RESUMO
This study aimed to elucidate the effects of selenium-loaded chitosan nanoparticles used as a dietary supplement on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) antioxidant and growth responses. First, chitosan-based nanoparticles containing selenium (Se) were synthesized using the ionotropic gelation method and their physicochemical characteristics, controlled release profile, and antioxidant activity properties were investigated. Thereafter, the effects on glutathione peroxidase and antioxidant activities (by radical scavenging activity), growth, and whole-body composition of Nile tilapia were evaluated when they were fed with Se-loaded chitosan nanoparticles and compared with other selenium dietary supplements. Se-loaded chitosan nanoparticles showed high entrapment efficiency (87%), spherical shape, smooth surface, and broad size distribution. The controlled release of Se consisted of an initial burst followed by a gradual release over 48 h. Se-loaded nanoparticles presented significantly higher antioxidant activity compared to free Se. A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to compare the effects of supplementing different dietary Se sources, including selenomethionine (as organic source), sodium selenite (as inorganic source), and Se-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (Se-Nano and Se-Nano x1.5) on antioxidant and growth responses of Nile tilapia. A basal diet without Se supplementation was used as the control. The dietary supplementations with different Se sources (free and encapsulated selenium) lead to significant improvements in final weight and feed efficiency of Nile tilapia fingerlings. However, dietary treatments did not affect whole-body protein and lipid content. Diets containing Se-Nano and Se-Nano x1.5 were more effective than sodium selenite and selenomethionine in preventing oxidative stress and improving antioxidant activity in Nile tilapia. Overall, Se-loaded nanoparticles presented a great potential as an efficient source for delivering dietary Se to Nile tilapia, directly affecting the growth performance, feed efficiency, oxidative stress, and antioxidant activity of this species.
Assuntos
Ração Animal , Antioxidantes , Quitosana , Ciclídeos/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Nanopartículas/química , Selênio , Animais , Antioxidantes/química , Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Quitosana/química , Quitosana/farmacologia , Ciclídeos/metabolismo , Selênio/química , Selênio/farmacologiaRESUMO
Biomarkers have been identified for pulmonary arterial hypertension, but are less well defined for specific etiologies such as congenital heart disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (CHDPAH). We measured plasma levels of eight microvascular dysfunction markers in CHDPAH, and tested for associations with survival. A cohort of 46 inoperable CHDPAH patients (age 15.0 to 60.2 years, median 33.5 years, female:male 29:17) was prospectively followed for 0.7 to 4.0 years (median 3.6 years). Plasma levels of von Willebrand factor antigen (VWF:Ag), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and its inhibitor (PAI-1), P-selectin, reactive C-protein, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin-6 and -10 were measured at baseline, and at 30, 90, and 180 days in all subjects. Levels of six of the eight proteins were significantly increased in patients versus controls (13 to 106 percent increase, P < 0.003). Interleukin-10 level was 2.06 times normal (P = 0.0003; Th2 cytokine response). Increased levels of four proteins (t-PA, PAI-1, P-selectin, and interleukin-6) correlated with disease severity indices (P < 0.05). Seven patients died during follow-up. An average VWF:Ag (mean of four determinations) above the level corresponding to the 95th percentile of controls (139 U/dL) was independently associated with a high risk of death (hazard ratio = 6.56, 95 percentCI = 1.46 to 29.4, P = 0.014). Thus, in CHDPAH, microvascular dysfunction appears to involve Th2 inflammatory response. Of the biomarkers studied, plasma vWF:Ag was independently associated with survival.
Assuntos
Adolescente , Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Adulto Jovem , Cardiopatias Congênitas/sangue , Hipertensão Pulmonar/sangue , Fator de von Willebrand/imunologia , Biomarcadores/sangue , Métodos Epidemiológicos , Cardiopatias Congênitas/complicações , Cardiopatias Congênitas/mortalidade , Hipertensão Pulmonar/etiologia , Hipertensão Pulmonar/mortalidade , Fator de von Willebrand/análiseRESUMO
Biomarkers have been identified for pulmonary arterial hypertension, but are less well defined for specific etiologies such as congenital heart disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (CHDPAH). We measured plasma levels of eight microvascular dysfunction markers in CHDPAH, and tested for associations with survival. A cohort of 46 inoperable CHDPAH patients (age 15.0 to 60.2 years, median 33.5 years, female:male 29:17) was prospectively followed for 0.7 to 4.0 years (median 3.6 years). Plasma levels of von Willebrand factor antigen (VWF:Ag), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and its inhibitor (PAI-1), P-selectin, reactive C-protein, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin-6 and -10 were measured at baseline, and at 30, 90, and 180 days in all subjects. Levels of six of the eight proteins were significantly increased in patients versus controls (13 to 106% increase, P < 0.003). Interleukin-10 level was 2.06 times normal (P = 0.0003; Th2 cytokine response). Increased levels of four proteins (t-PA, PAI-1, P-selectin, and interleukin-6) correlated with disease severity indices (P < 0.05). Seven patients died during follow-up. An average VWF:Ag (mean of four determinations) above the level corresponding to the 95th percentile of controls (139 U/dL) was independently associated with a high risk of death (hazard ratio = 6.56, 95%CI = 1.46 to 29.4, P = 0.014). Thus, in CHDPAH, microvascular dysfunction appears to involve Th2 inflammatory response. Of the biomarkers studied, plasma vWF:Ag was independently associated with survival.
Assuntos
Cardiopatias Congênitas/sangue , Hipertensão Pulmonar/sangue , Fator de von Willebrand/imunologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Biomarcadores/sangue , Métodos Epidemiológicos , Hipertensão Pulmonar Primária Familiar , Feminino , Cardiopatias Congênitas/complicações , Cardiopatias Congênitas/mortalidade , Humanos , Hipertensão Pulmonar/etiologia , Hipertensão Pulmonar/mortalidade , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Adulto Jovem , Fator de von Willebrand/análiseRESUMO
Bacterial infections involving multidrug-resistant strains are one of the ten leading causes of death and an important health problem in need for new antibacterial sources and agents. Herein, we tested and compared four snake venoms (Agkistrodon rhodostoma, Bothrops jararaca, B. atrox and Lachesis muta) against 10 Gram-positive and Gram-negative drug-resistant clinical bacteria strains to identify them as new sources of potential antibacterial molecules. Our data revealed that, as efficient as some antibiotics currently on the market (minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) = 1-32 µg mL(-1)), A. rhodostoma and B. atrox venoms were active against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterococcus faecalis (MIC = 4.5 µg mL(-1)), while B. jararaca inhibited S. aureus growth (MIC = 13 µg ml(-1)). As genomic and proteomic technologies are improving and developing rapidly, our results suggested that A. rhodostoma, B. atrox and B. jararaca venoms and glands are feasible sources for searching antimicrobial prototypes for future design new antibiotics against drug-resistant clinical bacteria. They also point to an additional perspective to fully identify the pharmacological potential of these venoms by using different techniques.
RESUMO
We investigated whether chronic rosuvastatin administration could improve the abnormalities of the circulating levels of vascular dysfunction markers in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Sixty patients, aged 13 to 60 years, with idiopathic (N = 14) or congenital heart disease-associated PAH (N = 46) were equally but randomly assigned to rosuvastatin treatment (10 mg a day, orally) or placebo for 6 months in a blind fashion. Plasma levels of P-selectin, tissue-plasminogen activator and its inhibitor as well as von Willebrand factor antigen were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay before and after 1, 3, and 6 months of treatment. Baseline levels of biomarkers were elevated (68, 16, 45 and 46% increase relative to controls, for P-selectin, von Willebrand factor antigen, tissue-plasminogen activator and its inhibitor, respectively; P < 0.001). P-selectin values at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months were 39.9 +/- 18.5, 37.6 +/- 14.6, 34.8 +/- 14.6, and 35.4 +/- 13.9 ng/mL, respectively, for the rosuvastatin group and 45.7 +/- 26.8, 48.0 +/- 26.9, 48.1 +/- 25.7, and 45.7 +/- 25.6 ng/mL for the placebo group. The P-selectin level was lower in the rosuvastatin group compared with placebo throughout treatment (P = 0.037, general linear model). A trend was observed towards a decrease in tissue-plasminogen activator in the statin group (16% reduction, P = 0.094), with no significant changes in the other markers. Since P-selectin is crucial in inflammation and thrombosis, its reduction by rosuvastatin is potentially relevant in the pathophysiological scenario of PAH.
Assuntos
Endotélio Vascular/fisiopatologia , Fluorbenzenos/uso terapêutico , Inibidores de Hidroximetilglutaril-CoA Redutases/uso terapêutico , Hipertensão Pulmonar/tratamento farmacológico , Pirimidinas/uso terapêutico , Sulfonamidas/uso terapêutico , Adolescente , Adulto , Biomarcadores/sangue , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Endotélio Vascular/efeitos dos fármacos , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Feminino , Cardiopatias Congênitas/complicações , Humanos , Hipertensão Pulmonar/sangue , Hipertensão Pulmonar/fisiopatologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Selectina-P/sangue , Rosuvastatina Cálcica , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Ativador de Plasminogênio Tecidual/antagonistas & inibidores , Ativador de Plasminogênio Tecidual/sangue , Adulto Jovem , Fator de von Willebrand/análise , Fator de von Willebrand/imunologiaRESUMO
We investigated whether chronic rosuvastatin administration could improve the abnormalities of the circulating levels of vascular dysfunction markers in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Sixty patients, aged 13 to 60 years, with idiopathic (N = 14) or congenital heart disease-associated PAH (N = 46) were equally but randomly assigned to rosuvastatin treatment (10 mg a day, orally) or placebo for 6 months in a blind fashion. Plasma levels of P-selectin, tissue-plasminogen activator and its inhibitor as well as von Willebrand factor antigen were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay before and after 1, 3, and 6 months of treatment. Baseline levels of biomarkers were elevated (68, 16, 45 and 46 percent increase relative to controls, for P-selectin, von Willebrand factor antigen, tissue-plasminogen activator and its inhibitor, respectively; P < 0.001). P-selectin values at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months were 39.9 ± 18.5, 37.6 ± 14.6, 34.8 ± 14.6, and 35.4 ± 13.9 ng/mL, respectively, for the rosuvastatin group and 45.7 ± 26.8, 48.0 ± 26.9, 48.1 ± 25.7, and 45.7 ± 25.6 ng/mL for the placebo group. The P-selectin level was lower in the rosuvastatin group compared with placebo throughout treatment (P = 0.037, general linear model). A trend was observed towards a decrease in tissue-plasminogen activator in the statin group (16 percent reduction, P = 0.094), with no significant changes in the other markers. Since P-selectin is crucial in inflammation and thrombosis, its reduction by rosuvastatin is potentially relevant in the pathophysiological scenario of PAH.
Assuntos
Adolescente , Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Adulto Jovem , Endotélio Vascular/fisiopatologia , Fluorbenzenos/uso terapêutico , Inibidores de Hidroximetilglutaril-CoA Redutases/uso terapêutico , Hipertensão Pulmonar/tratamento farmacológico , Pirimidinas/uso terapêutico , Sulfonamidas/uso terapêutico , Biomarcadores/sangue , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Endotélio Vascular/efeitos dos fármacos , Cardiopatias Congênitas/complicações , Hipertensão Pulmonar/sangue , Hipertensão Pulmonar/fisiopatologia , Selectina-P/sangue , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Ativador de Plasminogênio Tecidual/antagonistas & inibidores , Ativador de Plasminogênio Tecidual/sangue , Adulto Jovem , Fator de von Willebrand/análise , Fator de von Willebrand/imunologiaRESUMO
The extent of 5S and 45S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) variation was investigated in wild and domesticated common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) chosen to represent the known genetic diversity of the species. 5S and 45S rDNA probes were localized on mitotic chromosomes of 37 accessions by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). The two 5S rDNA loci were largely conserved within the species, whereas a high variation in the number of 45S rDNA loci and changes in position of loci and number of repeats per locus were observed. Domesticated accessions from the Mesoamerican gene pool frequently had three 45S rDNA loci per haploid genome, and rarely four. Domesticated accessions from Andean gene pool, particularly from the race Peru, showed six, seven, eight or nine loci, but seven loci were found in all three races of this gene pool. Between three and eight loci were observed in accessions resulting from crosses between Andean and Mesoamerican genotypes. The presence of two to eight 45S rDNA loci in wild common beans from different geographic locations indicates that the 45S rDNA amplification observed in the Andean lineage took place before domestication. Our data suggest that ectopic recombination between terminal chromosomal regions might be the mechanism responsible for this variation.
Assuntos
Evolução Biológica , DNA Ribossômico/metabolismo , Amplificação de Genes , Phaseolus/genética , América Central , Cromossomos de Plantas , Cruzamentos Genéticos , Pool Gênico , Hibridização in Situ Fluorescente , Dados de Sequência Molecular , América do Norte , Phaseolus/fisiologia , América do SulRESUMO
A resistência e a tolerância a amicacina (Am), cefalotina (Ce), cefoxitina (Cx) e oxacilina (Ox) foram determiandas em 51 cepas de Staphylococcus aureus isoladas de diferentes pacientes das enfermarias do HUAP-UFF. Os valores mais elevados das concentraçöes mínimas inibitórias (CMls) foram superiores aqueles encontrados nos Estados Unidos, para os quatro antibióticos. A tolerância (CMB/CMI > ou = 16) verificada foi a seguinte: Ox (21,6%), Ce (11,8%), Am(8,9%) e Cx2,0%). Os nossos resultados indicam que uma antibioticoterapia racional e objetiva deve estar respaldada na relaçäo: CMB/CMI. Informaçäo, apenas, sobre o efeito inibitório (CMI) näo dá chance ao clínico de identificar bactérias tolerantes. Por outro lado, tentativas para debelar infecçöes causadas por cepas resistentes ( ou tolerantes), através do aumento da concentraçäo do antibiótico, pode resultar no fracasso da antibioticoterapia, imposto pela limitaçäo da solubilidade do antibiótico ou pelo desencadeamento de efeitos colaterais, por exemplo
Assuntos
Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Amicacina/uso terapêutico , Cefoxitina/uso terapêutico , Cefalotina/uso terapêutico , Infecções Estafilocócicas/tratamento farmacológico , Oxacilina/uso terapêutico , Staphylococcus aureus/isolamento & purificação , Brasil , Infecção Hospitalar/etiologia , Infecções Estafilocócicas/complicações , Infecções Estafilocócicas/microbiologia , Resistência Microbiana a Medicamentos , Staphylococcus aureus/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Apresenta-se um caso de fibrose retroperitoneal idiopática em que a córticoterapia foi efetiva em melhorar a funçäo renal, sendo a ureterolise realizada posteriormente, com o paciente em melhores condiçöes clínicas. Os autores concluem que a terapêutica com corticósteroides é benéfica no manejo da insuficiência renal obstrutiva da fibrose retroperitoneal idiopática