Plasma IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5 levels are decreased during acute manic episodes in bipolar disorder patients.

Introduction: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a recurrent and disabling psychiatric disorder related to low-grade peripheral inflammation and altered levels of the members of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) family. The aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma levels of IGF-2, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1), IGFBP-3, IGFBP-5, IGFBP-7, and inflammatory markers such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), and macrophage inflammatory protein 1ß (MIP-1ß). Methods: We used the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) to determine the severity of the symptomatology, while proteins were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We included 20 patients with BD who suffered a manic episode and 20 controls. Some BD patients (n = 10) were evaluated after a period (17 ± 8 days) of pharmacological treatment. Results: No statistical difference was found in IGF-2, IGFBP-1, IGFBP-7, TNF-α, and MIP-1ß levels. However, IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5 levels were found to be statistically decreased in BD patients. Conversely, the MCP-1 level was significantly increased in BD patients, but their levels were normalized after treatment. Intriguingly, only IGFBP-1 levels were significantly decreased after treatment. No significant correlation was found between the YMRS and any of the proteins studied either before or after treatment or between IGF proteins and inflammatory markers. Discussion: To some extent, IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5 might be further explored as potential indicators of treatment responsiveness or diagnosis biomarkers in BD.

Ergot Alkaloids at Doses Close to EU Regulatory Limits Induce Alterations of the Liver and Intestine.

An increase in the occurrence of ergot alkaloids (EAs) contamination has been observed in North America and Europe in recent years. These toxins are well known for their effects on the circulatory and nervous systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of EAs on the liver and on the intestine using the pig both as a target species and as a non-rodent model for human. Three groups of 24 weaned piglets were exposed for 28 days to control feed or feed contaminated with 1.2 or 2.5 g of sclerotia/kg, i.e., at doses close to EU regulatory limits. Contaminated diets significantly reduced feed intake and consequently growth performance. In the liver, alteration of the tissue, including development of inflammatory infiltrates, vacuolization, apoptosis and necrosis of hepatocytes as well as presence of enlarged hepatocytes (megalocytes) were observed. In the jejunum, EAs reduced villi height and increased damage to the epithelium, reduced the number of mucus-producing cells and upregulated mRNA coding for different tight junction proteins such as claudins 3 and 4. In conclusion, in term of animal health, our data indicate that feed contaminated at the regulatory limits induces lesions in liver and intestine suggesting that this limit should be lowered for pigs. In term of human health, we establish a lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) of 100 μg/kg body weight (bw) per day, lower than the benchmark dose limit (BMDL) retained by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to set the tolerable daily intake, suggesting also that regulatory limit should be revised.

Semiquantitative Dot Blot with the GRA8 antigen to differentiate the stages of toxoplasmosis infection.

In this work we present a novel methodology to differentiate the phases of toxoplasmosis infection: the "semiquantitative Dot Blot". It is a simple technique that does not require expensive equipment, does not involve a long technique development, and can be used in a low-complexity laboratory. In this study, two recombinant sequences of Toxoplasma gondii GRA8 antigen were used, and specific IgG antibodies were detected in selected patient samples. This method makes it possible to obtain a score for each serum and define whether the patient is in the acute or chronic phase of the infection. The sensitivity and specificity results varied depending on the antigenic sequence used. With GRA8A, 62.1% and 72.7% were obtained, while with GRA8B, 82.8% and 72.1% were obtained, respectively. Although the sensitivity and specificity values were not close to 100%, they were similar to those reported with the same antigens in ELISA. Therefore, this quantitative technique would be a good alternative to ELISA.

Antigens to detect the acute phase of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women: standardized comparison.

A key element in any diagnostic technique is the antigen (Ag), a biomarker, but this is usually a protein that has a function to the parasite. Some biological aspects of the Ags and of the Toxoplasma gondii can influence the effectiveness of the diagnosis, as well as the antibody isotype and the characteristics of the assay. A large number of papers have assessed different proteins to distinguish the phases of infection, but the 'indices of effectiveness' differ among reports. This work presents for the first time a summary of all the Ags that have been evaluated, with standardized measurements of sensitivity and specificity. These values were calculated with information presented in the papers on Ag evaluations to differentiate the infection phases.

Control lipídico y eventos cardíacos durante un seguimiento de cinco años / Lipid control and cardiac events in a five-year follow-up study

Introducción: el beneficio de un estricto control lipídico ha sido puesto en evidencia tanto en estudios de prevención primaria como secundaria. Objetivo: determinar si existe asociación entre el control lipídico y la ausencia de eventos coronarios adversos durante cinco años. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional prospectivo con 424 pacientes atendidos en la consulta de Dislipidemias del Instituto de Cardiología y Cirugía Cardiovascular. A todos se les realizaron Lipidogramas y según la categoría de riesgo, se determinó si lograron un control o no de sus cifras lipídicas durante el seguimiento. Se calculó el Odds Ratio para la determinación de riesgo por regresión logística y para la supervivencia libre de eventos la prueba de Kaplan-Meier determinándose la diferencia entre grupos por el Test de Cox-Mantel. Resultados: existió asociación entre el control lipídico y la ausencia de eventos coronarios durante el seguimiento (p = 0,02). La necesidad de revascularización miocárdica fue más frecuente en el grupo de pacientes no controlados (p = 0,03). No existió asociación entre cada uno de los valores de las variables lipídicas con el riesgo para eventos adversos. Solo el antecedente de cardiopatía isquémica mostró relación con la incidencia de eventos coronarios. Conclusiones: aunque durante el seguimiento existió relación entre el control de las cifras lipídicas y ausencia de eventos coronarios no se observó asociación entre los valores de cada una de las lipoproteínas y la aparición de eventos coronarios adversos(AU)

Introduction: The benefits of strict lipid control have become evident in primary and secondary prevention studies. Objective: Determine whether there is an association between lipid control and the absence of adverse coronary events in a five-year period. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted with 424 patients cared for at the Dyslipidemia Service of the Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Institute. All patients underwent lipidograms, and the risk category was used as a basis to determine whether they had managed to control their lipid levels during follow-up. Odds ratios were estimated to determine risk by logistic regression, whereas the Kaplan-Meier test was used for event-free survival. The difference between the groups was determined with the Cox-Mantel test. Results: An association was found between lipid control and the absence of coronary events during follow-up (p = 0.02). The need for myocardial revascularization was more common in the non-control group (p = 0.03). No association was found between the values for each lipid variable and the risk for adverse events. A history of ischemic heart disease was the only factor that showed a relationship to the incidence of coronary events. Conclusions: Despite the fact that during follow-up there was a relationship between control of lipid levels and the absence of coronary events, no association was observed between the values for each lipoprotein and the occurrence of adverse coronary events.(AU)

Control lipídico y eventos cardíacos durante un seguimiento de cinco años / Lipid control and cardiac events in a five-year follow-up study

INTRODUCCIÓN: el beneficio de un estricto control lipídico ha sido puesto en evidencia tanto en estudios de prevención primaria como secundaria. OBJETIVO: determinar si existe asociación entre el control lipídico y la ausencia de eventos coronarios adversos durante cinco años. MÉTODOS: se realizó un estudio observacional prospectivo con 424 pacientes atendidos en la consulta de Dislipidemias del Instituto de Cardiología y Cirugía Cardiovascular. A todos se les realizaron Lipidogramas y según la categoría de riesgo, se determinó si lograron un control o no de sus cifras lipídicas durante el seguimiento. Se calculó el Odds Ratio para la determinación de riesgo por regresión logística y para la supervivencia libre de eventos la prueba de Kaplan-Meier determinándose la diferencia entre grupos por el Test de Cox-Mantel. RESULTADOS: existió asociación entre el control lipídico y la ausencia de eventos coronarios durante el seguimiento (p = 0,02). La necesidad de revascularización miocárdica fue más frecuente en el grupo de pacientes no controlados (p = 0,03). No existió asociación entre cada uno de los valores de las variables lipídicas con el riesgo para eventos adversos. Solo el antecedente de cardiopatía isquémica mostró relación con la incidencia de eventos coronarios. CONCLUSIONES: aunque durante el seguimiento existió relación entre el control de las cifras lipídicas y ausencia de eventos coronarios no se observó asociación entre los valores de cada una de las lipoproteínas y la aparición de eventos coronarios adversos.

INTRODUCTION: The benefits of strict lipid control have become evident in primary and secondary prevention studies. OBJECTIVE: Determine whether there is an association between lipid control and the absence of adverse coronary events in a five-year period. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted with 424 patients cared for at the Dyslipidemia Service of the Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Institute. All patients underwent lipidograms, and the risk category was used as a basis to determine whether they had managed to control their lipid levels during follow-up. Odds ratios were estimated to determine risk by logistic regression, whereas the Kaplan-Meier test was used for event-free survival. The difference between the groups was determined with the Cox-Mantel test. RESULTS: An association was found between lipid control and the absence of coronary events during follow-up (p = 0.02). The need for myocardial revascularization was more common in the non-control group (p = 0.03). No association was found between the values for each lipid variable and the risk for adverse events. A history of ischemic heart disease was the only factor that showed a relationship to the incidence of coronary events. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that during follow-up there was a relationship between control of lipid levels and the absence of coronary events, no association was observed between the values for each lipoprotein and the occurrence of adverse coronary events.

The mycotoxins deoxynivalenol and nivalenol show in vivo synergism on jejunum enterocytes apoptosis.

The mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV), worldwide cereal contaminants, raise concerns for human and animal gut health, following exposure through contaminated food and feed. The aim of this work was to analyze the effects of DON and NIV, alone or associated, on the intestinal pig mucosa. Jejunal loops were used for testing DON and NIV individually and in combination (1:1) after a single exposure, for 24 h. For repeated exposure, piglets received a natural contaminated feed, with DON or with DON + NIV for 28 days. Histological investigations, proliferation and apoptosis assessments were conducted. Both experiments were concordant for the total-cell proliferation decreased at the villus tips after DON or DON + NIV at 10 µM acutely, or repeatedly, by 30-35% and 20-25%, respectively. In loops model, apoptotic enterocytes at villus tips increased dose-dependently after DON, NIV alone or DON + NIV in combination. The combination in loops at 10 µM showed higher effects on proliferation and apoptosis than DON alone, and synergism was shown for villus apoptotic enterocyte. These results are to be considered for NIV consumer risk assessment. Our results demonstrate the in vivo disruption of the intestinal balance proliferation/apoptosis explaining, at least partly, the disruption of intestinal barrier by these mycotoxins.

Development and Diagnostic Accuracy of a Breath Test for Pancreatic Exocrine Insufficiency in Chronic Pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a ¹³C-labeled substrate breath test by defining the optimal ¹³C-labeled substrate, substrate dose, test meal, and duration of the test and evaluating its accuracy for the diagnosis of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) in chronic pancreatitis (CP). METHODS: Five consecutive prospective comparative studies in patients with known advanced CP and healthy controls were performed to develop the optimal breath test. Coefficient of fat absorption was used as the reference method. The diagnostic accuracy of the optimized breath test was prospectively further evaluated in patients with advanced CP using coefficient of fat absorption as the reference method. RESULTS: The optimal breath test protocol was that using 250 mg of ¹³C-mixed triglyceride as substrate together with a test meal containing 16 g of fat. Coefficient of fat absorption and breath test results correlated significantly (r = 0.736, P < 0.001). The test has sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy of 92.9%, 91.7%, and 92.3%, respectively, for the diagnosis of PEI. CONCLUSIONS: The optimized ¹³C-mixed triglyceride breath test is an accurate and simple breath test for the diagnosis of PEI in patients with CP, easily applicable to the clinical routine.

Physiological responses of spring rapeseed (Brassica napus) to red/far-red ratios and irradiance during pre- and post-flowering stages.

Early shade signals promote the shade avoidance syndrome (SAS) which causes, among others, petiole and shoot elongation and upward leaf position. In spite of its relevance, these photomorphogenic responses have not been deeply studied in rapeseed (Brassica napus). In contrast to other crops like maize and wheat, rapeseed has a complex developmental phenotypic pattern as it evolves from an initial rosette to the main stem elongation and an indeterminate growth of floral raceme. In this work, we analyzed (1) morphological and physiological responses at individual level due to low red/far-red (R/FR) ratio during plant development, and (2) changes in biomass allocation, grain yield and composition at crop level in response to high R/FR ratio and low irradiance in two modern spring rapeseed genotypes. We carried out pot and field experiments modifying R/FR ratios and irradiance at vegetative or reproductive stages. In pot experiments, low R/FR ratio increased the petiole and lamina length, upward leaf position and also accelerated leaf senescence. Furthermore, low R/FR ratio reduced main floral raceme and increased floral branching with higher remobilization of soluble carbohydrates from the stems. In field experiments, low irradiance during post-flowering reduced grain yield, harvest index and grain oil content, and high R/FR ratio reaching the crop partially alleviated such effects. We conclude that photomorphogenic signals are integrated early during the vegetative growth, and irradiance has stronger effects than R/FR signals at rapeseed crop level.

Entre o moderno e o rústico: a territorialização da medicina preventiva no médio Rio Doce / Between the modern and the rustic: the territorialization of preventive medicine in the middle Doce River

Na historiografia recente sobre o médio rio Doce reconhece-se a ação do Serviço Especial de Saúde Pública como impulsionadora do desenvolvimento regional entre 1940 e 1950. Não se aprofundam, contudo, atividade e métodos utilizados. Verificar a concepção de saúde e de desenvolvimento subjacente a suas práticas e as condições de sua manutenção é fundamental para avaliar o papel exercido pelo serviço. Sua contribuição deve ser considerada na relação estabelecida com a população, para a qual suas ações trouxeram desenvolvimento, embora tenham alterado práticas de saúde, costumes e valores culturais, reorganizado o espaço, interferindo nas temporalidades estabelecidas e redefinindo as territorialidades exercidas.

Recent historiography on the middle Doce River recognizes the work of Brazil's Special Public Health Service as one of the factors of regional development from 1940 to 1950, but there has been no deeper exploration of the activities and methods used by the service. An evaluation is essential to identify the concept of health and development that underpinned its practices and its conditions for sustainability. The service's contribution must be framed within its established relation with the population, who benefited from the developmental changes achieved by the agency, although it changes health practices, customs, and cultural values and re-organized space, interfering with established temporalities and redefining prevailing territorialities.

Revascularización coronaria incompleta y eventos cardíacos posteriores a intervencionismo coronario percutáneo / Incomplete coronary revascularization and cardiac events following percutaneous coronary intervention

No hay datos concluyentes para evaluar la ventaja de la revascularización coronaria completa en el intervencionismo coronario percutáneo. Objetivo general: determinar si la revascularización incompleta se asocia con la incidencia de eventos cardíacos posteriores al intervencionismo coronario percutáneo. Métodos: se realizó una investigación observacional prospectiva con 192 pacientes con enfermedad coronaria multivaso, sin antecedentes de revascularización coronaria, tratados mediante intervencionismo coronario percutáneo con implantes de stents en el Instituto de Cardiología desde el 1 de enero del 2003 hasta el 31 de diciembre del 2005. Análisis estadístico: para determinar la asociación de la revascularización incompleta con eventos cardíacos se calculó el riesgo relativo. Resultados: al analizar la asociación de la revascularización incompleta con los eventos clínicos y los procederes cardíacos posteriores al intervencionismo coronario percutáneo, no se obtuvo relación alguna. Conclusiones: la revascularización coronaria incompleta no se asocia con mayor incidencia de eventos cardíacos posteriores a un intervencionismo coronario percutáneo con implantes de stents convencionales(AU)

No conclusive data are available to evaluate the advantages of complete coronary revascularization in percutaneous coronary intervention. General objective: Determine whether incomplete revascularization is associated with the incidence of cardiac events following percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted with 192 patients with multivessel coronary disease and no history of coronary revascularization, treated by percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation at the Institute of Cardiology from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2005. Statistical analysis: Relative risk was estimated to determine the association of incomplete revascularization with cardiac events. Results: On analyzing the association of incomplete revascularization with clinical events and cardiac procedures following percutaneous coronary intervention, no relation was obtained. Conclusions: Incomplete coronary revascularization is not associated with a higher incidence of cardiac events following percutaneous coronary intervention with conventional stent implantation(AU)

Revascularización coronaria incompleta y eventos cardíacos posteriores a intervencionismo coronario percutáneo / Incomplete coronary revascularization and cardiac events following percutaneous coronary intervention

No hay datos concluyentes para evaluar la ventaja de la revascularización coronaria completa en el intervencionismo coronario percutáneo. Objetivo general: determinar si la revascularización incompleta se asocia con la incidencia de eventos cardíacos posteriores al intervencionismo coronario percutáneo. Métodos: se realizó una investigación observacional prospectiva con 192 pacientes con enfermedad coronaria multivaso, sin antecedentes de revascularización coronaria, tratados mediante intervencionismo coronario percutáneo con implantes de stents en el Instituto de Cardiología desde el 1 de enero del 2003 hasta el 31 de diciembre del 2005. Análisis estadístico: para determinar la asociación de la revascularización incompleta con eventos cardíacos se calculó el riesgo relativo. Resultados: al analizar la asociación de la revascularización incompleta con los eventos clínicos y los procederes cardíacos posteriores al intervencionismo coronario percutáneo, no se obtuvo relación alguna. Conclusiones: la revascularización coronaria incompleta no se asocia con mayor incidencia de eventos cardíacos posteriores a un intervencionismo coronario percutáneo con implantes de stents convencionales

No conclusive data are available to evaluate the advantages of complete coronary revascularization in percutaneous coronary intervention. General objective: Determine whether incomplete revascularization is associated with the incidence of cardiac events following percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted with 192 patients with multivessel coronary disease and no history of coronary revascularization, treated by percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation at the Institute of Cardiology from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2005. Statistical analysis: Relative risk was estimated to determine the association of incomplete revascularization with cardiac events. Results: On analyzing the association of incomplete revascularization with clinical events and cardiac procedures following percutaneous coronary intervention, no relation was obtained. Conclusions: Incomplete coronary revascularization is not associated with a higher incidence of cardiac events following percutaneous coronary intervention with conventional stent implantation

Trombo auricular derecho con riesgo embólico durante infarto agudo de miocardio / Right auricular thrombus with embolic risk during myocardial acute infarction

Un trombo móvil en la aurícula derecha implica un riesgo elevado de embolismo pulmonar y la presencia del mismo en un paciente con fibrilación auricular en el curso de un infarto agudo de miocardio, es infrecuente. Se presentó una paciente con infarto agudo de miocardio, fibrilación auricular y trombo móvil en aurícula derecha con riesgo embólico pulmonar, que desapareció luego de tratamiento antiagregante plaquetario y anticoagulante(AU)

A mobile thrombus into the right auricle leads to a high risk of pulmonary embolism and its presence in a patient with auricular fibrillation during a acute myocardial infarction is uncommon. This is the case of a female patient presenting with acute myocardial infarction, auricular fibrillation and a mobile thrombus in right auricle with risk of pulmonary embolism, which disappeared after platelet, anticoagulant and anti-aggregating treatment(AU)

Trombo auricular derecho con riesgo embólico durante infarto agudo de miocardio / Right auricular thrombus with embolic risk during myocardial acute infarction

Un trombo móvil en la aurícula derecha implica un riesgo elevado de embolismo pulmonar y la presencia del mismo en un paciente con fibrilación auricular en el curso de un infarto agudo de miocardio, es infrecuente. Se presentó una paciente con infarto agudo de miocardio, fibrilación auricular y trombo móvil en aurícula derecha con riesgo embólico pulmonar, que desapareció luego de tratamiento antiagregante plaquetario y anticoagulante...

A mobile thrombus into the right auricle leads to a high risk of pulmonary embolism and its presence in a patient with auricular fibrillation during a acute myocardial infarction is uncommon. This is the case of a female patient presenting with acute myocardial infarction, auricular fibrillation and a mobile thrombus in right auricle with risk of pulmonary embolism, which disappeared after platelet, anticoagulant and anti-aggregating treatment...

[Between the modern and the rustic: the territorialization of preventive medicine in the middle Doce River]. / Entre o moderno e o rústico: a territorialização da medicina preventiva no médio Rio Doce.

Recent historiography on the middle Doce River recognizes the work of Brazil's Special Public Health Service as one of the factors of regional development from 1940 to 1950, but there has been no deeper exploration of the activities and methods used by the service. An evaluation is essential to identify the concept of health and development that underpinned its practices and its conditions for sustainability. The service's contribution must be framed within its established relation with the population, who benefited from the developmental changes achieved by the agency, although it changes health practices, customs, and cultural values and re-organized space, interfering with established temporalities and redefining prevailing territorialities.

Prevalencia del síndrome metabólico en pacientes dislipidémicos con antecedentes de revascularización miocárdica / Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in dyslipidemia patients with a history of myocardial revascularization

Introducción: El síndrome metabólico se caracteriza por la convergencia de varios factores de riesgo en un mismo individuo. Ha sido objeto de interés en los últimos años debido a su alta prevalencia tanto en poblaciones sanas como en aquellas con antecedentes de afecciones cardiovasculares. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia del síndrome metabólico en pacientes dislipidémicos con revascularización miocárdica. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo que incluyó a 100 pacientes dislipidémicos revascularizados. Se utilizó el criterio diagnóstico establecido por la OMS para la clasificación de los pacientes. Resultados: El 43 por ciento de la población presentó síndrome metabólico, cuya presencia estuvo en relación inversa con la edad. La prevalencia de sus componentes fue mayor en el sexo masculino. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de SM obtenida es alta lo que coincide con estudios internacionales de prevención secundaria(AU)

Introduction: The metabolic syndrome is characterized by the convergence of some risk factors in the same subject which has been the object of interest in past years due to its high prevalence in healthy populations and in those with a history of cardiovascular affections. Objective: To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in dyslipidemia patients with myocardial revascularization. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted including 100 dyslipidemia patients and with revascularization. Authors used the diagnostic criterion established by WHO for the classification of patients. Results: The 43 percent of population had metabolic syndrome whose presence was in an inverse relation to age. The prevalence of its components was greater in male sex. Conclusions: The obtained prevalence of the MS is high coinciding with international studies on secondary prevention(AU)

Prevalencia del síndrome metabólico en pacientes dislipidémicos con antecedentes de revascularización miocárdica / Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in dyslipidemia patients with a history of myocardial revascularization

Introducción: El síndrome metabólico se caracteriza por la convergencia de varios factores de riesgo en un mismo individuo. Ha sido objeto de interés en los últimos años debido a su alta prevalencia tanto en poblaciones sanas como en aquellas con antecedentes de afecciones cardiovasculares. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia del síndrome metabólico en pacientes dislipidémicos con revascularización miocárdica. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo que incluyó a 100 pacientes dislipidémicos revascularizados. Se utilizó el criterio diagnóstico establecido por la OMS para la clasificación de los pacientes. Resultados: El 43 por ciento de la población presentó síndrome metabólico, cuya presencia estuvo en relación inversa con la edad. La prevalencia de sus componentes fue mayor en el sexo masculino. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de SM obtenida es alta lo que coincide con estudios internacionales de prevención secundaria

Introduction: The metabolic syndrome is characterized by the convergence of some risk factors in the same subject which has been the object of interest in past years due to its high prevalence in healthy populations and in those with a history of cardiovascular affections. Objective: To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in dyslipidemia patients with myocardial revascularization. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted including 100 dyslipidemia patients and with revascularization. Authors used the diagnostic criterion established by WHO for the classification of patients. Results: The 43 percent of population had metabolic syndrome whose presence was in an inverse relation to age. The prevalence of its components was greater in male sex. Conclusions: The obtained prevalence of the MS is high coinciding with international studies on secondary prevention

Evaluation of different RNA-extraction kits for sensitive detection of hepatitis A virus in strawberry samples.

The efficiency of different commercial RNA extraction kits for the detection of hepatitis A virus (HAV) from seeded strawberry samples was assessed by standard RT-PCR and real time RT-PCR (RT-qPCR). The best results with standard RT-PCR were achieved with Aurum™ Total RNA extraction kit (BioRad), obtaining a detection limit of 5-6.25 pfu/mg of tissue. A slightly lower sensitivity was rendered by the RNeasy® Plant mini kit (Qiagen) (10-12.5 pfu/mg tissue), while the Total Quick RNA Cells and Tissues kit version mini (Talent) rendered a detection limit of 50-100 pfu/mg of tissue. The other tested commercial kits showed worse detection limits (>500 pfu/mg). With RT-qPCR and ten fold diluted RNA all the kits showed an increase of sensitivity, detecting the kits from Qiagen, Talent and BioRad down to 0.05 pfu/mg of strawberry homogenate. These findings indicate that the use of Aurum™ Total RNA extraction kit, with standard RT-PCR technique or RT-qPCR, can not only be labor and time saving but also helpful to improve the sensitivity for the HAV detection from fruits and to facilitate the standardization of detection methods among laboratories.

[Influenza-vaccinated and non-vaccinated elderly: reported morbidity and sociodemographic aspects, Porto Alegre (RS, Brazil), 2004]. / Idosos vacinados e não vacinados contra a influenza: morbidade relatada e aspectos sociodemográficos, Porto Alegre (RS, Brasil), 2004.

This descriptive transversal epidemiological study had the objective of comparing the elderly population who took the influenza vaccine and who did not regarding the occurrence of events of diseases or hospital admittances within three months after the vaccination. It was not possible to work with probable sampling and the attempt of pairing the vaccinated and non-vaccinated elderly was not successful due to the high vaccine coverage observed (73% of the target population) and due to the short time available to make the interviews. The result of the descriptive analysis of the 1,130 elderly interviewed was quite interesting even not being possible to infer it regarding the universe of the elderly population from Porto Alegre. We found a higher proportion of vaccinated people in the age group of 70 to 79 years old (42%), and a prevalence of non-vaccinated among the age group of 60 to 64 years old (40%). The vaccinated elderly were mostly older; female, who have private health care insurance; with higher income; that perform physical activities and non-smokers. The non-vaccinated were mostly men; younger; with lower income; that do not perform physical exercises; and smoke. A lower percentage of pneumonias reports and hospital admittances was observed among the vaccinated in comparison to the non-vaccinated people.

Idosos vacinados e não vacinados contra a influenza: morbidade relatada e aspectos sociodemográficos, Porto Alegre (RS, Brasil), 2004 / Influenza-vaccinated and non-vaccinated elderly: reported morbidity and sociodemographic aspects, Porto Alegre (RS, Brazil), 2004

Aproveitando o evento da campanha nacional de vacinação de idosos contra o vírus influenza em 2004, realizou-se um estudo epidemiológico transversal descritivo com objetivo de comparar populações de idosos vacinadas e não vacinadas em relação à ocorrência de situações de doença ou internações hospitalares dentro do período de três meses após a vacinação. Não foi possível trabalhar com amostragem probabilística, e a tentativa de pareamento de idosos vacinados e não vacinados não teve sucesso devido à elevada cobertura vacinal observada (73 por cento da população-alvo) e ao curto espaço de tempo para obter as entrevistas. O resultado da análise descritiva dos 1.130 idosos entrevistados foi muito interessante, mesmo não sendo possível inferir para o universo de idosos de Porto Alegre. Encontrou-se maior proporção na população vacinada de pessoas na faixa etária de 70 a 79 anos (42 por cento) e na população não vacinada na faixa de 60 a 64 anos (40 por cento). Os idosos vacinados são na maioria mais velhos; mulheres; têm plano de saúde; declaram renda mais elevada; realizam atividades físicas e não são fumantes. Os idosos não vacinados são na maioria homens; mais jovens; com menor renda; não realizam atividades físicas e são fumantes. Observou-se percentual menor de relato de pneumonias e internações hospitalares entre os vacinados em relação aos não vacinados.

This descriptive transversal epidemiological study had the objective of comparing the elderly population who took the influenza vaccine and who did not regarding the occurrence of events of diseases or hospital admittances within three months after the vaccination. It was not possible to work with probable sampling and the attempt of pairing the vaccinated and non-vaccinated elderly was not successful due to the high vaccine coverage observed (73 percent of the target population) and due to the short time available to make the interviews. The result of the descriptive analysis of the 1,130 elderly interviewed was quite interesting even not being possible to infer it regarding the universe of the elderly population from Porto Alegre. We found a higher proportion of vaccinated people in the age group of 70 to 79 years old (42 percent), and a prevalence of non-vaccinated among the age group of 60 to 64 years old (40 percent). The vaccinated elderly were mostly older; female, who have private health care insurance; with higher income; that perform physical activities and non-smokers. The non-vaccinated were mostly men; younger; with lower income; that do not perform physical exercises; and smoke. A lower percentage of pneumonias reports and hospital admittances was observed among the vaccinated in comparison to the non-vaccinated people.