Os Poliomavírus JC e BK são os mais importantes integrantes da família Polyomaviridae, gênero Orthopolyomavirus, devido ao seu grau de patogenicidade no homem. O poliomavírus humano JC (JCV) foi isolado a partir de fragmento do cérebro de um paciente com linfoma de Hodgkin e leucoencefalopatia multifocal progressiva por Padgett e colaboradores. Já o poliomavírus humano BK foi isolado em 1971 por Gardner e colaboradores a partir da semeadura da urina de um paciente, submetido a transplante renal, em cultura de células da linhagem VERO Poucos são os dados sobre os poliomavírus humanos JC e BK em indivíduos sadios no mundo e no Brasil. Além disso, as formas de excreção e transmissão destes vírus ainda não estão completamente elucidadas. Este estudo teve como objetivos principais determinar a incidência, a dinâmica de excreção e a caracterização genotípica dos poliomavírus JC e BK em amostras sequenciais de urina de indivíduos sadios. Como objetivo secundário, foram analisados filogeneticamente os subtipos dos vírus encontrados. Foram incluídos 71 indivíduos de ambos os sexos, com idades variando entre 21 e 65 anos e destes foram coletadas amostras mensais de urina durante 6 meses. Todas as amostras do estudo foram submetidas a um teste de PCR em tempo real, que amplifica um fragmento do gene que codifica o antígeno T, e a um PCR convencional que amplifica um fragmento do gene da proteína VP1 do vírus. Ao final do período de 6 meses de acompanhamento a incidência de excreção urinária dos poliomavírus JCV e BKV na população estudada foi de 53,52% e 64,79% respectivamente. O perfil de excreção do JCV mostrou-se continuo em 42% dos casos , intermitente em 8% e esporádico em 50% dos casos. Analisando o perfil de excreção do BKV, em 80% dos casos mostrou-se esporádico, em 17% intermitente e em 3% dos casos contínuo. Posteriormente, as amostras positivas foram sequenciadas e analisadas filogeneticamente observando-se que os genótipos mais prevalentes do JCV foram o 1, subtipo 1B e 3, seguidos dos genótipos 1, subtipo 1A e 4. Com relação ao BKV, o genótipo 1, subtipo 1A foi o mais prevalente, seguido do 4 e do 1, subtipo 1B. / The Polyomavirus JC and BK are the most important members of Polyomaviridae family, genus Orthopolyomavirus, due to their degree of pathogenicity in humans. The human polyomavirus JC (JCV) was isolated from a fragment of the brain of a patient with Hodgkin\'s lymphoma and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy by Padgett et al. On the other hand the human polyomavirus BK was also isolated in 1971 by Gardner et al from the urine of a patient who underwent renal transplantation in VERO cell line. There are few data on human polyomavirus JC and BK in healthy individuals on the world and in Brazil. Moreover the forms of excretion and transmission of these viruses are not yet fully elucidated. This study aimed to determine the incidence, the dynamics of excretion, and the molecular characterization of polyomavirus JC and BK in serial samples of urine of healthy individuals. A secondary objective was to analyze phylogenetically the subtypes of the viruses found during the study. Were included 71 patients of both genders, aged from 21 to 65 yearsold. Urine samples were collected every month for six months. All samples in the study were screened by a real time PCR which amplifies a fragment of the T antigen gene, and to a conventional PCR that amplifies a fragment of the gene of VP1 protein of the virus. At the end of 6 months of follow-up, the incidence of urinary excretion of polyomaviruses BKV and JCV in the study population was 53.52% and 64.79% respectively The profile of excretion of JCV was continuous in 42% of cases, intermittent in 8% and sporadic in 50% of cases. The profile of excretion of BKV was shown to be sporadic in 80% of cases, intermittent in 17% and continuous in only 3% of cases. Subsequently, the positive samples were sequenced and analyzed phylogenetically showing that the more prevalent genotypes were JCV 1, subtype 1b and 3, followed by genotype 1, subtypes 1a and 4. Regarding the BKV genotype 1 subtype 1a was the most prevalent, followed by 4 and 1, subtype 1b.

A caracterização bioquímica da (Na+,K+)-ATPase, uma importante enzima envolvida no controle osmo-iônico nos crustáceos osmorreguladores, foi realizada a partir de centrifugação diferencial de frações microsomais do tecido branquial do siri eurialino C. danae, coletado na Baía de Ubatuba e mantido a 33o/oo de salinidade (animais recém-capturados). A ultracentrifugação da fração microsomal em um gradiente contínuo de sacarose (10-50%) revelou a presença de um único pico de atividade (Na+, K+)-ATPase, coincidente com o pico de atividade K+-fosfatase. Ambas as atividades foram inibidas completamente pela ouabaína. O Western blotting da fração microsomal apresentou uma única banda imunoespecífica contra a subunidade alfa da (Na+, K+)-ATPase, sugerindo a presença de uma única isoforma para a cadeia alfa da enzima. A hidrólise do ATP ocorreu em sítios de alta afinidade que apresentaram interações sítio-sítio (nH=3,6) com uma atividade específica V= 35,4 ± 2,1 U/mg e K0,5= 54,0 ± 4,0 nM, bem como em sítios de baixa afinidade, que obedeceram uma cinética Michaeliana, com V= 271,5 ± 17,2 U/mg e KM = 55,0 ± 3,0 uM. A estimulação da atividade da enzima pelos íons Na+ (V= 302,1 ± 14,1 U/mg e K0,5= 5,80 ± 0,3 mM), Mg2+ (V= 309,7 ± 15,7 U/mg e K0,5= 0,48 ± 0,02 mM) e K+ (V= 294,0 ± 11,8 U/mg e K0,5= 1,61 ± 0,06 mM) ocorreu através de interações sítio-sítio, enquanto a estimulação pelos íons NH4+ obedeceu a uma cinética Michaeliana com V= 377,8 ± 22,7 U/mg e KM= 4,61 ± 0,27 mM). Interessantemente, os íons NH4+ estimularam sinergisticamente a atividade específica da enzima em cerca de 90% (V= 557,0 ± 28,3 U/mg), sugerindo que esses íons se ligam em diferentes sítios na molécula. A (Na+,K+)-ATPase do tecido branquial de C. danae hidrolisou o PNFF com V= 125,4 ± 7,5 U/mg, K0,5= 1,2 ± 0,1 mM, através de interações cooperativas (nH= 1,5). Além disso, essa atividade K+-fosfatase foi inibida competitivamente pelo ATP (KI= 57,2 ± 2,6 µM), sugerindo que os dois substratos foram hidrolisados no mesmo sítio da enzima. A estimulação da atividade K+-fosfatase da (Na+,K+)-ATPase pelos íons K+ (V= 121,0 ± 6,1 U/mg; K0,5= 2,1 ± 0,1 mM), Mg2+ (V= 125,3 ± 6,3 U/mg; K0,5= 1,0 ± 0,1 mM) e NH4+ (V= 126,1 ± 4,8 U/mg; K0,5= 13,7 ± 0,5 mM) ocorreram através de interações sítio-sítio, similarmente ao observado para o ATP. A ouabaína e o ortovanadato inibiram completamente a atividade (Na+,K+)-ATPase (KI= 147,2 ± 7,2 uM; KI= 11,2 ± 0,6 nM, respectivamente). Entretanto, para a atividade K+-fosfatase os valores determinados foram significativamente superiores (KI= 830,3 ± 42,5 uM; KI= 34,0 ± 1,4 nM, respectivamente). A inibição da atividade da (Na+,K+)-ATPase por essas duas substâncias foi afetada pela presença de íons NH4+. Entretanto, o mesmo não ocorreu com a atividade K+-fosfatase da enzima. A representação de Arrhenius revelou a ocorrência de uma transição de fase próximo a 19°C, com deltaH1= 15.939 cal/mol e outra a 38°C com deltaH2= 7.719 cal/mol. Temperaturas acima de 43°C provocaram uma rápida inativação da (Na+,K+)-ATPase. Esta é a primeira demonstração da presença de um sítio de alta afinidade para o ATP na (Na+,K+)-ATPase de crustáceo. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que as atividades (Na+,K+)-ATPase e K+-fosfatase pertencem à mesma enzima e que a preparação não apresenta contaminações por outras ATPases e/ou fosfatases. Do ponto de vista fisiológico, os resultados deste trabalho são relevantes em relação à excreção ativa dos íons NH4+ pelos crustáceos. / The modulation by Mg+2, Na+, K+, NH4+ ions and ATP of the (Na+, K+)-ATPase activity in a microsomal fraction from Callinectes danae gills was analyzed. ATP was hydrolyzed at high-affinity binding sites at a maximal rate of V= 35.4 ± 2.1 U/mg and K0.5= 54.0 ± 3.6 nM, obeying cooperative kinetics (nH= 3.6). At low-affinity sites, the enzyme hydrolyzed ATP obeying Michaelis-Menten kinetics with KM= 55.0 ± 3.0 uM and V= 271.5 ± 17.2 U/mg. This is the first demonstration of a crustacean (Na+, K+)-ATPase possessing two ATP hydrolyzing sites. Stimulation by sodium (K0.5= 5.80 ± 0.30 mM), magnesium (K0.5= 0.48 ± 0.02 mM) and potassium ions (K0.5= 1.61 ± 0.06 mM) exhibited site-site interactions, while that by ammonium ions obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics (KM= 4.61 ± 0.27 mM). Ouabain (KI= 147.2 ± 7.2 uM) and orthovanadate (KI= 11.2 ± 0.6 nM) completely inhibited ATPase activity, indicating the absence of contaminating ATPase and/or neutral phosphatase activities. Ammonium and potassium ions synergistically stimulated the enzyme, increasing specific activities up to 90%, suggesting that these ions bind to different sites on the molecule and that the presence of each ion modulates enzyme stimulation by the other. The kinetic properties of a microsomal gill (Na+,K+)-ATPase were also analyzed using p-nitrophenylphosphate as substrate. The (Na+,K+)-ATPase hydrolyzed the substrate obeying cooperative kinetics (n= 1.5) at rates of V= 125.4 ± 7.5 U/mg and K0.5= 1.2 ± 0.1 mM and ATP competitively inhibited K+-phosphatase activity (KI= 57.2 ± 2.6 µM). Enzyme stimulation by potassium (V= 121.0 ± 6.1 U/mg; K0.5= 2.1 ± 0.1 mM) and magnesium ions (V= 125.3 ± 6.3 U/mg; K0.5= 1.0 ± 0.1 mM) was cooperative. Ammonium ions stimulated the enzyme through site-site interactions to a rate of V= 126.1 ± 4.8 U/mg with K0.5= 13.7 ± 0.5 mM. However, the K+-phosphatase activity was not synergistically stimulated using potassium plus ammonium ions. Sodium ions (KI= 36.7 ± 1.7 mM), ouabain (KI= 830.3 ± 42.5 uM) and orthovanadate (KI= 34.0 ± 1.4 nM) completely inhibited K+-phosphatase activity. The data show that the K+-phosphatase activity corresponds strictly to the (Na+,K+)-ATPase. This is the first invertebrate (Na+,K+)-ATPase shown to exhibit both high- and low-affinity sites for ATP hydrolysis and synergistic stimulation by potassium and ammonium ions (Masui et al., 2002). Further characterization of the K+-phosphatase activity will reveal its specific kinetic characteristics and may become a useful tool in comparative osmoregulatory studies.

Vários métodos de análise para o ensaio do quimioterápico 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) em fluidos biológicos de humanos e animais, foram previamente relatados. Considerando que a administração do 5-FU altera de alguma maneira a morfologia e função das glândulas salivares, e que a presença do quimioterápico na mucosa oral pode levar a algumas complicações orais, este trabalho teve como objetivo de determinar a presença de 5-FU na saliva de hamsters que receberam o quimioterápico pela técnica de Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência (CLAE), uma vez que este modelo animal é usado nos estudos com mucosite oral e hipofunção glandular, induzidas por 5-FU. Doze animais foram divididos em 4 grupos: CP e CPI, onde os animais receberam intraperitonealmente pilocarpina (CP) ou pilocarpina + isoproterenol (CPI) e o veículo do quimioterápico, e os grupos QP e QPI, onde os animais receberam, respectivamente, os mesmos secretagogos listados acima e o quimioterápico 5-FU. Após a administração do secretagogo, foi coletada a saliva de todos os animais, por um período de 60 min. Em seguida, a saliva foi congelada a -80 ?C para posterior determinação do quimioterápico por CLAE. Após análise dos cromatogramas, e com base nos resultados obtidos, foi possível identificar a presença do 5-FU nas amostras de saliva de hamsters que receberam o quimioterápico via intraperitoneal pela técnica da CLAE. / Various analytical methods for testing the chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in biological fluids of humans and animals have been reported previously. Whereas the administration of 5-FU alter in any way the morphology and function of the salivary glands, and that the presence of chemotherapy in the oral mucosa can lead to some oral complications, this study aimed to determine the presence of 5-FU in chemotherapy treated hamsters saliva by Liquid Chromatography High Performance (HPLC), since this animal model is used in studies of oral mucositis and gland hypofunction induced by 5-FU. Twelve animals were divided into 4 groups: intraperitoneally pilocarpine (CP), pilocarpine + isoproterenol (CPI) and the chemotherapy of the vehicle, and the QP and QPI groups where the animals were, respectively, the same secretagogues listed above and 5-FU chemotherapy. After administration secretagogue, the saliva from all animals was collected for a period of 60 min. Then the saliva was frozen at -80 ºC for subsequent determination of chemotherapy by HPLC. After analysis of chromatograms, and based on the results obtained, it was possible to identify the presence of 5-FU in Hamsters saliva samples that received intraperitoneal chemotherapy via the technique of HPLC.

Vancomycin is an antibiotic used for the treatment of systemic infections. It is given intravenously usually every twelve or twenty-four hours. This particular drug has a medium level of boundedness, with approximately fty percent of the drug being free and thus physiologically eective. A physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was used to better understand the absorption, distribution, and elimination of the drug. Using optimal parameters, the model could be used in the future to test how various factors, such as BMI or excretion levels, might aect the concentration of the antibiotic.

Levofloxacin is in a class of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones, which treat infections by killing the bacteria that cause them. A physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was developed to investigate the uptake, distribution, and elimination of Levofloxacin after a single dose. PBPK modeling uses parameters such as body weight, blood flow rates, partition coefficients, organ volumes, and several other parameters in order to model the distribution of a particular drug throughout the body. Levofloxacin is only moderately bound in human blood plasma, and, thus, for the purposes of this paper, linear bonding is incorporated into the model because the free or unbound portion of the drug is the only portion that is considered to be medicinally effective. Parameter estimation is then used to estimate the two unknown parameters given clinical data from literature on the total concentration of Levofloxacin in the blood over time. Once an adequate model is generated, the effects of varying Body Mass Index are tested for the absorption and distribution of Levofloxacin throughout the body.

No description available.

There are a number of links between the endocrine system and the nervous system. In this study, the impact of ischemic stroke on the endocrine system was investigated. Elderly volunteers were studied because data regarding the influence of advanced age on endocrine parameters were lacking. Only small differences in pituitary-thyroid and pituitary-adrenal hormone axes were found between two groups of elderly patients, 60 and 80 years of age. The 80-year-old age group had a lower thyrotropin response to thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) and a decline in dopamine excretion. Patients with acute ischemic stroke showed a pronounced hypercortisolism studied by the dexamethasone test and urine free cortisol measurements. In multiple regression analyses, postdexamethasone cortisol levels were positively correlated to proximity of the lesion to the frontal pole of the brain and disorientation. Urine cortisol levels were predicted by limb paresis, disorientation and body temperature. High cortisol excretion was associated with a worse functional outcome. Norepinephrine excretion was correlated to urine cortisol levels and to motor impairment. Patients with acute stroke had elevated free thyroxin indices. A paradoxical growth hormone response to TRH was found in the majority of stroke patients. In a multiple regression model disorientation was negatively correlated to thyrotropin response after TRH and positively correlated to prolactin response. Growth hormone response to TRH was associated with extensive paresis. In a cohort study diabetic and non-diabetic patients were prospectively studied after an initial stroke. Diabetes mellitus adversely influenced survival, the risk for a recurrent stroke and myocardial infarction. / <p>S. 1-66: sammanfattning, s. 69-190: 6 uppsatser</p> / digitalisering@umu

There have only been few investigations comparing total fluoride intake and the fluoride proportion excreted in urine in pre–school children. In addition, the results of available studies are conflicting. Total fluoride intake was assessed in 11 healthy children aged 3–6 years on 2 consecutive days and urinary fluoride excretion was determined. The duplicate–diet approach was used for the assessment of fluoride intake from solid and liquid foods. Fluoride intake from toothbrushing was calculated as the difference between the amount of fluoride in the paste put on the toothbrush and the drinking water (fluoride concentration 0.25 mg/l) used for rinsing vs. the fluoride amounts recovered in the toothpaste spat out and in the rinsing water. Use of fluoridated domestic salt and/or fluoride tablets was recorded. The children’s intake of fluoride from food averaged 202.5±116.2 μg F/day. They swallowed an average amount of 273.9±175.6 μg F/day when brushing their teeth. Daily fluoride ingestion from all sources totalled 930.7±391.5 μg or 53.0±21.4 μg/kg body weight. On average 51.5% of the fluoride ingested was excreted in urine. The wide interindividual variation makes it necessary to evaluate the urinary excretion rate for fluoride in larger study populations with varied fluoride exposure. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

Affibody® molecules are small therapeutic proteins which mimics antibody functionality. This is a report of several methods for increasing productivity and yield in recombinant production of Affibody® molecules. This literature study shows several steps in the production line which can be optimised, several novel methods for cultivating and harvesting cells and purication of proteins. There is also a section about validation of therapeutic protein production according to The International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) are presented.

Aims of this thesis were to assesed the impact of feeding, temperature of water and fish size on ammonia excretion and oxygen consumption in Clarias gariepinus in recirculating system. Fish were divided in 8 weight categories from 21 to 2495 g. Experiments were performed under four temperatures: 22°C, 25°C, 28°C and 30°C. Fish were acclimatized, light conditions were: 14 hours of light period and 10 hours of dark period. Feeding was provided fed four times a day. Starved fish were measured. Measurements were held every two hours. Oxygen consumption was measured by multimeter and ammonia excretion using Nessler?s method. Average daily oxygen consumption in fed fish was dependent on temperature and average individual weight of fish, varied from 10.5 to 96.6 mg O2/kg/h and in hungry fish from 4.3 to 61.8 mg O2/kg/h. TAN excretion varied from 0 to 59.9 mg TAN/kg/h in fed fish and from 0 to 60.8 mg TAN/kg/h in hungry fish. Oxygen consumption increased with increasing temperature. Ammonia excretion was very unstable at all temperatures in all weight categories. Fish had higher ammonia excretion in light period of experiment.