Potential dietary sources of ellagic acid and other antioxidants among fruits consumed in Brazil: Jabuticaba (Myrciaria jaboticaba (Vell.) Berg)

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate the content of ellagic acid in fruits consumed by the Brazilian population, including native ones; (2) to further characterize rich sources in relation to ascorbic acid, phenolics contents and in vitro antioxidant capacity; and (3) to study the distribution and effect of ripening stage on ellagitannins content of jabuticaba (Myrciaria jaboticaba). The content of free ellagic acid and ellagic acid derivatives such as ellagitannins was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: Ellagic acid was detected in 10 out of a total of 35 fruits analyzed. The content of free ellagic acid in fruits varied from 0.0028 to 0.085 g kg(-1) (FW) and total ellagic acid varied from 0.215 to 3.11 g kg(-1) (FW). All the seven fruits belonging to the Myrtaceae family evaluated in this study presented high contents of ellagitannins in their composition, with jabuticaba, grumixama and cambuci (all native from Brazil) showing the highest total ellagic acid contents. Jabuticaba, the most consumed in Brazilamongthose and already adapted to commercial plantations, contained concentrated phenolics compounds, including ellagitannins, in the peel. Anthocyanins (cyanidin derivatives) increased significantly through ripening of jabuticaba and were not present in the pulp or seeds. Samples collected from three different locations during summer, winter and spring had total ellagic contents varying from 1.88 to 3.31 g kg(-1) (FW). The decrease in ellagic acid content with ripening was more accentuated for pulp (eight times) compared to seeds (2.3 times) and peel (2.0 times). CONCLUSION: These results showed the potential of jabuticaba as dietary source of ellagic acid and reinforced consumption of the whole fruit by the population. (C) 2011 Society of Chemical Industry

Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus isolates in milk and the milking environment from small-scale dairy farms of Sao Paulo, Brazil, using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis

This research aimed to evaluate the occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus isolates in milk and in the milking environment of 10 small-scale farms (<400 L/d) located in the regions of Franca and Ribeirao Preto, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Two-hundred twenty samples of milk were collected from individual cows, along with 120 samples from bulk tank milk, 389 samples from milking equipment and utensils (teat cups, buckets, and sieves), and 120 samples from milkers' hands. Fifty-six Staph. aureus strains were isolated from 849 analyzed samples (6.6%): 12 (5.5%) from milk samples of individual cows, 26 (21.7%) from samples of bulk tank milk, 14 (3.6%) from samples collected from equipment and utensils, and 4 (3.3%) from samples from milkers' hands. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis typing of the 56 Staph. aureus isolates by SmaI restriction enzyme resulted in 31 profiles (pulsotypes) arranged in 12 major clusters. Results of this study indicate a low incidence, but wide distribution of Staph. aureus strains isolated from raw milk collected from individual cows and surfaces of milkers' hands and milking equipment in the small-scale dairy farms evaluated. However, the high percentage of bulk milk samples found with Staph. aureus is of public health concern because raw, unprocessed milk is regularly consumed by the Brazilian population.

Region 8q24 Is a Susceptibility Locus for Nonsyndromic Oral Clefting in Brazil

BACKGROUND: Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate is a relatively common craniofacial defect with multifactorial inheritance. The association of the rs987525 single nucleotide variant, located in a gene desert at 8q24.21 region, has been consistently replicated in European populations. We performed a structured association approach combined with transcriptional analysis of the MYC gene to dissect the role of rs987525 in oral clefting susceptibility in the ethnically admixed Brazilian population. METHODS: We performed the association study conditioned on the individual ancestry proportions in a sample of 563 patients and 336 controls, and in an independent sample of 221 patients and 261 controls. The correlation between rs987525 genotypes and MYC transcriptional levels in orbicularis oris muscle mesenchymal stem cells was also investigated in 42 patients and 4 controls. RESULTS: We found a significant association in the larger sample (p = 0.0016; OR = 1.80 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.21-2.69], for heterozygous genotype, and 2.71 [95% CI, 1.47-4.96] for homozygous genotype). We did not find a significant correlation between rs987525 genotypes and MYC transcriptional levels (p = 0.14; r = -0.22, Spearman Correlation). CONCLUSIONS: We present a positive association of rs987525 in the Brazilian population for the first time, and it is likely that the European contribution to our population is driving this association. We also cannot discard a role of rs987515 in MYC regulation, because this locus behaves as an expression quantitative locus of MYC in another tissue. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 94:464-468, 2012. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Low Sensitivity of NS1 Protein Tests Evidenced during a Dengue Type 2 Virus Outbreak in Santos, Brazil, in 2010

In 2010, a large outbreak of dengue occurred in Santos, Brazil. The detection of the NS1 antigen was used for diagnosis in addition to the detection of IgG, IgM, and RNA. A large number of NS1 false-negative results were obtained. A total of 379 RNA-positive samples were selected for thorough evaluation. NS1 was reactive in 37.7% of cases. Most of the cases were characterized as a secondary infection by dengue 2 virus. Sequencing of NS1 positive and negative isolates did not reveal any mutation that could justify the diagnostic failure. Use of existing NS1 tests in the Brazilian population may present a low negative predictive value, and they should be used with caution, preferentially after performing a validation with samples freshly obtained during the ongoing epidemic.

Haplotypes of susceptibility to chronic periodontitis in the Interleukin 8 gene do not influence protein level in the gingival crevicular fluid

Objective: Previously, we identified that the ATC/TTC haplotype formed by polymorphisms in the Interleukin-(IL)8 gene conferred susceptibility to chronic periodontitis (CP). The aim of the study was to investigate whether the IL8 haplotype ATC/TTC was associated with the volume of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), the concentration of interleukin IL-8 in the GCF, as well as periodontal conditions in patients with CP in comparison to controls without CP. Methods: Seventy-nine individuals (CP: n = 41, controls: n = 38) were grouped according to the presence (susceptible for CP) or absence (not susceptible for CP) of the IL8 ATC/TTC haplotype. After periodontal clinical evaluation, they were subdivided by the presence or absence of CP. GCF was collected from each patient and the IL-8 levels were determined by ELISA. The GCF volume of each subject was measured by means of a calibrated electronic device. Comparisons of means between carriers and non-carriers of the ATC/TTC haplotype were evaluated using the Mann-Whitney test. Linear regression and stepwise linear regression analysis were used to analyse the association of the GCF volume with potential covariates and their contribution for the phenotype. Results: We did not find significant differences of both periodontal conditions and IL-8 concentration in the GCF of patients with the presence or absence of the IL8 ATC/TTC haplotype. However, the GCF volume was significantly higher amongst the patients affected by CP that are absent for the IL8 ATC/TTC haplotype. In addition, linear regression analysis showed a statistically significant association between GCF volume and CP, IL8 haplotype ATC/TTC and IL-8 concentration. Conclusions: The IL8 haplotype of susceptibility to CP was neither associated with IL-8 cytokine levels nor with clinical periodontal parameters. Also, CP, IL8 haplotype and IL-8 concentration showed a positive association with the GCF volume levels in the studied patients. (c) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Iniquidades socioeconômicas na conformação dos padrões alimentares de crianças e adolescentes

OBJETIVO: Identificar e quantificar a influência dos fatores socioeconômicos sobre os padrões alimentares. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal de base populacional com amostra de 1.136 crianças e adolescentes de 7 a 14 anos de idade, de ambos os sexos, matriculados na rede pública de Salvador (BA), Brasil. O consumo alimentar foi medido por meio do questionário qualitativo de frequência alimentar. Os padrões de consumo foram identificados por meio de análise de componentes principais. Para o estudo da influência dos indicadores socioeconômicos na conformação dos padrões alimentares, foram utilizados modelos de regressão quantílica. RESULTADOS: Os padrões alimentares extraídos foram classificados em padrão obesogênico e padrão tradicional. Nos modelos de regressão quantílica, ajustados por faixa etária e por sexo, o menor grau de instrução materna esteve associado negativamente, em níveis significantes, na maioria dos percentis, ao consumo de alimentos que integram o padrão obesogênico. A baixa renda associou-se negativamente aos maiores percentis (p>95). Os dados indicam não haver influência dos indicadores socioeconômicos sobre o consumo de alimentos que integram o padrão tradicional. CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se que há influência dos fatores socioeconômicos na adesão ao padrão obesogênico de consumo. Esse conjunto de resultados requer a atenção dos gestores públicos para a identificação de um padrão de consumo ocidental, visualizado amplamente nos estudos em que se avaliam padrões de consumo adotados na atualidade pela população brasileira - sobretudo por crianças e adolescentes -, caracterizados por englobar componentes alimentares de risco para as doenças crônicas não transmissíveis.

Haplotype frequencies based on eight polymorphic sites at the 3' untranslated region of the HLA-G gene in individuals from two different geographical regions of Brazil

The Brazilian population represents an admixture of native Amerindians, Portuguese settlers and Africans who were brought as slaves during the colonization period that began in the 16th century and was followed by waves of immigrations of Europeans and Asians in the 20th century. The contribution of these different ethnic groups to the constitution of Brazilian populations from different geographic regions is variable and, in addition to environmental factors, might act by determining different allele profiles among Brazilian populations from different regions. We studied polymorphic sites at the 3' untranslated region of the HLA-G gene in individuals from a Northeastern Brazilian region and compared them to our previously published data about a Southeastern Brazilian region, located at a distance of 2589 km. Our results showed that most polymorphic sites present a similar distribution in both populations, except for the lower frequency of the +3003C allele in the Northeastern population compared to the Southeastern population. Although differences in genotypic distribution were only significant for the +3003 locus (P = 0.0201), the diversity of haplotypes was distinct for each population. These results are important for casecontrol studies on the association of human leucocyte antigen-G polymorphism with disease and also in terms of the genetic structure of two distinct Brazilian populations.

Microbial transformation of the sesquiterpene lactone tagitinin C by the fungus Aspergillus terreus

The biotransformation of the sesquiterpene lactone tagitinin C by the fungus Aspergillus terreus MT 5.3 yielded a rare derivative that was elucidated by spectrometric methods. The fungus led to the formation of a different product through an unusual epoxidation reaction between C4 and C5, formation of a C3,C10 ether bridge, and a methoxylation of the C1 of tagitinin C. The chemical structure of the product, namely 1 beta-methoxy-3 alpha-hydroxy-3,10 beta-4,5 alpha-diepoxy-8 beta-isobutyroyloxygermacr-11(13)-en-6 alpha,12-olide, is the same as that of a derivative that was recently isolated from the flowers of a Brazilian population of Mexican sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia), which is the source of the substrate tagitinin C. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of the substrate and the biotransformed product were evaluated in HL-60 cells using an MTT assay, and both compounds were found to be cytotoxic. We show that soil fungi may be useful in the biotransformation of sesquiterpene lactones, thereby leading to unusual changes in their chemical structures that may preserve or alter their biological activities, and may also mimic plant biosynthetic pathways for production of secondary metabolites.

Evaluation of Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry for Determining Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Se and Zn in Bovine Semen Samples using a Simple Sample Dilution Method

A simple and fast method for the determination of Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Se and Zn in bovine semen by quadrupole inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (q-ICP-MS) is described. Prior to analysis, samples (200 mu L) were diluted 1:50 in a solution containing 0.01% v/v Triton (R) X-100 and 0.5% v/v nitric acid and directly analyzed by ICP-MS. The limits of detection of the method are 0.3, 0.03, 0.2, 0.04, 0.04, 0.03 and 0.03 mu g L-1 for Ca-44, Cu-63, Fe-57, Mg-24, Zn-64, Se-82 and Mn-55, respectively. For purposes of comparison and method validation, four ordinary bovine semen samples were directly analyzed by ICP-MS and by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) or graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF AAS), with no statistical difference between the techniques at the 95% level when applying the t-test. Then, the proposed method was applied in the determinations of Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Se and Zn in collected samples of bovine semen from different breeds, which are used in reproduction programs and artificial insemination.

No evidence for an association between the -36A>C phospholamban gene polymorphism and a worse prognosis in heart failure

Abstract Background In Brazil, heart failure leads to approximately 25,000 deaths per year. Abnormal calcium handling is a hallmark of heart failure and changes in genes encoding for proteins involved in the re-uptake of calcium might harbor mutations leading to inherited cardiomyopathies. Phospholamban (PLN) plays a prime role in cardiac contractility and relaxation and mutations in the gene encoding PLN have been associated with dilated cardiomyopathy. In this study, our objective was to determine the presence of the -36A>C alteration in PLN gene in a Brazilian population of individuals with HF and to test whether this alteration is associated with heart failure or with a worse prognosis of patients with HF. Methods We genotyped a cohort of 881 patients with HF and 1259 individuals from a cohort of individuals from the general population for the alteration -36A>C in the PLN gene. Allele and genotype frequencies were compared between groups (patients and control). In addition, frequencies or mean values of different phenotypes associated with cardiovascular disease were compared between genotypic groups. Finally, patients were prospectively followed-up for death incidence and genotypes for the -36A>C were compared regarding mortality incidence in HF patients. Results No significant association was found between the study polymorphism and HF in our population. In addition, no association between PLN -36A>C polymorphism and demographic, clinical and functional characteristics and mortality incidence in this sample of HF patients was observed. Conclusion Our data do not support a role for the PLN -36A>C alteration in modulating the heart failure phenotype, including its clinical course, in humans.

Concurrent crack and powder cocaine users from Sao Paulo: Do they represent a different group?

Abstract Background Cocaine abuse is a serious and socially damaging illegal drug problem. Different routes of administration are associated with a specific progression of use, different degrees of abuse liability, propensity for dependence and treatment response. There have been relatively few studies comparing different cocaine users groups and no studies into the characterization of the group of individuals reporting concurrent use of powder cocaine and crack cocaine. Methods Six hundred and ninety-nine cocaine users were assessed during the period August 1997 to October 1998 in one outpatient and six inpatient clinics located in the São Paulo, Brazil. Patients were interviewed using a structured questionnaire schedule in Portuguese, designed specifically for the Brazilian population. The statistical analyses were performed using either ANOVA or a chi-squared test and focusing on their preferred form of use/route of administration and other variables. Results For 83% of the variables tested in this study, the Dual Users subgroup (using both powder and crack cocaine) demonstrated statistical differences from the single drug user subgroups. Those differences include the initiation of cocaine, the abuse of other illicit drugs, and rates of criminal history. Conclusion These data suggest cocaine-dependent individuals who report use of both powder and crack cocaine are an at least partially, distinct subgroup. However, further studies will be necessary to confirm this and to determine if they also show a different treatment response.

Serological detection of Plasmodium vivax malaria using recombinant proteins corresponding to the 19-kDa C-terminal region of the merozoite surface protein-1

Abstract Background Serological tests to detect antibodies specific to Plasmodium vivax could be a valuable tool for epidemiological studies, for screening blood donors in areas where the malaria is not endemic and for diagnosis of infected individuals. Because P. vivax cannot be easily obtained in vitro, ELISA assays using total or semi-purified antigens are rarely used. Based on this limitation, we tested whether recombinant proteins representing the 19 kDa C-terminal region of the merozoite surface protein-1 of P. vivax (MSP119) could be useful for serological detection of malaria infection. Methods Three purified recombinant proteins produced in Escherichia coli (GST-MSP119, His6-MSP119 and His6-MSP119-PADRE) and one in Pichia pastoris (yMSP119-PADRE) were compared for their ability to bind to IgG antibodies of individuals with patent P. vivax infection. The method was tested with 200 serum samples collected from individuals living in the north of Brazil in areas endemic for malaria, 53 serum samples from individuals exposed to Plasmodium falciparum infection and 177 serum samples from individuals never exposed to malaria. Results Overall, the sensitivity of the ELISA assessed with sera from naturally infected individuals was 95%. The proportion of serum samples that reacted with recombinant proteins GST-MSP119, His6-MSP119, His6-MSP119-PADRE and yMSP119-PADRE was 90%, 93.5%, 93.5% and 93.5%, respectively. The specificity values of the ELISA determined with sera from healthy individuals and from individuals with other infectious diseases were 98.3% (GST-MSP119), 97.7% (His6-MSP119 and His6-MSP119-PADRE) or 100% (yMSP119-PADRE). Conclusions Our study demonstrated that for the Brazilian population, an ELISA using a recombinant protein of the MSP119 can be used as the basis for the development of a valuable serological assay for the detection of P. vivax malaria.

Detection of Hepatitis B virus subgenotype A1 in a Quilombo community from Maranhão, Brazil

Abstract Background The Brazilian population is mainly descendant from European colonizers, Africans and Native Americans. Some Afro-descendants lived in small isolated communities since the slavery period. The epidemiological status of HBV infection in Quilombos communities from northeast of Brazil remains unknown. The aim of this study was to characterize the HBV genotypes circulating inside a Quilombo isolated community from Maranhão State, Brazil. Methods Seventy-two samples from Frechal Quilombo community at Maranhão were collected. All serum samples were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). HBsAg positive samples were submitted to DNA extraction and a fragment of 1306 bp partially comprising HBsAg and polymerase coding regions (S/POL) was amplified by nested PCR and its nucleotide sequence was determined. Viral isolates were genotyped by phylogenetic analysis using reference sequences from each genotype obtained from GenBank (n = 320). Sequences were aligned using Muscle software and edited in the SE-AL software. Bayesian phylogenetic analyses were conducted using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method to obtain the MCC tree using BEAST v.1.5.3. Results Of the 72 individuals, 9 (12.5%) were HBsAg-positive and 4 of them were successfully sequenced for the 1306 bp fragment. All these samples were genotype A1 and grouped together with other sequences reported from Brazil. Conclusions The present study represents the first report on the HBV genotypes characterization of this community in the Maranhão state in Brazil where a high HBsAg frequency was found. In this study, we reported a high frequency of HBV infection and the exclusive presence of subgenotype A1 in an Afro-descendent community in the Maranhão State, Brazil.

Common bile duct stones: analysis of the videolaparoscopic surgical treatment

CONTEXT: About 9% of the Brazilian population has gallstones and the incidence increases significantly with aging. The choledocholithiasis is found around 15% of these patients, and a third to half of these cases presented as asymptomatic. Once the lithiasis in the common bile duct is characterized through intraoperative cholangiography, the laparoscopic surgical exploration can be done through the transcystic way or directly through choledochotomy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results and outcomes of the laparoscopic treatment of common bile duct lithiasis. METHODS: Seventy consecutive patients were evaluated. They prospectively underwent the treatment of the lithiasis in the common bile duct and the exploration ways were compared according to the following parameters: criteria on their indication, success in the clearance, surgical complications. It was verified that about ½ of the choledocholithiasis carriers did not show any expression of predictive factors (clinical antecedents of jaundice and/or acute pancreatitis, compatible sonographic data and the pertaining lab tests). The laparoscopic exploration through the transcystic way is favored when there are no criteria for the practice of primary choledochotomy, which are: lithiasis in the proximal bile duct, large (over 8 mm) or numerous calculi (multiple calculosis). RESULTS: The transcystic way was employed in about 50% of the casuistic and the choledochotomy in about 30%. A high success rate (around 80%) was achieved in the clearance of the common bile duct stones through laparoscopic exploration. The transcystic way, performed without fluoroscopy or choledochoscopy, attained a low rate of success (around 45%), being 10% of those by transpapilar pushing of calculi less than 3 mm. The exploration through choledochotomy, either primary or secondary, if the latter was performed after the transcystic route failure, showed high success rate (around 95%). When the indication to choledochotomy was primary, the necessity for choledochoscopy through choledochotomy to help in the removal of the calculi was 55%. However, when choledochotomy was performed secondarily, in situations where the common bile duct diameter was larger than 6 mm, the use of choledochoscopy with the same purpose involved about 20% of the cases. There was no mortality in this series. CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic exploration of the common bile duct was related to a low rate of morbidity. Therefore, the use of laparoscopy for the treatment of the lithiasis in the common bile duct depends on the criteria for the choice of the best access, making it a safe procedure with very good results.

Estudo prospectivo da sensibilidade tátil em mãos de uma população brasileira usando pressure-specified sensory device

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os limiares de percepção da pressão em polpas de dois dedos (indicador e mínimo), em uma população brasileira, sem lesão nervosa ou neuropatia. MÉTODOS: Usamos Pressure-Specified Sensory Device, um equipamento computadorizado para obter limiares de percepção da pressão normal, tanto estáticos quanto dinâmicos, e discriminação de dois pontos. RESULTADOS: Testamos a sensibilidade nos dedos, em 30 voluntários. Os testes de significância foram realizados utilizando o teste t de Student. Os valores médios (g/mm²) para os limiares de pressão estática de um e dois pontos (s1PD, s2PD) e discriminação dinâmica de um e dois pontos (m1PD, m2PD) no dedo indicador dominante foram: s1PD = 0,4, m1PD = 0,4, s2PD = 0,48, m2PD = 0,51. CONCLUSÃO: Não há diferença significativa na sensibilidade entre as mãos dominante e não dominante.