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A healthy diet is one of the pillars of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) treatment. However, the best dietary pattern and indication for specific supplementation have not been established. Our aim is to conduct a pilot study to assess the effect of an adapted cardioprotective diet with or without phytosterol and/or krill oil supplement in participants with a probable or definitive diagnosis of FH, treated with moderate/high potency statins.

Although Brachiariaspp. grasses are important components of sustainable forage–livestock systems in the Amazon biome, cultivar diversification is needed to reduce risk from pests and diseases. Brachiariahybrid ‘BRS RB331 Ipyporã’ [B. ruziziensisGerm. & Evrard × B. brizantha(Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Stapf] was released in 2017 as an alternative for intensively managed forage–livestock systems. Our objective was to compare herbage accumulation (HA), nutritive value, and organic reserves of Ipyporã and standard hybrid ‘Mulato II’ (B. ruziziensis× B. brizantha× B. decumbensStapf) under continuous stocking during 2 yr in the Amazon biome. Treatments were the two cultivars replicated four times in a randomized complete block design, and each experimental unit was 1.5 ha. Pastures of Mulato II presented ∼15% greater HA than Ipyporã (17,360 vs. 14,930 kg dry matter ha−1yr−1) across the 2 yr, and Mulato II leaf mass was greater than Ipyporã (1440 vs. 1900 kg dry matter ha−1) in the dry season. Both cultivars had greater herbage mass, HA, and herbage bulk density during the rainy season of 2016–2017 compared with 2017–2018 due to a shorter period of water deficit (30 d) and greater rainfall (2147 vs. 1762 mm) in the first than second year. Mulato II herbage crude protein was 10 g kg−1greater than Ipyporã. In this severe risk region for spittlebug, Mulato II required spittlebug monitoring and control due to occurrence of foliar damage. Although Ipyporã had lesser HA, no spittlebug damage was evident. Thus, Ipyporã is an attractive alternative for diversification of forage‐based livestock systems in the Amazon biome.

Introduction: After a kidney transplant, it is unknown whether the maintenance of a functioning hemodialysis arteriovenous access could have deleterious effects on renal grafts. We hypothesize that maintaining an arteriovenous access can deviate a significant proportion of the cardiac output from the renal graft. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a temporary closure of the arteriovenous access could lead to an increase in graft perfusion.Methods: We conducted a study in 17 kidney-transplanted patients with a functioning arteriovenous access. We evaluated, at baseline and 30 s after compression of the arteriovenous access (access flow occlusion), the hemodynamic parameters and the renal resistive index of the graft by Doppler ultrasound.Results: After arteriovenous access occlusion 82.4% (n = 14) of the patients had a decrease in resistive index. All patients had a decrease in heart rate (67 vs 58 bpm, p < 0.001) and 14 (82.4%) had an increase in mean blood pressure (98.3 vs 101.7 mm Hg, p = 0.044). There was a significant decrease in the resistive index (ΔRI) after the access occlusion (0.68 vs 0.64, p = 0.030). We found a negative correlation in Qa (r2= −0.55, p = 0.022) with the ΔRI, and Qa was an independent predictor of ΔRI in a model adjusted to pre-occlusion resistive index.Conclusion: Our results showed that temporary occlusion of an arteriovenous access causes a significant decline in renal graft resistive index and this decline is higher with the occlusion of accesses with higher Qa. These results suggest that the maintenance of arteriovenous accesses, mainly those with higher Qa, can decrease renal graft perfusion.

The objective of this study is to describe a household survey designed to examine how a population perceives leprosy and the prevalence of infection by Mycobacterium lepraein endemic municipalities in the state of Minas Gerais. This is a descriptive study in five steps: the first focuses on the criteria used for selecting the municipalities; the second is the sample calculation; the third describes the routes within each of demographic census tracts that divide the municipalities; the fourth contains the strategies used for selecting individuals in each household; and the fifth is a description of the sample, a comparison with population data for 2010 and preliminary results from the municipality of Almenara about leprosy perceptions. We concluded that the household survey is an important tool for nursing professionals working in dermatology because it allows them to experience the realities of the various populations. It also provides crucial information to support the planning of actions to be implemented mainly in primary health services. Furthermore, when used in investigations on contagious diseases, household surveys can uncover unavailable information and contribute to a better understanding of the exposure, infection, and disease processes.

A copper(ii) chiral aza-bis(oxazoline) catalyst (CuazaBox) was anchored onto ordered mesoporous silicas and their carbon replicas. The materials were characterized by elemental analysis (C, N, H, S), ICP-AES, FTIR, XPS, thermogravimetry and isotherms of N2adsorption at −196 °C. The materials were tested as heterogeneous catalysts in the reaction of cyclopropanation of styrene to check the effect of porous material type on the catalytic parameters, as well as on their reutilization. Generally, the composites were more active and enantioselective in the cyclopropanation of styrene than the corresponding homogeneous phase reaction run under similar experimental conditions. The materials pHpzcproved to be an important factor not only in the CuazaBox anchoring yields, but also in their catalytic performance. Less acidic surfaces (SPSi and CMK-3) yielded heterogeneous catalysts with higher styrene conversion and enantioselectivity. The materials could also be recycled with comparable enantioselectivities or generally a slight decrease in the enantioselectivity.

Molybdenum(II) complexes [MoX(CO)2(η3-allyl)(CH3CN)2] (X = Cl or Br) were encapsulated in an aluminium-pillared natural clay or a porous clay heterostructure and allowed to react with bidentate diimine ligands. All the materials obtained were characterised by several solid-state techniques. Powder XRD, and 27Al and 29Si MAS NMR were used to investigate the integrity of the pillared clay during the modification treatments. 13C CP MAS NMR, FTIR, elemental analyses and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption showed that the immobilisation of the precursor complexes was successful as well as the in situ ligand-substitution reaction. The new complex [MoBr(CO)2(η3-allyl)(2-aminodipyridyl)] was characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic techniques, and NMR studies were used to investigate its fluxional behaviour in solution. The prepared materials are active for the oxidation of cis-cyclooctene using tert-butyl hydroperoxide as oxidant, though the activity of the isolated complexes is higher. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)

Metallo-β-lactamase production is emerging worldwide as an important mechanism of carbapenem resistance among nonfermentative Gram-negative isolates, and this mechanism is becoming frequently observed in Brazil. This study documents the occurrence and characteristics of an epidemic SPM-1-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain in a teaching hospital located in Rio de Janeiro City, Brazil. The blaSPM-1 gene and a class 1 integron were detected in 13 isolates, representing 20% of the 65 imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates obtained from January, 2000, to August, 2001. DNA sequencing revealed that this integron carries three gene cassettes that confer resistance to antimicrobials, aacA4, blaOXA-56, and aadA7, and an orf1 encoding a putative transposase. All 13 SPM-producing P. aeruginosa isolates had closely related pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiles, designated as clonal group A, suggesting nosocomial spread of the strain. This clonal group was the same as that observed in other SPM-1-producing P. aeruginosa isolates from distinct Brazilian states. The dissemination of this clone throughout Brazil could not be explained by transfer of infected patients and/or sharing of common health-care staff. It is likely that the spread of these strains occurred indirectly via the community.

The manganese(iii) complex—carboxylate-[N,N'-bis(salicylaldehyde)cyclohexanediaminate]manganese(iii), [Mn(salhd)CH₃COO]—was encapsulated into an aluminium pillared clay (denoted as Al-WYO) using a two-step liquid phase methodology: (i) adsorption of manganese(ii) acetate in ethanolic solution within Al-WYO, followed by (ii) diffusion of N,N'-bis(salicylaldehyde)cyclohexanediamine in ethanolic solution. The new material was characterised by several techniques (ICP-AES, XPS, FTIR, UV–Vis and low temperature nitrogen adsorption) which showed that in situ synthesis of the manganese(iii) complex took place within the aluminium pillared clay porous structure.The catalytic activity of the heterogenised [Mn(salhd)CH₃COO] in the epoxidation of styrene was studied in acetonitrile, at room temperature, using iodosylbenzene or sodium hypochlorite as oxygen source. With PhIO the new heterogeneous catalyst showed high styrene epoxide chemoselectivity and could be reused at least 3 times without significant loss in styrene epoxide yield, suggesting that no complex leaching took place under the reaction conditions used. When sodium hypochlorite was used as oxidant, high selectivity in by-products was observed, as well as extensive leaching of the catalyst into solution. XPS spectra of the catalyst after the catalytic reaction confirm manganese complex leaching and also show a significant decrease in aluminium content, thus suggesting that partial damage of aluminium pillars took place in this reaction media, inducing complex leaching.

The standard (p°=0.1 MPa) massic energies of combustion Δcu° atT=298.15 K were measured by static bomb combustion calorimetry for 5-amino-6-nitroquinoline and 4-aminoquinaldine, from which the standard molar enthalpies of formation of both compounds, in the crystalline state, were derived. The standard molar enthalpies of sublimation ΔcgHm° of the same compounds were derived from the Knudsen effusion measurements of the vapour pressures as a function of the temperature.

Human herpesviruses may cause severe complications after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) such as interstitial pneumonia, encephalitis, delayed engraftment and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. A prospective survey on the incidence of primary infection or reactivation and clinical features of the eight human herpesviruses after HSCT has not yet been performed in Brazilian patients. Additionally, the impact of most of these infections on the transplant outcome is still unclear.

Recent studies suggest that higher circulating dendritic cell counts after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) may be associated with lower risk of graft versus host disease (GVHD) and mortality. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) have tolerogenic properties and may explain such results. However, only a few studies with conflicting results analyzed pDC counts in the allograft, mainly in the related HSCT setting.

Human herpesviruses may cause severe complications after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) such as interstitial pneumonia, encephalitis, delayed engraftment and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. A prospective survey on the incidence of primary infection or reactivation and clinical features of the eight human herpesviruses after HSCT has not yet been performed in Brazilian patients. Additionally, the impact of most of these infections on the transplant outcome is still unclear.Between August 2010 and December 2012, peripheral blood samples from 99 allogeneic HSCT recipients were collected weekly after transplant until day +100, totalizing 824 samples. Median age was 15 years (range: 2-72), 60% were male, and acute leukemias were the most frequent diagnosis (54%). Stem cell sources were bone marrow in 62%, umbilical cord blood in 22% and mobilized peripheral blood in 16%. Fifty–one percent of donors were related. In a semi-automated workflow, the DNA was extracted from plasma in the QIAcube robot. A test based on quantitative real-time PCR (Taqman®) was optimized to screen and quantify all known human herpesviruses (CMV, EBV, HSV1, HSV2, VZV, HHV6, HHV7 and HHV8). The PCR reactions were set up using QIAgility robot for high-precision pipetting, and have been performed in a 7900HT (Life Technologies). Infected cell cultures and plasma specimens with a known viral load/amplicon copy number have been used as controls. The limit of detection of the qPCR was 5 copies per reaction, representing 250 copies/mL of plasma for all of the viruses.The incidences of primary infection or reactivation of herpesviruses were as follows: CMV=41%, HHV6=11%, HHV8=5.5%, EBV=3%, HSV1=3%, VZV=3%, HHV7=2%, and HSV2=1%. CMV reactivation was significantly more frequent in adults (72% vs. 27% for children, p<0.0001), and in those or receiving fludarabine (60% vs. 29%, p=0.03) and TBI (68% vs. 32%, p=0.01) in the conditioning regimen, but in a multivariate analysis, only age greater than 18 years remained significant (HR 3.4, 95%CI 1.7-6.7). HHV6 reactivation was significantly more frequent after umbilical cord blood transplant than after transplant from other sources (41% vs. 6%, respectively, p<0.0001) and in those receiving TBI in the conditioning regimen (19% vs. 3%, p=0.01) and in those receiving mycophenolate mofetil as GVHD prophylaxis (22% vs. 2%, p=0.004). In a multivariate analysis, only the use of cord blood remained significantly associated with the risk of HHV6 reactivation (HR 5.7, 95%CI 1.2-26.2). CMV reactivation was associated with a higher risk of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), with a cumulative incidence at 100 days of 37% vs. 17% (p=0.02), but had no impact on the other outcomes. HHV6 reactivation had no significant impact on outcomes. HHV8 reactivation was associated with an increased risk of chronic GVHD (83% vs. 49%, p=0.001).HHV6 primary infection or reactivation is more frequent after umbilical cord blood transplantation. CMV and HHV6 primary infection or reactivation are frequent after HSCT, but had no significantly impact on the transplant outcomes, possibly due to monitoring and preemptive measures. Monitoring these viruses constitute an essential measure to improve outcomes.No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Recent studies suggest that higher circulating dendritic cell counts after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) may be associated with lower risk of graft versus host disease (GVHD) and mortality. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) have tolerogenic properties and may explain such results. However, only a few studies with conflicting results analyzed pDC counts in the allograft, mainly in the related HSCT setting.To compare pDC counts among different cell sources [umbilical cord blood (UCB), bone marrow (BM), and peripheral blood (PBSC)] and to correlate the pDC content on the graft with main HSCT outcomes.Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC: lineage negative, HLA-DR+ and CD123+) were quantified by multiparametric flow cytometry in the graft just before its infusion. Overall, 77 patients (49 male; median age 21y, range 1-74y) receiving UCB (n=26), BM (n=34) or PBSC (n=17) HSCT from unrelated (n=67) or related donors (n=10) were studied. The most common diagnosis was acute leukemia (ALL, 30 cases; AML, 22). Most patients received myeloablative conditioning regimens (n=47, 61%). Antithymocyte globulin was used in 30 patients (39%) and total body irradiation in 41 (53%). Median follow up time was 15 months (4-33).Median time to neutrophil engraftment was 19 days (range: 11-49) and 35 days to platelet engraftment (range 2-176). The median percentage of pDC on the graft was 0.20% of non erythroid nucleated cells (range: 0.02-0.67) and no differences were noticed among sources. Cumulative incidence (CI) of grade II-IV acute GVHD at 100 days was higher on patients receiving grafts with higher percentages of pDC (22% for patients with less than 0.15%pDC graft content vs. 52% for patients receiving grafts with higher counts, p=0.026). There was no impact of graft pDC content on mortality, relapse, chronic GVHD or overall survival. In a multivariate analysis, graft pDC content remains an independent risk factor for acute GVHD [HR: 3.0, CI (95%): 1.15-7.8].Higher pDC graft percentages were associated with increased risk of acute GVHD, but had no impact on non-relapse mortality or survival. The precise role of pDC on immunity after HSCT deserves further investigation and might be related not only to pDC biology itself but to the chronology of the pDC interaction with host antigens.No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.