Emulsion pcr (Epcr) as a tool to improve the power of dgge analysis for microbial population studies

To the authors\u2019 knowledge, this is the first report of the use of emulsion-Polymerase chain reaction (e-PCR) coupled with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis. In the present work the effectiveness of ePCR in improving the power of the DGGE technique for microbial population studies was tested. Our results indicated that ePCR results in uniform amplification of several DNA molecules, overcoming the major limitations of conventional PCR, such as preferential amplification and DNA concentration dependence. Moreover, ePCR-DGGE resulted in higher sensitivity when compared to conventional PCR-DGGE methods used for studying microbial populations in a complex matrix. In fact, compared to conventional PCR, the DGGE profiles of ePCR products permitted the detection of a higher number of the species that were present in the tested sample

Population Structure Of Jatropha And Its Implication For The Breeding Program

Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) has potential as an oilseed crop that requires the development of technology for its exploitation. The objective of this study was to assess the population structure and the genetic diversity in jatropha accessions at a global level using simple sequence repeat (SSR) molecular markers. Jatropha accessions (N = 109) from 10 countries were genotyped using 10 SSR markers. The results showed a low level of genetic diversity among 92 accessions originating from India, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Brazil, Honduras, and Indonesia, which were grouped in one cluster. In contrast, accessions from Mexico and Costa Rica showed high level of genetic variability. These accessions may be used to increase the genetic diversity of jatropha in the breeding populations. The study also showed the need of collecting activity from the center of diversity (Mexico and Costa Rica) to aggregate the genetic diversity in the international collections of jatropha. © FUNPEC-RP.15

Effect of short-term hazelnut consumption on DNA damage and oxidized LDL in children and adolescents with primary hyperlipidemia : a randomized controlled trial

Children with primary hyperlipidemia are prone to develop premature atherosclerosis, possibly associated with increased oxidative stress. Nutritional therapy is the primary strategy in the treatment of hyperlipidemia and associated conditions. Dietary interventions with bioactive-rich foods, such as nuts, may contribute to the modulation of both lipid profile and the oxidative/antioxidant status. Our study aimed to assess the impact of a dietary intervention with hazelnuts on selected oxidative stress markers in children and adolescents with primary hyperlipidemia. A single-blind, 8-week, randomized, controlled, three-arm, parallel-group study was performed. Children and adolescents diagnosed with primary hyperlipidemia (n=60) received dietary guidelines and were randomized into three groups: group 1 received hazelnuts with skin (HZN+S), and group 2 hazelnuts without skin (HZN-S), at equivalent doses (15-30 g/day, based on body weight); group 3 (controls) received only dietary recommendations (no nuts). At baseline and after 8 weeks, plasma oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) concentrations, oxidative levels of DNA damage in PBMCs and potential correlation with changes in serum lipids were examined. A reduction of endogenous DNA damage by 18.9%\ub151.3% (P=.002) and 23.1%\ub147.9% (P=.007) was observed after HZN+S and HZN-S, respectively. Oxidatively induced DNA strand breaks decreased by 16.0%\ub138.2% (P=.02) following HZN+S treatment. Ox-LDL levels did not change after HZN+S intervention but positively correlated with total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. A short-term hazelnut intervention improves cell DNA protection and resistance against oxidative stress but not ox-LDL in hyperlipidemic pediatric patients. The trial was registered at ISRCTN.com, ID no. ISRCTN12261900

Intensive care of postoperative patients in bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Obesity is an epidemic disease reaching more than 300 million people all over the world. Its prevalence has increased during the past few years and according to some studies its mortality in the critically ill patient seems to be much higher, especially among patients who were submitted to surgery. This study has as objective to discuss some particularities of managing obese patients in the intensive care unit after bariatric surgery. CONTENTS: The rate of obese patient in the ICU ranges from 9% to 26% and the increase in the number of bariatric surgeries has raised the number of obese patients in the ICU. It is important to know the physiopathology of obesity and to treat its particularities during the postoperative care. Such as pulmonary restriction, that causes an increase in pulmonary complications, coronary artery disease and thromboembolic events. CONCLUSIONS: The number of patients that undergo to bariatric surgery has increased; therefore, the number of obese patients in the ICU has also risen. Different physiological events and complications in obese patients are challenges to clinical practice. The knowledge of obese physiopathology helps in the managing routine procedures and complications after bariatric surgery.JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A obesidade é considerada uma epidemia e afeta mais de 300 milhões de pessoas no mundo. A sua prevalência vem aumentando significativamente nos últimos anos e a mortalidade do paciente obeso crítico, em alguns estudos, mostra-se maior, especialmente em pacientes cirúrgicos que necessitam de UTI. Este estudo teve como objetivo ressaltar as particularidades das condutas em Medicina Intensiva no pós-operatório do paciente obeso submetido à cirurgia bariátrica. CONTEÚDO: A taxa dos pacientes obesos na UTI é de 9% a 26% e o aumento no número de cirurgias bariá­tricas tem elevado o fluxo de obesos internados em UTI. A obesidade tem várias particularidades fisiopatológicas que devem ser conhecidas para melhor manuseio pós-operatório. Entre elas estão as restrições pulmonares, que leva ao aumento do número de complicações, o fator de risco para síndrome coronariana aguda eventos trombóticos. CONCLUSÕES: O número de pacientes submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica está aumentando, o que leva a maior número de pacientes obesos internados na UTI. As alterações fisiológicas da obesidade, juntamente com as complicações de um paciente crítico, são desafios para a prática médica. Portanto, é relevante conhecer a fisiopatologia da obesidade, o tratamento rotineiro das complicações no pós-operatório de cirurgia bariátrica.UNIFESP Clínica MédicaClínica Médica da UNIFESP UTIAMIB-AMBInstituto Dante Pazzanese de CardiologiaUNIFESP, Clínica MédicaClínica Médica da UNIFESP, UTISciEL

Polyneuropathy in the critical ill patient: a common diagnosis in intensive care medicine?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The diffuse axonal polyneuropathy, more commonly known as Critical Illness Polyneuropathy (CIP), has been discussed by authors by decades; however, it has only been deeply studied over the last thirty years, becoming more important as an important cause of long term dependence on mechanical ventilation by seriously ill patients in intensive care medicine. CONTENTS: A significant reason for such interest is due to the importance of the CIP as complication of the septic shock and in patients with multiple organ failure, as much as responsible for the prolonging hospitalization in the Intensive Care Unit, as for the gradual reduction of the chance of survival. It has been suggested that the polyneuropathy is related with cytokines and other mediators which would increase the permeability of the vases, resulting in endoneural edema and causing the axonal injury. It is difficult to do the initial diagnostic, which, in general, are only possibly recognized when the sepsis complications or the multiple organs failure have been satisfactorily controlled. The diagnosis is made through the eletroneuromiography exam, and although there is still no effective drug treatment other than the control of the basic illness, it is consensus among multidisciplinary team that the development of the CIP does not have to be understood as a way to reduce the intensity of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Spit of your prevalence, it is still unknown the mainly factors which are physiopathology associated as soon as your correct therapy.JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A polineuropatia axonal difusa, hoje mais conhecida como polineuropatia do paciente crítico (PPC), tem sido relatada por autores há décadas, porém, apenas nos últimos 30 anos, ocupa maior importância como causa de dependência prolongada de ventilação mecânica, em pacientes gravemente enfermos internados em Unidades de Terapia Intensiva. Esta revisão teve por objetivo apresentar os princípios tópicos que norteiam a fisiopatologia, diagnóstico e tratamento desta doença em Medicina intensiva. CONTEÚDO: A importância da PPC como complicação inicial do choque séptico e em pacientes com disfunção de múltiplos de órgãos e sistemas (DMOS) está claramente descrita como responsável pelo prolongamento da permanência na UTI e, também pela redução gradativa da probabilidade de sobrevida. Sugere-se que a polineuropatia esteja relacionada com as citocinas envolvidas na sepse, além de outros mediadores que aumentariam a permeabilidade dos vasos, resultando em edema endoneural e lesão axonal. Seu início é de difícil diagnóstico, geralmente sendo possível apenas quando as complicações da sepse ou falência de múltiplos órgãos tenham sido adequadamente controladas. O diagnóstico é feito através da eletroneuromiografia. Apesar de ainda não haver nenhum tratamento medicamentoso efetivo, além do controle da doença de base, é censo comum, entre equipes multidisciplinares que o desenvolvimento da PPC não deve ser entendido como forma de reduzir os esforços do tratamento. CONLUSÕES: A despeito de sua prevalência, ainda permanecem desconhecidos os fatores claramente associados à sua fisiopatologia, bem como adequada terapia para o manuseio desta condição.UNIFESP-EPMAMIB AMBUNIFESP, EPMSciEL

Effect of a wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) drink intervention on markers of oxidative stress, inflammation and endothelial function in humans with cardiovascular risk factors

Purpose Wild blueberries (WB) (Vaccinium angustifolium) are rich sources of polyphenols, such as flavonols, phenolic acids and anthocyanins (ACNs), reported to decrease the risk of cardiovascular and degenerative diseases. This study investigated the effect of regular consumption of a WB or a placebo (PL) drink on markers of oxidative stress, inflammation and endothelial function in subjects with risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Methods Eighteen male volunteers (ages 47.8 ? 9.7 years; body mass index 24.8 ? 2.6 kg/m2) received according to a cross-over design, a WB (25 g freeze-dried powder, providing 375 mg of ACNs) or a PL drink for 6 weeks, spaced by a 6-week wash-out. Endogenous and oxidatively induced DNA damage in blood mononuclear cells, serum interleukin levels, reactive hyperemia index, nitric oxide, soluble vascular adhesion molecule concentration and other variables were analyzed. In conclusion, the consumption of the WB drink for 6 weeks significantly reduced the levels of oxidized DNA bases and increased the resistance to oxidatively induced DNA damage. Future studies should address in greater detail the role of WB in endothelial functio

Cardiovascular complications related to cocaine use: case report

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cocaine is the most commonly used illicit drug and its acute and chronic effects are related to a variety of physiological changes, mainly in the cardiovascular system. This study is a case report of a patient with cardiomyopathy related to cocaine use. CASE REPORT: A 19 year old men, who has been using cocaine and crack since 15 years old, was admitted to the emergency department (ED) in February 2006 with progressive dyspnea during minimal efforts and bloody expectoration. During the physical exam it was observed legs edema, jugular stasis and dyspnea at rest. The echocardiogram demonstrated left ventricular hypocinesia, a 17 mm ventricular thrombus and a 12% ejection fraction. A bleeding from the left upper lobe was identified during a pulmonary bronchoscopy which was treated with arterial embolization. After 48h of the procedure, the patient was asymptomatic and an antithrombotic treatment with warfarin and enoxaparin was started. No obstruction was found at the cineangiography and the patient was discharged after clinical improvement. The patient was admitted again to the intensive care unit in July with intense chest pain and dyspnea at rest. A new cineangiography was performed and it was observed occlusion in the anterior descendent coronary artery. CONCLUSIONS: The cocaine acute effects are commonly seen at the ED but the chronic effects, as the cardiovascular manifestations, can take longer to be correlated as a side effect of cocaine use. Its prolonged use is related to left ventricular systolic dysfunction due to hypertrophy or myocardial dilation, atherosclerosis, arrhythmias, myocyte apoptosis and sympathetic damage.JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A cocaína é uma droga ilícita amplamente utilizada e o seu uso tem sido associado a efeitos decorrentes da toxicidade aguda e crônica em praticamente todos os órgãos, particularmente no sistema cardiovascular. Este artigo visou descrever um caso de cardiomiopatia em paciente jovem usuário crônico de cocaína. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente do sexo masculino, 19 anos, usuário de cocaína por inalação e crack desde os 15 anos de idade. Foi internado em fevereiro de 2006 devido a dispnéia progressiva aos mínimos esforços e expectoração sanguinolenta. Ao exame físico apresentava edema nos membros inferiores, estase jugular e dispnéia em repouso. Foram observados no ecocardiograma: dilatação das quatro câmaras cardíacas, com hipocinesia difusa de ventrículo esquerdo (VE), trombo mural em VE de 17 mm e fração de ejeção de 12%. Realizada broncoscopia pulmonar que identificou sangramento em língula ativo, tratado com embolização. Após 48h do procedimento, o paciente manteve-se assintomático e sem expectoração sanguinolenta. Iniciado tratamento antitrombótico com warfarina e enoxaparina. A cineangiocoronariografia não evidenciou lesões obstrutivas e o paciente recebeu alta após melhora clínica. Re-internado em julho de 2006 com dor precordial de forte intensidade e dispnéia de repouso. Nova cineangiocoronariografia evidenciou oclusão de terço médio da artéria descendente anterior. CONCLUSÕES: Os efeitos agudos da cocaína freqüentemente motivam atendimento de emergência. Já as suas manifestações crônicas, como as doenças cardiovasculares, podem produzir alterações de difícil correlação futura ao seu consumo prévio. O uso prolongado da cocaína está relacionado à alteração da função sistólica ventricular esquerda por hipertrofia ou dilatação miocárdica, aterosclerose, disritmias cardíacas, apoptose de cardiomiócitos e lesão simpática.UNIFESPUniversidade São FranciscoUNIFESPSciEL

"Nutrizione e Rischio Cardiovascolare"

Wild blueberries are rich sources of polyphenols such as anthocyanins capable of counteracting oxidative stress, influencing vasomotor tone and modulating gene expression associated with disease processes such as cardiovascular disease