Interleukin-5 mediates peritoneal eosinophilia induced by the F1 cell wall fraction of Histoplasma capsulatum

An alkali-insoluble fraction 1 (F1), which contains mainly ß-glucan isolated from the cell wall of Histoplasma capsulatum, induces eosinophil recruitment into the peritoneal cavity of mice. The present study was carried out to determine the participation of interleukin-5 (IL-5) in this process. Inbred C57BL/6 male mice weighing 15-20 g were treated ip with 100 µg of anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody (TRFK-5, N = 7) or an isotype-matched antibody (N = 7), followed by 300 µg F1 in 1 ml PBS ip 24 h later. Controls (N = 5) received only 1 ml PBS. Two days later, cells from the peritoneal cavity were harvested by injection of 3 ml PBS and total cell counts were determined using diluting fluid in a Neubauer chamber. Differential counts were performed using Rosenfeld-stained cytospin preparations. The F1 injection induced significant (P < 0.01) leukocyte recruitment into the peritoneal cavity (8.4 x 10(6) cells/ml) when compared with PBS alone (5.5 x 10(6) cells/ml). Moreover, F1 selectively (P < 0.01) induced eosinophil recruitment (1 x 10(6) cells/ml) when compared to the control group (0.07 x 10(6) cells/ml). Treatment with TRFK-5 significantly (P < 0.01) inhibited eosinophil recruitment (0.18 x 10(6) cells/ml) by F1 without affecting recruitment of mononuclear cells or neutrophils. We conclude that the F1 fraction of the cell wall of H. capsulatum induces peritoneal eosinophilia by an IL-5-dependent mechanism. Depletion of this cytokine does not have effect on the recruitment of other cell types induced by F1.

Automated grading of left ventricular segmental wall motion by an artificial neural network using color kinesis images

The present study describes an auxiliary tool in the diagnosis of left ventricular (LV) segmental wall motion (WM) abnormalities based on color-coded echocardiographic WM images. An artificial neural network (ANN) was developed and validated for grading LV segmental WM using data from color kinesis (CK) images, a technique developed to display the timing and magnitude of global and regional WM in real time. We evaluated 21 normal subjects and 20 patients with LVWM abnormalities revealed by two-dimensional echocardiography. CK images were obtained in two sets of viewing planes. A method was developed to analyze CK images, providing quantitation of fractional area change in each of the 16 LV segments. Two experienced observers analyzed LVWM from two-dimensional images and scored them as: 1) normal, 2) mild hypokinesia, 3) moderate hypokinesia, 4) severe hypokinesia, 5) akinesia, and 6) dyskinesia. Based on expert analysis of 10 normal subjects and 10 patients, we trained a multilayer perceptron ANN using a back-propagation algorithm to provide automated grading of LVWM, and this ANN was then tested in the remaining subjects. Excellent concordance between expert and ANN analysis was shown by ROC curve analysis, with measured area under the curve of 0.975. An excellent correlation was also obtained for global LV segmental WM index by expert and ANN analysis (R² = 0.99). In conclusion, ANN showed high accuracy for automated semi-quantitative grading of WM based on CK images. This technique can be an important aid, improving diagnostic accuracy and reducing inter-observer variability in scoring segmental LVWM.

Minor segmental wall motion abnormalities detected in patients with Chagas' disease have adverse prognostic implications

Recent data from our laboratory have shown that patients with the indeterminate form of Chagas' disease can have impairment of left ventricular contractility, as evaluated by the slope of the left ventricle end-systolic pressure-dimension relationship. We also showed that Chagas' disease patients with minimal baseline wall motion abnormalities detected by two-dimensional echocardiography have more intense contractility impairment when compared to patients with the indeterminate form of the disease without this abnormality. The prognostic implications of these findings have not been established. We evaluated 59 patients (37-76 years, mean = 55 years) with different clinical forms of Chagas' disease, who had normal left ventricular global systolic function at baseline (57.6 ± 6.9%) and who had at least one additional echo during clinical follow-up (0.4-17.6; mean 4.6 years). Group 1 consisted of 14 patients with minor baseline left ventricle wall motion abnormalities and group 2 consisted of 45 patients without these abnormalities. During follow-up, global left ventricle systolic function deterioration was observed in 10 group 1 patients (71.4%) and in only 10 group 2 patients (22.2%; P < 0.005). Age and duration of follow-up were not independent determinants of left ventricular function deterioration in these patients. The present data indicate that mild segmental left ventricular wall motion abnormalities are associated with worsening of systolic function in Chagas' disease patients who have normal baseline global systolic performance.

Effect of saline infusion for the maintenance of blood volume on pulmonary gas exchange during temporary abdominal aortic occlusion

We analyzed the effects of saline infusion for the maintenance of blood volume on pulmonary gas exchange in ischemia-reperfusion syndrome during temporary abdominal aortic occlusion in dogs. We studied 20 adult mongrel dogs weighing 12 to 23 kg divided into two groups: ischemia-reperfusion group (IRG, N = 10) and IRG submitted to saline infusion for the maintenance of mean pulmonary arterial wedge pressure between 10 and 20 mmHg (IRG-SS, N = 10). All animals were anesthetized and maintained on spontaneous ventilation. After obtaining baseline measurements, occlusion of the supraceliac aorta was performed by the inflation of a Fogarty catheter. After 60 min of ischemia, the balloon was deflated and the animals were observed for another 60 min of reperfusion. The measurements were made at 10 and 45 min of ischemia, and 5, 30, and 60 min of reperfusion. Pulmonary gas exchange was impaired in the IRG-SS group as demonstrated by the increase of the alveolar-arterial oxygen difference (21 ± 14 in IRG-SS vs 11 ± 8 in IRG after 60 min of reperfusion, P = 0.004 in IRG-SS in relation to baseline values) and the decrease of oxygen partial pressure in arterial blood (58 ± 15 in IRG-SS vs 76 ± 15 in IRG after 60 min of reperfusion, P = 0.001 in IRG-SS in relation to baseline values), which was correlated with the highest degree of pulmonary edema in morphometric analysis (0.16 ± 0.06 in IRG-SS vs 0.09 ± 0.04 in IRG, P = 0.03 between groups). There was also a smaller ventilatory compensation of metabolic acidosis after the reperfusion. We conclude that infusion of normal saline worsened the gas exchange induced by pulmonary reperfusion injury in this experimental model.

Functional expression of kinin B1 and B2 receptors in mouse abdominal aorta

Previous studies have shown that the vascular reactivity of the mouse aorta differs substantially from that of the rat aorta in response to several agonists such as angiotensin II, endothelin-1 and isoproterenol. However, no information is available about the agonists bradykinin (BK) and DesArg9BK (DBK). Our aim was to determine the potential expression of kinin B1 and B2 receptors in the abdominal mouse aorta isolated from C57BL/6 mice. Contraction and relaxation responses to BK and DBK were investigated using isometric recordings. The kinins were unable to induce relaxation but concentration-contraction response curves were obtained by applying increasing concentrations of the agonists BK and DBK. These effects were blocked by the antagonists Icatibant and R-715, respectively. The potency (pD2) calculated from the curves was 7.0 ± 0.1 for BK and 7.3 ± 0.2 for DBK. The efficacy was 51 ± 2% for BK and 30 ± 1% for DBK when compared to 1 µM norepinephrine. The concentration-dependent responses of BK and DBK were markedly inhibited by the arachidonic acid inhibitor indomethacin (1 µM), suggesting a mediation by the cyclooxygenase pathway. These contractile responses were not potentiated in the presence of the NOS inhibitor L-NAME (1 mM) or endothelium-denuded aorta, indicating that the NO pathway is not involved. We conclude that the mouse aorta constitutively contains B1 and B2 subtypes of kinin receptors and that stimulation with BK and DBK induces contractile effect mediated by endothelium-independent vasoconstrictor prostanoids.

Lipolysis of emulsion models of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins is altered in male patients with abdominal aorta aneurysm

Disorders of the lipid metabolism may play a role in the genesis of abdominal aorta aneurysm. The present study examined the intravascular catabolism of chylomicrons, the lipoproteins that carry the dietary lipids absorbed by the intestine in the circulation in patients with abdominal aorta aneurysm. Thirteen male patients (72 ± 5 years) with abdominal aorta aneurysm with normal plasma lipid profile and 13 healthy male control subjects (73 ± 5 years) participated in the study. The method of chylomicron-like emulsions was used to evaluate this metabolism. The emulsion labeled with 14C-cholesteryl oleate and ³H-triolein was injected intravenously in both groups. Blood samples were taken at regular intervals over 60 min to determine the decay curves. The fractional clearance rate (FCR) of the radioactive labels was calculated by compartmental analysis. The FCR of the emulsion with ³H-triolein was smaller in the aortic aneurysm patients than in controls (0.025 ± 0.017 vs 0.039 ± 0.019 min-1; P < 0.05), but the FCR of14C-cholesteryl oleate of both groups did not differ. In conclusion, as indicated by the triglyceride FCR, chylomicron lipolysis is diminished in male patients with aortic aneurysm, whereas the remnant removal which is traced by the cholesteryl oleate FCR is not altered. The results suggest that defects in the chylomicron metabolism may represent a risk factor for development of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Culture of bovine ovarian follicle wall sections maintained the highly estrogenic profile under basal and chemically defined conditions

Follicle cultures reproduce in vitro the functional features observed in vivo. In a search for an ideal model, we cultured bovine antral follicle wall sections (FWS) in a serum-free defined medium (DM) known to induce 17β-estradiol (E2) production, and in a nondefined medium (NDM) containing serum. Follicles were sectioned and cultured in NDM or DM for 24 or 48 h. Morphological features were determined by light microscopy. Gene expression of steroidogenic enzymes and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor were determined by RT-PCR; progesterone (P4) and E2 concentrations in the media were measured by radioimmunoassay. DM, but not NDM, maintained an FWS morphology in vitro that was similar to fresh tissue. DM also induced an increase in the expression of all steroidogenic enzymes, except FSH receptor, but NDM did not. In both DM and NDM, there was a gradual increase in P4 throughout the culture period; however, P4 concentration was significantly higher in NDM. In both media, E2 concentration was increased at 24 h, followed by a decrease at 48 h. The E2:P4 ratio was higher in DM than in NDM. These results suggest that DM maintains morphological structure, upregulates the expression of steroidogenic enzyme genes, and maintains steroid production with a high E2:P4 ratio in FWS cultures.

Relationship between deep venous thrombosis and inflammatory cytokines in postoperative patients with malignant abdominal tumors

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a common surgical complication in cancer patients and evidence that inflammation plays a role in the occurrence of DVT is increasing. We studied a population of cancer patients with abdominal malignancies with the aim of investigating whether the levels of circulating inflammatory cytokines were associated with postoperative DVT, and to determine the levels in DVT diagnoses. The serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukins (IL)-6 and IL-10, nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) and E-selectin (E-Sel) were determined in 120 individuals, who were divided into 3 groups: healthy controls, patients with and patients without DVT after surgery for an abdominal malignancy. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, Dunnet's T3 test, chi-square test, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression as needed. The CRP, IL-6, NF-κB, and E-Sel levels in patients with DVT were significantly higher than those in the other groups (P<0.05). The IL-10 level was higher in patients with DVT than in controls but lower than in patients without DVT. Univariate analysis revealed that CRP, IL-6, NF-κB, and E-Sel were statistically associated with the risk of DVT (OR=1.98, P=0.002; OR=1.17, P=0.000; OR=1.03, P=0.042; and OR=1.38, P=0.003; respectively), whereas IL-10 had a protective effect (OR=0.94, P=0.011). Multivariate analysis showed that E-Sel was an independent risk factor (OR=1.41, P=0.000). Thus, this study indicated that an increased serum level of E-Sel was associated with increased DVT risk in postoperative patients with abdominal malignancy, indicating that E-Sel may be a useful predictor of diagnosis of DVT.

Computed tomography findings of hepatic veno-occlusive disease caused by Sedum aizoon with histopathological correlation

This study investigated the value of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatic veno-occlusive disease (HVOD) caused by Sedum aizoon (SA). The clinical manifestations, treatment results, imaging findings, and histological findings of the liver were analyzed in 39 patients with HVOD caused by SA. Hepatomegaly, liver dysfunction, abdominal effusion, and geographic density changes on liver CT scans were found in all 39 patients. The pathological findings of histological liver examination included swelling and point-like necrosis of liver cells, significant expansion and congestion of the sinuses, endothelial swelling, and wall thickening with incomplete lumen occlusion of small liver vessels. CT geographic density changes were confirmed by histological examination of the liver in 18 patients. Sixteen patients with small amounts of ascites that started within 4 weeks of treatment recovered completely or significantly improved after symptomatic and supportive treatment. However, only 43.75% of the patients with larger amounts of ascites improved following symptomatic and supportive treatment. In conclusion, liver CT examination is a valuable, safe, and noninvasive tool for the diagnosis of HVOD caused by SA. In selected cases, liver CT examination may replace liver biopsy and histological analysis.

Conteúdo de gordura sólida da gordura abdominal de frango, de suas estearinas e de suas misturas binárias com toucinho

O conteúdo de gordura sólida é um parâmetro utilizado para definir as aplicações mais indicadas de uma gordura, ou de misturas de gorduras, em um determinado produto. Este parâmetro é normalmente determinado por ressonância magnética nuclear e se relaciona com a consistência da gordura. O fracionamento a seco de óleos e gorduras consiste na separação dos triacilgliceróis de acordo com seu ponto de fusão através da cristalização. Além da mistura, o fracionamento é o método mais econômico no processamento de lipídios, pois se trata de um processo puramente físico, comparado às modificações químicas tais como a hidrogenação e a interesterificação, que alteram os triacilgliceróis. As interações que ocorrem entre os triacilgliceróis nas misturas promovem alterações nas propriedades físicas das gorduras. O objetivo do trabalho foi analisar as interações que ocorrem em misturas binárias de duas gorduras animais (gordura abdominal de frango e toucinho) quanto a sua propriedade de conteúdo de gordura sólida a diferentes temperaturas. Foi aplicado um modelo de regressão múltipla do tipo quadrático. Os resultados demonstraram que ocorreram os efeitos eutético e de formação de compostos entre as misturas.

Cell wall polysaccharides of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The soluble and insoluble cotyledon (SPF-Co and IPF-Co) and tegument (SPF-Te and IPF-Te) cell wall polymer fractions of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) were isolated using a chemical-enzymatic method. The sugar composition showed that SPF-Co was constituted of 38.6% arabinose, 23.4% uronic acids, 12.7% galactose, 11.2% xylose, 6.4% mannose and 6.1% glucose, probably derived from slightly branched and weakly bound polymers. The IPF-Co was fractionated with chelating agent (CDTA) and with increasing concentrations of NaOH. The bulk of the cell wall polymers (29.4%) were extracted with 4.0M NaOH and this fraction contained mainly arabinose (55.0%), uronic acid (18.9%), glucose (10.7%), xylose (10.3%) and galactose (3.4%). About 8.7% and 10.6% of the polymers were solubilised with CDTA and 0.01M NaOH respectively and were constituted of arabinose (52.0 and 45.9%), uronic acids (25.8 and 29.8%), xylose (9.6 and 10.2%), galactose (6.1 and 3.9%) and glucose (6.5 and 3.8%). The cell wall polymers were also constituted of small amounts (5.6 and 7.2%) of cellulose (CEL) and of non-extractable cell wall polymers (NECW). About 16.8% and 17.2% of the polymers were solubilised with 0.5 and 1.0M NaOH and contained, respectively, 92.1 and 90.7% of glucose derived from starch (IST). The neutral sugar and polymers solubilization profiles showed that weakly bound pectins are present mainly in SPF-Co (water-soluble), CDTA and 0.01-0.1M NaOH soluble fractions. Less soluble, highly cross-linked pectins were solubilised with 4.0M NaOH. This pectin is arabinose-rich, probably highly branched and has a higher molecular weight than the pectin present in SPF-Co, CDTA and 0.01-0.1M NaOH fractions.

Characterization of new sources of derivative starches as wall materials of essential oil by spray drying

Starch derivatives of taro (Colocasia esculenta L. Schott) and rice were characterized as wall materials of orange oil (d-limonene) by spray drying. Native starches were initially hydrolyzed with HCl and then esterified. Succinylated starches were modified using a conventional method in a slurry and were extruded; whereas, the phosphorylated starches were modified using the extrusion process. Viscosity and solubility of starches reduced after acid hydrolysis, derivatization, and extrusion. The particle size of the wall materials ranged between 20.05 and 31.81 µm. The encapsulation efficiency of the phosphorylated taro, rice, and waxy corn starches was 96.9, 96.8 and 97.1% respectively, and 98.6, 98.1, and 98.8% for succynilated taro, rice, and waxy corn starches, respectively. Starch derivatives of taro and rice could potentially be used as wall materials of orange oil d-limonene.

Prevalência e fatores associados à obesidade abdominal em pacientes em hemodiálise em Goiânia - GO

INTRODUÇÃO: A presença de excesso de peso, especialmente obesidade visceral, contribui para o maior risco de complicações metabólicas e cardiovasculares em pacientes com doença renal crônica. OBJETIVO: Determinar a prevalência e os fatores associados à obesidade abdominal em pacientes em hemodiálise (HD). MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com 344 pacientes maiores de 18 anos. A obesidade abdominal foi definida pela circunferência da cintura > 94 cm nos homens e > 80 cm nas mulheres. As variáveis independentes envolveram aspectos socioeconômicos, demográficos, hábitos de vida, tempo em HD, consumo alimentar e índice de massa corporal (IMC). A análise dos fatores associados foi realizada por regressão de Poisson múltipla, permanecendo no modelo final as variáveis com p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de obesidade abdominal foi de 44,77%, sendo mais prevalente nas mulheres (55,71%) que nos homens (37,25%), p = 0,001. O resultado final da análise multivariada identificou os fatores associados à obesidade abdominal em homens e mulheres: idade superior a 40 anos, ingestão proteica inferior a 1,2 g/kg/dia e IMC > 25 kg/m². Nos homens, a classe econômica D/E também permaneceu associada à obesidade abdominal, p < 0,05. CONCLUSÃO: Observou-se alta prevalência de obesidade abdominal em pacientes em hemodiálise. Idade superior a 40 anos, classes econômicas mais baixas, ingestão proteica inferior ao recomendado e excesso de peso foram associados à obesidade abdominal.