Overview of HOMEChem: House Observations of Microbial and Environmental Chemistry.

The House Observations of Microbial and Environmental Chemistry (HOMEChem) study is a collaborative field investigation designed to probe how everyday activities influence the emissions, chemical transformations and removal of trace gases and particles in indoor air. Sequential and layered experiments in a research house included cooking, cleaning, variable occupancy, and window-opening. This paper describes the overall design of HOMEChem and presents preliminary case studies investigating the concentrations of reactive trace gases, aerosol particles, and surface films. Cooking was a large source of VOCs, CO2, NOx, and particles. By number, cooking particles were predominantly in the ultrafine mode. Organic aerosol dominated the submicron mass, and, while variable between meals and throughout the cooking process, was dominated by components of hydrocarbon character and low oxygen content, similar to cooking oil. Air exchange in the house ensured that cooking particles were present for only short periods. During unoccupied background intervals, particle concentrations were lower indoors than outdoors. The cooling coils of the house ventilation system induced cyclic changes in water soluble gases. Even during unoccupied periods, concentrations of many organic trace gases were higher indoors than outdoors, consistent with housing materials being potential sources of these compounds to the outdoor environment. Organic material accumulated on indoor surfaces, and exhibited chemical signatures similar to indoor organic aerosol.

Transgenic overexpression of regucalcin leads to suppression of thapsigargin- and actinomycin D-induced apoptosis in the testis by modulation of apoptotic pathways.

Recent evidence suggested the involvement of calcium-binding protein regucalcin (RGN) in testicular apoptosis. Herein, we investigated the role of RGN controlling apoptotic pathways in the testis by using a transgenic rat model overexpressing RGN (Tg-RGN). Seminiferous tubules (SeT) from Tg-RGN and their wild-type (Wt) counterparts were cultured ex vivo in presence or absence of apoptosis inducers thapsigargin (Thap, 10(-7) and 10(-6) m) and actinomycin D (Act D, 0.5 and 1 µg/mL). Expression levels of key regulators of apoptosis in SeT of Tg-RGN and Wt animals were determined by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. Measurement of caspase-3 enzymatic activity was included as an end point of apoptosis. Tg-RGN SeT treated with 10(-6) m of Thap or 1 µg/mL of Act D showed a diminished enzymatic activity and gene transcription of caspase-3, along with increased mRNA and protein expression of antiapoptotic Bcl-2. Bcl-2/Bax (antiapoptotic/proapoptotic) protein ratio was also enhanced in these SeT. Although caspase-9 mRNA was increased in the SeT of Tg-RGN treated with Thap, no differences were observed at protein level, and no differences were also found on protein levels of apoptosis-inducing factor. mRNA expression of proapoptotic p53 and p21 was strongly decreased in Tg-RGN SeT treated with Thap (10(-6) m) or Act D (1 µg/mL). These findings demonstrated that RGN suppresses Thap- and Act D-induced apoptosis in SeT by modulating the expression and activity of key apoptotic and antiapoptotic factors. Moreover, results indicate that RGN overexpression protects germ cell from apoptosis induced by noxious stimuli, which could be a relevant mechanism for fertility preservation in situations of oncological treatments.

Qualidade e autenticidade de folhas de chapéu-de-couro (Echinodorus grandiflorus) oriundas de fornecedores de São Paulo / Quality and authenticity of leaves of "chapéu-de-couro" (Echinodorus grandiflorus) from suppliers in São Paulo

Echinodorus grandiflorus e Echinodorus macrophyllus, conhecidas como chapéu-de-couro, são empregadas de forma indistinta como anti-inflamatório. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar análises físico-químicas de três amostras (A, B e C) de folhas de chapéu-de-couro (E. grandiflorus) provenientes de fornecedores de São Paulo buscando avaliar a qualidade e autenticidade destas amostras considerando a Farmacopéia Brasileira, 5ª edição, como referência. Verificou-se que as amostras estavam de acordo com as especificações farmacopeicas em relação às características organolépticas, material estranho, umidade, cinzas totais, cinzas sulfatadas (exceto amostras A e B) e teores de derivados de ácido o-hidroxicinâmico (exceto amostra A). Na descrição macro e microscópica foram identificadas estruturas características de E. grandiflorus. Após análise dos perfis cromatográficos por cromatografia em camada delgada de sílica (CCDS) constatou-se a presença de ácido caféico, isoorientina e swertiajaponina, conforme a monografia da espécie. A amostra C foi a única droga vegetal aprovada segundo os critérios da Farmacopeia Brasileira, evidenciando-se a necessidade da realização do controle de qualidade de matérias-primas vegetais para garantir a obtenção de fitoterápicos seguros e eficazes.

Echinodorus grandiflorus and Echinodorus macrophyllus, known as "chapéu-de-couro", have been differently used as anti-inflammatory agents. The aim of the present study was to carry out physicochemical analyses of three leaf samples (A, B and C) from "chapéu-de-couro" (E. grandiflorus) obtained from suppliers in São Paulo to assess the quality and the authenticity of these samples according to the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia (BP) 5th edition. All samples were in agreement with the specifications of the Pharmacopoeia considering their organoleptic characteristics, foreign material, humidity, total ash and sulfated ash (except for samples A and B), as well as the levels of o-hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives (except for sample A). Macroscopic and microscopic analysis of the samples revealed structures typical of E. grandiflorus. Analysis of chromatographic profiles by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) on silica gel indicated the presence caffeic acid, isoorientin and swertiajaponin, which are in accordance with the monography for this species. Sample C was the only plant drug approved according to the criteria of the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia, evidencing the need of quality control of raw plant material to ensure the production of safe and effective phytomedicines.

Fat-soluble vitamin (A, D, E, and ß-carotene) contents from a Portuguese autochthonous cow breed--Minhota.

In Portugal, commercial milk is obtained almost entirely from cows of the Holstein breed. However, other breeds may also show dairy aptitude, and produce milk of good quality. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the breed factor in the vitamin contents of milks from Holstein and the autochthonous Portuguese breed Minhota, as well as possible variations due to season. Milk samples were collected from 15 cows of each breed. Milk from Minhota cows showed higher contents of retinol, retinyl palmitate, α-tocopherol, and ß-carotene. No differences were verified between breeds regarding vitamin D(3) content, but Holstein cows presented higher amounts of provitamin D(3). Seasonal variations were not observed for milk samples from Holsteins, and only a very small variation was observed for milk samples from Minhota cows, mainly in retinol, α-tocopherol, and provitamin D(3) levels. This study revealed that breed has a pronounced effect on milk fat-soluble vitamins, which is an important observation regarding future genetic selection plans. Also, the increased vitamin amounts found in milk from Minhota cows can be regarded as an important nutritional parameter that can potentiate the economical value of this breed.

Determinants of ochratoxin A exposure--a one year follow-up study of urine levels.

Dietary exposure to the ochratoxin A (OTA) occurring in Portugal is characterized by a high frequency of contamination of the consumed foodstuffs, although at low levels. The exposure bears significance for the total food consumed, and not for a particular one. Biomonitoring studies are thus fundamental in simplifying the evaluation of exposure, with no need to examine the entire range of consumed foodstuffs. Biomonitoring studies further allow the identification of host factors as predictors of OTA exposure in epidemiologic studies, the results of which are merited for targeting intervention strategies by public health authorities and advising official regulatory decisions. Using a longitudinal approach, this study examined factors related to OTA exposure in the adult population over a one-year period. Anthropometric measures, season of the year and region were the selected factors correlated with OTA exposure biomarker. Urine samples from 95 inhabitants from six Portuguese main geographical areas were assayed through spectrofluorimetric detection. Exposure to OTA proved to markedly increase in winter, and gender differences were observed only in summer, which might be related to different dietary patterns not only between seasons, but also between genders. The same rationale may also serve the observed statistically significant differences between some regions. No other strong association upon the remaining determinants under testing was observed. These observations reinforce the need for OTA exposure evaluation, possibly specifically targeting the staple foods or dietary habits that sustain potential predictors or determinants of exposure.

Influencing factors on bread-derived exposure to ochratoxin A: type, origin and composition.

The nearly ubiquitous consumption of cereals all over the world renders them an important position in international nutrition, but concurrently allocates exposure to possible contained contaminants. Mycotoxins are natural food contaminants, difficult to predict, evade, and reduce, so it is important to establish the real contribution of each contaminated food product, with the aim to evaluate mycotoxin exposure. This was the key objective of this survey and analysis for ochratoxin A content on 274 samples of commercialized bread in the Portuguese market, during the winter 2007. Different bread products were analyzed through an HPLC-FD method, including traditional types, novel segments, and different grain based bread products. A wide-ranging low level contamination was observed in all regions and types of bread products analyzed, especially in the Porto and Coimbra regions, and in the maize and whole-grain or fiber-enriched bread. Nevertheless, the exposure through contaminated wheat bread continues to be the most significant, given its high consumption and dominance in relation to the other types of bread.

Monitoring of ochratoxin A exposure of the Portuguese population through a nationwide urine survey--Winter 2007.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by a variety of fungi, such as Penicillium verrucosum and Aspergillium spp., which has been found to have a wide number of potentially deadly toxic effects, and can enter the human organism through a variety of means. It then finds its way into the bloodstream and, after a lengthy process, is eventually excreted through the urine. It can thus be detected in its original form not only in blood samples but also in this biological medium. As such, and in an attempt to evaluate the exposure of the Portuguese population to this mycotoxin, morning urine samples were collected during the Winter of 2007, from each of five geographically distinct Portuguese locations--Bragança, Porto, Coimbra, Alentejo, and Algarve--and subjected to extraction by immunoaffinity columns and to OTA quantification through liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection. Prevalent incidence was higher than 95% with Coimbra being the exception (incidence of 73.3%). In nearly all locations, the OTA content of most samples was found to be above the limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.008 ng/ml. Indeed, excluding Coimbra, with an OTA content level of 0.014 ng/ml, all regions featured content values over 0.021 ng/ml.

Sorption and desorption of the herbicide alachlor on humic acid fractions from two vermicomposts.

The present study focuses on the analysis of two vermicomposts, that have been used as alternative sources of restitution of soil organic matter, as well as sources of nutrient replacements. For this purpose, two samples of vermicomposts from different Brazilian regions (São Carlos-SP and Londrina-PR) were characterized according to their humic acid content. Both samples had a pH value near 7.0, and the humic acids present showed high cationic exchange capacities and low values for the C/N ratios. The infrared spectra showed bands that suggested the presence of aliphatic and aromatic components bound to phenolic, carboxylic and amide groups. The effect of vermicompost added to soil on the application of alachlor was evaluated. Alachlor sorption, Freundlich isotherms and alachlor desorption curves in the soil matrix and the vermicompost/soil mixture matrix were determined.

Discriminate analysis of roasted coffee varieties for trigonelline, nicotinic acid, and caffeine content.

Arabica and robusta roasted coffees from several geographical origins, in a total of 29 samples, were characterized for their contents in caffeine, trigonelline, and nicotinic acid by a recently developed HPLC/diode-array detector method. All samples were subjected to the same roasting procedure in order to eliminate the variations due to this process. Characterization was achieved by applying multivariate and nonparametric analysis to the chromatographic results. The two coffee varieties were clearly separated by their trigonelline and caffeine contents. Nicotinic acid could not be used as a variety discriminate factor. There was no association with the geographical origin of the samples.

Role of reinsertion of the lower eyelid retractor on involutional entropion.

AIMS: To verify and evaluate the effect of reinsertion of the lower eyelid retractor aponeurosis to correct involutional entropion. METHODS: The involutional entropion is one affection that occurs mainly in the lower eyelid of patients over 60 years old. The surgical techniques proposed to correct this condition are based on correction of horizontal laxity-the preseptal orbicularis muscle overrides the pretarsal muscle, and the reinsertion of the lower eyelid retractor aponeurosis. 30 patients clinically diagnosed with involutional entropion and randomly selected underwent reinsertion of the lower eyelid retractor aponeurosis to the tarsal plate, without horizontal shortening or resection of the skin or orbicularis muscle. RESULTS: Good anatomical and functional correction was achieved in 96.6% of the patients and no recurrence was observed on 29 month follow up examination. The surgical result was very satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that this procedure is effective and has low recurrence rate, showing the important role of the reinsertion of the lower eyelid retractor aponeurosis in this surgical correction.

An improved surgical technique for pterygium excision with intraoperative application of mitomycin-C.

A surgical technique was designed to improve safety after pterygium excision with intraoperative application of mitomycin-C (MMC). A limbic incision was performed in 40 eyes. The body of the pterygium was dissected from the episclera to allow its excision. Care was taken to avoid excessive delamination and cauterization of tissues. A 0.02% MMC solution was then applied. Only at the end of the surgery was the head of the pterygium dissected from the cornea. The 8-0 absorbable sutures were used to place both edges of the conjunctiva together to completely cover the area of bare sclera. After a mean follow-up time of 12 months, a recurrence rate of 5% was observed. No complications of therapy were observed. This is a logical alternative to other surgical techniques. However, randomized studies with more patients and longer follow-up are necessary to determine the potential of this procedure in improving the safety of pterygium excision with intraoperative MMC.

Cefodizime given in single or divided doses for the treatment of lower respiratory tract infection.

The safety and efficacy of two dose regimens of cefodizime (CAS 69739-16-8, HR 221) in hospitalized patients with lower respiratory tract infections were assessed in two consecutive studies. Sputum bacteriology, chest X-ray and a safety laboratory check were performed at baseline and after therapy. In order to compensate for the lack of a double-blind design the evaluation was conducted as a clinical intention-to-treat analysis. 32 patients (16 males, 16 females, mean age: 64 years) were admitted to study A and 42 subjects (30 males, 12 females, mean age: 66 years) to study B. The dosage regimens of cefodizime were 1 g b.i.d. (median 7 days) in study A and 2 g once daily (median 6 days) in study B. Parenchymal involvement was confirmed by chest X-ray in 56% of the patients in study A and 64% in study B, the remainder patients had acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis with reasonable evidence of bacterial infection. The most frequent pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus spp. The clinical cure rate was 97% in study A and 88% in study B. Eradication rates were 100% and 94%, respectively. No superinfection occurred. No adverse reactions were observed. In conclusion, a single daily injection of cefodizime 2 g achieved similar clinical and bacteriological cure rates to the standard dose regimen of 1 g b.i.d.

[Senile cataract: patient's characteristics and perceptions on a sight restoration communitary project]. / Características e percepções de pacientes portadores de catarata senil atendidos em projeto comunitário de reabilitação visual.

A survey was conducted to identify some patient's characteristics and perceptions related to senile cataract and delivery of cataract care. The patients were diagnosed by means of ophthalmic examination carried out on a Rehabilitation of the Aged Campaign at the Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo Medical School. A questionnaire was administered by interviewing 70 subjects, who presented the following characteristics: 32.86% were males and 67.14% were females; 42.86% with ages varying between 50 and 70 years; 67.14% took notice of campaign through TV; 60.00% underwent SUS previous ophthalmic evaluation; 72.86% presented low vision acuity on both eyes for a year or longer, (27.14% for 5 years or longer); 40.00% had previous surgery indication for a year or longer and 80.00% of the patients claimed declared financial reasons to explain their non-previous cataract surgery. We recommend eye health educational programs for prevention of blindness and sigh restoration.

[Perforating eye injuries in children]. / Ferimento perfurante de globo ocular na infância.

The author studied 140 cases of perforating eye injury in children up to 15 years old admitted at the Clinic Hospital of the Medical College of the University of São Paulo (Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo) from January 1989 to December 1993. These cases represent 24.71% of the total of the perforating eye injuries seen during this period, showing a ratio of 76.42% of males, a ratio of 2/1 in the group from 0 to 6 years old, 7/1 in the group from 7 to 11 years old and a ratio of 3/1 in the group from 12 to 15 years old. The most common perforating eye injuries were due to sharp objects (54.71%), contusion (20%), explosions (7.85%) and flying objects (5.71%). The relation between the severity of the injury and the prognosis is emphasized. Safety precautions should be effective in order to reduce frequence and morbidity of these perforating ocular injuries.

[Perforating eye injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents: cases assisted during the year 1994]. / Ferimentos perfurantes do globo ocular por acidentes automobilísticos: casos atendidos durante o ano de 1994.

A prospective study of 32 patients with perforating eye injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents, 24.32% of the 131 cases of perforating injuries admitted at the University of São Paulo Medical School Hospital from January to december, 1994 was performed. Most of the accidents occurred at night (68.75%), and in urban areas (65.63%). There were more male victims (65.63%), mostly under 25 years of age (53.13%). None of the victims were using seat belts and those in the front seats were more vulnerable. Safety precautions should be effectively in use in order to reduce frequency and morbidity of these injuries.

Single intraoperative application versus postoperative mitomycin C eye drops in pterygium surgery.

PURPOSE: To determine the minimum effective dosage, most effective route of administration and long-term effects of mitomycin C for prevention of recurrence after pterygium surgery. METHODS: In a prospective, masked study, 227 patients undergoing surgery for primary pterygia were assigned randomly to five groups: group 1 received a single intraoperative application of 0.2 mg/ml mitomycin C for 3 minutes; group 2 received a single intraoperative application of 0.4 mg/ml mitomycin C for 3 minutes; group 3 received mitomycin C eye drops 0.2 mg/ml three times daily for 7 days; group 4 received mitomycin C eye drops 0.4 mg/ml three times daily for 14 days; group 5 acted as a control (surgery alone). RESULTS: After a mean follow-up time of 28 months, recurrence rates of 6.66%, 4.08%, 4.26%, 4.44%, and 29.27%, respectively, were observed. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between groups receiving mitomycin C and the control (P < or = 0.001). There was no statistical difference among treated groups (P > or = 0.0681). No complications of therapy were observed. CONCLUSION: These results support the efficacy and relative safety of a single, low-concentration, intraoperative application of mitomycin C in pterygium surgery together with the use of a conjunctival flap, avoiding excessive cauterization of the sclera and leaving bare sclera.

Ulceracao corneana bilateral nao infecciosa associada a sindrome de Sjogren: relato de um caso / Noninfectious bilateral corneal ulceration associated with Sjögren's syndrome: report of a case

Os autores relatam um caso de ulceracao corneana bilateral nao infecciosa em uma paciente de 46 anos com sindrome de Sjögren. Discutem a evolucao clinica e apresentam uma revisao da terapeutica disponivel na presenca da associacao ulceracao corneana e sindrome de Sjögren.

[Noninfectious bilateral corneal ulceration associated with Sjögren's syndrome: report of a case]. / Ulceração corneana bilateral não infecciosa associada à síndrome de Sjögren: relato de um caso.

A case of noninfectious bilateral corneal ulceration in a 46 year old patient with Sjögren's syndrome is reported. The clinical evolution is commented and the available therapeutic measures for this complication are discussed.