Blood tests and use of nutritional supplements in a cohort of Brazilian children with trisomy 21.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of nutritional supplements and blood status (hemogram, lipidogram, hepatic function, inflammatory markers, minerals, and homocysteine) in a sample of Brazilian T21 children with private health support before their first consultation with a T21 expert. METHOD: This descriptive cross-sectional study enrolled 102 participants. Brazilian families with a T21 member under 18 years old were contacted and those that consented answered a survey regarding socio-demographics and the use of nutritional supplements and shared the blood tests that their T21 members have collected for the first consultation with a T21 expert. RESULTS: Frequencies and percentages were used to describe the variables. The most used supplements included vitamins (A, C and D), minerals (zinc and iron), omega-3, and antioxidants (curcumin). Hypothyroidism was observed in 56.9% of the participants. Hemogram alterations (increased hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and red cell distribution width, leukopenia, and lymphocytopenia), dyslipidemia, altered hepatic and inflammatory blood markers were frequently found. CONCLUSIONS: Nutritional supplements (mainly vitamins, minerals, omega-3 and antioxidants) are frequently used by Brazilian T21 children independently of professional counseling and/or supervision and should be a question to be raised during the clinical anamnesis since some of them may impact medical conduct. Moreover, many blood tests are altered in this population and clinicians should be aware of them in order to warrant an appropriate screening and the implementation of risk management measures as soon as possible and improve the general health of these persons.

Blood tests and use of nutritional supplements in a cohort of Brazilian children with trisomy 21

Abstract Objective: To describe the use of nutritional supplements and blood status (hemogram, lipidogram, hepatic function, inflammatory markers, minerals, and homocysteine) in a sample of Brazilian T21 children with private health support before their first consultation with a T21 expert. Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study enrolled 102 participants. Brazilian families with a T21 member under 18 years old were contacted and those that consented answered a survey regarding socio-demographics and the use of nutritional supplements and shared the blood tests that their T21 members have collected for the first consultation with a T21 expert. Results: Frequencies and percentages were used to describe the variables. The most used supplements included vitamins (A, C and D), minerals (zinc and iron), omega-3, and antioxidants (curcumin). Hypothyroidism was observed in 56.9% of the participants. Hemogram alterations (increased hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and red cell distribution width, leukopenia, and lymphocytopenia), dyslipidemia, altered hepatic and inflammatory blood markers were frequently found. Conclusions: Nutritional supplements (mainly vitamins, minerals, omega-3 and antioxidants) are frequently used by Brazilian T21 children independently of professional counseling and/or supervision and should be a question to be raised during the clinical anamnesis since some of them may impact medical conduct. Moreover, many blood tests are altered in this population and clinicians should be aware of them in order to warrant an appropriate screening and the implementation of risk management measures as soon as possible and improve the general health of these persons.

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratios in Nondialysis Chronic Kidney Patients.

BACKGROUND: The Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and the Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) are inflammatory biomarkers for several diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular morbidities; however, there are currently few studies on kidney diseases. We aimed to evaluate nondialysis patients and determine the association of NLR and PLR with inflammation in these patients. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted with 85 patients at different stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD), treated at the Kidney Disease Prevention Center of the University Hospital of the Federal University of Maranhão. This study included adult nondialysis patients diagnosed with CKD. The participants' blood samples were collected for a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) test and blood count. They were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of inflammation based on the hs-CRP value (<0.5 mg/dL). NLR and PLR were calculated based on the absolute number of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and platelets and were compared between them and with hs-CRP. Statistical analysis was performed using the Stata software, with the Shapiro-Wilk, Mann-Whitney, Spearman's Correlation, and receiver operating characteristic curve tests. This study was approved by the local ethics committee. RESULTS: The participants were categorized into two groups: with inflammation (n = 64) and without inflammation (n = 21). The mean age was 61.43 ± 14.63 y. The NLR and PLR values were significantly different between the groups with and without inflammation (p=0.045and p=0.004, respectively). However, only PLR showed a significant positive correlation with hs-CRP (p=0.015). The best cutoff point for NLR to detect inflammation was 1.98, with 76.19% sensitivity and 48.44% specificity. For PLR, it was 116.07, with 85.71% sensitivity and 51.56% specificity. There was no significant difference between the area under the NLR and PLR curve (0.71 vs. 0.64; p=0.186) for this population. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that PLR was positively correlated with hs-CRP in nondialysis CKD patients and can be used to identify inflammation in this population.

Occult hepatitis B in patients on hemodialysis: a review.

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most frequently transmitted agents in dialysis units. Occult hepatitis B is characterized by HBV infection without detectable surface antigen (HBsAg) in the patient's serum, a positive or negative HBV DNA marker result in the serum and a positive result in the liver tissue, which leads to the potential risk of transmission during renal replacement therapy service. There is variation in occult hepatitis B prevalence rates in this population across various studies that may be related to numerous factors. The presence of occult hepatitis B in individuals undergoing renal replacement therapy is important with regard to both the possibility of transmission and the consequences for the patient, especially the development of chronic liver disease and reactivation of the disease after renal transplantation.

Estabelecimento de metodologias de extração de hexaclorobenzeno (hcb) de sedimento e água de estuário e do mar

ABSTRACT Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) has been widely used as a fungicide and is also a by-product of several industrial processes, such as solvent manufacturing. Its lipophilic and hydrophobic nature, besides its low rate of chemical and biological degradation, can lead to its bio-accumulation and bio-magnification throughout the food net. Therefore, its detection and quantification in organisms and environment are extremely important, and this creates the need for efficient methodologies allowing for its detection and quantification for environmental contamination studies, in a low-cost way. The present study compared different methods of HCB extraction from estuary and sea sediments and waters, assessing the advantages of each method. The recovery tests were performed with samples of estuary and sea sediments, and waters previously treated with HCB in mixture with 14C-HCB as a radiotracer, and the radiocarbon in the extracts was quantified by liquid scintillation counting (LSC). The recovery of 14C-HCB from waters was compared by hexane extraction in C18 cartridges and liquid-liquid extraction, also using hexane. The recovery of 14C-HCB from the sediments was tested with the mixture hexane:acetone and microwave energy. The solid phase (C18) extraction was the best method for water extraction, accounting for 88.3% and 83.4% of recovery, respectively, from estuary and seawater. The microwave extraction recovered 99.5% and 99.9% of14C-HCB, respectively from estuary and sea sediments. The cost/benefit ratio indicates the C-18 solid phase extraction for waters and the microwave extraction for sediments as the best recovery methods, which allow for good detection of HCB in pollution studies.

RESUMO O hexaclorobenzeno (HCB) foi amplamente utilizado como fungicida e é também subproduto de vários processos industriais, como na fabricação de solventes. Suas características químicas o tornam pouco disponível à degradação química e biológica, levando a bio-acumulação e biomagnificação ao longo da cadeia alimentar. Assim, sua detecção e quantificação em organismos e no ambiente são importantes e, para isto, metodologias eficientes devem possibilitar o rastreamento e a quantificação de contaminação ambiental da maneira mais econômica. Este trabalho comparou diferentes métodos de extração de HCB de sedimentos e águas de estuário e de mar, avaliando as vantagens de cada método. Os testes de recuperação utilizaram amostras de sedimentos e águas de estuário e mar tratadas com HCB em mistura com 14C-HCB como radiotraçador e quantificação do radiocarbono por espectrometria de cintilação em líquido (ECL). A recuperação de 14C-HCB das águas foi comparada por extração das amostras com hexano em coluna C18 e extração líquido-líquido também com hexano como solvente. Nos sedimentos testouse extração com mistura de hexano:acetona e energia de microondas. A extração por fase sólida (C18) foi o melhor método de extração de água, com 88,3% e 83,4% de recuperação, respectivamente de água de estuário e de mar. A extração de sedimento por microondas recuperou 99,5% e 99,9% de radiocarbono, respectivamente de sedimentos de estuário e de mar. A análise custo/benefício indica a extração por coluna C18 para águas e a extração por microondas para sedimentos como os melhores métodos de recuperação e que possibilitarão boa detecção de HCB em estudos de poluição.

Volatilização e lixiviação de 14c-hexaclorobenzeno em solo contaminado / Volatilization and leaching of 14c-hexachlorobenzene in contaminated soil

RESUMO A possibilidade de contaminação do ar e da água a partir de solo contaminado com hexaclorobenzeno foi estudada em laboratório através da análise da volatilização e da lixiviação de 14C-hexaclorobenzeno neste solo. Para o estudo de volatilização, amostras de terra contaminada misturadas a fontes de matéria orgânica, cal, ou alagadas foram tratadas com solução de 14Chexaclorobenzeno; os 14C-compostos voláteis formados foram capturados por lâminas de poliuretano, extraídos com hexano e analisados por Espectrometria de Cintilação em Líquido. A lixiviação do hexaclorobenzeno foi estudada através de percolação de água em tubos de PVC contendo amostras de terra contaminada tratadas com bagaço de cana de açúcar e/ou cal e solução de 14C-hexaclorobenzeno, dispostas sobre amostras de terra não contaminada; os tubos foram seccionados e a terra e a água lixiviada foram analisadas por Espectrometria de Cintilação em Líquido. Houve formação de14C-compostos voláteis em todas as amostras de terra, principalmente nas amostras alagadas e com adição de matéria orgânica e não se observou lixiviação do 14Chexaclorobenzeno, indicando possibilidade de contaminação do ar, mas não de águas subterrâneas.

ABSTRACT The possibility of air and water contamination by hexachlorobenzene derived from a contaminated soil was studied by analysis of volatilization and leaching of 14Chexachlorobenzene. For the volatilization study, contaminated soil samples mixed with organic material sources, lime, or flooded were treated with a 14C-hexachlorobenzene solution; the volatile 14C-compounds were captured by polyurethane lamina, extracted by hexane and analyzed by Liquid Scintillation Counting. The leaching of the hexachlorobenzene was studied by water percolation through PVC tubes containing contaminated soil treated with sugarcane bagasse and/or lime and 14C-HCB placed over noncontaminated soil; the tubes were cut in sections and the soil and the leached water were analyzed by Liquid Scintillation Counting. The volatilization of the 14C-compounds occurred in all the samples, mainly in the flooded samples with organic matter addition and the leaching of the 14C-HCB was not observed, indicating the possibility of contamination of the air but not the groundwater.

Optimizing microwave-assisted solvent extraction (MASE) of pesticides from soil.

Microwave-assisted solvent extraction (MASE) was investigated as an alternative for extraction of parathion (O,O-diethyl O-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate), methyl parathion (O,O-dimethyl O-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate), p,p'-DDE [1,1'-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane], hexachlorobenzene (HCB), simazine (6-chloro-N2,N4-diethyl- 1 ,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) and paraquat dichoride (1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium) from two different soils and from an earthworm-growing substrate. The matrices were fortified with 14C-radiolabeled pesticides and extracted with various solvent systems under different microwave conditions. Recoveries of more than 80% could be obtained depending on the used microwave conditions and solvent, except for paraquat whose recovery was generally less efficient. Thus, MASE can be successfully used to extract pesticides from environmental and biological samples and could be a viable alternative to conventional extraction methods. The technique uses smaller amounts of organic solvents, thereby minimizing the costs of the analysis and the disposal of waste solvent.

Impact of long-term pesticide applications on some soil biological parameters.

The soil oxidative and anaerobic processes, as well as, the microbial biomass were followed during three years in a cotton farm (Tatuí) where the recommended pesticides have been used for several years, and in an experimental field (São Paulo) treated first time with the same pesticides. The oxidative process was monitored by the dehydrogenase (DHA)-activity using triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) as substrate. The anaerobic process was followed by the iron-oxide reduction, and the microbial biomass was estimated by the substrate (glucose)-indiced respiration. Increases in DHA-activity and in the microbial biomass occurred only in the farm soil, with concomitant decreases in iron-reduction. In the experimental field soil, the increases in DHA-activity were followed only by decreases in iron-reduction. Soil characteristics were the determining factor for different biological parameters after pesticide inputs. All the pesticides produced at least one clear but transient effect.

Monitoring of pesticide residues in a cotton crop soil.

This paper reports on the residues of methyl parathion (O,O-dimethyl O-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate), trifluralin (alpha, alpha, alpha-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine), endosulfan [(1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7-hexachloro-8, 9, 10-trinorborn-5-en-2, 3-ylenebismethylene) sulfite] and dimethoate (O, O-dimethyl S-methylcarbamoylmethyl phosphorodithioate) in a cotton crop soil. Soil samples (0-15 cm) were collected at different periods from the cotton crop farm and subjected to Soxhlet extraction. The extracted material was analysed after clean-up by a HP5890 II gas chromatograph equipped with a 63Ni electron-capture detector (ECD-63Ni) and fitted with a 25 m x 0.2 mm i.d. fused silica capillary column [Ultra-2 (5% phenylmethyl polysiloxane)]. The recoveries of the pesticide residues from the spiked control soil were determined after Soxhlet extraction and C18 cartridges clean-up by using radiotracer techniques with the corresponding 14C-pesticides. The results show that in the cotton crop soil the pesticide residues under study were present in the range of 0.1 to 0.4 mg.kg-1. Endosulfan was found to be rapidly degraded in the soil and formed a sulfate metabolite.

Laboratory tests of the persistence of pesticides in two Brazilian soils.

The persistence of 5 insecticides in two soils, one rich (soil 1), the other poor (soil 2) in organic matter was examined in the laboratory using gas chromatographyc and radiometric techniques. About half DDT and aldrin were lost in 256 days. The other pesticides, in order of decreasing persistence were lindane, parathion (Table I) and malathion (Table II). Aldrin was converted to dieldrin faster in soil 1 than in soil 2. Parathion and lindane were both lost faster from soil 2 than from soil 1. In contrast, malathion was lost more slowly from soil 2 than soil 1, from which all disappeared in 4 days (Table II)

Sorption and movement of pesticides on thin layer plates of Brazilian soils.

The sorption from aqueous solution (Table II), and movement in water on thin layers plates (Figure 1) of 7 soils (Table 1) of 3 organochlorine, 2 organophosphorus and 1 carbamate insecticide was determined in the laboratory. Generally, all substances were sorbed most and moved least on soils richest in organic matter. However, sorption was not a function of organic matter content alone (Table III). Aldrin and DDT were most strongly sorbed and did not move from the point of application on the thin layer plates of any soil. On all 7 soils, carbaryl was the least strongly sorbed insecticide. On 5 soils, lindane, parathion and malathion were increasingly strongly sorbed, but on the other 2 soils lindane was mostly strongly sorbed. The apparent greater mobility of 14C-labelled malathion on thin layers of soils repeatedly leached could be explained by the formation of more polar substances.