The solar photo-Fenton process at neutral pH applied to microcystin-LR degradation: Fe2+, H2O2 and reaction matrix effects.

Microcystins are a group of cyanotoxins with known hepatotoxic effects, and their presence in drinking water represents a public health concern all over the world. The main objective of this work was to evaluate the solar photo-Fenton process at near-neutral pH in the degradation of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) under conditions close to those found in bloom episodes, with a high concentration of cell debris and natural organic matter (NOM). The influence of experimental parameters such as Fe2+ and H2O2 concentrations, reaction matrix, and the presence of scavenger ions, as well as ecotoxicity before and after treatment, was also evaluated. The reaction matrix was obtained from Microcystis aeruginosa cultivated in ASM-1 medium (ACE1 and ACE2 extracts). H2O2 and Fe2+ concentrations were optimized by 22 factorial design with the central point in a bench-scale solar reactor, using ACE1 extract, and the improved condition was applied in a compound parabolic collector (CPC) reactor, for the ACE2, natural water (RVW) and natural water with M. aeruginosa crude extract (RVCE). Matrix effect assays indicated that radical scavengers present in the medium were responsible for the decrease in the mineralization rates. The solar photo-Fenton process in the CPC reactor achieved COD (75%) and MC-LR (70%) reduction after 120 min at pH = 7.8, [H2O2]/COD = 3.18 and [H2O2]/[Fe2+] = 10 for the ACE2 sample. When the same conditions were applied to the RVCE sample, the process removed 77% of DOC and up to 99% of MC-LR after 45 min of the reaction. Sinapis alba bioassays showed that there was no increase in ecotoxicity after the solar photo-Fenton treatment. These results demonstrate the potential of the solar photo-Fenton process at neutral pH as an additional step in the treatment of natural matrices contaminated with microcystins. In addition, the work reinforces the importance of bioassays in treatment process monitoring.

In vitro and in vivo assessment of nanotoxicity of CdS quantum dot/aminopolysaccharide bionanoconjugates.

The nanotoxicity of Cd-containing quantum dots (QDs) for biomedical applications is very controversial and not completely understood. In this study, we evaluated the cytotoxicity of surface-biofunctionalized CdS QDs with chitosan directly synthesized via aqueous route at room temperature. These core-shell CdS-chitosan nanoconjugates showed different degrees of cytotoxic responses using MTT cell proliferation assay toward three human cell cultures, human osteosarcoma cell line (SAOS), non-Hodgkin's B cell lymphoma (Toledo), and human embryonic kidney cell line (HEK293T), under three exposure times (1, 3, and 5days) and three colloidal concentrations (10nM, 50nM, and 100nM). The results clearly demonstrated that the CdS QDs, regardless to the fact that they were coated with a biocompatible aminopolysaccharide shell, induced a severe dose- and time-dependent inhibition of cell viability. In addition, the HEK293T and SAOS cell lines showed much more sensitive response compared to Toledo, which indicated that the cytotoxicity was also cell-type dependent. The exceptional resistance of Toledo cells to toxic effects of CdS nanoconjugates even at severe test conditions was assigned to specific role of B-lineage cells of the immune defense system. Remarkably, no conclusive evidence of toxicity of CdS nanoconjugates was observed in vivo using intravenous injections of CdS nanoconjugates in BALB/c mouse animal models for 30days, but localized fluorescence was detected in ex-vivo liver tissue samples. Therefore, these results prove that there is no guarantee of "risk-free" use of CdS nanoconjugates for in vivo applications, even when functionalized with biopolymer ligands, as they can pose an excessive threat due to unpredicted and uncorrelated responses under in vitro and in vivo biological assays with highly toxic cadmium ions.

Visceral adiposity is associated with cytokines and decrease in lung function in women with persistent asthma.

UNLABELLED: Abdominal obesity is associated with a risk of cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome and decreased lung function. However, it is not known whether asthma control is influenced by the accumulation of adipose tissue in the various abdominal compartments. OBJECTIVE: To determine associations among abdominal adiposity distribution, asthma control, lung function and cytokines in women. METHODS AND DESIGN: In this cross-sectional study of asthmatic women, data on demographic variables, comorbid conditions, disease history, anthropometric and spirometric measurements were collected. Subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral (VAT) adipose tissues were measured by ultrasound, and the steatosis level was obtained. Asthma control was assessed according to Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) criteria. Atopy was defined on the basis of allergen-specific Immunoglobulin E and/or skin prick testing. Cytokine levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbant assays (ELISAs). RESULTS: Eighty-three asthmatic women were included, 37% of whom had uncontrolled asthma. After controlling for variables, a negative association between asthma control and VAT and the VAT/SAT ratio was observed. VAT was negatively associated with respiratory parameters after controlling for explanatory variables. In an adjusted model, body mass index (BMI) and SAT were inversely associated with the adiponectin serum level and VAT was associated with the interleukin 6 level. In conclusion, visceral obesity was negatively associated with asthma control and lung function; and positively associated with increased levels of interleukin 6 in women. We hypothesize that women should be studied as a separate group, and we suggest further studies with a control group to know if the uncontrolled asthmatic group is directly affected by visceral adipose inflammatory markers.

Physiological and biochemical changes of females of Piracanjuba, subjected to induced reproduction.

The aim of this experiment was to compare the level of fish female stress during induced reproduction with pituitary extract by two different methods, natural and semiextruded. The reproductive efficiency was 62.5% in the seminatural treatment and 100% in the extruded. Obtained egg volume was 5200 ml and 4000 ml, for seminatural and extruded treatments respectively. The mean number of eggs was 46.7 for the seminatural and 52.0 and for the extruded treatment. The percentage of viable eggs was, respectively, 87.2% and 8.17% for the natural treatment and extruded semimethods. Blood samples were collected to quantify cortisol and glucose levels, as well as red cell series and lymphocyte count. Fishes submitted to induction procedures showed elevated cortisol and glucose levels, compared to the control animals. The results for haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration and red blood cell count showed no significant differences among groups. Significant differences found in the number of lymphocytes and monocytes suggest the general adaptation syndrome. Our results suggest the reproductive induction process with extrusion of gametes as a more stressful method than seminatural reproduction process.

Satisfaction of skeletal class III patients treated with different types of orthognathic surgery.

The aim of this study was to compare the satisfaction of skeletal class III patients following treatment with three different methods of orthognathic surgery. Eighty-two patients were divided into three groups according to the surgical procedure performed to correct their class III dentofacial deformity, and answered a questionnaire designed to determine the patient's opinion of the aesthetic and functional treatment outcomes. Differences in the patterns of responses to questions in the questionnaire related to satisfaction between the three clinical groups were evaluated by χ(2) and Fisher's exact tests (α=5%). Eighty patients (97.6%) reported being satisfied with the treatment received. There was no significant difference in response patterns among clinical groups when assessing the improvement in facial appearance, chewing, speech, and socialization. Maxillary advancement led to higher levels of improvement in breathing (P<0.0003). Class III patients treated by orthognathic surgery had high levels of satisfaction with the aesthetic and functional outcomes of their treatment.

Adsorption of pH-responsive polyelectrolyte chains onto spherical macroions.

The adsorption of pH-responsive polyelectrolyte chains onto oppositely charged spherical macroions is investigated through Metropolis Monte Carlo simulations and the Weighted Histogram Analysis Method. In this case, the polymer charge density is susceptible to the solution conditions, such as salt concentration and pH, as well as the presence of other charged species. Thus, the pH and ionic strength variations leads to abrupt variations of the conformational and electric properties of the chain, as a result of first-order-like transition between the adsorbed and desorbed states. The diagram of states as a function of ionic strenght and p H is provided. Despite the inhomogeneities in the polyelectrolyte charge distribution induced by the macroion presence and its dependence on ionic strength, the scaling relation between the macromolecular charge densities and the critical Debye length is obtained in agreement with experimental investigations.

Risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus infection among Brazilian blood donors: a multicentre case-control study using audio computer-assisted structured interviews.

BACKGROUND: Although risk factors for HIV infection are known, it is important for blood centres to understand local epidemiology and disease transmission patterns. Current risk factors for HIV infection in blood donors in Brazil were assessed. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted at large public blood centres located in four major cities between April 2009 and March 2011. Cases were persons whose donations were confirmed positive by enzyme immunoassays followed by Western blot confirmation. Audio computer-assisted structured interviews (ACASI) were completed by all cases and controls. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: There were 341 cases, including 47 with recently acquired infection, and 791 controls. Disclosed risk factors for both females and males were sex with an HIV-positive person AOR 11.3, 95% CI (4.1, 31.7) and being an IVDU or sexual partner of an IVDU [AOR 4.65 (1.8, 11.7)]. For female blood donors, additional risk factors were having male sex partners who also are MSM [AOR 13.5 (3.1, 59.8)] and having unprotected sex with multiple sexual partners [AOR 5.19 (2.1, 12.9)]. The primary risk factor for male blood donors was MSM activity [AOR 21.6 (8.8, 52.9)]. Behaviours associated with recently acquired HIV were being a MSM or sex partner of MSM [13.82, (4.7, 40.3)] and IVDU [11.47, (3.0, 43.2)]. CONCLUSION: Risk factors in blood donors parallel those in the general population in Brazil. Identified risk factors suggest that donor compliance with selection procedures at the participating blood centres is inadequate.

Transmission potential, skin inflammatory response, and parasitism of symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs with visceral leishmaniasis.

BACKGROUND: Visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil is caused by the protozoan Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi and it is transmitted by sandfly of the genus Lutzomyia. Dogs are an important domestic reservoir, and control of the transmission of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) to humans includes the elimination of infected dogs. However, though dogs are considered to be an important element in the transmission cycle of Leishmania, the identification of infected dogs representing an immediate risk for transmission has not been properly evaluated. Since it is not possible to treat infected dogs, they are sacrificed when a diagnosis of VL is established, a measure that is difficult to accomplish in highly endemic areas. In such areas, parameters that allow for easy identification of reservoirs that represents an immediate risk for transmission is of great importance for the control of VL transmission. In this study we aimed to identify clinical parameters, reinforced by pathological parameters that characterize dogs with potential to transmit the parasite to the vector. RESULTS: The major clinical manifestations of visceral leishmaniasis in dogs from an endemic area were onicogriphosis, skin lesions, conjunctivitis, lymphadenopathy, and weight loss. The transmission potential of these dogs was assessed by xenodiagnosis using Lutzomyia longipalpis. Six of nine symptomatic dogs were infective to Lutzomyia longipalpis while none of the five asymptomatic dogs were infective to the sandfly. Leishmania amastigotes were present in the skin of all clinically symptomatic dogs, but absent in asymptomatic dogs. Higher parasite loads were observed in the ear and ungueal region, and lower in abdomen. The inflammatory infiltrate was more intense in the ears and ungueal regions of both symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs. In clinically affected dogs in which few or none Leishmania amastigotes were observed, the inflammatory infiltrate was constituted mainly of lymphocytes and macrophages. When many parasites were present, the infiltrate was also comprised of lymphocytes and macrophages, as well as a larger quantity of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). CONCLUSION: Dogs that represent an immediate risk for transmission of Leishmania in endemic areas present clinical manifestations that include onicogriphosis, skin lesions, conjunctivitis, lymphadenopathy, and weight loss. Lymphadenopathy in particular was a positive clinical hallmark since it was closely related to the positive xenodiagnosis.

Studies of Terminalia catappa L. oil: characterization and biodiesel production.

Since the biodiesel program has been started in Brazil, the investigation of alternative sources of triacylglycerides from species adapted at semi-arid lands became a very important task for Brazilian researchers. Thus we initiated studies with the fruits of the Terminalia catappa L (TC), popularly known in Brazil as "castanhola", evaluating selected properties and chemical composition of the oil, as well any potential application in biodiesel production. The oil was obtained from the kernels of the fruit, with yields around 49% (% mass). Also, its fatty acid composition was quite similar to that of conventional oils. The crude oil of the TC was transesterified, using a conventional catalyst and methanol to form biodiesel. The studied physicochemical properties of the TC biodiesel are in acceptable range for use as biodiesel in diesel engines.

Fine structure and cytochemical analysis of the intestinal wall along the body of adult female of Litomosoides chagasfilhoi (Nematoda: Filarioidea).

Litomosoides chagasfilhoi is a filariid nematode parasite of the abdominal cavity of the wild rodent Akodon cursor (Winge, 1887), that has been described and used in Brazil as a new model for human filariasis. The fine structure of the intestine of this nematode was analyzed based on observations made by light and transmission electron microscopies of serial sections along the body. Cytochemical analysis was carried out to investigate the composition of the intestinal wall. This structure consisted of a basal lamina and an epithelium of variable thickness, composed of cells that have an irregular shape. The cytoplasm of intestinal cells contains few organelles: vacuoles, lysosomal bodies, spheroid bodies, endoplasmic reticulum, and many large lipid droplets. In the anterior portion of the intestine, the lysosomal bodies, spheroid bodies, and vacuoles presented positive reaction for acid phosphatase, and carbohydrates were detected in lysosomal bodies. The midbody and posterior regions presented less organelles and lipid droplets, and nuclei were more abundant. Residues of L-fucose were detected by Ulex europaeus lectin binding in the midbody sections. Basic proteins were associated to lipid droplets, in the posterior region. In the whole extension of the intestine, carbohydrates were detected on tight junctions. These results indicate that the metabolized material in the epithelium can contribute to the microfilariae development and also probably can be involved with the excretory/secretory mechanism of these nematodes.

Geographic diversity of adult t-cell leukemia/lymphoma in Brazil. The Brazilian ATLL Study Group.

We describe 195 cases of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) reported to the national registry of T-cell malignancies in Brazil between 1994 and 1998. We compared the effect of demographic differences and clinical features of 150 consecutive ATLL cases in different regions of this diverse country. At diagnosis, the predominant clinical sub-type was the acute type (60%), followed by lymphoma (22%), chronic (10%) and smoldering (8%) types. Although we expected that different sub-types would be present in different regions, on the basis of immunogenetic factors determined by ethnicity, we did not demonstrate these differences. There were no significant differences among ATLL subtypes by age or gender. No ethnic group predominated in the total population of patients, but significant differences were noted when examining ethnic distribution by region. Reflecting the general population distribution, white patients were seen more often in São Paulo and black patients in Bahia, than in other regions. In most regions, cases were equally distributed between blacks and mulattos, except in Pernambuco, where blacks were less frequent. The main clinical features were lymphadenopathy, skin lesions, hypercalcemia and hepatomegaly. Fourteen patients (9%) suffered from HTLV-I-associated myelopathy (HAM/TSP), either at diagnosis or during follow-up of ATLL. All cases but one had antibodies to HTLV-I, with concordant results with ELISA, WB and PCR analyses. For the antibody-negative case, pol and tax gene sequences were present in tumor cells when subjected to PCR analyses. The prognosis was generally poor, suggesting that the disease in Brazil behaves in similar fashion regardless of ethnic or geographical differences.

Spinal cord injury and psychological response.

Psychological adjustment and psychopathological morbidity issues during rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord injury, have been documented in international literature. However, most authors are faced with methodological difficulties, and results are contradictory. In this prospective study, the first to be made in the Portuguese population, a sample of 65 patients being treated in a rehabilitation unit during the years of 1993, 1994 and 1995, was obtained. The authors study the type of psychological response, when it does occur, which personality traits point to less suffering, which coping mechanisms are used by the better adjusted patients and the differences between the scores of paraplegic and quadriplegic patients. Two assessments were made. The following assessment instruments were used: an anamnestic data questionnaire, the SCL-90-R (Derogatis, 1983), the EPI (Eysenck & Eysenck, 1984), the Coping Styles Evaluation Scale (Figueira, 1990). The second assessments were carried out with the SCL-90-R only. The findings indicate that psychopathological scores consistent with depression occurred in 60% of patients if we consider any evaluation. Sleep disturbances, suicide ideation and guilt occurred in the same proportion. In 33% of them, we found persistent depressive scores in the two assessments. The authors find a highly significant positive correlation between psychopathology and neuroticism. On the contrary, the extroversion dimensions of EPI seem to be a good prognosis predictive factor as far as the occurrence of psychopathology is concerned. No differences in the psychopathological response were found concerning the paraplegic-quadriplegic situation.

[Determination of HIV protein 24 in feces of Triatoma infestans fed with blood from AIDS patients]. / Pesquisa da proteína 24 do vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) nas fezes de triatomíneos alimentados em pacientes com AIDS.

OBJECTIVE: To verify any possibility of the elimination of p24 in feces of Triatoma infestans, p24 being an antigen and one of the markers of HIV infection. The purpose of the study was the evaluation of any risk of contamination by laboratory staff who work with activities related to this particular insect, and also investigate any mechanism that might thus lead to the dissemination of HIV. METHOD: Triatoma infestans were fed with p24-marked blood from 23 AIDS patients. Twenty-four and 48 hours later, their feces were examined in order to verify the presence of the antigen. The search for p24 was performed by means of the immunoenzymatic technique. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: No protein 24 was detected in any of the samples. In accordance with the applied methodology, the purpose of showing that the elimination of p24 does not occur, was obtained. Were this question approached in other ways different results might reveal new information in terms of risks of HIV dissemination.

Prevalence of herpes simplex type 2 antibodies and a clinical history of herpes in three different populations in Campinas City, Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) antibodies and the relation between the history of clinical herpes and the presence of type-specific HSV-2 antibodies in three different populations from the city of Campinas City, Brazil. POPULATION AND METHODS: One hundred and one college students, 96 patients with sexually transmitted diseases (STD), and 102 women at delivery were interviewed and blood samples were collected. Total HSV (HSV-1 and HSV-2) antibodies were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and type-specific HSV-2 antibodies were detected by Western blot assay. RESULTS: Herpes simplex virus antibodies were detected in 66.3% of the students, 97.1% of the women at delivery, and 99.0% of the STD patients. Type-specific HSV-2 antibodies were detected in 6.9% of the students, 22.6% of the women at delivery, and in 53.1% of the STD patients. History of genital herpes was reported by none of the students, by one of the women at delivery, and by 11 of 51 (21.6%) STD patients who were HSV-2 seropositive. Four of the 45 (8.9%) seronegative STD patients reported a history of genital herpes. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HSV-2 infection in Campinas City can be significantly affected by the characteristics of the population studied, as was shown in previous studies. The sensitivity of the history of genital herpes was low in the present series, stressing that prophylactic measures for vertical and horizontal transmission of HSV-2 should not be based only on a positive history of genital ulcers.

HTLV-I and HTLV-II infections in hematologic disorder patients, cancer patients, and healthy individuals from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

To clarify the seroprevalence of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) among hematologic and cancer patients in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, we investigated sera from 2430 individuals from the following groups: 152 patients with T-cell diseases, 250 with B-cell disorders, 67 with myeloid leukemia, 41 with Hodgkin's disease, 351 with a history of multiple blood transfusions, 235 patients with solid tumors of different types, and 109 family members of HTLV-I-infected patients. Antibodies to HTLV-I were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or particle agglutination assays (or both). Repeatedly reactive samples were tested by Western blot and polymerase chain reaction assay to differentiate HTLV-I from HTLV-II. We found an increased seroprevalence rate of HTLV-I among those with lymphoid malignancies, mainly in T-cell diseases (28.9%), and these results were important in characterizing 44 cases of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. We confirmed the presence of HTLV-I and HTLV-II infections in blood donors (0.4% and 0.1%, respectively), in patients exposed to multiple blood transfusions (10.2% and 0.8%, respectively), and in 30 (27.5%) of 109 family members of HTLV-I- or HTLV-II-infected patients. We also confirmed the high rate occurrence of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma among lymphoproliferative disorders in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

[Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis]. / Hemossiderose pulmonar idiopática.

We report a case of a 23 year-old man admitted to hospital with cough, fever and recurrent episodes of haemoptysis. Laboratory findings, which included a pulmonary biopsy, established the diagnosis of Idiophatic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis (IPH). Despite a number of morphologic, immunologic and ultrastructural studies, the etiology and pathogenesis of this disease remain indetermined. To diagnose an IPH all the other causes of pulmonary hemorrhage must be excluded. This is a rare disease, even more rare in adults. Based on these facts the authors publish this article, which includes the case report and a literature review.

[Treatment of experimental infection by Strongyloides venezuelensis in rats, with the use of injectable ivermectin and levamisole]. / Tratamento da infecção experimental de ratos por Strongyloides venezuelensis, mediante uso da ivermectina e do levamisol injectáveis.

For the therapy of human strongyloidiasis, are necessary effective drugs to eliminate both larvae and adult worm parasitism, which may also be used by parenteral route, to obviate the particular conditions presented by many patients. A study based on the experimental infection by Strongyloides venezuelensis in rats was done, administering injectable ivermectin or levamisole. Both drugs were shown to be active, when used in single doses of 0.2 to 0.5 mg/kg of ivermectin, or 26 mg/kg for levamisole. Ivermectin was slightly more effective as far as larval stage of the infection is concerned, and the same happened for levamisole for the adult worm stage. Promising perspectives are visualized to improve the therapy of patients with serious disseminated infection by Strongyloides stercoralis.