A Predicted Mannoprotein Participates in Capsular Structure.

The yeast-like pathogen is an etiological agent of cryptococcosis. The major cryptococcal virulence factor is the polysaccharide capsule, which is composed of glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), galactoxylomannan (GalXM), and mannoproteins (MPs). The GXM and GalXM polysaccharides have been extensively characterized; however, there is little information about the role of mannoproteins in capsule assembly and their participation in yeast pathogenicity.

Influence of hesperidin and vitamin C on glycemic parameters, lipid profile, and DNA damage in rats treated with sucrose overload.

We evaluated the influence of hesperidin and vitamin C (VitC) on glycemic parameters, lipid profile, and DNA damage in male Wistar rats treated with sucrose overload. Rats were divided into six experimental groups: I-water control; II-sucrose control; III-hesperidin control; IV-VitC control; V-co-treatment of sucrose plus hesperidin; VI-co-treatment of sucrose plus VitC. We measured the levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, fasting glucose, and glycated hemoglobin (A1C).

High consumption of sucrose induces DNA damage in male Wistar rats.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the high consumption of sucrose on the levels of DNA damage in blood, hippocampus and bone marrow of rats. Male Wistar rats were treated for 4 months with sucrose (10% for 60 initial days and 34% for the following 60 days) in drinking water, and then, glycemia and glycated hemoglobin (A1C) were measured. Levels of DNA damage in blood and hippocampus were evaluated by the comet assay.

Relationship between Cardiometabolic Parameters and Elevated Resting and Effort Heart Rate in Schoolchildren.

Background: Little has been studied on heart rate and its relationship with metabolic disorders.

Objective: To identify possible association between heart rate (HR) and metabolic disorders in children and adolescents.

Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated 2.

Hyperuricemia is associated with low cardiorespiratory fitness levels and excess weight in schoolchildren.

Objective: To evaluate the possible association between hyperuricemia and cardiorespiratory fitness levels/nutritional profile, grouped into a single variable, in schoolchildren.

Method: Cross-sectional study of 2335 students from Elementary schools, aged 7-17 years of both genders, stratified by conglomerates of a municipality in Southern Brazil. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) was assessed by the 6-minute run/walk test.

Ischemic versus pharmacologic hepatic preconditioning.

Background: Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury has a significant impact on liver resection and transplantation. Many strategies have been developed to reduce the effects of ischemia-reperfusion injury, including pharmacologic and ischemic preconditioning; however, studies comparing these two methods are lacking.

Material And Methods: An experimental study was performed in a swine model.

Vitamin C intake reduces the cytotoxicity associated with hyperglycemia in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Hyperglycemia leads to the formation of free radicals and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). Antioxidants can reduce the level of protein glycation and DNA damage. In this study, we compared the levels of vitamin C intake, which is among the most abundant antioxidants obtained from diet, with the levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin (A1C), DNA damage, and cytotoxicity in prediabetic subjects and type 2 diabetic subjects.

DNA damage and cytotoxicity in adult subjects with prediabetes.

Prediabetes (intermediate hyperglycemia) is a high-risk state for diabetes that is defined by higher than normal glycemic levels that are below the level required for a diagnosis of diabetes. Prediabetes is characterized by oxidative stress, yet the associated DNA damage and cytotoxicity remain unknown to date. Therefore, we evaluated the relationship between glycemic alterations, DNA damage and cytotoxicity in the lymphocytes of individuals with pre-diabetes.

DNA damage in children and adolescents with cardiovascular disease risk factors.

The risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) is related to lifestyle (e.g. diet, physical activity and smoking) as well as to genetic factors.

Iron intake, red cell indicators of iron status, and DNA damage in young subjects.

Objective: This study evaluated the association between primary DNA damage and chromosomal damage with iron intake and red blood cell parameters of iron status in a sample of healthy children and adolescents from a low-socioeconomic community.

Methods: The level of primary DNA damage was assessed using an alkaline comet assay and the level of chromosomal damage was assessed using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay. A automated complete blood count was used to evaluate red blood cell status.

Comparison analysis of blood pressure, obesity, and cardio-respiratory fitness in schoolchildren.

Background: During childhood and adolescence, physical inactivity, excess weight, and poor nutrition are risk factors for chronic diseases, especially obesity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Early intervention can prevent the development of these complications.

Objective: To determine the presence of cardiovascular risk (obesity and hypertension) in schoolchildren and its potential interactions with cardio-respiratory fitness.

Prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases-producing microorganisms in nosocomial patients and molecular characterization of the shv type isolates.

The emergence of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-producing microorganisms in Brazilian hospitals is a challenge that concerns scientists, clinicians and healthcare institutions due to the serious risk they pose to confined patients. The goal of this study was the detection of ESBL production by clinical strains of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella sp. isolated from pus, urine and blood of patients at Hospital Universitário Santa Maria, Rio Grande Sul, RS, Brazil and the genotyping of the isolates based on bla SHV genes.

[Prevalence of the TEM, SHV and CTX-M families of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp at the University Hospital of Santa Maria, State of Rio Grande do Sul].

In this study, the distribution and prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases belonging to the TEM, SHV and CTX-M families were estimated among samples of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. at the university hospital of Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul. Over a 14-month period, 90 microorganisms were selected as likely ESBL producers.

Carbohydrate assimilation profiles of Brazilian Candida dubliniensis isolates based on ID 32C system.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the identification of 19 Brazilian C. dubliniensis based on the biochemical profile exhibited when tested by the commercial identification kit ID 32C (bioMerieux). Thirteen of the isolates were rigorously identified as C.