Ozone and photodynamic inactivation of norovirus surrogate bacteriophage MS2 in fresh Brazilian berries and surfaces.

This study assessed the efficacy of ozone (bubble diffusion in water; 6.25 ppm) and photodynamic inactivation (PDT) using curcumin (75 µM) as photosensitizer (LED emission 430-470 nm; 33.6 mW/cm2 irradiance; 16.1, 20.2, and 24.2 J/cm2 light dose) against the Norovirus surrogate bacteriophage MS2 in Brazilian berries (black mulberry and pitanga) and surfaces (glass and stainless steel). Contaminated berries and surfaces were immersed in ozonized water or exposed to PDT-curcumin for different time intervals. Transmission electron microscopy was used to assess the effects of the treatments on MS2 viral particles. The MS2 inactivation by ozone and PDT-curcumin varied with the fruit and the surface tested. Ozone reduced the MS2 titer up to 3.6 log PFU/g in black mulberry and 4.1 log PFU/g in pitanga. On surfaces, the MS2 reduction by ozone reached 3.6 and 4.8 log PFU/cm2 on glass and stainless steel, respectively. PDT-curcumin reduced the MS2 3.2 and 4.8 log PFU/g in black mulberry and pitanga and 2.7 and 3.3 log PFU/cm2 on glass and stainless steel, respectively. MS2 particles were disintegrated by exposure of MS2 to ozone and PDT-curcumin on pitanga. Results can contribute to establishing effective practices for controlling NoV in fruits and surfaces, estimated based on MS2 bacteriophage behavior.

Inhibitory Effect of Supercritical Extracts from Arctium lappa L. on the Lectin Pathway of the Complement System.

The complement system participates in host defense by eliminating microorganisms and triggering inflammation. However, insufficient control or exacerbated complement activation contributes to inflammatory diseases. Since promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities have been identified in Arctium lappa L. extracts, this study aims to explore the effect of A. lappa extracts on the lectin pathway (LP) of complement activation. Four extracts were obtained by supercritical extraction using scCO2 with or without ethanol as co-solvent, at different temperatures and pressures (E1: 2.2 mg/mL, E2: 2.6 mg/mL and E3: 2.0 mg/mL, E4: 1.5 mg/mL). To evaluate the effect of A. lappa extracts on the LP activation, an ELISA assay using mannose binding lectin pathway of complement was carried out with C4 detection. All extracts showed a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on the activation of complement by the LP. The following IC50 were observed for E1, E2, E3 and E4: 179.4 µg/mL, 74.69 µg/mL, 119.1 µg/mL and 72.19 µg/mL, respectively. Our results suggest that A. lappa extracts are potential candidates for the treatment of inflammatory disorders that are complement-related.

Occurrence of Aflatoxin M1 and Estimate of Dietary Exposure in Cheeses from Organic and Conventional Production Systems.

This study aimed to compare AFM1 occurrence in different cheese types produced by organic and conventional systems; and to evaluate the risk of food exposure to AFM1. A total of 176 commercial cheeses of 17 types were analyzed, 84 of organic and 92 of conventional production. Determination of AFM1 was performed by high- performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), being detected in 30.5% of samples, with 4.8% of organic cheese samples presenting quantifiable AFM1 values between 0.88 and 1.50 µg/kg. On the other hand, 4.3% of conventional cheese samples with values between 0.79 and 6.70 µg/kg. Two conventional cheese samples were above the limit of AFM1 allowed for cheeses by the Brazilian legislation. No statistical difference were found between organic and conventional cheeses regarding the occurrence (p = 0.1780) and concentration of AFM1 (p = 0.1810), according to the Chi-square and the T test, respectively. Estimated daily intake (EDI) and hazard index (HI) of dietary exposure to AFM1 were 0.26 ng/kg/day and 1.28 ng/kg/day, respectively, for conventional cheese samples, and 0.09 ng/kg/day and 0.47 ng/kg/day for organic samples, with no statistical difference for EDI (p = 0.1729) and HI (p = 0.1802) between the two production systems. Comparison between several cheese types from conventional and organic systems indicated that AFM1 is an obstacle to dairy production. Control and prevention of AFM1 contamination, as well as detoxification methods in the final products, are necessary. In the case of organic products, additional research is needed in order to determine which control and detoxification methods should be allowed in this production system.

Neutrophils influx and proinflammatory cytokines inhibition by sodium salicylate, unlike aspirin, in Candida albicans-induced peritonitis model.

Sodium salicylate (NaS) and aspirin (ASA) are known to have a variety of effects on microorganisms, such as fungus (C. albicans and C. neoformans), moreover, it have effects in leukocyte adhesion and migration in vitro. In this report, we investigated the effect of ASA and NaS in neutrophil migration and cytokine production in C. albicans-induced peritonitis murine model. For this, mice were treated intraperitoneally (i.p) or orally (po) with NaS or ASA; after they were stimulated i.p. with C. albicans, the cellular migration was evaluated 24 h after stimulation. NaS, in mice treated i.p., unlike ASA, was able to inhibit the neutrophil migration and proinflammatory cytokine production induced by C. albicans, such as TNF-α, IL-1, IFN-γ, IL-12, and IL-10, but did not alter the IL-4 levels in these animals. However, the po treatment with same the dose of NaS or ASA did not affect the influx of this cell for inflammatory site. These results suggest that the NaS inhibits cellular migration and proinflammatory cytokine by different anti-inflammatory mechanism compared to ASA.

In vitro ability of beer fermentation residue and yeast-based products to bind aflatoxin B1.

This study aimed to verify the in vitro ability of beer fermentation residue (BFR) containing Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells and five commercial products that differed in the viability and integrity of S. cerevisiae cells to remove aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) from a citrate-phosphate buffer solution (CPBS). BFR was collected at a microbrewery and prepared by drying and milling. The commercial yeast-based products were as follows: inactive intact yeast cells from beer alcoholic fermentation, inactive intact yeast cells from sugarcane alcoholic fermentation, hydrolyzed yeast cells, yeast cell walls and active yeast cells. Adsorption assays were performed in CPBS spiked with 1.0 µg AFB1/mL at pH 3.0 and 6.0 for a contact time of 60 min at room temperature. Analysis of AFB1 in the samples was performed by high performance liquid chromatography. AFB1 adsorption by the products ranged from 45.5% to 69.4% at pH 3.0 and from 24.0% to 63.8% at pH 6.0. The higher percentages (p < 0.05) of AFB1 binding at both pH values were achieved with products containing hydrolyzed yeast cells or yeast cell walls rather than intact cells. The AFB1 binding percentages of BFR were 55.0 ± 5.0% at pH 3.0 and 49.2 ± 4.5% at pH 6.0, which was not significantly different (p > 0.05) from commercial products containing inactive intact yeast cells. The results of this trial indicate that the yeast-based products tested, especially the BFR, have potential applications in animal feeds as a suitable biological method for reducing the adverse effects of aflatoxins.

Relationship between the prevalence of hemoglobin S and the ethnic background of blood donors in Paraná state / Relação entre prevalência da hemoglobina S e origem étnica de doadores de sangue no estado do Paraná

ABSTRACTIntroduction:Hemoglobin S (HbS) is one of the most common inherited hematological disorders in humans. In Brazil, the sickle-cell disease (SCD) has significant epidemiological importance due to its prevalence and the morbidity-mortality and, therefore, it has been identified as a matter of public health.Objective:To determine the prevalence of HbS among Asian Brazilian, Afro Brazilian, and Euro Brazilian individuals of a blood bank in Curitiba.Material and method:The study was conducted from January 2008 to December 2009, and included 83,213 donors seen at the Instituto Paranaense de Hemoterapia e Hematologia.Results and discussion:The prevalence of HbS in the studied population was 0.9%, among them, 0% Asian Brazilians, 2.7% Afro Brazilians, and 0.7% Euro Brazilians. There was a positive association, statistically significant for the sickle cell trait in Afro-descendants, with odds ratio (OR) 4.01; confidence interval (CI) 3.42-4.72; and 95% confidence.Conclusion:This study showed higher rates of sickle cell trait in Afro Brazilians, which corroborates data published in other Brazilian regions and states.

RESUMOIntrodução:A hemoglobina S (HbS) é uma das alterações hematológicas hereditárias de maior frequência na espécie humana. No Brasil, a anemia falciforme (AF) tem importância epidemiológica significativa em virtude da prevalência e da morbimortalidade que apresenta e por isso tem sido apontada como uma questão de saúde pública.Objetivo:Determinar a prevalência de HbS entre indivíduos de origem asiática, afro e euro-brasileira de um banco de sangue de Curitiba.Material e método:O estudo foi realizado no período de janeiro de 2008 a dezembro de 2009, no qual foram incluídos 83.213 doadores atendidos no Instituto Paranaense de Hemoterapia e Hematologia.Resultados e discussão:A prevalência geral de HbS na população estudada foi de 0,9%, sendo 0% entre asiático-brasileiros, 2,7% entre afro-brasileiros e 0,7% entre euro-brasileiros. Houve associação positiva, significativa estatisticamente, para o traço falcêmico nos afrodescendentes, com odds ratio (OR) de 4,01 e intervalo de confiança (IC) 3,42-4,72, com 95% de confiança.Conclusão:O presente trabalho demonstrou maiores índices de traço falcêmico em afro-brasileiros, o que corrobora dados publicados em outras regiões e estados brasileiros.

In vitro ability of beer fermentation residue and yeast-based products to bind aflatoxin B1

This study aimed to verify the in vitro ability of beer fermentation residue (BFR) containing Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells and five commercial products that differed in the viability and integrity of S. cerevisiae cells to remove aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) from a citrate-phosphate buffer solution (CPBS). BFR was collected at a microbrewery and prepared by drying and milling. The commercial yeast-based products were as follows: inactive intact yeast cells from beer alcoholic fermentation, inactive intact yeast cells from sugarcane alcoholic fermentation, hydrolyzed yeast cells, yeast cell walls and active yeast cells. Adsorption assays were performed in CPBS spiked with 1.0 μg AFB1/mL at pH 3.0 and 6.0 for a contact time of 60 min at room temperature. Analysis of AFB1 in the samples was performed by high performance liquid chromatography. AFB1 adsorption by the products ranged from 45.5% to 69.4% at pH 3.0 and from 24.0% to 63.8% at pH 6.0. The higher percentages (p < 0.05) of AFB1 binding at both pH values were achieved with products containing hydrolyzed yeast cells or yeast cell walls rather than intact cells. The AFB1 binding percentages of BFR were 55.0 ± 5.0% at pH 3.0 and 49.2 ± 4.5% at pH 6.0, which was not significantly different (p > 0.05) from commercial products containing inactive intact yeast cells. The results of this trial indicate that the yeast-based products tested, especially the BFR, have potential applications in animal feeds as a suitable biological method for reducing the adverse effects of aflatoxins.

Epidemiological analysis of serological markers of hepatitis B in HIV+ patients from Curitiba and metropolitan region / Análise epidemiológica de marcadores sorológicos de hepatite B em pacientes HIV+ de Curitiba e região metropolitana

Introduction: The presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in patients infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) leads to a higher incidence of liver disorders due to persistence and recurrence of HBV infection in addition to increased morbidity and mortality. Objective: To determine the prevalence of serological markers for hepatitis B in patients infected by HIV followed at Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná (HC-UFPR). Methods: The clinical and epidemiological data were collected through a questionnaire applied to the patients, as well as a retrospective analysis of medical records. Serum levels of total hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) and surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus (HBsAg) were evaluated through chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Among the 297 HIV+ patients, 49.8% were seropositive only for anti-HBc, and 2.6 % were positive for both markers. Results and discussion: The prevalence of hepatitis B markers was significantly associated with HIV infection when compared with the prevalence observed in the general population from the same geographical area (anti-HBc+ HBsAg+: 0.14% vs. 2.6%, OR: 18.82, 95% CI 2.34-151.19, p = 0.00052). Concerning the associated risks to acquire HIV/HBV infection, 44.87% of the patients reported having been infected through sexual contact. A total of 16.66% HIV/HBV positive patients were in the age group 18-30 years, 62.82% were between 31-50 years and 16.66% were over 60 years old. Conclusion: The findings of the present study corroborate the need to investigate systematically the presence of markers for HBV in HIV+ patients from different regions of the country. .

Introdução: A presença do vírus da hepatite B (HBV) em indivíduos infectados pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) está associada ao significante aumento da morbimortalidade nos pacientes afetados. Objetivo: Estabelecer a prevalência de marcadores sorológicos de HBV e dos fatores epidemiológicos associados em pacientes HIV+ acompanhados pelo Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná (HC-UFPR). Métodos: Os dados clinicoepidemiológicos foram coletados por meio de análise retrospectiva dos prontuários e de aplicação de um questionário. Os marcadores anti-HBc total e o antígeno HbsAg foram avaliados pela quimioluminescência por micropartículas. Resultados e discussão: Dos 297 pacientes HIV+, 49,8% apresentaram sorologia positiva somente para anti-HBc e 2,6%, para anti-HBc e HbsAg. A prevalência de marcadores de hepatite B foi significantemente associada à infecção pelo HIV quando comparada com a prevalência observada na população geral da mesma área geográfica (anti-HBc+/HbsAg+: 0,14% vs. 2,6%, odds ratio (OR): 18,82, intervalo de confiança (IC) 95%: 2,34-151,19, p = 0,00052). Em relação aos grupos de risco para infecção pelo HIV, 44,87% dos pacientes com sorologia positiva para HBV informaram terem sido infectados por transmissão sexual. Quanto à faixa etária dos pacientes HIV+/HBV+, 16,66% tinham entre 18-30 anos, 62,82%, entre 31-50 anos e 16,66%, acima dos 50 anos de idade (p = ns). Conclusão: Esses achados corroboram a necessidade de se investigar sistematicamente a presença de marcadores para HBV em pacientes HIV+ das diferentes regiões do país. .

Análise do potencial antioxidante do consumo oral da farinha produzida com micélio de Agaricus brasiliensis em hamsters hipercolesterolêmicos / The antioxidant potential of oral intake of flour produced from Agaricus brasiliensis mycelium in hamsters with hypercholesterolemia

O sistema de defesa antioxidante inibe ou reduz os danos causados às células pelas espécies reativas de oxigênio. Alguns compostos antioxidantes presentes na dieta auxiliam na defesa antioxidante do plasma. O potencial antioxidante do consumo oral de farinha produzida com micélio de Agaricus brasiliensis fermentado sobre grãos de trigo foi analisado nos plasmas de hamsters Golden Syrian machos hipercolesterolêmicos, que foram divididos em quatro grupos: P(dieta padrão), H (dieta hipercolesterolêmica padrão), C (dieta padrão + 10 % de farinha de trigo contendo micélio de A. brasiliensis), e HC (dieta hipercolesterolêmica padrão + 10 % de farinha de trigo contendo micélio deA. brasiliensis). Os animais foram alimentados durante 40 dias e depois sacrificados para coletar materiais biológicos.A análise da capacidade antioxidante mostrou que a dieta do grupo C induziu maior aumento significativo da concentração de antioxidantes no plasma (0,39 mg.mL-1, expresso em ácido ascórbico). O grupo HC apresentou maiorcapacidade antioxidante do que grupo H (p < 0,05), pois inibiu 20,2 % do branqueamento da crocina. O grupo H inibiu10,4 %, porém o grupo HC demonstrou capacidade antioxidante semelhante ao do grupo P (16,64 %). O consumo da farinha de trigo contendo micélio de A. brasiliensis estimulou a proteção antioxidante no plasma dos animais...

Relação entre psicrotróficos e frações de caseína do leite longa vida durante o armazenamento / Relationship between psychrotrophic and casein fractions of long life milk during storage

As bactérias psicrotróficas podem afetar a qualidade de diversos produtos lácteos. A relação entre a contagem de psicrotróficos no leite pasteurizado e as frações de caseína do leite longa vida foi avaliada. O processo ultra alta temperatura foi conduzido de acordo com a seguinte sequência: pasteurização a 72-75 ºC por 15 s, pré-aquecimento a 85º C, esterilização a 142-145 ºC por 2 s por injeção direta de vapor ao leite, remoção da água condensada, resfriamento a 70 ºC, homogeneização, resfriamento a 20 ºC, envase asséptico em embalagens cartonadas de 1L e armazenamento à temperatura ambiente por 120 dias. As contagens de psicrotróficos foram determinadas no leite pasteurizado por contagem padrão em placas. As frações de caseína (as1, as2, beta e k) foram avaliadas no leite longa vida nos dias 8 e 120 de armazenamento por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. Foi observado aumento na quantidade de as2-caseína e redução da as2-caseína como porcentagem da caseína total ao final do armazenamento (P<0,05). Houve correlação positiva (P<0,05) no dia 120 de armazenamento entre psicrotróficos e a fração k-caseína.

Psycrothrophic bacteria can affect the quality of several dairy products. The relationship between psycrothrophic counts in pasteurized milk and casein fractions of ultra-high-temperature (UHT) milk was evaluated. The UHT process was performed according to the following sequence: pasteurization at 72-75 oC for 15 s, pre-heating at 85 oC, sterilization at 142-145 ºC for 2 s by direct steam injection into milk, removing of the condensed water, cooling to 70 ºC, homogenization, cooling to 20 ºC, bottling aseptically in 1-L sterile carton boxes and storage at room temperature for 120 days. Psycrothrophic counts were determined in pasteurized milk by standard plate count. Casein fractions (as1, as2, beta and k) were analyzed in UHT milk on days 8 and 120 by high performance liquid chromatography. It was observed increase in quantity of as2-casein and reduction of as2-casein as a percentage of total casein at the end of storage period (P<0,05). There was a positive correlation (P<0,05) on day 120 of storage between psychrotrophic and the k-casein fraction (P<0.05).

Produção de anticorpos policlonais para lectina de hemolinfa de Anticarsia gemmatalis / Production of polyclonal antibodies for lectin from Anticarsia gemmatalis hemolymph

A lagarta de Anticarsia gemmatalis promove extensos danos na cultura da soja e seu controle é geralmente baseado na aplicação de inseticidas químicos. Devido aos riscos à saúde humana, animal e ao meio ambiente, métodos alternativos de controle tem sido desenvolvidos como o bioinseticida Baculovirus anticarsia. Há relatos de desenvolvimento de resistência em populações de A. gemmatalis submetidas, em laboratório, ao tratamento com baculovirus durante várias gerações. Os insetos apresentam mecanismos elaborados de proteção contra agentes infecciosos, como as lectinas, que atuam como moléculas de reconhecimento. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver anticorpos policlonais para lectina de A. gemmatalis. A atividade de lectina de hemolinfa de lagartas de A. gemmatalis foi avaliada frente a hemácias humanas, de coelho, camundongo, carneiro e boi de ensaio de hemaglutinação. Apenas as hemácias de bovino nåo foram aglutinadas pela lectina. As hemácias de coelho apresentaram maior reatividade com a lectina (1:512) e portanto os anticorpos policlonais foram produzidos em coelho imunizado com hemácias autólogas sensibilizadas com lectina. O anticorpo anti-lectina apresentou título de 1:8 em reação de precipitação em gel. Assim neste estudo foi possível produzir anticorpos para lectina de A. gemmatalis sem necessidade de emprego de técnicas dispendiosas de purificação.