Oral health and obesity in the SAYCARE study: reliability and internal validity of diagnostic methods.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this pilot study was to address the reliability, internal validity and viability of oral health methods used in the South American Youth/Child cARdiovascular and Environmental study. METHODS: South American Youth/Child cARdiovascular and Environmental study was a multicentre feasibility observational study and conducted in seven South American cities. The training sessions were performed in two steps before data collection: the first verified the inter-rater reproducibility between the examiners of the six centres in relation to the gold standard, and the second one verified the inter-rater reproducibility between the examiners at each centre in relation to the main rater. The diagnostic methods used were International Caries Detection and Assessment System II and Pulpal Involvement, Ulceration, Fistula and Abscess for dental caries and Periodontal Screening and Recording and Index Plaque for periodontal disease. Anthropometric variables were measured and used to calculate the body mass index and were classified according to the cut-off points defined by the International Obesity Task Force. Cohen's kappa coefficient and proportions of agreement were calculated to report inter-rater and intra-rater reliability in the calibration process and pilot study. RESULTS: The inter-rater weight kappa ranged from 0.78 to 0.88 and proportion of agreement from 96.07% to 98.10% for the International Caries Detection and Assessment System II and for the Periodontal Screening and Recording, 0.68 to 0.95 and 94.40% to 98.33%, respectively, in the calibration process. At the pilot study, a total of 490 children (40.8% overweight and 12.9% obese) and 364 adolescents (23.4% overweight and 4.3% obese) were examined. The prevalence of dental caries was 66% in children and 78% in adolescents, and gingival bleeding was 49% and 58.20%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated good reliability and internal validity after the examiners were trained, as well as the feasibility of using the methods chosen for this multicentre study.

Performance of Nellore calves in tropical pasture consuming different types of concentrated supplements / Desempenho de bezerros Nelore em pastagem tropical consumindo diferentes tipos de suplementos concentrados

The use of different types of concentrated supplements on the performance of Nellore calves grazing Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu in the dry season was evaluated. The experiment was conducted on 24 ha divided into 12 paddocks. Seventy-two calves with initial body weight (BW) 176±14kg for 140 days of experiment were used. Evaluated treatments included: Mineral, Salt+urea (mineral with 30% urea), Protein (supplementation with 45% crude protein (CP) and 46% total digestible nutrients (TDN)); and Protein+energy (with 28% CP and 73% TDN). The Mineral, Salt+urea, and Protein were offered ad libitum, and the Protein+energy 5g/kg BW. Protein+energy showed the highest (P< 0.05) intake (3.66g/kg BW) followed by the Protein (1.61), Salt+urea (0.36), and Mineral (0.32). The two latter supplements were not significantly different (P> 0.05). The highest (P< 0.05) average daily gain (ADG, kg/day) was observed in the Protein+energy (0.074). Average daily gains for the Protein and Salt+urea (0.014 and -0.024, respectively) were not significantly different (P> 0.05), but were significantly higher (P< 0.05) than the Mineral (-0.085). Therefore, during the dry season, to prevent the loss of bovine weight the supplements must supply in addition to minerals, also energy, non-protein nitrogen (NNP), and true protein.(AU)

Foi avaliada a utilização de tipos de suplementos concentrados sobre o desempenho de bezerros Nelore em pasto de Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu na época seca. O experimento foi conduzido em 24ha divididos em 12 piquetes. Foram utilizados 72 bezerros com peso corporal (PC) inicial de 176±14kg por 140 dias de experimento. Os tratamentos foram: mineral, mineral+ureia (mineral com 30% de ureia); proteinado (suplemento com 45% de PB e 46% de nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT)); suplemento energético (suplemento com 28% de PB e 73% de NDT). Mineral, mineral+ureia e proteinado foram fornecidos ad libitum, e o suplemento proteico-energético 5g/kg de PC. O consumo do suplemento (g/kg de PC) foi maior (P<0,05) para o suplemento proteico-energético (3,66), seguido por proteinado (1,61), mineral+ureia (0,36) e mineral (0,32). Esses dois últimos não diferiram entre si (P>0,05). O maior (P<0,05) GMD (kg/dia) foi para o suplemento proteico-energético (0,074), seguido por proteinado e mineral+ureia (0,014 e -0,024, respectivamente), que não diferiram entre si (P>0,05). Todos estes foram superiores (P<0,05) ao mineral (-0,085). Assim, durante a época seca, para prevenir a perda de peso de bovinos, os suplementos devem fornecer, além de minerais, energia, nitrogênio não proteico (NNP) e proteína verdadeira.(AU)

For an ecology of scientific work: science, politics and the case of streams Pampa and Luiz Rau in Novo Hamburgo, Brazil / Por uma ecologia do trabalho científico: a ciência e a política e caso dos arroios Pampa e Luiz Rau em Novo Hamburgo, Brasil

If, like Weber writes, every knowledge is objective in terms of evolving the interests of researchers and the agencies, in this article, we investigate that, which has been researched about two streams: Pampa and Luiz Rau. In doing so, in addition to highlighting what has caught the researchers' attention, this paper manages to point out a few gaps and fruitful fields of study which extend beyond the hard sciences. This study is, therefore, characterized as an essay review paper that sets out to use anthropology of science to think about the limitations and advances the studies about the two streams have achieved, as well as their social impact.

Resumo Se como escreve Weber, todo o conhecimento é objetivo na medida em que envolve interesses de pesquisadores e agências nos questionamos nesse texto sobre, quando falamos nos arroios Pampa e Luiz Rau, aquilo que têm sido pesquisado sobre esses dois arroios. Desta feita, além de colocar em evidência o que têm despertado o interesse, seu mérito reside em apontar algumas lacunas e campos profícuos de estudo que vão para além das ciências duras. Esse estudo se caracteriza, portanto, por um estudo bibliográfico e ensaístico que busca através da antropologia ciência pensar os limites e avanços que se obteve nos últimos anos nesse estudos e seu impacto social.

For an ecology of scientific work: science, politics and the case of streams Pampa and Luiz Rau in Novo Hamburgo, Brazil

If, like Weber writes, every knowledge is objective in terms of evolving the interests of researchers and the agencies, in this article, we investigate that, which has been researched about two streams: Pampa and Luiz Rau. In doing so, in addition to highlighting what has caught the researchers' attention, this paper manages to point out a few gaps and fruitful fields of study which extend beyond the hard sciences. This study is, therefore, characterized as an essay review paper that sets out to use anthropology of science to think about the limitations and advances the studies about the two streams have achieved, as well as their social impact.

Resumo Se como escreve Weber, todo o conhecimento é objetivo na medida em que envolve interesses de pesquisadores e agências nos questionamos nesse texto sobre, quando falamos nos arroios Pampa e Luiz Rau, aquilo que têm sido pesquisado sobre esses dois arroios. Desta feita, além de colocar em evidência o que têm despertado o interesse, seu mérito reside em apontar algumas lacunas e campos profícuos de estudo que vão para além das ciências duras. Esse estudo se caracteriza, portanto, por um estudo bibliográfico e ensaístico que busca através da antropologia ciência pensar os limites e avanços que se obteve nos últimos anos nesse estudos e seu impacto social.

For an ecology of scientific work: science, politics and the case of streams Pampa and Luiz Rau in Novo Hamburgo, Brazil.

If, like Weber writes, every knowledge is objective in terms of evolving the interests of researchers and the agencies, in this article, we investigate that, which has been researched about two streams: Pampa and Luiz Rau. In doing so, in addition to highlighting what has caught the researchers' attention, this paper manages to point out a few gaps and fruitful fields of study which extend beyond the hard sciences. This study is, therefore, characterized as an essay review paper that sets out to use anthropology of science to think about the limitations and advances the studies about the two streams have achieved, as well as their social impact.

Fungi in the respiratory tract of horses with recurrent airway obstruction / Presença de fungos no trato respiratório de equinos e sua associação com obstrução recorrente das vias aéreas

This study aims to compare the concentration of viable fungi, especially those of the genus Aspergillus in the respiratory tract of stabled horses with and without Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO). Thirty two housed horses from four equestrian centers in Brazil were included in the study. These animals were submitted to clinical examination and to a respiratory sample collection. They were categorized into two groups: healthy and RAO-affected horses. Samples obtained by tracheobronchial washes were evaluated for fungal microscopy, quantitative culture and Aspergillus spp. quantification. Eighteen healthy and 14 RAO-affected horses were studied. Fungi were more frequently recovered in the RAO group, in comparison to controls, for both fungal microscopy (P<0.0001), fungal culture (P<0.0001) and Aspergillus spp. quantitative culture (p=0.001). In conclusion, horses with RAO have significantly higher fungal load in the respiratory tract in comparison to healthy horses. The implications of these findings in terms of the pathogenesis of RAO deserve additional investigation...

Este estudo objetivou comparar a concentração de fungos viáveis, especialmente do gênero Aspergillus, no trato respiratório de equinos estabulados com e sem obstrução recorrente das vias aéreas (ORVA). Trinta e dois equinos provenientes de quatro centros de treinamento equestre do Brasil foram incluídos no estudo. Os animais foram submetidos a exame clínico e coleta de amostra respiratória, sendo categorizados em dois grupos: sadios e ORVA. Os lavados traqueobrônquicos obtidos foram avaliados por exame micológico direto e cultivo quantitativo. Ao todo, 18 equinos saudáveis e 14 com ORVA foram estudados. Fungos foram mais frequentemente detectados em amostras do grupo ORVA em comparação com o grupo controle, tanto no exame micológico direto (P<0,0001) e cultivo quantitativo (P<0,0001) quanto na concentração de unidades formadoras de colônias (UFC) de Aspergillus spp. isolada em cultivo (p=0,001). Equinos com ORVA têm maior concentração de propágulos fúngicos no trato respiratório em comparação com animais sadios. As implicações desses achados na patogenia da ORVA merecem maior atenção e investigação...

Expanded criteria for Video Endoscopic Inguinal Lymphadenectomy (VEIL) in penile cancer: palpable lymph nodes

Introduction Open inguinal lymphadenectomy is the gold standard for the treatment of inguinal metastasis in patients with penile cancer (PC). Recently the Video Endoscopic Inguinal Lymphadenectomy (VEIL) was proposed as an option to reduce the morbidity of the procedure in patients without palpable inguinal lymph nodes (PILN), however the oncological equivalency in patients with PILN remains poorly studied. The aims of this video are the demonstration of VEIL in patients with PILN and present the preliminary experience comparing patients with and without PILN. Materials and Methods The video illustrates the procedure performed in two cases that were previously underwent partial penectomy for PC with PILN. Data from the series of 15 patients (22 limbs operated) with PILN underwent VEIL were compared with our series of VEIL in 25 clinically N0 patients (35 limbs operated). Results The comparison between the groups with and without PILN found, respectively, these outcomes: age 52,45 × 53,2 years, operative time 126,8 × 95,5 minutes, hospital stay 5. × 3.1 days, drainage time 6.7 × 5.7 days, 9 resected lymph nodes on average in both groups, global complications 32% × 26%, cellulitis 4.5% × 0%, lymphocele 23% in both groups, skin necrosis 0% × 3%, myocutaneous necrosis 4.5% × 0%, pN+ 33% × 32%, cancer specific mortality 7% × 5% and mean follow-up 17.3 × 35.3 months. None of the variables presented p < 0.05. Conclusions VEIL is a safe complementary procedure for treatment of PC, even in patients with PILN. Oncological results in patients with PILN seem to be appropriate but are still very premature. Prospective multicenter studies with larger samples and long-term follow-up should be conducted to determine the oncological equivalence of VEIL compared with open surgery in patients with PILN. .

Expanded criteria for video endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy (VEIL) in penile cancer: palpable lymph nodes.

INTRODUCTION: Open inguinal lymphadenectomy is the gold standard for the treatment of inguinal metastasis in patients with penile cancer (PC). Recently the Video Endoscopic Inguinal Lymphadenectomy (VEIL) was proposed as an option to reduce the morbidity of the procedure in patients without palpable inguinal lymph nodes (PILN), however the oncological equivalency in patients with PILN remains poorly studied. The aims of this video are the demonstration of VEIL in patients with PILN and present the preliminary experience comparing patients with and without PILN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The video illustrates the procedure performed in two cases that were previously underwent partial penectomy for PC with PILN. Data from the series of 15 patients (22 limbs operated) with PILN underwent VEIL were compared with our series of VEIL in 25 clinically N0 patients (35 limbs operated). RESULTS: The comparison between the groups with and without PILN found, respectively, these outcomes: age 52,45 x 53,2 years, operative time 126,8 x 95,5 minutes, hospital stay 5. x 3.1 days, drainage time 6.7 x 5.7 days, 9 resected lymph nodes on average in both groups, global complications 32% x 26%, cellulitis 4.5% x 0%, lymphocele 23% in both groups, skin necrosis 0% x 3%, myocutaneous necrosis 4.5% x 0%, pN+ 33% x 32 %, cancer specific mortality 7 % x 5 % and mean follow-up 17.3 x 35.3 months. None of the variables presented p < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: VEIL is a safe complementary procedure for treatment of PC, even in patients with PILN. Oncological results in patients with PILN seem to be appropriate but are still very premature. Prospective multicenter studies with larger samples and long-term follow-up should be conducted to determine the oncological equivalence of VEIL compared with open surgery in patients with PILN.

Proinflammatory and oxidative stress markers in patients submitted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass after 1 year of follow-up.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study examined the effect of weight loss after 3, 6 and 12 months of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) on energy intake and on several biomarkers of oxidative stress such as levels of vitamin C, beta-carotene, vitamin E (diet/blood), nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), myeloperoxidase (MPO), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), reduced glutathione (GSH) and activity of catalase (CAT). SUBJECTS/METHODS: Study with a control group (CG), assessed once, and a bariatric group (BG) assessed at the basal period as well as at 3, 6 and 12 months post-surgery; both groups were composed of 5 men and 31 women (n=36). Age was 38.7 ± 9.4 and 39.6 ± 9.2 years old and body mass index (BMI) was 22.2 0 ± 2.1 and 47.6 ± 9.1 kg/m(2), respectively. The variance measure quoted was SEM. RESULTS: The body weight at 12 months was 35.8 ± 1.0% (P<0.001) lower than that of the basal period. At the basal period BG showed higher levels of NOx (P=0.007) and TBARS (P<0.001) and lower levels of vitamins C and E (P<0.001) compared with CG. After 3 months the activity of MPO was decreased (P<0.001). Six months after surgery GSH levels were decreased (P=0.037), whereas CAT activity was increased (P=0.029). After 12 months levels of NOx (P=0.004), TBARS (P<0.001), beta-carotene (P<0.001) and vitamin E (P<0.001) were decreased, whereas those of vitamin C (P<0.001) were increased compared with controls. CONCLUSION: RYGB followed by a daily vitamin supplement apparently attenuated pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress markers 1 year after surgery, but additional antioxidant supplementation appears necessary.

Using laser fluorescence (DIAGNOdent) in surveys for the detection of noncavitated occlusal dentine caries.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of the DIAGNOdent system in epidemiological studies to detect noncavitated occlusal caries lesions, and compare the results with those found in radiographic examinations. METHODS: The sample consisted of 1,290 occlusal surfaces of permanent molars, examined in 179 schoolchildren aged 12-15 years. The methods used were: visual inspection, radiographic examination and DIAGNOdent exam, with radiographic examination being considered the gold standard, and noncavitated caries lesions identified in dentin under sound enamel. The inclusion criterion of this study was to have sound occlusal surfaces on visual inspection. The sensitivity and specificity, positive and negative predictive values were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of the 1,290 surfaces examined during visual inspection, 918 were scored as clinically sound. Of these, 789 were examined by radiographic examination and DIAGNOdent, considering that in more than half of them (410) there were coincident results in the absence of noncavitated lesion in both methods (radiographic examination by DIAGNOdent), with specificity of 74% and negative predictive values of 82% and 155 coincident surfaces with presence of caries, with sensitivity of 64% and positive predictor values of 53% for DIAGNOdent. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that although DIAGNOdent is not a substitute method for the radiographic examination in surveys, it may be an alternative as an auxiliary to visual inspection.

Involvement of host cell heparan sulfate proteoglycan in Trypanosoma cruzi amastigote attachment and invasion.

Cell surface glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) play an important role in the attachment and invasion process of a variety of intracellular pathogens. We have previously demonstrated that heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) mediate the invasion of trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi in cardiomyocytes. Herein, we analysed whether GAGs are also implicated in amastigote invasion. Competition assays with soluble GAGs revealed that treatment of T. cruzi amastigotes with heparin and heparan sulfate leads to a reduction in the infection ratio, achieving 82% and 65% inhibition of invasion, respectively. Other sulfated GAGs, such as chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate and keratan sulfate, had no effect on the invasion process. In addition, a significant decrease in infection occurred after interaction of amastigotes with GAG-deficient Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells, decreasing from 20% and 28% in wild-type CHO cells to 5% and 9% in the mutant cells after 2 h and 4 h of infection, respectively. These findings suggest that amastigote invasion also involves host cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans. The knowledge of the mechanism triggered by heparan sulfate-binding T. cruzi proteins may provide new potential candidates for Chagas disease therapy.

Glycosylation patterns of human alpha2-macroglobulin: analysis of lectin binding by electron microscopy.

Human alpha2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) is a 720 kDa glycoprotein that presents two ultrastructural conformations: slow (S-alpha 2M) and fast (F-alpha 2M). alpha 2M acts mainly as a proteinase scavenger, but an immunomodulatory role was also proposed. This work studies the effect of desialylation and deglycosylation on the structure patterns of alpha 2M by ultrastructural analysis of lectin-induced aggregates, which represents a new approach that had never been previously used. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed the loss of S-alpha 2M conformation after deglycosylation, indicating that glycosidic side-chains contribute to the molecular stability of S-alpha 2M. TEM proved to be an important tool to analyze the effect of biochemical changes on alpha 2M, yielding an objective qualitative control of its morphological state. Certain carbohydrate residues did not vary between the alpha 2M conformations, since both bound similarly ConA and WGA lectins. However, the binding of PNA and BSI-B(4) was slightly lower in F-alpha 2M than in S-alpha 2M. Among the neuraminidases used to desialylate both conformations of alpha 2M that from Arthrobacter ureafaciens was the most effective. Incubation with the lectins ConA or SNA, respectively specific for mannosyl and sialyl residues, led to dose-dependent patterns of aggregation of alpha 2M molecules, mediated by lectin binding and clearly visualized by TEM.

Vitamin A deficiency among Brazilian school-aged children in a healthy child service.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a world public health problem contributing to the increase in childhood morbidity and mortality in developing countries and severe deficiency of vitamin A may lead to xerophthalmia and blindness. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of VAD among Brazilian school-aged children attended at a primary health unit and to verify if some considered risk factor was associated with VAD in this group. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A descriptive prospective transverse study was conducted on 103 randomly selected children. A total of 54 boys and 49 girls aged 5.5-11 years had the relative dose-response (RDR) test performed on. Possible ocular alterations related to vitamin A and the status of anemia, serum zinc, some acute-phase proteins, and anthropometric situation were determinate by an analytic design. RESULTS: No child presented xerophthalmia. Serum retinol values lower than 1.05 and 0.7 micromol l(-1), respectively were found in 26.2 and 5.8% of the children. The prevalence of hypovitaminosis detected by RDR test was 20.4%. The following variables and their relationship with VAD were evaluated: sex (P=0.33; 95% confidence interval 0.61-4.34), weight and height (P> or =0.5), hemoglobin (P=0.15), C-reactive protein (P=0.56; 95% confidence interval 0.75-18.26), alpha-1-acid-glycoprotein (P=0.56; 95% confidence interval 0.15-15.42) and serum zinc (P=0.31). None of these variables was related to VAD. CONCLUSIONS: In this population, the prevalence of VAD detected could be considered a public health problem. School-aged children can be considered at risk for VAD mainly of a subclinical level, even without some associated risk factors.

Cellular effects of reversed amidines on Trypanosoma cruzi.

Aromatic diamidines represent a class of DNA minor groove-binding ligands that exhibit high levels of antiparasitic activity. Since the chemotherapy for Chagas' disease is still an unsolved problem and previous reports on diamidines and related analogues show that they have high levels of activity against Trypanosoma cruzi infection both in vitro and in vivo, our present aim was to evaluate the cellular effects in vitro of three reversed amidines (DB889, DB702, and DB786) and one diguanidine (DB711) against both amastigotes and bloodstream trypomastigotes of T. cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas' disease. Our data show that the reversed amidines have higher levels of activity than the diguanidine, with the order of trypanocidal activities being as follows: DB889 > DB702 > DB786 > DB711. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed that the reversed amidines induced many alterations in the nuclear morphology, swelling of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi structures, and consistent damage in the mitochondria and kinetoplasts of the parasites. Interestingly, in trypomastigotes treated with the reversed amidine DB889, multiple axoneme structures (flagellar microtubules) were noted. Flow cytometry analysis confirmed that the treated parasites presented an important loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential, as revealed by a decrease in rhodamine 123 fluorescence. Our results show that the reversed amidines have promising activities against the relevant mammalian forms of T. cruzi and display high trypanocidal effects at very low doses. This is especially the case for DB889, which merits further in vivo evaluation.

Avaliação de técnicas fisioterapêuticas no tratamento do linfedema pós-cirurgia de mama em mulheres / Evaluation of physiotherapeutic techniques for treating lymphedema following breast cancer surgery in women

OBJETIVO GERAL: Verificar, em um grupo de mulheres submetidas à cirurgia por câncer de mama, a efetividade do tratamento do linfedema, por um período de até dois anos. OBJETIVO ESPECíFICO: Avaliar o volume do braço tratado aos 6, 12, 18 e 24 meses após o tratamento do linfedema. MÉTODO: As participantes foram atendidas em um serviço de reabilitação especializado e submetidas ao tratamento do linfedema, com drenagem linfática manual, enfaixamento compressivo funcional, orientações de autocuidado, automassagem, uso da braçadeira elástica e exercício. Pelas medidas do volume dos membros, nos períodos determinados, 36 mulheres foram avaliadas após a fase intensiva, 22 após 6 meses, 15 após 12 meses, 6 após 18 meses e 11 aos 24 meses. A adesão às estratégias de autocuidado e exercícios foi avaliada através de um questionário. Testes estatísticos foram usados para buscar correlação entre redução do linfedema e alguns fatores como idade, escolaridade, grau do linfedema, tipo de cirurgia, entre outros. RESULTADOS: Houve redução do linfedema e essa se manteve ao longo dos períodos estudados. Não houve correlação entre redução do linfedema e fatores como idade, estado civil, escolaridade, tipo de cirurgia, índice de massa corporal, grau do linfedema, radioterapia, circunferência, hipertensão arterial ou limitação articular e não houve adesão às estratégias de autocuidado com o braço, realização de exercícios, automassagem e uso de braçadeira elástica pela maioria das mulheres. CONCLUSÕES: É importante realizar novas pesquisas que analisem o papel de cada uma dessas orientações na evolução do linfedema após a fase intensiva do tratamento, de forma sistemática e controlada.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE: To verify the effectiveness of lymphedema treatment over a two-year period, in a group of women who underwent breast cancer surgery. Specific objective: To evaluate the volume of the treated arm at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after the lymphedema treatment. METHOD: The participants were attended at a specialized rehabilitation service. They underwent lymphedema treatment consisting of manual lymphatic drainage and functional compressive bandaging and received guidance regarding self-care, self-massage, elastic sleeve use and exercise. They were evaluated by means of limb volume measurement at the following times: thirty-six women after the intensive phase, twenty-two after six months, fifteen after twelve months, six after eighteen months and eleven after twenty-four months. Adherence to the self-care strategies and exercises was evaluated by means of a questionnaire. Statistical tests were used to seek correlations between lymphedema reduction and some factors such as age, schooling, lymphedema grade, type of surgery, etc. RESULTS: There was a reduction in lymphedema and this was maintained throughout the period analyzed. There was no correlation between lymphedema reduction and factors such as age, marital status, schooling, type of surgery, body mass index, lymphedema grade, radiotherapy, circumference, arterial hypertension or joint limitation. Moreover, most of the women did not adhere to the self-care strategies, arm exercises, self-massage and elastic sleeve use. CONCLUSION: It is important to conduct new studies, for systematic and controlled analysis of the role of this guidance in relation to lymphedema evolution following the intensive phase of treatment.

Cross-immunoreactivity between anti-potato apyrase antibodies and mammalian ATP diphosphohydrolases: potential use of the vegetal protein in experimental schistosomiasis

We have previously showed that Schistosoma mansoni ATP-diphosphohydrolase and Solanum tuberosum potato apyrase share epitopes and the vegetable protein has immunostimulatory properties. Here, it was verified the in situ cross-immunoreactivity between mice NTPDases and anti-potato apyrase antibodies produced in rabbits, using confocal microscopy. Liver samples were taken from Swiss Webster mouse 8 weeks after infection with S. mansoni cercariae, and anti-potato apyrase and TRITC-conjugated anti-rabbit IgG antibody were tested on cryostat sections. The results showed that S. mansoni egg ATP diphosphohydrolase isoforms, developed by anti-potato apyrase, are expressed in miracidial and egg structures, and not in granulomatous cells and hepatic structures (hepatocytes, bile ducts, and blood vessels). Therefore, purified potato apyrase when inoculated in rabbit generates polyclonal sera containing anti-apyrase antibodies that are capable of recognizing specifically S. mansoni ATP diphosphohydrolase epitopes, but not proteins from mammalian tissues, suggesting that autoantibodies are not induced during potato apyrase immunization. A phylogenetic tree obtained for the NTPDase family showed that potato apyrase had lower homology with mammalian NTPDases 1-4, 7, and 8. Further analysis of potato apyrase epitopes could implement their potential use in schistosomiasis experimental models.

Small molecule inhibitors of lysozyme amyloid aggregation.

Protein amyloid aggregation is associated with a number of important human pathologies, but the precise mechanisms underlying the toxicity of amyloid aggregates are still incompletely understood. In this context, drugs capable of blocking or interfering with the aggregation of amyloidogenic proteins should be considered in strategies aimed at the development of novel therapeutic agents. Human lysozyme variants have been shown to form massive amyloid deposits in the livers and kidneys of individuals affected by hereditary systemic amyloidosis. Currently, there are no clinical treatments available to prevent or reverse formation of such amyloid deposits. We have recently described a number of di- and trisubstituted aromatic compounds that block the formation of soluble oligomers and amyloid fibrils of the beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta) and protect hippocampal neurons in culture from Abeta-induced toxicity. Here, we show that some of those compounds inhibit the formation and disrupt preformed amyloid fibrils from both human and hen egg white lysozyme. These results suggest that these small molecule compounds may serve as prototypes for the development of drugs for the prevention or treatment of different types of amyloidoses.

Disarray of sarcomeric alpha-actinin in cardiomyocytes infected by Trypanosoma cruzi.

Infection with Trypanosoma cruzi causes acute myocarditis and chronic cardiomyopathy. Remarkable changes have been demonstrated in the structure and physiology of cardiomyocytes during infection by this parasite that may contribute to the cardiac dysfunction observed in Chagas' disease. We have investigated the expression of alpha-actinin, an actin-binding protein that plays a key role in the formation and maintenance of Z-lines, during the T. cruzi-cardiomyocyte interaction in vitro. Immunolocalization of alpha-actinin in control cardiomyocytes demonstrated a typical periodicity in the Z line of cardiac myofibrils, as well as its distribution at focal adhesion sites and along the cell-cell junctions. No significant changes were observed in the localization of alpha-actinin after 24 h of infection. In contrast, depletion of sarcomeric distribution of alpha-actinin occurred after 72 h in T. cruzi-infected cardiomyocytes, while no change occurred at focal adhesion contacts. Biochemical assays demonstrated a reduction of 46% and 32% in the expression of alpha-actinin after 24 h and 72 h of infection, respectively. Intracellular parasites were also stained with an anti-alpha-actinin antibody that recognized a protein of 78 kDa by Western blot. Taken together, our data demonstrate a degeneration of the myofibrils in cardiomyocytes induced by T. cruzi infection, rather than a disassembly of the I bands within sarcomeres.

In vitro responses of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells to whole-cell, particulate and soluble extracts of Leishmania promastigotes.

Whole-cell and soluble extracts of Leishmania promastigotes have both been used as skin test antigens and have also been tested as vaccine candidates. However, the differences in antigenicity between soluble and particulate Leishmania fractions are not known. We evaluated in vitro responses of PBMC from 30 American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) patients and seven noninfected donors to different antigen preparations from Leishmania promastigotes, namely Leishmania amazonensis and L. braziliensis whole-cell extracts, as well as soluble and particulate fractions of L. amazonensis. All Leishmania antigen preparations stimulated significantly higher proliferation and interferon (IFN)-gamma production (but not interleukin (IL)-10 production) in PBMC from the leishmaniasis patients than in cells from the control subjects. The L. braziliensis whole-cell extract stimulated significantly higher cell proliferation and IFN-gamma production than the L. amazonensis whole-cell extract in the group of patients but not in the control group. This result can be explained by the fact that the patients were infected with L. braziliensis. Again in the group of patients, the PBMC proliferative responses as well as the levels of IFN-gamma and IL-10 stimulated by L. amazonensis whole-cell extract were significantly greater than those elicited by the L. amazonensis soluble fraction but were not significantly different from those elicited by the L. amazonensis particulate fraction. We found a higher antigenicity of the particulate fraction as compared to the soluble fraction, what suggests that the antigens present in the particulate fraction account for most of the antigenicity of whole-cell Leishmania promastigote antigen extracts.