Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV) and Hepatitis Delta (HDV) Viruses in the Colombian Population—How Is the Epidemiological Situation?

Background: Viral hepatitis B, C and delta still remain a serious problem worldwide. In Colombia, data from 1980s described that HBV and HDV infection are important causes of hepatitis, but little is known about HCV infection. The aim of this study was to determine the currently frequency of HBV, HCV and HDV in four different Colombian regions. Methodology/Principal Findings: This study was conducted in 697 habitants from 4 Colombian departments: Amazonas, Choco, Magdalena and San Andres Islands. Epidemiological data were obtained from an interview applied to each individual aiming to evaluate risk factors related to HBV, HCV or HDV infections. All samples were tested for HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs and anti-HCV markers. Samples that were positive to HBsAg and/or anti-HBc were tested to anti-HDV. Concerning the geographical origin of the samples, the three HBV markers showed a statistically significant difference: HBsAg (p = 0.033) and anti-HBc (p < 0.001) were more frequent in Amazonas and Magdalena departments. Isolated anti-HBs (a marker of previous vaccination) frequencies were: Choco (53.26%), Amazonas (32.88%), Magdalena (17.0%) and San Andres (15.33%) p < 0.001. Prevalence of anti-HBc increased with age; HBsAg varied from 1.97 to 8.39% (p = 0.033). Amazonas department showed the highest frequency for anti-HCV marker (5.68%), while the lowest frequency was found in San Andres Island (0.66%). Anti-HDV was found in 9 (5.20%) out of 173 anti-HBc and/or HBsAg positive samples, 8 of them from the Amazonas region and 1 from them Magdalena department. Conclusions/Significance: In conclusion, HBV, HCV and HDV infections are detected throughout Colombia in frequency levels that would place some areas as hyperendemic for HBV, especially those found in Amazonas and Magdalena departments. Novel strategies to increase HBV immunization in the rural population and to strengthen HCV surveillance are reinforced by these results.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo - FAPESP[2007/53457-7]Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo - FAPESP[2008/50461-6]CNPqSao Paulo, SP, BrazilPontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota, Colombi

Use of Additives and Evaluation of the Quality of Broiler Meat

In the poultry industry, the demand for safe and quality meat in the market has increased considerably. The type of feed used and the management of poultry have a significant impact on the safety and quality characteristics of poultry meat. The use of additives that increase productivity and improve meat quality has generated much research. Nanoparticles, prebiotics, and probiotics have been used as growth promoters to increase and improve growth rate, performance, immunity, resistance to pathogens, as well as to improve meat quality. The type and level of these additives incorporated in the diets influence the animal’s development and meat quality parameters. The aim of the study was to report the results of scientific research on the use of food additives used in broiler nutrition and their effect on meat quality

Modelling, simulation and factorial design as tools for the in silico process optimisation of fructooligosaccharide production by immobilised fructosyltransferase in a basket reactor

Modelling, simulation and optimisation of the production of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) by fructosyltransferase immobilised on inorganic niobium support and applied in a basket reactor (BR) were used for in silico optimisation of the process. Simulink and MATLAB 6.0 were used as computational tools. The kinetic process data were obtained experimentally using purified fructosyltransferase produced by Rhodotula sp. Optimisation experiments were carried out using simulation, according to the factorial design methodology, using a two central composite rotatable design. In the first design, the variables with the highest influence were determined; in the second design, the conditions to produce FOS were optimised. The optimum conditions were 14 Ui/ml for the activity of enzyme, immobilised in a niobium ore, and a stirring speed of 45 rpm. Under these conditions, FOS yield was 50.6% after 24 h of synthesis, at 50°C and pH 4.5. The results demonstrated the good efficiency of the BR, as well as showing that the film mass transfer coefficient around the biocatalyst has a significant influence during the reaction and production of FOS3218492FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESPSem informaçã

Modeling And Simulation Of Fructooligosaccharides Synthesis In A Batch Basket Reactor.

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) production was carried out in a batch basket reactor with immobilized fructosyltransferase from Rhodotorula sp. from 500×10(3) g m(-3) of sucrose in 50 mM sodium acetate buffer at pH 6.0, 48 °C at 85 rpm and with an activity of 22.44×10(3) U m(-3). The experimental data were well adjusted to the mathematical model for FOS production using SIMULINK(®) (MATLAB(®)). The highest regression coefficient (R(2)>90%) and the lowest percentual residual standard deviation (%RSD<4.0) and chi-square (χ(2) <1.0) were obtained for sucrose (GF), kestose (GF2) and total FOS. The mass transfer coefficient (kL) was determined as 5.6×10(-5) m h(-1) and the diffusivity (DS) was 2.11×10(-11) m(2) s(-1). The best predicted FOS yield (after 96 h) was 60.62%, with an equivalent productivity of 3.16×10(3) g m(-3) h(-1). These results reaffirm the good potential of this enzyme for industrial application and, in addition, are in conformation to other studies conducted with the same enzyme from the same and different microbial sources.21044-5

Geographic localization of the four places from where samples were collected in Colombia.

<p>The capital of each department is in red (•).</p

Results for each HBV, HDV and HCV serology marker evaluated in the Colombian population (>11 years old).

<p>*p value was not calculated due to the small number of positive samples.</p