Histocompatibility Leukocyte Antigen-A29-Associated Retinal Vasculitis without Choroidal Lesions: A Report of 4 Cases.

This study describes a cohort of patients presenting with histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A29-associated retinal vasculitis without choroidal lesions that may share clinical features with birdshot retinochoroiditis. The methods include a retrospective chart review of patients presenting with HLA-A29-associated retinal vasculitis without choroidal lesions. The data on the patients were entered retrospectively into a new database and analyzed. Four patients who had HLA-A29-associated retinal vasculitis without choroidal lesions were identified. The median age at presentation was 40 years (range: 14-71); 75% were female. At presentation, all four patients had a visual acuity of 20/50 or better in both eyes. All the eyes had mild vitritis, three eyes (37.5%) had cystoid macular edema, and two eyes (25%) had optic disc edema. All the patients required treatment with systemic steroids and immunosuppressive therapy. HLA-A29-associated retinal vasculitis without choroidal lesions appears to share many clinical features with birdshot chorioretinitis, including the need for systemic immunosuppressive therapy. Whether this entity represents an early form of birdshot retinochoroiditis or a more localized variant of the disease is a topic for additional studies.

Study of inorganic elements in different organs and tissues of Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis) from Brazil.

Multielement concentrations (P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, and Rh) and total mercury (T-Hg) were analyzed in different organs and tissues of Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis). Samples of 27 T. inunguis specimens, maintained in the collection of the Amazonian Center for the Research and Preservation of Aquatic Mammals, were used, situated in an area highly impacted by gold mining in the northern region of the Brazilian Amazon. Samples of aquatic plants used as food by the animals were also analyzed. The elements S, Cl, K, Cr, and Mn accumulated mainly in the musculature, while Fe and Cu were more concentrated in the liver. Trace elements, such as rubidium (Rb) and rhodium (Rh), not previously reported in the organs of animals of the family Trichechidae, were also identified. The averages for T-Hg in the skin, muscle, encephalon, liver, kidney, and lung samples were, respectively, 0.1540 ± 0.1332, 0.0593 ± 0.1044, 0.0517 ± 0.0467, 0.0486 ± 0.0543, 0.0237 ± 0.0336, and 0.0013 ± 0.0032 µg.g-1. The values obtained for the vibrissae samples were below the limit of quantification, which allows for the conclusion that this tissue cannot be used as a contamination marker. It was observed that even when kept in a conservation breeding site, these animals were exposed to non-essential trace elements. Differences in the accumulation of elements were observed between the different organs and tissues analyzed. The presence of contaminants in animals that live in a preservation center, even at low levels, deserves attention.

Characteristics, Upon Presentation, of a Cohort of Hispanic Patients with Birdshot Retinochoroidopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics, upon presentation, of a cohort of Hispanic patients with birdshot retinochoroidopathy. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of Hispanic patients with birdshot retinochoroidopathy of was performed. The demographic and clinical characteristics were analyzed. RESULTS: Nine patients who met the research criteria for a diagnosis of birdshot retinochoroidopathy were identified and included in the analysis, all of whom were HLA-A29 positive. The median age of the cohort upon presentation was 52 years; 89% of the patients were female, and all were Hispanics. Ninety-four percent of the eyes had an initial visual acuity of 20/50 or better, while 72% had measured 20/25 or better. Sixty-one percent of the eyes had retinal vasculitis, which was bilateral in 83% of the cases. Thirty-three percent of the patients had, upon presentation, evidence of cystoid macular edema, which was always bilateral. All the eyes had the typical birdshot lesions, at presentation. CONCLUSION: Birdshot retinochoroidopathy can be found in Hispanic patients. Our study suggests that the characteristics upon presentation in Hispanics may be similar to those of Caucasian cohorts.

Multielemental composition and consumption risk characterization of three commercial marine fish species.

Marine fish are considered a source of high quality proteins and fatty acids. However, the consumption of fish may pose a health risk as it may have potentially toxic elements in high concentrations. In this study we quantify the multielemental composition of muscle and fins for three species of commercial marine fish from Brazil: Sphyraena guachancho (Barracuda), Priacantus arenatus (Common bigeye) and Genidens genidens (Guri sea catfish). We then assessed the potential risk of fish consumption by means of a Provisional Hazard Indices. Amongst the elements detected in fish tissue were potentially toxic elements such as Ag, Ba, Cd, Cr and Hg. Concentration differences were species-specific, and affected by the species trophic level, morphological characteristics and feeding habits. Results suggest the higher the trophic level of the fish, the higher the risk of consumption. Caution is recommended for the frequent ingestion of high trophic level fish species in Brazil.

Irradiation of reduced-sodium uncooked lamb sausage: antimicrobial efficacy and physicochemical impact.

Excess sodium in food is associated with an increased risk of noncommunicable diseases. Faced with this reality, consumers are becoming aware of the importance of eating foods with reduced sodium content. This work assesses the effects of partial replacement of NaCl by KCl on the microbiological and physicochemical characteristics of uncooked lamb sausage treated with different doses of gamma radiation. Analyses of thermotolerant coliforms, sulfite-reducing Clostridium, Salmonella sp., protein, moisture, ash, lipids, pH, water activity, and color were performed. The results showed that the formulations with reduced sodium content did not differ significantly concerning microbial growth and met the identity and quality standards considering its physicochemical characteristics. Also, irradiation is efficient as a microbiological control method, and the ± 3-kGy dose was the most effective to eliminate pathogenic bacteria present in the sausage formulation prepared with reduced sodium content, inducing less intense changes in physicochemical parameters.

Seasonal variation in trace and minor elements in Brazilian honey by total reflection X-ray fluorescence.

Honey is used as an alternative medicine and is a constituent of a healthy diet worldwide. Its composition is associated with botanical origin and, to some extent, geographical origin because soil and climate characteristics determine the melliferous flora. Also, the elements content in honey samples could give an indication of environmental pollution or geographical origin. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate seasonal patterns of essential elements of Brazilian honey. Honey was collected during spring, summer, autumn, and winter for 2 years to quantify K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Br, and Sr using total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (TXRF). Our results indicate no seasonal differences in concentration of Cr, Ni, Se, and Ti, although there were significant seasonal patterns in the composition of essential elements in honey, with higher concentrations of minor and trace elements, especially K and Ca of samples collected in spring and summer.

Development and characterization of a portable total reflection X-ray fluorescence system using a waveguide for trace elements analysis.

This paper presents a portable total reflection X-ray fluorescence system composed of a 15 W X-ray tube, with a gold anode, a waveguide constituted by two Perspex(®) parallel plates, a Si PIN detector and a quartz optical flat. The critical angle of the total reflection system was experimentally determined by measuring a zinc solution (100 mg/L). The accuracy of the system was checked using SRM 1577b Bovine Liver by NIST as standard reference material. We obtained the absolute detection limits of the following elements: P (450 ± 40 ng), S (200 ± 31 ng), K (30 ± 2.5 ng), Ca (19 ± 3.5 ng), Mn (4.1 ± 0.5 ng), Fe (3.6 ± 0.9 ng), Cu (3.3 ± 0.4 ng) and Zn (3.5 ± 0.3 ng). This paper shows that it is possible to produce total reflection X-ray fluorescence with very compact, efficient, low-cost and easy-to-handle instrumentation using a low-power X-ray tube and a Si PIN compact detector.

Determination of trace elements in honey from different regions in Rio de Janeiro State (Brazil) by total reflection X-ray fluorescence.

Trace and minor elements in Brazilian honey were analyzed by total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. Up to 12 elements (K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Br, and Sr) were detected in 160 samples of honey from 4 regions of Rio de Janeiro State (Barra Mansa, Teresópolis, northern and southern Nova Friburgo). The results showed the samples from Teresópolis had higher rates of essential and nonessential elements than samples from the other regions, except for Ni. K and Ca were the most abundant elements in all samples, in the range of 116.5 to 987.0 µg g(-1) . Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, and Sr were identified in small concentrations (0.01 to 12.08 µg g(-1) ) in all samples, indicating a low level of contamination in all the regions.

Distribution of calcium, iron, copper, and zinc in two portions of placenta of teenager and adult women.

The placenta is fundamental for fetal development. The aim of this study was to determine Ca, Fe, Cu, and Zn content in the fetal and maternal portions of the placentas of teenage and adult women. Measurement of the minerals was conducted using Synchrotron radiation total reflection X-ray fluorescence. Forty samples from the fetal portion of teenagers and adults and 40 samples from the maternal portion of teenagers and adults were analyzed. There were significant differences in the Ca and Cu concentrations of the placenta's maternal portion when compared to the fetal portion, for both teenagers and adults. There were differences in Fe and Zn concentrations only when comparing the maternal portion of placenta with the fetal portion of the adults. These results suggest important differences in mineral content based on the placental portion. No significant difference was observed between the minerals studied of the maternal portion of teenagers and adults; however, in the fetal portion, mineral concentrations were greater in adults than in teenagers. Therefore, the mineral concentration of the fetal portion of the placenta is influenced by the mother's age. If there is mineral's competition between the mother and fetus during pregnancy in adolescence due to the importance of these minerals in growth and development, then the mechanism and reason for it should be elucidated in future research. In addition, we believe that further research should be carried out on transporters of these minerals in the same portions of the placentas analyzed by our group, in teenagers and adults.

Maternal-fetal distribution of calcium, iron, copper, and zinc in pregnant teenagers and adults.

Adolescence is marked by intensive growth and development. When pregnancy occurs during this period of the mother's growth, there is an increase in her nutritional needs. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of calcium, iron, copper, and zinc in maternal plasma, the placenta, and in the cord plasma of pregnant teenagers and adults. A total of 80 sets of maternal plasma, placentas, and cord plasma (40 from teenagers and 40 from adults) were analyzed using synchrotron radiation total reflection X-ray fluorescence. The levels of calcium, copper, and zinc in the maternal and cord plasma from teenagers were not significantly different than those from adults. Iron levels in the teenagers maternal and cord plasma were higher than in the adults. All of the minerals analyzed were present at higher levels in the placentas from adults than those from teenagers. However, the low quantities of placental calcium, iron, copper, and zinc in the teenagers do not compromise the levels of these minerals in the cord plasma. Future research regarding the placental transport of these minerals is recommended to investigate the efficiency of mechanisms of transfer of these minerals in pregnant teenagers.

Ethanol intake during lactation alters milk nutrient composition and growth and mineral status of rat pups.

Lactating Wistar rats were fed a liquid diet containing either ethanol [ethanol-fed group (EFG)] or an isocaloric amount of carbohydrate [pair-fed group (PFG)] from day 1 postpartum up to day 14 of lactation, to investigate micro/macronutrient milk composition and the mineral status of pups. EFG presented a reduction of daily milk production and milk composition was significantly higher in protein and lower in carbohydrate, while the lipid content was similar to that of PFG. When compared to PFG, the milk of EFG had a decreased proportion of C22:6 n-3 fatty acid and an increase in medium-chain fatty acids and of several minerals. Pups of EFG showed reduced growth and a lower concentration of Cu and Sr in plasma and lower concentrations of Ca, P and Cl, and higher concentrations of Cd in the brain. We conclude that maternal EtOH intake greatly impairs lactational performance and modifies the mineral status of pups.

Ethanol Intake during Lactation Alters Milk Nutrient Composition and Growth and Mineral Status of Rat Pups

Lactating Wistar rats were fed a liquid diet containing either ethanol [ethanol-fed group (EFG)] or an isocaloric amount of carbohydrate [pair-fed group (PFG)] from day 1 postpartum up to day 14 of lactation, to investigate micro/macronutrient milk composition and the mineral status of pups. EFG presented a reduction of daily milk production and milk composition was significantly higher in protein and lower in carbohydrate, while the lipid content was similar to that of PFG. When compared to PFG, the milk of EFG had a decreased proportion of C22:6 n-3 fatty acid and an increase in medium-chain fatty acids and of several minerals. Pups of EFG showed reduced growth and a lower concentration of Cu and Sr in plasma and lower concentrations of Ca, P and Cl, and higher concentrations of Cd in the brain. We conclude that maternal EtOH intake greatly impairs lactational performance and modifies the mineral status of pups.

Characterization of hypoglycemiant plants by total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry.

In this work, synchrotron radiation total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (SRTXRF) was used to determine trace elements in eight hypoglycemiant plants (Trigonella foenum graecum, Panax ginseng, Pfaffia paniculata, Myrcia speciosa, Zea mays, Harpagophytum procumbens, Syzygium jambolona, and Bauhinia forficate). The elements P, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Rb, and Sr were detected in all medicinal plants investigated, whereas Si, S, Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Se, Nb, Mo, Sn, Sb, Ba, Hg, and Pb were detected only in some of the samples. The concentration of elements in hypoglycemiant plants varied from 0.15 microg/g of Co to 3.0 x 10(4) microg/g of K and the mean of experimental limit of detection for these elements were 0.14 and 3.6 microg/g, respectively.

The effect of in vitro gamma radiation on Anisakis sp. larvae collected from the pink cusk-eel, Genypterus brasiliensis Regan, 1903

The aim of this research was to study the impact of in vitro gamma radiation on Anisakis sp. larvae collected from Genypterusbrasiliensis assessing the use of this technological process in the prevention of human anisakiasis. The parasites wereirradiated with doses of 1, 3 and 6 kGy in a 0.65% NaCl solution and kept chilled between 5oC and 8C. The most effective doseused was 6 kGy, in which these parasite survived for a maximum period of 14 days.

Characterization of iron, copper and zinc levels in the colostrum of mothers of term and pre-term infants before and after pasteurization.

Pasteurization is a thermal treatment applied to the milk used in human milk banks so as to provoke the thermic inactivation of pathogenic micro-organisms, with the aim of avoiding contamination of milk that will be offered to new-born infants in clinical conditions very often demanding special care. The literature has very little data available relating to the effect of pasteurization on the concentration of oligo-elements in human milk. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of pasteurization on the concentrations of iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in the colostrum of mothers of pre-term (PT) and term (T) infants. Samples were collected from the day of birth to the seventh day after birth. The oligo-elements were analyzed using the total reflection X-ray fluorescence technique with synchrotron radiation. The following results of Fe, Cu and Zn (means +/- SD) were obtained for the PT and T colostrum samples, non-pasteurized and pasteurized, respectively: PT: 1.96 +/- 0.73 mg/l Fe/Zn/5.39 +/- 2.73 mg/l Zn; T: 1.71 +/- 1.01 mg/l Fe/1.46 +/- 0.99 mg/l Fe, 0.54 +/- 0.29 mg/l Cu/0.49 +/- 0.19 mg/l Cu, 6.97 +/- 2.82 mg/l Zn/6.75 +/- 2.62 mg/l Zn. There was a significant reduction in the levels of Fe, Cu and Zn in the samples of pasteurized colostrum. These results suggest that, despite the observance of a diminution in the levels of Fe, Cu and Zn in the samples of pasteurized colostrum, the values fell within the acceptable range for the specific nutritional needs of new-born infants during this period of lactation.