Abstract Background: Chronic hepatitis B is a major cause of cirrhosis, and the natural history of the disease has several clinical stages that should be thoroughly understood for the implementation of proper treatment. Nonetheless, curing the disease with antiviral treatment remains a challenge. Aims: To describe the clinical course, response to treatment, and poor prognostic factors in 247 hepatitis B virus chronic infection patients treated in a tertiary hospital in Brazil. Methods: This was a retrospective and observational study, by analyzing the medical records of HBV infected patients between January 2000 and January 2015. Results: Most patients were male (67.2%) and 74.1% were HBeAg negative. Approximately 41% had cirrhosis and 8.5% were hepatitis C virus coinfected. The viral load was negative after two years on lamivudine, entecavir and tenofovir in 86%, 90.6%, and 92.9% of the patients, respectively. The five-year resistance rates for lamivudine, adefovir, entecavir, and tenofovir were 57.5%, 51.8%, 1.9%, and 0%, respectively. The overall seroconversion rates were 31.2% for HBeAg and 9.4% for HBsAg. Hepatocellular carcinoma was diagnosed in 9.7% of patients, liver transplantation was performed in 9.7%, and overall mortality was 10.5%. Elevations of serum alanine aminotransferase (p = 0.0059) and viral load (p < 0.0001) were associated with progression to liver cirrhosis. High viral load was associated with progression to hepatocellular carcinoma (p < 0.0001). Significant risk factors associated with death were elevated alanine aminotransferase (p = 0.0039), liver cirrhosis (p < 0.0001), high viral load (p = 0.007), and hepatocellular carcinoma (p = 0.0008). HBeAg positive status was not associated with worse outcomes, and treatment may have been largely responsible. Conclusions: Elevations of viral load and serum alanine aminotransferase may select patients with worse prognosis, especially progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, which were strongly association with death.

Objetivou-se no trabalho avaliar a ação antibacteriana do óleo essencial de Lippia origanoides frente à isolados de Staphylococcus sp. de alimentos de origem animal. Para tanto, realizou-se análise química da composição do óleo, teste de sensibilidade das bactérias frente a dez antibióticos de uso terapêutico e ao óleo essencial de Lippia origanoides, além da determinação da concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) e da concentração bactericida mínima (CBM). A análise cromatográfica do óleo apresentou o timol como composto majoritário (48,70%), além de pequena quantidade de carvacrol (1,14%). No teste de sensibilidade frente aos antibióticos, 75% dos isolados apresentaram resistência a, no mínimo, três antibióticos. Em relação ao óleo essencial, os isolados de Staphylococcus sp oriundos de leite bovino mostraram-se mais resistentes e os isolados de carne ovina apresentaram-se mais sensíveis. A CIM foi maior para os Staphylococcus sp. isolados de leite bovino e leite ovino (60µL/mL). Enquanto que para os isolados de carcaça de ovinos e queijo, a CIM foi de 15µL/mL e 30µL/mL respectivamente. A CBM, consequentemente, foi maior para os isolados de leite bovino e leite ovino, sendo de 240µL/mL e 120µL/mL respectivamente. O óleo essencial de Lippia origanoides apresenta atividade antimicrobiana sobre Staphylococcus sp. isolados de alimentos.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the essential oil of Lippia origanoides in relation to Staphylococcus sp. isolated from food of animal origin. For this purpose, we performed the chemical analysis to determine the oil composition, evaluated the bacteria sensibility to ten antibiotics of therapeutic use and determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The chromatographic analysis showed that tymol was the main compound (48.70%) and that carvacrol was present in a small amount (1.14%). In the test of antibiotic susceptibility, 75% of the microorganism isolates were resistant to at least three of the ten antibiotics tested. The Staphylococcus sp isolated from bovine milk was more resistant to the essential oil of Lippia origanoides, and the microorganism isolated from sheep meat was more susceptible to this oil. The Staphylococcus sp. isolated from bovine or sheep milk showed a MIC of 60µL/mL and for those isolated from sheep carcass and cheese the MIC was 15µL/mL and 30µL/mL, respectively. Consequently, the MBC was higher for isolates from cow's (240µL/mL) and sheep's milk (120µL/mL) when compared with other food sources. These results suggest that the essential oil of Lippia origanoides has antimicrobial activity against staphylococcus sp. isolated from food.

A suplementação de L-arginina tem sido proposta para melhorar a função endotelial. Testou-se a hipótese de que a L-arginina melhora também a hipotensão pós-exercício (HPE) em hipertensos. Hipertensas fisicamente ativas foram distribuídas em grupo suplementado (SUP) (N = 10, 50 ± 1.8 anos) e placebo (PLA) (N = 10, 51.5 ± 1.6 anos). Elas realizaram duas sessões de caminhada em intensidade moderada com intervalo de 32 dias entre as sessões. Coletas sanguíneas e pressão arterial foram medidas pré e pós exercícios. No período entre as sessões, permaneceram fisicamente ativas e receberam 6gr diárias de L-arginina ou placebo. PLA não apresentou alteração na concentração sérica de nitrito/nitrato e PA em repouso ou em resposta ao exercício. SUP apresentou aumento na concentração basal de nitrito/nitrato plasmático (26.6 ± 2 para 44.6 ± 4µM , p < .05), que foi acompanhado por redução da PA basal (137/86.2 para 125.8/79mmHg, p < .05). O exercício realizado antes da suplementação não alterou a concentração sérica de nitrito/nitrato, mas a suplementação fez com que o exercício aumentasse estes níveis de 44.6 ± 4 para 51.8 ± 6µM (p < .05). Entretanto, não promoveu alterações na HPE. A suplementação de L-arginina melhora a produção de nitrito/nitrato e promove redução da PA de repouso, mas não altera a HPE em mulheres hipertensas de meia idade.

L-arginine supplementation has been proposed to improve endothelial. The hypothesis that L-arginine also improves post-exercise hypotension (PEH) in hypertensive individuals was tested in this study. Physically active hypertensive women were divided into supplemented (SUP) (n = 12, 50 ± 1.8 years) and placebo (PLA) (n = 14, 51.5 ± 1.6 years) groups performing two walking sessions at moderate intensity with interval of 32 days between sessions. Blood samples were collected and blood pressure (BP) was measured before and after exercise. In the period between sessions, they remained physically active and received daily 6g of L-arginine or placebo. PLA showed no change in serum nitrite/nitrate concentration and blood pressure at rest or in response to exercise. SUP showed increased basal nitrite/nitrate plasma concentration (26.6 ± 2 to 44.6 ± 4µM, p < .05), which was followed by reduction of basal BP (137/86.2 to 125.8/79mmHg, p < .05). The exercise performed before supplementation did not change the serum nitrite/nitrate concentration. After supplementation, the exercise promoted increases in levels from 44.6 ± 4 to 51.8 ± 6µ M (p < .05). However, it did not change the PEH. L-arginine supplementation improves the nitrite/nitrate production and decreases the resting BP, but does not change the PEH in hypertensive middle-aged women.

RESUMO Considerando as perdas causadas por nematoides às diversas culturas, as rizobactérias se apresentam como uma alternativa para manejar esse patógenos. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar in vitro a ação de 20 isolados de rizobactérias sobre a eclosão e a motilidade de juvenis de segundo estádio de Meloidogyne incognita e M. javanica e sobre a motilidade de Pratylenchus zeae. O experimento foi instalado em condições de laboratório e em delineamento inteiramente casuali-zado com quatro repetições, constituídas por uma câmara de eclosão cada. As avaliações foram realizadas a cada 72 horas. Após as avaliações observou-se que nenhum dos isolados avaliados influenciaram a eclosão de M. incognita, entretanto para M. javanica, os isolados FCAV 8 e FCAV 10 proporcionaram pronunciada ação ovicida. Entre os isolados testados sobre a motilidade dos nematoides-das-galha apenas os isolados de Bacillus amyloliquefaciens e B. subtillis evidenciaram potencial como agente do controle de juvenis de segundo estádio de M. javanica. Quando se avaliou a motilidade dos isolados sobre espécimes ativos de .. zeae, obsevou-se que os isolados FCAV 5, FCAV 7 e B. amyloliquefaciens exibiram potencial como agentes do controle biológico de .. zeae. Estes resultados confirmam que entre as rizobactérias podem ser encontrados agentes eficazes para o controle de nematoides.

ABSTRACT Considering the losses caused by nematodes to different host plant, rhizobacteria are presented as an alternative to to control uch pathogens. So the goal of this study was to evaluate in vitro the action of 20 isolates of rhizobacteria on hatching and motility of second stage juveniles of the Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica and on the motility of Pratylenchus zeae. The experiment was conducted under laboratory conditions and in a completely randomize design with four replications, and each experimental plot was represented by a hatching chamber. Measurements were spaced every 72 hours. After the evaluations showed that the isolates not influenced the emergence of M. incognita. M. javanica entertaining for isolates FCAV FCAV 8 and 10 showed pronounced ovicidal action. Among the isolates tested on the motility root-knot nematode, only isolates of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and B. subtilis showed potential as an agent for control of second stage juveniles of M. javanica. When we assessed the motility of isolated active on specimens of .. zeae isolates the FCAV 5, 7 and FCAV B.amyloliquefaciens exhibited potential as agents of biological control of .. zeae. These results confirm that among the rhizobacteria may be found effective agents for the control of nematodes.

It was studied whether vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) colonize poultry raised without receiving antimicrobial growth promoters (AGP), in non-intensive production systems. A total of 200 cloacal swabs were colleted in farms (n=40) of eight different regions of the Distrito Federal. After selective isolation, the typical enterococcal colonies were submitted to the multiplex PCR to identify enterococcal species (E. faecalis, E. faecium, E. gallinarum, and E. casseliflavus), and genes coding for high-level vancomycin resistance phenotypes. No VRE were found in the examined samples. The prevalence rates were higher for E. gallinarum (n=26; 13.0%) and E. casseliflavus (n=11; 5.5%). It was found remarkable differences in the prevalence of E. gallinarum and E. casseliflavus among the poultry farms and studied regions, and it seems that poultry raised in non-intensive production systems in the Distrito Federal of Brazil are not reservoirs of VRE.

The participation of opioids in the antinociceptive effect of electroacupuncture was evaluated in terms of nociception produced by thermal stimuli applied to the face of male Wistar rats, weighing 180-230 g. Electrical stimulation (bipolar and asymmetric square wave with 0.5 mA intensity for 20 min) of acupoint St36, located in the anterior tibial muscle 10 mm distal to the knee joint, induced antinociception in the present model, which was maintained for 150 min. Acupoint LI4, located in the junction of the first and second metacarpal bones, did not achieve antinociception at any frequency studied (5 Hz: 1.7 ± 0.1; 30 Hz: 1.8 ± 0.1; 100 Hz: 1.7 ± 0.1 vs 1.4 ± 0.2). The antinociception obtained by stimulation of acupoint St36 was only achieved when high frequency 100 Hz (3.0 ± 0.2 vs 1.0 ± 0.1) was used, and not with 5 or 30 Hz (1.2 ± 0.2 and 0.7 ± 0.1 vs 1.0 ± 0.1). The antinociceptive effect of acupuncture occurred by opioid pathway activation, since naloxone (1 and 2 mg/kg, subcutaneously) antagonized it (1.8 ± 0.2 and 1.7 ± 0.2 vs 3.0 ± 0.1).

Quarenta e oito extratos brutos etanólicos e frações (em hexano, diclorometano, acetato de etila e n-butanol) de dez plantas brasileiras pertencentes às famílias Leguminosae, Monimiaceae e Verbenaceae; uma da Costa Rica (Verbenaceae) e uma da Argentina (Verbenaceae) foram ensaiados para verificação da atividade anti-micobacteriana contra Mycobacterium tuberculosis (ATCC-27294H37Rv), pelo teste do Alamar Blue, a uma concentração fixa de 100 µg/mL. Dentre os quarenta e oito extratos e frações estudados, sete mostraram-se ativos na concentração ensaiada - frações em hexano e diclorometano de folhas de Lantana trifolia, extrato em metanol:água, 1:1 de cascas de Vitex cooperi, frações em hexano e diclorometano de folhas de Lippia lacunosa e de Lippia rotundifolia, sendoque todas essas plantas pertencem à família Verbenaceae.

Forty eight ethanolic crude extracts and fractions (hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol) from ten Brazilian plants (Leguminosae, Monimiaceae and Verbenaceae), 1 from Costa Rica (Verbenaceae) and 1 from Argentina (Verbenaceae) were screened for anti-mycobacterium activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (ATCC-27294H37Rv), by the Alamar Blue test, at a fixed concentration of 100 µg/mL. Out of the forty eight, seven were active at this concentration, corresponding to Lantana trifolia (hexane and dichloromethane extracts from leaves), Vitex cooperi (methanol:water, 1:1 extract from barks), Lippia lacunosa (hexane and dichloromethane extracts from leaves) and Lippia rotundifolia (hexane and dichloromethane extracts from leaves), all from the Verbenaceae family.

Mice selected on the basis of an acute inflammatory response (AIR) can provide information about the immunopathological mechanisms of glomerulonephritis. We studied the differences between mice selected for a maximal AIR (AIRmax that attract more polymorphonuclear cells to the site of injury) or a minimal AIR (AIRmin that attract more mononuclear cells) in an experimental model of IgA nephropathy in order to investigate the effect of genetic background on glomerular disease progression and the participation of the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) chemokine. IgA nephropathy was induced by intraperitoneal ovalbumin injection and bile duct ligation in AIRmax and AIRmin mice. Histological changes, urinary protein/creatinine ratio, serum IgA levels, immunofluorescence for IgA, IgG and complement C3 fraction, immunohistochemistry for macrophages and MCP-1, and MCP-1 levels in macerated kidney were determined. Mesangial IgA deposition was seen only in AIRmin mice, which presented more renal lesions. Increased serum IgA levels (1.5 ± 0.4 vs 0.3 ± 0.1 mg/mL, P < 0.001), high glomerular MCP-1 expression and decreased monocyte/macrophage infiltration in the interstitial area (0.3 ± 0.3 vs 1.1 ± 0.9 macrophages/field, P < 0.05) were detected in AIRmin mice compared to AIRmax mice. No glomerular monocyte/macrophage infiltration was detected in either strain. In spite of the absence of IgA deposition, AIRmax mice presented discrete or absent mesangial proliferation. The study showed that there are differences between mice selected for AIRmax and AIRmin with respect to serum IgA levels, histological damage and MCP-1 chemokine production after ovalbumin injection in combination with bile duct ligation.