Quantitative proteomics study of carnosine effect in an animal model of Western diet-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

The nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is closely related to westernized dietary (WD) patterns, displays a rising epidemiological and economic burden. Since there is no pharmacological therapy approved for this disease, mechanistic studies are warranted. In this work, we investigated the action of carnosine (CAR), a natural dipeptide with several protection roles against oxidative stress in the liver of NAFLD rats. NAFLD was induced by WD-rich sugars and fat, verifying the histological evidence of steatosis. As intraperitoneal administration of CAR reversed liver steatosis, the protein profiles of NAFLD liver and CAR NAFLD liver were evaluated by label-free proteomics approach. A total of 2531 proteins were identified and the 230 and 276 were significantly up- and downregulated, respectively, by CAR treatment of NAFLD rats and involved in fundamental pathways such as oxidative stress and lipid metabolism. Perilipin 2 and apolipoprotein E, components of the plasma membrane of vesicle, resulted in highly downregulated in the CAR-treated NAFLD liver. The advanced bioanalytical approach demonstrated the efficacy of CAR in overcoming the main symptoms of NAFLD, ameliorating the steatosis in the liver.

Carnosine supplementation and retinal oxidative parameters in a high-calorie diet rat model.

BACKGROUND: To assess oxidative effects induced by a high-calorie diet on the retina of Wistar rats and test the antioxidative effects of carnosine supplementation. METHODS: Wistar rats were randomly divided into the following groups: standard diet (SD), high-calorie diet (HcD), standard diet + carnosine (SD + Car), and high-calorie diet + carnosine (HcD + Car). The body weight, adiposity index, plasma glucose, total lipids, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), uric acid, creatinine, and triglycerides of the animals were evaluated. The retinas were analyzed for markers of oxidative stress. Hydrogen peroxide production was assessed by 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCF) oxidation. The total glutathione (tGSH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), protein carbonyl, and sulfhydryl groups of the antioxidant system were analyzed. RESULTS: TAC levels increased in the retinas of the SD + Car group compared to the SD group (p < 0.05) and in the HcD + Car group compared to the HcD group (p < 0.05). The levels of GSH and the GSSH:GSSG ratio were increased in the HcD + Car group compared to the SD + Car group (p < 0.05). An increase in the retinal carbonyl content was observed in the HcD group compared to the SD group (p < 0.05) and in the HcD + Car group compared to the SD + Car group (p < 0.05). A high-calorie diet (HcD) was also associated with a decrease in retinal sulfhydryl-type levels compared to the SD group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that feeding a high-calorie diet to rats can promote an increase in carbonyl content and a reduction in sulfhydryl groups in their retinas. The administration of carnosine was not effective in attenuating these oxidative markers. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Animal Ethics Committee of Botucatu Medical School - Certificate number 1292/2019.

Temporal trend and spatial analysis of the HIV epidemic in young men who have sex with men in the second largest Brazilian Amazonian province.

BACKGROUND: After 40 years of its starting, the HIV epidemic in Brazilian Amazon region remains on an increasing trend. The young men who have sex with men (MSM) have been the most impacted by the HIV in the last decade. However, much more than attributing the risk behavior to HIV uniquely to the individual, behaviors are shaped by social determinants of health (SDH). Despite the problem, there is a scarcity of studies evaluating the impact of SDH on HIV among young MSM and none of them were done in the Northern of Brazil. Therefore, the main goal of this study was to analyse the HIV epidemic among Brazilian Amazonian young MSM using temporal trends and spatial analysis. METHODS: We conducted an ecological study using reported cases of HIV/AIDS in young MSM living in Pará, the second larger Brazilian Amazonian province, between 2007 and 2018. Data were obtained from the Information System for Notifiable Diseases. For the temporal analysis, we employed a Seasonal and Trend decomposition using Loess Forecasting model (STLF), which is a hybrid time-series forecast model, that combines the Autoregressive-Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) forecasting model with the Seasonal-Trend by Loess (STL) decomposition method. For the spatial analysis, Moran's spatial autocorrelation, spatial scan, and spatial regression techniques were used. RESULTS: A total of 2192 notifications were included in the study. Greater variabilities in HIV/AIDS population-level diagnosis rates were found in the festive months. The HIV/AIDS population-level diagnosis rates exhibited an upward trend from 2013 and this trend is forecasted to continue until 2022. Belém, the capital of Pará, presented the highest spatial risk for HIV/AIDS and was the only city to present spatiotemporal risk from 2014 to 2018. The geographic variation of the HIV epidemic was associated with the number of men with formal jobs, the average salary of men, and the percentage of people over 18 years old with elementary education. CONCLUSION: The upward trend of HIV/AIDS population-level diagnosis rate forecasted until 2022 and the variability of the epidemic promoted by the SDH brings an alert and subsidies to health authorities to implement more efficient and focalized public policies against HIV among young MSM in Pará.

Characterization of microbial communities in anaerobic acidification reactors fed with casein and/or lactose.

Protein-rich agro-industrial waste streams are high in organic load and represent a major environmental problem. Anaerobic digestion is an established technology to treat these streams; however, retardation of protein degradation is frequently observed when carbohydrates are present. This study investigated the mechanism of the retardation by manipulating the carbon source fed to a complex anaerobic microbiota and linking the reactor performance to the variation of the microbial community. Two anaerobic acidification reactors were first acclimated either to casein (CAS reactor) or lactose (LAC reactor), and then fed with mixtures of casein and lactose. Results showed that when lactose was present, the microbial community acclimated to casein shifted from mainly Chloroflexi to Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, the degree of deamination in the CAS reactor decreased from 77 to 15%, and the VFA production decreased from 75 to 34% of the effluent COD. A decrease of 75% in protease activity and 90% in deamination activity of the microbiota was also observed. The microorganisms that can ferment both proteins and carbohydrates were predominant in the microbial community, and from a thermodynamical point of view, they consumed carbohydrates prior to proteins. The frequently observed negative effect of carbohydrates on protein degradation can be mainly attributed to the substrate preference of these populations. KEYPOINTS: • The presence of lactose shifted the microbial community and retarded anaerobic protein degradation. • Facultative genera were dominant in the presence and absence of lactose. • Substrate-preference caused retardation of anaerobic protein degradation.

Differentially expressed proteins obtained by label-free quantitative proteomic analysis reveal affected biological processes and functions in Western diet-induced steatohepatitis.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a pathological manifestation with a progressive incidence in response to the epidemic of hepatic steatosis caused primarily by excessive energy intake. The present study unravels affected biological processes and functions by the presence of NASH in rats using a label-free quantitative proteomic strategy. NASH was induced by a Western high-sugar and high-fat diet for 20 weeks. The liver tissue was collected for histology and for a mass spectrometry-based proteomic protocol. The NASH group showed severe lipidosis, hepatocyte ballooning, and the presence of collagen deposition. Among upregulated proteins in NASH perilipin-2 (Plin-2; F6QBA3; difference [diff]: 2.29), ferritin heavy (Fth1; Q66HI5; diff: 2.19) and light (Ftl1; P02793; diff: 1.75) chains, macrophage migration inhibitory factor 1 (Mif; P30904; diff: 1.69), and fibronectin (Fn1; F1LST1; diff: 0.35) were observed, whereas among downregulated proteins, plectin (Q6S399; diff: -3.34), some Cyp2 family proteins of the cytochrome P450 complex, glutathione S-transferases, flavin-containing monooxygenase 1 (Fmo1; P36365; diff: -2.08), acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase 2 (Acat2; Q5XI22; diff: -2.25), acyl-CoA oxidase 2 (Acox2; F1LNW3; diff: -1.59), and acyl-CoA oxidase 3 (Acox3; F1M9A7; diff: -2.41) were observed. Also, biological processes and functions such as LPS/IL-1 inhibition of RXR, fatty acid metabolism, Nrf2-mediated oxidative stress response, xenobiotic metabolism, and PXR/RXR and CAR/RXR activations were predicted to be affected. In conclusion, the liver of rats with NASH induced by Western diet shows a decreased capacity of metabolizing lipids, fatty acids, and xenobiotic compounds that predispose fibrosis development.

Tomato-Oleoresin Anti-Inflammatory Effect Recovers Obesity-Induced Cardiac Dysfunction by Modulating Myocardial Calcium Handling.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Considering the importance of inflammation on obesity-related disorders pathogenesis, including cardiac dysfunction, the interest in natural anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategies has emerged. The lycopene is a carotenoid presents in tomato and red fruits that displays anti-inflammatory properties. In this sense, we will evaluate the anti-inflamma-tory effect of tomato-oleoresin supplementation on obesity- related cardiac dysfunction by modulating myocardial calcium kinetic. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were initially randomized into 2 experimental groups: (Control, n= 20) or high sugar- fat diet (HSF, n=20) for 20 weeks. At week 20th, once detected the cardiac dysfunction (cardiac remodeling, systolic and diastolic dysfunction) by echocardiography in HSF group, animals were randomly divided to begin the treatment with tomato-oleoresin, performing 4 groups: Control (n= 10); Control + tomato tomato-oleoresin supplementation (Control + Ly, n= 10); HSF (n= 10) or HSF + tomato tomato-oleoresin supplementation (HSF + Ly, n= 10). Tomato oleoresin was mixed with maize oil equivalent to 10mg lycopene/kg body weight (BW) per day and given orally, by gavage, every morning for a 10-week period. It was analyzed cardiac inflammatory parameters by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and in vivo (echocardiography) and in vitro (studying isolated papillary muscles from the left ventricle) cardiac function. The groups were compared by Two-Way analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: The HSF diet induced cardiac dysfunction (FS(%) C: 60.4±1.3; C+Ly: 60.9±1.3; HSF: 51.7±1.3; HSF+Ly: 59.4±1.4) and inflammation (TNF-α: C:1.88±0.41; C+Ly: 1.93±1.01; HSF: 4.58±1.99; HSF+Ly: 2.03±0.55; IL-6: C:0.58±0.16; C+Ly: 0.40±0.16; HSF: 2.00±0.45; HSF+Ly: 0.53±0.26; MCP-1: C:0.31±0.08; C+Ly: 0.43±0.22; HSF: 1.54±0.32; HSF+Ly: 0.50±0.16). Tomato-oleoresin supplementation improved cardiac remodeling and dysfunction, cardiac inflammation and myocardial calcium kinetic. CONCLUSION: the anti-inflammatory effect of tomato-oleoresin supplementation treated the obesity-induced cardiac dysfunction by modulating myocardial calcium handling.

Basic Concepts on the Role of Nuclear Factor Erythroid-Derived 2-Like 2 (Nrf2) in Age-Related Diseases.

The transcription factor Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) is one of the most important oxidative stress regulator in the human body. Once Nrf2 regulates the expression of a large number of cytoprotective genes, it plays a crucial role in the prevention of several diseases, including age-related disorders. However, the involvement of Nrf2 on these conditions is complex and needs to be clarified. Here, a brief compilation of the Nrf2 enrollment in the pathophysiology of the most common age-related diseases and bring insights for future research on the Nrf2 pathway is described. This review shows a controversial response of this transcriptional factor on the presented diseases. This reinforces the necessity of more studies to investigate modulation strategies for Nrf2, making it a possible therapeutic target in the treatment of age-related disorders.

Intra-abdominal pressure as a predictor of acute kidney injury in postoperative abdominal surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine if intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) could predict acute renal injury (AKI) in the postoperative period of abdominal surgeries, and which would be its cutoff value. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted in the period from January 2010 to March 2011 in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) of the University Hospital of Botucatu Medical School, UNESP. Consecutive patients undergoing abdominal surgery were included in the study. Initial evaluation, at admission in ICU, was performed in order to obtain demographic, clinical surgical and therapeutic data. Evaluation of IAP was obtained by the intravesical method, four times per day, and renal function was evaluated during the patient's stay in the ICU until discharge, death or occurrence of AKI. RESULTS: A total of 60 patients were evaluated, 16 patients developed intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH), 45 developed an abnormal IAP (>7 mmHg) and 26 developed AKI. The first IAP at the time of admission to the ICU was able to predict the occurrence of AKI (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve was 0.669; p=0.029) with the best cutoff point (by Youden index method) ≥ 7.68 mmHg, sensitivity of 87%, specificity of 46% at this point. The serial assessment of this parameter did not added prognostic value to initial evaluation. CONCLUSION: IAH was frequent in patients undergoing abdominal surgeries during ICU stay, and it predicted the occurrence of AKI. Serial assessments of IAP did not provided better discriminatory power than initial evaluation.

Lycopene supplementation modulates plasma concentrations and epididymal adipose tissue mRNA of leptin, resistin and IL-6 in diet-induced obese rats.

Obesity is characterised by chronic low-grade inflammation, and lycopene has been reported to display anti-inflammatory effects. However, it is not clear whether lycopene supplementation modulates adipokine levels in vivo in obesity. To determine whether lycopene supplementation can regulate adipokine expression in obesity, male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to receive a control diet (C, n 6) ora hyperenergetic diet (DIO, n 12) for 6 weeks. After this period, the DIO animals were randomised into two groups: DIO (n 6) and DIO supplemented with lycopene (DIO + L, n 6). The animals received maize oil (C and DIO) or lycopene (DIO + L, 10 mg/kg body weight(BW) per d) by oral administration for a 6-week period. The animals were then killed by decapitation, and blood samples and epididymal adipose tissue were collected for hormonal determination and gene expression evaluation (IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1), TNF-α, leptin and resistin). There was no detectable lycopene in the plasma of the C and DIO groups. However, the mean lycopene plasma concentration was 24 nmol in the DIO + L group. Although lycopene supplementation did not affect BW or adiposity, it significantly decreased leptin, resistin and IL-6 gene expression in epididymal adipose tissue and plasma concentrations. Also, it significantly reduced the gene expression of MCP-1 in epididymal adipose tissue. Lycopene affects adipokines by reducing leptin, resistin and plasma IL-6 levels. These data suggest that lycopene may be an effective strategy in reducing inflammation in obesity.

Effect of Storage Time on the Physical, Chemical, and Rheological Properties of Blueberry Jam: Experimental Measurements and Artificial Neural Network Simulation.

Reversible data hiding (RDH) is crucial in modern data security, ensuring confidentiality and tamper-proofness in various industries like copyright protection, medical imaging, and digital forensics. As technology advances, RDH techniques become essential, but the trade-off between embedding capacity and visual quality must be heeded. In this paper, the relative correlation between the pixel's local complexity and its directional prediction error is employed to enhance an efficient RDH without using a location map. An embedding process based on multiple cumulative peak region localization (MCPRL) is proposed to hide information in the 3D-directional prediction error histogram with a lower local complexity value and avoid the underflow/overflow problems. The carrier image is divided into three color channels, and then each channel is split into two non-overlapping sets: blank and shadow. Two half-directional prediction errors (the blank set and the shadow set) are constructed to generate a full-directional prediction error for each color channel belonging to the host image. The local complexity value and directional prediction error are critical metrics in the proposed embedding process to improve security and robustness. By utilizing these metrics to construct a 3D stego-Blank Set, the 3D stego-shadow Set will be subsequently constructed using the 3D blank set. The proposed technique outperforms other state-of-the-art techniques in terms of embedding capacity, image quality, and robustness against attacks without an extra location map. The experimental results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method for various 3D RDH techniques.

The nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 and age-related macular degeneration.

After the discovery of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents as treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration, the number of studies with the objective to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the age-re lated macular degeneration genesis has increased. The importance of the nuclear factor e2-related factor 2 lies in its activation-derived proteins being involved in the maintenance of the redox balance and consequent prevention of degenerative macular disease. This article aims to present the characteristics of nuclear factor e2-related factor 2 and describe the main nuclear factor e2-related factor 2-activated antioxidant enzymes that contribute to the preservation of vision.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes among Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Patients with Cardiovascular Disease Who Were Hospitalized for COVID-19 in Brazil: Retrospective Cohort.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 in Brazil has already caused, and it still causes, several impacts on health, economy, and education. The risk factors for death involved those with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which were prioritized for the vaccination of COVID-19. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients with cardiovascular diseases hospitalized for COVID-19 in Brazil in the year 2022. METHODS: A retrospective cohort was analyzed from the year 2022, with cases being hospitalized by COVID-19 being drawn from SIVEP-GRIPE surveillance. We compared clinical characteristics, comorbidities, and outcomes between CVD carriers and non-carriers, and we also compared vaccinated with two doses vs. those that are unvaccinated in CVD carriers. We performed chi-square, odds ratio, logistic regression, and survival analysis. RESULTS: We included, in the cohort, 112,459 hospital inpatients. An amount of 71,661 (63.72%) of the hospitalized patients had CVD. Regarding deaths, 37,888 (33.69%) died. Regarding vaccination against COVID-19, 20,855 (18.54%) people were not vaccinated with any dose among those with CVD. Death p- < 0.001 (OR 1.307-CI 1.235-1.383) and fever p- < 0.001 (OR 1.156-CI 1.098-1.218) were associated with the unvaccinated CVD carriers, and diarrhea p-0.015 (OR 1.116-CI 1.022-1.218), dyspnea p-0.022 (OR 1.074-CI 1.011-1.142), and respiratory distress p-0.021 (OR 1.070-CI 1.011-1.134) were also recorded. Those patients who possessed predictors of death, including invasive ventilation (p- < 0.001 (OR 8.816-CI 8.313-9.350)), were admitted to the ICU p- < 0.001 (OR 1.754-CI 1.684-1.827), and some had respiratory distress p- < 0.001 (OR 1.367-CI 1.312-1.423), dyspnea p < 0.001 (OR 1.341-CI 1.284-1.400), O2 saturation < 95% p- < 0. 001 (OR 1.307-CI 1.254-1.363), they were unvaccinated against COVID-19 p- < 0.001 (OR 1.258-CI 1.200-1.319), they were of male sex p- < 0.001 (OR 1.179-CI 1.138-1.221), they had diarrhea p-0.018 (OR 1.081-CI 1.013-1.154), and they may have been old p < 0.001 (OR 1.034-CI 1.033-1.035). Survival was shorter for the unvaccinated p-0.003, and p- <0.001. CONCLUSIONS: We highlight the predictors of death for those unvaccinated against COVID-19 in this research, and we evidenced the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine in reducing deaths in hospitalized CVD patients.

Factors Associated with Tuberculosis Outcome in a Hyperendemic City in the North of Brazil.

Ananindeua city, State of Pará, North of Brazil, is a hyperendemic area for tuberculosis (TB), with a cure rate below the recommendation by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. We aimed to describe: (I) the TB incidence coefficient of Ananindeua municipality comparatively against Brazilian data; (II) TB treatment outcomes; (III) to compare the socioeconomic and epidemiological characteristics of abandonment versus cure outcome; and (IV) to evaluate the risk factors associated with TB treatment abandonment in Ananindeua city, from 2017 to 2021. This is a retrospective, descriptive, and cross-sectional epidemiological study which used secondary TB entries. Data were analyzed by linear regression, descriptive statistics, and associations were made using the Chi-square test and G-test, followed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Cure rates ranged from 28.7% to 70.1%, abandonment between 7.3% and 11.8%, deaths from the disease ranged from 0% to 1.6%, and drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB-DR) rates had frequencies from 0% to 0.9%. Patient transfer rates to other municipalities were between 4.9% and 12.5%. The multivariate analysis showed that alcohol is almost 2 times more likely to lead an individual to abandon treatment and use of illicit drugs was almost 3 times more likely. Individuals between 20 and 59 years of age were also more likely to abandon treatment almost twice as often. Finally, data obtained in the present report is of great relevance to strengthen epidemiological surveillance and minimize possible discrepancies between the information systems and the reality of public health in high endemicity areas.

Effect of doxorubicin on cardiac lipid metabolism-related transcriptome and the protective activity of Alda-1.

The use of doxorubicin (DOX) as an antineoplastic drug is compromised by its cardiotoxicity risk. Although several mechanisms have been proposed for DOX-induced cardiac dysfunction, there is still increased interest in assessing its effects. Likewise, it is important to find protocols that can prevent or minimize the side effects of DOX without hindering its antitumor activity. Thus, this study was designed to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying DOX cardiotoxicity, with a special focus on cardiac energy metabolism and the ability of Alda-1 (ALDH2 agonist) to prevent DOX-induced cardiac alterations. We explored the effects of DOX on the histological morphology of the myocardium, on lipid profile, and on the expression of genes related to fatty acid metabolism, in the presence and absence of Alda-1 (8 mg/kg body weight; b.wt.). Two DOX treatment protocols were used: a single dose of DOX (4 mg/kg b.wt.); four doses of DOX (4 mg/kg b.wt.), one dose/week, for 4 weeks. Treatment with DOX caused a progressive injury in the cardiac tissue and an increase in the blood total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins, very low-density lipoproteins and triglyceride, as well as an up-regulation of FABP4 (DOX and DOX + Alda-1 groups) and Slc27a2 (in DOX-treated animals). Alda-1 administration promoted reduction in the severity of the histopathological injuries (after single dose of DOX) and Slc27a2 overexpression was restored. In conclusion, the study revealed novel insights regarding the development of DOX-mediated cardiomyopathy, indicating a relationship between DOX exposure and FABP4 and Slc27a2 overexpression, and confirmed the cardioprotective effect of Alda-1.

Gamma-oryzanol reduces renal inflammation and oxidative stress by modulating AGEs/RAGE axis in animals submitted to high sugar-fat diet.

INTRODUCTION: The receptor for AGEs (RAGE) is a multiligand member of the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell surface receptors expressed in many organs, among them, the kidneys. When activated, RAGE leads to a sequence of signaling that results in inflammation and oxidative stress, both involved in kidney disease pathogenesis. Gamma-oryzanol (γOz) comprises a mixture of ferulic acid (FA) esters and phytosterols (sterols and triterpene alcohols) mainly found in rice, with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. AIM: To evaluate the effect of γOz to reduce renal inflammation and oxidative stress by modulating AGEs/RAGE axis in animals submitted to a high sugar-fat diet. METHODS: Male Wistar rats (±187g) were randomly divided into two experimental groups: control (n = 7 animals) and high sugar-fat diet (HSF, n = 14 animals) for 20 weeks. After this period, when the presence of renal disease risk factors was detected in the HSF group (insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, increased systolic blood pressure and obesity), the HSF animals were divided to begin the treatment with γOz or continue receiving only HSF for 10 more weeks. RESULTS: No effect of γOz on obesity and metabolic parameters was observed. However, kidney inflammation and oxidative stress decreased as soon as RAGE levels were reduced in HSF + γOz. CONCLUSION: It is possible to conclude that the gamma- oryzanol was effective in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the kidney by modulating the AGEs/RAGE axis.

Risk factors associated with the severity of COVID-19 in a region of the Brazilian Amazon.

The Brazilian Northern region registered a high incidence of COVID-19 cases, particularly in the state of Pará. The present study investigated the risk factors associated with the severity of COVID-19 in a Brazilian Amazon region of 100,819 cases. An epidemiological, cross-sectional, analytical and demographic study, analyzing data on confirmed cases for COVID-19 available at the Brazilian Ministry of Health's surveillance platform, was conducted. Variables such as, municipalities of residence, age, gender, signs and symptoms, comorbidities were included and associated with COVID-19 cases and outcomes. The spatial distribution was performed using the ArcGIS program. A total of 100,819 cases were evaluated. Overall, patients had the mean age of 42.3 years, were female (51.2%) and with lethality reaching 4.79% of cases. Main symptoms included fever (66.5%), cough (61.9%) and sore throat (39.8%). Regarding comorbidities, most of the patients presented cardiovascular disease (5.1%) and diabetes (4.2%). Neurological disease increased risk of death by nearly 15 times, followed by obesity (5.16 times) and immunodeficiency (5.09 time). The municipalities with the highest incidence rate were Parauapebas, Canaã dos Carajás and Jacareacanga. Similarity between the Lower Amazon, Marajó and Southwest mesoregions of Pará state were observed concerning the highest morbidity rates. The obtained data demonstrated that the majority of cases occurred among young adults, females, with the classic influenza symptoms and chronic diseases. Finally, data suggest that the highest incidences were no longer in the metropolitan region of the state. The higher lethality rate than in Brazil may be associated with the greater impacts of the disease in this Amazonian population, or factors associated with fragile epidemiological surveillance in the notification of cases of cure.

Rice bran modulates renal disease risk factors in animals submitted to high sugar-fat diet.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity, diabetes, and hypertension are common risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD arises due to many pathological insults, including inflammation and oxidative stress, which affect renal function and destroy nephrons. Rice bran (RB) is rich in vitamins and minerals, and contains significant amount of antioxidants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preventive effect of RB on renal disease risk factors. METHODS: Male Wistar rats (±325 g) were divided into two experimental groups to received a high sugar-fat diet (HSF, n = 8) or high sugar-fat diet with rice bran (HSF + RB, n = 8) for 20 weeks. At the end, renal function, body composition, metabolic parameters, renal inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were analyzed. RESULTS: RB prevented obesity [AI (HSF= 9.92 ± 1.19 vs HSF + RB= 6.62 ± 0.78)], insulin resistance [HOMA (HSF= 83 ± 8 vs. HSF + RB= 42 ± 11)], dyslipidemia [TG (HSF= 167 ± 41 vs. HSF + RB=92 ± 40)], inflammation [TNF-α (HSF= 80 ± 12 vs. HSF + RB=57 ± 14), IL-6 (903 ± 274 vs. HSF + RB=535 ± 277)], oxidative stress [protein carbonylation (HSF= 3.38 ± 0.18 vs. HSF + RB=2.68 ± 0.29), RAGE (HSF=702 ± 36 vs. RSF + RB=570 ± 190)], and renal disease [protein/creatinine ratio (HSF=1.10 ± 0.38 vs. HSF + RB=0.49 ± 0.16)]. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, rice bran prevented renal disease by modulating risk factors.

Gamma-oryzanol as a potential modulator of oxidative stress and inflammation via PPAR-y in adipose tissue: a hypothetical therapeutic for cytokine storm in COVID-19?

The literature has reported a higher prevalence of negative clinical outcomes due to Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) in obese individuals. This can be explained by the cytokine storm, result from the cytokine production from both obesity and viral infection. Gamma-oryzanol (γOz) is a compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. However, little is known about the γOz action as a possible agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ). The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that γOz attenuates the cytokine storm by stimulating PPAR-γ in the adipose tissue. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups and fed ad libitum for 30 weeks with control diet (C, n = 6), high sugar-fat diet (HSF, n = 6) or high sugar-fat diet + Î³Oz (HSF + Î³Oz, n = 6). HSF groups also received water + sucrose (25%). The γOz dose was 0.5% in the chow. Evaluation in animals included caloric intake, body weight, adiposity index, plasma triglycerides, and HOMA-IR. In adipose tissue was evaluated: PPAR-γ gene and protein expression, inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters, and histological analysis. RESULTS: Adipose tissue dysfunction was observed in HSF group, which presented remarkable PPAR-γ underexpression and increased levels of cytokines, other inflammatory markers and oxidative stress. The γOz treatment prevented adipose tissue dysfunction and promoted PPAR-γ overexpression. CONCLUSION: Natural compounds as γOz can be considered a coadjutant therapy to prevent the cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients with obesity conditions.

Evaluation of DNA damage and lipoperoxidation of propofol in patients undergoing elective surgery.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Inhaled anaesthetics have been studied regarding their genotoxic and mutagenic potential in vivo. Propofol differs from volatile anaesthetics because it does not show mutagenic effects and it has been reported to be an antioxidant. However, there are no studies with propofol and genotoxicity in vivo. The study aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that propofol is not genotoxic and it inhibits lipid peroxidation [malondialdehyde (MDA)] in patients undergoing propofol anaesthesia. METHODS: ASA physical status I patients scheduled for elective surgery, lasting at least 90 min, were enrolled in this study. Initially, the estimated plasma concentration of propofol was targeted at 4 microg ml(-1) and then maintained at 2-4 microg ml(-1) until the end of surgery. Haemodynamic data were determined at baseline (before premedication) and in conjunction with target-controlled infusion of propofol: after tracheal intubation, 30, 60 and 90 min after anaesthesia induction and at the end of the surgery. Venous blood samples were collected at baseline, after tracheal intubation, at the end of the surgery and on the postoperative first day for evaluating DNA damage in white blood cells (WBCs), by comet assay, and MDA levels. RESULTS: Haemodynamic data did not differ among times. No statistically significant differences were observed for the levels of DNA damage in WBCs, nor in plasma MDA, among the four times. CONCLUSION: Propofol does not induce DNA damage in WBCs and does not alter MDA in plasma of patients.

Lycopene Modulates Pathophysiological Processes of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Obese Rats.

Background: The higher consumption of fat and sugar are associated with obesity development and its related diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Lycopene is an antioxidant whose protective potential on fatty liver degeneration has been investigated. The aim of this study was to present the therapeutic effects of lycopene on NAFLD related to the obesity induced by a hypercaloric diet. Methods: Wistar rats were distributed in two groups: Control (Co, n = 12) and hypercaloric (Ob, n = 12). After 20 weeks, the animals were redistributed into the control group (Co, n = 6), control group supplemented with lycopene (Co+Ly, n = 6), obese group (Ob, n = 6), and obese group supplemented with lycopene (Ob+Ly, n = 6). Ob groups also received water + sucrose (25%). Animals received lycopene solution (10 mg/kg/day) or vehicle (corn oil) via gavage for 10 weeks. Results: Animals which consumed the hypercaloric diet had higher adiposity index, increased fasting blood glucose, hepatic and blood triglycerides, and also presented in the liver macro and microvesicular steatosis, besides elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Lycopene has shown therapeutic effects on blood and hepatic lipids, increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), mitigated TNF-α, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and further improved the hepatic antioxidant capacity. Conclusion: Lycopene shows therapeutic potential to NAFLD.