Mild periconceptional hyperglycemia: predictor of adverse fetomaternal outcomes in gestational diabetes?

AIM: To clarify whether mild first trimester hyperglycaemia (characteristic of early-onset GDM) is associated with higher incidence of congenital malformations and other adverse fetomaternal outcomes compared to women with second trimester hyperglycaemia (later-onset GDM). DESIGN AND METHODS: We analyzed the Portuguese National GDM database, containing data collected between 2011 and 2017. Two study groups were defined: Group 1-Women with GDM diagnosed during the first trimester (with fasting glycemia ≥ 92 and < 126 mg/dL); Group 2-Women with GDM diagnosed after the first 12 weeks of gestation, with either fasting glycemia or oral glucose tolerance test, according to the International Association of Pregnancy and Diabetes Study Group criteria. The fetomaternal characteristics of each group were compared. RESULTS: A total of 18.518 pregnant women diagnosed with GDM were included which 34.4% of them belonged to Group 1. Pregnant women from this group were significantly younger and had a higher median BMI than the women from the other group. Overall, there was no significant differences in maternal morbidity parameters between groups. Non-evolutive pregnancies were significantly more frequent along the present gestation in the group 1 (1.1% vs. 0.1%, p < 0.001), as was fetal death (0.6% vs. 0.2%, p < 0.001). Congenital malformations did not differ significantly between groups (3.2% vs. 2.8%, p = 0.155). CONCLUSIONS: The mild near conceptional hyperglycaemic state characteristic of an early-onset GDM seems to be associated with an increased prevalence of non-evolutive pregnancies and foetal deaths when compared to later-onset GDM.

Control of predators in industrial scale microalgae cultures with Pulsed Electric Fields.

This work describes the utilization of Pulsed Electric Fields to control the protozoan contamination of a microalgae culture, in an industrial 2.7 m(3) microalgae photobioreactor. The contaminated culture was treated with Pulsed Electric Fields, PEF, for 6h with an average of 900 V/cm, 65 µs pulses of 50 Hz. Working with recirculation, all the culture was uniformly exposed to the PEF throughout the assay. The development of the microalgae and protozoan populations was followed and the results showed that PEF is effective on the selective elimination of protozoa from microalgae cultures, inflicting on the protozoa growth halt, death or cell rupture, without affecting microalgae productivity. Specifically, the results show a reduction of the active protozoan population of 87% after 6h treatment and 100% after few days of normal cultivation regime. At the same time, microalgae growth rate remained unaffected.

Qualidade microbiologica da carne de frango irradiada em embalagem convencional e a vácuo / Microbiological evaluation of chicken breast meat irradiated in conventional and vacuum package

Foram avaliados os efeitos da radiação gama nas doses de 1,5 e 3,0kGy, em peitos de frango embalados em embalagem convencional e a vácuo. As amostras embaladas foram submetidas à irradiação e estocadas sob refrigeração (4ºC) por 30 dias. A radiação mostrou-se eficiente na redução de mesófilos aeróbios estritos e facultativos viáveis, coliformes totais e termotolerantes, com destaque para Salmonella spp. Os bolores e leveduras mostraram-se bastante resistentes à radiação. Os resultados sugerem que a dose de 3,0kGy pode ser utilizada no controle da microbiota do peito de frango armazenado sob refrigeração, sendo uma alternativa para o aumento da vida de prateleira por até 10 dias, ao garantir a segurança do consumidor pela eliminação de possíveis patógenos.

The effects of gamma radiation doses of 1.5 and 3.0kGy on chicken breasts packed under conventional or vacuum atmosphere were evaluated. The packed samples were subjected to irradiation and stored under refrigeration (4ºC) for 30 days. The radiation was efficient in reducing strict and facultative aerobic mesophiles, total and fecal coliforms, and mainly Salmonella spp. The molds and yeasts were very resistant to radiation. The results suggest that gamma radiation at 3.0kGy can be used to control the microbiota in chicken breast stored under refrigeration, as an alternative to extend the shelf-life for more than ten days and ensure the food safety by eliminating potential pathogens.

Enamel fluorosis in 12- and 15-year-old school children in Costa Rica. Results of a national survey, 1999.

UNLABELLED: In 1987, Costa Rica implemented a national salt fluoridation programme using sodium fluoride (225-275 mg F/kg). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and severity of enamel fluorosis (EF) in Costa Rican schoolchildren as part of the biological monitoring of the salt fluoridation programme. BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN: In 1999, eight calibrated examiners (interexaminer Kappa = 0.73) recorded EF in the maxillary anterior teeth and first bicuspids (FDI's teeth 14 to 24) using Dean's Index and artificial light without drying. The multistrata probability sample included 12 and 15-year-old schoolchildren (n = 2,499), representing seven regions of the country. Data were analyzed in SAS and SUDAAN to account for sampling design. SETTING: Costa Rican schoolchildren. The 12-year-old cohort was born when salt fluoridation started. PARTICIPANTS: 3,758 children in selected age groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Dean's index was calculated for cuspid to cuspid (teeth 13 to 23) and premolar to premolar (teeth 14 to 24). RESULTS: Prevalence of EF (very mild or higher) at age 12 years was 17% for teeth 13 to 23 and 32% when teeth 14 and 24 were included. At age 15 years, the prevalence was 12% for teeth 13 to 23 and 25% when teeth 14 and 24 were included. Large regional differences were observed: from 10% to 76% among 12-year-old children and from 6% to 50% among 15-year-old children. CONCLUSIONS: In the aggregate, EF prevalence is within the range expected for a salt fluoridation programme, but regions with higher severity need further investigation on additional sources of fluoride including environmental sources. Prevalence figures were higher in the cohort born at time of fluoridation.

Thermodynamic evaluation and modeling of proton and water exchange associated with benzamidine and berenil binding to beta-trypsin.

Serine-proteases are involved in vital processes in virtually all species. They are important targets for researchers studying the relationships between protein structure and activity, for the rational design of new pharmaceuticals. Trypsin was used as a model to assess a possible differential contribution of hydration water to the binding of two synthetic inhibitors. Thermodynamic parameters for the association of bovine beta-trypsin (homogeneous material, observed 23,294.4 +/- 0.2 Da, theoretical 23,292.5 Da) with the inhibitors benzamidine and berenil at pH 8.0, 25 degrees C and with 25 mM CaCl2, were determined using isothermal titration calorimetry and the osmotic stress method. The association constant for berenil was about 12 times higher compared to the one for benzamidine (binding constants are K = 596,599 +/- 25,057 and 49,513 +/- 2,732 M(-1), respectively; the number of binding sites is the same for both ligands, N = 0.99 +/- 0.05). Apparently the driving force responsible for this large difference of affinity is not due to hydrophobic interactions because the variation in heat capacity (DeltaCp), a characteristic signature of these interactions, was similar in both systems tested (-464.7 +/- 23.9 and -477.1 +/- 86.8 J K(-1) mol(-1) for berenil and benzamidine, respectively). The results also indicated that the enzyme has a net gain of about 21 water molecules regardless of the inhibitor tested. It was shown that the difference in affinity could be due to a larger number of interactions between berenil and the enzyme based on computational modeling. The data support the view that pharmaceuticals derived from benzamidine that enable hydrogen bond formation outside the catalytic binding pocket of beta-trypsin may result in more effective inhibitors.

Thermodynamic evaluation and modeling of proton and water exchange associated with benzamidine and berenil binding to ß-trypsin

Serine-proteases are involved in vital processes in virtually all species. They are important targets for researchers studying the relationships between protein structure and activity, for the rational design of new pharmaceuticals. Trypsin was used as a model to assess a possible differential contribution of hydration water to the binding of two synthetic inhibitors. Thermodynamic parameters for the association of bovine ß-trypsin (homogeneous material, observed 23,294.4 ± 0.2 Da, theoretical 23,292.5 Da) with the inhibitors benzamidine and berenil at pH 8.0, 25°C and with 25 mM CaCl2, were determined using isothermal titration calorimetry and the osmotic stress method. The association constant for berenil was about 12 times higher compared to the one for benzamidine (binding constants are K = 596,599 ± 25,057 and 49,513 ± 2,732 M-1, respectively; the number of binding sites is the same for both ligands, N = 0.99 ± 0.05). Apparently the driving force responsible for this large difference of affinity is not due to hydrophobic interactions because the variation in heat capacity (DCp), a characteristic signature of these interactions, was similar in both systems tested (-464.7 ± 23.9 and -477.1 ± 86.8 J K-1 mol-1 for berenil and benzamidine, respectively). The results also indicated that the enzyme has a net gain of about 21 water molecules regardless of the inhibitor tested. It was shown that the difference in affinity could be due to a larger number of interactions between berenil and the enzyme based on computational modeling. The data support the view that pharmaceuticals derived from benzamidine that enable hydrogen bond formation outside the catalytic binding pocket of ß-trypsin may result in more effective inhibitors.

Congelamento de sêmen e inseminação artificial em cães, revisão / Semen freezing and artificial insemination in dogs, review

Foram utilizados para esta revisão trabalhos que estudassem o congelamento do sêmen canino. Os resultados na maioria das pesquisas constataram que o sêmen canino é de baixa qualidade. Publicações relatam obtenção de melhores resultados utilizando o tris-frutose-ácido cítrico como diluidor, glicerol como crioprotetor, método de congelamento lento e descongelamento em água a 37º C.

Mono- and dinuclear five-coordinate cyclometalated palladium(II) compounds.

Reaction of cyclometalated halide-bridged Pd(II) complexes 1-4 with the tertiary triphosphine ligand (Ph2PCH2CH2)2PPh (triphos) yielded complexes [((Ph2PCH2CH2)2PPh-P,P,P)Pd(N(Cy)=(H)C)C6H2(C(H)=N(Cy))Pd((Ph2PCH2CH2)2PPh-P,P,P)][ClO4]2 5, [Pd(C6H4-N=NC6H5)((Ph2PCH2CH2)2PPh-P,P,P)][ClO4] 6, and [Pd(R-C6H3C(H)=NCy)((Ph2PCH2CH2)2PPh-P,P,P)][ClO4] (7; R = 4-CHO, 8; 3-CHO). Spectroscopic and analytic data suggest five-coordination on the palladium atom, which, for complexes 5, 6, and 7, was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The geometry around palladium may be view as a distorted trigonal bipyramid, with the palladium, nitrogen, and terminal phosphorus atoms in the equatorial plane. Compound 5 is the first doubly cyclometalated palladium(II) compound with two pentacoordinated metal centers. The structure of 6 comprises two discrete cations with slightly different geometries, showing the importance of crystal packing forces in order to determine the coordination arrangement.

Purification of a cysteine proteinase from Carica candamarcensis L. and cloning of a genomic putative fragment coding for this enzyme.

We describe the purification of a cysteine proteinase from latex of Carica candamarcensis, hereby designated CC23. The enzyme has been purified by ion-exchange chromatography and behaves electrophoretically as a monomer of M(r) 23,000 and optimal pH of 8.0. It displays a basic isoelectric point, has one cysteine residue in the active site by titration with E-64, confirmed by DNA sequencing, and responds to proteinase inhibitors as a classic cysteine proteinase. The K(m) and k(cat)/K(m) for CC23 using BAPNA were respectively 14.7 +/- 1.8 x 10(-4) M and 1.3 x 10(3) M(-1) s(-1). Therefore, the catalytic efficiency of CC23 is sixfold higher than that of CC-I, another proteinase from the same plant. DNA primers were designed to amplify by PCR a genomic sequence related to this enzyme. An 895-bp DNA fragment was cloned and sequenced. It shows strong homology with chymopapain isoform IV from C. papaya. The translated sequence is similar to that of chymopapain isoform II (73%) and CC-III (77%) from C. candamarcensis.

The spinal accessory nerve distal to the posterior triangle.

Thirty cadaver necks were dissected to determine the course of the accessory nerve distal to the posterior triangle. The nerve was found to have a constant course on the deep surface of the trapezius muscle. This has clinical implications for surgery in the region.

The radioprotective effect of a new aminothiol (20-PRA).

We examined the radioprotective effect of aminothiol 2-N-propylamine-cyclo-hexanethiol (20-PRA) on a human leukemic cell line (K562) following various radiation doses (5, 7.5 and 20 Gy) using a source of 60Co gamma-rays. At 5 Gy and 1 nM 20-PRA, a substantial protective effect (58%) was seen 24 h after irradiation, followed by a decrease at 48 h (11%). At the high radiation dose (20 Gy) a low protective effect was also seen (35%). In addition, the antitumorigenic potential of 10 nM 20-PRA was shown by the inhibition of crown gall formation induced by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The radioprotective potency of 20-PRA is 10(5)-10(6) times higher than that of the aminothiol WR-1065 (N-(2-mercaptoethyl)-1,3-diaminopropane) whose protective effect is in the 0.1 to 1.0 mM range.

The radioprotective effect of a new aminothiol (20-PRA)

We examined the radioprotective effect of aminothiol 2-N-propylamine-cyclo-hexanethiol (20-PRA) on a human leukemic cell line (K562) following various radiation doses (5, 7.5 and 20 Gy) using a source of (60)Co gamma-rays. At 5 Gy and 1 nM 20-PRA, a substantial protective effect (58 per cent) was seen 24 h after irradiation, followed by a decrease at 48 h (11 per cent). At the high radiation dose (20 Gy) a low protective effect was also seen (35 per cent). In addition, the antitumorigenic potential of 10 nM 20-PRA was shown by the inhibition of crown gall formation induced by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The radioprotective potency of 20-PRA is 10(5)-10(6) times higher than that of the aminothiol WR-1065 N-(2-mercaptoethyl) - 1,3-diaminopropane) whose protective effect is in the 0.1 to 1.0 mM range.

[AIDS and myopathy: report of a case and review of the literature]. / AIDS e miopatia. Relato de um caso e revisão da literatura.

Report of an unusual case of myopathy in an HIV infected patient, responsive only to the immunosuppressor drug methotrexate. The patient was a 39 year old homosexual male with no past history of HIV-related manifestations. One month prior to admission he noticed that his left thigh was swollen and painful. Two weeks later both arms became enlarged and tender. A few days before admission he noticed intermittent fever and progressive dyspnea. Upon admission, oral thrush, dyspnea and global enlargement of both arms was noted. There was no articular involvement. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). Serology for HIV was positive. Tests for antinuclear antibodies were negative. Serum CPK level was 1019 IU. Capillaroscopy was compatible with vasculitis. Muscle biopsy revealed multifocal myonecrosis. PCP was successfully treated with standard doses of TMP/SMZ. Although indomethacin, prednisone and dexamethasone were administered in succession, there was relentless progression of myopathy and persistence of fever. Six days after administration of methotrexate, the patient defervesced, volume of arms and legs diminished. CPK levels returned to normal after a second course of methotrexate. Upon reduction of the dose thigh enlargement recrudesced. The patient remained asymptomatic on weekly doses of methotrexate. He died five months later of acute respiratory failure.

PIP: Myopathy may be associated with the syndrome of seroconversion in individuals infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or may represent the initial symptom of AIDS. In 1990, 39-year old white, single homosexual who was admitted 1 month prior had experienced an episode of edema and pain in the left thigh that faded with the use of nonhormonal antiinflammatory drugs. 15 days later both forearms became enlarged accompanied by pain and erythema. Erythromycin and cefalexine were used without success. Intermittent fever started to appear before admission accompanied by dyspnea when straining. Examination showed tachypnea, oral candidiasis, and enlargement of both upper arms with pain and local erythema without articular involvement. Neurological examination revealed hypotonia and generalized hyperreflexia with intact muscle strength. Serology was positive for HIV, rheumatic activity tests were negative, and muscle biopsy indicated multifocal myonecrosis. Creatinine phosphokinase was 1019 IU (decrease to 44 IU after treatment), aldolase was 19 IU (decrease to 5.6 IU), and glutamic-pyruvic transminase was 50 IU (decrease to 22 IU). Radiography of the thorax indicated interstitial infiltration. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy indicated Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Sulfamethoxazole and trimetropim treatment cured the dyspnea and hypoxemia, but the enlargement of both arms progressed. Capillaroscopy indicated vasculitis that was treated without success with indomethacin (150 mg/day), for 7 days; prednisone (40-80 mg/day) for 10 days; and dexamethasone (280 mg/day) for 2 days. 6 days after methotrexate (50 mg/dose/week) treatment the fever disappeared and the enlargement in the extremities receded, but a lower dose of 7.5 mg caused the return of fever and edema in the right thigh. The myopathy remained asymptomatic for 5 months with a weekly dose of 15 mg of methotrexate.

Characteristics of a soil-isolated Bacillus subtilis phage, GS1, and GS1-mediated plasmid transduction.

A previously described soil-isolated Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage, GS1, was further characterized. It is a tailed phage with regular head morphology and a discrete base plate. GS1 belongs to morphological group A1 of Bacillus phages. Its tail measured 170 nm and the head width was 92 nm. GS1 produced turbid plaques on its natural host strain, but clear plaque variants occurred at high frequency. All attempts to transduce either erythromycin (Em) or tetracycline (Tc) resistance markers, present in soil-isolated phage-sensitive bacilli, failed. Erythromycin resistance plasmid pE194, introduced into B. subtilis by protoplast transformation, was transduced among B. subtilis strains at a frequency of 10(-6) to 10(-7).

Host range specificity of two groups of soil-isolated Bacillus phages.

Foram testadas 95 estirpes de Bacillus e 10 de Staphylococcus aureus quanto a sensibilidade face a 14 fagos recem isolados de B. subtilis e 16 de B. pumilus.Todas as estirpes de S. aureus e 65 de Bacillus mostraram-se resistentes a lise por quaisquer dos fagos de Bacillus.Entre as estirpes de referencia, apenas aquelas de B.subtilis e B. pumilus foram lisadas por fagos de ambos os hospedeiros. As estirpes sensiveis recentemente isoladas foram identificadas como B. subtilis e B. pumilus Todos os fagos de B. subtilis eram especies especificos; no entanto, a maioria dos fagos de B. pumilus lisava ambas as especies. Tais dados confirmam a proximidade taxonomica destas especies

Genetic variants of serum alpha1-antitrypsin (Pi types) in Portuguese.

The results of Pi typing on 330 Portuguese from the area of Lisbon are reported. We found six phenotypes and four alleles out of the 24 described in the literature. The allele PiM is the most frequent as in other populations, PiS shows a high frequency (0.1152), and PiF is absent, which agrees satisfactorily with former studies carried out in Spain. These results are compared with others and the entity of the Iberian population is evoked.