Influence of HLA-DRB-1 alleles on the production of antibody against CSP, MSP-1, AMA-1, and DBP in Brazilian individuals naturally infected with Plasmodium vivax

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

Renal excretion of zinc in normal individuals during zinc tolerance test and glucose tolerance test

The urinary excretion, renal clearance, and tubular reabsorption of zinc were investigated in 30 adult healthy subjects under basal conditions and during the zinc and glucose tolerance tests. After a 12h overnight fast, each subject was submitted to renal clearance of zinc. The procedures were performed between 8.00 and 12.00 a.m., after emptying the bladder and ingestion of 4 ml deionized water/kg body weight at 8.00 a.m. The first urine sample was collected at 10.00 a.m., and the second at 12.00 a.m. A dose of 110 mg ZnSO47H2O was administered orally to each subject, diluted in 20 ml deionized water, at time 0 min. Blood samples were collected from an antecubital vein at times -30, 0, and 30 min and at 30 min intervals up to 240 min. Glucose was administered intravenously (0.5 ml 50%/kg body weight) during the first 3 min of the test, and blood samples were collected from an unconstricted, contralateral, antecubital vein at times -30, 0, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, and 90 min. The results showed that urinary zinc excretion, and renal zinc clearance were significantly higher during the zinc and glucose tolerance tests than in the control condition. On the other hand, renal zinc clearance was more elevated during tile glucose tolerance test than during the zinc tolerance test. Variations in zinc tubular reabsorption and glomerular filtration rate were not detected. The results suggest that urinary excretion and renal clearance of zinc in healthy subjects increase during acute zinc ingestion and glucose infusion, Although zinc ingestion raised urinary zinc excretion, glucose infusion was more effective in increasing renal zinc clearance. These normal parameters are important in the investigation of diabetic patients with serum and urine zinc changes.

Structural characteristics of the superior venae cavae wall at the intrapericardium segment in adults and aging individuals

The authors admit that the conjunctive-muscular constitution of the walls of the superior venae cavae throughout the length of the intrapericardium segment and the debouchement in the right atrium, associated with the presence of a myocardium sheath can be made up of a functional device of sphincter form able to act on the control of the blood flow to the interior of the arterial chamber as well as stopping blood flow during the arterial systole. The fixation of the venous wall to the deep chamber of the serous pericardium, contributes to growth in resistance during the elevation of venous pressure, making possible the preservation of integrity of the superior venae cavae. The expansion of fasciculi of nodal fibers in the right wall of the superior venae cavae permits that the unlocked impulse in the S-A node also reaches the vascular wall contributing to the shortening and diminution in caliber of the vein.

Effects of food quality on growth and biochemical composition of a calanoid copepod, Argyrodiaptomus furcatus, and its importance as a natural food source for larvae of two tropical fishes

Growth, reproduction and biochemical composition were analyzed for the copepod Argyrodiaptomus furcatus fed on the alga Ankistrodesmus gracilis grown in different media. The ingestion of this copepod by larvae of two species of tropical fishes was also evaluated. The mean peak density of the copepod population was 1369 individuals 1-1 for all four diets used, and the highest was 1387 individuals 1-1 on diet ARV (algae + ration + vitamins). A small copepod, A. furcatus tends to have a short life span. The smallest females did not attain maturity in the shortest time on all diets used. Food quality may play a major role in the dynamics of the biochemical composition of this copepod. Argyrodiaptomus furcatus was a more important food item for larvae of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) than of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus). However, it made up a large part of the gut contents of larvae of both species.

Estimativa do tamanho das fêmeas com ovos de Moina minuta Hansen, 1899 (Cladocera, Crustacea) no lago Amapá, Rio Branco, Estado do Acre Brasil

Moina minuta, a tropical species of Cladocera, was selected for the study of medium size at maturity and female egg production, due to its abundance and frequency in samples during low-water season in 1997 and high-water season in 1998, in Amapá Lake, Western Amazônia. The primiparous female had a size of 330 μm and 340 μm in low and high water, respectively. Moina individuals reached maximum size during high water (595μm). The medium size of the ovigerous females, in low water was 501 μm, producing an average of 4.41 eggs/female, while in high water, it was 533μm, with an average egg production of 4.84 eggs/female. The results, analyzed by the t test and Fischer's F test, showed that there were no statistical differences in size among individuals (t= -10.69, F=1.20 and P>0.1227), nor among ovigerous females (t= -4.45, F=1.02 and P>0.8906), considering the two seasons.

Maturity degree of composts from municipal solid wastes evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in association with chemical analysis was applied to assess the maturity reached by the organic fraction of Municipal Solid Wastes (MSW) subjected to composting processes with manual and fixed aeration and sampled at different composting times. Thermograms showed that the difference in the treatments, i.e., the manual aeration and the fixed aeration, had no relevant effect on the stabilization and maturation of OM in the substrates. Common thermal effects observed were: a low temperature endotherm assigned to dehydration and/or loss of peripheral polysaccharides chains; a medium temperature exotherm assigned to loss of peptidic structures, and a high temperature exotherm assigned to oxydation and polycondensation of aromatic nuclei of the molecule. Results obtained suggest that in the experimental conditions used, a shorter time of composting (about 30 d) appears adequate, in order to limit the extended mineralization of OM, whereas a prolonged composting time (up to 132 d) would produce a compost of poor quality with high ash content and low OM content.

Use of carambola (Averrhoa carambola L. 'Fwang Tung') fruit at two stages of maturity for fresh-cut products

Carambola fruit ('Fwang Tung') were picked at two stages of maturity: mature-green (50% yellow) and mature (100% yellow). Fruit were washed with water, dipped in NaOCl solution (200 mg.L-1 for 5 minutes), and stored over night at 10°C. Fruit were sliced manually in to pieces of approximately 1 cm thickness. Slices were rinsed with NaOCl solution at 20 mg.L-1, drained for 3 minutes, and packaged in polyethylene tereftalate (PET) trays provided with a fit cover (Neoform® N94). Packages were stored at 6.5°C and 85% RH for 9 days, and samples taken every 3 days for physical, chemical and biochemical analysis, respiration, and internal atmosphere composition. Immediately after cutting, slices at both stages of maturity showed a wounding response with a 5-fold increase in respiration rate. Polygalacturonase (PG) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity did not differ between stages of maturity. Despite the less mature stage being less preferred at the sensory evaluation owing to its greenish peel, the best stage of maturity for carambola fresh-cut production was mature-green, due to a higher resistance to cutting, and presenting a better colour and appearance maintenance for up to 9 days.

Physiologic sexual maturity of the fiddler crab Uca rapax (Smith, 1870) (crustacea, ocypodidae) from two mangroves in Ubatuba, Brazil

The gonad development of Uca rapax was studied to achieve the size at onset of its sexual maturity. Crabs were sampled from April/2001 to March/2002 in the Itamambuca and Ubatumirim mangroves in Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil. The specimens were grouped in 10 size classes. Juveniles and adult crabs frequencies were assessed for each class. The size of carapace width in which 50% of males and females were considered mature was 14.8 and 12.1 mm (Itamambuca) and 13.6 and 11.4 mm (Ubatumirim), respectively for males and females. Males matured at higher sizes than females, probably due to a major investment in their somatic growth, while females spend their energy in the reproductive process, saving energy for eggs' production.

Cytokines profile and clinical-metabolic alterations in HIV-1-infected individuals with and without lypodistrophy

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has lead to a dramatic decrease in the morbidity of patients infected with HIV. However, metabolic side effects, including lipodystrophy and dyslipidemia, have been reported in patients treated with antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical and metabolic alterations and the cytokines TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-10 and TNF-II receptors profile in the serum of treated HIV-1-infected individuals with or without lipodystrophy. Eighty-four adult patients were analyzed, 42 females and 42 males, their mean age was 37 years old, and they received HAART for at least 15 months. These patients were ambulatory outpatients from the Infectious and Parasitary Disease Area of Botucatu School of Medicine, UNESP. Subsequently the individuals were distributed into 2 groups, G1: 42 HIV-infected individuals with lipodystrophy, and G2: 42 HIV-infected individuals without lipodystrophy. Among the antiretrovirals used, stavudine was more associated to the lipodystrophy group and zidovudine to the group without lipodystrophy. CD4, CD8, viral load, glucose, albumin, and the circulating lipid did not present any difference in the group comparison, except for triglyceride that was elevated in the lipodystrophy group and HDL which was present in low concentration in more patients of G1. The cytokines TNF-α, TNF-RII, and IL-10 profile presented high levels in the lipodystrophy group; also it was positively correlated with this group. On the other hand, IL-2 and IFN-γ presented low levels in this group. High levels of TNF-α and its receptor seem to be associated to the development of lipodystrophy in patients receiving HAART.

Cytokine profile and clinical metabolic alterations in HIV-1 infected individuals with and without lipodistrophy

The extensive use of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) has transformed HIV infection into a chronic condition. Thus, metabolic alterations including lipodystrophy and dyslipidemia have been associated with the use of such medications. The objective of the present study was to analyze clinical metabolic alterations and the profile of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-10, and TNF-α type II soluble receptor in serum of HIV-1 individuals with and without lipodystrophy. Eighty-four adults were evaluated, 42 males and 42 females, mean age 37 years, and HAART time of at least 15 months. Two groups were formed, G1: 42 individuals with lipodystrophy, and G2: 42 without lipodistropy. From the HAART used, stavudine was more associated with the lipodystrophy group and zidovudine with the non-lipodystrophy group. CD4 and CD8 values, viral load, glucose, albumin, and lipids were not different between groups, except for triglycerides, which were high in the lipodystrophy group, and HDL, whose concentration was reduced in G1. TNF-α, TNF-RII, and IL-10 profiles were high and had positive correlation; IL-2 and IFN-γ had reduced levels in the lipodystrophy group. High TNF-α and its receptor levels seem to be associated with lipodystrophy development in individuals under HAART therapy.

Clinical and nutritional profile of individuals with Chagas disease

Chagas disease (CD), caused by the protozoan Trypanossoma cruzi, affects approximately 18 million individuals in the Americas, 5 million of which five in Brazil. Most chronic sufferers have either the indeterminate form of the disease, without organic compromise, or the cardiac or digestive forms. Despite the importance of this disease, there is no information on the effect of nutrition on CD evolution. We evaluated the clinical-nutritional profile of individuals with CD treated at the Tropical Diseases Nutrition Out-Patient Clinic of the Botucatu School of Medicine, UNESP.A retrospective cohort study was performed between 2002 and 2006, on 66 patients with serum and parasitological diagnosis of CD. Epidemiological, clinical, nutritional, and biochemical data were collected, including gender, age, skin color, smoking, alcoholism, physical activity, weight, stature, body mass index, abdominal circumference, glycemia, and lipid profile. Fifty-three percent were mate and 47% female; 96% were white skinned. Mean age was 49.6±6.36 years. The predominant form was indeterminate in 71 %; smoking and drinking were recorded in 23% and 17%, respectively. Sedentariness predominated in 83%, and 55% presented increased abdominal circumference. Most, 94%, were overweight or obese. The biochemical exam revealed hyperglycemia in 12% and dyslipidemia in 74%. These findings suggest that the Chagas population presents co-morbidities and risk factors for developing chronic non-transmissible diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, making CD evolution even worse. © 2007 by The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Contexto Publishing. All rights reserved.

Cryptosporidium SP in HIV-infected individuals attending a Brazilian university hospital

The aim of the current work was to evaluate the occurrence of Cryptosporidium sp in AIDS patients in a region of São Paulo State, Brazil. Patients were divided into groups according to CD4+ T lymphocyte count and use of potent antiretroviral treatment. Two hundred and ten fecal samples from 105 patients were fixed in 10% formalin and subjected to centrifuge formol-ether sedimentation. Slides were stained with auramine and confirmed by modified Ziehl-Neelsen. Cryptosporidiosis occurrence was 10.5% with no relationship among gender, age or the presence of diarrhea. The number of oocysts in all samples was small, independent of CD4+ T lymphocyte count, HIV plasma viral load, and presence of diarrhea. These results may be due to the reduced prevalence of opportunistic infections in AIDS individuals after the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Physiological maturity of Cnidosculus quercifolius Pax & K. Hoffm. seeds

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

Relação peso-comprimento e fator de condição de Cichla kelberi (Perciformes, Cichlidae) introduzidos em um lago artificial no sudeste Brasileiro

The length-weight relationship and condition factor for Cichla kelberi introduced in an artificial lake in southeastern Brazil were analyzed. By studying separately the male, female and immature individuals, different length-weight patterns were found to happen among them. The same happened when distinct seasonal variations were compared. They are related to feeding alterations and me reproductive periods. The length-weight relationship and condition factor for these fishes vary in accordance with the time of introduction, population size, the characteristics of the ecosystem, sexual maturity, as well as the intra- and interspecific interactions.