Identification of runs of homozygosity (ROHs) in Curraleiro Pé-Duro and Pantaneiro cattle breeds

This study aimed to identify and characterize runs of homozygosis (ROHs), genes involved in production characteristics and adaptation to tropical systems and to estimate the inbreeding coefficient of Curraleiro Pé-Duro (CPD) and Pantaneiro (PANT), two brazilian locally adapted cattle breeds. The results demonstrated that 79.25% and 54.29% of ROH segments were bigger than 8 Mb in CPD and PANT, respectively, indicating recent inbred matings in the studied population. Six homozygosis islands were identified simultaneously in both breeds, where 175 QTLs and 1072 genes previously described as associated with production traits are located. The inbreeding coefficient (FROH) estimated based on ROHs (FROH) showed that inbreeding is low (2 to 4%), which is different from expected for small populations such as locally adapted ones.

Chemical profile and biological potential of essential oil of Psidium bahianum Landrum & Funch (Myrtaceae)

The genus Psidium, belonging to the family Myrtaceae, encompasses several plant species rich in essential oils. Several studies involving different research areas have shown promising results for essential oils, which has attracted interest from diverse sectors, including pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the biological activity of the essential oil extracted from Psidium bahianum leaves (EOPb) collected in an Atlantic Forest remnant in the northern coast of the state of Bahia, Brazil. EOPb was extracted by steam distillation and analyzed through proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR). The free radical scavenging activity was assessed using the DPPH methodology (analyzing the scavenging of the stable free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl). Antimicrobial disk diffusion assays were conducted; toxicity was determined through assays on sheep erythrocytes and Artemia salina. 1H-NMR evaluation showed the presence mainly of monoterpenes and sesquisterpenes. The percentage of antioxidant activity was 18.03±2.53 53 for 125 125 µg mL-1. Antimicrobial assays showed that the essential oil at a concentration of 10 mg mL-1 inhibited the growth of the microorganisms Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, B. cereus, Micrococcus luteus, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, and C. glabrata. The toxicity results indicated that concentrations of EOPb at 10, 100, 250, and 500 µg mL-1 were not toxic to sheep erythrocytes. The toxicity assay on A. salina showed that the lethal concentration for 50% of individuals (LC50) within 24 and 48 hours were 371.48 and 302 µg mL-1 of EOPb, respectively, which were considered moderately toxic, whereas the LC50 within 72 horas was 33.11 µg mL-1, considered highly toxic. These findings are promising, as the essential oil from P. bahianum leaves showed antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. The data obtained for the essential oil toxicity in A. salina could be tested on different tumor cell lines.

Phytochemical composition and biological activities of extracts from ten species of the family Melastomataceae Juss

Plants possess a renewable source of metabolites with enormous chemical structural diversity, which may have potential therapeutic relevance. Furthermore, this chemical diversity favors the possibility of finding new and different chemical constituents with antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-tumor activities. This work analyzed preliminary phytochemical profiles and evaluated the antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of hexane extracts of leaves of ten species of the family Melastomataceae. Phytochemical screening was performed using staining methods while total phenols and flavonoids were quantified by spectrophotometry. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the disk diffusion method. Antioxidant activity was determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) method. Toxicity was recorded using the lethality test with Artemia salina Leach (1819). Cytotoxic activity of the extracts was assessed in vitro with acute monocytic leukemia cells (THP-1). Phytochemical analysis detected the presence of tannins, terpenes, steroids, polyphenols and flavonoids and the absence of alkaloids. Clidemia capitellata (Bonpl.) D. Don had the greatest amount of polyphenols (205.95 mg/g ± 4.14) while Clidemia hirta (L.) D. Don had the highest content of total flavonoids (143.99 mg/g ± 4.18). The hexane extracts did not show antimicrobial activity nor toxicity against Artemia salina. The extract of Tibouchina francavillana Cogn. was the most active in sequestering the DPPH radical. The extracts showed cytotoxicity in THP-1 cells with the appearance of apoptotic bodies and cell death. The extracts of Miconia amoena, Clidemia sericea and Clidemia capitellata are non-toxic against Artemia salina and induce the formation of apoptotic bodies and cell death of the THP-1 lineage.

Strain of Bacillus thuringiensis from Restinga, toxic to Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Linnaeus) (Diptera, Culicidae)

Bacillus thuringiensis is the most commonly used entomopathogen in the control of Aedes aegypti, which is a vector for different etiological agents that cause serious infections in humans. Several studies aim to isolate strains of this bacterium from different environments, with the perspective of selecting isolates with larvicidal activity for mosquitoes. Aiming at the insecticidal action of B. thuringiensis, the present study aimed to prospect B. thuringiensis of restinga and mangrove soils from the state of Maranhão, Brazil, with toxic potential for use in the biological control of Ae. aegypti. Bioassays were performed to determine the entomopathogenic activity of the bacilli against Ae. aegypti and lethal concentrations (LC50 and CL90) were estimated after the tests. Polymerase Chain Reaction and SDS-PAGE techniques were performed to verify the gene and protein content of the isolates, respectively. The soil of the mangrove and restinga ecosystems showed potential for obtaining B. thuringiensis. This isolate, in addition to having proteins with molecular mass similar to the toxins Cry and Cyt, also presented several diptera-specific genes cry and cyt, demonstrating that it has high potential to be used in the biological control of Ae. aegypti.

Wapl releases Scc1-cohesin and regulates chromosome structure and segregation in mouse oocytes

Cohesin is essential for genome folding and inheritance. In somatic cells, these functions are both mediated by Scc1-cohesin, which in mitosis is released from chromosomes by Wapl and separase. In mammalian oocytes, cohesion is mediated by Rec8-cohesin. Scc1 is expressed but neither required nor sufficient for cohesion, and its function remains unknown. Likewise, it is unknown whether Wapl regulates one or both cohesin complexes and chromosome segregation in mature oocytes. Here, we show that Wapl is required for accurate meiosis I chromosome segregation, predominantly releases Scc1-cohesin from chromosomes, and promotes production of euploid eggs. Using single-nucleus Hi-C, we found that Scc1 is essential for chromosome organization in oocytes. Increasing Scc1 residence time on chromosomes by Wapl depletion leads to vermicelli formation and intra-loop structures but, unlike in somatic cells, does not increase loop size. We conclude that distinct cohesin complexes generate loops and cohesion in oocytes and propose that the same principle applies to all cell types and species.

Postprandial glycemia in healthy subjects: Which probiotic dairy food is more adequate?

The consumption of probiotic-enriched dairy products has been associated with many health benefits, including anti-hyperglycemic activity. The effect on health is dependent on the type of probiotic culture used and the dairy product consumed. This study evaluated the effect of different probiotic-enriched dairy matrices (Minas Frescal cheese, Prato cheese, and whey dairy beverage) containing Lactobacillus casei on in vitro and in vivo anti-hyperglycemic activity. For this purpose, in vitro anti-hyperglycemic activity was determined by the inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities, and a human study was performed with healthy individuals (n = 15, consumption of bread as a control; bread + Minas Frescal cheese; bread + Prato cheese; bread + dairy beverage) to assess the effects of different probiotic foods on postprandial glycemia. In vitro data showed that Prato cheese presented the highest lipid (36.9 g/100 g) and protein (26.5 g/100 g) contents as well as the highest α-amylase (60.7%) and α-glucosidase (52.6%) inhibition. The consumption of Prato cheese resulted in a lesser increase in blood glucose level (13 mg/dL) compared with the consumption of bread alone (19 mg/dL), Minas Frescal cheese (20 mg/dL), and whey dairy beverage (30 mg/dL), with glycemic indices similar to that observed for the control. The present results demonstrated a good correlation between in vitro and in vivo data, in which the type of dairy matrix affects the anti-hyperglycemic activity. It is concluded that the consumption of probiotic Prato cheese can contribute to the reduction of postprandial glycemia in healthy individuals.

Research Management Committee as strategic device for Implementation Research

Issue/problem

Implementation Research (IR) are particularly useful in identifying whether when an intervention does not succeed, this is because the intervention was ineffective in the new scenario or if a good intervention was poorly implemented. In order to do this, it is important to establish evaluation strategies capable of provide feedback and encourage learning and incorporation of changes. However, the best strategies for this are not clear yet.

Description of the problem

Despite the existence of references with clear definitions of the outcomes for IR, it is still unclear what are the best strategies for the stakeholders’ participation in these outcomes evaluation. By identifying that, the framework of participatory research could contribute to the choice of these strategies. We sought to retrieve some of the devices already used in other research to test whether they would be able to respond to the assumptions of IR. The chosen device was the Research Management Committee (RMC) which has its use evaluated by a qualitative study with focus group and the data review of the minutes of meetings held by the RMC.

Results

The RMC functioned as a space where members of the research team, managers and workers from the services where the intervention occurred could meet systematically to plan, monitor and make adaptations in the IR. Besides its success as a tool for accessing outcomes, the RMC has also proved to be an important strategy to promote the increasing of acceptability, adoption, penetration and sustainability.

Lessons

The RMC was an important promoter of the participation for the stakeholders in several aspects of the research; made possible the evaluation and monitoring of the meaning and feasibility of the research in the field of study from the point of view of those who live the experience of daily work and care; and favored access to the outcomes of IR in a transversal and organic way.

Key messages

The RMC is a strategic device for Implementation Research and configures a possibility to make the research a more dialogic and potentially transformative process. Besides its success as a tool for accessing outcomes, the RMC has also proved to be an important strategy to promote the increasing of acceptability, adoption, penetration and sustainability.

Development of a reusable and sustainable biocatalyst by immobilization of soybean peroxidase onto magnetic adsorbent

In this work we synthesized an activated carbon/magnetite composite by a simple co-precipitation method. The activated carbon (AC) was synthesized from the solid waste obtained in the extraction process of the peroxidase enzyme and the magnetic composite was used as support for the immobilization of soybean peroxidase (SP). After the determination of the optimal immobilization parameters, a 100% yield was achieved under the following conditions: support:enzyme proportion of 1.0:0.05 g, equilibration time of 7 h, pH 3.0 (citrate buffer phosphate 0.1 mol L-1) and temperature of 50 °C. The determination of pH to the point of zero charge was also done to assist in the understanding of the immobilization process at different pH values. Several characterization techniques were used, such as thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis composition, X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Scanning electron microscopy. The biocatalyst presented excellent operational stability and was reused for 11 consecutive cycles. The magnetic properties inserted in the AC contributed to the removal of the biocatalyst from the reaction medium without interfering in the adsorptive characteristics of the AC. Thus, the activated carbon/magnetite composite can be applied to different research fields with high performance.

Toxin Gene Contents and Activity of Bacillus thuringiensis Strains Against Two Sugarcane Borer Species, Diatraea saccharalis (F.) and D. flavipennella (Box)

Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) bears essential characteristics in the control of insect pests, such as its unique mode of action, which confers specificity and selectivity. This study assessed cry gene contents from Bt strains and their entomotoxicity against Diatraea saccharalis (F.) and Diatraea flavipennella (Box) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). Bioassays with Bt strains were performed against neonates to evaluate their lethal and sublethal activities and were further analyzed by PCR, using primers to identify toxin genes. For D. saccharalis and D. flavipennella, 16 and 18 strains showed over 30% larval mortality in the 7th day, respectively. The LC₅₀ values of strains for D. saccharalis varied from 0.08 × 10⁵ (LIIT-0105) to 4104 × 10⁵ (LIIT-2707) spores + crystals mL^-1. For D. flavipennella, the LC₅₀ values of strains varied from 0.40 × 10⁵ (LIIT-2707) to 542 × 10⁵ (LIIT-2109) spores + crystals mL^-1. For the LIIT-0105 strain, which was the most toxic to D. saccharalis, the genes cry1Aa, cry1Ab, cry1Ac, cry1B, cry1C, cry1D, cry1F, cry1I, cry2Aa, cry2Ab, cry8, and cry9C were detected, whereas for the strain LIIT-2707, which was the most toxic to D. flavipennella, detected genes were cry1Aa, cry1Ab, cry1Ac, cry1B, cry1D, cry1F, cry1I, cry2Aa, cry2Ab, and cry9. The toxicity data and toxin gene content in these strains of Bt suggest a great variability of activity with potential to be used in the development of novel biopesticides or as source of resistance genes that can be expressed in plants to control pests.

Renovascular hypertension increases serum TNF and CX3CL1 in experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infection

Trypanosoma cruzi triggers a progressive inflammatory response affecting cardiovascular functions in humans and experimental models. Angiotensin II, a key effector of the renin-angiotensin system, plays roles in mediating hypertension, heart failure, and inflammatory responses. T. cruzi and AngII can induce inflammatory responses by releasing inflammatory mediators. The aim of this study was to evaluate systemic AngII, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and CX3CL1 mediators in a two-kidney one-clip (2K1C) renovascular hypertension model using Wistar rats infected with T. cruzi. Our data showed an increase in serum AngII in uninfected and T. cruzi-infected rats 1 week after 2K1C surgery compared to non-2K1C (Sham) animals. The baseline systolic blood pressure was higher in both uninfected and infected 2K1C rats. Despite no difference in circulating parasites in the acute phase of infection, elevated serum TNF and CX3CL1 were observed at 8 weeks post-infection in 2K1C rats in association with higher cardiac inflammatory infiltration. In summary, AngII-induced hypertension associated with T. cruzi infection may act synergistically to increase TNF and CX3CL1 in the 2K1C rat model, thereby intensifying cardiac inflammatory infiltration and worsening the underlying inflammation triggered by this protozoan.

New records of Helminths in Reptiles from five states of Brazil

Forty five specimens representing nine species of reptile (Salvator merianae, Enyalius bilineatus, Amphisbaena alba, Xenopholis undulatus, Chironius fuscus, Helicops angulatus, Chironius flavolineatus, Erythrolamprus viridis and Crotalus durissus) collected in five Brazilian states were examined for helminths. Twelve helminth species were found as follow: nine Nematoda (Physaloptera tupinambae, Strongyluris oscari, Paracapillaria sp., Dracunculus brasiliensis, Physaloptera liophis, Serpentirhabias sp. 1, Serpentirhabias sp. 2, Serpentirhabias sp. 3 and Aplectana sp.), one Cestoda (Semenoviella amphisbaenia), one Trematoda (Paracotyletrema sp.), and one Acantocephala (Centrorhynchus sp.). Ten new host records and seven new locality records were reported.

Assessing the effects of different prebiotic dietary oligosaccharides in sheep milk ice cream

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of different prebiotic dietary oligosaccharides (inulin, fructo-oligosaccharide, galacto-oligossacaride, short-chain fructo-oligosaccharide, resistant starch, corn dietary oligosaccharide and polydextrose) in non-fat sheep milk ice cream processing through physical parameters, water mobility and thermal analysis. Overall, the fat replacement by dietary prebiotic oligosaccharides significantly decreased the melting time, melting temperature and the fraction and relaxation time for fat and bound water (T₂₂) while increased the white intensity and glass transition temperature. The replacement of sheep milk fat by prebiotics in sheep milk ice cream constitutes an interesting option to enhance nutritional aspects and develop a functional food.

Assessment of antioxidant activity, lipid profile, general biochemical and immune system responses of Wistar rats fed with dairy dessert containing Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5

The viability and survival of Lactobacillus acidophilus La5 under in vitro simulated gastrointestinal in probiotic dairy dessert was assessed. In addition, the effects of regular consumption of the dessert (5g/day) on the lipid profile, immune system, and antioxidant/biochemical status of Wistar rats were also evaluated after 2weeks of treatment. Adequate counts of L. acidophilus La-5 were observed regards the viability and gastrointestinal conditions. The probiotic dairy dessert was efficient in reducing the LDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerol and increased the HDL-cholesterol in serum. Aspartate amino transferase, alanine aminotransferase, total protein, albumin, heat shock proteins, immune system responses, and blood-cells counts (monocyte, lymphocyte, neutrophil and leucocyte) were not affected (p>0.05) after 15days of treatment. Overall, the probiotic dairy dessert may be a viable alternative to enhance the blood lipid profile and could be used to improve the antioxidant defenses.

Cry Proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis Active against Diamondback Moth and Fall Armyworm

Biopesticides based on Bacillus thuringiensis and genetically modified plants with genes from this bacterium have been used to control Plutella xylostella (L.) and Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith). However, the selection pressure imposed by these technologies may undermine the efficiency of this important alternative to synthetic insecticides. Toxins with different modes of action allow a satisfactory control of these insects. The purpose of this study was to characterize the protein and gene contents of 20 B. thuringiensis isolates from soil and insect samples collected in several areas of Northeast Brazil which are active against P. xylostella and S. frugiperda. Protein profiles were obtained by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Polymerase chain reaction assays were used to determine toxin genes present within bacterial isolates. The protein profile of the majority of the isolates produced bands of approximately 130 kDa, suggesting the presence of Cry1, Cry8 and Cry9 proteins. The gene content of the isolates of B. thuringiensis investigated showed different gene profiles. Isolates LIIT-4306 and LIIT-4311 were the most actives against both species, with LC50 of 0.03 and 0.02 × 10(8) spores mL(-1), respectively, for P. xylostella, and LC50 of 0.001 × 10(8) spores mL(-1) for S. frugiperda. These isolates carried the cry1, cry1Aa, cry1Ab, cry1Ac, cry1B, cry1C, cry1D, cry1F, cry2, cry2A, cry8, and cry9C genes. The obtained gene profiles showed great potential for the control of P. xylostella and S. frugiperda, primarily because of the presence of several cry1A genes, which are found in isolates of B. thuringiensis active against these insects.

"Permethrin chronic exposure alters motor coordination in rats: effect of calcium supplementation and amlodipine"

Recently was observed that pyrethroids decrease motor coordination and that calcium channels can be important targets for this effect. To contribute with this observation, this work studied the motor coordination and exploration (using hole-board apparatus), and locomotion (using open-field apparatus) of rats exposed to following treatments: permethrin (PM), PM plus calcium gluconate (CG) and PM plus amlodipine (AML). The results obtained show that CG or AML alone not changed the motor coordination while PM decreases it. CG kept the effect of permethrin; AML, however, decreased the values of permethrin to the control. Locomotor activity and exploration, which could confound results of motor coordination, were not modified by treatments. The concentration of PM in brain tissue was increased by the CG and AML. The neurosomatic index (weight brain/body weight) was increased by the PM and PM+CG. In conclusion, the combined results here obtained indicates that the calcium ion and the channels in which it is involved can be important targets for the toxic effect of pyrethroid insecticide permethrin on motor nerve activity of rats.

Pathology of nasal infection caused by Conidiobolus lamprauges and Pythium insidiosum in sheep

Conidiobolomycosis and pythiosis are important diseases of sheep in midwestern Brazil. Veterinary practitioners consider it difficult to differentiate between these diseases because they have similar clinical features. In this study, 186 sheep were subjected to necropsy examination over a 6-year period. Thirty (16.1%) cases of rhinitis in sheep that were caused by Conidiobolus lamprauges (n = 15) or Pythium insidiosum (n = 15) were investigated further. The lesions of C. lamprauges infection were mainly rhinopharyngeal (86.7%), localized to the ethmoidal region and associated with exophthalmos. The lesions appear as a white to yellow, firm mass that microscopically appears as a granulomatous inflammatory reaction with numerous giant cells. In contrast, P. insidiosum infection is associated with rhinofacial (93.3%) lesions that mainly involve the frontal region and hard palate and appear as an irregular, friable, yellow to red mass. Microscopically, pythiosis presents as diffuse necrotizing eosinophilic rhinitis. Immunohistochemistry using polyclonal antisera raised specifically against the two organisms was used to confirm the identity of the infectious agent in each disease. This study reports the first immunohistochemical diagnosis of conidiobolomycosis and the first description of a rhinopharyngeal lesion caused by P. insidiosum in sheep.

Short-term effects of a spinosyn's family insecticide on energy metabolism and liver morphology in frugivorous bats Artibeus lituratus (Olfers, 1818)

A new class of insecticide derived from fermentation of Sacharopolyspora spinosa - spinosad, has been indicated as being of low toxicity and a natural alternative to classical pesticides. In order to elucidate several aspects related to the morphophysiological changes induced by spinosad in Artibeus lituratus, the effects of a seven-day administration on plasma glucose, glycogen, protein and lipid concentrations were evaluated, and possible changes in liver cells were examined by histological analysis. Animals were fed with spinosyn-contaminated fruit through immersion in a solution. Data reporting on metabolism revealed a decrease in hind limb muscle lipid concentration in the treated group. Morphological analysis indicated a significant increase in liver cell diameter in treated animals compared to the control group. This study indicates that spinosyn, used at its recommended dose, does not affect general energy metabolism in A. lituratus but may affect some ultrastructural characteristics of liver cells.

Assessing medically unexplained symptoms: evaluation of a shortened version of the SOMS for use in primary care

BACKGROUND

To investigate the validity and stability of a Portuguese version for the Screening for Somatoform Symptoms-2 (SOMS-2) in primary care (PC) settings.

METHODS

An adapted version of the SOMS-2 was filled in by persons attending a PC unit. All medically unexplained symptoms were further ascertained in a clinical interview and by contacting the patient's physicians and examining medical records, attaining a final clinical symptom evaluation (FCSE). An interview yielded the diagnosis of Clinical Somatization (CS) and the diagnosis of current depressive and anxiety disorders.

RESULTS

From the eligible subjects, 167 agreed to participate and 34.1% of them were diagnosed with somatization. The correlation between the number of self-reported and FCSE symptoms was 0.63. After excluding symptoms with low frequency, low discriminative power and not correlated with the overall scale, 29 were retained in the final version. A cut-off of 4 symptoms gave a sensitivity of 86.0% and a specificity of 95.5% on the FCSE and 56.1% and 93.6% at self-report. Stability in the number of symptoms after 6 months was good (k = 0.57).

CONCLUSIONS

The 29 symptoms version of the SOMS-2 with a cut-off of 4 showed a high specificity and sensitivity, being reliable as a referral tool for further specialized diagnosis.

Purification and biochemical characterization of Eumiliin from Euphorbia milii var. hislopii latex

A protease, which we designate Eumiliin, was isolated from the latex of Euphorbia milii var. hislopii by a combination of ion-exchange chromatographic steps using DEAE-Sephacel and gel-filtration with Sephadex G-75. Eumiliin is a monomeric protein with an apparent molecular mass of 30 kDa by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions and gave one main peak at 29,814 KDa in MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. Eumiliin has caseinolytic and fibrinogenolytic activities, but no hemorrhagic or defibrinating activities. The enzyme readily hydrolyzes the Aalpha-chain of fibrinogen and, more slowly, the Bbeta-chain. Its fibrinogenolytic activity is inhibited by beta-mercaptoethanol and leupeptin. In contrast, EDTA and benzamidine did not affect the activity of Eumiliin. The caseinolytic activity of Eumiliin had a pH optimum of 8.0 and was stable in solution at up to 40 degrees C; activity was completely lost at >or=80 degrees C. Intraplantar injection of Eumiliin (1-25 microg/paw) caused a dose- and time-dependent hyperalgesia, which peaked 1-5h after enzyme injection. Intraplantar injection of Eumiliin (1-25 microg/paw) also caused an oedematogenic response that was maximal after 1h. Morphological analyses indicated that Eumiliin induced an intense myonecrosis, with visible leukocyte infiltrate and damaged muscle cells 24h after injection.

[Acute paraplegia secondary to painless aortic dissection]

INTRODUCTION

Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a serious and uncommon event. The clinical presentation generally includes thoracic or back pain. Painless aortic dissection is an extremely rare occurrence. Acute paraplegia is one of the neurological complications secondary to AAD. Although painful paraplegia is seen in 2% to 3% of AAD cases, painless paraplegia is a very rare event.

CASE REPORT

A 51-year-old man with a long term history of hypertension, presented with acute paralysis of the lower extremities, with no chest or back pain.

CONCLUSION

In presence of acute neurologic events, must always be investigated a vascular cause and, in these group of disease, the aortic dissection may be researched, although the pain wasn't present on occasion of the diagnosis.

Monitoring of coastal and transitional waters under the E.U. Water Framework Directive

A set of guidelines are presented for the definition of monitoring plans in coastal and transitional (estuarine and lagoonal) systems subject to the European Union Water Framework Directive - WFD (2000/60/EC). General principles of best practice in monitoring are outlined, including (a) the definition of three types of broad management objectives: water quality, conservation, and human use, to which the general public may easily relate. These will define the core and research indicators (WFD quality elements) to be used for monitoring; (b) priorities and optimisation in a (financially and logistically) resource-constrained environment; (c) quality assurance; and (d) assessment of monitoring success: this should focus on the outputs, i.e. the internal audit of the monitoring activity, and on the outcomes. The latter component assesses programme effectiveness, i.e. environmental success based on a set of clearly-defined targets, and informs management action. The second part of this work discusses the approach and actions to be carried out for implementing WFD surveillance, operational and investigative monitoring. Appropriate spatial and temporal scales for surveillance monitoring of different indicators are suggested, and operational monitoring is classified into either screening or verification procedures, with an emphasis on the relationship between drivers, pressure, state and response. WFD investigative monitoring is interpreted as applied research, and thus guidelines cannot be prescriptive, except insofar as to provide examples of currently acceptable approaches. Specific case studies are presented for both operational (coastal eutrophication control) and investigative monitoring (harmful algal blooms), in order to illustrate the practical application of these monitoring guidelines. Further information is available at http://www.monae.org/ .

Transitory gliosis in the CA3 hippocampal region in rats fed on a ketogenic diet

The ketogenic diet (KD) is a high-fat, low-protein and low-carbohydrate diet included as medical practice against seizure disorders, particularly in children refractory to conventional anti-epileptic drug treatment. However, the molecular basis of its therapeutic effect remains unclear. Considering the growing evidence for the importance of glial cells for neuronal development, survival and plasticity, we investigated astrocyte protein markers from KD fed rats, in different regions of hippocampus, a brain structure commonly involved in seizure disorders. We found a transitory increment in GFAP in the CA3 hippocampal region, but not in the CA1 or dentate gyrus (DG). This change was not accompanied by changes in S100B content or glutamine synthetase activity. In order to evaluate possible hippocampal involvement we investigated spatial-cognitive behavior using the water-maze task. No changes were observed. This transitory gliosis in CA3 could be related to, or precede, other associated changes proposed to be involved in the attenuation of seizure disorders. These data reinforce the importance of hippocampal astrocytes as cell targets during KD feeding.

A shift in the epidemiology of low body mass index in Brazilian adults

OBJECTIVE

To study the prevalence and current predictors of low body mass index (BMI) in a population undergoing a rapid nutritional transition.

DESIGN

Population-based cross-sectional study.

SETTINGS

Individuals living in the urban area of Pelotas, a medium-sized southern Brazilian city, were interviewed at home.

SUBJECTS

A multiple-stage sampling strategy was used. Out of 3372 eligible subjects, 3047 were interviewed. The study was restricted to adults (> or = 20 y).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Low BMI was defined as <18.5 kg/m2.

RESULTS

The prevalence of low BMI was 2.7% (95% confidence interval: 2.1; 3.3), higher in women than men (3.8 vs 1.3%; P < 0.001). In the whole sample (men and women combined), living without a partner and current smoking were positively associated with low BMI. Among women, low BMI presented a U-shaped relationship with age and was positively associated with educational level. The prevalence of low BMI in young women was 6.3%, and in highly educated young women was 8.9%.

CONCLUSIONS

Consistently with previous Brazilian studies, a decline in the overall prevalence of low BMI is clear. However, differently from these studies, the predictors of low BMI in women are similar to those observed within developed countries (including low age and high education), possibly indicating an increase in eating disorders.

Introgression molecular analysis of a leaf rust resistance gene from Coffea liberica into C. arabica L

Leaf rust caused by the fungus Hemileia vastatrix is the most devastating disease of arabica coffee ( Coffea arabica). Therefore, developing leaf rust-resistant varieties has been a breeding objective of the highest priority in many countries. The purpose of the present work was to gain insight into the mechanism of introgression into C. arabica of a leaf rust resistance gene from C. liberica (i.e. S(H)3 resistance factor) and to identify associated molecular markers. An F(2) progeny (i.e. 101 individuals) derived from a cross between Matari, an arabica accession and liberica-introgressed line S.288, was evaluated for resistance against three different races of H. vastatrix. The progeny segregated for the S(H)3 gene in a 3:1 ratio, as expected for a single dominant gene. Amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis of a population subset using 80 different primer combinations revealed that at least half of the total polymorphism observed in the population is associated with introgression of C. liberica chromosome fragments. Furthermore, 15 primer combinations generating candidate marker bands associated with the S(H)3 resistance gene were used to analyse the whole F(2) population. A total of 34 marker bands originating from S.288 and attributable to introgression were scored. None exhibited segregation distortion. Linkage analysis revealed only three distinct introgressed fragments corresponding to a total length of 52.8 cM. Twenty-one markers were strongly associated (LOD score >14) with the S(H)3 gene and were grouped together in a single linkage group of 6.3 cM. The results are discussed in relation to the efficient use of genetic resources in arabica breeding.

[Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: its relationship with thyroid function and phosphate calcium metabolism]

INTRODUCTION

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive degenerative disease involving motor neurons of the spinal cord, brain stem, and motor cortex. Previous studies reported the coexistence of motor neuron disease with thyroid dysfunction and primary hyperparathyroidism. These findings suggested an eventual role of the previously mentioned endocrine disorders and the development of ALS.

OBJECTIVE

Identify thyroid dysfunction and changes in mineral metabolism in patients affected by sporadic ALS.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed data from 41 in ward patients from June 1998, to June 2001. All of them were diagnosed with sporadic ALS. The following laboratory test were performed: thyrotropin (TSH), thyroxine (T4), serum calcium, serum phosphate, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and ionic calcium concentrations.

RESULTS

None of the studied patients was found to be hyperthyroid. Two patients had elevated TSH and normal T4, these findings suggested subclinical hypothyroidism. Elevated PTH was found in one patient; another had primary hyperparathyroidism. Low serum calcium was found in three patients and elevated phosphate was found in another four.

CONCLUSIONS

All these findings do not allow us to assert a pathogenic association between thyroid dysfunction or alteration of phosphate calcium metabolism and ALS.

The nursing shortage and ethics: up front and personal

In times of crisis it is often that values and beliefs and, subsequently, our ethics are challenged. Authors in OJIN have addressed some of the ethical issues that nurses face in relation to crises in health care. For example, P. J. Maddox (1998) addressed ethical issues surrounding economic constraints and scarce resources. In this current issue of OJIN, Cheryl Peterson (2001) writes of the ethical dilemma nurses face in trying to comply with the Code for Nurses with Interpretive Statement, 1985 in light of the present nursing shortage. We invite you to read these and the other OJIN articles on the shortage and then submit to this column a story about how the nursing shortage has ethically affected you or your patients/clients.