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The recycling of agricultural by-products to produce organomineral fertilizers and using them as soil amendments to improve soil physical and chemical characteristics is a feasible disposal solution for the sugarcane industry. This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic performance of a bio-based phosphate (P) fertilizer produced from mineral phosphates (Gafsa rock phosphate and TSP) and filter cake (FC) in two distinct soils varying in their particle sizes, namely clayey (CLY) and sandy loam (SDY). Biological tests were carried out to determine the performance of the OF for sugarcane production against commercial P sources. The addition of filter cake (+FC) was responsible for an increase in yield when compared to soils that did not receive it (−FC), yet similar sugarcane production for either soil was obtained. Phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) was ~10% higher in CLY under TSP +FC compared to phosphate rock (RPR) −FC. On the basis of our P fractionation data, the addition of FC decreased P concentrations in the more labile P fractions. Phosphorus X-rays Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) analysis indicated that even though P was predominantly associated with Fe- and Al-(hydr)oxides, application of FC led to a change in P speciation, causing a shift from Fe-bound P in the soil that did not receive filter cake into Al-bound P, and to an increase in P associated to organic compounds in the soil receiving this amendment. Our findings showed that PUE and dry matter yield of sugarcane can be increased in weathered soils when organic and inorganic P sources are combined to supply this element.

Purpose Bronchiolitis obliterans Syndrome (BOS) is a major long term complication after lung transplant. The role of Neutrophil (Neu) activation in BOS pathogenesis has been repeatedly suggested but needs to be fully clarified. Human Neutrophil Elastase (HNE) as well as complexes of alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT)/HNE are more frequently detected in BAL-f from BOS patients thus suggesting chronic Neu activation BOS. NETosis is a mechanism of Neu response to pathogens which can drive severe epithelial injury. Here, we aim to analyze possible role of NETosis in BOS by assessing number of Neu and related markers in BAL-f. Methods A total of 16 BAL samples from BOS (n° 8, 3 BOS1, 2 BOS2 and 2 BOS3) and from stable lung recipients (n°8) were included. Patients with sarcoidosis (Sarco) were used as control (n°3). The following measures were performed: BAL Neu counts; HNE, IL1beta and IL8 (ELISA); NETs (measuring HNE-DNA complexes by ELISA); AAT/HNE complexes (WB). Results NETs were measurable in all BAL samples from Tx recipients, with a not-significant trend towards higher values among BOS patients (p=0.275). Interestingly NETs levels did not correlate with Neu counts (r=0.575; p=0.143) but, limited to BOS patients, significantly correlated with IL-8 (r=0.786; p=0.028), HNE (r=0.736; p=0.028), and AAT/HNE complexes (r=0.73; p=0.05).No correlation with IL1beta levels was found. Conclusion This is the first preliminary evidence of the possibility to detect NETs in BAL-f of lung transplant recipients and, interestingly points out that NETs levels do not seem to correlate simply with Neu counts but rather with inflammation and specific Neu activation. Thus, they could potentially represent a marker of higher inflammatory state. In addition, given the evidence that NETs drive epithelial cell injury and cause EMT their significant pathogenic role in BOS can be suggested and future therapeutic strategies can be hypothesized.

Cesium 137 is present in worldwide. To evaluate its deposition in the Brazilian state of Alagoas a total of 41 samples were collected by the Geological Survey of Brazil, then processed and analyzed by gamma-ray spectrometry with hyperpure germanium detectors. The activity concentration varied from (0.3 ± 0.1) Bq/kg to (1.1 ± 0.4) Bq/kg. The present study shows that the Borborema Plateau acts as a natural barrier to rainfall, favoring the deposition of 137Cs on the local soil.

Soils exhibit a wide range of radioactive elements and, therefore, the knowledge of the radioactivity levels that the human being is exposed to is of great importance for Radiological Protection. This study aims to determine the activity concentrations of 40K, 226Ra, and 228Ra in soils of Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, to produce radionuclide concentration distribution maps to understand their occurrence, and to evaluate both the absorbed and effective doses. Sixty six samples were collected, covering all the state area, and analyzed by gamma spectrometry using a Hyperpure Germanium semiconductor detector (HPGe), with relative efficiency of 30%. The activity concentration of 40K varied from 7 to 693 Bq/kg, while 226Ra ranged from 11 to 88 Bq/kg, and 228Ra ranged from 18 to 424 Bq/kg. The absorbed dose, at 1 m above the ground, ranged from 16 to 277 nGy/h. The outdoor annual effective dose ranged from 0.02 to 0.34 mSv/year. About 80% of the samples presented radionuclide content that result in mean annual effective dose above the global. The radionuclide that contributed to the dose was 228Ra, with approximately 78% of the total dose.

Soils consist of the result of several formation factors, such as the material of origin, climate, relief, living organisms etc. The natural radioactive elements 40K, 226Ra and 228Ra are present in the mineral material as well as in the organic matters, which make up the soil and account for approximately 86% of the dose of radioactivity in humans. While several countries have conducted radiometric surveys in their territories, in Brazil, studies on radioactivity mapping in soil are scarce and mostly carried out in areas of high natural radioactivity, primarily in the Southeast region. In order to provide useful information for geological and epidemiological studies, and knowing the distribution of such elements in soils in states of other regions, it is of utmost importance, since some of them present areas with radioactive anomalies. Such a measure also contributes to building a national database to be used, among other purposes, to evaluate changes in radionuclide concentrations in soils due to human activities. This study aimed at knowing the occurrence of radionuclides 40K, 226Ra and 228Ra in soils in the State of Alagoas, located in the Northeast region of Brazil. A total of 41 samples were collected in the first 25 cm of soil, in order to represent the entire state territory. Samples of the aforementioned radionuclides were processed and analyzed by gamma spectrometry. Activity concentration ranged from (6 ± 1) Bq kg−1 to (2160 ± 81) Bq kg−1 for 40K (average of 630 ± 25 Bq kg−1), from (5.0 ± 0.4) Bq kg−1 to (63 ± 2) Bq kg−1 for 226Ra (average of 28 ± 1 Bq kg−1) and from (9.5 ± 0.5) Bq kg−1 to (157 ± 5) Bq kg−1 for 228Ra (average of 54 ± 2 Bq kg−1). While the average concentration for 226Ra agrees with the worldwide median of 35 Bq kg−1, the average values found for 228Ra and 40K were above the worldwide median (30 Bq kg−1 and 400 Bq kg−1, respectively). The maximum concentration of 40K found in the backlands in the state of Alagoas (2160 Bq kg−1) is compatible with its highest concentrations worldwide. In contrast, the coastal region and the interior of the state showed a significant difference between them regarding the concentrations of the radionuclides analyzed, probably caused by climatic and geological differences. Radiological maps were developed to show the spatial distribution of the studied radionuclide concentrations.

Muscle release of the amino acid 3-methyl-histidine (3MH) is a sensitive index of myofibrillar protein overdegradation (MPO). We hypothesized that patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) could have increased muscle release of 3MH, which in turn reflects MPO, and that serum electrolyte sodium (Na(+)) and potassium (K(+)) levels may be associated with this 3MH muscle release.Thirty-one overweight outpatients (body mass index, 27 ± 4.4 kg/m(2); 22 men and 9 women; age, 56 ± 8.7 y) with clinically stable CHF were studied. After a 24-hour meat-free diet and overnight fasting, patients underwent blood sampling from a cannulated arm vein (V) and concomitantly from the arterial artery (A) to determine plasma 3MH levels and to calculate the A-V difference. Serum levels of Na(+) and K(+) in the venous blood were determined, and the Na(+)/K(+) ratio was calculated. Ten healthy subjects who were matched for gender, age, and body mass index served as controls and underwent the same protocol as the patients with CHF.The patient group had higher arterial (P = 0.02) and venous (P = 0.005) 3MH levels but a similar A-V 3MH difference (P = 0.28) as compared with the controls. Within the CHF group, 67.7% of patients released 3MH, which resulted in a negative A-V value (P0.02 as compared with controls). In patients with CHF, the A-V 3MH difference correlated positively with the serum K(+) level (r = 0.62; P = 0.0002) and negatively with Na(+)/K(+) ratio (r = -0.55; P = 0.002). No association was found between the A-V 3MH difference and the Na(+) level.The study demonstrated the existence of MPO in resting overweight patients with CHF, thereby suggesting that low serum levels of K(+) may contribute to MPO.

The proteins in the lungs are in constant flux, undergoing degradation and resynthesis. We investigated pulmonary protein and amino acid metabolism, the biochemical basis of the remodeling process, in individuals with chronic heart failure receiving or not receiving β-blocker therapy with bisoprolol (BIS).Clinically stable rehabilitative patients with chronic heart failure, without metabolic diseases or liver/renal failure, and with a stable weight over the preceding 3 mo underwent right heart catheterization, and radial artery cannulation. Mixed central venous and arterial blood samples were drawn simultaneously to calculate the venous-arterial difference of amino acids (pulmonary uptake and release).Twenty-two patients on BIS therapy and eight not receiving BIS were analyzed. The two groups showed a net pulmonary protein synthesis (i.e., a positive value of phenylalanine [venous-arterial difference] × cardiac index product) and amino acid extraction, the rates of which were significantly lower in patients on BIS therapy. The two groups had pulmonary hypertension (mean pulmonary artery pressure19 mmHg). Pulmonary vascular resistance was 57% higher in patients not receiving BIS than in those on BIS therapy (6.65 ± 2.90 versus 4.23 ± 1.49 mmHg/L · min⁻¹ · m⁻², P0.05). Pulmonary vascular resistance correlated positively with the pulmonary extraction of total essential amino acids (r = +0.4576, P = 0.01) and leucine (r = +0.5083, P = 0.004), the most important amino acid for protein synthesis.Patients with chronic heart failure have increased rates of amino acid extraction and pulmonary protein synthesis, suggesting, at least in part, an increased rate of lung remodeling. Therapy with BIS attenuates lung metabolic abnormalities.

The very high general infection rate (IRI) observed in our Geriatric Intensive Rehabilitation Center (GIRC) led us to investigate whether patient supplementation with essential amino acids (EAAs), modulators of immuno-competence, could reduce IRI. Eighty elderly patients admitted to our GIRC (n=40; age 79.5 ± 7.71; male/female 14/26) or placebo (n=40; age 82.13 ± 6.15; male/female 13/27) were allocated to an 8 g/day oral EAAs group and were surveyed for infections (48 h from admission) over the first month of their hospital stay. The IRI was 67% for the entire population of patients, 82.5% (33/40 patients) in the placebo group and 52% (21/40 patients) in the EAA group (p0.02). When patients were divided into infection group (IG) and without-infection group (WIG), independently of post randomization allocation, the WIG had higher levels of serum albumin (p0.001), blood hemoglobin (Hb) concentration (p=0.01), dietary protein (p=0.008) calorie intakes (p=0.05) but lower serum C-reactive protein (CRP) (p0.001). The factor of CRP0.8 mg/dl and Hb ≤ 12 in females, ≤13 in males was associated 4 times and 3.6 times risk of infection, respectively, by sex. EAAs supplementation may lower the risk of infection by 30% in the rehabilitative elderly population. CRP and blood hemoglobin levels can be considered risk markers of future infection.

BackgroundIn infected lungs of the cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, opportunistic pathogens and mutated cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein (CFTR) contribute to chronic airway inflammation that is characterized by neutrophil/macrophage infiltration, cytokine release and ceramide accumulation. We sought to investigate CF lung inflammation in the alveoli.MethodsLung tissue from 14 CF patients and four healthy individuals was analyzed for numbers of effector cells, elastin and collagen concentrations, inflammatory markers and density of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Additionally, desmosine and isodesmosine concentrations were determined in 52 urine specimens from CF patients to estimate the burden of elastase activities in respiratory secretions.ResultsElastin concentration was significantly decreased and collagen significantly increased in CF alveolar tissues as compared to age-matched, healthy individuals. Elastin split products were significantly increased in urine samples from patients with CF and correlated inversely with age, indicating local tissue remodelling due to elastin degradation by unopposed proteolytic enzymes. Alveolar inflammation was also characterized by a significant cell infiltration of neutrophils, macrophages and T cells, extensive nuclear factor-κB and insulin-like growth factor-1 activation in various cell types and increased intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression, and increased numbers of myofibroblasts. Additionally, ceramide accumulated in type II alveolar epithelial cells, lacking CFTR. P. aeruginosa organisms were rarely present in inflamed alveoli.ConclusionsChronic inflammation and remodeling is present in alveolar tissues of the CF lung and needs to be addressed by anti-inflammatory therapies.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a fundamental role in angiogenesis affecting endothelial cells proliferation, migration and differentiation. Vessels-like network formation in vitro is a reliable test to study the inductive effects of ECM on angiogenesis. Here we utilized matrix deposed by osteoblasts as substrate where the molecular and structural complexity of the endogenous ECM is preserved, to test if it induces vessel-like network formation by endothelial cells in vitro. ECM is more similar to the physiological substrate in vivo than other substrates previously utilized for these studies in vitro. Osteogenic ECM, prepared in vitro from mature osteoblasts at the phase of maximal deposition and glycosylation of collagen I, induces EAhy926, HUVEC, and HDMEC endothelial cells to form vessels-like structures and promotes the activation of metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2); the functionality of the p-38/MAPK signaling pathway is required. Osteogenic ECM also induces a transient increase of CXCL12 and a decrease of the receptor CXCR4. The induction of vessel-like networks is dependent from proper glycosylation of collagens and does not occur on osteogenic ECMs if deglycosylated by -galactosidase or on less glycosylated ECMs derived from preosteoblasts and normal fibroblasts, while is sustained on ECM from osteogenesis imperfecta fibroblasts only when their mutation is associated with over-glycosylation of collagen type I. These data support that post-translational glycosylation has a role in the induction in endothelial cells in vitro of molecules conductive to self-organization in vessels-like structures.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has been correlated to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in few series, but characteristics and outcome of these patients remain undefined.We analyzed 156 previously untreated consecutive HCV-positive patients with DLBCL observed between 1994 and 2004 in three major institutions from northern Italy.Median age at presentation was 63 years and 8% of patients had DLBCL transformed from low-grade lymphomas. Spleen was the most frequently involved extranodal site, followed by liver and stomach. Treatment was delivered with cure-intent in 132 patients, while the remaining 24 patients received monochemotherapy or radiotherapy alone due to old age or seriously impaired hepatic function. Only five patients (4%) had to discontinue chemotherapy due to severe liver function impairment. The addition of rituximab did not seem to affect patients' tolerance to treatment. Five-year overall survival of the entire cohort was 72%, while 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) of the 132 patients treated with cure-intent was 51%. Hepatitis B virus co-infection, advanced Ann Arbor stage and nodal origin of the tumor resulted the strongest adverse prognostic factors.Patients with HCV-positive DLBCL share distinctive clinical features. Future studies should prospectively evaluate the association between HCV and aggressive lymphomas.

The aim of the present article is to review the efforts performed in the past two decades by numerous research groups for the development of methods that allow a correct diagnosis of prolidase deficiency (PD), a rare autosomal recessive disorder and for the rationalization of a possible therapeutic intervention on these patients. In particular, the interest of the reader is focused on the application of capillary electrophoresis (i) for the detection of biological markers that reflect the pathological feature of the disease and (ii) for the determination of the efficiency of a carrier system in delivering prolidase inside cells in a possible therapy based on enzyme replacement.

Aquilani R, Viglio S, Iadarola P, Guarnaschelli C, Arrigoni N, Fugazza G, Catapano M, Boschi F, Dossena M, Pastoris O. Peripheral plasma amino acid abnormalities in rehabilitation patients with severe brain injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2000;81:176-81. Objective: Acute severe brain injury causes an increased mobilization of amino acids from tissue. The plasma amino acid profile of patients undergoing rehabilitation after brain injury is unknown. This study was aimed at delineating the plasma amino acid profile of rehabilitation patients with brain injury. Design: Peripheral plasma aminogram, lactate, pyruvate, glycerol, ketone body, and carnitine concentrations were determined in 11 patients with brain injury (34.6 ± 15 years old, 60 ± 16.8 days after injury) and in 8 controls. Resting energy expenditure and nitrogen balance were also determined. Results: (1) All essential amino acids and about 50% of nonessential amino acids were significantly lower in brain injury patients than in controls ( p p Conclusions: Rehabilitation patients with brain injury may have an important reduction of their plasma aminogram. Muscle tissue depletion and the persistence of a hypercatabolic state caused by subclinical infections, pressure sores, and immobility may contribute to this reduction. © 2000 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

The presence in urine of desmosine (DES) and isodesmosine (IDES), two crosslinked amino acids unique to the elastic fiber network, can be used as a specific indicator of degradation of mature elastin. Compared to methodologies so far available, the capillary electrophoretic technique reported here seems to be suitable and convenient for determining desmosines in urine of patients affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). By using 35 mM sodium tetraborate pH 9.3 containing 65 mM SDS as the background electrolyte, the peaks of DES and IDES could be detected in hydrolyzed urine samples from controls and patients. Owing to the simultaneous determination of endogenous urinary creatinine used as appropriate internal standard, the amount of these amino acids could be accurately quantified. The results obtained were of the same order of magnitude as the data already reported in the literature for COPD patients. Thus micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) may be considered as a reliable technique for studying the turnover of the elastic fiber in clinical conditions.

Prolidase deficiency is a severe disorder characterized by massive excretion of metabolites with closely related structures. At present, micellar electrokinetic chromatography is the separation method which provides the highest selectivity of structurally similar solutes. However, the structure of a surfactant can greatly affect the selectivity of separation depending on factors such as the length of hydrophobic alkyl chain or the nature of the hydrophilic group. Here we investigated the effect of three non-ionic and four anionic detergents for obtaining the best separation conditions for resolving imidodipeptide mixtures. The effect on resolution of variables such as temperature, surfactant concentrations and organic solvents was also examined. The greatest resolution was obtained at the lowest temperature studied (10 degrees C) using 50 mM sodium borate, pH 9.3 containing 50 mM pentanesulfonate and 10% (v/v) methanol. Under these experimental conditions almost all excreted components were baseline separated and identified.

Division of Biology and Genetics, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy b Institute of Dermatological Sciences, Fondazione Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli, Regina Elena, IRCCS, Milano, Italy Department of Dermatology, University of Brescia and Azienda Ospedaliera Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy U.O. Genetica Medica, Policlinico Sant’Orsola-Malpighi, Universita’ di Bologna, Bologna, Italy UOC Clinica Medica, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e Scienze Specialistiche, Universita’ Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy f Emergency Medicine Department, S. Maria degli Angeli General Hospital, Pordenone, Italy Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical Genetics, Niguarda Ca’ Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy h Institute of Legal Medicine, Department of Neuroscience, Universita’ Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy Ospedale L. Sacco, Milano, Italy Genetica Medica, Universita’ di Pavia e Fondazione, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Italy Dipartimento di Pediatria, Universita’ di Padova, Padova, Italy Dipartimento di Biochimica A. Castellani,Universita’ di Pavia, Pavia, Italy