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Conservation of modern and contemporary cultural heritage, which goes from design objects, to architecture, to cities and territories, is certainly a current topic and in the development phase as it is underway – in the same modernity – a process of systematic replacement of architectural elements, outcome of solutions then experimental, which today are reproduced with contemporary materials, analogous in the appearance, but intimately different especially in the technological content.The paper describes the particular case of La Tour de Meudon, better known as The Tower, (1966) by André Bloc, a contemporary architect of Le Corbusier, founder of L'Architecture d'aujourd'hui, who created his habitable sculptures. All his works mark the evolution of geometric abstraction to the free form, and they are still admirable testimonies of a journey that led him from architecture to architecture. His Architecture and his sculpture intertwine, opening the plastic unity of form in physical space–time. The survey is a fundamental moment for the knowledge of these hybrid architectures, where the structural component is hidden by its evident plasticity, as if it were a large sculpture with abstract and overlapping geometric shapes.Survey isn't only an analysis of geometries: it is instrumental to the other structural and material analyses since it provides a metric and topological basis on which to spatially locate the phenomena being studied. The integrated survey of the building (laser scanning, photogrammetry, topography) has allowed to document his project, contributing to the to definition of the actual construction characteristics and ascertain both the material consistency and the state of conservation.

It is known that the demand for products of bovine origin increases every day in the world, and Brazil, which has the largest commercial herd of cattle on the planet, does not stay behind when it comes to raising beef cattle and milk. Despite our efforts to offer the best product, we are faced with difficult challenges in the country when it comes to climate and soil. The tropical climate, with rainy and dry seasons, ends up greatly damaging the pastures, thus offering less quality nutrients to our herds. As a domino effect, with less nutrients, there is more stress on the animal, which implies a poor reproductive efficiency, which is a crucial factor for effective production. However, there are viable outputs to improve the statistics, and one of them is reducing the interval between calving in cows relating to nutritional aspects, the important theme that the work will address. The nutritional strategy used in the experiment was the supplementation before, during and after the synchronization protocols for IATF. It consisted in the supply of 5g / kg PV / animal / day, a multiple mixture containing 82% ground corn, 8% soybean meal, 4% protected fat (Megalac®), 3% protected urea , 2% calcium carbonate, 0.06% mineral core, 0.04% Sodium Chloride and 0.01% lasalocid sodium 15% (Taurotec®). Supplement delivery started 7 days prior to protocol (D0) and lasted up to 20 after TAI, totaling 38 days. It was observed that the results showed an increase in the pregnancy rate of the primiparas that were supplemented, especially those with ECC below 3 (on the scale of 1 to 5), the percentage variation in the increment was of 2.6 ( ECC ≥3) to 7.1 (ECC = 2.75), presenting lower values in multiparous women. It is evident that, with due planning, observing the moments of nutritional deficit, it is possible to improve the interval between deliveries, thus improving production.

Introdução: Testes imuno-hematológicos como determinação da expressão fenotípica de antígenos de diferentes sistemas de grupos sanguíneos, pesquisa de anticorpos irregulares, testes da antiglobulina direto e indireto, prova de compatibilidade e titulação de anticorpos são rotineiramente realizados através de métodos sorológicos com o emprego de reagentes que indicarão a presença ou ausência de antígenos e anticorpos baseados em reações de hemaglutinação. Para a obtenção de resultados confiáveis e consequente garantia da segurança transfusional, entre outras estratégias, é imprescindível a padronização e validação dos processos críticos, treinamento inicial e periódico dos colaboradores. Nesse contexto, deve ser realizada a padronização das leituras e interpretação das reações imuno-hematológicas. A estatística do Kappa é útil para avaliação da confiabilidade entre observadores e é um importante indicador de avaliação da qualidade. No entanto, o teste deve ser utilizado como um instrumento adicional para o aprimoramento da qualidade do exame, não devendo funcionar isoladamente como elemento de avaliação no processo. Objetivos: Determinar a concordância entre duplas de profissionais na leitura e interpretação de reações imuno-hematológicas na técnica de tubo. Materiais e métodos: Três profissionais participaram da análise de concordância de leitura de 54 diferentes reações imuno-hematológicas na técnica de tubo. Um dos profissionais realizou a homogeneização da reação enquanto, simultaneamente, de forma cega e independente, os três profissionais analisaram a intensidade da reação. A leitura das intensidades de reação seguiu os padrões de Judd e colaboradores (2008). A concordância da leitura dos testes entre as duplas de profissionais foi determinada através do teste estatístico Kappa de Cohen, o qual considera a proporção de concordância observada e a estimativa da proporção de concordância esperada pelo acaso. Resultados: Entre as reações estavam: soro de Coombs titulado + hemácia controle de Coombs, soro anti-D titulado + hemácia RhD positiva, soro anti-B titulado + hemácia B, soro anti-AB titulado + hemácia AB. O valor de Kappa de Cohen (0-1) foi calculado para cada dupla de profissionais, considerando as rotinas imuno-hematológicas com leitura e segunda leitura. O índice Kappa calculado foi de 0,97 entre os profissionais 1 e 2, de 0,95 entre os profissionais 1 e 3 e de 0,97 entre os profissionais 2 e 3. Discussão: O valor de Kappa estima a concordância entre observadores, corrigida pela probabilidade de concordância ao acaso, podendo ser interpretado como a melhor proporção de concordância possível além do acaso, considerando o percentual de concordância entre dois observadores. Kappa entre 0,80 e 1,0 indica uma concordância quase perfeita entre os leitores. Embora tenha sido utilizado um número relativamente pequeno de reações para a avaliação, o índice Kappa é uma ferramenta importante para a avaliação da confiabilidade entre observadores e consequentemente garantia da qualidade de exames imuno-hematológicos realizados. Os resultados indicaram a eficácia dos treinamentos realizados e que os processos estão padronizados entre esses profissionais. Conclusão: O valor de Kappa encontrado indica uma concordância excelente entre as duplas de profissionais, o que contribui para a segurança do processo transfusional.

Biological variation (BV) refers to changes in biochemical constituents in the blood or other biological fluids, indicative of body regulation via homeostatic processes. Intra- and interindividual BV data are essential for establishing analytical performance specifications and evaluating the significance between consecutive measurements of an analyte. Given this context, the present study conducted a systematic review of the intra- and interindividual BV of capillary blood glucose. Out of 461 initial studies identified, only 4 met the inclusion criteria for detailed analysis after excluding 419 for title irrelevance, 10 for duplication, 21 based on abstract content and 7 based on article content. Notably, none of the studies primarily focused on the intra- and interindividual BV of capillary blood glucose; rather, they reported it as a secondary outcome. Regarding fasting, data analyses revealed intra-individual BVs of 4.5 and 31.1% for healthy and diabetic individuals, respectively, and interindividual coefficient of variations of 4.7-5.8 and 12.9-16.3% for healthy and diabetic individuals, respectively. Only one study provided the analytical coefficient of variation, corroborating the recommended practices. Additionally, the fasting duration, meal standardization before sampling, and number and interval between collections varied among the studies. Hence, the results suggest that there are no reliable data on intra- and interindividual BVs for capillary blood glucose in the literature., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright: © 2024 Zanette and Martinello.)

Background and Objectives: The storage temperature of immunohaematological reagents generally ranges from 2 to 8°C, and they should be utilised at room temperature. This study aimed to analyse the stability of immunohaematological reagents used in ABO and RhD typing., Methods: The evaluation encompassed the potency, specificity, and integrity of anti-A, anti-B, anti-D, RhD control sera, and A 1 and B red blood cells (RBC) reagents after long (8 h) and short (4 h) daily periods of exposure to room temperature (20-24°C), 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Additionally, the A 1 and B RBC reagents were exposed daily for 11 h and 30 min at room temperature, including 30 more minutes at room temperature with simultaneous homogenisation through equipment. For the control, an aliquot of each reagent was constantly stored at refrigeration temperature, while another was exposed to room temperature for 12 h daily. Tests conducted included reaction intensity, titration, and avidity for antisera, reaction intensity, free haemoglobin determination, and electrical conductivity for the RBC reagents., Results: The antisera maintained the reaction intensity. The titre and avidity of the antisera satisfied the minimum Brazilian requirements after different exposure periods. A higher free haemoglobin concentration was noted in the RBC reagents subjected to room temperature and simultaneous homogenisation, although this did not affect the potency and specificity. The electrical conductivity average of the RBC reagent remained consistent., Conclusion: The findings indicate that the immunohaematological reagents from a specific manufacturer are stable under the tested temperature, ensuring the quality of the results under these conditions., (© 2024 British Blood Transfusion Society.)

Aims: This study aimed to assess the use of glucometers by patients and the analytical performance of glucometers provided by the primary care services., Methods: The analytical performance of 48 glucometers Accu-Chek® Active, was assessed through quintuplicate analyses of one Roche and one PNCQ (National Quality Control Program) control sample at different concentrations; 31 were also evaluated by a single proficiency testing sample. The evaluation metrics included imprecision, bias, and total error and were measured according to quality specifications based on biological variation (QSBV). Glucometer users answered a questionnaire regarding their experience., Results: Among the 48 glucometers evaluated with internal control samples, 17 met precision criteria at both control levels according to QSBV, while 24 met the criteria at only one control level. Of the 31 glucometers further evaluated through proficiency test, 11 met accuracy criteria according to QSBV, and only one device showed an unacceptable result. Out of these 31, only 15 demonstrated a total error within the acceptable maximum limits based on QSBV., Conclusions: Overall, our findings showed that patients had a good understanding of glucometer usage and suggested that some glucometers should be replaced, as they sometimes failed to meet even the manufacturer's acceptable variation limits, and/or did not meet QSBV., Competing Interests: None. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

The use of probiotics brings numerous benefits to the immune system, including an increase in antibody production. The development of ABO antibodies may occur naturally due to the bacteria of the intestinal microbiota. However, high titers of ABO antibodies can lead to hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn and can cause immune transfusion reactions. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of probiotic consumption on ABO antibody titers in humans. ABO blood group, ABO antibody titer, and fecal pH and Bifidobacteria concentration were determined for 126 healthy individuals before and after daily consumption of yogurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis over a 1-month period. No changes in fecal pH were observed after probiotic consumption, regardless of ABO blood group. There was, however, an increase in the fecal concentration of Bifidobacteria in individuals with blood group A but not for those with group B or O. A decrease in the titer of anti-B was observed, despite the increase in the concentration of Bifidobacteria in feces being unrelated to fecal pH, in blood group A individuals. Our study, therefore, sought to understand the relationship between probiotics and the antibody titer of the ABO blood system. Despite our findings, further human studies are needed with other probiotic strains and molecular analyses of the intestinal microbiota., (© 2022 A. Geraldo et al., published by Sciendo.)

Internal quality control (IQC) regarding process to monitor analytical stability has a long tradition in laboratory medicine. The satisfactory results with different quality specifications of the IQC ensure the acceptability of the examination results. Although the statistical IQC is satisfactory some problems exist, resulting in unreliable patients' results due several reasons (non-commutable control materials, lot to lot difference of reagents, false interpreting test results regarding autovalidation or autoverification, different analytical and clinical specifications or goals etc.). Therefore, the results and findings of IQC have to be connected with external quality assessment (EQA) in order to provide the system of measurement of uncertainty (MU) with correct interpretation of laboratory result and detection relevant and significant shifts and drifts in medical laboratory., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interests The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (Copyright © 2022 International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC). All rights reserved.)

Background: Fatigue is a highly prevalent condition among people affected by chronic disease, with consequent poor health-related quality of life and lower survival rates. Fatigue is one of the most common and debilitating symptoms also experienced by hemodialysis (HD) patients after HD sessions, and given the non-specific manifestations and its invisible nature, it is under-recognized and under-treated by healthcare professionals. The complexity of fatigue's pathogenesis and the lack of measurement tools make the development of nursing interventions and practices specifically targeted at its recognition and therapy difficult. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and severity of fatigue, identify predictor variables in HD patients, and promote healthcare professionals' awareness and recognition of fatigue., Materials and Methods: A single-center, cross-sectional study was conducted among 140 patients treated at the HD unit between August 2019 and March 2020 at the Nephrology, Dialysis, and Transplantation Unit of Padova University Hospital. We assessed patient's fatigue by Chalder's Fatigue Questionnaire, pain by Numeric Rating Scale and activities of daily living by Barthel Index. Demographic and clinical characteristics were taken from medical records., Results: The findings of this study indicate that age, dialysis vintage, inter-dialysis weight gain, and ultra-filtration rate are proportionally related to reported levels of fatigue. Hemoglobin, iron, ferritin, and number of sleep hours before HD session present a significant inverse correlation to fatigue., Conclusion: The complexity of fatigue's pathogenesis makes a better understanding of this phenomenon difficult, nevertheless, healthcare professionals should develop interventions and practices targeted at its identification and management.

Introduction: By quantifying the measurement uncertainty (MU), both the laboratory and the physician can have an objective estimate of the results' quality. There is significant flexibility on how to determine the MU in laboratory medicine and different approaches have been proposed by Nordtest, Eurolab and Cofrac to obtain the data and apply them in formulas. The purpose of this study is to compare three different top-down approaches for the estimation of the MU and to suggest which of these approaches could be the most suitable choice for routine use in clinical laboratories., Materials and Methods: Imprecision and bias of the methods were considered as components of the MU. The bias was obtained from certified reference calibrators (CRC), proficiency tests (PT), and inter-laboratory internal quality control scheme (IQCS) programs. The bias uncertainty, the combined and the expanded uncertainty were estimated using the Nordtest, Eurolab and Cofrac approaches., Results: Using different approaches, the expanded uncertainty estimates ranged from 18.9-40.4%, 18.2-22.8%, 9.3-20.9%, and 7.1-18.6% for cancer antigen (CA) 19-9, testosterone, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and creatinine, respectively. Permissible values for MU and total error ranged from 16.0-46.1%, 13.1-21.6%, 10.7-26.2%, and 7.5-17.3%, respectively., Conclusion: The bias was highest using PT, followed by CRC and IQCS data, which were similar. The Cofrac approach showed the highest uncertainties, followed by Eurolab and Nordtest. However, the Eurolab approach requires additional measurements to obtain uncertainty data. In summary, the Nordtest approach using IQCS data was therefore found to be the most practical formula., Competing Interests: Potential conflict of interest: None declared., (Croatian Society of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine.)

Background: The adenosine deaminase (ADA) enzyme is a marker of inflammatory processes whose activity can be measured through a colorimetric method developed as an in-house assay. This validation can reduce costs and expand the alternatives for laboratory diagnosis., Methods: The ADA analysis was achieved through a modified form of Giusti and Galanti's (1984) method. The following parameters were characterized: calibration curve, linearity, analytical sensitivity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, method working range, precision (within-assay and between-assay), bias, total analytical error, and sample stability. The results were statistically evaluated and compared with quality specifications based on biological variations and the performance of commercial tests., Results: The analytical sensitivity and limit of detection (0.013 and 3.0 U/L, respectively) were lower than those of commercial tests. The method's working range was 3.2-100.0 U/L. According to the quality specification, the method showed optimum performance with a bias <3.5%. However, repeatability (2.2% and 1.7% for normal- and high-activity samples, respectively) and reproducibility achieved worse results when compared to commercial tests. The method demonstrated an inappropriate between-assay precision for low enzymatic activity (10.4%) and the minimum and desirable performance for medium (8.8%) and high (5.0%) activities, respectively. It also presented at least a minimum performance (<25%) for the total analytical error of the three analyzed samples. The pleural fluid samples were found to be stable at -20°C for six days., Conclusion: The findings show that the in-house method displays an acceptable performance and is capable of generating results comparable to existing commercial tests., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Tamarind has significant antioxidant potential. We showed that tamarind protects hypercholesterolemic hamsters from atherosclerosis. Hypercholesterolemia might increase the risk of colon cancer. We investigated whether tamarind extract modulates the risk of colon cancer in hypercholesterolemic hamsters. Hamsters (n = 64) were given tamarind and a hypercholesterolemic diet for 8 weeks. The groups were the control, tamarind treatment, hypercholesterolemic, and hypercholesterolemic treated with tamarind groups. Half of each group was exposed to the carcinogen dimethylhydrazine (DMH) at the 8th week. All hamsters were euthanatized at the 10th week. In carcinogen-exposed hypercholesterolemic hamsters, tamarind did not alter the cholesterol or triglyceride serum levels, but it reduced biomarkers of liver damage (alanine transaminase [ALT], and aspartate aminotransferase [AST]). Tamarind decreased DNA damage in hepatocytes, as demonstrated by analysis with an anti-γH2A.X antibody. In liver and serum samples, we found that this fruit extract reduced lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS]) and increased endogenous antioxidant mechanisms (glutathione peroxidase [GPx] and superoxide dismutase [SOD]). However, tamarind did not alter either lipid peroxidation or antioxidant defenses in the colon, which contrasts with DMH exposure. Moreover, tamarind significantly increased the stool content of cholesterol. Although tamarind reduced the risk of colon cancer in hypercholesterolemic hamsters that were carcinogenically exposed to DMH by 63.8% (Metallothionein), it was still ∼51% higher than for animals fed a regular diet. Staining colon samples with an anti-γH2A.X antibody confirmed these findings. We suggest that tamarind has chemoprotective activity against the development of colon carcinogenesis, although a hypercholesterolemic diet might impair this protection., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Healthy individuals exhibit a significantly higher concentration of faecal bifidobacteria in comparison to celiac patients. Even though there are potential benefits in probiotic usage, they have been little explored as an adjunctive therapy in celiac disease., Objective: This study aimed at the comparison of faecal bifidobacteria concentration and pH among celiac patients and healthy subjects before and after the daily intake of 100 g of yogurt containing probiotic for a thirty-day period., Methods: Feces from 17 healthy subjects and 14 celiac patients were analyzed, in which stool culture was performed for the isolation and quantification of faecal bifidobacteria. Furthermore, Gram's method was employed for the microscopic analysis of the colonies, while the identification of the Bifidobacterium genus was made through determination of the fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase enzyme. Faecal pH was measured using a calibrated pHmeter., Results: Faecal bifidobacteria concentration before probiotic consumption was significantly higher in healthy individuals (2.3x108±6.3x107 CFU/g) when compared to celiac patients (1.0x107±1.7x107 CFU/g). Faecal pH values did not show a significant difference. After the daily consumption of probiotic-containing yogurt both groups showed a significant increase in the concentration of faecal bifidobacteria, but healthy subjects presented significantly higher bifidobacteria concentrations (14.7x108±0.2x108 CFU/g) than the celiac group (0.76x108±0.1x108 CFU/g). The obtained pH values from both groups were not significantly different, being 7.28±0.518 for the celiac patients and 7.07±0.570 for healthy individuals after the probiotic intake., Conclusion: The probiotic supplementation significantly increased the number of bifidobacteria in the feces of celiac patients, although it was not sufficient to reach the concentration found in healthy individuals prior to its consumption.

Context: The ingestion of gluten is responsible for the symptoms of Celiac disease, but other environmental factors can also influence. Strains of the Bifidobacterium genus have been shown to afford protection against the inflammatory response and mucosal damage caused by gliadin peptides in vitro., Objectives: This study was designed to compare the concentration of fecal bifidobacteria and pH of patients with celiac disease on gluten-free diet and control subjects in order to identify if the imbalance on fecal microbiota still remain during the treatment of celiac disease and identify the necessity of dietary supplementation with pre- or probiotics., Methods: It was analyzed the feces of 42 healthy subjects and 14 celiac patients. The bifidobacteria count in feces was done in selective medium BIM-25. Microscopic analysis of the colonies was performed by Gram stain. The identification of the genus Bifidobacterium was performed by determination of fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase. Fecal pH was measured using a pH meter., Results: The concentration of bifidobacteria per gram of feces was significantly higher in healthy subjects (controls) (1.5 ± 0.63 x108 CFU/g) when compared to celiac patients (2.5 ± 1.5 x107 CFU/g). The fecal pH was not different between celiac patients (7.19 ± 0.521) and controls (7.18 ± 0.522)., Conclusions: These results suggest that with lower levels of bifidobacteria, celiac patients have an imbalance in the intestinal microbiota, regardless of pH, even while on a gluten-free diet. This fact could favor the pathological process of the disorder.

The present study investigated the relationship between intestinal bifidobacteria and intake of commercial dietary oils of different fatty acids compositions on the development of aberrant crypt foci (ACF). Wistar rats were grouped according to diet and treatment with dimethylhydrazine (DMH): standard diet (CN), canola oil (CAN), olive oil (OLI), corn oil (COR), standard diet and DMH (CNDMH), canola oil and DMH (CANDMH), olive oil and DMH (OLIDMH) and corn oil and DMH (CORDMH). Diets and DMH did not alter the amount of bifidobacteria, fecal pH and serum total cholesterol level. DMH-treated groups had lower serum triglyceride levels compared to respective controls without DMH. Olive and corn oil diets resulted in higher hepatic cholesterol levels than standard diet under treatment with DMH. The numbers of ACF/field and cell proliferation were lower under treatment with CANDMH and OLIDMH, suggesting a protective effect of these oils on colorectal carcinogenesis.

Rasagiline is a monoamine oxidase type-B inhibitor used as monotherapy or in addition to levodopa in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Once daily administration of rasagiline makes it easy to use, and allows good compliance by patients and adherence to therapy. Several multicenter studies have noted the effectiveness of rasagiline on both motor and non-motor symptoms, which require a complex pharmacologic approach, such as cognitive disorders. A recent study also reported a rapid action of rasagiline on motor symptoms. Positive findings have been highlighted by an economic model study. This review analyzes the main studies of rasagiline, with particular attention to the effectiveness of the drug on motor symptoms.

It is well established that atherogenic dyslipidemia, characterized by high levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, constitutes important risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Regular exercise has been associated with a reduced risk for metabolic diseases. However, studies supporting the concept that resistance exercise is a modifier of blood lipid parameters are often contradictory. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of high-intensity resistance exercise on the serum levels of TG, TC, HDL and non-HDL cholesterol, glucose, and the liver function enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT, EC 2.6.1.2) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST, EC 2.6.1.1) in golden Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus (Waterhouse, 1839)) fed a hypercholesterolemic diet. Sedentary groups (S) and exercise groups (E) were fed a standard diet (SS and ES) or a cholesterol-enriched diet (standard plus 1% cholesterol, SC and EC). Resistance exercise was performed by jumps in the water, carrying a load strapped to the chest, representing 10 maximum repetitions (10 RM, 30 s rest, five days per week for five weeks). Mean blood sample comparisons were made by ANOVA + Tukey or ANOVA + Kruskal-Wallis tests (p < 0.05) to compare parametric and nonparametric samples, respectively. There were no differences in blood lipids between the standard diet groups (SS and ES) (p > 0.05). However, the EC group increased the glucose, non-HDL, and TC levels in comparison with the ES group. Moreover, the EC group increased the TG levels versus the SC group (p < 0.05). In addition, the ALT levels were increased only by diet treatment. These findings indicated that high-intensity resistance exercise contributed to dyslipidemia in hamsters fed a hypercholesterolemic diet, whereas liver function enzymes did not differ in regards to the exercise protocol.

This is a report of the case of a patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia treated with all trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), who had suspected all-trans retinoic acid syndrome (ATRA syndrome). The nonspecific febrile leukopenia observed justified the association with antimicrobial and antifungal therapy. Signs and symptoms contributed to the suspicion of ATRA syndrome, and renal function was impaired by the combination with antifungal agents. The decrease in renal function observed initially contributed to the suspicion of ATRA syndrome and was aggravated by antifungals. Thus, the use of ATRA was discontinued. Eight days after the pneumonia characterization, the possibility of ATRA syndrome was dismissed. In this context, ATR's nephrotoxicity and the synergic adverse effect by the use of nephrotoxic antifungal agents were discussed, particularly amphotericin B, as well as the importance of differential diagnosis between ATRA syndrome and infectious diseases.

Atherosclerosis has been described as an inflammatory disease in which polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) seem to be involved. These cells may induce atherosclerotic lesions by releasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a sort of pro-inflammatory mediators. In this study, the PMNL oxidative metabolic status of Golden Syrian hamsters fed a normal diet (ND), or a high-fat diet (10% coconut oil plus 0.2% cholesterol) supplemented (R-HCD) or not (HCD) with 0.1% (w/w) rutin was evaluated after 120 days of treatment. PMNL oxidative metabolism was assessed by whole blood luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence and 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate-dependent flow cytometry. The results obtained by both methods were similar and showed no significant changes in ROS generation by PMNLs in blood samples from HCD or R-HCD animals when compared to ND. Furthermore it was shown that rutin supplementation did not significantly affect plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels in the hypercholesterolemic animals characterized by significantly increased total plasma cholesterol, triglycerides and low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The results suggest that in this model atherosclerosis development is not related to circulating PMNL activation and rutin supplementation has no immunomodulatory or hypocholesterolemic effects.

Background: Ascorbic acid interferes negatively in peroxidase-based tests (Trinder method). However, the precise mechanism remains unclear for tests that use peroxide, a phenolic compound and 4-aminophenazone (4-AP). We determined the chemical mechanism of this interference, by examining the effects of ascorbic acid in the reaction kinetics of the production and reduction of the oxidized chromophore in urate, cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose tests. Reaction of ascorbic acid with the Trinder method constituents was also verified., Results: Ascorbic acid interfered stoichiometrically with all tests studied. However, it had two distinct effects on the reaction rate. In the urate test, ascorbic acid decreased the chromophore formation with no change in its production kinetics. In contrast, in cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose tests, an increase in the lag phase of color development occurred. Of all the Trinder constituents, only peroxide reverted the interference. In addition, ascorbic acid did not interfere with oxidase activity nor reduce significantly the chromophore formed., Conclusions: Peroxide depletion was the predominant chemical mechanism of ascorbic acid interference in the Trinder method with phenolics and 4-AP. Distinctive effects of ascorbic acid on the reaction kinetics of urate, cholesterol, glucose and triglyceride might be due to the rate of peroxide production by oxidases.

Orlistat is an anti-obesity agent that increases the fecal fat excretion, which promotes colon carcinogenesis. Therefore, the present study was designed to verify the effects of Orlistat on the formation of rat colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and cell proliferation evaluated by the PCNA method. Male Wistar rats received either a standard diet or a high fat diet (HFD), supplemented or not with Orlistat (200mg/kg chow) and two doses of the carcinogen dimethyl-hydrazine (25mg/Kg). After 30 days, Orlistat was associated to a significant increase in the number of colonic ACFs and cell proliferation in DMH-treated animals, independently of the HFD.

Dietary modifications may significantly reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, including cholesterol and atherosclerosis. The present study addressed the effects of the crude extract from the pulp fruit of Tamarindus indica L. on lipid serum levels and early atherosclerotic lesions in hypercholesterolemic hamsters in vivo, and the extract's antioxidant action, in vitro. Animals were fed on either chow or atherogenic diet during 10 weeks and concomitantly received either water or T. indica L. extract for drinking. Treatment of hypercholesterolemic hamsters with the T. indica pulp fruit extract (5%) led to a decrease in the levels of serum total cholesterol (50%), non-HDL cholesterol (73%) and triglyceride (60%), and to an increase of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels (61%). In vitro, the extract presented radical scavenging ability, as assessed by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide radicals assays, and led to decreased lipid peroxidation in serum, as assessed by the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay. In vivo, the extract improved the efficiency of the antioxidant defense system, as assessed by the superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities. Together these results indicate the potential of tamarind extracts in diminishing the risk of atherosclerosis development in humans.

Objectives: To investigate the negative interference of ascorbic acid in serum biochemical tests in relation to the dose of vitamin C intake and to the time of blood collection., Design and Methods: Healthy volunteers (n = 18) consumed daily doses of vitamin C (0.25-4.0 g) for 1 week and serum parameters were assayed prior to the experiment and on the eighth day of consumption. Blood samples were collected 4, 12 and 24 h after vitamin C intake., Results: Serum levels of ascorbic acid increased significantly after vitamin C ingestion inhibiting urate and total bilirubin tests 4 and 12 h after intake (P < 0.01). A significant negative interference occurred up to 24 h after consumption of 4 g vitamin C for the urate test. In contrast, ingestion of vitamin C did not show interference in glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol tests. Addition of ascorbic acid to serum inhibited the urate test to a similar extent to that observed after vitamin C intake. However, after ingesting vitamin C, the interference for the bilirubin test was greater than that of the in vitro interference., Conclusions: Commonly taken doses of supplementary vitamin C interfered negatively with the serum urate test based on the Trinder method, and with bilirubin metabolism.

A 3-year study (1997-2000) was performed on 294 swine herds from Italy, where a National Programme of Control of Aujeszky's Disease (AD) based on compulsory vaccination has been operative since 1997. Aim of the study was to evaluate the progress of this control programme using a survival approach applied to gE-seropositive herds at the beginning of the programme. The cumulative proportion of herds still gE-seropositive at the end of the study was 0.57. No significant difference in the probability of becoming gE-seronegative during the study period was found between herds of different type (breeding versus farrow-to-finish) whereas significant differences were seen between herds from different areas. The Cox's proportional hazards regression, performed on data from 79 herds, showed that the only risk factor significantly associated with a higher probability of becoming gE-seronegative is again the geographical location. Other risk factors considered in the analysis were: type of enterprise, type of replacement of animals, herd size, pig and pig herds densities around the farm, distance from the nearest pig herd and year of beginning of the vaccination with a gE-deleted vaccine.

We present the clinical and neuroimaging findings of five patients (four males, one female; mean age 12 years) affected by congenital myotonic dystrophy and the correlation with their molecular genetic analysis. At birth all five presented severe muscular weakness and hypotonia, associated with feeding difficulties and respiratory distress. In the same patients, congenital clubfoot or more generalized arthrogryposis was also evident. Lymphocyte DNA was characterized in each by a CTG repeat longer than 1300 in the region of the myotonic dystrophy gene in chromosome 19. The patients' neurological condition was evaluated by clinical examination, intelligence tests, electroencephalography, and brain magnetic resonance imaging. All five suffered from some impairment of intellectual function (IQ ranged from 52 to 79). In three a longitudinal evaluation of the cognitive deficit detected no deterioration. In all patients magnetic resonance imaging showed some degree of ventricular dilatation, loosely correlated to the cognitive impairment; in three there was hypoplasia of the corpus callosum and in two mild abnormalities of supratentorial white matter. The relationship between the size of the CTG repeat expansion found in lymphocyte DNA and the cerebral abnormalities appeared inconsistent in this unusual myoencephalopathy of the newborn.

Immunocytochemical analysis of the laminin alpha-2 (merosin) chain in the muscle of patients with Classic Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (Cl-CMD) differentiates the types of the disease associated with a merosin deficit from those that are merosin positive. Patients with Central Nervous System involvement in merosin negative Cl-CMD always present alterations of the white matter at RMI, but usually these are not clinically significant. While ocular malformations (microphthalmia, alterations of the anterior chamber, of the retina, or of the angle and cataract) and damage to the Central Nervous System are described in some subtypes of CMD (Muscle Eye Brain disease, Walker Warburg Syndrome), ocular involvement and retino-cortical conduction in merosin negative Cl-CMD are not well known. This study reports on four patients affected by merosin negative Cl-CMD. All these patients presented important alterations of the white matter associated with ventricular enlargement and, in one case, with pachygyria and micropolygyria. Refraction, visual acuity, ocular motility, anterior segment and fundus were examined. ERG Maximal, Cone and Rod response, VEP transient pattern reversal was carried out as well. Significant alterations at the standard ophthalmologic examination or of the electroretinogram responses were not registered while, in all cases, important modifications in retino cortical conduction (reduction in amplitude, increase in latency, reduction in amplitude on the lateral derivations) were observed, demonstrating involvement of the optic pathway at different levels during the course of this disease.

Merosin, the laminin alpha2 chain located on the surface of muscle fibers, has recently been shown to be absent in a subset of cases with the classical type of congenital muscular dystrophy (Cl-CMD). By immunocytochemistry and immunoblot analysis, using monoclonal antibodies to both the 80- and the 320-kDa fragments, the same protein was found to be only partially deficient in 3 of our cases. All these 3 patients were able to walk, with evidence of a mild to moderate muscle involvement, as opposed to the merosin-negative cases which are never ambulant because they are affected by severe muscular deficit. All of them also suffered from a late onset form of epilepsy, a clinical expression of brain involvement rarely described in cases with merosin-negative CMD. The 3 patients with CMD and partial merosin deficiency were investigated by brain MRI and pattern reversal visual evoked potentials (VEP) associated with electroretinography (ERG). The results were compared with those obtained by similar studies on 3 of our cases with complete merosin deficiency. In both types of patients, the neuroimaging evaluation showed supratentorial white matter changes, usually of moderate degree, irrespective of the amount of merosin detected in muscle. The VEP were normal in all the 3 cases with partial merosin deficiency, whereas they showed reduced amplitude or prolonged latency in all the 3 cases with the merosin-negative form. ERG was normal in all 6 cases. As a whole, our data indicate that leukoencephalopathy does not seem to distinguish between the two variants of Cl-CMD. On the other hand, a benign muscle involvement and normal VEP findings seem to distinguish CMD patients with partial merosin deficiency from those with complete deficiency of the same protein. Late onset epilepsy, evident in all our 3 cases with partial merosin deficiency, needs to be evaluated in a larger series of patients in order to be considered a characteristic of this variant of CMD.