Infection is a leading cause of death in hemodialysis patients, partly due to dysfunctional immunity. Frequent dialysis therapy improves patient outcomes and quality of life. We hypothesize that extended home hemodialysis (EHHD) also improves immune function compared to conventional in-hospital hemodialysis (CHD); therefore, we designed a prospective matching-cohort clinical study to assess serum inflammatory markers and the functional capacity of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs) and T-lymphocytes. Serum CRP was decreased in EHHD patients suggesting that extended dialysis may decrease inflammatory solute/cytokine levels. Compared to controls, MDDCs from hemodialysis patients had similar endocytic capacity, expression of co-stimulatory molecules, and T-cell activation capacity. However, CHD was associated with the highest expression of CD83 and CD40. Activated T-cells in CHD patients also produced significantly more immunosuppressive IL-10 compared to EHHD patients and controls. Therefore, EHHD may improve immune function by decreasing inflammation, MDDC pre-activation, and synthesis of immunosuppressive cytokines.

FONTES, Claudia Patrícia Mourão Lima. Produção de oligossacarídeos pre-bióticos em suco de frutas. 2013. 119 f. : Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal do Ceará, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia – RENORBIO, Fortaleza-CE, 2013. / Submitted by demia Maia (demiamlm@gmail.com) on 2016-05-20T15:01:32Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2013_tese_cpmlfontes.pdf: 1453775 bytes, checksum: 41a991c356e68b4bdf906f873dd5281e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by demia Maia (demiamlm@gmail.com) on 2016-05-20T15:02:03Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2013_tese_cpmlfontes.pdf: 1453775 bytes, checksum: 41a991c356e68b4bdf906f873dd5281e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-20T15:02:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2013_tese_cpmlfontes.pdf: 1453775 bytes, checksum: 41a991c356e68b4bdf906f873dd5281e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Nowadays, people have been concerned with their quality of life and wellness,increasing the consumption of foods, with prebiotic oligosaccharides, which may improve the health and decrease the disease risks. In recent years, a lot of new foods have been developed with these compounds (prebiotic oligosaccharides)including the fruit juices. The aim of this work was the prebiotic oligosaccharides production in orange, pineapple and melon juices, and their spray drying.The dextransucrase, produced by L. mesenteroides NRRL B-512F, was used for enzymatic synthesis following a central composite experimental design, with sucrose and reducing sugars variation, at 30 °C/ 24h. The prebiotic juices obtained were dried by spray drying, varying the maltodextrin and arabic gum concentration (10 and 20%) and the inlet temperatures (160 and 180 °C). Pineapple, orange and melon juices showed better results when maltodextrin(20%) and the inlet temperature 180 °C were utilized. The juice powders obtained showed low water activity, moisture,higroscopicity and rehydration time. These results give better microbiology and physicochemical stability, as well as, fast preparation. There was a decrease of the antioxidant activity at all products. The fruit juices used demonstrated an excellent way to produce, by enzymatic synthesis, prebiotic oligosaccharides with high polymerization degrees. / Atualmente, a preocupação com a qualidade de vida tem aumentado a demanda por alimentos que melhorem a saúde e reduzam os riscos de doenças, dentre os quais destacam-se os oligossacarídeos pré-bióticos. Nos últimos anos, há um crescente interesse no desenvolvimento de novos produtos alimentícios contendo esses compostos, incluindo-se os sucos de frutas. Desta forma, este trabalho visou à produção de oligossacarídeos pré-bióticos em sucos de frutas e a secagem desses produtos pela técnica de spray-driyng. Para a síntese enzimática de oligossacarídeos utilizou-se a enzima dextrana-sacarase produzida pelo microorganismo L. mesenteroides B512F e realizou-se um planejamento experimental composto central, variando-se as concentrações de sacarose e açúcares redutores nos sucos, com os ensaios conduzidos durante 24h a 30°C. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que os sucos de abacaxi, melão e laranja apresentaram-se como uma excelente alternativa para a síntese de oligossacarídeos pré-bióticos com elevados graus de polimerização. Os sucos pré-bióticos obtidos das diferentes frutas submetidos ao processo de Spray Drying, no qual variaram-se os agentes encapsulantes utilizados, maltodextrina e goma arábica, assim como, a temperatura do ar de entrada (160 e 180 °C). As melhores condições de secagem dos sucos de abacaxi, melão e laranja pré-bióticos foram verificadas, ao utilizar-se 20% de maltodextrina e temperatura de 180 °C. Foram realizadas secagens dos sucos prébióticos, nas melhores condições de secagem previamente determinadas, e observou-se que os pós obtidos apresentaram baixos valores para atividade de água, umidade, higroscopicidade e tempo de reidratação, conferindo uma maior estabilidade fisico-química e microbiológica ao produto, bem como, rápido preparo. A atividade antioxidante dos sucos também foi avaliada e verificou-se uma redução neste parâmetro. Conforme os resultados obtidos, constatou-se que os sucos de abacaxi, melão e laranja são excelentes substratos para a obtenção de uma bebida pré-biótica inovadora, a apresentar-se na forma líquida para consumo imediato ou na forma desidratada, para preparo instantâneo.

Após a descrição da Urocortina 1, um neuropeptídeo encontrado principalmente no núcleo de Edinger-Westphal e no núcleo lateral superior da oliva (LSO), atentou-se para a ausência do conhecimento das projeções de ambos os núcleos. Nós pretendemos contribuir para o conhecimento das projeções ascendentes e descendentes do LSO, usando um traçador neuronal anterógrado. Nós utilizamos o Biotin-Dextran-Amine (BDA) injetado no LSO de ratos, 15 a 20 dias depois os ratos eram perfundidos, os encéfalos e medulas foram seccionados e tratados histoquimicamente. Nós encontramos que existem 4 vias eferentes do LSO, tanto ascendentes como descendentes no sistema nervoso central, como segue: duas vias ascendentes, uma ipsilateral à injeção, a mais proeminente e a via contralateral que é menos densa; duas vias descendentes, uma ipsilateral muito menos evidente, e a contralateral que é moderada. Seguindo a via ascendente ipsilateral, nós encontramos as seguintes estruturas bem marcadas com BDA: o próprio LSO, núcleo do corpo trapezóide, o lemnisco lateral e seus núcleos, colículos inferior e superior e os seguintes núcleos talâmicos: suprageniculado, geniculado medial, partes dorsal e medial e córtex somatosensorial primário. Seguindo a via descendente contralateral nós encontramos as seguintes estruturas: o LSO ipsi e contralateral, o núcleo do corpo trapezóide, núcleo coclear ventral, parte anterior, núcleo coclear dorsal, núcleo coclear ventral, parte posterior e VIII nervo. Os dados que nós encontramos neste trabalho sugerem que as vis do LSO podem se estender até o córtex somatosensorial no prosencéfalo e o complexo de núcleos cocleares no tronco, enviando colaterais para os principais núcleos relacionados a via auditiva, provavelmente contribuindo para a localização da fonte sonora, em acordo com a anatomia desta informação sensorial específica. / After the discovery of the Urocortin-1, a neuropeptide found mainly in the Edinger-Westphal nucleus and in the lateral superior olive nucleus (LSO), the attention was caught about the lack of known projections of both nuclei. We intended to contribute to the knowledge of both ascending and descending projections of the LSO, using a neuronal anterograde tracer. In order to do that we use the Biotin-Dextran-Amine (BDA) injected in the LSO of rats, fifteen to twenty days later the rats were perfused, the brains and spinal cords were cut and the sections treated histochemically. We have found that there are four pathways leaving the LSO either ascending or descending in the central nervous system, as following: two ascending pathways, one ipsilateral to the injection, the most proeminent one and the contralateral pathway that is less dense; two descending pathways, one ipsilateral, much less evident, and the contralateral that is very moderate. Tracking the ipsilateral ascending pathway we have found the following structures well labeled with BDA: the LSO itself, nucleus of the trapezoid body, the lateral lemniscus and its nuclei, inferior and superior colliculus, the following thalamic nuclei: suprageniculate, medial geniculate, dorsal and medial parts and the primary somatosensory cortex. Tracking the contralateral descending pathway we have found the following structures: the LSO ipsi and contralateral; the nucleus of the trapezoid body; ventral cochlear nucleus, anterior part; dorsal cochlear nucleus; ventral cochlear nucleus, posterior part and, the eight nerve. The data we have found in this work suggests that the pathways from the LSO could reach as far as the somatosensory cortex in the prosencephalon and the cochlear complex nuclei in the brainstem, sending collaterals to the main nuclei related to the auditory pathway, probably contributing to the localization of the sound source, due to the anatomy of this specific sensory information.

Infection is a leading cause of death in hemodialysis patients, partly due to dysfunctional immunity. Frequent dialysis therapy improves patient outcomes and quality of life. We hypothesize that extended home hemodialysis (EHHD) also improves immune function compared to conventional in-hospital hemodialysis (CHD); therefore, we designed a prospective matching-cohort clinical study to assess serum inflammatory markers and the functional capacity of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs) and T-lymphocytes. Serum CRP was decreased in EHHD patients suggesting that extended dialysis may decrease inflammatory solute/cytokine levels. Compared to controls, MDDCs from hemodialysis patients had similar endocytic capacity, expression of co-stimulatory molecules, and T-cell activation capacity. However, CHD was associated with the highest expression of CD83 and CD40. Activated T-cells in CHD patients also produced significantly more immunosuppressive IL-10 compared to EHHD patients and controls. Therefore, EHHD may improve immune function by decreasing inflammation, MDDC pre-activation, and synthesis of immunosuppressive cytokines.

As doenças inflamatórias intestinais (DII) são causadas por desequilíbrio entre as respostas imunes efetoras e reguladoras na mucosa intestinal e podem ser moduladas pelo eixo hipotálamo-hipófise-adrenal (HPA) por meio de interações neuroimunoendócrinas e secreção de cortisol. Embora os glicocorticóides (GC) sejam utilizados para tratar a DII, o cortisol produzido pelas glândulas supra-renais também está envolvido na resposta ao estresse, que pode levar a doenças inflamatórias descontroladas. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar a participação do eixo HPA na modulação da resposta imune de mucosa intestinal. Para tal, camundongos C57BL/6 foram submetidos à remoção das glândulas adrenais seguida por indução de colite pela administração de água contendo 3% de dextran sulfato de sódio (DSS). Os resultados demonstraram que a ausência das adrenais levou à maior suscetibilidade à doença e mortalidade precoce, fenômeno que não foi prevenido pela reposição de GC. Os animais adrenalectomizados com colite apresentaram níveis significativamente menores de LPS, concomitantemente ao aumento de IL-6 no soro quando comparados aos camundongos não adrenalectomizados. Além disso, os animais adrenalectomizados apresentaram menor celularidade na lâmina própria (LP), menos áreas de erosão e menor escore histopatológico associado ao aumento de IFN-? e FasL, no intestino, sem produção local compensatória de corticosterona. Houve aumento na atividade das enzimas mieloperoxidase (MPO), N- acetilglicosaminidase (NAG) e eosinófilo-peroxidase (EPO) no intestino dos animais expostos ao DSS quando comparados ao grupo de camundongos controles saudáveis, independentemente da presença do eixo HPA intacto e o tratamento com GC nos animais adrenalectomizados levou à redução significativa da atividade de MPO. Também foi observado na LP dos camundongos adrenalectomizados aumento significativo na frequência de células dendríticas tolerogênicas CD11b+CD11c+CD103+, T auxiliares (CD3+CD4+), T citolíticas (CD3+CD8+) e NKT (CD3+CD49b+), além de redução significativa da população de células dendríticas pró-inflamatórias CD11b+CD11c+CD103-, leucócitos CD11b+ e linfócitos intra-epiteliais, de maneira dependente de GC. A ausência do eixo HPA intacto levou à diminuição de leucócitos totais no baço quando comparados ao grupo com colite, relacionada principalmente à redução significativa na frequência de células NKT (CD3+CD49b+), as quais foram restauradas nos camundongos tratados com GC exógenos. Durante a exposição ao DSS houve aumento de células Th2 e Th1 no baço dos camundongos não adrenalectomizados, enquanto que a remoção das adrenais levou a notável redução na população de células T CD4 produtoras de IL-4, IL-10, IFN-? ou IL-17, com aumento de células Th17 e diminuição significativa de células Th1 no baço dos camundongos adrenalectomizados e tratados com GC. De forma interessante, houve menor acúmulo de células T reguladoras juntamente à redução na intensidade média de fluorescência (MFI) de FOXP3 em células T CD4+CD25+ do baço dos camundongos adrenalectomizados expostos ao DSS, de maneira geral dependente de GC. Por fim, esta diminuição de mecanismos reguladores foi acompanhada de menor índice de proliferação e aumento de IL-10 no sobrenadante de cultura de esplenócitos de camundongos com o eixo HPA não ii funcional, indicando que a ausência de GC endógenos pode alterar significativamente a homeostase do sistema imunológico. Juntos, nossos resultados demonstram que o eixo HPA é importante na modulação da resposta imunológica durante a colite induzida experimentalmente / Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are caused by imbalance between regulatory and effector immune responses in the intestinal mucosa and can be modulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis via neuroimmune endocrine interactions and secretion of cortisol. Although glucocorticoids (GC) are used to treat IBD, cortisol produced by the adrenals glands is also involved in the stress response, which can lead to uncontrolled inflammatory diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the HPA axis in the modulation of the immune response of intestinal mucosa. C57BL/6 mice were subjected to removal of the adrenal glands followed by induction of colitis by administration of water containing 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). The results showed that the absence of adrenals led to increased susceptibility to disease and early mortality, a phenomenon that was not prevented by GC replacement. Adrenalectomized animals exposed to DSS had significantly lower levels of LPS, concomitantly to increased IL-6 in the serum when compared to non-adrenalectomized mice. In addition, adrenalectomized animals had lower cellularity in the lamina propria (LP), less erosion areas and less histopathologic score associated with increased IFN-? and FasL in the intestine, without compensatory local production of corticosterone. There was an increase in the activity of the myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzyme, N- acetilglicosaminidase (NAG) and eosinophil-peroxidase (EPO) in the intestines of DSS-exposed animals when compared to the healthy control group of mice, regardless of the presence of intact HPA axis, while treatment with GC led to significantly reduced MPO activity. It was also observed in the LP of adrenalectomized mice significant increase in the frequency of tolerogenic dendritic cells CD11b+CD11c+CD103+, helper T (CD3+ CD4+), cytolytic T (CD3+ CD8+) and NKT (CD3+ CD49b+) besides significant reduction in the population of pro-inflammatory dendritic cells CD11c+ CD11b+ CD103-, leukocyte CD11b+ and intraepithelial lymphocytes, GC-dependent manner. The absence HPA intact carried decrease in total leukocytes in spleen when compared to the group with colitis, related mainly to significant reduction in the frequency of NKT cells (CD3+CD49b+), which were restored in the GC treated mice. During exposure to DSS there was increased Th2 and Th1 cells in the spleen of non-adrenalectomized mice, while the removal of the adrenals was associated to a marked reduction in the population of CD4 T cells producing IL-4, IL-10, IFN-? or IL-17 with increased Th17 cells and significant decrease in Th1 cells in the spleen of adrenalectomized mice treated with GC. Interestingly there was less accumulation of regulatory T cells together to a reduction in mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of FOXP3 in CD4+CD25+ T cells in the spleen of mice exposed to DSS after adrenalectomy, most dependent on GC. Finally, the decline of regulatory mechanisms was accompanied by lower rates of proliferation and increased IL-10 in the supernatant culture of splenocytes of mice with disrupted HPA axis, indicating that the absence of endogenous GC altered significantly the homeostasis of the immune system. Together, our results demonstrate that the HPA axis is important in modulating the immune response during experimentally induced colitis

The thesis deals with the study of hydrophobic domains in phase separated hydrogels. Two types of polyelectrolytes (hyaluronan, dextran) and oppositely charged surfactants (carbethopendecinium bromide, sodium dodecylsulphate ) are used. Phase separated hydrogels are formed by electrostatic interactions. The target of the thesis is to study the polarity of environment in phase separated hydrogeles by fluorescence spectroscopy. Fluorescence measurements is performed by using pyrene, Nile red and laurdane as fluorescence probes. All probes are sensitive to the polarity of the environment. The results showed that probes can be expected in the polar environment of hydrogels.

This diploma thesis deals with the preparation and characterization of negatively charged catanionic vesicular systems and their combination with selected polycations. The catanionic vesicular system was prepared by mixing of two oppositely charged surfactants SDS and CTAB. The negative charge as well as the stability of the vesicular system was provided by the incorporation of phosphatidic acid. Polycations, DEAE and TMC, have been selected for use in a pharmaceutical applications. Characterization of the prepared systems was performed by measuring DLS and ELS. The results indicate that we were able to prepare stable negatively charged vesicles that were eligible to non-covalently interact with selected polycations.

This thesis is focused on diffusion of dyes in biopolymer-based hydrogels. These hydrogels are based on interaction between biopolymer-like electrolytes with oppositely charged surfactants. When polyelectrolytes interact with oppositely charged surfactants, micelle-like nano-containers can be formed. These nano-containers are able of binding hydrophobic compounds. In this study, combination of modified dextran (diethylaminoethyl dextran) with positive charge and oppositely charged sodium dodecylsulphate as surfactant was used for preparation of hydrogels. Next type of hydrogel was based on hyaluronan and positive charged surfactant Septonex (carbethoxypendecinium bromide). As a diffusion probes in hydrogels dyes Nile red and ATTO 488 were used. The diffusion of these dyes from aqeous solutions of NaCl or surfactants into hydrogels was monitored in time. Transport of dyes into structure of hydrogels was characterized by diffusion coefficients and structural parameters of hydrogels.

No description available.

In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde systematisch der Einfluß verschiedener Volumensubstitutionstherapeutika (Ringer-Lactat, hypertone NaCl 7,5%-Lösung und hyperton -hyperonkotische Kombinationslösung) auf wiederholt gleiche Zustände künstlich herbeigeführter Hypovolämie (Entnahme von 20-25% des Blutvolumens) beim Menschen untersucht. Bei dem 7 köpfigen Probandenkollektiv wurden so an unterschiedlichen Tagen und individuell gleicher Blutmengenentnahme unterschiedlich substituiert und anschließend über einen mehrstündigen Zeitraum kardio-zirkulatorische Parameter, intravasale Volumeneffekte sowie metabolische Größen und Elektrolyte entweder direkt gemessen oder indirekt bestimmt. Abschließend erfogte die Rückgabe des entnommenen Blutes und eine mindestens 10 tägige Pause bis zum nächsten Versuchstag. Neben der exakten Quantifizierung aufgrund der standartisierten Bedingungen bei dieser homogenen Untersuchungsgruppe wurde ein Modell über die Funktionsweise der einzelnen Therapeutika entwickelt und eine Präferenz für die Gabe hypertoner Lösungen, besonders aber das hyperton-hyperonkotische Therapeutikum herausgearbeitet. Die Ergebnisse werden anhand zahlreicher Graphiken dargestellt und vergleichbar, statistisch ausgewertet und teilweise durch zusätzliche Tabellen und Abbildungen erläutert.