It was previously reported that a protein-free microemulsion (LDE) with structure roughly resembling that of the lipid portion of low density lipoprotein (LDL) was presumably taken up by LDL receptors when injected into the bloodstream. In contact with plasma, LDE acquires apolipoproteins (apo) including apo E that would be the ligand for receptor binding. Currently, apo were associated to LDE by incubation with high density lipoprotein (HDL). LDE-apo uptake by mononuclear cells showed a saturation kinetics, with an apparent K(m) of 13.1 ng protein/mL. LDE-apo is able to displace LDL uptake by mononuclear cells with a Ki of 11.5 ng protein/mL. LDE without apo is, however, unable to displace LDL. The uptake of 14C-HDL is not dislocated by increasing amounts of LDE-apo, indicating that HDL and LDE-apo do not bind to the same receptor sites. In human hyperlipidemias, LDE labeled with 14C-cholesteryl ester behaved kinetically as expected for native LDL. LDE plasma disappearance curve obtained from eight hypercholesterolemic patients was markedly slower than that from 10 control normolipidemic subjects [fractional clearance rate (FCR) = 0.02 +/- 0.01 and 0.12 +/- 0.04 h-1, respectively; P < 0.0001]. On the other hand, in four severely hypertriglyceridemic patients, LDE FCR was not significantly different from the controls (0.07 +/- 0.03 h-1). These results suggest that LDE can be a useful device to study lipoprotein metabolism.

The chronic inflammatory state in sickle cell anemia (SCA) is associated with several factors such as the following: endothelial damage; increased production of reactive oxygen species; hemolysis; increased expression of adhesion molecules by leukocytes, erythrocytes, and platelets; and increased production of proinflammatory cytokines. Genetic characteristics affecting the clinical severity of SCA include variations in the hemoglobin F (HbF) level, coexistence of alpha-thalassemia, and the haplotype associated with the HbS gene. The different haplotypes of SCA are Bantu, Benin, Senegal, Cameroon, and Arab-Indian. These haplotypes are associated with ethnic groups and also based on the geographical origin. Studies have shown that the Bantu haplotype is associated with higher incidence of clinical complications than the other haplotypes and is therefore considered to have the worst prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the profile of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-17 in patients with SCA and also to assess the haplotypes associated with beta globin cluster S (HBB(*)S). We analyzed a total of 62 patients who had SCA and had been treated with hydroxyurea; they had received a dose ranging between 15 and 25 (20.0±0.6)mg/kg/day for 6-60 (18±3.4)months; their data were compared with those for 30 normal individuals. The presence of HbS was detected and the haplotypes of the beta S gene cluster were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Our study demonstrated that SCA patients have increased inflammatory profile when compared to the healthy individuals. Further, analysis of the association between the haplotypes and inflammatory profile showed that the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were greater in subjects with the Bantu/Bantu haplotype than in subjects with the Benin/Benin haplotype. The Bantu/Benin haplotype individuals had lower levels of cytokines than those with the Bantu/Bantu haplotype and greater levels than those of subjects with the Benin/Benin haplotype. For IL-17, a slight trend toward decreased levels was observed in the subjects with the Benin/Benin haplotype, when compared to those with the Bantu/Bantu and Bantu/Benin haplotypes; however, this difference was not statistically significant. Our results show that genetic polymorphisms in sickle cell anemia are associated with the inflammatory profile.

The infradiaphragmatic section of vagi nerves at the level of the diaphragm crura causes, on the third day after surgery, a reduction of the mitotic activity in the crypts of the intestinal epithelium of the rat. Moreover there is a drastic reduction in number of the goblet cells that remain concentrated at the lower third of the villi. After the third day after vagotomy there is a tendency to normality. Sympathectomy did not affect significantly the intestinal epithelium of the rat. When both surgeries were performed together, there was no additive effect.

Measurements of refractive index and density were performed for the six binary solvent mixtures containing methanol, ethanol, 1,2-ethanediol, and 2-methoxyethanol, over the entire composition range, at 298.15 K. From these results, the excess refractive indices and the excess molar volumes were calculated and fitted to the Redlich−Kister equation.

AimThe objective of this study was to correlate laboratory tests during the evolution of dengue fever, comparing frequencies between the different clinical forms in order to use test results to predict the severity of the disease.MethodsThis is an observational, descriptive and retrospective study of 154 patients with clinical and serological diagnoses of dengue fever who, in the period from January to May 2008, were admitted in a tertiary state hospital in the city of Fortaleza that is a referral center for infectious diseases. The patients were allocated to two groups according to age: under 15 years old (n = 66) and 15 years or older (n = 88). The tests analyzed were blood count, platelet count, and serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentrations.ResultsThrombocytopenia and elevated transaminases were observed in patients with classic dengue fever. The main laboratory abnormalities found in dengue hemorrhagic fever were thrombocytopenia, hemoconcentration and elevated transaminases, similar to severe dengue with the exception of hemoconcentration. Most laboratory abnormalities started on the 3rd day but were more evident on the 5th day with restoration of values by the 11th day; this was more prominent in under 15-year-olds and with the more severe clinical forms.ConclusionThese results are relevant in assessing the disease because they can be used as markers for more severe forms and can help by enabling the adaptation of the therapeutic conduct to the needs of individual patients.