Evaluation the Potential of Onion/Laponite Composites Films for Sustainable Food Packaging with Enhanced UV Protection and Antioxidant Capacity.

Agro-industrial residues have attracted attention for their applications in the field of biodegradable packaging. Recently, our research group has developed onion-based films with promising properties for this type of application due to their non-toxicity, biocompatibility and biodegradability. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effect of Laponite clay concentration on the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of the onion-based films, which were prepared by a casting method. The XRD and FTIR data confirm the presence of the mineral clay in the onion-based films. These findings are consistent with those obtained from FE-SEM analysis, which revealed the presence of typical Laponite grains. In terms of wettability, the results show that the clay decreases the hydrophilic character of the material but slightly increases the water vapor permeation. Optical characterization revealed that the materials exhibited zero transmittance in the UV region and increased opacity in the visible region for composites containing 5% and 10% Laponite. Furthermore, the antioxidant test demonstrated higher antioxidant potential in the composites compared to the pure films. Consequently, these results suggest that the formation of Laponite and onion composites could be an essential strategy for developing natural polymers in the field of food contact packaging.

Differential expression of immune-modulatory molecule HLA-E in non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions of the thyroid.

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)–E is a non-classical molecule of the histocompatibility complex that functions as one of the main ligands of the Natural Killer (NK) cell inhibitory receptor CD94/NKG2A and inhibits its potent cytotoxic activity. Due to the important role of NK cells in combating neoplasm, we hypothesized that the differential expression of HLA-E could favor the progression of heterogeneous thyroid tumors.Using an immunohistochemistry technique in 143 biopsies of thyroid tumors, including benign and malignant neoplasms and goiters, we evaluated the expression of HLA-E among various tumor types and its association with the clinicopathological factors of diseases. We verified high HLA-E expression in all types of neoplastic tumors, although no significant differences between the groups were found. Low expression was observed in 95 percent of the goiter samples, showing significant differences between neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions. Furthermore, a significant result was found with regard to the tumor size, with high HLA-E expression being related to smaller tumors. Therefore, our data suggest that an increase in HLA-E may be associated with the establishment of thyroid neoplasms, with either benign or malignant features.

Galactosaemia in a Brazilian population: high incidence and cost-benefit analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To study the incidence of galactosaemia in the state of São Paulo and the benefit/cost (B/C) ratio of the introduction of neonatal screening for galactosaemia, comparing it with a selective approach. METHODS: An enzymatic-colorimetric assay was used for the screening of total galactose (TG) in a sample of 10% of the births in São Paulo in one year and positive cases were confirmed by the activity of galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT). Detected and referred cases were genotyped using enzyme restriction studies for Q188R, N314D and S135L mutations of the GALT gene. The economic analysis was determined by calculating the B/C ratio and by analysis of sensitivity as a function of the incidence of the disease detected and the variation of the interest rate in the economy. RESULTS: 59 953 newborns were screened for TG, with 3 cases of galactosaemia being identified (0.26% false positives), corresponding to a frequency of 1:19 984 liveborns (95% confidence interval: 1:7494 to 1:59 953). One classical case and one Duarte 2 variant referred to as a selective approach were confirmed. With an incidence of 1:19 984, the B/C ratio was 1.04 for the 11.75% interest rate in effect in Brazil, with values already decapitalized. With a maximum possible incidence of 1:7494, the B/C ratio was 2.79. DISCUSSION: There is an economic advantage in introducing neonatal screening for galactosaemia in the national neonatal screening programme. This advantage could increase with a reduction of the current interest rates in the economy.

Mutagenic potential of water from Pelotas Creek in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Water resource degradation is one of mankind's greatest worries, as it causes direct and indirect damage to the associated biota. We initiated a water monitoring study in Pelotas Creek in 2003 in order to assess the mutagenic effect of the creek's waters. Allium cepa cells exposed to water samples and a chronically exposed macrophyte were analyzed, through evaluation of the mitotic index, mitotic anomalies, interphase anomalies, and total anomalies. Five points were chosen along the lower course of Pelotas Creek, from which water samples and floating pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides, Apiaceae) were collected in 2006 and 2007. The enteric bacterium Escherichia coli was found at all sampling points; in the physical-chemical analysis, a few variables exceeded permitted limits, pH (from 6 to 9), chloride (250 mg/L), hardness (from 10 to 200 mg CaCO(3)/L), and conductivity (100 microOmega/cm). There was an increased number of cytogenetic anomalies in exposed A. cepa cells and in the pennywort in 2006 relative to 2007, which may be explained by the increased rainfall, which was three times greater in 2007 at some stations than in 2006.Omega/cm). There was an increased number of cytogenetic anomalies in exposed A. cepa cells and in the pennywort in 2006 relative to 2007, which may be explained by the increased rainfall, which was three times greater in 2007 at some stations than in 2006.

Otological findings and other symptoms related to temporomandibular disorders in young people.

In a prospective, observational study between April and November 2017 we evaluated the correlation between temporomandibular disorder (TMD), and otological signs and other symptoms in a sample of 251 patients. First, a simplified anamnestic questionnaire was applied for the diagnosis of TMD and the following symptoms were recorded: otalgia, tinnitus, vertigo, pruritus of the ear, feeling of hearing loss, fullness in the ear, headache, pain in the eye, neck pain, back pain, and dizziness. Some degree of TMD was detected in 177 of the participants (70.5%). Among the otological symptoms studied, significant associations were found with tinnitus (<0.001), ear pain (<0.001), feeling of hearing loss (<0.001), and vertigo (<0.001). There were also significant associations with non-otological symptoms, the most common being back pain (<0.001), headache (<0.001), neck pain (<0.001), pain in the eye (<0.001), and dizziness (0.001). Our findings show that the higher incidence of both otological and non-otological symptoms was associated with a progressive increase in the severity of TMD.

Endometrial expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors in non-cyclic mares treated only with long-acting progesterone.

Administration of progesterone (P4) after estradiol is usually performed to prepare non-cyclic mares as embryo recipients. However, there are successful pregnancy reports after embryo transfer in non-cyclic mares treated only with progestins. The objective of this study was to evaluate endometrial gene expression and immunostaining for estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), beta (ERß) and progesterone receptor (PR) in seasonal anestrous mares treated with long acting P4 (LA P4). Endometrial tissue from eight seasonal anestrous mares was collected immediately before administration of 1.5 g of LA P4 and five days after. The receptors protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and the percentage of the immunostained area was determined by ImageJ software. Transcripts abundance for ERα, ERß and PR were determined by RT-qPCR. Blood samples were collected daily to measure plasma P4 concentrations. Protein expression for ERα was greater (p < 0.05) after LA P4 administration, although gene expression was not affected by treatment (p > 0.05). There was no difference for ERß protein expression (p = 0.07) and ERß gene expression was reduced (p < 0.05) after treatment. Gene and protein expression for PR was not altered (p > 0.05). In conclusion, endometrial PR and ERα expression patterns after LA P4 administration were similar to those previously found in protocols using estradiol prior to LA P4 to prepare non-cyclic mares as embryo recipients.

Prevalence of asthma-like symptoms by ISAAC video questionnaire in Mozambican schoolchildren.

BACKGROUND: The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) video questionnaire was developed to overcome the language and cultural differences in the assessment of asthma-like symptoms. METHODS: 27 schools were included in the Maputo Asthma and Allergies in childhood Study (MAPAAS) using ISAAC methods, and a video questionnaire (VQ) was administered to 1614 adolescents 13-14 years old of 20 schools located in urban, suburban and semi-rural areas of Maputo (Mozambique). Simultaneously, they also replied to the ISAAC written questionnaire (WQ). RESULTS: According to the video questionnaire, the prevalence of current asthma was 11.9% (compared with 13.3% using the written questionnaire). Wheezing after exercise in the last year was reported by about 21%. Females reported more frequent wheezing after exercise than males (p < .001). The prevalence of nocturnal cough in the last year was 24.7%, and was more frequent in the suburban area (p < .001). "Severe attacks of asthma" was reported by 11.9% of the individuals. Teenagers instructed in the suburban schools reported more severe asthma-like symptoms than others (p < .05). There was a poor correlation between the WQ and the AVQ3.0 (kappa coefficients varied from 0.09 to 0.24). The lowest agreement was observed for the question regarding severe attacks of asthma. Agreement was better in terms of specificity than in terms of sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of the poor agreement between the written and the video questionnaires, the prevalence of asthma symptoms estimated using the video questionnaire confirms that asthma is an important public health problem in Maputo.

Frequent loss of heterozygosity on chromosomes 3p and 17p without VHL or p53 mutations suggests involvement of unidentified tumor suppressor genes in follicular thyroid carcinoma.

Follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) exhibits frequent loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosomes 10q and 3p, suggesting involvement of tumor suppressor genes. We screened 14 FTC (10 Hurthle cell carcinomas and 4 nonoxyphilic FTC), 14 papillary thyroid carcinomas, and 7 follicular adenomas for LOH on chromosome arms 1p, 3p, 3q, 10p, 10q, 11p, 11q, 13q, 17p, and 17q. LOH was more frequent in FTC than in follicular adenoma or papillary thyroid carcinoma. In FTC, rates of LOH on 3p (86%), 17p (72%), and 10q (57%) were higher than the average rate of LOH (33%; P < 0.05). Most frequently involved were 3p21-25 and 17p13.1-13.3, the sites for the VHL (3p25-26) and p53 (17p13.1) tumor suppressors. We, therefore, characterized these genes by dideoxy fingerprinting and DNA sequencing. Two FTC had mutations in p53, but only 1 of these exhibited LOH at 17p. No VHL gene mutations were found. Thus, neither p53 nor VHL genes play a significant role in the pathogenesis of differentiated thyroid cancer. LOH on 17p, but not on 3p or 10q, was correlated with mortality. Accordingly, 3p and 10q LOH may represent early, and 17p LOH late, events in FTC development. The data suggest the presence of novel tumor suppressor genes on chromosomes 3p and 17p that may be important in the pathogenesis of FTC.

Multiple pulmonary thromboembolism diagnosed by two-dimensional echocardiography.

A 55-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of progressive dyspnea, orthopnea and hemoptysis. Two-dimensional echocardiography multiple echo-dense images 1-4 mm in diameter were consistently seen crossing the tricuspid valve. A hypothesis of multiple pulmonary thromboembolism was raised. Clinical and postmortem evidence were later obtained to confirm this diagnosis.

Association of the HLA-DRB1*0301 and HLA-DQA1*0501 alleles with Graves' disease in a population representing the gene contribution from several ethnic backgrounds.

Graves' disease (GD) is the most frequent cause of hyperthyroidism. Although the etiology is not completely elucidated, there are several lines of evidence suggesting multifactorial mechanisms. Genetic, constitutional, and environmental factors are involved in its pathogenesis. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II alleles have been associated with GD in several populations of distinct ethnic backgrounds and there is increasing evidence supporting an association between GD and HLA-DR3 in Caucasian populations. The MHC class II alleles were evaluated in 75 Brazilian patients presenting with GD and in 166 control individuals from the same geographic area. HLA-DRB, DQB, and DQA alleles were identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified DNA hybridized with sequence-specific probes. The HLA-DRB1*0301 allele was significantly increased in patients (34/75, 45.3%) as compared with controls (37/166, 22.3%, p = 0.009), conferring a relative risk (RR) of 2.8 and an etiologic fraction (EF) of 0.287. The HLA-DQA1*0501 allele was also overrepresented in patients (48/71, 67.6%) in relation to controls (24/71, 33.8%; p = 0.004), conferring an RR of 3.74 and an EF of 0.351. The susceptibility conferred by HLA-DQA1*0501 was independent of the HLA-DRB1*0301 allele. On the other hand, the HLA-DQB1*0602 allele was significantly decreased in patients (6/75, 8.0%) in relation to controls (53/166, 31.9%, p = 0.0008), conferring an RR of 0.18 and a preventive fraction of 0.267. Although the Brazilian population comprises individuals of several ethnic backgrounds, these results corroborate the participation of the HLA-DRB1*0301 and HLA-DQA1*0501 alleles as susceptibility markers for GD, and emphasize the participation of the HLA-DQB1*0602 allele as conferring protection against the development of the disease.

Clomipramine, a better reference drug for panic/agoraphobia. I. Effectiveness comparison with imipramine.

An 8-week, double-blind, flexible-dose trial comparing low doses of clomipramine (mean=50 mg) with moderate doses of imipramine (mean=113.8 mg and propanteline (active placebo), was carried out in 60 out-patients with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. Efficacy evaluation included global, anxiety and depression rating scales, and the determination of rates of relapse over up to 10 weeks of single-blind placebo follow-up. Both tricyclics were significantly more effective than propanteline, but clomipramine tended to act faster and more consistently than imipramine on most measures. Given the degree of blindness achieved and the significantly lower doses of clomipramine, this seems a better reference drug than imipramine for clinical trials in panic/agoraphobia.

Quantitative analysis of ultradian luteinizing hormone secretion in normal men.

Basal pulsatile secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) was studied in 8 healthy adult men and analyzed by mathematical and statistical techniques. LH pulses previously defined by semiquantitative criteria resisted the data-smoothing techniques employed. LH values were shown to have normal distribution in normal men. No correlation was found between mean LH and testosterone levels for the same individual. On the basis of analysis of variance it was shown that the individual variability and not the collection time is important in determining each isolated LH value. The LH levels were located within a particular channel for each individual for each collection time.

Depressed respiratory sinus arrhythmia: additional evidence for impairment of vagal activity in human hyperthyroidism.

The efferent activity of the parasympathetic component of the autonomic nervous system was evaluated by measuring the magnitude of the respiratory sinus arrhythmia in 3 female patients with hyperthyroidism (Basedow-Graves' disease) before and after treatment. The heart rate variations induced by the test increased in all patients after treatment of thyrotoxicosis (from 15 +/- 2.9 to 28.3 +/- 6.6 beats/min; mean +/- SEM) with propylthiouracil (600 mg/day). This result confirms our previous observations indicating an important and reversible impairment of the efferent vagal activity in human hyperthyroidism.

M-mode echocardiography study of twenty-two top class racing cyclists.

In this study M-mode echocardiograms were performed on 22 top class racing cyclists in order to assess the incidence of structural heart alterations. A normal control group was composed of 20 sedentary men of similar age and surface body area. Statistical analysis was performed using the unpaired Student t-test. A normal LV mass was found in all athletes and normal left Ventricle diastolic diametre (LVDD) in 13 cyclists. Global and regional LV systolic functions were normal in all cyclists. Mitral valve analysis showed normal LV compliance in all athletes. Thus, the cyclists admitted to our study did not present LV hypertrophy and most of them had normal LVDD. Systolic and diastolic functions were normal in all of them.

[Excretion of 99m Tc-DISIDA through the bile ducts in the etiological diagnosis of neonatal cholestasis]. / Excreção de 99mTc-DISIDA pelo trato biliar no diagnóstico etiológico da colestase neonátal.

We evaluated 51 tests of 99mTc-DISIDA excretion by the biliary tree in patients with neonatal cholestasis. The aim of the present study was to verify the value of this test in the differentiation of this syndrome, correlating it to the clinical and laboratory data. The case studied were divided into two groups: extrahepatic biliary atresia, 26 patients (50.9%) and no-extrahepatic biliary atresia, 25 patients (49.1%). Analyzing the results, we concluded that this test had 96% sensitivity, 56% specificity, 69% positive predictive value, 93% negative predictive value and 76.5% accuracy. The accuracy of this test was only lower than that of hepatic biopsy. We conclude that the hepatobiliary scintigraphy was very useful in the definition of extrahepatic biliary atresia, with less value in the group of neonatal hepatitis, perhaps due to the delayed referral of the patients, short time of the scintigraphy study or factors related to the etiology of cholestasis itself.

[Refractory heart failure in a 26-year-old woman with idiopathic hemochromatosis]. / Insuficiência cardíaca refractária numa mulher de 26 anos com hemocromatose idiopática.

Idiopathic hemochromatosis, the most frequent inherited disease in Caucasians, is frequently undiagnosed. In this disorder, characterized by a continued inappropriated absorption of dietary iron, the clinical manifestations result from damage to those organ systems in which iron has been pathologically deposited, namely, the heart and the liver. Typically, hemochromatosis becomes clinically manifest in later life and in men more frequently than in women. This has been attributed to the extra loss of iron in women through menstruation and pregnancies. Removal of the excess iron by phlebotomy will prevent all of the complications of hemochromatosis of when begun early. In this paper, we report a case of a young woman with a eight years evolution of amenorrhea, cardiac failure, diabetes mellitus and increased pigmentation of the skin, associated with biochemical markers of iron overload. It is emphasized that hemochromatosis most be excluded in all patients with a unexplained cardiac failure.

Resistance to thyroid hormone due to mutations in the THRB gene impairs bone mass and affects calcium and phosphorus homeostasis.

CONTEXT: Resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) is an inherited syndrome of reduced tissue responsiveness to thyroid hormone, which is usually due to mutations in the thyroid hormone receptor ß gene (THRB). Few studies have been conducted to investigate bone and mineral metabolism in RTH. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the clinical and biochemical parameters related to bone and mineral metabolism in RTH due to mutations in the THRB gene (RTHß). DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 14 patients with RTHß (RTHG), eight adults and six children, and 24 control subjects (CG). OUTCOMES: Serum measures included total calcium (TCa), inorganic phosphate (iP), alkaline phosphatase (AP), parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), osteocalcin (OC), carboxyterminal telopeptide (CTX), and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23). We estimated the renal threshold phosphate concentration (TmPO4/GFR) and assessed bone mass using dual X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Adults and children with RTH showed higher serum levels of TCa than controls (P=.029 and, P=.018 respectively). However, only children with RTH exhibited lower serum levels of iP than controls (P=.048). FGF-23 was higher in RTHß children (P=.04). RTHß adults had lower whole-body (P=.01) and lumbar spine (P=.01) bone mineral density than control subjects. The same pattern was observed when the results were expressed as Z-scores between groups, with a lower value in RTHG than in CG for the lumbar spine of adults (P=.03). No difference was observed between groups in PTH, 25OHD, AP, OC, and CTX. CONCLUSION: Biochemical abnormalities are seen in children with RTH (Low iP, high FGF23), while high calcium (with normal UCa) is seen in RTH subjects of all ages, and later on, in adult life, low BMD is seen. Considering that the TRα1 isoform is the predominant TR in the skeleton, we hypothesize that probably these patients may exhibit enhanced calcium flux from bone to circulation. Our data represent a challenge for new studies to unveil the control of calcium and phosphorus homeostasis and fracture risk in these patients.

Outcome of bacteremia caused by extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae after solid organ transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Although infection with extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) has been recognized as an important cause of morbidity after solid organ transplantation, there are limited data on the outcome of this complication among transplant recipients. The objective of this study was to describe the outcome and factors associated with mortality among recipients of abdominal solid organ transplants with bloodstream infection caused by ESBL-E. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of a case series of patients who had bacteremia caused by ESBL-E after undergoing renal or liver transplantation between January 2000 and September 2008 at a university-affiliated hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The primary end point of the study was death within 30 days of the diagnosis of bacteremia. RESULTS: During the study period, 997 subjects underwent kidney (759 patients) or liver (238 patients) transplantation. Fifty-four episodes of bacteremia caused by ESBL-E were diagnosed in 39 patients (4%). Mortality after the first episode of ESBL-E bacteremia was 26% (10 deaths). In multiple logistic regression analysis, the Pitt bacteremia score (P = .005) and being on mechanical ventilation at the time of infection diagnosis (P = .02) were the only variables associated with mortality. Thirteen episodes of recurrent bacteremia occurred in 8 (28%) of the 29 patients who survived the first episode. Two (25%) of these 8 patients died during the course of a recurrent episode. CONCLUSIONS: Bacteremia caused by ESBL-E was associated with high mortality and high risk of recurrence. Factors associated with clinical severity at the time of infection diagnosis were the main predictors of mortality.

Imunogenicidade da proteína M recombinante de Streptococcus equi subsp. equi coadministrada com um adjuvante molecular / Immunogenicity of recombinant M protein of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi co administered with a molecular adjuvant

The strangles is an infectious disease that affects horses from all ages and causes important economic losses in the equine-related business. The aim of this work was to evaluate the immunogenicity of the recombinant M protein from Streptococcus equi (rSeM) co-administered with the recombinant heat-labile enterotoxin B subunit from Escherichia coli (rLTB) in mice and horses. A total of 72 female Balb-c mice were divided into eight groups and 18 horses were divided into six groups. The animals were inoculated by intramuscular (IM) or intranasal (IN) routes with different treatments of rSeM, rLTB and/or Al(OH)3. The results obtained in both species, independent of administration routes, demonstrated that rSeM + rLTB had higher levels of specific serum immunoglobulins, however, in mucosal immunity the increase was not identified. Thus, the use of rSeM as vaccine antigen and rLTB as adjuvant can be a potential tool in the control of equine strangles.(AU)

Secondary intracardiac Burkitt-like lymphoma in the absence of HIV infection.

Malignant lymphoma can involve the cardiac cavity or myocardium as a mass. Since clinical symptoms of its cardiac involvement are usually absent or non-specific, they may be undetected during life. Burkitt-like lymphoma (BLL) is a highly aggressive B-cell lymphoma with a high proliferative rate. Histopathological characteristics are considered borderline between those of classic Burkitt lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Extensive cardiac involvement of BLL is rare and poorly documented in the literature. We report the case of a child with BLL, presenting with extensive infiltration of the heart in the absence of HIV infection, and with right-sided heart failure and positional dyspnoea as the major clinical problems. We highlight the challenges for diagnosis and adequate treatment in poor settings like ours.