Abstract Introduction: The epidemiologic profile of renal osteodystrophy (ROD) is changing over time and cross-sectional studies provide essential information to improve care and health policies. The Brazilian Registry of Bone Biopsy (REBRABO) is a prospective, nationalmulticenter cohort that includes patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing bone biopsy. REBRABO aims to provide clinical information on ROD. The main objective of this subanalysis was to describe the profile of ROD, including clinically relevant associations. Methods: From Aug/2015 to Dec/2021, 511 patients with CKD who performed bone biopsy were included in the REBRABO platform. Patients with no bone biopsy report (N = 40), GFR > 90 mL/min (N = 28), without asigned consent (N = 24), bone fragments inadequate for diagnosis (N = 23), bone biopsy indicated by a specialty other than nephrology (N = 6), and < 18 years old (N = 4) were excluded. Clinical-demographic data (e.g., age, sex, ethnicity, CKD etiology, dialysis vintage, comorbidities, symptoms, and complications related to ROD), laboratory (e.g., serum levels of total calcium, phosphate, parathormone, alkaline phosphatase, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and hemoglobin), and ROD (e.g., histological diagnosis) were analyzed. Results: Data from 386 individuals were considered in this subanalysis of REBRABO. Mean age was 52 (42–60) years; 198 (51%) were male; 315 (82%) were on hemodialysis. Osteitis fibrosa (OF) [163 (42%)], adynamic bone disease (ABD) [96 (25%)] and mixed uremic osteodystrophy (MUO) [83 (21%)] were the most frequent diagnosis of ROD in our sample; 203 (54%) had the diagnosis of osteoporosis, 82 (56%) vascular calcification; 138 (36%) bone aluminum accumulation, and 137 (36%) iron intoxication; patients with high turnover were prone to present a higher frequency of symptoms. Conclusions: A high proportion of patients were diagnosed with OF and ABD, as well as osteoporosis, vascular calcification and clinical symptoms.

Resumo Introdução: O perfil epidemiológico da osteodistrofia renal (OR) está mudando com o tempo e estudos transversais fornecem informações essenciais para melhorar cuidados e políticas de saúde. O Registro Brasileiro de Biópsia Óssea (REBRABO) é uma coorte nacional multicêntrica prospectiva que inclui pacientes com doença renal crônica (DRC) submetidos à biópsia óssea. O REBRABO visa fornecer informações clínicas sobre OR. O principal objetivo desta subanálise foi descrever o perfil da OR, incluindo associações clinicamente relevantes. Métodos: De Ago/2015 a Dez/2021, 511 pacientes com DRC que realizaram biópsia óssea foram incluídos na plataforma REBRABO. Excluíram-se os pacientes sem laudo de biópsia óssea (N = 40), TFG > 90 mL/min (N = 28), sem consentimento assinado (N = 24), fragmentos ósseos inadequados para diagnóstico (N = 23), biópsia óssea indicada por especialidade que não a nefrologia (N = 6), e < 18 anos de idade (N = 4). Foram analisados dados clínico-demográficos (por exemplo, idade, sexo, etnia, etiologia da DRC, tempo da diálise, comorbidades, sintomas e complicações relacionadas à OR), laboratoriais (níveis séricos de cálcio total, fosfato, paratormônio, fosfatase alcalina, 25-hidroxivitamina D e hemoglobina), e OR (diagnóstico histológico). Resultados: Dados de 386 indivíduos foram considerados nesta subanálise do REBRABO. A idade média foi 52 (42-60) anos; 198 (51%) eram homens; 315 (82%) estavam em hemodiálise. Osteíte fibrosa (OF) [163 (42%)], doença óssea adinâmica (DOA) [96 (25%)] e osteodistrofia urêmica mista (OUM) [83 (21%)] foram os diagnósticos mais frequentes de OR na amostra; 203 (54%) apresentaram diagnóstico de osteoporose, 82 (56%) calcificação vascular; 138 (36%) acúmulo ósseo de alumínio, e 137 (36%) intoxicação por ferro; pacientes com remodelação óssea aumentada eram propensos a apresentar maior frequencia de sintomas. Conclusões: Uma alta proporção de pacientes foi diagnosticada com OF e DOA, assim como osteoporose, calcificação vascular e sintomas clínicos.

Abstract Introduction: The epidemiologic profile of renal osteodystrophy (ROD) is changing over time and cross-sectional studies provide essential information to improve care and health policies. The Brazilian Registry of Bone Biopsy (REBRABO) is a prospective, nationalmulticenter cohort that includes patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing bone biopsy. REBRABO aims to provide clinical information on ROD. The main objective of this subanalysis was to describe the profile of ROD, including clinically relevant associations. Methods: From Aug/2015 to Dec/2021, 511 patients with CKD who performed bone biopsy were included in the REBRABO platform. Patients with no bone biopsy report (N = 40), GFR > 90 mL/min (N = 28), without asigned consent (N = 24), bone fragments inadequate for diagnosis (N = 23), bone biopsy indicated by a specialty other than nephrology (N = 6), and < 18 years old (N = 4) were excluded. Clinical-demographic data (e.g., age, sex, ethnicity, CKD etiology, dialysis vintage, comorbidities, symptoms, and complications related to ROD), laboratory (e.g., serum levels of total calcium, phosphate, parathormone, alkaline phosphatase, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and hemoglobin), and ROD (e.g., histological diagnosis) were analyzed. Results: Data from 386 individuals were considered in this subanalysis of REBRABO. Mean age was 52 (42–60) years; 198 (51%) were male; 315 (82%) were on hemodialysis. Osteitis fibrosa (OF) [163 (42%)], adynamic bone disease (ABD) [96 (25%)] and mixed uremic osteodystrophy (MUO) [83 (21%)] were the most frequent diagnosis of ROD in our sample; 203 (54%) had the diagnosis of osteoporosis, 82 (56%) vascular calcification; 138 (36%) bone aluminum accumulation, and 137 (36%) iron intoxication; patients with high turnover were prone to present a higher frequency of symptoms. Conclusions: A high proportion of patients were diagnosed with OF and ABD, as well as osteoporosis, vascular calcification and clinical symptoms.

Resumo Introdução: O perfil epidemiológico da osteodistrofia renal (OR) está mudando com o tempo e estudos transversais fornecem informações essenciais para melhorar cuidados e políticas de saúde. O Registro Brasileiro de Biópsia Óssea (REBRABO) é uma coorte nacional multicêntrica prospectiva que inclui pacientes com doença renal crônica (DRC) submetidos à biópsia óssea. O REBRABO visa fornecer informações clínicas sobre OR. O principal objetivo desta subanálise foi descrever o perfil da OR, incluindo associações clinicamente relevantes. Métodos: De Ago/2015 a Dez/2021, 511 pacientes com DRC que realizaram biópsia óssea foram incluídos na plataforma REBRABO. Excluíram-se os pacientes sem laudo de biópsia óssea (N = 40), TFG > 90 mL/min (N = 28), sem consentimento assinado (N = 24), fragmentos ósseos inadequados para diagnóstico (N = 23), biópsia óssea indicada por especialidade que não a nefrologia (N = 6), e < 18 anos de idade (N = 4). Foram analisados dados clínico-demográficos (por exemplo, idade, sexo, etnia, etiologia da DRC, tempo da diálise, comorbidades, sintomas e complicações relacionadas à OR), laboratoriais (níveis séricos de cálcio total, fosfato, paratormônio, fosfatase alcalina, 25-hidroxivitamina D e hemoglobina), e OR (diagnóstico histológico). Resultados: Dados de 386 indivíduos foram considerados nesta subanálise do REBRABO. A idade média foi 52 (42-60) anos; 198 (51%) eram homens; 315 (82%) estavam em hemodiálise. Osteíte fibrosa (OF) [163 (42%)], doença óssea adinâmica (DOA) [96 (25%)] e osteodistrofia urêmica mista (OUM) [83 (21%)] foram os diagnósticos mais frequentes de OR na amostra; 203 (54%) apresentaram diagnóstico de osteoporose, 82 (56%) calcificação vascular; 138 (36%) acúmulo ósseo de alumínio, e 137 (36%) intoxicação por ferro; pacientes com remodelação óssea aumentada eram propensos a apresentar maior frequencia de sintomas. Conclusões: Uma alta proporção de pacientes foi diagnosticada com OF e DOA, assim como osteoporose, calcificação vascular e sintomas clínicos.

The objective of this research was to determine the pasture structure, nutritional value, animal behaviour, intake, and performance of Santa Inês sheep grazing pastures with various mixtures of grass (Andropogon gayanus) and forage legume (Stylosanthes sp. and Calopogonium mucunoides). A randomized block design was adopted with the treatments arranged in a 3 x 2 factorial scheme, with the factors consisting of cropping systems and grazing cycles. Grass in the mixed species pastures had a greater leaf/stem ratio than in the monoculture. Total forage mass was greater in the mixed pastures, which had the highest concentrations of crude protein and total digestible nutrients, the lowest fibre concentration, and the highest in vitro dry matter digestibility. Legumes were grazed with the highest frequency, and biting rate was highest in Andropogon gayanus with Stylosanthes sp. The highest intake (kg/day) was found in the mixed swards and the highest animal weight gain (143 g/day) in the mixed pastures. The pastures of Andropogon gayanus mixed with Stylosanthes sp. and C. mucunoides showed improved forage nutritive value and intake compared with the grass monoculture.

This study aimed to evaluate the microbial populations, fermentation profile, dry matter recovery and chemical composition of elephant grass silage with ground maize (GM) and the fermented juice of epiphytic lactic acid bacteria (FJLB). A factorial design was used with four levels of GM (0 g/kg, 50 g/kg, 100 g/kg and 200 g/kg), untreated or treated with FJLB, in a completely randomized design with five replicates. A pre-experiment was undertaken to determine the optimum level of sucrose to be added to fermented juice for the development of epiphytic microflora. In this pre-experiment, a completely randomized design with three replications was used. The treatments were represented by the levels of sucrose (0 g/kg, 5 g/kg, 10 g/kg, 20 g/kg, 40 g/kg, 60 g/kg and 80 g/kg, fresh matter basis). The microbial populations, dry matter recovery, and effluent losses were affected by the interaction between GM and FJLB. Dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) contents increased linearly with the inclusion of GM. The addition of GM enhanced the fermentation process via a reduction in losses, and improvements were identified in the nutritional value of elephant grass silages. The use of fermented juice increased dry matter recovery, and its effect was more pronounced when ground maize was added.

Thirty-two mixed-breed ram lambs (average age, 5.6 ± 0.4 months, and average live weight, 17.61 ± 2.63 kg) were used to evaluate the effect of diets containing silages of forages adapted to a semi-arid environment on the metabolic profile in serum and the histopathological assessment of liver and kidney tissues of the lambs. Lambs were allocated, in a completely randomised design, to four treatments (silage of old man saltbush (Atriplex nummularia Lind), buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris), gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) and 'pornunça' (Manihot sp.). The feedlot period was 49 days, and animals were slaughtered at an average weight of 27 ± 4.6 kg. On the last day of the experiment, blood was collected from the jugular vein of all animals to measure the protein, metabolic and energy profiles of the lambs. At slaughter, kidney and liver samples were collected for histopathological examination. The consuming of the diet containing buffelgrass silage resulted in a significantly higher activity of alanine-aminotransferase (30.14 IU/L) and the concentrations of urea (44.25 mg/dL), creatinine (0.94 mg/dL) and albumin (4.48 g/dL) in serum. Diets containing gliricidia silage resulted in significantly higher gamma-glutamyl transferase activity (92.0 IU/L), while the diets with pornunça silage resulted in higher serum levels of triglycerides (37.85 mg/dL). The diets had no effect on aspartate-aminotransferase enzyme activity and total protein, cholesterol and globulin concentrations, or the albumin : globulin ratio in serum. Mild congestion, necrosis and foci of mineralisation were observed in the kidneys of animals fed diets containing old man saltbush (50%) and pornunça (25%) silages, and mild fatty degeneration and mild mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate in their livers. In conclusion, diets containing silages of forages that are adapted to semi-arid environments may be used for feeding lambs, given the absence of dysfunctioning plasmatic levels of liver enzymes and energy and protein profiles. Additionally, kidney failure was not observed in lambs fed these diets during the feedlot period.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of diets containing silages of forages that are adapted to the semi-arid environment on the characteristics of the carcass and of non-carcass components of 32 mixed-breed lambs at approximately six months old, with an average live weight of 17.61 ± 2.63 kg. Lambs were assigned to four treatments (diets containing silages of Atriplex nummularia Lind, Cenchrus ciliaris, Gliricidia sepium and Manihot sp.) in a completely randomized design with eight replicates. Animals fed the diet containing old man saltbush showed higher values for the intakes of dry matter (1.080 g/day), crude protein (190 g/day) and total digestible nutrients (740 g/day), body condition score (2.81 points), fatness (2.87 points), carcass conformation (3.19 points), live weight (29.1 kg), empty bodyweight (23.41 kg), weights of the commercial cuts neck, shoulder and ribs (0.46, 0.82 and 1.12 kg, respectively), and skin weight (1.972 kg). No differences were found between the diets for carcass dressing percentage, external and internal carcass lengths, leg length and circumference, rump circumference and width, chest width and depth, full bodyweight, empty bodyweight, cooling losses, pH before and after cooling, loin, and leg. Silages of old man saltbush, buffelgrass, gliricidia and pornunça are recommended for inclusion in lamb diets. Diets with old man saltbush silage provide the best results for characteristics of the carcass and of non-carcass components besides weight gain, which can reach up to 200 g/day depending on the formulation.

Abstract Coronary artery bypass grafting reduces plasma L-carnitine and may impair the production of myocardial energy. L-carnitine supplementation may elevate plasma L-carnitine and increase cardiac mechanical efficiency. The objective of this study was to verify the recovery of preoperative plasma LC in patients with heart failure undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting supplemented with a daily oral dose of 50 mg / kg. Volunteers with ischemic heart failure who underwent surgery were randomized into a supplemented group (A-received 50 mg / kg L-carnitine) or placebo group (B) for 60 days. Supplementation was started on the third postoperative day. The spectrophotometric enzymatic method was used to quantify plasma L-carnitine. In the preoperative period, both groups had plasma L-carnitine adequate to the reference range (18.9-71.1 μM). On the second postoperative day, there was a reduction in plasma L-carnitine in groups A (17.4%) and B (14.4%). In the comparison between the groups, plasma L-carnitine was higher in group A than B in 10º (p = 0.024), 30º (p = 0.001), and 60º postoperative day (p = 0.008). Supplementation of L-carnitine at a daily oral dose of 50 mg / kg in patients with heart failure undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting may recover preoperative plasma L-carnitine within 10 days.

ABSTRACT Abnormal multiplication of oral bacteria causes dental caries and dental plaque. These diseases continue to be major public health concerns worldwide, mainly in developing countries. In this study, the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Vitex agnus-castus leaves (VAC‒EO) collected in the North of Brazil against a representative panel of cariogenic bacteria were investigated. The antimicrobial activity of VAC-EO was evaluated in terms of its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values by using the broth microdilution method in 96-well microplates. The chemical constituents of VAC-EO were identified by gas chromatography (GC‒FID) and gas chromatography‒mass spectrometry (GC‒MS). VAC‒EO displayed some activity against all the investigated oral pathogens; MIC values ranged from 15.6 to 200 μg/mL. VAC-EO had promising activity against Streptococcus mutans (MIC= 15.6 μg/mL), Lactobacillus casei (MIC= 15.6 μg/mL), and Streptococcus mitis (MIC= 31.2 μg/mL). The compounds 1,8-cineole (23.8%), (E)-β-farnesene (14.6%), (E)-caryophyllene (12.5%), sabinene (11.4%), and α-terpinyl acetate (7.7%) were the major chemical constituents of VAC‒EO. VAC-EO displays antimicrobial activity against cariogenic bacteria. The efficacy of VAC-EO against S. mutans is noteworthy and should be further investigated.

J. M. G. Carvalho, E.M. Bonfim-Silva, T.J.A. Silva, Helon H.F. Sousa, S.L. Guimarães, and A.B. Pacheco. 2016. Nitrogen and potassium in production, nutrition and water use efficiency in wheat plants. Cien. Inv. Agr. 43(3):442-451. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a cereal used in food and feed for its nutritional properties. For nitrogen and potassium management, efficient use of water is required for greater availability and transportation of these nutrients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of combinations of nitrogen and potassium doses in production, nutrition and water use efficiency in wheat. The experiment was held in a greenhouse with 8-dm³ pots using Oxisol collected at a depth of 0-0.2 m under Cerrado vegetation. Base saturation was raised to 60%. The experimental design was a randomized block in a 5x5 factorial arrangement with five doses of nitrogen (0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg dm-3) and potassium (0, 90, 180, 270, 360 mg dm-3) with four replications. Soil moisture was maintained by an auto-irrigation system (3 kPa pressure). The experiment was collected at 95 days after plant emergence. We evaluated the dry mass of ears, shoots and roots, the total dry matter, nitrogen and potassium in grains, and the consumption and efficiency in water use. An analysis of variance and regression test at 5% probability was conducted using SAS statistical software (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, North Carolina). The nitrogen and potassium alone increased the dry mass of ears by 31.47% and 20.91%, respectively. There was an interaction of nutrients on the dry mass of the shoots and the total dry matter. Potassium increases the concentration of nitrogen. Nitrogen and potassium promote gains in production, nutrition and water use efficiency.

. M. G. Carvalho, E.M. Bonfim-Silva, T.J.A. Silva, H.H.F. Sousa, S.L. Guimarães y A.B. Pacheco. 2016. Nitrógeno y potasio en la producción, nutrición y eficiencia del uso de agua en plantas de trigo. Cien. Inv. Agr. 43(3):442-451. Trigo (Triticum aestivum L.) es un cereal utilizado en la alimentación humana y animal por sus propiedades nutritivas. En la gestión de nitrógeno y potasio, el uso eficiente del agua es necesaria para la mayor disponibilidad y el transporte de estos nutrientes. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el efecto de las combinaciones de nitrógeno y potasio en la producción, la nutrición y la eficiencia en el uso del agua en trigo. El experimento se realizó en un invernadero con recipientes de 8 dm³. Usando Oxisol, recogido a una profundidad de 0-0,2 m de área bajo la vegetación del Cerrado. La saturación de bases se aumentó a 60%. El diseño experimental fue de bloques al azar en arreglo factorial 5x5 con cinco dosis de nitrógeno (0, 100, 200, 300 y 400 mg dm-3) y potasio (0, 90, 180, 270 y 360 mg dm-3) con cuatro repeticiones. La humedad del suelo se mantuvo con un sistema autoirrigante (mantenido en el potencial de -3 kPa). El experimento foe cosechó después de 95 días de la emergencia. Se evaluaron la materia seca de las espigas, brotes, raíces, y materia seca vegetal total; nitrógeno y potasio en granos; el consumo y la eficiencia en el uso del agua. Las variables se sometieron a análisis de varianza y prueba de regresión al 5% de probabilidad por el programa estadístico SAS. El nitrógeno y potasio, por separado, aumentaron el peso seco de las espigas, con incrementos de 31,47 y 20,91%, respectivamente. Hubo interacción de nutrientes a la masa seca de la parte aérea y total. El potasio aumenta la concentración de nitrógeno. El nitrógeno y el potasio promueven ganancias en la producción, la nutrición y la eficiencia en el uso del agua.

RESUMO Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Lam. (Rutaceae) tem sido utilizada tradicionalmente no tratamento de infecções microbianas e doenças parasitárias. No presente estudo, o efeito antileishmania induzido pelo extrato etanólico de cascas do caule de Z. rhoifolium (ZR-EEtOH) e sua fração hexânica (ZR-FHEX) sobre a infecção e infectividade de macrófagos por formas promastigotas de Leishmania amazonensis foram investigados. Em diferentes experimentos, macrófagos ou promastigotas foram pré-tratadas com ZR-EEtOH ou ZR-FHEX em concentrações não-letais por 24 horas, e então os macrófagos foram submetidos à infecção pelas promastigotas. Além disso, seus efeitos sobre a ativação de macrófagos, assim como concentração de DNA, tamanho e número de promastigotas por citometria de fluxo também foram avaliados. A taxa de infecção e o número de formas amastigotas internalizadas foram consideravelmente reduzidos após os pré-tratamentos de macrófagos ou de promastigotas quando comparados com células não tratadas. O aumento na capacidade fagocítica e nas concentrações de nitrito também foi observado. Por sua vez, a redução na concentração de DNA, tamanho e número de promastigotas também foram observados. Em conclusão, ZR-EEtOH e ZR-FHEX promoveram um significativo efeito antileishmania e redução na infecção de macrófagos, provavelmente envolvendo ativação de mecanismos de defesa em macrófagos. Estes achados reforçam a potencial aplicação de Z. rhoifolium no tratamento da leishmaniose.

ABSTRACT Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Lam. (Rutaceae) has been traditionally used in the treatment of microbial infections and parasitic diseases. In the present study, the antileishmanial effect induced by the ethanol extract of stem barks from Z. rhoifolium (ZR-EEtOH) and its n-hexane fraction (ZR-FHEX) on infection and infectivity of murine macrophages by promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis were investigated. In different set of experiments, macrophages or promastigotes were pretreated with ZR-EEtOH or ZR-FHEX at non-lethal concentrations for 24 hours, and then macrophages were submitted to infection by promastigotes. Moreover, their effects on activation of macrophages, as well as on the DNA content, size and number of promastigotes by flow cytometry were also evaluated. The infection rate and the number of internalized amastigote forms were markedly decreased after pretreatment of macrophages or promastigotes when compared with non-treated cells. The increase in phagocytic capability and nitrite content was also observed. Furthermore, the decrease of DNA content, size and number of promastigotes was also observed. In conclusion, ZR-EEtOH and ZR-FHEX promoted a markedly significant antileishmanial effect and reduction of infection of macrophages, probably underlying defense mechanisms activation in macrophages. These findings reinforce the potential application of Z. rhoifolium in the treatment of leishmaniasis.

Objetivou-se neste estudo avaliar o efeito alelopático de concentrações do extrato aquoso de folhas de eucalipto sobre sementes de Urochloa decumbens e Panicum maximum. O extrato foi preparado utilizando folhas de Eucalyptus urograndis moídas, as quais foram colocadas em água destilada na proporção de 1:9, obtendo-se a concentração de 100% e as diluições de 50%, 25%, 12,5% e 0% (testemunha). O ensaio foi montado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições de 50 sementes de U. decumbens e P. maximum, dispostas sobre papel-filtro umedecido com as concentrações do extrato, em caixas do tipo gerbox. Os resultados indicam a existência de potencial alelopático de E. urograndis sobre as espécies U. decumbens e P. maximum. Efeitos mais pronunciados na inibição da germinação e redução do vigor e do crescimento de plântulas de U. decumbens e P. maximum foram observados nas concentrações de 50% e 100% do extrato foliar de eucalipto. O índice de velocidade de germinação e o comprimento da radícula foram as características mais afetadas pelas substâncias potencialmente alelopáticas do extrato de eucalipto, em todas as concentrações.

This study aimed to evaluate the allelopathic effect of various concentrations of an aqueous extract of eucalyptus leaves on Urochloa decumbens and Panicum maximum seeds. The extract was prepared from Eucalyptus urograndis leaves that were milled and mixed with distilled water in a 1:9 milled leaves: water ratio to obtain an extract with a defined concentration of 100%. In addition, dilutions of 50%, 25% and 12.5% were prepared, and a 0% dilution was used as a control. The experiment followed a completely randomized design, with four replicates, each of 50 seeds of U. decumbens and 50 seeds of P. maximum, arranged on filter paper moistened with each concentration of extract in a Gerbox plastic box. The results demonstrated the allelopathic potential of E. urograndis aqueous extracts applied to the seeds of U. decumbens and P. maximum. The 50% and 100% concentrations of leaf extract most strongly inhibited the germination, vigor and seedling growth of U. decumbens and P. maximum. The germination speed index and the root length were the characteristics that were most affected by the potentially allelopathic substances contained in the eucalyptus extracts at all concentrations.

Human T lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the causal agent of myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), a disease mediated by the immune response. HTLV-1 induces a spontaneous proliferation and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by T cells, and increasing interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels are potentially involved in tissue damage in diseases related to HTLV-1. This exaggerated immune response is also due to an inability of the natural regulatory mechanisms to down-modulate the immune response in this group of patients. TNF-α inhibitors reduce inflammation and have been shown to improve chronic inflammatory diseases in clinical trials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of pentoxifylline, forskolin, rolipram, and thalidomide to decrease in vitro production of TNF-α and IFN-γ in cells of HTLV-1-infected subjects. Participants of the study included 19 patients with HAM/TSP (mean age, 53 ± 11; male:female ratio, 1:1) and 18 HTLV-1 carriers (mean age, 47 ± 11; male:female ratio, 1:2.6). Cytokines were determined by ELISA in supernatants of mononuclear cell cultures. Pentoxifylline inhibited TNF-α and IFN-γ synthesis with the minimum dose used (50 µM). The results with forskolin were similar to those observed with pentoxifylline. The doses of rolipram used were 0.01-1 µM and the best inhibition of TNF-α production was achieved with 1 µM and for IFN-γ production it was 0.01 µM. The minimum dose of thalidomide used (1 µM) inhibited TNF-α production but thalidomide did not inhibit IFN-γ production even when the maximum dose (50 µM) was used. All drugs had an in vitro inhibitory effect on TNF-α production and, with the exception of thalidomide, all of them also decreased IFN-γ production.

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) induces an exacerbated type 1 immune response characterized by high spontaneous IFN-γ and TNF-α production. Allergic rhinitis and asthma are associated with the type 2 immune response, with elevated secretion of IL-4 and IL-5. The aim of this study was to characterize the immune response in atopic HTLV-1 carriers. The cytokine profile of atopic HTLV-1 carriers (N = 10; all females) was compared with that of non-atopic HTLV-1 carriers (N = 14; 9 females and 5 males). Mean patient age of atopic and non-atopic groups was 45 ± 8 and 38 ± 11 years, respectively. All atopic HTLV-1 carriers had rhinitis with or without asthma and a skin prick test positive for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus antigen 1 (Derp-1). There was no difference in cytokine levels between the two groups in unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures. In cultures stimulated with Derp-1, IFN-γ levels tended to be higher (P = 0.06) and IL-5 levels were higher (P = 0.02) in atopic HTLV-1 patients than in non-atopic subjects. In contrast, IL-10 was lower (P = 0.004) in atopic than in non-atopic HTLV-1-infected subjects. This study shows that HTLV-1 infection with an exaggerated type 1 immune response does not prevent atopy. In this case, the exacerbated type 1 and type 2 immune responses were due to a lack of IL-10 production, a cytokine that plays an important role in down-modulating type 1 and type 2 immune responses and in preventing the development of chronic inflammatory diseases.

Hypnophilin and panepoxydone, terpenoids isolated from Lentinus strigosus, have significant inhibitory activity onTrypanosoma cruzi trypanothione reductase (TR). Although they have similar TR inhibitory activity at 10 μg/mL (40.3 μM and 47.6 μM for hypnophilin and panepoxydone, respectively; ~100%), hypnophilin has a slightly greater inhibitory activity (~71%) on T. cruzi amastigote (AMA) growth in vitro as well as on in vitro phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced peripheral blood mononuclear (PBMC) proliferation (~70%) compared to panepoxydone (69% AMA inhibition and 91% PBMC inhibition). Hypnophilin and panepoxydone at 1.25 μg/mL had 67% inhibitory activity onLeishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis amastigote-like (AMA-like) growth in vitro. The panepoxydone activity was accompanied by a significant inhibitory effect on PHA-induced PBMC proliferation, suggesting a cytotoxic action. Moreover, incubation of human PBMC with panepoxydone reduced the percentage of CD16+ and CD14+ cells and down-regulated CD19+, CD4+ and CD8+ cells, while hypnophilin did not alter any of the phenotypes analyzed. These data indicate that hypnophilin may be considered to be a prototype for the design of drugs for the chemotherapy of diseases caused by Trypanosomatidae.

Estudo trata do conhecimento que o enfermeiro tem sobre o gerenciamento de custo hospitalar pelo enfermeiro. Objetiva identificar o papel do enfermeiro no gerenciamento de custo hospitalar e sua concepção deste processo; verificar a tendência das ações do enfermeiro neste gerenciamento; identificar as facilidades encontradas pelos enfermeiros na implantação do controle de custos. Pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa; usou o questionário como instrumento para coleta de dados. Os participantes são enfermeiros do Hospital Universitário Antonio Pedro (Niterói/RJ). Utilizou-se o método de análise de conteúdo com categorização dos temas. Concluiu-se que a concepção do enfermeiro sobre o gerenciamento do custo hospitalar é muito restrita e desestruturada. À medida que os enfermeiros aperfeiçoarem e compreenderem o processo de controle de custo, suas ações no gerenciamento deste processo, elevará o padrão de qualidade da assistência.

Estudio trata del conocimiento que el enfermero tiene sobre la gerencia de costo hospitalario por el enfermero. Objetiva identificar el papel del enfermero en la gerencia de costo hospitalario y su concepción de este proceso; verificar la tendencia de las acciones del enfermero en esta gerencia; identificar las facilidades encontradas por los enfermeros en la implantación del control de costos. Estudio de abordaje cualitativo; se usó el cuestionario como instrumento para colecta de datos. Los participantes son enfermeros del Hospital Universitario Antonio Pedro (Niterói/RJ). Se utilizó el método de análisis de contenido con categorización de los temas. Se concluyó que la concepción del enfermero sobre la gerencia del costo hospitalario es muy restringida y desestructurada. A medida que los enfermeros perfeccionen y comprendan el proceso de control de costo, sus acciones en la gerencia de este proceso, elevará el patrón de calidad de la asistencia.