Impact of weight reduction program on serum alanine aminotransferase activity and immunologic response in obese hepatitis B patients.

Background: Globally, chronic B viral hepatitis (HBV) is a major health problem. Obesity is a common problem among patients with HBV. Several studies have reported that obesity is an important risk factor that alters immune system response in individuals with no underlying cause of liver disease. However, there is a strong association between BMI and the human immune system among HBV patients. Objective: This study was to examine the correlation between body mass index, serum alanine aminotransferase activity (ALT) and immunologic response in obese hepatitis B patients. Material and methods: One hundred fifty male patients with chronic hepatitis B virus, their age ranged from 30 to 45 (38.64 ± 7.12) years and their BMI ranged from 30-35 kg/m2. All Subjects were included in two groups: The first group received weight reduction program in the form of treadmill aerobic exercises in addition to diet control whereas the second group received no therapeutic intervention. Parameters of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), CD3, CD4 and CD8 were quantified; Leukocyte, differential counts and body mass index (BMI) were measured before and after 3 months at the end of the study. Results: There was a 24.7%, 36.8%, 30.8%, 40.7%, 28.6%, 25.9%, 33.3% and 14.3 % reduction in mean values of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), white blood cells, total neutrophil count, monocytes, CD3, CD4 ,CD8 and BMI respectively in group (A) at the end of the study. In addition, there were significant differences between mean levels of the investigated parameters in groups. Conclusion: Based on our findings, weight loss modulates serum alanine aminotransferase and immune system parameters of patients with hepatitis B virus infection.

Ação de polissacarídeos sulfatados de Fucus Vesiculosus na Hemostasia e no sistema complemento

Fucans are a family of sulfated homo and teropolysaccharides respectively, composed mainly of a- (1®2) and a- (1®3) linked by L-fucose residues. Properties such as the ability to act as an anti-contraceptive, to reduce cholesterol levels, and to act as an anti-tumor agent are much related. We have focused our attention on the anticoagulant properties, platelet aggregation, hemorrhagic activity and complement system in vitro of commercial fucoidan (F) and their purified fractions (F1, F2 and F3) from Fucus vesiculosus obtained from fractionation of the fucoidan with different concentrations of acetone 1, 2 and 3v. These compounds were chemically characterized and the fucoidan (F) was modified by desulfation. The anticoagulant activity of the compounds was assessment by activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombine time assay (PT) using citrated normal human plasma. The results of APPT test showed that F, F1 and F2 have high anticoagulants activities 240.0 s (5 µg). The F3 showed 73.7 s in the same concentrations. The results obtained with PT test to F, F1, F2 and F3 were 81.5 s, 120.0 s, 57.1 and 32.5 s respectively with 50 µg. The dessulfated polymer showed a decrease in the anticoagulant activity in these two tests. Platelet aggregation assay was measured turbidimetrically with platelet aggregometer by method of Born. The aggregation platelet with F and fractions F1, F2 and F3 exhibited a two-phase answer in the concentration of 5 mg/mL with maximum aggregation of 76.36 ± 10.3% ; 69.54 ± 9.40%; 75.94 ± 9.01%; 51.13 ± 9.59% respectively. However, was observed a hipoaggregate profile F (15.17 ± 5.2%), F1 (7.40 ± 3.04 %), F2 (19.1 ± 5.41%) and F3 (5.09 ± 3.02%) at 0.1 mg/mL. The hemorrhagic activity assay was carried in Wistar rats and showed that these compounds have low hemorrhagic effect when compared to heparin. The complement system ( alternative pathway was made using non-sensibilized rabbit red blood cells The results of complement system essay showed that F , F2 and F3 have action inhibitory in relation to the group control 0.544, 0.697, 0.622 and 0.958 respectively The results showed that these compounds have action on this system. Interaction of the polisaccharides with proteins C3 and C4 showed that the fraction F1 stimulated the activity assay hemolytic using red blood cells

Desenvolvimento e estudo em microcanais de fluidos inovadores análogos ao sangue baseados em vesículas unilamelares gigantes

O escoamento sanguíneo é um dos temas de grande interesse para a comunidade científica. Assim, a busca de fluidos que sejam análogos ao sangue bem como o estudo do seu escoamento em microcanais, tal como acontece com o sangue nos capilares, continua a ser alvo de investigação. Numa primeira fase deste trabalho, procedeu-se ao desenvolvimento de um modelo inovador para produzir glóbulos vermelhos artificiais, constituído por Vesículas Unilamelares Gigantes, vulgarmente designadas Giant Unilamellar Vesicles (GUVs), com três concentrações diferentes. Pretende-se que estas vesículas tenham um comportamento reológico idêntico ao escoamento dos glóbulos vermelhos (GVs) em microcanais, permitindo assim proceder a vários estudos hemodinâmicos. No desenvolvimento destas vesículas, foi verificado que as mais adequadas são constituídas por uma mistura natural de lípidos e lecitina de soja. Foi realizado um estudo relativamente à sua concentração, onde se verificou que, com o aumento da quantidade da lecitina de soja nas soluções, a concentração de GUVs tende a aumentar. Foi também realizado um estudo relativo aos diâmetros dos GUVs para verificar se estes se aproximavam em termos de tamanho dos GVs, onde foi verificado que a maioria dos GUVs possuem diâmetros com dimensões entre os 5 e 7 μm, tal como os GVs. Foi ainda verificado que a solução com a menor concentração de lecitina de soja possui uma maior quantidade de GUVs com diâmetros entre os 5 e 7 μm. Na segunda fase, foi estudado experimentalmente o escoamento das três soluções de GUVs em microcanais hiperbólicos, com três caudais diferentes, com o objetivo de visualizar a Camada Livre de Células (CLC), determinar a deformação e estudar as velocidades destes. Foi verificado que existe a formação de CLC em todas as concentrações e que aumenta com o aumento do caudal. Relativamente à deformação, esta é bastante mais evidente na contração do microcanal onde a taxa deformação é máxima. Para o caso da velocidade, foi observado um aumento bastante significativo e linear da velocidade na região da contração do microcanal hiperbólico e uma velocidade baixa e aproximadamente constante a montante e jusante da contração. vi Por fim, foi também realizado o estudo reológico dos GUVs, de forma a investigar se estes têm uma viscosidade próxima do sangue. Foi verificado que os GUVs apresentam uma viscosidade inferior à do sangue total e que existe um ligeiro aumento da viscosidade dos GUVs com o aumento da sua concentração. Por último, também foi efetuada uma comparação da viscosidade da solução de GUVs com uma solução de 5% de Hematócrito (Hct) em soro fisiológico, onde foi verificado que ambas as viscosidades são muito próximas.

Anticancer and antibacterial secondary metabolites from the endophytic fungus Penicillium sp. CAM64 against multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria.

Background: The emergence of multiple-drug resistance bacteria has become a major threat and thus calls for an urgent need to search for new effective and safe anti-bacterial agents. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the anticancer and antibacterial activities of secondary metabolites from Penicillium sp. , an endophytic fungus associated with leaves of Garcinia nobilis . Methods: The culture filtrate from the fermentation of Penicillium sp. was extracted and analyzed by liquid chromatography– mass spectrometry, and the major metabolites were isolated and identified by spectroscopic analyses and by comparison with published data. The antibacterial activity of the compounds was assessed by broth microdilution method while the anticancer activity was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Results: The fractionation of the crude extract afforded penialidin A-C (1-3), citromycetin (4), p-hydroxyphenylglyoxalaldoxime (5) and brefelfin A (6). All of the compounds tested here showed antibacterial activity (MIC = 0.50 – 128 μg/mL) against Gramnegative multi-drug resistance bacteria, Vibrio cholerae (causative agent of dreadful disease cholera) and Shigella flexneri (causative agent of shigellosis), as well as the significant anticancer activity (LC50 = 0.88 – 9.21 μg/mL) against HeLa cells. Conclusion: The results obtained indicate that compounds 1-6 showed good antibacterial and anticancer activities with no toxicity to human red blood cells and normal Vero cells.

Hematobiochemical changes of lead Poisoning and amelioration with Coconut ( Cocos nucifera L.) Water in wistar albino rats

To determine the ameliorative effect of coconut water on haematobiochemical changes due to lead poisoning in wistar albino rats for six weeks, sixty rats were assigned to four groups. 0.10g/l of lead and 75ml coconut ( cocus nucifera l.) water were given orally for six weeks. The mean values of red blood cells, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell distribution width and platelets (8.10±0.63(×106μl), 52.7±0.87(μm3), 17.9±0.56(pg), 34.73±0.65(g/dl), 17.90±0.67(%) and 670.00±42.22(×103μl) respectively) reduced in lead treated rats when compared with control mean values (8.41 ± 0.90(×106μl), 56.60 ± 1.55(μm3), 19.33 ± 0.82(pg), 34.93 ± 0.90(g/dl), 18.27 ± 0.73(%) and 818.33± 123.68(×103μl) respectively ) and these values increased in75ml coconut water only group and the group of 0.10g/l lead + 75ml coconut water except mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, and red blood cell distribution width of the 75ml coconut water only. The mean values of white blood cells, lymphocytes, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol/high density lipoproteincholesterol and total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein-cholesterol increased (12.23±0.57(×103μl), 79.83±3.87(%), 64.66±6.01(mg/dl), 89.00±7.94(mg/dl), 22.67±6.93(mg/dl), 21.00±4.58(mg/dl), 1.29±0.62 and 3.36±0.83 respectively ) in the lead group when compared with mean values of control group (5.83±0.74(×103μl), 69.07±10.57(%), 54.00±4.04(mg/dl), 97.33±11.34(mg/dl), 20.00±3.06(mg/dl), 17.00±6.51(mg/dl), 0.97±0.41 and 2.87±0.55 respectively) but the mean values decreased when compared with the mean values of group of 75ml coconut water only and group of 0.10g/l lead + 75ml coconut water, except the mean values of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol. These results indicate that coconut water could ameliorate effects of lead toxicity

Changes in Hematological Parameters and Erythrocyte Osmotic Fragility in Lame and Aged Horses Administered with Resveratrol Supplement

The study was aimed at evaluating the changes in haematological parameters and erythrocyte osmotic fragility in lame and aged horses administered with resveratrol supplement (Equithrive joint®). A total of 16 horses of both sexes, aged 18 ± 0.65 and showing lameness grade 3 were used for the study. The horses weighed 350-450 kg and comprised 8 horses which were administered with resveratrol supplement for 4 weeks and 8 others, which served as controls and given only Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strain used as carrier in the supplement. Blood samples were collected from each horse before supplementation and at weekly intervals for 4 weeks of the experiment. Haematological parameters and erythrocyte osmotic fragility were determined by standard methods. Equithrive joint® increased significantly (P ˂ 0.05) packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and erythrocyte counts in the treated horses while total leucocyte, neutrophil and eosinophil counts decreased significantly (P ˂ 0.05) in the treated horses compared with the untreated horses. Erythrocyte osmotic fragility test showed decreased haemolysis in the treated horses. The result indicated that equithrive joint® a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent maintained the membrane integrity of red blood cells and may be of value in aiding horses move with ease during ageing.

Synthesis, characterization, and preliminary application of new biocompatible nanogels useful as anticancer drug delivery systems

253 p.

Ratio of hemocomponents in massive transfusion and mortality of trauma patients in a university hospital

Background: Nowadays, there are very few studies about massive transfusion in our country. This situation generates the necessity to the elevation of possible new strategies to diminish mortality and its adverse effects. Material and methods: All massive transfusions were evaluated in a retrospective way from October 2010 to October 2012. All diagnosis groups were recorded and the patients were divided into three groups depending on the ratio between packed red blood cells (PRBC) and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) units (ratios ≤2, >2, and without FFP). Their mortality and/or survival were evaluated 30 days after as well as all the factors associated with the event. Results: A total of 69 patients were included (37 trauma patients, 28 gunshot wounds and 4 with lacerated wounds); the groups (ratios ≤2, >2, and no plasma at all) were distributed as follows: 30, 30 and 9 patients each, with an overall mortality rate of 60.8% within 30 days. A lower survival rate (12%) in the no plasma group (P=.015) was found and systolic blood pressure during transfusion had a mean of 67.7 mmHg (P=.012) in this group. Fresh frozen plasma units were 136 and 249 for >2 and ≤2 ratios respectively (P<.01); 85.5% of all patients developed metabolic acidosis during the transfusion, and the number of days in the hospital after the event had a mean of 24.5 days in all patients. Conclusions: High rates of massive transfusion mortality are still being reported in our ield. The use of transfusion strategies contribute to elevate the survival rate in patients with massive transfusion treatment

Valores hematológicos y bioquímicos, y su asociación con el estado nutricional, en escolares urbanos. Cuenca

Objetivo: Determinar los valores hematológicos y bioquímicos y su asociación con el estado nutricional, en escolares urbanos de Cuenca. Materiales y métodos: Estudio transversal analítico, muestra aleatorizada por conglomerados, de 585 escolares entre 5 y 12 años de las escuelas urbanas de Cuenca, periodo 2012-2013. Se determinó el estado nutricional usando curvas de crecimiento para niños yadolescentes (z-score), índice de masa corporal por edad y sexo, según las recomendaciones de la Organización Mundial de la Salud; con los valores de los análisis hematológicos y bioquímicos practicados, se relacionaron los resultados de laboratorio con el estado nutricional. Resultados: La media de edad en la población fue de 8.87±1.9 años; promedio en valores hematológicos: glóbulos rojos 4.82±0.31 x 106/ml; glóbulos blancos 7.15±1.86 x 103/ ml; hemoglobina 13.66±1.34 g/dL; hematocrito 40.59±3.92%; volumen corpuscular medio (VCM) 83.64±4.03fl; hemoglobina corpuscular media (HCM) 38.31±1.27pg. Promedio de valores bioquímicos: proteína total 6.92±1.04g/ dL, albúmina sérica 4.37±0.7g/dL, hierro sérico 87.40±35.31μg/dL. El 19.3% presentó malnutrición (desnutrición 1.2%, sobrepeso 12.8% y obesidad 5.3%), existiendo asociación estadísticamente significativa (p<0.05) con glóbulos rojos. Existieron diferencias estadísticamente significativas, entre niños y niñas, en valores de hierro, VCM y HCM; y respecto de malnutrición, en hierro sérico, glóbulos rojos, glóbulos blancos, hematocrito y VCM. Conclusiones: Se encontró asociación entre el estado nutricional y los valores hematológicos y bioquímicos. Se determinó prevalencia alta de sobrepeso y obesidad en población escolar urbana de Cuenca, similar a la reportada en otros estudios.

Hematology and productive performance of nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) naturally infected with Flavobacterium columnare

Columnaris disease is one of the main causes of mortality in tilapia rearing and is responsible for large economic losses worldwide. Hematology is a tool that makes it possible to study organisms' physiological responses to pathogens. It may assist in making diagnoses and prognoses on diseases in fish populations. The hematological variables of nile tilapia were studied in specimens with a clinical diagnosis of columnaris disease and in specimens that were disease-free. The total erythrocyte count, hemoglobin rate, hematocrit percentage, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), organic defense blood cell percentages (leukocytes and thrombocytes) and hepatosomatic and splenosomatic index were determined. The results showed that there were changes in the erythrocytic series and in organic defense blood cells, in the fish infected with the bacterium, with reductions in erythrocytic variables and significant increases in the numbers of circulating lymphocytes and neutrophils.

S-Alkylated/aralkylated 2-(1H-indol-3-yl-methyl)-1,3,4- oxadiazole-5-thiol derivatives. 2. Anti-bacterial, enzymeinhibitory and hemolytic activities

Purpose: To evaluate the antibacterial, enzyme-inhibitory and hemolytic activities of Salkylated/ aralkylated 2-(1H-indol-3-ylmethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-5-thiol derivatives. Methods: Antibacterial activities of the compounds were evaluated using broth dilution method in 96 well plates. Enzyme inhibitory activities assays were investigated against α-glucosidase, butyrylcholinesterase (BchE) and lipoxygenase (LOX) using acarbose, eserine and baicalien as reference standards, respectively. A mixture of enzyme, test compound and the substrate was incubated and variation in absorbance noted before and after incubation. In tests for hemolytic activities, the compounds were incubated with red blood cells and variations in absorbance were used as indices their hemolytic activities. Results: The compounds were potent antibacterial agents. Five of them exhibited very good antibacterial potential similar to ciprofloxacin, and had minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of at least 9.00 ± 4.12 μM against S. aureus, E.coli, and B. subtilis. One of the compounds had strong enzyme inhibitory potential against α-glucosidase, with IC50 of 17.11 ± 0.02 μg/mL which was better than that of standard acarbose (IC50 38.25 ± 0.12 μg/mL). Another compound had 1.5 % hemolytic activity. Conclusion: S-Alkylated/aralkylated 2-(1H-indol-3-ylmethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-5-thiol deviratives with valuable antibacterial, anti-enzymatic and hemolytic activities have been successfully synthesized. These compounds may be useful in the development of pharmaceutical products.

Biological indicators of stress in pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) after capture

Os efeitos da captura (perseguição, contenção em puçá e exposição aérea) no perfil sanguíneo do cortisol, glicose, cloreto, sódio, potássio, cálcio e na osmolaridade, hematócrito, hemoglobina, número de células vermelhas (CV) e volume corpuscular médio (VCM) foram investigados no pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus). Um total de 132 peixes (49,7 ± 11,7 g) foi submetido à captura com 3 ou 5 minutos de exposição aérea. Nove peixes de cada tratamento foram amostrados 5, 15, 30, 60 minutos e 24 horas depois e outros nove peixes foram amostrados antes da captura e considerados controle. A captura resultou em aumento do cortisol e glicose no sangue 30 e 5 minutos depois da captura, respectivamente, independente do tempo de exposição aérea. Ambos os indicadores recuperaram os valores controle em 24 horas. Nos dois grupos de peixes, o cloreto plasmático diminuiu 60 minutos após captura e não recuperou os valores controle, enquanto o sódio sérico aumentou entre 15 e 30 minutos recuperando a condição controle em 24 horas. Não houve alteração significativa nos valores de potássio, cálcio, osmolaridade ou no hematócrito, hemoglobina, CV e VCM como consequência da captura. Os estressores sequenciais aplicados no pacu durante a captura ativaram o eixo cérebro-pituitária-interrenal (respostas do cortisol e glicose), mas a ativação do eixo cérebro-sistema simpático-células cromafins foi aparentemente moderada (respostas iônicas e hematológicas).

Caracterização química e biológica de peptídeos com propriedades antiproliferativas isolados da secreção cutânea do anuro Hypsiboas raniceps (Cope, 1862)

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, 2016.

Hematological alterations in Astyanax altiparanae (Characidade) caused by Lernaea cyprinacea (Copepoda: Lernaeidae).

This study describes the hematological alterations in Astyanax altiparanae associated with infestation with Lernaea cyprinacea. The study was carried out in a lagoon of the Mogi- Guaçu River, in the municipality of Pirassununga, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Of 46 fish examined, 45.6% had their integument infested by L. cyprinacea, with a mean intensity of 4.9 parasites per fish and a mean abundance of 2.2, giving a total of 139 recovered crustaceans. The abundance of L. cyprinacea correlated positively with the length and weight of the hosts, and the intensity of infestation was higher in female hosts. Macroscopic observation of lesions associated with the parasite showed a severe inflammatory reaction around the site of attachment of L. cyprinacea, associated with a lower relative condition factor and blood parameters. The hematocrit, number of red blood cells and thrombocytes were higher in non-parasitized than in parasitized fish. However, the hemoglobin concentration, hematimetric indices and the number of white blood cells were not influenced by infestation.

Haematological characteristics of Brazilian Teleosts: III. Parameters of the hybrid tambacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus Holmberg x Colossoma macropomum Cuvier) (Osteichthyes, Characidae)

Fifty six specimens of the hybrid tambacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus Holmberg, 1887 male x Colossoma macropomum Cuvier, 1818 female) were collected from fishfarm of Guariba, São Paulo, to evaluate their haematology. Fishes presented 400.0 to 3,100.0 g total weight and 20.0 to 52.0 cm total length. Haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular haemoglobin content (MCHC) and percentage of defense blood cells including leucocytes and thrombocytes, were studied. Statistical analysis showed positive correlation (P<0.01) between haematocrit, MCHC and haemoglobin rate. Nevertheless, thrombocytes and lymphocytes showed negative correlation (P<0.01).