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Introduction: Arterial filter is the part of the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit where blood cells are exposed to high mechanical stress and where cellular aggregates may fasten in large quantities. The aim of this study was to analyse blood cell adhesiveness in the arterial filter through scanning electron microscopy and real-time PCR assay. Methods: Prospective, clinical and observational study performed on 28 patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Arterial filters were analysed by scanning electron microscopy. Real-time PCR assay was performed in extracted material from the arterial filters for analysis of platelet GPIb and CD45 leucocyte gene expression. Blood coagulation was analysed during cardiopulmonary bypass. Patients were followed until hospital discharge or 28 days after surgery. Results: All studied arterial filters used in the subject patients showed a degree of adhesion from blood elements at scanning electron microscopy. All studied filters were positive for platelets GPIb gene expression and 15% had CD45 leucocyte gene expression. The GPIb platelet gene expression in blood lowered at the end of cardiopulmonary bypass (p = 0.019). There was negative correlation between blood GPIb platelet gene expression and Clot SR (HEPSCREEN2 ReoRox®) (rho = 0.635; p = 0.027). The filter fields count was correlated to the D-dimer dosage (rho = 0.828; p < 0.001). Conclusion: There was adhesion of blood elements, especially nucleated platelets, on all arterial filters studied. Although the arterial filter worked as a safety device, that possibly prevented arterial embolisation, it may also have caused greater hyperfibrinolysis during cardiopulmonary bypass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contamination of food by fungi can result in changes in sensory characteristics, as well as rapid reduction in quality and consequently the infeasibility of using contaminated material. In addition, contamination can pose a danger to public health, as in addition to decreasing the availability of nutrients, some fungal species can produce toxic substances. Much research has explored the use of natural resources to prevent or mitigate microbial contamination. Recovery of chemicals from many families from plants and microorganisms has been evaluated. Phenolic compounds are the most studied class on the premise that they have the capacity to inhibit endogenous and exogenous biological degradation processes. In this manuscript, we intend to emphasize the biochemical and experimental evidence of the phenolic compounds present in natural resources from the South of Brazil that have potential to be used in strategies to mitigate the consequences of fungal contamination. The crude phenolic extracts from natural resources (plant portion and microorganisms) of the Southern Brazilian region should be better exploited, to propose strategies to scale up their application in food industries because they have demonstrated an ability to inhibit fungal development without promoting stress and consequent mycotoxin production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration affects the growth and development of the rice crop. In Southern Brazil, rice is traditionally produced with continuous irrigation, implying a significant amount of water used. Besides, continuous flooding favors the uptake of toxic elements such as arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd). In this work, one Brazilian rice cultivar (IRGA 424) was tested for the effects of elevated CO2 concentration and different water regimes on rice yield, and As and Cd accumulation in grain. (2) Methods: Rice was grown in two CO2 concentrations (400 and 700 µmol mol−1) and two irrigation regimes (continuous and intermittent). It was evaluated the number of tillers, plant height, aboveground dry weight (ADW), water use efficiency (WUE), rice yield components, and As and Cd concentration in rice grain. (3) Results: Rice plants were taller and had a higher WUE when cultivated at e[CO2]. The ADW and the rice yield component were not affected by CO2 levels nor water regimes. Intermittent flood regimes had a lower average As concentration. The Cd concentration in the samples in both growing seasons and all treatments was below the limit of quantitation (8.76 μg kg−1). (4) Conclusions: Enhanced CO2 concentration did not affect rice yield, increased the WUE, and reduced As concentration in grains. Regarding water management, the intermittent regime enhanced WUE and promoted a reduction in As concentration in grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]