ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding ground soybeans and antioxidants to diet of buffaloes on intake, ruminal microbial production, total and ruminal digestibility of nutrients, and ruminal fermentation parameters. Four crossbred buffaloes with a mean weight of 506±29 kg were distributed in a 4×4 Latin square. Four diets were tested: control; diet with ground soybeans; diet with ground soybeans and supplementation with yerba mate; and diet with ground soybeans and supplementation with yerba mate and vitamin E. The addition of ground soybeans had negative effects on intake of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber, as well as ruminal digestibility of neutral detergent fiber and total carbohydrates but did not influence total digestibility of nutrients. Yet, the ground soybeans diet increased the concentration of butyrate and microbial production in the rumen. The diet with ground soybeans supplemented with yerba mate decreased the concentration of acetate and increased the concentration of propionate and increased the efficiency of synthesis and the production of microbial protein in the rumen. There was a positive additive effect of vitamin E in the presence of yerba mate, enhancing the synthesis and production efficiency of microbial protein. Thus, the addition of ground soybeans and antioxidants to diet of buffaloes improves the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis and increases the production of butyrate, without, in general, altering the total digestibility of nutrients.

Resumo A anfotericina B é o tratamento de escolha para a maioria das infecções fúngicas sistémicas que afetam os doentes imunocomprometidos. No entanto, efeitos secundários graves têm limitado a utilidade desta droga. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito antifúngico da combinação de anfotericina B com chá preto ou chá branco, bem como o efeito citotóxico desta combinação sobre hemáceas. O presente estudo demonstra que o chá branco e preto de Camellia sinensis têm efeitos aditivos com anfotericina B contra algumas espécies de Candida sp. Além disso, a combinação de chá branco e preto com anfotericina B pode reduzir a toxicidade da anfotericina B em hemáceas. Nossos resultados sugerem que o chá branco e preto são agentes potenciais para associação com anfotericina B contribuindo para eficácia antifúngica, bem como redução de toxicidade.

Abstract Amphotericin B is a fungicidal substance that is treatment of choice for most systemic fungal infections affecting immunocompromised patients. However, severe side effects have limited the utility of this drug. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal effect of the combination of amphotericin B with black tea or white tea and protective of citotoxic effect. The present study shows that white and black teas have additive effects with amphotericin B against some species Candida. In addition, the combination of white and black tea with amphotericin B may reduce the toxicity of amphotericin B to red blood cells. Our results suggest that white and black tea is a potential agent to combine with amphotericin for antifungal efficacy and to reduce the amphotericin dose to lessen side effects.

Resumo A anfotericina B é uma substância fungicida e é o tratamento de escolha para a maioria das infecções fúngicas sistêmicas que afetam os pacientes imunocomprometidos, como a criptococose. No entanto, as severas reações adversas têm limitado a utilização desta droga. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito antifúngico e o potencial efeito protetor de citotoxicidade da combinação de anfotericina B com quercetina ou rutina. A atividade antifúngica de anfotericina B, quercetina e rutina, isoladamente e em combinação foi determinada em cepas de Candida sp e Cryptococcus neoformans. O teste de citotoxicidade em eritrócitos foi realizado por espectrofotometria, através da determinação da absorbância da hemoglobina. A concentração inibitória mínima da anfotericina B foi reduzida quando utilizada em combinação com a quercetina e rutina em C. neoformans ATCC e reduzida quando combinados com rutina em um isolado clínico de C. neoformans. Além disso, a combinação de quercetina com anfotericina B pode reduzir a toxicidade da droga em eritrócitos. Os resultados sugerem que quercetina e rutina são potenciais agentes para combinação com anfotericina B, a fim de reduzir a dose de anfotericina, diminuindo os efeitos colaterais e melhorando sua eficácia antifúngica.

Abstract Amphotericin B is a fungicidal substance that is treatment of choice for most systemic fungal infections affecting as cryptococcosis the immunocompromised patients. However, severe side effects have limited the utility of this drug. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal effect of the combination of amphotericin B with quercetin or rutin and as a protective of citotoxic effect. The antifungal activity to amphotericin B, quercetin and rutin alone and in combination was determined in Candida sp and Cryptococcus neoformans strains. Cytotoxicity test on erythrocytes was performed by spectrophotometric absorbance of hemoglobin. The amphotericin B MIC was reduced when used in combination with quercetin or rutin to C. neoformans ATCC strain and reduced when combined with rutin to a clinical isolate of C. neoformans. In addition, the combination of quercetin with amphotericin B may reduce the toxicity of amphotericin B to red blood cells. Our results suggest that quercetin and rutin are potential agents to combine with amphotericin B in order to reduce the amphotericin dose to lessen side effects and improve antifungal efficacy.

Lung transplantation is a well-established treatment for advanced lung diseases. In children, the diseases that most commonly lead to the need for a transplantation are cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, and bronchiolitis. However, the number of pediatric lung transplantations being performed is low compared with the number of transplants performed in the adult age group. The objective of this study was to demonstrate our experience with pediatric lung transplants over a 10-year period in a program initially designed for adults.

The role of rhinovirus asymptomatic infections in the transmission among close contacts subjects is unknown. We tested health care workers, a pair of one child and a family member and immunocompromised patients (n =191). HRV were detected on 22.9% symptomatic and 3.6% asymptomatic cases suggesting lower transmission among contacts.

Background: In Brazil, a mixture of cereals known as "Human Ration" (HR) has been consumed as a substitute for meals due to effects in satiation and weight loss. Methods: This paper evaluated the effect of HR consumption for 45 days as a breakfast replacement, on body composition, biochemical profile and eating behavior in women (n = 20) between 18-45 years old and with BMI between 27-35 kg/m². Results: The intake of HR did not promote significant changes in the body composition as well as in the mean serum values of glucose, HDL, VLDL, TC/HDL, AST and ALT. However, a significant change was noticed in the levels of TC, LDL and triglycerides (p < 0.05). Average daily intake of calories and macronutrients of the volunteers during the period of HR consumption did not differ from their habitual ingestion (p > 0.05). Regarding the consumption of total fibers, there was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in intake at breakfast during the period of HR consumption when compared to the usual intake. The consumption of HR did not intervene in the sensations of satiation, hunger and prospective intake among the subjects, presenting only instantaneous significant alterations throughout the study. Conclusion: The results are clinically relevant, since they may contribute to the reduction of risk factors for chronic noncommunicable diseases.

Introducción: En Brasil, una mezcla de cereales conocidos como "Ração Humana" (HR) se ha consumido como sustituto de las comidas debido a los efectos en la saciedad y en la pérdida de peso. Métodos: Se evaluó el efecto del consumo de HR durante 45 días, sustituyendo el desayuno, en la composición corporal, perfil bioquímico y en la conducta alimentaria en mujeres (n = 20) entre 18-45 años de edad y con IMC entre 27-35 kg/m². Resultados: La ingesta de HR no promovió cambios significativos en la composición corporal, así como en los valores medios de glucosa, colesterol HDL, VLDL, CT/HDL, AST y ALT en el suero. Sin embargo, se observaron cambios significativos en las concentraciones de CT, LDL y los triglicéridos (p < 0,05). La ingesta media diaria de calorias y macronutrientes de los voluntarios durante el periodo de consumo de HR no difirieron de su ingesta habitual (p > 0,05). Respecto al consumo de fibras total, se observó un aumento significativo sólo para el desayuno (p < 0,05) en el periodo de consumo de HR en comparación con la ingesta habitual. El consumo de la HR no intervino en las sensaciones de saciedad, en el hambre y en la ingesta prospectiva entre los sujetos, presentando solamente alteraciones significativas durante todo el estudio. Conclusión: Los resultados son clínicamente relevantes, ya que pueden contribuir a la reducción de factores de riesgo para enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles.

Human rhinoviruses (HRVs) are the major cause of the common cold. HRVs were recently reclassified into the Enterovirus genus (HEV) in the Picornaviridae family. HRVs and other members of the HEV genus share many common features, including sense RNA genomes and partial nucleotide sequence identity. The aim of this study was to evaluate different HRV detection strategies. Samples from adults with acute respiratory infection (n = 291) who were treated in Sao Paulo Hospital (2001-2003) were tested using three assays. The first assay detected picornaviruses by RT-PCR and hybridization, the second detected rhinoviruses using RT-PCR/sequencing, and the third differentiated HRV from HEV using duplex semi-nested-RT-PCR. Analysis of the results obtained from the first two strategies revealed 83% concordance. Discordant samples were then evaluated by the third protocol, and 82% were negative. The picornavirus detection protocol was more sensitive but less specific than the rhinovirus detection protocols. The semi-nested protocol utilized in the present study was less sensitive and was not useful in differentiating HRV from HEV. Sequencing assays examining different genes would address the best strategy of confirming rhinovirus and enterovirus infections.

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.

Epidemiological data regarding tetanus and diphtheria immunity in elderly people in Brazil are scarce. During the First National Immunization Campaign for the Elderly in Brazil in April 1999, 98 individuals (median age: 84 years) received one tetanus-dyphtheria (Td) vaccine dose (Butantan Institute, lot number 9808079/G). Inclusion criteria were elderly individuals without a history of severe immunosuppressive disease, acute infectious disease or use of immunomodulators. Blood samples were collected immediately before the vaccine and 30 days later. Serum was separated and stored at -20ºC until analysis. Tetanus and diphtheria antibodies were measured by the double-antigen ELISA test. Tetanus and diphtheria antibody concentrations lower than 0.01 IU/mL were considered to indicate the absence of protection, between 0.01 and 0.09 IU/mL were considered to indicate basic immunity, and values of 0.1 IU/mL or higher were considered to indicate full protection. Before vaccination, 18% of the individuals were susceptible to diphtheria and 94% were susceptible to tetanus. After one Td dose, 78% became fully immune to diphtheria, 13% attained basic immunity, and 9% were still susceptible to the disease. In contrast, 79% remained susceptible to tetanus, 4% had basic immunity and 17% were fully immune. Although one Td dose increases immunity to diphtheria in many elderly people who live in Brazil, a complete vaccination series appears to be necessary for the prevention of tetanus.