RESUMO OBJETIVOS A pandemia da COVID-19 é um problema de saúde pública emergente e que tem repercussão internacional. As alterações inflamatórias fazem parte da fisiopatologia da COVID-19 e isso pode acarretar um maior risco tromboembólico em mulheres que fazem uso de contracepção e terapia hormonal da menopausa. Discutimos os principais aspectos relacionados a esse risco e propomos uma estratégia de seguimento das mulheres acometidas da COVID-19. MÉTODOS Esta revisão narrativa coletou informações de vários artigos publicados desde o início da pandemia do novo coronavírus, no que tange à sua fisiopatologia, estágios da doença e ocorrência de eventos trombóticos, bem como sobre o risco de tromboembolismo venoso em usuárias de contracepção e terapia hormonal da menopausa. RESULTADOS Este artigo consolida alguns parâmetros clínicos sobre o risco de tromboembolismo em usuárias de contracepção e terapia hormonal na menopausa, enfatizando o provável aumento desse risco em mulheres com suspeita ou confirmação do novo coronavírus, e traz uma recomendação de uma conduta mais segura. CONCLUSÃO Nesse cenário, além das fundamentais orientações de medidas preventivas, como o isolamento social e a higiene, é importante que os profissionais que trabalham na atenção à saúde feminina tenham conhecimentos da nova realidade e adotem condutas seguras, especialmente na prescrição de THM e contracepção.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a public health emergency of international concern. Inflammatory changes are part of COVID-19 pathophysiology and this might generate a higher thromboembolic risk in patients using combined hormonal contraception and menopausal hormone therapy. We aimed to discuss the main aspects related to this issue and propose management strategies for women affected by COVID-19. METHODS This narrative review collected information from several articles published since the beginning of the outbreak of the new coronavirus disease about the pathophysiology, stage of the disease, the occurrence of thrombotic events, and the risk of thromboembolism in users of contraception and hormonal therapy. RESULTS This article consolidates clinical parameters about the risk of venous thromboembolism in users of contraception and menopausal hormone therapy emphasizing the probable increase of that risk in women with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and bringing safer recommendations. CONCLUSIONS In this scenario, apart from the fundamental orientations of preventive measures, like social isolation and hygiene, it is important that all female health professionals have knowledge of the new rules and adopt safety measures, especially on the prescription of hormonal therapy and contraception.

Abstract The high costs and environmental concerns associated with using marine resources as sources of oils rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids have prompted searches for alternative sources of such oils. Some microorganisms, among them members of the genus Aurantiochytrium, can synthesize large amounts of these biocompounds. However, various parameters that affect the polyunsaturated fatty acids production of these organisms, such as the carbon and nitrogen sources supplied during their cultivation, require further elucidation. The objective of this investigation was to study the effect of different concentrations of carbon and total nitrogen on the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid, by Aurantiochytrium sp. ATCC PRA-276. We performed batch system experiments using an initial glucose concentration of 30 g/L and three different concentrations of total nitrogen, including 3.0, 0.44, and 0.22 g/L, and fed-batch system experiments in which 0.14 g/L of glucose and 0.0014 g/L of total nitrogen were supplied hourly. To assess the effects of these different treatments, we determined the biomass, glucose, total nitrogen and polyunsaturated fatty acids concentration. The maximum cell concentration (23.9 g/L) was obtained after 96 h of cultivation in the batch system using initial concentrations of 0.22 g/L total nitrogen and 30 g/L glucose. Under these conditions, we observed the highest level of polyunsaturated fatty acids production (3.6 g/L), with docosahexaenoic acid and docosapentaenoic acid ω6 concentrations reaching 2.54 and 0.80 g/L, respectively.

Background/Aims: to examine the relationship between the antioxidant potential and severity parameters of cirrhosis in humans. Methods: fifteen patients with hepatic cirrhosis (nine subjects - Child group B, and six subjects - Child group C) and nine control subjects were enrolled in the study. The main criteria taken into account to characterize the diagnosis of cirrhosis and its complications were the AST: ALT ratio, AST to platelet ratio index, Bonacini score, Meld score and Child classification. Those parameters were determined based on laboratory results and patient's clinical records. Se, Zn, ascorbic acid (AA) levels and oxidative stress parameters were measured in blood samples of cirrhotic patients. Results: the analysis of plasma levels of Se and AA showed low concentrations in cirrhotic patients compared with control subjects (P < 0.05). Though, there was a positive correlation between plasma of Se and severity parameters of cirrhosis in patients of Child group B and C. In the activity of the antioxidant enzymes only catalase was lower in patients of Child group C compared with control group. Conclusion: we found low plasma levels of Se and AA among cirrhotic patients. However, is not clear why selenium levels tend to increase with the severity of liver cirrhosis.

Introducción/Objetivos: examinar la relación entre los potenciales antioxidantes y los parámetros de gravedad de la cirrosis en los seres humanos. Métodos: quince pacientes con cirrosis hepática (nueve sujetos - grupo Child B, y seis sujetos - grupo Child C) y nueve sujetos control fueron incluidos en el estudio. Los principales criterios que se tuvieron en cuenta para caracterizar el diagnóstico de la cirrosis y sus complicaciones fueron la AST: relación de ALT, AST índice de la relación de plaquetas, clasificación Bonacini, clasificación MELD y clasificación de Child. Estos parámetros fueron determinados con base en los resultados de laboratorio y los registros clínicos del paciente. Se midieron los niveles de Zn, ácido ascórbico (AA) y los parámetros de estrés oxidativo en muestras de sangre de pacientes cirróticos. Resultados: el análisis de los niveles plasmáticos de Se y AA mostraron bajas concentraciones en los pacientes cirróticos en comparación con los sujetos control (P < 0,05); sin embargo, hubo una correlación positiva entre el plasma de Se y los parámetros de gravedad de la cirrosis en pacientes del grupo Child B y C. En la actividad de las enzimas antioxidantes catalasa solamente fue menor en los pacientes del grupo Child C, en comparación con el grupo control. Conclusión: se encontraron niveles bajos en plasma de Se y AA en pacientes cirróticos. Sin embargo, no está claro por qué los niveles de selenio tienden a aumentar con la gravedad de la cirrosis hepática.

Este estudo teve por objetivo mapear QTL (quantitative trait loci) utilizando combinações lineares de características de interesse econômico em Gallus gallus. Foram estudadas 350 aves F2 oriundas de um cruzamento inicial entre machos de uma linhagem de corte (TT) e fêmeas de uma linhagem de postura (CC). Foi conduzido mapeamento de QTL nos cromossomos Gallus gallus (GGA1, GGA3, GGA5, GGA8, GGA11 e GGA13), para 20 características de desempenho e de carcaça. Para detectar QTL foi utilizado o teste da razão de verossimilhanças entre um modelo reduzido (incluindo efeitos fixos de sexo, incubação e o efeito aleatório de valor genético infinitesimal) e um completo (incluindo todos os efeitos anteriores mais os efeitos de QTL). Ao analisar as características originais, ou seja, antes da formação das combinações lineares, foram mapeados seis QTLs significativos a 1% no genoma, quatro no GGA1 (peso vivo aos 35 dias, peso vivo aos 42 dias, gordura abdominal e peso do coração) e dois no GGA3 (peso vivo aos 35 e aos 42 dias de idade); três QTLs significativos a 5% no genoma, sendo um no GGA1 (peso da cabeça), um no GGA3 (peso das asas), e um no GGA8 (peso da moela); além de sete ligações sugestivas para diversas características. Ao mapear QTLs para os componentes principais, foram confirmados vários QTLs mapeados para as características originais, além de encontrar três QTLs e oito ligações sugestivas não mapeadas para as características originais.

This study aimed at mapping QTL (quantitative trait loci) using linear combinations of characteristics of economical interest in Gallus gallus. A total of 350 F2 chickens from an initial crossing among males from a broiler line (TT) with females from a layer line (CC) were used. It was conducted a QTL mapping in chromosomes of Gallus gallus (GGA1, GGA3, GGA5, GGA8, GGA11, and GGA13) for 20 performance and carcass traits. For detecting QTL, it was used the likelihood ratio test between a reduced model (including fixed effects of sex, hatch and random effect of infinitesimal genetic value) and a full model (including all the previous effects plus QTL effects). When original characterists were analyzed, that is, before the formation of linear combinations, six significant QTLs were mapped at 1% in the genome, four in the GGA1 (live weight at 35 days of age and at 42 days of age, abdominal fat and heart weight); and two on GGA3 (live weight at 35 and 42 days of age); three significant QTLs at 5% in the genome, one on GGA1 (head weight), one on GGA3 (wings weight), and one on GGA8 (gizzard weight); besides seven suggestive linkages for several traits. When QTLs were mapped for principal components, many mapped QTLs were confirmed for original traits, in addition to finding three QTLs and eight suggestive linkages not mapped for the original traits.

Em aveia (Avena sativa L.), a utilização de técnicas que minimizem os efeitos de ambiente na expressão do fenótipo e que facilitem a identificação de genótipos de superior rendimento de grãos, baixa estatura e tolerantes ao alumínio tóxico são aspectos de fundamental importância para o desenvolvimento de cultivares mais promissores e com adaptabilidade a áreas consideradas marginais. Desta forma, genótipos selecionados pelo método colméia de condução de populações segregantes, em três diferentes cruzamentos, foram submetidos a testes simultâneos para tolerância ao alumínio tóxico (Al+3) e insensibilidade ao ácido giberélico (AG3), objetivando a identificação de constituições genéticas superiores. A técnica utilizada possibilitou a seleção de plantas de alto potencial produtivo, menor estatura (insensíveis ao AG3) e mais tolerantes ao Al+3, podendo ser aplicada com sucesso em programas de melhoramento genético com a cultura da aveia hexaplóide cultivada.

In oat (Avena sativa L.) techniques that minimize environmental effects on the expression of phenotype and facilitate the identification of high yielding genotypes are useful. Short stature and tolerance to toxic aluminum are important for the development of cultivars with adaptability to marginal areas. Thus, genotypes selected by the honeycomb method, in three different crosses, were subjected to simultaneous tests for aluminum tolerance (Al+3) and insensibility to gibberelic acid (AG3), aiming the identification of superior genotypes. This technique enabled the selection of high yielding, short stature and Al+3 tolerant genotypes and could be applied in plant breeding programs involving cultivated hexaploid oat.

Calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) related molecules were purified from sardine hydrolysates prepared using 0.1% alcalase and two hours of hydrolysis. Gel exclusion chromatography and HPLC performed purification of these molecules. The purified molecules were characterised using specific CGRP radioimmunoassays and radioreceptoraasays. From 22 mg of crude extract, we obtained 14 µg of CGRP related molecules, the molecular weight determined by mass spectrophotometry was 6000 daltons. The biological activity of these molecules was analysed using the ability of CGRP to stimulate the adenylate cyclase activity in rat liver membranes. The purified molecules induced an inhibition of the CGRP stimulated adenylate cyclase activity, this effect was specific as no such effect was observed on the glucagon stimulated adenylate cyclase activity measured in the same rat liver membrane preparation. These results suggest that the purified molecules may act as antagonists for peptides that bind to CGRP receptors in rat liver membranes. These new antagonists may be of particular importance in various aspects of CGRP action in vertebrates. <A NAME="Article"></A>