Proteomics reveal the protective effects of chlorogenic acid on Enterococcus faecium Q233 in a simulated pro-oxidant colonic environment.

Certain phytochemicals have been found to promote the beneficial effects of probiotic bacteria although the molecular mechanisms of such interactions are poorly understood. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of the exposure to 0.5 mM chlorogenic acid (CA) on the redox status and proteome of Enterococcus faecium isolated from cheese and challenged with 2.5 mM hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The bacterium was incubated in anaerobic conditions for 48 h at 37 °C. CA exposure led to a more intense oxidative stress and accretion of bacterial protein carbonyls than those induced by H2O2. The oxidative damage to bacterial proteins was even more severe in the bacterium treated with both CA and H2O2, yet, such combination led to a strengthening of the antioxidant defenses, namely, a catalase-like activity. The proteomic study indicated that H2O2 caused a decrease in energy supply and the bacterium responded by reinforcing the membrane and wall structures and counteracting the redox and pH imbalance. CA stimulated the accretion of proteins related to translation and transcription regulators, and hydrolases. This phytochemical was able to counteract certain proteomic changes induced by H2O2 (i.e. increase of ATP binding cassete (ABC) transporter complex) and cause the increase of Rex, a redox-sensitive protein implicated in controlling metabolism and responses to oxidative stress. Although this protection should be confirmed under in vivo conditions, such effects point to benefits in animals or humans affected by disorders in which oxidative stress plays a major role.

Differentiation of yeasts growing on dry-cured Iberian ham by mitochondrial DNA restriction analysis, RAPD-PCR and their volatile compounds production.

The efficiency of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) restriction analysis, RAPD-PCR and volatile compounds analysis to differentiate yeast biotypes involved in flavour development of dry-cured Iberian ham throughout the ripening process is evaluated. For this purpose, 86 yeasts isolated from Iberian hams in the main ripening stages at different industries of the four Protected Designations of Origin of this product, were used. The combination of mtDNA restriction analysis and RAPD-PCR using the primer (GACA)4 showed a higher variability in the yeast species detected than obtained using only mtDNA restriction analysis. Only two species, Debaryomyces hansenii and Candida zeylanoides, were identified throughout the whole ripening process and a wide diversity of biotypes was found in these two species, with those of D. hansenii predominating. Clear differences between biotypes were detected in the generation of volatile compounds, with the biotype C2-2 of D. hansenii showing the highest concentrations of volatiles. The combined use of mtDNA restriction analysis and RAPD-PCR distinguishes yeast biotypes with different production of volatile compounds. In addition, analysis of the production profile of volatile compounds is needed to differentiate yeast strains of the same biotype recovered at different stages of ripening. Thus, the combination of these three methods could be very useful to select or monitor yeasts as starter cultures in dry-cured meat products.

Organic solvent exposure and contrast sensitivity: comparing men and women.

The goal of this study was to compare the visual contrast sensitivity (CS) of men and women exposed and not exposed to organic solvents. Forty-six volunteers of both genders aged between 18 and 41 years (mean±SD=27.72±6.28) participated. Gas station attendants were exposed to gas containing 46.30 ppm of solvents at a temperature of 304±274.39 K, humidity of 62.25±7.59% and ventilation of 0.69±0.46 m/s (a passive gas chromatography-based sampling method was used considering the microclimate variables). Visual CS was measured via the psychophysical method of two-alternative forced choice using vertical sinusoidal gratings with spatial frequencies of 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0, 10.0, and 16.0 cpd (cycles per degree) and an average luminance of 34.4 cd/m2. The results showed that visual CS was significantly lower (P<0.05) in the following groups: i) exposed men compared to unexposed men at frequencies of 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 cpd; ii) exposed women compared to unexposed women at a frequency of 5.0 cpd; and iii) exposed women compared to exposed men at a frequency of 0.5 cpd, even at exposures below the tolerance limit (300 ppm). These results suggest that the visual CS of exposed men was impaired over a wider range of spatial frequencies than that of exposed women. This difference may have been due to the higher body fat content of women compared to that of men, suggesting that body fat in women can serve as a protective factor against neurotoxic effects.

DNA typing methods for differentiation of yeasts related to dry-cured meat products.

RFLP analysis of the ITS and 18S rDNA, RAPD-PCR using mini- and microsatellite primers and RFLP analysis of mitochondrial DNA were examined to discriminate yeasts related to dry-cured meat products at species and strain level. Seven species and 35 strains of yeasts usually found in dry-cured meat products were tested. RFLP analysis of the ITS1-5.8S rDNA-ITS2 and 18S rDNA did not allow the separation at species level of all of the species tested. RAPD with a M13 primer was found to be useful for differentiation of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Candida zeylanoides, Yarrowia lipolytica, Debaryomyces hansenii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, no differences were observed between Debaryomyces polymorphus and Pichia carsonii. RAPD analysis with microsatellite primers (GACA)(4), (GTG)(5) and (GAC)(5) enabled discrimination at species and strain level. However, the degree of discrimination by means of RAPD-PCR depends highly on the primers used. Thus, the PCR fingerprinting with primer (GACA)(4) enabled a higher level of discrimination than primers (GAC)(5) and (GTG)(5). The RFLP analysis of mtDNA allowed the discrimination at the species and strain level except for R. mucilaginosa, where no polymorphisms were observed in the strains tested. RAPD analysis with primer (GACA)(4) and the restriction analysis of mtDNA used in the present work are useful for the differentiation at species and strain level of yeasts related to dry-cured meat products.

Dipyridamole stress echocardiography in patients with severe left main coronary artery narrowing. Echo Persantine International Cooperative (EPIC) Study Group--Subproject "Left Main Detection".

From a population of 2,698 patients (579 evaluated early after an uncomplicated acute myocardial infarction) who underwent dipyridamole echocardiography testing (DET) and subsequent coronary angiography, left main (LM) stenosis > or = 50% was present in 73 (61 men and 12 women, mean age 62 +/- 8 years). These 73 patients were compared with a control group comprising 100 consecutive coronary patients without LM disease. Both groups were similar regarding mean age, sex, incidence of previous myocardial infarction, left ventricular function at rest, and severity of coronary artery disease by the number of diseased vessels excluding the LM. The proportion of patients receiving antianginal therapy during DET was higher in the LM than in the non-LM group (32 vs 14%; p < 0.01). No major complication (severe hypotension, sustained arrhythmia, myocardial infarction or death) occurred during DET. Of 73 patients with LM disease, 68 had positive DET (sensitivity 93%), dipyridamole time was 7.1 +/- 3.8 minutes, and the rest-peak stress variation in dipyridamole wall motion score index (1 = normal to 4 = dyskinesia, in an 11-segment model) was 0.37 +/- 0.23; 14 patients (19%) were resistant to aminophylline and needed nitrates to resolve ischemia. In the non-LM group, DET was positive in 72% (p < 0.001 vs LM), with a longer dipyridamole time (9.6 +/- 5.2 minutes; p < 0.001 vs LM), lower rest-peak stress wall motion score index variation (0.29 +/- 0.25; p < 0.05 vs LM), and less frequent antidote resistance (1%; p < 0.001 vs LM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Spinal cord injury and psychological response.

Psychological adjustment and psychopathological morbidity issues during rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord injury, have been documented in international literature. However, most authors are faced with methodological difficulties, and results are contradictory. In this prospective study, the first to be made in the Portuguese population, a sample of 65 patients being treated in a rehabilitation unit during the years of 1993, 1994 and 1995, was obtained. The authors study the type of psychological response, when it does occur, which personality traits point to less suffering, which coping mechanisms are used by the better adjusted patients and the differences between the scores of paraplegic and quadriplegic patients. Two assessments were made. The following assessment instruments were used: an anamnestic data questionnaire, the SCL-90-R (Derogatis, 1983), the EPI (Eysenck & Eysenck, 1984), the Coping Styles Evaluation Scale (Figueira, 1990). The second assessments were carried out with the SCL-90-R only. The findings indicate that psychopathological scores consistent with depression occurred in 60% of patients if we consider any evaluation. Sleep disturbances, suicide ideation and guilt occurred in the same proportion. In 33% of them, we found persistent depressive scores in the two assessments. The authors find a highly significant positive correlation between psychopathology and neuroticism. On the contrary, the extroversion dimensions of EPI seem to be a good prognosis predictive factor as far as the occurrence of psychopathology is concerned. No differences in the psychopathological response were found concerning the paraplegic-quadriplegic situation.

[The determination of the mitral valve area after commissurotomy. A comparison of 2 echocardiographic methods]. / Determinação da área valvular mitral após comissurotomia. Comparação de dois métodos ecocardiográficos.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the mitral valvular area obtained by two-dimensional echocardiography (2DMVA) to that obtained by Doppler through pressure half-time, (T1/2P) method (DMVA) in patients submitted to open or closed commissurotomy. POPULATION: Data were obtained from 53 patients, 44 females and 9 males who ranged in age from 19 to 63 years (mean = 40.4 +/- 8) submitted to open commissurotomy (group A) or closed procedure (group F). The time from surgery to Echo ranged from 10 to 100 months (mean = 63 +/- 26). Ther were twenty one patients, in group A and 32 in group F. METHODS: All the patients underwent two-dimensional echocardiography and continuous-wave doppler, guided by image and sound, so that the maximum velocity was located, using a Diasonics DRF 300 machine equipped with a combined echo-Doppler 3.5 mHz transducer. The mitral valve was visualized in short axis view the 2D mitral valve area was measured as the planimetered area along the inner border of the smallest orifice, while scanning through the short axis. Continuous-wave Doppler recordings were performed at 50 mm/s. The pressure half-time was measured as the interval between maximum velocity and maximum velocity/1.4. The valvular area (DMVA) was obtained by the expression 220/T1/2p. Maximum velocity (VMax) of mitral flux and the prevalence of significant mitral regurgitation (> = 2) were also compared in groups A and F. The relationship between 2DMVA and DMVA were compared by simple linear regression analysis and the other parameters by the t test and by chi-squared analysis. RESULTS: 2DMVA in the total patients was 2.26 +/- 0.59 and the DMVA 2.31 +/- 0.76 (NS). There were no significant difference between groups A e F concerning: VMax = 162.48 +/- 28.15 and 150.09 +/- 30.08, DMVA = 2.34 +/- 0.75 and 2.29 +/- 0.76 respectively, and mitral regurgitation = 2 patients in both groups. The correlation between the Doppler and the 2D obtained areas was good in group A r = 0.76 SEE there were no correlation between these values in group F r = 0.33. CONCLUSIONS: We can conclude that the mitral valvular area obtained by two-dimensional echocardiography, correlates to the Doppler mitral valvular area in patients with prior open commissurotomy proving the complementary role of the two methods.

T wave positivity in resting electrocardiogram predicts preserved systolic thickening in chronic anterior Q wave myocardial infarction: an echocardiographic study.

AIM: After ST elevation myocardial infarction, ST segment and T wave changes generally resolve, but in some patients T waves keep their negative components for a long time. The aim of this study is to evaluate the pathophysiological implications of persistent negative T waves and restored positive T waves in the chronic stage of Q wave myocardial infarction. METHODS: We studied 30 patients with a previous anterior wall ST elevation myocardial infarction (more than one year follow-up) and presenting Q waves in at least three consecutive precordial leads in the standard 12-lead electrocardiogram at rest. Patients were divided into two groups according to the T wave pattern in leads with Q waves: positive T group consisting of patients in whom all T wave components showed an upright configuration; and a negative T group consisting of patients in whom T waves were are least partly inverted. We used echocardiography to measure systolic thickening of the interventricular septum within the infarction area. Systolic thickening was considered significant when end-systolic thickness was greater than end-diastolic thickness by > 25% in proportion and > 1 mm in absolute value. RESULTS: Significant systolic thickening was demonstrated in 14 (74%) of the 19 positive T patients and in one (9%) of the 11 negative T patients (odds ratio 8.1; 95% CI, 1.2 to 53.5; p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: In the chronic stage of a myocardial infarction, restored T wave positivity predicts preserved systolic thickening, suggesting the presence of viable and normally contracting myocytes within the infarction area. Further studies are needed to establish the prognostic value of T wave characteristics in patients with a past history of myocardial infarction.

[Anomalous origin of the left coronary from the pulmonary artery in adults: diagnosis with bidimensional, pulsed and color Doppler echocardiography]. / Origem anómala da coronária esquerda a partir da artéria pulmonar no adulto: diagnóstico por ecocardiografia bidimensional, Doppler pulsado e cor.

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery (LCA) from the pulmonary trunk (PT) is an uncommon but frequently lethal congenital lesion of infancy. Clinically it may be difficult to distinguish from congestive cardiomyopathy, and the diagnosis is usually made by angiography. We describe the case of a 38 years old woman, in whom identification of this anomaly was achieved by 2D-Echo, pulsed Doppler and color flow mapping. She complained of fatigue, effort dyspnea and atypical chest pain. A II/VI systolic murmur at left sternal border was heard. There was cardiac enlargement on chest X-ray and ECG was suggestive of an old anterolateral myocardial infarction. The 2D-Echo study showed a dilated, poorly contracting left ventricle. A prominent right coronary ostium was recorded, but the LCA ostium could not be visualized. There was retrograde diastolic and systolic flow in proximal PT, where an anomalous vessel was seen in continuity with it by color flow mapping. Cardiac catheterization confirmed the diagnosis. The patient underwent successful reimplantation of the anomalous LCA, from the PT to the aorta. This case demonstrates usefulness of Echocardiography in the assessment of coronary artery anomalies.

[Prevalence, knowledge, treatment and control of arterial hypertension in Oporto, Portugal]. / Prevalência, conhecimento, tratamento e controlo da hipertensão arterial no Porto, Portugal.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension among subjects above the age of 39 years living in the urban area of Oporto, Portugal. One hundred and seventy seven individuals from the community were selected by random digit dialing. Each subject was asked about his/her personal history of hypertension, antihypertensive treatment and had his/her blood pressure measured. The prevalence of hypertension was 57.1%, defined by systolic blood pressure (SBP) > or = 140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) > or = 90 mm Hg and/or administration of current the antihypertensive medication. If the values defining hypertension were SBP > or = 160 mm Hg, and DBP > or = 95 mm Hg the prevalence would be 37.9%. The overall prevalence of hypertension was higher in females, but a slightly higher non significant value was found in males in the fifth and sixth decades. Among hypertensives, 62.7% were aware of their condition, 56.7% were treated, 84.2% of hypertensives treated were controlled (SBP < 160 mm Hg and DBP < 95 mm Hg) and 44.7% were very well controlled (SBP < 140 mm Hg and DBP < 90 mm Hg). The question "Are you hypertensive?" had a sensitivity of 62.7%, a specificity of 83.6% and an accuracy of 75.7%. In the preliminary results of this study of an urban population with a high prevalence of hypertension, the awareness of hypertension is similar to that described in the United States of America twenty years ago, the percentage of hypertensives treated is similar to the American percentage fifteen years ago and the percentage of hypertensives treated and controlled is close to the current American percentage.

[Risk factors for myocardial infarct: a case-control study in Oporto, Portugal]. / Factores de risco de enfarte do miocárdio: um estudo caso-controlo no Porto, Portugal.

A case-control study of coronary heart disease (CHD) was conducted in Oporto, Portugal. The cases series consisted of 100 consecutive patients with first time acute myocardial infarction who were admitted to the Coronary and Intermediate Care Units of a major teaching hospital. The community controls were 198 individuals without evidence of CHD by the Rose questionnaire and electrocardiography, selected by random digit dialing, with a participation rate of 70%. Data was collected by trained interviewers using a structured questionnaire and blood samples were obtained for selected laboratory data. The main analysis was made through unconditional logistic regression with calculations of odds ratios (OR). Age, OR: 1.5 (95% CI: 0.8-2.9), male gender, OR: 6.7 (3.6-12.3), family history of premature CHD, OR: 2.4 (1.4-4.3), diabetes, OR: 3.4 (1.6-7.4), antecedents of hypertension, OR:1.9 (1.1-3.1), history of high cholesterol levels, OR: 2.3 (1.4-3.9), high levels of physical activity, OR: 2.0 (0.9-4.1) and tobacco smoking, OR: 8.3 (3.8-18.5) were significant risk factors of acute myocardial infarction. After controlling for demographic variables and for the mutual confounding effects of the risk factors, the investigated factors that remained significantly associated with the risk of developing acute myocardial infarction were male gender, OR: 17.3 (4.8-62.3), family history of CHD, OR: 3.6 (1.4-9.6), diabetes, OR: 4.2 (1.0-18.1), high cholesterol levels OR: 2.7 (1.2-6.1) and smoking habits, OR: 7.7 (1.8-32.4). A negative association with high education levels was significant after controlling for all the variables, OR: 0.01 (0.01-0.5).

[Clinical and echocardiographic assessment of surgical replacement of the aortic valve with lung autograft: results after 2 years]. / Avaliacão clínca e ecocardiográfica da cirurgia de substituicão da válvula aórtica com auto-enxerto pulmonar: resultados aos 2 anos.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to evaluate the clinical and echocardiographic results of a cohort of patients subjected to aortic valve replacement with pulmonary autograft (Ross procedure). DESIGN: We studied prospectively with clinical and echocardiographic evaluation all patients subjected to this type of aortic valve surgery, before operation, intraoperatively, before hospital discharge and at the end of this study in September 1994 and we analysed the evolution of the results during the follow-up period. PATIENTS: 22 consecutive patients 12 men and 10 women mean age 48 +/- 14 years subjected to Ross operation between April 1992 and June 1994. METHODS: Patients were studied with transesophageal echocardiography intraoperatively and transthoracic echocardiography. Two-dimensional and M-mode evaluation, continuous and pulsed wave Doppler and color coded Doppler were performed, with assessment of the morphology and Doppler profile of both the autograft and the homograft in pulmonary position. RESULTS: No early or late mortality was registered, and apart two patients who were reoperated, all patients were asymptomatic in the last medical visit. There was no incidence of thromboembolic events even though no anticoagulation has been used. Aortic regurgitation was present in 14 patients, grade 1 in 11 patients and grade 2 in three. In the last echocardiogram performed the analysis of aortic flow, demonstrated absence of significant transvalvular gradient (maximal aortic gradient of 5.6 +/- 0.4 mmHg and mean aortic gradient of 1.8 +/- 0.08 mmHg). Pulmonary regurgitation was absent in nine patients, and present in 13, considered trivial in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that this type of surgery has a low operative risk, with absence of thromboembolic complications and excellent clinical and echocardiographic results.

[A lymphoepithelioma-like type of spinous-cell carcinoma of the cervix uteri]. / Carcinoma espinho-celular do colo do útero tipo linfoepitelioma-like.

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinomas of the cervix uteri are very rare. They are poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinomas with intense stromal lymphocytic infiltration. These histologic features are similar to nasopharyngeal lymphoepithelioma and may have a better prognosis than other tumors of the cervix. A lymphoepithelioma-like lesion of the cervix uteri is described in a 33-year-old Caucasian woman who had an episode of vaginal bleeding. A review of the literature about these types of tumor is also presented.

[Pressure ulcer management--Evidence-based interventions]. / Abordagem terapêutica das úlceras de pressão--intervenções baseadas na evidência.

Despite improved awareness and quality of care among health care personnel, pressure ulcers prevalence remains high especially in the inpatient setting. Pressure ulcers are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, affecting the quality of life of patients and their caregivers, and significantly increasing direct and indirect healthcare costs. Early risk assessment for developing a pressure ulcer is essential to decide on the appropriate preventive measures and for initiation of a tailored therapeutic approach. Interventions include strategies to reduce extrinsic and intrinsic risk factors associated with tissue ischemia, optimization of patient's nutritional status, and local wound care. This revision intends to review current evidence-based therapeutic interventions in pressure ulcer care, and support implementation of management protocols in an inpatient ward.

Birth after electroejaculation coupled to intracytoplasmic sperm injection in a gun-shot spinal cord-injured man.

We describe the case of a man who, after a gun-shot wound, has become paraplegic. As a consequence of his spinal cord injury he developed infertility due to incomplete erection and anejaculation. After several unsuccessful penile vibratory stimulation attempts, it was possible to achieve ejaculation by means of transrectal electrostimulation. However, the total sperm motility count, the percentage of normal sperm morphology, and the vitality and hypo-osmotic swelling test scores were rather low, and in particular viability was strikingly decreased during sperm preparation. These parameters further decreased following electroejaculate, forcing us to use intracytoplasmic sperm injection instead of conventional in vitro fertilization for the treatment cycle. A normal pregnancy was achieved which resulted in birth of a healthy girl on 1st January 1997.

Assessment of anatomic and physiological severity of single-vessel coronary artery lesions by dipyridamole echocardiography. Comparison with positron emission tomography and quantitative arteriography.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the results of dipyridamole-echocardiography test (DET: two-dimensional echo monitoring during dipyridamole infusion up to 0.84 mg/kg over a period of 10 minutes) with both anatomic and physiological parameters of coronary artery disease severity, assessed by computer-assisted quantitative coronary arteriography, and regional coronary flow reserve, measured by [13N]ammonia (13NH3) and dynamic positron emission tomography (PET), respectively. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 31 patients with a history of chest pain and neither previous myocardial infarction nor resting wall motion abnormalities. Eighteen patients had single-vessel disease (> 50% stenosis of one major coronary vessel), and 13 had normal coronary arteries. The criterion for DET positivity was the appearance of a new transient regional wall motion abnormality. In patients with a positive DET, two parameters were evaluated: the dipyridamole time (ie, the time from the beginning of drug infusion to the development of obvious dyssynergy) and the wall motion score index (WMSI, a semiquantitative integrated estimation of extent and severity of the stress-induced dyssynergy). WMSI was derived by summation of individual segment scores divided by the number of segments interpreted. Quantification of regional myocardial blood flow was obtained by PET measurements of 13NH3 arterial input function and left ventricular myocardial tissue concentration both at control and after dipyridamole (0.56 mg/kg over 4 minutes). Maximal regional blood flow after dipyridamole in the region supplied by the stenotic vessel was significantly lower in the 11 patients with coronary artery disease and positive DET than in the 7 patients with coronary artery disease and negative DET (1.08 +/- 0.33 versus 1.98 +/- 0.37 mL.min-1.g-1, P < .01). In patients with a positive DET, regional coronary flow reserve correlated well with dipyridamole time (r = .87, P < .01) but not with peak WMSI (r = .25, P = NS). Patients with dipyridamole-induced akinesia or dyskinesia (n = 6) had a greater reduction in regional coronary flow reserve than did those showing hypokinesia (n = 5): 1.38 +/- 0.51 versus 2.17 +/- 0.42, P < .05. Percent area reduction was more severe in patients with DET positivity than in those with DET negativity (93.7 +/- 8.7% versus 77 +/- 10.3%, P < .01), and it correlated with regional coronary flow reserve (r = .64, P < .01) and dipyridamole time (r = -.59, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with single-vessel disease, DET shows an excellent specificity but a limited sensitivity; in these patients, DET positivity is associated with a physiologically important coronary stenosis. Severity of the anatomic stenosis and impairment in regional flow reserve are greater when the dipyridamole-induced dyssynergy appears earlier during the test. Therefore, a stratification of the anatomo-physiological severity of coronary artery disease can be obtained with DET, based mainly on the temporal allocation of the transient dyssynergy.