Mesolimbic dopaminergic dysfunction in Parkinson's disease depression: evidence from a 123I-FP-CIT SPECT investigation.

We investigated the striatal and extrastriatal DAT availability (SPM8) by [(123)I]FP-CIT-SPECT in 15 PD patients with depression and 35 PD patients without depression. A cluster with significant (p < 0.05) lower tracer binding in PD with depression was found in left cingulate cortex, persistent after correction for age, disease severity and duration, and inversely correlated with depression scores (r -0.336, p < 0.05). Our data indicate a significant association between PD depression and cingulate dopaminergic denervation supporting the dopaminergic hypothesis of PD depression.

Seroconversion of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccination in kidney transplant patients and the influence of different risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Influenza may present a high morbidity and mortality in solid organ transplanted patients (SOTP). Annual influenza virus vaccine is recommended for SOTP. However, low levels of seroconversion in SOTP have been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunogenicity of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) - A(H1N1)pdm09--vaccine in kidney transplant patients and to analyze which features might affect seroconversion. METHODS: This study was conducted from March to August 2010 at the Renal Transplantation Unit of University of São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 85 renal transplant patients attending the outpatient unit received one 15-µg intramuscular dose of A(H1N1) pdm09 influenza vaccine (reassortant vaccine virus A/California/7/2009 [NYMC X-179A]). Blood samples were collected immediately before and 21 days after the vaccine was given. Antibody response was measured by the standard hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) assay. The primary immunogenicity endpoint for this study was seroconversion in previously seronegative patients (HI titers <1:40), and the secondary endpoint was the identification of features that could affect seroconversion in this population. RESULTS: Five (5.9%) patients presented HI titers prevaccination ≥ 1:40 and were excluded from further analysis. Seroconversion in previously negative patients occurred in 27 (34%) of 80 patients. Prevaccination HI titers geometrical mean was 5.8 and postvaccination 19.6 (ratio 3.4). Significant seroconversion rate factors were female gender, non-Caucasian ethnicity, and post-transplant time before vaccination. No impact was seen on seroconversion for age, donor type, tacrolimus and cyclosporine blood levels, renal function, or blood lymphocyte counts. Mycophenolate (MPA) showed a lower rate of seroconversion when compared with azathioprine. Tacrolimus and cyclosporine had similar seroconversion rates. Sirolimus use was associated with the highest rate of seroconversion, although these patient numbers were low. Immunosuppresssion containing MPA was considerably less effective in seroconversion than drug combinations with no MPA. Patients receiving sirolimus had more chance of seroconversion. HI titers geometric means pre/post vaccine were as follows: MPA (n = 56): 5.8/12.8; tacrolimus (n = 50): 5.9/16.2; cyclosporine (n = 18): 5.4/24.2; azathioprine (n = 19): 6.2/51.6; and sirolimus (n = 6): 8/80. By univariate analysis, being female and non-White were variables associated with 3.3 times more chance of seroconversion than being male and White. In the multivariate analysis, the variables remaining in the model showed similar hazard ratios. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the monovalent A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza vaccine demonstrated low rates of seroconversion, particularly in patients on MPA, but with potentially higher response rates in patients on sirolimus.

Ancient DNA from an Early Neolithic Iberian population supports a pioneer colonization by first farmers.

The Neolithic transition has been widely debated particularly regarding the extent to which this revolution implied a demographic expansion from the Near East. We attempted to shed some light on this process in northeastern Iberia by combining ancient DNA (aDNA) data from Early Neolithic settlers and published DNA data from Middle Neolithic and modern samples from the same region. We successfully extracted and amplified mitochondrial DNA from 13 human specimens, found at three archaeological sites dated back to the Cardial culture in the Early Neolithic (Can Sadurní and Chaves) and to the Late Early Neolithic (Sant Pau del Camp). We found that haplogroups with a low frequency in modern populations-N* and X1-are found at higher frequencies in our Early Neolithic population (∼31%). Genetic differentiation between Early and Middle Neolithic populations was significant (F(ST) ∼0.13, P<10(-5)), suggesting that genetic drift played an important role at this time. To improve our understanding of the Neolithic demographic processes, we used a Bayesian coalescence-based simulation approach to identify the most likely of three demographic scenarios that might explain the genetic data. The three scenarios were chosen to reflect archaeological knowledge and previous genetic studies using similar inferential approaches. We found that models that ignore population structure, as previously used in aDNA studies, are unlikely to explain the data. Our results are compatible with a pioneer colonization of northeastern Iberia at the Early Neolithic characterized by the arrival of small genetically distinctive groups, showing cultural and genetic connections with the Near East.

Malakoplakia after renal transplantation in the current era of immunosuppressive therapy: case report and literature review.

Malakoplakia is a rare chronic granulomatous disease of unknown cause. It is thought to be caused by an acquired bactericidal defect of macrophages. Malakoplakia is associated with chronic infections and immunosuppression. Although it occurs mainly in the urinary tract, it has already been reported in almost every organ system. The isolation of bacteria, especially Escherichia coli, is common in malakoplakia patients. Here, we present a case of primary cutaneous malakoplakia in a kidney transplant recipient who had been taking prednisone, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate. Culture of a lesion grew Burkholderia cepacia complex. Treatment with high doses of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was successful. We also present a systematic review of the literature, identifying 4 previously reported cases of malakoplakia after renal transplantation under similar immunosuppressive therapy, most occurring in the urinary tract or perineum and following benign courses to cure. Data in the literature suggest that malakoplakia has become even rarer since changes were made in the immunosuppressive therapy employed after kidney transplantation.

Use of barbed suture in total hip prosthesis. Prospective randomized study. / Utilización de sutura barbada en prótesis total de cadera. Estudio prospectivo aleatorizado.

INTRODUCTION: The correct closure of the surgical wound is an important step in the procedure of a total hip prosthesis implantation (total hip arthroplasty, THA), which aims to a correct healing of the wound and minimize the risk of complications. The objective of our study is to determine if the use of a bidirectional barbed suture decreases the closing time after THA, in the fascial and subcutaneous plane, when compared to the conventional suture polyglactin 910. The hypothesis is that there is no difference in closing time when comparing both sutures. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Prospective single blind randomized study comparing two groups: study group with the use of bidirectional continuous barbed suture (Quill™) (Gr. Q) and a control group (Gr. V) using discontinuous polyglactin 91 suture (Vicryl™). Closure was performed in two planes (fascial and subcutaneous) simultaneously by two surgeons. The exclusion criteria were: previous surgeries on the same hip, revision surgeries, major deformities and allergies to suture components. The variables under study were: 1) fascia closure time, subcutaneous and global; 2) surgical wound infection; and 3) dehiscence. RESULTS: 82 patients (39 Gr. Q, 43 Gr. V) were included. The global closing time was shorter in Gr. Q (5 min 59 sec) compared to Gr. V (7.01 min), (p < 0.04). They showed differences in subcutaneous closure: Gr. Q shorter time with a 37 seconds difference (p = 0.048). Differences in fascial plane were not observed. Superficial infection was observed in one Gr. Q patient and another in Gr. V; one case of deep infection in Gr. Q (p = 0.29). One patient presented dehiscence of the wound in Gr. Q (p = 0.3). However, these differences did not show statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a barbed suture allows a shorter closing time compared to the conventional one. However, despite this decrease in time, no differences were found in terms of the appearance of infection or wound dehiscence.

Circulating very-low-density lipoprotein characteristics resulting from fatty liver in an insulin resistance rat model.

The close association between nonalcoholic fatty liver and insulin resistance is now widely recognized. While the former is characterized by excessive intrahepatic triglyceride accumulation, the latter induces overproduction of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles. It has not been well elucidated whether these apparently opposite mechanisms impact on VLDL characteristics or not. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the VLDL secretion and features resulting from insulin resistance and fatty liver in rats fed a sucrose-rich diet (SRD, i.e. addition of sucrose to drinking water during 12 weeks). No differences in calorie intake were observed in comparison to controls. Both groups showed similar weight gains throughout the treatment period. However, SRD rats showed an increased proportion of body fat as assessed by X-ray absorptiometry, increased visceral obesity, liver weight and fat accumulation in the liver (p < 0.04). Histological study revealed moderate micro- and macrovesicular steatosis. Fasting insulin, triglyceride and free fatty acid (FFA) levels increased while VLDLs decreased in SRD rats (p < 0.05). The chemical composition of VLDLs of SRD rats showed a higher percentage of triglycerides, and the VLDL triglyceride/protein ratio, an estimator of lipoprotein size, suggests that VLDL particles of SRD rats are larger than those of controls (p < 0.0005). FFA levels correlated with VLDL triglycerides (r = 0.49, p = 0.03) and liver fat content correlated with plasma triglycerides (r = 0.65), VLDL triglycerides (r = 0.55) and triglyceride/protein ratio (r = 0.52, p < 0.02). The VLDL secretion rate assay showed an increase in SRD rats (p < 0.02), confirming an overproduction despite liver fat accumulation. Our findings are consistent with an insulin resistance development model in which hepatic lipid content would constitute an important determinant of a triglyceride-rich, large-particle VLDL secretion; both features would increase its atherogenic potential.

HER-2, EGFR, Cox-2 and Ki67 expression in lymph node metastasis of canine mammary carcinomas: Association with clinical-pathological parameters and overall survival.

Studies about canine mammary tumors based on single molecular markers probably cannot accurately account for the heterogeneity of this disease, and the investigation of multiple molecular alterations in primary tumors and their metastases, in conjunction, has assumed great importance for the understanding of mammary tumor progression. In the present study, we selected 54 primary mammary carcinomas with lymph node metastasis (T1,2,3N1M0), 29 primary mammary carcinomas without metastasis (T1,2,3N0M0), and 25 canine lymph nodes metastasis to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of HER-2, EGFR, Cox-2 and Ki67 and its association with clinical-pathological parameters and overall survival. Our results found a concordance between the expression of HER-2 (K coefficient: 0.250), Cox-2 (K coefficient: 0.571), and Ki67 (K coefficient: 0.397) and a discordance between EGFR expression (K coefficient: -0.195) in primary mammary carcinomas and paired lymph node metastasis. Furthermore, a high Ki67 index (>24%), large tumor size and the presence of angiolymphatic invasion in canine primary mammary carcinoma with lymph node metastasis plus the presence of extracapsular extension in lymph nodes metastasis were also related to worse prognoses and shorter overall survival (P<0.05). In conclusion, our study demonstrates that primary mammary carcinomas with high expression of HER-2, Cox-2 and Ki67 also show high expression of these markers in paired lymph node metastasis. Moreover, the expression of these molecular markers in lymph nodes metastasis did not demonstrate a prognostic relevance.

[Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis using a humeral locking plate]. / Artrodesis tibiotalocalcánea con placa humeral bloqueada.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the results of tibiotalocalcáneal arthrodesis (TTC) using a humeral locking plate. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A retrospective, observational study was conducted between January 2007 and December 2013 in the Hospital Militar Central de Bogotá. The study included patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis diagnosed clinically and radiologically, and who underwent TTC arthrodesis using a humeral locking plate with a minimum follow up of 6 months. RESULTS: The total number patients was 35, of whom 7 (20%) were women and 28 (80%) men, with a mean age 36.3 years (19.77). AETIOLOGY: 74% with post-traumatic arthritis, most of them secondary to gunshot wounds and fragmentation weapons, and neuropathic in 20%. An autogenous graft was used in 13 cases, and 14 cases using both, with a mean consolidation time of 4.37 months. Complications include, delayed union in 3 cases, and surgical site infection in 4. The postoperative functionality (AOFAS) mean was 66.7/100 points, with a score of 2.35 on a visual analogue pain scale. CONCLUSION: TTC arthrodesis using a humeral locking plate is a suitable option for fixing this type of arthrodesis, with a low rate of complications, and postoperative results that revealed satisfactory improvement in pain and consolidation.

Body composition analysis by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in young preschool children.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is considered a specific method for measuring body composition to assess obesity and osteoporosis, although few studies have been conducted in preschool children. The aim of this study was to provide sex - and age-specific references for bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) normative data for children aged 2 to <6 years. SUBJECTS/METHODS: One hundred and eighty seven healthy white children from Buenos Aires City suburbs, Argentina, were studied by the Lunar DPX-L DXA, pediatric software: BMC less head (g), BMD (g/cm2), FM (%) and FFM (g). RESULTS: BMD and BMC increased significantly with age (P<0.0001), but only BMD was significantly different between boys and girls of similar age, being greater for boys (P=0.013). FM was not significantly different among the various age groups of boys and girls. However, the FFM/height was higher in boys and the BMC/FFM was higher in girls. The Z-scores and centile curves were derived separately for each sex and age. Q-Q detrended plots and LMS curves produced robust, unbiased fits that generated references for the 3rd, 50th and 97th percentiles for BMD, BMC, FM and FFM data, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These DXA scans add to the scarcity of accurate measurements of body composition of white young children. The data analyses provided greater accuracy, particularly at the upper and lower ends of the distribution, which is important in clinical settings for identification of children with impaired body composition.

The genetics of an early Neolithic pastoralist from the Zagros, Iran.

The agricultural transition profoundly changed human societies. We sequenced and analysed the first genome (1.39x) of an early Neolithic woman from Ganj Dareh, in the Zagros Mountains of Iran, a site with early evidence for an economy based on goat herding, ca. 10,000 BP. We show that Western Iran was inhabited by a population genetically most similar to hunter-gatherers from the Caucasus, but distinct from the Neolithic Anatolian people who later brought food production into Europe. The inhabitants of Ganj Dareh made little direct genetic contribution to modern European populations, suggesting those of the Central Zagros were somewhat isolated from other populations of the Fertile Crescent. Runs of homozygosity are of a similar length to those from Neolithic farmers, and shorter than those of Caucasus and Western Hunter-Gatherers, suggesting that the inhabitants of Ganj Dareh did not undergo the large population bottleneck suffered by their northern neighbours. While some degree of cultural diffusion between Anatolia, Western Iran and other neighbouring regions is possible, the genetic dissimilarity between early Anatolian farmers and the inhabitants of Ganj Dareh supports a model in which Neolithic societies in these areas were distinct.

Changes in bone volume and bone resorption by olpadronate treatment in an experimental model of uremic bone disease.

Thirty male adult Wistar rats (300-/+10 g body weight) underwent either 5/6 nephrectomy (Nx, n=20) or sham operation (SHAM, n=10) to determine olpadronate effects in an experimental model of uremic bone disease. For a 38-day period, 10 rats received olpadronate (16microg/100g bw) once a week (Nx+OPD) and the other vehicle (Nx). SHAM received vehicle. At baseline, treatment onset (t=7 days) and end of study (t=45 days) calcium, phosphorus, creatinine, bone alkaline phosphatase (b-ALP) and deoxypyridinoline crosslinks (DPyr) were determined. At t=0 and t=45 bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by DXA. At t=45 the right tibia was removed for bone histology. There were no differences in serum calcium. Phosphorus increased in Nx and Nx+OPD compared to SHAM (p

The Relationship Between E-Cadherin and its Transcriptional Repressors in Spontaneously Arising Canine Invasive Micropapillary Mammary Carcinoma.

E-cadherin downregulation is related to metastatic behaviour and a poor prognosis in cancer. It might be induced by transcriptional repression mediated by the transcription factors SNAIL, ZEB1, ZEB2 and TWIST. Here, we investigated E-cadherin expression and its relationship to those transcriptional repressors (i.e. SNAIL, ZEB1, ZEB2 and TWIST) in the progression from carcinoma 'in situ' to invasion to lymph node metastasis in spontaneously arising canine invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC). E-cadherin expression decreased from carcinoma in situ to invasive progression and was likely to increase with lymph node metastasis. Expression of SNAIL decreased from carcinoma in situ to invasive areas and from invasive areas to lymph nodes. Metastatic lymph nodes had higher expression of ZEB1 than carcinoma in situ and invasive areas. ZEB2 expression was observed in 52%, 38% and 33% of carcinoma in situ areas, invasive areas and lymph node metastases, respectively. TWIST expression was observed in 52%, 38% and 33% of carcinoma in situ areas, invasive areas and lymph node metastases, respectively. In invasive areas, E-cadherin downregulation correlated significantly with SNAIL and TWIST upregulation. Additionally, in infiltrating components of IMPCs, E-cadherin(-)SNAIL(+) neoplastic epithelial cells were observed by immunofluorescence. Taken together, canine mammary IMPCs had a loss of E-cadherin from carcinoma in situ to invasive areas, which appears to be induced by the transcription factor SNAIL. In lymph node metastasis, ZEB1 appears to not exert E-cadherin transcriptional repression activity.

The study of tuberculosis-attributed deaths as a tool for disease control planning in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

SETTING: Two tuberculosis (TB) reference hospitals and three general hospitals in Rio de Janeiro (RJ). OBJECTIVE: To analyze TB-attributed deaths as a tool for evaluating the TB control program in RJ. DESIGN: Retrospective study based on 302 medical records selected from the 1998 death database. RESULTS: Of 1146 registered adult (>14 years) TB-attributed deaths in RJ, 328 occurred in five hospitals, and 302 records were analyzed. Median age was 47.5 (17-89) years; 237 (78.5%) were male. Median time elapsed from onset of symptoms until diagnosis was 60 (7-730) days; median hospitalization was 60 (0-517) days. Acid-fast bacilli sputum smears were performed in 200 (69%) of 290 cases of pulmonary disease. Among 32 (36%) smear-negative patients, culture was done in only one. The recommended regimen (RHZ) was used in 175 (58%). Among 125 re-treatment patients, 55 (44%) were on RHZ instead of RHZE. Notification to health authorities was recorded in 131 (43.4%) cases. CONCLUSION: In RJ, young people die from TB. Major issues identified in the public health system were poor detection and notification and a high default rate, perpetuating the spread of TB. Treating professionals do not follow guidelines, and political commitment is needed to ensure TB control in the state and in the country.

Adrenergic receptors and secretory responses of the rat submandibular salivary gland after periodic incisor reduction.

The lower and upper incisors of female rats were repeatedly reduced every 48 hr for 21 days. A marked enlargement of the submandibular glands was observed at the end of this period. One day after the final reduction, dose dependent curves to phenylephrine and isoproterenol were obtained in relation to salivary flow rates. Secretory responses, expressed as mg/gland, showed that the dose response curve to the alpha1-adrenomimetic drug was not modified by treatment while that for isoproterenol was shifted to the right of the control. When the responses were expressed as microg of saliva/mg of wet tissue, the dose-response curve to both agonists was shifted to the right in the incisor-reduced group. (Activation of alpha2-adrenergic receptors by clonidine did not inhibit the responses to phenylephrine in the incisor-reduced rats.) Radioligand binding assays of alpha1-, beta- and alpha2-receptors did not show differences between control and experimental glands in terms of densities (Bmax) or affinities (Kd). The lack of correlation between the decrease in alpha2- and beta-mediated responses and the radioligand bindings suggests that postreceptor mechanisms are involved in the diminished secretory responses of the rat submandibular gland after periodic reduction or amputation of incisors.

Effects of dietary lipids on renal function of aged rats.

Normal aging is accompanied by renal functional and morphological deterioration and dietetic manipulation has been used to delay this age-related decline. We examined the effects of chronic administration of diets containing 5% lipid-enriched diet (LD, w/w) on renal function of rats at different ages. Three types of LD were tested: canola oil, fish oil and butter. Mean systemic tail-cuff blood pressure and glycemia remained within the normal range whatever the age and the diet of the animals. Proteinuria began to rise from the 8th month in the groups ingesting LD, while in the control group it increased significantly (above 10 mg/24 h) only after the 10th month. With age, a significant and progressive decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal plasma flow was observed in the LD groups but after 6 months of lipid supplementation, the decline in these parameters was more marked in the butter and fish oil groups. By the 18th month, the lowest GFR level was observed in the group ingesting the butter diet (2.93 +/- 0.22 vs 5.01 +/- 0.21 ml min(-1) kg(-1) in control, P<0.05). Net acid excretion, evaluated in 9- and 18-month-old rats, was stimulated in the fish oil group when compared both to control and to the other two LD groups. These results suggest that even low levels of LD in a chronic nutritional regimen can modify the age-related changes in renal function and that the impact of different types of lipid-supplemented diets on renal function depends on the kind of lipid present in the diet.

[Evaluation of mother-and-child health care in an urban area of Southern Brazil]. / Avaliação da assistência à saúde da mulher e da criança em localidade urbana da região Sudeste do Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and analyze primary health care provided to mother-and-child population in Teresópolis, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. METHODS: A population survey was performed at the main vaccination station on the local Vaccine National Day, to collect information about the use of health care services and preventive primary care. RESULTS: Information was collected from 329 mothers and their children. More than 90% of children had at least one pediatric visit in the past three months. Almost all had their growth chart, but in 30% of them the child's weight was not registered. There was a positive association between having a routine visit and the registration of the child's weight in the card (RP = 1.34; IC: 1.13-1.58; p = 0.0002). Around 59% of the mothers had a medical visit after giving after birth; 25% said they had never had a Pap smear test before, and 36% never had a breast examination. There was a positive association between the mother's age being over 20 years and ever having a Pap smear test (RP = 1.56; IC: 1.08-2.26; p = 0.03). Almost 70% of the mothers referred the use of any contraception method, and the most common used were contraceptive pills, condoms and tubal ligation. CONCLUSIONS: Despite some limitations, the results suggest a valid and useful methodology, which allows the identification of important needs in primary health care delivery to children and their mothers.

[Analysis on 149 consecutive cases of intervertebral lumbar and cervical disc prolapse operated with microendoscopic (Metr'X) technique]. / Analisi su 149 casi di ernia del disco lombare e cervicale operati con metodica microendoscopica (Metr'X).

Herniated disc patients represent a limited subset of patients with low back pain. Incidence of surgical intervention for lumbar disc pathology is 3% to 4%. The goal of surgery is to achieve neural decompression and relief neurological symptoms. Discectomy through laminotomy is the most common approach. More recently percutaneous approaches to lumbar discectomy, include the use of suction, laser and spinal endoscopy have evolved with mixed results. Microendoscopic discectomy (MED) combines endoscopic technology with the principles of microdiscectomy: open surgical principles are used through a tubular retractor using endoscopic visualization. We present our experience with MED in 149 patients who underwent this procedure. The patient population consisted of 83 men and 66 women aged 18 to 88 years. All patients had substantial relief of their radiculopathy.

[Nutrition dwarfism: longitudinal analysis of anthropometric and metabolic parameters in rats]. / Enanismo por desnutricion: cronodinamia de los procesos metabolicos en ratas.

UNLABELLED: Nutritional dwarfing (ND) is the result of nonorganic causes reflective of a voluntary or unintentional reduction in food intake, inappropriate eating behavior, dissatisfaction with body weight or unhealthy approaches toward weight control. Patients with ND have reached an equilibrium between their genetic growth potential and their nutritional intake. This study was undertaken to compare on a growing rat model the metabolic alterations in terms of substrate utilization (SU), oxygen consumption (VO2) and growth rate velocity. Twenty male weanling Wistar rats were randomized to 3 groups: control (C), experimental 4 (E4) and 8 (E8). C was fed "ad libitum" with a stock diet, E4 and E8 were underfed by 80% of the requirements during four or eight weeks, respectively. During the depletion phase the following measurements were performed: 1a) body weight (Wt), 1b) length, 1c) Weight for Length ratio z-score, 2) Body composition (BC) by EM-SCAN Tobec Model 3 000, Springfield. USA, 3) VO2 by indirect calorimetry, ECO-OXYMAX. RESULTS: 1) wt for length was -0.70 +/- 0.43 for E4 (t = 4 weeks) and 1.44 +/- 0.32 for E8 (t = 8 weeks), 2% of fat mass was within the normal range, 3) VO2 was not significantly different between groups. Chronic suboptimal nutrition (80%) decreased growth velocity which was the sole manifestation of nutritional inadequacy.

[Assessment of normal growth patterns in rats by Z score]. / Evaluación del crecimiento normal en ratas a través del puntaje Z.

Malnutrition is one of the most important causes of normal growth disruption. Anthropometric methods are highly valuable in clinic pediatric diagnosis to determine the nutritional status of children and as recovery monitoring. In previous studies, we have demonstrated that the standards weight-age, height-age and weight-height of growing rats had similar distribution to those in normal children. However, to improve the diagnostic effectiveness of anthropometric information, statistical analysis to normally and non-normally distributed variables should be applied. One hundred Wistar rats (50 male and 50 female rats) from weaning (day = 25, weight = 35-40 g) to 70 days of age were fed with a commercial diet. Water and diet were offered "ad libitum". Body weight and height were recorded every two or four days, respectively. Percentiles of weight vs age, height vs age and weight vs height were plotted for male and female rats. The statistical criterion for classifying the anthropometric measurements into nutritional categories was based on percentiles cutoff and Z-score. The Z-score was calculated according to: Z = (standard mean value-subject value/standard deviation of standard). The statistical anthropometric categories of growing rats were similar to those obtained in children. This evidence suggest that the rat can be used as an experimental model to infer and predict the nutritional response in children.

[Specific IgE in the cord blood of infants from allergic parents]. / Le IgE specifiche nel sangue del funicolo di nati da genitori atopici.

We evaluated the cord blood level of specific IgE in newborn having first grade relatives affected by allergic disease. We aimed: a) to look for a significant threshold (if any) of sp. IgE predictive of atopy; b) to verify the clinical reliability of the CAP System by Pharmacia. 9 out of 60 patients with positive family history had sp. IgE > 0.35 KU/L; 7 out of these 9 children were symptomatic to a clinical follow-up at 18 months. Moreover 65% of children with positive history but no sp. IgE and 100% of patients with both a negative history and no sp. IgE were completely free of allergic symptoms in the same period. We conclude that a careful history and cord blood sp. IgE measurement might be of value in early diagnosis of atopy.