Dietary supplementation with Gracilaria gracilis by-products modulates the immune status and oxidative stress response of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) stimulated with Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida.

This study evaluated the effects of agar waste (AW) dietary supplementation, obtained from the seaweed Gracilaria gracilis cultivated under two different spectral lights, neutral (NT) and blue (BL), on haematological parameters, inflammatory response, and antioxidant biomarkers of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). Three diets were prepared: i) a basal diet (CTR), ii) a diet supplemented with 2.5% NT, and iii) a diet supplemented with 2.5% BL. After 15 days of feeding, fish were injected with PBS (placebo) or inactivated Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida (stimulated) and sampled at 4 h and 24 h post-stimulus. Results indicated that fish fed NT and BL supplemented diets had lower Ht value and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) than fish fed the CTR diet, regardless of the stimulus and the sampling time. No differences in mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) were found between fish fed the different diets, while the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) increased in fish fed AW supplemented diets compared to fish fed the CTR diet, regardless of the stimulus and the sampling time. In response to inflammation, fish fed the NT diet displayed higher neutrophils count in blood when compared to the CTR group, regardless of the stimulus and sampling time. Thrombocyte count was higher in fish fed NT and BL diets than in the CTR group, especially in the stimulated fish (Diet*injection (D*I), P = 0.004). An increase in plasma protease activity was detected in fish fed NT or BL diets in both placebo and stimulated fish regardless of the sampling time. Hepatic catalase activity was higher in fish fed the NT and BL than in the CTR group, particularly in the stimulated fish (D*I, P < 0.001). In addition, both stimulated and placebo fish that received the BL diet showed an increase in hepatic GR activity compared to the CTR group, regardless of the sampling time. Dietary supplementation with AW by-products obtained from G. gracilis cultured under NT and BL conditions showed to improve the inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms in gilthead seabream in response to a UV-killed bacterial stimulus, having valuable applications for the sustainable use of seaweed toward improving the health and welfare of cultured fish.

Maternal ingestion of cocoa causes constriction of fetal ductus arteriosus in rats.

Maternal consumption of polyphenol-rich foods has been associated with fetal ductus arteriosus constriction (DAC), but safety of chocolate exposure in fetal life has not been studied. This experimental study tested the hypothesis that maternal cocoa consumption in late pregnancy causes fetal DAC, with possible associated antioxidant effects. Pregnant Wistar rats, at the 21st gestational day, received by orogastric tube cocoa (720 mg/Kg) for 12 h, indomethacin (10 mg/Kg), for 8 h, or only water, before cesaren section. Immediately after withdrawal, every thorax was obtained and tissues were fixed and stained for histological analysis. The ratio of the narrowest part of the pulmonary artery to the fetal ductus inner diameter and increased ductal inner wall thickness characterized ductal constriction. Substances reactive to thiobarbituric acid were quantified. Statistical analysis used ANOVA and Tukey test. Cocoa (n = 33) and indomethacin (n = 7) reduced fetal internal ductus diameter when compared to control (water, n = 25) (p < 0.001) and cocoa alone increased ductus wall thickness (p < 0.001), but no change was noted in enzymes activity. This pharmacological study shows supporting evidences that there is a cause and effect relationship between maternal consumption of cocoa and fetal ductus arteriosus constriction. Habitual widespread use of chocolate during gestation could account for undetected ductus constriction and its potentially severe consequences, such as perinatal pulmonary hypertension, cardiac failure and even death. For this reason, dietary guidance in late pregnancy to avoid high chocolate intake, to prevent fetal ductal constriction, may represent the main translational aspect of this study.

Escola e manejo de condutas violentas: as contribuições do sociodrama temático / School and management of violent behavior: the contributions of thematic sociodrama / Escuela y manejo del comportamiento violento: las aportaciones del sociodrama temático

A escola é essencialmente reconhecida como local no qual a aprendizagem acontece, porém esse se amplia, podendo também apresentar condutas relacionais violentas entre: aluno-escola, professor-aluno e professor-docência. Diante desse tema, o objetivo deste artigo foi compreender as contribuições do sociodrama temático no manejo das condutas violentas. O ato socionômico apresentado caracteriza-se como uma pesquisa ação realizada com 19 professores em uma escola pública. A aplicação do sociodrama temático possibilitou a revelação, discussão e compreensão da dinâmica de violência que acontecia no contexto escolar.

The school is essentially recognized as a place where learning takes place, but it expands and can also present violent relational behaviors between: student-school, teacher-student and teacher-teaching. Given this theme, the objective of this article was to understand the contributions of thematic sociodrama in the management of violent behavior. The socioeconomic act presented is characterized as an action research carried out with 19 teachers in a public school. The application of the thematic sociodrama made it possible to reveal, discuss and understand the dynamics of violence that happened in the school context.

La escuela es esencialmente reconocida como un lugar donde se produce el aprendizaje, pero se expande y también puede presentar comportamientos relacionales violentos entre: alumno-escuela, profesor-alumno y profesor- enseñanza. Ante esta temática, el objetivo de este artículo fue comprender los aportes del sociodrama temático en el manejo de conductas violentas. El acto socioeconómico presentado se caracteriza por ser una investigación-acción realizada con 19 profesores de una escuela pública. La aplicación del sociodrama temático permitió revelar, discutir y comprender las dinámicas de violencia ocurridas en el contexto escolar.

Dramatização on-line: psicoterapia da relação e psicodrama interno no psicodrama contemporâneo / Online role play: relationship psychotherapy and internal psychodrama in contemporary psychodrama / Dramatización online: psicoterapia de la relación y psicodrama interno en el psicodrama contemporáneo

Este artigo objetiva evidenciar as possibilidades do psicodrama on-line por meio do método da psicoterapia da relação e da técnica do psicodrama interno. Trata-se de um estudo de caso com relatos de duas sessões de uma paciente em processo psicoterapêutico no ambiente on-line. Na primeira sessão, a protagonista apresenta angústias relacionadas à autopercepção, trabalhadas por meio da psicoterapia da relação. Na segunda sessão, são evidenciadas vivências assustadoras da infância, ressignificadas através do psicodrama interno. Conclui-se que ambas possuem vasta contribuição no ambiente on-line, o método da psicoterapia da relação como poderosa ferramenta para trabalhar relações e angústias, e o psicodrama interno como técnica eficaz em cenas de medo, pois permitiram o trabalho com papéis internalizados e ação simbólica para uma rematrização.

The purpose of this article is to show the possibilities of online psychodrama through the relationship psychotherapy method and the internal psychodrama technique. It deals with a case study with a description of two sections of a patient under the psychotherapeutic process in an online environment. In the first section, the protagonist shows her distresses related to self-perception, which we worked through relational psychotherapy. In the second section, she evidenced her frightening experiences of her childhood reframed through the internal psychodrama. The method of relationship psychotherapy as a powerful tool to work with relationships and distresses, and the internal psychodrama with an effective technique in frightened views, because they allowed working with internalized roles and symbolic actions for a re-registration.

Este artículo tiene como objetivo evidenciar las posibilidades del psicodrama online por medio del método de la psicoterapia de la relación y de la técnica del psicodrama interno. Se trata de un estudio de caso con relatos de dos sesiones de una paciente en proceso psicoterapéutico en el ambiente online. En la primera sesión, la protagonista presenta angustias relacionadas a la autopercepción, trabajadas por medio de la psicoterapia de la relación. En la segunda sección, son evidenciadas vivencias aterradoras de la infancia, resignificadas a través del psicodrama interno. Se concluye que ambas poseen una vasta contribución en el ambiente online, el método de la psicoterapia de la relación como poderosa herramienta para trabajar relaciones y angustias, y el psicodrama interno como técnica con eficacia en escenas de miedo, pues permitieron el trabajo con papeles internalizados y acción simbólica para una rematrización.

Ansiedade no contexto universitário: uma experiência de jogo dramático / Anxiety in the academic context: an experience of dramatic game / Ansiedad en el contexto universitario: una experiencia de juego dramático

Este artigo resulta de uma pesquisa realizada com nove estudantes universitários cujo objetivo era treinar a tomada de papéis. A pesquisa consistiu em quatro encontros grupais, com noventa minutos de duração, e com a aplicação de jogos dramáticos com o propósito de amenizar a ansiedade. Aqui, discutimos os resultados dos dados obtidos no primeiro encontro, no qual foi possível perceber um elevado índice de ansiedade, além de alguns bloqueios no role taking e no role creating. Esses achados foram desenvolvidos nos encontros seguintes e, ao final, foi possível perceber a diminuição da ansiedade e um aumento da espontaneidade no grupo.

This article results from research performed with nine academic students whose objective it was to train the decision-making roles. The research consisted of four group meetings, with ninety minutes of duration, and with the use of dramatic games to reduce the anxiety. Here, we present the results of the data obtained in the first meeting, where it was possible to recognize a high rate of anxiety, besides some blocks in the role taking and role creating. We developed these findings in the next meetings, in the end, and it was possible to perceive the decreasing of the anxiety and an increase of spontaneity in the group.

Este artículo resulta de una investigación realizada con nueve estudiantes universitarios cuyo objetivo era entrenar la toma de papeles. La investigación consistió en cuatro encuentros grupales, con noventa minutos de duración, y con la aplicación de juegos dramáticos con el propósito de amenizar la ansiedad. Aquí, discutimos los resultados de los datos obtenidos en el primer encuentro, en el cual fue posible percibir un elevado índice de ansiedad, además de algunos bloqueos en el role taking y en el role creating. Estos descubrimientos fueron desarrollados en los encuentros siguientes y, al final, fue posible percibir la disminución de la ansiedad y un aumento de la espontaneidad en el grupo.

Representações sociais da família na contemporaneidade: uma revisão integrativa / Family social representations in contemporary: an integrative review

Na contemporaneidade, o entendimento de família é complexo, pois exige análise e reflexão de aspectos históricos, sociais, culturais e materiais. Observa-se uma transformação estrutural e conceitual de família e se faz necessário compreender como os indivíduos a entendem ou representam socialmente a mesma. O presente estudo objetivou realizar uma revisão integrativa com vistas a analisar as representações sociais da família. Após estabelecidos os critérios de elegibilidade e refinamento da busca, foram identificados 14 artigos. Os mesmos foram analisados e submetidos à análise de conteúdo, com o auxílio do software Endnote. Os resultados foram sistematizados em duas categorias principais e suas subcategorias: a minha família (família é cuidar, família: representações positivas, família é relação, família tradicional e não tradicional) e a família do outro (Culpabilidade e responsabilidade, família "desestruturada"), evidenciando uma diferenciação importante, com defesas e atribuições positivas a minha família e críticas à família do outro. Este resultado possibilita reflexões para o entendimento de família e subsídios para os profissionais quanto à compreensão e intervenção sobre esta demanda.

In contemporary times, the understanding of family is complex, as it requires analysis and reflection of historical, social, cultural and material aspects. A structural and conceptual transformation of the family is observed and it is necessary to understand how individuals understand it or represent it socially. The present study aimed to carry out an integrative review in order to analyze the social representations of the family. After establishing the eligibility criteria and refining the search, 14 articles were identified. They were analyzed and submitted to content analysis, with the aid of the Endnote software. The results were systematized into two main categories and their subcategories: my family (family is caring, family: positive representations, family is relationship, traditional and non-traditional family) and the family of the other (Culpability and responsibility, family "disrupting"), showing a expressive differentiation, with defenses and positive attributions to my family, and criticisms of the other's family. This result allows reflections for the understanding of family and subsidies for professionals as to the understanding and intervention on this demand.

O sociodrama como método de captação das representações sociais / Sociodrama as a method of capturing social representations

As representações sociais se referem a um conjunto de conceitos, ideias e explicações sobre o mundo e o contexto em que se vive. Além disso, possui por função tornar familiar o que era desconhecido. Para captar as representações sociais pode se fazer o uso do sociodrama, pois este compreende que o sujeito atravessa e é atravessado por relações e ainda possibilita ferramentas para se trabalhar estas relações intergrupais. Deste modo, este artigo pretende, por meio de uma experiência sociodramática com quinze adolescentes de um projeto social refletir acerca da possibilidade de seu uso para a captação de representações sociais. Para isso, se fez uso da pesquisa ativa, tendo por modalidade o relato de experiência e abordagem qualitativa. As ferramentas utilizadas foram: dramatização, teatralização, fantasia guiada, vinhetas e jogos. A partir do sociodrama com esses adolescentes os processos de ancoragem e objetificação das representações foram evidenciados, sendo possível identificar as informações sobre os objetos; caracterizar as atitudes favoráveis ou desfavoráveis diante das cenas; além disso, por meio das esculturas, concretizações e dramatizações ficaram evidentes as imagens que constituem uma representação social e esta, por sua vez, pode contribuir na clarificação dos papéis conservados e ressignificação de cenas

Social representations refer to a set of concepts, ideas and explanations about the world and the context in which one lives. In addition, it has the function of making familiar what was unknown. In order to capture the social representations one can make use of the sociodrama, since it understands that the subject crosses and is crossed by relations and still provides tools to work these intergroup relations. Thus, this article intends, through a sociodramatic experience with fifteen adolescents of a social project to reflect on the possibility of its use for the capture of social representations. For this, the active research was used, having as modality the experience report and qualitative approach. The tools used were: dramatization, theatricalisation, guided fantasy, vignettes and games. From the sociodrama with these adolescents the processes of anchoring and objectification of the representations were evidenced, being possible to identify the information about the objects; characterize the favorable or unfavorable attitudes towards the scenes; in addition, through the sculptures, concretizations and dramatisations, the images that constitute a social representation are evident and this, in turn, can contribute in the clarification of the conserved roles and re-signification of scenes.

Involvement of MnSOD Ala16Val polymorphism in epilepsy: A relationship with seizure type, inflammation, and metabolic syndrome.

The MnSOD Ala16Val single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) has shown to be associated to inflammatory pathways and many metabolic disorders, such as obesity and dyslipidemia. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an emergent problem among patients with epilepsy. However, little is known about interaction between MnSOD Ala16Val SNP and metabolic comorbities in epilepsy. Thus, we investigated the relationship between MnSOD Ala16Val SNP with epilepsy and its influence on MetS, inflammation, apoptosis and DNA damage parameters. Ninety subjects were evaluated (47 epilepsy patients and 43 healthy controls) by questionnaires and laboratorial exams. Levels of inflammatory, apoptotic and DNA damage markers, as well as MnSOD polymorphism were assessed. An increased proportion of VV genotype in epilepsy group when compared to control group was observed. Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), Acetylcholinesterase, caspase-8, and Picogreen levels were increased in VV epilepsy group. An important correlation between TNF-α vs caspase-8, and Cholesterol vs. Triglycerides was observed in the epilepsy group with VV genotype. Our findings suggest that the MnSOD Ala16Val SNP might have an important role in epilepsy, mainly in patients with generalized seizures and particularly with VV genotype. The metabolic parameters also presented significant results in epilepsy group with VV genotype, which applying attention in view of further consequences and disorders that could be developed.

Galangin Prevents Increased Susceptibility to Pentylenetetrazol-Stimulated Seizures by Prostaglandin E2.

Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological diseases. It is characterized by recurrent epileptic seizures, where one-third of patients are refractory to existing treatments. Evidence revealed the association between neuroinflammation and increased susceptibility to seizures since there is a pronounced increase in the expression of key inflammatory mediators, such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), during seizures. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether PGE2 increases susceptibility to pentylenetetrazol-induced (PTZ) seizures. Subsequently, we evaluated if the flavonoid isolated from the plant Piper aleyreanum (galangin) presented any anticonvulsive effects. Our results demonstrated that the group treated with PGE2 increased susceptibility to PTZ and caused myoclonic and generalized seizures, which increased seizure duration and electroencephalographic wave amplitudes. Furthermore, treatment with PGE2 and PTZ increased IBA-1 (microglial marker), GFAP (astrocytic marker), 4-HNE (lipid peroxidation marker), VCAM-1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule 1), and p-PKAIIα (phosphorylated cAMP-dependent protein kinase) immunocontent. Indeed, galangin prevented behavioral and electroencephalographic seizures, reactive species production, decreased microglial and astrocytic immunocontent, as well as decreased VCAM-1 immunocontent and p-PKA/PKA ratio induced by PGE2/PTZ. Therefore, this study suggests galangin may have an antagonizing role on PGE2-induced effects, reducing cerebral inflammation and protecting from excitatory effects evidenced by administrating PGE2 and PTZ. However, further studies are needed to investigate the clinical implications of the findings and their underlying mechanisms.

A pedagogia psicodramática como um método facilitador na escolha do tema monográfico / Psychodramatic pedagogy as a facilitating method in choosing the monographic theme / La pedagogía psicodramática como un método facilitador en la elección deltema monográfico

Este artigo tem por objetivo compreender a pedagogia psicodramática como um método facilitador na escolha do tema monográfico. Para isso, foram utilizados o método científico da pesquisa-ação e o estudo de caso, tendo a pedagogia psicodramática como método didático e a fenomenologia existencial como método filosófico. A aplicabilidade aconteceu no primeiro encontro de orientação de monografia. Foi possível perceber que a aluna/orientanda não apenas identificou o tema, mas também desenvolveu a espontaneidade e a criatividade na construção da monografia.

This article aims to understand psychodramatic pedagogy as a facilitating method in choosing the monographic theme. For this, the scientific method of research-action and case study were used, adopting psychodramatic pedagogy as a didactic method and existential phenomenology as a philosophical method. Applicability occurred at the first monograph orientation meeting. It was possible to perceive that the student/mentee not only identified the theme, but also developed spontaneity and creativity in the construction of monograph.

Este artículo tiene por objetivo comprender la pedagogía psicodramática como un método facilitador en la elección del tema monográfico. Para ello, se utilizaron el método científico de la investigación-acción y el estudio de caso, teniendo la pedagogía psicodramática como método didáctico y la fenomenología existencial como método filosófico. La aplicabilidad ocurrió en el primer encuentro de orientación de monografía. Fue posible percibir que la alumna/orientanda no sólo identificó el tema, sino también desarrolló la espontaneidad y la creatividad en la construcción de la monografía.

Dietary interventions in fibromyalgia: a systematic review.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic non-degenerative disease, whose nutritional therapy seems controversial. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the knowledge about the effect of dietary interventions on patient-reported outcomes (PRO) and inflammation in patients with FM. Six electronic databases - PubMed, BioMed Central, Cochrane library, EMBASE, LILACS and ISI - were searched for clinical trials, in which a dietary intervention in patients with FM diagnosed was conducted. Quality of evidence assessment was measured in accordance with GRADE methodology. Seven clinical trials - 3 randomized controlled trials, 1 unrandomized clinical trial and 3 uncontrolled clinical trials were identified. Dietary approaches included gluten-free diet (n = 1), raw vegetarian diet (n = 2), low Fermentable oligo-, di- and monossacharides, alcohols and polyols (FODMAPs) diet (n = 1), hypocaloric diet (n = 2) and monosodium glutamate- and aspartame-free diet interventions (n = 1). The major PRO were pain and functional repercussion, with 5 out of 7 studies reporting an improvement. The progress in secondary outcomes was reported for fatigue (2/5 studies), sleep quality (2/3 studies), depression and anxiety (3/6 studies), quality of life (4/5 studies), gastrointestinal symptoms (1/2 studies) and inflammatory biomarkers (1/1 study). However, according to Cochrane Risk of Bias, these studies had poor statistical quality. Well-designed studies should be performed to investigate the dietary interventions effect on FM. Key messages Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic non-degenerative disease, whose nutritional therapy seems controversial but promising. Pain and functional repercussion in FM patients seem to improve with a hypocaloric diet, a raw vegetarian diet or a low FODMAPs diet, as much as quality of life, quality of sleep, anxiety and depression and inflammatory biomarkers. Existing studies in this subject are scarce and low quality, which does not allow conclusions to be drawn.

Involvement of the Cholinergic Parameters and Glial Cells in Learning Delay Induced by Glutaric Acid: Protection by N-Acetylcysteine.

Dysfunction of basal ganglia neurons is a characteristic of glutaric acidemia type I (GA-I), an autosomal recessive inherited neurometabolic disease characterized by deficiency of glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase (GCDH) and accumulation of glutaric acid (GA). The affected patients present clinical manifestations such as motor dysfunction and memory impairment followed by extensive striatal neurodegeneration. Knowing that there is relevant striatal dysfunction in GA-I, the purpose of the present study was to verify the performance of young rats chronically injected with GA in working and procedural memory test, and whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC) would protect against impairment induced by GA. Rat pups were injected with GA (5 µmol g body weight-1, subcutaneously; twice per day; from the 5th to the 28th day of life) and were supplemented with NAC (150 mg/kg/day; intragastric gavage; for the same period). We found that GA injection caused delay procedural learning; increase of cytokine concentration, oxidative markers, and caspase levels; decrease of antioxidant defenses; and alteration of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Interestingly, we found an increase in glial cell immunoreactivity and decrease in the immunoreactivity of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit alpha 7 (α7nAChR), and neuronal nuclei (NeuN) in the striatum. Indeed, NAC administration improved the cognitive performance, ROS production, neuroinflammation, and caspase activation induced by GA. NAC did not prevent neuronal death, however protected against alterations induced by GA on Iba-1 and GFAP immunoreactivities and AChE activity. Then, this study suggests possible therapeutic strategies that could help in GA-I treatment and the importance of the striatum in the learning tasks.

O ensino da pedagogia psicodramática como método para novas aprendizagens / The teaching of psychodramatic pedagogy as a method for new learning / La enseñanza de la pedagogía psicodramática como método para nuevos aprendizajes

O objetivo deste artigo é refletir sobre as contribuições da Pedagogia Psicodramática como facilitadora da aprendizagem no curso de formação do Psicodramatista. A prática realizada em metodologia de pesquisa-ação, aqui relatada, chegou à constatação de que o lúdico, as técnicas teatrais e os jogos dramáticos levaram os participantes a uma maior expressividade, à espontaneidade e à criatividade. A partir dessa aula/ação, os alunos também demonstraram maior interação grupal e chegaram à aprendizagem de conteúdo de maneira mais fácil.

The aim of this article is to reflect on the contributions of Psychodramatic Pedagogy as a learning facilitator in the Psychodramatist training course. The practice performed with research-action here shows that the playful, theatrical techniques and dramatic games led participants to a greater expressiveness, spontaneity and creativity. From this lesson/action, students also demonstrated a greater group interaction and learned the content in an easier way.

El objetivo de este artículo es reflexionar sobre las contribuciones de la Pedagogía Psicodramática como facilitadora del aprendizaje en el curso de formación del Psicodramatista. La práctica realizada con metodología de investigación acción, aquí relatada, tuvo como resultado la constatación de que el lúdico, las técnicas teatrales y los juegos dramáticos llevaron a los participantes a una mayor expresividad, a la espontaneidad y a la creatividad. A partir de esa clase/acción, los alumnos demostraron mayor interacción grupal y llegaron al aprendizaje de contenido de manera más fácil.

Methylmalonate Induces Inflammatory and Apoptotic Potential: A Link to Glial Activation and Neurological Dysfunction.

Methylmalonic acid (MMA) accumulates in tissues in methylmalonic acidemia, a heterogeneous group of inherited childhood diseases characterized by neurological dysfunction, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation; it is associated with degeneration of striatal neurons and cerebral cortical atrophy. It is presently unknown, however, whether transient exposure to MMA in the neonatal period is sufficient to trigger inflammatory and apoptotic processes that lead to brain structural damage. Here, newborn mice were given a single intracerebroventricular dose of MMA at 12 hours after birth. Maze testing of 21- and 40-day-old mice showed that MMA-injected animals exhibited deficit in the working memory test but not in the reference test. MMA-injected mice showed increased levels of the reactive oxygen species marker 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate, tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1ß, caspases 1, 3, and 8, and increased acetylcholinesterase activity in the cortex, hippocampus and striatum. This was associated with increased astrocyte and microglial immunoreactivity in all brain regions. These findings suggest that transient exposure to MMA may alter the redox state and cause neuroinflammatory/apoptotic processes and glial activation during critical periods of brain development. Similar processes may underlie brain dysfunction and cognitive impairment in patients with methylmalonic acidemia.

Adalimumab safety in global clinical trials of patients with Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: Adalimumab, a fully human anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) monoclonal antibody, is approved for the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD) in adults. We evaluated the overall safety profile of adalimumab in global clinical trials in patients with CD. Patients who participated in these trials, which included randomized induction and maintenance trials, Phase IIIb trials, and open-label extension studies, had moderately to severely active CD and were evaluated for safety at regular intervals. METHODS: Rates of adverse events of interest were assessed per 100-patient-years of adalimumab exposure. Standardized mortality rates and standardized incidence rates (for malignancies) were calculated using population-matched data. As of April 15, 2008, 3160 patients with CD had been treated with adalimumab in clinical trials, representing 3401.9 patient-years of adalimumab exposure. RESULTS: Serious infection was the most frequently reported serious adverse event of interest in the CD trials; abscess (intraabdominal and gastrointestinal related) was the most common serious infection. Low incidences of malignancies, lymphomas, opportunistic infections (including tuberculosis), demyelinating disorders, and lupus-like disorders were reported in the CD trials. The standardized mortality rate for adalimumab-treated patients with CD, 0.44 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.12-1.12), is less than the rate of 1.52 (95% CI, 1.32-1.74) reported in a recent meta-analysis of patients with CD. CONCLUSIONS: The safety profile of adalimumab in patients with CD was similar to that of other TNF antagonists in CD populations, and the rates of adverse events were comparable to other approved indications for adalimumab spanning >10 years of clinical observation. No new safety signals were identified.

Detection of Mycobacterium leprae DNA in skin lesions of leprosy patients by PCR may be affected by amplicon size.

Despite the high sensitivity and specificity of PCR for infectious disease diagnostics, it has presented low sensitivity for Mycobacterium leprae DNA detection in the tuberculoid pole (TT and BT) of leprosy. In order to demonstrate the effect of amplicon size on the efficacy of PCR detection of M. leprae DNA in skin lesions of leprosy patients, two pairs of primers targeting the M. leprae genomic DNA, RLEP3 (X17153), were used to amplify fragments of 372 and 130-bp until their PCR end-points were reached after 40 reaction cycles. Skin biopsies of leprosy lesions in 110 non-treated patients were used for bacilloscopy index (BI) analysis and PCR tests. The 130-bp fragment was detected in 73.6% of samples (81/110), and classified as TT (40%), BT (55.5%), and 100% of BB, BL and LL. The 372-bp fragment was detected in 52.7% and classified as TT (13.3%), BT (33.3%), BB (64.7%), BL (83.3%), and LL (95.2%). The BI of biopsies was positive in 39.1% of samples, classified as TT (0%), BT (2.2%), BB (64.7%), BL (91.6%), and LL (95.2%). The shorter amplicon (130-bp) has improved diagnosis by 20.9 and 34.5% in relation to the 372-bp fragment and the BI, respectively, and has shown a superior sensitivity (73.6%), specificity (100%) and accuracy (86.2%). The 130-bp amplicon could not detect % of positive BI of biopsies in BT cases. Therefore, for confirmatory diagnosis, we propose the use of PCR detection of the 130-bp genomic target, especially when the tuberculoid pole forms are considered, which has reached 51.6% of positivity in this group.

The endothelial nitric oxide synthase Glu-298-Asp polymorphism and its mRNA expression in the peripheral blood of patients with prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

BACKGROUND: The endothelial nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS) has an important role in vascular development and in the carcinogenesis process of prostate cancer (PCa). The nitric oxide (NO) production may promote cancer progression by providing a selective growth advantage to tumor cells, by angiogenic stimulus and by direct DNA damage. METHODS: The present study aimed at evaluating the ecNOS Glu-298-Asp polymorphism by the PCR-RFLP technique, associating genotypes with gene expression levels and the tumor biomarker, Prostate Cancer Antigen (DD3), through semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Pre-surgical peripheral blood samples from 160 patients were analyzed: 84 PCa, 11 prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and 65 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). RESULTS: The GG and GT Glu-298-Asp genotypes were associated with positive DD3 expression in the peripheral blood, presenting a 3.32-fold higher risk of PCa occurrence. There was no association between genotypes and ecNOS mRNA expression levels; however, the presence of the G allele is closely related to the hematogenous dissemination event of tumoral cells, as evidenced by the DD3 positivity. The higher G allele frequency among pT3 and pT4 staged PCa patients suggests that this would be associated with advanced phenotypes of the disease and may also be contributing to higher NO levels, causing cancer progression. CONCLUSIONS: The G allele may have a secondary influence on the prostate cancer predisposition, but an essential role on the event of tumor cells hematogenous dissemination, probably due to the angiogenic stimulus.

Differential expression of the KLK2 and KLK3 genes in peripheral blood and tissues of patients with prostate cancer

We used the multiplex semi-quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) to investigate kallikrein 2 and 3 (KLK2 and KLK3) mRNA levels in prostate tissue from 42 prostate cancer patients, 33 of whom were also assessed for peripheral blood KLK2 expression by qualitative semi-nested RT-PCR. We found that KLK2 was an important tissue biomarker for distinguishing between prostate cancer patients and those with benign prostatic hyperplasia, particularly when KLK2 expression was > 60 percent of that of the beta2-microglobulin constitutive gene. Patients with an average relative expression value > 0.6 (cutoff value) had an eleven-fold higher chance of having prostate cancer. When one or two tissues samples were evaluated for KLK2 expression using the cutoff value the estimated chance of having prostate cancer was increased by seven times for one positive sample and 45 times for two positive samples. There was no significant correlation between KLK3 gene expression and prostate cancer diagnosis. Logistic regression for blood and tissue KLK2 expression successfully detected 92 percent of the prostate cancer cases. The detection of KLK2 in blood showed a sensitivity of 59 percent and a specificity of 82 percent. This study indicates that the KLK2 gene may be a useful molecular marker for the diagnosis of prostate cancer and that analysis of KLK2 expression in blood and tissues could provide a novel approach for the clinical investigation of this type of cancer.

Mudança de atitude das mulheres do grupo de planejamento familiar e DST, da Unidade de Saúde da Família do Alto Santo Antônio / Change of attitude of women from the family planning group and STD, the Family Health Unit of High Santo Antônio

Este trabalho apresenta o resultado de uma pesquisa feita pelas integrantes da equipe da Unidade de Saúde da Família (USF) do Alto Santo Antônio, Camaragibe, Pernambuco, para conhecer as mudanças de atitude, relacionadas com a prevençåo da gravidez indesejada e das doenças sexualmente transmissíveis nas mulheres após ingresssarem no grupo de planejamento familiar. teve o intuito de avaliar a eficácia da metodologia empregada nas ações educativas no grupo e também verificar o impacto dessas ações na comunidade. Com este estudo, verificou-se que a maneira de atuaçåo da equipe em relaçåo ao grupo tem sido apropriada, uma vez que houve mudança no comportamento das mulheres frente à prática do sexo seguro. Inclusive, houve mençåo por parte delas de que o aprendizado é o que desperta maior prazer em participar.