Effect of hydroxyurea on G gamma chain fetal hemoglobin synthesis by sickle-cell disease patients

Hydroxyurea is used for sickle-cell disease patients in order to increase fetal hemoglobin synthesis and consequently decrease the severity of pain episodes. Fetal hemoglobin, which is formed by gamma-globin chains A and G, is present in a constant composition throughout fetal development: about 75% of Ggamma and 25% of Agamma. In contrast, adult red cells contain about 40% of Ggamma and 60% of Agamma. In the present study, we analyzed the effect of hydroxyurea induction on the gamma chain composition of fetal hemoglobin in 31 sickle-cell disease patients treated with hydroxyurea. The control group was composed of 30 sickle-cell disease patients not treated with hydroxyurea in clinical steady state. The patients were older than 13 years and were not matched for age. All patients were seen at Hemocentro/UNICAMP and Boldrini Infantile Center, Campinas, SP, Brazil. The levels of total hemoglobin were significantly higher in patients treated with hydroxyurea (mean ± SD, 9.6 ± 2.16 g/dl) than in untreated patients (8.07 ± 0.91 g/dl). Fetal hemoglobin levels were also higher in treated patients (14.16 ± 8.31%) than in untreated patients (8.8 ± 4.09%), as was the Ggamma/Agamma ratio (1.45 ± 0.78 vs 0.98 ± 0.4, P < 0.005). The increase in the Ggamma/Agamma ratio in patients treated with hydroxyurea suggests the prevalence of a pattern of fetal hemoglobin synthesis, whereas patients not treated with hydroxyurea maintain the adult pattern of fetal hemoglobin synthesis. Because no correlation was observed between the Ggamma/Agamma ratio and total hemoglobin or fetal hemoglobin levels, the increase in Ggamma chain synthesis may not imply a higher production of hemoglobin.

Food consumption by young adults living in Ribeirão Preto, SP, 2002/2004

There is evidence showing a close relationship between diet and the occurrence of non-communicable chronic diseases. The present study assessed food consumption in a 2002/2004 cohort of young adults born in 1978/79 in Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. The composition of the habitual diet consumed by a sample of 2063 individuals aged 23-25 years was analyzed using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire based on studies of prevention of non-communicable chronic diseases. The Dietsys software was used for dietary calculations. In terms of WHO/2003 recommendations, there was a high mean daily consumption of energy from fat (consumption: 35.4%; recommendation: 15-30%), a low mean intake of energy from carbohydrates (47.5%; 55-75%) and a low mean consumption of total fibers (15.2 g; >25 g). Mean intake of energy from fatty acids (10%; <10%) and protein (15.6%; 10-15%) was within recommended limits. When compared to the recommendations of the food pyramid adapted to the Brazilian population, adequate intake was observed only regarding the meat group (consumption: 1.9 portions; recommended: 1-2). There was a low consumption of vegetables (2.9; 4-5), fruits (1.2; 3-5), breads (3.6; 6-9), and dairy products (1.7; 3), with excessive fat and sugar intake (5.7; 1-2). We conclude that the inadequate food consumption observed in this young population may be associated with the development of excess weight and may contribute to the triggering of non-communicable chronic diseases.

In vitro larvicidal activity of geraniol and citronellal against Contracaecum sp (Nematoda: Anisakidae)

Human infection with fish parasites can result from the ingestion of incompletely cooked or raw fish, giving origin to parasitic diseases such as anisakiasis, caused by parasites of the Anisakidae family. The present study assessed the in vitro larvicidal effect of two monoterpene compounds, geraniol and citronellal, against Contracaecum sp (Nematoda: Anisakidae). Four hundred live larvae of Contracaecum sp obtained from "traíra" fish (Hoplias malabaricus, Bloch, 1974) were analyzed on 40 Petri dishes (10 larvae each) with the compounds to be tested. The final concentrations tested for each compound were 250, 125, 62.5, and 31.2 µg/mL and the evaluation was carried out at five different times (2, 4, 8, 24, and 48 h). The larvicidal action of geraniol and citronellal was statistically superior (P < 0.005) to the control (1% ethanol) at concentrations of 250 and 31.2 µg/mL (geraniol) and 250, 125, and 62.5 μg/mL (citronellal). However, no larvicidal activity was observed at concentrations of 125 and 62.5 µg/mL for geraniol and 31.2 µg/mL for citronellal. When the larvicidal action of geraniol was compared to that of citronellal, the former was found to be statistically superior (P < 0.05) to the latter at concentrations of 250 and 31.2 μg/mL. On the other hand, citronellal was statistically superior (P < 0.005) to geraniol at concentrations of 125 and 62.5 μg/mL. The larval mortality rate in terms of time (hours) was higher for geraniol with the passing of time at the 250 μg/mL concentration. At this concentration (in 48 h) the best larvicidal effect was observed with 90% lethality. The larvae were considered to be dead using no motility and loss of structural integrity as parameters. The data indicate that natural terpene compounds should be more explored for antihelminthic activity and can be useful for other studies about anisakiasis treatment.

In vitro and in vivo antitumor activity of crude extracts obtained from Brazilian Chromobacterium sp isolates

Natural products produced by microorganisms have been an important source of new substances and lead compounds for the pharmaceutical industry. Chromobacterium violaceum is a Gram-negative β-proteobacterium, abundant in water and soil in tropical and subtropical regions and it produces violacein, a pigment that has shown great pharmaceutical potential. Crude extracts of five Brazilian isolates of Chromobacterium sp (0.25, 2.5, 25, and 250 µg/mL) were evaluated in an in vitro antitumor activity assay with nine human tumor cells. Secondary metabolic profiles were analyzed by liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry resulting in the identification of violacein in all extracts, whereas FK228 was detected only in EtCE 308 and EtCE 592 extracts. AcCE and EtCE 310 extracts showed selectivity for NCI/ADR-RES cells in the in vitro assay and were evaluated in vivo in the solid Ehrlich tumor model, resulting in 50.3 and 54.6% growth inhibition, respectively. The crude extracts of Chromobacterium sp isolates showed potential and selective antitumor activities for certain human tumor cells, making them a potential source of lead compounds. Furthermore, the results suggest that other compounds, in addition to violacein, deoxyviolacein and FK228, may be involved in the antitumor effect observed.

SURVEY OF DEOXYNIVALENOL, DIACETOXYSCIRPENOL, AND T2 TOXIN IN POPCORN HYBRIDS PLANTED IN THE STATE OF SÃO PAULO AND IN POPCORN COMMERCIALIZED IN THE CITY OF CAMPINAS, SP

The incidence of the trichothecenes deoxynivalenol (DON), diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), and T2 toxin (T2) in popcorn was investigated in 90 samples, belonging to 2 commercial and 28 experimental hybrids planted at experimental stations of the Agronomic Institute of Campinas at the locations of Campinas, Mococa, and Capão Bonito, and in 15 samples of popcorn, 9 branded and 6 unbranded, acquired from commercial outlets in the city of Campinas, SP. The samples were analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector combined with an alumina:carbon cleanup column. The detection limits were 30ng/g for DON, 50ng/g for DAS, and 40ng/g for T2. Five samples were contaminated with DON, four of them commercial and one from an experimental cultivar. The level of contamination in the commercial samples ranged from 30 to 40ng/g. The sample from the experimental cultivar contained 770ng/g DON. DAS and T2 were not detected in any of the popcorn samples analyzed.

Pesquisa de Salmonella sp., Listeria sp. e microrganismos indicadores higiênico-sanitários em queijos produzidos no estado do Rio Grande do Norte

O objetivo do trabalho foi verificar a qualidade higiênico-sanitária de amostras de queijo de coalho (11 amostras) e de queijo de manteiga (13 amostras) produzidas no Estado do Rio Grande do Norte. Todas as amostras de queijo de coalho apresentaram coliformes totais, das quais 36,4% continham coliformes fecais, entre 3 a 7NMP/g , com confirmação de Escherichia coli. Em relação ao queijo de manteiga, 84,6% das amostras também apresentaram coliformes totais, 15,4%, coliformes fecais, com confirmação de E. coli em 7,7%. A contagem de bolores e leveduras variou de 1,9 x 10(4) a 4,8 x 10(8) UFC/g nas amostras queijo de coalho e de 1,5 x 10(4) a 2,8 x 10(8) UFC/g nas amostras de queijo de manteiga. Estafilococos coagulase positiva foi observado em 72,7% das amostras de queijo de coalho e 84,7% das amostras de queijo de manteiga, com contagens variando de 7,0 x 10(4) a 1,3 x 10(8) UFC/g e 2,4 x 10² a 8,6 x 10(6) UFC/g, respectivamente. Salmonella foi detectada em 9% das amostras de queijo de coalho e em 15% das de queijo de manteiga. Listeria sp. foi constatada em 9% e 15% das amostras de queijos coalho e manteiga, respectivamente. A elevada população de bolores e leveduras observada em ambos os queijos indicou deficiência nos procedimentos de higiene e sanitização e os caracterizam como produto em condições higiênicas insatisfatórias. Os queijos de coalho e de manteiga oriundos das seis microrregiões do Rio Grande do Norte envolvidas no estudo não apresentaram segurança alimentar, visto que a maioria continha estafilococos coagulase positiva. A presença de Salmonella classificou os produtos como sendo impróprios ao consumo humano.

Estabilidade físico-química e mercado do mexilhão (Perna perna) cultivado em Ubatuba - SP

O presente estudo objetivou caracterizar o mexilhão Perna perna como alimento no que se refere à estabilidade físico-química, valor nutricional e consumo. Os mexilhões avaliados foram coletados em três regiões distintas do litoral norte de São Paulo: praia da Barra Seca, praia do Engenho da Almada e costão do Cedro. Determinou-se a composição centesimal (umidade, proteína bruta, carboidrato, lipídios e cinza), o valor calórico, o pH e as bases voláteis nitrogenadas totais. Paralelamente foi realizado estudo de mercado, através de questionários não estruturados, aplicados aos comerciantes e consumidores locais. Detectou-se variação dos constituintes químicos dos mexilhões em função da sazonalidade, bem como, do local de origem destes. Estes constituem uma fonte protéica (9,1 g.100 g-1), com baixo teor lipídico (1,1 g.100 g-1) e calórico (72,7 Kcal.100 g-1). Apresentaram uma estabilidade físico-química de 4 dias, sob temperatura de 10 °C (±1), conforme aferido pelos resultados apresentados, que não se correlacionaram entre si. No geral, os estabelecimentos comerciais apontaram uma preferência pela aquisição do mexilhão sem as conchas e uma maior demanda do produto preparado na forma de vinagrete. Foi diagnosticado o desconhecimento do produto pelos consumidores e conseqüente necessidade de marketing visando sua promoção.

Volatile profile of the headspace fraction of "assa-peixe" (Vernonia sp.) honeys

The volatile compounds were isolated from the headspace fraction of "assa-peixe" honeys by adsorptive column chromatography, eluted with acetone and analysed by GC-FID and GC-MS. Volatile compounds were separated using a polar phase column. Low- and medium-boiling point volatile compounds predominated in the headspace. A large proportion of 3-penten-2-one (80.5 &plusmn; 13.9 µg.kg-1) and benzaldehyde (25.9 &plusmn; 4.2 µg.kg-1) was found in the headspace fraction, while 2-penten-1-ol, 3-hexenyl butanoate, octadecane and hexanoic acid (<0.01 µg.kg-1) were by far the less abundant volatile compounds. A total of 12 volatile compounds were identified and, among them, 5 compounds were reported as "assa-peixe" honey constituents for the first time. Of the 5 new volatile compounds reported, 3-penten-2-one, dodecane, tridecane and benzaldehyde were definitively identified in the headspace fraction of Brazilian "assa-peixe" honeys.

Otimização das condições de cultivo para a produção de amilases pelo termofílico Bacillus sp. e hidrólise de amidos pela ação da enzima

A otimização das condições de cultivo para a produção de α-amilase por um termofílico Bacillus sp. cepa SMIA-2 foi realizada. Além disso, a hidrólise enzimática do amido, proveniente de várias fontes tais como batata, mandioca e milho, foi também investigada. A produção de α-amilase por Bacillus sp. SMIA-2, cultivado em meio líquido contendo amido (5 g.L-1) como fonte de carbono e suplementado com 0,5 g.L-1 de proteínas do soro de leite e 2 g.L-1 de peptona, alcançou o máximo em 32 horas com níveis de 37 U.mL-1. O microrganismo foi capaz de utilizar diversas fontes de carbono, porém a atividade da amilase variou com cada fonte. O amido foi a melhor fonte de carbono para a secreção da amilase, enquanto a sacarose, lactose, maltose, galactose e glicose não foram muito efetivas. Uma redução na concentração de amido de até 2,5 g.L-1 no meio de cultura melhorou o crescimento do organismo e a atividade enzimática. Em altas concentrações de amido, a produção da enzima foi comparativamente menor. Em relação às fontes de nitrogênio orgânico e inorgânico, a peptona (2 g.L-1) foi considerada a melhor. Considerando a quantidade de proteínas do soro de leite no meio de cultivo, a concentração de 0,25 g.L-1 foi considerada a mais efetiva para a secreção da α-amilase pelo microrganismo. A produção máxima da atividade enzimática foi observada a 50 °C e pH 8,5. A enzima foi capaz de degradar todos os amidos testados. A hidrólise do amido de batata resultou num alto rendimento de açúcares redutores em comparação às outras fontes de amido. Amido solúvel e amido de mandioca ocuparam, respectivamente, a segunda e terceira posição em relação à liberação dos açúcares redutores, enquanto que a amilase estudada mostrou apenas uma ligeira afinidade pelo amido de milho. Com o aumento da temperatura da reação para 70 °C, a hidrólise dos substratos, com exceção do amido solúvel, resultou em maiores quantidades de açúcares redutores.

Physico-chemical characterization and bioactive compounds of blackberry fruits (Rubus sp.) grown in Brazil

Five blackberry cultivars (Rubus sp.) were evaluated for antioxidant capacity, bioactive compounds and composition. Ascorbic acid levels, consisting of dehydro-ascorbic acid, ranged from 9.8 to 21.4 mg.100 g-1 fresh weight. Cyanidin (66 to 80% of total flavonoids), epicatechin, quercetin and traces of kaempferol were the main flavonoids found in all cultivars. The five cultivars presented high antioxidant capacity in the β-carotene/linoleic acid system, with inhibition similar to the synthetic antioxidant BHT, at a 50 µM concentration. Caingangue cultivar presented high vitamin C and total phenolics content, while Guarani had the highest cyanidin, total anthocyanin and total flavonoids levels and also the highest antioxidant capacity. These cultivars also presented good TSS/TA ratios. From the data, at a quantitative level, blackberry can be considered a good source of bioactive compounds, as well as potentially beneficial to human health.

In vitro protein digestibility of enzymatically pre-treated bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) flour using commercial protease and Bacillus sp. protease

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a staple food in the Brazilian diet and represents the major source of dietary protein and other micronutrients and minerals. Despite the considerable protein concentration in beans, the food is considered of low biological value when compared to animal proteins and other plant protein sources. To improve the availability of protein in beans, enzymatic treatments were performed in four cultivars (ON, OPNS, TAL and VC3). The approach was a completely randomized design with four replicates. We used a 4 × 3 factorial arrangement (four cultivars and three treatments: treatment 1-addition of commercial protease (Trypsin 250, Difco), treatment 2-addition of protease from Bacillus sp., and treatment 3:-control without enzyme addition). The enzyme: substrate ratio was 5% w/w (amount of enzyme per total protein in bean flour). The approach was a completely randomized design with four replicates. A 4 × 3 factorial arrangement (four cultivars and three treatments, the same as those mentioned above) was used. The concentration of total protein (g.100 g-1 of dry matter) in the samples ranged from 16.94 to 18.06%, while the concentration of total phenolics was between 0.78 and 1.12% (g Eq. tannic acid.100 g-1 dry matter). The in vitro protein digestibility of enzymatically untreated bean flour (control) ranged from 47.30 to 56.17% based on the digestibility of casein. Concentrations of P, K, Ca, Mg, and Zn observed in the four cultivars tested were within the average values available in the literature. Treatment 2 with protease from Bacillus sp. induced decreases in the levels of Cu and Mn. The average Fe content increased in all bean flour samples when treated with proteases, reaching a maximum increase of 102% in the TAL flour treated with protease from Bacillus sp. The digestibility of all beans tested was significantly increased (p < 0.05) after the enzyme treatment. The greatest change was observed in the OPNS cultivar treated with protease from Bacillus sp., which increased its digestibility from 54.4% (control treatment) to 81.6%.

Estudo prospectivo de 2151 pacientes com doença renal crônica em tratamento conservador com abordagem multidisciplinar no Vale do Paraíba, SP

INTRODUÇÃO: A doença renal crônica (DRC) é uma enfermidade grave, comum e tratável, cuja detecção envolve exames de baixo custo. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito de uma intervenção multidisciplinar (nefrologista, assistente social, enfermeira, nutricionista e psicóloga) em parâmetros clínicos e laboratoriais de pacientes com DRC. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo de 2.151 pacientes atendidos no Centro Estadual de Doenças Renais do Vale do Paraíba, SP, de fevereiro de 2008 a março de 2011. A função renal foi avaliada no início e ao final do seguimento por testes de albuminúria e taxa de filtração glomerular estimada (TFGe) pela fórmula do MDRD. Os desfechos clínicos foram: ocorrência de eventos cardiovasculares (ECV), episódios de hospitalização, necessidade de terapia renal substitutiva (TRS) e óbito. RESULTADOS: A idade média foi 62 anos (variação: 14 a 101), com acompanhamento médio de 546 dias (variação: 90 a 1540), havendo predomínio do estagio três da DRC (59%). Os diagnósticos de base mais comuns foram: hipertensão arterial (41,2%) e diabetes (32,4%). A média da pressão arterial antes e ao final do seguimento foi de 143 ± 26 mmHg x 87 ± 14 mmHg e 123 ± 16 mmHg x 79 ± 9 mmHg, respectivamente (p < 0,001); a TFGe reduziu de 58,5 ± 31 ml/min para 56,3 ± 23 ml/min (p < 0,01). A proteinúria caiu de 1,04 ± 1,44 g/dia para 0,61 ± 1,12 g/dia (p < 0,001); e a glicemia de jejum de 137 ± 73 mg/dl para 116 ± 42 mg/dl. Cento e vinte e dois pacientes (5,7%) apresentaram eventos cardiovasculares, a taxa geral de hospitalizações foi de 6,6% (n = 143 pacientes), foram observados 156 (7,3%) óbitos e 23 (1,1%) pacientes evoluíram para TRS. O risco de ECV, hospitalização e óbito aumentou de forma inversa à TFGe, mas são considerados baixos quando comparados à literatura internacional. CONCLUSÕES: A intervenção multidisciplinar com metas bem definidas é efetiva para preservação da função renal e redução da morbidade e mortalidade de pacientes com DRC.

Prevalencia de microorganismos lactobacillus SP en lesiones cariosas grado 3 de pacientes de 2 a 5 años que acuden al Posgrado de Odontología Infantil de la UANL.

Tesis (Maestría en Ciencias Odontológicas con Especialidad en Odontopedriatría) UANL, 2011.

Pigment production by marine Serratia sp. BTWJ8

The marine microorganisms are yet to be exploited as a source of natural pigments for probable utilization in various industries. Hence, in this study focus was made only on pigment producing marine bacteria for pigment production and evaluation of the same for some application besides development of an ideal bioprocess for subsequent indigenous production of the pigment using the same organism towards ultimate industrial application.

Physicochemical and molecular characterization of bacteriophages ΦSP-1 and ΦSP-3, specific for pathogenic Salmonella and evaluation of their potential as biocontrol agent

This thesis entitled Physicochemical and molecular characterization of bacteriophages ΦSP-1and ΦSP-3, specific for pathogenic Salmonella and evaluation of their potential as biocontrol agent . Salmonella were screened using standard methodologies from various environmental samples including chicken caecum. Salmonella strains, which were previously isolated and stocked in the lab, were also included in this study as host, for screening Salmonella specific lytic phages. The Salmonella strain in this study designated as S49 which helped in phage propagation by acting as host bacteria was identified as Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica by 16S rRNA gene analysis and serotyping . A total of three Salmonella specific phage named as ΦSP-1, ΦSP-2 and ΦSP-3 were isolated from chicken intestine samples via an enrichment protocol employing the double agar overlay method. ΦSP-1 and ΦSP-3 showing consistent lytic nature were selected for further study and were purified by repeated plating after picking of single isolated plaques from the lawns of Salmonella S49 plates. Both the phages produced small, clear plaques indicating their lytic nature. ΦSP-1 and ΦSP-3 were concentrated employing PEG-NaCl precipitation method before further characterization. The focus of present study was to isolate, characterize and verify the efficacy of lytic bacteriophages against the robust pathogen Salmonella, capable of surviving under various hostile conditions. Two phages, ΦSP-1 and ΦSP-3, belonging to two families, Podovoridae and Siphoviridae were isolated.