Ecotoxicology applied to conservation: Potential negative metal and metalloid contamination effects on the homeostatic balance of the critically endangered Brazilian guitarfish, Pseudobatos horkelii (Elasmobranchii: Rhinobatidae).

Metal contamination poses a significant threat to elasmobranchs, underscoring the need for targeted conservation approaches. The critically endangered Brazilian guitarfish, Pseudobatos horkelii, confronts an array of challenges, notably overexploitation, putting its survival at risk. Our study investigated the potential toxicity arising from arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) contamination across various adult guitarfish tissues from southeastern Brazil. Serological stress indicators, nutritional metabolites, and creatinine, an organ function marker, were also assessed, and Selenium (Se) levels were also investigated for possible protective effects. Our investigation unveiled significant correlations between metal concentrations and the determined physiological markers, shedding light on potential adverse effects. Remarkably, six correlations were indicative of how Hg and Pb negatively impact hepatic metabolite assimilation, while As was shown to influence renal phosphorus dynamics, Cd to affect rectal gland phosphorus regulation, and Pb to influence creatinine production in muscle tissue. Furthermore, Se demonstrated protective properties against Cd, Hg, and Pb, suggesting a role in alleviating the toxicity of these elements. Despite probable protective Se influences, the detected elemental interactions still suggest potential for organ impairment. These findings gain heightened significance within the context of the cumulative stressors faced by the Brazilian guitarfish, with metal contamination exhibiting the capacity to erode this species resilience against both anthropogenic and environmental pressures, thereby disrupting systemic equilibrium and jeopardizing wild populations. By investigating the intricate balance between metal accumulation and physiological consequences, our study contributes with crucial insights into potential conservation strategy formulations towards pollution for this critically endangered elasmobranch species.

Prevalencia de Infección por Trypanosoma Cruzi en donantes de un banco de sangre de Boyacá, Colombia / Prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in donors from a blood bank in Boyacá, Colombia

Resumen Introducción: La Enfermedad de Chagas también conocida como Tripanosomiasis americana es un problema de salud pública. Se calcula que en el mundo hay entre 6 y 7 millones de personas infectadas por Trypanosoma cruzi, la mayoría de ellas en América Latina. Objetivo: Identificar la prevalencia de infección por Trypanosoma cruzi en donantes de un banco de sangre del departamento de Boyacá 2016-2018. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo realizado en 25.920 donantes de sangre del departamento de Boyacá. La fuente de información fue secundaria. Se determinó la prevalencia de la infección por Trypanosoma cruzi y se compararon según sexo, grupo etario y tipo de donante a través de análisis de frecuencias. Resultados: Se evaluaron 9187 donantes durante el año 2016; 8517 en el 2017 y 8216 en el 2018, de los cuales 56,1% eran de sexo femenino y 43,9% masculino. La prevalencia de la infección por Trypanosoma cruzi fue 0,17 % en la tamización y 0,08 % con las pruebas confirmatorias de las cuales el 70,0% eran mujeres, el 85,0% donantes voluntarios por primera vez, el rango de edad en el que se presentó mayor prevalencia de este marcador serológico fue de 41 a 50 y de 51 a 65 años con un 35,0% cada uno . La prevalencia de la infección de Chagas presentó asociación estadísticamente significativa con la edad (p < 0,05). Conclusiones: Los bancos de sangre resultan ser una de las fuentes de información disponibles para monitorear el comportamiento de la enfermedad de Chagas y evaluar la toma de decisiones en salud pública, teniendo en cuenta que la enfermedad se caracteriza de manera asintomática y sin compromiso clínico en la mayoría de los casos.

Abstract Introduction: Chagas Disease, also known as American Trypanosomiasis, is a public health problem. It is estimated that in the world there are between 6 and 7 million people infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, most of them in Latin America. Objectives: To identify the prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in donors from a blood bank in the department of Boyacá 2016-2018. Materials and methods: Retrospective-descriptive study carried out in 25,920 blood donors from the department of Boyacá (Colombia). The source of information was secondary. The prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection was determined and compared according to sex, age group and type of donor through frequency analysis. Results: 9187 donors were evaluated during 2016; 8,517 in 2017 and 8,216 in 2018, of which 56.1% were female and 43.9% male. The prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection was 0.17% in screening and 0.08% with confirmatory tests of which 70.0% were women, 85.0% first-time volunteer donors, the range of The age at which the highest prevalence of this serological marker was found was 41 to 50 and 51 to 65 years with 35.0% each. The prevalence of Chagas infection showed a statistically significant association with age (p <0.05). Conclusions: Blood banks turn out to be one of the sources of information available to monitor the behavior of Chagas disease and evaluate decision-making in public health, taking into account the characteristics of the disease in which the majority of cases they are asymptomatic and without clinical compromise.

Systemic oxidative stress as a possible mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of mild endometriosis-related infertility.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Does systemic oxidative stress occur during the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle in infertile women with minimal (stage I) or mild (stage II) endometriosis? Are serum oxidative stress markers during the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle good predictors of successful gestation in these women who undergo ovarian stimulation for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)? MATERIALS AND METHODS: A pilot study (prospective case-control study) was conducted in a University Hospital. Serum samples were obtained during the early follicular phase of the natural cycle preceding ovarian stimulation for ICSI of infertile women (with and without stage I and II endometriosis, the latter having male factor infertility). Total hydroperoxides (FOX1), malondialdehyde, advanced oxidation protein products, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG) and vitamin E were analysed in serum from 35 women with stage I or II endometriosis and 60 control women. The accuracy of oxidative stress markers for predicting clinical pregnancy and live births was determined by receiver operator characteristic curves. RESULTS: Women with stage I and II endometriosis showed lower serum 8OHdG concentrations (16.02 ng/ml) compared with the control group (22.08 ng/ml). The best predictor for clinical pregnancy and live births was TAC, whereas FOX1 was the best predictor of clinical pregnancy in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Infertile women with stage I and II endometriosis present systemic oxidative stress during the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Some oxidative stress markers were good predictors of clinical pregnancy and live births after ICSI. Serum TAC was predictive of clinical pregnancy and live births after ICSI in women with stage I or II endometriosis.

Chronic hepatitis C virus infection: Serum biomarkers in predicting liver damage.

Currently, a major clinical challenge in the management of the increasing number of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients is determining the best means for evaluating liver impairment. Prognosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) are partly dependent on the assessment of histological activity, namely cell necrosis and inflammation, and the degree of liver fibrosis. These parameters can be provided by liver biopsy; however, in addition to the risks related to an invasive procedure, liver biopsy has been associated with sampling error mostly due to suboptimal biopsy size. To avoid these pitfalls, several markers have been proposed as non-invasive alternatives for the diagnosis of liver damage. Distinct approaches among the currently available non-invasive methods are (1) the physical ones based on imaging techniques; and (2) the biological ones based on serum biomarkers. In this review, we discuss these approaches with special focus on currently available non-invasive serum markers. We will discuss: (1) class I serum biomarkers individually and as combined panels, particularly those that mirror the metabolism of liver extracellular matrix turnover and/or fibrogenic cell changes; (2) class II biomarkers that are indirect serum markers and are based on the evaluation of common functional alterations in the liver; and (3) biomarkers of liver cell death, since hepatocyte apoptosis plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of HCV infection. We highlight in this review the evidence behind the use of these markers and assess the diagnostic accuracy as well as advantages, limitations, and application in clinical practice of each test for predicting liver damage in CHC.

Correlação das diferentes técnicas de biópsia hepática com marcadores séricos de fibrose em pacientes portadores de hepatite C crônica tratados com interferon e ribavirina / Correlation among the different liver biopsy techniques with fibrosis serum markers in patients carrying chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon and ribavirin

Introdução: O vírus da hepatite C tem como principal via de transmissão a parenteral. A biópsia hepática constitui poderosa ferramenta e tem como parâmetros o grau de alteração estrutural e atividade inflamatória, permitindo estadiar as hepatites crônicas. Sendo a biópsia procedimento invasivo, os marcadores sanguíneos como AST, ALT, alfa-fetoproteína e APRI (AST-to-platelet ratio índex) constituem fatores preditores do grau de fibrose. Objetivos: Estabelecer o perfil epidemiológico da hepatite C na população estudada; correlacionar e comparar os resultados das diferentes técnicas de biópsia hepática com marcadores séricos indiretos de comprometimento hepático (plaquetas, alfa-fetoproteína, transaminases) e com APRI, avaliando a fidedignidade destes como preditores de gravidade da lesão hepática. Casuística e método: Estudo observacional, retrospectivo, análise de 100 prontuários escolhidos aleatoriamente de pacientes infectados cronicamente pelo VHC. Todos os pacientes haviam sido submetidos ou estavam na vigência de tratamento com interferon associado à ribavirina. Resultados: 61,3% era do sexo masculino e 71,1% do genótipo tipo 1. A maior taxa de resposta virológica sustentada foi no gênero feminino (60,6% x 36,7%).Obteve-se 34,7% biópsias percutâneas às cegas; 27,5% percutâneas guiadas por USG e 37,8% videolaparoscópicas. A biópsia videolaparoscópica demonstrou maior correlação com marcadores e escore de APRI (p<0,05): as médias de F0-F2 e F3-F4 foram, respectivamente, TGO - 46,1 x 106,5; TGP - 67,5 x 123,6; Plaquetas - 223.863 x 160.500; alfafetoproteína - 3,02 x 11,97; e APRI - 0,07 x 0,24 . Conclusão: O APRI apresentou correlação com os graus de fibrose hepática na análise videolaparoscópica, sendo a técnica mais fidedigna.

Efecto hepatoprotector del extracto acuoso de Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacón) en un modelo de intoxicación con acetaminofén / Hepatoprotective effect of Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacon) aqueous extract in an acetaminophen intoxication model

En la medicina tradicional se ha publicado que las hojas de Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacón) poseen efectos antidiabético y hepatoprotector. Objetivos: Evaluar en suero y hematíes el efecto hepatoprotector del extracto acuoso de hojas de yacón (EAY) en un modelo de intoxicación con acetaminofén en ratas. Diseño: Experimental, transversal. Institución: Centro de Investigación de Bioquímica y Nutrición, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú. Material biológico: Hojas de yacón. Intervenciones: Se formó cinco grupos de ratas hembra (n=6) que recibieron por cinco días, por vía oral, suero fisiológico (SF), EAY o silimarina (Sil) (50 mg/kg) y luego de 1 hora, SF o acetaminofén (A) 250 mg/kg, según lo siguiente: G1 (control; SF-SF), G2 (SF-A), G3 (EAY (200 mg/kg)-A), G4 (EAY (400 mg/kg)-A) y G5 (Sil-A). Principales medidas de los resultados: Actividad de aspartato amino transferasas (AST), alanina amino transferasa (ALT), fosfatasa alcalina (FAL) γ γ-amino transferasa (γ-GTP); niveles de bilirrubina total (BT), proteνnas y lipoperoxidaciσn (MDA). En hematíes, actividades de superóxido dismutasa (SOD), catalasa (CAT) y hemoglobina. Resultados: Se observó aumento significativo (p<0,05) en la actividad de γ-GTP entre el grupo G2 y los grupos G3 y G4. Hubo disminuciσn significativa (p<0,05) de proteνnas en el grupo G2 con respecto G1. El nivel de MDA fue menor en el grupo que recibió 200 mg/kg de EAY con respecto al control. Las actividades de AST, ALT y FAL no mostraron diferencias significativas. La relación SOD/CAT fue similar entre los grupos G1, G4 y G5, evidencia de una recuperación del daño causado por el acetaminofén. Conclusiones: La administración del EAY tuvo un efecto hepatoprotector comparable a la silimarina.

In traditional medicine Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacon) leaves are reported to have antidiabetic and hepatoprotective effects. Objectives: To determine in serum and erythrocytes the yacon leaves (EAY) aqueous extract hepatoprotective effect in a model of acetaminophen poisoning in rats. Design: Experimental, cross sectional. Institution: Biochemistry and Nutrition Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru. Biological material: Yacon leaves. Interventions: Five groups of female rats (n = 6) received orally for five days either saline (SF), EAY or silymarin (Sil) (50 mg/kg) and after 1 hour, SF or acetaminophen (A) 250 mg/kg, as follows: G1 (control; SF-SF), G2 (SF-A), G3 (EAY (200 mg/kg)-A), G4 (EAY (400 mg/kg)-A) and G5 (Sil-A). Main outcome measures: Aspartate amino transferase activity (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ γ-amino transferase (γ-GTP); total bilirubin levels (BT), protein and lipid peroxidation (MDA). Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and hemoglobin activities in erythrocytes. Results: There was significant increase of γ-GTP activity (p <0.05) between group G2 and groups G3 and G4, and significant decrease (p <0.05) in proteins in group G2 in relation to group G1. MDA level was lower in the group receiving 200 mg/kg of EAY with respect to control. AST, ALT and FAL activities showed no significant differences. SOD/CAT ratio was similar between groups G1, G4 and G5, evidence of recovery from acetaminophen damage. Conclusions: EAY administration had hepatoprotective effect comparable to silymarin.

Prevalência da hepatite B em usuários do Laboratório Central do Piauí / Prevalence of hepatitis B in users of Piauí Central Laboratory / Prevalencia de la hepatitis B en usuarios del Laboratorio Central de Piauí

Objetivou-se levantar a prevalência de marcadores sorológicos da Hepatite B em usuários do Laboratório Central do Piauí-Brasil, no período de 2006 a 2009. Trata-se de um levantamento epidemiológico, descritivo, com coleta retrospectiva, realizado em 2010. Dos 69.377 exames analisados, foram diagnosticados 746 casos de Hepatite B aguda. A prevalência foi de 2,0% para o HBsAg, 55% Anti-HBs, 2,5% Anti-HBc IgM, 10% Anti-HBc Total, 48,5% HBeAg. Observou-se predominância do sexo masculino e da faixa etária de 20 a 39 anos nos resultados positivos. As prevalências dos marcadores sorológicos encontradas foram mais altas que as exibidas nos registros oficiais do Estado e Ministério da Saúde, sugerindo a necessidade de revisão dos bancos de dados para correção das inconsistências.

The study surveyed the prevalence of serum markers for Hepatitis B in users of Piauí State Central Laboratory between 2006 and 2009. This descriptive epidemiological study, with retrospective data collection, was conducted in 2010. In the 69,377 tests examined 746 cases of acute Hepatitis B infection were diagnosed. The prevalences were: HBsAg, 2.0%; Anti-HBs, 55%; Anti-HBc (IgM), 2.5%: Anti-HBc (Total), 10%; and HBeAg, 48.5%. Males and the 20-39 year age range predominated in the positive results. The prevalences of serum markers found were higher than those shown in official state and Ministry of Health records, suggesting the need to review the databases to correct shortcomings.

El objetivo fue apurar la prevalencia de marcadores serológicos de Hepatitis B en usuarios del Laboratorio Central del Estado de Piauí-Brasil, en el período 2006 a 2009. Se trata de un estudio epidemiológico, descriptivo, con recogida retrospectiva, realizado en 2010. De los 69 377 exámenes analizados fueron diagnosticados 746 casos de infección de Hepatitis B aguda. La prevalencia fue de 2,0% para el HBsAg, 55% Anti-HBs, 2,5% Anti-HBc IgM, 10% Anti-HBc total, 48,5% HBeAg. Se observó predominancia del sexo masculino y de la franja etaria de 20-39 años en los resultados positivos. La prevalencia de marcadores serológicos obtenidos fueron superiores a los indicados en las actas oficiales del Estado y Ministerio de la Salud, lo que sugiere la necesidad de revisar las bases de datos para corregir las inconsistencias.

Fundamento biológico y aplicación clínica de los marcadores tumorales séricos / Biological basis and clinical application of serum tumor markers

El cáncer es el resultado de la acumulación de alteraciones en moléculas con importante función en procesos celulares como proliferación, apoptosis, muerte celular y reparación génica. Las moléculas, sustancias o procesos alterados pueden constituirse en marcadores o biomarcadores tumorales de gran utilidad clínica en el seguimiento de pacientes oncológicos ya que han demostrado ser idóneos para la valoración del tratamiento y su eficiencia. La determinación de biomarcadores tumorales no ha sido muy exitosa debido a la baja sensibilidad y especificidad de las técnicas usadas y al requerimiento de muestras biológicas en volúmenes grandes o de métodos invasivos para su recolección. Los marcadores tumorales séricos surgen, entonces, como una herramienta útil en la obtención de información sobre el estado de la enfermedad y constituye un reto científico mejorar su aplicabilidad en el diagnóstico temprano, pronóstico, seguimiento de la enfermedad y evaluación de la eficacia terapéutica.

Cancer is the result of the accumulation of changes in molecules with important functions in processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell death and gene repair. Molecules, substances or altered pathways constitute tumor markers or biomarkers useful in clinical monitoring of cancer patients, because they have demonstrated to be suitable for the valuation of the patient's treatment and it efficiency. Determination of tumor markers has not been very successful due to the low sensitivity and specificity of the techniques used and the requirement of large volumes of biological samples or the use of invasive methods for collecting them. The serum tumor markers arise, as a useful tool to obtain information about the disease progress and constitute as a scientific challenge to improve its applicability in early diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring of the disease and evaluation of therapeutic efficacy.

Valor preditivo de marcadores séricos de fibrose hepática em pacientes portadores de hepatite crônica viral C / Predictive value of serum markers of hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C

INTRODUÇÃO: Os marcadores séricos têm sido empregados na avaliação da fibrose hepática em pacientes portadores de hepatite crônica C (HCC). OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a capacidade do índice aspartato aminotransferase (AST)/alanina aminotransferase (ALT), dos níveis séricos de gama-glutamiltransferase (GGT), contagem de plaquetas, do índice AST/plaquetas (APRI) e do ácido hialurônico (AH) em predizer a intensidade da fibrose hepática na HCC e a variação desses marcadores após tratamento com interferon. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: Em 72 pacientes portadores de hepatite C determinamos no soro o índice AST/ALT, GGT, plaquetas, índice APRI (obtido pelo quociente AST/plaquetas) e o AH, que foram comparados ao estadiamento histológico, segundo os critérios de METAVIR. Receberam tratamento com interferon e ribavirina 65 pacientes. Os indivíduos que concluíram o tratamento (n = 33) realizaram nova dosagem dos marcadores séricos de fibrose para comparar com os níveis pré-tratamento. RESULTADOS: Observamos que a GGT, a contagem de plaquetas, o índice APRI e o AH se correlacionaram com estádio de doença hepática (p < 0,01), exceto o índice AST/ALT. A análise das áreas sob as curvas ROC (AUC) evidenciaram que a melhor associação com estadiamento hepático foi para o índice APRI e a dosagem sérica do AH: AUC (APRI) = 0,85 e AUC (AH) = 0,86. Na avaliação pós-terapia com interferon, apenas a GGT e o índice APRI apresentaram redução de seus níveis (p < 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: O AH e o índice APRI apresentaram maior acurácia no estadiamento da fibrose, podendo ser aplicados como métodos diagnósticos alternativos na HCC.

INTRODUCTION: Serum markers have been used in the assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). AIMS: We evaluated the capacity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio, gama-glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels, platelet count, the AST to platelet ratio index (APRI) and serum hyaluronic acid (HA) to predict the intensity of hepatic fibrosis in patients with CHC and the variation of these markers after therapy with interferon. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 72 patients with hepatitis C, AST/ALT ratio, GGT levels, platelet count, the APRI index (calculated as the ratio of AST to platelets) and serum HA concentration were determined and compared to histological staging according to the scoring system of METAVIR. Sixty-five patients received interferon and ribavirin therapy. The individuals that completed the treatment (n = 33) underwent a new test for serum marker of fibrosis in order to compare it with pre-treatment levels. RESULTS: GGT levels, platelet count, the APRI index and serum HA were correlated with the stage of hepatic fibrosis (p < 0.01), except AST/ALT ratio. The analysis of the areas under the ROC curve (AUC) evidenced that APRI and HA levels were the markers with the best association with hepatic staging: AUC (APRI) = 0.85 and AUC (HA) = 0.86. After therapy with interferon, only GGT and the APRI showed reduction of their levels (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: HA and the APRI index were the most accurate approaches to liver fibrosis staging and they may be used as alternative diagnostic methods in patients with CHC.