There is increasing evidence that neurofilament light chain (NF-L) can be considered as a biomarker for neuro-axonal damage. This polypeptide can be released into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the blood, where it can be quantified. The concentration of NF-L is elevated in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and psychiatric disorders. We aimed to investigate the NF-L levels in the CSF from treated MS patients and the relationship with depression or anxiety. The study involved three groups: control group (individuals without inflammation), the relapse-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS)-untreated group, and the RRMS-Fingo group (RRMS patients who were treated with fingolimod). MS disability was assessed by the Expanded Disability Status Scale, and depression and anxiety were evaluated by a neuropsychologist, using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory-II, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Individual CSF samples were collected to measure NF-L levels. The results of the statistical analysis on levels of NF-L in the CSF of control subjects, RRMS-untreated patients, and RRMS-Fingo patients were significant. The relationship between depression and anxiety in RRMS-Fingo patients and NF-L levels was not statistically significant. In conclusion, MS events such as anxiety and depression appear to contribute to the onset of clinical relapses, subclinical cases, and neurodegeneration.

Dyslipidemia has been described in sickle cell anemia (SCA) but its association with increased disease severity is unknown. Here, we examined 55 children and adolescents with SCA as well as 41 healthy controls to test the association between the lipid profiles in peripheral blood and markers of hemolysis, inflammation, endothelial function, and SCA-related clinical outcomes. SCA patients exhibited lower levels of total cholesterol (P<0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) (P<0.001), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (P<0.001), while displaying higher triglyceride (TG) levels and TG/HDL-c ratio values (P<0.001). TG/HDL-c values were positively correlated with lactate dehydrogenase (P=0.047), leukocyte count (P=0.006), and blood flow velocity in the right (P=0.02) and left (P=0.05) cerebral artery, while being negatively correlated with hemoglobin levels (P<0.04). Acute chest syndrome (ACS) and vaso-occlusive events (VOE) were more frequent in SCA patients exhibiting higher TG/HDL-c values (odds ratio: 3.77, P=0.027). Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed independent associations between elevated TG/HDL-c values and SCA. Thus, children and adolescents with SCA exhibited a lipid profile associated with hemolysis and inflammatory parameters, with increased risk of ACS and VOE. TG/HDL-c is a potential biomarker of severity of disease.

Solos associados aos Complexos Rupestres de Altitude no Brasil destacam-se pela baixa fertilidade química, baixa saturação de bases e elevados teores de alumínio trocável. Esta condição estressante impõe pressões evolutivas que determinam o sucesso ecológico de espécies capazes de tolerar ou acumular grandes quantidades de alumínio. Vários métodos analíticos são utilizados para mapeamento de elementos químicos em estruturas biológicas, como microfluorescência de raios-X (μ-EDX) e testes histoquímicos. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi combinar a μ-EDX e testes histoquímicos para quantificar o teor de Al em espécies vegetais de Complexos Rupestres de Altitude, e identificar os principais sítios de bioacumulação de Al. Cinco das espécies investigadas apresentaram concentração total de Al maior que 1000 mg kg−1. As principais hiperacumuladoras de Al,Lavoisiera pectinata, Lycopodium clavatume Trembleya parviflora, apresentaram reação positiva nos testes histoquímicos com Chrome Azurol e Aluminon. Alta correlação positiva foi observada entre as concentrações totais de Al e as magnitudes de sinal obtidas por μ-EDX. A análise com o uso da μ-EDX mostrou-se uma ferramenta promissora para mapear e quantificar Al em espécies hiperacumuladoras, constituindo uma importante técnica não destrutiva. Testes histoquímicos podem ser úteis na identificação de padrões de acumulação de Al em amostras vegetais antes de serem submetidas a uma minuciosa análise com a μ-EDX.

The soils developed under High Altitude Rocky Complexes in Brazil are generally of very low chemical fertility, with low base saturation and high exchangeable aluminium concentration. This stressful condition imposes evolutionary pressures that lead to ecological success of plant species that are able to tolerate or accumulate high amounts of aluminium. Several analytical methods are currently available for elemental mapping of biological structures, such as micro-X-ray fluorescence (μ-EDX) and histochemical tests. The aim of this study was to combine μ-EDX analysis and histochemical tests to quantify aluminium in plants from High Altitude Rocky Complexes, identifying the main sites for Al-accumulation. Among the studied species, five showed total Al concentration higher than 1000 mg kg−1. The main Al-hyperaccumulator plants,Lavoisiera pectinata, Lycopodium clavatumand Trembleya parviflora presented positive reactions in the histochemical tests using Chrome Azurol and Aluminon. Strong positive correlations were observed between the total Al concentrations and data obtained by μ-EDX analysis. The μ-EDX analysis is a potential tool to map and quantify Al in hyperaccumulator species, and a valuable technique due to its non-destructive capacity. Histochemical tests can be helpful to indicate the accumulation pattern of samples before they are submitted for further μ-EDX scrutiny.

Neste trabalho foi realizada a caracterização fitoquímica e avaliada a atividade antibacteriana in vitro dos extratos de Ageratum conyzoides L. (mentrasto), Gossypium hirsutum (algodão), Phyllanthus tenellus (quebra pedra), e Polygonum hydropiperoides (erva de bicho) frente à Staphylococcus aureus e Escherichia coli. Para a avaliação da atividade antibacteriana foi utilizado o método de difusão em ágar. Os testes foram realizados com o extrato nas graduações alcoólicas de 0 a 100% (v/v), na proporção de 20% (m/v - massa/extrator). Os testes fitoquímicos constataram a presença de açucares redutores, compostos fenólicos, flavonoides, taninos, triterpenos, e esteróides nas quatro espécies. O crescimento das culturas de S. aureus foi inibido por todos os extratos, com exceção do extrato de Mentrasto. A maior atividade de inibição foi observada pelo extrato de quebra pedra. Entretanto, nenhum dos extratos foi capaz de inibir o crescimento das cepas de E. coli. Os resultados são promissores, visto que três das quatro plantas selecionadas demonstraram possuir substâncias antibacterianas, o que motiva estudos subsequentes para o isolamento e identificação dos princípios ativos responsáveis por essa atividade, com potencial de uso na indústria farmacêutica.

In this study, phytochemical characterization was conducted and the in vitro antibacterial activity of extracts of Ageratum conyzoides L. (whiteweed), Gossypium hirsutum (cotton), Phyllanthus tenellus (shatterstone) and Polygonum hydropiperoides (swamp smartweed) was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. To assess the antibacterial activity, the agar diffusion method was used. Tests were performed with the extract at alcoholic contents from 0 to 100% (v/v), at 20% proportion (m/v - mass/extractor). Phytochemical tests indicated the presence of reducing sugars, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, triterpenes and steroids in all four species. The growth of S. aureus cultures was inhibited by all extracts, except for whiteweed extract. The highest inhibitory activity was observed for shatterstone. However, none of the extracts was capable of inhibiting the growth of E. coli strains. Results are promising since three of the four selected plants showed to have antibacterial substances, which stimulates further studies for the isolation and the identification of active principles responsible for this activity, with potential to be used in the pharmaceutical industry.

The objective of this work was to identify QTLs for liveweight in a candidate region of bovine chromosome 5. Half-sib families from two lines, one traditional and the other new, of Canchim beef cattle (5/8 Charolais + 3/8 Zebu) were genotyped for four microsatellite markers, including the microsatellite in the IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1) promoter region. Significant differences in allele distribution between the two lines were found for three markers. Interval mapping analyses in this region indicated the presence of a QTL controlling birth weight (p < 0.05) and of a QTL influencing breeding value for yearling weight (p < 0.01) in the newer line of the breed. The previously identified interaction between the IGF-1 genotype and genetic group strengthens the hypothesis of a linked QTL rather than an IGF-1 effect on growth traits in the Canchim cattle.

Neste estudo retrospectivo, 47 pacientes com diagnóstico clínico de metástases do sistema nervoso por câncer de mama foram avaliados por tomografia computadorizada (TC), ressonância nuclear magnética (RNM) e por exames do líquido cefalorraqueano (LCR). Os pacientes foram divididos em 2 grupos: 1, sem neoplasia leptomeníngea e 2, com neoplasia leptomeníngea. No grupo 2 o intervalo de tempo entre a doença primária e o comprometimento do sistema nervoso e o tempo de sobrevida foram menores do que no grupo 1 (40 e 4,3 meses no grupo 2 versus 57 e 10 meses respectivamente, no grupo 1). Os sinais e sintomas neurológicos mais frequentes foram hipertensão intracraniana e déficits motores. Os exames mais sensíveis para o diagnóstico foram a TC e RNM no grupo 1 e o exame do LCR no grupo 2. O uso dos marcadores CEA e CA-15.3 na rotina do LCR mostrou resultados promissores, particularmente nas formas leptomeníngeas.

In this retrospective study, 47 patients with clinical diagnosis of central nervous system metastases of breast cancer were evaluated by computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination. The patients were divided in 2 groups: 1, without leptomeningeal neoplasm and 2, with leptomeningeal neoplasm. In the group 2, the time interval between the primary disease and the central nervous system metastasis as well as the survival time were shorter than in group 1 (40 and 4.3 months in group 2 versus 57 and 10 months respectively, in group 1). In both groups the most common neurological symptoms and signs were intracranial hypertension and motor deficits. The most sensitive diagnostic methods were CT and MRI in group 1, and the CSF examination in group 2. The use of the tumor markers CEA and CA-15.3 in the routine examination of CSF showed promising results, mainly in leptomeningeal forms.