formula [=log (serum triglycerides concentration/HDL cholesterol)], were evaluated. Data were analyzed using the repeated measures ANOVA or Friedman test according to data distribution. The level of significance was 5%. Thirty-four patients agreed to participate. A significant reduction was observed in all anthropometric parameters in women and men (p<0.05). Atherogenic index of plasma reduced significantly in all time points in women; there was a significant reduction only between periods T0 and T2 (p<0.05) in men. A reduction in the classification for risk in cardiovascular diseases, with high risk in T0 (0.441±0.13) to moderate risk at T1 (0.204±0.22) and low risk at T2 (0.041±0.16) was observed in men. In women, the risk remained low (<0.11) in all periods. Bariatric surgery reduced the atherogenic index of plasma during the 6-month follow-up, suggesting a reduction in cardiovascular risk.

RESUMEN El índice aterogénico plasmático es un marcador que se utiliza para evaluar el riesgo de enfermedades cardiovasculares. El presente trabajo evaluó el índice aterogénico plasmático de pacientes antes y después de la cirugía bariátrica. Los individuos fueron evaluados en tres momentos: antes de la cirugía (T0), el segundo (T1) y el sexto (T2) meses después de la cirugía. Se evaluaron parámetros antropométricos (índice de masa corporal, circunferencia de cintura, masa grasa y masa magra), parámetros bioquímicos (perfil lipídico, glucosa y proteína C reactiva) y el índice aterogénico plasmático, calculado mediante la fórmula [= log (concentración sérica de triglicéridos / colesterol HDL)]. Los datos se analizaron mediante el ANOVA de medidas repetidas o el Test de Friedman según la distribución de los datos. Nivel de significancia adoptado 5%. Treinta y cuatro pacientes aceptaron participar en el estudio. Se observó una reducción significativa en todos los parámetros antropométricos en ambos sexos (p<0.05). En las mujeres, el índice aterogénico plasmático disminuyó significativamente en todos los períodos. En los hombres, hubo una reducción significativa en el índice aterogénico plasmático solo entre T0 y T2 (p<0.05), aunque se observó una reducción en la clasificación de riesgo para enfermedades cardiovasculares de alto riesgo en T0 (0.441±0.13) para moderadas riesgo en T1 (0.204±0.22) y riesgo bajo en T2 (0.041±0.16). En las mujeres, el riesgo se mantuvo bajo (<0.11) en todos los períodos. La cirugía bariátrica redujo la PIA durante el seguimiento de 6 meses, lo que sugiere una reducción del riesgo cardiovascular.

The study of the Schistosoma mansoni genome, one of the etiologic agents of human schistosomiasis, is essential for a better understanding of the biology and development of this parasite. In order to get an overview of all S. mansoni catalogued gene sequences, we performed a clustering analysis of the parasite mRNA sequences available in public databases. This was made using softwares PHRAP and CAP3. The consensus sequences, generated after the alignment of cluster constituent sequences, allowed the identification by database homology searches of the most expressed genes in the worm. We analyzed these genes and looked for a correlation between their high expression and parasite metabolism and biology. We observed that the majority of these genes is related to the maintenance of basic cell functions, encoding genes whose products are related to the cytoskeleton, intracellular transport and energy metabolism. Evidences are presented here that genes for aerobic energy metabolism are expressed in all the developmental stages analyzed. Some of the most expressed genes could not be identified by homology searches and may have some specific functions in the parasite.

Este experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito do cruzamento entre vacas 1/2 Nelore 1/2 Charolês com touros Charolês e 1/2 Charolês 1/2 Nelore com touros Nelore, sobre as características de carcaça e da carne de novilhos oriundos desses acasalamentos, abatidos aos dois anos de idade. Foram utilizados 80 novilhos 3/4 Nelore (N) 1/4 Charolês (C) e 136 novilhos 3/4 C 1/4 N. Os dados foram coletados de setembro de 1986 a dezembro de 1998. O modelo estatístico utilizado incluiu os efeitos classificatórios de grupo contemporâneo, idade da vaca e composição racial, bem como o efeito da idade do animal ao abate como covariável. Os novilhos 3/4 C 1/4 N foram superiores em peso de fazenda (468 contra 448 kg), conformação de carcaça (11,3 contra 10,4 pontos), porcentagem de músculo (66,9 contra 64,8%), área de Longissimus dorsi (69,5 contra 64,7 cm²), área de Longissimus dorsi ajustada para o peso de carcaça fria (27,9 contra 26,6 cm²), comprimento de carcaça (126 contra 123 cm), perímetro de braço (36,5 contra 35,4 cm) e maciez da carne (6,50 contra 5,20 pontos), enquanto os 3/4 N 1/4 C apresentaram maiores rendimento de carcaça (54,6 contra 53,7%), comprimento de perna (74,0 contra 72,0 cm) e de braço (41,5 contra 39,7 cm), espessura de gordura subcutânea (3,29 contra 2,70 mm) e porcentagem de gordura na carcaça (19,5 contra 17,8%). Não foi verificada diferença significativa para peso de carcaça fria, cor, textura, marmoreio, palatabilidade e suculência da carne.

The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the carcass and meat characteristics of two year old steers, produced by the mating of 1/2 Nellore 1/2 Charolais cows with Charolais bulls and by mating 1/2 Charolais 1/2 Nellore cows with Nellore bulls. Eighty 3/4 Nellore 1/4 Charolais (NC) and 136 3/4 Charolais 1/4 Nellore steers were used. The data were collected from September 1986 to December 1998. In the statistical model were included the contemporary group effect, age of dam at calving and genetic group as class variable and age of steer in days at slaughter as covariable. 3/4 C 1/4 N steers were heavier in slaughter weight (468 vs. 448 kg), carcass conformation (11.3 vs. 10.4 points), muscle percentage (66.9 vs. 64.7%), Longissimus dorsi area (69.5 vs. 64.7 cm²), Longissimus dorsi area adjusted for 100 kg of cold carcass weight (27.9 vs. 26.6 cm²), carcass length (126 vs. 123 cm), arm perimeter (36.5 vs. 35.4 cm) and meat tenderness (6.50 vs. 5.20 points), while 3/4 N 1/4 C steers showed higher dressing percentage (54.6 vs. 53.7%), leg length (74.0 vs. 72.0 cm), arm length (41.5 vs. 39.7 cm), subcutaneous fat thickness (3.29 vs. 2.70 mm) and fat percentage (19.5 vs. 17.8%). No significant difference was observed for cold carcass weight, meat color, texture, marbling, flavor and juiciness.