Alicyclobacillus spp. in fruit-based products: Isolation, identification, quantitative assessment (SPME/GC-MS) of spoilage compounds and spore's resistance to thermal shocks.

Alicyclobacillus spp. is the cause of great concern for the food industry due to their spores' resistance (thermal and chemical) and the spoilage potential of some species. Despite this, not all Alicyclobacillus strains can spoil fruit juices. Thus, this study aimed to identify Alicyclobacillus spp. strains isolated from fruit-based products produced in Argentina, Brazil, and Italy by DNA sequencing. All Alicyclobacillus isolates were tested for guaiacol production by the peroxidase method. Positive strains for guaiacol production were individually inoculated at concentration of 103 CFU/mL in 10 mL of orange (pH 3.90) and apple (pH 3.50) juices adjusted to 11°Brix, following incubation at 45 °C for at least 5 days to induce the production of the following spoilage compounds: Guaiacol, 2,6-dichlorophenol (2,6-DCP) and 2,6-dibromophenol (2,6-DBP). The techniques of micro-solid phase extraction by headspace (HS-SPME) and gas-chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to identify and quantify the spoilage compounds. All GC-MS data was analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA). The effects of different thermal shock conditions on the recovery of Alicyclobacillus spores inoculated in orange and apple juice (11°Brix) were also tested. A total of 484 strains were isolated from 48 brands, and the species A. acidocaldarius and A. acidoterrestris were the most found among all samples analyzed. In some samples from Argentina, the species A. vulcanalis and A. mali were also identified. The incidence of these two main species of Alicyclobacillus in this study was mainly in products from pear (n = 108; 22.3 %), peach (n = 99; 20.5 %), apple (n = 86; 17.8 %), and tomato (n = 63; 13 %). The results indicated that from the total isolates from Argentina (n = 414), Brazil (n = 54) and Italy (n = 16) were able to produce guaiacol: 107 (25.8 %), 33 (61.1 %) and 13 (81.2 %) isolates from each country, respectively. The PCA score plot indicated that the Argentina and Brazil isolates correlate with higher production of guaiacol and 2,6-DCP/2,6-DBP, respectively. Heatmaps of cell survival after heat shock demonstrated that strains with different levels of guaiacol production present different resistances according to spoilage ability. None of the Alicyclobacillus isolates survived heat shocks at 120 °C for 3 min. This work provides insights into the incidence, spoilage potential, and thermal shock resistance of Alicyclobacillus strains isolated from fruit-based products.

Targeted metabolomics: Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry method development and validation for the identification and quantitation of modified nucleosides as putative cancer biomarkers.

A notable change in the body fluids nucleosides of cancer patients has been actively highlighted in searches for new biomarkers to early cancer detection. For this reason, improvements of bioanalytical methods for these compounds focused on a noninvasive sampling trend are of great importance. Therefore, this work aimed firstly to develop efficient methods for nucleoside analysis in urine and serum by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), applying different strategies to quantify nine nucleosides, and further identify other untargeted nucleosides. Sample preparation was based on protein precipitation and affinity-solid phase extraction (SPE), whereas quantification was performed using a triple quadrupole (QqQ) mass analyzer operating in the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. Surrogates matrices were proposed as an alternative to standard addition calibration. Specifically, to quantitate creatinine, a simple LC-MS/MS method was validated and used for normalization of urinary metabolites quantitation. To identify the other nucleosides, LC methods using different MS scans modes were evaluated on a quadrupole-time of flight (Q-TOF) or a hybrid triple quadrupole linear ion trap (Q-trap). Validation was performed for nucleosides quantification using the synthetic matrices of urine and serum, and selectivity, linearity, accuracy, reproducibility, matrix effect, LOD's and LOQ's were accessed, providing trustworthy results for bioanalysis purposes. Both LC-Q-Trap/MS and LC-Q-TOF/MS methods showed proper sensitivity for structural characterization on assays with urine and serum samples from healthy volunteers and could also be used in the identification of untargeted nucleosides. The investigated approaches delivered in-depth results and seem promising for future applications on urine and serum samples analyses aiming to validate nucleosides as cancer biomarkers.

Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of Patients With Advanced Germ Cell Tumor Treated at a Tertiary Cancer Center in Brazil.

PURPOSE: Reported treatment outcomes for patients with advanced germ cell tumors (aGCT) are based mainly on series from developed nations. Data from low- and middle-income countries are underrepresented. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 2000 to 2015, a retrospective analysis identified 300 patients with aGCT treated at our institution. Kaplan-Meier methods were used for analysis of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) according to the International Germ Cell Consensus Classification Group (IGCCCG). RESULTS: Patients' median age was 28 years. According to the IGCCCG, 57% had good-, 18.3% intermediate-, and 24.7% poor-risk disease. Median α-fetoprotein levels were 2.9, 243, and 3,998 ng/mL, and those of human chorionic gonadotropin were 0.4, 113, and 301.5 mUI/mL in IGCCCG good-, intermediate-, and poor-risk groups, respectively. At a median 46 months of follow-up, 93 PFS events and 45 deaths had occurred and estimated 5-year PFS and OS were 69% and 85%, respectively, including 83% and 95.3% in good-risk, 70.9% and 83.6% in intermediate-risk, and 35.1% and 62.2% in poor-risk patients, respectively. In multivariable analysis, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥ 2 was a significant independent prognostic factor with a hazard ratio of 2.58 (95% CI, 1.55 to 4.29; P < .001) and 6.20 (95% CI, 2.97 to 12.92; P < .001) for PFS and OS, respectively. CONCLUSION: Brazilian patients with aGCT in this cohort had similar outcomes as patients in the IGCCCG database. In comparison with contemporary series, patients with intermediate- and poor-risk aGCT had slightly inferior PFS and OS, possibly due to a high percentage of patients with poor performance status and less use of high-dose chemotherapy.

Lipidomic profile as a noninvasive tool to predict endometrial receptivity.

For the present study we asked whether the endometrial fluid lipidomic may be a useful approach to predict endometrial receptivity in freeze-all cycles. For this case-control study, endometrial fluid samples were collected from 41 patients undergoing freeze-all cycles. Samples were split depending on the pregnancy outcome: positive group (n = 24) and negative group (n = 17). Data were acquired by the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were applied. A list of potential biomarker ion ratios was obtained and the values were used to build a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to predict pregnancy success. The lipid categories were attributed by LIPID MAPS database. Ion ratios were established according to their correlations and used for the analysis. The PCA showed a tendency of separation between the studied groups, whereas the PLS-DA was able to clearly distinguish them. Fifteen ratios (13 hyper-represented in the negative and two hyper-represented in the positive group) were selected according to their importance for model prediction. These ratios were used to build the ROC curve, which presented an area under curve of 84.0% (95%CI: 69.2-97.4%; p = 0.009). These findings suggest that lipidomic profiling of endometrial fluid may be a valuable tool for identifying the time interval comprising the window of implantation.

In vitro maturation impacts cumulus-oocyte complex metabolism and stress in cattle.

The influence of in vitro maturation (IVM) in oocytes is still not totally understood. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of IVM on the metabolism and homeostasis of bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes. In the present study, we demonstrated that IVM leads to accumulation of neutral lipids associated with differential levels of the mono-, di- and triacylglycerols in both cumulus cells and oocytes. We observed that in vitro-matured oocytes exhibited decreased glutathione and reactive oxygen species levels and a lower ATP/ADP ratio when compared to in vivo-matured oocytes, with no significant differences in metabolism and stress-related mRNA or miRNA levels. Moreover, in addition to an increase in lipids in in vitro-matured cumulus cells, fatty acid synthesis and accumulation as well as glycolysis pathway genes were upregulated, whereas those affiliated with the ß-oxidation pathway were decreased. Our gene expression data in cumulus cells suggest the disruption of endoplasmic reticulum stress, apoptosis and cellular stress response pathways during IVM. Furthermore, a total of 19 miRNAs were significantly altered by the maturation process in cumulus cells. These results indicate some new negative influences of the in vitro system in cumulus-oocyte complexes, demonstrating the occurrence of functional disruption in lipid metabolism and stress pathways and showing evidences suggesting the occurrence of altered mitochondrial activity and energy metabolism during IVM, with a massive dysregulation of the corresponding transcripts in the surrounding cumulus cells.

Molar ratio iron: zinc and folic acid in Brazilian biscuits and snacks and test for classification using principal component analyses / Razão molar ferro: zinco e ácido fólico em biscoitos e snacks brasileiros e testes para classificação usando análise por componentes principais

The aim of the present work was to evaluate molar ratio iron:zinc and the levels of folic acid in biscuit and snacks commercialized in Brazil, prepared with folic acid and iron fortified flours. These nutrients are important for human nutrition; however, iron can have a negative effect on zinc absorption. Molar ratio iron:zinc can indicate if there will be any problems for absorption of these nutrients. The folic acid content varied from 58 to 433 μg/100g and iron and zinc levels varied from 2.9 to 9.4 mg/100g and from 0.2 to 1.3 mg/100g, respectively, for 75 analyzed samples. The average iron contents observed in the products and molar ratio iron:zinc (in average 8:1 for biscuits and 12.8:1 for snacks) could result in problems with the zinc absorption. Moreover, principal component analyses (PCA) indicated low uniformity in the distribution of minerals and vitamin in the majority of the samples, mainly among brands. The results indicated that for the majority of the samples tested folic acid and iron content was higher than expected for flours and could be useful to governmental authorities in their evaluation program of flour fortification.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar razão molar ferro: zinco e os níveis de ácido fólico em biscoitos e snacks, comercializados no Brasil, preparados com farinhas fortificadas com ácido fólico e ferro. Esses nutrientes são importantes para nutrição humana, porém, o ferro pode ter efeito negativo na absorção do zinco. A razão molar ferro:zinco pode indicar se haverá problemas para absorção desses nutrientes. O teor de ácido fólico variou de 58 a 433 μg/100g e os níveis de ferro e zinco oscilaram de 2.9 a 9.4 mg/100g e de 0.2 a 1.3 mg/100g, respectivamente, para 75 amostras analisadas. O valor médio observado para o teor de ferro nos produtos e a razão molar ferro:zinco (em média 8:1 para biscoitos e 12,8:1 para snacks) podem resultar em problemas na absorção do zinco. Além disso, a análise por componentes principais (PCA) indicou baixa uniformidade na distribuição dos minerais e da vitamina na maioria das amostras, principalmente entre marcas. Os resultados mostraram que para muitas amostras o teor de ácido fólico e de ferro estava acima do esperado para as farinhas e podem ser utilizados pelas autoridades governamentais para a avaliação do programa de fortificação de farinhas.

Molar ratio iron: zinc and folic acid in Brazilian biscuits and snacks and test for classification using principal component analyses.

The aim of the present work was to evaluate molar ratio iron: zinc and the levels of folic acid in biscuit and snacks commercialized in Brazil, prepared with folic acid and iron fortified flours. These nutrients are important for human nutrition; however, iron can have a negative effect on zinc absorption. Molar ratio iron:zinc can indicate if there will be any problems for absorption of these nutrients. The folic acid content varied from 58 to 433 µg/100 g and iron and zinc levels varied from 2.9 to 9.4 mg/100 g and from 0.2 to 1.3 mg/100 g, respectively, for 75 analyzed samples. The average iron contents observed in the products and molar ratio iron:zinc (in average 8:1 for biscuits and 12.8:1 for snacks) could result in problems with the zinc absorption. Moreover, principal compo- nent analyses (PCA) indicated low uniformity in the distribution of minerals and vitamin in the majority of the samples, mainly among brands. The results indicated that for the majority of the samples tested folic acid and iron content was higher than expected for flours and could be useful to governmental authorities in their evaluation program of flour fortification.

Identificação de genes com variação de expressão durante o amadurecimento da banana pela aplicação de técnicas de análise diferencial / Identification genes with altered expression during the banana ripening for application of techniques of differential analysis

No amadurecimento ocorrem alterações bioquímicas que têm impacto nas características organolépticas dos frutos, tais como cor, sabor, odor, maciez, etc e também na composição química com reflexos no valor nutricional. Nesse processo altamente coordenado, em que enzimas são sintetizadas de novo, a expressão gênica desempenha um papel importante em seu controle. Porém no que tange a frutos tropicais, em especial a banana (fruto de estudo), as informações relativas ao controle de expressão gênica, se restringem a algumas enzimas-chave. Assim sendo, uma abordagem ampla, e não restrita somente a alguns genes, pode contribuir para o entendimento da regulação de algumas etapas metabólicas do amadurecimento. Deste modo, o objetivo desse trabalho foi identificar genes com variação de expressão durante o amadurecimento da banana. O trabalho experimental foi feito com dois tipos de amostras, uma referente ao período préclimatérico e a outra ao climatérico. Para tanto, foram utilizadas duas técnicas com princípios diferentes: "differential display" RT-PCR e a biblioteca de subtração de cDNA, de modo a otimizar e ampliar a possibilidade de se obterem genes diferentes, e que, por ventura, fossem obtidos por uma técnica, mas não por outra. Ambas metodologias tiveram como ponto de partida a extração de RNA de amostras de banana referentes aos dois períodos em estudo. Ao utilizar a técnica "differential display" RT-PCR foram obtidos nove genes com variação de expressão, quatro com aumento de expressão em bananas pré-climatéricas, similares à imunofilina, translocador de adenina nucleotídeo, proteína de cloroplasto e proteína bacteriana e cinco com aumento de expressão no período climatérico, similares à aquaporina, legumina, desoxiguanosina quinase,NADH dehidrogenase e proteína bacteriana...

During ripening many biochemistry modifications have impact in organoleptical characteristics of fruits, like colour, flavor, softness, etc and also in chemical composition (nutritional value). In this process highly coordinated, which enzymes are de novo synthesize, genic expression has an important role in this control. However, in tropical fruits, especially banana (fruit choosen), some information relative to gene expression control, are restrict to some key enzymes. An approach, not only restrict to some genes, can contribute to understand some ripening metabolic steps. So, the objective ot this work was obtain and identify genes with altered expression in banana ripening, defining two analysis fases, about respiratory period and ethylene pick. The experimental work used two kinds of sample, one of them before climateric period and the other after climateric period. They were applied two tecniques with different principle: differential display RT-PCR and cDNA subtraction library, to optimize and increase the possibility to obtain different genes, and which can be obtain by one technique but not in other. Both metodologies had the same first step, the RNA extraction. Following, genes with altered expression were obtained, identified and confirmed. In differential display RT-PCR were obtained nine genes, four of them had an increase of expression before climateric bananas and they were similar to immunophilin, adenine nucleotide translocator, chloroplast protein and bacterial protein and five with an increase of expression after climateric which were similar to aquaporin, legumin, desoxiguanosine quinase, NADH dehydrogenase and bacterial protein. Using cDNA subtraction Iibrary were obtained five genes with an increase of expression in post-climateric bananas and these sequences were similar to expansin, omega-3-desaturase, thaumatin, NADH mithocondrial and methalotionein.

Ascite quilosa (quiloperitônio) como manifestação inicial de carcinoma gástrico / Chylous ascites (chyloperitoneum) as an initial sign of gastric carcinoma

A ascite quilosa é entidade clínica rara, caracterizada por líquido ascítico de aparência leitosa, com conteúdo de triglicerídeos maior que 1000 mg/dl ou 2 a 8 vezes acima do nível plasmático. Nós relatamos o caso clínico de um paciente masculino, de 68 anos, com história de emagrecimento de 10 kg e aumento de volume abdominal. A paracentese demonstrou líquido ascítico quiloso, com triglicerídeos (TG) de 890 mg/dl (TG plasmático de 59 mg/dl). Realizou tomografia computadorizada, que revelou ascite volumosa e sinais de hepatopatia crônica. À endoscopia digestiva alta evidenciou-se lesão invasiva em antro gástrico, cuja biópsia foi diagnóstica de adenocarcinoma gástrico pouco diferenciado. Em conclusão, o adenocarcinoma gástrico deve ser incluído no diagnóstico diferencial de ascite quilosa em adultos, ao lado dos linfomas e outras doenças malignas.

Cuantificación de halotano y enfluorano por cromatografía en fase gaseosa en los quirófanos de ún hospital pediátrico / Quantification of halothane and enfluorane by gas chromatography in the operating roon of a pediatric hospital

Se cuantificaron Halotano y Enfluorano en el aire ambiente de los quirófanos de un hospital pediátrico, cuyas anestesias son administradas con circuito Bain principalmente. El muestreo se realizó utilizando tubos Vacutainer al vacío de 10 ml., los que se mantuvieron abiertos durante 10 segundos en la atmósfera quirúrgica, analizando posteriormente las muestras así colectadas en un cromátografo de gases con detector de ionización de flama. Los resultados muestran que las concentraciones de Halotano y Enfluorano rebasan sus niveles máximos permisibles y la contaminación ambiental persiste aún después de 24 horas de no administrar anestesias en los quirófanos muestreados, persistiendo aparentemente el Enfluorano en mayor concentración

Efectos adversos de la inhalación subanestésica / Adverse effects of the subanesthetic inhalatión

La exposición a contaminantes químicos ambientales como los anestésicos, pueden constituir un riesgo para salud de población expuesta a ellos, que es importante evaluar y prevenir. Entre los riesgos potenciales de las substancias químicas se encuentran la producción de daño genético, capaz de traducirse en diversas manifestaciones clínicas como: cáncer, envejecimiento prematuro, esterilidad, anomalias congénitas y muerte embrionaria, fetal o perinatal. Además del peligro de mutaciones que pueden ser transmitidas a las generaciones futuras a través de portadores clínicamente sanos