Male Alternative Reproductive Tactics and Associated Evolution of Anatomical Characteristics in Loliginid Squid.

Loliginid squids provide a unique model system to explore male alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs) and their linkage to size, behavioral decision making, and possibly age. Large individuals fight one another and the winners form temporary consortships with females, while smaller individuals do not engage in male-male agonistic bouts but use various sneaker tactics to obtain matings, each with varying mating and fertilization success. There is substantial behavioral flexibility in most species, as smaller males can facultatively switch to the alternative consort behaviors as the behavioral context changes. These forms of ARTs can involve different: mating posture; site of spermatophore deposition; fertilization success; and sperm traits. Most of the traits of male dimorphism (both anatomical and behavioral) are consistent with traditional sexual selection theory, while others have unique features that may have evolved in response to the fertilization environment faced by each temporary or permanent male morph.

Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of enterotoxigenic and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates obtained from fecal specimens of children with acute diarrhea / Perfil de suscetibilidade a drogas antimicrobianas de amostras de Escherichia coli enterotoxigênica e enteropatogênica isoladas de espécimes fecais de crianças com doença diarreica aguda

ABSTRACT Among the diseases which etiopathogenesis is associated with Escherichia coli, acute diarrhea stands out. Studies on the characterization of the antimicrobial susceptibility profile contribute to the selection of appropriate empirical antimicrobial therapy. In this study, the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of 98 enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) and enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) strains isolated from fecal specimens of children with acute diarrhea was evaluated. The resistance rates to ampicillin, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, amoxicillin/clavulanate, and nalidixic acid were high, ranging from 34.7% to 10.2%. The result of this research recommends the use of cefotaxime and ceftriaxone for the empirical treatment of children with acute diarrhea which the etiology suggested is ETEC or EPEC.

RESUMO Entre as doenças cuja etiopatogenia está associada à Escherichia coli, destaca-se a doença diarreica aguda. Estudos que visam à caracterização do perfil de suscetibilidade antimicrobiana contribuem para o delineamento de antibioticoterapia empírica eficaz. Neste estudo, foi avaliado o perfil de suscetibilidade a antimicrobianos de 98 amostras de E. coli enterotoxigênica (ETEC) e E. coli enteropatogênica (EPEC) isoladas de crianças com doença diarreica. As frequências de resistência a ampicilina, sulfametoxazol-trimetoprima, amoxicilina-clavulanato e ácido nalidíxico foram elevadas, variando entre 34,7% e 10,2%. Esta pesquisa recomenda o emprego de cefotaxima e ceftriaxona para o tratamento empírico de crianças com quadro de diarreia cuja etiologia sugerida seja ETEC ou EPEC.

Interspecific reproductive barriers between sympatric populations of wild tomato species (Solanum section Lycopersicon).

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Interspecific reproductive barriers (IRBs) often prevent hybridization between closely related species in sympatry. In the tomato clade (Solanum section Lycopersicon), interspecific interactions between natural sympatric populations have not been evaluated previously. In this study, we assessed IRBs between members of the tomato clade from nine sympatric sites in Peru. METHODS: Coflowering was assessed at sympatric sites in Peru. Using previously collected seeds from sympatric sites in Peru, we evaluated premating prezygotic (floral morphology), postmating prezygotic (pollen-tube growth), and postzygotic barriers (fruit and seed development) between sympatric species in common gardens. Pollen-tube growth and seed development were examined in reciprocal crosses between sympatric species. KEY RESULTS: We confirmed coflowering of sympatric species at five sites in Peru. We found three types of postmating prezygotic IRBs during pollen-pistil interactions: (1) unilateral pollen-tube rejection between pistils of self-incompatible species and pollen of self-compatible species; (2) potential conspecific pollen precedence in a cross between two self-incompatible species; and (3) failure of pollen tubes to target ovules. In addition, we found strong postzygotic IRBs that prevented normal seed development in 11 interspecific crosses, resulting in seed-like structures containing globular embryos and aborted endosperm and, in some cases, overgrown endothelium. Viable seed and F1 hybrid plants were recovered from three of 19 interspecific crosses. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified diverse prezygotic and postzygotic IRBs that would prevent hybridization between sympatric wild tomato species, but interspecific hybridization is possible in a few cases.

Prevalence of Cognitive Impairment Without Dementia and Dementia in Tremembé, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of cognitive impairment is insufficiently determined in developing countries. The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of cognitive impairment without dementia and dementia in community-dwelling elderly in Brazil. METHODS: This was a single-phase cross-sectional survey of the elderly (aged 60 years and above) living in the municipality of Tremembé, Brazil. Twenty percent of the households with elderly persons were randomly selected from urban and rural areas, to obtain a homogenous representation of all socioeconomic and cultural levels. RESULTS: We assessed 630 individuals [mean age, 71.3 y (±7.99); mean years of education, 4.9 (±4.54)] and found prevalence rates of 17.5% (95% confidence interval, 14.6-20.6) for dementia and 19.5% (95% confidence interval, 16.6-22.8) for cognitive impairment without dementia. These prevalence rates were influenced by age (P<0.001) and by educational level (P<0.001). There was no significant sex difference among diagnostic groups (P=0.166). The prevalence of dementia was higher in relatively younger individuals (below 70 y) when compared with other studies. Besides, dementia was associated with low socioeconomic status, stroke, previous psychiatric disorder, alcoholism, and epilepsy. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of dementia in this study was higher than in other studies, particularly among younger elderly.

Breast cancer screening, area deprivation, and later-stage breast cancer in Appalachia: does geography matter?

OBJECTIVE: To model the relationship of an area-based measure of a breast cancer screening and geographic area deprivation on the incidence of later stage breast cancer (LSBC) across a diverse region of Appalachia. DATA SOURCE: Central cancer registry data (2006-2008) from three Appalachian states were linked to Medicare claims and census data. STUDY DESIGN: Exploratory spatial analysis preceded the statistical model based on negative binomial regression to model predictors and effect modification by geographic subregions. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Exploratory spatial analysis revealed geographically varying effects of area deprivation and screening on LSBC. In the negative binomial regression model, predictors of LSBC included receipt of screening, area deprivation, supply of mammography centers, and female population aged>75 years. The most deprived counties had a 3.31 times greater rate of LSBC compared to the least deprived. Effect of screening on LSBC was significantly stronger in northern Appalachia than elsewhere in the study region, found mostly for high-population counties. CONCLUSIONS: Breast cancer screening and area deprivation are strongly associated with disparity in LBSC in Appalachia. The presence of geographically varying predictors of later stage tumors in Appalachia suggests the importance of place-based health care access and risk.

Performance of the Visual Analogue Scale of Happiness and of the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia in the Tremembé Epidemiological Study, Brazil.

Depression is a major growing public health problem. Many population studies have found a significant relationship between depression and the presence of cognitive disorders. OBJECTIVE: To establish the correlation between the Visual Analogue Scale of Happiness and the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia in the population aged 60 years or over in the city of Tremembé, state of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: An epidemiological survey involving home visits was carried out in the city of Tremembé. The sample was randomly selected by drawing 20% of the population aged 60 years or older from each of the city's census sectors. In this single-phase study, the assessment included clinical history, physical and neurological examination, cognitive evaluation, and application of both the Cornell Scale and the Analogue Scale of Happiness for psychiatric symptoms. The presence of depressive symptoms was defined as scores greater than or equal to 8 points on the Cornell Scale. RESULTS: A total of 623 subjects were evaluated and of these 251 (40.3%) had clinically significant depressive symptoms on the Cornell Scale, with a significant association with female gender (p<0.001) and with lower education (p=0.012). One hundred and thirty-six participants (21.8%) chose the unhappiness faces, with a significant association with age (p<0.001), female gender (p=0.020) and low socioeconomic status (p=0.012). Although there was a statistically significant association on the correlation test, the correlation was not high (rho=0.47). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was high in this sample and the Visual Analogue Scale of Happiness and Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia should not be used as similar alternatives for evaluating the presence of depressive symptoms, at least in populations with low educational level.

A depressão é um problema importante e crescente de saúde pública. É muito comum ser encontrada uma relação significativa entre depressão e a presença de distúrbios cognitivos nos estudos populacionais. OBJETIVO: Estabelecer a correlação entre a Escala Analógica Visual de Felicidade e a Escala Cornell de Depressão em Demência na população de 60 anos ou mais da cidade de Tremembé, estado de São Paulo, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Estudo epidemiológico no qual foram realizadas visitas domiciliares na cidade de Tremembé. A amostra foi aleatória, através do sorteio de 20% da população acima de 60 anos de cada setor censitário do município. Este estudo foi de fase única, tendo sido realizada anamnese, exames físico e neurológico, avaliação cognitiva e aplicação de escalas Cornell de Depressão em Demência e Escala Analógica de Felicidade para verificar a presença de sintomas depressivos. Foi adotado como critério da presença de sintomas depressivos, pontuação maior ou igual a 8 na escala de Cornell. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliadas 623 pessoas e destas 251 (40,3%) apresentaram sintomas depressivos significativos clinicamente na escala de Cornell, com associação significativa com gênero feminino (p<0,001) e com a baixa escolaridade (p=0,012). Cento e trinta e seis participantes (21,8%) apontaram para faces de infelicidade, com associação significativa com idade (p<0,001), com gênero feminino (p=0,020) e com baixo nível socioeconômico (p=0,012). Embora tenha havido significância estatística no teste de correlação, a correlação entre as duas escalas analisadas não foi alta (rho=0,47). CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência de sintomas depressivos foi elevada nesta amostra e a Escala Analógica de Felicidade e a Escala Cornell de Depressão em Demência não devem ser utilizadas como alternativas similares para avaliar a presença de sintomas depressivos, pelo menos em populações com baixa escolaridade.

Detection of the origin of Brazilian wines based on the determination of only four elements using high-resolution continuum source flame AAS.

A method has been developed to determine 10 elements in Brazilian red wines using high-resolution continuum source flame atomic absorption spectrometry, a technique that allows the fast sequential determination of an essentially unlimited number of elements per sample, each one under previously optimized conditions. All measurements were made without sample preparation, using aqueous standard solutions for calibration. The results were in agreement within 99% of confidence (t-test) with those obtained by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The same grape, Cabernet sauvignon, was used in all experiments, and the wines from each region were prepared especially for this investigation in order to avoid any confusion due to grapes from other regions, which are often used in commercial wines. The elements K, Mn, Rb and Sr were found to be the best indicators for the origin of the wines, based on a Principal Component Analysis.

Primary progressive aphasia: Classification of variants in 100 consecutive Brazilian cases / Afasia Progressiva Primária: classificação das variantes em 100 casos consecutivos brasileiros

ABSTRACT Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a neurodegenerative clinical syndrome characterized primarily by progressive language impairment. Recently, consensus diagnostic criteria were published for the diagnosis and classification of variants of PPA. The currently recognized variants are nonfluent/agrammatic (PPA-G), logopenic (PPA-L) and semantic (PPA-S). Objective: To analyze the demographic data and the clinical classification of 100 PPA cases. Methods: Data from 100 PPA patients who were consecutively evaluated between 1999 and 2012 were analyzed. The patients underwent neurological, cognitive and language evaluation. The cases were classified according to the proposed variants, using predominantly the guidelines proposed in the consensus diagnostic criteria from 2011. Results: The sample consisted of 57 women and 43 men, aged at onset 67.2±8.1 years (range of between 53 and 83 years). Thirty-five patients presented PPA-S, 29 PPA-G and 16 PPA-L. It was not possible to classify 20% of the cases into any one of the proposed variants. Conclusion: It was possible to classify 80% of the sample into one of the three PPA variants proposed. Perhaps the consensus classification requires some adjustments to accommodate cases that do not fit into any of the variants and to avoid overlap where cases fit more than one variant. Nonetheless, the established current guidelines are a useful tool to address the classification and diagnosis of PPA and are also of great value in standardizing terminologies to improve consistency across studies from different research centers.

RESUMO A afasia progressiva primária (APP) é uma síndrome clínica neurodegenerativa caracterizada pelo comprometimento predominante e progressivo da linguagem. Recentemente, foi publicado um consenso clínico para o diagnóstico e classificação das variantes da APP. As variantes reconhecidas atualmente são: não-fluente/agramática (APP-G), logopênica (APP-L) e semântica (APP-S). Objetivo: Analisar os dados demográficos e classificar as variantes de uma amostra de 100 casos de APP. Métodos: Foram analisados os achados de 100 pacientes de APP que foram encaminhados consecutivamente para avaliação fonoaudiológica entre 1999 e 2012. Os pacientes foram submetidos à avaliação neurológica, cognitiva e de linguagem. A partir, principalmente, dos critérios elaborados pelo consenso clinico de APP, os casos foram classificados em uma das variantes. Resultados: Cem casos, 43 homens e 57 mulheres, foram avaliados. A idade de início variou entre 53 e 83 anos (x=67.2 (±8.1). Foram identificados 35 casos de APP-S, 29 de APP-G e 16 de APP-L. Vinte casos não se enquadraram em nenhumas das três variantes. Conclusão: Foi possível classificar distúrbio de linguagem em 80% da amostra em uma das três variantes de APP. A recomendação atual estabelecida pelo consenso clínico é uma ferramenta útil para direcionar a classificação e diagnóstico da APP e também é de grande valor para uniformidade das terminologias entre os diferentes centros de pesquisa. Porém, alguns ajustes seriam interessantes para contemplar os casos que não se encaixam em nenhuma das variantes e para evitar a sobreposição de casos que poderiam se encaixar em mais de uma variante.

Primary progressive aphasia: classification of variants in 100 consecutive Brazilian cases.

Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a neurodegenerative clinical syndrome characterized primarily by progressive language impairment. Recently, consensus diagnostic criteria were published for the diagnosis and classification of variants of PPA. The currently recognized variants are nonfluent/agrammatic (PPA-G), logopenic (PPA-L) and semantic (PPA-S). OBJECTIVE: To analyze the demographic data and the clinical classification of 100 PPA cases. METHODS: Data from 100 PPA patients who were consecutively evaluated between 1999 and 2012 were analyzed. The patients underwent neurological, cognitive and language evaluation. The cases were classified according to the proposed variants, using predominantly the guidelines proposed in the consensus diagnostic criteria from 2011. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 57 women and 43 men, aged at onset 67.2±8.1 years (range of between 53 and 83 years). Thirty-five patients presented PPA-S, 29 PPA-G and 16 PPA-L. It was not possible to classify 20% of the cases into any one of the proposed variants. CONCLUSION: It was possible to classify 80% of the sample into one of the three PPA variants proposed. Perhaps the consensus classification requires some adjustments to accommodate cases that do not fit into any of the variants and to avoid overlap where cases fit more than one variant. Nonetheless, the established current guidelines are a useful tool to address the classification and diagnosis of PPA and are also of great value in standardizing terminologies to improve consistency across studies from different research centers.

A afasia progressiva primária (APP) é uma síndrome clínica neurodegenerativa caracterizada pelo comprometimento predominante e progressivo da linguagem. Recentemente, foi publicado um consenso clínico para o diagnóstico e classificação das variantes da APP. As variantes reconhecidas atualmente são: não-fluente/agramática (APP-G), logopênica (APP-L) e semântica (APP-S). OBJETIVO: Analisar os dados demográficos e classificar as variantes de uma amostra de 100 casos de APP. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados os achados de 100 pacientes de APP que foram encaminhados consecutivamente para avaliação fonoaudiológica entre 1999 e 2012. Os pacientes foram submetidos à avaliação neurológica, cognitiva e de linguagem. A partir, principalmente, dos critérios elaborados pelo consenso clinico de APP, os casos foram classificados em uma das variantes. RESULTADOS: Cem casos, 43 homens e 57 mulheres, foram avaliados. A idade de início variou entre 53 e 83 anos (x=67.2 (±8.1). Foram identificados 35 casos de APP-S, 29 de APP-G e 16 de APP-L. Vinte casos não se enquadraram em nenhumas das três variantes. CONCLUSÃO: Foi possível classificar distúrbio de linguagem em 80% da amostra em uma das três variantes de APP. A recomendação atual estabelecida pelo consenso clínico é uma ferramenta útil para direcionar a classificação e diagnóstico da APP e também é de grande valor para uniformidade das terminologias entre os diferentes centros de pesquisa. Porém, alguns ajustes seriam interessantes para contemplar os casos que não se encaixam em nenhuma das variantes e para evitar a sobreposição de casos que poderiam se encaixar em mais de uma variante.

Prevalence of depressive symptoms among elderly in the city of Tremembé, Brazil: preliminary findings of an epidemiological study.

Depression is a heterogeneous mental disease classified as a set of disorders, which manifest with a certain duration, frequency and intensity. The prevalence of depression in the elderly ranges from 0.5 to 16%. OBJECTIVE: To establish, in an epidemiological study, the prevalence of significant depressive symptoms in the population aged 60 years or older. METHODS: Results of a cross-sectional epidemiological study, involving home visits, being carried out in the city of Tremembé, Brazil, were reported. The sample was randomly selected by drawing 20% of the population over 60 years from each of the city's census sectors. In this single-phase study, the assessment included clinical history, physical and neurological examination, cognitive evaluation, the Cornell scale and the Patient Health Questionnaire for psychiatric symptoms. Scores greater than or equal to 8 on the Cornell scale were taken to indicate the presence of depressive symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 455 elders were assessed, and of these 169 (37.1%) had clinically significant depressive symptoms (CSDS). Depression prevalence was higher among women (p<0.001) and individuals with lower education (p=0.033). The Chi-square test for trends showed a significant relationship where lower socioeconomic status was associated with greater likelihood of depressive symptoms (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was high in this sample of the population-based study and was associated with female gender, low educational level and socioeconomic status. The assessment of the entire population sample must be completed.

Depressão é uma doença mental heterogênea classificada como um conjunto de transtornos, que se manifestam numa certa duração, frequência e intensidade. A prevalência de depressão em idosos varia de 0,5 a 16%. OBJETIVO: estabelecer a prevalência de sintomas depressivos significantes em estudo epidemiológico em população acima de 60 anos. MÉTODOS: Estudo epidemiológico do tipo transversal, no qual estão sendo realizadas visitas domiciliares na cidade de Tremembé, Brasil. A amostra foi aleatória, através do sorteio de 20% da população acima de 60 anos de cada setor censitário do município. Este estudo é de única fase, sendo realizada anamnese, exames físico e neurológico, avaliação cognitiva e aplicação de escalas de Cornell e questionário Patient Health Questionnaire para verificar sintomas psiquiátricos. Foi adotado como critério da presença de sintomas depressivos, pontuação maior ou igual a 8 na escala de Cornell. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliadas 455 pessoas e destas 169 (37,1%) apresentaram sintomas depressivos significativos clinicamente (SDSC). A maior prevalência foi entre as mulheres (p<0,001) e com escolaridade mais baixa (p=0,033). Quando realizado o teste de qui-quadrado de tendência, houve relação significativa, à medida que diminui o nível socioeconômico, aumenta a chance da presença de sintomas depressivos (p=0,005). CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência de sintomas depressivos foi elevada nesta amostra do estudo populacional e com associação com gênero feminino, baixo nível educacional e socioeconômico, mas há necessidade de finalizar toda amostragem.

Intimin subtyping of atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from children with and without diarrhea: a possible temporal shift in the distribution of intimin alleles.

Intimins of atypical EPEC strains from children with and without diarrhea were genotyped. κ was not found and ß was the most common. η- and ζ-alleles prevailed in strains from children without diarrhea and ι-allele among children older than 13 months. ε-allele emerged in 2006 and was the most common in 2007.

Genetic diversity and population structure in the tomato-like nightshades Solanum lycopersicoides and S. sitiens.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Two closely related, wild tomato-like nightshade species, Solanum lycopersicoides and Solanum sitiens, inhabit a small area within the Atacama Desert region of Peru and Chile. Each species possesses unique traits, including abiotic and biotic stress tolerances, and can be hybridized with cultivated tomato. Conservation and utilization of these tomato relatives would benefit from an understanding of genetic diversity and relationships within and between populations. METHODS: Levels of genetic diversity and population genetic structure were investigated by genotyping representative accessions of each species with a set of simple sequence repeat (SSR) and allozyme markers. KEY RESULTS: As expected for self-incompatible species, populations of S. lycopersicoides and S. sitiens were relatively diverse, but contained less diversity than the wild tomato Solanum chilense, a related allogamous species native to this region. Populations of S. lycopersicoides were slightly more diverse than populations of S. sitiens according to SSRs, but the opposite trend was found with allozymes. A higher coefficient of inbreeding was noted in S. sitiens. A pattern of isolation by distance was evident in both species, consistent with the highly fragmented nature of the populations in situ. The populations of each taxon showed strong geographical structure, with evidence for three major groups, corresponding to the northern, central and southern elements of their respective distributions. CONCLUSIONS: This information should be useful for optimizing regeneration strategies, for sampling of the populations for genes of interest, and for guiding future in situ conservation efforts.

Comparison of direct solid sampling and slurry sampling for the determination of cadmium in wheat flour by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.

Two analytical methods for the determination of cadmium in wheat flour by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry without prior sample digestion have been compared: direct solid sampling analysis (SS) and slurry sampling (SlS). Besides the conventional modifier mixture of palladium and magnesium nitrates (10 microg Pd+3 microg Mg), 0.05% (v/v) Triton X-100 has been added to improve the penetration of the modifier solution into the solid sample, and 0.1% H(2)O(2) in order to promote an in situ digestion for SS. For SlS, 30 microg Pd, 12 microg Mg and 0.05% (v/v) Triton X-100 have been used as the modifier mixture. Under these conditions, and using a pyrolysis temperature of 800 degrees C, essentially no background absorption was observed with an atomization temperature of 1600 degrees C. About 2 mg of sample have been typically used for SS, although as much as 3-5 mg could have been introduced. In the case of SlS multiple injections had to be used to achieve the sensitivity required for this determination. Calibration against aqueous standards was feasible for both methods. The characteristic mass obtained with SS was 0.6 pg, and that with SlS was 1.0 pg. The limits of detection were 0.4 and 0.7 ng g(-1), the limits of quantification were 1.3 and 2.3 ng g(-1) and the relative standard deviation (n=5) was 6-16% and 9-23% for SS and SlS, respectively. The accuracy was confirmed by the analysis of certified reference materials. The two methods were applied for the determination of cadmium in six wheat flour samples acquired in supermarkets of different Brazilian cities. The cadmium content varied between 8.9+/-0.5 and 13+/-2 ng g(-1) (n=5). Direct SS gave results similar to those obtained with SlS using multi-injections; the values of both techniques showed no statistically significant difference at the 95% confidence level. Direct SS was finally adopted as the method of choice, due to its greater simplicity, the faster speed of analysis and the better figures of merit.

Níveis de enzootia por ectoparasitos em amostras de rolinha [Columbina talpacoti (Temminck, 1810)] no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil / Enzootic level of the external parasites on samples of Columbina talpacoti (Temminck, 1810) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

O primeiro inquérito sobre a fauna de ectoparasitos em rolinha (Columbina talpacoti) é feito no Brasil. As espécies de ectoparasitos encontrados foram: Microlynchia pussila (Speiser, 1902) (Diptera); Columbicola passerinae (Wilson, 1941) and Physconelloides eurysema (Carriker, 1903) (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera); Hohorstiella passerinae Hill & Tull, 1978 (Phthiraptera: Amblycera) and Byersalges talpacoti (Cerny, 1972), Diplaegidia columbigallinae (Cerny, 1972), Nanolichus sp. and Pterophagus lomatus Gaud & Barré, 1992 (Acari: Acaridida), sendo B. talpacoti a espécie de maior prevalência.

The role of the eosinophil-selective chemokine, eotaxin, in allergic and non-allergic airways inflammation

Blood eosinophilia and tissue infiltration by eosinophils are frequently observed in allergic inflammation and parasitic infections. This selective accumulation of eosinophils suggested the existence of endogenous eosinophil-selective chemoattractants. We have recently discovered a novel eosinophil-selective chemoattractant which we called eotaxin in an animal model of allergic airways disease. Eotaxin is generated in both allergic and non-allergic bronchopulmonary inflammation. The early increase in eotaxin parallel eosinophil infiltration in the lung tissue in both models. An antibody to IL-5 suppressed lung eosinophilia, correlating with an inhibition of eosinophil release from bone marrow, without affecting eotaxin generation. This suggests that endogenous IL-5 is important for eosinophil migration but does not appear to be a stimulus for eotaxin production. Constitutive levels eotaxin observed in guinea-pig lung may be responsible for the basal lung eosinophilia observed in this species. Allergen-induced eotaxin was present mainly in the epithelium and alveolar macrophages, as detected by immunostaining. In contrast, there was no upregulation of eotaxin by the epithelial cells following the injection of Sephadex beads and the alveolar macrophage and mononuclear cells surrounding the granuloma were the predominant positive staining cells. Eotaxin and related chemokines acting through the CCR3 receptor may play a major role in eosinophil recuitment in allergic inflammation and parasitic diasease and thus offer an attractive target for therapeutic intervention.

Cifose de Scheuermann: resultados precoses com uso de colete de Milwaukee / Scheurmann's kyphosis: early results with use of Milwaukee's brace

Foram avaliados 23 pacientes que apresentavam cifose de Scheuermann, submetidos a tratamento conservador com colete de Milwaukee. A rotina de uso do colete consistiu em: uso integral (23 horas/dia) durante os seis primeiros meses e uso parcial (12 horas/dia) no período subseqüente de tratamento. O tempo total de uso do colete variou de 10 a 23 meses, com média de 14 meses. Quinze pacientes eram do sexo masculino e 8 do sexo feminino, cujas idades variaram de 9,3 a 14,6 anos. Os valores angulares iniciais das curvas estavam compreendidos entre 45 e 62 graus, com média de 51 graus. Após a descontinuaçäo do uso do colete de Milwaukee, os valores iniciais ao tratamento, variando de 29 a 42 graus, com média de 33 graus. O tempo de acompanhamento pós-colete variou de 2 a 27 meses. Baseados em nossos resultados, concluímos que o colete de Milwaukee proporcionou, a curto prazo excelentes resultados no tratamento da cifose de Scheuermann