Leukocyte metabolism in obese type 2 diabetic individuals associated with COVID-19 severity

Recent studies show that the metabolic characteristics of different leukocytes, such as, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and macrophages, undergo changes both in the face of infection with SARS-CoV-2 and in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) condition. Thus, the objective of this review is to establish a correlation between the metabolic changes caused in leukocytes in DM2 and obesity that may favor a worse prognosis during SARS-Cov-2 infection. Chronic inflammation and hyperglycemia, specific and usual characteristics of obesity and DM2, contributes for the SARS-CoV-2 replication and metabolic disturbances in different leukocytes, favoring the proinflammatory response of these cells. Thus, obesity and DM2 are important risk factors for pro-inflammatory response and metabolic dysregulation that can favor the occurrence of the cytokine storm, implicated in the severity and high mortality risk of the COVID-19 in these patients.

Effects of the Hofmeister series of sodium salts on the solvent properties of water

The solvent features of water (solvent dipolarity/polarizability, π*, hydrogen bond donor acidity, α, and hydrogen bond acceptor basicity, β) were examined in aqueous solutions of Na₂SO₄, NaF, CH₃COONa, NaCl, NaBr, NaI, and NaClO₄ at concentrations of each salt from 0 to 1.0 M (up to 2.0 M for NaClO₄). The solvent features of water in solutions of different concentrations for each salt were found to be linearly related as π* = z + aα + bβ. The coefficients of this relationship were suggested to represent the signature of the salt effect on the solvent features of water. The normalized distances for each salt were calculated using glucose as a reference compound. These distances may be used as the relative measures of the salt-water interactions. It is demonstrated that the distances for all salts examined are interrelated with structural water entropies and static polarizabilities of anions. It is shown that the distance may be used as a measure of the relative effects of salts on precipitation of ferric oxide, excessive chemical potential of propanol in salt solutions, surface tension, and viscosity. The distance represents the relative measure of the salt effect on the solvent features of water in a salt solution. The examples presented confirm that the approach used does enable us to characterize the differences between the effects of salts in the Hofmeister series on the properties of water.

Epicardial fat thickness correlates with P-wave duration, left atrial size and decreased left ventricular systolic function in morbid obesity

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Epicardial fat (EF) is increased in obesity and has important interactions with atrial and ventricular myocardium. Most of the evidence in this scenario can be confused by the presence of comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia, which are very common in this population. The influence of EF on atrial remodeling and cardiac function demands further investigation on morbidly obese without these comorbidities.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We prospectively recruited 20 metabolically healthy morbidly obese and 20 normo-weights controls. The maximum P-wave duration (PWD) was analyzed by 12-lead electrocardiogram. Left atrial diameter (LAD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and EF thickness (EFT) were evaluated by two-dimensional echocardiography. The mean of maximum PWD and LAD were significantly larger in the obese group as compared to the control group: 109.55 ± 11.52 ms × 89.38 ± 11.19 ms and 36.12 ± 3.46 mm × 31.45 ± 2.64 mm, (p < 0.0001). The mean LVEF was lower in the obese group: 63.15 ± 4.25% × 66.17 ± 3.37% (p < 0.017). The mean EFT was higher in the obese group: 7.72 ± 1.60 mm × 3.10 ± 0.85 mm (p < 0.0001). A positive correlation was found between EFT and PWD (r = 0.70; p = 0.001) and LAD (r = 0.667; p = 0.001). An inverse correlation was found between EFT and LVEF (r = -0.523; p = 0.001). In a multiple multivariate regression analysis the EFT remains correlated with LAD and LVEF.

CONCLUSIONS

In a select group of morbidly obese, the excess of EF had a significant impact on atrial remodeling and cardiac function.

Modal interferometer based on hollow-core photonic crystal fiber for strain and temperature measurement

In this work, sensitivity to strain and temperature of a sensor relying on modal interferometry in hollow-core photonic crystal fibers is studied. The sensing structure is simply a piece of hollow-core fiber connected in both ends to standard single mode fiber. An interference pattern that is associated to the interference of light that propagates in the hollow core fundamental mode with light that propagates in other modes is observed. The phase of this interference pattern changes with the measurand interaction, which is the basis for considering this structure for sensing. The phase recovery is performed using a white light interferometric technique. Resolutions of +/- 1.4 microepsilon and +/- 0.2 degrees C were achieved for strain and temperature, respectively. It was also found that the fiber structure is not sensitive to curvature.

Wobbles and other kink-breather solutions of the sine-Gordon model

We study various solutions of the sine-Gordon model in (1+1) dimensions. We use the Hirota method to construct some of them and then show that the wobble, discussed in detail in a recent paper by Kälberman, is one of such solutions. We concentrate our attention on a kink and its bound states with one or two breathers. We study their stability and some aspects of their scattering properties on potential wells and on fixed boundary conditions.

Absorption-line-locked fiber laser for gas-sensing applications

An absorption-line-locked fiber laser based on the selection and conversion of a gas absorption line into a highly stable intracavity transmission narrowband filter is demonstrated. The laser has attractive properties for gas-sensing applications due to its frequency stability and multiwavelength selection capability.

All-fiber Mach-Zehnder curvature sensor based on multimode interference combined with a long-period grating

A novel Mach-Zehnder interferometer based on a fiber multimode interference structure combined with a long-period fiber grating (LPG) is proposed. The multimode interference is achieved through the use of a MMF section spliced between two single-mode fibers, with a length adjusted to couple a fraction of light into the cladding modes. A LPG placed after the MMF couples light back into the fiber core, completing the Mach-Zehnder interferometer. This novel configuration was demonstrated as a bending sensor.

Optical flowmeter using a modal interferometer based on a single nonadiabatic fiber taper

A novel in-fiber modal interferometer is presented that is based on a nonadiabatic biconical fused taper that couples light between the cladding and the core, combined with the Fresnel reflection at the fiber end. It is observed that the returned light from this fiber structure shows a channeled spectrum similar to that of a two-wave Michelson interferometer. The application of this device as a fiber optic flowmeter sensor is demonstrated.

Optical inclinometer based on a single long-period fiber grating combined with a fused taper

A new concept to measure rotation angles based on a fiber-optic modal Mach-Zehnder interferometer is demonstrated by using a nonadiabatic taper cascaded with a long-period fiber grating. Information about the magnitude of the rotation angle can be obtained from the measurement of the interference pattern visibility, and under certain conditions it is also possible to obtain the sign of the rotation angle from the induced phase variation in the fiber interferometer.

Intensity-referenced and temperature-independent curvature-sensing concept based on chirped fiber Bragg gratings

An intensity-referenced temperature-independent curvature-measurement technique that uses a smart composite that comprises two chirped fiber Bragg gratings is demonstrated. The two gratings are embedded on opposite sides of the composite laminate and act simultaneously as curvature sensors and as wavelength discriminators, enabling a temperature-independent intensity-based scheme to measure radius of curvature. Also, the system's performance is independent of arbitrary power losses that are induced in the lead fibers to the sensing head. It is demonstrated that the measurement range depends on the relative positions of the chirped fiber Bragg gratings and on their spectral bandwidths. By using two chirped fiber Bragg gratings with bandwidths W1 = 2.8 nm and W2 = 3.7 nm and with central wavelengths at lambda 01 = 1560.3 nm and lambda 02 = 1563.7 nm, we obtained a resolution of 1.6 mm/square root of Hz for the measurement of the radius of curvature (approximately R = 350 mm) over the measurement range 190 mm < R < infinity.

Simultaneous determination of curvature, plane of curvature, and temperature by use of a miniaturized sensing head based on fiber Bragg gratings

We present what we believe to be a novel miniaturized sensor configuration based on fiber Bragg gratings for simultaneous measurement of curvature and temperature in smart structures and composite materials. Because of the particular geometry of the sensing head, it is possible not only to measure the radius of curvature but also to determine the plane of curvature. We arrange three Bragg gratings in the vertices of the smallest equilateral triangle that can be defined by the cross sections of the fibers. The set is then inserted into a glue-filled capillary stainless-steel tube to provide both suitable protection for the Bragg sensors and rotational symmetry to the sensing head. This tube also ensures isolation from axial strain, allowing for the additional determination of temperature. The proposed sensing head is particularly well suited for applications in smart structures because it can be embedded along any layer of a composite material (including the neutral line) without special concern for the relative orientation of the Bragg gratings and the composite layers. We can also use this sensing configuration to implement more-sophisticated sensors dedicated, for example, to the measurement of multiaxial acceleration or flow and temperature.

Fiber Bragg grating-based self-referencing technique for wavelength-multiplexed intensity sensors

An amplitude-phase-conversion self-referencing technique for intensity-modulated photonic sensors that uses two different-wavelength fiber Bragg gratings is presented. With this technique, the system response has been demonstrated to be almost unafffected by network power variations as high as 90% of the total power launched by the source. We prove the multiplexing capability of this type of self-referenced fiber sensor by wavelength-division multiplexing two of them in a star network. A tunable fused biconical wavelength-division multiplexer is used for sensor addressing at the detection block, providing both good isolation and low cross-talk values.

Combined interleukin-12 and topical chemotherapy for established Leishmaniasis drastically reduces tissue parasitism and relapses in susceptible mice

The efficacy of the association of paromomycin sulfate (PA) with recombinant (r) interleukin (IL)-12 was investigated by topical treatment of BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania major that displayed fully developed cutaneous lesions. Although healing was observed in PA-treated groups, lesions recurred in 100% of these animals 70 days after treatment. In contrast, lesions were absent in a high proportion of PA- and rIL-12-treated mice 120 days after treatment. The PA/rIL-12-treated mice had a switch in cytokine response, from high IL-4 and low interferon (IFN)-gamma levels to low IL-4 and high IFN-gamma levels, and reductions in parasite load, dissemination of parasites, and inflammation. Thus, the association of rIL-12 to topical chemotherapy for leishmaniasis may be an important strategy for increasing cure rates and decreasing the incidence of relapse.

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C prevalence among blood donors and HIV-1 infected patients in Florianópolis--Brazil

Information is scarce on the prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) among voluntary blood donors and patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Florianópolis, Brazil. A total of 2,678 serum samples from 2,583 blood donors and 95 HIV-infected patients, collected between April, 1994, and March, 1995, were examined for markers of HBV and HCV. All the samples were analyzed to detect HBV and HCV markers (HBsAg, anti-HBc, and anti-HCV). Hepatitis B and C prevalence among the studied blood donors reached 9.3% and 1.0%, respectively; 0.7% being seropositive for HBsAg and 9.2% for anti-HBc. It was also verified that 0.1% of blood donors were seropositive for HBsAg alone, 8.6% seropositive for the anti-HBc alone, and 0.6% presented a positive reaction for both of the HBV markers studied. Among HIV-infected patients, prevalence of 69.5% and 54.7% for hepatitis B and hepatitis C, respectively, were observed. Of these patients, 18.9% were seropositive for HBsAg, and 66.3% for the anti-HBc. The prevalence of a reaction for HBsAg alone, and for anti-HBc alone was 3.1% and 50.5%, respectively, for HIV-infected patients, whereas 15.8% were seropositive for both of the studied markers. HBV and HCV coinfection was 0.1% in blood donors, and 40% of those patients tested seropositive for HIV. Results show prevalence of HBV and HCV infection to be significantly greater among HIV-infected patients than among blood donors. These observations confirm the high frequency of HIV-infected patients exposure to these other viruses.

[Phlebotominae (Diptera: Psychodidae) of Lagoas, a city of Buriticupu, Amazonia of Maranhão. I. The richness and relative abundance of the species in an area of recent colonization]

In this study the diversity of the species and relative abundance of the sand flies in the Amazonian community of Lagoas, in Buriticupu, Maranhão State, was determined. The study consisted of adult sandflies captured with CD light-traps, Shannon-trap and manual aspiration tube, between 18 PM and 6 AM, once a month, from December/95 to January/97, in a forest fragment and in the domestic environment (peri and intra). In all, 9,393 specimens were captured (4,302 males and 5,140 females) distributed among 38 species (1 Brumptomyia and 37 Lutzomyia). The diversity and abundance of species was higher in the forest, followed by the peri and intra. The predominance in the wild ambient is a consequence of the potentialities found in the remaining fragments of the forest which have survived the lumber yard exploitation and agricultural activities. In the forest environment Lutzomyia whitmani (64.9%), L. migonei (27%) and L. serrana (3.6%) were the most frequent species. In the peri and intra domicile L. evandroi predominated (55.4% and 97.9%). The species, L. whitmani (33.4%) and L. migonei (6.4%), were important in the peri domicile. The peridomestic habit of 7.7% of the sand flies showed the greatest epidemiologic importance, due to the existence of patients with leishmaniasis ulcers, who believe they were infected near their habitations.

Demodulation of fiber bragg grating sensors based on dynamic tuning of a multimode laser diode

Dither demodulation of fiber Bragg grating sensors illuminated with multimode light from laser diodes is theoretically and experimentally investigated. Quasi-static temperature and strain sensitivities of 0.09 degrees C/ radical Hz and 0.6 microepsilon/ radical Hz are obtained. We show that it is possible to measure small ac signals that lie outside the feedback loop bandwidth by using a synchronous detection referenced to twice the dither frequency. In this situation, dynamic strain sensitivity of 3.3 n(epsilon)/ radical Hz is achieved.

Spatial structures of the bradykinin potentiating peptide F from Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivoris venom

Bradykinin potentiating peptides usually show two different activities, potentiation of bradykinin and inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). Exceptions of this rule have been found suggesting that both effects occur independently. This study of peptide F by means of NMR spectroscopy shows clearly two different main conformations of the molecule. These different conformations may be the reason for the different activities.

Demodulation scheme for fiber bragg grating sensors based on active control of the spectral response of a wavelength division multiplexer

We present a closed-loop technique for measuring wavelength shifts associated with fiber Bragg gratings by using a fused biconical wavelength division multiplexer (WDM). The spectral response of the WDM is actively tuned by stretching of the coupling region to maintain a fixed coupling ratio at the reflected Bragg wavelength. The closed-loop operation allows sensitivities usually associated with a highly selective WDM to be obtained without compromising the measurement range. A simple theoretical model is presented together with experimental results for temperature and strain measurements.

Isolation and properties of a new kallikrein inhibitor from Tityus serrulatus venom

The kallikrein inhibitor-peptide content of Tityus serrulatus scorpion crude venom was purified by Sephadex G-50 and Sephadex G-25 fine gel filtration chromatographies, followed by two steps of reverse-phase column on HPLC. The isolated inhibitor peptide was homogeneous in its N-terminal and partial amino acid sequence, showing a molecular weight of 4.489 Da by mass spectrometry and amino acid analysis. The peptide was tested with rat plasma and urine kallikrein, which resulting in an inhibition with similar affinity to both enzymes, showing an IC50 of 14.3 microM after 13 and 8 min, respectively, using kininogen as substrate on the isolated guinea-pig ileum bioassay. The porcine pancreatic kallikrein showed after 10 min an IC50 value of 12.6 microM with H-D-Val-Leu-Arg-pNA HCl as substrate. In addition, the isolated peptide significantly inhibited porcine pancreatic kallikrein with values in the range of apparent or absolute calculated peptide Ki = 2.5 microM. The inhibitor was heat resistant and stable at pH values less than 5.

[Comparative study of American tegumentary leishmaniasis between childhood and teenagers from the endemic areas Buriticupu, Maranhao and Corte de Pedra, Bahia, Brazil]

A comparative study on children aged 0-15 years, with American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL), in the endemic regions of Buriticupu (MA) and Corte de Pedra (BA), whereby 214 cases were detected between 1982 and 1993, 78 (36.4%) of them originated from Corte de Pedra and 136 (63.6%) from Buriticupu. In Corte de Pedra, most cases were observed in patients aged between 0-5 years. Twenty nine (37.2%) cases; 62% of those were male. In the Buriticupu region, 88 (64.7%) cases occurred in patients of 11-15 years of age, where in 73.8% consisted of male. In both researched regions, brunetts were predominant, with a ratio of 65.4% in Corte de Pedra and 75% in Buriticupu. Twenty six (33.3%) children in the village of Corte de Pedra were farmers, predominantly male (57.7%), generating statistical significance (chi 2 = 11.21). Twenty one (80.8%) farmers were aged 11-15 years. Thirty seven and a half per cent of the children from Buriticupu were students, however, 41 (30.2%) were farmers, representing 39 (44.3%) cases; all of them male. Both in Buriticupu and Corte de Pedra, the unique wound was predominant, corresponding to 57.7% and 53.7%, respectively. The wounding time stood out from one to three months, with 45 (69.2%) cases in Corte de Pedra and 73 (61%) in Buriticupu (chi 2 = 11.82). As to the wound locations, it has been observed that they were most constantly present on the lower limbs, with 77.2% in Corte de Pedra and 58.9% in Buriticupu (chi 2 = 27.9). The cutaneous case mostly found in Corte de Pedra was the ulcerous one (91%). IDRM was positive in 61 (78.2%) children originated from Corte de Pedra, wherein no statistical difference was detected between age ratio and positivity of the test (chi 2 = 0.0669).

Isolation: analysis and properties of three bradykinin-potentiating peptides (BPP-II, BPP-III, and BPP-V) from Bothrops neuwiedi venom

In the course of systematic investigations on low-molecular-weight compounds from the venom of Crotalidae and Viperidae, we have isolated and characterized at least three bradykinin-potentiating peptides (BPP-II, BPP-III, and BPP-V) from Bothrops neuwiedi venom by gel filtration on Sephadex G-25 M, Sephadex G-10 followed by HPLC. The peptides showed bradykinin-potentiating action on isolated guinea-pig ileum, for which the BPP-V was more active than of BPP-II, and BPP-III, rat arterial blood pressure, and a relevant angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) competitive inhibiting activity. The kinetic studies showed a Ki of the order of 9.7 x 10(-3) microM to BPP-II, 7 x 10(-3) microM to BPP-III, and 3.3 x 10(-3) microM to BPP-V. The amino acid sequence of the BPP-III has been determined to be pGlu-Gly-Gly-Trp-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro-Glu-Ile-Pro-Pro, and the amino acid compositions of the BPP-II and BPP-V by amino acid analysis were 2Glu-2Gly-1Arg-4Pro-1Ile and 2Glu-2Gly-1Ser-3Pro-2Val-1Ile, with molecular weight of 1372, 1046, and 1078, respectively.

[Tumor form of encephalic schistosomiasis: presentation of a case surgically treated]

The involvement of the central nervous system in the Schistosomiasis mansoni is uncommon and in the literature exist few reports in relation this occurrence in the brain, in that the schistosoma eggs, usually promote a granulomatous reaction that remember an expansive tumour. A patient, male sex, from São Vicente de Ferrer (MA), 27 years old, had a tumour in the cerebellum, that had surgical therapy. Later histological studies of the cerebellar material of the patient, demonstrated an extensive granulomatous reaction around schistosoma eggs. The granulomatous reaction present different stages of evolution, since degenerative necrosis to organization granulomatous reaction. This is the first report from Maranhão (Brazil). The evolution of the patient was characterized for incoordination of members and trembling.

Isolation, characterization and biological properties of two kinin-like peptides (peptide-S and peptide-r) from Scaptocosa raptoria venom

Two peptides with kinin-like biological properties were isolated by chromatography on a Sephadex G-10 column followed by high-performance liquid chromatography, from the venom of the spider Scaptocosa raptoria. The isolated peptides (peptide-S and peptide-R) were shown to cause contraction on the isolated guinea-pig ileum at amounts equivalent to those shown by bradykinin. Both peptides relaxed the isolated rat duodenum, increased the capillary permeability, caused decreasing and biphasic effect of the arterial blood pressure in conscious rats and induced oedema in the rat paw. The peptides had activity and structural similarities to other peptides (kinin-like) isolated from venoms. The complete amino acid analysis gave peptide-S a structure with 36 amino acid residues and peptide-R 22 amino acid residues. The mol. wts were estimated to be in the range of 4000 and 2870, respectively.

[Anopheles (Culicidae, Anophelinae) and Malaria in Buriticupu-Santa Luzia, pre-Amazonic Maranhao]

Seven species belonging the subgenus Nyssorhyncus were found. Anopheles (N.) darlingi, the principal vector of human malaria, was the most abundant (53.1%) followed by A. (N.) evansae (21.0%, A. (N.) triannulatus (17.4%) e A. (N.) nuñeztovari (4.8%). The others, A. (N.) argyritarsis. A. (N.) oswaldoi and A. (N.) rangeli, were less frequently found, representing only 3.7% of the total sample. The anophelines were most frequent in both the extra (51.7%) and peridomiciles (45.7%). The intradomicile was visited by some specimens of the A. (N.) darlingi and A. (N.) evansae (active in both the rain and dry seasons, especially in the former, when the malaria reached high levels of transmission.

Cloning and sequence analysis of a Bothrops jararaca cDNA encoding a precursor of seven bradykinin-potentiating peptides and a C-type natriuretic peptide

A 1.8-kb cDNA clone was isolated from a Bothrops jararaca venom gland cDNA library that encodes a 256-aa precursor for bradykinin-potentiating peptides (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors) and a C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP). The seven bradykinin-potentiating peptides are aligned tandemly after the hydrophobic signal peptide sequence, followed by a putative intervening sequence and a CNP at the C terminus. Northern blot analysis indicated the predominant expression of a 1.8-kb mRNA in the venom glands as well as in the spleen and the brain. Two lower intensity mRNA bands of 3.5 kb and 5.7 kb also hybridized to the cDNA clone. Radioimmunoassay for the CNP was performed using the antiserum against rat CNP. The presence of CNP immunoreactivity was detected in the low molecular weight fraction of the Bothrops jararaca venom.

Analysis of the reflective-matched fiber Bragg grating sensing interrogation scheme

A technique for the demodulation of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors based on the use of a second wavelength-matched FBG receiver to track wavelength shifts from the FBG sensor is analyzed, particularly regarding its sensitivity as determined by primary noise sources. Numerical and experimental results show that there is an optimum Bragg wavelength difference between the two FBG's that maximizes the sensitivity for this demodulation technique.

Isolation and characterization of a bradykinin potentiating peptide (BPP-S) isolated from Scaptocosa raptoria venom

Venom of the spider Scaptocosa raptoria was fractionated by chromatography on Sephadex G-10 followed by HPLC, and a bradykinin potentiating peptide, BPP-S, was obtained in pure form. The amino acid sequence of this undecapeptide is presented. Peptide BPP-S significantly potentiates the effects of bradykinin on smooth muscle, and inhibits the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in vitro.

Structure and effects of a kinin potentiating fraction F (AppF) isolated from Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus venom

The contractile action of bradykinin on isolated smooth muscles is known to be potentiated by special peptides isolated from snake venoms and other animal sources. A fraction F (AppF) has been derived from Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus venom. This fraction does not increase the depressor effect of bradykinin n blood pressure, potentiates the action of bradykinin on isolated guinea-pig ileum and prolongs the duration of relaxation in isolated rat duodenum. This fraction was able to inhibit the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II in vitro. The primary structure of this decapeptide is given.

Polarization-induced noise in a fiber-optic Michelson interferometer with Faraday rotator mirror elements

Faraday rotator mirror elements have been used in a number of applications as compensators for induced birefringence in retracing paths. In interferometric systems, such as the fiber-optic Michelson interferometer, this approach proved to be useful in providing maximum fringe visibility and insensitivity to the polarization state of light injected into the interferometer. However, it is found that, when the characteristics of the fiber coupler depend on the polarization state of the input beam, the efficiency of the Faraday mirror elements is limited. Theoretical analysis and experimental results in support of this statement are presented.

Isolation and properties of a T-kininogenase from bovine erythrocyte membranes

A kininogenase from bovine erythrocyte membranes has been purified 140-fold by affinity chromatography on pepstatin A-Agarose followed by ion exchange chromatography on CM Cellulose. The purified enzyme showed an apparent molecular weight of 31,000 daltons as measured by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Its pH optimum is 7.5, and it was totally inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor, phenylmethyl-sulfonylfluoride, aprotinin, pepstatin, and dithiotreitol, suggesting the presence of a disulfide bond(s) whose integrity is(are) essential for maintaining the native three-dimensional structure. The referred enzyme was able to release kinin from a substrate partially purified from rat plasma. The kininogenase was activated by Zn2+, Ca2+, and cysteine-HCl.

Peptide T, a novel bradykinin potentiator isolated from Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom

A bradykinin-potentiating peptide was isolated and characterized from venom of the scorpion Tityus serrulatus by chromatographic techniques followed by biological assays. The complete amino acid sequence (13 residues) of peptide is presented. The peptide potentiated the contractile activity of bradykinin on the isolated guinea-pig ileum, and inhibited the hydrolysis of bradykinin by angiotensin-converting enzyme from B. jararaca plasma and the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II by kininase II from guinea-pig ileum tissue. The peptide also increased the depressor effect of bradykinin on arterial blood pressure in the anaesthetized rat.

Capillaria hepatica: a cause of septal fibrosis of the liver

Fine, long, fibrous septa were observed as a late change developing in the acinar zone III of the liver of rats experimentally infected with the helminth Capillaria hepatica. Hepatic septal fibrosis begun 30 days after inoculation of embryonated eggs into the stomach of rats and became clearly evident from the 40th day onwards. Experimental observation was undertaken for 170 days. Septal fibrosis increased progressively with time and was most marked when the parasitic nodules formed around larvae, disintegrating worms and eggs were involving. Septal fibrosis of the liver has not been previously recognized as a manifestation of hepatic capillariasis. The presence of sequestered parasite antigens, probably being slowly released within the liver, appears to be a major factor in the pathogenesis of hepatic septal fibrosis observed in rats with C. hepatica infection.

Antivenom and biological effects of ar-turmerone isolated from Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae)

A potent antivenom against snakebite was isolated from Curcuma longa, a plant commonly used in traditional Brazilian medicine. The fraction consisting of ar-turmerone neutralized both the hemorrhagic activity present in Bothrops jararaca venom, and the lethal effect of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom in mice. Immunological studies demonstrated that this fraction also inhibited the proliferation and the natural killer activity of human lymphocytes.

Isolation of a bradykinin-potentiating factor from scorpion Tityus serrulatus venom

A bradykinin-potentiating factor was isolated and characterized from the scorpion Tityus serrulatus venom by chromatographic techniques and reverse phase followed by biological assays. This factor showed to be able to potentiate the contractile activity of the isolated guinea-pig ileum, inhibited the angiotensin-converting enzyme and potentiated the bradykinin-induced lowering of the arterial blood pressure in the rat.

A new bradykinin-potentiating peptide (peptide P) isolated from the venom of Bothrops jararacussu (jararacuçu tapete, urutu dourado)

Several bradykinin potentiators were identified in the venom of Bothrops jararacussu by chromatographic techniques and biological assays. One of them which was isolated inhibited the angiotensin-converting enzyme in vitro and potentiated the bradykinin-induced lowering of the arterial pressure in the rat.