Characterization of the normal fetal circulatory system of the ductus venosus using sound complexity parameters

The aim of this study was to characterize the normality of the fetal circulatory system through the time between ventricular systoles of the ductus venosus in the three gestational trimesters in healthy fetuses using nonlinear methods of the complexity of the signal. A prospective cohort study was conducted at the Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira (IMIP) from December 2019 to May 2020. Pregnant women between 11 and 14 weeks, with intrauterine pregnancy and healthy fetus were included. Patients with multiple gestation, positive screening for congenital malformation, including heart disease, and under 18 years of age were excluded. Doppler velocimetry ultrasonography of the ductus venosus was performed between the 11th and 14th weeks, 20th and 24th weeks, and 28th and 32nd weeks of gestation, and then the sound signal was extracted and segmented from the videos. To compare the means between the gestational trimesters of the approximate entropy (ApEn) and Lempel-Ziv complexity (CLZ) of the time between ventricular systoles, the Friedman test was used, with a significance level of 5%. No statistically significant difference was found between the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimesters regarding the mean ApEn (P=0.281) and CLZ (P=0.595) of the time between ventricular systoles of the ductus venosus. Ductus venosus systolic time was not sensitive to differentiate fetal cardiovascular dynamics between gestational trimesters. This study pioneered the characterization of cardiovascular normality by nonlinear parameters of the fetal ductus venosus in all three trimesters.

El género Attalea (Arecaceae) de Bolivia: Afinidades con sistemas ecológicos regionales

La documentación de las especies neotropicales de la familia Arecaceae, basada en los recientes aportes a su taxonomía y su relación con los paisajes naturales, actualiza los patrones espaciales a los cuales se adaptan en su rango de distribución. En este caso se relevan 121 registros de especímenes de las 11 especies del género Attalea de Bolivia y su relación con 30 sistemas ecológicos que aproximan su ámbito de distribución a nivel regional. Para ello se sistematizó, se verificó y corrigieron las coordenadas geográficas vs. localidades de todos los especímenes coleccionados del género Attalea con el fin de cotejarlos con los sistemas ecológicos, utilizando las herramientas del ArgGis. Seguidamente elaboramos un dendrograma (especies vs. sistemas ecológicos) utilizando el método de distancia mínima en el programa R. El análisis de la relación de las especies con los sistemas ecológicos resalta una especie que no compone al sudoeste amazónico: A. eichleri y que procede de sistemas ecológicos del Cerrado. Entre las especies de Attalea amazónicas, A. blepharopus (endémica de Bolivia) se aísla de las demás y el resto subagrupa a especies según su presencia afín en bosques y sabanas, además del subandino y aluvial, como es para A. princeps, que se encuentra en 17 sistemas (57%). Ocho especies de Attalea son comunes con Perú y 10 con Brasil. Es importante relacionar la agrupación jerárquica de las especies de Attalea con los sistemas ecológicos en función a dinámicas paisajísticas para documentar sus patrones de espacio y también para su conservación.

The documentation of the Neotropical species of the Arecaceae family, based on the recent contributions to its taxonomy and its relationship with natural landscapes, updates the spatial patterns to which they adapt in their range of distribution. In this case 121 records of specimens of the 11 species of the genus Attalea of Bolivia and their relationship with 30 ecological systems that approximate their scope of distribution at regional level are released. To this end, the geographical coordinates were systematized, verified and corrected. Localities of all the specimens collected from the genus Attalea in order to compare them with ecological systems, using the ArgGis tools. We then elaborate a dendrogram (species vs. ecological systems) using the minimum distance method in the R program. The analysis of the relation of the species with the ecological systems highlights a species that does not compose to the southwest amazon: A. eichleri and that is native to ecological systems of the Cerrado. Among the SW Amazonian Attalea species, A. blepharopus (endemic to Bolivia) is isolated from the others and the rest subgroup species according to their presence in forests and savannas, in addition to the subandean and alluvial, as it is for A. princeps, which is found in 17 systems (57%). Eight species of Attalea are common with Peru and 10 with Brazil. It is important to relate the hierarchical grouping of the Attalea species with ecological systems in function of landscape dynamics to document their space patterns and also for their conservation.

Plantas medicinales comercializadas por las chifleras de La Paz y El Alto (Bolivia) / Medicinal plants marketed by chifleras of La Paz and El Alto cities (Bolivia)

plantas medicinales son comercializadas en La Paz y El Alto mediante puestos urbanos atendidos por mujeres (chifleras) de origen aymara. El objetivo fue documentar los conocimientos y usos de plantas medicinales en ambas ciudades (Dpto. La Paz). Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas de julio-octubre en castellano y aymara en La Paz (18) y El Alto (19) con 28 preguntas. Se tomaron los siguientes datos: nombre común de la planta, tipo de dolencia tratada y formas de preparación del remedio, entre otras. Se identificaron 105 especímenes, 94 identificadas hasta especie, 11 hasta género y 10 indeterminadas en ambas ciudades. El 47% corresponde a especies nativas y 41 % a introducidas. Se registraron 31-40 familias de plantas con mayor número de especies en Asteraceae (24%), Lamiaceae (11%), Solanaceae (7%), Fabaceae- Papilionoideae y Brassicaceae (5%). Las especies de uso más frecuente para el tratamiento de dolencias de hombres (con el 40%) y mujeres (60%) y las especies con mayor valor de uso fueron Clinopodium bolivianum, Tripodanthus acutifolius y Baccharis latifolia, mientras siete especies son exclusivas para dolencias femeninas. Se reportó el uso de cinco estructuras morfológicas par contrarrestar de 27-53 dolencias, como hojas (41.64%), tallos (29.34%), flores (15.56%), raíz (5.34%), frutos (3.1%) y toda la planta (4.8%). Con estos aportes se ha relevado a mayor detalle la comparación de las plantas medicinales, dolencias tratadas y el uso por género entre ambas ciudades como base para otros estudios.

Correlação da composição de placas à histologia virtual com proteína C-reativa / Correlation between plaque composition as assessed by virtual histology and C-reactive protein

FUNDAMENTOS: Estudos prévios demonstram que o principal determinante de vulnerabilidade da placa aterosclerótica é a sua composição. Recentemente, diversos métodos de imagens e marcadores laboratoriais têm sido investigados visando identificar lesões vulneráveis. O ultrassom com Histologia Virtual® (HV) permite a diferenciação e quantificação dos componentes da placa. Por sua vez, a proteína C-reativa (PCR) é apontada como importante preditor de eventos adversos. A correlação entre este marcador e as características da placa não é bem estabelecida. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a constituição da lesão culpada em pacientes com síndrome coronária aguda (SCA) - conforme caracterizada pela HV - e investigar a relação dos componentes da placa com o marcador inflamatório PCR. MÉTODOS: Cinquenta e dois pacientes com SCA e com indicação de intervenção coronária percutânea foram submetidos a dosagens de PCR de alta sensibilidade antes e 24 horas após a ICP. Análise por ultrassom HV da lesão-alvo foi realizada antes da ICP. RESULTADOS: A média de idade foi de 55,3 ± 4,9 anos, sendo 76,9% homens, 67,3% hipertensos e 30,8% diabéticos. A área luminal mínima foi de 3,9 ± 1,3 mm², e a carga de placa de 69 ± 11,3%. Os componentes da placa foram assim identificados: fibrótico (59,6 ± 15,8%), fibrolipídico (7,6 ± 8,2%), cálcio (12,1 ± 9,2%), necrótico (20,7 ± 12,7%). Não observamos correlação entre os níveis basais de PCR ou a variação dentre os valores pré e pós-ICP com os componentes da placa. CONCLUSÃO: Neste estudo, a composição das placas pela HV foi predominantemente fibrótica, com alto conteúdo necrótico. Não foi encontrada correlação entre a PCR e os componentes da lesão culpada em pacientes com SCA.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that coronary plaque composition plays a pivotal role in plaque instability, and imaging modalities and serum biomarkers have been investigated to identify vulnerable plaque. Virtual histology IVUS (VH-IVUS) characterizes plaque components as calcified, fibrotic, fibrofatty, or necrotic core. C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is an independent risk factor and a powerful predictor of future coronary events. However, a relationship between inflammatory response indicated by CRP and plaque characteristics in ACS patients remains not well established. OBJECTIVE: To determine, by using VH-IVUS, the relation between coronary plaque components and plasma high-sensitivity CRP levels in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). METHODS: 52 patients with ACS were enrolled in this prospective study. Electrocardiographically-gated VH-IVUS were performed in the culprit lesion before PCI. Blood sample was drawn from all patients before the procedure and after 24 hours, and hs-CRP levels were determined. RESULTS: Mean age was 55.3±4.9 years, 76.9% were men and 30.9% had diabetes. Mean MLA was 3.9±1.3 mm², and plaque burden was 69±11.3%, as assessed by IVUS. VH-IVUS analysis at the minimum luminal site identified plaque components: fibrotic (59.6±15.8%), fibrofatty (7.6±8.2%), dense calcium (12.1±9.2%) and necrotic core (20.7±12.7%). Plasma hs-CRP (mean 16.02±18.07 mg/L) did not correlate with necrotic core (r=-0.089, p = 0.53) and other plaque components. CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective study with patients with ACS, the predominant components of the culprit plaque were fibrotic and necrotic core. Serum hs C-reactive protein levels did not correlate with plaque composition.

Induction and secretion of elastinolytic and proteolytic activity in cultures of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

P. brasiliensis parasitizes various human tissues and proteinases exported by this fungus may allow it to metabolize and invade host tissues. The influence of the culture medium on the production of proteinases by P. brasiliensis isolates was studied and the export of these enzymes was followed as a function of culture time. The fungus was grown in neopeptone, BSA, elastin orcollagen medium. The culture medium was assayed for azocollytic, elastinolytic and caseinolytic activity. Proteolytic activity was also analysed by electrophoresis of the culture medium on gelatin and casein substrate gels. P. brasiliensis expressed relatively high levels of azocoll, elastin and casein degrading activity in all types of medium, except in neopeptone medium. Generally, expression of azocollytic activity peaked during the third week of culture and caseinolytic activity during the fourth week of culture. Azocollytic activity was highest at pH 4.0 and caseinolytic activity at pH 8.0. Elastinolytic activity was also highest at pH 8.0. This activity, as well as the others, may provide the fungus with a source of carbon and nitrogen and may alsobe responsible for the invasion of host tissues, such as pulmonary elastic fiber, by P. brasiliensis.

Programmed cell death in the larval salivary glands of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera, Apidae).

The morphological and histochemical features of degeneration in honeybee (Apis mellifera) salivary glands were investigated in 5th instar larvae and in the pre-pupal period. The distribution and activity patterns of acid phosphatase enzyme were also analysed. As a routine,the larval salivary glands were fixed and processed for light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.Tissue sections were subsequently stained with haematoxylin -eosin,bromophenol blue,silver,or a variant of the critical electrolyte concentration (CEC) method.Ultrathin sections were contrasted with uranyl acetate and lead citrate.Glands were processed for the histochemical and cytochemical localization of acid phosphatase,as well as biochemical assay to detect its activity pattern. Acid phosphatase activity was histochemically detected in all the salivary glands analysed.The cytochemical results showed acid phosphatase in vesicles, Golgi apparatus and lysosomes during the secretory phase and,additionally, in autophagic structures and luminal secretion during the degenerative phase. These findings were in agreement with the biochemical assay. At the end of the 5th instar, the glandular cells had a vacuolated cytoplasm and pyknotic nuclei, and epithelial cells were shed into the glandular lumen.The transition phase from the 5th instar to the pre-pupal period was characterized by intense vacuolation of the basal cytoplasm and release of parts of the cytoplasm into the lumen by apical blebbing; these blebs contained cytoplasmic RNA, rough endoplasmic reticule and, occasionally, nuclear material. In the pre-pupal phase, the glandular epithelium showed progressive degeneration so that at the end of this phase only nuclei and remnants of the cytoplasm were observed.The nuclei were pyknotic,with peripheral chromatin and blebs. The gland remained in the haemolymph and was recycled during metamorphosis. The programmed cell death in this gland represented a morphological form intermediate between apoptosis and autophagy.

Efficacy and safety of combined piroxicam, dexamethasone, orphenadrine, and cyanocobalamin treatment in mandibular molar surgery

Third molar extraction is a common procedure frequently accompanied by moderate or severe pain, and involves sufficient numbers of patients to make studies relatively easy to perform. The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy and safety of the therapeutic combination of 10 mg piroxicam, 1 mg dexamethasone, 35 mg orphenadrine citrate, and 2.5 mg cyanocobalamin (Rheumazin®) when compared with 20 mg piroxicam alone (Feldene®) in mandibular third molar surgery. Eighty patients scheduled for removal of the third molar were included in this randomized and double-blind study. They received (vo) Rheumazin or Feldene 30 min after tooth extraction and once daily for 4 consecutive days. Pain was determined by a visual analogue scale and by the need for escape analgesia (paracetamol). Facial swelling was evaluated with a measuring tape and adverse effects and patient satisfaction were recorded. There was no statistically significant difference in facial swelling between Rheumazin and Feldene (control group). Both drugs were equally effective in the control of pain, with Rheumazin displaying less adverse effects than Feldene. Therefore, Rheumazin appears to provide a better risk/benefit ratio in the mandibular molar surgery. Since the side effects resulting from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug administration are a severe limitation to the routine use of these drugs in clinical practice, our results suggest that Rheumazin can be a good choice for third molar removal treatment.

Glutathione and the redox control system trypanothione/trypanothione reductase are involved in the protection of Leishmania spp. against nitrosothiol-induced cytotoxicity

Glutathione is the major intracellular antioxidant thiol protecting mammalian cells against oxidative stress induced by oxygen- and nitrogen-derived reactive species. In trypanosomes and leishmanias, trypanothione plays a central role in parasite protection against mammalian host defence systems by recycling trypanothione disulphide by the enzyme trypanothione reductase. Although Kinetoplastida parasites lack glutathione reductase, they maintain significant levels of glutathione. The aim of this study was to use Leishmania donovani trypanothione reductase gene mutant clones and different Leishmania species to examine the role of these two individual thiol systems in the protection mechanism against S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D,L-penicillamine (SNAP), a nitrogen-derived reactive species donor. We found that the resistance to SNAP of different species of Leishmania was inversely correlated with their glutathione concentration but not with their total low-molecular weight thiol content (about 0.18 nmol/10(7) parasites, regardless Leishmania species). The glutathione concentration in L. amazonensis, L. donovani, L. major, and L. braziliensis were 0.12, 0.10, 0.08, and 0.04 nmol/10(7) parasites, respectively. L. amazonensis, that have a higher level of glutathione, were less susceptible to SNAP (30 and 100 µM). The IC50 values of SNAP determined to L. amazonensis, L. donovani, L. major, and L. braziliensis were 207.8, 188.5, 160.9, and 83 µM, respectively. We also observed that L. donovani mutants carrying only one trypanothione reductase allele had a decreased capacity to survive (40 percent) in the presence of SNAP (30-150 µM). In conclusion, the present data suggest that both antioxidant systems, glutathione and trypanothione/trypanothione reductase, participate in protection of Leishmania against the toxic effect of nitrogen-derived reactive species.

Etnobotánica en los Andes de Bolivia / sss

Los Andes de Bolivia ocupan aproximadamente el 35% del territorio nacional y contienen a siete diferentes ecoregiones. El uso de recursos de la biodiversidad presentes por encima de los 1.000 m de altitud, incluye un amplio contenido de herencia cultural prehispánica, que ha sido influenciado y transformado a diferentes niveles por el proceso histórico del país. El etnoconjunto andino está constituido principalmente por las etnias Aymaras, Quechuas, Urus y los Kallawayas; sin embargo, se debe también tomar en cuenta a las poblaciones campesinas o poblaciones de origen étnico mixto. La cultura andina ha desarrollado cultivos importantes, cuya área geográfica representa el centro de origen de especies como Chenopodium quinoa y Solanum tuberosum entre otros, también ha identificado especies vegetales útiles pertenecientes a distintas categorías de uso, predominando las que son utilizadas en la alimentación, la medicina, la construcción, como combustible y de uso doméstico. Por otro lado, el análisis referente a las publicaciones etnobotánicas de los Andes de Bolivia depositadas en la biblioteca del Herbario Nacional de Bolivia, señala que el 94% han sido realizadas a partir de la década de los 70´s, y que la documentación generada se ha concentrado en temas y grupos específicos como los Kallawayas y su conocimiento acerca del uso medicinal de las plantas. El 63%de los trabajos revisados se han concentrado en el estudio de una sola categoría de uso, de los cuales el 42%corresponden al estudio de las características de uso de las plantas con fines medicinales. Otras categorías de uso que han merecido estudios específicos son el uso de las plantas con fines artesanales, para la alimentación, para forraje, como fuente de combustible y las cultivadas...

Distúrbios ácido-básicos em pacientes críticos: método de stewart / Acid-base disorders in critically ill patients: stewart theory

Distúrbios do equilíbrio ácido-básico são comuns nos pacientes críticos, estando em geral associados à maior morbimortalidade. Métodos que permitam entender a natureza destes distúrbios e auxiliar e consequentemente identificar atidudes que possam evitá-los e/ou corrigi-los são portanto extremamente importantes. A avaliação tradicional

Macromolecular array patterns of silk gland secretion in social Hymenoptera larvae

The cocoon, produced by most holometabolous insects, is built with silk that is usually produced by the larval salivary gland. Although this silk has been widely studied in the Lepidoptera, its composition and macromolecular arrangement remains unknown in the Hymenoptera. The macromolecular array patterns of the silk in the larval salivary gland of some meliponids, wasps, and ants were analyzed with polarized-light microscopy, and they were compared with those of Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera). There is a birefringent secretion in the glandular lumen of all larvae, due to filamentous structural proteins that display anisotropy. The silk in the distal, middle and proximal regions of the secretory portion of Formicidae and Vespidae glands presented a lattice optical pattern. We found a different pattern in the middle secretory portion of the Meliponini, with a zigzag rather than a lattice pattern. This indicates that the biopolymer fibers begin their macromolecular reorganization at this glandular region, different from the Formicidae and the Vespidae, in which the zigzag optical pattern was only found at the lateral duct. Probably, the mechanism of silk production in the Hymenoptera is a characteristic inherited from a common ancestor of Vespoidea and Sphecoidea; the alterations in the pattern observed in the Meliponini could be a derived characteristic in the Hymenoptera. We found no similarity in the macromolecular reorganization patterns of the silk between the Hymenoptera species and the silkworm.

Effect of suramin on myotoxicity of some crotalid snake venoms

We investigated the protective effect of suramin, an enzyme inhibitor and an uncoupler of G protein from receptors, on the myotoxic activity in mice of different crotalid snake venoms (A.c. laticinctus, C.v. viridis, C.d. terrificus, B. jararacussu, B. moojeni, B. alternatus, B. jararaca, L. muta). Myotoxicity was evaluated in vivo by injecting im the venoms (0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg) dissolved in physiological saline solution (0.1 ml) and measuring plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity. Two experimental approaches were used in mice (N = 5 for each group). In protocol A, 1 mg of each venom was incubated with 1.0 mg suramin (15 min, 37ºC, in vitro), and then injected im into the mice at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg (in vivo). In protocol B, venoms, 1.0 mg/kg, were injected im 15 min prior to suramin (1.0 mg/kg, iv). Before and 2 h after the im injection blood was collected by orbital puncture. Plasma was separated and stored at 4ºC for determination of CK activity using a diagnostic kit from Sigma. Preincubation of some venoms (C.v. viridis, A.c. laticinctus, C.d. terrificus and B. jararacussu) with suramin reduced (37-76 percent) the increase in plasma CK, except for B. alternatus, B. jararaca or L. muta venoms. Injection of suramin after the venom partially protected (34-51 percent) against the myotoxicity of B. jararacussu, A.c. laticinctus and C.d. terrificus venom, and did not protect against C.v. viridis, L. muta, B. moojeni, B. alternatus or B. jararaca venoms. These results show that suramin has an antimyotoxic effect against some, but not all the North and South American crotalid snake venoms studied here

Cell nucleus activity during post-embryonic development of Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Intranuclear acid phosphatase

We report nuclear acid phosphatase activity in the somatic (intra-ovariolar and stromatic) and germ cells of differentiating honey bee worker ovaries, as well as in the midgut cells of metamorphosing bees. There was heterogeneity in the intensity and distribution of electron dense deposits of lead phosphate, indicative of acid phosphatase activity in the nuclei of these tissues, during different phases of post-embryonic bee development. This heterogeneity was interpreted as a variation of the nuclear functional state, related to the cell functions in these tissues

A psicanálise sem fim: reflexões sobre término da análise e feminilidade / The endless psychoanalysis: a reflection on the end of analysis and femininity

Este artigo discute a relação existente entre a feminilidade e o término de análise. Tal articulação foi proposta por S. Freud em 1937, no artigo "Análise terminável e interminável", e permanece como ponto de reflexão importante em psicanálise. Nesse sentido, primeiramente, apresentam-se as elaborações teóricas de Freud sobre feminilidade e, em um segundo momento, discute-se a proposta de Joel Birman (que elege a feminilidade como um registro para além do fálico), ressaltando o risco de se distanciar do pensamento freudiano e recair em uma noção ideal de saúde e de normalidade, configurando a feminilidade como uma espécie de fórmula para a felicidade. Desta forma, o artigo recupera a importância da feminilidade como questão que se apresenta em um fim de análise, indicando a emergência de novas possibilidades a partir do reconhecimento da castração, e não um ideal em substituição ao fálico.

Sistema para a análise de desfibriladores, cardioversores e esfigmomanômetros baseado em um microcomputador / System based on a microcomputer to analyse defibrillators, cardioverters and sphygmomanometers

Este artigo descreve um sistema de baixo custo desenvolvido para realizar análise de desfibriladores cardíacos, cardioversores e esfigmomanômetros. O sistema é composto de dois módulos externos (que realizam o condicionamento do sinal dos equipamentos sob teste) e de um módulo interno que é inserido no barramento ISA de um microcomputador IBM-PC ou compatível. O módulo interno é responsável pela digitalização da forma de onda gerada pelo equipamento sob teste. Esta forma de onda é então transmitida as microcomputador, que processa e calcula os parâmetros para caracterizar o desempenha dos equipamentos sob teste. Os parâmetros calculados para o desfibrilador são: energia liberada, pico de corrente, pico de tensão e a duração do pulso. Para o cardioversor, além dos parâmetros citados, calcula-se ainda o intervalo de tempo entre a ocorrência da onda R do ECG e o pulso desfibrilatório (tempo de sincronismo). Os parâmetros calculados, juntamento com a forma de onda amostrada são apresentados na tela do microcomputador e podem ser armazenados em um arquivo texto. Para o esfigmomanômetro, calcula-se a pressão média, o erro sistemático e o desvio padrão da medida do manômetro. Exemplos de ensaios realizados com este sistema são apresentados. Os resultados dos ensaios foram comparados com os obtidos por sistemas comerciais. Estas comparações mostraram que o sistema realiza as medições com a exatidão adequada ao propósito.

Familial predisposition to hypertension and the association between urinary sodium excretion and blood pressure in a population-based sample of young adults

The reasons for the inconsistent association between salt consumption and blood pressure levels observed in within-society surveys are not known. A total of 157 normotensive subjects aged 18 to 35 years, selected at random in a cross-sectional population-based survey, answered a structured questionnaire. They were classified as strongly predisposed to hypertension when two or more first-degree relatives had a diagnosis of hypertension. Anthropometric parameters were obtained and sitting blood pressure was determined with aneroid sphygmomanometers. Sodium and potassium excretion was measured by flame spectrophotometry in an overnight urine sample. A positive correlation between blood pressure and urinary sodium excretion was detected only in the group of individuals strongly predisposed to hypertension, both for systolic blood pressure (r = 0.51, P<0.01) and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.50, P<0.01). In a covariance analysis, after controlling for age, skin color and body mass index, individuals strongly predisposed to hypertension who excreted amounts of sodium above the median of the entire sample had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure than subjects classified into the remaining conditions. The influence of familial predisposition to hypertension on the association between salt intake and blood pressure may be an additional explanation for the weak association between urinary sodium excretion and blood pressure observed in within-population studies, since it can influence the association between salt consumption and blood pressure in some but not all inhabitants.

Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) seed coat phaseolin is detrimental to the cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus)

The presence of phaseolin (a vicilin-like 7S storage globulin) peptides in the seed coat of the legume Phaseolus lunatus L. (lima bean) was demonstrated by N-terminal amino acid sequencing. Utilizing an artificial seed system assay we showed that phaseolin, isolated from both cotyledon and testa tissues of P. lunatus, is detrimental to the nonhost bruchid Callosobruchus maculatus (F) (cowpea weevil) with ED50 of 1.7 and 3.5 percent, respectively. The level of phaseolin in the seed coat (16.7 percent) was found to be sufficient to deter larval development of this bruchid. The expression of a C. maculatus-detrimental protein in the testa of nonhost seeds suggests that the protein may have played a significant role in the evolutionary adaptation of bruchids to legume seeds

Associaçäo entre diferentes indicadores de obesidade e prevalência de hipertensäo arterial / The association between different measurements of obesity and the prevalence of hypertension

OBJETIVO - Determinar a associaçäo entre índice de massa corporal (IMC), índice cintura-quadril e cintura com a prevalência de hipertensäo arterial (HAS) em amostra representativa de 1088 adultos de Porto Alegre, Brasil. MÉTODOS - Foram considerados hipertensos indivíduos com pressäo sistólica (PAS) 'maior ou igual' 160mmHg ou diastólica (PAD) 'maior ou igual' 95mmHg e definidos como obesos aqueles com IMC 'maior ou igual' 27kg/m², ou com razäo cintura/quadril 'maior ou igual'0,95 (homens) e 'maior ou igual'0,80 (mulheres) ou com cintura 'maior ou igual 96cm (homens) e 92 'maior ou igual'(mulheres). RESULTAODS - A obesidade aferida pelo IMC associou-se com prevalência de HAS em ambos sexos (RR 1,9, IC 1,0 - 3,2 masculino; RR 2,2, IC 1,3 - 3,8 feminino). Os outros índices associaram-se, significativamente, apenas nas mulheres. CONCLUSÄO - IMC 'maior ou igual' 27,0kg/m² associou-se mais, consistentemente com o risco de HAS. A magnitude similar das associaçöes dos demais indicadores demostram sua utilidade na avaliaçäo do risco para a hipertensäo.

Time course of changes in heart rate and blood pressure variability in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats treated with insulin

Autonomic neuropathy is a frequent complication of diabetes associated with higher morbidity and mortality in symptomatic patients, possibly because it affects autonomic regulation of the sinus node, reducing heart rate (HR) variability which predisposes to fatal arrhythmias. We evaluated the time course of arterial pressure and HR and indirectly of autonomic function (by evaluation of mean arterial pressure (MAP) variability) in rats (164.5 + 1.7 g) 7, 14, 30 and 120 days after streptozotocin (STZ) injection, treated with insulin, using measurements of arterial pressure, HR and MAP variability. HR variability was evaluated by the standard deviation of RR intervals (SDNN) and root mean square of successive difference of RR intervals (RMSSD). MAP variability was evaluated by the standard deviation of the mean of MAP and by 4 indices (P1, P2, P3 and MN) derived from the three-dimensional return map constructed by plotting MAPn x [(MAPn+1) - (MAPn)] x density. The indices represent the maximum concentration of points (P1), the longitudinal axis (P2), and the transversal axis (P3) and MN represents P1 x P2 x P3 x 10(-3), STZ induced increased urinary glucose in diabetic (D) rats compared to controls (C). Seven days after STZ, diabetes reduced resting HR from 380.6 + 12.9 to 319,2 + 19.8 bpm, increased HR variability, as demonstrated by increased SDNN, from 11.77 + 1.67 to 19.87 + 2.60 ms, did not change MAP, and reduced P1 from 61.0 + 5.3 to 51.5 + 1.8 arbitrary units (AU), P2 from 41.3 + 0.3 to 29.0 + 1.8 AU, and MN from 171.1. + 30.2 to 77.2 + 9.6 AU of MAP. These indices, as well as HR and MAP, were similar for D and C animals 14, 30 and 120 days after STZ. Seven-day rats showed a negative correlation of urinary glucose with resting HR (r=-0.76, P=0.03) as well as with the MN index (r=-0.83, P=0.01). We conclude that rats with short-term diabetes mellitus induced by STZ presented modified autonomic control of HR and MAP which was reversible. The metabolic control may influence the results, suggesting that insulin treatment and a better metabolic control in this model may modify arterial pressure, HR and MAP variability.

Diagnóstico de hipertensäo arterial sistêmica: evidências de que os critérios contemporâneos devem ser revistos / Diagnosis of systemic hypertension: evidences that current criteria should be revised

Diversos comitês normativos em hipertensäo arterial recomendam considerar a média de várias aferiçöes da pressäo arterial com esfigmomanômetro para diagnosticar hipertensäo. Näo há consenso sobre o número de medidas a serem consideradas. OBJETIVO. Descrever o comportamento da pressäo arterial obtida em três dias diferentes, utilizando-se a média de seis aferiçöes para o diagnóstico de hipertensäo. MÉTODOS. No ambulatório de hipertensäo da Unidade de Farmacologia Clínica do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, emprega-se a média de seis determinaçöes, obtidas em três dias diferentes, para diagnosticar e classificar a hipertensäo, exceto nos pacientes com valores muito baixos ou elevados nas duas primeiras aferiçöes. Cinqüenta e oito pacientes foram submetidos a essa rotina. RESULTADOS. As médias das pressöes sistólica (PS) e diastólica (PD) decresceram da primeira à sexta determinaçäo (ANOVA para medidas repetidas: F = 4,45, p = 0,001 para PS e F = 5,54, p < 0,001 para PD). Os pacientes foram divididos em grupos com PS e PD obtidas na primeira aferiçäo superiores e inferiores à média de todo grupo. A diminuiçäo de ambas as pressöes ao longo das seis aferiçöes ficou restrita aos grupos com valores da primeira determinaçäo superiores à média de todo o grupo (ANOVA: F = 8.03; p < 0,0001 para PS e F = 6,33, p < 0,0001 para PD). A regressäo à média e uma reaçäo de alerta inicial säo explicaçöes aventadas para esse fenômeno. CONCLUSÄO. Esses dados demonstram que o diagnóstico de hipertensäo arterial näo deve ser feito com base em uma única aferiçäo e sugerem que a recomendaçäo de diagnosticar hipertensäo severa baseando-se em altos valores das duas primeiras medidas pode classificar erroneamente alguns pacientes.