Health Conditions and Dietary Intake Among Brazilian Immigrants in the United States of America.

Immigration can improve economic status and access to education compared to the country of origin, but it challenges access to health and preventive care. Assess Brazilian immigrants' overall health conditions and dietary intake in New Jersey (US). This pilot study assessed health conditions and dietary intake. Brazilians immigrants were interviewed through their communities. Trained dietitians interviewed them using a questionnaire and three days of 24H recall. Dietary intake was analyzed using the Nutrition Data System for Research software. A sample of 118 individuals completed the protocol, majority female and overweight/obese, living in the US for 11.3 years with 21.1% declaring having Noncommunicable Diseases. The average number of daily meals was 2.20 ± 1.04. Energy intake does not correlate with time in the US. Obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension are the most prevalent Noncommunicable Diseases, demanding interventions that include managing saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium intake.

Prospective enzymes for omega-3 PUFA biosynthesis found in endoparasitic classes within the phylum Platyhelminthes.

The free-living infectious stages of macroparasites, specifically, the cercariae of trematodes (flatworms), are likely to be significant (albeit underappreciated) vectors of nutritionally important polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to consumers within aquatic food webs, and other macroparasites could serve similar roles. In the context of de novo omega-3 (n-3) PUFA biosynthesis, it was thought that most animals lack the fatty acid (FA) desaturase enzymes that convert stearic acid (18:0) into ɑ-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3n-3), the main FA precursor for n-3 long-chain PUFA. Recently, novel sequences of these enzymes were recovered from 80 species from six invertebrate phyla, with experimental confirmation of gene function in five phyla. Given this wide distribution, and the unusual attributes of flatworm genomes, we conducted an additional search for genes for de novo n-3 PUFA in the phylum Platyhelminthes. Searches with experimentally confirmed sequences from Rotifera recovered nine relevant FA desaturase sequences from eight species in four genera in the two exclusively endoparasite classes (Trematoda and Cestoda). These results could indicate adaptations of these particular parasite species, or may reflect the uneven taxonomic coverage of sequence databases. Although additional genomic data and, particularly, experimental study of gene functionality are important future validation steps, our results indicate endoparasitic platyhelminths may have enzymes for de novo n-3 PUFA biosynthesis, thereby contributing to global PUFA production, but also representing a potential target for clinical antihelmintic applications.

Biomechanical and functional properties of trophoblast cells exposed to Group B Streptococcus in vitro and the beneficial effects of uvaol treatment.

BACKGROUND: Group B streptococcus (GBS) is the main bacteria that infects pregnant women and can cause abortion and chorioamnionitis. The impact of GBS effects on human trophoblast cells remains largely elusive, and actions toward anti-inflammatory strategies in pregnancy are needed. A potent anti-inflammatory molecule, uvaol is a triterpene from olive oil and its functions in trophoblasts are unknown. We aimed to analyze biomechanical and functional effects of inactivated GBS in trophoblast cells, with the addition of uvaol to test potential benefits. METHODS: HTR-8/SVneo cells were treated with uvaol and incubated with inactivated GBS. Cell viability and death were analyzed. Cellular elasticity and topography were accessed by atomic force microscopy. Nitrite production was evaluated by Griess reaction. Nuclear translocation of NFkB p65 was detected by immunofluorescence and Th1/Th2 cytokines by bead-based multiplex assay. RESULTS: GBS at 108 CFU increased cell death, which was partially prevented by uvaol. Cell stiffness, cytoskeleton organization and morphology were changed by GBS, and uvaol partially restored these alterations. Nuclear translocation of NFkB p65 began 15 min after GBS incubation and uvaol inhibited this process. GBS decreased IL-4 secretion and increased IL-1ß, IFN-γ and IL-2, whereas uvaol reverted this. CONCLUSIONS: The increased inflammation and cell death caused by GBS correlated with biomechanical and cytoskeleton changes found in trophoblast cells, while uvaol was effective its protective role. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Uvaol is a natural anti-inflammatory product efficient against GBS-induced inflammation and it has potential to be acquired through diet in order to prevent GBS deleterious effects in pregnancy.

Food formulation and not processing level: Conceptual divergences between public health and food science and technology sectors.

Observed changes in eating and drinking behaviors in economically developing countries are associated with increase of obesity and related chronic diseases. Researchers from field of public health (PH) have attributed this problem to food processing and have created new food classification systems to support their thesis. These classifications conceptually differ from processing level concepts in food science, and state to people that food processing is directly related to nutritional impact of food. Our work aims to compare the concept of food processing from the standpoint of food science and technology (FST) and public health and to discuss differences related to formulation or level of processing of products and their impact on nutritional quality. There is a misconception between food processing/unit operation/food technology and formulation or recipes. For the public health approach, classification is based on food products selection and the use of ingredients that results in higher consumption of sugar, sodium, fat, and additives, whereas in FST, processing level is based on the intensity and amount of unit operations to enhance shelf life, food safety, food quality, and availability of edible parts of raw materials. Nutritional quality of a product or preparation is associated with formulation/recipe and not with the level of processing, with few exceptions. The impact of these recommendations on the actual comprehension of food processing and quality must be considered by the population.

Inbreeding depression in single, three way and double-cross hybrids of maize.

Currently, one of the acclaimed alternatives for increasing maize yield is accomplished through utilization of heterosis in hybrid cultivars. However, upon performing crosses between related pairs, there are losses due to inbreeding depression. Thus, the aim of this study was to estimate inbreeding depression and the contribution of loci in heterozygosity in different types of maize hybrids. Eight treatments were evaluated, considering the F1 and S0 generations of four commercial hybrids. A randomized block experimental design was used, with three replications, and plots consisting of two three-meter long rows at a spacing of 0.50 m. The traits evaluated were plant height, first ear height and husked ear weight. For ear weight trait, there was a significant difference, where the treatments could be classified into three distinct groups. In this case, the single-cross hybrids AG7088 and 30F90Y exhibited greater depression through inbreeding due to the greater contribution of loci in heterozygosity and consequent predominance of deviations due to dominance.

Environmentally Relevant Concentrations of Atrazine and Ametrine Induce Micronuclei Formation and Nuclear Abnormalities in Erythrocytes of Fish.

A rapid and sensitive method using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry triple quadrupole direct aqueous injection for analysis of atrazine and ametrine herbicides in surface waters was developed. According to the validation method, water samples from six different locations in the Piracicaba River were collected monthly from February 2011 to January 2012 and injected into a liquid chromatographer/dual mass spectrometer without the need for sample extraction. The method was validated and shown to be precise and accurate; limits of detection and quantification were 0.07 and 0.10 µg L(-1) for atrazine and 0.09 and 0.14 µg L(-1) for ametrine. During the sampling period, concentrations of atrazine ranged from 0.11 to 1.92 µg L(-1) and ametrine from 0.25 to 1.44 µg L(-1). After analysis of the herbicides, Danio rerio were exposed a range of concentrations found in the river water to check the induction of micronuclei and nuclear abnormalities (NAs) in erythrocytes. Concentrations of atrazine and ametrine >1.0 and 1.5 µg L(-1), respectively, induced MN formation in D. rerio. Ametrine was shown to be more genotoxic to D. rerio because a greater incidence of NAs was observed compared with atrazine. Therefore, environmentally relevant concentrations of atrazine and ametrine found in the Piracicaba River are dangerous to the aquatic biota.

Genotoxic responses of juvenile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) exposed to florfenicol and oxytetracycline.

Florfenicol (FLC) and oxytetracycline (OTC) are the two most commonly used antibiotics for bacterial treatment in fish farming in Brazil, and because of their intensive use, the potential harmful effects on aquatic organisms are of great concern. This study evaluated the effects of environmental concentrations of FLC and OTC on the genetic material of juvenile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) erythrocytes by using the comet assay and the occurrence of micronuclei (MN) and other erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities (ENAs) after exposure to 96hour. The comet assay showed that fish erythrocytes exhibited significantly higher DNA damage after exposure to environmental concentrations of FLC and OTC. Although MN was not observed, ENAs were significantly higher after exposure to FLC, indicating that ENAs are a better biomarker for FLC than MN. The results showed that environmental concentrations of FLC and OTC were genotoxic to erythrocytes of O. niloticus; however, future studies on DNA damage recovery are needed.

Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry and dynamic multiple reaction monitoring method for determining multiple pesticide residues in tomato.

A quick and sensitive liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry method, using dynamic multiple reaction monitoring and a 1.8-µm particle size analytical column, was developed to determine 57 pesticides in tomato in a 13-min run. QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) method for samples preparations and validations was carried out in compliance with EU SANCO guidelines. The method was applied to 58 tomato samples. More than 84% of the compounds investigated showed limits of detection equal to or lower than 5 mg kg(-1). A mild (<20%), medium (20-50%), and strong (>50%) matrix effect was observed for 72%, 25%, and 3% of the pesticides studied, respectively. Eighty-one percent of the pesticides showed recoveries ranging between 70% and 120%. Twelve pesticides were detected in 35 samples, all below the maximum residue levels permitted in the Brazilian legislation; 15 samples exceeded the maximum residue levels established by the EU legislation for methamidophos; and 10 exceeded limits for acephate and four for bromuconazole.

Evaluation of surface water quality using an ecotoxicological approach: a case study of the Piracicaba River (São Paulo, Brazil).

A long-term study was conducted to evaluate Piracicaba River water (São Paulo state, Brazil) using different methodologies and organisms. During 1 year (February 2011 to January 2012), water samples were collected monthly at six different locations and exposed under laboratory conditions to the microcrustaceans Ceriodaphnia dubia and Ceriodaphnia silvestrii for 7 days and to the fish Danio rerio for 4 days to evaluate effects on reproduction and on gill morphology, respectively. Physical-chemical parameters of the water were also measured. Physical-chemical characteristics demonstrated decreasing water quality from upstream to downstream of the river. Effects on the reproduction of C. dubia and C. silvestrii were observed in 3 months (February and March 2011 and January 2012) and occurred in samples collected close to industrialized cities like Americana and Piracicaba. Evaluation of the gills showed normal function of the organ during all months, except in February, September, and October for some locations.

Toxicity of herbicides on Escherichia coli growth.

Agriculture uses a huge variety and quantity of chemicals. If, on one hand, the goal is to increase productivity, on the other hand these products contaminate aquatic environments. Among these products, herbicides deserve greater attention in relation to contamination of aquatic environments due to their extensive use to weed control. This study was carried out because the effects of these molecules on aquatic microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, is still unclear. Using microdilution plate assays, Escherichia coli were exposed to various commercial formulations of herbicides widely used in Brazil. The herbicide paraquat was the only one able to prevent the growth of Escherichia coli and is characterized as bacteriostatic.

Extrato de alho no controle in vitro e in vivo da antracnose da videira / Garlic extract in the in vitro and in vivo control of anthracnose of grapevine

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência in vitro e in vivo do extrato bruto de alho no controle da antracnose da videira (Elsinoe ampelina). No primeiro experimento in vitro, adicionaram-se doses de 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 ou 30 mL L-1 de extrato bruto de alho em meio batata-dextrose-ágar (BDA) antes da esterilização em autoclave e em meio fundente. Após 3, 5, 7 e 9 dias de incubação a 24 ± 2ºC e fotoperíodo de 16 horas, mensurou-se o crescimento micelial de E. ampelina. No segundo experimento in vitro, repetiu-se a metodologia de adição de extrato em meio fundente acrescentando 2,5 mL L-1 de óleo vegetal e uma testemunha absoluta somente com BDA. Avaliação da germinação de E. ampelina foi realizada após duas horas e após quatro horas de incubação a 24ºC e luz constante. O delineamento experimental utilizado para os experimentos in vitro foi inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições e parcela experimental constituída por uma placa de Petri. No experimento a campo, logo após a poda da videira cv. Isabel pulverizou-se semanalmente, sobre as folhas da planta, as doses de extrato bruto de alho acrescida do óleo, exceto na testemunha absoluta (sem tratamento). A partir dos primeiros sintomas da antracnose da videira, avaliou-se a severidade que foi expressa em área abaixo da curva do progresso da doença (AACPD). O delineamento foi em blocos ao acaso com cinco repetições. Constatou-se que o extrato bruto de alho reduziu o crescimento micelial do patógeno, principalmente ao adicioná-lo em meio de cultura, antes da esterilização, quando expressou o máximo potencial antifúngico. Ao adicionar o óleo vegetal às doses de extrato, constatou-se inibição total nas doses de 25 ou 30 mL L-1. Este efeito aditivo entre esses compostos também foi constato no teste de germinação de E. ampelina. Em condições de campo, o extrato bruto de alho reduziu a AACPD em 83,59% na dose de 25 mL L-1.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of the crude extract of garlic in controlling anthracnose of grapevine (Elsinoe ampelina). In the first experiment in vitro, 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 mL L-1 crude extract of garlic were added to potato-dextrose-agar medium (PDA) before autoclaving for sterilization and to melting media. After 3, 5, 7 and 9 days of incubation at 24 ± 2ºC and photoperiod of 16 hours, the mycelial growth of E. ampelina was measured. In the second experiment in vitro, we repeated the methodology of adding the extract to the melting medium plus 2.5 mL-1 of vegetable oil and an absolute control with PDA only. After two and four hours of incubation at 24ºC and constant light, germination of E. ampelina was assessed. The experimental design for in vitro experiments was completely randomized with four replicates and the experimental plot consisted of a Petri dish. In the field experiment, after pruning of the grapevine cv. Isabel, the levels of crude extract of garlic plus oil were weekly sprayed on the leaves of the plant, except on the absolute control (no treatment). From the first symptoms of anthracnose of grapevine, the severity that was expressed as area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was evaluated. The design was in randomized blocks with five replicates. The crude extract of garlic reduced the mycelial growth of the pathogen, especially when added to the culture medium prior to sterilization, when it expressed its maximal antifungal potential. When the vegetable oil was added to the extract levels, there was complete inhibition at the levels 25 or 30 mL L-1. This additive effect of these compounds was also noted for the germination test of E. ampelina. Under field conditions, the crude extract of garlic reduced the AUDPC by 83.59% at 25 mL L-1.

Existe uma correlação entre a melhora clínica e retorno ao trabalho nos pacientes, funcionários públicos, submetidos à cirurgia de hérnia de disco lombar / Is there a correlation between clinical improvement and return to work in patients, civil servants, who underwent surgery for lumbar disc herniation

Objetivo. Analisar a taxa de retorno ao trabalho em pacientes, funcionários públicos, submetidos à cirurgia para hérnia discal lombar.Métodos. A amostra foi formada por 30 pacientes. O nível de dor foi quantificado através da Escala Visual Analógica no pré-operatório e no 3º mês pós-operatório, quando também foi avaliada a situação do trabalho através da Escala de Trabalho de Denis. Foi comparada a dor do pré e do pósoperatório, a melhora clínica e o retorno ao trabalho.Resultados. A média das idades foi de 47,42 anos, o gênero feminino prevaleceu em 54%. A média da dor no pré-operatório foi de 9,11 e no pós-operatório foi de 3,11 e 77% dos pacientes retornaram ao trabalho prévio. Houve correlação moderada entre a dor no pós-operatório e a condição de trabalho.

Phosphoinositide involvement in phagocytosis and phagosome maturation.

Cells of the innate immune system engulf invading microorganisms into plasma membrane-derived vacuoles called phagosomes. Newly formed phagosomes gradually acquire microbicidal properties by a maturation process which involves sequential and coordinated rounds of fusion with endomembranes and concomitant fission. Some pathogens interfere with this maturation sequence and thereby evade killing by the immune cells, managing to survive intracellularly as parasites. Phosphoinositides seem to be intimately involved in the processes of phagosome formation and maturation, and initial observations suggest that the ability of some microorganisms to survive intracellularly is associated with alterations in phosphoinositide metabolism. This chapter presents a brief overview of phosphoinositides in cells of the immune system, their metabolism in the context of phagocytosis and phagosome maturation and their possible derangements during infectious pathogenosis.

Phagosome maturation: a few bugs in the system.

Cells of the innate immune system ingest and destroy invading microorganisms by initially engulfing them into a specialized vacuole, known as the phagosome. The membrane of the forming phagosome is similar to the plasmalemma and its contents resemble the extracellular milieu. As such, the nascent phagosome is not competent to kill and eliminate the ingested microorganisms. However, shortly after sealing, the phagosome undergoes a series of rapid and extensive changes in its composition, the result of a sophisticated sequence of membrane fusion and fission reactions. Understanding the molecular basis of these events is of particular importance, since they are often the target of disruption by intracellular parasites such as Mycobacterium, Salmonella and Legionella. The objective of this review is to summarize the current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying phagosomal maturation and its subversion by parasitic microorganisms.

Distinct roles of class I and class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases in phagosome formation and maturation.

Phagosomes acquire their microbicidal properties by fusion with lysosomes. Products of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) are required for phagosome formation, but their role in maturation is unknown. Using chimeric fluorescent proteins encoding tandem FYVE domains, we found that phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PI[3]P) accumulates greatly but transiently on the phagosomal membrane. Unlike the 3'-phosphoinositides generated by class I PI 3-kinases which are evident in the nascent phagosomal cup, PI(3)P is only detectable after the phagosome has sealed. The class III PI 3-kinase VPS34 was found to be responsible for PI(3)P synthesis and essential for phagolysosome formation. In contrast, selective ablation of class I PI 3-kinase revealed that optimal phagocytosis, but not maturation, requires this type of enzyme. These results highlight the differential functional role of the two families of kinases, and raise the possibility that PI(3)P production by VPS34 may be targeted during the maturation arrest induced by some intracellular parasites.

The genomic structure of SYCP3, a meiosis-specific gene encoding a protein of the chromosome core.

SYCP3 localizes to the lateral elements of the synaptonemal complex and is essential for male meiosis. The genomic structure of SYCP3 consists of nine exons spanning approximately 14 kb. In mouse and rat, but not in hamster, the putative translation start of SYCP3 is present in the first exon. The putative promoter of SYCP3 was also cloned and shown to drive transcription of a reporter gene in somatic cells.

Indirect role for COPI in the completion of FCgamma receptor-mediated phagocytosis.

Recent evidence suggests that extension of pseudopods during phagocytosis requires localized insertion of endomembrane vesicles. The nature of these vesicles and the processes mediating their release and insertion are unknown. COPI plays an essential role in the budding and traffic of membrane vesicles in intracellular compartments. We therefore assessed whether COPI is also involved in phagosome formation. We used ldlF cells, a mutant line derived from Chinese hamster ovary cells that express a temperature-sensitive form of epsilonCOP. To confer phagocytic ability to ldlF cells, they were stably transfected with Fc receptors type IIA (FcgammaRIIA). In the presence of functional COPI, FcgammaRIIA-transfected ldlF cells effectively internalized opsonized particles. In contrast, phagocytosis was virtually eliminated after incubation at the restrictive temperature. Similar results were obtained impairing COPI function in macrophages using brefeldin A. Notably, loss of COPI function preceded complete inhibition of phagocytosis, suggesting that COPI is indirectly required for phagocytosis. Despite their inability to internalize particles, COPI-deficient cells nevertheless expressed normal levels of FcgammaRIIA, and signal transduction appeared unimpeded. The opsonized particles adhered normally to COPI-deficient cells and were often found on actin-rich pedestals, but they were not internalized due to the inability of the cells to extend pseudopods. The failure to extend pseudopods was attributed to the inability of COPI-deficient cells to mobilize endomembrane vesicles, including a VAMP3-containing compartment, in response to the phagocytic stimulus.