Gustavo Silveira Graudenz

Quantification of methyldopa in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray tandem mass spectrometry: Application to a bioequivalence study

A method based on LC-MS-MS is described for the determination of methyldopa in human plasma using dopa-phenyl-D3 as the internal standard. The method has a chromatographic run time of 5.5 min and was linear in the range of 20-5000 ng/ml. The limit of quantitation was 20 ng/ml, the intra-day precisions were 7.3, 5.4 and 4.3% and the intra-day accuracies were -8.0, -1.3 and -2.0% for 30, 600 and 3000 ng/ml, respectively. The inter-day precisions were 7.7, 0.5 and 0.7% and the inter-day accuracies were 0.2, -1.1 and -2.3%, respectively, for the above concentrations. This method was employed in a bioequivalence study of two tablet formulations of methyldopa.

Aerobic Exercise Reduces Asthma Phenotype by Modulation of the Leukotriene Pathway

Introduction Leukotrienes (LTs) play a central role in asthma. Low- to moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (AE) reduces asthmatic inflammation in clinical studies and in experimental models. This study investigated whether AE attenuates LT pathway activation in an ovalbumin (OVA) model of asthma. Methods Sixty-four male, BALB/c mice were distributed into Control, Exercise (Exe), OVA, and OVA + Exe groups. Treadmill training was performed at moderate intensity, 5×/week, 1 h/session for 4 weeks. Quantification of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cellularity, leukocytes, airway remodeling, interleukin (IL)-5, IL-13, cysteinyl leukotriene (CysLT), and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) in BAL was performed. In addition, quantitative analyses on peribronchial leukocytes and airway epithelium for LT pathway agents: 5-lypoxygenase (5-LO), LTA4 hydrolase (LTA4H), CysLT1 receptor, CysLT2 receptor, LTC4 synthase, and LTB4 receptor 2 (BLT2) were performed. Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to methacholine (MCh) was assessed via whole body plethysmography. Results AE decreased eosinophils (p < 0.001), neutrophils (p > 0.001), lymphocytes (p < 0.001), and macrophages (p < 0.01) in BAL, as well as eosinophils (p < 0.01), lymphocytes (p < 0.001), and macrophages (p > 0.001) in airway walls. Collagen (p < 0.01), elastic fibers (p < 0.01), mucus production (p < 0.01), and smooth muscle thickness (p < 0.01), as well as IL-5 (p < 0.01), IL-13 (p < 0.01), CysLT (p < 0.01), and LTB4 (p < 0.01) in BAL were reduced. 5-LO (p < 0.05), LTA4H (p < 0.05), CysLT1 receptor (p < 0.001), CysLT2 receptor (p < 0.001), LTC4 synthase (p < 0.001), and BLT2 (p < 0.01) expression by peribronchial leukocytes and airway epithelium were reduced. Lastly, AHR to MCh 25 mg/mL (p < 0.05) and 50 mg/mL (p < 0.01) was reduced. Conclusion Moderate-intensity AE attenuated asthma phenotype and LT production in both pulmonary leukocytes and airway epithelium of OVA-treated mice.

Indicadores infecciosos e inflamatórios entre trabalhadores da limpeza urbana em São Paulo

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the health effects due to biological exposure within different activities performed by groups of urban cleaning workers (UCW) compared to each other and to a control group of railway workers in Sao Paulo, 2007. Functional groups of UCW were submitted to interviews, blood counts, tests of inflammatory activity, serologic markers of infection, and stool parasitological testing. The final evaluation included 217 participants. The Control group reported lower vaccine protection against tetanus, whereas the Sweepers reported the lowest vaccine protection against hepatitis B. Drivers reported more antibiotic use and showed higher total leukocyte counts when compared to Controls. Drivers also demonstrated higher neutrophils and monocytes counts when compared to Sweepers. There was a higher presence of stool parasites among Sweepers and Collectors when compared to Controls. There were also no differences in indicators of respiratory infections or increased measurable inflammatory activity between Collectors, Landfills, and Intermediate Stations workers when compared to Controls. There were no differences in the number of sinusitis or pneumonias episodes, as well as serologic markers for inflammatory activity, contact with hepatitis B virus or anti-streptolysin O among studied groups.

Sudden temperature changes and respiratory symptoms--an experimental approach.

Background Exposure to air-conditioning systems and allergic phenotypes are consistent risk factors to develop indoor air quality (IAQ) respiratory complaints. The aim of this study was to compare the role of allergic rhinitis on respiratory complaints in individuals exposed to sudden temperature changes. Methods To address this question, a case-control challenge study was performed in a laboratory of thermal comfort evaluation with twin isolated chambers set at 14°C/57.2°F (cold) and 26°C/78.8°F (hot) temperatures. A groups of 32 patients with persistent allergic rhinitis (rhinitis group) and 16 control subjects (control group) were exposed for 30 minutes, three times alternately in the chambers. Symptoms were reported using an analog visual scale and nasal and pulmonary peak flow measurements were taken during baseline at hot and cold temperatures and after the challenge. Results The rhinitis group reported increased itching and stinging eyes when compared with the baseline during exposure to hot and cold temperatures and they also reported increased breathlessness during hot air exposure. In addition, there was a significant decrease in expiratory flow rates in this group during exposure to hot and cold temperatures that persisted for 24 hours after challenge. Conclusion This study suggests that individuals with allergic rhinitis have a lower threshold than controls to develop respiratory and ocular symptoms after air-conditioning–induced sudden temperature changes.

Mortality trends due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to update and analyze data on mortality trend due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Brazil. METHODS Initially, the specific COPD mortality rates were calculated from 1989 to 2009 using data collected from DATASUS (Departamento de Informática do SUS - Brazilian Health System Database). Then, the polynomial regression models from the observed functional relation were estimated based on mortality coefficients and study years. RESULTS We verified that the general mortality rates due to COPD in Brazil showed an increasing trend from 1989 to 2004, and then decreased. Both genders showed the same increasing tendencies until 2004 and decreased thereafter. The age group under 35 years old showed a linear decreasing trend. All other age groups showed quadratic tendencies, with increases until the years of 1998-1999 and then decreasing. The South and Southeast regions showed the highest COPD mortality rates with increasing trends until the years 2001-2002 and then decreased. The North, Northeast and Central-West regions showed lower mortality rates but increasing trend. CONCLUSION This is the first report of COPD mortality stabilization in Brazil since 1980.

Sensitization to cat allergen and its association with respiratory allergies: cross-sectional study

Cats are a significant source of allergens that contribute towards worsening of allergic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between sensitization to cat allergens and allergic respiratory diseases.This was an observational retrospective study based on the skin pricktests results of patients at a tertiary-level hospital in São Paulo. A total of 1,985 test results were assessed. The prevalence of sensitization to cat allergen was 20% (399 patients). Our data indicated that in this population of atopic patients, a positive skin prick test result for cat allergen was not associated significantly with a diagnosis of respiratory allergy.

Trends in asthma mortality in the 0- to 4-year and 5- to 34-year age groups in Brazil

Objetivo: Apresentar uma atualização das tendências da mortalidade da asma no Brasil em duas faixas etárias: 0-4 anos e 5-34 anos. Métodos: Dados relativos ao período de 1980 a 2014 referentes à mortalidade da asma, conforme se definiu na Classificação Internacional de Doenças, foram extraídos Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade do Departamento de Tecnologia da Informação do Sistema Único de Saúde. Para analisar as tendências temporais das taxas padronizadas de mortalidade da asma, realizou-se um estudo ecológico de séries temporais com modelos de regressão para as faixas etárias de 0 a 4 anos e 5 a 34 anos. Resultados: Houve uma tendência linear de redução da mortalidade da asma em ambas as faixas etárias e uma tendência polinomial de terceira ordem na população geral. Conclusões: Embora a mortalidade da asma tenha apresentado redução linear consistente em indivíduos com idade ≤ 34 anos, a taxa de declínio foi maior na faixa etária de 0 a 4 anos. A faixa etária de 5 a 34 anos também apresentou redução linear da mortalidade, e essa redução tornou-se mais pronunciada após o ano de 2004, quando o tratamento com corticosteroides inalatórios tornou-se mais amplamente disponível. A redução linear da mortalidade da asma em ambas as faixas etárias contrasta com a tendência não linear observada na população geral do Brasil. A introdução do uso de corticosteroides inalatórios por meio de políticas públicas de controle da asma coincidiu com uma diminuição significativa das taxas de mortalidade da asma em ambos os subgrupos de indivíduos com mais de 5 anos de idade. As causas dessa redução da mortalidade da asma em faixas etárias mais jovens ainda são objeto de debate.

Trends in hospital admission for asthma in Brazil 1998-2010

Background Asthma is a worldwide disease, affecting about 300 million people over the world, with reports of increased prevalence the last decades. Asthma is the forth cause of hospitalizations in Brazil. Hospital admissions to achieve clinical control of asthma are responsible for a significant part of the direct costs on health care by the Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS), and affect the quality of life of patients and their families. Recent advances in medical therapy and improvements in providing access to asthma control programs can lead to rapid changes in rates of hospital admission. This paper updates the trends in hospitalizations due to asthma in Brazil.

Effects of contamination with toxic metals on the environmental quality of Sepetiba Bay (SE Brazil)

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to address the case of toxic metal contamination of Sepetiba Bay caused by the Inga Company. The paper reviews the history of the contamination and discusses the current presence of metals in the bay sediments, demonstrating that the toxic metals are clearly enriched. Sepetiba Bay is prone to significant dredging activities that make metals available in the food chain, affecting human populations, mainly fishermen communities. Design/methodology/approach – The study presents the case of the Inga Company based on international literature and data provided by previous studies. Findings – Through the analysis and compilation of diverse data from the literature, this study demonstrates that the Inga Company is a major source of Cd, Pb and Zn due to its calamine processing activities used to obtain high purity Zn. Originality/value – This study highlights important research to complete the historical scenario of heavy metal contamination of the Sepetiba Bay by Inga Compan...

Enrichment diagram (ED) : A graphic approach for assessing inorganic enrichment and contamination in marine sediments of Sepetiba Bay (SE Brazil)

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to validate and apply enrichment diagrams (EDs) to determine metal and as enrichment and contamination in the sediments of Sepetiba Bay. Design/methodology/approach – Through inducted coupled plasma – optical emission spectrophotometry, total element (As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) concentrations were assessed for the construction of EDs and comparison with enrichment factors (EFs) in 65 samples collected in Sepetiba Bay. Findings – Based on the EDs, it was observed that the sediments around the urban area of Sepetiba and ItaguaiHarbor were contaminated with Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. These contaminants were expected due to the urban and industrial discharges into the bay and the activities at ItaguaiHarbor. Originality/value – The ED was successful regarding its ability to evaluate inorganic contamination in Sepetiba Bay. In addition, this method was able to define a proper background sample for calculating EFs.