Riboflavin did not provide anti-inflammatory or antioxidant effects in an experimental model of sepsis.

We aimed to evaluate whether the administration of riboflavin to septic animals reduces inflammation, oxidative stress, organ dysfunction, and mortality. C57BL/6 mice, 6-8 weeks old, were allocated to the study group (polymicrobial sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) + antibiotic + iv riboflavin), control (CLP + antibiotic + iv saline), or naïve (non-operated controls). Serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), urea, and creatinine, and markers of inflammation [interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC), and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2)], and oxidative stress (malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured 12 h after the experiment. Animal survival rates were calculated after 7 days. Means between groups were compared using linear regression models adjusted under the Bayesian approach. No significant difference was observed between control and study groups in serum concentrations of IL-6 (95% credible interval) (-0.35 to 0.44), TNF-α (-15.7 to 99.1), KC (-0.13 to 0.05), MIP-2 (-0.84 to 0.06), MDA (-1.25 to 2.53), or ALT (-6.6 to 11.5). Serum concentrations of CK-MB (-145.1 to -30.1), urea (-114.7 to -15.1), and creatinine (-1.14 to -0.01) were higher in the study group. Survival was similar in both groups (P=0.8). Therefore, the use of riboflavin in mice undergoing sepsis induced by CLP did not reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, organ dysfunction, or mortality compared with placebo.

Riboflavin did not provide anti-inflammatory or antioxidant effects in an experimental model of sepsis

We aimed to evaluate whether the administration of riboflavin to septic animals reduces inflammation, oxidative stress, organ dysfunction, and mortality. C57BL/6 mice, 6-8 weeks old, were allocated to the study group (polymicrobial sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) + antibiotic + iv riboflavin), control (CLP + antibiotic + iv saline), or naïve (non-operated controls). Serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), urea, and creatinine, and markers of inflammation [interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC), and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2)], and oxidative stress (malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured 12 h after the experiment. Animal survival rates were calculated after 7 days. Means between groups were compared using linear regression models adjusted under the Bayesian approach. No significant difference was observed between control and study groups in serum concentrations of IL-6 (95% credible interval) (-0.35 to 0.44), TNF-α (-15.7 to 99.1), KC (-0.13 to 0.05), MIP-2 (-0.84 to 0.06), MDA (-1.25 to 2.53), or ALT (-6.6 to 11.5). Serum concentrations of CK-MB (-145.1 to -30.1), urea (-114.7 to -15.1), and creatinine (-1.14 to -0.01) were higher in the study group. Survival was similar in both groups (P=0.8). Therefore, the use of riboflavin in mice undergoing sepsis induced by CLP did not reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, organ dysfunction, or mortality compared with placebo.

Anaerobic Biological Treatment of Vinasse for Environmental Compliance and Methane Production.

The energy crisis resulted in increasing awareness that alternative sources of energy should be considered. During this time, Brazil implemented ethanol production from sugarcane as biofuel. However, during this process, large amounts of residues are generated, such as vinasse. This residue can be treated anaerobically to generate methane as a source of bioenergy with the use of sequencing batch reactors operated with immobilized biomass (AnSBBR). In this work, tests were conducted in an AnSBBR laboratory-scale reactor, and the main results regarding the kinetic model fitting and performance of substrate consumption (83 %), methane content in the biogas (77 %), applied organic load (5.54 g COD L(-1) day(-1)), methane productivity (973 N-mL CH4 L(-1) day(-1)), and yield (9.47 mol CH4 kg COD(-1)) show that AnSBBR is a promising technological alternative. After tests conducted in a laboratory-scale reactor, an industrial reactor was scaled and was also operated in a sequencing batch with immobilized biomass (AnSBBR) for the anaerobic treatment of vinasse with the goal of generating methane and environmental suitability to further disposal in soil. The calculations were performed based on data from a sugar and alcohol plant located in São Paulo, Brazil. This study proposes to the operation of the industrial scale reactor was the association of four AnSBBR (each one with a volume of 15849 m(3)) operating in parallel (with a feeding and discharge time of 4 h and a reaction time of 8 h), with the goal of adapting the treatment system from a discontinuous operation to a continuous operation. In this industrial scenario, the methane production was estimated at 1.65 × 10(6) mol CH4 day(-1), and the energy was approximately 17 MW, increasing the possible energy recovery contained in sugarcane from 93 to 96 %.

Filamentous fungi and media for cellulase production in solid state cultures.

Cellulase production was evaluated in two reference strains (T. reesei Rut-C30 and T. reesei QM9414), two strains isolated from a sugarcane cultivation area (Trichoderma sp. IPT778 and T. harzianum rifai IPT821) and one strain isolated in a program for biodiversity preservation in São Paulo state (Myceliophthora thermophila M77). Solid state cultures were performed using sugarcane bagasse (C), wheat bran (W) and/or soybean bran (S). The highest FPA was 10.6 U/gdm for M77 in SC (10:90) at 80% moisture, which was 4.4 times higher than production in pure W. C was a strong inducer of cellulase production, given that the production level of 6.1 U/gdm in WC (40:60) was 2.5 times higher than in pure W for strain M77; T. reesei Rut-C30 did not respond as strongly with about 1.6-fold surplus production. S advantageously replaced W, as the surplus production on SC (20:80) was 2.3 times relative to WC (20:80) for M77.

Detection of rotavirus in children with acute gastroenteritis in Porto Velho, Rondonia, Brazil.

Rotavirus group A (RVA) infection was ascertained in 591 fecal samples from children 0 to 6 years old with acute gastroenteritis. The vaccination status was also verified in all 591 subjects, with 302 (51.0 % ± 4.0 %) participants fully vaccinated against rotavirus. Forty-two of the vaccinated children (13.9 % ± 3.9 %) tested positive for RVA infection. Of the 289 unvaccinated children (49.0 % ± 4.0 %), 61 (21.1 % ± 4.7 %) had stools positive for RVA. This study suggests that the proportion of acute diarrhea cases caused by rotavirus was low and that the incidence of rotavirus diarrhea decreased over the study period in both vaccinated and unvaccinated children.

Filamentous fungi and media for cellulase production in solid state cultures

Cellulase production was evaluated in two reference strains (T. reesei Rut-C30 and T. reesei QM9414), two strains isolated from a sugarcane cultivation area (Trichoderma sp. IPT778 and T. harzianum rifai IPT821) and one strain isolated in a program for biodiversity preservation in São Paulo state (Myceliophthora thermophila M77). Solid state cultures were performed using sugarcane bagasse (C), wheat bran (W) and/or soybean bran (S). The highest FPA was 10.6 U/gdm for M77 in SC (10:90) at 80% moisture, which was 4.4 times higher than production in pure W. C was a strong inducer of cellulase production, given that the production level of 6.1 U/gdm in WC (40:60) was 2.5 times higher than in pure W for strain M77; T. reesei Rut-C30 did not respond as strongly with about 1.6-fold surplus production. S advantageously replaced W, as the surplus production on SC (20:80) was 2.3 times relative to WC (20:80) for M77.

Filamentous fungi and media for cellulase production in solid state cultures

Cellulase production was evaluated in two reference strains (T. reesei Rut-C30 and T. reesei QM9414), two strains isolated from a sugarcane cultivation area (Trichoderma sp. IPT778 and T. harzianum rifai IPT821) and one strain isolated in a program for biodiversity preservation in São Paulo state (Myceliophthora thermophila M77). Solid state cultures were performed using sugarcane bagasse (C), wheat bran (W) and/or soybean bran (S). The highest FPA was 10.6 U/gdm for M77 in SC (10:90) at 80% moisture, which was 4.4 times higher than production in pure W. C was a strong inducer of cellulase production, given that the production level of 6.1 U/gdm in WC (40:60) was 2.5 times higher than in pure W for strain M77; T. reesei Rut-C30 did not respond as strongly with about 1.6-fold surplus production. S advantageously replaced W, as the surplus production on SC (20:80) was 2.3 times relative to WC (20:80) for M77.(AU)

Proteinase-activated receptor-4 plays a major role in the recruitment of neutrophils induced by trypsin or carrageenan during pleurisy in mice.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The activation of proteinase-activated receptors (PARs) has been implicated in the development of important hallmarks of inflammation, including in vivo leukocyte recruitment. Here, we examined the effects of aprotinin, a potent inhibitor of trypsin proteinase and the kallikrein-kinin system, and the PAR-4 antagonist YPGKF-NH(2) (tcY-NH(2)) on neutrophil recruitment in response to carrageenan and trypsin in the pleural cavity of mice. METHODS: BALB/c mice were intrapleurally injected with trypsin or PAR-4-activating peptide AY-NH(2), pretreated with aprotinin or tcY-NH(2) (1 µg/cavity) prior to an intrapleural injection of trypsin or carrageenan, or pretreated with leukotriene B(4) antagonist U-75302 (3 µg/cavity) prior to a trypsin injection. The number of infiltrating neutrophils was evaluated after 4 h. RESULTS: PAR-4-activating peptide AY-NH(2) and trypsin-induced neutrophil recruitment was inhibited by aprotinin, tcY-NH(2) or U-75302. Aprotinin and tcY-NH(2) also inhibited neutrophil recruitment induced by carrageenan. CONCLUSION: These data suggest a key role for PAR-4 in mediating neutrophil recruitment in a mouse model of pleurisy induced by the activity of trypsin or trypsin-like enzymes.

Factor analysis of sarcoidosis phenotypes at two referral centers in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: In sarcoidosis, clinical presentations and outcomes vary widely. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the clinical phenotypes of sarcoidosis, by factor analysis, in a series of cases with long-term follow-up. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study involving 137 patients with biopsy-confirmed sarcoidosis, recruited from two referral centers in São Paulo, Brazil. Organ involvement was evaluated in accordance with a previously established protocol. Sarcoidosis phenotypes were characterized by factor analysis. RESULTS: Follow-up ranged from 6 to 144 months. Four factors (phenotypes) were identified: relevant residual pulmonary fibrosis; relapse; residual airflow limitation; and acute disease. The four factors collectively accounted for 66% of the total variance. Patients with relevant residual pulmonary fibrosis were older and presented with the following: greater symptom duration; skin involvement; low forced vital capacity; low forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity ratio; and more advanced radiographic stages at baseline. The relapse phenotype was associated with chronic disease, greater dyspnea severity, neurologic involvement, and cardiac involvement. Patients with residual airflow limitation more often had airflow obstruction at baseline, chronic disease, and relevant residual pulmonary fibrosis. Acute disease was associated with being younger, weight loss, scoring lower for dyspnea, and having extensive involvement. Abnormal calcium metabolism was associated with acute disease and with relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcoidosis can be categorized into four different clinical phenotypes: three that are chronic; and one that is acute and self-limiting. In many cases, these phenotypes can be easily recognized.

Acute acquired toxoplasmosis: clinical-laboratorial aspects and ophthalmologic evaluation in a cohort of immunocompetent patients.

Most cases of acute acquired toxoplasmosis (AAT) are oligosymptomatic and self-limited. Therefore, these infections rarely indicate treatment. Prospective studies of AAT patients are rare in the medical literature. The frequency of systemic manifestations has not been sufficiently studied. In order to search for risks factors for systemic and ocular involvement, 37 patients were submitted to a diagnostic investigative protocol. The most frequent findings were lymph node enlargement (94.6%), asthenia (86.5%), headache (70.3%), fever (67.6%) and weight loss (62.2%). Hepatomegaly and/or splenomegaly were present in 21.6% of cases (8/37). Liver transaminases were elevated in 11 patients (29.7%) and lactic dehydrogenase in 17 patients (45.9%). Anaemia was found in four patients (10.8%), leucopoenia in six patients (16.2%), lymphocytosis in 14 patients (37.8%) and thrombocytopenia in one patient (2.7%). Fundoscopic examination revealed retinochoroiditis in four patients (10.8%). No statistical association was found between any one morbidity and retinochoroiditis. Nevertheless, a significant association was found between the presence of more than eight morbidity features at evaluation and long-lasting disease. An ideal diagnostic protocol for AAT would include evidence of systemic involvement. Such a protocol could be used when planning treatment.

Wood charcoal and activated carbon dust pneumoconiosis in three workers.

BACKGROUND: Data on prevalence of lung diseases due to inhalation of carbonaceous materials other than mineral coal is very limited. METHODS: We present three cases of wood charcoal pneumoconiosis, two due to activated carbon, and one from wood charcoal artisan handling. To our knowledge, no clinical cases of wood charcoal pneumoconiosis, from artisan handling has been published so far. CLINICAL CASES: The three cases had their X rays classified by two B-readers as p/q round opacities with profusion ranging from 2/2 to 3/3. HRCT of two of them showed a diffuse centrilobular ground glass nodular pattern with subpleural small areas of consolidations. Transbronchial biopsies showed deposition of black pigment in the bronchiolar interstice similar to the histological appearance of simple coal workers pneumoconiosis, with no signs of fibrosis. Spirometry showed no abnormalities in the three cases. CONCLUSIONS: The authors point out to a probably underestimated respiratory occupational risk related to wood charcoal manipulation, which must be addressed mostly in developing countries, where deficient workplace conditions can lead to exposure above limit levels.

The association of genetic markers and malaria infection in the Brazilian Western Amazonian region.

Almost all individuals (182) belonging to an Amazonian riverine population (Portuchuelo, RO, Brazil) were investigated for ascertaining data on epidemiological aspects of malaria. Thirteen genetic blood polymorphisms were investigated (ABO, MNSs, Rh, Kell, and Duffy systems, haptoglobins, hemoglobins, and the enzymes glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glyoxalase, phosphoglucomutase, carbonic anhydrase, red cell acid phosphatase, and esterase D). The results indicated that the Duffy system is associated with susceptibility to malaria, as observed in other endemic areas. Moreover, suggestions also arose indicating that the EsD and Rh loci may be significantly associated with resistance to malaria. If statistical type II errors and sample stratification could be ruled out, hypotheses on the existence of a causal mechanism or an unknown closely linked locus involved in susceptibility to malaria infection may explain the present findings.

The association of genetic markers and malaria infection in the Brazilian Western Amazonian region

Almost all individuals (182) belonging to an Amazonian riverine population (Portuchuelo, RO, Brazil) were investigated for ascertaining data on epidemiological aspects of malaria. Thirteen genetic blood polymorphisms were investigated (ABO, MNSs, Rh, Kell, and Duffy systems, haptoglobins, hemoglobins, and the enzymes glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glyoxalase, phosphoglucomutase, carbonic anhydrase, red cell acid phosphatase, and esterase D). The results indicated that the Duffy system is associated with susceptibility to malaria, as observed in other endemic areas. Moreover, suggestions also arose indicating that the EsD and Rh loci may be significantly associated with resistance to malaria. If statistical type II errors and sample stratification could be ruled out, hypotheses on the existence of a causal mechanism or an unknown closely linked locus involved in susceptibility to malaria infection may explain the present findings

Ethnic admixture composition of two western Amazonian populations.

A small riverine community, Portuchuelo (8 degrees 37'S, 63 degrees 49'W), and a rural county, Monte Negro (10 degrees 15'S, 63 degrees 18'W), both in the state of Rondjnia, Brazil, were studied for the purposes of ascertaining health conditions and the causes of the variability of some infectious diseases. The sample included 181 inhabitants of Portuchuelo and 924 of Monte Negro. Data on 11 blood polymorphisms (ABO, Rh, MNSs, Kell, Fy, haptoglobin, hemoglobin, ACP1, PGM1, GLO1, and CA2) were used to determine the ethnic composition of the inhabitants of Portuchuelo and Monte Negro. The contributions of Africans, Amerindians, and Europeans to the ethnic composition of the studied populations were, respectively, 0.21 +/- 0.046, 0.44 +/- 0.064, and 0.35 +/- 0.069 in Portuchuelo; and 0.25 +/- 0.032,0.12 +/- 0.046, and 0.63 +/- 0.054 in Monte Negro.

Diffuse panbronchiolitis in Latin America.

Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) is a unusual form of bronchiolar disease that has been reported almost exclusively in Asians. We describe DPB in a non-Asian Brazilian citizen who has never traveled outside the country. The clinical, radiographic, and histologic features of this case resemble those described in Japanese patients. The present case shows that DPB, although rare in Western countries, is not a disease restricted to Asia. It always should be considered in the differential diagnosis of nodular radiographic opacities associated with airflow limitation, especially in non-smokers with a history of chronic sinusitis.