A synchrotron computed tomography dataset for validation of longitudinal tensile failure models based on fibre break and cluster development

We performed in-situ tensile tests on two carbon fibre/epoxy composites with continuous scanning using synchrotron computed tomography (CT). Both composites were cross-ply laminates, and two specimens were tested for each composite. The voxel size was sufficiently small to recognize individual fibres and fibre breaks. For each test, 16-19 volumes were reconstructed, cropped down to the 0° plies and analysed to track fibre break and cluster development. This dataset provides the last CT volume before failure for each of the four specimens as well as the individual fibre break locations in all reconstructed volumes. These data are then plotted against predictions from six state-of-the-art strength models. The target is that these data become a benchmark for the development of new models, inspiring researchers to set up refined experiments and develop improved models.

Neurocognitive evaluation using the International HIV Dementia Scale (IHDS) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test (MoCA) in an HIV-2 population

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to characterize neurocognitive impairment (NI) in an HIV-2 population using an observational cross-sectional study in four Portuguese hospitals.

METHODS

Adult HIV-2-infected patients were included. Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test (MoCA) and International HIV Dementia Scale (IHDS) scales were applied for screening of NI. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scales were used for assessment of depression and functionality. A multivariate analysis was performed to assess for risk factors for NI.

RESULTS

Eighty-one patients were included, 50.6% of African origin (n = 41) and 49.4% of Portuguese origin (n = 40). The MoCA scale showed alterations in 81.5% of patients (100% of migrants vs. 62.5% of non-migrants, P < 0.001) and the IHDS scale showed alterations in 42%. Both scales were altered simultaneously in 35.8%. Variables independently associated with NI were age [odds ratio (OR) = 0.885] and migrant status (OR = 9.150).

CONCLUSIONS

Neurocognitive impairment (both scales altered) was present in 35.8%, which is comparable to what is described for HIV-1. The MoCA performed worse in the migrant population and might not be applicable in this setting.

Self-perception in health and quality of life: association with social determinants

Objective

To investigate self-perceived health, quality of life and its association with social determinants in adults and the elderly.

Methods

Observational analytical cross-sectional study, with a probabilistic sample of 1,129 participants, adults and seniors, stratified by conglomerates, living in a municipality in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The response variables were the questions: 'How do you evaluate your health in the last two months?' and 'How do you evaluate your quality of life in the last two months?'. The explanatory variables were sociodemographic and technical-assistance data. For data analysis, a descriptive analysis of categorical and continuous variables and an association analysis (Chi-Square Pearson test) were performed, statistically significant those with a value of p0.05.

Results

The majority were female, classified the quality of life as good and presented positive self-perception of health. Most were aged between 30 and 39 years old, attended high school, were married, had formal work and family income of up to one minimum wage. The association between self-perceived health and quality of life with social determinants revealed that the interviewees who tended to present positive self-perception of health were female, had up to 39 years of age, studied until high school, received up to five minimum wages and had had between one and two medical consultations in the last 12 months. Regarding quality of life, the interviewees who reported there were good were female, between 30 and 39 years old, with high school, were married, had formal work, received up to two minimum wages and had between one and two medical consultations at last year. The univariate analysis revealed that respondents who said their health was positive also rated the quality of life as good.

Conclusions

In the sample studied, it was observed that positive self-perception of health is associated with good quality of life.

Key messages

Health public. Quality of life.

Promoção de saúde, participação em ações coletivas e situação de violência entre usuários da Atenção Primária à Saúde

RESUMO Este artigo visa a analisar a relação entre a promoção de saúde, mensurada por meio da participação em ações coletivas, e a violência entre usuários das unidades de saúde da atenção primária, no município de Ribeirão das Neves (MG). Trata-se de estudo de abordagem quantitativa, cuja metodologia consiste de entrevistas semiestruturadas com usuários da atenção primária do município de Ribeirão das Neves (MG). A análise estatística foi baseada em tabelas de frequências absolutas e percentuais para as distribuições uni e bivariada, destacando-se o perfil sociodemográfico. As associações e suas significâncias estatísticas foram avaliadas por meio do teste Qui-quadrado e da análise de correspondência. Foram entrevistados 628 usuários de 58 Unidades Básicas de Saúde; as violências mais frequentes foram: verbal, psicológica e tentativa de suicídio. A participação em ações coletivas está predominantemente ligada a cultos religiosos. O desenvolvimento de ações de prevenção à violência na atenção primaria é baixo. Na análise de correspondência, a baixa frequência de ações coletivas se associou fortemente à presença de violência e à tentativa de suicídio. A presença de ações ligadas a atividades esportivas/artísticas se associa à ausência de violência verbal e sexual; a participação em associações/sindicatos se associa à ausência de violência psicológica, física e tentativa de suicídio; por fim, ações de trabalho voluntário se associam à ausência de violência sexual, ter parente assassinado e conhecer alguém que foi assassinado. Concluiu-se que a participação e a não participação em ações coletivas se associam, respectivamente, com menor e maior prevalência de violência.

Atitudes e opiniões de profissionais envolvidos na atenção à mulher em situação de violência em 10 municípios brasileiros

RESUMO Esta pesquisa objetivou analisar opiniões e atitudes de profissionais da rede de atenção às mulheres em situação de violência em 10 municípios brasileiros. Estudo transversal quantitativo, realizado mediante entrevistas semiestruturadas com os participantes de oficinas realizadas nos municípios em estudo, totalizando 438 sujeitos. Realizou-se análise descritiva com distribuição de frequências, análise bivariada e análise de correspondência. O número de profissionais que atenderam casos suspeitos é maior do que o número dos que atenderam casos confirmados de violência contra a mulher. Menos da metade dos profissionais que atenderam casos suspeitos adotou alguma atitude frente a eles. A adoção de alguma atitude pelos profissionais foi mais comum - embora também abaixo da metade para a maioria das ações - diante dos casos confirmados. Subnotificação ocorre nos casos suspeitos e nos casos confirmados. A maioria dos entrevistados considera ser papel do setor saúde desenvolver ações de prevenção da violência contra a mulher, com elevada proporção de respostas deixadas em branco. Conclui-se que falta muito para que a atenção à mulher em situação de violência seja devidamente ofertada; os profissionais rotineiramente encaminham mais do que abordam os casos, notificam pouco, não se sentem capacitados e, às vezes, sequer se veem como responsáveis por essa atenção.

Percepções dos adolescentes sobre a violência em um assentamento rural: uma análise qualitativa

RESUMO O objetivo deste artigo foi analisar as percepções de adolescentes de uma escola localizada em um assentamento rural, no município de Alto Paraíso de Goiás, em relação à violência. Realizou-se estudo qualitativo, utilizando-se entrevistas semiestruturadas. A sistematização e a interpretação dos dados foram realizadas pela análise de conteúdo definida por Bardin. Os adolescentes pesquisados relataram variadas formas de violência, por diversas causas, exercidas por diferentes atores, em diversos locais e acometendo todas as faixas etárias. Conclui-se que a escola e a família são fontes privilegiadas de mediações de conflitos, possibilitando uma atuação ampla no campo da prevenção da violência.

Violência e Atenção Primária à Saúde: percepções e vivências de profissionais e usuários

RESUMO O presente estudo teve por objetivo comparar vivências e percepções de usuários e profissionais de saúde relativas à violência no âmbito da Atenção Primária à Saúde. Trata-se de um estudo transversal qualiquantitativo realizado em Ribeirão das Neves (Minas Gerais), no qual foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas utilizando questionários aplicáveis a usuários (n=628), e autoaplicáveis a profissionais (n=300). Foi realizada análise descritiva- distribuição de frequência simples, cruzada e bivariada - e análise de correspondência, comparando as respostas de usuários e profissionais, armazenadas em 2 diferentes bancos de dados. A Análise de Conteúdo Categorial Temática possibilitou a construção de três categorias de análise - a partir das quais foram discutidos, de forma entrelaçada, os resultados quantitativos e qualitativos: 1) A violência como um problema de saúde; 2) Integralidade da Atenção; 3) Participação social. Nota-se que a violência permeia o cotidiano de vida e atuação de usuários e profissionais, comportando-se como um evento que merece aprofundamento por parte de quem sofre, convive e lida com o problema. Os espaços de participação social foram reconhecidos como estratégia importante de inserção da comunidade na discussão dos seus problemas. No entanto, usuários e profissionais diferem quanto ao papel da assistência à saúde na abordagem e no enfrentamento da violência. A atenção primária tem grande potencial de produzir atenção de qualidade, mas, ao que parece, não o realiza quando se trata da abordagem da violência.

Homicídios e vulnerabilidade social

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a distribuição espacial das taxas de homicídios (H) segundo os índices de vulnerabilidade social (IVS) e de qualidade de vida urbana (IQVU), em Betim/MG, de 2006 a 2011. Foram feitas análise descritiva, análise de correlação espacial utilizando o índice de Moran e análise espacial de H, IVS e IQVU. Ocorreram no período, 1.383 óbitos, com predomínio de homens (91,9%), de 15 a 24 anos (46,9%), pardos/pretos (76,9%), com ensino médio (51,1%) e solteiros (83,9%). Não se verificou autocorrelação espacial, indicando que a distribuição das taxas de homicídio é aleatória, o mesmo ocorrendo com o IVS e com o IQVU. Em conjunto, no entanto, houve sobreposição de H, IVS, IQV, o que foi analisado à luz de diferentes teorias explicativas do crime, desde as que abordam a desigualdade social, passando pelas que pautam o tráfico de armas e drogas até chegar às teorias de Durkheim e Habermas, respectivamente, anomia e colonização do mundo da vida. Conclusão: tanto do ponto de vista empírico como teórico, vulnerabilidade social e homicídio se mostram associados.

Spermicidal and microbicidal compounds: in search of an efficient multipurpose strategy

The search for cheap, easy-to-use and effective spermicides and microbicides to help avoid unwanted pregnancies and the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases has been ongoing for many years. This review takes into account compounds designed to act both as microbicides and spermicides for multipurpose prevention, and focuses on the required methodological studies to evaluate their safety, especially cytotoxicity. A comprehensive literature review was conducted on the synthesis, development, advantages and disadvantages of vaginal multi-function compounds. The available data shows that after several setbacks, there is a current interest in the synthesis and in the activity of novel dual-function substances. The study of well-known compounds with distinctive mechanisms of action provides a solid starting point to explore the possible development of such strategies. However, a completely safe and efficient compound for commercialization has yet to be identified.

CFD modelling of the aerodynamic effect of trees on urban air pollution dispersion

The current work evaluates the impact of urban trees over the dispersion of carbon monoxide (CO) emitted by road traffic, due to the induced modification of the wind flow characteristics. With this purpose, the standard flow equations with a kε closure for turbulence were extended with the capability to account for the aerodynamic effect of trees over the wind field. Two CFD models were used for testing this numerical approach. Air quality simulations were conducted for two periods of 31h in selected areas of Lisbon and Aveiro, in Portugal, for distinct relative wind directions: approximately 45° and nearly parallel to the main avenue, respectively. The statistical evaluation of modelling performance and uncertainty revealed a significant improvement of results with trees, as shown by the reduction of the NMSE from 0.14 to 0.10 in Lisbon, and from 0.14 to 0.04 in Aveiro, which is independent from the CFD model applied. The consideration of the plant canopy allowed to fulfil the data quality objectives for ambient air quality modelling established by the Directive 2008/50/EC, with an important decrease of the maximum deviation between site measurements and CFD results. In the non-aligned wind situation an average 12% increase of the CO concentrations in the domain was observed as a response to the aerodynamic action of trees over the vertical exchange rates of polluted air with the above roof-level atmosphere; while for the aligned configuration an average 16% decrease was registered due to the enhanced ventilation of the street canyon. These results show that urban air quality can be optimised based on knowledge-based planning of green spaces.

Using the Flow of People in Cluster Detection and Inference

Objective

We present a new approach to the circular scan method [1] that uses the flow of people to detect and infer clusters of regions with high incidence of some event randomly distributed in a map. We use a real database of homicides cases in Minas Gerais state, in southeast Brazil to compare our proposed method with the original circular scan method in a study of simulated clusters and the real situation.

Introduction

The traditional SaTScan algorithm[1],[2] uses the euclidean distance between centroids of the regions in a map to assemble a connected (in the sense that two connected regions share a physical border) sets of regions. According to the value of the respective logarithm of the likelihood ratio (LLR) a connected set of regions can be classified as a statistically significant detected cluster. Considering the study of events like contagious diseases or homicides we consider using the flow of people between two regions in order to build up a set of regions (zone) with high incidence of cases of the event. In this sense the regions will be closer as the greater the flow of people between them. In a cluster of regions formed according to the criterion of proximity due to the flow of people, the regions will be not necessarily connected to each other.

Methods

We consider a study map with a number of observed cases and risk population for each region. The original circular scan algorithm randomly chooses one region as the first zone and calculates its respective LLR. In the next step a new zone is created including the first region and the region closest to it according the euclidean distance between their centroids and the respective LLR is calculated. This process is repeated until the zone population exceeds a certain percentage of the total population of the map. In our spatial flow scan algorithm everything works in the same manner except that the degree of proximity of two regions is given by the flow of people between them, the higher the flow between the regions closest one is the other. Instead of considering an order of increasing distances to add a region and create a new zone our algorithm uses a decreasing flow of people. In this way we can obtain a zone/cluster candidate composed of a number of non necessarily connected regions.

Results

Minas Gerais state is located in Brazil south-eastern region composed of 853 municipalities or regions with an estimated population of 19,150,344 in 2005. All data were obtained from the Brazilian Ministry of Health (WWW.DATASUS.GOV.BR) and Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (WWW.IBGE.GOV.BR). In the period of 2003 to 2008 were recorded 20,912 homicides at a rate of 22 cases per 100,000. To measure the flow of people between the cities we obtain the data of bus round trips between all the 853 Minas Gerais municipalities from state department of highways (www.der.mg.gov.br). As a large number of pairs of cities have zero bus trips between them we use a gravity model [3] to estimate the flow of people. We use 30% as upper percentage for a zone population. With the real data of homicides cases the original circular scan found a significant cluster containing the city of Belo Horizonte which is the Minas Gerais state capital and large urban area that include Belo Horizonte and 22 more cities totalizing a population of about 3.5 milion people. Our adapted spatial scan algorithm also found a similar cluster including the capital Belo Horizonte but with two small cities less.

Conclusions

In simulation studies where the real cluster is known we observe that our spatial flow scan algorithm has a performance similar to the circular scan concerning detection power and slightly worse in relation to the positive predicted value (PPV) and the sensitivity when the real cluster is regular. However, the performance of our algorithm is clearly better with regard to the sensitivity and the PPV when the real cluster is irregular and or non-connected.

Nonparametric intensity bounds for the delineation of spatial clusters

BACKGROUND

There is considerable uncertainty in the disease rate estimation for aggregated area maps, especially for small population areas. As a consequence the delineation of local clustering is subject to substantial variation. Consider the most likely disease cluster produced by any given method, like SaTScan, for the detection and inference of spatial clusters in a map divided into areas; if this cluster is found to be statistically significant, what could be said of the external areas adjacent to the cluster? Do we have enough information to exclude them from a health program of prevention? Do all the areas inside the cluster have the same importance from a practitioner perspective?

RESULTS

We propose a method to measure the plausibility of each area being part of a possible localized anomaly in the map. In this work we assess the problem of finding error bounds for the delineation of spatial clusters in maps of areas with known populations and observed number of cases. A given map with the vector of real data (the number of observed cases for each area) shall be considered as just one of the possible realizations of the random variable vector with an unknown expected number of cases. The method is tested in numerical simulations and applied for three different real data maps for sharply and diffusely delineated clusters. The intensity bounds found by the method reflect the degree of geographic focus of the detected clusters.

CONCLUSIONS

Our technique is able to delineate irregularly shaped and multiple clusters, making use of simple tools like the circular scan. Intensity bounds for the delineation of spatial clusters are obtained and indicate the plausibility of each area belonging to the real cluster. This tool employs simple mathematical concepts and interpreting the intensity function is very intuitive in terms of the importance of each area in delineating the possible anomalies of the map of rates. The Monte Carlo simulation requires an effort similar to the circular scan algorithm, and therefore it is quite fast. We hope that this tool should be useful in public health decision making of which areas should be prioritized.

Adult-Onset Still's Disease and cytomegalovirus infection

We present a case of a previously asymptomatic 34-year-old man that presented to the emergency department with two weeks of fever, arthralgia of the wrists and knees and sore throat. He was diagnosed with cytomegalovirus (CMV) mononucleosis. The patient remained symptomatic in the 5 following months. After an extensive workup to exclude other clinical conditions, a liver biopsy was performed and CMV hepatitis was diagnosed. He started valganciclovir therapy. Approximately one year after the initial complaints, the patient remained ill and presented clinical criteria compatible with Adult Onset Still's Disease. The patient had a marked improvement after institution of prednisolone, an effect that has been sustained during the following months.

Barotraumatic perforation of the pharyngo-oesophagus secondary to a Lambrini "bottle explosion"

An interesting case of a middle-aged woman who sustained oral lacerations and pharyngeal tear/perforation on opening a bottle of Lambrini sparkling wine with her teeth is presented. The patient presented to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department with bleeding from the mouth and dyspnoea, and on examination had a neck surgical emphysema and visible laceration to the oropharynx. On further investigation, including a range of imaging modalities, a diagnosis of pharyngeal tear/perforation was made, detected on a gastrograffin swallow test. The patient was subsequently treated conservatively, being kept nil by mouth and fed through a nasogastric tube, with prophylactic antibiotic cover. The patient was re-imaged 1 week later, which displayed complete resolution of the tear, and was subsequently discharged on a normal oral diet.

Cell-permeant NAADP: a novel chemical tool enabling the study of Ca2+ signalling in intact cells

NAADP (nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate) is a recently discovered second messenger, and as such, we have much yet to learn about its functions in health and disease. A bottleneck in this basic research is due to NAADP, like all second messengers, being charged to prevent it from leaking out of cells. This makes for effective biology, but imposes difficulties in experiments, as it must be injected, loaded via liposomes, or electroporated, techniques that are highly technically demanding and are possible only in certain single cell preparations. For the better understood second messenger inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, great success has been obtained with cell-permeant derivatives where the charged groups are masked through esterification. We now report NAADP-AM as a cell-permeant analogue of NAADP that is taken up into cells and induces NAADP-mediated Ca(2+) signalling. NAADP-AM is a powerful chemical tool that will be of enormous biological utility in a wide range of systems and will greatly facilitate research into the role of NAADP in health and disease.

Inhibition of IL-6-dependent growth of myeloma cells by an acidic peptide repressing the gp130-mediated activation of Src family kinases

An acidic domain (AD) of gp130 was previously found to interact with the Src family kinase (SFK) Hck. Here, the influence of myristoylated peptides derived from this AD was assessed in the mouse myeloma cell line, 7TD1. The IL-6-dependent growth of 7TD1 cells was reduced by approximately 75%, if 100 microM of myristoylated 18mer peptide (18AD) was included in the growth medium, but was unaffected by a control peptide with scrambled sequence (18sc). A similar differential inhibition by peptides 18AD and 18sc was observed for the erythropoietin-dependent growth of BaF-EH cells expressing chimeric erythropoietin receptor-gp130 and human Hck and for the human myeloma cell line INA-6. While the peptide 18AD concentration inhibiting 50% was approximately 30 microM in 7TD1 and BaF-EH cells, peptide 18AD did not significantly inhibit growth of IL-6-independent MM1.S myeloma and OKT1 hybridoma cells or of BaF-EH cells supplied with IL-3. Treatment with 100 microM peptide 18AD caused the same degree or 60% of apoptosis induction as IL-6 deprivation in 7TD1 or INA-6 cells, respectively. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that peptide 18AD interfered with the association of Hck and gp130 in 7TD1 lysates in a concentration-dependent manner. IL-6-treatment of INA-6 cells induced the kinase activities of Fyn, Lyn and Hck, but not Src, and the IL-6-induced SFK activities were inhibited by peptide 18AD. Expression in 7TD1 cells of a kinase-inactive Hck mutant (K269R) elicited a dominant-negative effect on cell number increases providing further evidence that SFKs are required for gp130 signalling in myeloma cells.

Global analysis of the human gastric epithelial transcriptome altered by Helicobacter pylori eradication in vivo

OBJECTIVE

The transcriptional profile of gastric epithelial cell lines cocultured with Helicobacter pylori and the global gene expression of whole gastric mucosa has been described previously. We aimed to overcome limitations of previous studies by determining the effects of H pylori eradication on the transcriptome of purified human gastric epithelium using each patient as their own control.

DESIGN

Laser capture microdissection (LCM) was used to extract mRNA from paraffin-embedded antral epithelium from 10 patients with peptic ulcer disease, before and after H pylori eradication. mRNA was reverse transcribed and applied on to Affymetrix cDNA microarray chips customised for formalin-fixed tissue. Differentially expressed genes were identified and a subset validated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTS

A total of 13 817 transcripts decreased and 9680 increased after H pylori eradication. Applying cut-off criteria (p<0.02, fold-change threshold 2.5) reduced the sample to 98 differentially expressed genes. Genes detected included those previously implicated in H pylori pathophysiology such as interleukin 8, chemokine ligand 3, beta defensin and somatostatin, as well as novel genes such as GDDR (TFIZ1), chemokine receptors 7 and 8, and gastrokine.

CONCLUSIONS

LCM of archival specimens has enabled the identification of gastric epithelial genes whose expression is considerably altered after H pylori eradication. This study has confirmed the presence of genes previously implicated in the pathogenesis of H pylori, as well as highlighted novel candidates for further investigation.

Microvascular injury and blood-brain barrier leakage in Alzheimer's disease

Thinning and discontinuities within the vascular basement membrane (VBM) are associated with leakage of the plasma protein prothrombin across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Prothrombin immunohistochemistry and ELISA assays were performed on prefrontal cortex. In severe AD, prothrombin was localized within the wall and neuropil surrounding microvessels. Factor VIII staining in severe AD patients indicated that prothrombin leakage was associated with shrinkage of endothelial cells. ELISA revealed elevated prothrombin levels in prefrontal cortex AD cases that increased with the Braak stage (Control=1.39, I-II=1.76, III-IV=2.28, and V-VI=3.11 ng prothrombin/mg total protein). Comparing these four groups, there was a significant difference between control and Braak V-VI (p=0.0095) and also between Braak stages I-II and V-VI (p=0.0048). There was no significant difference in mean prothrombin levels when cases with versus without cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) were compared (p-value=0.3627). When comparing AD patients by APOE genotype (ApoE3,3=2.00, ApoE3,4=2.49, and ApoE4,4=2.96 ng prothrombin/mg total protein) an analysis of variance indicated a difference between genotypes at the 10% significance level (p=0.0705). Tukey's test indicated a difference between the 3,3 and 4,4 groups (p=0.0607). These studies provide evidence that in advanced AD (Braak stage V-VI), plasma proteins like prothrombin can be found within the microvessel wall and surrounding neuropil, and that leakage of the blood-brain barrier may be more common in patients with at least one APOE4 allele.

Non-malignant consequences of decreasing asbestos exposure in the Brazil chrysotile mines and mills

AIMS

To investigate the consequences of improvement in the workplace environment over six decades (1940-96) in asbestos miners and millers from a developing country (Brazil).

METHODS

A total of 3634 Brazilian workers with at least one year of exposure completed a respiratory symptoms questionnaire, chest radiography, and a spirometric evaluation. The study population was separated into three groups whose working conditions improved over time: group I (1940-66, n = 180), group II (1967-76, n = 1317), and group III (1977-96, n = 2137).

RESULTS

Respiratory symptoms were significantly related to spirometric abnormalities, smoking, and latency time. Breathlessness, in particular, was also associated with age, pleural abnormality and increased cumulative exposure to asbestos fibres. The odds ratios (OR) for parenchymal and/or non-malignant pleural disease were significantly lower in groups II and III compared to group I subjects (0.29 (0.12-0.69) and 0.19 (0.08-0.45), respectively), independent of age and smoking status. Similar results were found when groups were compared at equivalent latency times (groups I v II: 30-45 years; groups II v III: 20-25 years). Ageing, dyspnoea, past and current smoking, and radiographic abnormalities were associated with ventilatory impairment. Lower spirometric values were found in groups I and II compared to group III: lung function values were also lower in higher quartiles of latency and of cumulative exposure in these subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Progressive improvement in occupational hygiene in a developing country is likely to reduce the risk of non-malignant consequences of dust inhalation in asbestos miners and millers.

Identification of rounded atelectasis in workers exposed to asbestos by contrast helical computed tomography

Rounded atelectasis (RA) is a benign and unusual form of subpleural lung collapse that has been described mostly in asbestos-exposed workers. This form of atelectasis manifests as a lung nodule and can be confused with bronchogenic carcinoma upon conventional radiologic examination. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the variation in contrast uptake in computed tomography for the identification of asbestos-related RA in Brazil. Between January 1998 and December 2000, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) was performed in 1658 asbestos-exposed workers. The diagnosis was made in nine patients based on a history of prior asbestos exposure, the presence of characteristic (HRCT) findings and lesions unchanged in size over 2 years or more. In three of them the diagnosis was confirmed during surgery. The dynamic contrast enhancement study was modified to evaluate nodules and pulmonary masses. All nine patients with RA received iodide contrast according to weight. The average enhancement after iodide contrast was infused, reported as Hounsfield units (HU), increased from 62.5+/-9.7 to 125.4+/-20.7 (P < 0.05), with a mean enhancement of 62.5+/-19.7 (range 40 to 89) and with a uniform dense opacification. In conclusion, in this study all patients with RA showed contrast enhancement with uniform dense opacification. The main clinical implication of this finding is that this procedure does not permit differentiation between RA and malignant pulmonary neoplasm.

Videocapillaroscopy and Diabetes mellitus: area of transverse segment in nailfold capillar loops reflects vascular reactivity

The value of measuring projected area of transverse segment of hand nailfold capillary loops using computerized videophotometry was studied in 17 healthy individuals (10 women and 7 men) group A and 17 patients with diabetes type 2 (10 women and 7 men) group B with comparable ages (49.94+/-8.62 x 49.11+/-14.63 years old P=0.49). Videocapillaroscopy (VC) was performed under controlled temperature environment (24-26 degrees C). The test of post-occlusive reactive hyperemia was performed using a sphygmomanometer attached to the fourth left hand finger, 20 mmHg above maximum arterial pressure during 1 min. Images were captured each 2 s during 1 min. Time averages to reach the maximum post-ischemia area were determined as well as the area's increment percent in both groups. Both averages were compared by the Mann-Whitney test. There was no differences between area increments percent averages among controls and patients with diabetes (52.49+/-22.6 x 67.99+/-47.48% P=0.67), but the time to reach it during reperfusion was significantly increased among diabetics (5.52+/-2.96 x 18.58+/-8.08 s P<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

changes of capillary response to ischemia may be observed among patients with diabetes through bi-dimensional measures of projected area of capillary loops transverse segment in VC using a computerized system of image analysis. Patients with Diabetes mellitus do not have significantly different maximum area increments than controls, but spend more time to reach it during reperfusion.

Antimicrobial activity of essential oils isolated from Portuguese endemic species of Thymus

AIMS

Thymus species are wild species mostly found in the arid lands of Portugal. Possible antimicrobial properties of Thymus essential oils have been investigated. The chemical composition of the essential oils and the antimicrobial activity of Thymus mastichina (L) L. subsp. mastichina, T. camphoratus and T. lotocephalus from different regions of Portugal were analysed.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Hydrodistillation was used to isolate the essential oils and the chemical analyses were performed by gas chromatography (GC) and GC coupled to mass spectrometry. The antimicrobial activity was tested by the disc agar diffusion technique against Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella spp. and Staphylococcus aureus. Pure linalool, 1,8-cineole and a mixture (1 : 1) of these compounds were included. Linalool, 1,8-cineole or linalool/1,8-cineole and linalool/1,8-cineole/linalyl acetate were the major components of the essential oils, depending on the species or sampling place. The essential oils isolated from the Thymus species studied demonstrated antimicrobial activity but the micro-organisms tested had significantly different sensitivities.

CONCLUSIONS

The antimicrobial activity of essential oils may be related to more than one component.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Portuguese endemic species of Thymus can be used for essential oil production for food spoilage control, cosmetics and pharmaceutical use. Further studies will be required to elucidate the cell targets of the essential oil components.

Effect of APOE genotype on microvascular basement membrane in Alzheimer's disease

APOE4 homozygosity has been associated with an increased risk of sporadic Alzheimer's disease through a mechanism, which has yet to be defined. Recent evidence has suggested that microvascular basement membrane injury may be a critical factor in the pathogenesis of AD-related dementia. In previous studies, we have shown that the synaptic organizing protein agrin can be found in neurons, and is a major component of the brain microvascular basement membrane. Here, we compare the basement membrane surface area of cortical microvasculature in AD brains by staining with an anti-agrin antibody. Quantitative morphometric analysis was used to determine the mean basement area (micro(2)) of prefrontal cortical microvessels. An average of 10 capillaries was measured in each of 35 cases of AD genotyped for APOE status. APOE4,4 homozygotes had smaller capillary basement membrane areas (17.4 micro(2))+/-6.2) than APOE3,3 homozygotes (26.9 micro(2)+/-6.5), p<0.001. The capillary basement membrane areas (CBMA) of heterozygotes APOE3,4 did not differ significantly from APOE3,3 or APOE4,4. Braak stage did not contribute significantly to CBMA. However, a preliminary analysis suggests an interaction between APOE4,4 and Braak V-VI producing smaller CBMA, a finding which needs to be confirmed with a larger sample. These data support the hypothesis that APOE4,4 is associated with thinning of the microvascular basement membrane in Alzheimer's disease.

AtSKtheta, a plant homologue of SGG/GSK-3 marks developing tissues in Arabidopsis thaliana

The Arabidopsis thaliana AtSK sub-family of serine threonine protein kinases groups 10 homologues of SHAGGY/GSK-3. Previous results obtained with different plant members of the SHAGGY/GSK-3 family strongly suggest that these proteins are involved in cell differentiation and stress responses. In order to gain further insight into the biological functions of this family in A. thaliana, polyclonal antibodies were raised against specific domains of the AtSKtheta protein. The antibodies were purified and used in immunolocalization studies in various tissues of A. thaliana. Our results show that the protein is located in the cell nuclei of various developing organs. Differential protein localization profiles were found in some of the observed tissues, notably during gametophyte and embryo development. Based on this protein location pattern, and on what is known about the mammalian members of the GSK-3 family, we suggest that AtSKtheta may have a role in the regulation of transcription factors.

Evaluation of behavioral states among morning and evening active healthy individuals

The Horne-Ostberg questionnaire partly covers some factors that may be important determinants of peak time and characterize patterns of behavior. We conducted a study for the evaluation of self-reported behavioral states (hunger sensation, availability for study, physical exercise, solving daily problems, and time preferences) as expressions of underlying cyclic activity. Three hundred and eighteen community subjects without history of medical, psychiatric, or sleep disorders were evaluated in a cross-sectional design. A self-report about daily highest level of activity was used to categorize individuals into morning, evening, and indifferently active. Time-related behavioral states were evaluated with 23 visual analog questions. The responses to most analogic questions were significantly different between morning and evening active subjects. Logistic regression analysis identified a group of behaviors more strongly associated with the self-reported activity pattern (common wake up time, highest subjective fatigue, as well as wake up, bedtime, exercise and study preferences). These findings suggested that the patterns of activity presented by normal adults were related to specific common behavioral characteristics that may contribute to peak time.

Signaling through a novel domain of gp130 mediates cell proliferation and activation of Hck and Erk kinases

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) induces the activation of the Src family kinase Hck, which is associated with the IL-6 receptor beta-chain, gp130. Here we describe the identification of an "acidic" domain comprising amino acids 771 to 811 of gp130 as a binding region for Hck, which mediates proliferative signaling. The deletion of this region of gp130 (i.e., in deletion mutant d771-811) resulted in a significant reduction of Hck kinase activity and cell proliferation upon stimulation of gp130 compared to wild-type gp130. In addition, d771-811 disrupted the growth factor-stimulated activation of Erk and the dephosphorylation of Pyk2. Based on these findings, we propose a novel, acidic domain of gp130, which is responsible for the activation of Hck, Erk, and Pyk2 and signals cell proliferation upon growth factor stimulation.

Synthetic secofriedelane and friedelane derivatives as inhibitors of human lymphocyte proliferation and growth of human cancer cell lines in vitro

Controlled silylation of friedelin (1) from cork smoker wash solids, a byproduct generated during processing of corkboard by steam baking, gave 3-trimethylsiloxyfriedel-2-ene (3) in high yields. Oxidation of 3 with OsO(4)/NMMO produced 2alpha-hydroxyfriedelan-3-one (cerin) (5), from which the new 2,3-secofriedelan-2-al-3-oic acid (6) was obtained quantitatively by periodic acid oxidation. Oxidation of 3 with DDQ afforded friedel-1-en-3-one (8). Reductive ozonolysis of 3 gave 2alpha,3beta-dihydroxyfriedelane, pachysandiol A (7). Compound 6 proved to be a potent inhibitor of human lymphocyte proliferation (IC(50) = 10.7 microM) and of the growth of a human cancer cell line (GI(50) = 5.4-17.2 microM). (13)C NMR data for compounds (3, 4, 5, 6a,7, and 8) are described for the first time.

Prophylactic donor lymphocyte infusions after moderately ablative chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation for hematological malignancies: high remission rate among poor prognosis patients at the expense of graft-versus-host disease

We investigated the use of 'prophylactic' donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) containing 1 x 107 CD3+ cells, given at 30, 60 and 90 days post-allogeneic blood and marrow transplantation (BMT), following conditioning with fludarabine 30 mg/m(2)/4 days and melphalan 70 mg/m(2)/2 days. GVHD prophylaxis consisted of cyclosporin A (CsA) 2 mg/kg daily with early tapering by day 60. Our goals were the rapid achievement of chimerism and disease control, providing an immunological platform for DLIs to treat refractory patients with hematological malignancies. Twelve heavily pre-treated patients with life expectancy less than 6 months were studied; none were in remission. Diagnoses were AML (n = 4), MDS (n = 1), ALL (n = 3), CML (n = 3) and multiple myeloma (n = 1). Response rate was 75%. Three patients are alive at a median of 450 days (range, 450-540). Two patients are in remission of CML in blast crisis and AML for more than 14 months. Median survival is 116 days (range, 25-648). Six patients received 12 DLIs; three patients developed acute GVHD after the first infusion and were excluded from further DLIs, but no GVHD occurred among patients receiving subsequent DLIs. One patient with CML in blast crisis went into CR after the first DLI. The overall incidence of acute GVHD was 70%. Primary causes of death were infections (n = 3), acute GVHD (n = 3), chronic GVHD (n = 1) and disease relapse (n = 2). We observed high response and chimerism rates at the expense of an excessive incidence of GVHD. DLI given at day +30 post BMT caused GVHD in 50% of the patients, and its role in this setting remains unclear.

Organization and structural evolution of four multigene families in Arabidopsis thaliana: AtLCAD, AtLGT, AtMYST and AtHD-GL2

The Arabidopsis Genome Initiative has released up to now more than 80% of the genome sequence of Arabidopsis thaliana. About 70% of the identified genes have at least one paralogue. In order to understand the biological function of individual genes, it is essential to study the structure, expression and organization of the entire multigene family. A systematic analysis of multigene families, made possible by the amount of genomic sequence data available, provides important clues for the understanding of genome evolution and plasticity. In this paper, four multigene families of A. thaliana are characterized, namely LCAD, HD-GL2, LGT and MYST. Members of HD-GL2 and LCAD have already been reported in plants. The LGT genes specify proteins containing motifs of glycosyl transferase. No plant genes similar to the LGT genes have been reported to date. The novel MYST family, most likely plant-specific, encodes proteins with no identified function. Sequencing and in silico analysis led to the characterization of 29 novel genes belonging to these four gene families. The organization, structure and evolution of all the members of the four families are discussed, as well as their chromosome location. Expression data of some of the paralogues of each family are also presented.

Novel polycyclic guanidine alkaloids from two marine sponges of the genus Monanchora

Two marine sponges of the genus Monanchora (Poecilosclerida, Crambeidae) have been found to contain new polycyclic guanidine alkaloids bearing the (5,6,8b)-triazaperhydroacenaphthylene skeleton. Their structures have been determined by detailed spectroscopic analysis. Dehydrobatzelladine C (1) has been isolated from M. arbuscula and crambescidins 359 (2) and 431 (3) from M. unguiculata. The chemotaxonomic implications of these findings are discussed.

An evolutionary conserved group of plant GSK-3/shaggy-like protein kinase genes preferentially expressed in developing pollen

Genes and cDNAs encoding plant protein kinases highly homologous to the animal GSK-3/shaggy subfamily were isolated from Arabidopsis thaliana, Brassica napus, Petunia hybrida and Nicotiana tabacum using the P. hybrida PSK6 GSK-3/shaggy related cDNA as a probe. All the derived protein sequences contained the characteristic catalytic domain of GSK-3/shaggy protein kinases. Sequence comparisons within the catalytic domain with other plant GSK-3/shaggy like kinases clearly indicate that the novel sequences form an isolated group of genes termed the PSK6 group. All the proteins within this group possess an amino-terminal extension which contains short amino acid motifs highly conserved between species and possibly implicated in mitochondrial targeting. Northern hybridisation experiments and reverse transcriptase PCR analysis demonstrated that these novel cDNAs are predominantly expressed in developing pollen. The three genes isolated from P. hybrida and A. thaliana show the same genomic organisation into 12 introns and 13 exons. Although the size of the introns varies, their positions are conserved between genes and species. The comparison of these gene structures and the analysis of deduced protein sequences belonging to different plants hold important information to understand the function of individual members. They suggest that some of the characterised sequences represent most likely true orthologues whereas others must be paralogues. They also allow us to discuss the evolution of the plant GSK-3/shaggy like gene family with regard to plant speciation.

Monitoring of exposure to acrylonitrile by determination of N-(2-cyanoethyl)valine at the N-terminal position of haemoglobin

A selected ion monitoring gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) procedure was developed to determine the interaction product formed by acrylonitrile (ACN) with the N-terminal amino group in haemoglobin. The product, N-(2-cyanoethyl)valine (CEV), was analysed following its release from the protein by a modified Edman degradation procedure. Quantitation was achieved using N-(2-cyanoethyl)-[2H8]Val-Leu-Ser as internal standard. The limit of detection of the assay was 1 pmol CEV/g globin. A close to linear dose-response relationship was found for adduct formation in rats treated with ACN by gavage. On the basis of a linear extrapolation, a dose of 1 mg/kg body wt yielded 248 pmol CEV/g globin. Two groups of workers who were exposed to ACN contained 1984 +/- SD 2066 (n = 9) and 2276 +/- SD 1338 (n = 7) pmol CEV/g globin respectively. These values were highly significantly greater (P < 0.01 following a one-way analysis of variance with a logarithmic transformation of the data) than those in a group of control workers in the same factory (31.1 +/- SD 18.5 pmol CEV/g globin, n = 11). The concentrations of N-terminal CEV in globin samples from 13 smoking and 10 non-smoking mothers and from their newborns were determined. Adduct levels in the smokers averaged 217 +/- 85.1 pmol CEV/g globin, significantly higher than the levels in non-smokers, which were undetectable. Individual values in the mothers were very highly correlated with the levels in their babies (which averaged 99.5 +/- 53.8 pmol CEV/g globin), which demonstrates that transplacental transfer of ACN occurs. Significant correlations were also found between the number of cigarettes smoked per day by the mother and the CEV levels in both the mothers' and newborns' globin. There was, however, no correlation between the CEV levels and those of the ethylene oxide adduct N-(2-hydroxyethyl)valine in samples from either the mothers or babies.

Synthesis and characterization of peptide adducts for use in monitoring human exposure to acrylonitrile and ethylene oxide

Human exposure to ethylene oxide and acrylonitrile may be monitored by determination of the products that these electrophilic compounds form with the amino terminal of hemoglobin. The procedure involves a modified Edman degradation, using the reagent pentafluorophenyl isothiocyanate, which cleaves the adducted N-terminal amino acid from the protein chain as a substituted pentafluorophenyl thiohydantoin. This may then be quantitated using selected ion monitoring gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). To overcome problems arising from the lack of an ideal internal standard for this analysis, we have now synthesized adducts of ethylene oxide and acrylonitrile with the N-terminal tripeptide of the alpha-chain of human globin (Val-Leu-Ser). These adducts should behave analogously to the protein adduct in the Edman degradation. The adducts were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and fast atom bombardment and electrospray MS and tandem MS. Additionally, an analogous stable isotope-labeled standard was synthesized for the acrylonitrile adduct using a d8-labeled tripeptide. Quantitative calibration lines for analysis of the adducts have been established and the validity of the assays established by the detection of acrylonitrile adducts in the globin of acrylonitrile-exposed workers and of cigarette smokers.