PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF EDIBLE STARCH FILMS WITH BARBADOS CHERRY (Malphigia emarginata DC)

PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF EDIBLE STARCH FILMS WITH BARBADOS CHERRY (Malphigia emarginata D.C.). Edibles films are an alternative to synthetic materials used for packing food products. Barbados cherry is rich in vitamin C and carotenoids. The aim of this study was to characterize and develop films by casting from cassava starch, lyophilized Barbados cherry pulp and glycerol. The films were characterized with respect to thickness, water vapor permeability (WVP), water solubility, vitamin C. carotene and mechanical properties. The interaction of pulp and glycerol reduced film thickness. An increase in pulp concentration up to 60% increased WVP but beyond this concentration reduced both WVP and solubility leading to an increased level of vitamin C and carotene in the films.35354655

Comparative fitness analysis of D-cycloserine resistant mutants reveals both fitness-neutral and high-fitness cost genotypes

Drug resistant infections represent one of the most challenging medical problems of our time. D-cycloserine is an antibiotic used for six decades without significant appearance and dissemination of antibiotic resistant strains, making it an ideal model compound to understand what drives resistance evasion. We therefore investigated why Mycobacterium tuberculosis fails to become resistant to D-cycloserine. To address this question, we employed a combination of bacterial genetics, genomics, biochemistry and fitness analysis in vitro, in macrophages and in mice. Altogether, our results suggest that the ultra-low rate of emergence of D-cycloserine resistance mutations is the dominant biological factor delaying the appearance of clinical resistance to this antibiotic. Furthermore, we also identified potential compensatory mechanisms able to minimize the severe fitness costs of primary D-cycloserine resistance conferring mutations

GESTAÇÃO DE RISCO: PERCEPÇÃO E SENTIMENTOS DAS GESTANTES COM AMNIORREXE PREMATURA

Premature amniorrhexis, risky pregnancy, became a global concern because of the harm to the mother and fetus. Aim to identify the knowledge of women of premature amniorrhexis and get to know their perceptions and their feelings about this pathology. Descriptive study with a qualitative approach, developed in a public maternity ward. 11 women participated while hospitalized with a diagnosis of premature amniorrhexis, in the months of September and October 2007. The collection of semi-structured data was used, from which emerged the categories: Women's knowledge in relation to premature amniorrhexis, requiring information, and their feelings experienced, and reaction before their water broke. The results showed that women know little of the disease, or fear for the life of their children, and do not know what to do before that. Additionally health care professionals should regard women as human beings that need support and understanding.Amniorrexe prematuro, embarazo de riesgo, se convirtió en preocupación mundial debido a los agravios en la gestante y en el feto. Objetivamos identificar el conocimiento de las gestantes sobre amniorrexe prematura y conocer sus percepciones y sus sentimientos ante esta patología. Estudio descriptivo con un enfoque cualitativo, desarrollado en una maternidad pública. Participaron 11 gestantes hospitalizadas con diagnóstico de amniorrexe prematura, en los meses de septiembre y octubre de 2007. Se utilizó en la recogida de datos entrevista semi-estructurada a partir de la cual surgieron las categorías: conocimiento de las gestantes en relación con amniorrexe prematura, que requieren la información, los sentimientos experimentados, la reacción ante la ruptura de la bolsa de aguas. Los resultados mostraron que las mujeres saben poco de la enfermedad, el temor por la vida de sus hijos y no saben qué hacer ante esta situación. De ahí la necesidad de los profesionales de la salud de mirar a las gestantes como seres que necesitan de apoyo y comprensión.Amniorrexe prematura, gestação de risco, tornou-se preocupação mundial devido os agravos na gestante e no feto. Objetivamos identificar o conhecimento de gestantes sobre amniorrexe prematura e conhecer suas percepções e seus sentimentos diante desta patologia. Estudo descritivo com abordagem qualitativa, desenvolvido em uma maternidade pública. Participaram 11 gestantes internadas com o diagnóstico de amniorrexe prematura, nos meses de setembro e outubro de 2007. Utilizou-se na coleta de dados entrevista semi-estruturada de onde emergiram as categorias: conhecimento das gestantes em relação à amniorrexe prematura, necessitando de informações, sentimentos vivenciados, reação diante do rompimento da bolsa das águas. Os resultados revelaram que as gestantes pouco conhecem da patologia, temem pela vida dos filhos e não sabem o que fazer diante dessa situação. Consideramos então a necessidade dos profissionais de saúde olhar para as gestantes como seres que necessitam de apoio e compreensão

Respiratory allergy to Blomia tropicalis: Immune response in four syngeneic mouse strains and assessment of a low allergen-dose, short-term experimental model

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The dust mite <it>Blomia tropicalis </it>is an important source of aeroallergens in tropical areas. Although a mouse model for <it>B. tropicalis </it>extract (<it>Bt</it>E)-induced asthma has been described, no study comparing different mouse strains in this asthma model has been reported. The relevance and reproducibility of experimental animal models of allergy depends on the genetic background of the animal, the molecular composition of the allergen and the experimental protocol.</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>This work had two objectives. The first was to study the anti-<it>B. tropicalis </it>allergic responses in different mouse strains using a short-term model of respiratory allergy to <it>Bt</it>E. This study included the comparison of the allergic responses elicited by <it>Bt</it>E with those elicited by ovalbumin in mice of the strain that responded better to <it>Bt</it>E sensitization. The second objective was to investigate whether the best responder mouse strain could be used in an experimental model of allergy employing relatively low <it>Bt</it>E doses.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Groups of mice of four different syngeneic strains were sensitized subcutaneously with 100 μg of <it>Bt</it>E on days 0 and 7 and challenged four times intranasally, at days 8, 10, 12, and 14, with 10 μg of <it>Bt</it>E. A/J mice, that were the best responders to <it>Bt</it>E sensitization, were used to compare the <it>B. tropicalis</it>-specific asthma experimental model with the conventional experimental model of ovalbumin (OVA)-specific asthma. A/J mice were also sensitized with a lower dose of <it>Bt</it>E.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mice of all strains had lung inflammatory-cell infiltration and increased levels of anti-<it>Bt</it>E IgE antibodies, but these responses were significantly more intense in A/J mice than in CBA/J, BALB/c or C57BL/6J mice. Immunization of A/J mice with <it>Bt</it>E induced a more intense airway eosinophil influx, higher levels of total IgE, similar airway hyperreactivity to methacholine but less intense mucous production, and lower levels of specific IgE, IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies than sensitization with OVA. Finally, immunization with a relatively low <it>Bt</it>E dose (10 μg per subcutaneous injection per mouse) was able to sensitize A/J mice, which were the best responders to high-dose <it>Bt</it>E immunization, for the development of allergy-associated immune and lung inflammatory responses.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The described short-term model of <it>Bt</it>E-induced allergic lung disease is reproducible in different syngeneic mouse strains, and mice of the A/J strain was the most responsive to it. In addition, it was shown that OVA and <it>Bt</it>E induce quantitatively different immune responses in A/J mice and that the experimental model can be set up with low amounts of <it>Bt</it>E.</p

Differential effects of antigens from L. braziliensis isolates from disseminated and cutaneous leishmaniasis on in vitro cytokine production

BACKGROUND: Disseminated leishmaniasis is an emerging infectious disease, mostly due to L. braziliensis, which has clinical and histopathological features distinct from cutaneous leishmaniasis. METHODS: In the current study we evaluated the in vitro production of the cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-5 and IL-10 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 15 disseminated leishmaniasis and 24 cutaneous leishmaniasis patients upon stimulation with L. braziliensis antigens genotyped as disseminated leishmaniasis or cutaneous leishmaniasis isolates. RESULTS: Regardless of the source of L. braziliensis antigens, PBMC from cutaneous leishmaniasis patients produced significantly higher IFN-γ than PBMC from disseminated leishmaniasis patients. Levels of TNF-α by PBMC from cutaneous leishmaniasis patients were significantly higher than disseminated leishmaniasis patients only when stimulated by genotyped cutaneous leishmaniasis antigens. The levels of IL-5 and IL-10 production by PBMC were very low and similar in PBMCs from both disseminated leishmaniasis and cutaneous leishmaniasis patients. The immune response of each patient evaluated by the two L. braziliensis antigens was assessed in a paired analysis in which we showed that L. braziliensis genotyped as disseminated leishmaniasis isolate was more potent than L. braziliensis genotyped as cutaneous leishmaniasis isolate in triggering IFN-γ and TNF-α production in both diseases and IL-5 only in cutaneous leishmaniasis patients. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that antigens prepared from genotypically distinct strains of L. braziliensis induce different degrees of immune response. It also indicates that both parasite and host play a role in the outcome of L. braziliensis infection

Feeding spectra and activity of the freshwater crab Trichodactylus kensleyi (Decapoda: Brachyura: Trichodactylidae) at La Plata basin

Background: In inland water systems, it is important to characterize the trophic links in order to identify the ‘trophic species’ and, from the studies of functional diversity, understand the dynamics of matter and energy in these environments. The aim of this study is to analyze the natural diet of Trichodactylus kensleyi of subtropical rainforest streams and corroborate the temporal variation in the trophic activity during day hours. Results: A total of 15 major taxonomic groups were recognized in gut contents. The index of relative importance identified the following main prey items in decreasing order of importance: vegetal remains, oligochaetes, chironomid larvae, and algae. A significant difference was found in the amount of full stomachs during day hours showing a less trophic activity at midday and afternoon. The index of relative importance values evidenced the consumption of different prey according to day moments. Results of the gut content indicate that T. kensleyi is an omnivorous crab like other trichodactylid species. Opportunistic behavior is revealed by the ingestion of organisms abundant in streams such as oligochaetes and chironomid larvae. The consumption of allochthonous plant debris shows the importance of this crab as shredder in subtropical streams. However, the effective assimilation of plant matter is yet unknown in trichodactylid crabs. Conclusions: This research provides knowledge that complements previous studies about trophic relationships of trichodactylid crabs and supported the importance of T. kensleyi in the transference of energy and matter from benthic community and riparian sources to superior trophic levels using both macro- and microfauna.Fil: Williner, Verónica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias; ArgentinaFil: de Azevedo Carvalho, Debora. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; ArgentinaFil: Collins, Pablo Agustin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; Argentin

Spread pattern of the first dengue epidemic in the city of Salvador, Brazil

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The explosive epidemics of dengue that have been occurring in various countries have stimulated investigation into new approaches to improve understanding of the problem and to develop new strategies for controlling the disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of diffusion of the first dengue epidemic that occurred in the city of Salvador in 1995.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The epidemiological charts and records of notified cases of dengue in Salvador in 1995 constituted the source of data. The cases of the disease were georeferenced according to census areas (spatial units) and epidemiological weeks (temporal unit). Kernel density estimation was used to identify the pattern of spatial diffusion using the R-Project computer software program.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 2,006 census areas in the city, 1,400 (70%) registered cases of dengue in 1995 and the spatial distribution of these records revealed that by the end of 1995 practically the entire city had been affected by the virus, with the largest concentration of cases occurring in the western region, composed of census areas with a high population density and predominantly horizontal residences compared to the eastern region of the city, where there is a predominance of vertical residential buildings.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The pattern found in this study shows the characteristics of the classic process of spreading by contagion that is common to most infectious diseases. It was possible to identify the epicenter of the epidemic from which centrifugal waves of the disease emanated. Our results suggest that, if a more agile control instrument existed that would be capable of rapidly reducing the vector population within a few days or of raising the group immunity of the population by means of a vaccine, it would theoretically be possible to adopt control actions around the epicenter of the epidemic and consequently reduce the incidence of the disease in the city. This finding emphasizes the need for further research to improve the technology available for the prevention of this disease.</p