Zinc, antioxidant enzymes in preeclampsia, and association with newborn outcome.

BACKGROUND: The etiology of preeclampsia (PE) may be associated with the increased of production of reactive species and decreased antioxidant activity of enzymes. Inadequate intake of Zn can affect gestational health due to its biological functions, such as its role in the antioxidant defense system. The study aimed to assess the nutritional status of Zn and antioxidant enzymes in postpartum women and its correlation with neonatal outcomes. METHODS: A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out at a referral gynecology and obstetrics hospital. A total of 119 women (PE = 58, HP = 61) participated in the study. A quantitative food-frequency questionnaire was used to assess food consumption and further analyze the dietary Zn levels. Zinc levels in plasma and erythrocytes samples were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels were determined by UV-Vis spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Plasma and dietary intake Zn results were considered adequate and without statistical difference between groups. SOD levels were significantly higher in the HP group (p = 0.011), and CAT levels were higher in the PE group (p = 0.050). There was a positive correlation between SOD activity in women with PE and the weight of their newborns (r = 0.336, p=0.021). CONCLUSION: The results showed adequate Zn levels (consumption and serum levels) in the groups studied, although with a reduction of plasma Zn in the PE group compared to the PH group. Zinc in plasma fractions and erythrocytes are important markers for oxidative stress, in particular, plasma Zn seems to be related to the rapid response to preeclampsia. The activity of antioxidant enzymes was elevated in the groups studied. Better SOD activity improves birth weight in children of pregnant women with preeclampsia.

Distinct anti-NP, anti-RBD and anti-Spike antibody profiles discriminate death from survival in COVID-19.

Introduction: Infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) induces rapid production of IgM, IgA, and IgG antibodies directed to multiple viral antigens that may have impact diverse clinical outcomes. Methods: We evaluated IgM, IgA, and IgG antibodies directed to the nucleocapsid (NP), IgA and IgG to the Spike protein and to the receptor-binding domain (RBD), and the presence of neutralizing antibodies (nAb), in a cohort of unvaccinated SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals, in the first 30 days of post-symptom onset (PSO) (T1). Results: This study included 193 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) participants classified as mild, moderate, severe, critical, and fatal and 27 uninfected controls. In T1, we identified differential antibody profiles associated with distinct clinical presentation. The mild group presented lower levels of anti-NP IgG, and IgA (vs moderate and severe), anti-NP IgM (vs severe, critical and fatal), anti-Spike IgA (vs severe and fatal), and anti-RBD IgG (vs severe). The moderate group presented higher levels of anti-RBD IgA, comparing with severe group. The severe group presented higher levels of anti-NP IgA (vs mild and fatal) and anti-RBD IgG (vs mild and moderate). The fatal group presented higher levels of anti-NP IgM and anti-Spike IgA (vs mild), but lower levels of anti-NP IgA (vs severe). The levels of nAb was lower just in mild group compared to severe, critical, and fatal groups, moreover, no difference was observed among the more severe groups. In addition, we studied 82 convalescent individuals, between 31 days to 6 months (T2) or more than 6 months (T3), PSO, those: 12 mild, 26 moderate, and 46 severe plus critical. The longitudinal analyzes, for the severe plus critical group showed lower levels of anti-NP IgG, IgA and IgM, anti-Spike IgA in relation T3. The follow-up in the fatal group, reveals that the levels of anti-spike IgG increased, while anti-NP IgM levels was decreased along the time in severe/critical and fatal as well as anti-NP IgG and IgA in several/critical groups. Discussion: In summary, the anti-NP IgA and IgG lower levels and the higher levels of anti-RBD and anti-Spike IgA in fatal compared to survival group of individuals admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Collectively, our data discriminate death from survival, suggesting that anti-RBD IgA and anti-Spike IgA may play some deleterious effect, in contrast with the potentially protective effect of anti-NP IgA and IgG in the survival group.

Distinct anti-NP, anti-RBD and anti-spike antibody profiles discriminate death from survival in COVID-19

Introduction: Infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) induces rapid production of IgM, IgA, and IgG antibodies directed to multiple viral antigens that may have impact diverse clinical outcomes. Methods: We evaluated IgM, IgA, and IgG antibodies directed to the nucleocapsid (NP), IgA and IgG to the Spike protein and to the receptor-binding domain (RBD), and the presence of neutralizing antibodies (nAb), in a cohort of unvaccinated SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals, in the first 30 days of post-symptom onset (PSO) (T1). Results: This study included 193 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) participants classified as mild, moderate, severe, critical, and fatal and 27 uninfected controls. In T1, we identified differential antibody profiles associated with distinct clinical presentation. The mild group presented lower levels of anti-NP IgG, and IgA (vs moderate and severe), anti-NP IgM (vs severe, critical and fatal), anti-Spike IgA (vs severe and fatal), and anti-RBD IgG (vs severe). The moderate group presented higher levels of anti-RBD IgA, comparing with severe group. The severe group presented higher levels of anti-NP IgA (vs mild and fatal) and anti-RBD IgG (vs mild and moderate). The fatal group presented higher levels of anti-NP IgM and anti-Spike IgA (vs mild), but lower levels of anti-NP IgA (vs severe). The levels of nAb was lower just in mild group compared to severe, critical, and fatal groups, moreover, no difference was observed among the more severe groups. In addition, we studied 82 convalescent individuals, between 31 days to 6 months (T2) or more than 6 months (T3), PSO, those: 12 mild, 26 moderate, and 46 severe plus critical. The longitudinal analyzes, for the severe plus critical group showed lower levels of anti-NP IgG, IgA and IgM, anti-Spike IgA in relation T3. The follow-up in the fatal group, reveals that the levels of anti-spike IgG increased, while anti-NP IgM levels was decreased along the time in severe/critical and fatal as well as anti-NP IgG and IgA in several/critical groups. Discussion: In summary, the anti-NP IgA and IgG lower levels and the higher levels of anti-RBD and anti-Spike IgA in fatal compared to survival group of individuals admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Collectively, our data discriminate death from survival, suggesting that anti-RBD IgA and anti-Spike IgA may play some deleterious effect, in contrast with the potentially protective effect of anti-NP IgA and IgG in the survival group.

Waterlogging priming alleviates the oxidative damage, carbohydrate consumption, and yield loss in soybean (Glycine max) plants exposed to waterlogging.

In this study, we tested whether waterlogging priming at the vegetative stage would mitigate a subsequent waterlogging event at the reproductive stage in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Plants (V3 stage) were subjected to priming for 7days and then exposed to waterlogging stress for 5days (R2 stage) with non-primed plants. Roots and leaves were sampled on the fifth day of waterlogging and the second and fifth days of reoxygenation. Overall, priming decreased the H2 O2 concentration and lipid peroxidation in roots and leaves during waterlogging and reoxygenation. Priming also decreased the activity of antioxidative enzymes in roots and leaves and increased the foliar concentration of phenols and photosynthetic pigments. Additionally, priming decreased fermentation and alanine aminotransferase activity during waterlogging and reoxygenation. Finally, priming increased the concentration of amino acids, sucrose, and total soluble sugars in roots and leaves during waterlogging and reoxygenation. Thus, primed plants were higher and more productive than non-primed plants. Our study shows that priming alleviates oxidative stress, fermentation, and carbohydrate consumption in parallel to increase the yield of soybean plants exposed to waterlogging and reoxygenation.

Senescence State in Mesenchymal Stem Cells at Low Passages: Implications in Clinical Use.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells found in various tissues and are easily cultivated. For use in clinical protocols, MSCs must be expanded to obtain an adequate number of cells, but a senescence state may be instituted after some passages, reducing their replicative potential. In this study, we report a case where MSC derived from an elderly donor acquired a senescence state after three passages. The bone marrow was aspirated from a female patient submitted to a cell therapy for the incontinency urinary protocol; MSCs were cultivated with DMEM low glucose, supplemented with 10% autologous serum (AS) plus 1% L-glutamine and 1% antibiotic/antimycotic. Senescence analysis was performed by ß-galactosidase staining after 24 and 48 h. Controls were established using BM-MSC from healthy donors and used for senescence and gene expression assays. Gene expression was performed using RT-PCR for pluripotency genes, such as SOX2, POU5F1, NANOG, and KLF4. MSC telomere length was measured by the Southern blotting technique, and MSCs were also analyzed for their capacity to differentiate into adipocytes, chondrocytes, and osteocytes. The patient's MSC expansion using AS displayed an early senescence state. In order to understand the role of AS in senescence, MSCs were then submitted to two different culture conditions: 1) with AS or 2) with FBS supplementation. Senescence state was assessed after 24 h, and no statistical differences were observed between the two conditions. However, patients' cells cultured with AS displayed a higher number of senescence cells than FBS medium after 48 h (p = 0.0018). Gene expression was performed in both conditions; increased expression of KLF4 was observed in the patient's cells in comparison to healthy controls (p = 0.0016); reduced gene expression was observed for NANOG (p = 0.0016) and SOX2 (p = 0.0014) genes. Telomere length of the patient's cells was shorter than that of a healthy donor and that of a patient of similar age. Osteocyte differentiation seemed to be more diffuse than that of the healthy donor and that of the patient of similar age. MSCs could enter a senescence state during expansion in early passages and can impact MSC quality for clinical applications, reducing their efficacy when administered.

An inter-laboratory study of DNA-based identity, parentage and species testing in animal forensic genetics.

The probative value of animal forensic genetic evidence relies on laboratory accuracy and reliability. Inter-laboratory comparisons allow laboratories to evaluate their performance on specific tests and analyses and to continue to monitor their output. The International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG) administered animal forensic comparison tests (AFCTs) in 2016 and 2018 to assess the limitations and capabilities of laboratories offering forensic identification, parentage and species determination services. The AFCTs revealed that analyses of low DNA template concentrations (≤300 pg/µL) constitute a significant challenge that has prevented many laboratories from reporting correct identification and parentage results. Moreover, a lack of familiarity with species testing protocols, interpretation guidelines and representative databases prevented over a quarter of the participating laboratories from submitting correct species determination results. Several laboratories showed improvement in their genotyping accuracy over time. However, the use of forensically validated standards, such as a standard forensic short tandem repeat (STR) kit, preferably with an allelic ladder, and stricter guidelines for STR typing, may have prevented some common issues from occurring, such as genotyping inaccuracies, missing data, elevated stutter products and loading errors. The AFCTs underscore the importance of conducting routine forensic comparison tests to allow laboratories to compare results from each other. Laboratories should keep improving their scientific and technical capabilities and continuously evaluate their personnel's proficiency in critical techniques such as low copy number (LCN) analysis and species testing. Although this is the first time that the ISAG has conducted comparison tests for forensic testing, findings from these AFCTs may serve as the foundation for continuous improvements of the overall quality of animal forensic genetic testing.

Iron toxicity increases oxidative stress and impairs mineral accumulation and leaf gas exchange in soybean plants during hypoxia.

Iron toxicity is a major challenge faced by plants in hypoxic soils; however, the consequences of such combined stress for soybean (Glycine max) remain to be determined. Here we assessed the physiological responses of soybean plants exposed to hypoxia and a high concentration of iron. Soil-grown plants cultivated in a greenhouse until the vegetative stage were transferred to a hydroponic system containing nutrient solution and subjected to two oxygen conditions (normoxia (6.2 mg L-1) and hypoxia (0.33 mg L-1)) and two iron concentrations (Fe-EDTA) (0.09 and 1.8 mM) for 72 h. During hypoxia, high concentrations of iron in the nutrient solution resulted in increased iron accumulation in roots and leaves. Under this condition, the concentrations of zinc, nitrogen, potassium, and calcium decreased in the roots, while the concentration of nitrogen and magnesium decreased in the leaves. Additionally, during hypoxia, the higher concentration of iron led to an increase in the activity of the antioxidant enzymes in roots and leaves, while decreased the levels of the photosynthetic pigments, leaf gas exchange, and plant growth. In conclusion, high iron concentration in the root medium results in a considerably more severe damage condition to soybean plants under hypoxia compared to plants grown under low iron availability.

Comparison Between Nylon and Polyglactin Sutures in Pediatric Cataract Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Purpose: To compare the performance of nylon sutures to that of polyglactin sutures in pediatric patients undergoing cataract surgery. Setting: University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil Design: A prospective, randomized, partially masked, single-site clinical trial. (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03812640). Methods: A total of 80 eyes from 80 patients who underwent pediatric cataract surgery were randomized into two groups in block sizes of four. Group A consisted of 41 patients whose surgical incisions were sutured with polyglactin 10-0 material. Group B consisted of 39 patients whose surgical incisions were sutured with nylon 10-0 material. The primary outcome was frequency of suture-related complications in each group. Secondary outcomes were the frequency with which suture removal was necessary. Results: The incidence of suture-related complications within 6 months of follow up was 0 out of 41 eyes (0.00%) in the polyglactin group and 17 out of 39 eyes (43.59%) in the nylon control group (p < 0.001). In all of the eyes with suture-related complications, the sutures were promptly removed. The most frequent complications were vascularization near the suture (17.95%) and loose sutures (17.95%). No ocular or systemic study-related adverse events were observed. Conclusions: Polyglactin sutures were found to be safe and effective for pediatric patients undergoing cataract surgery. Their lower rate of complications and reduced likelihood of removal (and the subsequent need for general anesthesia) make their use preferrable to that of nylon sutures. This study represents the first controlled randomized clinical trial to compare nylon sutures to polyglactin sutures in pediatric patients undergoing cataract surgery. Clinical Trial Registration: URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/, Identifier: NCT03812640.

Biological Activities of Extracts from Ageratum fastigiatum: Phytochemical Study and In Silico Target Fishing Approach.

In the present study, the ethanolic extract from aerial parts of Ageratum fastigiatum was evaluated in vitro against epimastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi (Y strain), promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis (PH8 strain), and L. chagasi (BH400 strain). The extract was also evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25 923), Escherichia coli (ATCC 11 775), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 10 145), and Candida albicans (ATCC 36 802). The phytochemical screening was performed by thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. The extract was fractionated using flash preparative chromatography. The ethanolic extract showed activity against T. cruzi, L. chagasi, and L. amazonensis and antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans. The phytochemical screening revealed coumarins, terpenes/sterols, and flavonoids in the ethanolic extract. In addition, the coumarin identified as ayapin was isolated from this extract. We also performed in silico prediction of potential biological activities and targets for compounds previously found in A. fastigiatum. Several predictions were confirmed both retrospectively and prospectively by experimental results described here or elsewhere. Some activities described in the in silico target fishing approach were validated by the ethnopharmacological use and known biological properties. Some new activities and/or targets were predicted and could guide future studies. These results suggest that A. fastigiatum can be an interesting source of substances with antiparasitic and antimicrobial activities.

Efficacy and safety in the treatment of hyperprolactinemia: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Hyperprolactinemia is a neuroendocrine disease that is responsible for a quarter of cases of secondary amenorrhea, which can lead to infertility in women. Dopaminergic agonists (bromocriptine, cabergoline, quinagolide) can be used in the treatment. However, there is a lack of secondary studies that compare their efficacy and safety, especially through a network meta-analysis. Thus, to contribute to the decision-making, a systematic review and network meta-analyses (NMA) were performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dopaminergic agonists in the treatment of hyperprolactinemia. METHODS: Randomized clinical trials (RCT) were retrieved through PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases. The efficacy and safety of the drugs were compared, considering the following outcomes: prolactin (PRL) levels, number of patients with galactorrhoea, menstrual irregularities and adverse drug reactions. NMA was built for each outcome. Results were reported as odds ratios (OR) with 95% credibility intervals. Ranking probabilities were calculated by surface under the cumulative ranking analysis (SUCRA) and Stochastic multicriteria acceptability analysis (SMAA). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Seventeen RCTs were included in the systematic review and fifteen in the meta-analyses. The drugs had similar efficacy, considering the PRL levels. The SUCRA analysis showed that quinagolide (0.075 and 0.05 mg/day) was superior for reducing irregular menstruation, whereas bromocriptine was the best (97%) for galactorrhoea. Cabergoline proved to be the safest drug, except for abdominal pain at a dose of 1 mg/week. The SMAA demonstrated similar results to SUCRA. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: This is the first network meta-analysis that evaluated the efficacy and safety of dopaminergic agonists in the treatment of hyperprolactinemia. The results of this review revealed that these drugs have similar efficacy, but cabergoline has a better safety profile.

Vitexin Possesses Anticonvulsant and Anxiolytic-Like Effects in Murine Animal Models.

Different types of epilepsy and forms of pathological anxiety have been described as significant neurological disorders that may exist as comorbidities. Some of those disorders share the association of affected limbic areas/neuropathological triggers as well as the use of drugs for their clinical management. The aim of this work was to investigate the anticonvulsant and anxiolytic properties of the vitexin (apigenin-8-C-glucoside), since this compound is a flavonoid usually found as one of the major constituents in several medicinal plants claimed as anxiolytics and/or anticonvulsants. This investigation was performed by the use of a series of classical murine animal models of chemically induced-seizures and of anxiety-related tests (open-field, elevated plus-maze, and light-dark box tests). Here, we show that the systemic administration of vitexin (1.25; 2.5 and 5 mg/kg; i.p.) exhibited selective protection against chemically-induced seizures. Vitexin did not block seizures evoked by glutamate receptors agonists (NMDA and kainic acid), and it did not interfere with the latencies for these seizures. Conversely, the same treatments protected the animals in a dose-dependent manner against the seizures evoked by the Gabaergic antagonists picrotoxin and PTZ and rise the latency time for the first seizure on non-protected animals. The higher dose of vitexin protected 100% of animals against the tonic-clonic seizures triggered by GABA antagonists. The results from open-field, elevated plus-maze, and light-dark box tests indicated the anxiolytic properties of vitexin at similar range of doses described for the anticonvulsant action screening. Furthermore, these results pointed that vitexin did not cause sedation or locomotor impairment on animals. The selective action of vitexin against picrotoxin and PTZ may reinforce the hypothesis by which this compound acts mainly by the modulation of GABAergic neurotransmission and/or related pathways. This could be useful to explain the dual activity of vitexin as anticonvulsant and anxiolytic, and highlight the pharmacological interest on this promising flavonoid.

Diagnostic challenge of T-cell MALT lymphoma in oral cavity.

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (MALT) is a neoplasm of B cells from the extranodal marginal zone and a non-Hodgkin lymphoma subtype. We report a case of MALT lymphoma in the hard palate in a 74-year-old woman with the previous diagnosis of lymphoid hyperplasia. The intetion about this letter is to show the appropriate clinical conduct and the diagnostic challenge about this pathlogy in oral cavity, stressing the importance to incisional biopsy and immunohistochemical analysis to guide the right diagnostic of this rare lesion.

Genetic material from buffalo and cattle: crucial importance in the formalization of bilateral trade between India and Brazil.

The trade in live animals between India and Brazil dates from the late nineteenth century when European travellers traded animals of Indian origin for display in zoos. Considering the origin of coffee and sugar cane, as well as the expertise related to mineral evaluation, we need to consider that India was involved in important economic cycles of Brazil, even indirectly. This virtuous flow of trade has been maintained and intensified throughout modern history, especially after these two nations gained political independence from their colonisers, thereby becoming independent in mercantile affairs. This paper addresses the main points related to the use of animals of Indian origin in Brazil. We revisit some of the historical aspects of the process of colonisation of Brazil, as well as the importation of animals from India. The restrictions imposed on this process due to the occurrence of diseases in cattle and buffalo in India will be examined. At the end of the text, emphasis will be given to the risks of introducing exotic diseases into Brazil.

Myofibroblastic lesions in the oral cavity: Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To immunohistochemically characterize a group of oral myofibroblastic lesions (MLs) and to evaluate the ultrastructural features of myofibroblasts. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using a tissue microarray technique (TMA), cases of myofibroma (MF), of nodular fasciitis (NF), of desmoplastic fibroma (DF), and of myofibroblastic sarcoma (MS) from the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Xochimilco, and a Private Oral Pathology Service in Mexico City were stained with antibodies against alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), H-caldesmon, vimentin, desmin, ß-catenin, CD34, anaplastic lymphoma protein kinase (ALK-1), and Ki-67. RESULTS: Nineteen of the 22 MF cases, 2/5 of the NF cases, 1/10 of the DF cases, and 1/2 of the MS cases were positive for α-SMA. 1/2 of the MS cases were positive for desmin; 6/10 of the DF cases were positive for ß-catenin, and 2 of the MF cases were positive for ALK-1. All of the MLs were positive for vimentin and negative for H-caldesmon and CD-34. The Ki-67 labeling index in all of the 8/22 MF, 3/5 NF, and 2/2 MS cases was ≥10%. For all of the MLs evaluated, ultrastructural analysis revealed spindle-shaped cells containing endoplasmic reticulum and peripheral actin filament bundles. CONCLUSION: In certain myofibroblastic lesions, the use of auxiliary techniques (such as immunohistochemistry) can be critical for differential diagnosis.

The role of mitochondrial DNA damage at skeletal muscle oxidative stress on the development of type 2 diabetes.

Reduced cellular response to insulin in skeletal muscle is one of the major components of the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Mitochondrial dysfunction involves in the accumulation of toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) that leads to insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to verify the involvement of mitochondrial DNA damage at ROS generation in skeletal muscle during development of T2D. Wistar rats were fed a diet containing 60% fat over 8 weeks and at day 14 a single injection of STZ (25 mg/kg) was administered (T2D-induced). Control rats received standard food and an injection of citrate buffer. Blood and soleus muscle were collected. Abdominal fat was quantified as well as glucose, triglyceride, LDL, HDL, and total cholesterol in plasma and mtDNA copy number, cytochrome b (cytb) mRNA, 8-hydroxyguanosine, and 8-isoprostane (a marker of ROS) in soleus muscle. T2D-induced animal presented similar characteristics to humans that develop T2D such as changes in blood glucose, abdominal fat, LDL, HDL and cholesterol total. In soleus muscle 8-isoprostane, mtDNA copy number and 8-hydroxyguanosine were increased, while cytb mRNA was decreased in T2D. Our results suggest that in the development of T2D, when risks factors of T2D are present, intracellular oxidative stress increases in skeletal muscle and is associated with a decrease in cytb transcription. To overcome this process mtDNA increased but due to the proximity of ROS generation, mtDNA remains damaged by oxidation leading to an increase in ROS in a vicious cycle accounting to the development of insulin resistance and further T2D.

Zinco e risco cardiovascular de pacientes nefropatas em tratamento de hemodiálise / Zinc and cardiovascular risk in nephropathic patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment / Zinc y riesgo cardiovascular de pacientes con enfermedad del riñón en tratamiento de hemodiálisis

Objetivo: Investigar a relação entre concentração de zinco e risco cardiovascular em pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica em hemodiálise. Métodos: Estudo analítico, retrospectivo e transversal, realizado em Fortaleza, Ceará, em 2012, do qual participaram 43 adultos com insuficiência renal crônica em hemodiálise (grupo HD) e 35 saudáveis (CO - controle). Coletaram-se dados socioeconômicos e bioquímicos (colesterol total - CT, lipoproteína de baixa densidade - LDL, lipoproteína de muito baixa densidade - VLDL, lipoproteína de alta densidade - HDL e triglicerídeos - TG); determinou-se zinco plasmático por espectrometria de emissão óptica com plasma acoplado; coletou-se perfil lipídico do grupo HD do prontuário e do grupo CO por meio de kit Bioclin®. Obteve-se colesterol não-HDL pela fórmula: não-HDL = CT ­ HDL-c. Calculou-se risco cardiovascular pela razão TG/HDL, considerando risco quando >3,8. Análises por meio de testes t de Student, Pearson ou Spearman. Resultados: O zinco do grupo HD encontrou-se abaixo da referência e menor (p<0,001) em relação ao controle (68,40µg/dL e 85,53µg/dL, respectivamente). HDL no grupo HD mostrou-se abaixo da recomendação (39,64±11,58). VLDL (29,02±14,03mg/dL) do grupo HD foi maior (p<0,001) que no CO (15,47±10,65mg/dL). LDL do grupo HD maior que no CO (p=0,05) e o TG no grupo HD (145,14±70,15mg/dL) maior (p<0,001) que no CO (77,35±53,25mg/dL). Encontrou-se razão TG/HDL no grupo HD de 4,02±2,60 (p=0,04), indicando maior risco cardiovascular. Pacientes com maior relação TG/HDL apresentaram menores níveis de zinco (p=0,011). Conclusão: Os pacientes em hemodiálise apresentaram deficiência de zinco e possuíam elevado risco cardiovascular, porém sem correlação entre zinco e perfil lipídico.

Objective: To assess the relationship between zinc concentration and cardiovascular risk in patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis. Methods: Analytical retrospective cross-sectional study carried out in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, in 2012 with 43 adult patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis (HD group) and 35 healthy individuals (control group). Socioeconomic and biochemical (total cholesterol - TC, low density lipoprotein - LDL, very low density lipoprotein - VLDL, high density lipoprotein - HDL and triglycerides - TG) were collected. Plasma zinc was determined using coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. HD group' lipid profile was collected from medical records, and the controls' lipid profile was analyzed using the Bioclin® kit. Non-HDL cholesterol was = CT ­ HDL-C. Cardiovascular risk was assessed using the TG/HDL ratio, with risk when >3.8. Student's t test, Pearson's test or Spearman's test were used. Results: Zinc was below the recommended and lower (p<0.001) in the HD group (68.40µg/dL and 85.53µg/dL, respectively). HDL-c in the HD group was below the recommended (39.64±11.58). VLDL (29.02±14.03 mg/dL) in HD patients was higher (p<0.001) than in controls (15.47±10.65 mg/dL). LDL was higher in the HD group than in controls (p=0.05) and TG in the HD group (145.14±70.15 mg/dL) was higher (p<0.001) than in controls (77.35±53.25 mg/dL). The TG/HDL ratio in the HD group was 4.02±2.60 (p=0.04), indicating a higher cardiovascular risk. Individuals with higher TG/HDL had lower zinc (p=0.011). Conclusion: Patients on hemodialysis presented with zinc deficiency and high cardiovascular risk, but there was no correlation between zinc levels and lipid profile.

Objetivo: Investigar la relación entre la concentración de zinc y el riesgo cardiovascular de pacientes con insuficiencia renal crónica en hemodiálisis. Métodos: Estudio analítico, retrospectivo y transversal realizado en Fortaleza, Ceará, en 2012, en el cual participaron 43 pacientes adultos con insuficiencia renal crónica en hemodiálisis (grupo HD) y 35 saludables (grupo CO - control). Se recogieron los datos socioeconómicos y bioquímicos (colesterol total - CT, lipoproteína de baja densidad - LDL, lipoproteína de muy baja densidad - VLDL, lipoproteína de alta densidad - HDL y triglicéridos - TG); se determinó el zinc plasmático por la espectrometría de emisión óptica por el plasma de acoplamiento inductivo; se recogió el perfil lipídico del grupo HD del historial clínico y el del grupo control a través del kit Bioclin®. Se obtuvo el colesterol no-HDL por la fórmula: no-HDL = CT ­ HDL-c. Se calculó el riesgo cardiovascular por la razón TG/HDL considerando riesgo cuando ≥3,8. Los análisis fueron a través de la prueba t de Student, Pearson o Spearman. Resultados: El zinc del grupo HD fue menor y abajo de la referencia (p<0,001) en comparación con el control (68,40µg/dL y 85,53µg/dL, respectivamente). La HDL del grupo HD se mostró abajo de la recomendación (39,64±11,58). El VLDL (29,02±14,03mg/dL) del grupo HD ha sido mayor (p<0,001) que en el CO (15,47±10,65mg/dL). La LDL del grupo HD ha sido mayor que en el CO (p=0,05) y el TG en el grupo HD (145,14±70,15mg/dL) mayor (p<0,001) que en el CO (77,35±53,25mg/dL). Se encontró la razón TG/HDL en el grupo HD de 4,02±2,60 (p=0,04) con menores niveles de zinc (p=0,011). Conclusión: Los pacientes en hemodiálisis presentaron deficiencia de zinc y tenían elevado riesgo cardiovascular, sin embargo, sin relación entre el zinc y el perfil lipídico.

A Fast and Reliable Real-Time PCR Method for Detection of Ten Animal Species in Meat Products.

Species substitution in meat products is a common problem reported worldwide. This type of food fraud is, typically, an intentional act for economic gain, using sources of low-priced meats in high-value meat products. Consequences include economic, health, and religious concerns. Highly sensitive and efficient techniques are thus required to detect meat species. This paper describes a method based on real-time PCR to detect 10 animal species (Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Capra hircus, Gallus gallus, Meleagris gallopavo, Bubalus bubalis, Equus caballus, Felis catus, and Canis familiaris) in meat product. The method combines species-specific and universal (used here as internal positive control) primers, and applies melt curve analysis for amplicon checking. Method accuracy was evaluated on 46 experimental meat mixtures and all species were correctly identified in all cases, at 1% test sensitivity. Analysis of 14 commercial meat products revealed that 6 of 14 samples had nondeclared bovine and/or chicken material. We performed an interlaboratory comparison using the reference meat mixtures and commercial samples, achieving 100% of reproducibility. The developed test proved to be effective and reliable for routine analysis of meat products. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This paper describes a fast and reliable method for species detection in meat products based on real-time PCR. It can be applied for analysis of in natura or processed meat. The method proposed here can play an important role in controlling the origin of meat products, ensuring their quality and safety for the entire food industry-producers to consumers.

Design and validation of a 90K SNP genotyping assay for the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

BACKGROUND: The availability of the bovine genome sequence and SNP panels has improved various genomic analyses, from exploring genetic diversity to aiding genetic selection. However, few of the SNP on the bovine chips are polymorphic in buffalo, therefore a panel of single nucleotide DNA markers exclusive for buffalo was necessary for molecular genetic analyses and to develop genomic selection approaches for water buffalo. The creation of a 90K SNP panel for river buffalo and testing in a genome wide association study for milk production is described here. METHODS: The genomes of 73 buffaloes of 4 different breeds were sequenced and aligned against the bovine genome, which facilitated the identification of 22 million of sequence variants among the buffalo genomes. Based on frequencies of variants within and among buffalo breeds, and their distribution across the genome, inferred from the bovine genome sequence, 90,000 putative single nucleotide polymorphisms were selected to create an Axiom® Buffalo Genotyping Array 90K. RESULTS: This 90K "SNP-Chip" was tested in several river buffalo populations and found to have ∼70% high quality and polymorphic SNPs. Of the 90K SNPs about 24K were also found to be polymorphic in swamp buffalo. The SNP chip was used to investigate the structure of buffalo populations, and could distinguish buffalo from different farms. A Genome Wide Association Study identified genomic regions on 5 chromosomes putatively involved in milk production. CONCLUSION: The 90K buffalo SNP chip described here is suitable for the analysis of the genomes of river buffalo breeds, and could be used for genetic diversity studies and potentially as a starting point for genome-assisted selection programmes. This SNP Chip could also be used to analyse swamp buffalo, but many loci are not informative and creation of a revised SNP set specific for swamp buffalo would be advised.