HYPOTHETICAL HUMAN IMMUNE GENOME COMPLEX GRADIENT MAY HELP TO EXPLAIN THE CONGENITAL ZIKA SYMDROME CATASTROPHE IN BRAZIL: A NEW THEORY

There are few data considering human genetics as an important risk factor for birth abnormalities related to ZIKV infection during pregnancy, even though sub-Saharan African populations are apparently more resistant to CZS as compared to populations in the Americas. We hypothesized that single nucleotide variants (SNVs), especially in innate immune genes, could make some populations more susceptible to Zika congenital complications than others. Differences in the SNV frequencies among continental populations provide great potential for Machine Learning techniques. We explored a key immune genomic gradient between individuals from Africa, Asia and Latin America, working with complex signatures, using 297 SNVs. We employed a two-step approach. In the first step, decision trees (DTs) were used to extract the most discriminating SNVs among populations. In the second step, machine learning algorithms were used to evaluate the quality of the SNV pool identified in step one for discriminating between individuals from sub-Saharan African and Latin-American populations. Our results suggest that 10 SNVs from 10 genes (CLEC4M, CD58, OAS2, CD80, VEPH1, CTLA4, CD274, CD209, PLAAT4, CREB3L1) were able to discriminate sub-Saharan Africans from Latin American populations using only immune genome data, with an accuracy close to 100%. Moreover, we found that these SNVs form a genome gradient across the three main continental populations. These SNVs are important elements of the innate immune system and in the response against viruses. Our data support the Human Immune Genome Complex Gradient hypothesis as a new theory that may help to explain the CZS catastrophe in Brazil

Adherence and side effects of three ferrous sulfate treatment regimens on anemic pregnant women in clinical trials Adesão e efeitos colaterais em ensaio clínico comparando três esquemas de tratamento com sulfato ferroso em gestantes anêmicas

The objective of this study was to analyze adherence and side effects of three iron supplement regimens (ferrous sulfate) on anemic pregnant women. The clinical trial involved 150 women between the 16th and 20th gestational weeks, at low obstetric risk and with hemoglobin concentration of between 8.0 and 11.0g/dL. Treatment was provided by ferrous sulfate with 60mg of elemental iron during 16 (± 1) weeks, in three regimens: single tablet a week (n = 48); single tablet twice a week (n = 53) or single tablet a day (n = 49). The outcomes were adherence, assessed through interviews and by counting tablets, and side effects, according to patient information. The adherence showed a declining trend (92%, 83% and 71%; p = 0.010) and the side effects revealed a growing trend (40%, 45% and 71%; p = 0.002) as the dosage increased. Diarrhea and epigastric pain were significantly associated with the dose administered (p = 0.002). These results suggest that in anemic pregnant women, complaints are directly proportional and the compliance is inversely proportional to the amount of medicinal iron.<br>O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a adesão e os efeitos colaterais de três esquemas de suplementação com sulfato ferroso em gestantes anêmicas. O ensaio clínico incluiu 150 mulheres entre a 16ª e 20ª semanas de gestação, de baixo risco obstétrico e com concentração de hemoglobina entre 8,0 e 11,0g/dL. A intervenção foi realizada com 60mg de ferro elementar, durante 16 (±1) semanas, em três esquemas: uma drágea semanal (n = 48); uma drágea duas vezes por semana (n = 53) ou uma drágea diariamente (n = 49). Os desfechos foram adesão, verificada por entrevista e contagem das drágeas, e efeitos colaterais auto-relatados pelas pacientes. A adesão apresentou tendência declinante (92%, 83% e 71%; p = 0,010) e os efeitos colaterais, ascendente (40%, 45% e 71%; p = 0,002) com o aumento da dose prescrita. Diarréia e dor epigástrica estiveram significativamente associadas à dose administrada (p = 0,002). Os resultados sugerem que em gestantes anêmicas as queixas e a adesão ao tratamento com sulfato ferroso são, respectivamente, direta e inversamente proporcionais à quantidade do ferro medicamentoso

Fatores antinutricionais da casca e da polpa desidratada de café (Coffea arabica L.) armazenadas em diferentes períodos Antinutritional factors of the hull and dehydrated pulp of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) stored in different periods

Avaliaram-se os teores de cafeína, taninos, lignina e sílica, na casca e polpa de café das cultivares Catuaí, Rubi e Mundo Novo. A polpa foi obtida pela despolpa úmida em despolpador mecânico e, em seguida, seca ao sol até 13% de umidade. Os materiais foram armazenados em sacos de ráfia, em ambiente coberto, ventilado e seco, com amostragem em triplicata a cada 90 dias. A regressão mostrou aumento quadrático de 11,7% no teor de cafeína ao longo de 360 dias de armazenamento. O teor de taninos reduziu-se linearmente ao longo do armazenamento. Os valores de taninos foram de 1,70% comparado a 2,77% nos materiais sem armazenamento, redução de aproximadamente 38,6% no período de um ano. Os teores de lignina reduziram linearmente em 2,6% para a porcentagem de lignina na MS (11,7 para 11,4%) e 5,8% na porcentagem de lignina da FDN (10,4 para 9,8%), nos materiais sem armazenagem comparados a doze meses de armazenamento. Houve diferença significativa entre casca e polpa para a variável sílica. Maior valor de sílica na casca comparado à polpa pode ser decorrente da presença do pergaminho, uma vez que a polpa não o possui. A armazenagem da casca e polpa por um período de doze meses melhora as qualidades destes materiais, uma vez que reduziu os teores de taninos e lignina. Os teores de cafeína encontrados são limitantes na utilização de grandes quantidades desses materiais para ruminantes.<br>It was evaluated the caffeine contents of caffeine, tannins, lignin and silica in the hull and pulp of coffee of cultivars Catuaí, Rubi, Mundo Novo. Pulp was obtained by moist pulping in a mechanical pulper and dried in the sun adjusted to 13% moisture. Materials were stored in raffia bag in environment free of moisture and ventilated with samplings every 90 days. The quadratic effect shown increased caffeine content along 360 day storage, this increase was of 11,7% along 12 months. Tannin content was reduced linearly along the storage. The values of tannin were of 2.77% compared with 1.70% in the materials without storage. The reduction was of 38.6% in one year period. Lignin contents were reduced linearly in 2.6% for lignin percentage in DM (11.7 to 11.4%) and 5.8% in the lignin percentage of NDF (10.4 to 9.8%) in the materials with no storage compared to 12-month storage. There was a significant difference between the hull and pulp for the variable silica. Increased value of silica in the hull, compared to the pulp may be due to the presence of parchment in this material, since this pulp does no possess it. The storage of hull and pulp for a 12-month period improves the qualities of these materials since it reduced tannin and lignin contents. The values of caffeine found are limiting in the use of great amounts of those materials for ruminants