Prescription of antibiotic prophylaxis in implant placement among Portuguese dentists: A web survey.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess whether antibiotic prophylaxis for dental implant placement is commonly used by dentists in Portugal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional survey study was based on a web survey with 22 questions divided into 5 parts. The 1st part focused on demographic details, work experience, and academic expertise, whereas the 2nd and 3rd parts were about the pre- and postoperative antibiotic prescriptions. The 4th and 5th parts focused on dentists' motivation for using/avoiding antibiotic prophylaxis and the use of a protocol, respectively. Data interpretation included descriptive analysis and statistical inference via cross-tabling with chi-square adjusted standardised for residual effects. RESULTS: Of the 204 valid surveys, at least one was received from every large Portuguese city which ensured the national coverage of the survey. Most respondents are not specialist dentists (72%). Sixty-four percent of the respondents always use antibiotic prophylaxis, while 29% adopt it only when grafting materials are employed. Most respondents use both pre- and postoperative regimens (55%). Amoxicillin 875 mg + clavulanic acid 125 mg is the most prescribed antibiotic (57%). Finally, the risk reduction of postoperative infection is the most frequent justification for the use of antibiotic prophylaxis (60%). CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight that most of the respondents do not follow the consensual international guidelines for prophylactic antibiotherapy in dental implant placement surgeries. This finding should serve as a rationale to increase the dissemination of those guidelines.

Tympanic membrane perforations: the importance of etiology, size and location.

PURPOSE: The ability to predict the degree of a conductive hearing loss caused by a tympanic membrane perforation is important for every otologist, as it may require additional diagnostic tests and prevent unexpected intraoperative findings. The aim of this study was to correlate the various characteristics of a perforation (etiology, size, location, involvement of the manubrium or umbo) with the degree and frequency predominance of the consequent hearing loss. METHODS: A transversal study in a tertiary hospital center was conducted between July 2019 and December 2020. Fifty-eight patients with 65 tympanic perforations underwent a comprehensive medical and audiological evaluation, which included an otoendoscopy. An image processing software (ImageJ®) was used to measure the perforated area. The qualitative variables were etiology, affected quadrants, presence of myringosclerosis and involvement of umbo or manubrium of the malleus. The air-bone gap was measured at 250, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz. Primary outcomes (mean air-bone gap and pure-tone average) were evaluated to find clinical factors associated with worse hearing. RESULTS: Data collected from 50 ears was included. Perforation size showed a positive statistically significant correlation with the air-bone gap (r = .508; p < .001) and pure-tone average (r = .375; p < .001). Higher air-bone gaps were found in perforations involving the posterior quadrants and the manubrium (p < .001 and p = .031, respectively). Inflammatory causes showed higher bone and air conduction pure-tone averages (p = .031 and p = .084, respectively) compared to traumatic or iatrogenic. An "inverted V" pattern of the air-bone gap, with the 2 kHz frequency being the least affected, was a consistent finding. However, it was not due to the Carhart's notch in bone conduction. CONCLUSION: The conductive hearing loss resulting from a tympanic membrane perforation is etiology, size and location-dependent, with higher losses occurring for inflammatory backgrounds, large perforations and when the posterior quadrants or the manubrium are involved. If the "inverted V" is absent, additional middle ear pathology should be investigated.

Botulism - A brief review based on a case

Foodborne botulism is a serious, acute disease with digestive and neurological symptoms. It results from ingestion of food, containing toxins formed by Clostridium botulinum. There has been an increase in the incidence in Portugal and Spain. The authors report a case of botulism that culminated in the identification of a common origin for four other cases.It was a patient of 47 years with a clinical picture of diplopia, dysphagia, fever, dizziness, blurred vision, dry mouth and constipation and gastrointestinal complaints. He ingested smoked product 48-72h before resorting to the emergency room. He was interned for study. Changes in EMG compatible with presynaptic neuromuscular block were found. Serum toxin and suspicious food product were isolated and identified. He recovered completely from the clinical picture with support therapy and physiotherapy.The authors intend to alert to a disease that although not rare, presents difficulties in the diagnosis, being this one essentially clinical with suggestive epidemiological context, confirmed by electromyographic changes and identification of the toxin

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Erupción dental relacionada con el indicador peso para la edad / Dental eruption related with weight indicator for age

El objetivo del presente estudio fue verificar la existencia de la relación entre la erupción dental con el indicador peso para la edad. Material y métodos: Fue realizado un estudio observacional, transversal, prospectivo. Siendo evaluados un total de 1644 niños con edades comprendidas entre los 5 y 16 años, nativos de la amazonia. Para ello, fue realizado un examen bucodental con el fin de determinar el estadio de erupción de la pieza dentaria. El estado nutricional fue evaluado mediante el programa Anthroplus(R) donde se realizó los cálculos antropométricos para los indicadores; peso para la edad entre los 0 y 10 años, estatura para la edad y el índice de masa corporal entre los 0 y 19 años. Se decide realizar los cálculos antropométricos en niños en edades comprendidas entre los 5 a 10 años. Resultados: Se asoció significativamente el bajo peso con el retardo en la erupción de los incisivos centrales, aunque en el mandibular se obtuvo un tamaño de efecto pequeño. Se encontró relación estadísticamente significativa entre el retardo de erupción del primer molar inferior e incisivo central inferior y la talla baja aunque se obtuvo un tamaño de efecto pequeño. Respecto al IMC no existen casos atípicos ya que todos los niños tienen las puntuaciones típicas entre -1 y 1. Conclusiones: El presente estudio encuentra una relación entre el retardo de la erupción de incisivos centrales y el bajo peso, expresado para el indicador peso para la edad

The objective of the present study was to verify the existence of the relationship between tooth eruption and the weight indicator for age. Material and methods: An observational, cross-sectional, prospective study was carried out. A total of 1644 children between the ages of 5 and 16, native of the Amazon were evaluated. A dental examination was performed in order to determine the stage of eruption of the tooth. The nutritional status was evaluated through the Anthroplus(R) program, where the anthropometric calculations were carried out for the indicators: weight for age between 0 and 10 years, height for age and body mass index between 0 and 19 years. It was decided to perform the anthropometric calculations in children between the ages of 5 and 10 years. Results: Low weight was significantly associated with the delay in the eruption of the central incisors, although a small effect size was obtained in the mandibular. A statistically significant relationship was found between the eruption delay of the first lower molar and the lower central incisor and the short height, although a small effect size was obtained. Regarding BMI, there are no atypical cases since all children have typical scores between -1 and 1. Conclusions: The present study finds a relationship between the delay of the eruption of central incisors and the low weight, expressed for the indicator weight for age

Case Report: Severe Hematological, Muscle and Liver Toxicity Caused by Drugs and Artichoke Infusion Interaction in an Elderly Polymedicated Patient.

BACKGROUND: Case report, in a patient with a history of diabetes and hypertension, treated with metformin, gliclazide, enalapril + hydrochlorothiazide, amlodipine, aspirin and diazepam, recently medicated for a gouty crisis with colchicine and clonixin without improvement. Believing it could help in the treatment of gouty crisis symptoms he took about 1.5 L of artichoke infusion (Cynara cardunculus). He felt better and did agriculture work but developed a distal muscle pain, severe anemia, standard biochemical liver cholestasis, increase of alkaline phosphatase and marked increase of inflammatory parameters (hyperleucocytosis) and enters in the emergency department at the hospital. OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the cause of complaints and laboratory abnormalities and the involvement of artichoke infusion. RESULTS: The prominence of the inflammatory parameters was ruled out because of exhaustive autoimmune, infectious or para-neoplastic syndrome (blood cultures, serology, diagnostic imaging, bone marrow and bone biopsy, muscle biopsy and nerve, abdominal angiography) were carried out showing normal results. The evaluation pointed out that the concomitant intake of artichoke infusion may have been involved in the framework developed, since the drugs which were being administered to/by the patient have a metabolism mainly mediated by CYP450 3A4 and 2C9 that could be compromised when these isoenzymes are inhibited by phenolic and flavonoid compounds from plants. Colchicine was one of the last drugs took that have as side effects most of the symptoms felt by patient including diarrhea and anemia. CONCLUSION: The spontaneous and complete recovery of the patient and the negativity of research looking for other causes, conduce to a strong possibility of the interaction between artichoke and the drugs in the clinical presentation of this case.

Phenotyping Rh/Kell and risk of alloimmunization in haematological patients.

BACKGROUND: One of the biggest concerns in transfusion medicine is to avoid red blood cell alloimmunization. We evaluated the rate of alloimmunization in two groups of chronically transfused patients (A - not phenotyped and B - phenotyped for Rh/K antigens before the first transfusion) with primary haematological disorders and its distribution among the main haematological diseases, in order to adopt an efficient transfusional strategy. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: As methodology, we used the SIBAS and SAM databases for the retrospective study of all patients with primary haematological disorder between January 2011 and April 2013. RESULTS: A statistical difference in the rate of alloimmunization comparing groups A and B was found (P <0·0001). We also observed that alloimmunization was not homogeneously distributed in all primary haematological diseases. CONCLUSIONS: The Rh/K phenotype should be performed on all patients diagnosed with bone marrow failure, plasma cell dyscrasia and myelodysplastic syndrome in order to avoid alloimmunization. In patients with acute leukaemia and lymphoma it seems not necessary to perform it. In patients with haemoglobinopathy and myeloproliferative disorders, a larger group of patients is needed to decide its efficacy.

Thoracoscopy in the management of pediatric empyemas.

INTRODUCTION: Thoracoscopy is increasingly being used in the treatment of empyema. This study assesses feasibility, efficacy and safety in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical files of patients who underwent primary thoracoscopy for empyema between 2006 and 2014 were reviewed. Demographic, clinical and surgical data were analyzed and a comparison between the period before (period1) and after (period2) the learning curve was performed. RESULTS: Ninety-one patients (53 males, 58%) were submitted to thoracoscopy at a median age of 4 years. There were 19 conversions to thoracotomy with a steady decrease of conversion rate until 2009 (period1) and no conversions thereafter (period2). There was no difference in any of the analyzed parameters between patients submitted to thoracoscopy alone and those requiring conversion in period1. Six cases (6.6%) needed redo-operation (five in period2) and thoracotomy was the elected approach in four. Necrotizing pneumonia was present in 60% of the reoperated cases; in other words, in period2 3 out of 9 cases with necrotizing pneumonia required reintervention (p=0.07). Thoracotomy was avoided in sixty-eight (75%) patients (62% in period1 versus 92% in period2, p=0.001). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic approach for empyema is feasible and safe avoiding a significant number of thoracotomies after a short learning curve. An increase of reintervention rate should be expected, but throracoscopy alone is effective in the great majority of the cases. Necrotizing pneumonia may be associated with a higher risk of reintervention, as it is a contra-indication to thoracoscopy and probably surgery.

Autism spectrum disorder: FRAXE mutation, a rare etiology.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. Fragile X E is associated with X-linked non-specific mild intellectual disability (ID) and with behavioral problems. Most of the known genetic causes of ASD are also causes of ID, implying that these two identities share common genetic bases. We present a child with an ASD with a normal range of intelligence quotient, that later evolved to compulsive behavior. FRAXE locus analysis by polymerase chain reaction revealed a complete mutation of the FMR 2 gene. This report stresses the importance of clinicians being aware of the association between a full mutation of FMR2 and ASD associated with compulsive behavior despite normal intellectual level.

Análisis clínico y experiencia terapéutica de la corea en pediatría: Hospital Universitario de Maracaibo / Clinical analysis and therapeutic experience in childhood chorea: Hospital Universitario de Maracaibo

Las causas más frecuentes de corea adquirida en la infancia son la reumática y la lúpica, siendo muchas veces un diagnóstico de exclusión frente a muchas posibles enfermedades OBJETIVO: Conocer las características clínicas, y la evolución posterior al tratamiento de niños con corea. MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, tipo serie de casos que incluyó 9 niños entre 0 y 15 años con diagnóstico de corea, que consultaron al servicio de Neuropediatría del Hospital Universitario de Maracaibo entre Enero 2009 y Enero 2013. RESULTADOS: La corea predominó en niñas (proporción 2:1), restringidas al grupo de escolares y adolescentes, 44% corea reumática, 22% puras, 11% lúpicas, 11% asociadas a parálisis cerebral infantil coreo- atetósica y un caso 11% de enfermedad de Huntington infantil. Todos los pacientes presentaron manifestaciones psiquiátricas en grado leve a moderado, 44% pacientes recibieron valproato, 22% carbamazepina en monoterapia, el resto tratamiento combinado 22% valproato y carbamazepina, 22% carbamazepina y haloperidol; la duración del tratamiento entre 3 y 14 meses, con evolución favorable en la mayoría de los casos. CONCLUSIONES: La presentación clínica de los casos no difiere de los documentados en la literatura. La corea reumática es la más frecuente siendo precedida por infección faríngea; en forma general responden bien al tratamiento convencional siendo más eficiente el valproato con menos efectos secundarios en monoterapia o combinado. La enfermedad de Huntington es extremadamente infrecuente en forma general y aún más en la infancia, sin embargo, el estado Zulia es una zona endémica de la patología por lo que debe considerarse ésta posibilidad diagnóstica.

The most common causes of acquired chorea in childhood are rheumatic pathologies and systemic lupus eritematosus, often being a diagnosis of exclusion against many possible diseases. OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical characteristics and post-treatment evolution of children with chorea. METHODS: An observational, descriptive study, case series type, which includes 9 children between 0 and 15 years with chorea, which attended the department of pediatric neurology at the University Hospital in Maracaibo between January 2009 and January 2013. RESULTS: Chorea predominated in girls (ratio 2; 1), restricted to the group of schoolchildren and adolescents, 44 % rheumatic chorea, 22 % pure, 11% lupic, 11% associated with choreo-athetoid cerebral palsy, in one case (11%) Huntington's disease; all presented mild to moderate psychiatric manifestations, 44 % patients received valproate or carbamazepine: 22 % as monotherapy, the rest (22 %) as combination therapy, 22 % carbamazepine and haloperidol; the duration of the treatment was between 3 and 14 months with a very favorable response in most cases. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical presentation of the cases is not different to those documented in the literature. Rheumatic chorea is the most frequent, preceded by pharyngeal infection. It generally responds well to conventional treatment. The most efficient and with fewer side effects drug is valproate. Huntington's disease is extremely rare in general and even more in childhood; however, the state of Zulia is an endemic area for this disease so this diagnostic possibility should be considered.

Ten-year experience with liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma in a Federal University Hospital in the Northeast of Brazil.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent and important primary liver tumor, with annual worldwide incidence of over 1 million cases, accounting for at least 500,000 deaths per year. The majority of cases of HCC occur in the setting of liver cirrhosis. In this retrospective, descriptive, and analytical study, between May 2002 and April 2012, 664 liver transplantations (LT) were conducted at a Federal University Hospital in the Northeast of Brazil, among which 140 LT were performed in patients with HCC. The tumor was more frequent in men with an average age of 56 years and infected with hepatitis C virus, many with a history of alcohol abuse. Alpha-fetoprotein was not useful in the diagnosis, and imaging methods have failed to diagnose the nodules in 19 patients (13.6%). Transarterial chemoembolization was the most-used bridging therapy to inhibit tumor growth for patients with HCC eligible for transplantation. The implementation of the Model for End Stage Liver Disease score in 2006 brought benefits to these patients. The rate of HCC recurrence after LT was 8.57% and occurred more often in the first 2 years after transplantation, with the liver graft being the most common site. Significant risk factors for recurrence were a long time on the LT waiting list, number of liver nodules over 3.5, and the presence of vascular invasion. In conclusion, LT for HCC leads to excellent long-term survival, with relatively few patients dying from tumor recurrence.

Recovery of biological active catechol-O-methyltransferase isoforms from Q-sepharose.

The development of new catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors has led to an improvement in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. However, despite the fact that the soluble isoform has been extensively investigated, few studies have been published concerning membrane isoform chromatographic recovery and bioactivity levels. In this work, chromatographic profiles of both catechol-O-methyltransferase isoforms were compared using quaternary amine as a ligand to evaluate its activity levels and recovery rates. Results show that both proteins required different conditions for adsorption; the soluble isoform adsorption was performed at low ionic strength, while the membrane isoform required increasing linear salt gradient. However, the application of 0.5% Triton X-100 promoted membrane isoform adsorption even at low ionic strength. Indeed, chromatographic conditions of both isoforms became similar when detergents were applied. The developed methods also appear to be highly effective in bioactivity recovery, presenting rates of 107% for soluble protein and 67 and 91% for membrane isoform without and with detergents, respectively. The chromatographic strategies with and without detergents resulted in a 4.3- and sevenfold purification, respectively, corresponding to specific activity values of 331 and 496 nmol/h/mg. Thus, the use of Q-sepharose as anion exchanger was effective in the recovery of both enzymes, which is a requirement for further kinetic and pharmacological trials.

Three dimensional anatomy of the human nucleus accumbens.

BACKGROUND: The Nucleus accumbens (Acc) is the main structure of the ventral striatum. It acts as a motor-limbic interface, being involved in emotional and psychomotor functions, frequently disturbed in neuropsychiatric disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder and addiction. Most of the studies concerning the Acc were made in animals and those performed in humans are contradictory. Nevertheless, it has become a target for stereotactic deep brain stimulation for some of those diseases, when refractory to medical treatment. Previous studies performed by our group have established the localization, limits and dimensions of the human Acc and its stereotactic coordinates. Now it is our purpose to perform the Acc anatomical three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction in order to clarify its shape and topography and to render this nucleus a safer target for stereotactic procedures. METHODS: Anatomical coronal slicing of ten Acc from human brains was performed, perpendicular to the anterior commissure-posterior commissure line and to the midline; then the Acc contours were traced and its dimensions and 3D stereotactic coordinates measured, on each slice. Finally a 3D computerized model was created. RESULTS: The human Acc was identified as a distinct brain structure, with clear-cut limits on its posterior half. It lies parallel to the midline, descends caudally, and progresses from a globose to a flattened and dorsolateral concave shape. Its main expression is subcomissural. CONCLUSION: This study defined more accurately the 3D anatomy of the human Acc, providing new tools for stereotactic procedures.

Bipartição escrotal associada à má formação prepucial em ovino Morada Nova: relato de caso / Scrotal bipartition associated with preputial malformation in sheep Morada Nova: case report

As alterações anatômicas do aparelho reprodutor masculino de ovinos são pouco relatadas, especialmente a condição de bipartição escrotal. Devido à importância do esclarecimento sobre esta alteração anatômica, objetivou-se relatar o caso de um ovino da raça Morada Nova que apresentava bipartição escrotal associada à má formação prepucial. Observou-se que essa alteração pode ocorrer como condição de adaptabilidade a climas tropicais.

The anatomical changes in the male reproductive system of sheep are rarely described, especially the scrotal bipartition condition. Due to the importance of clarification of this anatomical change, we aimed to describe a case of a Morada Nova sheep that had scrotal bipartition associated with preputial malformation. It was observed that this change may occur as a adaptability condition to tropical climates.

Characterization of neovascular age-related macular degeneration patients with outer retinal tubulations.

PURPOSE: To characterize the neovascular lesions of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and outer retinal tubulations (ORTs). METHODS: A retrospective study of 377 eyes with exudative AMD, submitted to intravitreal anti-angiogenic treatment. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presence or absence of ORTs on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT; group 1 - with ORTs; group 2 - without ORTs). Age, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fluorescein angiography characteristics, presence of subretinal fibrosis and subfoveal photoreceptor integrity on SD-OCT were analyzed. RESULTS: Although both groups had a BCVA gain during the follow-up period, initial and final BCVA were lower in group 1 (p = 0.020 and p = 0.042, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in the BCVA variation between the 2 groups (p = 0.907). Regarding the initial angiographic lesion type, there was a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (p = 0.008): group 1 had more lesions with a classic component and group 2 had more occult lesions with no classic component. There was a statistically significant difference concerning the loss of subfoveal photoreceptor integrity (p = 0.0007). CONCLUSIONS: Even though AMD patients with ORTs were associated with poor visual outcomes, we reported BCVA improvement. AMD patients with a classical component in their lesions are prone to develop ORTs.

The human locus coeruleus 3-D stereotactic anatomy.

PURPOSE: The main goal of this work was to study the stereotactic anatomy of the human locus coeruleus (LC), important relay of adrenergic and dopaminergic human brainstem (HB) circuitry, to allow its easy localization on MRI and in microsurgical procedures. METHODS: Forty LC were studied from 20 adult HB of both sexes. The melanin pigmentation of its cells was used to identify and localize them and so to define the 2-D and 3-D LC contours. These HB were cut on a cryomicrotome with 3-D referenciation. The slices were coloured with haematoxyline-eosin. On the slices, digitized images of the cells were referenced to the midline, the fourth ventricle floor plane and the pontomedullary junction plane with an appropriate computer program. RESULTS: The LC revealed to be a symmetric, thin and elongated nucleus, divergent caudally except in its superior part, with a sub-ependymal location on the superior dorsal lateral pons. The main LC dimensions are: length 12.0-17.0 mm (m 14.5); width 2.5 mm; height 2.0 mm. The 3-D references of the LC center are: 3.2 ± 0.3 mm to the midline; 1.1 ± 0.2 mm to the IV ventricle floor and 18.5 ± 1.5 mm to the ponto-medullary junction. CONCLUSIONS: The human LC is a nucleus thinner and longer than previously described (in average 14.5 mm long and 2-2.5 mm thick), localized 1 mm under the IV ventricle, 3 mm apart from the midline and centered 14-21 mm above de ponto-medullary junction. No correlation was found between LC and pons dimensions, the gender or the age.

Assessment of body fat composition disturbances by bioimpedance analysis in HIV-infected adults.

HIV-lipodystrophy syndrome is characterized by different patterns of body fat distribution (BFD) which are identified by clinical and body composition (BC) assessment, including bioimpedance analysis (BIA). Our aim was to compare BC in HIV-infected patients on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) according to 4 distinct phenotypes of BFD (G1-no lipodystrophy, G2-isolated central fat accumulation, G3-lipoatrophy, G4-mixed forms of lipodystrophy) and assessed factors associated with them. Anthropometry and BIA were performed in 344 HIV-1 patients. G2 and G4 phenotype patients had significantly higher fat mass (FM) but no differences were observed in fat-free mass (FFM) and total body water among the 4 phenotypes. Significant negative associations were found between the presence of lipoatrophy and female gender, body mass index (BMI), waist (WC), hip (HC) and thigh circumferences, and total body FM estimated by BIA. After adjustment for gender, cART duration and BMI, G3 had significant lower WC [odds ratio (OR)=0.84; 0.78- 0.90] and HC (OR=0.88; 0.81-0.96) mean. Independently of gender, cART duration and BMI, G2 remained significantly associated with higher WC (OR=1.11; 1.05-1.18) and HC (OR=1.15; 1.07-1.23) mean, and with FM estimated by BIA [FM as %, OR=1.17 (1.09-1.26); and FM as kg, OR=1.15 (1.06- 1.25)]. There was a significant positive association between G4 and female gender (OR=1.66; 1.01-2.75), BMI (OR=1.10; 1.04-1.17) and WC (OR=1.15; 1.09-1.21). The similar FFM along the BFD spectrum describes the actual BC of these patients without sarcopenia. In a clinical setting, BIA is an easy and useful tool to evaluate fat mass and FFM and gives us a picture of BC that was not possible with anthropometry.

Markers of metabolic syndrome in obese children before and after 1-year lifestyle intervention program.

PURPOSE: Excess weight may be related to the development of adverse cardiometabolic risk factors in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a lifestyle intervention program (nutrition and exercise counseling) on anthropometric parameters and metabolic syndrome (MS) components in Portuguese overweight/obese children. METHODS: A total of 83 overweight/obese children aged 7-9 years were assigned to a 1-year individual or group-based treatment (GT); 61 children (z-score BMI (zBMI): 1.93 ± 0.28; 27 boys and 34 girls) completed the program. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were assessed at baseline, at 6 months and at 1 year. RESULTS: The overweight/obese children, compared to normal-weight ones, presented significantly higher blood pressure, total-cholesterol, total-cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) ratio, triglycerides, Apolipoprotein B and C-reactive protein levels, while HDL and Apolipoprotein A-I were significantly lower. At baseline, the prevalence of MS was 16.4% in overweight/obese and 0% in normal-weight children. The number of components of MS was significantly higher in children with higher zBMI. Lifestyle intervention led to a significant improvement in zBMI, waist circumference/height ratio, HDL, triglycerides, Apolipoprotein A-I, and Apolipoprotein B levels. The prevalence of MS decreased to 14.8%. The GT intervention seems to be more successful, with a significant decrease in zBMI and an increase in HDL and a lower drop-out rate. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight/obese children have multiple risk factors associated with the MS. Lifestyle intervention, both individual and group-based treatment, led to an improvement in the degree of overweight/obesity and in MS components.

Effects of glyphosate and 2,4-D on earthworms (Eisenia foetida) in laboratory tests.

Laboratory tests were conducted to compare the effects of various concentrations of glyphosate and 2,4-D on earthworms (Eisenia foetida) cultured in Argissol during 56 days of incubation. The effects on earthworm growth, survival, and reproduction rates were verified for different exposure times. Earthworms kept in glyphosate-treated soil were classified as alive in all evaluations, but showed gradual and significant reduction in mean weight (50%) at all test concentrations. For 2,4-D, 100% mortality was observed in soil treated with 500 and 1,000 mg/kg. At 14 days, 30%-40% mortality levels were observed in all other concentrations. No cocoons or juveniles were found in soil treated with either herbicide. Glyphosate and 2,4-D demonstrated severe effects on the development and reproduction of Eisenia foetida in laboratory tests in the range of test concentrations.