Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn-a perspective of immunohematology.

BACKGROUND: Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn is a public health problem caused by maternal-fetal incompatibility; no prophylaxis is available for most alloantibodies that induce this disease. This study reviews the literature regarding which antibodies are the most common in maternal plasma and which were involved in hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. METHOD: Seventy-five studies were included in this review using a systematic search. Two independent authors identified studies of interest from the PubMed and SciELO databases. MAIN RESULTS: Forty-four case reports were identified, of which 11 babies evolved to death. From 17 prevalence studies, the alloimmunization rate was 0.17 % with 161 babies receiving intrauterine transfusions and 23 receiving transfusions after birth. From 28 studies with alloimmunized pregnant women (7616 women), 455 babies received intrauterine transfusions and 21 received transfusions after birth. CONCLUSION: Rh, Kell, and MNS were the commonest blood systems involved. The geographical distribution of studies shows that as these figures vary between continents, more studies should be performed in different countries. Investing in early diagnosis is important to manage the risks and complications of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn.

Desinfección y esterilización en odontología frente al COVID-19 / Disinfection and sterilization in dentistry against COVID-19 / Desinfecção e esterilização em odontologia contra a COVID-19

A partir de la declaración de la Organización Mundial de la Salud del comienzo de la pandemia COVID-19 causada por el virus SARS-CoV-2 en marzo de 2020, los profesionales de la salud se vieron expuestos a esta enfermedad altamente contagiosa y potencialmente mortal que generó múltiples desafíos a toda la comunidad científica. Provocando cambios de paradigmas en la atención de los pacientes y en el uso de las barreras de protección personal. A nivel mundial se crearon múltiples protocolos para la atención odontológica a medida que se iba desarrollando e investigando el comportamiento del virus. Esta revisión bibliográfica resume las indicaciones y recomendaciones basadas en las evidencias disponibles para disminuir las posibilidades de contaminación ante la exposición a este virus, incluyendo medidas a utilizar desde el ingreso del paciente, los métodos de protección personal, la descontaminación y esterilización del material, así como también la desinfección del área de trabajo. Aunque se ha hecho un gran esfuerzo por mejorar los procesos de bioseguridad a nivel científico tecnológico, hay evidencias de que el factor humano sigue siendo el eslabón más débil de esta cadena.

Since the declaration by the World Health Organization of the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus in March 2020, health professionals were exposed to this highly contagious and potentially fatal disease that generated multiple challenges to the entire scientific community. It caused paradigm shifts in patient care and in the use of personal protective barriers. Multiple protocols for dental care were created worldwide as the behavior of the virus was developed and investigated. This bibliographic review summarizes the indications and recommendations based on the available evidence to reduce the possibilities of contamination when exposed to this virus, including measures to be used from patient admission, personal protection methods, decontamination and sterilization of material, as well as disinfection of the work area. Although a great effort has been made to improve biosafety processes at the scientific and technological level, there is evidence that the human factor continues to be the weakest link in this chain.

Desde a declaração pela Organização Mundial da Saúde do início da pandemia de COVID-19 causada pelo vírus SARS-CoV-2 em março de 2020, os profissionais de saúde foram expostos a essa doença altamente contagiosa e potencialmente fatal, que criou vários desafios para toda a comunidade científica. Ela causou mudanças de paradigma no atendimento ao paciente e no uso de barreiras de proteção individual. Em todo o mundo, vários protocolos para atendimento odontológico foram criados à medida que o comportamento do vírus foi desenvolvido e pesquisado. Esta revisão da literatura resume as indicações e recomendações baseadas em evidências para reduzir a probabilidade de contaminação por exposição a esse vírus, incluindo medidas a serem usadas desde a admissão do paciente, métodos de proteção individual, descontaminação e esterilização de equipamentos, bem como desinfecção da área de trabalho. Embora muitos esforços tenham sido feitos para melhorar os processos de biossegurança em nível científico e tecnológico, há evidências de que o fator humano continua sendo o elo mais fraco dessa cadeia.

Effects of different maternal diets on adipose tissue inflammation and liver tissue oxidative stress in dams and their female offspring.

Pregnancy and lactation are important stages of fetal development. Therefore, this study investigated how different maternal diets offered during gestation and lactation periods affect adipose tissue inflammation and liver tissue oxidative stress of dams and their female offspring. Female BALB/c albino mice (60 days old) were randomized into three groups receiving a standard (CONT), hypercaloric (HD), or restricted (RD) diet during the pregnancy. After birth, female offspring weaned at 21 days were divided into two groups that received a standard or restricted diet (CONT/CONT, CONT/RD, RD/CONT, RD/RD, HD/CONT, and HD/RD) until 100 days old. Histological, oxidative parameters and inflammatory infiltrate of dams' and offspring's liver and adipose tissue were evaluated. HD dams presented non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) diagnosis and an increase in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) concentrations when compared to the RD and CONT dams, indicating a pro-inflammatory state. High concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) formation and catalase (CAT) activity in HD when compared to the CONT in the liver. SOD activity decreased in RD mice compared to CONT, and the SOD/CAT ratio was decreased in the RD and HD in comparison to the CONT. The maternal diet leads to an increase in SOD in RD/RD compared to HD/RD. RD-fed dams showed an increase in inflammatory infiltrates compared to CONT, evidencing changes caused by a restrictive diet. In the HD/CONT offspring, we verified an increase in inflammatory infiltrates in relation to the offspring fed a standard diet. In conclusion, HD, and RD, during pregnancy and lactation, altered the liver and adipose tissues of mothers. Furthermore, the maternal diet negatively impacts the offspring's adipose tissue but does not cause liver damage in these animals in adult life.

Frequencies of genetic variants of the Rh, Kell, Duffy, Kidd, MNS and Diego systems of northwest Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: To date, 340 antigen-organized 43 blood group systems are recognized, being ABO, Rh, Kell, Duffy, Kidd, MNS and Diego the most clinically relevant. The aim of this study was to assess the distribution of alleles and genotypes of the blood group systems Rh, Kell, Duffy, Kidd, MNS and Diego in 810 blood donors registered in the hemotherapy unit in northwest Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil METHODS: We evaluated the genetic variability of blood groups Rh (c.676G>C and c.307C>T), Kell (c.578C>T), Kidd (c.838A>G), Duffy (c.125A>G and c.1-67T>C), Diego (c.2561C>T) and MNS (c.143T>C) in 810 volunteer blood donors of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. The genetic profiling was performed through allelic discrimination assays using hydrolysis probes (TaqMan®) real-time PCR system. RESULTS: The most frequent blood group genotypes found in our study population were: RHC*Cc (51.5%), RHC*ee (70.1%), FY*A/FY*B (49.3%), GATA -67T/T (93.5%), KEL*2/KEL*2 (93.4%), JK*A/JK*B (53.2%) and DI*02/DI*02 (95.4%). Some statistical differences were observed on comparing the population of this study with populations from other states in Brazil, mainly with population of Minas Gerais, Bahia and Paraná, which showed some differences from the population of Porto Alegre, which was more similar to those of Santa Catarina and São Paulo CONCLUSION: The frequency of red blood cell polymorphisms in our study is different from that of blood donors in other regions of Brazil. The results showed the importance of extended genotyping in adequate blood screening and the existence of rare genotypes in Brazilian regular blood donors.

Prevalence, predictors, and patient-reported outcomes of long COVID in hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients from the city of São Paulo, Brazil.

Background: Robust data comparing long COVID in hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients in middle-income countries are limited. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in Brazil, including hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients. Long COVID was diagnosed at 90-day follow-up using WHO criteria. Demographic and clinical information, including the depression screening scale (PHQ-2) at day 30, was compared between the groups. If the PHQ-2 score is 3 or greater, major depressive disorder is likely. Logistic regression analysis identified predictors and protective factors for long COVID. Results: A total of 291 hospitalized and 1,118 non-hospitalized patients with COVID-19 were included. The prevalence of long COVID was 47.1% and 49.5%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression showed female sex (odds ratio [OR] = 4.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.51-8.37), hypertension (OR = 2.90, 95% CI 1.52-5.69), PHQ-2 > 3 (OR = 6.50, 95% CI 1.68-33.4) and corticosteroid use during hospital stay (OR = 2.43, 95% CI 1.20-5.04) as predictors of long COVID in hospitalized patients, while female sex (OR = 2.52, 95% CI 1.95-3.27) and PHQ-2 > 3 (OR = 3.88, 95% CI 2.52-6.16) were predictors in non-hospitalized patients. Conclusion: Long COVID was prevalent in both groups. Positive depression screening at day 30 post-infection can predict long COVID. Early screening of depression helps health staff to identify patients at a higher risk of long COVID, allowing an early diagnosis of the condition.

Caloric restriction in mice improves short-term recognition memory and modifies the neuroinflammatory response in the hippocampus of male adult offspring.

Restrictive diets (RD) can influence the inflammatory phenotype of dams and their offspring. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of caloric restriction on the neuroinflammatory profile in the hippocampus and the short-term recognition memory of male offspring from RD-fed dams. Mice dams received standard diet ad libitum (CONT) or restrictive diet (RD; 30% reduction of CONT consumption) during pregnancy and lactation. Male pups were weaned at 21 days and randomly divided into two groups that received CONT or RD; groups were named according to maternal/offspring diets: CONT/CONT, CONT/RD, RD/CONT, and RD/RD. At 90 days old, short-term memory was assessed by the object recognition test (ORT); the inflammatory state of the hippocampus was analyzed by gene expression of sirtuin-1 (Sirt1) and inflammasome Nlrp3; and by protein expression of toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1). Our results showed an improvement in short-term memory in RD-fed offspring. The expression of Sirt1 was higher in RD/CONT compared to CONT/CONT and decreased in RD/RD compared to CONT/RD. Nlrp3 gene expression showed an offspring effect, being decreased in RD-fed mice. TLR-4 expression was higher in RD/CONT compared to CONT/CONT, similarly to ZO-1 expression. However, ZO-1 also showed a maternal diet effect and increased expression in the offspring of RD dams. Our findings demonstrate that caloric restriction improved short-term recognition memory. However, a restrictive diet should be applied with caution; depending on the offspring's diet, it may not benefit the neuroinflammatory phenotype or cognition.

Dietary interventions in mice affect oxidative stress and gene expression of the Prlr and Esr1 in the adipose tissue and hypothalamus of dams and their offspring.

Maternal diet is key to the progeny's health since it may impact on the offspring's adult life. In this study, mice dams received standard (CONT), restrictive (RD), or hypercaloric (HD) diets during mating, pregnancy, and lactation. Male offspring of each group of dams also received these diets: CONT, RD, HD. Aiming to evaluate the oxidative stress in the adipose tissue, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were analyzed in dams and offspring. In the adipose tissue and hypothalamus, gene expression of prolactin (Prlr) and estrogen alpha (Esr1) receptors was performed in dams and offspring. Protein expression of Stat5 was evaluated in the adipose tissue of the offspring from RD-fed dams. HD-fed dams increased triglycerides and leptin serum concentrations, and decreased SOD activity in the adipose tissue. In the offspring's adipose tissue, we observed a maternal diet effect caused by HD, with increased ROS production and SOD and CAT activities. Gene expression of Prlr and Esr1 in the offspring's adipose tissue was decreased due to maternal RD. Mice from HD-fed dams showed higher Stat5 expression compared to the offspring from CONT and RD dams in the adipose tissue. In the hypothalamus, we found decreased expression of Prlr in RD and HD dams, compared to CONT; and a maternal diet effect on Prlr and Esr1 gene expression in the offspring. In conclusion, we can affirm that maternal nutrition impacts the redox state and influences the gene expression of Prlr and Esr1, which are involved in energy metabolism, both peripherally and centrally in the adult life of the female offspring.

Percepção de pessoas com transtornos mentais acerca dos cuidados fisioterapêuticos: estudo qualitativo / Perception of people with mental disorders about physiotherapeutic care: qualitative study

INTRODUÇÃO: A inserção da fisioterapia nas equipes de cuidados à saúde mental tem se tornado cada vez mais necessária, devido à importância e efetividade em promover qualidade de vida em indivíduos com transtornos mentais. OBJETIVO: Compreender a percepção de pessoas com transtornos mentais acerca dos cuidados fisioterapêuticos. ESTRATÉGIA METODOLÓGICA: Estudo descritivo de abordagem qualitativa, realizado com nove indivíduos com transtornos mentais no Centro de Saúde Mental e Reabilitação Dr. Álvaro Rubin de Pinho, na cidade de Salvador, Bahia, Brasil, em julho/2021. Os dados foram coletados por meio do questionário sociodemográfico e entrevista semiestruturada, que posteriormente foram transcritas e analisadas conforme análise de conteúdo de Bardin. RESULTADOS: Mediante a exploração dos conteúdos, emergiram três categorias: "O olhar dos indivíduos com transtornos mentais acerca da fisioterapia"; "Atenção e o cuidado no sofrimento psíquico" e "Efetividade fisioterapêutica na saúde mental". Evidenciou-se que os indivíduos percebem que a fisioterapia proporcionou melhora nos aspectos físicos, mentais e sociais, além de atuar como coadjuvante no tratamento. CONSIDERAÇÕES FINAIS: A assistência fisioterapêutica contribui na promoção da saúde, reabilitação psicossocial e melhora da qualidade de vida nos indivíduos com transtornos mentais.

INTRODUCTION: The insertion of physiotherapy in mental health care teams has become increasingly necessary due to its importance and effectiveness in promoting life quality in individuals who suffer with mental disorders. OBJECTIVE: To understand the perception of people from mental disorders about physiotherapeutic care. METHODOLOGICAL STRATEGY: Descriptive study of qualitative approach, carried out with nine individuals with mental disorders at the Dr. Alvaro Rubin de Pinho Mental Health and Rehabilitation Center, in the city of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, in July/2021. The collected material was acquired through a sociodemographic questionnaire and a semi-structured interview, which was later transcribed and analyzed according to Bardin's content analysis. RESULTS: Through the exploration of the contents, three categories emerged: "Perspectives of individuals with mental disorders about physiotherapy"; "Attention and care in psychic suffering", and "Physiotherapeutic effectiveness in mental health". It became evident that the individuals realize that physiotherapy provided improvement in the physical, mental, and social aspects, besides acting as an adjunct in the treatment. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: Physiotherapeutic assistance contributes to health promotion, psychosocial rehabilitation, and improvement of the quality of life of individuals with mental disorders.

Impact of maternal dietary counseling in the first year of life on DNA methylation in a cohort of children.

Epigenetic modifications established during prenatal and early life, including DNA methylation, have been suggested as potential mediators of the interaction between environmental exposures during the perinatal period and adult metabolic health adverse outcomes, especially cardiometabolic complications and overweight. The effect of a dietary intervention in the first year of life on global methylation levels in leukocyte samples from a cohort of children born between 2001 and 2002 in southern Brazil was examined. Overall methylation measurements were performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays on DNA samples from 237 children at 4 years old. Mean methylation values were higher in the intervention group (mean: 2.20 ± 1.31%) than in the control group (mean: 1.65 ± 1.11%; P = 0.001). It was observed that nutritional counseling in the first year increased breastfeeding duration and stimulated the development of healthier eating habits. Therefore, these factors might have contributed to increase global DNA methylation. The findings of the present study reinforce the notion that performing nutritional interventions in the early stages of life is important and provide further evidence of the interaction between the environment and epigenetic traits.

Blood groups in Native Americans: a look beyond ABO and Rh.

The study presents comparisons between blood group frequencies beyond ABO and Rh blood systems in Native American populations and previously published data from Brazilian blood donors. The frequencies of Diego (c.2561C>T, rs2285644), Kell (c.578C>T, rs8176058), Duffy (c.125A>G, rs12075, c.1-67T>C, rs2814778) and Kidd (c.838A>G, rs1058396) variants in Kaingang (n=72) and Guarani (n=234) populations from Brazil (1990-2000) were obtained and compared with data from these populations sampled during the 1960s and with individuals of different Brazilian regions. Data showed high frequencies of DI*01 and FY*01 alleles: 11.8% and 57.6% in Kaingang and 6.8% and 75.7% in Guarani groups, respectively. The main results indicated: (1) reduction in genetic distance over time of Kaingang and Guarani in relation to other Brazilian populations is suggestive of ongoing admixture; (2) significant differences in some frequencies of blood group markers (especially Diego, Kidd and Duffy) in relation to Native Americans and individuals from different geographical regions of Brazil. Our study shows that the frequency of red blood cell polymorphisms in two Native American groups is very different from that of blood donors, when we evaluated blood groups different from ABO and Rh systems, suggesting that a better ethnic characterization of blood unit receptors is necessary.

Gene expression evaluation of antioxidant enzymes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: RT-qPCR and bioinformatic analyses.

Any condition leading to chronic liver disease is a potential oncogenic agent for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Alterations in the expression of antioxidant enzymes could alter the redox balance. Our aim was to evaluate the expression of the genes GPX1, GPX4, SEP15, SELENOP, SOD1, SOD2, GSR, CAT, and NFE2L2 in patients with HCC. Differential gene expression analysis was performed using RNA-Seq data from the TCGA and GTEx databases, and RT-qPCR data from HCC patient samples. Bioinformatic analysis revealed significant differential expression in most genes. GPX4 expression was significantly increased (p=0.02), while SOD2 expression was significantly decreased (p=0.04) in experimental data. In TCGA samples, alpha-fetoprotein levels (mg/dL) were negatively correlated with the expression of SEP15 (p<0.001), SELENOP (p<0.001), SOD1 (p<0.001), SOD2 (p<0.001), CAT (p<0.001), and NFE2L2 (p=0.004). Alpha-fetoprotein levels were positively correlated with the expression of GPX4 (p=0.02) and SELENOP (p=0.01) in the experimental data. Low expression of GPX1 (p=0.006), GPX4 (p=0.01), SELENOP (p=0.006), SOD1 (p=0.007), CAT (p<0.001), and NFE2L2 (p<0.001), and higher levels of GSR, were associated with low overall survival at 12 months. These results suggest a significant role for these antioxidant enzymes in HCC pathogenesis and severity.

Adverse drug reactions and drug interactions in the treatment of hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Objectives: To identify drugs that were administered off label to hospitalized patients with suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to identify adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and drug-drug interactions associated with these therapies. Methods: This case-control study was conducted in a Brazilian hospital from March to April 2020 among patients with suspected COVID-19, comparing those with positive severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results and those with negative results. Results: The most commonly used medications in both groups were azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine. There was a significantly higher prevalence of reactions among patients with positive RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 (48.5% vs 28.8%; P = .008) in the propensity score-matched cohort, and the most commonly reported ADRs among these patients were diarrhea (43.8%), elevated liver enzymes (31.3%), and nausea and vomiting (29.7%). Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that ADRs and drug-drug interactions are common with off-label treatments for COVID-19.

Genetic variability of blood groups in southern Brazil.

We evaluated genetic variability among the blood groups Kell (c.578C > T and c.1790T > C), Kidd (c.838A > G), Duffy (c.125A > G, c.265C > T and c.1-67T > C), Diego (c.2561C > T), MNS (c.143T > C) and Rh (c.676G > C) in Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil. Genetic profiling from 382 volunteer blood donors was performed through allelic discrimination assays using a hydrolysis probe (TaqMan®) with a real-time PCR system. The sample was divided into two groups: Euro-Brazilian and Afro-Brazilian. A comparison with studies from other regions of Brazil and the 1000 Genomes Database showed significant differences for almost all polymorphisms evaluated in our population. Population differentiation between the Euro- and Afro-Brazilian groups was low (FST value 0.055). However, when each locus was evaluated individually, KEL*06 and FY*02N.01 allele frequencies were significantly higher in the Afro-Brazilian group than in the Euro-Brazilian group. Ethnic classification that uses phenotypic criteria to find blood units with rare antigens may be important when there is a need to detect blood units with an absence of Duffy antigens. There is also a greater probability of finding donors in the Afro-Brazilian group. Taken together, the data indicate strong European and African contributions to the gene pool, with intense admixture.

Identification of ACKR1 variants associated with altered Duffy phenotype expression in blood donors from southern Brazil.

The atypical chemokine receptor 1 gene (ACKR1) is responsible for the clinically significant Duffy blood group. The main antigens of this system, Fya and Fyb, can be related to a null or weak expression of the DARC protein. In the present work, we aimed to identify ACKR1 gene variants in blood donors from southern Brazil based on discrepancies between their serological and molecular typing results. Then, we analyzed the association of these variants with the expression of the Duffy phenotype. The Fy antigen types were determined via hemagglutination and real-time PCR (c.125 G > A, c.265C > T and c.-67T > C SNPs) tests in a sample composed of 382 regular repetitive voluntary blood donors to the Blood Bank of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. An inconclusive correlation between phenotype-genotype analyses was found in 11 (2.88 %) donors, and the entire ACKR1 gene was sequenced in these samples. Our investigation found 11 genetic variants, four of which (c.-541C > T, c.21 + 150C > T, c.22-58A > G, and c.298 G > A SNPs) seem to have putative functional effects on the structure and expression of DARC undertaken for in silico analysis (SIFT, PolyPhen-2 and RegulomeDB). Molecular events can result in apparent discrepancies between red cell genotypes and phenotypes. Our findings provided insight into the molecular background of FY antigens to improve technical approaches for red cell genotyping.

Diversity of yeasts during fermentation of cocoa from two sites in the Brazilian Amazon

The purpose of this study was to identify the yeasts involved in spontaneous fermentation of cocoa from the Brazilian Amazon region. The fermentation process was carried out experimentally with cocoa seeds from two sites (Medicilândia and Tucumã), State of Pará, northern Brazil, during a six-day period. Totals of 44 yeasts were isolated from Medicilândia and 29 from Tucumã. Molecular identification was carried out by sequencing the D1/D2 region fragment of the rRNA 26S gene, expanded with universal primers for the NL1GC and LS2 eukaryotes. Pichia manshurica and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were identified in Medicilândia and five yeast species (Pichia fermentans, P. kudriavzevii, P. manshurica, S. cerevisiae and Zygosaccharomyces bailii) were identified in Tucumã. The results showed that P. manshurica and S. cerevisiae may have potential for use as starter cultures in future studies to improve the quality of cocoa seeds fermented in the Brazilian Amazon region. (AU)

A proposta deste estudo foi identificar as leveduras envolvidas na fermentação espontânea de cacau da Amazônia brasileira. A fermentação foi realizada em Medicilândia e Tucumã, Pará, Brasil, durante 6 dias. Em total foram obtidos 44 isolados de leveduras de Medicilândia e 29 de Tucumã. A identificação molecular foi realizada por sequenciamento do fragmento da região D1/D2 do gene rRNA 26S, amplificado com primers universais para eucariotos NL1GC e LS2. Em Medicilândia, foram identificadas Pichia manshurica e Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Em Tucumã foram identificadas cinco espécies (Pichia fermentans, P. kudriavzevii, P. manshurica, S. cerevisiae e Zygosaccharomyces bailii). Os resultados sugerem que P. manshurica e S. cerevisiae podem ter potencial para uso como culturas starter em estudos futuros, para melhorar a qualidade das sementes de cacau fermentadas na Amazônia brasileira.(AU)

Diversity of yeasts during fermentation of cocoa from two sites in the Brazilian Amazon / Diversidade de leveduras presentes na fermentação de cacau de duas localidades na Amazônia brasileira

The purpose of this study was to identify the yeasts involved in spontaneous fermentation of cocoa from the Brazilian Amazon region. The fermentation process was carried out experimentally with cocoa seeds from two sites (Medicilândia and Tucumã), State of Pará, northern Brazil, during a six-day period. Totals of 44 yeasts were isolated from Medicilândia and 29 from Tucumã. Molecular identification was carried out by sequencing the D1/D2 region fragment of the rRNA 26S gene, expanded with universal primers for the NL1GC and LS2 eukaryotes. Pichia manshurica and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were identified in Medicilândia and five yeast species (Pichia fermentans, P. kudriavzevii, P. manshurica, S. cerevisiae and Zygosaccharomyces bailii) were identified in Tucumã. The results showed that P. manshurica and S. cerevisiae may have potential for use as starter cultures in future studies to improve the quality of cocoa seeds fermented in the Brazilian Amazon region.(AU)

A proposta deste estudo foi identificar as leveduras envolvidas na fermentação espontânea de cacau da Amazônia brasileira. A fermentação foi realizada em Medicilândia e Tucumã, Pará, Brasil, durante 6 dias. Em total foram obtidos 44 isolados de leveduras de Medicilândia e 29 de Tucumã. A identificação molecular foi realizada por sequenciamento do fragmento da região D1/D2 do gene rRNA 26S, amplificado com primers universais para eucariotos NL1GC e LS2. Em Medicilândia, foram identificadas Pichia manshurica e Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Em Tucumã foram identificadas cinco espécies (Pichia fermentans, P. kudriavzevii, P. manshurica, S. cerevisiae e Zygosaccharomyces bailii). Os resultados sugerem que P. manshurica e S. cerevisiae podem ter potencial para uso como culturas starter em estudos futuros, para melhorar a qualidade das sementes de cacau fermentadas na Amazônia brasileira.(AU)

Maternal feeding associated to post-weaning diet affects metabolic and behavioral parameters in female offspring.

Genetic and environmental factors related to maternal diet may predispose offspring to serious diseases. However, consequences of a maternal diet intervention during gestation and lactation, and its association with caloric restriction after weaning on the progeny are not completely known. In this context, the goal of the present study was to investigate how different maternal diets, control (CONT), hypercaloric (HD) or restrictive (RD) diets during gestation and lactation, may affect the metabolism and behavior of the offspring that was also submitted to RD. Experimental groups were abbreviated accordingly maternal/offspring diets: CONT/CONT, CONT/RD, RD/CONT, RD/RD, HD/CONT, HD/RD. Our results showed that glucose serum concentration is increased in mice from dams fed a HD. However, offspring from RD-fed dams showed lower insulin and leptin levels than the other groups, indicating a maternal diet effect. Moreover, animals from RD/CONT group showed a higher adipocyte area in comparison to both HD/CONT and CON/CONT. Offspring from RD-fed dams exhibited a decrease in lateral area locomotion in the open field test. Evaluation of anxiety-like behavior and recognition memory showed no significant difference among groups. Thus, maternal RD provides a beneficial response in metabolic parameters, but its effects on behavior is not completely clarified.

Hippocampal gene expression patterns in oxytocin male knockout mice are related to impaired social interaction.

Social interaction between animals is crucial for the survival and life in groups. It is well demonstrated that oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) play critical roles in the regulation of social behaviors in mammals, however, other neurotransmitters and hormones are involved in the brain circuitry related to these behaviors. The present study aimed to investigate the gene expression of neurotransmitter receptors in the brain of OT knockout (OTKO) male mice. In this study, we evaluated the expression levels of the OT receptor (Oxtr), AVP receptors 1a and 1b (Avpr1a; Avpr1b), dopamine receptor 2 (Drd2), and the estrogen receptors alpha and beta (Esr1; Esr2) genes in the hippocampus (HPC), olfactory bulb (OB), hypothalamus (HPT) and prefrontal cortex (PFC). AVP gene (Avp) expression was analyzed in the HPT. Gene expression results were discussed regarding to social interaction and sexual behavior findings. Additionally, we analyzed the influence of OT absence on the Avp mRNA expression levels in the HPT. RNA extraction and cDNAs synthesis followed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed for gene expression determination. Results were calculated with the 2-ΔΔCt method. Our main finding was that HPC is more susceptible to gene expression changes due to the lack of OT. OTKOs exhibited decreased expression of Drd2 and Avpr1b, but increased expression of Oxtr in the HPC. In the PFC, Esr2 was increased. In the HPT, there was a reduced Avp expression in the OTKO group. No differences were detected in the OB and HPT. Despite these changes in gene expression, sexual behavior was not affected. However, OTKO showed higher social investigation and lower aggressive performance than wild-type mice. Our data highlight the importance of OT for proper gene expression of neurotransmitter receptors related to the regulation of social interaction in male mice.

Prevalência de sequelas neurológicas associadas a trauma em face / Prevalence of neurological sequelae associated with facial trauma

Introdução: pacientes acometidos por traumatismo craniofacial podem evoluir com sequelas variadas. Objetivo: identificar a prevalência de sequelas neurológicas ocorridas entre os pacientes com traumatismo craniofacial em um serviço de referência para o trauma no sul do Brasil. Sujeitos e método: foram analisados 1.385 prontuários, em que 169 (12%) pacientes foram selecionados com trauma em crânio e face simultaneamente, levando em consideração o agente etiológico, a procedência, a idade, o sexo do paciente e a localização das fraturas. Resultados: uma taxa de 85% dos indivíduos era do sexo masculino, com faixa etária entre 31-40 anos. Os fatores etiológicos mais prevalentes foram acidentes de trânsito (36%), quedas (22%) e violência interpessoal (21%). No grupo selecionado, o traumatismo cranioencefálico esteve presente em 89% dos casos; em 64% da população, não houve sequela neurológica; 28% apresentaram algum tipo de sequela; e em 8% dos prontuários não havia informações completas. Conclusão: na população estudada, mesmo com um subgrupo específico de traumatizados, houve prevalência de gênero masculino, terceira década de vida e acidente automobilístico. Além disso, a região anatômica mais acometida foi o conjunto de ossos do terço médio da face, e, ainda nesta condição de associação, o traumatismo cranioencefálico esteve presente na maioria dos casos, porém, somente 28% dos casos evoluíram com alguma sequela neurológica. (AU)

Introduction: patients affected by craniofacial trauma may evolve into various sequelae. Objective: to identify the prevalence of neurological sequelae among patients with craniofacial trauma in a reference trauma service in southern Brazil. Subjects and method: a total of 1.385 medical records were analyzed, from which 169 (12%) patients were selected with simultaneous skull and face trauma, considering the etiologic agent, origin, age and sex of the patient, and fracture location. Results: a rate of 85% of the individuals were men aged 31 through 40 years. The most prevalent etiological factors were car accidents (36%), falls (22%), and interpersonal violence (21%). In this selected group, traumatic brain injury was present in 89% of the cases. In 64% of the population, there were no neurological sequelae, 28% presented some type of sequelae, and 8% of the medical records did not contain complete information. Conclusion: for this population studied, even with a specific subgroup of traumatized subjects, the male sex, the third decade of life, and car accidents are the most prevalent factors. In addition, the most affected anatomic region is the set of bones in the middle third of the face and, in this condition of association, traumatic brain injury was present in the great majority of cases, but only 28% of them evolved into some type of neurological sequelae. (A)

Evaluation of association of DRD2 TaqIA and -141C InsDel polymorphisms with food intake and anthropometric data in children at the first stages of development.

The reward sensation after food intake may be different between individuals and variants in genes related to the dopaminergic system may indicate a different response in people exposed to the same environmental factors. This study investigated the association of TaqIA (rs1800497) and -141C InsDel (rs1799732) variants in DRD2/ANKK1 gene with food intake and adiposity parameters in a cohort of children. The sample consisted of 270 children followed until 7 to 8 years old. DNA was extracted from blood and polymorphisms were detected by PCR-RFLP analysis. Food intake and nutritional status were compared among individuals with different SNP genotypes. Children carrying the A1 allele (TaqIA) had higher energy of lipid dense foods (LDF) when compared with A2/A2 homozygous children at 7 to 8 years old (GLM p=0.004; Mann Whitney p=0.005). No association was detected with -141C Ins/Del polymorphism. To our knowledge, this is the first association study of the DRD2 TaqIA and -141C Ins/Del polymorphism with food intake and anthropometric parameters in children. DRD2 TaqIA polymorphism has been associated with a reduction in D2 dopamine receptor availability. Therefore, the differences observed in LDF intake in our sample may occur as an effort to compensate the hypodopaminergic functioning.