Polidocanol foam sclerotherapy in the treatment of hemorrhoidal disease in patients with bleeding disorders: a multicenter, prospective, cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The management of hemorrhoidal disease (HD) in patients with bleeding disorders (BD) is challenging. Polidocanol foam sclerotherapy (PFS) is associated with a low rate of bleeding complications. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of PFS in the treatment of HD in patients with and without BD. METHODS: This prospective, multicenter, cohort study enrolled patients with (group B) and without (group A) BD, with symptomatic internal HD grades I-III over an 18-month period. All patients were treated with PFS. Patients with congenital BD did not undergo prior replacement therapy and those with acquired BD due to antithrombotic drugs, did not discontinue therapy. Efficacy outcomes included therapeutic success and HD recurrence during a 1-year follow-up period. To evaluate safety the complications related to PFS were recorded. RESULTS: We included 228 patients (group A: 155, group B: 73; male/female: 114/114; mean age: 59.4 ± 15.9 years). The baseline hemorrhoidal disease bleeding grade (p < 0.001) and Sodergren hemorrhoidal symptom severity score (p = 0.019) were higher for group B. The overall therapeutic success rate was 93.4% with an average number of sessions of 1.51 ± 0.74, significantly higher for group B (1.68 ± 0.86 vs 1.43 ± 0.65, p = 0.013). Complications occurred in 11.4% of the patients, with bleeding reported in 4.8%. The majority of complications were mild (96.2%). No significant differences between the two groups were observed for therapeutic success, recurrence, or complication rate. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with BD may have more symptomatic HD at baseline. Even so, PSF showed similar effectiveness and safety in patients with BD compared to patients without BD.

Molossinema wimsatti infection in the brain of Pallas's mastiff bats (Molossus molossus).

The present report describes two cases of infection by Molossinema wimsatti in the brain of Pallas's mastiff bats (Molossus molossus). The first bat was captured and killed by a domestic cat in a suburban area of the municipality of Patos, Paraiba, northeastern Brazil. The second bat was found crawling on the ground in the same area before dying. No gross lesions were found at necropsy. Histology of the central nervous system revealed filarioid nematodes in the brain ventricles and cerebellum. There were adults, subadults and eggs, the latter sometimes containing microfilariae. No inflammatory response was observed in bat 1, while bat 2 presented a mild lymphoplasmacytic meningoencephalitis. Three nematodes were recovered and submitted for parasitological examination. The diagnosis of M. wimsatti infection was based on the histomorphological and parasitological characteristics of the agent and its location in the brain ventricular system of insectivorous bats. The infection likely occurs in other insectivorous bats from South American and Caribbean countries but may be overlooked.

The main spoilage-related psychrotrophic bacteria in refrigerated raw milk.

Refrigerated raw milk may contain psychrotrophic microorganisms that produce thermoresistant exoproteases and lipases, which may compromise the quality of processed fluid milk and dairy products during storage. The aim of this work was to quantify and identify the deteriorating psychrotrophic microbiota in Brazilian refrigerated raw milk using genetic diversity analysis. The mean psychrotrophic count was 1.1 × 104 cfu/mL. Of the total isolates, 47.8 and 29.8% showed deteriorating activity at 35°C within 48 h and 7°C within 10 d, respectively. Among the proteolytic species, more isolated by this study were Lactococcus lactis (27.3%), Enterobacter kobei (14.8%), Serratia ureilytica (8%), Aerococcus urinaeequi (6.8%), and Bacillus licheniformis (6.8%). Observed among lipolytics were E. kobei (17.7%), L. lactis (15.6%), A. urinaeequi (12.5%), and Acinetobacter lwoffii (9.4%). The isolates S. ureilytica, E. kobei, Pseudomonas spp., and Yersinia enterocolitica potentially produced alkaline metalloprotease (aprX). Despite the low counts, a considerable portion of the psychrotrophic microbiota presented spoilage potential, which reaffirms the need for rigor in the control of contamination and the importance of rapid processing as factors that maintain the quality of milk and dairy products.

Dnmt3a2: a hub for enhancing cognitive functions.

The mechanisms responsible for fear memory formation and extinction are far from being understood. Uncovering the molecules and mechanisms regulating these processes is vital for identifying molecular targets for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for anxiety and fear disorders. Cognitive abilities require the activation of gene expression necessary to the consolidation of lasting changes in neuronal function. In this study we established a key role for an epigenetic factor, the de novo DNA methyltransferase, Dnmt3a2, in memory formation and extinction. We found that Dnmt3a2 overexpression in the hippocampus of young adult mice induced memory enhancements in a variety of situations; it converted a weak learning experience into long-term memory, enhanced fear memory formation and facilitated fear memory extinction. Dnmt3a2 overexpression was also associated with the increased expression of plasticity-related genes. Furthermore, the knockdown of Dnmt3a2 expression impaired the animals' ability to extinguish memories, identifying Dnmt3a2 as a key player in extinction. Thus, Dnmt3a2 is at the core of memory processes and represents a novel target for cognition-enhancing therapies to ameliorate anxiety and fear disorders and boost memory consolidation.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Staphylococcus aureus isolates in milk from flocks diagnosed with subclinical mastitis.

The Staphylococcus aureus is the most common isolated microorganism in ruminant animal species diagnostic with clinical or subclinical mastitis. Dairy herds with these diseases can transfer S. aureus into the milk supply, which can lead to food poisoning in humans. The objective of this study was to evaluate the profile of antimicrobial susceptibility, the presence of femA gene, the genetic relationships among isolates of S. aureus obtained from milk originating from flocks diagnosed with subclinical mastitis in nine rural properties in the northern of Minas Gerais State. To this end, 498 samples of bovine milk tested positive for the California mastitis test (CMT) were subjected to morphological methods and biochemical patterns for microbiological presumptive identification of S. aureus. The PCR test with the genetic marker femA was used to confirm the species S. aureus. All the 26 isolates presumptively identified as S. aureus amplified a fragment of 132 bp corresponding to the femA gene. The profile of antimicrobial susceptibility was performed according to the disk-diffusion methodology and two isolates were susceptible to all the antibiotics tested. The drug multiresistence was found in 80.76% of the isolates. The determination of the genetic profile and the clonal relationship among the isolates was performed by the method of DNA RAPD-PCR polymorphism. The S. aureus isolates were divided into two groups with 26 distinct subgroups. The analysis of RAPD-PCR showed no genetic diversity among them, heterogeneous profile and absence of clonality.

Genetic diversity of Bacillus sp producers of amylase isolated from the soil.

The microorganisms are the best source of extracellular enzymes since they allow an economical technology with low-resource consumption compared to animals and plants. The amylases are among the most important enzymes being the genus Bacillus one of the most investigated due to its ability to produce this enzyme. The objective of this study was to isolate and analyze the genetic diversity among bacteria of the genus Bacillus sp producer of amylase originated from the soil. To this end, soil samples were collected and submitted to the condition of extreme temperature. The serial dilution procedure followed by seeding on solid medium containing starch was used for isolation of strains that produce amylase. The microorganisms isolated were subjected to standard morphological methods for presumptive identification of the genus Bacillus. The PCR assay with the universal genetic marker 16S rDNA was used for confirmation of bacterial strain. All the 10 isolates presumptively identified as bacteria amplified a fragment of 370 bp corresponding to the 16S rDNA gene. The enzymatic activity was expressed as an enzymatic index (EI), after 24 h of incubation. All isolate producers of amylase exhibited EI ≥ 2.0. The determination of the genetic profile and the clonal relationship among the isolates were performed by the method of ERIC-PCR polymorphism. The isolates of Bacillus spp were divided into 2 groups (I and II). Through this method, the discriminatory capacity of this analysis of polymorphisms was verified in differing producer strains from those not producing amylase.

Potential of hypocotyl diameter in family selection aiming at plant architecture improvement of common bean.

Cultivars of common bean with more erect plant architecture and greater tolerance to degree of lodging are required by producers. Thus, to evaluate the potential of hypocotyl diameter (HD) in family selection for plant architecture improvement of common bean, the HDs of 32 F2 plants were measured in 3 distinct populations, and the characteristics related to plant architecture were analyzed in their progenies. Ninety-six F2:3 families and 4 controls were evaluated in a randomized block design, with 3 replications, analyzing plant architecture grade, HD, and grain yield during the winter 2010 and drought 2011 seasons. We found that the correlation between the HD of F2 plants and traits related to plant architecture of F2:3 progenies were of low magnitude compared to the estimates for correlations considering the parents, indicating a high environmental influence on HD in bean plants. There was a predominance of additive genetic effects on the determination of hypocotyl diameter, which showed higher precision and accuracy compared to plant architecture grade. Thus, this characteristic can be used to select progenies in plant architecture improvement of common beans; however, selection must be based on the means of at least 39 plants in the plot, according to the results of repeatability analysis.

The physiological quality of Vigna unguiculata L. seeds shows tolerance to salinity.

Salinity reduces feijão-caupi production, and the search for tolerant varieties becomes important within the agricultural context, as, in addition to being used in the field, they can be used in genetic improvement. The objective was to for a identify variety that is tolerant to salinity considering the physiological quality of seeds and seedling growth. A 2 × 4 factorial scheme was used, referring to the varieties Pingo-de-ouro and Coruja, and four electrical conductivities of water (0; 3.3; 6.6 and 9.9 dS m-1). The physiological quality of seeds and the growth of seedlings were analyzed, in addition to the cumulative germination. The Pingo-de-ouro variety showed no germination, length of the shoot and root, dry mass of the shoot and root compromised up to electrical conductivity of 6 dS m-1 in relation to 0.0 dS m-1. On the other hand, the Coruja variety showed reduced germination, increased shoot and root length. The creole variety Pingo-de-ouro proved to be tolerant to salinity.

Analysis of relationship of psychosocial factors with patient safety culture in a Brazilian hospital: Study with structural equation modeling analysis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The scenario of the health system can develop physical and emotional impacts on health professionals, due to work overload and failure to manage the system. It is necessary to consolidate the theory that the safety of care provided by health services is affected by organizational conditions. The aim of this study is to assess whether safety culture is related to job satisfaction, depressive symptoms, and burnout syndrome among hospital professionals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an analysis with structural equation modeling, conducted in a teaching hospital in Brazil. Data collection was made via psychometric instruments, which sought to analyze job satisfaction (Job Satisfaction Survey), depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire), burnout syndrome (Maslach Burnout Inventory), as well as the relationship between this factors and patient safety culture (Safety Attitudes Questionnaire). The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) were used for analysis. RESULTS: A higher work satisfaction was associated with a higher perception of safety culture (r=0.69; P<0.001). Depressive symptoms and burnout dimensions showed an inverse relationship with the safety culture (P<0.05). PLS-SEM enabled us to understand the behavior of this association. Thus, satisfaction at work and the absence of burnout proved to be predictive factors for the implementation of an ideal patient safety culture (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patient safety culture is related to job satisfaction and burnout among hospital professionals. These findings suggest that the psychosocial work environment influences the quality of care provided.

Cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis in a greater bulldog bat (Noctilio leporinus) in northeastern Brazil.

An adult male greater bulldog bat (Noctilio leporinus) was found dead in a suburban area in the municipality of Patos, Paraiba, northeastern Brazil. At post-mortem examination, the bat was emaciated and had multifocal to coalescent grey, crusted, dry, scaly cutaneous lesions, irregularly distributed over the dorsal thoracoabdominal region, muzzle, labial commissures, ears and dorsoventral surfaces of the patagia. Histopathology revealed numerous longitudinal and transverse sections of fungal organisms, with weakly basophilic walls, associated with multifocal areas of ulceration of the epidermis, necrosis, rupture and discontinuity of collagen fibres in the dermis without any inflammatory response. Molecular identification matched the organism to Cladosporium spp, Curvularia spp, Exserohilum spp, Bipolaris spp (100%) and Alternaria spp (97%), all of which have been associated with phaeohyphomycosis. Phaeohyphomycosis should be included as a differential diagnosis of cutaneous lesions in chiropterans.

Juvenile xanthogranuloma as a differential diagnosis for sellar and suprasellar lesions in child: Case report and review of literature.

Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) is a rare type of non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Its systemic form affects 4% of patients. Lesions in the Central Nervous System (CNS) occur in 2% of systemic cases. Sellar JXG should be one of the differential diagnoses for sellar lesions in young. This is a 15-year-old patient with non-specific headache, progressive visual loss and magnetic resonance imaging showing sellar lesion with suprasellar extension. The patient underwent microsurgery by pterional craniotomy with partial resection of the tumor. Pathology evidenced JXG. It progressively evolved with impairment of neuroendocrine functions, new lesions in different CNS locations and death two years after diagnosis. Sellar JXG without cutaneous manifestations is rare. There are no specific findings of the disease. Diagnosis requires additional tests, being defined by pathological analysis. Total resection presents a greater potential control comparing to partial resection. Even so, some patients may have progressive disease with poor clinical outcome.

Biomass and enzymatic activities of marine bacteria in the presence of multiple metals.

Marine environments are a repository for metals, and humans have enhanced this phenomenon over the years. Heavy metals are notoriously toxic due to their ability to biomagnify in the food chain and interact with cellular components. Nevertheless, some bacteria have physiological mechanisms that enable them to survive in impacted environments. This characteristic makes them important as biotechnological tools for environmental remediation. Thus, we isolated a bacterial consortium in Guanabara Bay (Brazil), a place with a long metal pollution history. To test the growth efficiency of this consortium in Cu-Zn-Pb-Ni-Cd medium, we measured the activity of key enzymes of microbial activity (esterases and dehydrogenase) under acidic (4.0) and neutral pH conditions, as well as the number of living cells, biopolymer production, and changes in microbial composition during metal exposure. Additionally, we calculated the predicted physiology based on microbial taxonomy. During the assay, a slight modification in bacterial composition was observed, with low abundance changes and little production of carbohydrates. Oceanobacillus chironomi, Halolactibacillus miurensis, and Alkaliphilus oremlandii were predominant in pH 7, despite O. chironomi and Tissierella creatinophila in pH 4, and T. creatinophila in Cu-Zn-Pb-Ni-Cd treatment. The metabolism represented by esterases and dehydrogenase enzymes suggested bacterial investment in esterases to capture nutrients and meet the energy demand in an environment with metal stress. Their metabolism potentially shifted to chemoheterotrophy and recycling nitrogenous compounds. Moreover, concomitantly, bacteria produced more lipids and proteins, suggesting extracellular polymeric substance production and growth in a metal-stressed environment. The isolated consortium showed promise for bioremediation of multimetal contamination and could be a valuable tool in future bioremediation programs.

Effects of induced diabetes and the administration of aminoguanidine in the biomechanical retention of implants: a study in rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to assess the effects of induced diabetes and the administration of aminoguanidine in the biomechanical retention of implants in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into six groups: group 1, healthy rats (no aminoguanidine); group 2 and group 3, healthy rats receiving 10 and 20 mg/kg of aminoguanidine daily, respectively; group 4, diabetic rats (no aminoguanidine); and group 5 and group 6, diabetic rats receiving 10 and 20 mg/kg of aminoguanidine daily, respectively. In each rat an implant was inserted in the femur. After 28 d of healing, the rats were killed. The implants were removed by applying a counter-torque, and the maximum force required for the rupture of the bone-implant interface was recorded using an analog torque meter. The data were evaluated using analysis of variance and the Student's t-test. RESULTS: In the healthy groups, no statistically significant difference could be observed in the average counter-torque values for implant removal, whereas in the diabetic groups, a daily dose of 20 mg/kg of aminoguanidine raised the counter-torque values to the values found in healthy rats. CONCLUSION: The administration of 20 mg/kg of aminoguanidine daily in diabetic rats raised the biomechanical retention of the implants to the level observed in the healthy rat group.

Growth and hematological responses of tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum fed different levels of rice, Oryza spp.

The tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) is a fish of primary importance in South American aquaculture, principally in the Amazon region and has a particularly unique diet in the wild. Oryza spp, or Wild rice as it is commonly known, is native to the floodplains of muddy rivers in the Amazon region. The aim of this study was to analyze the physical performance and the effects of dietary levels of Oryza spp. via the hematological parameters, total food intake, conversion efficiency, growth ratio and swimming performance of this fish. Diets containing 45% Oryza spp. induced the best performance in tambaqui. Diets containing 15% and 30% did not affect these indices, thus indicating that this amount of Oryza can be used as an alternative energy source for this important species within Brazilian aquaculture.

Responses of antioxidant enzymes, photosynthetic pigments and carbohydrates in micropropagated Pitcairnia encholirioides L.B. Sm. (Bromeliaceae) under ex vitro water deficit and after rehydration.

In this study, the activities of antioxidant enzymes, photosynthetic pigments, proline and carbohydrate contents in Pitcairnia encholirioides under ex vitro conditions of water deficit were evaluated. Results show that plants under progressive water stress, previously in vitro cultured in media supplemented with 30 g L-1 sucrose and GA3, accumulated more proline and increased peroxidase (POD) activity and the contents of photosynthetic pigments and carbohydrates. For plants previously in vitro cultured with 15 g L-1 sucrose and NAA, no differences were found for proline content and there were reductions in activities of peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and poliphenoloxidase (PPO), and in contents of carbohydrates, with progress of ex vitro water deficit. After rehydration, plants showed physiological recovery, with enzymatic activities and contents of metabolites similar to those found in the controls not submitted to dehydration, regardless of the previous in vitro culture conditions. These results show that micropropagated P. encholirioides has high tolerance to dehydration once in ex vitro conditions, which can ensure the survival of plants from tissue culture when transferred to its natural environment, emphasizing the importance of such biotechnology for the propagation of endangered species.

Reverse transcriptase droplet digital PCR to identify the emerging vesicular virus Senecavirus A in biological samples.

Senecavirus A (SVA) belonging to the family Picornaviridae, genus Senecavirus was incidentally isolated in 2002 from the PER.C6 (transformed foetal retinoblast) cell line. However, currently, this virus is associated with vesicular disease in swine and it has been reported in countries such as the United States of America, Canada, China, Thailand and Colombia. In Brazil, the SVA was firstly reported in 2015 in outbreaks of vesicular disease in swine, clinically indistinguishable of Foot-and-mouth disease, a contagious viral disease that generates substantial economic losses. In the present work, it was standardized a diagnostic tool for SVA based on RNA reverse transcriptase droplet digital PCR (RT-ddPCR) using one-step and two-step approaches. Analytical sensitivity and specificity were done in parallel with real-time PCR, RT-qPCR (one-step and two-step) for comparison of sensitivity and specificity of both methods. In the standardization of RT-ddPCR, the double-quenched probe and the temperature gradient were crucial to reduce background and improve amplitude between positive and negative droplets. The limit of detection and analytical specificity of techniques of one-step techniques showed superior performance than two-step methods described here. Additionally, the results showed 94.2% concordance (p < 0.001) for RT-ddPCR and RT-qPCR using the one-step assay approach and biological samples from Brazilian outbreaks of Senecavirus A. However, ddRT-PCR had a better performance than RT-PCR when swine serum pools were tested. According to the results, the one-step RT-ddPCR and RT-qPCR is highlighted to be used as an auxiliary diagnostic tool for Senecavirus A and for viral RNA absolute quantification in biological samples (RT-ddPCR), being a useful tool for vesicular diseases control programs.

Gender-specific vascular effects elicited by chronic ethanol consumption in rats: a role for inducible nitric oxide synthase.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Epidemiological data suggest that the risk of ethanol-associated cardiovascular disease is greater in men than in women. This study investigates the mechanisms underlying gender-specific vascular effects elicited by chronic ethanol consumption in rats. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Vascular reactivity experiments using standard muscle bath procedures were performed on isolated thoracic aortae from rats. mRNA and protein for inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and for endothelial NOS (eNOS) was assessed by RT-PCR or western blotting, respectively. KEY RESULTS: In male rats, chronic ethanol consumption enhanced phenylephrine-induced contraction in both endothelium-intact and denuded aortic rings. However, in female rats, chronic ethanol consumption enhanced phenylephrine-induced contraction only in endothelium denuded aortic rings. After pre-incubation of endothelium-intact rings with L-NAME, both male and female ethanol-treated rats showed larger phenylephrine-induced contractions in aortic rings, compared to the control group. Acetylcholine-induced relaxation was not affected by ethanol consumption. The effects of ethanol on responses to phenylephrine were similar in ovariectomized (OVX) and intact (non-OVX) female rats. In the presence of aminoguanidine, but not 7-nitroindazole, the contractions to phenylephrine in rings from ethanol-treated female rats were greater than that found in control tissues in the presence of the inhibitors. mRNA levels for eNOS and iNOS were not altered by ethanol consumption. Ethanol intake reduced eNOS protein levels and increased iNOS protein levels in aorta from female rats. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Gender differences in the vascular effects elicited by chronic ethanol consumption were not related to ovarian hormones but seemed to involve the upregulation of iNOS.

Chronic ethanol intake modulates vascular levels of endothelin-1 receptor and enhances the pressor response to endothelin-1 in anaesthetized rats.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The contribution of endothelin-1 (ET-1) to vascular hyper-reactivity associated with chronic ethanol intake, a major risk factor in several cardiovascular diseases, remains to be investigated. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The biphasic haemodynamic responses to ET-1 (0.01-0.1 nmol kg(-1), i.v.) or to the selective ETB agonist, IRL1620 (0.001-1.0 nmol kg(-1), i.v.), with or without ETA or ETB antagonists (BQ123 (c(DTrp-Dasp-Pro-Dval-Leu)) at 1 and 2.5 mg kg(-1) and BQ788 (N-cis-2,6-dimethyl-piperidinocarbonyl-L-gamma-methylleucyl1-D-1methoxycarbonyltryptophanyl-D-norleucine) at 0.25 mg kg(-1), respectively) were tested in anaesthetized rats, after 2 weeks' chronic ethanol treatment. Hepatic parameters and ET receptor protein levels were also determined. KEY RESULTS: The initial hypotensive responses to ET-1 or IRL1620 were unaffected by chronic ethanol intake, whereas the subsequent pressor effects induced by ET-1, but not by IRL1620, were potentiated. BQ123 at 2.5 but not 1 mg kg(-1) reduced the pressor responses to ET-1 in ethanol-treated rats. Conversely, BQ788 (0.25 mg kg(-1)) potentiated ET-1-induced increases in mean arterial blood pressure in control as well as in ethanol-treated rats. Interestingly, in the latter group, increases in heart rate, induced by ET-1 at a dose of 0.025 mg kg(-1) were enhanced following ETB receptor blockade. Finally, we observed higher levels of ETA receptor in the heart and mesenteric artery and a reduction of ETB receptor protein levels in the aorta and kidney from rats chronically treated with ethanol. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Increased vascular reactivity to ET-1 and altered protein levels of ETA and ETB receptors could play a role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular complications associated with chronic ethanol consumption.

Changes on physiological parameters of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) fed with diets supplemented with Amazonian fruit Camu camu (Myrciaria dubia).

The physiological responses of juvenile tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) fed commercial feed supplemented with different concentrations of camu camu (Myrciaria dubia) were evaluated. The design was completely randomized, with treatments arranged in a factorial design with three proportions of camu camu (15%, 30% and 45%) and a control treatment (100% commercial diet), with four replicates per treatment. A total of 96 tambaqui specimens were used, with a mean initial weight of 11.69 ± 2.68 g and a mean length of 7.06 ± 0.44 cm. After 30 days, hematological parameters, metabolic variables, growth and fish swimming performance were evaluated. The different proportions of camu camu in the diet did not cause significant changes to the tambaqui's hematological parameters during the feeding period, except for hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) after the 30th day, and hematocrit (Ht) after the swimming stress test, which increased significantly (p < 0.05). The significant increases in metabolic variables, such as cortisol, glucose, proteins and triglycerides, and in hematologic variables after the Ucrit test reflect, respectively, biochemical adaptations for maintenance of the energy mobilization process and a regulatory necessity in tissue oxygen demand during intense exercise. Fish fed 15% and 30% camu camu gained the most weight and achieved the best swimming performance, respectively. The results for camu camu concentrations above 30% suggest a saturation of its intrinsic properties in the diet at this level and a loss of nutrients from the commercial feed replaced by the fruit, reducing productive performance and nutritional assimilation.

Intradermal hepatitis B vaccination in patients with advanced chronic renal failure: immunogenicity and follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing dialysis usually have a poor response to conventional hepatitis B vaccination. AIM: To observe the effects of intradermal hepatitis B (HB) vaccination in a 13-month prospective study of adult patients with end-stage renal failure. The patients were with or without previous hepatitis B vaccination, but all had antibody titres <10 mUI/mL. METHODS: Patients were allotted to two groups: previous hepatitis B virus vaccination and no previous hepatitis B virus vaccination or anti-HBs titres <10 mUI/mL. Patients in both groups received 16 i.d. injections of 0.1 mL of hepatitis B virus vaccine over an eight-week period. Patients had antibody titres assessed before vaccination, 1 month after and every 3 months for a year. Antibody titres >/=10 mUI/mL were considered protective. RESULTS: Seventy patients completed the protocol. Protective titres were elicited in 82% of each group. Age, time under dialysis, diabetes, smoking and body-mass index were not associated with seroconversion. Persistent protective titres >12 months occurred in 27 (58.7%). Adverse events were trivial. CONCLUSION: Intradermal hepatitis B virus vaccination is an alternative in end-stage renal failure.