HLA-DR in Brazilian patients with polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and clinical associations of HLA-DR alleles in Brazilian Caucasian patients with polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) or microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). We evaluated 29 Caucasian patients with vasculitis classified as PAN or MPA according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1990 Criteria, Chapel Hill Consensus Conference (CHCC) nomenclature for vasculitis and EULAR recommendations for conducting clinical studies in systemic vasculitis. HLA-DR alleles were typed using polymerase chain reaction-amplified DNA, hybridized with sequence-specific low resolution primers. DNA obtained from 59 Caucasian healthy blood donors were used as control. In order to evaluate if a specific HLA may have influence on the clinical profile of those diseases, we also divided the patients according to Birmingham vasculitis score (BVAS) and Five-Factors Score (FFS) at the time of diagnosis. Increased frequency of HLA-DRB1*16 (p = 0.023) and DRB4*01 (p = 0.048) was found in patients with higher disease activity at the time of diagnosis (BVAS >= 22). Patients with less severe disease (FFS = 0) had a higher frequency of HLA-DRB1*03 (p = 0.011). Patients with gastrointestinal tract involvement had significantly increased frequency of HLA-DRB1*11 or B1*12 (p = 0.046), B1*13 (p = 0.021) and B3 (p = 0.008). In contrast, patients with renal disease, had higher frequency of DRB1*15 or DRB1*16 (p = 0.035) and B5 (p = 0.035). In the subgroup of patients with MPA, increased frequency of HLA-DRB1*15 was found in patients with BVAS >= 22 (p = 0.038) and FFS >= 1 (p = 0.039) suggesting that this allele is associated with more aggressive disease. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) negative MPA patients had significantly increased frequency of HLA-DRB1*11 or DRB1*12 when compared to ANCA positive patients (p = 0.023). Our results suggest that HLA-DR alleles may influence PAN and MPA clinical expression and outcome and that in MPA they participate in the mechanisms involved in the development to ANCA.

Broiler breeder trace mineral nutrition and feeding practices on embryo progeny development

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Review of Fluconazole Properties and Analytical Methods for Its Determination

Fluconazole, -(2.4-diflurofenil)--(1H-triazol-1-methyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ethanol, is an antifungal of triazoles class. It shows activity against species of Candida sp., and it is indicated in cases of oropharyngeal candidiasis, esophageal, vaginal, and deep infection. Fluconazole is a selective inhibitor of ergosterol, a steroid exclusive of the cell membrane of fungal cells. Fluconazole is highly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract, and it spreads easily by body fluids. The main adverse reactions related to the use of fluconazole are nausea, vomiting, headache, rash, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and alopecia in patients undergoing prolonged treatment with a dose of 400 mg/day. In the form of raw material, pharmaceutical formulations, or biological material, fluconazole can be determined by methods such as titration, spectrophotometry, and thin-layer, gas, and liquid chromatography. This article discusses the pharmacological and physical-chemical properties of fluconazole and also the methods of analysis applied to the determination of the drug.

Adenocarcinoma de cólon com diferenciação neuro-endócrina e escamosa. Relato de caso.

A tubular adenocarcinoma of the colon with solid area composed by small cells that was found by immunohistochemistry study using antibody to neuron-specific enolase (NSE) to possess neuroendocrine differentiation is related. In another areas of the tumor were visualized keratinizing squamous cells. The presence of neuro-endocrine and squamous cells features provide further evidence that neoplastic colonic cells have the capacity for multi-directional differentiation. The implications of this combination in relation to theories of tumor origin and differentiation and the prognostic significance of neuro-endocrine cells in malignant neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract are discussed.

Poisoning of mice by Baccharis coridifolia: An experimental model

The poisonous plant Baccharis coridifotia causes necrosis in lymphoid tissues and the gastrointestinal tract of cattle, horses, sheep and rabbits. An experimental poisoning of mice was undertaken to establish an experimental model in a laboratory animal specie. A single 5 to 8-g/kg dose of a suspension of the plant was administered by gavage to II mice. To 3 other control mice, the same volume of water was administered. Plant-dosed mice manifested clinical effects after 12 h: tachipnea, trembles, dehydration and prostration. Most of the dosed mice died 14 to 33 h after plant administration-3 survived for 12 d. Six mice had remarkable necrosis of the germinative center of secondary follicles in lymph nodes and spleen; 3 mice had necrosis of lymphoid tissues in intestine and thymus. Mice reproduce most of the lesions observed in naturally poisoned cattle and the use of this specie as an experimental model is valid.

Effect of diclofenac sodium on the healing process of end-to-end anastomosis in carotid arteries of rabbits. Histopathological and biomechanical studies

Aim. Diclofenac sodium is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug commonly used to attenuate painful inflammatory reactions in surgery. However, it may delay healing in the skin and gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of Diclofenac in vascular healing. Methods. Ninety rabbits had their carotid arteries sectioned and reconstructed by end-to-end anastomosis with interrupted sutures. The animals were randomly allocated into 3 groups of 30 each and treated by intramuscular route with saline (control), 5 mg/kg/day of diclofenac sodium (DS-5), and 10 mg/kg/day of diclofenac sodium (DS-10). Treatment began on the day of surgery and lasted 4 days. Angiography, biomechanical properties (failure load, failure elongation, yield point, yield point elongation, and stiffness were obtained from the load/elongation curve), macroscopic and histological examinations (hematoxylin-eosin, Masson, Calleja, Picrossirius-red), and scanning electron microscopy were studied in both arteries on the 3rd and 15th postoperative days. Results. No significant differences in biomechanical properties were observed either in the 3 groups or the experimental times. The carotid artery healing process was similar in the 3 groups. Conclusion. Diclofenac sodium did not cause alterations nor delayed carotid artery healing.

Quantitative analysis of potentially toxic metals in alginates for dental use

Alginate is one the materials most employed in practice to make dental impressions. Substances like zinc, cadmium and lead silicate, which are included in several alginate brands with the aim of improving their physical, chemical and mechanical properties, are a source of serious concern as regards their toxicity. The most serious chronic effect of oral exposure to cadmium is renal toxicity. Assimilation of lead has deleterious effects on the gastrointestinal tract, hematopoietic system, cardiovascular system, central and peripheral nervous systems, kidneys, immune system, and reproductive system. Chronic oral exposures to zinc have resulted in hypochromic and microcyte anemia in some individuals. The aim of the present study was to measure the cadmium, lead and zinc contents of seven brands of alginate for dental use on sale in Brazil. The samples were weighed and placed in the Teflon cups of a closed-system microwave oven. Aqua regia (4mL concentrated HCI:HNO3, 3:1 v/v) and hydrofluoric acid (2mL concentrated HF) were added to the samples, which were then subjected to heating. The samples were then cooled to room temperature and diluted to 25 mL in deionized water in a volumetric glass flask. The samples were diluted in duplicate and analyzed against a reagent blank. The analyses were performed in an atomic absorption flame spectrophotometer. Neither lead nor cadmium was detected. Zinc contents ranged from 0.001% to 1.36% by weight. The alginates exhibited low contents of the metals under study and gave no cause for concern regarding toxicity; even so, it is advisable to monitor potentially toxic materials continually and to analyze their plasmatic levels in the professionals working with them.

Magnetic multiparticulate colonic delivery systems evaluated by AC Biosusceptometry

The biomagnetic technique called Alternate Current Biosusceptometry (ACB) is a proposal to evaluate a multiparticulate drug delivery system in the human gastrointestinal tract. Results show that ACB was able to quantify the gastrointestinal transit and spreading of the magnetic material and is an attractive tool for pharmaceutical research. © 2007.

A novel biomagnetic instrumentation with four magnetoresistive sensors to evaluate gastric motility.

A novel instrumentation using anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) sensors associated with magnetic coils excitation was developed to evaluate gastrointestinal tract motility parameters. The susceptometer has four sensors that were used to measure the gastric activity contractions (GAC) in anaesthetized dogs, its performance was evaluated by manometry with good results.

First isolation of microorganisms from the gut diverticulum of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae): New perspectives for an insect-bacteria association

We show for the first time that the ventral diverticulum of the mosquito gut (impermeable sugar storage organ) harbors microorganisms. The gut diverticulum from newly emerged and non-fed Aedes aegypti was dissected under aseptic conditions, homogenized and plated on BHI medium. Microbial isolates were identified by sequencing of 16S rDNA for bacteria and 28S rDNA for yeast. A direct DNA extraction from Ae. aegypti gut diverticulum was also performed. The bacterial isolates were: Bacillus sp., Bacillus subtilis and Serratia sp. The latter was the predominant bacteria found in our isolations. The yeast species identified was Pichia caribbica.

Síntese e modelagem molecular do novo derivado indolinônico como candidato a antiinflamatório COX-2 seletivo

Anti-inflammatory drugs are known to be the most widely-marketed drugs in the world, despite their serious side effects, mainly on the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, there are constant efforts to discover new prototypes with improved therapeutic activity and safety for the patient. Since the advent of the computational chemistry, the theoretical study of the physiological behavior of a new compound and hence an understanding of its supposed mechanism of action have been made a lot more accessible. Thus, molecule-receptor mathematical modeling was applied to compound I (1-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)indolin-2-one), to predict theoretically its ability to inhibit, selectively, the COX-2 isoform of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase (PGHS-2), and the best positions to introduce chemical groups and to make molecular modifications.

Ocorrência de parasitas gastrintestinais em cães e gatos na rotina do laboratório de enfermidades parasitárias da FMVZ/Unesp-Botucatu, SP.

With the object of determining the occurrence and prevalence of parasites in dogs and cats in the region of Botucatu, a survey was conducted from the results of fecal parasitologic exams feces, processed by the laboratory of parasitic diseases of FMVZ-UNESP/Botucatu from January 2002 to December 2006. 1,012 fecal samples of dogs and cats were evaluated by the technique of Willis Mollay and Faust. In dogs the higher incidence was found for Ancylostoma caninum eggs (38%). In cats, the oocysts of Isospora spp were present in 48.38% of positive samples.

Análise histopatológica de órgãos linfóides de bovinos e camundongos intoxicados experimentalmente por Baccharis coridifolia: Caracterização imunoistoquímica de linfócitos B e T

Baccharis coridifolia is one of the most important poisonous plants to cattle in the South of Brazil. The plant provokes necrotic lesions in the lymphoid tissues and in the gastrointestinal tract of cattle. Experimental administration to mice produces most of the lesions seen in the lymphoid tissues of cattle. This study was conducted to search possible differences in the susceptibility of T and B lymphocyte subpopulations. Lymph nodes, spleen, thymus and gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) of cattle and mice experimentally poisoned were evaluated. The results were evaluated based on cell populations affected or remaining in the organs. Immunostaining for B lymphocytes (anti-BLA-36) identified the germinal center of follicles of the lymph node, spleen and GALT in both species. Immunostaining for T lymphocyte (anti-CD3) identified the paracortical area of the germinal centers of the lymph nodes and GALT, the periarteriolar area of the spleen, and the whole thymus both in cattle and mice. Experimentally poisoned cattle and mice shows necrosis of the germinal center of secondary follicles of the lymph nodes, spleen and GALT, where necrotic cells were immunostained for B and less often for T lymphocyte. Necrotic cells in the paracortical region of the lymph node were less often and were immunostained. Necrotic lesions of the thymus were seen only in mice, with positively stained for T lymphocyte. The distribution of the lesions in the lymphoid tissues and the immunostaining in necrotic cells suggested that the active principles of the plant are cytotoxic to B and T cells.

Flavonoids with gastroprotective activity

Peptic ulcers are a common disorder of the entire gastrointestinal tract that occurs mainly in the stomach and the proximal duodenum. This disease is multifactorial and its treatment faces great difficulties due to the limited effectiveness and severe side effects of the currently available drugs. The use of natural products for the prevention and treatment of different pathologies is continuously expanding throughout the world. This is particularly true with regards to flavonoids, which represent a highly diverse class of secondary metabolites with potentially beneficial human health effects that is widely distributed in the plant kingdom and currently consumed in large amounts in the diet. They display several pharmacological properties in the gastroprotective area, acting as anti-secretory, cytoprotective and antioxidant agents. Besides their action as gastroprotectives, flavonoids also act in healing of gastric ulcers and additionally these polyphenolic compounds can be new alternatives for suppression or modulation of peptic ulcers associated with H. pylori. In this review, we have summarized the literature on ninety-five flavonoids with varying degrees of antiulcerogenic activity, confirming that flavonoids have a therapeutic potential for the more effective treatment of peptic ulcers.

Interaction of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1 and Vip3A proteins with Spodoptera frugiperda midgut binding sites

Vip3Aa, Vip3Af, Cry1Ab, and Cry1Fa were tested for their toxicities and binding interactions. Vip3A proteins were more toxic than Cry1 proteins. Binding assays showed independent specific binding sites for Cry1 and Vip3A proteins. Cry1Ab and Cry1Fa competed for the same binding sites, whereas Vip3Aa competed for those of Vip3Af. Copyright © 2009, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.