Birth weight, biological maturation and obesity in adolescents: a mediation analysis.

This study was aimed to investigate associations between birth weight and multiple adiposity indicators in youth, and to examine potential mediating effects by biological maturation. This was a school-based study involving 981 Brazilian adolescents aged between 10 and 17 years. Birth weight was reported retrospectively by mothers. Maturation was estimated by age of peak height velocity. Adiposity indicators included body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and percent body fat estimated from triceps and subscapular skinfolds. Multilevel mediation analyses were performed using the Sobel test, adjusted for chronological age, gestational age, cardiorespiratory fitness and socio-economic status. Except for body fat in girls, biological maturation partly or fully mediated (P<0.05) positive relationships between birth weight with all other obesity indicators in both sexes with their respective values of indirect effects with 95% confidence intervals: BMI [boys: 0.44 (0.06-0.82); girls: 0.38 (0.13-0.64)], waist circumference [boys: 1.14 (0.22-2.05); girls: 0.87 (0.26-1.48)] and body fat [boys: 0.60 (0.13-1.07)]. To conclude, birth weight is associated with elevated obesity risk in adolescence and biological maturation seems to at least partly mediate this relationship.

Dermatan sulfate reduces monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and TGF-ß production, as well as macrophage recruitment and myofibroblast accumulation in mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction.

Selectins play an essential role in most inflammatory reactions, mediating the initial leukocyte-rolling event on activated endothelium. Heparin and dermatan sulfate (DS) bind and block P- and L-selectin function in vitro. Recently, we reported that subcutaneous administration of DS inhibits colon inflammation in rats by reducing macrophage and T-cell recruitment and macrophage activation. In the present study, we examined the effect of porcine intestinal mucosa DS on renal inflammation and fibrosis in mice after unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Twenty-four adult male Swiss mice weighing 20-25 g were divided into 4 groups: group C (N = 6) was not subjected to any surgical manipulation; group SH (N = 6) was subjected to surgical manipulation but without ureter ligation; group UUO (N = 6) was subjected to unilateral ureteral obstruction and received no treatment; group UUO plus DS (N = 6) was subjected to UUO and received DS (4 mg/kg) subcutaneously daily for 14 days. An immunoblot study was also performed for TGF-ß. Collagen (stained area ~3700 µm(2)), MCP-1 (stained area ~1700 µm(2)), TGF-ß (stained area ~13% of total area), macrophage (number of cells ~40), and myofibroblast (stained area ~1900 µm(2)) levels were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the UUO group compared to control. DS treatment significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the content of collagen (stained area ~700 µm(2)), MCP-1 (stained area ~160 µm(2)) and TGF-ß (stained area ~5% of total area), in addition to myofibroblast (stained area ~190 µm(2)) and macrophage (number of cells ~32) accumulation in the obstructed kidney. Overall, these results indicate that DS attenuates kidney inflammation by reducing macrophage recruitment, myofibroblast population and fibrosis in mice submitted to UUO.

Dermatan sulfate reduces monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and TGF-β production, as well as macrophage recruitment and myofibroblast accumulation in mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction

Selectins play an essential role in most inflammatory reactions, mediating the initial leukocyte-rolling event on activated endothelium. Heparin and dermatan sulfate (DS) bind and block P- and L-selectin function in vitro. Recently, we reported that subcutaneous administration of DS inhibits colon inflammation in rats by reducing macrophage and T-cell recruitment and macrophage activation. In the present study, we examined the effect of porcine intestinal mucosa DS on renal inflammation and fibrosis in mice after unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Twenty-four adult male Swiss mice weighing 20-25 g were divided into 4 groups: group C (N = 6) was not subjected to any surgical manipulation; group SH (N = 6) was subjected to surgical manipulation but without ureter ligation; group UUO (N = 6) was subjected to unilateral ureteral obstruction and received no treatment; group UUO plus DS (N = 6) was subjected to UUO and received DS (4 mg/kg) subcutaneously daily for 14 days. An immunoblot study was also performed for TGF-β. Collagen (stained area ~3700 µm²), MCP-1 (stained area ~1700 µm²), TGF-β (stained area ~13 percent of total area), macrophage (number of cells ~40), and myofibroblast (stained area ~1900 µm²) levels were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the UUO group compared to control. DS treatment significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the content of collagen (stained area ~700 µm²), MCP-1 (stained area ~160 µm²) and TGF-β (stained area ~5 percent of total area), in addition to myofibroblast (stained area ~190 µm²) and macrophage (number of cells ~32) accumulation in the obstructed kidney. Overall, these results indicate that DS attenuates kidney inflammation by reducing macrophage recruitment, myofibroblast population and fibrosis in mice submitted to UUO.

IS1245 genotypic analysis of Mycobacterium avium isolates from patients in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: Disseminated Mycobacterium avium infection is an emerging opportunistic disease among patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in Brazil. The mode of transmission of M. avium in a developing country setting needs to be better characterized. METHODS: Mycobacterium avium strain collections in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro were analyzed according to the strains' IS1245 DNA gel electrophoretic migration patterns. Medical records of the patients from whom M. avium isolates were available were reviewed, and their demographic characteristics were stratified according to the isolates' IS1245 DNA fingerprint patterns. RESULTS: Of 105 patients, 33 (31%) with M. avium isolated between 1990 and 1994 had strains having IS1245 patterns identical in patterns seen in isolates from two or more patients (designated as cluster pattern strains). Cluster pattern strains were isolated from 21 (39%) of 54 patients with disseminated infection (defined as infection due to M. avium isolated from a sterile site in an adult patient). Six of the cluster pattern strains were isolated only from sterile sites. In São Paulo, cluster pattern strains were significantly more likely to be isolated from patients with disseminated disease. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary observations suggest that in large cities of Brazil, a high proportion (at least 39%) of disseminated M. avium infections in patients with AIDS results from a recent transmission. Some strains of M. avium may be more likely to cause disseminated disease than others after an infection.

Genetics, drugs and environmental factors in Parkinson's disease. A case-control study.

A case-control study of Parkinson's disease (PD) was conducted in the city of Rio de Janeiro based on the assumption that neurotoxins with secondary parkinsonian action may be related to the development of Parkinson's disease. Ninety-two subjects with PD and 110 controls were queried through a questionnaire in order to investigate possible risk factors for the disease. The following factors were studied: herbicides/pesticides, exposure to chemicals, ingestion of drugs with secondary PD effects, rural life, water well source, family history, cranial trauma and cigarette smoking. Study of mentioned factors was achieved through univariate, stratified and multivariate analyses. Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that PD was positively associated with family history (OR = 14.5; CI = 2.98-91.38), with the use of drugs with secondary PD action (OR = 11.01; CI = 3.41-39.41) and with exposure to chemical agents (OR = 5.87; CI = 1.48-27.23). PD was found to be inversely associated with cigarette smoking (OR = 0.39; IC = 0.16-0.95). Stratified analysis only confirmed family history and drug use, besides demonstrating that cigarette consumption could be a protection factor, when aforementioned factors were involved. This study might be a warning as to the cares that need to be taken regarding drug use and occupational exposure to chemical agents, as both types of substances present secondary PD action.

[Neuroimage findings in hepatocerebral degeneration induced by hemochromatosis]. / Neuroimagem na degeneração hepatocerebral induzida por hemocromatose.

Transitory changes are shown through T1-weighted MRI bipallidal hyperintensity in a patient with acquired hepatocerebral degeneration induced by hemochromatosis. In addition we discuss about the possibility of this image associated with thalamic hyperintensity on T2-weighted also seen in this case, was just secondary to hepatocerebral degeneration, or if they could be caused by hemochromatosis itself.

[Scleroderma, thyroiditis, and myasthenia gravis: study of a case]. / Esclerodermia, tireoidite e miastenia grave: estudo de um caso.

A thirty-six years old woman with myasthenia gravis developed cold intolerance after two years, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis diagnosis was established. Four years later she exhibited skin thickening (limited scleroderma). Laboratory and clinical findings suggested the CREST type of systemic sclerosis. Difficulty in scleroderma diagnosis is discussed, as overlap of syndromes. Hashimoto's thyroiditis and myasthenia gravis are infrequently associated. Occurrence of scleroderma and myasthenia gravis in the same patient is rare. The coincidence of these three disorders was not found in literature.

[Neurocysticercosis: incidence in the state of Rio de Janeiro]. / Neurocisticercose: incidência no Estado do Rio de Janeiro.

One hundred patients with neurocysticercosis born and residents in Rio de Janeiro State were studied from September 1981 to December 1989. The approximate incidence rate of one case per month shows that the disease is not rare in this State of Brazil.

[Bilateral abducens nerve palsy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma]. / Paralisia bilateral do abducente em carcinoma de nasofaringe.

We report a case of bilateral abducens palsy as initial finding in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Possible mode of involvement is discussed. Only one case has been reported in the past.

[Internuclear ophthalmoplegia: initial and isolated clinical findings in bacterial endocarditis]. / Oftalmoplegia internuclear: achado clínico inicial e único em endocardite bacteriana.

Unilateral internuclear ophthalmoplegia become manifest by homolateral paralysis of ocular adduction and contralateral nystagmus. Principal causes are multiple sclerosis and vertebro-basilar insufficiency. We report a case in which this signal appeared as the first clinical manifestation of bacterial endocarditis and turned up to be the only neurological finding.

[Comparative study between the use and the non-use of steroids in Guillain-Barré syndrome]. / Estudo comparativo entre emprego e não emprego de esteróides na síndrome de Guillain-Barré.

We studied 21 patients admitted at Servidores do Estado do Rio de Janeiro Hospital with clinical and laboratorial diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome from May 1966 to December 1983. It was not observed any prevalence of symptoms at any special season of the year; 14 male patients and 7 female at the 2nd. and 4th. decades were analysed. The average time of hospitalization for patients without steroids was 52.6 days and for patients taking steroids was of 63.6 days. We discussed the therapeutic value of steroids and our conclusion is that improvement was shorter and better in patients without steroids. They acquired less time of hospitalization. Besides this, side effects on patients with steroids was greater.