Feeding practices and dietary intake in Brazilian children with Down syndrome: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Studies investigating the quality of the diet and dietary intake of children with Down syndrome (DS) are required because the features attributed to the syndrome can affect growth, development and quality of life. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 77 Brazilian children with DS between 5 and 36 months of age receiving care at the multidisciplinary outpatient clinic of the University Hospital. Participants' sociodemographic, dietary and anthropometric data were collected from the care protocols. Dietary data were collected from 24-h recalls and dietary practices were assessed according to the WHO dietary guidelines. Associations between inadequate feeding practices and demographic variables were assessed using logistic regression models. RESULTS: Fruits, milk or infant formula, vegetables, beans and meat were among the five most consumed foods by the children investigated. Overall, we observed a high number of cases of early weaning (50.6%), low minimum dietary diversity (MDD; 40.3%), inadequate consistency for age (64.9%), early presence of ultra-processed foods (76.6%), sugars and sweets (33.8%) in the diet of the children with DS. In the associations of inadequate feeding practices by age group, low MDD [odds ratio (OR): 18.6; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.4; 57.1] and inadequate consistency (OR: 6.65; 95% CI: 1.8; 24.7) were more frequent among children aged below 12 months while this relationship was inverse for early introduction of sugar and sweets (OR: 0.04; 95% CI: 0.01; 0.29). CONCLUSION: Our findings showed a high number of cases of inadequate dietary practices in children with DS investigated, which could adversely affect the long-term health of this population.

High Diversity of Drosophilidae in High-Altitude Wet Forests in Northeastern Brazil.

The high-altitude wet forests of northeastern Brazil, locally known as "Brejos de Altitude," are enclaves of the Atlantic Forest situated above 500 m, surrounded by dryland vegetation, the Caatinga. The aim of this study was to characterize drosophilid communities in these upland forests, since few ecological studies on drosophilid communities have been conducted in northeastern Brazil. Four sites were investigated in three different times of the year throughout standardized traps. The results reveal the presence of 55 different species in a total of 13,064 specimens collected. The data were evaluated using ecological diversity measurements and compared with those obtained for other environments in the same geographic region. As for species composition, the Bonito upland forest, in a boundary forest location, stood out as having high species richness.

Prognostic significance of CD44v6, p63, podoplanin and MMP-9 in oral squamous cell carcinomas.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the expression of the CD44v6, p63, podoplanin and MMP-9, and their prognostic significance in patients with oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Immunohistochemistry technique was performed on 60 OSCC for detection of CD44v6, p63, podoplanin and MMP-9 proteins. Extent and intensity of staining were evaluated in tumour cells and were compared with patients' clinical-pathological characteristics and survival. RESULTS: CD44v6 expression was detected at the membrane of tumour cells of 94% cases. Nuclear expression of p63 protein was present in 96.5%. Podoplanin was observed at the membrane of tumour cells of 94% cases. MMP-9 was found in the cytoplasm of tumour cells in 83.7% cases. A high level of expression (67%-89%) in all four proteins was noted. Podoplanin was associated with the expression of MMP-9 (P = 0.010) and both were associated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.011 and P = 0.018, respectively). Co-expression of podoplanin/MMP-9 was an adverse independent prognostic factor for cancer-specific survival (P = 0.008) and recurrence-free survival (P = 0.042). CONCLUSION: Podoplanin and MMP-9 together could contribute to tumour progression and dissemination of OSCC. Their combined overexpression showed an adverse effect on survival, suggesting that they could be regarded as important prognostic biomarkers in OSCC.

Clinicopathologic significance of BubR1 and Mad2 overexpression in oral cancer.

OBJECTIVES: BubR1 and Mad2 are central components of the mitotic checkpoint complex that inhibits anaphase onset until all chromosomes are correctly aligned at the metaphase plate. We propose to analyse the combined expression of BubR1 and Mad2 and assess its significance to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) diagnosis and prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BubR1 and Mad2 expression was assessed by real-time PCR in OSCC cell lines and in normal human oral keratinocytes, and by immunohistochemistry in 65 patients with OSCC. The results were compared regarding clinicopathological parameters, proliferative activity and survival. RESULTS: BubR1 and Mad2 transcripts were overexpressed in OSCC cell lines which also exhibited attenuated spindle assembly checkpoint activity. BubR1 and Mad2 were also overexpressed in patients with OSCC. BubR1 expression was associated with advanced stages and larger tumour size in univariate analysis, and with shorter overall survival both in univariate and multivariate analysis. Mad2 overexpression was associated with that of BubR1 and, importantly, high expression of Mad2 and BubR1 was associated with increased cellular proliferation. CONCLUSION: Our data propose a role for BubR1 and Mad2 in OSCC cellular proliferation, progression and prognosis.

A clinical-pathological and survival study of oral squamous cell carcinomas from a population of the North of Portugal.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to analyze the clinical, pathological, and outcome characteristics of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) from a population of the North of Portugal. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a descriptive study of 128 OSCC diagnosed between the years of 2000 and 2010 in the Centro Hospitalar do Porto. Through of the review of the clinical records we studied several clinical, pathological, and outcome variables. The overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Cox regression method was used for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Of 128 patients with OSCC, 83 (64.8%) were male and 45 (35.2%) were female, (mean age of 62.13±15.57 years). The most affected location was the tongue (n=52; 40.6%). The most common cause of reference was a non-healing ulcer (n=35; 28.9%) followed by oral pain (n=27; 22.3%). Sixty (60.6%) patients were tobacco consumers and 55 (57.3%) alcohol consumers. The cumulative 3-years OS rate was 58.6% and DFS was 55.4%. In multivariable analysis for OS, we found an adverse independent prognostic value for advanced tumour size (p<0.001) and for the presence of perineural permeation (p=0.012). For DFS, advanced stage tumours presented adverse independent prognostic value (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: OSCC occurred most frequently in males, in older patients, and in patients with tobacco and/or alcohol habits. TNM and tumour stage additionally to the perineural permeation were the most important prognostic factor for the survival of these patients, contributing to identify high-risk subgroups and to guide therapy.

Synthesis and electrochemical behaviour of beta-halodehydroamino acid derivatives.

Several new beta,beta-dihalo and beta-halo-beta-substituted dehydroalanines and dehydrodipeptides were synthesized by reacting the corresponding dehydroamino acid derivative with a N-halosuccinimide or in the case of beta,beta-di-iododehydroalanines with iodine. The results obtained confirmed that the stereochemical outcome of the halogenation reaction with beta-substituted dehydroamino acids depends on the substrate. Thus, an increase Z-stereoselectivity was found when the beta-phenyldehydroalanines were used as substrates and when these compounds were N-protected with 4-tolylsulfonyl or with carbamates. From this study, it is also possible to conclude that when N-iodosuccinimide was used as reagent a much higher Z-stereoselectivity is found. The electrochemical behaviour of the halogenated dehydroamino acids was studied by cyclic voltammetry. The results show a shift in the reduction peak to higher potentials of the beta-halogenated dehydroamino acids when compared with the corresponding non-halogenated derivatives. As expected, the beta,beta-dihalodehydroalanines exhibit higher peak potentials than beta-halo-beta-substituted dehydroalanines and the bromo derivatives have lower peak potentials when compared with the corresponding iododehydroamino acids. Controlled potential electrolysis of several beta-halo-beta-substituted dehydroamino acids afforded the corresponding dehalogenated dehydroamino acids as mixtures of their E and Z-isomers. In all cases, the major isomer isolated results from dehalogenation without isomerization. These new results show that electrochemical reduction constitutes a valuable method for the synthesis of the E-isomer of beta-substituted dehydroalanines.

Epidermal growth factor receptor immunoexpression evaluation in malignant salivary gland tumours.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in malignant salivary gland tumours and its possible relationships with clinical and morphological findings, disease course and prognosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study sample comprised 88 patients diagnosed and treated for primary malignant salivary gland tumours between January 1992 and December 2002. We analysed EGFR expression using immunohistochemistry on formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded surgical specimens of all patients. Statistical analysis was used to investigate possible relationships between EGFR expression and clinical findings, histological findings, disease course and patients survival. RESULTS: Of all cases, 32 (36.4%) were EGFR positive. There was a statistically significant correlation between EGFR expression and histological grade. No other variable was correlated with EGFR expression including the overall and disease-free survival. Stage classification was the only parameter in multivariate analysis that was an independent predictor of low overall and disease-free survival. CONCLUSION: EGFR is not a useful indicator of prognosis in malignant salivary gland tumours. However, the EGFR expression in salivary gland cancers like adenocarcinomas, undifferentiated carcinomas, mucoepidermoid carcinomas or salivary duct carcinomas suggests that these tumours may be a candidate for therapy investigation directed at EGFR.

DNA content in malignant salivary gland tumours.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate the DNA content in malignant salivary gland tumours using image cytometry and its possible relationships with clinical and morphologic findings, disease course and prognosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study sample comprised 31 patients diagnosed and treated for primary malignant salivary gland tumours. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded surgical specimens of all patients were Feulgen-stained for DNA content analysis by image cytometry. Statistical analysis was used to investigate possible relationships between DNA content variables and clinical and histological findings, disease course and patient survival. RESULTS: Seventeen (55%) cases of our sample were graded as DNA diploid, four (13%) as DNA aneuploid and 10 (32%) as DNA multiploid. In 15 (48%) cases, the 5c exceeding rate (5cER) was higher than 1.7%. DNA ploidy correlated with N stage and tumour size. DNA ploidy and 5cER had a statistically significant prognostic influence on overall and disease-free survival in univariate analysis. However, in multivariate analysis, stage classification was the only parameter with an independent prognosis value. CONCLUSION: Abnormal DNA content is a common finding in salivary gland cancers. Our results suggest an important role of DNA content analysis in the evaluation of these tumours.

Synthesis of bis-amino acid derivatives by Suzuki cross-coupling, Michael addition and substitution reactions.

Several bis-amino acids were prepared using a bis-Suzuki coupling (compounds 4-8, 10), a sequential Michael addition and bis-Suzuki coupling (compounds 12, 13) and a Michael addition followed by a substitution reaction (compounds 18, 19). Thus, the pure stereoisomer of the methyl esters of N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-beta-bromodehydroaminobutyric acid and dehydrophenylalanine and of N-benzyloxycarbonyl-beta-bromodehydroaminobutyric acid were reacted with 1,4-phenylene-bis-boronic acid or 9,9-dioctyl-9H-fluorene-2,7-bis-boronic acid using modified Suzuki coupling conditions. The corresponding bis-dehydroamino acid derivatives were obtained in good to high yields maintaining the stereochemistry of the starting materials. This reaction was also applied successfully to a brominated dehydrodipeptide and 1,4-phenylene-bis-boronic acid showing that it could be used to create cross-links in peptide chains. An N,N-diacyldehydroalanine derivative was used in a sequential Michael addition and bis-Suzuki coupling giving a p-terphenyl bis-amino acid and a fluorenyl bis-amino acid in good yields. Two bis-alpha,beta-diamino acids were obtained by a Michael addition of 1,2,4-triazole to the methyl esters of N-(4-toluenesulfonyl), N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl) dehydroamino acids followed by treatment with ethylenediamine.

Enhancing reductive cleavage of aromatic carboxamides.

[reaction: see text] A set of aromatic and especially heteroaromatic N-benzyl carboxamides, derived from naphthalene, pyridine, pyrazine, and quinoline, and the corresponding tert-butyl acylcarbamates have been synthesized and studied by cyclic voltammetry with respect to facilitated reduction. The latter undergo regiospecific cleavage of their C(O)-N bonds under very mild reductive conditions with formation of Boc-protected (benzyl)amine in most cases in nearly quantitative yields. Examples of preparative cleavage by controlled potential electrolysis, activated aluminum, and NaBH(4) are given.

Effects of prenatal cocaine exposure on postnatal growth patterns of male Wistar rats.

The purpose of this study was to investigate basic parameters regarding the postnatal effects of prenatal exposure to cocaine. Timed-pregnant Wistar rats were injected SC with 60 mg/kg body weight/day of cocaine from gestational day 8 to 22. Control females were nonmanipulated and given food and lib; saline females received saline injections and pair-fed received saline and were nutritionally controlled to the cocaine-treated rats. Litters were restricted to 8 pups, weighed every other day until postnatal day (PND) 30 and every week from PND 30 to PND 90. The rats were perfused at PND 14, 30, and 90. The adequacy of adjustment of the logistic and Gompertz models to the body weights of the offspring was tested for the whole experimental period. The results from the Gompertz curve showed a higher growth rate and less time to reach 37% of expected mature body mass for the offspring of cocaine and pair-fed dams as compared with that of control and saline dams. No significant differences in the estimated adult weight were found among the experimental groups. The allometric relationship between forebrain and body weight is described by two postnatal growth phases with a first phase of rapid growth between PND 14 and 30 and a decelerating phase between PND 30 and 90. This relationship was not different among the experimental groups; however, the cocaine and pair-fed offspring showed a constant deficit in the forebrain weight as compared with the control and saline offspring.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)