RESUMEN
AIMS: The objective of this study was to assess the probiotic potential of genuine strains of Bifidobacterium longum 51A and Weissella paramesenteroides WpK4, in experimental giardiasis. METHODS AND RESULTS: The bacteria were administered orally to gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) 10 days before oral infection with trophozoites of Giardia lamblia. After 7 days of infection, the animals were euthanized and portions of the duodenum were processed for histopathologic, histochemical and morphometric assessment. The height of the intestinal crypts and crypt/villi ratio were higher in infected groups (P < 0·05) than in noninfected groups. The area of mucus production was higher (P < 0·05) in infected animals pretreated with B. longum 51A than in other groups. The parasitic load of the animals that received both bacteria decreased significantly (P < 0·05) compared to the ones of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest a probiotic function of B. longum 51A and W. paramesenteroides WpK4 and may result in their use as a prophylactic and therapeutic alternative for promoting human and animal health. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Bifidobacterium longum 51A and W. paramesenteroides WpK4 may constitute prophylactic alternatives, reversing the emergence of side effects and resistance observed in the conventional treatment of giardiasis.
Asunto(s)
Bifidobacterium longum , Giardia lamblia/efectos de los fármacos , Giardiasis , Probióticos/farmacología , Weissella , Animales , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Gerbillinae , Carga de ParásitosRESUMEN
The lead (Pb) isotopes ²°6Pb and ²°8Pb are the final products of the radioactive decay of ²³8U and ²³²Th, respectively. Soils in the municipalities of Pedra and Venturosa, Brazil, present high levels of these radionuclides. We hypothesized that forage plants growing in these soils may take up high amounts of Pb and, consequently, intoxicate dairy cows. To test this, we quantified Pb concentrations in 23 forage samples from this region. Pb concentrations varied from 5 to 344 mg kg⻹. The highest values are one order of magnitude above the reported limit, therefore, indicating high risk of Pb contamination for dairy cows.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades de los Bovinos/epidemiología , Intoxicación por Plomo/veterinaria , Plomo/análisis , Contaminantes del Suelo/análisis , Animales , Brasil/epidemiología , Bovinos , Clima , Industria Lechera , Dieta/estadística & datos numéricos , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales/análisis , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales/estadística & datos numéricos , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Monitoreo Epidemiológico , Intoxicación por Plomo/epidemiología , Plantas/química , Suelo/químicaRESUMEN
(210)Pb is widely distributed in the environment. In this context, the aim of this research has been: (1) to determine (210)Pb concentrations in milk and dairy products from farms located in the cities of Pedra and Venturosa in Pernambuco, Brazil; and (2) to calculate the dose due to the ingestion of (210)Pb in these products. The ion exchange resin method was used and the concentration of (210)Pb varied from 62 to 650 mBq l(-1) in fresh milk, from 202 to 1,494 mBq kg(-1) in curdled cheese and from 11 to 253 mBq l(-1) in milk whey. The estimated dose due to ingestion of milk and dairy products in this region was 0.2 Sv, which is at least two orders of magnitude above the maximum recommended levels.
Asunto(s)
Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales/análisis , Contaminantes Ambientales/análisis , Contaminación de Alimentos/análisis , Radioisótopos de Plomo/análisis , Leche/química , Animales , Brasil , Bovinos , Cromatografía por Intercambio Iónico , Clima , Industria Lechera , Monitoreo del Ambiente/métodos , Femenino , Resinas de Intercambio IónicoRESUMEN
The aim of this research was to determine (210)Pb concentrations in forage from farms located in the municipalities of Pedra and Venturosa, in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco, where rolled blocks of mafic rock with a high percentage of U(3)O(8) were found. The concentrations of (210)Pb varied from 2 to 503 Bq kg(-1) in the forage dry matter samples evaluated. Due to the elevated levels of (210)Pb in the forage samples, it is concluded that this radionuclide is highly available to be ingested by dairy cows and this could represent a hazard to the human population due to possible milk contamination.
Asunto(s)
Industria Lechera , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales/análisis , Radioisótopos de Plomo/análisis , Leche/química , Contaminantes Radiactivos/análisis , Animales , Bovinos , Dieta/estadística & datos numéricos , Plantas/química , Monitoreo de RadiaciónRESUMEN
The aim of this research was to determine (210)Pb concentrations in rocks and soils of farms located in the municipalities of Pedra and Venturosa. In these farms, rolled blocks of mafic rock with a high percentage of U(3)O(8) were found. The concentrations of (210)Pb varied from 3.2 to 201 kBq kg(-1) in rock samples and from 195 to 86,400 Bq kg(-1) in soil samples. The high levels of radioactivity found in the samples, indicate the need to conduct more detailed studies to evaluate the risk of radionuclide ingestion due to milk consumption by the population in the state of Pernambuco.
Asunto(s)
Industria Lechera , Radioisótopos de Plomo/análisis , Suelo/análisis , Brasil , Clima , Minerales/análisisRESUMEN
Radiometric measurements were taken in a small area of Pernambuco, Brazil, with the objective of monitoring the radium of the soil. For this, 78 soil samples were collected. The gamma analyses of the samples were carried out using HPGe. The values obtained for the (226)Ra varied from 14 to 367 Bqkg(-1) and for the (228)Ra from 73 to 429 Bqkg(-1). The ratio (228)Ra/(226)Ra varied from 1.0 to 7.0. Therefore, it is an indicator of an additional radioactivity source in this soil, maybe (232)Th, which will be further investigated in future studies.
Asunto(s)
Radio (Elemento)/análisis , Suelo/análisis , Torio/análisis , Brasil , UranioRESUMEN
The objective of this study was to determine the 226Ra concentrations in samples of sugar cane juice, which is sold for human consumption in the city of Recife, capital of the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. The sample collections were carried out in seventeen commercial establishments where high quantities of the juice are usually sold. The methodology used to determine the concentrations of 226Ra in the juice was based on 222Rn emanation classical technique. Concentrations of 226Ra in the samples varied from 18 to 89 mBqL(-1).
Asunto(s)
Contaminación Radiactiva de Alimentos/análisis , Monitoreo de Radiación/métodos , Radio (Elemento)/análisis , Saccharum/química , Contaminantes Radiactivos del Suelo/análisis , Brasil , Preparaciones de Plantas/químicaRESUMEN
This work is aimed at determining (226)Ra concentration in cheese produced by dairy manufacturers from Pedra and Venturosa, which are two districts in the rural region of Pernambuco-Brazil. Analyses showed concentrations of (226)Ra in cheese samples varying from 54 to 2,080 mBq kg(-1) (wet matter). Using the cumulated risk method, the excess carcinoma and bone sarcoma were estimated for chronic ingestion of cheese containing this radioisotope. In this context, this report discusses the methodology of sample analyses as well as possible consequences of the (226)Ra intake for human health.
Asunto(s)
Queso/análisis , Contaminación Radiactiva de Alimentos/análisis , Contaminantes Radiactivos/análisis , Radio (Elemento)/análisis , Neoplasias Óseas/epidemiología , Neoplasias Óseas/etiología , Brasil , Carcinoma/epidemiología , Carcinoma/etiología , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Monitoreo Epidemiológico , Contaminantes Radiactivos/toxicidad , Radio (Elemento)/toxicidad , Medición de Riesgo , Sarcoma/epidemiología , Sarcoma/etiología , Neoplasias Craneales/epidemiología , Neoplasias Craneales/etiologíaRESUMEN
The present work analyzes the epidemiology of schistosomiasis in Brazil, its expansion, the attempts to control the disease, and the overall difficulties. The authors present the distribution of schistosomiasis intermediary hosts in Brazil, the migration routes of the human population, and disease distribution in highly and lowly endemic areas and isolated foci. They also analyze the controlling programs developed from 1977 to 2002, indicating the prevalence evolution and the reduction of disease morbi-mortality. In addition, the authors also evaluate controlling methods and conclude that: (a) no isolated method is able to control schistosomiasis, and every controlling program should consider the need of a multidisciplinary application of existing methods; (b) in long term, basic sanitation, potable water supply, as well as sanitary education, and community effective participation are important for infection control; (c) in short term, specific treatment at endemic areas, associated with control of intermediary hosts at epidemiologically important foci, are extremely relevant for controlling disease morbidity, although not enough for interrupting infection transmission.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades Endémicas/prevención & control , Programas Nacionales de Salud , Esquistosomiasis/prevención & control , Animales , Brasil/epidemiología , Enfermedades Endémicas/estadística & datos numéricos , Humanos , Prevalencia , Evaluación de Programas y Proyectos de Salud , Esquistosomiasis/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
The present work analyzes the epidemiology of schistosomiasis in Brazil, its expansion, the attempts to control the disease, and the overall difficulties. The authors present the distribution of schistosomiasis intermediary hosts in Brazil, the migration routes of the human population, and disease distribution in highly and lowly endemic areas and isolated foci. They also analyze the controlling programs developed from 1977 to 2002, indicating the prevalence evolution and the reduction of disease morbi-mortality. In addition, the authors also evaluate controlling methods and conclude that: (a) no isolated method is able to control schistosomiasis, and every controlling program should consider the need of a multidisciplinary application of existing methods; (b) in long term, basic sanitation, potable water supply, as well as sanitary education, and community effective participation are important for infection control; (c) in short term, specific treatment at endemic areas, associated with control of intermediary hosts at epidemiologically important foci, are extremely relevant for controlling disease morbidity, although not enough for interrupting infection transmission.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Animales , Programas Nacionales de Salud , Esquistosomiasis , Brasil , Enfermedades Endémicas , Prevalencia , Evaluación de Programas y Proyectos de SaludAsunto(s)
Schistosoma mansoni/aislamiento & purificación , Esquistosomiasis mansoni/transmisión , Animales , Brasil , Niño , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , RatonesRESUMEN
O uso de corticosteróides e/ou outras drogas imunossupressoras no tratamento de nefrite intersticial aguda (NIA) permanece controverso. Os autores relatam um caso de NIA, secundária ao uso de rifampicina, tratado com prednisona, no qual se obteve excelente resposta: paciente feminina com diagnóstico de tuberculose pulmonar, que se apresentava com funçäo renal normal, foi submetida a terapêutica tríplice (rifampicina e pirazinamida). No quadragésimo dia de tratamento, mostrou creatinina de 2,4mg/dl e BUN de 27mg/dl; após três dias, foi submetida a exames que mostraram: creatinina plasmática, 5,5mg/dl; nitrogênio uréico plasmático, 74mg/dl; sódio urinário, 78mEq/1; osmolalidade urinária, 416mOsm/Kg de H2O e fraçäo de excreçäo de sódio de 4,3%; exame do sedimento urinário com leucocitúria, hematúria e eosinofilúria; proteinúria de 24 horas de 900mg; ultra-som renal normal. A biopsia renal revelou tratar-se de NIA, sendo suspensa a rifampicina e, como a funçäo renal continuava a piorar, iniciou-se prednisona. Houve estabilizaçäo dos níveis de escórias nitrogenadas e queda a partir do quarto dia de tratamento, recebendo alta hospitalar com funçäo renal normal