Establishment of methods to analyze the structural and functional integrity of the quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) sperm plasma membrane.

1. The objectives of this study were to establish the use of the fluorophores Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide for the evaluation of sperm plasma membrane integrity and to identify an adequate hypoosmotic solution for the evaluation of sperm membrane functionality in quails.2. Sperm samples were collected from the vas deferens of nine quails. After initial evaluation, the samples were subjected to a flash-frozen assay. Three treatments with the following proportions of fresh sperm and sperm subjected to flash freezing were prepared as follows: 100:0 (T100), 50:50 (T50), and 0:100 (T0). The hypoosmotic swelling test used distilled water (0 mOsm/l) and fructose solutions (50, 100, and 200 mOsm/l).3. Immediately after recovery, the samples showed 75.6 ± 5.0% motility with vigour of 3.7 ± 0.3 and 96.1 ± 0.5% of the sperm appeared normal. The membrane integrity test showed 62.2 ± 5.2% intact sperm at T100, 29.0 ± 4.1% at T50 and 0.1 ± 0.1% at T0. Moreover, a greater number of reactive sperm (74.7 ± 6.7%) were observed when incubated in distilled water (0 mOsm/l) in comparison to other solutions (P < 0.05).4. The association of fluorescent probes composed of Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide provided an efficient assessment of the integrity of the plasmatic membrane of quail spermatozoa. However, the study identified that the hypoosmotic swelling test has little predictive value regarding sperm membrane functionality in this species.

Adhesion of Candida tropicalis to polystyrene and epithelial cell lines: Insights of correlation of the extent of adherent yeast cells among distinct surfaces.

Candida tropicalis is an emerging fungal pathogen associated with high mortality. We aimed to compare adherence capability of C. tropicalis to polystyrene and epithelial cell lines (HeLa and Vero), and determine whether adherent blastoconidia is cell-type specific. Blastoconidia adhesion to epithelial cells and polystyrene were determined by crystal violet assay. The percentage of epithelial cells with adhered blastoconidia and the number of adhered blastoconidia per cell line were determined by light microscopy. The correlation between adhesion surfaces was assessed by Pearson's correlation coefficient. The adhesiveness of C. tropicalis to polystyrene was greater than that observed for ephitelial cells. High correlation values (r2 0.9999222, p 0.007941) were found for the adhesion capability between biotic and polystyrene surface for isolates 100.10 (obtained from blood) and 335.07 (obtained from tracheal secretion). The number of adherent blastoconidia per HeLa cell was greater in comparison to that observed for Vero cells (P<0.05). Further, high correlation (r2 1, p 0.0001) was found for the adhesion ability between HeLa cells and Vero cells. The results suggest a correlation of C. tropicalis adhesion capability among different surfaces, and that the adhesion to epithelial cells is specific to the cell type.

Difficulty in detecting low levels of polymyxin resistance in clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates: evaluation of Rapid Polymyxin NP test, Colispot Test and SuperPolymyxin medium.

Polymyxins are important therapeutic options for treating infections, mainly those caused by carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Specific chemical characteristics of polymyxins make it difficult to perform antimicrobial susceptibility testing, especially within the clinical laboratory. Here we aimed to evaluate the performance of three phenotypic methods: Rapid NP Polymyxin Test, ColiSpot test and the SuperPolymyxin medium. To accomplish this, 170 non-duplicate clinical K. pneumoniae isolates were analysed (123 colistin-resistant and 47 susceptible). The sensitivity and specificity obtained for Rapid Polymyxin NP Test, Colispot and SuperPolymyxin medium were, respectively, 90% and 94%, 74% and 100%, and 82% and 85%. Very major errors occurred more frequently in low-level colistin-resistant isolates (MICs 4 and 8 µg/mL). Rapid Polymyxin NP proved to be a method capable of identifying colistin-resistant strains in acceptable categorical agreement. However, major errors and very major errors of this method were considered unacceptable for colistin-resistance screening. Although the Colispot test is promising and easy to perform and interpret, the results did not reproduce well in the isolates tested. The colistin-containing selective medium (SuperPolymyxin) showed limitations, including quantification of mucoid colonies and poor stability. Nevertheless, Colispot and SuperPolymyxin medium methods did not present acceptable sensitivity, specificity and categorical agreement. It is essential to use analytical tools that faithfully reproduce bacterial resistance in vitro, especially in last-line drugs, such as polymyxins, when misinterpretation of a test can result in therapeutic ineffectiveness.

Organotropism of methylmercury in fish of the southeastern of Brazil.

This is one of the first studies to evaluate the effect of biometric variables (total length and weight), diet, and abiotic matrices (sediment and water column) on the bioaccumulation of methylmercury in tissues (muscle, liver, and gills) of four fish (two carnivore-invertivores, Pimelodus fur and Pachyurus adspersus; one carnivore-piscivore, Oligosarcus hepsetus; and one omnivore, Pimelodella lateristriga) in the lower section of a river in southeastern Brazil. Samples of fish (n = 120), water (n = 5) and sediment (n = 5) were collected at five sites characterized by pollution with mercury due to the use of organomercury fungicides and stream bed gold mining, commonly carried out in that section of the river in the 1980s. The results show that biometric variables are strongly correlated with methylmercury levels in muscle (r = 0.61, p < 0.0005) of P. fur. As a rule, concentrations of total mercury and methylmercury did not vary considerably between the organs of the species of different food habits, because of the environmental conditions in the study area. Despite the low concentrations of mercury in sediments (<0.05 mg kg-1 wet. wt), this compartment is a representative source of this pollutant for the organisms investigated, due to the close contact these animals keep with it in view of the low water columns in that section of the river.

Complete physical mapping of IL6 reveals a new marker associated with chronic periodontitis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a powerful stimulator of osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption. Production of IL-6 is modulated by polymorphisms, and higher levels of this cytokine are found locally in patients with chronic periodontitis. In this study we performed a modern approach - Complete physical mapping of the IL6 gene - to identify the polymorphisms associated with chronic periodontitis in a southern Brazilian population sample. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One-hundred and nine individuals of both genders (mean age: 41.5 ± 8.5 years) were divided into a study group (56 participants with periodontitis) and a control group (53 individuals without periodontitis). After collection and purification of DNA, nine tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs1524107, rs2069835, rs2069837, rs2069838, rs2069840, rs2069842, rs2069843, rs2069845 and rs2069849) covering the entire gene were selected according to the information available on the International HapMap Project website and evaluated using real-time PCR. RESULTS: Differences in the distribution of the following parameters were statistically significant between study and control groups: number of teeth (p = 0.030); probing depth (p < 0.001); clinical attachment level (p < 0.001); gingival index (p < 0.001); plaque index (p = 0.003); calculus index (p < 0.001); and dental mobility (p < 0.001). It was found that marker rs2069837 (located in intron 2 of IL6) under G dominant was associated with protection against chronic periodontitis in a Brazilian population in the presence of clinical variables, such as visible plaque, dentist visit frequency and dental floss use, and was suggested for the first time as a marker of susceptibility to chronic periodontitis. CONCLUSION: Complete physical mapping of IL6 (using tag SNPs) was carried out for the first time, unveiling allele G of polymorphism rs2069837 (located in the second intron of IL6) as a suggestive marker of protection against chronic periodontitis in a Brazilian population.

Risk of ingesting As, Cd, and Pb in animal products in north Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil.

This study evaluated the levels of As, Cd, and Pb in muscle and liver the cattle and chicken. The risk was estimated for the adult population of a midsized city in southeast Brazil, concerning the tolerable ingestion and cancer risk. Samples of muscle and liver (cattle and chicken) were collected (n = 250). Samples of mineral supplements for cattle (n = 4) and chicken feed samples (n = 4) were evaluated as one of many potential source of contamination. Muscle, liver, mineral supplement, and feed samples were dissolved in acid medium and analyzed by ICP-OES. Daily muscle and liver intake was estimated using a questionnaire (N = 427). Daily intake of trace elements by the population based on the consumption of cattle muscle, cattle liver, chicken muscle, and chicken liver was low, corresponding to 2.76%, 0.33%, 2.12%, and 0.22% of the Tolerable Intake defined by the WHO for As; 0.54%, 0.29% 0.55%, 0.01%, for Cd; and 0.80%, 0.07%, 0.62%, 0.02%, for Pb. The mean of total ingestion of As, Cd and Pb was 5.43%, 1.18% and 1.51%, respectively of Tolerable Intake defined by WHO. Cancer risk was lower than 5 × 10-5 year-1. The results indicate that the muscle and liver consumption is a source of As, Cd, and Pb. Consumers that ingest cattle and chicken muscle need attention in terms the risk of cancer related to intake of As and Cd. Feed and mineral supplementation remain as one of many sources of exposure of As, Cd, and Pb.

Outcome of orthodontic mini-implant loss in relation to interleukin 6 polymorphisms.

Mini-implants (MIs) are used increasingly for orthodontic anchorage and their success may require some osseointegration, which is affected by the underlying host immune-inflammatory response. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a cytokine expressed during the host response after a trauma or infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of clinical characteristics and IL6 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (which capture the information of the whole gene in terms of genetic variability) with the loss of MIs for orthodontic anchorage. A total of 487 patients were treated with orthodontic MIs between 2004 and 2010. After the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, the sample comprised 104 patients with one or more MIs that had been in function for at least 6 months with no loss, and 31 patients who had lost one or more MIs. Allele A of rs2069843 and allele T of rs2069849 were suggestively associated with the loss of MIs for orthodontic anchorage and were in complete linkage disequilibrium, which means that one of them is sufficient to capture the same information. The location of installation (mandible) and the number of MIs installed per patient were also associated with the loss of MIs.

Concentration of mycotoxins and chemical composition of corn silage: a farm survey using infrared thermography.

This work evaluated the chemical composition and mycotoxin incidence in corn silage from 5 Brazilian dairy-producing regions: Castro, in central-eastern Paraná State (n=32); Toledo, in southwestern Paraná (n=20); southeastern Goiás (n=14); southern Minas Gerais (n=23); and western Santa Catarina (n=20). On each dairy farm, an infrared thermography camera was used to identify 3 sampling sites that exhibited the highest temperature, a moderate temperature, and the lowest temperature on the silo face, and 1 sample was collected from each site. The chemical composition and concentrations of mycotoxins were evaluated, including the levels of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2; zearalenone; ochratoxin A; deoxynivalenol; and fumonisins B1 and B2. The corn silage showed a highly variable chemical composition, containing, on average, 7.1±1.1%, 52.5±5.4%, and 65.2±3.6% crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and total digestible nutrients, respectively. Mycotoxins were found in more than 91% of the samples, with zearalenone being the most prevalent (72.8%). All samples from the Castro region contained zearalenone at a high average concentration (334±374µg/kg), even in well-preserved silage. The incidence of aflatoxin B1 was low (0.92%). Silage temperature and the presence of mycotoxins were not correlated; similarly, differences were not observed in the concentration or incidence of mycotoxins across silage locations with different temperatures. Infrared thermography is an accurate tool for identifying heat sites, but temperature cannot be used to predict the chemical composition or the incidence of mycotoxins that have been analyzed, within the silage. The pre-harvest phase of the ensiling process is most likely the main source of mycotoxins in silage.

Impact of drug formulation and free platinum/cisplatin ratio on hypersensitivity reactions to cisplatin: formulation matters.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Use of cisplatin can induce type I hypersensitivity reactions that may also be linked to the quality of the drug utilized. We observed cases of hypersensitivity that appeared to be associated with the brand of cisplatin used. The aim of this study was to compare two different brands of cisplatin in relation to type I hypersensitivity reactions. METHODS: Brand A was used in a tertiary care teaching hospital until 2012, and use of brand B started from January 2013, when the first hypersensitivity cases were observed. Patients were categorized based on symptom. Cisplatin of both brands was analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-(+)-MS) and characterized according to US Pharmacopeia. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: There were no cases of hypersensitivity associated with the use of cisplatin brand A, whereas four of 127 outpatients that used cisplatin brand B were affected. The two brands were in accordance with the US Pharmacopeia parameters, and there was no significant difference in the total platinum levels between the two brands when analysed by HPLC. However, high-resolution ESI-(+)-MS analyses show that brand B contains approximately 2.7 times more hydrolysed cisplatin than brand A. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: The increase in the hydrolysed form of cisplatin found in brand B may be the cause of the hypersensitivity reaction observed in a subset of patients. We present the first study of the quality of drugs by high-resolution ESI-(+)-MS. Drug regulatory agencies and manufacturers should consider including measurement of hydrolysed cisplatin as a quality criterion for cisplatin formulations.

Evaluation of an ELISA for canine leishmaniasis immunodiagnostic using recombinant proteins.

The present work describes the isolation and purification of two Leishmania chagasi (= syn. Leishmania infantum) recombinant proteins, rLci2B and rLci1A, and their use in the development of an immunoassay for the diagnostic of canine leishmaniasis. After protein expression and cell disruption, rLci2B was purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography followed by size exclusion chromatography, whereas rLci1A, expressed as an inclusion body, was treated with urea and purified by anion-exchange chromatography. Homogeneities were ascertained by denaturing gel electrophoresis (MW (rLci2B) = 46,370; MW(rLci1A) = 88,400), isoelectric focusing (pI (rLci2B) = 5·91; pI (rLci1A) = 6·01) and Western blot. An indirect ELISA was developed using the purified antigens rLci2B and rLci1A and a leishmaniasis canine serum panel (n = 256). The ELISA showed 100% sensitivity and 95% specificity for rLci2B and 96% sensitivity and 92% specificity for rLci1A. The purified proteins did not present cross-reactivity with sera from dogs infected with Trypanosoma caninum, Babesia canis and Ehrlichia canis. Cross-reaction was verified with sera from dogs infected with Leishmania brasiliensis (11·7% for rLci2B and 2·9% for rLci1A). Based on ELISA results, it is suggested the use of rLci2B and rLci1A as antigens in an alternative serological assay for diagnostic of canine leishmania.

Laboratory tests performed on Leishmania seroreactive dogs euthanized by the leishmaniasis control program.

In 2008, in the west zone of Rio de Janeiro municipality-Brazil, the leishmaniasis control program identified 155 dogs with titers ≥ 40 by Indirect ImmunoFluorescence (IIF) on blood collected onto filter paper. The objective of this study was to describe the laboratory test findings performed in dogs euthanized by the leishmaniasis program control of Rio de Janeiro municipality. Dogs were examined, subjected to euthanasia and collection of clinical specimens. Parasite isolation was obtained in 29 animals: Leishmania chagasi was isolated in 14 dogs; Leishmania braziliensis was isolated in five dogs; Trypanosoma caninum was obtained in seven animals and one dog had mixed infection (L. braziliensis and L. chagasi). By Polymerase Chain Reaction, seventeen animals were positive in intact skin fragments. In the serological reassessment of serum samples, 28% and 22% were positive for IIF and enzyme immunoassay, respectively. Ninety-one (59%) dogs were negative for all tests performed in this study. The findings indicate that the visceral leishmaniasis control program needs to be adjusted in order to avoid non-infected dogs from being removed or permit that dogs infected with L. chagasi to remain undetected in endemic areas.

Analysis of the association of polymorphism in the osteoprotegerin gene with susceptibility to chronic kidney disease and periodontitis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a complex disorder, which results in several complications involving disturbance of mineral metabolism. Periodontal disease is an infectious disease that appears to be an important cause of systemic inflammation in CKD patients. Periodontal disease is characterized by clinical attachment loss (CAL) caused by alveolar bone resorption around teeth, which may lead to tooth loss. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a key regulator of osteoclastogenesis. Polymorphisms are the main source of genetic variation, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been reported as major modulators of disease susceptibility. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of a polymorphism located at position -223 in the untranslated region of the OPG gene, previously known as -950, with susceptibility to CKD and periodontal disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A sample of 224 subjects without and with CKD (in hemodialysis) was divided into groups with and without periodontal disease. The OPG polymorphism was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. RESULTS: No association was found between the studied OPG polymorphism and susceptibility to CKD or periodontal disease. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that polymorphism OPG-223 (C/T) was not associated with CKD and periodontal disease in a Brazilian population. Studies on other polymorphisms in this and other genes of the host response could help to clarify the involvement of bone metabolism mediators in the susceptibility to CKD and periodontal disease.

Corynebacterium diphtheriae surface proteins as adhesins to human erythrocytes.

Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains express non-fimbrial surface proteins able to recognize and bind to specific host cells receptors. Protein extracts were obtained from bacterial cells by mechanical process and ammonium sulfate precipitation at 25 and 45% (w/v) saturation. SDS-PAGE analysis of the extracts detected two polypeptide bands of 67 and 72 kDa, named 67-72 p. The 67-72 p, rabbit anti-67-72 p IgG antibodies as well as human gastric mucin, N-acetylneuraminic acid and N-acetyl D-glucosamine molecules were able to inhibit bacterial hemagglutination. Hemagglutination assays using 67-72 p-coated latex beads and Western blot analysis of biotin-labeled 67-72 p and erythrocyte receptors demonstrated the binding of 67-72 p to human erythrocyte membranes. Immunolabeled colloidal gold-A protein transmission electron microscopy using anti-67-72 p revealed a diffuse distribution of non-fimbrial 67-72 p on the surface of C. diphtheriae strains of both sucrose-fermenting and non-fermenting biotypes. Non-fimbrial lectin-like surface 67-72 p may play a role as adhesins in bacterial attachment thereby facilitating the early steps in pathogenesis of both toxigenic and non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae.

[Strategies of early reperfusion in acute myocardial infarction]. / Estratégias de reperfusão precoce no infarto agudo do miocárdio.

PURPOSE: To describe the use of myocardial reperfusion strategies (percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty-PTCA and intravenous trombolysis) whenever it is possible to use emergency cinecoronariography in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: The records of patients admitted with initial diagnosis of AMI, until six hours after the beginning of symptoms, were reviewed retrospectively, between March/92 and December/93. RESULTS: One hundred forty-three patients were admitted with suspected AMI. Eighty-one (57%) presented definitive criteria for this diagnosis. Fifty-two patients (64%) were admitted in the first six hours from the beginning of symptoms. Thirty-eight (73%) were male and the mean age was 59 +/- 12 years. Cinecoronariography was indicated immediately in 36 of 52 (69%) patients, with purpose to use PTCA. That was done in 30 (58%). Two (4%) patients were submitted to emergency surgical myocardial revascularization. Intravenous thrombolysis was used in 11 (21%) patients. At admission, the conservative treatment was chosen for five out of nine left patients, based on clinical grounds. CONCLUSION: The availability of emergency cinecoronariography made an early reperfusion strategy possible in 83% of patients admitted with AMI in the first six hours after the beginning of symptoms.

[Hepatic chemoembolization for the treatment of carcinoid syndrome]. / Quimioembolização hepática para o tratamento da síndrome carcinóide.

Clinical manifestation of carcinoide syndrome are often difficult to control with medical treatment and so present a large problem for doctors. In the majority of cases, such manifestations are seen in patients with hepatic metastases. In such cases the control of the problem can be achieved by local hepatic treatment. A 57 year old patient with carcinoide syndrome for a year, with extensive hepatic tumor from a carcinoide tumor, whose origins were not lokted, had a urinary excretion 5-hidroxi-indolacetic = 73 mg in 24 hours, he used cyproheptadin, loperamida and metisergida without showing improvement. In light of the failure of medical treatment and the impossibility of surgery he was given into hepatic chemoembolization (QEH) with lipiodol, doxorrubicin (1.0 mg/Kg) and mitomicin (10.0 mg) twice. Clinical control with absolute recovery of "flushing" and diarrhea were achieved, a dose of 5-HIAA U (5.5 mg) after the first application. Transitory alterations of the aminotransferasis alkaline phosphates and leucocytosis. Besides the post embolization syndrome that regressed in 20 days, there were no complications recurring after treatment. The period of recovery was more than 9 months. We can then conclude that hepatic chemoembolization is an efficient treatment to control carcinoid syndrome.

Key pecking operant conditioning in detelencephalated pigeons (Columba livia).

The present paper analyzed the acquisition and maintenance of key pecking reinforced with food by pigeons with massive ablation of telencephalon structures (detelencephalated pigeon). The subjects were adult pigeons maintained at 80% of their free feeding weight. Expt. I analyzed the acquisition of key pecking by 3 previously detelencephalated pigeons and 3 normal controls. Expt. II investigated the effects of detelencephalation on the retention of learning through comparisons of pre- and postsurgery key peck rates in schedules of continuous reinforcement. In both experiments the duration of reinforcement was manipulated (20 s and 10 s). The results showed that detelencephalated pigeons are able to learn an operant response and to retain it after telencephalic ablation. Variability in key pecking rate was greater when the lesion preceded conditioning. The data suggest that the telencephalic systems participate in the organization of the key pecking behaviour patterns under this schedule of reinforcement but are not essential for this kind of learning. It is also suggested that subtelencephalic systems participate in the retention of learning.