Dietary intake from complementary feeding is associated with intestinal barrier function and environmental enteropathy in Brazilian children from the MAL-ED cohort study.

A child's diet contains nutrients and other substances that influence intestinal health. The present study aimed to evaluate the relations between complementary feeding, intestinal barrier function and environmental enteropathy (EE) in infants. Data from 233 children were obtained from the Brazilian site of the Etiology, Risk Factors, and Interactions of Enteric Infections and Malnutrition and the Consequences for Child Health and Development Project cohort study. Habitual dietary intake from complementary feeding was estimated using seven 24-h dietary recalls, from 9 to 15 months of age. Intestinal barrier function was assessed using the lactulose-mannitol test (L-M), and EE was determined as a composite measure using faecal biomarkers concentrations - α-1-antitrypsin, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and neopterin (NEO) at 15 months of age. The nutrient adequacies explored the associations between dietary intake and the intestinal biomarkers. Children showed adequate nutrient intakes (with the exception of fibre), impaired intestinal barrier function and intestinal inflammation. There was a negative correlation between energy adequacy and L-M (ρ = -0·19, P < 0·05) and between folate adequacy and NEO concentrations (ρ = -0·21, P < 0·01). In addition, there was a positive correlation between thiamine adequacy and MPO concentration (ρ = 0·22, P < 0·01) and between Ca adequacy and NEO concentration (ρ = 0·23; P < 0·01). Multiple linear regression models showed that energy intakes were inversely associated with intestinal barrier function (ß = -0·19, P = 0·02), and fibre intake was inversely associated with the EE scores (ß = -0·20, P = 0·04). Findings suggest that dietary intake from complementary feeding is associated with decreased intestinal barrier function and EE in children.

Infant feeding practices and determinant variables for early complementary feeding in the first 8 months of life: results from the Brazilian MAL-ED cohort site.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to describe breast-feeding, complementary feeding and determining factors for early complementary feeding from birth to 8 months of age in a typical Brazilian low-income urban community. DESIGN: A birth cohort was conducted (n 233), with data collection twice weekly, allowing close observation of breast-feeding, complementary feeding introduction and description of the WHO core indicators on infant and young child feeding. Infant feeding practices were related to socio-economic status (SES), assessed by Water/sanitation, wealth measured by a set of eight Assets, Maternal education and monthly household Income (WAMI index). Two logistic regression models were constructed to evaluate risk factors associated with early complementary feeding. RESULTS: Based on twice weekly follow-up, 65 % of the children received exclusive breast-feeding in the first month of life and 5 % in the sixth month. Complementary feeding was offered in the first month: 29 % of the children received water, 15 % infant formulas, 13 % other milks and 9·4 % grain-derived foods. At 6 months, dietary diversity and minimum acceptable diet were both 47 % and these increased to 69 % at 8 months. No breast-feeding within the first hour of birth was a risk factor for the early introduction of water (adjusted OR=4·68; 95 % CI 1·33, 16·47) and low WAMI index a risk factor for the early introduction of other milks (adjusted OR=0·00; 95 % CI 0·00, 0·02). CONCLUSIONS: Data suggest local policies should promote: (i) early breast-feeding initiation; (ii) SES, considering maternal education, income and household conditions; (iii) timely introduction of complementary feeding; and (iv) dietary diversity.

DNA interaction with Actinomycin D: mechanical measurements reveal the details of the binding data.

We have studied the interaction between the anticancer drug Actinomycin D (ActD) and the DNA molecule by performing single molecule stretching experiments and atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging. From the stretching experiments, we determine how the mechanical properties of the DNA-ActD complexes vary as a function of drug concentration, for a fixed DNA concentration. We have found that the persistence lengths of the complexes formed behave non-monotonically: at low concentrations of ActD they are more flexible than the bare DNA molecule and become stiffer at higher concentrations. On the other hand, the contour length increases monotonically as a function of ActD concentration. Using a two-sites quenched disorder statistical model recently developed by us, we were able to extract chemical parameters such as the intrinsic binding constant and the degree of cooperativity from these pure mechanical measurements, thus performing a robust characterization of the interaction. The AFM images, otherwise, were used to measure the bending angle size distribution that ActD introduces on the double-helix structure and the average number of bendings per DNA molecule as a function of drug concentration, two quantities that cannot be determined from the stretching experiments.

Electrocardiographic findings in acute cerebrovascular hemorrhage. A prospective study of 70 patients.

Seventy patients with hemorrhagic stroke were prospectively evaluated regarding the electrocardiographic abnormalities observed within the first 48 hours of the ictus. Group I comprised 55 patients with spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage, and group II 15 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Patients taking cardiac drugs (beta blockers, calcium-channel blockers, inotropic drugs) or with severe metabolic/electrolyte disturbances were excluded. The most common ECG abnormality was a prolonged Q-Tc interval: group I, 37 (67.2%); group II, 8 (53.3%). Only 4 (7.2% patients of group I and no patient of group II had a normal ECG. No relation was found between the site of the intracerebral hematoma and the occurrence of any particular ECG change. A prolonged Q-Tc may be related to the development of severe cardiac arrhythmias observed in some patients with acute cerebral hemorrhage.

[Early luminal diameter reduction after coronary angioplasty and its relation to the restenosis phenomenon]. / A perda precoce do diâmetro luminal após angioplastia coronária e sua influência no fenômeno da reestenose.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the early luminal diameter loss in the first 15 min after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and its influence on coronary restenosis. METHODS: In a prospective study, we evaluated 86 patients. The patients were divided in two groups based on the presence or absence of coronary restenosis. Thirty one lesions developed restenosis and 55 lesions did not. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that balloon/artery ratio was lower in the group of restenosis (0.92 +/- 0.01 vs 1.00 +/- 0.11, P = .003). Absolute and relative elastic recoil at 1 min was greater in the group that developed restenosis (0.79 +/- 0.54 vs 0.68 +/- 0.59 mm; P = .007 and 32.04 +/- 14.27 vs 22.15 +/- 16.65%; P = .006). Similarly, absolute and relative elastic recoil at 15 min were greater in the group with restenosis (1.25 +/- 0.59 vs 0.90 +/- 0.65 mm, P = .017 e 46.75 +/- 15.69 vs 29.18 +/- 17.84%, P < .00001). Minimal luminal diameter (MLD) at 1 min was lower in the group with restenosis (2.15 +/- 0.42 vs 2.43 +/- 0.58 mm; P = .022). The very early loss was greater in the group with restenosis (0.46 +/- 0.34 vs 0.22 +/- 0.35 mm, P = .004). MLD at 15 min was lower in the group of restenosis than in the group without restenosis (1.69 +/- 0.48 vs 2.20 +/- 0.61; P = .0001). Multivariate analysis revealed balloon/artery ratio and MLD at 15 min as independent correlates of the late outcome. CONCLUSION: The late outcome of PTCA is influenced by elastic recoil and the early MLD loss after PTCA. However, the strongest and most important predictors of late outcome by multivariate analysis were balloon/artery ratio and MLD at 15 min.

[Laser coronary angioplasty. Critical analysis of the first patients]. / Angioplastia coronária com o uso do laser. Análise crítica dos primeiros pacientes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the success rate and complications, as well as the technical difficulties involved catheter laser coronary angioplasty, making evident the unsuccessful cases. METHODS: Twenty eight patients were treated with laser from August to November, 1993. The treatment was complemented with balloon angioplasty. Lesions were complex: 10 (36%) were type B and 18 (64%), type C. Concerning the obstruction grade, 18 (64%) were > or = 95%. Laser generator CVX 300(TM) Spectranectics as well as Extreme(TM) and Vitesse(TM) catheters with 1.4, 1.7 and 2.0mm in diameter, concentric and excentric, were used. Laser procedure success was defined as a reduction > 20% in the obstruction grade. The procedure success was attended when the residual stenosis was < 50% after a 15-minute observation, after balloon complementation. RESULTS: The unsuccess rate with laser catheter (Lc) was 34% (10 lesions) of which 3 cases were solved by other methods, 5 were not successful because of anatomic difficulties in surpassing the lesion and, in the two others the success criterium in the reduction of the obstruction grade of the coronary artery was not achieved, although the lesion surpassing was possible with the use of balloon catheter. The final success reached 89% (21 lesions). The procedure complications were a case of thrombosis, a perforation accompanied by a myocardial infarction and another myocardial infarction (non-Q wave), all with good outcome. CONCLUSION: The use of laser in the treatment of coronary artery obstructive lesions is a viable method. Nonetheless, more experience is necessary to demonstrate its actual value, optimizate the results and may be reduce restenosis rate.

[Prevalence of residual shunt after closure of patent ductus arteriosus with Rashkind umbrellas]. / Prevalência do shunt residual após fechamento de canal arterial persistente com umbrellas de Rashkind.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of residual left-to-right shunt in patients submitted to closure of patent ductus arteriosus with use of Rashkind double-disc ductal occluding device, analyzing predictive factors that determine short and long-term prevalence of residual shunt. METHODS: Thirteen patients were submitted to percutaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus with use of Rashkind double-disc device. Ten patients were male with mean age of 5.7 years. A 12mm diameter device was used in 7 cases and a 17mm device in the remaining six patients. All patients had clinical, radiological and echocardiographic follow up, after 24h, 1 month, 6 months and one year after the procedure. Morphology and length of the ductus arteriosus and the presence of residual shunt after 15 min, 24h and one year after the procedure, were correlated. RESULTS: In one case, embolization of the device to the pulmonary artery determined the in success of the procedure. Residual shunt was present in 75% of the patients after 15 min of the procedure, in 33.3% after 24h, in 25% after 1 month and 6 months and in 16.6% after 1 year. The most important and isolated predictive factor leading to a high prevalence of residual shunt after 24h and after 1 year of the procedure was the presence of ductus arteriosus diameter > or = 4.5mm at the site of its insertion in the pulmonary artery. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of residual left-to-right shunt decreases over the time, with a low incidence after one year follow-up. A higher incidence of residual shunt at 24h and 1 year after the procedure occurred in the cases where the diameter of the ductus arteriosus was > or = 4.5mm, at the site of its insertion in the pulmonary artery.

[Results of aortic stenosis surgery in patients with severe ventricular dysfunction]. / Resultados da cirurgia da estenose aórtica em pacientes com disfunção ventricular grave.

PURPOSE: To study the short and long term clinical course of patients with severe aortic stenosis after surgical treatment of the valvular lesion. METHODS: Thirty survivors among 31 consecutive patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) due to aortic stenosis (AS) were submitted to clinical and echocardiographic follow-up during a mean of 30 months after surgical treatment of the valvular lesion. Twenty five (83.3%) patients were male with a mean age of 50 years (25 to 74). Before operation the following parameters were obtained: diastolic left ventricular diameter (DLVD), shortening fraction (SF), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), aortic valve area (AVA), left ventricular-aortic pressure gradient (PG) and NYHA functional class (FC). During the follow up, after the surgical procedure, FC, DLVD, LVEF and SF could be analysed and compared with previous data. RESULTS: A significant rise in SF (p = 0.001) and LVEF (p = 0.0001), as well as a decrease in DLVD (p = 0.001) were observed in the follow up. Symptoms lessened in severity in the majority of patients. Three of our patients died with progressive LVD and heart failure, after at least 36 months of follow-up. These results indicate that when operation is carried out in patients with AS and left ventricular failure, a significant improvement in left ventricular function and in symptoms takes place. Although the risk of surgical treatment is increased in this group of patients, LVD should not be considered a contraindication to the procedure. CONCLUSION: The left ventricular dysfunction is not a contraindiction for the surgical treatment of the aortic stenosis.

Dados anatômicos da placenta em caprinos estudados por injeçäo intravascular de neoprene / Anatomic research on the goat placenta by neoprene injection

Estudamos a placenta quanto aos seus aspectos morfológicos em 30 caprinos sem raça definida, adultos oriundos do Estado do Piauí, mediante a análise de esquemas de modelos obtidos pela injeçäo de látex Neoprene "650". Obtivemos 17 casos, ou seja, 56,66 por cento de gestaçöes únicas e 13 casos, ou seja, 43,33 por cento de gestaçöes gemelares. A área do hilo placentário varia de 1 a 6 cm de diâmetro e está situada no centro da placenta, regiäo caracterizada pela apresentaçäo do pedículo umbilical. O formato dos cotilédones varia de ovóide, circular, elíptica, piriforme ou reniforme, sendo que a maioria mostra-se ovóide. O número total de cotilédones em 30 gestaçöes é igual a 3.117, sendo a média 104 cotilédones por gestaçäo. Nas gestaçöes únicas em 16 casos (94,11 por cento), o corno uterino gestante apresenta maior número de cotilédones do que o corno uterino näo-gestante. Nas gestaçöes gemelares, em 7 observaçöes (53,84 por cento), o corno uterino esquerdo mostra maior número de cotilédones do que o corno uterino direito

A perda precoce do diâmetro luminal após angioplastia coronária e sua influência no fenômeno da reestenose / Early luminal diameter loss after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and its relation to the restenosis phenomenon

OBJETIVO - Analisar a perda do diâmetro luminal mínimo (DLM) nos primeiros 15 min após angioplastia coronária por balão (AC), quantificando sua influência na reestenose coronária. MÉTODOS - Foram estudadas, prospectivamente, 86 AC em 86 pacientes. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois subgrupos de acordo com apresença ou ausência de reestenose; o 1o. grupo compreendendo as 31 lesöes com reestenose e o 2o. as 55 lesöes sem reestenose. RESULTADOS - A análise univariada mostrou que a relação balão/artéria foi menor no grupo com reestenose (0,92ñ0,01 vs 1,00ñ0,11, P=.003). O grupo com reestenose apresentou maior recolhimento elástico absoluto e relativo no 1o. min (0,79ñ0,54 vs 0,68ñ0,59mm; P=0,007 e 32,04ñ14,27 vs 22,15ñ16,25 por cento; P=0,006.) e no controle angiográfico do 15o. min (1,25ñ0,59 vs 0,90ñ0,65mm, P=0,017 e 46,75ñ15,69 vs 29,18ñ17,84 por cento , P<0,00001)do que o grupo sem reestenose. O DLM no 1o. min foi menor no grupo com reestenose (2,15ñ0,42 vs 2,43ñ0,58mm; P=0,002). O grupo com reestenose apresentou uma maior perda precoce no DLM (0,46ñ0,34 vs 0,22ñ0,35mm, P=0,004). Este decréscimo na luz do vaso determinou que o DLM do 15o. min fosse ainda menor no grupo com reestenose (1,69ñ0,48 vs 2,20ñ0,61; P=0,0001). Da análise multivariada, entretanto, identificou-se apenas a relação balão/artéria e o DLM do 15o. min como os dois fatores independentes mais relacionados à reestenose. CONCLUSÄO - O recolhimento elástico e a perda do DLM ao longo dos 15 min são fatoes diretamente relacionados à reestenose.Entretanto, a análise multivariada mostrou que a relação balão/artéria e o DLM de 15 min são os dois fatores independentes mais fortemente preditores de reestenose.

Microscopia eletronica: parada cardiaca anoxica hipotermica (30oC) e cardioplegia. / Electron microscopy: hypothermic anoxic cardiac arrest (30o) and cardioplegia

Estudos feitos mostraram que a anoxia leva a alteracoes celulares, principalmente nos mitocondrios. Para se evitar tal fato, e preciso que se proteja o miocardio contra a anoxia Varios metodos tem sido descritos, mas os mais utilizados sao a parada anoxica hipotermica e a parada cardiaca quimica (cardioplegica). Os autores estudaram dois grupos de pacientes: grupo A, formado por 4 pacientes, nos quais foi utilizada a parada cardiaca anoxica hipotermica e grupo B, constituido de 5 pacientes, onde foi empregada a parada cardiaca quimica, ou seja, cardioplegica. As alteracoes foram observadas em musculo cardiaco (area anterior do ventriculo esquerdo). A amostra foi retirada antes e apos 60 min do termino da circulacao extracorporea. A analise dos resultados possibilitou as seguintes conclusoes: 1) alteracoes como rotura das cristas mitocondriais e perda da integridade do mitocondrio mais evidentes no grupo A; 2) dano miocardico grave no grupo A e leve no grupo B; 3) microscopia eletronica foi util na avaliacao da ultraestrutura; 4) solucao cardioplegica preservou o miocardio humano sob aspecto morfologico e clinico

Análise da retração elástica nos primeiros 15 minutos após angioplastia coronária por cateter balão / Elastic recoil in the firt 15 minutes following a successfull balloon angioplasty

Objetivo - Determinar angiograficamente a retraçäo elástica (RE) nos primeiros 15 minutos após angioplastia coronária (AC) por cateter baläo. Métodos - E um estudo prospectivo, 154 pacientes, portadores de angina estável, foram submetidos a AC com sucesso. Realizaram-se angiografias imediatamente após a última insuflaçäo com sucesso e aos 5,10 e 15 min. Na análise quantitativa utilizou-se caliper eletrônico. Quantificaram-se o diâmetro luminal mínimo (DLM) e a RE no controle imediato, aos 5, 10 e 1min. Relacionaram-se a magnitude da RE e o DLM com as características angiográficas da lesäo tratada, com o diâmetro do baläo e com o grau de lesäo residual imediatamente após a AC. Resultados - O diâmetro de referência médio do vaso foi de 3,09+/_0,61 mm e o diâmetro do baläo de 2,95+/_0,52 mm. O DLM mínimo pré dilataçäo foi de 0,65+/_0,42 mm, atingindo 2,23+/_0,55 mm após a dilataçäo (p<0,0001), decrescendo para 2,09+/_0,47 mm e 5 min (p<0,0001), 2,01+/_0,47 mm em 10 min (p<0,0001) e para1,91+/_0,56 mem 15 min. (p<0,0001). A RE aumentou progressivamente, atingindo 34,29+/_20,40 por cento aos 15 min. Nos vaso tratados onde a relaçäo baläo/artéria < ou igual a 1 a RE foi de 0,90+/_0,74 mm em 15 min. e de 1,20+/_0,50 mm quando a relaçäo foi >1 (p<0,0001). Identificou-se maior RE nos primeiros 15 min. no grupo de pacientes onde a lesäo residual no controle imediato situou-se entre 30 a 50 por cento do que no grupo onde a lesäo residual foi < 30 por cento. Conclusäo - A RE é um fenômeno dinâmico e progrssvo que ocorre dentro de 15 min. após a AC com sucesso. Determinou reduçäo média de 34,29+/_20,40 por cento no diâmetro do vaso em 15 min. e é maior quando a relaçäo baläo/artéria é >1. A lesäo residual que situa entre 30 e 50 por cento no controle angiográfico imediato é fator preditor de maior RE ao longo dos 15 min.

Prevalência do shunt residual após fechamento de canal arterial persistente com umbrellas de Rashkind / Residual Shunt Prevalence after Closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus with Rashkind Double Disc Occluding Device

PURPOSE--To determine the prevalence of residual left-to-right shunt in patients submitted to closure of patent ductus arteriosus with use of Rashkind double-disc ductal occluding device, analyzing predictive factors that determine short and long-term prevalence of residual shunt. METHODS--Thirteen patients were submitted to percutaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus with use of Rashkind double-disc device. Ten patients were male with mean age of 5.7 years. A 12mm diameter device was used in 7 cases and a 17mm device in the remaining six patients. All patients had clinical, radiological and echocardiographic follow up, after 24h, 1 month, 6 months and one year after the procedure. Morphology and length of the ductus arteriosus and the presence of residual shunt after 15 min, 24h and one year after the procedure, were correlated. RESULTS--In one case, embolization of the device to the pulmonary artery determined the in success of the procedure. Residual shunt was present in 75 of the patients after 15 min of the procedure, in 33.3 after 24h, in 25 after 1 month and 6 months and in 16.6 after 1 year. The most important and isolated predictive factor leading to a high prevalence of residual shunt after 24h and after 1 year of the procedure was the presence of ductus arteriosus diameter > or = 4.5mm at the site of its insertion in the pulmonary artery. CONCLUSION--Prevalence of residual left-to-right shunt decreases over the time, with a low incidence after one year follow-up. A higher incidence of residual shunt at 24h and 1 year after the procedure occurred in the cases where the diameter of the ductus arteriosus was > or = 4.5mm, at the site of its insertion in the pulmonary artery.

Arritmias e exercício / Cardiac arrhythmias and exercise

A importância das arritmias cardíacas em sua relaçäo com o exercício físico cresceu de forma exponencial após o advento da reabilitaçäo cardíaca e da massificaçäo da prática regular de exercício pela populaçäo geral com finalidade preventivas. Nesta revisäo, os autores abordam os mecanismos pelos quais o exercício físico pode interferir no ritmo cardíaco, dividindo-os em neuro-humorais, eletrofisiológicos e he modinâmicos. Säo comentados as alteraçöes funcionais e estruturais que a prática regular exercício e o treinamento atlético produzem, com suas repercussöes vistas pelos métodos näo-invasivos representados pela eletrocardiografia, ecocardiografia, eletrocardiografia ambulatorial pelo sistema Holter e testes ergométrico. Por meio desses métodos é que se faz a avaliaçäo dos indivíduos que apresentam sintomas suspeitos de dependerem de arritmias induzidas por esforço ou daqueles assintomáticos que tiveram arritmia fortuitamente detectada durante ou imediatamente após a prática de exercício. Asaritmias graves e a morte súbita provocadas pelo exercício geralmente dependem de cardiopatia orgânica e as principais cardiopatias e síndromes arritmogênicas säo a miocardiopatia hipertrófica, a displasia ventricular direita, a síndrome do QT longo, a síndrome de Wolff-Parkinson-White e a cardiopatia isquemica. Todas säo analisadas quanto a ocorrência, diagnóstico, comportamento durante o exercício e conduta em relaçäoà prática de exercício. Como causa de arritmias graves ou morte durante o exercício, téa idade de 30 anos, a miocardiopatia hipertrófica é a mais importante; após essa idade , a cardiopatia isquêmica responde por cerca de 98,5 por cento dos casos. Na experiência dos autores, o condicionamento físico em portadores de cardiopatia isquêmica foi benéfico, reduzindo em 82 por cento as arritmias ventriculares induzidas por esforço. Em 21 anos de experiência com reabilitaçäo cardíaca para coronarianos, houve 10 casos de fibrilaçäo ventricular durante o exercício, todos recuperados e representado penas um evento para cada 50 mil horas-exercício, o que indica serem os programas de condicionamento físico procedimentos, além de benéficos, seguros.