Increased Reactive Oxygen Species and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Production by Monocytes are Associated with Elevated Levels of Uric Acid in Pre-Eclamptic Women

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Mutagenic and carcinogenic potential of a textile azo dye processing plant effluent that impacts a drinking water source

Recently a textile azo dye processing plant effluent was identified as one of the sources of mutagenic activity detected in the Cristais River, a drinking water source in Brazil [G.A. Umbuzeiro, D.A. Roubicek, C.M. Rech, M.I.Z. Sato, L.D. Claxton, Investigating the sources of the mutagenic activity found in a river using the Salmonella assay and different water extraction procedures, Chemosphere 54 (2004) 1589-1597]. Besides presenting high mutagenic activity in the Salmonella/microsome assay, the mutagenic nitro-aminoazobenzenes dyes CI Disperse Blue 373, Cl Disperse Violet 93, and CI Disperse Orange 37 [G.A. Umbuzeiro, H.S. Freeman, S.H. Warren, D.P Oliveira, Y. Terao, T. Watanabe, L.D. Claxton, the contribution of azo dyes in the mutagenic activity of the Cristais river, Chemosphere 60 (2005) 55-64] as well as benzidine, a known carcinogenic compound [T.M. Mazzo, A.A. Saczk, G.A. Umbuzeiro, M.V.B. Zanoni, Analysis of aromatic amines in surface waters receiving wastewater from textile industry by liquid chromatographic with eletrochemical detection, Anal. Lett., in press] were found in this effluent. After similar to 6 km from the discharge of this effluent, a drinking water treatment plant treats and distributes the water to a population of approximate 60,000. As shown previously, the mutagens in the DWTP intake water are not completely removed by the treatment. The water used for human consumption presented mutagenic activity related to nitro-aromatics and aromatic amines compounds probably derived from the cited textile processing plant effluent discharge [G.A. Umbuzeiro, D.A. Roubicek, C.M. Rech, M.I.Z.. Sato, L.D. Claxton, Investigating the sources of the mutagenic activity found in a river using the Salmonella assay and different water extraction procedures, Chemosphere 54 (2004) 1589-1597; G.A. Umbuzeiro, H.S. Freeman, S.H. Warren, D.P. Oliveira, Y. Terao, T. Watanabe, L.D. Claxton, the contribution of azo dyes in the multagenic activity of the Cristais river, Chemosphere 60 (2005) 55-64]. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the possible risks involved in the human consumption of this contaminated water. With that objective, one sample of the cited industrial effluent was tested for carcinogenicity in the aberrant crypt foci medium-term assay in colon of Wistar rats. The rats received the effluent in natura through drinking water at concentrations of 0.1%, 1%, and 10%. The effluent mutagenicity was also confirmed in the Salmonella/microsome assay with the strains TA98 and YG1041. There was an increased number of preneoplastic lesions in the colon of rats exposed to concentrations of 1% and 10% of the effluent, and a positive response for both Salmonella strains tested. These results indicate that the discharge of the effluent should be avoided in waters used for human consumption and show the sensitivity of the ACF crypt foci assay as an important tool to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of environmental complex mixtures. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Immunohistochemistry of small blue round cell tumors

Small blue round cell tumors (SBRCTs) are a set of malignancies that have a particular proclivity for the pediatric age group. These tumors are notoriously difficult to distinguish by histologic evaluation alone, and in recent years a number of new immunohistochemical markers have emerged that can aid in the correct categorization of these lesions. Myogenin, a muscle-restricted nuclear transcription factor, has been demonstrated to be a highly sensitive and specific marker of rhabdomyosarcoma, and is superior to previous markers such as myoglobin, muscle actins, and desmin. The FlI-1 gene product is expressed as part of the EWS/FLI-1 novel chimeric protein that results from the t(11;22)(q24;q12) translocation that occurs in approximately two-thirds of cases of PNET/Ewings sarcoma. Immunohistochemical detection of the FLI-1 gene product can thus complement detection of CD99/MIC2 for the positive identification of PNET/Ewings sarcoma. Markers of neuroblastoma include neural markers, such as chromogranin A, neurofilaments, and synaptophysin. Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a tumor with an unusual immunophenotype, including co-expression of cytokeratin, vimentin, and desmin; recent studies have also documented the use of antibodies to the WT-1 gene product as a marker of the chimeric EWS/WT-1 protein formed as a result of the t(11;22)(p13;q12) translocation that characterizes this unique tumor. In summary, there now exists a panel of antibodies defining immunohistochemical markers of individual SBRCTs that can identify rhabdomyosarcoma, PNET/Ewings sarcoma, neuroblastoma, and DSRCT with high sensitivity and specificity.

Comparison between procalcitonin and C-reactive protein for early diagnosis of children with sepsis or septic shock

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Treatment of experimental periodontal disease with antimicrobial photodynamic therapy in nicotine-modified rats

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Angiotensin II-derived reactive oxygen species underpinning the processing of the cardiovascular reflexes in the medulla oblongata

The brainstem is a major site in the central nervous system involved in the processing of the cardiovascular reflexes such as the baroreflex and the peripheral chemoreflex. The nucleus tractus solitarius and the rostral ventrolateral medulla are 2 important brainstem nuclei, and they play pivotal roles in autonomic cardiovascular regulation. Angiotensin II is one of the neurotransmitters involved in the processing of the cardiovascular reflexes within the brainstem. It is well-known that one of the mechanisms by which angiotensin II exerts its effect is via the activation of pathways that generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the central nervous system, ROS are reported to be involved in several pathological diseases such as hypertension, heart failure and sleep apnea. However, little is known about the role of ROS in the processing of the cardiovascular reflexes within the brainstem. The present review mainly discussed some recent findings documenting a role for ROS in the processing of the baroreflex and the peripheral chemoreflex in the brainstem.

Intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of esculetin and 4-methylesculetin in the trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid model of rat colitis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Use of forest fragments by blue-winged macaws (Primolius maracana) within a fragmented landscape

Parrots are the most threatened group of birds in the world, mainly because of the reduction and fragmentation of their natural habitats. However, few studies have investigated the dynamics of parrot populations in disturbed landscapes on a broad scale. In this paper, we studied the ecological interactions of the vulnerable blue-winged macaw (Primolius maracana) in a fragmented landscape surrounding a large protected park in southeastern Brazil. We sampled 36 forest fragments that varied in size, characteristics, degree of isolation and type of surrounding matrix in order to assess the importance of habitat features on the maintenance of these birds. Blue-winged macaws were recorded in 70% of the satellite remnants that were sampled, which included large and small blocks of forest. These areas were used as sites for feeding, nesting or overnight rests, and also provided connectivity for birds' displacements. However, the frequency of macaw visits varied among the remnants, and this was related to habitat features such as patch size, human use of surrounding land, and the proximity to the protected park, to urban areas and to the birds' roosting areas. In general, landscape-scale parameters explained more of the variation in the frequency of visits by macaws than did patch-scale parameters. These results demonstrate the importance of landscape mosaics for the survival of blue-winged macaws.

Cross-reactive IgE antibody responses to tropomyosins from Ascaris lumbricoides and cockroach

Background: Evidence indicates that infection with Ascaris lumbricoides may promote development of allergy and asthma.Objective: To study the role of tropomyosin, a pan-allergen in invertebrates, in IgE responses to A lumbricoides.Methods: Recombinant A lumbricoides and Periplaneta americana tropomyosins were expressed in Pichia pastoris. Levels of IgE to tropomyosins from A lumbricoides and P americana were determined by chimeric ELISA in sera from 119 children living in a parasite-endemic area and 112 patients with cockroach allergy from the allergy clinics. Presence of tropomyosin in A lumbricoides larvae at L3 stage was evaluated by immunofluorescence using mAb IA6, directed against mite tropomyosin. Molecular modeling of P americana and A lumbricoides tropomyosins was performed by using the MODELLER program.Results: A lumbricoides tropomyosin showed 69% to 98% sequence identity to tropomyosins from other invertebrates. The predicted structure of A lumbricoides tropomyosin was similar to that of P americana tropomyosin and showed the characteristic coiled-coil structure. Strong correlation was found for IgE antibodies to tropomyosins from A lumbricoides and P americana in sera from children living in a parasite-endemic area and from patients with cockroach allergy. Larvae of A lumbricoides reacted strongly with mAb IA6.Conclusion: Tropomyosin induces IgE responses in A lumbricoides-infected children and in patients allergic to cockroach.

Photoeletrolytic system applied to remazol red brilliant degradation

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Decolorization of textile dye by Candida albicans isolated from industrial effluents

The aim of the present work was to observe microbial decolorization and biodegradation of the Direct Violet 51 azo dye by Candida albicans isolated from industrial effluents and study the metabolites formed after degradation. C. albicans was used in the removal of the dye in order to further biosorption and biodegradation at different pH values in aqueous solutions. A comparative study of biodegradation analysis was carried out using UV-vis and FTIR spectroscopy, which revealed significant changes in peak positions when compared to the dye spectrum. Theses changes in dye structure appeared after 72 h at pH 2.50; after 240 h at pH 4.50; and after 280 h at pH 6.50, indicating the different by-products formed during the biodegradation process. Hence, the yeast C. albicans was able to remove the color substance, demonstrating a potential enzymatic capacity to modify the chemical structure of pigments found in industrial effluents.

Textile Dye Treated Photoelectrolytically and Monitored by Winogradsky Columns

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Platelet hyperaggregability in high-fat fed rats: A role for intraplatelet reactive-oxygen species production

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Ligninolytic activity from newly isolated basidiomycete strains and effect of these enzymes on the azo dye orange II decolourisation

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Ligninases production by Basidiomycetes strains on lignocellulosic agricultural residues and their application in the decolorization of synthetic dyes

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)