Volumetry after botulinum toxin A: the impact on abdominal wall compliance and endotracheal pressure

PURPOSE

Botulinum toxin type A (BTA) is an adjuvant tool used in the preoperative optimization of complex hernias before abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR). This study aims to investigate changes in the abdominal cavity and hernia sac dimensions after BTA application.

METHOD

A prospective study with 27 patients with a hernia defect of ≥ 10 cm and loss of domain (LOD) ≥ 20% underwent AWR. Computed tomography (CT) measurements and volumetry before and after the application of BTA were performed. Intraoperative and postoperative outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

Imaging post-BTA revealed hernia width reduction of 1.9 cm (p = 0.002), lateral abdominal wall muscle elongation of 3.1 cm (p < 0.001), hernia volume reduction (HV) from 2.9 ± 0.9L to 2.4 ± 0.8L (p < 0.001), increase in abdominal cavity volume (ACV) from 9.7 ± 2.5L to 10.3L ± 2.4L (p = 0.003), and a reduction in the HV/ACV ratio from 30.2 ± 5% to 23.4 ± 6% (p < 0.001). Fascial closure was achieved in 92.6% of cases and component separation was required in 78%. The average variation in pulmonary plateau pressure was 3.53 cmH2O, and there were no postoperative respiratory failure recorded. At the 90-day follow-up, the wound morbidity rate was 25%, unplanned readmissions were 11%, and hernia recurrence 7.4%.

CONCLUSION

BTA produces measurable volumetric changes in abdominal wall and appears to facilitate fascial closure. Further studies are required to determine the role of BTA in the surgical armamentarium for complex hernia repair.

Rapid antigen test as a tool for the identification of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its potential as a self-testing device

BACKGROUND

SARS-CoV-2 virus originated in Wuhan (China) in December (2019) and quickly spread worldwide. Antigen tests are rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) that produce results in 15-30 min and are an important tool for the scale-up of COVID-19 testing. COVID-19 diagnostic tests are authorized for self-testing at home in some countries, including Brazil. Widespread COVID-19 diagnostic testing is required to guide public health policies and control the speed of transmission and economic recovery.

METHODS

Patients with suspected COVID-19 were recruited at the Hospital da Baleia (Belo Horizonte, Brazil). The SARS-CoV-2 antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic tests were evaluated from June 2020 to June 2021 using saliva, nasal, and nasopharyngeal swab samples from 609 patients. Patient samples were simultaneously tested using a molecular assay (RT-qPCR). Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values were determined using the statistical program, MedCalc, and GraphPad Prism 8.0.

RESULTS

The antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic tests displayed 98% specificity, 60% sensitivity, 96% positive predictive value, and moderate concordance with RT-qPCR. Substantial agreement was found between the two methods for patients tested < 7 days of symptom onset.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support the use of Ag-RDT as a valuable and safe diagnostic method. Ag-RDT was also demonstrated to be an important triage tool for suspected COVID-19 patients in emergencies. Overall, Ag-RDT is an effective strategy for reducing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and contributing to COVID-19 control.

Optical gap energy study of poly(thienylene-2,5-dialkoxyphenylene) in solid-state films

Optical gap energy (E_gap) in luminescent π-conjugated polymers presents several difficulties in its determination, particularly when using CW conventional optical spectroscopy, absorption and emission. This happens due to several physicochemical parameter's dependence. Among others, the molecular conformation, intramolecular interactions, structural defects, polymer processability and solvent interaction stand out. In addition, there is a distribution of conjugated segments along the polymeric main chains that differentiate optical absorption transition from emission processes. In other words, these processes do not necessarily occur in the same conjugated segment owing to the very efficient ratios of energy transfer or charge migration in these materials. In this work we present a systematic study of the determination of E_gap for the polymer poly(thienylene-2,5-dialkoxyphenylene). We present a comparison between the solution and solid-state film, clearly showing the presence of a polymer-polymer interaction as aggregate species. The goal of this paper is to isolate and aggregate the contribution determination of each species through systematic analysis of optical spectra, as well as to obtain, even on film, the E_gap of the isolated polymer which is very similar to the polymer solution at about 2.37 eV. The intersection theory and the voltammetry methods corroborate the experiment and the discussion of the results obtained.

Reproducibility, validity, and reliability of the incremental step test for subjects with moderate to severe asthma

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the measurement properties of the incremental step test in subjects with moderate to severe asthma.

METHODS

Subjects with moderate to severe persistent asthma were recruited from a tertiary university hospital specializing in treating severe asthma. All subjects performed one cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) and two incremental step tests (IST) in random sequences. Pulmonary gas exchange was measured during all exercise tests. The measurement properties investigated were reliability by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), measurement error by the standard error of measurement and minimum detectable difference, construct validity by Pearson's correlation, and interpretability by the ceiling and floor effects.

RESULTS

Fifty subjects (38 females, mean [SD], age 43.7 [11.6] yr, % FEV1 70 [14.3], BMI 28.5 [5.3] kg/m2) completed the study. The peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) for the CPET was 27.6 [±6.8] ml/kg/min, for the first IST was 22.3 [±5.3] ml/kg/min and for the second IST was 23.3 [±5.3] ml/kg/min. The IST presented excellent reliability (ICC=0.93, CI95% 0.88-0.96), very good measurement error (2.5%), and construct validity for peak VO2 measurement compared to the CPET (r = 0.85; p < 0.001) to assess exercise capacity in subjects with moderate to severe asthma, with appropriate ceiling (10%) and floor (0%) effects.

CONCLUSION

The IST presented excellent reliability and very good measurement error and validity to assess exercise capacity in subjects with moderate to severe asthma, without ceiling or floor effects.

CytoPath®Easy processing method validation through cervical self-sampling

Background

Liquid-based cytology is mostly used for the identification of pre-neoplastic and neoplastic cells of cérvix uteri, and many manual and automatic methodologies are available on the market. This study aims to validate a new manual liquid-based processing method - the CytoPath® Easy Kit, for its routine use in some cytology laboratories.

Methods

For this purpose, 45 cervical samples, obtained by self-sampling of women aged 18–58 years old were used: 30 were collected and processed with the CytoPath® Easy Kit and 15 samples were collected and processed by Thinprep®, as a control. Parameters evaluated were cellularity, thickness and cellular overlap of the imprint, undesirable background/debris, morphological preservation and staining properties of the sample. The presence and quantity of metaplastic and/or endocervical cells of the transformation zone was also compared between methods.

Results

The results obtained show that CytoPath® Easy Kit allows the representation of the sample with a very satisfactory cellularity, in a thin layer of cells and without excessive overlap, presenting a reasonably clean background. Statistically, both methods present similar results (P &gt; 0.9999), both globally and for each of the parameters evaluated individually. These results allow to validate the use of this new method in the cytological routine.

Conclusions

This Kit proves to be very useful, allowing the laboratory to screen cervical cytology samples, without the need for large investments and with reliable microscopic results. This has particular interest for laboratories of poor or developing countries as well for services processing small number of samples.

Digital pathology in the immunohistochemical evaluation of biomarkers in breast cancer

Background

Currently, the evaluation of biomarkers HER-2 and ER is critical for targeting therapy for breast cancer and is performed by experienced pathologists, which takes time and causes a certain interobserver variability. The use of histological slide scanners coupled with the application of software for immunoexpression quantification can be profitable in pathological laboratories routine. This study aims to compare the quantification of HER-2 and ER immunoexpression employing automatic algorithms, using as standard the evaluation performed by a pathologist.

Methods

From the archive since 2016 to 2018 were retrieved 75 immunostained slides for HER-2 and 76 immunostained slides for ER with invasive breast carcinoma diagnosis. The slides were scanned in Aperio CS2 and the immunostaining signal was quantified in Aperio Imagescope using a membrane and nuclear algorithm, respectively. The concordance between the scores obtained and the previous assessment was calculated by Cohen’s Kappa coefficient as well as the sensitivity and specificity for each algorithm.

Results

Both algorithms showed an almost perfect concordance with the conventional method (k = 0.94 for HER-2; k = 0.92 for ER). Digital evaluations presented a sensitivity of 100% for both biomarkers, and a specificity of 100% for HER-2 and 80% for ER.

Conclusions

This assay showed that applying signal quantification software for HER-2 and ER in digitized slides is accurate, as these tools have potential to be implemented in laboratory routine. However, it will be necessary to increase the sample to obtain more reliable values and extend this study to the PR and Ki67 biomarkers since both carry prognostic and predictive information as well.

Differential expression of MCM2 and SKP2 as biomarkers of therapy resistance in prostate cancer

Background

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most incident cancer and the sixth cause of cancer death among man worldwide. Patients diagnosed with advanced PCa are often treated with androgen deprivation therapy. Although tumors initially respond, they may progress to a lethal and drug-resistant form of PCa. Recent works from our team demonstrated that a promising anti-cancer agent is associated with reduced MCM2 and SKP2 expression in PCa cell lines. MCM2 and SKP2 play an important role in cell cycle progression with overexpression observed in several cancers with association with poor prognostic. Thus, to test its potential as predictive biomarker, MCM2 and SKP2 expression was evaluated in PCa tissues.

Methods

A total of 57 cases (25 resistant and 33 non-resistant) were used to explore MCM2 and SKP2 expression by immunohistochemistry. Percentage of positive tumor cells, intensity of immunostaining, and immunoexpression were blinded evaluated. Comparisons between therapy conditions and proteins expression were assessed by Chi square test (statistical significance considered when P &lt; 0.05).

Results

MCM2 expression is associated to PCa patients’ therapy resistance, with significant differences found for percentage of positive tumor cells (P = 0.001) and immunostaining intensity (P = 0.002). SKP2 expression is also associated with resistance to therapy, with differences observed referred to immunostaining intensity (P = 0.001) and immunoexpression pattern (P = 0.02). Specifically, cytoplasmatic and nuclear expression was apparent in most cases that developed therapy-resistance, whereas responsive PCa patients showed only SKP2 cytoplasmatic expression.

Conclusions

In PCa patients, MCM2 and SKP2 expression is significantly associated with therapy resistance. SKP2 cellular localization is also indicative of patients’ resistance to treatment.

LDHA and CPT2 association with therapy resistance in prostate cancer

Background

The aerobic glycolysis as energy source in cancer confers a selective advantage for its proliferation and survival. Previous in vitro studies demonstrated that treatment with [C16Pyr][Amp], a potential anti-cancer drug in prostate, decreased the transcript levels of LDHA and CPT2, both involved in metabolic plasticity. In fact, LDHA and CPT2 were reported to be overexpressed in cancer, with association with poor prognosis and resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy. Since LDHA and CPT2 can be potential therapy resistance biomarkers, the aim of this work was to assess LDHA and CPT2 expression using PCa tissues.

Methods

LDHA and CPT2 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 57 PCa tissues, 24 from patients that developed resistance to hormonal therapy and 33 without therapy resistance. For both proteins, percentage of positive tumor cells, intensity of immunostaining, and immunoexpression pattern was determined by a blinded manner. Comparisons between therapy variables and protein expression were assessed using the Chi square test. P &lt; 0.05 indicated a statistically significant difference.

Results

LDHA expression is significantly associated with therapy resistance (P &lt; 0.001). Moreover, CPT2 pattern’s immunoexpression is also associated with therapy resistant (P &lt; 0.001), being cytoplasmatic expression most frequent in patients that respond to therapy (41%), whereas both nuclear and cytoplasmatic expression is more prevalent in therapy-resistant cases (48%).

Conclusions

LDHA overexpression is significantly associated with therapy resistance in PCa cases, while CPT2 cell expression distribution might be a predictive marker.

LDHA is differential expressed in luminal A and luminal B breast cancer

Background

Breast cancer (BrCa) is the most incident cancer in women worldwide, with more than 2 200 000 new cases and 600 000 deaths in 2020. Concerning BrCa molecular signature, tumors expressing estrogen receptor (luminal A and B) normally respond to hormonal therapy, but some cases develop resistance. We recently showed that LDHA expression is reduced upon treatment with [C16Pyr][Amp], a new proposed anti-cancer drug. LDHA has been implicated in Warburg effect regulation and has been associated with BrCa patients’ worse outcome. So, the mail goal of this study was to evaluate LDHA expression in BrCa tissues and correlate it with several clinical and pathological parameters.

Methods

A total of 40 BrCa tissue samples were selected to assess LDHA expression by immunohistochemistry. Percentage of positive tumor cells, intensity of immunostaining, and immunoexpression pattern were blinded evaluated. Correlations between clinicopathological parameters and LDHA expression were assessed using the Chi square test (P &lt; 0.05 was indicated of the statistically significance).

Results

Higher LDHA expression intensity significantly is associated with luminal B molecular subtype (P = 0.003). Conversely, no association is found between LDHA expression and tumor stage or therapy resistance.

Conclusions

The intensity of LDHA immunoexpression is related with luminal molecular subtype B. Since LDHA is associated with the production of lactate, leading to a greater energy obtaining by cancer cells, these cells may have an increased capacity for proliferation. In fact, this subtype was previously reported to express high Ki67 levels, a proliferative marker.

Tumorigenic effect mediated by ROS/eicosanoids and their regulation on TP53 expression in a murine mammary gland adenocarcinoma

The aim of this study was to investigate the in vivo and in vitro effects of dietary ω-6 and ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and their derivatives on the expression of TP53 and their relationship with cellular proliferation and death in a murine mammary adenocarcinoma model. BALB/c mice were divided in three diet groups: chia oil (ChO) rich in ω-3, corn oil (CO) rich in ω-6/ω-3 and safflower oil (SO) rich in ω-6 and subcutaneously inoculated with LMM3 mammary tumor cell line. Results demonstrated that diets with higher concentration of omega-6 PUFAs induced an increment of linoleic and arachidonic acid on tumor cell membranes increasing ROS liberation, 12(S)-HHT generation, TP53, Ki67 expression and cell proliferation. However, diets enriched with high content in omega-3 PUFAs induced higher tumor cell apoptosis and tumor infiltration of CD3+ lymphocytes, lowest cell viability and proliferation. Dietary omega-3 PUFAs nutritional intervention can be used as a potential preventative strategy to inhibit the molecular signaling pathways involved in the mammary tumor growth process as the TP53.

First report of colonization by Panstrongylus megistus (Burmeister, 1835) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, Brazil

We report the first known occurrence of Panstrongylus megistus (Burmeister, 1835) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, Brazil. In 2018, adult specimens were sent by residents to the competent authorities and, in the inspection of the property, a large focus associated with a marsupial nest was found. This finding reinforces the importance of the species in the state of São Paulo, serves as an alert for epidemiological surveillance and extends the species colonization area in the state of São Paulo.

Checklist of Benthic Cnidaria in the SW Atlantic Ocean (54ºS-56ºS)

In this study we provide an updated checklist of benthic Cnidaria from SW Atlantic Ocean that comprised the Marine Protected Areas Namuncurá I and II, located at Burdwood bank, and other neighbouring locations. A total of 88 taxa was recorded: 36 hydrozoans and 52 anthozoans from which 32 were octocorals, 10 scleractinian corals, 8 sea anemones and 2 zoanthids. Burdwood bank presented the highest richness considering that 87% of the recorded species inhabit this plateau or its slope. Besides some common species widely distributed in the studied sub-areas, at least 24 species represent new distributional records while few were exclusively recorded at Burdwood bank. The inventory here provided will help to identify key habitat-forming species in a complex habitat where marine animal forests and vulnerable marine ecosystems were previously detected. It will be also a very valuable tool for the management and monitoring of the sub-areas under protection.

Neonatal exposure to oestradiol increases dopaminergic transmission in nucleus accumbens and morphine-induced conditioned place preference in adult female rats

Steroid sex hormones produce physiological effects in reproductive tissues and also in nonreproductive tissues, such as the brain, particularly in cortical, limbic and midbrain areas. Dopamine (DA) neurones involved in processes such as prolactin secretion (tuberoinfundibular system), motor circuit regulation (nigrostriatal system) and driving of motivated behaviour (mesocorticolimbic system) are specially regulated by sex hormones. Indeed, sex hormones promote neurochemical and behavioural effects induced by drugs of abuse by tuning midbrain DA neurones in adult animals. However, the long-term effects induced by neonatal exposure to sex hormones on dopaminergic neurotransmission have not been fully studied. The present study aimed to determine whether a single neonatal exposure with oestradiol valerate (EV) results in a programming of dopaminergic neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) of adult female rats. To answer this question, electrophysiological, neurochemical, cellular, molecular and behavioural techniques were used. The data show that frequency but not amplitude of the spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current is significantly increased in NAcc medium spiny neurones of EV-treated rats. In addition, DA content and release are both increased in the NAcc of EV-treated rats, caused by an increased synthesis of this neurotransmitter. These results are functionally associated with a higher percentage of EV-treated rats conditioned to morphine, a drug of abuse, compared to controls. In conclusion, neonatal programming with oestradiol increases NAcc dopaminergic neurotransmission in adulthood, which may be associated with increased reinforcing effects of drugs of abuse.

The effects of ω-6 and ω-3 fatty-acids on early stages of mice DMBA submandibular glands tumorigenesis

The aim of this work was: to assess the impact of diets enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids ω-3 and ω-6 families on the lipid profile of cell membrane and their effect on cycle regulation and apoptosis, evaluated by TP53 and Ki-67 expression in 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA) induced tumor development in submandibular glands (SMG) in murine models. To generate tumorigenic changes, SMG mice in the experimental group were injected with 50μl of 0.5% of DMBA. Both control (no DMBA) and experimental groups of BALB/c mice were fed with: chia oil (ChO), rich in ω-3 fatty acid; corn oil (CO), rich in ω-6/ω-3 fatty acid; and safflower (SO) oil, rich in ω-6fatty acid. Results demonstrate novel differential effects of ω-3 and ω-6 PUFAs on the regulation of early tumorigenesis events in murine SMG injected with DMBA. This knowledge may help to develop chemoprotective treatments, therapeutic agents and health promotion and prevention activities in humans.

Titanium-released from dental implant enhances pre-osteoblast adhesion by ROS modulating crucial intracellular pathways

It is important to understand the cellular and molecular events that occur at the cell-material interface of implants used for bone repair. The mechanisms involved in the initial stages of osteoblast interactions with the surface of the implant material must be decisive for cell fating surrounding them. In order to address this issue, we decided to investigate if conditioned medium for dental implants was able to modulate murine pre-osteoblast metabolism. First, we determined the concentration of titanium (Ti)-containing conditioned medium and found that it was 2-fold increased (p < 0.0001). We have reported that this conditioned medium significantly up-modulated pre-osteoblast adhesion up to 24 h (p < 0.0001). In parallel, our results showed that both phosphorylations of FAK (focal adhesion kinase) at Y397 (p < 0.0011) and Cofilin at Ser03 (p < 0.0053) were also up-modulated, as well as for Rac1 expression (p < 0.0175); both of them are involved with cell adaptation by rearranging cytoskeleton actin filaments. Thereafter, Ti-containing medium stimulated ROS (reactive oxygen species) production by pre-osteoblast cells, and it is very possible that ROS compromised PTP-1B (protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B) activation since PTP1B was down-phosphorylated (p < 0.0148). The low PTP activity guarantees the phosphorylation of FAK at Y-residue, causing better pre-osteoblast adhesion in response to Ti-containing medium. Altogether, these data indicate that ROS indirectly modulate FAK phosphorylation in response to Ti-released from dental implants. Taken the results in account, these data showed for the first time that the implanted dental device is able to dynamically affect surrounding tissues, mainly by promoting a better performance of the pre-osteoblast cells. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 2968-2976, 2017.

Amphetamine treatment affects the extra-hypothalamic vasopressinergic system in a sex- and nucleus-dependent manner

The lateral septum (LS), a brain structure implicated in addictive behaviours, regulates the activation of dopaminergic neurones in the ventral tegmental area. Vasopressinergic projections from the extended amygdala to the LS, which are sexually dimorphic, could be responsible for the vulnerability to addiction in a sex-dependent manner. The present study aimed to investigate the modulatory effects of amphetamine (AMPH) on the expression of vasopressin (AVP) in the vasopressinergic extra-hypothalamic system in sensitised male and female rats. Adult male and female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent an AMPH-locomotor sensitisation protocol. Acute AMPH increased AVP mRNA expression in the medial amygdala (MeA), whereas AMPH-induced sensitisation increased AVP mRNA expression in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) only in females. Interestingly, the increase in AVP expression in BNST was higher in oestrus females compared to dioestrus females and acute AMPH resulted in a decrease in AVP levels in the LS, only in males. Thus, there are complex and region-specific interactions between AMPH and the extra-hypothalamic vasopressinergic system in the brain, underlying possible alterations in different behaviours caused by acute and chronic AMPH exposure.

Prevention of DNA damage and anticarcinogenic activity of Activia® in a preclinical model

Colorectal cancer is a global public health issue. Studies have pointed to the protective effect of probiotics on colorectal carcinogenesis. Activia^® is a lacto probiotic product that is widely consumed all over the world and its beneficial properties are related, mainly, to the lineage of traditional yoghurt bacteria combined with a specific bacillus, DanRegularis, which gives the product a proven capacity to intestinal regulation in humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antigenotoxic, antimutagenic, and anticarcinogenic proprieties of the Activia product, in response to damage caused by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) in Swiss mice. Activia does not have shown antigenotoxic activity. However, the percent of DNA damage reduction, evaluated by the antimutagenicity assay, ranged from 69.23 to 96.15% indicating effective chemopreventive action. Activia reduced up to 79.82% the induction of aberrant crypt foci by DMH. Facing the results, it is inferred that Activia facilitates the weight loss, prevents DNA damage and pre-cancerous lesions in the intestinal mucosa.

Modification of N-doped TiO2 photocatalysts using noble metals (Pt, Pd) - a combined XPS and DFT study

Nitrogen-doped TiO₂ (N-TiO₂) is considered as one of the most promising materials for various photocatalytic applications, while noble metals Pd and Pt are known as good catalysts for hydrogen evolution. This work focuses on the determination of structural and electronic modifications of N-TiO₂, achieved by noble metal deposition at the surface, as a starting indicator for potential applications. We focus on the properties of easily synthesized nanocrystalline nitrogen-doped anatase TiO₂, modified by depositing small amounts of Pd (0.05 wt%) and Pt (0.10 wt%), aiming to demonstrate efficient enhancement of optical properties. The chemical states of dopants are studied in detail, using X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, to address the potential of N-TiO₂ to act as a support for metallic nanoparticles. DFT calculations are used to resolve substitutional from interstitial nitrogen doping of anatase TiO₂, as well as to study the combined effect of nitrogen doping and oxygen vacancy formation. Based on the binding energies calculated using Slater's transition state theory, dominant contribution to the N 1s binding energy at 399.8 eV is ascribed to interstitially doped nitrogen in anatase TiO₂. Given that both structure and photocatalytic properties depend greatly on the synthesis procedure, this work contributes further to establishing correlation between the structure and optical properties of the noble metal modified N-TiO₂ system.

Childhood trauma, family history, and their association with mood disorders in early adulthood

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of childhood trauma and types of trauma on mood disorders among young adults in a population-based sample. We further gathered data on family history of mood disorders to test the hypothesis that childhood trauma is a mediating factor for the association between family history of mood disorder and mood disorder in adulthood.

METHOD

This is a cross-sectional study, including young adults with bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and matched controls without any mood disorder. Childhood trauma was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). The Hicks and Tingley implementation was employed to assess whether trauma is a mediator of the effect of family history on diagnosis of any mood disorder.

RESULTS

All types of trauma were associated with both major depression and bipolar disorder, with the exception of sexual abuse, which was only associated with bipolar disorder. Moreover, family history of psychiatric illness was also associated with mood disorder in adulthood and with childhood trauma. Using the presence of any mood disorder as the outcome, a third of the effect of having any family history of mood disorder was mediated via childhood trauma.

CONCLUSION

This investigation provides further support, in a population-based sample of young adults, of the association between childhood trauma and mood disorders, with sexual abuse being specifically linked with bipolar disorder. The hypothesis that childhood trauma would function as a partial mediator of the association between family history of mood disorder and mood disorder in adulthood was also confirmed.

Fungicide Sensitivity of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum: A Thorough Assessment Using Discriminatory Dose, EC50, High-Resolution Melting analysis, and Description of New Point Mutation Associated with Thiophanate-Methyl Resistance

Thiophanate-methyl (TM), fluazinam, and procymidone are fungicides extensively used for white mold control of common bean in Brazil. We assessed the sensitivity of Brazilian isolates of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum to these three fungicides using discriminatory doses and concentration that results in 50% mycelial growth inhibition (EC₅₀) values. In total, 282 isolates from the most important production areas were screened and none was resistant to fluazinam or procymidone. The EC₅₀ values varied from 0.003 to 0.007 and from 0.11 to 0.72 μg/ml for fluazinam and procymidone, respectively. One isolate was resistant to TM. The EC₅₀ of the TM-resistant isolate was greater than 100 μg/ml, whereas the EC₅₀ of the sensitive isolates varied from 0.38 to 2.23 μg/ml. The TM-resistant isolate had a L240F mutation in the β-tubulin gene. This is the first report of mutation at codon 240 causing resistance to a benzimidazole fungicide in S. sclerotiorum. The high-resolution melting analysis allowed the distinction of TM-sensitive and -resistant isolates by specific melting peaks and curves. The TM-resistant isolate had mycelial growth, sclerotia production, and aggressiveness comparable with that of the sensitive isolates, indicating that this genotype will likely compete well against sensitive isolates in the field. This study demonstrates that resistance to TM, fluazinam, and procymidone is nonexistent or rare. Resistance management practices should be implemented, however, to delay the spread of TM-resistant genotypes.

Therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells to treat Achilles tendon injuries

Rupture of the Achilles tendon diminishes quality of life. The gold-standard therapy is a surgical suture, but this presents complications, including wound formation and inflammation. These complications spurred evaluation of the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from adipose tissue. New Zealand rabbits were divided into 6 groups (three treatments with two time points each) evaluated at either 14 or 28 days after surgery: cross section of the Achilles tendon (CSAT); CSAT + Suture; and CSAT + MSC. A comparison between all groups at both time points showed a statistically significant increase in capillaries and in the structural organization of collagen in the healed tendon in the CSAT + Suture and CSAT + MSC groups at the 14-day assessment. Comparison between the two time points within the same group showed a statistically significant decrease in the inflammatory process and an increase in the structural organization of collagen in the CSAT and CSAT + MSC groups. A study of the genomic integrity of the cells suggested a linear correlation between an increase of injuries and culture time. Thus, MSC transplantation is a good alternative for treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures because it may be conducted without surgery and tendon suture and, therefore, has no risk of adverse effects resulting from the surgical wound or inflammation caused by nonabsorbable sutures. Furthermore, this alternative treatment exhibits a better capacity for wound healing and maintaining the original tendon architecture, depending on the arrangement of the collagen fibers, and has important therapeutic potential.

Fatty acid profile, carcass and meat quality traits of young Nellore bulls fed crude glycerin replacing energy sources in the concentrate

Carcass and meat quality traits of 60 Nellore young bulls fed diets without crude glycerin (CG); with CG replacing corn (CGc; 10% of dry matter - DM) in the concentrate; and with CG replacing soybean hull (CGsh; 10% of DM) in the concentrate were evaluated. Diets were evaluated at two concentrate levels (CLs). The CL did not affect cold carcass weight (CCW; P=0.6074), cold carcass dressing (CCD; P=0.9636), rib fat thickness (RFT; P=0.8696) and longissimus muscle area (LMA; P=0.7524). Animals fed diets with CGc or CGsh showed meat with greater deposition of monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA; P=0.0022) and CLA (18:2 cis-9, trans-11) contents (P=0.0001) than animals fed diets without CG. The inclusion of 10% of CG in diets CGc or CGsh does not affect the carcass and meat quality traits; however, it increases the MUFA and CLA contents in beef, although these changes are very small in nutritional terms.

Exercise deactivates leukocytes in asthma

Leukocytes play a central role in asthma physiopathology. Aerobic training (AT) reduces leukocytes recruitment to the airways, but the effects of AT on some aspects of leukocytes activation in asthma are unknown. Therefore, the effects of 4 weeks of AT on airway inflammation, pulmonary and systemic Th2 cytokines levels, leukocytes expression of pro and anti-inflammatory, pro-fibrotic, oxidants and anti-oxidants mediators in an experimental model of asthma was investigated. AT reduced the levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) (p<0.001), serum levels of IL-5, while increased BALF and serum levels of IL-10 (p<0.001). In addition, AT reduced leukocytes activation, showed through decreased expression of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13; p<0.001), chemokines (CCL5, CCL10; p<0.001), adhesion molecules (VCAM-1, ICAM-1; p<0.05), reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (GP91phox and 3-nitrotyrosine; p<0.001), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS; p<0.001), nuclear factor kB (NF-kB; p<0.001) while increased the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10; p<0.001). AT also decreased the expression of growth factors (TGF-beta, IGF-1, VEGF and EGFr; p<0.001). We conclude that AT reduces the activation of peribronchial leukocytes in a mouse model of allergic asthma, resulting in decreased airway inflammation and Th2 response.

The impact of maternal post-partum depression on the language development of children at 12 months

BACKGROUND

Language is one of the most important acquisitions made during childhood. Before verbal language, a child develops a range of skills and behaviours that allow the child to acquire all communication skills. Factors such as environmental factors, socio-economic status and interaction with parents can affect the acquisition of vocabulary in children. Post-partum depression can negatively affect the first interactions with the child and, consequently, the emotional, social and cognitive development of the child.

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the effect of the duration of the mother's depression on the language development of children at 12 months old.

METHODS

This was a longitudinal study. The participants of this study were mothers who had received prenatal care from the Brazilian National System of Public Health in Pelotas city, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The mothers were interviewed at two different time points: from 30 to 90 days after delivery and at 12 months after delivery; the children were also evaluated at this later time point. To diagnose maternal depression, we used the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, and to assess child development, we used the language scale of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development III.

RESULTS

We followed 296 dyads. Maternal depression at both time points (post partum and at 12 months) was significantly associated with the language development of infants at 12 months of age. This impact was accentuated when related to the duration of the disorder. Older women and women with more than two children were more likely to have children with poorer language development, while women who were the primary caregiver had children with higher scores on the language test.

CONCLUSION

The findings indicate that maternal age, parity, primary caregiver status and duration of post-partum depression are associated with the language development of the child.

First record of the fruit fly parasitoid Doryctobracon crawfordi (Viereck) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Brazil

Doryctobracon crawfordi (Viereck) was recorded in the states of Amapá and Roraima, Brazil. This is also the first time that this parasitoid is associated with Anastrepha atrigona Hendel from Geissospermum argenteum.

Nanostructured polymer and lipid carriers for sunscreen. Biological effects and skin permeation

The interest in developing new sunscreens is increasing due to the harmful effects of UV radiation on the skin, such as erythema, accelerated skin ageing (photoageing) and the induction of skin cancer. However, many molecular sunscreens penetrate into the skin causing photoallergies, phototoxic reactions and skin irritation. Thus, the aim of this work was the preparation and characterization of polymeric and solid lipid nanoparticles to act carriers of benzophenone-3 (BZ3), aiming to improve the safety of sunscreen products by increasing the sun protection factor (SPF), decreasing BZ3 skin penetration and decreasing BZ3 concentration in sunscreen formulation. BZ3 was encapsulated in poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) nanoparticles by the nanoprecipitation method and in solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) by the hot high pressure homogenization method. The particles were stable for 40 days. The BZ3 encapsulated in PCL nanoparticles was released faster than BZ3 encapsulated in SLN. The sun protection factor increased when BZ3 was encapsulated in both nanostructures. However, BZ3 encapsulated in PCL nanoparticles decreased its skin permeation more than SLN-BZ3. Furthermore, BZ3 encapsulated in SLN did not exhibit cytotoxic or phototoxic effects in human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) and BABL/c 3T3 fibroblasts, whereas PCL nanoparticles with BZ3 showed phototoxic potential in HaCaT cells. Nevertheless, BZ3 free and encapsulated in PCL nanoparticles or in SLN did not show allergic reactions in mice. Our results suggest that these nanostructures are interesting carriers for sunscreen.

Gold adatoms and clusters on PPV: An ab initio investigation

We have performed an ab initio investigation of the energetic, structural, electronic, and vibrational properties of Au atoms and clusters adsorbed on poly-p-phenylene vinylene (PPV) chains, Au(n)/PPV (with n = 1, 2, 6, 7, 10, and 12). We find that the Au(n)/PPV systems are energetically stable by 0.5 eV, compared with the isolated systems, viz., PPV chain and Au(n) clusters, thus supporting the formation of Au(n)/PPV nanocomposites. Further support to the formation of Au(n)/PPV has been provided by examining the vibrational properties of pristine PPV and Au(n)/PPV systems. In agreement with experimental measurements, we find a reduction on the in-plane vibrational frequency of C-C bonds of Au(n)/PPV, when compared with the same vibrational modes of pristine PPV. The electronic properties of isolated Au(n) clusters are modified when adsorbed on PPV. The highest occupied states of Au(n)/PPV are mostly concentrated on the Au(n) cluster, while the lowest unoccupied states are mainly localized along the PPV chain. The HOMO-LUMO energy gap of the Au(n)/PPV systems are smaller than the energy gap of the isolated systems, Au(n) clusters, and pristime PPV chains.

Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) and Leishmania infection in Gafanhoto Park, Divinópolis, Brazil

The potential of Gafanhoto Park as an American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) focus was evaluated by examination of sand fly vectors of the Leishmania parasite. This forest remnant is located in a periurban area of Divin6polis, Brazil, where autochthonous cases of ACL have been reported. Sand fly populations were monitored over a 2-yr period (2006-2008) by using light traps (HP and Shannon). During systematic collections with HP traps, 824 specimens in total (342 males and 482 females) of 21 species were captured. Most prevalent species were as follows: Brumptomyia brumpti (Larrouse), Lutzomyia aragaoi (Costa Lima), Lutzomyia lutziana (Costa Lima), Lutzomyia sordellii (Shannon & Del Ponte), and Lutzomyia whitmani (Antunes & Coutinho). Using Shannon traps, 257 specimens representing 15 species were collected (159 females and 98 males), with a high prevalence of L. whitmani and Lutzomyia neivai (Pinto), both vectors of Leishmania braziliensis (Vianna). To ascertain the level of natural infection, a sample of females captured in Shannon traps was assayed for the presence of Leishmania by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, where 39% of insects were positive. The most infected species was L. whitmani (29 sand flies; 18.2%), followed by L. neivai (21; 13.2%), Lutzomyia christenseni (Young & Duncan) (five; 3.1%), Lutzomyia pessoai (Coutinho & Barreto) (three; 1.9%), L. aragaoi (one; 0.6%), Lutzomyia fischeri (Pinto) (one; 0.6%), Lutzomyia lenti (Mangabeira) (one; 0.6%), L. lutziana (one; 0.6%), and Lutzomyia monticula (Costa Lima) (one; 0.6%). The finding of potential and incriminated vectors naturally infected with Leishmania reinforces the need of epidemiologic surveillance in the area.

Aerobic training reverses airway inflammation and remodelling in an asthma murine model

Aerobic training (AT) decreases dyspnoea and exercise-induced bronchospasm, and improves aerobic capacity and quality of life; however, the mechanisms for such benefits remain poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the AT effects in a chronic model of allergic lung inflammation in mice after the establishment of airway inflammation and remodelling. Mice were divided into the control group, AT group, ovalbumin (OVA) group or OVA+AT group and exposed to saline or OVA. AT was started on day 28 for 60 min five times per week for 4 weeks. Respiratory mechanics, specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E and IgG(1), collagen and elastic fibres deposition, smooth muscle thickness, epithelial mucus, and peribronchial density of eosinophils, CD3+ and CD4+, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, interferon-gamma, IL-2, IL-1ra, IL-10, nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB and Foxp3 were evaluated. The OVA group showed an increase in IgE and IgG(1), eosinophils, CD3+, CD4+, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, NF-kappaB, collagen and elastic, mucus synthesis, smooth muscle thickness and lung tissue resistance and elastance. The OVA+AT group demonstrated an increase of IgE and IgG(1), and reduction of eosinophils, CD3+, CD4+, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, NF-kappaB, airway remodelling, mucus synthesis, smooth muscle thickness and tissue resistance and elastance compared with the OVA group (p<0.05). The OVA+AT group also showed an increase in IL-10 and IL-1ra (p<0.05), independently of Foxp3. AT reversed airway inflammation and remodelling and T-helper cell 2 response, and improved respiratory mechanics. These results seem to occur due to an increase in the expression of IL-10 and IL-1ra and a decrease of NF-kappaB.

Covalent immobilization of invertase on polyurethane, plast-film and ferromagnetic Dacron

Invertase was covalently immobilized on polyurethane (PU), inox plate covered with plast-film layer and ferromagnetic azide-Dacron. The immobilization processes, physico-chemical parameters and a model for coupling reactions were studied. The preliminary studies for selection of the support showed that the best activity was obtained for PU treated with HCl, polyethylenimine and glutaraldehyde (156.7+/-4.9 U/g support). All plast-film-invertase derivatives did not show activity and the Dacron-invertase derivative showed an activity of 105.39 U/g support. The invertase immobilized in presence of substrate (10% w/v sucrose) was the most efficient (832.74+/-1.48 U/g support). The optimal pH was shifted from 4.5 (free enzyme) to 5.0 (immobilized derivative) and optimal temperature was not affected. Activation energy values of free enzyme, Dacron-invertase and PU-invertase were 32.4+/-0.34 kJ/mol, 33.4+/-0.36 kJ/mol and 44.0+/-0.67 kJ/mol, respectively. The PU-invertase could be used over 2 months without considerable activity loss (68.5% activity retention) and retained 12.6% (287.97+/-27.9U/g support) of the activity after five cycles.

Induced secondary structure in nanostructured films of poly(p-phenylene vinylene)

The control of emission properties in luminescent polymers such as poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) is important for various applications, and may be achieved with suitable molecular architectures in nanostructured films. This paper reports on optical properties of PPV films, using ellipsometry measurements for emitted light in the scope of the Stokes' theory. Organized PPV films obtained with the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) method exhibited high degree of polarization for the emitted light, while cast films emitted mainly non-polarized light. From ellipsometry data, a secondary structure was inferred for poly(xylylidene tetrahydrothiophenium) chloride (PTHT), a PPV precursor, in solution, which is retained only to a small extent in the PPV cast film as thermal conversion was performed close to the glass transition temperature of PPV. On the other hand, a higher intensity of emitted light with circular polarization was observed for the LB film, which is attributed to PPV molecular secondary structure that was enhanced during the LB film deposition. Circular dichroism experiments were performed to corroborate this hypothesis. It is suggested that such a secondary structure has not been predicted in theoretical models for PPV because possible conformational changes induced in the processing steps are not taken into account.

Comparison of the Polar S810i monitor and the ECG for the analysis of heart rate variability in the time and frequency domains

The aim of the present study was to compare heart rate variability (HRV) at rest and during exercise using a temporal series obtained with the Polar S810i monitor and a signal from a LYNX(R) signal conditioner (BIO EMG 1000 model) with a channel configured for the acquisition of ECG signals. Fifteen healthy subjects aged 20.9 +/- 1.4 years were analyzed. The subjects remained at rest for 20 min and performed exercise for another 20 min with the workload selected to achieve 60% of submaximal heart rate. RR series were obtained for each individual with a Polar S810i instrument and with an ECG analyzed with a biological signal conditioner. The HRV indices (rMSSD, pNN50, LFnu, HFnu, and LF/HF) were calculated after signal processing and analysis. The unpaired Student t-test and intraclass correlation coefficient were used for data analysis. No statistically significant differences were observed when comparing the values analyzed by means of the two devices for HRV at rest and during exercise. The intraclass correlation coefficient demonstrated satisfactory correlation between the values obtained by the devices at rest (pNN50 = 0.994; rMSSD = 0.995; LFnu = 0.978; HFnu = 0.978; LF/HF = 0.982) and during exercise (pNN50 = 0.869; rMSSD = 0.929; LFnu = 0.973; HFnu = 0.973; LF/HF = 0.942). The calculation of HRV values by means of temporal series obtained from the Polar S810i instrument appears to be as reliable as those obtained by processing the ECG signal captured with a signal conditioner.

Stanford University Network for Diagnosis of Retinopathy of Prematurity (SUNDROP): 12-month experience with telemedicine screening

BACKGROUND/AIMS

To report the 1-year experience of the Stanford University Network for Diagnosis of Retinopathy of Prematurity (SUNDROP) telemedicine initiative.

METHODS

Forty-two consecutively enrolled infants who met ROP examination criteria were screened between 1 December 2005 through 30 November 2006 with the RetCam II and evaluated by the SUNDROP reading centre at Stanford University. Nurses obtained five images in each eye. All patients also received a dilated examination by the author within 1 week of discharge from the hospital. Outcomes included referral-warranted disease, need for treatment and anatomical outcomes. Referral-warranted disease was defined as any Early Treatment Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) Disease Type 2 or greater, or any plus disease. A retrospective analysis of 84 eyes, 131 unique examinations and 1315 unique images from the SUNDROP archival data is reported here.

RESULTS

In the initial 12-month period, the SUNDROP telemedicine screening initiative had not missed any referral warranted ROP. Calculated sensitivity and specificity was 100% and 95%, respectively. No patient progressed to retinal detachment or other adverse outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

The SUNDROP telemedicine screening initiative for ROP has proven to have a high degree of sensitivity and specificity for identification of referral warranted disease. These results indicate that telemedicine may improve accessibility of ROP screening.

Racial inequalities and perinatal health in the southeast region of Brazil

Few studies are available about racial inequalities in perinatal health in Brazil and little is known about whether the existing inequality is due to socioeconomic factors or to racial discrimination per se. Data regarding the Ribeirão Preto birth cohort, Brazil, whose mothers were interviewed from June 1, 1978 to May 31, 1979 were used to answer these questions. The perinatal factors were obtained from the birth questionnaire and the ethnic data were obtained from 2063 participants asked about self-reported skin color at early adulthood (23-25 years of age) in 2002/2004. Mothers of mulatto and black children had higher rates of low schooling (< or = 4 years, 27.2 and 38.0%) and lower family income (< or = 1 minimum wage, 28.6 and 30.4%). Mothers aged less than 20 years old predominated among mulattos (17.0%) and blacks (14.0%). Higher rates of low birth weight and smoking during pregnancy were observed among mulatto individuals (9.6 and 28.8%). Preterm birth rate was higher among mulattos (9.5%) and blacks (9.7%) than whites (5.5%). White individuals had higher rates of cesarean delivery (34.9%). Skin color remained as an independent risk factor for low birth weight (P < 0.001), preterm birth (P = 0.01), small for gestational age (P = 0.01), and lack of prenatal care (P = 0.02) after adjustment for family income and maternal schooling, suggesting that the racial inequalities regarding these indicators are explained by the socioeconomic disadvantage experienced by mulattos and blacks but are also influenced by other factors, possibly by racial discrimination and/or genetics.

Anthelmintic activity of Croton zehntneri and Lippia sidoides essential oils

Because of the development of anthelmintic resistant populations, the search for new drugs is essential to maintain the productivity of small ruminants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of Croton zehntneri and Lippia sidoides essential oils and their major constituents, anethole and thymol. The effects of these oils and their constituents were determined by in vitro assays with the eggs and larvae of the sheep gastrointestinal nematode Haemonchus contortus. The two essential oils were evaluated on intestinal nematodes of mice at 800 mg kg(-1) dose. In the last experiment, the mice were treated with larger doses of L. sidoides, 1200 and 1600 mg kg(-1). The essential oils and their constituents prevented more than 98% of the H. contortus eggs from hatching at a concentration of 1.25 mg ml(-1) and inhibited more than 90% of H. contortus larval development at a concentration of 10 mg ml(-1). At a concentration of 800 mg kg(-1), the two essential oils were 46.3% and 11.64% effective against Syphacia obvelata and Aspiculuris tetraptera. At 1200 and 1600 mg kg(-1), L. sidoides essential oil's efficacy on the mouse worm burden was 57.6% and 68.9%, respectively. The fact that L. sidoides essential oil was almost 70% effective against mouse intestinal nematodes indicates it should be evaluated against gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep and goats.

Early life, current socioeconomic position and serum lipids in young adulthood of participants in a cohort study initiated in 1978/1979

The association between socioeconomic position (SEP) and serum lipids has been little studied and the results have been controversial. A total of 2063 young adults born in 1978/79 were evaluated at 23-25 years of age in the fourth follow-up of a cohort study carried out in Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil, corresponding to 31.8% of the original sample. Total serum cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, high-density cholesterol (HDL cholesterol) and low-density cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) were analyzed according to SEP at birth and during young adulthood. SEP was classified into tertiles of family income and a cumulative score of socioeconomic disadvantage was created. TC was 11.85 mg/100 mL lower among men of lower SEP in childhood (P < 0.01) but no difference was found in women, whereas it was 8.46 lower among men (P < 0.01) and 8.21 lower among women of lower SEP in adulthood (P < 0.05). Individuals of lower SEP had lower LDL and HDL cholesterol, with small differences between sexes and between the two times in life. There was no association between SEP and triglyceride levels. After adjustment of income at one time point in relation to the other, some associations lost significance. The greater the socioeconomic disadvantage accumulated along life, the lower the levels of TC, LDL and HDL cholesterol (P < 0.05). The socioeconomic gradient of TC and LDL cholesterol was inverse, representing a lower cardiovascular risk for individuals of lower SEP, while the socioeconomic gradient of HDL cholesterol indicated a lower cardiovascular risk for individuals of higher SEP.

Effect of Surface Treatments on Anodic Oxide Film Growth and Electrochemical Properties of Tantalum used for Biomedical Applications

Self-expandable nitinol (nickel-titanium) alloys and 316L stainless steel are the most commonly used materials in the production of coronary stents. However, tantalum (Ta) has already been used to make stents for endovascular surgery and may constitute an alternative to other materials because of its better electrochemical performance, namely its higher corrosion resistance, as well as its radio-opacity. The characterization of wet polished, chemically polished, wet polished anodized, and chemically polished anodized Ta electrodes has been performed in a 0.15 M NaCl solution (simulated body fluid) using Ucorr=f(t) measurements, anodic polarizations, capacity measurements, anodic oxidations, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging. Anodic polarization curves have shown that the abnormal current density peak with a maximum value around 1.65 V (critical applied potential, Uc) disappeared for the anodized electrodes indicating a probable relationship between the surface states and the film growth. These results are confirmed by capacity measurements. The behavior of wet polished and chemically polished electrodes during anodic oxidations seemingly indicated that for these particular treatments the film growth is different. The AFM images and roughness measurements have shown that chemical polishing produced smoother electrodes, a fact probably related to the differences in film growth.

CYP1A1 and XRCC1 gene polymorphisms in SCC of the larynx

The present study was undertaken to examine CYP1A1 and XRCC1 polymorphisms as potential genetic susceptibility markers for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Eighty-eight patients with laryngeal SCC and 178 randomly selected healthy blood donors from the same Caucasian population (Porto, Northern Portugal) were analysed for CYP1A1 (MspI and NcoI) and XRCC1 (Arg194Trp and Arg399Gln) polymorphisms, using PCR-RFLP techniques. CYP1A1 MspI MH (mutant homozygous) and CYP1A1 NcoI HT (heterozygous) genotypes were more frequent in patients than in controls, with those carrying a CYP1A1 NcoI HT genotype having a 2.3-fold higher risk for tumour development. On the other hand, polymorphisms in XRCC1 codon 399 and codon 194 do not seem to play a role in the aetiology of smoking-related laryngeal SCC, once its distribution was similar in both analysed groups. All the significant associations observed were exclusively due to differences between controls and larynx glottic cancer patient subgroup. Furthermore, lower lifetime tobacco consumption was observed in laryngeal SCC patients carrying the MspI and NcoI polymorphisms, than in those who did not show the polymorphic variants. This investigation seems to support the importance of CYP1A1 gene polymorphism as a potential genetic marker of laryngeal cancer development, specially concerning smokers who have inherited the at-risk genotypes CYP1A1 MspI MH or CYP1A1 NcoI HT, who do appear to be more susceptible to the development of SCC of the glottic larynx.

Host-range characterization of two Pratylenchus coffeae isolates from Brazil

Two isolates of Pratylenchus coffeae were collected from coffee roots (in Marília, São Paulo State, Brazil) and Aglaonema (in Rio de Janeiro City, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil) and maintained in the laboratory on alfalfa callus. Twenty-four plants were tested in the greenhouse to characterize the host preference of these isolates. The host ranges of the isolates differed from each other and, interestingly, coffee, banana, and citrus were not among the better hosts of either isolate. Rather, sorghum, maize, rice, millet, okra, melon, eggplant, and lettuce were the best hosts of the Marília isolate. Poor hosts included French marigold, Rangpur lime, banana, sesame, peanut, sunflower, cotton, French bean, onion, and small onion. The best hosts of the Rio de Janeiro isolate were sesame, soybean, sorghum, castor oil plant, watermelon, squash, eggplant, and melon; the poorest hosts were French marigold, coffee, Rangpur lime, banana, sunflower, peanut, maize, millet, French bean, cotton, onion, sweet pepper, lettuce, okra, and small onion. These isolates have important molecular and morphological differences, suggesting host preference is linked to these characteristics.

Electrochemical and microstructural studies of tantalum and its oxide films for biomedical applications in endovascular surgery

The most popular coronary stents are made of 316L stainless steel and self-expandable Nitinol. Nevertheless, Ta has already been used to make stents for endovascular surgery and may constitute a good alternative to the other materials because of its higher corrosion resistance and radio-opacity property, which may facilitate the follow-up of stent catheterization. The characterization of Ta and its natural passive oxide films has been performed in a 0.15 M NaCl solution (simulated body fluid - SBF) using anodic polarizations, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and photoelectrochemical techniques. Changes in microstructure have been observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Polarization curves show the existence of a current density increase between 1.40 and 1.80 V. Bode complex plots show that some perturbation of the film occurred in this potential interval which may be associated with a decrease in polarization resistance, Rp, indicating that the film may be less resistant to corrosive attack. Mott-Schottky capacity measurements show that the density of donors, Nd, varies with polarization. The optical band gap, E(g), which is equal to 4.1 eV did not show variations in our experiments. The localized formation on the electrode surface, in the above potential interval of a Ta compound (possibly an oxide-hydroxide) was observed by AFM, and this may explain the appearance of the current density peak and capacity behavior at those potentials.

[Evaluation of data quality from the information system on live births in 1997-1998]

OBJECTIVE

To verify the concordance between data routinely collected by the Sinasc (Information System on Live Births) and data obtained by a cross-sectional survey (gold standard).

METHODS

The survey was performed in a sample of 2,831 hospital deliveries in ten maternity hospitals of the municipality of São Luís, Brazil. The sample frame represented about 98% of hospital births. Sinasc's data was compared with the survey data using a computerized linkage program. Sinasc's hospital births coverage, percentage of missing or unrecorded data and consistency between Sinasc 's and the survey's data were analyzed. Concordance was measured using the kappa indicator for qualitative variables and the intraclass correlation coefficient for quantitative variables.

RESULTS

The estimated Sinasc coverage was 75.8% (95% CI: 73.3%-78.2%). Five Sinasc's data fields showed good reliability: birth weight, newborn sex, hospital of birth, type of delivery and maternal age. Low birth weight rates estimated by the two data sources were similar and the concordance was high (kappa=0.94). However, preterm birth rates were higher in the survey (11.2%) than according to Sinasc 's data (1.7%) and the concordance was low (kappa=0.09).

CONCLUSIONS

Estimated Sinasc coverage was low. Low birth weight rates from Sinasc's data seem to be valid and reliable. Preterm birth rates from Sinasc's data are underestimated.

Trypanosoma vivax: characterization of the spliced-leader gene of a Brazilian stock and species-specific detection by PCR amplification of an intergenic spacer sequence

The sequence of the spliced-leader gene repeat of a Brazilian Trypanosoma vivax stock from cattle showed high similarity to sequences of West African T. vivax in both intron and intergenic sequences. This is the first evidence based on DNA sequences of close-relatedness between Brazilian and West African T. vivax stocks. A T. vivax-specific diagnostic PCR assay based on spliced-leader gene intergenic sequences was able to amplify DNA from T. vivax stocks from South America (Brazil, Bolivia, and Colombia) and West Africa. Species-specificity of this method was confirmed by results obtained by testing 15 other trypanosomes, including other species and subspecies that can also infect cattle. The PCR assay developed presented high sensitivity, detecting the DNA content of only one parasite and also revealing T. vivax infection in asymptomatic animals without detectable parasitemia by microhematocrit or in Giemsa-stained blood smears. Use of crude preparations from field-blood samples collected on both filter paper and glass slides as DNA template suggested that this method could be useful for the diagnosis of T. vivax in large epidemiological studies.

Blocking the receptor for IL-10 improves antimycobacterial chemotherapy and vaccination

Novel approaches are required for the prevention and therapy of mycobacterial infections since the only vaccine in use, bacillus Calmette-Guérin, is poorly effective and chemotherapy is long and often ineffective in sterilizing the infection. We used a mouse model of Mycobacterium avium infection to address the usefulness of a mAb able to block IL-10R both in treatment of primary infections and in conventional multidrug therapy and subunit vaccination. Treatment of infected mice with this mAb during the entire period of experimental infection had little impact on the course of M. avium infection, with a slight improvement in the resistance of infected mice observed in the liver and spleen at day 30 of infection, which was associated with increased macrophage activation and priming of CD4(+) T cells for IFN-gamma production. Administration of this mAb later in infection had no effect on its course, but improved the effectiveness of chemotherapy when the latter was started in a chronic phase of infection. Also, the anti-IL-10R mAb acted as an adjuvant in the induction of protective immunity upon vaccination with a mycobacterial subunit preparation.

Interleukin-12 primes CD4+ T cells for interferon-gamma production and protective immunity during Mycobacterium avium infection

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a crucial cytokine for the generation of a protective immune response against Mycobacterium avium infection. In contrast to infected control mice, IL-12-deficient mice were unable to control bacterial proliferation and their spleen T cells were almost unresponsive in vitro to specific antigens of M. avium. Susceptibility of mice deficient in IL-12 was similar to that of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-deficient mice. These data indicate a crucial role of IL-12 in the development of a T-cell population able to produce IFN-gamma and to mediate protection against M. avium infection. Treatment of M. avium-infected mice with IL-12 induced CD4+ T cells with enhanced capacity to produce IFN-gamma as well as to confer increased protection against M. avium.