Anticorpos IgG anti-metacestódeo de Taenia solium em amostras de soro de habitantes da região centro-oeste do Brasil

A total of 354 serum samples from inhabitants who frequent the Clinical Laboratory in Catalão, Goiás, in the central-western region of Brazil, were collected from June to August, 2002. The samples were evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence antibody tests and an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in order to detect anti-Taenia solium metacestode IgG antibodies. Reactive and inconclusive samples were tested by Western blotting (WB). Considering WB as a confirmation, the frequency of antibodies in the serum samples of the above population was 11.3% (CI 5.09 - 17.51). The immunodominant bands most frequently recognized in WB were 64-68 kDa (97.5%) and 47-52 kDa (80%). The percentage of seropositivity to cysticercosis was significantly higher for individuals residing in areas without sewage systems (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, the results indicate a probable endemic situation of cysticercosis in this population. These results reinforce the urgent need for control and prevention measures to be taken by the local public health services.Um total de 354 amostras de soro de habitantes que freqüentaram o Laboratório Clínico em Catalão, Goiás, na região centro-oeste do Brasil, foram colhidas no período de junho a agosto de 2002. As amostras foram avaliadas pelo teste de imunofluorescência indireta e enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) com o objetivo de detectar anticorpos IgG anti-metacestódeo de Taenia solium. As amostras reativas e inconclusivas foram testadas pelo Western blotting (WB). Considerando WB como reação confirmatória, a freqüência de anticorpos nas amostras de soro da população estudada foi 11,3% (IC: 5,09 - 17,51). As bandas imunodominantes mais frequentemente reconhecidas no WB foram 64-68 kDa (97,5%) e 47-52 kDa (80%). A porcentagem de soropositividade para cisticercose foi significativamente maior nos indivíduos que residiam em áreas sem sistema de esgoto (p < 0,0001). Concluiu-se que os resultados indicam uma provável situação de endemicidade para cisticercose nesta população, reforçando a urgente necessidade de medidas de controle e prevenção que devem ser implantadas pelo serviço de saúde pública local

Hydrogenated fat intake during pregnancy and lactation caused increase in TRAF-6 and reduced AdipoR1 in white adipose tissue, but not in muscle of 21 days old offspring rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although lipids transfer through placenta is very limited, modification in dietary fatty acids can lead to implications in fetal and postnatal development. <it>Trans </it>fatty acid (TFA) intake during gestation and lactation have been reported to promote dyslipidemia and increase in pro- inflammatory adipokines in offspring. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the alterations on pro-inflammatory cytokines and dyslipidemia observed previously in 21-d-old offspring of rats fed a diet containing hydrogenated vegetable fat during gestation and lactation were related to alterations in TLR-4, TRAF-6 and adipo-R1 receptor in white adipose tissue and muscle. On the first day of gestation, rats were randomly divided into two groups: (C) received a control diet, and (T) received a diet enriched with hydrogenated vegetable fat, rich in <it>trans </it>fatty acids. The diets were maintained throughout gestation and lactation. Each mother was given eight male pups. On the 21st day of life the offspring were killed. Blood, soleus and extensor digital longus (EDL) muscles, and retroperitoneal (RET) white adipose tissue were collected.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>21-d-old of T rats had higher serum triacylglycerols, cholesterol, and insulin. The Adipo R1 protein expression was lower in RET and higher in EDL of T group than C. TLR-4 protein content in all studied tissues were similar between groups, the same was verified in TRAF-6 protein expression in soleus and EDL. However, TRAF-6 protein expression in RET was higher in T than C.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results demonstrated that maternal ingestion of hydrogenated vegetable fat rich in TFAs during gestation and lactation decrease in Adipo R1 protein expression and increase in TRAF-6 protein expression in retroperitoneal adipose tissue, but not in skeletal muscle, which could contributed for hyperinsulinemia and dyslipidemia observed in their 21-d-old offspring.</p

Producing magnetic nanocomposites from paper sludge for the adsorptive removal of pharmaceuticals from water: a fractional factorial design

In view of a simple after-use separation, the potentiality of producing magnetic activated carbon (MAC) by intercalation of ferromagnetic metal oxide nanoparticles in the framework of a powder activated carbon (PAC) produced from primary paper sludge was explored in this work. The synthesis conditions to produce cost effective and efficient MACs for the adsorptive removal of pharmaceuticals (amoxicillin, carbamazepine, and diclofenac) from aqueous media were evaluated. For this purpose, a fractional factorial design (FFD) was applied to assess the effect of the most significant variables (Fe3+ to Fe2+ salts ratio, PAC to iron salts ratio, temperature, and pH), on the following responses concerning the resulting MACs: Specific surface area (SBET), saturation magnetization (Ms), and adsorption percentage of amoxicillin, carbamazepine, and diclofenac. The statistical analysis revealed that the PAC to iron salts mass ratio was the main factor affecting the considered responses. A quadratic linear regression model A = f(SBET, Ms) was adjusted to the FFD data, allowing to differentiate four of the eighteen MACs produced. These MACs were distinguished by being easily recovered from aqueous phase using a permanent magnet (Ms of 22-27 emu g-1), and their high SBET (741-795 m2 g-1) were responsible for individual adsorption percentages ranging between 61% and 84% using small MAC doses (35 mg L-1).publishe

Ethnobiology of snappers (Lutjanidae): target species and suggestions for management

In this study, we sought to investigate the biology (diet and reproduction) and ethnobiology (fishers knowledge and fishing spots used to catch snappers) of five species of snappers (Lutjanidae), including Lutjanus analis, Lutjanus synagris, Lutjanus vivanus, Ocyurus chrysurus, and Romboplites saliens at five sites along the northeast (Riacho Doce, Maceió in Alagoas State, and Porto do Sauípe, Entre Rios at Bahia State) and the southeast (SE) Brazilian coast (Paraty and Rio de Janeiro cities at Rio de Janeiro State, and Bertioga, at São Paulo State.)

Perillyl alcohol in Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN-PA): Cytotoxicity and antitumor potential in sarcoma 180 mice model

Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cells. These cells invade organs and tissues by extension or direct dissemination and can spread to other regions of the body. Nanomedicine offers many possibilities to prevent the spread of cancer tissue and help cure the disease. In this work, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) were used to encapsulate perillyl alcohol (PA), a volatile monoterpene with proven anticancer activity. Encapsulation of PA into SLN (SLN-PA) is expected to promote controlled release, increase PA bioavailability, and impair the volatility of the monoterpene. SLN-PA prepared by high-shear homogenization showed average particle diameter around 254 nm, polydispersity index ~ 0.35, zeta potential ~ -14.7 mV, and encapsulation efficiency 84.6%. Scanning electron microscope analysis revealed a decrease in crystallinity, suggesting the encapsulation of PA in the SLN, confirming the spherical shape and the loading of the monoterpene in the SLN. In vitro cytotoxicity assays against murine fibroblasts (L929) showed that SLN-PA in both treated doses did not induce any cytotoxicity on non-tumoral cells. In vivo antitumor effect of the SLN-PA was evaluated in sarcoma 180-transplanted mice. The in vivo results demonstrated a significant tumor inhibition rate of 51.76 and 54.49% via intraperitoneal application of SLN-PA at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg/day (p < 0.05), respective when compared to the negative control (dimethyl sulfoxide). Adverse side effects of SLN-PA were not noticed in the liver, the kidney, or spleen tissue. The developed SLN-PA can be considered as a safe approach for site-specific antitumor effect in vivo, reinterpreting new nanoparticles- based cancer therapy.This work was supported by the Banco do Nordeste (grant FUNDECI/2016.0015), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa e à Inovação Tecnológica do Estado de Sergipe (Fapitec) and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES). Eliana B. Souto would like to acknowledge the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT/MCT) and from European Funds (PRODER/COMPETE) for the project UIDB/04469/2020 (strategic fund), co-financed by FEDER, under the Partnership Agreement PT2020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

S-Nitroso-N-Acetylcysteine Ameliorates Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury In The Steatotic Liver

BACKGROUND: Steatosis is currently the most common chronic liver disease and it can aggravate ischemia-reperfusion (IR) lesions. We hypothesized that S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine (SNAC), an NO donor component, can ameliorate cell damage from IR injury. In this paper, we report the effect of SNAC on liver IR in rats with normal livers compared to those with steatotic livers. METHODS: Thirty-four rats were divided into five groups: I (n=8), IR in normal liver; II (n=8), IR in normal liver with SNAC; III (n=9), IR in steatotic liver; IV (n=9), IR in steatotic liver with SNAC; and V (n=10), SHAN. Liver steatosis was achieved by administration of a protein-free diet. A SNAC solution was infused intraperitoneally for one hour, beginning 30 min. after partial (70%) liver ischemia. The volume of solution infused was 1 ml/100 g body weight. The animals were sacrificed four hours after reperfusion, and the liver and lung were removed for analysis. We assessed hepatic histology, mitochondrial respiration, oxidative stress (MDA), and pulmonary myeloperoxidase. RESULTS: All groups showed significant alterations compared with the group that received SHAN. The results from the steatotic SNAC group revealed a significant improvement in liver mitochondrial respiration and oxidative stress compared to the steatotic group without SNAC. No difference in myeloperoxidase was observed. Histological analysis revealed no difference between the non-steatotic groups. However, the SNAC groups showed less intraparenchymal hemorrhage than groups without SNAC (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that SNAC effectively protects against IR injury in the steatotic liver but not in the normal liver