Height adjustment reduces occurrence of low bone mineral density in children and adolescents with HIV

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to quantify the reduction of bone mineral density with and without height adjustment. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed with 69 Brazilian children and adolescents vertically infected by HIV. Bone mineral density was measured by dual-energy absorptiometry in the lumbar spine. Anthropometric, demographic, and clinical variables were analyzed. A specific calculator was used for height adjustment. RESULTS: The majority of participants (52.2%) were adolescents and did not present with immunological alterations (61%). Reduced bone mineral density (Z-score <-1) was present in 23.2% and low bone mass (Z-score <-2) in 5.8%. After height adjustment, these occurrences decreased to 11.6% and 0%, respectively. Patients with reduced bone mineral density had a higher mean age and lower body mass index than patients with normal bone mineral density. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of reduced bone mineral density decreased after adjustment for height.

Preliminary molecular characterization of a proinflammatory and nociceptive molecule from the Echinometra lucunter spines extracts

Background Sea urchins are animals commonly found on the Brazilian shoreline, being Echinometra lucunter the most abundant species. Accidents caused by E. lucunter have been reported as one of the most frequent in Brazil, and are characterized by intense pain and inflammation, consequence of spine puncture in the skin. In order to characterize such toxic effects, we isolated one molecule that caused inflammatory and nociceptive effects. Methods E. lucunter specimens were collected without gender distinction. Spines were removed and molecules were extracted, fractionated by RP-HPLC and assayed for inflammatory and nociceptive activity, in a biological-driven fractionation way, until the obtainment of one active molecule and its subsequent analysis by mass spectrometry (MS and MS/MS). For inflammation, intravital microscopy was performed on the mouse cremaster muscle, in order to evaluate rolled, adherent and migrating leukocytes. Paw edema was also evaluated. For the nociceptive activity, the paw pressure test was performed in rats. Results One molecule could be isolated and related to the inflammatory and nociceptive activity. Regarding inflammation, increase in adherent and migrating cells was observed in the cremaster muscle after the administration of the molecule. Corroborating the inflammatory response, paw edema was also observed, although only in 20% of controls and 20 min after injection. Additionally, this molecule was able to decrease significantly the pain threshold, characterizing hyperalgesia. This molecule was analyzed by mass spectrometry, and according to the exact molecular mass, isotopic distribution and fragmentation profile, it was possible to propose the molecular formula C29H48N3O10. Conclusions One isolated molecule from the spine extract of E. lucunter is able to elicit inflammation and hypernociception in animal models, which is in agreement with the effects observed in sea urchin accidents.(AU)

Preliminary molecular characterization of a proinflammatory and nociceptive molecule from the Echinometra lucunter spines extracts

Abstract Background Sea urchins are animals commonly found on the Brazilian shoreline, being Echinometra lucunter the most abundant species. Accidents caused by E. lucunter have been reported as one of the most frequent in Brazil, and are characterized by intense pain and inflammation, consequence of spine puncture in the skin. In order to characterize such toxic effects, we isolated one molecule that caused inflammatory and nociceptive effects. Methods E. lucunter specimens were collected without gender distinction. Spines were removed and molecules were extracted, fractionated by RP-HPLC and assayed for inflammatory and nociceptive activity, in a biological-driven fractionation way, until the obtainment of one active molecule and its subsequent analysis by mass spectrometry (MS and MS/MS). For inflammation, intravital microscopy was performed on the mouse cremaster muscle, in order to evaluate rolled, adherent and migrating leukocytes. Paw edema was also evaluated. For the nociceptive activity, the paw pressure test was performed in rats. Results One molecule could be isolated and related to the inflammatory and nociceptive activity. Regarding inflammation, increase in adherent and migrating cells was observed in the cremaster muscle after the administration of the molecule. Corroborating the inflammatory response, paw edema was also observed, although only in 20% of controls and 20 min after injection. Additionally, this molecule was able to decrease significantly the pain threshold, characterizing hyperalgesia. This molecule was analyzed by mass spectrometry, and according to the exact molecular mass, isotopic distribution and fragmentation profile, it was possible to propose the molecular formula C29H48N3O10. Conclusions One isolated molecule from the spine extract of E. lucunter is able to elicit inflammation and hypernociception in animal models, which is in agreement with the effects observed in sea urchin accidents.

H. Pylori infection, endoscopic, histological aspects and cell proliferation in the gastric mucosa of patients submitted to roux-en-y gastric bypass with contention ring: a cross sectional endoscopic and immunohistochemical study

ABSTRACT Background Morbid obesity treatment through vertical gastroplasty Roux-en-Y gastric bypass initially used a contention ring. However, this technique may create conditions to the development of potentially malign alterations in the gastric mucosa. Although effective and previously performed in large scale, this technique needs to be better evaluated in long-term studies regarding alterations caused in the gastric mucosa. Objective To analyze the preoperative and postoperative endoscopic, histological and cell proliferation findings in the gastric antrum and body mucosa of patients submitted to the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with a contention ring. Methods We retrospectively evaluated all patients submitted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with a contention ring with more than 60 months of postoperative follow-up. We compared the preoperative (gastric antrum and body) and postoperative (gastric pouch) gastric mucosa endoscopic findings, cell proliferation index and H. pylori prevalence. We evaluated cell proliferation through Ki-67 antibody immunohistochemical expression. Results In the study period, 33 patients were operated with the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass using a contention ring. We found a chronic gastritis rate of 69.7% in the preoperative period (gastric antrum and body) and 84.8% in the postoperative (gastric pouch). H. pylori was present in 18.2% of patients in the preoperative period (gastric antrum and body) and in 57.5% in the postoperative (gastric pouch). Preoperative cell proliferation index was 18.1% in the gastric antrum and 16.2% in the gastric body, and 23.8% in the postoperative gastric pouch. The postoperative cell proliferation index in the gastric pouch was significantly higher (P=0.001) than in the preoperative gastric antrum and body. Higher cell proliferation index and chronic gastritis intensity were significantly associated to H. pylori presence (P=0.001 and P=0.02, respectively). Conclusion After Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with contention ring, there was a higher chronic gastritis incidence and higher cell proliferation index in the gastric pouch than in the preoperative gastric antrum and body. Mucosa inflammation intensity and cell proliferation index in the postoperative gastric pouch were associated to H. pylori presence and were higher than those found in the preoperative gastric antrum and body mucosa.

RESUMO Contexto O tratamento da obesidade mórbida através da gastroplastia vertical com derivação gastrojejunal em Y de Roux inicialmente utilizou o anel de contenção. No entanto, essa técnica pode criar condições para o desenvolvimento de alterações potencialmente malignas na mucosa gástrica. Apesar de eficaz e realizada anteriormente em grande escala, essa técnica precisa ser melhor avaliada em estudos de longo prazo em relação às alterações causadas na mucosa gástrica. Objetivo Analisar os achados endoscópicos, histológicos e da proliferação celular na mucosa do antro e corpo gástricos no pré-operatório e no pós-operatório de pacientes submetidos à derivação gastrojejunal em Y de Roux com anel de contenção. Métodos Avaliamos retrospectivamente todos os pacientes submetidos à derivação gastrojejunal em Y de Roux com anel de contenção e mais de 60 meses de seguimento pós-operatório. Comparamos os achados endoscópicos da mucosa gástrica, o índice de proliferação celular e a prevalência do H. pylori no pré-operatório (antro e corpo gástricos) e no pós-operatório (bolsa gástrica). Avaliamos a proliferação celular pela expressão imuno-histoquímica do anticorpo Ki67. Resultados No período do estudo, 33 pacientes foram operados com a derivação gastrojejunal em Y de Roux usando anel de contenção. Encontramos a taxa de gastrite crônica de 69,7% no período pré-operatório (antro e corpo gástrico) e 84,8% no pós-operatório (bolsa gástrica). O H. pyloriestava presente em 18,2% dos pacientes no período pré-operatório (antro e corpo gástrico) e em 57,5% no pós-operatório (bolsa gástrica). O índice de proliferação celular pré-operatório foi de 18,1% no antro gástrico e 16,2% no corpo gástrico, e de 23,8% na bolsa gástrica no pós-operatório. O índice de proliferação celular pós-operatório na bolsa gástrica foi significantemente maior (P=0,001) do que no antro e corpo gástrico no pré-operatório. O maior índice de proliferação celular e a intensidade da gastrite crônica na bolsa gástrica associaram-se significantemente à presença do H. pylori(P=0,001 e P=0,02, respectivamente). Conclusão Após a derivação gastrojejunal em Y de Roux com anel de contenção, houve maior incidência de gastrite crônica e maior índice de proliferação celular na bolsa gástrica do que no antro e corpo gástricos no pré-operatório. A intensidade da inflamação da mucosa e o índice de proliferação celular encontrados na bolsa gástrica no pós-operatório associaram-se à presença doH. pylori e foram maiores do que os encontrados na mucosa gástrica do antro e corpo gástricos no pré-operatório.

Behavioral and enzymatic bioassays with Serjania erecta Radlk., Sapindaceae, correlated with cognitive dysfunctions / Comportamento e ensaios bioenzimáticos com Serjania erecta Radlk., sapindaceae, correlacionados com disfunções cognitivas

The purpose of this study was to investigate the crude extract of Serjania erecta Radlk., Sapindaceae, and its bioactive agents as preventive or inhibitor of memory loss in rodents, as well as other factors correlated with Alzheimer's syndrome: antioxidant and anticholinesterase activity, mainly as plant adaptogen - low toxicity and regulation action. The blocking cholinergic reversion activity (scopolamine) in the test of the passive avoidance was detected by measuring latency in young and adult animals. It presented low toxicity, with protective effect as shown by biochemical analysis (hypoglycemic/hypotriglyceridemic). Elevated levels (above 83 percent) of antioxidant activity were detected. AchE and BuChE inhibition were also detected in the chromatographic fractions, which were active both orally and directly on CNS (ICV).

O objetivo deste estudo foi pesquisar o extrato bruto de Serjania erecta Radlk., Sapindaceae, e seus bioativos como preventivos ou inibidores de perda de memória em roedores, e outros fatores correlacionados com a síndrome de Alzheimer: atividade antioxidante e anticolinesterásicas, principalmente como planta adaptógena, baixa toxicidade e ação regulatória. A reversão do bloqueador colinérgico (escopolamina) no teste da esquiva passiva foi detectada pela latência mensurada em animais jovens e adultos. Apresentou baixa toxicidade, com efeito protetor na análise bioquímica (hipoglicemia/hipotrigliceridemia). Índices elevados (acima 83 por cento) na atividade antioxidante foram observados. A inibição da AChE e BuChE foi perceptível nas frações cromatográficas, confirmando as ações via oral e diretamente no SNC.

Qualidade e produtividade da cana-de-açúcar cultivada em solo com doses crescentes de lodo de esgoto / Sugarcane technological variables, plant chemicalcomposition, and soil fertility as influenced by sewage sludge

Estudaram-se os efeitos da aplicação de 4 doses de lodo de esgoto (0, 40, 80 e 160 t ha-1, base úmida) aplicadas em área total e incorporadas a 20 cm de profundidade, com dois níveis de fertilização mineral (50 e 100 % da dose recomendada) e um tratamento adicional (condições naturais do solo), sobre a fertilidade do solo (amostras coletadas nas linhas e entrelinhas), teores de macronutrientes e características agro-industriais da cana-de-açúcar (RB72454). O experimento foi conduzido, em condições de campo em área do viveiro experimental da COPLANA(Cooperativa dos Plantadores de Cana da Zona de Guariba), Guariba-SP, em Argissolo Vermelho, textura média. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 4x2+1, com 3 repetições. O lodo de esgoto proporcionou melhoria nas condições gerais de fertilidade do solo, principalmente pela diminuição da acidez potencial devido aumento nos valores de pH, proporcionalmente ao aumento da dose aplicada. As melhores condições de fertilidade do solo foram encontradas nas entrelinhas sugerindo que a aplicação localizada de lodo de esgoto nas linhas de plantio pode proporcionar melhores resultados quanto ao aproveitamento de nutrientes às plantas. A associação do lodo de esgoto com a adubação mineral, nas condições em que foi conduzido o experimento, permite a economia de metade da adubação mineral recomendada, mantendo-se a produtividade, as características de solo em sua maioria, e as características tecnológicas da cana-de-açúcar. O incremento na dose de lodo de esgoto incorporado ao solo não exerceu qualquer influência sobre as características agroindustriais da cana-de-açúcar.

Four sewage sludge doses (0, 40, 80 e 160 t ha-1, in humid base), sprayed in total area andincorporated at 0-20 cm depth, two mineral fertilization levels (50 and 100 % of recommended mineral fertilization) were combined. Besides the resulting treatments, an additional Control Treatment (no fertilizer) was also tested with the objective to evaluate the sewage sludge effects in quality and sugarcane chemical composition, besides soil fertility. The sugarcane variety was RB72454. The experiment installation and conduction were in a conditions, at GuaribaCounty, São Paulo state, Brazil. The soil was a Red Argisol, middle texture. The experimental design was a randomized blocks with three replications, totalizing 27 experimental plots. To statistical analysis [Variance analysis and Tukey test (P < 0.05)], the results were organized in a factorial scheme (4x2) plus an additional control treatment. The chemical analysis of soil samples collected in lines and between-lines, one year after beginning of the experiment, showed general soil fertility condition increased mainly by potential acidity reduction and pH increasing proportionally to the sewage sludge rates. The best soil fertility conditions were in soil samples from between lines. This fact suggest that sewage sludge localized application can be draw good results when is considered nutrients uptake efficiency by plants. The association of sewage sludge with mineral fertilizers can promote 50% of cost reduction, keeping the crop productivity, soil chemical properties in most part, and sugar cane technological parameters. The sewage sludge increasing doses did not affect sugarcane technological parameters.