Quercetin-loaded lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles for functional food applications

This study aimed at the encapsulation of quercetin into lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles using the electrostatic self-assembly technique, followed by evaluation of their functionality (antioxidant activity) and stability at different environmental conditions. These nanoparticles were characterized in terms of: average size, morphology, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, loading, and spectroscopic characteristics. Quercetin has been successfully encapsulated in lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles with an efficiency of 96.13 ± 0.44 %. Nanoparticles presented a spherical morphology with an average size of 168.58 ± 20.94 nm and a zeta potential of 56.46 ± 1.94 mV. Stability studies showed that nanoparticles are stable to temperatures ranging between 5 and 70 °C and a pH variation from 3.3 to 5.0. Moreover, encapsulated quercetin showed improved antioxidant properties when compared to free-quercetin. Our results suggest that quercetin-loaded lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles can be used in the manufacture of functional foods.Author Marthyna Pessoa de Souza thanks Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES/PDEE-Brazil) and Fundacao de Amparo a Ciencia e Tecnologia do Estado de Pernambuco (FACEPE, Brazil) for granting her scholarships. Miguel A. Cerqueira is recipient of a fellowship from the Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (SFRH/BPD/72753/2010, FCT, POPH-QREN, and FSE Portugal). This research was financially supported by research grants and fellowships from the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq), as well as the Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES) and Fundacao de Amparo a Ciencia e Tecnologia do Estado de Pernambuco (FACEPE).The support of EU Cost Actions FA0904 and FA1001 is gratefully acknowledged

Cryptococcal Sialoadenitis in a Dog

Background: Salivary gland diseases in dogs have an overall incidence of 0.3%. Sialocele and sialoadenitis are the most common injuries and are usually caused by infectious diseases, especially of bacterial origin. Currently, Cryptococcus neoformans has not been registered as the etiological agent since fungal participation is unusual. This case report describes a cryptococcal sialoadenitis in a dog.Case: A 1.9-year-old male poodle had a swelling of the right submandibular region, combined with dry cough and snoring that persisted for about 30 days. The dog often walked in the town square, which has pigeons, and was seen eating chicken droppings. The dog was diagnosed with sialoadenitis in the right submandibular salivary gland. The following laboratory tests were performed cytology, fungal culture, blood count, search for hemoparasites, total plasma protein (ppt), alanine aminotransferase dosage (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea (U), creatinine (CREA), Albumin (ALB), total protein (TP), globulin (GLOB) and amylase (AML). In addition, the dog underwent cervical, thoracic and abdominal ultrasound, and cervical x-rays. The cytology results showed fungal sialoadenitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. The blood testresults evidenced thrombocytopenia and increased ppt, TP, GLOB, and AML. The lungs and heart x-rays results showed no alterations. However, the proximal third of the trachea was displaced ventrally. The abdominal area had no changes, but hypertrophy of the salivary gland was observed, with irregular contour, heterogeneous echotexture, and multiple cavitaryareas flled with intraluminal fluid of cellular appearance. The ketoconazole (5 mg/kg/BID/20 days) treatment prescribed led to drug-induced hepatitis. The new treatment with Itraconazole (10 mg/kg/SID/90 days) resulted in complete clinical resolution without any side effect or relapse one year after the treatment.Discussion: Although poodle is not commonly associated with the epidemiology of the disease, this breed seems to be susceptible, as well. The contact with pigeons during the walks was likely the source of infection by C. neoformans, but the ingestion of chicken droppings cannot be discarded. The coughing and snoring resulted from the pharyngeal and tracheal compression, with subsequent activation of the reflex. The clinical and laboratory fndings suggest a new infection route by the etiological agent, possibly the opening of the salivary duct located in the sublingual carbuncle. Biopsy or ablation of the affected salivary gland was not necessary, reducing the risk of sepsis and/or death. Hyperamylasemia indicates that AML can be used as a complementary tool to diagnose sialoadenitis. Itraconazole administered for 90 days resulted incomplete healing while no side effects or relapse was observed one year after the treatment. Cryptococcus neoformans can affect the submandibular salivary gland and, therefore, cryptococcosis should enter the differential diagnosis list of canine sialoadenitis and sialocele. Itraconazole has been shown to be effective to treat a dog with sialoadenitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans.Keywords: sialoadenitis, sialocele, cryptococcosis, salivary gland, dog

Pontos de carbono luminescentes à base de ovalbumina aplicados em marcação biológica

Entre os nanomateriais de carbono, os pontos de carbono (PCs) estão entre os mais atraentes devido as suas interessantes propriedades fotoluminescentes. Os PCs apresentam processo de síntese fácil, possibilidade de funcionalização da superfície, baixa toxicidade, alta solubilidade em água e biocompatibilidade. Devido a isso, suas aplicações na área biomédica e de bioimagem tem se destacado na literatura. Neste trabalho, PCs foram sintetizados por dois métodos diferentes a partir da ovalbumina, o qual é um precursor não tóxico e composto predominantemente por aminoácidos de cadeia curta. Os PCs foram caracterizados por espectroscopias de absorção (UV-Vis), de emissão (fluorescência) e infravermelho (IVTF), além de análise termogravimétrica (ATG). Os PCs foram utilizados como sondas fluorescentes para uma imagem colorida (azul e verde) de células HEK293 e não induziram a morte celular, o que indica que os mesmos são biocompatíveis e não tóxicos para este tipo de células. Dessa forma, os resultados aqui apresentados demonstram que os PCs podem ser considerados potenciais substitutos para corantes comerciais em marcação biológica.Palavras-chave: nanopartículas de carbono, fotoluminescência, biocompatibilidade, HEK293.

Nebivolol Reduces Central Blood Pressure In Stage I Hypertensive Patients: Experimental Single Cohort Study.

Assessment of central blood pressure (BP) has grown substantially over recent years because evidence has shown that central BP is more relevant to cardiovascular outcomes than peripheral BP. Thus, different classes of antihypertensive drugs have different effects on central BP despite similar reductions in brachial BP. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nebivolol, a β-blocker with vasodilator properties, on the biochemical and hemodynamic parameters of hypertensive patients. Experimental single cohort study conducted in the outpatient clinic of a university hospital. Twenty-six patients were recruited. All of them underwent biochemical and hemodynamic evaluation (BP, heart rate (HR), central BP and augmentation index) before and after 3 months of using nebivolol. 88.5% of the patients were male; their mean age was 49.7 ± 9.3 years and most of them were overweight (29.6 ± 3.1 kg/m2) with large abdominal waist (102.1 ± 7.2 cm). There were significant decreases in peripheral systolic BP (P = 0.0020), diastolic BP (P = 0.0049), HR (P < 0.0001) and central BP (129.9 ± 12.3 versus 122.3 ± 10.3 mmHg; P = 0.0083) after treatment, in comparison with the baseline values. There was no statistical difference in the augmentation index or in the biochemical parameters, from before to after the treatment. Nebivolol use seems to be associated with significant reduction of central BP in stage I hypertensive patients, in addition to reductions in brachial systolic and diastolic BP.132290-

Hepatic encephalopathy secondary to poisoning by Tephrosia cinerea in sheep

In the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil, Tephrosia cinerea causes periacinar hepatic fibrosis in sheep with severe ascites and, occasionally, nervous signs. Sixteen sheep from six outbreaks of T. cinerea poisoning were studied. All sheep had histologic lesion of periacinar fibrosis and six showed, in the brain, vacuolization (spongy degeneration) of the white matter and junction between grey and white matter and presence of Alzheimer type II astrocytes in the grey matter. The disease was produced experimentally in two sheep, that presented porto-sistemic shunts and similar histologic lesions as those observed in the spontaneous cases. Immunohistochemistry revealed weak labelling with anti-GFAP antibodies suggesting a degenerative alteration of astrocytes with accumulation of dense bodies and reduction of the GFAP. There was strong labelling with anti-S100 antibodies suggesting cellular reactivity with proliferation of mitochondria and endoplasmatic reticulum. Such alterations are characteristic of the effects caused by ammonia on the astrocytes. It is concluded that in poisoning by T. cinerea nervous signs due to hepatic encephalopathy occur in some sheep

LEISHMANIOSE VISCERAL CANINA: AVALIAÇÃO DE HEMOGRAMA E MIELOGRAMA

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a chronic, multisystemic, and common disease that affects dogs and that can present changes in several laboratory tests, including blood count and myelogram. Thus, this work aimed to describe and evaluate changes in the blood count and myelogram of six dogs positive for leishmaniasis treated at the Veterinary Hospital Ivan Macedo Tabosa of the Federal University of Campina Grande. The diagnoses were confirmed by observing the amastigote forms of Leishmania sp in bone marrow aspirates. In the blood count, most animals presented anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukocytosis with neutrophilia. Besides, two animals had leukopenia. In the myelogram, most animals presented granulocytic and megakaryocytic hyperplasia, in addition to erythroid hypoplasia. It is concluded that the performance of laboratory tests, such as blood count and myelogram, in animals suspected of VL is important for monitoring the patient's clinical condition and for selecting the therapeutic measures to be used, which can reflect positively on the prognosis.A leishmaniose visceral (LV) é uma enfermidade crônica, multissistêmica e comum, que afeta os cães e pode apresentar alterações em diversos exames laboratoriais, inclusive no hemograma e mielograma. Desse modo, o objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever e avaliar as alterações no hemograma e mielograma de seis cães positivos para leishmaniose atendidos no Hospital Universitário Ivan Macedo Tabosa da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande. Os diagnósticos foram confirmados através da observação das formas amastigotas de Leishmania sp em aspirados de medula óssea. No hemograma, a maior parte dos animais apresentou anemia, trombocitopenia e leucocitose com neutrofilia. Além disso, dois animais apresentaram leucopenia. No mielograma, a maioria dos animais apresentou hiperplasia granulocítica e megacariocítica, além de hipoplasia eritroide. Conclui-se que a realização de exames laboratoriais, como hemograma e mielograma, em animais suspeitos de LV é importante para o acompanhamento do quadro clínico do paciente e para a seleção de medidas terapêuticas a serem adotadas, o que pode refletir positivamente no prognóstico

ABORDAGEM CLÍNICA E LABORATORIAL DE UM CÃO COM HIPOPLASIA ERITRÓIDE E HIPERPLASIA GRANULÓCITICA ASSOCIADO À LEISHMANIOSE VISCERAL

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a common disease that affects multiple systems and has a chronic evolution time. Among the laboratory characteristics that may occur, bone marrow changes may range from hypoplasia to both erythroid and granulocytic hyperplasia. Therefore, the present study aims to perform a clinical and laboratory analysis of the findings in a dog with erythroid hypoplasia and granulocytic hyperplasia associated with VL. A 7 - years-old male Irish Setter dog was attended at the Ivon Macêdo Tabosa Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Campina Grande (HVIMT / UFCG) presenting epistaxy, weight loss and hyporexia. Complete blood count, serum biochemistry analysis, urinalysis, amd a myelogram with hemoparasites were requested. The complete blood count showed normochromic normocytic anemia and a decrease in the number of platelets with platelet aggregates. Serum biochemistry revealed hypoalbuminemia and hyperproteinemia. Urinalysis showed no clinically relevant changes. Leishmaniasis amastigotes were observed in the myelogram along with erythroid hypoplasia and granulocytic hyperplasia. The animal was treated with the combination of milteforan, allopurinol and domperidone, however the tutor did not return for the patient's reassessment. In the light of the above, a clinical laboratory approach of a patient with VL is important for a better treatment and to improve the prognosis. Further studies should be performed to better understand the hematopathological responses to this disease.A leishmaniose visceral (LV) é uma enfermidade comum que acomete múltiplos sistemas e apresenta tempo de evolução crônico. Dentre as características laboratoriais que são observadas, os achados na medula óssea podem variar de hipoplasia a hiperplasia, tanto eritróide quanto granulocítica. Diante disso, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo realizar uma análise clínica e laboratorial dos achados em um cão com hipoplasia eritroide e hiperplasia granulocitica associada à LV. Um cão da raça Setter Irlandês, macho, com 7 anos de idade foi atendido no Hospital Veterinária Ivon Macêdo Tabosa da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (HVIMT / UFCG) apresentando epistaxe, perda de peso e hiporexia. Foi solicitado hemograma completo, análise de bioquímica sérica, urinálisen e mielograma com pesquisa de hemoparasitas. No hemograma foi evidenciado anemia normocítica normocrômica e diminuição da quantidade de plaquetas com presença de agregados plaquetários. A bioquímica sérica revelou hipoalbuminemia e hiperproteinemia. Na urinalise não foi evidenciada alterações com relevância clínica. Foi observada amastigotas de Leishmaniasp no mielograma, e hipoplasia eritróide e hiperplasia granulócitica. O animal foi tratado com associação de milteforan, alopurinol e domperidona, contudo o tutor não retornou para reavaliação do paciente. Diante do exposto, uma abordagem clínica laboratorial de um paciente com LV é importante para um tratamento mais adequado e melhorar o prognóstico. Mais estudos devem ser realizados para a melhor compreensão das respostas hematopatológicas frente a essa enfermidade

ANÁLISE CLÍNICO-LABORATORIAL DE UM FELINO COM ESPOROTRICOSE CUTÂNEA

Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous pyogranulomatous mycosis caused by a fungus that affects a wide variety of animals and humans. Its diagnosis is based on anamnesis, physical examination, and complementary exams such as cytopathology of the secretion, histopathology of the injured skin and the macro and microscopic morphological study of fungal culture. This study aims to describe the laboratory findings of a feline with sporotrichosis, associating them with the clinical form of this disease. A domestic cat was treated at the University Veterinarian Hospital Prof. Dr. Ivon Macêdo Tabosa in the city of Patos, State of Paraíba, in july 2019. The patient had ear wounds with secretion, swelling with reddish color, circular areas of alopecia and flaking in the left pelvic limb. Blood count, serum biochemistry, cytology and mycological culture exams were requested. There were no changes in the erythrogram and platelet chart. In the leukogram, it was observed leukocytosis with a left regenerative deviation. The cytopathological examination of the lesion showed structures compatible with yeasts of Sporothrix spp. &nbsp;At the bottom of the slide and inside the leukocytes. However, it is suggested that other differential methods of diagnosis be indicated in order not to exclude the possibility of the disease.A esporotricose é uma micose subcutânea piogranulomatosa causada por um fungo saprófito que acomete grande variedade de animais e também os humanos. O diagnóstico baseia-se na anamnese, exame físico e exames complementares tais como citopatológico da secreção, histopatológico da pele acometida e no estudo morfológico macro e microscópico da cultura fúngica. O presente estudo tem como objetivo descrever os achados laboratoriais de um felino com esporotricose, associando-os com a forma clínica desta enfermidade. Um gato doméstico foi atendido no Hospital Veterinário Universitário Prof. Dr. Ivon Macêdo Tabosa no município de Patos, no estado da Paraíba, em julho de 2019. O paciente apresentava feridas na orelha com presença de secreção, aumento de volume com coloração avermelhada, áreas circulares de alopecia e descamação no membro pélvico esquerdo. Foi solicitado hemograma, bioquímica sérica, citologia e cultura micológica. Não houve alterações no eritrograma e plaquetograma. No leucograma, observou-se leucocitose com desvio a esquerda regenerativo. O exame citopatológico da lesão apresentou estruturas compatíveis com leveduras de Sporothrix spp. no fundo de lâmina e no interior dos leucócitos. No entanto, é sugerido que outros métodos diferenciais de diagnósticos sejam indicados para não excluir a possibilidade da doença