A rheological approach to identify efficient biopolymer producing bacteria.

This study investigates the relationship between collective motion and propulsion of bacterial consortia and their biopolymer production efficiency. Rheological tests were conducted for suspensions of two different methanotrophic bacterial consortia obtained after enrichment of sediment samples from mangrove sites in Brazil. We considered the linear viscoelasticity region and analyzed the values of storage and loss moduli as functions of days of cultivation, for different values of the volume fraction. The suspensions' rheological behaviors reflected the bacterial growth stage. We found that the formation of structures over time in some types of consortia can hinder the movement of bacteria in the search for nutrients. The change in complex viscosity of the two consortia followed a different and rich behavior that appears to be closely related to their capacity to capture methane. Our analysis showed a possible correlation between collective motion, viscosity reduction, and biopolymer production. The pieces of evidence from this study suggest that the efficiency of bacterial motion is directly related to biopolymer production, and this could facilitate the process of identifying the best consortium of biopolymer producing bacteria.

MALDI-Biotyper as a tool to identify polymer producer bacteria.

The methylotrophs bacteria can use methane and methanol as carbon sources to produce biopolymers including the polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) a very promised substitute for the environment contaminant oil-derived polypropylene. This kind of bacteria can be very effective to help to decrease PHB price production and promote its use in substitution of several environment contaminant plastics. The search for methylotroph bacteria able to produce PHB is a very arduous job being necessary to grow all isolates and submit all of them to extraction processes and product characterization. Looking for time reducing and optimization of resources, we tested the Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization technique (MALDI-Biotyper) to identify polymer producer bacteria based on a single isolated colony with success. The results showed here will contribute to speed-up and increase the discoveries of new bacteria strains able to produce PHB and other biopolymers.

Sweetened Soft Drinks Consumption Is Associated with Metabolic Syndrome: Cross-sectional Analysis from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil).

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the association between regular consumption of sweetened soft drinks, natural fruit juice, and coconut water with metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study including men and women aged 35-74 years from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) Study, excluding patients with type 2 diabetes. The main explanatory variables were beverage consumption and the outcome variable was metabolic syndrome (Adult Treatment Panel III). RESULTS: After adjustments, a daily intake of 250 ml of soft drink increased the chance of metabolic syndrome (odds ratio [OR] = 1.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.60-2.38). There was no association between coconut water and MetS. Moderate consumption of fruit juices has low odds of MetS compared to no consumption. CONCLUSION: Our results add evidence to potential negative effects of sweetened soft drinks on cluster metabolic abnormalities in middle-income countries.

Glucose and triglyceride excursions following a standardized meal in individuals with diabetes: ELSA-Brasil study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess glucose and triglyceride excursions 2 hours after the ingestion of a standardized meal and their associations with clinical characteristics and cardiovascular complications in individuals with diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Blood samples of 898 subjects with diabetes were collected at fasting and 2 hours after a meal containing 455 kcal, 14 g of saturated fat and 47 g of carbohydrates. Self-reported morbidity, socio-demographic characteristics and clinical measures were obtained by interview and exams performed at the baseline visit of the ELSA-Brasil cohort study. RESULTS: Median (interquartile range, IQR) for fasting glucose was 150.5 (123-198) mg/dL and for fasting triglycerides 140 (103-199) mg/dL. The median excursion for glucose was 45 (15-76) mg/dL and for triglycerides 26 (11-45) mg/dL. In multiple linear regression, a greater glucose excursion was associated with higher glycated hemoglobin (10.7, 95% CI 9.1-12.3 mg/dL), duration of diabetes (4.5; 2.6-6.4 mg/dL, per 5 year increase), insulin use (44.4; 31.7-57.1 mg/dL), and age (6.1; 2.5-9.6 mg/dL, per 10 year increase); and with lower body mass index (-5.6; -8.4- -2.8 mg/dL, per 5 kg/m2 increase). In adjusted logistic regression models, a greater glucose excursion was marginally associated with the presence of cardiovascular comorbidities (coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction and angina) in those with obesity. CONCLUSIONS: A greater postprandial glycemic response to a small meal was positively associated with indicators of a decreased capacity for insulin secretion and negatively associated with obesity. No pattern of response was observed with a greater postprandial triglyceride excursion.

Social inequalities in BMI trajectories: 8-year follow-up of the Pró-Saúde study in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: In a cohort of government employees in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, we investigated prospectively, sex-specific associations between education and BMI trajectories and their potential effect modification by race. DESIGN: Of the 4030 participants in Phase 1 (1999), 3253 (81 %) participated in Phase 2 (2003) and 3058 (76 %) participated in Phase 3 (2006). Education was categorized as elementary, high school or college graduate. Study participants self-identified as White, Black or Pardo. BMI was calculated from measured weight and height. BMI trajectories were modelled using a generalized additive regression model with mixed effects (GAMM). SETTING: The Pro-Saúde Study, a longitudinal investigation of social determinants of health. SUBJECTS: Women (n 1441) and men (n 1127) who participated in the three phases of data collection and had complete information for all study variables. RESULTS: Women and men with less than high school, or only a high school education, gained approximately 1 kg/m(2) more than college graduates (women: 1·06 kg/m(2) (P<0·001) and 1·06 kg/m(2) (P<0·001), respectively; men: 1·04 kg/m(2) (P=0·013) and 1·01 kg/m(2) (P=0·277), respectively). For women only, race was independently associated with weight gain. Women identifying as Pardo or Black gained 1·03 kg/m(2) (P=0·01) and 1·02 kg/m(2) (P=0·10), respectively, more than Whites. No effect modification by race was observed for either men or women. CONCLUSIONS: While both lower education and darker race were associated with greater weight gain, gender similarities and differences were observed in these associations. The relationship between weight gain and different indicators of social status are therefore complex and require careful consideration when addressing the obesity epidemic.

[Cross-cultural adaptation and reliability of measurements on self-reported neighborhood characteristics in ELSA-Brasil]. / Adaptação transcultural e confi abilidade de medidas de características autorreferidas de vizinhança no ELSA-Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the process involved in adapting scales for measuring neighborhood characteristics to Brazilian Portuguese. METHODS: The dimensions addressed were social cohesion, environment suitable for physical activity, availability of healthy foods, safety, perceived violence and victimization. The adaptation process involved assessment of equivalence between the original scales and the Portuguese versions. The test-retest reliability was assessed in a subsample of 261 participants from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study for Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil), who answered the same questionnaire on two different occasions, separated by an interval of 7 to 14 days. RESULTS: The aspects of equivalence assessed were shown to be adequate. The intraclass correlation coefficient ranged from 0.83 (95%CI 0.78;0.87) for Social Cohesion to 0.90 (95%CI 0.87;0.92) for Walking Environment. The scales showed internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) ranging from 0.60 to 0.84. CONCLUSIONS: The measurements on self-reported neighborhood characteristics had very good reproducibility and good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha). The results suggest that these scales can be used in studies involving Brazilian populations with characteristics similar to those of ELSA-Brasil.

Adaptacao transcultural e confiabilidade de medidas de caracteristicas autorreferidas de vizinhanca no ELSA-Brasil / Cross-cultural adaptation and reliability of measurements on self-reported neighborhood characteristics in ELSA-Brasil

OBJETIVO: Descrever o processo de adaptação de escalas de medida de características de vizinhança para o português brasileiro. MÉTODOS: As dimensões abordadas foram coesão social, ambiente propício para atividade física, disponibilidade de alimentos saudáveis, segurança em relação a crimes, violência percebida e vitimização. No processo de adaptação foram avaliados aspectos de equivalência entre as escalas originais e respectivas versões para o português. A confiabilidade teste-reteste foi avaliada em submostra de 261 participantes do Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil) que responderam ao mesmo questionário em dois momentos distintos em um intervalo de tempo de sete a 14 dias entre as duas aplicações. RESULTADOS: Os aspectos de equivalência avaliados mostraram-se adequados. O coeficiente de correlação intraclasse variou entre 0,83 (IC95% 0,78;0,87) para Coesão Social e 0,90 (IC95% 0,87;0,92) para Ambiente para Atividade Física. As escalas apresentaram consistência interna (alfa de Cronbach) que variaram entre 0,60 e 0,84. CONCLUSÕES: As medidas autorreferidas de características de vizinhança tiveram reprodutibilidade muito boa e boa consistência interna. Os resultados sugerem que essas escalas podem ser utilizadas em estudos com população brasileira que apresente características similares àquelas do ELSA-Brasil. .

OBJECTIVE: To describe the process involved in adapting scales for measuring neighborhood characteristics to Brazilian Portuguese. METHODS: The dimensions addressed were social cohesion, environment suitable for physical activity, availability of healthy foods, safety, perceived violence and victimization. The adaptation process involved assessment of equivalence between the original scales and the Portuguese versions. The test-retest reliability was assessed in a subsample of 261 participants from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study for Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil), who answered the same questionnaire on two different occasions, separated by an interval of 7 to 14 days. RESULTS: The aspects of equivalence assessed were shown to be adequate. The intraclass correlation coefficient ranged from 0.83 (95%CI 0.78;0.87) for Social Cohesion to 0.90 (95%CI 0.87;0.92) for Walking Environment. The scales showed internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) ranging from 0.60 to 0.84. CONCLUSIONS: The measurements on self-reported neighborhood characteristics had very good reproducibility and good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha). The results suggest that these scales can be used in studies involving Brazilian populations with characteristics similar to those of ELSA-Brasil. .

The impact of implementation of the Breastfeeding Friendly Primary Care Initiative on the prevalence rates of breastfeeding and causes of consultations at a basic healthcare center.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence rates of breastfeeding and the principal causes of consultations at the infant and neonatal clinic of a basic healthcare center in the city of Rio de Janeiro, before and after its being accredited by the Breastfeeding Friendly Primary Care Initiative. METHODS: Information was analyzed from 121 and 200 children followed-up at the healthcare center before and after certification, respectively. Type of feeding was classified as exclusive breastfeeding, predominant breastfeeding or breastfeeding, and the 10th International Classification of Diseases was used to classify the complaints causing consultations. RESULTS: A statistically significant increase was observed in the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding, both among those less than 4 months old (68 vs. 88%; p < 0.0001) and among children aged from 4 to 6 months (41 vs. 82%; p < 0.0001). Furthermore, an impressive increase was observed in the prevalence of breastfeeding in children more than 6 months old, especially those aged 9 to 12 months (24 vs. 82%; p < 0.0001). After certification, there was also a reduction in the number of consultations motivated by some type of disease among infants more than 4 months old. CONCLUSION: Implementation of the Breastfeeding Friendly Primary Care Initiative proved to be an important strategy for increasing the rate of breastfeeding and reducing consultations due to disease among infants less than one year old cared for at this health center.

Impacto da implementação da Iniciativa Unidade Básica Amiga da Amamentação nas prevalências de aleitamento materno e nos motivos de consulta em uma unidade básica de saúde / The impact of implementation of the Breastfeeding Friendly Primary Care Initiative on the prevalence rates of breastfeeding and causes of consultations at a basic healthcare center

OBJETIVO: Comparar as prevalências de aleitamento materno e das queixas principais nas consultas de puericultura de uma unidade básica de saúde do município do Rio de Janeiro, nos períodos pré e pós-certificação da Iniciativa Unidade Básica Amiga da Amamentação. MÉTODOS: Foram analisadas informações de 121 e 200 crianças assistidas pela unidade antes e após sua certificação, respectivamente. Classificou-se o tipo de alimentação em aleitamento materno exclusivo, aleitamento materno predominante e aleitamento materno, e utilizou-se a 10ª Classificação Internacional de Doenças para categorização das queixas que motivaram as consultas de puericultura. RESULTADOS: Observou-se um aumento estatisticamente significativo da prevalência de aleitamento materno exclusivo tanto nos menores de 4 meses (68 versus 88 por cento; p < 0,0001) quanto entre as crianças com idade entre 4 e 6 meses (41 versus 82 por cento; p < 0,0001). Além disso, foi expressivo o aumento da prevalência de aleitamento materno em crianças maiores de 6 meses, especialmente entre os 9 e 12 meses de vida (24 versus 82 por cento; p < 0,0001). Houve, também, diminuição nas consultas motivadas por alguma doença após a certificação da unidade nos lactentes com mais de 4 meses. CONCLUSÃO: A implantação da Iniciativa Unidade Básica Amiga da Amamentação mostrou-se estratégia importante para o aumento das taxas de aleitamento materno e para a diminuição de consultas motivadas por doenças nos lactentes menores de 1 ano assistidos nesta unidade.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence rates of breastfeeding and the principal causes of consultations at the infant and neonatal clinic of a basic healthcare center in the city of Rio de Janeiro, before and after its being accredited by the Breastfeeding Friendly Primary Care Initiative. METHODS: Information was analyzed from 121 and 200 children followed-up at the healthcare center before and after certification, respectively. Type of feeding was classified as exclusive breastfeeding, predominant breastfeeding or breastfeeding, and the 10th International Classification of Diseases was used to classify the complaints causing consultations. RESULTS: A statistically significant increase was observed in the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding, both among those less than 4 months old (68 vs. 88 percent; p < 0.0001) and among children aged from 4 to 6 months (41 vs. 82 percent; p < 0.0001). Furthermore, an impressive increase was observed in the prevalence of breastfeeding in children more than 6 months old, especially those aged 9 to 12 months (24 vs. 82 percent; p < 0.0001). After certification, there was also a reduction in the number of consultations motivated by some type of disease among infants more than 4 months old. CONCLUSION: Implementation of the Breastfeeding Friendly Primary Care Initiative proved to be an important strategy for increasing the rate of breastfeeding and reducing consultations due to disease among infants less than one year old cared for at this health center.