Role of ultrasound in detection of lymph-node metastasis in gynecological cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic performance of transvaginal sonography (TVS) for the preoperative evaluation of lymph-node metastasis in gynecological cancer. METHODS: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published between January 1990 and May 2023 evaluating the role of ultrasound in detecting pelvic lymph-node metastasis (index test) in gynecological cancer, using histopathological analysis as the reference standard. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. Pooled sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio were estimated. RESULTS: The literature search identified 2638 citations. Eight studies reporting on a total of 967 women were included. The mean prevalence of pelvic lymph-node metastasis was 24.2% (range, 14.0-65.6%). The risk of bias was low for most domains assessed. Pooled sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio of TVS were 41% (95% CI, 26-58%), 98% (95% CI, 93-99%) and 32 (95% CI, 14-72), respectively. High heterogeneity was found between studies for both sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSION: TVS showed a high pooled specificity for the detection of pelvic lymph-node metastasis in gynecological cancer, but pooled sensitivity was low. © 2024 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Effects of 17α-methyltestosterone on the reproduction of the freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata.

17-α-methyltestosterone (MT) is a synthetic hormone used in fish hatcheries to induce male monosex. Snails hold promise as possible test models to assess chemicals acting on the endocrine system. Biomphalaria glabrata is an aquatic gastropod mollusk (Pulmonata, Planorbidae) that can be easily maintained in aquaria, predisposing the species for use in ecotoxicological testing. This study evaluated the reproductive effects of MT on B. glabrata by examining histological changes and its reproductive performance. Ten snails per group were exposed for 4 weeks to different concentrations of MT (0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 mg/L). The total number of laid eggs, egg mass per group, size of type V oocytes, and production of spermatozoids were determined. Reproduction of B. glabrata was affected by MT. At the lowest concentration (0.01 mg/L), MT caused a statistically significant increase in the number of egg mass per snail compared with controls unexposed to MT. Histopathology analyses showed an increase in the sperm production at the higher MT concentrations of 0.1 and 1.0 mg/L. Chromatographic analyses of water samples showed that MT concentrations rapidly declined within a 96-h period. These results highlight the importance of giving more support to regulatory authorities, since MT is not registered for use on fish hatcheries in many countries around the world. Wastewater from fish farms discharged into aquatic ecosystems should be monitored for MT residues, since its presence could compromise the reproduction of other native snail species.

Antimicrobial resistance among Campylobacter spp. strains isolated from different poultry production systems at slaughterhouse level.

The aim of the current work was to evaluate the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Campylobacter spp. isolated from different chicken production systems at the slaughterhouse level. Chicken sampling at slaughterhouse was performed for cecum, carcass, and breast meat from flocks of organic (n = 6), extensive indoor (n = 14), and intensive production (n = 14), totaling 34 ceca pools, 64 neck skin pools, and 132 breasts, representing 96,386 chickens. A collection of 167 strains were identified as Campylobacter coli (n = 85) and Campylobacter jejuni (n = 82) and were tested for susceptibility to 11 antimicrobial agents by the disk diffusion method. The frequency of Campylobacter in chicken samples from different production systems was between 79 and 100%. Campylobacter isolated from all origins were resistant to the fluoroquinolones studied (80-98%). However, for ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin, the Campylobacter isolates from extensive indoor chicken were significantly (P < 0.05) less resistant (77 and 58%) than that from organic (97 and 91%) and intensive production (96 and 95%). A high probability of tetracycline resistance occurrence was also found for the Campylobacter spp. tested (58% for C. jejuni and 76% for C. coli). A more frequent profile of multidrug resistance was noticed for isolates from intensive and organic production than for extensive indoor production. These results reinforce the need of efficient strategy implementation to control and reduce Campylobacter in chickens at production and slaughter levels, and the necessity to reduce the use of antimicrobials in poultry sector.

Intracoronary local paclitaxel delivery by X-ray contrast media for in-stent restenosis: a clinical pilot study to assess safety and tolerability.

AIM: Non-stent-based immediate release formulations of paclitaxel have been shown to reduce in-stent restenosis in animal experiments and clinical trials. In the porcine overstretch model paclitaxel dissolved in the contrast medium iopromide inhibited neointimal proliferation in a dose-dependent manner after intracoronary injection and was well tolerated. METHODS: As a first step entering clinical development, a phase I trial was performed using four ascending paclitaxel dose/concentration levels: samples of up to 100 mL of the contrast medium (iopromide) containing 10, 50, 100 or 200 µM paclitaxel or iopromide (controls) were randomly administered to patients assigned to bare metal stent implantation for single de novo coronary artery lesions. Safety variables, tolerability and angiographic parameters were assessed. RESULTS: Adverse events, ECG, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, left ventricular ejection fraction, leukocyte count, other hematological or clinical chemistry data did not reveal any trend which could be related to the study medication. Short-lasting serum paclitaxel concentrations remained significantly below those known from cancer therapy. Angiographic late lumen loss was 0.72±0.50 mm (N.=7) in controls versus 0.45±0.65 mm (N.=17) in all paclitaxel-treated patients; binary restenosis rate was 5/7(63%) versus 6/17 (35%) and target lesion revascularization rate was 4/8 (50%) versus 4/24 (17%). CONCLUSION: Intracoronary infusion of paclitaxel dissolved in an X-ray contrast medium was well tolerated. The results show restenosis inhibition, but the number of patients examined was too small to demonstrate a statistically significant inhibition.

Multiple metals and agricultural use affects oxidative stress biomarkers in freshwater Aegla crabs.

Metals and agrochemicals are among the main aquatic contaminants, being able to trigger oxidative stress in exposed organisms. The objective of this work was to evaluate the correlation between the level of oxidative stress biomarkers in Aegla crabs (Crustacea, Anomura) with (i) the set of metals present in the streams sediment and (ii) with land uses of three hydrographic basins. The study was carried out in streams (≤ 2nd order) of hydrographic basins in southern Brazil (Basins of Rio Suzana, Rio Ligeirinho-Leãozinho and Rio Dourado). In these streams were quantified the land uses and Cu, Cr, Cd, Fe, Mn and Zn concentrations in the sediment. The enzymes Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione Reductase (GR), as well as the level of membrane lipid peroxidation (TBARS), were analyzed in adult females. The PCA analysis showed that the distribution of metals was different between the basins. Cd, Cr and Fe were correlated positively with CAT and negatively with TBARS and GR. The Dourado basin had the lowest concentrations of these three metals and the highest levels of TBARS. However, in Dourado basin there is predominance of agriculture land use, and TBARS was positively correlated with agricultural land use. Besides in Dourado basin, GR activity was higher than in the others basins, indicating a compensatory response in relation to CAT inhibition. The basins of Suzana and Ligeirinho-Leãozinho rivers had lower TBARS values, which may be due to the induction of CAT in response to metals accumulated in sediment. In summary, this work indicates that in the basins with a higher concentration of toxic metals there is an adaptive response of CAT induction, which reduces TBARS in Aegla. On the other hand, in the basin with lower metallic contamination, TBARS occurrence was primarily influenced by agricultural land use.

Myriapod haemocyanin: the first three-dimensional reconstruction of Scolopendra subspinipes and preliminary structural analysis of S. viridicornis.

Haemocyanins (Hcs) are copper-containing, respiratory proteins that occur in the haemolymph of many arthropod species. Here, we report the presence of Hcs in the chilopode Myriapoda, demonstrating that these proteins are more widespread among the Arthropoda than previously thought. The analysis of transcriptome of S. subspinipes subpinipes reveals the presence of two distinct subunits of Hc, where the signal peptide is present, and six of prophenoloxidase (PPO), where the signal peptide is absent, in the 75 kDa range. Size exclusion chromatography profiles indicate different quaternary organization for Hc of both species, which was corroborated by TEM analysis: S. viridicornis Hc is a 6 × 6-mer and S. subspinipes Hc is a 3 × 6-mer, which resembles the half-structure of the 6 × 6-mer but also includes the presence of phenoloxidases, since the 1 × 6-mer quaternary organization is commonly associated with hexamers of PPO. Studies with Chelicerata showed that PPO activity are exclusively associated with the Hcs. This study indicates that Scolopendra may have different proteins playing oxygen transport (Hc) and PO function, both following the hexameric oligomerization observed in Hcs.

Nutrient and organic matter removal from low strength sewage treated with constructed wetlands.

The role of Eichhornia crassipes for removing pollutants from low strength sewage was evaluated in three pilot-scale constructed wetlands (CW): CW 1, planted with E. crassipes in a filter media; CW 2, unplanted, composed by filter media; and CW 3, composed by E. crassipes floating on the sewage. The operation was divided into three stages by varying the nominal hydraulic retention time into: (I) 24 h; (II) 48 h; (III) 72 h. Temporal sampling profiles were carried out with collection of the influent and effluent samples to determine temperature, pH, chemical oxygen demand (COD), TKN and TP. Contents of TP and TN were analyzed in the plant tissue of the macrophyte. The best removal efficiency rates for phosphorus (38%) and TKN (47%) were obtained in CW 3 for 72 h. The highest COD removal was observed in the CW 2 (80%) for 48 h. The macrophyte E. crassipes contributed to the absorption process with uptake rate percentages of 8.3% (CW 1) and 9.0% (CW 3) for TN and 0.78% (CW 1) and 1.56% (CW 3) for TP on the dry matter of the plant. The chosen species planted in the systems contributed to the achievement of higher nutrient removal.

The quality of life of patients on the lung transplantation waiting list.

INTRODUCTION: Lung transplantation (LTx) candidates present incapacitating symptoms related to their mobility and activities of daily living, thereby affecting their work, social and emotional relations, and quality of life (QoL). OBJECTIVE: To study the QoL of LTx candidates, seeking to identify domains that suffer the greatest impact and verify if there are differences among these impairments according to the original lung disease. METHODS: We applied the Short Form-36 questionnaires and St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). All data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and the Kruskal Wallis test for the probability with significance at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Fifty patients were divided into groups of emphysema (n = 16), bronchiectasis (n = 12), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (n = 7), and cystic fibrosis (n = 15). The functional capacity, physical aspects, general status, and vitality domains showed average values below 50 points. The cystic fibrosis group showed higher functional capacity scores (46 +/- 23) than the emphysema (12 +/- 13) or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis cohort (7 +/- 5). The limitation caused by pain affected the bronchiectasis more than the cystic fibrosis group (52 +/- 28 vs 81 +/- 25, respectively). The SGRQ scores showed impairment among all groups in all domains with average values over 50. The activities domain shows the highest score value; the emphysema (92 +/- 10) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis cohorts (91 +/- 9) were extremely affected compared with the cystic fibrosis (69 +/- 21) and bronchiectasis subjects (79 +/- 16). The impact domain show that subjects with cystic fibrosis were less emotionally affected by the disease. CONCLUSION: LTx candidates showed great impairment of their QoL due to their health problems, above all in the physical-functional aspects; the cystic fibrosis patients were the least affected by their health status.

Carbon accumulation and storage capacity in mangrove sediments three decades after deforestation within a eutrophic bay.

A dated sediment core from an eutrophic mangrove area presented non-significant differences in carbon accumulation rates before (55.7±10.2gm-2yr-1) and after three decades of deforestation (59.7±7.2gm-2yr-1). Although eutrophication effects appear to compensate the loss of mangrove organic matter input, the results in this work show a threefold lower carbon accumulation than the global averages estimated for mangrove sediments. The effects of increasing eutrophication and enhanced sediment dry bulk density observed after deforestation (~30% higher) did not result in higher carbon stocks. Moreover, the lower TOC:OP (<400) and C:N (~20) molar ratios, as well as increased nutrient accumulation, reflect the dominance of phytoplankton-derived organic matter after deforestation, resulting in less-efficient sedimentary carbon sinks. These results indicate that the organic material deposited from eutrophication may not compensate mangrove deforestation losses on carbon accumulation in mangrove ecosystems.

Characterization of oxidative stress biomarkers in a freshwater anomuran crab.

In general, environmental responses at level of populations or communities are preceded by alterations at lower biological levels which can be efficiently detected by the analysis of biomarkers. We analyzed the oxidative biomarkers TBARS and Catalase in Aegla singularis, a freshwater crustacean highly sensitive to environmental changes. The objective was to address if are differences in these biomarkers related to the gender as well if they are influenced by seasonal or water physicochemical variables. The results showed differences in biomarkers profile related to the gender. In female crabs were not sensitive to seasonal variations throughout the study period. However, in males the biomarkers evaluated were higher in the winter as compared to remaining seasons and showed tendency of negative correlation with water temperature and pH. This study highlights that gender, seasonal variations and physicochemical variables can influence oxidative stress biomarkers in A. singularis. Female crabs probably are better suited as a model for biomarker application in environmental studies, because their insensibility to seasonal variations can facilitate the observations of responses related specifically to environmental disturbances.

Performance of different substrates in constructed wetlands planted with E. crassipes treating low-strength sewage under subtropical conditions.

The present study aimed to assess removal potential of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), total phosphorus (TP) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in synthetic wastewater simulating low-strength sewage by sequencing-batch mode constructed wetlands (CWs). Six CWs with three substrates (gravel, light expanded clay and clay bricks) and one CW of each substrate was planted with E. crassipes to verify the feasibility of using a floating macrophyte in CWs and verify the best optimized substrate. Results showed that the presence of E. crassipes enhanced the removal of COD for systems with gravel, increasing the removal efficiency from 37% in the unplanted system (CWG-U) to 60% in the planted system (CWG-P). The vegetated CW with clay bricks (CWB-P) presented the best performance for both TKN and TAN removal, with maximum removal efficiencies of 68% and 35%, respectively. Phosphorus was observed to be efficiently removed in systems with clay bricks, both planted (CWB-U) and unplanted (CWB-P), with mean removal efficiencies of 82% and 87%, respectively, probably via adsorption. It was also observed that after 296days of operation, no desorption or increase on phosphorus in effluent samples were observed, thus indicating that the material was not yet saturated and phosphorus probably presents a strong binding to the media. ASA removal efficiency varied from 34% to 92% in CWs, probably due to plant uptake through roots and microbial biodegradation. Plant direct uptake varied from 4 to 74% of the total nitrogen and from 26 to 71% of the total phosphorus removed in CWG-P, CWC-P and CWB-P. E. crassipes was able to uptake up to 4.19g of phosphorus in CWC-P and 11.84g of nitrogen in CWB-P. The findings on this study suggest that E. crassipes could be used in CWs and clay bricks could significantly enhance phosphorus removal capacity in CWs.

Multiple metals and agricultural use affects oxidative stress biomarkers in freshwater Aegla crabs / Presença de múltiplos metais e agricultura afetam biomarcadores de estresse oxidativo em caranguejos de água doce (Aegla)

Metals and agrochemicals are among the main aquatic contaminants, being able to trigger oxidative stress in exposed organisms. The objective of this work was to evaluate the correlation between the level of oxidative stress biomarkers in Aegla crabs (Crustacea, Anomura) with (i) the set of metals present in the streams sediment and (ii) with land uses of three hydrographic basins. The study was carried out in streams (≤ 2nd order) of hydrographic basins in southern Brazil (Basins of Rio Suzana, Rio Ligeirinho-Leãozinho and Rio Dourado). In these streams were quantified the land uses and Cu, Cr, Cd, Fe, Mn and Zn concentrations in the sediment. The enzymes Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione Reductase (GR), as well as the level of membrane lipid peroxidation (TBARS), were analyzed in adult females. The PCA analysis showed that the distribution of metals was different between the basins. Cd, Cr and Fe were correlated positively with CAT and negatively with TBARS and GR. The Dourado basin had the lowest concentrations of these three metals and the highest levels of TBARS. However, in Dourado basin there is predominance of agriculture land use, and TBARS was positively correlated with agricultural land use. Besides in Dourado basin, GR activity was higher than in the others basins, indicating a compensatory response in relation to CAT inhibition. The basins of Suzana and Ligeirinho-Leãozinho rivers had lower TBARS values, which may be due to the induction of CAT in response to metals accumulated in sediment. In summary, this work indicates that in the basins with a higher concentration of toxic metals there is an adaptive response of CAT induction, which reduces TBARS in Aegla. On the other hand, in the basin with lower metallic contamination, TBARS occurrence was primarily influenced by agricultural land use.

Os metais e agroquímicos estão entre os principais contaminantes aquáticos, podendo desencadear estresse oxidativo em organismos expostos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar uma possível correlação entre o nível de biomarcadores de estresse oxidativo em Aegla (Crustacea, Anomura) com (i) o conjunto de metais presentes no sedimento e (ii) com os usos da terra, em três bacias hidrográficas distintas. O estudo foi realizado em riachos (≤ 2ª ordem) de bacias hidrográficas do Sul do Brasil (Bacias do Rio Suzana, do Rio Ligeirinho-Leãozinho e do Rio Dourado), as quais foram caracterizadas em função do percentual de usos da terra e do nível de Cu, Cr, Cd, Fe, Mn e Zn no sedimento. As enzimas Catalase (CAT) e Glutationa Redutase (GR), bem como o nível de peroxidação lipídica das membranas (TBARS), foram analisadas em fêmeas adultas. Uma análise de PCA mostrou que a distribuição de metais foi distinta entre as bacias. Cd, Cr e Fe no sedimento correlacionaram positivamente com a CAT e negativamente com TBARS e GR. Entretanto, a bacia do Dourado apresentou os menores níveis destes três metais e os maiores níveis de TBARS, o que pode ser justificado pelo predomínio da agricultura nesta bacia, já que o TBARS correlacionou positivamente com o percentual de uso agrícola. Nesta bacia, a atividade da GR foi mais alta do que nas outras, indicando uma resposta compensatória em relação a inibição da CAT. As bacias do rio Suzana e rio Ligeirinho-Leãozinho apresentaram valores menores de TBARS, o que pode decorrer da indução da CAT em função dos metais acumulados no sedimento. Em síntese, este trabalho indica que nas bacias com maior concentração de metais tóxicos ocorre uma resposta adaptativa de indução da CAT, o que reduz os níveis de TBARS em Aegla. Por outro lado, na bacia com menor contaminação metálica os níveis de TBARS foram primariamente influenciados pelo uso agrícola.

Multiple metals and agricultural use affects oxidative stress biomarkers in freshwater Aegla crabs / Presença de múltiplos metais e agricultura afetam biomarcadores de estresse oxidativo em caranguejos de água doce (Aegla)

Metals and agrochemicals are among the main aquatic contaminants, being able to trigger oxidative stress in exposed organisms. The objective of this work was to evaluate the correlation between the level of oxidative stress biomarkers in Aegla crabs (Crustacea, Anomura) with (i) the set of metals present in the streams sediment and (ii) with land uses of three hydrographic basins. The study was carried out in streams (≤ 2nd order) of hydrographic basins in southern Brazil (Basins of Rio Suzana, Rio Ligeirinho-Leãozinho and Rio Dourado). In these streams were quantified the land uses and Cu, Cr, Cd, Fe, Mn and Zn concentrations in the sediment. The enzymes Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione Reductase (GR), as well as the level of membrane lipid peroxidation (TBARS), were analyzed in adult females. The PCA analysis showed that the distribution of metals was different between the basins. Cd, Cr and Fe were correlated positively with CAT and negatively with TBARS and GR. The Dourado basin had the lowest concentrations of these three metals and the highest levels of TBARS. However, in Dourado basin there is predominance of agriculture land use, and TBARS was positively correlated with agricultural land use. Besides in Dourado basin, GR activity was higher than in the others basins, indicating a compensatory response in relation to CAT inhibition. The basins of Suzana and Ligeirinho-Leãozinho rivers had lower TBARS values, which may be due to the induction of CAT in response to metals accumulated in sediment. In summary, this work indicates that in the basins with a higher concentration of toxic metals there is an adaptive response of CAT induction, which reduces TBARS in Aegla. On the other hand, in the basin with lower metallic contamination, TBARS occurrence was primarily influenced by agricultural land use.

Os metais e agroquímicos estão entre os principais contaminantes aquáticos, podendo desencadear estresse oxidativo em organismos expostos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar uma possível correlação entre o nível de biomarcadores de estresse oxidativo em Aegla (Crustacea, Anomura) com (i) o conjunto de metais presentes no sedimento e (ii) com os usos da terra, em três bacias hidrográficas distintas. O estudo foi realizado em riachos(≤ 2ª ordem) de bacias hidrográficas do Sul do Brasil (Bacias do Rio Suzana, do Rio Ligeirinho-Leãozinho e do Rio Dourado), as quais foram caracterizadas em função do percentual de usos da terra e do nível de Cu, Cr, Cd, Fe, Mn e Zn no sedimento. As enzimas Catalase (CAT) e Glutationa Redutase (GR), bem como o nível de peroxidação lipídicadas membranas (TBARS), foram analisadas em fêmeas adultas. Uma análise de PCA mostrou que a distribuição de metais foi distinta entre as bacias. Cd, Cr e Fe no sedimento correlacionaram positivamente com a CAT e negativamente com TBARS e GR. Entretanto, a bacia do Dourado apresentou os menores níveis destes três metais e os maiores níveis de TBARS, o que pode ser justificado pelo predomínio da agricultura nesta bacia, já que o TBARS correlacionou positivamente com o percentual de uso agrícola. Nesta bacia, a atividade da GR foi mais alta do que nas outras, indicando uma resposta compensatória em relação a inibição da CAT. As bacias do rio Suzana e rio Ligeirinho-Leãozinho apresentaram valores menores de TBARS, o que pode decorrer da indução da CAT em função dos metais acumulados no sedimento. Em síntese, este trabalho indica que nas bacias com maior concentração de metais tóxicos ocorre uma resposta adaptativa de indução da CAT, o que reduz os níveis de TBARS em Aegla. Por outro lado, na bacia com menor contaminação metálica os níveis de TBARS foram primariamente influenciados pelo uso agrícola.

Multiple metals and agricultural use affects oxidative stress biomarkers in freshwater Aegla crabs

Abstract Metals and agrochemicals are among the main aquatic contaminants, being able to trigger oxidative stress in exposed organisms. The objective of this work was to evaluate the correlation between the level of oxidative stress biomarkers in Aegla crabs (Crustacea, Anomura) with (i) the set of metals present in the streams sediment and (ii) with land uses of three hydrographic basins. The study was carried out in streams ( 2nd order) of hydrographic basins in southern Brazil (Basins of Rio Suzana, Rio Ligeirinho-Leãozinho and Rio Dourado). In these streams were quantified the land uses and Cu, Cr, Cd, Fe, Mn and Zn concentrations in the sediment. The enzymes Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione Reductase (GR), as well as the level of membrane lipid peroxidation (TBARS), were analyzed in adult females. The PCA analysis showed that the distribution of metals was different between the basins. Cd, Cr and Fe were correlated positively with CAT and negatively with TBARS and GR. The Dourado basin had the lowest concentrations of these three metals and the highest levels of TBARS. However, in Dourado basin there is predominance of agriculture land use, and TBARS was positively correlated with agricultural land use. Besides in Dourado basin, GR activity was higher than in the others basins, indicating a compensatory response in relation to CAT inhibition. The basins of Suzana and Ligeirinho-Leãozinho rivers had lower TBARS values, which may be due to the induction of CAT in response to metals accumulated in sediment. In summary, this work indicates that in the basins with a higher concentration of toxic metals there is an adaptive response of CAT induction, which reduces TBARS in Aegla. On the other hand, in the basin with lower metallic contamination, TBARS occurrence was primarily influenced by agricultural land use.

Resumo Os metais e agroquímicos estão entre os principais contaminantes aquáticos, podendo desencadear estresse oxidativo em organismos expostos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar uma possível correlação entre o nível de biomarcadores de estresse oxidativo em Aegla (Crustacea, Anomura) com (i) o conjunto de metais presentes no sedimento e (ii) com os usos da terra, em três bacias hidrográficas distintas. O estudo foi realizado em riachos ( 2ª ordem) de bacias hidrográficas do Sul do Brasil (Bacias do Rio Suzana, do Rio Ligeirinho-Leãozinho e do Rio Dourado), as quais foram caracterizadas em função do percentual de usos da terra e do nível de Cu, Cr, Cd, Fe, Mn e Zn no sedimento. As enzimas Catalase (CAT) e Glutationa Redutase (GR), bem como o nível de peroxidação lipídica das membranas (TBARS), foram analisadas em fêmeas adultas. Uma análise de PCA mostrou que a distribuição de metais foi distinta entre as bacias. Cd, Cr e Fe no sedimento correlacionaram positivamente com a CAT e negativamente com TBARS e GR. Entretanto, a bacia do Dourado apresentou os menores níveis destes três metais e os maiores níveis de TBARS, o que pode ser justificado pelo predomínio da agricultura nesta bacia, já que o TBARS correlacionou positivamente com o percentual de uso agrícola. Nesta bacia, a atividade da GR foi mais alta do que nas outras, indicando uma resposta compensatória em relação a inibição da CAT. As bacias do rio Suzana e rio Ligeirinho-Leãozinho apresentaram valores menores de TBARS, o que pode decorrer da indução da CAT em função dos metais acumulados no sedimento. Em síntese, este trabalho indica que nas bacias com maior concentração de metais tóxicos ocorre uma resposta adaptativa de indução da CAT, o que reduz os níveis de TBARS em Aegla. Por outro lado, na bacia com menor contaminação metálica os níveis de TBARS foram primariamente influenciados pelo uso agrícola.

Temporal and spatial dynamics of blocking and ripening effects on bacterial transport through a porous system: a possible explanation for CFT deviation.

The studies on transport of particles across porous systems are based on the Colloid Filtration Theory (CFT). According to CFT, the collision efficiency is constant along the system length [J.N. Ryan, M. Elimelech, Colloids Surf. A: Physicochem. Eng. Aspects 107 (1996) 1-56]. Decreasing values of collision efficiency have been reported, a phenomenon that has been interpreted as a deviation from the CFT [X. Li, T.D. Scheibe, W.P. Johnson, Environ. Sci. Technol. 38 (2004) 5616-5625; N. Tufenkji, J.A. Redman, M. Elimelech, Environ. Sci. Technol. 37 (2003) 616-623; N. Tufenkji, M. Elimelech, Langmuir 20 (2004) 10818-10828; N. Tufenkji, M. Elimelech, Langmuir 21 (2005) 841-852]. This paper presents data on transport of Bacillus megaterium spores through quartz sand columns. The occurrence of consecutive phases of increase and decrease of the values of C/C(0), the effluent spore concentration expressed as a fraction of the influent spore concentration, is reported. These patterns of change in C/C(0) were interpreted as the result of the concomitant occurrence of blocking and ripening, the prevalence of these phenomena in different moments of the experiment, and the spatial distribution of the prevalence of blocking and ripening effects along the porous system. It is argued that this spatial distribution in the predominance of blocking and ripening, what leads to the intensification of ripening at the entrance of the porous system, might be a possible explanation for the reported deviation from the CFT for experimental conditions where ripening and blocking take place.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of Pluchea quitoc (DC.) ethanolic extract.

Pluchea quitoc DC. (Asteraceae), a plant widely distributed throughout Brazil and popularly known as "quitoco", "madre-cravo" or "tabacarana", is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammation, as well as of digestive and respiratory diseases. The anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of the ethanolic extract (EE) from aerial parts of this plant were evaluated in mice and rats. Oral treatment with the EE (1-2g/kg, p.o.) decreased the paw oedema induced by carrageenan in rats, showed anti-nociceptive effects on the tail-flick test and on acid-induced writhing in mice, and inhibited both phases of pain (neurogenic and inflammatory) of the formalin test in rats. Topical application (EE 1.25, 2.5 and 5.0mg) inhibited the ear oedema induced by croton oil in mice. The results support the folkloric use of the plant in inflammatory processes.

[Echocardiographic evaluation to select patients for cardiac resynchronization therapy]. / Echokardiographische Methoden zur Selektion für die kardiale Resynchronisationstherapie -- Sind Tissue Doppler, Strain- und Strainrate-Imaging und 3D-Echokardiographie die ultimativen Methoden?

Wide QRS complex and asynchronous myocardial contraction in heart failure are associated with poor prognosis. Resynchronization can be achieved by biventricular pacing (BVP), which leads to hemodynamic and clinical improvement and reverse remodeling, and may improve survival. However, there is a substantial subset of patients with wide QRS complexes in the electrocardiogram who does not improve despite BVP, and there are findings which suggest that resynchronization therapy may be also beneficial for heart failure patients with normal QRS duration. QRS width predicts the benefit of BVP only with limitation and only correlates weakly with echocardiographically determined myocardial asynchrony. Determination of asynchrony by tissue Doppler echocardiography seems to be the best predictor for improvement after BVP, although no consensus on the optimal method to assess asynchrony has yet been achieved. To date, most studies evaluating tissue Doppler echo in BVP were performed retrospectively and only one prospective study with patient selection for BVP according to echocardiography and electrocardiography criteria of asynchrony has been published. These new echocardiographic tools will help to prospectively select patients for BVP, help to guide implantation and to optimize device programming.

Antioxidant potential of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.) extracts in Saccharomyces cerevisae deficient in oxidant defense genes.

Yerba-mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil) is mainly consumed as "chimarrão", a hot drink highly appreciated in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. This study evaluated the antioxidant potential of aqueous extracts of I. paraguariensis precipitated with ethanol. The leaves were processed as for tea product (TM) and oxidized (OX). The antioxidant potential was evaluated in cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae deficient in antioxidant defense genes. Three strains evaluated were: a wild (EG) and two mutants (ctt1Δ e ctt1Δsod1Δ). These strains were pre-treated with the yerba-mate extracts (TM e OX) and submitted to oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide. None of the extracts produced loss of cell viability. The extracts exerted antioxidant activity, protecting the strains (except sod1∆ctt1∆). The TM extract was more effective than OX. I. paraguariensis extracts showed a potential to be explored in the development of new products.

[Adenocarcinoma-associated nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis as the cause of recurrent strokes]. / Adenokarzinom-assoziierte nichtbakterielle thrombotische Endokarditis als Ursache rezidivierender Schlaganfälle.

We describe a 60-year-old female patient without vascular risk factors diagnosed with cardioembolic ischemic stroke due to an atrial septal aneurysm with a right-to-left shunt. However, further investigation after recurrent strokes revealed a nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) caused by a metastatic adenocarcinoma. The presented case illustrates the difficulties in establishing the diagnosis of NBTE premortally and points out the importance of repeated echocardiographic evaluations of cardiac valves and serological examination of tumor markers in patients with recurrent strokes of unknown origin.

The BMP antagonists cerberus-like and noggin do not interact during mouse forebrain development.

Mouse cerberus-like encodes for a secreted factor of the Cerberus/Dan family. This molecule has neural inducing capabilities and can bind to BMP-4 and nodal molecules in the extracellular space. When cerberus-like is inactivated, its function may be compensated for another molecule, since no abnormalities can be observed in the mouse mutant. Compensation mechanisms have been shown to occur between the BMP antagonists chordin and noggin. Here we report the generation of cerberus-like-/-; noggin-/- double mutants to uncover a possible compensation by noggin in cer-l-/- mutant. Double mutants were obtained and failed to show any further detectable defects beside the ones presented by the noggin-/- single mutant. Contrarily to chordin and noggin, mouse cerberus-like and noggin cannot compensate for each other during mouse embryogenesis.