Este trabalho objetivou maximizar a extração de fenólicos e flavonoides totais bem como a atividade antioxidante de erva-mate tostada (Ilex paraguariensis) frente ao radical livre 1,1-difenil-2-picrilhidrazila (DPPH) em função do tempo (5, 7,5 e 10 min) e a temperatura de extração (60, 75 e 90°C). Os dados foram submetidos à metodologia de superfície de resposta e os resultados mostraram que as equações polinomiais foram significativas, não apresentaram falta de ajuste e obtiveram coeficientes de determinação ajustados acima de 98%, comprovando a sua adequação para fins preditivos. Usando a função de desejabilidade, as condições ótimas para maximizar a extração de compostos antioxidantes foram de 10 min de extração a 90°C, e o chá preparado sob estas condições experimentais apresentou 427,74 mg de equivalentes de ácido gálico por litro e 80,02% de inibição da o radical DPPH. O teor de flavonoides foi altamente correlacionado (r = 0,9046, p < 0,001) com a atividade antioxidante.

This study focused on maximizing the extraction of total phenolics and flavonoids as well as the antioxidant activity measured by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay from roasted yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) as a function of time (5, 7.5 and 10 min) and temperature of extraction (60, 75 and 90°C). The data were subjected to Response Surface Methodology and the results showed that polynomial equations were significant, did not present lack of fit, and presented adjusted determination coefficients above 98%, proving their suitability for prediction purposes. Using the desirability function, the optimum operating conditions to obtain a higher extraction of antioxidants was found to be 10 min of extraction at 90°C, and the tea prepared under these experimental conditions presented 427.74 mg of gallic acid equivalents per liter and 80.02% of inhibition of the DPPH radical. The flavonoid content was highly correlated (r = 0.9046, p < 0.001) to the antioxidant capacity.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of two methods for the detection of influenza virus in immunocompromised transplant patients. METHODS: A total of 475 respiratory samples, 236 from patients in a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation program and 239 from kidney transplant patients, were analyzed by a direct fluorescence assay and the Centers for Disease Control real-time polymerase chain reaction protocol for influenza A and B detection. RESULTS: Influenza detection using either method was 7.6% in the hematopoietic stem cell transplant group and 30.5% in the kidney transplant patient group. Influenza detection by real-time polymerase chain reaction yielded a higher positive rate compared with fluorescence than that reported by other studies, and this difference was more pronounced for influenza A. The fluorescence assay sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and kappa coefficient were 17.6%, 100%, 1, 0.83, and 0.256, respectively, and lower detection rates occurred in the kidney transplant patients. CONCLUSIONS: The real-time polymerase chain reaction performance and the associated turnaround time for a large number of samples support the choice of this method for use in different routine diagnostic settings and influenza surveillance in high-risk patients.

The present work describes the study of the growth and the cytotoxic and antitumor activities of the extracts of the marine microorganisms Streptomyces acrymicini and Streptomyces cebimarensis, the latter a new strain. Both microorganisms were collected from coastal marine sediments of the north coast of São Paulo state. Growth was performed in a shaker and in a bioreactor using Gym medium and the broths of both microorganisms were extracted with ethyl acetate and n-butanol. Three extracts, two organic and one aqueous, from each microorganism were obtained and tested for cytotoxic and antitumor activity using the SF-295 (Central Nervous System), HCT-8 (Colon) cell lines, and the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) method. The growth methods were compared and show that, although the shaker presented reasonable results, the bioreactor represents the best choice for growth of these microorganisms. The biological activity of the different extracts was evaluated and it was demonstrated that the growth methodology may influence the secondary metabolite production and the biological activity.

Nos poucos estudos publicados comparando óleos essenciais de espécimes femininos e masculinos de espécies Baccharis, fortes diferenças entre as composições de ambas as amostras foram sempre encontradas. Os experimentos realizados nesta pesquisa utilizam estratégias para minimizar a interferência de fatores genéticos e ecológicos. Os óleos essenciais das folhas de espécimes femininos e masculinos de cinco espécies Baccharis foram pesquisados com uso de um cromatógrafo gasoso acoplado a um espectrômetro de massas e a um detector de ionização de chama (CG-EM-DIC): B. caprariaefolia e B. dracunculifolia, já pesquisadas anteriormente com objetivos similares; e B. coridifolia, B. semiserrata var. elaegnoides e B. pentaptera, as duas últimas ainda não mencionadas na literatura química. Os resultados foram acompanhados por análise hierárquica de grupos, verificando-se a formação de grupos indicativos da grande similaridade entre óleos essenciais dos espécimes masculinos e femininos de todas as cinco espécies. O estudo reafirma o valor das observações de campo na pesquisa de produtos naturais, e aponta fatores genéticos e ecológicos como principais responsáveis por diferenças no metabolismo secundário das plantas estudadas.

In the few studies published on essential oils from female and male specimens of Baccharis species, strong differences between the compositions of both samples were always found. The experiments conducted in this study make use of strategies to minimize the interference from genetic and environmental factors. Essential oils from leaves of female and male specimens of five Baccharis species were investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry plus flame ionization detector (GC-MS-FID): B. caprariaefolia and B. dracunculifolia, which have been previously studied with similar aims; and B. coridifolia, B. semiserrata var. elaegnoides and B. pentaptera, the latter two not yet mentioned in the literature. The results were followed by hierarchical cluster analysis, verifying the formation of groups indicative of the great similarity of essential oils from male and female specimens of all five species. The study reinforces the value of field observation in natural product research and points genetic and ecological factors as main responsible for differences in the secondary metabolites of the studied plants.

This work correlates time series of biological and physical variables to the marine viruses across trophic gradients within Arraial do Cabo upwelling system, Southeast of Brazil. The objective is to investigate the major controlling factors of virioplankton dynamics among different water masses. It was used an in situ and ex situ flow cytometry for accessing the plankton community. Viruses were highly correlated to bacteria and phytoplankton, but although the lack of direct correlation with physicals, upwelling turned out to be the main contributing factor to the highest values of viral abundance and virus:bacterial ratio. Our data suggest that the lowest temperature of upwelled South Atlantic Central Waters would help to maintain a high viral abundance and higher temperatures of Coastal and Tropical Waters might be another ecological niche allowing the co-existence.

A Toxoplasmose é uma infecção universal e usualmente assintomática. A forma congênita, entretanto, pode resultar em aborto ou mal formações. Testes sorológicos estão indicados em situações onde há suspeita clínica, e na triagem pré-natal, quando são extremamente importantes para rastrear a infecção e orientar a gestante. O aumento da sensibilidade das técnicas para detecção de IgM, tornou necessário o desenvolvimento de recursos, como a avidez de IgG, visando obter novo marcador de infecção aguda. Embora exista correlação entre níveis de IgM e grau de avidez de IgG, a maioria dos testes de avidez associa-se a níveis baixos de IgM, sugerindo que o teste de avidez não fosse necessário. Portanto, correlacionamos níveis de IgM de 202 amostras com seu respectivo nível de avidez de IgG, dirigidos contra o Toxoplasma, objetivando estabelecer valores claros para a sua indicação. Pôde-se observar que, para IgM < 2,0 e > 6,0, a definição sorológica pode ser feita independentemente da avidez. Níveis de IgM dentro desse intervalo associam-se a índices variados de avidez e, portanto, ressaltam a importância deste teste para definição sorológica do quadro. Com essa abordagem, foi possível diminuir a indicação do teste de avidez em 75%, reduzir o tempo para liberação dos resultados e o custo unitário do teste para IgM.

Toxoplasmosis is an usually asymptomatic worldwide disseminated infection. In its congenital presentation it may lead to abortion or fetal malformations. Antenatal evaluation is considered of paramount importance to identify seronegative women and allow for prophylaxis. Recent improvements in sensitivity of IgM tests has made IgM detection an extremely protracted acute phase marker, and IgG avidity evaluation test became necessary. Observation has shown that a correlation can be established between IgM levels and avidity percentages, suggesting that frequently the avidity test may not be necessary. In this study we analyzed Toxoplasma gondii IgM levels of 202 samples and their IgG avidity percentages, in order to define specific levels whose IgM quantification could by itself define serodiagnosis and therefore make the avidity evaluation unnecessary. We showed that for IgM levels bellow 2.0 and above 6.0 serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis could be established without need of IgG avidity test. IgM levels between these two parameters are associated with varying avidity indexes highlighting the importance of its evaluation as a means to confirm toxoplasmosis. Following this demonstration it was possible to avoid the avidity test for 75% of the cases, to reduce the turnaround time and to reduce costs.

Influenza vaccination of elderly people is efficacious and cost effective for the prevention of influenza and its complications. Some studies have pointed out low immunogenicity in this group. Health status has been poorly investigated as a risk factor that may influence the immune response to influenza vaccine. We established an immunization response study of a highly-matched elderly population in a nursing home. One-hundred-twenty subjects of Ashkenazian origin had their vaccine-induced antibody response assessed. Good response was obtained in 30.8% (37/120), and 31.7% (38/120) did not react. A lack of good response was found to be associated with dementia (P=0.016) in a multivariate analysis. In addition to dementia, malnutrition was frequently observed among poor responders, suggesting that these factors should be considered in vaccination studies. Chemoprophylaxis in addition to vaccination for elderly presenting dementia should be considered, particularly for those people living nursing homes.

Titulação amperométrica de compostos fenólicos usando extrato bruto de batata doce (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.), fonte da enzima polifenol oxidase, como titulante é proposta para determinação de fenóis em águas residuárias. Esta enzima catalisa a oxidação de monofenol e difenol pelo oxigênio molecular produzindo o-quinona. Um eletrodo de oxigênio foi usado como eletrodo indicador e o consumo de oxigênio na solução foi proporcional à concentração do substrato (analito). Esse método apresentou uma resposta linear para catecol, pirogalol, hidroquinona, fenol e p-cresol na faixa de concentração de 2,0x10-5 a 4,0x10-4 mol L-1 e a recuperação de catecol em duas amostras variou de 97,7 a 102%. Os resultados obtidos para compostos fenólicos em águas residuárias de indústrias usando o procedimento proposto e o método padrão estão em concordância a um nível de confiança de 95%.

Amperometric titration of phenolic compounds using crude extract of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) as enzymatic source of polyphenol oxidase and titrant is proposed for determining phenols in wastewaters. This enzyme catalyses the oxidation of monophenol and diphenols by molecular oxygen producing o-quinone. The oxygen electrode was used as indicator electrode and the consumption of O2 in the solution was proportionally to the substrate concentration. This method provides a linear response for catechol, pyrogallol, hydroquinone, phenol and p-cresol in the concentration range of 2,0x10-5 a 4,0x10-4 mol L-1 and the recovery of catechol from two samples ranged from 97.7 to 102%. The results obtained for phenolic compounds in industrial wastewaters using the proposed procedure and those obtained using a standard method are in agreement at the 95 % confidence level.

A displasia fibrosa é lesão pseudo-neoplásica de etiologia desconhecida, caráter benigno e recidivante, caracterizada pelo desenvolvimento de tecido fibroso e traves osteóides que substituem gradualmente o osso normal. O principal diagnóstico diferencial da forma monostótica, no envolvimento dos ossos da cabeça e pescoço, é o fibroma ossificante, que alguns consideram variante desta entidade. Esse trabalho tem como objetivo revisar as principais características clínicas, radiológicas e histopatológicas que auxiliam no diagnóstico diferencial da displasia fibrosa com o fibroma ossificante e discutir o comportamento recidivante da displasia fibrosa, essencial ao planejamento cirúrgico. Relatamos três casos provenientes do ambulatório de Otorrinolaringologia da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, avaliados quanto às queixas, exame físico, achados de imagem e tratamentos. Nos três casos o diagnóstico foi confirmado pelo exame anatomopatológico. Todos apresentaram recidiva após a ressecção cirúrgica, diagnosticada entre o primeiro e o oitavo ano de seguimento. Devido ao comportamento clínico semelhante da displasia fibrosa e do fibroma ossificante, o exame anatomopatológico é essencial para o diagnóstico diferencial. O acompanhamento clínico permanente desses pacientes é necessário para que as possíveis recidivas sejam diagnosticadas precocemente.

Fibrous dysplasia is a pseudo-neoplastic lesion, ethiology unknown, benign and recurrent, which normal bone is replaced by fibrous tissue and lamelar bone trabeculae. The main differential diagnosis of the monostotic form on head and neck bones is Ossifying Fibroma which some consider another form of the same entity. The purpose of this study is to make a review of the main clinical, radiological and histopathological findings that contributes to the differential diagnosis. The recurrent behavior of Fibrous Dysplasia is essential to its surgical planning and it was also analyzed on this study. We have reported three cases followed at the ENT department of Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo evaluated based on the patients symptoms, physical exam, imaging findings and treatment. In all three cases, the diagnosis was confirmed based on histopathological findings. All of them had recurrences after surgical removal, diagnosed between first and eighth year of follow up. Due to Fibrous Dysplasia and Ossifying Fibroma similar clinical courses, the histopathological findings are essential to their differential diagnosis. The long term follow up of this pacients is necessary in order to make an early diagnosis of recurrences.

280 escolares de 6 a 14 anos de idade, residentes em Iguape, Vale do Ribeira, sudeste do Estado de São Paulo, foram estudados com o objetivo de verificar possível associação entre a prevalência de anticorpos para hepatite B e a exposição a mosquitos hematófagos, avahada indiretamente pela prevalência de anticorpos de arbovirus. As crianças eram originárias de 4 áreas com características topográficas e fitográficas diferentes: 89 residiam em área urbana, 89 em área periurbana, 30 em área de cultivo extensivo de banana e hortaliças e 72 em área florestal. Estudos prévios mostraram significante maior prevalência de anticorpos de arbovirus nas áreas cultivada e florestal do que nas áreas urbana e periurbana. A pesquisa de anti-HBs foi feita por radioimunoensaio (Ausab, Laboratorio Abbott) e de anti-HBc por ensaio imunoenzimático (Roche). Observou-se que os escolares residentes na área florestal apresentaram mais alta prevalência (26/72 = 36.1%) de anticorpos para hepatite B de que os residentes nas áreas urbana (5/89 = 5,6%), periurbana (6/89 = 6.7%) e cultivada (0/30 = 0%). Os resultados sugerem a existência de fator comum na transmissão de arboviruses e de hepatite B, apoiando a hipótese que nas regiões tropicais com presença de mata mosquitos possam desempenhar importante papel na transmissão da hepatite B.

280 students, between 6 and 14 years old, residents in the Iguape county, southern coast of the State of São Paulo, were studied in order to identify the existence of a possible association between the prevalence of specific antibodies to the hepatitis B virus and the exposure to haematophagous mosquitoes, evaluated indirectly through the prevalence of antibodies to 17 arboviruses isolated in Brazil. The children were from 4 areas with different topographical characteristics: 89 of the children were from the urban zone of the town of Iguape, 89 were from the periurban zone, 30 were from the rural area with extensive banana plantations, and 72 were from the jungle zone. Previous studies had shown significantly higher prevalence of antibodies to different arboviruses in the cultivated zone and the jungle zone, when compared to the urban and periurban zones of Iguape. The detection of antibodies to the HBV surface antigen (HBs Ag) was done through the radioimmunoassay (Ausab, Abbott Laboratory). The cases considered positive were confirmed through the presence of anti-core HBV antibodies (anti-HBc-EIA Roche). A significantly higher prevalence of anti-HBV antibodies was observed in children from the jungle zone (26/72 = 36,1% ) when compared to those from the urban zone (5/89 = 5,6%), peri-urban (6/89 = 6,7%) or from the cultivated zone (0/30 = 0%). The result suggest the existence of a common factor in the dissemination of the arboviruses and the hepatitis B virus, supporting the hypothesis that mosquitoes may play an important role in the HBV transmission in tropical forested region.