Zooplankton exposure to microplastic contamination in a estuarine plume-influenced region, in Northeast Brazil.

This work describes the spatio-temporal distribution of suspected plastic and microplastic (MP) particles in estuarine plumes and analyzes the microplastic/zooplankton ratio. Subsurface hauls with a conical-cylindrical net were deployed in the coastal area of Tamandare (Pernambuco, Brazil), covering the plume of two rivers and a bay adjacent to coral reefs. A total of 2079 suspected plastic particles were detected, mostly fibers and fragments (>60%). Organic matter digestion was made using a 30% hydrogen peroxide solution, of which approximately 50% of suspected particles were validated as MPs. The average MP abundance was significantly higher during the high rainfall season (53.8 ± 89.6 and 18.8 ± 32.3 particles/m³, respectively), with higher values registered in the plume area (108.9 ± 158.5 and 44.6 ± 55.5 particles/m³). Polymer identification using FT-IR confirmed that suspected particles were mainly polypropylene, polyamide, and polyurethane. These results confirm the hypothesis of a temporal transport variation of MPs from the river to the coastal environments, particularly since the plume influences debris input. Eleven animal phyla were identified, and the subclass Copepoda was predominant (90%), particularly the nauplius stage (70%). Over 70% of verified MPs range between 20 and 2000 µm, equivalent to the most common size of zooplanktonic organisms. Results support that coastal areas near estuarine plumes are exposed to microplastic contamination, affecting species dependent on zooplankton in marine coastal food webs.

Osteopenia-osteoporosis discrimination in postmenopausal women by 1H NMR-based metabonomics.

This is a report on how 1H NMR-based metabonomics was employed to discriminate osteopenia from osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, identifying the main metabolites associated to the separation between the groups. The Assays were performed using seventy-eight samples, being twenty-eight healthy volunteers, twenty-six osteopenia patients and twenty-four osteoporosis patients. PCA, LDA, PLS-DA and OPLS-DA formalisms were used. PCA discriminated the samples from healthy volunteers from diseased patient samples. Osteopenia-osteoporosis discrimination was only obtained using Analysis Discriminants formalisms, as LDA, PLS-DA and OPLS-DA. The metabonomics model using LDA formalism presented 88.0% accuracy, 88.5% specificity and 88.0% sensitivity. Cross-Validation, however, presented some problems as the accuracy of modeling decreased. LOOCV resulted in 78.0% accuracy. The OPLS-DA based model was better: R2Y and Q2 values equal to 0.871 (p<0.001) and 0.415 (p<0.001). LDA and OPLS-DA indicated the important spectral regions for discrimination, making possible to assign the metabolites involved in the skeletal system homeostasis, as follows: VLDL, LDL, leucine, isoleucine, allantoin, taurine and unsaturated lipids. These results indicate that 1H NMR-based metabonomics can be used as a diagnosis tool to discriminate osteoporosis from osteopenia using a single serum sample.

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (-308G/A) promoter polymorphism is associated with ulcerative colitis in Brazilian patients.

Inflammatory bowel disease consists of multifactorial diseases whose common manifestation is inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and their pathogenesis remains unknown. This study aimed to analyse the gene polymorphisms in Brazilian patients with inflammatory bowel disease. A total of 101 patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease were analysed for the tumour necrosis factor-alpha (-308 G/A; rs1800629) and interleukin-10 (-1082 G/A; rs1800896) gene polymorphisms. Genotyping was performed through polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primer, then fractionated on 2% agarose gel and visualized after staining by ethidium bromide. The anatomic-clinical form of Crohn's disease (CD) predominant was the inflammatory (32.75%), followed by fistulizing (29.31%) and 27.58% stricturing. As control group, a total of 136 healthy subjects, from the same geographical region, were enrolled. The statistical analyses were performed using R program. The frequency of the A allele at tumour necrosis factor-alpha was high in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients (51%) than in controls (22%; P > 0.01). No statistical difference was found with the genotypic and allelic frequencies of CD patients compared to controls (P = 0.54). The polymorphism -1082G/A of interleukin-10 was not statistical different between the diseases compared to controls. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (-308G/A) is associated with UC onset, suggesting that the presence of -308A allele could confer a relative risk of 3.62 more to develop UC in general population. Further studies, increasing the number of individuals, should be performed to ratify the role of TNF-α in the inflammatory bowel disease pathogenesis.

Malnutrition increases NO production and induces changes in inflammatory and oxidative status in the distal colon of lactating rats.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies have indicated the lack of breast feeding as a risk factor associated with later development of inflammatory bowel disease. Nevertheless, the repercussion of little feeding during suckling on large intestine inflammatory response and anti-oxidant resources has not yet been completely understood. This study hypothesized that unfavorable lactation is able to induce oxidative stress and release of inflammatory mediators modifying the integrity of the colon epithelium in weanling rats. METHODS: Wistar rats were reared under different early nutritional conditions according to litter size in two groups: N6 (6 pups/dam) and N15 (15 pups/dam) until the 25th postnatal day. The distal colon was removed and processed for biochemical, morphometric, and immunohistochemical analyzes. Lipoperoxidation, nitric oxide (NO), reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukins-1ß, 4 and 10 (IL-1ß; IL-4; IL-10) levels, and total superoxide dismutase (tSOD), and catalase (CAT) activities were assessed. Morphometric analysis was carried out using paraffin sections and wholemount myenteric plexus preparations. KEY RESULTS: Increased lipoperoxidation, NO, TNF-α and IL-1b levels, reduced tSOD and increased CAT activities were found in the N15 compared to N6 group. No intergroup difference was detected for IL-10, while lower levels of IL-4, GSH and GSSG and lower neuronal size and density were induced by undernutrition. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Reduced feeding during suckling changed the inflammatory response and oxidative status in the colon of weanling rats. These data suggest potential mechanisms by which malnutrition early in life may increase the vulnerability of the large intestine to insults.

The zooplankton biodiversity of some freshwater environments in Parnaíba basin (Piauí, Northeastern Brazil) / Diversidade do zooplâncton de alguns ambientes de água doce na bacia do rio Parnaíba (Piauí, Nordeste do Brasil)

The plankton fauna of the state of Piauí, Northeastern Brazil, especially in the Parnaíba basin, is still poorly known; the results of most studies of the subject have not been published and can only be found in grey literature (unpublished scientific works), such as course completion work and consulting reports. Thus, this paper presents data from samples taken recently from different water bodies in Piauí and represents the second study to be published on the region's zooplankton since the pioneering work of Spandl (1926). A total of 38 species were recorded, including 23 new occurrences of rotifers, 10 of cladocerans and 2 of copepods for the state of Piauí. The greatest richness was observed for the rotifers, of which the genus Brachionus must be highlighted, especially at the Joana reservoir. Among the crustaceans, the greatest richness was observed at the Bezerra reservoir, where cladocerans of the genus Bosmina were prominent. The rotifers Brachionus havanaensis Rousselet, 1911 and Filinia longiseta (Ehrenberg, 1834); the cladocerans Diaphanosoma spinulosum Herbst, 1967 and Moina micrura Kurz, 1874; and the copepods Notodiaptomus cearensis Wright, 1936 and Thermocyclops decipiens Kiefer, 1927 occurred in all or in most environments in which the respective groups were studied. The results presented here expand the taxonomic list of zooplankton for the state of Piauí, including a total fauna of 30 species of rotifers, 15 of cladocerans and 3 of copepods. The zooplankton richness was considered low in the studied reservoirs compared to other freshwater ecosystems from Northeastern Brazil; however, the few studies developed in the Parnaíba basin suggest that the diversity for these organisms should be higher.

A fauna planctônica do Estado do Piauí, Nordeste do Brasil, especialmente para a Bacia do Rio Parnaíba, é ainda pouco conhecida; o resultado da maioria dos estudos não é publicado, podendo ser encontrado apenas em bibliografia cinzenta (não publicada cientificamente), tais como trabalhos de finalização de curso e relatórios de consultorias. Assim, o presente trabalho apresenta dados de amostragens recentes realizadas em diferentes corpos d'água do Piauí, consistindo no segundo estudo publicado sobre o zooplâncton da região, após o trabalho pioneiro de Spandl (1926). Registrou-se um total de 38 espécies, incluindo 23 novas ocorrências de rotíferos, dez novas ocorrências de cladóceros e dois novos registros de copépodes para o estado do Piauí. A maior riqueza foi observada para os rotíferos, com destaque para o gênero Brachionus, sobretudo no Açude Joana. Entre os crustáceos, foi observada uma maior riqueza no Açude Bezerra, destacando-se os cladóceros do gênero Bosmina. Os rotíferos Brachionus havanaensis Rousselet, 1911 e Filinia longiseta (Ehrenberg, 1834), os cladóceros Diaphanosoma spinulosum Herbst, 1967 e Moina micrura Kurz, 1874, e os copépodes Notodiaptomus cearensis Wright, 1936 e Thermocyclops decipiens Kiefer, 1927 ocorreram em todos ou na maioria dos ambientes onde os respectivos grupos foram estudados. Os resultados apresentados aqui ampliam a lista taxonômica do zooplâncton do Estado do Piauí, em uma fauna total de 30 espécies de rotíferos, 15 de cladóceros e três de copépodes. A riqueza do zooplâncton nos ambientes estudados foi considerada baixa em comparação com outros ecossistemas de água doce da Região Nordeste do Brasil; porém, os poucos estudos desenvolvidos na Bacia do Rio Parnaíba sugerem que a diversidade destes organismos seja maior.

Evaluation of the antischistosomal activity of sulfated α-D-glucan from the lichen Ramalina celastri free and encapsulated into liposomes

The antischistosomal activity of the sulfated polysaccharide α-D-glucan (Glu.SO4) extracted from Ramalina celastri was evaluated after encapsulation into liposomes (Glu.SO4-LIPO) in Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice. The effect of treatment with Glu.SO4 and Glu.SO4-LIPO (10 mg/kg) on egg elimination, worm burden and hepatic granuloma formation was assessed using female albino Swiss mice, 35-40 days of age, weighing 25 ± 2 g, infected with 150 cercariae/animal (Biomphalaria glabrata, BH strain). Four groups (N = 10) were studied, two controls (empty liposomes and NaCl) and two treated groups (Glu.SO4-LIPO and Glu.SO4) using a single dose. Parasitological analysis revealed that Glu.SO4-LIPO was as efficient as Glu.SO4 in reducing egg elimination and worm burden. Treatment with free Glu.SO4 and Glu.SO4-LIPO induced a statistically significant reduction in the number of granulomas (62 and 63 percent, respectively). Lectin histochemistry showed that wheat germ agglutinin intensely stained the egg-granuloma system in all treated groups. On the other hand, peanut agglutinin stained cells in the control groups, but not in the treated groups. The present results suggest a correlation between the decreasing number of hepatic egg-granulomas and the glycosylation profile of the egg-granuloma system in animals treated with free Glu.SO4 or Glu.SO4-LIPO.

Evaluation of the antischistosomal activity of sulfated α-D-glucan from the lichen Ramalina celastri free and encapsulated into liposomes.

The antischistosomal activity of the sulfated polysaccharide α-D-glucan (Glu.SO(4)) extracted from Ramalina celastri was evaluated after encapsulation into liposomes (Glu.SO(4)-LIPO) in Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice. The effect of treatment with Glu.SO(4) and Glu.SO(4)-LIPO (10 mg/kg) on egg elimination, worm burden and hepatic granuloma formation was assessed using female albino Swiss mice, 35-40 days of age, weighing 25 ± 2 g, infected with 150 cercariae/animal (Biomphalaria glabrata, BH strain). Four groups (N = 10) were studied, two controls (empty liposomes and NaCl) and two treated groups (Glu.SO(4)-LIPO and Glu.SO(4)) using a single dose. Parasitological analysis revealed that Glu.SO(4)-LIPO was as efficient as Glu.SO(4) in reducing egg elimination and worm burden. Treatment with free Glu.SO(4) and Glu.SO(4)-LIPO induced a statistically significant reduction in the number of granulomas (62 and 63%, respectively). Lectin histochemistry showed that wheat germ agglutinin intensely stained the egg-granuloma system in all treated groups. On the other hand, peanut agglutinin stained cells in the control groups, but not in the treated groups. The present results suggest a correlation between the decreasing number of hepatic egg-granulomas and the glycosylation profile of the egg-granuloma system in animals treated with free Glu.SO(4) or Glu.SO(4)-LIPO.

Zooplanktonic community of six reservoirs in northeast Brazil.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the zooplankton community at six reservoirs in the state of Pernambuco (Brazil). Zooplankton assemblages were identified using current literature and quantitatively analysed under a microscope and stereomicroscope. Concurrently to the sampling of zooplanktonic and phytoplanktonic communities, in situ measurements of abiotic variables, such as water temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH, were determined using field probes and transparency was determined with a Secchi disk. Total phosphorus concentrations were used for the determination of the Trophic State Index. The reservoirs were classified between eutrophic and hypertrophic, oxygenated, with pH varying from slightly acid to alkaline, high temperatures and low water transparency. A total of 27 zooplankton taxa were identified. Phytoplankton was represented by Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta, Baccilariophyta and phytoflagellates. The highest richness of species was observed for Rotifera (17), followed by Crustacea (8), Protozoa (1) and Insecta (1). Rotifers shared quantitative importance with Crustacea, which were mainly represented by juvenile forms. Jazigo Reservoir presented the highest diversity and equitability. Lowest diversity and equitability were recorded at the Poço da Cruz and Mundaú reservoirs, respectively. Dissimilarity was detected between the environments studied regarding zooplankton composition and structure.

Zooplanktonic community of six reservoirs in northeast Brazil / Comunidade zooplanctônica de seis reservatórios no nordeste do Brasil

The aim of the present study was to investigate the zooplankton community at six reservoirs in the state of Pernambuco (Brazil). Zooplankton assemblages were identified using current literature and quantitatively analysed under a microscope and stereomicroscope. Concurrently to the sampling of zooplanktonic and phytoplanktonic communities, in situ measurements of abiotic variables, such as water temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH, were determined using field probes and transparency was determined with a Secchi disk. Total phosphorus concentrations were used for the determination of the Trophic State Index. The reservoirs were classified between eutrophic and hypertrophic, oxygenated, with pH varying from slightly acid to alkaline, high temperatures and low water transparency. A total of 27 zooplankton taxa were identified. Phytoplankton was represented by Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta, Baccilariophyta and phytoflagellates. The highest richness of species was observed for Rotifera (17), followed by Crustacea (8), Protozoa (1) and Insecta (1). Rotifers shared quantitative importance with Crustacea, which were mainly represented by juvenile forms. Jazigo Reservoir presented the highest diversity and equitability. Lowest diversity and equitability were recorded at the Poço da Cruz and Mundaú reservoirs, respectively. Dissimilarity was detected between the environments studied regarding zooplankton composition and structure.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a estrutura e dinâmica do zooplâncton em seis reservatórios do Estado de Pernambuco. A comunidade zooplanctônica foi identificada com literatura atualizada e a densidade analisada sob microscópio e estereomicroscópio. Concomitantemente às coletas das comunidades zooplanctônicas e fitoplanctônicas, foram medidas in situ algumas variáveis abióticas como temperaturas da água e do ar, oxigênio dissolvido, condutividade elétrica, pH, turbidez, usando sondas de campo, transparência com disco de Secchi. As concentrações de fósforo total foram usadas para a determinação do Índice de Estado Trófico. Os reservatórios foram classificados entre eutróficos e hipertróficos, oxigenados, pH levemente ácido a alcalino, temperaturas altas e baixos valores de transparência da água. O zooplâncton esteve composto por 27 táxons. O fitoplâncton foi representado pelas Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta, Baccilariophyta e Fitoflagelados. A maior riqueza de espécies foi observada para Rotifera, (17), seguida por Crustacea (8), Protozoa (1) e Insecta (1). Rotifera compartilhou a importância quantitativa com os Crustacea, estes representados principalmente pelas formas jovens. No reservatório de Jazigo, foram obtidos os maiores valores para diversidade e equitabilidade. Os valores mais baixos foram registrados em Poço da Cruz e Mundaú, respectivamente. Foi detectada dissimilaridade entre os ambientes estudados quanto à composição e estrutura do zooplâncton.

Membrana amniótica e pericárdio canino como curativos biológicos na preparação do leito receptor para enxertia cutânea autógena / Canine amniotic membrane and pericardium as a biological wound dressing in the preparation of the recipient site to autogenous skin graft

Avaliou-se o tecido de granulação formado com o uso de membrana amniótica e pericárdio canino como curativo biológico oclusivo em feridas cutâneas experimentais. Utilizaram-se 15 cães; em cada animal, foram produzidas três feridas na região torácica dorsal. As feridas craniais e caudais receberam aloenxerto de membrana amniótica e pericárdio canino, respectivamente, e as feridas intermediárias (controle) curativo não aderente. No sétimo dia, sobre todas as feridas, foram feitas auto-enxertias cutâneas. Foram realizadas avaliações clínicas, histológicas, incluindo contagem e diâmetro médio dos vasos sangüíneos do tecido de granulação bem como coleta de secreção das feridas e dos enxertos. Concluiu-se que a aplicação do curativo de membrana amniótica e de pericárdio canino sobre feridas cutâneas durante sete dias não estimula o aparecimento da granulação necessária para a aplicação à enxertia cutânea, podendo, apenas, ser utilizado como curativo biológico oclusivo.

The granulation tissue formed with the use of amniotic membrane (ME) and canine pericardium (PE) as an occlusive biological dressing in experimental cutaneous wounds was evaluated Fifteen dogs, having three wounds on the dorsal thoracic region of each (FA -amniotic, FC -control and FP-pericardium) were used. Clinical and histological evaluations were carried out, including counting and measuring the average diameter of the blood vessels of the granulation tissue, as well as bacteriological exams (swabs) of the wounds and the grafts. The granulation tissue formed after seven days of using the canine amniotic membrane showed a vascular histological aspect, being able to be favorable to the cutaneous grafting. It was concluded that the use of amniotic membrane and canine pericardium dressing on cutaneous wounds during seven days did not stimulate the presence of granulation necessary for the use of cutaneous grafting, however, it can be used as an occlusive biological graft.

Estenose aórtica supravalvar (sindrome de Williams-Beuren). Apresentacao de um caso / Supravalvular aortic stenosis (Williams-Beuren syndrome).Report of a case

Os autores apresentam um caso de estenose aortica supravalvar associada a anomalia facial e a retardo mental, caracterizando a sindrome de Williams-Beuren. Sao abordados os aspectos etiologicos, o quadro clinico, os metodos de exames complementares de diagnostico e o tratamento cirurgico

Verapamil no tratamento da emergencia hipertensiva. / Verapamil in the treatment of hypertensive emergency

Quarenta e cinco pacientes com emergencia hipertensiva foram tratados com verapamil, na dose de 5,48 a 6,68 micrograma/min, administrado por EV em gotejamento continuo de uma solucao contendo 50 mg da droga diluidos em 200 ml de soro glicosado a 5%. Nao se observou alteracao substancial da frequencia cardiaca apos a administracao do farmaco (reducao de 9,7%). Seus efeitos na pressao arterial foram observados ja a partir de 2 min de infusao, com reducao da PA media de 169 mais ou menos 22 para 120 mais ou menos 16 mm/Hg (30%) em 2 hs. Nao houve diferenca entre a reducao da pressao arterial sistolica e diastolica. O controle imediato da pressao arterial, a obtencao de niveis tensionais adequados e a quase ausencia de efeitos colaterais justificam o uso do verapamil para o tratamento das emergencias hipertensivas

Verapamil nas emergencias hipertensivas.Analise de 129 casos. / Verapamil in hypertensive emergencies. Analysis of 129 cases

Foram selecionados 129 pacientes com diversos tipos de emergencias hipertensivas para tratamento com verapamil. Os pacientes foram monitorizados, sua pressao arterial medida com esfigmomanometro, a frequencia cardiaca obtida pelo eletrocardiograma. A solucao utilizada foi preparada com 50 mg de verapamil diluido em 200 ml de soro glicosado a 5%, sendo infundida na veia gota a gota durante 180 minutos. A partir de 2 minutos da infusao observamos uma reducao significativa da pressao arterial sistolica e diastolica. A reducao maxima da pressao arterial sistolica foi de 38% e da pressao diastolica de 25%. A frequencia cardiaca sofreu pequena variacao inicial, e somente no final da infusao, sua reducao foi estatisticamente significativa. Os efeitos colaterais observados foram discretos nao sendo necessario interromper a infusao do farmaco. Concluimos que o inicio de acao imediato, a facilidade de controle dos niveis tensionais e a ausencia de efeitos colaterais importantes, tornam o verapamil droga de valor para o tratamento de emergencias hipertensivas