Myocardial native T1 mapping at 3T cardiac magnetic resonance-closing the full-vendor reporting cycle of normal values.

AIM: Cardiac magnetic resonance is currently an indispensable tool in the diagnosis of cardiac pathologies, with mapping techniques being one of the most recent advances in this area. T1 mapping is a robust tool that uses the T1 magnetic relaxation time as a quantitative marker of myocardial tissue composition. However, multiple T1 mapping sequences are used, and data comparing them, especially on different vendors, is limited. This study aims to determine the T1 relaxation values in the cardiac muscle of healthy individuals using GE's Discovery 3T scanner, allowing the use of the T1 mapping technique in patients on a sustained basis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-one healthy volunteers were submitted to T1 mapping at 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment, with 3 being excluded from the analysis (54% women; mean age: 39.2 ± 13.9 years). The MOLLI 5(3)3 sequence was used, acquiring one short axis slice at midventricular level. Native T1 values were presented as means (± standard deviation), and t-student independent samples tests evaluated gender differences in T1 values. RESULTS: The results show an average global native T1 value of 1193 ± 39 ms, with women's values being statistically higher than men (1211 ± 40 vs 1173 ± 27 ms, respectively, p<0.006). Gender remained the only determinant of native T1 times on a multiple linear regression model that included age, ejection fraction, and T2 status. CONCLUSION: This study has established one of the few native T1 values for a 3T GE Discovery scanner that are on par with those already reported by other vendors for a similar sequence, closing the circle in full-vendor reporting.

Rhodococcus equi infection as inaugural manifestation of idiopathic CD4+ lymphopenia: A rare entity and a therapeutic challenge.

We report a case of disseminated infection by Rhodococcus equi as the inaugural manifestation of idiopathic T-CD4+ lymphopenia. We aim to demonstrate our diagnostic and therapeutic approach and focus on the major dilemmas arising from the lack of scientific evidence regarding best clinical practice of this infection in humans.

The use of non-surgical glue to repair perineal first-degree lacerations in normal birth: A non-inferiority randomised trial.

BACKGROUND AND PROBLEM: Surgical glue has been indicated for uncomplicated operatory wounds; however, it has a considerable cost. Non-surgical glue, a commercially available and cheaper product, has not been studied for repairing postpartum lacerations. AIM: To compare non-surgical glue to traditional sutures on perineal first-degree lacerations after normal birth. METHODS: In a prospective, open-label, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial, we selected childbearing women who were admitted for normal term births and in whom skin lacerations occurred. They were assigned to laceration repair using either non-surgical glue (ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate; Glue group) or catgut sutures (Suture group). The primary endpoint was the occurrence of dehiscence >3mm. Secondary endpoints were procedure runtime, pain score, satisfaction level, and aspects of perineal repair by the REEDA score (hyperaemia, oedema, ecchymosis, exudation, and coaptation) immediately (T0), 24-48h (T1), and 7-10 days (T2) after childbirth. FINDINGS: We included 126 women, 63 in each group, and found a non-inferiority dehiscence rate in the Glue Group compared to the Control group (T1=1.6% vs. 1.6%, P=0.999 and P<0.001 for non-inferiority; and T2=2.2% vs. 4.3%, P=0.557). In the Glue Group, the procedure runtime was shorter, pain score was lower, and women's satisfaction was greater. No women had any allergic reaction in the study. CONCLUSIONS: Non-surgical glue was not inferior to traditional sutures to repair postpartum first-degree lacerations. In addition, non-surgical glue was associated with less pain and greater satisfaction. Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-5Z8MKC).

Remdesivir emergency approvals: a comparison of the U.S., Japanese, and EU systems.

INTRODUCTION: There were no formal regulatory approvals for antivirals for the COVID-19 pandemic as of June 2020. AREAS COVERED: We compare the first regulatory approvals for remdesivir, through emergency pathways available to three of the main regulators in the world, the U.S., Japan, and the EU. We look at the data supporting the decisions and how authorities exchanged information and collaborated to speed up approvals. Based only on topline data available as of 29 April 2020, regulators granted approvals to remdesivir based on very limited but robust data and waiting for more safety and efficacy data. This included the Emergency Use Authorization in the U.S. on 1 May, the Special Approval for Emergency in Japan on 7 May, and Compassionate Use (3 April) followed by a Conditional Marketing Authorization in Europe (Opinion 25th June, Decision (3 July)). EXPERT OPINION: While the regulatory approvals were clearly based on evidence, regulators used agile methods to speed up approval, and make the first antiviral with reliable data available to patients in their constituencies in a very short time frame. More data and wider patient access are still necessary for this product, and more treatments are needed for patients affected by COVID-19.

Hypersensitivity to antiretroviral drugs.

Summary: Background. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) may be responsible for hypersensitivity reactions varying in severity, clinical manifestations and frequency. Case report. We report the case of a 47-year-old woman with HIV infection who developed a delayed mucocutaneous reaction after treatment with ART. Hypersensitivty reaction (HR) to emtricitabine and tenofovir was considered probable based on positive patch tests (PT) and hypersensitivity reaction to nevirapine was confirmed by drug provocation test. Discussion. The diagnosis of HR to ART remains a diagnostic challenge, partly due to unknown mechanism and the absence of validated diagnostic tools. Patch testing may represent a useful method for confirming hypersensitivity. Further investigation in this area is required, so that successful management strategies can be offered, preventing loss of potent and viable antiretroviral agents.

Antihyperglycemic effect of Passiflora glandulosa cav. fruit rinds flour in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

Objective:To investigate the effect of administration of Passiflora glandulosa (P. glandulosa) fruit rinds flour on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice.Methods:The preliminary phytochemical screening and parameters such as centesimal composition and brine shrimp toxicity were evaluated. For in vivo study Swiss female mice were divided into four groups: NC-normal control; DC-diabetic control animals receiving saline; MET-diabetic animals receiving metformin (200 mg/kg); PFRF-diabetic animals receiving P. glandulosa fruit rinds flour (200 mg/kg). All of them were treated for 28 d. STZ was used in a single dose of 120 mg/kg to establish diabetic models. Body weight, water and food intake, fasting blood glucose were measured. Histopathological analysis of pancreas and liver were performed to evaluate STZ-induced tissue injuries.Results:Phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavanones and triterpenoids. The P. glandulosa fruit rinds flour was non-toxic by the brine shrimp test. The fruit rinds flour also reduced the loss of body weight and significantly decreased food intake in the diabetic mice. Additionally, a significant reduction in blood glucose was observed for 15 d and this was maintained on 21 d and 28 d when compared with diabetic mice. Furthermore, the P. glandulosa fruit rinds flour has a favourable effect on the histopathological changes of the pancreas in STZ induced diabetes.Conclusions:It is concluded that P. glandulosa fruit rinds flour is a natural product that contains potent antioxidant compounds and presents good prospects for the improvement of diabetic mellitus by reducing serum glucose levels.

Chicken parvovirus and its associations with malabsorption syndrome.

Malabsorption syndrome (MAS) is a multifactorial syndrome which is characterized by enteric disorders and reduced growth rates of broilers. Such condition is responsible for significant economic losses to the poultry industry. A possible association between chicken parvovirus (ChPV) infections and the occurrence of MAS has been proposed. However, such association has not to date been elucidated in view that ChPV has been detected in healthy as well as in MAS-affected chickens. This study aimed to detect and quantify ChPV loads in sera and tissues of MAS-affected, as well as in healthy broilers. Fifty nine, 39-day-old broilers (50 diseased, 9 healthy birds), obtained from the same flocks, were examined. The highest ChPV DNA loads were detected in MAS-affected broilers, particularly in fecal samples and intestinal tissues (~5500 genomic copies/300ng of total DNA). The average viral genome load in serum in MAS-affected birds was 1134copies/mL, whereas no viral DNA was found in sera and thymus tissues from healthy animals. These findings reveal that MAS-affected broilers consistently carry ChPV DNA is serum, whereas healthy animals do not. In addition, viral loads in tissues (bursa of Fabricius, spleen, intestine and liver) of MAS-affected birds were significantly higher in comparison to the same tissues from healthy broilers. Although preliminary, the results obtained here indicate an association between the detection of ChPV DNA in serum, in addition to high ChPV viral loads in tissues, and the occurrence of MAS in broilers. Further experiments should be performed to confirm such results.

Redescription of Hysteronotus megalostomus (Characiformes: Characidae: Stevardiinae), a poorly known characid from tributaries of the Rio São Fancisco, Brazil with comments on the conservation of the species.

Originally described from the upper Rio das Velhas, a tributary of the Rio São Francisco, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, Hysteronotus megalostomus was recently collected in many tributaries of the Rio São Francisco north of the type locality. The specimens of the population samples collected outside the type locality share the morphological features present in the type material except for the presence of an adipose fin found only in two specimens within the more recently collected material. Presence or absence of the adipose fin has been extensively used by fish taxonomists to characterize different species and even genera, but in H. megalostomus the character is not consistent, indicating its use alone is not diagnostic. The species is redescribed and its phylogenetic relationships and conservation status are briefly discussed.

Zika virus infections imported from Brazil to Portugal, 2015.

Zika virus is an emerging arbovirus transmitted by Aedes sp. mosquitoes like the Dengue and Chikungunya viruses. Zika virus was until recently considered a mild pathogenic mosquito-borne flavivirus with very few reported benign human infections. In 2007, an epidemic in Micronesia initiated the turnover in the epidemiological history of Zika virus and more recently, the potential association with congenital microcephaly cases in Brazil 2015, still under investigation, led the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on February 1, 2016. Here, we present the clinical and laboratory aspects related to the first four imported human cases of Zika virus in Portugal from Brazil, and alert, regarding the high level of traveling between Portugal and Brazil, and the ongoing expansion of this virus in the Americas, for the threat for Zika virus introduction in Europe and the possible introduction to Madeira Island where Aedes aegypti is present.

Genome-wide identification and in silico characterisation of microRNAs, their targets and processing pathway genes in Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L., Fabaceae) is a globally important staple crop, which is an important source of calories, protein and essential micronutrients. At the genomic level little is known regarding the small non-coding RNAs within the common bean genome. One of the most important classes of such small non-coding RNAs is microRNAs (miRNAs), which control mRNA and protein expression levels in many eukaryotes. Computational methods have been applied to identify putative miRNAs in the genomes of different organisms. In this study, our objective was to comprehensively identify and characterise miRNAs from the genome and transcriptome of P. vulgaris, including both mature and precursor miRNA forms. We also sought to identify the putative proteins involved in miRNA processing and the likely target genes of common bean miRNAs. We identified 221 mature miRNAs and 136 precursor miRNAs distributed across 52 different miRNA families in the P. vulgaris genome. Amongst these, we distinguished 129 novel mature miRNAs and 123 miRNA precursors belonging to 24 different miRNA families. We also identified 31 proteins predicted to participate in the miRNA-processing pathway in P. vulgaris. Finally, we also identified 483 predicted miRNA targets, including many which corroborate results from other species, suggesting that miRNA regulatory systems are evolutionarily conserved and important for plant development. Our results expand the study of miRNAs and their target genes in common bean, and provide new opportunities to understand their roles in the biology of this important staple crop.

Swine Influenza Virus and Association with the Porcine Respiratory Disease Complex in Pig Farms in Southern Brazil.

Despite the putative endemic status of swine influenza A virus (swIAV) infections, data on the occurrence of swine influenza outbreaks are scarce in Brazil. The aim of this study was to detect and subtype swIAVs from six outbreaks of porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC) in southern Brazil. Nasal swabs were collected from 66 piglets with signs of respiratory disease in six herds. Lung tissue samples were collected from six necropsied animals. Virus detection was performed by PCR screening and confirmed by virus isolation and hemagglutination (HA). Influenza A subtyping was performed by a real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (rRT-PCR) to detect the A(H1N1)pdm09; other swIAV subtypes were determined by multiplex RT-PCR. In lung tissues, the major bacterial and viral pathogens associated with PRDC (Pasteurella multocida, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Haemophilus parasuis and PCV2) were investigated. In some affected pigs, clinico-pathological evaluations were conducted. Influenza A was detected by screening PCR in 46 of 66 swab samples and from five of six lungs. Virus was recovered from pigs of all six herds. Subtype A(H1N1)pdm09 was detected in four of six herds and H1N2 in the other two herds. In lung tissues, further agents involved in PRDC were detected in all cases; Pasteurella multocida was identified in five of six samples and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in three of six. Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (1/6), Haemophilus parasuis (1/6) and PCV2 (1/6) were also detected. These findings indicate that subtypes A(H1N1)pdm09 and H1N2 were present in pigs in southern Brazil and were associated with PRDC outbreaks.

Potential role for GnRH in the synchronization of follicular emergence before the superovulatory Day 0 protocol.

The ability of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) to synchronize ovulation and new follicular wave emergence before a "superovulatory Day 0" protocol was assessed in Santa Inês ewes. For estrus synchronization, a 60-mg medroxyprogesterone acetate sponge was inserted for 6 d. One day before sponge removal, 37.5-µg d-cloprostenol and 300 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin were injected intramuscularly (i.m.). After sponge removal, ewes were assigned to the following 3 groups: (1) GC-1 mL saline at 12 h (n = 10); (2) G24h-0.025-mg lecirelin (GnRH agonist) i.m. at 24 h (n = 10); or (3) G36h-0.025-mg lecirelin i.m. at 36 h (n = 9). Ovarian ultrasonography was conducted to assess follicular dynamics. Blood was collected to determine plasma concentrations of progesterone and estradiol. Females from G36h and GC had a greater (P < 0.05) estrous response than those from the G24h group (78.0 and 90.0 vs 0.0%, respectively). Ewes from G24h and G36h had earlier (P < 0.05) ovulation (48.0 ± 10.2 and 56.7 ± 5.7 h) compared with those from Gc (64.1 ± 9.7 h). The mean number of ovulations per ewe was greater (P < 0.05) in Gc (1.9 ± 0.6) and G36h (2.0 ± 1.0) than G24h (1.2 ± 0.4). Plasma concentrations of progesterone and estradiol differed over time. Follicular growth during the postovulatory day was affected (P < 0.05) by day of the estrus cycle as well as by the interaction (P < 0.05) of treatment and day of the estrus cycle. There was a larger (P < 0.05) population of medium follicles during the first 24 h after the ovulation in G24h compared with Gc, and there was an absence of large follicles in G36h between 36 and 72 h after ovulation. In conclusion, the use of GnRH agonist at 36 h more efficiently synchronized ovulation and promoted the absence of dominant follicles during early diestrus and may be used at the start of superovulatory treatment at 80 h in Santa Inês ewes.

Effect of a high-fat meal containing conventional or high-oleic peanuts on post-prandial lipopolysaccharide concentrations in overweight/obese men.

BACKGROUND: An increased plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentration may favour metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance. The meal composition influences plasma LPS concentrations. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of the acute consumption of a high-fat meal (49% of energy from fat) containing conventional or high-oleic peanuts on post-prandial LPS concentrations and its relationship with lipaemia and insulinaemia in overweight and obese men. METHODS: The test meal consisted of a shake containing conventional peanuts (CVP; n = 21), high-oleic peanuts (HOP; n = 23) or a control biscuit (CT; n = 21). Blood samples were collected in the fasting state and 1, 2 and 3 h post-prandially. LPS, insulin, lipids and glucose concentrations were assessed. RESULTS: LPS concentrations were lower in CVP [mean (SE) 0.7 (0.5) EU mL(-1) ] and HOP [1.0 (0.9) EU mL(-1) ] groups compared to CT [1.6 (1.2) EU mL(-1) ] at 3 h post-prandially. Triacylglycerol and insulin concentrations increased in all groups. Triacylglycerol started to increase only after 2 h in the CVP and HOP groups. LPS correlated positively with triacylglycerol. Insulin returned to basal concentrations at 3 h only in the CVP and HOP groups. CONCLUSIONS: The acute consumption of peanuts delayed the increase in serum triacylglycerol and favoured the quicker return of insulin to basal concentrations, especially in the CVP group. Our results suggest that the consumption of conventional or high-oleic peanuts may help to reduce the risk of endotoxaemia and metabolic disorders.

Two new species of Hyphessobrycon (Characiformes: Characidae) from the headwaters of the Tapajós and Xingu River basins, Pará, Brazil.

Two new species of Hyphessobrycon are described from the headwaters of the Tapajós and Xingu River basins, Pará, Brazil. Both new species can be distinguished from congeners by the presence of a vertically elongate humeral blotch, a conspicuous round to vertically oblong caudal-peduncle blotch not extending onto the distal portions of the middle caudal-fin rays, a conspicuous blotch on the central portion of the third infraorbital immediately ventral to the eye, the lack of a conspicuous longitudinal stripe and the lack of sexual dimorphism in the extension of the caudal-peduncle blotch. Hyphessobrycon delimai n. sp. can be distinguished from Hyphessobrycon krenakore n. sp. by the extent of the caudal-peduncle blotch which extends across most of the caudal-peduncle depth (v. restricted to the middle portion of the caudal peduncle), the presence of dark chromatophores uniformly scattered along the length of the interradial membranes of the dorsal, anal and caudal fins (v. concentrated on the distal one-half or one-fourth of the interradial membranes) and the absence of small bony processes on the pelvic and anal fins of mature males (v. small bony processes present).

Soil-pore water distribution of silver and gold engineered nanoparticles in undisturbed soils under unsaturated conditions.

Release of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) to soil is well documented but little is known on the subsequent soil-pore water distribution of ENPs once present in soil. In this study, the availability and mobility of silver (Ag) and gold (Au) ENPs added to agricultural soils were assessed in two separate pot experiments. Pore water samples collected from pots from day 1 to 45 using porous (<0.17 µm) membrane samplers suggest that both Ag and Au are retained almost completely within 24 h with less than 13% of the total added amount present in pore water on day 1. UV-Vis and TEM results showed that AuENPs in pore water were present as both homoaggregates and heteroaggregates until day 3 after which the concentration in pore water was too low to detect the presence of aggregates. A close relation between the concentration of Au and Fe in pore water suggests that the short term solubility of Au is partly controlled by natural soil colloids. Results suggest that under normal aerated soil conditions the actual availability of Ag and AuENPs is low which is relevant in view of risk assessment even though the impact of environmental conditions and soil properties on the reactivity of ENPs (and/or large ENPs aggregates) retained in the solid matrix need to be addressed further.

Faecal levels of Bifidobacterium and Clostridium coccoides but not plasma lipopolysaccharide are inversely related to insulin and HOMA index in women.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The abundance of specific microbes might be associated with plasma lipopolysaccharide and insulin levels. The aims were to quantify the abundance of specific microbes and plasma LPS in females and assess their association with anthropometric, body composition and biochemical measurements. METHODS: Seventeen lean (BMI 19-24.99 kg/m(2)) and fifteen obese females (BMI > 30 kg/m(2)) participated. Anthropometry, body composition, food intake and biochemical analyses were assessed. Bacterial groups in faeces were analysed by qPCR method. RESULTS: Lactobacillus plantarum prevalence was higher (p = 0.005) and its counts tended to be higher in lean vs. obese group (p = 0.06). Bifidobacterium genus, Bifidobacterium longum, Clostridium coccoides and Clostridium leptum counts were higher in lean women (p < 0.05); prevalence and counts of Akkermansia muciniphila tended to be higher in lean group (p = 0.09, p = 0.06, respectively). Plasma LPS levels were similar between the study groups (p > 0.05). No association was found between LPS and bacterial levels or insulin. Bifidobacteria and C. coccoides counts were inversely associated with insulin and HOMA index. CONCLUSIONS: Abundance of specific microbes is distinct between obese and lean women, but is not associated with LPS level. Bifidobacterial and C. coccoides levels are associated with insulin sensitivity. These bacterial groups may be capable of modulating insulin action.

Gut microbiota and the development of obesity / La microbiota intestinal y el desarrollo de la obesidad

Introduction: Advances in tools for molecular investigations have allowed deeper understanding of how microbes can influence host physiology. A very interesting field of research that has gained attention recently is the possible role of gut microbiota in the development of obesity and metabolic disorders. Objective: The aim of this review is to discuss mechanisms that explain the influence of gut microbiota on host metabolism. Results and discussion: The gut microbiota is important for normal physiology of the host. However, differences in their composition may have different impacts on host metabolism. It has been shown that obese and lean subjects present different microbiota composition profile. These differences in microbiota composition may contribute to weight imbalance and impaired metabolism. The evidences from animal models suggest that it is possible that the microbiota of obese subjects has higher capacity to harvest energy from the diet providing substrates that can activate lipogenic pathways. In addition, microorganisms can also influence the activity of lipoprotein lipase interfering in the accumulation of triglycerides in the adipose tissue. The interaction of gut microbiota with the endocannabinoid system provides a route through which intestinal permeability can be altered. Increased intestinal permeability allows the entrance of endotoxins to the circulation, which are related to the induction of inflammation and insulin resistance in mice. The impact of the proposed mechanisms for humans still needs further investigations. However, the fact that gut microbiota can be modulated through dietary components highlights the importance to study how fatty acids, carbohydrates, micronutrients, prebiotics, and probiotics can influence gut microbiota composition and the management of obesity. Gut microbiota seems to be an important and promising target in the prevention and treatment of obesity and its related metabolic disturbances in future studies and in clinical practice (AU)

Introducción: Los avances en herramientas para la investigación molecular han permitido una mayor comprensión de cómo los microbios pueden influir en la fisiología del huésped. Un campo de investigación muy interesante que se ha llamado la atención recientemente es el posible papel de la microbiota intestinal en el desarrollo de la obesidad y de los trastornos metabólicos. Objetivos: El objetivo de esta revisión es discutir los mecanismos que explican la influencia de la microbiota intestinal en el metabolismo del huésped. Resultados y discusión: La microbiota intestinal es importante para la fisiología normal del huésped. Sin embargo, las diferencias en su composición pueden tener efectos diferentes sobre el metabolismo del huésped. Se ha demostrado que las personas obesas y delgadas tienen un perfil de composición diferente de la microbiota. Estas diferencias en la composición de la microbiota pueden contribuir a un desequilibrio de peso y alteración del metabolismo. Las evidencias de los modelos animales sugieren que es posible que la microbiota de los sujetos obesos tienen una mayor capacidad para captar energía de la dieta proporcionando sustratos que pueden activar las vías lipogénicas. Además, los microorganismos también pueden influir en la actividad de la lipoproteína lipasa lo que interfiere con la acumulación de triglicéridos en el tejido adiposo. La interacción de la microbiota intestinal con el sistema endocannabinoide proporciona una ruta a través del cual puede alterar la permeabilidad intestinal. Aumento de la permeabilidad intestinal permite la entrada de la circulación de endotoxinas, que están relacionados con la inducción de la inflamación y la resistencia a la insulina en los ratones. El impacto de los mecanismos propuestos para los seres humanos todavía necesita uma mayor investigación. Sin embargo, el hecho de que la microbiota intestinal puede ser modulada por componentes de la dieta refuerza la importancia de estudiar cómo los ácidos grasos, hidratos de carbono, micronutrientes, prebióticos y probióticos pueden influir en la composición de la microbiota intestinal y el desarrollo de la obesidad. La microbiota intestinal parece ser un objetivo importante y prometedor en la prevención y el tratamiento de la obesidad y trastornos metabólicos relacionados en la investigación futura y la práctica clínica (AU)

First description of Adenovirus, Enterovirus, Rotavirus and Torque teno virus in water samples collected from the Arroio Dilúvio, Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Adenovirus (AdV), enterovirus (EV), genogroup A rotaviruses (GARV) and Torque teno virus (TTV) are non-enveloped viral agents excreted in feces and so may contaminate water bodies. In the present study, the molecular detection of these viruses was performed in samples of surface water collected from the Arroio Dilúvio, a waterstream that crosses the city of Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, receiving great volumes of non-treated sewage from a large urban area. Sampling was performed during 2009, in three different occasions (January, April and September). The highest detection rate was observed for EV (64.28%), followed by TTV (28.57%) and AdV (21.43%). Rotaviruses were not detected. More than on kind of tested virus was detected in five (35. 71%) of 14 samples. January was the month with the highest viral detection rate, being all samples, collected in this month, positive for at least one group of tested virus. The correlation between the detection of these different viral agents and environmental factors is discussed. To the knowledge of the authors, this is the first description of viral genomes in water samples taken from the Arroio Dilúvio, Porto Alegre (Brazil).

Gut microbiota and the development of obesity.

INTRODUCTION: Advances in tools for molecular investigations have allowed deeper understanding of how microbes can influence host physiology. A very interesting field of research that has gained attention recently is the possible role of gut microbiota in the development of obesity and metabolic disorders. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review is to discuss mechanisms that explain the influence of gut microbiota on host metabolism. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The gut microbiota is important for normal physiology of the host. However, differences in their composition may have different impacts on host metabolism. It has been shown that obese and lean subjects present different microbiota composition profile. These differences in microbiota composition may contribute to weight imbalance and impaired metabolism. The evidences from animal models suggest that it is possible that the microbiota of obese subjects has higher capacity to harvest energy from the diet providing substrates that can activate lipogenic pathways. In addition, microorganisms can also influence the activity of lipoprotein lipase interfering in the accumulation of triglycerides in the adipose tissue. The interaction of gut microbiota with the endocannabinoid system provides a route through which intestinal permeability can be altered. Increased intestinal permeability allows the entrance of endotoxins to the circulation, which are related to the induction of inflammation and insulin resistance in mice. The impact of the proposed mechanisms for humans still needs further investigations. However, the fact that gut microbiota can be modulated through dietary components highlights the importance to study how fatty acids, carbohydrates, micronutrients, prebiotics, and probiotics can influence gut microbiota composition and the management of obesity. Gut microbiota seems to be an important and promising target in the prevention and treatment of obesity and its related metabolic disturbances in future studies and in clinical practice.

Determination of ochratoxin A in wine from the southern region of Brazil by thin layer chromatography with a charge-coupled detector.

The presence of ochratoxin A (OTA) is evaluated using thin layer chromatography (TLC) with a charge-coupled detector (CCD) in 88 red wine samples (2009 vintage) from Brazil. Samples included 75 wines from Rio Grande do Sul, nine from Santa Catarina and four from Paraná state; 56 wines were Cabernet Sauvignon and 32 were Merlot varieties. The method included the analysis of fluorescent images, acquired under UV light, using ImageJ software. Mean recovery of OTA was 82.3% using immunoaffinity columns (IAC). The limits of quantification (LOQ) and detection (LOD) were 0.8 and 0.2 µg l(-1), respectively. Results showed a 5.7% contamination of OTA, with five positive samples--three Cabernet Sauvignon and two Merlot. Santa Catarina and Paraná showed one positive sample each, although the concentrations were below the limit of quantification. The highest concentration found was 0.84 µg l(-1) in one sample from Rio Grande do Sul.