Avaliação de vacinas contra Clostridium novyi tipo B / Evaluation of vaccines against Clostridium novyi type B

Avaliou-se a eficiência de 13 vacinas comerciais contra clostridioses que continham em sua composição Clostridium novyi tipo B, pela titulação de antitoxina alfa em soro de coelhos e de bovinos vacinados e pelo teste de desafio direto em cobaias. As vacinas codificadas como T1 e T10 apresentaram, em coelhos, títulos de antitoxina alfa de 8 e 12UI/ml respectivamente, superiores ao nível mínimo de teste de 3,5UI/ml, recomendado para controle desse produto, e as vacinas T2 e T5, títulos de 2 e 3UI/ml, respectivamente. As vacinas T1, T2, T5 e T10 apresentaram níveis de antitoxina alfa detectáveis em bovinos, mas somente T1 e T10 induziram títulos compatíveis com o nível de teste. Pelo método de desafio direto em cobaias, as vacinas T1, T2, T5, T10 e T11 atenderam aos requisitos, protegendo todos os animais desafiados. Em sua maioria, as vacinas comercializadas no Brasil contra Clostridium novyi tipo B foram ineficientes em estimular títulos sorológicos compatíveis com os níveis de teste recomendado para controle desse produto.

Breastfeeding and early weaning practices in northeast Brazil: a longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVES: To describe breastfeeding practices from 0 to 12 months of age in 4 small towns that are representative of urban northeast Brazil and to identify factors associated with introduction of other milk in the first month of life. METHODS: From January to August 1998, 364 mothers were interviewed at delivery to ascertain antenatal care; delivery room practices; and their intentions regarding breastfeeding, pacifiers, and introduction of water, teas, and other milk. Their perceptions of home support and the advantages of breastfeeding also were assessed. Thereafter, daily information about feeding practices was collected at twice-weekly home visits. When other milk was started, a second interview was conducted to ascertain initial and current breastfeeding problems and use of a pacifier. Reasons for starting other milk were investigated using 5-point Likert scales. RESULTS: Mothers were positive toward breastfeeding, and 99% breastfed their new infant. Few intended to breastfeed exclusively, and in the first week 80% gave water/tea and 56% used a pacifier. The median duration of exclusive breastfeeding was 0 days, and the median age for starting other milk was 24 days. The median duration of breastfeeding was 65 days for mothers who started other milk within 1 month and 165 days for other mothers. After adjustment for confounding variables, the main factors associated with introduction of other milk within 1 month were pacifier use in the first week (odds ratio [OR], 4.01; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.07-7.78), intention to start other milk in the first month (OR, 3.79; 95% CI: 1.74-8.24), giving water/tea in the first week (OR, 3.07; 95% CI: 1.56-6.03), and leaving the maternity ward before breastfeeding was started (OR, 2.59; 95% CI: 1.34-5.04). CONCLUSION: Although breastfeeding is common in this community, it rarely is exclusive and takes place for a relatively short duration. Identification of risk factors for early introduction of other milk offers potential avenues for future intervention, including improvement of breastfeeding support in antenatal and maternity services.

[Schoolchildren statural deficit cartography in Paraíba State, Brazil]. / Cartografia do retardo estatural em escolares do Estado da Paraíba, Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: The study is part of a project financed by the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Education of Brazil (Fundação de Assistência ao Escolar) which intends to evaluate the nutritional status of public schools students in order to estimate, giving emphasis to geographical aspects, the magnitude and distribution of statural deficit of this population in the Paraíba State, Northeastern Brazil. METHODS: Schoolchildren, aged 6-9 years and enrolled in the first grade inall municipalities of Paraíba state went through a height survey. We consider as statural deficit values below -2 standard deviations according to the anthropometric pattern of National Center of Health Statistics. RESULTS: A frequency of 14. 5% of statural deficit was found in the whole state, as well as 18. 7% in the semidesertic region (sertão), 13.8% in Agreste area, 11. 9% in Borborema region and 10.9% in Mata zone. In rural area, the prevalence of statural deficit was higher (17.8%) than for those living in urban area (11.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The results reveal a process of inlanding of statural deficit, which contrasts with historical descriptions of the geographical distribution of this problem in the Northeastern region of Brazil

Stannous chloride mediates single strand breaks in plasmid DNA through reactive oxygen species formation.

Stannous ion (Sn) has been employed in nuclear medicine and in food industry. We described that Stannous Chloride (SnCl2) inactivation effect in Escherichia coli is mediated by a Fenton-like reaction. The effect of SnCl2 was studied through: (i) the alteration of plasmid topology in neutral and acidic pH by gel electrophoresis; and (ii) the transformation efficiency of an wild type E. coli strain. Treatment of plasmid DNA pUC 9.1 with SnCl2, at pH 7.4, results in DNA single-strand breaks (SSB), in a dose-dependent manner. Addition of sodium benzoate partly inhibited the DNA damage, while EDTA completely abolishes DNA-SSB. Furthermore, the ability of the plasmid to transform E. coli was reduced. At pH 1.3, SnCl2 exerts a protective effect on plasmid against HCI depurination. Our results suggest the generation of ROS, such as *OH by a Fenton-like reaction, close to the site of the lesions due to a possible complexation of stannous ion to DNA.

[Chondromyxoid fibroma of the thoracic spine: a case report and review of the literature]. / Fibroma condromixóide da coluna torácica: relato de caso e revisão da literatura.

A case of chondromyxoid fibroma (CMF) arising from the 5th right costovertebral junction and spreading into spinal canal causing spinal cord compression is presented. A myelotomography revealed a complete block at T5 level. The patient underwent a decompressive laminectomy with removal of an epidural tumor. This specimen was sent for pathological examination and interpreted as a CMF. The patient had a neurological improvement, post operative MRI revealed a spinal cord free of compression, and we decided on the follow up of the case. Two years later there was recurrence of the tumor. A posterolateral access by costotransversectomy was made and the lesion was resected. The patient had a neurological improvement which persists on the follow up (two years, at present). Clinical, radiologic and histologic findings, surgical management and recurrence are discussed. The pertinent literature is reviewed.

[Vascular stroke of the brain stem. Study of 21 cases]. / Acidente vascular de tronco encefálico. Estudo de 21 casos.

A prospective study was designed to follow patients with syndromes of brain stem during 12 months (in 1991-1992). The aim was to correlate clinical and radiologic findings and comparing them with the classical descriptions of brain stem syndromes. Twenty one consecutive patients were admitted at the Hospital de Base do Distrito Federal. The diagnosis and the follow up were carried out by neurological examination and neuroradiologic images: CT (100%), angiography (24%, 5) and MRI (5%, 1). Hypertension and old age were the most important risk factors and hemorrhage at pons with extension to midbrain was the most frequent finding. Coma at admission was associated to a poor outcome. The outcome was defined by the Glasgow Outcome Scale: 28% rated 5, 24% rated 4, 5% rated 3, 28% rated 2 and 14% rated 1. Our results show that the clinical presentation of ischemic strokes and hemorrhages of the brain stem very frequently follow a mixed pattern, which do not conciliate with the classical of these syndromes.

[Hemifacial spasm and basilar impression associated with Arnold-Chiari deformity. Report of a case]. / Espasmo hemifacial e impressão basilar associados a malformação de Arnold-Chiari. Relato de caso.

The authors report a case of symptomatic basilar impression and Arnold-Chiari malformation being presented as the first symptom of hemifacial spasm. The surgical treatment of the malformation resulted in improvement of the clinical manifestation with reduction of the hemifacial spasm. The need for the aetiological therapy for the hemifacial spasm is emphasized, before symptomatic treatment with botulinum toxin is tried.

Efeito do naftidrofuril na ameaca de parto prematuro. / Effect of naftidrofuryl on menace in premature labor

Este estudo confirma os efeitos de um farmaco vasodilatador - o naftidrofuril - sobre a atividade uterina. A droga foi administrada a 35 gestantes, das quais 17 com ameaca de parto prematuro.O tratamento foi empregado com o objetivo de avaliar possiveis repercussoes vasculares na gestante, o estado clinico imediato dos recem-nascidos, e para inibir a motilidade uterina nas gestantes com ameaca do parto pre-termo. Os autores demonstram a eficacia do naftidrofuril em paralisar o trabalho de parto prematuro, quando aplicado precocemente, em casos selecionados

Reconstrucao total de arco mandibular e assoalho da boca com retalho osteomiocutaneo bilateral do trapezio e escapula. / Total reconstruction of mandibular arch and mouth floor with bilateral osteomyocutaneous flap of the trapezius and scapula

Os autores apresentam um caso inedito de reconstrucao imediata total do arco mandibular e assoalho de boca com retalho osteomiocutaneo bilateral do trapezio e escapula, seguindo resseccao de cancer avancado da boca, num unico tempo cirurgico. Sao apresentadas uma descricao detalhada das consideracoes anatomicas e tecnica cirurgica. Os varios tipos de retalhos osseos para reconstrucao mandibular sao discutidos. Experiencia com este retalho sugere que ele pode ser o mais versatil e confiavel em largas reparacoes de mandibula e assoalho de boca