Two women with cerebral venous thrombosis: oral contraceptives?

Two cases of cerebral venous thrombosis are reported. Patients were apparently healthy 39 and 28-year old females with non-specific presenting features. Image findings were characteristic of cerebral sinus thrombosis. The younger patient received progesterone to treat placental abruption eight years previously; she had cerebral venous thrombosis while using oral contraception. Both patients had used contraceptive pills for a long time. Oral hormonal contraceptives may increase the risk of vascular events, even in people without personal or family history of venous thrombosis. Modern imaging methods have contributed to early diagnosis, but the possibility of under diagnosis still persists. This report aims to increase the awareness of health-workers about cerebral venous thrombosis in women, an entity often misdiagnosed, under diagnosed and under-reported.

Iliopsoas abscess and spondylodiscitis by Staphylococcus aureus: successful clinical treatment.

Although pyogenic abscess of the iliopsoas muscle is considered an uncommon condition, its incidence is on the increase. This abscess may be primary if it occurs without a causal factor; more frequently, it is secondary to gastrointestinal or genitourinary affections, or trauma. The main aetiological agents differ among primary (Staphylococcus aureus) and secondary (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp, Streptococcus spp, Bacteroides spp) abscess. We report the case of a 64-year-old man with iliopsoas abscess by S. aureus associated with spondylodiscitis in lumbar vertebrae (L4-L5). Our aim is to emphasize the successful treatment with exclusive intravenous antimicrobials, and highlight the role of control through imaging studies and laboratory tests.

Consumption of fruits and vegetables and C-reactive protein in women undergoing cosmetic surgery.

UNLABELLED: Low-grade inflammation adversely influences metabolism and cardiovascular prognosis, nevertheless increased intake of fruits and vegetables has rarely been studied in this context. OBJECTIVE: In a prospective controlled study, the effect on C-reactive protein (CRP) levels was assessed. METHODOLOGY: Sixty consecutive women undergoing cosmetic abdominal surgery were instructed to consume six servings each of fruits and vegetables during the first postoperative month. Detailed 24 h interviewer-administered dietary recall was conducted at baseline and at the end of the study, with weekly returns to monitor unscheduled dietary changes and compliance with the protocol. Variance (ANOVA) and covariance (ANCOVA) were evaluated to confirm significance and minimize confounding variables. RESULTS: No differences concerning age (42.2±5.3 vs 41.1±6.0 years) or BMI (25.5±3.1 vs 25.0±3.0 kg/m²) occurred. Ingestion of fruits increased to approximately 5.2 vs 3.9 and of vegetables 5.9 vs 3.4 servings/ day, respectively. CRP decreased more conspicuously in the treated group (P=0.028), and correlation between vitamin C input and CRP in supplemented participants was demonstrated (P=0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Higher intake of antioxidant foods was feasible, and an antiinflammatory effect occurred. Further studies with longer administration and follow-up period are recommended.

Desempenho e composição dos filés de jundiás (Rhamdia quelen) submetidos a diferentes dietas na fase de recria / Performance and fillet composition of jundiá (Rhamdia quelen) submitted to different diets in the rearing

Avaliaram-se o crescimento e a composição dos filés de juvenis de jundiá após 90 dias de alimentação com dietas contendo diferentes fontes protéicas. Foram utilizados 540 peixes, peso inicial=15,0±0,62g; comprimento inicial=11,98±0,35cm, distribuídos ao acaso em 18 tanques (30 peixes/tanque) com sistema de recirculação de água. Foram testadas seis dietas: 1 - farinha de carne e ossos + levedura (CL), 2 - farelo de soja + levedura (SL), 3 - farelo de soja (S), 4 - farinha de carne e ossos + farelo de soja (CS), 5 - farinha de peixe + levedura (PL) e 6 - farinha de peixe + farelo de soja (PS). Avaliaram-se: peso, comprimento total, taxa de crescimento específico, fator de condição, sobrevivência, conversão alimentar aparente, taxa de eficiência protéica e consumo diário. Também foram analisadas as composições do filé - umidade, proteína, lipídios, cinzas -, as taxas de deposição de proteína e gordura, além dos rendimentos de filé e carcaça. Maiores pesos, 111,5 e 108,6g, comprimento total, 22,6 e 21,6cm, e taxa de crescimento específico, 2,1 e 2,2 por cento/dia, foram observados nos peixes alimentados com as dietas CS e PS. Os peixes alimentados com CS e PS também apresentaram maior deposição de proteína, 69,8 e 71,5mg/dia, e lipídios, 77,2 e 78,3mg/dia. A sobrevivência foi menor na dieta PS, 92,9 por cento. Os maiores rendimentos de carcaça foram observados nos peixes alimentados com PS e PL, 82,9 e 82,7 por cento, e o menor rendimento de filé ocorreu na dieta CL, 34,1 por cento.

The growth and fillet composition of jundiá juveniles after 90 days being fed with diets containing different protein sources were evaluated. Five hundred and forty fish (initial weight: 15.00±0.62g; initial length: 11.98±0.35cm) were randomly distributed in 18 tanks (30 fish/tank), in a water re-use system. Six diets were tested: 1- meat and bone meal + yeast (CL), 2- soybean meal + yeast (SL), 3- soybean meal (S), 4- meat and bone meal + soybean meal (CS), 5- fish meal + yeast (PL,) and 6- fish meal + soybean meal (PS). The following parameters were evaluated: weight, total length, specific growth rate, condition factor, survival, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, and daily consumption. Fillet composition (moisture, protein, lipid, and ash), protein and lipid depositions ratios, carcass and fillet yields were also determined. The highest values of weight (111.5 and 108.6g), total length (22.6 and 21.6cm), and specific growth rate (2.1 and 2.2 percent/day), were observed in fish fed CS and PS diets. Fish fed CS and PS diets also showed the highest protein (69.8 and 71.5mg/day), and lipid depositions (77.2 and 78.3mg/day). Survival was smaller in fish fed diet PS (92.86 percent). The highest values of carcass yield were observed in fish fed PL and PS diets (82.9 and 82.7 percent), and the lower fillet yield was observed in CL diet (34.1 percent).

Identity by descent and candidate gene mapping of Richieri-Costa and Pereira syndrome.

The Richieri-Costa-Pereira syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by short stature, Robin sequence, cleft mandible, pre/postaxial anomalies and clubfoot. Of 15 families reported with this disorder 14 are from Brazil suggesting a founder effect. We studied 15 families using identity-by-descent as a hypothesis to attempt gene localization We have examined through linkage analysis 497 polymorphic-markers and also performed direct sequencing of exons for 10 candidate genes selected on the basis of their expression in the developing mandible and limb. No evidence for allele sharing at any locus tested or mutations in candidate genes was found. Additional higher resolution mapping, new families and other candidate genes might improve future chances of gene identification.

[Using System DIA software for the detection and automatic correction of errors in the data compiled using the basic questionnaire from the 1991 population census]. / Uso do Sistema DIA para a deteccao e correcao automatica de erros nos dados do questionario basico do censo demografico de 1991.

PIP: "This paper deals with aspects of the application of the generalized data editing and imputation software named DIA to the 1991 Population Census [of Brazil] Basic Questionnaire. This software, developed by the Spanish National Statistical Institute, handles editing and imputation of categorical data in one processing cycle and provides comprehensive information to control and assess the automatic correction process. The analysis reveals the data quality and efficiency of the software adopted, which ensures data consistency while preserving basic distribution properties." (EXCERPT)^ieng