Distinct subsets of hypothalamic genes are modulated by two different thermogenesis-inducing stimuli.

Obesity results from an imbalance between food intake and energy expenditure, two vital functions that are tightly controlled by specialized neurons of the hypothalamus. The complex mechanisms that integrate these two functions are only beginning to be deciphered. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of two thermogenesis-inducing conditions, i.e., ingestion of a high-fat (HF) diet and exposure to cold environment, on the expression of 1,176 genes in the hypothalamus of Wistar rats. Hypothalamic gene expression was evaluated using a cDNA macroarray approach. mRNA and protein expressions were determined by reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and immunoblot. Cold exposure led to an increased expression of 43 genes and to a reduced expression of four genes. HF diet promoted an increased expression of 90 genes and a reduced expression of 78 genes. Only two genes (N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor 2B and guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding protein G-alpha-i1) were similarly affected by both thermogenesis-inducing conditions, undergoing an increment of expression. RT-PCR and immunoblot evaluations confirmed the modulation of NMDA receptor 2B and GTP-binding protein G-alpha-i1, only. This corresponds to 0.93% of all the responsive genes and 0.17% of the analyzed genes. These results indicate that distinct environmental thermogenic stimuli can modulate predominantly distinct profiles of genes reinforcing the complexity and multiplicity of the hypothalamic mechanisms that regulate energy conservation and expenditure.

Public awareness and attitudes toward epilepsy in different social segments in Brazil

Purpose: To assess public awareness and attitudes toward epilepsy in Brazilians of different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Background: Several studies have examined public awareness and attitudes toward epilepsy in various countries but there are no equivalent data for Brazil or South America. Material and Methods: We have applied the survery proposed by Caveness and Gallup, with some modifications and adaptations to four groups (I-IV) of subjects: I-105 individuals accompanying patients to the Ophthalmologic outpatient clinic of the Hospital das Clínicas of the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP); II-93 students recently admitted to medical and nursing school; III- 101 senior non-medical students; and IV- 69 senior medical students. Groups II, III, and IV were students at UNICAMP. Results: Individuals with a low socioeconomic standing had a poor profile of familiarity, knowledge and attitudes toward epilepsy. The pre-university and university students had a relatively good profile when compared to the published international polls. Senior medical students had an excellent level of familiarity and knowledge, but showed no change in their objection to having a son or a daughter marry an epileptic person. Conclusions: Our data suggest that there is a clear-cut relationship between the level of education and the individual's familiarity and atitudes toward epilepsy. Effective elimination of the prejudice toward epilepsy requires specific training and not just general, superficial information about the condition.

Associaçäo da pressäo arterial diastólica com o tempo acumulado de trabalho entre motoristas e cobradores / Diastolic blood pressure and its association with cumulative working time among urban bus workers

Pela técnica de regressäo linear múltipla, estudou-se a relaçäo existente entre pressäo arterial diastólica e as variáveis tempo total acumulado de trabalho como condutor de veículos coletivos urbanos e idade, em uma populaçäo de 839 motoristas e cobradores, usuários de um serviço de saúde ocupacional da cidade de Campinas, Estado de Säo Paulo (Brasil). Os principais resultados encontrados foram associaçäo positiva entre a pressäo arterial diastólica e o tempo acumulado de trabalho, bem como existência de uma interaçäo entre esta variável e a idade dos condutores

Ocupaçäo e hipertensäo / Work and high blood pressure

Com base em revisäo bibliográfica, discute-se a literatura produzida nas décadas de 70 e 80, no campo da epidemiologia da hipertensäo arterial sistêmica entre trabalhadores. Analisa-se näo apenas o ponto de vista de conhecimento gerado, mas também os aspectos relacionados ao instrumental teórico-metodológico empregado

Valores hematológicos em um grupo de trabalhadores de Cubatäo / Hematologic values in a workers group of Cubatäo, Brazil

Foi feita uma análise dos exames hematológicos dos trabalhadores da Usina de Cubatäo (COSIPA) e encontrado alteraçöes nos leucócitos (7,6% abaixo de 4.000 por mm3) e neutrófilos (12,1% abaixo de 2.000 por mm3). Näo se verificou ateraçäo significativa nas séries eritrocitária e plaquetária. Foram observados casos de leucopenia e neutropenia em exames pré-admissionais. Concluimos que é necessário uma análise das alteraçöes hematológicas em conjunto com as condiçöes ambientais para se caracterizar uma doença ocupacional

Avaliaçäo do controle da hipertensäo arterial leve e moderada realizada por profissionais de saúde näo-médicos / Evaluation of the control of mild and moderate arterial hypertension by non-medical health professionals

Cem pacientes portadores de hipertensäo arterial essencial benigna foram divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos e acompanhados durante seis meses: 50 pacientes foram tratados por enfermeiras e assistentes sociais (GPM) e 50 pacientes foram tratados por médicos de maneira convencional (GM). No GM a média inicial de pressäo arterial (PA) era de 152,9 x 98,3 mm Hg e 146,8 x 98,1 mm Hg seis meses após. No GPM a média inicial da PA era 141,7 x 99,5 mm Hg e seis meses após 127,6 x 87,6 mm Hg. A reduçäo de 19,2 mm Hg para a pressäo arterial sistólica (PAS) e de 10,5 mm Hg para a pressäo arterial diastólica (PAD) maior no GPM que no GM säo estatisticamente significantes (p<0,001). Nove pacientes (18% do GPM) abandonaram o tratamento contra 19 (38%) de abandono do GM (esta diferença é também estatisticamente significante (p<0,045). O custo médio de cada paciente foi 41,19% menor no GPM que no GM. O GPM mostrou-se mais eficaz com menor índice de abandono e com menor custo que o GM o que nos permite concluir que estes auxiliares de saúde têm importante papel no controle primário da hipertensäo arterial (HA)