Exploring social-ecological systems in the transition from war to peace: A scenario-based approach to forecasting the post-conflict landscape in a Colombian region.

This paper describes the relationship between the landscape and the socio-economic and political characteristics of a highly biodiverse Andean region of Colombia, which is now recovering from the socio-ecological impact of protracted armed conflict. We quantify the current spatial relationship between nature and society, and we include legacy effects from the most recent period of armed conflict and its consequences of forced displacement and land use disruption. The procedure followed provides a quantitative model where a minimum number of socio-economic and political variables explain the variation in land cover. The results represent the relationship between land use intensity and the main socio-economic and political indicators, highlighting a close interaction between landscape configuration, socio-economic structure of local populations, coercive conservation and armed conflict. A simulated post-conflict landscape shows a clear transition gradient towards agrarian expansion and intensification, also in systems where naturalness is a relevant feature. The peace process in Colombia offers opportunities for new schemes of land planning and management, including natural resource governance and policy reforms to improve welfare and resilience of local communities. The results allow to define options for future planning given the possible consequences of socio-political legacy effects yet to fully play out across Colombia.

Increased corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) expression in cutaneous lupus lesions.

OBJECTIVE: Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) axis activation leads to the production of hormones, such as adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and the α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH). Data regarding the role of these hormones in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are scarce. In the present study we aim to evaluate the participation of this axis in the cutaneous involvement of SLE. METHODS: Seventeen SLE patients were clinically evaluated, and biopsies from affected and unaffected skin of these patients were compared with 17 healthy control individuals. Immunohistochemical analyses for CRH, ACTH, α-MSH, and MC-1R were performed, and the serum levels of α-MSH, IL-1, IL-1ra, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-17, TNF-α, and IFN-γ were measured. RESULTS: The affected skin of the SLE patients exhibited higher CRH expression in the deep dermis compared to the skin of the controls (p = 0.024), whereas the tissue expression of ACTH, cortisol, α-MSH and its receptor MC-1R were comparable in SLE patients and controls. Higher serum levels of IFN-γ (p = 0.041), TNF-α (p = 0.001) and IL-6 (p = 0.049) were observed in SLE patients compared with controls, while α-MSH levels were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: The novel finding of elevated CRH expression solely in the affected skin deep dermis supports the notion of a cutaneous local dysfunction of the CRH-POMC axis in the pathogenesis of cutaneous SLE lesions.

Association study of GIT1 gene with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in Brazilian children and adolescents.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in children with a worldwide prevalence of 5.3%. Recently, a Korean group assessed the G-protein-coupled receptor kinase-interacting protein 1 (GIT1) gene that had previously been associated with ADHD. In their work, 27 single nucleotide polymorphisms SNPs in the GIT1 gene were tested; however, only the rs550818 SNP was associated with ADHD susceptibility. Moreover, the presence of the risk-associated allele determined reduced GIT1 expression, and Git1-deficient mice exhibit ADHD-like phenotypes. The aim of this study was to determine if this association also occurs in a sample of Brazilian children with ADHD. No effect of GIT1 genotypes on ADHD susceptibility was observed in the case-control analysis. The odds ratios (ORs) were 0.75 (P = 0.184) for the CT genotype and 1.09 (P = 0.862) for the TT genotype. In addition, the adjusted OR of the CT+TT genotypes vs. the CC genotype was also estimated (P = 0.245). There were no dimensional associations between the GIT1 genotypes and both hyperactivity and /impulsivity, and only hyperactivity Swanson, Nolan and Pelham Scale-Version IV (SNAP-IV) scores (P = 0.609 and P = 0.247, respectively). The transmission/disequilibrium test indicated that there was no over-transmission of rs550818 alleles from parents to ADHD children (z = 0.305; P = 0.761). We conclude that rs550818 is not associated with ADHD in this Brazilian sample. More studies are required before concluding that this polymorphism plays a role in ADHD susceptibility.

Is there a role for rare variants in DRD4 gene in the susceptibility for ADHD? Searching for an effect of allelic heterogeneity.

Although several studies have demonstrated an association between the 7-repeat (7R) allele in the 48-bp variable number of tandem repeats (VNTRs) in the exon 3 at dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) gene and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), others failed to replicate this finding. In this study, a total of 786 individuals with ADHD were genotyped for DRD4 exon 3 VNTR. All 7R homozygous subjects were selected for VNTR re-sequencing. Subjects homozygous for the 4R allele were selected paired by age, ancestry and disorder subtypes in order to have a sample as homogeneous as possible with 7R/7R individuals. Using these criteria, 103 individuals (66 with ADHD and 37 control individuals) were further investigated. An excess of rare variants were observed in the 7R alleles of ADHD patient when compared with controls (P=0.031). This difference was not observed in 4R allele. Furthermore, nucleotide changes that predict synonymous and non-synonymous substitutions were more common in the 7R sample (P=0.008 for total substitutions and P=0.043 for non-synonymous substitutions). In silico prediction of structural/functional alterations caused by these variants have also been observed. Our findings suggest that not only repeat length but also DNA sequence should be assessed to better understand the role of DRD4 exon 3 VNTR in ADHD genetic susceptibility.

Different clinical outcomes following root fractures of adjacent incisors: a case report.

AIM: To report different patterns of root fracture healing in adjacent maxillary central incisors with distinct post-treatment outcomes. SUMMARY: To describe the case of a 12-year-old girl who presented with an avulsed coronal fragment of tooth 11 and root fractures in the middle thirds of teeth 11 and 21. Four months after initial treatment, she was referred for specialized endodontic care. Tooth 11 presented no clinical or radiographic signs of pulp breakdown. However a sinus tract was found related to the middle root third of tooth 21, indicating pulp necrosis in the coronal fragment. The coronal fragment was root filled and periapical surgery was performed to remove the apical fragment. Twelve months after the clinical procedures and 16 months after trauma, hard tissue healing was evident in tooth 11 region. Bone healing was also satisfactory in the periapical region of tooth 21. *Even adjacent teeth may display different reaction patterns after trauma. *The prognosis of root fractures is variable and different clinical approach may be required to preserve teeth with fractured roots.

Adrenergic alpha2A receptor gene and response to methylphenidate in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder-predominantly inattentive type.

An association between ADRA2A -1291 C > G polymorphism and response to methylphenidate in inattentive symptoms was previously suggested in children with ADHD. No investigation specifically assessed this association in ADHD-inattentive type (ADHD-I). In this naturalistic pharmacogenetic study, 59 subjects with ADHD-I from a non-referred sample were treated with short-acting methylphenidate and genotyped for ADRA2A -1291 C > G polymorphism. The primary outcome measure was the inattentive subscale of the SNAP-IV applied by a child psychiatrist blinded to genotype at baseline and first month of treatment. Children and adolescents with the G allele showed significantly lower inattentive scores with MPH treatment at the first month of treatment than subjects without the G allele (n = 59; F = 6.14; p = 0.016). We extended to ADHD-I previous findings suggesting the influence of the G allele at the ADRA2A -1291 C > G polymorphism on the improvement of inattentive symptoms with methylphenidate in children with all ADHD subtypes.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a study of association with both the dopamine transporter gene and the dopamine D4 receptor gene.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders of childhood. The role of genetic factors in its etiology is strongly supported by family, adoption, and twin studies. Several investigations have reported associations between ADHD and both the 7-repeat allele of the 48 bp VNTR at the DRD4 gene and the 10-repeat allele of the 40 bp VNTR at the DAT1 gene, but the results have been inconsistent. A sample of 81 Brazilian ADHD children and adolescents and their parents were screened for these DRD4 and DAT1 VNTRs. An excess of the DRD4 7-repeat allele was observed when both ADHD probands and their parents were compared with an ethnically matched control sample (chi-square = 11.55, P = 0.03; chi-square = 12.17, P = 0.03, respectively). However, haplotype relative risk (HRR) analysis showed no preferential transmission of the DRD4 7-repeat allele. No evidence of association with the DAT1 polymorphism was detected by both approaches. Nevertheless, an interaction effect of both genes on ADHD hyperactive/impulsive dimension was observed (F = 4.68; P = 0.03). These results add to the group of studies that together suggest a small effect of these genes in the susceptibility to ADHD.

Exploring ADHD age-of-onset criterion in Brazilian adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To explore age-of-onset criterion for the diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in a school sample of young Brazilian adolescents. METHODS: 191 students aged 12 to 14 years were evaluated using DSM-IV ADHD criteria, measures of ADHD symptoms and global impairment. RESULTS: Both adolescents with ADHD (n = 30) and adolescents who fulfilled all DSM-IV ADHD criteria, except age of onset of impairment criterion (ADHD w/o age-of-onset, n = 27) had significantly higher scores on Attention Problems, Delinquent and Aggressive Behavior scales of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and lower scores on the Child Global Assessment scale (CGAS) than non-ADHD adolescents (n = 134). Adolescents with ADHD and youths with ADHD w/o age-of-onset did not differ significantly in any measure assessed. CONCLUSION: These results concur with recent literature proposing revision of the age-of-onset criterion for the diagnosis of ADHD.

ADHD in a school sample of Brazilian adolescents: a study of prevalence, comorbid conditions, and impairments.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence, comorbid conditions, and impairments of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among young adolescents in Porto Alegre, Brazil. METHOD: 1,013 students aged 12 to 14 years were evaluated at 64 state schools, using a screening instrument based on the 18 DSM-IV ADHD symptoms. All positive screened students (n = 99) and a random subset of negative screened subjects (n = 92) had a psychiatric evaluation carried out within a hospital setting or at home. RESULTS: The prevalence of ADHD was estimated to be 5.8% (95% confidence interval = 3.2-10.6), and the comorbidity with other disruptive behavior disorders was high (47.8%). Youths with ADHD (n = 23) had significantly higher rates of school repetitions, suspensions, and expulsions (p < .01) than controls (n = 168). No association was identified between ADHD and alcohol, marijuana, and inhalant use. CONCLUSION: The results extend to adolescents well-documented findings in children, indicating that ADHD is quite prevalent in early adolescence and affected youths are at high risk for impairment and dysfunction in multiple domains.

Sesquiterpene lactone containing Mexican Indian medicinal plants and pure sesquiterpene lactones as potent inhibitors of transcription factor NF-kappaB.

The potential inhibitory effect of 54 Mexican Indian medicinal plants on the activation of transcription factor NF-kappaB was studied. Band-shift experiments identified the ethanolic leaf extracts of Artemisia ludoviciana ssp. mexicana, Calea zacatechichi, and Polymnia maculata (all rich in sesquiterpene lactones) as inhibitors of NF-kappaB down to a concentration of 25 microg/ml. The sesquiterpene lactones isohelenin and parthenolide prevented NF-kappaB activation completely as low as 5 microM. Treatment of HeLa cells with leaf extract of A. ludoviciana ssp. mexicana, isohelenin and parthenolide prevented the induction of transcription on the IL-6 promoter. These experiments identify the eudesmanolide and germacranolide type of sesquiterpene lactones as potent non-antioxidant inhibitors of NF-kappaB. All plants active in the NF-kappaB assay also showed a delay in the onset of capillary reactions of the allantois membrane in a physiological model for anti-inflammatory activity - the HET-CAM assay.

Nahua indian medicinal plants (Mexico): Inhibitory activity on NF-κB as an anti-inflammatory model and antibacterial effects.

Selected plants documented as medicinal in an ethnobotanical study with the Nahua of the Sierra de Zongolica (Veracruz, Mexico) were evaluated for anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity. One of the potential sides of action of anti-inflammatory drugs is the transcription factor NF-κB. This factor is essential for the immune, inflammatory, and acute phase responses. We therefore tested extracts from a total of 28 plants used by the Nahua Indians for their potential effect on the activation of the transcription factor NF-κB. The leaves of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray (Asteraceae) was the only extract which showed inhibitory activity. Nonspecific DNA binding activities were not noticably influenced. Phytochemical studies to isolate the active principle and further biochemical studies in order to better understand the mode of action of this NF-κB inhibitor have been initiated. Five plants showed noteworthy antibacterial activity against some pathogenic (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25933 and Yersinia enterocolitica 03) and nonpathogenic (E. coli DSM 1077, Micrococcus luteus DSM 348) microorganism: Acacia cornigera, Cuscuta tinctoria, Ludwigia octovalvis, Lysiloma divaricata, and Tithonia diversifolia.

Cognitive deficit and depressive symptoms in a community group of elderly people: a preliminary study.

Since the number and proportion of old people increases worldwide, health professionals and systems should be made aware and prepared to deal with their problems. Cognitive deficit and symptoms of depression are common among the elderly, and may occur in relation to various risk factors such as health conditions and psychosocial variables. In order to study cognitive deficit and the presence of signs and symptoms of depression, 62 elderly community subjects enrolled at a Community Health Unit in Porto Alegre, southern Brazil, were interviewed. They were evaluated by means of the Mini Mental State Exam, the Montgomery-Asberg Depression rating scale, and a questionnaire on health conditions, living arrangements and social variables. Higher levels of symptoms of depression were observed among subjects exposed to major risk factors for cerebrovascular diseases (diabetes and coronary disease), while impaired cognitive performance was seen among individuals who could not count on the presence of a confidant (social network variable). The results suggest that the early identification of major risk groups among old people can help to prevent institutionalization and keep individuals in the community.

Tendencies in adult mortality in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 1970-1985. An international comparison.

"In order to evaluate mortality trends in adults aged 30-69 years in the State of Rio Grande do Sul [Brazil], changes in age-standardized mortality from 1970 to 1985 were calculated and compared with trends of 33 other countries. Virtual stability in Rio Grande do Sul over this 16-year period contrasts with dramatic reduction in age-standardized all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in many countries.... The data demonstrate that major declines in adult mortality can be achieved, and suggest that, during the period 1970-1985, Rio Grande do Sul participated little in the international tendency toward improved adult health." (SUMMARY IN POR)

A psychosocial model of health behavior: implications for nutrition education, research and policy.

The paper presents a multidimensional psychological model of determinants of health behavior, tested empirically in three countries to ascertain its validity. The model postulates that given that ethnic, socioeconomic, and biological statuses (exogenous variables) are homogeneous, a health risk-taking behavior in a population is a function of direct, additive, and interaction effects of five categories of independent variables both internal to the persons and external in the action environment. Although the model is tested on contraceptive behavior, it is argued that the determinants and basic processes of this risk-taking behavior are similar to those involved in other health risk behaviors and that the five basic factors identified affect nutritional behaviors as well. The paper presents several broad implications on the model for nutrition education and research; but holds that specific implications could be best derived by the specialists in nutrition field.

PIP: This paper presents a multidimensional psychosocial model of determinants of health behavior, tested empirically in 3 countries to ascertain its validity. The model postulates that given that ethnic, socioeconomic, and biological statuses (exogenous variables) are homogeneous, a health risktaking behavior in a population is a function of direct, additive and interaction effects of 5 categories of independent variables both internal to the persons and external in the action environment. Although the model is tested on contraceptive behavior, it is argued that the determinants and basic processes of this risktaking behavior are similar to those involved in other health risk behaviors and that the 5 basic factors identified affect nutritional behaviors as well. The paper presents several broad implications of the model for nutrition education and research but holds that specific implications could be best derived by specialists in the field of nutrition.