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This study investigated consumers' perceptions of adding bee pollen to bread. An attitude questionnaire composed of 48 statements related to "general health," "light products," "natural products," "salty products," "food as a reward," "pleasure," and "food neophobia" was answered by the participants, who indicated their level of agreement with each statement according to a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from (1) "totally disagree" to (5) "totally agree." A check-all-that-apply (CATA) questionnaire was also employed to characterize 12 visual stimuli. The creation of stimuli was carried out using a factorial design, resulting in 12 images of bread. Three clusters of consumers were identified, each associating positive attributes with stimuli containing bee pollen, regardless of the health claim, while negative attributes were associated with stimuli without added pollen. The main positive drivers of liking were "I would buy," "attractive," "pleasant color," "healthy," "light," and "natural." On the other hand, the negative drivers of liking were "unattractive," "I don't like it," "I wouldn't buy," "hard," and "unpleasant color." This study provides valuable information for developing healthier bread using natural ingredients with bioactive compounds, such as bee pollen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a difficult-to-treat inflammatory skin disease with a high impact on patients' quality of life. Dupilumab, an IL-4 and IL-13 inhibitor, was the first monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe AD and is currently approved in patients aged 6 or older. This is a nationwide, multicenter, retrospective, 48-week study designed by the Portuguese Group of AD to assess real-world efficacy and safety of dupilumab for the treatment of AD. A total of 169 patients were enrolled, with a mean disease duration of 22.75 (±11.98) years. The percentage of patients achieving an improvement of at least 75% in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) compared to baseline (EASI75 response) at weeks 12 and 48 was 67.6% and 74.1%, respectively. In the same timepoints, 25.0% and 44.1% achieved an EASI90 response. Patient-reported outcome measures also improved throughout the study period. Regarding safety, 32.0% of the patients developed adverse events, with conjunctivitis (26.6%), persistent facial erythema (4.7%), and arthritis/arthralgia (3.6%) as the more frequently reported. Data from real-world populations are crucial to guide clinicians in their daily decisions. This study provides data demonstrating that dupilumab is an effective and safe therapeutic option for AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retiform purpura and extensive skin necrosis as the single manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 infection (a) Lateral aspect of the right thigh and (b) lateral aspect of the left thigh. gl Retiform purpura in COVID-19 has been exclusively described in critically ill patients with multisystemic severe disease.4-6,8,9 In this case, retiform purpura with extensive skin necrosis was the presenting and single manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 infection, with no pulmonary or additional impairment. The patient in this manuscript has given written informed consent to the publication of their case details. [Extracted from the article]

Isolation and expression of effector genes encoding proteins secreted by plant-parasitic nematodes into a host can be helpful in improving the understanding of parasitic interactions. In this study, calreticulin, a highly conserved Ca-binding and multifunctional protein, and beta-1,4-endoglucanase, a cell wall-degrading enzyme, both known to be secreted from oesophageal gland cells and injected through the nematode stylet into host tissue, were analysed. Full-length cDNAs from calreticulin ( crt) and beta-1,4-endoglucanase ( eng) with an estimated size of 1549 and 1342 bp, respectively, were isolated from the root-lesion nematode Pratylenchus goodeyi (Pg) by RT-PCR and RACE techniques. Pg-crt and Pg-eng cDNAs were characterized in silico, and their expression assessed by semi-quantitative PCR in nematodes exposed to a chemical stress provided by a Solanum nigrum extract showing nematicidal activity. It was demonstrated that the plant extract down-regulated the levels of Pg-crt mRNA, whereas the transcripts of Pg-eng mRNA held steady. This extract also affected nematode behaviour towards the roots since the number of nematodes that reached and penetrated the roots diminished when the exposure time rose. These observations indicate that the nematicidal compounds present in the plant extract were effective as a signal to influence the infection success of P. goodeyi in vitro and it might be tested against other phytoparasitic nematodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of molecules have been shown recently to be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of immunoglobulin ( Ig)A nephropathy ( IgAN). Among these, we have selected C4d (complement lectin pathway involvement), CD3 ( T cell marker, traducing interstitial inflammation), transglutaminase 2 ( TGase-2, involved in tissue fibrosis development) and p-extracelluar-regulated kinase ( ERK)1/2 (protein kinase intracellular signaling molecule) to perform a panel of immunohistological biomarkers and assess its predictive value for disease progression. Immunohistochemical staining of these biomarkers was performed in paraffin sections from 74 renal biopsy cases with the clinical diagnosis of IgAN. Association between score analysis of these parameters and disease course was assessed through univariate and multivariate analysis, including baseline clinical and histological data. Univariate analysis showed that glomerular C4d, tubulointerstitial TGase2 and CD3 scores were associated with baseline proteinuria and disease progression. Multivariate analysis showed that only baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (e GFR), C4d and CD3 were associated independently with progressive kidney disease (decline of at least 50% in the e GFR or progression to end-stage renal disease ( ESRD) during the follow-up period). Establishing an accurate prediction model for IgAN progression is still a matter of research in clinical nephrology. The complement system, particularly lectin pathway activation, and T cell activation, have been shown previously to be potential modifiers of the disease course. Here we show that the combination of two histological biomarkers ( C4d and CD3) can be a powerful predictor of IgAN progression and a potential useful tool for the clinical approach of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Campylobacter species are the leading cause of acute bacterial diarrhea in industrialized countries. However, bacteremia is detected in <1% of patients with Campylobacter enteritis and is most likely to occur in patients who are immunocompromised or of older age. To our knowledge, only 2 cases of Campylobacter jejuni bacteremia have been reported in renal transplant recipients ( RTRs). We present a case of an RTR with C. jejuni bacteremia presenting as self-limiting diarrhea followed by fever and cellulitis. The patient was successfully treated with a 2-week course of imipenem and developed no other complications. We review all cases of Campylobacter bacteremia in RTRs, and discuss clinical presentation and treatment of this potentially fatal disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To compare oral health status between renal transplant recipients ( RTRs) receiving tacrolimus ( Tac) or everolimus ( ERL) as immunosuppressive therapy. Design This study is a cross-sectional study. Methods Thirty-six RTRs receiving Tac and 22 RTRs receiving ERL were included in the study. Age, gender, time since transplant and pharmacological data were recorded for both groups. Oral health status was assessed through the evaluation of teeth, periodontal parameters as well as saliva flow rate and p H. Results RTRs receiving ERL were older than those receiving Tac. No differences were found between groups concerning oral hygiene habits, oral symptoms, smoking habits, unstimulated and stimulated saliva flow rate and p H, clinical attachment level or the number of decayed, missing and filled teeth. However, RTRs receiving ERL presented lower visible plaque index and lower values for bleeding on probing when compared to RTRs receiving Tac. In addition, RTRs receiving ERL presented a gingival index varying from normal to moderate inflammation whereas RTRs receiving Tac presented a gingival index varying from mild to severe inflammation. Conclusions RTRs receiving ERL have lower periodontal inflammation when compared to RTRs receiving Tac. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erectile dysfunction ( ED) is a highly prevalent disease whose aetiology is mostly vasculogenic. It is nowadays considered a marker of future cardiovascular events reflecting the underlying endothelial dysfunction, the common link with the metabolic syndrome (MetS). The recent association between MetS, endothelial dysfunction and peripheral artery disease, but not with coronary artery disease ( CAD), suggests that the pathophysiologies of CAD and peripheral artery disease may be distinct. Moreover, several recent studies support an emerging role for an imbalance of angiogenic growth factor levels like Angiopoietin 1 and 2 in cardiovascular disease, considering its intimate association with chronic low-grade inflammation. We aim to find a correlation between Angiopoietins levels and systemic and local endothelial function in MetS and ED patients. Forty-five MetS patients with ED were enrolled. ED severity was assessed by International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire ( IIEF5) and penile duplex Doppler ultrasound ( PDDU). Endothelial function was assessed by Peripheral arterial tonometry ( PAT), and serum asymmetric dimethylarginine ( ADMA), Ang1 and Ang2 levels. Obesity and hypertension were the most frequent MetS parameters (91.1 and 88.9% respectively). Severe ED was present in 35.6% of patients. Penile haemodynamic was impaired in 77.5%. Endothelial dysfunction ( PAT criteria) was present in 40.9% of patients. Ang2 levels were significantly higher in men with abdominal obesity. We observed an inverse correlation between Ang1 and peak systolic velocity, and in patients with penile arterial dysfunction, Ang1 levels were significantly higher and Ang2/Ang1 ratio significantly lower, than patients with normal arterial function. Neither ADMA nor PAT parameters were correlated with ED severity evaluated by IIEF5 or PDDU exam. In conclusion, there is an imbalance of angiopoietins in MetS and ED patients. The absence of correlation with PAT or ADMA levels suggests that angiopoietins may be early markers of endothelial dysfunction in this population of higher cardiovascular risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental conditions in Madeira Island are favorable for the presence and dissemination of the pinewood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. Five hundred Pinus pinaster wood samples were collected in several forest areas and PWN was detected in 22.8 % of the samples. Bursaphelenchus xylophilus isolates from Madeira Island displayed the species-specific diagnostic characters. A morphological variation in the female tail terminus was detected. In most females, the tail presented a broadly rounded terminus and, occasionally, a digitate terminus with a terminal nipple-like extension resembling a mucro. PCR ITS-RFLP analysis revealed that Madeira Island isolates exhibited patterns specific to the species B. xylophilus and similar to virulent isolates. Amplified ITS regions were further sequenced and no genetic diversity was found for this genomic region among 17 Portuguese isolates (Madeira Island and Continental Portugal). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Portuguese isolates grouped with isolates from China, Korea and one isolate from Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C. Carvalho, I. Ferreira, S. Gaião, S. Guimarães, R. Costa, J. Santos, S. Sampaio, M. Bustorff, G. Oliveira, M. Pestana. Cerebral coccidioidomycosis after renal transplantation in a non-endemic area. Transpl Infect Dis 2010: 12: 151–154. All rights reserved Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection caused by Coccidioides species endemic to the desert south western United States. In healthy people, manifestations range mainly from asymptomatic to mild influenza-like syndrome. In immunosuppressed patients, extrapulmonary dissemination is common. We report the case of a patient with a parenchymal central nervous system lesion. This presentation is considered very rare. The highest risk of infection after solid organ transplantation occurs during the first year. Risk factors include treatment of acute rejection. In the reported case, the infection was probably donor-derived, as our patient had no history of traveling to endemic areas. Mortality is high among transplanted recipients with coccidioidomycosis, particularly those with disseminated infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors present a case of urinary infection by a non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) species, Mycobacterium gordonae, in a renal transplant recipient. A 29-year-old female patient had persistent sterile pyuria after her second kidney transplant. An NTM, M. gordonae, was isolated, and the patient was started on antituberculous treatment, with resolution of leukocyturia. Ureteral stenosis with hydronephrosis and deterioration of allograft function was diagnosed later on and, despite the introduction of intraureteral catheter and resolution of hydronephrosis, there was no recovery of baseline renal function. She ultimately resumed dialysis after a severe pyelonephritis. The authors discuss the problems of establishing diagnosis of infection (versus colonization) by NTM and highlight the difficulty of treating these infections, especially because of the possible interaction with immunosuppressant agents, facilitating anti-allograft immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Kidney transplant (Tx) restores renal filtration, although it does not achieve the function of two native kidneys, and with time it may variably involute back to chronic renal failure. We hypothesized that bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) might highlight differences for body compartments among Tx with different filtration rates, and we compared them with healthy controls. Methods: 38 Tx patients (25 males, 13 females) were studied at 75.9 ± 37.8 months postsurgery and divided into three groups: good creatinine clearance (CrCl, ml/min/1.73 m2; > 65.0), borderline (35.0 < CrCl < 60.0) and bad (CrCl < 35.0). BIA was assessed three times in a year. Total body water, extracellular water (ECW), intracellular water (ICW), Na:K exchange rate (Nae:Ke) and phase angle were studied. Healthy (n = 11) and hemodialysis (n = 11) groups were also studied. Results: BIA showed no differences between healthy controls and good Tx while both borderline and bad Tx presented a significantly higher ECW and lower ICW than either good Tx or normal controls. Only good CrCl was different from predialysis. Conclusions: A good kidney graft manages to restore and maintain normal body composition, even with potential disturbances brought about by steroids and cyclosporine. With mild renal dysfunction a change in body compartments was observed, moving towards the composition of that with chronic renal failure patients. Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The occurrence of complementary functions in sodium transport between the intestine and the kidney was suggested to occur when the renal function is immature or compromised and jejunal dopamine has been implicated in this renal-intestinal cross-talk. The jejunal sodium transport was not previously evaluated in the nephrotic syndrome. Methods: We examined the jejunal Na+,K+-ATPase activity and the role of dopamine in puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) and HgCl2-induced nephrotic syndrome rat models. Results: In both nephrotic syndrome rat models, the jejunal Na+,K+-ATPase activity was reduced during greatest sodium retention and ascites accumulation (PAN nephrosis, day 7; HgCl2 nephrosis, day 14), whereas during enhanced sodium excretion and ascites mobilization the jejunal Na+,K+-ATPase activity was increased in HgCl2 nephrosis (day 21) and was similar to controls in PAN nephrosis (day 14). In both PAN- and HgCl2-induced nephrosis, the jejunal aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) activity, the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of jejunal dopamine, did not differ from controls. In addition, the jejunal Na+,K+-ATPase activity was not sensitive to inhibition by dopamine (1 μM) in both experimental groups throughout the study. Conclusions: In the nephrotic syndrome the jejunal Na+,K+-ATPase activity may respond in a compensatory way to changes in extracellular volume, through dopamine-independent mechanisms. Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension is one of the main side-effects of long-term therapy with ciclosporin. However, the influence of salt intake on the 24-h mean blood pressure of patients with psoriasis treated with ciclosporin is not known.To evaluate, in patients with psoriasis, the sodium sensitivity of the ciclosporin-induced rise in blood pressure.The 24-h ambulatory blood pressure was evaluated in 13 patients with psoriasis (age range 20–57 years) in two phases, before (phase I) and after the completion of 4 months of therapy with ciclosporin 3 mg kg−1 daily (phase II). In both phases, the patients were studied in conditions of low sodium (LS) intake followed by a high sodium (HS) diet.Twenty-four-hour mean± SD blood pressure during LS and HS intake was, respectively, 86·3 ± 1·6 mmHg and 85·5 ± 1·8 mmHg during phase I, and 88·5 ± 1·5 mmHg and 91·8 ± 2·2 mmHg (P < 0·001 vs. phase I, HS;P < 0·05 vs. phase II, LS) during phase II. The median (interquartile range) sodium sensitivity index was greater during phase II than during phase I:− 0·0028 (− 0·0071 to 0·0009) vs. 0·0065 (– 0·0055 to 0·0258) (P < 0·02). The plasma levels and the daily urinary excretion of noradrenaline did not differ between phases I and II.The ciclosporin-induced rise in blood pressure is sodium sensitive. It is also suggested that sympathetic activation is not involved in the pathogenesis of ciclosporin-induced rise in blood pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Renal dopamine exerts natriuretic and diuretic effects by activating D1-like receptors. Uninephrectomy results in increased renal dopaminergic activity and dopamine-sensitive enhanced natriuresis. Methods: The present study evaluated renal adaptations in sodium handling and the role of dopamine in rats submitted to ¾ nephrectomy: right nephrectomy and excision of both poles of the left kidney (¾nx rats). Results: Two weeks after surgery the absolute urinary levels of dopamine were markedly reduced in ¾nx rats whereas the urinary dopamine excretion per % of residual nephrons was significantly increased in the remnant kidney of ¾nx rats. The Vmax values for renal aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of renal dopamine, were decreased in ¾nx rats. Renal catechol-O-methyltransferase activity, the enzyme responsible for the methylation of dopamine, was increased in ¾nx rats whereas the renal activities of monoamine oxidases A and B did not differ between ¾nx and Sham animals. Volume expansion (5% body weight) resulted in similar natriuretic responses in ¾nx and Sham rats. During D1 antagonist administration (Sch-23390, 30 μg·h–1·kg–1) the natriuretic response to volume expansion was reduced in ¾nx rats more pronouncedly than in Sham animals. Conclusion: The decrease in absolute renal dopamine output in ¾nx rats is related with reduced renal synthesis and enhanced O-methylation of the amine. However, this is accompanied in ¾nx rats by increased renal dopamine excretion per residual nephrons and dopamine-sensitive enhanced natriuresis. Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present report addresses the status of the renal dopaminergic system activity in patients afflicted with different renal disorders and in the remnant kidney of uninephrectomized (UNX) rats, based on the urinary excretion of l‐DOPA, dopamine and amine metabolites. In renal transplant recipients with good recovery of graft function (group 1, n=11), the daily urinary excretion of DOPAC, but not that of HVA, was found to increase progressively throughout the first 12 days post‐transplantation from 698±57 nmol in the first day to 3498±414 nmol on day 9, and then remained constant until day 12. This resulted in a 6‐fold increase in the urinary DOPAC/dopamine ratios. In renal transplant recipients with acute tubular necrosis (group 2, n=8), the urinary levels of dopamine, DOPAC and HVA were ∼30% of those in group 1. In a group of 28 patients with chronic renal parenchymal disorders, the daily urinary excretion of l‐DOPA, free dopamine and dopamine metabolites (DOPAC and HVA) correlated positively with the degree of deterioration of renal function (P<0.01). However, the UDopamine/l‐DOPA and UDOPAC/Dopamine ratios in patients with chronic renal insufficiency were found to be similar to those observed in patients with normal renal function. In 14 IgA nephropathy (IgA‐N) patients with near normal renal function, the changes in 24 h mean blood pressure when going from 20 to 350 mmol/day sodium intake correlated negatively with the daily urinary excretion of dopamine (r2=0.597, P<0.01). The urinary excretion of l‐DOPA and dopamine in IgA‐N patients with salt‐sensitive (SS) blood pressure was lower than in salt‐resistant (SR) patients (P<0.05), irrespective of their daily sodium intake. However, the rise in urinary dopamine output during salt loading (from 20 to 350 mmol/day) was greater (P<0.05) in IgA‐N SS patients (21.2±2.5% increase) than in SR patients (6.3±1.4% increase). Fifteen days after the surgery, uninephrectomy (UNX) in the rat was accompanied by an enhanced (P<0.05) urinary excretion of dopamine (36±3 vs 26±2), DOPAC (124±11 vs 69±6) and HVA (611±42 vs 354±7) (nmol/g kidney/kg body weight). This was accompanied by an increase in Vmax values for renal aromatic l‐amino acid decarboxylase in the remnant kidney of UNX rats (P<0.05). Sch 23390, a D1 dopamine receptor antagonist, produced a marked reduction in the urinary excretion of sodium in UNX rats, whereas in sham‐operated rats the decrease in urinary sodium did not attain a significant difference. It is concluded that the study of the renal dopaminergic system in patients afflicted with renal parenchymal disorders should address parameters other than free urinary dopamine, namely the urinay excretion of l‐DOPA and dopamine metabolites (DOPAC and HVA). It is also suggested that in SS hypertension of chronic renal parenchymal diseases, renal dopamine produced in the residual tubular units may be enhanced during a sodium challenge, thus behaving appropriately as a compensatory natriuretic hormone. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The present study evaluated the activity of jejunal Na[sup +]-K[sup +]-ATPase and its sensitivity to inhibition by dopamine in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats during low (LS), normal (NS) and high (HS) salt intake. Basal jejunal Na[sup +]-K[sup +]-ATPase activity in SHR on LS intake was higher than in WKY rats. Jejunal Na[sup +]-K[sup +]-ATPase activity in WKY rats, but not in SHR, on LS intake was significantly reduced (20% decrease) by dopamine (1 µM) and SKF 38393 (10nM), but not quinerolane (10 nM), this being antagonized the D[sub 1] receptor antagonist (SKF 83566). Changing from LS to NS or HS intake in WKY rats increased basal jejunal Na[sup +]-K[sup +]-ATPase activity and attenuated the inhibitory effect of dopamine. In SHR, changing from LS to NS or HS intake increased basal jejunal Na[sup +]-K[sup +]-ATPase activity. Basal renal Na[sup +]-K[sup +]-ATPase activity in SHR on LS intake was similar to that in WKY rats and was insensitive to inhibition by dopamine. Changing from LS to NS or HS intake in WKY rats increased basal renal Na[sup +]-K[sup +]-ATPase activity without affecting the inhibitory effect of dopamine. In SHR, changing from LS to NS or HS intake failed to alter basal renal Na[sup +]-K[sup +]-ATPase activity. It is concluded that inhibition of jejunal Na[sup +]-K[sup +] ATPase activity by D[sub 1] dopamine receptor activation is dependent on salt intake in WKY rats, and SHR animals fail to respond to dopamine, irrespective of their salt intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recovery of renal function in renal transplant recipients is accompanied by an enhanced ability to synthesize dopamine (DA), which may contribute to maintain sodium homeostasis. Patients suffering from chronic renal parenchymal disease, a well-recognized form of salt sensitive (SS) hypertension, have a reduced ability to produce DA that correlates well with deterioration of renal function. In patients afflicted with IgA nephropathy, but normal renal function, urinary excretion of DA correlated positively with BP responses to changes from 200 to 20 mmol/day salt intake. In black salt resistant (SR) normotensives (NT) and SR hypertensives, under low salt intake (40 mmol/day), but not SSNT and SS-HT, the saline infusion induced increments of DA and DOPAC urinary excretion correlated significantly with increments of sodium urinary excretion and sodium fractional excretion. Patients afflicted with heart failure (HF) have a reduced delivery of L-DOPA to the kidney, accompanied by an increase in DA/L-DOPA urinary ratios. This suggests that HF patients have an increased ability to take up or decarboxylate L-DOPA. Sodium restriction resulted in a significant decrease in urinary L-DOPA, DA and DOPAC in HF patients, suggesting that the system responds to sodium. It is concluded that activity of renal dopaminergic system may be altered in SS subjects, despite the level of their BP, and an enhanced delivery of L-DOPA to the kidney may be beneficial in edema formation states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background.Although intrarenal dopamine is known to behave as an endogenous natriuretic hormone the role of the renal dopaminergic system in the sodium handling of nephrotic oedema remains unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

BACKGROUND: The urinary excretion of free dopamine has been used as an index of the renal synthesis of amine. However, it is now well recognized that in the kidney, newly-formed dopamine is significantly inactivated through deamination to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) by monoamine oxidase (MAO). The aim of the present study was to assess the renal dopaminergic system activity during the recovery of renal function in kidney transplant recipients and to assess which parameters are appropriate for the evaluation of renal amine synthesis under these conditions. METHODS: Twenty-four-hour urinary excretion of L-DOPA, dopamine and its metabolites (DOPAC; 3-MT; HVA) were continuously monitored in 19 renal transplant recipients from the first day of surgery until the twelfth day post-transplantation. RESULTS: In 11 patients (Group 1), renal function consistently recovered throughout the study (plasma creatinine levels decreased from 6.2 +/- 0.4 to 2.1 +/- 0.1 mg/dl). Eight patients presented with acute tubular necrosis (Group 2) and minimal renal function was maintained until the twelfth post-operative day. The urinary excretion of L-DOPA did not differ throughout the study between the two groups of patients. In contrast, the 24-h urinary levels of dopamine, DOPAC and HVA were significantly higher throughout the study in patients of Group 1: dopamine (Group 1, 179 +/- 26 to 422 +/- 51 nmol/24 h; Group 2, 25 +/- 3 to 57 +/- 13 nmol/ 24 h), DOPAC (Group 1, 698 +/- 57 to 3487 +/- 414 nmol/ 24 h; Group 2, 158 +/- 22 to 1014 +/- 193 nmol/24 h) and HVA (Group 1, 13,058 +/- 1199 to 20,387 +/- 1559 nmol/ 24 h; Group 2, 4140 +/- 848 to 15,219 +/- 1037 nmol/24 h). CONCLUSIONS: The recovery of renal function in renal transplant recipients is accompanied by an enhanced ability to synthesize dopamine and inactivate it to DOPAC and HVA. It is suggested that the urinary levels of DOPAC may be a useful parameter for the assessment of dopamine formation in renal tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The effect of culture temperature on the morphogenetic response of Arachis hypogaea was studied. Cotyledons were cultivated on MS medium supplemented with 110 µ M 6-benzyladenine. Leaf explants were cultivated in the presence of the same growth regulator at 22 µ M. Cultures were incubated at temperatures of 25, 28, and 35±5° C. Both direct organogenesis from cotyledons and development of organogenic calluses from leaves showed optimal rates at 35±5° C. The highest frequency of elongation of buds into shoots from leaf-derived calluses occurred in the presence of 5 µ M AgNO3. At the best culture temperature, an average of 95% of shoots formed roots on growth-regulator-free MS medium. Plants were successfully transferred to soil, showing normal phenotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-one-year-old patient with no relevant prior clinical conditions came to the clinic due to an emergency regarding the tooth 1.3 which presented a crown-root fracture caused by an aggression, the tooth was previously intact. Due to the fracture configuration to position the clamp on the tooth 1.3 the mucoperiosteum was detached distally from the 1.1 and mesially from the 1.4 so that the clamp could be grasped directly to the bone. After direct pulp capping with calcium hydroxide and applying glass ionomer, the fragment was attached using dental adhesive and heated composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work consists of the study of metallic concentration (Mn, Fe, Cu, Co, Ni, Cr, Zn and Pb) in aquatic sediments from areas affected by coal processing and steel industry activities in the Baixo Jacul Region, Rio Grande do Sul State. Sediments samples were collectedin the Taquara and Conde streams, near coal mining areas, and in theJacui River, in front of and downstream of two coal-fired power stations and a steel industry. Total, sequential and partial extractions were applied to the sediment samples and the two last methods are compared to evaluate the efficiency of the procedures in the metal extractions. The accuracy of the studied methods, applied in the certifiedreference material (STSD4 CANMET) and in the sediment samples were evaluated by comparing total metal concentrations with the sum of the five fractions obtained by the sequential extraction. The geochemicaldistribution of the studied metals in different sediment components permitted a better evidence of anthropogenic contamination origin. The results revealed high percentage of Fe in the oxidizable phase in the Taquara stream site, indicating the contamination of sediments by pyrite. High percentage in this fraction was also observed for Co, and, in lesser intensity, for Pb and Cu, suggesting association of these elements to sulfide. In Jacui River, an accumulation process of Cu,Co, Cr, Ni and Fe in sediments was revealed. These elements are probably originated from the activities of steel industry, coal-fired power production and coal wastes disposal. The comparison between the procedures of sequential and partial extractions showed differences of mobility for the majority of the studied elements. Except for Mn, allthe other elements showed that the sum of the mobile phases of the sequential extraction was greater than the results obtained in the partial extraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]