Exercise capacity of cirrhotic patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is characterized by a clinical triad of liver disease and/or portal hypertension, intrapulmonary vascular dilatation and abnormal arterial oxygenation. These conditions can worsen muscle strength, exercise capacity and functionality in the affected population. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare exercise capacity, functional condition and respiratory muscle strength in cirrhotic patients diagnosed with HPS and cirrhotic patients without this diagnosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study used a convenience sample consisting of 178 patients (92 patients with HPS and 86 patients without HPS) with a diagnosis of liver cirrhosis caused by either alcohol consumption or the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak) was used to verify exercise capacity, the six-minute walk test (6MWT) was used to test functionality, and manovacuometry was used to evaluate the strength of the respiratory muscles. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Student's t-test were used for the statistical analysis. The data were analyzed using SPSS 16.00, and p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The group of patients with the diagnosis of HPS exhibited a lower VO2 peak (14.2 ± 2.3 vs. 17.6 ± 2.6, p < 0.001), shorter distance walked in the 6MWT (340.8 ± 50.9 vs. 416.5 ± 91.4, p < 0.001), lower maximal inspiratory pressure (-49.1 ± 9.8 vs. -74.2 ± 13.9, p = 0.001) and lower maximum expiratory pressure (60.1 ± 12.2 vs. 76.8 ± 14.7, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The group of cirrhotic patients diagnosed with HPS exhibited lower values for VO2 peak, distance walked in the 6MWT and respiratory muscle strength than the cirrhotic patients not diagnosed with HPS.

Evaluation of biomass production, carotenoid level and antioxidant capacity produced by Thermus filiformis using fractional factorial design

A fractional factorial design 2(5-1) was used to evaluate the effect of temperature, pH, and concentrations of yeast extract, tryptone and Nitsch's trace elements on the biomass, total carotenoids and protection against singlet oxygen by carotenoid extracts of the bacterium Thermus filiformis. In addition, the carotenoid composition was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography connected to a diode array and mass spectrometer detectors (HPLC-DAD-MS/MS). The production of biomass ranged from 0.113 to 0.658 g/L, the total carotenoid from 137.6 to 1,517.4 mg/g and the protection against singlet oxygen from 4.3 to 85.1 %. Results of the fractional factorial design showed that temperature had a negative effect on biomass production and a positive effect on carotenoid content and protection against singlet oxygen, besides, high levels of pH value, concentrations of yeast extract and tryptone had a positive effect on biomass production only at lower temperatures. The main carotenoids of T. filiformis were thermozeaxanthins. In the tested conditions, changes in the levels of the variables influenced the biomass, carotenoid production, and protection against singlet oxygen, although they did not influence the carotenoid profile. The results of this study provide a better understanding on the interactions among certain nutritional and cultivation conditions of a thermophile bacterium, Thermus filiformis, on biomass and carotenoid amounts, as well as on the antioxidant capacity.

The effect of cocoa fermentation and weak organic acids on growth and ochratoxin A production by Aspergillus species.

The acidic characteristics of cocoa beans have influence on flavor development in chocolate. Cocoa cotyledons are not naturally acidic, the acidity comes from organic acids produced by the fermentative microorganisms which grow during the processing of cocoa. Different concentrations of these metabolites can be produced according to the fermentation practices adopted in the farms, which could affect the growth and ochratoxin A production by fungi. This work presents two independent experiments carried out to investigate the effect of some fermentation practices on ochratoxin A production by Aspergillus carbonarius in cocoa, and the effect of weak organic acids such as acetic, lactic and citric at different pH values on growth and ochratoxin A production by A. carbonarius and Aspergillus niger in culture media. A statistical difference (ρ<0.05) in the ochratoxin A level in the cured cocoa beans was observed in some fermentation practices adopted. The laboratorial studies demonstrate the influence of organic acids on fungal growth and ochratoxin A production, with differences according to the media pH and the organic acid present. Acetic acid was the most inhibitory acid against A. carbonarius and A. niger. From the point of view of food safety, considering the amount of ochratoxin A produced, fermentation practices should be conducted towards the enhancement of acetic acid, although lactic and citric acids also have an important role in lowering the pH to improve the toxicity of acetic acid.

Evaluation of biomass production, carotenoid level and antioxidant capacity produced by Thermus filiformis Using fractional factorial design.

A fractional factorial design 2(5-1) was used to evaluate the effect of temperature, pH, and concentrations of yeast extract, tryptone and Nitsch's trace elements on the biomass, total carotenoids and protection against singlet oxygen by carotenoid extracts of the bacterium Thermus filiformis. In addition, the carotenoid composition was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography connected to a diode array and mass spectrometer detectors (HPLC-DAD-MS/MS). The production of biomass ranged from 0.113 to 0.658 g/L, the total carotenoid from 137.6 to 1,517.4 µg/g and the protection against singlet oxygen from 4.3 to 85.1 %. Results of the fractional factorial design showed that temperature had a negative effect on biomass production and a positive effect on carotenoid content and protection against singlet oxygen, besides, high levels of pH value, concentrations of yeast extract and tryptone had a positive effect on biomass production only at lower temperatures. The main carotenoids of T. filiformis were thermozeaxanthins. In the tested conditions, changes in the levels of the variables influenced the biomass, carotenoid production, and protection against singlet oxygen, although they did not influence the carotenoid profile. The results of this study provide a better understanding on the interactions among certain nutritional and cultivation conditions of a thermophile bacterium, Thermus filiformis, on biomass and carotenoid amounts, as well as on the antioxidant capacity.

Mycobiota of cocoa: from farm to chocolate.

The present work was carried out to study the mycobiota of cocoa beans from farm to chocolate. Four hundred and ninety-four samples were analyzed at various stages of cocoa processing: (i) primary stage at the farm (fermentation, drying, and storage), (ii) secondary stage at processing (testa, nibs, liquor, butter, cake and powder) and (iii) the final chocolate product (dark, milk, white and powdered) collected from retail outlets. Direct plating or dilution plating on Dichloran 18% Glycerol agar were used for cocoa beans and processed product analyses, respectively. Fungi were isolated and identified using different keys of identification. The largest numbers and diversity of fungi were observed in the samples collected at the farm, especially during drying and storage. The species with the highest occurrence among samples were: Absidia corymbifera, Aspergillus sp. nov., A. flavus, Penicillium paneum and yeasts. A total of 1132 potentially toxigenic fungi were isolated from the following species or species groups: A. flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus, Aspergillus nomius, Aspergillus niger group, Aspergillus carbonarius and Aspergillus ochraceus group. The highest percentage of toxigenic fungi was found at the drying and storage stages. The industrial processing reduced the fungal contamination in all fractions and no fungi were found in the final chocolate products. The knowledge of which fungi are dominant at each processing stage of cocoa provides important data about their ecology. This understanding leads to a reduction in fungal spoilage and mycotoxin production in this product.

Effect of the gamma radiation dose rate on psychrotrophic bacteria, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and sensory characteristics of mechanically deboned chicken meat.

Frozen samples of mechanically deboned chicken meat (MDCM) with skin were irradiated with gamma radiation doses of 0.0 kGy (control) and 3 kGy at 2 different radiation dose rates: 0.32 kGy/h (3 kGy) and 4.04 kGy/h (3 kGy). Batches of irradiated and control samples were evaluated during 11 d of refrigerated (2 ± 1 °C) storage for the following parameters: total psychrotrophic bacteria count, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), evaluation of objective color (L*, a*, and b*) and a sensory evaluation (irradiated odor, oxidized odor, pink and brown colors). No statistical difference (P > 0.05) was found amongst the TBARS values obtained for the MDCM samples irradiated with dose rates of 0.32 and 4.04 kGy/h. There was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the psychrotrophic bacterial count as from the 7th day of refrigerated storage, for the MDCM samples irradiated at the dose rate of 4.04 kGy/h. With respect to the attribute of oxidized odor, the samples irradiated with a dose rate of 0.32 kGy/h showed a stronger intensity and were significantly different (P < 0.05) from the sample irradiated with a dose rate of 4.04 kGy/h on days 0 and 2 of refrigerated storage. Irradiation with a dose rate of 4.04 kGy/h (3 kGy) was shown to be the best condition for the processing of MDCM according to the evaluation of all the variables, under the conditions of this study. Practical Application: The results obtained for the application of different dose rates of ionizing radiation to mechanically deboned chicken meat will provide the food industry with information concerning the definition of the best processing conditions to maximize the sensory and food quality.

[Leptin as a marker of sexual dimorphism in newborn infants]. / Leptina como marcadora do dimorfismo sexual em recém-nascidos.

OBJECTIVE: To determine cord blood leptin levels in newborns appropriate for gestational age, according to gender, birth weight, birth height and ponderal index. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 132 term newborns appropriate for gestational age (68 females, 64 males), gestational age between 35-42 weeks. Data were collected through interviews with the mothers at the maternity, anthropometrycal study of the newborns, and cord blood estradiol, testosterone and leptin assays obtained immediately after birth. RESULTS: The levels of leptin were significantly higher in females than in males (8.34+/-0.65 ng/ml versus 6.06+/-0.71 ng/ml; p = 0.000). The concentrations of estradiol and testosterone did not differ between males and females. Leptin levels were positively correlated with gestational age (r = 0.394, p < 0.01), birth weight (r = 0.466, p < 0.01), birth length (r = 0.335, p < 0.01) and ponderal index (r = 0.326, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Leptin concentration in the umbilical cord is positively correlated with gestational age, birth weight, birth height, and ponderal index, suggesting its participation in the neonatal growth process. In addition, a gender difference with higher levels of leptin in females neonates was observed, suggesting that the sexual dimorphism in relation to body composition already exists in newborns.

Leptina como marcadora do dimorfismo sexual em recém-nascidos / Leptin as a marker of sexual dimorphism in newborn infants

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os níveis de leptina do cordão umbilical em recém-nascidos adequados para a idade gestacional conforme sexo, peso, comprimento e índice ponderal de nascimento. MÉTODO: Estudo tipo transversal, envolvendo 132 recém-nascidos adequados para idade gestacional (68 do sexo feminino, 64 do sexo masculino), com idade gestacional de 35-42 semanas. Os dados foram obtidos mediante entrevista com as mães na maternidade, pelo estudo antropométrico dos recém-nascidos e pela dosagem de leptina, estradiol e testosterona no cordão umbilical por meio da coleta imediata após o parto. RESULTADOS: Os recém-nascidos do sexo feminino apresentaram níveis de leptina significativamente maiores que os do sexo masculino (8,34±0,65 ng/ml versus 6,06±0,71 ng/ml; p = 0,000). Os níveis de estradiol e testosterona não variaram conforme o sexo. A leptina se correlacionou positivamente com idade gestacional (r = 0,394, p < 0,01), peso (r = 0,466, p < 0,01), comprimento (r = 0,335, p < 0,01) e índice ponderal (r = 0,326, p < 0,01) dos recém-nascidos. CONCLUSÕES: A leptina do cordão umbilical se correlaciona positivamente com idade gestacional, peso, comprimento e índice ponderal do recém-nascido, sugerindo sua participação no processo de crescimento neonatal. Além disso, os recém-nascidos do sexo feminino têm níveis séricos de leptina maiores que os do sexo masculino, sugerindo que o dimorfismo sexual relacionado à composição corporal já possa existir em recém-nascidos.

Speciation of cadmium, cooper, lead and zinc in compost from a Brazilian urban solid waste treatment plant

A compost sample from a solid waste treatment plant of a Brasilian city, Araraquara, SP, was submitted to a sequential extraction procedure to evaluate the contamination and to asses the bioavailability of some heavy metals. The metal concentrations obtained by acid digestion (HNO3/HF/HCIO4) in the compost were (in mug.g-1): Cd=2.8; Cu=295; Pb=244 and Zn=1,481. The fraction of available metals, as extracted by magnesium chloride, was approximately 1 per cent for each of the metals Cu, Pb and Zn, and 16 per cent for Cd. The remaining amounts were sequentially leached off with increasingly stronger extractans, namely, sodium acetate, hydroxylamine hydrocloride and hydrogen peroxide. The bulk amounts found by this sequence were: Cd=46 per cent; Cu=74 per cent; Pb=21 per cent and Zn=79 per cent. Finally, the residual matrix was digested by a HF/HCIO4 treatment.