Environmental characteristics, nutritional and executive functions in children of 6 to 7 years / Características ambientais, funções nutricionais e executivas em crianças de 6 a 7 anos

This study aimed to analyze the socio-environmental characteristics, executive and nutritional functions in children aged 6 to 7 years, from public schools in Alagoas, Brazil. A quantitative, cross-sectional and descriptive study was performed involving 64 children of the mentioned age group, from public schools located in Alagoas: Maceió, on the coast; Major Isidoro, in the hinterland and Palmeira dos Índios, in the country. Such analyzes were made through the application of neuropsychological tests and anthropometric assessment with children and food and socio-environmental surveys with their parents. As for the type of housing, 100% were made of masonry, with a bathroom present in 98.4%. All children reported with the habit of bathing in the river / lagoon, presented some pathology. There was no significant difference between cities in terms of the sociodemographic characteristics evaluated, with the same result occurring with the factors associated with the occurrence of diseases in children. The subtests of WISC-IV, were below the average in all municipalities, and the TAC and SCC were classified within the average. However, even though the ranking were divided between below average and average, it is possible to identify from the subtests of WISC-IV, that the general IQ showed a cognitive level below the average. There was also no significant difference in the anthropometric assessment (weight, height, BMI and IMCI) between the evaluated students. The average weight was 23.3 kg to 25 kg, the height between 1.23 m to 1.24 m, the BMI between 16.4 to 17; the IMCI from 2.8 to 3.0. Children were classified within the average. Regarding micronutrients (Ca, Fe, K, Mg and Na, and vitamins A, C, D, B1, B9 and B12) and calories, there was also no significant difference between the cities evaluated. The same occurred with macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates and lipids). This study showed [...].

Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar as características socioambientais, funções executivas e nutricionais de crianças de 6 a 7 anos, de escolas públicas de Alagoas, Brasil. Foi realizado um estudo quantitativo, transversal e descritivo envolvendo 64 crianças, na referida faixa etária, de escolas públicas localizadas em Alagoas: Maceió, no litoral; Major Isidoro, no sertão e Palmeira dos Índios, no país. Tais análises foram feitas por meio da aplicação de testes neuropsicológicos e avaliação antropométrica com crianças e inquéritos alimentares e socioambientais com seus pais. Quanto ao tipo de habitação, 100% eram de alvenaria, com banheiro presente em 98,4%. Todas as crianças relataram o hábito de tomar banho no rio / lagoa, apresentavam alguma patologia. Não houve diferença significativa entre os municípios quanto às características sociodemográficas avaliadas, ocorrendo o mesmo resultado com os fatores associados à ocorrência de doenças em crianças. Os subtestes do WISC-IV, ficaram abaixo da média em todos os municípios, e o TAC e SCC foram classificados dentro da média. Porém, mesmo que a classificação tenha sido dividida entre abaixo da média e média, é possível identificar a partir dos subtestes do WISC-IV, que o QI geral apresentou um nível cognitivo abaixo da média. Também não houve diferença significativa na avaliação antropométrica (peso, altura, IMC e AIDPI) entre os alunos avaliados. O peso médio foi de 23,3 kg a 25 kg, a altura entre 1,23 ma 1,24 m, o IMC entre 16,4 a 17; A AIDPI de 2.8 a 3.0. As crianças foram classificadas dentro da média. Em relação aos micronutrientes (Ca, Fe, K, Mg e Na e vitaminas A, C, D, B1, B9 e B12) e calorias, também não houve diferença significativa entre os municípios avaliados. O mesmo ocorreu com os macronutrientes (proteínas, carboidratos e lipídios). Este estudo mostrou que de maneira geral não houve diferença entre os alunos [...].

Environmental characteristics, nutritional and executive functions in children of 6 to 7 years

Abstract This study aimed to analyze the socio-environmental characteristics, executive and nutritional functions in children aged 6 to 7 years, from public schools in Alagoas, Brazil. A quantitative, cross-sectional and descriptive study was performed involving 64 children of the mentioned age group, from public schools located in Alagoas: Maceió, on the coast; Major Isidoro, in the hinterland and Palmeira dos Índios, in the country. Such analyzes were made through the application of neuropsychological tests and anthropometric assessment with children and food and socio-environmental surveys with their parents. As for the type of housing, 100% were made of masonry, with a bathroom present in 98.4%. All children reported with the habit of bathing in the river / lagoon, presented some pathology. There was no significant difference between cities in terms of the sociodemographic characteristics evaluated, with the same result occurring with the factors associated with the occurrence of diseases in children. The subtests of WISC-IV, were below the average in all municipalities, and the TAC and SCC were classified within the average. However, even though the ranking were divided between below average and average, it is possible to identify from the subtests of WISC-IV, that the general IQ showed a cognitive level below the average. There was also no significant difference in the anthropometric assessment (weight, height, BMI and IMCI) between the evaluated students. The average weight was 23.3 kg to 25 kg, the height between 1.23 m to 1.24 m, the BMI between 16.4 to 17; the IMCI from 2.8 to 3.0. Children were classified within the average. Regarding micronutrients (Ca, Fe, K, Mg and Na, and vitamins A, C, D, B1, B9 and B12) and calories, there was also no significant difference between the cities evaluated. The same occurred with macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates and lipids). This study showed that in general there was no difference between the students of the three municipalities. Probably, even though they are all public schools and from different cities, children have similar social conditions.

Resumo Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar as características socioambientais, funções executivas e nutricionais de crianças de 6 a 7 anos, de escolas públicas de Alagoas, Brasil. Foi realizado um estudo quantitativo, transversal e descritivo envolvendo 64 crianças, na referida faixa etária, de escolas públicas localizadas em Alagoas: Maceió, no litoral; Major Isidoro, no sertão e Palmeira dos Índios, no país. Tais análises foram feitas por meio da aplicação de testes neuropsicológicos e avaliação antropométrica com crianças e inquéritos alimentares e socioambientais com seus pais. Quanto ao tipo de habitação, 100% eram de alvenaria, com banheiro presente em 98,4%. Todas as crianças relataram o hábito de tomar banho no rio / lagoa, apresentavam alguma patologia. Não houve diferença significativa entre os municípios quanto às características sociodemográficas avaliadas, ocorrendo o mesmo resultado com os fatores associados à ocorrência de doenças em crianças. Os subtestes do WISC-IV, ficaram abaixo da média em todos os municípios, e o TAC e SCC foram classificados dentro da média. Porém, mesmo que a classificação tenha sido dividida entre abaixo da média e média, é possível identificar a partir dos subtestes do WISC-IV, que o QI geral apresentou um nível cognitivo abaixo da média. Também não houve diferença significativa na avaliação antropométrica (peso, altura, IMC e AIDPI) entre os alunos avaliados. O peso médio foi de 23,3 kg a 25 kg, a altura entre 1,23 ma 1,24 m, o IMC entre 16,4 a 17; A AIDPI de 2.8 a 3.0. As crianças foram classificadas dentro da média. Em relação aos micronutrientes (Ca, Fe, K, Mg e Na e vitaminas A, C, D, B1, B9 e B12) e calorias, também não houve diferença significativa entre os municípios avaliados. O mesmo ocorreu com os macronutrientes (proteínas, carboidratos e lipídios). Este estudo mostrou que de maneira geral não houve diferença entre os alunos dos três municípios. Provavelmente, mesmo sendo todas escolas públicas e de diferentes cidades, as crianças têm condições sociais semelhantes.

Environmental characteristics, nutritional and executive functions in children of 6 to 7 years / Características ambientais, funções nutricionais e executivas em crianças de 6 a 7 anos

Abstract This study aimed to analyze the socio-environmental characteristics, executive and nutritional functions in children aged 6 to 7 years, from public schools in Alagoas, Brazil. A quantitative, cross-sectional and descriptive study was performed involving 64 children of the mentioned age group, from public schools located in Alagoas: Maceió, on the coast; Major Isidoro, in the hinterland and Palmeira dos Índios, in the country. Such analyzes were made through the application of neuropsychological tests and anthropometric assessment with children and food and socio-environmental surveys with their parents. As for the type of housing, 100% were made of masonry, with a bathroom present in 98.4%. All children reported with the habit of bathing in the river / lagoon, presented some pathology. There was no significant difference between cities in terms of the sociodemographic characteristics evaluated, with the same result occurring with the factors associated with the occurrence of diseases in children. The subtests of WISC-IV, were below the average in all municipalities, and the TAC and SCC were classified within the average. However, even though the ranking were divided between below average and average, it is possible to identify from the subtests of WISC-IV, that the general IQ showed a cognitive level below the average. There was also no significant difference in the anthropometric assessment (weight, height, BMI and IMCI) between the evaluated students. The average weight was 23.3 kg to 25 kg, the height between 1.23 m to 1.24 m, the BMI between 16.4 to 17; the IMCI from 2.8 to 3.0. Children were classified within the average. Regarding micronutrients (Ca, Fe, K, Mg and Na, and vitamins A, C, D, B1, B9 and B12) and calories, there was also no significant difference between the cities evaluated. The same occurred with macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates and lipids). This study showed that in general there was no difference between the students of the three municipalities. Probably, even though they are all public schools and from different cities, children have similar social conditions.

Resumo Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar as características socioambientais, funções executivas e nutricionais de crianças de 6 a 7 anos, de escolas públicas de Alagoas, Brasil. Foi realizado um estudo quantitativo, transversal e descritivo envolvendo 64 crianças, na referida faixa etária, de escolas públicas localizadas em Alagoas: Maceió, no litoral; Major Isidoro, no sertão e Palmeira dos Índios, no país. Tais análises foram feitas por meio da aplicação de testes neuropsicológicos e avaliação antropométrica com crianças e inquéritos alimentares e socioambientais com seus pais. Quanto ao tipo de habitação, 100% eram de alvenaria, com banheiro presente em 98,4%. Todas as crianças relataram o hábito de tomar banho no rio / lagoa, apresentavam alguma patologia. Não houve diferença significativa entre os municípios quanto às características sociodemográficas avaliadas, ocorrendo o mesmo resultado com os fatores associados à ocorrência de doenças em crianças. Os subtestes do WISC-IV, ficaram abaixo da média em todos os municípios, e o TAC e SCC foram classificados dentro da média. Porém, mesmo que a classificação tenha sido dividida entre abaixo da média e média, é possível identificar a partir dos subtestes do WISC-IV, que o QI geral apresentou um nível cognitivo abaixo da média. Também não houve diferença significativa na avaliação antropométrica (peso, altura, IMC e AIDPI) entre os alunos avaliados. O peso médio foi de 23,3 kg a 25 kg, a altura entre 1,23 ma 1,24 m, o IMC entre 16,4 a 17; A AIDPI de 2.8 a 3.0. As crianças foram classificadas dentro da média. Em relação aos micronutrientes (Ca, Fe, K, Mg e Na e vitaminas A, C, D, B1, B9 e B12) e calorias, também não houve diferença significativa entre os municípios avaliados. O mesmo ocorreu com os macronutrientes (proteínas, carboidratos e lipídios). Este estudo mostrou que de maneira geral não houve diferença entre os alunos dos três municípios. Provavelmente, mesmo sendo todas escolas públicas e de diferentes cidades, as crianças têm condições sociais semelhantes.

Perspectives of digestive pest control with proteinase inhibitors that mainly affect the trypsin-like activity of Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The present study describes the main characteristics of the proteolytic activities of the velvetbean caterpillar, Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner, and their sensitivity to proteinase inhibitors and activators. Midguts of last instar larvae reared on an artificial diet were homogenized in 0.15 M NaCl and centrifuged at 14,000 g for 10 min at 4°C and the supernatants were used in enzymatic assays at 30°C, pH 10.0. Basal total proteolytic activity (azocasein hydrolysis) was 1.14 ± 0.15 absorbance variation min-1 mg protein-1, at 420 nm; basal trypsin-like activity (N-benzoyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilide, BApNA, hydrolysis) was 0.217 ± 0.02 mmol p-nitroaniline min-1 mg protein-1. The maximum proteolytic activities were observed at pH 10.5 using azocasein and at pH 10.0 using BApNA, this pH being identical to the midgut pH of 10.0. The maximum trypsin-like activity occurred at 50°C, a temperature that reduces enzyme stability to 80 and 60 percent of the original, when pre-incubated for 5 and 30 min, respectively. Phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride inhibited the proteolytic activities with an IC50 of 0.39 mM for azocasein hydrolysis and of 1.35 mM for BApNA hydrolysis. Benzamidine inhibited the hydrolysis with an IC50 of 0.69 and 0.076 mM for azocasein and BApNA, respectively. The absence of cysteine-proteinases is indicated by the fact that 2-mercaptoethanol and L-cysteine did not increase the rate of azocasein hydrolysis. These results demonstrate the presence of serine-proteinases and the predominance of trypsin-like activity in the midgut of Lepidoptera insects, now also detected in A. gemmatalis, and suggest this enzyme as a major target for pest control based on disruption of protein metabolism using proteinase inhibitors.

IFN-gamma in human Chagas' disease: protection or pathology?

An apparently paradoxical role for IFN-gamma in human Chagas'disease was observed when studying the pattern of cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from two groups of chagasic patients after specific stimulation with Trypanosoma cruzi-derived antigens. The groups studied were 1) patients treated with bendnidazole during the acute phase of Trypanosoma cruzi infection and 2) chronically infected untreated patients. In the treated group, higher levels of IFN-gamma were produced by PBMC from individuals cured after treatment when compared to non-cured patients. In contrast, in the chronically infected group (not treated) higher levels of IFN-gamma were produced by PBMC from cardiac patients in comparison with asymptomatic (indeterminate) patients. This apparently paradoxical role for IFN-gamma in human Chagas'disease is discussed in terms of the possibility of a temporal difference in IFN-gamma production during the initial stages of the infection (acute phase) in the presence or absence of chemotherapy. The maintenance of an immune response with high levels of IFN-gamma production during the chronic phase of the infection may favor cure or influence the development of the cardiac form of the disease.

Effects of methylmercury exposure during the second stage of rapid postnatal brain growth on negative geotaxis and on delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase of suckling rats

In the present study, we examined the effects of exposure to methylmercury (0, 2.3, 4.6, 6.9 and 9.2 mg/kg, daily for 5 consecutive days, sc) during the second stage of rapid postnatal brain development (8 to 12 days of age) on the sulfhydryl-containing enzyme delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (ALA-D, E.C. 4.2.1.24) from brain, liver and kidney and on motor performance (latency to complete a negative geotaxis response) of rats. ALA-D specific activity of 13-day old rats of both sexes (7-12 per group) was reduced significantly in rats treated with 6.9 mg/kg and 9.2 mg/kg in brain (about 40 per cent , P < 0.05) and in liver (about 25 per cent , P < 0.05). Renal ALA-D specific activity was not affected by methylmercury treatment. The in vitro IC50 for inhibition of brain, liver and renal ALA-D was 79.3, 81.8 and 39.1 microM, respectively. The latency to complete the negative geotaxis response of 12-day old rats was increased by 6.9 (7.9 +/- 0.7 s, mean +/- SEM) and 9.2 mg/kg methylmercury (7.8 +/- 0.5 s) when compared with control rats (5.8 +/- 0.3 s), suggesting an impairment in motor performance of exposed rats. These results demonstrate that exposure to relatively high doses of methylmercury during the second stage of brain development causes a significant reduction in brain and hepatic ALA-D. The absence of inhibition of ALA-D by lower doses may be related to the relatively low in vitro sensitivity of the enzyme to methylmercury. The possible involvement of ALA-D inhibition on the neurotoxicity of methylmercury deserves additional investigation

Long-term treatment with 2,5-hexanedione has no effect on the specific activity of some brain and liver glycolytic enzymes of adult rats

Prolonged exposure to hexacarbon compounds is neurotoxic to humans and animals. As various hexacarbon compounds inhibit glycolytic enzymes in vitro, it has been suggested that this may underlie their neurotoxic effects in vivo. in the present investigation we examined whether long-term treatment with 2,5-hexanedione (200 mg/kg, sc) for 40 days affects the specific activity of brain and liver enolase, lactic dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase in female Wistar rats (150-170 g). Glycemia and liver glycogen levels were also determined. The specific activity of all enzymes tested, liver glycogen content and glycemia were not affected by chronic treatment with 2,5-hexanedione. Rats treated with 2,5-hexanedione weighed significantly less than control rats starting on day 18 of treatment (183 ñ 3.4G for the vehicle groups vs 171 ñ 3.2G for the 2,5-hexanedione group). 2,5-hexanedione also increased water intake (46 por cento when compared to vehicle-treated rats). prolonged treatmentof rats with the non-neurotoxic hexacarbon 1,6-hexanediol (207 mg/kg, sc) significantly increased liver glycogen content (5.9 ñ 0.6g/100g for the vehicle group vs 9.0 ñ 1.1g/100 g for the 1.6-hexanediol group) as well as food intake (44.0 ñ 1.5g 100g-1 6 days-1 for thge 1,6-hexanediol group). These results indicate that long-term treatment with 2,5-hexanedione did not alter the brain and liver glycolytic enzymes studied, liver glycogen content or glycemia but did reduce weight gain and increased water intake, whereas the administration of the reportedly non-neurotoxic hexacarbon 1,6-hexanediol has demonstrable metabolic effects

Effect of acute administration of 2,5-hexanedione on nociception in rats

Hexacarbon compounds are neurotxic to man and animals. These substance also inhibit various enzymes in vitro, including acetylcholinesterase. Since some cholinesterase inhibitor alter nociceptor we determined the effect of acute ip administration of 2,5-hexanedione on nociception in female Wistar rats (75-90 days old, 170-200g; 15-17 rats in each group) using a tail-flick apparatus. The rats were injected ip with vehicle solution (120mMNaCl containing 10 mM potassium phosphate buffer, pH 7.2) and 200, 400 or 800 mg/Kg of 2,5-hexanedione in a volume of 1 ml/Kg body weight. Tail-flick latencies were obtained 10, 30, 60 and 90 min after drug administration. All doses of 2,5-hexanedione caused antinociception (p<0.001) but the appearance and duration of the analgesia varied according to the dose of the drug. The highest dose tested (800 mg/Kg) caused analgesia from 10 to 60 min, 400 mg/Kg caused anal00 mg/Kg caused analgesia at 30 and 60 min, and 200 mg/Kg produced antinociception only at 60 min after drug injection (P < 0.05 for all the above comparisons). These results suggest that 2,5-hexanedione induces antinociception in rats. Whether this effect is mediated by a cholinergic mechanism is under inverstigation

Benzodiazepine receptor ligand influences on learning: an endogenous modulatory mechanism mediated by benzodiazepines possibly of alimentary origin

In rats pre-but not post-training ip administration of either flumazenil, a central benzodiazepine (BSD) receptor antagonist, or of n-butyl-B-carboline-carboxylate (BCCB), an inverse agonist, enhanced retention of inhibitory avoidance learning. Flumazenil vlocked the enhancing effect of BCCB, and the inhibitory effect of the BZD agonists clonazepam and diazepam also given pre-training. Post-training administration of these drugs had no effects. The peripheral BZD receptor agonist/chloride channel blocker Ro5-4864 had no effect on the inhibitory avoidance task when given ip prior to training, buth it caused enhancement when given immediately post-training either ip or icv. This effect was blocked by PK11195, a competitive antagonist of Ro5-4864. These results suggest that ther is an endogenous mechanism mediated by BZD agonists, which is sensitive to inverse agonists and that normally down-regulates the formation of memories through a mechanism involving GABA-A receptors and the corresponding chloride channels. The most likely agonists for the endogenous mechanism suggested are the diazepam-like BZDs found in brain whose origin is possibly alimentary. Levels of these BZDs in the cortex were found to sharply decrease after inhibitory acoidance training or mere exposure to the training apparatus.

The effect of reinoculation with trypomastigotes on the level of protective antibodies in mice chronically infected with T. cruzi

1. The levels of specific antibodies were determined in sera from mice chronically infected with T. cruzi using indirect immunofluorescence, complement-mediated lysis, and neutralization of bloodstream trypomastigote (Try) infectivity upon their incubation with the test sera in vitro and passive transfer of immune sera. 2. The sera were obtained at different times after T. cruzi inoculation performed one to five times using live Y or CL bloodstream Try, two polar strains of T. cruzi. 3. Hight levels of protective and nonprotective antibodies were detected form week 4, the first interval studied, onward, regardless of number of inoculations and time of infection. 4. Sera from CL-infected mice had lower antibody titers at week 4 and the ability of whole sera or semipurified IgG to neutralize the infectivity of bloodstream Try was lower at this time. 5. All other sera obtained during the chronic phase were strongly effective in decreasing parasite infectivity as measured by lower parasitemia and mortality of mice inoculated with the serum-treated Y strain bloodstream Try

Effect of pre-training flumazenil administration on the acquisition of three diferent tasks in rats

The central benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, flumazenil (5.0 mg/kg), given ip 30 min prior to training, enhanced retention test performance of step-down inhibitory avoidance in rats. A lower dose (2.0 mg/kg) given pre-training, or post -training was ineffective. The effect of flumazenil seems to result from an influence on acquisition, in spite of the fact that the drug did not alter training session performance. Pre-training flumazenil (5.0 mg/kg) also facilitated retention test performance of habituation to a buzzer, but not of habituation to an open field. The effect of flumazenil is not atributable to a general influence on inhibitory learning for the following reasons: 1) it enhanced acquisition of two different tasks in which behavioral inhibition plays entirely different roles; 2) it enhanced acquisition of one form of habituation but not of another; 3) data from the literature indicate that flumazenil aso enhances acquisition of active avoidance. In the present experiments, the two tasks that were sensitive to the drug were more stressful or "anxiogenic" than the open field task. There is evidence from the literature that stress activates endogenous benzodiazepine-medicated mechanisms in the brain. The effect of flumazenil suggests that acquisition in stressful or anxiogenic circunstances may be normally down-regulated by such mechanisms

Diagnóstico diferencial entre desordem de pânico e doenças físicas / Differential diagnosis between panic disorder and physical diseases

A Desordem de Pânico (DP) é ainda muito pouco conhecida entre as especialidades médicas. O presente trabalho fornece dados clínicos e laboratoriais que podem ajudar no diagnóstico diferencial entre DP e outras doenças físicas que podem eventualmente produzir uma síndrome de pânico: feocromocitoma, hipertireoidismo, alteraçäo do ritmo cardíaco, isquemias do miocárdio, epilepsia com manifestaçöes afetivas e autonômicas, hipoglicemia, uso de drogas/síndrome de abstinência. É concluído que a DP, por ser ainda pouco conhecida em nosso meio, geralmente é confundida com essas doenças físicas, o que traz prejuízos para o paciente em termos de gastos desnecessários com exames sofisticados e procedimentos terapêuticos ineficazes, retardando, assim, para o paciente os benefícios de um tratamento adequado que evite as complicaçöes fóbicas advindas da repetiçäo das crises de pânico

Anticorpos liticos detectados em liquido pericardico de chagasicos cronicos. / Lytic antibodies detected in pericardial fluid of chronic Chagas' patients

A pesquisa de anticorpos liticos (AL) atraves do teste de lise mediada por complemento (LMCo) foi positiva em 11 liquidos pericardicos obtidos de pacientes chagasicos falecidos subitamente ou por causas nao relacionadas a doenca de Chagas e que estao incluidos em um estudo da forma indeterminada dessa doenca. Em todos esses pacientes a sorologia convencional para doenca de Chagas apresentou resultados positivos e o quadro anatomo-patologico mostrou lesoes caracteristicas ou compativeis com a cardite chagasica cronica. Em 12 liquidos pericardicos de individuos que faleceram por diferentes causas e nos quais sorologia para doenca de Chagas foi negativa, a LMCo tambem foi negativa. A presenca de AL no liquido pericardico constitui forte evidencia da presenca de infeccao ativa por T. cruzi nos chagasicos necropsiados e abre perspectivas para o estudo e o melhor conhecimento da patologia da doenca de Chagas